Neha Mehrotra
24-Sep-2025
From global hotel openings and luxury campaigns to art showcases, this week is packed with exciting debuts across travel, lifestyle, and culture.
1 . TUMI Debuts a Campaign With Global Brand Ambassadors Lando Norris and Nelly Korda
TUMI debuts “Icons Tested”, a bold campaign told through the lens of McLaren Formula 1 Team Driver Lando Norris and Professional Golfer Nelly Korda. The campaign draws a parallel between the discipline, precision, and relentless testing that define their pursuit of excellence—the same rigour that TUMI applies to every design. Continuing the brand’s 50th anniversary year, the campaign spotlights two of TUMI’s most iconic silhouettes: the Navigation Backpack from Alpha Bravo and the Celina Backpack from the Voyageur collection.
2. Ajman Department of Tourism Development Hosted High-impact Networking Events
The Ajman Department of Tourism Development (ADTD) organised a series of networking events across Delhi, Pune, and Kolkata that highlighted Ajman’s stature as a premier travel destination while fostering deeper cooperation with India’s travel and trade ecosystem. The roadshows witnessed leading travel agents, tour operators, media professionals, and key industry stakeholders. The delegation, led by H.E. Mahmood Khaleel Alhashmi, the Director General of ADTD; Mr Abdulaziz AlMahri, Director of the Legal Affairs Office; and Abdalla Gohar, Project Management and Development Advisor, as well as Mr Amr Aly Morsy, Tourism Development and Marketing Expert at ADTD showcased Ajman’s unique tourism offerings. The roadshows featured engaging presentations, destination videos, and B2B interactions and offered opportunities for direct collaboration and future partnerships.
3. Shangri-La Eros New Delhi Unveils a State-of-the-Art Wellness Club
Shangri-La Eros New Delhi has launched its exclusive Wellness Club, redefining holistic urban living in the capital. Designed by Stickman Tribe, Dubai, the sanctuary features a 4,000 sq. ft. Technogym-powered fitness centre, an outdoor HIIT zone, Mobility Zone with Pilates Reformers, and advanced recovery therapies including Hypervolt, Normatec, and red-light therapy. Guests can unwind at The Spa’s seven luxurious suites, the hydrothermal zone with a Himalayan salt sauna and cold plunge, or the 100-foot outdoor pool. A unisex salon, curated retail boutique, and mindful eco-conscious design complete this new-age destination.
4. India’s First Beachside Pickleball Tournament and Music Festival Comes to Chennai
Chennai is set to host a landmark sporting and cultural spectacle as the Rise Up Championship (RUC) Foundation presents Pickleball By The Bay and Music Festival from September 26 to 28, 2025, at VGP Golden Beach Resort. Recognised as India’s first PWR 1000-sanctioned beachside tournament, the three-day event is organised in association with IPA (Indian Pickleball Association), TNPA (Tamil Nadu Pickleball Association), DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) and PWR (Pickleball World Ranking), featuring top athletes across five competitive categories with a prize pool of ?25 lakhs. Guests can enjoy world-class indoor courts, sundowner parties, live performances by Masala Coffee, Pineapple Express, and leading DJs, alongside a carnival-like atmosphere.
5. Raffles Hotels & Resorts Unveils Next Chapter of ‘The Butler Did It’
Raffles Hotels & Resorts launches the second chapter of its global campaign ‘The Butler Did It’, set at the iconic Raffles London at The OWO. Starring Henry Golding alongside a glamorous cast, with Tim Easton reprising his role as the Butler, the campaign blends wit, elegance, and cinematic storytelling under the creative direction of Trey Laird. Celebrating Raffles’ legendary butler service, the campaign highlights intimate, whimsical experiences and introduces bespoke “Butler Did It Experiences” across global destinations.
6. Le Gourmet & Le Café Host Exclusive Soirée, at The Chanakya
Le Gourmet and Le Café hosted an intimate soirée at The Chanakya, New Delhi, welcoming diplomats, tastemakers, and influencers for an evening of indulgence. The spread featured Swiss chocolates, charcuterie, champagne-caviar pairings, and premium seafood, with Bacha Coffee and artisanal breads reflecting Le Gourmet’s hallmark exclusivity. Le Café by L’Opéra delighted guests with refined French-inspired canapés, risotto, wood-fired pizzas, and standout desserts like the Apple Bubble and Dubai Kunafa Bonbon. Live cello music and bespoke cocktails heightened the ambiance, while ambassadors from over thirty countries mingled with cultural figures, underscoring Le Gourmet’s vision of turning gastronomy into an immersive, memorable experience.
7. Yazu Goa is Redefining Pan-Asian Dining with the New "Bold Edit"
Yazu, the acclaimed Pan-Asian Beach Club, has announced the launch of its revolutionary new menu, "The Bold Edit". This menu is a culinary philosophy dedicated to bold textures and playful layers that delight the palate. Curated by Brand Chef Vadim Shin, the core philosophy of the menu, "Mild is Cancelled. Bold is Served", is a direct reflection of Yazu Goa's environment. The menu features dishes such as Peruvian-Inspired Kiwi & Pine Nut Dumpling, Shogun Heat Roll, Umami XO Golden Scallop and many more. You can also try innovative cocktails like the Democrat – a bold yet smooth cocktail, the Koen – a light, citrussy, and refreshing drink, and the Yazu Club – a crisp and elevated cocktail – and many more expertly crafted pairings.
8. Hotel Indigo Melbourne Little Collins Opens its Doors in Melbourne
Melbourne has welcomed the opening of Hotel Indigo Melbourne Little Collins, a 179-room boutique property in the heart of the CBD and part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ first dual-branded Australian project. Rising behind four preserved heritage façades, the hotel blends Melbourne’s layered history with a vibrant, design-forward spirit. Guests can expect bold interiors, terrace balcony rooms, suites, eclectic dining spaces, and an atrium crowned by a striking three-storey mural by artist Lisa King.
