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By Hariharan U
Published on November 22, 2025
Marking a major moment for India’s experience economy, OneTAC (Tourism, Arts & Culture), the country’s first digital public infrastructure dedicated to tourism, arts, and culture, rolled out its very first Experience Circuit in Udupi at the Bangalore Tech Summit. The launch was attended by Prashant Prakash, Chair of the Karnataka Vision Group on Startups and Partner at Accel, along with Dr. Trilok Chandra, IAS, Secretary, Tourism, Government of Karnataka. OneTAC also holds formal endorsement from the Ministry of Tourism under the Incredible India campaign.
At the heart of the Udupi Circuit is a strong network of collaborators. CulKey Foundation leads cultural engagement and ecosystem development; Samhita focuses on livelihoods and community mobilisation; GoodPass brings last-mile discovery and distribution technology; RubiX connects experience entrepreneurs through supplier aggregation; and Paradise Group supports operations, hospitality, and on-ground logistics. Together, they are building a model for community-driven tourism designed to scale across India.
Speaking at the launch, Prashant Prakash said that tourism and culture have the power to drive truly inclusive growth. He noted that OneTAC brings a digital public infrastructure mindset to the sector, giving artisans, creators, and local communities a shared digital backbone where their skills become discoverable, their knowledge verifiable, and their work scalable. According to him, the combination of rich culture and open technology opens a new pathway of opportunity for the state and the country.
The first cohort under the Udupi Experience Circuit includes 20 experience entrepreneurs and service providers. These creators represent six categories of experiences and over 15 curated trails. More circuits and creators will join the platform over the next 180 days as the ecosystem expands across Coastal Karnataka.
Dr. Trilok Chandra, IAS, added that launching OneTAC in Udupi reflects the state’s commitment to community-led tourism and cultural revival. He shared that OneTAC will work alongside the upcoming Karnataka Centre for Cultural Diplomacy (KCCD), which aims to present Karnataka’s culture from art and heritage to cuisine and folk traditions, on global platforms and strengthen ties with international missions. Together, these initiatives intend to empower cultural entrepreneurs and make Karnataka a globally connected, future-ready tourism hub.
Udupi was chosen as the starting point because of its blend of heritage, natural beauty, and creative energy. The region is rich with temple culture, Daiva traditions, Yakshagana, and folk arts, while also being home to a thriving youth-led ocean community shaped by surfing, scuba diving, and kayaking. Its backwaters, mangroves, and proximity to the Western Ghats add ecological depth, and its coastal cuisine completes the cultural landscape. The strength of Udupi lies in its people, fisherfolk, artists, storytellers, home chefs, naturalists, folk performers, and young innovators who keep the region’s culture alive every day.
Prathima Manohar, Director of GoodPass and Paradise Group, and Co-Curator of the Udupi Circuit, said that the future of tourism will be shaped not only by large businesses but by local creators who keep community identity intact. She highlighted that India needs to create 8 million jobs annually to reach developed economy status, and that real progress will come when opportunities reach the grassroots. According to her, OneTAC is an investment in dignity, livelihoods, and community-led growth — ensuring that local entrepreneurs thrive while cultural richness is preserved.
Guests at the launch had the chance to meet storytellers and creators from across Coastal Karnataka who brought the flavours, rituals, crafts, and landscape of the region to life. Udupi’s culinary identity — from neer dosa and puli munchi to prawn sukka — appeared alongside stories from performers, adventure entrepreneurs, and cultural practitioners. The circuits span temple and heritage trails, wilderness and nature experiences, coastal culinary journeys, adventure and ocean culture, wellness traditions, and the soulful world of Tulu Nadu.
OneTAC also announced the OneTAC Impact Fund, a joint effort between the State Government and market partners. The fund aims to help micro experience entrepreneurs grow their operations and expand their livelihood opportunities, beginning with the Udupi cohort and eventually supporting circuits across Karnataka.
Travellers are invited to explore the Udupi Experience Circuit, which brings together culture, cuisine, nature, wellness, and the warmth of local communities. With OneTAC, Udupi becomes a gateway to authentic, immersive journeys rooted deeply in identity and place.
About OneTAC:
OneTAC is India’s national digital public infrastructure for tourism, arts, and culture. It connects creators, communities, institutions, and travellers with the goal of unlocking India’s cultural capital and building sustainable, future-ready livelihoods
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Published on July 14, 2026
Hyatt Hotels in Goa have announced the launch of GOA YOU 2026, marking the fourth consecutive year of the destination-led campaign that celebrates Goa beyond its traditional tourism experiences. This year's edition introduces Hyatt Hideaways, a seasonal stay offering designed to encourage travellers to experience the destination at a slower, more personal pace during the summer and monsoon months.
Built around the belief that Goa allows every traveller to discover a different version of themselves, GOA YOU 2026 focuses on meaningful experiences ranging from relaxed mornings and local discoveries to leisurely dining and moments of quiet indulgence. The initiative highlights how every visit to Goa is unique, whether for families, couples, or solo travellers.
The campaign brings together Hyatt's five properties across the state: Grand Hyatt Goa, Alila Diwa Goa, Hyatt Centric Goa, Ronil Goa – a JdV by Hyatt Hotel, and Hyatt Place Goa. Together, the hotels offer diverse experiences spanning luxury resorts, lifestyle hotels, and contemporary accommodation across North and South Goa.
