Travel and Hospitality (TnH) - July 2017

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Monsoon Calling

Myriad reasons to explore India in the monsoon

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I

7963 Trav

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FROM THE EDITOR

A 'Hole' New Opportunity

Publisher & Editor Srishti Rai Director Bharat S. Rai Managing Editor Prem Kumar General Manager - Marketing Prem Sagar premsagar@tnhindia.com (M) +91 99106 81111 Art Director Sunny Singh Web Designer Mohit Chaudhary Senior Reporter Archana Sharma Correspondent (Kolkata) Swaati Chaudhury Accounts Chander Shakher Balodi Administration Executive Sarwat Jahan

For any query, write to us at: info@tnhindia.com

www.tnhglobal.com Printed, published and owned by Srishti Rai. Printed at Somsons Printing Works, 1/7, DoctorÊs Lane, Gole Market, New Delhi - 110001, and published at P- 23/90, Connaught Circus, New Delhi 110001; Editor: SRISHTI RAI

LONDON IS ON SALE

7963 TravelHospitality_235x86.8_v2_AW.indd 1

Last month, while I was lazing in my sun-bed enjoying the brilliant white-powder sand beaches in Mauritius, I noticed a constant stream of people flocking towards the golf course. My father, an avid golfer, explained that golfers are always looking for a course that provides beauty and a challenge.

He further added that there are fabulous golf courses in Mauritius.

Since I have never played before, I couldn't quite understand the allure of the game especially when you could be enjoying everything else in this little piece of heaven on earth.

However, there are more than 60 million golfers worldwide and according to the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) about 30 per cent of all golfers take annual golf holidays. Unfortunately, our own country isn't properly prepared to

embrace the opportunity of attracting golf- tourists. Major impediments to golf’s expansion remain the country’s limited number of quality courses and driving ranges. None- the- less India is working to promote itself as a preferred golfing destination for international tourists. To study this new avenue of tourism in our country, we have done a special story on: 'Golf Tourism in India: a growing trend that's here to stay' on page 24.

Elsewhere in this magazine, is our cover story on Monsoon Tourism.

While the naysayers will discourage you from travelling within India during the monsoons I always believe there is no wrong season to visit a place, only poor preparation! Besides our country's beauty is spellbinding during the rainy season.

Moreover, you get the best deals on hotels and flights. So flip to page 20 and learn how to make the most of your monsoon travel. Also, in our Diplomat Corner on page 40, there is an exclusive interview with Romania's Secretary of State for Tourism Ms. Cristina Tarteata. Last but not the least, there is a travel feature on 'Norway-the Land of the Midnight Sun' on page 30.

Srishti Rai Editor

With the pound at a 31 year low, visiting London is now cheaper than ever before for your customers. Whether it’s shopping on Oxford Street, popping into Buckingham Palace or dining on fish and chips with a cheeky pint or two – all of London can be theirs for less.

And we fly there daily, direct from Delhi.

For more information call 1800 102 3000 or visit vsflyinghub.com

15/06/2017 09:40

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A N D

Travel Hospitality CONTENTS 40

16 19 20

COVER STORY

SPECIAL FEATURE

The Monsoon Calling: Reasons galore to explore India in the monsoon

Golf Tourism in India: A Growing Trend That's Here to Stay

NEWS

06 16 19 23

Georgia Visa Application Centres soon to begin operations in five cities across India

ADVENTURE

24

30

EXPLORE THE WORLD Explore Norway: Land of the Midnight Sun

NEWS

36

Spiti Valley – An adventure on wheels

Special screening of the film ‘Tubelight’ by EaseMyTrip

DIPLOMAT CORNER

MONSOON FESTIVALS Unique Monsoon Festivals of Goa

TRAVEL MANTRA Smart tips for your Monsoon travel plans

20

23

24

30

40

'Romania ranked as a new up-coming excellent tourist destination' -Ms. Cristina Tarteata Romania's Secretary of State for Tourism

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NEWS

ITQ TO CONDUCT ROAD SHOWS ON BOOKING INDIGO (6E) THROUGH TRAVELPORT IndiGo and Travelport, a leading Travel Commerce Platform, have partnered to distribute IndiGo’s fares and ancillary products to Travelport-connected customers worldwide. This is the first time that IndiGo has struck a deal with a global GDS by Sandeep Dwivedi choosing Travelport as its disChief Commercial Officer, ITQ tribution partner, reflects the value the airline sees in Travelport’s travel commerce offerings.

The platform offers fully integrated, industry leading merchandising capabilities and is used extensively by travel agencies in India as well as other key target markets for IndiGo. This distribution capability enables the airline to provide its content via an API connection, rather than the more traditional fare filing methods often favoured by network carriers, and still have their fares and ancillaries displayed, compared and booked in exactly the same way.

ITQ is conducting a series of road shows in various cities across India to infuse this idea of ease-of-booking on Travelport GDS. Sandeep Dwivedi, Chief Commercial Officer of ITQ commented that, “With the integration of 6E’s branded fares including corporate, sale, family return - together with popular ancillaries such as seats, excess baggage, meals, lounge access and many more –we are offering our customers a world

by T NH DESK of travel choice with Travelport.”

Midsummer White Party in Monaco Midsummer White Sauvignon Blanc Seduction Party at TWIGA MONTE CARLO in Monaco was held on Wednesday 21st June 2017. A whimsical experience with a sprinkle of exquisite wine and delicious flying buffet to party and gorge on!

Get grooving with the best of Monte Carlo this summer! Club Vivanova is delighted to announce collaboration with TWIGA Monte Carlo for a third summer season. Join in for the much awaited and highly celebrated Midsummer White Party amidst the French Riviera, with international networking and Club Vivanova best-selling 2016 Sliding Hill Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough in New Zealand.

Allow yourself to get carried away by the stunning Principality of Monaco, while expecting the most appetizing gourmet finger-food and premium wines, which would be served as open-bar from 7pm to 9pm. Dance until dawn in the chic, fantastic and unique atmosphere of the Riviera; live the unforgettable high life with Michelin Star Chefs sharing their passion for pairing great wines and fine foods; and don’t forget to taste the delectable gastronomy that is fresh, seasonal, locally farmed and fished, and lovingly tended in and around the Principality.

by T NH DESK

Air Algérie digital transformation takes flight with Amadeus partnership Over the next 10 years, the airline will seek to bring best-in-class services to its international customers through a full migration to Amadeus travel solutions.

In a landmark move to bring superior travel experiences to its customers in Algeria and beyond, Air Algérie, the national airline of Algeria, is embarking on a 10-year transformation program to upgrade nearly all its operational and travel

management systems through a new partnership with Amadeus, one of the leading providers of advanced technology solutions for the global travel industry.

The milestone agreement was concluded during a signature event held in Algiers, Algeria, bringing together key industry partners, government officials, and top executives from both Air Algérie and Amadeus. The partnership comes at a time when airlines around the globe are

seeking to optimize their business processes and gain a competitive edge through more intelligent management

by T NH DESK systems.

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | JULY 2017

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NEWS

(From Left) Giorgi Tabatadze, Director of the Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia along with H.E. Archil Dzuliashvili, Ambassador of Georgia to India

GEORGIA VISA APPLICATION CENTRES SOON TO BEGIN OPERATIONS IN FIVE CITIES ACROSS INDIA The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia has awarded a contract to VFS Global, for the setup and operation of Georgia Visa Application Centres in five cities in India. The centres are set to commence services in New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, and Mumbai in the coming weeks.

The new centre in New Delhi was formally inaugurated by Giorgi Tabatadze, Director of the Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, and HE Mr. Archil Dzuliashvili, Ambassador of Georgia to India on June 5th, 2017. Services for applicants at this centre are expected to begin by the end of June 2017. The inauguration was also attended by other key members from the Embassy of Georgia and VFS Global.

Georgia is VFS Global’s 55th client government worldwide, and the 38th to be served in India. Notably, VFS Global added three new client governments to its global client base in May 2017 alone – namely Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, and now Georgia.

At the launch, HE Mr. Archil Dzuliashvili, Ambassador of Georgia to India, said, “I am happy to note that after several months of intensive consulta-

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TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | JULY 2017

tions, we have successfully accomplished negotiation process with VFS Global and finally signed a contract which allows us to facilitate and offer more accessible services to the Indian travellers through the several VFS Visa Application Centres in India. Over the last years, we are pleased to observe significant progress in our bilateral relations with India. Georgia is emerging as a popular destination among travellers in India for purposes of tourism, education, business, etc. I believe that with our common commitment and efforts we will witness further achievements in the years to come. We are looking forward to close partnership with VFS Global.”

Georgia is emerging as a popular destination among travellers in India, who visit the Eastern European country for purposes of education (especially medical education), business, and tourism.

Commenting on the launch, Vinay Malhotra, Chief Operating Officer – Middle East and South Asia, VFS Global, "We are honoured to enter into this partnership with the Government of Georgia to begin offering visa application services in India. VFS Global’s nationwide net-

work of visa application centres will make Georgia visa services more easily accessible for citizens, and will go a long way in significantly increasing travel to Georgia and enhancing its perception as a popular tourist destination.”

Key features of the centre include: • Convenient and central location • Skilled staff well-versed with the local language to handle applications and queries • Extended operating hours enabling visitors to submit applications at their time of convenience • Dedicated website for easy access to information including visa categories, requirements, checklist, applicable fees, visa status update • 100% secure handling of passports, documents and personal information • Premium Lounges for personalized service • One-stop-shop for visa-related value added services such as printing, photocopying, photographs, Internet kiosks, etc.

• Doorstep delivery of passports

by TNH DESK

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NEWS

RezLive.com organizes Product Seminar in Bangkok

Via.com and Jewelsouk.com enter into unique partnership Targeting business worth `200 crore in as-

RezLive.com (A Product of Travel

sisted e-commerce this year, for the first

Designer Group) conducted the prod-

time an Online Travel Agency (OTA) has tied

uct seminar followed by Cocktail with

up with an online jewellery marketplace.

Dinner, for the leading Travel Agents

Now, customers can walk into VIA outlets to

and Tour Operators of Thailand on 25th May, 2017 at Ambassa-

buy exclusive Jewelsouk collection.

dor Hotel, Bangkok (Thailand). The product seminar was at-

Leading omni channel travel, retail & fintech

tended by 80+ Top Travel partners of Thailand, wherein they

company, Via.com has now tied up with Jewelsouk.com, India’s first &

were oriented about the latest offerings of “RezLive.com” and

fastest growing online jewellery marketplace with multi-brand, multi-cate-

“Dubai Reward Trip”, in which the travel partners who get quali-

gory offerings, to sell exclusive branded collections of gold and diamond

fied after making the set amount of Online/Offline bookings as

jewellery through VIA outlets. VIA agents can book products from Jewelsouk

per the *T&C specified will be taken to Dubai on a Reward Trip.

for their customers on the agent portal or mobile app.

During the seminar, Jaal Shah (Group Managing Director –

Speaking about the partnership, Swaminathan Vedaranyam, Chief Exec-

Travel Designer Group) also facilitated the top 20 Travel Partners

utive Officer, VIA said, “Jewelsouk is an exciting name and we are happy to

in Thailand Market and thanked them for their continuous sup-

join hands with them. This is the first-of-its kind tie up where a reputed jew-

port. Jaal Shah said, “The evening was a great opportunity for

ellery brand is partnering with one of the largest assisted e-commerce net-

us to spend quality time with the valued travel partners to rec-

works in India. It is also the first time when collections from Jewelsouk will

ognize their contribution towards the consistent growth of Re-

be available in our outlets apart from its own retail network.”

zLive.com in the Thailand market. Overall, it was a fruitful event

The company has always strived to increase product lines for its agents

and we will be conducting such events in the near future as well”.

so they can cater to a larger set of audience. “Via.com has already launched

The Travel Partners were excited after attending the seminar

assisted e-commerce for our agents. The addition of Jewelsouk is one of

and were happy to hear about the Reward trip & new develop-

our biggest initiatives to add more value to our assisted e-commerce pro-

ments.

gramme. Jewelsouk, being a reputed brand, will enhance credibility and

by TNH DESK

reach of our agents,” Vedaranyam added.

by TNH DESK

16th edition of Thailand Travel Mart Plus resounds success at Chiang Mai Thailand’s main travel trade show, the

imity to the emerging Mekong region desti-

post-tours were specially selected to in-

Thailand Travel Mart Plus 2017 (TTM+),

nations of Lao PDR and Myanmar. The

clude the spectacular range of Royal Proj-

held from 14-16 June 2017 at the Chiang

theme “Delivering Unique Experiences” was

ects, Northern Thai museums, restaurants,

Mai International Exhibition and Convention

designed to be in line with the overall

community-based products and heritage

Centre (CMECC) hailed great success in pro-

tourism marketing slogan. All the pre and

sites in line with that theme.

moting tourism and the tourism service business sector in Thailand as well as the Greater Mekong Sub region (GMS). After successful two-year run in the Northern capital of Chiang Mai, the event will move to the resort city of Pattaya in 2018.

Hundreds of buyers and sellers representing hotels, attractions, events venues, tour groups, car rental and more, attended the event from all over the world to network and promote their tourism products and services. The event has given extensive exposure to the rich culture, cuisine and heritage of the Northern Thailand and highlighted its overland cross-border prox-

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by T NH DESK

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NEWS

HRAWI’S PROJECT PICKLE INITIATIVE RECEIVES ACCOLADES AT INDIA CSR LEADERSHIP SUMMIT & AWARDS 2017

Virtual Payment Makes Business Travel More Efficient, Compliant and Fraud-Resistant Digitalized travel needs cyber solutions.

Carlson Wagonlit Travel, the global travel management company, today publishes a white paper on The Virtues of Virtual Payment. The paper analyzes the shifting requirements of digitalized travel as business and government travelers increasingly turn to virtual payment. Virtual pay-

(L-R) Rusen Kumar, India CSR_ Bharat Malkani, Past President HRAWI & Kabir Khan, Film Director

ment acts like a digital credit card that has a single use pa-

At a recently held forum in India’s Corporate Social Responsibility sector, the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) won an award for the initiative ‘Project Pickle’. Initiated in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, the project is aimed at providing employment to over one lac self-help Dalit women groups in rural and urban India by sourcing from them the ubiquitous everyday food item, the pickle. Project Pickle was recognized as an indigenous, one-of-its-kind initiative at India CSR Leadership Summit & Awards 2017.

As part of the programme, the association conducts an advocacy programme with both its member and non-member hotels and restaurants to purchase pickles from self-help Dalit women groups. implementing agencies from across the counby TNH DESK try were part of it.

GoAir strengthens connectivity between New Delhi and Patna GoAir, one of India’s fastest growing airlines, has started its operations to Patna with the launch of their fourth daily flight between New Delhi and

rameter that can be issued immediately and enables centralized billing.

“Virtual payment transactions use a unique ID, making it both easier to identify and track a transaction, and also practical in stopping fraudulent abuse,” said Clive Cornelius, senior director, of global card products, Carlson Wagonlit Travel. “This digital payment solution is a safe and attractive option for companies looking to centralize payment, reduce payment inefficiencies, liabilities and potential corporate card abuse – which in turn gives employers greater flexibility.”

Patna.

The launch of this additional daily service between Patna and New Delhi aimed at strengthening GoAir’s extensive network of flights to Patna. This

by T NH DESK

additional flight will benefit the large number of passengers travelling from Patna to New Delhi further bolstering the airline’s already extensive network.

The flight schedule for this sector, effective from June 11, 2017, is:

PATNA ʹDELHI ʹ PATNA Flt No.

