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May–June 2018 ` 50

Kid-Friendly Vacations

Indulge your children or the child in you with our curated list of exciting experiences—from launching a rocket to mountain adventures

CARIBBEAN DREAMS The twin islands of Trinidad & Tobago are a piece of paradise by the sea

SECRETS OF SIN CITY

Beyond the glitz and glam of Las Vegas is a dash of culture and great food

BREAK THE HEAT

Tea plantation strolls or a wild chase... five ideas for your summer vacation

Luxurious Sanctuary You often dream of extending your stay indefinitely.

Inviting you to the Residential Suites where the point of distinction is St. Regis signature living. Discover a full spectrum of bespoke services and treat yourself to the coveted luxury of time.

Š2016 Marriott International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Preferred Guest, SPG, St. Regis and their logos are the trademarks of Marriott International, Inc., or its affiliates.

The St. Regis Mumbai 462, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400013, India t. +91 88793 35917 stregis.com/mumbai

Stay exquisite at more than 40 St. Regis hotels and resorts worldwide. @stregishotels

May–June 2018

GO 08 COVER STORY

Top 10 experiences around the world for your kids and the kid in you

18 INBOUND DIALOGUE

Anshul Jain, General Manager and Director, Merlin Entertainments India Pvt Ltd for Madame Tussauds, New Delhi

20 ABROAD VIEW

The island duo of Trinidad & Tobago are a piece of paradise with their gorgeous beaches and crystal-clear seas

28 ABROAD VIEW

Experience a hint of culture, dig into some great food and hit the casinos in style in Sin City Las Vegas

36 HOME TURF

Beat the heat this summer with five refreshing experiences around India

44 INBOUND DIALOGUE

KJ Alphons, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism

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May–June 2018

STAY

MOVE

REGULARS

46 HOTEL NEWS

60 AIRLINE NEWS

68 PEOPLE IN NEWS

50 FEATURE

62 FLY AWAY

72 READY RECKONER

Updates about the hospitality industry from around the world

Set in the lap of nature and luxury, Chikmagalur is the perfect getaway for coffee lovers

56 NEW ABODE

Xandari Harbour in Fort Kochi for some waterside luxury or Alwar Bagh by Aamod at Alwar for a regal escape

Updates about the aviation industry from around the world

Air India is the longest running airline company in the country

Updates about the movements in the industry The perfect companion for your travels around the world

66 CHECK IN CHECK OUT

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport is now the world’s No. 1 in the 40 million passengers per annum category

COVER & CONTENTS PICTURES: SHUTTERSTOCK ERRATUM In the Hotel News section of the March–April issue of Selling World Travel, we wrongly carried a photo of a different property along with an item on Hyatt Regency Pune.

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Dear Reader, The way we travel changes with the stage we are at in life. When we are young children, we travel with our parents and siblings on vacations. As we grow older we begin to travel with friends, solo or with a companion. In the bloom of youth, we might still vacation with the family, though now our choice of destination along with the way we travel might have undergone a drastic change.

And then life comes full circle when you have a family and kids of your own. It’s once again time for the family vacation, though this time you are the responsible adult. Travelling with children is a challenge, but it can be an absolute pleasure when the entire family stores away memories that last a lifetime—you just have to get the destination and the activities right. In this issue, we do a bucket list of experiences from around the world which you must do along with your children…find out all about space and the galaxies, undertake soft but exhilarating mountain adventures and meet your favourite characters at theme parks around the world. This list of kid-friendly experiences is a good starting point. Offering two diverse international experiences, we have a feature on the twin islands of Trinidad and Tobago and the good beach life they offer.

Talking about the good life, hop over to Las Vegas, Sin City in the US, where you can indulge yourself like in no other place in the world.

In India, the summer is upon us, and we give you a list of some great destinations for the season such as Chail in Himachal Pradesh and the hill town of Pangot in Uttarakhand. Like always, we have our regular sections on news from the world of travel, hospitality and aviation as well as interviews with the experts. There are a lot of places to travel to this season…and we suggest you experience them with your little ones. Enjoy travelling.

Happy Selling!

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COMMERCIAL OFFICES Sales and Advertising Delhi Rajesh Kumar (National Head, Government & PSUs) rajesh@emmindia.com, 0124 3083634 Vinit Pandhi (General Manager) vinit@emmindia.com, 0124 3083620 Swapnil Choudhary (Manager) swapnil@emmindia.com, 0124 3083525 Mumbai Soumya Maheshwari (Vice President) soumya@emmindia.com Marketing & Activation Snigdha Sharma (Senior Manager) snigdha@emmindia.com CORPORATE OPERATIONS Simon Clays (Publishing Director) Puneet Nanda (Chief Financial Officer ) Sonya Caroline Shah (Senior Manager-HR) Sushila Choudhary (Manager-Admin) Arun Salhotra (Manager-IT) REPRO: MEDIENPARTNER INTERNATIONAL INDIA/BURDA DRUCK INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED.

INTERNATIONAL SALES & ADVERTISING FRANCE/LUXEMBOURG MARION BADOLLE-FEICK Tel: +33 1 72 71 25 24 marion.badolle-feick@burda.com ITALY MARIOLINA SICLARI Tel: +39 02 91 32 34 66 mariolina.siclari@burda.com GERMANY VANESSA VON MINCKWITZ Tel: +49 89 92 50 35 32 vanessa.vonminckwitz.denz@burda.com MICHAEL NEUWIRTH Tel: +49 89 9250 3629 michael.neuwirth@burda.com

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Published and printed by Parineeta Sethi, on behalf of the owners M/s Exposure Media Marketing Pvt. Ltd. Published at B-1 LGF, Geetanjali Enclave, New Delhi 110017 and printed at Galaxy Offset (India) Pvt. Ltd. B-83, Naraina Industrial Area, Phase II, New Delhi - 110028. The views and opinions expressed or implied in Selling World Travel are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Exposure Media Marketing Pvt. Ltd. Unsolicited articles and transparencies are sent at the owner’s risk and the publisher accepts no liability for loss or damage. Materials in this publication may not be reproduced, whether in part or in whole, without the consent of the owner Exposure Media Marketing Pvt. Ltd.

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CALENDAR EVENTS

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Dubai, United Arab Emirates AIRPORT SHOW 15-17 May 2018

Gangneung, South Korea PATA ANNUAL SUMMIT 17-20 May 2018

London, United Kingdom BOUTIQUE + LIFESTYLE HOTEL SUMMIT 21-22 May 2018

The 18th edition of the world’s largest annual airport exhibition will host 7,000 aviation professionals, while 300 leading suppliers will showcase latest airport technologies, products and services.

Pacific Asia Travel Association’s (PATA) annual summit will bring together international leaders and industry shapers who are professionally engaged with the Asia Pacific region, to enhance the quality of tourism.

The 8th edition of the summit will highlight things that make the boutique and lifestyle hotel sector vibrant. Engage, learn and perform business at Europe’s only B2B boutique and lifestyle hotel conference.

Multi-city, India INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL ROADSHOW 12 June 2018

Seoul, South Korea KOREA WORLD TRAVEL FAIR (KOTFA) 14-17 June 2018

Nusa Dua, Indonesia BALI & BEYOND TRAVEL FAIR 26-30 June 2018

Held in four cities at a time, the International Travel Roadshow is a B2B platform for potential buyers to meet outbound travel agents and tour operators. It’s the first and only such multicountry, multi-city roadshow.

The Korea World Travel Fair (KOTFA) is, with its 33-year history, the largest international travel fair in South Korea where 70 countries participate to promote their tourism resources and cultures.

An effort to showcase Indonesia’s archipelago to the world and bring together sellers and buyers in a single forum, it aims to advance the tourism industry through direct promotion of travel practices.

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SHUTTERSTOCK

GO

10 Kid-Friendly Experiences The Charms Of Trinidad & Tobago Lose Yourself In Las Vegas Great Indian Summer Vacations

GO OUTBOUND INTERNATIONAL NEWS

SHUTTERSTOCK

BHUTAN WINS THE EARTH AWARD AT ITB BERLIN

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he kingdom of Bhutan recently won the Earth Award at the award ceremony held at ITB Berlin, a leading global tourism trade fair in Germany. The decision was taken by a jury of 12 representatives from leading sustainable tourism organisations and networks, and the country was picked from a list of top 100 sustainable tourism destinations. The programme was held to recognise the destinations that are making efforts for the development and promotion of sustainable tourism. It also acted as a platform to present ‘green destinations’ to the world. An annual platform for global tourism players, ITB Berlin receives over 1,60,000 visitors every year.

SHUTTERSTOCK

NEW ZEALAND WELCOMES TOI ART

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oi Art, a new art gallery in New Zealand, was recently launched by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in Wellington. The gallery spans two levels of the national museum, Te Papa. It showcases iconic works from the national art collection as well as new art pieces crafted especially for this space, including paintings by C.F. Goldie, Gottfried Lindauer, Rita Angus, Ralph Hotere, Colin McCahon, Gordon Walters and Robyn Kahukiwa. Toi Art adds 40,000 artworks, 1,50,000 photographs and 40 new acquisitions of the national art collection. Apart from the exhibition of art, the gallery is also set to offer hands-on art activities for children and interactive sessions such as a virtual reality visit to an artist’s studio.

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QUICK BITES • The World Food Travel

HUA HIN HOLDS INTERNATIONAL KITE FESTIVAL 2018

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he popular Thailand International Kite Festival was held at the Army Non-Commissioned Officer School in Hua Hin this year. The event saw 20 kite flying teams from various countries, including Switzerland, Germany and France. Apart from the displays of giant kites in the sky, the festival also featured musical performances of revolution kites and high-speed flying stunts performed by the kite fliers. There were many other attractions, including the Kite Kid Paint corner, a DIY section for making limited edition art pieces, a Boomerang-making workshop, food trucks offering signature dishes from Hua Hin and a kite exhibition. Being held for over 10 years now, the festival has grown popular among travellers to Thailand.

Q EXPERIENCES ANNOUNCES THE WHITE CONTINENT 2018

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Experiences has announced the second edition of the luxury cruise, The White Continent 2018, to Antarctica.

The 14-day voyage to the frozen continent will begin on December 27 this year. The journey offers a two-day stay in Buenos Aires in Argentina and an overnight stay in Ushuaia, a resort town located at the southernmost tip of South America. This is the only experience in the world to include a stay in Ushuaia, popularly known as the ‘end of the world’. The cruise will be especially curated for 200 people and will allow travellers to experience the culinary craft of the first Indian Michelin-starred chef, Atul Kochhar, and the catering centre of excellence run by Alain Ducasse Conseil.

Association (WFTA) held the second edition of its Online Food Travel Summit over April 24-25. The digital summit that aimed at bringing together a variety of professionals from the food, beverage, tourism and hospitality industries, had Erik Wolf, Executive Director, WFTA; Danny Adler, Founder, Adler & Marlow; Veruska Anconitano, award-winning food and travel writer; and Midgi Moore, owner, Juneau Food Tours, among others as speakers. The online sessions were attended by a number of marketing strategists, PR and advertising professionals, government officials, entrepreneurs, developers, trainers, educators, bloggers and students. The summit covered various practices, how to’s and case studies relating to the development and promotion of F&B tourism.

• Presented by the Highland Street Foundation and produced by the Boch Center, the annual festival of ArtWeek expanded its footprint this year across Massachusetts for the very first time and was held from April 27 to May 6. This follows after Boch Center announced last year that the ArtWeek will be expanding state-wise.

The Mass Cultural Council and Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism were the official partners. This ensured the development of regional hubs in terms of developing creative economy. The annual spring festival featured hundreds of unique and creative experiences that were hands-on, interactive and offered behind-the-scenes access to artists and the creative process.

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SHUTTERSTOCK

GO OUTBOUND COVER STORY

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Selling World Travel May–June 2018

A Beautiful Kid-Friendly World Launch a rocket, dive under water, go aloft in a hot air balloon, ski, meet a dragon on a mountaintop, zipline over the ocean‌ Here's a laundry list of exciting experiences, where kids can be kids and adults can indulge the child in them!

By GUSTASP & JEROO IRANI

May–June 2018

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Contact www.martinhal.com/sagres

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GUSTASP & JEROO IRANI

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WHAT KIDS WANT AT SAGRES, PORTUGAL The minuscule village of Sagres, Portugal, was once thought to be the end of the known world, for just five km away lies the most southwesterly point in Europe. Swathed in a dreamy mercurial beauty, Sagres is the kind of place that can spark a kid’s imagination. For from here, the Portuguese voyages of discovery took place.

Vasco da Gama sailed around the nearby windy, dangerous Cape St Vincent in search of a maritime route to India. And legend has it that the Nautical School of Sagres was set up nearby by Henry the Navigator who initiated and financed many of the voyages. In this hallowed spot, the Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resort was created to make family vacations a breeze.

Enfolded in the tranquility of a nature reserve overlooking a golden sand beach edged by sun-baked cliffs, the luxe resort provides, for starters, an innovative Baby Concierge service which allows couples to pre-order (or on check-in) bottle warmers, sterilizers, cots, etc which are placed in the rooms prior to arrival.

There is a choice of heated swimming pools (including two for toddlers), a crèche helmed by child care professionals and a Kids Club with age-appropriate fun and activities. For tweens and teens, there are water sports like paddle boarding, wind surfing, dolphin watching as well as a football academy, tennis centre… enough to convert bored sulky teenagers into happy tanned vacationers!

Dining options start with Kids Menus (six-month-old infants and older are served freshly made purees, finger foods and other age-appropriate fare); the Gourmet Kids Menu is for older children and comfort food like pizzas is also available. Parents too can embark on a gastronomic odyssey at the multiple restaurants and bars while children play in the supervised Kids Corner.

Or the entire family can bond, hang loose or just wiggle their toes in the sand!

PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK

(Facing page) Sagres in Portugal has a dreamy beauty that can spark a kid's imagination; The Oasis of the Seas, one of the largest ships afloat today, has a 28,000 sq ft Youth Zone; (this page) the Cite de l’espace in Toulouse, the capital of the space industry in France and Europe, has a mirror-finished geodesic dome with an Omnimax theatre

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SAIL ON THE OASIS OF THE SEAS If Christopher Columbus had sailed in search of new worlds on The Oasis of the Seas, one of the largest ships afloat today, he would have wished that he had taken his family along. The Oasis, the brainchild of Miami-based Royal Caribbean International, we discovered, is a vast playground for adults and children alike!

A 225,000-tonne ship with 5,400 passengers can be confusing.

However, on the Oasis, a GPS tagging system has been introduced for children from three years to 11, enabling parents to locate their wards (via wristbands) wherever they may be. A swimming pool for kids; an ice rink, two giant rock climbing walls, a basketball court, a miniature golf course and two Flow riders where professionals teach kids the basics of surfing and body surfing and even an 82-ft-long, first-at-sea zipline… are some of the blandishments.

The 28,000-sq-ft Youth Zone is a kids-dedicated space, helmed by trained staff. The Adventure Ocean programme (for six months to 11 years who are further segmented age-wise) and a happening teen area (for 12- to 17-year-olds) offers stimulating, specially designed activities. In the Adventure Ocean Theatre, kids learn about theatre and performing arts.

There is a Kids Avenue and even a science lab, where volunteers teach children about spiders, bugs, dinosaurs, and so on. Arts and crafts activities, treasure hunts and talent shows as well as a vast indoor playground and an old-world first-at-sea carousel! Could a child ask for more? Indeed, on the Oasis, kids rule the waves!

Contact www.royalcaribbean.com

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JOURNEY INTO SPACE AT TOULOUSE, FRANCE Space, the final frontier—intangible, mysterious: explore it, embrace it! Where? At the Cite de l’espace in Toulouse, the capital of the space industry in France and Europe!

