Asian Traveller May 2012 by Asian Traveller

Incredible India

ASIAN TRAVELLER | MAY 2012

in. this issue . Vol.5 No. 08 may 2012

SPLASH, as it rains in Wayanad

14 India takes steps to bolster lakes tourism 15 Kerala to develop Bekal into a backwater hot spot 18 Australia steps up efforts to grow hospitality sector

P 28-29

19 Thailand gains popularity as the best destination for value 23 Czech gets another golden feather in its cap 24 Indian travellers endorse the wild beauty of South Africa 35 DTCM India steals the show at ATM 2012 P 30-31 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

TEN QUESTIONS

INTERVIEW

AS I TRAVEL

P 8-9

P 10-11

P 12-13

P 26-27

Manoharan Periasamy

Pradipta Narayan Biswas

Dr. D K Bhalla IAS

V Duraikkannan Photo Courtesy (Cover): Tourism Australia

ASIAN TRAVELLER | MAY 2012

EDITOR’S NOTE

Editor & Publisher : Chief Executive Officer : Group Editor : Photo Editor : Art Editor : Senior Sub Editor : Sub Editor : Editorial Team : Director - PR (Mumbai) : GM (Marketing) : GM (Finance) : Manager (Marketing) : Marketing Coordinator : Financial Advisor : Legal Advisor : GM -Tamil Nadu :

here is no doubt that travel facilitation is the key to develop tourism industry in a region. And without visa facilitation, it won’t be possible to facilitate travel in a big way. The difficulty in obtaining visa often deters a handsome number of tourists from travelling to a destination of their choice. And such destinations often lose out on foreign exchange earnings that would have otherwise come to them. And it’s a huge loss for such regions. They are, among other things, missing out on the fantastic opportunity to grow their economies, create a large number of new jobs and give a push to the gross domestic product growth. The fail to take a small measure, results in a huge loss. It is high time tourism authorities worldwide realised that visa facilitation is central to stimulating economic growth and job creation through tourism, and initiated steps towards facilitating easy visa to the travellers. A preliminary research by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) reveals that G20 economies could boost the flow of international tourist arrivals by an additional 122 million, generate an extra $206 million in tourism exports and create over five million additional jobs by 2015, if they just improve the visa process. It simply underscores the magical power of visa facilitation, which is in a way is all about encouraging the freedom to travel. Even small steps towards visa facilitation can result in big economic benefits. And, Asian countries have, by and large, proved it over the years. If India, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Malaysia have made rapid strides in the tourism industry, it is largely because of the steps they have taken to facilitate easy visa. The visa on arrival schemes introduced by these countries were a huge success with the travellers. International tourists realised that it is easy to travel to these destinations and it in turn saw the emergence of Asian countries as popular holidaying spots. And the economic prosperity followed it.

G. Biju Krishnan M. P. Sreekumar Anil Mathew* Retheesh Kariyam Biju Kumar N Krishnadas P Jagadeesh Narayan N R. Parameswaran, Arya Anil, Lekshmi P, Smitha R Ashok Bania Briji Abraham Sreedevi R Ashok G S Dhanya Rajan Jayachandran S Adv. G.S. Prakash P. Deenadayalu

USA : Jiju K. Thomas Tel: 281-709-5433 UK : Abdul Najeeb Tel: 0044-7769940391 UAE : Sanjeev S L Tel: 00971 508914709 Kuwait : Mariam Titus Tel: 00965 6638670 Mumbai : Ashok Bania Tel: +91 9322915695 Bengaluru : Sophy K. Magal Tel: +91 9343983719 Kolkata : Sobha Joshi Tel: +91 9477406768 Chennai : Nisha J Tel: +91 9841008588 Hyderabad : K.S. Johnson Tel: +91 9441236010 Indore : Manohar Bhati Tel: +91 9893559563 Madurai : P. Deenadayalu Tel: +91 9843129535 Ernakulam : Briji Abraham Tel: +91 9895703660 TVM : Ashok G S Tel: +91 9745100158 Administration Remya Shaji, Jayaprasad

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, www.mediastepsindia.com Mumbai Media Steps India 708-B-Bldg, B’ wing, Jai Hari Housing Society Forjett Hill, Tardeo, Mumbai-36. HP: 9322915695

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Regd. Office: 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 Offset 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

T ASIAN TRAVELLER | MAY 2012

rr acrin a 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 verify the facts before making business decisions using the same. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission from the Publisher. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2009 *Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act

OVERVIEW

Photo: Praveen Muraleedharan, TeamEco Ventures

SPLASH, as it rains in Wayanad

he South Indian state of Kerala is known for taking innovative initiatives to promote its tourist spots as 365-day destinations. When it comes to virgin locations, which hold immense tourism potential, the amount of effort put into turn them as sought-after tourist spots is just enormous. What is worth mentioning is the support the state government lends to organisations that strive to attract travellers from across the globe to a particular destination in the state. The actions it takes are there for everyone to see. For instance, had it not been for its support, the Wayanad monsoon carnival SPLASH would not have been a huge success. The event is also a perfect example of joint efforts of the state government and a non profit organisation – Wayanad Tourism Organisation - that was set up to plan, initiate and support meaningful steps that lead to the growth of tourism in this north-eastern part of God’s own country, to promote a hitherto virgin and pristine destination. Into its fourth year, SPLASH has played a major role in attracting foreign arrivals to Wayanad,

especially during the monsoon season, which was earlier a lean period for the tourism industry. And SPLASH, which has, to an extent, positioned Wayanad as a monsoon destination in both domestic and international tourism circuits, has caught the attention of global tourism as the most innovative initiative on monsoon tourism promotion.

The festival is designed in a way to offer the local flavour of the destination to the travellers. Sightseeing tours arranged as part of the event cover almost all the prominent attractions in this scenic destination nestled in the Western Ghats. And, there is no better time to enjoy the spectacular beauty of gurgling streams and skipping waterfalls, than

Photo: blog.mapview.in

when it rains in Wayanad. In order to provide a clear picture of accommodation facilities available here, visits to various hotels, resorts, homestays, etc., are integral part of sightseeing tours. Another major attraction of the monsoon carnival is cultural programmes. You will hardly get an opportunity such as this to immerse yourself into a variety of traditional art forms in a single platform. To add more spice to the event, Wayanad Tourism Organisation also arranges a number of indoor and outdoor games, and competitions. Outdoor games like Mud Football, Country Rafting, River Crossing, etc., will be a unique experience for the travellers. Adventure sport is also an integral part of the monsoon fest and it’s an opportunity for the event organisers to showcase Wayanad’s offerings to the lovers of adventure sports. If you like to explore the lofty peaks, mist clad hills and dales, large rocks, dense forests, fruit orchards, rivulets and waterfalls of Wayanad, while splashing in the rain, SPLASH sets the stage for you. This year, the monsoon festival will be held from July 12-15. And, it’s an opportunity to know Wayanad more personally and intimately. ASIAN TRAVELLER | MAY 2012

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

With exotic locations for weddings, honeymooning, family holidays, meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE), and leisure, adventure, sports and wellness tourism, Malaysia is undoubtedly a destination, to realise your dream of a big fat wedding, a fun-filled family vacation, a honeymoon in an intimate and beautiful setting, a memorable sports/leisure/adventure/wellness holiday, or a MICE package packed with entertainment and leisure activities. In an interview with Anil Mathew, Manoharan Periasamy, Director, Tourism Malaysia, cut a clear picture of the country’s various tourism offerings and the measures it has taken to pull more arrivals. Edited Excerpts:

Dream Malaysia Malaysia, with attractions ranging from culture and colourful festivals, to fine arts, cuisine and sports, has almost everything in it that would tempt a traveller to plan a visit. What all measures have you taken this year to take these attractions beyond the boundaries of your country? In the year ahead, Tourism Malaysia aims to promote high-end tourism, including spas, golf and eco tourism, in our target markets. In addition, among other experiences, we will also be focusing on new and exotic destinations. Another strategy is to tap new markets and reach a wider audience by going beyond tier I markets, to tier II and tier III markets. To achieve this, we will ensure that travel agents are equipped with all the relevant information they need to market Malaysia,

to their customers. When it comes to India, we have identified travel agents from the top 30 towns in the country. We also have plans to conduct special events in different parts of the country, to draw more Indian arrivals. To encourage the number of bookings, we have designed a number of affordable travel packages and tied up with Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia. The packages are very attractive and we expect them to be a hit with the discerning travellers. Above all, we have stepped up the advertising campaign, this year. With the theme ‘Every Dream needs a Destination’, the campaign will take the viewers on a spectacular journey through the most exotic locations and modern structures in Malaysia, while showcasing the warmth and friendliness

of its people on the way. This theme will be promoted through various media and other activities, which include campaigns on television, newspapers, magazines, internet and social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc), as well as joint promotions with local tour operators, airlines, other tourism boards and select brands. Familiarisation trips (FAMs) for media will also be

conducted for the coverage of new destinations and products that Malaysia offers. Hope you would agree with me, if I say, the main tourist attraction in Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur. What works so much in favour of this destination? Malaysia is strongly perceived to be a real value for money destination and Kuala Lumpur continues to be a favourite with the

Boko National Park

ASIAN TRAVELLER | MAY 2012

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW first time travellers to the country. The main reason is that Kuala Lumpur is packed with a variety of attractions for tourists. It has everything from shopping malls to landmark buildings, to a variety of unique experiences which tourists can enjoy. Some of the attractive mustsee features in Kuala Lumpur (KL) include Petronas Tower, KL Tower, 90m walk through underwater tunnel, Jalan Petaling, and KL Bird Park and Butterfly Park. Besides KL, other offbeat destinations like Redang, Tioman, Pangkor, Mulu Caves in Sarawak, Lankayan Island in Sabah, etc., are in great demand among experiential travellers. Such travellers do their research on the net, before travelling. Places like Mataking and Putrajaya are surely unsung treasures. And I am sure there are a lot other unexplored destinations in the country. Would you please throw light on such destinations and their attractions? Malaysia is blessed with several exotic and unexplored destinations. Sabah and Sarawak are among the favourites of travellers, who want to be close to nature. Islands like Langkawi, Pangkor, Redang and Tioman are the first choice as wedding and honeymoon destinations. While Taman Negara is world famous for adventure, Genting and Legoland are highly popular theme parks. Almost all these destinations offer sightseeing options and shopping facilities. How do you plan to turn these (unexplored) destinations into tourist hot spots? Are you already into it? As mentioned, our advertising campaign ‘Every Dream needs a Destination’ is doing wonders. Our fan followers on social media have shot up to 35,000, from 14,000

ASIAN TRAVELLER | MAY 2012

last year. We run various contests as well, to encourage travellers to participate and make their dreams come true. Through various media, we give tourists a taste of all these offbeat destinations. At the World Travel Awards 2011, you have bagged Asia’s Leading Sports Tourism Destination Award. Tell us, what all things you have in store for a traveller, looking for a sports tourism destination? We usually hold a number of championship tournaments in the field of hockey, golf, badminton, tennis and athletics throughout the year. The Formula 1 Race, which is held annually, is one of the big events held in Malaysia. This race is a craze with Indian sports enthusiasts and draws in a large number of tourists from across the world. Besides, Malaysia is also home to internationally acclaimed events like Climbathon, Regatta, Dragon Boat Race, etc. The sports tourism segment is lucrative and presents immense inbound tourism opportunities for Malaysia. To cash in on this opportunity, we have introduced attractive travel packages through tie-ups with Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia. By further ensuring that these exciting packages are affordable, we have managed to generate a great positive response. When it comes to MICE, Malaysia has already made it loud and clear that its goal is to become Asia’s business events hub. If you don’t mind, take us through the facilities and destinations you have for the MICE segment and the advantages you enjoy as a business events destination, compared to other Asian countries? Malaysia offers excellent packages to corporate

Canopy Walk in Taman Nagara

Tahan River

houses for all their MICE requirements. We have received a very good response from the Indian market and its corporates prefer Malaysia, as we offer value for money packages. The Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) has unveiled a new branding campaign aimed at increasing the MICE travel to the country.

