This Summer, Bengaluru Prefers Local - Goa, Ooty, & Offbeat Gems Shine

Cleartrip, a Flipkart company, announced a significant uptick in summer travel during its Nation on Vacation (NoVac) campaign, with Bengaluru emerging as the heartbeat of domestic travel.

Key Highlights from Bengaluru:

12% of total domestic bookings came from Bengaluru – the highest share in India.

Goa topped the list of preferred domestic destinations, with Ooty, Lonavala, and Manali close behind.

Offbeat international gems like Georgia and Azerbaijan saw surprising traction among Bengaluru travellers.

Speaking on the campaign’s success, Tavleen Bhatia, Chief Marketing Officer, Cleartrip, said, “Since its inception, Nation on Vacation (NoVac) has grown into one of the country’s biggest and most eagerly awaited summer travel sales - so much so that it feels like summer truly begins with NoVac’s arrival. We’re thrilled by the resounding response this year and are glad we could deliver great value, helping more Indians take that long-awaited summer break. At Cleartrip, our mission has always been to make travel planning and booking easy, smart, and joyful.”

Bengaluru’s travel choices reflected a mix of traditional favourites and adventurous new explorations, capturing the spirit of the season perfectly.

About Cleartrip:

Launched in July 2006, Cleartrip Pvt Ltd., a Flipkart company, has emerged as India’s fastest-growing online travel technology company. In April 2021, Flipkart acquired a majority stake in Cleartrip. Cleartrip recently emerged as the no. 2 OTA player as per a study by VIDEC. With an aggressive plan to emerge as a leading innovator in the industry, Cleartrip is on its way to building a differentiated value proposition for its customers looking for end-to-end travel solutions. With industry-first offerings, including ClearChoice Plus and ClearChoice Max, Cleartrip has a clear vision to provide innovative solutions in the OTA segment. Combining intuitive products with a customer-centric approach and a wide selection of flights, hotels, and buses, Cleartrip brings a unique selling point to the market, offering its customers convenience, choice, competitive prices, and premium content.

Apexon Strengthens Leadership Team With Key Executive Appointments

Apexon, a technology services firm specializing in engineering intelligent enterprises, today announced the appointment of Justin Marcucci as President and Bhavesh Mehta as Chief Delivery Officer (CDO).

Justin Marcucci, as President, will lead Apexon’s commercial organization, driving the company’s revenue strategy and global sales while strengthening client relationships, alliances, and marketing initiatives.

Justin brings over 25 years of international experience in driving transformational growth across digital products, services, and strategy consulting. Prior to joining Apexon, he served as Chief Digital Officer and Managing Director at Endava, where he played a key role in shaping global digital growth. He led North American and global industry P&Ls, established a close-to-client strategy and consulting organization, and transformed customer experiences for Fortune 500 clients. Marcucci was also instrumental in guiding Endava through its successful IPO on the New York Stock Exchange in 2018. Earlier in his career, Justin founded and led Nickelfish, a US-based digital agency delivering transformative solutions to global enterprises, which Endava later acquired.

Bhavesh Mehta joins Apexon as Chief Delivery Officer. In this role, he will lead Apexon’s global delivery organization, advancing our AI-led engineering excellence, driving transformational initiatives, and fostering a culture of technology innovation to ensure client success.

A distinguished leader, Bhavesh brings a wealth of experience in strategy, innovation, and large-scale digital transformation. He has held senior leadership roles at Eviden (part of Atos Group) and Capgemini earlier, including Deputy Chief Customer Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Head of Delivery and Business Unit Head. With extensive global experience of leading teams across the US, UK, Europe, and APAC, he has a strong track record of driving efficiency and innovation at scale. His expertise spans strengthening client partnerships and leading strategic programs across BFSI, Healthcare, and other industries. Throughout his career, Bhavesh has focused on delivering value by advancing delivery models and enhancing productivity through automation, process improvements, and right-shoring strategies.

“We are delighted to welcome Justin and Bhavesh to Apexon as we strengthen our leadership team for the next phase of growth,” said Sriniketh Chakravarthi, Chief Executive Officer, Apexon. “As we enter a pivotal stage in our growth journey, their expertise in business expansion, digital transformation, and operational excellence will be instrumental in driving our next phase of innovation and success. Justin’s proven ability to build trusted client partnerships and Bhavesh’s track record in operational rigor and AI-led delivery will accelerate our ability to engineer intelligent enterprises at scale, unlock new growth opportunities, and deliver greater value to our clients worldwide.”

