Tuesday, March 31, 2026

LOYAL-TEA BY MARRIOTT BONVOY GIVES THREE MILLION POINTS TO THREE LUCKY MEMBERS IN INDIA, JAPAN AND KOREA

LOYAL-TEA BY MARRIOTT BONVOY GIVES THREE MILLION POINTS TO THREE LUCKY MEMBERS IN INDIA, JAPAN AND KOREA

 

Marriott Bonvoy brings the ease of its loyalty programme to life with limited edition Loyal-Tea by Marriott Bonvoy, crafted in collaboration with Dilmah



CHENNAI, March 30, 2026 — Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s award- winning travel program, is giving members in India, South Korea and Japan a once-in- a-lifetime chance of winning 1 million points as part of its latest Loyal-Tea by Marriott Bonvoy campaign. The activation brings to life how easy it is for Marriott Bonvoy members to be loyal through one of Asia’s most universal cultural moments: drinking tea.

300 Loyal-Tea by Marriott Bonvoy blind boxes containing limited edition tea blends and cannisters co-created with leading tea company Dilmah, will be available in each market as part of local activations. A Golden Tumbler is hidden in each batch. Tapping into the cultural trend of blind boxes, the member who picks the box with the Golden Tumbler will win one million Marriott Bonvoy points. The winner will have the flexibility to redeem the points as they wish, be it for stays or meals across 10,000 Marriott Bonvoy locations worldwide.

 

As an illustrative example, one million Marriott Bonvoy points may be redeemed for approximately two weeks’ stay at JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort C Spa in Vietnam, more than a month’s stay at The Westin Siray Bay Resort C Spa in Phuket, Thailand or two months’ stay at Moxy Kuala Lumpur Chinatown (subject to changes and dependent on seasonality).


Just last week, one lucky winner from India walked away with the top prize as the activation campaign kicked off at the Phoenix Palladium Courtyard in Mumbai. 34- year-old Nikunj Mehta, who has been a Marriott Bonvoy member since 2023, was awestruck that he struck gold: “This is the first time I've won anything this massive and I’m still pinching myself in disbelief that I've just won one million Marriott Bonvoy points! There are so many possibilities of how to use them, and holidays that were not part of my plans are suddenly now on the table. The properties are amazing, and I can’t wait to book them!”



The moment Marriott Bonvoy member Nikunj Mehta found out he won one million points

Members in Korea and Japan will soon too, stand a chance to score the Golden Tumbler and win a million points by joining activities in each market:

Loyal-Tea by Marriott Bonvoy in Korea: 28 to 31 May 202C

A high-energy public pop-up at Hanam Starfield, Central Atrium 1F, Seoul on 28 31 May  awaits.  Visitors  can  sign  up  for  Marriott  Bonvoy  on  the  spot and participate in a fast-paced game for the chance to win one of the 300 Loyal-Tea blind boxes.

Loyal-Tea by Marriott Bonvoy in Japan: 7 May to 7 June 202C

New and existing Marriott Bonvoy members can enter the month-long online sweepstake to stand a chance to win one of 300 Loyal-Tea blind boxes. They can also


enroll or register at eight Marriott Bonvoy hotels: JW Marriott Hotel Tokyo, JW Marriott Nara, W Osaka, Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay, Sheraton Grande Hiroshima, Sheraton Kagoshima, The Westin Tokyo and The Westin Yokohama.

Loyal-Tea blends local flavors with familiar comfort

Three limited edition tea blends each incorporating ingredients distinct to India, Korea and Japan were specially crafted by Marriott Bonvoy and Dilmah, all promising to elevate tea-drinking moments. The tea blends are available for sale in all three markets at selected properties (see Appendix).

·         India: Gourmet Chai with Tulsi C Black Cardamom: A Teamaker’s Chai, with single region gourmet Indian Tea and a profusion of spices in spectacular combination of Tulsi balanced by black cardamom, ginger and precious clove, all in delicious and aromatic embrace.

 

·         Japan: Ceylon Tea with Sakura, Raspberry C Rose: Magical fusion of Ceylon Tea with flavours of Raspberry, Sakura Flower and sensual Rose notes. Fragrant like an enchanted forest in spring, perfect harmony in tea.

 

·         Korea: Ceylon Tea with Elderflower, Yuzu and Honey: Regal Ceylon Tea in inspiring symphony with the softness of Elderflower, bright citrus of Yuzu and peaceful aftertaste of natural honey.

 

Redefining Loyalty in Asia Pacific excluding China (APEC)

The Loyal-Tea by Marriott Bonvoy campaign is the latest in a series of extensive program milestones rolled out in Asia Pacific excluding China, particularly in India, Korea and Japan.

“Over the past several months, we’ve deepened our ecosystem of strategic partners and introduced unique Marriott Bonvoy Moments that capture the interests of our members in each market. Loyal-Tea is a natural extension of this journey, designed to show that loyalty with Marriott Bonvoy is just that easy. Through these simple, meaningful touchpoints, we want every member to feel that engaging with our program is intuitive, rewarding and truly part of their everyday life,” said John Toomey, Chief Commercial Officer, Marriott International, Asia Pacific excluding China.

