Travel and Hospitality (TnH) - December 2016

www.tnhglobal.com

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Travel Hospitality Issue 03 | Volume VIII | DeCemBeR 2016 | `50

pa g e s 5 2

The year that was Top developments of

Soneva Kiri Bangkok and Beyond

07

Tourism industry bears the brunt of demonetization

28

27

Smart tips for free individual travellers (FITs)

30 pitality industry in the coming year

Trends that will dominate the hos-

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Exploring Uttarakhand’s Ageless Hill Stations

38

France: the most admired and an all time favourite tourist destination

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Travel Hospitality

CONTENTS

DECEMBER 2016 20 COVER STORY

The year that was: Top developments of 2016

07 ANALYSIS

Tourism industry bears the brunt of demonetization

27 TRAVEL MANTRA

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07

27

28

30

32

36

38

Smart tips for free individual travellers (FITs)

28 RESORT REVIEW

Soneva Kiri Bangkok and Beyond

30 TRENDS Trends that will dominate the hospitality industry in the coming year

32 EXPLORE INDIA

Exploring Uttarakhand’s Ageless Hill Stations

34 WINTER SPECIAL

Winter holiday ideas for Christmas and New year’s eve

36 EXPLORE THE WORLD Discovering the Netherlands with a difference!

38 DIPLOMAT CORNER

France: the most admired and an all time favourite tourist destination

news

President of France François Hollande bestows the prestigious National Order of Merit on Zubin Karkaria Zubin Karkaria, CEO – VFS Global, and CEO – Kuoni Group, was appointed ‘Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite’ (Knight of the National Order of Merit) by the President of the French Republic, François Hollande.

The prestigious French award was conferred on Karkaria by H. E. Alexandre Ziegler, Ambassador of France to India, on behalf of President Hollande, at a ceremony at The Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai, India, on 02 December 2016.

The distinction recognises Karkaria’s exemplary contributions in developing France as a tourist destination through leisure travel and the management of visa services across the world. Having pioneered the concept of visa process outsourcing in 2001 with the launch of VFS Global, Karkaria has contributed to the increased inbound tourism into France.

VFS Global today serves the Government of France through 52 Visa Application Centres in 19 countries around the globe.

The French Government distinction ‘Ordre National du Mérite’ (National Order of Merit) was instituted in 1963

by General Charles de Gaulle. It is awarded for distinguished services rendered in public, civil, military posts, or a private profession.

Speaking about Karkaria’s achievements, His Excellency Alexandre Ziegler, Ambassador of France to India, said, “France is proud to be the top global tourist destination, as well as a fast-growing destination for the Indian traveller. Over 5 lakh Indian visitors chose France last year and we want to welcome many more. It is an honour to confer the Ordre na-

(L) H. E. Alexandre Ziegler, Ambassador of France to India & Zubin Karkaria

tional du Mérite on Karkaria who played a stellar role in this success in conceiving the visa facilitation system and promoting France as a travel destination, thus contributing to developing people-to-people contacts between France and India.”

Commenting on the recognition, Karkaria said, “I am deeply honoured and humbled to be judged worthy of receiving this recognition from the Honourable President of France. I have always believed in the enormous potential France has as a destination, and over the years, it has been my privilege to work with Atout France, France’s Tourism Development agency, and many other stakeholders from the travel fraternity in promoting and facilitating travel to this beautiful country. I am grateful to

the Government of France and Atout France for the trust they have placed in the Kuoni Group and in VFS Global, and of course, to all our employees for their engagement and passion to deliver first-class services every day.

This recognition is truly inspirational for me and our team to aim higher in our commitment to excellence in developing travel and tourism to France.”

Karkaria, who has been a part of the travel industry for more than 25 years, established visa processing multinational VFS Global in 2001. In 2015, he became the first Asian to head the Switzerland headquartered Kuoni Group, VFS Global’s parent company.

by TNH DESK

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | DECEMBER 2016

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news

ROOMSXML RECEIVES HIGH CREDIT WORTHINESS RATING roomsXML Solutions Limited has been rated "MSE 2" by CRISIL, an S&P Global company.

The rating indicates High Credit Worthiness; Good Financial Strength and Highest Operating Performance.

Prakash Bang Says Prakash Bang, Founder and Executive Chairman Founder and Executive Chairman, "It is really humbling for a family owned, bootstrapped and debt-free business like ours to get this rating in a highly competitive industry. I would like to recognise the support extended by our suppliers and thank our customers for reposing the confidence in us." Adds Prakash, "This rating is of significance especially in the light of travel suppliers going bankrupt in recent times. Good to know that when travel agents choose to work with roomsXML, their bookings are in safe hands."

by T NH DESK

FCM TRAVEL SOLUTIONS LAUNCHES FCM 360 FCM Travel Solutions has launched FCM 360, the new product suite for customers which delivers an all-encompassing travel experience. FCM 360 consists of three categories of products and services falling under: "FCM 360 technology", "FCM 360 travel" and "FCM 360 services". The program provides real solutions for travellers, travel bookers and organisations designed to meet every need throughout the travel buying process. Introducing the product suite, Global General Manager for FCM Travel Solutions Marcus Eklund said that FCM 360 was born to demonstrate the total approach FCM take when developing and managing client

by TNH DESK travel programs.

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TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | DECEMBER 2016

CABINET APPROVES LIBERALIZATION, SIMPLIFICATION AND RATIONALIZATION OF VISA REGIME IN INDIA The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval for liberalization, simplification and rationalization of the existing visa regime in India, and incremental changes in the visa policy decided by the Ministry of Home Affairs in consultation with various stakeholders and with approval of the Home Minister.

The approval will facilitate entry of foreigners for tourism, business and medical purposes. This is expected to stimulate economic growth, increase earnings from export of services like tourism, medical value travel and travel on account of business and to make ‘Skill India’, ‘Digital India’, ‘Make in India’ and other such flagship initiatives of the Government successful.

This will also considerably ease the travel of foreigners to India for the

by TNH DESK above-mentioned legitimate purposes.

INDIA PARTICIPATES IN WORLD TRAVEL MARKET LONDON 2016 At this year’s World Travel Market, Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (Independent charge) for Tourism and for Culture inaugurated the World Travel Market along with Simon Press, Executive Director, WTM London and Vinod Zutshi, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism.

WTM London, the leading global event for the travel industry, is the must-attend three-day business-tobusiness exhibition for the worldwide travel and tourism industry. Almost 50,000 senior travel industry professionals, government ministers and international press, embark on ExCeL – London every November to network, negotiate and discover the latest industry opinion and trends at WTM London. WTM London is the event where the travel industry conducts and concludes its deals. WTM London is expected to generate around £2.5 billion of travel industry contracts. The inaugural of World Travel Market London was followed by the inauguration of the Incredible India Pavilion, which represents the theme of India-The Land of Eternal Heritage. The pavilion was greatly appreciated by Minister and visiting dignitaries. At the inaugural of the pavilion, classical dance performances followed by yoga demonstrations. The Minister also launched a website for a new Incredible

by T NH DESK India Global Tourism Mart in New Delhi next February.

AnALYsIs

Tourism industry bears the brunt of demonetization The demonetization of INR 500 and 1000 notes is adversely affecting India's Tourism Industry, particularly Inbound Tourism, as October to March is the peak Inbound season in India. Outbound travel has also been hit by demonetization. However, experts believe that demonetization will benefit the industry in the long-run as the use of cards and digital payment methods increases. .

Kumar vInB aPrem very startling and landmark move, Y

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 8th November in the evening announced that all currencies in denominations of INR 500 and INR1,000 had been demonetized, and therefore, could not be accepted as legal tender from the next day.

The move is aimed at cleaning the Indian economy from corruption, counterfeit currency and black money.

Because of the sudden implementation of demonetization, replacing demonetized currencies and getting new cash became extremely difficult. People are queuing in serpentine lines outside banks and many returning without cash as enough supply is not available to meet the demand. Demonetization of the old 500 Rupee and 1000 Rupee notes by Government of India is adversely affecting many sectors of the Indian economy including the tourism sector.

For the Indian Inbound tourism industry, the demonetization drive came at a very inappropriate time, as October to March is the peak inbound tourism season for India. This is the time when the most of foreign tourists visit India. The demonetization has adversely impacted their plans to visit the country. A few countries like the UK, US and France have issued advisories for the two-three months that is

also discouraging foreigners from coming to India. India is predominately a cash economy, where more than 90% of all transactions are done in cash, and use of card for making payment is very limited.

Because of the sudden implementation of demonetization, replacing demonetized currencies and getting new cash became extremely difficult.

Out of the blue decision of demonetization of high value notes has severely affected the stays of foreigners in India, many of whom find themselves stranded in the country because of difficulties in converting foreign currency into rupees.

Their holiday experience have been spoiled due to the sudden demonetization move. They are unable to buy many stuff due to lack of Indian rupees. Tourists coming to India are facing problems in making payments and they have to queue up outside banks to get the local currency rather than enjoying their trips. This scenario is discouraging foreign tourists to come to India. TnH lists here some reactions from the industry on the demonetization: Ritesh Aggarwal, Founder & CEO, OYO: We have been firm supporters of Startup India & Digital India programmes.

The PM declaring surgical strike on coun-

terfeit notes is no doubt a historic development. We welcome this move as it will deliver long-term benefits to the economy, with of course some inconvenience in the short term. As India's first and largest tech enabled hotel brand OYO believes this move will also provide a huge push towards cashless economy. This development will result in lower real-estate pricing leading to more affordable hotels and rapid adoption of transparent practices.

Rohit Khetrapal, Co-Founder, FindMyStay: As the country has gone cashless for the next two days with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement to remove 500 and 1000 rupee notes, it will shift the offline bookings in travel domain to online bookings but leisure travel will be slow over few days because of cash not available in the market that people need for food and transport etc. For example Goa doesn't have Ola Uber and travelling is a challenge in absense of cash. Although, this is a revolutionary step to curb corruption .

Aditi Balbir, Founder & CEO, V Resorts: Demonetization is great news for startups. The move clearly points at the cash economy going away, what better news for the startups, most of which are online, or are moving online. In the short run, the spending will go down, but taking a long-term view, the economy will benefit. A cash economy results in a lot of leakage, which can be checked when transactions go online. From our business point of view, since we have a presence across India, in new destinations, we rely on a local vendors, and even before the 'demonetization', a few of these vendors were using apps like paytm and were registered online users. When the demonetization happened, I was travelling in the interiors of Maharashtra, I had no cash, but I encouraged and taught the taxi and auto rickshaw guys how to install and use online payment apps, and they easily, without cribbing made that transition.

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | DECEMBER 2016

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news

MP HOLDING 2ND JAL-MAHOTSAV FROM DECEMBER 15 TO JANUARY 15, 2017 Jal-Mahotsav will be organized from December 15 to January 15, 2017 this time. As per the announcement of the Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan the Jal-Mahotsav will be organized for one month.

Preparations for 2nd Jal-Mahotsav Hanuwantiya of the state has begun.

Online booking facility has also been started through website. New website www.jalmahotsav.com of the Jal-Mahotsav has been launched and information related to Jal-Mahotsav, photographs, video-clips, maps etc, have been uploaded on the website.

For packages & rates related information please visit http://jalmahotsav.hanumantiyatapu.c om/packages-and-rates.aspx Road show for the Jal-Mahotsav has already been conducted at Mumbai & Delhi. Road shows will be organized at Ahmedabad, Nagpur and Hyderabad shortly. Moreover a wide publicity campaign will be undertaken in country and abroad. Information about Madhya Pradesh tourism and Jal-Mahotsav was given in the recent ‘World Trade Mart’ held at London.

Addressing the Jal Mahotsav road

show at Delhi Hari Ranjan Rao, Managing Director , Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Corporation Limited, says, “It is to be highlighted that Hanuwantia near Indira Sagar Dam at district Khandwa has been developed by the Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation as water sports complex. It has been developed as main tourism destination and water sports center. Cottage, boat club, restaurant have been developed by the corporation here. Attractive decoration has been made and greenery has been developed in the entire complex. Due to excessive rainfall this year, the whole place has transformed lush green and has filled the reservoir with ample water. Hanuwantia is also known as “Neelabh Jal wala

5TH INTERNATIONAL TOURISM MART HELD IN IMPHAL, MANIPUR The 5th International Tourism Mart (ITM) was held in Imphal Manipur recently, by the Union Ministry of Tourism in association with the North Eastern States and the state of West Bengal. The mart was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Manipur Okram Ibobi Singh in presence of Union Tourism Secretary Vinod Zutshi.

Inaugurating the Mart, the Chief Minister of Manipur Shri Okram Ibobi Singh expressed the International Tourism Mart would provide a good

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TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | DECEMBER 2016

platform to promote tourism in the State of Manipur besides the other neighbouring states in the region. He further added that timing the ITM during the 10 day long Sangai Festival Organised by the State Government of Manipur brings out an opportunity to showcase the varied cultural and natural heritage of the State. He also stated that this is the first ever time that the State had seen presence of such a large presence of tourism stakeholders from abroad which will

Hari Ranjan Rao

Hanuwantia’ due to blue water spread over huge area.”

Moreover, house boat facility at Hanuwantia like shikara of Kashmir and Kerala will be an important and attractive experience. Cruise, motorboat and jalpari facilities are already being provided at Hanuwantia.

by TNH DESK

lay the foundation for promotion of tourism in the State. He also stressed on the need for developing air connectivity to the state especially bringing in International flights to Imphal.