Easy accessibility, a wide range of products on offer and the value additions, in terms of extras that Malaysian hotels and event managers are happy to offer, attract most companies to our shores for their MICE needs. We expect MICE travel to Malaysia to grow exponentially in 2012 as well. Page 11

Q&A

Hard work can do wonders. That’s what the success story of Pradipta Narayan Biswas, General Manager – Operations, Galaxy Hotel, Shopping and Spa, Gurgaon, conveys. From the humble beginning as a hotel receptionist, he has steadily grown to reach the top in a sector, where dedicated work matters a lot. He is modest, gentle and is the one, who is fond of everything about the sector. Through 10 Questions, besides recalling the proudest and unforgettable moments in his career, he tells about his journey so far, his plans for the present hotel and his personal goals.

Pradipta Narayan Biswas, General Manager – Operations, Galaxy Hotel, Shopping and Spa, Gurgaon

You have been in the hospitality sector for more than 18 years. What made you opt for a carrier in this fast growing sector and how has been the journey so far? Way back in 1987, when the world cup cricket was happening in India, I went to Maurya Sheraton for a meal at Bukhara and then on a desire to pursue a career in hospitality sprouted in me. The initial years were very tough, as I started off as a hotel receptionist. I went up the ladder, over the years. This is all said and done,

though a fascinating sector, the only way to the top is lots of hard work and dedication. One has to be a smart worker, to survive the difficult times. The journey to the top has been very exciting, so far. After having spent so many years in the sector, what do you like and hate about it? I essentially love everything about hotels, be it the fresh smell of a lobby, the smell of a fresh bacon at the breakfast table, the hustle and bustle when the morning shift arrives at the hotel and the noise of the wine and champagne glasses when people are toasting. Sometimes, guests take you for granted and misbehave silly. Would you please take us through the proudest and some of the unforgettable moments in your professional life? The proudest moment undoubtedly is when I was conferred the Hospitality Leadership Award this year, at the Orchid, Mumbai. When it comes to unforgettable moments, I would say, they are just countless. However, every time I have met ‘Big B’ (Amitabh Bachan), the experience has been unforgettable and unbelievable. I also still

remember the opening of Lalit Mumbai, in trying conditions, with about 800 VIPs in the hotel lobby. Do you mind sharing with us your plans for Galaxy Hotel, Shopping and Spa, as its General Manager Operations? We are looking to reposition the hotel as a high-end boutique hotel in the Gurgaon region, with state-of-the-art facilities and enhancing various customer touch points. We are also opening a hospitality college and two new food and beverage outlets, in the hotel. Where would you like to see yourself, say, 10 years from now? I would like to see myself as a CEO of a chain of hotels having a global footprint, driving a seven series BMW. Do you think hotels have a role in developing a destination? If yes, please detail. Hotels play a key role in developing a destination, as lack of proper hospitality infrastructure may act as an impediment to attract travellers for overnight stay, whether on business or leisure trip. Any new location should always have great hotels, with great infrastructure. According to you, what makes Indian hospitality

ASIAN TRAVELLER | MAY 2012

Q&A sector unique and how do you see its growth prospects? Indian hospitality sector has shown tremendous growth in the last 10 years and it has generated a lot of employment opportunities, for a large number of youths in the country. The sector is growing at a healthy rate, but it faces a severe shortage of skilled manpower. Indian hospitality is unique in

Page 9

several ways, as we are really serious about the whole concept of guest being the most important person in the hotel. Today, a growing number of international chains are following the concept of ‘atithi devo bhava’, which was pioneered by the Leela, ITC, Oberoi and the Taj, in India. It just sums up everything about Indian hospitality sector.

How supportive has been your family, in building your career? Family has stood by me though all my decisions and the relocations I have done in various cities. Please tell us about your hobbies and other interests? I love music - old classics and Irish ballads. I also love collecting aero models and Ganesha idols. Besides,

I would, one day, like to write a book on my journey into the hotels. Which is your favourite destination? Why? My all-time favourite destination is Ireland. I love the people there and the place has an old world charm, along with the celtic legends. In India, I love Darjeeling, a great hill station and my favourite hotel is Elgin.

on your strategy for the subcontinent? A maturing Indian travel market is a fast emerging trend. India’s middle class is moving into the ‘cash rich, time poor’ bracket and demanding improved quality on their trips, in

terms of packages offered by travel and tour operators. The Indian outbound travel market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 25 per cent, till 2015. With a population of more than one billion and a gross domestic product growth of more than eight per cent per annum, the country offers enormous potential for future growth in outbound travel. We also see a great opportunity for market segmentation. In India, we are targeting segments such as luxury, customised weddings and honeymoons in a big way. We have several premium destinations in Malaysia that cater to big fat weddings, where kith and kin of a family are together for eight to ten days, strengthening their personal bonding. We also customise weddings as per Indian customs and culture. As far as our strategy is concerned, we will be organising wedding planner FAMs. We would also be running various contests and campaigns via our social media platform and will be offering various attractive packages via tour operators and airlines, to lure more Indian travellers.

Dream Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur has some of the best convention centres. Besides KL, we are promoting other destinations like Langkawi, Sabah and Sarawak as a perfect place to hold MICE. Do you think, best convention centres alone can catapult a country into a sought-after MICE destination? If not, what else is required? And going by such a rule, how do you see Malaysia as a perfect destination for MICE? Going by the recent trend, most corporates are customising their MICE packages. The workshop or official programme is scheduled for half a day and the rest of the day is utilised for various leisure and sightseeing activities for their employees. Besides, several corporates encourage the employees to travel with their families. Hence, state-of-theart convention centres alone cannot catapult a country into a sought-after MICE destination. In the first place, Malaysia is a complete family destination, with true value for money. Then, we prove ourselves to be a perfect MICE destination, by providing various kinds of experiences like shopping, trekking, snorkelling, diving,

ASIAN TRAVELLER | MAY 2012

adventure sports, wellness and spa, etc., at one place. So, it is handy for the corporates, who give their employees a complete leisure and entertainment tour. How an important market is India for you? Would you please shed light

Shah Alam - city of lights

Tioman

INTERVIEW

Unlike never before, sustainable tourism is now the talking point in the tourism industry worldwide. India has recently seen the release of two books that discuss sustainable tourism development of Nagaland and tourism potential of North-East. Dr. D K Bhalla IAS, Joint Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution, Government of India, who authored the books, in an e-mail interview to Anil Mathew, deliberated on various aspects of sustainable tourism, including community-based tourism in the villages of India, and the tourism potential of North-East. Edited Excerpts:

The Sustainable Route What inspired you to work on the books, ‘Sustainable Tourism Development of Nagaland’ and ‘Tourism Potential of North-East’? I was Commissioner and Secretary of Tourism in Nagaland, in 2004-2005. During the time, I have travelled a lot in various parts of Nagaland as well as other North-Eastern states, to understand the tourism potential they hold and the bottlenecks. I was also passionately involved in the green village project of Khonoma Village in Nagaland. Naturally, I got interested in the subject and developed the habit of reading the literature on sustainability aspects of tourism. Two years later, I registered for my doctorate in this subject with the University of Jammu, Department of Business Management. And that was

the beginning of my work on doctoral thesis, which led to ultimately these two books in 2012. No doubt, at present, the emphasis is on ‘sustainable tourism’. As far as you are concerned, what is it (sustainable tourism) all about? How far can it push forward the industry’s growth? There are various connotations of sustainability. To simply put, sustainable tourism means a tourism which can last for a very long time, without adversely affecting the habitat, society, environment, or any other aspect of community life of a particular place. It is different from sustainable development, but at the same time, it is a small part of sustainable development. Tourism cannot be developed at the cost of other sectors. Rather, it

needs the collaboration and development of several other sectors for its growth. For example, good infrastructure, roads, drinking water supply, sanitation, environment, civic facilities, medical facilities, education and training facilities, banks, hotels and hospitality infrastructure, etc., are all required for tourism to work. It feels to me that the most easy sustainable tourism will be community-based tourism in the villages of India. The only thing that is required is some tourist spots, or picturesque places in and around the villages. Then, there is a need to organise the community and teach them as to how they can run their own tourist facility. Besides the project mentioned in Nagaland, I have seen another tourism project being run very successfully by the village

community in Bhuj, Gujarat. It is called sham-e-sarhad, a small tourist place. I have been personally there and seen its smooth operation. What all measures have India taken in this front and what more it needs to do, to achieve sustainable tourism development? Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, has done a lot for the tourism development and probably issued guidelines for sustainable tourism. However, the community-based sustainable rural tourism will require special effort from various state governments, as it is their responsibility to identify the villages that have tourism potential and then provide the connectivity and basic civic facilities, and train the community into running its own tourist facility. When the local community

