2014 Jan Feb

AVIATION CHARTER FLIGHTS | INT’L TOURS & TRAVELS | VFS SERVICES | INT’L CARGO | INT'L LOGISTIC EVENT MANAGEMENT | PHARMA & HEALTHCARE | PRESS & MEDIA | FILM PRODUCTION & EQUIPMENT RENTAL

Edited & Published by Shailendra Kesari • For Online News visit: www.safariplus.co.in • Email: info@safariplus.co.in • Jan - Feb 2014 • Vol: 15 Issue: 3

INTERNATIONAL TOURISM

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An Engine For The Economic Recovery

In the first nine months of 2013, International Tourism grew by 5% according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer.

The number of international tourist arrivals reported by destinations around the world increased by some 41 million between January and September, growing above UNWTO’s initial forecast and creating an important stimulus to the receiving economies.

International tourist arrivals grew by 5% in the first nine months of the year, to reach a record 845 million worldwide, an estimated 41 million more than in the same period of 2012.

Growth was driven by Europe and Asia and the Pacific, both seeing tourist numbers increase by 6%.

“International tourism continues to grow above expectations, supporting economic growth in both advanced and emerging economies and bringing much needed support to job creation, GDP and the balance of payments of many destinations” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. “It is particularly encouraging to see the strong results in many European destinations, where the tourism sector is, undoubtedly, one of the engines of the economic recovery”.

In Europe, the world’s most visited region, international tourist arrivals grew by 6% led by above-average results in Central and Eastern Europe (+7%) and Southern and Mediterranean Europe (+6%). This growth exceeds the initial forecast for 2013 and

contd. on pg 16

Golden Era that glitters the glory of MP

2 SAFARI PLUS January - February, 2012

NEWS FLASH MALDIVES HITS ONE MILLION TOURISTS The Maldives has reached its tourism target of one million arrivals, according to statistics released by the government Maldives Minister of Tourism. The end of 2013, tourist arrivals had reached 1,000,203.

Tourist arrivals were highest from Asian and European countries. The ministry informed that efforts were made to achieve this target amid serious political challenges, and that a higher target will be set for next year. Minister said expenditure on tourism is an investment, and that several dollars will be earned for every

one dollar invested in the tourism industry.

Therefore, the Maldivian government is attempting to double tourism-related investment of $6.6 million. Tourism accounts for 70% of the Maldives' GDP.

‘INCREDIBLE INDIA’ CALENDAR 2014 LAUNCHED BY MINISTRY OF TOURISM The Ministry of Tourism today launched the ‘Incredible India Promotional Calendar 2014.” The calendar containing 24 photographs and was launched

by Tourism Secretary Mr. Parvez Dewan. Launching the calendar, Mr. Dewan said that every State has been covered and suitable regions/ regional balance has been maintained. All the northeastern States have also been represented in the calendar.

The calendar has also been launched digitally wherein it can be seen at the website of the Ministry www.incredibleindia.org.

The Tourism Secretary also highlighted the efforts of the Ministry on revamping the website of Incredible India. He said that the print ready material would be made available on the website which would facilitate the professionals in the tourism industry to bring out brochures

and other publicity material. This information would be provided in 10 languages – English, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish, French, Korean Japanese, Portugese, Italian, German in addition to Hindi. Mr. Dewan also highlighted the fact that information about 15 Sound and Light Shows have been provided through YouTube in Dolby sound which is the first of its kind in the entire world.

BAHAMAS TOURISM DECLARED 2014 AS YEAR OF CULTURE Celebrating 50th anniversary of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, the Prime Minister has declared 2014 as the ‘Year of Culture’ since culture is so prevalent in tourism offerings.

The Bahamas achieved a celebrated milestone when tourism expenditure eclipsed the one billion dollar mark for the first time in 1986 and the country has not looked back ever since.

To d a y, t o u r i s m accounts for more than 60% of the nation’s economy and jobs and continues to dominate the economic landscape of The Bahamas. A large part of The Bahamas’ tourism success is owed to its people and culture. Throughout the year, the people, food, festivals, dance, heritage, music, arts and crafts of The Bahamas will be showcased.

MALAYSIA VISA ON ARRIVAL FOR INDIAN Malaysia Immigration a n d Malaysia Tourism has announced the VISA ON ARRIVAL (7 days stay) for Indian arriving to Malaysia via Singapore and Thailand (traveller must have valid visa into either of these countries). This is further step in promoting the Visit Malaysia 2014 campaign in India Market.

VOA fee is USD 100 and visitors must show that they have at least USD 1,000 cash.

Destination New South Wales, India Office is relocated to Bandra Kurla Complex and is headed by Mr. Paramjit Bawa as Country Manager – India. And the address is as below Destination New South Wales India Business Office 85, 3 North Avenue, Maker Maxity Bandra Kurla Complex Bandra (E), Mumbai 400 051 TEL : +91 22 6770 3034 PBX: +91-22-6770 3030 E: paramjit.bawa@dnsw.com.au www.destinationnsw.com.au

CHAIRMAN, RAILWAY BOARD CALLS ON RAILWAYMEN TO PROVIDE ‘SERVICE WITH A SMILE’ Chairmen, Railway Board, Shri Arunendra Kumar has called upon all railwaymen to focus on providing Indian Railway customers a pleasant experience in their interaction with the Railways.

He said, “In the year 2013, we have achieved visible milestone. The opening of the Pir Panjal tunnel has provided the long awaited Rail connectivity to the Kashmir valley. A new Rail Coach Factory at Rae Bareilly has come on stream. So far this year, we have seen a growth of 18% in passenger earnings over last year. Yet the pace needs to pick up further. The challenge before us is to meet the rising passenger expectations in the face of financial constraints. More

is expected of us.”

“The ‘efficiency’ in work must go hand in hand with effectiveness’. Our focus and mission is clear: the earnings of Indian Railways have to go up. Expenses need to be contained. We need to prioritise. Our passengers should get value for money. We need to deliver quality and on time,” he added.

He concluded saying, “To meet these challenges the biggest strength is our competent human resource capital. The Railwaymen have traditionally been our inherent strength. In the New Year our emphasis, then, should be to focus on providing our customers with a pleasant experience ‘Service with a smile’.”

SKYCYCLE

LONDON’S FUTURISTIC BIKE HIGHWAY London could become much m o re b i ke - f r i e n d l y w i t h SkyCycle, an elevated route for bicycles only that runs along the existing rail network and would enable commuters to see the city in a new way.

SkyCycle is a 136-mile route with over 200 entrance points that can accommodate 12,000 cyclists per hour. The fact that the route follows the train

system is actually ideal, since the railway lines were built for steam trains and follow contours that avoid steep ups and downs. If approved, the routes could be in place within 20 years or so. SkyCycle would function as a paid-for service by c o m m u t e rs a n d w o u l d r e q u i r e permission from Network Rail as the decks would operate largely on the company's land.

January - February, 2014 SAFARI PLUS 3

EVENTS

THE WORLD COMING HERE...

Imagine having the entire Travel and Tourism industry wrapped into a seed that will eventually bear the fruit of infinite opportunities. Conceptualized and executed by Asian Business Exhibition & Conferences Ltd, India International Travel & Tourism Exhibition (IITT) is a strong networking platform for both domestic and international buyers and giant corporates of the industry, to showcase their services and products to their counter-parts from Pan-India and overseas. Asian Business Exhibition & Conference Ltd - India's trade fair leader & ITE Group PLC-leading exhibition organizers globally (also organizers of MITT and EMITT)-have announced the launch of a new ground-breaking travel expo to turbocharge India's Travel Industry with the India International Travel & Tourism Exhibition-IITT 2014.

Guaranteed to be the Mecca for marketing and networking for domestic and international players of the Travel Industry by attracting trade and public visitors in parallel.

IITT is an initiative taken to propel the Travel and Tourism industry by bridging

the gap between the geographies and its components. Apart from the exhibition, this mega event also brings you knowledge seminars i.e. the 2-day conference at IITT 2014 that will be an interactive platform giving an opportunity to address key industry issues, expert perspectives and highlight on the challenges of the tourism industry. IITT will also create avenues to interact and build relationships for future businesses for the rapidly evolving Indian travel and tourism market in terms of inbound, outbound and domestic travel which is both potential and challenging.

The Exhibition will be spread across 10,000 sq.mts. and will witness participation from both domestic and international industry players. With a media budget running into crores, IITT is set to break grounds in its inception.

IITT is going be held at the MMRDA Exhibition Center at the Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai on 16th, 17th& 18th January 2014. Turkey who has had a long relationship with ITE Group is the partner country for the event.

The event will have exhibitors from

Brand Ambassador: VYOM KESARI

4 SAFARI PLUS January - February, 2014

National Tourist Organizations (NTOs), state tourism boards, travel agents, tour operators, car rental companies, convention centers, cruise liners, golf courses, resorts, hotels and many more.

IITT is a must-visit exhibition if you are involved in selling or buying travel products and services whether inbound, outbound or domestic tourism.

IITT is a brand new platform that will bring with ita beneficial initiative and unexpected opportunities to maximize business and travel experiences. IITT is all fired up to break ground thus making room for everything from the most renowned to the most promising.

NEW MANAGING COMMITTEE OF TAAI 2013 - 15 New Managing Committee formed at the 62nd Annual General Meeting of TAAI, in Bengaluru.

Elected Office Bearers are: Mr. M Iqbal Mulla - President; Mr. Sunil Kumar R - Vice President; Mr. Harmandeep Singh Anand - Hon. Secretary General; Mr. Marzban Antia Hon. Treasurer. Elected Members of the Managing Committee: Mr. Lokesh Bettaiah; Mr. Imtiaz Qureshi; Mr. Kirti Vyas; Mrs.Jyoti Mayal; Mr. Jay Bhatia; Mr. Vijay Mohan Raj; Mr. Mukesh Patel.

