• THE PARK HYDERABAD SETS A BENCHMARK IN DESIGNER HOTELS • TIME TO BRING TOURISM AND ENTERTAINMENT SECTORS CLOSER • DISCOVER THE JOYS OF PROVINCIAL FRANCE AT PAU • QATAR AIRWAYS GIVES YOU OFFICE AMBIENCE IN ITS BUSINESS CLASS • KASHMIR BECKONS TOURISTS AGAIN
THIS ISSUE EDITORS PAGE Friends, the festive season is in full swing. It is the season of good cheer – time to celebrate, shop and feel happy. It is also that time of the year which bestows you with a pot of holidays and gives you the time to travel. This month, Go Now travels to destinations known and unknown to unravel the places that you may like to traverse. Amongst the international destinations, we spend time at Pau, a town in the south-west of France, close to the Spanish border which has a thriving English tradition. A university town, it is filled with young people; is a garden city where music never ceases and hosts international events like the F3. From a leisurely laidback European holiday we take you to Thailand’s golfing paradise Hua Hin – a sleepy coastal village that boasts of half-a-dozen world class layouts. Some of the courses are still surrounded by lush tropical forest. Just a couple of hours by road from Bangkok, many ace golfers stay back to relax and practice once their professional assignments get over at Hua Hin. Back home in India, we realised that every tourist town is struggling to pin down its tourists for an extra day. This is an effort that stretches right from the little-known destination of Bundi, in Rajasthan, to the internationally-known Agra as well as Amritsar. Bundi is our discovery this month – a quaint kingdom, hidden behind the Aravallis in south east Rajasthan. With new mid-segment hotels coming up, more tourists are expected to loose themselves in a town that is a repository of history from times medieval. The Punjab Government has unfolded the Amritsar heritage walk to charm the tourists into staying back longer and going back home with more memories than just the big three – the Golden Temple,
Jallianwala Bagh and the Wagah Border. In Agra too, the administration and the hoteliers are making all out efforts to ensure that the tourists do not go back after just seeing the Taj. They are unraveling ideas as diverse as a bear rehabilitation sanctuary to holding an aarti on the Chambal river and even a visit to the Keetam lake and sanctuary. Even as various tourism boards attempt luring visitors to stay longer, movies are increasingly becoming the best form of promoting a destination. There are enough examples of movies, especially recent ones that have attracted tourists to locations they were shot at. However, there are several gaps that remain to be filled between the tourism and entertainment industry. We held the 5th edition of Cinemascapes, an event and conference, last month to bring the two closer. Read all about the concerns highlighted during the event in this issue. Meanwhile, international hotel chains remain upbeat about India and continue to march in. The luxury hotel Fairmont is opening its door at Jaipur and Hyderabad with the promise to launch more across the country soon. We profile Novotel Mumbai which had recently undergone a makeover. The beachfront hotel has set a fine example of converting a traditional property into a contemporary one. Another exemplary hotel that deserves a mention is The Park Hotel in Hyderabad whose design and features have redefined the rules and the very definition of designer hotels. I hope you will love reading this issue as before and share your feedback. Once again, cheers for the festive season.
readers write in Congratulations for the new look
The Dutch Caribbean Islands
The last issue of the magazine came as a surprise. Many congratulations for the new format and new look of Go Now! The magazine looks quite comprehensive with different sections and a wide variety of articles to read. Wish you good luck.
The article on the Islands near the Carribean Sea made for a wonderful read. The article was well written and was quite informative. Though I loved the photo spread used on the initial page, I wish there were more pictures to highlight the beauty of the place.
Ruchika Jain, Delhi
Vineet Gulati, Bangalore
Interesting makeover I would like to congratulate your team for the makeover given to the magazine. Any kind of change is always good. The magazine offers a lot more now. But it would be nice to read more extensively about destinations both inbound and outbound. Also, it would be interesting if you have some common theme binding different sections together. Kunal Chopra, Pune
Editor: Navin S Berry Senior Editor: Rahul Kumar Assistant Editors: Purva Bhatia, Manavi Siddhanti Business Development: Sudhir Sood
Refreshed Le Meridien, New Delhi I am one of the many admirers of Le Meridien’s (in New Delhi) makeover. The hotel has got a complete facelift in the past few years. The design elements are awe-inspiring. I particularly find the lobby area quite fascinating. It was lovely reading about the hotel in your last issue.
Design: Ashok Saxena, Neelam Aswani Go Now is published and printed monthly by Navin Berry on behalf of Cross Section Media Pvt. Ltd. and printed at Rakesh Press A-7, Naraina, Phase II, New Delhi and published from IIIrd Floor, Rajendra Bhawan, 210, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, New Delhi - 110002. Tel: 91-11-43784444. Fax: 91-11-41001627, 41001628. E-mail: info@gonow.in; info@crosssectionmedia.com This issue of gonow contains 112 pages plus 4 pages cover
Gunjan Saluja, New Delhi
drop us a line Like something we wrote? Wondering how to get somewhere? Or been to a place you want to talk about? Write to us and let us know. Don’t have the words to describe a place? Don’t worry – send us your best travel pictures and we’ll let them speak for you. If your letter or photo is published, you will get a year’s subscription to gonow absolutely FREE! Send your letters and photographs to E-mail: info@gonow.in info@crosssectionmedia.com Material not used will not be returned
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GO NOW NOVEMBER 2011
WORLD TRAVELLER 12 Airlines & Airports: Singapore Airlines offers luxury suites on A380 14 Qatar Airways gives you an office in its Business Class 18 Travel Buzz: US Travel Association hosts its fifth trade mission in India 20 Club Med Holidays offers all-inclusive family packages 21 Sullivan Estate & Spa, Hawaii hosts global celebrities 22 Destination: Renting luxury villas in Phuket 26 Breaking par in Hua Hin, Thailand 30 Pau holds the key to provincial France
DESTINATION INDIA 38 Destination Kashmir welcomes back the tourist 42 Bundi – the hidden kingdom in South East Rajasthan 46 The Hadoti Palace Hotel looks at FITs and group bookings 48 Orchha becomes a hit for weekend vacations 52 Punjab Tourism unveils heritage walk in Amritsar 54 Nightlife: Dancing away at Kitty Su, The Lalit, in New Delhi 57 Wellness: The R Spa at the Radisson Blu near the Delhi airport is a haven for travellers
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TOURISM CONNECT 60 Business: Aviation Sector grapples with lack of infrastructure and policy indecision 61 Transport: North Indian roads get the ultimate luxury buses 62 Cinema Tourism: Time to bring closer tourism and entertainment sectors 67 Destinations calling filmmakers 70 The Spanish connection of ZNMD 72 Heritage: The Lost Gardens of Khajuraho get a facelift 74 The Arts: ICCR showcases India, wants private initiative now 76 Cuisine: The untapped component of Incredible India 78 MICE: HICC a major factor in tourism 80 States: Agra readies new destinations to hold back tourists
HOTELSCAPES 84 Hotels Luxury: Oberoi Gurgaon is the new address for luxury retail 88 Forum of the Month: Is brand segmentation of hotels justified? 92 Design Analysis: Designer hotels get a new definition with The Park Hyderabad 98 Guest Column: The increasing role of social media in marketing 100 Marketing: ITC tells you all about cuisines with WelcomZest 102 Brand Analysis: Vivanta by Taj – The brand for new age travellers 105 Guest Column: Importance of anti-terrorism training 106 Chain Analysis: All about Fairmont Raffles chain of hotels 108 Makeover in Action: The spruced-up Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach 112 Guest Column: Infinity pools are the latest fad
on the cover Qatar Airways November 2011 GO NOW
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POSTCARDS GUJARAT
Rann Utsav 9th to 11th December, 2011
RANN UTSAV Showcasing the Cultural Splendour of Kutch
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POSTCARDS GUJARAT
An initiative of the Gujarat State Tourism Department, the three day desert festival has drawn hordes of tourists, both domestic and international year after year.
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espite their inhospitable weather conditions, deserts around the world boast vibrant desert festivals that reveal the rich heritage and culture of the region. In fact, they form an excellent backdrop, desolate as they may seem for the colorful events. The Rann Utsav held in December each year is one such festival that sees over 8000 visitors, keen to savour indigenous music, dance and food amidst the chilly desert nights. The imaginatively packaged carnival depicts the diverse Kutchi culture featuring sounds, rhythms and the very pulse of the Rann or desert making it an experience that guests cherish.
An insight into cultural traditions Like any other desert, the Rann of Kutch sees harsh summers. But come winter, the salty marsh land transforms into an awe-inspiring phenomenon, appearing like a glistening sheet of silver, a visual delight for the visitor. The festival begins on a full moon night, becoming a spectacle of colours with the cornucopia of music and dance. For those who seek a greater understanding of the culture of the region, the ancient ballads and dances would have much appeal as also the insights into cultural traditions, lifestyles, aesthetic expressions and social values. Seeing live the jubilant Kutchi folk dance, understanding their music concepts and observing local artisans at work, creating delicate and detailed works of art is a chance that cannot be missed. Significantly, visitors to the carnival have the option of staying in either air conditioned or non-air-conditioned tents in the Bhunga city that is specially erected on the outskirts of Dhordo, a village bordering the Rann. The event is an extravaganza brimming with vigour and traditional flavour and come evening, singers from villages provide soulful music to the accompaniment of vintage instruments like the Sarangi. Sitting on the cold ground, tourists can't help but enjoy the songs in Kutchi dialect which goes to show that the Rann Utsav transcends all language barriers.
factfile
An opportunity to dabble in local art
HOW TO GET THERE By Air: Ahmedabad is the nearest airport. It is also accessible from Bhuj and Kandla airports. By Rail: Ballarpur railway station, which is about 197 from Bhamragarh is the nearest. By Road: The sanctuary is directly connected from Ahmedabad city by direct bus services.
The Rann Utsav is a story of how the people of Kutch as custodians of age-old crafts and traditions have preserved the authentic Kutchi aesthetics in their glory. Known as a 'cradle of craftsmanship', Kutch has earned its fame as the land of weaving, block-printing, bandhini (tie and dye), Rogan-painting and is home to various styles of embroidery, pottery, wood-carving, metal-crafts, shell-
work and other handicrafts. While visitors can learn the art of making block prints, door hangings with threads and mirrors and get an insight into Toran embroidery, the musicians, craftsmen and artists, share their know-how, develop markets for their products and promote greater cultural diversity.
Exploring the sites The Rann Utsav begins in Kharaghoda village because of its proximity to the Little Rann sanctuary. The palm-fringed village which has been a base for salt manufacturing since the colonial times has bungalows and warehouses, over a century old magnesia factory, a cricket pavilion and other historic buildings reminiscent of the colonial period. The carnival then moves to different locales within Kutch, introducing visitors to the indigenous traditions of the people, the beach or the banks of a lake the venue of the colourful fairs that include folk music and dance. On day three, guests have the option of visiting Mata Na Madh, Narayan Sarovar, the famous bird sanctuary of Chhari Dhundh, a thousand-year-old Kera Shiv Temple, the archeological site of Dholavira, and the wild ass Sanctuary among others. Ever since its launch, the Rann Utsav that celebrates Kutch's cultural diversity has fascinated visitors. They return home as brand-ambassadors of the Rann Utsav, ever willing to present the glory of Kutch to the world. This is evident from the increasing numbers that congregate at the festival each year. Venue: Dhordo Village, White Rann (Desert), Kutch. www.gujarattourism.com
packages Packages by Gujarat Tourism The Rann Utsav Package includes arrival at Bhuj station and leaving from Kutch carnival at Dhordo camp. Sightseeing includes locations like Hodko village, Bhirandiyara Village, Ludiya Khavda, Indo-Pak border. A 3N/4D package for AC and non AC accommodation will cost Rs 9500 and Rs 8000 inclusive of sightseeing and all meals. (Valid from 9/ 12/2011 to 12/12/2011). A 2N/3D package includes railway transfer, visiting Dhordo and Hodko village, White Rann, Mandvi beach tour and black hills. Accommodation in AC tents will cost Rs 7000 and non AC tent will cost Rs 6000 inclusive of double sharing of tents, all meals and sightseeing. For children above 5 years of age, charges will apply. (Valid from 13/ 12/2011 to 8/1/2012).
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POSTCARDS GOA
27th-29th December, 2011
SUNBURN GOA Three-day Electronic Music Extravaganza
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POSTCARDS GOA
Come December and the Candolim beach in Goa will become Asia’s most happening destination! Sunburn, the biggest electronic dance music festival, is back to reignite the Goa sands.
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usic lovers know where to head this December. Sunburn, Asia’s biggest electronic dance music festival that has for four years been a definitive music extravaganza is here again! A three-day electronic dance music festival held at the Candolim Beach, Goa, every December, Sunburn offers you all – music, entertainment, food, shopping and lifestyle. The event has about seven stages where Indian and international DJs play simultaneously. The festival in its fifth year promises to get bigger and better. The line up of this year’s festival includes biggies like Pete Tong, Gabriel & Dresden, Jerome Ismae -ae, Perfect Stranger, Laughing Buddha, Rae and Brute Force. Add to these crowd favorites like Above & Beyond, Jalebee Cartel, Funkagenda, Pearl, John 00 Fleming, Skazi, Ma Faiza, Anil Chawla & Dale Anderson, Liquid Soul, Sanjay Dutta, Lost Stories, Nawed Khan and Shaan! With a variety of experiences to choose from, Sunburn caters to a wide Indian and international audience and highlights India as a dance festival destination to the world. Talking on the kick off of Sunburn 2011, Shailendra Singh, Joint Managing Director, Percept Limited said, “Sunburn is the face of electronic dance music in Asia, as it completely understands the vibe of the dance music scene. With the festival entering its fifth edition, we are going to make the experience of our Sunburn fans bigger and better. With the support of our loyalists all over the world, we have managed to make the sound of Sunburn only much louder year by year. We promise to repay their support with the ultimate lifestyle experience courtesy Sunburn.” And if you are not really into electronic music, there is still a lot you can do at Sunburn. Go for a volleyball match on the beach or video games, shop or sit by the pool joint. There’s something for everyone. Yearend celebrations can’t get any better…so just grab your sun shades and get ready to get ‘sunburnt’! compiled by PURVA BHATIA
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POSTCARDS MALDIVES
January 23-30th 2012
FREE DIVING
World Champion Free Diver Umberto Palazarri to Host a Week of Clinics, Dives and Dinners
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ot on the heels of hosting a memorable inaugural Water/ Wo/Men event attracting the biggest names in watersports and water conservation, Six Senses Laamu is delighted to host a week of free diving activities by iconic world champion diver Umberto Palazarri. Umberto never failed in a career that saw him set 16 freediving world records. He was
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the only freediver to have established world records in all the depth disciplines, and the first man to reach the depth of 150meters (492 feet). In 1990 Umberto debuted in the world of depth with a record in Constant Weight dive at 65 meters (213 feet), beating the record held by the Cuban Francisco ‘Pipin’ Ferreras. In 1991 he conquered all the freediving world records, and continued to improve all his performances in the subsequent year. He ended his competitive career in Capri, in 2001, with a Variable Weight record of 131 meters (430feet). Umberto now works as a journalist and television reporter for a popular Italian scientific documentary program that focused on the marine environment. He
is also the creator of the Apnea Academy, school for the instruction and research of freediving on an international level. Umberto will host daily free diving clinics teaching them the unique techniques of free diving and explorative dives around the beautiful coral reefs surrounding Six Senses Laamu. In the evening he will host dinner talks at LEAF where he will give talks on his dives and discoveries. Although only opened since April 2011, Six Senses Laamu is fast developing a reputation arguably the best destination in The Maldives for cutting edge water sports activities including surfing, kite surfing, wind surfing and diving. www.sixsenseswaterwomen.com
ANANTARA RESORT, PHUKET
WORLDTRAVELLER
• LUXURY’S LAP: SINGAPORE AIRLINES SUITES A380 • OFFICE IN THE SKY: QATAR'S BUSINESS CLASS • RENTING LUXURY VILLAS IN PHUKET THIS SEASON • SUMMER RETREAT TRANSFORMS TO GOLFERS HUB: HUA HIN • PAU: THE KEYS TO PROVINCIAL FRANCE November 2011 GO NOW
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AIRLINES & AIRPORTS OFFERS
Fly to Athens with Qatar Airways
Business Special to North America on LH Fly with Lufthansa in business class this winter and take advantage of their great discounts. Attractive fares, personalized service, great comfort and culinary delicacies are what you are assured of. Guests can choose to depart from either from New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai or Bengaluru. Cost including taxes, fees and surcharges to Seattle begin from INR 1,84,393; San Francisco from INR 1,84,393; Washington from INR 1,49,814 and Toronto from INR 1,49,594. Tickets need to be purchased by 29th November 2011 for departure up to 31st January 2012 and return before 1st July 2012 with maximum stay of 6 months. www.lufthansa.com/online
India Special: Qantas & Jet Join Hands Qantas has joined with Jet Airways to offer passengers a choice of departures from India – Mumbai and Delhi. Their daily codeshare services will operate from Delhi to Singapore, with connections to/from Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns and Darwin. Daily codeshare services will also be offered from Mumbai to Singapore with connections to/from Perth and Sydney. Features of the codeshare services operated by the modern B737-800 aircraft will include business and economy cabins on all flights, ergonomically designed seats, non-stop in-flight entertainment, inflight menus to suit customers’ taste. www.qantas.com.au/travel
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Athens is a city of contrasts: a bustling modern city with the ruins of the ancient city poking though. Qatar Airways offers special business class fares to Athens in Greece of INR 1,20,582 that include taxes, fees and surcharges. Seats are limited and subject to availability; and fares are subject to change without prior notice. Currently the airlines is also offering special flights to various destinations in North and South America, Europe, Middle-East and Africa from Mumbai, Kozhikode, Delhi and Ahmedabad. Booking period: up to 30th November Travel Period: up to 15th December. Offers only valid on internet booking at www.qatarairways.com/za
Cathay’s Special Offers to Australia/New Zealand Enjoy world class comfort, special fares and now an additional baggage allowance of 20 kgs for passengers travelling to Australia / New Zealand on one way tickets. Special offers while transiting in Hong Kong include great discounts at attractions, restaurants, dining and shopping. The special one way fares are offered from Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, Perth and Adelaide, starting from Rs.29,000 (all inclusive) onwards and to Auckland starting from Rs.32,000 (all inclusive) onwards. www.cathaypacific.com compiled by ESTHER WILLIAMS
AIRLINES & AIRPORTS OFFERS
Jet’s First Air-Rail Code Service from Brussels to Paris
Indigo’s Daily Flights from Delhi to Kathmandu; Return Fare of Rs 4999 This is almost half of average airfare between the two destinations. The service is run on Airbus A-320 with a passenger capacity of 180. With this, the number of airlines offering direct flight between Kathmandu and New
Delhi has reached six. Indigo has plans to add one more flight on this route by next year. IndiGo will soon start KathmanduCalcutta air service and is planning to operate flights connecting Kathmandu with Mumbai and other South Indian cities. www.goindigo.in
Kingfisher ties-up for frequent flyer program with American Airlines As a result members listed on loyalty program of these airlines will be able to earn and redeem miles on each others’ network. As a result of this agreement, which covers the entire route network of both airlines, King Club members will be able to earn King Miles even when they fly on American Airlines flights anywhere in the world and similarly, frequent flyers of American Airlines will be able to earn AAdvantage points when they fly on any Kingfisher Airlines flight. Significantly, King Club members will also be able to redeem their accumulated King Miles to undertake travel on an American Airlines flight anywhere in the world. www.flykingfisher.com
Jet Airways started its first air-rail code services for its flights originating from Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai recently. These flights use Brussels as a transit hub for trans-atlantic routes and this code service would help passengers reach Paris in 1.45 hrs compared to nearly five hours taken in a connecting flight. Rail service is provided by Thalys, a high speed train operator between Brussels and Paris. Jet Airways daily connects flights from Chennai to New York, Delhi to Toronto and Mumbai to Newark with the flights reaching Brussels in the morning. Combined air and train ticket between Paris and India can be done through travel agents or airlines’ website. www.jetairways.com
Malaysia Airlines Serves Finest Wine & Champagne Labels On-board Malaysia Airlines now serves a new selection of premium wine and champagne labels on board its Business Class. To position itself as the preferred premium carrier of Asia, this service is offered on the airline’s North Asia, South Asia and Middle East routes. The new selection of top-quality pouring comes from France, Germany, Spain, Australia and Portugal. Each serving of champagne and wine also comes with a suggested food menu to further enhance the satisfaction of customers in-flight. The selection of champagne and wines was first shortlisted by a panel of wine experts and distinguished guests through a blind wine tasting that was conducted in February this year. Up to 160 different wines pouring were tasted during the session to consider how the wines will taste differently at an altitude of 30,000 feet. Malaysia Airlines has also appointed a Master of Wine, Dr Ron Georgiou, as their wine consultant. Dr Ron is one of only 289 Masters of Wine worldwide, and one of only 18 Australian Masters of Wine. With this introduction, Business class customers will take pleasure in being served an international selection of champagne, white Rieslings and Chardonnays, and a variety of Old & New World reds. Through an in-flight survey carried out by Malaysia Airlines during the first month of the introduction, feedback from customers was extremely positive. Many remarked that the exquisite taste of the wines enhanced their travel on Malaysia Airlines and enabled them to relax easily on the medium and long haul flights. www.malaysiaairlines.com compiled by MANAVI SIDDHANTI November 2011 GO NOW
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AIRLINES & AIRPORTS FEATURE
H
and stitched armchairs, standalone bed
Each individual cabin features sliding doors and window blinds, offering you the freedom to decide on the level of privacy you prefer. Opulence can be found in the hand-stitched Poltrona Frau armchairs by master Italian craftsman, which travellers can sink into. Each of the chairs is fully adjustable with a simple-to-use control panel, adjustable to fit any sitting or lounging positions. For the first time ever in air travel, SA has introduced the extravagance of sleeping on a distinctively designed, standalone bed; not one converted from a seat. Use of distinguished fine linen and plush, full-sized
Exclusivity in Luxury’s Lap: Singapore Airlines’ Suites On A380 Apart from major airlines which offer you seat to recline to a full 180 degrees, enter Singapore Air’s luxury suites. Luxury beds for slumber, signature service, designer menu and kit bags are some of the indulgences offered on-board A380. pillows, ensure a restful slumber in your personal space.
Chaise lounge, state of the art technology en-route The suite is also furnished with a chaise lounge for business meetings, companion seating or just a riveting conversation amidst clouds with lights available for reading and dining. The suite houses personal luggage stowage along with a coat closet with wardrobe lights. Apart from a compartment for glasses as well as other utility products, there is a vanity mirror with non-intrusive LED lighting for touch-ups during a flight. The Singapore Airlines Suites also feature
a sleek 23-inch LCD screen, the largest to be offered in the skies so far. For in-flight entertainment, the new KrisWorld offers more than 1000 on-demand options, which makes it the most powerful and advanced inflight entertainment system in the world. Active noise cancelling headphones merit unprecedented audio quality on board. Customers travelling on Singapore Airlines flights will soon be able to stay connected at all times, even at 35,000 feet. The multi-million-dollar collaboration with OnAir includes a full suite of onboard communication offerings, providing the airline’s customers with access to Wi-Fi Internet and
mobile telephony services. The mobile telephony services will enable passengers to send and receive SMS text messages with their GSM-compatible mobile phones, send and receive email messages easily on smart phones, and make and receive voice calls.
International culinary panel, hand picked wine from cellars The World Gourmet Cuisine boasts a selection of exclusive and tantalising signature dishes, specially designed to delight even the most discerning taste buds. After setting up an International Culinary Panel with renowned chefs including Sanjeev Kapoor from India, SA dining experience is enhanced with varied courses and flexible eating hours. Customers on Singapore Airlines flights between Singapore and India are served a unique Indian meal that features a spread of traditional Indian delicacies of both Northern and Southern Indian cuisines. A round trip from Singapore to London costs INR 4.98,252. A round trip to Melbourne & back costs INR 3,05.831 whereas to & from Los Angeles is INR 5,60,320. www.singaporeair.com compiled by MANAVI SIDDHANTI
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AIRLINES & AIRPORTS FEATURE
Qatar Airways that is rated as the world's best airline by Skytrax combines comfort, spaciousness and outstanding service in their Business Class cabins, aside from the latest technology. To stay on top of your game in your business on the ground, they figure, you need the best experience in the air. GO NOW brings you details of the five star luxury in the sky.
QATAR BUSINESS An Office in the Sky
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he moment you walk into the sophisticated and elegant business class cabin of Qatar airways, you will realize that it’s been designed for comfort. The seats (vary between 24 and 42 depending on the aircraft) laid out in 2+2+2 give you more room, enabling you to feel totally at ease. The ultra-comfortable seats that are reclinable to 180 degrees are rich in technology and features that make the flight both productive and enjoyable for the guests.
Fully flat beds with built-in massager Guests on the new Boeing 777s will enjoy fully flat bets that would keep them well rested during the flight. Added to this is the 14
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QA’s Services and Network Qatar Airways flies to over 100 diverse business and leisure destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America with a modern fleet of 98 aircraft. More than 50 per cent of the airline's international route network is in the Asia Pacific and Africa region.It has orders worth over US$ 40 billion for more than 200 aircraft, including Boeing 787s, 777s, Airbus A350s, A380s, A320 Family of aircraft and Bombardier corporate jets. The expansion of Qatar Airways prompted the State of Qatar to embark on one of its biggest projects – a brand new international airport in Doha, which is scheduled to open in 2012. For a busy traveller, Qatar Airways can be a one stop solution for online-check in for up to 36 hours before departure time and even use your mobile device as a boarding pass. Apart from tracking existing bookings, destination guides are also added. You can also make hotel bookings over 130 cities, arrange car rentals in 90 countries or book a complete Qatar Airways Holiday package.
AIRLINES & AIRPORTS FEATURE generous legroom that allows one to stretch comfortably. What's more, each seat has a built in massager (with 8 in-seat massage settings) that would help you relax. Undoubtedly the Business Class is tailored to all your comfort needs – from cotton-lined pure wool blankets and 100% cotton sleeper suits to luxurious Molton Brown amenity kits that are given to all passengers especially on longhaul flights.
Business as usual With your own personal space that your seats provide you can carry out your business, focusing on the task at hand, attending to all matters discreetly. Even as you stay connected with a laptop power outlet, USB plug, personal telephone, you will have access to live news coverage and newspapers from around the world. Some aircraft are also fitted with the new OnAir service which enables smart phone use in flight.
When hunger calls Guests can actually dine when they want with special on-board menus, designed exclusively, with multiple options to choose from. You are of course greeted with the sig-
A Premium Terminal at Doha Qatar Airways is the only airline which has a separate terminal for First and Business Class passengers in the Doha airport with all amenities including a spa. Fine dining, state-ofthe-art business facilities, secretarial services, and complimentary Wi-Fi are available to satisfy all your business needs. Instead of announcements, personal attention from Qatar executives is given to passengers at the time of check-ins. Passengers are entitled to a checked baggage allowance of 30 kg total for all routes excluding transatlantic in which case they are allowed two pieces, each not exceeding 32 kg. All routes have a carry-on allowance of two pieces not exceeding 15 kg total (50x37x25 cm).
factfile COST BOM-DOH-BOM – Rs.27,629, approximately inclusive of all taxes DEL-DOH-DEL – Rs.37,149 approximately inclusive of all taxes Reservation: qatarairways.com/in Contact center +91 079 3061 6000
nature welcome drink and hot or cold refreshing cotton towels. But you can choose to dine, breakfast or snack depending on your body clock. And then you have the choicest old and new world wines selected from exclusive wineries to choose from, other than coffee or tea that are served from individual porcelain sets.
