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Chiva-Som is all set to open Zulal Wellness Resort Qatar by monthend

Thailand-based wellness hospitality brand, Chiva-Som is all set to open its Qatar property, Zulal Wellness Resort, by month-end. Touted as Qatar's largest wellness destination, Zulal Wellness, featuring the world's first contemporary showcase of Traditional Arabic & Islamic Medicine (TAIM) will officially start operations on March 29. At Zulal Wellness Resort, there are two distinct paths to achieving wellness goals, Zulal Serenity and Zulal Discovery. Zulal Serenity is dedicated to adult guests, and Zulal Discovery invites families to connect and embark on a wellness journey together. The resort is managed by Chiva-Som, a globally acclaimed pioneer in wellness and lifestyle transformation with 26 years’ experience honed at its flagship resort in Hua Hin, Thailand. Zulal, the first full-immersion wellness resort in Qatar, and the largest in the Middle East has been brought to life by Qatar's premier master developers, Msheireb Properties. The Zulal wellness experience is built upon six pillars of wellness: Nutrition, Fitness, Spa, Physiotherapy, Holistic Health, and Aesthetics. Zulal Serenity is the adults-only area of the resort for guests aged 16 and above, with 60 rooms and suites offering a calming backdrop to individual journeys of wellness. Zulal Discovery caters to guests seeking family experiences and to make wellness an integral part of the family bond, with programmes customised for multi-generations and specific age groups. Nasser Matar Al Kawari, CEO of Msheireb Properties, says, “We are pleased to be launching Zulal Wellness Resort and partnering with the internationally renowned Chiva-Som. Zulal Wellness Resort will be a leading destination in Qatar, welcoming guests from across the globe who are passionate about their health and wellbeing. It is our aim to become the destination of choice for TAIM therapies, which are deeply rooted in Qatari and wider Arab culture”. “We are delighted to partner with Msheireb Properties in managing this groundbreaking new resort in Qatar. At Chiva-Som, we believe in a holistic approach to wellness, drawing on the indigenous traditions of each destination. Zulal Wellness Resort continues Chiva-Som's journey of pioneering and sustainable development, bringing a contemporary take on ancient wellness practices and incorporating them into the over 400 wellness treatments we offer at the resort for complete wellbeing and life transformation,” says Krip Rojanastien, Chairman and CEO of Chiva-Som.

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Kolkata’s Old Chinatown makes it to the World Monuments Fund watch list for 2022

Kolkata’s old Chinatown, also known as Tiretta Bazaar, has now been included in the World Monuments Fund (WMF) watchlist for 2022. The heritage destination is one of the 25 destinations selected from around the world, whose preservation is of urgent importance. The Old Chinatown is located near Lalbazar in Central Kolkata, and was once home to around 20000 ethic Chinese Indian nationals. It is the first Chinatown in India, and the city is the only place where a Chinatown still exists. The Hakka Chinese people who settled here in the city are also credited with the Kolkata style Chinese food, which has spread across the country today, and is known as Indian-Chinese cuisine worldwide. This is the second time an iconic old place in the city has been included in the WMF list. In 2005, Dalhousie Square was the first place to have been included in the list. The old Chinatown became an ethnic Chinese neighbourhood after Chinese sailors settled in the area around the mid-18th century. It soon took on the style, traditions of China, with Chinese shops and establishments, notably restaurants coming up in the area. With his place included in the 2022 watchlist, Tiretta Bazaar and its Chinese community will get the much needed recognition as a place and people of cultural importance. It is one of the most beautiful aspects of Kolkata, which was then Calcutta, as so many different cultures came to settle down in the city during the days of Raj. The World Monuments Fund’s watch list for this year focuses on 25 heritage sites of extraordinary significance, facing pressing challenges. The WMF’s partnership with the local communities of such places will help to make a difference. The Tiretta Bazaar was named after Edward Tiretta, an Italian immigrant from Venice.

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Airbnb deal set to boost holiday home sector in Abu Dhabi

Memorandum of Understanding between Airbnb and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi will help diversify and regulate accommodation options for visitors to the emirate. A new agreement was recently signed between the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and popular international vacation rental platform Airbnb. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will see the two organisations collaborate to promote the holiday home sector in the UAE capital. The MoU follows DCT Abu Dhabi’s request earlier this year for holiday homeowners to register on its new online licensing system to help regulate and enhance this growing market within the tourism sector. Under the MoU, Airbnb will provide DCT Abu Dhabi with access to its City Portal, which will share important data and insights on the Airbnb platform about rental activities taking place in Abu Dhabi. Airbnb will also launch a dedicated responsible hosting page on the platform, helping new and existing hosts in the emirate with understanding and following local rules for holiday homes. Furthermore, areas of collaboration include supporting DCT Abu Dhabi in encouraging holiday home hosts to comply with regulations and raising awareness of Abu Dhabi’s diversity in accommodation offerings. HE Saood Al Hosani, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, said, “The signing of this agreement with Airbnb demonstrates our commitment to expanding accommodation options available in Abu Dhabi that will enhance the emirate as a premier tourism destination in the region. In partnering with the worldleading home rental platform, we are ensuring tourists and residents in Abu Dhabi are provided with more choice for safe and secure short-term accommodation. This cooperation will help us meet the rising demand for high-quality alternatives to established hotels and hotel apartments across Abu Dhabi.” As a regulator of holiday homes in Abu Dhabi, DCT Abu Dhabi will use such strategic agreements to enable leading holiday home rental platforms to offer short-term rentals responsibly, and to help diversify the growing tourism and hospitality sectors. Velma Corcoran, Regional Lead Middle East Africa at Airbnb, said, “We are delighted to be partnering with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi to help encourage responsible hosting and to boost tourism in the emirate. This partnership will contribute to help grow and diversify tourism, increase consumer choice, and attract new guests to this exciting destination. We look forward to working together with DCT Abu Dhabi, and to the many opportunities this partnership creates for travellers in the future.”

