Travel and Hospitality (TnH) - April 2019

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APRIL 2019

NEWS 10

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Zubin Karkaria: the CEO of the year 11

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Slovakia Visa Application Centre inaugurated in New Delhi 14

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Cover-More focuses on India in its regional growth plans

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Indian footfall to the Czech Republic grows by 12.5% in 2018

NEWS

Personalised visa services begin your holiday in comfort 29

NEWS

Understand consumer attitudes in emerging markets: IATA 33

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NEWS

Asia Pacific to receive over 40 million more international visitors in 2019

OPINION

Opportunities and challenges for Indian travel startups in 2019

HIGHLIGHTS 18

18 COVER STORY

C OV E R STO RY

Five years on: A transformative policy still eludes India's tourism sector 24

N E WS

'A boutique hotel in the air' 30

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Marriott to debut 30 plus luxury hotels around The Globe in 2019 34

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B IT E C OR NER

Home Chefs offering 'Ghar Jaisa Khana' is a new fad in India's food industry

D IP LOM AT’S C O R NE R 38

Slovakia: A country replete with nature's bounties

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FROM THE EDITOR

Turbulent Times

Publisher & Editor Srishti Rai Director Bharat S. Rai Managing Editor Prem Kumar GM - Marketing Prem Sagar premsagar@tnhindia.com (M) +91 99106 81111 Art Director Sunny Singh 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, DoctorĂŠs Lane, Gole Market, New Delhi - 110001, and published at C-4, 2nd Floor, Community Centre, Safdarjung Development Area, Opp Main IIT Gate, New Delhi-110016; Editor: SRISHTI RAI

The month gone by was quite stressful.

Terrorism again showed its ugly face when two gunmen killed 50 people, injuring many during Friday prayers at two mosques in the city of Christchurch in New Zealand. This incident again underlined the fact that terrorism remained a big challenge before us and no nation is immune from it. Only long term solution is that all nations should come together strongly to fight this menace.

Only then will this planet will be a safe place to live and visit.

Another safety concern has to do with the civil aviation industry, which on a regular interval faces serious turbulence in the form of fatal crashes and raises serious questions on the safety of air travel. This time it was Ethiopian Airlines whose ill-fated Boeing 737 MAX 8, aircraft en route to Nairobi from Addis Ababa, crashed on 10th March 2019 near Bishoftu in Ethiopia, killing all 157 passengers on board including crew members.

Earlier an Indonesian Lion Air plane of the same kind had crashed in October last year, after its take-off from Jakarta, in which all 189 people on board were killed.

This has raised serious doubt about the safe navigation of Boeing 737 MAX 8, prompting many aviation regulators across the World including India's DGCA to order

grounding of Boeing 737 MAX 8 planes.

This has greatly affected air travel across the world.

Back home air travellers and the travel industry heaved a sigh of relief with India's oldest private airline, Jet Airways, which was on the verge of being completely grounded, survived its crisis with the help of its lenders. Its founder Naresh Goyal had to resign from the airline's the board of directors as a precondition for banks to provide fresh funds. He also ceased to be the chairman. We hope the airline will fully recover from the crisis very soon and sustain its operations as India cannot afford to see one of its best airlines being grounded.

As the country is in the process of the conducting elections for a new government, we took a look at the five years of the current Government from a tourism perspective. For a detailed analysis of the last five years, read our cover story: 'Five years on: A transformative policy still eludes India's tourism sector' (page 18).

Also read our Diplomat's Corner, which has featured the interview of Slovak's Ambassador to India, H.E. Mr IVAN LANCARIC on page 38. He extensively talks about the tourism potential of his country.

Last month on 26th March, India's Travel Industry lost one of its veterans in the demise of Praveen Chugh, who was the President of Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI). We appreciate his contribution to India's travel and tourism industry.

Enjoy reading!

Srishti Rai Editor

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NEWS

ADDS 16 NEW FLIGHTS TO ITS SCHEDULE Vistara recently announced that it is adding 16 new flights to its schedule. With these additions, Delhi – Chandigarh and Delhi – Srinagar will operate 2x daily, Delhi -

Thomas Cook

opens its franchise outlet in Cuttack

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | APRIL 2019

Bhubaneshwar 3x daily, and Delhi – Kolkata 4x daily. In addition, Vistara will operate a daily direct flight between Delhi and Jammu and between Delhi and Dibrugarh via Bag-

Thomas Cook (India) Ltd strengthened its presence in Eastern India with the inauguration of its franchise Gold Circle Partner outlet in Cuttack, Odisha. This expansion augments Thomas Cook India’s outlets in Eastern India to 15 consumer access centers, with 2 in Odisha.

Thomas Cook India has observed a growing demand for holidays from India’s Tier 2 and 3 cities and Cuttack is a case in point. While Thomas Cook India has an established outlet in Bhubaneswar, strong demand witnessed from its

dogra, as well as 2x daily between Delhi and Raipur.

Sanjiv Kapoor, Chief Strategy & Commercial Officer, Vistara, said, “Vistara is pleased to announce new destinations, flights, and frequencies in response to high demand from customers and corporates alike. We continue to carefully evaluate new routes and will be adding more flights as we add aircraft to our fleet over the next fiscal year.One of the things we hear most from our customers is that they wish we had a larger network and more frequencies, and we are working hard to achieve that step by step as demand for our flights grow and we get new aircraft. We are also pleased that in recent weeks we have increased Delhi – Bangalore service to 6x daily as well.”

Bookings for these new routes are now open on all channels, including Vistara’s website

by TNH DESK www.airvistara.com.

twin city of Cuttack has led to the launch of its Gold Circle Partner franchise outlet.

While the Domestic (India) holiday package demand is high, the introduction of direct flights to international destinations such as Thailand is creating a strong fillip to outbound growth from Odisha and East India.

The Thomas Cook Gold Circle Partner programme is an exclusive franchise partner initiative that increases the brand’s presence across the country.

by TNH DESK

NEWS

EASEMYTRIP'S CAMPAIGN ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

THE FERN KESARVAL OPENS AT CORTALIM, GOA

EaseMyTrip.com conducted a one day sale on International Women’s Day for its new and existing customers on 8th March,

The Fern Hotels & Resorts announced the opening of The Fern Kesarval Hotel & Spa, Verna Plateau-Goa. The opening of the hotel takes the tally to 57 hotels managed by the company.

The Fern Kesarval Hotel & Spa is a 60-room hotel offering contemporary accommodations, a finely-designed multi cuisine restaurant & bar, state-of-art banquet halls, a swimming pool and poolside lawns. The hotel offers four different categories of rooms: Winter Green, Winter Green Premium, Fern Club and Hazel Suite.

by TNH DESK

2019. The campaign ‘Women above the Sky’ was aimed at promoting women travelers. During the sales campaign, customers

availed discounts up to `10,000 on domestic and international flight booking. This offer was valid for all customers but the first 1000 lucky female travelers got exciting freebies from 8 top brands like Dabur, VLCC, Dineout, Niyo, Portronics,

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport declared Best Airport The GVK-led Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) has been awarded the Best Airport by size and region in over 40 million passenger category by the Airport Council International (ACI) World. The accolade was in recognition of excellence in customer experience in the Asia-Pacific region.

The award ceremony will be held at the second ASQ Forum & ACI Customer Experience Global Summit that will take place from September 2 - 5 in Bali, Indonesia.

ASQ award is the highest possible reward for any airport operator around the world covering more than half of the world's 8.3 billion passengers worldwide across airports annually. Hence, adjudged by them the award re-

Nayo, EazyDiner and Trovio. There was a bumper offer from Kalyan Jewelers for 48 female travelers who received diamond vouchers.

There was also a flat discount of 10% for all the EaseMyTrip’s customers on jewelry from Kalyan Jewelers.

To deliver the same, EaseMyTrip partnered with India's leading bank HDFC Bank and targeted to reach a huge base of customers.

This sale was available on bookings done through EaseMyTrip's

flects the airport’s excellence in service parameters that go beyond satisfying the needs of travellers. CSMIA, which sees a footfall of over 40 million passengers annually has been conferred with the best airport award by ACI for the fourth time in a row since 2015.

website, Mobile site, Android & iOS App. Instant discount was availed by applying coupon code HDFCDOM on domestic flights and HDFCINT on international flights.

by TNH DESK

by TNH DESK

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | APRIL 2019

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NEWS

UNVEILS ITS LUXURY RETREAT IN RISHIKESH

selects Amadeus its first global distribution partner SPICEJET, INDIA’S SECOND BIGGEST BUDGET CARRIER, SIGNS DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT TO SELL SERVICES AND FARES TO AMADEUS’ EXTENSIVE GLOBAL TRAVEL AGENCY NETWORK.

ROSEATE HOTELS & RESORTS HAS UNVEILED AN UBER LUXURY RETREAT, THE ROSEATE GANGES, IN RISHIKESH.

e Roseate Ganges, an unparalleled luxury retreat, is located on the banks of the river Ganges in Rishikesh. e property redefines luxury, boasting impeccable design, architecture and services that ensure an unforgettable experience in the serene, sylvan setting of the Garhwal Himalaya foothills.

Located in Shivpuri, the luxury retreat, overlooking the Ganges glorifies the yoga capital of the world, Rishikesh. e Roseate Ganges is a 45minute drive from Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun which is well connected by multiple flights to and from various cities across India.

by TNH DESK

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | APRIL 2019

Amadeus and SpiceJet have announced a new distribution agreement that gives Amadeus’ global network of travel sellers access to the airline’s range of fares and prices through the Amadeus Travel Platform.

Offering travelers the opportunity to choose how, where and when to buy travel is fundamental to meeting their needs today. And distribution deals such as this allow travelers to compare value instead of just price in the shopping process, travelers can instantly become an airline’s brand champion. is is the first time that SpiceJetis working with a distribution partner. By connecting to travelers through the

Ajay Singh, Chairman and MD, SpiceJet and Cyril Tetaz, EVP, Amadeus

world’s largest community of travel sellers and buyers, the airline will be able to showcase its products on a global scale, access new markets and partners, and grow its customer base.

SpiceJet is India’s second biggest budget carrier operating, on an average with 516 daily flights to 59 destinations, which includes eight international destinations. e airline will soon start flying to Jeddah, which will be its ninth international destination.

Ajay Singh, CMD, SpiceJet, said, “I am delighted to announce our new partnership with Amadeus which will help SpiceJet reach new customers both within and outside India. SpiceJet is in the midst of its most exciting growth phase and I am sure that this new distribution network will enable a large number of customers to connect with our huge network. by TNH DESK

IHCL unveils a new brand identity for The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) recently unveiled a new visual brand identity for TajSATS, India’s undisputed leader in airline catering.

TajSATS works with over 40 domestic and international airlines, serving over 65,000 meals a day. The launch of the new identity is a part of the ongoing evolution of TajSATS. “TajSATS is an integral part of the IHCL ecosystem. It is currently the market leader in airline catering and we look forward to strengthening this further by un-

locking its potential in non-aviation businesses as well. The new identity is a bold re-imagination of brand TajSATS and presents the company as modern and progressive.” said Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IHCL and Chairman, TajSATS. The new logo brings together the best of Taj and SATS, with an agile and innovative design that resonates across generations. Carefully balancing tradition and modernity, it tells the story of the company’s past and

signals the vision for the future.

The logo is set against the backdrop of a bold new visual identity that is inspired by the art of plating and the culinary arts.

“The rebranding is an exciting change for us. It not only creates a foundation for new opportunities but also emphasizes on our objective of achieving strong growth and focus towards innovation; as we strive to achieve Aspiration 2022.” said Sagar Dighe, Chief Operating Officer, TajSATS.

by TNH DESK

NEWS

EaseMyTrip joins hands with VariFlight for real-time positional tracking of flights EaseMyTrip has joined hands with VariFlight, a leading aviation data provider, to provide real-time flight information on both EaseMyTrip website and its mobile app. With this, EaseMyTrip customers will be able to track a flight while they are on the move i.e. real-time positional tracking of flights would be available to the customers.

Users will also be able to look for updated information of their flights and optimize their travel plan accordingly. VariFlight is set to provide a comprehensive flight dataset which includes flight schedule and live flight status information. Users

Crowne PlAzA TodAy GuruGrAm hosTs The norTh eAsT FIesTA Crowne Plaza Today Gurugram hosted the inaugural evening for a 10-day North Eastern food festival ‘e North East Fiesta’ on March 22- March 31, 2019 in association with Northeast Odyssey (NEO), a digital platform that showcases the splendor of Northeast through its culture and resorts.

Founder of NEO, Hoihnu Hauzel, a noted journalist who has been working towards spreading awareness about the North East.

by TNH DESK

having this app in their phones will receive instant pushnotifications of any changes in the status of a flight (e.g. gates, delays, estimated takeoff/landing time, etc.) booked through EaseMyTrip.

With this partnership, EaseMyTrip will also provide its users with facilities like flight

on-time performance index, real-time notifications about changing status of flights,

boarding intimation, arrival / departure status, gate changes, etc.

Speaking on this, Rikant Pitti, Co-Founder & COO, EaseMyTrip said, “Our aim is to make travel bookings smooth-as-glass for our customers. By integrating VariFlight’s aviation data into the EMT app, our users will be able to track everything related to their flight bookings at the click of a button.”

The companies together are working towards developing integrated solutions to simplify their overall travel experience.

by TNH DESK

unveIls new CAmPAIGn To boosT onlIne hoTel bookInG MakeMyTrip has launched its new ad campaign with its brand ambassadors – Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt ahead of travel industry’s busiest summer travel season. e campaign aims to reach out to consumers with clearly defined value proposition of online hotel booking on MakeMyTrip - be it for leisure or business travel to ensure a convenient, hassle-free experience.

by TNH DESK

Zone by The Park oPens in Jammu ZONE BY THE PARK JAMMU IS THE NINTH HOTEL OF THE SOCIAL-CATALYST BRAND; WITH UPCOMING PROPERTIES IN GURUGRAM, JAIPUR, GOA AND AMRITSAR Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels has opened Zone by e Park in Jammu. is is the ninth hotel of its social catalyst brand.

It is strategically located within 6 km of the airport and is in close proximity to the Bahu Plaza, Palm Island, Wave Mall, City Square, Shopping Arcade and various famous tourist destinations.

Zone Jammu will offer great food and beverage options to its guests. It boasts one of city’s largest banquet spaces with a 7500 sq. . party hall having open lawns of 1800 sq. .making it ideal for weddings and large conferences. e hotel also has two large party halls for high powered meetings and events.