DepStn

ArrStn

Dep Time

Arr Time

Frequency

Eff From

Eff Till

G8 133

DEL

PAT

15:10

16:50

Daily

11-Jun-17

28-Oct-17

G8 134

PAT

DEL

17:20

19:10

Daily

11-Jun-17

28-Oct-17

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | JULY 2017

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NEWS

COX & KINGS OPENS HOLIDAY CLUB STORES ACROSS FOUR HIGH STREET MALLS IN NEW DELHI Cox & Kings Ltd., the leading tour operator with operations in 22 countries across continents, has opened Holiday Club stores across high street malls in New Delhi to cater to the discerning clientele who visit these malls for their daily shopping.

The Holiday Club stores will cater to the holiday requirements of customers visiting the high-end malls and engage with them in a highly sophisticated environment. Cox & Kings will be showcasing its slew of brands such as domestic and international group tours and customised packages, Enable Travels and Trip 360.

These stores will also sell products such as holiday loans and holidays on EMIs to the discerning customer.

Inaugurating one of the Holiday Club stores at the MGF Metropolitan Mall, Karan Anand, Head-Relationships, Cox & Kings said, “Delhi is one of our key markets and these concept stores will pro-

Karan Anand, Head, Relationships, Cox & Kings along with Rustom Manekshaw Daver inaugurating the Cox & Kings Holiday Club in New Delhi

vide the customers with a unique shopping experience. Travel shopping has become a lifestyle choice for people and they shop for holidays just the way they purchase other branded products and our presence in these High-street Malls will broaden our point of sales for people to enjoy the Cox & Kings experience.’’

The Holiday Club stores will complement our existing points of sales that we

have in New Delhi and the aim is to be present where the customer would most likely shop. The evolved and sophisticated customer is not looking at holidays from a pure price point but content heavy itineraries. The stores will be opened across four high-street malls at Connaught Place, Rajouri Garden, South Extension and Saket.

by T NH DESK

CKGS opens Algeria Visa Application Centre at six locations in India Cox & Kings Global Services (CKGS) has announced the opening of Algeria Visa Application and Information Centres (AVAIC) at six different locations including Mumbai. The main centre in Mumbai is located at Dalamal Towers, A Wing, 4th Floor, Unit No: 410 - 412, Free Press Journal Marg, Nariman Point. The other AVAICs are based in Pune, Ahmedabad, Goa, Indore and Chennai respectively.

The Centres will cater to all categories of Visa such as tourist, business, work, family, cultural and press, accepting applications from states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. With this move, CKGS will become the main service provider for Algeria Visa in

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West and South India.

The Mumbai VAC was inaugurated

by His Excellency Hamza Yahia-Cherif, the Ambassador of Algeria to India in presence of the senior CKGS officials.

Speaking on the occasion, His Excellency Hamza Yahia-Cherif said, “We are pleased to appoint CKGS as our representative to manage the Algeria Visa Application centre in India. We want to encourage more and more Indians to consider travelling to Algeria and at the same time provide a seamless experience in applying for visas.

These centres will ensure that Indian travellers find a faster and reliable way to obtain visa to visit Algeria”.

The visa application form can be filled online but the applicants would have to visit the AVAIC to submit

printout of the duly signed application form along with other required documents and collect them once the visa has been issued. Applicant can also opt for passport return at doorstep through courier service.

by T NH DESK

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NEWS

TAAI signs agreement with South Africa Tourism to educate agents across India South Africa Tourism (SAT) and Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) once again have entered into an agreement to offer training to travel agents across India. Learn SA in its 7th edition will hold training programs in over 17 cities in India where TAAI members are situated, from 6th July 2017 to 29th July 2017.

The schedule shall cover Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities of India starting from Mumbai, Rajkot, Baroda, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Indore, Nagpur, Pune and Goa. Mumbai and Delhi will host 2 sessions each.

DMCs, Hoteliers, and other stakeholders of tourism from South Africa shall be a part of the B2B interactions and presentations made

by SAT. An opportunity to equip the travel agents to use the best tools and tips to sell and promote South Africa as a tourism destination in the Indian Market. Detailed presentations on itineraries and attractions in South Africa shall be made during each session.

"We shall be giving a “Certificate of Participation” to each agent along with study materials " said Hon. Secretary General of TAAI, Bettaiah Lokesh. "The training shall be open to all travel agents and professionals across the country who are already selling SA or have a potential to promote the destination to tourist.

This shall be offered FREE of cost to the entire trade, so as to promote the destination and also to ensure continuous education and updates on tourism products”, stated Jay Bhatia, Hon. National Treasurer-TAAI.

TAAI SELECTS KUNMING IN CHINA AS DESTINATION FOR ITS CONVENTION WITH A VISION OF ‘DISCOVERY’ The 64th annual Convention of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), ‘India Travel Congress’ is set to be held from August 18 to 20, 2017 at The Intercontinental Kunming in the Yunnan province of the People’s Republic of China. A final decision in this regard was made by the TAAI Managing Committee a few days ago. Commenting on this development, Marzban Antia, Vice President, TAAI, said, “The 64th Convention & Exhibition of TAAI will focus on the vision, ‘Discovery as an important option’. The Convention is being hosted by the Yunnan Government of the People's Republic of China. The event is being coordinated by MFITS (Mao Fa International Travel Services). It is a unit of Service Bureau of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China.” The office-bearers of TAAI have been visiting China to finalise the same over the last 2 months.

Elaborating on the Convention, Antia said that it is our endeavour to ensure members of our trade ‘discover’ newer options to promote and sell to their clients. “Kunming being only a 2-hour flight from Kolkata is a destination worth promoting among Indian travellers,” he said.

Talking about China as the host country for the Convention, Bettaiah Lokesh, Hon. Secretary General, TAAI, said, “Today, China leads the world as far as tourism is concerned with 120 million outbound visitors, and consistently growing inbound travellers. Therefore, it is an apt time for TAAI to bring its Convention to China and also for the industry to focus on this market.”

by T NH DESK

by TNH DESK

TAAI conducts session on GST for its members across India Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) - Western Region, organized an special educative session on GST for its members, in Mumbai on 1st June 2017 as the deadline was July 1st 2017. The training session on GST was conducted

by CA Manish Gadia of GMJ & Co, official GST consultants for TAAI. "We have organized GST presentations

by CA Manish Gadia for our members across the country and have recently held sessions in Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai and Lucknow. Sessions in other cities too will be completed before June 30," said Jay Bhatia, Honorary National Treasurer of TAAI. After the roll out of GST, next month when the return filing process begins, we are also desirous

of addressing detailed issues faced by members” Implication of GST on ATA as well as tour operators is going to hit the industry and the complexities of return filing shall be a nightmare for the travel and tourism community, added Bhatia, Presentations by CA Gadia are giving members more clarity on the tax structure and its procedures.

by TNH DESK

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | JULY 2017

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NEWS

JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar bags several esteemed awards JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar has been bestowed with several prestigious awards in the first half of the year 2017. The property

TIRUN launches mobile application for enabling faster & easier bookings for travel partners

has bagged the ‘Best Social Media Hospitality’ at the Social

To feature virtual reality-based

Samosa Awards 2017, ‘Best Spa Therapist Person of the year’

content and Partner Search op-

at the ‘Asia Spa Awards’, and various awards at the internal ‘Dis-

tion for smarter bookings.

ciple Awards, Marriott International’ for APAC Beverage Profes-

In a move aimed to make cruise

sional, APAC Regional Event Excellence, APAC Regional Event

bookings simpler for its partners,

Leadership and Asia Pacific Continent: Spa Edge Award 2016.

TIRUN, the exclusive India repre-

The hotel also received the Ministry of Tourism, Government of

sentative

India certification that pronounced the hotel as a 5 star deluxe

Cruises Ltd. has launched a mobile

hotel after passing a rigorous audit from the concerned author-

application for its travel partners.

ities. At the APAC Disciple Awards, Marriott International, Sarita

The app will facilitate easier search-

Sharma, Mixologist, JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar received the

ing of cruise vacations, checking for

prestigious title of APAC Beverage Professional.

multiple itineraries, and handling

by TNH DESK

of

Royal

Caribbean

multiple quotes and bookings, all in a seamless manner.

TIRUN was the first travel service provider to launch Virtual Reality in this segment back in October 2016.

This app serves as a unique ‘online assistant’ to all the travel partners, facilitating information, marketing, and the booking processes. Through the app, travel partners will get access to exclusive virtual reality-based content and videos from TIRUN’s library, helping them to market cruises better by giving potential guests a tangible glimpse of the premium vacation experience that awaits them.

by TNH DESK

Abu Dhabi Records 1.6 million hotel guest arrivals in first four months of 2017 Emirate sees 7% growth in hotel guest arrivals compared to previous year New figures from Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) show that Abu Dhabi welcomed 1.6 million guest arrivals year to end of April, a 7% growth compared to the same period in 2016, As a single month, April has continued to build on the strong performance of the opening quarter of the year, posting a year-on-year increase of 15% in hotel guest arrivals. Each of the six international tier-one markets of China, India, UK, USA, Germany and Saudi Arabia showed growth. Domestic hotel guest numbers in April also grew impressively, numbering 130,000, with each of the emirate’s three dis-

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TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | JULY 2017

terest in our destination continue unabated and we are encouraged by our latest hotel guest arrival results which continue to show strong progress. As we expand our yearround programme of events and develop new

tricts – Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra re-

cultural and family attractions, we expect

gions – all experiencing an upturn in arrivals.

even greater traction in enticing more people

HE Saif Saeed Ghobash, Director General, TCA Abu Dhabi, said: "Efforts to stimulate in-

to explore the emirate".

by T NH DESK

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NEWS

Ghaith Al Ghaith CEO of flydubai

Sudhir Sreedharan SVP

PASSENGER DEMAND DRIVES INCREASE IN FLYDUBAI’S FREQUENCY TO TANZANIA

Dubai-based flydubai announced the start of flights to Kilimanjaro from 29 October. The relaunched service to the carrier’s third point in Tanzania, along with Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, will see flydubai’s network in Africa expand to 12 destinations. flydubai began operations to Tanzania in 2014 and has seen a steady growth in passenger numbers. Kilimanjaro will be served with six flights a week three of which are via a stop in the capital, Dar es Salaam. In addition, the carrier will increase direct flights

to Zanzibar from three to eight flights a week.

Commenting on the launch of flights, Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer of flydubai, said: “With the addition of the service to Kilimanjaro and more direct flights to Zanzibar, flydubai will operate 14 flights a week, marking a 133% increase in capacity to the market compared to the previous year. This is a healthy indication of the rising popularity of Tanzania as a preferred tourist destination and we are happy

to be connecting the market to Dubai.”

Kilimanjaro International Airport is located between the regions of Kilimanjaro and Arusha in Northern Tanzania. The airport is the major gateway to the Kilimanjaro region, a main international tourism destination that includes Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park. Only a few international carriers operate to Kilimanjaro and flydubai will be the first airline to provide direct air links from the UAE.

by TNH DESK

106 rooms’ property that is designed for long staying guests and families!

Golden Tulip Suites Gurgaon is an upscale business hotel from the international Hospitality brand Louvre Group of Hotels.

The hotel is designed keeping in mind the requirement of long staying guests and families; it boasts 74 Executive suites and rooms out of 106 rooms. The hotel is strategically located in Gwal Pahari opposite

TERI GOLF Course and is in close proximity and easy connectivity to Delhi, Gurgaon and Faridabad. Golden Tulip Suites Gurgaon spread over in the green lush area of Gurgaon is committed to deliver impeccable services. With an array of internationalstandard services, luxury amenities and modern infrastructure the hotel promises the best of the standards. The hotel houses spacious- ergonomically designed rooms

with state of art paintings and modern designed furniture and each room offer a beautiful lush green Aravali view. Whether the guests are travelling for work or for leisure, the hotel offers facilities such an

by T NH DESK outdoor pool and gym.

Golden Tulip Suites Gurgaon to open its doors in the corporate hub of Gurgaon

MATTA FORGES NEW OVERSEA COLLABORATION Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) continues to forge ties with overseas travel associations, this time with the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), by inking a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote tourism between India and Malaysia.

The MOU was signed by TAFI President Praveen Chugh and MATTA President Datuk Hamzah Rahmat. Closer cooperation between TAFI and MATTA may see visitor arrivals from India to Malaysia in-

creased by 20 percent this year, and up to 1.5 million tourists annually by 2020.

The MOU signing was witnessed by High Commissioner of Malaysia to India, HE Dato' Hidayat Abdul Hamid together with Tourism Malaysia Director, North & East India, Sulaiman Suip.

Hamzah said, "MATTA has always been proactive in promoting and facilitating travel to Malaysia. In recent years, MATTA had forged more than 15 collaborations and partnerships with various travel asso-

ciations and organisations around the globe to put Malaysia in the world tourism map."

"Although Malaysia is already one of the most visited country, there is still room to increase visitors from countries with huge population, such as China and India. By 2020, Malaysia should be getting 6 million tourists from China, and the 1.5 million from India is only a minimum, as the population of both countries are about the same. Malaysia's tourism industry will thrive with the support and consistency efforts from Tourism Malaysia in promoting Malaysia as the top-of-mind destination."

by TNH DESK

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | JULY 2017

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NEWS

STAR CRUISES VOTED “ASIA’S LEADING CRUISE LINE 2017”

Radisson Blu Faridabad: An ideal MICE destination in the city of Faridabad Radisson Blu Faridabad,a newly opened five-star deluxe property in the city of Faridabad, which is one of the largest business and industrial hubs in the NCR and is home to an array of corporate sites and tourist destinations.

The first five-star deluxe property of Faridabad, Radisson Blu is an upscale Business Hotel. It is a perfect place for leisure travellers as well on their way while they travel to Agra or the adjacent tourist destinations. The hotel boasts one of the largest banquet and convention venues in the city center with facilities capable of accommodating up to 1,100 guests. State-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, convention facilities, elegant banquet and free highspeed Internet enhance the productivity of corporate functions, and customized dining and catering packages add a touch of ease to any business meeting.

by TNH DESK

For six consecutive years at the World Travel Awards Star Cruises was voted “Asia’s Leading Cruise Line 2017” at this year’s 24th Annual World Travel Awards Asia & Australasia Gala Ceremony held in Shanghai, China on 4 June 2017. As Asia’s pioneering cruise line brand, Star Cruises was once again recognized by travel and tourism professionals worldwide as “Asia’s Leading Cruise Line” for six consecutive years since 2012. “It is truly an honour to accept this year’s award on behalf of Star Cruises and Genting Cruise Lines. We thank the voters for their continuous support and it is indeed a privilege to receive this recognition for six years in a row from the World Travel Awards,” said Kent Zhu, President of Genting Cruise Lines. “With our hard working and dedicated team at Star Cruises, we will continue to strive to exceed the expectations of our guests and the cruise industry, raising the level of service and offerings, as well as creating new milestones across the region.” For the month of June 2017, SuperStar Virgo extends her homeport deployment in Taiwan, joining SuperStar Aquarius in Keelung (homeported year round), offering a variation of itineraries to Japan including Ishigaki, Motobu, Naha, Miyakojima, Kagoshima and Hososhima respectively. Commencing 6 July until 30 November 2017, SuperStar Virgo will introduce a new 7-Night “Golden Sea Route” cruise itinerary, in line with international standards of cruise lengths where more than 50% of cruises are of 7-Night duration. SuperStar Virgo will also make her homeport debut in Shanghai, China, and introduce Star Cruises’ first-ever homeport deployments to Osaka and Tokyo (Yokohama) together with added calls to

by TNH DESK Mt. Fuji (Shimizu) and Kagoshima.

Experience musical splendor at Royal Opera House in Muscat • 35 Wonderful New Programs and 55 Performances scheduled from September 2017 to May 2018 • Operas, Omani & Arab Performances, Ballets, Concerts, Jazz, Musicals, World Music, Education & Special events The Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM), Oman's premier venue for musical arts and culture is pleased to announce exciting line-up of perform-

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ances for the forthcoming season, 20172018: A Legendary Season. With 35 wonderful new programs and 55 performances scheduled from September 2017 to May 2018, this season will present best of both classic and modern works that have made history and will represent the future of opera. After marking its sixth anniversary this year, the Royal Opera House Muscat will commence its seventh season with a

wide range of top quality productions in many different genres – opera, concerts, ballet & dance, Arab performances, jazz, world music, musicals, education and special events.

by T NH DESK

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EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A GREAT STAY, JUST THE WAY YOU LIKE IT.