New Committee of the TAAI Western Region New committee of the TAAI Western Region has taken charge from 16th December 2013. The new office bearers of TAAI , Western Region are as follows: CHAIRMAN - Mr. Sampat D a m a n i , D i s h a Tr a v e l ; H O N .

SECRETARY - Col P. Shashidharan, Orbit Corporate & Leisure Travels (I) Pvt. Ltd; HON. TREASURER - Mr. Sameer Karnani, Arunodaya Travels

TRADE PLUS

EXPLORE RUSSIA WITH DIMAZ SURE, YOUR WILL LOVE IT! The largest country in the world Russia offers a broad array of travel experience, from treks to the glaciercapped mountains to strolls along the shoreline of Earth’s oldest lake BAIKAL. A visit to the historical sites and cultural activities therein or wandering through the steppes of Mongolia, a tour to Russia is an adventure in itself. These top tourist attractions can inspire us to draw up great Russian itinerary for once in a lifetime memorable trip!

Moscow is a popular city, comprising of high-rise suburbs surrounding a historic centre with fascinating ancient architecture. Within the main c i t y i t s e l f t h e re a re re n o w e d attractions such as The Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral, Red square with the State Historical Museum to name a few.

An evening at Moscow’s famous Russian Circus is a must!

The city of St. Petersburg boasts off impressive building such

as the Hermitage Museum, Peterhof Park & Palace, St Peter and St Paul Cathedral, St Isaac’s Cathedral, Nevsky Prospekt. It is one of the biggest cultural centres in the world, showcasing the M a r i i n s k y T h e at re .

Those who visit St. Petersburg from mid June to early July can enjoy the White Nig

hts, with two weeks of festivities to celebrate the longest day of the year.

The most famous natural tourist destination in Russia is Lake Baikal.

Other popular destination include The Golden Ring, the Trans-Siberian Railway journey, the Kamchatka region with ts popular sea resorts, like Sochi, which will host 2014 Winter Olympics.

A visit to Russia is incomplete without savouring the cuisine, drinks and collecting souvenirs which is a central part of Russian culture. Most people are familiar with world renowned Russian vodka and beer. The most sumptuous traditional foods are Borshch, Pirozhki, Caviar (ikra), Blini and Russian Kebabs called Shashlyk.

One should not forgot to buy a parting souvenir of beautifully hand painted Russian dolls Matrioshka.

Explore exciting summer packages to Russia with

Dimaz Aviation Pvt Ltd Tel: +91-22-2826 4333/ 2826 4666 E: reservations@dimazgroup.com W: www.dimazgroup.com

GO BEYOND TRAVELS Expertise in SAFARI TRAILS

Go Beyond Travels, based in Mumbai, is a B2B and B2C travel company specializing in high-end luxury and offbeat travel. While Go Beyond is a certified specialist in several destinations around the globe such as South America and Antarctica amongst o t h e rs , i s k n o w n fo r c re a t i n g unforgettable journeys to Africa.

Be it an exclusive wildlife camp or walking in the wild, Go Beyond caters to every style and mode of travel. With a range of partners such as African Quest Safaris, Robin Pope Safaris, Jenman

Safaris, Ghion, etc, Go Beyond's bouquet of services includes some of the best travel products in Africa and beyond.

The art of hand crafting a safari in Africa to suit the needs of every traveler is what Go Beyond excels in. Exclusive touches such as the client's personal choice of wine and pillow comfort are some of the finer details taken into consideration.

Go Beyond recently launched their bus tour division for the budget-conscious traveler.

6 SAFARI PLUS January - February, 2014

Go Beyond's Founder and CEO, Mr. Shantanu Chand is an avid safari enthusiast and has immense knowledge of African as well as local Indian Wildlife.

His passion fueled the creation of this travel company, which specializes in turning trips into extraordinary, lifealtering journeys. He believes that an

African wildlife safari is something everybody must experience at least once in a lifetime. Because after each safari, it's a new lifetime. And so you just have to go again.

Contact Go Beyond: +91 22 24948099 or Mailto- info@gobeyond.travel or visit www.gobeyond.travel

January - February, 2014 SAFARI PLUS 7

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GURU MANTRA

In the year 2013 the international tourist arrivals have seen a very marginal growth, leaving a very bleak scene in tourism business. There were 3 major reasons which really kept foreign tourists away from India:1) The Visa issues: - We failed to streamline our visa operation in a dignified manner. There was always scene of uncertainty for travellers till the last date of travel. This was really not appreciated by Tour Operators overseas.

Added to that was the unfriendly behavior of our personnel in the Embassies/Missions Overseas/Agents appointed for visa servicing and complicated visa forms asking various unwanted questions, harassment, arrogance and as if they are obliging by issuing visas. Such attitude does not help. It really ruined the growth. Many tour operators have dropped India from holiday brochure in 2014.

2) Sudden change in norms and each Embassy following its own operational norms which was found quite strange for tour operators.

3) High taxation on tourism sector made our holiday products cost prohibitive and we could not offer the matching package costs as on offer from our competitors a n d l o st ow n b u s i n e s s to o u r neighbouring countries like Srilanka, Singapore and UAE etc.

We can make up with certain positive steps which should include “Electronic Visas” (not even visa on arrival it has proved tortures and tourists felt unhappy). Even Embassies should promote Group Visas/collective visas or Temporary Landing Permit for tourists from friendly countries from where

M S I R TOU IN 2014

N EAP A L I T N D A I G A IN ISED FOR PO

threat perception is not there. A quick decision is needed to boost international tourist's traffic in 2014.

There is urgent need to provide budgetary support/financial support to tour operators overseas to launch India holiday packages, do India promotions, do advertisements in local Press, put up India displays at local shopping malls and at places where they think India would be promoted. No need to have media blitz with “Incredible India”. Let us prove, that India is CREDIBLE INDIA where delivery is promised.

Also some support needs to be given to Indian Inbound tour operators so that they continue to hold Road Shows, Joint Promotions, Educational Tours of Tours operators, invite them to hold their Board Meetings in India, help them to showcase India, training their staff, give support in all respects and total involvement from all should be visible.

We have to move away from traditional markets which are nearly exhausted. Our Indian tour operators are more aggressive now in China, Japan, South Korea, South Africa, Middle East, Gulf and East European, Scandiviavian countries, BeneLux Countries and South American countries where India a wa re n e s s i s b e tte r a n d h ave disposable money to travel to long haul destinations are keen to visit India but need greater involvement from our stake holders.

It is hoped that the aviation scene will change new airlines will come up in 2014 and Air India is already doing a fabulous job in moving good number of tourists from South East Asia and will have more when Singapore Airlines also join the scene in 2014, Latin American countries and China airlines starts operations/ increase their operations. Air-link is expected to boost tourist arrivals from some new markets in 2014 In the changing for Inbound to India, There is more emphasis on Niche Tourism where

10 SAFARI PLUS January - February, 2014

India offers unique experience and in 2014, there is a greater emphasis to boost NICHE tourism products by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

Government is aggressively focusing MICE to attract conventions conference operators to come to India and hold their Conference/Conventions. This segment is expected to bring volume in tourist arrivals. Even Convention infrastructure have seen a sea change in India and we can take even Convention with delegates over 5000 in place like Gandhi Nagar (Gujarat) even in J&K (over 20003000) and in many others states. MICE can give immediately 15% increase in international tourist arrivals in 2014.

Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has focused Wellness and Health Tourism Policy and the series of roads shows with Medical Tour Operators/ Hospitals of JCC recognition of USA have started giving results and we can expect over 250,000 medical tourists in 2014 and all over the country Medical Tourism/Spa Tourism facilities have come up. Use any entry point, you get the facility. It is affordable, very smart and very timely (do not need to wait.)

We have promoted the value additions in having medical treatments in India.

Even tourists are coming from developed countries like UK, USA for treatments on affordable cost wise terms and expertise of Indian doctors trained globally with language proficiency. Last year, in rough terms, over 150,000 tourists came on Medical treatments.

Cruise Tourism Policy has been drawn up by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India financial assistance are given to state governments to improve Port facilities in Kerala, Goa, Mumbai and Chennai in a big way. Big liners have already included India in their Port of Call for 2014 and giving publicity in up markets. Port facilitation needs to be improved further as it is showcasing India even for those who are not getting

down and but may come back in future.

Rural Tourism, Golf Tourism, Rail Tourism, Fairs and Festivals, Shopping, Yoga Meditation and Spiritual tourism all these segments have proved to be the unique experiential tourism segment for travelers looking for totally new experience or to be with nature and enjoy Agro/Farm Tourism. The variety is so great, India can be the right choice for these new breed of tourists 2014.

Adventure Tourism has been focused in a big way in 2014 along with Wildlife, Water Sports, Trekking in the Himalayas and water sport, Skiing at Gulmarg etc. It is an advantage India if it is Himalayan Holidays as major part of the Himalaya is in India.

In 2014, many young tourists from Israel, Jordan, African countries are looking towards India along with Australians, Canadians, French and Austrians who are great nature lovers and look towards India for adventure holidays. In 2013, we could not do much because of restrictive visa policy 60 days gap between last visit and next visit and safety and security threats which gave negative publicity to India.

Even in the Budget 2014-15 it is expected there will be increased outlay for tourism publicity and infrastructure. Planning commission has given priority to India to improve economy, GDP, Employment and National integration. This is a big change in 'Attitude'. Earlier tourism never got recognition in central planning. Detailed India Campaign Plan has been drawn up and already put in action.

There is a greater focus on “Diversification of tourism products” in India which in turn will provide longer stay in the region.Really India Tourism is poised for a grant leap in 2014. Keeping our fingers crossed India should remain Peaceful no Natural Calamities to face or no terrorist events take place and we can show to the world India means Business and all are welcome to India for holiday of a life time.