Fifty thousand schoolgoing children per year revel in this immersive

experience and perhaps leave with as many questions as answers.

This unique space museum-cum-theme park makes you reach for the moon, the stars and the planets and arrive at a deeper understanding of the universe and the cosmos.

There are hands-on exhibits like the one we tried—the moon walk (where one is six times lighter than on Earth) or creating a storm in the mountains. Or gaze fascinatedly at a moon rock, collected on August 1, 1971, during the Apollo 15 mission, the fourth mission when men walked on the moon. Mars is the new frontier!

On August 5, 2012, the robot Curiosity landed on the Red Planet and is still there. At the Space museum, there is a life-sized animated replica of the Curiosity rover.

Families spend as much as six and a half hours exploring this unique museum with its full-scale models of the Ariane 5 rocket, Mir Space Station and Soyuz models. There’s even a mock-up of a control room near Ariane 5 where kids can go through the exercise of launching a rocket into space. At the Kids’ Base in front of the Ariane 5 rocket, children get to be astronomers, astronauts or engineers. But it is in the IMAX Theatre with its six-storey-high IMAX screen which projects gasp-inducing 3D images that we could feel the power of space at an emotional level and the awesome beauty of the Earth and its place in the cosmos!

The charming town of Toulouse is also home to Airbus and the Aeroscopia Aeronautical Museum, abutting the Toulouse-Blagnac Airport. The sleek Concorde, resembling a giant bird of prey, is undoubtedly the highlight of this child-friendly museum, even though there is an amazing star cast of aircraft from monster cargo aircraft, the popular A300 series to sleek and mean fighter jets.

Built like an aircraft hangar, the museum is studded with fascinating nuggets of information. Little wonder then, that the residents of Toulouse are always gazing heavenward, looking for shooting stars and planes.

Contact www.toulouse-tourisme.com

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In Dubai, kids as well as adults can indulge in activities such as indoor skiing or kite surfing; (facing page) around 120 million tourists visit the ski runs of the Swiss Alps every year, where kids can go sledding

PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK

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THEME PARKS IN DUBAI Dubai does not believe in half-measures. Everything has to be ostentatious, bordering on excess, even when it comes to entertaining kids. Up the ante on the observation deck of Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world) which offers superlative views of a modern city, unfolding across a dun-coloured desert landscape. After this visual bonanza, kids foray into Wild Wadi—a water park that thunders with 30 gravitydefying rides.

There is more of the same at Atlantis, a flamboyant resort on the man-made island of Palm Jumeirah. Spread over 42 acres, the park tempts with speed slides, rivers, rapids, lush tropical landscapes, a children's play area and even a private beach. Dolphin Bay in Atlantis gets you up close to the friendliest mammals on Earth.

Want to ski? Try Ski Dubai, an indoor ski resort in the cavernous Mall of the Emirates where qualified instructors teach kids how to ski. The Mall also features exciting games and rides.

In the Dubai Mall, kids can play football on an artificial turf pitch, skate in an Olympic-sized ice rink and gape at exotic marine life in the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. There’s also Kite beach with trampolines, an adventure gym and a play area for the little ones. If you have the time, head for mega theme parks like Motiongate, Bollywood Parks and Legoland. Outdoors, get a feel of the desert on a safari.

Go dune bashing and then ride a lurching camel, followed by an atmospheric dinner in the desert. Or drift away on a languid dhow cruise down Dubai’s historic creek. Yes, in Dubai, kids and adults get ensnared in an Arabian Nights fantasy.

Contact www.visitdubai.com

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MOUNTAIN ADVENTURES AT MOUNT PILATUS, SWITZERLAND Mountains in Switzerland spring up organically from the land, raking the sky with jagged peaks. The Swiss Alps are nature’s bounteous gift to Switzerland. Mt Pilatus soars dramatically (2,132 metres) over the picturesque town of Lucerne in central Switzerland and is the quintessential Swiss mountain resort with adventure options up its sleeve.

The thrills start with a two-stage gondola ride across pine forestdraped hills, dappled with wood chalets. At Krienseregg, the first stage of the gondola ride, unravels the PILU land adventure playground, where kids get to interact with the Pilatus dragon of myth and legend and explore his castle and garden.

At Fräkmüntegg, visitors switch from the gondola to the Dragon Ride, the mountain resort’s sleek new cable car with large windows and cockpit-like design.

There, kids can navigate the country’s largest suspension Rope Park and zip down the longest summer toboggan run in Switzerland and even walk and hike with the family. In winter, kids can go on sledge/toboggan runs from Fräkmüntegg down to Krienseregg.

At the icy, wind-swept summit of the mountain, one tiptoes down an eerie tunnel from where Pilatus’s fire-breathing dragon might emerge but we saw instead sweeping views of the valley below. On the way down, kids get to ride the steepest cogwheel railway in the country. And then catch a tooting boat back to Lucerne.

Pssst! You may hear some yodelling calls ride the air and an alp horn sound like a lament across the slopes!

Contact www.pilatus.ch

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EXPERIENCE THE WATER WORLD AT NIAGARA FALLS, CANADA Three-quarters of a million gallons of water poured from what seemed to be a gigantic celestial faucet. Nature’s display of brawn sweeps the most blasé kids and adults off their feet. We were gazing slack-jawed at the Niagara’s Horseshoe Falls from the Canadian side—essentially, the Niagara river gushing into the gaping mouth of a semi-circular cliff. Native Indians had a more evocative name for this natural wonder: Thundering Water. Niagara Falls is the catch-all name given to the three falls that straddle the international border between the United States and Canada. And when the falls are floodlit at night, they hurtle in multi-hued glory into a bottomless void. The American and the Bridal Veil Falls on the US side are the tallest while the vast curtain of water that comprises the Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side are more magnificent.

There are numerous fun things in store for kids on the Canadian side of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sail aboard a Hornblower Niagara Cruises boat, and get drenched as the vessel floats into the Horseshoe Falls. In the Journey Behind the Falls, snaking tunnels lead visitors behind the hurtling waters. From the observation deck of the Skylon Tower, take in expansive views or skim over the grand cataract in a helicopter. At dusk, board the Hornblower Niagara Cruises boat to gaze at the sky over the falls riven by a mighty display of fireworks! And the falls continue to plummet down as they have, for 12,000 years.

Contact www.keepexploring.in

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SNORKELLING & MORE IN SEYCHELLES The waters around the Seychelles archipelago, seemingly adrift in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa, sparkle in different shades of startling blue. And below the tranquil surface is a world unknown: multi-hued coral gardens, brimming

(Above) In the Journey Behind the Falls, snaking tunnels lead visitors behind the hurtling waters of the Niagara Falls on the Canadian side; kids can learn how to snorkel and pet giant tortoises in Seychelles; (facing page) Las Vegas, despite its Sin City tag, is a child-friendly destination

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PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK

with marine life. Some of the best snorkelling sites are located between the uninhabited islands of Cocos and Felicite which are accessible by boat from La Digue, the third largest island in Seychelles.

Kids in our group were taught how to snorkel and got to peer at yellow trumpet fish, orange clown fish, turtles and more. Back on La Digue, kids explored the island on bicycles, peddling past its famed beaches. At the kid-friendly L’Union Estate, tiny tots got to pet giant tortoises and some even went horse riding.

Some kids in our group retraced the steps of the notorious pirate, La Buse, who once terrorised the shipping lanes of the Indian Ocean. He buried his ill-gotten treasure somewhere and the secret of its location died with the buccaneer. Kids who may be potential naturalists love the Valle de Mai Nature Reserve, on the island of Praslin, where they get to see wonders like the Coco de Mer palm tree which has a single nut that can weigh between 15 to 30 kg and is the largest seed in the plant kingdom. And there are other indigenous beauties: the green geckos, rare blue pigeon, red-breasted fody, paradise flycatcher and giant tortoise.

Contact www.seychelles.travel

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TOUR THE WORLD IN LAS VEGAS, USA “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!” Not true for kids. For Las Vegas, despite its Sin City tag, is a childfriendly destination. Here fantasy is designed to ignite a kid's imagination and let it run riot. We took a world tour when we walked down the city’s famed Strip. The Pyramids of Egypt; the Eiffel Tower of Paris; the roar of the MGM lion... cruised down the canals of Venice in a gondola; rode a roller coaster that swivelled around the skyline of New York City; hopped into a time machine and visited the knights of Camelot... The themed resorts that line this famous May–June 2018

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GETTY IMAGES

The Hong Kong Disneyland may be the smallest of the Disney-themed parks but that makes it eminently navigable; (facing page) Costa Rica, with its Jurassic Park-type forests, volcano national parks and waterfall gardens, has much to offer to children

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SHUTTERSTOCK

avenue have drawn inspiration from iconic sites around the world.

Step into any resort and you are greeted by crystal flowerbeds hanging from ceilings; hot air balloons suspended under glass domes; a ferris wheel made of coloured glass...

Back on The Strip, fountains dance to music; a pirate’s galleon sinks in front of Treasure Island Resort; a fiery volcano explodes in front of the Mirage... And kids love to take selfies with the screen heroes who roam the streets! It's showtime, kids! A choice of wholesome shows awaits the entire family, including six different Cirque du Soleil extravaganzas. Yes, Vegas is the stage for a nonstop party.

And kids of all ages are invited to join the fun.

Contact www.lasvegas.com

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MEET DISNEY CHARACTERS IN HONG KONG Hong Kong was one of the first overseas destinations that we travelled to with our obstreperous threeyear-old granddaughter. And she gave this vibrant city of steel and chrome a resounding thumbs-up! Hong Kong is not just a concrete jungle but a fun place to bond with the family; for instance, at Hong Kong Disneyland. This park may be the smallest of the Disney-themed parks but that makes it eminently navigable. We spent an entire day exploring the seven themed areas and went on a few classic rides, such as It’s a Small World and the Mad Hatter’s Tea Cup ride; took a selfie with Minnie first and deeply offended Mickey in the process; and watched shows like the Lion King done with dollops of Disney flair. The highlight of the day was a street parade of Disney characters followed by spectacular fireworks that lit up the evening sky.

Equally fascinating is Ocean Park, on the south side of Hong Kong Island, with its huge aquarium and play area for younger kids, while the Summit has rides for older kids. There are pandas and sea lions too for animal lovers to gaze at. For a change of pace, we rode the historic Star Ferry and also travelled by the Peak Tram,

the steepest funicular railway in the world, to The Peak, the highest point in Hong Kong. There Madame Tussaud’s and the Chocolate Museum were fun sidelights to the main action. The grand finalé was the magical Symphony of Lights show over Victoria Harbour when coloured lasers and lights set the sky ablaze over Hong Kong’s iconic buildings, drawing ecstatic sighs from adults and kids alike.

Contact www.discoverhongkong.com

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EXPERIENCE NATURE’S GLORY IN COSTA RICA Costa Rica’s Jurassic Park-type forests had featured in the blockbuster movie, Jurassic Park, and its sequels, and so this Central American country was on our bucket list.

The stunning Poas Volcano National Park, an hour and a half 's drive away from the capital, San Jose, rises 2,708 m above sea level and showcases some glorious sights: an armour-plated armadillo strolling across a winding trail; a sunbird with glorious plumage; and, weather permitting, a green, rain-fed lake is visible at the bottom of a 350-metre-deep crater, the largest active crater in the world. Lake Botos fills another extinct crater and is accessible via a serpentine trail.

At the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, an ecological nature theme park, located on the slopes of the Poas volcano, hummingbirds flitted over feeding stations and large-beaked toucans posed on the arms of kids for a selfie while some kids spotted a butterfly emerge from a pupa at the butterfly observatory.

The song of the wild engulfed the walking trails while exhibits of rescued animal such as jaguars, pumas, ocelots, and so on as well as a petting zoo were fun options for the young. The Manuel Antonio National Park, 132 km away from the capital, is a magnet for kids thanks to its white sand beaches and coral reefs that edge the blue Pacific Ocean. Indeed, Costa Rica beckons both kids and adults!

Contact www.visitcostarica.com

May–June 2018

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GO INBOUND DIALOGUE

WAXING ELOQUENT! Anshul Jain, General Manager and Director at Merlin Entertainments India Pvt Ltd, talks about how the journey has been for their six-month-old Madame Tussauds in New Delhi

the year 2000, there had been a continuously growing demand for a Madame Tussauds experience here in the country. It was quite evident to our global team that we would come to India.

Considering the heritage of India, we could not think of a better place to launch than right in the heart of the nation’s capital. As one of the largest financial and commercial business centres in New Delhi, Connaught Place was the perfect choice for us.

How does the attraction add value to the recreational scene in the capital city?

Delhi is the city that holds the essence of our rich cultural heritage from all eras. It is a historical town with a modern set-up for today. Adding to the same, Madame Tussauds further enriches the flavour and dynamics of entertainment in the capital with its revolutionised art pieces and offerings.

What can visitors to Madame Tussauds expect? What more will you be adding to the attractions in 2018?

The Delhi attraction has a mixed bag of Indian and international celebrities drawn from various walks of life. They include world leaders, sports personalities, musicians, and Bollywood and Hollywood stars. The figures are displayed in special zones created by the brand. This gives an immersive experience to guests when they step into the world of Madame Tussauds. These zones also offer many exciting activities such as the wax hand, virtual hockey etc. At present, we are focusing on the alreadyexisting zones, which have grown really popular among visitors.

We plan to continue adding to our collection of figures so that visitors always have a reason to visit us time and again.

The Delhi attraction has a mixed bag of Indian and international celebrities drawn from various walks of life. They include world leaders, sports personalities, musicians, and Bollywood and Hollywood stars.

How has the reaction to Madame Tussauds been in Delhi?

Madame Tussauds Delhi has received a fabulous response from everyone, which is extremely motivating for us. Visitors have shown great interest in this new form of entertainment and we have received massive support from them. It makes us happy to see people coming in from all over the country and appreciating the unique experience.

What made you select New Delhi (and Connaught Place) for the country’s first Madame Tussauds?

Ever since the first Bollywood wax figure of Amitabh Bachchan was created and displayed in Madame Tussauds London in

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What kind of promotional strategy are you looking at in coming years?

We want visitors to know we are an experiential attraction, and that this one is the ultimate celebrity experience. To establish the same, we have been organising special events and activations like figure launches, Valentine’s Day activation, women’s day activation, etc. We also launch offers and discounts on tickets on a regular basis. Apart from this, we have tied up with various online and offline partners to update our visitors about the new elements in the attraction. The response has been very encouraging and we plan to continue with such activities in future as well.

Tell us about the inflow and the demography of the visitors coming to Madame Tussauds.

We are getting visitors from all around the country. It has been less than six months since we launched the site, and the response has been overwhelming. However, as the attraction is in Delhi, we have seen the major footfall coming from the capital. This is also a result of limited entertainment options in the city.

—Sushmita Srivastav

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GO OUTBOUND ABROAD VIEW

With the beaches of Maracas Bay, Scotland Bay, Las Cuevas and Mayaro, beach-hopping is a popular activity 20 Selling in Trinidad World Travel May–June 2018

A Piece 0f

PARADISE

The dual islands of Trinidad & Tobago in the Caribbean promise drop-dead gorgeous beaches, crystal-clear seas, thriving cities and a whole platter of fun activities.

By KIRTI PANCHAL

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s the plane takes off towards the sky, I cannot help but smile to myself knowing that I am headed to a land far away from home, but one that, for me, is blessedly home too. Post my touchdown after the long flight, I walk hurriedly to head out of the quaint airport of Trinidad & Tobago, right into my aunt’s arms as she eagerly greets me. Soon, we are driving towards home. Having been born into a mixed-marriage family, with my mom being a Trinidadian and dad being an Indian, I am lucky to be a part of two completely different cultures. Along with the sense of warmth and easygoing lifestyle inculcated by my mother, I also imbibed the deep-rooted Indian culture of my dad, which in turn has been a good blend that has helped me till today. With the car speeding towards home, I saw the fresh farms, wide roads and gazed upon the modern structures in the form of malls and corporate buildings that now lie scattered around the small island. As I chatted with my uncle, who updated me on the booming economy and progress of this little island that was once known to be laidback, I was astounded to learn how progress has been made by leaps and bounds.

