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Atmosphere Living announces world’s first Bottega Gold-Branded Residences in India

Bottega, the world’s most recognised sparkling wine brand, has announced its first-ever international hospitality collaboration with Atmosphere Living, marking the debut of Bottega-branded luxury residences in India. This first-of-its-kind partnership marks its introduction with the launch of luxury-branded suites, bringing Italian heritage, artisanship, and opulence in harmony with India’s new-age premium lifestyle and real estate landscape. Set to be unveiled soon, the branded suites will provide a neo-lifestyle experience, designed around experimental wine culture, iconic design motifs, and tailor-made hospitality services and bringing Bottega’s unique DNA to life. From private wine cellars to bespoke prosecco journeys, this collaboration provides a new standard in living for discerning Indian consumers and international investors alike. The suites are adorned with interiors crafted around Bottega’s iconic style, featuring bespoke furnishings and décor that reflect the brand’s commitment to quality and innovation. This sophisticated design incorporates Bottega’s renowned aesthetic principles into the living spaces. Residents of Bottega Suites gain exclusive access to Bottega events and personalized wine experiences, immersing them in the scintillating world of Italian Sparkling Wine. A journey that starts right at check-in with a flute of Prosecco, continues into the cellar of your golden suite, and takes you for an Italian-style aperitivo at the Bottega lounge. “This alliance is a natural progression of the two brands’ common philosophy, an unparalleled devotion to excellence, heritage, and elegance of living. We are delighted to launch this world-first collaboration in India and propose a lifestyle never experienced before in this region,” said Sandeep Ahuja, Global CEO, Atmosphere Living. Sandro Bottega, President of Bottega S.p.A. states, “India is an expression of a more than a thousand-year history, of a solid, rapidly evolving market and of a refined culture of hospitality that integrates very well with the Italian lifestyle. Our partnership with Atmosphere Living was born from the belief that a glass of Prosecco enriches the experience of unforgettable stays in exclusive locations with the ritual of the aperitif. We are therefore proud to be part of an ambitious project and to bring the Bottega philosophy into this new context.” “India is a thriving market with boundless potential and we’re delighted to have Bottega S.p.A. partner with Atmosphere Living to bring the golden Italian Sparkling Life to India, redefining the hospitality landscape here. Atmosphere Living’s collaboration with Bottega is set on defining a new lifestyle movement,” said Giulia Pellegrino, Global Key Accounts Manager, Atmosphere Living.

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Amarnath yatra routes declared ‘no-flying zones’ from July 1 to Aug 10

Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday declared the Amarnath yatra routes as a ‘No Flying Zone’ as part of the enhanced security measures for the annual pilgrimage. The Amarnath yatra has two routes, the traditional Pahalgam route and the shorter Baltal route. The declaration issued by Jammu and Kashmir Home Department on the orders of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said flying of any kind of aviation platforms and devices, including UAVs, drones, and balloons, is prohibited from July 1 to August 10. However, the restrictions will not be applicable in the cases of medical evacuation, disaster management and for surveillance by security forces. A detailed SOP for such exceptions will be issued subsequently. The order said that in view of the Shri Amarnathji Yatra, which is scheduled from July 3, various security arrangements are being undertaken for the smooth and peaceful conduct of the yatra. “All stakeholders have discussed the prevailing security scenario in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir and have proposed additional logistics provisions,” the order said. It said the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has also advised that the entire route of Shri Amarnathji Yatra may be declared as ‘No Flying Zone’ from July 1 to August 10. “Therefore, with a view to ensure strengthened security during the Shri Amarnathji Yatra, 2025, all the routes of Shri Amarnathji Yatra are hereby declared as ‘No Flying Zone’, including both Pahalgam axis & Baltal axis,” the order said. The enhanced security measures come in the backdrop of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 people dead.

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Jammu and Kashmir tourist spots to be reopened in phased manner

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said the parks at tourist places, which were closed in view of security considerations after the April 22 Pahalgam attack, are being reopened in a phased manner to allow tourists to visit the destinations. “Some places were closed after April 22 (attack) in view of security considerations. The divisional commissioners and IGPs of Kashmir and Jammu have taken reports from every district, and it has been decided to reopen some destinations in a phased manner,” Sinha said. The Lieutenant Governor was speaking to reporters after visiting the Nunwan Base Camp of the annual Amarnath Yatra in Pahalgam in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district. Sinha said the destinations that have been decided to be reopened for tourists in the first phase include Beetab Valley and parks near Pahalgam market in the famous tourist destination of Pahalgam, Verinag, Kokernag, and Achabal gardens in Anantnag district. In Srinagar, Badamwari Park, Duck Park near Nigeen, and Taqdeer Park near Hazratbal will also be reopened in the first phase. These eight places are being reopened and tourists can visit these, he added. The Lieutenant Governor also said that eight destinations would be reopened in the Jammu region as well. “Eight places are being reopened in the first phase. In the next phase, some other destinations will be re-opened,” he said.

