Asian Traveller July 2011 by Asian Traveller

in this issue VOL. 4

NO. 10

JULY 2011

Tourism maintains momentum despite challenges

International tourist arrivals grew by 4.5 per cent in the first four months of 2011, despite new challenges emerging since the beginning of the year. According to the latest issue of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, growth was positive in all regions with the exception of the Middle East.

18 Nepal looks up to tourism for stability and prosperity Nepal is leveraging its tourism assets to turn its political revolution of 2005-2008 into an economic one in 2011. According to PATA, Nepal Tourism Year 2011 has so far seen foreign visitor arrivals by air increase

P 14-15

by 18.4 per cent to reach 168,958 for the first five months of the year.

Thailand targets 19 million visitors in 2012

India top source market for Thailand

Gujarat Tourism organizes road show to promote Saputara Fest

Bikinis make a comeback in Goa

17 Indian Airlines to terminate all foreign pilots P 12 Woman of the Month

P 22

Face to Face

VINISHA JAYASWAL

CHINTHAKA WEERASINGHE

P 13

As I Travel

Cover Photo Courtesy: BAYERN TOURISMUS Marketing GmbH

ASIAN TRAVELLER

JULY 2011

P 23 3

EDITOR’S NOTE

he international tourism community will come together in Madrid, Spain in September to discuss ethical issues facing tourism. Though tourism is one of the largest economic sectors in the world which generates jobs and wealth for millions, it also raises a few ethical issues which need to be addressed. The impact tourism activities have on destinations and host communities some times turn out to be undesirable. According to the 'Ten Commandments On Eco-Tourism' formulated by The American Society of Travel Agents some of the basic rules one should follow are: respect the frailty of the earth, leave only footprints and take only photographs, educate yourself about the geography, customs, manners and cultures of the region you visit. The Global Code of Ethics for Tourism (GCET), a comprehensive set of principles whose purpose is to guide stakeholders in tourism development, which came into effect on 21 December 2001, reflected a new thinking. With international tourism forecast to reach 1.6 billion arrivals by 2020, tourism stake holders believe that the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism is needed to help minimize the negative impacts of tourism on the environment and on cultural heritage while maximizing the benefits for residents of tourism destinations. In Madrid, The Global Code of Ethics for Tourism will set the tone for the debates with sessions focusing on responsible tourism, fair tourism and poverty reduction, equality, and exploitation. It is important that tourism should be developed in a sustainable as well as responsible manner so that it will not raise any ethical dilemma to the practitioners.

Editor & Publisher Group Editor Chief Executive Of ficer Photo Editor Art Editor Senior Sub Editor Editorial Team

: : : : : : :

Director (Marketing) Financial Advisor Legal Advisor GM -Tamil Nadu

: : : :

G. Biju Krishnan G. Gopakumar* M. P. Sreekumar Retheesh Kariyam Anil Kumar R. Krishnadas P. R. Parameswaran, Lekshmi P., Smitha R. Vinu V. Nair Jayachandran S. Adv. G.S. Prakash P. Deenadayalu

UK: Abdul Najeeb UAE: Sanjeev S. L. Kuwait: Mariam Titus New Delhi: V. Narayanan Mumbai: Mahesh Nair Bengaluru: Sophy K.Magal Kolkata: Sobha Joshi Chennai: Nisha J. Coimbatore: Shree K. Hyderabad: K.S. Johnson Indore: Manohar Bhati Madurai: P. Deenadayalu Ernakulam: M. P. Sreekumar Thiruvananthapuram: Shaini B. J.

Tel: Tel: Tel: Tel: Tel: Tel: Tel: Tel: Tel: Tel: Tel: Tel: Tel: Tel:

0044-7769940391 00971 508914709 00965 6638670 +91 9810116780 +91 9702493708 +91 9343983719 +91 9477406768 +91 9841008588 +91 9677769919 +91 9441236010 +91 9893559563 +91 9843129535 +91 9447118694 +91 9745444177

Administration Jaya Rajeshwari, Soniya S. All Communications to: Media Steps India, TC-27/1741, PERA-66, Vanchiyoor PO, Thiruvananthapuram–695 035, Kerala State, South India. Tel: +91-471-2574411, 09447 555 222 info@mediastepsindia.com, w ww.mediastepsindia.com New Delhi Media Steps India, C-4/9 Sahyadri Apartments, Plot No. 5, Sector-12, Dwaraka, New Delhi-110 075. Tel.: +91 9810116780 Mumbai Media Steps India Unit 9 & 10, Sardar Pratap Singh Industrial Estate No. 2, LBS Marg, Bhandup West, Mumbai-400078, India, Tel.: +91 22 32499989 Hyderabad Media Steps India, # B-305 & 309, Vasudha Apartments, Quthbullapur Road, New Jeedimetla, Hyderabad-500 055, AP, India Tel.: +91 40 23080750, +91 40 23176966, +91 40 23176996, Fa x: +91 40 27535260 Chennai Media Steps India, 6/4, Sangeetha Gardens, 19th Street Ex t, Jai Nagar, Arumbakkam, Chennai - 600 106. Tel: +91 44 42640531 Coimbatore Media Steps India, 164/122, Justice Sathyadev Enclave, Race Course, Coimbatore-641018 Tel: +91 422 2234120 Regd. Of fice: Media Steps India, TC-27/1915, MBRRA 70, Mathrubhoomi Rd., Thiruvananthapuram–695 001, Kerala State, South India. Edited, Printed & Published by G. Biju Krishnan and Printed at M/s. Safire Of fset Printers, Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu for Cristal Printers, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala State, South India. Reg No.: KERENG 01910/11/1/2006-TC New Reg No.: KERENG / 2007 / 28719 RNI Reg. No.: 101276

G. BIJU KRISHNAN Editor & Publisher editor@mediastepsindia.com +91 9447555222

The news items and Advertisements published herein have been collected from various source, which are considered to be reliable. Readers are however requested to verif y the facts before making business decisions using the same. No par t of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission from the Publisher. All rights reser ved. Copyright © 2009 *Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act

ASIAN TRAVELLER

JULY 2011

OVER VIEW

Tourism maintains momentum despite challenges

nternational tourist arrivals grew by 4.5 per cent in the first four months of 2011, despite new challenges emerging since the beginning of the year. According to the latest issue of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, growth was positive in all regions with the exception of the Middle East. Between January and April 2011 destinations worldwide recorded 268 million international tourist arrivals, some 12 million more compared to the 256 million registered in the same period in 2010. April was the strongest month with an estimated increase of 6 per cent. “Global tourism continues to consolidate the recovery of 2010 despite the impact of recent developments in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as the tragic events in Japan, which are temporarily affecting travel flows to these regions. We should nonetheless remain vigilant as we face other persisting uncertainties

ASIAN TRAVELLER

such as high unemployment and increased public austerity measures,” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. Growth in Asia and the Pacific (+5 per cent) was in line with the world average, but slightly below previous prospects. Asia, and in particular North-East Asia, suffered the impact of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan which

JULY 2011

affected both its inbound and outbound travel as well as intra-regional travel from other markets. UNWTO expects that destinations currently facing difficulties will see demand recover towards the end of the year. “It is time to support those destinations and help their tourism sectors to rebound, contributing to overall economic and social stability and progress,” Rifai added. Short-term prospects remain largely favorable, as reflected in the UNWTO Confidence Index based on a survey among the UNWTO Panel of Experts. In spite of the changed circumstances, the over 350 participating experts worldwide maintain a positive outlook for the period May-August. As the peak tourist season gets underway in the northern hemisphere, short-term prospects remain positive. This is reflected in the UNWTO Confidence Index, a

short-term outlook based on consultations with over 350 experts worldwide, which remains largely optimistic for the period May-August 2011. “The sustained optimism shown by the UNWTO Confidence Index is reassuring, especially as we still face many factors which could dampen growth. While global economic prospects indicate an improved second half of the year, UNWTO remains alert to social instability in certain parts of the world, volatile oil prices and concerns over fiscal stability in the USA and Europe,” said Rifai. UNWTO maintains its forecast for international tourist arrivals in 2011 at between four per cent and five per cent, slightly above the long-term average and in line with previous assessments. The developments in the Middle East, North Africa and Japan are not expected to significantly alter the global forecast.

