Travel and Hospitality (TnH) - October 2017

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FROM THE EDITOR

Rise of the Machines

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

Change is the law of life. And those who hold onto the past or present are certain to miss the future. If you think about the changes the world has witnessed simply in the last 50 years, you’ll know how much we have adapted and evolved to keep up with changing times.

Only in 1967 was the first ATM model built and installed in London, and it was in 1973 that Motorola unveiled the first cellphone. Moreover, it was as late as the 90s that the Internet we know today started taking shape and the world-wideweb was created. Change can be slow, but once it comes, it can alter the course of history. The same has been true for the Indian Travel Industry. In 1976, travel agents were given access to a GDS for the first time and it was in 1994 when Bird Group introduced Amadeus to the Indian market. Deep Karla founded MakeMyTrip, the first Indian OTA, in 2000 and revolutionized the way we booked our travel. Whether we liked it or not, review websites like tripadvisor and social media platfroms like Twitter and Facebook gave all our clients the avenue to become powerful critics of our goods and services. And now across the world and in India too, artificial intelligence (AI) is the latest buzzword thrown around to address the phenomenon that will magically unlock previously unthinkable technological progress. While often such conversations involve long-horizon views, most of us don’t realise AI is already here to stay.

To brief you, Webster dictionary defines artificial intelligence as the capability of a machine to imitate intelligent human behavior. The intelligence Facebook uses to make friend suggestions; how Amazon intuitively knows what we would like to buy; how Google Photos recognises faces and places, and American automaker Tesla’s electric cars are just a few examples of AI in use. The most suitable example however is our iPhone’s personal assistant, Siri. She’s the friendly voice-activated computer that we all love to interact with routinely. She adds events to our calendars, sends us reminders, helps us find information, gives us directions, helps us makes calls and send messages and the list goes on. Siri uses machine-learning or artificial intelligence technology to predict and understand our natural-language questions and requests. On a similar note, to transform the customer’s experience travel companies too are rapidly integrating AI into their organizational practices. Subsequently, the centrepiece of this issue is a feature on the applications of the intriguing AI technology in travel (page 20).

In spite of the rise of cutting edge technology like AI, nature will continue to have the last word. Climate change and global warming are already beginning to transform life on Earth and without action, the impacts of climate change threaten to catastrophically damage our future in this world. In a tiny attempt to rally our readers to be a part of the solution we have compiled a list of tips to promote ecotourism on page 23.

Enjoy these stories and much more and remember as much as it looks like machines are set to replace us and sea levels are rising to drown us, our connection and responsibilities as human beings is what is going to move us forward as a species.

Srishti Rai Editor

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CONTENTS 26

23

40 COVER STORY

20 14

Artificial Intelligence: The future of travel

A DAY IN THE CITY Explore Delhi’s key spots in 12 hours

23 26

TRAVEL MANTRA Tips for travellers to support eco-tourism

EXPLORE INDIA Top 10 winter destinations in India

BITE CORNER DESTINATION

16

Popular destinations to visit in Turkey during winter

38

Dreamy treats at JW Kitchen@JW Marriott Kolkata

DIPLOMAT CORNER ASSOCIATION

18 20

'For the first time in the TAFI's history, our convention will be held at two venues'

14 16

40

Algeria: A hidden treasure trove of wonders in North Africa

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NEWS

Vinay Malhotra, COO – South Asia & Middle East, VFS Global, H.E. Milan Hovorka, Ambassador, Embassy of the Czech Republic in New Delhi, Monika Palatková – Managing Director Czech Tourist Authority, Klára Vysloužilová– Director of foreign offices, Czech Tourist Authority, Arzan Khambatta – Head, Czech Tourist Authority and Jervis D’souza Head – B2C Business, VFS Global along with the delegation from Czech Republic at the inauguration of the Czech Tourism India office.

The Czech Republic strengthens promotional activities in India, forays into the Middle East market H.E. Mr. Milan Hovorka, Czech Ambassador in India together with Monika Palatková, Managing Director of Czech Tourist Authority – Czech Tourism and Vinay Malhotra, COO, VFS Global – South Asia & Middle East inaugurated Czech Tourism India office on 14th September 2017.

strategic source market. This is in accordance with the official CzechTourism marketing campaign, which has continuously represented the Czech Republic as the land of stories since 2013.

“We have been working closely with VFS Global in India since the end of 2016 and it has proven to be successful in establishing the Czech Republic as a tourist destination in India. On this occasion, I am pleased to announce the expansion of our co-

"I congratulate CzechTourism on opening an of-

operation into another strategic region, the Middle

fice in India. Permanent presence in one of the

East. We have entered into a contractual partner-

world's fastest growing outbound market has been

ship, based on which VFS Global will implement

supported by me for a long time and I am glad to

several promotional activities focused on the

be present at the opening ceremony of the office.

leisure and MICE segments in the Middle East,”

VFS Global is a reliable partner in the visa area

stated Monika Palatková, Managing Director of

and I am convinced that the partnership of Czech-

CzechTourism.

Tourism with this company will lead to a further

Over the past five years, the number of Indian

increase of interest about the Czech Republic,"

tourists visiting the Czech Republic has almost

commented H.E. Mr. Milan Hovorka, Ambassador of

tripled. In 2016, 66,500 Indian tourists visited the

the Czech Republic in India.

Czech Republic. The Indian visitor spend is also

CzechTourism has appointed VFS Global as its

growing at a similar rate. “Owing to the substantial

India representative in February this year. The in-

increase in numbers, it is important that we focus

auguration of the office is a strategic step towards

on India as a strategic source market for incoming

promoting the Czech Republic as a favoured tourist

tourism,” said Karla Šlechtová, the Minister for Re-

destination in India, which is emerging as a major

gional Development. The Czech Republic is among

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | OCTOBER 2017

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NEWS

the top ten fastest growing destinations for Indian

cerning Indian travellers. CzechTourism India office

tourists in Europe. By 2021, the number of Indians

will be focused on presenting new regions, prod-

travelling to Central and Eastern Europe is ex-

ucts and experiences to the Indian Travel Trade

pected to increase by 60%.

and consumers. The central promotional theme of

As a part of its promotional activities, Czech-

CzechTourism in 2017 has been Baroque. The year

Tourism successfully presented its various tourist

2018 will be a period of celebration for the Czech

attractions and products to Indian trade partners

Republic because it marks 100 years from the es-

through its first ever multi-city roadshow in India,

tablishment of the independent country; the main

‘Czech Republic – Land of Stories’ scheduled be-

focus will be monuments, places and traditions re-

tween 11-15 September 2017 in New Delhi, Ben-

lated to this period. We look forward to working in

galuru and Mumbai. Turkish Airlines, the general

close cooperation with the Indian travel trade to

partner of this event along with six Czech compa-

promote these new products and experiences of

nies participated in the roadshow. “Prague, the

the Czech Republic in the Indian market” summa-

beautiful capital city of the Czech Republic, is ex-

rized Arzan Khambatta, Head of CzechTourism

tremely popular with Indians but there is so much

India, when speaking about further plans.

more this wonderful country has to offer the dis-

TIRUN partners with Singapore Airlines and Singapore Tourism Board to offer a unique Fly-Cruise program

T

IRUN Travel Marketing, the exclusive India rep-

resentative of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. offers a unique Fly-Cruise program in partnership

with Singapore Airlines and Singapore Tourism Board.

Considering the overwhelming response received from the Indian travelers post TIRUN’s tie-up with the Singapore Tourism Board for 5 years running, this one-ofa-kind initiative makes available an exceptional vacation experience at an affordable price and convenience for guests and travel agents alike. The Fly-Cruise fares are starting from Mumbai at INR 41,600 for Mumbai, INR 39,999 from Delhi, INR 41,400 from Bengaluru, INR 35,500 from Chennai, INR 45,500 from Kolkata and INR 49,100 from Ahmedabad.

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NEWS

DELHI GETS NEW CAMPUS FOR INDIAN AVIATION ACADEMY

U

nion Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju inaugurated the new campus of the Indian Aviation Academy (IAA). The institute was set up in 2010 as collaboration among Airports Authority of India (AAI), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The new campus is spread over eight acres and has 12 training halls, a hostel, an open air theatre, two gymnasiums and other sports and recreational facilities. With the inauguration of the new facility, IAA aims to train double the number of stuby TNH DESK dents each year.

THOMAS COOK INDIA GROUP’S BOARD APPROVES ACQUISITION OF TATA CAPITAL FOREX AND TRAVEL SERVICES COMPANIES

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homas Cook (India) Ltd. announced that its Board has approved the signing of a definitive agreement with Tata Capital Limited to acquire its wholly owned subsidiaries, Tata Capital Forex Limited (foreign exchange) and TC Travel and Services Limited (travel services). The network of the two acquired entities includes 24 locations pan India.

The transaction remains subject to regulatory apby TNH DESK provals.

HISTORICAL DECISION: APPROVAL OF THE UNWTO FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON TOURISM ETHICS

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he member States of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) approved an historical document - the UNWTO Framework Convention on Tourism Ethics. The Convention, approved at the 22nd UNWTO General Assembly transforms the Code of Ethics for Tourism into an international convention, the first in the life of the Organization.

The Convention covered the responsibilities of all stakeholders in the development of sustainable tourism, providing a framework that recommends an ethical and sustainable

by TNH DESK modus operandi.

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NEWS

Sarovar Hotels & Resorts signs a new hotel in Jhansi Sarovar Hotels Pvt. Ltd. has announced the signing of a new hotel deal in Jhansi, marking the group’s farther foray into Uttar Pradesh. One of the fastest growing hotel chains in India with over 75 operating hotels across 50 destinations in India and Africa, the group has signed an agreement for a 72

RezLive.com bags two international awards The B2B Global Reservation

room hotel, Nataraj Sarovar Portico Jhansi.

Owned by Nataraj Sai Hotels LLP., Nataraj Sarovar Portico is expected to open in January 2018.

the Jury. These two feathers

System, RezLive.com has won

takes the total award count to 24,

two back to back International

for the organization.

awards i.e. “B2B Standard of Ex-

Jaal Shah, Group Managing

cellence” award , facilitated by

Director - RezLive.com, said

Web Marketing Association and

“Thanks to the efforts of my team

“Online Travel Services | Booking

at RezLive.com, It’s a great

Interface” award , facilitated by

achievement for a hard working

Travel Weekly Magellan Awards.

team, headed by great sales

Both the awards were purely de-

Team and well supported by tech

cided on the basis of submis-

support staff & outstanding oper-

sions and cross examination by

ation representatives.

by TNH DESK

Mansoor Adil, Sr. Executive VP, Sarovar Hotels & Resorts (L) during the signing with Sanjay Khanna, MD, Nataraj Sai Hotels L.L.P.

Soon record your feedback on tablets about meals on premium trains According to a senior railways official, passenger travelling on premium trains will soon be able to rate the meals served on a tablet.