A world of entertainment Enjoy a wide selection of world-class audio and video entertainment options with Qatar's state-of-the-art Oryx Entertainment System. You can take command of your personal screen on the wide-body aircraft and choose from over 1,000 entertainment options-movies, television, video games, and music. www.qatarairways.com compiled by ESTHER WILLIAMS
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TRAVEL BUZZ
Discover the Beauty of Oman The magic of nature at its best, that's what Oman offers. The land changes from dry wadis to lush green oases, from vast unending plains to mighty mountains, from golden brown sands to aquamarine seas teaming with marine life. There's definitely something for everyone -the manicured city of Muscat with the souks, museums, forts and castles; the rugged terrains of Jebel Akhdar and the beautiful dolphins in the clear waters of Oman. Carnation Holidays offers a 4N/5D package that includes accommodation (twin sharing) with breakfast, Airport-Hotel transfers, dolphin watching, shopping tours, day trip to Nizwa, dity tours, return airfare-ex Delhi, visa and taxes. Cost: Rs 67,999. Phone: 46100200 / 997134099 Email: info@carnationtravels.com
Bohemia Winter Special: Mandarin Oriental, Prague For those dreaming of a Prague Christmas, the Christmas in Bohemia package is an ideal choice. The two-night package, with additional nights available for B&B rates, includes daily buffet breakfast ,one-hour sightseeing ride and special access privileges to the hotel’s magical christmas Grotto with Santa Claus accepting visitors. Package rates start from EUR 385 per night based on a two nights’ stay for two in a Deluxe Garden room. Valid till 8 January 2012, additional nights are available for a B&B rate. The New Year’s Eve in Prague 3 night package includes champagne on arrival, daily buffet breakfast, six-course festive New Year’s Eve dinner and New Year’s Day breakfast alongwith handmade Czech crystal souvenirs.Package rates start from EUR 450 per night based on a three night’s stay for
two in a Deluxe room, with additional nights available for B&B rates. The package is available till 2 January 2012. For more information or to book, please contact reservations at +420 233 088 888, E-mail: moprg-reservations@mohg.com or log on www.mandarinoriental.com
A World of Gambling, Nightlife and Heritage Barely an hour from the Hong Kong International airport, Macau features the best of traditional Chinese culture and historical places. Furthermore you can enjoy incredible shopping, renowned gourmet, world class hotels, amazing nightlife, invigorating spas, thrilling adventure and entertainment. SOTC offers a 5 day package to Macau with Hong Kong that includes 2 nights accommodation in Macau, 2 nights accommodation in Hong Kong, half day city tours of Macau and Hong Kong, transfers and ferry tickets. Cost: Rs. 20,099. Phone: 1800 209 3344. www.sotc.in
Egypt at its Best A trip to Egypt can be a fascinating experience. From the Great Pyramids at Giza, the Khan El Khaliji Bazaars in Cairo to a cruise down the mystical Nile River, the trip promises memories that you will treasure forever. The 7D package includes return airfare, visa, transfers, accommodation and most meals. The trip features visits to Cairo, the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, Nile cruise, Kom Ombo Temple, the Luxur Temple complex and more. Departures from Mumbai, New Delhi and Hyderabad. Cost: Twin sharing Rs. 60,399 Valid till 30 April, 12 Contact: www.makemytrip.com
Explore Germany and All its Facets Orbitz Premium Holidays offers a unique 6D7N package to Germany, the land of ideas. Not only will the trip take you to the open secrets of Germany (Black Forest, Heidelberg Castle, Titisee and Dresden), it will cover the country's magic cities - Berlin, Hannover, Dusseldorf and Cologne and the auto world – BMW, Audi, Volkswagen and Mercedes Museums and the fairy tale route that includes Hamelin, Kassel and Bremen. The package includes transportation, accommodation in 4 star hotels, daily breakfast and dinner and sightseeing. Cost: from Euro 1520 pp. Phone: 011 45051302 / 09 / 04 www.orbit-star.com compiled by ESTHER WILLIAMS
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TRAVEL BUZZ
It was that time of the year when the US Travel Association hosted its annual trade mission in Delhi and Mumbai. With India considerably contributing to international arrivals to the US, 28 representatives promoted their states for leisure.
HARRY POTTER
Among New Experiences in
AMERICA I
ndia hosted the annual fifth trade mission, US Travel Association recently. In order to promote US as the next vacation destination, delegates representing state, prominent hotel chains along with travel agents at events organised in Delhi and Mumbai, spent time interacting with tour operators and airline representatives. In 2010, annual visitation to the United States from India increased by 18 percent, according to the US Department of ComUniversal Park, Florida
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merce-Office of Travel and Tourism Industries (OTTI). “India is a dynamic, burgeoning travel market,” said Malcolm Smith, vice president of business development for the U.S. Travel Association “and we look forward to continuing to build relationships and develop business opportunities between our two countries.” The heart of U.S. Travel’s plan is to increase staffing, reduce visa interview wait time and expand the Visa Waiver Program.
TRAVEL BUZZ
Red & White Cruises, San Francisco
A Universal experience in Orlando, Florida Universal’s Orlando is a completely separate destination featuring two theme parks, three magnificently themed on-site hotels and a night time entertainment complex. After the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter guests can enjoy the adventures of Potter and relive the story and its locations. According to Tom Williams, chairman and CEO for Universal Parks and Resorts, “The adventures of Harry Potter are among the most popular of our time – and we are bringing them to life.” Other attractions include Shrek 4-D, Spiderman, Agent J and the biggest Hard Rock hotel in the world.
Sunny side up: Tourism in California Participating in this association since 2008, The California Travel & Tourism Commission (CTTC) opened its representative office in early 2010 to further provide assistance to the Indian market. California is the only year round destination in the United States; as it has mild weather conditions year round. “Due to its diversity”, said Antonette Eckert, Director of Asia Marketing, “there are a variety of attractions like theme parks, beautiful beaches, shopping, outdoor activities, golf and vineyard tours.”
Bollywood cruises in San Franscisco Marriott Marquis, Times Square
“We have seen a continuous increase in the number of leisure, educational and corpo-
rate clients aboard our cruises of San Francisco Bay,” said Stefan Merkl, VP, Sales & Marketing, Red and White Fleet. They have started to offer Bollywood- themed cruises for MICE clients looking for a private cruise of San Francisco Bay. “With the capacity of entertain a 100 people, this concept has been well received” continued Merkl, “and we have had a series of groups welcomed aboard during this season already.” The cruise generally includes Indian catering (Jain & vegetarian friendly options available), Bollywood dancing and music, and drinks in a casual and fun atmosphere.
NYC Marriot Marquis One of the biggest hotels in the heart of Times Square, Marriott Marquis plays host to thousands of international visitors who come to discover New York in a big way. According to Leon Goldberg, Director of Sales & Marketing, “The hotel is walking distance to theatres, shopping and major NYC attractions.” The hotel’s recent $39 million renovation includes brand new sleek room décor, the exciting Broadway Lounge overlooking Times Square, and the dramatic new restaurant and lounge, Crossroads. Other players included Fairmont Raffles Hotel International, Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau; Hilton New York and Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau. by MANAVI SIDDHANTI
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TRAVEL BUZZ Club Med’s Premium allinclusive package includes: • Twin-share Accommodation • All meals included with free-flow of wine, beer and beverages during Lunch and Dinner • All-Day Bar and Snacking • Sports & Leisure Activities with Expert tuition • Club Med Baby Welcome • Supervised Kids Club (Ages 4-11) • Unique Nightly entertainment
Club Med Holidays: All-inclusive Packages at Family Beach Resorts
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very Club Med Resort is an invitation to a world of different cultures and traditions. Each of them has trained and friendly multilingual guest officers who are professional and committed, keen to provide exceptional customer service. How would you like, to holiday at a destination where all you need to do is relax while everything else is taken care of? Club Med, a leader in upscale personalized holidays has 80 resorts across the world that offer a perfect escape for families, couples and friends. The resorts have on offer an incredible variety of activities that are carried out in stunning surroundings, matched with unrivalled services. Whether you chose to relax and simply do nothing or avail of all that the Club Med facilities offer, you can do so with peace of mind knowing that all activities and services are included in your holiday price, set in advance. Perhaps you can consider a Club Med holiday as a unique opportunity for you to, participate in activities you have never done before or enjoy the company of your friends and family while indulging in delightful gourmet cuisine and lavish accommodation, set amidst picturesque surroundings. compiled by ESTHER WILLIAMS
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Winter 2011 offers
Second Adult Enjoys 50% Discount on Stay: AVAILABLE FOR RESORTS Club Med Bali - Indonesia The renovated Resort of Bali is one of Club Med’s most beautiful, an Indian Ocean pearl set in the Sunda archipelago. By the side of the pool is a lounge bar with contemporary lines, an ideal location to relax with friends and family. Club Med Phuket - Thailand In Kata Bay, south of Phuket Island, the Club Med Resort stretches out under palm trees. Bungalows, built in the style of the
local “long-houses” and decorated with teak, silk and marble, define a Zen spirit in a garden where you can practise yoga beneath the trees. Colorful fish and flora are visible in the clear sea and guests have the opportunity to discover Thai culture. Cherating Beach - Malaysia Cherating Beach is located on the eastern coastline of Malaysia and resembles a tropical Eden on the shores of a jade colored sea. With its bungalows on stilts nestling among dense vegetation, this 197 acre Club Med Resort provides ample opportunity to see the macaws, gibbons, giant lizards, rare species of birds and multicolored butterflies. Club Med Kani - Maldives This island in the Maldives archipelago, exclusively reserved for Club Med resort guests, is dotted with 75 Suites on Stilts which, viewed from above, resemble a giant palm tree growing out across the lagoon. Between diving in the underwater depths and the pleasure of sampling the exquisite flavors of Asia, Kani is an Eden for all lovers. Minimum Stay: 3 Nights Travel Validity: 1st November’11 31st March’12. Booking Validity: 1st November’11 - 30th December’11
TRAVEL BUZZ
The Sullivan Estate & Spa, Hawaii
Live the Dream of Exclusivity The Sullivan Estate & Spa in Hawaii is not just any spa operation offering massages but a complete research based anti stress center. GO NOW brings you details of this exclusive property that plays host to global celebrities
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ocated a 90 minute drive from Honolulu on Oahu’s north shore, The Sullivan Estate spread over an area of 5.2 acres has stunning views of the clear blue sea. The chief force behind the operation is Juergen Klein, a doctor of naturopathy, who uses scents and aromas for their in-house treatments that de-stress and rejuvenate, while his wife Karin takes care of the day to day operations of the estate, ensuring their team delivers exceptional service and exquisite cuisine. Luxury is all about privacy and exclusivity and at The Sullivan Estate you can be assured of both, not just within the confines of your room but having the entire resort for your pleasure. For this reason, over the years, the property has played host to the rich and famous from America, Europe and Asia other than important celebrities from Hollywood and the corporate sector.
factfile How to get there: The best route to take is New Delhi to Tokyo, the duration of the flight being 7 hours further on to Tokyo, Honolulu, also 7 hours duration. The Sullivan Resort & Spa is about 45 minutes from the Honolulu airport.
pressure points. The range of treatments includes – Synergized, Relaxed/Balanced, Purified/Light, Beautiful/Rejuvenated and Longevity: Fit & Invigorated.
India is a key market The property is currently being promoted very exclusively in India, targeting high net worth individuals on a personal basis. The group is also working with key luxury outbound agents to sell the Sullivan Estate experience; and with high profile celebrity wedding planners as there is a lot of interest for an exclusive estate on the sea for a honeymoon break.
A research based anti-stress centre The Spa features the unique and patented JK 7 Spa Sensator. Treatments and solutions are meted out to those suffering from stress, depression, health and weight problems, or simply feeling out of harmony with life and the world. Significantly, the treatments are non-invasive and neither surgery nor drugs are used as they are based solely on a combination of enhanced natural therapies to harmonize unbalanced states of the body, mind and psyche. Also, the Spa provides unique body treatments and facials, signa-
Exclusive for individual use ture massages and offers yoga, tai chi, qui gong, guided meditation, ancient natural therapies and holistic health consultations geared for the body and mind.
Customised treatments What makes the Sullivan spa treatments unique? Guests are allowed to choose from a range of JK7™ OlaLoa Signature Packages which are combination spa treatments that take 3 to 6 hours. Further, all treatments are customized to suit individuals comprising a combination of scents, aromas, water and
The Sullivan Estate is given out exclusively for individual use. At USD 1500 per room for a minimum of 6 rooms, the cost includes complimentary spa rejuvenation treatments and organic breakfast. To have an exclusive 5 acre resort for just 12 guests is actually living the dream of exclusivity. Add to that a world class spa experience which is out of the ordinary and you can be assured of an unforgettable experience. www.sullivanestate.com compiled by MANAVI SIDDHANTI
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If you want a holiday where you can watch baby turtles hatch on the beach, meet sea gypsies and learn about their culture or laze on a pristine stretch of sand, then here are a few choices to explore this vacation season.
RENTING LUXURY VILLAS IN
PHUKET
Anantara Resort & Spa, Mai Khao
Situated in the serenity of Mai Khao Beach, this resort is a 15 minute drive from Phuket International Airport and a short drive from other beaches of South Anantara. Each of its 83 plush villas, come with a 33 square meter pool set either within landscaped gardens leading to the sea, or, a stunning lagoon surrounded by bamboo water fountains lit by flamed torches.
Lifesized rooms with wine cellars & terrazzo tubs Reminiscent of a southern Thai village, every villa boasts an expansive 180 square metres of living space. Inside, the room is furnished with authentic Thai furniture and a day bed with use of colourful silks. A beautiful bathroom featuring an Anantara signature outdoor terrazzo tub is made for two, along with outdoor rain showers. Further, a full range of modern touches such as an iPod with docking station, LCD TV and DVD surround sound system are available. The resident bar is brimmed with gourmet snacks and beverages along with a wine cellar. Some villas boast private dining salas that can be reached via rustic wooden walkways across the tranquil waters of the lagoon.
High concept dining at La Sala, The Tasting Room At The Tasting Room, guests can indulge in personally designed menus created by the Executive Chef including special cheese and charcuterie, paired flawlessly with the perfect bottle of wine selected by the resident Wine Guru from the Private Wine Cellar. For a lavish breakfast buffet and gourmet a la factfile carte, La Sala serves Sicilian specialities. Anantara Resort & Spa, Mai Khao 15 minute drive from Phuket The Tree House ofInternational Airport fers Thai fusion tapas Package: From USD 534 to USD 3,145 whereas seafood For more information log onto: and barbeques are www.phuket.anantara.com found at their beachFor reservations please call 0008006501240 or email side restaurant, Sea. www.sales.india@lhw-offices.com Fire. Salt. 22
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WORLD TRAVELLER DESTINATION Garden Pool Villa, Anantara Resort
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WORLD TRAVELLER DESTINATION
Amanpuri, Pansea
Sri Panwa, Cape Panwa
A place of peace nestled amongst coconut palms above a crescentshaped beach by the brilliant turquoise sea, Amanpuri by Aman Resorts is on the coast of Kra Isthmus. Situated above Pansea, Amanpuri is a 30-minute drive from Phuket International airport. Complimentary private limousine transfers to and from the airport are offered to guests.
An oasis of tropical luxury, Sri Panwa, Phuket is home to 60 spacious pool villas nestled in 32 acres of lush virgin rainforest. Perched on the remote headland of Cape Panwa on the south-eastern tip of Phuket and boasting spectacular views of the south-eastern Andaman Sea, Sri Panwa is a 45-minute drive from Phuket International Airport.
30 villa homes, live in maid & cook
The luxury pool villa estate is located on the south-eastern tip of Phuket with one to two bedroom hotel pool villas and larger residential homes, nestled in more than 12 hectares of virgin rain forest. Sri Panwa offers complete privacy with factfile infinity swimming pools complete with Sri Panwa, Cape Panwa a jet stream Jacuzzi 45-minute drive from Phuket system, wrapped International Airport. seamlessly around Package: For a couple, packages start from US$1500 the glass-enclosed bedrooms. Designed For more information log onto: www.capepanwa.com in a Tropical ConFor reservations, email at temporary style, info@lushescapes.com both exteriors and interiors have been crafted to the highest standard and custom-built to follow the natural contours of the Panwa cape. Each villa has large bedrooms dressed with the finest linens and apart from an outdoor bathing area with a separate rain shower, each has a steam room and a sunset pavilion of its own. With this, sunrise and sunset views and crystal clear waters are a sliding door away.
A resort where nature and culture harmoniously merge, luxury is found in the graciousness of 40 pavilions each featuring an outdoor sala, a king-size bed, separate bath and shower. Adjacent to the resort and shaded by coconut palms are 30 Villa Homes, many of them with ocean-front settings. Each villa consists of two to six separate bedrooms finished with Thai furnishings, art and antiques. The Villas also enjoy a private pool plus living and dining salas. A live-in maid and cook attend to all guests’ needs, including the preparation of Thai cuisine in a private kitchen. These villas are not only ideal for accommodation purposes but also for weddings, special events and business meetings. Wireless broadband connection is available in all resort accommodation and public areas.
factfile Amanpuri Pansea 30-minute drive from Phuket International airport.
Dining options: The Terrace, Beach Club
The Terrace offers casual, all-day dining Package: For a couple, packages in an alfresco setting starts from US$ 1500 and features Thai For more information log onto: and European spewww.amanresorts.com/amanpuri cialties. A cocktail For reservations, email at info@lushescapes.com bar and lounge seating is also available at the Beach Club. From late November to April, weather and tide permitting, torch-lit barbecues are held on the beach in the evening. 24
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Luxury pool villas steeped in rainforests
Dining, spa and weddings Food and beverage options include Baba Dining for all day and Baba Pool Club for lounging and enjoying cocktail hours. The resort also employs Cool Spa to unwind and relax whilst enjoying the scenic views of the Andaman sea.
WORLD TRAVELLER DESTINATION
Evason Phuket & Bon Island, Rawai Evason Phuket & Bon Island is located at Rawai beach on the southeastern side of Phuket. It is an easy and scenic 45-minute drive from Phuket International Airport to the resort. Set amongst 64-acres of beautifully landscaped tropical parklands and gardens, and overlooking the Andaman Sea makes Evason follow the Six Senses philosophy offering guests a vast array of personal services and facilities. Dispersed amongst five low rise buildings in a lush tropical garden setting, there are a total of 260 accommodations including pool villas and honeymoon villas at Bon Island.
factfile Uncoventional design, modern touches
Evason Phuket & Bon Island is located at Rawai 45-minute drive from Phuket International Airport.
The Evason Pool VilPackage: For a couple, packages start las feature a fresh from US$1500 and unconventional For more information log onto: design, which is enwww.sixsenses.com/Evason-Phuket. tirely new for Phuket. For reservations, email at Apart from a 200 info@lushescapes.com or call on +91-98118-71888. square meter room, the villa is furnished with a swimming pool, outdoor Sala and a daybed. Most rooms have bright, open-style bathrooms so as to create more space and light in the room. A totally new approach to materials, finishes and colours contribute to a refreshing new holiday experience. The villas also come with lotus tubs, outdoor shower units and a double vanity unit. Modern facilities like home theatre and satellite TV are also included.
Dining & recreational facilities The main restaurant is ‘Into the View’ for all day dining whereas ‘Into the Sea’ and Into Thai offer Meditterean and Asian gourmet food. Infinity Bar and Pool Bars make good locations to relax and unwind. compiled by MANAVI SIDDHANTI
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It used to be a sleepy coastal village until the King chose to build his summer retreat in the latter part of the 19th century-and now, in the final chapter of the town’s evolution, Hua Hin has transformed into Thailand’s oasis for golfers. The town’s transformation has not affected its leisurely air and unspoiled charm, adding instead more than half-a-dozen world-class layouts, making it the perfect getaway for golfers in Asia.
Breaking Par in
HUA HIN W
e’re on the front nine of the Royal Hua Hin Golf Club, the oldest golf club in Thailand when my playing partner points to a bit of thick undergrowth behind one of the greens and says in a matter of fact way, “Twenty years ago I saw Tiger there.” Setaphan Buddhani, who works with the Tourism of Thailand, has been playing at the course for the past two decades and is usually not prone to exaggeration. “Really?” responds a perplexed member of our group, adding, “I know his mother’s Thai but I didn’t realize he’d been playing here since he was so young!” “No, no,” says Buddhani in exasperation. “I don’t mean Tiger Woods; I saw (a) real tiger there!” It’s not really that hard to imagine. Royal Hua Hin GC, which opened way back in the early 1920s, is still surrounded by lush tropical forest and still has an old-style parkland feel to it. We’re exploring golf courses in Hua Hin, the small resort town on the west coast of the Gulf of Thailand which has, over the past couple of years, become Thailand’s hottest golf destination. Hua Hin is Thailand’s oldest seaside holiday town. It’s been the preferred haunt of the royal family and has several palaces built by erstwhile kings. Both - His highness, Bhu26
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mibol Adulyadej, the current monarch, and Queen Sirikit now mainly reside at their summer palace in Hua Hin, called ‘Klai Kangwon’ (‘far from worries’). In the 1980s, the town saw a flurry of development catering primarily to affluent Thais from Bangkok. The first to come up were condominiums along the seafront, and then came the golf courses. Golfers are confronted with a surfeit of golf courses: most make a beeline for the toprated Black Mountain course, designed by
Exploring Hua Hin Go kitesurfing on Hua Hin’s expansive, uncluttered white sand beaches which are also perfect for getting a tan. Most of the resorts are located along the stretch overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, and access to the beach is no more than a minute’s walk. For gastronomes the night market on Dechanuchit road is a must-see. The market has a bustling atmosphere with a host of street food joints, clothes and knick knacks. The street food is clean and safe to try. For an incredible variety of seafood (served on a rooftop), have dinner at the popular Chao Lay restaurant. The Waco Science Park with its glass tunnels through huge aquariums full of marine life is a huge draw.
WORLD TRAVELLER DESTINATION
Golfing in Hua Hin Black Mountain Golf Club 18 holes, 7343 yards, Par 72 Designed by Phil Ryan (2007) Travel time (from Hua Hin): 20 minutes Green fee: Rs. 4500 Banyan Golf Club 18 holes, 7361 yards, par 72 Designed by Golf East Co. (2008) Travel time: 15 minutes Green fee: Rs. 5,300 Royal Hua Hin Golf Course 18 holes, 6678 yards, par 72 Designed by O.A. Robbins (1924) Travel time: 5 minutes Green fee: Rs. 3700 Springfield Royal Country Club 27 holes, 7000+ yards (each 18 holes), par 72(18) Designed by Jack Nicklaus (1993) Travel time: 25 minutes Green fee: Rs. 5,500 Imperial Lake View 36 holes, 14,191 yards, par 72 (each 18 holes). Designed by Roger Packard (1993) Travel time: 20 minutes Green fee: Rs. 3,600 Majestic Creek Country Club 18 holes, 6961 yards, par 72 Designed by Sukitti Klangvisai (1993) Travel time: 30 minutes Green fee: Rs. 4,000 Palm Hills Resort and Country Club 18 holes, 6890 yards, par 72 Designed by Max Wexler (1991) Distance from Hua Hin: 15 minutes Green fee: Rs. 3,600 Hua Hin Seoul Country Club 18 holes, 6614 yards, par 72 Designed by Robert McFarland (1992) Travel time: 25 minutes Green fee: Rs. 1,400 Sawang Resort Golf Club 18 holes, 6959 yards, par 72 Designed by Isao Ikatsumata (1993) Travel time: 50 minutes Green fee: Rs. 2,500
Resort overview by night
Australian Phil Ryan and scene of this year’s dramatic capitulation by the Asian team to their European counterparts on the final day of the Ryder Cup-styled Royal Trophy. Set in the shadow of the Black Mountain, and dominated by rocky outcrop, this is one of the newest additions in the area (it opened in 2007). Black Mountain is a modern layout characterized by large greens and peppered with bunkers (highlighted by red pampas grass, very common on courses in Thailand). Among Black Mountain’s features are rock faces set in to the mountains and natural creeks that run through the course. The par-3 11th is Ryan’s signature hole: it has a November 2011 GO NOW
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WORLD TRAVELLER DESTINATION Beach front
Boarding and Lodging As with the rest of Thailand there is something for every budget and a decent room in the town can be booked for as little as Rs 900. If you’re looking fro something plusher, then check into the Sheraton, a ten minute drive from the town centre just off the newly constructed main highway to Bangkok. The hotel has mid to high range suites and rooms, a great spa and packages for golfers starting at Rs.8200 (for a couple) a day. Our stopover on the trip –the Imperial Beach resort is a smaller, quieter property, nestled next to the sea and quite economical. Ocean suite room, Sheraton Hua Hin Resort
Imperial Beach Resort For bookings log on to www.imperialhotels.com/imperialhuahin or call +66 (0) 2261 9000 Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa For bookings log on to www.sheraton.com/huahin or call +66(0)32 708 000
green cradled by a wall of white stones and protected by an expanse of water. The course also has dramatic elevation changes which make for interesting tee shots, none more so than on the downhill par-5 sixth hole, with its twin fairways. Johan Edfors, the European Tour pro from Sweden (and part of the Royal Trophywinning team in 2011), spends most of his winter breaks in a sprawling villa at the GC. Edfors’ enthusiasm for his tropical home spilled over to teammates Henrik Stenson and Frederik Andersson Hed, who decided to stick around at Black Mountain after the Royal Trophy. “The weather is great and the facilities for play and practice are excellent… We’re going to stay back to practice and prepare for the season ahead,” enthused Stenson. The pros’ endorsement of Hua Hin came 28
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as no surprise to golfers familiar with the town. Just a couple of hours by road from Bangkok, Hua Hin and adjacent Cha Am offer the itinerant swinger a choice of over 10 championship layouts within an hour’s drive of the town centre. Another relatively new addition is the similarly striking Banyan Golf Club, which opened three years back. Banyan is a long driver’s delight, with many holes featuring elevated tees. Water comes into play on most holes and precision hitters have equal opportunities to make up strokes via alternative routes, especially on holes such as the fifth, eighth and the 16th, each of which force a decision off the tee because of a lone tree lurking in the middle of the fairway. It’s difficult not to make a comparison with courses back home, as unfair as that might
seem. At the Springfield Golf Club, which recently hosted the Asian Tour’s qualifying school; your bag is taken from the car and deposited on the first tee at your designated tee-off time. The caddies are exceedingly polite, and a member of the GC’s hospitality comes around in a club cart just as you finish the front nine to ask if you need anything. Between holes, the club manager gives you local insights into the best restaurants in town, and what to do in your free time once you’re off the course. The entire machinery, it seems, is geared towards taking care of visiting golfers and making their trip memorable. The only barrier is language: most Thais do not speak English very well but it’s obvious that they’ve dealt with the impediment long enough to be able to surmount it (which they do rather well through gesticulations, and with a smattering of the language). At just over five hours’ flying time from New Delhi (and less from Mumbai), Hua Hin makes a strong case as a golf destination for golfers. Miles and miles of virgin beaches, an almost complete absence of sleaze, and some of the most delectable seafood the country has to offer also make it an ideal family getaway. by MERAJ SHAH IN HUA HIN
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PAU The Keys to Provincial FRANCE Discover the joys of provincial France at Pau. With a bottle of Jurancon and a full-tank, take the high road to the Haute Pyrenees, to the beaches of luxurious Biarritz , or the pilgrim path to Lourdes.