In India, Marriott Bonvoy fulfilled the dreams of more than 500 members by giving them exclusive access to the International Cricket Council’s T20 Men’s World Cup. It also added notable market leaders in the everyday earn space as strategic partners, allowing members to earn points when they shop on Swiggy and Flipkart.

In Korea, Marriott Bonvoy partnered with the country’s leading duty-free operator Shinsagae, giving members greater points-earning opportunities and exclusive benefits through instant status match. Marriott Bonvoy also has a co-branded credit


card with Shinhan Bank and will be introducing a new co-branded card with Samsung Card in the near future.

In Japan, the Marriott Bonvoy American Express co-branded cards offer cardholders exclusive access to premium travel experiences through everyday spend, while Marriott Bonvoy’s partnership with internet services leader Rakuten allows members to enjoy benefits from both loyalty programs.

+++


APPENDIX: List of selected hotels where Loyal-Tea is available for sale, whilst stocks last

India (from April 2026):

Café by The St Regis Mumbai

Japan (from mid May 2026):

JW Marriott Hotel Tokyo JW Marriott Nara

W Osaka

Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay Sheraton Grande Hiroshima Sheraton Kagoshima

The Westin Tokyo

The Westin Yokohama

 

Korea (from June 2026)

Aloft Seoul Myeongdong Courtyard by Marriott Sejong

Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Botanic Park Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Namdaemun Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Pangyo Courtyard By Marriott Suwon

Daegu Marriott Hotel

Fairfield by Marriott Busan Songdo Beach Four Points by Sheraton Suwon

JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul JW Marriott Hotel Seoul

JW Marriott Jeju Resort C Spa Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong Sheraton Grand Incheon Hotel MOXY Seoul Myeongdong

AC Hotel by Marriott Seoul Geumjeong Courtyard by Marriott Pyeongteak Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Times Square MEA -Yeouido Park Centre, Seoul

Friday, March 27, 2026

Coimbatore’s beloved Street Arabiya records a ~365x growth in in yearly order volumes with support from Zomato’s platform

Coimbatore’s beloved Street Arabiya records a ~365x growth in in yearly order volumes with support from Zomato’s platform

Yearly orders grew from 91 in 2019 to over 33,247 in 2025

Brand now spans 10+ restaurants and 20+ food trucks across Coimbatore, Trichy, Erode, and Palakkad

Coimbatore, 27 March 2026: Street Arabiya, a popular Mediterranean food destination from Coimbatore, has recorded a ~365x growth in yearly order volumes since onboarding on Zomato in 2019. What started as a single food truck has now grown into a widely loved regional brand, bringing Mediterranean flavours with a South Indian twist to customers across multiple cities.

Speaking about the journey, Ahamed Shahabath said, "When we started Street Arabiya with a single food truck, our goal was to introduce authentic Mediterranean and Arabic cuisine while adapting the flavours to suit South Indian tastes. Over the years, the response from customers has been incredible. What began as a small experiment has now grown into a multi-city brand, and Zomato has played a key role in helping us reach a wider audience while scaling our operations."

Aditya Mangla, CEO, Zomato, said, “The trust customers place in Street Arabiya has been built plate by plate over the years. We’re glad to be part of their journey by supporting them with aggregated insights and platform connections that help them grow further.”

Founded by three engineers- Ahamed Shahabath N, Yasar Arafath, and Jansa Mohammed in 2017, Street Arabiya began its journey with a single food truck in Podanur, Coimbatore, with the aim of making Mediterranean food more accessible. Over the years, the brand has steadily expanded and today operates 10+ restaurants and 20+ food trucks across Coimbatore, Trichy, Erode and Palakkad. 

The restaurant offers more than 20 varieties of shawarmas, along with popular dishes such as Alfahams, Kebabs, Mandhi, and other Mediterranean specialties. With a clear focus on quality, hygiene and innovation over the years, Street Arabiya has balanced authentic Arabic flavours with local preferences and successfully built a loyal customer base across the region.

 Since onboarding on Zomato, the brand has:

Achieved 365x growth in yearly order volumes over six years, increasing from 91 in 2019 to 33247 in 2025

The brand generated ₹8 lakh in commissionable value last year. Owing to the positive impact and improved performance, the restaurant increased the investment and take a more aggressive growth approach. As a result, within four months, it reached ₹20 lakh in commissionable value driven by the following factors:

Advertisement services

Menu Engineering

Promo Codes 

Business insights via the RP (Restaurant Partner) app


To help small restaurants scale quickly, Zomato has introduced several initiatives in recent years. These include a DIY onboarding tool that helps restaurants get listed on the platform in just 15 minutes, and access to the Restaurant Services Hub, a curated marketplace of verified vendors offering licensing, staffing, and hygiene audit services. In select cities, new restaurants also benefit from 0% commission for the first 30 days, along with credits for ads and Hyperpure services. As of Q3 FY26, Zomato has an average of 336,000 monthly active food ordering and delivery restaurant partners on the platform.