The categories will be ‘good, bad or ugly’ and the initiative will be launched soon under a scheme. Passengers will be able to record their feedback through an online form on the tablets to be provided by the Railways.

The tablet was used on a trial basis for the

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TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | OCTOBER 2017

first time on the Ahmedabad-Delhi Rajdhani lately. The system would be formally launched on the Mumbai Rajdhani in a couple of weeks, said IRCTC chief spokesperson Pinakin Morawala. "This will help us be more specific with the redress of complaints and suggestions. We will be able to gauge the rate of customer satisfaction as well as grade the suggestions," he added.

Presently, IRCTC takes feedback either

on an on-board suggestion book, or through its twitter handle. Passengers can also call 139 to complain about the quality of food.

These methods will continue to be available along with the new system, Morawala said.

Around 100 tablets have so far been given by the Railways to on-board supervisors of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) in different railway zones for recording customer feedback on food quality, staff behaviour and other related issues, the official said.

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NEWS

Indian Railways to rename trains after famous literary works

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he Railway Ministry according to an official was creating a bank of award winning literary works from across the country to christen trains across railway zones.

Adding an erudite touch to train journeys, the railways ministry is looking at a proposal to rename trains after famous literary works, referencing not just their authors but the region they come from. So, passengers travelling to West Bengal could soon board a train named after a novel

by Mahashweta Devi and a train ride to Bihar could reference a work by Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, said a senior official.

The ministry, he said, was creating a bank of award winning literary works from across the country to christen trains across railway zones. "The idea came from the minister (Suresh Prabhu) who said the railways is a secular integrating factor in the country and the names of the trains can be used to showcase varied cultural identities. So we will name trains on the works of the authors across languages and across regions," said the official.

by TNH DESK

Now use mAadhaar as ID proof while travelling on Indian Railways mAadhaar when shown by the passenger on mobile after entering the password will be accepted as authentic ID proof for undertaking journey in any reserved class of Indian Railways. mAadhaar, a mobile-based application developed by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), will now serve as one of the prescribed identity proofs for railway travel purposes. "mAadhaar when shown by the passenger on his/her mobile after entering the password should be accepted as proof of identity for undertaking journey in any reserved class over Indian Railways," according to a notification from the Ministry of Railways. The use of mAadhaar as an identity proof will be valid across any reserved class, it added. It carries demographic information such as name, date of birth, gender and address of a person along with the photograph and is linked with the Aadhaar number. In order to use the mAadhaar or 'mobile Aadhaar' app, users need to register their mobile number with UIDAI. Once the process is complete, they can download their details on the app. For showing Aadhar, the

person has to open the app and enter his/ her password to show the Aadhar Card.The app comes with a biometric lock and unlock feature to protect the personal data. Once a user enables the lock system, the app remains locked till he/she chooses to either unlock it (which is temporary) or disable the locking system. It also has a "TOTP (Time-Based One-Time Password) generation" process which can be used rather than SMS-based OTP (onetime password).

It is to be noted that at present, the mAadhaar app is available

by TNH DESK only for Android users.

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NEWS

NEW TOURISM POLICY TO PROVIDE FOR SINGLE WINDOW CLEARANCE FOR MICE FICCI recently organized the second edition of its annual Global MICE Travel Mart, jointly with the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, bringing together a large section of stakeholders at one platform to assess new developments, future prospect, and most importantly, showcasing India's MICE potential to buyers, foreign as well as domestic. peaking on the occasion, Satyajeet Rajan, Di-

FICCI-MRSS' six-point agenda Promote concept of exclusive MICE tourism to target markets Maintain co-ordination and align with the central agency Developing time bound action plan Imbibe skill development and connect it with livelihood Imbibe latest technological upgrades and incorporate them in marketing communications Create experiences for the visitors and ask for recommendations

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giving final touches to the new National Tourism Pol-

Talking about MICE opportunities in Maharashtra,

icy, which will provide single window clearance for

Aashutosh Rathod, Tourism Director, Maharashtra

organizing meetings and conferences. Rajan agreed

said that there was a need for an integrated ap-

that there is a need to provide incentives to this sec-

proach and closer coordination among the various in-

tor to make it competitive in the world market. He

dustry players. Rathod informed that his state is

said that there was a pressing need to conduct a

developing new convention centers in cities like

study to assess size of the industry and a consultant

Puna and Nasik. The three-day mart (September 14-

was being appointed to suggest a workable roadmap

16) was held in The Lalit Hotel, New Delhi. On the

for the development of the sector. Rajan also in-

occasion, FICCI-MRSS Knowledge Paper on ‘MICE

formed that the MoT is very soon going to launch

Tourism Powerhouse of a New Era Tourism’ was un-

new Incredible India Campaign, which will, among

veiled that suggests a six-point roadmap for develop-

other things, showcase India's MICE potentials to the

ment of India as a MICE hotspot.

rector General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India informed that the government is

world.

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NEWS

UNWTO LAUNCHES A TRAVELLERS’ COMPETITION TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY With the aim of promoting

‘designation’ ceremony with

Year of Sustainable Tourism

tourism community and the

responsible travel, the

the Secretary-General, and

for Development 2017 in

UN family will unite.

World Tourism Organization

will end at the closing cere-

Geneva, Switzerland, where

(UNWTO) has launched a

mony of the International

stakeholders from the

by TNH DESK

travellers’ competition ahead of World Tourism Day. The initiative is part of the ‘Travel.Enjoy.Respect’ campaign taking place within the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017. A one-month trip across the world visiting sustainable tourism initiatives is the prize that will be awarded to the winner of the competition.

“Every action counts and travellers have a strong role to play in building a more sustainable tourism sector. Imagine the impact of one small action multiplied by millions”, said Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of UNWTO. “We want to inspire all travellers to be the change they want to see in the world.”

Competition entrants are invited to share their travel experiences at www.travelenjoyrespect.org and explain why they should be selected to represent the global “responsible traveller”.

This journey will start at the UNWTO Headquarters in Madrid, with an official

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NEWS

to emerge as World Tourism and Leisure Centre Indian tourists occupy the top slot as high-spenders in Macao. MGTO has rolled out many attractive offers for Indian MICE tourists. onsidered as a World Tourism and Leisure

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Centre, the tourist destination of Macao that is highly favoured by Indian travellers has

geared up well with convention and exhibition venues of global standards.

Arzan Khambatta, Head of Macao Government

Tourism and Leisure Centre. Our strategy emphasizes upon forming joint co-operation with travel agents

Tourist Office (MGTO) India explained, “With the set-

and collaborations with the travel trade to highlight

ting of the festive season, an increasing number of

Macao as a major holiday destination. Very recently,

Indian tourists are planning their trips to Macao. We

we hosted a photography event- Colours of Macao in

are striving hard to boost our theme-Experience

association with Nat Geo Traveller to enable photog-

Macao your own style in the Indian tourism sector

raphers to explore the diverse colours and festivals of

and to push the attraction of Macao as a World

Macao.”

India continues to be a significant source market for Macao. Khambatta said, “The outbound Indian tourists are our biggest high-spenders in the field of shopping, accommodation and dining out. Indian tourists not only indulge in shopping in Macao but also prefer luxury four-star and five-star accommodations. Also most Indian tourists travel with their families and their spending capacity rises up. They are keen to experiment anything new to them.”

Macao possesses a highly conducive business ambience with its free port and independent tariff zone.

Khambatta further said, “We offer Incentive Stimulation programme to the corporate groups looking ahead for MICE facilities in Macao.”

by TNH DESK

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NEWS

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM THE MUCH AWAITED BULLET TRAIN? PM Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe inaugurated India’s first bullet train project on 14th September 2017. Let’s take a look at what the fuss around India’s first “bullet train” is all about and know some facts of this dreamy train. peed and time to cover the distance: The

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make its first trip between Mumbai and Ahmedabad

Bullet Train will be able to achieve an aver-

on August 15, 2022 – when India completes 75 years

age speed of over 250 kmph. While it was de-

of independence.

will have the capability of achieving an operational

train will connect Mumbai and Ahmedabad and will

maximum speed of 320 kmph. The bullet train will

be linked by a total of 12 stations. Train will stop at

cover the distance between Mumbai and Ahmedabad

Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat,

in 2 hours and 58 minutes if it halts at 10 stations.

Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad, and Sabar-

signed to run at a maximum speed of 350 kmph, it

Estimated time period of its first run: The gov-

Connecting and boarding stations: The bullet

mati stations. The Mumbai station will be under-

ernment had earlier set a deadline for December

ground while all others will be elevated. A

2023. However, newly appointed Union Minister for

21-km-long tunnel will be dug between Boisar and

Railways Piyush Goyal recently announced that the

Bandra Kurla Compex (BKC) in Mumbai, with seven

government had advanced the date of completion by

km of the stretch under sea.

more than a year. Goyal said the Bullet Train will

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A DAY IN THE CITY

EXPLORE DELHI’S KEY SPOTS IN 12 HOURS Being the national capital of India, Delhi holds huge significance for tourists. You can explore variety of tourist spots, ancient as well as modern in the city. In this article, we have listed how you can explore Delhi in 12 hours!

Red Fort in Delhi

v B ARCHANA SHARMA Y

At 10 a.m.

Start your day by skipping hotel breakfast and head to the remarkable Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, early in the morning. Then, walk up to the Chandni Chowk and take your time to explore small shops alongside the road. Enter the spice, jewellery or wedding markets in the nearby pathways; see the beautiful, yet run-down havelis; or visit some of the religious places of worship belonging to Hindus, Sikhs and Christians. The street-food vendors alongside the way offer a large variety of authentic, delicious and diverse Indian breakfast options, including tasty stuffed parathas at Jai Hind Paratha Bhawan, and samosas at Old and Famous Jalebiwala. After a quick breakfast, head to Jama Masjid but remember to dress conservatively, covering your knees, shoulders and head.

At 12:30 p.m.

From the Jama Masjid, head for the Red Fort. This massive red sandstone residence for Mughal emperors is an iconic symbol of India and a must see heritage property in Delhi. Despite vast destruction by the British forces in the aftermath of the Indian rebellion in 1857, the size of Red Fort, its magnificent inner courts and pavilions are still impressive.

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A DAY IN THE CITY

Jama Masjid Delhi

Qutub complex collage

At 1:30 p.m.

At 4:00 p.m.

After a busy morning at old Delhi, walk back to Chandni Chowk to take a break and have a relaxed lunch at Haldiram’s, a well known and decent priced South Indian fastfood restaurant. If you feel more adventurous, you can head towards Karim’s, an easy going, simple restaurant, well known for serving delicious kebabs and meat curries.

After visiting the India Gate, catch a rickshaw and head to Humayun’s Tomb nearby.

The first garden-tomb complex in India and a direct inspiration (replica with red sandstone) of the magnificent Taj Mahal in Agra, Humayun’s Tomb is a beautiful place to experience glorious heritage of Delhi.

