MAM
BBC World triumphs at World Travel Awards
MUMBAI: BBC World has been voted ‘The World’s Leading TV Channel for Travellers’ at the 14th World Travel Awards, for the third year in a row.
The World Travel Awards were conceived in 1993 to “acknowledge and celebrate excellence in the world’s travel and tourism industry.” The awards are voted for by travel and tourism professionals from 167,000 travel agencies, tour and transport companies and tourism organisations in more than 160 countries across the globe.
BBC World was presented with the award at a ceremony in the Turks and Caicos Islands recently. The channel was the winner of the same award at the World Travel Awards 2005 and 2006.
BBC World travel distribution account director Zina Neophytou said, “It’s a very proud achievement for BBC World to win this prestigious award for the third consecutive year. BBC World’s reach within the travel sector continues to grow year-on-year in this immensely important sector of distribution, meaning that the channel can now be seen by travellers wherever they are in the world.”
BBC World claims to attract 76 million viewers a week, is available in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide, and reaches 270 million households and more than 1.5 million hotel rooms.
Brands
Nestlé India posts 14.9 per cent sales growth, profit rises in FY26
FMCG major sweetens returns with dividend as strong domestic demand leads
NEW DELHI: Nestlé India has reported a strong financial performance for the year ended 31 March 2026, with sales and profits rising steadily on the back of robust domestic demand.
The company posted total income of Rs 231,949.5 million for FY26, up from Rs 202,645.5 million in the previous year, marking a growth of 14.9 per cent. Domestic sales remained the key driver, increasing 14.6 per cent to Rs 221,187.0 million, while exports contributed Rs 9,527.6 million to the overall tally.
The final quarter of the financial year added extra momentum, with total sales rising 23.4 per cent compared to the same period last year. This helped lift the company’s annual profit to Rs 35,446.0 million, up from Rs 33,145.0 million in FY25.
Shareholders are set to benefit as the board has recommended a final dividend of Rs 5.00 per equity share. This comes on top of the interim dividend of Rs 7.00 per share paid in February 2026. The record date for the final dividend has been fixed as 10 July 2026, subject to shareholder approval at the 67th Annual General Meeting scheduled for 3 July 2026. If approved, the payout will begin from 30 July 2026.
During the year, the company’s paid-up equity share capital doubled to Rs 1,928.3 million following a 1:1 bonus share issue, strengthening its capital base. The results were also supported by a Rs 1,207.8 million credit from exceptional items, including a Rs 2,023.2 million writeback from resolved income tax litigation, partially offset by restructuring costs and expenses related to new labour codes.
On the cost front, material costs rose to 44.8 per cent of sales for the full year, compared to 43.6 per cent in the previous year, reflecting ongoing input cost pressures. Despite this, the company maintained solid profitability, with EBITDA coming in at Rs 53,060.6 million.
Overall, Nestlé India’s performance underscores its ability to balance growth and margins in a challenging environment. With steady demand, disciplined cost management and consistent shareholder returns, the company appears well placed to carry its momentum into the next financial year.
