PROFILE -- 6:

ALRAYA SUITES, IDEAL CHOICE FOR BUSINESS & RELAXATION IN BAHRAIN

P S SUNDAR

K UNNI KRISHNAN

Those of us visiting the Taj group’s Gateway Hotel in Coonoor for years might remember K Unni Krishnan who was Food and Beverage Manager at Taj Garden Retreat as the hotel was then called.   He had later worked in Taj hotels in Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan and Maharashtra.   Now, he is General Manager of Alraya Suites in the Kingdom of Bahrain.  That makes it an added reason to visit Bahrain and stay at Alraya Suites as Unni is an enterprising professional known to make people comfortable with food, stay and travel.

Alraya Suites is a 110-room hotel, but the suites total 88 in number – 44 of them are Studio Suites with king-size bed and kitchen and the other 44 are one-bed room suites with separate living room, dining and kitchen .. doesn’t this sound like a house, rather than a room or suite?

All basic facilities are in the suites – 42” LCD TV with satellite channels, in-room safe, iron box and board, broadband, bathroom amenities and complimentary fruit basket.

The hotel also has roof-top swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna, conference rooms, wi-fi connectivity, laundry and parking facilities.

But what adds to the new experience of being in Bahrain?  “We follow Salam standards which means, the guests can experience the Muslim facilities!  Suites have separate shower and toilet areas.  Besides, there is a sitting area with hand shower to help guests to be at ease while bathing.  Quran and Muslim praying mats are available in every room and Qibla, the praying direction is clearly visible in each room”, Unni told me.

“Likewise, there is no bar in the hotel; alcohol is not available even in the mini-bar in the rooms.  No preparation of pork is served.    Meat served is halal”, he disclosed.

The hotel's restaurant serves buffet for daily breakfast and A la carte for lunch and dinner. It serves European, Arabic, Lebanese and Indian food. 

Alraya Suites is at the heart of corporate district having been located in front of Bahrain Exhibition Centre which has about 14,000 square metres of exhibition area and 1,400 square metres of function space.   So, businessmen across the globe attending fairs and meetings held in tandem at this centre find it convenient to stay at Alraya Suites.

Alraya Suites is also centrally located between the Bahrain Shopping Mall and Dana Mall.  It is close to the famous Al Seef and City Centre Shopping Malls as also the central market.  So, families from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are regular visitors during weekend.

Details can be had through :: reservations@alraya-suites.com

(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com)

HAPPENING -- 7:

CHRISTMAS MOOD COMES WITH CAKE MIXING CEREMONY

P S SUNDAR

Christmas mood has been ushered in in The Nilgiris with tourists, including foreigners, and enthusiastic residents joining the professionals led by Executive Chef R Surendran at Gem Park Hotels and Resorts Ooty in the traditional cake mixing ceremony.

The Toda Café restaurant of the hotel reverberated with cheers to welcome Christmas and New Year.   Many were seen donning aprons marked with ‘Merry Christmas’.   Caps and food-grade gloves were worn by all who directly mixed the ingredients to bake an aromatic cake.

“We regularly follow the European tradition of cake mixing which is hailed to be a harbinger of good tidings in the Christmas celebrations.  Every year, our guests look forward to this ceremony as Christmas is no fun without cake mixing celebration but, the process of Christmas cake baking has to start a month ahead with this mixing event”, said Gem Park Resident Director Ismail Khan.

This European tradition dating back to 17^th century also encourages people to make their wishes for the New Year.   For Europeans, it is a tradition to mix the ingredients of the festive fruits with liquor so that the cake baked will have a fascinating aroma and attractive taste.   This was originally a family affair with all members of the family eagerly participating in the mixing ceremony, thereby ushering in Christmas – New Year festivities.   Plum cake made with a liberal mix of freshly harvested fruits and nuts is a real treat for Christmas in Europe.

“We follow the same except that we have made this into a community affair by enlisting the participation of our guests, tourists and residents.  For the cold Christmas weather, this cake is a perfect energy food cherished by tourists”, Khan noted.

Endorsing this sentiment, Ann Lumley, who participated in the ceremony with her husband Stephen William, who had come from England, said that she would mix the cake in her house every year before Christmas.   This year, they had to be away in India but this event made them feel at home, partially homesick (!) as it reflected the scenario back at home, she added.   

  

“All participants enjoyed mixing dry fruits including raisins, black currents, prunes, cashews, pistachios and almonds, glazed dates, cherries, candid orange and lemon rinds, besides freshly ground spices.    They added liberal volumes of liquor, fruit juice and honey”, Executive Chef Surendran told me.  He was seen cautiously guiding the guests to ensure that the ingredients were properly added.

