In a focused step towards strengthening climate awareness in the city, the Rotary Club of Madras partnered with the Institute for Climate and Environment as community collaborators for Sustainability Carnival and Primathon 2026. Held on February 14 and 15 at Primrose School, Chennai, the two-day initiative was curated by ICE, with Rotary extending its support to widen participation and deepen community engagement.

The programme opened with a symbolic tree plantation under ICE’s ROOTS (Restoring Our Original Tree Systems) initiative. President Rtn. Nikhil Raj, along with key Rotary members, planted a Manoranjitham sapling on campus, marking the beginning of a larger ecological restoration goal. Through ROOTS, ICE plans to plant one million native trees over the next three years to rebuild local ecosystems and enhance environmental resilience. The initiative received financial backing from Rtn. Fharzana Siraj, B&G Solar Pvt Ltd, and Kaleesuwari Foundations.

On February 15, the Primathon saw students, parents and educators participate in a 1.5-kilometre run symbolising the 1.5°C global warming threshold outlined in the Paris Agreement. Flagged off by Rtn. Sesha Sai, District Chairman, participants wore eco-friendly T-shirts to reinforce everyday sustainability. A yoga session inspired by Triguna Theory encouraged mindful living as a foundation for environmental responsibility. The event concluded with a Climate Action Pledge, with attendees committing to sustainable practices and receiving Certificates of Climate Action from ICE.

Hospitality has always been about experiences, but in today’s fast-moving digital world, experience begins long before a guest steps into the lobby. Modern travellers expect instant confirmations, seamless access, personalised services, and effortless communication. At the same time, hotel operators are managing rising operational costs, staffing pressures, fragmented technology systems, and the constant demand for better reviews and stronger loyalty. The industry does not just need another software solution. It needs a smarter, unified system built for the realities of today. GuestEzee with Contactless Check-In answers that need.

Developed by GuestVento Technology Pvt Ltd, GuestEzee is a global, cloud-based Guest Management System designed to transform how hotels operate and how guests experience their stay. It is not positioned as a single feature application or a limited operational tool. It is built as a complete digital ecosystem that connects guests, staff, and management on one intelligent platform.

Across global hospitality markets, many hotels continue to function with disconnected systems. Property management software operates separately from POS systems. Door lock access remains dependent on physical cards. Guest feedback is collected manually or too late to make a difference. Housekeeping coordination relies on phone calls and fragmented communication. These inefficiencies cost hotels more than time. They impact revenue, reputation, and repeat business.

GuestEzee brings all essential functions together into one seamless structure. With fully integrated contactless check in, guests can complete arrival formalities digitally and access their rooms using mobile key technology. The elimination of long queues and physical dependency instantly elevates the arrival experience. However, the platform goes far beyond entry.

Through a unified guest interface, visitors can order in room dining, request services, receive curated upsell offers, and provide instant feedback. Every interaction becomes smooth, intuitive, and personalized. For hotels, this translates into stronger guest engagement and increased average revenue per room. Built in upselling capabilities allow properties to present relevant services at the right moment, turning convenience into profitability without disrupting the guest journey.

Operationally, GuestEzee empowers teams with real time coordination. The staff interface enables structured housekeeping, f&b and front office workflows, maintenance tracking, and immediate complaint resolution through an automated escalation matrix. Management gains access to a comprehensive dashboard featuring billing, operational visibility, and performance analytics. Instead of working reactively, hotels can now operate with proactive intelligence.

As a subscription driven SaaS platform priced per key per month, GuestEzee offers scalability for mid scale and premium hotels seeking modern transformation without complex infrastructure investment. Its cloud first architecture ensures quick deployment, remote accessibility, and seamless integration with PMS, OTAs, POS systems, and digital lock technologies. The result is a connected ecosystem that eliminates silos and simplifies technology adoption.

Guests demand speed, personalization, and transparency. Operators demand efficiency, visibility, and revenue growth. GuestEzee with Contactless Check-In brings these demands together into one powerful solution.

As digital transformation becomes the defining factor of competitiveness in hospitality, GuestEzee is not just participating in the shift. It is helping lead it.

“Stay at Ezee with GuestEzee”  

For more info visit: www.guestezee.com & mail us at: enquiry@guestezee.com

Loca Loka, the premium 100% agave tequila brand co-founded by Rana Daggubati, Anirudh Ravichander and Sree Harsha Vadlamudi, has officially launched in Bengaluru. After establishing its presence in Delhi and Mumbai, the brand now brings its Blanco and Reposado expressions to one of India’s most dynamic and premium-focused markets.

The move reflects Loca Loka’s steady and market-driven expansion approach. While tequila is still an emerging category in India, it is one of the fastest-growing white spirits globally, supported by rising cocktail culture, increasing urban spending, and a growing preference for craft-led, quality spirits. Bengaluru, with its strong food and beverage culture and globally exposed audience, fits naturally into this growth story.

For Rana Daggubati, the city holds personal meaning beyond business. “I’ve always admired Bengaluru’s energy,” he said. “There’s a balance here that’s ambitious yet grounded, global yet deeply rooted, artisanal yet uncompromising on quality. That duality mirrors Loca Loka. We’re inspired by authentic Mexican craft, but we’re building something that resonates with the modern global consumer, including India. The city’s creative and entrepreneurial spirit aligns naturally with the brand.”

Loca Loka first launched in highly competitive global markets, earning awards and strong consumer response. The brand is currently available in key cities across the US and has expanded into Singapore, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Structured entries into the UK and the UAE are underway as part of its international roadmap. The next phase will focus on strengthening distribution across North America, the Middle East, Europe, and select Asian hubs. New variants are also in development, including aged expressions, limited collaborations, and special editions celebrating artisanal legacies of both India and Mexico. Since its India debut late last year, the brand has seen strong demand, with batches consistently selling out.

“Bengaluru represents a strong alignment of consumer maturity, premium appetite, and trade sophistication,” said Sree Harsha Vadlamudi, Co-Founder & CEO, Loca Loka. “Our expansion strategy has never been about rapid geographic width. It’s about entering markets where distribution quality, pricing architecture, and consumer readiness converge. Bengaluru’s on-trade community understands agave, values craft and appreciates brand storytelling. That ecosystem makes it an ideal city for the next phase of our growth.”

Positioned as a founder-led and equity-backed venture, Loca Loka has focused on selective distribution, bartender engagement, and experience-led education. This approach aims to shift tequila consumption from quick shots to sipping quality and mixology versatility.

Highlighting the cultural connect, Anirudh Ravichander added, “Bengaluru has one of the most organic music communities in the country. It’s not just about large stages, but about intimate spaces where culture evolves. There’s a certain rhythm to this city that is layered, collaborative, constantly in motion. For us, tequila is as much about atmosphere as it is about the liquid itself. The way Bengaluru brings people together across art, nightlife, and ideas, makes it a natural fit for Loca Loka.”

Globally, premium tequila continues to see strong growth, with premium and super-premium variants driving value. In India, evolving urban lifestyles and cocktail-forward bars are creating space for quality agave brands to build long-term presence. Loca Loka’s Bengaluru rollout will include curated trade engagements, bartender collaborations, and selective placements across leading premium hotels, bars, restaurants, and retail stores in the city.

Currently, the brand is available in two expressions: Loca Loka Blanco, known for its bright agave notes, citrus freshness, and clean peppery finish; and Loca Loka Reposado, aged in oak barrels for layered warmth and a rounded mouthfeel and also, a new chapter is about to unfold as Loca Loka prepares to introduce its much-awaited Añejo expression.