Shimla Winter Carnival: A Historic Celebration Boosting Himachal's Tourism

Shimla Winter Carnival: A Historic Celebration Boosting Himachal's Tourism

By Author

Published on December 29, 2023

In a significant move to rejuvenate the tourism sector, the Himachal Pradesh government kicked off the inaugural Shimla Winter Carnival, a 12-day celebration aimed at uplifting the spirits of the hill state. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated the event at the historic Ridge, marking a historic moment for the city.

The winter carnival holds special significance as it comes on the heels of a challenging period for Himachal Pradesh's tourism industry, severely impacted by the recent monsoon disruptions. Chief Minister Sukhu, during the inauguration, acknowledged the adverse effects of the monsoon fury but expressed optimism about the state's recovery. He highlighted the influx of 30,000 tourist vehicles in the past days as a promising sign of the tourism industry's revival.

Emphasizing the government's commitment to promoting tourism, Chief Minister Sukhu announced a substantial increase in the budget for the tourism sector, reaching Rs. 3,000 crores from the previous Rs. 50 crores. This financial boost aims to support the recovery efforts and further elevate Himachal Pradesh as a preferred tourist destination.

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To facilitate a seamless experience for visitors, the state government has permitted all restaurants, dhabas, and food shops to remain open 24 hours from December 20, 2023, to January 5, 2024. This move is aligned with the government's focus on providing a warm welcome to tourists and enhancing their overall experience in the state.

The Winter Carnival promises an array of attractions, including cultural parades, folk dance performances like Mahanati, and exhibitions featuring local dishes and cultural programs. The carnival, set to conclude on January 5, 2024, is strategically timed during the Christmas and New Year celebrations, adding to the festive atmosphere in Shimla.

Apart from being a delightful experience for tourists, the carnival aims to celebrate Himachal Pradesh's rich cultural heritage. Cultural programs such as Kullavi Nati and Singtu of Sirmaur district were presented, contributing to the vibrant celebration. The event, graced by dignitaries, including Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh and Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, is expected to have a positive economic impact on the state.

The Shimla Winter Carnival signifies a turning point for Himachal Pradesh's tourism, ushering in hope, festive cheer, and a promising outlook for the future.


King Koil and Palaniappa electronics Elevate Hotel Bedding Standards

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 23, 2026

A memorable hotel stay begins with restful sleep. King Koil, one of the world’s most trusted hospitality mattress brands, helps hotels deliver consistent comfort backed by more than a century of global bedding expertise. With millions of hotel rooms furnished worldwide, the brand is built to meet the expectations of guests, GMs, and housekeeping teams alike. Through Palaniappa electronics, hotels can access these reliable and long-lasting sleep solutions.

King Koil mattresses are designed to provide proper back support, pressure relief, and undisturbed sleep. In simple terms, guests can sleep peacefully without tossing, turning, or being disturbed by movement from the other side of the bed. Advanced spring systems and carefully layered comfort materials help absorb motion, reduce noise, and maintain shape even after years of use. For guests, this means waking up refreshed. For hotels, it leads to stronger reviews and repeat bookings.

Unlike retail mattresses meant for homes, King Koil hospitality mattresses are built for high-occupancy usage. They are designed to retain firmness and comfort over a long life cycle, helping hotels reduce replacement frequency and overall ownership costs. With durable construction, fire-retardant fabrics, and dependable warranties, they are suitable for business, premium, and luxury properties.

Rollaway beds are often an area where guest expectations fall short. King Koil addresses this by offering the same comfort-grade mattress used on regular beds for its rollaway beds as well. This ensures that extra guests receive the same level of comfort, avoiding dissatisfaction. The rollaway units are sturdy, easy to handle, and suitable for repeated use without compromising on sleep quality.

A good mattress also needs a strong foundation. King Koil platform bed bases are built to provide a stable and noise-free base that enhances mattress life and sleep quality. Made with durable materials and precise sizing, they support housekeeping efficiency during cleaning and room turnover while reducing wear and tear.

Each King Koil mattress is customized according to the exact measurements provided by architects or interior designers. This ensures a perfect fit with bed frames and room layouts, avoiding gaps or last-minute adjustments and maintaining brand standards.

Many King Koil models are designed for one-side usage, reducing the need for frequent flipping. This makes daily operations easier for housekeeping teams, lowers physical strain, and helps rooms remain guest-ready at all times. For management teams, this translates into smoother operations and predictable maintenance cycles.