MARKETING

Thailand targets 19 million visitors in 2012

he Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has approved a strategic plan to drive tourism growth in an era of unprecedented change in the global operating environment and regular occurrences of unpredictable external factors. Also agreed at the TAT’s annual Marketing Action Plan 2012 (MAP) meeting held between 2326 June 2011 was a marketing plan that will Suraphon Svetasreni take TAT Governor advantage of emerging opportunities in a world of changing demographics and technological innovation. According to Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Suraphon Svetasreni, “Responding to constant and incessant change has become our biggest

challenge. As the country’s primary tourism marketing agency responsible for driving growth in one of Thailand’s most important socioeconomic sectors, we spent the entire meeting trying to identify ways of ensuring an effective and efficient marketing plan.” He said the TAT has set a 2012 target of 19.5 million international tourist arrivals, generating approximate revenue of 760 billion Baht (24.85 billion USD) increasing around 9 per cent above 2011. The target for domestic tourism is 93 million trips with revenue of 453 billion Baht (14.70 billion USD). This year, domestic tourism will be a major focus of attention with stepped-up efforts to enhance the fun and appeal of travelling within the country. This will involve boosting the image of domestic travel, organising specific activities to promote it, publicising the

many new emerging products building national identity. “In spite of all the changes and services that deliver value taking place globally, the TAT for money, and using domestic travel as a means of still has many opportunities to increase visitor arrivals. We can see many positive factors; such as, continuing economic growth in many countries particularly in this region, the broad line strategy to tap a reach out to new niche ndia has achieved a top positive effect of people who larger base of high income segments,” he said. position as a source of do not cancel their travel Buddhani further expanded on travelers and securing repeat inbound travellers to Thailand plans but merely change their travelers to new parts of the niche segments being when compared to other ASEAN destinations in the event of Thailand will continue as has targeted, “We region markets. This was unpredictable natural have in the last been done previously.” divulged by Sethaphan phenomena, and the For the year 2012, TAT will 2 years been Buddhani, Director - Tourism progressive liberalisation of still use the successful “Amazing consolidating Authority of Thailand, Mumbai. economic growth and Thailand Always Amazes You” our hold on “We intend to further enhance transportation in the ASEAN theme, to build up the country’s niche our marketing activities in order region”, said Suraphon. segments such strong brand and positioning as to secure a larger market share “In addition, Thailand a destination that offers a unique as golfers, of Indian travellers”, he added. Sethaphan Buddhani, Director TAT, Mumbai continues to have a number of culture, a wide variety of wedding “During 2010 over 791,000 Indian unique selling points in terms experiences to visitors and to celebrations and single women travelled to Thailand and we of a variety of tourist reinforce the many aspects of travelers and going forward in expect this figure to cross attractions, as a shopping “Thainess” that are so appealing 2011 and 2012 will actively target 885,000 in 2011. paradise and for online to visitors from all over the the school groups and medical As a result it has become marketing. These factors will world. tourism segments. Our overall increasingly important for us to help us to reach our targets.”

India top source market for Thailand

ASIAN TRAVELLER

JULY 2011

Q&A When it was time to decide on a career Vinisha Jayaswal had no doubts in her mind and chose travel and tourism. Now a leading Hospitality Consultant & Independent Corporate Trainer shares her experiences.

How did you become interested in travel and tourism business? My interest in travel and tourism started at a very young age when my parents ensured that we made the best use of our summer holidays by travelling to different parts of the world. When it was time to decide on a career, I knew I wanted to make a career in travel and tourism and found my way in through the hospitality industry. I completed my graduation in Hotel Management and started a career in the hospitality industry in operations, right from scratch. Could you describe the nature of your job? I am currently a Hospitality Consultant and an Independent Corporate Trainer. After spending a substantial number of years in hospitality operations and training, I started off on my own to give back to the industry what I have received. I am now a consultant to a number of hotels and institutes, and a corporate trainer to a number of fortune five-hundred companies. What plans - immediate and long term - do you have? My long term plan is to bridge the gap between what hospitality institutes have to offer and what the hotels actually want. My immediate plan is to reach out to most of the hospitality institutes and help bridge the gap. As a hospitality industry professional what is your ambition? Where would you like to see yourself ten years from now? One of my goals was to become the best in what I do,

which I achieved at a very early stage in my career. I was awarded the “Young Training Manager – 2008” award by the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI). Now my ambition is to make a difference in the hospitality industry. In 10 years from now, I would like see myself as a change agent, having made a marked difference to the hospitality industry. Who or what has been the greatest influence in your professional life? I have had several mentors in my professional life who have made me the person I am today; however, I owe a great deal to my husband who is my biggest mentor and support in my professional life. As woman, what were the challenges you had to face in your professional life? What is your advice to young girls who enter the sector? As a woman, there were many challenges I faced in my career as I started from scratch. But none of them stopped me from moving on and finding ways and means to achieve my goals. I only focused on keeping an open mind to learning and developing myself and making the best use of every opportunity that came my way, with a “never say die” attitude. My advices to young girls who enter the sector are: take up any challenges that come your way and always remember that any piece of work, however small, is a learning in disguise which will help you in life somewhere, sometime. There

Vinisha Jayaswal Hospitality Consultant & Independent Corporate Trainer are many opportunities in the sector for women; it depends on what you want to make out of it. What is the secret of your success? My passion for what I do and my independence, not forgetting my family, is the secret to my success. What is your proudest moment (till date) in your professional life? There have been many proud moments in my career; however, the proudest moment has been the achievement of the “Young

Training Manager - 2008” award. Tell us about your family. My husband, Prabhakar Azad is a Senior Human Resource professional, who works for one of the leading real estate companies. My little son, Ishaan Jayaswal is a bundle of joy, who helps me enhance my creative skills. They both have been the backbone to my success. What are your hobbies? I love travelling and going out on weekends with my family. I also like reading and swimming.

ASIAN TRAVELLER

JULY 2011

INDIAN PANORAMA

Gujarat Tourism organizes road show to promote Saputara Fest

ujarat Tourism has organized a road show in Mumbai to promote the upcoming “Saputara Monsoon Festi val” which will be held from July 30th to August 30th, 2011. Gujarat Tourism Minister Jay Narayan Vyas was the chief guest on the occasion. Kamlesh Patel, Chairman, Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited (TCGL) presided over the function and interacted with tour operators and hoteliers who were present. Sanatan Pancholi, Resident Manager, Mumbai Office of TCGL made a presentation on the upcoming Monsoon Festival. Vipul Mittra, Secretary, Tourism Department, Gujarat was also present on the occasion.

Vipul Mittra, Secretary, Gujarat Tourism; Jay Narayan Vyas, Minister for Tourism; Kamlesh Patel, Chairman, Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited (TCGL) and Roma Singh at the road show

J&K Tourism conducts road shows abroad

Bikinis make a comeback in Goa G

oa government has decided to lift a self imposed ban on bikini clad women to promote tourism. The soon to be launched 30-seconds television commercial will feature a Miss India finalist, an Indian actress and a former Miss Russia soaking up the sun on Goa’s popular beaches. Swapnil Naik, Director of Tourism, Government of Goa said that a nine-week television advertisement campaign would be launched in 140 countries in Europe, Africa and Asia. The state government and tourism authorities had vetoed ads using women in bikinis in January 2010 to counter popular perceptions of Goa as a destination where there is easy access to sex and drugs. The ban followed a spate of high-profile crimes against women. “We have also included a lot of other things (in the advert) like churches and hinterland in the campaign. The attempt is to portray Goa as a bouquet of experiences,” said Swapnil Naik. A second ad campaign aiming to make local people more hospitable to foreign visitors would be shown on domestic television, he added.

ASIAN TRAVELLER

JULY 2011

he Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Department has recently organised a series of road shows in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok to attract more tourists from the South East Asian markets. A high level delegation led by Nawang Rigzin Jora, Minister of Tourism and Culture; Nasir Aslam Wani, Minister of State for Tourism & Culture, Jammu & Kashmir, Atal Dulloo, Commissioner-cumSecretary – Tourism, J&K and tour operators from the State attended the road shows.

Himachal to develop religious tourism

imachal Pradesh is developing a religious tourist circuit to facilitate pilgrims visiting prominent shrines in Una and Bilaspur districts. This was announced by the state Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal. An amount of Rs.6.15 crore will be spent on the Una-Chintpurni-Bilaspur circuit, according to him. He said the emphasis would be on developing parking lots, civic amenities and renovation of shrines besides providing quality restaurants to tourists. A parking lot is being developed in Chintpurni town where devotees throng from different parts of the country to pay obeisance at the temple of Mata Chintpurni, said Dhumal, who also holds a tourism portfolio.