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A vista of the Pyrenees wearing its autumn colours
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I
t is entirely true that some of the world’s best travel-destinations are places you’ve never heard of, and whose name you’d pronounce wrong if you did. It’s pronounced ‘Po’, rhyming with ‘so’, and it is the main town of the Pyrenees-Atlantique region in the south-west of France.
Forever England And though people are only just rediscovering Pau, there was a time, about a hundred years ago, when the cream of English society holidayed here in the winter, just as they did at the Riviera and Nice. They came to Pau for it’s mild, pleasant climate; and like the British always do (as we in India well know ), they created here, an island of British culture. There was hunting, polo, golf, backgammon, crinolines and coat-tails, and even tea-parties in this land of wine-drinkers ! And in a rare demonstration of French tolerance for the English, many of these strange English traditions have been faithfully preserved. The Pau
Hunt still rides on complete with scarlet waist-coats, hunting horn and hounds. Just like our Ooty Hunt in the Nilgiris lives on, almost 70 years after Independence. For golfing enthusiasts, Pau has continental Europe’s oldest golf course. The Pau Golf Club was established in 1856 by the English. Here you may tee off beside a clear mountain stream against a backdrop of the beautiful Pyrenees.
Do Like a Palois Does Pau has a deliciously laid-back, cosmopolitan ambience. Because it is a University town, there are young people thronging the terraced street-cafés and shopping areas around stone-paved pedestrian streets. It is filled with medieval and Renaissance architecture, and many homes and hotels are Victorian villas that were built by the rich English visitors of the 19th century. Running for a mile along the edge of a hill, is the Boulevard des Pyrenees that provides a dream view of 50 miles of mountain panorama. On
Streets of Saint-Jean-de-Luz. The infant is carried in a sling made from a traditional Basque weave 32
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Conference in Pau For workaholic corporates who imagine the world would shudder to a halt if they took a holiday; Pau offers the perfect pretext for a guilt-free break. A Conference at the beautiful Palais Beaumont. It’s a 19th century palace set in acres of rolling parkland with vistas of the snow-capped Pyrenees. The Palais is a member of the Historic Conference Centres of Europe. It has a brand new Convention Centre, some 22 halls, a casino and two restaurants. Pau has an international airport that provides the easiest connections to India via Paris or London. hcce.com
the other side of these mountains, barely 50 kms. away, is Spain. The Boulevard is where townspeople come to jog, watch the sunsets over the Pyrenees, and walk their dogs : judging by the sheer number of exotic canines here, dogs are clearly a very significant part of Pau culture. It’s a garden city – perhaps
A rider warms up at a practice session at the International Horse Trials at Pau
4 Star International Horse Trials Another throwback to their English heritage is the Palois’ love for horses. The Domaine de Sers here, is a beautiful 70 hectare meadow with 200 stables housing some 700 thoroughbreds. Some of the world’s top blue-blooded racing horses are stabled and trained here, including those of Sheikh al Makhtoum of Dubai, and the Aga Khan. The legendary trainer Jean-Paul Rouget now lives and owns a yard here. As horses trained by him continue to rake in winnings, provincial Pau could slowly be edging ahead of the stylish Chantilly Racecourse, considered to be the champagne of French racing. Good blood-lines go to stud, and then the conversation in the stables is only about sex, sex and more sex. If it’s not beautiful, smooth-flanked fillies being brought in to seduce the star race-horse ; it’s about semen collection. Here the stud is conned
into doing the deed with a wooden-filly, and it is somewhat worrying to see that more often than not, he seems to prefer a wooden doll to a real mare. Now if that is not a clear statement about the working of the male mind, I don’t know what is. France has effectively kept out the bookie mafia from the business of betting. France has the Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU) – a statecontrolled betting system where a certain amount of the winnings is kept by the State and non-profit Race Organizations to benefit their investments. A truly wonderful time to be in this city is during the Les Etoiles de Pau, the 4star International Horse Trials. The 3 day equestrian event held every October in Pau, is one of five most important Eventing competitions in the world - the equivalent of the legendary Badminton horse-trials. The 2011 races held from October 22nd to 26th
will see such legends as William Fox Pitt (UK), Joe Meyer (NZL), Oliver Townsend (GB) and Andrew Nicholson (NZ) ride their fabulous horses in Dressage, CrossCountry and Jumping tests. The Les Etoiles weekend brings the Palois and their dogs out in droves, to spend the day out in the mellow autumn sun watching the cross-country hurdles. Children pile into traditional horse-drawn carriages or onto ponies for a ride around the Domaine. Fair stalls sell equestrian equipment, rural crafts, wine, clothes, souvenirs and champagne. Snack-bars offer food and fresh oysters with winetastings ! There are comics in fancy-dress fooling around the paddocks. It is the quintessential French country experience – informal and with plenty of good food and drink. Entry passes are from 16 to 30 euro depending on grandstand seats.
that’s another English legacy. With rolling parkland and scores of gardens, it has more green space per inhabitant than any other European city. When in Pau, do as the Palois – music is underscored in red in the cultural calendar of the town. There are symphonic orchestras, jazz and classical concerts, rock gigs and somehow, all this music seems to resound so much better in the acoustics of the mind, when you know you are ensconced in an amphitheatre of mountains. Even when Pau hosts high octane, glamorous international sporting events like the Grand Prix Formula F3, or the 4star International Horse Trials, or when the Tour de
France comes roaring in, the town retains it’s relaxed, provincial atmosphere. Families with babies, dogs and picnic baskets turn up to loaf and lounge at the venues. So different from the hype and over-priced tickets of Delhi’s own F1 races this month.
world’s most important Catholic pilgrimage sites. And though you rarely see Indian tourists in this corner of France, at Lourdes you may spot Indian nuns and Keralite Catholics. It’s a beautiful medieval town with basilicas, crypts, miraculous founts and shrines that grew around the site of the Marion apparitions. It’s steep streets are filled with stories – the place where St. Bernadette’s father baked bread, the spot where she first communed with the Virgin, the prison where she was incarcerated. Every evening a candle-light procession of the sick and the elderly in wheelchairs fills the stone-paved Square in front of the gilded mosaic arches of the Church of Our Lady of
Gateway to the Region Pau is serendipitously positioned. A couple of hours drive south-west is the glamourous seaside resort of Biarritz. An hour and a half south-east takes you high into hot-springs, skiing and hiking trails in the Haute Pyrenees. Another short drive and you are in Spain. An hour south-east of Pau is Lourdes, one of the
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F3 cars at the Pau-Arnos training circuit
GRAND PRIX DE PAU Pau has a secret vice. On the surface it’s a sedate, dignified provincial town. But every now and then, in the manner of a demure school-teacher whipping off her spectacles and turning into a sexy siren it steps on the brakes, revs it’s mean machines to a roar, and hurtles screeching and scorching rubber, down it’s tree-lined boulevards. These streets are the oldest city-racing circuit in the world - the scene of the first Formula One Grand Prix in 1901. Pau hosted it’s last Formula1 race in 1963. This year in May, it hosted the Grand Prix de Pau Formula3 races. The short, tight and demanding 2.76 km. Pau circuit is
more exciting than even Monaco for sheer knuckle-whitening acceleration. The sight of the Lotus, Peugeot and Renault cars streaking and swerving under medieval bridges is so much more exciting than a sterile, modern circuit. It was exciting also to see the lone Indian participant, 17 year old Parth Ghorpade, an F4 driver from Kolhapur, supported by Amaron, finish in the 8th position. On the weekend before the serious business of F3 racing at the Event, there was the additional treat of seeing venerable vintage cars trundling up the steep inclines. Speed enthusiasts with private sports-cars could also take to the tracks and give free rein to
Lourdes. The stirring hymn of Ave Maria rings out clear and strong in Latin and many other languages – it is hard not to be moved by the spirit of this place. Not far from this cloister of piety is Biarritz with an entirely different sort of spirit. Biarritz is a stylish beach-resort washed by the cold Atlantic sea. It’s where the rich and famous come to sun themselves, detox and shop at the expensive boutiques. It’s where, in the 19th century, fashionable royalty from all across Europe, the Middle East and Russia and even India (as evidenced by a photo up in the bar, of a knobbly-kneed Kapurthala in tight swimming briefs) holidayed at the gold and stucco confection of the Hotel du Palais. A stay at the Palais has got to be on everyone’s bucket list. An hour from here is Salies de Bearn, a town built around warm salt springs, said to
make women fertile. This is French Basque country, with Spanish Basque across the mountains. Basque is a land apart, with its own culture, staunchly Catholic and with its own sense of nationalism. It has a language unrelated to any tongue on earth and a DNA fingerprint that is unique and mysterious. Nearby is St. Jean-de-Luz – a fishing village –
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factfile How to Get There There are daily flights to Paris from Delhi and Mumbai. Pau is 700km or so from Paris. There are several flights daily.You can also travel by train from Paris to Pau. Check SNCF (www.sncf.com) or Rail Europe (www.raileurope.com) or visit www.bonjourlafrance.com for details. Rent a car, as Pau is easy driving distance to many tourist attractions in the southwest of France.
their fuel-fired fantasies. It is even possible for amateurs to hire a meanmachine for a day and take part in friendly races. Even cars assembled from junk in people’s back-yards had their turn on the track. At the edge of town, tucked away in an undulating green valley, is a place where you can truly unleash your inner speed fiend. The Pau-Arnos circuit can be used by professionals and amateurs. There are training programs on F3 cars. A drive on a Lotus or Cayman could cost upwards of 59, and Formula 3 and Legends cars could set you back by 170 or more for five laps, including briefing and recognition laps. A full day programme with four sessions of seven laps costs in the range of 550-625. circuit-pau-arnos.com.
with timber-framed houses and window-boxes overlooking cobbled streets, fine old Moorish cathedrals and a hundred stories to tell – of war and blood, whales and shipwrecks.
Tour de Gastronome Distances are small in these parts and the drive through the countryside is wonderfully picturesque. One can stop at artisan vineyards for tastings of vin de pays – country wines. The best dining in France is at wayside country inns where you can tuck into the freshest local produce – foie gras, roast wood-pigeon, platters of fresh cheese,tossed cepes mushrooms, crème brulee and a hundred gastronomic delights. All of this is completely new territory for the Indian traveler, so brush up on you bon jours and take the country-road to rural France. Text & photographs by BHARATI MOTWANI IN PAU
SRINAGAR. PHOTOGRAPH: TANMOY DAS
travel and discover a sub-continent
• WELCOME BACK TO KASHMIR • BUNDI THE HIDDEN KINGDOM • WALK TO EXPLORE AMRITSAR • KITTY SU SPARKLES DELHI NIGHTLIFE
TRAVEL BUZZ
Novotel Hyderabad
Combine Business with Pleasure at Accor Hotels Targeting the smart business traveller, Accor India introduces the Business Traveller Package that entitles guests to enjoy a stay equipped with all the facilities and conveniences essential to make their business trips the most productive. The package allows guests to stay for two nights in contemporary rooms with free breakfast and free internet at Ibis, Mercure and Novotel hotels in Pune, Lavasa, Gurgaon, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Accor Hotels in India are ideal for business meetings, equipped with a range of business facilities in adjustable meeting rooms, wireless internet access, audio and video equipment and fine dining restaurants. Cost: from USD 54 Valid until: December 15, 2011. www.accorhotels.com
Introductory offers at lebua New Delhi Latest entrant to the Delhi hospitality sector, lebua, New Delhi now offers special introductory rates that ensure a memorable and luxurious stay. The offer comes with accommodation in a superior room along with complimentary daily buffet breakfast at Culture CafĂŠ, in-suite Wi-Fi and free usage of fitness centre and swimming pool. The hotel has now launched its website that offers many useful functions for guests to reserve rooms online with real time confirmations. The website provides guests with information about all facilities offered by the hotel including the rooms, dining options, new features and amenities and more. Cost: INR 5,300+++ (single) and INR 5,800+++ (double). Valid till 31st December, 2011. www.lebua.com 36
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Le Dupleix, Pondicherry
Relive the French Connection at Le Dupleix, Pondicherry Le Dupleix, Pondicherry which is a blend of Tamil culture and French architecture offers a special 2N3D package to unwind and rejuvenate yourself. The package includes non-alcoholic welcome drinks, breakfast, lunch and dinner at Governor’s Lounge Restaurant and use of the swimming pool. Le Dupleix, Pondicherry located in the French quarter of the town is a fusion of rich colonial heritage and the contemporary flavours of Pondicherry. Originally built for the Mayor of Pondicherry the hotel boasts 14 exclusive designer suites, a gourmet restaurant, a lounge bar and a spa. Cost: starting from Rs 13,999 (Double Occupancy) For reservations: (0413) 2226001-5. Valid till 31st March, 2012 E-mail at ledupleix@sarovarhotels.com www.sarovarhotels.com
TRAVEL BUZZ
Honeymoon Package @ JW Marriott Chandigarh For the wedding season up ahead, JW Marriott Chandigarh brings exciting honeymoon packages where you can experience their exceptionally luxurious rooms and services. The Deluxe package includes welcome drink, sparkling wine and cake, in room breakfast, a meal for two at the multi cuisine all day dining restaurant (The CafĂŠ@JW), 2 hour Spa treatment at the Quan Spa and a special rose bath organised in the room. The Luxury Suite package includes a chocolate platter in addition to the above. Cost: Deluxe Package - Rs.12,499 + taxes. Luxury Suite Package - Rs. 24,999 + taxes. www.marriott.com
Steal Precious Moments with Your Loved One If you are planning a honeymoon or a romantic getaway, the Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre, a luxury hotel in Mumbai offers a fairytale honeymoon experience. Situated beside the pristine Powai Lake, the hotel promises ultimate gourmet experiences and warm hospitality. The package on offer includes accommodation in a
lake view room, complimentary breakfast in the room for the couple, flowers for the lady, turndown service, bottle of wine and chocolates, 20% discount on F&B, and late check out until 6 PM. Price: starting from Rs 12,000. Valid until December 2011. Phone: 91-22-66927777. www.renaissancemumbai.com
Viper Island
6 Day Package for Andaman & Nicobar Islands Package itinerary include sightseeing to places like Corbyns Cove beach, Science Center, Havelock island (Govt ferry), Radhanagar beach. Also on the map are a visit and stay at Port Blair, North Bay, Ross island, Viper Island & Sagarika Govt Emporium. This package is inclusive of accommodation, breakfast and transport. The above rate is subject to availability at the time of booking. This package costs @ Rs 20,400/- for one couple. For reservations call 09338757597 or email: omtoursbbsr@gmail.com compiled by JUSTIN THOMAS
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After years of unrest and instability, a flurry of tourists occupy what was known as heaven on earth. Gourmet food, convenient shopping and kaleidoscope of scenic views, Go Now travels to Kashmir and re-lives long lost memories.
Welcome Comeback
KASHMIR T
he spice of danger, the lingering geopolitical tension beneath a calm patina and a stunning forbidden valley at the precipice of the world’s highest mountains are some of the reasons why people make long pilgrimages to get to this paradise called Kashmir. No wonder the region has been eulogized by everyone from the 16th-century Mogul emperor Jehangir (who, when asked on his deathbed if he wanted anything, whispered “Kashmir, only Kashmir”) to Salman Rushdie (who spoke of “the lush valleys, the lakes, the streams, the saffron meadows – the intense physical beauty and culture of enormous harmony”) and Led Zepellin (“Ooh my baby, let me take you there”). Indians too, seem to have rediscovered their love for the valley after what seems like an inordinately long, brutal winter of near-empty hotels and scant visitors. The tide’s turned and this year – the government’s publicity blitzkrieg combined with a peaceful season – have put Kashmir back on the global tourist radar. A whopping 11 lakh tourists visited the Valley till September 30 this year, smashing a 25-year-old record. With a dramatic improvement in infrastructure, a resurgent economy and a new rail link, the state’s tourism is set to grow exponentially to about 1 crore visitors by 2012.
Srinagar We emerge from Srinagar airport after a 90minute flight from Delhi over the gasp-inducing 38
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Himalayas. The scene below me is so stunningly surreal; I blame it on the onboard wine. As we emerge blinking into the Kashmir sun, a huge billboard that announces ‘Welcome to Kashmir, Paradise on Earth’ is immediately noticeable above a scene of lakes and snow-capped mountains. Beneath the poster is a machine gun emplacement, from which the Indian army commandos peer through camouflage netting. The irony is unmistakable. Heavy police presence is all-pervasive. Soldiers are on patrol outside arrivals hall, toting machine guns. They look sharp as we file gingerly past them to get to a cab that will ferry us to our hotel – The Lalit Grand Palace, Srinagar. The hotel – a former palace owned by Karan Singh, the state’s former royalty – now stands morphed into a spectacular property located at the foothills of the Zabarwan mountain range. Formerly the residence of the maharajas, it has been painstakingly restored and has been operational since 1998, not shutting down for a single day even during the height of insurgency. It is a twin-storey, heritage property with its sprawling lawns overlooking the iconic Dal Lake. Spread over 28 acres, it offers 112 guestrooms over two floors. We’re served a welcome drink of the famed kehwa (Kashmiri tea brewed with cinnamon sticks, cardamom seeds, crushed almonds and slivers of saffron) at the hotel’s beautiful lobby that flaunts a cachet of tourism awards, including a national tourism award dated 2009. Our rooms overlook riotous flower beds
facing the picturesque Dal Lake. The waterbody seems to be the city’s – nay Kashmir’s – leitmotif, omnipresent on posters, travel brochures, hotel lobbies, shops’ walls… There is a palpable excitement amongst the locals about the upcoming Shikarathon (boat race) around Diwali. This is an annual event at the Lake organized by The Lalit Hotel which attracts tourists from all corners of the world. It is apparently the longest shikara race organized at the Dal Lake, an initiative to promote sports in the region. Unable to resist the lake’s lure, we opt for a shikara ride soon after check-in. One can hire a shikara for an hour, a few hours or the whole day (Dal Lake is enormous and is connected to other lakes through canals). The ride gives you a chance to see how the Dal Lake
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DESTINATION HOLIDAYS
residents have lived over the centuries: growing vegetables on the plots of land on the lake, running errands on boats, going to school by boats, buying and selling, again from boats. The shikara trips can be quite addictive. Reclining on soft pillows, watching the other boats glide by on the glutinous waterbody, the rhythmic ‘glug-glug’ of the boatman’s rowing and kingfishers plopping into the water around you can be an ethereal experience. Perhaps the only thing that can puncture your idyll here are the sales boats, (“Madam would you like to see some saffron? What about jewelry? Here look, phirins too!). However, for a tip, your oarsman can fob off this nuisance. For shopping, we head to Srinagar’s old city. Everything from locally crafted copper
wear, carpets, rugs, woolen apparel, silk saris, tweeds (crafted into phirins or comfy long winter coats) to all kinds of touristy tat can be bought here. In Dalgate, there are several shops on the Boulevard where you can pick up bolts of silk, shawls and everything from a pashmina shawl to a pashmina dressing gown without leaving your houseboat as the salesmen will come to you. The Shalimar Gardens and a raft of other celebrated gardens overlooking Dal Lake are considered to be the high point of Moghul horticulture in Srinagar. Chashm-e-Shahi is well worth a visit though the menu here is more or less the same as the others – a carpet of blooming flowers, rippling water bodies and luminous mountains looming in the distance. However, it was the centre of town that really fired my imagination, especially the Khanqah of Shah-Hamdan, a stunningly crafted mosque. Drenched in colored glass and papier-maché, this first mosque in Kashmir is dedicated to the memory of Mir Sayed Ali Hamadni, the Persian saint who brought not just Islam to the valley, but a trove of artists and artisans that give Kashmiri culture its famed heft. The mosque is most notable for the beautiful and intricate wood carvings done by skilled Kashmiri wood carvers using time-honored techniques. After a full day of sightseeing, The Lalit seems the perfect spot to watch the sun ease into the lake. We sip delicious mocktails and nibble on canapés at its well-stocked bar. Nailed to a 100-year-old Chinar tree near the Bar we notice a sign claiming this as the spot where, in 1947, Mahatma Gandhi met the Kashmiri ruler Hari Singh, who formally joined Kashmir to the Indian union. Nice touch of history.
Pahalgam An obstreperous pony is hardly the best vehicle from which to enjoy the salubrious environs of Pahalgam, one of Kashmir’s ‘jewels’. But when you’re accompanied by two adrenaline-charged teenage kids and an adventurous spouse for a holiday in this blessed land, you go along like a good sport. So here we are, all four of us, positioned precariously on our quadrupeds as the accompanying guide fills us in on the region’s history and beauty. And what beauty! The snow-swathed Lidderwat and Kolohoi Glacier are glinting in the distance; staggering vistas of the famed Kashmir valley are unfoldNovember 2011 GO NOW
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ing before us while exotic foliage (pine, fir, conifer, deodar) covers our path. Punctuating this idyll are pristine streams or brooks gurgling over stretches of ivorycolored pebbles creating sonorous music. The countryside is lush with apple orchards and fields of saffron, a key ingredient in Kashmiri cuisine. Bliss. Pahalgam is situated at the confluence of the Sheshnag and the Lidder streams. Once a humble shepherd’s village, it is now Kashmir’s premier summer resort, cool even at the height of summer. The town is also a trekker’s paradise while for the Hindus, it is a landmark stopover en route to Amarnath, Lord Shiva’s holy residential cave, which forms here once every year in July/August. Interestingly, Pahalgam (or the Village of Shepherds) lives up to its name pretty well. Shepherds can be spotted everywhere, herding their goats/lambs across grassy plains in a pastoral setting. Their children contribute to the economy in their own unique way by carrying lambs or furry rabbits in their arms for visitors to hold or snap their photos with. And that’ll be Rs 50/Rs 100, please! Tourists who get inveigled into believing that this is a ‘cute’ gesture on the part of locals, get a rude shock when the cherubic kids demand money for this ‘service’! Back from Pahalgam, we’re booked for the iconic Wazwan dinner at The Chinar, The Lalit’s multi-cuisine eatery. The Wazwan, a multi-course meal in the Kashmiri tradition, is considered an art form. Almost all the dishes here are meat-based (lamb, chicken, fish) with saag being the only exception. 40
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Wazwan, the chef tells us, is the ultimate formal banquet in Kashmir. Of its 36 six courses, between fifteen and thirty can be preparations of meat, cooked overnight by the master chef, Vasta Waza, and his retinue of wazas. Traditionally Wazwan food is served in copper or silverware called ‘Tramis’ heaped with rice, seekh kababs, methi korma, tabak maas, safed murg, and zafrani murg. Curd and chutney are served separately in small earthen pots. However, seven dishes are a must for a festive feast – Rista, Rogan Josh, Tabak Maaz, Daniwal Korma, Aab Gosht, Mirchwangan Korma and Gushtaba. Though we obviously don’t partake of the entire smorgasbord, it is an experience worth savoring. Nicely rounding off the meal is the saffron-inflected phirni.
Gulmarg Next morning, there is a kerfuffle at The Lalit’s breakfast buffet as Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor enters the beautiful lawn-facing space with his entourage. The kids are especially thrilled that he’s chosen a table just across ours. We get to know later that the hotel is a particular favorite of Bollywood’s first family – the Kapoors – and they make it a point to stay here whenever they are in Kashmir. The legacy goes back to Shammi Kapoor, best immortalized by his song picturized on the Dal Lake in the film Kashmir ki Kali where he serenades a coy Sharmila Tagore. There’s more excitement later in the day as we head to Gulmarg, one of India’s premier hill resorts and a ski resort. Situated 56
kms from hotel, it was historically a favorite haunt of Emperor Jahangir. Gulmarg’s main claim to fame, however are its ski lifts. The gondola has been in operation since 2005, taking skiers up to 3,979m, just below the summit of Apharwat. This makes it the world’s highest ski lift. The locals, it seems, are proud of this fact and all around the resort are posters showing the lift with catchlines like “Gulmarg Gondola – a tryst with nature”, “Gulmarg Gondola – a step closer to heaven”, and “Gulmarg Gondola – a masterpiece of French engineering”. The reality is a little less awe-inspiring. The gondola is French-built, made by lift company Poma, but given the 16-year construction period, it isn’t what you’d call state of the art. Even so, what nature has to offer up here is staggering. Disembarking at the first station, we catch our first glimpse of the fabulous Himalayan panorama. Here, above the haze that hangs in the valley, we spin around to take in the chain of peaks that stretches around the horizon, from Pakistan into India and north to China, with Nanga Parbat, the world’s ninth-highest peak, dominating the icy matrix. Sitting on a plateau at 2,600m, Gulmarg grew up as a hill station in the 19th century, when British civil servants and soldiers would come up to escape the summer heat, hunt and play golf. By the early 20th century there were three golf courses here, including one for women only, and in the middle of the fairways was St Mary’s Anglican Church, which still stands today. by NEETA LAL IN KASHMIR
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BUNDI The Hidden Kingdom Far from the madding crowd, Bundi is an untouched town that lies sandwiched among water bodies and the Aravallis. It is a place that grows on you if you care to loose yourself in its clean air, abundant greenery and feel inspired by its red-coloured rock paintings
B
undi has just about everything that Rajasthan as an international tourist destination offers – wildlife, heritage, forts, lakes – but the desert. Amazing isn’t it. This quaint little-known town in south-east Rajasthan is settled amidst the hills but does not have the landmark desert. Just a glimpse of the town and the trav42
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eller is left wondering about all those stories – the India Growth Stories – that one has been reading often and listening to all over the global media. The numerous brands that scream and stare in your face from the high perch of their hoardings are conspicuous by their absence. Though Bundi and foreign tourists are no strangers, they have not been
The interiors of Haveli Braj Bhushanjee
DESTINATION HOLIDAYS The Taragarh Fort, built in 1354, is surrounded by hills from three sides making it safe and secure
the best of buddies either. Now that Bundi is waking up to its tourist potential, it is trying to find itself a place on the travel map.
have been found in abundance, but one has to sweat it out to reach the sites.
Art and architecture History on the rocks If you have stepped into Bundi and are feeling a little lost, we will tell you where to head to. The little wonder of a town is full of history and amazement. Just 35 kms away from the heart of the city are the Bhimlat cave paintings which were discovered only in the last decade. Over the years more pre-historic rock art sites that remained camouflaged in the forests for thousands of years have been unearthed – one of which is said to be the longest site in the world spanning almost 30 kms in length alongside a rivulet. It is believed that the pre-historic red-coloured rock paintings were done during various time periods and date back to at least 15,000 years. The paintings show hunting scenes, tigers and bisons. Some of these are drawings while others have colour filled in them. Our ancestors have done a fine job of communicating their lives through locally available rocks and stones. The Bhimlat waterfalls and gorge, which are not far from the rock paintings are a big surprise. Small streams flow over and through crevices in the rocks to form the breathtaking waterfalls that fall down with a massive roar and form a placid lagoon – a hot favourite with tourists for a swim. The water then flows languidly creating myriad colours on rocks, sustaining greenery and nurturing wildlife. It is around this area that the rock paintings
Bundi, like most of Rajasthan’s other towns, too flexes its own forts, palaces and havelis. The highlight of the town is the Taragarh Fort, visible from most parts of the city, which was built in phases and at different times. An interesting feature of the fort is the false gate that was made to fool enemies. An artist in the Bundi market
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The calm and serene Sukh Mahal was once the summer palace of the king
Even though a fort wall goes till the gate, there is nothing around or behind the gate. The Chitrashala is one of the highlights of Taragarh. This section of the palace is held by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and has been well preserved as compared to the rest of the palace which has been vandalized and is in a shambles. The Chitrashala has paintings on the walls and the ceilings, predominantly in naturally-made green and blue. The entrance to the Chitrashala begins with paintings of the main gods of Hindu religion – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. These show scenes from the Hindu mythology; love stories from Lord Krishna’s and Radha’s life; important landmarks during the reign of the kings and queens as well as festivities and other occasions in the Bundi kingdom. Another landmark of the town is the 84pillared cenotaph which is a must-see. The cenotaph is a two storied-structure and rests on 84 pillars with a Shivalinga in the centre. The structure’s intricately carved interiors that depict animals are out of this world. The second floor stands on a flat structure with a large curved roof in the center surrounded by four smaller ones, one in each corner.