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(Clockwise) A panoramic view of Trinidad; built in Dravidian style, the 85-foot Hanuman idol here is the second tallest in the world; the best way to explore the twin islands is on horseback; the suburb of Port of Spain retains its vintage charm

INFLUENCED BY INDIA

As I spend a few weeks amid the love of my homeland, I chalk out an itinerary which is spaced out and covers most parts of the twin islands of Trinidad & Tobago, all of which I wanted to visit and experience again, this time in detail! I commenced my trip with the Temple in the Sea, located in Carapichaima and designed and constructed by Siewdass Sadhu, who was known for his love for Hinduism and who struggled alone to build the temple. It is an octagonal structure that houses beautiful idols of Hanuman, Ganesh, Shiva and Durga. It is a peaceful place where one can pray and meditate or admire the sea at length. Driving down a little farther, I revisited the 85-foot Hanuman idol that stands imposingly in the same area of Carapichaima. It is the second tallest such idol in the world and is built according to the Dravidian style of South India. Trinidad is well-known for West Indians whose forefathers came into the country during the 1800s from India in search of small businesses and eventually settled down here. Thus, there is a continued influence of Hinduism as a religion among most of the locals, who celebrate Diwali in the grandest manner and even observe a fast on holy days.

IT’S A BEACH LIFE

With the next few days being relaxed, enjoying Trinidadian river limes is what I focussed on. We picked the Arouca river, which flows through the village of Lopinot, as the perfect liming spot, and my family and I drove through the winding roads of the island with lush green all around, thus giving us the perfect picturesque view. River limes are small gatherings of your loved

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ones with fresh food prepared on the spot, fishing in the river and enjoying a cold dip in its shallow and clear water. This local and fun experience tops the chart for any traveller who visits the country. Next on my itinerary was beach-hopping through some of the best beaches in the country.

In this regard, Maracas Bay is the cherry on the cake. With white sands, swaying coconut trees providing the perfect shade, beach shacks serving famous local delicacies of bake and shark, aloo pie, doubles, mango chutney, and clubs that serve Carib— the best local beer—along with cocktails and rum, this beach is the perfect destination for some peace as well as a whole lot of fun. Among other beaches worth checking out are Las Cuevas beach which is quiet and clean, Mayaro beach that has the longest beach and Scotland Bay, which can be accessed by boat and is an excellent option for swimming. Considering the abundance of crystal-clear sea and other similar water everywhere, I always delay my visit to Pitch Lake, which is situated southwest of Trinidad. Being the largest natural deposit of asphalt in the world, the lake extends over more than 99 acres and is about 75 metres deep. Being a rare phenomenon, Pitch Lake attracts more than 20,000 tourists and researchers every year. Having visited this natural reserve on my trips here, I was curious to know more and thus opted for a guided tour this time to understand more about the lake.

Later, I stood on its shore and washed my feet in the asphalt water, which is said to have medicinal properties and is good for the skin. The twin island of Tobago is comparatively smaller in size than Trinidad and is only a 20-minute flight away. It, though,

KIRTI PANCHAL

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QUICK INFO Language English Capital Port of Spain Climate The weather is usually consistent with December to May being the dry season and June to November being the rainy season. The average humidity is around 70% and it is usually warm and sunny, which is favourable for tourism How to get there Port of Spain, being the capital, has the main airport which

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is connected with frequent flights to the US and UK. There are various flight options that one could choose from India to the US or UK, and then opt for Caribbean Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines or British Airways, some of the many that fly to T&T. How to get around Getting around the islands is easy. Tourists can travel around by regular taxis or maxi-taxis which hold around 12-15 people, regular buses or

Selling World Travel May–June 2018

rental cabs that one can book for the whole day for approximately TT$300 with unlimited mileage.

Stay Being a touristy destination, one can find many options all over.

However, the safest, affordable and comfortable options to choose from are The Hilton, Hyatt Regency and Holiday Inn in Trinidad, while Bacelot Beach Club, Mount Irvine Bay Resort, Turtle Beach by Rex Resorts in

Tobago are other options.

Currency TT dollar (TT$). One TT dollar is `9 approximately.

Dialling Code +1 Embassy B3/26, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi–110057, India.

Emergency contacts Pan-emergency (fire, ambulance) number – 990/999 Time difference Atlantic Standard Time (GMT/UTC minus four hours, five in summer)

PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK

Bands performing country music and couples doing salsa is a common sight in Port of Spain; (facing page) Plaza Mayor marks the centre of Trinidad

has more of a holiday spirit and sees substantially more tourism, as I realised on my four-day trip there. On the first two days, I lazed around Pigeon Point Beach, which is one of the best in the world. With azure water, a calm beach and minimal crowds, it felt like heaven! On the second day, I managed to do an island tour with my very friendly and warm driver who educated me about the long-lost traditions of black magic, and showed me some of the best points on the island. He even took me for lunch at the most serene tree-house restaurant, built on the beach itself! The views were worth the eight-hour journey through all those winding roads.

On my last two days in Tobago, I chose to revisit Bucco Reef & Nylon Pool, which is visited by thousands of tourists every year.

Bucco Reef is a world-renowned site with hundreds of different kinds of reefs that are still growing, endangered leatherback turtles, and the giant manta rays that swim in herds. With snorkelling trips and glass-bottomed boats, the experience is worth writing home about. Merely minutes away from here is Nylon Pool, part sandbank part lagoon, with still water in the middle of the sea not exceeding 2.5 feet in height! What a wonderful dip one can have here, even for all those who are non-swimmers like me.

CITY LIGHTS

Port of Spain, the vibrant capital of the Trinidad & Tobago islands is where one should be to get all the city vibes. From skyscrapers to business parks and tourist attractions, this is where all the action

is! The markets and restaurants are busy and bustling, and I was lucky to be invited for a casual get-together at a swanky restaurant, which was impressive and had some of the best local crowds visiting. With luck favouring me at every step, I was fortunate once again to meet Brian Lara—the renowned and internationally acclaimed cricket star who is from Trinidad and has represented the country internationally.

If you happen to be there, make time to have a drink and gorge on a sumptuous meal at Buzo Osteria Italiana in Port of Spain.

Owned by Buzo Osteria, whose passion and love for cooking gave birth to the eatery, it is an eclectic one that serves some of the best wines and deliciously prepared Italian dishes, which were a delight to my taste-buds. Past the Port of Spain lies the famous Chaguaramas, which is situated towards the western side and is known for docking facilities, cycling and kayaking with a dedicated boardwalk area and a golf course—the largest and oldest in the country.

Perched towards the end of the island, the view is ideal for clicking photos and one can enjoy the company of the well-heeled and the celebrities who live here. With so much to do and see, no amount of time is enough for T&T! Two weeks had passed by in a jiffy, the twin islands had gifted me a natural sun-tan, loads of memories with my family and friends, and unforgettable views of a lifetime. It seemed to me that I was leaving behind a part of me, because that is where half of me will always want to stay!

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FESTIVAL DELIGHT Wellness, camera, action – WELLFEST 2018 saw this and much more! The two-day event was curated by Parineeta Sethi and yoga lifestyle propagator, Nischint Singh, in association with Andaz Delhi, airline partner Lufthansa, wellness destination partner Amazing Thailand and fitness partner Technogym. The first day of the wellness festival saw a unique awards ceremony that felicitated 45 fit and fabulous personalities, including Sunil Sethi, Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, Sumaya Dalmia, Tanisha Mohan, Rajiv Makhni, Atul Wassan and Latika Kaneja. And the second day was filled with panel discussions on the wellness industry in India, fitness, nutrition, beauty and spirituality, interspersed with laughter, dance therapy and healthy food sessions. All in all, the first episode of Wellfest inspired and helped people to work towards achieving their wellness goals.

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1. (L to R) Parineeta Sethi, Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, Sheetal Ansal, Nomita Kohli, Nischint Singh and Vikas Malhotra 2. Ruchitra and Rajiv Makhni 3. Cheena Vig and Isra Stapanaseth 4. Rakshak and Ravish Kapoor 5. Sumaya Dalmia and Pankaj Arora 6. Shivani Wazir Pasrich, Payal Sen and Sangeeta Sharma 7. Sunil Sethi and Bjšrn Rettig 8. Mohit Sahgal and Madhav Sehgal 9. (L to R) Isra Stapanaseth, Amitabh Kant, Neha Lidder, Shivani Wazir Pasrich and Parineeta Sethi 10. (L to R) Deanne Panday, Vesna Jacob, Gurnit Singh Dua, Sumaya Dalmia and Sangeeta Sharma 11. The Amazing Thailand pop-up 12. Jamal Shaikh 13.

Krishna Swaroop, Dr. Jai Madaan and Venerable Maitri Avalokita 14. (L to R) Exec. Chef Alex Moser, Kavita Devgan, Dr. Alok Chopra and Dr. Anjali Hooda 15. The laughter yoga session 16. The healthy cooking session 17. (L to R) Dr. Ishi Khosla, Dr. Kiran Lohia, Sharmi Adhikary, Dr. Chiranjiv Chhabra, Dr. Blossom Kochhar and Parineeta Sethi 18. Massages galore at the Andaz Spa pop-up 19. A guest at the Magnifique pop-up 20. A tarot reading in progress 21. Sangeeta Mehta

SHUTTERSTOCK

GO OUTBOUND ABROAD VIEW

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WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS...

Las Vegas doesn’t hold back. Here, everything is bigger, better, and brighter—whether it’s the extravagant hotels, the sparkling neon signs, or the dressed-to-kill patrons. In this city that knows no restraints, you’re all in, so enjoy the ride.

By APEKSHA BHATEJA

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he air of Las Vegas is heady. It makes even the most levelheaded shrug off their inhibitions. No half measures here, no modesty. Drink it all in and give it all up—you’ll never meet another city with such potent energy and activity. The casinos are just one part of the experience—the untamed city gives you a high with haute cuisines, gripping shows and thrilling rides. During a short visit, I filled up my days with sights and followed the pulse running through the city. Vegas shares her secrets openly with those she’s intimate with; there’s nothing to hide. But once in a while, she surprises you with her earthiness, her rusticity... and you know that the waters run deep around here.

A HINT OF CULTURE

The best casinos in Las Vegas are found in the hotels of The Strip, such as Bellagio, Caesars, Mirage, Wynn and Venetian

The Sin City spins on its axis at night so in the morning hours, take some time out to imbibe a little culture. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the unconventional beginnings of the city are documented at the Mob Museum. Vegas embraces the fact that it was a hotbed of organised crime in America and offers an insight into this history. Besides the exhibits, the museum has interactive experiences such as the Crime Lab which allows you to analyse forensic evidence.

Neon Museum should be your next stop on this culture trail.

The carefully restored neon signs here, of old casinos and other May–June 2018

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QUICK INFO Language English. Spanish is spoken too.

Climate Nevada is a desert state. The climate is sunny and dry, with little rain.

July is the hottest month and the winter months can be chilly and windy at night.

Getting there You’ll need a US visa to enter the country. There are no direct

flights but you can fly to Los Angeles and then touch down at Vegas.

Getting around On the Strip, you can walk to many hotels and casinos. To get to downtown Vegas, hail a taxi or hire a chauffeur-driven car. Your hotel should be able to help with this.

Stay The city runs on tourism, so you’ll

find everything from a cheap room to a luxury suite here. The classics like Bellagio and Wynn Las Vegas are the hangout of high rollers, while the Venetian, Paris and Caesars Palace are great themed hotels. Off the Strip, you can also check out Hard Rock Hotel.

Then, of course, there are Airbnbs and

boutique hotels as well.

Currency US dollars Dialling code +1-702 Embassy Consulate General of India, San Francisco; (415) 668-0062 Emergency contacts 911 Time difference India is 13 hours and 30 minutes ahead of Las Vegas

businesses, are a part of the city’s artistic legacy. Take a guided tour of the outdoor exhibition space and know more about the flashy signs that are synonymous with Vegas. If you’re travelling with kids, a great addition to the itinerary would be Madame Tussauds at the Venetian that has a Marvel 4-D theatre, along with life-like wax statues of celebrities.

DO IT IN STYLE

The destination doesn’t need any more advertisement—everyone knows it’s a place for some R&R. Whether you want to try your luck at the slot machines or go high up for glittering views of the skyline, you’ll find that the city knows how to have fun. It makes sense to start with the casinos, the biggest draw here. From slot machines to poker to blackjack and private space for high rollers, any casino is bound to have it all.

The best ones are often found in hotels such as the Bellagio, Caesars, Mirage, Wynn and Venetian. These not just have floor space for the gambling and games, but also a variety of restaurants and entertainment options—you can watch the ‘O’ Show at the Bellagio or a Celine Dion performance at Caesars. The entertainment capital of the world will not disappoint on this front.

Coming up for air? Take a flight tour in a chopper of the Grand Canyon, where the pilot will land the machine on the basin of the canyon, in the middle of nowhere and pop open a bottle of champagne. Here, in the rugged silence of nature, you will be able to hear yourself ask questions about the magnanimity of Mother Earth and smugness of human beings. Next on your list should be The

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(Clockwise from left) Sin City goes live at night, so dedicate the mornings to various activites, such as dining at Sinatra—a restaurant dedicated to Frank Sinatra at Wynn or shopping at the Roman-themed Caesars Palace. You may also opt for a chopper tour of the Grand Canyon, or zipline on SlotZilla

High Roller. Get your tickets just before sunrise and climb up the 550-foot observation wheel to see all that glitter of the skyline and the unflinching desert on the horizon. If you still have a yearning for adventure, go downtown and zipline across Fremont Street on SlotZilla, watching pedestrians walking 77 feet below you.

PHOTO COURTESY: LAS VEGAS CONVENTION AND VISITORS AUTHORITY (LVCVA)

FOOD TALES

The city sure loves its food. On my visit, I dined at a different place every day and still didn’t even scratch the surface. One of my favourite experiences was at the no-frills Secret Pizza at the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas. Hidden from the crowds, this pizza place doesn’t have large seating, but the white pizza with mozzarella and herbs is to die for.

Keep one afternoon in Vegas for the famed Bacchanal’s Buffet at Caesars Palace and eat to your heart’s content. There are more than 500 dishes from nine kitchens and the 25,000-sq-foot restaurant introduces 15 specials daily. Take your time here and explore all options, from continental to Asian, and don’t leave without having a plateful of desserts.

Heartthrob Frank Sinatra was a Vegas regular. At Wynn Las Vegas, the eponymous restaurant, Sinatra, is still playing his beats. The songs that play are Sinatra numbers, the menu has his favourite dishes, and the walls carry his photos. Hotel tycoon Steve Wynn was a friend of the singer and on the 100th birthday of the legend, he threw a party to celebrate his life—this restaurant is his tribute to him. The Italian menu here has modern classics, but spaghetti and clams and ossobuco are must-tries here. The best part of your meal will be the chocolate fedora mousse that comes with milk custard.

HANDS FULL

If you’re staying at Caesars Palace, you’ll have a hard time getting yourself pulled out of The Forum Shops. With 160 stores housed in the Roman-themed hotel, you can marvel at the beautiful white stoned architecture of the property and be in awe of the amazing discounts on brands here. There are a variety of restaurants here, including Spago by Wolfgang Puck and Trevi Italian Restaurant when you feel the need to stop and refuel.