Delivering the special address, the Union Tourism Secretary Shri Vinod Zutshi affirmed the commitment of the Ministry of Tourism in developing and promoting the tourism in the north east region. He touched upon the various initiatives of the Ministry of Tourism in developing and promoting the tourism infrastructure in the North

by T NH DESK East Region.

news

Opening a world of unlimited luxury The dream hotspot of Thailand has some out-of-the-box activities for luxury travellers.

For those craving for a blissful, dream wedding in Thailand, there’s nothing that can match Thai hospitality and a wide range of other exotic and luxury activities that come at an unbelievably cheaper price than India.

Srisuda Wanapinyosak, Deputy Governor, International Marketing Asia and South Pacific, Tourism Authority of Thailand informed, “Thailand can cater to all demands of an Indian wedding ranging from the lavish set-up, space needed, dancers, flower arrangements, ice sculptures, Indian vegetarian and Jain cuisine to arranging horses, elephants, henna artists and priests. We have a plethora of options for hosting Indian weddings in Thailand including banquet space, floral arrangements, temples and Gurudwaras in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Koh Samui, Ray-

ong and Chiang Mai. The pristine beaches, picturesque landscape, salubrious clime, world-class resorts, delightful cuisine and above all the warm Thai hospitality make Thailand a dream destination for hosting Indian weddings. The luxury haunts provide facilities for helicopter rides, yachting and river cruises. More than 300 Indian weddings have been organized in Thailand last year. Indian travellers have a high comfort level in Thailand owing to similar culture.”

The luxury tourist destinations are Phuket, Koh Samui, Krabi, Chiang Mai, Rayong, Khao Lak and Hua Hin. Wanapinyosak said, “Thailand has something for all segments of Indian travellers.

India figures among the top ten tourist markets for Thailand. Owing to close proximity to India, short travelling time, lowcost visa-on-arrival, warm Thai hospitality, availability of Indian vegetarian and Jain culinary delights and presence of global

Club Med - Winter Wonderlands Winter holiday is coming so it times to find the best destination to relax for winter and snow holiday. Club Med would like to offers the most beautiful ski areas in the world that could make a memorable moment and good experience to all guests by vary of ski activities. You can find the most of your winter wonderland holiday here at Club Med! Our ski destinations feature some of the world's finest ski resorts and are suitable for all experience levels. From the beginning of the season to spring, you can be sure everything will be taken care of. Make the most of Club Med’s Allinclusive ski package and enjoy the pleasures of the ski slopes with the whole family. Our ski resorts offer the full range of snow sports and experiences as ski lifts passes, equipment, skiing and

snowboarding lessons will all be reserved and waiting for you to arrive.

We’ll even take care of your kids and introduce them to the joys of mountain life so you can hit the heights of happiness on the slopes!

For 40 years, Club Med has been running children's clubs for babies through

Srisuda Wanapinyosak Deputy Governor, International Marketing Asia and South Pacific, Tourism Authority of Thailand

luxury hospitality brands make Thailand the prime destination for Indian tourists.”

Srisuda Wanapinyosak, Deputy Governor, International Marketing Asia and South Pacific, Tourism Authority of Thailand, “Owing to close proximity to India, short travelling time, low-cost visa-on-arrival, warm Thai hospitality, availability of Indian vegetarian and Jain culinary delights and presence of global luxury hospitality brands make Thailand the prime destination for Indian tourists.”

by TNH DESK

to teenagers. In the ski Resorts, Club Med has adapted its children's Club facilities so that they can discover the pleasures of winter sports and the joys of skiing.

We've got everything covered to ensure you have an unforgettable family holiday, with total happiness for children and peace of mind for parents.

Not a skier? There is no chance of getting bored at Club Med! With diverse activities from discovering the mountain environment to sitting by the fire place, diving into the pool overlooking stunning mountain views, or total relaxation.You’ll be able to relax, enjoy a delicious gourmet meal or an evening socializing which promises an unforgettable holiday right here.

All our 23 Resorts have a unique to offer. So whatever makes you happy, you’re sure to find it here!

by T NH DESK

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | DECEMBER 2016

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CM NAVEEN PATNAIK INAUGURATES THE LARGEST INVESTMENT CONCLAVE 'MAKE IN ODISHA’ Odisha’s biggest ever investment summit ‘Make in Odisha Conclave’ was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha Shri Naveen Patnaik in the august presence of government and corporate dignitaries from across the world. The Make in Odisha Conclave organized in association with Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), Government of India & Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) being held from November 30 to December 2, 2016 at Janata Maidan, Bhubaneshwar, will have over 100 corporates participating in the Expo.

The inauguration ceremony began with a ribbon cutting ceremony done by the Hon’ble Chief Minister along with Debi Prasad Mishra, the Hon’ble Minister for Industries, School & Mass Education, Govt. of Odisha, Puspendra Singh Deo, Hon’ble Minister for Dept of Housing & Urban Development, Govt. of Odisha, Ashok Chandra Panda, Hon’ble Minister in-charge, Dept. of Tourism, Govt of Odisha, Sanjay Kumar Das Burma, Minister of state Skill Development and Technical Education Dept, Govt. of Odisha, Pradip Kumar Amat, Hon’ble Min-

ister of Finance, Public Enterprises, Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of Odisha, Jogendra Behera, Hon’ble Minister of state MSME, Public Grievances and Pension Administration, Govt. of Odisha, Pranab Prakash Das, Hon’ble Minister of state (Independent Charge), Energy, Electronics & Information Technology, Pradeep Kumar Panigrahi, Hon’ble Minister of state (Independent Charge), Higher Education, Science & Technology and Rural Development and Srimati Snehangini Chhuria, Hon’ble Minister of state (Independent Charge), Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts, S.T. & S.C. Development, W & C.D.followed by a Naval Brass Band performance.

A tour of the expo by the Hon’ble Chief Minister, along with the guests of honour was later followed up with a spectacular lazer show bringing out the true essence of the Conclave. The program ended with an extravagant and grand performance encapsulating the culture of Odisha by renowned artist Aruna Mohanty and her troupe of 118 dancers which left the audience mesmerized drawing a close

by T NH DESK to the program.

REZLIVE.COM EXHIBITS AT WTM LONDON 2016 RezLive.com (A Product of Travel Designer Group) was delighted to exhibit again at WTM London with key people from the team. The response that they received this year from the local travel partners was grand, which ultimately reflects the strong bonding that the company has with the suppliers and travel partners, which indirectly showed their strength in the market. RezLive.com, which has been outperforming this growing market, also unveiled its growth plans at World Travel Market.

Jaal Shah, Group Managing Director of RezLive.com, said: “It is an ideal time for RezLive.com to invest in future ready technologies and expand the existing business further to enjoy the success. He also highlighted that we will stick to our basics and the road map we have decided to achieve the desired goals. Also, looking at the future projections, it is clear that these targets are realistic and our future is set to even eclipse the achievements of a very successful past”. The investment and expansion plans outlined here will really elevate the position of RezLive.com and make it a key player in the industry.”

He continued, “Our mission this year was to invest in our people, our IT platforms and our distribution. As there is uncertainty in economies around the world, we are happy to be in a position to create much-needed emby TNH DESK ployment and investment.”

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TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | DECEMBER 2016

SPICEJET, MUSAFIR & KIWI JOIN IXIGO FOR 1-CLICK FLIGHT BOOKINGS ixigo has announced more partnerships for its flights search and booking platform. Spicejet, Musafir & Kiwi will now distribute their flights content through ixigo’s apps and website with 1-click instant bookings, reaching over 9 million users per month.

With these partnerships, ixigo becomes the most comprehensive flight comparison mobile app for India with deals from 40+ flight partners including MakeMyTrip, Yatra, Cleartrip, Musafir, EaseMyTrip, Simplio, Tripsta, Jet Airways, Spicejet, Go Air, Emirates, Lufthansa and more. ixigoers can now also book international flights on Musafir, Cleartrip and Kiwi with the new ixibook option - an easy one tap in-app booking feature that enables users to book flight tickets directly on ixigo without having to redirect to a third-party site.

Announcing the partnerships, ixigo CEO and CoFounder, Aloke Bajpai said - “Spicejet is a leading lowcost carrier in India, and we are strengthening our partnership with them to tap into ixigo’s fast growing base of budget travelers. Musafir is a trusted & fastgrowing brand in the Indian OTA market, and with this partnership we are confident of growing our flights busiby TNH DESK ness together multi-fold.

news

APPLY FOR UAE VISA ON YOUR PHONE, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE First-of-its-kind transactional mobile app allows applicants to complete entire visa process on mobile device!

Essa Sulaiman Ahmad VP (India & Nepal), Emirates

ustomers of Emirates Airline flying to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) can now apply for a visa using their mobile devices. In a first-ofits-kind initiative in visa application, applicants anywhere in the world can use the mobile app, launched by Dubai Visa Processing Centre (DVPC), to complete the entire visa application process for an UAE visa using mobile devices.

The user-friendly transactional app involves one-time profile creation, and allows data and document upload, payment and service delivery. Visitors can apply in three easy steps: • Download, register & create your profile • Retrieve your Emirates booking to apply • Make payment & receive your E-visa via Email Smartphone and tablet users can download the free DVPC Mobile App

C

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TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | DECEMBER 2016

Vinay Malhotra COO – South Asia and DVPC, VFS Global

from Google’s Play Store or Apple’s App Store. Customised versions of the app are available for iOS and Android devices. Through the app, passengers can apply for the 96-hours, 30-days or 90days single entry visas, based on their Emirates itinerary.

Customers may apply up to 4 international working days in advance of their Emirates flight departure date. For lastminute applications, customers may apply using the Express visa service as late as 2 international working days prior to flight departure.

Key features of the app: • Anytime, anywhere applications of UAE visa, globally • Accessible via handheld devices to travellers of multiple nationalities • No need to visit a Dubai Visa Application Centre or website • User-friendly and easy-to-navigate

transactional app • Real-time visa application • Modern, intuitive and convenient • One-time profile creation • Upload and save documents • Convenience for subsequent applications • Hassle-free credit or debit card payment options • Optional Express visa service available on the app • Useful destination links and information • App can be downloaded for free on Google's Play Store and Apple's App Store Speaking about the innovation, Essa Sulaiman Ahmad - VP (India & Nepal), Emirates, said, “The launch of the Mobile App will allow our customers in India an even more convenient way to apply and complete their entire visa process through their phones. At Emirates, we are always looking for initiatives to enhance our customers’ experience online.”

Commented Vinay Malhotra, COO – South Asia and DVPC, VFS Global, “We are in a constantly evolving environment in terms of developing best-inclass technologies, and with this app, we aim to deliver exceptional levels of service and enhanced convenience for travellers. The DVPC Mobile App will serve as a one-stop shop for UAE visa applicants, offering users an end-to-end platform for UAE visa applications.”

Launched by VFS Global in 2002, DVPC is an exclusive facility of VFS Global for Emirates Airline and Government of Dubai for processing UAE Visas.

by TNH DESK

news

AITKEN SPENCE HOTELS, AITKEN SPENCE TRAVELS - SRI LANKA AND SRI LANKAN AIRLINES CONDUCTS FAM TOUR FOR LEADING INDIAN TRAVEL AGENTS Aitken Spence Hotels and Aitken Spence Travels Sri Lanka, represented by Nijhawan Group in India, in association with SriLankan Airlines recently hosted prominent travel agents from India on a familiarization tour. The four-day tour to Sri Lanka from 20th – 24th September, 2016 showcased some of the finest hotels from the pristine collection of Aitken Spence Hotels.

The delegation led by Priyanka Nijhawan, Director Representations, Nijhawan Group consisted of prominent Travel Agents. The travel agents experienced the products with stay at Heritance Negombo, Heritance Kandalama, Earl's Regency and Turyaa Kalutara enabling them to promote the properties better. Commenting further Suranga Ratnayake, Assistant Vice President of Aitken

Spence Travels stated “A tour of this nature gives our partners firsthand experience of Sri Lanka and its’ choice of offerings - ranging from pristine beaches, nature, wild life, culture, food, shopping and entertainment options Sri Lanka has to offer the Indian traveler”.

Priyanka Nijhawan, Director RepPriyanka Nijhawan resentations, Nijhawan Group Nijhawan Group shared that “India is a growing source market for Sri Lanka and we hope to capitalize on this and increase tourist arrivals to our hotels”. This FAM was conducted to offer Indian travel trade a firsthand experience of hotels enabling them to promote them better and showcase the newly opened Heritance Negombo, one of the most sought after hotel in Negombo. It offers the charm of the island’s West Coast, featuring everything from chic living spaces by the shore, excellent MICE facilities to indulgent spa therapies that revive & restore.

Based on the success of this FAM more familiarization trips will be planned for 2017 to assist in the selling and promoting destiby T NH DESK nation Sri Lanka.

SIT IN DELHI AND CRUISE ON KERALA BACKWATERS! Innovative virtual reality campaign brings iconic Kerala experience to travellers at Delhi airport.

Travellers waiting for flights at Delhi airport can now experience remotely an exhilarating backwater houseboat cruise in scenic palmfringed Kerala, courtesy virtual reality.

Kerala Tourism has rolled out ‘The Great Backwater Experience’ zone at a special interactive stall set up in departure terminal at Indira Gandhi International airport in New Delhi. The initiative allows passengers to savour an iconic Kerala experience while waiting to catch their flight.

