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The latest data analysis produced by YouGov for Reed Exhibitions, the organiser of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), has revealed that 46% of luxury travellers in the Middle East, are planning to travel internationally at some stage during 2021. The survey also asked the same recipients if they were planning to take a domestic holiday or staycation during 2021 and more than half (52%) of the respondents confirmed that they would. Furthermore, 25% of respondents were planning to make a business trip, either domestically or internationally and 4% of respondents had no plans to travel anywhere in 2021. YouGov, which defines luxury travellers as those who tend to fly business or first-class and stay in five-star accommodation, also asked luxury travellers in the Middle East about their frequency of travel – 31% of respondents said they planned to travel twice over the next 12 months and 25% confirmed they were planning on making at least one overseas trip. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, which will take place live at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) 16-19 May 2021, said: “Luxury travellers from the Middle East are more likely to travel with their children, compared with those from other regions (40% versus 36%). And when you add that fact to their planned frequency of travel, it makes the Middle East’s outbound luxury travel sector, one of the most sought after globally.” According to the survey, Middle East luxury travellers are keen on destinations with outstanding natural beauty (34%), beach holidays (34%), conducive climate (29%) and connectivity (28%). The survey also uncovered that luxury travellers in the Middle East are most concerned about health risks of travelling (43%) and safety (35%). However, one in three respondents also said that the actual price and that it represented good value for money was still very important. “With vaccines being rolled out across the world, travel professionals operating in the luxury segment will welcome the insight this survey has provided, which affords them the opportunity to further develop their marketing strategies for the Middle East region and beyond,” added Curtis. Luxury is an integral part of ATM and has its own dedicated show, ILTM Arabia, which is co-located with ATM and scheduled to take place between 17th-18th May 2021. This two-day event provides each exhibitor with up to 40 fifteen-minute meetings with experienced luxury tour operators from across the Middle East. Luxury exhibitors participating at ATM this year include Emaar Hospitality, Nobu Hospitality, The Ritz-Carlton, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Wilderness Safaris, One&Only, Dusit Hotels & Resorts, Minor Hotels Group and Shangri-La, among others. Now in its 28th year and working in collaboration with DWTC and Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), the theme of the show next year will be ‘A new dawn for travel and tourism’ and the spotlight will be thrown onto the current state of the industry and more importantly, what the future holds. It will also look at the emerging trends and how innovation can drive the industry forward. ATM 2021 will also play an integral role in Arabian Travel Week and for the first time, a new hybrid format will be in place. This means an additional virtual ATM will be organised to run the following week, which will complement the live event by accommodating visitors who may be unable to travel to Dubai. The inaugural ATM Virtual 2020, attracted 12,000 online attendees from 140 countries, over three days.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, January 19, 2021: UAE-headquartered hospitality company TIME Hotels has underscored its commitment to staff welfare and dedication to positively supporting local communities with the launch of the group’s 2021 CSR calendar. The campaign, which is based around the four pillars of workplace, marketplace community and environment, has been a mainstay of TIME Hotels' commitment to improving others' lives and forms part of a 12-month programme of initiatives. Each month TIME will focus on a different theme with the year kicking off with team building and strengthening bonds within the workplace. A range of health initiatives will also take place in the first half of the year, as well as a cleanup drive to support environmental goals and a focus on female employees as part of International Women’s Day. Earth Hour and Ramadan will be honoured in March and April, respectively. The second part of the year will begin with a blood donation drive. Breast cancer awareness will occur throughout October and prostate cancer awareness in November, before rounding out the year with a special festive celebration. A happiness initiative will be rolled out throughout the year, focusing on both employees and hotel guests. Eddie Ignatius, Corporate Director of Quality & Business Excellence, TIME Hotels, said: “After the difficulties faced within the tourism industry in 2020, staff morale and workplace happiness are now more than ever, of the utmost importance. As such, we have developed a range of initiatives to create a safe, warm, engaging and proactive work environment conducive to success in 2021. "Over the years, we have built a reputation for delivering wide-reaching CSR initiatives that have benefited communities in the UAE and internationally, where our mandate has always been to help those most in need. CSR forms an integral part of our business strategy and part of our operations across our portfolio of properties, in line with our ‘You Really Matter’ slogan.” Despite the challenges faced in 2020, TIME Hotels rolled out a unique outreach programme during the year. Over 70% of staff took part in the company’s initiative to wear national dress every Thursday, which provided an opportunity to interact with guests and discuss their homeland's history and heritage. As part of International Women’s Day, female staff members participated in self-defence classes under the expert eye of a 3rd Dan black belt and certified taekwondo coach. The TIME Hotels team also took part in the Dubai Fitness Challenge, clocking up over 4.5 billion steps totalling more than 3 million kilometres. These initiatives contributed to TIME Hotels being awarded the Happiness at Work Award in the category Best Employee Engagement Program awarded by Sustainable Mindz and the Dubai Chamber of Commerce CSR Label for the sixth consecutive year, obtaining the highest score compared to the overall average in the process. In terms of supporting the local community, TIME Hotels employees collected and donated over 25kgs of aluminium cans to the Emirates Environmental Group can collection drive, and offered complimentary stays for medical front line workers across its portfolio of properties. TIME Hotels was also awarded the Green Key environmental accolade thanks to a range of sustainable concepts and waste management programs. “We believe in the importance of giving back to the community in which we operate for a better tomorrow’s world,” concluded Ignatius. For more information, please log onto http://www.timehotels.ae/ and https://www.tomorrowsworld.ae/

Hotels throughout the Middle East region are preparing to capitalise on the pent-up global demand for workations, driven in the main by the social restrictions imposed by governments across the world over the past ten months. According to research conducted as well as commissioned by Reed Travel Exhibitions, the organiser of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), many travel experts are expecting a surge in workations in 2021 and beyond, a trend that was apparent in 2019, but one which now has such pent-up demand due to the coronavirus travel restrictions. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, which will take place live at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) 16-19 May 2021, said: “The hotel industry in the Middle East has gradually started to recover, especially in places such as Dubai. Staycations created the initial demand after lockdown, the next step has been the continued growth of workations, which are also referred to as bleisure stays, which tend to bring in more visitors from overseas.” Fueling this growth are companies like Facebook, Twitter and Spotify which have announced that employees can work from home indefinitely, leading many experts to predict that these digital professionals are likely to work remotely, whilst still connecting safely and securely with their physical offices. “Longer term, the ‘on the go’ executive will be a far more common sight in hotels, whether it’s Gen Z singletons, millennial professionals, or freelancers who can earn a living from a laptop,” added Curtis. With over 50% of the world’s working population doing so from home and the rise of entrepreneurial digital nomads who prefer to work remotely, the popularity of workations will only increase. This will alleviate the boredom of living and working from home, even after the pandemic has finally been eradicated and obviously in the short term, it will provide much needed revenue to not only hotels but the travel trade in general, not to mention government coffers. “And on that point, as an example, Dubai has introduced a remote visa programme that would entitle visitors to stay for up to 12 months, with access to co-working spaces and government support services,” said Curtis. To accommodate the needs of the ‘new normal’ smart working traveller even further, an increasing number of hotels in the MENA region are offering pop-up co-working spaces with the aim of rethinking and making the most of the hotel space, which is no longer considered just as a place to stay, instead, it becomes a potential work environment. “Covid-19 has completely disrupted the traditional office culture and the hospitality sector has been quick to offer alternative solutions for those looking to combine working from home with leisure time. The introduction of the workation concept is not just a novel idea, it’s about making adjustments to meet the new market demands, allowing those who are not currently working from their office to enjoy a luxury hospitality experience whilst continuing their work commitments,” said Mark Kirby, COO of Emaar Hospitality. Further afield in the Maldives for example, hotels are offering the ultimate ‘workation packages’ where guests can work from a secluded beach house, with personal desks and high-speed WiFi. Some hotels in India have created indoor and outdoor common areas that function as work-friendly spaces, many others have opted for dedicated spaces poolside where remote workers get a table, chair and parasol, WiFi and power socket, as well as the ubiquitous sun lounger. “Depending on the effectiveness of the vaccines being rolled out, as well as travel and other social restrictions, this demand could broaden to include families. If children are being home-schooled it would make little difference if they were at home or on a workation with their parents. Indeed, time away from long cold winter nights in northern Europe, would undoubtedly improve a family’s state of mind,” added Curtis. Now in its 28th year and working in collaboration with DWTC and Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), the theme of the show next year will be ‘A new dawn for travel and tourism’ and the spotlight will be thrown onto the current state of the industry and more importantly, what the future holds. It will also look at the emerging trends and how innovation can drive the industry forward. ATM 2021 will also play an integral role in Arabian Travel Week and for the first time, a new hybrid format will be in place. This means an additional virtual ATM will be organised to run the following week, which will complement the live event by accommodating visitors who may be unable to travel to Dubai. The inaugural ATM Virtual 2020, attracted 12,000 online attendees from 140 countries, over three days.

Mumbai, 12th January 2021: While COVID-19 may have halted our travel plans, it has also given some of the world’s most popular tourist destinations a much-needed moment of rest as travellers stayed indoors. This pause in globetrotting has inspired hopeful Indian travellers to become more aware of the wider impact of their trips, with 70% of Indian travellers wanting to travel more sustainably in the future, as per Booking.com’s Future of Travel research findings. The survey conducted by leading digital travel platform Booking.com also reveals that 78% of Indian travellers expect the travel industry to offer more sustainable travel options to meet their goals of sustainable travel in the future. Unfollowing the crowd Indian travellers planning to travel in 2021 have expressed a wish to avoid other tourists, with a spike in interest towards exploring lesser-known destinations this year. Based on our research, 76% of Indian travellers will stay away from crowded tourist attractions, indicating that destinations will need to adopt new, smart crowd management measures to appease travellers. The report further states that 54% of Indian travellers will visit alternative destinations in a bid to avoid travelling during peak season and 49% of Indian travellers will prefer alternative destinations to avoid overcrowding. Supporting local communities As the pandemic has amplified people’s awareness about their impact on the environment and local communities, travellers are now more aware of their impact than ever before, which will pave the way for more sustainable and regenerative travel in the future. 75% of Indian travellers indicated that they want their travel choices to also support the destination’s recovery efforts, and 73% of Indian travellers want to see how their spendings go back into supporting the local community. Recycle and upcycle The impact of Coronavirus has inspired 55% of Indian travellers to consider reducing waste and recycle their plastic when travelling once travel restrictions are lifted, showing that people are not just committed to protecting themselves, but also the places they visit. To make sustainable travel easier for everyone, Booking.com is encouraging accommodation providers to make more sustainable choices. As a signatory to the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative (GTPI) led by World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Booking.com has committed to advocate for more sustainable practices and the elimination of the unnecessary use of single-use plastics in the travel and tourism industry. This includes promoting the GTPI’s recently published guide to Booking.com’s global network of accommodation providers, which offers practical advice to maintain high levels of safety and hygiene, without relying on single-use plastic products that further contribute to widespread pollution issues for communities and ecosystems around the world. Towards a sustainable future While travel has the power to broaden horizons, open up opportunities and connect people and cultures from around the world, every trip also has an impact on the environment and local communities. Booking.com wants to help lead the way in making sure that the impact of travel on people and places is both positive and long-lasting. In addition to developing resources with tips and information to help properties operate more sustainably overall, the company is testing features that enable properties to highlight their own eco-friendly efforts to potential customers on Booking.com. These first sustainable practices that have been identified (including efforts to eliminate single-use plastics, electricity-saving measures and initiatives to reduce water usage) can be easily implemented by accommodation partners and can also be verified by guests. Commenting on the Future of Travel study, Ritu Mehrotra, Country Manager, India, Sri Lanka and Maldives at Booking.com said, “At Booking.com, we believe travel has the power to transform lives for the better. As a leading digital travel platform, we believe sustainable travel will ensure future travellers can continue to encounter a world full of destinations sti ll worth exploring. For the past couple of years, we have worked alongside industry stakeholders to design and implement initiatives and products that support communities, reduce over-tourism, preserve culture and protect the environment. In doing so, we are fostering a long-term future where the whole industry works hand in hand to further transform the global travel experience into a powerful force for good.” METHODOLOGY / NOTES TO EDITORS *Research commissioned by Booking.com and conducted among a sampl e of adults who have traveled for business or leisure in the past 12 months, and must be planning to travel in the next 12 months (if/once travel restrictions are lifted). In total 20,934 respondents across 28 countries and territories were polled (including 999 from USA, 496 from Canada, 497 from Mexico, 997 from Colombia, 999 from Brazil, 499 from Argentina, 995 from Australia, 499 from New Zealand, 999 from Spain, 996 from Italy, 996 from France, 999 from UK, 996 from Germany, 498 from Netherlands, 499 from Denmark, 499 from Sweden, 498 from Croatia, 1001 from Russia, 498 from Israel, 997 from India, 994 from China, 499 from Hong Kong, 497 from Thailand, 496 from Singapore, 499 from Taiwan, 997 from South Korea, 500 from Vietnam and 995 from Japan). Resp ondents completed an online survey in July 2020.