By Gour Kanjilal - The writer is the former Deputy Director General, MoT, Govt. of India and presently working as Executive Director with IATO, New Delhi.

(The views expressed are his own)

INSIGHT INDIA IS THE 5TH LARGEST DUBAI WILL BE THE HOST CITY FOR EXPO 2020 MARKET FOR MAURITIUS Hosting Expo 2020 will have a significant impact on the tourism industry of Dubai and the UAE, and will provide a unique platform for promoting Dubai around the world and attracting international visitors to the UAE. Commenting on this His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre said, “From the outset, Dubai's Expo bid was part of the government's long-term vision that ensures sustainable national development and a prosperous future for the UAE. Hosting Expo 2020 is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and one that will be maximised to accelerate the growth of the tourism industry in Dubai, the UAE and the wider GCC region. We are honoured to have been chosen as the host nation and would like to thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai for his incomparable vision; the members, committees and secretariat of the BIE; all of the countries which voted for us; and the people of the UAE for their tremendous support.”

Gathered in Paris, France, at Bureau International des Exhibitions (BIE) General Assembly, representatives of the 168 BIE member nations voted on

bids from the final four contenders – Dubai, Brazil, Russia and Turkey – to host the 2020 edition of one of the world's oldest, largest and most significant international mega-events.

Dubai's bid - themed 'Connecting Minds, Creating the Future' - won with 116 votes in the final round, with Russia gaining 47. Between October 2020 and April 2021, more than 25 millio n visitors are expected to attend Expo 2020, 70% of which will be from outside the UAE – the largest number of international visitors in Expo history.

His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri stated “With regards to hospitality, there are currently 82,000 hotel and hotel apartment rooms in Dubai with this figure expected to double by 2020.

Our successful bid demonstrated the value in harnessing the collective power, resources and passion of all of our city stakeholders and the people of the UAE and we will ensure that the world is welcomed in style in 2020.”

More info: ww.expo2020dubai.ae

Mauritius is currently witnessing a remarkable growth in the number of tourists from India.

The tourism board aspires to expand the diverse product offering of the destination.

Mauritius, best known for its azure waters, white beaches and luxury spas, has enticed Indians since ages. Indian arrivals have continued to grow and latest figures highlight that India has notched up the ladder and become the 5th largest market for destination Mauritius with a growth of 7.2% till September 2013.

It is not just an island nation in the Indian Ocean; Mauritius is a confluence of different cultures and religions. It is a melting pot with Hindus, Catholics and Muslims inhabiting the island. Mauritius has all the ingredients that are required to hold magnificent Indian weddings. It offers customised deals so that one can have elaborate wedding ceremonies.

Mauritius boasts a grand total of seven 18-hole golf courses, each of which provides a unique golfing experience to the tourists. It has played host to several major tournaments.

The island is also fast emerging as the MICE destination for the Indian travelers. Mauritius has all the key ingredients that are required for

successful meetings, incentives, conferences and events. It supports a perfect set up to host large groups, provides high-end luxury and accommodation, meetings and conference arrangements, host team building activities, etc all year round. The island is fully equipped to handle small as well as large groups.

Mr. Vijaye Haulder, Deputy Director, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority said, “India is one of the fastest growing outbound travel markets in the world. In order to tap the opportunities that the Indian market presents, Mauritius is closely working with the Travel Trade.

With the growing disposable income, Indians want to go all out and do something different on their 'Big Day' and Mauritius offers everything as per their wants. We are aggressively working to target MICE, Weddings and Golf segment from India.”

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Corp.Off: Office No:1,Maple B-4, Highland Garden, Dhokali Road, Thane (W), Mumbai - 400 607, India Mob: 99699 48787 / 97690 58991 | Email: shailendra@safariplus.co.in | Web: www.safariplus.co.in

January - February, 2014 SAFARI PLUS 11

DOMESTIC NEWS J&K GOVT TO PROCURE SNOWMAKING MACHINES FOR GULMARG In a bid to extend the skiing period in Gulmarg, The Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) government has ordered procurement of snow making machines.

Gulmarg is considered to be the best ski destination in South Asia. Pertinently, snowmaking is the production of snow by forcing water and pressurized air through a "snow gun" or "snow cannon", on ski slopes. Snowmaking is mainly used at ski resorts to supplement natural snow and to extend their ski seasons. Snowmaking is a relatively expensive process in its energy use limiting its use. The snow flakes will create a snow layer of three to four inches, which will be ideal for skiing.

The government is planning to buy both fixed and mobile machines, which are

likely to be commissioned by next year.

“We are hopeful during winter season good number of tourists will visit Kashmir and we will be successful in promoting brand Kashmir . The best way of promotion was to provide better services to the visitors and make sure that they did not have any complaints added Mr. Talat Parvez, Director of Tourism, Kashmir.

KERALA TOURISM UNVEILS OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGES IN FRENCH AND GERMAN

To reach out to French and Germanspeaking tourists, Kerala Tourism has opened two new Facebook pages in these languages. This is the first time a tourism department in any state in the country is opening official Facebook pages in foreign languages.

The pages contain details of the destinations in French at https://www.facebook.com/KeralaTour ismeOfficiel and in German at https://www.facebook.com/KeralaTour ismus to help visitors plan their activities well in advance and to enable others to understand the experience offered by

“God’s Own Country.”

The official French and German pages of Kerala Tourism on Facebook are interactive and reader-friendly, with photographs and descriptions, giving glimpses of key destinations across the state.

France is the second-biggest foreign market for Kerala, after the United Kingdom. Nearly 100,000 French tourists visited the state last year.

Germany is also a key market for Kerala, as the country ranks on the top of the list for foreign tourists arriving in the state for Ayurveda treatment.

RUSSIAN INFORMATION CENTRE IN GOA One of the largest tourism operators of Goa, Tara Leisure Pvt Ltd, has set up a round-the-clock Russian Information Centre for the Russian tourists visiting Goa. The information centre will have offices at Candolim and Bebaulim.

The information centre is set up to help Russian tourists hand pick the right type of accommodation, travel, and transfer options, tour guides and other handy services like dry cleaning or kids-friendly restaurants in Goa, she said. According to official figures, 2,50,000 Russian tourists visited Goa last year, surpassing the traditional UK travellers who top the list of visitors to the coastal state.

The centre was inaugurated in the presence of Alexey M Mzareulov, Deputy Consul General of the Russian

Federation in Mumbai and Victor Albuquerque, Consul General of Russian Federation in Goa. “Its a well-known fact that Russian tourists often face difficulties in finding comprehensive information about Goa, its tourist infrastructure, sightseeing options and many other facilities that make stay in Goa really enjoyable, most of the time because of the language barrier,” Ekatrina Belyakova, Managing Partner of Tara Travel said.

The idea to create a place where any Russian can come with his or her problem was in the pipeline for many years, and not only among Russians living and working here but among the Indian business community and even tourism sector authorities.

12 SAFARI PLUS January - February, 2014

LOCAL PLUS

MTDC HIGH ON TOURISM MTDC Introduces Package Tour To MAYA NAGRI (Bollywood)

MTDC in association with Dadasaheb Phalke C h i t ra n a g r i ( F i l m c i t y Goregaon) had launched Bollywood Tourism with three package tour: Hit- Rs. 499, Super Hit - Rs 1,999 and Blockbuster - Rs 3,250.

This new initiative will commence from January 20, 2014, giving an opportunity to domestic as well as the international tourists to experience the magical world of Bollywood.

Hit package will be 3hrs guided bus tour in English and Hindi to Film City (Goregaon), where tourist will be shown various spots in Film City along with glimpses of shooting from the bus as well overview to Film/TV Serial set, they will be shared some interesting and unknown facts about Bollywood.

Super Hit tour will be given on Bollywood on wheel experience known as Beverly Hills of Bandra. In addition to this, the tourist will be taken to film studios where a setup is created of Bollywood Gully walkthrough, Bollywood Museum, Bollywood CafĂŠ,

Bollywood costume gallery and B o l l y w o o d V F X V i s u a l e f fe c t s experience. Tourists will be shown how special effects are used in Bollywood Blockbusters, tour of a television/film serial set and opportunity to witness live shoot and celebrity spotting.

High-end package Blockbuster will have all facilities of Super Hit package additional offering is the visit to live shooting of Television soap sets in Film City.

MTDC has assigned two agencies to operate Bollywood Tourism project on behalf of MTDC - MOS Utility Pvt. Ltd and Travelmartindia.com Pvt. Ltd. And the tickets can be booked online at www.mumbaifilmcitytours.com.

Konkan Beaches Will Soon Match International Standards

MTDC SET For 1st Sahyadri Festival

The Konkan region of Maharashtra is looking at aggressively taking measures to beautify its beaches to increase tourism. They have proposed a list of 13 beaches which has got a nod from the government. All the 13 beaches would be developed as per international standards and infrastructure. This would be a key step to attract foreign tourists to this region.

N a n d ga o n beach, Arnala beach, Kashid beach, Diveagar beach, Murud beach, Ladghar beach, Karde beach, Hadi i s l a n d , Kunkeshwar beach and Ubhadanda beach are some of the beaches where t h e b e a u t i f i cat i o n p ro j e c t w i l l commence shortly.

The Maharashtra government is working with Kokan Bhumi Prastishthan, an umbrella organsiation of hoteliers, tour operators and tourism with an aim to develop the region's responsible tourism and promote it globally.

MTDC geared up for its first Sahyadri Festival to be held in Kolhapur from January 10 to 12, 2014. The Corporation is looking for a suitable place, such as Shivaji Stadium, for the Festival. The Festival will exhibit stalls showcasing traditional Kolhapuri cuisine, jaggery and how it is made using traditional equipment; and Kolhapuri chappals. " W e a r e finalising the arrangements for the Festival, b u t a re st i l l stuck with the location. We were exploring some central locations in the city. However, MTDC is yet to g e t confirmation from the authorities. Once we finalise the location, we can confirm the dates," told Mr. Kishori Gadre, GM, MTDC. The Kolhapur Hoteliersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Association is supporting MTDC in the preparations and insisting that the department utilize local resources such as cooks and folk artistes from the city.