Similar zones are also being set up at airports in Mumbai and Bengaluru. “The zone is up and functional at Indira Gandhi International airport in New Delhi and visitors can get an immersive experience of sitting inside a ‘kettuvellam’, the traditional Kerala houseboat, floating on tranquil backwaters in a place situated over 2,000 km away. by TNH DESK TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | DECEMBER 2016

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TRAVELPORT CONTINUES ITS INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP IN AIR MERCHANDISING Travelport has continued to build momentum with its industry leading merchandising technology and is celebrating a number of achievements at the CAPA Aviation Summit in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Over 180 airlines are now live with and have implemented Travelport Rich Content and Branding, the innovative solution that allows airlines to merchandise their full offering to Travelport-connected travel agencies around the world. This means agents can search and access full information, including visuals, on the airline’s branded fares and ancillaries, empower-

ing them to sell more effectively to their customers and increase revenues. Online travel agencies can also make this information available direct to their customers via Travelport’s Universal API and offer airlines’ branded fares and ancillaries direct to its customers.

Sandeep Dwivedi, Chief Commercial Officer, ITQ, said, "With our exclusive solutions we are enabling airlines to harness the power of distributing their ancillary services through three main components of Travelport Merchandising Platform i.e.

Aggregated Shopping, Rich Content & Branding and Ancillary services which

Sandeep Dwivedi Chief Commercial Officer, ITQ

provides distinctive diversification of products, helping travel agents to combine and offer solutions that seem tailor made for their customers."

by TNH DESK

Via.com unveils Biggest Online Travel Sale (BOTS 2.0)

QuadLabs & IATA jointly launch the new AgentExperience site based on Konnect platform Quadlabs Technologies & IaTa (International air Transport association) jointly launch the new agentexperience site to better serve the IaTa/IaTaN ID Card community. The agentexperience platform is built on the base Konnect.travel platform provided by Quadlabs.

The agentexperience site supports the IaTa/IaTaN ID Card program. With an IaTa/IaTaN ID Card travel agents are recognized around the world for being a travel professional and important distributor of travel products. In return travel suppliers provide benefits and incentive programs to ID Card Holders. The agentexperience site showcases the various benefits, offers and promotions provided by global travel suppliers for the business or leisure travel of the registered IaTa/IaTaN ID card holders.

by TNH DESK

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The five-day long second edition from Nov 16-20 offered exclusive discounts across flights, hotels and holiday packages.

Via.com, Asia’s leading omni channel travel, retail and fintech company, has announced the launch of the second edition of its Biggest Online Travel Sale (BOTS 2.0).

The five-day long second edition of BOTS focused on travel bookings for the upcoming Winter Holiday season and beyond.

Beginning on November 16, BOTS 2.0 provided attractive jawdropping offers and big discounts across flights, hotels and holiday packages.

This was a first-of-its kind omni channel sale. BOTS 2.0 was not just available on its website, mobile site and mobile app but also at over 75,000 Via agents’ outlets and at over 5000 corporate partners.

Commenting on the launch of the sale, Swaminathan Vedaranyam, CEO, VIA said, “After the phenomenal response from the customers and partners during the first edition of BOTS, we are delighted to launch the second edition of BOTS. The core DNA of our company is to add value to the user’s experience. With BOTS 2.0, we are giving them a larger platform to explore various exclusive deals across all our channels.”

Watch out for some great deals as Via.com has partnered with leading airlines and hotels to provide some exclusive deals for

by T NH DESK BOTS 2.0.

news

SWITZERLAND TOURISM LAUNCHES THE NEW CAMPAIGNS FOR WINTER AND SUMMER 2017 • Focus on promoting winter tourism with their new tagline ‘You can… but you don’t have to’ • Summer campaign to be led by Brand Ambassador Ranveer Singh Switzerland Tourism announced the launch of its Winter Campaign for 2016 and ‘Nature wants you back’ campaign for summer 2017. The Winter campaign will focus on all the action and adventure that can be explored in one of nature’s most artistic canvases – Switzerland, with the tagline ‘You can... but you don’t have to’. The summer campaign “Nature wants you back”, to be led by Brand Ambassador Ranveer Singh was also launched. The campaign tag line is the perfect expression of how one chooses to be ‘#INLOVEWITHSWITZERLAND; have an adventurous adrenaline filled vacation or a leisurely, relaxed trip whilst taking in the beauty of the breath-taking nature, scenery and serenity of the country.

The campaign launched in presence of the tourism partners of Switzerland – Davos Klosters, Bernina Express, St Moritz and Glacier Express, hopes to further increase and sustain the double digit growth of 16% seen in 2015-2016. With an initial focus on the winter tourist, Switzerland Tourism will showcase the multiple options like skiing, sledging and snowboarding for the active traveller and Christmas markets, open air hot springs and igloo stays for the more relaxed visitor looking

by T NH DESK for pure white relaxation in winter.

SAROVAR SIGNS NEW HOTEL IN DALHOUSIE Sarovar Hotels Pvt. Ltd. announces the signing of a new hotel deal in Dalhousie, marking the group’s strengthening presence in the leisure hotels segment. One of the fastest growing hotel chains in India with over 75 operating hotels across 50 destinations in India and Africa, the group has signed an agreement for a 60 room hotel, Presidium Sarovar Portico in the picturesque town in Himachal Pradesh.

Owned by Vikram Seth of Holy Heart Presidency School Amritsar, Presidium Sarovar Portico Dalhousie is Sarovar Groups’ third hotel in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The other two hotels are located in Mashobra and Palampur. With a prime location, the hotel enjoys excellent access to all key tourist attractions and will be offering all modern facilities including an all-day dining restaurant, bar, gym, swimming pool, spa and banquet facilities. The hotel is

by T NH DESK expected to be operational by the end of 2018.

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TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | DECEMBER 2016

FERRARI WORLD WINS THE “LEADING TOURIST ATTRACTION AWARD” Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi has been awarded as “Middle East’s Leading Tourist Attraction” for the second consecutive year at the World Travel Awards Gala event. The theme park is home to the world’s fastest roller-coaster and added several new family-friendly rides and attractions in the past two years, including a triple-record breaking roller-coaster, Flying Aces, as part of its all-new entertainment offering that gives guests exceptional Park experiences. Flying Aces created a lot of hype in the region and has become a top-of-mind attraction for thousands of thrill-seekers and theme-park enthusiasts. Commenting on winning the award for the second time, Jesse Vargas, General Manager at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, said, “We are honored to receive this prestigious recognition from the World Travel Awards as it reaffirms our dedication towards offering our guests an exceptional Park experience. by TNH DESK

news

P.R. Bansal CMD, Lords Hotels & Resorts

LORDS HOTELS & RESORTS SIGNS UP HOTEL PROPERTY IN BHARUCH

Lords Hotels & Resorts, the fastest growing mid-market luxury hotel chain has recently signed up its twenty-sixth property in the city of Bharuch. To be branded under the Lords Eco Inn banner, it is scheduled to commence operations from December, 2016 making Lords Hotels & Resorts the largest hotel chain in the state of Gujarat. Located between the two major cities of Surat and Vadodara, Lords Eco Inn – Bharuch serves as an ideal stopover destination. With a 48 true-value room inventory, the eco inn offers luxurious accommodations and full-service at friendly prices for the discerning business and leisure traveller.

“The addition of this hotel to our chain of hotels marks a significant

milestone and one that is unique, for us. From the first hotel back in 2007 which was set in this very state to this one in 2016, we have gone on to become the largest chain of true value hotels in Gujarat. Today our hotels dot the entire region. Our endeavour is to offer services across the spectrum and symbolize Indian hospitality in all that we offer,” says P.R. Bansal, CMD, Lords Hotels & Resorts.

With all of its four brands including the Lords Plaza, Lords Inn, Lords Resort and Lords Eco Inn that cater to the leisure, corporate and also the pilgrimage tourists which Gujarat Tourism is known for, Lords Hotels & Resorts has a spread of offerings that is unmatched in the region. Of the fifteen Lords Hotels & Resorts properties

in the state, this will be the sixth ‘Eco Inn’ brand for the group.

“We have been looking to aggressively establish our presence across the country while maintaining Gujarat as the home. In the last few months we have added three new properties in Jammu, Agra and Thrissur. We are looking to expand our portfolio not just in India but also outside, especially in the neighbouring countries where the hospitality sector still has a huge margin for scaling up. With experience and ability on our side, we intend to capitalize on the opportunity and offer our services there too,” concludes Rishi Puri, Vice President, Lords Hotels & Resorts.

by TNH DESK

THAILAND TO HOST FOURTH EDITION OF LUXURY ROADSHOW IN INDIA TAT's offices in Mumbai and Delhi have taken the B2B event to Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad and Kolkata!

First held in 2013, Thailand’s luxurious pleasure roadshow series is an addition to its staple annual roadshow.

While the bigger annual roadshow targets nearly every travel agent in the In-

dian market, Thailand being a destination of widespread appeal, the Luxurious Pleasure series is a meeting place for buyers and sellers with a focus on high end holidays. The target audience includes agents who sell staple fivestars, to travel agents who simply add a few touches of luxury to an otherwise

regular itinerary and those whose itineraries include private islands and helicopter rides. Three years later, the 2-city initiative is now a 4-city initiative. Its first edition was held in Mumbai and Delhi and since then Bangalore, Kolkata and Ahmedabad have joined

by TNH DESK the fray.

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | DECEMBER 2016

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news

Taiwan Tourism Bureau carries out aggressive marketing strategies with B2B workshop and participation in BLTM

Arthur Hsieh Director, TTB

Taiwan Tourism Bureau held an educational workshop for the travel fraternity and the media at Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi recently. he aim of the workshop was to educate the travel agents and update their knowledge about Taiwan, the products it has to offer, USP’s of the destination and the how it caters to different segments of the Indian travelers. The event started with a B2B session between the Indian travel agents and the stake holders from the Taiwanese Travel industry including its National carrier China Airlines, Princess Cruise, destination management companies Good Time Vacations and hotels like Grand Hyatt Taipei.

The B2B session was followed by an informative presentation on Taiwan by Noel Saxena, Country Head, Taiwan Tourism Bureau. The presentation had detailed information about Taiwan, educating the travel agents about everything

T

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TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | DECEMBER 2016

one would need to know for visiting Taiwan, staring from the easy of getting a visa to the places to visit in Taiwan.

Present at the event was a delegation from Taiwan that included Arthur Hsieh, Director, Taiwan Tourism Bureau, Singapore Office and Richard Y.S. Chiu, Deputy Representative, Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre, India. Speaking at the event, Deputy Representative of Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre, India, Richard Y.S. Chiu said, “Our new outbound policy gives priority to India over other countries. We are a welcoming and a friendly country, especially with Indians.”

The workshop also saw an exciting lucky draw for travel agents and media.

Gift hampers included travel accessories from Taiwan Tourism Bureau, hotel stays from the Hyatt Group, Stay at Princess

Richard Y.S. Chiu Deputy Representative of Taiwan Economic and Cultural Center in India

Cruise and much more. As a part of ongoing B2B marketing campaign Taiwan Tourism Bureau also exhibited at the Business and Luxury Travel Mart (BLTM), in Gurgaon. BLTM was a platform for Taiwan Tourism meet corporate MNC buyers from around Delhi and National Capital Region like Godrej, Reliance, SBI, HDFC, Adani Wilmar etc, which was a great opportunity of future business prospects.

Taiwan was awarded with an award for the best MICE destination award at

by T NH DESK the exhibition.

news

A magnificent archaeological discovery in Jordan An ancient tomb has been discovered in Jordan in the northern town of Beit Ras during an excavation project to expand a local waste-water sanitation network. The tomb includes a cave with two burial chambers.

The larger chamber contains a basalt stone rock-cut tomb decorated with raised etchings of two lion heads and with several human bones enclosed. This tomb is made unique by the fascinating oil frescoes decorating the walls of the chamber. The frescoes portray human figures, horses and other mythological scenes, some of which have partly eroded but remain intact for the most part giving us great insight into the burial rites of the past. The second chamber contains two more rock-cut tombs without any artifacts.

These breathtaking frescoes include paintings of grape vines which represent the social and agricultural life prevalent during Classical antiquity thought to most likely

belong in the Hellenistic period/ Early Roman period. The inscriptions and some artifacts found in the tomb are being analyzed to give a more accurate time-frame of when this tomb was built and who it was built for.

Her Excellency Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Lina Annab, following a visit to the site, confirmed that the Department of Antiquities will continue to excavate, expand and prepare the site for future visitors.

Her Excellency also confirmed that due to the tomb’s archeological value, the site has been closed off to visitors and on-lookers to protect the archeological integrity of the

tomb as more tests are being run to ascertain more information about its significance.

On his end Dr. Munther Jamhawi, Director General for the Department of Antiquities pointed to the fact that the city of Beit Ras is one of the ancient Hellenistic/Roman Decapolis League cities, and was known during that time as Capitolias. This city was also mentioned in Arabic poetry as a unique location that included a theater dated back to the second century and the remains of a Byzantine Church whose architectural styles were later used during the Islamic era and specifically during the early Umayyad peby TNH DESK riod.

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | DECEMBER 2016

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cover storY

The year that was Top developments of 2016 As year 2016 comes to end, it is time to look back at the outgoing year. 2016 has been very eventful for the Indian travel and tourism Industry. There have been many big developments across the sector.

India's first ever Civil Aviation Policy was announced in 2016. TnH here recaps this year's top developments in the industry:

v B Prem Kumar Y

New Civil Aviation Policy launched The announcement of India’s first-ever national civil aviation policy by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has been probably the most important development in 2016 as far as India's travel and tourism industry is concerned. In June this year, the Union Cabinet approved India's first National Civil Aviation Policy, which scrapped '5/20' rule for domestic airlines to start international operations, allowing new domestic airlines to start operating on international routes quickly. New airlines can now start their operations on international routes after operating at least 20 planes or 20 per cent of their total flying capacity, whichever is higher, on domestic routes.

