Lanterns, Legends, and Laughter: China's Mid-Autumn Fest Lights up the world

Lanterns, Legends, and Laughter: China's Mid-Autumn Fest Lights up the world

By Author

Published on October 4, 2023

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is a mesmerizing celebration that sweeps across China, painting the skies with lanterns and filling hearts with joy. In this article, we'll take you on a journey through the enchanting traditions and festivities that make this festival so special.

Gazing at the Radiant Moon

At the heart of the Mid-Autumn Festival is the moon itself. Families gather under the starry night to admire the full moon, believing it symbolizes unity and togetherness. The moon's radiant glow casts a spell of enchantment, creating a perfect backdrop for heartfelt reunions.

Mooncakes: Delicious Delights of Unity

No Mid-Autumn Festival is complete without mooncakes, delectable pastries that come in various flavors and fillings. From classic lotus seed paste to innovative creations, these treats are shared among loved ones as a symbol of unity and good fortune.

Lanterns Aglow in the Night

One of the most captivating sights during the festival is the sea of lanterns that light up the streets. Children carry colorful lanterns, each with its own unique design, turning the night into a whimsical wonderland.

Family Reunions and Festive Feasts

Similar to Thanksgiving in the West, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for family gatherings. Generations come together to share stories, indulge in mooncakes, and enjoy a sumptuous feast that includes traditional dishes like duck and taro.

Folklore and Legends: The Tale of Chang'e

Every culture has its legends, and the Mid-Autumn Festival is no exception. The story of Chang'e, the Moon Goddess, is a beloved tale that adds a touch of magic to the celebration. Discover the legend and its significance in the festival's traditions.

The Cultural Tapestry of China's Regions

While the Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated throughout China, each region adds its unique flavor to the festivities. From vibrant lantern carnivals in Hong Kong to solemn incense-burning ceremonies in Beijing, explore the diverse cultural expressions of this beloved festival.

Moonlit Activities: Dragon Dances and Riddles

Beyond mooncakes and lanterns, the festival features lively dragon and lion dances, showcasing the vibrant spirit of China. Additionally, riddle contests entertain and challenge the mind, adding an extra layer of fun to the celebrations.

Modern Twists: Technology Meets Tradition

In today's digital age, even ancient traditions get a modern twist. Discover how technology has influenced the way people celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, from sending digital greetings to enjoying augmented reality moon-gazing experiences.

Beyond China: The Global Reach of the Moon Festival

While the festival is deeply rooted in China, its popularity has spread globally. Chinese and Vietnamese communities around the world host vibrant celebrations, making it a multicultural event that bridges continents.


IHCL’s Gateway Brand Reaches 50-Hotel Milestone with Hyderabad Signing

IHCL’s Gateway Brand Reaches 50-Hotel Milestone with Hyderabad Signing

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 16, 2026

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, has announced the signing of a Gateway hotel in Somajiguda, Hyderabad. With this addition, the Gateway brand has reached a significant milestone of a 50-hotel portfolio. The upcoming property will be developed as a conversion project.

Speaking about the development, Ms Leah Tata, Vice President & Brand Leader, Gateway Hotels & Resorts, IHCL, said, “The re-imagined Gateway’s ethos is centred on the idea of creating a ‘Gateway to a Destination’, with hotels that are closely connected to the cultural fabric of the location. This strength of the brand has enabled it to rapidly scale to a 50-hotel portfolio, capturing the growth in business and leisure markets across metros cities, state capitals and commercial centres. With the addition of Gateway Hyderabad, the brand debuts in the city and we are delighted to partner with Mr. D. Siva Rama Raju and Mr. DVS. Soma Raju for this project.”

Located in the heart of Hyderabad, the 225-key Gateway Somajiguda, Hyderabad will offer a range of dining and recreational facilities. The hotel will feature an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty restaurant, a bar and a lounge. Leisure amenities will include a modern gym, health club, swimming pool and treatment rooms.

The property will also cater to meetings and events with extensive conference infrastructure. It will include 11 banquet halls, with the largest spanning approximately 10,000 square feet, supported by multiple meeting rooms, making it suitable for both corporate gatherings and social events.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr D. Siva Rama Raju and Mr DVS. Soma Raju said, “We are delighted to collaborate with IHCL for this project. We look forward to bringing a refreshed hospitality experience to Somajiguda.”

Somajiguda is one of Hyderabad’s prominent commercial and residential areas, known for its corporate offices, retail establishments, and healthcare institutions. Its central location makes it a strategic destination for business travellers as well as leisure visitors.

With the addition of this project, IHCL will have eight hotels in Telangana, including three currently under development, further strengthening its footprint in the region.

Mr D. Siva Rama Raju, an entrepreneur from Andhra Pradesh, began his professional journey in agriculture and civil contracting before establishing himself as a leading real estate developer and hotelier in Hyderabad. He is also recognised for his philanthropic and religious contributions.

Mr DVS. Soma Raju, an MBA graduate from the University of Dubuque in the United States, has gained hands-on hospitality experience both in the U.S. and India. He previously led the development and operations of a hotel in Hyderabad and later co-founded a large-scale 999-bed medical tourism project.


Radisson Hotel Group Signs Four Park Inn & Suites Hotels to Boost Midscale Expansion in India

Radisson Hotel Group Signs Four Park Inn & Suites Hotels to Boost Midscale Expansion in India

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 15, 2026

Radisson Hotel Group has announced the signing of four new Park Inn & Suites by Radisson hotels in India as part of its strategy to strengthen its midscale presence in emerging cities. The newly signed properties will be located in Roorkee, Meerut, Asansol, and Navi Mumbai (Airoli), reinforcing the group’s focus on expanding into high-potential markets where demand for reliable branded hospitality continues to grow.