“I am excited to join Apexon at this pivotal juncture,” said Justin Marcucci. “Apexon’s focus on engineering intelligent enterprises through advanced digital capabilities aligns with my passion for leveraging technology to drive meaningful and positive outcomes for our clients, their customers, and their businesses overall. I look forward to working with our teams to seize growth opportunities and help clients stay ahead in an era defined by rapid technological evolution.”

“Apexon’s focus on client success and engineering brilliance is truly inspiring,” said Bhavesh Mehta.

“I look forward to leading our global delivery strategy, accelerate transformational initiatives, and embedding technology-driven efficiencies that deliver real value to our customers. Together, we’ll raise the bar on delivery excellence and ensure our customers are ready for whatever the future holds.”

About Apexon

Apexon is a technology services firm specializing in accelerating business transformation and engineering intelligent enterprises. For over two decades, the company has been meeting clients wherever they are in the digital lifecycle and helping them outperform their competition through speed and innovation. Its reputation is built on a comprehensive suite of engineering services, a dedication to solving clients’ toughest technology problems, and a commitment to continuous improvement. The company focuses on three broad solution areas of digital services: Digital Experience, Data Services, and Digital Engineering and has deep expertise in BFSI, healthcare, and life sciences. Apexon is backed by Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Everstone Capital.

Learn more at Apexon.com

Titan World Celebrates Mother’s Day With A Bespoke Perfume-Making Experience Across Its Stores Nationwide

* Celebrate the Joy of Gifting with a Delightful In-Store Surprise

Scent has a powerful way of evoking memory, and for many, the fragrance of a mother remains one of the most comforting and enduring. This Mother’s Day, Titan World invites you to honour that cherished bond with a gift she'll always remember, a perfume as timeless as her love. Celebrate that enduring bond through a thoughtfully curated in-store experience. On the 10th and 11th of May, over 163 Titan World stores across India will host a bespoke perfume-making activity, designed to help customers create memorable moments with the most cherished women in their lives - their mothers.

The activity invites guests to engage in the art of fragrance blending, allowing them to craft a personalized 50ml perfume using a curated selection of essential oils. Whether it's a collaborative effort between mother and child or a surprise gift lovingly created for her, this hands-on experience is meant to evoke joy, nostalgia, and a deep sense of connection all bottled in a custom fragrance. This in-store activation is aligned with Titan’s ongoing commitment to create engaging, experiential retail moments that go beyond traditional shopping. It reflects the brand’s evolving approach towards their customers to create shared experiences.

Speaking on the activation, Mr. Rahul Shukla, Vice President and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Watches and Wearables, Titan Company Ltd. said, “At Titan, we’ve always believed in celebrating relationships that matter the most. With this unique perfume-making experience, we aim to offer something truly personal and heartfelt, a chance for our customers to create not just a gift, but a lasting memory with their mothers. This initiative beautifully captures the essence of what Titan stands for, that is, meaningful moments and timeless bonds.”

Titan World stores will be equipped with dedicated zones where expert facilitators will guide the customers through the process of fragrance creation, from understanding scent profiles to blending their own unique combinations. The customers will take away the customized perfume in a premium bottle, making it a perfect keepsake of the occasion.

Experience the joy of in-store celebrations, exclusively at the Pattom store.

GoDaddy Agency: A New Way To Help Digital Consultants Grow

* New partner program provides agencies with exclusive access to GoDaddy's small business base

GoDaddy has announced the launch of GoDaddy Agency, a new partner program connecting digital agencies with small and mid-sized business leads and access to comprehensive tools, services and support to grow their client offerings.

With millions of entrepreneurs already using GoDaddy's tools, GoDaddy Agency is positioned as a strategic referral partner for digital agencies looking to scale their business efficiently through a steady stream of qualified leads.

Freelance, web developer, web design and digital marketing consulting agencies in India can all take advantage of GoDaddy Agency to grow their client base and revenue—once part of the exclusive GoDaddy Agency program, they will be matched with small and mid-sized business customers interested in receiving professional support.

GoDaddy Agency also helps such agency partners succeed by providing the tools, support, and insights they need to more efficiently and cost effectively build websites, manage digital marketing campaigns, launch online stores, and run client projects—empowering agencies to win more work and deliver better results.