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Karma Group introduces Karma Munnar, a Southern Indian escape

International Karma Group continues to cement its status as one of the world’s leading resort companies with its latest acquisition of not one, but two new locations. Joining its new Egyptian-based addition the elegant cruise ship Karma Kanak, is Karma Munnar, a destination nestled among the famously green rolling hills of the state of Kerala in India. Karma Munnar offers guests a chance to escape to the village of Munnar, a place famed for its collection of evergreen tea plantations. Not to mention it’s the meeting place of a trio of major local rivers; Munnar in fact means three rivers in the local language of Malayalam. The resort itself is perched among the rolling hills of the region, with many of its 22 designed suites and amenities boasting unforgettable views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors are welcomed to spend their time exploring the trekking trails which wind their way through the surrounding area, or make the most of the ample amenities at their disposal, from badminton courts to spice garden tours. John Spence, Karma Group Owner and Founder, says, “The resort is ideally placed with beautiful large suites and a host of amenities such as restaurants, bars, games rooms, and has a magnificent view over the local hills and river. It is also ideally placed to enjoy in combination with our other resort in Kerala and the thriving historic city of Cochin. As elsewhere in this state the cuisine is superb and the culture, history and heritage of the region is omnipresent I must confess to loving Keralan curry!”

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Eight Continents Hotels & Resorts eyes opening new properties in Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Jaipur by mid-2023

Eight continents Hotels and Resorts- a young and dynamic hospitality group headquartered in United Kingdom which operates hotels and concept restaurants, 'Firangis' is planning to open new properties in India at Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Jaipur by the mid of next year. The company manages and operates six properties in the UK and is coming up with its first lifestyle luxury brand NAAZ in Zanzibar -as an entry to the African subcontinent, which is due to open in September 2023 & another property- Treetop by Eight Continents in Romania, which is slated to open April 1, 2022. As a UK-born business that was founded in 2020, the company aims to consolidate Eight Continents as the fastest-growing hotel management chain. Sharing details, Haninder Sachdeva, Managing Director, Eight Continents Hotels & Resorts said that they want to focus on increasing their footprint in leisure, wildlife, and pilgrim sectors. Currently, the company caters to the demand of luxury, mid, and budget segments with brands like NAAZ, Eight Continents Treetop, Volga & Ocha Homes. “With our wide range of brands from luxury to homestays across, we can help grow our footprint both in India and Africa. As more brands seek to leverage the travel boom, expanding their footprint in foreign countries and territories, the ability to understand the local culture and offer authentic experiences has become an important topic of discussion for the industry and hence, Eight Continents has expanded its footprints to the Indian market with its entry into Rajasthan, signing up two properties in Sariska & Jaisalmer, keeping in mind destination wedding segment and bid to provide unique local cultural experiences,” mentioned Sachdeva while sharing more details. These two properties will be called - Treetop by Eight Continents Astrport, Sariska and Fort Aranya by Eight Continents, Jaisalmer. The property in Sariska is an ideal destination for visitors of all age groups who are looking for something more out of their travel experience. The hotel has its unique excursions and a set of adventure activities combined with educational values. Fort Aranya by Eight Continents, Jaisalmer situated in the Thar desert near the sand dune is a sincere effort to recreate the past with an eye on modern comforts. The resort has a mix of well- appointed rooms and air-conditioned tents. The decor is in Rajputana style, and the layout complies with the ancient principles of Vastu.

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Fairfield By Marriott Goa Calangute Opens

Fairfield by Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands, announced the opening of Fairfield by Marriott Goa Calangute. Situated in the heart of North Goa, the 169-room hotel delivers an inviting and seamless experience to travelers visiting the beach city. “We are excited to introduce our eighth property in Goa - Fairfield by Marriott Goa Calangute. Our portfolio continues to gain strength in line with our vision to be the largest travel company globally,” said Mr. Neeraj Govil, Senior Vice President – Operations, Asia Pacific (Excluding Greater China). “The launch of this property consolidates our presence in Goa. We look forward to bringing a diversified portfolio catering to different requirements at varied price points. Goa holds a major attraction for both domestic and international travelers and with our solid presence we are geared to dominate the hospitality space with our offerings and service elements in the state.” The hotel features smart meeting spaces spread over 2200 sq feet, ideal for business meetings, social gatherings and celebrations. “I am delighted to welcome guests to the new Fairfield by Marriott in beautiful Calangute, Goa, a trusted choice for guests seeking a peaceful sleep, satisfying dining options and warm service with a friendly smile. The hotel will also be a window to Goa’s authentic culture, cuisine and natural beauty as we encourage guests to embark on a journey of discovery the moment they walk through our doors’ said Elroy Tulkar, Hotel Manager of Fairfield by Marriott Goa Calangute.

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