Water bodies and baolis Bundi is known as a city of step-wells so it is 44
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The Kipling Connection If you are looking for peace and inspiration, Sukh Mahal which was built in 1776, is the place to spend time at. Once a summer palace for the king, which stands on the edge of a natural lake hills, it inspired noted British writer Rudyard Kipling in 1887 to begin writing Kim. It is entirely possible that budding novelists or those with a writer’s block may get to fire their creative processes if they spend some time here. The serenity of the place is unmatched particularly when the lotuses are in bloom during the day. An unfortunate story related to the Sukh Mahal is that of the bare pedestals that once held statues, many of which were uprooted and sold off by an antique smuggler.
no surprise that it has a generous sprinkling of these structures – all distinct from each other in their architecture, size and use. The Rani ki Baoli, constructed by the queen in 1699 is a three-storied structure and is considered to be a rare piece of architecture. The baoli is marked by numerous chhatris and beautifully-done stone work. For the moment it is barricaded by steel mesh and is closed to visitors but the elegance of the structure is difficult to miss. Such is the beauty of the water bodies that INTACH has had to step in to save some of the falling constructions. One of the baolis, which is walking distance from the palace, is
currently under extensive renovation. Another water body not to be missed is the Dhabhai Kund which stands out for its geometrical patterns. Close to the Rani ki Baoli, it was constructed by the son of a royal maid in 1711. This tank, which was not considered a baoli because it was meant to be used for bathing and washing clothes, is a geometrical wonder.
So, where was Bundi hidden all this while? Right behind the hills, of course. With hills sheltering the town from three sides, the town has literally remained out of sight. Once a part of neighbouring district Kota,
The tented accommodation of Ummaid Bagh Resorts on the bank of the Jait Sagar Lake
The Bhimlat waterfalls
now top destination for aspiring students thanks to its coaching centres, Bundi lays no such claim to fame. On the other hand Kota, which is literally a stone’s throw away from Bundi, prospered and moved on. Also, Rajasthan’s towns have been revitalized just because the erstwhile royal families pulled out all the stops to restore their palaces and took the initiative in converting them into heritage hotels. But Bundi did not have any such luck. The royal family moved out of its palace long back and the magnificent structure fell to pieces with locals ferrying away everything they could dig out. A vandalized portion of the fort resembles a haunted house. The only exception is the small portion which was taken over by the ASI and which has been maintained. Another reason for the town’s laggardly pace is that it hardly has hotels of significance that could pull tourists. Avijit Singh, the executive vice president of The Hadoti Palace hotel says, “Bundi was left out as a destination just because there was no place to stay. People would prefer to stay in Kota and make a day trip to Bundi.” He is right for close to two decades it was the heritage hotel Brijbhushanjee ki Haveli that reigned supreme. All other places were suited more to the backpacker. But now things are slow-
factfile WHERE TO STAY • The Hadoti Palace Near Ranjit Talkies, Kota Road, Bundi, Rajasthan. Tel: +91 747 244 3333. Tele Fax: +91 141 2379777 Mobile: +91 99280 71111 • Ummaid Bagh Resorts Jait Sagar Road, Bundi, Rajasthan Tel: +91-747-2442397, +91-747-5120909 Fax: +91-747-2447066 Email: hadotiholidayresort@yahoo.co.in hadotiholidayresort@hotmail.com www.hadotiholidayresorts.com • Haveli Braj Bhushanjee Below Palace, Opp. Ayurvedic Hospital, Bundi (Rajasthan), India Tel: 91-747-2442322, 2442509 Mobile: +91 9783355866 / 9783355865 E-mail: res@kiplingsbundi.com mkmbnd@bsnl.in • Bundi Haveli 107, Balchand Parra, Near Naval Sagar Lake, Bundi, Rajasthan Email: info@hotelbundihaveli.com www.hotelbundihaveli.com
ly changing with tourists making a stopover on the Jaipur, Ranthambore Bundi and Udaipur route or the Udaipur, Bundi and Jaipur itinerary. Text & photographs by RAHUL KUMAR IN BUNDI
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HOTEL CHECK OUT
The Hadoti Palace Hotel A white modern marvel is what this new hotel is amidst the traditional and sylvan settings of the quaint Rajasthani town of Bundi.
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his is a hotel with a difference. Check in here and watch a Bollywood movie for free. That holds true for a whole bus-load of tourists as well who get to sit in the box. The Hadoti Palace at Bundi, Rajasthan, constructed just three years back, has the faรงade of a colonial building but the interiors of a modern hotel along 46
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with vast spaces which is becoming rare these days. This is visible the moment one steps into the high-domed, square-shaped lobby and also while walking in the wide corridors.
Numero uno The hotel has a long list of USPs considering that it is the only upmarket hotel in the picturesque sleepy-little town. These include a
swimming pool, vintage cars, bikes from the World War era, an attached cinema hall from olden days and a conference hall that can accommodate up to 100 people. There is a library that doubles up as an entertainment room with carom and board games placed strategically. Considering that Bundi remains a hidden
HOTEL CHECK OUT
The library also has board games
Executive Vice President of The Hadoti Palace, Avijit Singh says: “We built it as a colonial structure to stand apart because most hotels in the state have the same Rajasthani décor and architecture. We have concentrated on providing a comfortable stay and modern furnishings. We wanted the guests to have a distinct feel rather than give them a dose of the local.” The lobby, which is more like a hall, is big because the hotel gets tourist groups who can be accommodated in the lobby without creating a clutter. Likewise, the rooms are high-ceilinged, spacious and filled with antique furniture.
Number crunching The hotel is located on the main Bundi road, close to the bus stand and offers a splendid The Hadoti Palace is a new hotel built on the lines of colonial architecture
gem amongst Rajasthan’s destinations, the hotel has pulled out all stops to underline Bundi on the state’s tourism circuit. Bundi was being left out as a tourist destination because there was hardly a place to stay in the town. The only hotels woul catered to the backpacker tourist while the more discerning ones would prefer to stay in nearby Kota and make a day trip to the town.
Modern building with a colonial coating So, why did the hotel settle down for a modern building within a colonial façade?
factfile THE HADOTI PALACE Near Ranjit Talkies, Kota Road Bundi - 323001. Rajasthan Tel: +91-747-2443333 Email: info@hadotipalace.com www.hadotipalace.com LOCATION Road: Bundi is 36 kms from Kota, 206 kms from Jaipur, 465 kms from Delhi and 123 kms from Ranthambore by road. Airport: The nearest airport is at Jaipur. Rail: It is connected to Delhi by Dehradun Express and Mewar Express. Connected to Chittorgarh and Udaipur through the Mewar Express.
Vintage cars delight guests
view of the nearby hills which hold the Taragarh Fort. It has 28 rooms including four suites, a swimming pool, a poolside restaurant, a display of vintage cars and bikes, offers painting workshops on request, parking facility and a conference hall. The hotel also emphasises its use of solar water heating, CFL lighting, rain water harvesting and energy-saving key tags. Destination Bundi which is surrounded by the Aravallis on three sides offers forts, palaces, temples, ancient water harvesting systems, lakes and a cenotaph for sight-seeing. As far as The Hadoti Palace goes, apart from a comfortable stay guests, particularly the foreign variety, love to catch a Bollywood movie before retiring for the day even if it is an alien language. Seems more than the movie it is the atmosphere in the hall that excites them. Text and photographs by RAHUL KUMAR IN BUNDI
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DESTINATION HOLIDAYS
ORCHHA
Choose for a Weekend Vacation
Orchha which means hidden lived up to its name for a considerable time. But now the adventure seeker hops on to a train and quenches his historical, architectural and natural thirst. 48
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DESTINATION HOLIDAYS
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iving life at the frentic pace that metros define, one wonders if the idyllic settings that fill up the pages of travel magazines exist or those pages are a handiwork of an expert graphic designer. On a recent trip to Orchha in Madhya Pradesh, I was surprised to see that it is indeed a town with a bounty of pristine settings. Ideal for a weekend outing, Orchha in Madhya Pradesh offers an adrenaline rush alongwith mind soothing activities.
Get drenched: Rafting in Orchha One of the best experiences that a clean unspoilt river can give is a swim in its transparent waters. But for those who want more fun than a mere swim, then the Betwa river also offers rafting as well. And this is an experience for both – beginners and the experienced ones. It takes awhile to adjust yourself in a raft as it involves putting your foot inside a wrap on its floor, and to synchronize the row with the man sitting on your side. The test is when we approach rapids when your body tends to go forward, making it difficult to row. At the climax, water enters the raft engulfing everybody in its rapture. You can even take the plunge into the river; there are no crocodiles, snakes, or other dangerous creatures. The hour-long rafting is somewhat tiring but fulfilling nonetheless.
Orchha is much more than the natural surroundings and the clean waters of the Betwa. Of course, the river remains the defining feature, the very town is built on its seasonal island. Encircled by a battlement wall, there is a huge palace-fort comprising a variety of connected buildings built at different times representing Indo-Islamic architecture. Orchha is also famous for its cenotaphs or chhatris which dot the landscape.
Mughal heritage, Bundela legends Orchha is much more than the natural surroundings and the clean waters of Betwa. Of course, the river remains the defining feature; the very town is built on its seasonal island. Encircled by a battlement wall, there is a huge palace-fort, comprising a variety of connected buildings built at different times. “The Jahangir Mahal, built in honor of Mughal Emperor Jahangir, is a fine specimen of Indo-Islamic architecture,� says Hemant Goswami, a local guide. Looking at the architecture will help you realise how Hindu and Muslim styles merge seamlessly; there are elephants and figures, striped domes with lotus atop, but also geometrical patterns and Persian arches. Doorways, appearing as wooden, are actually made of sandstone with elaborate carvings. Orchha is also famous for its cenotaphs or chhatris which dot the landscape. Bearing homage to Hindu architecture, they are memorials built in honor of Bundela kings. November 2011 GO NOW
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factfile HOW TO GET THERE By Air: Gwalior, which is about 120 km from Orchha, is the nearest airport By Rail: No express or mail train stops at Orchha station. Jhansi Railway Station, 19 km from the town, is most suitable for tourists By Road: On the Jhansi-Khajuraho road WHERE TO STAY Bundelkhand Riverside, The Orchha Resort, Sheesh Mahal Hotel, Hotel Amar Mahal Orchha, Betwa Cottage Orchha, Hotel Sunrise Orchha WHAT TO SEE Jahangir Mahal, Raja Ram Temple, Laxminarayan Temple, Chhatris, WHAT TO DO Rafting, historic monuments, sight-andsound programme, heritage walk, nature walk
Ancient Temples, Mystical Stories The Ram Raja or Chaturbhuj Temple is said to be only shrine in the country where Lord Ram is worshipped as a king; he is even given a guard of honor by an armed policeman; hence the very name of the temple. Built on a square base, the temple has an interesting anecdote-mixing history with myth-as to how Lord Ram was revealed to an Orchha Queen and come to her capital as a small child. The Laxminarayan Temple, built around 1622 by Vir Singh Deo catches you by surprise when you realise its main door opens from a corner of the rectangular building. It fell into disrepair and was renovated by Prith50
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vi Singh in 1793. Resembling a fort, with slots for cannons to fire at the enemy, the nonfunctional temple has jali (lattice) windows for letting in a bit of sunlight and fresh air. Apart from carvings, it has murals with themes related to the life of Lord Krishna. The artwork, decorated with patterns of animals and flowers, has the stamp of the Mughal and Bundela schools of painting.
Recreational activities For heritage walks, mornings are the best time. Depending on access, you can also go for a nature walk in the nearby forest area. If you are on a two-night vacation and are
interested in change in rural areas, you can also visit Taragram, which is run by an NGO, Development Alternatives. It teaches and offers help to poor villagers, especially women, earn livelihood by making paper from cotton waste. There is also a sight-and-sound show in the evening in English and Hindi. It gives a fair idea about the history and people of Bundelkhand whose capital was Orchha. In short, Orchha is a nice weekend getaway-extremely affordable for Delhiites, as it is reachable by train and offers a multitude of attractions. by RAVI SHANKER KAPOOR IN ORCHHA
DESTINATION HOLIDAYS
AMRITSAR
Walk a Mile to Explore Heritage and History The recently launched Heritage Walk is an attempt by Punjab Tourism Board to woo tourists to spend more time in the city. Go Now tells you what to expect from the walk…
T
he holy city of Amritsar has always been synonymous with The Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh and the Wagah Border. Apart from these,
there’s nothing (barring local cuisine and shopping areas) that has enticed the visitors to the city that is so intrinsically linked with India’s struggle for independence. But the Saragarhi gurudwara
next time you are in Amritsar, you will have an option to explore and discover the city’s rich heritage, culture and history. With the aim of making people aware of the 450-year-old heritage of Amritsar, the Punjab Tourism Department has recently launched the Heritage Walk. Starting at 8 in the morning, the hour long walk, covering about 3 kms, promises to surprise you with little-known facets of the holy city. Our guide, Ravinder Bhalla begins by telling us that Amritsar was established by Guru Ramdas and nurtured by Guru Arjan Dev and later by Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
Historical, Patriotic & Gastronomical The walk, starting from the Town Hall, covers about 14 sites: the Saragarhi Gurdwara, Fort Ahluwalia, Chowk Jallebiyan Wala, Akhara Sangalwala, Akhara Chitta, the Darshani Deori, Baba Bohar, Thakurdwara Dariana Mal, Chaurasti Attari Chowk, Taksal of Maharaja Thakurdwara Dariana Mal
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DESTINATION HOLIDAYS about the walk Punjab heritage and tourism promotion board has arranged 10 guides for the purpose, and a heritage cell has been set up. The walk has been designed by Debashsish Nayak, an architect and urban conservation specialist who created the famous Heritage Walk at Ahmedabad, and about 15 other cities including Kolkata, Jaipur, Pondicherry and Lucknow. Charges: Rs 25 for Indian tourists; Rs 75 for foreign tourists
While you take so much of history in, stop by at the famous Jalebiwala Chowk to enjoy delicious jalebis.
My partners in Heritage walk
Golden Temple & Jallianwala Bagh The walk would be incomplete without a visit to the Harmandir Sahab better known as the Golden Temple. The temple has four gates as if welcoming people from all sides, representing the liberal character of Sikhism. The large lake of water, the Sarovar, surrounding it is said to be consisting of amrit, which means holy nectar. This explains the city’s name. A short walk from the Golden Temple leads you to the site that is reminiscent of the monstrous massacre years ago – Jallianwala Bagh. The narrow path between the houses may not give a hint of the legacy stored inside. There are remnants of walls preserved to show the bullet holes and you can peep into the Martyrs’ Well, where several people jumped in while trying to escape from bullets. Town Hall
Little Disappointments Ranjit Singh, Radha Krishan Mandir and Akhara Brahm Buta. The Saragarhi Gurdwara is proof of the Sikh martyrdom. A marble stone fixed on the wall of the Gurdwara has names engraved of the Sikh soldiers who died in defense of the frontier Fort of Saragarhi in 1897, fighting against the Pathans. You then move to walking in the narrow streets of the old city that are abuzz with activities during the peak hours. But early in the morning, history comes alive and you travel back in time. It’s hair-raising to imagine the gruesome bloodbath that once occured in this serene environment. And while you are lost on those thoughts, the ‘Crawling Street’ gives you goose bumps. It is the street where Indians were made to crawl after the infa-
mous General Dyer got to know that a British missionary was beaten by residents, irked by the arrest of their leaders Dr Saifudeen Kitchlu and Dr Satpal by the British. Another spot that catches one’s attention is Thakurdwara of Rai Kishan Chand. The marvelous architecture of its walls, the frescos and vivid paintings leave you awestruck. Descendents of Rai Kishan Chand Sapra still own the building. Unfortunately, no efforts have been made by the government to restore its glory. An old caretaker tells us how several pleas fell on deaf ears. A glorious site included in the walk was the Taksal where the Sikh regime coins were minted during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Today, it lies as a deserted house with a torn banner hanging outside the building.
The initiative taken by the tourism board is undoubtedly appreciable but there are certain blanks to be filled. For starters, the streets so rich in heritage and history have been poorly maintained. It’s sad to see the dilapidated state of most of the buildings. Thakurdwara, for instance, is in dire need of restoration, with loose wires hanging all over. Poor quality of roads and uncleanliness on the streets make it unattractive. The entire area demands good maintenance if not restoration. While the guides do a good job of informing you about the heritage, it would be a good idea to get a historian to give context to some of the information provided. However, it is still worth a visit. by PURVA BHATIA IN AMRITSAR
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NIGHTLIFE CHECK OUT
After a memorable launch in August this year, Kitty Su is a perfect blend of state-of-the-art sound and light and is a timeless ode to period decor. An inimitable mix of the old and new, this nightclub at The Lalit is known for adding the quotient of exclusivity to Delhi’s nightlife.
Delhi Nightlife Gets a Facelift with
KITTY SU
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NIGHTLIFE CHECK OUT
T
he brainchild of Keshav Suri, Kitty Su was conceptualized by the Executive Director of Lalit Suri Hospitality Group and no details were spared. After a year of hard work and speculation, Kitty Su opened its door to Delhi’s elitist in August 2011. As you enter the popular nightclub through the main entrance of the hotel, the aesthetics of Kitty Su seem inviting in its details. Described as a shrine for those who appreciate music, the entrance for Kitty Su has been carved from totem poles on both
KESHAV SURI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE LALIT SURI HOSPITALITY GROUP
“A small seed of an idea that took hold of me almost two years ago has not only taken shape but also gone well beyond my wildest expectations that I had for it. A lot of sweat, passion and love has gone into making this project a reality and I don’t regret a second of it. An incredible amount of thought and attention has been paid to details to make sure that this club is the absolute in contemporary clubbing experience.” sides of a golden entrance. For those who appreciate state of the art sound, LED lights and signature drinks, indulgence spreads over all two floors.
State of the art sound and lights For a perfect blend with the club’s earthy shades and subtle decor, the bar employs evocative sculptures sourced directly from
Khajuraho. With scenes from the Kama Sutra, the club celebrates all moods including sexuality reflected in the fetish styled outfits for bartenders. Comfortable seating outside the main room in nooks and corners for quiet time compliments the larger expanse inside, adorned with leather sofas and a huge dance floor. Labels like MOS and VOID were wel-
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NIGHTLIFE CHECK OUT factfile Kitty Su, The Lalit, Connaught Place, New Delhi • Open only on Friday & Saturday Nights • Season offer includes Friday Nights as Ladies Nights’ • Spa vouchers for women on Special nights • Special VIP Entrance (List) • Stay in the Hotel & Pick-and-Drop on request Special Midnight Buffet priced at Rs 899/person on Saturday nights at 24/7 Restaurant For reservations: 011-44447777
a mini-ramp and a depiction of a glass chandelier freefalling onto a glass table are some of the aspects thought carefully about by Mr. Keshav Suri, brought to life by Bobby Mukherjee and The Lalit team.
The Champagne Lounge One floor down, a Champagne Lounge is uniquely adjacent to the dressing room serving the finest collections of champagnes and wines. Be it Dom Perignon, GH Mumm, the champagne lounge houses delectable brands by the reasonable piccolo, pop and glass along with a collection of wines and cocktails.
Pick & drop services, Kitty Su merchandise To discourage drink and drive, exclusive pick and drop services would be offered to the guests. For the fairer sex growing tired of their stilettos, the club merchandise offers branded flip flops along with T-shirts, shoes, bags and perfumes as souvenirs of a memorable night.
The legend of Kitty Su
comed on board to let the sophisticated enjoy a memorable sound experience. Music genres such as electro, pop, house and disco is played by in-house DJ’s like DJ Nuclea, DJ Abhishek and DJ Apurv. Kitty Su also flies out renowned DJ’s with DJ Paul Hamilton, DJ Kiss, DJ Kellie, DJ Antonin Courant and DJ Jon Fitz amongst many others.
The Salon Adjacent to the main dance floor is the ‘The Salon’, where skilled patchwork and intricately carved wooden jalis cover the walls as homage to Indian architecture. A mini nightclub in Kitty Su comes equipped with its own 56
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DJ console and fluorescent LEDs add to the mood and are available for weekend private parties. Prabhakaran Hundal, Brand Manager, Kitty Su informs me that it is yet Mr. Suri himself who invites the crème de la crème for the salon.
The A List Away from the flashbulbs and shutterbugs but close to the glamour associated with it, is the restricted section aptly named “The List”. A newer concept in India, the room is an ode to the world of fashion that can only be accessed by those who possess custom electronic key cards. The pictorial displays of
Kitty Su has been closely knit to pay homage to a woman of taste, class & distinction. Global in her sensibilities, Kitty Su’s personality was firmly grounded in her Indian roots, albeit a concoction of the chic sophistication of Audrey Hepburn and the graceful humility of Maharani Gayatri Devi. Her fierce independence intimidated the men of her generation and her infamous ‘List’ became a part of party scenes; a difficult task where many optimistic socialites failed. Kitty Su was found dead in her luxurious toilet with a piccolo of champagne in one hand and her beloved cigarette holder in the other. A close friend and confidant offered Kitty Su, a nightclub as perhaps, the most befitting tribute to be. by MANAVI SIDDHANTI
WELLNESS CHECK OUT
THE R SPA Split Levels of Rejuvenation Located near the Delhi International Airport, this 3 storey haven clientele are those who spend hours travelling. Following Asian traditions with a contemporary touch, the spa is mostly for globetrotters with selective memberships available for Delhites.
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t was only after a three year long renovation under Alka Katar, Spa Director that Mahipalpur’s Radisson Blu saw an all new R spa. Designed to up the position of the hotel, the spa is exclusive to its guests and locals through memberships. One of the most diverse spa services available in the city, the R spa expands over three floors. “Keeping this in mind” says Alka Katar, Spa Director, “the three floors are designed around the three concepts of Rejuvenation, Relaxation and Replenishment. “Each level is self contained and we have taken care to ensure that the guest moves logically from one level to another” explains Katar, “whilst their privacy is maintained.”
Themed Floors, Soothing Ambience Designed by Kunio Iwta, a Japanese designer based out Singapore the 20,000 sq.ft spa strikes far from a formal setting as comfort envelops you around. Overlooking the skyline of the city and the hotel’s manicured landscape, handpicked artefacts’, water bodies drape over three floors with an elliptical staircase. Be it the lotus theme that runs over the entire floor or a water cascade which strikes a charming illusion, I feel a shift in the November 2011 GO NOW
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WELLNESS CHECK OUT flow of energies- a necessity to take time off from hectic schedules and non-stop commutes. Connecting all floors through a spiral staircase and a lift, the subtle use of LED lights, changing colour schemes and champagne leaves manage to leave a trace on my mind.
ALKA KATAR SPA DIRECTOR, RADISSON BLU MAHIPALPUR
Level 1: Recovery, Revival & Spa Bar Be it a stiff shoulder, an aching back or even jet lag, “stress and lack of exercise are the main contributors to such symptoms,” says Katar. The Spa offers both Western style exercises in the form of state of the art gymnasium and fitness centre. With latest equipments from Techno Gym, the gym houses trainers ready to help you or tailormake your exercise regimen. For one on one yoga sessions with qualified instructors, a yoga studio is available. “For bigger groups, we shift the yoga class to the poolside” informs Katar, Spa Director, Radisson Blu. To refresh yourself post the work out, the floor invites you to sit and relax and indulge in nutritious snacks and health drinks to rev you up at the Spa Bar.
“Our USP lies in providing business and leisure travellers to check in for 1 to 8 hours at an economical cost where we provide personal attention and signature treatments to each. R The Spa is all about the guest where every treatment begins with a massage and some time in the steam room or sauna followed by a foot bath.”
Level 2: Personalised Attention, Custom Made Therapies As mood lighting takes over the entire floor, handpicked water bodies and cascades lure its guests into a flurry of therapeutic treatments. The second level of the facility consists of two single rooms (Aromaveda and Kalpaveda), four couple rooms (Rudra, Moksha, Mandarin and Iris), as well as three special couple suitesThe Orchid Suite, The White Lotus Suite and The Frangipani Suite. All suites are equipped with showers and steam rooms whereas for those using single rooms, the spa has separate wet areas for men and women consisting of sauna, shower, Jacuzzi and chill pools. “R The Spa is all about the guest” claims Katar “where every treatment begins with a massage and some time in the steam room or sauna followed by a foot bath.”
starts with a fruit ritual, followed by a treatment, massage and scrub after which you can soak in their custom made infinity tub. After the ritual, herbal tea and a snack complementing the ritual are offered to the guests at the Spa bar. Keeping in mind the number of travellers who complain of feeling tired and jetlagged, Katar has employed a dry floatation bed from Italy. An anti-gravity, salt bed, it helps in detoxifying and soothing, sometimes making the guest fall asleep on the bed itself. Apart from that, the White Lotus suite offers a Vichy shower and a Hamam bed for those stressed muscles, complete with rehydration and detoxifying treatments.