COLUMN

V DURAIKKANNAN

meta-index is an index of indices. Likewise, metathinking is thinking of thinking and beyond thinking. Meta-thinking will help you see the complete, full 360degree picture and thereby render you as a holistic thinker. ‘Meta’ is by the way the same ‘matru’ in Tamil or ‘mathu’ in Kannada which just means ‘and’ or ‘over and above’! Naresh Goyal, Chairman of Jet Airways is an interesting thinker among other things as I have seen. I was in Jet Airways those days and it was the third year anniversary of the airline. The airline which was founded in 1993 had already started making profit by 1996 within its three years of operation which was very unusual for such a capitalintensive and money-guzzling business. All of us across the board were so happy and elated on our remarkable achievement. But when Chairman Goyal came on the dais and began his keynote address, the very first utterance of his sent us all into a nosedive! He said: ‘I am really worried… (everybody gasping for breath!)…How is that we have made profit while everybody else has posted loss or is getting into the red? We need to analyze and find out the reason!’ It was a classic case of ‘meta-thinking’. I do not know whether he hit upon the powerful manage-

roved from extreme to extreme. He was equally given to wine and women as much as to God and spiritualism. A self-confessed profligate that he was, once at a university passing out ceremony where he was the special guest, he described himself that he was also a Vice Chancellor – only not in that order. He said he was ‘Chancellor of Vices’! He lived his life dangerously as Oscar Wilde would say of himself. Naresh Goyal He was so much dejected with the people around him ment thought ‘Learn from and he was more often than your success!’ as expounded not betrayed and let down by by the likes of Peter Drucker and Tom Peters and posed the his so-called friends. It was a rude shock for the whole question to us or he was so seriously worried about the mechanism of success that he asked us that question. As to the fact that Mr. Goyal is an interesting person, here is one example. There was once a labour issue for Jet Airways at Bangalore Airport which was prolonging for a while and finally got resolved. Peter Drucker When Mr. Goyal happened to visit the station in the follow- Tamil-speaking world when his obituary notice appeared ing week, he just asked the prominently on the first page station head by way of reasof the provincial dailies one surance whether everything was all right. And the head of day. On learning the loss of the station told: ‘No problem, such a great lyricist whose numbers were and still are the Sir!’ Mr. Goyal quickly resolace for many and an torted: ‘Is it with a comma in inspiration of joy for all between?!’ (‘No, PROBLEM! started thronging his house in Sir!). Tamil poet and lyricist Kannadasan (1927-1981) who was known as the King of Poets had made his mark in every field of literature and cinema – poetry, prose, drama and epic and lyricist, actor, storywriter, and producer! Tom Peters He went T. Nagar, Chennai in great through all the motions number. And could you guess who was watching the entire of life and crowd that was pouring into his life Edward De Bono

ASIAN TRAVELLER

JULY 2011

COLUMN his house from behind a screen in the balcony? It was the very Kannadasan himself! He just played a prank on himself perhaps taking it to a macabre degree. But then it was another meta-thinking as can be found from the following remarks of the poet about the incident in his biography: ‘To my utter disappointment, I could not see all those friends who I thought would miss me when I was gone. On

Peter Drucker

ASIAN TRAVELLER

the contrary, I was baffled to see a good number of people who I thought were my sworn enemies and worst adversaries turning up to see the last of me!’ Kannadasan conveyed those sentiments in one of his songs: ‘Our heart is like a tortoise indrawn into its shell! And the truths locked inside it are mute! At times friends would look like your enemies. Only as time goes you will realize who is what!’ The lyricist’s enacted drama of his death was again another meta-thinking! Lateral thinking is another variant of meta-thinking. The term ‘lateral thinking’ was a coinage from Edward de Bono in 1967 in his book ‘New Think: The Use of Lateral Thinking’. The premise on which lateral thinking is founded is this: ‘One cannot dig a hole in a different place by digging the same hole

JULY 2011

Tourism master plan for NE states soon

A Kannadasan

n Integrated Tourism master Plan for the North

East states will soon be unveiled. The draft Master Plan

deeper!’ It is gauged that we have 60000 – 65000 thoughts a day. Out of these, very unfortunately, 95 per cent are the same old thoughts of the previous day. This means that everyday thoughts of ours are 95 per cent of the previous day’s on a constant basis. We have 86,400 seconds in a day (60 x 60 x 24) which means we have a thought approximately every 1.3 seconds but not necessarily they are new. How nice and dynamic it will be if only our every thought is new and fresh!

developed by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and submitted to NEC is currently under the consideration of MoT. It will provide much needed direction to the future tourism infrastructure development in the region. NEC has already started consultations with various component states of the region about the projects and circuits that can be taken up as part of the Tourism Master Plan. According to a report, approximately Rs 3,600 cr will be spent for the implementation of the plan.

GUJARAT TRAVELLER

Saputara Monsoon Festival

The magic of monsoon rain

t the Southern tip of Gujarat, folded into the densely wooded hills of the Sahayadris, lies the abode of serpents- Saputara. In the picturesque Dangs district, this is a hill station with a difference, where you can immerse yourself in a timeless land that is still pretty much the way God made it. After all legend has it that Lord Rama spent 11 years of his exile in these very forests. This picturesque hill station is perched on a plateau in the Dang forest area of the Sahyadri Range. At an altitude of about 1000 m. Saputara witnesses a uniform weather throughout the year. Saputara does not experience any extreme temperature variations and is an ideal getaway for the sun-scorched souls of the plains. The monsoon rains add to the

magic of Saputara. Gujarat Tourism plans to showcase this getaway monsoon destination to the nearby cities like Nagpur, Pune, Mumbai, Nasik in Maharashtra. Maharashtra is seen as the right target segment for this picturesque destination. Nagpur was the first in the series of cities in which Gujarat Tourism organized a road show to highlight this destination. Over the next 15 days, similar road shows will be held in Pune and Nasik in Maharashtra. The Saputara Monsoon Festival will be a month long event where variety of activities and attractions will be on offer for the tourists. Some of the events to be held as a part of the festival include water sports, adventurous activities, laser show, photography exhibition, heritage walk,

cultural evenings, food festival, contests, etc. The idea is to keep the tourists engaged for the entire month through one activity or another in the best manner possible. Gujarat Tourism has introduced reasonably priced tour packages for SaputaraExotic Dang Tribal Tour, Monsoon Dang Tour, Saputara package tour with variety of options like one day tour, two-nights three-days,

three- nights four-days and so on. Depending on the time and budget of the tourists, all options are available. It is also expected that the private tour operators from Nagpur and other cities would evolve their own tour packages during this period. Gujarat Tourism is investing heavily to set up infrastructure at Saputara and to develop this hill station as a major tourist destination.

Photo Courtesy: Gujarat Tourism

ASIAN TRAVELLER

JULY 2011

FACE TO FACE

Srilankan Airlines

Unveils unique plan with more destinations to boost tourism Exploring new heights, SriLankan Airlines, the National Airline of Sri Lanka, is currently expanding and diversifying its wide range of products and services in order to drive the country's ongoing boom in tourism and economic development. Srilankan Airlines has connections with its global route network of 51 destinations in 32 countries in Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Far East, North America and Australia. Chinthaka Weerasinghe, Area Manager, Kerala spoke to Asian Traveller about the latest initiatives and the re - launching of Air Taxi services in order to cater to the increasing demand of tourists looking out for quick travel options. What new plans have Srilankan

the Indian market is concerned.

Bandaranaike International Airport

Airlines for the Kerala/Indian

How do you plan to go about it?

and Colombo Airport in

market?

In terms of the Indian market

Ratmalana. Water-dromes include

the Sri Lank tourism authorities

the Negombo Lagoon,

committed to our operations in

will need to increase the

Castlereagh, Tissamaharama,

Kerala and now we have 14 flights

awareness about the new tourism

Arugam Bay, Kandy, Bentota,

to 2 destinations in Kerala. We

developments occurring in the

Nuwara Eliya, Galle (Koggala),

SriLankan Airlines is fully

kept our promise in launching

East and now we are now

country and in addition display

Ampara, Trincomalee, Dambulla

Cochin operation and re-

providing 31 flights to 8

the new areas in the East coast

and Dickwella.

commenced operations in 27

destinations in FE. This will

which have opened out for

March and our operations to

immensely help our passengers

tourists. The hotel properties will

used for the operation. Although

Cochin have been successful with

from South India traveling on

also need to be priced reasonably

the aircraft can carry 19

good flight loads from the date re-

Holiday or business. In addition to

to capture the attention of the

passengers, Air Taxi has been

launch date. For the Cochin

Far East we will aggressively look

Indian travellers.

configured with 15 seats to

market we are looking at the

at promoting Sri Lanka through

Sometime back Srilankan Airlines

provide greater passenger

possibility of increasing more

our hub Colombo after the dawn

has announced few plans

comfort. These twin-engined

flights. We are also looking

of peace. We now have ancillary

regarding domestic aviation. You

aircraft would be able to operate

positively at re-launching our CCJ

to cater towards all these new

were talking about floatplanes

to high altitude water-dromes

operations.

segments in the form FlySmiLes

and flights to the north of the

such as Nuwara Eliya and

What is your marketing strategy

our Frequent Flyer programme,

country also. Could you please

Castlereagh with ease. Air Taxi will

for the Indian market?

SriLankan Holidays leisure arm of

elaborate on these?

supplement the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s existing

SriLankan has been operating

the airline and Air Taxi services

SriLankan Air Taxis were re-

Two Twin Otter floatplanes are

land-based domestic air services,

to India from inception starting

within the country for up market

introduced last year and the

as there are many parts of the

from South India and expanded to

travellers for travel within Sri

operation has a significant

country in which aerodromes are

North. UL now operates 63 flights

Lanka.

improvement from the previous

not conveniently located, but

a week to 7 destinations in India.

