Niyama Private Islands Maldives is gearing up for a festive season like no other, offering guests an immersive experience in nature combined with luxurious celebrations. Located in the Indian Ocean, Niyama brings together the elements of earth, air, water, and fire to create a unique atmosphere for Christmas and New Year festivities. This year, the resort promises an unforgettable holiday with a mix of traditional celebrations and exotic twists.

Starting with Christmas, the resort will host a sparkling tree, carol singing, and a festive market filled with food, drinks, arts, crafts, and gifts for loved ones. Christmas Eve dinner at Dune will be a lavish affair with lobster, oysters, and exotic game roasted over a fire, along with an indulgent dessert station featuring holiday favorites like mince pies and Christmas pudding.

On Christmas Day, guests will be treated to a special appearance by Santa Claus, who will arrive in true Maldivian fashion on a jet ski, bringing gifts for the little ones. The celebrations continue with a six-course lunch at Subsix, Niyama’s underwater restaurant, where diners can enjoy gourmet cuisine while surrounded by vibrant sea life.

As the festive season unfolds, guests can look forward to a variety of exclusive events, including chef-hosted dinners, cocktail evenings with celebrity mixologists, and themed parties like rum and reggae nights and Latin-inspired evenings. The highlight of the season will be New Year’s Eve, featuring cocktails on the beach, a gala dinner, and a dazzling performance by international entertainers. As midnight strikes, fireworks will light up the sky, and the celebrations will continue into the early hours with music from a DJ.

For those looking to stay active, Niyama offers movement classes, training sessions with fitness experts, and tennis lessons with pros. Guests can also unwind at the Drift Spa, which offers holistic treatments and healing therapies. Meanwhile, children will be entertained at the Explorer Kids’ Club, with activities like gingerbread making and games.

Niyama Private Islands Maldives is set to offer a truly magical holiday experience, combining the beauty of nature with world-class luxury. From festive feasts to underwater dining and vibrant parties, this festive season promises to be one to remember.

Éntisi Chocolatier, founded by Nikki Thakker, has opened its first store outside of Mumbai in Pune's Koregaon Park. This new outlet is the seventh store for Éntisi, offering a luxurious and immersive chocolate experience for its customers. The 2000 sq. ft. space is designed to delight chocolate lovers, with warm, earthy tones and modern decor that reflect the craftsmanship behind every product.

As customers step inside, they are greeted by the rich aroma of fine chocolate. The store features a gifting station for personalized chocolate gifts, making it an ideal place to find something special for any occasion. Signature bonbons, displayed like jewels, are handcrafted with care, offering a visual treat as well as a decadent taste.

Éntisi introduces the first-ever dragee silos, allowing customers to choose from a variety of chocolate-coated nuts and fruits. This unique feature lets visitors create their own customized indulgences. The highlight of the store is the chocolate spread fountain, where smooth, velvety chocolate flows, inviting customers to dip and enjoy the sweet experience.

For those interested in the chocolate-making process, the live chocolate tempering station provides a close-up view. Éntisi’s in-house chef expertly tempers chocolate in real-time, making the visit interactive and engaging. The store also houses a glass-enclosed tempering room equipped with advanced machinery, ensuring that every piece of chocolate is crafted to perfection.

Nikki Thakker, Founder, Éntisi Chocolatier

The design of the store mirrors the richness of chocolate, using materials like wood, terrazzo, and micro concrete to create a space that feels both luxurious and comfortable. Every detail, from the layout to the decor, is carefully designed to immerse visitors in the world of Éntisi, where tradition and innovation blend seamlessly.

Nikki Thakker, founder of Éntisi Chocolatier, shared her excitement about the new store, saying, “Our new store in Koregaon Park, Pune, is more than just a place to buy chocolates; it's a celebration of the craft, passion, and creativity that goes into every piece we create. We invite our customers to step into a world where they can see, taste, and feel the magic of chocolate making. Expect a journey of indulgence, discovery, and a whole lot of fun!”

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) introduced a new initiative called "Together in Travel" at its 2024 Global Summit in Perth, Australia. The initiative aims to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the global Travel & Tourism sector by providing essential tools and resources to help these businesses grow and have a stronger voice on the world stage.

The platform is free to subscribe to and offers access to various educational programs, networking opportunities, and valuable content. Starting next year, WTTC will offer a paid subscription with additional features to further assist SMEs in their development.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, highlighted the importance of SMEs in the industry, stating, "SMEs are a cornerstone of Travel & Tourism, with millions of small enterprises providing services to customers, creating innovative start-ups, and providing local knowledge to larger partners." She added that for the first time, SMEs can join a community to exchange ideas and resources to improve their businesses.

WTTC is predicting a record-breaking year for the travel and tourism industry in 2024, with the sector's global economic contribution expected to reach $11.1 trillion. Simpson also pointed out that up to 80% of the travel and tourism industry consists of SMEs, emphasizing the need for a system that can enhance their productivity and impact.

Matthew Upchurch, Vice Chair of Membership at WTTC and CEO of Virtuoso, said that the "Together in Travel" initiative marks a significant step forward in supporting SMEs. He emphasized the importance of building a more resilient and sustainable future for the travel industry, especially as it continues to recover from the effects of the global pandemic.

Ryan Mossny, Co-Founder of Matagarup Zip+Climb, shared his excitement about the initiative, saying, "As a small business, accessing the vital resources and industry connections needed to thrive in the travel sector can be challenging. WTTC’s new initiative has come at a perfect time; through tailored support, we will be able to directly tackle our problem areas head-on, allowing us not only to survive but to thrive in an increasingly competitive market."

For more information about the "Together in Travel" platform, visit their official website at www.togetherintravel.com or WTTC at www.wttc.org.