Samsung Rugged XCover & Tab Active 5 for Hospitality: Tough Operations, Trusted Delivery by Palaniappa Electronics

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 28, 2026

As hotels continue to adopt digital tools to improve efficiency and service delivery, the need for durable and reliable devices has become increasingly important. Addressing this operational challenge, Palaniappa Electronics is presenting Samsung’s Rugged XCover smartphones and Rugged Tab Active 5 as purpose-built mobility solutions designed specifically for demanding hotel environments.

Behind the refined guest experience lies a high-pressure operational ecosystem. From busy hotel kitchens and fast-paced housekeeping departments to engineering teams working in harsh conditions and security staff operating round the clock, standard consumer devices often struggle to survive. Samsung’s rugged devices are engineered to perform consistently in such environments, ensuring uninterrupted operations.

In hotel kitchens, where heat, steam, oil and spills are common, the Samsung Rugged XCover offers heat resistance along with dustproof and waterproof protection. The device can be operated even with oily or greasy fingers, while its glove-touch mode allows chefs and kitchen staff to access recipes, inventory systems and internal communication tools without removing safety gloves.

Housekeeping teams benefit from the rugged design that withstands water splashes, cleaning chemicals and accidental drops. This allows staff to update room status, manage linen tracking and raise service requests on the move, reducing downtime and improving turnaround efficiency during peak occupancy periods.

For engineering and maintenance teams, the military-grade durability of the Rugged XCover and Tab Active 5 ensures dependable performance in challenging locations such as boiler rooms, rooftops and service areas. The devices support digital maintenance checklists, fault reporting and asset tracking, helping hotels maintain operational consistency and preventive maintenance schedules.

Security teams, who require reliable devices throughout the day and night, benefit from loud audio output, strong connectivity and durable build quality. These features support patrol coordination, incident reporting and internal communication across large hotel properties.

A key feature of Samsung’s rugged devices is the Push-to-Talk (PTT) functionality, which allows the devices to operate like walkie-talkies using internet connectivity. With a single press, teams across departments can communicate instantly, even when devices are locked or idle. This reduces dependence on traditional walkie-talkies and improves real-time coordination across hotel operations.

In addition, the devices support advanced barcode and QR code scanning, enabling hotels to manage inventory, track linen and uniforms, tag engineering assets and conduct audits without the need for additional scanning equipment.

Designed for long-term use, Samsung Rugged XCover and Tab Active 5 come with removable batteries, extended battery and device warranties, and drop-resistant construction. This results in lower replacement costs, reduced device downtime and improved return on investment for hotel owners and operators.

Palaniappa Electronics, known for its strong presence in hospitality-focused electronics, brings these rugged mobility solutions to hotels of all sizes. With a long-standing focus on quality, customer trust and dependable service, the company continues to support hotels with technology that enhances operational efficiency while standing up to real-world usage.

With hotel operations becoming increasingly digital and fast-paced, rugged devices backed by trusted implementation partners like Palaniappa Electronics are emerging as a practical solution for modern hospitality environments.

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


FitsAir Highlights Ahmedabad Colombo Connectivity Through Travel Trade Webinar

FitsAir Highlights Ahmedabad Colombo Connectivity Through Travel Trade Webinar

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 26, 2026

FitsAir and Red Dot Representations recently brought the travel trade closer to Sri Lanka through an exclusive webinar focused on the airline’s new direct connectivity between Ahmedabad and Colombo.

Held on 21st August 2026, the webinar introduced travel partners to the new Ahmedabad–Colombo route and highlighted how the direct connection can make Sri Lanka easier to access for travellers from Gujarat, without the need for layovers.

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The session also explored Sri Lanka’s wider tourism offerings and its appeal across different traveller segments, including families, honeymooners and MICE groups. The destination’s beaches, cultural attractions, wildlife, hospitality and local experiences were among the key highlights.

The webinar went beyond the traditional beach holiday experience, showcasing the different ways Indian travellers can explore Sri Lanka. From spending time along its tropical coastline and discovering its cultural heritage to experiencing its wildlife, local cuisine and hospitality, the session presented the island as a destination with varied experiences.

FitsAir currently operates the Ahmedabad–Colombo service three times a week, giving travellers from Gujarat a more convenient direct option for reaching Sri Lanka. The improved connectivity is expected to support leisure travel, experiential holidays, MICE and destination celebrations, while strengthening Sri Lanka’s position as an accessible short-haul international destination for the Gujarat market.


IIHM Launches First Egg Bank in India to Support Underprivileged Communities

IIHM Launches First Egg Bank in India to Support Underprivileged Communities

By Hariharan U

Published on August 26, 2026

The International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) has launched its first Egg Bank in India in Bengaluru, introducing a sustained student-led initiative aimed at providing nutritional support to underprivileged and vulnerable communities.