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INTERVIEW runs the facilities, instead of the government, it can provide a nice interactive and memorable experience to the travellers. A lot of hard work is required to promote this kind of tourism, but not very large budgetary allocations. How do you see the tourism potential of North-East? What makes it a destination worth visiting? Tourism potential of North-East is huge, thanks to its diversity of culture. You will be surprised to know that there are 28 ethnic groups, of which there are 110 sub groups only in Arunachal Pradesh, 78 sub groups in Tripura, 23 in Meghalaya, 25 in Nagaland, 17 in Mizoram, 13 in Manipur and more than 20 in Assam. Can you imagine such a huge ethnic diversity in an area of only 250000 square miles? There is no other region in the world which offers such a diversity. The environment of NorthEast is one of the best in the country. There are large tracts of jungle still untapped. One can also find a rich cultural heritage, here. Talking about the beauty of the region, nothing can be compared with the lakes of Shillong, virgin forests

of Arunachal Pradesh and national parks in Assam. There are more than 500 orchid species in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Sikkim. There is no place in the world which can be compared with the wealth of rare flora and fauna of NorthEast India. What more should I mention to tell you that it is a destination worth visiting again and again. Don’t you think, despite the tourism potential, NorthEast is yet to lure travellers in large numbers? What do you think are the factors that act as impediments to the growth of tourism in North-East? There are several constraints, when it comes to the fast development of tourism in the North-East. The biggest among them is a wrong perception about the security and safety issues in some states like Nagaland, Manipur, etc. It is a recorded fact that not a single tourist has ever been killed, kidnapped or abducted in the last 50 years, but still there is a perception that it is not a safe place. Media can play a vital role in changing this perception. The encouraging fact is that

the number of tourists, both domestic and international, has been on the rise and has expanded to 61,66,269 in 2010, from 35,18,671 in 2005. Then, there are issues like improving infrastructure, access, transportation, accommodation, drainage, sewerage, restaurants, tour operators, guide services, etc. Other major impediments include shortage of skilled labour, lack of marketing, lending restrictions for small businesses and poor accessibility of communitybased tourism initiatives to offset markets. There is a big need to improve the skills of manpower engaged in the tourism industry in North-East. What, according to you, should be done to reverse the scenario? For the development of sustainable tourism in North-East, there has to be a macro level overall development strategy and a detailed micro level strategy involving the community. The overall strategy for tourism development has to include everything - suitable legislation/guidelines, assigning responsibilities, infrastructure development

policy, marketing and publicity initiatives, and a proper human resources development strategy that comprises training, developing practices for community involvement, etc. There should also be a comprehensive land use plan, tourism plan, environment impact assessment studies, environment protection measures, etc. The specific issues to be addressed in communitybased tourism projects include the need for a comprehensive community organisation, a long term management and advisory agency, an NGO or a village council community to have a common vision for the tourism development, and a code of conduct for the community and the tourists to be involved by the community. A productmarket match, which should reflect the communities’ values, is also a must. Lastly, community-based initiatives need to be encouraged into broader tourism networks, because villages are unlikely to attract large number of visitors, unless they are part of a large tourist circuit.

La Classic wins Asia Pacific’s finest hotel award

f there is a highly commended hotel in India, it is La Classic Hotel, Bengaluru. And it was recognised at the Asia Pacific Hotel Awards 2012 held at the J W Marriott Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as the organisers gave away the prestigious Highly Commended Hotel in India award to this Bengalurubased four-star hotel. Raj Gopaal Iyer, Executive Director, and Keshav Reddy, Director, La Classic Hotel,

ASIAN TRAVELLER | MAY 2012

Bengaluru, received the award from the organisers. “I am proud and excited to receive this award. It was surely the hard work of my entire team which has paid off. Now on, we have more responsibilities and it includes taking care of our clients and benchmarking our services. We will surely put all our sincere

efforts to win this award next time also. I dedicate this

award to all our heros, who are our clients,” says, a jubilant Iyer. La Classic Hotel, Bengaluru is a perfect destination for both leisure and business travellers. The hotel had won Epicurus Hospitality Award for the best four-star hotel in Bengaluru, recently. It is also nominated for the World Luxury Hotel Award 2012 and World Luxury Spa Award 2012.

NEWSLINE

India takes steps to bolster lakes tourism

t seems, lakes tourism will soon get a fillip in India. In what could be termed as a major move, Ministry of Environment and Forests has identified 115 wetlands and lakes in the country, spread across 24 states and two union territories, for conservation and management under the National Wetland Conservation Programme. India is home to a number of natural lakes, wetlands and coastal lagoons, as well as constructed reservoirs, catchments, dams, manmade lakes, ponds, rivers and irrigation drains, which are, to an extent, instrumental in promoting tourism in

Photo: goindia.about.com

the country. They stretch across the subcontinent, from Himalayas in the north, to Kerala in the south. The government has arranged boating, angling and fishing facilities for tourists in selected lakes. Also, several gardens and wildlife sanctuaries in the

country owe their splendour to the lakes that surround them. The recent move by the Ministry of Environment and Forests ensures various conservation activities under the Management Action Plan of Identified Wetlands, including data collection,

Photo: reviewits2.blogspot.com

survey and demarcation, catchment area treatment, desilting and dredging, biofencing, fisheries development, weed control, bio-diversity conservation, pollution abatement and community participation, for the identified 155 wetlands and lakes.

Himachal awaits central nod for mega tourism circuit

imachal Pradesh has moved an inch closer to fulfilling its dream of integrated development of Kullu-Manali as a mega tourist circuit, with the state government submitting clarifications to the Union Tourism Ministry, Government of India, which had communicated its observations and sought clarifications on the Rs 50 crore project proposal that the Himachal government had submitted to it a while ago. Kullu is located at a distance of about 40 kilometres from Manali and along the route one can enjoy a variety of attractions, including snow covered mountain ranges, lush green forests, rivers, water falls, attractive temples and man made monuments. With great options for all forms of tourism â&#x20AC;&#x201C; leisure, honeymoon, adventure, heritage, rural, eco and religious - KulluManali is already a hot

projects are primarily undertaken by the state governments. Union Ministry of Tourism, however, provides central financial assistance (CFA) for tourism projects, which are prioritised in consultation with the state governments.

With great options for all forms of tourism KulluManali is already a hot destination for travellers from across the globe

Photo: travelcubes.com

Photo: indiayatra.in

destination for travellers from across the globe. The proposed mega tourist circuit is part of Himachal Pradeshâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s concerted efforts

to make the state a favourite destination for all reasons and for all seasons. Development, promotion, implementation and monitoring of tourism

The funds are released only if a project adheres to scheme guidelines, availability of funds under a relevant scheme and submission of utilisation certificates for the CFA released earlier. In the 11th Five Year Plan, Union Ministry of Tourism had sanctioned 45 projects worth Rs 128.79 crore, for the development and promotion of tourism in Himachal Pradesh.

ASIAN TRAVELLER | MAY 2012

NEWSLINE

Kerala to develop Bekal into a backwater hot spot

Photo: nasarn.blogspot.com

n a bid to provide an entirely new and a unique experience to the travellers, who flock to God’s own country to enjoy its idyllic beach and backwater destinations, Kerala Tourism is planning to develop Bekal into one of the leading backwater tourist hot spots in the state. Situated in Kasaragod, the northernmost district of Kerala, Bekal is a place largely unexplored, where you can find beaches, backwaters and hills, within an ambit of a few kilometres. The place is also famous for majestic Bekal Fort, ancient temples and mosques, handicrafts, and utensils and curios made of bell metal. The move is to develop Bekal, where lazy lagoons intersperse with sun-dappled backwaters, into its second biggest backwater tourist destination. Alappuzha, with its picturesque canals, backwaters, beaches and lagoons, is the most popular and the biggest backwater tourist spot in Kerala. The state government has already unveiled a slew of measures to develop world-

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class tourism infrastructure at Bekal, including an airstrip, a number of resorts and facilities for adventure tourism. Also, plans are on the cards to revamp the railway station and improve the national highway.

should be on promoting sustainable and responsible tourism,” says, Oommen Chandy, Chief Minister of Kerala. He has recently inaugurated the ‘Know Bekal’ promotional campaign, an initiative aimed at spreading

‘Bekal, as a destination, is largely

unexplored and pristine. Our target is to attract more than six lakh visitors to this scenic spot by 2015 A P Anil Kumar, Tourism Minister, Kerala

‘We want to develop more accommodation facilities and people are welcome to invest, especially in budget hotels Rani George Director, Kerala Tourism

“Bekal is an amazing destination, with a lot of tourism potential. It is one of those rare destinations, where you can find beaches, backwaters and hills, all within a few kilometres. Our top priority is to improve road, rail and air connectivity. The emphasis, however,

awareness on various attractions in Bekal. This south Indian state has been working to turn Bekal into a sought-after tourist destination for the past several years and it seems its efforts have begun to yield results. Last year, about 320,000 tourists

visited this fast developing tourist spot. “Bekal, as a destination, is largely unexplored and pristine. Our target is to attract more than six lakh visitors to this scenic spot by 2015. Besides other tourism infra, we will also be developing facilities for water and aero sports at Bekal,” informs, A P Anil Kumar, Tourism Minister, Kerala. The development works are taken up by Bekal Resorts Development Corporation Limited (BRDC), which was set up in 1995, with the specific task of capacitybuilding and infrastructure development. To develop resorts, the government has acquired 230 acres of land and allotted a part of it for six private projects. “Two resorts have already come up - Vivanta by Taj and the Lalit Resort and Spa. Four other projects are under various stages of development. We want to develop more accommodation facilities and people are welcome to invest, especially in budget hotels,” says, Rani George, Director, Kerala Tourism.

NEWSLINE

Bihar embarks on propelling hospitality sector

Picture used for representational purpose only

fter launching roadshows in major Indian metros to spread awareness on its various tourist attractions, Bihar Tourism has now turned its focus on improving hospitality facilities in the state, to offer a new and a quality staying experience to the travellers. As part of this new initiative, this eastern India state will provide 50 per cent capital subsidy for upgrading existing facilities, to privately operated hotels and restaurants, which follow norms laid down by the Bihar Tourism Development. The

Photo: eduplanets.com

state is also expected to offer to accommodate tourists. similar financial help to private “Besides helping private households in rural areas, who hotels, tourism department wish to upgrade their facilities will be upgrading its

properties to five-star category. We have around 21 hospitality units under us. We have already appointed consultants to do the needful, in this regard,” informs, D K Srivastava, Director and Special Secretary, Bihar Tourism. The state may also offer incentives, including waiving sales tax on jet fuel, to lure private airlines to operate direct flights between Bodhgaya and Delhi. “Better air connectivity may help us to draw more Europeans, especially Germans, to the state,” smiles, Srivastava.

