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By Author
Published on December 20, 2024
Eros Hotel New Delhi, in association with the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Iran Culture House, and CD Foundation, proudly hosted the Iranian Food Festival from 11th to 17th December 2024. This week-long celebration brought the vibrant hues of Persian culture and cuisine from the heart of Iran to Delhi, creating an unparalleled experience for food lovers and celebrating the spirit of Indo-Iranian camaraderie.
For seven delightful days, master Iranian chefs curated an authentic and exquisite menu, showcasing the diverse culinary heritage of Iran. Each day's Featured Dish explored unique regional flavors, offering guests a memorable gastronomic journey through Iran's rich culinary tapestry.
The festival began with the exclusive event, 'Coffee Morning with the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran,' which focused on tourism and trade promotion. On 12th December, the final round of the much-anticipated Iranian Food Competition and Workshop took center stage. This was followed by the grand Indo-Iranian Cultural Show on 16th December, where vibrant performances celebrated the shared cultural ties, culminating in a Gala Iranian Dinner, where all participants were felicitated by the Iran Embassy and the Iran Culture House.
The Iranian Food Competition, judged by an esteemed jury panel comprising Mr. Kazem Samandari, Executive Chairman of Lopera; Chef Mostafa Taheripour Isfahani from Maccan Tourism; and Chef Diwas Wadhera, Executive Chef of Eros Hotel New Delhi, saw incredible talent and innovation. Chef Neda Tavakoli from Iran emerged as the winner, while Mr. Hem Chandra Arya from Eros Hotel New Delhi secured the 1st Runner-Up position, and Chef Bharat Khemani was declared the 2nd Runner-Up.
The festival's culinary offerings included delicacies such as Shirazi Salad, a refreshing medley of cucumber, onion, and tomatoes; Ash Reshteh, a hearty noodle soup with chickpeas and kidney beans; and the aromatic Gheimeh, a Persian lamb stew infused with split chickpeas, tomatoes, and cinnamon. Other highlights included Kuku Sabzi, a medley of fresh greens; Korshet-e-Bademjan, a velvety eggplant and tomato stew; and a variety of decadent Iranian desserts such as Rhubarb Rose and Pistachio Trifle Pots, Soleh-Zard, and Tahini Cinnamon Swirls.
The ambiance at Blooms Restaurant and other event venues radiated the essence of Iran with breathtaking Iranian décor. Traditional elements enhanced the spaces, transporting guests to the heart of Persia and creating an immersive and enchanting experience.
Reflecting on the festival, Chef Diwas Wadhera, Executive Chef of Eros Hotel New Delhi, said, "It was an incredible experience to be part of this cultural exchange. Despite the language barriers, the collaboration between the Eros Hotel team and the Iranian chefs was seamless and inspiring. Together, we breathed new life into traditional recipes, blending authenticity with contemporary flair for our guests."
The Iranian Food Festival was a magnificent celebration of culinary art, cultural heritage, and the enduring bonds between India and Iran, leaving an indelible impression on all who attended.
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By Nishang Narayan
Published on July 5, 2025
Hyatt Hotels is doubling down on its asset-light strategy with a major move—selling Playa Hotels’ real estate portfolio to Tortuga Resorts for $2 billion. This follows Hyatt’s acquisition of Playa in February for $2.6 billion, including debt. Playa operates 24 luxury all-inclusive resorts across Mexico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic.
The sale covers 15 of Playa’s resort assets, effectively reducing Hyatt’s net purchase price for the remaining Playa business to around $555 million. The deal, still pending regulatory nods in Mexico, is expected to close before the end of 2025.
As part of the arrangement, Hyatt and Tortuga will enter into 50-year agreements for these properties, allowing Hyatt to continue managing the resorts. Thirteen of the resorts will operate under Hyatt’s standard management fee structures, with two under separate agreements.
Hyatt CEO Mark Hoplamazian called the move transformational, noting it turns the Playa acquisition into a fully asset-light transaction. "It also ramps up our fee-based earnings," he added. Hyatt now anticipates its asset-light earnings mix could hit at least 90% by 2027.
Analysts view the swift real estate divestment positively, seeing it as a smart way for Hyatt to stay nimble while bolstering returns. Proceeds from this deal will primarily go toward repaying loans taken to finance the Playa buyout.
Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, a flagship Accor property, has proudly announced that it has been awarded the Green Key Certification, a globally recognised eco-label that underscores excellence in sustainable tourism and hospitality.
Granted by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE)—one of the world’s leading environmental education organisations and recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)—the certification marks a significant milestone in the hotel’s ongoing efforts to integrate eco-friendly practices without compromising guest comfort or luxury.
Lakshmi Sridhar, General Manager, Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, said, “At Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, we believe that sustainability is not just a responsibility, but a way of life. Being Green Key certified reinforces our commitment to offering eco-conscious experiences that align with global environmental standards.”
The hotel has rolled out various impactful initiatives, from using clean, renewable energy and implementing robust waste management practices to driving water conservation, enhancing energy efficiency, and sustainably sourcing products. These measures are designed to benefit not only the environment but also the local community.
As travel trends increasingly lean towards conscious luxury and responsible tourism, this certification positions Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach as a leader in sustainable hospitality in India.
Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality player, has announced the signing of a new Vivanta property in Anjuna, Goa. This greenfield project marks another step in IHCL’s strategy to grow its presence across key leisure destinations in India.
Strategically located in Anjuna, celebrated for its vibrant culture and beaches, the upcoming Vivanta Anjuna, Goa will feature 110 well-appointed rooms. Guests can look forward to an array of facilities including an all-day diner, a bar, a swimming pool, a fully equipped gym, and modern conference spaces, catering to both leisure and business travellers.
Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President - Real Estate & Development, IHCL, shared, “IHCL has been at the forefront of pioneering destinations and has played a defining role in putting Goa on the global tourism map for over five decades. This signing is in line with our strategy to expand IHCL’s presence across segments in key leisure markets. We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with Fiesta Hotels with this new project.”
The hotel is being developed by Fiesta Hotels Pvt. Ltd., led by directors Ravinder Kumar, Manju Vardhan, Raj Vardhan, Harsh Vardhan, Gagan Garg, and Gaurav Garg, who have deep investments in real estate and hospitality. Ravinder Kumar, Director, Fiesta Hotels Pvt. Ltd., said, “We are proud to collaborate with IHCL through the addition of our second hotel in Goa. It stands as a testament to our shared vision to deliver exceptional experiences in one of India’s most cherished destinations.”
Goa continues to attract travellers with its sun-soaked beaches, Portuguese-era architecture, thriving culinary and music scene, and vibrant local communities. With this signing, IHCL’s Goa portfolio grows to 18 hotels, including five under development, underscoring its long-standing commitment to shaping Goa’s tourism landscape.
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