9. Sunset Cocktails and Afternoon Tea Cruises Return to The Peninsula Hong Kong
The Peninsula Hong Kong, in partnership with Star Ferry, announces the return of its iconic Afternoon Tea on the Harbour and Sunset Cocktail Cruises for Fall 2025. Aboard the elegantly customised World Star ferry, guests can enjoy breathtaking views of Victoria Harbour while indulging in The Peninsula’s famed Afternoon Tea, complete with live music and signature service, every Saturday from 20 September 2025 to 31 January 2026. Monthly Sunset Cocktail Cruises begin 19 September, offering free-flow drinks, DJ sets, and unforgettable skyline vistas.
10. ALL ACCOR Delights Members with Baking Workshop by Shivesh Bhatia
ALL Accor, the lifestyle loyalty programme by Accor, brought members together for an exclusive culinary experience at Novotel Mumbai International Airport, hosting a hands-on baking workshop led by celebrated baker, author, and digital creator Shivesh Bhatia. In the interactive session participants explored techniques, flavours, and recipes under his guidance while also discovering his personal tips and tricks. The workshop concluded with a curated high tea, where attendees enjoyed a spread of delicacies that complemented the baking experience.
11. Pawga Brings ‘Paint Party with Puppies’ to NOVA Artisan Gelato
Pawga is partnering with NOVA Artisan Gelato to host a heartwarming ‘Paint Party with Puppies' on Sunday, 28th September, at 11:00 AM. This workshop is designed to offer a therapeutic escape by combining guided art creation with the joyful presence of adoptable shelter puppies! Participants will be provided with art supplies and guided through mindful painting prompts to encourage relaxation. As a special addition, each attendee will receive a palette of NOVA’s freshly churned, small-batch gelatos. A portion of the ticket proceeds will be directly donated to the welfare of the animals at the partner shelters.
12. Roots & Rebellion opens at Bikaner House this September
Roots & Rebellion opens at Bikaner House on 12 September 2025, unveiling a new body of work by contemporary artist Abhay. The exhibition is a deeply personal exploration of youth, patriotism, and cultural identity – woven together through the artist’s reflections on his upbringing, lived experiences, and evolving creative voice. He confronts the question: Why am I the way I am? Through maximalist strokes, intricate storytelling, and a bold use of patterns. His layered compositions blend a Gen Z sensibility with the gravitas of Indian history, resulting in works that are as rooted as they are rebellious.
13. Vartaman, a Solo Exhibition by Yashika Sugandh comes to Bikaner House, New Delhi
Sanya Malik, Founder and Director of Black Cube Gallery, presents Vartaman, a solo exhibition by contemporary artist Yashika Sugandh. The show opens to the public from 27th September to 1st October at the Living Traditions Centre, Bikaner House, New Delhi. Through Vartaman, Yashika poses thought-provoking questions about humanity’s relationship with the environment, challenging viewers to consider their impact on nature and their responsibility toward its preservation. Following its conclusion at Bikaner House on October 1st, Vartaman will continue at Black Cube Gallery, New Delhi, till 31st October.
14. Jenjum Gadi Showcases Harvest of Memories at Jodhpur Arts Week 2025
Renowned artist Jenjum Gadi will present his sculptural installation Harvest of Memories at Jodhpur Arts Week 2025, running from October 1 to 7. Specially commissioned for the festival, the work translates Gadi’s memories of Arunachal into Rajasthan’s desertscape, casting fruits and vegetables in brass adorned with local motifs. Blending personal narratives with material innovation, the piece bridges geographies and cultures. Audiences can experience an exclusive walkthrough with the artist on Thursday, October 2, at Daspan House, Jodhpur.
15. Gunjan Foundation Presents ‘????? - ?-???’ with Kabir Café
Gunjan Foundation, dedicated to empowering underprivileged children through education for over two decades, announces its annual fundraiser ‘????? - ?-???’. The evening will feature Neeraj Arya’s Kabir Café, blending Kabir’s poetry with soulful fusion, hosted by journalist Richa Anirudh. Scheduled for October 1, 2025, at Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi, the event supports Gunjan’s scholarship programmes, which have already benefited 2,300+ students. Proceeds will directly fund education initiatives, building brighter futures.
16. Nilaya Anthology Unveils A Gathering of Light
Nilaya Anthology presents A Gathering of Light, an exhibition celebrating India’s festive spirit through contemporary candlestands reimagined as modern collectibles and heirlooms. Curated by Tanish Malji and Maithili Goradia, the showcase features works by Yaazd Contractor, Claymen, Priyanka Shah, Nongothung Ezung, Shed, Priti Pugalia, and more. Each one-off piece blends material innovation with artistic expression, elevating function into sculptural form. On view from September 27 to October 30, 2025, at Gallery 2, Nilaya Anthology, Mumbai.
17. Karma Lakelands Hosts 7th Annual Art Symposium
Karma Lakelands, the 270-acre sustainable eco-resort near Delhi-NCR, presents the 7th Annual Independent Art Symposium from September 25 to 27, 2025. Curated by artist Nawal Kishore, the event will feature eight acclaimed and emerging artists creating live artworks inspired by the resort’s serene surroundings, alongside exhibits of larger pre-completed works. The three-day celebration will conclude with a closing exhibition on September 27, inviting guests, collectors, and art lovers to engage directly with the artists and witness creativity in dialogue with nature.
Cover Credits: Raffles Hotels & Resorts