January - February, 2014 SAFARI PLUS 13

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14 SAFARI PLUS January - February, 2014

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SAFARI PLUS

We Shifted our Corporate Office to Thane Office No:1, Maple B-4, Highland Garden, Dhokali Road, Mumbai - 400 607 Mobile No and Landline remains same as below T: +91-22-22917800 M: 9769058991/ 9969948787

January - February, 2014 SAFARI PLUS 15

INSIGHT

INTERNATIONAL TOURISM

An Engine For The Economic Recovery

OMAN, ABU DHABI AND DUBAI JOIN TOGETHER TO PROMOTE CRUISE TOURISM

contd. from pg 1

is double the average growth rate of international tourism in Europe since 2000 (+2.7% a year between 2000 and 2012).

Asia and the Pacific (+6%) continued to show robust results, bolstered by SouthEast Asia (+12%).

The Americas (+3%) reported c o m p a ra t i v e l y weaker results, with better performance in North America (+4%) and Central America and (+3%).

In Africa (+5%) growth was fuelled by the recovery in North Africa (+6%), while the Middle East saw only a marginal increase (+0.3%).

Growth in tourism receipts confirms positive trend The positive trend registered in international tourist arrivals is reflected in international tourism receipts reported by destinations worldwide for the first six to ten months of the year.

Among the 25 largest international tourism earners, receipts saw doubledigit growth in ten destinations â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the United States (+11%), Macao (China) (+10%), the United Kingdom (+18%), Thailand (+28%), Hong Kong (China) (+21%), Turkey (+13%), India (+13%), Japan (+23%), Greece (+15%) and Taiwan (Pr. of China) (+12%).

Exponential growth in Outbound expenditure by China and Russia

Among the top ten source markets, the Russian Federation led growth, with expenditure on trips abroad up by 29% in the first nine months of the year. This follows the strong growth in recent years, as a result of which Russia has moved up from the 12th largest outbound market in 2000 to the 5th

largest in 2012 (US$ 43 billion).

China, which became the number one source market in the world last year (US$ 102 billion), also continued to see rapid growth, posting a 22% increase in expenditure on outbound tourism through September 2013.

Outbound expenditure from other BRIC economies was also strong in Brazil (+15%). The performance of advanced e c o n o m y s o u r c e m a r ke t s w a s comparatively weaker: Canada (+3%), the United States (+2%), the United Kingdom (+2%) and France (+2%) grew moderately, while Germany reported zero growth and Japan, Australia and Italy saw declines in expenditure.

Infographic: International Tourist Arrivals Jan â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sept 2013. UNWTO Tourism Highlights, 2013 Edition.

16 SAFARI PLUS January - February, 2014

The Ministry of Tourism Oman (Oman Tourism), Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) and Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) have announced a partnership to promote Cruise Tourism in the GCC. The partnership was launched with a Cruise Gulf Road Show which took place from 25th November to 3rd December 2013, touring several cities in the GCC, with the objectives of increasing the number of residents in the region who consider cruise as a holiday option; increasing the awareness of the Gulf as a cruise tourism destination; and to train and motivate regional travel trade agents to sell cruises in the Gulf sailing out of Dubai.

Dubai is the cruise hub of the region, with state-of-the-art infrastructure and services, including the largest cruise facility in the Middle East - which is set to be bolstered further by a substantial expansion in the 2013-2014 season. The Emirate has been the home port for the world's leading cruise lines such as Costa, Aida, Royal Caribbean, TUI and MSC Cruises. Costa, Aida and MSC has confirmed gulf cruise itineraries out of Dubai for 2013/2014 season. The port of Oman and Abu Dhabi are a vital part of these itineraries.

The delegation comprised of the representatives from the three tourism authorities and Cruise line Costa and MSC visited a number of GCC neighbors over the six day roadshow, targeting an overall audience of 400-450 leading travel agents and other key stakeholders. The roadshow arrived in Kuwait on Monday 25th November, followed by Bahrain on the 26th and Qatar on the 27th. It then traveled to Saudi Arabia from 1-3 December, spending a single day each in Jeddah, Riyadh and Al Khobar. On each occasion, speeches and presentations by Oman Tourism, TCA Abu Dhabi and DTCM, were followed by presentations by MSC and Costa Cruises, a question and answer session, and a dinner for attendees.

The MSC Cruises liner MSC Lirica returns to the United Arab Emirates for the 2013/2014 winter season, taking travelers on what it describes as an unparalleled journey of discovery through the region's rich traditions, vibrant modernity and dramatic landscapes. From 23 November 2013 until 29 March 2014, MSC Lirica will offer 8Day/7Night cruises from Dubai, calling in Abu Dhabi-UAE, Khor al Fakkan-UAE, and Muscat and Khasab-Oman, with an overnight stay in Dubai allowing travellers to enjoy the unique nightlife of this glittering oasis of the desert.

CELEBRATE TE WEDDINGS AND HONEYMOON IN

It's said marriages are made in he heaven, then why not have a wedding set in a heavenly destination.

Backdrop of blue azure water and the gentle sound of rolling waves, the islands of Malaysia offer various breathtaking locations for the most romantic of wedding ceremonies. A setting that adds to the romanticism and austerity of the most significant day in a couple's life.

Couples who choose Malaysia as the destination for their wedding or h o n ey m o o n h ave a va r i e t y o f landscapes to choose from – the sea or

the highlands, the rainforest, or the city limits. However the most preferred locations in Malaysia for weddings as well as honeymoon are: KUALA LUMPUR The metropolitan city offers great hotels, value for money shopping, delicious food and numerous other activities. With a mix of tradition and modernity, KL is a perfect wedding destination for those who want the best of both. An epitome of a progressive and sophisticated city with its bustling streets and shining offices, it is home unique architecture. It is one of those cities where one is never short of 'places to see' and 'things to do'. You name it and KL has it! Kuala Lumpur is an alluring destination for couples who want a luxurious wedding in one of the best

cities of the world.

LANGKAWI Langkawi, a cluster of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea, is the perfect destination for weddings as well as the honeymooners looking for an idyllic retreat. Nature lovers can stroll through the tropical rainforests that rise on the Gunung Raya, the highest mountain in Langkawi or take the thrilling cable car ride which offers a spectacular view of the island.

Couples can create their own little h ave n o f to get h e r n e s s w i t h a refreshing walk through the Kilim

Nature Park with its green mangrove forests, isolated white beaches and blue lagoons.

The most popular beaches are PantaiCenang, Pantai Tengah at the south-west coast and PantaiKok in the west. On the north coast is the famed Datai Bay, where couples can make the most of the island's exclusive resorts, spas and private villas.

TanjungRhu is another must-visit with its white-sand cove sheltered by a promontory – couples can also spend blissful moments on the secluded and serene islands of PulauPasir and PulauGasing.

Activities like snorkelling, yachting, diving, golf and trekking is bound to add more excitement, while the sheer poetry of sun soaked beaches and the

moonlit shores of the island will work their magic in strengthening the bonds of a lifetime. Apart from breath-taking views of the rainforest, mountains and the countryside, Langkawi also is a shopper's paradise. Honeymooning couples can shop to their heart's content at this duty-free island.

PENANG Penang, the perfect fusion of natural beauty and multi-cultural elements, is one of the finest tourist destinations in South-East Asia. Called the 'Pearl of the Orient', it provides a view of Malaysia's culture through its various

temples like the Snake temple, KekLok Si temple etc. For couples who want to wed with the blessings of the Gods and amongst the rich culture of M a l ays i a , Pe n a n g i s t h e m o st appropriate destination. Penang is home to marvelous beaches and breathtaking sights.

SABAH Sabah, with its many attractions from romantic beaches to scenic mountains creates the perfect setting for couples seeking a romantic getaway, or a unique honeymoon holiday, or even a dream wedding destination. Set between the coral reefs and the rainforests with world class resorts, Sabah located at the tip of Borneo is fast becoming South East Asia's premier Wedding Destination. Sabah

is a fascinating destination with natural beauty, stunning beaches, rugged landscape and some of the world's most intriguing and diverse wildlife including the Orangutan. So if you are a couple who's thinking of a tropical beach wedding and possibly love diving or enjoy outdoor adventure, Sabah will make the perfect location for you and your guest.

Connectivity: Malaysia Airlines is the national carrier of Malaysia and one of Asia's largest, flying around 37,000 passengers daily to some 80 destinations worldwide across 4

continents. At present, there are 114 flights between two countries – India & Malaysia, of which 93 are operated by Malaysian airlines and 21 by Indian airlines. There are connecting flights to Langkawi and Penang from Kaula Lumpur Airports on daily basis.

Celebrate the union of love and togetherness amidst the beautiful and exo t i c l a n d s ca p e s o f M a l ays i a .

Candles, torches and hanging tea lights, light the path to a beachfront wedding table, decorated with fresh white flowers and centerpieces of corals, shells and pearls. All set against the backdrop of a lush ancient rainforest. Wedding and honeymoon are once in a lifetime event and Malaysia promises to make memories linger in your mind forever.

January - February, 2014 SAFARI PLUS 17

HOSPITALITY PLUS Opens Its Global Sales Office In India Park Hotel Group announced the opening of its ninth Global Sales Office (GSO) in New Delhi, India on 1 November 2013.

The establishment of the Global Sales Offices are part of the Group's strategy to expand and strengthen the Group's sales network and global customers reach across key source markets.

Travellers from India constitute part of the Group's top 10 source markets for its portfolio of hotels.