Here you can relax or stroll alongside the walkways.

At 2:30 p.m.

After a lovely meal, get in a rickshaw to the visit the famous India Gate, a memorial to commemorate the Indian soldiers who lost their lives in World War I. There you can use your photography skills and must bow down at the ‘Amar Jawan Jyoti’.

At 4:30 p.m.

Take a long rickshaw drive or catch a taxi to Qutub Minar, considered as the symbol of the first city of Delhi, founded in the 11th century by the first Muslim rulers of Delhi immediately after the fall of the last Hindu kingdom. Walk around the Qutub

India Gate

complex and explore ancient ruins of mosques and tombs, as well as a mysterious iron pillar (Ashoka Stambh), which is noteworthy for its resistance to corrosion.

At 5:30 p.m.

It is to be noted that most of the tourist spots are closed by 5:30 p.m. So, after this time you can be yourself or plan the next place. Or else, leave for an evening meal at the close by Olive Bar and Kitchen, famous for its wood-fired pizzas. There are other places to have dinner too, which you can check on apps like google app or zomato.com.

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DESTINATION

POPULAR DESTINATIONS TO VISIT IN

TURKEY DURING WINTER

Many people may think that tourism in Turkey is limited to the summer, and may not know much about many beautiful destinations which can be visited in winter as well. In fact, the winter season that lasts from December to February is one of the best times to visit Turkey and experience authentic local life and other thrilling winter activities. So if you plan to go to Turkey in winter months, the following destinations should be on your list‌

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Goreme Open Air Museum and cave churches remain

BY ARCHANA SHARMA

Istanbul

open. To enjoy winter season, you can travel a short distance to nearby Mount Erciyes which is one of the major skiing destinations in Turkey.

A major hub of business, finance and tourism, Istanbul is the largest city of the country. During winters

Antalya’s City Centre

all its historical sites like the UNESCO world heritage

A Turkish Resort city, Antalya covers a vast distance.

buildings of the Sultanahmet district are open to

Although the resorts close down during winter but its

schedule. However, the bonus is that a visit during

city centre remains vibrant and active. Modern shop-

New Year will introduce you to Istanbul style street

ping malls, bowling alleys, and nightlife destinations

parties and a startling display of firework shows. Dur-

carry on until the wee hours. Besides visiting its ar-

ing November and December months a blanket of

chaeological museum, you can head to the summit of

white snow sometimes covers the city landscape. So,

Mount Tahtali, sometimes covered in snow. You will

remember to pack clothes accordingly.

enjoy the travel up in the cable car and activities like

Cappadocia & Mount Erciyes

paragliding, skiing or trekking to descend.

Cappadocia is a unique landscape of fairy chimneys

Uludag Ski Central

and cave churches. During winter, its appearance

Uludag is amongst the most famous ski destinations

turns into lunar-like and moon landscape under

in Turkey. The region has two separate parts; the first

snow. All activities like hot air balloon ride operate

development zone is completed while the second is

here. Also the UNESCO World Heritage site of the

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DESTINATION

Uludag

Celsus Library in Ephesus

Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon ride

Istanbul

in the process of building more hotels because of its growing popularity. The ski centre is suitable for beginners or experi-

Interesting fact to know!

enced skiers. Once here, you can also

The Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) will conduct its convention at two beautiful cities of Turkey, i.e. Dalaman and Antalya.

The convention dates are from 27th - 31st October 2017. For the first two nights, delegates will be staying at Hotel Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme Resort & Spa, Dalaman and the next two nights at Hotel Rixos Premium Belek, Antalya.

learn skiing at ski schools and hire equipments for skiing from the shops.

Ancient Ephesus As the most visited historical site in Turkey, Ephesus is crowded during summer and is popular in winter as well. The historical sites include the magnificent old theatre, the Celsus library and the marvellous mosaics of the Roman terraced houses. You must also pay visit to the nearby Saint John’s Basilica and the Temple of Artemis.

Last but not the least, wherever you go in Turkey in winter, don’t ignore the small villages as that is where the culture and traditions, and unique natural environments of the real face of Turkey lie.

How to Reach

Antalya

By Air Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara and some of the Mediterranean resorts have international airports. There are direct flights of Turkish Airlines from Istanbul to as many as twenty-four European cities, New York, Middle East, Bangkok, Karachi, North Africa Singapore and Tokyo. From India, you can take Etihad Airways, Jet Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways to reach Istanbul.

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ASSOCIATION

'FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE TAFI'S HISTORY, OUR CONVENTION WILL BE HELD AT TWO VENUES'

Praveen Chugh President, TAFI

This is for the first time in the history of TAFI that we are offering two unique and picturesque destinations as venues of our convention to our members. This will enable them to do more business by promoting these and other attractive destinations in Turkey among their clients.

Next annual convention of Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) will be held in Turkey on 27-31 October, 2017 in two places, Dalaman and Antalya. In an exclusive interview to TnH, Praveen Chugh, President, TAFI talked about venue and theme of this year's TAFI convention.

Please tell us about the forthcoming

is to empower our members to do

lines, the Turkish Consul General in

convention of TAFI to be held in

more business by promoting these

Mumbai, Mr. Erdal Sabri Ergen and

Turkey.

and other attractive destinations in

Ambassador of Turkey in India, Mr. H.

Deciding upon a destination for our

Turkey amongst their clients.

E. Sakir Ozkan Torunlar. Without their

convention by the Convention com-

Please tell us about the theme of

support and generosity it would have

mittee has indeed been a long jour-

this year's TAFI convention. How is

been a challenge to organize this

ney. Keeping our goal and focus in

it relevant to the current scenario?

Convention.

mind we went about exploring new

The theme of our Convention “Sus-

What is expectation of Turkish

destinations, met different tourism

tainable Success – Smart Way For-

Tourism

bodies and visited certain places just

ward” is indeed thought provoking

TAFI's convention?

to make sure that our members could

and truly an eye-opener. Who does

In 2015, over 1,31,000 Indian tourists

explore and promote the best desti-

not wish to succeed in life? All of us

visited Turkey. It is expected that

nations. Our members benefit was at

do, but the key is that success needs

there will be a growth of over 20% in

the core of the decision. In the

to be sustainable. To do so, we need

the Indian arrivals to Turkey since it

process, we had to do some negotia-

to discover and explore smart ways to

continues to remain a popular desti-

tions and finally the venues were de-

move forward. Indeed our theme is

nation for Indian tourists visiting for

cided. I am excited to share that we

very vibrant and full of potential,

honeymoon, adventure and leisure.

were able to close not one but two

hence we can look forward to new

State visit of the President of Turkey

destinations - Dalaman an Antalya in

insights, new approaches, new meth-

to India from 30th April to 01st May,

Turkey.

ods and new ways to emerge from

2017 has provided a fresh fillip to

Why did you select Turkey as venue

the convention.

India–Turkey bilateral relations. I am

for this year's convention?

What kind of support are you get-

glad to inform that Dalaman, Antalya,

Turkey is a great destination. It is the

ting from Turkish Tourism?

Bodrum, Cappadocia, Istanbul, Izmir

first time in the history of TAFI that we

Selection of Turkey as destination for

and Pammukale are favorite destina-

are offering two unique and pictur-

this year's convention has been pos-

tions among Indian travellers and by

esque destinations as venues for the

sible due to all out support from Mr.

having TAFI Convention at Dalaman

annual Convention to our members. I

Parmod Sahani, Mr. Emin Cakmak,

and Antalya

am very happy and excited to wel-

Chairman,

tourism between the countries.

come our members this year. The idea

Council and his team, Turkish Air-

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TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | OCTOBER 2017

Turkish

India

Tourism

from

the

forthcoming

will further boost

October 2017--Final_Layout 1 10/3/2017 5:18 PM Page 19

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COVER STORY

Artificial Intelligence The Future of Travel

Although still in its infancy, Artificial Intelligence is making its presence felt in the travel and hospitality space, and is poised to reshape the future of this industry.

either close their shops or reinvent themselves.

v B PREM KUMAR Y

T

he last two decades have been revolutionary as far as the use of technology in travel space is concerned. We saw how the emergence of online giants like MakeMyTrip and Yatra in India changed the way the travel bookings were done. Review website TripAdvisor became our trusted online advisor for travel searches and planning. Founded in 2008 in California, Airbnb, the world's leading online accommodation aggregator, revolutionized the supply of budget accommodations globally by using information technology. These brands successfully leveraged technology to a bring paradigm shift in the way customers used to plan and book their travel, forcing many traditional travel companies to

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TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | OCTOBER 2017

Now it is the turn of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to set the terms of the game. AI, although still in its infancy, promises to transform many sectors including travel. We are seeing the fast increasing use of AI by Facebook, Google and e-commerce websites like Amazon, Flipkart, etc. Facebook uses AI to make friend suggestions. Google runs the world's largest ad platform and uses AI to process users' search data for targeted advertising. Google’s Voice assistant, Apple’s Siri, Microsoft’s Cortana and Amazon’s Alexa are AI-powered applications that offer precise and personalized results to users.

Why should travel companies stay behind? Travel brands are increasingly using AI to offer better experiences to their customers and customers are happily welcoming new AI based interactive experiences. Chatbots, an AI-based technology, are growingly being used by airlines for some transactions.

For example, Chatbots are assisting airlines and online travel agencies in making bookings and issuing boarding passes. A chatbot is a computer program

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COVER STORY

grams or R&D into AI-enabled prediction and warning systems.

AI in Travel Industry Use of AI growing day by day AI makes data processing easier and fast AI enhances efficiency & productivity Traditional companies need to invest in AI Robots to replace certain jobs in travel

which uses AI to conduct an oral or textual conversation. Some airlines like KLM allow travellers to get their boarding pass within Facebook’s Messenger app. Some other airlines now allow passengers to book flights using the Facebook Messenger interface. Frankfurt Airport offers flyers the facility to converse with FRAnky, a Messenger-based chatbot.

FRAnky helps passengers search for flights, get flight status updates, gievs information about restaurants, shops and service facilities. It also tells passengers how they can use the airport’s free wifi.

According to a recent report of SITA, Airlines and airports are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance their customer service. As per the 'SITA 2017 Air Transport IT Trends Insights report', 52% of airlines plan major AI programs over the next three years, and 45% of airports will invest in R&D in the next five years. Over the next three years 80% of airlines plan to invest in major pro-

Currently 14% of airlines and 9% of airports use chatbots. By 2020, 68% of airlines and 42% of airports aim to adopt AI-driven chatbot services. Airlines, hotels, OTAs and car-rental companies are aggressively integrating AI technology into their operations to improve their the bottom line and offer a meaningful experience to customers.

A recent survey by Tata Consultancy Services found that about 85% travel and hospitality professionals are using AI within their businesses. Most of them are using this to process bookings and credit-card transactions. According to the survey , in the next four years, 60% of companies would apply AI in their marketing efforts. Airports plan to use chatbots for services such as notifications and airport guides.