Just a few minutes off the Strip, you can drive to the North Premium Outlets—a complex with more than 175 designer stores offering up to 65 percent off. Here, you may just have to buy another suitcase to fit all your shopping. If you haven’t had enough, the city also has South Premium Outlets on the other side of the Strip.

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GO INBOUND NATIONAL NEWS

SHUTTERSTOCK

MPTB CREATES LAND BANK FOR TOURISM PROJECTS

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adhya Pradesh Tourism Board has created a land bank for the state’s future tourism projects, by procuring over 849.077 hectares of land at 144 locations in 49 districts around the state. This is a step towards the development of tourism and to attract private investors for effective implementation of the tourism policy of Madhya Pradesh. Apart from this, an additional 432 hectares of land at 71 locations has also been identified. The procurement process is underway and it will soon be transferred to the tourism department. The state has been divided into five tourism regions—Indore, Jabalpur, Bhopal, Gwalior and Rewa. The land will be further offered to private investors for hotels, resorts and similar establishments.

ATLANTIC WATER WORLD LAUNCHES IN NEW DELHI

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he gates of Atlantic Water World, a new water park spread across five acres and located on the Yamuna waterfront near the Okhla barrage in New Delhi, are now open for the public. The water park has a capacity of entertaining over 3,000 people at a time, and comes with diverse attractions, including Aqua Funnel, Tornado, Storm Eye, Baby Cool and more. Imran Ali Khan, Managing Partner, Atlantic Water World, said at the opening, “We are very excited to have opened our gates for the public to visit Atlantic Water World and make memories. Our priority remains the safety and security of all our visitors and our teams will be closely monitoring everything to ensure that everybody has a great time.”

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QUICK BITES • BLS International Services

COUGAR MOTORSPORT ANNOUNCES THE 9TH EDITION OF THE HIMALAYAN DASH

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he ninth edition of The Himalayan Dash, the luxurious trans-Himalayan self-driving expedition by Cougar Motorsport, has been announced. It is slotted to be held from August 29 to September 9 this year. The route for The Himalayan Dash 2018 will tick off Shimla, Sangla, Kalpa, Kaza, Jispa, Sarchu, Leh, Pangong Tso and will close at Hundar in Nubra. The trip includes lodging at various resorts and hotels en route, including The Oberoi Wildflower Hall in Shimla, Banjara Camps in Sangla, Grand Dewachen in Rangrik, Goldrop Campsite in Sarchu, The Grand Dragon Ladakh in Leh, and Royal Camp in Hundar, among others.

Limited, a global specialist provider for outsourcing of visa, passport, attestation, consular and citizen services, was awarded the title of ‘India’s Best Visa Outsourcing Services Company’ at India’s Best Company of The Year Awards 2017 organised by IBC Infomedia, on the basis of comprehensive research conducted by Media Research Group (MRG). The award ceremony was held at The Leela Hotel in Mumbai in the presence of 200 people including profound names from the industry. Shikhar Aggarwal, Joint Managing Director, BLS International, said, “We are very humbled to receive this award. It is a testament to our dedication and commitment towards delivering quality services.”

• Amadeus, an IT service

DELHI LITERATURE FESTIVAL 2018 CONCLUDES SUCCESSFULLY

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he sixth edition of the three-day Delhi Literature Festival concluded at Dilli Haat in the capital. With an aim to promote and support young authors, the event was attended by a host of writers and literary enthusiasts, including famous names like Prasoon Joshi, Ashwin Sanghi, Durjoy Dutta and more. Holding an array of panel discussions, book reading sessions, book launches, workshops, live performances and more, the literary event featured a promising line-up of speakers and writers of varied genres. Discussions over Mothering a Muslim—a book by Nazia Erum, Penguin Random House’s Trail of Truth, Ankit Lal’s The Role of Social Media in Democracy, and Siddharth Tripathi’s Blowfish turned out to be among the many top attractions during the festival.

provider for the global travel industry, put the spotlight on the needs of Indian travellers in its latest research, “Amadeus Journey of Me” A report named “Journey of Me Insights: What Indian travellers Want” revealed that 71 percent of Indian travellers are open to sharing their personal information in return for a more personalised travel experience. Indian travellers also widely depend on word of mouth while making travel plans. The report also confirmed that 55 percent of Indian travellers make most of their travel bookings on mobiles and that they would choose recommendations to ensure personal safety over itinerary tips. The study was based on Asia Pacific (APAC) travellers spanning 14 markets, in order to bring to the industry a closer understanding of the travellers in the region.

May–June 2018

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GO INBOUND NATIONAL NEWS

QUICK BITES • The Israel Ministry

KERALA TOURISM WINS TITLES AT GOLDEN CITY GATE AWARDS

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olden City Gate Awards 2018, held at the travel trade show, ITB Berlin, honoured Kerala Tourism with two prestigious titles. The tourism board was chosen for the awards for its Biennale campaign ‘Live Inspired’ and the posters designed as part of the ‘Live Inspired’ campaign. The awards were presented to Kadakampally Surendran, Minister for Tourism, Cooperation and Dewaswoms, Government of Kerala, and P. Bala Kiran, Director, Kerala Tourism, by Wolfgang Jo Huschert, President of Golden City Gate. Scripted by Stark Communications and directed by cinematographer Sameer Thahir, the multimedia campaign showcases the cultural, artistic and human experiences in Kerala.

DECCAN ODYSSEY ANNOUNCED DISCOUNT SCHEME FOR EXPLORING MAHARASHTRA

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eccan Odyssey, the luxury train by Indian Railways, announced a ‘Companion Free’ scheme under which bookings made for the Deluxe Double Occupancy cabins will come with a discount of 50 percent. The luxurious deluxe cabin can be booked for 8 days and 7 nights at the cost of `3,06,250 instead of the original price of `6,12,500 and the offer is valid for bookings made for the Maharashtra Splendor train tour before April 30 for the upcoming season of 2018-19. Maharashtra Splendor will commence the journey from Mumbai and will travel through Nashik, Aurangabad, Kolhapur, Goa and Sindhudurg. Speaking about the offer, Arup Sen, Special Advisor, Cox & Kings, said, “Maharashtra and Goa have some of the most intrinsic cultural and geographical offerings. We wish to present a great opportunity to explore them in the Deccan Odyssey which is known for its journeys.”

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of Tourism has recently launched in India an advertising campaign, ‘Begin your journey to Israel,’ to achieve its target of one lakh visitors from India this year.

The campaign incorporates varied media platforms including television, print and digital spaces, and showcases Israel’s famous cities in the television commercial. Talking about the advertising campaign and the investments made in the Indian market, Hassan Madah, Director, Israel Ministry of Tourism – India & Philippines, said, “Over the past three years, Israel has recorded a strong growth in tourist arrivals from India.

In January to March 2018, we have recorded a growth of 15% in Indian arrivals. In order to keep this momentum going, we have launched our advertising campaign.

Our campaign highlights the reasons why Indian travellers should choose Israel as their next holiday destination.”

• CNN recently aired a week-long special coverage titled ‘Destination India’ that explored distinctive sights and sounds of the country. The series had nine episodes that went on air from March 24-April 5. The 30-minute special episodes covered various distinctive and interesting topics about India, including the art of puppetry in Rajasthan, Varanasi textiles, Holi celebrations, the modern city of Chandigarh, Delhi’s music scene and more.

From architectural marvels to time-honoured crafts and religious celebrations, the show focused on highlighting various reasons to travel to India.

FHTR SIGNS MOU FOR ORGANISING RAJASTHAN DOMESTIC TRAVEL MART

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November-December 2015

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan, and the Federation of Hospitality and Tourism of Rajasthan (FHTR) for organising the Rajasthan Domestic Travel Mart 2018, which is to be held at the B M Birla Auditorium in Jaipur from July 20-22 this year. The agreement was signed by Sanjay Pande, Additional Director, Tourism, and Bhim Singh, President, FHTR, in the presence of Nihal Chand Goel, Chief Secretary for Rajasthan. Goel, who was the chief guest of the event, said, “The objective of the travel mart is to exclusively focus on the domestic tourists within the state from various parts of India and to establish Rajasthan as one of the leading domestic tourist destinations in the country. We attained a tourist footfall of around five crores in the year 2017 and with new initiatives like this, we will be able to achieve the set goal and probably outperform our own predicted numbers.”

November-December 2015 ` 50

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Unique venues—from castles to mountain tops

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GNTO PRESENTS GERMANY AS FAVOURED CULINARY DESTINATION TO INDIA

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t its annual press conference held at Le Meridien, New Delhi, the German National Tourist Office (GNTO) India, announced that the theme for the country’s promotion in India this year will be based on the food and flavours of Germany. The organisation is focusing on promoting its core global marketing theme, ‘Culinary Germany – More To Explore’ in 2018. The country witnessed over 8,50,000 visitor overnights in 2017. The GNTO is expecting a further growth of five to eight percent in the growth of visitor overnights from India this year. Speaking on the occasion, Romit Theophilus, Director, German National Tourist Office India, said, “With over 5,000 beers from 1,300 breweries, 300 types of bread, 1,500 types of sausage, 13 wine regions, 292 Michelin-starred restaurants and 3,000 to 5,000 Christmas markets Germany is sure to satiate any traveller’s appetite. From ‘Pannfisch’ fried fish in the north to ‘Bratwurst’ sausages in central Germany to dumplings, ‘MaultSaschen’ pasta pockets and ‘Eisbein’ ham hock in the south—German cuisine is as diverse as the country’s varied landscape.”

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GO INBOUND HOME TURF

Cruise the lake on a bamboo raft or patrol the jungle on wheels—Periyar Tiger Reserve is full of adventure

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SUMMER ON MY MIND

Try birdwatching at Pangot, chase the wild in Chail or stroll through the tea plantations in the hills.

Pick from our top five ideas for a refreshing experience to beat the heat this holiday season.

By GUSTASP & JEROO IRANI

May–June 2018

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The breathtaking vista of Pangot in Uttarakhand offers great birding excursions; (facing page) horse riding is a popular activity in Kufri near Chail

PANGOT FOR THE BIRDS

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eep forests of oak, deodar and pine rustled around us and the mist swirled into the valley like the robes of whirling dervishes.

We were at the Jungle Lore Birding Lodge in the Himalayan hamlet of Pangot, 15 km away from Nainital. After a night of full-stop seclusion, we rose to a blush-pink sky and the sun rising over the serrated edges of the mountains in the distance.

Our first birding excursion, together with a family of three, was amply rewarding. We walked past a sleepy village where a clutch of women filled gleaming pots with water at a well. Terraced fields unfurled like green carpets across the hills even as we plunged into a forest, vibrant with shades of green, rust and gold. We heard the laughing thrush, its teasing whistle was followed by a fleeting glimpse. Our guide pointed out many of the 250 species that can be spotted in the woods around Pangot…a drongo flitted above us and a spotted owl perched on a branch, melancholy and still. The Himalayan griffon, lammergeier, rufous-bellied woodpecker, blue-winged minla and many more.

Another day was spent birding at Cheena Peak and near the Kilburry Forest where we spotted large hawks, Eurasian cuckoos and the blue-throated barbet. In that soft dawn, the chorus of calls in the green depths of the forest soon became a symphony without end.

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CHECKLIST ■ Birding in Pangot and Sattal, which is 23 km from Nainital.

■ Day treks to Naina Peak and Kilburry with a picnic lunch.

■ Longer treks of five nights/six days in the Kumaon Himalaya.

■ Sightseeing in Nainital and boating on Naini and ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Sattal lakes.

Rappelling, rock climbing, mountain biking and fishing in Sattal.

A village tour.

Bracing walks through terraced fields and into the forest.

Cooking classes with a local chef.

Shop in Nainital for local handicrafts.

Quick Info Air The nearest airport is at Pantnagar (75 km).

Rail The nearest railhead is Kathgodam (50 km) or Haldwani (48 km). From either, take a taxi to Pangot.

Road Drive from Delhi via Kathgodam and Nainital (304 km); it’s eightand-a-half hours. Drive from Delhi via Ramnagar (Corbett National Park) and Kaladhungi; it’s a seven-and-a-half hours' drive.

Stay The Jungle Lore Birding Lodge, La Perle Monal and Hidden Valley Camp, to name a few places.

Eat Savour homely fare in your hotel restaurant or check out the many eateries in Nainital.

Shop Pick up decorative candles, Himalayan bags, local jewellery from Nainital Contact www.kmvn.gov.in

CHAIL BORN OF A ROYAL SNUB

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he charming hill resort of Chail in Himachal Pradesh’s Shivalik hills was born out of pique…maharaja-size pique. Legend has it that Maharaja Bhupendra Singh of Patiala was banished from Shimla, the then summer capital of the British Raj, because of his dalliance with the commander-in-chief ’s daughter.

In retaliation, the Maharaja resolved to build a glittering capital that would rival Shimla and be within sight of the colonial capital. It would also be located on a higher hill. And so Chail was born in 1891, 63 km away from Shimla. At 2,250 m, Chail still has a lonely aggrieved air—perhaps because of its origins in a royal snub. It preens across three hills and at its heart is the hilltop palace on Rajgarh Hill, now a resort owned and run by Himachal Tourism. The Maharaja also created a cricket ground by scalping the top of a hill and today it is the highest pitch in the world, unfurling in the shadow of mighty oaks and deodars. There is also a polo ground. In Chail, we woke up to the sight of iron-hard peaks, their caps dusted with snow and bulging bellies banded by forests of pine. If one were inclined to believe in fairies anywhere, it would be here!

CHECKLIST ■ The Chail Wildlife Sanctuary (3 km) has a few species like ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

pheasants, wild boar, red deer and so on.

There’s fishing in the Giri river, 29 km away at Gaura.

Horse riding at Kufri which is a scenic drive away.

There’s a children’s park and lawn tennis at the Palace Hotel.

Play a round of golf at Naldehra (around 46 km away), one of the oldest golf courses in India.

Drive to scenic Chindi Valley and relish a picnic lunch.

Quick Info Air The closest airport is Chandigarh, about 120 km away.

Rail The closest railheads are Kandaghat (30 km), Shimla (45 km) and Kalka (86 km).

Road Chail can be accessed from Shimla via Kufri, a distance of 45 km, and via Kandaghat (61 km). Regular buses leave for Chail from Shimla, Chandigarh and Delhi.

Stay The Palace Hotel is at the top of the heap. There’s also Hotel Chail Residency and Maple Resort.

Eat Most hotels have a restaurant.

Do Chill like a maharaja in the hills.

Contact http://himachaltourism.gov.in

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Nohkalikai waterfalls in Cherrapunjee are the tallest 'plunge' waterfalls in India

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CHERRAPUNJEE ADVENTURE

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ike most schoolchildren brought up on images of Cherrapunjee being the wettest place on Earth, we had imagined this remote outpost in Meghalaya to be wet and squelchy.

Cherrapunjee or Sohra in the East Khasi hills turned out to be rugged and arid, seeming to balance on a mountain wall on the edge of the Himalaya (1,484 metres). The Cherrapunjee Holiday Resort, our temporary home, was located in the village of Laitkynsew, snuggled in the tight embrace of hills. We reached this idyllic spot just a little after sunset. Post-dinner, local lads strummed guitars and sang romantic Khasi ballads while the young guests in the group sang along, revelling in the companionable warmth of the beautiful evening. The next day we went on a two-hour trek, a little short of the plains of Bangladesh, to check out a natural phenomenon—the living root bridges. Families with young children raced ahead like nimble mountain goats, while we stopped to inhale the mossy fragrance that hung on the early morning air; listened to the sigh of a cool wind, and a melange of birdsong. Finally, we arrived at our destination—a tree root bridge. The root bridges span burbling streams and are created from the secondary roots of the Indian rubber tree, trained by locals over 20 to 25 years to form bridges over swift rivers and streams. Some of these bio-engineering wonders are 53 feet, 70 feet and even 100 feet long and can carry as many as 50 people at a time. They have a life span of 600 years. There is even a double-decker bridge at Umshiang, which involves a longer trek.