"This program is all about creating meaningful connections between small businesses and the agency experts who can help turn their ideas into reality," said Apurva Palnitkar, Senior Director of Marketing at GoDaddy India. "By empowering both entrepreneurs and creative professionals, we're enabling long-term partnerships that drive shared success and sustainable growth."

Built to Help Agencies Grow

The GoDaddy Agency program gives agency partners digital benefits to help their businesses: 

Earn up to 20% commission on new client purchases made through a unique referral link.

Get matched with prospective clients based on their agency’s strengths, focus areas and growth goals.

Access premium WordPress tools and expert support to resolve issues quickly and deliver on related projects.

Gain exposure through co-branded marketing campaigns and joint initiatives for top-performing partners.

Get expert guidance from a dedicated Agency Success Manager to navigate GoDaddy’s extensive product portfolio and receive personalized recommendations to the solutions best suited for them.

Connecting Real Agencies to Real Leads

While others offer basic partner programs, GoDaddy Agency provides agencies with real, qualified small and mid-sized business customer referrals, many of whom have already expressed interest through GoDaddy's Web Design Services team. This sets GoDaddy Agency apart from other programs. GoDaddy customers represent a variety of businesses spanning across products and services, meaning agencies can engage with different potential customers throughout the year as their business needs and goals shift.

Tailored Support for Today’s Agencies

In a Promethean Research study conducted last year on how digital agencies grow, 68% of agencies said they are focused on growing their business by expanding service offerings, and 67% cited referrals for new clients as a key growth indicator. GoDaddy Agency directly supports both goals with a growing portfolio of tools that help agency partners deepen value for existing clients and win new ones.

India–UK Free Trade Agreement Stands As A Pivotal Milestone And Will Accelerate Innovation, Says SAP India

Sindhu Gangadharan, MD, SAP Labs India and Chairperson, Nasscom on the UK India FTA on the UK India FTA.

“The India–UK Free Trade Agreement stands as a pivotal milestone—one that will accelerate innovation, unlock new avenues for digital trade, and deepen technology collaboration between the two nations. For India’s IT and services sector, especially our vibrant ecosystem of startups and SMEs, this agreement signals immense opportunity and access to new markets. Beyond economics, it reflects a shared vision: of a digitally empowered future and a stronger, knowledge-driven partnership rooted in trust, talent, and technology.”

Luxury Dining Series By Marriott International Returns In 2025

* Expanding from six to seven properties in Asia Pacific, the 2025 series will offer a gastronomic reinterpretation of traditional flavors and forgotten ingredients

Following last year’s tremendous success, The Luxury Group by Marriott International is proud to announce the highly anticipated return of the Luxury Dining Series. Taking place from July to September, the multi-city regional dining series in 2025 continues to invite discerning travelers and dining enthusiasts to embark on an extraordinary gastronomic journey celebrating the revival of lost flavors and culinary traditions.  

Inspired by the findings from the Future of Food 2025 report, this year’s theme of Forgotten Flavors celebrates the art of culinary history and will explore time-honored techniques and innovative culinary experimentation at seven handpicked hotels. The locations of the 2025 series include The St. Regis Osaka, JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa, JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort & Spa, The Ritz-Carlton, Perth, The St. Regis Singapore, The St. Regis Jakarta, and the newly opened The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok.   

Renowned chefs and mixologists from across Marriott International’s global portfolio will unite, pairing masters of tradition with contemporary visionaries, to resurrect lost, neglected, and overlooked ingredients. Guests can look forward to a carefully curated gastronomic experience where every plate will offer a taste of the past, reimagined for today’s palate.  

The full schedule of the series is as follows: 

Japan - July 11-13 - The St. Regis Osaka  

Korea - July 17-20 - JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa  

India - July 31- August 3 - JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort & Spa 

Australia - August 15-17 - The Ritz-Carlton, Perth 

Singapore - August 29-31 - The St. Regis Singapore  

Indonesia - September 11-13 - The St. Regis Jakarta 

Thailand - September 25-28 - The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok 

More details on programming will be announced soon. Please visit the website for more information - https://www.marriott.com/en-us/marriott-brands/portfolio/luxury-dining-series.mi   

About Marriott International 

Marriott International, Inc.?(Nasdaq: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of over 9,300 properties across more than 30 leading brands in 144 countries and territories. Marriott operates, franchises, and licenses hotel, residential, timeshare, and other lodging properties all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy®, its highly awarded travel platform. For more information, please visit our website at?www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit?www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on X and Instagram.? 