International Hotel Chains like Marriott are using AI-powered Chatbots on Facebook Messenger to interact with their guests and simplify their journey.

For customers, app like Hopper use AI to analyze pricing data to predict when your flight will be cheapest and alert you about price fall. Furthermore, it suggests the best times to book a trip. A report 'Embracing airline digital transformation: a spotlight on what travellers value’ published recently by Amadeus, says that chatbots powered by Artificial Intelligence will drastically change the travel industry. AI advice will deliver more personalised experiences for travellers when they request it. AI is indeed making our travel smart, and promises much more better travel experience in future.

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | OCTOBER 2017

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NEWS

IATO's 33rd Annual Convention concluded in Bhubaneswar 33rd Annual Convention of Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) was held on September 07-10 in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha. ith 'India Tourism: Time To Reinvent Ourselves'

W

as its theme, 33rd Convention of IATO was attended by large number of delegates including

government officers and tourism experts from across the country. The convention discussed various challenges India's travel trade fraternity is facing today including difficulties related to the implementation of GST. The inaugural session of the convention was attended by Odisha's Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Tourism Minister K J Alphons, Odisha's Tourism Minister Ashok Chandra Panda, Union Tourism Secretary Rashmi Verma, Dr. Mona Sharma, Principal Secretary of Tourism, Odisha, Pronab Sarkar, President, IATO, Rajeev Kohli, Sr. Vice President, IATO, Rajeev Mehra, Chairman, IATO Convention and many other dignitaries.

CM Patnaik used the occasion to request the Government of India to include Biju Patanaik International Airport, Bhuvaneshwar under e-visa scheme. Tourism sector has emerged as one of the key priority sectors under the leadership of Patnaik. The state has immense potential in tourism segments such as religious tourism, ecotourism and MICE tourism, these mostly still untapped. IATO's Annual Convention is expected to stimulate tourism growth in the state. Speaking at the inaugural session, Pronab Sarkar, President, IATO said that taxation has been a big challenge for the industry for many years, and recently launched GST has further aggravated our pain.

Addressing the delegates, Tourism Minister K J Alphons urged the industry to think out of box and come out with radical ideas for developing tourism in the country. He lamented that despite having history of 5000 years and one of the oldest civilisation, the country is not very popular in overseas markets. Echoing the Minister's view, Rashmi Verma remarked that time has come to think out of box to promote tourism. New innovative ways and new technology should be adopted to promote tourism. She informed that the MoT will soon launch Incredible India 2.0

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TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | OCTOBER 2017

campaign.

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TRAVEL MANTRA

TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS TO SUPPORT ECO-TOURISM

Binsar

Ecotourism is a very important aspect of tourism to understand. With global warming and rising pollution levels, it’s high time for us to care for our mountains, beaches, hills and the air we breathe. Ecotourism focuses on socially responsible travel, personal growth and environmental sustainability. It typically involves travelling to destinations where nature and cultural heritage are the primary attractions. Luckily, Ecotourism is on the rise and many of the travellers like to contribute to it through some way or the other. So, if you are planning to go for a vacation, be a responsible traveller this time.

Here are a few tips on how you can save the environment while travelling...

v B ARCHANA SHARMA

No vehicle roads / destinations: Explore a new city or destination where you won’t need a vehicle to navigate.

You can explore the destinations on foot like the Mall Road in Shimla, Matheran (near Mumbai) or nature walks in Binsar. It should be noted that walking is the best option to infuse the local flavour.

Say no to plastic bags: Plastic takes 1000's of years to decompose and is a deadly pollutant. If you are travelling to any hill station in India, make sure that you carry your own bag while shopping. You will not get any plastic bag even for the food items in the local market.

Opt for eco-friendly dwellings: Instead of choosing

Y

chic hotels and air-conditioned rooms, choose a homestay when you travel to a destination. Once you do enough research you will find that many of these homestays are built with eco-friendly materials and exercise prominent initiatives such as water recycling, eating on leaves and much more.

Just eat local and buy local: Living in a plantation is your chance to experience the earth beneath your feet in a different way. Indulge in offbeat experiences. For example you can join farmers in harvesting local produce Homestay

during your holidays. Buy local, organic food and economically empower the local community.

Leave it the way you found it: This simply means that no matter where you go, try to conserve, re-use and recycle items. Dispose your waste responsibly and don't litter the places you visit.

Plant a tree wherever you go: When you take back memories and incredible experiences from a place, leave behind a little something for the land in return. Plant a tree wherever you like, sow a seed on the street to say a small ‘thank you’ to the place for being a wonderful host.

Eating on Banana leaf

So what are you waiting for? Go green during this vacation!

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | OCTOBER 2017

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NEWS

NEW GOAN EXPERIENCE IN STORE FOR TOURISTS

With a view to catch the imagination of tourists all round the year, Goa is constantly churning out surprises for tourists. renovation. The state is all set to receive an updated convention centre that will open up in the coming days. The latest attraction is the wax museum that has come up in recent times. A host of novel projects are he magical land of Goa is brimming with

coming up soon. In the vertical of adventure tourism,

tourism activities all round the year. The

hot air ballooning has received an overwhelming re-

new-age tourists on a trip to the state are

sponse.”

T

vouching for white water rafting, trekking

There is the newly-launched hop-on hop-off bus tour

trails, yoga and wellness and the state’s natural water

that is incidentally the pride of the state. D’souza said,

bodies. The state is poised for Diwali celebrations and

“The bus tour takes off from Panjim and offers an un-

also has a special festival- Narkasur on the eve of Di-

forgettable experience of Goa’s splendid architecture,

wali that is a big attraction for tourists.

breathtaking sites, beaches, churches and a lot more.

Menino D’souza, Director, Goa Tourism commented, “The tourist hotspots of the state are in the process of

The bus tour is a big draw among both global and domestic travellers.”

by TNH DESK

AIMING TO REV UP TOURISM

The department of tourism, Puducherry is stepping up its focus on beach tourism, heritage tourism, water sports facilities and Auroville to make it a great global tourist hotspot.

O

ne of the bygone French Colony’s grandest

settlements in India has been Puducherry that has a legion of both domestic and global tourists in this day and age. The de-

new beaches. P Parthiban, Tourism Secretary, Govern-

partment of tourism, Puducherry has made an earnest

ment of Puducherry commented, “The heritage zones

request to the Union Ministry of Tourism for financial

of Puducherry like the French colonial architecture, Au-

assistance to renovate its scenic beaches.

robindo Ashram and Beach Promenade are significant

In order to make the holiday of travellers more attractive, the department of tourism is pushing some

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TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | OCTOBER 2017

tourist attractions and we are planning to offer a facelift to these heritage structures.”

by TNH DESK

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EXPLORE INDIA

Lucknow

Sun Temple, Konark

Virupaksha Temple, Hampi

Alleppey Houseboat

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EXPLORE INDIA

Mother's Ashram, Pondicherry

Snake Boat Race, Alleppey

Gwalior Fort

Top 10 Winter Destinations in India v B NEHA KIRPAL Y

W

ith winter just round the corner, you’re probably already scouting about to plan your holidays for the remaining part of the year. We did some research and dished out a list of the top ten winter destinations in India. Read on!

Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh: Known for its palaces and temples, Gwalior makes one feel royal just by being in it. The majestic fort overlooks the entire city, making for an unforgettable stopover. Don’t miss the spectacular 45-minute sound and light show here. There’s also the imperial-styled Man Singh Palace, which adds further to the city’s mystique and grandeur. Further, the city’s notable chattris are magnificent walk-in marble structures as big as large houses. Also, if you have the time, try and visit the famed Scindia School, the erstwhile abode of princes.

Alleppey, Kerala: Winter is the perfect time to visit this idyllic haven. Known best for its houseboat cruises along the backwaters, you can spend the winter unwinding and relaxing in peace and tranquility. With sightseeing that consists of a mix of temples, churches, beaches and museums, there’s never a dull

moment in Alleppey. The snake boat race is a significant annual event not to be missed. You can also sit back and relax while relishing a soothing ayurvedic massage, or watching an animated Kathakali performance while in the city.

Amritsar, Punjab: The city that caters to pilgrims, foodies and history buffs alike, Amritsar has something for everyone. With pleasant weather in the coming months, it is a treat for the senses. With great rail and air connectivity, Amritsar is the perfect weekend getaway. The famous Golden temple is auspicious and always a pleasure to visit. You could stop by the Jallianwala Bagh not too far away for a peek into India’s history. The Partition museum, with its rare collection of photographs, documents and artifacts chronicling the partition of India and Pakistan, is another relatively new attraction that should not be missed.

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: This city of nawabs comes alive in the winter months. This capital city is seeped with history and culture. Some of the quintessential sightseeing to do while you’re here includes the Rumi

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | OCTOBER 2017

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EXPLORE INDIA

Sula Vineyards, Nashik

Darwaza, a Mughal gateway; the Bara Imambara shrine; the Bhool Bhulaiya and the Victorian Clock Tower. If you’re a shopaholic who loves clothes, then Lucknow is the place to pick up some salwar-kurtas having some of the intricate chikan embroidery. You could also head out to the main market for some of the finest traditional mouthwatering cuisine—the century-old Tunday Kebabi is your best bet. Lucknow Mahotsav, a 10-day festival that starts in late November, is a good time to visit.

Nashik, Maharashtra: This ancient holy city is celebrated equally for its religious spots as well as vineyards. Make a stop at the Dudhsagar falls, regarded as one of the finest for its panoramic views. The wellknown Sula Vineyards is another talking point in the city. Spread over an area of 160 acres, the vineyard also houses its own resort and tasting room for visitors. Apart from this, there are a number of temples and caves in the city—enough to keep travellers busy over a long, captivating weekend.

Pondicherry: ‘Pondy’, as it is popularly called, is a delightful choice for all those looking to experience the best of France in India. The city also appeals to the spiritually inclined, as its renowned Mother’s ashram draws several visitors every year. The French quarter of the city has some of the most authentic bakeries, patisseries and other delicacies that will leave you wanting more. Moreover, Pondicherry is a convenient bus ride from Chennai, and the three-hour journey is as picturesque as the destination.

Jaisalmer, Rajasthan: This stunning desert city is a popular choice for all those looking to do something vibrant in the winter vacations. Though a predominantly yellow city (due to the presence of sand everywhere), there is an abundance of colour—in the attire of the rural men and women, the ornaments of the camels and the rich experiences that the city offers. A camel safari on the Sam sand dunes is an absolute

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Rumi Darwaza

must-do, as is a visit to the city’s exquisite live-in fort—the only one of its kind in India.

Kaziranga National Park, Assam: If you’re a wildlife enthusiast, then winter is the time when most national parks in India are open. If you have enough vacation time, then pick someplace far and interesting—Kaziranga will surely not disappoint. A world heritage site, Kaziranga is home to a fascinating collection of tigers, elephants and the world’s largest population of the Indian one-horned rhinoceroses. Apart from these, the park also has dolphins, wild water buffalos, swamp deer, migratory birds and grey pelicans.