Srilankan Airlines has always

operation. The operation now has

there are plenty of rivers and

We offer immediate or convenient

played a huge role in supporting

larger aircraft and more

lakes that can serve as water-

connection within 24 hrs to Far

the tourism industry of the

destinations. Air Taxi is likely to

dromes. The De Havilland

East, Middle East or Europe. In

country. What new plans do you

operate to the Beira Lake in

Canada DHC-6 Series 300 Twin

addition stop over hotel are

have in this regard?

Colombo, which will significantly

Otter is a Short Take Off and

improve its level of visibility to the

Landing (STOL) aircraft which was

Re - launching of Air Taxi

provided when even required. The South Indian market has a good

services is our latest initiatives in

public. This would provide greater

developed as a more powerful

balance of market segments such

order to cater towards the

convenience for customers in

twin-engined version of the Turbo

as employment traffic, ethnic,

increasing demand of tourist

Colombo, in comparison to

Otter that Air Taxi earlier used,

leisure and MICE. However

looking for quick travel options.

spending up to an hour and a half

which has better speed and

recently we have been steadily

What are the main issues that

by road to reach either of the

performance, and improved

increasing our destinations in Far

need to be addressed as far as

airports near the city â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

safety.

ASIAN TRAVELLER

JULY 2011

DOWN UNDER

Eyre P eninsula Peninsula

A breath of fresh Eyre between Wallaroo on the Yorke Peninsula and Lucky Bay in comfort in just two he Eyre Peninsula is seductively secluded, a hours. However you arrive, you’ll dream destination with find a coastal paradise fabulous seafood, unique ocean activities and spectacu- founded on fishing and lar scenery with hidden coves, aquaculture with the seafood capital of Port Lincoln at its bays and beaches, wild heart, on one of the world’s headlands and dramatic largest natural harbours. Join limestone cliffs. the Seafood Tour and Taste of With time a precious the Port Lincoln Marina, commodity, flying here is operated by Adventure Bay great as it’s just a 45-minute Charters, for an interpretive flight from Adelaide to Port walking tour to see working Lincoln. With your hire car fishing boats, watch a seafood already in place, the brand harvest being unloaded, find new Sea SA vehicle/passenger ferry will be a great choice out about local fish species from early 2011, carrying you and see some of them the aquarium. As you explore across the Spencer Gulf

Alison Plummer

you’ll discover Coffin Bay, Streaky Bay, Elliston, Venus Bay, Ceduna and Whyalla and one of the best ways to focus your travels is by following the Seafood and Aquaculture Trails. Be sure to sample the famous Coffin Bay oysters, better still, take the Coffin Bay Explorer Tour to an idyllic location where leases hold up to a billion molluscs and sample freshly shucked oysters straight from their beds. The Eyre Peninsula also has a rich arts culture with many fine galleries. Look for Indigenous Australian art at Kuju Arts and Crafts Gallery, Port Lincoln, Coffin Bay Art

ASIAN TRAVELLER

JULY 2011

DOWN UNDER highway are named after explorer John Eyre who crossed this land and followed the coast on his amazing journey from Adelaide to Albany in Western Australia, reaching the Head of Bight in 1841. The explorer was helped by Aboriginal people and shown waterholes along the way including some in the vast Sleaford-Wanna white sand hills which you can see from the Head of Bight whalewatching platform. In the Lincoln National Park, these dunes are said to be 6,000 years old and a great way to explore them is by 4WD – or up close on a sandboard! To the west can be seen the enormous cliffs of the Great Australian Bight, the Bunda Cliffs. Dive with sharks, swim with sea lions Did someone mention whale watching? This is a fantastic area for seeing all kinds of sea life including Southern Wright whales which come in great numbers in the breeding season between June and September. Pods of dolphins also patrol the waters and love to swim with the boats – and you can swim with them in

shallow water on tours in the area, too. Swimming with the weighty Southern Bluefin tuna is a thrill with tours such as Adventure Bay Charters. Diving and snorkelling opportunities in the area include snorkelling among giant cuttlefish that spawn off the coast of Whyalla, changing colour and texture to blend with their environment which you can see between May and August. For a thrill of a lifetime you can dive with Great White Sharks – Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions and Calypso Star Charters offer cage diving adventures to see these sharks which average 3.7 – 4.9 metres in length with females becoming larger than males. Stirring tales of Great Whites over 6 metres long fill some of us with fear but apparently these recordings are few and far between. Colonies of seals and sea lions call this coast home and there are tours see them. At Baird Bay there’s a large colony and Baird Bay Ocean Eco Experience offer the chance to swim with them on a snorkel experience with a difference. The Gawler Ranges The Gawler Ranges National Park conserves plants,

and Craft Gallery and Ceduna Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Centre for example. The outback meets the sea With more than 2,000 kilometres of coastline to explore you may think it’s all about the ocean but the hinterland holds many attractions with hills and farmland meeting the salt lakes and craggy outcrops of the dramatic Gawler Ranges. In essence this is a part of Australia where the Outback meets the sea and, to the west, the vast Nullarbor Plain stretches out across Western Australia crossed by the Eyre Highway. Both the area and the ASIAN TRAVELLER

JULY 2011

DOWN UNDER animals and heritage sites between the Eyre Peninsula and the Gawler Ranges ranging from arid to semi desert with volcanic landscapes, gorges and spectacular weathered rocky outcrops. Stay in style at the luxurious Kangaluna Bush Camp, part of Geoff Scholz’s Gawler Range Wilderness Safaris. The raised, ensuite tents (just three of them) are perfectly designed to make camping out a dreamy experi-

Surf, walk, play golf For surfing, Cactus Beach is the place to watch the waves or even join the action and if you play golf you’ll find courses at Port Lincoln, Coffin Bay, Louth Bay, Kimba, Streaky Bay and Whyalla. You could also take up the challenge of the Nullarbor Links, the world’s longest golf course over 1,400 kilometres between the Eyre Peninsula’s Ceduna and Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. day Walking on Eyre package is for you, exploring the highlights of the coastline, National Parks and historical places at a relaxed pace with cosy accommodation and delicious food. Stay and eat Self-contained apartments, villas and holiday houses are plentiful at Port Lincoln and The Port Lincoln Hotel is a 4star resort hotel with in-house Sarins Restaurant and Bar. Local cafes and restaurants feature local food ,especially seafood, but there’s more as you’ll discover at eateries such as the Oysterbeds Good Food House. With views across Coffin Bay this restaurant serves up delicious fusion menus with a great emphasis on local produce including beef, free rangepork from the renown Miniribbie Farm, Tumby Bay lamb, locally made feta cheese, olives, pistachios, almonds, honey

ence and there’s a telescope for star-gazing and delicious food to top it all off. If it’s all too luxurious, ask for a swag so you can sleep outside under the stars. Tours vary from pure Outback experiences to see magnificent sights such as Lake Gardiner’s glistening white saltpan and the magnificent Organ Pipes rock, to combinations of Outback and ocean adventures.

and fresh herbs and vegetables. Discover arrange of produce at Lincoln Goodies at Port Lincoln with gourmet food, light lunches and takehome meals and check out restaurants such as awardwinning Del Giorno’s Café Restaurant, also in Port Lincoln The welcoming towns around the Peninsula have cafes, fish shops and a range of stores and restaurants – try farmed kingfish at the Watersedge Restaurant, Whyalla; fresh local tastes at Cowell Commercial Hotel, a la carte at the Anchor Bar and Bistro at the Streaky Bay Motel; seafood chowder and sashimi tuna at the Moorings, Port Lincoln; abalone at Mocean Café, Streaky Bay. Keep tasting and discovering , it won’t be long before you feel as at home here as the locals do. (Courtesy: Australia Tourism, SATC)

Chinta Air Tours has launched a four day/three night golfing luxury package to fly to various golf holes along the course and Nullarbor Traveller has three different five-day golfing packages, with options including camping provisions, roadhouse accommodation and exclusive chartered vehicles. If you love walking, Wilderness Wanders eight-

ASIAN TRAVELLER

JULY 2011

NEWSLINE

Travel Tours acquire Splendour Holidays, Goa

ravel Tours Group has announced the acquisi tion of Splendour Holidays Pvt Ltd, a growing charter and inbound tour operator based in Goa. The acquisition includes Splendour’s MICE focused brand “GoAvenues” who plan and manage meeting and incentive groups into India, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka. The acquisition will give both Splendour Holidays and GoAvenues direct access to the Travel Tours network and strength. The combined entity will now be able to enter new markets with an extensive product portfolio. “We have been very

serious about entering the inbound market and this acquisition is a move in that direction. With the “Splendour Holidays” and “GoAvenues” brands Shravan Gupta joining the Managing Director Travel Tours Travel Tours family, we are extremely excited to grow and take our inbound business vertical to greater heights and consolidate our position as a leading multi-service travel group in the country” said Shravan Gupta, Managing Director Travel Tours. Tyrone De Souza, CEO

Splendour Holidays, said, “We are excited about this synergy. Being part of Travel Tours group gives us access to a wide network across the country which will enable us expand our business and add new products to our portfolio”. Travel Tours Group is a leading multi-service travel company based in Bangalore, with a current turnover of Rs 350 Crores. The group currently operates with 14 owned offices across the six cities: Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Mumbai and New Delhi and owns eight distinct brands. The

Liberalised visa regime to boost tourism

ndia and Russia takes crucial

applications even on weekends

to facilitate the travel by Russian

decision to liberalize the visa

and holidays, when the Embassy

businessmen and tourists to India

regime for a major boost in

is closed.

were actually implemented from June 12.

groups B2B division Travel Air Representations is the fastest growing B2B operator in the country and represents

leading travel brands like Star Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Rail Europe, ClubMed and Globus family brands to name a few. A one-stop-shop for all travel requirements, Travel Tours offers its customers the entire gamut of travel-related services under one roof.