Maharashtra to develop Buddhist tourist circuits

Andhra Pradesh bets big on Buddhist tourism

he Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has identified as many as 25 sites and caves to develop Buddhist tourist circuits in the state, at a cost of Rs 70 crore. “The idea is to form a tourist attraction of prominent sites associated with Buddha, to attract religious tourists from across India, Korea, Japan and Malaysia” says an official with MTDC. As part of the move, MTDC will introduce tourist amenities at NashikPune circuit, Pandavleni, Junnar, Photo: indiatravelblog.net Karla, Bhaja and Bedsa caves. The project involves developing the MumbaiThane, Raigad, Nashik-Pune, Satara, Aurangabad I and II, and Nagpur circuits. The department has already studied parameters such as connectivity between these places, tourist facilities and information systems available at each place. “Some places have good connectivity, but lacks parking facilities. Hence, missing amenities will be provided,” the official adds. The Mumbai-Thane sub-circuit will include development of Nalasopara stupa, Vipassana pagoda, Canary, Mahakali caves and Chaitya Bhoomi. In Raigad, the corporation will set up tourist facilities at Thanale, Gandharpale, Kuda and Khadsambale caves. When it comes to Nashik-Pune circuit, basic tourist amenities will be developed at sites like Pandavleni, Junnar, Karla, Bhaja, Bedsa and Ghoradeshwar caves.

he Andhra Pradesh (AP) State Tourism Department will develop a unique Buddhist theme park titled Buddhavanam, at Nagarjunakonda, at a cost of Rs 16.36 crore. The project is part of the state’s plans to promote Buddhist tourism, by creating special circuits and preservation of monuments. The AP Government has earmarked about Rs 26 crore for the entire project, which will include three Buddhist circuits at Visakhapatnam, Amaravathi and Nagarjunakonda. “We have identified the enormous tourism potential of Buddhist heritage sites and taken initiatives to develop them as tourist attractions to attract tourists from East and South-East Asian regions, mainly from Japan, China, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Singapore,” says a source with the AP State Tourism Department. The state tourism department has also plans to develop Buddhist sites, monuments and Buddhist clusters at Hyderabad, Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam. Major Buddhist sites and monuments in AP are located at Bavikonda, Bhattiprolu, Thotlakonda, Vaddamanu, Phanigiri, Chandavaram, Guntupalli, Sankaram, Salihundam, Ramathirtham, Dantapuram, Jaggayyapeta and Ghantasala.

ASIAN TRAVELLER | MAY 2012

NEWSLINE

Dakshin Routes enters into Prasanth N. IAS appointed KTDC MD third year of operations

The Kerala Government has appointed Prasanth N IAS as the Managing Director of Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC), which operates hotels, resorts and tourist rest houses in key locations across the state. Its official slogan is ‘Official host to God’s own country’ and it is one of the most profitable ventures of the state government. In the past, Prasanth N IAS has worked as Director, Grand Kerala Shopping Festival (GKSF) with the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala. KTDC operates premium to budget hotels and resorts and they are designed to function as icons of Kerala heritage and to readily extend the warmth and excitement of traditional hospitality of Kerala.

akshin Routes, a Cochin-based tour operator, has entered the third year of operations, with a bang. As part of the celebrations, Dakshin Routes, a boutique brand under India’s premiere travel group Le Passage to India Tours and Travels Pvt. Ltd., hosted an evening party for its key B2B partners in Kerala, at the Dream Hotel, Cochin. Its Chief Operating Officer Amit Prasad and Assistant General Manager Hari Kumar welcomed the gathering and had one to one interactions with the business partners. Players like Lotus DMC, Oriana Holidays, Go Tamarind, Gateway Malabar, Ebenezer Holidays, Kerala Travel Centre, Travel Cart India, Isomer Holidays and Leisure Trails attended the function, which featured cocktails and delicious buffet dinner. Dakshin Routes provides B2B support for North and Central India tours to Kerala-based tour operator partners. It offers highly professional services at competitive prices and most importantly, speedy confirmations. This was earlier one major area of concern for most of the travel agents in Kerala. Besides a single point contact for operations all over India, the company also provides easy access and convenient payment options for the tour operators.

Ezeego1.com forays into offline space

zeego1.com, India’s leading online travel portal, has launched its first ever franchisee store in Surat, marking its entry into the offline space. The move is part of its plans to establish offline presence and distribution network across all cities in India, especially in tier II and tier III cities. The company will provide travel services like flight tickets, hotel accommodation, car

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rentals, holiday packages, visa and insurance, and rail, cruise and bus holidays, from its newly opened store in Surat. “We are proud to open our franchisee shop in a town like Surat. This step is an extension of our website and we target those customers who still prefer the traditional way of booking tickets and holiday packages at a retail outlet and the ones who

are not net savvy,” smiles, Neelu Singh, Chief Operating Officer, Ezeego1.com. Ezeego1.com is known for the domestic and international holiday packages it offers to the customers, at affordable and incredible deals. Its travel products include, rail holidays, self-drive vacations, apartment vacations, van tours to Europe and New Zealand and regular escorted

Neelu Singh Chief Operating Officer, Ezeego1.com

tours. If one is planning a trip to Kashmir, Uttaranchal, Ladakh, Sikkim, Bhutan or Nepal, Ezeego1.com will be a reliable travel partner.

NEWSLINE

India calls for strong tourism ties with Japan

f everything goes well, India and Japan may soon strengthen the bilateral tourism ties, to further develop tourism infrastructure with mutual help. In order to keep the ball rolling, Subodh Kant Sahay, Union Tourism Minister, Government of India, has called for strengthening cooperation in tourism industry between India and Japan, when he met Ken Kuda, Vice Minister for Tourism, Japan, in New Delhi, recently. He has also suggested signing of a memorandum of understanding for setting

up a joint working group on tourism cooperation between the two countries. Sometime back, Japan had assisted India in developing a Buddhist tourism circuit. “It was glad to work with Japan in developing the Buddhist circuit in the country. We could now include Bodhgaya in the circuit,” says, Sahay. Japan is an important source market for India, with a tremendous inbound tourism potential. Last year, India received about 1,70,000 tourists from Japan. “Japanese tourists may be interested in the golf and wellness tourism that India promotes in a big

way,”adds, Sahay, indicating this may be an area, where the two countries can together work on. He has also expressed his readiness to promote an exchange programme, wherein the tour operators can visit each other’s country to better understand the true tourism potential. The Japanese leader seems to have welcomed the call for strengthening the tourism ties, with open hands. “I hope that more and more tourists

from both the sides will visit each other’s country. There is a great potential to strengthen bilateral ties by promoting tourism and it can be linked with overall cooperation between the two countries,” concludes, Kuda.

Australia steps up efforts to grow hospitality sector

s part of the efforts to double the spending in the tourism industry to $140 billion by 2020, Australia has turned its focus on luring investors and developers to build more hotels and resorts, across the country. As per the Tourism Investment Monitor report released recently by the Australia Federal Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson, about 70,000 new hotel rooms will be needed by

2020, to cater to the Hotel rates are increase in demand expected to continue from domestic to increase and the and international federal government business and believes that the leisure travellers. accommodation “Developing a sector can provide hotel/resort gives both consistent and a better return than dependable returns. Martin Ferguson other investments, Federal Tourism Minister, The government Australia given hoteliers, has so far identified particularly in $42 billion worth of capital cities such as Perth and existing and investment-ready Brisbane, are getting strong tourism projects around the room rates,” says, Ferguson. country. It, however, wants

more accommodation facilities in capital cities and regional areas, in addition to new business event facilities and innovative leisure attractions, to serve key markets. In capital cities the focus will be on serviced apartment complexes. According to Tourism Research Australia, a branch of the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism that provides statistics, research and analysis to support industry development, policy development and marketing for the Australian tourism industry, in 2016, major capital cities will see two per cent growth in room stock, while in regional Australia the growth will be about 0.7 per cent. Most of the new accommodation developments will occur in Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

ASIAN TRAVELLER | MAY 2012

NEWSLINE

Thailand gains popularity as the best destination for value

he popularity of Thailand as a destination that offers value for money to the travellers has been underscored at the Lonely Planet India Travel Awards 2012, as the readers of the magazine voted this amazing country as the best destination for value. Suladda Sarutilavan, Assistant Director, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Mumbai, received the award from Ayushman Khurana, leading actor of the latest Bollywood flick Vicky Donor, at the award function held in Mumbai, recently. “We are honoured to receive this prestigious award from Lonely Planet as a

testament that Thailand has been positioned effectively as a destination that offers global and Indian visitors value for their hard earned money and deserving of an experience that offers quality at an affordable value,” smiles, Sethaphan Buddhani, Director, TAT.

Thailand is, today, India’s largest outbound travel destination and an award of this stature is expected to further boost the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s efforts to position the country for all segments of travellers. “We are ready to cater to all segments, be it up-

market travellers, leisure travellers who are interested in golfing and wellness, senior citizens, families, and the niche segments that include weddings and honeymooners, who wish to explore new areas of Amazing Thailand,” Buddhani signs off.

… attracts a record number of Indians in 2011 With its wide range of value for money offerings, Thailand is slowly but steadily emerging as a favourite tourist spot among the Indians

hailand’s dedicated efforts to capture a handsome share of the Indian outbound travel market seems to have yielded fruits, with this 365 day holiday spot attracting a record number of 917,832, Indian tourists in 2011. The number represents a growth

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in excess of 16 per cent in the arrivals that Thailand saw from India in 2010. If the latest statistics are anything to go by, with its wide range of value for money offerings that include leisure, sports, fine dining, adventure services, wellness and quality hotels and

resorts, Thailand is slowly our initiatives through joint but steadily emerging as a promotions that showcase favourite tourist spot among Amazing Thailand as a value the Indians. for money destination,” “We are delighted to have smiles, Sethaphan Buddhani, welcomed so many Indians Director, TAT, Mumbai. in our nation and TAT’s marketing look forward to activities in India welcoming even comprised workshops, more travellers from seminars and the subcontinent educational tours, for in 2012. We have travel agents, tour achieved this operators, wedding consistent growth planners and media, Sethaphan Buddhani Director, Tourism due to our result to showcase them Authority of Thailand, oriented marketing Mumbai its new and exotic strategies that are destinations. As the matched with performance Indian market matured, indicators. We are also Thailand was quick in tapping grateful to the Indian travel niche segments such as golf, trade fraternity, who has luxury holidays, weddings been actively supporting and medical tourism.