The new policy also aims to improve regional air connectivity in the country and make flying affordable for common man. As a part of its regional connectivity scheme, passengers will be charged Rs. 2,500 for an hour’s flight on regional routes by the airlines. The government will provide financial support to fund airlines’ losses on such un-served routes. This will be done through “a small levy per departure” on all domestic routes except in remote and north-eastern States.

Aamir Khan Removed as MoT's Brand Ambassador Earlier this year, Bollywood Star Amir Khan ceased to be the brand ambassador of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava' campaign of the Ministry of Tourism as the contract for it expired. For 'Atithi Devo Bhava' campaign, MoT had

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TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | DECEMBER 2016

contract with the McCann Worldwide agency, which had hired Aamir for the job.

After cessation of the contract, MoT did not renew the contract with the agency, therefore, Amir Khan also ceased to be the brand ambassador of campaign.

1st Meeting of the Medical Tourism Panel Held The first meeting of “National Medical & Wellness Tourism Promotion Board” was held under the Chairmanship of Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (I/C) for Tourism & Culture & Civil Aviation in January. The National Medical & Wellness Tourism Promotion Board was constituted in 2015 to enable promotion and positioning of India as a competent and credible medical and wellness tourism destination.

Multilingual Tourist Helpline & Mobile App Launched This year in February, MoT launched a 24x7 toll free multi lingual tourist helpline in 12 languages i.e. Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, English & Hindi.

It can be accessed on Toll Free Number 1800-11-1363 or short code 1363. In another move, MoT also launched a mobile application called ‘Swachh Paryatan’ in February, which let citizens report any hygiene issues at various tourist destinations across the country.

National Tourism Advisory Council Constituted This year in October, Ministry of Tourism announced the constitution of National Tourism Advisory Council (NTAC) under the chairmanship of Union Minister of State for Tourism (I/C) Dr. Mahesh Sharma. Union Tourism Secretary was designated as its vice chairman. There were no NTAC in place since BJP-NDA government came into power in May 2016.

The NTAC will act as think-tank and advice the government on various policy matters relating to tourism. Apart from the government officials from various ministries linked to tourism and heads of major travel trade associations, experts from private sector have also been appointed as its members.

cover storY Dr. Jayant Sinha became new junior Civil Aviation Minister After completing two years in office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reshuffled his cabinet in June this year, wherein Dr. Jayant Sinha was appointed the new Minister of State for Civil Aviation, replacing Dr. Mahesh Sharma. Before his new ministry, Dr. Sinha was minster of State for Finance since May 2014.

Railways Introduced Dynamic Pricing System This year in September, The India railways introduced a dynamic fare system on its premium trains. Under the system, base fares of air-conditioned tier 2 and tier 3 railway coaches increases by 10% with every 10% seats booked with maximum allowed surge being 1.5 times and 1.4 times the base fare, respectively, for tier 2 and tier 3.

Incredible India Tourism Investors' Summit The first ever 'Incredible India Tourism Investors Summit' was organized from 21st – 23rd September 2016 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, with the objective of positioning the Indian Tourism sector for attracting large investments and presenting to the Investors tangible investment-ready projects in the different States/Union Territories of India.

The list of the States and other stakeholders who have participated in the Summit is given at Annexure.

The Summit provided a global platform for interaction with investors, policy makers and Indian industry leaders, other stakeholders and showcased the investment opportunities in the tourism sector in India by presenting a bouquet of investment ready projects from the States/Union Territories.

The issues discussed included investment in core infrastructure for tourism; Digital India and Start-up India: Investing in Tourism Technology; Panel discussion on MICE and Medical Tourism, etc.

India was Premier Partner at WTM London 2016 Another highlight of this year was the for the first time, India's Ministry of Tourism participated as Official Premier Partner at WTM London 2016, World's leading B2B event for the global travel and tourism industry, where the travel industry conducts and concludes its deals.

Demonetization On 8th November, India's Prime Minister announced the demonetization of Rs. 1000 and Rs. 500 notes in order to fight black money menace in the economy. It is the biggest development in India in 2016, impacting the whole economy. The biggest economic development in many years is expected to lead India towards cashless economy that will give huge boost to tourism industry in the long run.

TOP GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS BREXIT UK's referendum result to leave the European Union was probably the biggest political and economic development in the world, triggering a shock wave across the World economy. Although

Brexit is yet to come into force, there is wide apprehension in the UK, EU and rest of the world about its long-term impact on the world economy and tourism.

Marriott-Starwood merger Marriott's takeover of Starwood was the biggest corporate development in the world's hospitality industry. In April this year, Marriott International and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide announced Marriott's acquisition of Starwood after separately held special stockholder meetings of both the groups approved the merger. The merger of Starwood into Marriott International has made Marriott the world's largest hotel company. Arne Sorenson, Marriott's president and chief executive officer, said, "With today's successful stockholder approval milestone, we are that much closer to completing our transaction. Our teams continue to plan the integration of our two companies, and we are committed to a timely and smooth transition. We appreciate the stockholders' vote of confidence in our ability to drive long-term value and opportunity as a combined company."

Top developments of 2016 • New National Civil Aviation Policy launched • Aamir Khan Removed as MoT's Brand Ambassador • Multilingual Tourist Helpline & Mobile App launched • National Tourism Advisory Council constituted • Dr. Jayant Sinha became new junior Civil Aviation Minister • Railways Introduced Dynamic Pricing System • The first Incredible India Tourism Investors' Summit held • Demonetization • India was Premier Partner at WTM London 2016 • BREXIT: The world's biggest political and economic development that sent shock waves across the World economy.

• Marriott-Starwood merge: the biggest corporate development in the world's hospitality industry

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | DECEMBER 2016

21

news

Radisson Blu Paschim Vihar: Iconic hotel in West Delhi Radisson Blu Paschim Vihar recently received the 5-star classification from Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

comes. Initially the people used to travel to central and south Delhi to spend money and host their functions. But that has changed now, says arora, "we have successfully filled that void and have built a very strong bonding within the neighborhood and have nurtured a big loyal base."

arora, gm, Radisson Blu paschim Vihar,

"Both oTas and traditional travel agents

New Delhi. "our engagement with guests,

are still significant and important for our oc-

members and employees has been over-

cupancies. online is steadily increasing

whelming." according to arora, the main-

while offline contributes in the B2B sourcing.

stay of the hotel has been Corporate, mICe

In our scenario they are running parallel.

and social, while leisure and online con-

Traditional travel agents are quite important

tribute significantly.

till online aggregators further consolidate

as for the main revenue-generating segment for your hotel, arora says, "From

and replace it completely."

Talking about his future plans and strat-

rooms perspective it is the business, which

egy, arora said, "our marketing and com-

is our main revenue-generating segment.

munication will focus on strengthening the

since, we are also an Iconic Banquet Desti-

mICe and leisure segment, while our con-

nation, social plays an integral part in our

tinuous sales effort will work on stabilizing

revenues. The hotel has performed signifi-

the Corporate segment further. In F&B seg-

after year for being the Iconic Wedding

cantly in mICe and social events as "we are

ment, since we are an Iconic Wedding &

Hotel in Delhi. "Various accreditation agen-

known for mICe and social."

mICe Destination, we will be inclined to

Arun Arora GM, Radisson Blu Paschim Vihar

The hotel has won many awards year

cies and customer surveys have recognized us as the Best mICe Hotel," says arun

West Delhi has a mix of top of the business communities with high disposable in-

‘

partner with online portals and event planners."

by T NH DESK

’

GOA'S TRYST WITH DEAR ZINDAGI

Goa has always been a sought-after film destination with more movies shot here during the last one decade. Goa’s scenic beauty, palm-fringed beaches, idyllic villages in the south, heritage monuments, gushing waterfalls have always captured the imagination of film makers.

No surprises then that the latest Bollywood movie, Dear Zindagi, also has a Goan connection! The film, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Alia Bhatt, features the actors against the backdrop of stunning beaches and tree-lined roads.

According to reports, it is believed that the shooting of the movie began in Goa. The scene was shot on a secluded beach

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TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | DECEMBER 2016

with Shah Rukh Khan himself. Report says, Alia and SRK both of them had to walk a lot to reach their first mark for

different shots as it was a walk and talk scene. An ATV was called, so that SRK and Alia could just ride the ATV up and down on the stretch of the beach.

No doubt, Goa is an ideal destination for those who look for a get away from the hum drums of life, looking for peace and tranquility. The song in the movie “Love you Zindagi” is a perfect example set against the picturesque backdrop of Goa depicting its beauty and various other facets. Some of the unique elements of Goa such as its pristine beaches, tiny roads, villages and heritage houses will make you fall in love with Goa all over again.

by T NH DESK

news

WASHINGTON, DC VISITS INDIA FOR THE FIRST TIME Destination DC, Etihad Airways, Washington Dulles International Airport and U.S. Travel Association partner for three-city sales & media mission.

Destination DC, the official destination marketing organization for Washington, DC, visited India recently, in its first direct effort to market the nation’s capital to the South Asian country.

In 2015, Washington, DC welcomed 80,000 visitors from India, making it DC’s sixth largest overseas market.

Visitation from India to DC has grown 40% since 2013, when it ranked ninth. Capital Region USA, the region encompassing Washington, DC, Virginia and Maryland, tells a similar story with an even greater rise. Indian visitation to the region has increased 70% and rose from the ninth overseas market in 2013 to the fourth in 2015.

Washington DC’s incredible muse-

Elliott Ferguson President and CEO, Destination DC

ums and art galleries, exceptional dining and nightlife scene, high-end designer retail along with its iconic monuments and memorials make the city a highly desirable destination.

With more than $9.6 billion in major development underway in the city and nearly 5,000 new hotel rooms in the pipeline, there are many reasons for visitors to return.

“India is a strong and emerging market for Washington, DC and the region

with lots of potential in terms of leisure travel and business development,” said Destination DC President and CEO Elliott Ferguson. “In 2015, one out of every 10 Indian visitors to the U.S. visited the capital region.”

As part of the mission, the delegation will promote attending IPW in Washington, DC, 3-7 June, 2017.

Hosted by U.S. Travel Association, IPW is the travel industry’s premier international marketplace and the largest generator of travel to the U.S. The five-day trade show will take place in Washington, DC for the very first time in the event’s 40-plus year history.

More than 6,000 attendees from over 70 countries, including 1,300 international and domestic travel buyers, conduct business during IPW, resulting in more than $4.7 billion in direct bookings to U.S. destinations over the next

by TNH DESK three years.

THIS DECEMBER EMBARK ON THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED MUMBAI-MALDIVES CRUISE WITH COSTA NEOCLASSICA Costa neoClassica will perform a series of weekly Mumbai-Maldives sailings from 16th Dec 2016 - 18th March 2017!

Starting this December, travellers will for the first time ever, be able to embark on a cruise from right here in India. Europe’s number 1 cruising company, Costa Cruises, is launching the Costa neoClassica in India, which will be homeporting in Mumbai from December 2016. Costa neoClassica will perform a series of weekly sailings from 16th Dec 2016 - 18th March 2017.

On this brand new, 7-night itinerary, you can cruise from Mumbai to Maldives over 7 nights, or begin the cruise in Maldives and cruise from Male to

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TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | DECEMBER 2016

Mumbai, also 7 nights. The ship will sail along India’s South-Western coast, with stops at Cochin and Mangalore on the way to Maldives, and will sail via Colombo and Goa on the way to Mumbai.

Since Costa announced the launch of

the Mumbai-Maldives, they have seen a surge of bookings for December, especially for the Christmas and New Years Eve sailings. There has also been a lot of interest from corporates who are looking to book large groups in the

by TNH DESK first quarter of 2017.

InternAtIonAL

Say Yas to a business event or gala dinner like no other on Yas Island With an endless array of versatile meetings space, exciting theme parks and attractions, cutting edge hotelsincluding over 2000 hotel rooms world-class shopping and dining options, and an array of sporting and community venues, Yas Island means business. Key venues for MICE at Yas Island are: Yas Marina Circuit: Yas Marina Circuit is also one of the UAE’s most innovative event spaces. Home to the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina Circuit is also home to the Yas Events Centre which boasts over 34,000 square meters of versatile indoor and outdoor venue space, and unparalleled views of the track and Yas Marina.

Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi: Instantly recognizable with over 5,000 LED lights and straddling the iconic Yas Marina Circuit, the Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi is one of the world’s most unique hotels. With 499 luxury guest rooms, the hotel also features an array of indoor and outdoor event space including 12 entertainment and dining options, the tranquil Palm Garden, 6 meeting rooms, 4 boardrooms, a Rooftop Pool Deck, and 3 ballrooms

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TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | DECEMBER 2016

that combine to create the Al Manaar Ballroom.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi: The world’s first Ferrari branded theme park, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is a thrilling venue that is ideal for corporate family days, team building, cocktail receptions, gala events or product launches.

Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi: YasWa-

terworld Abu Dhabi is ideal for any number of events including corporate family fun days, team building, product launches and fashion shows and can be fully or partially privatized depending on event requirements.

Du Forum: du Forum offers the latest audio-visual technology and cooling systems as it can host up to 1700 for banquets and galas; 2500, theatre style, 4500 for cocktail receptions or up to 5000 for a concert or music performance.

Yas Marina: Yas Marina features 227 berths and 7 licensed restaurants and lounges that are sure to impress delegate or business event attendees.