Surendran knows the pulse of such ‘enthusiastic chefs’ as he serves as an active judge in ‘Master Chef’ contest organised for non-professionals by Nilgiri Hotel and Restaurant Association. 

“We will allow the mixture to soak for one month with periodical stirring.  On December 15, we will begin baking the cake.  By December 20, we will have 120 kg fascinating cake made ready for the Christmas week”, Gem Park Food and Beverage Manager Pradeep Kumar disclosed.  

“We already have some orders.  We will make the cake in one kg and half kg packs and guests can buy at our hotel sales counter or in various departmental stores across Ooty.  The cakes will be priced ` 650 per kg”, he noted.

Interestingly, the cake mixing ceremony has led to further orders for future events.   “We have received orders for a marriage party to be held in February 2018.   We will bake 60 kg of such special cake for that event and cut into consumable pieces.  But, the highlight will be a three-layer wedding cake to be cut by the couple on stage --  a real offshoot of the cake mixing ceremony!”, Pradeep shared.    

(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com)

HAPPENING -- 6:

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL DELEGATES SUPPORT NILGIRI TOURISM

BY P S SUNDAR

Travel industry delegates from India and abroad who visited The Nilgiris on a familiarisation meet have assured to send tourists to the district round-the-year.

More importantly, they have appreciated the efforts of Nilgiri Hotel and Restaurant Association (NHRA) to promote ‘class tourism’ rather than ‘mass tourism’ to support the ecology of The Nilgiris.

“In pursuant to the call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to popularise select destinations with value-addition through exposure to local rural culture, we gave orientation visits to these delegates to the flora and fauna, tribal populace, travel by Nilgiri Mountain Railway, tea tasting and indigenous products of The Nilgiris”, NHRA President T Krishnaraj told me.

“Our thrust was that the Nilgiris is round-the-year destination, not just summer resort as it is eco-tourism her with nature donning different countenance in different seasons.  Discerning visitors will benefit from this ‘class tourism’ while the district will benefit from responsible tourists”, he detailed.

At the dinner meet held in ITC Fortune Resort Sullivan Court Ooty, NHRA Committee member R Muralidharan gave a presentation of guided tour into the education, culture, tribes, rural areas, wildlife and local cuisine attractions of The Nilgiris.

Most delegates confirmed that this was among the best orientation visits they have had and would take the knowledge gained forward by bringing in visitors to appreciate all the seasons.

“Only now, I understand the benefits of visiting the Nilgiris.   This area has immense tourism potential.  I shall do my best to bring visitors”, Marzena Magnuszewska, Tourism Promoter from Poland said.

“There is a great liking for Indian lifestyle in my country.  I will explain the excellent experience I have had in The Nilgiris to the professionals back home and promote tourism to this district”, Sherita Kommal from South Africa said.

NHRA Vice President Ismail Khan, Secretary Chandrashekar, former President Murali Kumar and committee member P Vibhakar interacted with the delegates on the infrastructural facilities available in the district.  

 

On the request of the NHRA office-bearers, I made a brief presentation as observations arising from the deliberations.  With investments totalling arguably up to Rs 500 crore, the hospitality sector in The Nilgiris is deeply committed to augmenting ‘class tourism’, rather than ‘mass tourism’ as tool for sustainable tourism.   The Nilgiris means nature tourism or eco-tourism.  This not a place for Vidhan Soudhas or artificially illuminated fountains; on the contrary, there is nature’s bounty everywhere.  Besides, the Nilgiris is famous for education, churches, cemeteries, English and Indian tradition besides indigenous culture. This also means, there is scope for round-the-year tourism.  NHRA is the helping face of the tourism in the Nilgiris with brimming hospitality.

 It was a very nice feeling when NHRA President honoured me as ‘The Face of The Nilgiris’...  

NHRA office-bearers honoured all the delegates with mementoes.

(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com)

HAPPENING -- 5:

AHEAD OF TAMIL NADU TRAVEL MART..

TRAVEL INDUSTRY PEOPLE VISIT THE NILGIRIS.

BY P S SUNDAR

(article in The New Indian Express, Oct 8, 2017

(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com)

HAPPENING -- 4:

TEA GIFT PACKS FOR DEEPAVALI, CHRISTMAS, NEW YEAR & PONGAL

BY P S SUNDAR.

It is festive season now and hence gifting season as well.   While corporates and individuals are busy scouting for gifts to be given to their business associates and dear ones, for the first time ever, they have a new option of gifting premium Nilgiri teas in specialised packs with signature tags highlighting their identity.