Contributors (159) Abdul Salam Usta, Rajasthan Abhik Sarkar, Bangalore Abhirup Ghosh, Kolkata Abira Chakraborty, Mumbai Agnimitra Paul, Kolkata Ajay Kumar Tharavath, Kolkata Ajay Nath, Kolkata Alakananda Chaudhury, New Delhi Alok Ganguly, Kolkata Alolika Banerjee, Kolkata Amartya Mukherjee, Kolkata Ananya Chakraborty, Kolkata Ananya Dutta, Kolkata Ananya Ghosh, Mumbai Anil Pradhan, Shillong Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, Kolkata Anjan Ghosh, Kolkata Ankita Ghosh, Kolkata Anubhuti Nath, Gurgaon Anupam Chanda, Mumbai Arindam Chowdhury, Kolkata Arindam Dhar, Hyderabad Arindam Maury, Barrackpore Arindam Roy Choudhury, Chennai Arindam Sengupta, Kolkata Aritra Karmakar, Kolkata Arka Roy, Kolkata Arkajyoti Shome, Kolkata Arpita Chanda, Hyderabad Arshdeep Singh, Jalandhar Arumita Biswas, Kolkata Arup Chowdhury, Kolkata Ashwini Nagar, Kolkata Atanu Paul, Kolkata Atanu Pradhan, Midnapore Ayan Mitra, Kolkata Ayan Sengupta, Kolkata Ayesha Mahajan, Gurgaon Bibhash Chakraborty, Kolkata Biplab Banerjee, Kolkata Bisheshwar Yadav, Patna Bratati Choudhury, Kolkata Debabrata Das, Kolkata Debaditya Das, Kolkata Deepjyoti Biswas, Bangalore Dicky Sinha, Mumbai Dilip Kalokhe, Mumbai Dr. Arunaloke Bhattacharjee, Kolkata Dr. Haradhan Sarkar, Kolkata Dr. Jaydeep Choudhury, Kolkata Dr. Kaushik Mitra, Kolkata Dr. Kumar Kanti Das, Silchar Dr. Paritosh Nandi, Kolkata Dr. Sayan Bhattacharjee, Kolkata Dwaipayan Paul, Kolkata Evelyn Sharma, Mumbai Gita Nandi, Kolkata Jai Gakhreja, Udaipur Janki Parwal, Jaipur Jency Samuel, India Jignesh Patel, Gujarat Jitendra Nagar, Kolkata Joy Banerjee, Kolkata Jwalaprasad Deore, Pune Kakoli Bose, Kolkata Kimsuk Ray, Kolkata Kishore Nagar, Kolkata Krishanu Bhattacharyya, Kolkata Lopamudra Ray, Kolkata M. Sunitha, Hyderabad Madhurima Chakraborty, Bangalore Mahuya Paul, Bangalore Malav Parekh, Mumbai Mallar Banerjee, Kolkata Mallar Sarkar, Kolkata Manish Kumar Arora, New Delhi Md. Masarrath Ali Khan, Cuddapah Meghna Paul, Bangalore Mitul Kajaria, Ahmedabad Mohorshi Chakraborty, Kolkata Mohua Datta Gupta, Kolkata Mousikta Dutta, Bangalore Muktinath Shil, Kolkata Nemo, Kolkata Nilabja Ghosh, Kolkata Nilanjana Paul, Mumbai Nirav Patel, Baroda Nivedita Chakraborty, Siliguri Nupur Basu, Kolkata Ovinandan Bhaduri, Bangalore Pallav Mitra, Pune Pankaj Deore, Pune Papiya Dasgupta, Kolkata Papri Barua, Kolkata Papri Chatterjee, Kolkata Parna Mukherjee, Ahmedabad Pradeep Debnath, New Delhi Pralay Lahiri, Kolkata Pratiti Moulik, Kolkata Preeti Narayan, Mumbai R. Samuel, India Raees Alam, Ranthambhore Rahul Basu, Burdwan Rajib Saha, Bangalore Rakesh Kapadnis, Mumbai Randeep Singh, Jalandhar Ranjan Mehta, Mumbai Ravikiran Rangaswamy, Ahmedabad Reet Chatterjee, New Delhi Rohit Das, Kolkata Sabyasachi Chakraborty, Kolkata Samar Das, Kolkata Sanchita Dasgupta, Bangalore Sandeep Sarkar, Kolkata Sandip Mitra, New Delhi Sanghamitra, Kolkata Sarasij Chakraborty, Kolkata Sarbani Dhar, Mumbai Satyaki Biswas, Mumbai Saumyodeep Bagchi, Mumbai Saurabh Dutta Gupta, Kolkata Sauvik Dutta, Kolkata Sayak Chakraborty, Kolkata Sayondeep Choudhury, Kolkata Seema Sarkar, Kolkata Shashank Birla, Mumbai Shreya Biswas, Mumbai Shreya Sikdar, Kolkata Shrirang Joshi, Pune Shubhadeep Mullick, Kolkata Shubhro Saha, Mumbai Sohini Munshi, Baroda Somshubhro De, Kolkata Sonali Jash, Kolkata Soumen Mondal, Barasat Soumitra Dasgupta, Kolkata Soumitra Dasgupta, Mumbai Soumitra Mitra, Chandigarh Srinjoyee Aloka, Kolkata Subhankar Mondal, Kolkata Subhasish Chakraborty, Kalyani Sucharita Laha, Kolkata Sudip Hom Chowdhury, Kolkata Sudipta Chatterjee, Kolkata Suman Sengupta, Kolkata Supriya Chatterjee, Kolkata Supriya Paul, Shillong Surajit Sarkar, Kolkata Swarup Banerjee, New Delhi Tanisha Mukherjee, Mumbai Tannistha Nandi, Kolkata Tanushree Dutta, Kolkata Tuhin Kanti Das, Kolkata Vijay Kumar Harishchandre, Pune Vikas Singh, Ghaziabad Vinod Kumar Yadav, Kolkata FOREIGN Contributors (62) Adriana Abreuvoir, Mauritius Adrianna Silas, Spain Aline Dobbie, Scotland Andreas Schnall, Germany Angela Mathews, Berlin Arijit Dutta, USA Ashwin Ladha, Thailand Buddy, Brunei Caroline Couret, Spain Chris Romeike, Germany Chris Thompson, France Christina Becker, Germany Christof Nettekoven, Germany Claus Andersen, Denmark Clayton Bradley, Germany David Bowen, USA David Howard, UK Deepa Sanyal, USA Donna Young, USA Fu Fu Wan, China George Rajna, USA Georgetta Donos, Moldova Girls that Scuba Graeme Edgerton, Australia Grete Howard, UK Harry Kirschenhofer, Germany Ilika Chakravarty, UK Ingo Roger, Germany James Wagner, Germany Jay Magh, USA Joaquin Gonzalez Dorao, Spain Josip Novosel, Croatia Kai Hoffman, Frankfurt, Germany Keidra Chaney, USA Konstantin Trubavin, Indonesia Laurie Delaittre, USA Lisa Niver Rajna, USA Lucas Martin, France Marina Kameneva, Russia Marina Wills, England Martin Hughes, UK Matthias Bohe, Germany Michael Pfeiffer, Germany Monica Szczupider, USA Nils Beste, Munich, Germany Olga Mamonova, Russia Peter Wagner, Germany Philipp Moser, Germany Priscille D’Arifat Koenig, Mauritius Rumu Biswas, USA Sabrina Sayas, France Samer Abu Wandi, Jordan Samit Bhattacharjee, UAE Sarah Richard, USA Soma Mukherjee, Kenya Svetlana Schwarz, Slovakia Tamar Valkenier, The Netherlands Thomas Curle, USA Uwe Erkelenz, Germany Vachik Galstyan, Armenia Valentina Miscovska Petrovich, Macedonia Will Palmer, UK Cover Stories and their Contributors (Total number of covers) Top contributors (73) Sanghamitra (20) Rupanjana De (18) Christof Nettekoven (8) Arup Chowdhury (5) Amartya Mukherjee (4) Grete Howard (3) Tamar Valkenier (3) Dr. Sayan Bhattacharjee (3) Rakesh Kapadnis (2) Pralay Lahiri (2) Anindita Datta (2) Dr. Arunaloke Bhattacharyya (2) Digital (1) One time Cover Contributor (27) Ingo Roger, Soumitra Mitra, Sarasij Chakraborty, Abdus Salam Usta, Vijay Harishchandre, Ananya Ghosh, Abhirup Ghosh, Claus Andersen Will Palmer Subhra Ray Dr. Jaydeep Chaudhury Randeep Singh Vikas Singh Jignesh Patel Aline Dobie Konstantin Truvabin Shubhadeep Mallick Mohorshi Chakraborty Debaditya Das Soma Mukherjee Saurabh Dutta Gupta Girls That Scuba Josip Novosel Harry Kirschenhofer Nils Beste Marina Wills Dr. Paritosh Nandi Celebrity contributors Sabyasachi Chakraborty, Actor Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, Indian Film Director Tanisha Mukherjee, Model, Bollywood Actress and VJ Evelyn Sharma, Bollywood actress and Model Agnimitra Paul, Fashion Designer Bibhash Chakraborty, Theatre Personality