Yas Links Abu Dhabi: The region’s first Links golf course, Yas Links offers 4 fully equipped meeting rooms that can be organized in boardroom or theatre styles for groups ranging from 12 to 50; Barranca, an Andalusian themed private function space that opens onto a sweeping terrace capability of hosting between 25-120 guests, an Events lawn, which boasts expansive vistas of the impressive Abu Dhabi skyline, as well as Hickory’s, an award-winning sports bar with expansive views of the Arabian Gulf.

by T NH DESK

trAveL mAntrA

Smart tips for free individual travellers (FITs) vOver the last few years, the world travel has undergone considerable changes which are brought by security concerns, green considerations and the economic crisis. It gave a rise to a new kind of tourist, which are called the “Free Individual Traveler,” or FITs. The term refers generally to people over 35, of above average income, and who like to travel individually, in small groups or as couples. These travelers avoid mass tourism and typical holiday package of traditional travel operators, and favor a more individualistic approach to travel.

FITs tend to be environmentally aware, with the desire to experience new ways of life and usually are enthusiastic, offthe-beaten-track explorers with a desire for experiencing the “real thing.” If you are one of them and want to take in new surroundings unfiltered, here are some smart tips for you to make the most of your solo trip to your favourite destination: Staying safe While talking of travelling alone, the primary concern should always be safety.

Without a companion to keep watch on your back, you can be at risk to criminals,

scam artists, touts and simple health worries. It is often said that "safety is best counted in group”, but a single traveler can blend in more easily than a group.

The best way to do the same is not drawing attention to yourself as a tourist. Always do extra research of how long it takes and how much it costs to get from the airport to your hotel or to the city center. Another tip is that just be your own best counsel; if you feel that something is not right, don't do it. Carry good identification with you, better to keep them in more than one place. Be confident, walk purposefully and most importantly, avoid appearing like a tourist. If time comes, lie a little, for instance while asking directions ask like: Can you direct me to the museum? I have to meet a friend." Always, always and always leave a copy of your itinerary with a friend or family member behind at home and stay in regular touch with them via phone, text, email or video chat.

Trust everyone but also no one Amongst the most beneficial reasons to travel alone is to meet new people, make new friends and having different experiences. But, it can make you more exposed to unidentified dangers. Well, we are not

scaring you! It's very much okay to hang out, travel and share with new friends, but be careful on filtering your information, valuable items or money to hold. Because, many or one of your new friends group could turn up to be scam artist and might run away with your valuables and misuse your information. At foreign destination, you might want to be openminded and friendly with everyone, but keep your guard up enough to ensure your safety, because as they say, your safety is always in your hands.

Enjoy eating alone Eating alone is not that bad! While travelling alone, you must enjoy the opportunity to indulge in the local delicacies or solo eating. If you feel awkward eating alone than you can make yourself comfortable by chatting with the service people. Cafe and outdoor dining is often best for single travelers. You can bring your choice of reading materials and have your meals. Let me suggest you a trick, the higher-minded your pursuit appears, the more likely people either to ignore you, or to become intrigued and might say hello.

Whatever the reason may be, don’t ignore to have meals on time.

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | DECEMBER 2016

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resort revIew

Soneva Kiri Bangkok and Beyond

BY MANDIRA

RAI

f you’re sitting on a plane enroute to Bangkok, for what might be the second or third time in last two years, you need to read this now.

Just a short flight away (70 minutes to be precise) from Bangkok International Airport lies Thailand’s least inhabited island - Koh Kood. This island is home to crystal clear waters, beautiful beaches and a rather tiny population. But for those who are fortunate enough to have touched the pristine shores of Koh Kood, its real charm lies in the fact that it is home to the truly one-of-a-kind Soneva Kiri resort.

And here’s why you won’t find another resort like this one (other than its two sister resorts in the Maldives) in a hurry. For those who don’t like long lines at the airport, the resort has its own check-in counter. Rumbling along asphalt isn’t your thing?

A private eight-seater plane gets you there. Think room service is passé? Enter Mr Friday - your very own butler. Need a new pair of shoes? No you don’t, because they’re not allowed here.

As a matter of fact, neither is the news.

It gets better. This villa-only resort is home to some of the most stunning villas you’ll see in this part of the world. They all boast of more space then you’ll ever need your entire stay there as well as their very own pools. Some of the larger villas come with features like kids’ rooms, bunk beds and even a slide right from the kids’ room to the swimming pool. And if this isn’t enough, each villa gets its own little buggy for its guests to drive

I

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TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | DECEMBER 2016

resort revIew

around.

Eating at Soneva Kiri isn’t something that you just do – mealtimes here is an art that needs to be experienced. You will journey by boat through mangroves to Benz’s, the resort’s traditional Thai restaurant built on water over stilts; lunch will be savored in a bamboo pod hoisted above the trees and served by a waiter attached to a zip line; breakfast will have you feasting on raw food, locally cured fish and fresh coconuts.

For visiting families, this resort is home to not one but two kids’ clubs, with one for toddlers and the other for older ones.

The kids’ club for the older lot, The Den (aged five to 12), is to be seen as much as it is to be enjoyed. This gigantic manta ray shaped bamboo structure sits amongst the tops of trees

and has a slide to zip out.

This resort is also likely to host a holiday of “firsts” for many.

It might be your first time in an observatory for from where you count the rings around Saturn; many might end up watching their first movie under the stars here with a screen set up in the middle of a lake and for many it might be their first time ferrying themselves across an island in their very own buggy.

Also, not many of us can boast of a childhood where we had to constantly battle the lure of a chocolate room, with unending varieties of homemade premium chocolates or an ice cream room serving umpteen flavors of delicious homemade

ice cream. This resort has both, both are open the whole day (as well as late into the night) and both are free!

The resort’s latest ace up its sleeve is its newly opened beach. In what can only be described as true Soneva style, the beach can only be accessed from the resort by a threeminute private speedboat ride, which makes getting there a little adventure in itself. Once at the beach, expect nothing less than warm, clear waters and talc-like sand. A bar with innovative cocktails, a restaurant dishing out unbelievably fresh island catch, hammocks to catnap in and unending coconut palms to climb make spending an entire day here seem like child’s play.

But the true takeaway from this resort, apart from the memories of a lifetime, of course, is how the highest level of luxury can be had responsibly. It is heartening to see how one of the most coveted resorts in the world goes by its day-to-day operations with minimal damage to the environment. It is almost challenging to find any plastic anywhere in the resort (the handles of beach toys have been painstakingly removed and replaced with wooden handles); water is only available in glass bottles; used cooking oil is recycled to produce energy and as far as possible, locally sourced food is used, so as to reduce transportation induced carbon. SLOW (sustainable, local, organic, wellness) LIFE is the resort’s (and the Soneva’s groups) guiding principle behind everything they do.

So if you’re now ready to go to Bangkok, only to leave soon again, Soneva Kiri promises to be waiting with arms wide open. Bon Voyage!

More on luxury family-friendly hotels from our columnist Mandira Rai on www.withmandy.com

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trends

Trends that will dominate the hospitality industry in the coming year The booming tourism industry has had a cascading effect on the hospitality sector with an increase in the occupancy ratios and average room rates. The long-term outlook for the Indian hospitality business continues to be positive, both for the business and leisure segments with the potential for economic growth, increases in disposable incomes and the burgeoning middle class. India, after China, is considered as one of the most lucrative hotel markets in the world and has the second largest construction pipeline in Asia.

v B Neha Kirpal Y

he imbalance in increase in tourists—both domestic and foreign—not been supported with equal number of rooms is a latent source of opportunity for growth. In the long term, the demandsupply gap in India is very real and there is need for more hotels in most cities. Various domestic and international brands are making significant inroads into this space and more are expected to follow.

The prospects for the hotel industry in India are bright. With revival in the global economy, international tourist inflow into the country is expected to rise. Additionally, hosting of international sports events and trade fairs and exhibitions in the country are expected to aid both inflow of international tourists and domestic tourist movement.

We take a look at some of the top

T

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trends that are likely to dominate the Indian and global hospitality scene in 2017.

INDIAN HOSPITALITY TRENDS: Online travel agents (OTAs): Users are looking for smoother interfaces to identify new travel locations and make bookings. The internet age has revolutionized the way a traveller chooses and executes his travel plans. Travellers are increasingly using the internet to research and book flight tickets and hotel accommodation, swapping traditional travel agents for online travel agents (OTAs).

Hotel aggregators: The entry of Oyo Rooms has been a game-changer, giving birth to a whole new industry. This has helped highlight the value of newage independently run hotel businesses. Never before has the country’s

hospitality industry witnessed such a surge in the growth of these ‘budget brands’.

Growth of domestic tourism and a younger customer segment: The sudden influx of budget brands—fuelled by the almost unrealistic pricing that they have introduced—has especially benefitted domestic tourism. In the coming year, India will witness an increasing interest in internal tourism, as a younger generation of travellers begins to dictate trends in the country.

Booking directly through hotels’ websites: As the world becomes more and more connected, it becomes even more crucial for hotels to have an online presence. Branded hotels are increasingly seen operating direct bookings across their respective brands through their websites.

Going mobile: Nowadays, people

trends

prefer to escape from the front-desk queue and take an easier way out. Hotels now have check-in kiosks as well as mobile apps to use and promote easy-to-operate mobile check-in facilities. Booking flights and hotels on one’s phone is also here to stay.

Development of other markets: The latest trend in recent times is the development of the hotel industry in cities other than major metros. As real estate prices soar, setting up and maintaining businesses and hotels in big cities is becoming more expensive, leading to a search for smaller cities entailing lesser costs.

Micro-markets: The industry is also witnessing the development of micromarkets, especially in primary cities. As cities grow larger with more and more office spaces, travellers prefer to save time commuting by staying at hotels close to their place of work.

Change in marketing strategies: Marketing strategies in the hospitality industry have changed drastically in recent times. With an increase in experienced travellers, hotel companies have had to realign their marketing strategies.

‘Healthy’ holidays: There is a marked rise in concern regarding health in India. The new year should bring with it a wave of health conscious travelers. The health mania is sure to affect the hotels and they need to be ready to cater to them with inroom exercise equipment, wellequipped fitness centres, pools and lavish spa experiences.

GLOBAL HOSPITALITY TRENDS: Tech explosion: The majority of guests today are self-sufficient, techsavvy travellers who are comfortable

using apps or mobile websites.

Sustainability and resource constraints: Eco-friendly practices are becoming the norm, and hotels must have an attractive "green policy" or some type of environmental program in place.

Fewer people and more data: As more and more travellers prefer technology to human beings, bypassing the front-desk, using a digital concierge, and saying goodbye to bellmen and other traditional positions could be the future.

Real-time marketing: Providing content on an ongoing basis will dominate the industry, and will feature guests’ images and tweets in their advertising campaigns, websites and social media.

Last-minute getaways: More people will make last-minute travel plans in the coming year. The short local getaway and mini-vacations will continue to trend. Bleisure will continue to grow, and multi-generational and multi-family travel will also experience growth.

No more check-out times: Checking out of hotels may also get a makeover.

Late check-outs for no extra charge are becoming more popular, with many properties allowing guests to decide when they are going to check out, instead of requiring them to vacate their room at a certain time.

Hotel restaurants to step up a notch: In the coming year, many hotels will focus on enhancing their restaurant and bar options, in order to entice guests with an upscale experience not possible at an AirBnB. Unique perks: With so many brands to choose from, properties need to find a way to stand out. Some are offering free daily wine tastings in their lobbies or bars, some are incorporating sophisticated informational screens in bathroom mirrors, and others are giving away curated set lists of downloadable music.

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expLore IndIA

EXPLORING UTTARAKHAND’S

AGELESS HILL STATIONS The ‘Land of the Gods’ as it is aptly called, Uttarakhand embodies the perfect holiday destination—consisting of everything from charismatic mountain peaks, holy pilgrim sites, rich biodiversity, river ecology, national parks, and an astounding variety of flora and fauna. The state which has some of the country’s finest cities, is also home to several worldrenowned institutes, and is a sheer delight for all trekkers, mountain climbers and lovers of the outdoors.

v B Neha Kirpal Y

A state capital with something for everyone: Dehradun The capital city of Uttarakhand, Dehradun, makes for a pleasurable visit any time of the year. Located in the Garhwal region of the state, the Doon valley consists of a number of important national institutions, such as the Indian Military Academy, ITBP Academy, Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, Indian Institute of Petroleum, Survey of India, Forest Research Institute, National Institute of Visually Handicapped, Wildlife Institute of India and

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Rashtriya Indian Military College. The city also has many old and eminent schools of repute, such as St Joseph’s Academy, Welham Girls’ School, Welham Boys’ School and the Doon School.

Also definitely worth a visit while you’re in this delightful town is the popular Sai Baba mandir and the lovely Sakya Centre Buddhist monastery, both located on Rajpur road.

Needless to say, old-world heritage and charm is an inseparable part of the city’s fabric. A walk through Dehradun’s main marketplace, Astley Hall is a trip down memory lane for

many—complete with its landmark eateries (such as the Doon Club, Hotel President and Ellora’s bakery, which sells some lip-smacking stick jaws) and iconic stores (like Art Home and Pratap Music House) that have been around for decades. Further, the city’s conducive climate and standard of living has rendered it an ideal location for boarding schools as well as an abode for the tired, retired and the ‘going-to-be-expired’. The recently opened Antara is a one-of-its-kind sprawling, luxurious senior living residential community located on the outskirts of the city.

expLore IndIA However, off late, the city also has a new culture of eating out, with a slew of eclectic and fun cafes that appeal to its youth. Strings and Bowls, perched unassumingly on the old Mussoorie road hosts some of the most vibrant live music performances by amateur bands. With both indoor and outdoor seating, the relatively new eatery is ensuring that this sleepy town comes alive! Café Marigold is another quaint little retreat surrounded by the greenery of Kairwaan gaon. Its bright décor, red brick walls and hut-like structure make it an ideal place to catch up with friends. Their delectable thukpa, saucy momos and bruschetta—all taste heavenly! Orchard restaurant in Rajpur has a chilled ambience and offers some awesome milk shakes, cold coffees and pizzas. Don’t forget to try out their lemon tarts, passion fruit cheese cake and brownies. The restaurant even makes its own bread in-house.