“This is a unique offer. The packs are garnishing!  The tins are cute and reusable for long.  There is value-addition as consumers can enjoy up to four varieties of the Nilgiri teas.  I tasted some of them and believe that they are a wonderful gift during the forthcoming festive season”, Frank Miller, American writer on tea and coffee industry, told me.

He received the first Festive gift pack of four square tin boxes of Avataa teas flavoured with natural essence of tulsi, vanilla, cardamom and cinnamon at Billimalai Estate.

“This is a fine gift as the receivers can enjoy four varieties of quality teas at one go”, Miller said.

Frank Miller (right) receiving the First Gift pack from Vejayashekara

“We have come out with 13 varieties of festive gift packs containing premium Award winning Avataa teas manufactured from the hand-picked tea leaves with the quality enhanced due to high location of 6,000 feet above mean sea level in Billimalai Estate”, Avataa Beverages Speciality Tea Production Executive ENR Vejayashekara, who released the Festive Gift Packs, said.  He can be contacted on phone: 9443046111. 

“The consumer packs include Avataa teas which have won Golden Leaf India Award of Tea Board and UPASI, the tea which recently created history by fetching Rs 2,086 a kg at Coonoor auctions as the highest-ever price in the whole of South Indian auctions, the one which had fetched Rs 11,500 a kg at Nilgiri winter speciality tea auction, as also those which have won international awards”, Vejayashekara disclosed.

“These are green and black teas in consumer-friendly small boxes with affordable prices.  Tea Board had distributed some of our teas at Olympics in the past.  We had also successfully launched Valentine Gift Tea.  But, this is the first time varieties of premium Nilgiris tea are being offered exclusively as festive gifts for Deepavali, Christmas, New Year and Pongal”, Avataa Beverages Director Udayakumar said.  

“Corporates can use these gifts with their signature logos under the theme, ‘Be different; gift different’ stressing on Prime Minister’s ‘Make in India’ concept”, he added.

(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com)

HAPPENING -- 3:

NILGIRI HOTELS IDENTIFY SUSTAINABLE TOURISM PROJECTS.

BY P S SUNDAR 

In the context of Nilgiris district administration anticipating three lakh tourists to visit the district in September and October, the Nilgiri Hotel and Restaurant Association (NHRA) devoted the ‘World Tourism Day’ in Ooty on Wednesday to identifying projects for sustainable tourism as a tool for development.

“We have adopted a three-pronged approach – promoting Nilgiris as a biodiversity and cultural hotspot, encouraging rural tourism and supporting Government initiatives in skill development”, NHRA President T Krishnaraj told me. .

“We have launched several sustainable programmes including training transgenders in culinary skills and improving the infrastructure of Nilgiris through corporate social responsibility.   We are committed to making tourism a positive experience for all”, he noted.

Earlier, he crowned Sidra Tabrez as ‘Nilgiris Master Chef 2017’ followed by Geetha Balakrishnan (second) and Preeti (third).  

“This is a competition for non-professionals to exhibit their cooking skills. 

Chefs of various hotels judged the entries in two selection rounds”, Krishnaraj detailed.

Students of PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore, from Fashion department led by Dr Pachaippan, HOD, presented their designer dresses through ramp walking.    

Students of Catering Science and Hotel Management led by Prof Sudhakar, HOD, as also students of Monarch International College of Hotel Management, Ooty, participated in a rally. 

There were many events of variety entertainment.

NHRA member hotels conducted a ‘Food Court’.  

Hospitality students of various institutions benefited from an interaction with the professionals. 

(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com) 

VALUE ADDITION - 4:

ENHANCING CONTEMPORARY EXPERIENCE TO GUESTS 

BY P S SUNDAR

The latest happening at Orchid Square Boutique Hotel in Coonoor is the enhancement of contemporary experience to guests – locals and tourists.

Three major developments ensure this.

First, the creation of Selfie corners.   “In the context of increased passion to take Selfies, especially among the youth, we have created attractive spots within the hotel premises to help guests enjoy Selfies”, Orchid Managing Director Sudarshan Motwani told me.

The ‘Selfie Corner’ has Orchid flower, flower cart, glass exposure and transparent view of the hotel exterior.

“Interestingly, we give on hire many props to enhance the ‘Selfie’ experience.   These include coloured wigs, goggles, masks, frames marked with ‘Instagram’, ‘Wanted’, ‘Bride to be’ and the like.  There is enormous response to this”, Motwani disclosed.

The second is the ‘Live portrait counter’.  Here, Raj, young artist from Delhi, assures guests to draw their live picture in 20 minutes time. 

“He does it with charcoal pencil.   The guests have to sit in front of him for 20 minutes and they can walk out with their portrait framed, ready-to-hang and handed over with sweet memories of theri visit to the Nilgiris”, Motwani described.

