GeoExchange Australia Pty Ltd., the leading provider of geo technology based heating and cooling systems in Australia, has recently launched its Indian operations named Geo Cooling Technology India, with the objective of offering the commercial, hospitality & residential sectors in India an energy efficient, green heating and cooling system.

The GeoExchange system utilises the solar energy stored within the earth, for heating buildings in the winter (earth as a heat source), and as heat rejection in summer (earth as a heat sink). This technology has applications across commercial, hospitality & residential sectors. GeoExchange system does not burn fossil fuel to generate heat; it simply transfers heat to and from the earth to provide a more efficient, affordable and environment friendly method of heating and cooling. Electric power is used only to operate the unit’s fan, compressor and pump. It is said that GeoExchange system is three to five times more efficient than conventional systems, besides being maintenance free.

Geo Cooling Technology India is slated to offer turnkey solutions for implementing the GeoExchange system for Indian organisations, which would include feasibility studies, testing, design, pay back analysis, energy modelling on alternative schemes with guarantees on running costs, system installation, and after sales support & service. GeoExchange will provide the full range of benefits offered by the system. Geo Cooling Technology India will be the first organisation with presence in India to have an in-house International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) certified technician for installation, maintenance & servicing.

Speaking about the launch of Geo Cooling Technology India, Yale Carden, Founder and Director, GeoExchange Australia Pty Ltd. said, “GeoExchange is very proud and excited to commence operations in India. The GeoExchange system has significant potential in India for installations across hospitals, universities, schools, government offices, commercial buildings, retail malls, residential complexes, hotels, spa’s, swimming pools, public facilities, etc. providing air-conditioning, heating, hot water heating, spa and swimming pool heating requirements, and offering them energy efficiency, cost savings and carbon credits.”

GeoExchange Australia Pty Ltd. is a Australia-based international distributor for WaterFurnace —the world’s leading supplier of ground source heat pumps, and AWEB Supply —the manufacturer of the slim jim lake plate heat exchanger, which is an innovation in geothermal lake loop technology.

HM Cements Ltd. (HMCL) has announced its plans to foray into the hospitality segment and open hotels in two of the north-east India’s prminent cities, Guwahati and Shillong. While the 200 room hotel in Guwahati is slated to be a luxury business hotel, the 150 room hotel in Shillong will be meant for the leisure travellers. The project which is expected to get completed by 2013, would require an investment of around Rs. 240 crore.

In an effort to recognise the efforts of its Founding Secretary, Late B. Sundara Rao, Andhra Pradesh Hotel Owners Association recently organised an event to unveil the statue of Late B. Sundara Rao. For uplifting the meritorious students of the children of the state’s hotel staff, Late B.Sundara Rao Educational Trust Deed was also launched. The event attracted the presence of who is who of Andhra Pradesh, including the Chief Minister of the state, K.Rosaiah, the state’s Minister of Tourism, Dr.J.Geetha Reddy, and Secunderabad’s Member of Parliament, Anjan Kumar Yadav.

The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, K.Rosaiah, also felicitated B. Sudheela Bai, the wife of late B. Sundara Rao, who had been the constant inspiration behind the success of her husband.

ITC Hotels have recently announced the change of leadership in two of its properties. According to the company sources, Dhunji Kavarana would now be the new GM of ITC Maratha in place of Anil Malik, and Kuldeep Bhartee would replace Zubin S. Songadwala as GM, ITC Grand Central. In order to mark the change of guard, ITC Hotels, Mumbai hosted a party, which was attended by an impressive array of glitterati of Mumbai. The new leadership is expected to carry the legacy of ITC Hotels and at the same time set new standards of hospitality in the group.

With the start of the much expected sporting extravaganza, the month- long football World Cup, Jaypee Hotels is offering innovative ways of experiencing the high adrenaline game of soccer.

Tapas and Eggspectation at Jaypee Siddharth and Jaypee Vasant Continental have undertaken a slew of measures to offer wholesome experience to the soccer fans. Apart from a special menu and extended happy hours during the matches, the guests would also be able to participate in various contests and win prizes.

After much speculation and anxiety, the prestigious HICSA 2010 awards for ‘Best Hotels of the Year’ have recently been announced. In line with the trend of increased segmentation within the hospitality industry, the ‘Hotels of the Year Awards’ moved a step forward in 2010, as it increased the number of categories. At HICSA 2010, instead of only two award categories, the ‘Hotels of the Year Awards’ were conferred upon for four main categories: Best Luxury/ Upscale Hotel, Best Mid Market Hotel, Best Economy/ Budget Hotel and the Best Serviced Apartments.

Various hotels and service apartments that opened between December 2008 – December 2009 were invited to nominate themselves based on certain criteria. As a result, 38 hotels submitted their nominations for ‘Hotels of the Year Awards’ that included 13 nominations for Best Luxury/Upscale hotel, 13 nominations for Best Mid-Market hotel, seven nominations for Best Budget/Economy hotel and five nominations for Best Service Apartment category.

ITC Royal Gardenia Bengaluru has won the hotel of the year award in the luxury/upscale segment. The award for best hotel in the mid market segment was won by the recently opened Hilton Garden Inn New Delhi/Saket. While Premier Inn Bangalore Whitefield has won the award in the budget and the economy segment, in the service apartment segment, Mercure Homestead Residences has bagged the HICSA 2010 award.

With three awards in their kitty, Bangalore has definitely outperformed all other cities in offering the best hospitality experience. For the capital, Hilton Garden Inn New Delhi/ Saket was the only saving grace at HICSA 2010.

Hotel Investment Conference South-Asia (HICSA) was launched by HVS, a leading consulting firm dedicated to the hotel, tourism and leisure industries to address the growing need of a unifying platform for industry participants to exchange ideas and discuss the future of the hospitality industry. HICSA is today widely viewed by global industry leaders as the premier hospitality event for the South Asia region, valued as much for its networking opportunities and high-level contacts, as for its content-rich sessions

Marriott International has recently announced the appointment of John Paul Woolley as the Area Director of Sales and Marketing, for India, Malaysia and Maldives. In his new role, John Paul Woolley will oversee the sales and marketing efforts of 11 Marriott hotels in India, and six Marriott properties in Malaysia. Along with developing local talent, he will also be supporting the launch of seven new Marriott hotels and resorts that are set to open in the next one year as well as 106 villa Marriott properties which are on the anvil in the Maldives.

A graduate from the Cambridgeshire College of Arts and Technology, Woolley worked as a Director of Sales & Marketing at the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino for nearly two years, prior to coming to India. He was also in charge of launching Tradewinds Club, a new hotel within a hotel concept, that opened in September 2008.

Marriott International, Inc. is a leading hospitality conglomerate, with over 2600 operating units in the United States and 68 other countries and territories.

Courtyard by Marriott, Mumbai International Airport has recently appointed Sumant Vikas as the Executive Chef. In this role, he would be in charge of conceptualising food promotions and execution of cuisines, in addition to designing à la carte and buffet menus, and designing and developing innovative theme lunches and dinners. Before joining the Courtyard by Marriott, Mumbai International Airport, Chef Sumant Vikas lent his significant contribution in the conceptualisation and execution of the opening of the very stylish and chic Italian restaurant, Fratelli Fresh, at the Renaissance Mumbai, Hotel and Convention Centre. He also played an important role in administering the culinary operations at Fratelli Fresh restaurant, in the absence of the Executive Chef. Beginning his career in 1997 with the Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai, Chef Sumant Vikas has worked with several reputed hotels, in different capacities.