29 December 2020, Kolkata: Leading Bharatanatyam danseuse and carnatic music exponent, Padma Shri Geeta Chandran said, “Dance can change social issues and arts can actually transform people. If we had invested more in arts and education there wouldn’t have been so much violence and stress around us. The arts do make you more sensitive.” The versatile dance teacher, activist and founder-president of Natya Vriksha dance school engaged in an hourlong session of Ek Mulakat Visesh organized by Prabha Khaitan Foundation and presented by Shree Cement. Geeta Chandran, who has worked in television, video, film, theatre, shared her views and life’s experience in a freewheeling online session with danseuse Shinjini Kulkarni of Ehsaas, Women of Noida, and was joined in by attendees from across India. Geeta Chandran has been experimenting by collaborating with cross arts like puppetry and martial arts and also within Bharatanatyam, drawing the ire of many from the traditional schools of Bharatayam. “Earlier, all the audience were for kathak. Bharatanatyam used to be given a time slot like1 o'clock or 2 o'clock at night after all other artists had performed. It used to be like that in those days. I had fast paced my dance and it paid off. Getting non-dancers as an audience was a trade off,” Geeta said. I think people have really slogged to work for an audience in Bharatanatyam. My humble pranams to those who paved the way for us to come in so easily and have an audience. Bharatnatyam is deeply enmeshed in the culture of Tamil Nadu and completely rooted in the tradition in it's not so structured form because after that it got very structured and institutionalized teaching happened,” Geeta Chandran said. “I started teaching in the 90s by Guru Dakshina Murthy sir. Initially I was just helping him in his Academy and he used to make me sit and watch me teach his students and he used to correct me as you get along so I was very blessed to be taught to teach,” Geeta said. Referring to the style of teaching Bharatanatyam and her school Natya Vriksha, Geeta said, “I realised that children in metropolises were chasing a dream to become International citizens yet grounded in their own tradition. So I had to think of a pedagogy that clicked with the new generation and overcome the disconnects at many levels. So we created space using a lot of colours, texture, myths, music and form, because I feel the aesthetic qualities cannot be taught. It has to be experienced. All these things have been built into the pedagogy which triggers curiosity. “We must give our young generation dancers a lot of freedom as they are under a lot of pressure and go about like robots. Teacher-student dialogue is very important and my teacher had never had a dialogue. It was a one way very strict kind of thing. I didn't want that, I wanted to be a friend to my students.” Responding to a question if it was necessary to be spiritual to learn dance, Geeta said, “I don’t think so. I think every soul is different, every person is different; everybody is different; and everybody is equally valid. They bring to the dance what they think is their own. I have had students who are non-believers and I think they danced beautifully bringing in an intensity which is different.” Performing Seva at Vrindavan’s Radha Raman Ji temple was a life-altering experience for Geeta, “I was part of the Seva, I was not dancing. I just want to be a part of the Seva at Radha Raman ji and he just took over my whole being and he has that power there and after that there was no looking back I used to go almost every year for Seva that is a completely new experience for me I had read so much of dancers doing Seva in the south because Bharatanatyam was very much apart of the ritualistic tradition in the South Indian temples. Every piece, particularly from a Bharatanatyam tradition, addressed one temple deity or the other. It almost came alive when you were actually doing Seva in the temple. You are not bothered about your audience. It was like one to one with your ishta devta. You are offering your entire being through your art to the divine. So. Yes! It was a completely different feeling.”

UAE-headquartered TIME Hotels Management has officially taken over the management of the Onyx Hotel Apartments in Al Qusais, Dubai, its fifth property in Dubai and its seventh in the UAE. TIME Hotels took over day-to-day operations of the rebranded TIME Onyx Hotel Apartments Al Qusais on Saturday (12th December) following an official handover ceremony, which was attended by Mohamed Awadalla, CEO, TIME Hotels and Ali Mohammad Obaid Al Qutami Al Suwaidi, Managing Director, Jams HR Solutions. Commenting, TIME Hotels CEO, Mohamed Awadalla, said: “This latest management acquisition, further reinforces our steady and focused growth strategy to expand our footprint in the UAE responsibly. The UAE hospitality sector has grown steadily in confidence, since the initial COVID-19 lockdown in April and now that vaccines are ready to be rolled out, I am very optimistic that our industry will rebound in 2021, especially during the build up to Expo 2020.” Conveniently located near Dubai’s commercial district, airport and an array of tourist attractions and major shopping destinations, TIME Onyx Hotel Apartments, Al Qusais, comprises 176 elegantly furnished apartments, including 42 studios, 99 one-bedroom apartments and 35 two-bedroom apartments. The property features Foodio, an all-day dining restaurant, Bites Café, a business centre, prayer room and a gift shop. Guests also have access to a temperature-controlled roof-top swimming pool, kids’ pool, jacuzzi and a fully equipped 24-hour gym. For those looking for total relaxation, guests can indulge in a ladies or gents sauna and steam room. For business executives, there is a business centre and a multi-purpose meeting room capable of accommodating 30 people. “TIME Onyx Hotel Apartment has been classified as a Deluxe Hotel Apartment and due to our location and our facilities, we are ideally suited for both corporate and leisure guests, whether it’s a short family weekend break, or an executive looking for a base, while making lengthy business trips, or working on local projects,” said Karim Ellecy, General Manager. For more information, please log onto http://www.timehotels.ae/.

The iconic resort is one of the first properties in the world to earn Sharecare Health Security Verified® Badge with Forbes Travel Guide DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (9th December 2020) – Atlantis, The Palm is today announced as one of only 30 hotels across the globe to earn the prestigious Sharecare VERIFIED® health security certification by meeting more than 360 global health security standards. Described as the “Michelin Guide equivalent for post-pandemic hotel safety standards,” Sharecare and the Forbes Travel Guide partnered on the Sharecare Health Security VERIFIED® to evaluate and confirm individual hotel’s cleaning regimen. With savvy travellers today looking for health and safety standards that go beyond the realms of “hygiene theatre,” full transparency and an ongoing commitment to their wellbeing are key. Which is why digital health company Sharecare, along with Forbes Travel Guide, strive to be the hotel industry’s go-to cleaning verification programme. Atlantis, The Palm is the first hotel in the Middle East, and one of the first worldwide to achieve this status by sharing an extensive and consistent approach to health and safety. Representing the iconic destination’s ongoing dedication to restore confidence with guests and travel planners in the age of COVID-19 and beyond, Atlantis, The Palm has signed up to health security software that requires leaders to verify their property’s health protocols on a regular basis in more than 360 standards. The cutting-edge software includes an artificial intelligence chatbot which walks leaders through a verification process that includes cleaning standards, procedures and products, social distancing measures, ventilation and air-handling equipment, and health safety communication with employees and guests. The comprehensive facility assessment also covers health and hygiene protocols, physical distancing, and compliance and accountability to give guests the peace of mind that the resort is adhering to global best practices for their safety and comfort. “In the new normal, wellbeing is going to be at the forefront,” said Sharecare CEO Jeff Arnold. “The next layer is this new expectation that’s being shaped: Where I stay, work, and play – is it safe?” Other hotels in the inaugural group include Boston Harbour Hotel (Boston); Nüwa Manila at City of Dreams (Manila, Philippines); Montage Los Cabos (Cabo San Lucas, Mexico); The Hazelton Hotel (Toronto); and Salamander Resort & Spa (Middleburg, Virginia). “In light of the pandemic – and with the wellbeing of our guests and colleagues always our number one priority – it has been Atlantis, The Palm’s prerogative to re-define and elevate safety and hygiene protocols. Being the first hotel in the Middle East, and one of the first worldwide to receive the Sharecare verification seal of approval, is testament to our commitment to making each and every one of our guests feel safe and secure, and we will continue to evolve to meet revised health and safety challenges and expectations,” said Marius Van Deventer, Director, Health & Safety, Atlantis Dubai. For more information about Atlantis, The Palm’s health and safety protocols please visit https://www.atlantis.com/dubai/about/covid-19-update. For bookings and the latest offers please go to https://www.atlantis.com/dubai/special-offers.

Arabian Travel Market (ATM), is expecting a huge influx of exhibitors and visitors from Israel and further afield, wanting to take full advantage of Israel’s participation in its first major travel event in the Middle East. ATM, which has already announced that the 2021 edition of its annual showcase, will take place live at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) on Sunday 16 to Wednesday 19 May, has witnessed a massive spike, not only in enquiries from Israel, but from travel companies around the world that specialise in tours to that region. “Following the signing of the Israel–United Arab Emirates normalisation agreement, the Israel Ministry of Tourism is planning significant steps to promote Israel as a tourism destination in the UAE. This will include participating for the first time in the Arabian Travel Market with a large booth and a delegation of Israel tourism industry representatives, as well as attending high level conference sessions," said Ksenia Kobiakov, Director of New Markets Development Department, Israel Ministry of Tourism. Putting that into context, according to the Dubai Government’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), in 2019, 8.6 million international trips were made by Israelis, a 9% CAGR over the past five years. The prospective length of stay by 2022 is forecast to be 11.5 nights indicating a willingness to embark on longer trips with business and leisure visitors making up 53% of the total outbound market. Currently Poland, France and other European destinations dominate, but Turkey and Egypt are top five destinations, showing potential interest in MENA destinations. “The interest shown by the Israeli Ministry of Tourism as well as other travel professionals based in Israel and international operators specialising in tours to Israel, has been extraordinary. This is a brand new market for both inbound and outbound operators and will provide a much needed boost to regional and international travel,” said Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market. “However, it is not just about direct travel between Israel and UAE and Bahrain,” she added. “Due to the burgeoning international flight network between El Al, Emirates, flydubai, Etihad and Gulf Air, there will be massive potential for two-centre holidays or stopovers, either during inbound or outbound legs. “Indeed, according to the Israel Ministry of Tourism, 2019 was a record year for tourism and pilgrimage with over 4,550,000 visitors, a 10.6% increase over 2018 and more than 350,000 arrived in December 2019, another record. “In addition, 5.7 million Jews live in the US, with France, Canada, UK and Argentina each having their own significant Jewish communities of 450,000, 392,000, 292,000 and 180,000 respectively. Many will of course make trips to Israel to see relatives and visit religious sites, who can now take advantage of an expanded international flight network,” added Curtis. Now in its 27th year and working in collaboration with DWTC and the DTCM, the theme of the show next year will be ‘A new dawn for travel and tourism’ and in support, a recent Colliers report - MENA Hotel Forecasts, estimates that 2021 will be a year of recovery, based on the assumption that hotel performance across the region is already improving. The health of the travel and tourism industry is key to the region. Prior to the pandemic, the direct contribution of travel and tourism to the Middle East’s GDP was predicted by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), to reach US $133.6 billion by 2028. So, given subdued oil prices and a general economic slowdown due to COVID-19 restrictions, it is clear that the regional economy will be relying on travel and tourism to recover quickly, once a vaccine has been FDA approved and distribution has started. Indeed, recently Emirates announced that its fleet of A380 aircraft could be fully operational by the first quarter of 2022. ATM 2021 will also play an integral role in Arabian Travel Week and for the first time, a new hybrid format will mean a virtual ATM running a week later to complement and reach a wider audience than ever before. ATM Virtual, which made its debut earlier this year after ATM 2020 was postponed, proved to be a resounding success attracting 12,000 online attendees from 140 countries. Other notable features of Arabian Travel Week will include International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) 2021, and Travel Forward, the travel technology vertical. ATM will also be partnering with Arival, which through a series of webinars will cover current and future trends for tour operators and destination managers. Other features will include Buyers Forums dedicated to key source markets including Saudi Arabia, India and China plus a virtual digital influencers’ speed networking session, a hotel summit and a responsible tourism programme. The show will strictly adhere to all DWTC’s stringent health and safety guidelines and will set out to provide a touchless and seamless experience. The team at DWTC has also implemented a range of measures including an enhanced cleaning regime, improved air circulation, multiple hand sanitiser stations and temperature checks. ATM, considered by industry professionals as a barometer for the Middle East and North Africa tourism sector, welcomed almost 40,000 people to its 2019 event with representation from 150 countries. With over 100 exhibitors making their debut, ATM 2019 showcased the largest ever exhibition from Asia.