The signings come at a time when domestic travel is increasingly driven by regional cities that are evolving into education hubs, industrial clusters, social-event destinations, and growing business districts. These markets often experience strong demand but remain underserved by internationally branded hotels.

Park Inn & Suites by Radisson plays a central role in the group’s India-focused expansion strategy. Designed as a midscale brand for fast-growing cities, it offers a flexible development model, efficient operations, and a balanced mix of rooms, dining, and event facilities suited to local demand.

Roorkee in Uttarakhand has emerged as an important education and industrial hub, anchored by IIT Roorkee and supported by private universities, manufacturing industries, and a historic defence cantonment. Park Inn & Suites by Radisson, Roorkee is scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2027 and will be located on NH-344, providing convenient connectivity to Haridwar, Meerut, and the wider Delhi NCR region. The hotel will feature multiple dining options, a rooftop specialty restaurant, and spacious indoor and outdoor event venues suited for business travellers, weddings, and large social gatherings.

Meerut, a key industrial and commercial centre in western Uttar Pradesh and part of the National Capital Region, has witnessed strong growth in sectors such as manufacturing, handicrafts, and defence. Park Inn & Suites by Radisson, Meerut, expected to open in the first quarter of 2029, will be located on National Highway-58. The property will offer modern guest rooms, multiple dining outlets, meeting facilities, and a dedicated outdoor lawn designed for corporate events, weddings, and leisure travellers.

In West Bengal, Asansol is a major industrial city supported by coal mining, steel industries, and the operations of Eastern Coalfields Limited. The region also sees strong wedding and social-event demand due to nearby religious centres such as the Kalyaneshawari and Ghagar Buri Chandi temples. Park Inn & Suites by Radisson, Asansol, scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2029, will be located on the Delhi–Kolkata Highway. The 75-key hotel will feature contemporary rooms, an all-day dining restaurant, a rooftop specialty bar, meeting and event facilities, a gym, and a swimming pool.

Navi Mumbai’s Airoli district has rapidly developed as a major commercial extension of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, attracting corporate offices, multinational companies, and Grade A office developments. Park Inn & Suites by Radisson, Navi Mumbai (Airoli), expected to open in the third quarter of 2028, will be located near Airoli Road and close to Digha railway station. The hotel will include an all-day dining restaurant, a bar, and meeting facilities designed primarily for corporate, MICE, leisure, and short-stay travellers.

Nikhil Sharma, Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, said, “India’s travel growth is increasingly being driven by emerging cities that bring together education ecosystems, industrial development, social infrastructure and expanding corporate activity. Many of these markets, however, remain underserved by quality branded hospitality despite strong and sustainable demand fundamentals. Our latest Park Inn & Suites by Radisson signings reflect a deliberate and long-term strategy to address this gap by introducing a trusted, internationally recognised midscale brand to cities where demand spans business, leisure and large social events.”

Davashish Srivastava, Senior Director, Development, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, added that each of the four markets presents distinct demand drivers but shares the common factor of limited branded hotel supply.

Owners of the newly signed properties also highlighted the potential of their respective cities and the value of bringing an internationally recognised hospitality brand to these locations to serve growing business, leisure, and social-event demand.

Through these signings, Radisson Hotel Group continues to expand its presence across India’s emerging travel corridors while strengthening its portfolio with brand offerings tailored to evolving market needs.


Encalm Hospitality Wins Two PATWA Awards 2026 and Puts Indian Airport Hospitality on the Global Map

Encalm Hospitality Wins Two PATWA Awards 2026 and Puts Indian Airport Hospitality on the Global Map

By Hariharan U

Published on March 15, 2026

Indian airport hospitality has been quietly building towards something significant, and Encalm Hospitality's latest recognition is a strong signal that the world has taken notice.

The company walked away with two major honours at the PATWA International Travel Awards 2026, presented during the 26th PATWA World Tourism Leaders' Summit at ITB Berlin. Encalm received the Best Company in Airport Hospitality Services award for India, while Group CEO Vikas Sharma was personally recognised with the PATWA Gold Award for Excellence in Airport Hospitality Services. It's a dual win that reflects both organisational excellence and individual leadership making an impact at the global level.

Vikas Sharma acknowledged that the awards belong to the team behind the work, noting that the recognition reflects the dedication of the Encalm team and its commitment to raising global standards in airport hospitality while building services rooted in India.

Encalm has been steadily expanding its lounge network across some of India's busiest airports, including Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, and Goa International Airport. The portfolio spans Encalm Lounges, business-class Encalm Privé Lounges, and the recently launched Encalm Xenia Lounge at Terminal 3 in Delhi, which brings a more exclusive experience with personalised service, premium dining, quiet zones, and wellness-led facilities.

Beyond the lounges, Encalm also operates Atithya, a meet-and-greet service designed to make the airport journey smoother and more comfortable for travellers from the moment they arrive to the moment they board.

Together, these offerings paint a picture of a company that has thought carefully about what airport hospitality can look like when it's done with genuine care and design intent. From curated food and beverage to wellness spaces and passenger assistance, Encalm is building something that goes well beyond the traditional airport lounge experience.

The PATWA recognition at ITB Berlin, one of the world's most respected travel industry platforms, only adds weight to a story that has been building steadily and deserves its moment in the spotlight.

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