Heritage trail in the queen of hills: Mussoorie Not far away from Dehradun, lies Mussoorie—an idyllic hill station where possibly everyone who has grown up in north India has been for a vacation with family or friends sometime or the other. In case you were wondering whether there’s anything interesting to do here beyond the hustle-bustle of the Mall road, the yummy delights at Chaar Dukaan and peaceful walks along Landour and Lal Tibba, then read on!

This time, I discovered an entirely new facet of this pretty hill town. I decided to explore Mussoorie’s quaint heritage—its fascinating antique stores.

My first stop was the antiquarian Sabri Bought & Sold in Landour Cantonment.

A small little shop, it has a huge collection of old prints, books, compasses, clocks, tea sets, flasks and other curiosities. You could spend hours just examining all the curios and discussing the stories of their origin with the

HOW TO REACH: By road: Dehradun is located at a distance of about 240 kms from Delhi. Mussoorie is a short 30-km drive from Dehradun.

By air: There are plenty of flights that land at the Jolly Grant airport in Dehradun from most major cities.

By train: Both the Shatabdi as well as the Jan Shatabdi Express goes daily from Delhi to Dehradun.

shop’s owner, Mohd Ayub Mansoori.

The details require time, and it’s certainly not a spot for a tourist who is in a rush.

Next up was the Mussoorie Heritage Centre (MHC), a private enterprise located at Parade Point House near the Clock Tower. Housed within a historical 180-year old building, it opened in 2013 with the objective to showcase and preserve Mussoorie’s heritage. The MHC archives the region’s very first map which was compiled by the Survey of India in 1814, right up till 1959 when His Holiness the Dalai Lama built his first colony here.

The Centre showcases the culture and tradition of the Himalayas through paintings on canvas, sculpture, frescos, murals and scrap art. It also has a collection of local heritage artifacts—musical instruments, clothes, jewellery, and vessels. In this way, the MHC works towards developing and promoting indigenous art by providing local craftsmen a sales platform. The Centre also conducts heritage walks from time to time, to educate student groups about the city’s history, as well as birdwatching tours to encourage appreciation for its rich flora and fauna.

HERITAGE HAUNTS IN MUSSOORIE: Sabri Bought & Sold Shop no. 11, Landour Cantonment Mussoorie – 248179 Tel: 0135-2630623 Mussoorie Heritage Centre Parade Point House, Clock Tower, Landour Bazaar Mussoorie - 248179 Tel: 0135-2632801 Vinod’s Art & Antiquities Parade Point House, Clock Tower Mussoorie - 248179 Tel: 0135-2632801 Landour Language School 41/2 Landour Cantonment Mussoorie - 248179 Tel: 0135-2631487 EATING OUT IN DEHRADUN: Ellora’s Bakery Astley Hall, Rajpur Road, Dehradun Tel: 0135-2714950 Hotel President 6, Astley Hall, Rajpur Road, Dehradun Tel: 0135-2657082 Strings and Bowls Near Kala Khadi bridge, old Mussoorie road, Rajpur, Dehradun Tel: +91 8171634151, +91 9779333588 Café Marigold Near Shehanshahi Ashram, old Mussoorie road, Rajpur, Dehradun Tel: +91 8958254180, +91 9675448629 Orchard restaurant 3D, Dak Patti, Near MDDA park, Rajpur, Dehradun Tel: +91 9917733111

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wInter specIAL

WINTER HOLIDAY IDEAS FOR CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR’S EVE As 2016 draws to a close, we take a look at some exciting promotional packages being offered at popular tourist destinations for the upcoming winter season. So if you’re still unsure about where to go and spend your Christmas-New Year’s Eve break, then read on!

BY NEHA KIRPAL

Goa: Every year, Goa is one of the top choices for a Christmas-New Year getaway. It’s the peak season for tourists, with a number of carnivals organized across the state. Anjuna beach in the north is most famous for its dance performances, live band shows, traditional Goan cuisine and drinks throughout the night.

Kerala: Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Kerala is a sight to behold, as everything comes alive in the state during this time. With its pristine beaches, backwaters and serene beauty, Kerala offers something for everyone. This is also the perfect weather for houseboat trips, bird watching tours, fishing and canoeing.

The Cochin Carnival takes place every year in the last week of December and ends with a massive procession on New Year’s Day through Fort Kochi. Led by an embellished elephant and accompanied by drums and music, the carnival also stages different south and north Indian folk dances. Traditional kalam vara (floor drawing), tug-of-war, bicycle race, swimming in the sea, and beach volleyball are some of the key highlights of the Carnival.

Rann Utsav, Gujarat: Another exotic way to bring

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in the New Year is on the desert sands of the Kutch—at the Rann Utsav in Gujarat. This carnival of music, dance and folklore takes place annually from November to March. Christmas-New Year’s Eve is a particularly special time to enjoy this festival, as numerous fireworks light up the night sky and the city glows with colours of celebration, aesthetic arts and crafts, and grand cultural activities. Most packages include accommodation in premium tents, all meals, and a complimentary Rann safari on an open-top double-decker bus. The best way to reach the festival is to go to Bhuj by train or plane.

Rishikesh: If you are an adventure buff and enjoy water sports, then head to Rishikesh to bring in 2017.

There are a number of pocket-friendly New Year’s Eve packages being offered by various camps in the area.

The Jungle Luxury Camp offers adventurous activities like rock climbing, rappelling, camp fire, river rafting, cliff jumping, trekking, apart from tented accommodation and all meals. 31st night would be a novel celebration with a DJ, barbeque snacks, gala dinner and cake ceremony at midnight—all on the banks of the river Ganga—and all this can cost you a neat price of just

wInter specIAL

about Rs 5,000!

Neemrana: Neemrana is another favourite destination for tourists looking for a nearby place to celebrate the Christmas-New Year holidays. The Neemrana Fort Palace, located on the Delhi-Jaipur highway, has a mandatory gala dinner for New Year’s Eve priced at Rs 3,500 (with taxes extra). This is apart from the regular accommodation rates that apply—booking early is always advisable, as the hotel gets booked up early.

Dubai: If you’re looking to shell out a few extra rupees and go international to bring in the New Year, then consider Dubai. In recent years, the city has emerged as a popular destination among Indians for Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations.

The fireworks display at the Burj Khalifa—the tallest building in the world—are attended by thousands of tourists every year. To witness this great show, you just need to book hotel rooms in advance. For the best views of the ceremony, book your room at the Ramada Downtown or the Steigenberger hotel.

The Burj Al Arab—also known as the lone seven star hotel in the world—is located on an artificial island. The hotel provides a special package to attend the New Year’s Eve event, including a New Year’s Eve cocktail party, gala dinner, live entertainment, fireworks show, gifts and much more.

Atlantis, The Palm—one of the most luxurious hotels

in the world—is located on the Palm island. The evening of the New Year’s Eve at the hotel begins at 7:30 pm, comprising a panoramic view of the Dubai skyline, gala dinner, and the hotel’s own spectacular fireworks display.

Singapore: Singapore is another great international choice to celebrate New Year’s Eve—close to India, relatively inexpensive, and just right for a 2–3-day break.

The biggest NYE celebration in Singapore takes place in the popular Marina Bay area, with live performances and big fireworks displays set against the breathtaking skyline of the city. The Marina Bay Sands hotel is the best choice for this.

The Siloso Beach Party in Sentosa island showcases 12 hours of continual music to accompany your swim in the peaceful ocean waters. It is an outdoor beach fiesta with a huge dance floor and tons of great tunes such as house beats, Latin grooves and Mambo. You can continue the party until the wee hours of the morning hours at any of the fun five unique zones or big foam pool along the beaches.

Clarke Quay has some great clubs with stilt walkers and belly dancers. The Singapore Flyer—the world’s tallest ferris wheel—is a “must see”, providing some of the best views of the city. Other great hotel choices in the city include the Mandarin Oriental, Peninsula Excelsior hotel, Fullerton hotel and the Ritz Carlton.

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expLore the worLd

DISCOVERING THE

NETHERLANDS WITH A DIFFERENCE! Often considered as a small country, there are a lot of places worth a visit in the Netherlands. This densely populated country in part reclaimed from the sea with about half of its land lying below sea level. Many tourists only come to the Netherlands to visit Amsterdam, the capital of the country. Right from crisscrossed canals, the beautiful landscape or cycling with historic town centers and classic windmills are tourist spots sprinkled all around the country. During springtime, the flower gardens become great tourist attractions in the Netherlands and offer a bold scene of vivid colors. In this article, you will find the best places to discover this country with a difference…..

v B Archana Sharma Y

Amsterdam (capital city) is one of the most visited cities all over the world.

With its beautiful canal ring and remarkable architecture, this city amazes you at every point. Amsterdam is also the starting point of many tourists as the largest airport of the country, Schiphol Airport is located here. Once here, you can explore one of the many museums, shop in The Nine Streets, take a canal cruise, stroll through the famous Red Light District, enjoy the nightlife or relax and sip coffee at one of the coffee shops.

exhibitions of works of art and historical artifacts highlighting the rich culture of the Dutch. It is the most popular museum of the Netherlands. The most important works are of famed artists, Frans Hals, Vermeer and Rembrandt. The museum is being completely renovated, but the major masterpieces are still on show. ~Trivia~ Hours: Open • 9AM –5PM Director: Taco Dibbits Architect: Pierre Cuypers

Located in Amsterdam, the Rijksmuseum is the largest and most prestigious museum for art and history in the Netherlands. It is an exclusive Dutch national art and history museum featuring over 8,000

famous for frequently hosting large festivals at various times all around the year, which includes autumn and winter festivals.

The Anne Frank House The Anne Frank House is where Anne Frank and her family hid during the German occupation in World War II. It is a writer's house and biographical museum dedicated to Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank. It’s a historical museum showcasing Anne’s life, the secret annex and an exhibition on discrimination and persecution. A museum with a collection and story that’s sure to impress. This building is located on a canal called the Prinsengracht, close to the Westerkerk in central Amsterdam in the Netherlands. The museum opened on 3 May 1960. ~Trivia~ Hours: Open • 9AM –7PM Founded: 1635 Architect: Dirk van Delft

Kinderdijk Maastricht Vrijthof

Rijksmuseum

leiden canal

The Vrijthof is the renowned city square in Maastricht, which is a city, located in the southern most part of the Netherlands. This square features the enormous Saint Servatius Church and Saint Jan’s Cathedral. This place is also

Imagine a beautiful landscape with over 1,000 old windmills still exist in the backdrop! Yes, you can find this place in

Kinderdijk

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expLore the worLd

Anne frank house

the Netherlands. These Dutch windmills can be found near the village of Kinderdijk (“Children’s dike”). Kinderdijk is situated in a polder in the Alblasserwaard at the confluence of the Lek and Noord rivers. To drain the excess water from the polders, which are situated below sea-levels, 19 windmills were built around 1740. The windmills of Kinderdijk are one of the best-known Dutch tourist sites which should never be missed. They have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.

Hoge Veluwe National Park The Hoge Veluwe National Park is one of the largest continuous nature reserves in the Netherlands. Located in the Otterlo region of the country, this park boasts of consisting of heathlands, scenic woodlands and unending sand dunes. Apart from the natural beauty, you can find the Kröller-Müller Museum with its large collection of paintings by Vincent van Gogh, which is located within the park. Being unapproachable by car or other vehicles,

Maastricht Vrijthof

Keukenhof Gardens

bicycles are available for free to visitors to explore the Hoge Veluwe. ~Trivia~ Hours: 9AM – 6PM Province: Gelderland Established: 1935 Management: Stichting Het Nationale Park De Hoge Veluwe

Keukenhof Gardens Keukenhof Gardens is renowned to be the largest flower garden in the world. In fact, it is also portray as a promotion for the Dutch flower industry. It was founded in the year 1950. Also known as the Garden of Europe, this flower garden is situated in Lisse, the Netherlands. According to the official website of the Keukenhof Park, approximately 7 million flower bulbs are planted annually in the park, which covers an area of 32 hectares. The gardens are open from the last week in March to mid-May. It is accessible by bus from the train stations of Haarlem, Leiden and Schiphol. It is located in an area called the "Dune and Bulb Region" (Duin-

en Bollenstreek). Keukenhof is one of the most visit tourist attractions in the Netherlands.

Leiden Canals Leiden is best known for the oldest university in the Netherlands, the birthplace of Rembrandt and also for its beautiful canals. The old center of Leiden is one of the largest 17th century town centers in the Netherlands, second to Amsterdam. The two branches of the Old Rhine enter Leiden on the east and unite in the city center, which also contains several smaller canals. They form a beautiful landscape of the city.

How to Reach the Netherlands?

By Air The Schiphol International Airport is one the busiest airport of the Europe. It is very well connected with the rest of the European cities as well as the cities of the rest of the world. The national carrier, the KLM, now after having merged with the Air France operates daily flights in and out of this airport. It serves Groningen, Maastricht, Rotterdam and other cities.

By Rail The Central Station connects Amsterdam with various European cities through the rail route. The high speed Thalys connects Amsterdam with the Paris via Brussels and Antwerp. Then there is Euronight which connects Amsterdam with various other cities like Copenhagen, Warsaw, Moscow, Minsk, Prague, Zurich and Munich over the overnight journeys.