Hampi, Karnataka: This ancient village in Karnataka— another world heritage site—is filled with several ruins of temple complexes from the Vijayanagara Empire.

The 16th century Vittala temple is a highlight, and is at a distance of about 2 kilometres from Hampi Bazaar. Here, you could visit the Virupaksha temple, one of the city’s oldest structures, and Hampi’s only remaining working temple. Another charming place to go to are the elephant stables, a grand building with 11 domed chambers where state elephants once resided. A good time to visit would be January, when the annual Vijaya Utsav takes place—a three-day extravaganza of culture, heritage and the arts.

Konark, Odisha: Think exotic, and you think of Konark. Located in the Puri district of Odisha, it has some of the nicest temples, beaches and museums. The eminent Sun temple, built in the 13th century, is an architectural marvel that exemplifies the Oriyan form of architecture. Also a world heritage site, the temple is shaped in the form of a massive chariot engraved with stone wheels, pillars and walls. Outside the temple, there is an ASI museum consisting of 250 kinds of unique artifacts and antiques. Further, the pristine Chandrabhaga beach is considered one of the best on the east coast, and perfect for viewing the sunrise and the sunset while here.

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LORDS HOTELS & RESORTS TO LAUNCH NEW PROPERTY IN BENGALURU

NEWS

Rishi Puri Vice President, Lords Hotels & Resorts

P R Bansal Chairman & Managing Director, Lords Hotels & Resorts

ords Hotels & Resorts has announced the launch

L

products and services. We are pleased to announce the

of its 27th hotel property in Bengaluru. Located on

launch of Lords Eco Inn Mysuru Road and are positive

Mysuru Road, the fifty-three room property is

that tourists will appreciate the availability of budget

branded under Lords Eco Inn and is Lords Hotels & Re-

friendly accommodations in one of India’s busiest cities,”

sorts’ second property in the metropolis. The hotel is

says P R Bansal, MD, Lords Hotels & Resorts.

scheduled to commence operations shortly and will

“Our aspiration is to offer a memorable experience to

offer luxurious accommodations and full-service at

our guests. Lords Eco Inn Mysuru Road is a mid-market

friendly prices for tourists round the year. The launch of

segment hotel that will offer guests value for money

this property brings the fastest growing hotel chain’s

with economical tariffs, and services and amenities that

target of expanding to 40 properties by 2020, one step

meet their expectations. This has helped us build cred-

closer. “Lords Eco Inn Mysuru Road will be our second

ibility and gain loyalty from our patrons. With this sec-

hotel in Bengaluru and the third in the Southern region.

ond hotel property we intend to entrench our brand

Over the years we have steadily broadened our product

further in the region and use its success as a spring-

portfolio in terms of the segments in which the proper-

board to establish our other brands here,” says Rishi

ties operate and also through the destinations at which

Puri, Vice-President, Lords Hotels and Resorts.

they are present. Today we cover a gamut of hospitality

FLYDUBAI LAUNCHES FLIGHTS TO PODGORICA

by TNH DESK

D

ubai-based airline, flydubai has announced the

start of flights to Montenegro’s capital Podgorica, which will begin on 01 November. With two

flights a week, the flights include a stopover in Sarajevo, a popular destination on the flydubai network.

Podgorica joins the airlines network in Central and Eastern Europe, which includes Belgrade, Bratislava, Bucharest, Prague, Skopje, Sarajevo and Sofia. flydubai will become the only UAE-based carrier to offer direct air links to Podgorica.

by TNH DESK

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NEWS

ATLANTIS, THE PALM’S GUIDE TO LUXURY – INSIDE THE ROYAL BRIDGE SUITE

H

ave every desire and need fulfilled when you stay in the Royal Bridge Suite at Atlantis, The Palm.

With 924 square meters of space, you can revel in luxury and comfort in this spacious designer suite. There is room for 6 adults and 3 children, plus two cots for infants, making it ideal for large family holidays or get-togethers with friends. The bedrooms are designed for ultimate comfort and indulgence, each with an en -suite bathroom that hosts a deluxe bathtub and separate shower. The Royal Bridge Suite offers so much more though, with a private library, a games and media centre,

by TNH DESK a lounge and a massage room.

CARLSON REZIDOR HOTEL GROUP EXPANDS IN VIETNAM WITH THE SIGNING OF RADISSON BLU RESORT PHU QUOC

C

arlson Rezidor Hotel Group announced the signing of a management contract with Phu Quoc Tourist Investment & Development JS Company to develop Radisson Blu Resort Phu Quoc. Scheduled to open in the last quarter of 2017, the new build hotel, with 522 rooms and suites, is set to be a focal point of Phu Quoc. The signing marks the second resort in Vietnam for the Group, following Radisson Blu Resort Cam Ranh Bay, slated to open in 2018. Situated in Southern Vietnam, Phu Quoc is also known as Pearl Island, a stunning tourist destination famous for its pristine beaches, rich coral reefs and dense tropical jungles. Popular attractions comprise of Phu Quoc National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Din Cau

by TNH DESK Rock Temple and the spectacular Tranh Waterfall.

EMAAR HOSPITALITY GROUP EXPANDS TO SOUTH ASIA WITH ‘ADDRESS MADIVARU MALDIVES RESORT + SPA,’ THE GROUP’S FIRST RESORT IN THE INDIAN OCEAN

E

maar Hospitality Group has announced its expansion to South Asia with a hotel management contract to operate Address Madivaru Maldives Resort + Spa, a picturesque beachfront resort set in a private island in the Indian Ocean, only 20 minutes by seaplane from Male International Airport.

The expansion to the Indian

30

Ocean archipelago underlines the international growth plans of Emaar Hospitality Group, which now has 29 upcoming hotel projects in the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, and now, Maldives. The Group currently has 11 operational hotels and three serviced residences in Dubai, its home-market.

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | OCTOBER 2017

by TNH DESK

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NEWS

VISTARA LAUNCHES HACKATHON FOR AVIATION SECTOR IN ORDER TO ADDRESS CHALLENGES RELATED TO AVIATION SECTOR

T

he idea behind it is to basically address problems in the areas like tracking traveller behaviour and personalisation, amongst other challenging aspects.

The Hackathon is being held in partnership with IncubateIND with the idea of finding developers, designers, and data scientists that blend innovation with creativity and construct solutions out of it.

The all-India 'Vistara Hackathon' will be held in NCR and Bengaluru from October 7, 2017 to October 8, 2017, for which registration are open till Septem-

ber 25, 2017.

As per the airline, the hackathon will involve 20 teams that will create new applications to address aviation-related challenges in areas such as, tracking traveller behaviour and personalisation, amongst other challenging aspects.

The challenge has eight categories: The business travel journey, data travel, travel and tourism, software and API, customer survey complaints, IoT or robotics, customer experience and marketing.

by TNH DESK

IT’S TIME TO GO BEYOND CULTURE AND HERITAGE TOURISM UNICEO ANNOUNCES MAJOR PARTNERSHIP WITH ITB ASIA

U

nited Networks of International Corporate Events Organizers (UNICEO) has inked a new partnership with ITB Asia, ‘Asia’s Leading Travel Trade Show’, to strengthen its presence and development in Asia for the period 2017-2018.

An important delegation of UNICEO leaders will be attending ITB Asia 2017, which will take place from October 25 - 27 at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. On the 25th, they will lead two master classes aimed at the corporate communication leaders and, on the 26th, meet with South East Asian Members during a “UNICEO Leaders Meeting”.

by TNH DESK

India offers much more than just its culture and heritage. A whole new holistic approach is required to promote India as a year-round destination.

India as a country is full of diversity. Different parts and states of the country have their respective different languages, customs, ways of life, history, culture and heritage. It is the culture and heritage of the country that attracts large number of tourists from abroad. And, our Golden Triangle circuit comprising Delhi, Agra and Jaipur is the fulcrum of our cultural and heritage tourism.

Other facets of tourism which Incredible India can offer are adventure tourism, ecotourism, wildlife, Yoga, Ayurveda, etc. that are attracting very few tourists from abroad. We have massive Himalayan landscapes offering vast opportunities for adventure tourism, but there is a lack of awareness about this fact in our international tourism market. Foreign tourists identify India more with its famous monuments such as Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Royal palaces and other historical monuments than its natural attractions such as wildlife, mountains, rivers etc.

The country’s 7516.6 km of coastline touching 13 States and Union Territories are almost untapped as tourist attractions. Culture and Heritage tourism counts for around 40% of international

by TNH DESK tourism.

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | OCTOBER 2017

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NEWS

SCINTILLATING ST. MORITZ - AN AMAZING SUMMER ALPINE DESTINATION

S

t. Moritz welcomes summer with a number of activities waiting to be explored by guests of all age groups. We've put some together activities that are not to be missed during your time in St. Moritz.

Down to the Lake!

In winter the frozen Lake of St. Moritz is an arena for horseracing, polo or cricket matches, but in summer the rowers, sailing boats, fishermen and stand-up paddlers take over. But whatever your favourite sport, you'd better get out there – preferably in the early

morning. Watch the first rays of sunshine dance on the water's surface while most people are still having breakfast.

Enjoy a drop of Whisky Hotel Waldhaus am See boasts the world's most extensive whisky bar.

Called Devil's Place, this in-house bar stocks 2,500 types of whisky and also has made its entrance in the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest whiskey collection in the world.

by TNH DESK

MUMBAI-DELHI ROUTE MAY SOON GET NEW FASTER RAJDHANI EXPRESS TRAIN

T

he railways is planning to introduce a brand new and faster Rajdhani Express on the Mumbai-Delhi line, the third Rajdhani train on the route, in the next few months, senior officials said. The new train is likely to be launched by the Diwali this year. It will cover the distance between Bandra (in Mumbai) to Nizamuddin station (in Delhi) in 13 hours, officials said.

Presently, the route is served by two Rajdhani Express trains-- the August Kranti Rajdhani and the Mumbai CentralNew Delhi Rajdhani. Both of them take more than 15 hours to cover the distance between the national capital and the financial capital of the country.

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While the August Kranti Rajdhani takes around 17 hours 05 minutes to travel a distance of 1,377 km at an average speed of 80 kmph, the Mumbai Central-New Delhi (or just Mumbai Rajdhani, as it is often called) train takes around 15 hours 35 minutes, at an average speed of 89 kmph, to travel 1386 km.

Neither of the two halts at Bandra.

"The trial run (for the new train) will start in a couple of days. We are using the existing 24-coach Mumbai Rajdhani with two engines to see if we can make the journey shorter by a few hours. We are using Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches," said a senior official.

by TNH DESK

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NEWS

SITA APPOINTS JACQUES DEMAËL AS SVP STRATEGY & BUSINESS SUPPORT THE PARISIAN MACAO'S LE BUFFET SCOOPS 'BEST MACAU CASUAL DINING RESTAURANT' AWARD Iconic restaurant takes top honours at prestigious Hong Kong Restaurant Interior Design Awards.

