Express Travelworld December, 2014

V0L 9 NO.11 PAGES 48

December 2014, `50

Life Walking the tiger’s trail

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CONTENTS MANAGEMENT Vol 9 No11 DECEMBER 2014 Pages 48

22

Chairman of the Board

Viveck Goenka Editor

Reema Lokesh* Chief of Product

Prabhas Jha Assistant Editor

Steena Joy

ASIAN SHOW OF STRENGTH THE ASIAN CONTINENT IS STRONG AND ROBUST, WHICH WAS EVIDENT AT ITB ASIA 2014. THE ASEAN COUNTRIES MADE THEIR PRESENCE FELT AND THERE WERE A HOST OF BUYERS READY TO TALK BUSINESS

Sr. Associate Editor

Sudipta Dev CONTENT TEAM Mumbai

Kahini Chakraborty Rituparna Chatterjee Kolkata

Joy Roy Choudhury DESIGN National Art Director

Bivash Barua Deputy Art Director

Surajit Patro Chief Designer

Pravin Temble Senior Graphic Designerr

Rushikesh Konka Senior Artist

Ratilal Ladani, Kiran Parker SCHEDULING & COORDINATION Sr.Executive

Rohan Thakkar Photo Editor

Sandeep Patil MARKETING Regional Heads

Harit Mohanty - West Prabhas Jha - North Sanghamitra Kumar - East Dr. Raghu Pillai - South Marketing Team

Sunil Dcosta Gunjan Chauhan Baljinder Singh Ajanta Sengupta

WHISKY & WINE TOURISM

A MATURING MARKET

EDGE

37

Though still at a nascent stage in India, the demand for outbound wine and whisky trails continues to show immense growth as travel agents and tourism boards turn their focus on developing unique gourmet experiences for the discerning Indian traveller (18-21)

LIFE

MARKETS

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GOI LAUNCHES ETA ENABLED VISA ON ARRIVAL FOR 43 COUNTRIES

14

CANADA TURNS FOCUS ON TIER II AND III CITIES IN INDIA

9

UP TIES UP WITH FICCI TO PROMOTE POTENTIAL TOURISM PRODUCTS

15

AZAMARA CLUB CRUISES EYES INDIAN WATERS

CIRCULATION

MEGA MALAYSIA FROM HIGH FASHION DESIGNER WEAR IN LUXURY MALLS TO TRADITIONAL HANDICRAFTS IN A STREET BAZAAR, THE 1MALAYSIA YEAR END SALE IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR VISITORS TO GET PRODUCTS AT THE BEST PRICES

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Mohan Varadakar PRODUCTION General Manager

B R Tipnis Manager

Bhadresh Valia Express TravelWorld Reg. No.-MH/MR/SOUTH156\2013-15 RNI Reg. No.MAHENG/2005/15993 Printed by The Indian Express Limited and published by Ms Vaidehi Thakar on behalf of The Indian Express Press, Plot No. EL-208, TTC Industrial Area, Mahape, Navi Mumbai - 400710 and Published from Express Towers, 2nd Floor, Nariman Point, Mumbai - 400021.

(Editorial & Administra-tive Offices: Express Towers, 1st Floor, Nariman Point, Mumbai – 400021)

P06 : EDITOR’S NOTE P27-36 : KERALA BACKWATERS P40 : APPOINTMENTS P43 : WEEKEND

WALKING THE TIGER'S TRAIL FORMED WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF FOREST CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL LIVELIHOOD, MADHYA PRADESH ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT BOARD IS ENGAGING LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN TIGER RESERVES TO RUN ECO TOURISM INITIATIVES IN BUFFER ZONES

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EDITOR’S NOTE

A toast to the year gone by

W

hat a year it has been for the tourism industry indeed. For a sector which was once neglected and mostly considered as an afterthought, tourism has received its share of priority and prominence in the year 2014.