By Road You can drive in to the Netherlands from any neighbouring countries that are connected by very well maintained expressways. Once in the Netherlands, be sure to watch out for the cyclists that suddenly appear on the roads.

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dIpLomAt corner

France: the most admired and an all time favourite tourist destination France as a tourist destination never ceases to amaze. The country is the all time favourite for every kind of traveller. With its uniquely amazing diversity and opulence, France offers exceptional tourist experiences.

v B Prem Kumar Y

rance is one of the most fascinating countries to explore and enjoy. Astonishing historical and natural sites, oldest buildings, beautiful countryside, glorious castles, serene beaches and many more interesting facets of the country make it the most admired and visited destination in the world. The country has continuously been at the top among countries in terms of foreign tourist arrivals, receiving more than 86 million travellers in 2015. In an exclusive interview with TnH, HIS EXCELLENCY ALEXANDRE ZIEGLER, AMBASSADOR OF FRANCE TO INDIA talks about the uniqueness, diversity and reputation of France as tourist destination, and why France is good destination for Indians. Here are excerpts of the interview:

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What is extraordinary about France as tourist destination?

France is a multi-faceted destination offering an exceptional diversity of experiences. With over 85 million visitors per year, France is the top global tourist destination: that is because in France each traveller can find something that appeals to him, from the iconic Eiffel Tower to a vast variety of regions that have each a unique distinct identity of their own: the Loire Valley and its fabulous castles and vineyards, the Provence and the French Riviera, the Alps and their world-famous ski resorts, Brittany and its beautiful sea landscapes, to name but a few. A kaleidoscope of holiday options await the traveller, including seaside holidays, vineyard and gastronomy trails, city breaks, adventure escapades,

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TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | DECEMBER 2016

Alexandre Ziegler

alpine retreats and selfdrive getaways. Let us not forget about France's overseas territories with their unique cultural identities.

France finds favour with every genre of traveller, from the first time traveller eager to discover iconic

monuments to the discerning traveller in search of experiences related to gastronomy, culture and art, to the corporate traveller in search for exceptional venues and locales for incentive movements. An important and intangible

dIpLomAt corner

aspect of France is its unique art de vivre, reflected in the everyday life of the French.

Why do you think that France is good destination for Indian visitors?

France ticks off many boxes on the wish list of Indian travellers. From discovering popular landmarks to experiencing offbeat activities, a plethora of options await the Indian visitor. The French travel industry has made concerted efforts to understand and cater to the requirements of this market such as including Indian specialities as part of breakfast for visiting Indian groups to organising Jain meals at famous Parisian cabarets. Vegetarian food and Indian cuisine have become popular in France which makes it easier for Indian travellers to source restaurants serving meals of their choice. A growing number of the French also speak in English which creates many opportunities for

Q

interaction and an enriching cultural exchange. In addition, France is perfectly positioned as a family destination and offers a multitude of choices in terms of accommodation, amusement parks, family-friendly activities that could appeal to Indians who prefer travelling with their families.

How simple is the visa process of France for Indian travellers? How about first time travellers? How does French visa process service remain competitive?

Since January 2015, Indian travellers can obtain their French visas within 48 hours from the date of submission. This deadline was not impacted by the implementation of biometrics for all Schengen states last November. The new biometric system was introduced to facilitate travel throughout the Schengen Area and help issue long-term visas more easily. The French Embassy in India delivers a large number of 3- or 5-

Q

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dIpLomAt corner

year circulation visas to frequent visitors to France. Regarding first-time applicants, eight new VFS centres have been opened throughout India, bringing up their number to a total of 14, to ensure that they do not need to venture too far from their residences to submit their visa applications. Applicants can submit their cases at any of these 14 centres present in the country.

How important is the Indian outbound market for France? How many Indian tourists visited France last year?

India has become a priority market for France. Indian arrivals to France have shown a dynamic increase in the last few years. In 2015, Indian visitors in France touched the half million mark. Our objective is to welcome many more.

The Indian travel fraternity has been very proactive in their promotion and showcase of our destination by

Q

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including new regions and varied experiences possible in France to align with the needs and requirements of today's discerning Indian traveller. We are grateful to the Indian travel fraternity and the media for their unwavering support towards our destination.

How is the air-connectivity between the two countries?

France and India enjoy good air connectivity. Air France operates 17 weekly flights in summer and 20 in winter from Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru to Paris. Air India operates 7 weekly flights from Delhi to Paris and Jet Airways operates 7 weekly flights from Mumbai to Paris in code share with Air France.

Q

What do you like the most about India?

India is such a great, diverse, rich and fascinating country: the ancient civilization and culture she has inherited, the thrilling pres-

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ent and of course the great promises of the future. In addition, the warmth and hospitality of Indian people are most endearing. I arrived in India only a few months ago but I felt at home immediately. France

has an excellent relationship with India that enables us to build many concrete and ambitious projects together: I know that I will enjoy every minute of my stay here.

event wAtch / news

VIRGIN ATLANTIC’S AGENT DINNER IN NEW DELHI Virgin Atlantic hosted a cocktail and dinner party at Olive Bar and Kitchen, New Delhi for its key trade partners on 21 October to thank them for all the support extended during the year. As many as 50 agents from the travel trade including top agents attended the party.

From left to right: Nick Parker - Head of India and Middle East, Virgin Atlantic Airways; Praveen Chugh - CEO, Business Travels; Sunil Talreja – VP, International Sales, InterGlobe Air Transport & Vikram Kapoor - CEO, Tourist Corp.

From left to right: Nick Parker - Head of India and Middle East, Virgin Atlantic Airways; Ajay Seth - MD, Vision Travels; Sameer Duggal - Head of Sales, Virgin Atlantic Airways & Vikram Kapoor (CEO, Tourist Corp.

GOIBIBO ENABLES GUEST HOUSES, BNB'S AND BUDGET HOTELS TO COLLECT DIGITAL PAYMENTS FROM WALK-IN GUESTS In the backdrop of the demonetization drive, Goibibo has launched a feature for its partner properties to collect online payments from their walk-in and offline customers. There is no requirement of POS machines. This is a secure and scalable feature launched by Goibibo for its partners.

85% of accommodation booking is offline in India. There is a significant volume of properties in India that have a large percentage of walk-in guests. Also these properties do not have access to POS machines or digital payment instruments. Goibibo has solved this very problem by enabling 9000 properties in the first phase.

Properties range from budget hotels, Guest houses, BnB's, alternate accommodation, homes, villas, cottages, houseboats etc.

by TNH DESK

From left to right: Indiver Rastogi - GM Operations, Thomas Cook & Jyoti Mayal - Director, New Airways Travels

CANADIANS EXEMPT FROM THE "BUSINESS" VISA TO ENTER ARGENTINA The Argentine government has exempted visas for Canadians entering the country for business reasons, temporarily, from 1 December 2016.

The Argentine government has exempted visas for Canadians entering the country for business reasons, temporarily, from 1 December 2016. This was stipulated by Resolution 540 - E / 2016 of the Ministry of the Interior, published recently in the Official Gazette, to facilitate business, promotion of investment and thus to promote economic and trade relations with Canada.

And to strengthen bilateral relations with Canada to boost trade and tourism, contributing to the creation of an enabling environment to encourage cultural exchanges, scientific, techby TNH DESK nological and economic.

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trends

T O P T R A V E L TECHNOLOGY TRENDS Technological advancement has definitely surpassed every human expectation. Also, it has offered a great scope in making things related to travel fast as well as simple. Nowadays, you can do almost everything online and the travel industry has exceptionally benefitted from the same. Right from booking train or flight ticket to book a hotel or plan a customized holiday trip, everything is just a click away. Read on to know about the booming travel technology trends…

B Archana Sharma vTravel is getting Social Y

Almost everything is highly influenced by different modes of social media. In fact, there is totally no alternative to social media in terms of getting precise information of a particular place. For example, if you look for night clubs in Bangkok through the ‘Facebook Graph Search’, you will get a list of the same with according to their local ratings. Through this way, you will be well-informed regarding the place before you spend your money. Similarly,

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‘MapQuest’ is another important website that has formed a social platform for travellers from various parts of across the world to share their experiences with other aspiring travellers. It also indicates the credibility of a destination and its importance as a vacation spot.

An App for Everything Nowadays, there is an app for everything; whether it’s a local attractions guide or a detailed geography of the

region. So make sure that you download useful apps on your smartphone / device before planning a vacation. Most of the hotels and airlines have their own app which is easy to access and best for making last minute changes, if required. With apps like Viator, you can get information of hot deals and great discounts in different places. On the other hand, ‘iStone’ is useful app that allows you to record and translate 12 different languages with having a stock of 300 phrases. However, various new

trends

travel apps are being developed every day to improve the travellers’ experience and convenience.

Enjoy in-flight Wi-Fi During the past times, if you fly a lot, the foremost thing that must have freaked you out was turning off your phone or setting it to flight mode. This means that for the entire duration of the journey, you are unapproachable to your contacts and cannot even exchange important emails without network. All you can do is to listen to music, watch movies or play games.

Noting it as a potential passenger’s inconvenience while in the air, airlines have recently introduced the concept of Wi-Fi inside the plane. Majority of airlines have installed this facility. However, many of them have put up an

added charge to access Wi-Fi. You need to buy a few dollar Wi-Fi pass equivalents to pre-decided hours respective airlines. It should be noted that this internet facility is available only on selected flights.

GPS Navigation / Interactive Maps Gone are the days, when travellers used to struggle of carrying paper maps, constantly folding and unfolding it rapidly to get to your destination or place. But today, this problem of paper maps has been solved by GPS navigation or interactive maps. This navigation technology is embedded in smartphone as apps, using which you can reach anywhere in the precise time following directions. Also, with the introduction of Google maps, every step of a traveler has been accurately moni-

tored so that you can never go wrong with directions. Besides, the exact distance between two points, you will also be aware of how much fuel you might require for the duration of ride.

A Specialized Holiday in Tech Free Zone Everything has its pros and cons, similar are with technology. It has benefitted us big time, but alternatively has made people engrossed too much into it. The free will and human interaction seems to be gone and the world has become a wired place. Even on a holiday trip, we are busy chatting on Facebook or tweeting on Twitter. Taking this scenario seriously, few resorts and hotels across the world have opted for an innovative idea of a tech-free zone.

This tech-free zone gives travelers a pleasurable braincation time away from the virtual world. A book in hand, drink to sip with sun beating down the shore is everything you need to feel heavenly.

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FestIvALs Around the worLd

This December brings wonderful music festivals and year end celebrations for travellers around the world. From the Junkanoo Parade (Nassau, Bahamas) to the popular Sunburn Festival (in Goa, India), here are some of the best festivals which a traveller must witness!

Art Basel Miami Location: Miami, Florida, United States Dates: December 1 - 4, 2016 North America’s foremost international modern and contemporary art fair has called Miami Beach home since 2001, showcasing over 250 galleries from 31 countries inside the Miami Beach Convention Center.

Widely considered the most important and exciting time of year in Miami, Art Basel Miami Beach brings certain electricity to the air in early December. The original fair was first christened in Switzerland in 1970, has created such an art ecosystem full of diversity that there’s something for just about everyone at this four-day spectacle that takes over Miami. It attracts a sophisticated international crowd of gallerists, artists, collectors, and glitterati to the sands of South Beach and beyond. There are dozens of off-shoots in the form of off-beat and offcenter art fairs strewn throughout the city. And not all of the art is ungodly expensive. Many incredible pieces are around $1,000.

Junkanoo Parade Location: Nassau, Bahamas Dates: December 26, 2016 - January 1, 2017 Junkanoo is the greatest cultural event in the Bahamas. It is a type of street carnival which occurs on Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year's Day (January 1). The main event happens in Nassau. It is a street parade with music, dance, and costumes of Igbo origin in many towns across the Bahamas every Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year's Day (January 1). The largest Junkanoo parade happens in the capital New Providence. There are also Junkanoo parades in Miami in June and Key West in October, where local black American populations have their roots in The Bahamas. Dances are choreographed to the beat of goatskin drums and cowbells. The original Junkanoo is the strongest remaining African tradition in the Bahamas. In the times of slavery, Christmas time was the only free time the slaves had, so they used this time for celebration.

Krampusnacht Festival Location: Klagenfurt, Austria Date: December 5, 2016 Krampus is Saint Nicholas’s horned mythical companion of Alpine folklore who punishes naughty children during the Christmas season. Krampusnacht Festival is celebrated on the eve of St. Nicholas’ Day and sees people dressed as devils and demons capering through the streets in celebration of the holiday season. This raucous party also has a number of Christmas markets and no shortage of gingerbread or mulled wine to keep you warm as you enjoy all the festivities. Nothing says welcome to the holiday season like Krampusnacht, an alcohol-fueled race where the contestants consist of a thousand alpine joggers dressed as child-kidnapping furry devils.

This task gets exponentially more difficult in the holiday season, leading to the lore behind Santa Claus having a list of good and naughty children. He checks it twice, so the kids had better be good, or there might be nothing waiting for them underneath the tree.

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FestIvALs Around the worLd

Mevlana Whirling Dervishes Location: Konya, Turkey Dates: December 10 - 17, 2016 Since Rumi's death in 1273, the Mevlevi Order has been commemorating him with a 10-day festival that brings even casual observers closer to a sense of the divine. Men dressed in whites robes and tall hats spinning in circles doesn’t sound as exciting as running with the bulls or dancing at Rio’s Carnival, but the chance to watch the Whirling Dervishes will change you in a way you’d never expect. You might come here to marvel at the whirling, but this festival will teach you more about modern Islam than you ever imagined. In 2008, UNESCO confirmed the "The Mevlevi Sema Ceremony" of Turkey as amongst the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The Mawlaw' yya are also known as the Whirling Dervishes due to their famous practice of whirling as a form of dhikr (remembrance of God).