Bazaar, the signature restaurant of Zone, is inspired by multi-hued charismatic native markets. Zone by e Park, Jammu has 51 rooms in three categories: Suite, Deluxe and Zone room.

by TNH DESK

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | APRIL 2019

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STOP PRESS!

ZUBIN KARKARIA THE CEO OF THE YEAR

zubI n kArkArI A CEO , VFS G L O BAL G RO uP

ZUBIN KARKARIA, THE CEO OF VFS GLOBAL GROUP, HAS BEEN NAMED AS THE CEO OF THE YEAR IN THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CATEGORY AT THE 2019 INDIAN CEO AWARDS RECENTLY ORGANIZED IN DUBAI. Professional Services CEO of the Year category received interest from over hundred of impressive companies across the UAE. A panel of 15 editors and reporters scrutinized each entry before selecting a winner. Zubin Karkaria was recognized for his leadership of VFS Global, as well as his commitment to innovation and efficiency.

As CEO, he is working to bring commercial innovation into VFS Global’s services to serve customers better. e company is also investing in technology, machine learning and AI to transform what is essentially a manpower outsourcing business to a techheavy delivery model of services.

“I am honored to be named as the Professional Services CEO of the Year,” said Karkaria. “I accept the award on behalf of all employees at VFS Global who are committed to the highest standards of business excellence and customer service. is award also highlights VFS Global’s commitment to continuous innovation in services and in developing new solutions and through its focus on technology and security.”

Zubin Karkaria pioneered the visa outsourcing concept by launching VFS Global in 2001 and subsequently led it to become a global leader. Today, VFS Global is

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | APRIL 2019

the trusted partner of 62 client governments, operating 2992 Application Centres with operations in 143 countries across five continents and over 191 million applications processed as on 31 January 2019.

VFS Global continuously works with the client governments in introducing innovative service solutions that increase convenience and flexibility for applicants and reduce the administrative burden on visa sections of the client governments.

Following are some of the recent highly customer-centric and technology-enabled innovations introduced by VFS Global: THAILAND eVISA ON ARRIVAL: e Immigration Bureau of ailand has partnered with VFS Global to offer eVisa On Arrival (eVOA) Services for eligible travellers from 21 countries. Travellers to ailand can now complete a simple online eVOA application form, upload documents and make the fee payment in a seamless process from home even before travelling to ailand, on https://thailandevoa.vfsevisa.com/ and receive the travel authorisation online pre-departure within 24 to 72 hours of the application being submitted.

VISA AT YOUR DOORSTEP SERVICE: Visa application officers visit the applicant’s home, office or location of choice to accept the visa application and enrol biometrics.

MOBILE VISA APPLICATION CENTRES ‘ON WHEELS’: Mobile vans are fully equipped for visa application (with biometrics setup) to ensure better accessibility to applicants like

zubin karkaria pioneered the visa outsourcing concept by launching vFs Global in 2001 and subsequently led it to become a global leader. Today, vFs Global is the trusted partner of 62 client governments, operating 2992 Application Centres with operations in 143 countries across five continents and over 191 million applications processed as on 31 January 2019

students on campus, corporate groups etc. to increase visa submission efficiency from specific locations. is is just one of the company’s many mobile biometrics solutions.

CHATBOT FOR ROUND-THE-CLOCK VISA QUERIES: ViVA is the first-ever visa services chatbot launched by VFS Global for Australia visa applicants in India. It is custom-created to provide 24/7 assistance for queries related to the visa application process.

Celebrating the enormous achievements of the Indian diaspora of the sub-continent, the Indian CEO Awards are central to the recognition of the vibrant and highly influential Indian business community.

by TNH DESK

NEWS

H.E. Mr Ivan Lančarič, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Slovak Republic to India with Alok Singhal, Regional Head, VFS Global

SLOVAKIA VISA APPLICATION CENTRE INAUGURATED IN NEW DELHI • 68 PER CENT INCREASE RECORDED IN SLOVAKIA VISA APPLICATIONS FROM INDIA IN 2018

• SLOVAKIA VISA APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED AT VFS GLOBAL CENTRES IN THREE INDIAN CITIES VFs Global has brought slovakia visa application services closer to home for indian residents, with the launch of a Visa application Centre in the capital city of new Delhi. The centre was formally inaugurated on 27 march 2019 by h.e. mr ivan Lančarič, ambassador extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the slovak republic in new Delhi.

The Visa application Centre in new Delhi is one of three VFs Global centres launched across india, providing slovakia visa services. The other two are located in the metro cities of mumbai and bengaluru. all three centres commenced accepting slovakia visa applications in December 2018, prior to which applicants had to travel to new

Delhi to submit their applications at the embassy of the slovak republic in new Delhi. slovakia visa applications have seen a rise in recent years, with the destination gaining popularity among indian travellers across segments. an impressive 68 per cent increase was recorded in slovakia visa applications in 2018 over the previous year. h.e. mr ivan Lančarič, ambassador extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the slovak republic to india, said, “if you are interested in visiting a country with a rich history, unique traditions, vibrant cities, historic architecture and a wealth of summer or winter opportunities for outdoor adventures, slovakia may be the perfect destination for your next trip. With many magical castles, mountain peaks and great food and wines, slovakia offers the tourist experience that will both surprise and delight visitors.”

h.e. mr Ivan lančarič Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to India

If you are interested in visiting a country with a rich history, unique traditions, vibrant cities, historic architecture and a wealth of summer or winter opportunities for outdoor adventures, slovakia may be the perfect destination for your next trip. with many magical castles, mountain peaks and great food and wines, slovakia offers a tourist experience that will both surprise and delight visitors.

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | APRIL 2019

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key beneFITs:

• Comfortable centres with automated crowd management capabilities • Professional and responsive staff with local language capability • Dedicated website to provide information on visa categories, fees and other application related details • Call centre and email support to answer queries • Online tracking of application status • Convenient and secure courier return of visa documents to address of choice • Weekend submission option for professionals • On Demand Mobile Visa Services to enable submission of applications from a location of choice

mr Vinay malhotra, regional Group Coo – south asia, middle east and China, VFs Global said, “We are extremely pleased to be commencing slovakia visa services in new Delhi.

With the launch of this centre, we now provide slovakia visa services in three cities across india. The Central european country, popular for its expansive national parks, vibrant culture and historical castles and chateaus, has caught the attention of the well-heeled indian traveller, and we look forward to getting their visits off to a great start with our best-in-class visa services.”

The new Delhi Visa application Centre provides slovakia visa applicants a smooth and seamless visa submission experience, including a range of

ETIHAD AIRWAYS

to introduce Boeing 787 Dreamliners to Rome and Frankfurt Etihad Airways will introduce a new two-class Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner, the largest variant of the technologically advanced aircra, from 1 June 2019, on its scheduled daily morning service from Abu Dhabi to Rome, complementing the second overnight 777-300ER departure. On 1 July, the airline will introduce the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on its two daily services to Frankfurt. e two-class 787-9 features Etihad Airways’ next-generation Business and Economy Class cabins, configured with 299 seats - 28 Business Studios and 271 Economy Smart Seats. e 336-seat 787-10 features 32 Business Studios and 304 Economy Smart Seats. Robin Kamark, Chief Commercial Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said: “Rome and Frankfurt are two very important cities on the Etihad global network and have been popular with business and leisure customers alike.

by TNH DESK

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | APRIL 2019

optional services to further ease the process, such as automated sms updates on visa applications, online tracking of the visa request, and courier return of processed passports, among others.

The slovakia Visa application Centres in india have been launched as part of the mandate signed on 5 november 2018, wherein the ministry of Foreign and european affairs of the slovak republic contracted VFs Global to provide visa services in 10 countries worldwide – P.r. China, india, kazakhstan, Palestine, belarus, russia, kuwait, united arab emirates, Turkey and egypt, through a network of 38 Visa application Centres.

by TNH DESK

CRUISE NORWEGIAN APP NOW AVAILABLE FLEETWIDE Norwegian Cruise Line has expanded its Cruise Norwegian app across its 16-ship fleet. Developed in-house and designed to enhance the guest experience, the app features a “pre-cruise” mode offering guests a comprehensive planning experience from pre-booking onboard activities, dining reservations, shore excursions and entertainment to accessing their vacation itinerary and leveraging mobile check-in and e-documents for paperless boarding. When used on board and connected to a ship’s Wi-Fi network, the app offers guests a best-in-class connected experience, allowing them to continue making reservations etc.

by TNH DESK

NEWS OBITUARY

TOURISM TO BECOME $50 BILLION INDUSTRY

PRAVEEN CHUGH Past President of TAFI

INDUSTRY VETERAN PRAVEEN CHUGH NO MORE India's Travel Industry's veteran and President of Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), Praveen Chugh passed away on Tuesday 26th March 2019 in Delhi, following a massive heart attack he suffered at New Delhi airport on the same day.

Chugh has played an instrumental role in the growth of the Travel Agents Federation of India, one of the leading associations of the country's travel agents fraternity. He had recently taken over as Via – Chief Operating Officer, Agency Sales post the acquisition of his travel company

by Ebix Cash.

A doyen of the travel and tourism, Chugh had always the well being of the association membership close to his heart. He possessed a sharp acumen, analysis and foresight of the industry. Chugh was quite assertive and passionate in what he believed

was good for the industry, and contributed immensely to this industry.

Late Chugh had a humble beginnings in travel trade, but with his sheer hard work, perseverance, vision and commitment, he rose from the ranks to emerge as one of the outstanding leaders of our industry.

He was closely associated with TAFI for the past few decades, starting with as the founder Chairperson of the Association's North India Chapter.

Over the years, he played many roles in TAFI, served as its the its president for many times, and made an immense contribution to the association.

Chugh's sad demise has left the industry in shock. His passing away has certainly created a void in the industry difficult to fill. May his soul rest in peace. We offer our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and Incredible India organized a Tourism and Travel Tech Conference on 6th March, 2019 with the theme “Shaping the future of Travel in India”. e conference touched upon key aspects of the Travel and Tourism Industry such as Building the Tourism Ecosystem, Disruption of Digital Travel and Technology- enabled Travel experience.

Speaking on this occasion, Dhruv Shringi, Co-Founder & CEO, Yatra.com said “Travel and Tourism Industry has emerged as one of the major contributors to India’s GDP. It is flourishing at a rapid pace and is poised to become a USD 50 billion industry over the next few years. In fact with the growth of disposable incomes and travel expense, India will witness 20% growth in the number of air travelers. It is however pertinent to note that the tourism industry is execution oriented hence the operators need to focus on enhancing operational efficiencies in order to capture the opportunities in this industry.”

HELP! WHEN YOU NEED IT THE MOST

by TNH DESK

”

I thought my leisure trip will turn into a nightmare when I was in severe pain due to an infection but, TrawellTag Cover-More’s immediate assistance during my ordeal was the most pleasant encounter of my trip MRS. MANISHA MAHESH THAKUR (TrawellTag Cover-More Happy Customer)

”

Thakur were at ease because they had availed for travel assistance and insurance services from TrawellTag CoverMore before travelling. The emergency assistance team immediately took care of the co-ordination with hospital for procuring all the required invoices and underwrote handling the financial aspects of the emergency procedure.

Manisha Mahesh Thakur returned back to India, with the happiness of not only meeting her grandchild but was also relieved that her medical emergency abroad did not bog them down financially. TrawellTag Cover-More assertively states: 'We don't want to just meet your expectations; we want to repeatedly exceed them!'

”

Having a grandchild is one of the most special feelings that one can ever experience. Mrs. Manisha Mahesh Thakur’s happiness knew no bounds when she came to know that her daughter was expecting. Mrs. Thakur, accompanied with her husband travelled to Sweden to witness this special moment. Little did she know that the excitement of meeting her pregnant daughter would turn into anguish in the days to come.

In just 3 days from her arrival at Sweden, Mrs. Manisha Thakur was struck with fever and had to be admitted immediately due to vomiting, extreme pain and fatigue. Upon evaluation, she was diagnosed with Urosepsis, a severe urinary infection. However, Mr. and Mrs.

We believe that our customers trip and vacations should be truly unforgettable and memorable. TrawellTag Cover-More has always ensured that our promises to customers are served with utmost efficiency and credibility.

MRS. ANUJA JOSHI Owner, Krish Holidays, Mumbai

”

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | APRIL 2019

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COVER-MORE FOCUSES ON INDIA IN ITS REGIONAL GROWTH PLANS

Judith Cromton with Dev Karvat

UPSURGE IN INDIAN WOMEN TRAVELLERS OPTING FOR ADVENTURE STUDIED ITS BOOKING AND ENQUIRY TRENDS AND FOUND THAT MORE INDIAN WOMEN TRAVELLERS ARE LIVING THEIR DREAM OF ADVENTURE. Pushing the limits by ascending further and diving deeper is now making Indian women travellers feel liberated.

To understand women's participation in adventure travel, the world’s oldest and the leading travel company, Cox & Kings, studied its booking and enquiry trends of about 2000 women travellers in India. Cox & Kings recorded about 32% year-onyear increase in women travellers opting for adventure across so, medium and extreme activities. e growth is a cumulative reflection of both its domestic as well as international tours.

Driving the growth, the women force largely comprises Millennials or Gen Y women. About 70% of them come from metro cities while the rest from the tier-2. Most women from this age group are financially independent. Lawyers, doctors, corporate managers, designers, writers and heads of different organisations make up the professional profile of the Indian adventure women traveller. Several women from the creative fields such as photography, architecture and design have also been choosing adventure.

by TNH DESK

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | APRIL 2019

Leading travel insurance provider, Cover-More, part of Zurich Insurance Group, has reaffirmed a strong commitment to driving growth and differentiation for their TrawellTag Cove-More business in India.

Cover-More CEO, Asia Pacific, Judith Crompton said India remains as one of the most exciting economies in Asia with growth in travel insurance uptake almost double that of more mature markets. “CoverMore remains very positive about the outlook for travel in India, especially international travel. And in recent years, we have also seen significant growth in the number of outbound travellers understanding the importance of quality travel insurance,” Crompton said.

Dev Karvat, Founder &CEO, TrawellTag Cover-More, India & Emerging Markets, said being part of a global player allowed the business in India to intelligently apply Cover-More’s travel insurance capabilities to de-commoditise the product offering and grow the share of the traveller wallet.