As part of the launch, IIHM's students, known as Food Soldiers, distributed more than 700 eggs to visually impaired children at Sri Rakum School for the Blind. The initiative has been undertaken in association with the Valmiki Foundation and is designed to move beyond one-time food donations by creating an ongoing nutrition programme.

The IIHM Egg Bank will initially support identified beneficiary institutions in Bengaluru, with plans to progressively extend the programme to old-age homes, orphanages and other organisations serving underprivileged communities. The initiative will subsequently be expanded across IIHM campuses in India, with individual campuses identifying beneficiaries in their respective communities.

Speaking on the initiative, Dr. Suborno Bose, Founder & Chairman, IIHM, said, "As a leading hospitality education institution, our responsibility goes beyond creating successful professionals. Hospitality is fundamentally about caring for people. Through the IIHM Egg Bank, our Food Soldiers will help address nutritional deficiencies through meaningful action. We want our students to see CSR not as a one-time activity, but as a sustained responsibility towards the underprivileged."

Ms. Sanchari Chowdhury, Director, IIHM Bengaluru & Head-South Operations, said the initiative encourages students to contribute beyond the classroom and become active participants in community service. She described “One Child, One Egg, One Smile” as a reflection of IIHM's belief in sustained and empathetic community engagement.

The programme has been designed around regular distribution rather than a single donation drive. Since eggs are perishable, IIHM's Food Soldiers will undertake distributions twice every month, providing the required quantity for each fortnight. This approach is intended to ensure continuity while giving students an opportunity to engage directly with the communities they support.

The initiative also aligns with IIHM's broader commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 2 – Zero Hunger. Through its Food Soldiers programme, the institute has previously engaged students in activities focused on providing food and essential support to communities in need.

Dr. Valmiki Hari Kishan, Founder of the Egg Bank Project and Co-Founder & Project Director, Valmiki Foundation, said the Bengaluru initiative marks the 177th Egg Bank overall and the first under IIHM. He noted that the programme's expansion across IIHM campuses could help extend nutritional support to vulnerable communities in multiple cities.

The launch was attended by Mr. P. K. Mohan Kumar, Independent Director, Prestige Hospitality Ventures Limited, as Chief Guest. Speaking at the event, he highlighted the role of initiatives such as the Egg Bank in extending the spirit of hospitality into wider community service.

By combining the Valmiki Foundation's experience with IIHM's institutional network and student participation, the initiative aims to create a sustained model for nutritional support. Beginning with visually impaired children at Sri Rakum School for the Blind, the programme is expected to reach more underserved communities across Bengaluru and, subsequently, other cities through IIHM's campus network.


Eros Hotel New Delhi Strengthens Water Conservation Efforts During World Water Week

Eros Hotel New Delhi Strengthens Water Conservation Efforts During World Water Week

By Hariharan U

Published on August 25, 2026

Eros Hotel New Delhi is reinforcing its commitment to responsible water management during World Water Week 2026 by highlighting a range of initiatives focused on reducing water consumption, promoting mindful usage and recycling wastewater across its operations.

Organised annually by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), World Water Week brings global attention to water-related challenges and the importance of responsible water management. The 2026 edition is being held from 23 to 27 August.

At Eros Hotel New Delhi, water conservation has been integrated across guest areas, kitchens, back-of-house operations and public facilities through a combination of water-efficient infrastructure and awareness initiatives.

The hotel has installed water-saving aerators across taps in guest room washrooms, kitchens and back-of-house areas to regulate water flow and improve consumption efficiency. Public washrooms feature sensor-operated taps, helping reduce unnecessary water usage, while guest rooms are equipped with dual-flush WC cisterns that allow guests to use water according to requirements.

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The hotel's sustainability approach also focuses on creating greater awareness among guests and employees. Water conservation tent cards placed in guest rooms encourage visitors to adopt mindful water-use practices during their stay. Awareness posters across kitchens and back-of-house areas further reinforce responsible water consumption among employees and operational teams.

A key element of Eros Hotel New Delhi's water management strategy is the 100% recycling of wastewater. Treated recycled water is utilised for horticulture and cooling towers, reducing the hotel's dependence on fresh water for selected operational requirements while ensuring wastewater is put to productive use.

By combining water-efficient fixtures, wastewater recycling and awareness programmes, Eros Hotel New Delhi continues to integrate resource-conscious practices into its daily operations.

The initiatives reflect the hotel's broader approach to making water conservation a shared responsibility among guests, employees and operational teams while strengthening its ongoing sustainability efforts.

About Eros Hotel New Delhi:

Eros Hotel New Delhi is a luxury hotel located in the heart of the city, offering accommodation, dining and hospitality facilities for leisure and business travellers.

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