Fathmath Thaufeeq Appointed as New CEO of Visit Maldives

Fathmath Thaufeeq Appointed as New CEO of Visit Maldives

By Author

Published on December 27, 2023

In a significant move for Maldives tourism, the Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), also known as Visit Maldives, has welcomed Fathmath Thaufeeq as its new Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director. Thaufeeq steps into this role succeeding Thoyyib Mohammed, who has been a key figure in guiding the country's tourism, especially during challenging times.

With a Master's in Business Administration from the University of West England, Thaufeeq is not new to leadership roles. Her previous positions include Admin and Procurement Manager at WAMCO and HR & Admin Manager at Jalboot Maldives. These roles, along with her work at ALIA and the Environmental Protection Agency, have equipped her with a diverse skill set, making her an ideal leader for MMPRC.

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Thaufeeq is enthusiastic about her new role. She believes in the power of partnerships and is committed to working closely with industry partners to achieve new heights in tourism. She is open to discussions and collaborations, aiming to promote top-notch tourism practices in the Maldives.

MMPRC, under Thaufeeq's leadership, continues its mission to promote the Maldives globally. The Corporation is active in 15 key markets, including India, where it is represented by Think Strawberries. Their strategy includes travel trade shows, brand campaigns, digital marketing, and media engagement, all aimed at showcasing the Maldives' beauty and hospitality to the world.


Soyarich Redefines Plant-Based Eating with Innovative Vegan Alternatives

Soyarich Redefines Plant-Based Eating with Innovative Vegan Alternatives

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 21, 2026

In today’s evolving culinary world, growing concerns around food adulteration and an increasing shift towards vegan lifestyles have created a strong demand for reliable alternatives to paneer. Among the many options explored, tofu has emerged as a preferred choice for health-conscious and vegan consumers. Made from soya, tofu offers a nutritious, clean, and versatile option, and Soyarich has played a key role in bringing this alternative into Indian kitchens.

Soyarich has earned the trust of millions across India through its thoughtfully crafted range of plant-based products. Its portfolio includes tofu, soya chaap, Yofu, a plant-based yogurt, plant-based cheese spreads, and the country’s first tofu pickle. Each product reflects the brand’s focus on offering wholesome food that aligns with modern dietary needs.

Tofu, known for its rich nutritional profile, has become a popular choice among those beginning their vegan journey. Soyarich took innovation a step further by introducing India’s first tofu pickle, blending tofu with Indian herbs and spices to create a flavourful and health-friendly option. The brand’s plant-based yogurt products stand out for being cholesterol-free and enriched with Vitamin C, Iron, Calcium, Vitamin D, and Magnesium.

Soyarich’s lactose-free and cholesterol-free cheese spreads are designed for everyday consumption and are especially suitable for people with lactose intolerance or milk and nut allergies. These spreads offer a convenient way to enjoy a dairy-free lifestyle without compromising on taste.

Another highlight from the brand is soya chaap, a popular choice for tandoor-style cravings. With no added preservatives or colours and being completely cholesterol-free, it supports a protein-rich, meat-free diet while delivering satisfying flavours.

Guided by its philosophy of “Eat healthy, stay happy,” Soyarich has been serving customers since 2012. The brand continues to focus on customer satisfaction through 24x7 customer support and prompt assistance with returns and exchanges. Trusted by restaurants and consumers across India, Soya Rich has built a strong presence in the Indian market and continues to envision the launch of more healthy, plant-based products in the future.

Info@soyarichfoods.com  www.soyarichfoods.com 


Palaniappa’s Hepi TV Turns Guest Room TVs into Smart Revenue Platforms for Hotels

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 21, 2026

In today’s hospitality landscape, guest experience goes far beyond comfort, it directly impacts reviews, repeat stays, and overall revenue. Addressing this shift, Palaniappa Electronics has introduced Hepi TV, a smart in-room hospitality solution that transforms the traditional guest room television into a powerful, revenue-generating platform designed exclusively for hotels.