RIGHT HERE AT FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON DEHRADUN We like to keep it simple and leave the hassles of travel outside our hotel, so make yourself at home in the new Four Points by Sheraton,Dehradun. Nestled in the mountain ranges of the Himalayas, Dehradun is the capital city of Uttarakhand state, and a gateway to many tourist and pilgrimage destinations in the upper and lower Himalayas. Located on main Rajpura road, the hotel is in the heart of the economic zone of the city. We look forward to welcoming you so you can relax and enjoy a great stay at the right price.

Take advantage of free wireless High Speed Internet Access in the lobby. Our rooftop restaurant, The Terrace, offers the convenience of all day dining, The Onyx bar also situated on the Terrace is the perfect place to enjoy a drink and relax. Our Banquet hall and meeting room offers 315 square meters of space for special occasions.

of the signature Four Points by Sheraton Four Comfort™ bed. Or surf the web to your heart’s content with wireless High Speed Internet Access, available in all guest rooms. Free bottled water is replenished daily.

Delicious meals Always a great stay Find everything you need for a relaxing stay and a great night’s sleep in one of our 65 comfortable and cozy guest rooms and suites. Jump right into the plush goodness

Comfort. Food. Put them together and you’ve got a great meal at the Terrace restaurant. Offering all-day dining where you can grab tasty meals with family, friends and business partners. Satisfy your

hunger with our delicious buffet or enjoy something special from our a la carte menu. The Onyx bar is a great place for catching up with friends or colleagues over a drink. Why not kick back with a beer from our international Best Brews™ or just a freshly-brewed coffee. With room service as well, we’re here to make your stay as simple as possible.

Essentials

152/4 Jakhan, Rajpur Road, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248001, India Phone: (91)(135) 660 3300

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ADVENTURE

Spiti Valley – An adventure on wheels When you end up with some time for yourself, an escapist spirit awakens among many of us. Such is the chaos of our cities that we cherish even minor respites from it. One such respite is the Spiti Valley in the Himachal where the journey is just as blissful as the destination.

Once you hop onto your bike, you can choose between two routes to reach the scenic town of Spiti. The first option is entry from Manali via Rohtang and Kunzum La. Once you have passed Rohtang, it’s truly a heavenly experience, with the highest point being the snow-covered Kanzum pass with a breathtaking view of the Shigri Glacier. Alternatively, you can also opt for the more comfortable, yet longer, road from Shimla.

An absolutely breathtaking land, Spiti is a treat for all travellers, but especially bikers, with the majestic Himalayan landscape, amazing views, rich history and warm and friendly people. Also, be prepared for an overnight stay along the way

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preferably at Reckong Peo which is known to be a calm and serene stopover.

A ride through the beautiful barren landscapes of the Himalayas is the biggest draw of the valley. Another highlight of Spiti is the magnificently rich cultural past that is still alive in the ancient Gompas (monasteries) of the region and the enlightened monks that reside within them. Though they can be reserved initially, your curiosity for their culture and few smiles can win their hearts enough for them to offer you some refreshing cups of teas and insight into the Gompas like no other could. Amongst others that you might choose to visit, Key Gompa, Saskyagongmig Gompa and Dhankar Gompa are a must visit. If your curiosity for the local culture still refuses to subside, head over to the Tabo Monastery. 50 Kms from Kaza, it is one of the oldest functioning Buddhist monasteries in the world (est. 996 AD), with extremely well-preserved wall paintings and artifacts!

Finally, the perfect end to your spectacular trip to this beautiful valley will be Chandra Taal, an enchanting natural lake surrounded by hills and rightly named after the beautiful moon.

Viren Batra, CEO & Co Founder of nirvana excursion said, “Though this won’t be your typical vacation, it’ll definitely be a lot more special. A bike ride through the Spiti Valley is definitely something that should be at the top of your bucket list and will be an experience that you’ll never forget!”

Nirvana Excursions offers pre-packaged & customised tours, along with fixed – departure, escorted group tours, to any destination in the world. Our services include: Flight & hotel bookings, Visa & passport services, Sightseeing & transfers, and Car rentals

by TNH DESK

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NEWS

PREFERRED HOTELS & RESORTS SIGNS STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH GHM FOR THE CHEDI MUMBAI Addition of The Chedi Mumbai brings the Preferred brand portfolio in India to 30 hotels during its 15th year of operation in the country.

Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest independent hotel brand, has entered into a strategic partnership with Singapore-based luxury hotel management company General Hotel Management (GHM) to represent The Chedi Mumbai as the newest experience available within the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Lifestyle Collection. Scheduled to open in the Fall of 2017, The Chedi Mumbai will be GHM’s first hotel in India and marks the 30-hotel

milestone for Preferred Hotels & Resorts in India, making it the largest independent hotel brand in the country.

The Chedi Mumbai aims to transform the Powai region– one of the most up-market commercial hubs and sought-after resi-

dential addresses – into an epicenter of luxury and indulgence with its inimitable hospitality, food and beverage offerings, and revolutionary lifestyle concept for both Mumbai’s elite and discerning travelers.

by T NH DESK

Rishi Puri, VP, Lords Hotels & Resorts awarded ‘Operations Head of the Year’

WOMEN’S JOURNEY THAILAND CAMPAIGN TO RETURN WITH GREAT OFFERS THROUGHOUT AUGUST 2017 The Tourism Authority (TAT) is bringing back the Women’s Journey with all the highlights and offers to entice Women travelers from around the world to enjoy a huge range of activities, special deals, discounts and privileges in Thailand throughout the month of August. According to the latest statistics of international arrivals, the growth of female travelers has risen significantly over the past few years.

Srisuda Wanapinyosak, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing (Asia and the south Pacific) said, “Today women are significant decision makers and powerful with high-spending power.

by T NH DESK

In the recently concluded Hospitality Leaders’ Industry Choice Awards, Rishi Puri, Vice President, Lords Hotels & Resorts was unanimously voted as the ‘Operations Head Of The Year’. The awards platform best known for its unique voting process that empowers leaders from the Rishi Puri, VP, Lords Hotels & Resorts receiving the Head of the Year at the Hospitality Leaders' industry to vote their choice Operations Industry Choice Awards 2017 has chosen to vote for Puri for the third year in a row as the best Operations personnel in India. The parameters for the award category gauged the nominations based on leadership, industry acumen, trends forecasting and enterprise growth among others.

“Awards are a way of motivation and recognition and I feel glad to have received one, this year too. Lords Hotels & Resorts today is one of the most successful brands in Indian hospitality and we will continue our efforts in providing exhilarating experiences to our guests while creating turnaround stories for our partner hotels,” said Puri.

Lords Hotels & Resorts recently signed up its fourth hotel property in Nepal indicating its hospitality interest in the country.

by T NH DESK

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | JULY 2017

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NEWS

Positive Growth registered in both Domestic and Foreign Tourist visits during 2016 Number of domestic tourist visits to States/ UTs registers a growth of 12.68 % during 2016 over 2015, while number of foreign tourist visits to states/ UTs registers a growth of 5.92% during 2016 over 2015.

Domestic Tourist Visits to States/ UTs During 2016, the number of domestic tourist visits to the States/ UTs was 1613.55 million as compared to 1431.97

million in 2015 registering a growth of 12.68 % over 2015.

The top ten States in terms of number of domestic tourist visits (in millions), during 2016, were Tamil Nadu (343.81), Uttar Pradesh (211.71), Andhra Pradesh (153.16), Madhya Pradesh(150.49), Karnataka (129.76), Maharashtra (116.52), Telangana (95.16), West Bengal (74.46), Gujarat(42.25) and Rajasthan (41.5).

The contribution of top 10 States was about 84.21% to the total number of domestic tourist visits during 2016.

Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh have maintained the first, second and third rank respectively in terms of DTVs in 2016. Madhya Pradesh has gained the fourth position leaving Karnataka at fifth position.

by TNH DESK

19.5% GROWTH IN FOREIGN TOURIST ARRIVALS IN MAY, 2017 OVER MAY, 2016

Foreign Exchange Earnings through tourism in India in May 2017 The highlights of the estimates of FEEs from tourism in India for May 2017 and Jan-May 2017 are as below:

Foreign Exchange Earnings through tourism (in `terms)

• FEEs during the month of May 2017 were `12,403 crore as com-

pared to `10,260 crore in May 2016 and `9,505 crore in May 2015.

• The growth rate in FEEs in rupee terms in May 2017 over May

2016 was 20.9% compared to growth of 7.9% in May 2016 over May 2015.

• FEEs during the period January- May 2017 were `74,008 crore

with a growth of 19.2%, as compared to the FEE of `62,072 crore with a growth of 14.0% in January- May 2016 over January- May, 2015.

Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) through tourism (in US $ terms) • FEEs in US$ terms during the month of May 2017 were US$ 1.924 billion as compared to FEEs of US$ 1.534 billion during the month of May 2016 and US$ 1.491 billion in May 2015.

• The growth rate in FEEs in US$ terms in May 2017 over May 2016 was 25.4% compared to a positive growth of 2.9% in May 2016 over May 2015.

• FEEs during the period January-May 2017 were US$ 11.199 billion with a growth of 21.3% as compared to the FEE of US$ 9.231 billion with a growth of 6.0% in January- May 2016 over JanuaryMay 2015.

by TNH DESK

55.3% Growth in Foreign Tourist arrivals on ETourist visa in may, 2017 over May, 2016 The following are the important highlights regarding FTAs & also FTAs on e-Tourist Visa from tourism during the month of May, 2017.

Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs): • The number of FTAs in May, 2017 were 6.30 lakh as compared to FTAs of 5.27 lakh in May, 2016 and 5.09 lakh in May, 2015.

• The growth rate in FTAs in May, 2017 over May, 2016 is 19.5% compared to 3.5% in May, 2016 over May, 2015.

• FTAs during the period January- May 2017 were 42.15 lakh with a growth of 16.4%, as compared to the FTAs of 36.22 lakh with a growth of 8.7% in January- May 2016 over January- May 2015.

• The percentage share of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India during May 2017 among the top 15 source countries was highest from Bangladesh (29.73%) followed by USA (14.37%), UK (6.76%), Malaysia (3.64%), China (2.91%), Sri Lanka (2.68%), Japan(2.38%), Germany (2.34%), Canada (2.33%), Australia (2.26%), Singapore (1.99%), France (1.77%), Afghanistan (1.76%), Nepal (1.73%) and Republic of Korea (1.52%).

Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) on e-Tourist Visa • During the month of May, 2017 total of 0.68 lakh tourist arrived on e-Tourist Visa as compared to 0.44 lakh during the month of May 2016 registering a growth of 55.3%.

by TNH DESK

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MONSOON FESTIVALS

UNIQUE MONSOON FESTIVALS OF GOA The rainy season is the best time of the year in Goa. It is the weather, green landscaping, picturesque backdrop, nature trails and adventure that attract thousands of tourists to this paradise every year. One such important element are the monsoon festivals that are unique and celebrated only in the state of Goa. Here are some of them.

Sao Joao: The monsoons begin with the celebration of Sao Joao festival on June 24

every year. This festival has a special significance in the catholic community and is dedicated to St John the Baptist, the firebrand prophet. Christian scripture tells us of John the Baptist leaping for joy in his mother, Elizabeth’s womb when she was told of Jesus’ birth. John, the Baptist later went on to baptise Jesus in the river Jordan. The well is considered to be a representation of Elizabeth’s womb and a jump into it a sign of joy for the birth of Christ.

San Joao, like any other Goan feast has that captivating spirit of merriment, colour and tradition. People dressed in colourful outfits from several villages meet near a stream front in carnival-coloured boats and floats. The feast is marked by people of all

ages by jumping into wells, ponds and rivers. The festival is then followed by different types of folk dances and exchange of fruits and other eatables between friends and relatives. The feast is celebrated across the state and is majorly celebrated in the village of Siolim, Goa. Ponsachem Fest: Ponsachem fest known as Jackfruit festival is also celebrated on the day of Sao Joao. The festival was originally celebrated to savour Goa's choicest jackfruits and the delicious items made from it. The festival takes place in the Socorro village and is now popular in other villages of the State as well.

Sangodd: The festival is celebrated across the state on June 29 every year.

This is particularly a monsoon-based celebration by Goa’s local fishing community.

Their boats are tied together to form rafts, which serve as makeshift stages. A colorful festival of boats is organized. There is a live cultural program on a church like structure that is erected in four boats. The binding together of the boats is called "Sangodd". Many artists of the konkani stage along with the villagers take part in the cultural programme organised at the festival.

Chikalkalo: Chikalkalo is another happening event that is conducted in the Marcel village during the monsoons.

Chikalkalo literally means ’play in the

mud'. Devotees here plunge into a roll-inthe-muck 'mud bath' two days after Aashadhi Ekadashi. It is celebrated mostly by the end of July.

Touxeachem Fest: Touxeachem Fest (in Konkani) also known as Cucumber Feast is a very popular feast celebrated in Goa. It is celebrated at the magnificent Church of St Anne also known as the Santana Church located at Talaulim in Tiswadi taluka and dedicated to St Anne. Young couples come to the Church to seek the blessings of St Anne, who herself was blessed with a

child after 40 years of barren life. They buy cucumbers from local vendors at the feast and offer them at the feet of St Ann and carry them home to eat. Besides the huge number of devotees from all around Goa, devotees from across the State also throng the church on the feast day. This year, the festival will be held on 30 July.

by T NH DESK

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | JULY 2017

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COVER STORY

THE MONSOON CALLING

REASONS GALORE TO EXPLORE INDIA IN THE MONSOON India is a land of rich diversity. It has several seasons, each having its own charm. Coming as it does after the Summer, the Monsoon is one of the best seasons to explore and experience Incredible India, and its natural beauty, the beautiful lush greens, the cool breezy weather and more. Therefore, embark on exploring India this monsoon and get soaked in the rain.

v B Prem Kumar Y

Monsoon offers relief from scorching heat. Cloudy sky and monsoon showers make the weather pleasant and soothing. Rainfall increases the beauty of the country. It is the best season to experience and enjoy the scenic beauty of many regions of the country.

Holidaying in the monsoon is a fun-filled experience in India. It is attractive to travel in the Monsoon as airlines, travel companies and hotels offer discounts and attractive prices to boost demand in the off season. Year 2017 offers more opportunities to travel during the Monsoon as there is a number of long weekends.

The Monsoon in India has traditionally been considered an off season for tourists, but this perception is gradually fading away, as more and more Indians travel inside the country during the Monsoon. It is the best time to see the mystical beauty and natural landscapes of the country. There are so much to explore in the country during the rains, such as mountains, lakes, local life, cultures and cuisine. The Monsoon is ideal season for activities and experiences like trekking, wellness and Ayurvedic Therapies, spa etc. The Monsoon is considered ideal season to get the benefit of Ayurveda.

In the Monsoon, places like Rishikesh, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Goa, Alleppey, Bhimashankar, Ladakh, beaches of Kovalam, Varkala, hill retreats of Munnar and Vagamon, backwaters of Kumarakom and Kuttanad, forests of Rajeev Kale Thekkady are ideal places President & Country Head, Leisure Travel & MICE at Thomas Cook (India) to visit. There are many other beautiful locations to visit in the season.

