Xandari Resorts, part of the Muthoot Group, celebrates 25 memorable years of eco-luxe hospitality in Kerala, setting new benchmarks in sustainable tourism and redefining luxury in harmony with nature. At a time when global travellers are increasingly mindful of sustainability, Xandari’s approach blends high-end experiences with deep environmental and cultural respect.

Rooted in Kerala’s natural beauty, Xandari operates three experiential resorts across the state, each uniquely positioned within a distinct ecosystem. From Cardamom County by Xandari nestled near the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Thekkady, to Xandari Riverscapes on the tranquil Vembanad Lake in Alappuzha, and the serene Xandari Pearl on the Mararikulam coast, the brand offers immersive getaways that connect travellers with local landscapes and communities.

Notably, Xandari was the first to establish an ISO-certified 4-star resort in Kerala, and also holds the prestigious PUG certification by TOFTigers, recognising sustainable tourism practices. Globally, Xandari Resort and Spa in Costa Rica reflects the same philosophy, having achieved the Elite CST level, the highest recognition in Costa Rica’s sustainable tourism certification system.

“As we celebrate this significant milestone, we see Xandari not just as a hospitality brand but as a platform where ideas, cultures, and traditions converge,” said Mr. George M. George, Managing Director, Xandari Resorts. “True travel goes beyond sightseeing—it embraces heritage, ethics, and meaningful human connections. With our resorts spread across Kerala’s forests, backwaters, and beaches, we offer a complete experience of God's Own Country.”

Xandari’s sustainable practices include a complete ban on single-use plastics, installation of EV charging stations, and a growing reliance on solar energy for its operations. The brand also champions local employment and artisan communities, ensuring that every guest experience directly contributes to the surrounding economy and culture.

With a vision that intertwines environmental care and authentic cultural exchange, Xandari continues to offer responsible luxury—one that leaves a lasting impact on both guests and the land they explore.

CG Hospitality Global, the hospitality division of CG Corp Global and majority stakeholder in Concept Hospitality Private Limited (CHPL), has partnered with Marriott International to launch Series by Marriott — a new midscale and upscale collection brand. The launch is powered by the affiliation of The Fern brand portfolio, a widely respected eco-sensitive hotel chain in India, managed by CHPL.

This landmark agreement adds up to 84 Fern-branded hotels with approximately 6,000 rooms to Marriott’s India presence, making it one of the country’s most significant multi-unit transactions in hospitality. CHPL currently operates over 120 hotels across 90 cities, with 40 more in the pipeline.

The deal also includes a strategic equity investment by Marriott in CHPL, along with an exclusive long-term co-branding agreement for The Fern, The Fern Residency, and The Fern Habitat in India. These brands will continue to preserve their regional charm while gaining access to Marriott’s global distribution platforms, digital systems, and the powerful Marriott Bonvoy™ loyalty program, which boasts over 237 million members.

Founded in 1996, CHPL has become one of India’s leading hotel management companies. This partnership aligns with CG Hospitality’s vision of promoting regionally-rooted, globally-scaled hospitality brands.

“This strategic collaboration represents more than just a portfolio expansion—it’s the alignment of two shared visions to redefine the mid-market hospitality landscape,” said Rahul Chaudhary, Managing Director & CEO, CG Corp Global & CG Hospitality Holdings. “With this partnership, we're now setting our sights on taking The Fern to 500 hotels by 2030, and arguably making it the biggest brand in this segment in India. Marriott's global scale and loyalty ecosystem will be a powerful catalyst in achieving this ambitious vision.”

Anthony Capuano, President and CEO of Marriott International, echoed the excitement:

“Series by Marriott furthers our commitment to delivering lodging offerings in the right place at the right price with basics done well. This deal helps meaningfully expand Marriott's leading position in India. The Fern portfolio is highly regarded and embodies the spirit of our new Series by Marriott brand.”

The collaboration aims to bring sustainable and responsible hospitality to the forefront, particularly in India’s Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and culturally rich destinations.

CG Hospitality currently manages 195 hotels, resorts, and wellness properties across 12 countries and 127 destinations, and continues to act as a global enabler for Indian hospitality brands.

Additionally, CG Hospitality and Marriott recently announced the conversion of The Farm at San Benito in the Philippines into an Autograph Collection resort — a key move in bringing wellness-based luxury to international markets.

With this bold new partnership, both CG Hospitality and Marriott International signal a renewed commitment to scaling hospitality in India responsibly, while empowering Indian-origin brands to shine on the global stage.

As part of its 20th anniversary celebrations, SpiceJet has taken an innovative leap in airline safety communication with a high-energy promotional video starring Bollywood icon Malaika Arora. Created in partnership with Amazon MX Player’s Hip Hop India Season 2, the campaign infuses vibrant hip-hop culture into a fun yet informative inflight safety presentation.

Titled “Kripiya Dhyaan DJ”, the video features Malaika Arora dressed as a SpiceJet crew member, delivering key onboard safety instructions through stylish dance moves and dynamic visuals. Blending entertainment with awareness, the campaign aims to grab passengers’ attention while reinforcing the importance of flight safety.

Unveiled across SpiceJet’s social media platforms and available on SpiceScreen, the airline’s inflight entertainment system, the campaign marks a bold departure from traditional safety demonstrations. The initiative reflects SpiceJet’s creative spirit as it celebrates two decades in Indian aviation.

“We are thrilled to partner with Amazon MX Player and Malaika Arora to reimagine safety awareness in a bold, modern way,” said Debojo Maharshi, Chief Business Officer, SpiceJet. “Flying should be memorable – but also safe. ‘Kripiya Dhyaan DJ’ celebrates 20 years of trailblazing moments while reminding our flyers that safety is always paramount.”

Aruna Daryanani, Director and Business Head at Amazon MX Player, added,

“This collaboration transforms an everyday airline routine into a bold, unforgettable hip-hop experience. Just as Hip Hop India S2 reimagines the dance reality genre, this campaign reflects our commitment to immersive and culturally resonant content.”

Malaika Arora shared her excitement about the project, stating,

“This campaign was unlike anything I’ve done before. We turned something passengers often overlook into a full-blown performance. Hip-hop is all about fun and expression, and this gave me the perfect canvas to blend both.”

In addition to the safety video, passengers onboard can enjoy exclusive access to three specially curated episodes of Hip Hop India Season 2, offering a vibrant look into India’s evolving hip-hop scene.

Through this creative collaboration, SpiceJet continues to push boundaries in passenger engagement, proving that safety communication can be stylish, engaging, and memorable.