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By Author
Published on December 23, 2023
Sri Lanka witnessed a triumphant year with the Radisson and Radisson Blu brands, as they commemorated a successful year of operations at their three distinguished properties located in Colombo, Kandy, and Galle. The celebratory event, hosted at Radisson Hotel Colombo, marked not only a milestone but also served as the launchpad for an enticing destination marketing video featuring all three hotels.
Under the adept management of La Vie Hotels & Resorts and owned by Sino Lanka, these hotels have redefined hospitality since their debut in May 2022. The trio, strategically positioned in Colombo, Kandy, and Galle, has become synonymous with a hospitality standard that exceeds expectations, offering warm and attentive staff and carefully curated amenities.
Alan Christie, the Area General Manager overseeing the three properties, expressed heartfelt gratitude to key stakeholders and partners during the celebration. He emphasized that these hotels are more than just places to stay; they are destinations where unforgettable moments are created and cherished memories are made.
Shankar Sreekumar, Head of South & Southeast Asia for La Vie Hotels & Resorts, lauded the cluster hotel teams for driving exceptional performance through effective leadership, a strong cultural foundation, and substantial owner returns in a dynamic year. He also acknowledged the positive trajectory of these three signature hotels under the Radisson Hotel Group portfolio in Sri Lanka.
Andre de Jong, the Area Senior Vice President for South East Asia and the Pacific at Radisson Hotel Group, extended gratitude to guests and partners, reflecting on the remarkable 18 months since the launch of these three hotels. He eagerly looks forward to strengthening the partnership with Sino Lanka and La Vie Hotels & Resorts, with a continued focus on creating memorable moments for guests and partners alike.
Among the trio, the Radisson Blu Resort Galle stands out as an award-winning destination wedding venue, nestled along a pristine stretch of soft sand. Boasting 172 well-appointed rooms and suites with captivating sea views, a spacious lagoon pool, and a dedicated kids club, the resort recently earned the prestigious Apex Award for the 'Most Scenic Destination Wedding Venue' at the 12th Exotic Wedding Planning Conference in India.
The other two urban hotels, Radisson Hotel Colombo and Radisson Hotel Kandy, offer a modern and comfortable retreat with world-class amenities. Featuring 158 and 122 well-appointed rooms and suites, respectively, they contribute to the collective success story of Radisson and Radisson Blu in Sri Lanka.
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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on October 19, 2025
MakeMyTrip, India’s leading online travel platform, has introduced Semantic Search, an AI-powered feature designed to simplify the discovery of hotels and homestays. The feature allows travellers to type queries in everyday language, such as “pet-friendly hotels in Manali with a swimming pool” or “heritage stays near Jaipur forts with parking,” eliminating the need to manually navigate through multiple filters.
Built on the same AI framework as MakeMyTrip’s GenAI-enabled assistant, Myra, the Semantic Search system interprets open-ended queries to provide relevant, context-driven results tailored to individual preferences. Users receive personalized recommendations enhanced by property visuals, curated user-generated content, and context-based rankings.
The system also includes AI smart suggestions, offering recommendations like “beachfront hotels in Goa” or “Ooty stays with mountain views,” complete with context tags such as “great for families” or “private pools available.” This ensures faster, simpler, and more intuitive discovery for travellers seeking the perfect stay.
“Our goal is to make travel planning as natural as conversation. With AI Search within the stay booking experience, we’re simplifying one of the most important parts of the traveller journey, finding the right stay. Instead of forcing users to think like a system, we’ve built a system that understands how people naturally express themselves,” said Ankit Khanna, Chief Product Officer, MakeMyTrip.
This development builds on MakeMyTrip’s broader AI innovation strategy. Earlier this year, the company launched the Beta version of its GenAI Trip Planning Assistant, Myra, which supports travellers across the journey, from discovery and booking to in-trip and post-travel assistance. Currently available in English and Hindi, Myra also plans to expand into additional Indian languages based on user feedback.
With Semantic Search, MakeMyTrip aims to deliver a more natural, personalised, and efficient experience for travellers, taking the frustration out of finding the ideal stay and setting a new benchmark for AI-driven travel planning in India.
