A major fire broke out at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach resort in Bayahibe, Dominican Republic, on Friday, claiming the life of one tourist and forcing the evacuation of nearly 1,700 guests.

According to DAEH emergency services, the victim was a 46-year-old Italian tourist. Three individuals were taken to medical facilities for treatment, while six others received medical assistance at the resort. At the time of the incident, the property was operating at 84 per cent occupancy.

Drone footage from the scene showed flames spreading across multiple buildings within the beachfront resort, with thick black smoke rising into the sky. Emergency teams responded quickly and worked to bring the situation under control.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the fire. However, preliminary findings indicate that strong winds and the presence of flammable thatched roofs on some of the resort buildings may have contributed to the rapid spread of the flames.

The Emergency Operations Center (COE) confirmed that the fire was successfully contained and that all guests were relocated to other hotels. Officials also stated that tourism activities in Bayahibe and nearby areas were not affected by the incident.

Italian news agency Ansa reported that the Italian ambassador to the Dominican Republic met the victim's husband at the hospital. The Italian embassy is assisting approximately 285 Italian tourists who were staying at the resort or nearby properties. Support measures include issuing emergency passports to travellers whose documents were lost in the fire and arranging return flights where required.

Bayahibe is a popular Caribbean resort destination known for its beaches and clear waters, attracting visitors from around the world throughout the year.

In a statement, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts said that hotel teams safely evacuated guests and staff during the emergency. The company confirmed the death of one guest and stated, "We send our thoughts to the family while we await autopsy results to determine the cause."

The hotel, which is independently owned and operated under the Wyndham brand, has been temporarily closed and will remain shut until further notice as investigations continue.

Chennais Amirta International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) has announced the appointment of Abanindra Nath Biswal as the Principal of its Chengalpattu Campus, strengthening the institution's leadership with a seasoned hospitality professional who brings more than three decades of industry experience.

Biswal has been part of the hotel industry since 1992 and has held several leadership positions across renowned hospitality brands in India and overseas. Prior to taking up his new role, he served as Executive Chef at Grande Bay Resort, Mahabalipuram, a position he held from May 2022. He also worked as Chef at Radisson Blu Chennai Egmore between January 2021 and May 2022.

Throughout his career, Biswal has built expertise in culinary operations, strategic planning, food and beverage management, quality compliance, and client servicing. His professional journey includes leadership roles at Mangifera Cuisines Chennai, Clarion Hotel Chennai, Holland America Line USA, Apollo Hospitals Chennai, Aloft Bangalore, Chancery Hotel Bangalore, Fortune Kences Hotel Tirupati, Hotel Swosti Plaza, The Park Hotel Kolkata, Star Cruise Singapore, and Taj Connemara Chennai.

Known for his strong communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills, Biswal has worked in multicultural environments and is proficient in multiple languages. His experience spans hotel operations, large-scale banqueting, outdoor catering, menu development, quality management, and team leadership.

Over the years, he has successfully managed large hospitality operations, including hotels with extensive banquet facilities, specialty restaurants, and large outdoor catering events. His portfolio includes handling major events such as Aero Show 2007, IPL matches, and large-scale corporate functions catering to thousands of guests. He has also played a key role in introducing Italian, Western, and Mediterranean menus, standardising recipes, implementing operational procedures, and enhancing business performance through innovative food concepts.

Biswal's achievements extend beyond hotel operations. He has been actively involved in hospitality education and training, serving as an External Examiner for food production at Canon School of Catering and Hotel Management, Chennai, and I.H.M Bangalore for several years. He has also participated in food festivals, culinary competitions, and industry development programmes throughout his career.

Academically, Biswal is an alumnus of Tamil Nadu Open University and I.H.M. Bhubaneswar, Odisha. He was recognised as an institute topper during his hotel management studies and received the Best Cocktail Award at the 1st All India All Rounders Competition held at IHM Dadar, Mumbai. He has also completed Niveaux Un and Niveaux Deux at Alliance Francais Chennai.

In addition, he is a member of the Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA), which is affiliated with the World Association of Chefs.

With his extensive industry exposure and commitment to hospitality education, Abanindra Nath Biswal is expected to play a significant role in strengthening academic excellence and industry-oriented learning at the Chennais Amirta IIHM Chengalpattu Campus.

Lemon Tree Hotels Limited has announced the signing of two new resort properties in Maharashtra – Lemon Tree Resort, Tadgaon and Lemon Tree Resort, Igatpuri. With these additions, the hospitality company will expand its presence in the state to 32 properties, comprising 15 operational hotels and 17 properties in the pipeline, including the newly signed resorts.

Both properties will be managed by Carnation Hotels Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lemon Tree Hotels Limited. The latest signings reflect the group's continued focus on emerging leisure destinations that are becoming popular drive-to getaways for travellers from major cities such as Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, and Pune.

Lemon Tree Resort, Tadgaon will feature 110 well-appointed rooms designed to offer a comfortable stay for guests. The resort will include a restaurant, banquet hall, meeting and conference facilities, swimming pool, spa, and fitness centre. Positioned approximately 75 km from Navi Mumbai International Airport and 100 km from Mumbai Central Railway Station, the property is expected to cater to both leisure travellers and events-led gatherings.

Meanwhile, Lemon Tree Resort, Igatpuri will offer 90 rooms along with a restaurant, banquet hall, meeting and conference spaces, swimming pool, spa, and fitness centre. The resort is located around 134 km from Mumbai International Airport and 5.6 km from Igatpuri Railway Station, providing convenient access for visitors seeking a getaway in the region.

Commenting on the signing, Vishvapreet Singh Cheema, President, Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd., said, "Our expansion strategy with resorts in Tadgaon and Igatpuri in Maharashtra is deeply aligned with the evolving dynamics of the drive-to hospitality sector. Urban travellers and corporate houses are increasingly prioritizing accessible, high-amenity destinations that don't require complex logistics. By introducing the Lemon Tree Resort brand to these two distinct, premium micro-markets, we are uniquely positioned to capture a highly lucrative mix of weekend leisure, multi-generational travel, and mid-to-high-level corporate retreats."

According to the company, the addition of these two resorts further strengthens Lemon Tree Hotels' presence in Western India while expanding its portfolio of premium regional resorts designed to meet the growing demand from both leisure and corporate travellers.