The Global Association of Events & Hospitality Professionals (GAEHP) successfully organised its 8th LEAP trip (Learn • Engage • Assess • Promote), an exclusive Familiarisation (FAM) Trip for 40 travel, tourism, and hospitality professionals from across India on 25–26 July 2026 in Varanasi.
Hosted at Gangotri – A Divine River Retreat, Varanasi’s prestigious luxury floating hotel featuring 24 elegantly appointed rooms, the LEAPtrip provided members with a unique opportunity to experience one of India’s most distinctive hospitality products while exploring the cultural and spiritual essence of the holy city.
Designed around GAEHP’s LEAPtrip philosophy of enabling members to personally experience tourism products before recommending them to clients, the program featured a carefully curated itinerary that included the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti, an invigorating morning yoga session, and a breathtaking sunrise over the River Ganges from the deck of Gangotri. These immersive experiences offered participants a deeper understanding of Varanasi as a destination for leisure, spiritual, and experiential tourism.
The members were graciously hosted by the Malviya family — Mr. Vikas Malviya, Mr. Vivek Malviya, and Mr. Jayant Malviya — along with the dedicated team at Gangotri. Their exceptional hospitality, meticulous planning, and personalized attention ensured a memorable stay for every participant and showcased the highest standards of Indian hospitality.
On 26th July 2026, the delegation concluded the LEAPtrip with an authentic culinary experience at Shree Shivay Thali Dining Varanasi, one of Varanasi’s most celebrated dining destinations. Founded by Mr. Piyush Verma, the restaurant is renowned for its unlimited traditional thali, offering guests an authentic taste of regional cuisine in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The delightful dining experience served as the perfect conclusion to the visit.
The LEAPtrip reinforced that Gangotri – A Divine River Retreat and Shree Shivay Thali Dining together offer a unique blend of luxury, culture, spirituality, and authentic hospitality, making them exceptional offerings for domestic and international travellers seeking to experience the true soul of Varanasi.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rajesh Arya, President, GAEHP, said:
“Our LEAPtrip initiative continues to create meaningful value for both our members and hospitality partners. By personally experiencing destinations and hospitality products, our members become stronger ambassadors for tourism. We sincerely thank Gangotri and Shree Shivay Thali Dining for extending exceptional hospitality and making the 8th edition of GAEHP LEAPtrip a remarkable success.”
The initiative was conceptualized and coordinated by Ms. Pratibha Arora, Director – Events & FAM, GAEHP, whose efforts played a key role in the successful execution of the program.
Over the years, GAEHP LEAPtrips have evolved into one of the association’s flagship initiatives, providing members with exclusive opportunities to Learn, Engage, Assess, and Promote destinations and hospitality products through first-hand experiences while strengthening collaboration between the travel trade and hospitality industry.