4 December 2020, Jaipur: Lt Gen Alok Kler, PVSM, VSM, GOC-in-C, Southern Western Command, Indian Army, formally released the “Project Naman” - a National initiative of Shree Cement to provide free cement to the families of Armed Forces Personnel martyred in the past twenty years. The release of Naman Project comes as a run up to the Vijay Diwas which is observed each year on 16 December to mark India’s victory in 1971 Bangladesh War and remember the sacrifices of Indian soldiers. Under the Naman scheme, the family or the next of kin (NOK) of a Martyr who died in battle between 1st January 1999 to 1st January 2019 (20 Years), would be provided free cement to build a house on a plot size area of up to 4000 sq ft. The family of a Martyr may procure the cement in person from any of Shree Cement’s manufacturing facilities spread across India. Addressing the house on the launch of ‘Naman’ initiative, Lt Gen Alok Kler, PVSM, VSM, GOC-in-C, Southern Western Command, Indian Army said, “It is a wonderful gesture by Shree Cement to extend their support and solidarity for our veterans, martyrs who have given their lives for the country. This kind of recognition is rare and unique. This initiative in true sense has cemented a place for the company in the annals of the army history for the welfare for our martyrs and I sincerely hope that other large industries take a page out of this book and look towards the army and especially the people who have laid down their lives for the human service while forgetting their families.” He further said that there is a lot more that needs to be done for the army and our soldiers who have laid down their lives in their line of duty and other corporates should also come forward for the welfare cause in the same lines. “Since cement is the most vital input for building a house, we felt that the Naman scheme would be extremely helpful towards meeting the housing needs of the families of Martyrs. It is a great honour for us to make a humble contribution to the families of our soldiers who rose above the call of service and laid their lives for the motherland. We salute the Martyrs of our nation. I take this opportunity to thank Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh Ji for his guidance and support in implementing the scheme,” said Mr Prashant Bangur, Joint Managing Director, Shree Cement Ltd. The scheme would be implemented in association with Kendriya Sainik Board and executed by the Rajya Sainik Boards (RSBs) and Zilla Sainik Boards (ZSBs), Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Smt Sunita Devi and Smt Sudesh, family members of martyrs, were among the first beneficiaries of Naman to be handed over Naman cement release order by the GOC-in-C in the presence of Mr Sanjay Mehta, President (Commercial) & Chief Happiness Officer and Mr Arvind Khicha, Jt President (Commercial), of Shree Cement Ltd.

The Bheemili Resort managed by Accor hosted a group of Harley Davidson bikers for a rejuvenating pit stop at their wellness retreat property. The group of riders who are on a road trip to Kolkata received a warm welcome with a specially curated motorcycle themed High Tea, followed by an entertaining event where the bikers’ displayed their riding skills in their beautiful lawn arena. For a specialized experience, the culinary team curated Harley Davidson themed delicacies for the guests to savor. The guests deeply enjoyed their stay amidst the calming vibe of the property after an adventurous road trip. The team at the Bheemili resort was elated to host the riders and to extend the cheer of Novotel’s warm hospitality.

Mumbai, November 30, 2020: Thomas Cook (India) Ltd., India’s leading integrated travel services company, along with its Group Company SOTC Travel Ltd., announced the extension of their Assured Safe Travel Program with the launch of a complimentary Doctor on Call 24x7 service, exclusively for their customers. The companies have partnered with Apollo Clinics - a member of the Apollo Hospitals Group, the leader in the Indian healthcare sector, to reassure and assist customers while travelling. The Doctor on Call service is a meaningful initiative to support and reassure customers by addressing their health and medical queries via tele-consultation, by ensuring an effective way to connect with top quality doctors while on holiday. To avail of the exclusive Doctor on Call service (24x7) in association with Apollo Clinics, the customer merely follows 2 simple steps while on holiday: ● Call 1860 500 7788 ● Share your Booking File Number for verification and phone and email id to be contacted by the doctor Post verification, the customer will receive a one-time free consultation call from an Apollo Clinics Doctor within 45 minutes. If required, a prescription will be emailed by the Apollo Clinics Team. Even as travel recovery is being enabled again, the biggest challenge now is the challenge to re-instil confidence and a positive sentiment towards leisure travel in most customers, who remain worried and cautious. As leaders, Thomas Cook & SOTC have taken this challenge head-on and put together a holistic three pronged customer confidence-building program in the form of the “Assured-Insured-Secured” Program that covers every aspect of physical safety as well as mental and financial security to give the customer complete peace of mind. The Assured Safe Travel Program developed and rolled out in association with Apollo Clinics is the most comprehensive set of travel safety protocols in the new normal, encompassing not only internal processes, retail outlets etc., but also every partner and service provider across airlines, local travel service partners, hotels, attractions etc. Insured in partnership with ICICI Lombard & Go Digit General Insurance Limited has customers fully covered with possibly the most comprehensive retail travel insurance program that includes COVID-19 related hospitalization up to sum assured. As part of the Secured aspect, to ensure customer confidence from a money and security point of view, the companies offer flexible date changes, rescheduling, cancellations and even guaranteed, accelerated refunds (subject to certain minimum criteria). The companies also launched the country’s first Safe Holiday Helpline to offer free Holiday expert consultation to help customers navigate the maze of confusing and changing information about state regulations, International travel guidelines, etc, to instil confidence and make the best and safest choice for their travel. Mr. Madhavan Menon, Chairman & Managing Director, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. said, “As leaders in the travel industry, our teams across Thomas Cook India and SOTC are focused on ensuring the health and safety of our customers and our endeavour is to provide them the confidence to travel. Our Doctor on Call service in association with Apollo Clinics - a member of the Apollo Hospitals Group, is an extension of our Assured Safe Travel Program and yet another step towards reassuring our customers with dedicated and meticulous health care services, should the need arise at any point in time on tour. Through this initiative, combined with our Assured, Insured & Secured program, we seek to cover every aspect of physical safety as well as mental and financial security - to give customers the total peace of mind they deserve when planning a holiday in the new normal.” Mr. Anand Wasker, Chief Operating Officer, Apollo Clinic, said, “We provide all Primary Healthcare services under one roof via Apollo Clinic format and are committed to offering world-class healthcare services to our customers. We are delighted to partner with Thomas Cook and SOTC to offer tele consultation services to customers who are in need while travelling.”

As 63% Indians pledge to not take travel for granted in the future, here are five emerging trip types that will redefine the dimensions of travel in 2021 Five emerging trip types for 2021 are: ● Solace in Solo: 54% of Indian travellers say they will be planning a solo trip in the future, a 3X jump from last year when only 18% of Indian travellers preferred a solo trip ● Breakaway Bubbles: 67% of Indian travellers plan to use future travel as an opportunity to reconnect with loved ones ● Weekend Wonders: 59% of Indian travellers want to take more shorter breaks in 2021 than they did in 2019 ● Relaxury: 47% of Indian travellers planning a relaxing trip to get away from it all, making relaxation the real luxury of 2021 ● Food for Thought: 38% of Indian travellers are keen to taste and indulge in local cuisine while travelling Mumbai, November 30, 2020: The global pandemic turned travellers’ plans upside down in 2020. Looking ahead at 2021, the impact of the pandemic is changing not just our choice of destination but also the type of trips we’re most likely to take in the coming year. New research from Booking.com, the world’s digital travel leader reveals the five emerging trip types for 2021 to motivate and inspire travellers to take a trip (or five) to best fit their newfound travel preference. 1. Solace in Solo The solo travel trend is likely to gather even greater momentum, as travel was stymied by the pandemic, which will likely nudge them to take the plunge to travel on their own in 2021. Booking.com data pre-pandemic saw only 18%* of Indian travellers planning a trip on their own, while 54%** of Indian travellers now say they will be planning a solo trip in the future. With 49%** of Indian travellers saying they would want to travel more in the future to make up for travel time lost in 2020, this mentality is no doubt encouraging travellers to plan a solo trip of a lifetime, to get back out in the world! 2. Breakaway Bubbles In 2020, most travellers have had extended time apart from friends and family. For many it appears that distance has made the heart grow fonder as 67%** of Indian travellers plan to use future travel as an opportunity to reconnect with loved ones. In fact, while being apart, 49%** of Indian travellers have revealed that talking to friends and family about travelling is one of their main inspirations to travel again. 3. Weekend Wonders With many travellers feeling apprehensive that future travel plans could be disrupted again, there will be an increased demand for a quick trip as 59%** of Indian travellers would want to take more shorter breaks in 2021 than they did in 2019 to minimize any disappointment. A further 35%** Indians travellers also revealed their preference of a weekend break for their first trip once restrictions are lifted, showing travellers’ desires to be able to escape reality, even for just a few days. 4. Relaxury The unexpected halt of travel plans for most travellers has meant that just being able to travel at all is a luxury, in fact, 63%** of Indian travellers have pledged to not take travel for granted in the future. So while research shows that travellers still have a high intention to travel again, only 14%** of Indian travellers are now actually planning a luxury getaway (such as a villa, 5-star hotel), with 47%** of Indian travellers planning a relaxing trip to get away from it all, making relaxation the real luxury of 2021. 5. Food for Thought Travellers’ desire to explore the world has not diminished, but 68% of Indians would still avoid travelling abroad even as travel restrictions are lifted. That is why local travel is a new way of exploring the world, with culinary delights being top of the list. And with taste buds at the ready, 38%** of Indian travellers are keen to taste and indulge in local cuisine while travelling, with 33%** wanting to eat out more often with the money saved from not travelling abroad. Ritu Mehrotra, Country Manager, India, Sri Lanka and Maldives at Booking.com said, “The effect of COVID-19 has and will continue to evolve the way we travel, impacting our choices and decisions in the near future. While travel in 2021 will be different, it is reassuring to see that Indians are still optimistic about its possibilities and have found creative ways to fulfil their wanderlust despite the pandemic. The findings of the Booking.com research and emerging trip types are testament to fact that travel is a vital part of our lives and when the best, and safest, possibilities permit, travellers will confidently take a step forward to chase their travel dreams once again.” To delve deeper into Booking.com’s predictions for the Future of Travel, visit https://www.booking.com/articles/category/future-of-travel.html *Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of adults who have taken a trip in the last 12 months/plan to take a trip in the next 12 months. In total 22,000 respondents were polled, including respondents from India. Respondents completed an online survey between 9th August to 28th August 2019. **Research commissioned by Booking.com and conducted among a sample of adults who have travelled for business or leisure in the past 12 months, and must be planning to travel in the next 12 months (if/once travel restrictions are lifted). In total 20,934 respondents across 28 countries were polled, including India. Respondents completed an online survey in July 2020.