We tread gingerly over the gnarled and knotted roots, and crossed over to the other side. There we rested and felt like we were floating in a sea of tranquility.

CHECKLIST ■ Check out the Nohkalikai Falls, said to be the tallest ‘plunge’ waterfalls in ■ ■ ■

India at 1,115 ft.

Slither and crawl past huge stalagmites and stalactites in the 100-metrelong Mawsmai limestone cave.

Meghalaya has some of the deepest and longest caves in South Asia, inhabited only by bats and spiders the size of a human palm!

Beyond the caves rise soaring megaliths, erected in memory of dead chieftains.

Quick Info Air The nearest airport is at Guwahati (150 km).

Rail Guwahati is the nearest railhead.

Road Cherrapunjee is well-connected by road with Guwahati and Shillong.

Stay Polo Orchid Resort, Pala Resort, Cherrapunjee Holiday Resort and a handful of homestays.

Eat Try the local pork momos, jadoh which is rice cooked with pork blood, and the vegetarian sohra pullao at stalls in the bazaar area. Wash it down with rice beer.

Shop Cane and bamboo handicrafts, flower honey, Meghalaya tea and locally cultivated spices.

Contact http://megtourism.gov.in/ May–June 2018

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KURUMBADI IN THE LAND OF THE KURUMBAS

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n an enchanted corner of the Nilgiris or the Blue Mountains lies a parcel of wilderness—Kurumbadi or the Land of the Kurumbas, one of the five ancient tribes of the Nilgiris.

We arrived there via a snaking mountain road edged by wild yellow flowers that reflected the sun. This was the region that had endeared itself to the British, making Lord Lytton, Viceroy of India in the 19th century, exult in a letter to his wife: “It far surpasses all that its most enthusiastic admirers and devoted lovers have said about it. The afternoon was rainy and the road muddy. But such beautiful English rain, such delicious English mud….” A holiday there takes on a new meaning—trekking up to Droog Fort, Tipu Sultan’s eyrie on Pakkasuran mountain which flexes its muscles over this fairy tale landscape; plunging into the forest where silent bison lope, their hunkering shapes seeming to block out the light; admiring a spider’s web or a gorgeously plumed bird. What makes Kurumbadi memorable is that it has just one resort—the Kurumba Village Resort, embedded in a spice plantation and surrounded by sturdy jackfruit, rosewood and jacaranda trees. Its bouquet of offerings: swim in the jungle-encased pool, explore the spice plantation with a naturalist, or go on a night trail on the property, ideal for kids who have a lively sense of curiosity. Round off the day with a tribal meal in a candle-lit cave where you get an insight into the lifestyle of these people. And start the next day with breakfast in a treehouse, high up in a jackfruit tree!

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CHECKLIST ■ Picnic in a grassy meadow or in a tea plantation.

■ Swing by Tranquilitea in Upper Coonoor to experience ■ ■ ■ ■

a gourmet tea tasting session in the picturesque home of a local tea planter.

Gorge on a tea-infused lunch at Tea Nest, a Coonoor homestay, embedded in a tea plantation.

Swing a club at the Wellington golf course near Coonoor.

Check out Coonoor.

Ride on the Nilgiri Passenger, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Quick Info Air The nearest airport is at Coimbatore (65 km).

Rail Coonoor is 15 km away by the Nilgiri Passenger toy train which runs from Mettapulayam to Ooty.

Road Buses and taxis ply to Kurumbadi from Coimbatore, Mettapulayam, Coonoor and Ooty.

Stay Kurumba Village Resort is the only resort in this virgin swathe.

Eat Savour the tribal fare rustled up by the chefs at the resort.

Shop Shop in Coonoor for local handicrafts.

Contact www.tamilnadutourism.org

Go on a boat safari at the Periyar National Park; (facing page) the Nilgiri hills are best explored on a toy train

PERIYAR FOR AN ECO-FRIENDLY HOLIDAY

PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK/ GUSTASP & JEROO IRANI

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trip to Periyar as a family can transform the young into gung-ho environmentalists. For this photogenic, 925-sq km tiger reserve in Thekaddy, Kerala, has spawned creative tourism initiatives where ex-poachers have been transformed into guides who lead tourists on exciting forest treks. We embarked on one such foray in the company of a villain-turnedprotector of the forest and came to admire his stealth and knowledge of the land that he had once pillaged for its sandalwood and wildlife. Soon we were crashing through the woods, located high up in the Western Ghats. Our trek threw up a bouquet of sights as this protected reserve is home to elephants, tigers, panthers, leopards, deer (sambar, barking deer, mouse deer et al), wild dogs, porcupines, wild boar, monkeys, snakes, over 350 species of birds and an endless variety of insects. For the first time in our lives, we were viewing the forest at ground level, without the safety of a vehicle, stooping to examine fresh elephant dung, the hoof prints of a sambar, a porcupine quill. We encountered a herd of trumpeting elephants, graceful sambar and ungainly wild boar. The ex-poacher even had an eye for the small and beautiful— a giant wood spider; a “strangler” vine; a damson fly with transparent wings. The gun slung on our guide’s shoulder did not seem so menacing, after all, and he oozed courage. The jungle’s law of survival of the fittest and eat or be eaten did not seem to faze him. By the end of the trek, he had become our hero.

CHECKLIST ■ Apart from boat safaris in the reserve, there are

■ ■

opportunities to patrol the jungle along with armed forest guides at night; embark on longer Tiger Trail programmes; cruise the lake on a bamboo raft and gaze at the denizens of the forest as they strut past.

Bullock cart rides in the farmlands of a valley behind the Periyar Tiger Reserve give an insight into rural life.

Stay in a jungle inn at Kokkara, about an hour’s walk from the forest checkpost, and listen to the jungle thrum at night.

Quick Info Air Kochi International Airport (190 km) and Madurai (140 km) are the closest airports.

Rail Kottayam (98 km) is the closest railhead. From there, buses or taxis will take you to Periyar.

Road A scenic drive from Kochi or Madurai gets one to Periyar.

Stay The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) runs the only three hotels within the limits of the reserve. All other hotels are situated in Kumily village, 3 km outside the reserve.

Eat Restaurants, cafés and dhabas serve a variety of cuisines in Kumily, Kerala.

Shop Fragrant spices, jute and bamboo products, rose and sandalwood sculptures.

Contact www.keralatourism.org May–June 2018

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GO INBOUND DIALOGUE

TOURISM SET FOR DYNAMIC GROWTH With Incredible India 2.0, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism KJ Alphons is upbeat about doubling the tourist inflow numbers and revenue in the next three years

Tell us about Incredible India 2.0.

We launched this in October last year with the objective to take India to the next level of tourism. We’ve done very well in 2017; we crossed the 10-million mark for the first time but we want to double the foreign tourist arrivals and income in three years. That’s a huge task and so we’ve launched the Incredible India 2.0 campaign, it will basically take India’s unique products all over the world.

with such variety, with over 8,000 kilometres of sea line, backwaters, hills, tropical forests, desert—it offers immense possibilities and we are coming up with these new products and new areas on which we are going to concentrate.

How are you looking to build infrastructure in heavy-footfall destinations like Varanasi?

You really have to transform a place like Varanasi, which is thousands of years old with crumbling What are the highlights of the infrastructure. It takes a lot of effort, Incredible India 2.0 campaign? you can’t do it overnight, it’s going It revolves around reiterating what to take time because most of the India is. What we are talking about infrastructure there is crumbling and is the 5,000-year-old civilisation the possibility of developing it is so that is India. We’re counting on a difficult because it’s so crowded and few things—our heritage, of course, we have traditions which you can’t and secondly on Ayurveda and change overnight. Similarly with yoga. Take, for example, yoga—it’s Over 60 percent of our tourism is the Buddhist circuit. Now our big not just a physical or even a mental religious tourism. So we are trying to focus is on the Buddhist circuit, but exercise, it has much more to do create infrastructure around religious that involves development of road with life commitment. If you see our and heritage destinations. infrastructure from Bodhgaya to new 60-second yoga ad, it has got Sarnath to Varanasi to Kushinagar.

19 million views in 10 days. I think We have taken this up on a priority this is more than anyone else has basis—airports and hotels are being built at all these places, got, including the private sector. The whole concept of yoga has because we cannot really bring in tourists unless we have hotels. been redefined here; we thought it was for people who are above Then of course, convention centres and museums… all this takes 40, but we are actually trying to interest the millennials in this ad. time and a lot of money. We’re putting a lot of focus on Varanasi, We are coming out with six promotional ads like that and we are we’re investing money there, so all that is happening. going to design for each country, including 12 languages across the world, and put it out in the local market. Earlier we were just You said you wanted to double the foreign tourist inflow… advertising on CNN and BBC, one menu for all. Now we are going Yes, I want to double the foreign tourist inflow into India, because to advertise in the local markets, like this yoga ad was released in last year we had a growth of 15.8 percent for tourist inflow, which the German market. So we are going to trust the local sensibilities is fantastic because global growth has been 7 percent. We’ve done and sentiments and appeal to people to come and visit us. well, of course, and we want to double these numbers in three years, we want to double the income in three years, and we also What is the idea behind the ‘Swadesh Darshan’ initiative? want to double domestic travel in three years. I think it would take Over 60 percent of our tourism is religious tourism. So we are the tourism sector into the core of development, because even trying to create infrastructure around religious and heritage today we contribute 6.88 percent to the GDP of the country, and destinations. We have our entire religious history of the Ramayana, 12.36 percent to the employment of the country, so we are a major Mahabharata, Buddhism and Jainism, so we are putting together sector in terms of GDP and employment generation. these places as destinations and trying to create infrastructure.

What are the new sectors earmarked for promotion in this year?

Well, one of the things we want to achieve is adventure tourism.

You see, 70 percent of the Himalaya is in India—from Jammu to Arunachal Pradesh and beyond. We have huge possibilities for paragliding, river rafting, trekking, cycling… India is also a country

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What is the biggest challenge in terms of the newly initiated 2.0?

I think the biggest challenge is to bring all the states onboard, because tourism fundamentally is a state-driven sector, where they have to put in the money and they have to create the infrastructure.

—Ajay Khullar

PHOTO COURTESY: XANDARI HARBOUR, FORT KOCHI

STAY

Coffee Country Chikmagalur Xandari Harbour, Fort Kochi Alwar Bagh by Aamod, Alwar News From The Hospitality Industry

STAY HOTEL NEWS

JW MARRIOTT CHANDIGARH OPENS FOOD TRUCK

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W Marriott Chandigarh has come up with the first food truck in a five-star hotel in the region. The Food Truck at JW Marriott Chandigarh serves Indian, Oriental, Western and Italian cuisines and has an al fresco setting with air-conditioned cabanas and condos, reflecting luxury. The Food Truck has been consciously placed next to The Lounge that serves a variety of beverages to go along with the food. Chef Naveen Handa, Executive Chef, JW Marriott Chandigarh, said, “We wanted to bring an innovative concept to the city, which allows our patrons to have a great time under open skies. Always looking to create a luxurious, relaxing and happening experience for our patrons, we are offering them a sumptuous mix of comfort food and exclusive specialities.”

HOLIDAY INN OPENS ITS FIRST WATER PARK RESORT IN ASIA

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oliday Inn has opened the gates of Holiday Inn Vana Nava Hua Hin—its first water park resort in Asia, on the Gulf coast of Thailand. The hotel provides to its guests unlimited access to Vana Nava Hua Hin Water Jungle, the water park. The property features 300 rooms and suites, including a series of inter-connecting rooms and suites for kids, along with a dramatic 26th-floor infinity pool, the Tea Tree Spa, a 24-hour fitness centre, a kids’ club and a separate pool for children.

Designed by Bangkok-based consultant Ashley Sutton, the place also features a glass-bottomed deck placed 110 m above the ground. “We are delighted to welcome guests to Holiday Inn Vana Nava Hua Hin,” said Franck Rodriguez, the resort’s General Manager, “With our unique setting at Vana Nava Hua Hin Water Jungle and extensive range of facilities, the resort is not just a place to stay—it is a destination in its own right.”

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QUICK BITES

VITS HOTELS ROLLS OUT THREE PROPERTIES IN PHUKET

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ITS Luxury Hotels has launched three boutique properties near Patong beach in Phuket, one of the most popular destinations in Thailand. The new additions include VITS Alfresco Hotel, VITS New Life Classic and VITS Luxur Boutique Hotel. The luxury hotels brand recently signed a joint venture with Exhicon Group in Thailand to accelerate the ‘VITS’ brand of hotels portfolio in the global hospitality market. On the occasion of the new launches, Chandrakant Shetty, Director, VITS-Exhicon (Thailand), said, “We are delighted to extend the VITS luxury experience in Thailand with the launch of three properties located in the heart of Phuket. Each of the three hotels offers unparalleled hospitality experiences and contemporary amenities. With the launch of our properties in the region, we aim to tap the growing potential of tourist inflow.”

HILTON TO OPEN ANOTHER PROPERTY WITH EMBASSY GROUP

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he global hospitality company of Hilton has signed up to open another dual-branded hospitality project at Bengaluru’s Embassy TechVillage, with the Embassy Group. The third project for the two together, this 500-room hotel complex will feature two properties—Hilton Bangalore Embassy TechVillage and Hilton Garden Inn Bangalore Embassy TechVillage. Said to be among the largest hospitality constructions in India, the two hotels are expected to be functional by the end of 2021. The announcement reinforces the Embassy Group’s strategic roll-out of hospitality ventures and strengthening its longstanding partnership with Hilton Hotels. As per the agreement, the dual-branded property will be developed and owned by the Embassy Group and will be managed by Hilton.

• Roseate Hotels and Resorts has been honoured with the PATWA International Award for being the ‘Best New Boutique Hotel Chain’ at ITB Berlin.

The award was received by Dr. Ankur Bhatia, Executive Director, Bird Group, on behalf of The Roseate and Roseate House. Evaluated and selected by members of the international council of PATWA, this title recognises the hotel chains that combine local experiences with style, service and hospitality. “We are thrilled to have received the prestigious PATWA International Award. It is an acknowledgement of the dedication and hard work put in by every member of our team. With our growing portfolio of individually distinctive properties across destinations, we aim to provide guests greater access, unprecedented choices and unparalleled benefits whether they travel for business or leisure,” said Dr. Bhatia on the occasion.

• StayWell Holdings expanded its Park Regis brand into Bahrain with the opening of the country’s first Park Regis hotel in the city of Manama. The 19-storey Park Regis Lotus Hotel offers 164 luxuriously appointed guest rooms, an onsite fitness centre with 24-hour gymnasium and lap pool, and state-of-the-art business facilities. An array of premium onsite restaurant and bar options, a patisserie and tearoom, and a roof-top café are featured as F&B outlets in the hotel. President and Director of StayWell Holdings Simon Wan believes that the new property is an exciting opportunity to expand Park Regis’ brand presence in the Middle East.

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STAY HOTEL NEWS

WYNDHAM GROUP BRINGS HOTEL BRANDS UNDER SINGLE BANNER NAME

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yndham Hotel Group has announced the addition of the label of ‘by Wyndham’ to the names of 12 of its hotel brands, including Super 8, Days Inn, Howard Johnson, Travelodge, AmericInn, Baymont, Ramada, Ramada Encore, Dolce, Dazzler, Esplendor, and Trademark. The announcement was made at the company’s global conference. One of the largest name changes in the industry’s history, this will be reflected in the names of 7,074 properties across the globe. The updated brand names and logos have already started appearing across Wyndham’s digital placements from brand websites to mobile sites and third-party listings, and the updates are expected to be completed by December 2022.

