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India, 25 March 2021 – Airbus has launched a travel companion app called “Tripset”. The application aggregates and provides flight and travel information to ease and restore passenger’s trust in their end-to-end journey when traveling by air during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tripset allows for passengers to be informed with the latest and most relevant travel conditions, restrictions and health requirements in place, without having to consult a variety of sources. Continuously evolving travel restrictions around the world can make the passenger’s journey challenging. Therefore, based on its award-winning iflyA380 app architecture and experience, Airbus is introducing a travel companion application to provide the flying public with up-to-date, real-time information in order to ensure a healthy, safe and smooth end-to-end trip. With two interfaces, enabling passengers to know both currently available flights and the destinations to which they can fly, Tripset is airport-, aircraft- and airline-agnostic. Once a ticket has been purchased, the app also provides passengers with information on what to expect at their departure and arrival destinations. Tripset is part of Airbus’ continuing commitment, alongside airlines, industry partners and regulatory agencies, to encourage the flying public to keep trust in air travel, supporting the safe and well-coordinated return to flight, which is essential for economic recovery from COVID-19. Tripset is free for download on Android / iOS from your regular AppStore.

DUBAI, 23 March 2021 – Urgent action must be taken to ensure clean, safe water for all, and the world needs to work together to ensure this finite life-sustaining resource – the lifeblood of our civilisations, economies and communities – is preserved for future generations. That was the call from global experts attending Expo Talks: Water, a virtual event held by Expo 2020 Dubai, in association with the Office of the UAE Minister of State for Food and Water Security, that gathered experts from across the planet, including His Serene Highness Prince Albert II, Head of State of the Principality of Monaco, to seek collaborative solutions to better preserve and sustainably manage water globally. Taking place one day after World Water Day, Expo Talks: Water, available on demand, explored the myriad ways in which water touches every aspect of human development, links with most of the Sustainable Development Goals and is essential to our hopes of a safe, clean and healthy future for people and planet. Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, Director General of Expo 2020 Dubai and Chair of the National Committee on the Sustainable Development Goals, said: “There is an urgency to our looming global water crisis, and this is not only an economic challenge, but a question of justice, fairness and equity. How will we guarantee everyone access to this life-sustaining resource – no matter their place in the world? If we all commit to this shared global responsibility, the solutions lie within our grasp.” Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, UAE Minister of State for Food and Water Security, said: “We are living at a time when the ability of global communities around the world to access fresh water is increasingly under threat. Climate change is driving a shift in weather patterns that is resulting in increased droughts, more extreme weather events and rising desertification. The UAE knows only too well the pressures from having a lack of fresh water. However, we have been able to show the world what is possible with the application of innovation and technology. “Water security forms a nexus with energy and food security, with any action in one having a reaction in the other two. That is why we need to tackle water security as part of a holistic effort. Expo 2020 represents the ideal forum for the world to discuss this issue and showcase inspiring new ideas, enabling us to create a synergistic effect – but we must act now if we are to affect meaningful change.” Expo Talks: Water spanned topics from sanitation to food security and conservation to clean oceans, featuring experts from around the world, including pioneering oceanographer Dr Sylvia Earle, former Chief Scientist of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, who addressed the need to protect the world’s oceans. “Healthy people need healthy water, and so do all other living things,” Dr Earle said. “We must protect the waters of the world as if our lives depend on it, because they do.” The event also spotlighted projects already supported by Expo 2020 through its global innovation and partnership programme, Expo Live, and via the Global Best Practice Programme (GBPP). These include the Nimr Water Treatment Plant – a sustainable constructed wetland that treats oil-contaminated water ecologically and has transformed arid desert into a resilient eco-system. As a professional services and technical solutions provider, Jacobs – part of the Jacobs Mace joint venture serving as Expo 2020’s Official Programme Delivery Management Provider – shares pioneering work with the Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium. Jacobs provided design and engineering services to deliver the Seawater Energy and Agriculture System (SEAS) in the UAE – the world’s first bioenergy facility to produce aviation fuel and food using saltwater and maximising the desert ecosystem. International Participants – including Hungary, Panama, Peru and Portugal – shared their strategies for ensuring their communities have access to safe and affordable water and sanitation. Norway, whose pavilion at Expo will focus on ocean conservation and country’s seafaring heritage, brought together a panel of scientists, ocean advocates and policy-makers to discuss how protecting the ocean from climate change, overfishing and pollution is key to solving many other issues facing the world. A World Majlis session looked at the increasing threat to our oceans from climate change, and collected experts and thought-leaders, including Expo Partners DP World and DEWA, to probe how we can turn the tide of water pollution, including innovative economic and policy initiatives. Attendees were also given a glimpse of ‘Hammour House’, Expo 2020’s unique community art project that uses marine debris and is designed to raise awareness of ocean pollution and promote marine conservation. Expo Talks: Water was the tenth and final in the series thematic talks – launched in October 2020 with Space – that have brought together influential policy-makers, thought-leaders, Expo participants and the public to help shape the thought-provoking content and conversations taking place during Expo 2020. Running from 1 October 2021 until 31 March 2022, Expo 2020 Dubai will seek collaborative solutions to the world’s most pressing problems – including weeks dedicated to Climate and Biodiversity, Knowledge and Learning, and Water – to help build a cleaner, safer and healthier future for all.