Unique Suites with Hamam Table & Anti Gravity Salt BED
The third and final level houses the Replenishment section of the Spa, where you’re invited to sit back and relax while the Spa’s team of skin, body and hair experts undo the damage done by a crowded city and hectic schedules. There are private sections for men and women with a wide range of services, for basic grooming and reflexology. The salon uses botanical products from Pivonia International which are also avail-
The Orchid and the Frangipani suites both offer an Experience shower (the tropical shower is a definite must try) and infinity tubs for complete indulgence. The treatments begin after a physical assessment by the spa’s certified trainers who will inform a client about the benefits of a particular therapy the guest has opted for. Each therapy 58
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Level 3: Grooming, Refloxogy and Face Therapy
factfile R The Spa, Radisson Blue, 8, National Highway, Mahipalpur, New Delhi Phone: + 91 11 2677 9191 Pre Wedding Rituals at R The Spa Balinese Asmana Raga Massage: A massage using traditional Balinese methods to work on muscles and nerve pathways reduces stress. Specially blended aromatic essential oils of ylang ylang and jasmine reinstate peace of mind with their unique antiseptic and soothing qualities Javanese Lulur Scrub: One of the most pampering spa treatments, the treatment includes applying a mixture of turmeric, rice powder and floral essences followed by a gentle peel to leave the skin soft, radiant and freshly scented. Lulur beautifies and softens your skin and leaves your skin smoother and fresher looking. Balinese Boreh Wrap: This traditional warming and energizing wrap made of spices is a wonderful aid to alleviate poor blood circulation and sore muscles. The wrap is applied all over the body rendering a warm sensation followed by nourishing yogurt to leave your skin nourished and refreshed. (Package Price: 8500+10.3% tax)
able for sale. “The salon is targeted for the NCR region,” confirms Katar, Spa Director. The membership for Radisson Blu’s spa is done discreetly, through invitation only. by MANAVI SIDDHANTI
AMITABH BACCHAN PROMOTING GUJARAT
all that connects with travel & tourism, encompassing the larger visitor experience
• CINEMA TOURISM: TIME TO BRING CLOSER TOURISM AND ENTERTAINMENT SECTORS • AVIATION SECTOR GRAPPLES WITH LACK OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND POLICY INDECISION • CUISINE: THE UNTAPPED COMPONENT OF INCREDIBLE INDIA • AGRA READIES NEW ATTRACTIONS TO HOLD BACK TOURISTS November 2011 GO NOW
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TOURISM BUSINESS AVIATION “New aircraft sales of upto $12 billion are predicted by the end of the next decade, and by 2020 we expect to have 1,793 business aircraft in the country.” ROHIT KAPUR PRESIDENT, BAOA
L-R: Rohit Kapur, President BAOA; Karan Singh, MD; Harsh Vardhan Sharma, Treasurer and Anuvrat Arya, secretary
SECTOR TO SEE SURGE India is all set to become the third largest market for business aviation provided infrastructure is ramped up and policy oriented towards giving the sector a friendly push
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usiness aircraft operators in the country have joined together to form the Business Aircraft Operator’s Association (BAOA) to highlight the concerns facing the industry as well as define standards for efficiency and safety. President of the BAOA, Rohit Kapur said that considering the immense potential India has, with more than 1,000 aircraft to be added over the next ten years, there is an imminent need to have a body that would bring the fra60
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ternity into close cooperation for industry growth and mutual benefits. He added that business aviation is poised to grow in India in a big way and the country can become the third largest aviation market by 2020, next only to the US and China. Kapur said: “New aircraft sales of upto $12 billion are predicted by the end of the next decade, and by 2020 we expect to have 1,793 business aircraft in the country.” India had 171 business aircraft in 2001, 277
in 2005 and 552 in 2010. Highlighting the importance of business aviation, Kapoor said that it is used in medical emergencies, chartered flights and tourism, transportation of employees and executives, mining, aerial photography, transportation of cargo and disaster management. He said that the benefits of business aviation are many and some of these include saving employee time, increasing productivity of the company and top management, increasing industrial security and minimizing non-business hours. Kapur stressed that the sector also connects those areas which are not well connected. Despite enormous benefits and also the fast growth of the sector, there are a number of points that hold back the growth of the industry. The fast pace of growth in the sector has ensured that it has outgrown the available infrastructure. Some of infrastructure and policy framework concerns include high taxation time-consuming government machinery, arbitrary custom duties, high ground-handling charges, VAT on the sales of jets and customs duty on aircraft spares. On the other hand, because the Indian system is geared up towards civil aviation, there are very few terminals, airfields, heliports for business aviation as also the number of hangars and parking spaces. Similarly as there are hardly any Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities in the country, Indian aircraft have to fly to Singapore or to the Gulf countries for their MRO requirements. Managing director of BAOA, Karan Singh highlighted the lack of airports in the country, saying that Brazil, with which India is compared to often, has 4,000 airports while India has just 150 airports. Even at the current growth rates, India will have just 400 airports by 2020 which really shows the lack of infrastructure here. by RAHUL KUMAR
TOURISM TRANSPORT
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ndia has not seen anything like this before. State-of-the-art coaches, trained pursers serving meals, refrigerators and microwaves, plus much much more than you may have imagined. That is OLIVEA pioneering luxury road travel in India. With recent media reports pointing out that India is on track in expanding national highways, potential revolution in road travel is expected with OLIVEA, that launched its operations in North India. Promoted by Blue Hill Group which runs Nilgiris, a supermarket chain in South India, OLIVEA is hoping to fill
India Gets Luxury on Roads the vacuum in the market for luxury road transport. “With the launch of this novel travel concept we with a first mover advantage believe that we have already revolutionized the Indian Ground transportation sector”, said Prabhu Ramachandran, Managing Director, Blue Hill Group.
Facilities The route format is non-stop as they do not operate from any bus stands. They claim to be the safest road transport of the country as the coaches are GPS tracked. They have a complete operational control center cell known as OCC in airlines in Bangalore headquarters which track minute by minute each of the coaches. The current speed and route could be tracked and if there is any kind of a blockade, the driver can be informed. One unique aspect is the IP cameras installed on coaches for those who want to see their relative or friend travelling in real time. Coaches are multi-axle which ensures a comparatively smoother ride. Chassis are from the stables of Volvo and Mercedes Benz and the coaches have been built by DC Designs which is owned by Dilip Chhabria. The super luxury coaches have in-built washrooms & toilets for safety and comfort. They also have refrigerators and microwaves, with trained pursers serving meals on board. Wi-Fi internet services are provided free. Seats are 165 degrees leather reclining ergonomic seats from best of aircraft seat manufacturers with electronically operated calf support, lumbar support and multi level head rests. Entertainment is available in the form of High Definition DTH for each seat,
screening movies and music on demand plus live satellite television.
Routes & Investment Their operations are based on hub and spoke concept. For their South India operations, they operate eight vehicles on the Bangalore-ChennaiMysore-Tirupati sector, with Bangalore as their hub. Operations in northern India were flagged off in November from Delhi to Agra and Chandigarh. The operations will then be expanded to Dehradun, Jaipur, Shimla and Vrindavan by first week of December. “OLIVEA today provides experience on the lines of a Premium Legacy air carrier. It’s already clocking 70 per cent load factor in most of sectors since inception and with expansion of one route per fortnight we would be one of Asia’s largest road travel premium network system by March 2012 with a inventory of more than 120 coaches” said Koustav M. Dhar, CEO & Executive Director, Blue Hill Group.
Ramachandran informed that they have invested in excess of Rs 45 crores, with each bus costing about Rs 1.70 crore. They are expecting to break even at 60-65 per cent occupancy. “We are looking at expanding the fleet to about 100 buses in the next three years. We are hoping that the cost will go down with scale”, said Ramachandran.
Pricing & Booking A Delhi-Chandigarh one-way would cost about Rs 1,500. Pricing is such that it will be lower by 30-40 per cent in comparison to a low cost carrier. The product is available online through BIRD system. They have tieups with 1,850 travel agents across the country. Seventy four per cent of their business is done through travel agents. Besides, 18 per cent is through corporate and the rest is walk-ins, though this is on a decline. by JUSTIN THOMAS
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Lighting the lamp at the inauguration of the 5th edition of Cinemascapes seen from L-R: Mukesh Bhatt, Producer, Vishesh Films; Ramesh Sippy, President, The Film & Television Producers Guild of India & Chairman Ramesh Sippy Entertainment; Vipul Mittra, Principal Secretary Tourism Gujarat; Navin Berry, Coordinator, Cinemascapes; Amit Khanna, Chairman, Reliance Entertainment; Mahesh Bhatt, Veteran FilmMaker, Vishesh Films and Kamlesh Patel, Chairman, Gujarat Tourism.
CINEMA AND TOURISM It is Time to Connect the Dots Movies are perhaps, the best way of promoting a destination. Film tourism, is in fact, a growing phenomenon world over what with the tremendous growth of the entertainment industry and a big boost in travel sector. Yet, one of the biggest hurdles filmmakers face, especially in India, is to get permissions for film shoots. Go Now organised last month in Mumbai, the 5th edition of Cinemascapes, in association with The Film & Television Producers Guild of India. Major industry associations supported the initiatives. We take a look at some of the concerns and possible solutions expressed over two days of intense interaction between location providers and the world of film producers. 62
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F
ilmmaker Yash Chopra popularized Switzerland among Indian tourists with his movies so much so that the country honoured him by renaming a train and one of their lakes after Chopra. Tourist footfalls to New Zealand increased about four times after the release of ‘Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai’ in 2000. Very recently, film ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ has done wonders for Spain tourism. There are a plenty of examples like these to show that cinema and tourism share a deep-rooted relationship and films have a considerable influence on travellers when choosing a holiday destination. These examples establish that movies are actually the best travel brochures. Yet both haven’t been able to realize each other’s true potential. Issues like too many permits, red-tapism, lack of a film-tourism policy and many others have often discouraged filmmakers to look at alternatives like creating a set. With a focus on such issues and concerns Cinemascapes, held its 5th edition in Mumbai at The Leela Kempinski in October this year. The event is a B2B conference and exhibition with an aim to synergize the vastly underutilized resources of the entertainment and tourism industries from an Indian perspective.
RAMESH SIPPY PRESIDENT OF FILM & TELEVISION PRODUCERS GUILD OF INDIA & FILM DIRECTOR
“Lack of one window clearance is a huge problem, the industry faces today. One needs to take a number of permissions which take a lot of time. No wonder people prefer shooting out of India where one gets single window clearance.”
Issues covered The two day event, with eight sessions, covered topics – A Film Tourism Policy for India, What Makes Films a Success – How a Location can Contribute?; One Window Clearance; Making Budgets for Outdoors and Locations; Locating & Locking in Success Finding the Right Ingredients; The Advertisers Perspective on Location and Regional Cinema: Bhojpuri Films Take the Fast Track. The sessions had eminent names like Ramesh Sippy, President of Film & Television Producers Guild of India; Mahesh Bhatt, Filmmaker; Mukesh Bhatt, Film Producer; Rohan Sippy, Film Director & Producer; Amit Khanna, Chairman, Reliance Big Entertainment; Vipul Mittra, Principal Secretary, Gujarat Tourism; Raj Tilak, Film Director to name a few. The industry unanimously agrees on addressing the issue of having single window clearance. “Lack of one window clearance is a huge problem, the industry faces today. One needs to take a number of permissions which take a lot of time. No wonder people prefer shooting out of India where one gets single window clearance,” said Ramesh Sippy.
AMIT KHANNA CHAIRMAN, RELIANCE BIG ENTERTAINMENT
“Bollywood has the largest audience all over the world but unfortunately the revenues don’t show that. Indians are travelling abroad a lot more than before. The tourist inflow to Switzerland increased tremendously after Yash Chopra’s films. Yet we haven’t been able to realize the full potential.” November 2011 GO NOW
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MAHESH BHATT FILMMAKER
“Movies touch upon the desire to visit a location. We film-makers can do a lot for you and you can do a lot for us. All business engagements have to build upon mutual gratification. We are all the time looking for new experiences for the audience. Help us do that.”
MUKESH BHATT FILM PRODUCER
“Where Bollywood goes, tourists follow… People normally have aversion to advertisements but when they see the locations in movies it works as an attraction. The tourist departments not only in our country but all over the world too should understand the power of Bolywood.” 64
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Several countries have friendly policies to help filmmakers shoot at ease. “Even though it’s a paranoid nation, in New York you just have to approach one office and they take care of all the permits. Whereas in Maharasthra you need some ten clearances,” pointed Amit Khanna. Talking about the hassles, permits create for film shoots, veteran filmmaker, Mahesh Bhatt narrated an incident. While shooting for Jism in Pondicherry early in the morning, the unit was asked to stop shooting as the Governor wanted to take a walk. Though the Governor was upset with his security people to do so, it shows the need to address the issue. “Movies touch upon the desire to visit a location. We film-makers can do a lot for you and you can do a lot for us. All business engagements have to build upon mutual gratification. We are all the time looking for new experiences for the audience. Help us do that,” he said. While the representatives of film industry spoke of the issues, Vipul Mittra, Principal Secretary, Gujarat Tourism, presented the government’s point of view. Gujarat is one of the few destinations in India that offers film friendly policies. The government has off late been proactive in attracting tourists as well as the filmmakers. “I agree that films are best door to tourism. Gujarat has a pro-active decisions making process. We have created a cell to get you a single window as fast as possible. Also, the people there are disciplined which means hassle-free shooting with crowd. You’ll see the difference once you come there,” he said.
Need for a film tourism policy Even though Bollywood is the largest movie industry, there is no cohesive policy that would help the industry realize its full potential. “Bollywood has largest audience all over the world but unfortunately the revenues don’t show that. Indians are travelling abroad a lot more than before. The tourist inflow to Switzerland increased tremendously after Yash Chopra’s films. Yet we haven’t been able to realize the full potential,” said Khanna. Ramesh Sippy poignantly stated that a cohesive policy, that would benefit entertainment as well as tourism industry, is need of the hour. “As moviemakers we are very passionate about what we do and that translates into movies but often we find that the same passion is not shared by the authorities. What starts out as great passion ends up in frustra-
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THE BHATT BROTHERS GET THE ‘GUILD’ AWARD FOR PROMOTING CINEMA TOURISM Each year, Cinemascapes honours one single contribution that furthers the cause of cinema tourism. This year, the honours went to Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatt. Seen from L-R: Yash Chopra, Chairman, Yash Raj Films congratulates the veteran film makers Mukesh and Mahesh Bhatt; also in the picture, Ramesh Sippy, President, The Film & Television Producers Guild of India & Chairman Ramesh Sippy Entertainment.
MAKING A BUDGET FOR LOCATIONS While exotic locations look splendid on 70mm, shooting overseas comes at a cost. In fact, time is money when shooting abroad given several kinds of costs involved like accommodation, catering, local crew hiring costs et al. Aashish Singh, Vice President (Production), Yash Raj Films pointed out various costs involved. “You could make a low budget movie and earn revenues and make a high budget movie but still not make revenues. You just have to work out your costs effectively. For instance, you can check your costs for excess luggage and get aiver for visa fee by applying to consolate earlier. Also, keep in mind the fluctuations in currency. You can get concessions at hotels by getting in touch with tourism boards,” he suggested. Also, it is a good idea to know about how unions work internationally. Usually, the crews do not exceed 11-12 hours shift. Talking about his experience of shooting in Europe for Jhoota hi Sahi, Madhu Mantane, Producer & Co-founder of Cinergy, said: “Nothing in Europe works last minute. You need to take care of times spent and the turnaround time. Time is of essence when you are shooting abroad.” Shooting in India, naturally, works out
cheaper than abroad. However, there are certain advantages. According to Purva Naresh, Head of Production, Reliance Entertainment, “Whenever you go for a shoot out of Mumbai your budget gets inflated. However, the benefit is that you have focused and concentrated energies of the entire unit. Also, in many locations you get the benefit of extended daylight.”
At Business Session on Making Budgets, sharing experience are from L-R: Madam Fatimah Ahmed, Deputy Director General, National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (or FINAS); Madhu Mantane, Producer & Co-founder of Cinergy; Ram Mirchandani, Chief Creative Officer, Eros Entertainment; Aashish Singh, Vice President (Production), Yash Raj Films and Purva Naresh, Head of Production, Reliance Entertainment
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RAJ TILAK FILM DIRECTOR
“There is a huge disconnect between creative people and those marketing a film. We need to think where the gaps are and fill those. For instance, when multiplexes came in, single screens stopped investing instead of finding out a way. We need research on various issues like rights, location, distribution, marketing etc.”
VIPUL MITTRA PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, GUJARAT TOURISM
“I agree that films are best door to tourism. Gujarat has a pro-active decisions making process. We have created a cell to get you a single window as fast as possible. Also, the people there are disciplined which means hassle-free shooting with crowd. You’ll see the difference once you come there.” 66
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tion because of the sheer number of permits to be taken and makes you think of going overseas instead. It’s sad for a country with so much potential. Perhaps, the bureaucrats don’t see it from film makers’ point of view but when Governments all over the world can why can’t ours?,” he said. “When I go abroad for film festivals, I get a lot of queries on how to go about shooting. I am asked if there is one place where we can get to know how to get permissions. It will be a good idea if the Government, I&B and tourism boards join their hands and realize the amount of money the industry can get,” agreed Sunil Doshi, CEO & Director at Alliance Media.
Significance of a location “Sholay, the movie wouldn’t have been the same if it hadn’t been shot in that location. There was nothing but the rocks but the scenery lent so beautifully to the movie. The scenery is perhaps running in your mind as I speak and you can picture Gabbar sitting on those rocks,” said Ramesh Sippy. That speaks about the significance of locations in a movie. And it is these locations that draw tourists. Movies are, perhaps, the best form of advertisement for a destination. Mukesh Bhatt aptly summed up the importance of locations in cinema to films as well as tourists: “Where Bollywood goes, tourists follow… People normally have aversion to advertisements but when they see the locations in movies it works as an attraction. The tourist departments not only in our country but all over the world too should understand the power of Bolywood,” he said. “Marrying frozen moments in a film with picturesque locations makes for a memorable movie,” said Vinod Pande, Film Director. “However, it is not easy to find the right location. When we were shooting for the (controversial) movie Sins, we found so many suitable locations for the movie but each time we were asked for film script. We did not get permissions and had to look for alternatives,” he added. Often filmmakers resort to alternatives like creating sets. While getting permissions is an issue, the challenge also lies in presenting an old location in new light. Several locations like Goa, Mumbai have been used in movies so often that they seem repetitive. Rohan Sippy recently attempted showcasing Goa in a manner no filmmaker had earlier. Dum Maaro Dum, the movie re-invented the
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Destinations Calling Filmmakers… Gujarat: A Filmmakers’ Paradise
Maldives - A Backdrop for Movies
With several geographical and historical attractions, Gujarat has been used for many location shoots for Bollywood movies like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Refugee and Border. It provides shooting opportunities such as virgin beaches and stretches of white sand. The state backs these locations with good infrastructure allowing for easy transport of crew, equipment, cheap labour and accommodation. The Gujarat government has been very keen to attract film makers. “Obtaining permissions in Gujarat is a hasslefree task. Gujarat has a pro-active decisions making process. We have created a cell to get you a single window as fast as possible,” said Vipul Mittra, Principal Secretary, Gujarat Tourism. He also pointed out the proximity that Gujarat shares with Mumbai and easy accessibility are added advantages Gujarat offers.
Maldives is increasingly becoming one of the most favoured destinations for Bollywood. Blessed with exquisite beauty, Maldives wants Bollywood to explore more of its tropical locales, including some of the world’s finest lagoons. Recently, it has offered one of its islands entirely for filmmaking. “Maldives is a country with a lot of islands. Also, we are well-equipped with good infrastructure. There are a lot of luxurious hotels and resorts in Maldives. There are unique concepts like underwater restaurants and tree houses that make for excellent locations for films,” said Najmullah Shareef, Senior Marketing Officer of Maldives Tourism Promotion Board. “You just need to get one permit from the National Center of Arts which takes care of all the clearances. However, you need to have a local agent who will be responsible for everything,” she added.
Madhya Pradesh: A ‘Film Friendly’ Destination Madhya Pradesh, the heart of India, boasts of several experiences that can capture your heart in many ways. The state has a ‘film friendly’ policy to facilitate film shoots. OV Chaudhary, GM, Marketing Officer, Madhya Pradesh Tourism said that the state not only offers picturesque locations but also backs it up with hasslefree policies for filmmakers. “We call MP the heart of India not only because of the location but also because of the confluence of religions. The law and order situation is very good. We try to provide new innovations and destinations not just for tourists but for film makers as well,” he equipped. Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation provides single window clearance with regards to any permits related to this area of work. “The government is also setting up a film city near Bhopal soon. The objective is to provide infrastructure and attract the entertainment industry from across the country to invest in the state,” said Chaudhary.
Malaysia: Offering Incentives for Shoot The Malaysian government is offering lucrative deals including special incentives to attract filmmakers. Efforts are being made to encourage private-public participation while promoting Malaysia as a preferred location the world over. The Government is also discussing tax rebates and discount on equipments. “Shooting in Malaysia is a simple process. You just need to submit a copy of passport, story synopsis and equipment list. The permit is processed within 7 working days. Also, the Malaysian Government offers full co-operation,” said Fatimah Ahmad, Deputy Director General, Malaysia’s National Film Development Corporation (Finas). Malaysia also offers cheap hotels and various attractive packages available. “There are several attractive packages available for filmmakers. The current offer provides food, stay, equipments and transport facilities for 300 people for just Rs 85 lakhs,” she said.
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TOURISM CINEMA destination that has been a filmmaker’s darling for a long time. “The greatest adventure of cinema is ability to give people a cinematic experience and transport people into that experience through visuals. Creative use of locations helps us do that. About 80% of the places shown in the movie (Dum Maaro…) were new ones. We wanted to explore and bring some thrill to the scenic beauty of the place which is worldknown,” says Sippy.
Need for research on films? An interesting topic covered in the event raised the question whether we need research on what could make a film work? Can a survey on what the audience is looking for help the scriptwriter write a great story? Ketan Dewan, Managing Director, KRD Vision made a case for carrying a research before making a film. “If you are investing in a film you have to make sure it succeeds. Movie makers are like entrepreneurs per movie. They need to find the right ingredients like goal, productions, marketing and distribution to make the movie a success. This is where film research can help.” As per Film Director Raj Tilak the research can work at the macro level, “There is a huge disconnect between creative people and those marketing a film. We need to think where the gaps are and fill those. For instance, when multiplexes came in, single screens stopped investing instead of finding out a way. We need research on various issues like rights, location, distribution, marketing etc.” Agreed Vinta Nanda, Film & TV Producer/ Director/Writer - Creativeland Pictures: “A creative person can not be given specifics on the basis of a research. However, at a macro level, research can help in showing where to go. You can’t tell what the character should 68
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be like that will robotize the character but research can help in knowing what the audience is demanding.”
Regional cinema on a fast track An interesting session on regional cinema concluded the two-day event. ‘Bhojpuri Films Take the Fast Track’ saw participation from Deepa Narayan, Singer & Producer, Raj Kumar Pandey, Director & Producer, Sharon Thomas, Actress, Mahavir Jain, VP, Western Film Producers Association. Talking about the fast growing Bhojpuri film industry the speakers asserted that it was high time Bhojpuri cinema got its due. The first Bhojpuri film was made 50 years back. Since then the cinema has seen a sea change. The film budgets have gone up, Bollywood stalwarts like Amitabh Bachchan
are acting in Bhojpuri films and the films are now being shot in foreign locations as well. However, the industry still lacks complete support. “So many Hindi films have Bhojpuri influence especially in songs like Munni, Sheila etc. However, the Government hasn’t realized the power of Bhojpuri film industry. It should be given incentives like tax rebate,” suggested Raj Kumar Pandey.
Conclusion Clearly, there is a long way to go before the worlds of cinema and tourism establish a mutually efficient relationship. There’s need for a film tourism policy and a less bureaucratic approach. Also, there is a need for more research into film tourism. by PURVA BHATIA IN MUMBAI
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THE SPANISH CONNECTION ZNMD Makes Waves in India It was an instant connect with Bollywood choosing to shoot in Spain. The country’s Tourism Minister, H.E. Joan Mesquida Ferrando was recently in India, reinforcing the connect. We bring you excerpts from his speech where he outlined the role of tourism, their use of cinema as a medium and the future ahead
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n the past few years, India has emerged as one of the most important tourism markets in Asia. It is due to this very reason that we decided to open an office here in Mumbai (the dealings of this market were earlier handled from Singapore). It has been operational for two years now and I can say that I’m more than satisfied. According to the data that we have, the number of international trips undertaken by Indians by way of tourism is more than 11 million. Although, at the moment, only a small percentage selects Spain as a tourist destination, 2011 is already showing a record growth of 32% over 2010 in the Indian arrivals to Spain. (70,800 in 2010 according to IATA figures). India is, therefore, a key market for the promotion of Spain as a tourist destination. The Ministry of Tourism has promised to increase the efforts in this region. It is a fact that Spain has all the attractions required to make it a preferred holiday and business destination. We have great strengths. Thus, the factors that make Spain known in India are positive. We have a very strong base to build up on: flamenco, heritage sites, bull fighting, natural beauty, leading football and basketball clubs and players. In fact, just last week, the Spanish basketball team won the European Championship. On the other hand, is our food, Andalucia, Madrid, Barcelona, food which is 70
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compatible with that of India due to its spices. Spain is a warm and welcoming country with quality shops with products available at interesting prices. That is why the proposal for shooting a
Bollywood movie in our country seemed like a wonderful opportunity. It was a great opportunity that fits perfectly with the promotion philosophy of our country. The Spanish lifestyle was the central idea of the
JOAN MESQUIDA FERRANDO DEPUTY MINISTER FOR TOURISM AND DOMESTIC TRADE, SPAIN
We have a specific vision and spots for the Indian market. We have, therefore, created promotional videos and visuals adapted to the Asian market and we have invested around 9,00,000 Euros for publicity in different media.
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movie. It reflects that Spain is a “60X60X24” destination where a person can enjoy and make the most of every second of every minute of every hour, i.e. an exciting, vibrant and fun country for all (youngsters, adults and children) and with a very active night life. Our new publicity strategy is based on this, on the myriad of sensations that traveling to Spain generates. Something that is very well depicted in the movie, a movie with an unbeatable name “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobaara”. It was a very ambitious objective, but we have attained it. It has been a little more than a year since we launched our campaign “I need Spain”. The objective of the campaign was to reach 400 million customers in 40 countries. Till date, the campaign has encompassed 467 million people worldwide and the brand “Spain” is one of those with the highest spontaneous recall in all European markets, always ranked one or two. The new campaign has also led to a higher motivation rate for visiting Spain. In countries like Italy and Japan it has crossed 90%, whereas in China it is almost at 98% and 99% in Russia. We have a specific vision and spots for
A still from Zindagi Na Milegi Dobaara
the Indian market. We have, therefore, created promotional videos and visuals adapted to the Asian market and we have invested around 9,00,000 Euros for publicity in different media. One year later, we present our digital campaign. Another step in the seduction of the potential tourist. And for this, we make use of the sport which is, as I said earlier, one of the bases of our marketing strategy. We have se-
lected brand ambassadors with worldwide renown such as the players of Real Madrid, the Spanish National Soccer and Basketball teams, Moto Gp bikers…. and also Ferran Adria for the promotion of Spanish food. We even have the footballers from Liverpool which has a fan base of 130 million in Asia, India having 6 million of these (58 million in China, 6 million in Thailand, 2 million in Malaysia and 2 million in Japan).” November 2011 GO NOW
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GEERT ROBBERECHTS
TOURISM HERITAGE A festival at Rani Bagh
KHAJURAHO The Lost Gardens Get a Sheen and their share of Responsible Tourism Geert Robberechts, art historian and Convenor, INTACH, Belgium Chapter tells GoNow about the organisation’s approach to restoration and conservation at Khajuraho, the concept of sustainable tourism and making every tourist spend more time in the temple township.
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hat is INTACH’s initiative at the historic town and the heritage site of Khajuraho?
Khajuraho is known for its medieval temples which are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and are protected and managed by the ASI. However, the Khajuraho region is culturally very rich with many historic layers. Over centuries this agricultural society has been able to sustain all these cultures, but now, it has become a poor region and drought prone. Our work in Khajuraho dates back to 1998, when a comprehensive study was made of all major aspects of the broader Khajuraho Region: geography, hydrology, economics (including 72
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crafts), population, culture etc to propose a sustainable development strategy. Tourism in Khajuraho is unsustainable for the local people as international tourists fly in from Delhi or Varanasi at noon, visit the temples, go to their five-star hotels and leave by next morning. The local population has very little profit from their presence. Luckily, a train station opened two years ago which promotes actively the national/local tourism.
