Revolutionizing Hospitality Education: THSC and GD Goenka University Join Forces

Revolutionizing Hospitality Education: THSC and GD Goenka University Join Forces

By Author

Published on November 30, 2023

The Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the renowned School of Hospitality and Tourism at GD Goenka University. This collaboration is a significant leap forward, integrating skill courses seamlessly into Bachelor’s Degree and Diploma programs. The partnership aims to bridge the gap between industry demands and academic offerings, aligning with the goals outlined in the National Education Policy.

Rajan Bahadur, CEO of THSC, expressed excitement about embedding practical skills into academic programs. This collaboration has the potential to revolutionize hospitality and tourism education, creating a workforce that is not just well-educated but also highly skilled. The initiative focuses on providing students with a comprehensive education, blending theoretical knowledge with practical skills to prepare them for the ever-evolving landscape of the hospitality and tourism industry.

The joint effort involves designing and implementing skill-based courses within the curriculum of Bachelor’s Degree and Diploma programs. This strategic collaboration ensures that students receive a well-rounded education, making them adept at handling the challenges and opportunities in the dynamic fields of hospitality and tourism.

As Bahadur addressed the students, he emphasized the transformative power of skilling education, shedding light on the vast opportunities available in the hospitality and tourism sector. The focus was on the importance of acquiring practical skills, setting students apart in a competitive job market.

This collaboration stands as a testament to the commitment of both THSC and GD Goenka University in fostering excellence in education and preparing students for successful careers in the vibrant and ever-growing industries of hospitality and tourism.


Hepi TV by Palaniappa Electronics Enhances Hotel Guest Experience

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 7, 2026

In an era where guest experience plays a decisive role in hotel ratings and repeat visits, Palaniappa Electronics has introduced Hepi TV, a next-generation in-room entertainment solution designed to address one of hospitality’s most overlooked challenges, television content accessibility.

Traditionally, hotels relying on DTH services activate only a single regional language pack. With guests arriving from diverse states and linguistic backgrounds, limited channel options often result in televisions remaining unused, diminishing the overall in-room experience. Hepi TV resolves this gap by delivering, for the first time in India, all SD channels permitted for broadcast through IP technology.

Operating seamlessly over existing Wi-Fi or LAN connectivity, Hepi TV eliminates the need for satellite dishes or DTH cabling. This allows hotels to offer multilingual channel access to guests from any region while incurring the cost of only one regional DTH pack. The Hepi TV box is provided free of charge, ensuring zero infrastructure investment for hotels.

Beyond live television, Hepi TV introduces personalised guest engagement. Upon check-in, the guest’s name appears on the TV screen and remains visible until checkout, creating a warm and premium welcome. The platform also supports popular OTT applications, with guest login credentials securely erased at checkout to ensure privacy and data protection.

Hotels can further utilise the system as an in-room communication tool by uploading up to six 4K videos highlighting hotel services, facilities, or promotions, transforming televisions into effective marketing touchpoints.

Available at ₹300 plus GST per TV per month, Hepi TV offers a cost-effective, scalable solution for hotels seeking to modernise in-room entertainment while enhancing guest satisfaction. For General Managers and Property Owners, it represents a practical blend of technology, personalisation, and operational efficiency.

Palaniappa Electronics continues to strengthen its reputation as a trusted partner for hospitality-focused electronic solutions, known for consistent quality, timely delivery, and a strong understanding of hotel operational needs.

For more details contact Palaniappa Electronics | Mr.Muthu @ 9003045685 or muthu@palaniappagroup.com 


Lenexis Foodworks Sees Strong Festive Season Growth, Sets Stage for 2026 Expansion

Lenexis Foodworks Sees Strong Festive Season Growth, Sets Stage for 2026 Expansion

By Hariharan U

Published on January 7, 2026

Lenexis Foodworks, one of India’s leading quick-service food companies, reported strong performance over the festive season, driven by consumer preference for experiential dining. The group operates prominent brands including Chinese Wok, The Momo Co., and Big Bowl, with a footprint of over 250 outlets in 45+ cities.

