Marking the festive sparkle of Christmas and the holiday season leading into the New Year 2026, India’s leading contemporary lifestyle brand Chumbak has launched its thoughtfully curated ‘Lost in Paradise’ Hosting Range.

Designed in rich hues of deep reds and greens, the Lost in Paradise ceramic collection evokes the charm of a winter wonderland. Featuring blooming hibiscus and fig motifs crafted in premium ceramic, the range is ideal for festive hosting and gifting during the year-end celebrations.

The collection also introduces a mini baking assortment, including a distinctive ceramic Egg Basket shaped like a hen, a Tea Kettle and tumbler set perfect for cozy winter mornings, and a versatile Casserole designed for comfort bakes such as mac and cheese and homemade lasagna. Bakers will appreciate the set of four measuring cups, while snack bowl sets and flat platters are perfect for serving fig salads, chips, and dips at festive gatherings.

Each piece in the range reflects Chumbak’s signature illustrative style, drawing inspiration from nature and the wilderness. The standout Egg Basket, uniquely designed in the shape of a hen, seamlessly blends functionality with design, making it equally suited for kitchen cabinets or elegant table presentations of boiled eggs.

Speaking about the launch, Shubhra Chadda, Founder of Chumbak, said, “The Lost in Paradise collection is inspired by nature and the joy of everyday living, which beautifully resonates with the holiday season. With our one-of-a-kind winter hosting range, we aim to add warmth and joy to festive get-togethers this year-end.”

The ‘Lost in Paradise’ Hosting Range, including the signature Egg Basket, is now available across Chumbak stores and online.

CzechTourism, the Consulate General of the Czech Republic, and Prague Airport have jointly announced the reopening of the Czech Consulate in Mumbai, marking the return of consular operations to India’s western region after nearly fifteen years. The renewed presence is expected to significantly ease visa access for leisure, business, and MICE travellers from western and southern India while strengthening collaboration across tourism, trade, and education.

The reopening was formally marked with a press conference and networking evening held in Mumbai on 9 December 2025, bringing together key Czech public and tourism institutions, including the Consulate General, CzechTourism, Prague Airport, and Czech Trade. The gathering presented a unified vision of “One Czechia,” positioning the country as a year-round European destination for travellers, students, business delegations, film productions, and international events.

The restored consular presence is set to improve accessibility for Indian travellers applying for Czech (Schengen) visas, particularly from regions that previously had limited local access to consular services. This development is expected to support growing interest in Czechia beyond Prague, encouraging longer stays and multi-city itineraries across regions such as South Moravia, Karlovy Vary, and Český Krumlov.

Speaking at the event, Barbara Andelova, International Marketing Manager – New Markets, CzechTourism, said that Mumbai has long been an important market for Czechia. She noted that the return of the Consulate brings Czechia closer to travellers and partners who have been actively promoting destinations beyond the capital city. She added that combined efforts by the Consulate, Prague Airport, and Czech Trade will further strengthen awareness of Czechia’s diverse travel experiences.

Katerina Vovkova, Consul General of the Czech Republic in Mumbai, highlighted that reinstating the Mumbai office is a meaningful step toward restoring essential services for students, professionals, tourists, and businesses. She stated that the Consulate aims to implement processes gradually, with quarterly evaluations to ensure efficiency and continuous improvement in service delivery.

The reopening also aligns with rising outbound travel demand from India, particularly from western and southern regions. GB Srithar, Head – Tourism Services, VFS Global, which represents CzechTourism in India, the Middle East, and Israel, noted that improved visa access will enhance Czechia’s visibility across heritage, culture, gastronomy, and immersive travel experiences.

Looking ahead, VisitCzechia is preparing to launch a comprehensive 2026 integrated marketing campaign, focusing on gastronomy, wellness, culture, and heritage. The campaign aims to deepen engagement with Indian travellers and further position Czechia as a versatile and enriching European destination.

Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, has announced strategic marketing collaborations for its loyalty programme, Taj InnerCircle – NeuPass, with Shangri-La Circle, the loyalty platform of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, and MyMillennium, the loyalty programme of Millennium Hotels & Resorts. These collaborations aim to enhance global access and offer enriched travel and stay benefits for members across participating hotels worldwide.

Commenting on the development, Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, IHCL, said that Taj joining hands with Shangri-La and Millennium unlocks powerful synergies through a global loyalty network. He noted that the addition of these two partners will create a seamless experience for members by extending exclusive reciprocal benefits, reinforcing IHCL’s focus on shaping the future of travel through meaningful alliances that deliver long-term value to guests and partners.

Under the collaborations, members of Taj InnerCircle – NeuPass, Shangri-La Circle, and MyMillennium will gain access to each other’s extensive global portfolios. The partnerships offer reciprocal privileges, including preferred rates across participating hotels worldwide, enabled through authenticated journeys across respective brand platforms, strengthening exclusivity and ease of access for loyal travellers.

Shangri-La Group, established in 1971 and a subsidiary of Kerry Properties, operates 105 luxury hotels across 78 destinations, offering more than 40,000 rooms across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and Oceania. Shangri-La Circle extends beyond a traditional hotel loyalty programme, positioning itself as a contemporary travel and lifestyle platform focused on delivering personalised and meaningful experiences to its members.

Millennium Hotels & Resorts, recognised as Singapore’s Most Valuable Hotel Brand by Brand Finance in 2025 for the second consecutive year, continues to strengthen its global presence. Its award-winning loyalty programme, MyMillennium, combines the brand’s international footprint with a compelling and value-driven loyalty proposition for frequent travellers.

IHCL’s iconic brand Taj, recognised as the World’s Strongest Hotel Brand for the fourth time and India’s Strongest Brand for the fifth time by Brand Finance in 2025, offers a diverse portfolio of experiences ranging from grand palaces and landmark city hotels to wildlife lodges, beach resorts, and luxury serviced residences. The brand currently operates over 130 hotels across 14 countries, reinforcing its position as a global leader in hospitality.