Powered by the Palaniappa’s Hepi TV Box, the system replaces passive television viewing with an intuitive home screen built around four smart components that focus on convenience, upselling, and operational efficiency.

One of the standout features is interactive restaurant ordering directly from the TV. Hotels can upload their restaurant menus with visually rich video backdrops for each dish, along with pricing. Guests can browse, select items, choose quantities, and confirm orders using the remote. Once placed, the order is instantly shared via WhatsApp with the kitchen team, room service staff, and management, allowing faster processing and billing without any phone calls. This seamless experience encourages impulse ordering and helps increase F&B revenue.

Hepi TV also simplifies room service requests through one-click options available on the screen. Services such as requesting towels, toiletries, laundry pickup, or spa bookings can be placed instantly. Each request is sent via WhatsApp to the relevant department with the room number, enabling quicker response times. The system also generates service usage reports, helping hotel teams understand guest demand patterns and improve planning.

Another key feature is cab and tour booking through the TV interface. Guests can request transport or tours directly from their rooms, triggering alerts to both the hotel and partnered operators. This adds convenience for guests while opening up commission-based revenue opportunities for hotels.

On the entertainment front, the Hepi TV Premium Package offers access to all paid HD channels across languages, removing the limitation of single regional DTH packs. Popular OTT platforms are available on the same interface, with complete privacy protection as guest login details are automatically erased at checkout. Adding a personal touch, the guest’s name is displayed on the TV screen from check-in to checkout, creating a warm and premium welcome.

Hotels can further use the platform as a marketing tool by uploading up to six branded 4K videos to promote services, offers, or facilities, turning every TV into an in-room communication channel.

All these features are available at ₹400 plus GST per TV per month, with no capital investment required, as the Hepi TV box is provided free of cost. For hotel owners and general managers, Hepi TV positions itself not as an expense, but as a smart investment that enhances guest experience, improves operational control, and generates additional revenue.

Palaniappa Electronics continues to strengthen its standing as a trusted partner for hospitality electronics, known for reliable quality, timely delivery, and dedicated support. Trusted by multiple hotel brands, the company remains a preferred name in the hospitality industry for innovative products and dependable service.

For more details, contact Palaniappa Electronics | Mr. Muthu at 9003045685 or muthu@palaniappagroup.com.


Hospitality Sector Expects Strong Policy Support in Budget 2026, Says Vishal Vithal Kamat

Hospitality Sector Expects Strong Policy Support in Budget 2026, Says Vishal Vithal Kamat

By Hariharan U

Published on January 21, 2026

As the Union Budget 2026 draws closer, voices from the hospitality industry are growing stronger, calling for focused policy measures and enhanced financial support to drive sustainable growth. Sharing his pre-budget views, Vishal Vithal Kamat, Executive Director at Kamat Hotels India Ltd, highlighted the need for greater attention to the hospitality sector and its wider economic impact.

Kamat emphasised that hospitality goes far beyond hotels, encompassing tour operators and a broad network of allied services that collectively play a vital role in boosting tourism and employment across the country. He noted that the sector has been seeking targeted benefits and supportive policies for several years to help streamline operations and improve ease of doing business.

“We have strong expectations from the Union Government to enhance budgetary allocations for the hospitality sector as a whole. Hospitality extends beyond hotels to include tour operators and a wide network of allied services that collectively drive tourism and employment. The industry has long been seeking targeted benefits and policy support to streamline operations, improve ease of doing business, and strengthen India’s tourism ecosystem. We are hopeful that the forthcoming budget will address these long-standing concerns in a meaningful way,” he said.

Industry leaders believe that well-structured budgetary support can strengthen India’s tourism ecosystem, encourage investments, and create more employment opportunities. With Budget 2026 on the horizon, the hospitality sector remains optimistic that its long-pending demands will finally find place in national policy planning.

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