Founder and Director Aayush Madhusudan Agrawal said, "New Year's Eve capped off an exceptional festive run for us, with strong dine-in momentum carrying through the last week of December. We witnessed over 30% growth in sales and more than 40% growth in footfalls versus last year, clearly indicating that consumers are stepping out to celebrate and prefer the experiential joy of dining together."

Agrawal further highlighted that Christmas Day was a record-breaking occasion, with 25% year-on-year sales growth and over 35% increase in footfalls. Delivery growth was driven by Big Bowl (25%+) and Chinese Wok (15%), while dine-in combos saw a 25% rise in preference. Signature offerings like Superbowls continued to attract new customers, acting as a strong acquisition driver for the group.

"December has performed as per expectations and sets a solid foundation for accelerated growth as we move into 2026," added Agrawal.

About Lenexis Foodworks
Founded in 2015, Lenexis Foodworks is a leading Indian quick-service food company dedicated to delivering high-quality culinary experiences across high streets and malls. Its portfolio includes Chinese Wok, India’s largest Desi-Chinese QSR brand, The Momo Co., and Big Bowl, serving diverse tastes and preferences. With over 250 outlets across cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai, and Kolkata, the company has played a key role in shaping the modern Indian QSR landscape. Looking ahead, Lenexis Foodworks aims to expand into new concepts and culinary formats to bring innovative, flavour-forward experiences to consumers nationwide.


The First Group Hospitality Strengthens Senior Leadership Team to Support Regional and Global Growth

The First Group Hospitality Strengthens Senior Leadership Team to Support Regional and Global Growth

By Hariharan U

Published on January 7, 2026

The First Group Hospitality, a full-service hotel management company headquartered in Dubai, has announced a series of senior leadership appointments to support its accelerating growth and international expansion. These newly created roles are designed to strengthen capabilities across commercial strategy, marketing, F&B, sales, and wellness operations.

Brendan McCormack assumes the role of Vice President – Business Development, Food & Beverage (F&B). McCormack, previously VP of Marketing and a member of the leadership team since 2020, will focus on scaling the company’s proprietary F&B brands, including Risen Café & Artisanal Bakery and The Blacksmith Bar & Eatery, through franchising and new business opportunities.

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Robyn James-O’Connor joins as Senior Vice President – Marketing, overseeing brand, advertising, public relations, social and digital strategy, and development marketing. With a 20-year career at Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, including VP of Marketing for the group, she brings extensive expertise in brand-building and integrated marketing within luxury hospitality.

Antonio Bissoni steps in as Vice President – Commercial, leading revenue management, distribution, guest engagement, and commercial strategy. He joins from Marriott International, bringing a wealth of experience in optimising pricing, analytics, and market segmentation to maximise profitability.

Sohail Pedari, appointed Vice President – Sales, will oversee group-wide sales operations, leveraging his experience with Hilton, Marriott International, and Rocco Forte Hotels to drive strategic partnerships and revenue growth across multiple markets.

Maria Kuzeva joins as Corporate Director of Wellness & Spa, charged with driving a unified wellness vision across The First Group Hospitality’s expanding portfolio. With over 20 years of experience at top-tier resorts such as Madinat Jumeirah and Atlantis The Royal, she brings expertise in concept development, operations, and brand creation in wellness.

Commenting on the appointments, Apo Demirtas, Chief Strategy Officer, said, "It is a pleasure to welcome these talented leaders into their new roles. As our portfolio grows regionally and internationally, these positions strengthen our capabilities across key operational areas, ensuring we deliver long-term value for our owners and partners."

The appointments come amid significant growth, including landmark developments like Ciel Dubai Marina, the world’s tallest hotel, the Vignette Collection by IHG, franchise agreements with Marriott International and IHG, and the company’s entry into Europe with Gennadi Seaside Resort.

About The First Group Hospitality
The First Group Hospitality is a Dubai-based full-service hospitality management company specialising in hotel operations, asset management, and F&B strategy. The company partners with global brands to optimise revenue, enhance efficiency, and maximise asset value, while developing and operating upscale hotels, residences, and award-winning restaurants across the Middle East and internationally.

For more information, visit: tfghospitality.com

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