Tea Post, a popular homegrown tea café chain, has launched a thoughtfully curated Diwali campaign titled ‘Apne Jaha, Utsav Waha’. Through this initiative, the brand aims to highlight that Diwali is not just about grandeur but about cherishing simple, heartfelt moments with loved ones over a comforting cup of chai at one’s favourite baithak spot.
The campaign transforms Tea Post outlets into festive spaces filled with colour, creativity, and celebration. A variety of on-ground experiences bring together everyone associated with the brand, customers, franchisees, employees, vendors, and landlords in a shared festive spirit.
As part of the celebrations, the ‘Chai Sang Rishte’ contest invites customers to share their chai memories, while franchisees participate under the theme ‘Rishton Se Roshan’. Employees join in through the ‘Hamara Tea Post Tyohaar’ video contest, and the brand extends gratitude to its vendors and landlords for their continued support over the years.
Adding a cultural touch, Tea Post has introduced Diwali Baithak, a series of open-to-all gatherings that feature soulful music, shayari sessions, and festive décor across cities like Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Surat, Jamnagar, and Jaipur. These events include interactive workshops such as lantern-making and diya-painting, fostering community engagement and creativity.
Speaking about the campaign, Darshan Dashani, Founder of Tea Post, said, “‘Apne Jaha, Utsav Waha’ is dear to each one of us who has made Tea Post their comforting hangout place over the years. Tea Post has been celebrated for more than just chai, which includes people, conversations, and memories. This Diwali, we aimed to dedicate the celebrations to the timeless bonds of our customers, teams, and partners. Because wherever there are our own, there’s always a reason to celebrate.”
Guests can also savour a variety of 15 signature chai blends paired with traditional snacks like samosas, theplas, and maska buns, enjoyed amid marigold décor and festive lights. Select Tea Post cafés in cities including Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Surat, Gandhinagar, Rajkot, and Vadodara have turned into Diwali hubs, offering creative DIY sessions such as candle-making, bookmark designing, and ceramic art.
With over 250 outlets across 60+ cities in India and Dubai, Tea Post continues to grow as more than just a tea café, it is a space that celebrates culture, connection, and community, one cup at a time.
Sterling Holiday Resorts, a leading name in experiential holidays, has launched its latest ‘Discoveries & Experiences’ (D&E) initiative, “Soil to Soul,” at Sterling Wayanad. Nestled amidst Kerala’s lush plantations and spice gardens, this immersive Farm-to-Fork experience celebrates sustainable tourism, local culture, and authentic culinary traditions.
The “Soil to Soul” journey takes guests on a half-day exploration through organic farms and spice plantations, offering a firsthand understanding of Wayanad’s agricultural heritage. Participants engage with local farmers, learn about paddy cultivation, coffee, and spice farming, and harvest fresh produce. The experience culminates in a hands-on cooking session led by Sterling’s expert chefs, where guests use the fresh produce they have harvested to prepare traditional Kerala dishes using time-honoured methods.
Adding depth to the journey, guests also interact with indigenous Wayanad communities, whose stories and food traditions bring authenticity to the experience. Visitors take home handcrafted spice packs and recipe cards, extending their connection to Kerala’s food culture beyond their stay.
“With ‘Soil to Soul,’ we want our guests to go beyond the conventional holiday, to connect with the land, people, and stories that make Wayanad special,” said Harinath Mohanasundaram, Senior Vice President – Marketing, Sterling Holiday Resorts. “It’s a celebration of food, culture, and sustainability, and a meaningful addition to our growing D&E portfolio.”
Sterling’s Discoveries & Experiences platform offers guests curated, locally rooted engagements that bring each destination to life. At Sterling Wayanad, travellers can also enjoy guided nature walks and bird-watching trails, or explore the resort’s collaboration with Uravu, a local NGO that promotes bamboo craftsmanship and tribal livelihoods, each experience designed to build authentic connections with the region’s ecology and culture.
Through “Soil to Soul” and other D&E initiatives, Sterling Holiday Resorts reinforces its commitment to sustainable and experiential travel in India, offering guests memorable journeys that truly go from farm to fork, from Soil to Soul.
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