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VFS Global launches UK Premium Application Centre in Bhopal

Residents of Bhopal will now be able to apply for their UK visas close to home. VFS Global opened the doors to its Premium Application Centre at Taj Lakefront, Bhopal on June 17, 2025, its 13th Premium Application Centre in a non-metro city. VFS Global operates 12 other UK Premium Application Centres in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across India. The centres are located at Radisson Blu hotels in Amritsar, Guwahati, Indore, Nagpur and Noida, the Gateway hotel in Calicut, VFS Global office in Coimbatore, Ibis Thane, Hotel Vivanta Mangalore, Hotel Green Park Vishakhapatnam, The Leela Grand Hotel, Karnal, and Park Inn, Surat. Customers can also opt for one of two exclusive packages for an enhanced UK visa application experience – Comfort Plus and Convenience Plus. Comfort Plus gives customers access to the Premium Lounge, doorstep delivery of passports, SMS updates, and assistance with uploading their documents. Under the Convenience Plus Service, customers can enjoy Flexi Appointments, allowing them to book appointments at their preferred time, and the Keep My Passport service, which enables them to retain their passports while their applications are being processed. In addition, they will receive doorstep delivery of passports, SMS updates, and assistance in uploading their documents.

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Mita Vohra’s Vision for a New Bold Era at Sarova Hotels and Resorts

Mita Vohra’s journey is anything but conventional. A lawyer, filmmaker, and jewellery designer, she now leads Sarova Hotels and Resorts as Board Director, bringing grit, charm, and sharp instinct to redefine the future of the iconic Kenyan hospitality brand. Born into a family of hoteliers, hospitality was always in Mita Vohra’s DNA. She was thriving with her jewellery brand, Ortaea, when Sarova’s Managing Director Jimi Kariuki requested her support. She hesitated as she was building something successful of her own. Once she stepped back into the business, there was no looking back. Her journey across diverse markets not only broadened her perspective but also deepened her understanding of the hospitality industry. Throughout this evolution, Jimi remained a steadfast influence who played a key role in drawing her back into the Sarova fold. Rooted in Legacy For Mita, the true essence of Sarova’s success lies not just in its properties but in the enduring relationships the brand has nurtured, especially within the Indian market. There is a lot of Indian shareholding in the business, but the connection is more than just transactional; it is deeply personal. “It has been over 30 years since we have been coming to this market. The relationships that began back then still exist with us today. We love coming back here to build new relationships in new markets opening up in the untapped cities of India,” she reflects. The family’s journey intensifies the emotional significance of this bond. “It is heart-warming to go to a country and be recognised because of your legacy. Especially when our family has been through a lot in terms of losing our loved ones,” says Mita. Deep Bond With India After establishing strongholds in the US and UK, India was one of the first international markets Sarova ventured into. What began as a strategic expansion has grown into one of the brand’s most meaningful and rewarding relationships. She explains, “India is not just a market for us. It is a commitment, where legacy, culture, and community meet, that aligns beautifully with who we are.” Kenya and India share deep historical ties, with a well-established Indian diaspora forming an integral part of Kenyan life. One of the strongest links between the two countries is the pharmaceutical sector, facilitating a dynamic, two-way supply chain, bringing financial success to both nations. This shared success has naturally extended into tourism, with travel data reflecting a widening travel corridor between the two nations.

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Classic Holidays ready to empower and drive India’s inbound travel resurgence

Classic Holidays, a well-known B2B travel consolidator in domestic tourism, is now strengthening its inbound focus with a commitment to personalised service, quality, and innovation. Shilpa Luthra, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Development, Classic Holidays, highlights how the brand is adapting to traveller trends, leveraging technology, and curating seamless, diverse experiences for travellers across India. Established in 1997 and based in Mumbai, Classic Holidays offers personalised travel services across India. With a focus on transparent pricing, quality, and reliability, it provides diverse accommodations from resorts to villas. Now, the company is poised to expand into the inbound travel market with confidence and expertise. Adapting to Shifts in Inbound Travel Inbound tourism to India is steadily rebounding, and the past financial year proved to be a successful one for Classic Holidays. Shilpa has noticed a clear trend toward last-minute bookings across diverse traveller segments. She explained, “We are seeing international families finalising their itineraries just weeks before travel. There is also a noticeable rise in last-minute wellness trips, particularly among solo female travellers. Additionally, spiritual tourism is experiencing a surge in interest, largely driven by media influence, which has led to a spike in spontaneous inquiries and rapid booking requests.” Another key trend that Shilpa notes is India’s growing prominence in global collaborations, and at Classic Holidays, they have seen a rise in inbound corporate travel. “This is where our online platform, Tripmax, is playing a pivotal role, offering instant hotel bookings and real-time solutions for business travellers,” asserted Shilpa. Classic Holidays remains agile, with teams equipped to manage both planned and last-minute bookings. Their upgraded online tools enable quick decisions and instant confirmations. Unique Approach to Inbound Tourism Classic Holidays’ extensive pan-India network allows them to showcase the rich diversity of India through a wide array of inbound travel packages. They offer everything from luxury escapes and wildlife safaris to spiritual journeys, wellness retreats, culinary experiences, and adventure tours, ensuring there is something for every type of traveller. Shilpa further emphasised, “Our strength lies in our ability to personalise each itinerary. Our experienced inbound team specialises in curating unique, off-beat and experiential programmes that go beyond the typical tourist trail, whether they seek luxury, cultural immersion, wellness, or thrill-seeking adventures. No two travellers are the same, and we pride ourselves on crafting itineraries that reflect their individual desires.”

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