“In recent years, we have also become the partner of choice for airlines and leading online travel agencies (OTAs) including GoAir, IndiGo and Goibibo which underlines the strength of our integrated travel insurance offer and our ability to deliver differentiated solutions for our distribution partners.”

by TNH DESK

Kerala Tourism holds trade meets in USA

In an aggressive bid to cement its position as a top international destination, Kerala Tourism held a string of trade meets in major cities of USA, showcasing its signature assets before leading stakeholders of travel and tourism industry that drew an enthusiastic response in American markets. New Jersey, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles were the four American cities where Kerala Tourism held trade meets during February.

“USA is the second largest market for Kerala Tourism aer Europe. e four trade meets that were conducted there were part of a concerted campaign to tap the full potential of American travel market. In particular, the campaign was aimed at tapping the premium segment of travellers from USA,” said Kerala Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran.

by TNH DESK

NEWS

Indian footfall to the Czech Republic grows by 12.5% in 2018 The Czech republic has become a fast emerging destination among indian travellers, which is clearly reflected in the growth witnessed from the market in 2018. The destination welcomed 96,325 indian visitors through the year, notching an impressive growth of 12.5 per cent over 2017. it also recorded a total number of 2, 36,145 nights spent by indians last year, with the average length of stay being 3 .5 nights per visit. While Prague and its attractions remain popular among travellers, an increased interest has been recorded in newer experiences such as

beer spa, glass–blowing and wine tasting, bringing indian footfall to the newer parts, including the south moravian region. arzan khambatta – head of Czech Tourist authority, CzechTourism india said, “The theme of the Land of stories this year is the happening cities of the Czech republic like Prague and brno, and cultural experiences of castles and chateaux where families can rejuvenate and relax amidst nature.” apart from targeting families, experiential travellers, business visitors, honeymooners and leisure travellers, one of the main focuses this year would be the miCe (meetings, incentives, Conferences and exhibitions) segment. The Czech republic has a state-of-the-art infrastructure in place, with the capacity to host large corporate groups and events.

Czech Tourism continues to promote the Land of stories through various promotional activities, including sales visits, trainings, familiarisation trips and joint promos with various travel agents. VFs Global is the official Tourism representative of CzechTourism in india since 2016.

by TNH DESK

SOUTH AFRICA POISED TO EMERGE AS ADVENTURE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD South Africa is the best option in adventure tourism. a diverse land rich in food and culture and offering the highest level of adventure tourism across the world- it can be none other than south africa. With a mission to achieve a high footfall of indian outbound tourists into the land, south african Tourism hosted the 16th edition of its annual road show in kolkata sometime on February 7, this year.

neliswa nkani, hub head, middle east india south east asia (meisea) commented, “The warmth and glorious culture of south africa makes us stand apart from other global destinations. in emerging times, south africa has become a hotspot for indian wedding planners. The destination is quite cheaper and is famed for its natural beauty. The quality of spending capacity of outbound indian travellers has gone up. We have the best honeymoon destinations. We are targeting to receive nearly 1 million indian tourists to south africa in the current year.

around 1,505 lakh outbound tourists from bengal flew down to south africa last year.” as of now, around 3,000 indian travel partners are working with south african Tourism board. nkani said, “Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg are the leading miCe destinations and south africa contributes around 28 per cent miCe travellers. both india and south africa share historic ties. We have packaged our heritage destinations associated with nelson mandela and m k Gandhi together that are highly popular

by TNH DESK among indian tourists.”

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | APRIL 2019

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NEWS

ASIA PACIFIC TO RECEIVE OVER 40 MILLION MORE INTERNATIONAL VISITORS IN 2019 The Asia Pacific destinations will receive an aggregate inbound count of close to 728.4 million international visitors in 2019, over 40 million more than the volume received in 2018, as per a recent forecast estimate by PATA.

Vietnam is predicted to lead asia Pacific destinations in terms of its average annual growth rate over the next five years, according to the just-released asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts 2019-2023. The Full report delves deeper into origindestination pairs for 40 asia Pacific destinations, as well as tourism receipts, and income and price elasticities.

Vietnam will be followed by Papua new Guinea and Lao PDr, each of which has average annual growth rates well in excess of the asia Pacific average of 5.5% between 2018 and 2023. annuaL ForeiGn VisiTor GroWTh - 2018 To 2019 The asia Pacific destinations covered in

this report are forecast to receive an aggregate inbound count of close to 728.4 million international visitor arrivals in 2019, over 40 million more than the volume received in 2018. China, Turkey and hong kong sar are predicted to lead the way in 2019 with annual increases of 7.4 million, 4.0 million and 3.7 million foreign arrivals respectively.

Destinations in the americas register strongly as well, with the usa and mexico in particular, expected to show annual increases in inbound foreign arrivals of more than 3.3 million and over 1.1 million respectively, for the period. in terms of origin markets, the major generators of iVas are forecast to be China, hong kong sar and korea (rok)

These PATA Asia Pacific visitor Forecasts for the period 2019 to 2023 deliver quantifiable insights across a number of metrics, indicating how these changes and shifts are expected to play out over the next five years.

with those three origin markets producing a collective increase of more than 17.3 million additional iVas into the asia Pacific between 2018 and 2019. in total, seven origin markets will add volume increases of more than one million foreign arrivals each, with the top five all originating in asia followed by one from the americas, and one from europe. across the arrivals-generating regions, it is predicted that asia will account for 69% of the additional volume received by asia Pacific destinations between 2018 and 2019; europe will account for 13% and the americas 12.5%. The Pacific is expected to generate a little more than two per cent of the additional iVas into the asia Pacific between 2018 and 2019. among the 25 destinations for which

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | APRIL 2019

NEWS

key PoInTs

All Asia Pacific destinations together is expected to receive an aggregate 728.4 million international visitor arrivals in 2019, over 40 million more than the volume received in 2018.

receipts data – and hence forecasts – are available, four destinations are expected to see double-digit increases between 2018 and 2019, with macao, China leading that charge.

ForeiGn VisiTor GroWTh - 2018 To 2023 by 2023, it is expected that China will further consolidate its position as the number one destination in the asia Pacific, capturing more than 22% of the nearly 900 million foreign arrivals expected into the region in that year. The usa and hong kong sar follow in terms of the absolute volume of foreign arrivals in that year, however, China has a lead of almost 105 million iVas over the usa, its closest contender. significantly, the top five destinations by volume of iVas in 2023, are expected to account for more than half of the relative share of foreign arrivals into the asia Pacific in that year.

For the additional 210 million iVas generated into the asia Pacific between 2018 and 2023, asia is expected to capture the bulk of that additional volume (84.8%), followed by the americas with 12.0% and the Pacific at just over three per cent. asia is forecast to be the strongest generator of additional iVas between 2018 and 2023 also, producing close to 74% of the additional volume of foreign arrivals into the asia Pacific over that period. europe is predicted to generate almost 11% of that additional volume and the americas just over 10%. of the 210 million additional foreign arrivals into the asia Pacific generated between 2018 and 2023, 73.7% will come from asian origin markets, 10.9% from

european markets and 10.1% will come from origin markets in the americas. reCeiPTs GroWTh 2018 To 2023 For the 25 destinations in this report where such data are available, it appears that total receipts from international tourism will increase from us$ 758 billion in 2018 to more than us$ 1,073 billion in 2023.

From among these destinations, the four within the americas held a collective 35% share of tourism receipts in 2018. That relative performance, however, is expected to fall away to just under 32% by 2023 even as receipts will increase by an annual average of 4.9% between 2018 and 2023.

The 18 destinations within asia on the other hand, are expected to see their collective receipts from tourism increase from more than us$432 billion in 2018, to a little less than us$670 billion by 2023. This moves the relative share position of asia in terms of receipts from international tourism among this group of destinations, from 57% in 2018 to 62% by 2023. The asian aaGr for tourism receipts between 2018 and 2023 is expected to be around 9.1%, with northeast and southeast asia showing even stronger average growth with aaGrs of 9.4% apiece.

“The growth momentum of asia Pacific

China, Turkey and Hong Kong SAR are predicted to lead the way in 2019 with annual increases of 7.4 million, 4.0 million and 3.7 million foreign arrivals respectively.

The uSA and Mexico in particular expected to show annual increases in inbound foreign arrivals of more than 3.3 million and over 1.1 million respectively, for the period.

It is predicted that Asia will account for 69% of the additional volume received by Asia Pacific destinations between 2018 and 2019;

Europe will account for 13% and the Americas 12.5%. The Pacific is expected to generate a little more than two percent of the additional IVAs into Asia Pacific between 2018 and 2019.

as both a receiver and a generator of international visitors – not just into asia Pacific but globally – and the receipts that they both receive and generate, is set to continue to at least 2023,” said PaTa Ceo Dr. mario hardy. he added, “as is always the case, growth in international arrivals across asia Pacific and indeed globally, is often unequal, with subtle changes and shifts occurring as travellers tune into new experiences and the destinations that offer them.”

This asian growth will be at the expense of not just the americas, but also the Pacific region where the relative share position will decline to 5.9% in 2023, even while tourism receipts grow at an average of 2.1% per annum over that period.

by TNH DESK

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COVER STORy

FIVE YEARS ON: A TRANSFORMATIVE POLICY STILL ELUDES INDIA'S TOURISM SECTOR There have been many positive developments in the last five years during the Modi Government, but a transformative approach to empower and develop this sector has completely been missing, the result the industry, despite its immense potential, has been struggling.

By Prem Kumar

as the modi Government moves to compete its full term, and the country all set to elect a new government, it is time to look at the five years of the Government from a tourism perspective. Five years ago when the modi government came into power, india's travel trade fraternity had huge expectations from the new Government. modi in the 2014 elections had spoken about the huge potential of india's tourism sector and promised to accord high priority to it, giving the industry a lot of hope. in fact the bJP became the first nation party in 2014 to promise development of tourism in its manifesto.

While there have been some positive developments, very little structural and transformative changes have occurred. overall, administrative and strategic framework for the tourism sector has remained the same. in the beginning, there were some efforts such as bringing synergy between ministry of Tourism and ministry of Culture by

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | APRIL 2019

putting both ministries under one minister. but this proved to be a short-lived experiment, and soon both ministries were separated as before. The introduction of GsT in 2017 was good step, but its implementation was very complicated. Levying high GsT rates on the hospitality industry also proved counterproductive. even travel agents and tour operators found GsT, touted as a simple tax, very confusing. a glaring omission by the Government, particularly its tourism ministry, was its inability to announce a new tourism policy, despite the public declaration of their intention to do so. according to industry experts, the number of tourists handled by the organized tour operators are very discouraging. Therefore, there remained a wide gap between promises and the actual actions. some of the hospitality industry's demands such as single window clearance, infrastructure status remained unfulfilled. in Terms oF some PosiTiVe

DeVeLoPmenTs, noticeable ones are launch of e-visa in november 2014, the country improved its ranking by 25 places in World economic Forum's tourism competitiveness index released in 2017. The government launched the e-visa, multi-lingual tourist helpline, incredible india 2.0 campaign. investment for development of tourism circuits and destinations was increased substantially. The government organized the first annual india travel mart in Delhi last year. The numbers of FTas in india in 2013 were 6.97 million, the arrivals were 7.68 million in 2014 (the year modi came into power). in 2018, india received 15.5 million foreign tourists, registering a growth of 7%. in 2016, the government declared the new national civil aviation policy that scrapped 20/5 rule for domestic carriers to operate international flights. another key feature of the new Civil aviation Policy is the uDan scheme to promote air travel by the common man. however, the Government efforts

COVER STORy

dr. mArIo hArdy CEO, PATA

to privatize air india failed and its financial woos continued.

LAUNCH OF E-VISA

The first major step by the modi Government after coming into power was its decision to implement e-visa to facilitate foreigners' visit to india. The Government, in his first budget, presented by Finance minister arun Jaitley in July 2014, announced the implementation of long awaited e-visa scheme, which finally came in force in november 2014. initially, the scheme was for the nationals of 44 countries, which was later extended to more and more countries in a phased manner. Today this e-visa scheme is available to the nationals of 165 countries and facilities to verify e-visa are present at 25 airports and 5 seaports in the country.

The e-visa scheme has given a big boost to our inbound tourism.

"The removal of certain visa restrictions and the introduction of e-Visa has had the most significant and positive

The introduction of e-visa has had the most significant positive impact on international tourism arrivals in India. since its introduction, tourism arrivals in India have increased at a much faster rate when compared to the entire Asia Pacific region.

impact on international tourism arrivals in india," said Dr. mario harDy, ChieF eXeCuTiVe oFFiCer, PaTa. "since the introduction of the e-Visa, tourism arrivals in india have increased at a much faster rate as compared to the entire asia Pacific region. From 2013 to 2018, india saw an average annual growth rate of 11%, while the asia Pacific region only saw

an average annual growth rate of 5.7%," Dr. hardy added. he is of the opinion that india could significantly grow its tourist arrival numbers if it was to strategically remove visa requirements for certain source markets and/or go one step further by simplifying the application process and improving check points at arrival areas at major airports around the country. sanDeeP DWiVeDi, ChieF oPeraTinG oFFiCer, iTQ, says that in last few years, the industry has witnessed a significant growth and emerged as one of the key factors in the growing services sector in the country. "The indian government has launched several major projects and continued with some old projects of the earlier government to match pace with global tourism. among the top initiatives of the present government, 'swachh bharat', 'electronic visa', 'digital application', and 'uDan' have given a new picture to the country's tourism sector," said Dwivedi. in his opinion, some of the noteworthy initiatives undertaken by the government to encourage tourism sector are launch of e-visa scheme, the heritage City Development and augmentation yojana (hriDay) and the uDan scheme.

PushPenDra bansaL, ChieF oPeraTinG oFFiCer, LorDs hoTeLs & resorTs, stated the modi Government's policies have largely been in favor of the country's tourism industry due to its focus on development of world-class

key FACTs

• E-visa scheme launched • New aviation policy/ uDAN launched • Failed attempt to disinvest Air India • 'Incredible India 2.0 launched • India improved tourism competitiveness by 25 points • Multi-lingual helpline launched for foreign tourists • Medical & Wellness Tourism Board set up

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COVER STORy INFRASTRUCTURE

sAndeeP dwIvedI Chief Operating Officer, ITQ

In last few years, the industry has witnessed a significant growth. The Indian government launched several major projects and continued with some old projects of the earlier government to match pace with global tourism market.