Singapore – To better meet customer expectations in the post-COVID world, Scoot will be launching a new inflight portal,ScootHub, to serveas a one-stop shop for all customerneeds inflight. ScootHub, which can be easilyaccessed from customers’ own mobile devices,will be the first of its kind in the region to offer such diverse functionalities. Launching in phasescommencing December 2020, Scoot customerswill be able to orderfood and beverages from Scoot Café, shop for duty-free items from KrisShop,play games, browse inspirational travel content and more, all from the convenience of their owndevice. This transition from physical to digital inflight menus, duty-free catalogues and magazines reduces surface contact and physical interactions between customers and crew, giving customerspeace of mind about their health and safety on board. This reduced interaction also allows Scoot to resume some inflight services, such as buy-on-board food, which had been temporarily suspended. In ScootHub’s secondphase, from April 2021, customerswill be able to book ground activities and attractions while inflight.They can also sync theirKrisflyer membership to earn or redeem miles when they purchase items via KrisShop or activities and attractions via Pelago, the SIA Group’s new platform for destination inspiration and content. Scoot has a roadmap of additional features to be deployed in subsequent phases. Mr Campbell Wilson, Scoot’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “We know that health and safety are top of customers’ minds these days, and that regulatory requirements have changed the inflight experience. “ScootHub enables us to resume valued services in a safe, low-touch manner, improving customers’ experiences and – through reduction in paper-based collaterals – improving our environmental sustainability too. “Our investment in this portalis part of Scoot’s comprehensive digitalisation programme, both internal and external, which also includes health-focused initiatives such as touchless check- in kiosks and bag-drop facilities, enhanced online and mobile check-in capabilities, and real time information on travel requirements.” Customers can access ScootHub by using their personal mobile devices to scan a QR code on the seatback, or connect to the “ScootHub” network on their mobile devices. When successfully connected, they will be able to access the following features: a) Scoot Café Food and beverages including hot meal combos, snacks, hot drinks, soft drinks and liquors can be ordered, and payment made via credit card*, on this tab. Cabin crew will be alerted via their fulfilment device once orders have been placed, and food will be served within 20 minutes to customers at their seats. b) Scootalogue Previously, inflight duty-free shopping only took place at a specific time during the flight. With ScootHub, customers can browse an extensive range of travel essentials, cosmetics, accessories, as well as exclusive Scoot merchandise in the comfortof their seats and make their purchases any time. Payment can be made via credit card on the portal,and cabin crew will deliverthe purchases to customers. The range of inflight duty-free shopping items available for sale will steadily grow, and by end-June 2021, customers will be able to access KrisShop.com’s full range of items and delivery options. c) What’s On Replacing Scoot’s physical inflight magazines, customers will be able to discover inspirational travel and lifestyle content and, from April 2021 purchase ground attractions and experiences while inflight. For example, if a traveller is flying from Singapore to Melbourne, recommendations on where they can visit or dine in Melbourne will be available for purchase onboard and synced upon arrival, allowing them to immediately head to the attraction or restaurant after clearing immigration. This allows travel and hospitality brands to connect with travellers in more meaningful and mutually beneficial ways, and helps the brands to better understand customers’ spontaneous behaviour and preferences. d) Map Passengers can view the flight’s progress in real time via this live map. By end 2021, travel and hospitality brands can also offer relevant content to travellers through real- time geo-positioning on the map. This means that when passengers access the map, they will be able to see attractions, tours or experiences pinned on the map and they can click on the pinned location to find out more. e) Poll Scoot will obtain customers’ feedback on their inflight experience on the spot, while their experience is still fresh in their minds. Companies may also use this feature for market surveys so that they can better understand customers’ travel habits and consumption patterns, in return for incentives such as free drinks or snacks from the Scoot Café menu for customers who participate. a) Inflight Services Passengers travelling on our Boeing 787 Dreamliners will be able to purchase in-seat power directly on ScootHub to charge their gadgets during the flight. Onboard seat upgrades, currently suspended to facilitate contact tracing, will be enabled in a subsequent phase. b) Games To keep the young and young at heart entertained during their flights, a myriad of games are also available on the portal, ranging from colouring activities and puzzles, to fun-packed adventures and brain teasers. Streamlining existing content offerings and packing new content formats onto a digital platform, it is estimated that Scoot will reduce paper consumption by more than 156 tonnesof paper (equivalent to over 2,000trees), translating to over 13 tonnes of fuel saved and over 41 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions reduced ayear**. * Payment via credit card on the portal is targeted to be available by end-March 2021. In the meantime, payment for food and beverages is to be made by credit card to cabin crew. ** Based on 2019 flight data

The Ministry of Tourism of the Kingdom of Cambodia has the honor and pleasure to inform relevant institutions, tour operators, development partners, media, and the public that due to an unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, which poses a serious impact to tourism industry with an uncertain ending, Cambodia, as the host country, has sought for opinion about the postponement of ATF 2021 to 2022 from ASEAN Secretariat and Member States, especially Indonesian Embassy in Cambodia, and the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia as the next host of ATF for the support of the aforementioned postponement. With reference to the letter No. B/PP.O2.00/1138/S/202O dated 21" October 2020 of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia, and the letter No. 983 SCN.PT dated ll 'h November 2020 of the Royal Government of Cambodia, the Ministry of tourism of Cambodia is pleased to inform all stakeholders that Cambodia will host the full-fledged ATF in January 2022, which will include Ministerial Meetings, National Tourism Organizations (NTOs) Meetings, other related meetings, TRAVEX, and will be attended by national and international buyers, sellers and media. However, the ministry still organizes the online meetings to endorse some documents as the host country. the confirmed date of the ATF 2022 in Cambodia will be informed in due time. The Kingdom of Cambodia is awaiting all national and international delegates, buyers and sellers, and media to Cambodia — One of the Safest Countries to Visit amid COVID-19 and it is a good opportunity to restart tourism industry together in Cambodia. For further information, please contact the Department of Overseas Tourism Marketing and Promotion by mobile: (+855) 17 938 393 or by email: prakvuthy1983@gmail.com.

86% Indian travellers to take more health and safety related precautions when traveling in the future, based on global research commissioned by Booking.com Mumbai, 24 November 2020: COVID-19 has affected nearly every aspect of our lives, including travel. As travellers start to rediscover the world again, it's not surprising that 86% Indian travellers are planning to take more health and safety related precautions when traveling in the future and 71% Indians opting to avoid certain destinations altogether due to safety concerns as per a Booking.com report. When compared with the global travel trend for avoiding destinations due to safety concerns, India ranked second globally, after Thailand. Road trip ready With a shift in destination preferences, transportation preferences have also changed. 68% of Indians are likely to give public transportation a miss to avoid travelling with a large number of people due to the fear of contracting COVID-19. This is higher than the global average of 46%. Instead, travellers will choose to rent or drive their own car to and around their destination – making 2021 the year of the road trip. Safety first The ‘new normal’ will also see travellers prioritize and adhere to increased health and safety measures, as 78% Indians are happy to travel to destinations where health spot checks on arrival are standard and 81% Indians don’t mind travelling to a destination where it's mandatory to wear a face mask in public. Unsurprisingly, travellers will look to the travel industry for reassurance with 75% Indians expecting travel providers to clearly outline the safety precautions they’re taking and 48% agreeing that a clear display of cleaning and hygiene policies is now a must have. Precautions on top of mind Keeping safety while travelling a priority, 77% of Indian travellers will only book a particular accommodation if it’s clear what health and hygiene policies it has in place, with 79% favoring accommodations that have antibacterial and sanitizing products. The ‘new normal’ will also see travellers prioritize and adhere to increased health and safety measures. Quarantine measures will remain less popular with only 51% of Indian travellers willing to accept these in order to travel to a particular destination. Additionally, Booking.com has introduced its Minimal Cleanliness Score Commitment to support unique accommodation partners as they commit and work to improve and maintain their cleanliness score, as determined by verified guest reviews from travellers who have booked and stayed at the property. Based on ongoing guest feedback, only properties which live up to this cleanliness quality over time will remain available for guests to book, ensuring peace of mind for travellers looking to travel safely. Commenting on the findings of the research, Ritu Mehrotra, Country Manager, India, Sri Lanka and Maldives at Booking.com said, “Health and safety are top priority for travellers wanting to travel once again. Travellers are looking forward to new health and safety measures to avoid COVID-19. In response to a rise in demand from travellers, Booking.com now enables properties to be able to easily display safety measures such as hygiene, sanitisation, social distancing on their property listings, so travellers can have peace of mind when booking their next trip. With over 14 million listings on Booking.com now having implemented health and safety measures globally, including over 700,000 listings in India, we are making it easier for everyone to experience the world, in a way that fits their needs.” To delve deeper into Booking.com’s predictions for the Future of Travel, including Safety Cleans Up, visit https://www.booking.com/articles/safety-cleans-up.html

New Delhi, 24 Nov 2020: After roaring success in Punjab, the popular American eatery, Uncle Jack’s, has today launched its first outlet in the capital city of Delhi. Well known for hearty American fare and with 8+ outlets currently operational across Punjab, Uncle Jack’s is now all set to advance further the brand’s success story with its entry to Delhi. The first Uncle Jack’s outlet in the capital is now open at M Block, Greater Kailash in South Delhi. Commenting on the expansion, Ankush Arora, Founder - Uncle Jack’s India said, ‘Uncle Jack’s was conceived as a simple dream of bringing the best of American food to India. We are overwhelmed with the love we have received in North India over the last 4 years, and are now excited to make a mark in the capital city of India.’ Ankush Arora launched Uncle Jack’s in 2016 in the beautiful city of Chandigarh. The menu offers the best of American food with a fresh take on flavours, style of preparation and quirky presentations. One can sample Hot Dogs straight from the streets of New York, the Waffles from diners, and the oh-so-scrumptious and comforting burgers and pasta, apart from other delectables. They undoubtedly are serving the best fries in the country as their most famous and loved product. The food is interestingly named after historic American personalities. The beverage presentations are an added attraction at Uncle Jack’s. With the Delhi outlet now open and fully functional, Uncle Jack’s is all geared to entice the taste buds of Delhiites. Address: Plot No 22, M Block, Greater Kailash II, New Delhi Contact No.: +91 76969 40115

