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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.
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.
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By Hariharan U
Published on August 18, 2026
Courtyard by Marriott has opened its first hotel in Ghaziabad, marking the brand's debut in the city and expanding Marriott International's presence across the Delhi NCR region.
Located in Rajnagar Extension, one of Ghaziabad's growing commercial and residential corridors, Courtyard by Marriott Ghaziabad brings the brand's focus on comfort, functionality and flexible spaces to the destination. The property is designed to cater to business travellers, families, wedding groups and leisure guests.
The hotel features 106 contemporary rooms and suites, equipped with modern amenities, plush bedding, ergonomic workspaces and high-speed connectivity. Flexible layouts are designed to support both productivity and relaxation, allowing guests to adapt their rooms to different stages of their stay.
Connectivity is a key advantage of the property. The hotel provides access to Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida and Meerut through major expressways, national highways and the Delhi–Meerut Rapid Rail Transit System. It is approximately one hour from Indira Gandhi International Airport, around 15 minutes from Anand Vihar Bus Terminal and 20 minutes from Ghaziabad Railway Station.
The hotel also offers convenient access to corporate offices, industrial hubs, educational institutions and healthcare facilities across Ghaziabad, along with attractions including Akshardham Temple and India Expo Mart and shopping destinations across East Delhi and Noida.
Courtyard by Marriott Ghaziabad features two dining venues designed for different occasions.
L3 Kitchen, the all-day dining restaurant, offers global favourites, wholesome dishes and regional Indian cuisine in a contemporary setting.
The Yard & Brew lobby lounge and bar provides handcrafted beverages and globally inspired small plates, creating a relaxed setting for informal meetings, after-work gatherings and evening conversations.
Guests can access a range of wellness facilities, including an outdoor swimming pool with Jacuzzi, fully equipped fitness centre and spa. The facilities are designed to provide opportunities for relaxation and recovery for both business and leisure travellers.
The hotel offers more than 8,000 sq. ft. of indoor event space, including the 5,100 sq. ft. Grand Ballroom. Supported by audiovisual technology and dedicated event planning services, the venues are designed for corporate conferences, meetings, weddings and social celebrations.
Commenting on the opening, Kiran Andicot, Senior Vice President, South Asia, Marriott International, said Ghaziabad's growing role as a commercial and residential destination presents an opportunity for Courtyard by Marriott to expand its offering across the region and provide travellers with additional accommodation choices in Delhi NCR.
Praveen Sharma, Hotel Manager, Courtyard by Marriott Ghaziabad, said the property has been designed around the changing needs of modern travellers, whether they are visiting for business, family occasions or leisure. He added that the hotel aims to become a gathering place for travellers and the local community.
Courtyard by Marriott Ghaziabad participates in Marriott Bonvoy, enabling members to earn and redeem points during stays at the property and across Marriott International's participating portfolio.
Sterling Holiday Resorts has strengthened its presence in India's wildlife hospitality segment with the launch of Sterling Quinta Jim Corbett, its second resort in the Corbett landscape and 11th property in Uttarakhand.
Located in the Bail Parao–Kaladhungi belt of Ramnagar, the new resort expands Sterling's curated wildlife portfolio to 13 resorts with more than 480 rooms and suites, reinforcing the company's strategy of building destination clusters across India's leading nature and wildlife destinations.
The launch comes as wildlife tourism increasingly evolves beyond conventional safari-led holidays, with travellers seeking immersive experiences, longer stays and deeper connections with nature and local communities. Sterling's growing portfolio across India's forests and wildlife regions reflects this shift towards experience-led travel.
Sterling Quinta Jim Corbett offers access to the wider Corbett landscape while providing a quieter alternative to some of the destination's busier tourism zones. The property complements Sterling's existing Corbett presence and gives travellers additional opportunities to explore different areas of the region.
The resort features 46 rooms across five categories, including accommodation options with private sit-outs, balconies and exclusive plunge pools. Facilities include a swimming pool, spa and Nectar, the property's all-day dining restaurant.