DUBAI, 14 March 2021 – Terra – the Sustainability Pavilion is already inspiring action towards a cleaner, safer, healthier world, with 96 per cent of people who have visited the Expo 2020 Pavilions Premiere so far saying the experience has motivated them to change their behaviour. Since launching at the end of January, the Pavilions Premiere has offered more than 50,000 visitors an exciting glimpse at the Sustainability Pavilion’s world-class architecture, its inspiring exhibits and the stunning surrounding areas ahead of Expo’s official opening on 1 October. The experience includes an interactive walk through the roots of a forest and a journey of discovery into the depths of the ocean, and urges visitors to consider how their actions and consumerism impact the planet. Following their visit, 96 per cent of those surveyed said they were inspired to change their behaviour, from saving water to making a conscious effort to use less plastic. Mohamed AlAnsaari, Vice President, Communications, Expo 2020 said: “We have been truly humbled by the public’s response to the Expo Pavilions Premiere and Terra – the Sustainability Pavilion. From the outset, our ambition for Expo 2020 has been to offer an exceptional – and meaningful – visitor experience, and the feedback that we have received from people of all ages and nationalities has clearly demonstrated that we are on track to do just that.” “We are continuing to see high levels of demand for the Terra sneak preview and with just under one month to go until the Expo Pavilions Premiere closes as planned on 10 April, we have made the decision to keep the surprise of the incredible Alif – the Mobility Pavilion and the inspiring Mission Possible – the Opportunity Pavilion for the opening of the Expo itself, which is now just over six months away.” Rolando Martins, Chief Operations Officer, Expo 2020 said: “Delivering a safe and seamless experience for every kind of visitor has always been our highest priority and the global health challenges of the last year have put this into even sharper focus.” “From our online ticketing platform, to signage and wayfinding, parking and security, the Pavilions Premiere has enabled us to put our processes into practice. More than 650 Expo staff have worked over 320 operational hours to date, including 150 volunteers of more than 50 nationalities, ensuring that every member of our workforce is equipped with the skills and knowledge required to deliver an event of this scale and significance.” From social distancing and capacity control to on-site rapid testing for staff and vendors, the Pavilions Premiere has included a number of best practices to safeguard the health and well-being of everyone involved. Expo will continue to work closely with the world’s leading medical authorities and monitor the latest science and data to deliver a safe and exciting visitor experience at Expo 2020 Dubai. The Pavilions Premiere will remain open until 10 April, with visitors able to explore the Sustainability Pavilion and surrounding areas, enjoy entertainment and children’s activities and discover a range of F&B and retail outlets. Tickets, which must be pre-booked through the Expo website, cost AED 25 and are complimentary for visitors aged five and under, senior citizens and people of determination. As well as private vehicle and taxi, Expo 2020 can be reached by the Expo Rider – a dedicated, free of charge, public bus service departing from Dubai Mall bus station every 30 minutes. About Expo 2020 Dubai From 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022, Expo 2020 Dubai will bring the world together in a spirit of hope and optimism and with a shared purpose towards solving some of our greatest challenges. It will showcase the greatest innovations, breakthroughs and ideas from around the planet, enabling action towards a better world under its theme of ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ Expo 2020 will be an endless journey of discovery as more than 200 participants – including nations, multilateral organisations, businesses, and educational institutions, as well as millions of visitors – harness their collective power to change the world for the better Expo 2020’s sub-themes of Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability will inspire visitors to make a conscious effort to think and live differently An entertaining global celebration with something for everyone, Expo 2020 will wow visitors with daily events, showcasing the best of technology, creativity and culture, while F&B outlets will feature cuisine from around the world The first World Expo to take place in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA), located on a 4.38 sqkm site adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South Built with a long-term legacy in mind, the Expo site is an example of innovation in action and will transform into District 2020, a blueprint for human-centric, smart and sustainable cities of the future, after Expo 2020 closes its doors