Reed Travel Exhibitions, organiser of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), has announced that the 2021 edition of its annual showcase, will take place live at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) on Sunday 16 to Wednesday 19 May. Now in its 27th year and working in collaboration with DWTC and Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), the theme of the show next year will be ‘A new dawn for travel and tourism’ and the spotlight will be thrown onto the current state of the industry and more importantly, what the future holds. It will also look at the emerging trends and how innovation can drive the industry forward. Supporting ATM’s theme, a recent Colliers report - MENA Hotel Forecasts, estimates that 2021 will be a year of recovery, based on the assumption that hotel performance across the region is already improving. Major destinations such as Dubai and Cairo are leading the way with estimated full year 2021 occupancy levels of 68% and 65% respectively. They were closely followed by Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, Muscat and Amman, with average occupancies of 58%, 56%, 51%, 48%, and 45% respectively. Overall, average year-on-year growth of the 20 destinations researched was 47%. The health of the travel and tourism industry is key to the region. Prior to the pandemic, the direct contribution of travel and tourism to the Middle East’s GDP was predicted by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), to reach US $133.6 billion by 2028. So, given subdued oil prices and a general economic slowdown due to COVID-19 restrictions, it is clear that the regional economy will be relying on travel and tourism to recover quickly, once a vaccine has been fully developed and rolled out. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “Last week, Pfizer released the first reading of its Phase-3 trial data for its COVID-19 vaccine, announcing that it was more than 90% effective in preventing the coronavirus, based on interim data analysis. “If approved by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Pfizer estimates it can roll out 50 million doses this year and up to 1.3 billion in 2021, enough to vaccinate almost 675 million people. So, we are confident that by May next year, we will be on the threshold of a new dawn for our industry.” ATM 2021 will also play an integral role in Arabian Travel Week and for the first time, a new hybrid format will mean a virtual ATM running a week later to complement and reach a wider audience than ever before. ATM Virtual, which made its debut earlier this year after ATM 2020 was postponed, proved to be a resounding success attracting 12,000 online attendees from 140 countries. In total, the event facilitated 11,301 prescheduled one-to-one meetings and 23 live video sessions including Q&As and polls which ran alongside the presentations to enable audience interaction. Overall, the webinars had more than 24,000 views over the course of three days. “It is imperative that we include a virtual element to Arabian Travel Week because many industry professionals from around the world, cannot attend the live event in person every year. It would also be naïve of us to imagine that governments throughout the world will relax their travel restrictions, to the same degree, at the same time and of course reopening airports and flight routes will also vary by country,” said Curtis. Other notable features of Arabian Travel Week will include International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) 2021, and Travel Forward, the travel technology vertical. ATM will also be partnering with Arival, which through a series of webinars will cover current and future trends for tour operators and destination managers. Other features will include Buyers Forums dedicated to key source markets including Saudi Arabia, India and China plus a virtual digital influencers’ speed networking session, a hotel summit and a responsible tourism programme. The show will strictly adhere to all DWTC’s stringent health and safety guidelines and will set out to provide a touchless and seamless experience. The team at DWTC are working hard to ensure that all events run safely and have implemented a range of measures including an enhanced cleaning regime, improved air circulation, multiple hand sanitiser stations and temperature checks. ATM, considered by industry professionals as a barometer for the Middle East and North Africa tourism sector, welcomed almost 40,000 people to its 2019 event with representation from 150 countries. With over 100 exhibitors making their debut, ATM 2019 showcased the largest ever exhibition from Asia.

Bengaluru, 11th November 2020: Digit Insurance, on a mission to make insurance simple in India, offers its common carrier insurance covering flight delay service for domestic passengers under ‘Common Carrier Delay Cover.’ To avail this service, passengers need to pay a nominal fee of INR 49 through Digit’s official website. Any passenger, except an infant, can avail of this insurance cover. Digit Insurance’s ‘Common Carrier Delay Cover’ compensates passengers facing flight delays for more than 90/120 minutes during Summers / Winters respectively with fixed benefits. In case of delayed flights, passengers with this cover will automatically get their claim registered from Digit. They would need to just upload the details of their boarding pass and share their bank details. The money will automatically then get credited to customers’ account. Vivek Chaturvedi, Chief Marketing Officer, Digit Insurance, said, “We have unfolded this unique offering to enable customers to have a stress-free trip. This is in line with our mission of offering simple and relevant products to our customers enabled through latest technologies. Offering this product now is essential in its intent as we see revival in domestic travel. This product aims to address the problems that customers have to go through due to flight delays through a frictionless process.” This cover is applicable only for a single flight. In case customers would like to protect their complete round trip, they should get a cover for flight delay for each onward and return flight. In case the airline has been responsible and has informed the customer about the flight delay at least six hours in advance, then he/she will not be eligible for the flight delay compensation. For more details of the policy, customers can visit the website of Digit Insurance: https://www.godigit.com/domestic-travel-insurance/flight-delay

New Delhi, 5 Nov 2020: COLOCAL, an artisanal chocolate brand, launches its flagship in Delhi at Dhan Mill, Chhattarpur. COLOCAL is a bean-to-bar concept and features a chocolate factory along with casual café dining. Conceptualized by power-couple Sheetal Saxena and Nishant Kumar Sinha, COLOCAL is a result of their love and passion for chocolate and coffee. COLOCAL aims to redefine the chocolate indulgence experience in the capital. The location, Dhan Mill at Chhatarpur, serves as the perfect backdrop with its charming, luxurious and niche vibe, dotted with couture fashion houses, cafes, high-end brands, creative studios and a lot more intriguing outlets to explore. Commenting on the launch, Sheetal Saxena, Co-Founder, COLOCAL, says, “The launch of COLOCAL is a dream come true for us. When we started working on this project, everyone said it requires a skill set and formal knowledge to be able to understand it. However, we broke this barrier and learned that all we need is sheer passion and dedication to succeed at anything. All our team members are from a village, adopted and trained by us, they were unschooled before about the nitty-gritty and details. They make the most amazing chocolate with all the love, care and precision. Brand COLOCAL is artisanal, sustainable, zero waste, passion-driven and approachable. Our objective is to educate people about chocolate and create a “bean to bar” market for them to explore the whole process and technique of making chocolates. Our ideal audience is inquisitive, experimental, chocolate lover, coffee lover and a foodie.” The concept is based on strategically sourcing locally grown cacao and transforming it into the finest, skillfully blended chocolate available for all the chocoholics out there in every possible form. The idea behind the brand is to introduce people to the craft chocolate world, where they get to taste the real chocolate with their varied notes, made out of premium quality Indian beans. The process of making craft chocolates is often seen as the most complex and layered product to work with. The whole process from bean-to-bar is an extensive and far-flung activity, involving a lot of steps before the final bar is produced. The brand sources the Cacao from Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the two regions where the best quality cacao is grown in India. Once the beans are plucked from the Cacao tree, they are then taken for fermentation at a high temperature to get the right profile. After fermentation, the beans are left for 3-4 days to dry completely before the process of roasting starts. Roasting is the most important yet momentous part of the entire process. It brings out the desired notes, taste, colour and texture of the cacao beans. Once the beans cool down, they are cracked open and separated. Then the Cacao nibs are crushed and sugar is added to make the final chocolate bars. After the Cacao nibs are crushed and made into chocolate liquor, they are further conched to remove the acidic acids from the bar for a better after-taste. Tempering is the final step and this is what decides the final finish look and taste of the chocolate. All chocolates are tempered at different temperatures and are packaged and distributed around the world. The entire process of making a bar out of roasted cacao beans takes up to 72 hours. The menu at COLOCAL is handpicked and assorted with a mix of Italian and Continental fare such as Sourdough Pizzas, handmade Pastas, scrumptious burgers and sandwiches, not to forget the most popular and celebrated Roastery Coffee House coffee beverage menu. It also incorporates delectable drinks and food menu made using the in-house chocolates like hot chocolate, cold chocolate, cacao cold brew, to name a few. COLOCAL also offers baked goods and bakery items overwhelmingly revolving around chocolates. The appetizing desserts include Chocolate Soufflé, Chocolate Tart, Cakes, Chocolate Babka, Sourdough, Croissant, Pain au chocolat, amongst many more intriguing treats. The avant-garde COLOCAL is an extension of Sheetal and Nishant’s individual gifted personaly. The vibe of the place is unadorned, casual, chic and homely, where guests can feel completely at ease. The exquisite interiors are primarily in white and yellow, which create a warm and welcoming ambience for the visitors. The brand identity of COCOCAL is very compelling, as it reflects a whole and a cross-section of a Cacao pod, showcasing chocolate in its rawest form. COLOCAL is all about a riveting experience which is smart, casual, warm, welcoming, approachable and truly artisanal. Come and brace yourself for an enticing chocolate indulgence only at COLOCAL!

New Delhi, 5th November, 2020: The latest entrant in the Indian luxury hotel space, The Postcard Hotel walks away with multiple honours at The World Travel Awards, 2020. The Postcard Dewa, Thimphu has been voted as ‘Asia’s Leading Luxury Boutique Hotel’ and ‘Bhutan’s Leading Boutique Hotel’, The Postcard Cuelim, South Goa has been voted as ‘India’s Leading Boutique Hotel’ and ‘Goa’s Leading Boutique Hotel’ and The Postcard Velha, Old Goa has been voted as ‘India’s Best Wellness Retreat’. In just a year of being operational, the brand has managed to make a mark for itself amongst the top luxury hotels in Asia. Kapil Chopra and a team of experienced hospitality professionals founded The Postcard Hotel with a vision to open experiential luxury hotels in unique destinations. The immersive hospitality and its unconventional and fluid nature is what truly sets the brand apart. No set breakfast hours, personalised exclusive dining, cocktails on arrival and the flexibility of anytime check-in and check-out are some of the unique offerings that have contributed to the vast recognition and appreciation of the brand. “Evolving rapidly and staying positive in this new environment was the need of the hour. While our hotels continued to provide the highest levels of service and genuine care for our guests, enhancing the procedures and protocols for safety of our guests and team became our priority. Additionally, to ensure that they feel safe and reassured, The One Key Hotel was introduced.” says Chopra. The ‘One Key’ access is a unique service that allows guests to book the entire hotel for themselves, during which the property is completely closed off to non-residential guests with a complete sanitisation of the premises including the pool prior to arrival. The boutique nature of The Postcard properties and their polished safety and service standards is what contributed to their success post opening after the nationwide lockdown this year. With limited inventory and plenty of outdoor spaces, social distancing is naturally inbuilt in the way the hotels are designed, with enough space for each guest to feel secluded and enjoy their own private experiences. This has led to possibly the biggest success story globally for any brand with revenue for the current year already exceeding last year’s - buoyed by an increased occupancy and high average room rates. Each hotel by The Postcard offers unique experiences that are true to its surroundings, giving guests a sense of the neighbourhood and the destination in a way never seen before. The Postcard Cuelim, is a 350 year old restored estate located in South Goa. This six room hotel overlooking 3500 acres of lush green paddy fields seamlessly blends in with Goa’s rich culture and tropical radiance, providing the experience of seclusion and disconnect. The Postcard Dewa, Thimphu is nestled in a forest on the outskirts of Bhutan’s capital city. The newly built hotel with 15 suites and a minimum room size of 995 square feet is located with a spectacular hilltop view of the Thimphu valley and surrounding forests. Just a 20-minute drive from Thimphu city’s sights and sounds, the hotel aims to provide a sense of splendid seclusion. As the only carbon negative country in the world, 72% of Bhutan is forest covered, and The Postcard is a perfect base from which one can explore the magnificent landscape and culture of Bhutan. The Postcard Hotel is committed to opening a multitude of new hotels in hidden holiday destinations across India and the globe. The Postcard, Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, The Postcard on the Arabian Sea, Karnataka and The Postcard in the Himalayas, Mashobra are expected to open first amongst their planned openings in 2021. “Travellers today are receptive and eager. They’re not simply satisfied with stunning sceneries, but also want to expand their cultural knowledge and grow as individuals- Gir provides the option of a great wildlife experience and an opportunity to sight the majestic Lion” says Kapil Chopra, founder and CEO, The Postcard Hotel. He added, “Untouched locations that allow people to get away from their urban lifestyles and reconnect with nature is what the affluent traveller is looking for. For those wanting a coastal experience that is slightly off the beaten track, the Maravanthe coast in Karnataka is one of the most picturesque coastal stretches in India. As Indian travellers start looking for new domestic destinations, the more pristine areas in the Himalayas will also come into vogue. I see Mashobra having the benefit of easy accessibility and close proximity to Shimla, along with the sense of being cut off from the crowds.”