SHUTTERSTOCK

MEININGER TO OPEN A HOTEL IN LISBON

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EININGER Hotels, a subsidiary of Holidaybreak Ltd. by Cox & Kings, has signed an agreement with project developer Nelson Canal Portugal, to launch a hotel in Lisbon, Portugal. Located in the Santos quarter on Avenida 24 de Julho, the 121-room property will be launched at the end of 2019. Spread across 5,530 square metres, the hotel will feature standard double rooms, private rooms, as well as a dormitory. According to Hannes Spanring, CEO of MEININGER Hotels, “With this project we enter a new and important market. Lisbon is a beautiful city and has enjoyed increasing popularity with travellers from Portugal and across Europe for years. We have been looking for a suitable property for some time and are therefore very happy about this new project.”

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QUICK BITES • Airbnb released its annual

Airbnb Hospitality Index, unveiling the most hospitable destinations across India.

While New Delhi was the most hospitable city, Maharashtra topped the list as the most hospitable state. Other states that remained close to the win were Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Rajasthan. These titles were awarded on the basis of the number of five-star reviews received by the states over 500 trips in the last 12 months as a part of a global research.

Amanpreet Bajaj, Country Manager, Airbnb India, said, “Hospitality is something which is intrinsic to Indian culture. And the people to people connection enabled by technology is what is making Indian destinations a treasure trove for experienceseeking travellers.”

NOVOTEL LAUNCHES FIRST PROPERTY IN KERALA

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uthoot Pappachan Group along with AccorHotels recently announced the launch of Novotel in Kerala.

The two have come together to launch Novotel Kochi Infopark at Kakkanad Infopark – the IT Hub of Kochi. One of the first international midscale brands to debut in the industrial area, Novotel Infopark features 128 rooms in total, including eight suites. The hotel boasts three F&B outlets, an infinity pool, a gym, three meeting halls, and a dedicated kids’ corner. “We are delighted to launch our first Novotel property in the commercial capital of Kerala. This is our second brand in the city, after ibis Kochi City Centre. We are excited to be associated with the Muthoot Pappachan Group for Novotel Kochi Infopark, given their 131 years of experience in the hospitality industry,” said Jean-Michel Cassé, Chief Operating Officer, India & South Asia, AccorHotels.

• The Indian Hotels

Company Limited (IHCL), one of South Asia’s largest Indian hospitality companies, participated in a plastic elimination challenge over a period of two weeks in support of Earth Hour. The hotels at IHCL, including Taj Hotels Palaces Resorts Safaris, Vivanta, Gateway and Ginger Hotels, competed with each other in giving up the usage of plastic through innovative solutions. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Indian Hotels Company Limited, said, “In line with IHCL’s commitment to safeguard the environment, the initiative of phasing out plastic is a vital step towards developing sustainable practices. We look forward to introducing more such measures with every passing year.” IHCL has been participating in Earth Hour Global for many years.

ACCORHOTELS ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF RESDIARY

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ccorHotels recently made an official announcement of the acquisition of ResDiary, a leading global platform for restaurant reservation and table management. A notably well-established one in the Asia Pacific region and in the United Kingdom, ResDiary has a footprint in 60 countries globally, and has over 100 staff based in six countries. The company is now looking forward to expanding on a more global level with AccorHotels. Sébastien Bazin, Chairman & CEO at AccorHotels, said, “I am delighted to see ResDiary join the range of services of our group. Our ambition is to support ResDiary in its global expansion, consolidating its scale, and benefitting from its expertise to provide multiple attractive offers to our guests. This acquisition completes recent investments of AccorHotels in the Food & Beverage industry. It supports the group’s ambition to increase touchpoints with a fast-growing customer base.”

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STAY FEATURE

ONCE THERE WAS A COFFEE BEAN

The story of how one of the world’s favourite beverages came to be grown in India is as fascinating as the place where it transforms from the bean to the cup. Set in the lap of nature and luxury, this is the home of coffee in India—Chikmagalur.

By SATARUPA PAUL Photography ANISH ARJUNAN

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long, long time ago, sometime in 1600 CE, an Indian Sufi saint named Baba Budan went on a pilgrimage to Mecca. On the way back, he made a halt at Mocha, a port city on the Red Sea coast of Yemen—one of the major centres of the early coffee trade and which gave the world the famous Mocha beans. Apparently, while at Mocha, Baba Budan like all other guests to the city was served a dark liquid drink of coffee. He enjoyed the refreshing beverage so much that he wished to bring it back to his homeland and produce it here. The Arabs however, were very protective of their coffee, and quite understandably so! At the time, coffee was exported to other parts of the world only in roasted or baked form, so that nobody else could grow their own and everybody would be forced to buy this elixir from the Arabs alone.

Baba Budan though, was resolute.

The accounts of what he did next vary. Some say he concealed them in his beard, others say he strapped them to his chest, still others recount how he hid them in his tunic. Whichever story you wish to believe, the fact remains that Baba Budan secretly

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A berry picker handpicks the last coffee berries of the season

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Standing tall over Chikmagalur and its coffee plantations, Mullayyanagiri is the highest peak in Karnataka; (below, facing page) make a trip to nearby Belur and Halebid, famous for their temples with exquisite rock carvings

brought seven seeds of coffee to India. He then made his way to his hermitage in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. He planted the seven coffee seeds in his backyard, and those grew into the first coffee plants of India. For a considerable time, the plants remained a mere garden curiosity, spreading slowly to the neighbouring areas.

It wasn’t until two centuries later that the British set up the first commercial coffee plantations on the slopes and at the feet of the same hills where Baba Budan first introduced coffee—in and around the district of Chikmagalur.

Aroma In The Air

Today, Chikmagalur stands as a quaint, sleepy town, snuggled in a comfortable plantation life. Much of the waking hours here revolve around coffee. The scent of roasting beans wafts in thick and heavy as you near the town. The freshly-tarred Bengaluru-Mangalore highway forks off to a narrow, smooth road that snakes its way through thick plantations on either side towards Chikmagalur.

Indian coffee is the only shade-grown coffee in the world, and thus, the plantations here have tall silver oak, teak and other trees growing in tight rows to provide shade to the coffee bushes. Pepper vines climb up many of these trees, adding to the income of the estate owners and the lushness of the landscape.

As you approach the town centre, the entryways to several coffee roasting units appear, thus explaining the heady aroma in the air.

Interspersed with them lie bigger processing plants, some complete with their own R&D facilities. The town centre consists of two major roads, along which many of the budget hotels and guesthouses are

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located, and so are the shopping and entertainment hubs. Until recently, most of the travellers who frequented here were coffee growers, traders, buyers or suppliers, whose only intention was to do business and hurry on. Lately though, Chikmagalur has been attracting a different breed of tourists—millennials from the metros looking for an experiential getaway. While here, they part with a part of their disposable incomes to live and experience for themselves a slice of the coveted planter’s life, with estate living, plantation visits, laidback walks, coffee tastings, dinner under the stars and a variety of other activities thrown in the mix. To cater to them, a range of resorts and homestays has sprouted up on the outskirts of the town.

Where Luxury Meets Nature

Prime among the upscale properties is The Serai Resorts, a unit of Coffee Day Global Limited—the behemoth that first popularised the coffee bar culture in India with their brand of hip cafés, Café Coffee Day. While the parent company owns a whopping 12,000 acres of coffee estates in Chikmagalur, The Serai itself is sprawled across 70 acres, with almost 64 acres left to the in-house plantation and only six acres devoted to the built-up area. The magnificent reception area is built in true bungalow-style architecture—open on all sides with stout pillars supporting a grand, sloping wooden roof. The welcome drink is surprisingly hot and utterly delicious—Bellada coffee, made with coffee brewed with jaggery and served in filter coffee brass dabarah and tumbler.

You may take a battery-operated buggy to your villa, but if you choose to walk, be prepared to be greeted by thoughtful local

QUICK INFO GETTING THERE Air Mangalore (170 km) and Bengaluru (260 km) are the nearest airports.

Rail Chikmagalur Railway Station is served by a daily passenger train service from Shimoga. Nearest major railhead is Mangalore.

Road Buses from Bengaluru run every 30-60 minutes. If you are up for a long drive, this makes for a very scenic one on the beautiful NH48 with groves of swaying palms fringing it.

STAY The Serai Chikmagalur is a luxury resort located just outside the town centre.

It has 29 villas across four categories. The two base Estate Villa categories come with either a Jacuzzi or a plunge pool, then there’s the two-tiered Estate Terrace and the exclusive Residence that comes with designer bedrooms, separate living and dining spaces and a private pool. A majestic reception building houses the multi-cuisine restaurant, Odyssey, the Blue Sky Lounge, the Oma Spa, a fitness centre and a recreation centre.

Address The Serai Resorts, Mugthihalli Post, KM Road, Chikmagalur, Karnataka–577133 Reservation enquiries @theserai.in Website www.theserai.in /chikmagalur Tariff `23,000–`69,500 per night (American Plan, All-Inclusive)

touches in the resort’s decor—freshly-picked flowers floating in giant urli pots filled with water, a room divider made of dozens of coffee tumblers arranged in rows, lighting fixtures of dried palm husks readily available in the region, and so on. The walk also takes you right by the emerald blue infinity pool that overlooks the resort and the plantations below, with the town of Chikmagalur nestled in the foothills of the Western Ghats in the far background. Each villa, even the basic category of them, comes with its own private plunge pool set in a cosy garden, with a sit-out where you can spend lazy hours lounging. A gigantic wooden door slides back to reveal your bedroom—a high-ceilinged beauty with wooden floors and large glass windows overlooking the pool or the garden or the plantation beyond. Another set of majestic doors leads to the bathroom— spacious and plush, with separate enclosures for the WC and the shower, double sinks, a large bathtub, plus an outdoor shower. Plants and trees are in abundance around the property, adding to and blending right into the richness of the plantations around.

Malnad Days

Malnad or Malenadu, meaning “land of the hills”, is a richlyforested, heavy rainfall area of Karnataka, covering the eastern and western slopes of the Western Ghats. Chikmagalur, along with other highly picturesque locations such as Shimoga, falls within the Malnad region. Geographically and culturally different, Malnad has a cuisine that is distinct too from the Udupi and Mangalorean fare of Karnataka most of us are familiar with. At The Serai, head chef Ramakrishna along with local chef Malesh, conducts a Malnad May–June 2018

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The luxury resort of The Serai in Chikmagalur is inspired by coffee—its emerald blue pool and villas overlook acres of coffee plantations around

summit just in time to witness a spectacular cuisine masterclass every evening before INDULGE sunrise that bathes the neighbouring hills sunset, in an al fresco setup under swaying Experience a coffee-inspired and ranges in a misty glow of gold. A small palm trees. This evening, he makes for us a temple stands at the summit, dedicated koli saaru (chicken curry), a bendekai gojju wellness regime of a relaxing to a sage who meditated in the caves a (okra stir-fry) and mutton chops, with neer massage and soothing facial at couple of feet below, which we next explore dosas (water dosas) to lap them all up. We The Serai’s in-house Oma Spa. with much excitement with our guide find the accent of spices, the interplay of Mohan, aka Coffee Swami for his extensive coconut, and the overall taste of each dish The spa uses natural and fresh knowledge of coffee. Later, we sit down so exquisite, that the staff decides to lay ingredients such as papaya, to a picnic breakfast of sandwiches; the down a full Malnad dinner spread for us oatmeal, honey in its scrubs setting is a little meadow, the ambience is later that night. the gorgeous Western Ghats, and for music Though barely written of, the beauty and freshly ground coffee oil we’ve the wind playing it sweet in our ears. of Malnad warrants that serious travellers for its treatments that leave a The day is crisp, the sky a terrific shade of make a journey here at least once. We are lingering aroma on you, much clear blue streaked with white clouds. As up and on our way before sunrise the next we drive up some more hills to our next morning to witness one such breathtaking after you’ve left feeling happy stop, the raw red colour of the earth here sight it offers. In the dark of the wee hours, and rejuvenated. paints a striking picture against the blue mysterious mists swirl in and disappear sky. Nothing much grows in these red soils. in front of the headlights of our car. The The hill slopes high up here are covered narrow road climbs up and up, before by short tufts of grass, with a few resilient trees scattered around, opening to panoramic views of sleepy Chikmagalur below. A few all blanketed in a layer of red dust. Once though, these were fertile more twists and bends later, waves upon green and brown waves grounds—the very same where Baba Budan had planted the first of the hills of the Western Ghats appear, stretching as far as the eye coffee seeds. Today, an entire range of these hills is named Baba can see. We arrive at our destination, just as the horizon begins to Budan Range in his honour. change its colours. Climbing out of our car, we scramble for the One hill among them is of particular significance—Baba perfect spot to fix our camera tripods, only to be told that we haven’t Budangiri. It houses a shrine to the Sufi saint, in a very interesting yet arrived at all. Apparently, this is the spot where we park our low-key structure. Every year during December, thousands of vehicles and begin the steep ascent on foot, up 480 steps to the top of people of all religions flock to the shrine to celebrate the saint’s the peak that stands towering in front of us—Mullayyanagiri Hill. birthday. Some, however, believe that the shrine originally belonged Standing at a height of 6,330 feet, Mullayyanagiri is the highest to a Hindu saint called Guru Dathathreya. Today though, there’s peak in Karnataka and makes for one of the best treks in southern hardly a crowd in sight and our motley group ducks cautiously India. But what looks like a steep incline from below is in fact inside the bunker-like structure to what turns out to be a cave! a gradual, comfortable trot up the side of the hill. We reach the

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DO

• Experience the journey of coffee from the bean to the cup, with coffee plantation walks and visits to processing and roasting units.

• Attend a coffee appreciation session, which showcases the proper way to make filter coffee, and exhibits the subtleties in flavour profiles of different blends.

• Attend a masterclass in the local Malnad cuisine and sample its many delicacies.

• Hike up to Mullayanagiri Hill—the highest peak in Karnataka, and witness a spectacular sunrise on the Western Ghats.

• Visit the shrine dedicated to Baba Budan at Baba Budan Giri. The Sufi saint is credited as the first person to bring coffee to India.

• Go for a vehicle safari to Muthodi Forest Reserve. Part of the Bhadra Tiger Reserve, Muthodi is a prime example of a Shola forest ecosystem.

• Visit the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Belur (25 km, 30 mins) and Halebid (35 km, 50 mins). The temples here are known for their South Indian architecture and exquisite rock carvings that are so detailed and fragile that you are not allowed to touch them, instead you can only feast your eyes on their beauty.

Stout rock-carved pillars support the large, overhanging rocks that serve as the ceiling. You have to mind your head as you walk into the narrow tunnel towards its end, where an unpretentious shrine stands dedicated to Baba Budan or Guru Dathathreya—whichever you want to believe. His padukas (original, apparently) are carefully kept in a glass showcase. There are no tombs here though, as no one really knows where he went and died in later life.

Conversations Over Coffee

What makes for the best cup of coffee? Filter or instant, Arabica variety or Robusta, 100 percent pure or with added chicory, single origins or blended, to add milk or not? The points of deliberation are many. But before we can dive into this debate, it’s important, we’re told, to understand how coffee is grown and the process it goes through from the bean to the cup. So, we venture into The Serai’s beautiful plantation, where the in-house experts walk us through the details. India contributes only about 4.5 percent of the global coffee production, yet Indian coffee is regarded as the finest shade-grown coffee in the world. Karnataka alone accounts for over 70 percent of the coffee produced, with Chikmagalur occupying first position.

Chikmagalur is also the only place in India to grow more Arabica than Robusta—almost 90 percent of the coffee grown here is of the higher quality, tastier, smoother and more expensive Arabica variety.

This is despite the fact that Robusta plants are hardier, more diseaseresistant and easier to grow. This is possibly because the people of Chikmagalur take great pride in their coffee and nothing matters to them more than doing it right.