Mr Mohd K Rafin, Chief Corporate Officer, Park Hotel Group, told â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Group is actively expanding across Asia Pacific and with the new Global Sales Offices in India. This would also provide us the opportunity to better tap on the existing and potential distribution channels in the country. Extending our network reach is in line with our strategy

to build brand preference through effective communications and our commitment to deliver exceptional service with love and passion.â&#x20AC;?

The Global Sales Office in India will be headed by the newly appointed Ms Sheema Vohra, Director of Sales for GSO India, New Delhi. With over two decades in the tourism and hospitality industry, Sheema will manage the development and execution of a strategic sales plan across India to promote Park Hotel Group's portfolio of hotels. She will also oversee the management of global corporate accounts in India and the expansion of corporate, leisure and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Exhibition) segments while building long-standing relationship with key business partners.

Win A Gold Coin For Every Suite Reservation From

Atlantis The Palm, Dubai

Now Opens At Sun-n-Sand, Juhu

Atlantis The Palm, Dubai has created 'The Gold Coin' incentive program to thank its valued travel agents. For every materialized reservation of Club Suites or Signature Suites at Atlantis The Palm, the agent will be rewarded with a 1 gram Gold Coin.

To celebrate the end of the year festivities, romantic getaways on long weekends and the much awaited Dubai Shopping Festival, the offer will be valid till February 28th, 2014.

For details: sales@indivamarketing.com

To Open 5 Star Property In India

US hospitality and entertainment firm Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos will soon open its first five-star property in India.

Gurgaon-based Spectra Hospitality

Services (SHS), which is the development representative for Hard Rock in India, is hoping to sign the first Hard Rock Hotel by the end of March 2014.

Commenting on it Mr. Navneet Nagpal, Principal Consultant, SHS said, "We are currently looking at Goa, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata and are reviewing hotels in each of these locations. We hope to sign the first hotel

18 SAFARI PLUS January - February, 2014

by the end of first quarter of 2014.

Hard Rock Hotels plans to establish its presence in India through brownfield, converting already existing hotels into their brand, rather than greenfield ventures.

With the aim to open 5 properties by 2018, Hard Rock plans to expand its presence in the country through management contracts and franchising.

One of Bollywood's favorite 5 star hotels, Sun-n-Sand, Juhu, Mumbai which is famous for its delicious and lip smacking food, has a new restaurant to boast about 'HAOCHI'. HAOCHI has replaced The Sunset Room - The Food Haven of Juhu.

HAOCHI offers contemporary Chinese cuisine, an elaborate dim sum menu and a full service bar. The menu has a blend of different regional cuisines of China such as Xiang (Hunan), Chuan (Sichuan) and Guangdong (Cantonese). The ingredients are hand-picked from local vendors in Hong Kong while the food is prepared under the proficient guidance of Chef Gautam Mehrishi along with two international culinary experts Chef Gao Fu Liang (Dim Sum specialist from Beijing F & B Corporation in Dim Sum Chef Training) and Chef Xiang Shi Hong (Specializing in Hunan, Sichuan and Cantonese dishes).

HOSPITALITY PLUS MAKE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS YOUR PRIDE AT PRIDE HOTELS Pride Hotels, one of the fastest growing hotel chains in India exemplifies a luxurious brand of hospitality with its banquet and conference facilities. The co nte m p o ra r y b a n q u e t facility features such as catering services, showcase your event with pomp and efficiency that they deserve.

The Pride Group currently has pan India presence in Pune, Bangalore, Chennai, Nagpur, Kolkata, DelhiA e ro c i t y, A h m e d a b a d , C o c h i n , S r i p e r u m b u d u r, J a i p u r, Ka n h a , Chandigarh (Panchkula) and Goa. With taste fully designed banquet halls, well equipped meeting and conferences rooms, sprawling green lawns, modern and luxurious guest rooms and delicately chosen menu from separate vegetarian and non vegetarian kitchen these luxury hotels which is centrally

located in all the locations can cater your every need and is superb setting for an

to 250 pax or a blissful wedding experience at our picturesque locations in Chandigarh (Panchkula), Goa, Jaipur and Kerala (Cochin and Alleppey) for 500-1000 pax that can be spread in magnificent halls and breathtaking lawns. The Hotel has an exclusive wedding package comprises of essentials

unforgettable event.

GRAND WEDDING Whether you are considering a large lavish wedding affair in PRIDES’Ko l ka t a , N a g p u r a n d Ahmedabad properties for 500-1000 pax or a simple intimate gathering at Pune, Bangalore, Chennai for 50

like Venue decoration, Welcoming guest, Entertainment (DJ with live music), Sitting arrangement with floral touch, Pooja Vidhi, Photography, Gourment Wedding cake, First night suite, Home coming ceremony etc.

MICE - Pride Hotels also has an option suited for Conferences and Meetings in these locations with a host of Meeting Hall, Conference Venue, Lawn, Business center etc. Fulfilling every needs with the flexibility of space to cater for residential a n d d a y c o n fe r e n c e s , product launches, board meetings, training, investment seminar etc. All the venues have been upgraded to State of the art technology like audio visual equipments, Onsite IT support, High speed internet access etc thereby facilitating a smooth functioning of your event.

THE GATEWAY HOTELS & RESORTS LAUNCHES ITS 1ST HOTEL IN KOLKATA The Gateway Hotels & Resorts, part of the Taj Group, announced the launch of The Gateway Hotel EM Bypass Kolkata.

This will be the first Gateway branded hotel in Kolkata and the second Taj hotel after 24 years post the launch of Taj Bengal in 1989.

Standing conspicuously on the arterial Eastern Metropolitan Bypass, The Gateway Hotel EM Bypass Kolkata

welcomes you to the heart of the modern, progressive city of Kolkata. The hotel is optimally located at the junction of Rashbehari Connector and within close proximity to the city's IT hub and principal business districts, making it the sanctuary of choice for the urban nomad.

The property has 197 spacious rooms; guests can workout at the Active Studio

or the swimming pool, Splash or relax at the Spa. The hotel has a spacious 6500 sq. ft. Ballroom - Concord - to host up to 800 guests. Food connoisseurs can choose from a variety of local Kolkata specialties to satiate their palate at Buzz, indulge in delectable range of freshly made breads, chocolates and pastries at the Deli, or relax over a vast repertoire of drinks at Swirl the lounge.

THE HILTON GARDEN INN FORTUNE PARK LAUNCHED OPENS IN TRIVANDRUM, KERALA FORTUNE INN GRAZIA, GHAZIABAD Hilton Garden Inn Trivandrum in Kerala will open on 27 December, 2013 with features includes 134 guest rooms and suites, the Garden Grille all-day restaurant, a bar, outdoor swimming pool, Precor certified 24hour fitness centre and conference and events space that can accommodate up to 450 people with 24hour business centre services.

Located in the city centre on Punnen Road, Hilton Garden Inn Trivandrum is near prime government institutions and commercial establishments, a 20minute drive from the airport and 12 kilometres from the IT Technopark at Kazhakkottam.

“We are pleased with this opportunity to

extend the brand’s presence in India.

Hilton Garden Inn has set the standard in the mid-market sector offering an award-winning combination of best-inclass customer service and affordable comfort and convenience. We are confident that Hilton Garden Inn Trivandrum will fast become the first choice of travellers seeking upscale and affordable accommodation in the city”, elaborated Mr. Adrian Kurre, Global Head, Hilton Garden Inn.

Fortune Park Hotels Ltd. announced the opening of the brand's 41st hotel, 'Fortune Inn Grazia' in Ghaziabad. With the addition of this hotel, Fortune now has 6 hotels operational in Delhi NCR. Conveniently located in the heart of the Industrial Area, adjacent to the ALT Centre, and in close proximity to premier establishments in Sanjay Nagar like IMT Ghaziabad, Fortune Inn Grazia is perfectly suited to service the business requirements of the city.

The newly built, contemporary 50-room hotel, owned by M/s R K Associates & Hoteliers Pvt. Ltd., offers an array of guest facilities and services complemented with a range of modern amenities and technology. It provides an ideal combination of well-appointed

rooms, pleasing ambience, delectable dining options and banquet facilities.The hotel is fully geared to offer its guests the best of both worlds - business as well as leisure. The dining options at the hotel include Orchid - a multi-cuisine restaurant offering 3-meal buffets and all day dining, Neptune - bar that serves the finest premium spirits in a contemporary setting and Fortune Deli.

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January - February, 2014 SAFARI PLUS 19

AVIATION PLUS

INDIGO ADDS BAGDOGRA

AS ITS 30TH DOMESTIC DESTINATION IndiGo has announced the addition of Bagdogra as its 30th domestic and 35th overall destination in its winter schedule. The new schedule sees introduction of new daily non-stop flights to Bagdogra from Guwahati & Kolkata. Bagdogra will also be connected to Mumbai (via Guwahati) & Bengaluru (via Kolkata).

Celebrating its seventh year of operations, the airline will also launch its seventh daily non-stop flight between Delhi & Kolkata and also its daily non-stop flight between Mumbai & Guwahati, with this Ahmedabad will now be connected to Guwahati via Mumbai.

These new flights will further consolidate IndiGo's position as the fastest growing airline in India, with 71 brand new Airbus A320s - 6E will operates 448 daily flights, connecting 35 destinations.

Speaking on the launch Mr. Aditya

Ghosh, President, IndiGo said, “Bagdogra is going to be an important part of our destination network because it holds good prospect for commercial business apart from the region of Darjeeling, Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri.

We are committed to providing maximum connectivity from Bagdogra on our network by catering to various segments and we are confident that these additional services will prove immensely popular with our passengers.”

AIRCEL CHENNAI OPEN ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH AIRASIA INDIA The organizers of the Aircel Chennai Open announced that the tournament has entered into a new association with AirAsia India as the Official Airline of the USD 4,50,000 tournament. The association with the airline is currently for a one-year period.