November 5, 2020 (Washington, D.C.) — Planet Word, a revolutionary museum dedicated to the power, beauty, and fun of language and to showing how words shape the human experience, opened its doors to the public. Housed in Washington, D.C.’s historic Franklin School, Planet Word is the world’s first voice-activated museum, featuring immersive galleries and exhibits that will engage visitors of all ages in experiencing words and language from a wide range of perspectives. General admission is free. Founded on the belief that literacy is fundamental to the health of democracy, Planet Word aims to inspire and renew a love of words, language, and reading. Appreciation for the power of language fosters empathy and encourages civil discourse. By engaging people of all ages with language, Planet Word encourages visitors to both fall in love with the joy and whimsy of words and understand how vital they are to American society and to our world. “I am so thrilled to open Planet Word’s doors to the public and cannot imagine a more fitting time for a museum of language to open in our nation’s capital,” said Planet Word founder and CEO Ann Friedman. “Democracy depends on literate citizens. I hope that Planet Word can provide a forum for civil discourse and a place where our community, in all its vibrant diversity, can gather to share the words that bridge differences and forge solutions.” The museum held a mostly virtual ceremony to commemorate its public opening. This event featured remarks by District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser and Planet Word founder Ann Friedman. It also included remarks by writer and actress Anna Deavere Smith and a performance by spoken word artist Charity Blackwell, as well as a musical performance from Renee Fleming, a freestyle hip hop performance from rapper Christylez Bacon, and a poetic dedication written for the occasion by Naomi Shihab Nye. Planet Word supporters including former President Barack Obama, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the Grammy-winning musician Paul Simon also made surprise virtual appearances. Planet Word is the world’s first major museum taking a high-tech approach to bringing language to life. It features ten immersive learning galleries designed by exhibit design firm Local Projects which use technology in imaginative, ingenious ways to reimagine the modern museum experience. Among the museum’s voice-activated exhibits is “Where Do Words Come From?”,a 22-foot-tall talking word wall that shares the story of the English language through a conversation with visitors and extraordinary light effects. Other highlights include an acoustically-sealed room where visitors use a teleprompter to deliver one of eight historically significant speeches; a karaoke lounge where music lovers will learn secrets of great songwriting; and a secret poetry nook hidden in the stacks of a magical library. In other galleries, visitors can create an advertising campaign, literally paint with words using “smart” paint brushes, and converse with native speakers of widely spoken and endangered languages. The gift shop was designed by Nate Berkus, the well-known interior designer, author, and television personality. In the spring, Planet Word looks forward to welcoming the buzzworthy, cause-casual eatery, Immigrant Food, as its restaurant partner – to be housed at the museum. Immigrant Food, whose values and mission align closely with Planet Word, opened its flagship location right next to the White House in 2019 to rave reviews. In the newly created courtyard entrance of the museum, Speaking Willow – the first permanent installation in D.C. by renowned contemporary artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer – provides an immersive language experience for visitors upon arrival at Planet Word. The metal sculpture, resembling a weeping willow, plays voice recordings from hundreds of different languages as visitors pass underneath its branches. The interactive sound-and-light sculpture features 364 individual speakers and 3.6 miles of ethernet cable and was commissioned by Ann and Tom Friedman in partnership with New York’s Public Art Fund. Planet Word builds on the long history of innovation at the Franklin School, a National Historic Landmark building and the site of both one of the city's first public schools and the world’s first wireless voice transmission, a feat achieved by Alexander Graham Bell in 1880. In the past two years, the building has undergone a major restoration and rehabilitation, funded by Ms. Friedman, and led by the architecture firm Beyer Blinder Belle in partnership with general contractor Whiting-Turner. The project included the restoration of the soaring Great Hall – the building’s architectural centerpiece – and replication of its original frescos; the two grand staircases with ornate railings and original ceramic tile treads have been restored to their former grandeur. To learn more about the significance of Planet Word’s home in the Franklin School, visit PlanetWordMuseum.org/Franklin-School. “Planet Word, much like Washington, D.C., is all about celebrating art, creativity, and innovation,” said Mayor Bowser. “This beautiful museum has found the perfect home in Downtown DC at the former Franklin School, where children and families alike will enjoy a one- of-a-kind cultural and educational experience. Thank you to Ann Friedman and my team at the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development for bringing this national historic landmark back to life.” Planet Word previously announced a multifaceted partnership with Shared Studios, a global collective that creates meaningful human connections between people separated by distance and difference through transformative conversations in both immersive and virtual environments. The museum is home to one of Shared_Studios’ Portals, which is outfitted with immersive AV technology that enables visitors to converse and interact with people from around the world as if in the same room. Visitors to the Planet Word Portal will make live connections with others across the globe – and in doing so discover the richness of languages and how words shape our lives, our decisions, and our relationships. Planet Word and Shared Studios’ DIVERCITIES initiative – a program that explores the commonalities and the uniqueness of languages in cities and cultures across the world – launched online in September. Each month, through moderated conversations with comedians, poets, artists, journalists, educators, and activists, DIVERCITIES will connect D.C. locals with peers in cities in the Portal network, including Lagos, Erbil, Milwaukee, Mexico City, Berlin, and Dallas. For more information about this initiative and other Planet Word programming, visit PlanetWordMuseum.org/Events. Since breaking ground in June 2018, Planet Word has met its initial $20 million fundraising goal to cover the creation of the museum’s exhibits, experiences, and start-up operating costs. Planet Word’s generous donors include AT&T, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Carolyn Bucksbaum, the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation, Ann and John Doerr, Microsoft Corporation, and Christine and Stephen A. Schwarzman. The rehabilitation and restoration of the Franklin School as a home for the museum was funded and overseen by Ms. Friedman. Planet Word will be open Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is free, with a suggested donation to support the museum’s mission-driven programs, exhibits, and educational outreach. Due to Covid-19, the museum has instated a number of safety procedures, including limiting capacity in the building to support social distancing. Planet Word recommends visitors reserve timed passes online in advance of their visit; a limited number of passes may be available for walk-ups on a first-come, first-served basis. Masks are mandatory for all visitors over the age of two. Stylus pens compatible with the museum’s interactive exhibits will be available to avoid the need for visitors to touch surfaces, and hand sanitizing stations are located throughout the museum. To register for tickets and review visitor guidelines, visit PlanetWordMuseum.org/Plan-Your-Visit.

Tourism Ministers from Israel, United Arab Emirates and Kingdom of Bahrain will come together at WTM Virtual for the first time since signing historic agreements to normalise relations in September. The Abraham Accords, signed on 15 September, set in motion a host of business opportunities and intergovernmental agreements between Israel and the UAE, as well as creating exciting tourism prospects in the region for the first time. Concurrently, Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain also signed an agreement to launch full diplomatic relations. The agreements gave the go ahead for official dialogue between the countries and set in place new opportunities for tourism. Those involved hope tourism between the destinations will provide the chance to establish peace on a deeper level within the Middle East region. Since the Accords were signed, Israel’s first-ever commercial flight – carrying a high-level delegation from Israel and the US – landed in the UAE, while the first commercial passenger flight to Israel by a carrier from the UAE landed at Israel’s Ben-Gurion international airport in October. As a result of the Abraham Accords, the Israel Transportation Ministry announced there will be 28 direct weekly passenger flights connecting Tel Aviv with Abu Dhabi and Dubai. On day one of WTM Virtual, seven weeks after the historic agreements were signed, WTM will host a momentous discussion among tourism ministers from the three destinations. Orit Farkash-Hacohen, Minister of Tourism for Israel; Dr. Ahmad bin Abdullah Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises for the UAE and H.E. Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism to the Kingdom of Bahrain and Chairman of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, will discuss the tourism opportunities now available and determine the role that tourism will play in helping to secure long-standing peace in the region. It will be the first time the tourism ministers have met since signing the agreements. They will take part in a WTM Virtual session entitled Tourism: The Path to Peace in the Middle East, which will take place immediately after the Ministers’ Summit, on Monday 9 November. WTM Senior Director Simon Press said: “The session will provide a fascinating insight into how co-operating on tourism and trade – encouraging people to engage with different cultures and experience new places, sample different food and take part in different activities – can advance peace. “WTM has always understood the unique way that travel promotes tolerance, empathy and cross-cultural understanding. When people travel, they form friendships, engage in dialogue and are able to see things from a different perspective. When flight paths open up, the prospect for new business becomes a reality, which creates wealth and opportunity for destinations and their citizens. “The post-COVID possibilities are endless for this region and we’re excited that WTM Virtual has been able to facilitate such an important meeting and play a part in history.” Tourism: The Path to Peace in the Middle East, featuring the tourism ministers of Israel, UAE and Bahrain, will take place on Monday 9 November, at 15.00 – 16.00 GMT (19.00 – 20.00 GST).

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 02 November 2020: Chile is hosting a series of events to secure its’ position in the UAE as the leading exporter of walnuts and dried fruits with a trio of virtual and live business networking opportunities. Prominent UAE importers have been selected for the exclusive sessions which will include a series of presentations outlining the superior quality and health benefits of Chilean produce, group discussions, as well as the opportunity to participate in virtual and live business meetings. Carlos Salas, Trade Commissioner of Chile in Dubai, said: "The UAE and the wider GCC region continue to be incredibly important markets for Chilean dried fruit exporters, despite the challenges of COVID-19. “As such, we have developed a series of online events which will provide importers from the UAE, and the rest of the world, to learn more about our fantastic produce, do business, and ultimately secure deals with renowned Chilean exporters.” The first event, the 24th e-business meeting of the Chamber of Commerce of Valparaiso, took place from the 27th – 30th of October. The event saw over 176 Chilean exporters of fresh fruit, nuts, vegetables, and healthy foods undertake a series of 30-minute meetings with importers from the UAE and the rest of the world. ExpoNut 2020, which takes place on November 25th, is the second virtual event to take place. It is the largest meeting point for the Chilean nut industry, annually bringing together more than 500 producers, exporters, suppliers, investors. As a result of COVID-19, the event will be virtual this year and host a series of talks and panel discussions addressing exports, agriculture, and sustainable development. The event will also host the ExpoNut Business Roundtable, giving importers from the UAE the opportunities to partake in a series of discussion with Chilean Walnut exporters. Rounding out the series of events is the ProChile Food Exporter Meeting, taking place from 7th -12th December, live in Chile. Five UAE importers will have the opportunity to meet with a range of Chilean companies during workshops and roundtable discussions. A series of masterclasses, product sampling and insights into the latest market innovations will also take place. “This will be a vital opportunity for exporters to reconnect with valuable importers from the UAE, as we look to build on the successes witnessed in 2019. Our number one priority is to facilitate meetings and networking, however, showcasing the superior quality, health benefits, and sustainable practices relating to our produce is also vitally important,” added Salas. The popularity of Chilean walnuts has surged in the last two years, with the country the leading exporter in the southern hemisphere, and now the second-largest exporter in the world, exporting over 135,000 tonnes in 2019. In the UAE, the value of exported dry fruits from Chile increased by 75% year-on-year in 2019 to US$43.8. This was primarily attributed to walnuts, which made up 76% of the total dried fruit exports to the UAE. According to yield estimates based on the planted area and average performance, production in Chile is expected to increase to 163,000 tonnes in 2021 and 200,000 tonnes in 2024. Over 95% of all production is exported to 75 countries, with the Middle East accounting for 54% in 2019. For more information please visit www.prochile.gob.cl/ or www.chilenut.cl/home/