Barceló Hotel Group (BHG), the leading international hotel chain with over 250 properties, including 4 and 5-star urban and holiday hotels, spread across 22 countries, has signed up with 2HUB Reps as its Sales and Marketing representation partner in India for UAE properties. As part of its development strategy in GCC and other Asian markets, the group aims at strengthening its commercial ties with leading tour and travel companies in India to enhance collaboration and performance from the Indian market for BHG portfolio in UAE, that comprises of 5 hotels and 1,600 keys spread across iconic locations with a diversity of experiences impeccably adapted for Indian travellers. Guests will enjoy resort-style experiences offered by the legendary five-star Dukes The Palm, A Royal Hideaway Hotel, located on an exclusive area on The Palm Jumeirah that includes the award-winning fine dining North Indian restaurant Khyber, and Occidental Sharjah Grand, located in the Al Khalidiah area in Sharjah. For those in search of an urban city experience can stopover at the Barceló Residences Dubai Marina, situated in the heart of the vibrant Dubai Marina community. Occidental Dubai Production City offers guests the chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of a busy metropolitan city and enjoy a hidden escape in Dubai, located minutes away from the World Expo site. Last but not least, recently opened Occidental Al Jaddaf, will offer the perfect blend between Spanish hospitality and Arabian culture, conveniently situated in close proximity to Dubai International Airport and central districts such as Healthcare City and the Historical District. 2HUB Reps will play the role of a strategic partner to establish consistent market presence and identify & implement best strategies to improve market performance. The proven track record of success of 2HUB Reps aid its expertise in the UAE market have been paramount to create this strategic partnership. “We are very excited to be partnering with 2HUB on this venture. The Indian market is very promising and teaming with opportunities. Through this partnership we are looking forward to strengthening our relations and presence within the market,” concludes Raquel Lopez, VP of Sales & Marketing GCC at Barceló Hotel Group. For further information please visit the Barceló Hotel Group website: www.barcelo.com

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1 March 2021, Kolkata: A cop by profession, flautist Indrajit Basu’s performance at the prestigious Dover Lane Music Conference 2021 mesmerised the audience and connoisseurs of Indian classical music. Indrajit Basu performed in this 'Ivy League' music festival for the first time and won the hearts of listeners by his rendition of ragas patdeep and basant. He was adeptly accompanied by Ujjwal Bharati on the tabla. By profession Indrajit holds a responsible position in government service as a cop, but despite his professional constraints he does his riwaz regularly. Born in a family of cultural aficionados in Kolkata, Indrajit developed a deep love for culture, especially Indian Classical Music and started playing the bansuri (flute) from school days. Listening to all types of music was like breathing for him since his earliest years but he found Indian Classical Music as the most attractive genre of music amongst all. The transverse flute was selected by him as a medium of musically expressing himself. His formal tutelage in Indian Classical Music started much later after he graduated from Calcutta University. He was initiated as a disciple by Late Pandit Nikhilesh Roy of Rabindra Bharati University. Indrajit tried to imbibe the rich tradition of gayaki and soulfulness from his Guru Pt Nikhilesh Roy who was a disciple of Pt Gour Goswami. As a performer Indrajit has presented his bansuri recitals in many programmes in last couple of years in various places in West Bengal including at Uttarpara Sangeetchakra Annual Conference, Salt lake Music Festival, Dakshini Music Festival, Choudhury House Music Conference, Bangiya Sangeet Parishad Music Festival and others. Besides playing solo, Indrajit has a special liking for collaborating with different Indian classical instruments as jugalbandis. Indrajit Basu is also keen in spreading the fragrance of Hindustani Classical Music. Besides, inspiring persons coming to his proximity to organise classical concerts for instrumental/vocal both kind of artists, he himself has also organised quite a few classical music conferences of which Digha Shastriya Sangeet Festival, Swargiya Malati Basu Memorial Music Conference-2019 in the name of his mother are notable.