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Decathlon Strengthens Technical Mountain Portfolio with Simond Repositioning

Decathlon Strengthens Technical Mountain Portfolio with Simond Repositioning

Simond by Decathlon’s alpine-tested technical gear for climbers, trekkers and mountain adventurers now available across Decathlon Sports India

Chennai, 25 March, 2026: Decathlon Sports India announced a strategic New Chapter for its sub-brand, Simond in India, introducing a refreshed brand identity and sharper technical positioning for its specialist mountain portfolio.



Mountain sports currently contribute over 30% of Decathlon Sports India’s business, with rising participation across trekking, climbing, Himalayan expeditions and indoor climbing gyms. The repositioning of Simond by Decathlon strengthens its specialist focus on trekking, mountaineering and climbing, supported by an evolved range of alpine-tested technical equipment and apparel.

Rooted in 165 years of alpine heritage, Simond by Decathlon continues to draw from its “Alpine Style” philosophy—centred on lightness, simplicity, frugality and responsibility. The refreshed identity is built on four core principles: lightness, dynamism, honesty and legacy. Combining heritage with modern technicity, the brand ensures performance and environmental impact are integrated from the earliest stages of design and validated through rigorous laboratory and alpine field testing.


Sustainability remains central to this evolution, with the Simond by Decathlon Fairtrade Collection strengthening India’s connection to the brand’s global mountain ecosystem. Sourced and manufactured in India for international markets, the collection reinforces responsible production while expanding India’s strategic role within Simond’s global supply chain—aligned with Decathlon Sports India’s broader commitment to reducing environmental impact.


As part of this initiative, Simond by Decathlon introduces a Fairtrade cotton capsule featuring three unisex essentials—a T-shirt, hoodie and cap—crafted from Fairtrade/Max Havelaar certified cotton sourced through regenerative agriculture. This marks the first step toward the brand’s goal of using only Fairtrade cotton by 2030, advancing a more equitable and responsible cotton value chain.

Speaking on Simond’s New Chapter in India, Mr. Sankar Chatterjee, CEO of Decathlon Sports India said, “Simond by Decathlon’s New Chapter reflects our commitment to strengthening specialist brands as the outdoor category continues to expand. We are seeing increasing depth and technical expectations in mountain sports, and it is important that our portfolio evolves accordingly. This refreshed positioning allows us to build Simond with greater clarity and consistency while supporting the sustainable growth of the mountain segment in India.”

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Hans Peter Jensen, Sports Director, Decathlon Sports India said, “Mountain sports demand precision, reliability and equipment that performs in real conditions. Decathlon's products are developed and validated in alpine environments where safety and durability are essential. This sharper focus ensures Indian climbers, trekkers and mountaineers have access to globally trusted equipment developed with responsible design standards.”

The new Simond range under Decathlon features 40 new product launches, designed for climbing, mountaineering and trekking. Some of the key highlights include:

 1. MT500 55+10L Trekking Backpack: Designed for multi-day treks, the backpack features a reinforced frame with a ventilated mesh back panel to improve airflow and reduce pressure. An adjustable height system allows trekkers to customize the carrying position for better comfort and balance on long journeys.

 2. Mamba Ice Axe: A lightweight and versatile alpine tool designed for use on both ice and rock. Its modular design allows the pick and hammer to be easily interchanged, while the steel blade delivers reliable traction with a balanced weight of 545g.

 3. Sprint Helmet: An ultralight helmet for climbing and mountaineering, built with hybrid PPE, EPS and polycarbonate construction for reliable impact protection. Removable thermoformed foam allows users to adjust the fit for greater comfort during long climbs.

4. Alpinism Mountaineering Tent: An all-season tent engineered for demanding alpine conditions. Its geodesic structure and YUNAN aluminium poles enhance stability, while a quick-pitch system enables faster setup in challenging environments.

 5. MT500 Leather Trekking Boots: Built for durability across rugged mountain trails, the boots feature a Vibram rubber sole for strong grip and traction. PU cushioning in the heel improves comfort and shock absorption during long-distance treks.

 6. Waterproof Expedition Duffle 900: Designed for expedition travel, the duffle offers adjustable capacity from 80L to 120L. Welded construction and IPX4 waterproof protection help keep gear secure and dry in harsh conditions.

The new Simond by Decathlon’s technical mountain range is now available at Decathlon stores across India and online at www.decathlon.in.

ABOUT SIMOND BY DECATHLON

Founded in 1860 in Chamonix, Simond is a specialist performance mountain brand and part of the Decathlon group since 2008. Dedicated to climbing, mountaineering and advanced trekking, Simond combines 165 years of alpine expertise with a philosophy of Performance by Fair Means, delivering technically credible, responsibly designed products for serious mountain enthusiasts worldwide.

ABOUT DECATHLON

A global multi-specialist sports brand catering to beginners and top athletes, Decathlon is an innovative maker of sporting goods for all skills. With more than 100,000 teammates and 1,700 stores worldwide, Decathlon and its teams have been working ever since 1976 to fulfil an ongoing ambition: Move people through the wonders of sport, to help them be healthier and happier in a sustainable future.