Hong Kong's Mid-Autumn Radiance: Lanterns and Mooncakes

Hong Kong's Mid-Autumn Radiance: Lanterns and Mooncakes

By Author

Published on October 6, 2023

Hong Kong lights up with excitement every year during the Mid-Autumn Festival. This cherished celebration, also known as the Mooncake Festival, brings families together to enjoy age-old traditions and create new memories under the full moon.

A Festival of Gratitude and Unity

The Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, which usually falls in September or October. Hong Kongers use this time to express gratitude for the harvest and pray for luck. Families eagerly reunite after time spent apart, making it a special occasion.

Mooncakes: A Symbol of Unity

Mooncakes are the festival's stars. These round pastries symbolize unity and are typically filled with lotus seed paste and salted egg yolk. Over time, innovative flavors like ice-cream mooncakes and snow skin mooncakes have emerged.

Lanterns That Illuminate the Night

Traditional paper lanterns add to the festival's charm. They come in various shapes and sizes and can be found in parks, streets, and along the waterfront. Some lanterns even feature modern LED lights, creating mesmerizing displays.

The Fire Dragon Dance: A Dazzling Tradition

Hong Kong boasts a unique tradition—the Fire Dragon Dance. This captivating dance, over a century old, features a 200-foot-long dragon adorned with thousands of burning sticks of incense. It's a vivid display of culture and heritage.

Moon Gazing and Lantern Riddles

The full moon serves as a backdrop for moon gazing, a time for reflection and inspiration. Families and friends often gather at parks like Victoria Park to enjoy this serene moment. Lantern riddles, attached to colorful lanterns, challenge participants with their wisdom and good fortune messages.

Delightful Mid-Autumn Delicacies

The festival is incomplete without indulging in mooncakes, but it's also a time for enjoying fruits with auspicious meanings. Star fruit and pomelo are popular choices. Families often end their reunion meals with glutinous rice balls, symbolizing togetherness.

Celebrating Resilience and Unity

In recent years, the festival has taken on new significance, symbolizing resilience and unity, particularly after the challenges posed by the pandemic. It's a testament to Hong Kong's unwavering spirit.

As the lanterns light up the city and families come together, the Mid-Autumn Festival in Hong Kong continues to be a cherished tradition—a time to express gratitude, celebrate unity, and look to the bright future under the moon's gentle glow.

Image Source - Hong Kong Tourism Board


IHG Signs InterContinental Eros New Delhi Nehru Place

IHG Signs InterContinental Eros New Delhi Nehru Place

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 1, 2026

IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced the signing of a management agreement with Eros Group (Nehru Place Hotels Pvt Ltd) to introduce InterContinental Eros New Delhi Nehru Place. The 216-key hotel is set to reopen under the InterContinental brand after a planned renovation, which is expected to be completed in 2029. This move aligns with IHG’s focus on expanding its luxury and lifestyle portfolio across key destinations in India.

Located in Nehru Place, one of Delhi’s busiest business districts, the hotel is positioned to cater to both corporate and leisure travellers. The area’s mix of offices, embassies, and well-known attractions makes it a strong location for a luxury hospitality offering.

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, known as one of the world’s leading luxury hotel brands, continues to grow its presence globally and in India. With a strong pipeline and recent signings in destinations like Kasauli and Kodaikanal, the brand is steadily building its footprint across both city and resort locations. This latest signing in the national capital marks another important step in its growth journey in India.

Commenting on the announcement, Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts said, “We are delighted to once again partner with Eros Group (Nehru Place Hotels Private Limited) to bring our global luxury brand, InterContinental to the national capital. South Delhi’s blend of corporate offices, embassies, and landmark attractions makes it an ideal location for a hotel of this caliber. Further strengthening our existing association with Eros Group, we look forward to creating a destination that supports both business and leisure demand while offering a luxury hospitality experience to our discerning guests.”

He further added, “Delhi is one of the most stable hospitality markets in the country and is characterized by a robust occupancy and ADR. With InterContinental Eros New Delhi Nehru Place, we will be positioned to strengthen our presence in one of India’s most vital economic hubs and deliver world-class hospitality.”

The hotel will feature 216 guest rooms and suites, along with multiple dining options including restaurants, a bar, and a lobby lounge. It will also offer extensive meeting and event spaces, including a grand ballroom, smaller meeting rooms, and landscaped outdoor areas suited for weddings and corporate events. Guests can also expect premium recreational facilities such as a spa, health club, and swimming pool designed for relaxation.

Mr Satish Sood, Managing Director, Eros Group (Nehru Place Hotels Pvt Ltd) added, “We are proud to further strengthen our existing relationship and again partnering with IHG Hotels & Resorts to bring the InterContinental brand back to this iconic site. We are confident the hotel will be a great success - InterContinental Hotels & Resorts is a true industry leader in luxury hospitality that resonates with discerning travelers all over the world. Additionally, we are certain leveraging IHG's enterprise systems and loyalty program will maximize returns and strengthen our competitive advantage. This partnership aligns with our long-term vision of developing landmark hospitality assets in India’s most dynamic cities, and we look forward to welcoming our guests as we open doors as the “InterContinental Eros” hotel.”