Indian Airlines to terminate all foreign pilots

business and tourism between the

The liberalization of the visa

countries. The Indian embassy in

regime was actually a gift by India

Moscow has announced the

on Russia's National Day, June

enjoy a robust multi-faceted

be asked to leave by 2013. This

streamlined and liberalised

12. Malhotra said these measures

strategic partnership and have a

was announced by Director

business and tourist visas to

visa-free regime for diplomatic

General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)

further encourage business

and official passport holders of

E.K. Bharat Bhushan. “This is the

contacts and promote tourism

both countries that facilitate

date that we are planning and we

between India and Russia.

regular official contact.

feel that we will be able to achieve

Business and tourist visas

The two countries already

This much-needed easing of

oreign pilots employed in the Indian aviation industry would

it,” said the DGCA. He said the

would normally be issued in

visas is set to boost people-to-

airline industry will through this

three working days following

people flow between the two

make huge savings because such

the date of application and

countries.

pilots are highly paid. Presently,

earlier, getting business visas

More Russians are travelling

took a minimum of ten

abroad, and quite a few of them

working days. The new

are visiting India to beat the

pattern is also being

Russian winter. In 2010, as many

followed by the Indian

as 12 million Russian citizens

Consulates General in St.

visited foreign countries. The

Petersburg and Vladivostok.

easing of the visa regime for

in the country.

businessmen, India hopes, will

The Russian citizens normally have to apply for the

help expand commercial ties

Indian visa by a Russian company

which have remained much below

appointed by the Indian mission

potential despite sturdy military

to allow them to submit their

ties.

ASIAN TRAVELLER

415 foreign pilots are employed

JULY 2011

ASIA PACIFIC

Nepal looks up to tourism for stability and prosperity

The Nepalese government is depending on tourism to drive economic prosperity and continued political stability.

epal is leveraging its tourism assets to turn its political revolution of 2005-2008 into an economic one in 2011. According to PATA, Nepal Tourism Year 2011 has so far seen foreign visitor arrivals by air increase by 18.4 per cent to reach 168,958 for the first five months of the year. The country is nominally on target to reach its goal of one million visitors this year, a figure that includes both air arrivals and land-based visitors, mostly from India. The government is promoting tourism to bring a measure of prosperity and continued political stability in a country that ranks in the 20 poorest in the world. Unity is a challenge. The country has 28 million people, a poor transport infrastructure, 103 ethnic groups and 92 spoken languages. Twenty-two out of 75 local government districts aren’t linked to the capital by road. Representatives of the

Nepal Tourism Board and the country’s hotels and tour operators last week told travel agents in Singapore, Johor Bahru and Bangkok that Nepal’s tourism industry

A tour operator at the Nepal event in Bangkok on June 16 noted that Southeast Asian tourists expect their holiday destinations to have political stability and competi-

rafting and mountain biking are now being heavily promoted, especially in Pokhara, the adventure capital of Nepal. The aim is to attract younger urban residents in

big Southeast Asian cites who want an adrenalin fix in a wild ‘back to nature’ setting. On the other side of the coin, gambling is available in seven hotels in Kathmandu. Nepal Airlines, THAI, Silk Air and Dragon Air offer a total of 25 flights a week into Nepal from Southeast Asia. Ujjwalla Dali, Nepal Tourism needs low cost carriers such as tively priced air tickets. Only Board’s Senior Manager for 25,000 Thais visited Nepal in Air Asia to start flying to Tourism Marketing, told 2010, despite the close BudKathmandu. travel agents in Bangkok that dhist pilgrimage links be“Airfares to Kathmandu the destination needs more tween the two countries. “It from Southeast Asia are a than that if the country is to should be three-times that little expensive,” said Sunil reach its tourism targets. “I Sakya, Vice President of KGH number,” said Sunil. hope that Air Asia will start Adventure tourism activiGroup of Hotels in Nepal. “A low cost carrier would bring a ties such as paragliding, flying flying to Kathmandu within a year,” she said. in ultralites, white water real paradigm shift,” he said.

The Chedi Muscat to have the largest spa in Muscat

he Chedi Muscat, a five star

Sultanate of Oman. The spa, pool

managed by The Chedi Muscat, a

balance of mind, body and soul by

luxury resort located on 21

and fitness area cover an area of

GHM hotel. The beauty products

following ancient healing

acres of land with its own

12,000 sq.m. The Spa will be

used at The Spa will include REN,

traditions from the East. In

private beach near al Ghubra, is in

Naturelle D’Orient, ILA, VOYA,

addition to the specialization in

the process of enlarging its

Sparitual and Abahna. The Spa is

Balinese therapies The spa offers

current spa and wellness offering,

dedicated to restoration of

a wide range of treatments based

which will open its doors at the

strength and beauty ensuring

on the holistic principles of

beginning of August 2011. A total of 13 spacious

aromatherapy, Ayurveda and herbal medicine. The design of

treatment rooms and a health club

the hotel will flow elegantly into

will make The Spa the biggest spa

the new spa; contemporary

in Muscat. One of the highlights

furnishings, understated elegance

will be The Long Pool, which, with

and a perfect mix of Omani

its length of 103 m, will be the

architecture and an Asian

longest outdoor pool in The

Zen-style.

ASIAN TRAVELLER

JULY 2011

KARANTAKA TRAVELLER

Standing tall amidst rustic charm and natural bounty

gumbe, a picturesque

trekking routes. There are three

Agumbe is rightly called the

fauna, Agumbe was called the

village situated at an

waterfalls near to Agumbe; the

Cherrapunji of South India. The

capital of King Cobra by

altitude of 826 m above

Onake Abbi falls, Barkana falls

place is also prominent for its14th

renowned herpetologist, Romulus

and the Jogigundi falls.

century temple dedicated to Lord

Whitaker and he set up the only

Gopalakrishna built in the

permanent rainforest research station of India, here. Spotting the

sea level is enveloped by dense

Forested trails from Agumbe

lush green forest and small streams in Shimoga district of

lead to a jungle pond called

Hoysala-style architecture with its

Karnataka in the Western Ghats of

Emkal Kere, a hillock called

exclusive sculptures. The startling

Southern India. It’s the most scenic site where the visitors can

sunset here gets

see the spectacular sunsets,

reflected from

verdant village vistas, and a

the Arabian Sea

perfect rustic ambience that

onto the horizon

attracts the visitors and trekkers

and the best

alike from all over the world.

season to view the sunset in

Interestingly, Agumbe served as the screening spot for the most

Agumbe is from

huge collection of medicinal

popular TV serial ‘Malgudi Days’

November to

plants in the area which are on the

directed by late Shankar Nag

January. A

verge of extinction, the area in

based on the novel of R.K.

microwave tower,

and around Agumbe has been

Narayan. About 90 kms from

Nishani Gudda, and to Barkana

a significant landmark of Agumbe,

converted into a protected area

Shimoga town, Agumbe and its

Falls. Prominent among the places

is located at this point. Known for

for Medicinal Plants to help in

environs are full of exciting

that receive very heavy rainfall,

its rich diversity of flora and

their conservation.