The Parisian Macao’s Le Buffet restaurant has won the Best Macau Casual Dining Restaurant award at the Hong Kong Restaurant Interior Design Awards 2017 (HKRIDA), which were held in Hong Kong recently.

Part of leading Asia-Pacific fine dining and bar exhibition, Restaurant & Bar Hong Kong, the judging panel was comprised of experienced hospitality designers, senior food and beverage managers and specialist trade media, who all had the hard task of selecting the final

by TNH DESK winners.

RATEGAIN ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH ROOMSXML RateGain Technologies made a key announcement of its recent integration with roomsXML, one of the largest online accommodation distribution systems designed for travel companies.

The partnership would enable roomsXML to fully automate the process of providing real-time access to rooms, by making their offering more efficient and relevant to their customers including travel agent partners. With this integration of the two technology companies, more & more hotels would be able to seamlessly push their rate and inventory in the online B2B space. Commenting on the association, Sameer Sinha, Sales Head, RateGain, said, “At RateGain we believe in continuous improvement and offering the best-in-class technology to the global hospitality and travel space, which strongly

by TNH DESK equips it with speed and efficiency.

Demaël will steer strategy, transformation and innovation aimed at accelerating SITA’s growth.

SITA announced that Jacques Demaël has joined the organization as SVP Strategy & Business Support. Reporting directly to CEO Barbara Dalibard, Demaël will be based in Geneva, Jacques Demael Switzerland.

Barbara Dalibard said “SITA offers a remarkable value proposition for its customers across the air transport industry. I look forward to working with Jacques in delivering a transformation plan that will provide a clear roadmap to boost the next phase of SITA’s growth, capitalizing on our unique market position at the center of our industry.”

Working together with the CEO and the Executive Team, Demaël will drive SITA’s overall strategy as well as several key strategic initiatives. He will be responsible for leading a transformation program to align the organization, processes and skills to support SITA's ambitions and will help define the organization’s technology and innovation roadmap.

Jacques joins SITA from Bryan Garnier, an independent investment bank dedicated to growth companies.

Jacques has also been an advisor to several private equity funds, investors and governments in both EMEA and the US, specifically in technology, media and telecommunications. He has worked with technology start-ups and other emerging leaders to explore new opportunities in areas such as artificial intelligence and connected life.

Jacques Demaël said “It is an exciting time to join SITA. The air transport industry is thriving and SITA is in a prime position to advance this growth by providing a portfolio of products and services that help the industry become more efficient and passenger focused.

With the right focus and team behind us, I see tremendous potential for SITA to build on its existing credentials as a trusted supplier and partner to the industry.”

by TNH DESK

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NEWS

MONACO YACHT SHOW 2017 HELD FROM 27 TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2017

F

or 27 years now, the world super yachting community would be once again, gathering for the most iconic Yacht Show in Monaco. An exceptional trade fair, dedicated to yachting for prestigious clients and luxury yachting market professionals. The Monaco Yacht Show, each year, is a unique opportunity to visit more than 120 exceptional Superyachts and Megayachts, measuring 25 to 100 metres long in the port de Monaco’s exclusive settings. With an expectation to have 34,000 prestigious clients and luxury yachting visitors from the industry, you can surely expect the fabulous exhibitions presenting the yachting lifestyle; the new Starboard lounge, The Car Deck, The Tenders & Toys and The Holland Pavilion. For 4 days, you can participate in unique experiences aboard sumptuous yachts.

by TNH DESK

vian Tourism industry.

The Annual Gala is now marked as the premier edition of Maldives Travel Awards, featuring, tourist resorts, liveaborads, hotel brands and airlines. The premier addition honors outstanding performance in 25 categories in eight key areas. With detailed categories which cover everything from beach to F&B, as well as a wide scope of service experience, brand management and sustainability. This explores the full range of the tourism businesses, and provides comprehensive look at the most exceptional examples of tourism industry in Maldives.

Winners for Maldives Travel Awards 2017 will be decided by a collective score based on Traveler reviews and popular vote.

by TNH DESK

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR MALDIVES TRAVEL AWARDS GALA EDITION

M

aldives Travel Awards marked the launching of nominations for the Gala Edition 2017, at a corporate evening hosted for Travel Awards sponsors and partners in Anantara Dhigu Resort Maldives. Launched in 2012, Maldives Travel Awards celebrates the leading travel properties, outstanding achievements in service and product innovation. For the first time in 2017, Travel Awards is being held as three separate editions, the first of which was held on July 13th, recognizing ten outstanding personalities in the Maldi-

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NEWS

INNSIDE BY MELIÁ DEBUTS IN CHINA WITH INNSIDE ZHENGZHOU INNSIDE by Meliá , Spain’s leading hotel group has announced the opening of INNSIDE by Meliá Zhengzhou, a brand new hotel located in the Zhengdong, China. This property marks the official launch of the INNSIDE by Meliá brand in

China. It is a milestone for the group that has recently commemorated 60 years in the hotel industry.

“Opening INNSIDE by Meliá Zhengzhou puts us in the very heart of a dynamic city and extends the momentum of Meliá Hotels Interna-

tional in China,” said Bernardo Cabot Estarellas, Senior Vice President of Meliá Hotels International Asia Pacific.

The new four-star hotel is the fourth Meliá Hotels International property to open in China, following the success of Gran Meliá Xian, Meliá Jinan and Meliá Shanghai Hongqiao. This property is just threeminute walk from the Zhengzhou East Railway Station and blends seamlessly into the urban landscape.

Keeping in step with the state-of-the-art aesthetic of the upscale INNSIDE by Meliá brand, all 335 rooms are bathed in light by floor-to-ceiling windows and designed in a monochromatic palette. The guests can enjoy the standard offerings of complimentary Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness center, highlighted by Meliá ’ s culture of passion for service. The city of Zhengzhou is fast becoming a key business hub in China. INNSIDE

by Meliá Zhengzhou’s central location makes this the perfect locale for business and leisure travellers to the city and promises to be an urban escape for savvy Work Trippers looking for unique and excellent

by TNH DESK experiences.

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NEWS

OLA LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN #GHOOMORESPONSIBLY TO ENCOURAGE TRAVELLERS TO TRAVEL RESPONSIBLY

T

ake the road less travelled, and explore hidden gems with convenient inter-city cabs across India.

In line with the United Nation’s theme for this year’s World Tourism Day, Ola, India’s most popular mobile app for transportation,

has come together with 7 prominent State Tourism Departments and Corporations to promote ‘responsible tourism’. To raise awareness about responsible tourism and promote road travel to lesser-known locales across the country, Ola has roped in

SRILANKAN CATERING WINS YET ANOTHER PRESIDENTIAL EXPORT AWARD!

popular VJ turned actor, model, writer, and travel vlogger, Shenaz Treasury for a 7state, 12-day and 21 locations expedition across India with Ola Outstation.

by TNH DESK

OMAN TOURISM LAUNCHES GLOBAL ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN

O

Hon. Malik Samarawickrama, Minister of Development Strategies & International Trade, presenting the award to SriLankan Airlines Group Chairman Ajith Dias at the Presidential Export Awards at the BMICH

S

riLankan Catering Limited (SLC) covered itself in more glory when it was named the winner of yet another Presidential Export Award, the third such award in recent years, as recognition for its steadfast commitment to supporting the nation’s economy and the growth of the aviation industry.

Hon. Malik Samarawickrama, Minister of Development Strategies & International Trade, presented the award to SriLankan Airlines Group Chairman Ajith Dias at the Presidential Export Awards 2016 at a gala ceremony at Colombo’s main internaby TNH DESK tional convention centre the BMICH.

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man Tourism has announced the launch of its global advertising campaign for the upcoming season which will go live on television and other digital platforms. The campaign captures the essence of Oman at different levels and highlights diverse aspects of the destination.

The film takes one through the journey of a young man from India visiting Oman for a friend’s wedding and then exploring the adventurous side of the country like never before - along with his friends. The tempo rises as the film progresses and the lyrics of the background song ‘I want a freedom from me’ portrays feelings of the protagonist, bringing out a myriad of emotions.

by TNH DESK

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NEWS

SINGAPORE TO HOST THE FORMULA 1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP UNTIL 2021

S

ingapore GP Pte Ltd and Singapore Tourism Board announced that they will continue to host the FIA Formula 1 World Championship for four more years from 2018 to 2021.

The announcement comes against the background of a year-todate 19% increase in ticket sales, with the weekend sales still to be included. In its first decade, the race has yielded significant economic benefits, attracting over 450,000 international visitors to Singapore and about S$1.4 billion in tourism receipts. With more than 90% of the race organisation sub-contracted annually

to Singapore-based companies, the race also contributes to the local economy, over and above the tourism outcomes. This event has also showcased Singapore as a beautiful, vibrant and attractive destination to over 780 million international broadcast viewers.

Over the years, the Singapore F1 race has distinguished itself as one that is not just about the sport, but one complemented by a strong line-up of concerts, entertainment and lifestyle offerings both within the circuit park and throughout the city.

by TNH DESK

THAILAND WINS FOUR PATA GOLD AWARDS 2017 NEW INFORMATION SECURITY HUB TO BE OPEN AT MUNICH AIRPORT

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he number of attacks on the IT systems of companies and public-sector organizations in Germany has rapidly increased in recent years, parallel to the rise of digitization. Munich Airport faces all kinds of cyber attacks on a daily basis. Now a new center of competence is being set up at the Bavarian hub. It will bring together IT experts from the airport operating company (FMG) and specialists from high-profile tech companies to test defensive strategies and look for new

by TNH DESK solutions in the fight against cyber-criminals.

T

he Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and two Thai tourism operators are the proud winners of the PATA Gold Awards 2017, bringing to the kingdom four prestigious international accolades.

TAT’s “Village to the World” corporate social responsibility project has won a Gold Award in the CSR category, while the “Blue Paradise Thailand” guidebook has won another Gold Award in the Travel Journalism – Travel Guidebook category. The other two PATA Gold Awards 2017 for Thailand went to the Elephant Hills Luxury Tented Camps in the Environmental – Ecotourism Project category, and the Thai Show 2013’s Muay Thai Live Bangkok in the Heritage and Culture – Culture category.

Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor said, “We would like to express our thanks to the PATA Gold Awards 2017

by TNH DESK judging panel for these recognitions.

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | OCTOBER 2017

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BITE CORNER

Dreamy treats at JW Kitchen @JW Marriott Kolkata v B SWAATI CHAUDHURY

H Y

ere’s a luxury, fine-dining restaurant that is incidentally the only one-of-a-kind not only in Kolkata but also in the eastern region of India and is a dream of every gourmet. We’re talking about JW Kitchen@JW Marriott Kolkata that is opened all round-the-clock. The restaurant is on the ground floor of the five-star haunt at JBS Haldane Avenue, and came up on November 3, last year.