Originally launched in 1996 and previously managed under the InterContinental brand, the property later operated as Eros Hotel New Delhi before this new agreement. Its location offers easy access to Nehru Place Metro Station and is within a 30–35 minute drive from Indira Gandhi International Airport. It is also close to popular landmarks such as the Lotus Temple and Kalkaji Mandir, making it a convenient stay option for travellers.

With this signing, IHG continues to strengthen its presence in India, where it currently operates 51 hotels across six brands and has a strong pipeline of upcoming properties. The company aims to significantly expand its portfolio in the coming years, targeting over 400 hotels across the country.


Essentia Group Opens Essentia Resort & Spa in Sirsi

Essentia Group Opens Essentia Resort & Spa in Sirsi

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 1, 2026

Essentia Group of Hotels & Resorts has officially announced the grand opening of Essentia Resort & Spa, Sirsi, marking a new addition to the region’s hospitality landscape. Set along the Hubli - Sirsi main road, the property offers easy connectivity between Bangalore and Goa, making it a convenient getaway for travellers looking to unwind in nature.

Surrounded by the lush greenery of northern Karnataka, the resort is designed as a peaceful retreat where natural surroundings blend seamlessly with modern design. The property features 40 keys, including exclusive suites, each thoughtfully planned to offer comfort along with a clean and contemporary look. Every space reflects a balance of style and functionality, staying true to Essentia’s approach to creating meaningful guest experiences.

Dining at the resort brings together a variety of flavours. Guests can enjoy a mix of global and regional dishes at Citron, the all-day dining restaurant, or explore vegetarian specialties at The Indian Leaf, known for its signature thali. For a more relaxed setting, Nirvana Lounge Bar offers an indoor space ideal for drinks and quiet conversations.

The resort is also well-equipped to host celebrations and gatherings. From the spacious Omkar Lawn, noted as the largest in Sirsi, to an elegant ballroom and flexible convention hall, the venues cater to weddings, social events, and corporate functions. At the same time, the location allows guests to explore nearby attractions such as waterfalls, temples, and wildlife sanctuaries, adding to the overall experience.

The grand opening saw the presence of industry leaders, guests, and local dignitaries, marking an important milestone for the brand in the region.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Mohammed Parvez, CEO, Essentia Group of Hotels & Resorts, shared, "The opening of Essentia Resort & Spa, Sirsi is a significant milestone in our journey to create immersive and meaningful hospitality experiences. Inspired by Sirsi’s natural beauty and cultural richness, we envisioned a destination that feels both contemporary and deeply connected to its surroundings. This resort reflects our commitment to intuitive service, thoughtful design, and experiences that resonate with today’s discerning traveler.”

With this launch, Essentia Resort & Spa, Sirsi aims to offer a well-rounded stay experience, combining comfort, location, and thoughtful hospitality, while setting a new direction for experiential stays in Karnataka.


HOSPI Sigma™: A UK-Accredited Programme Making Hospitality Talent Perform

HOSPI Sigma™: A UK-Accredited Programme Making Hospitality Talent Perform

By Author

Published on March 31, 2026

India’s hospitality industry is entering a defining growth phase, with skill development taking centre stage under the national vision led by Nirmala Sitharaman. The direction is clear. The industry needs talent that is not just qualified, but ready to perform from day one.

Yet, a critical gap continues to hold hotels back.

Every year, thousands of graduates enter the workforce with a strong understanding of hospitality fundamentals. They know the processes, the standards, and the theory. But when real pressure hits, when guest complaints escalate, when operations peak, when coordination breaks down, many struggle to respond effectively.

The problem is not knowledge. It is performance readiness.

Across the industry, this gap shows up in tangible ways. Complaints take longer to resolve, peak-hour service becomes inconsistent, and teams spend valuable time reteaching basics during live operations. With rising attrition and constant rehiring, the cycle continues, impacting both service quality and operational efficiency.

HOSPI Sigma™ is built to change this reality.

A CPD UK accredited operational excellence programme, HOSPI Sigma™ is designed specifically for the hospitality industry to bridge the gap between learning and execution. It focuses on transforming how individuals think, respond, and perform in real operational environments where every moment matters.

The approach goes beyond traditional training. It develops judgment under pressure, strengthens understanding of how departments connect, and drives consistency in execution. Inspired by structured methodologies like Lean Six Sigma, it brings discipline, clarity, and measurable improvement into hospitality operations.

At the core of HOSPI Sigma™ is deep industry experience. Founded by Sanjeev Kumar, with over three decades across leading brands such as Taj, ITC, Starwood, and Premier Inn, the programme is shaped by real challenges faced on the floor, not classroom assumptions. It is practical, focused, and aligned with what hotels truly need today.

Its impact is felt across the ecosystem. Hotels benefit from faster onboarding, more reliable teams, and consistent service delivery. Institutes gain stronger placement outcomes and a clear industry-aligned edge. Students and professionals step into their careers with confidence, clarity, and the ability to perform under pressure.

The shift in hospitality is already underway. Success is no longer defined by what professionals know, but by how they perform when it matters most.

HOSPI Sigma™ delivers exactly that capability.

Where structured thinking meets real hospitality, HOSPI Sigma™ is building a new generation of professionals who are not just trained, but truly performance ready.

https://www.hospisigma.com/

 

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