The development of transport infrastructure such as highways, railways, airports, waterways and ports have also been the priorities of this government. The network of national highways and expressways have expanded and improved. india's road network is expanding at the rate of 27 km a day.

The sagar mala project was announced to develop inland waterways transport faster. This year the Government made the highest ever capital-expenditure allocation of `1.58 lakh crore for the railways in its interim budget. in 2017, the government also inaugurated its first bullet train project in cooperation with Japan. The work to operate a bullet train between ahmadabad and mumbai is going on, and the first bullet train operation is expected to run by 2023. The government also recently commissioned indigenously developed semi-high speed train Vande bharat between Delhi and banaras. on the other hand, service standards of rail is yet to see any remarkable improvement. earlier in 2016, the tradition of presetting a separate rail budget was discontinued and the rail budget was merged with the General budget.

PushPendrA bAnsAl Chief Operating Officer, Lords Hotels & Resorts

The modi Government's policies have largely been in favor of the country's tourism industry due to its focus on development of world-class infrastructure, cleanness and tax reforms.

DESTINATION DEVELOPMENT

infrastructure, cleanliness and tax reforms. GsT replacing multiple taxes has made it easier to comply with indirect taxes. The reduced rate of GsT has also helping customers savings 10-15% on their F&b bill.

These initiatives are helping the industry grow and realize its potential.

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | APRIL 2019

in 2017-18 budget, the government has announced to set up five special tourism zones in partnership with the states, work for which is in progress. as part of these theme-based circuits, world class tourism infrastructure and amenities are being developed in and around the tourism circuits. one of the focused areas has been the development of buddhist Circuits in states like uP, bihar where Lord buddha lived and preached most of his life. in it budget 2018-19, the government also announced to develop 10 key attractions in the country as iconic destinations.

Considering the huge socioeconomic

potential of our tourism sector, and high rate of unemployment prevailing in the country, governments, at the Centre and in the states, irrespective of their ideologies and party affiliations, must accord due attention to this sector. The industry hopes that the next government will undertake more pro-tourism initiatives.

GLOBAL TRENDS

ETIHAD GROUP LEADS PARTNERSHIP DEALS IN THE NEW YEAR

By Prem Kumar

IN SIGNING STRATEGIC ALLIANCE AND PARTNERSHIPS, ETIHAD AVIATION GROUP, THE PARENT COMPANY OF ETIHAD AIWAYS, ETIHAD HOLIDAYS, AND ETIHAD GUEST, HAS BEEN AHEAD OF ANY OTHER COMPANY OR GROUP IN THE TRAVEL AND TOURISM SECTORS ACROSS REGIONS.

TONY DOUGLAS Group CEO, Etihad Aviation Group

The travel and hospitality sector is critical to Abu dhabi’s socio-economic development and we are delighted to form this strategic partnership with Plug and Play AdGm to collectively establish an infrastructure which will enable innovation.

I

n the last couple of months, Etihad Aviation Group has partnered with many brands in different parts of the world. Recently the Group tied up with the Avis Budget Group. is global partnership made Avis Budget Group the exclusive car rental provider for Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, Etihad Holidays and Etihad Guest. e partnership will also make it possible that the Avis, Budget, Maggiore and Zipcar brands are offered across the various Etihad booking channels worldwide. Etihad Guest members will benefit from the Avis Preferred programme.

“We are delighted that we have extended our partnership with Etihad to be the exclusive global mobility provider,” said Julia Kemp, Director of International Sales & Partnerships, Avis Budget Group. is partnership gives our guests a seamless travel experience door to door, said Yasser Al Yousuf, Vice President Commercial Partnerships, Etihad Airways.

To celebrate the new partnership, Etihad Guest and Avis Budget are offering Etihad Guest members a chance to win flights for two, with Etihad Airways anywhere across the Etihad network - plus 7 days car rental. To be eligible, members need to book a car rental before 30th April 2019.

Etihad Airways, DCT, Abu Dhabi & Plug And Play ADGM join hands

In another partnership deal of late, Etihad Airways along with the Department of Culture & Tourism - Abu Dhabi partnered with Plug And Play ADGM to assist the travel and hospitality industry in the Middle East. Plug and Play, the largest global innovation platform, and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the leading international financial centre based in Abu Dhabi, recently announced Etihad Airways, and the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi as the founding corporate partners for their new Travel and Hospitality accelerator program.

Plug and Play ADGM will work hand in hand with both partner’s business units to expedite the engagement process and encourage fruitful collaboration. Plug and Play ADGM also announced that Miral, Abu Dhabi’s creator of destinations, will participate in the accelerator program, allowing them to engage with selected startups and support the growing

entrepreneurial ecosystem across the region.

Startups participating in the accelerator program will be able to benefit from ADNEC’s community partnership by attending their regular workshops, private events, and networking sessions. ese partners will also be able to leverage Plug and Play’s global ecosystem of over 25 travel and hospitality companies across the globe, from Silicon Valley to Singapore.

Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Aviation Group, said: “e travel and hospitality sector is critical to Abu Dhabi’s socio-economic development and we are delighted to form this strategic partnership with Plug and Play ADGM to collectively establish an infrastructure which will enable innovation to flourish in the aviation sector.”

Establishing Abu Dhabi’s credentials as a world-class destination with universal appeal across all global traveller demographics is our key mandate at DCT Abu Dhabi, said H.E Saif Saeed Ghobash, Undersecretary at DCT Abu Dhabi, adding that "this collaboration with Plug and Play ADGM, in tandem with our local partners, will allow us to forge a framework where innovation can flourish, and the potency and reach of our global messaging can be enhanced.”

Omeed Mehrinfar, Managing Partner, the Middle East at Plug and Play said that the expansion of their activities into the Travel and Hospitality space will further support Abu Dhabi’s vision in becoming a regional hub for innovation,” said Omeed Mehrinfar, Managing Partner, the Middle East at Plug and Play.

Dhaher Bin Dhaher Al Mheiri, CEO, Registration Authority, ADGM said, “is new venture dovetails with ADGM’s ongoing efforts in advancing the UAE and Abu Dhabi’s blueprint to boost the competitiveness and attractiveness of the business environment for startups and innovators from the tourism and key industrial sectors."

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PERSONALISED VISA SERVICES BEGIN YOUR HOLIDAY IN COMFORT Planning an international holiday always brings with it high levels of excitement and anticipation, even for frequent travellers. but often, along with the enthusiasm to explore new countries, the first step in the planning process – the application for visas– is often a source of anxiety for many. understanding travellers’ concerns, visa services provider VFs Global offers a wide range of innovative and extremely useful servicesthat smoothen the visa application process. These services are all optional and available for an additional fee.

•PREMIUM LOUNGES WITH PERSONALISED ASSISTANCE: Popular among families travelling with children, corporates, and frequent fliers, VFs Global’ s Premium Lounges are designed exclusively for applicants seeking a comfortable visa application process with enhanced customer service, delivered with a personalised touch. The Lounges have been built with elegant interiors and wellequipped modern amenities to ensure a smooth experience at the Visa application Centre.

The service includes one-to-one attention with a dedicated staff member, who will guide the applicants through the entire application procedure. Thepersonalised services are offered for select countries at most VFs GlobalVisa application Centres across india.

•VISA AT YOUR DOORSTEP: VFs Global representatives visit the applicant’s preferred location to accept the visa application and enrol biometrics,

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | APRIL 2019

so that applicants do not have to visit the Visa application Centre and can complete the process from the comfort of their surroundings.

The service is quite popular because of the flexibility it offers to applicants – it is most often used by leisure travel groups, and also applicants from Tier 2 cities not covered under the VFs Global’ s network of 17 cities, who find it difficult to travel to another city just to complete their visa application. other groups who find this service beneficial are film personalities and crew, large corporate groups, and high networth individuals, who may find it inconvenient to visit the visa centres because of their busy schedules.

The service is available to applicants for an extra fee for a total of 13 countries in india.

VFS Global offers a wide range of innovative and extremely useful services to make your experiences of visa application process easy and comfortable. These services, all optional and available for an additional fee, are: Premium Lounges with personalised assistance, Visa At your Doorstep, WalkIn Without Appointment, Keep My Passport While Applying, Super Priority and Priority Visa and Travel Retail Options.

•WALK IN WITHOUT APPOINTMENT: Walk in without appointment is a convenient service offered for all uk visa applicants. it is a preferred option even if you have missed your scheduled appointment or need to travel urgently to

NEWS

uk, or if the reserved time slot is no longer available to you. Just walk in to any of the VFs Global application Centres for uk visa application without an appointment and submit your documents.

•KEEP MY PASSPORT WHILE APPLYING: This service is useful foruk visa applicants who may be travelling to multiple countries,andneed to apply for multiple visas such as a uk/schengen combination, or wish to make a short trip while waiting for theiruk visa to be processed. after enrolling biometrics and submitting the uk visa application at the uk visa application centre, your passport will be handed back to you, so you can either apply for other visas or travel if required.

•SUPER PRIORITY AND PRIORITY VISA services are available for any urgent/unplanned travel requirement, again for uk visa applicants. super Priority Visa applicants get the benefit of processing done in a single working day, while the Priority Visas takes three to fiveworking days. The super Priority Visa service is available at the VFs Global’ s uk Visa application Centres in new Delhi, mumbai and Chennai.

•TRAVEL RETAIL OPTIONS: For the convenience of applicants, VFs Global operates‘britain Travel shops’, ‘France Travel shops’, ‘swiss Travel shops’ and ‘Dubai Travel shops’ in select Visa application Centres across india. These kioskspromote tourism to the destinations byoffering sightseeing and tour options,which applicants can purchase at the time of visa application. a special China in Luxury offering at the China Visa application Centre in new Delhi also offers ultra-exclusive travel experiences for visitors to China.

The next time you are planning a holiday, opt for one of VFs Global’s premium services, and start your trip

by TNH DESK in comfort.

An attempt to give wings to unconnected Bengal

With West Bengal being untouched by new industrial development, the state is facing a major challenge to kick-start the regional connectivity scheme. But since the state government is going the extra mile to bring industries to the state, the future of some unserved airports appears bright.

By Swaati Chaudhury

Aimed to bring the tier-II and tier-III cities of India into the aviation network and give wings to the dreams of common masses of India, the Government of India’s Regional Connectivity Scheme, UDAN took off in April 2017. e project intends to make air travel affordable and accessible for all. TnH takes a look at the kind of development West Bengal has undergone with the launch of UDAN scheme. ere are new airports being set up in West Bengal like Kalaikunda Airport in West Midnapore. ere is also Kazi Nazrul Islam Domestic Airport at Andal in the vicinity of Durgapur that caters to the industrial belt of West Bengal. Better known as Andal Airport, this is incidentally the country’s premier, greenfield airport developed by Bengal Aerotropolis Projects Limited (BAPL). e airport has lowcost flight service and plans are on for SpiceJet to kick off operations from here to Chennai and Mumbai in the next couple of months. “ere has not been any such significant development till the introduction of UDAN scheme in Bengal.

Air India has a thrice-a-week flight from Andal Airport to Kolkata, New Delhi and Hyderabad. e West Bengal government has not provided

the quantum of support that was expected by the airline players in order to make the airlines economically viable at the initial stage," said Rajendra Churiwala, Former Director, IATA Agents Association of India (East).

He added that are oeat destinations like Hasimara in Dooars and Phuntsholing in Bhutan that could have been brought within the purview of air connectivity. According to Churiwala, if the UDAN scheme is executed well, it can lead to a plethora of

development and connectivity for tier-II cities in West Bengal, as well as connecting these non-metro cities with the neighbouring states. Destinations like Malda and Cooch Behar can be connected by air with UDAN scheme. If the scheme is implemented well, it can foster connectivity of tier-II cities in Bengal with the neighbouring states.

Regular flight services in tier-II cities is essential that will ensure the common masses to avail of flights and reach Kolkata. Tourism needs to be spruced up in order to entice the common masses to travel to these oeat destinations. e scheme can have a great impact on the tourism sector of West Bengal if more number of airports comes up and tourism infrastructure are beefed up.

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'A BOUTIQUE HOTEL IN THE AIR'

NEWS

Brussels Airlines has introduced its retrofitted A330 aircraft which offers an a-never-before experience of 'A BOUTIQUE HOTEL IN THE AIR'. The first refurbished A330 will be operational in April 2019.

B

russels Airlines reveals a brand new travel experience onboard its long-haul aircra. By investing 10 million euro per aircra in a completely new Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy Class the airline wants to offer a personal experience, recreating a boutique hotel feel at 30,000 feet. e interior was designed in collaboration with JPA Design.

Brussels Airlines aims to make the journey as important as the destination. With three new highly differentiated classes with quality products and the typical Belgian hospitality, the airline calls its newly introduced and retrofitted A330 aircra “a boutique hotel in the air”, offering the same small scale personal experience as one finds in a boutique hotel. To translate its boutique aspirations into reality, Brussels Airlines has worked with JPA Design to design the brand new Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy Class.

Premium-quality material such as wood and

'bouTIQue hoTel In The AIr'

• Brussels Airlines' new Interior for its international fleet recreates a boutique hotel feel in the air.

• The new Business Class brings a boutique atmosphere with a classy Belgian design.

• Belgian Art Nouveau and Victor Horta were the inspiration for the new A330 cabin interior.

• The dome light of the ceiling in the boarding area features an elegant Art Nouveau design.

• All seats feature rich 3D textured fabric, inspired by famous Belgian designers.

leather have always been important when it comes to Belgian design. Belgian Art Nouveau and Victor Horta were the inspiration for the new A330 cabin interior. e dome light of the ceiling in the boarding area features an elegant Art Nouveau design. All seats feature rich 3D textured fabric, inspired by famous Belgian designers like Dries Van Noten.

As culinary excellence is key to Belgians, Brussels Airlines teams up with a Belgian Star Chef every year to design the Business Class menu’s on its long-haul flights. e airline also brings the Belgian beer and bar culture to the sky, by including a self-service bar in its aircra and offering a varying choice of famous Belgian beers to all guests. Next to that, Belgian wines,

coffee and premium Belgian chocolates from Neuhaus are personally served by the airline’s warm and friendly crew.