Explaining the significance of the Monsoon for tourists, Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head, Leisure Travel & MICE at Thomas Cook (India), said "Between the summer vacation and the next festive/Diwali break, the monsoons offer our Indian consumers a delightful opportunity to escape from the hectic pace of everyday work life and indulge in some much needed rest and rejuvenation

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and the rains showcasing the country at her best." Thomas Cook India has witnessed impressive growth this monsoon due to great value prices and discounts being offered by hotels and airlines.

In India, the summer vacations start in April and end in July, which is the peak season for the Indian outbound market, says Karan Anand—Head, Relationships, Cox & Kings Ltd. "Concept of lean season is no more. The number of Indians travelling within India and overseas has grown over the years.

Those who missed out on Karan Anand Head, Relationships, Cox & Kings Ltd. summer vacations prefer to travel during the monsoon," said Anand. For the monsoon season, Cox & Kings is offering a number of packages to domestic destinations such as Goa, Kerala, Rajasthan, Kashmir and Tamil Nadu.

The Monsoon is time to avail discounts and attractive offers.

“Off-season vacations have their own perks as both travel and accommodation can be availed at cheaper rates," said Sharat Dhall, COO (B2C), Yatra.com. "The traffic is driven by airlines announcing sales in advance to stimulate early bookings. While families with kids plan their vacation around the summer vacations as most schools reopen in June, others prefer to take short breaks over the long weekends," added Dhall. Discounts vary from destination to destination but one is likely to get more hotel deals because of a

The Monsoon Calling: • Check out good holiday packages at attractive rates for travel in India • Save money 15-20% on your holidays by travelling in the Monsoons • Sales of monsoon holiday packages are growing over the years • Sales of monsoon holiday packages to grow 15 % this year.

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COVER STORY

larger inventory being available. Kerala, which is a tourist favourite, offers special discounts on hotels and resorts to attract customers during the off season.

Bhandardara, Mawsynram, Lonavala, Kodaikanal, Munnar and the Spiti Valley are some of the offbeat destinations that attract travellers during the lean period.

Sharat Dhall During the monsoons, de- COO (B2C), Yatra.com mand for short getaways is high. Companies like Thomas Cook is witnessing strong uptake for short getaways, extended weekend breaks, self-drive trips and outdoor-adventure trips with family and friends. India’s working millennial opting for such getaways.

"We have seen that monsoons have had scant impact on the travel hungry Indian consumers wanting to avail packages at great rates where they save approximately 15-20% on tour packages compared to peak season rates; and this is in addition to the potential of significant discounts courtesy offers on airfares that most carriers announce to fill up distressed inventory given that this is their traditional low season," said Kale. This trend of maximizing/leveraging low season Amod Thatte monsoon rates is especially Head Product, Contracting & Innovation, SOTC Travel high among India’s budget travellers. Hotels provide many attractive offers and add-on values given low demand. "Due to the allure of low season pricing, we are seeing an increase in demand for

quick getaways from our travel enthusiasts in India.

Domestic locales like Ladakh and Leh, Valley of Flowers - Uttarakhand, Goa, Kerala, Corbett and Meghalaya are the top getaways this monsoon season extremely popular with our consumers," says Thatte.

Thomas Cook has noticed that demand has been emerging strongly from Mansoor Adil India’s tier 2 & 3 markets. It Senior Executive VP – Sarovar Hotels & Resorts has designed special Monsoon itineraries around domestic destinations ranging from `4,999 to `11,999 (per person, on twin sharing basis).

Monsoons offer some much needed rest and rejuvenation through extended weekend getaways with family and friends.

"Traditionally, monsoon is considered to be a good time to indulge in rejuvenating wellness therapies. Resorts and wellness centres lure tourists with attractive holiday packages during the monsoon.

Others find adventure a thrilling experience in the monsoons," says Amod Thatte- Head Product, Contracting & Innovation, SOTC Travel.

According to Mansoor Adil, Senior Executive VP – Sarovar Hotels & Resorts, Business hotels are lesser affected by off season, unlike leisure hotels. During the lean period at leisure hotels, we focus on the MICE business and attractive promotional packages to drive business during this period. Our database of frequent visitors comes in handy. We offer promotional discounts driven through our website and OTAs in addition to strategic tie-ups and packages with credit card and airline companies.

For the lean/monsoon season, Sarovar Hotels & Resorts are doing promotional tie-ups with select credit card and airline companies. It is also doing cross promotional activities within its hotels. There are promotions and discounts offered on its website specially for the off-season. "We are offering a 20 % discount on Best Available Rate (BAR) bookable on our brand website through June and July. This offer is being promoted through e-Mailers, Banner on our website and Social Media posts," said Adil.

Demand and sales of monsoon holiday packages is growing over the years. This year SOTC is witnessing a growth of over 15 % in sales of monsoon holiday packages over last year. "At SOTC, we have designed special itineraries offering great value for money for our price sensitive consumers and these packages have been picked up by travellers in a big way. Packages start at an average pricing of `30,000 per person depending on the destination,” said Thatte, adding that domestic tourists have started coming out in large numbers during the monsoons.

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | JULY 2017

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NEWS

Avail 'Go Beyond' offers to celebrate & unlock the monsoon mystery

to enroll all our guests into our award winning Loyalty Program& to double up

Despite the lean season, many trav-

the reward points, we enhance and en-

ellers - especially those looking for value

rich our guest’s experiences by upgrad-

packages, try to book trips during the

ing their room.

off-season. Any incentive to vacationers

Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel at

is always a great thing to build loyalty for

Brigade Gateway helps you choose be-

the hotel. "We orchestrate bespoke ex-

tween a variety of offers & hotel deals

periences and services which are in-

specially designed for enriching the

cluded in a customized package to add

business and leisure traveler’s experi-

value to its offerings. Weekend special

ence. It’s our ongoing endeavor to cre-

packages offer inclusions like food festi-

ate a home away from home for our

vals, guest engaging activities like grape

guests, Our “Go Beyond” offers are spe-

stomping which encourage guests or

cially designed to celebrate & unlock the

ager, Rooms, Sheraton Grand Banga-

Sheetal Iyer Executive Assistant Manager, Rooms, Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel, Brigade Gateway

lore Hotel at Brigade Gateway. Offers

any other social event, inviting corpo-

ues& also on our signature Shine Spa

like specialized honeymoon packages,

rates to experience the warmth & hospi-

for Sheraton.

customized offerings for weddings or

tality of the property and ensure a return

families to come back to the hotel," says Sheetal Iyer, Executive Assistant Man-

This Monsoon, Indian travellers bullish on Domestic Holidays with a 60% increase in demand, says Thomas Cook India • Trend of ‘travel savers’: Indians leveraging off-season rates to book mini-vacays • Weekend & extended weekends in high demand • Short driveable holidays seeing strong uptake • Key growth segments: DINKs, Millenials, Ad hoc groups of friends and family Thomas Cook (India) Ltd has observed an exponential increase in demand for domestic travel during the Monsoons. Despite being a traditional low or off-season, the Company has witnessed a significant 60% increase in demand for Monsoon 2017; with a sustained Y-o-Y uptake of approx. 55%, over the last 3 years.

Monsoons being a traditional low season for travel, the dip in demand vs. supply works well to the consumer’s advantage: special deals/discounts offered by airlines and hotels create strong allure/incentive to inspire “travel savers”. Additionally, value-options like complimentary transfers, dining or spa-vouchers makeMonsoon travel a truly attractive value proposition for Indians.

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patronage from them and also ensuring

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | JULY 2017

by TNH DESK

monsoon mystery. The “Go Beyond” offers would promote the grandeur of our rooms, Food & Beverage dining ven-

by T NH DESK

COX & KINGS ROLLS OUT GRAND MONSOON SALE ON DOMESTIC DESTINATIONS Cox and Kings has introduced special monsoon travel offers such as free nights on different instant and tailor-made travel packages to various domestic destinations making monsoon travel inexpensive like never before. In some packages you just have to pay the GST! The sale offers full stay free on 2D/1N packages to Nashik, Shirdi, Aurangabad, Mahabaleshwar and Daman. The travellers will have to pay only the tax amount which is `99 for these holidays. On instant packages to Jaipur, Udaipur, Kodaikanal, Kumarakom and Wayanad; travellers will have to pay for only for one night stay and one night is offered free. On individual packages to Goa, Kashmir, Ladakh, Ooty- Kodaikanal, MysoreCoorg-Bangalore, Nepal, Kerala, Andaman, North-East and Bhutan; 2 nights free stay is offered. The free nights offer is valid only till 30th September 2017.

In another exciting offer, the travellers can book a 3-night luxury stay at The Ultimate Travelling Camp for `89,999 to get 5 freebies such as return airfare to Delhi-Leh-Delhi, additional 4 nights stay in a Leh hotel, meals with a private butler service, lunch at Nimmu House in Leh and a walk around the heritage parts of Leh town.

by T NH DESK

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TRAVEL MANTRA

SMART TIPS FOR YOUR MONSOON TRAVEL PLANS Monsoon is one of the best seasons to travel in various parts of India. Typically, in India, monsoons last from June to September in most parts of the country. It is the time when landscapes are at their greenest and freshest beauty. The best thing about this season is that it is when weather is at its most pleasant temperature.

Also, with the end of summer vacations, tourist attractions are less crowded and good bargains can be found when travelling. In short, travelling and vacationing during monsoons is a fun idea. But it can also be tiresome, due to inconvenience caused by constant breakdown in public transport and bad roads or many other issues.

Keeping all in mind, TnH has listed some smart tips to make your monsoon travel plans more fruitful…

v B Archana Sharma Y

Clothes and other essentials Pack all your clothes and other essentials in a light and water-proof bag. Wear light cotton clothes or comfortable partially synthetic clothes that can dry off quickly if you happen to get wet. Shorts or three-quarter pants are always better than full length clothes. A jacket is a must have item particularly if you plan to walk a lot outside or trek. A windcheater is useful to keep you warm during the rains.

It is also a good idea to purchase a plastic case for your phone, wallet and other important documents. Also, don’t forget to pack dry towels and carry the umbrella or a raincoat. If you are planning to have picnics whilst on the road, it is useful to pack dry mats / plastic sheets to spread out on wet surfaces.

Keep first aid kit and repellents Keeping first aid kit is very important because this season become breeding grounds for infections, mosquitoes and other insects. With insects and mosquitoes rampant, diseases are too widespread and travel through the air and water. So, it’s best to carry your own first aid kit, which must be stocked with basic

medicines like cough syrup or tablets, paracetamol, tablets for indigestion, disinfectant scrubs, antiseptic cream, and bandages along with a bottle of Dettol.

Also, carry repellents for mosquitoes so that you will be free from any worry of mosquitoes or any other insect bite.

Avoid outside food and water As mentioned before, diseases and insects tend to be widespread during the monsoon season thus, it’s advised to avoid outside food and water. Just beware about the contaminated food and water. It could be a monsoon hazard.

Water can be easily contaminated during this season, so always stick to the bottle of boiled or mineral water. The same criteria go with the food, eat properly cooked food and wash fruits carefully.

Avoid street food during rainy season because it is often put out in the open and exposed to a lot of germs and diseases.

Also, it’s better to stick to hot beverages such as tea and coffee which are rather safer than cold drinks and juices.

Footwear After heavy rainfall, the roads tend to

get slippery. So, make sure you wear weather suitable shoes. Closed waterproof shoes are essential to keep your feet clean. Floaters and sandals are the best options for footwear during monsoon season. Otherwise, proper rain-proof shoes like flip-flops and gumboots will be of great help in travelling.

Maximum value for money Usually, monsoon is a lean season for hospitality industry. Therefore, you can get some excellent bargains and deals to make the maximum value for money benefits while planning your holiday during monsoon season. You can get good deals on air tickets as well as upgrades for hotel rooms. However, it all depends on your smartness and planning of the holiday well in advance.

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SPECIAL FEATURE

Golf Tourism in India: A Growing Trend That's Here to Stay

India doesn't exactly spoil golfers for choice. But what it lacks in numbers it makes up in diversity. India is home to the oldest golf course outside Britain. It also has several golf courses of international standards.

Further, golf events held in India have lately been attracting several domestic and international tourists. Japan and Hong Kong have a shortage of golf courses and golfers from these countries have started coming to India to play the sport at a comparatively low cost. With golf tourism emerging as the new global trend, the tourism industry in India is focusing on golf tourism in an attempt to promote the country as a preferred golfing destination for international tourists.

v B Neha Kirpal Y

Aamby Valley Golf Course

Early beginnings The history of golf in India started with the Royal Calcutta Golf Course in Kolkata, the oldest golf club in the world to be founded outside of England and Scotland in 1829. As British influence spread over the vast subcontinent, golf courses and clubs were established wherever “a patch of grass grew,” and in many places where it did not. India's second golf club, Royal Bombay came up in 1842, the second oldest in the world outside of Scotland and England. Thirty years had to go by before the city of Bengaluru started a golf club in 1876, followed in 1878 by the scenic Shillong Club in Upper Assam.

Next, Ahmedabad started a golf club in 1884 and two years later, the Madras

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TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | JULY 2017

Gymkhana Club started a golf section.

Further in 1887, a golf course was created in an army cantonment in the erstwhile princely Nizam's dominions of Hyderabad.

Current scenario Today, India has more than 220 golf courses of which 30 are professional level and 15 are signature ones at par with international standards. Several others are located in beautiful resorts across the country. It surely goes to say that golf in India is not just a game but a lifestyle in itself. We highlight here some of the prominent golf courses: Starting at the top, the Royal Spring Golf Course in Srinagar enjoys panoramic views of the Dal Lake, and is undoubtedly

one of the most stunning golf courses in Asia. Not too far away is the Gulmarg Golf Course—the highest course in the world, it also boasts of India's longest hole.

Ananda in the Himalayas in Uttarakhand has a small six-hole golf course within the resort premises, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains as well as a world-class spa.

Coming to the capital city, the Delhi Golf Club is a heritage golf course where the Viceroys and Nawabs had once played golf. The course is also a feast for all birdwatchers. The Qutab Golf Course is the first public golf course in India. The ITC Classic Golf Resort in Gurgaon is a 27hole Jack Nicklaus signature golf course that is accompanied by a 104-room, allsuite luxury destination resort. The ITC Green Bharat truly combines quality golf with true Indian hospitality. The Jaypee Greens Golf Resort in Noida is one of the world’s longest courses. It is a golf resort having 170 spacious rooms, out of which 152 are deluxe rooms and the rest are premium category suites with open-air Jacuzzis. The resort also has the Six Senses Spa offering an array of holistic therapies as well as several food and beverage options: Eggspectation, a 24hour restro-cafe, an Indian cuisine restaurant called Paatra, and La Brezza, an

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SPECIAL FEATURE

ITC Grand Bharat

Italian fine dine restaurant, four other dining and bar venues and two patisseries.

The Rambagh Golf Course in Jaipur is one of India’s oldest and most prestigious golf clubs. The Gulmohar Greens Golf Course in Ahmedabad is the first to build an island green in India and to possess a third split golf green in the world. Also in Ahmedabad, is the Kalhaar Blues & Greens Golf Course, which is one of India’s longest golf courses. Mumbai has lots of great options for golf courses to choose from. While the Bombay Presidency Golf Course offers accommodation facilities for members and guests, the Oxford Country Club has villas with landscaped gardens and plunge pools. The Aamby Valley Golf Course located close by in Lonavala makes for a perfect weekend getaway from Mumbai. The course offers accommodation in a wide variety of units, right from Swiss chalets to Spanish-style cottages.

The Lalit Golf Resort and Spa in Goa is perfect for a luxurious golfing holiday. Situated along a pristine coastline, this beach resort offers breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea. Accommodation is offered in 255 suites, including 10 luxurious villas, all of them built in grand Baroque-

Portuguese style architecture. The resort also offers amazing therapies in a holistic spa and as many as six dining venues.