Harvest season is almost over when we visit; the berry pickers have all been dispersed, barring a few who go hand-picking on the last remaining bushes at the speed of lightning. The ripe coffee berries, once picked, are spread out in the sun to dry; they’re also hand-sorted for immature or overripe fruits before being sent to the processing plant. Which is where we head to next. Inside, we’re

taken through the various steps of coffee processing—separation of the skin of the berries to expose the beans underneath, drying to achieve optimum moisture content, and milling and sorting to remove foreign particles. The beans are then graded according to their size and finally sent for roasting, grinding and packaging. Our interest in this magic beverage has been piqued. So, we head to the R&D facility behind the processing plant to meet with its vicepresident, Dr Pradeep Kenjige—a highly respected name in coffee circles. Dr Kenjige shows us through a fascinating little museum housed in the facility. On display are coffee vending machines, mugs and many other paraphernalia from the very first days of Café Coffee Day until now. He also lets us hold and marvel at the prized display—Civet coffee. The most expensive coffee in the world, Civet coffee is sold at upwards of $400 a cup, and is made when the Civet cat eats the coffee berries, partially digests them and subsequently ejects them as poop! If you wish to delve into more fascinating aspects of coffee, a quick trip to the Coffee Museum, an initiative of the Coffee Board of India, should be on the cards.

All the exploring and soaking in of knowledge over the last three days leaves us feeling very coffee-educated. So, we decide to end our trip with that much anticipated debate. The stage is set—comfy, low couches around a central table laden with some delicious coffee cocktails at The Serai’s elegant bar. The setting is perfect—the moon is still shiny from the afterglow of the rare super moon eclipse that we witnessed the night before. Its radiance reflects off the water of the pool below us, and bathes the resort and the plantation in a soft glow. We sit around, business-like at first, for the matter of coffee is very important. Soon though, Dr Kenjige has us all rapt with attention as he narrates stories and anecdotes of growing up a planter’s son, his many experiments with coffee and how it became the life and soul of Chikmagalur. We move from drinks and dinner to desserts, the debate is set aside for a different day. For now, another round of steaming hot coffee awaits.

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STAY NEW ABODE

XANDARI HARBOUR, FORT KOCHI

WATERSIDE LUXURY

Step through time, revisit history in the iconic lanes of spice central Mattancherry and unwind by the bay at the luxe resort of Xandari Harbour

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enturies ago, a sliver of land along the southwestern coast of India became one of the most important centres of trade in the world. From here, ships would sail out to distant lands, loaded with the richest, most delicate spices, leaving behind a trail of tantalising aroma and a town that thrived on the back of this trade.

Rows of buildings along the waterways here served as godowns for the spices and lodging for the crews of ships. Over time, the spice trade floundered, many of these buildings crumbled away and Mattancherry, in the old parts of Cochin in Kerala and the hub of it all, stood still in time. Until a few years ago, when the area witnessed a revival with the opening of cafés and boutiques.

Around that time, the Muthoot Leisure and Hospitality Services took over three of the old buildings and lovingly restored them into what is today the elegant waterside resort,

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Xandari Harbour. Walking through the big revolving door to Xandari is like stepping through time. For on its outside lie the old historic lanes of Mattancherry. And on the inside stands a modern hotel with a manicured lawn and a turquoise infinity pool seemingly dissolving into the water of the harbour beyond.

FACILITIES Fourteen tastefully done rooms and two sprawling suites occupy what was once a lodging house for ship captains. The Harbour suite is plush, with a hot tub to soak in while feasting on views of the water. The Spice suite combines the best of both worlds—water view from one balcony, spice trail view of Bazaar Road from the other. The interiors are minimalistic, with a distinctly old-time vibe. The rooms aren’t deprived of any modern amenity, except televisions— the idea is to urge guests to spend time soaking in the offerings of Mattancherry and nearby Fort Kochi.

MUST DO Take a walk through colourful Jew Town, visit the Jewish Synagogue and the Dutch Palace, try your hand at pulling up the iconic Chinese fishing nets, find peace at the Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica and St Francis Church, attend a cultural show of Kathakali and Kalaripayattu, and cruise down the harbour into a stunning sunset.

Not to forget, feast yourself into a food coma with the delicious local dishes at 51—the beautiful waterfront restaurant of Xandari Harbour, housed in an erstwhile godown with a high wooden ceiling, bareplastered walls and outside seating right by the water’s edge. The tranquility of the views here was one thing, the dance of flavours on my palate quite another!

CONTACT Address V-39/40, Bazaar Road, Mattancherry, Kochi, Kerala – 682002 Reservations (0484) 222 3115 Website www.xandari.com Tariff `7,400 to `24,600 (taxes extra) —Satarupa Paul

ALWAR BAGH BY AAMOD, ALWAR

A REGAL ESCAPE

A quick weekend getaway from the Capital, Alwar Bagh by Aamod promises rustic grandeur and many adventures, both on and off the property

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left behind the city, with its insane traffic and mundane life, at the speed of 80 kmph, as our Thar sped down the highway on a breezy spring morning towards Alwar. After a quick breakfast, we hit the road again, this time to cover the three-hour journey at one go. Brick and mortar were soon replaced by groves and farmlands. Men in dhotis and colourful turbans herding cattle became a common sight. Alwar Bagh (Aamod at Sariska), spread across seven acres of land with the majestic Aravali hills around. There wasn’t one word that came to mind—there were three: regal, rustic, and grand!

FACILITIES Alwar Bagh, mirroring Rajasthani grandeur, flaunts four different villas— Rawala, Jaigarh, Gulab and Bhanwar, with a total of 37 simple yet wellappointed rooms in Deluxe and Super Deluxe categories. While sipping on my refreshing welcome drink, I feasted on the view of the crimson-pink Jaigarh,

whose walls, turrets and arches together formed an interesting amalgamation of yesteryear glory blended with modern style. My room in Jaigarh Villa was a softly-lit, spacious one boasting subtle décor, large glazed windows, a king-size bed with cosy duvet and fluffy blankets, LED TV, and an airy bathroom with a set of toiletries—it had everything needed for a comfortable stay.

The in-house multi-cuisine restaurant, The Colonial, offers a scrumptious buffet spread and à la carte dining. Apart from sprawling lawns and games like foosball, a pool table and more, the resort also offers an array of interesting experiences including paint ball shooting, remotecontrolled car racing and rope adventures.

Then there is a swimming pool and the Sublime Spa to wash off the exhaustion.

MUST DO The city of Alwar has a lot to offer— from the ‘haunted’ Bhangarh Fort and Mehandipur Balaji Temple nearby, to the breathtaking Dadhikar Fort and

the famous Churi Bazaar. You can also choose to go on a safari at the Sariska Tiger Reserve, and I’m glad we did so, as we stumbled upon a kill made by a big cat and later saw a leopard making its way through the forest.

While the morning was spent chasing the wild and hiking up the Aravali hills and trying my hand (and feet) at rope adventures, the night was slow and delightful as we sat on the rooftop of Rawala Villa under the star-lit sky to enjoy a fantastic dinner spread. Music was soft, candles were lit; the setting looked no less than a palace and I felt no less than a royal.

CONTACT Address Jaipur Road, Village Dhawala, Alwar, Rajasthan – 301001 Reservations 92130 22540, reservations@aamod.in Website www.alwarbagh.com Tariff `5,500 to `7,400 (Season), `4,000 to `6,500 (Off-Season) —Sushmita Srivastav

May–June 2018

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celebr

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`100

VOL. 31, NO. 3 DELENG/2001 /03292

MARCH 2018

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from Bean To Cup The Story Of Coffee Its Home—Chikm And agalur

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BenGaL’S BunG Heritage Homes aLoWS tays Of The Old Zamin dars

History &

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Aviation News IGI Airport, New Delhi Air India

MOVE AIRLINE NEWS

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AIR INDIA LAUNCHES NEW DELHI-TEL AVIV FLIGHT

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ir India has launched nonstop flight operations from New Delhi to Tel Aviv in Israel. The carrier is now flying three times a week to the destination with its Boeing 787 Dreamliner with 18 seats in Business Class and 238 seats in Economy Class. This step was taken after the Israel Ministry of Tourism recorded a growth of 50 percent in January and 25 percent in February this year of Indian arrivals in Israel. With one-way duration of 7 hours and 10 minutes, it is the fastest nonstop flight between India and Israel, taking a straight route between the two countries. Hassan Madah, Director, Israel Ministry of Tourism India & Philippines, said, “In light of the significant increase in incoming tourism from India over the past few years, the Ministry of Tourism has been in talks with Air India and other airlines to increase their flights and seat capacity into Israel. Air India’s direct flight connectivity from New Delhi to Tel Aviv is great news especially with its shorter flight duration and the airline’s strong domestic network within the country.”

EMIRATES ADDS NEW BUSINESS CLASS CABIN TO BOEING 777 AIRCRAFT

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he Boeing 777 200LR aircraft of Emirates will now feature a new, more spacious Business Class cabin and configuration. The seats in the Business Class have the same design and shape of the airline’s latest lie-flat design, but are now two inches wider, laid out in the 2-2-2 configuration for the first time. The cabin boasts electronic windows and the personal, 23-inche wide in-flight entertainment (IFE) screens and is set in a two-class configuration offering 38 seats in Business Class and 264 seats in Economy Class. The Business Class seat has a pitch of 72 inches and features an overhead bin that can be removed for more space. The cabin also features a new social area and a mini lounge area. The airline has invested over US$150 million to refurbish the 10 existing 777-200LR aircraft in its fleet.

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HUBLI TO BE ADDED AS FIFTH UDAN DESTINATION

BY SPICEJET

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SWISS LAUNCHES FIRST-CLASS LOUNGE AT ZURICH AIRPORT

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wiss International Air Lines (SWISS) has commenced the services of SWISS First Lounge A—its newly opened first-class lounge at Terminal A of Zurich Airport. The lounge offers its services to first-class travellers of SWISS and HON Circle Members of the Lufthansa Group. It enables guests to check-in simply and conveniently at the welcome desk, hand in their registered baggage and then pass through a dedicated security checkpoint. There are lounge suites, a lounge club, a business zone, a relaxation room, a smokers’ zone, a meeting room and a free of charge, lockable wardrobe facility available at the 650-square-metre lounge. On the culinary front, the lounge offers both an à la carte restaurant and a front cooking option, along with an extensive barista bar. Apart from this, SWISS has also introduced an exclusive new chauffeur service in Zurich for its inbound first-class guests.

piceJet has announced the commencement of operations from Hubli in Karnataka, effective from May 14, 2018. Hubli will be the fifth destination to be awarded to the airline under the Regional Connectivity Scheme of UDAN—the regional airport development programme of the Government of India. Hubli will soon be connected with Bengaluru and Mumbai

by SpiceJet, which is also the first and the only airline to connect Hubli-Chennai and Hubli-Hyderabad with direct flights.

With the addition of the Hubli-Chennai and Hubli-Hyderabad routes, SpiceJet will operate six daily UDAN flights. The airline had launched services on the MumbaiPorbandar, Mumbai-Kandla, JaipurJaisalmer and Hyderabad-Puducherry routes under the UDAN scheme last year.

BIRD EXECUJET LAUNCHES BASE MAINTENANCE SERVICE AT PUNE AIRPORT

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SHUTTERSTOCK

ird ExecuJet Airport Services Private Limited has announced the launch of its maintenance base at Pune Airport.

This step has been taken by the aviation group to provide a ‘One Stop Solution’ for maintenance services to its customers in the Pune region. Felicitated with the Most Popular Service Provider of the Year award for 2016 by Business Aircraft Operators Association (BAOA), Bird ExecuJet currently offers maintenance services from two exclusive hangars, at which existing facility offers logistics and operational readiness for its clients within India and also supports international clients. On the launch of Bird ExecuJet Pune line maintenance base, Anurag Srivastava, Chief Executive Officer, Bird ExecuJet, shared, “With our presence at Pune airport, customers from the region will now have an option to avail our 24-hour support service with a minimum downtime and with no compromise in terms of flight safety.”

LUFTHANSA ANNOUNCES SPECIAL FARES FOR SELECT DESTINATIONS

L

ufthansa has announced special discounted fares in Economy Class for flying to select destinations in Europe and North America. The offer stays open for bookings made from March 13-28, 2018 and can be availed of until May 31, 2018. The discounted fare price to travel to Europe starts at `36,200 and to North America at `50,000 (inclusive of taxes). These fares will offer considerable savings for guests and are available for return bookings. The passengers will be offered state-of-the-art products and five-star services such as Indian meals and in-flight entertainment as well as enhanced FlyNet services, allowing broadband internet on board and staying connected with business partners or family on ground.

May–June 2018

Selling World Travel

61

MOVE FLY AWAY

FLYING WITH THE MAHARAJA A Star Alliance member and the third largest carrier in the country, Air India is the longest running airline company in Indian aviation industry

I

t was back in 1932 that Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata, the legendary entrepreneur of Tata Sons, set up India’s first airline as ‘Tata Airlines’. The man himself flew the first flight between Karachi and Mumbai and is often considered ‘the father of Indian aviation’. Soon, the company turned public in 1946 and was renamed Air India. In 1948, Air India became the first Asian airline to start a regular service between Asia and Europe.

It was considered one of the best airlines in the world back then, until the changing governments, turn by turn, took charge of controlling it.

62

Selling World Travel May–June 2018

In 1953, the government passed the Air Corporation Act and purchased majority stake in the airline. The company was renamed Air India International Limited and the domestic services were transferred to Indian Airlines Corporation.

Nationalised by the Nehru government the same year, the airline was still headed by J.R.D. Tata as its chairman. In 1962, the name of the airline was officially shortened to Air India, which soon became the world’s first all-jet airline.

Ratan N. Tata was appointed chairman of Air India in 1986, and served in the position till

1989. In 2000, several attempts were made to privatise the airline once again as it hit rough weather with charges of corruption and mounting losses. Air India and Indian Airlines were later merged to form Air India Limited in 2007, but it, too, started raking up losses that went up to `7,200 crore that year. In 2012, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs suggested partial privatisation of the airline.

Looking at the positives, Air India has huge aircraft orders in place with assured time slots and spaces at prized airports, a vast domestic and global network of key

PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK

destinations, benefits of bilateral rights due to privatisation and a topline revenue of `25,000 crore. The airline became a Star Alliance member in 2014 and is the third largest carrier in India. In its recent decision, the government has proposed to offer 76 percent equity for sale.

FLEET

Serving a total of 94 domestic and international destinations in 28 countries over four continents, Air India has a fleet of 118 aircraft. The airline has many narrow-body aircraft for domestic destinations like A320, A321 and A320 neo and also many wide-body aircraft like Boeing 777200LR, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 747-400 and Boeing 787-8 mainly for international destinations.

SERVICES

Air India Air Transport Services Limited (AIATSL), a subsidiary owned

by Air India Limited, was formed with an aim to provide unified ground

Air India has huge aircraft orders in place with assured time slots and spaces at prized airports, a vast domestic and global network of key destinations, benefits of bilateral rights due to privatisation and a top line revenue of `25,000 crore.

handling services (ramp, passenger and baggage and cargo) and security services at over 50 airports in India under the name of Air India Airport Services (AIAS). With over 12,000 staff members, AIAS is the largest ground handler in the country.

Most aircraft of the airline have a two-class configuration, serving meals on all international flights and on domestic flights with flight duration of over 90 minutes. All the aircraft flying for Air India have an in-flight entertainment system, Thales i3000, on which passengers can skim five different channels. Showtime is the official entertainment guide and Shubh Yatra is the bilingual in-flight magazine offered by the airline.

Air India also runs a frequent-flyer programme called Flying Returns. A total of eight premium lounges, named ‘Maharaja Lounge’, are available for First and Business Class passengers of Air India, at five domestic and three international airports.