Brussels Airlines' CEO Christina Foerster says, “At Brussels Airlines we are continuously working on improving the comfort for our guests on board as well as on the ground. With this significant investment in our long-haul travel experience, we emphasize once more on our commitment towards an exceptional passenger experience. e experience delivered by the finest boutique hotels has been the source of inspiration for our new Intercontinental Business Class. We want to be the most personal airline, give a personal service to every guest and offer everyone the warm hospitality Belgium is known for. And that is exactly the essence of a boutique hotel, offering a worldclass service in a small scale environment. e comparison of our aircra – especially on the long haul – with a boutique hotel makes a lot of sense.” e new Business Class brings a boutique hotel atmosphere with a classy Belgian design that reflects the premium Belgian hospitality and offers a sophisticated and relaxed atmosphere on board. e new Premium Economy Class is completely separated from the other classes, creating a quiet and relaxed environment with so purple and blue colours. e new Economy cabin provides additional comfort for every guest. A playful design, inspired by the sunrise on the North Sea represents the warmth of Brussels Airlines’ Belgian hospitality. e new Economy seat features an ergonomic headrest offering increased privacy and adjustable neck support.

by TNH DESK

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UNVEILS ITS NEW BUSINESS CLASS 'CLUB SUITE' British Airways has unveiled its highly-anticipated new business class seat - 'Club Suite' - and confirmed it will arrive on the first of its A350 aircraft in July.

The airline's sophisticated and newly-branded 'Club Suite' offers direct-aisle access, a suite door for greater privacy and luxurious flatbed seats in a 1-2-1 configuration.

Boasting 40 per cent more storage, including a vanity unit and mirror, WiFi, enviable 18.5-inch inflight entertainment screens*, high definition gate-to-gate programming, and PC / USB power; every aspect of British Airways' Club Suite has been designed for today's customer.

The A350 aircraft itself will also promote a feeling of well-being, space and calm due to its reduced noise levels, high ceilings and ambient lighting which is intended to compliment the time of day and outside light. Customers will leave their flight feeling rested thanks to higher levels of humidity and refreshed air as the cabin pressure is equivalent to an altitude of just 6,000 feet.

There are also environmental benefits to flying on the state-of the-art A350 as 25 per cent lower fuel burn significantly reduces CO2 emissions.

As well as a new 56-seat Club World cabin, the three-cabin A350 will feature the latest World Traveller Plus cabin (56 seats) with new furnishings including a plush new pillow and warm quilt, new amenity kits and an enhanced service and an improved dining experience. by TNH DESK

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | APRIL 2019

Etihad Airways signs Codeshare with Gulf Air

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, and Gulf Air, the national airline of the Kingdom of Bahrain, have signed a codeshare partnership, for travel commencing with the summer schedule. e announcement follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two carriers at the Bahrain International Airshow in November last year and will further strengthen the strong ties between the two countries and carriers. e agreement will see Etihad place its ‘EY’ code on Gulf Air flights from Bahrain to and from Abu Dhabi, Baghdad, Casablanca, Dhaka, Faisalabad, Larnaca, Malaga,Multan, Najaf, Peshawar, Sailkot and Tbilisi.

by TNH DESK

INSPIRES INDIA TO TRAVEL WITH ITS NEW BRAND CAMPAIGN #LIFECHANGINGPLACES Building on the global success of its latest brand claim ‘Say yes to the World’, Lufthansa recently launched a new cross-media brand campaign in India, namely #LifeChangingPlaces. Following the brand’s legacy of promoting open-mindedness, this campaign celebrates five reallife explorers who were rewarded with enriching experiences on their travels.

Through strong visual storytelling, #lifeChangingPlaces invites global travelers to explore the limits of who they are and findout who they can be.First launched globally in 2017, the campaign has now come alive in India with the story of Somnath Haldar. An IT consultant based in India, Somnath turned to music after he stumbled upon New york’s vibrant Jazz scene on a trip to the city. The journey transformed his life, leading him to leave his job and pursue his passion as a music teacher back home in India. With the India story launched, the thought behind #lifeChangingPlaces now resonates with five incredible travel stories set in Newyork, Mexico, Lofoten, France, and Cape Town.

by TNH DESK

NEWS

Emaar Hospitality offers value staycations Emaar Hospitality Group is offering great value staycations for uAE residents across its hotels in Dubai. Its new ‘Staycation Packages’ are designed to deliver them more value for their money while assuring them an exceptional lifestyle experience at Dubai’s highly rated hotels.

The Staycation Packages are offered by the premium luxury Address Hotels + Resorts and the upscale lifestyle Vida Hotels and Resorts as well as the Arabian Ranches Golf Club. Rove Hotels, a joint venture of Emaar Properties and Meraas, also offers uAE residents top-notch value with the Staycation deal. The Staycation Packages, valid until December 25, 2019, has add-on benefits and includes daily buffet breakfast, 10 per cent off on food and beverage, and 50 per cent off on F&B for children between 7 to 12 years. by TNH DESK

THAILAND'S AKARYN HOTEL GROUP LEADS THE WAY IN SUSTAINABILITY AKARyN Hotel Group, Thailand’s home-grown luxury boutique hotel specialist, is on a mission to become a single-use plastic free hotel company by June 2019. The group’s newest hotel, Akyra TAs sukhumvit bangkok, is leading the way by becoming the first new hotel in Asia to launch without any single-use plastic in its rooms or F&B outlets. akyra Manor Chiang Mai quickly followed suit, becoming free of single-use plastic in October 2018.

by TNH DESK

NELSON TASMAN’S NEW ATTRACTION: PIC’S PEANUT BUTTER WORLD Things have gone a bit nutty in New Zealand with the grand opening of Pic’s Peanut Butter World on 23 February 2019. Pic’s Peanut Butter World is a purpose-built destination for locals and visitors to Nelson Tasman and a fantastic place to visit for all lovers of good food and peanut butter. An attention-grabbing spiral staircase greets guests after they have walked through the famous Pic’s star doors. PC Eatery is onsite to get your coffee fix and a treat featuring the peanut butter that is made in the factory adjacent. Of course, the most important part of Pic’s Peanut Butter World is the factory tour. Visitors can see Pic's Peanut Butter being made from specially constructed viewing platforms, meet the people who make their favourite spread.

by TNH DESK

Tou rist a rriva ls to Oma n to i ncre as e 5% yea rly Tourism arrivals to Oman will increase at a CAGR of 5% between 2018 and 2023 to 3.5 million, according to data released ahead of Arabian Travel Market 2019 (ATM), which takes place at Dubai World Trade Centre from 28 April – 1 May 2019. Commissioned by ATM, the Colliers International data predicts the rise will be fuelled by visitors from India, who accounted for 21% of total international arrivals during 2018. In addition, arrivals from the uK (9%), Germany (7%), Philippines (6%) and the uAE (6%) are also expected to contribute to the growth. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “The latest data demonstrates the growth in tourism arrivals to Oman and is set to continue as we look ahead to 2023. by TNH DESK

danielle Curtis Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market

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hoTeLs & resorTs reaFFirms iTs branD Promise

CYGNETT HOTELS & RESORTS LAUNCHES THE CONTEMPORARY CYGNETT INN GRAND, JAIPUR With its location in the city center of Jaipur, Cygnett Inn Grand is desirable for both business and leisure travelers.

Cygnett Inn Grand, designed in the lines of European renaissance is strategically located in the city center, situated at a close proximity of the Jaipur railway station and airport, is ideal for both business and leisure travelers. With every offering crafted to the minutest of detail, the Inn promises an exceptional stay for guests. The premium location allows guests to visit the commercial hubs and entertainment zones of Jaipur without travelling for long distances.

Boasting a modern and upscale design,

this premium Inn offers spacious and stylishly designed rooms with all modern amenities and in-room service. Guests can enjoy the benefits of a well equipped gym, a relaxing time in the swimming pool, or simply unwind at the Spa. Cygnett Grand Inn offers all its guests 24 hour room service, wake-up call facility and around the clock bell desk.

The Inn offers a variety of offerings in terms of food and other services. Cygnett Pavilion, an all-day dining restaurant serves an impressive menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The restaurant is a gourmet delight offering guests with a global cuisine.

Oberoi Hotels & Resorts reaffirms its longheld dedication to guest experience through a new brand identity and communication program. With a deep belief in its commitment to guests, an extensive research was conducted as part of its branding to initiate an exciting journey of brand re-discovery for Oberoi.

Our research demonstrated that our guests admire the sincere care and personal attention they experience when they stay with us. It is this quality and the emotional impact it generates that sets Oberoi Hotels & Resorts apart.

As a result, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts has revisited its identity to ensure that it reflects all its core values and proudly presents the “Oberoi Sun”. e “Oberoi Sun” translates the warmth, energy and sense of well-being that our guests experience.

by TNH DESK

by TNH DESK

hraWi iniTiaTes Fire saFeTy TraininG For hoTeLs & resTauranTs in mumbai In a first, the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) initiated a comprehensive session on Fire Marshals Training for hotels and restaurants in the city. e training was organised at the Mumbai Fire Brigade Headquarters in Byculla and was conducted by and under the aegis of the Mumbai Fire Chief & Director - Directorate of Maharashtra Fire Services - Dr Prabhat Rahangdale along with A V Parab, Divisional Fire Officer; D S Patil, Assistant Divisional Fire Officer; V

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N Sangle, Sr. Station Officer; D M Patil, Sr. Station Officer and team. e programme imparted training on various aspects of Fire Fighting and educated participants on the

many causes of fire and its hazards. e venue was packed to capacity with 124 participants attending the programme from different hotels and restaurants across the city. At the end of the training participants were awarded a badge and certified as Volunteer Fire Marshals. “e HRAWI thanks Dr Rahangdale and the entire team for curating an invaluable session on fire safety and for raising our knowledge on the subject.

by TNH DESK

NEWS

UNDERSTAND CONSUMER ATTITUDES IN EMERGING MARKETS: IATA

a

ccording to the study, the global population is expected to reach 8.5 billion by 2030 and 9.7 billion in 2050 with half the growth coming from india, nigeria, Pakistan, Democratic republic of the Congo, ethiopia, Tanzania, the united states, indonesia and uganda. out to 2030 there is optimism over the impact africa will have as a new global political and eco¬nomic force, and growth of middle classes in China and asia-Pacific, with impressive spending power. as new markets come online it will be important to understand not only where the customers are, but their travel preferences, price sensitivity and the role of diaspora communities; also the potential of these new markets as a source of labor and capital. one risk for airlines is that uneven and volatile economic growth may result in funds being “trapped” in countries unable to repatriate them on account of foreign currency export restrictions.

GROWTH DRIVEN BY DOMESTIC FLIGHTS Growth in air travel is likely to be driven by domestic and regional flights in fast-developing markets in africa and asia rather than existing international routes. Where connectivity has been limited for decades, the pace of change is likely to increase even more dramatically. against this, geopolitical, environ¬mental and other challenges may slow the development of these markets, and some countries may choose to build preferential trad¬ing relationships with states that offer infrastructure investment in return for resources, rather than using market-based criteria. This may limit the potential for intra-regional growth. urbanization is a strong trend in many developing countries, but not all cities will be created equally. While the vision of

urban powerhouses and smart cities may be realized in some places, elsewhere there could be failed cities, slums and a lack of infra¬structure. other places may not choose to prioritize air travel. in africa, political and social tensions may limit the growth of intracontinental hubs, and poverty, corruption and bad governance may hold things back. advocacy on infrastructure development could be focused on particular countries (for example, encouraging China to invest in certain african states), however strategies should consider the potential distorting effect on regional traffic flows.

ANTICIPATING FUTURE RISKS iaTa's the Future of the airline industry 2035 study aims to help airlines and other key aviation stakeholders anticipate the key risks and opportunities that their businesses could face between now and 2035.

The followings are the key recommendations of the study: •iaTa should establish an industry-wide corporate responsibility programme, with a focus on transparency, safety and the environment that could help iaTa to drive global standards and ensure the sector remains competitive in a world where there is increasing competition from other transport modalities.

•With the increasing risk of pandemics, a global approach to managing infectious diseases becomes ever more important.

While airlines need to be vigilant and prepared, iaTa should also stress the increasingly important role that all stakeholders, particularly governments, need to play.

by TNH DESK

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MARRIOTT

TO DEBUT 30 PLUS LUXURY HOTELS AROUND THE GLOBE IN 2019 With planned openings from Aspen and Ibiza to Venice and Cairo, Marriott International continues to redefine the high-end travel landscape with its portfolio of eight distinct luxury brands.

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NEWS our eight unique luxury brands provide distinct experiences that appeal to different types of luxury travelers, no matter if your priority is residing at the best address in town, completely immersing yourself in your destination, or prioritizing your wellbeing.

M

arriott International recently revealed that it is planning to open more than 30 luxury properties in 2019, furthering the company’s global perspective on luxury travel with its ensemble of eight distinct luxury brands. rough the worldrenowned hospitality hallmarks of e Ritz-Carlton, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, St. Regis, W, e Luxury Collection, EDITION, JW Marriott and Bulgari, Marriott International continues to push boundaries, creating new guest experiences which meet the needs of the evolving luxury traveler. With an unrivaled network of landmark hotels and resorts in more than 60 countries and territories today, Marriott International is poised to expand its luxury footprint with more than 200 properties in the development pipeline, representing 20 new countries for the company’s luxury portfolio, from Sri Lanka to Bermudaand Morocco to Kenya.

“Our eight unique luxury brands provide distinct experiences that appeal to different types of luxury travelers, no matter if your priority is residing at the best address in town, completely immersing yourself in your destination, or prioritizing your wellbeing,” said Tina Edmundson, Global Brand Officer and Luxury Portfolio Leader, Marriott International. “From the world’s most iconic destinations to the ultimate undiscovered gems, we are focused on elevating travel with highly contextualized, nuanced brand experiences that signal the future of luxury by allowing our guests to indulge their passions while sparking personal growth.”

FUTURE LUXURY TRAVEL TO BE DEFINED BY PERSONAL DISCOVERY A global luxury study conducted in partnership with creative agency Team One revealed that luxury travelers of today are traveling not just to discover the world, but also to discover something about themselves. Edmundson continued: “When it comes to experiences, people today are seeking more

TInA edmundson GLOBAL BRAND OFFICER & LuXuRy PORTFOLIO LEADER MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL

meaning and personal significance rather than just the opportunity to indulge. Travelers have become active participants in the trips they are taking – they are more engaged and vested than ever before. Ultimately, global luxurians are becoming ‘creators’ in every aspect of their travel experience and for this group, travel is no longer a departure from reality, it is the reality.” With a rapidly growing global footprint and eight distinct luxury brands, Marriott International is uniquely positioned to deliver on these new expectations, inviting globally-minded travelers to look at the world through a new lens. “For our guests, we strive to go beyond offering moments of delight, to creating experiences that will profoundly inspire and transform,” said Edmundson.