The interiors of the restaurant boast of long columns of bells made of fibre and coated with zinc. For connoisseurs of good food heading to the restaurant, there is Continental, Asian and Indian cuisines. The restaurant serves a bewildering variety of delicately-spiced dishes and fragrantly spiced curries. One should try Father Michel’s Burata – an Italian signature dish in the appetizer and salad section that comes for

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BITE CORNER

Rs 425 exclusive of taxes. For non-vegetarians, the main course begins with black pepper crusted Salmon pegged at Rs 850. For more substantial meal, dig into Murg Bhatti or Chingri (prawn) curry, an eternal favourite of Bengal. One can also go for an a la carte menu at the restaurant.

According to Alok Anand, Executive Chef, JW Marriott Kolkata, “In the current age, an increasing number of food lovers are getting into health food, thus making salads popular. We have four live stations including our chaat, waffle, Italian and an Asian counter that make us stand out from other fine dining restaurants in Kolkata.

There is Do-It-Yourself (DIY) option in the salad counter and at least 12 kinds of salads are on display.”

The Asian counter has on offer Chinese and Burmese dishes.

There are six kinds of chaat on offer. I began with the lip-smacking Aloo ka tikka chaat and moved on to Kasundi Paneer Tikka- paneer cubes tossed in spices and pepped up with spicy mustard sauce known as Kasundi in Bengal. I also tried the gravy items like Kadhai Parwal – parwal stuffed with spices and the spicy Dum Aloo that are eternal favourite among vegans. For die-hard non-vegetarians, there is Chingri Curry, another signature creation of Bengal that has prawns fried in spices and dipped in coconut milk.

To round off the meal, I proceeded towards the dessert section and was taken aback by the amazing

variety of 25 kinds of desserts including Continental and Indian delights. I sampled a few of the Continental delights like hazelnut Praline, brownie, Chocolate truffle, baked yogurt, mud cake, baked chocolate tart, chocolate salted caramel et al. Baring baked yogurt, all are melt-in-mouth chocolate delicacies and were divine to taste but were heavy-on-the-stomach. If you still want to pamper your sweet tooth with Indian desserts, there are Besan Ke Ladoo, Gulab Jamun, Phirni and the traditional Bengali sweets like Sandesh and Chamcham.

One should not miss out on ice creams.

All those who are interested to indulge their taste buds can shell out Rs 1,250 per person and relish the culinary extravaganza offered at the buffet lunch of the restaurant.

Verdict: This is undoubtedly the destination for discerning food lovers where there are a lot of options for Asian food from South- East Asia and Far East. Gourmet lovers can customise and make their own salads.

The dessert section abounds in plenty. For well-travelled guests, this is the place to head for eclectic and delectable dishes, impeccable service on offer and a plethora of food choices. Gourmets also get to learn a lot about the way of preparing their favourite dishes in the live counters. So what are you waiting for? If you prefer to indulge your taste buds at a five-star dining during the festive times, look no further beyond and just go ahead.

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | OCTOBER 2017

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DIPLOMAT CORNER

A HIDDEN TREASURE TROVE OF WONDERS IN NORTH AFRICA Algeria is a beautiful country located in the North Africa. The country is full of wonders and excitements. In an exclusive interview to TnH magazine, H.E. Mr. Hamza Yahia-Cherif, Ambassador of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria to India, spoke about the tourism potential of his country and his expectations from India.

v

ria was the Roman colony for many centuries. In the mid-7th century, our country was conquered by Arab Muslims, and following the conquest, a large number of the indigenous people converted to Islam. Today Islam is the main religion of the country that exists along with many indigenous cultures. Algeria had also been the colony of France from 1830 to 1962. It became Independent on 5th July, 1962 after many years of war.

Our country has huge tourism potential.

We have very beautiful and diverse landscapes. Our cities are beautiful.

We have desert in one part and sea in the other. Unfortunately we did not realize our tourism potential earlier and relied mostly on our gas and oil industry, but now our government is according high priority to tourism sector. We are in the process diversifying our economy.

BY PREM KUMAR

Q geria and its potential Kindly tell us about Al-

We have beautiful weathers and seasons. You can visit Algeria in all four seasons, i.e. Summer, Spring, Winter and Autumn.

as a tourist destination?

You can explore our culture,

Our country is located in the

heritage,

North Africa. Countries such

Desert. You can enjoy snow-

as Tunisia, Libya, Morocco,

skiing in the winter, sand-ski-

Mauritania, Mali and Niger

ing and many other activities

are our neighbours. Alge-

throughout the year. We have

ria is surrounded by the

all

and

the

possible

Sahara

aspects

of

Mediterranean Sea in the

tourism. If you go to Tassili

North and the Western

n'Ajjer you will find some

Saharan territory in the

places where you will feel

Southwest.

Just

like

that you are on the Moon,

India, we also have a

not on the Earth, after

very diversified society in

seeing

terms of culture, heritage, ethnicity, languages etc. Many ethnic groups live together in Algeria.

Algerian history is very old. We have been colonized

40

by many cultures at different stages of history. Alge-

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | OCTOBER 2017

the

beautiful

sceneries of sunrise and sunset. These places are amongst the most beautiful sceneries in the world.

October 2017--Final_Layout 1 10/3/2017 5:19 PM Page 41

DIPLOMAT CORNER

H. E. Mr. Hamza Yahia-Cherif with his wife Ms. Yassina Yahia-Cherif

H. E. Mr. Hamza Yahia-Cherif's wife, Ms. Yassina Yahia-Cherif's experience of staying in India is almost similar to her husband. She is enjoying her stay in India and has many friends among high-ranking women. She says, "I like India. It is great country. I am enjoying my stay here. People are good here. I have visited many Indian cities such as Jaipur, Udaipur, Chandigarh, etc. I have many women friends in Delhi, and have attended many women-focused functions here. A creative lady with a flair for art, she learnt paintings in a very short period of time and loves doing painting on crockery. "I love doing painting. It's easy to learn." She showed us some of her amazing paintings done on crockery.

steps is your government taking to Q What promote Algeria as a destination in India?

We are trying to promote every kind of tourism, do-

As far as I am concerned, I am trying to generate

PVR Cinemas to build multiplexes in Algeria,

awareness about Algeria in India. We are inviting

wherein different movies including Indian movies

people from Bollywood to visit Algeria to see our

can be shown. Indian movies are already very pop-

beautiful sceneries. After their visits, they can plan

ular in Algeria.

to shoot their movies at those picturesque land-

Soon I will be meeting government officials, students

scapes in future. These movies will create aware-

and people from middle class in different states of

ness about Algeria in India. Our country offers

India. I will share glimpses of Algeria with them

excellent opportunities to investors. We are encour-

through videos and pictures to create awareness

aging private sector to invest in our tourism sector

about our country among Indian people so that they

and other areas.

can think of visiting Algeria. I hope that very soon

mestic as well as foreign tourism. We have invited

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | OCTOBER 2017

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DIPLOMAT CORNER Connectivity is not a problem. Indians can fly to Algeria via Dubai, Doha or Istanbul. Our capital is also connected with many European capitals such London, Paris and Madrid. It takes just about three and half hours to fly to Dubai from Delhi, and about three hours from Mumbai. From there you can go to Algeria in six hours. This is easiest route. We are also thinking of starting direct flights between Algeria and India.

Algeria will become a known destination in India.

The two countries signed many MoUs in past to promote cultural exchanges, but unfortunately, due to poor follow up, they remain on paper. But now such exchanges are increasing. We are also encouraging

Q tourism in your country?

people-to-people contact. We are working on a lot of ideas to enhance our bilateral relations.

What are the key international markets for

Our key international markets are mainly European and neighboring African countries. Our aim is to create awareness about our country in Asia, especially

is the visa process for Indians?

Q How We annually issue 5 to 6 thousands visas to In-

in countries like India. We share many similarities of

dians, but a very small number of them travel for

the past such as colonial history. We also share many

Q countries?

tourism purpose, most of them travel for business or

modern values.

work. We want to change this. Our aim is to increase

How is the connectivity between the two

the number of people applying for tourist visa. Our visa process for tourist is very easy. You just need to submit a paper of your hotel booking in Algeria along with your passport. We will process your visa in a day.

We are extremely happy to partner with VFS Global on visa processing front. Our association with VFS

Q elers?

Global will surely help us positioning Algeria as a tourism destination in India.

What would be your advice for Indian trav-

I would like to tell them that people-to-people contact between the two countries is must to strengthen our economic and culture relations. So they should visit Algeria in large number to explore our natural

Artwork by Ms. Yassina Yahia-Cherif

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TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | OCTOBER 2017

and cultural diversity.

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NEWS

Q countries at present?

was the first Arab leader to have privilege to be the

The relations between the two countries are excel-

2001. As regards what I like in India, I would say its

lent. Our foreign ministers met recently in New York

people, culture, diversity, cuisines and many other

on sidelines of the annual United Nations General

things. However, traffic is a little bit problem in

Assembly session. They discussed issues of common

Delhi. I would say India is the only foreign country

interest. We are further planning to increase polit-

Q India?

in the world where I don't feel like a foreigner, al-

ical and diplomatic visits between the two countries.

though Delhi is thousands of kilometers away from

How has been your experience of staying in

Algeria. I am really very happy to stay here. I have

This is my second term in India. For the first time I

nai, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Bhopal, Hyderabad and

was here in 1988. I came to India again at the end

Bengaluru. It is only Goa and Kolkata where I have

of 2000 to prepare for our Head of State's visit to

not been so far.

How do you see relations between the two

chief guest at India's Republic Day celebrations in

visited many cities in India such as Mumbai, Chen-

India as the chief guest at India's Republic Day celebrations. Our president Mr. Abdelaziz Bouteflika

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FESTIVALS AROUND THE WORLD

Popular festivals around the world to see in the next month Upcoming month brings a lot of festivity with many colorful and music festivals for a traveller. There are many festivals happening around the world like Día de los Muertos (in Mexico) and Guru Nanak Jayanti (in India). Here are some of the popular festivals / carnivals which a traveller must witness!

November 1-5, 2017 Location: Reykjavik, Iceland

Iceland Airwaves Iceland Airwaves is an annual music festival organised in Reykjavík, Iceland during early November. The festival spans five days (Wednesday Sunday) and its main focus is showcasing new music, both Icelandic and international. The festival's main sponsors are Icelandair and the City of Reykjavík. Iceland Airwaves was started in 1999 as a party sponsored by Iceland’s favorite airline, Icelandair, throwing a music concert in an airplane hangar. This homegrown festival later outgrew the original venue and now transforms downtown Reykjavík into a city-wide festival full of art, music, fashion and fun. This music festival is known for its intimacy and party spirit. Late night lovers, fans of intimate shows, quirky clubs and even quirkier destinations: rejoice, it is your festival!