ASIAN TRAVELLER

JULY 2011

TAMIL NADU TRAVELLER

Imbued with historical importance Dr. S. Bakthavatchalam

Himalayas. The actual centre of

view of Tiruchirappalli and

garland of flowers imbued with

attraction is not the fort itself but

Manikkavinayagar temple

honey. The temple is one among

richy Rock Fort Temple, best

the temple at the summit with 344

underneath the rock. A flight of

the few temples facing west.

known for its architectural

steps hewn out of rock lead to the

steps leads to the

beauty is one of the world famous

top where inscriptions dating back

Mathrubutheswarar of

be seen below the Siva temple

temples with religious and

to the 3rd century B.C., hardly be

Thayumanaswami temple,

with beautiful sculptures of the 6th

historical importance in

seen but the main guard gate is

dedicated to Lord Siva where the

and 7th centuries. At the foot of

Tiruchirappalli, Tamilnadu. The

still intact.

lingam is a projection of the rock

the Rock Fort are a tank and a

itself and the fourth biggest

pavilion which are used during the

Sivalinga in Tamil Nadu. The

float festival of the temples and in

rock is one of the oldest in the

At the top of the rock is the

world, approximately 3800 million

Uchipillaiyar Koil, a temple

years and as old as the rocks of

dedicated to Lord Vinayaka

Greenland and older than the

from where one can enjoy a panoramic

Two Pallava cave temples can

Godess here is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Mattuvar

ancient times Tiruchirappalli is

Kuzhal Ammaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; which

also known as Thirisirapuram,

means the long haired

further this place is known as

goddess wearing a

Sirappalli, Rishabachalam and Dhakshina Kailasam.One can see the Rock Fort rising above the street level and near the tank, is the house of Robert Clive who lived during the period and an 18th century Church built by Reverend Schwartz of Denmark.

ASIAN TRAVELLER

JULY 2011

PROFILE

Mystifly

Connecting the world locally

ystifly, is one of the

insurance for various customers

offers unmatchable price and

customers includes best known

fastest growing travel

for travel originating outside India

service advantage to its

travel companies around the

organizations with the

by offering unmatched service

customers.

globe including 70 per cent of big

Mystifly’s special fares and

largest travel network spread

levels through phone, email and

across 45 countries. Setup in

chat touch points using local fares

companies. It is

2008 and headquartered at

which are prevalent in that market.

the only Travel

The service team also offers

Company that

Bangalore, Mystifly is an

Indian travel management

anywhere to anywhere travel

discounted fares originating in 40

works on a

consolidator engaged in the

different countries to

business model

business of

organizations across the globe.

which is integrated

selling air

The company’s unique and

with the client’s

ticketing and

innovative execution model is tied

long term success

insurance

with its delivery platform called

and provides

services at the

MyPostMaster and its anywhere-

constantly

cheapest

to-anywhere booking engine

innovating and

possible rates

MyFareBox. Multiple GDS (Sabre/

exceeding

and offers

Rajeev Kumar G. CEO & MD

Abacus, Galileo, Worldspan and

expectations to all

Amadeus), its availability and

coupled with 24/7 service

stake holders with fairness,

fares and travel insurance deals

fares from all major markets are

customer allows the company to

mutual trust and politeness

originating in 45 countries.

integrated into this engine which

offer unmatchable price and

towards clients, employees,

allows clients to book ‘anywhere

service advantage to its

suppliers and the society.

to anywhere travel, 24/7 and

customers. The company’s list of

www.mystifly.com

discounted air

The company specializes in reservations of flights and

ASIAN TRAVELLER

JULY 2011

EXPLORING

Adventure caving in Malaysia

alaysia is blessed with a vast numbers of caves, including some of the largest and longest in the world. These caves, nestled within rich rainforests and mangroves, provide

sanctuary to amazing wildlife like fruit bats and swiftlets, and are rich in natural attractions like massive formations of stalagmites and stalactites. Explore these caves for their impressive sights, which are made accessible through a heady mix of adventurous experiences like crawling, climbing and swimming through passages. Kota Gelanggi is a historical cave with archaeological significance, for human remains have been found here, dating back 1500 years. Venture into the other show cave here, Gua Terang Bulan, with its electric lighting and walkways. Head to the Tekam Plantation Resort situated nearby, which offers a range of interesting activities like plantation visits, trekking and fishing. Gunung Senyum Caves is a subterranean cave complex which comprises of at least 20 fascinating caves. One can go exploring and then camp in the shade of the tropical foliage here. Gua Charas is a temple cave with a statue of the reclining Buddha.

It also houses other Buddhist and Hindu statues. Gua Tempurung is a limestone cave, made up of five domes with various formations of stalactites and stalagmites. Take the dry trail and the guide will point out to you the many different formations resembling humans or animals. The wet trail involves the thrill of wading through streams of water and mud, sometimes actually swimming. Sunway City or the Lost World of Tambun will enthrall the visitors with its Neolithic rock paintings. These 5000-year-old paintings depict early dwellers of the Malay Peninsula and indigenous animals like the boar, tapir and deer. Gua Kelam, the cave of darkness, is popular for its enchanting ‘cave walk’, where one can enter from one end of the cave and come out at a different location. Make your way across an eight-foot wooden suspension bridge and explore the remnants of a tin mine operation, along with stalactites and a subterranean stream, to the accompanying chorus of the resident bats. At Gua Kelam II is an adventure cave where the visitors can enjoy a mini-train ride to the upper chamber and discover its many interesting geological features, as well as its historical mining artifacts. Gua Wang Burma is a mysterious cave, known for its abundant and interesting limestone formations. As a precaution, taking a guide down to the caves is now made compulsory. Gua Certia, the Cave of Legends, requires a boat trip to reach it. Once there you can scale a wooden ladder to reach the entrance and admire the ancient inscriptions which are said to be verses from the Koran. Gua Kelwar is also accessible only by boat. This cave is home to the Malaysian fruit bats. You will need to travel along a wooden plankwalk to reach the entrance of this cave. Mulu Caves National Park is home to one of the longest networks of caves in the world. The Sarawak Chamber is the largest underground chamber, while the Deer Cave is the world’s largest cave passage. The other attraction of note is the sight of millions of bats and cave swiftlets swarming out of the caves at dusk. Stop at the Niah Caves for its rock paintings and amazing limestone formations. At Bau, you can visit the Wind Cave, for the cool breeze that flows inside and for its formations of stalagmites and stalactites. At the Fairy Cave one can watch amazing natural formations. At Gomantong and Madai one can witness the ancient tradition of harvesting bird’s nests for the rare delicacy of bird’s nest soup.

ASIAN TRAVELLER

JULY 2011

KERALA TRAVELLER

25 years of Kerala’s tourism industry tive tourism products and market focused advertisement istory of Kerala campaigns. Catchy slogans Tourism dates back and innovative designs are the to 1980’s. Initially it specialty of Kerala Tourism. was started as a hospitality Comprehensive tourism department by the Governpolicy was introduced in ment of Kerala. Kerala Kerala during the year 1995. strongly realized the imporThe Tourism Policy of Kerala tance of Tourism during the stated as its main aim “to mid 80’s. Tourism was recog- serve as a guiding force to nized as an industry in Kerala make maximum use of in 1986 – vide an order dated Kerala’s tourism potential and July 11, 1986. Kerala was the also to make it an ideal first state to declare tourism as instrument of social and an industry. India Governeconomic growth”. During ment bestowed industry early 2000 tourism became a status on tourism only in 1992. multi billion dollar industry in As far as Kerala is conthe state. cerned it was only in the Till the end of last century seventh plan that Department Kerala was an unknown of Tourism was constituted, destination in some countries, which indicates that the state but the scenario has now been government was very late in totally changed realizing its tourism potential. and now has It was as late as 1990 that the become one of state government had identithe fastest growfied tourism as a major ing destinations foreign exchange earner as in the world with well as an employment a growth rate of generator. 13.31 per cent. Promotions both in print Government acts as a facilitaand electronic media help to tor for the development of attract more tourist arrivals to tourism in the state. Ever since Kerala and also to attract a big tourism was declared an investment in hospitality industry in 1986, several sector. Kerala Tourism is incentives which were availalways noted for its innovaable to investors in other Abin K. I.

industrial sectors have been extended to the tourism sector as well by the State Government. These include subsidies, technical guidance, marketing assistance, publicity through governmental publications, help in availing loans etc. If you look for the reasons for the growth of Tourism in Kerala you would find that availability of unique tourism products, tourist friendly image of the state and governance with a clear vision played a major role. Twenty five years down the lane Kerala is one of the must see destinations to be visited by a traveller in his life time (according to National Geographic magazine). The role played by the government as a facilitator in the development of tourism in Kerala is very crucial. Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies (KITTS) impart quality education and training in the field of travel and tourism. KITTS provides opportunities to students to develop their managerial and organizing

skills by encouraging them to organize various activities in and out of the campus. Kerala Institute of Hospitality Management Studies (KIHMS) is the hospitality wing of KITTS. Kerala tourism has to conserve its natural resources for the development of sustainable tourism. Only sustainable tourism can produce good results without causing damage to the environment. Kerala is definitely a role model for other states in tourism development because of its continuous innovation in tourism products and strategies. More travel circuits and development of tourism in the Malabar region is very vital for reducing the overcrowding in tourist spots situated in southern and central Kerala. To move forward in a progressive way Kerala Tourism has to focus more on key areas like improvement of accommodation sector and development of human resources, (both quantity and quality), road networks, international air connectivity, product diversification, environmental conservation measures, improve private-public participation in tourism etc.