NEWSLINE

Dubai makes rapid strides in cruise tourism

ubai’s efforts to Director - Business Tourism, propel cruise tourism Dubai Department of Tourism has got a shot in and Commerce Marketing the arm at the recently held (DTCM), received the awards, Cruise Shipping Exhibition at a glittering award ceremony in Miami, USA, where it was organised as part of the given away as many as four exhibition. Cruise Insight Awards, Earlier this year, in recognition of stellar Dubai had unveiled performance of its its plans to exploit cruise tourism sector the potential of cruise and high standards of tourism to generate operations of its cruise more foreign exchange terminals. With four earnings. As part of leading cruise home the initiative, it had Hamad Bin Mejren ports and over 25 taken up reshaping Executive Director Business Tourism, DTCM cruise lines, Dubai is of Port Rashid, to popularly known as the cruise retain its position as the hub of the Middle East. largest cruise centre in the Dubai received the awards Middle East. in the categories of most “The Dubai Cruise efficient terminal operations, Terminal, which completed most efficient port services, 10 years of successful best turnaround operations operations last year, has and most improved facilities. been witnessing significant Hamad Bin Mejren, Executive increase in the number of

cruise ships and cruise passengers, with each passing year. We established the Dubai Cruise Terminal in 2001 and the facility was expanded in 2010 to meet the growth expectations. It is being expanded further to increase its handling capacity and accommodate

the forecasted growth,” says a DTCM spokesperson. In 2011, Dubai Cruise Terminal played host to 108 cruise ships, with more than 390,000 passengers. This year, Dubai is expected to see over 420,000 cruise tourists, giving a big push to the tourism growth and the economy.

Taiwan rolls out marketing initiatives in India

n order to better market the destination to Indian travellers through travel agents, Taiwan Tourism Bureau has recently organised a familiarisation (FAM) trip for the Indian travel agents to this beautiful island, to deepen their understanding of its cuisine, culture, historic sites, famous landmarks, hotels, and meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE) venues. “The trip gave us an opportunity to experience the rich culture and scenic beauty of this unique destination. It is very easy to navigate and travel around in Taiwan. The climate was pleasant and we enjoyed all kinds of Chinese and international cuisine, including delicious Indian food,” say the travel agents from New Delhi and 20

Mumbai, who were part of the FAM trip. “We thoroughly enjoyed Taipei 101, travelling to Hualien by Train and were delighted by the breathtaking beauty of the Taroke Gorge. The quality of service that the hotels in Taiwan provide deserves special mention. We also

went on a shopping trip to the gadget market and it was a perfect place to shop for electronics,” they add. The travel agents who visited Taiwan as part of the FAM trip include Rajesh Sethi of Carnation Holidays, Neeraj Rustagi of Regency Holidays, Vibha Jain of Trailblazer Tours India, Chitra Bhatia of

Aashman Travels, Shagufta Kalsekar of Inorbit Tours, Peter Fernandes of Ezeego One Travel & Tours Ltd, Nasrulla Tejani of Equino Fun Holidays and Jyoti Jhaveri of Sunday Pure Holidays. Noel Saxena of Taiwan Tourism Bureau, India Representation Office led the team to Taiwan.

ASIAN TRAVELLER | MAY 2012

NEWSLINE

Prague opens up its doors for foodies

f you are a foodie and like to taste the local food of the Czech Republic, your next stop should be Prague, the architectural and heritage gem of the Czech, which is bracing itself up for the gastronomic event of the year. Prague Food Festival 2012, scheduled to take place from May 25-27, at the Royal Garden of Prague Castle, with the theme of ‘Think Globaly, Eat Locally’, promises to offer a truly unique range of tastings, which have never been presented in the Czech Republic before. The main attraction of the festival, which is into its fourth year, will be the painting/drawing programme entitled ‘The Art of the Czech Cuisine’. While you taste the Czech specials, they will be, at the same time, recreated on the canvas. “As the food disappears from the plates, real-like painting of the same will be created by the artists from the fine arts studio, under the supervision of CzechTourism,” says a CzechTourism spokesperson.

Visitors can also taste wine and beer, while enjoying music band from Naples and

Andalucían flamenco show. Cuban musicians will also be performing at the event.

“Many exciting innovations await visitors to the Prague Food Festival 2012. There will be 50 stands offering culinary delights of all kinds, three large tasting tents and more than 500 seats up for grabs. During the threeday feast of food, visitors will have the opportunity to taste delicacies served by the top ten restaurants featured in the Maurer´s Grand Restaurant Guide 2012, the Czech equivalent of the famous Michelin Restaurant Guide,” she adds. This year’s festival will feature unique gastronomic specialities such as beetles and various insects in sweet and savoury style, an experimental laboratory, renowned French truffles, Maryland crab cakes from the USA, pear schnapps infused ice cream, mascarpone with strawberries, balsamic vinegar and parmesan cheese ice cream with figs, stuffed duck stomachs and frog’s legs. Also, there will be a market offering both the Czech and international delicatessen.

It’s platinum jubilee for the Golden Gate Bridge

he Golden Gate Bridge, one of the modern wonders of the world, is all set to celebrate the 75th anniversary on May 27, 2012. A suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the opening of the San Francisco Bay into the Pacific Ocean, it is, in fact, a hot tourist spot in itself. As part of the anniversary celebrations, the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, in cooperation with the National Park Service and the Presidio Trust will organise the Golden Gate festival, under the theme ‘Bridging Us All’.

ASIAN TRAVELLER | MAY 2012

The Golden Gate fiesta will include a historic watercraft parade, music and dance at multiple stages, art installations, history and educational presentations, display of cars from 1937 to the present, and bridge related activities on Crissy Field and the Marina Green. Crissy Field is a former airfield which is now a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, while the Marina Green is a 74-acre expanse of grass between Fort Mason and the Presidio. As part of the celebrations, there will also be bridge-themed events and performances at waterfront venues, including Fort Mason Centre, Ghirardelli

Square, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39. The festival will conclude on the evening of May 27, with a spectacular fireworks display.

NEWSLINE

Malaysia beckons travellers to explore its colours and fairs

f festivals and tourism fairs interest you, it’s time to plan a trip to Malaysia. What awaits you there are ‘Colours of Malaysia’, its annual cultural extravaganza, and ‘Malaysia International Tourism Exchange 2012’, the country’s largest tourism exchange event. To be held at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur, on May 26, 2012, ‘Colours of Malaysia’ will bring together

various cultures, ethnicity and heritage of Malaysia on a single platform. Traditional performances, colourful parades and exhibition of arts, crafts and delicacies of several ethnic groups will mark this annual festival that celebrates Malaysia’s culture and traditions. About 6,000 people are expected to take part in the parade this year, including the Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

On the other hand, Malaysia International Tourism Exchange 2012, the largest tourism exchange event of the country, will provide an opportunity for the travellers to enjoy nonstop fun packed activities such as international performances and showcases, and games and competitions. To be held at Malaysia Agriculture ‘Colours of Malaysia’ Exposition Park Serdang, festival was launched in 1999 and it began as a collection of Selangor, from May 31 to June 3, 2012, the event is street performances, aimed expected to attract hundreds to highlight the country’s of thousands of domestic cultural offerings and and foreign travel trade bring together its diverse members. The main attraction communities. Today, the of the fair, being organised by festival enjoys the full the MY Events International, support of the Ministry in association with the of Tourism Malaysia and Ministry of Tourism Malaysia celebrates the unique heritage and PATA, will be the food of the country through music festival, to be held along and dance. with it.

An emerging family holiday destination

alaysia Tourism’s efforts to turn the country into a sought-after family holiday destination will get a boost, with the opening of Asia’s first LEGOLAND theme park in Iskandar Malaysia, the main southern development corridor in Johor, Malaysia. Scheduled to open by the second half of September, this year, the theme park is a joint venture of IDR Resorts and Merlin Entertainments. This new attraction is one of the world’s largest theme parks, with over 40 exciting rides, interactive shows and other myriad of attractions. It is also the world’s sixth LEGOLAND theme park and is sure to add fun to a family vacation in Malaysia. The park

comes with the LEGOLAND model structures, which are built with over 30 million LEGO bricks. “We want to promote Malaysia as a fun place for the families and welcome them to celebrate the yearend festivities with us, at

LEGOLAND theme park. We assure unlimited excitement and a chance for all to have fun. There won’t be a boring moment but only a bonding moment to be cherished for a lifetime,” smiles, Manoharan Periasamy, Director of Tourism Malaysia.

Iskandar Malaysia is located in Johor, the southern gateway to Malaysia. The theme park is expected to transform Johor, which is already known for some of the world’s oldest rainforests, five national parks, botanical and wildlife paradise of Endau Rompin, mangrove island of Kukup, wetlands of Tanjung Piai and the heavenly islands off the cost of Mersing, into an international tourist hot spot. The islands of Johor are world renowned for their beauty, sparkling waters and white sandy beaches. The park is located within the Iskandar Malaysia economic region, which houses a lifestyle retail centre, offices, hotels, service apartments and residential units.

ASIAN TRAVELLER | MAY 2012

NEWSLINE

Czech gets another golden feather in its cap

n what could be termed as an endorsement of its tourism value, the South Bohemian town of Český Krumlov has received the Golden Apple Award, which is tourism equivalent of the film industry Oscars. This United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) listed Czech town, as a result, has joined the highly regarded list of the most significant tourism destinations in the world. The award comes at a time Český Krumlov is readying to celebrate the 20th anniversary of being listed on the UNESCO list of World Cultural Heritage Sites. The only other Czech city that has received this accolade earlier

is Brno (2004). Instituted by the World Federation of Travel Journalists and Writers, the Golden Apple Award is given away annually to an organisation/country/city/ person, in recognition of the efforts put into promote

and draw more arrivals to a destination. Český Krumlov is home to a number of important cultural and historic sites, which attract both the Czech and international visitors. It was such sites and their

power to pull arrivals that have, to an extent, helped this Czech town to win this prestigious honour. “Český Krumlov doesn’t just live on its past but boasts a rich and highly valued contemporary cultural and social life. Events like International Music Festival Český Krumlov that take place here usually draw well known personalities from the domestic and the international cultural scene,” says a CzechTourism official. Nicknamed ‘The Pearl of South Bohemia’ Český Krumlov attracts more than one million tourists every year, 60 per cent of which are international tourists. The award is expected to boost the growth of the town, as a major tourist spot.

Egypt to open its grand tourist attraction in 2015

gypt will have a major tourist attraction in its kitty, with the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in 2015. The museum, also known as Giza Museum, is expected to showcase the ancient heritage of the Egyptians to the travellers, providing an entirely different experience from the modernity of Cairo and Alexandria. Built on the CairoAlexandria Road, overlooking the Giza Pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum that will house artefacts and antiques of ancient Egypt is now at the final phase of construction. The project, which was initiated by the Egypt’s Antiquities Ministry, will be one of the largest archaeological museums in the world.