THE RITZ-CARLTON OFFERS LEGENDARY SERVICE AROUND THE GLOBE Known for its legendary service and refined design, e Ritz-Carlton will continue to set the standard for luxury.

With six openings anticipated in the year ahead, the iconic luxury brand also expects to celebrate the opening of its 100th property. e brand is expected to make its return to Australia with the debut of e Ritz-Carlton, Perth and is

slated to grow in China with the opening of e Ritz-Carlton, Xi’an. Showcasing the beauty of the Moroccan landscape and culture, e Ritz-Carlton Rabat, Dar es Salam is set to offer an oasis in the country’s vibrant capital, while e Ritz-Carlton, Mexico City will invite guests to experience the city through a new perspective. With a mission to inspire travel and create memories for its guests, the brand also expects to see the completion of a major renovation of e Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park and to continue to work towards the inaugural voyage of e Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection in February 2020.

ST. REGIS ANTICIPATES GRAND DEBUTS IN GLOBAL HOT SPOTS Currently offering more than 40 hotels in 20 countries and territories, St. Regis recently celebrated the renovation of e St. Regis Romealong with the opening of e St. Regis Zhuhai, China’s premier tourist destination on the Pearl River Delta. In the coming year, St. Regis is planning to debut the André Fu-designed St. Regis Hong Kong where the award-winning designer will blend the brand’s timeless elegance with silhouettes representative

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of the city’s architectural and cultural diversity. e brand is also set to expand its footprint in Europe with e St. Regis Venice, which is ideally situated on the Grand Canal and offers a central location from which to explore the historic city. Finally, St. Regis is also expecting to bring its modern glamour and bespoke service to Cairo, a destination that has captivated travelers for generations and one which is quickly reclaiming its place as a hot spot for the global explorer.

W REWRITES THE RULES OF LUXURY TRAVEL Trailblazing its way around the globe, W broke the norms of traditional luxury in destinations including Brisbane, Amman and Costa Rica in 2018. e luxury rebel also rewrote the music festival rules, taking the festival experience off the field and onto fabulous hotel grounds with the global launch of WAKE UP CALL. Bringing people closer to the music than ever before, the brand’s signature music festival series made stops at W Hollywood, W Barcelonaand W Bali. is year, the brand will live out its mission to fuel guests’ lust for life with eight hotels projected to open, ranging from Aspen and Ibiza to Muscat and Melbourne. W skillfully balances the power of a global brand with the relevance and personality of a local insider and continues to revitalize its global portfolio with multi-million-dollar renovations

key FACTs

• marriott expanding its luxury footprint with 200 plus properties in the development pipeline across 20 new countries from sri lanka to bermudaand morocco to kenya.

• The international chain has a portfolio of 6,900 plus properties in 30 leading hotel brands spanning 130 countries and territories.

• marriott operates, franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world.

planned or underway at more than half its properties in North America, including W Washington D.C. and W San Francisco.

EDITION CONTINUES GROWTH IN WORLD'S ICONIC DESTINATIONS In 2018 the EDITION brand doubled its footprint, growing from four properties to eight with openings in Shanghai, Bodrum, Barcelona and Abu Dhabi. e in-demand lifestyle brand was created through a collaboration between boutique hotel creator and innovator Ian Schrager and Marriott International, which offers sophisticated design, a curated taste of the destination and modern service. Next up, the brand expects to redefine luxury with its recent opening in New York City’s Times

Square and will bring its distinct perspective to West Hollywood with a scheduled opening in Q2 2019.

THE LUXURY COLLECTION BRINGS AUTHENTIC CHARM TO NEW DESTINATIONS Offering the promise of unique, authentic experiences, e Luxury Collection is a rapidly growing ensemble of 110 hotels in more than 30 countries and territories around the world. In 2018, the brand made its debut in Savannah with the opening of Perry Lane, expanded its footprint in Paris through Hôtel de Berri and brought distinct resort design to Los Cabos with Solaz, among other exciting debuts. With each hotel serving as a portal to the destination’s indigenous charms and treasures, e Luxury Collection anticipates debuting nine properties this year in coveted locations such as Okinawa, Cesme, Buckinghamshire, and Budapest.

JW MARRIOTT INSPIRES THE PASSIONS OF ITS GUESTS THROUGH UPLIFTING EXPERIENCES JW Marriott offers differentiated luxury experiences at 84 hotels and resorts in nearly 30 countries and territories, including the recent opening of JW Marriott Nashville. Inspired by its legendary namesake, JW Marriott is committed to curating upliing experiences for guests.

MARRIOTT'S 1ST EVER 'DOUBLE TAKE'

e recently unveiled travel program, Marriott Bonvoy, which recently replaced Marriott Rewards, e RitzCarlton Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), has invited its members to explore the world with its first ever bonus points promotion: 'Double Take'.

1. MARRIOTT announced its first global promotion of 2019 to celebrate its recently unveiled travel program, Marriott Bonvoy. By registering for

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | APRIL 2019

“Double Take,” members earn double points on stays starting with their second stay.

2. Registered members who are the primary account holders of U.S.-issued Marriott Bonvoy co-brand credit card can earn an additional 500 points for weekend stays, starting with their first stay. Points can be redeemed for free nights, flights, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments, and much more.

by TNH DESK

3. By earning points faster with “Double Take,” members can take advantage of Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio of global brands in 130 countries and territories. by TNH DESK

OPINION

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR INDIAN TRAVEL STARTUPS IN 2019 The figures and findings point towards a boom in the travel and hospitality industry, thus offering immense potential for a new start-up in this sector. It is no surprise that so many young men and women want a piece of the pie.

The biggest change that the travel and tourism industry has witnessed, especially in the younger generation, is the perception of what travel means to them. Travel has gone from what was once a luxury, to a lifestyle choice.

By Vishal Kejariwal

While the signs are positive, one must remember that with opportunities come challenges. ere exists the scope of starting one's own travel start-up. Here is why the time is right to kickstart your own business: SIZE OF THE INDIAN MARKET India is the second most populous country in the world. At 1.35 billion people, the size of the market is immense. In 2017, India generated $210 billion in revenue from the tourism sector alone which accounted for 9.4% of India’s GDP. e size and strength of this market makes it ripe with opportunities. e industry is also becoming stronger as the population spends more money on tourism.

DEMOGRAPHICS When you analyse Indian demographics, you can see that there’s an upward trend in the travel industry. In other words, it’s booming right now. 10.4 million individuals arrived in India from across the world in 2017. As the lifestyle and spending power of Indians grew over time, 23.94 million Indians

traveled abroad. Domestic travel was higher than ever, with 1652.49 million Indians travelling to other states. e signs are promising. A travel start-up could thrive in such an environment.

TRAVEL BECOMING A LIFESTYLE e biggest change that travel and tourism has witnessed, especially in the younger generation, is the perception of what travel means to them. In addition to being a source of recreation and a means to unwind, travel is now seen as a mode of soul searching, of finding oneself and of broadening one’s horizons. Travel has gone from what was once a luxury, to a lifestyle choice.

It is an experience that helps one grow and mature, to discover themselves.

PENETRATION OF TECHNOLOGY People from all walks of life now have access to the internet through mobile devices, laptops and tablets. e travel industry has benefited exponentially from this boom because this has not only exposed travellers to new, exotic locations but also allowed travel agencies to connect with their customers. e increased reach has allowed the travel industry to grow by leaps and bounds.

However, there are challenges that a travel start-up may encounter. It makes sense to be ready for them if you decide to tread down this path: Competitive pricing from Big Players: Established travel businesses can present competitive rates to a customer that a start-up may not be able to match at least during its initial phase. It is because of this reason that a lot of start-ups take massive financial hits from the very beginning.

Marketing costs: e cost of marketing in the realm of ‘tours and travels’ is significantly more expensive than almost any other domain.

Established players have access to important ad words that are integral to marketing that start-ups may not be able to afford because of the

costs involved. And unless you’re spending on marketing, there’s no way for a new player to get noticed by prospective customers.

Window shopping: While many start-up travel businesses may have interested parties knocking on their doors to find out about prospective travel deals, the customer may decide to go with an established party in the end. is is because of the spotless track record of the bigger, far more established OTA business.

Lack of uniqueness: In my estimation, few new businesses are unique when it comes to solving issues that customers may potentially face. In other words, instead of trying to solve existing customer problems, they may seek out problems to retrofit solutions into. Your product needs to stand out from the multitude of options available for customers to choose it over every competitor in the already crowded marketplace.

Don’t let these challenges discourage you. A little caution can go a long way. Once you weather out the initial storm, the market is promising and ripe for the picking.

Best of luck to any aspiring entrepreneur who wants to make a name in this field!

The write is the Co-founder & CEO of Taxidio Travel India

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BITE CORNER

HOME CHEFS Peach wedding cake

Fresh flower 50th anniv cake

OFFERING 'GHAR JAISA KHANA' IS A NEW FAD IN INDIA'S FOOD INDUSTRY Home chefs are fulfilling the yearnings of lots of people by serving them finger-licking ‘Ghar Jaisa Fresh and Healthy Khana' that is delivered speedily at their home, and this trend is growing fast.

Rose Pistachio Tea Cake

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | APRIL 2019

BITE CORNER

By Pradeep Chamaria

W

e all love food. To eat tasty and different cuisines we go great distances with friends and families to restaurants and also various street foods joints. restaurants have qualified chefs on their panels who are experts in their fields and serve delicious cuisine along with amazing cocktails. street food has its own charm and nothing can beat them when it comes to taste and affordability. but one simple and big question always remains about the food that we consume at these places, and that is 'is the food fresh and healthy?” no one can answer this question. Then there is a problem of consistency; we have experienced a difference

Food sachi jain

in the tastes of the same food at the same restaurant on two different occasions. here the concept of home Chefs comes into the picture, and currently, we find quite a few home chefs all over india. home chefs serve two purposes – they make eating simple and they supply you food made with fresh material with lots of love included!

The recent trend in the food delivery business in india has also been a game changer for home chefs. Today, being a home chef, catering to people’s need for finger-licking ‘Ghar Jaisa khana’ is a growing business opportunity. These are home

verdICT

you are a very busy professional or a student staying away from home, who cannot cook every day and going out to restaurants every day burns a hole in the pockets. But you love 'ghar jaisa' healthy and fresh food. So what to do?

No need to worry, there is a solution now – they are the Home Chefs who can satiate your longings for healthy and fresh food and that too at affordable prices.

delivered via apps as well as private popups for regional cuisine, custom curated sit-down meals and events.

These home chefs love their work and make sure you are happy with your orders. home Chef delivers everything you need to bring more delicious meals and moments to the table. They are in a league of their own, offering fully-prepared meals ready to be eaten. you shouldn’t be expecting a five-star meal, but it certainly is a good option if you need decent food.

The concept of home Chefs is also a weapon for women empowerment and today in india’s rapidly growing food technology space we find many women working from their own kitchens. They cater to the growing demand for regional cuisine, healthy food, organic meals, customised veggie or gluten-free meals, etc.

There’s huge scope for this home chef business as india is a big destination or students and tourists from all over the world who love to taste india’s famous regional dishes. The food business is trendy and rough estimates show that the market is worth over 4000 crores per year and growing, which gives a big opportunity for these home chefs.

The home chefs' work gives them the empowerment and independence that a lot of women aspire for. We recently had interactions with one home chef and one homebaker in Delhi nCr area. sachi Jain, one of the leading home chefs

in Gurgaon, is very passionate about food and is a winner of big F Jury Choice award, as well as the boss home chef of the year award. she does vegetarian cuisines and her Theplas and other Gujarati dishes are in great demand in Delhi nCr, and so are her dishes with quirky twists. running her own venture gives her a lot of satisfaction as she loves to stand in her kitchen and cook to meet the orders.

Catering to your sweet tooth, menakshi siotia, one of india’s best home baker runs her business under the name Cakestudio by menakshi. While working for the family business, she loved baking for friends and family. after 15 years of corporate life, she hung her boots to fuel her passion and become a full-time baker. into the fifth year now, she runs her designer Cake studio for hand-crafted custom cake orders, specialising in eggless baking. she also does sugar-free and Gluten Free Cakes. she is known for her themed cakes.

Cake studio by menakshi was recently awarded as one of the top 5 bakers in Gurgaon in the biG F aWarDs by the prominent food group – Gurgaon Food Freak. both of these ladies say that it is a winwin industry for people who need a second chance in life. They say, “being a home chef has helped them become self-dependent. They have always been passionate about cooking and wanted to take care of their home and family, while also wanting to have an income of their own. becoming a home chef felt like the right way to combine both wishes.” not only home chefs, but there are also passionate people, who create masterpieces when it comes to cooking. Preeti Garg is one such a passionate person. she owns a blog on food by the name, simply Tadka for the last 7 years where she shares her passion for cooking and photography. easy vegetarian recipes that don’t demand much time and efforts are shared on her website. she loves to experiment and substitute some of the ingredients that are not easily available in every kitchen. her recipes have been shared by various wellknown brands in the Food industry.

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ST. MORITZ IN SWITZERLAND:

A ROMANTIC ESCAPE FOR HONEYMOONERS Located in an idyllic setting of the Swiss Alps, St. Moritz is famous for the most extravagant events and intimate celebrations for couples. With an array of accommodation to choose from, it is a winter wonderland with elegant hotels to cozy chalets, fantastic cuisine to comfortable local fare and shopping. Read on for some of the most romantic activities that couples can enjoy at St. Moritz.

HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDES: Explore St. Moritz and its dreamy side valleys in the comfort of a romantic ride in a horsedrawn carriage. Price ranges from CHF 100 up to 4 guests, available in summer and winter. (For bookings: reservation@stalla-engiadina.ch) SPA & WELLNESS: For the ultimate wellness experience, head to St. Moritz High Alpine Spa at the Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains or the spa at Kulm Hotel where local ingredi-

ents are used in a simple yet stylishly way to excellent effect. Price ranges from CHF 75 per person, open: 7 am– 10 pm: spa.grandhoteldesbains@kempinski.com/ www.kempinski.com/stmori tz.