Initiatives to promote golf tourism In 1955, the Indian Golf Union (IGU), formed in New Delhi, took over the mantle of governing the sport in India from the Royal Calcutta Golf Club, which had been handling India’s golf interests since its inception in 1829. The IGU is the apex body of golf in the country and is responsible for the promotion and development of golf in India. Starting with only six golf clubs at the beginning, it today boasts of 194 golf clubs and many more under planning. The IGU has introduced a number of initiatives for the promotion of golf and also to upgrade the standard of the game to the best in the world. The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India endeavours to work as a catalyst and active supporter for the development of golf tourism in the country. In order to tap the growing interest in golf tourism, the Ministry is creating a comprehensive and coordinated framework for promoting golf tourism in India, capitalizing on the existing work that is being carried out and building on the strength of India’s position as the fastest growing free market economy.

In 2015, ministry officials said that financial assistance would be provided to conduct approved golf events in the

country. For instance, to promote women's golf, the ministry would provide financial assistance for a maximum of two professional events with the upper ceiling of up to Rs 1 crore each for the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour and the Ladies European Tour.

The India Golf Tourism Committee (IGTC) is the nodal body for golf tourism in the country. The committee functions with the aim of promoting India as a preferred golf destination and makes suggestions and recommendations in connection with the identification and grading of golf courses, approval of the calendar for golf events and evaluating the need for forming and managing a corpus with contributions from various stakeholders and the Union government to promote golf tourism. The committee is also involved in the identification of promotional materials to be developed, events for participation abroad and showcasing golfing facilities in India.

Kalhaar Blues & Greens Golf Course Ahmedabad

Delhi Golf Club

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TRENDS

Sandal Suites, Noida’s Ist Upscale Serviced Suites, now open Sandal Suites, operated by Lemon Tree Hotels, is the perfect address for all you need.

The launch of Sandal Suites, operated

by Lemon Tree Hotels, marked the opening of Noida’s first upscale serviced suites. These serviced apartments, situated just off the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway, are located within Assotech Business Cresterra, the LEED Gold Cer-

erty Lemon Tree Hotels (through our

only upscale accommodation available

tified office complex in the IT hub of Sec-

management arm, Carnation Hotels) will

within an 8 km catchment and is the per-

tor 135, Noida. Best suited for extended

be operating in Noida, and our first foray

fect address for those looking for a

stays, Sandal Suites features 195 well-

into the upscale serviced suites space.

“home away from home”, he continued.

appointed suites, extensive banqueting

This is also our first partnership with

Each of the elegantly designed and fur-

facilities, numerous dining options, and

Sandal Suites Pvt. Ltd., one that we

nished Studio, Standard and Deluxe

an array of recreational facilities, in a

hope to see grow in strength in the com-

suites, ranging from 225 sq. ft. to 515 sq.

contemporary setting. Speaking at the

ing years.”

ft., feature an independent balcony, a

launch Rattan Keswani, Deputy Manag-

“The launch of Sandal Suites is in re-

ing Director, Lemon Tree Hotels and Di-

sponse to the growing demand for com-

workstation, and a kitchenette featuring a

rector, Carnation Hotels Pvt. Ltd., said,

fortable and convenient extended stay

tea/coffee maker, a microwave and a

“This occasion marks a few ‘firsts’ for

accommodation options for business and

mini-bar.

Lemon Tree Hotels – it is the first prop-

IT professionals in our vicinity. It is the

separate living area, a well-appointed

by T NH DESK

Centre Grants Approval for Airport at Jewar in Greater Noida Delhi-NCR to get its Second International Airport.

The Government has granted in-principle approval for a greenfield airport at Jewar in Greater Noida in view of the rapidly growing flying requirements of the NCR region. Announcing this at a press conference in New Delhi today the Minister for Civil Aviation Shri P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju said that the air traffic in the NCR region is growing very fast.

From the current level of 62 million passengers per annum, it is expected to reach upto 91 MPPA by 2020 and 109 MPPA by 2024, which would be the saturation point for the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. So, Delhi will require a second airport in the next 7-10

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years. The minister said that the Government of Uttar Pradesh had submitted a proposal for construction of a new Greenfield International Airport at Jewar in Greater Noida, and the Ministry of Civil Aviation has accorded in principle approval for the project based on the recommendations of the Steering Committee on Greenfield Airports, headed by the Secretary (CA).

The Noida International Airport will be located 72 Kms from IGI Airport and 65 Kms from Hindon Air Force station Ghaziabad. Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) is the implementing authority of the project. An area of 3000 hectares has been notified for the airport which will be de-

veloped in phases. An area of 1000 hectares will be developed in the first phase at an estimated cost of `10,000 crores. There will be one runway in the first phase. Three more runways will be developed in subsequent phases. The total cost of development of all phases is expected to be around `15-20,000 crores.

The airport is expected to cater to 30-50 million passengers per year over the next 10 to 15 years.. Government of UP along with YEIDA will bear the cost of land procurement. The project will be implemented in the PPP mode for which concessionaire is to be identified based on open market competitive bidding process.

by TNH DESK

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NEWS

BRAND USA’S NOVEL CAMPAIGN IN INDIA One of the most loved destinations for Indian tourists, Brand USA has rolled out a new consumer campaign for Indian travellers to discover and experience the unexplored destinations of the country.

When it comes to discovering the United States of America, travel-crazy Indians do not want to give the experience a miss for the diverse country offers a varied range of tourist destinations, endless opportunities and experiences to choose.

There has been a spike in the Indian tourists footfall to USA over the years. In order to keep up the momentum of tourists outflow and entice more number of Indian travellers to USA, Brand USA– the destination marketing organization for the United States, has come up with a number of initiatives in the Indian market.

The Year 2017 has been declared as The United States-India Travel and Tourism Partnership Year.

According to Thomas Garzilli, Chief Marketing Officer, Brand USA, “We are looking to position both The United States and India effectively to bring a spurt in travel trade by bringing the governments and private sectors of both the countries together. It also enables Brand USA to introduce novel programming opportunities in the Indian market and also facilitate robust connectivity and options that would promote travel from India to the United States. We have kick-started a new interactive consumer campaign and websitewww.GoUSA.in in March, this year.”

The consumer campaign includes a wide range of advertising and media platforms that will help the prospective

Thomas Garzilli Chief Marketing Officer, Brand USA

travellers to unravel the destinations that are off-the-beaten path. Garzilli said, “Brand USA conducted a research in the Indian market and concluded that Indian travellers look for excitement that will provide them fun, indulgence and a break

by TNH DESK from the routine life.”

A CUT ABOVE THE REST India constitutes a significant market for the newly set-up Dubai Parks and Resorts that has on offer a wide gamut of attractions for summer tourists.

For outbound Indian travellers interested to get to the largest integrated theme park in the Middle East that is making waves, there is Dubai Parks and Resorts that opened its doors sometime in December, last year.

Nestling on Sheikh Zayed Road, the theme park destination enjoys a strategic position with an easy access from all four international airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

There are three theme parks-MotionGate has been inspired from Hollywood, Bollywood Parks is a premier theme park on the sights and sounds of Bollywood and Legoland is a water theme park created for families and children from 2 to 12 years of age.

David Loiseau, Senior Vice President,

Sales and Marketing, Dubai Parks and Resorts informed, “Nearly 1.6 million Indian tourists had set off on a visit to Dubai last year and for the first time, it has been seen that India has emerged as the largest source market for Dubai.

India forms a critical market for the success of our destination. We are in the process of ramping up and we are hoping that around 20 per cent of our total business will be catered with the visit of Indian travellers in the current year.”

The theme park has unveiled a novel campaign for Indian tourists- The Amazing List and has teamed up with a number of Indian travel brands with an aim to provide an extensive amazing experience. The new campaign has been rolled out from May 21 and has an astounding array of attractions at a discounted price. Loiseau said, “Our fourth theme park- Six Flags Dubai is all set to open sometime at the end of

David Loiseau Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing

2019.”

There is something for all segments of tourists visiting the theme park.

Loiseau further said, “We have an unbelievably varied range of tourists and we aim to entice those tourists residing within a flying time of 4 to 8 hours from Dubai. We have plans to introduce many campaigns targeting different segments of visitors coinciding with school vacation and annual holiby TNH DESK days.”

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | JULY 2017

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NEWS

ITDC organizes Workshop to sensitize Trade partners and Stakeholders India Tourism Development Corporation

Pradip K Das, Director Finance and CFO,

(ITDC), the public sector undertaking under

ITDC, welcomed the gathering and high-

the aegis of the Ministry of Tourism, Govern-

lighted the proposed tax reform as a real

ment of India, conducted a workshop for the

game changer for expanding tax base, mobi-

benefit of Trade & Industry, Officers and other

lize resources and also for minimizing re-

stakeholders by sensitizing them about pro-

gional disparities since it enables

posed Goods and Services Tax: Model Law

predominantly consumer states to raise re-

and procedures at The Ashok, Flagship prop-

sources for developmental activities. Das gave

erty of ITDC. The workshop was broadcasted

a detailed overview of the GST, the structure

live to all the subsidiary companies/vendors

of GST Regime and the road map ahead for

active basis at the Ashok Hotel as well as at

outside Delhi. The video and queries regard-

all stakeholders.

all the Business Units of ITDC and its sub-

ing GST would be uploaded on ITDC website to ease the interaction and resolve queries.

The GST consultants of ITDC in his inaugu-

and the implementation of the new GST law.

The workshop was conducted on an inter-

sidiaries. Delhi based vendors participated di-

ral address expressed that the country is on

rectly, however the units and subsidiaries

The GST Regime which is on the verge of

the threshold of change which is momentous

outside Delhi participated through webcast,

its implementation will mark a paradigm shift

and assured all stakeholders that all the con-

where the solutions to queries and issue from

in the manner of levy and collection of indi-

cerns of trade and industry will be addressed

the trade partners were provided and assured

rect taxes in the country and is a watershed

to ensure smooth transition. They explained

smooth adaptation of GST compliance.

moment in the annals of tax reform.

the various provisions of the model GST law

Treebo partners with Goomo, a new age travel company Treebo Hotels, India’s 3rd largest hotel chain, has partnered with Mumbaiheadquartered

by T NH DESK

Matrix ‘Travel Companion App’ partners with leading US Designer Store Bloomingdales

travel-tech company

Goomo, to further strengthen its distribu-

Matrix Travel Companion App, giving international travelers

tion network. Goomo is a newly

access to a host of services announces tie-up with Blooming-

launched travel brand that has built a

dale’s, America's only nationwide, full-line, upscale department

strong online as well offline presence to

store. The app is offering an exclusive 15% discount to users

offer its users a range of holiday pack-

on Bloomingdale’s select stores at New York, Miami, Chicago

ages and deals with an aim to become

and San Francisco. The tie-up will allow the people travelling to

their preferred travel booking platform.

U.S.A save enormously on their purchase from the top designer

Goomo is a technology led travel company which caters to both leisure and

Sidharth Gupta Co-Founder, Treebo Hotels

store, Bloomingdale with a gift on purchase using the Matrix app. Announcing the tie-up, Gagan Dugal, Director, Matrix Cel-

business travelers. In addition to the online platform, it also has 15 stores

lular said, “Our association with Bloomingdales reiterates our

and is associated with several travel trade partners across India to help cus-

commitment towards the users, to offer popular services across

tomers get a personalized travel experience. The partnership will enable

categories. Bloomingdales is one of the leading luxury retail

Goomo’s users to book quality budget accommodation at affordable prices

chain in US and our partnership will give travellers the opportu-

from across Treebo’s 250+ properties. On the other hand, Treebo would be

nity to avail attractive offers and shop from best of brands on

able to leverage Goomo’s wide online and offline presence to target users

their next trip to the States.’’

Bloomingdale’s is America’s leading luxury department store.

from across the country.

As per the most recent Millward Brown report on Indian hotel bookings,

It’s widely recognized for its originality and leadership in fashion.

in the highly under penetrated hotel segment in India, only 25% of the book-

The brand is an attraction for domestic and international

ings are done online while over 59% are still done through offline channels.

tourists. There are 38 stores that operates online, blooming-

Varun Gupta, CEO, Goomo, said, “We are extremely excited about our association with country’s largest budget hotel brand.

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TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | JULY 2017

by TNH DESK

dales.com and total of 17 Bloomingdale’s outlet locations.

by T NH DESK

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EXPLORE THE WORLD

Geirangerfjord

EXPLORE NORWAY

LAND OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN

v B Archana Sharma Y

The 'Land of the Midnight Sun', Norway is

side, life is still as quiet as it was a century ago. On Norway vacations watch the wildlife

truly a natural paradise. Therefore, a vaca-

and scenery, visit the famous Opera in Oslo

tion in this country seems to be like stepping

and the Fish Market in Bergen and discover

through a magical mirror, which takes you to

its many wonders including the UNESCO-

a wonderful land where natural environ-

protected Geirangerfjord and the North Cape.

ment prevails all over. Norway means many

It is an unusual country that has virtually

things to many people. Called, `The Land of

everything you could want: natural beauty,

the Midnight Sun’, here during the summer,

adventure, beautiful medieval cities, and

the sun does not go down even at night (not

more.

a phenomenon all over Norway, though- it

Polar Bear in Svalbard

household items). Beside, other Traditional

happens only in the Lofoten Islands). It is the

Indulge in Norwegian culture

crafts in Norway encompass a wide range of

land of famous explorers like Amundsen and

The culture of Norway which is expressed

items - from porcelain and crystal to pine

Thor Heyerdahl and the top of all, the leg-

in various different forms - in its interesting

furniture, silverware, pewter, knitwear and

endary Vikings; of literary and artistic giants

wooden stave churches and the ornate old

handicrafts, which are unique to the country.

like Edvard Munch and Henrik Ibsen. And, in

carved houses that are tucked away. Here,

contrast, it’s also the land of people like the

you can treat yourself with delicious coun-

Best time to come here

native Sami Lapps, who even today still live

tryside gastronomic meal including the her-

The best time to explore Norway is during

by herding reindeers.

ring and salmon, pickled in every meal. It’s

the summer, which begins from May and ex-

Norway is a charming mix of cities and vil-

culture somehow similar to `Pan-Euro-

tends up to September. It is the time when

lages of fjords and breathtakingly beautiful

peanism’ in most places, which has still

the weather is pleasant and all the tourist

seas. The country’s main cities- Oslo (the

managed to hold its own.

attractions are open to public. Late spring,

capital city), Bergen, Stavanger and the like

A must souvenir to collect from here is the

when the fruit trees are in full bloom, is also

are as swinging and modern as many in

art of rosemaling (or `rose painting’, a tech-

good time especially, if you wish to see the

continental Europe. But out in the country-

nique once used to decorate furniture and

country at its scenic best.

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TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | JULY 2017

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EXPLORE THE WORLD

Art of rosemaling

Cross-country skiing

How to Reach

By Air: Oslo’s international airport is the main entrance of Norway. Various airlines like Aeroflot, Emirates, Lufthansa and Jet Airways fly there with stop-overs. Most destinations from which you can get direct flights to Oslo lie within Europe, so if you want to fly to Norway from outside the continent, you’ll need to get to a major European airport first.

By Rail: Most trains coming to Norway arrive in Oslo. To Oslo, there are regular trains from Copenhagen (Denmark), Helsingborg (Sweden) and Stockholm. NSB (Norwegian State Railways) operates inter-

Northern Lights

Trivia Juvet Landscape Hotel - It’s one of Norway’s most delightful hotels, with freestanding rooms remarkably carved out of spruce is set smack in a verdant river canyon.

Things you must explore while in Norway: Geirangerfjord: Shadowed by rearing mountains, this Sshaped fjord is one of Norway’s most stunningly beautiful fjords and truly a visual delight.

Wildlife Safaris in Svalbard: Here, you will spot polarbear and enjoy bird watching. Also, enjoy husky drives; the vast, glaciated landscapes of this gorgeous Arctic Archipelago which offer a spectacular range of wildlife safaris.