Hogmanay Celebration Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Dates: December 30, 2016 - January 1, 2017 From December 30th through January 1st, tradition sends many Scots to clean their houses and settle debts, all in the name of getting a fresh start. When night falls, however, the Hogmanay celebration is in full swing with fireworks, parades and performances, all with a Scottish twist. Three days of spectacular events, incredible bands and amazing crowds from every corner of the globe.

See Shetland Vikings bearing firelit torches, hear beautiful choral singing in St Giles' Cathedral, enjoy birling to traditional Scottish music in the Old Town, and watch top stars and incredible fireworks from Princes Street Gardens. Secular celebration has a happy, friendly note, which attendees take to heart; friends and strangers share hugs and the occasional kiss, and in rural areas people open their homes to strangers to share a meal in a tradition known as First Footing. Edinburgh's Hogmanay shows the world how to party!

Sunburn Festival Location: Goa, India Dates: December 28 - 31, 2016 Sunburn is one of Asia's biggest music festivals and India's premier electronic music event. Get ready to let loose at this gorgeous beach venue. Sunburn is electronic dance music (EDM) festival held across various locations throughout the world with the biggest event taking place just after the Christmas celebrations and just before the New Year in Goa, India every year. The festival, which is a combination of music, food, shopping and entertainment is spread over three days and organized by Percept, an entertainment, media and communications company in India. The line-up of artists is hand-picked and showcases some of the most renowned DJs from around the globe alongside local Indian talent. With a variety of experiences to choose from, Sunburn caters to a wide audience and highlights India as a festival destination. Sunburn has grown to set a new standard for “Big Arena” format festivals with attracting crowds of up to 150,000 festivalgoers.

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EVENT WATCH

S KAL D ELHI Members of the Skal International Delhi met on 30th November 2016 at Sheraton, Saket, New Delhi.

They discussed the issues of the common concern and had a delicious lunch. On the occasion, some new members were introduced and welcomed.

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InternAtIonAL

KENYA: THE PERFECT SPOT FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR’S EVE Kenya has some of the best chilling and party spots which can make your winter vacation, Christmas and New Year’s celebration worthwhile. The Christmas and New Year's holidays in Kenya are marked with the spirit of celebration and reverence. Bush Dinner on Christmas Eve with a wonderful backdrop of Mount Kenya is probably the best way to celebrate. Read on to know about some of the best sites in Kenya.

Fort Jesus Museum: It is located in Mombasa. This museum was built in order to assure security to Portuguese living on the African East coast. If you want to connect to your religious and spiritual side, then this is the finest way to celebrate.

Calm retreat: Lamu museums are a World Heritage Site, located in the North Coast. These are one of the most beautiful and serene locations on the African continent. The National Museums of Kenya in collaboration with partners in the annual Lamu Cultural Festival helps preserve and promote this rich cultural heritage. It is a quiet escape to rejoice New Year eve with family and loved ones.

DJ Parties: There are various spots across Nairobi where parties are thrown in absolute flare. It is a great way to socialise, make new friends, enjoy with the old ones and ring in the New Year.

Coastal Kenya: Wild waters, beautiful stellar beaches and a revitalizing sun can be one of the best ways to celebrate the New Year’s and Christmas. Visit Kenya and experience the sea-side life.

Kenya has a range of terrain and activities to please every kind of tourist. Whether you want to be all adventurous or you only want to relax by the beaches, Kenya has it all. There cannot be better way to start afresh this New Year’s. by T NH DESK

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MOVING ON

Anjali Naik Director of Sales, Courtyard by Marriott Pune Chakan Courtyard by Marriott Pune Chakan has appointed Anjali Naik as the Director of Sales. An industry veteran with more than 14 years of experience, Anjali Naik has been associated with some of the best hotel brands in the country. In her new role, Anjali Naik will be responsible to develop and execute sales strategies through preparation of a strategic sales plan, implementation and by monitoring progress. Anjali Naik will also play a key role to drive total hotel revenue and take responsibility for the achievement of budgeted revenue streams. She also needs to understand competitiveness of the hotels in the local market, feeder market dynamics and changing customer needs to ensure planning and execution of strategies to grow market share and lead the RevPar Index.

Gunisha Gupta Assistant Front Office Manager, Courtyard by Marriott Pune Chakan Courtyard by Marriott Pune Chakan has appointed Gunisha Gupta as the Assistant Front Office Manager.

With an experience close to 4 year of serving in the industry, she has been associated with some of the best hotel brands in the world. In her new role, she will be responsible for the overall management of dayto-day operations, ensuring the quality, standards and keep the Front Office team focused on the critical components of operations. Gupta will also play a key role in leading guest services team, maintaining guest services and front desk roles and ensuring exceptional customer service.

Vinayak Patnekar Director of Operations, Courtyard by Marriott, Agra Vinayak Patnekar has been appointed as Director of Operations at Courtyard by Marriott, Agra and is set to lead the entire gamut of operations at the property. A veteran of the hospitality industry, he has a rich experience of 16 years and brings with him dynamism as well as depth. In his new role, Patnekar will effectively leverage his experience of managing diverse leadership responsibilities of Guest Services, Rooms Division Management, F&B Operations, Administration, Project Management, conceptualizing events and driving revenues at Courtyard by Marriott, Agra. Vinayak as an expert in the hospitality industry has been associated with major properties across the country in different capacities.

Anju Chauhan Spa Manager, U Sante Spa at U Tropicana Alibaug U Tropicana, Alibaug has appointed Anju Chauhan as Spa Manager of the U Sante Spa. Academically qualified with a Master’s degree in International Business & Marketing, Anju brings along, diverse experience of over 8 years in Spa & Wellness Operations; she has worked with brands renowned brands like R3 Naturals.

Prior to joining U Tropicana, Alibaug, Anju was the Spa Manager at Spa L’Occitane and was responsible for consistently delivering results that contribute to the mission and overall success of the organization by accomplishing performance objectives focused on business revenues, guest and associate satisfaction. In her role as Spa Manager of U Tropicana Alibaug, Anju will be responsible for the overall operations of the spa.

Chef Qiguo Su Chinese Executive chef, Shangri-La Hotel, Bengaluru Shangri-La Hotel, Bengaluru has appointed Qiguo Su as the Chinese Executive chef for its award-winning signature restaurant, Shang Palace. A native of Jianyang, Sichuan, Chef Qiguo Su brings with him seventeen years of rich culinary experience gained at five-star hotels and luxury hotel pre-openings in the capital city of Chengdu. Chef Qiguo Su specialises in Sichuan cuisine, one of China’s eight regional culinary traditions and the most popular world over. Sichuan cuisine is recognised for its hot and spicy delicacies resulting from the liberal use of bold and spicy ingredients including garlic and chilli peppers. He will lead the Chinese restaurant’s kitchen and ensure that guests relish an authentic and consistently high-quality culinary experience. He will focus on honing his culinary brigade’s gastronomic skills.

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MOVING ON

R. Ravi Varma General Manager, Poetree Sarovar Portico Thekkady Sarovar Hotels Pvt. Ltd. has appointed R. Ravi Varma as the General Manager of Poetree Sarovar Portico, Thekkady. A focused and analytical hospitality professional, Varma brings with him a wealth of experience spanning almost three decades in the hospitality industry. Prior to joining Sarovar Hotels Pvt. Ltd., he had worked as Executive Vice President- Linbur Group of Hotels, UK, and Group General Manager at Barracuda Beach Resort and Pearl Hotel, UAE. His other assignments include roles as General Manager at Orbit Park Inn International, Jamnagar, Gokulam Park Inn, Kochi, Madurai Park Inn, Madurai, The Raviz Hotel, Kollam. He had also earlier worked with Kumarakam Lake Resort as Director of Sales & Marketing and with Silverwoods Resort Wayanad as Director of Operations.

Aaron McGrath General Manager, Six Senses Zighy Bay Six Senses Zighy Bay has appointed Aaron McGrath as its General Manager. He holds a diploma in Hotel Management from Hotel Institute Montreux, Switzerland and has a sterling career in hospitality with over 24 years of experience. He started his career as corporate trainee at Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya in Saudi Arabia and soon was promoted to assistant director of food and beverage. He then joined Sonaisali Island Resort in Fiji as resort manager, followed by a promotion to general manager. Three years later, he was named managing director of the Sonaisali Group and was responsible for Sonaisali Island Resort, Sonaisali Premium Residences and Tadrai Island Resort. Prior to joining Six Senses Zighy Bay, he was the General Manager of Imperial Springs International Summit Hotel in Guangzhou, China.

Ranjan Banerjee General Manager, IHG global portfolio- Crowne Plaza Today New Delhi Okhla Inter-Continental Hotels Group veteran Ranjan Banerjee has recently been appointed as the General Manager of IHG global portfolio- Crowne Plaza Today New Delhi Okhla Earlier he was holding the position of General Manager of Crowne Plaza New Delhi Rohini. Prior to this, Ranjan gained valuable experience as Resident Manager, Crowne Plaza Today Gurgaon and has over 20 years work experience spanning different countries and regions including Oman, Nepal and India with The IHG. With more than 22 years of experience, Ranjan takes great pride in his work and is entirely focused on success and quality in service. Ranjan is married and has a twelve year old daughter. His passion includes travelling, reading and spending time with family.

Sandeep Johri General Manager, Novotel Kolkata Hotel and Residences Novotel Kolkata Hotel and Residences is delighted to announce Sandeep Johri as the General Manager. In his last assignment, Sandeep led the team of the very first hotel of AccorHotels in Ahmedabad – Novotel Ahmedabad for three and a half years. He took the hotel to a higher pedestal by not only achieving revenue targets but also positioning it in the marketplace of Ahmedabad in a very short span of time. A Hotel Management Graduate from IHM, Kolkata, Sandeep holds an exemplary work record in all aspects with strong expertise in structured operations and people management. He has 23 years of experience in the hospitality industry and brings with him a varied experience of being in the position of General Manager for good 12 years. He is proficient in managing the challenges of opening properties in diverse market situations across the country.

Stéphane de Meurville Managing Director, India, Moët Hennessy Moët Hennessy India has appointed Stéphane de Meurville as Managing Director, India. de Meurville will spearhead the development and execution of business strategies at Moët Hennessy India Private Limited. Moving from Moët Hennessy Canada, he is tasked with growing and strengthening the business of Moët Hennessy brands in the Indian market. The Moët Hennessy portfolio includes prestigious brands Dom Pérignon, Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, Hennessy, Glenmorangie, Belvedere and Chandon. He will report to Wiboon Arunthanes, Regional & Business Development Director South East Asia, Moët Hennessy Asia-Pacific.

He started his career with Moët Hennessy in 1996. He has held various roles in Marketing. Before joining his new role in India, he was General Manager, Moët Hennessy Portfolio in Canada since 2011.

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | DECEMBER 2016

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hot news

MANDARIN ORIENTAL, NEW YORK WELCOMES ADULTS AND CHILDREN ALIKE TO EXPERIENCE THE FESTIVE JOY OF THE HOLIDAYS

TAJ HOTELS RESORTS & PALACES AND SHANGRI-LA HOTELS & RESORTS FORM ALLIANCE Two iconic Asian hotel companies join forces to broaden their reach and scale across 200 hotels, 27 countries and 131 destinations.

Mandarin Oriental, New York invites visitors to enjoy the spirit of the holiday season with an assortment of revelries for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. MO Panda Club Festivities for Younger Fans This holiday season, younger fans ages four to 16 can tailor their own experience with festive on-property activities and adventures. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve, each child will receive upon check-in a holiday-themed photo quest with their Pocket Panda, a whimsical paper cutout character inspired by MiniMO the Panda. The photo quest features must-visit attractions to take their photo with Pocket Panda, ranging from the Origami Holiday Tree at the American Museum of Natural History and the Hanukkah Menorah at Brooklyn’s Prospect Park to the holiday windows along Fifth Avenue and the

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TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | DECEMBER 2016

New Year’s Eve Ball in Times Square.

Enjoy the Spirit of the Holidays with the Mini Manhattan Package Families traveling to New York City to explore the lights and sights of the holidays can create the perfect getaway with the Mini Manhattan offer.

Panoramic views of Central Park, the Hudson River or the Manhattan skyline from one of the property’s spacious guestrooms or suites provide a picturesque backdrop for family fun.

Delight in a quintessential New York City holiday experience with a complimentary horse-drawn carriage ride through Central Park that begins with pick-up at the hotel’s doorstep; selection of two gift cards for shopping or stocking stuffers valued at USD 50 each upon arrival; USD 100 daily food and beverage credit; and more. www.mandarinoriental.com.

by T NH DESK

Two of Asia’s most iconic luxury hotel groups, Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts and Mumbai-based Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, announced today they have formed a ground-breaking strategic alliance to broaden their reach and offer more unique experiences to guests across Asia and the world.

The alliance will officially launch in March 2017 with the introduction of the “Warmer Welcomes” programme, which integrates Taj InnerCircle and Shangri-La’s Golden Circle guest loyalty programmes and will provide members reciprocal and seamless benefits at a scale never seen before under a hospitality alliance. Both Taj and Shangri-La are renowned worldwide for their exceptional service philosophy that is deeply rooted in, and inspired by, the cultures and traditions of the markets they operate in.

The “Warmer Welcomes” programme will offer Shangri-La and Taj’s combined 6 million loyalty programme members the benefits most important to them: • Recognition: Members will be able to enjoy the perks of their elite status when they stay at any Shangri-La or Taj hotel with top-tier

by TNH DESK status matching.