ROMANTIC CHEESE FONDUE: e Scatla restaurant on Muottas Muragl mountain is transformed into a romantic, candlelit venue serving a variety of home-made cheese fondue mixtures. Price ranges from CHF 35 per person Every ursday from 7.00pm - 11.00pm. (For bookings: info@muottasmuragl.ch) Casino St. Moritz: Casino St. Moritz at 1850 meters is the highest Casino in Switzerland. Unique atmosphere, elegant ambience and a high level of entertainment, makes it a perfect place to enjoy an evening.

(Free entrance, minimum age 18 years old. Entrance only with Passport, ID card or driving license (CH+EU) Closed May/November)

(Open: Mon/Tue 8 pm-2 am, Wed-Sunday 8 pm-3 am. Details: info@casinostmoritz.ch or http://www.casinostmoritz.ch) MOUNTAIN BIKING WITH E-BIKES: E-bikes not only make bike trails and mountain passes easy, but long descents, flow trails and bike parks are also popular e-biking options as well. e interactive mountain biking map shows biking trails, flyer stations, transport points, mountain bike and other highlight tours for endless possibilities for your

next e-bike excursion.

SPRING SKIING: When in the valley the meadows slowly start to turn green again, up on the Diavolezza and Corvatsch winter sport enthusiasts can enjoy optimal ski conditions in pleasantly warm temperatures.

Skiers and learners can enjoy the snow underneath with the sun overhead and a fabulous mountain landscape ahead of them. Stay more than one night in Engadin St. Moritz at any participating hotel and you can purchase a Hotel Ski Pass for CHF 35.

by TNH DESK

NEWS

THAILANDS AKARYN HOTEL GROUP BRINGS PERSONAL TOUCHES TO WEDDING PROPOSALS

Akaryn Hotel Group, the innovative hospitality company with a portfolio of boutique luxury hotels and resorts in Thailand, is sharing its love with a series of unique wedding and proposal experiences for couples at its properties in Thailand.

The Group’s creative operations team has come up with a selection of magical moments that are all about popping the ultimate question in a dynamic and decidedly different style, including an underwater gesture of love, a floating proposal, a request unveiled from a fisherman's net in the sea.

Lovers ready to take the plunge can head to the stylish rooftop swimming pool at akyra Manor Chiang Mai to propose marriage. The bride or groom can be given a waterproof sign to hold up against the pool’s uber-cool glass wall when they dive below the surface so their life partner-to-be gets a delightful surprise while sitting at the bar. If the answer is “yes", the couple can celebrate with and an afternoon tea set for two, or make a toast to their future with Champagne cocktails at RISE bar with its poolside sofas and funky in-pool sun beds.

At another of the Group’s urban icons, akyra Thonglor Bangkok, lovebirds can make an original and indulgent proposal with a private dinner for two on the swimming pool deck overlooking amazing skyscraper views.

by TNH DESK

EMBRAER’S E190-E2 DISPLAYS ITS CAPABILITIES IN INDIA

As part of its tour around the region, Embraer’s E190-E2 commercial jet will be making a stop in New Delhi. Sporting a shark livery to represent the aircraft’s ‘profit hunter’ status, the aircraft will offer Embraer’s guests a closer look at the world’s quietest, cleanest and most efficient new-generation single-aisle aircraft.

“We are proud to bring this jet to the region for the second time to show the amazing capabilities of the E190-E2,” said Cesar Pereira, Asia Pacific Vice President, Embraer Commercial Aviation. “It offers the benefit of lower operating costs and is capable of achieving significantly lower costs per trip. We have also received a lot of positive feedback about the aircraft performance, low fuel consumption, sleek and modern interior and low cabin noise and we are excited to show it to a wider audience.”

Delivered to its launch customer in April last year, and now operated by two airlines Norway’s Widerøe and Kazakhstan’s Air Astana, the E190-E2 has gained a reputation in the industry for having met all its milestones ahead of schedule, and with final specifications better than originally expected.

Embraer forecasts a demand for 10,550 new aircraft with up to 150 seats worldwide, worth uSD 600 billion, over the next 20 years, more than 3,000 of which will origin from the Asia Pacific region, including China.

by TNH DESK

WelcomHeritage Kasmanda Palace registers 20% growth in 2018

WelcomHeritage Kasmanda Palace, Mussoorie has registered a growth of 20% in the year 2018. The property experiences an average occupancy of 45%. It is to be noted that the property registered this exceptional growth despite the fact that it was operational only for 11 months in 2018 (due to heavy snow and other factors). Dinkar Singh of WelcomHeritage Kasmanda Palace shared, “These are motivating numbers, keeping in mind the operational period of the property. WH Kasmanda Palace is known as a hidden gem of Mussoorie and has been recognized as the oldest building in the city.”

by TNH DESK

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h.e. mr IvAn lAnčArIč Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to India

D I P L O M AT ’ S C O R N E R

SLOVAKIA: A COUNTRY REPLETE WITH NATURE'S BOUNTIES In recent years, Slovakia has emerged as an attractive tourist destination.

Notwithstanding its small size, the country located in the central part of Europe is replete with abundant bounties of nature. The nation boasts of tall mountains, national parks, natural caves, rivers and much more, making it a favourite for those fond of nature. The country also has a very rich historical and cultural heritage that fascinates visiting tourists. In an exclusive interview with TnH, H.E. MR. IVAN LANčARIč, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to India, speaks about the tourism potential of his country and offers tips for travellers planning to visit Slovakia.

By Prem Kumar

Please tell us about the current status of tourism in your country in terms of the number of arrivals.

In recent years, the Slovak Republic has become even more popular as a tourist destination. For example, in 2017 about 2,2 million foreign visitors came to Slovakia. is number is surely even higher, but statistics only include travellers staying in Slovakia at least for one night. If you take into consideration that the total number of Slovak citizens is only about 5.5 million, you will find our tourism sector remarkable. Tourism in Slovakia generates revenues of roughly 5 billion € every year, which represents 5.2% of our total GDP. Tell us about the overall tourism potential of Slovakia.

When you compare Slovakia to India, we are really small because the size of our country is just about 50,000 sq km. But even though we are relatively small you can find almost everything in Slovakia: about 120 medieval castles, almost 4200 churches and cathedrals, 9 national parks, more than 7000 natural caves, 1600 mineral and thermal springs, 40 spas and aquaparks, more than 50 ski resorts with hundreds of cable cars, almost 150 wineries...

We can boast of a total of 30 records in the UNESCO list of world heritage. Not to mention dozens of festivals, cultural events, galleries, museums and nightlife of course. You can find everything in Slovakia, maybe except the sea.

© Fränk Weber / LFT

slovakia can really offer something for everyone´s palate. If you want to escape from Indian summer heat and humidity or polluted air in winter, slovak tourist resorts may offer you a pleasant climate and fresh air during the whole year.

What are the unique tourist destinations in Slovakia you would like to recommend?

To be honest, it is really difficult to recommend only a few, but I will suggest some tips to address everyone. For those who prefer nature, mountains and adventures, I would recommend our pride: High Tatra mountains, national park Slovak Paradise as well as our famous Demäňovská Ice Cave and Ochtinská Aragonite Cave that are listed in UNESCO. For those who want to see the history of medieval castles, there are Bojnice

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Indians. We also understand that travel preferences are very individual. Someone might like mountains and nature, others might like history and culture, someone might prefer to enjoy nightlife... But as I explained in previous answers Slovakia can really offer something for everyone’s palate. Especially if you want to escape from Indian summer heat and humidity or polluted air in winter, Slovak tourist resorts can offer you a pleasant climate and fresh air during the whole year.

Castle, Red Rock Castle, Bratislava Castle, Spiš Castle, Orava Castle and many other archaeological attractions. All of them are fully renovated and wonderful. ose who would like to get to know Slovak culture and traditions should visit our open-air museums in traditional villages like Čičmany, Pribylina or Bardejov and of course they should not miss our traditional folk festival Východná every July.

What facets of tourism in your country do you think will appeal to Indians?

I believe that all of abovementioned will interest

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | APRIL 2019

How important is India as a market for tourism in your country? Currently how many Indians are visiting Slovakia per year and for what purposes?

Last year we recorded more than 11 000 Indians that visited our country and stayed there more than one night. In this regard, I would like to highlight that Indian tourists on average stayed on our territory more days than other tourists.

But still, there is a huge potential and we believe that we will attract even more Indian visitors in the future.

What are the new initiatives to attract Indian tourists?

Just recently we doubled visa capacity at the Embassy and launched a cooperation with VFS Global in 3 cities - Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore, which adds to tripling the visa capacity as compared to 2018.

Latest initiative was an event presenting

D I P L O M AT ’ S C O R N E R

Slovakia as a tourist destination organized by the Slovak Embassy on March 6th. It was a very successful event and we are planning to organize more of them in the future, maybe even in collaboration with some agencies or organizations.

Please tell us about the Slovak visa process for Indians.

How easy is it to get Slovak visa?

Our visa issuing process has to strictly follow the Schengen Visa Code so we can say it is the same as in any other EU country. But at this point, I would like to recommend to any applicant: please, read the visa application instructions carefully and make sure everything in your application is correct and complete. Correct and complete application submitted in advance of the planned travel is likely to get easy and fast approval. As I have already mentioned, we have strengthened our visa office this year. Majority of Indian Schengen Visa applications in 2018 were business trips and average visa processing time was 4 calendar days.

How is air-connectivity between the two countries? ere are very convenient flight connections via Dubai to Bratislava, and also direct flights to Vienna airport which is just half an hour drive from capital Bratislava. And from Bratislava, it takes only 2-3 hours of a car ride to get to most of abovementioned beautiful sites, mountains and attractions.

How long have you been in India? what do you enjoy the most about it?

Together with my wife, we arrived in June 2018 and since then we are trying to enjoy a variety of regional and traditional Indian cuisines.

slovAkIA AT A GLANCE

location: Central europe Capital: bratislava language: slovak Government system: Parliamentary democracy Currency: The euro

A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF SLOVAKIA Slovakia, officially named as the Slovak Republic, is a small Central European country. Located in the very heart of Europe, the country has the Czech Republic, Austria Poland, Ukraine and Hungary as its neighbours. Bratislava is the largest city and capital of Slovakia, and the country’s main language is Slovak, but most of Slovaks Citizens can also speak English. Modern-Day Slovakia came into being in 1993 aer the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia caused by the successful Velvet Revolution. A member of the EU and Eurozone, Slovak's currency is the Euro.

Slovak's varied and beautiful landscapes mostly consist of mountains and forests. Standing tall and majestic, Tatra Mountains, Greater Fatra and Lesser Fatra are some of the high peaks of Slovakia. Spread over an area of 750 square kilometres and home to its 29 peaks, the Tatra Mountains are the highest mountain range in the Carpathian Mountains that lie across Central and Eastern Europe. Most parts of the Tatras lie in Slovakia.

Aer mountains, it is forests that cover 41% of Slovakia’s land surface. e country has as many as nine national parks. Its large forest-cover coupled with the extensive mountainous landscape makes the country an extraordinary destination of tourism. e High Tatras provide a perfect milieu for adventurous activities like hiking and skiing. e High Tatras are also home to many scenic lakes and valleys as well as the highest point in Slovakia. An integral part of the Slovak identity, the Tatra mountain range is one of the three hills represented on the country’s coat of arms. Most stunning attractions in Slovakia are its hundreds of natural caves in the Tatra mountain range located under mountains, many of them accessible to people. Five caves namely Dobšinská Ice Cave, Domica cave, Gombasek Cave, Jasovská Cave and Ochtinská Aragonite Cave have been accorded the status of UNESCO's World Heritage Site. In various categories, the country has a record of 30 sites listed in the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Not just nature, Slovakia also boasts of its magnificent historical heritage such as castles, churches, cathedrals and fascinating traditions of festivals, arts and culture. e country’s many medieval castles such as Bojnice Castle, Red Rock Castle, Bratislava Castle, Spiš Castle and Orava Castle have their own allures and stories.

Bojnice Castle of Slovakia is counted among the best of castles in Europe. Besides, Slovakia has many traditional villages, dozens of cultural events and folk festivals, museums and nightlife; seeing these attractions will be a lifetime experience for tourists.

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NEWS

Abu Dhabi continues to develop itself as a cultural tourism destination

By Prem Kumar

2018 was a great year for Abu Dhabi Tourism in Indian market. As compared to 2017, Indian arrivals to the Emirate increased by 15% last year, with the total number of Indian arrivals being 415,000. india has emerged as the top overseas travel market for abu Dhabi in 2018, surpassing China. anthony rippingale, acting Director, Travel, Trade and market Development – DCT abu Dhabi, informed that indian guests on an average stay nearly three nights in abu Dhabi. according to him, abu Dhabi's top 10 inbound markets during the period of Jan to oct 2018 were the uae, india, China, the uk, the us, Philippines, saudi arabia, egypt, and Germany.

The tourism board has been focussing on cultural tourism, especially with the

opening of Louvre abu Dhabi in november 2017 and opening of the new Qasr al hosn Cultural site in December 2018. "in 2018 DCT continued to drive visitors to al ain to discover the heritage offerings there as part of the unesCo World heritage site," said rippingale. he added, "We remain committed to the Cultural Foundation, founded by the late sheikh Zayed." as for focus areas for 2019 and ahead, rippingale said that abu Dhabi will continue to develop itself as a cultural tourism destination. We will celebrate the reopening of Qasr al hosn following its restoration. We will raise further awareness of the museums, forts and unesCo World heritage sites of al ain, and remind visitors about the sheikh Zayed Grand mosque –voted third in Tripadvi-

AnThony rIPPInGAle Acting Director, Travel Trade and Market Development – DCT Abu Dhabi

sor’s list of the world’s top 25 landmarks.

We will showcase abu Dhabi as the place to go for entertainment and activities in the uae, with the recent opening of Warner bros. World abu Dhabi and upcoming opening of CLymb (indoor sky diving centre) in 2019.

QATAR VISA CENTER INAUGURATED IN NEW DELHI

Qatar Visa Centers in seven metros will be functional for the convenience of visa applicants from India.

