District by Zomato has launched the Inclusive Dining Toolkit, a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to help restaurants create more accessible and inclusive dining spaces for persons with disabilities (PwDs), senior citizens, pregnant women, and others with accessibility needs.

The toolkit has been developed in collaboration with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Samarthyam, and The Association of People with Disability. Its development also involved consultations with persons with disabilities, restaurant partners, and accessibility experts to ensure practical and meaningful recommendations.

The initiative aims to help restaurants identify accessibility gaps, make operational improvements, and provide diners with greater visibility into accessibility-related information before they visit. In addition to promoting inclusion, the toolkit highlights how accessible dining spaces can support business growth through increased footfall, repeat visits, and larger group gatherings.

The launch event was attended by Ms. Manmeet Kaur Nanda, Additional Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, who participated as the Chief Guest.

In a message shared during the launch, Shri B. L. Verma, Minister of State, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, said that accessible dining environments are essential for enabling persons with disabilities to participate independently and with dignity in everyday public life. He described the toolkit as a practical resource that can help the hospitality industry build more inclusive spaces.

Ms. Manmeet Kaur Nanda noted that the initiative reflects a broader effort to make public spaces and experiences more accessible. She highlighted that while significant progress has been made through the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act and the Accessible India Campaign, accessibility and inclusion should become a standard part of infrastructure planning and service delivery across industries.

According to the company, India is home to more than 2.68 crore persons with disabilities, many of whom continue to face challenges while dining out due to inaccessible infrastructure and limited information about accessibility features at restaurants.

During consultations, restaurant operators expressed a willingness to improve accessibility but also highlighted practical challenges, particularly around infrastructure changes in leased properties. The toolkit has been designed to offer actionable recommendations that restaurants can implement within such operational constraints.

Alongside the launch of the toolkit, District by Zomato has also introduced several accessibility-focused features on its platform. These include improved support for screen-reader users, accessibility filters on dining pages, and AI-powered solutions aimed at helping users make more informed dining decisions based on their accessibility requirements.

Through this initiative, District by Zomato aims to encourage greater inclusivity within the hospitality sector while helping restaurants create welcoming experiences for a wider range of guests.

DS Group has announced an exclusive partnership with British dessert brand Ben’s Cookies, marking the brand’s official entry into the Indian market.

As part of the long-term master franchise agreement, DS Group plans to open up to 10 Ben’s Cookies outlets during the current financial year across Delhi and Mumbai, with the first six to seven stores expected to launch in June and July.

Founded in 1983 at Oxford’s Covered Market, Ben’s Cookies is globally known for its signature chunky and gooey cookies and freshly baked artisanal approach. Through this partnership, the brand aims to introduce its bakery-first retail concept to Indian consumers, focusing on in-store freshness and premium ingredients.

According to the company, the India expansion aligns with the growing demand for premium dessert formats, café-style experiences, and freshly prepared bakery products among urban consumers.

Sanskriti Gupta said the partnership represents an important step in DS Group’s expansion within the premium food retail segment. She added that the company plans to establish eight to ten physical stores across India during the current fiscal year as part of its broader growth strategy.

In addition to standalone retail outlets, Ben’s Cookies products will also be made available through leading food delivery and e-commerce platforms to expand accessibility across key markets.

Speaking about the collaboration, Luke Menezes shared that every Ben’s Cookies boutique in India will feature live-oven baking throughout the day to maintain the brand’s traditional freshness standards.

Alongside its signature cookies, the brand also plans to introduce cookie shakes, coffee offerings, and cookie ice cream sandwiches to the Indian market.

The partnership further reflects the growing appetite for premium dessert and café concepts in India, particularly among younger consumers seeking experiential dining and indulgent bakery offerings.

With its India debut, Ben’s Cookies is expected to strengthen the premium dessert retail landscape while expanding its international footprint through one of the world’s fastest-growing consumer markets.

Cordelia Cruises is set to return to Chennai for its fifth cruising season from June to August 2026, further strengthening the city’s growing position as an important cruise tourism hub in India. The upcoming season will feature a mix of domestic and international sailings across India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia, offering cruise options ranging from short weekend getaways to longer international holidays.

The 2026 season will begin on 20 June with the arrival of the Cordelia Empress in Chennai and will continue until the end of August. The deployment reflects the rising interest among Indian travellers in cruise vacations that combine accommodation, entertainment, dining, and travel into a single leisure experience.

One of the major highlights of the season is the 10-night Southeast Asia itinerary departing on 18 July. The sailing will cover destinations including Phuket, Langkawi, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore, offering travellers an extended international cruise experience from an Indian port.

Cordelia Cruises will also operate international Sri Lanka sailings during the season. These include five-night cruises to Hambantota, Trincomalee, and Jaffna departing on 10 and 17 August, along with a three-night Trincomalee cruise departing on 7 August.

The domestic deployment from Chennai will include five-night itineraries connecting Chennai with Visakhapatnam and Puducherry across multiple departures in June and July. The cruise line will also continue its popular two-night weekend sailings from Chennai during the season. Additionally, a five-night westbound voyage connecting Chennai, Kochi, and Mumbai is scheduled to depart on 24 August.

For travellers looking for a longer international holiday, Cordelia Cruises will also introduce a combined 13-night Southeast Asia cruise experience. The itinerary combines a three-night one-way sailing from Visakhapatnam to Chennai via Puducherry with the 10-night Southeast Asia voyage to Singapore.

Speaking about the upcoming season, Jurgen Bailom, President and CEO of Cordelia Cruises, said Chennai has become an important part of India’s cruise tourism growth story. He added that the wider range of itineraries reflects the increasing demand among Indian families and group travellers for both short coastal cruises and longer international sailings. He further noted that Chennai continues to strengthen its role as a gateway for domestic and international cruise travel as the sector continues to grow in India.

The sailings will operate onboard the Cordelia Empress, which features 11 decks and 796 cabins across multiple categories. The ship can accommodate up to 1,950 guests and offers dining venues, entertainment lounges, gaming facilities, spa and wellness areas, retail outlets, and live performances as part of its all-inclusive cruise experience.