Take a ride at the Flåmsbana: Enjoying a ride on the Flåm railway from high up in the mountains to the fjords way down below is one of the most spectacular train journeys in the world.

Visit Nidaros Domkirke, Trondheim: Trondheim’s vaunted Gothic and neo-Gothic domkirke (cathedral) is the largest medieval building in Scandinavia – and one of northern Europe’s finest religious structures.

Urnes Stave church: Perhaps the finest of Norway’s stave churches; Urnes is distinguished by the frenzied intricacy of its woodcarving.

Witness the magical Northern Lights: At once eerily disconcerting and bewitchingly beautiful, the aurora borealis flicker across northern Norway’s winter firmament at irregular and unpredictable intervals.

Go for adventurous Cross-country skiing: Norway’s meadows, moors and mountains boast thousands of kilometres of powdered runs just waiting for adventuresome skiers. You might choose to start at Lillehammer.

Værøy’s sea-bird colonies: This remote Lofoten Island is renowned for its profuse birdlife, which includes puffins, cormorants, kittiwakes, guillemots and even rare sea eagles.

Adventurous hikes by peaks and fjords: One of Norway’s most celebrated hiking areas, the Jotunheimen National Park is crisscrossed with trails and includes northern Europe’s two highest peaks. Witness the most untouched and beautiful mountains, rivers, valleys and waterfalls ever.

national services from Oslo to Stockholm, from Oslo via Malmo and Copenhagen to Hamburg and Berlin, between Trondheim and Ostersund, and from Narvik to Stockholm.

By Road: If you’re coming from either Finland or Sweden (two of the three countries which have land frontiers with Norway), you can arrive by road. International highways and secondary roads link the three nations, and there are regular bus services to Norway, Oslo in particular from both Finland as well as Sweden.

Stave Church

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NEWS

ETIHAD AIRWAYS INCREASES MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA CAPACITY TO CATER TO GROWING SUMMER DEMAND Etihad Airways is increasing capacity between its Abu Dhabi hub and key markets of Amman, Beirut, Cairo, Casablancaand Rabat to cater to the peak June – September travel period, while additional services to Dammam will be year-round.

Extra flights and the deployment of bigger aircraft in the Middle East and North Africa will provide local guests with more choice and greater convenience travelling during the holiday season.

Details are:• Dammam: 4th new daily flight • Amman: 2nd new daily flight • Beirut: 4 new flights a week and intro-

duction of Boeing 787 • Cairo: 5th new daily flight • Casablanca: aircraft upgrade to Airbus A340

• Rabat: one extra weekly flight

Dammam in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will initially be served with an additional three morning flights a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from June 26, rising to a daily service on July 9. The capacity increase to the largest city in the Kingdom’s Eastern Province will raise frequency on the route to four daily

by T NH DESK services year-round.

TREEBO TO TAP INTO THE GLOBAL AUDIENCE OF TRIPADVISOR, THE WORLD’S LARGEST TRAVEL SITE Joining TripAdvisor’s meta search will help Treebo target its global audience of 390 million unique monthly visitors who are looking to compare and book top-rated accommodation at affordable prices.

Treebo Hotels, announced its association with TripAdvisor,the world’s largest travel site from reviews to bookings, which would enable the company to target the global travel audience of 390 million unique monthly users who are looking to make hotel reservations. This partnership will let TripAdvisor users search and book – via meta – quality hotel experiences across over 50 Indian cities.

TripAdvisor is the go-to place for travellers to discover, compare and make decisions on the best hotels, flights, restaurants and activities. Travellers are able to utilise TripAdvi-

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sor’sstrong unbiased user generated content to make confident decisions on all aspects of their trip. The advice from millions of global travellersempowers users with insights and a high level of confidence they will have a positive experience.

Users will be able to discover Treebo.com prices at over 250 properties across India on TripAdvisor before completing the booking on the Treebo website. Treebo, India’s top rated budget hotel chain, offers a high quality experience to its guests by providing all the essential amenities including complimentary breakfast, Wi-Fi, quality guarantee, and branded toiletries at affordable prices.

Commenting on the partnership, Sidharth Gupta, co-founder, Treebo Hotels, said, “TripAdvisor is one of the key touch points for us to connect with

our users. These users have already been posting and reading reviews of Treebo’s top-rated properties on TripAdvisor. Now they’ll also see be able to see the best available prices and book hotels on TripAdvisor itself. We are expecting TripAdvisor to contribute close to 5% of monthly bookings in the next 3 months, becoming a key distribution channel for us.”

Commented Nikhil Ganju, Country Manager, TripAdvisor India, “TripAdvisor’s aim is to help the Indian traveller save time and effort when planning their travel with tools that make it easy to find the best hotel offering that suits their needs wherever they are going.

With Treebo on board, both local and international travellers will be able to find good quality budget accommodation in India they know they will have

by TNH DESK a good experience at.”

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NEWS

Odisha turns 90 days challenge into Nation’s Pride, all set to host 22nd AAC Host city Bhubaneswar gets ready in record time with world-class Kalinga Stadium.

With just 90 days given to prepare, the Government of Odisha and the Athletics Federation of India pulled off an incredible story by putting together the 22nd Asian Athletics Championship in record time. In a glittering curtain raiser a special film highlighting the planning, monitoring and supervision of the Asian Athletics Championship was showcased.

The 22nd Asian Athletics Championship is Asia’s biggest athletics event, being hosted by Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha from July 6-9. This is the third time the premier track and field event of the continent is being held in India after New Delhi (1989) and Pune (2013), and is a qualifying event for the IAAF World Athletics Championships to be held in London later this year.

Dignitaries including Chandra Sarathi Behera, Honourable Minister – Sports and Youth Services – Government of Odisha, R Balakrishnan, Development Commissioner cum Additional Chief Secretary – Government of Odisha, Vishal Kumar Dev, Secretary cum Commissioner – Sports – Government of Odisha, Dr. Sunil K. Bhargava – Chief Resident Commissioner, Government of Odisha, Sanjeev Chopra, Principal

GoAir launches third daily direct flight between Bengaluru and New Delhi GoAir, one of India’s fastest growing airlines, is set to increase its operations between Bengaluru and New Delhi with the launch of a third daily direct flight between the two cities, with effect from June 24, 2017. The addition of this new daily direct service will bolster GoAir’s offering between India’s Silicon Valley and the National Capital further strengthening the airline’s growing domestic network and significantly enhancing connectivity for passengers. The new additional service has been introduced in response to a growing demand in this sector, particularly from corporate travellers. With this addition GoAir now flies 1225 weekly flights between its 23 destinations serviced.

by T NH DESK

Secretary – Department of Industries – Government of Odisha and Nitin Jawale, Director - Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha presided over the press conference, highlighting the hurdles they faced along the way to deliver a stadium of international quality after taking up the “90-Day Challenge”. Legendary Olympians Anju Bobby George, PT Usha and Shiny Wilson were also present at the press conference along with AFI President Adille Sumariwalla, celebrating the occasion of Bhubaneswar’s makeover to gear up for the premier track and field competition of the continent, which runs from July 5-9, 2017.

by T NH DESK

GOA EMERGES ETERNAL FAVOURITE FOR MONSOON TOURISTS The monsoon magic of Goa has its own charm that captivates all segments of tourists.

With the monsoon season setting upon us, it’s the best time to head to Goa for travel freaks.

The state has picked up monsoon tourism well with plenty of monsoon festivals, yoga, Ayurveda and adventure activities like trekking expeditions and white water rafting. Nilesh Cabral, Chairman, Goa Tourism Development Corporation Nilesh Cabral Chairman, Goa Tourism Development (GTDC) informed, “There are spectacular waCorporation (GTDC). terfalls and water bodies that draw a steady stream of tourists. Wellness tourism is a significant facet that pulls a large chunk of tourists into the state from the Middle East. Since new-age couples look forward to tie the knot in Goa during the monsoon season, luxury hospitality groups and resorts have designed special wedding packages for them.

Professional photographers travel to the state during monsoon to capture the variegated landscapes with their lenses. Film shooting during monsoon is common and the corporate sector hosts meetings during this season.”

by T NH DESK

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | JULY 2017

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NEWS

JAMMU & KASHMIR TOURISM AND THE STATE'S TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS FOCUSES ON SHRI AMARNATHJI YATRA 2017 Chairman, Tourism Federation of Jammu, Shri Rajesh Gupta along with prominent members of Tourism Trade of Jammu & Kashmir including S. Amrik Singh, Nazir A Mir, Karan Watal, B.B.Kotwal had interactions with prominent tourism stakeholders, travel trade associations members i.e. IATO, TAAI, ADTOI, ATOAI, MTOA, IAAI and with prominent media personals of Delhi and Mumbai.

Gupta said “J&K Government making efforts and assuring for a trouble free holiday for tourists and pilgrims; with special reference to Shri Amarnath ji Yatra 2017.”

He said “J&K Tourism, which has Pilgrim

Tourism as its core activity also offers great leisure, adventure, border and rural tourism in all the three regions of the State throughout the year. With Mata Vaishnodevi pilgrimage is attracting around 10 million pilgrims annually, June is time for Sindhu Darshan in Leh, Shri Amarnathji Yatra too starting from

end of June from Pahalgam & Sonmarg in Kashmir followed by Buda Amarnathji pilgrimage to Poonch in July & August, Machail Mata pilgrimage in Pader Kishtwar in August and around the same time Kailash Yatra will be organized in Bhaderwah and

by T NH DESK the list continues.”

Hotel bookings become quicker and more seamless than ever with the launch of ‘Cleartrip Instant Search’ Latest feature rollout to make the inapp hotel booking process simpler, swifter, and more intuitive.

Underlining its commitment to elevate user experience, Cleartrip, India’s most comprehensive travel and leisure activities platform, has announced the launch of ‘Cleartrip Instant Search’ for its mobile app on both Android and iOS platforms.

The new and improved search feature is aimed at significantly reducing the time taken to search and book hotel rooms on the Cleartrip mobile app.

‘Cleartrip Instant Search’ is innovative yet simple. Go to the hotel search form, select the city/locality and enter your dates. The search is fired in the background and the number of hotels that

match your criteria shows up in the “Show hotels” button. Click on the “Show hotels” button and your results are served instantly!

Speaking on the announcement, Subramanya Sharma, CMO and Head of Products, Cleartrip, said, “At Cleartrip, we’ve always aimed to make travel decisions

by T NH DESK fast and easy for our users.

Scheme is set to cover all blocks of the country, involving a total of 6.40 lakh villages over the span of next 3 years.

Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (Independent charge) for Culture & Tourism launched the implementation of the ‘‘National Mission on Cultural Mapping of India’ at Goverdhan Block, Mathura District, Uttar Pradesh in a day long, Block level mega tal-

ent hunt programme (Sanskritik Pratibha Khoj Samaroh). Srikant Sharma, Energy Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Ministry’s Senior officials and various renowned artists including Padma, Sangeet Natak Akademi and State Awardees were present. This Mission is part of the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ umbrella.

DR. MAHESH SHARMA LAUNCHES IMPLEMENTATION OF ‘NATIONAL MISSION ON CULTURAL MAPPING OF INDIA’ FROM GOVERDHAN BLOCK, MATHURA

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by T NH DESK

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NEWS

Korean Air honored as the “Best Airline Service Provider” Topping the Global Customer Satisfaction Index for 13 consecutive years Korean Air was honored as the “Best Airline

eco-friendly aircraft, provide high quality in-

Service Provider” by the 2017 Global Cus-

flight service and develop new flight routes is

tomer Satisfaction Index (GCSI), sponsored by

being recognized by the industry. Thus, it has

Japan Management Association Consulting

maintained the top place for more than a

(JMAC) and China-flight magazine 'Han Sang’,

decade among the rest of the airline service

a part of the Beijing Youth Daily Group. This

providers.

was the 13th consecutive year for the airline to capture the award.

Recently, Korean Air introduced Boeing 787-9, the next-generation craft which also

GCSI is an index, established by multi-cul-

named as “Dreamliner”, for the first time in

tural consulting group JMAC, to measure cus-

Korea. It is an eco-friendly aircraft made of

tional aircraft, which create a more comfort-

tomer satisfaction level. The group compiles

more than 50% carbon fiber composites. The

able in-flight environment for passengers.

and evaluates customer satisfaction factors,

aircraft also provides improved passenger ex-

Korean Air has set up its groundwork

customer values and global competitiveness

perience through increased cabin window

across different aspects, striving to boost pas-

as criteria to select the best corporation each

size and ceiling height, by 78% and 5 inches

sengers’ satisfaction level and maintaining

year.

respectively. Cabin pressure and moisture

stable growth.

Korean Air’s continuous effort to introduce

levels are also set to be higher than conven-

CWT appoints Vishal Sinha as CEO in India Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) has appointed Vishal Sinha as Chief Execu-

Serena Hotels East Africa appoints Nijhawan Group as their India Representative Envisioning

tive Officer of CWT India. He will be

by T NH DESK

greater

based in CWT India’s head office in Gur-

heights in its engagement

gaon. Reporting to Kai Chan, CWT’s

with the Indian market, Ser-

President for Asia Pacific, Sinha will be

ena Hotels has appointed

a member of CWT’s Asia Pacific leader-

India’s Leading Representa-

ship team. He takes over from Geeta

tion Company, Nijhawan

Jain, who has moved into a new global

Group as their local repre-

role at CWT as Strategic Program Vice

sentative in India in order to

President, responsible for driving innovation and business transformation.

serve their valued clients

Vishal Sinha

better.

Priyanka Nijhawan Director- Representations, Nijhawan Group

He will lead CWT India’s team of over 1,200 people across nine offices,

Rosemary Mugambi, Re-

delivering an exceptional customer experience to more than 180 corporate

gional Sales and Marketing

clients in India. He will also be responsible for growing CWT’s business in

Director of Serena Hotels East Africa commented that, “We are

India, particularly with local companies and small and medium enterprises

delighted! The India market is an extremely important market

(SMEs), many of whom do not yet have managed travel programs.

for Serena Hotels, being a market that has consistently shown

Sinha has more than 20 years of experience in the travel industry, includ-

its potential as Indian travellers are now really exploring East

ing considerable international experience. Most recently, he was Chief Op-

Africa. We are excited at the opportunity to present exciting and

erating Officer of TUI India. Prior to that he spent seven years based in

memorable experiences to our esteemed Indian visitors."

Tokyo, Japan as a Regional General Manager at British Airways. He has

Announcing this partnership, Priyanka Nijhawan, Director-

also held a number of other business development and management roles

Representations, Nijhawan Group said that encouraged by its

at British Airways based in India, the UAE, Hong Kong and China. He holds

pace-setting 7% GDP global growth rate, rising personal income

a Master of Arts degree from Delhi University, as well as a Diploma in Mar-

levels and changing lifestyles with a huge middle class thus mak-

keting from the Chartered Institute of Marketing in the UK. He is fluent in

ing India one of the fastest growing outbound travel markets in

English and Hindi.

the world, second only to China.

by TNH DESK

by T NH DESK

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | JULY 2017

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NEWS

SPECIAL SCREENING OF THE FILM ‘TUBELIGHT’ BY EASEMYTRIP EaseMyTrip.com, one of the leading travel portals of India, hosted a special screening of the Bollywood film ‘Tubelight’ at Odeon Cinemas, Connaught Place on 23rd June, 2017.

Tubelight is an entertaining family drama based in a small hill town of the Northern India. It tells the story of a man's love for his brother and his unbreakable trust in him. After grand success of the Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Kabir Khan and Salman Khan united together to share another gratifying and emotional story about the power of doing good and following the steps of Mahatma Gandhi.