Hurawalhi Maldives is offering guests the opportunity to experience an Easter where the adults get all of the fun and all of the chocolate. Celebrations and events from 2nd- 4th April will guarantee an Easter to remember, chocolate at every opportunity and even a chance to win a trip back to Hurawalhi at a later date. Easter experiences at Hurawalhi will include: An Easter pool party with champagne, cocktails, ice-cream canapés, and summer music curated to evoke the perfect party atmosphere. The Hurawalhi Easter egg hunt with treasures including the chance for guests to win a complimentary one week stay at Hurawalhi, lunch for two at 5.8 Undersea Restaurant, a couple’s massage and much, much more. The chocolate Easter experience at Duniye Spa – a two-hour massage using the beautifying benefits of dark chocolate. The caffeine present in chocolate stimulates the circulation and improves blood flow which improves and invigorates skin cells, decreases the aging process and increases firmness of the skin. Chocolate is also rich in antioxidants which help increase the level of collagen and elastin in the skin. 3-course menu for two with chocolate dessert and wine tasting at 5.8 Undersea Restaurant. A champagne cruise on our luxury yacht, Bella. Relax under a blanket of stars at the outdoor cinema. There are also plenty of opportunities for guests to enjoy the rich and various marine life surrounding Hurawalhi for example, joining a bioluminescent night dive to see the reef glow, joining snorkel trips to swim with green sea turtles and manta rays or a jet ski safari in search of dolphins. Rates for Hurawalhi’s Ocean Villa start at US$580 per night, bed and breakfast with current 25% discount. Additional experiences and excursions are charged separately. Visit www.hurawalhi.com for more information.

Kolkata, 19 February 2021: India and Denmark have begun a new era in the form of a far reaching Green Strategic Partnership that will enable Denmark in delivering sustainable solutions to India. The Green Strategic Partnership is a mutually beneficial arrangement to advance political cooperation, expand economic relations and green growth, create jobs and strengthen cooperation on addressing global challenges and opportunities with focus on an ambitious implementation of the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.The agreement is in line with the vision expressed by H.E. Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Denmark and Shri. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, who held a virtual summit on September 28, 2020. India and Denmark agree to be at the forefront in the global fight against climate change. Both countries have set ambitious national targets on climate and energy that will contribute to an implementation of the Paris Agreement. Together, the two countries will show the world that delivering on ambitious climate and sustainable energy goals is possible. On the occasion of the conferring of knighthood on Ms. Smita Bajoria, Hony. Consul General of Denmark in Kolkata, by the Danish Ambassador H. E. Freddy Svane on behalf of the Queen of Denmark for the Serampore Initiative of restoration of Danish cultural heritage in Serampore. The Serampore Initiative The Serampore initiative of the National Museum of Denmark was established in 2008 with the aim of identifying remains of Indo-Danish history in Serampore and restoration of selected buildings from this period. Also to promote knowledge of the common Indo-Danish history of Serampore and promote the same in collaboration with local agencies. Ms. Smita Bajoria, Hony Consul General of Denmark in Kolkata, took up this initiative requesting the Urban Development Affairs Minister, Govt of West Bengal not to pull down the Governor House and coordinated the efforts of The National Museum of Denmark and Govt of West Bengal Heritage Commission for restoration of the Governor House. Was instrumental in introducing the National Museum of Denmark to the Stakeholders, Bishop of Church of North India under whose jurisdiction St. Olav’s Church fell for renovation of the church; As part of the Serampore Initiative The Governor’s House, St. Olav’s Church and Serampore College were restored.

3 February, 2021, Bolpur (Kolkata): The Infant Jesus Church of Makrampur at Shantiniketan has installed a Station of The Cross – depicting the crucifixion of Christ - and a grotto in the shape of a conch shell dedicated to the Lady of Lourdes. “The Church, which is drawing a lot of visitors, has become a pilgrim centre in Birbhum district for people of all faiths since the Jubilee Year of Mercy declared by the Pope. It is an added attraction in Shantiniketan where people come to seek peace, tranquility and also appreciate the unique spiritual atmosphere. We shall celebrate a Feast on February 2, 2021, for the first time this year,” said Bolpur parish priest, Father Anthony Raj, who belongs to the Asansol diocese. “This year the patronal feast was held on 2nd February 2021 with the inauguration of open air Stations of the Cross with some 54 life-size statues depicting the incidents in the final journey of Jesus carrying his cross to be Crucified on Calvary hill. It was during these pandemic times that our Parish Pastoral Council decided to put up the Stations of the Cross and a Grotto dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes,” Fr Raj said. The Stations of The Cross, also known as The Way of the Cross, is a depiction of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and accompanying prayers. The resurrection of Christ from the dead is celebrated as Easter - the oldest of Christian festivals. The Infant Jesus Church has a statue of Jesus under an imposing banyan tree seated in a lotus position imparting his teaching and blessings to all. This is in accordance with the popular tradition of open air classes started by Kabi Guru Rabindranath Tagore. The Church also has local Santhal tribal motifs and reliefs have been incorporated in the facade of the church designed and curated by Subrata Ganguly of Church Art of Kolkata - an art & design fabrication firm specializing in inculturation of local cultures in keeping with the canon laws and Christian traditions and conventions. The same local tribal art forms have also been incorporated in the stained glasses adorning the church. There is also a statue of a mother holding a child and a lamb which is symbolic of all—caring mother who is at the very centre of our community and social life. “The Stations of The Cross has 54 life-size statues and the grotto, in the shape of a conch shell, is influenced by Indian tradition. We have incorporated the local traditions of Shantiniketan while trying to integrate the church decor with the artistic style and philosophy of Kabi Guru Rabindranath Tagore and also popular traditions like the open air classrooms which he had started,” said Subrata Ganguly, founder-director of Church Art. Christian presence and influence was felt from the birth of Shantiniketan. Tagore had invited Bramhabandav Upadyaya the founding father of Indian Catholic theology, who spearheaded the Hinduisation of Christianity on the basis of his Thomistic reading of Saccidānanda. From May 1981, Salesians from Joypur, Suri parish, looked after the Bolpur mission and Salesian Fr Cyriac Manianchira purchased a plot of land to develop the Bolpur mission. In 1993, Salesians handed over Bolpur subdivision to the Archdiocese of Calcutta and Fr. Valerian Fernandes was appointed first Priest-in-Charge.