India is surely playing on a new pitch with new players who are thinking tourism, talking tourism and also walking the talk of tourism.

There seems to be a clear sense of positivity in the air and crucial projects which were rusting in the corridors of power are finally breaking through the cobwebs. The visa on arrival initiative that was highlighted in Arun Jaitley's Budget speech recently took shape with 43 countries gaining efficient access into India. The decision on the part of both, the ministry of external affairs as well as the home ministry, will surely work well for inbound tourism, both in the leisure and the MICE space.

The recent railway initiative by the PMO to increase connectivity to the North East is probably one of the best announcements that can happen in the domestic tourism space.

The North East is truly the pride of India and

HEAD OFFICE MUMBAI: Express TravelWorld Sunil Dcosta The Indian Express Ltd Business Publication Division 2nd Floor, Express Tower, Nariman Point Mumbai- 400 021 Board line: 022- 67440000 Ext. 263 Mobile: +91 9821798612 Email Id: sunil.dcosta@expressindia.com Branch Offices : NEW DELHI: Baljinder Singh The Indian Express Ltd Business Publication Division Express Building, 9&10, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi- 110 002 Board line: 011-23702100 Ext. 568 Mobile: +91 9868848013 Fax: 011-23702141 Email id: baljinder.singh@expressindia.com CHENNAI: Gunjan Chauhan The Indian Express Ltd Business Publication Division

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New No. 37/C (Old No. 16/C) 2nd Floor,Whites Road, Royapettah, Chennai- 600 014 Mobile: +91 9620601306 Email id: gunjan.chauhan@expressindia.com BANGALORE: Gunjan Chauhan The Indian Express Ltd Business Publication Division 502, 5th Floor, Devatha Plaza, Residency road, Bangalore- 560025 Mobile: +91 9620601306 Email id: gunjan.chauhan@expressindia.com HYDERABAD: Gunjan Chauhan The Indian Express Ltd Business Publication Division 6-3-885/7/B, Ground Floor, VV Mansion, Somaji Guda, Hyderabad – 500 082 Mobile: +91 9620601306 Email id: gunjan.chauhan@expressindia.com KOLKATA: Ajanta Sengupta

“There seems to be a clear sense of positivity in the air and crucial projects which were rusting in the corridors of power are finally breaking through the cobwebs” The Indian Express Ltd Business Publication Division JL No. 29&30, NH-6, Mouza- Prasastha & Ankurhati, Vill & PO- Ankurhati P.S.- Domjur (Nr.Ankurhati Check Bus Stop), Dist. Howrah- 711 409 Mobile: +91 9831182580 Email id: ajanta.sengupta@expressindia.com KOCHI: Gunjan Chauhan The Indian Express Ltd Ground Floor, Sankoorikal Building, Kaloor – Kadavanthra Road Kaloor, Kochi – 682 017 Mobile: +91 9620601306 Email id: gunjan.chauhan@expressindia.com COIMBATORE: Gunjan Chauhan The Indian Express Ltd No. 205-B, 2nd Floor, Vivekanand Road, Opp. Rajarathinam Hospital Ram Nagar, Coimbatore- 641 009 Mobile: +91 9620601306 Email id: gunjan.chauhan@expressindia.com

fortunately, we finally realised it before it was too late.

On the international front, Indian discerning travellers are raring to go. Yeh Dil Mange More seems to be the calling as they are asking for experiences which are out of the ordinary and are ready to explore places that are far and beyond. New kids on the block, namely Hungary, Peru, Bulgaria and riding on this new wave to explore the unexplored, they are ready to lure the Indian clientele to places that are dream destinations.

Our cover story this issue on outbound whisky and wine routes will give you an insight into the temperament and tastes of the Indian traveller. Travelling to experience cuisine, tastes and flavours seems to excite Indian travellers and they are ready to take a deroute to enjoy a fulfilling soul-stirring sojourn.

Take time to reflect on the year gone by so that we all step into 2015 to discover a newer you.