Introduced as the centrepiece of this year's campaign, Hyatt Hideaways is a curated seasonal package available for stays from 28 April to 30 September 2026, with bookings open until 15 September 2026. The offer requires a minimum stay of two nights and is designed to encourage guests to explore Goa beyond the peak holiday season.
The package includes a welcome beer on arrival, daily buffet breakfast, one cocktail or mocktail per guest during dinner or a daily beer bucket, along with an INR 1,000 hotel credit per night. Through these inclusions, Hyatt aims to enhance the guest experience while promoting longer, more immersive stays.
By showcasing Goa's lush monsoon landscapes, local culinary experiences, and slower pace of life, GOA YOU 2026 encourages travellers to rediscover the destination from a fresh perspective. The initiative reinforces Hyatt Hotels' long-standing connection with Goa while positioning the state as a year-round destination for leisure and experiential travel.
Published on July 11, 2026
Encalm Hospitality has announced the launch of its new International Lounge at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, further expanding its airport hospitality portfolio and reinforcing its focus on delivering premium travel experiences.
The new lounge has been designed to meet the evolving expectations of modern international travellers by integrating comfort, wellness, dining, and personalised hospitality within a thoughtfully curated environment. The launch marks another milestone in Encalm's strategy of building a comprehensive airport hospitality ecosystem across India's leading aviation hubs.
Designed as a space for relaxation before departure, the lounge features state-of-the-art sleeping pods, therapeutic spa treatments, private dining facilities for families and guests seeking privacy, and a well-stocked bar. The experience has been curated to transform pre-flight waiting time into a seamless journey of comfort and rejuvenation.
Food remains a central part of the experience, with interactive live culinary stations serving freshly prepared dishes that combine regional Indian flavours with contemporary international cuisine. The curated dining programme is complemented by a refined beverage selection, catering to a wide range of traveller preferences.
Commenting on the launch, Vikas Sharma, Group Chief Executive Officer of Encalm, said the new lounge reflects the company's commitment to creating future-ready hospitality experiences driven by innovation, thoughtful design, and operational excellence. He added that Encalm aims to continue setting new benchmarks by delivering intuitive and differentiated experiences for global travellers.
Pooja Bhondekar, Business Head – Airport Hospitality, Encalm, said the expansion reflects the brand's mission of creating memorable experiences across every touchpoint of the passenger journey. She noted that every element of the lounge, from wellness facilities to curated dining and personalised service, has been carefully designed to offer warmth, comfort, and convenience.
With the addition of the Hyderabad International Lounge, Encalm continues to strengthen its integrated airport hospitality ecosystem, which includes premium lounges, meet-and-assist services, wellness offerings, in-flight catering, and curated food and beverage concepts across major Indian airports.
By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Taj Connemara, Chennai recently hosted the 15th edition of Screen Expresso, the popular conversation series by The Indian Express, marking the platform's first-ever event in Chennai. Held on June 30, the evening featured acclaimed actor Parvathy Thiruvothu, who engaged in an open conversation on cinema, gender equality, and staying true to one's values in the film industry.
The event was presented by AU Small Finance Bank, in association with Taj Hotels, with BMW KUN Exclusive as the Mobility Partner.
Known for her acclaimed performances across Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi cinema, Parvathy has built a reputation for choosing meaningful roles while also advocating for gender equality within the film industry. During the session, she shared her thoughts on speaking up, navigating challenges, and remaining committed to authenticity and artistic integrity throughout her career.
The discussion was moderated by Pooja Pillai, Senior Assistant Editor, The Indian Express, and drew a distinguished audience comprising leaders from the business, arts, media, entertainment, and hospitality sectors, making it one of Chennai's notable cultural gatherings.
Commenting on the occasion, Shilpa Rameja, General Manager, Taj Connemara, Chennai, said:
"It was a privilege for Taj Connemara to host the first-ever Chennai edition of Screen Expresso. At Taj, we have always believed that hospitality extends beyond creating memorable stays - it is about creating meaningful experiences and fostering conversations that inspire. Hosting an artist as accomplished and thought-provoking as Parvathy Thiruvothu made for an unforgettable evening. We are delighted to have partnered with The Indian Express to bring this celebrated platform to the city."
Guests were welcomed with an elegant high tea featuring a selection of regional delicacies and contemporary favourites. The menu included artisanal cookies, handcrafted tea cakes, open-faced canapés with roasted chicken and herb-infused mayonnaise, grilled seasonal vegetable sandwiches, cottage cheese and spinach turnovers, and a live station serving ragi paniyaram with gongura and cream cheese, accompanied by speciality teas, freshly brewed coffee, and refreshing beverages.
Following the conversation, attendees enjoyed a specially curated flying buffet featuring a mix of global and Indian flavours. The menu included honey chilli prawns, mutton galouti, Chettinad fried chicken, vegetable sushi, corn and jalapeño arancini, along with live stations serving dim sums, Thai curries, pastas, appams with stew, and dum biryanis. The evening concluded with desserts such as mango rasmalai, gulab jamun, vegan chia seed panna cotta, banana crème brûlée, and artisanal chocolates.
Through its association with Screen Expresso, Taj Connemara reinforced its commitment to creating spaces that celebrate meaningful conversations, creativity, and culture while continuing its legacy of blending hospitality with memorable experiences.
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