EaseMyTrip.com is one of the distributors of the film "Tubelight", which released on 23rd June, 2017 in cinema halls on Eid. The company has taken distribution

rights for Delhi and UP region of India. Salman Khan and Sohail Khan played the leading role in the film. The film is directed by Kabir Khan. Shah Rukh Khan has also played a cameo in the film. It is the adaption of an American film ‘Little Boy’ released in 2015.

Chinese actress Zhu Zhu is also playing a lead and interesting role in the film.

The screening of the film Tubelight at Odeon Cinema was kept by the company with a reason to share its happiness with media partners. Many journalists from several media houses were invited to watch the film. Marketing team of EaseMyTrip was present to host the guests and share the token of thanks with them.

by T NH DESK

IT’S TIME TO PLUG INTO NATURE IN THE HIMALAYAS Standing tall at the highest point in Darjeeling Hills, the luxury haunt of Cedar Inn provides options to city slickers to reconnect with nature.

For holidaymakers looking to escape the dreaded Indian summer and in search of stupendous views of the Himalayas, check in at Cedar Inn in the hill resort of Darjeeling. A signature creation of Yangdu Estates Private Limited of New Delhi, Cedar Inn is best-known as the four-star, luxury haunt that figures as the leading luxury hospitality brand in Darjeeling based on the ratings of tripadvisor.in.

It all began in 1999 and in today’s age, the luxury haunt has emerged as a complete hospitality service player. Sanjay Nangia, General Manager, Cedar Inn commented, “We are into hospitality and accommodation category and our group

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provides a tranche of luxury accommodations to a wide spectrum of global and domestic travellers. Our hotel is incidentally the only luxury property nestling at the highest point in Darjeeling Hills. The architecture has been designed in a way that all our rooms command bewitching views of the entire range of Kanchenjunga. Besides, the quality of food served and the personalized service on offer are some of the high points of our hotel.”

The hospitality player is contemplating to expand its footprints in the eastern Himalayas in the coming period. Nangia said, “We are looking at options to establish our presence in Gangtok sometime in 2018-19 fiscal. With our ongoing market survey, we hope to expand our footprints in Chalsa lying on the foothills of the Himalayas in Dooars and this would be

sometime in 2019.”

The hospitality group has MICE visitors checking into the hotel. Nangia added, “We entertain the flow of MICE travellers during off-tourist season when more number of rooms are on offer and the room rates are quite low with the best of services. We are looking ahead to entice visitors from the hustle and bustle of city life who can spend quality time on the lap of nature and enjoy the sound of chirping of birds.”

by T NH DESK

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NEWS

ZEGA OPENS ITS DOORS AT SHERATON HYDERABAD HOTEL, GACHIBOWLI Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel, Gachibowli recently announced the opening of ZEGA, an Asian inspired, modern and easy living social space. The restaurant reflects and depicts an inspiration from Asian cuisine elements, with an arrangement including multisensory experiences through palatable Asian food, distinct beverage selections and active ambience.

Located on tenth floor of Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel overlooking the city’s beautiful landscape, ZEGA will be an upscale, Asian specialty restaurant with elegant décor that is perfect for socializing over a dining or evening cocktail experience. To accolade the leisurely spree or for an evening confluence, ZEGA will be the next choice to socialize amidst adynamic space that exudes acoustic fusion.

ZEGA’s relaxed feel offers an easy break after a long day at workalongside a fun dining experience. Synonymous with unwind and enliven, ZEGA is designed to elevate the spirits andwill leave you asking for more. Complementing its inimitable menu will be an extensive selection of signature mocktails, head-turner cocktails, varieties of tea with cold infusions, fresh herbal beverages and heart-healthy steamed food.

Ranging from traditional to innovative, these concoctions will have interesting stories and concepts to tell.

On this occasion, Shibil Malik, General Manager, Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel said, “Drinks and conversation in a beautiful setting is an unbeatable combination, and we are delighted to

by TNH DESK introduce the same to Hyderabad through ZEGA.

RK SAROVAR PORTICO, SRINAGAR LAUNCHES PREMIUM ROOM CATEGORY Boasting beautiful snow clad mountain views, RK Sarovar Portico Srinagar, is a contemporary and elegant retreat for the discerning business as well as leisure traveller. It offers fully furnished rooms with air conditioning and free Wi-Fi access. To provide all the travellers and guest more luxurious and comfort stay, Hotel RK Sarovar Portico, Srinagar has launched their Premium Room category in June 2017. Total 18 Premium category rooms are introduced in the property starting at `10,500/Each room has contemporary Kashmiri

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interior with modern feel. With area of approx. 240 sq ft. each room has wider space than normal rooms. Located on higher floors these rooms are meant for family travellers. Facility that includes

personalized check-in and checkout, on availability and modern design with wooden texture flooring, oversized mirrors, bed, large wardrobe and work desk, with high-speed Internet access & minibar. All the rooms have vanity bathroom with separate shower cubicle and rain shower. Premium rooms come with complimentary local newspaper, wi-fi, tea, coffee, amenities and mineral water bottle & on demand iron and iron board.

“We have tried to design these rooms where in the guest can have the best scenic view from their room. Being a Mid Segment Hotel we have kept the tariff of these rooms quite affordable so that families can enjoy their stay to the utmost level” says Saddam Zaroo, M.D. Hotel RK

by T NH DESK Sarovar Portico, Srinagar.

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NEWS

Dr. Mahesh Sharma Chairs 3rd meeting of National Medical and wellness Tourism Board

The Third Meeting of the National Medical and Wellness Tourism Board was held recently under the chairmanship of Dr Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism and Culture. The meeting was attended by the Secretary, Ministry of Tourism Rashmi Verma, other senior government officials and members of the Board comprising of stakeholders in the travel and hospitality industry and experts in the field of Medical and Wellness Tourism as well as other systems of Indian Medicine.

In the Second Meeting of the Board held on 28th March, 2017, it was announced that comprehensive framework and roadmap on Medical and Wellness Tourism would be prepared and presented before the nation in time for the International Yoga Day on June 21st 2017. Following this decision of the Board, a Committee was formed under the chairmanship of Dr H R Nagendra, President Shri Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana, Bengaluru to formulate a comprehensive framework and roadmap on Medical and Wellness Tourism. The Committee presented its report for adoption by the Board in which a standard framework for assessment and accreditation of all AYUSH facilities that cater to Tourism has been created. The institutions can apply online for self-assessment which would then be reby TNH DESK viewed for accreditation.

Thomas Cook India Group completes acquisition of Kuoni’s Global Destination Management Network • Simultaneous acquisitions create significantly expanded global footprint for the Indian Group across 21 countries and 4 continents • Includes major Destination Management Specialists brands like Asian Trails (APAC), Allied T Pro (North America), Desert Adventures (MENA), ATM (Australia) and Private Safaris across Southern & Madhavan Menon Eastern Africa among oth- Chairman & MD, Thomas Cook India ers • Acquisition to deliver greater synergies and growth opportunities across Inbound, Outbound, MICE and Corporate Travel businesses The Thomas Cook India Group - the largest integrated travel and travel related financial services provider in the country, announced the completion of the acquisition of a significant part of Kuoni’s global DMS network.

As a part of this acquisition, the Thomas Cook India Group will now include leading Destination Management Specialists (DMS) like Asian Trails (APAC), Desert Adventures (MENA), ATM-Australian Tours Management (Australia), Allied T Pro (North America), Private Safaris (Eastern Africa) and Private Safaris (Southern Africa) under its network creating a seamless delivery capability for the group and its B2B and B2C customers across 21 countries and 4 continents.

With this move, The Thomas Cook India Group’s travel business network has now expanded significantly - the addition of 17 new countries, increasing its footprint to now cover 21 countries.

The Group, which prior to this acquisition, comprisied Thomas Cook (India), SOTC Travel, TCI-SITA and Kuoni Hong Kong had a network spanning 4 countries - India, Sri

by TNH DESK Lanka, Mauritius and Hong Kong.

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | JULY 2017

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DIPLOMAT CORNER

'Romania ranked as a new up-coming excellent tourist destination' Romania has been ranked as a new up-coming excellent tourist destination that is ready to be revealed, says Romania's Secretary of State for Tourism, Ms. Cristina lonela Tarteata. In an exclusive interview to TnH, she says that Romania is a unique destination that offers almost all forms of tourism and that is the main stunning reason for tourists to come and discover her country.

Q

How is Romania ranked as an international tourist destination?

Romania is ranked as a new up-coming excellent tourist destination, ready to be revealed. More and more foreigners are coming to Bucharest for a city break, to Transylvania area, which is best known as the mysterious land of vampires and to Maramures for a real authentic experience of stepping back in time. Romania's competitiveness as a tourist destination is on an ascending trend.

Q

How important is tourism sector in the Romanian Economy?

"Indian tourists should opt What’s the contribution to the counfor Romania because it is try’s GDP? one of the most authentic The tourism sector is very important for countries in Europe. We have the Romanian economy and also a priall forms of tourism, we can ority for the actual government. In order ensure tourism experiences to boost investments in tourism area, the 365 days a year."

Ministry that I proudly represent has initiated specialised programs for developing the infrastructure, as it is a determinant factor in this field.

We are aware of the potential of tourism sector for the economic growth but for the moment, we do not have the official statistics for this year that establish the contribution to the country’s GDP.

Q

40

What are the popular attractions to visit in your country?

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | JULY 2017

Ms. Cristina lonela Tarteata Romania's Secretary of State for Tourism

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DIPLOMAT CORNER

Romania and are home to the largests brown bear population in Europe. Romania's Black Sea coastline is remarkably diverse, both from an environmental and a cultural point of view.

Q

What are your key tourist markets?

Our main goal is to reposition Romania as a tourism destination for the European and Nordic countries. As for new markets, we target countries with huge potential of providing tourist like India and China.

Q

How do you look at the tourism exchange between India and Romania?

India is well known in our country, Romanian tourists are mostly attracted by the temples and the religious places, the wildlife sanctuaries and also the movie industry. The tourism exchange between India and Romania can be improved by establishing business to business meetings between all parts involved in this sector, by organizing info-trips and also using online and offline powerful marketing tools.

Q

Ms. Cristina lonela Tarteata with Mr. Rajbir Singh, MD of Aska Tourism

On a list with the most popular attractions in Romania I would definitely include Dracula’s Bran Castle, located in Transylvania, a historical region that is involved with mistery, where beautiful landscapes and wild animals will appear with every step that you take. Another popular attraction is capital Bucharest and its unique historical buildings, starting with the world’s second biggest building in the world after Pentagon, the People’s House. Romania is also the country with the best preserved Delta in Europe, the Danube Delta, included on UNESCO’s World Heritage list.

Q

What are the stunning reasons for tourists to visit Romania?

Romania is a unique destination that offers almost all forms of tourism and that is the main stunning reason for tourists to come and discover our country. All a tourist would want is here: nature, culture, history, adventure, excellent authentic food. We have fabulous mountain areas, the Carpathian mountains stretch for more that 900 km inside

How many Indian tourists visited Romania last year? How is this number growing annually?

In 2016, the National Institute of Statistics has reported a growth over 2015, 13,866 Indian tourists had visited our country. We hope we will have a significant increase for the current year, as a result of our efforts to promote our country worldwide.

Q

Why should Indian tourists opt for Romania out of many attractive choices?

Indian tourists should opt for Romania because it is one of the most authentic countries in Europe. We have all forms of tourism, we can ensure tourism experiences 365 days a year. During my visit in New Delhi, Indians have shown interest in business tourism, wellness and spa segment, entertainment and movie industry.

Q

Tell us about your strategy and efforts to promote Romania in India.

As a Secretary of State at the Ministry of Tourism in Romania, I have visited India recently. The purpose of my visit was to promote my country as a tourist destination in this market and to identify new opportunities for institutional cooperation between the two countries in the field of tourism. I had a series of meetings with leaders of India's largest tour operators and associations of tourism. It was my

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DIPLOMAT CORNER

The Danube Delta, Romania

pleasure to participate at the event hosted by Aska Tourism and Consultancy Services Pvt. Ltd. and we appreciate the interest shown in discovering Romania. The discussions with the tour operators and with the officials were also focused on the possibility of organizing adventure tourism info-trips and the possibility of providing an aerial connectivity between Romania and India meant to contribute to the significant increase of the tourist flow. In order to increase the number of Indian tourists, our country was also present at the tourism fair in Mumbai, in February.

where century-old traditions are still part of daily life. The inhabitants of this area have preserved, to an amazing extent, the rural culture and crafts of their Dacian ancestors.

Maramures villages are distinguished by their unique wooden churches with tall spires and shingled roofs.

Last, but not the least, when it comes to music festivals and high life parties, I can assure you, Romania is a top destination in Europe!

Q

What are some of less-known facts about Romania that the outside world is not aware of?

Romania is one of the European countries with remarkable Balneo-Climaterical resources. A third of all mineral and thermal waters with curative proprieties of Europe is in Romania. Also, we have a rich network of balneo resorts, spread all over the country, in different climatic areas, endowed with natural curative factors of exceptional value: the lakes with therapeutic waters and the mud are among the best known and most appreciated.

I am sure not many people know that my country has one of the happiest and unusual cemeteries in the world. The Merry Cemetery, located in the village of Sapanta, in Maramures County, became famous due to its colorful crosses and the satirical poetry written on them. The northwestern Romanian region of Maramures is home to many villages

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Bran Castle, Transylvania, Romania

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NEWS

SIGNIFICANT DROP IN ARRS & DECLINING FTAS ARE RESULTING IN POOR GROWTH FOR HOTELS

Bharat Malkani immediate past President HRAWI

Dilip Datwani President, Hotel & Restaurant Association of Western India

The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) has strongly contradicted recent surveys suggesting that the Indian hotel industry may have come out of a decade long slumber. The association has opined that while it may be true for a small section or class of hotels, it definitely does not hold good for the overall hotel industry. It has, in fact indicted the opposite to be true. “The situation on ground is different from what is being claimed. While there may be a spur in the domestic activity or traveling, there is no evidence to establish that hotel business is bouncing back. The Average Room Rates (ARRs) are 30 per cent lower

by TNH DESK than what they used to be ten years ago.

Cabinet gives ‘in principle’ approval for disinvestment of Air India The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval to fourth tranche recommendations of NITI Aayog on strategic disinvestment of CPSE (strategic disinvestment of Air India and five of its subsidiaries) based on the recommendations of Core Group of Secretaries on Disinvestment (CGD). As per the cabinet decision, an Air India-specific Alternative Mechanism headed by Minister of Finance will be set up. The panel will include Minister for Civil Aviation and such other Minister(s) to guide the process on strategic disinvestment from time to time and decide the following: a. Treatment of unsustainable debt of Air India; b. Hiving off of certain assets to a shell company; c. Demerger and strategic disinvestment of three profit-making subsidiaries; d. The quantum of disinvestment; and e. The universe of bidders.

by TNH DESK

IATA GLOBAL TRAINING PARTNER CONFERENCE 2017 IN COLOMBO SriLankan brings focus of global airline industry to Sri Lanka.

SriLankan Airlines and the SriLankan Aviation College placed Sri Lanka firmly in the centre of the international air travel industry’s focus, with the successful hosting of the industry’s premier annual training-oriented event, theIATA Global Training Partner Conference 2017 in Colombo for the first time.

More than 150 delegates from 50 countries participated in the conference, which is organized each year by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).Global air transport is one of the world’s fastest growing industries, and many of the industrywide activities and initiatives are coordinated by IATA. This conference consisted of IATA training experts from all over the world and provided a platform to discuss and exchange ideas on emerging trends and opportunities in travel and tourism, aviation, and air cargo.

The Conference was hosted by the SriLankan Aviation College (SLAC) and Sponsored bySriLankan Airlines.SriLankan Holidays, the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, the Bank of Ceylon and Sri Lanka Insurance were Co-Sponsors of the event.