REEMA LOKESH Editor editorial.etw@expressindia.com AHMEDABAD: Sunil Dcosta The Indian Express Ltd 3rd Floor, Sambhav House, Near Judges Bunglows, Bodakdev, Ahmedabad - 380 015 Mobile: +91 9821798612 Email Id: sunil.dcosta@expressindia.com BHOPAL: Baljinder Singh The Indian Express Ltd F-102, Inner Court Apartment, 1st Floor, GTB Complex, Behind 45 Bungalows, Bhopal - 462 003 Mobile: +91 9868848013 Email id: baljinder.singh@expressindia.com JAIPUR: Baljinder Singh The Indian Express Ltd S2,J-40, Shyam GHP Enclave, Krishna Marg, C-Scheme, Jaipur - 302 001 Mobile: +91 9868848013 Email id: baljinder.singh@expressindia.com

Important: Whilst care is taken prior to acceptance of advertising copy,it is not possible to verify its contents.The Indian Express Limited cannot be held responsible for such contents,nor for any loss or damages incurred as a result of transactions with companies,associations or individuals advertising in its newspapers or publications.We therefore recommend that readers make necessary inquiries before sending any monies or entering into any agreements with advertisers or otherwise acting on an advertisement in any manner whatsoever.

Join us at the South African Tourism Roadshow 2015 and gain the knowledge you need to sell South Africa. South Africa is an exciting tourist destination, offering everything from vibrant nightlife to world-class shopping, from thrilling adventures and outdoor activities to landscapes that will leave you breathless.

Our centuries-old cultures, friendly, welcoming people and countless experiences make South Africa an ideal choice for your clients, and your business.

We look forward to seeing you there.

DATE

TRAVEL

SESSION

VENUE

Monday

2 Feb 2015

Mumbai

10:00 – 15:00

The Palladium hotel

Wednesday

4 Feb 2015

Ahmedabad

10:00 – 14:00

Hotel Grand Bhagwati

Thursday

5 Feb 2015

Bangalore

10:00 – 14:00

Vivanta by Taj, MG Road

Friday

6 Feb 2015

Delhi

10:00 – 15:00

Le Meridien

RSVP: Switzel Fernandes | +91 9867900865 | satroadshow@avian-media.com

I-D 76762 / ETW

South Africa offers so much.

Come and discover what we have to share.

MARKETS

GoI launches ETA enabled Tourist Visa on Arrival for 43 countries Archana Sharma New Delhi AS PART of a major initiative taken by the new government in the tourism sector, Dr Mahesh Sharma, minister of state (I/C), tourism and culture and minister of state for civil aviation and Rajnath Singh, union home minister recently launched the Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVoA) enabled with Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) facility for 43 countries at the Ashok hotel in New Delhi. “The coun-

try has now opened itself to global destinations and it is important that we are able to present a clean, safe and hospitable environment for foreign travellers,” stated Dr Sharma. People travelling to India will be now be able to avail this facility at nine airports in the country through a simplified digitised process via the ETA website— https://indianvisaonline.gov.in /visa/tvoa.html. The applications received in real time will be processed at 40 counters set up by the immigration de-

partment and TVoA will be issued for eligible applicants within 72 hours of submitting the applications.

The 43 countries eligible for TVoA are Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Cook Islands, Djibouti, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Ko-

rea, Russia, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, UAE, Ukraine, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam. The immigration department has set up 72 dedicated counters at nine airports— Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, and Goa – to facilitate the TVoA travellers. These travellers will be able to depart from any international airport in the country. The Ministry of Home Affairs has also expanded the activities

that a visitor who avail this facility can undertake, besides normal sightseeing, recreation, visiting family and friends, he would be able to do casual business meetings, and short-term medical treatments.

Applauding this initiative, Subhash Goyal, president, Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) stated that such a scheme was necessary and has been required for over 20 years now and they have been lobbying for this programme since a long time.