What are the initiatives that INTACH introduced at the site? We have not touched the temples as those are under the ASI. But since our 1998 report, INTACH has worked on the restoration of the bunds and desilting of the Shiv Sagar, Prem
Well... restoring water Rani Bagh has two big wells, one of which is a very old stepwell. Till two years back, it was completely dry and filled with organic waste. Trees grew on its walls. We cleaned it in March 2010 and miracle of miracles, three weeks later it had almost 3 feet of water! All by itself and that too in the dry season! Now it is filled to the brim thanks to the good monsoons this year. It was as if the well was happy to be clean again! It was a surprise for us to know that farmers put fish in the wells. To reduce the reproduction of mosquitos.
TOURISM HERITAGE Sagar (and to a lesser extent also Khajur Sagar) lakes. These are now again full of clean water, to be used by the local population. We have also done street tree planting. Both these projects have been funded by the Helen Hamlyn Trust (UK). Another initiative is to restore the Lost Gardens of Khajuraho, an activity initiated and funded by INTACH Belgium. Actually, it would be more correct to say, The Lost Gardens of Rajnagar because Khajuraho has always been a temple city. Since the beginning of the 18th century, Rajnagar, the twin town of Khajuraho (only 3 km from the western group of temples) was founded by the youngest brother of the then ruling Maharaja of Chhattarpur. It was considered to be a rebellion and was hence checked. Still, the royals created no less than 13 gardens in Rajnagar. These gardens were walled and produce fruits, vegetables and flowers. As each garden has a (Shiva) temple and also samadhis, we presume that these gardens were attached to a ruling king, who would be cremated there. Our project – the Lost Gardens of Khajuraho (www.intach.be) – aims at restoring these gardens to their former glory and to make them into training centers for sustainable organic
agriculture. We have restored the Pateriyaka Bagh while Rani Bagh is already in use. The hard restoration starts now for the temple, kothi, stepwells, irrigation canals.
Has INTACH’s work at Khajuraho made a difference to the heritage site? Though not directly involved with the temple site, we can see that ASI’s new management plan indeed takes into account many of our suggestions from our 1998 report. These include entrance via Shiv Sagar, to re-install the trajectory that a pilgrim would have taken to visit the temples; ban of motorised traffic around the temples during the day. But I think the most important influence of INTACH on ASI has been at the national level, where after years of awareness creation and model-cases of protecting and developing non-ASI sites, it has become mandatory for both organizations to collaborate. I feel, it is no less than a paradigm shift.
How has it impacted the lives of the local people? Our work at the Rajnagar Gardens represent an extra visit-opportunity for the tourists, who will then be obliged to stay longer in Khajuraho and create more income for the local population. Apart from this, the presence of
GEERT ROBBERECHTS ART HISTORIAN AND CONVENOR, INTACH, BELGIUM CHAPTER
Tourism in Khajuraho is unsustainable for the local people as international tourists fly in from Delhi or Varanasi at noon, visit the temples, go to their five-star hotels and leave by next morning. The local population has very little profit from their presence. Luckily, a train station opened two years ago which promotes actively the national/local tourism.
Building a private pool When I first visited Khajuraho, I saw work on the Prem Sagar lake that hails from the 9th or 10th century Chandela period. Workers were reconstructing the ghats and when I inquired what was going on from my local friend, he said: “Ah, there is this American lady who would like to swim here, she wants a private swimming pool. That is why she gives money for restoration.” Later I found out that the lady was Lady Hamlyn from the UK, whose Trust was the first one to respond to the recommendations of the 1998 INTACH report by starting restoration projects. The project was not a “Private Swimming Pool”, but “Desilting of the Lakes and Restoration of the Bunds.”
the Lost Gardens Project empowers the local INTACH chapter, due to which we can feel that “heritage” and “respect of the own past” becomes more vivid in the minds of the local people. The work on the Lost Gardens now gives a livelihood to 12 families and during peak periods to many more people. Now some local farmers have taken up this sustainable model in their own fields after we organised training for them.
How has it improved Khajuraho as a tourist spot and helped tourists? We are working on a masterplan to develop Rajnagar as a heritage town, since all its historic layers from the early 18th century are present. Rajnagar was mostly forgotten by investors and decision makers alike even though it has an old fort, many kothis, temples, British-influenced and also vernacular architecture - all in a happy buzzy setting of small streets. It even has two artificial lakes, where the typical Bundelkhand water harvesting system that dates back more than a thousand years can be illustrated, and all this is intermingled with 13 walled gardens.
How is the Belgium Chapter involved in Khajuraho? The Belgium Chapter was founded in 2004 with the express aim to fund the Lost Gardens project. The chapter now has some 125 members. Besides the funding, we also provide expertise in two fields: historical and organic farming, which is checked with Indian experts. I visit Khajuraho three times a year for short periods while Johan D’hulster, biodynamic farmer, who looks after the organic farming initiative comes here once a year. But the day-to-day monitoring is done by INTACH and Navdanya. by RAHUL KUMAR IN KHAJURAHO
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Culture, like tourism, is representing your country to the world and the ICCR is promoting a holistic brand India, says Suresh K. Goel, DG, ICCR, in an exclusive interview to Go Now
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he Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has come a long way since 1950 when it was set up to, among other things, promote cultural exchange with other countries and peoples. It has also been a catalyst in boosting tourism, says Suresh K. Goel, Director General. “Culture, like tourism, is nothing but representing your country to the world,” he says. “We are promoting the holistic brand India. Our interaction with Tourism Secretary R.H. Khwaja for advancing the Incredible India campaign is regular.” It is not just the classical and the traditional that the council is working on. As Goel says, “Culture is not a static but dynamic phenomenon. It is rooted, but then it also grows. The idea is to add new dimensions to theatre, dance, music, to everything.”
Removing barriers
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The ICCR held a three-day international Delhi Jazz Festival this year (April 8-10) at the Nehru Park, New Delhi. It featured several bands, with Nehru Park becoming a mellifluous confluence of beats and notes from countries such as Italy, Canada, Sweden, France, Germany and Scotland. But then the council also organised the Thumri Festival this month in the capital. “Celebrating Thumri Festival is an annual feature of ICCR in which we showcase the best of Indian traditional art forms to the international community in Delhi. Kathak has its moorings in Thumri,” Goel says. He does not believe in the divisions between the East and the West, the so-called high art and popular art. “Why can’t Bharatnatyam be done on the music of Tchaikovsky? Why can’t Kathak go along with Vivaldi?” The range of ICCR’s activities is vast. On its 60th anniversary, it organized an international seminar on Indian culture in a globalized world. Then, on March 4 this year, there was an event called Year of India in Canada 2011, which was aimed at highlighting India’s culture, traditions and diversity, and the contribution of the Indian Diaspora to Canadian society. In the same month, the council held a similar event, Maximum India, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. International Buddhist conference in Kandy, Sri Lanka, the Africa-India Forum Summit, participation in the first Saudi Cultural Week in the Capital, Festival of China in India, the Africa Festival, the International Dance Festival – the list is long.
TOURISM THE ARTS
Dr. Karan Singh, President ICCR, plays the piano at the inauguration of the first International Delhi Jazz festival as Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and ICCR DG, Suresh K. Goel look on
Tap the potential
SURESH K. GOEL DIRECTOR GENERAL, ICCR
“We will participate in the Hamburg Port Festival. It is not just about shipping but intermediation of cultures and civilizations. We have been given space for displaying our arts and crafts. Our ship will visit the port on whose deck cultural programmes will be held.”
“We will participate in the Hamburg Port Festival,” the ICCR Director General says. “It is not just about shipping but intermediation of cultures and civilizations. We have been given space for displaying our arts and crafts. Our ship will visit the port on whose deck cultural programmes will be held.” Moving with the times and embracing the official policy of public-private partnership or PPP, the council also ties up with private parties to carry out its mandate. “The only condition we insist on is that the dignity of culture should be maintained,” he says. Indian culture in general and ICCR activities in particular hold a great deal of potential for tourism, he points out, adding that it is up to the private sector to tap the potential. Tour operators have to look beyond the obvious. They should also try to market India in a way that cultural vibrancy becomes a magnet to attract tourists. For what India offers is not just monuments but also rich cuisine, art and literary festivals, and a bewildering range of cultural activities, Goel says. The ICCR is showcasing all that to the world. It is time the private enterprise followed suit. by RAVI SHANKER KAPOOR
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TOURISM CUISINE
Union Minister for Tourism Subodh Kant Sahai (Centre); Secretary Tourism R.H. Khwaja (4th from left); CEO of DMICDC, Amitabh Kant (2nd from left) and former chairman of the ITDC, Anil Bhandari (2nd from right) at the 8th Chef Awards 2011. Lalit Panwar, CMD ITDC is seen on extreme right.
CUISINE
The Untapped Component of Incredible India India is losing out on tourism by not documenting and promoting its various cuisines. Though Indian cuisine has more variety, more flavours and a different style of cooking, lack of marketing has not given it global recognition
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TOURISM CUISINE
Chef Devinder Kumar with the Tourism Minister and Anil Bhandari
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ndian cuisines can help boost tourism in the country provided the country’s rich culinary tradition is documented, standardized, promoted and marketed across the world through food festivals. Highlighting the importance of cuisines, Union Minister for Tourism Subodh Kant Sahai said on the International Chefs Day that the country cannot hope to hold back the tourists without a good cuisine. Applauding Indian chefs Sahai said: “Chefs have really become celebrities and the Ministry of Tourism plans to recommend to the Prime Minister that chefs be considered for the Padma Bhushan awards. Giving away awards in various categories to Indian chefs, the minister added that the country needs more hotels and restaurants. Speaking on the occasion, R.H. Khwaja, Secretary Tourism, said that this is a special day for chefs. “We have taken up the suggestion of setting up a national culinary institute. It will take up some time because we want it to be globally competitive. Therefore, we are looking at the best standards and practices from across the world to incorporate those in our institute.” The secretary added that Indian cuisine is one of the best in the world and has to be marketed well. The man behind the Incredible Indian campaign and the current CEO of the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (DMICDC), Amitabh Kant also back-patted the chefs. He said: “Many countries like France, Japan, Thailand, etc have become major tourist destinations because of their cuisines. Chefs are artists like Hussain and Picasso.” Kant even suggested that the government should consider creating a special position of a chef in every embassy abroad to highlight Indian food.
Tourism Minister honouring Chef Sireesh Saxena with the Golden Hat Chef Award
Kant dwelt considerably on the lack of promotion of Indian cuisines. He said: “A lot of our cuisine has to be documented. It is part of India’s heritage.” Suggesting that “Indian cuisine should be documented”, he said that the recipes of many traditional Indian cuisines are passing through just a few Indian families. “Indian cuisines have to be documented, promoted and marketed. I am sure the ministry will brand it and take it forward on to a path of glory,” Kant said. Speaking exclusively to Go Now, former chairman of the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), Anil Bhandari, who had initiated the chefs awards with Chef Devinder Kumar in 2004 with help from industry bodies, said that by not actively promoting Indian cuisines, we have indeed lost an opportunity to bring in more tourists to the country. He said that there are foodies
in the world who having once tasted a food go to the country of origin to try out the cuisines. “There are cuisine trails for which people specially come to India. They may begin by tasting food at Old Delhi, will go to Rajasthan where the Maharaja of Udaipur will himself cook and explain the recipes to the guests. Live cooking demonstrations are held to educate tourists about Indian cuisines,” says Bhandari. Highlighting the strong connect that food has had with tourism, Bhandari said that in all the festivals of India held abroad, cuisine has always played an important part. “India has such a big variety of cuisines that no other country can give. That is why documentation and standardization of our food is important.” Giving an example, he says that the chicken curry being served in London is made by all kinds of cooks, including Bangladeshi and Pakistani cooks. The cooks use ingredients according to their fancy and not the ones recommended for the particular dish. Bhandari lays stress on the culinary institute saying that once our food is documented, standardised and promoted, teachers from the institute will be able to teach Indian cooking at foreign universities. “Indian food will be taught abroad which will generate a huge interest in the country. This is how Chinese and Italian cuisines have generated interest and spread across the world.” Bhandari highlights another interesting aspect of Indian food. He says: “Indian cuisine is very good for health. The condiments and spices are good for the body. Our style of cooking which is based on slow-cooking and the use of brass and copper stands out. We have so many curries and that is unlike the other cuisines. The French cuisine has just two sauces. Regarding taste and flavours also, Indian cuisines are so much better and offer so much variety.” The event, held at Ashoka hotel, was as much to honour for chefs for their gourmet expertise as it was to raise funds for NGO Khushii. The eighth year of the prestigious event had 15 different categories of awards, including the Golden Hat Chef award, Silver Hat Chef Award, Master Chef for Different Cuisines, Kitchen Artist Award, Food Critic Award, Lady Chef of the Year Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award. The event also had a fashion show where 14 leading chefs walked the ramp in designer aprons and jackets along with children from NGO Khushii. by RAHUL KUMAR
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HYDERABAD MICE TOURISM
Reasonable tariffs, elaborate infrastructure for MICE and Hyderabad International Convention Centre, business tourism, albeit affected by political unrest, grows every year.
HYDERABAD
HICC A Major Factor in Business Tourism
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ith the highest number of tourists going to Tirupati every year, Hyderabad’s location serves ideally as a corridor of transit for leisure tourism. According to official numbers, Andhra Pradesh attracts 3.2 million visitors visit the state every year.
Well planned infrastructure, impact of Cyberabad With well planned and managed infrastructure including Rajiv Gandhi Hyderabad International Airport (which is constantly awarded by reputed agencies), development is evident when one passes the Narsimha Rao flyover or a 35 kilometre 8 lane Nehru 78
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Outer Ring Road. Well connected well to Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities, Hyderabad is the slowly emerging hub of business activity in South India. According to AP tourism, Hyderabad held over 300 conferences and business meets on a national and international level in 2010. On my journey from Raj Bhavan road to Cyberabad, my driver told me how there was nothing but unused lands till a decade ago. I nod as I see a city within a city unfolding in the form of huge expanses, concrete structures. A maze of offices from all sectors of engineering, biotechnology, pharmaceutical have set up their headquarters while residential complexes have spurted while endless
constructions continue. Business tourism in Hyderabad is mainly contributed by individual businessman, group meetings and national and international conventions. Along with a significant impact on business tourism, Cyberabad has changed the skyline of Hyderabad. “There is about 60 per cent occupancy in Hyderabad all year round” says Jaideep Khanna, General Manager, Sales, Marketing & Distribution, HICC, exceeding the existing demands of hotels and infrastructure.” Unlike tourist destinations or metropolitans like Delhi & Mumbai where season rates double up, “Hyderabad has always had reasonable tariffs for easy occupancies all year
HYDERABAD MICE TOURISM
Other MICE Facilities in the City HITEX
GENERAL MANAGER, SALES, MARKETING & DISTRIBUTION, HICC
“There is about 60 per cent occupancy in Hyderabad all year round. Hyderabad has always had reasonable tariffs for easy occupancies all year round. With affordable rates and innate infrastructure, MICE tourism in Hyderabad is increasing. HICC does about 700 events in a year along with 8 to 10 international conventions on a larger scale.” round. With affordable rates and innate infrastructure, MICE tourism in Hyderabad is increasing.”
An addittion to Cyberabad: HICC A welcome addition to this was Hyderabad International Convention Centre, India’s first purpose-built convention centre. Located in a serene 15 acre landscaped environment, HICC can accommodate over 5000 delegates. One of the highlights is a pillar-free main hall of 6,480 square metres divisible into smaller halls. “After its launch in 2006, we provide the ideal set up of a convenient location from the airport in one of Hyderabad’s CBD’s is India’s largest convention centre. Adjacent to that are Novotel Hyderabad and a business exhibition centre.” The hotel features 287 guest rooms, Hi-speed internet, Wi-Fi enabled rooms, all day-dining and specialty restaurants, club lounge, spa and 24-hours fitness centre. One of the most sought-after facilities in South Asia it was won many accolades Mr. Khanna tells me “HICC does about 700 events in a year along with 8 to 10 international conventions on a larger scale.” Hyderabad Convention Visitors Bureau is
the official non-profit body, joint initiative of private industry stakeholders and the state tourism department for promoting Hyderabad as a MICE destination. “It has worked very well as an economic multiplier” explains Mr. Khanna “and global networking to promote brand Hyderabad to the world.”
Political unrest affects business When I ask him if the Telangana agitation has affected business, he doesn’t deny it. “Due to the political unrest in the city, about 10-15 per cent of business has been affected. But one of the major issues is not the situation, but the media coverage which overhypes the situation thereby affecting business.” With his target business travellers are predominantly professionals between the ages of 28-50, he says “We could never compete with destinations like Agra, Jaipur, Goa but because of other infrastructures and HICC, Hyderabad has found a visibility on the map.” He also informs me that HICC will be hosting UN’s climate convention in October 2012 “wherein 5000 delegates from around the world will be in Hyderabad for over 3 weeks.”
Spread over 70 Acres, HITEX serves as a one-stop resource, providing the right setting for international expositions, trade shows, conferences and other corporate events. HITEX provides, three indoor Exhibition Halls - 3500 sq.m.(37,660 sq.ft./hal) Open Exhibition Area - 32,825 sq.m (353,197 sq.ft) Trade Fair Office Building, Entrance Plaza (housing Registration and Ticketing Counters), Car Parking (1200 cars) and Conference Facilities. Facilities include meeting rooms, organizer’s office, VIP lounge, media centre and also houses services including a business centre, a restaurant, travel and forex centre, bank ATM, car rentals, florist, photo studio, and more. Contact: Hyderabad International Trade Expositions Limited, HITEX Exhibition Centre, Tel: +91 40 23112121/22/23, e-mail: hitex@hitex.co.in
Shilpkala Vedika A multi-functional center located at Hitech City -The state-of-the-art facility is spread over 60,000 sq.ft set in 5 acres of scenic land can seat 2,500 people. Set up with highly advanced facilities that include press room, cafeteria, modern multi-media projection system, comfortable seating, luxurious green rooms, Bose sound system and exquisite decor. Contact: Shilparamam, Madhapur, Tel: +91 40 23112704 Email: skvedika@yahoo.com
Marriott Convention Centre The facilities include 85,000 sq. ft of banquet space, 15,425 sq. ft. of main conventional hall, 21 well-appointed meeting rooms, board rooms and private dining rooms, Simultaneous interpretation facility, ceiling cameras with drop screens, state-of-the-art lighting system, world-class audio-visual systems, landscaped gardens and terrace, an array of executive rooms and budget accommodation, as well as a choice of specialty restaurants, bars and lounges. Contact: Opposite Hussain Sagar Lake, Tank Bund Road. Tel: +91 40 27522999
Leonia International Convention Centre The multi-purpose LICEC can accommodate 7,500 delegates at one time and the area of the pillar-free main hall is 5,838 sq metres. Leonia AV team has equipment to cater for different types of events and venues including rock concerts, music shows, award ceremonies and televised events. Each conference hall is equipped with High resolution projector, Screen, EV wireless handheld, lapel mic system, 5.1 sound system, DVD player, Video switcher, Slide projector, LCD displays Video conferencing. Contact: Leonia Holistic Destination, Shameerpet, Ranga Reddy District, Tel: +91 40 6640 0000 E-mail: stay@leonia.in
by MANAVI SIDDHANTI IN HYDERABAD
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SOURCE: APTOURISM.IN
JAIDEEP KHANNA
TOURISM IN THE STATES
People’s groups and the Agra administration have joined hands to improve the city with a view to making the life of the residents as well as the tourists more comfortable. With greening drives, cleanliness around the Taj, initiating cultural programmes and opening up more tourist spots, the city administration and the hospitality sector feel travellers will spend more nights in the city
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n the Taj Mahal lies one of the biggest ironies. Even as the world heritage monument pulls in foreign tourists by its sheer grandeur it also sends them back almost immediately. The other heritage sites as well as numerous spots of tourist interest in and around Agra dim before the Taj’s magnificence which is a universal lament from the tourism and the hospitality professionals in the city. Why is it that despite the strong pull of the Taj Mahal, tourists hardly stay for more than one night in the city?
AGRA
Going Beyond the Taj
Reality check Time to face the reality. One has to admit that the city itself is such that tourists do not want to extend their stay here. Infrastructure remains a bit of a concern. Vast patches of the city remain dirty and unkempt. Traffic snarls during the peak hours are common and parking is increasingly becoming a problem. Touts, lapakas in the local language, grab a tourist the moment they spot one. It is not just those with the white skin, Indians too become a prey the moment they step into the city. Pollution too scares away the people and slums are another drawback. But a visit to Agra to check out the infrastructure and speak to stakeholders shows that the wheels of change are moving slowly but surely. Agra Commissioner Amrit Abhijat says that the administration found cleanliness and traffic congestion wanting. “Now we have started solid waste management and are picking up garbage house to house. A firm is collecting the garbage, segregating it and tackling it in an eco-friendly way. To reduce traffic congestion and to ease the passage of people coming into the city, an alternative route MG Road two had been planned. It is functional now though we have a few problems on the stretch.”
TANMOY DAS
Slum development programmes
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The administration is looking at areas in the vicinity of the Taj. The city has close to 440 slums, many of which are close to the Taj Mahal. Then there are villages that surround the monument. “We are working on removal
TOURISM IN THE STATES
AMRIT ABHIJAT AGRA COMMISSIONER
“We are working on removal of encroachments, create walkways, improve the lighting, create public toilets and do landscaping near the monument. We are also developing some of the villages as centres of rural tourism and are focusing on developing the strengths of these villages. These will then showcase Indian lifestyle, the local work and crafts as well as cuisine.”
of encroachments, create walkways, improve the lighting, create public toilets and do landscaping near the monument. We are also developing some of the villages as centres of rural tourism and are focusing on developing the strengths of these villages. These will then showcase Indian lifestyle, the local work and crafts as well as cuisine,” says Abhijat. He adds that the Taj Ganj area near the Taj will be developed and the power supply around it is being put underground. “We will clean up the skyline around the Taj Mahal,” says that commissioner. He adds that the ticketing system is still to be improved which will facilitate the ease of entry to the monument.
alone, showing the tremendous tourism potential of the city. Narain says: “We want to have Agra beyond the Taj.” And he lists places that are now being developed as hot spots for tourism. “Though the river Yamuna has water for only four months, we can tap it to start a river cruise. This cruise can showcase the Bahadurpur village which has a concentration of carpet weavers. There are beautiful things to see in this village. This cruise can be extended up to Mathura where the ghats can be shown to the tourists. By holding classical concerts at the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri too, we can extend the stay of the tourist beyond the usual one day.”
Agra beyond the Taj Rajiv Narain, president of the Tourism Guild of Agra wants the city to be a model city. He says: “It is one of the few cities to have three heritage sites. It has all the potential. It is close to Delhi. We will soon get the Expressway and the F1 has already brought a lot of visitors to the city. Agra obviously benefits due to its proximity to Delhi.” He points out that there are 148 monuments under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in Agra
Public participation The city has begun to witness a change. Harvijay Singh Bahia, shoe exporter and motor rally participant, a major force behind an intense greening drive in the city says that a strong awareness movement is building up among the citizens regarding their surroundings. “People started waking up in 2007. A lot is happening in Agra now due to the initiative taken by people and the
administration is taking a sincere step towards sprucing up the city.” Numerous citizens’ groups have sprung up in Agra which are working on short-term and longterm projects involving eco-tourism, culture and cuisine, lighting as well as the cleanliness of monuments.
Greening the City A major greening effort has been underway since last year on the banks of the Mandola Nullah which was one of the dirtiest places and this drain used to pass right through the heart of the city. Due to Bahia’s efforts, alistonias, bouganvillas and kaner plants have spruced up. A gardener also has been kept 24-hours. A similar greening drive has been taken up across the city in schools, colleges and even temples. With help from the Forest Department and the Commissioner, a nature walk which is very close to the Taj Mahal has been set up. Under this initiative, the Forest Department encourages people to plan saplings in the memory of their beloved ones for a small fee. With the citizens bodies taking up citybased issues regularly with the administration through meetings, consultations and also through Facebook, the administration too has been forced to respond. Narain says: “There is a visible change in the power supply over the last 1.5 years; telecommunications too has improved considerably and even the roads are better. But parking is becoming an issue now.” He adds that even the educational institutions have improved and are attracting students from outside Agra. As Dilawar Singh Nindra, the General Manager of the newly-opened Wyndham Grand hotel says: “Agra is changing at a slow pace as compared to other cities. Though the infrastructure is improving, what we are really looking forward to are the new roads that connect us to Noida. Hopefully we will see more visitors as access improves.” Abhijat says: “People have a strong desire to make things work in Agra but there was a lack of something. The gap between the people and the bureaucracy has been bridged. People have organized themselves into 11 sectors that concern the city and they are working with us to address those issues.” Hopefully, with such active participation by the people Agra which has shown considerable improvement should be able to attract more visitors and for longer durations.
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TOURISM IN THE STATES
RAJIV NARAIN PRESIDENT, TOURISM GUILD OF AGRA
“We want to have Agra beyond the Taj. It is one of the few cities to have three heritage sites. It has all the potential as it is close to Delhi. We will soon get the Expressway and the F1 has already brought a lot of visitors to the city. Agra obviously benefits due to its proximity to Delhi.”
DILAWAR SINGH NINDRA GENERAL MANAGER, WYNDHAM GRAND HOTEL
“Agra is changing at a slow pace as compared to the other cities. Though the infrastructure is improving, what we are really looking forward to are the new roads that connect us to Noida. Hopefully we will see more visitors as access improves.” 82
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Taj Nature Walk
A Tourists’ Delight The commissioner adds that holding the tourist back has been a problem but the government is addressing it. “We are creating more attractions for the tourists. We have started an aarti on the lines of the Varanasi aarti; promoting the Chambal lodge which is a sanctuary for dolphins and crocodiles; inviting people for a cattle fair which happens every year after Diwali.” The commissioner adds that an every-day, top draw cultural programme Mohabbat The Taj, is organised by a private organization Kalakriti which has been a big hit with tourists, many of who were looking forward to something interesting during the evenings. The administration is also promoting bird watching at the Keetam lake which gets more birds than the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. The Keetam lake also has a Bear Relief Centre where the dancing bears are being rehabilitated. A one-day tourist bus service has been started by the UP Roadways that takes tourists on a round of the important monuments and brings them back in one day. Abhijat says that due to the immense popularity of this service they plan to start a similar one for the lesserknown monuments. • The Taj Nature Walk has been initiated near the monument • The shopping arcade Shilpgram has been upgraded and made operational • Two heritage walks have been started by UP Tourism. Text & photographs by RAHUL KUMAR IN AGRA
HOTELSCAPES A L L A B O U T H O T E L S & H O S P I TA L I T Y
PARK HYDERABAD
• BRAND SEGMENTATION OF HOTELS: HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH? • THE PARK HOTEL HYDERABAD REDEFINES DESIGNER HOTELS • DESIGNED FOR NATURAL LIVING: NOVOTEL MUMBAI JUHU BEACH • VIVANTA BY TAJ CATERS TO THE MODERN DAY TRAVELLER • KNOW ALL ABOUT FAIRMONT RAFFLES HOTEL INTERNATIONAL
HOTEL LUXURY
Retail Therapy in the Lap of Luxury at
OBEROI GURGAON
The newly opened Oberoi Gurgaon Hotel is an epitome of luxury. Go Now tells you how you can splurge, indulge and pamper yourself under one roof...
