Air India hosted an exclusive evening in London with Union Minister of Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, bringing together leading travel trade partners from across the United Kingdom to strengthen engagement around inbound tourism to India.

Held on the sidelines of World Travel Market (WTM) London, the gathering provided a platform for discussions on expanding international visitor traffic, identifying growth opportunities across key markets and showcasing India's diverse tourism offerings to global travellers.

The event brought together senior representatives from travel companies including Southall Travel, Brightsun Travel, Moresand, Skylord Travels, Carlton Leisure, TUI, Trailfinders, Kuoni, Expedia, Trip.com and Akbar Travels. Representatives from London Gatwick Airport also attended, highlighting the role of collaboration between airlines, airports and travel trade organisations in supporting international tourism.

As India works to strengthen its position in the global tourism market, Air India is seeking to leverage its international network and connectivity to support the country's inbound travel ambitions. Engagement with overseas travel partners remains an important part of connecting international markets with India's cultural, heritage, natural and experiential tourism offerings.

The London gathering follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Air India and the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, to jointly promote India as a global tourism destination and strengthen the country's position as an aviation and transit hub.

The agreement provides a framework for coordinated initiatives across tourism marketing, destination storytelling, travel trade engagement, transit tourism and visitor experience enhancement.

Through the partnership, Air India's expanding international network will be leveraged alongside the Ministry of Tourism's Incredible India initiative to improve India's visibility among international travellers, encourage inbound visits and promote the country's varied destinations.

The collaboration also brings aviation and tourism stakeholders together around a shared objective: making India more accessible and visible to travellers across international markets.

By hosting UK travel trade leaders during WTM London, Air India reinforced its engagement with one of its important international markets and highlighted the role of airline connectivity and industry partnerships in supporting India's tourism ambitions.

The International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) has signed a three-year strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Andhra Pradesh to strengthen hospitality education, promote regional culinary heritage and support tourism development across the state. The agreement was signed through the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board (APEDB) in Tirupati on 6 November 2026.

The partnership aims to connect hospitality education with industry requirements and the state's economic development priorities. It will focus on building a skilled workforce, encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship, promoting regional tourism and introducing emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, into hospitality and destination management.

The collaboration brings together IIHM's academic and industry-integrated education framework with Andhra Pradesh's tourism and economic development objectives. It is intended to create opportunities for students and young professionals while strengthening the relationship between educational institutions, government bodies and hospitality businesses.

Speaking about the agreement, Dr. Suborno Bose, Chairman of IIHM, said, "This partnership marks a momentous occasion where government vision seamlessly meets global hospitality expertise. By joining hands with the Government of Andhra Pradesh, IIHM is committed to creating a vibrant ecosystem that empowers young talent with world-class skills, integrates cutting-edge technologies like AI, and positions the state as a leading benchmark for global hospitality education."

Dr. Bose also highlighted the importance of regional food traditions and tourism in the partnership, adding, "Our alliance goes beyond conventional academic partnerships, it is about honoring the rich culinary heritage of Andhra Pradesh and reimagining its tourism potential. Together with the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board, we are opening dynamic new avenues for innovation, entrepreneurship, and employment that will resonate across the region for years to come."

Four Key Areas of Collaboration

The three-year agreement identifies four broad areas for joint initiatives:

1. Hospitality Education and Skills Development

IIHM and the state will work towards introducing modern skill sets, international hospitality practices and advanced training methodologies. The focus will be on preparing students for evolving roles across the hospitality and tourism sectors.

2. Promotion of Andhra Pradesh's Culinary Heritage

The partnership will seek to document and promote regional culinary traditions, indigenous ingredients and traditional recipes. It also aims to encourage food entrepreneurship and bring greater visibility to Andhra Pradesh's cuisine.

3. Tourism Development and Destination Promotion

The organisations will explore ways to improve destination visibility and encourage sustainable tourism models. The proposed initiatives include developing immersive culinary and eco-tourism experiences across destinations in the state.

4. Education–Industry Integration

The agreement will establish opportunities for stronger collaboration between educational institutions and industry stakeholders, with an emphasis on employment pathways, innovation and youth entrepreneurship.

Focus on AI, Research and Sustainable Tourism

As the partnership progresses, IIHM and the Government of Andhra Pradesh plan to introduce dedicated skill development programmes, organise culinary research initiatives and support sustainable tourism campaigns.