Ajourney across India's culinary capitals Sudipta Dev Mumbai HEART OF INDIA is a niche travel agency that has been successfully operating inbound food tours for food lovers from across the world who have an interest in India's cuisine culture and want to explore its many nuances. “We exclusively started this culinary tour to focus on four main cuisines of India, that is Delhi for North West Frontier cuisine, Lucknow for authentic Awadhi cuisine, Hyderabad to taste the Deccan food, followed by coastal Malabar cuisine in Kochi,” said Kush Singh, cofounder, Heart of India.

The response has been encouraging as there is a lot of interest in Indian food all over the world. The main market so far has been Europe, primarily the UK and France. “We also had a good interest from Australia, and we are getting enquiries

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Kush Singh

from Canada and the US as well.

This is a niche segment so we are having excellent relationships with culinary associations of all these countries. There are well known food tour operators all over the world, we are engaging with them as well,” mentioned Singh.

Interestingly, the tours are not focused on the travel alone.

“The first priority is good food, it so happens luckily that Delhi, Lucknow, Hyderabad and Kochi are very good travel destinations as well,” stated Singh. He pointed out that while every region claims that they have the authentic food, but these four cuisines - the North West, Awadhi, Deccan and Malabar have been practiced profession-

ally in the kitchens of India and have been mastered through the centuries. There are other cuisines as well, but there is no legacy or history of professional cooking. “Only when you indulge in professional cooking, can an authentic legacy be preserved,” he asserted. The highlights of the tour includes special interaction with the chefs, access to the

kitchens, also informal cooking sessions. Acknowledging that India has to be promoted for its various aspects, not just the beautiful monuments or history, Singh stated, “Food is a very important aspect of our culture.

This is a real interest tour, for real food lovers who are looking for a deeper meaning of their travel to India.”

MARKETS

UP ties up with FICCI to promote potential tourism products Several tourism projects are underway

Archana Sharma New Delhi THE GOVERNMENT of Uttar Pradesh recently signed a five year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) with a view to promote heritage sites and potential tourism spots of UP by organsing road shows and travel marts. In a step towards this direction, a B2B travel mart will be organised from February 22-24, 2015 in Lucknow. The travel mart will be attended by international stakeholders for pre-scheduled B2B meet with state and domestic stakeholders of the tourism industry. A website, www.ficci-uptm.com, for managing this event has been launched in Delhi by Om Prakash Singh, tourism minister, Government of UP. “The travel mart will witness participation from 25-30 domestic and 75 foreign tour operators. The B2B sessions will enable people to meet and discuss the tourism packages

with the leading sellers of wildlife, heritage and Buddhist tourism in UP,” stated Rahul Chakravarty, director, FICCI. Presently, several tourism projects have been announced to develop the tourism potential of the state.

For instance, the state government has decided to develop a ‘heritage arc’ by linking Agra-Lucknow-Varanasi and has plans to develop tourist facilities and museums at Mathura and Vrindavan for which loan negotiations are going on with the World Bank. Talking about the upcoming projects, Amrit Abhijat, secretary tourism, Government of UP informed that under the Maitreya Project Kushinagar, the state government aims to build a 250-ft-high statue of Gautam Buddha. There are plans to conduct lion and elephant safaris in Etawah, and soundand-light show at The Residency, Lucknow, Sarnath, and Ayodhya by the end of March.

The existing sound-and-light show at Agra Fort is also be-

ing upgraded. The Tajganj Tourism Development project will be completed in a year, and under that, cleanliness and lighting will be improved.

A theme park is also being planned in Agra.

The construction of Lucknow Metro and LucknowAgra Expressway, leading to the development of Nawabganj and Mainpuri is underway. The information city in Lucknow was already inaugurated and the night safari segment in Greater Noida is at take-off stage. Singh also informed that they have requested the Centre to increase the budget allocated to the state government for tourism promotion. Moreover, plans to establish Taj International Airport at Agra and an Kushinagar International Airport are in progress.