Designed for families, couples, celebration-led travellers and corporate groups, the resort also expands Sterling's leisure and events offering. A 2,800 sq. ft. banquet hall and two landscaped lawns provide spaces for destination weddings, social celebrations, corporate offsites and incentive programmes.
Beyond the resort, guests can explore the Corbett region through safaris across forest zones including Phato and Sitabani, along with birdwatching trails and plantation walks. Local attractions such as Chhoi Village, Shri Hanuman Dham, the Jim Corbett Museum and Corbett Falls further broaden the destination experience.
Sterling's wider wildlife portfolio now spans diverse ecosystems and destinations including Corbett, Gir, Kanha, Pench, Ranthambore, Sariska, Thekkady, Wayanad, Anaikatti and Tipeshwar, covering tiger reserves, lion habitats, rainforests and Himalayan forests.
Commenting on the launch, Vikram Lalvani, Managing Director & CEO, Sterling Holiday Resorts Ltd, said wildlife tourism in India is undergoing a transformation as travellers increasingly seek experiences extending beyond the safari. He added that Sterling's destination-cluster strategy aims to provide guests with richer ways to experience iconic wildlife regions while maintaining consistency in hospitality.
Shailendra Goswami and Amit Aggarwal, Partners at Shreena Hospitalities Pvt Limited, said Sterling Quinta Jim Corbett was envisioned as a peaceful, nature-connected retreat complementing the wider Corbett experience. They added that the partnership combines the resort's location and design with Sterling's hospitality expertise and scale.
With the addition of Sterling Quinta Jim Corbett, Sterling Holiday Resorts continues to strengthen its presence in Uttarakhand while expanding its focus on experiential travel segments including wildlife, mountains, wellness, pilgrimage and heritage
By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Ananta Spa & Resort Jaipur has introduced helicopter arrivals for wedding couples, adding an aerial experience to its destination wedding offering in Jaipur.
Managed by Black Rock Hotels & Resorts, the 40-acre resort features 351 rooms along with extensive indoor and outdoor event spaces. The new offering gives couples the option to include a helicopter arrival as part of their wedding itinerary, turning their entry into a memorable part of the overall celebration.
The move comes as India's luxury destination wedding market continues to see a growing demand for personalised experiences. Families are increasingly looking beyond décor and traditional hospitality, focusing on creating memorable moments throughout the wedding, from guest experiences and entertainment to the couple's arrival.
For destination wedding resorts, this has also changed the way celebrations are planned. Instead of simply providing accommodation and event spaces, properties are increasingly building complete wedding experiences that can adapt to the specific requirements of each family.
Ravindra Pratap Singh, Chairman, Ravi Surya Group and owner of Ananta Spa & Resort Jaipur, said, "Destination weddings have become much more personal. Families are no longer looking only for a beautiful venue; they want to create moments that feel specific to them and that guests will remember. An aerial arrival is one such experience. At Ananta Jaipur, our scale gives us the flexibility to think beyond conventional wedding formats and work with families on how the entire celebration unfolds, from the arrival to the ceremonies and experiences in between."
Destination weddings and MICE remain key demand segments for Ananta Spa & Resort Jaipur. The resort has 12 venues, including multiple indoor banquet spaces and large outdoor lawns.
One of its key event spaces is the 70,000 sq. ft. Suijin Lawn. The resort also features a dedicated 16-pillared, Vastu-compliant ceremonial Pagoda, designed for traditional wedding rituals including ghudchadi, baraat, and jaimala. The wedding offering is supported by accommodation across five categories, along with wellness and leisure facilities, landscaped areas and multiple dining experiences. This allows families to host multi-day celebrations largely within the resort.
With Jaipur already established as one of India's leading destination wedding markets, Black Rock Hotels & Resorts expects personalised and experience-led celebrations to play a larger role in how luxury wedding resorts plan and deliver destination weddings.
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