Hon. EranWickramarathne, Deputy Minister of State Enterprise Development, was the Chief Guest at the conference. Guests of Honor included Chairman of SriLankan Airlines Ajith Dias, andthe CEO of the National Carrier Captain Suren Ratwatte, who was also the Keynote Speaker.

Important topics of discussion at the three-day conference at the Cinnamon Grand from 15-17 May included Major Developments in Global Airline Training; the Future Outlook of the Industry; Role of Social Media in Airline Training; Use of Virtual Reality; Changes in Global Tourism; and IATA’s Initiatives for the Industry.

The conference included a Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony, and participants also enjoyed tours of Colombo and Kandy with a visit to the PinnawelaMillennium Elephant Foundation.

by T NH DESK

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FESTIVALS AROUND THE WORLD

A look at some the most interesting festivals around the world of upcoming month!

Upcoming months bring a lot of festivity with many colorful and music festivals for an avid traveller. There are many festivals happening around the world like, the grand Kandy Esala Perahera celebration (in Sri Lanka) to the popular La Tomatina festival (in Spain). Here are some of the best festivals / carnivals which a traveller must enjoy!

July 29 – August 7, 2017 Location: Kandy, Sri Lanka

Kandy Esala Perahera The Kandy Esala Perahera (the Esala procession of Kandy - Kumbal Procession, Randoli Procession and, Grand Randoli Procession) is a grand festival celebrated with elegant costumes and is held in July and August in Kandy, Sri Lanka. This historical procession is held annually to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha, which is housed at the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy. A unique symbol of Sri Lanka, the procession consists of many traditional local dances such as fire-dances, whip-dances, Kandyan dances and various other cultural dances, in addition to the elephants who are usually adorned with lavish garments. The festival ends with the traditional diya-kepeema ritual, a water cutting ceremony which is held at the Mahaweli River at Getambe, Kandy.

August 24- 27, 2017 Location: Daresbury, United Kingdom

Creamfields 2017 Creamfields is one of the largest outdoor electronic music festivals in Britain attracting the crème de la crème of dance acts from around the world. It is a dance music festival featuring DJs and live acts, held annually on the August Bank Holiday weekend in Daresbury, England. The festival began as an offshoot from Liverpool's Cream nightclub, which headlined the band Crème every year. Today, the success of Creamfields in England has spawned more than a dozen other Creamfields festivals around the world.

The festival hosts live performances from Run DMC, Primal Scream and DJ sets from the likes of Daft Punk, Paul van Dyk and Sasha, but it is traditionally headlined by the band Crème.

August 27 – 28, 2017 Location: London, England

Notting Hill Carnival The Notting Hill Carnival is an annual event that has taken place since 1966 on the streets of the famous Notting Hill, and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London, England, each August over two days (the August bank holiday Monday and the preceding Sunday). It is led by members of the British West Indian community, and attracts around one million people annually, making it one of the world's largest street festivals, and a significant event in British culture. In 2006, the UK public voted it onto the list of icons of England.

In succinct, it is a mix of family-friendly events like kids’ costume contests and parades, and more adult-fare with skimpy costumes and truck-mounted DJs.

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FESTIVALS AROUND THE WORLD

August 4 – 28, 2017 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh Festival Fringe Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the largest arts festival in the world, taking place most of August each year, packing theaters, pubs, and streets making a massive canvas of human creativity. It was established in 1947 as an alternative to the Edinburgh International Festival, it takes place annually in Scotland's capital in the month of August. It is an open access performing arts festival, meaning there is no selection committee, and anyone may participate, with any type of performance. The official Fringe programme categorises shows into sections for theatre, comedy, dance, physical theatre, circus, cabaret, children's shows, musicals, opera, music, spoken word, exhibitions and events. Whether you're into concerts, plays, and ballet; or opera, synchronized pyrotechnics, and improve comedy, there's something on the schedule for a visitor.

August 30, 2017 Location: Buñol, Valencia, Spain

La Tomatina La Tomatina is a festival that is held in the Valencian town of Buñol, a town located in the East of Spain, in which participants throw tomatoes and get involved in this tomato fight purely for entertainment purposes. Since 1945, it has been held on the last Wednesday of August, during the week of festivities of Buñol. Usually, the fight lasts for an hour, after which the whole town square has been covered with tomato paste. Fire trucks then hose down the streets and participants often use hoses that locals provide to remove the tomato paste from their bodies. Some participants go to the pool of “los peñones” to wash. Rules of the festival: the tomatoes have to be squashed before throwing to avoid injuries, no other projectiles except tomatoes are allowed, participants have to make way for trucks and lorries.

August 27 - September 4, 2017 Location: Black Rock City, Nevada, United States

Burning Man Burning Man is an annual gathering that takes place at Black Rock City, a temporary community erected in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. The event is described as an experiment in community and art, influenced by 10 main principles, including "radical" inclusion, self-reliance and self-expression, as well as community cooperation, gifting and de-commodification, and leaving no trace.

The Burning Man organization bring experiences to people in grand, awe-inspiring and joyful ways that lift the human spirit, address social problems and inspire a sense of culture, community and personal engagement. In short, it is the quintessential art and culture festival. Over 65,000 free spirits trek to the Nevada desert to create an ephemeral city.

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NEWS

CRUISE TOURISM TO BE A GROWTH DRIVER FOR INDIA’S ECONOMY, SAYS NITIN GADKARI Clear Action Plan drawn to revitalise Cruise Tourism in India.

The Minister of Shipping and Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari has said that Cruise Tourism is one of the fastest growing components of the leisure industry worldwide, and can be a major growth driver for the Indian economy by generating huge employment opportunities. Shri Gadkari was speaking at the National Workshop on “Action Plan for Development of Cruise Tourism in India”, in New Delhi. The workshop was also attended by Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (I/C) Dr Mahesh Sharma, and representatives of all stakeholder organizations – both from the government and the private sector-

including regulatory agencies which deal with issues impacting cruise tourism. Pointing out that tourism has the highest investment to employment multiplier Gadkari said that on an average, employment generation on a cruise ship is 1 job for 3-4 passengers. With India having the potential to cater to 700 cruise ships per year as against 158 handled this year, the cruise industry can generate more than 2.5 lakh jobs for ten lakh cruise passengers, giving a big boost to the country’s economy. He further informed that cruise terminals are being developed at five major ports – Mumbai, Goa, Cochin, Mangalore and Chennai. In addition, the transport potential of 111 inland waterways will also

Nitin Gadkari Minister of Road Transport and Highways and Shipping

be tapped. Work will start for developing ten inland waterways by the end of this year. This includes the rivers Ganga and Brahmaputra on which work is already

by TNH DESK in progress, he informed.

INDIA’S TRAVEL MARKET TO BE US$48 BILLION BY 2020: GOOGLE-BCG REPORT Fueled by domestic demand, hospitality will be $13 billion, with online hotels becoming a $4 billion market.

Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Google India released a comprehensive report on the growth opportunities in the Indian hospitality market over the next four years. The report titled, ‘Demystifying the Indian Online Traveler’ charts the decision making journey of the Indian traveler and provides insights on the potential growth opportunities for travel businesses till 2020. As per the report, Indian passenger travel market is projected to grow at 11-11.5% to $48 Bn by 2020 with the biggest contributor, air travel expected to grow at 15% to $30 Bn. Hotels will grow at 13% to $13 Bn by 2020 while railways will remain $5 Bn. Additionally, as more people come online, smartphone penetration increases and use of digital

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payments goes up, the report estimates that India’s online hotel market will grow to US$4 billion with 31% penetration at a CAGR of 25%.

Speaking about the key findings of the report, Vikas Agnihotri, Industry Director, Google India said; “India’s domestic travel market is on an acceleration path. One of the key findings of the report is that by 2020, one in three hotel rooms will be booked online - a clear indicator of the growing importance of digital in travel research, planning and booking. There are several actionable insights for domestic online travel players including the role of mobile and the level of curation and personalization that Indian travelers are looking for.”

Demystifying the travel planning journey of the typical Indian consumer, the report shows that for many Indian con-

sumers, a vacation is an event planned in advance as opposed to being an impulsive purchase. Consumers typically spend 46 days on average planning their trip. They spend 49 minutes online on their travel research and visit as many as 17 touch points during their booking journey. However, it is interesting to note that the length of each online session is less than 3 minutes, due to the ubiquity of mobile. Through their journey, Indian travelers tend to move back and forth across different online channels, checking availability, comparing prices and assessing connectivity. Talking about the opportunities for the online travel players, Abheek Singhi, Senior Partner and Asia Pacific Head of Consumer Practice, BCG said, “Travel is a high investment – both monetary and emotional category.”

by T NH DESK

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EVENT WATCH

G EORGIA V ISA APPLICATION C ENTRE INAUGURATED IN N EW D ELHI The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia has partnered with VFS Global to set up and operate Georgia Visa Application Centres in five Indian cities: New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, and Mumbai. The new centre in New Delhi was recently inaugurated by H.E. Mr. Archil Dzuliashvili, Ambassador of Georgia to India and Giorgi Tabatadze, Director of the Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia.

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MOVING ON

Jorge Fernandez Executive Assistant Manager Sales & Marketing and Revenue The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali has appointed Jorge Fernandez as Executive Assistant Manager Sales & Marketing and Revenue. He arrives fresh from a stint as Complex Director of Revenue Management for two key Marriott International properties in the Maldives. Originally from Spain, Jorge holds a Degree in Tourism as well as his Masters in Hotel & Restaurant Management. Since graduating, he has gone on to cultivate a successful career within the hospitality industry primarily in positions related to E-commerce and revenue optimization.

Having worked exclusively for the legacy Starwood brand (now Marriott International) for nearly a decade, Jorge is a proactive leader with a natural aptitude for business. He has a strong understanding of market conditions and how to utilize online platforms to refigure business distribution.

Anuj Srivastav Assistant Marketing Manager Lords Hotels & Resorts Lords Hotels & Resorts has appointed Anuj Srivastav as its new Assistant Marketing Manager. An experienced professional in Research & Business Development and Account Management, he will help the group in identifying business opportunities and in ideating marketing strategies to effect top line growth. His active responsibilities include maintaining social media presence and online marketing and streamlining all forms of communications in line with the brand ethos. With proficiency and experience in Branding Solutions and Research & Analysis, Srivastav has diversified experienced in Marketing and Communications.

Dietmar Kielnhofer General Manager, JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar Dietmar Kielnhofer has been appointed as General Manager at JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar. Prior to joining JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar, Dietmar was serving as the Complex General Manager at Starwood Hyderabad, India. He has a master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Leicester, England and a Ph.D in Business Management from the American University of London. He also did a specialized course in the field of Hotel Administration and Real Estate at Cornell University, Ithaca, USA. With over 30 years of industry exposure across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia, Kielnhofer possesses major strength in hotel operations, marketing, food & beverage, human resources and finance. He brings to the table expertise that includes delivering above average financial performance, market share growth, improving service standards as well as maintaining excellent relationships with stakeholders.

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MOVING ON

Vijay Jaiswal Sr. VP – Sales & Marketing, Sarovar Hotels Sarovar Hotels Pvt. Ltd. has announced the appointment of Vijay Jaiswal as Sr. Vice President – Sales & Marketing. An industry adept professional, he brings with him over 29 years in the hospitality industry. At Sarovar Hotels, he will be responsible for overseeing the planning and implementation of sales, marketing and product development programs for each brands targeted toward existing and new markets.

Prior to joining Sarovar Hotels, he was associated with ITC Hotels as Head of Sales & Marketing for Fortune Hotels. Jaiswal was the Area Manager in Chennai looking after the two hotels and the Regional Marketing Office before he moved to ITC Maurya as Area Manager Sales & Marketing. He received the 'Achiever Award in Marketing' at the PATWA International Achiever Award.

Oliver Bonke President and COO, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has announced the appointment of Oliver Bonke as President and Chief Operating Officer. Reporting to Shangri-La Asia Limited Chief Executive Officer LIM Beng Chee, Bonke will assume responsibilities on September 1, 2017 and will be based at Shangri-La’s headquarters in Hong Kong.

In his capacity as President and Chief Operating Officer, he will oversee the group’s Executive Vice Presidents based in Asia, mainland China and the Middle East, as well as the operational division heads of Food and Beverage, Sales, Marketing, Rooms, Engineering, Security, and Quality Improvement. He has nearly 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry. He was also with Starwood Hotels and Resorts as Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing in Asia Pacific, and then in the same role with Starwood covering Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Nikita Gonsalves Director of Sales and Marketing, JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar has appointed Nikita Gonsalves as the Director of Sales and Marketing. Nikita has worked with prestigious brands such as Marriott International Inc., Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces and Hilton Hotels & Resorts. With over 10 years of experience in the hospitality industry, she brings on board expertise in developing strategies for driving revenue through weddings and catering, MICE, groups and transient business segments.

Working in close conjunction with revenue teams in the past has helped her sharpen her astute knowledge with respect to driving business from OTAs and other digital platforms as well. Nikita is well networked with the Travel Trade, EMC and Corporate fraternity and joins the leadership role with the ability to develop and nurture talent under her.

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NEWS

ETIHAD AIRWAYS INTRODUCES NEW CHANGES TO GROUND AND INFLIGHT SERVICES • New ‘Neighbour-Free Seat’ paid option in Economy Class • Premium Lounge access now a paid option for Economy Class • Business Class paid upgrade for First Class Lounge and Spa access • Chauffeur services for Business and First Class to become a paid option at all international destinations • Economy Class guests now able to pay for Etihad Chauffeur services • Continued complimentary chauffeur services in Abu Dhabi for all eligible Business and First Class guests Etihad Airways has introduced a series of changes designed to offer increased value and flexibility based on customer feedback.

The airline is to amend its chauffeur policy following a review of usage by premium guests across all major markets.

The complimentary chauffeur service will be retained at Etihad Airways’ Abu Dhabi hub and replaced with a paid option at specially negotiated rates in all other cities. The changes have been imple-

mented from 3 July 2017.

As part of the initiative to improve the value proposition for travellers, the airline will also extend the paid airport transfer option to all guests across all cabins and allow Etihad Guest members to accrue miles on their chauffeur bookings.

by TNH DESK

THE Q EXPERIENCES UNVEILS ITS LUXURY CRUISE JOURNEY 'THE WHITE CONTINENT- ANTARCTICA’ An exclusive 200 only people trip to Ice Crowned Continent – Antarctica Travel is not just about visiting a place, it’s about exploring different parts of the world and living through an experience, which makes for a great story.

The Q Experiences, an Indian luxury travel company has announced an exclusive for 200 people only, an 11 day trip to the most exotic, unique and ice crowned continent- Antarctica, also rightly known as The White Continent.

Starting off from Ushuaia, the capital of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, and the southernmost city in the world - on the 9th of December 2017 – the 11 day trip promises to create an experience of a lifetime and will take the 200 travelers across the temperamental Drake Passage** and into the Land of Ice. Watch the mysterious stories unfold atwww.thewhitecontinent.com

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The travelers will be cruising through some of the most breathtaking glaciers of Neko Bay & Paradise bay, anchoring at Port Lockroy, finally sailing to the largest colony of Chinstrap Penguins at Deception Island and visit the quietest place on earth- the majestic Weddell Sea , and at every step of the way, there would be experts to guide the travelers and show the sights one had only dreamt of.

Speaking about the uniqueness of the

expedition, Vasim Shaikh, Founder of The Q Experiences said, “At The Q, we are storytellers, where we weave a cumulative story of experiences that would make the best memory for our traveler.

Curated Journeys are constant endeavor at The Q. With the launch of ‘The White Continent’, we aspire to take luxury travel to unsurpassed heights and focus on rare destinations that Indians are yet to explore”.

by TNH DESK

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DL (ND)-11/6167/2017-18-19 | DATE OF POSTING: 5-6 OF MONTH | RNI NO.: DELENG/2010/33723 | DATE OF PUBLISHING: 4 th OF THE MONTH