Abhijat expects that the Heritage Hotel Policy will provide a major push to the hospitality industry of Lucknow, Varanasi, and Agra, which offers entrepreneurs in this sector a subsidy in luxury and entertainment tax.

The state government has decided to develop a ‘heritage arc’ by linking Agra-LucknowVaranasi and has plans to develop tourist facilities and museums at Mathura and Vrindavan for which loan negotiations are going on with the World Bank

Odisha Tourism charts tourism promotion plans Archana Sharma New Delhi ODISHA TOURISM has plans to organise roadshows and cultural festivals in South-East Asian countries, following the Look East policy, to promote Buddhist tourism.

“We have identified many countries like Japan, Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Laos, Korea, Cambodia, Myanmar, etc, for promoting the Buddhist heritage of Odisha. We want to take advantage of the strong cultural linkages with these countries,” stated Ashok Chandra Panda, minister of tourism and culture, Government of Odisha. He also informed that the state government is open to working closely with other states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to promote Buddhist heritage.

The state received about 70,000 foreign tourists in 2013, of which, 10,000 visited Buddhist circuits.

Talking about the other initiatives to promote tourism, Dr Arabinda Padhee, secretary, tourism, Odisha, stated, “Odisha government is working on installing a 100 ft Lord Buddha statue at Deuli in Jajpur district, for which we have already acquired 39 acres of land and another 112 acres for ambience, landscaping and other purposes will be acquired.” The work has been allocated to Hindustan Construction Company by

the state tourism department.

Odisha tourism department has also identified 340 places which are frequented by tourists which include areas of ecotourism, tribal, wildlife and religious nature.

“We’ll be ensuring cleanliness and safety and security of tourists, as creating the infrastructure and brand building is a priority right now.” Panda also informed that a dedicated tourism police, with a separate dress code, would soon be present at tourist spots and facilitation centres for tourists will be set up at all destinations. The state tourism department has also signed a MoU with India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) to set up light and sound shows at Udayagiri–Khandagiri caves, Dhauli and Konark.

The state is also looking at enhancing the air connectivity and is in talks with many airline companies, both domestic and international. Panda said that international carriers like flydubai, AirAsia, Silk Air have shown interest to fly to Bhubaneswar. “We are currently in talks with Air India for a flight connection from Bhubaneswar to Phuket via Port Blair,” he said. Odisha has also reduced the VAT on ATF from 20 per cent to five per cent to attract more domestic carriers into Bhubaneswar.

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December 2014

MARKETS

TrawellTag Cover-More shifts its headquarters to Nariman Point, Mumbai ETW Staff Mumbai TRAWELLTAG Cover-More, travel ancillary services has shifted its headquarters from Worli to a state-of-the-art corporate office at Nariman Point, Mumbai. TrawellTag CoverMore established in 2001, has come a long way from a single office to a network of 60 branches. Aligning with its foreign partner Cover-More – one of world’s leading dedicated providers of travel and medical assistance business, TrawellTag Cover-More upgrades its infrastructure to support an expansion and cater to its growing list of clientele rang-

ing from corporate to retail.

Speaking on the occasion, Dev Karvat, managing director, TrawellTag Cover-More said, “For businesses to be successful, they must work within a framework that supports their growth. And here we are at a juncture where we have begun to align the business infrastructure ranging from IT frames to business processes with our company mission, which is a landmark achievement in the timeline of TrawellTag Cover-More. Besides the better facilities this will provide to our employees, clients and guests, we have taken this step to elevate our standards towards the set

George Saunders, CEO - Asia, Cover-More and Dev Karvat, MD, TrawellTag Cover-More

agenda of sustainable development.”

George Saunders, CEOAsia, Cover-More said, “Our

Indian operations have picked up quite swiftly to where we want to be. This occasion denotes that we are ready and

geared to widen our set base in the travel ancillary services industry in India for the next five years.”