Qatar Visa Center in new Delhi was inaugurated by his excellency mr. mohammed khater al khater, ambassador of the state of Qatar to the republic of india in new Delhi. The opening ceremony was attended by major abdullah khalifa al mohannadi, Director of Department of Visa support services, ministry of interior of the state of Qatar. six other visa centers in mumbai, kochi, hyderabad, Lucknow, Chennai and kolkata will be operational shortly. at the new Qatar Visa Center, work visa applicants for the state of Qatar will be able to sign on work contracts digitally, en-

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | APRIL 2019

roll their biometrics and undergo mandatory medical test all under one-roof, thus saving time and making it hassle free for the applicants. The move to get work visa applicants to complete the most essential and critical part of their visa processes in the country of origin (india in this case) is aimed at guaranteeing prospective employees their rights in a manner consistent with the best international standards. The center will operate between 08:30 am to 04:30 pm from monday to Friday. as part of the visa application process, the employer in Qatar will ensure all nec-

essary procedures and make the visa payments on behalf of the applicant. on this occasion, the ambassador of the state of Qatar in india, h.e. mr. mohammed khater al khater, stressed that the indian community in the state of Qatar has contributed significantly in the development process of the country. he added that in order to provide better facilities for the community and further strengthening the relations between the two friendly nations, india has been chosen as one of the most important countries to open the Qatar

by TNH DESK Visas Centers.

NEWS

PLAN A MEMORABLE CRUISE ADVENTURE ABOARD

AYANA Lako di’a

a

sia’s leading independently owned hospitality brand ayana hotels has set sail to the world’ largest specially built Phinisi cruise ship, ayana Lako di’a (meaning “safe Journey” in the local language.) imagine a cruise or dive safari of a lifetime aboard ayana's storybook phinisi. ayana Lako di'a spans 54-meters with 9 luxury bedrooms and a generous capacity for up to 18 guests. Thoughtfully designed in every detail, ayana Lako di'a is handcrafted to enhance your memorable leisure or business holiday with a sumptuous dining room, en-suite bathrooms, and expansive main deck for private parties and destination weddings.

The art of Phinisi ship-building is an age-old craft made in sulawesi by konjo people using ancient techniques passed down from generation to generation. as of December 2017, the un educational, scientific, and Cultural organization (unesCo) declared south sulawesi’s incredible Phinisi boat-building art as the world’s intangible Cultural heritage. ayana Lako di’a will be gracing the crystal waters of the beautiful komodo islands, just a one-hour flight from bali. adorned by the exquisite scenery, the archipelago is awash with nature’s finest mountains, waterfalls, flora, and fauna.

During ayana Lako di’as’ 2, 3 or 5-night excursions, the luxury yacht will be visiting some of komodo island’s most famous landmarks including a port of call to the home of the komodo dragon. The world’s

largest lizard can be found residing within komodo national Park, which holds recognition as a unesCo World heritage site and named one of the ‘7 Wonders of nature’. offshore, the azure waters are a dive lover’s paradise. Famed as one of the world’s best dive spots, and suitable for year-round diving, there is a plethora of underwater activity to captivate both the novice and the experienced underwater explorers. unlike traditional indonesia cruising, ayana Lako di’a will be visiting remote dive spots and underwater wonderlands frequented by relatively few divers. These secret dive spots offer guests the opportunity to explore rare aquatic species, swim with manta rays and dive amongst coral gardens, all with crystal water clarity. snorkeling, suP yoga, Trawling, and Dolphin Watching are examples of the additional water activities

by TNH DESK available to guests.

AyAnA lako di’a length overall ship height

: 54m : Ship hull/ 10m, total height including sail/ 39m Total space : 1,100 sqm engine spec : yanmar 2x600HP speed : Max 12 knot max # of passengers : 18 people Cabins : 9 rooms For more follow @ayanakomodo or visit ayanakomodo.com

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AROuND THE WORLD

POPULAR FAIRS AND FESTIVALS AROUND THE WORLD IN MAY 2019 Waisak Day

May 19, 2019 Location: Java, Indonesia

Vivid Sydney May 24- June 15, 2019 Location: Sydney, Australia

There is nothing like getting to indulge in an exotic annual festival of light, music and ideas.

The six-day gala event showcases some of the most outstanding creative industry forums in the world and one gets to view an outdoor gallery of exceptional lighting sculptures. We should not forget to watch the splendid illumination of the Sydney Opera House sails and the new-age musical events that make the festival stand apart from others. There is a plethora of entertainment option for all spectators. The many-award winning winter festival has emerged as one of the largest events across the globe.

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | APRIL 2019

Regarded as national holiday in Indonesia, Waisak marks the celebration of life, death and enlightenment of Lord Buddha.

It falls on the full moon day in May and it took off way back in 1983. The best destination to observe Waisak is none other than Borobudur that has the largest Buddhist shrine organizing a grand Waisak Day. The festival is synonymous with flowers, lighting sky lamps and offering donations. Before dawn sets in, Buddhist pilgrims congregate in shrines to attend ceremonies honouring Lord Buddha and once the ceremony is over, Buddhist flags are hoisted.

AROuND THE WORLD

OOTY FLOWER FESTIVAL May 17-21, 2019 Location: Ooty

The five-day summer festival is held at the Botanical Garden in a bid to boost the tourism potential of Ooty and highlight its natural glory to travellers. It is nothing less than a floral extravaganza that exhibits fruit show, rose and vegetable shows and a boat race. It is that time of the year when tens of thousands of tourists gather in the hill resort to have a glimpse of the flower show.

The event has social programmes and there is an added attraction of a rose show with an assortment of 8,000 roses.

HANGOUT MUSIC FESTIVAL 2019

May 17-19, 2019 Location: Gulf Shores Public Beach, Gulf Shores, Alabama, the United States.

French Motorcycle Grand Prix 2019

The music fest is famed for its pristine white beaches, star-studded nights and sensational music. The three-day multi-genre, music fest enjoys the distinction of being one of the best in the United States. It shows off a number of genres of music including rock, indie, hip hop and electronic dance music. The line-up includes Vampire Weekend, Cardi B and Travis Scott.

May 17 -19, 2019 Location: LeMans, France

A significant annual event in the motorcycle grand prix world championship that has a capacity to pull around 1 lakh populace to the famed Bugatti circuit to watch out-of-the-box races. The circuit is around 5 km from Le Mans and about 200 km from Paris. There are eleven giant screens installed at strategic points for viewers to follow the trials and races and at the same time attend the screenings of movies on motorcycle race.

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E V E N T WAT C H

SKĂ…L DELHI MEET SkĂĽl Delhi held its monthly luncheon meeting on March 13 at hotel Taj Mansingh New Delhi. Attended by a large number of its members and their guests, the event saw them mingling with each-other over a scrumptious lunch. Here are some glimpses of the event...

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | APRIL 2019

NEWS

JAPAN AIRLINES, TRAVELPORT TO LAUNCH NEW JV Japan Airlines and Travelport Worldwide recently agreed to form a joint venture to take ownership of Travelport Japan K.K. and JAL’s 100% owned subsidiary, Axess International Network, Inc. Under the unified Travelport Axess brand, the joint venture will operate a Global Distribution System (GDS) tailored to the needs of the Japanese travel industry.

The proposed joint venture, which will operate under the brand name Travelport Axess, will combine Axess’ expertise in Japan and Travelport’s global technology leadership. Travelport Axess will continue to offer travel agents services through Axess’ GDS platform, “Axess”, and enable access to Travelport’s GDS platforms, “Apollo” and “Galileo”. The proposed joint venture will provide online, mobile and corporate travel propositions including global booking and expense management tools as well as access to New Distribution Capability content.

NIYO LAUNCHES FIRST-EVER GLOBAL TRAVEL CARD WITH ZERO FOREX MARK-UP e new product is a cost-effective alternative to traditional forex cards NiYO, the new-age digital banking solutions provider for salaried employees, has launched NiYO Global Travel Card, which is the first-ever forex card with ‘zero forex mark-up’. Travellers, using this card, will not pay any currency exchange premium and international transaction fees – unlike a regular forex card.

With the NiYO Global Travel Card in their pocket, the overseas traveller will effectively have no need for the usual multi-currency forex cards or travellers’ cheques – all the while making international transactions cost-effective across 150-plus countries and 35 million merchants worldwide.

Besides the cost-effective feature, NiYO Global Card also offers instant digital onboarding, convenient loading from the user’s bank account via NEFT/IMPS. e card is supported by a cutting-edge mobile app, which gives users the ability to lock and unlock either the full card or a payment channel anytime, anywhere in the world.

by TNH DESK

SWOSTI PREMIUM RECEIVES CERTIFICATION OF A 5-STAR HOTEL Swosti Premium Limited, aer renovation and upgradation of its infrastructure, services and standards, has now been certified as a 5-Star hotel by the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India.

"I convey my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all esteemed patrons of Swosti Group for consistently choosing us over others and continue to find happiness in our services," said J K Mohanty, CMD, Swosti Group. He added, "Today with facilities like the largest state of the art Convention Venue in the State with seven different types of banquet halls, we offer the most varied services that you have come to expect from us. Swosti Group. Bhubaneswar now has three 5-Star hotels including Swosti Premium Limited.

by TNH DESK

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MOVING ON

APPOINTMENTS OF THE MONTH

3 4 MArK Kirby

Area GM, Address hotels + resorts, emaar hospitality Group, UAe emaar hospitality Group has appointed hospitality veteran Mark Kirby as the Area General Manager of four premium luxury hotels under Address hotels + resorts. Mark will drive all aspects of the hotel operations of Address Downtown.

GerD KOTlOrz

GM, Phuket Marriott resort and Spa, nai yang beach , Phuket Phuket Marriott resort and Spa, nai yang beach has appointed Gerd Kotlorz as its new General Manager.

Gerd Kotlorz studied aerospace engineering at the Technical University in berlin,but soon discovered his passion for tourism and hospitality.

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | APRIL 2019

eleni TSOlAKOU

GM, Address Dubai Marina emaar hospitality Group has appointed eleni Tsolakou as the GM of Address Dubai Marina, the premium luxurywaterfront destination overlooking Dubai Marina, under Address hotels + resorts. She will focus on delivering innovative initiatives to achieve higher levels of efficiency.

AbhAy SinGh

Director of Operations, The Westin Pune Koregaon Park Appointed as the director of operations of The Westin Pune Koregaon Park, Abhay Singh will be responsible for heading and managing the hotel operations and maintaining high standards of guest satisfaction.

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AjeeT PAl SinGh

Director Of events, Andaz Delhi Ajeet Pal Singh has been appointed as the Director of events at Andaz Delhi. in his new role, Ajeet will be responsible for business development, planning and budgeting, brand building, contract management, key account management, crisis management and client servicing.

SAhArSh VADherA

Director of Sales &Marketing, Shangrila hotel, bengaluru Shangri-la hotel, bengaluru has appointed Saharsh Vadhera as director of sales and marketing. in his new role, Saharsh will head the hotel’s sales, events, revenue management, reservations and marketing divisions. his key responsibilities will include overseeing all aspects of sales & marketing strategies.

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MOVING ON

VirAl jASAni

Director of human relations, Sheraton Grand Pune having joined Sheraton Grand Pune as Director of human relations, Viral jasani brings with himself 15 years of rich experience in hotel Operations and human resources. he completed his graduation in hotel Management from ihM Mumbai.

AMiT MAThUri

Operations Manager, The Fern Kesarval hotel & Spa , Verna PlateauGoa Amit Mathuri has joined as Operations Manager at The Fern Kesarval hotel & Spa, Verna Plateau-Goa. he has been in the hotel industry for over a decade. before joining The Fern Kesarval he was with The Fern, Goregaon-Mumbai.

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NEWS

SRILANKAN AIRLINES SCORES 2ND HAT-TRICK AT GOLDEN CITY GATES AWARDS 2019 THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF QATAR OPENS The National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) opened to the public on 28th March 2019, welcoming the world to an unparalleled immersive experience housed in a new architectural masterpiece by Jean Nouvel. The Museum’s winding, 1.5-kilometer gallery path is a journey through a series of unique, encompassing environments, each of which tells its part of the story of Qatar through a special combination of architectural space, music, poetry, oral histories, evocative aromas, archaeological and heritage objects, commissioned artworks, monumentally-scaled art films, and more. Together, the eleven permanent galleries take visitors from the formation of the Qatar peninsula millions of years ago to the nation’s exciting and diverse present.

Giving voice to the nation’s rich heritage and culture and expressing the aspirations of its people, NMoQ will serve as ahub for discovery, creativity, and community engagement, providing diverse educational opportunities for Qatar and advancingthe nation’s cultural vision on the global stage. In designing the building that makes these experiences possible, Jean Nouvel drew inspiration from the desert rose, a flowerlike formation that occurs naturally in the Gulf region when minerals crystallize in the crumbly soil just below the surface of a shallow salt basin.

by TNH DESK

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | APRIL 2019

SriLankan Airlines , the National Carrier of Sri Lanka and a member of the oneworld alliance, has won three awards at Golden City Gates Awards 2019 at ITB Berlin, the world’s largest tourism trade fair.

SriLankan Airlines was awarded a First Star award in the ‘Airlines- corporate’ category for its product video, another First Star for its India Outbound video in the TV Cinema spot category and a ird Star award in the same cat-

SriLankan Airlines, Regional Head Europe, Mr. ManojGunawardena receiving one of the awards from Golden City Gate Awards President Wolfgang Jo Huschert

egory for its Melbourne Marathon video 2018.

SriLankan Airlines, General Manager Marketing, Saminda Perera said, “As the National Carrier of Sri Lanka, we have always en-

ETIHAD AIRWAYS ADOPTS NEW REAL TIME FLIGHT TRACKING TECHNOLOGY Etihad Airways has become a regional leader by having successfully implemented the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety System (GADSS) recommendations for flight tracking ahead of the General Civil Aviation Authority’s (GCAA’s) proposed deadline of 1 June 2019.

With an ICAO completion date of 8 November 2018, Etihad Airways not only met the GADSS recommendation of tracking its flights with position updates every 15 minutes under normal conditions, but also at the frequency of once-per minute when an aircraft is in distress - exceeding of ICAO’s 2021 requirements.

deavoured to portray SriLankan Airlines in the most appealing way so as to inspire travellers to experience our world renowned service and convenient connectivity.”

by TNH DESK

TURKISH AIRLINES RELOCATES ITS OPERATIONS FROM ATATURK TO ISTANBUL Due to its relocation to its new home, Istanbul Airport, Turkish Airlines, the national flag carrier of Turkey, is ending all its scheduled flights at Ataturk Airport from April 6th, 2019. From April 6th onwards, Turkish Airlines will be conducting all its flight operations that were planned for Ataturk Airport from Istanbul Airport. Established in 1933 with a fleet of five aircra, Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines has a fleet of 338 (passenger and cargo) aircra flying to 306 worldwide destinations as 49 domestic and 257 international in 124 countries.

by TNH DESK

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