As India and South Asia’s only ATP World Tour event, the Aircel Chennai Open has grown into a spectacular sporting extravaganza where the best in the world compete for glory. The 19th edition of the tournament, India and South Asia’s only ATP World Tour event, will be held at Chennai’s SDAT Stadium from December 30th 2013 to January 5th 2014. It features one of the strongest playing fields ever, with an impressive lineup of talent including top 20 players Stanislas Wawrinka, Mikhail Youzhny,

Fabio Fognini, Benoit Paire a n d I n d i a ’s S o m d e v Devvarman among others.

Both Indian and International participants will compete for the coveted title.

AirAsia India is the Indian subsidiary of AirAsia, the worlds best low cost airline.

AirAsia India has the vision of making “Flying possible for every Indian” who are currently underserved with poor connectivity and high fares.

At present, AirAsia through its operations based in Thailand and Malaysia already connect Chennai, Bangalore, Thiruchirapalli (Trichy), Kochi and Kolkata to Asean and beyond.

AirAsia has been named the World’s Best Low Cost Airline in the annual World Airline Survey by Skytrax for five consecutive years in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

200/-

ETIHAD AIRWAYS TO COMMENCE DAILY FLIGHTS TO JAIPUR Etihad Airways expands its destination network in India with the launch of a daily service from Abu Dhabi to Jaipur.

The new flights, which will commence on 1 April 2014, bring the total number of Indian cities served by Etihad Airways to 10, with existing routes including Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mumbai, New Delhi and Trivandrum.

Etihad Airways will operate the Daily service to Jaipur with Airbus A320 aircraft in a two-class configuration, featuring 16 Pearl Business Class seats and 120 Coral Economy Class seats.

Flight Ey208 will fly from Abu Dhabi at 2300hrs and reach Jaipur at 0345+1 hrs.

And return leg flight Ey207 will depart from Jaipur (JAI) at 0445 hrs and will arrive at Abu Dhabi at 0645hrs.

In addition to this Etihad Airways has been increasing the frequency of its

existing services to the country, with plans to more than triple the number of seats on the prime Abu Dhabi - Mumbai and Abu Dhabi - New Delhi routes.

Etihad Airways has announced that by 31 December 2013, it plans to: • Increase from daily to double-daily its Abu Dhabi-Mumbai and Abu Dhabi-New Delhi flights; • Use wide-bodied Airbus A340-600 aircraft on one of the daily Abu Dhabi Mumbai flights, offering First, Business and Economy Classes; • Use wide-bodied Airbus A330-200 aircraft on one of the daily Abu Dhabi New Delhi flights, offering Business and Economy Class; and • Upgrade daily Abu Dhabi - Chennai flights from 136-seat Airbus A320s to new Airbus A321s, seating 174 passengers.

CATHAY PACIFIC PLACES ORDER FOR 21 BOEING 777-9X AIRCRAFT Cathay Pacific Airways announced its latest investment as part of the airline’s fleet modernisation programme – the purchase of 21 Boeing 777-9X aircraft from The Boeing Company. The new airplanes, which have a list price of about HK$58 billion, are scheduled to be delivered between 2021 and 2024.

The 777X is Boeing’s newest family of wide-body airplanes that builds on the 777-300ER that is already deployed extensively around the Cathay Pacific network. The 777-9X is a larger twinengine jet that will have both a larger payload than other twin-engine aircraft and reduced fuel consumption and lower operating costs.

The 777-9X is designed to seat approximately 400 passengers. The new aircraft’s operating range of 8,200 nautical miles (15,185 km) makes it particularly well suited for Cathay Pacific’s ultra-long-haul network. The 777X family of aircraft will be the largest

and most-efficient twin-engine jet in the world, with up to 20% lower fuel consumption than the 777s. The reduced noise signature of the aircraft will allow operators to reduce noise exposure for the nearby community.

The addition of this latest order of 21 Boeing 777-9X aircraft increases Cathay Pacific's order book to 89 aircraft from 2014 to 2024, at an aggregate current list price of approximately HK$215 billion. Other features of the aircraft include a folding, raked wingtip and optimised span that will deliver greater efficiency and significant fuel savings

New Renew

Valid Till 31 May, 2014

Office No: 1, Maple B-4, Highland Garden, Opp. Highland Park, Dhokali Road, Thane (W), Mumbai - 400 607 Tel: +91-22-22917800 | M: 97690 58991, 99699 48787 | Email: info@safariplus.co.in | Web: www.safariplus.co.in 20 SAFARI PLUS January - February, 2014

AVIATION PLUS ETIHAD AIRWAYS INCREASES FLIGHTS TO MUMBAI AND NEW DELHI Etihad Airways has doubled the number of flights and tripled the number of seats which it offers between Abu Dhabi to Mumbai and New Delhi, by adding a second daily service and introducing wide-bodied Airbus jets on both routes.

Under the expanded schedules, effective immediately, new midafternoon services to Mumbai and New Delhi are operated with single-aisle Airbus A320s, each seating 136 passengers, and existing late evening departures have been upgraded to larger aircraft.

On the Abu Dhabi-Mumbai route, the

evening flight is now operated with 292seat Airbus A340-600 aircraft, seating 12 passengers in Diamond First Class, 32 in Pearl Business Class and 248 in Coral Economy. This is the first Indian route on which Etihad Airways has offered Diamond First Class. The A340-600 will add 2,044 seats per week from Abu Dhabi to Mumbai, taking the total from 952 to 2,996 seats in each direction – just over triple the previous capacity.

On the Abu Dhabi – New Delhi route, the evening service has been upgraded to a 254-seat Airbus A330-200 aircraft, seating 18 guests in Pearl Business Class and 236 in Coral Economy Class.

This will add 1,778 seats per week to and from New Delhi, increasing from 952 seats to 2,730 in each direction – almost triple the previous capacity.

The new Etihad Airways flights will also be marketed by Jet Airways as an extension of the airlines' existing codeshare partnership.

GULF AIR LAUNCHES FLIGHTS TO THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Gulf Air has launched five weekly flights between Bahrain and Thiruvananthapuram.

GF060 takes off from Bahrain International Airport at 02:45 l a n d i n g a t Tr i va n d r u m International Airport at 09:50. The return flight GF061 departs Trivandrum International Airport at 10:45, landing in Bahrain at 13:10.

“We are delighted to be strengthening Gulf Air’s network and boosting our Indian operations. The addition of Thiruvananthapuram to our network supplements the airline’s product offering , increasing customer convenience – which is our ultimate goal. Importantly, with both our first inbound and outbound flights operating at full capacity it is clear that we are meeting passenger demand - we are

starting as we mean to go on!” said A.Hussain A.Rahman Hussain, Gulf Air Country Manager, India.

Gulf Air recently introduced brand new Airbus A321 aircraft into India which are equipped with the latest i-flight entertainment technology and fully-flat beds in Falcon Gold class.

The first flight to Mumbai inaugurated in November 1971. With the new addition of Trivandrum, Gulf Air now flies to five Indian destinations.

US AIRWAYS TO JOIN ONEWORLD US Airways will join oneworld on 31 March 2014, following completion of its merger with alliance founding member American Airlines.

All its regional affiliates, operating under the US Airways Express brand, will also transition to oneworld at the same time.

US Airways will add 60 destinations to the oneworld map – most in the United States but also three in Canada and one in Mexico – along with its key hubs of Charlotte, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington DC's Reagan National.

Until the full integration of American Airlines and US Airways – which will see the combined airline retaining the American Airlines name – US Airways

and its regional carriers will operate as oneworld affiliate members, under the American umbrella. They will offer oneworld's full range of services and benefits – although some may be phased in shortly after US Airways joins.

The 140 million members of established oneworld airlines' frequent flyer programs will also receive alliance services and benefits when flying on US Airways from 31 March 2014.

From day one, this will include the ability to earn mileage and tier status points and, for elite cardholders, to access US Airways' lounges when flying on oneworld departures, although the ability to redeem rewards for flights on US Airways, may be phased in shortly afterwards.

U S Airways' network will also be covered by oneworld's range of alliance fares.

JET AIRWAYS TO LAUNCH KOCHI AND CHENNAI TO DAMMAM

Effective from 15 January, 2014 Jet Airways will introduce two daily flights from Kochi and Chennai to Dammam in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

While the Chennai flight will be operated via Abu Dhabi to Dammam, the Kochi - Dammam service will be a daily direct flight.

Jet Airways flight 9W 570 will depart Kochi at 06:20 and arrive in Dammam at 09:20 (local time). The return flight 9W

569 will depart Dammam at 10:20 and arrive in Chennai at 17:20.

Furthermore, Jet Airways offers its guests from Kochi an evening option to Dammam via Abu Dhabi. 9W 576 Kochi to Abu Dhabi will be rescheduled to depart Kochi at 20:40 and arrive into Abu Dhabi at 23:30, which in turn connects to 9W526 Abu Dhabi Dammam.

From Chennai the daily flight 9W 526 will depart at 20:15 and arrive in Abu Dhabi at 23:25. The flight will then depart at 01:45 and arrive in Dammam at 02:10.

On the return leg, 9W 525 will depart Dammam at 06:50 and arrive at Abu Dhabi at 09:15. The flight then departs Abu Dhabi at 10:45 to arrive at Chennai at 16:15.

The airline will deploy a Boeing 737-800 aircraft on these two new services.