When Kerala decided to grant industry status to tourism sector in the state it became the first Indian state to do so. 25 years down the lane tourism has become a full-fledged, multi-billion dollar industry.

ASIAN TRAVELLER

JULY 2011

KERALA TRAVELLER Tourism sector in Kerala, which got industry status 25 years ago, is now a Superbrand and a major contributor to the economy of the state. Still there are a few areas that demand attention. ASIAN TRAVELLER asked some prominent people, who are associated with the state tourism industry in different capacities, a few questions in this regard and the following is a compilation of their responses. What are the elements that worked in favour of tourism in Kerala? Are you happy with the course tourism as an industry is taking in Kerala? What changes would you like to see? In which areas are we lacking? What should we be doing in this regard? On a scale of 10, what rating would you give to Kerala Tourism? Why?

Blessed by nature, boosted by marketing. Needs better infrastructure, cleanliness K.G. Mohanlal IFS Managing Director KTDC Ltd.

Manoj Mathew V M General Manager Vivanta by Taj Thiruvananthapuram

development, no master plan for future

declaring tourism as an

Natural scenic beauty,

Despite all odds, Kerala tourism had made

industry by the government

unspoilt destination, warm

great strides and is an innovator in many

it is mainly the efforts by the Government to

and friendly people, domestic tourists seeking

areas especially marketing and promotion.

market Kerala at international level and

alternatives, receptive government mechanism

focusing on the distinct identity of Kerala as a

are the strengths of Kerala. While God’s own

brand that has worked wonders. Another

country has created a worldwide impact and

major effort is promoting a synergy between

changed the perception of both domestic and

the private sector and public sector.

international visitors about Kerala, there is an

and skill development; inadequate incentives for investors. On a scale of 10I would give 6 to Kerala.

Twenty five years after

The main factor which helped Kerala

growth; inadequate focus on human resources

Biswajit Chakraborty General Manager The Leela Mumbai

urgent need to innovate and create a more

In my opinion Kerala is the

tourism to reach to progress is the continuity

inclusive and holistic approach to tourism.

most beautiful state in the

in policy. We cannot say that something is

This would involve the commitment, support

country with its unique

lacking in Kerala tourism but improvements

and active participation of all the stakeholders

ecosystem, backwaters, tea estates, beaches

and issues to be addressed by giving more

who are directly or indirectly connected with

etc. Of course one must acknowledge the

focus on environmental management of the

tourism.

marketing efforts, ad campaigns of the tourism

destination ensuring local community benefits

I would like to see each destination having

dept of Kerala – this again is the best amongst

and upgradation of the infrastructure. With

good roads, appropriate signages, information

all the other states and each campaign stands

regard to the local community benefits we

centres for tourists, arts and craft villages

out and the marketing efforts have been fairly

have already taken lot of efforts through the

promoting cultural activities, hotels serving

aggressive over the last seven to eight years

Responsible Tourism Initiatives. In future one

ethnic cuisines, tourist friendly police stations

internationally.I think the private sector- i.e

of the most important areas to be addressed is

and clean and hygienic public cloak rooms.

hospitality especially should be given more

the human resource (HR) issues in the tourism

We are lacking a master plan for tourism

concessions and should be encouraged to

development. We are lacking synergy between

invest in the state. There also has to be a

government departments; each department is

cleanliness drive in certain areas- if you take

apart in many ways like development of

working in silos. There is inadequate

the route to Kovalam from the airport – you

entrepreneurship, uniqueness of the products,

government and private participation in critical

would understand what I imply.

innovative marketing and channelising local

issues like waste management and energy

community benefits.

management. Weak infrastructure

sector. One cannot rate Kerala Tourism. It stands

KTDC hotels need to be completely revamped – they are run badly and do not do

ASIAN TRAVELLER

JULY 2011

KERALA TRAVELLER justice to the locations they are in basic

becoming one of the biggest employers of the

this to generate continued interest in the

hygiene is lacking. On a scale of 10 I would 7

state and with the wide spread promotions

market. Kerala Has a rich tradition of art

out of 10. Mainly for the beauty of the state

and awareness campaigns; the approach of

forms, cuisine, literature, folklore and so much

and marketing. But infrastructure , lack of

the people is also on a positive note. This is

more. We will have to reinvent new techniques

good hotels, cleanliness, badly run KTDC

very much evident in the slew of hotel

to market this along with the existing

hotels need to be addressed.

management institutes coming up in the state

Ayurveda, House boats etc. Indiscriminate

and more students opting for this field of

polluting of our famed water bodies by

study. Major developments, keeping tourism in

houseboats and resorts need to be checked.

mind, have been undertaken and have

Unauthorised constructions in green zones

benefitted the state at large.

should be avoided. The move to tag

Mathew Thomas General Manager Vivanta by Taj Kovalam

I would like to see newer destinations be created in the state and new ideas to market

Houseboats to Platinum, gold and silver leaf certifications was a good move in this regard.

Kerala is blessed with natural beauties. This is the only state in the country where we can find hill stations, backwaters, tropical forests, wildlife

DID YOU KNOW ?

and a 750 kms white sandy beach coast. All these natural treasure are just 4 hrs travel

Kerala is the first state to declare Tourism as an Industry in

between them.

India (1986).

Kerala is the home of the Ayurveda, which has now found fan following all across the globe. From being an alternative medicine this is becoming the main stream medicine for

Thenmala is the first planned Eco – Tourism destination in India (2000). World Tourism Organization (WTO) selected Thenmala Eco-Tourism Project as one of the best 64 eco-friendly tourist destinations, spread over 47 countries.

many. The presence of three international airports in the state is also a boon for the connectivity

Kerala is the only Superbrand from India in Tourism. Kumbalangi is the first model tourism village in India.

across the state. The literacy level and a natural instinct of Keralites to be a perfect host helped the state to catapult into a major force in the tourism arena.

Aaranmula is the first rural tourism destination in Kerala famous for rural tourism fair. Bekal is the first planned beach destination in India

Accessibility due to infrastructure like well networked roads, trains to major cities across the country, direct flights to international destinations, Cochin being positioned as a

Kerala is the first state in India to provide a classification and grading scheme for Ayurvedic centers and Houseboats Kerala is the first state to launch the concept of Shopping Festival in Tourism (Grand Kerala

major stopover for luxury cruise liners, Kerala

Shopping festival - 2007)

has it all as far as transportation is concerned.

Kerala is the first state to introduce Kettuvalloms and ‘Women

Availability of safe and secure quality

Houseboats’ in India.

accommodation for the tourists across the length and breadth of the state including

Kerala has more USP’s (Unique Selling Propositions) like Backwaters,

reliable and licensed home stays.

Snake boat race, Kettuvalloms, Ayurveda, Kalaripayattu, Chinese fishing Nets, Thrissur Pooram etc.

The distinctive cuisines of the different regions, viz., Travancore, Syrian Christian, Malabar, Moplah, etc. makes Kerala an ideal location to embark on a culinary trail. Tourism has grown in Kerala by leaps and bounds in the last 15 years. Brand Kerala has caught up very well across the globe as a perfect holiday destinations with wide choices

Silent Valley in Kerala is one of the world’s top bio-diversity hot spots is in Kerala. Kerala is the first state to launch the concept of Monsoon Tourism. Kerala is the first state to launch the concept of Responsible Tourism. Kerala is the first state in terms of Innovative Tourism Marketing especially internet marketing.

of destination within the State and an aggressive push by the Govt. and private

Kerala is the first state to establish a Tourism police station (Mattancherry)

bodies in pitching this state in key source

Kerala Travel Mart is one of the most popular travel marts and first of its kind.

markets both nationally and internationally. The Tag line of ‘God’s own country’ has

All the airports in the state have an international status.

created huge ripples in the industry around

Kerala is the first tourism destination to use train branding to

the world and really helped push this state in

promote the state (Rajadhani Express) in 2010

the forefront of tourism promotion. Today tourism in Kerala is one of the major revenue generators and the Government is keen on sustaining this growth.

Kerala is the first tourist destination in India to be featured in Discovery Channel is Kerala. Compiled by Abin K. I.

Tourism and related areas are fast

ASIAN TRAVELLER

JULY 2011

KERALA TRAVELLER The excessive tax on hotels is fast

The traffic congestion in the major cities/

becoming a major area of concern. The ‘God’s

towns of Kerala to be resolved with adequate

Own Country’ tag line has been repeatedly

bridges, flyovers, ring roads, subways,

used to the point of saturation and thereby it

metros, etc. These need to be done on a fast

sounds a bit stale. The same needs to be

track mode.

propped up with new campaigns.