—Sushmita Srivastav May–June 2018

Selling World Travel

63

SAILING FOR A CAUSE Team Visit Monaco

Team MillionaireAsia India

Sheema Vohra and Christina Colney from Visit California with Sunil Puri and Parineeta Sethi

Shalini Vig Wadhwa with friends

Team Visit California

Team Swiss International Airlines

Team Visit Monaco with the skipper of the yacht

Team Swiss International Airlines with Bjšrn Rettig, Wolfgang Will and Parineeta Sethi

Martin Bienz, Consul General of Switzerland, with his wife

Pallavi Jaikishan received much applause for her lovely creations

Dr. Morhard, Consul General of Germany, with his wife

Homi Motivala receiving the first runners-up trophy from Dr. Amit Bhasin

T Team Swiss International Airlines receiving the second runners-up trophy from Parineeta Sethi and Bj rn Rettig

Sabira Merchant

Team Visit Monaco with Parineeta Sethi

Roohi Jaikishan

Arvind Rao receiving the winner’s trophy from Arti and Kailash Surendranath

he sleepy shoreline of Mumbai came to life one sunny afternoon when 15 boats descended on its shining waters for an exciting regatta organised by India’s leading luxury magazine, Millionaireasia India. Swiss International Airlines came on board as the Associate Partner, and the two-day event was powered by Visit Monaco and Visit California. After the exciting regatta, the participants let their hair down over refreshments at the historic Royal Bombay Yacht Club. Team Premier Cru for Millionaireasia India crossed the finish line first and took the trophy home.

Tengi and Avi’s Arc for Team Swiss International Airlines came a close second and third.

On the second day, guests were treated to a stunning fashion show by designer Pallavi Jaikishan, who showcased her latest collection ‘Aayat’. The show was followed by a Charity Gala Dinner in association with Festival of Hope, an organisation that spreads awareness about cancer. The one-of-akind event had just the right mix of excitement and glamour, and all of it was for a good cause!

MOVE CHECK-IN CHECK-OUT

INDIA’S LARGEST AIRPORT IS NOW WORLD’S NO. 1 The Indira Gandhi International Airport, India’s largest airport, has become the No. 1 airport in the world in the 40 million passengers per annum category and is now globally recognised for its advanced technology and smooth passage of both passengers and aircraft.

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Selling World Travel May–June 2018

F

TERMINALS IGIA has a total of three terminals: Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. While Terminals 1 and 2 handle only domestic carriers, Terminal 3 is an integrated one, which means it handles both international and domestic flights and a passenger can transit between both in a smooth manner. It is undoubtedly the largest and most advanced terminal of the three and occupies a total area of 5.4 million square feet. With 168 check-in counters and 95 immigration counters, it’s no surprise that it has a capacity to handle 34 million passengers per annum.

With the amount of transfers and transits that take place, a complimentary airport shuttle connects T1 and T3 at regular 20-minute intervals. An updated masterplan has been put in the works by DIAL to expand the passenger handling capacity of IGIA to over one hundred million passengers per annum. The process will encompass both airsides and terminal sides. The main changes will be the expansion of Terminals 1 and 3, and the construction of a new Terminal 4.

For this reason, in order to accommodate the ongoing construction, certain flights

of a ‘Paid Porter’ facility. ‘Pet Fly’ at T3 provides services like the handling of pets, arranging pet travel accessories, and also a pick-up and drop-off service. Through the ‘Aviator’ initiative at T3, passengers have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience being a pilot of a Boeing 737 aircraft while they wait for their flight.

There are a few spa options as well, such as Heaven on Earth at T1 and the O2 Spa at T3. A ‘Left Luggage’ facility is available at T3, which allows passengers to securely store their luggage (for a maximum of 30 days) until their return. International flights often leave at odd times in the morning, compromising one’s sleep; to help remedy this, Sams Snooze At My Space has introduced pay-per-use sleeping pods and lounges in T3.

Terminal 3 houses over 20,000 square metres of retail space and the Duty Free here includes luxury brands such as Coach, Longchamp, Michael Kors and Swarovski.

When it comes to food there is no paucity of options at any of the terminals—coffee shops can be found at every corner and dining selections of all kinds are present, whether it’s to cater for a quick bite or a full meal. A multi-level car park can be found

from Terminal 1 have been moved to the otherwise neglected Terminal 2.

across Terminal 3, which can accommodate a maximum of 4,300 cars as well as those passengers wishing to avail of the Park & Fly feature. Reserved parking bays are also available for hotels and corporates and can be used as a branding opportunity and to ease the commuting of guests to hotels. Travellers to Delhi can also make use of Aerocity, a vast complex located next to Terminal 3 that offers luxury accommodation, office space, retail outlets, and umpteen dining option.

—Gayatri Moodliar

PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK

ormerly known as Palam Airport, the Indira Gandhi International Airport is located a mere 16 kilometres from the centre of New Delhi—the capital of India and a prime tourist destination.

The airport is well-connected to the Metro network of the capital and opens into the national highway system. It is among the top 20 busiest airports in the world and handled over 60 million passengers in 2017.

It serves as a major international hub by connecting Delhi to more than 135 destinations through 50-plus foreign carriers and nine Indian carriers. A major change was seen in 2006 when Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), a publicprivate consortium, was formed to take over the operation of the airport. Led by the GMR Group, a global infrastructure major, the consortium includes the Airports Authority of India and Fraport, and together they helped take the airport to new heights. Under DIAL, the modernisation of IGIA was completed, as was the commissioning of a new terminal— Terminal 3, the construction of which was completed in 37 months. Its operations began in 2010.

The proof of the upward trajectory of the airport is in the numbers as, after DIAL took over, IGIA rose from a rank of 101 (as per the Airports Council International – ASQ Ratings) to the position of World No. 1 in 2014. The airport recently won the title again for the year 2017 in the category of over 40 million passengers per year. The airport has also been recognised for its initiatives regarding sustainability and was accordingly awarded the ‘Most Sustainable and Green Airport’ award as a part of Wings India 2018.

SERVICES To ease the frustration of a long wait at the airport, IGIA has many services to offer passengers. The array of lounges available include the Air India Lounge, the Plaza Premium Lounge, the Amex Platinum Lounge, Plaza Nap & Shower, and the ITC Lounge. There are, however, other unique services that the airport offers.

For instance, at T1, passengers can avail

May–June 2018

Selling World Travel

67

REGULARS PEOPLE IN NEWS

PANKAJ SAXENA Pankaj Saxena has been appointed as the General Manager of the Radisson Blu Pune Hinjawadi.

Before this, Saxena was working with Country Inn & Suites by Carlson, Mysore at the same position. He brings with him 20 years of hospitality experience with brands like Radisson Varanasi, Sarovar Hotels, and ITC Hotels. Here, he will be accountable for all the operations of the hotel, including the curation of strategic initiatives, developing business plans, implementing practices, and working with the Executive Committee. His responsibility also includes ensuring the hotel adheres to all local, state and national employment, licensing, lodging, liquor, insurance, safety, contract and other laws.

MARTIN NYDEGGER Switzerland Tourism has appointed Martin Nydegger as the Chief Executive Officer.

The selection committee of the Switzerland Tourism (ST) Board of Directors made their decision after a multiple-step selection procedure and the decision was later approved by the Federal Council. Prior to joining ST, he had worked at various positions in the tourism sector, including six years as Director of the Engadin/Scuol Tourism Board. A native of Bern, Nydegger holds an Executive MBA in Strategic Corporate Management and has repeatedly undergone further training in the field of marketing management.

SAURABH DUBE St. Regis Mumbai has announced the appointment of Saurabh Dube as Director of Sales and Marketing. Dube has been associated with leading hotel chains including The Oberoi Hotels, The Marriott International, Hyatt and The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts. He will be leading the sales team of the hotel, creating and overseeing revenue plans and meeting targets. With 14 years of experience in the sectors of business development and sales and marketing of the hospitality industry, he has launched brands and hotels, held conventions and MICE, and handled operations for various organisations that he has been a part of in the past.

SAM LAY Carlson Wagonlit Travel’s division, CWT Meetings & Events, has appointed Sam Lay as Senior Director for the Asia Pacific region. Lay will be leading a team of meetings and events (M&E) specialists across the key markets of the region. In this role, he will be responsible for expanding the business by curating events. With more than 17 years of experience in the industry, Lay has worked with brands like the Singapore Tourism Board, MSD and Suntec International.

“Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region globally for CWT Meetings & Events, and I am excited to have Sam join our team,” says Cindy Fisher, Senior Vice President and Global Head, CWT Meetings & Events.

VINAY SINGH Vinay Singh has been appointed Director of Sales and Marketing for Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel and Lakeside Chalet.

Singh, who has experience of 15 years, will be responsible for spearheading the marketing and sales function of both the hotels. His expertise lies in building successful teams, creating relationships and establishing trust and market positioning of organisations. Prior to joining Renaissance Mumbai, he was associated with St. Regis as the Director of Sales and Marketing. He has also worked with leading brands such as The Westin Mumbai Garden City, Hilton Worldwide, Le Meridien Mumbai and The Orchid Mumbai in the past.

HIMANSHU KUMAR Himanshu Kumar has joined DoubleTree by Hilton Pune-Chinchwad as the Director of Revenue. With experience of 17 years, Kumar has expertise in room management, revenue management, room reservation and front office.

In this role, Kumar will be responsible for bringing new creative ideas. During his career, he has worked with various international brands including Crowne Plaza – Bahrain, Fraser Suites – Dubai, Oakwood Asia Pacific, the Intercontinental Hotel Group and Marriott International. In his current role, Kumar will also be consolidating the hotel’s RevPar positioning and driving innovative strategies.

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Selling World Travel May–June 2018

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REGULARS EVENT

TAAI CONVENTION RETURNS TO KASHMIR AFTER 30 YEARS The much-awaited TAAI Convention & Exhibition 2018 saw participation of over 650 delegates from all over the country

T

he Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) successfully held the 64th edition of its annual convention and exhibition from March 27-29 in Srinagar.

Supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Jammu & Kashmir, the three-day event was inaugurated by Mehbooba Mufti, Chief Minister, Jammu & Kashmir, in the presence of Tassaduq Hussain Mufti, Minister of Tourism, Jammu & Kashmir, and Preeti Seth, State Minister for Tourism.

It was after three decades that TAAI chose Kashmir as the destination for its annual convention, which received complete cooperation and support from the hotel associations, houseboat owners association and other associations of the travel and tourism industry of the state.

It is believed that the successful hosting of the convention will help in increasing

70

Selling World Travel May–June 2018

the footfall of tourists in the Valley.

Sunil Kumar, TAAI President, said on the occasion, “The 64th TAAI Convention has offered visibility, connectivity and opportunity to the state of Jammu & Kashmir. The manner in which the event was covered by the media and the industry partners brought in extensive visibility that Kashmir is a safe place for tourists and that such large MICE events can be held here. It has offered the state a huge connect with the industry, the media and the world in general. And now, it has provided an opportunity for the state to optimise the TAAI presence in Kashmir.”

The event was attended by over 650 delegates from India and abroad, and was covered by over 45 media delegates from all over the country.

There were various knowledge sessions

held on the convention theme of ‘Incredible Tourism – Integration; Inspiration and Innovation.” Three gala dinners for each day were held to add entertainment and fun to the event, giving the delegates opportunities to connect with one another. As a part of the convention, the India Travel Trade Expo was held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar.

A golf tournament was also held at The Royal Springs Golf Course to mark the convention, with over 35 golfers participating. The TAAI Committee also made its way to the famous Tulip Garden. The event focused on promoting Kashmir among Indian travellers as a safe destination and stressed the growth of the state as a preferred destination along with awareness about sustainable travel.

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REGULARS READY RECKONER TORONTO, CANADA Temperature in °Celsius May June Max: 19.1 24.6 Min 6.8 12.6 Currency Value: +52.10 Time Difference: –9.30

July 27.1 15.2

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND Temperature in °Celsius May June Max: 18.5 21.6 Min: 8.8 11.9 Currency Value: +67.89 Time Difference: –3.30

July 27.2 16.6

PARIS, FRANCE Temperature in °Celsius May June Max: 19.6 22.7 Min: 10.9 13.8 Currency Value: +81.38 Time Difference: –3.30

July 25.4 9.7

MOSCOW, RUSSIA Temperature in °Celsius May June Max: 17 20 Min: 6 10 Currency Value: +1.08 Time Difference: –1.30

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA Temperature in °Celsius May June July Max: 19 15.6 14.9 Min: 10.3 7.6 7.4 Currency Value: +3.27 Time Difference: –8.30

RABAT, MOROCCO Temperature in °Celsius May June Max: 21 23 Min: 13 16 Currency Value: +7.18 Time Difference: –5.30

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL Temperature in °Celsius May June July Max: 27.5 26.6 25.9 Min: 18.9 17.6 16.9 Currency Value: +19.45 Time Difference: –8.30

CAIRO, EGYPT Temperature in °Celsius May June Max: 31 33 Min: 17 21 Currency Value: +3.72 Time Difference: –2.30

SANTIAGO, CHILE Temperature in °Celsius May June Max: 17 14 Min: 5 3 Currency Value: +0.11 Time Difference: –9.30

LAGOS, NIGERIA Temperature in °Celsius May June Max: 28 26 Min: 26 25 Currency Value: +0.18 Time Difference: –4.30

LOS ANGELES, USA Temperature in °Celsius May June Max: 23.8 25 Min: 12.7 15.6 Currency Value: +65.70 Time Difference: –12.30 MEXICO CITY, MEXICO Temperature in °Celsius May June Max: 25.5 25 Min: 10 9.4 Currency Value: +3.27 Time Difference: –10.30

July 13 2

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM Temperature in °Celsius May June July Max: 17.4 20.5 22.9 Min: 6.8 9.6 11.7 Currency Value: +93.25 Time Difference: –4.30

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Selling World Travel May–June 2018

July 24 14

NAIROBI, KENYA Temperature in °Celsius May June Max: 23 22 Min: 15 13 Currency Value: +0.66 Time Difference: –2.30

July 25.2 15.8

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA Temperature in °Celsius May June July Max: 19 17 16 Min: 11 8 8 Currency Value: +5.51 Time Difference: –3.30

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA Temperature in °Celsius May June Max: 22 26 Min: 12 17 Currency Value: +0.06 Time Difference: +3.30

July 27 21

July 21 12

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL Temperature in °Celsius May June Max: 27 29 Min: 15 18 Currency Value: +18.75 Time Difference: –2.30

July 30 20

TOKYO, JAPAN Temperature in °Celsius May June Max: 22.8 25.5 Min: 15.4 19.1 Currency Value: +0.61 Time Difference: +3.30

July 29.4 23

July 26 18

DUBAI, UAE Temperature in °Celsius May June Max: 36 37 Min: 24 26 Currency Value: +17.91 Time Difference: –1.30

July 39 29

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND Temperature in °Celsius May June July Max: 17.4 15.2 14.3 Min: 10.6 8.4 7.5 Currency Value: +48.06 Time Difference: +6.30

July 33 22

BEIJING, CHINA Temperature in °Celsius May June Max: 25 29 Min: 13 18 Currency Value: +10.48 Time Difference: +2.30

July 30 22

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA Temperature in °Celsius May June July Max: 16 13 12 Min: 8 6 5 Currency Value: +51.27 Time Difference: +4.30

July 26 24

HONG KONG, CHINA Temperature in °Celsius May June Max: 28 30 Min: 23 26 Currency Value: +8.38 Time Difference: +2.30

July 31 27

July 21 12

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA Temperature in °Celsius May June July Max: 32 32 31 Min: 23 23 23 Currency Value: +16.92 Time Difference: +2.30

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