Chiplun Hotels Pvt. Ltd. Ms. Alpana | M:9820334671| E: alpanachauhan@chiplunhotels.com 2 A, 2 Floor, Vulcan Insurance Bldg, Opp. Churchgate Station, 77, Vir Nariman Road, Churchgate, Mumbai - 20 Ph.: (91 22) 22810088 Fax: (91 22) 22823202 E: info@chiplunhotels.com W: www.chiplunhotels.com

January - February, 2014 SAFARI PLUS 21

INTERNATIONAL PLUS Indian Arrivals To Thailand Are Set To Cross The One Million Mark

Continues To Work Closely With The Indian Travel Trade

The German National Tourist Office had concluded its 3 city roadshow in the cities of New Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai witnessing great enthusiasm from the travel trade in all 3 cities. There were over 10 German partners present at year end roadshow and were thrilled to see response from the Indian travel trade industry. At the same time, It has helped our German partners to understand Indian market better. Hence further aiding in developing the image of Germany as a great tourist destination, thereby making it more suitable to Indian travellers.

Mr. Romit Theophilus, Director Sales & Marketing, said "We plan to have one

GNTO roadshow every year. With regards to the current economic scenario, although there has been economic uncertainty which has been prevailing and devaluation of the rupee, which has affected Indian outbound.

Germany has still been receiving a fair amount of travelers. We have witnessed 402,440 overnights from JanuaryAugust, 2013" The participants in the roadshow were: Frankfurt Tourism & Congress, Deutsche Bahn, Stuttgart, Visit Berlin, Alpha Travel Consultants, Maritim Hotels, Steigenberger, Emirates, K D Rhine Line, Berlin TV Tower, Saxony, DZT India.

22 SAFARI PLUS January - February, 2014

Indian arrivals to Thailand are set to cross the one million mark again this year, thanks to a continued flow of tourists in December.

"Despite what travellers may have recently read or heard in some of the international media, they can be confident that Thailand is still a welcoming tourist destination," said Ms. Runjuan Tongrut, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) New Delhi Office.

In January - November 2013, Indian visitors to Thailand totalled 958,921 up 4.07% over the same period of 2012. She voiced confidence they will cross the 1,015,865 arrivals figure achieved in 2012.

According to Mrs Runjuan, "Indian travellers are used to political demonstrations that come with living in a vibrant democracy. They are also smart and savvy users of social media and are well informed about the reality on the ground.

"By and large, Indian visitors are maintaining their travel plans, especially those heading for festive season

celebrations in Phuket, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Ko Samui, and Chiang Mai." According to her numerous Indian Weddings are due to be held in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Hua Hin, Krabi, Koh Samui, Khao Lak, Rayong, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai between December 2013- June 2014.

Commenting on the current situation in Thailand, Mrs Runjuan said, "Any traveller considering a visit to Thailand does not need to worry, as tourists have not been targeted in the political protests".

INTERNATIONAL PLUS

MACAU

TOP GOOGLE

‘MOST SEARCHED FOR TRAVEL DESTINATION'

BY GOOGLE INDIA USERS IN 2013 This year Macau has emerged as the ‘Most searched for travel destination’

by Google India users.

In its year end list charting travel destinations that topped the search rank; Google Zeitgeist has revealed that Macau is the most looked up for place in India.

The list shows the rankings of topics with the largest total search volumes by country.

DESTINATIONS Google is the world's most popular search engine, with 71% of the global search engine market share. Google's Zeitgeist 2013 year-in-review revealed the hottest travel destinations by country.

The data is divided into two kinds of lists.

The first reflects the "trending" destinations -- those that show the greatest growth in searches when compared to last year -- while the second shows rankings of topics with the largest total search volumes.

The roundup yielded some surprising results -- Macau was the most searched destination in India this year, for example.

In Australia the top destination was Disneyland, despite the fact that the closest Magical Kingdom is an ocean away in Hong Kong.

London topped the destination searches in the United Arab Emirates, while those in the UK were planning trips to Rome and New York.

The top 10 most searched for travel destinations in India include:

1. Macau 2. Maldives 3. Mauritius 4. Bali 5. Boston

6. Dubai 7. Amsterdam 8. Singapore 9. Bangkok 10. Philippines

STEP INTO THE VOID Glass walkway overlooking the French Alps 'Step into the Void' is the name of a transparent glass cube that simulates the sensation of stepping off the mountain cliff in the French Alps. This attraction opens on 21 December, 2013.

Located atop the Aiguille du Midi, altitude 3842 meters, in the Mont Blanc Massif range, daredevils step into the glass box “Pas dans le Vide” suspended more than 1,000 meters off the valley floor for an unparalleled panoramic view of their snowy surroundings.

Three years in the making, the structure is built from three layers o f te m p e re d g l a s s a n d ca n withstand winds of more than 220 km/h and a maximum temperature of 60°.

The attraction is accessible by the Aiguille du Midi cable car, a 20minute journey from Chamonix.

It ’s the latest glass-covered

attraction to take visitors to new heights, following the Skywalk, a glass walkway overlooking the Grand Canyon, and the CN Tower in Toronto, which features a glass-bottom floor 1,122 m above ground.

Zeitgeist also analyzed the top destination wedding and honeymoon searches coming from the United States.

American couples wanted to head to the warm waters of Mexico, Bahamas and Kauai for their weddings, while New Zealand topped their honeymoon searches. Croatia rounded out the top 10 honeymoon list.

GLACIER SKYWALK WILL SOON OPEN AT JASPER NATIONAL PARK, CANADA Brewster Travel Canada is a collection of businesses that together form the premier travel company in Canada.

Brewster Travel Canada has recently announced that the stunning worldclass, fully accessible unique viewing experience in Jasper National Park known as the Glacier Skywalk is virtually complete. Glacier Skywalk is going to be open for public from 1 May 2014

followed by a grand opening ceremony.

This amazing development is going to provide an i m m e r s i v e , interpretive guided experience focusing on the wonder of the unique ecosystem, gla ciol ogy, natural and native history of the Columbia Icefield area in the Canadian Rockies. The Glacier Skywalk will consist of a 400 mt interpretive boardwalk and a glassfloored observation platform extending 30 mt out over the

Sunwapta Valley, which will be accessible to all Canadians and visitors, and regardless of mobility challenges.

Ticket Prices will be Adult (16+): $24.95 Child (6-15): $12.50. And will be open daily from 9am to 6pm, May - October.

Canadian Tourism Commission has commended that the Glacier Skywalk will enable visitors to engage with this dramatic landscape in a way that was not previously accessible to the majority of visitors.

"This info is gold if you want to really know what the local hotspots are," says Google spokesperson Joyce Hau. "For instance, what island destination is the most popular amongst Thais in Thailand?

Hint: it's not Koh Samui."

It's actually Koh Larn.

Despite having only a 3% market share in China, Google's study also looked at search queries there. Hangzhou and Suzhou were declared of greatest interest to travelers.

January - February, 2014 SAFARI PLUS 23

INTERNATIONAL PLUS QATAR INTRODUCES ONLINE TOURIST VISA FOR QATAR AIRWAYS PASSENGERS Qatar has introduced an online tourist visa service for passengers flying on Qatar Airways.

“The new system eases the process of applying for a tourist visa to Qatar for eligible passengers. It also provides passengers with the convenience of tracking their visa application status online,” a Qatar Airways spokesperson said.

This service is only limited to tourists who are holding a confirmed hotel booking and a confirmed ticket in and out of Doha on Qatar Airways.

Additionally, the visa cannot be extended either online or on ground, you are limited to 60 days only in the country.

The cost of the visa is $55 per person and takes about 10 days to process, but if you

are in a hurry you can get the fast track application that is $120 per person and takes up to seven days to process.

This visa does not change the Qatar immigration policy. As soon as you arrive you will still be asked to give proof of your ticket, hotel duration, confirmation form and sufficient funds of at least $1,370.

The service is available for passengers flying with Qatar Airways and can be accessed from www.qatarairways.com.

24 SAFARI PLUS January - February, 2014

NEPAL TOURISM BOARD AND VIVA VOYAGES COMES ALONG

Viva Voyages Pvt Ltd organized an evening with Nepal Tourism Board and Pashupati Area Development Trust for their Nepal partners, Saraogi Nepal Pvt Ltd, in New Delhi on 13 December, 2013.

Addressing the agents at the event, Ms. Nandini Lahe Thapa, Senior Director, Nepal Tourism Board said that NTB is ready to support the Indian travel trade to aggressively promote Nepal tourism in India.

Pashupati Area Development Trust announced the introduction of a special VIP Darshan facility for Indian citizens at the Pashupati Nath Temple, Nepal.

D r. G o v i n d a Ta n d o n , M e m b e r Secretary, Pashupati Area Development Trust said, “Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most significant Hindu temples of Shiva in the world. The temple serves as the seat of the national deity, Lord Pashupatinath and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Such events will hopefully see increased tourism traffic between both countries and will

strengthen bilateral relations.”

Mr. Birendra Saraogi, Director, Saraogi Nepal Pvt. Ltd. said that they can provide exclusive services for visiting Kailash Mansarovar, Muktinath ji, Janakpur, Lumbini and Manokamna Devi. The Company offers a lifetime experience of having breakfast with the view of the Himalayan range. They have chartered helicopter rides for tourists to view picturesque sunrise and sunset.

Nepal offers tourist an array from adventure travel, to scenic beauty, heritage, temples and culture on the one hand and casinos, five star hotels and of course the Everest on the other.

The Managing Director, Mr. Vikas Khanduri, Viva Voyages Pvt. Ltd. put his weight behind the event not only as the India partner for Saraogi Nepal, but to provide an impetus to the pilgrim traveling from India to Nepal that has reduced by about 15%. He offered heartfelt thanks to all trade partners who attended the event.

INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION

A Destination To Be Discovered Catalonia, a leading tourist destination in the south-west of Europe. The coastline is lapped by the waters of the Mediterranean and the country enjoys a mild and temperate climate, making it an ideal place for tourism activities all year round.

The capital town of Catalonia is Barcelona, one of the most popular cities in the world. Other important cities in Catalonia are Girona, Tarragona and Lleida, all of which have a history going back a thousand years and more, as well as considerable cultural and environmental heritage.

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara was shot here on some locations in Barcelona, on the Northern coastal area, the Costa Brava, and in Catalunya Central.