Rajesh K. Madan General Manager Le Meridien, Kochi

Waste disposal has been seen to be a

Backwater tourism,

major cause for concern across the state due

Ayurveda and food,

should be cleaned and made accessible for

to lack of proper and scientific infrastructure.

beaches , rich art, moderate climate, colourful

houseboats, medium sized motor boats and

The canals have become the dumping ground

festivals, diverse natural and cultural

traditional boats. This would be the next major

for wastes thereby becoming one of the major

attractions, ever green forest and flora and

attraction of the state like Venice.

causes for water bourne diseases, especially

fauna makes Kerala the green gateway to

during the monsoon.

India.

The state-wide network of water canals

Infrastructure development is a key if state needs to succeed its growth trajectory in

The storm water drainage system in cities

The sate has been taking good marketing

tourism for the coming years. Upgrading the

like Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, etc., is a

measures. As Keralalites call their state ‘God’s

three key airports, development of inland

failure leading to flooding of major roads

own country’ and it is the brand name of the

water ways connecting cochin to kovalam and

during the monsoons because of which traffic

Tourism department of Kerala, It has super

calicut to kasargod.

becomes chaotic.

brand status itself.

Common facilities in key tourists spots like

Heavy taxes on liquor and hotel

Infra structure has to be more better, more

well maintained Mobile toilets, garbage

accommodations are another deterrent for

back water cruises should be needed in the

disposal facilities, common waste water

tourists who then opt for Goa instead.

city (lunch / dinner cruises)

treatment plants, ample street lighting, car

Kerala tourism can be given a

On a scale of 10, I would you 7 marks.

parking facilities, well trained security staff

commendable 7 rating when compared to

Again it would be the infrastructure , more

and medical facilities etc. More investor

other states in case of tourism promotion,

promotion of backwater tourism in city, more

friendly Govt. policies like waiver of taxes for

marketing and also creating a niche for the

awareness to be given to the people about

hotel projects for the first 5 years of operation,

state. But if asked about the infrastructure

promoting tourism in Kerala, like to keep our

subsidized electricity charges for the first few

development and support to the industry thru

surroundings clean, behaviour to the tourist,

years, etc.

policies it will be only at 4 and there is a huge

safety measures, all this will bring back more

scope for improvement in this front.

tourist to the state.

Quality of existing roads to be improved

Come and experience the difference

ranyakam home stay nestled inside the plantation is blessed with Nilgiri Hills on one side and Nilambur Forest on the other and offers a quintessential experience of Wayanad for the tourist. Situated at Meppadi, Wayanad District, the homes stay provides a cluster of

after five years is hosting a state painter’s camp on 5th, 6th and 7th of August, 2011 in which around 20 renowned contemporary painters as well as Kerala traditional mural artists are participating. The visitors will get an opportunity to interact with these artists. Along with this an art gallery will be inaugurated at aranyakam. Aranyakam’s exotic view of plantations of rubber, coffee, tea, cardamom and pepper that stretch over the hills of Wayanad and provide an independent huts along with a enchanting challenge for nature lovers and tourist with Heritage Bunglow built to an exceptional adventure blend perfectly with its experience. natural environment. Aranyakam home stay www.aranyakam.com

The Minister of Economy of Republic of Slovenia, Darja Radic calls on the Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahay in New Delhi

The Secretary, Ministry of Tourism R.H. Khwaja addressing at the launch of a Training Programme “Hunar Se Rozgar Tak”, in New Delhi

ASIAN TRAVELLER

JULY 2011

KERALA TRAVELLER

Cooking up innovative ways to unwind

uri Amarnath, CEO of

them probably won’t know how to

ThoughtLine Technologies

make an omelet, let alone main

Technopark, on opening

options, take it or leave it.”

heating and cooking. The contest

The team was given identical

was serious and what turned out

dishes. For us it was an exciting

sets of ingredients and had their

after two hours of sweat and toil

the mail finds Swagath Resorts,

affair to have a Technopark

own utensils and work area. What

were some impressive dishes

Kovalam advertising for day

company come in and try

to cook and how to cook were the

ranging from fried rice with prawn

packages targeted at Technopark

something within our realm. It was

main challenges and within 15

roast to prawn coconut masala!

companies.

something fresh and innovative,

minutes of Googling, they knew

Suri said, “It is not uncommon for

instead of the standard industry

what they were going to attempt.

a software engineer to work on

we were thinking of taking a break

template. We are more than happy

From then on it was pure elbow

something that is totally new.

and going out to have some fun”

to listen to our customers and

sweat. After the initial planning,

Learning happens on the job - one

explains Suri and we were looking

provide what they want, rather

each member stuck to their tasks-

always faces a tight deadline,

for a different experience – one

than saying, here are your two

washing, chopping, dicing,

resource crunches and

“It came at the right time, as

that gets people to do something

unexpected hurdles. Teamwork is

way out of the ordinary, has some

absolutely essential, so is the

learning element in it with lots of

awareness and proper utilization

fun. Suri talked to Unnikrishnann

of each member’s strength. The

V Menon, General Manager of

teams that did well in this cooking

Swagath.

contest understood the above

The idea was to divide the IT

attributes and acted accordingly.

programmers in the company into

What better way to learn new

teams and conduct a Master Chef

things than while having fun doing

like cooking contest. “Sure there

it? We preach and practice this at

are cooking contest programs on

ThoughtLine.” Menon chips in

TV, but these are software engineers,” said Menon. “Most of

ASIAN TRAVELLER

JULY 2011

Suri Amarnath, CEO, ThoughtLine Technologies, Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram with Unnikrishnan V. Menon, General Manager of Swagath Holiday Resorts, Kovalam

“Well, we have a perfect setting to make that happen”.

VARIETY

What does Langkawi, the name of the touristic island in Malaysia mean?

Jayakrishnan G. has joined Touristic Solutions Cochin a unit of Go Green Hospitality (P) Ltd. as Director

Vineeth K Nambiar has joined The Quilon Beach Hotel, Kollam. (Formerly known as The Beach Orchid) as General Manager

Sherin Alphonse has been appointed Human Resource Manager at Le Méridien Kochi, Kerala, India.

Where are the Finger Lakes?

You can cross four of the states in USA in a minute’s time at one particular point. Where is it?

Where is Mount Nirvana?

Whose house is nicknamed ‘Xanadu 2.0’?

The city name Palo Alto comes from where?

What is pareidolia?

Lambda is a Greek alphabet. What is lambada?

9. Suganthi Vipin has been promoted as Training Manager, Le Méridien Kochi, Kerala.

Roshini Praveen has been appointed Spa Manager, Le Méridien Kochi, Kerala.

Sufaira Abdul Kader has been promoted as Operational Excellence Manager, Le Méridien Kochi.

Which is the only continent not to have a desert?

10. Which is the only independent state in the world that has zero birth rate?

Compiled by DEEKAY

Send in your answers to info@mediastepsindia.com with TYKC 46 in the the subject line. Answers should reach us before the 10th of next month. Answers to TYKC 45

JULY 2011 Puri Rath Yatra, Orissa

1. It stands for the number 10,000 2. It is Google’s foray into home

appliances integrating the wireless technology 3. A software with so many extra features that it takes so much of space on your hard drive

Aviation Outlook, China India International Travel Mart (IITM), Bangalore

6-7

4. Abel Prize given by the government of Norway (prize money is as

29-31

good as Noble’s) 5. The oldest film studio in Russia (1923) 6. ‘River of January’ (Portuguese – the place was discovered in January, 1502) 7.

AUGUST 2011

6’4" 8. Oprah Winfrey (OWN is Oprah Winfrey Network – launched in

Teej Festival, Jaipur

2-3

India International Travel Mart (IITM), Chennai

5-7

Nehru Trophy Boat Race, Alappuzha CIBTM, Beijing China

13 30-Sept 1

SEPTEMBER 2011

January, 2011) 9. Tashkent (capital of Uzbekistan) 10. Egypt

WINNER OF TYKC 45 S. GOVINDARAJAN Triplicane, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

India International Travel Mart (IITM), Mumbai

3-5

One all-correct entry will get

PATA Travel Mart, New Delhi

6-9

Free Stay at Le-Meridien, Kochi

Onam, Kerala

8-9

[ 2 nights and 3 days for two ]*

Aranmula Boat Race Ladakh Festival, Ladakh IFTM Top Resa, Paris France World Tourism Day Durga Puja Festival, West Bengal

14 1-15 20-23 27 26-Oct 6

Nestled amongst 25 acres of coconut groves and backwater rivers, Le Méridien Cochin Resort & Convention Centre sits at the heart of one of India's most naturally beautiful cities, Kochi. This prestigious landmark houses 5 floors of luxurious accommodation for international business and leisure travelers. The 151 spacious rooms and suites, most with breathtaking views over the manicured gardens and the backwaters. * Conditions apply

ASIAN TRAVELLER

JULY 2011

ASIAN TRAVELLER

JULY 2011