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“The final phase of construction works has already commenced and it will take about three years and four months, for its completion. We expect the works of this LE5 billion Grand Egyptian Museum to be completed

by August 2015,” says, Egypt’s Antiquities Minister Mohamed Ibrahim Ali. One of the main attractions of the museum will be the translucent stone wall, made of alabaster. It makes up the front facade of the building. Inside the main

Built on the Cairo-Alexandria Road, overlooking the Giza Pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum will house artefacts and antiques of ancient Egypt

entrance, there will be a large atrium, where statues will be exhibited. The museum is being built in close proximity to the Great Pyramid of Khufu and the Pyramid of Menkaure. The project, commenced by the previous Minister of Antiquities, currently provides 5,000 jobs and is expected to create another 15,000 work opportunities, once it is opened.

NEWSLINE

Indian travellers endorse the wild beauty of South Africa

t was nothing but a moment of success for the South African Tourism, at the Lonely Planet India Travel Awards 2012 held recently in Mumbai, the financial capital of India. Readers of this popular magazine have voted this country at the southern tip of Africa, as the best international destination for wildlife, through an online and a magazine poll. Hanneli Slabber, Country Head, South African Tourism, India, received the award from Tarun Rai, Chief Executive Officer, Worldwide Media. “This is a great honour for South Africa and the award is so special, as it represents the voice of Indian travellers. Lonely Planet has launched

a great initiative and it has brought in an era where destinations and organisations vie to offer the best to the Indian travellers and get recognised by them, for exemplary service and experiences. South Africa has come to be appreciated for its diverse attractions and impeccable hospitality and this award is a testimony of the relationship travellers share with the destination,” says, Slabber. As per the available figures, an increasing number of Indian travellers are now preferring South Africa for

holidaying. In 2011, the country witnessed around 26 per cent rise in Indian arrivals to more than 90,000 travellers. “For those of you who haven’t experienced the destination yet, all I would like to say is ‘Chalo South Africa’. Otherwise, you are missing out on an incredible experience,” smiles the Country Head of South African Tourism, India. At the glittering award ceremony, Lonely Planet, in total, gave away 39 awards, in different categories.

Seychelles Islands are accessible as never before

he Seychelles Islands, an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, has launched a new tourism campaign ‘The Seychelles Islands… accessible as never before’, to attract more arrivals to the country, especially by showcasing the virgin beauty of its destinations, a variety of accommodation choices it offers and the air connectivity it enjoys, to the travellers across the globe. From the pampering comfort of five-star resorts 24

and the exclusivity of island products, but also affirms that resorts, to the homely charms Seychelles has something to of small hotels, offer for every budget,” Creole guest houses smiles, Alain St Ange, and self-catering Minister for Tourism establishments, and Culture, Seychelles the campaign has Islands. succeeded in taking The new campaign the real essence of also highlights direct the accommodation accessibility from Alain St Ange facilities in Minister for Tourism and Europe to the country Culture, Seychelles Islands Seychelles Islands to with a direct flight the target group. operated by Blue “Today’s accommodation Panorama Airlines from Italy. options reflect not only the Ethiopian Airlines has added growing diversity of our this fast emerging destination

to its global network, recently. Seychelles also enjoys partnerships with Emirates Airline, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and Kenya Airways. Seychelles is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Aldabra, the world’s largest raised coral atoll, and Praslin’s Vallée de Mai, once believed to be the original site of the Garden of Eden. As the islands are blessed with a year-long warm, tropical climate, it’s always a good time to visit Seychelles.

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COLUMN

PIcture used for representational purpose only

V Duraikkannan

ast month, I was travelling to USA and I was using Lufthansa and United Airlines for this purpose. I was flying from Chennai to Frankfurt by Lufthansa and Frankfurt to Dulles (Washington) by United Airlines and vice versa for my return. I was using both these airlines for the first time. For the first timer, the impressions were not that impressive, to say the least. While Lufthansa could pass muster as at par, United Airlines left much to be desired. For the eight and odd hours flight from Frankfurt to Dulles, there was no newspaper on board for reading. There was not even complimentary beer or wine on board, leave alone the Johnny Walkers and Jack Daniels of the world! One had to shell out $6 for a can of beer, or $7 for one measure of liquor, if one wanted. That also you need to ask and find out for yourself. They will not make a mention of it that it is available for pay. On board, the customs and immigration forms were desultorily given to us and they were in pure German (just because we boarded from Frankfurt?!), without the accompanying English rendition. There was a simple and curt ‘Sorry!’ when I asked

for the English version. I could not but amusingly think of Kennedy’s declamation ‘Ich bin ein Berliner!’ With the best of my elementary Guten Morgen and Gesundheit German, I could not make much progress with the filling of my form. Once again, when I sought help, the crew told me that I could find the English specimen printed in one of the pages of the inflight magazine. The in-flight magazine is called ‘UNITED Hemispheres’, but despite using both the hemispheres of my brain to locate the form, I could not find it. Finally, watching my predicament, the same cabin crew offered himself to riffle through the 150 pages to find it for me. His obvious difficulty in finding it somewhat assuaged my discomfort and pain of failure, to get the same. Finally, when he found it somewhere (page 128) and showed it to me, I could see his helpless nodding with sympathy for me. Because the form was in such an ultra-micro fine print that even with a magnifying glass one could not decipher it. The specimen printed there had only tiny tittles of ink, rather than any readable font! Finally, I managed it with the help of a fellow Indian passenger a few seats away, who was thoughtfully

advised by her husband to carry with her an English version of the form, which he preserved from his earlier flight. Perhaps, the husband must have had been a hapless victim earlier. On the return leg too, I had a similar not-so-pleasant and positively bitter experience on board of the same United Airlines. As usual, there was no newspaper and there was not much of Asian content in the in-flight TV menu either. The seats were so uncomfortable on the Boeing 767 flight that one could not keep reading one’s book for long. When I found a copy of the tabloid ‘USA Today’ lying in one corner of the pantry, as I went to the rest room, it was like hitting a treasure trove for me. ‘USA Today’ carries a beautiful, nearly half-page crossword in it. As I was about to pick it up, an elderly airhostess sprang from nowhere to snatch it from my hand, uttering that it was her private newspaper and not for my reading. I could not just believe her act. No wonder, everyone talks about ‘attitude’ so famously in US! And the best of all, this was happening on an airline which trumpets its slogan ‘Fly the Friendly Skies’! As I was just wondering what could be wrong with this ASIAN TRAVELLER | MAY 2012

airline or its people, writer David Fagin’s article on the United Airlines in the Huff Post, an internet newspaper, came as no surprise. It read: “First off, it’s no secret when it comes to customer service, United is commonly regarded as one of the worst airlines in the business. They may brag about their ‘most admired’ status in the industry, but that survey, conducted by Fortune magazine, only polled industry insiders, not consumers.” United Airline’s merger with the Continental, which was sealed and completed on March 03, 2012, has not made any great change to the basic nature of the United. It remains just the same. The Continental, which flourished once under the leadership of Gordon Bethune and won more JD Power and Associates

ASIAN TRAVELLER | MAY 2012

PIcture used for representational purpose only

COLUMN

awards for customer satisfaction than any other airline in the world, had lost its cutting edge further on its merger with the United. Fagin adds: “It definitely seems, instead of raising United to the level where Continental used to be, Mr Smisek is content with lowering the expectations of Continental’s employees and customers to

that of United’s employees and customers.” Jeff Smisek is the President and CEO of the new entity that is still called United Airlines. And perhaps it is not that he is not aware of what is happening with the United, especially on its overseas flights. Otherwise, why would he assure in his letter in their April in-flight magazine that

as part of their re-engineering process they ‘will provide the great service and amenities the airline is known for domestically’ (italics mine)? Let us hope things change for better with the United Airlines and dismiss Fagin’s pessimism (though rightful!) as seen in the sardonic caption of his article ‘United, We Fall!’

Rameswaram Temple

Temple corridor

An epic land

Every nook and corner of Rameswaram has a story related to the great Indian epic Ramayana. Visiting this small town in Tamil Nadu, will be a unique experience, says Dr S Bakthavatchalam

ho have not heard about the Ramayana and its manifold stories? As an avid reader, captivated by the stories, you might have thought about wandering in one of those factual or fictional lands mentioned in the epic. Of all the stories and places mentioned in the Ramayana, it is the bridge that Lord Rama constructed fascinates many. If you have ever thought of being on the bridge Rama Setu, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hesitate to pack your bags to Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, where Lord Rama created it across the sea to Sri Lanka, to rescue Sita (his wife), from Ravana (King of Lanka). Rameswaram is also the place,

where Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva, after the victory over Ravana. In fact, the entire area of Rameswaram has a story associated with the Ramayana to tell. Situated in Ramanathapuram district, it is also one of the most visited pilgrim sites in India.

This pilgrimage site, located on Pamban Island, is part of the Char Dham (four abodes of Gods) - Badrinath in the North, Puri Jaggannath in the East, Dwaraka in the West and Rameswaram in the South. While the temple in Rameswaram is dedicated

to Lord Shiva, the rest three sites have Vishnu temples. Rameswaram is about 170 kilometres away from Madhurai airport and well connected by both road and rail heads. The Pamban Island is located between peninsular India and Sri Lanka. The Pamban Bridge will take you to Rameswaram. The second longest sea bridge in India after the BandraWorli Sea Link in Mumbai, the Pamban Bridge on the Palk Strait offers breathtaking view of the distant sea and the string of islands on the left of Pamban Island. Enjoy the sceneries as you pass through the bridge. Ramanathaswamy Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is the ASIAN TRAVELLER | MAY 2012

TAMIL NADU TRAVELLER first and foremost stop for you in the conch shaped Pamban Island. The temple occupies most of the area of the island and it stands as an epitome of Dravidian architectural style of the medieval ages. As you look at the temple, you have to keep it in mind that you are looking at a structure which is built around 12th century. The temple is famous for its 1200 massive granite columns and has a 54-meter tall ‘gopuram’ (gate-tower). There are three striking long corridors in the temple’s interior and the 3850 feet long outer set of corridor is reputed to be the longest in the world. The temple has in it 22 wells and the taste of the water in each well is different from the other. There are also 64 holy water bodies in and around the island. Bathing in these water bodies is believed to wash away ones’ sins. The major one is Agnitheertham, a seashore about 100 metres from the main entrance of the temple. Pilgrims perform ‘poojas’ in honour of their ancestors at this seashore. Besides the temple, the island also has in it other sites where you can relate many stories in the Ramayana. Gandamadana Pamban Bridge