Varied array of attractions - The monuments in Catalonia constitute a body of heritage that is unique in Europe, making it a popular destination for cultural tourism. Some 70 properties in the country have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Catalonia is known around the world as the cradle of Modernism (Catalonia's Art Nouveau) and is the birthplace of great geniuses such as Gaudí and Domènech i Montaner. Buildings like Sagrada Família, La Pedrera, Casa Batlló and the Palau de la Música are outstanding examples of this architectural style.

The mountain of Montserrat, and the monastery perched upon it, is another one of the most popular places in Catalonia. The Castellers, human edifices in the form of a tower declared Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2010 that have many features in

common with the Indian tradition of Govinda pyramids.

Catalonia is the best place for shopoholics, Passeig de Gràcia is one of

the most renowned shopping streets around the world. Here visitors can find all the leading international clothing, accessory and jewellery brands. La Roca Village (40 minutes from Barcelona) has more than a hundred boutiques run by Spanish and international brands. Credit cards are very widely accepted in Catalonia and tourists from outside the European Union, including visitors from India, can ask for a refund of the IVA (sales tax) on their purchases in many places around the country.

Catalan haute cuisine is in fact, one of the best positioned at an international level, with 53 restaurants that hold 63 Michelin stars between them. In addition, Catalonia's cuisine is extremely diverse. As a Mediterranean country with both a coastline and mountains, its traditional cuisine includes meat and fish dishes to delight everyone. Vegetarian cuisine is also establishing an increasing presence.

Catalonia is a major destination for sports tourism. Football

reigns supreme as the top sport in the country, especially in Barcelona, which is home to FC B a r c e l o n a (popularly known as 'Barça'), one of the m o s t internationally fa m o u s fo o t b a l l teams, whose squad includes the striker Leo Messi, the best player in the world. In addition, Catalonia has a number of other major sporting amenities, among them the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya racetrack, which

h o s t s a Formula 1 Grand Prix race and Moto GP bike race every year.

Leading business tourism destination Catalonia holds an important role as a MICE destinations in Europe.

Every year numerous fairs, trade shows and congresses are held in Barcelona, among them

major events such as the Mobile World Congress and the EIBTM. In 2012, t h e C R E D A I (Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Associations of India) selected Barcelona to host their convention.

Catalonia is also a popular destination for incentive trips due to its diverse landscape, which features major cities, shoreline and mountains, providing opportunities for all kinds of activities.

Good transport communications and modern accommodation Barcelona has daily direct flights from Doha and Dubai, operated by Qatar Airways and Emirates respectively, two cities with good connections with India.

In addition, the Catalan government is working hard to achieve other directflight destinations and to facilitate the issuing of visas to Indian tourists wishing to visit Catalonia.

Catalonia has an extensive rail network.

Its four major cities (Barcelona, Girona, L l e i d a a n d Ta r r a g o n a ) a r e interconnected by the high-speed train (AVE) service. In addition, the regional

rail network (Rodalies) makes it possible for tourists to visit smaller towns.

Barcelona is the most important cruise port in Europe and ranks fourth around the entire world. According to Barcelona Port figures, over a million cruise passengers visited the city in the first half of 2013, a number that is expected to rise to 2.6 million by the end of the year.

There are many car-hire establishments in Catalonia. These offer a wide range of vehicles from small runabouts to luxury cars and limousines, enabling tourists to travel around the country and discover its attractions for themselves.

Catalonia can boast of modern hotels in every category, from internationallyrecognised four and five-star establishments such as the Hotel Arts, the W Barcelona and the Mandarin Oriental to very comfortable accommodation with lower ratings. The luxury hotels generally have spa and treatment services available for guests.

To become a Catalonia expert in India, travel agent can register and complete an on-going on-line course: http://ott.travel/becomeacataloniaexp ertinindia.aspx Indian to Catalonia - It is estimated that around 30,000 tourists from India visited Catalonia in 2012, a figure that is expected to rise to some 33,000 in 2013. These tourists are considerable high on purchasing power who tend to spend an average of 800-1,000 euros per person during their stay.

Based on the figures for 2012, it is estimated that the flow of tourists from India will rise by 13.3% in the coming years, reaching 25 million international trips in 2016. Given that the number of trips was 13.5 million in 2011, this means that the number of international journeys from India will have increased by 11.5 million in five years, one of the highest rises in outbound tourism.

Contact

Passionate about Traveling...

for all your TRAVEL needs January - February, 2014 SAFARI PLUS 25

26 SAFARI PLUS January - February, 2014

Biking Adventure in Thailand is full of adventures. And a true enthusiast will never want to miss on any escapade. Infact for Mr. ShrinidhiHande a biker from Chennai has a lot to say. A Biking trip to Thailand was the most rewarding experience. He adds, “When you ride a bike, you feel the road, you feel the air, you feel the earth. You feel being part of the nature. This can't be experienced when we sit in a taxi (most probably dozing off while the driver takes us to the destination.”

Why Thailand for Biking?

Thailand follows a very disciplined road safety system. Mr. Meraj Shah, a biker

The bikers rode a motley of machines including the Kawasaki Versys - a 650cc Enduro style machine; the BMW 1150 R - a legend of a machine, this fabulous BMW cruiser is a cult bike for its ability to eat up miles at a prodigious rate; and the Honda CB500x a real surprise with its high-revving eager-to-please character.

This bike is ideal for novices and for

from Delhi says, “The fact that people on the road are usually very cautious of sticking to their lanes, and almost always give way to motorcyclists, makes the entire experience quite stress free.

Safety is assured. Of course, the biking is a very popular recreational activity in Thailand. All the way from Chiang Mai to Bangkok we constantly ran into and interacted with local bikerscwho were only too happy to share information on road and weather conditions.cThere's this camaraderie that motorcyclists in Thailand feel and extend towards other bikers which makes you feel as if you're part of a community and that creates a support mechanism.”

Mr. Aditya (a biker) shared his personal experience with us, “It’s a unique biking environment, the road and biking infrastructure as well as biking culture is fantastic in Thailand. Amazing people,

those who don't have too much riding experience. “Given a choice, I would love to swing a leg over a Harley Davidson Fat Boy Special, or even a BMW 1200GS for riding in Thailand. These are iconic machines and make the experience more memorable.”, adds Meraj Shah.

An ideal trip for biker in Thailand The trip (Day 1) Starting from Chaing Mai for a 180 kms ride to Chom Thong City. The city houses a temple which looks like a Termite Hill.

Inside one can find the relics of Lord Buddha. King Ashoka frequented the city. The temple housed in the city served as the royal temple. The temple witnesses a perfect rendezvous of Thai architecture with Chinese art forms.

On the same day the one can also cover DoiInthanon National Park. Housed in Chaing Mai, the province houses the

great sights, food and culture..what a way to see the country from a whole new perspective.”

Bikes

Thailand country's highest mountain range. There are numerous villages one can go to.

According to Shrinidhi, “Biking gives us an opportunity to explore lesser-known destinations of Thailand, often missed by typical tourists arriving on a commercial package.”

Day 2 (390 kilometres) Mae Hong Son is a most fascinating destination ever visited by anyone in Thailand. Mae Hong Son overlooks the Pai River offering tourists scenic vistas.

“Mae Hong Son was indeed one of the most challenging terrains any biker can tread on. One can ride on as many as 1864 curves. The steep up's and downs certainly adds to an adventure enthusiasts delight.

Day 3 (350 kilometres) Mae Saraign is a launching pad for tourism and trekking opportunities. The destination also serves as a stopover for the Mae Hong Son Loop. There are large ecological reserves here. A number of

on bikers taste some Pomelo and fresh rice in the region of Phichit. The bikers then tread on to Nakhon Sawan, which translates as the heavenly city. The city was an important centre of trade during the Ayutthaya period.

Day 6 (310 kilometres) Chai Nat is a plain region that is dominated by the rivers. The destination h o u s e s t h e m o st s o p h i st i cate d waterworks, and irrigation facility in the country. From Chai Nat to Sapanburi is another historically inclined ride. The region had witnessed several Burmese invasions in the past. The region was home to king U thong, the founder of Ayutthaya city. As we progress to Kanchanaburi, we are surrounded by the horrific memories of world war two as we get sight of the Bridge over River Kawai. The tale of the infamous Death Railway sounds death knell.

Phitsanulok - Phitsanulok, is a celebrated historic region founded 600 years ago.

ethnic groups reside in the vicinity.

Day 4 (300 kilometres) Mae Ramat, the village officially had been designated as a district owing to its rapid growth. The destination offers surfing, skiing, and mountain climbing.

They journey on to Mae Sot, which is a part of the larger Tak Province. Tak Province serves as a mainland gateway between Thailand and Burma. It houses an artificial lake and a wild life sanctuary for all the nature lovers. Mr. Aditya says, “Riding to Mae Sot on the Thai- Burma border was just one of the many amazing moments of our trip. The local eateries, the high speed turns and the fantastic roads, what an amazing time!!”

Day 5 (330 kilometres) Sukothai is an ancient city. History lovers will enjoy this as it houses ruins and old Buddhist relics. It has been designated as a UNESCO world Heritage Site. Later

Today this destination serves as an important performing art centre, as you can watch the drama of the chef and the vegetables he cooks. Traditional Thai vegetables are stirred in a wok and are tossed high up in the air, and a man standing at the height catches the vegetables in a plate. It is an ancient art form gaining popularity amongst tourists.

Day 7 (180 kilometres) The trip ends with a 180 kilometres ride to NakhonPathom. Dining in the local restaurants is indeed fun. The province houses some of the best fruit orchards in the world. The province is modern in orientation. It includes schools, college and agricultural hubs.

Explore Thailand, and the best way of doing so is on the bike.

By Heer Kothari

January - February, 2014 SAFARI PLUS 27