Vivanta Miramar has introduced Verre, a new rooftop glasshouse concept that brings together handcrafted cocktails, global cuisine, curated music, and immersive storytelling, set against sweeping views of the Goan coastline.

Positioned as more than a rooftop bar, Verre is designed as a “parallel universe” experience where familiar archetypes are reimagined as playful characters, creating a layered and evolving social space. The venue transitions naturally from relaxed sundowners during sunset to high-energy nightlife as the evening progresses.

At the centre of the experience is a cocktail programme inspired by celestial themes, drawing from the sun and moon to create drinks that combine classic mixology techniques with global influences and experimental ingredients. The beverage offering is complemented by a contemporary menu featuring Asian, Mediterranean, and Indian flavours, along with curated shareable plates and a live sushi bar.

Music plays a key role in shaping the atmosphere at Verre, beginning with lounge and ambient sounds at sunset before shifting into upbeat and club-driven sets later in the night. This gradual transformation is designed to mirror the changing energy of the space as guests move from evening relaxation to late-night celebration.

A defining element of the concept is the introduction of “Verre Characters,” a storytelling feature that assigns playful personas inspired by everyday human traits. From dreamers to socialites and collectors, guests are invited to identify with these characters, adding an interactive narrative layer to the experience.

According to Ranjit Philipose, Senior Vice President – Operations, Goa, IHCL, Verre has been designed to go beyond traditional dining and drinking formats. He noted that the concept blends design, music, storytelling, and mixology to create a more immersive and memorable social experience in Goa’s evolving hospitality landscape.

With its combination of panoramic views, evolving atmosphere, and experiential storytelling, Verre positions itself as a distinctive addition to Goa’s rooftop and nightlife scene

Dusit International, the Thailand-based hospitality group, has announced its continued expansion in India with the signing of a hotel management agreement for Dusit Princess Rishikesh in Uttarakhand. The agreement has been signed with Atmosphere, a luxury real estate and hospitality development company focused on destination-led projects.

The upcoming development will be located in the Tehri Garhwal region near Rishikesh, one of India’s most prominent destinations for spirituality, wellness, and adventure tourism. Scheduled to open in 2031, the project is envisioned as an upscale mixed-use development combining contemporary hospitality with wellness-driven experiences inspired by the Himalayan landscape.

Dusit Princess Rishikesh will feature approximately 300 keys, including hotel rooms and luxury duplex villas. Designed to appeal to both leisure and business travellers, the property will offer a wide range of facilities including an all-day dining restaurant, lobby lounge, business centre, outdoor swimming pool, gymnasium, yoga room, and multipurpose event spaces.

The development will also include an expansive clubhouse offering additional lifestyle amenities such as a spa, infinity pool, restaurant with 250 covers, squash court, mini-plex, bowling alley, and indoor recreational facilities, positioning it as a comprehensive lifestyle destination in the region.

According to Dusit International, the signing reinforces its long-term strategy to expand thoughtfully across India, focusing on destinations aligned with growing demand for wellness, leisure, and experience-led travel. The company highlighted Rishikesh as a natural fit for its brand philosophy, given its blend of spirituality, nature, and tourism potential.

Speaking on the announcement, Siradej Donavanik, Vice President – Development (Global) at Dusit International, said India remains a key strategic market for the group. He noted that the company aims to build in destinations that align with evolving traveller preferences and strong market fundamentals, with a focus on wellness-oriented hospitality experiences.

Sanchit Jain, Chairman and Managing Director of Atmosphere, said the collaboration with Dusit International reflects a shared vision of creating luxury hospitality destinations that integrate nature, wellness, and elevated living experiences. He expressed confidence that Dusit Princess Rishikesh will emerge as a distinctive retreat in Uttarakhand’s growing luxury hospitality landscape.

The signing follows the opening of dusitD2 Fagu Shimla in 2024 and further strengthens Dusit International’s development pipeline in India as it continues to expand its presence across emerging leisure and wellness destinations

Leads Brand Connect has announced the appointment of Puneet Chhabra as Business Head for Amazonika Mundi India, strengthening the company’s leadership team as it expands the Brazilian plant-based food brand’s presence in the Indian market.

Under the exclusive sales, marketing, and distribution partnership between Leads Brand Connect and Amazonika Mundi India, Chhabra will be responsible for driving revenue growth, business operations, and market expansion across multiple channels, including HoReCa, food service, B2B, modern trade, and online platforms.

A seasoned professional with nearly 30 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, Chhabra brings extensive expertise in brand building, distribution development, commercial leadership, and market expansion. His responsibilities will also include leading product innovation initiatives across ready-to-cook, ready-to-eat, and ready-to-drink categories.

Commenting on the appointment, Richa Khandelwal, Founder and Managing Director of Leads Brand Connect, said Chhabra’s experience across institutional, retail, and digital channels makes him well-positioned to accelerate Amazonika Mundi’s growth strategy in India.

Expressing enthusiasm about his new role, Chhabra highlighted the growing demand for healthier and more sustainable food choices among Indian consumers. He noted that Amazonika Mundi’s plant-based portfolio aligns strongly with evolving consumer preferences and presents significant opportunities across retail and food service segments.

Throughout his career, Chhabra has held leadership positions with several prominent food and beverage companies, including Kohinoor Foods, Amira G Foods, Miraya International, AAA Foods, Borges India, and Lavazza. He has also worked extensively with leading hospitality and retail brands, including Taj Hotels, ITC Hotels, Oberoi Hotels, Marriott, Accor, IHG, Walmart India, Reliance Mart, and Spencer’s.

Founded in Rio de Janeiro in 2020, Amazonika Mundi is a 100 percent plant-based food company inspired by Brazil’s biodiversity. The brand traces its roots to Sottile Alimentos, a startup launched by brothers Thiago Rosolem and Bruno Rosolem in 2018. Since its inception, the company has focused on creating sustainable and innovative food products using natural Brazilian ingredients.

Today, Amazonika Mundi operates in Brazil, India, Israel, and Switzerland, with ambitions to expand its footprint further through premium plant-based food offerings and sustainable food solutions.

Leads Brand Connect, headquartered in Noida, has evolved from an integrated communications agency into a growing consumer brands company. Alongside Amazonika Mundi, the company manages brands such as Coração do Vale and continues to bring international gourmet and lifestyle brands to the Indian market.