The collaboration also identifies artificial intelligence and emerging technologies as areas of focus, particularly in service operations and destination management. Their potential application could support more efficient hospitality operations and evolving visitor experiences.

By establishing connections between academia, local government authorities and industry networks, the agreement seeks to align hospitality training with changing market requirements while creating opportunities for regional businesses and aspiring professionals.

About IIHM

The International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) is a network of hospitality management institutes offering programmes in hospitality, tourism and culinary arts. With campuses in India and overseas, the institute focuses on industry-integrated education, international exposure and professional development.

Its initiatives also cover culinary diplomacy, entrepreneurship, sustainability and the application of artificial intelligence in hospitality education and operations.

The three-year partnership provides a framework for IIHM and the Government of Andhra Pradesh to work together on workforce development, culinary promotion and tourism initiatives, linking educational expertise with the state's wider hospitality and economic development objectives.

Building on Gurukripa's culinary legacy dating back to 1977, second-generation hospitality entrepreneur Akshay Shetty has launched Palate Specialty Caterers, a premium catering venture that brings restaurant-inspired menus and personalised dining experiences to weddings, corporate gatherings and private celebrations.

Launched in 2026 under Passion Projects Hospitality, Palate combines the group's longstanding food and beverage experience with contemporary culinary concepts, interactive food stations and customised menus. The venture aims to bridge the gap between conventional event catering and evolving dining preferences by bringing the creativity and presentation of restaurant dining to large-format celebrations.

The group's hospitality portfolio includes Gurukripa Restobar, with outlets in Powai and Thane, and Cray Craft Kitchen & Bar in Andheri, established in 2023. Palate builds on these existing operations while extending the group's culinary expertise into bespoke event catering.

From Restaurant Kitchens to Large-Format Celebrations

A key milestone for the venture came in March 2026, when Palate catered the Haldi ceremony of the granddaughter of V. R. Shariff, Founder and Chairman of Niton Valve Industries Pvt. Ltd. (Valvinox), who is widely recognised as the “Valve Man of India”.

The event involved bespoke catering for gatherings of up to 1,000 guests, demonstrating the venture's ability to manage large celebrations while offering customised food concepts and presentation.

Commenting on the launch, Akshay Shetty, Proprietor, Passion Projects Hospitality, said, “Gurukripa has been an integral part of our journey, shaping our understanding of how food brings people together. With Palate, we are taking this experience into a new space, creating bespoke culinary experiences that go beyond conventional catering. From intimate celebrations to large-format events, exclusive private gatherings and brand-led experiences, Palate brings together curated food concepts, artistic presentation and interactive dining to make every occasion distinctive.”

A Menu Built Around Variety and Interaction

Palate's culinary offering spans regional Indian specialities, South Indian favourites and international cuisines, including Asian and Continental dishes. The menus are tailored to the occasion, with an emphasis on variety, presentation and guest interaction.

Among the venture's distinctive creations is Tacos Uramaki, which presents sushi in a taco-style format. Chef Amir Khan's Biryani, a longstanding favourite from Gurukripa's existing menu, brings an established offering into the catering portfolio.

For dessert, Churros with Chocolate Canvas Art combines a familiar sweet treat with a visual element, allowing food presentation to become part of the guest experience.

The catering format also includes live culinary stations, grazing tables and customisable menus. Standardised recipes and live batch cooking are used to maintain consistency and quality across events, including larger gatherings.

Catering for Different Occasions

With the capacity to serve approximately 800–1,000 guests, Palate caters to weddings, corporate hospitality, intimate gatherings and large-format celebrations. Its approach combines customised food concepts with service and operational planning suited to events of varying sizes.

The launch represents a new direction for Passion Projects Hospitality, extending the experience built through Gurukripa and Cray Craft Kitchen & Bar into a dedicated catering business. By combining established culinary foundations with contemporary presentation and interactive dining, Palate aims to address the changing expectations of event hosts and guests.

About Palate Specialty Caterers

Palate Specialty Caterers is a premium catering venture under Passion Projects Hospitality, led by second-generation entrepreneur Akshay Shetty. Rooted in Gurukripa's culinary legacy, which dates back to 1977, and drawing on the group's contemporary hospitality experience through Cray Craft Kitchen & Bar, Palate offers bespoke catering for weddings, corporate gatherings, private celebrations and large-format events