About Luxury Group by Marriott International 

With an unrivaled portfolio of eight dynamic luxury brands, Marriott International is creating authentic, rare, and enriching experiences sought by today’s global luxurian. Spanning all corners of the world, Marriott International’s Luxury Group offers a boundless network of more than 530 landmark hotels and resorts in over 70 countries and territories through The Ritz-Carlton, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, EDITION, The Luxury Collection, JW Marriott, and W Hotels. From the world’s most iconic destinations to the ultimate undiscovered gems, the international hospitality leader’s collection of luxury brands is focused on elevating travel with highly contextualized, nuanced brand experiences that signal the future of luxury by allowing guests to indulge their passions while sparking personal growth. 

Happiest Health's Women's Wellness Summit “Happiest Her 2025” Is Back With Brand New Edition

Happiest Health is all set to engage with empowered young working women professionals by hosting the much awaited, second edition of Women’s Wellness Summit, Happiest Her 2025 on 10th May, Saturday. The summit, to be held at Pope Paul VIth Auditorium, St. John’s Campus, Koramangala.  will bring together healthcare professionals and industry leaders to discuss health issues such as stress and PCOS faced by working women and ideas to tackle them by making lifestyle shifts like prioritizing fitness, a proper balanced diet, sleep and crafting a sound financial plan.

The summit will be inaugurated by Davis Karedan, Co-Chairman, Happiest Health, by Dr. Pratima Murthy, Director, NIMHANS, Mr. Raghu Krishnan, Chief Editor & Publisher - Print, Happiest Health - Knowledge, Mr. Ravi Joshi – Chief Editor & Publisher - Digital, Happiest Health – Knowledge and guests.

The day-long summit will feature enlightening discussions and interactive sessions, including the keynote address on "Empowering Young Working Women" by Dr. Pratima Murthy, Director, NIMHANS; an insightful panel discussion on “Women’s Health: Metabolism and Poor Lifestyle Choices” highlighting how factors such as stress, anxiety, the struggle for work-life balance, unhealthy eating habits, and poor lifestyle choices affect women’s health and cause PCOS.

The distinguished panelists include:

Dr. Vidya V Bhat - Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Radhakrishna Multispecialty Hospital and IVF Center, former president, Karnataka State Obstetrics and Gynecology Association, Bengaluru.

Dr. Sharvari Mundhe - Consultant-Gynaecologist and Fertility Specialist, Motherhood Hospitals, Sarjapur, Bengaluru

Dr. Paras Sharma - Director (Programs and Services), The Alternative Story.

Saraswathi Anand - Powerlifter, athlete, Head of Marketing River Mobility, Bengaluru.

Experiential session on Dance Movement Therapy by Preeti Rajagopal, Dance Movement Therapy Practitioner, Creative Movement Therapy, Association of India (CMTAI).

A session on Common nutrition mistakes that women make, and how to correct them by Ryan Fernando.

A series of featured sessions will be conducted emphasizing women’s wellness and nutrition. The first Session will be conducted by Dr. Siddhant Bhargava, MBBS, Co-founder and CEO of InnerGize, X- Co-founder Food Darzee, followed by Roselin Steffi – Nutritionist. The event will inspire participants with take-home messages and will motivate them to uplift women in every possible way.

About Happiest Health

Happiest Health is a global health & wellness knowledge enterprise promoted by Ashok Soota. Happiest Health provides credible and trustworthy health and wellness knowledge with views from globally renowned experts and doctors. The primary knowledge platforms are the daily newsletter, knowledge website, monthly print magazine, and knowledge app and summits. The wellness division of Happiest Health caters to corporates to achieve optimal employee well-being, fostering a happier, healthier, and more productive work environment. The newest addition to Happiest Health’s offering is its diagnostics services. Happiest Diagnostics is committed to a patient-centric approach with cutting-edge technology, to be the most trusted diagnostic partner in India.

Happiest Health embraces scientific knowledge with a keen focus on medical breakthroughs providing kinder, gentler therapies including cell-based treatments. It also has deep coverage of integrated medicine including Ayurveda and naturopathy. Happiest Health’s focus on wellness is holistic and energizing. Its Mission Statement is: “Better Knowledge. Better Health.” and conveys its benefits to all.     

For Booking Tickets: https://www.happiesthealth.com/wellness_summit/happiest_her_2025