November 4, 2017 Location: Lewes, England

Lewes Bonfire Guy Fawke’s Day or Bonfire Night is traditional throughout the UK, but in Lewes the celebration reaches new heights. The Lewes Bonfire Night celebrations is the biggest celebrated Fifth November event in the world, and is held in the usually peaceful county town of Lewes East Sussex, every year on 5th November, and the carnival or festival is known as the Lewes Bonfire Night or just simply the Fifth. Remember, remember, The Fifth of November, Gunpowder treason and plot; For I see no reason, Why Gunpowder Treason, Should ever be forgot! Every year on November 5th, Brits light bonfires and set off fireworks to remember their good luck in stumbling upon Guy Fawkes just before he attempted to blow up Parliament in 1605.

Location: Oaxaca, Mexico November 2, 2017

Día de los Muertos The Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico, in particular the Central and South regions, and by people of Mexican ancestry living in other places, especially the United States. It is acknowledged internationally in many other cultures. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died, and help support their spiritual journey. In 2008, the tradition was inscribed in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

by UNESCO. In this culture, the lines between life and death are blurred and the acceptance of mortality becomes liberation from fear. Indeed, life and death live on parallel planes in Mexico. This beautiful festival has a profound life lesson that transcends life itself.

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FESTIVALS AROUND THE WORLD

November 3-5, 2017 Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand

Yi Peng and Loy Krathong (Lantern Festival) Loy Krathong is a festival celebrated annually throughout southwestern Thai cultures. The name could be translated as "to float a basket", and comes from the tradition of making krathong or buoyant, decorated baskets, which are then floated on a river. Loi Krathong takes place on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar. Loi Krathong coincides with the Lanna (northern Thai) festival known as Yi Peng. Swarms of Lanna-style sky lanterns are launched into the air where they resemble large shoals of giant fluorescent jellyfish gracefully floating through the sky. In 2017, the full moon falls on Saturday, 4 November 2017, but in many places (including Chiang Mai) the main celebration will be from Friday, 3 November to Sunday, 5 November, 2017.

November 4, 2017 Location: India (majorly North India)

Guru Nanak Jayanti Guru Nanak Jayanti also known as Guru Nanak Gurpurab or Guru Nanak's Prakash Utsav is one of the grandest and most visual celebrations in India, marking the birthday of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh gurus. The festival falls on the full moon, or Kartik Poornima, which is a lovely sight given that the location is the Golden Temple with a lake surrounding it. With the Golden Temple lit up, twinkling lights surrounding the lake, a full moon glistening and Sikhs donning turbans and their finest silks, Nanak Jayanti is a festival made for the visually-minded folks of the world. You may see people performing Gatka, a Sikh martial art and there’s a continuous reading of the holy book Guru Granth Sahib beginning 48 hours before the main event.

November 7, 2017 Location: Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne Cup Carnival The Melbourne Cup is the crown jewel of the Australian horse racing calendar. First run in 1861, the Melbourne Cup is steeped in social, fashion related and cultural tradition. Each year on the first Tuesday of November, the greatest thoroughbreds from across the globe make their way to Flemington Racecourse for a shot at the prestigious title and a chance at the AU$6.2 million in prize money. It is commonly billed as the race that stops the nation and it truly is. The Melbourne Cup is one of Australia's most prestigious Thoroughbred horse races. Conducted annually by the Victoria Racing Club on the Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Victoria, the event usually starts at 3pm on the first Tuesday in November.

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EVENT WATCH

SKAL DELHI'S 62ND AGM 62nd Annual General Body Meeting of Skal International Delhi was held on 28th September 2017 at Pride Plaza Hotel Aerocity, New Delhi.

The AGM was followed by Lunch.

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NEWS

MAURITIUS gears up for the great event MTPA has rolled out some big surprises for global tourists that are far more interesting for Indian tourists.

T

he most-favoured island destination of Mau-

ritius is gearing up for its 50th year of Independence on March 12, 2018. In a bid to

make the Golden Jubilee year of Independence a grand celebration, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) is trying to host events in a major way in the coming year.

Kevin Ramkaloan, Director, MTPA explained, “In contemporary times, we are determined to boost Mauritius as a prominent golf destination for global travellers. We have tied up with Mauritius Golf Tour Association to make golf courses accessible for global tourists. We are into popularizing the destination in popular golf magazines and participating in golf tournaments. At the same time, we have golf

large number of Indian MICE tourists. Ramkaloan

tour operators who are customizing special deals for

said, “We are performing well in terms of receiving

Indian golf tourists. We are inviting all those inter-

MICE tourists from India. We have a convention

ested in golf to take part in our golf tournaments.”

Centre that can seat as many as 5,000 guests. We

There are 11 such 18-holed golf courses across the

have a Convention Hall of global standard at Pailles

island country.

that is being overhauled and will be opened some-

The island destination is poised to welcome a

time in the year-end.”

by TNH DESK

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | OCTOBER 2017

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MOVING ON

Zurab Pololikashvili 22nd UNWTO's Secretary General for 2018-2021 Zurab Pololikashvili, current Ambassador of Georgia to Spain, Morocco, Algeria and Andorra, has been appointed as the Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for the period 2018 - 2021. The candidature of Zurab Pololikashvili was presented by his country, Georgia, in accordance with the UNWTO statutes.

Zurab Pololikashvili was elected by consensus at the 22nd UNWTO General Assembly held in Chengdu, China, following the recommendation of the 105th UNWTO Executive Council. Zurab Pololikashvili was Minister of Economic Development of Georgia (2009 2010) and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia (2005 - 2006).

Alejandro Bernabé Vice President of Operations, AVANI Hotels & Resorts AVANI Hotels & Resorts has announced the appointment of Alejandro Bernabé as Vice President of Operations effective from September 2017. Bernabé joined AVANI as Group Director in January this year. He reports directly to Robert Kunkler, Chief Operating Officer of Minor Hotels and is based at Minor Hotels regional office in Bangkok, which will further strengthen presence and resources in this key market.

Bernabé is responsible for the operational and financial performance of AVANI Hotels & Resorts and he will also be spearheading new developments and brand initiatives. A 20-year veteran of the industry, Bernabé – who started his hotel career in F&B in Switzerland, has worked across multiple disciplines and brands, including varied GM appointments. He has several Bachelor degrees obtained in Spain and the USA, a Hotel Management degree from the Hotel Institute Montreux in Switzerland and a Master of Business Administration from Reims Management School in France.

Abdul Khaliq Saeed CEO for Engineering Division, Etihad Aviation Group The Etihad Aviation Group (EAG) appointed Abdul Khaliq Saeed as the new Chief Executive Officer for Etihad Airways Engineering. Saeed brings over 35 years of international maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) industry experience, and joins Etihad Airways Engineering from Abu Dhabi based, Turbine Services & Solutions (TS&S) where he has been Chief Executive Officer since 2014. Before joining TS&S, he was President and CEO of Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies (ADAT) until it was acquired by Etihad Airways and became Etihad Airways Engineering in 2014. He has also held senior positions within Mubadala Aerospace, Jet Airways, and Gulf Air.

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MOVING ON

Tilak Sharma Operations Manager, Top 3 Lords Resorts, Bhavnagar Top3 Lords Resorts, Bhavnagar – one of Lords Hotels and Resorts’ premium hotel properties has appointed Tilak Sharma as its Operations Manager. Tilak’s immediate previous employment was with Godwin Group of Hotels, Haridwar, where he served in the capacity of Front Office Manager. At Top3 Resorts besides commanding the overall operations of the property, he will continue to lend his expertise in the Front Office management. The resort property located at Budhej - Vartej Cross Road in Bhavnagar is one of the finest and biggest resorts in the region. He brings over 14 years of experience in the hospitality industry and has worked with Sterling Holiday Resorts (I) Ltd, Hotel Timber Trail Heights - Parwanoo, Country Inn & Suites by Carlson at Vaishno Devi, Katra, Country Inn & Suites

by Carlson at Haridwar and Babylon Group of Hotels.

Gaurav Taneja General Manager, Radisson Blu Atria, Bengaluru Radisson Blu Atria, Bengaluru has announced the appointment of Gaurav Taneja as the new General Manager of the property. A seasoned hotelier with more than 22 years of industry experience, in his current role he will be spearheading responsibilities of ensuring the newly opened Radisson Blu Atria continues to enhance its reputation as a leading hotel in the city.

He will continue to lead the formulation and implementation of strategies to enhance guest experience and operational efficiency within the hotel and most importantly building and inspiring the team to greater perfection. Prior to joining Radisson Blu Atria, he has worked with several leading brands in the country such as Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach, Oberoi group of Hotels – Hilton Towers Mumba and Renaissance Mumbai – Marriott exposure, to name a few.

Manvinder Singh Head Chef, Hyatt Regency Lucknow Manvinder Singh has been appointed as Head Chef at Hyatt Regency Lucknow. He brings with him a rich and valuable culinary expertise that promises to set the Hotel’s dining experience apart in the City. With over a decade-long experience at a series of hospitality establishments, Manvinder Singh holds sound subject matter expertise in cost control, menu terminology, HACCP implementation and orientation, personnel administration, and training and development. Manvinder Singh’s extensive experience in culinary operations over the years helped him acquire the position of Head Chef at Hyatt Ahmedabad in 2016.

He has now become a part of the pre-opening team at Hyatt Regency Lucknow as Head Chef. Singh is well versed with the nuances of hospitality industry and is competent in allocating the right manpower to the right job. He is quite experienced in formulating training programs that enhance efficiency and productivity. With his relentless efforts, Singh promises to design an unparalleled experience for the hotel’s patrons in the City of Nawabs.

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NEWS

ETIHAD AIRWAYS LAUNCHES 'FLY NOW PAY LATER' SCHEME

signed to allow families to book flights with convenience as payment plans have been tailored to meet their requirements.

Etihad Airways is the first in the Gulf region to offer fully automated online installment plans after partnering with PayFort, a leading online payment service provider in the Arab world, the airline said in a statement.

he UAE's flag carrier Etihad Airways has

To participate, travellers need to select the 'Pay by

launched a 'fly now and pay later' scheme

Installment' option, choose their bank they have a

which provides people an option of paying the

credit card with and their payment period while mak-

T

ticket fare in monthly installments, the airline said.

ing an online payment on the airline's website.

The Abu Dhabi-based airline said the initiative is de-

SOON CHECK-IN AT AIRPORTS MAY JUST NEED AADHAAR NUMBER AND YOUR BIOMETRICS

I

by TNH DESK

n a bid to make air travel a smoother experience for

travellers, civil aviation ministry is trying to do away with the need of various identity cards and flight

tickets. So if you are a frequent domestic traveller, you can expect an express check-in at airport terminals, without carrying endless ID cards. The biometrics like fingerprint and iris will prove your identity. According to a report, the civil aviation ministry, under its 'digi yatra programme' is in the process of linking the databases of airlines and airports with passenger IDs such as Aadhaar and passport numbers.

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