MONIN India has officially revealed the theme for the much-awaited MONIN Coffee Creativity Cup (MCCC) 2025 — "Alchemy of Flavors: A Fusion of MONIN & Exquisite Coffee." This exciting edition aims to inspire baristas and beverage professionals to explore bold new combinations using MONIN’s world-class syrups with expertly brewed coffee.

This year's competition is set to be a true celebration of craftsmanship, innovation, and community. Participants will showcase their espresso-based mocktails across three regional rounds held in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore, with winners advancing to a grand national finale in Jaipur.

The champion from the India finale will go on to represent the country at the MONIN Coffee Creativity Cup Asia Finals in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, scheduled for September 2025. There, they'll compete against top baristas from across the APAC region.

The theme "Alchemy of Flavors" calls on participants to mix tradition with creativity, combining MONIN’s versatile flavors with the art of coffee brewing. It highlights the growing desire for unique, elevated coffee experiences in India and strengthens MONIN’s commitment to supporting baristas with platforms that celebrate imagination and skill.

More than just a competition, the MCCC has evolved into a creative journey. It empowers professionals to challenge the norm, tell their stories through beverages, and set new benchmarks in India’s modern coffee scene.

Mr. Germain Araud, Managing Director of MONIN India Pvt. Ltd., expressed his excitement, saying, “We're proud to return with the MONIN Coffee Creativity Cup this year. This initiative is designed to offer a meaningful springboard for emerging talent, providing visibility and access to a wider, even global stage. It reflects MONIN's deep-rooted commitment to giving back to the community that inspires us every day. As MONIN continues to grow within the coffee industry, this competition offers us a valuable opportunity to discover the passion and innovation that professionals bring to their craft.”

At every stage, regional and national - winners can look forward to exciting prizes, with the national winner receiving an exclusive global coffee experience that includes an international farm visit.

As a brand that has been pioneering beverage innovation since 1912, MONIN continues to invest in India's growing coffee culture. MCCC 2025 is a vibrant expression of this vision, bringing together flavor, talent, and creative energy in a celebration of coffee like no other.

As part of a dedicated upskilling initiative to boost adventure tourism in India, the Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC), in collaboration with VISA, felicitated successful candidates who completed the Paragliding Ground Crew Chief training program. This effort is a significant step in formalising the skills of ground staff and offering them well-deserved industry recognition.

The Certificate Distribution Ceremony was conducted by THSC’s training partner, Samarpit Media Society, at Rainbow Hall, ITBP Camp, Dehradun. The event was graced by dignitaries including Mrs. Poonam Chand, Additional Secretary of the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB), Ms. Parnal Vats, Senior Manager at VISA, and Mr. Abhishek Anand, Vice President – Assessment & Certification at THSC.

The training initiative was supported by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Border Security Force (BSF), whose contributions were acknowledged by THSC for their vital role throughout the training process and event execution.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rajan Bahadur, CEO of THSC, highlighted the importance of this initiative:
"This upskilling initiative reflects our commitment to creating structured pathways for workforce development in emerging areas like adventure tourism. Through the RPL program, we are formally recognizing the capabilities of individuals who have long been contributing to the sector. We are grateful to our partners VISA, along with UTDB, Samarpit Media Society, BSF and ITBP for their vital support."

This program supports THSC’s broader mission to build a strong skill ecosystem by empowering individuals in the tourism and hospitality sector with industry-aligned competencies and formal certifications.

The Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the CUTS Institute for Regulation and Competition (CIRC) to strengthen the legal and compliance capacity across India's hospitality sector. The initiative comes at a crucial time, as the industry grapples with evolving laws, increasing compliance demands, and mounting sustainability obligations.

"It is important to bridge the gaps between hospitality law and practice, as regulatory uncertainty and overlaps create hurdles for the industry," said K. Shyama Raju, President of FHRAI, during the MoU signing. The partnership aims to roll out a specialised course—Navigating the Legal Landscape of Hospitality—targeted at professionals across hotels, restaurants, and allied services.

India's tourism and hospitality sector is projected to generate over ₹5.12 lakh crore (US$59 billion) in revenue by 2028. However, startups and smaller businesses often face challenges navigating multiple licenses, labour laws, and compliance mandates. These complications can delay business operations and impact consumer experience.

Adding to the pressure, new environmental regulations are pushing for green certifications, energy efficiency, and sustainability disclosures. While these align with global standards, they are often difficult to implement without proper awareness or support, especially for small and medium enterprises.

Raju emphasized the importance of legal knowledge in today's landscape. "Understanding the law is not just an advantage—it is a necessity in the hospitality industry. This course is a timely and much-needed initiative that will help professionals gain the legal know-how to run their businesses more responsibly and efficiently," he said.

The eight-week course is designed for a wide audience—hoteliers, restaurateurs, HR managers, legal advisors, entrepreneurs, and hospitality students. It covers licensing, contracts, labour laws, intellectual property, taxation, and dispute resolution, with a strong focus on real-world application. Live weekend sessions, expert instructors, and case-based learning aim to ensure practical value.

Pradeep Mehta, Chairman of CIRC, noted the urgent need for legal training in the sector. "There is a critical gap in legal knowledge within the hospitality industry. This shortfall often leads to unintentional consumer rights violations and regulatory missteps. A comprehensive capacity-building programme will help individuals and the industry navigate these challenges more effectively."

He added, "To unlock the full potential of the sector, we need a more streamlined regulatory environment and wider awareness of compliance obligations. Well-informed businesses are better equipped to avoid penalties, attract investment, and meet global benchmarks."

Raju concluded, "What sets this course apart is its focus on practical learning. It empowers professionals to spot risks early, make smarter decisions, and protect their businesses. We believe this initiative marks an important step toward raising legal awareness and strengthening the foundation of hospitality in India."