New Delhi, October 26, 2020: Travel is seeing a comeback, but in a new normal, new trend continue to define consumer preferences. From taking life to the road, to consciously and safely reconnecting with the places and people that matter most, Airbnb and travelers predict what travel will look like in 2021. The year of the staycation Guests are seeking unique travel experiences by staying in one-of-a-kind accommodations on Airbnb, but are preferring to be close to home or in their home cities. The staycation trend resonates with travellers, pointing to the perennial human need for new experiences, either for short stays or for stays that are a month or more. With access to quiet nooks in busy cities, close to parks and gardens, immersive natural surroundings and wide-open spaces, travellers are looking for respite from the everyday in accommodations such as condominiums, farm stays, villas, and cottages in places such as: · Bengaluru, Karnataka · Mangalore, Karnataka · Pune, Maharashtra · Guwahati, Assam · Hyderabad, Telangana Nearby stays, close to metro to see a rise According to Airbnb search data, guests continue to search for nearby stays that are a drive away from metro cities, to explore a slower pace of life for holidays or for inspiration. Travellers are searching for destinations such as Gokarna, Shimla, Mussoorie, Kasauli and Alibag where they can spend time with family and friends. Guests are increasingly looking at rediscovering the magic in their own backyards. Established destinations as well as hidden gems near metros are seeing interest from travellers fleeing urban life, enlivening local communities on city outskirts.Top spots for nearby stays include: · Gokarna, Karnataka · Shimla, Himachal Pradesh · Mussoorie, Uttarakhand · Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh · Alibag, Maharashtra Regenerative travel bringing travellers closer to communities A key trend Airbnb is noting is that as travel picks up again, consumers may prefer immersive and regenerative travel at the heart of communities. Sustainable travel choices that are closer to remote communities and nature not only provide a boost to these communities and their members - redistributing the economic impact of travel – but are accessible and affordable and are a transformative choice contributing to unique and individual travel experiences. In 2021, living remotely will continue to define travel preferences with the rise with travellers aching for more access to open spaces, fresh air, and wildlife. Destinations that are highly searched for on Airbnb, by both inbound and domestic travellers are: · Karjat, Maharashtra · Panchgani, Maharashtra · Manali, Himachal Pradesh · Mangalore, Karnataka · Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand Many travellers may intend to work remotely in a room with a view in 2021. Entrepreneurs may explore new hubs closer to their businesses or customers. Airbnb has documented stays by entrepreneurs looking for a hub to inspire creativity, digital nomads who aspire to work from anywhere for longer periods of time, and creatives discovering their newest masterpiece. Authors, musicians, artists, and athletes alike are increasingly looking for stays with private spaces and retreating to suburban or rural areas from big cities. With India’s much-loved festival season around the corner, guests are either looking at travelling to their hometowns or spending time together as family. India continues to be travel hotspot, globally With discretionary outbound travel on a slow uptick currently, there are reasons to predict that travel in 2021 will bounce back in India, on both domestic and inbound sectors. Airbnb search data suggests India remains a hotly searched-for destination globally, with the following cities and towns featuring on the most searched-for list. · Gokarna, Karnataka · Kasol, Himachal Pradesh · Mangalore, Karnataka · Karjat, Maharashtra · Panchgani, Maharashtra · Igatpuri, Maharashtra · Alibag, Maharashtra · Haridwar, Uttarakhand Outbound, Indians are continuing to prize locations such as Toronto and London. Commenting on these trends, Amanpreet Bajaj, General Manager - Airbnb India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan, said, “As we come closer to 2021, transparency, trust and safety will be more critical than ever before, and will continue to set the benchmark for traveller expectations. Trends such as travelling closer to cities and working from anywhere will continue to see interest. Importantly, this means that travel benefits more and more local communities economically, rather than being concentrated in tourist hotspots. We truly look forward to a future of travel that is inclusive, sustainable and regenerative.” In 2021, travel will continue to be more about living, working and connecting safely away from home.

Singapore, 21 October 2020 – ITB Asia, Asia’s Leading Travel Trade Show, today opened its virtual doors for the first-ever virtual event. As one of the industry’s firsts, the three-day event is being hosted online. Over the course of the next three-days, almost 900 buyers and 400 exhibitors from all over the world will come together to establish high-quality networks, conduct business, and share their knowledge. Held on the newly established platform – ITB Community in Asia (ITB Community) - this year’s ITB Asia event also plays host to MICE Show Asia and marks the debut of Travel Tech Asia. Katrina Leung, Managing Director of Messe Berlin (Singapore)- organiser of ITB Asia – comments; “We are proud to have quickly pivoted to a fully virtual format that has enabled us to maintain our position as the leading travel trade show in the region. It is now more important than ever before that we provide this opportunity for industry leaders around the globe to come together virtually to share insights, knowledge, and experience, to pave the way for the future of the travel trade. Over the next three days, we look forward to closely collaborating with international exhibitors, travel companies and international buyers to unveil a strong, engaging, and contextually relevant programme.” Virtual Exhibition to facilitate business and networking Despite ITB Asia’s brand-new format, the virtual exhibition line-up continues to facilitate business appointments, digital exhibition booths, a business matching platform and 24/7 chat and call functions for almost 400 exhibitors around the world to engage with key clients and partners. Being a global stage, the virtual exhibition will feature new destinations including Switzerland, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Monaco and Sapporo. Exhibitors from hospitality and travel groups include Meliá Hotels International, Radisson Hotel Group and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, to name just a few. As part of ITB Asia’s usual business matching typically held on the exhibition floor, this year’s Business Matching takes place on a dedicated Business Matching portal. Available throughout the three days of ITB Asia, sellers will be able to upload company brochures and collateral, and buyers may upload proposal request briefs for the same successful discussions and business negotiations as like the previous ITB Asia shows. Conference line-up to reinvent travel Now in its thirteenth year, the theme of this year’s event, set against the backdrop of the ongoing pandemic, is “Reinventing Travel in the New Normal”. The over 100-session themed agenda, led by more than 160 international speakers, has been specifically curated to support the travel industry in navigating the current challenges and prepare for eventual recovery. Today’s conference will see a strong line-up of speakers from across the industry discussing topics such as the future of travel, and building recovery for travel and tourism. These speakers included industry heavyweights from leading global organisations such Maribel Rodriguez, Senior Vice President, Membership & Commercial at World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), and Anita Mendiratta, Special Advisor to Secretary General at The UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Tomorrow (22 October), attendees can look forward to hearing from top speakers such as Alexandre de Juniac Director General & CEO, International Air Transport Association (IATA), and keynote speakers Deep Kalra, Founder & Group Executive Chairman, MakeMyTrip and Ben Drew, President, Viator. They will be sharing their insights on topics from improving leadership to restoring confidence and attracting travellers. Partners set to discuss the path to recovery This year, ITB Asia’s partners also have a strong speaker track. In its fifth year of partnership with CrescentRating for the “Halal in Travel Asia Summit”, this year’s summit focuses on enabling destinations and travel stakeholders to develop their own strategic solutions towards recovery and growth through insights from their Mastercard-CrescentRating Travel Readiness Report and using their Travel Readiness Framework. The Travel Foundation will run a themed session focussed on “Building Back Better” which will look at what better means to the Future of Tourism Coalition, which has developed thirteen guiding principles to help over 200 companies, destinations, and organisations forge a new path for tourism. Cruise Lines International Association will focus on preparing for resumption in its session and will answer questions on what the travel trade can do to combat misperceptions and raise awareness of the strict regulations that govern cruises worldwide. Building a resilient MICE industry with MICE Show Asia MICE Show Asia invites professionals in the meetings and events industries to look ahead to building a resilient post COVID-19 MICE industry. Highlights of the event will include a series of MICE destination talks with global participation including Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), German Convention Bureau (GCB), Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB), Russian Convention Bureau (RCB), Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) and more with MICE associations including IAPCO, MPI Academy and SITE Africa also in attendance. The launch of Travel Tech Asia Co-located with ITB Asia and MICE Show Asia, is Messe Berlin’s brand-new show – Travel Tech Asia. Here, participants can share latest technologies, trends, tech travel brands and innovative start-ups, to create new possibilities for the future of travel. Thousands of influential executives and attendees across travel industry sectors will come together for three days of unparalleled networking as part of the largest travel trade show in APAC. Amadeus, TrustYou and Oracle Hospitality are also leading a brand-new track on Hotel Revenue and Distribution. Meanwhile, a new Air Travel track will see executives from leading associations and agencies present the latest global flight data trends and insights, led by the Skyscanner, Dohop and many more. For more information on this year’s event, or to join the next two days, please click here.

October 2020: Roastery Coffee, one of the best speciality coffee roasters with cafes in Hyderabad and Kolkata, has introduced Balur Estate Limited Edition Thick Bed Honey Coffee that comes from one of the most well-known coffee plantations, Balur Estate, in Karnataka. It is a Limited Edition coffee, perfect for Pour Over and AeroPress brew lovers, as well as for all discerning coffee aficionados with notes of bubblegum and stone fruit in it, giving it a dash of exotic, fruity and refreshing flavor. “Thick bed” is a technique where coffee is handpicked and then dried on a thick bed to retain more moisture which results in slow drying and develops sweeter characters in coffee. The beans are roasted light to lend the notes of bubblegum and stone fruits, which makes for an interesting combination. The rare taste of Bubblegum in your coffee lends it a unique character. Roastery Coffee brings to you fresh, seasonal coffee sourced from the best coffee farms across India. It is one of the finest brands of artisanal Coffee and offers a wide range of coffees, each brewed differently. The Balur Estate Limited Edition Thick Bed Honey coffee is a new addition to brand’s already existing range of special edition variants which include Harley Estate Grapa, Monsoon Malabar, Thogarihunkal Estate Honey Sun Dried Coffee, Carbonic Maceration (Harley Estate), to name a few. Balur Estate has been a 400-acre coffee plantation since the 1840s. Today, it is under the responsible stewardship of fourth-generation coffee planters. What makes Balur Estate coffee so unique is its location and elevation. Balur Estate coffee is processed with the utmost attention at each processing stage from picking to milling. Every bean by hand, manually harvested only when the fruits are cherry red, and no mechanical harvesting is used that would mix bitter green beans in with matured red fruit. State of the art machinery and skilled workers are employed to ensure coffee that is consistently defect-free. Different methods of coffee processing are explored at the estate and the phrase “quality from crop to cup” best describes the planning and operation of Balur Estate coffee. So visit Roastery Coffee House in Hyderabad and Kolkata for a perfectly brewed cup of limited edition Balur Estate Thick Bed Honey Coffee or order online for brewing pleasure at home. Price range: INR 400 -750 Available at : https://www.roasterycoffee.co.in Hyderabad: Roastery Coffee House, 8/2/287/12, House 418, Road 14, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad Kolkata: Roastery Coffee House, 70 B, Calcutta South India Club, Gariahat, Kolkata