“This is equally a favourite among children.  Parents are excited to have their children drawn live”, he noted.

The third is a unique experience in dining offered at ‘Grill to chill’ open-to-sky roof top feasting facility. 

The sheltered dining hall is decorated with snow-type ceiling falls to give a unique feeling.

“We have kept tastefully decorated ‘flower carts’ with varieties of bloom to create a happy ambience to guests who enjoy taking numerous photos with all flowers in all carts”, Motwani said.

Being roof-top, guests get a view of the surrounding scenery.  And, located as it does on the way to Coonoor’s popular picnic attractions of Lamb’s Rock, Lady Canning Seat, Dolphin’s Nose and tea estates, these contemporary additions attract more tourists to stay and dine at Orchid.  

(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com) 

VALUE ADDITION -- 3:

DROUGHT IMPACT -- HOW DO HOTELS FACE WATER SHORTAGE IN THE NILGIRIS?

BY P S SUNDAR.

The hospitality sector in the Nilgiris holding investments worth about Rs 250 crore is facing a big challenge this summer season – acute scarcity of water.

“Shortage of rain apart, we are concerned that the civic authorities had not heeded to our repeated plea to dredge all reservoirs during the prolonged dry period, which means, when rain comes, substantial water will continue to run waste as holding capacity remains limited due to silt accumulation”, N Chandra Shekar, Secretary, Nilgiri Hotel and Restaurant Association, told me.

“Since mercury is already soaring to intolerable levels in many places in the plains, tourists are flocking in the Nilgiris even before the onset of summer festivities in May.  We expect higher inflow once schools close.  Order books of most hotels show that there is substantial increase in demand this summer”, he disclosed.

“Hotels do not have in-house self sufficiency in water and so are purchasing water from private vendors on a regular basis.  Depending upon the distance, use of motors and the volume ordered, hotels are paying ` 900 to Rs 1,100 per supply of 6,000 litres.  However, this supply is also facing problem due to shortage of rains”, he noted.

“What is worse, Ooty municipality has hiked the water tax for hotels this fiscal almost eight times the old level.   Due to increased competition even from unlicensed cottages, hotels continue with the tariff fixed way back in 2012”, Chandra Shekar lamented.

Nilgiris Collector Dr P Sankar said that he was liaising with hotels to help them get adequate water for the summer demand.   “In Coonoor where there is acute scarcity, we have dug six bore-wells which will supply three lakh litres daily.  We have also increased the withdrawal from Guerensey and Bellatimattam reservoirs”, he said.

The Taj group of hotels is facing the challenge with conservation measures as well.   “We have erected huge rainwater harvesting facility which helps a lot when it rains.  We have dug open wells in our marshy land elsewhere and are bringing in this ground water”, said R Muralidharan, General Manager, Taj Gateway Hotel, Coonoor.

“But, our focus is on conservation.  We have erected water treatment plants where we recycle the used water which we reuse in our gardens and grow, inter alia, trees to induce rains.  In the kitchen, we adopt a ‘Three Sink’ concept – wash, rinse and sanitise – helping to reduce the consumption of water. In our laundry, maximum load running for minimal water usage is followed. In the banquet, we supply water in smaller volumes to avoid wastage”, he said.

R Muralidharan, General Manager, Taj Gateway Hotel, Coonoor, explaining the water conservation method at the in-house laundry unit. 

“We advise guests to be choosy in throwing linens and towels for washing.  We have erected sensors to reduce water wastage and in the rooms, bath-tubs have been replaced with showers.  Even in the car-parking, we have erected multi-lingual boards to sensitise drivers on water saving”, he noted.

R Muralidharan, GM, Water treatment plant at Taj Gateway Hotel, Coonoor. 

“All these have helped us to serve guests without their feeling much of scarcity even as there is cost-saving for the hotel”, Muralidharan detailed.   

Tourism in the Nilgiris is related to nature and parks.  “We are facing acute water shortage to maintain parks.  We are buying water to irrigate the plants and lawns whenever required to ensure that the summer festivities including the world-famous Ooty Flower Show on May 19, 20 and 21 go on with pleasant memories for tourists”, N Mani, Joint Director of Horticulture, Nilgiris district, said.

“Tamil Nadu Government has declared all districts including the Nilgiris as drought-hit.  We have distributed relief fund to farmers”, he said.

Coonoor is facing acute scarcity of drinking water with the municipality supplying water only once in three weeks.  “When supplied, households stock water in all available containers, including tumblers!”, lamented S Manogaran, President, Coonoor Consumer Protection Association.  

“But, we are concerned about water wastage through leaking pipes remaining unattended to despite repeated representations”, he added.

(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com)