CORNELL INDIA has quickly become one of the most influential names in hotel-focused food-service equipment. At the centre of this success is Mr. Oommen Matthew, whose vision is transforming how hotels procure, operate, and experience equipment across India.

A Vision Born From a Simple Question: “Why Not India?”

During his recovery from COVID in 2020, Mr. Matthew identified a long-standing gap in the industry. Indian hotels depended heavily on imported equipment that was expensive, difficult to service, and slow to repair. He believed India had the capability to produce world-class solutions, yet lacked manufacturers focused specifically on hotel-grade equipment.

This insight shaped CORNELL INDIA’s core philosophy: International standards. Indian innovation. Hotel-ready engineering. Every product is designed with durability, efficiency, and easy serviceability, three essentials for high-pressure hospitality environments.

Innovation Rooted in Real Hotel Operations

CORNELL INDIA’s biggest strength is its commitment to understanding on-ground realities. The team regularly spends time in hotel kitchens, buffets, and live stations, closely observing how equipment is used in daily operations.

Chefs and F&B managers often bring forward specific challenges or requests that spark new product ideas. With a strong and specialised R and D division, the company is able to engineer solutions, prototype quickly, test them in real hotel settings, and refine them until they match operational needs perfectly.

A Standout Innovation: The Sleek Under-Counter Buffet System

One of the company’s most impactful innovations is the concealed counter-slung induction and cold plate system. This solution completely elevates buffet presentation and functionality.

Instead of visible and bulky machines on the counter, CORNELL INDIA places the entire mechanism beneath the surface, showing only a clean heated or chilled top.

Hotels benefit through

• A premium and minimalist buffet appearance
• Better hygiene and easy cleaning
• Improved energy efficiency
• Quiet and guest-friendly operation
• Higher durability with fewer breakdowns

This innovation reflects CORNELL INDIA’s design philosophy where elegance meets engineering.

After-Sales Support That Builds Long-Term Trust

For hotel operations, uptime is crucial. CORNELL INDIA ensures reliable support through trained technicians across key locations, strong spare part availability, and proactive maintenance practices.

What truly sets them apart is their commitment. The team does not stop at fixing an issue. They ensure the setup is improved and more reliable than before.

Quality Without the Price Shock

By manufacturing in India and focusing on intelligent engineering, CORNELL INDIA delivers international-quality equipment without the high costs associated with imports. This makes the brand a preferred partner for mid-scale and emerging hotel chains looking for value and performance.

A Future Guided by Purpose and Precision

With Mr Oommen Matthew’s vision driving the company, CORNELL INDIA is not just supplying equipment. It is redefining how Indian hotels experience technology, efficiency, and long-term reliability.

World-class quality, built in India. This is the promise behind CORNELL INDIA’s growing impact in the hospitality industry. https://www.cornellindia.in/ 

Eight Continents Hotels & Resorts has strengthened its presence in Africa with the launch of its newest luxury island retreat Signature Collection by Eight Continents, Mafia Island, Tanzania. The resort welcomed guests from 1st December 2025, marking another milestone in the brand’s rapid expansion across Africa’s top leisure destinations.

After its recent growth in Zanzibar, this new opening brings Eight Continents’ blend of nature-led luxury and culturally rooted hospitality to one of East Africa’s most untouched coastal landscapes. Located in Utende, the property allows seamless access to the stunning Mafia Island Marine Park, giving travellers front-row views of coral reefs, seagrass beds, and vibrant marine life.

The company shared that the move to Mafia Island was driven by the island’s ecological purity from pristine beaches to rich biodiversity that makes it one of the region’s most beautiful yet lesser-explored destinations.

Designed as an Ayurveda-led island sanctuary, the resort features Ocean View and Garden View Chalets, each with private verandas offering peaceful tropical or coastal views. Guests can enjoy Ayurvedic therapies, curated marine activities, and wellness-centric experiences that blend Swahili culture with modern comfort.

Food at the resort celebrates sustainability and authenticity. The culinary programme highlights traditional Swahili cuisine, made using fresh, locally grown produce, along with a selection of global dishes crafted for international travellers.

Speaking about the opening, Haninder Sachdeva, CEO, Eight Continents Hotels and Resorts, said, “Mafia Island represents a defining chapter in our Africa journey, one where we are not merely opening a new resort, but expanding the very idea of what purposeful hospitality can be. We believe that destinations with deep ecological and cultural value deserve experiences crafted with equal intention. This property is proof of that philosophy. By merging Ayurvedic wellness with coastal serenity and thoughtful design, we’re offering a retreat where travellers can reconnect with nature and rediscover balance. With every new opening, our commitment stays constant: to shape destinations responsibly, uplift local communities, and build a portfolio ready for the future of global travel.”

The launch of the Mafia Island resort is a key step in the brand’s wider Africa strategy. With tourism in the region growing rapidly, Africa remains central to Eight Continents’ long-term vision. With Mafia Island joining its Signature Collection and a new property planned in Dar es Salaam, the brand continues to focus on thoughtful, experiential, and globally aligned hospitality.

Novotel Cairo Airport is celebrating the Christmas and winter holiday season by welcoming guests from around the world to enjoy a warm, cheerful, and relaxing festive experience. Located just steps from Cairo International Airport, the hotel is a convenient and comfortable choice for families, business travellers, and holidaymakers looking for a pleasant stopover or a peaceful holiday stay.

All through December, the hotel embraces the festive spirit with vibrant decorations, a beautifully lit Christmas tree, and an inviting atmosphere that makes every guest feel at home. Whether arriving for work or leisure, travellers can settle into well-designed rooms and enjoy the friendly service that Novotel and Accor are known for.

"We are delighted to welcome guests from near and far this holiday season at Novotel Cairo Airport," said Mr. Atta El Dessouky, the General Manager. "Our team has created a festive and welcoming environment where families, business travellers, and holidaymakers alike can relax, celebrate, and make unforgettable memories."

Guests can indulge in seasonal flavours and comforting dishes at the hotel’s restaurants and bar, making it perfect for a relaxed breakfast, a satisfying lunch, or a delightful dinner before or after their flight. With cosy indoor spaces to gather and unwind, the hotel offers the ideal setting to celebrate the season in comfort.

This Christmas and winter holiday season, Novotel Cairo Airport promises more than just a stay. It creates a festive destination where travellers can recharge, spend meaningful moments together, and truly enjoy the joy of the holidays.