With earning of valuable customers and diverse brands through providing best in class products, Palaniappa electronics is the name of trust built by long years in business, delivering quality products, state of the art technology for ever evolving hospitality, and on time assistance and delivery.

For property owners, King Koil represents a long-term investment in durability and brand reputation. For GMs, it supports improved guest satisfaction scores. For executive housekeepers, it offers practicality and ease of management.

King Koil does not simply provide mattresses; it delivers dependable sleep experiences that guests remember, and Palaniappa electronics continues to bring such trusted solutions to the hospitality industry.

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


Le Petit Chef Brings 3D Dining Show to Hilton Manyata

Le Petit Chef Brings 3D Dining Show to Hilton Manyata

By Hariharan U

Published on February 23, 2026

A globally loved dining experience has arrived in the city. Starting 20th February 2026, Le Petit Chef, the world’s smallest chef and biggest dinner show will be hosted at Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park.

After travelling to over 70 countries including Dubai, London, Paris, and Singapore, this 3D dining spectacle now makes its South India debut in Bengaluru.

Le Petit Chef turns the dining table into a live stage using advanced 3D projection mapping technology. With specially installed projection systems at the hotel, a tiny 6-inch animated chef appears right on the guest’s plate. The miniature chef sets off on a playful journey, attempting to cook gourmet dishes with entertaining twists and fun moments in between courses.

As the animated sequence ends, the real culinary team presents the actual dish, styled closely to what guests just saw on their plates. This smooth shift from animation to real food makes the experience both engaging and memorable.

The pre-selected menu features dishes such as Hand-Crafted Ratatouille Cannelloni, Grilled Roman Artichoke with Burrata, Lemon Persillade Atlantic King Prawn, and Coconut and Jaggery Crème Brûlée.

Guests can choose from three menu options Elite, Grand, and Kids, each available in vegetarian and non-vegetarian variants. The experience is designed for couples, families, children’s birthday celebrations, corporate gatherings, and special occasions.

Le Petit Chef will run at Hilton Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park from 20th February 2026 onwards. Due to limited seating, advance reservations are strongly recommended. For show timings and bookings, guests can call +91-6361104821 or email Blrgs_rnl@hilton.com

Le Petit Chef was created in 2015 by the Belgian art collective Skullmapping, founded by artists Filip Sterckx and Antoon Verbeeck. The concept has since become a global dining attraction, blending art and technology in a unique way.

With this launch, Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park adds another standout culinary experience to Bengaluru’s dining scene


Espire Hospitality Strengthens Sales Team with Two New Directors

Espire Hospitality Strengthens Sales Team with Two New Directors

By Hariharan U

Published on February 23, 2026

Espire Hospitality Limited has strengthened its commercial team with the appointment of Mr. Daksh Shandilya and Ms. Ashwini Alpesh Taware as Director of Sales. This step reflects the company’s clear focus on expanding its reach and sharpening its sales strategy for ZANA Luxury Resorts and Country Inn Hotels & Resorts.

Daksh Shandilya brings over nine years of experience in hospitality sales and marketing. Over the years, he has worked with leading brands such as The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, Lemon Tree Hotels, Treehouse Hotels & Resorts, and Old-World Hospitality. His experience covers key account management, business development, and market expansion across competitive regions. He has handled segments including PCO, DMC, and MICE, helping brands grow through structured planning and strong long-term partnerships.

Ashwini Alpesh Taware joins with more than a decade of experience across corporate sales, travel trade, events, and MICE. She has been associated with brands like Lemon Tree Hotels, Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa Nashik, Royal Orchid & Regenta Hotels, and The Orchid Hotel Mumbai. Having worked at both property-level and national sales offices, she understands client expectations and market trends closely.

Commenting on the appointments, Mr. Akhil Arora, CEO & MD, Espire Hospitality Limited, said, "Our focus has always been on building strong leadership teams that can take our brands forward in a competitive market. Daksh and Ashwini come with solid industry experience and a clear understanding of how today's hospitality business works. Their addition strengthens our focus to grow our market footprint, deepen our engagement with key partners, and drive consistent performance across ZANA Luxury Resorts and Country Inn Hotels & Resorts."

In their new roles, Daksh Shandilya and Ashwini Alpesh Taware will focus on improving sales performance and supporting Espire Hospitality Limited’s long-term growth plans across its brands

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