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ooking for a dose of opulence in your retail therapy? Move over highend malls, here’s Oberoi Gurgaon alluring you to indulge in luxury. Shop from the créme de la créme of the luxury brands like Jimmy Choo, BottegaVeneta,
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Canali and Burberry; get a beauty treatment or your hair groomed by Italian hair stylist Rossano Ferretti and French podiatrist, Bastien Gonzales and stop by for a cup of coffee at Oberoi Patisserie and Delicatessen. This unmatched luxury retail experience is spread
over 50,000 square feet at the recently launched Oberoi Hotel, Gurgaon. “Luxury,” says Kapil Chopra, Senior Vice President, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, “is all about unique and distinct experiences. The Oberoi, Gurgaon’s luxury retail concourse
HOTEL LUXURY offers a complete lifestyle experience to guests. The hotel’s design philosophy of height, light and space, extends to this newly opened arcade as well, which is built on the edge of an expansive reflection pool. The floor-to-ceiling picture windows let in natural light and offer views of the serene blue water body, lending a warm, picturesque setting to shop and spend time.”
The brands at the arcade The arcade features top international brands like Jimmy Choo, BottegaVeneta, Canali and Burberry. This is Bottega Veneta’s third store in India, the other two operating in Delhi at Emporio Mall and in Mumbai at the Oberoi. The 60-square meter store offers a selection of handbags, shoes, small leather goods and luggage for women and men. The boutique features the signature Bottega Veneta store concept designed by Creative Director Tomas Maier. Stefano Canali, the third generation owner of the company was recently here to launch the store. The 140 square meter store aims at creating a modern and comfortable space. The geometrical composition formed of glass squares and rectangles painted dark grey on the reverse side is the store’s distinctive feature. Some of the glass features are backlit, which immediately transform light into a striking feature of the architecture. For British luxury brand Jimmy Choo this is the fourth store in India after the existing flagships at The Emporio in New Delhi, The Galleria in Mumbai and The Collection in Bengaluru. The store offers a complete assortment of shoes, handbags, small leather goods, soft accessories, sunglasses and a special section dedicated to the Choo 24:7 collection: Perfect Shoe and Bag Wardrobe. Burberry, the British luxury fashion house offers clothing, fragrance, and fashion accessories for both men and women. Check out the famous iconic trench coat and the famous ‘burberry check’ pattern. Talking about the experience the hotel aims to provide, Chopra says, “We have been very selective about our brand selection at the arcade. We want it to be a shopping, dining and a complete recreational experience so that you can spend an entire afternoon here with friends and family.” Contemporary Indian art gallery by Nature Morte – Art lovers can spend time viewing works by leading artists in the contemporary Indian art gallery. Nature Morte
At the launch party: Kapil Chopra, Senior Vice President, Oberoi Group; Stefano Canali, the 3rd generation owner of Canali; Sanjay Kapoor, MD, Genesis Luxury; PRS Oberoi, Chairman & CEO, Oberoi Hotels.
Nature Morte is an art gallery that deals predominantly in Indian contemporary art
has galleries in New York, Berlin and New Delhi. In India, it has become synonymous with challenging and experimental forms of art; championing conceptual, photographic, and installation genres within a commercial market that remains fixated on painting. The gallery’s founder, Peter Nagy, is an American curator who is known to have ‘discovered’ artists like Subodh Gupta.
And finally some food therapy What’s better than ending your shopping ses-
sion with a cup of coffee? Perhaps a glass of wine! Savor wines from over 7 wine regions across the world at The Oberoi Patisserie and Delicatessen that offers fresh bakeries, breads, cookies and single origin chocolates along with varieties of pastas, cheeses. “Our unique offering is wine by the glass for just Rs 345, which is cheaper than a coffee! We want to facilitate a lifestyle experience which is for everyone, and does not have to be very expensive,” says Chopra. compiled by PURVA BHATIA
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FORUM
Names such as Taj, Oberoi, Hilton, Sheraton, and Marriott were all a consumer needed to know, a decade ago to make a decision about where to stay. Today however, with the introduction of various sub brands by almost every major hotel group, the hotel market has become brand-ridden. Research indicates that the top five hotels companies in the world together represent about 50 brands. Each group now has within its own range, categories that define economy, midscale, extended stay, upscale
BRAND
SEGMENTATION IN HOTELS and luxury and these in turn extend into spa resorts, golf resorts and eco-friendly resorts. How much is this segmentation truly justified? Are we getting carried away with too much fine-tuning? Is brand proliferation turning hotels into commodities? How does a consumer distinguish between them? We seek answers to these through the forum this month. 88
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FORUM
Need for Mid-market Hotels Suresh Kumar While traditionally the Indian hotel industry comprised of luxury ho-tels only, there has been a gradual change in the last few years. Now, we have seen branded hotel chains venturing into the mid-market to upscale segments. This segment of hotels has become popular as it appeals to both – the investor as well as – to the customer. While it has not only provided an investor with a model which is suited to his capital deployment capability, it has also opened interesting and economical avenues for the domestic traveler to enjoy comfort at affordable prices. This model has come across as a very attractive business model for the investor, as they are most suited to the economic tangent of the project viability as the investment required to create such a model is 40 to 45% lower than that of their luxury counterpart. Also these hotels can be created on smaller parcels of land, which is an added advantage in today’s market scenario where the land prices have become unrealistic and at some locations highly unaffordable thus making the projects unviable. The demand for these hotels for both corporate and leisure traveler is increasing by the day because of consistent standards and affordable pricing. The cost of building these hotels are contained by limiting the expanse of the hotel thereby controlling the civil cost and the lower cost of the land, but in terms of all other facilities ‘up the elevator’, the product and service design is at par with the hotels in the superior segment. There certainly is a lot of scope in this segment, despite all the new hotel brands coming in as this segment would bridge the huge gap between the only available options – ‘The branded luxury hotels’ and the ‘stand-alone’ hotel’ ‘christened’ guest’ houses. This segment is likely to cater to the international traveller and also the constantly growing domestic tourist market which ranges between $90 to $150.
Segmentation is a Necessity Chris Moloney Brand segmentation is still in its infancy
SURESH KUMAR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER - FORTUNE PARK HOTELS LIMITED
This model has come across as a very attractive business model for the investor, as they are most suited to the economic tangent of the project viability as the investment required to create such a model is 40 to 45% lower than that of their luxury counterpart.
CHRIS MOLONEY CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, SOUTH WEST ASIA, INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP
Hotel owners and operators need to lead the charge in delivering a consistent brand experience and a focused approach in defining segmentation based on price, value and of course benchmarked service levels. November 2011 GO NOW
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FORUM and will develop over time as players such as us acquire scale and the ability to offer a consistent branded experience across the board. Looking at a historically low base of branded hotel rooms in the country, the question of an over-segmentation does not arise. The industry needs to cross a significantly higher supply threshold of hotels to meet India’s gaping need for quality and branded hotels in the first instance rather than worrying about a scenario where the market is over segmented. In fact, it is the India opportunity that offers a real chance of getting brands and segmentation right for international players. Hotel chains globally haven’t necessarily gotten this right in mature markets where certainly over-segmentation and a medley of brands exists. India’s approximately 46,000 total branded room inventory (which is the total number of rooms in a single city like Bangkok or Shanghai), means that there is incredible headroom for growth and a need to fulfil the current demand gap. A robust domestic market of 650 million travellers aided by 17 million inbound visitors creates compelling demand drivers. The emergence of tier II and tier III cities and India’s many industrial hubs and SEZs means that there’s a clear opportunity to fulfil unmet demand at the midscale or limited service model ($100-$150 tariff). Today, while global and a few local players have started to bring in multiple brands, we foresee that there is still a long way to go when demand and supply mechanisms allow for segmentation to emerge in its truest sense. The luxury business segment sees 70:30 supply of international versus domestic travellers and in the near future the ratio could change to 60:40. There is a clear lack or rather gap of brands at the other end of the spectrum based more around value and price (not to say that business hotels and luxury hotels do not offer value to their customers). We believe that while the top-end of the market remains high-yield and important, the greatest opportunity lies in the limitedto-midscale categories. The maximum addition in room inventory is likely to happen in this segment as consumers/value conscious travellers increasingly seek affordable options. Domestic and global hotel brands are investing an estimated $10.3 billion that will add over 80,000 rooms 90
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SUNDER G ADVANI MANAGING DIRECTOR AT ADVANI HOTELS & RESORTS (INDIA) LIMITED
From the Indian consumer standpoint, the differentiation was not all noticeable until the last few years when we started to travel extensively to the USA where these different sub-brands were first introduced. in the next five years. Just 15 per cent of the existing hotel rooms in India fall in the midmarket segment, compared to 43 per cent in the United States and 35 per cent in Britain. Delivering consistent service and experience to guests will be a challenge as more and more hotel brands proliferate into the market(something which has traditionally lacked for travellers in India). We look forward to introducing our pioneering Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express brands to set the standard. Segmentation is a necessity and so is the need to communicate and educate customers on a brand proposition. It’s incumbent on us to be able to do this right, stay true to the brand and not deviate from its core. For example, Holiday Inn Express is focused on providing only what the guests need, and not charging for what they don’t whereas the Holiday Inn family of hotels provide what matters most to guests – a modern, contemporary hotel with efficient, friendly service and a great night’s sleep.’ In the end, hotel owners and operators need to lead the charge in delivering a
consistent brand experience and a focused approach in defining segmentation based on price, value and of course benchmarked service levels.
Price is a major differentiator for the customer Sunder G Advani The evolution of sub-brands started in the USA in the early 80’s. When I brought the Holiday Inn brand to India in the mid 70’s with the opening of the Holiday Inn Mumbai, Holiday Inn Adayar Park, Chennai, Holiday Inn, Agra, this was the only brand the world’s largest hotel chain had on offer at that time. Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza was introduced in the early 80’s to signify a higher standard to the travelling public. By the time I introduced the Ramada brand in India in the mid 80’s, Ramada USA had created the Renaissance brand to signify a more elaborate Ramada and our hotel
FORUM
Segmentation creates a distinct identity S.R. Krishnan
S.R. KRISHNAN SENIOR ADVISOR (PR), MARUTI SUZUKI INDIA LTD.
Brands and segmentation do play a significant role in this choice and most corporate people opt for branded budget hotels based on the levels of the people in their organization.
opened in 1990 as the Ramada Renaissance, Goa. To make the differentiation stronger Ramada International Hotels directed all Renaissance properties world wide to drop the name Ramada from the hotels name. Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza hotels became Crowne Plaza. Then Holiday Inn introduced a lower brand Holiday Express. Similar strategies were followed by the Marriott, Sheraton, Hyatt when they wanted to grow their brands and the existing agreements did not permit more than one hotel of that brand in a city. The difference between the upscale brands and midscale brands or the difference between midscale brands and economy brands are partly related to the physical characteristics such as the size of rooms, number of fixtures in the bathroom, number of Food and Beverage outlets and a host of other items in the Brand Standards Manual. They are also differentiated by service standards e.g. whether room service is offered or the hours that a restaurant is open etc. In the beginning hotel chains could not create a new hotel of the higher brand and
hence the best of the existing properties were converted. As such the difference between different brands was not as noticeable. The brands also decided not to franchise their upscale properties in order to control the service standards of the brand. From the Indian consumer’s point of view, the differentiation was not all noticeable until the last few years when we started to travel extensively to the USA where these different sub-brands were first introduced. There is bound to be confusion as the subtle differences are not noticeable except to the connoisseur. Similarly Indian hotel chains for example the Taj Group have had to introduce lower category brands such as Ginger & Vivanta to differentiate from the prices and opulence of the better Taj properties. To the extent that price is still a major differentiator, hotel rooms are in a sense becoming commodities as rates can change daily based on demands. In most cases decisions where to stay depends on the location and the price.
The hotel industry was dominated only by the big hotel chains about two decades ago. It has undergone a paradigm shift post liberalization and boom in Indian economy. The hitherto segmentation of luxury and premium sectors have actually expanded today to cover mid-market segments, budget hotels, heritage properties and resorts. The tourism industry, the business and corporate traveler and of course the tourists have contributed to the phenomenal growth and expansion of this sector. The segmentation supports budget oriented pricing. It is always a demand and supply situation and people are not novices anymore. The proliferation of technology has brought about tremendous awareness and people are willing to splurge but at the same time make the right choice. Brands and segmentation do play a significant role in this choice and most corporate people opt for branded budget hotels based on the levels of the people in their organization. What is in it for the hotels in this choice? Creating an identity, enough demand and delivering the brand promise can’t be easy. It is important to deliver good comfort and facilities at less cost. In that manner budget hotels are used by the corporate traveller – who uses it more as a bed and breakfast option. Their focus is their business/work. On the other hand the tourists/some corporate officials want to relax in golf resorts and Spa. The third segment belongs to the rich and the NRIs who ring in the coffers with the ‘Big Fat Indian Weddings’ and a dinner evening with reception. The modern youth are extremely savvy on the deals that can be worked out and do not get confused with the proliferation of brands. The choices are made keeping in mind the needs and the deals. And the emphasis is on comfort and they are not willing to compromise. It is believed that as long as there is demand in the sector, the hotels will thrive in their business and so will the consumer find the best option that suits him. It will always be a win-win for both parties. compiled by ESTHER WILLIAMS
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DESIGN ANALYSIS
Most hotels hire a designer from quaint parts of Europe to design a hotel but what Park Hyderabad did was the first of its kind. With famed architects like SOM, names like Tarun Tahiliani, Rajiv Saini, Sandeep Khosla, Jean Francois Lesage and Blacksheep were brought together to make an unequalled hotel. Go Now goes to the flagship hotel of the Park Group to find out how the hotel provides a unique retreat coupled with personalised service. 92
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DESIGN ANALYSIS SOM architects inspire from trillion design from the Nizam’s jewel collection
PARK HYDERABAD
Designer Hotels Get A New Definition:
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DESIGN ANALYSIS Trillion Design, Leed Certified Hotel Far from a conventional shape, the angular hotel made in glass made me wonder if SOM architects were paying homage to this growing tech city. But after looking closely, I found it an adaptation of the trillion designs I have usually spotted on rings. Famed for their skyscrapers including Burj Khalifa in Dubai, SOM uses the legend of the Nizam’s jewel collection as three sides of Park Hyderabad, based around a central courtyard. With ample space for a street lobby, ball rooms and a business centre, the hotel is raised in height to enjoy expansive views of the city and Hussain Sagar. “This along with a double façade helps us in making a design statement,” tells Rifaquat Ali Khan Mirza, Executive Manager, Park Hyderabad, “complete with thermal insulation and sound proofing”. After months of research and collaboration, the design team was able to reduce the building’s energy use by 20 per cent. “The Park Hyderabad,” continued Mirza is a US LEED gold certified Green hotel (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), a first for a hotel in India.” According to Subrata Majumder, Area General Manager, Park Hotels “Park Hotels have been the pioneers of design and luxury amongst boutique chains in India. We believe in leadership through differentiation, so while we keep in tab with international standards, the Park Hotels keep the local culture tangible in all its properties.” As we walk around the hotel, I find out Ruby themed floor, room by Chadda Siembieda Australia
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how steeply all aspects have been researched. The theme is fusion- just the right amount of decadence in design and inspiration while services remain contemporary and true to international standards.
Nizam Concept of Street Lobby and Main Lobby The street lobby is designed as an antichamber from the flurry of Hyderabad. The shape of the street lobby counter is inspired from the designs of the Sarpench worn on the Nizam’s turban. Designed by Preksha Baid, the signature box faces a future wall made of MDF. “The concept of 2 lobbies is a Nizami concept,” expands Madhu Grover, Director, Public Relations, “where guests are welcomed and a lift ride later enter the main lobby, with the view of the 3D pool and the city.” The main lobby employs a steady fusion of contemporary and period decor. Along the main reception and check-in desk are gold chandeliers in the shape of blooming flowers. On the side are custom splash tables, walk across the line chairs which can accommodate up to 12 people. The centre of the main lobby is occupied by a clove chandelier designed by Gautam Seth, the chandelier uses lights very judiciously, only at the ceiling. With sizzle tiles employed directly underneath, the kaleidoscope of colours expands over the entire lobby. The other half of the main lobby houses the Ruby lounge. True to its name, the lounge is designed in hues of red and purple,
created by award winning designer Niranjan Jonnalagadda. The ceiling takes inspiration from imprints of ‘Kalamkari’ done by Preksha Baid. The walls too complement the entirety and are made of antique finish mirror from art and glass. The illuminated skywalk connects the lobby to the rooms and F&B outlets. Commenting on the design Mr. Mirza said, “Park hotels have always had the knack of differentiating themselves from their competitors. We first made an impact and a statement when we metamorphosised Park Bangalore-then came Calcutta, Chennai and Mumbai and finally Hyderabad.” Subrata Majumder, Area General Manager, Park Hotels is of the opinion that hotel guests can get bored with similar designs and use of neutral colours. “Our guests are stylish, and they appreciate beauty and customisa-
Ruby lounge with Kalamkari ceiling by Preksha Baid
tion.” To keep the emphasis on customisation rather than mass production, Park Hotels employs more than a dozen designers for the overall look and feel.
Guest Floors by Chadda Siembieda Australia Keeping in mind the needs of the global traveller, the interiors of all guest floors have a strong fusion of modern amenities with touches of local heritage. The five floors of the hotel have a jewel theme from the Nizams’ treasure. Be it henna designed carpets, wallpapers or colour pallet, every floor has a different jewel theme such as Ruby, Coral, Emerald, Peridot and Sapphire. As I walk into my room, I realize that The Park has also changed the structure of the room by shifting the cupboard into the bathroom separated further with a sliding door.
The walk-in closet is spacious and a differentiating factor, teamed up with a shower cubicle and stand alone bath tub. Apart from the Australian white used in the flooring and porcelain tiles from Casa Dolce Italy, the use of marble in soap dishes, toothpaste holders and the sink are an eyecatching combination.
Designers Suites by Park Hyderabad The intention is to provide designer accommodation to those who are well versed with designer brands – for apparel, cars and everything in between. Getting prominent fashion and textile designers, a lot of time and energy has been spent in evolving a different theme and feel to each suite. “The appeal is to handpick various elements for rooms and suites so that no room is like the other” says Mirza.
Osmania Suite by Jean Francois Lesage Dedicated to the last Nizam, Osman Ali Khan and the splendour of a Golconda diamond, the Osmania Suite has been designed by French textile designer Jean Francois Lesage. With ample areas for sitting, lounging and dining, the mood of decadence is evident with velvet curtains, gem shaped-leather wrapped boxes; etched crystal candle stands and vases. The suite sees a fusion of the Nizami era with touches of the life and times of Louis the XVIth when elements like leopard rugs and embroidered cushions are contrasted with canopy chairs and a cane woven lounge. Apart from research which took 3 months for the French designer, about 7000 hours were spent for the intricate embroidery and a few thousand Swarovski crystals adorned on every facet of the room. November 2011 GO NOW
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DESIGN ANALYSIS La Sultana Suite by Tarun Tahiliani Designed by Tarun Tahiliani, the suite is dedicated to the women of the royal court. A mix of the contemporary and the classic, the designer has used neutral colours of beige and gold alongside soothing views of the lake. A true testament of keeping traditions alive while plush amenities are in plenty, the designer’s presence can be felt in the suite. Modern sofas, crystal chandeliers, silver stools and a four poster canopy bed are some of the highlights of the suite, along with a private dining space, luxurious restrooms with walk-in closets and glass paintings.
F&B Outlets Individually Designed by Renowned Players
Carbon by Sandeep Khosla & Kismet by Blacksheep
Every space of the hotel has been conceptualised by a designer, including the all day dining restaurant and the resident bar. “The Park group has its core competencies” explains Mirza “such as an outlet to nightlife, gourmet cuisine and a specialised avenue for wellness.” Apart from Aura & Aqua, informs Majumdar, Area General Manager, “Park always brings new outlets to each of its hotels to engage its guests and develop a relationship of loyalty.”
Designed by Sandeep Khosla & Associates, Carbon the lounge depicts the inside of a gem. With seating moulds sunk into walls, the colour palette is in monotones of copper and champagne, offset with bronzed mirrors. The sofas, single-seaters and tables are angled keeping with the aesthetics of the outer shell of the bar. LED lights coupled with prism projections on triangulated walls add to the theme of the Nizam’s jewel albeit, futuristically. Popular in the city as the hub of nightlife is Park Hyderabad’s nightclub, Kismet has been designed by award winning firm Blacksheep based out of London. Located beneath the pool area, the club has a dance floor, chill out zones, a members’ area.
Enmeshed by Rajiv Saini
Aish by Tarun Tahiliani
Park Hyderabad’s third signature suite is designed by Mumbai based architect Rajiv Saini who translates the Hyderabadi tradition with a futuristic approach. The mesh made of Belgian marble and stainless steel is a marvellous facet worthy of being displayed at an art exhibit that separates the sitting and resting area. Embellished with lapis lazuli, it yet again makes a reference to the bamboo or ‘jaalis’ used in havelis. Another unique feature of this suite includes movable walls which can isolate the suites guests from the outside sound and view. The suite has a huge restroom and walk in closet signifying the importance of a large restroom.
Another Tahiliani creation in the hotel is Aish where guests can indulge in authentic Andhra cuisine. The most beautiful part of the restaurant is the ceiling which is studded with Swarovski lights crafted by N.S. Enterprises from Jaipur. The floor is etched with floral prints and white metal furniture is used along with crystal chandeliers. The handpicked silverware, customised quarter plates representing the ornaments of a serpanch make for an ideal setting to enjoy Hyderabadi food. My favourites include gud ka sherbet, murg muttabak, tala hua gosht, subz haleem, khatti dal and bagara khushka.
Sitting lounge, Osmania Suite by Jean Francois Lesage
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All day dining at Verandah Based on the Nizam concept and design of a house, comes Verandah an all day dining restaurant with a breathtaking view of the Hussain Sagar. With a delectable cuisine from around the globe, the restaurant can seat 117 guests. Designed by Conran Partners, the entire concept captures the feel of old colonial times, the sitting area enveloped by the traditional ‘jaali’ in the form of contemporary
Andhra cuisine restaurant, Aish by Tarun Tahiliani
designs. The buffet section is called The Bungalow. The different coloured chairs represent different flowers in a garden along with Link Easy chairs near the bar. The Verandah also has its private dining room and a Pearl garden with a table depicting the inlay of Mother of Pearl designed by Gunjan Gupta from New Delhi. Romeo Louis lights designed by Twenty one are eye-catching while the table can seat a party of 12 at a time.
Aura Spa The second floor of the hotel occupies one of the most talked about branches of their flagship spa, Aura. Embellished in hues to white and blue, Aura was designed by Sandeep Khosla as homage to the sheen, transparency and whiteness of the Golconda Diamond. Local touches can be found in Aura, in the local metalwork- ‘filigree’ or the
factfile Park Hyderabad, Raj Bhavan Road, Hyderabad 500082 Tel.: +91-42345 6789 Email: resv.hyd@theparkhotels.com Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, 37 kms, 45 mins by Car 270 rooms which includes 1 The Park Presidential Suite along with 9 Signature Suites, 4 Panoramic Suites, 6 Trillion Suites, 50 The Residence Rooms, 7 Trillion Studios, 5 Trillion Rooms, 68 Lake View Rooms, 73 Verandah Rooms, 47 Luxury Rooms.
namesake of therapy rooms as precious stones, in the collection of the Nizam. “Apart from 7 treatment rooms”’ tells Dr. Harish Kalathill, Director, Aura Spa “there is also a couple suite wherein guests are offered European therapies despite the fusion in the ambience.” The therapy rooms and suites feature silver foil embossed doors and curved walls with padded diamond shaped pearl white fabric. My favourite, however, remains the relaxing area where guests come after their therapies. Shaped in the form of a crown, the room is carefully split into sub areas as guests are served in the privacy of their chambers.
The Living Room and Residence Lounge The fourth floor houses a lounge called the Living Room only for the use of its in house guests. From Kondapalli toys to Bidri vases guests can relax on chairs with Iranian work and use this lounge for private meeting and discussions. The residence lounge is on the top floor along with lounge, bar and food & beverage options. Finished in white, the room has great character and boasts of 2 boardrooms plush with video conferencing, tele-conferencing and secretarial services. Along with that, beverages, happy hours and ala carte options are available with the help of their independent kitchen.
Aqua & Sicca Bar One of the signature brands that exist in all Park hotels, Aqua at Hyderabad has a 3D pool with the view of the Hussain Sagar and Hyderabad’s cityscape and is a good place to spend an evening with friends. Aqua is a pool ala carte restaurant which primarily serves Mediterranean food with tapas and barbecue grills displayed on the pool side. The Sicca bar is designed by Conrad & Partners, UK. An exclusive gentleman’s bar for malt whiskies and cigars, Origami tables are used by Gunjan Gupta from Delhi. The colour hues remain dark and beige while the use of leather for seating re-emphasises the masculinity. In line with the theme, all food items are served in the shape of coins or in money bags along with a fine collection of single malt whiskeys.
The Box, The Trillion Ballroom, Tresorie The hotel’s in-house boutique, The Box, showcases the best Hyderabad has to offer with its handicrafts’, textiles, jewellery, handpicked by Ms. Priya Paul, Chairperson, Park Hotels. The banquet hall of the hotel has a total of 3 ballrooms with collapsible walls to accommodate a total of 800-1200. Each hall is supported by the best acoustics, sound proofing and audio video facilities. A total spread of 10,500 feet, the halls have their separate entrance along with pre-function areas, bar counters and a jewel room. A retail space accessible to guests and visitors, Tresorie houses a business center, boutique outlets and an Oxford book store. by MANAVI SIDDHANTI IN HYDERABAD
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GUEST COLUMN RAJAT MALHOTRA AND KRISTOF ROEMER
SOCIAL SEMANTIC SEARCH: REDEFINING SOCIAL MEDIA Data on the web can be made more meaningful and useful with the help of Social Semantic Search.
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ll these years, we have dis cussed over high tea and midnight drinking binges, where we should eat our next meal and where we should take our next vacation to! We have discussed on the phone with our friends which are the best hotels in Manhattan and the cheapest B&B's in London, but now we have a bigger, far more indepth way of cataloguing and analysing all this information and coming to constructive conclusions, Rajat Malhotra thereby assisting in us utilising the god given right of making a calculated choice. That is what social media means to most of us today. While it is essential to get hundreds of people to sign up to social media, and then to get them to 'like' your page or 'join' your group, it is far more important to come up with a process that can entice these customers to stay on. Once you have reached out to your customers, to keep them enticed and engaged is the key, work on processes that all every 100th person who signs on gets a free meal, or every 500th 'like' wins the person a two night stay at one of your hotels. Engaging with the customer can also be allowing them to voice their opinions over these social media platforms with regards to the kind of service being rendered to them at your properties. Surely this is a great marketing platform as there is nothing surer for a potential client to read that someone whom he doesn’t know endorses your property. To a certain extent it is essential to be a show off, hotels and restaurants must demonstrate the changes being made in their properties. A fresh new bathroom in the lobby of the hotel must be photographed and displayed on your facebook page; a new chef in the kitchen should be showcased as a new asset acquisition by the organisation.
Sentiment Analysis With the advent of social media came tools that can analyse all the information being presented out there, and then came the discovery of semantic technology which can read into the sentiment behind the thought and phrase and place it as a positive, negative or neutral sentiment. Products such as TrustYou are on a mission to structure and aggregate the world's opinion on local data and 98
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products, and build the largest sentiment database in the world. With a passion to aggregate, structure and understand data. TrustYou focuses on social data like reviews, tweets and opinions that can be matched to a specific service or product.
Speaking To Your Followers These are your loyal customers and will speak up for you, they will defend you and vouch for you continuously but you must utilise Kristof Roemer them judiciously. They can take your products a mile forward but can also drop you overnight if they see that you are losing steam.