ASIAN TRAVELLER | MAY 2012

Agnitheertham

Parvatham, a hillock situated three kilometres away is one such place. The entire Rameswaram is visible from this highest point in the island. Here, you can also see the imprint of Lord Rama’s feet on a ‘chakra’ (wheel). On the way to the hillock, you can stop at Saatchi Hanuman Temple, which is considered to be the place where Hanuman delivered the good news of finding Sita to Rama with the ‘satchi’, or evidence, of the jewel that belonged to Sita. If there is a temple for Hanuman can be found, there should be one for Sugreeva too. You don’t have to

search for it as the Sugreevar Temple/Theertham is situated adjacent to the Hanuman temple. There is also a five-faced Hanuman Temple. It houses the idols of Lord Rama, Sita and Hanuman brought from Dhanushkodi, which is just eight kilometres away from Rameswaram. The floating stone, used to build the Rama Setu bridge between India and Lanka can also be found in this temple. Another not to be missed place is Adam’s bridge. It is a chain of reefs, islets and sandbanks, connecting India with Sri Lanka. According to legends,

the steeping stones were used by Hanuman to chase Ravana, while rescuing Sita. Rameswaram is not only known for pilgrim sites. It is also home to a number of beaches. The Olaikuda beach, which is just a kilometre away from the main temple, is engulfed by coral reefs making bathing in the sea safe and enjoyable. When you move on to the eastern side of the Island, there is Dhanushkodi, a strip of land about one kilometre wide and 18 kilometres long. It is a place worth visiting for its scenic beauty and bird life. Indian Ocean on one side and Bay of Bengal on the other side and their confluence is shaped like a bow, while the strip of land resembles an arrow poised for release. The arrowhead is considered to be a sacred place, to perform religious rites. Winter in Rameswaram is exciting and at this time you can spot flamingos, sea gulls and a variety of birds that migrate to the Island. The Arichamunai Bird Sanctuary at Dhanushkodi, the Kanjirankulam and Chittirankudi Sanctuaries on the mainland Ramanathapuram are a paradise for bird-watchers. 29

IN FOCUS

Ruins of St Paul’s Church

Magnificent Macau Take a journey with V Duraikkannan, to explore the intersting legend associated with Macau and its tourism attractions

acau (Macao) was the last outpost of the Portuguese empire. While all other Portuguese colonies over time have become part of the main countries they are adjacent to, like Goa in India and Malacca in Malaysia, Macau still maintains its own identity. Though it became part of China in 1999, Macau enjoys its own legal, monetary, police system and immigration policy. The city is situated on the tip of the peninsula formed by the Zhujiang (Pearl River) estuary on the east and the Xijiang (West River) on the west. It is just about 60 kilometres west of Hong Kong and very adjacent to Zhuhai, the southern entry point to China. The total area of Macau is just 21.09 square kilometres. 30

The population is estimated to be 455,000 of which 95 per cent are Chinese and five per cent are a mix of Portuguese, Europeans and others. Chinese and Portuguese are the official languages. Pataca (composed of 100 avos) is the currency there. The name Macau is derived from a Chinese goddess, popular with seafarers and fishermen, known as AMa (akin to Tamil ‘Amma’ meaning ‘Mother’) or Ling Ma. The village where Macau now stands was previously known to the Chinese as Hou Kong or Hoi Keang. According to legend, a junk (junk is a Chinese boat) sailing across the South China Sea, one clear day, found itself in a sudden storm. Everybody on board was about to give up all hope of surviving this natural calamity, when an

attractive young woman, who had boarded the ship at the very last minute, stood up and ordered the elements to calm down. Miraculously, the gale winds stopped blowing and the sea became calm. Without further incident, the junk arrived safely at the port of Hoi Keang. The young woman stepped ashore and walked to the crest of the nearby Barra Hill where, in

a glowing halo of light and perfume, she ascended into heaven. On the particular spot where she set foot on land, a temple was built in homage to her. Centuries later, when Portuguese sailors landed and asked the name of the place, the natives replied A-Ma-Gao (Bay of A-Ma). And so the peninsula was renamed. In modern usage, Amagao was shortened to Macau.

Sun Yat-Sen Park

ASIAN TRAVELLER | MAY 2012

Venetian

Macau, just as Hong Kong, is known as a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of People’s Republic of China (PRC). The policy is ‘One country, Two systems’, which accords a host of privileges to Macau. For instance, gambling is illegal in China, while that is the major industry in Macau. The Cotai Strip is just as famous as the Las Vegas Strip. The name Cotai is made of the two islands there - Coloane Island & Taipa Island - and the Cotai Strip is 1.8 miles of reclaimed land between these two islands. While having the unique Mediterranean style, thanks to its Portuguese origins, Macau also boasts to be the Las Vegas of the East. Though much smaller in size compared to Las Vegas, the high-value gambling outshines Las Vegas. The betting here is as high as seven times that of Las Vegas. It is rightly said that while people go to Las

ASIAN TRAVELLER | MAY 2012

Vegas for enjoyment (with equal emphasis on bars, restaurants, shows etc., other than gambling), people go to Macau challenging their destiny, seeking their millions (or ‘the elusive millions’)! Macau’s economic boom started some ten years ago, when it opened out its casino licenses in 2002 to the Las Vegas giants like Las Vegas Sands, Wynn Resorts, etc., ending the 40 years of monopoly of Macau’s Casino King Stanley Ho. Stanley Ho, at one point of time,

Macau Museum

Ao-Ma Temple

was engaging one fourth of Macau’s workforce for his various enterprises. Today, Macau has 33 casinos and the biggest of all is The Venetian Macau. The Venetian Macau has 3,400 slot machines and 800 gambling tables. As a hotel to stay, it has 3,000 suites. It is the sixth largest building in the world. It is large enough to hold 90 Boeing 747 jumbo sets! A tourist can easily combine Macau and Hong Kong for his visit, though they require two different

visas. The ferry services that include the jetfoils, turbo cats, jumbo cats and hover ferries are the common means of commute between these two island nations. Macau has its own international airport (city airport) and its own airline called Air Macau, which is rated a three-star airline by Skytrax. Macau is not just about gambling only. We have lot more places to see around like St Paul’s Church, A-Ma Temple, Macau Museum, Sun Yat-Sen Park and Camoes Garden and Grotto. The last mentioned is a memorial to the greatest poet of Portuguese language (‘Shakespeare of Portugal’), Luis de Camoes (1524-1580). A line from Camoes himself will be a fitting tribute to the emerging Macau: ‘And if there had been more of the world, They would have reached it’.

HOSPITALITY

A success moment for Grand Hyatt Goa

he world’s leading travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler (US) has featured Grand Hyatt Goa and its Shamana Spa in the list of best New Hotels of 2012 and the best new spas of 2012, respectively. “Being a relatively new entrant in the Goan hospitality industry, we are thrilled to receive this international recognition. It is, indeed, a great honour that our spa as well as the property is well-liked and admired by guests just not in India, but globally as well,”

smiles, Stefan Radstrom, General Manager, Grand Hyatt Goa. Spread across 28 acres of lush tropical gardens and rolling green lawns, the hotel features 314 guestrooms and suites, a Royal Villa,

seven restaurants and bars, an extensive outdoor pool complex and an indoor swimming pool. Shamana Spa is a destination spa with 19 treatment suites, offering Thai, Balinese and Indian

treatments in serene and luxurious facilities. State-ofthe-art amenities at Shamana Spa include a fitness centre, indoor and outdoor pools, whirlpools and wet areas with sauna, steam and plunge pools.

The Zuri magic in Kumarakom

hile some resorts just meet the accommodation needs of the travellers, there are resorts that by and large enhance the beauty of a tourist destination. The Zuri Kumarakom, Kerala Resort and Spa, is one such resort. Set on the shores of the ravishing Vembanad Lake, this five-star deluxe property has everything in it that matches the offerings of Kumarakom, a hot backwater destination in God’s own country. The resort is ever ready to meet your need for a charming landscape, breathtaking backwaters, revitalising spa treatments and delectable cuisine. Besides the unique mix of wellness and picturesque location, what is worth mentioning is Zuri’s worldclass hospitality.

Spread across 18 acres, the resort is ideal for luxury and leisure travellers as well as business guests. The Zuri Kumarakom, Kerala Resort and Spa, comes with 72 rooms, including 10 lake-view pool villas, with contemporary and deluxe accommodation. All rooms are well appointed and feature modern designs. The tranquil and serene landscaped setting lends a classic elegance to the property. The Zuri Kumarakom also offers a great choice of finedining options, ranging from the finest international cuisine to mouth-watering local treats. It houses Laguna Bass, a lake view fine-dining venue; Lime Tree, which specialises in regional favourites and western fare; Marquees, which is a sophisticated cigar lounge, and Trunk Call Bar, which

offers a relaxing ambience for drinks and conversation. The hotel also has a manmade lagoon and it speaks of its intention to make nature more enticing, while giving guests a wonderful view of the water body which is merged with the vast expanse of the Vembanad. The property also features Maya Spa, the largest spa in this part of the world and a multiple winner of the Asia

Spa Award, for the best Resort Spa. It is Zuri’s premium wellness centre and is specially designed to refresh, rejuvenate and re-energise weary vacationers. With its idyllic location and world–class amenities, the Zuri Kumarakom, Kerala Resort and Spa, winner of the Best Resort Spa Hotel in India in 2007 and 2008, is undoubtedly a perfect destination for an extended break.

ASIAN TRAVELLER | MAY 2012

HOSPITALITY

The Southern Spice, at its best

aj Coromandel, an integral part of everything that makes Chennai unique since it opened its doors to guests in 1974, has reinvented the country’s most iconic south Indian specialty restaurant Southern Spice, as a culinary destination for food connoisseurs and gourmands from across the world. At Southern Spice, authentic ingredients, traditional flavours and homemade recipes come together, to ensure that guests are served the most exotic fare that is truly traditional, yet enhanced with a touch of modernity. The new Southern Spice is an essence of the 15 years of extensive research by the restaurant’s expert chefs, reflecting the culinary legacy of the four South Indian states.