Colombo/New Delhi, 27th January 2021: Celebrating the spirit of resilience and renewed hope for the revival of travel in 2021, Sri Lanka has now reopened its borders for international travellers around the world. To mark this momentous occasion, Resplendent Ceylon welcomes discerning Indian guests back and has partnered with Jetpooling to launch bespoke, private jet experiential journeys. Patrons can now experience the benchmark hospitality and unparalleled service once again at the three resorts by Resplendent Ceylon, part of the family owned Dilmah Tea Company, and the sole member of Relais & Chateaux in Sri Lanka. As the pioneer in luxury experiential travel in Sri Lanka, Resplendent Ceylon has been curating a range of authentic experiences with distinctive hospitality over the years, while consistently contributing towards local communities and the environment. Ceylon Tea Trails, Cape Weligama and Wild Coast Tented Lodge, offer an enchanting circuit in the destination - from tea fields to clifftop beach and safari lodge. The brand’s SafeStay initiative implemented across the three resorts ensures the health and safety of all guests, teams, their families, and local communities. “We welcome this promising step taken by Sri Lanka Tourism authorities to reopen doors for international travellers in 2021. At Resplendent Ceylon, we recognise the constantly evolving travel expectations and continue on the path to inspire confidence in our guests. We are delighted to exclusively partner with Jetpooling to introduce seamless experiential luxury journeys across our collection for Indian guests.” said Malik Fernando, Managing Director, Resplendent Ceylon. To start with, the private jet experiential package curated for Ceylon Tea Trails invites guests to escape to the magical heart of the Ceylon tea region. Perched at an altitude of 1250 meters, this award-winning boutique resort consists of restored colonial era tea planters’ bungalows. This one-of-a-kind experience includes a 7-night fully inclusive stay (all meals, non-alcoholic/ alcoholic beverages selection, laundry) and accommodation at one of the three bungalows – Summerville Bungalow, Dunkeld Owner’s Cottage and Castlereagh Bungalow – each offering utmost privacy and safety. During the stay, guests can choose from a range of signature activities such as - indulgent dining experiences that include tea infused dinner or tea planter’s picnic lunch, kayaking and hiking for adventure enthusiasts, heritage city excursions and a guided tour of the Dunkeld Tea Factory. Resplendent Ceylon’s collaboration with Jetpooling further adds to the luxe quotient by providing specially crafted journeys via private jets to whisk the guests away for an ultimate vacation. Guests can choose to fly from Delhi or Mumbai to Colombo in a Dassault Falcon 2000 (12-seater) or an Embraer Legacy 650 (13-seater), respectively. Once in Colombo, their transfers to Ceylon Tea Trails will be via a helicopter ride. This package starts at Rs. 22.5 lakh++ for a couple. The Sri Lankan Tourism guidelines and ‘Safety Protocols’ approved by government authorities, are designed to ensure maximum safety for international travellers and the local communities. There is no quarantine restriction or minimum stay period, and guests visiting this island paradise will have access to all facilities at the officially listed - Certified ‘Safe and Secure’ Level 1 hotels. These steps establish a responsibly managed bio-bubble for international visitors. All three properties in the Resplendent Ceylon collection are a part of the certified list and look forward to welcoming back international and Indian guests in 2021. The brand has just released this video with a heart-warming message from Malik Fernando, showcasing the resorts and their teams who are eagerly waiting to welcome guests after a period of 10 months. For further information, please visit the brand website: resplendentceylon.com or Instagram page: @resplendentceylon For bookings, please contact: reservations@resplendentceylon.com, +94 11 7745730

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.

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.