Appropriate Conversational Tone A lot of organisations out there have come up with one simple paraphrase which they post in response to every complaint "we are very sorry for xyz, we will try to do a better XYZ next time if given the opportunity". This is going to get you nowhere, it's like a customer talking to you in your hotel/restaurant and you responding with a robotic "I am so sorry" to each and every customer. This is not going to help you. Talk to each customer as an individual and respect his opinion.
Expectations It is essential to setup expectations for your followers. You could post expectations such “We will respond to all queries within 24hrs” for the customers to be aware of the reaction time. Thus if they need to find someone in a more urgent situation they can use alternative contact mediums. All in all while social media has opened a cacophony of chatter all over the web, it has also created a huge amount of data that can be useful for a varied number of businesses. Further analysing the statistics with regards how many times a certain word/phrase was used and then getting into the sentiment behind the statement creates a lineage of information that businesses can utilise to understand what the customer wants, and to deliver it better. While for the 'followers' and fans out there, it is essential to continue posting your views and opinions as these thoughts are the ones that will assist us in doing a better job and delivering a better end product to you. Authors promote TrustYou in India
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RAHUL KUMAR
HOTEL MARKETING
MARKETING With ‘WecomZest’ at ITC Hotels ITC entered the hospitality business back in 1975 by acquiring Welcomgroup Chola in Chennai. And ever since then, the group has managed to revive and relive the culinary art of cooking, architecture, design and culture. In order leave an aftertaste in written, ITC created WelcomZest, a series of coffee table books to boost their heritage. 100
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HOTEL MARKETING
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n the words of Gautam Anand, Editorial Head, Zest ‘The WelcomZest was en visaged to serve as a bonding instru ment for a diversity of ITC hotels guests and affiliates. Its primary objective was to foster a relationship, rather than the transactional nature of the current crop of communication burst that you and I encounter.’ WelcomZest aspires to incorporate the hotel chain’s philosophy paying attention to choosing unforgettable cuisines, heritage properties and vintage restaurants. Flourished with in-house paintings they have managed to revive, these books are pictorially picturesque and are printed with eco friendly paper keeping with the chain’s green philosophy. The editorial is called Namaste parallel to the logo of ITC group and usually concentrates on all facets of a theme of a culture that can be found in their own hotels.
GAUTAM ANAND EDITORIAL HEAD, WELCOMZEST
“The job of the editorial team was to align our readers on an intellectual platform of Food and Beverage as a Festival of life, rather than just as the food festival.”
Welcomzest: Navratnas of ITC For instance, WelcomZest initiated with a theme similar navratnas of a king’s court to ITC’s nine glittering jewel’s in the country. While The Mughal Agra, The Maurya Delhi, The Windsor Bengaluru, The Kaktiya Hyderabad, ITC Sonar Kolkata and others made it to the list, all time restaurants like Bukhara, The Pavillion, Peshawari, Dakshin and Dublin were also featured.
Welcomzest: Irrashaimase With India acquiring the flavour of Sashimi, in their next book, the editorial team created a theme on Japan's food traditions and marked the beginning of their Japanese food treat Edo at ITC Royal Gardenia, Bangalore. The book concentrates on how a Japanese meal is a lesson in appreciation of the ambience, the tableware and the meal along with the creative expression altogether. From wining to dining traditions, the book is a treat for anybody who likes their food. When asked about the readership Gautam says, “these days, only a small number of people read, it was important to document cuisines with their histories and traditions that can be added as a collectable to your library.”
The journey of Dumpukht In ITC’s latest literary offering, WelcomZest, what we found was the legend of slow cooking – Dumpukht. One of its original concepts with which ITC started was to focus on cuisines of India from the time when cooking
was considered art, the royal courts of India spent decades on the craft of cuisine. This is a well researched account of the times of Avadh, its kings and a team of cooks that were dedicated in pursuing cooking as an extended luxury. The excerpt begins with the basics of some of the essential ingredients and dishes that took up a large part of the Dumpukht Pantry. ‘The job of the editorial team’ explains Anand ‘was to align our readers on an intellectual platform of Food and Beverage as a Festival of life, rather than just as the food festival’.
From kitchens to courts My personal favourite remains a special feature constructed on the splendid wedding banquet menu of Chandragupta Maurya to Helen, daughter of Nikator taking us back into time of months of hard work out of which ITC has resurrected, invoking anyone’s curiosity for some unique dishes like Puryala, Bageri and Kapisayana. Anand remembers his school days where ‘The Emperor Chandragupta, an admired figure was in almost every school text book...With this, we were able to revive of an earlier era, its romance
and cuisine as a new standard altogether.’ Details on etiquettes that were born after the evolution of this cuisine along with patterns of matching drinks to the food are a treat for a connoisseur. One of these memoirs that struck a chord was of how a sixteenth century Raja drank water directly from a silver pitcher while wines from Kabul and Persia were enjoyed by the Mughal court in chalices and flasks. WelcomZest goes on to describe how they still manage to complement the palate of Dumpukht cuisine with various choices on their menu – a difficult task in today’s time. This verbal artefact ends on a mouth melting note talking about all time favourites such as Gulaab ki Kheer and Kulfi Benishan, ending by giving out their recipe on making perfect Malpua’s leaving an aftertaste in your mouth. The timing seems just ideal with India emerging as an economic power and the world looking on with curiosity. ‘The impact is slow but sure, most people will love it’ says Anand,’ I just received a mail from HE the Indian Ambassador to Switzerland, to ask for extra copies, so we are getting there.’ by MANAVI SIDDHANTI
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BRAND ANALYSIS
VIVANTA
Taj Group’s Brand, Designed for the New Age Traveller Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, a part of the Tata Group is one of Asia’s largest and among the finest group of hotels. And the company is rapidly emerging as a global brand by integrating an international network of luxury hotels within the chain.
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aunched last September, Vivanta by Taj is the new signature hospi tality brand of Taj Hotels Resorts & Palaces. It caters to the global traveller, and is designed to creat-
ing experiences that amuse, invigorate and inspire. Since the launch, the brand has been receiving positive reviews and has been well accepted and appreciated by guests staying in the hotels.
VEER VIJAY SINGH CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, VIVANTA BY TAJ – HOTELS AND RESORTS
“We have a new generation of work-hard play-hard travellers seeking a refreshing change from the predictability and staidness of traditional fivestar hotels.” 102
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Currently, with 20 Vivanta by Taj properties including Vivanta by Taj – Coral Reef, Maldives and Vivanta by Taj – Bentota, Sri Lanka, the brand is looking into expanding into other destinations, both domestic and international. The Taj brand’s strength of delivering exceptional service with warmth was established; so what was the rationale for the new brand? Research by the group revealed an emerging customer segment of upper-upscale business and leisure travellers whose needs were not being met by the market’s current offerings. And Vivanta by Taj fills the gap in the category between the luxury Taj brand and its upscale Gateway Hotel. Speaking to GO NOW, Veer Vijay Singh, Chief Operating Officer, Vivanta by Taj – Hotels and Resorts explains the significance of the new brand. “We live in an increasingly globalised and time-starved world where the boundaries between work and play are intermingling like never before. There is no such thing as a purely business trip or an email-free holiday. This has created a new generation of work-hard play-hard travellers seeking a refreshing change from the predictability and staidness of traditional five-star hotels.”
Brand Characteristics: The name Vivanta was drawn from vivacity and vividness, inspired from the term ‘Bon Vivant’ signifying sophistication and appreciation of the good things in life. It is positioned as a contemporary hotel and
hence it will appeal to the new generation of cosmopolitan and demanding guests. Its services have been designed to deliver premium hotel experiences that are efficient yet imaginative, luxurious yet informal, relaxing yet energizing. Says Singh, “Vivanta by Taj will continue to live up to the promise of world-class luxury that Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces stand for.”
USP of Vivanta by Taj Stylish, sophisticated, contemporary, creative, agile, spirited and radiant are values that inspired and created the Vivanta brand. To ensure that their brand defining standards are met, “At business and leisure destinations, the hotels will provide an experience that relaxes as much as it invigorates, and surprises as much as it settles,” says Singh, adding, “Guests stay at Vivanta will be a celebration of the spirit that guests would embrace everything else in life with.” The brand Vivanta was launched after a series of hard and soft changes at all the properties and opening a host of new properties (such as in Bekal, Coorg and Yeshwantpur in Bangalore). Many of these properties were renovated along a more contemporary style. Guests therefore can be assured of a new set of service standards at
these hotels. “Whether it’s the innovative food at our restaurants, the energetic vibe at our hip bars, the contemporary styling of the interiors, the smart use of technology or the charming Indian hospitality of our staff, we will strive to surprise and delight our guests in pleasantly unexpected ways every time,” Singh assures. How rigid is the brand in terms of design and architecture? Every hotel according to Singh, has its own unique design and architecture. Further, every property has its distinct USP’s reflected in different facilities and offerings. However, each Vivanta property has been created based on customer understanding and has been given additional layers based strictly on the Vivanta Brand Values and Beliefs. “Hence each Vivanta hotel will be different from the other,” he adds.
Growth Trajectory Vivanta is obviously in an expansion mode. Last year Vivanta by Taj had an inventory of 2500 room in 19 hotels with 13 other Vivantas under construction. “At present we have 6 properties lined up to be launched in this financial year and another 4 that will be launched by 2013,” adds Singh. With a total of 10 properties to be launched in the span
Vivanta by Taj – Hotels and Resorts to be launched in this financial year ●
Vivanta by Taj - Surya, Coimbatore
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Vivanta by Taj - Bekal, Kerala
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Vivanta by Taj - Begumpet, Hyderabad
of 2 years brand Vivanta will be taking massive steps to increase their presence in the national market.
Taking Risks The opening of the Vivanta by Taj – Dal View, Srinagar marked the group’s maiden foray into Jammu & Kashmir. Wasn’t that an optimistic move? “We believed that Srinagar has the potential to be developed as an important tourist hub. Vivanta by Taj – Dal View, Srinagar fits into this bracket as there is a growing market to cater to the tourist who would like a contemporary and creative experience, with some of the traditional charm,” clarifies Singh. Above all, the property in Jammu and Kashmir was a meaningful step in expanding the national portfolio of the Taj Group which is keen to promote and support the J&K government’s initiatives and tourism develNovember 2011 GO NOW
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BRAND ANALYSIS opment of the state. But how has the hotel fared thus far? The response according to the COO has been very positive and encouraging. “We have been getting queries and reservation requests nationally and internationally right from the day of the launch. There has been a definite upswing in the tourism industry in this region in the past few years.” Also being a trusted and known brand, offering the highest standards of hospitality in Srinagar, they expect tourists to be attracted to the property.
Staying Ahead of Competition The upper upscale category is one of the most competitive categories in the hotel industry and is the densest from a competitive standpoint. It is the most differentiated, and it is addressed by all global chains of reckoning. So how do they view the competition? “Vivanta by Taj by sheer size of the portfolio is the largest SBU and is growing rapidly,” Singh reasons, dismissing completion. “It offers the widest play in terms of the most versatile properties, destinations and experiences,” he adds. by ESTHER WILLIAMS
Current properties: Vivanta by Taj ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
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MG Road, Bangalore Whitefield, Bangalore Connemara, Chennai Fisherman’s Cove, Chennai Malabar, Cochin Fort Aguada, Goa Holiday Village, Goa Panaji, Goa Hari Mahal, Jodhpur Kovalam, Kerala Kumarakom, Kerala Trivandrum, Kerala Gomti Nagar, Lucknow Coral Reef, Maldives President, Mumbai Ambassador, New Delhi Blue Diamond, Pune Sawai Madhopur Lodge Bentota, Sri Lanka Dal View, Srinagar
GUEST COLUMN PHIL BENSON
THE IMPORTANCE OF ANTITERRORISM TRAINING Phil Benson explores the importance of AntiTerrorism Training in the run up to 2012 and asks why hoteliers should look at increasing staff awareness to the threat of terrorism.
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he current threat level from terrorism in the UK remains at Substantial, meaning that the Home Office considers ‘a terrorist attack a strong possibility’. It has therefore, never been more important for everyone to be vigilant to the threat of attack. A recent report suggested that Al Qaeda were planning a ‘Mumbai-style’ attack in London, prompting security services to step up their levels of alert. The attacks in 2008 across 10 separate sites in Mumbai, including hotels, resulted in 164 people being killed and at least 308 people injured. This recent threat to the hospitality industry has seen hoteliers looking into ways that they can increase their security and protect the most important thing to them, their guests. One effective way of achieving this is to empower frontline staff to be more aware of possible threats and give them the confidence to raise the alarm if they experience something suspicious.
Online Anti-Terrorism Training The American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) has developed an on-line anti-terrorism and security training course, which provides hoteliers and their staff with information that they will need to increase their awareness to the potential threat of terrorism. 'Eye on Awareness – Hotel Security & Anti-terrorism Training' is available in the UK and is aimed at all guest-facing employees – teaching them in one hour to recognise, report and respond to any suspicious activity. “We want all line-level employees to feel confident that with the proper background knowledge and a keen sense of observation, they can play a vital role in keeping their property and guests safe,” said American Hotel and Lodging Edu-
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Ensuring our hotels are as secure in the run up to 2012 will improve the hotel industry’s reputation and communicate its strong sense of customer care to visitors – and developing a welltrained, professional and vigilant team is an essential element for hotels striving to achieve this.
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cational Institute president and chief operating officer, Robert L. Steele.
Anti-Terrorism Terrorism in 2012 The training of hotel employees is an emerging trend in the UK hospitality industry - and was an important theme at a recent conference. 'Protecting Hospitality Venues and Major Events’ was held in London by City Security and Resilience Networks (CSARN) in response to the fact that the UK will host the highest number of large-scale events in its history during 2012. The Olympic Games and The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee will attract thousands of visitors from all over the world, making it a prime target for terrorism. The conference highlighted the complexity and importance of building resilience into the hospitality industry and venues expecting largescale crowds. Speakers at the event offered solutions to the most serious concerns of the hotel industry, including countering the terrorist threat, managing public disorder, the problem of organised crime, IT security, physical security, concerns over crowded places and global events that drive mitigating activity. Ensuring our hotels are as secure in the run up to 2012 will improve the hotel industry’s reputation and communicate its strong sense of customer care to visitors – and developing a well-trained, professional and vigilant team is an essential element for hotels striving to achieve this. By being in a stronger position to report, prevent and respond to the threats posed by terrorists, we can do our bit to protect against the threat of terrorism directed towards the hotel industry. Courtesy: hotel-industry.co.uk November 2011 GO NOW
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CHAIN ANALYSIS
All About the Luxurious
FAIRMONT RAFFLES Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, a luxury hotel brand with over 60 properties, will soon be opening two new hotels in India – Fairmont Jaipur and Fairmont Hyderabad.
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hink of top global luxury hotels and Fairmont Hotels is sure to feature in the list. From the beaches of Hawaii and Bermuda to the heart of New York City, Fairmont has a varied presence in the form of castles, lodges, beach resorts and meeting places all across the world. It prides itself in hosting Presidents, Prime Ministers, celebrities and other royal guests in some of these properties. The parent company Fairmont Raffles Hotels International (FRHI) manages three brands of hotels under their arm, Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel with 98 hotels and resorts in 27 countries worldwide. The group has been in the news in India recently with announcement of its plans for India. Fairmont Jaipur and Hyderabad will open their doors soon. It plans to have two more Fairmont properties – in Bangalore and Mumbai. The parent company already manages a Swissotel property in Kolkata; and in 2013, the company plans to open three Swissotel hotels in Delhi, Bangalore and Gurgaon. Clearly, the group has big plans for India. Go Now spoke to Chris Cahill, President, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts to find out all about Fairmont Raffles Hotels. Fairmont is one of the iconic luxury hotels globally. Could you tell us what the brand stands for what its USP is? Turning moments into memories for our guests is our mission at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. We bring this philosophy to life by providing our customers with authentically local experiences in properties with unrivalled presence. But the key – and what sets us apart – are the faces of Fairmont, our 30,000 colleagues around the world who deliver warm, engaging service.
Raffles Singapore
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Localization is an integral part of Fairmont’s philosophy. What is the degree of localization in terms of design, services and facilities? We pride ourselves on our place within our communities and the simple, every day travel experiences we offer that are unique and meaningful to each guest. Our hotels are one-of-a-kind properties that are very distinct from each other, and offer a diverse range of experiences -- so a stay in Shanghai will most definitely look and feel different than a stay in Montebello, a log cabin in the countryside of Quebec, Canada. All of us at Fairmont
CHAIN ANALYSIS
CHRIS CAHILL PRESIDENT, FAIRMONT HOTELS & RESORTS
We are confident that Indians will seek out the elements that set us apart: our outstanding service, superb locations and dedication to local communities. We pride ourselves on our place within our communities and the simple, every day travel experiences we offer that are unique and meaningful to each guest. believe we truly are ambassadors, and truly custodians, of our destinations – a sentiment which greatly influences our design, F&B, décor and even experiences. Fairmont’s brands include Swissotel, Raffles and Fairmont. How do these differ from each other? Fairmont Raffles Hotels International offers three unique products – Raffles provides luxury travel with the intimacy of a private residence, Swissôtel appeals to value-oriented business travellers and the Fairmont name represents a classic, welcoming and authentic travel experience. Who is a typical guest at Fairmont hotels? What is your target audience? Fairmont’s core customer base consists of affluent, seasoned travellers who are often on the road frequently for business and are predisposed to paying a premium for their leisure travel needs. Predominantly, they fall within an age bracket of mid-thirties to early fifties, are highly educated and are also tech savvy. Given the fierce competition in this
market with several global giants already established in the market… isn’t Fairmont a little late in its entry here? In other global markets we already compete with many of the brands that are making their first forays into India, as well as some that have been in the region for many years. Our brand provides something unique for guests, and we are confident that Indian and international travellers will seek out the elements that set us apart: our outstanding service, superb locations and dedication to local communities. Why Jaipur and not any other tier-1 city for Fairmont’s debut? A number of factors go into determining if a project is a good fit for Fairmont. Jaipur offers not only a strong leisure product but the conference center at our resort and other properties developing nearby will allow the city to capture the MICE and events market, which is a core competency of Fairmont. How does India figure in Fairmont’s global scheme of things? What are your expansion plans in India? India is a dynamic, international market and an
area of the world where we see a lot of potential. Fairmont is focused on growth in leading international destinations and emerging markets around the world. In India, we’ll look to develop world-class city center hotels in major urban areas such as Bangalore and Mumbai while destinations like Goa serve as attractive locations to grow our resort portfolio. What are the opportunities and challenges in this market? We see significant opportunity in the Indian market. The opportunity exists from the perspective of bringing the Fairmont brand to many of the major markets across India through our key and important development partners. In addition, we see significant opportunity for outbound travel to key Fairmont markets including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Shanghai and Beijing in addition to locations in Canada, United States, Europe and Africa. The India market is vast and holds significant opportunity for Fairmont; we plan to add more global sales resources in the near future to bring the Fairmont brand to life for more of our important Indian customers. Who are your immediate competitors in India? In India, I would say our competitive set would include Oberoi and Taj and in other markets, brands such as Shangri-La, Park Hyatt, Ritz Carlton. Fairmont is known to take lot of ‘green’ initiatives. Tell us about them. We share a commitment to stewardship, and caring for our communities – we work with our industry partners to promote our destinations and foster a strong economic climate. Beyond that, we also ensure that the places our colleagues live and work are strong as well and for over 20 years have practiced responsible tourism operations, from protecting the environment, preserving culture as well addressing social issues. Anything else you would like to add? We are confident that Indians will seek out the elements that set us apart: our outstanding service, superb locations and dedication to local communities. We pride ourselves on our place within our communities and the simple, every day travel experiences we offer that are unique and meaningful to each guest. as told to PURVA BHATIA
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MAKEOVER IN ACTION
NOVOTEL MUMBAI
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MAKEOVER IN ACTION
The property, where Novotel stands today, was developed way back in 1976. Located on Juhu Beach in the Western district of Mumbai, the property went for a complete makeover a couple of years ago.
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MAKEOVER IN ACTION
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hen Accor was looking to bring Novotel, its mid-scale hotel brand into Mumbai, ‘right location’ was the key criterion it appears. The location had to match the brand's standards and the property suitable to be 'designed for natural living'. During that time, the board of directors owning the Eastern International (formerly Holiday Inn) property at Juhu Beach was looking for a tie up with an international brand. The two met and thus came about a grand makeover. The hotel, today, is a fine example of how traditional hotels in India can be reborn as contemporary hotels for the modern traveller. “The board of directors felt that we should explore opportunities with international companies and Accor fitted our requirement. Their commitment is quite substantial with various products. We had the right chemistry with them and so we signed a 15 year management contract with Gada da Villa is one of the most happening places in the hotel
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them,” reminisces Dinesh Khanna, a member of the board of directors of the property.
‘Designed for Natural Living’ That’s the tagline for the Novotel brand. The Mumbai property is no exception. In fact, if the spokespersons are to be believed, this is an exceptional example of Novotel’s philosophy. “It’s a luxurious Novotel. No Novotel of this size exists anywhere; of course they are modern but they’re not of this size or structure. For instance, no other Novotel has four restaurants,” says Khanna. But like all other Novotel hotels, this one too uses natural elements, such as in the main reception desk that was relocated to widen the lobby area and get more natural daylight. Further, the guestrooms and suites have large windows and the use of transparent glass between the bathroom and the bedroom brings in natural light.
Total Revamp Accor took charge of revamping the over 30
year old property. The task was challenging especially because it had achieved an iconic status as Holiday Inn and was one of India’s most prominent hotels. To begin with, the property had an Indian touch in its architecture and décor. However, in keeping with Novotel's philosophy, the hotel needed to have a contemporary look suiting the modern day traveller's tastes. Therefore, a complete revamp was needed. Singaporebased Isabelle Miaja of Miaja Design Group was hired to change its look. As Xavier Cappelut, General Manager puts it: “The revamp changed the face and heart of the property, only the structure remained the same. Novotel is a standardized brand not localized and so the design conforms to the Novotel standards. However, there are certain elements like cuisines that are localized.” Guestrooms were re-designed to cater to business and leisure travellers. The muted fabric tones were used to create a relaxing ambiance which effortlessly suits the sea-
MAKEOVER IN ACTION
DINESH KHANNA
side views captured from the large windows. New restaurants were added and the existing ones revamped. The Square, for instance, was given a global dining feel. Also, the location and space available was used efficiently. Gadda da Vida, the bar gives the hotel a very trendy appeal. The bar opens out as well to the sprawling outdoor terrace and pool deck overlooking Juhu Beach. Padded walls, modern European designer furnishings and light fixtures give the space a classy touch.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Behind the Scene Changes
Everything was changed from water pipes to power connections. It was literally brought to bare bones and then the structure was strengthened. It’s a 32 year old property. The revamp has increased its life span,” quips Khanna.
Even as, architecturally, the interiors were well defined to give the hotel an aesthetic appeal, there were several back of the house changes as well. “The hotel saw a complete change – internally as well as externally. The services were upgraded, the convention facility was increased, and the pool was rebuilt. Everything was changed from water pipes to power connections. It was literally brought to bare bones and then the structure was strengthened. It’s a 32 year old property. The revamp has increased its life span,” quips Khanna.
Hotel Highlights
XAVIER CAPPELUT GENERAL MANAGER, NOVOTEL MUMBAI
“The revamp changed the face and heart of the property, only the structure remained the same. Novotel is a standardized brand not localized and so the design conforms to the Novotel standards. However, there are certain elements like cuisines that are localized.”
Positioned on a 2.5-acre beach front site, just 8 km from Mumbai’s airports, its location is its USP. “The hotel's unique location sets it apart from others. While we were expecting more of a business crowd, the location also attracts local families for a weekend stay,” says Cappelut. The hotel has 203 guest rooms and suites with views overlooking the Arabian Sea. Its F&B options are its key strengths to get it on Mumbai's most-happening scene, with a selection of exciting dining concepts. Novotel's signature all day dining concept Square features an open show kitchen, where ever-changing international and Indian favourites converge into an interactive environment certain to become a must return venue for the whole family. Olio offers live cooking using Turkish and Italian wood fired pizza ovens. While Mumbai’s famous Sampan returns with Cantonese and Sichuan specialties, Bageecha located between the hotels swimming pool and the beach serves alfresco Tandoori and barbecue. And there's Gadda Da Vida where you can watch the sun set over the Arabian Sea while listening to some soothing music. by PURVA BHATIA IN MUMBAI
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GUEST COLUMN CHANNA DASWATTE
POOLS OF INFINITE PLEASURE Channa Daswatte talks about the magic of infinity pools and the illusions they create of water extending into the horizon.
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nyone using a hotel in Monsoon Asia is in deed familiar with the infinity pleasure pool which has now become a must have for every swimming pool ever built. However infinity pools are best used in very specific circumstances and the illusion they create are simply amazing. This idea of 'infinite' is, at least from the perspective of space and architecture a situation in which there is a perception of endless space or something that has no end. Thus a pool that is a true infinity pool should by definition look over a vast expanse of water, ideally the sea, so that when one is looking at it or sitting in it, the water seems to stretch out endlessly into space. The best of them which contain the true meaning of the word are therefore those by the sea. While there are many great examples of infinity pools in architecture and resorts all over the world, in my experience the most wonderful use of an infinity pool is seen at the Triton hotel in Sri Lanka (now the heritance Ahungalla) where the architect Geoffrey Bawa used the idea of the infinity edge pool to create an illusion of the endless expanse of the Indian ocean sweeping into and through the lobby into a reflecting pool in front. Here the infinity Pool is used to stretch the illusion of space. This kind of pool is common in
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The infinity pool in all its permutations, even if not essentially infinite is a very good device by which landscapes can be made to be perceived in new ways. An infinity edge helps to draw the eye to a particular place. When cleverly placed, it can be used to make an ideal perception of a landscape.
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many places and most effective when the pool and hotel are some way above the part of the ocean that it overlooks. Other large stretches of water can also be used as effectively. At the Kandalama Hotel also by Geoffrey Bawa, a small infinity edge pool is placed on the edge of a rocky escarpment overlooking the vast manmade reservoir. At the small Ganga Kutir Hotel in West Bengal, the Pool appears to be a part of the Hooghly River by which it is placed and swimming in it has a great sense of release. It is fascinating especially when large ocean going vessels pass by on their way to and from the nearby port. Infinity pools placed high up on tall buildings also give an illusion of floating in space. Much like the amazing pool built on top of the Marina bay towers in Singapore by architect Moshe Shafdie, where floating in it is as if one is floating in the sky and then of course the vertiginous view from the edge looking over Singapore city with skyscrapers far below is indeed an exhilarating experience. Here the infinity pool is again used to stretch space into the infinity of the sky. Other such pool gives a sense of an edge of danger as though the water itself is simply flowing off the edge of the high place. A very well worked out example is seen in the edge rooftop of the Swissotel in Kolkata, with a great view of the airplanes landing and taking off in the distance. The infinity pool in all its permutations, even if not essentially infinite is a very good devise by which landscapes can be made to be perceived in new ways by the observer. An infinity edge helps to draw the eye to a particular place and direction and when cleverly placed and designed can be used to make the perception of a landscape in the way the designer wishes. The overflowing infinity edge draws the eye in that direction and beyond and can be used in very innovative ways to stretch space in any direction one wishes to. The writer is one of the Sri Lanka’s leading architects
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