ASIAN TRAVELLER | MAY 2012

“The chefs have put together a unique compilation of vegetarian and nonvegetarian delicacies, after widespread culinary journeys into the interiors of Tamil Nadu (Dindigul, Madurai, Karaikudi and Virudnagar), Kerala (Kozhikode and Bekal), Andhra Pradesh (Vijayawada, Vishakhapatnam and Bhejwada) and Karnataka (Mangalore, Kundapur, Udupi and Karwar), acquiring knowledge, cooking techniques, compiling family recipes and traditional banana leaf fare,” says a company spokesperson. The restaurant offers a grand and a sensuous ambience. The interiors of the restaurant reflect the temple architecture of the Chola, Pallava and the Pandya dynasties and feature columns, artefacts and murals from

their times. The hand-tufted carpets designed in traditional ‘kolam/rangoli’ pattern add beauty to the overall settings. Granite adores the foyer and the flooring, and there are a series of granite base silver leaf columns that support the intricately carved lotus designed roof. The restaurant’s walls are lined with carved timber planks. In place of the regular electric chandeliers, Southern Spice employs live flames from fourteen custom-made bronze ‘vilakku wall urns’ modelled on the lamps found in the Padmanabhapuram Palace, to light itself up. Just imagine enjoying a delicious meal in such an ambience! Showcasing the very best of the culinary landscape of south India, the menu opens with exciting starters like ‘Denji Rawa Fry’ (semolina crusted

soft shell crab), ‘Kozhikodan Chemeen Fry’ (prawns tossed with dried shrimp powder and coriander) and ‘Scallops Sukka’ (scallops tossed dry with bedki chilly and shredded coconut). The hotel is also famous for its seafood. Chops Kari Varuval (Flavoured New Zealand lamb chops, coated with egg) and Tenderloin Kurmilagittadhu (tenderloin picattas tossed with curry leaves and black pepper) will surely entice food lovers. For vegetarians, the spread reads interesting combinations like ‘Vazhapoo Aamavadai’ (crisp gallettes of banana blossom and lentils), ‘Melagu Adai’ (bite-sized pan fried lentil pancakes enjoyed with ginger relish) and Injipuli Koshambri (tempered moong bean with mesculan and ginger-tamarind yogurt quenelle), to name a few. The show stealers in the menu are innovative recipes like ‘Asparagus Paruppu Usili’ (asparagus and steamed lentils with Madras chillies) and ‘Scallop Pepper Stew’ (scallops stewed in black pepper infused coconut milk), ‘Allepey Fish Curry’ (fish morsels simmered with green mango and coconut, a specialty from the Venice of the East) and ‘Kori Gassi’ (a Bunt specialty – chicken morsels with byadgi chillies, coconut, fenugreek and tamarind). 33

HOSPITALITY

Leela Kovalam - The best resort hotel in India

he Leela Kovalam, India’s only cliff-top beach resort, has made Kerala proud at the Lonely Planets Awards 2012, by taking home the Best Resort Hotel in India award. The hotel received this accolade, while the readers of the Indian edition of the world’s popular travel guide voted Kerala as the Best Family Destination in India. Rajiv Kaul, President of the Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, and N C Somaiah, General Manager, The Leela Kovalam Beach, received the award from the popular Bollywood actress and model Sonali Bendre, at a glittering

ceremony held in Mumbai, recently. “It is with great pleasure I receive this award and I am truly honoured with this recognition from the Lonely Planet. This stands testimony to the Leela’s vision of providing discerning travellers with the finest in luxury guest services,” says, Somaiah. Located just a short distance from Trivandrum Airport, The Leela Kovalam comes with 194 guest rooms and suites, which offer a panoramic view

of the Kovalam shoreline. Each room is attractively appointed, with a pleasing

mix of contemporary and ethnic designs and colours of Kerala. The beach hotel also houses Divya, a sprawling ayurveda and wellness spa. It offers the best of ancient remedies for rejuvenation and well being. The spa has seven treatment rooms and a dedicated foot massage pavilion. The hotel also has a couple of fine dining options. The hotel’s major attraction is the Club, built on the edge of a cliff. It comes with 49 rooms, six executive suites and one deluxe suite.

Hulhule Island Hotel emerges as the best airport hotel in Asia Pacific

t the International Hotel Awards 2012, held recently in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Maldivesbased Hulhule Island Hotel has emerged as the Best Airport Hotel in the Asia Pacific region. The award, instituted by International Property Awards to promote international standard in today’s competitive times, recognises excellence in the hotel and hospitality industry. Utkarsh Faujdar, General Manager, Hulhule Island Hotel received the award from Stuart Shield, President of the International Hotel Awards. “We feel honoured to have represented one of the most exotic holiday destinations. The Best Airport Hotel – Asia Pacific Award is undoubtedly a great recognition for us

and our team and speaks volumes about each detail taken into consideration. Hospitality industry is an extremely demanding one, if our guests are happy and comfortable, our day is made and we are inspired in turn, as our guests are very special to us,” smiles, Faujdar. International Hotel Awards cater to different regions namely Asia Pacific, UK, Europe, America, Africa and Arabia. The hotel, being the regional winner, has qualified for the International Awards, scheduled to be held later this year. Since its inception in 2000, Hulhule Island Hotel has undergone continuous

Besides the Serena Spa, the hotel also houses a well-equipped gymnasium, a tennis court, a badminton court and a landscaped garden. Although located at the airport island, HIH is far superior to the other city hotels in terms of accommodation, cuisine and the general experience. There are various food and expansion, refurbishment and has been rebranded in an beverage options, serving effort to provide impeccable ethnic cuisine along with service standards to the Japanese, Thai, Continental traveller visiting this paradise and Indian. Uduvilaa, its set amidst the Indian Ocean. roof top signature restaurant, Guests have an option is the connoisseur’s favourite. to choose from various The hotel has won the ‘Best categories of rooms, ranging Culinary Establishment’ from Deluxe, Super Deluxe award numerous times. and rooms with Jacuzzi.

ASIAN TRAVELLER | MAY 2012

EVENTS

DTCM India steals the show at ATM 2012

t was Dubai’s day out at Arabian Travel Market (ATM), one of the biggest travel and tourism held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from April 30-May 3, 2012. The event was a huge success and Dubai’s vibrant tourism industry utilised the platform to showcase its everenhancing appeal as a year round business and leisure destination to the world. The event was held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The Dubai Stand featured about 183 companies and six government organisations, representing a 29 per cent increase in the number of coparticipants, compared to the previous year. “Dubai Stand co-participants showcased their latest tourism products offering, while Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) utilised the opportunity to promote and market various initiatives like the new hotel classification, Definitely Dubai, Dubai Experts and Dubai Green

ASIAN TRAVELLER | MAY 2012

Tourism Award,” says, Saleh Al Geziry, Director, DTCM - Overseas Promotions and Inward Missions. DTCM India has also made significant strides at the ATM. It managed to host around 52 buyers, a mix of travel agents and media, all of whom had successfully completed the Dubai Expert Online Training Programme. Carl Vaz, Director, DTCM India, introduced these buyers to Lieutenant Salem Mohd. Bin Ali, Head of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Section, DIFC; Lieutenant Ali Obiad Almuhairi, Entry Permit Department; Department of Naturalisation and Residency Dubai (DNRD), and hotel chains and destination management companies at the Dubai Stand. “We feel proud to have successfully hosted around 52 buyers from India, who are all decision makers, representing different parts of the country. These buyers had not only successfully completed the Dubai Expert Online Training Programme but were handpicked, after carefully evaluating their ability to aggressively promote and market Dubai,” says, Carl Vaz.

The 52 hosted buyers were also presented with their Dubai Expert certificates at the DTCM exhibit. Eyad Ali Abdul Rahman, Executive Director - Business Development and Media Relations, DTCM,

issued the certificated to the buyers. Khalid A bin Sulayem, Director General, DTCM, and Satish Bhaskaran, Executive Director - Administration, DTCM, were also present at the DTCM exhibit.

ALBUM

Kerala makes it big at Arabian Travel Market 2012 - A lens view

ASIAN TRAVELLER | MAY 2012

VARIETY

1. Which was supposed to be the first ever palace built in the world?

2. What is Lombard Street in London famous for? U V Jose has been appointed as Director of Grand Kerala Shopping Festival (GKSF)

Dr Rajashree Ajith has been appointed as Director of Kerala Institute for Tourism and Travel Studies (KITTS)

3. What is ‘ Wau bulan’?

Khamis Suedi Kagasheki has been appointed as Tourism Minister of Tanzania

4. What is ‘staycation’? 5. How is Singapore’s National Anthem known? 6. Android names its versions after desserts. How does Apple name? 7. When was the first ever e-mail sent? 8. What is the only word in English that ends in ‘MT’?

Nicholas Clayton has joined Jumeirah Group as Chief Operating Officer

Mark Remijan has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer of Khiri Travel Group

9. What is the meaning of the name, Bahamas?

Kenneth Coelho has joined Grand Hyatt Goa as Director of Spa and Recreation

10. Where is Amway’s headquarters located? Compiled by Deekay

Send in your answers to info@mediastepsindia.com with TYKC 55 in the subject line. Answers should reach us before the 31st of this month. Courtyard by Marriott, Gurgaon, has promoted Gaurav Aggarwal to Associate Director - Sales

Jitesh Patta has joined Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Ahmedabad as General Manager

Pradipta Narayan Biswas has joined The Galaxy Hotel, Shopping and Spa, Gurgaon as General Manager - Operations

Answers to TYKC 54

1. ‘In the city’. 2. Kazakhstan. 3. Peladophobia. 4. The act of stretching oneself and yawning. 5. Emperor Penguin ( 500 meters underwater). 6. Asian Highway. 7. Raymond de Laroche (1882 – 1919). 8. Five. 9. ‘Moon’ refers to earth’s satellite and moon or moons will refer to other planets’ satellites. 10. Felice Bisleri (1851-1921), an Italian pharmacist and freedom fighter.

WINNER OF TYKC 54 Harsha Devraj has joined The Orchid Hotel, Mumbai as General Manager

Gagandeep Singh has joined JW Marriott Mumbai as Director of Operations

Andre van der Marck has joined Khiri Travel as General Manager - Thailand

Priyanthi HRBR Layout , Bangalore, Karnataka.

One all-correct entry will get

Free Stay at UDS, Kovalam [ 2 nights and 3 days for two ]*

JUNE 2012 ILTM Asia, Shanghai, China

04 - 07

Beijing International Tourism Expo, Beijing, China

15 - 17

JULY 2012 Champakkulam Boat Race

IITM, Chennai, India

20 - 22

IITM, Bangalore, Hyderabad

27 - 29

With its sleek and stylish design, Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Hotel is nothing less than a golden feather in the cap of Kovalam beach. Located just 15 metres from the sea, this four star hotel can well be categorised into a destination in itself. Its philosophy of combining the best elements of incomparable lifestyle, with the convenience of today’s modern world through exceptional standards of luxury, elegance and services, is well reflected in its products and services and has put the Uday Samudra Beach Hotel, popularly known as UDS, at the top position, in Kovalam. What is more noteworthy about UDS Kovalam is the international flair it sports.

* Conditions apply

ASIAN TRAVELLER | MAY 2012

Incredible India

ASIAN TRAVELLER | MAY 2012