MARKETS

Namaste Tourism launches special Hungarian tourism website Reema Lokesh Mumbai MUMBAI-BASED tour operating company, Compact Travels under its initiative Namaste Tourism has launched a new website dedicated to the country Hungary featuring its tourism assets called www.namastehungary.com. The initiative aims to encourage the Indian traveller to discover the various attractions and experiences that Hungary offers. The site is an in-depth virtual guide for holiday choices and also provides pertinent details like accommodation, cuisine and connectivity for the unconventional traveller. This website was recently launched in Mumbai by ambassador-designate, H E Szilveszter Bus and consul general of Hungary in Mumbai, H E Dr Norbert Révai-Bere. The website reveals valuable information about the country and its facets both known and hidden.

From restaurants and hotels to

special tourism attractions and transport facilities, the website aims to be a ready virtual guide for those keen to explore Hungary both for leisure and MICE. Speaking at the event, Dr Reval-Bere, said, "We are extremely glad to partner with Namaste Tourism and are ready to provide all support to the initiative. Hungary has so much to offer to the Indian clientele and we are eager to showcase the same. We have a lot of unique features in the region." He further added that the film Hum Dil De Chukhe Sanam was filmed in Budapest, which was promoted as Italy by the film's decision makers. We are ready to position the destination as film tourism, MICE as well as leisure tourism."

Subhash Motwani, director, Namaste Tourism pioneered the first destination specific website in 2009 and Namaste Hungary is eight in the series of similar websites. On the occasion of the

launch, Motwani said, “The discerning Indian traveller is moving towards an experiential way of travel and is seeking new vistas to try local cuisines, wines, spas and offbeat experiences.

Europe has many unknown treasures especially Central and Eastern Europe which are yet to

be explored by Indians. Hungary is a stunning Central European destination which offers a unique blend of world class cuisine, heritage sites, spas, adventure sports amongst other preferences.”

Additionally, Hungary offers the best value deals and is a

hub of culture due to its status as one of the Imperial countries of Europe. The capital city Budapest is known as the Paris of the East. The city is famous for its architecture, galleries, festivals, spas as well as food and wine. The River Danube runs through the city, hence dividing the capital city into Buda and Pest. Hungary offers eight World Heritage Sites and Europe’s No 1 Festival and Clubs.

There are 3518 churches and 73 synagogues including the largest synagogue in Europe.

The seventh most beautiful tram lines as well as the second Oldest Underground of the World are in Hungary. The country has over 22 wine regions. Hungary has the world’s highest nobel prize winners per capita. The Rubik Cube was invented by Hungarian, Erno Rubik and is the world's top selling puzzle game and the best selling consumer product of all time.

Taiwan to participate at Vibrant Gujarat 2015 Reema Lokesh Mumbai WITH AN AIM to strengthen both trade and tourism between India and Taiwan, Taiwan's Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in India will participate for the first time at Vibrant Gujarat 2015. The country will showcase the best that it has on offer both in tourism and trade.

From electronics, to food products to showcasing its tourism products, there will be a dedicated Taiwan pavilion at the Vibrant Gujarat summit 2015.

With a population of approxi-

mately 23 million and 75 per cent Buddhists in the country, Taiwan is keen to explore India's Buddhist sites, which in turn will encourage two way traffic between the countries. In an exclusive with Express TravelWorld, ambassador of Taiwan in India Chung Kwang Tien, representative, Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in India, mentioned, "We are happy to partner with India to promote Buddhist tourism in our country. We have many connections with India due to Buddhism and Taiwan also has a lot to offer to Indian tourists. As I always mention,

Chung Kwang Tien

Taiwan is a five in one destination, as its food, culture, safety, scenery and its people are very special. We have a number of USPs and we are waiting for Indian tourists to explore our land.

We conduct regular roadshows through our representative office in India and we are definitely planning to increase our focus towards the India market."

Taiwan will also make its presence felt at IIT Mumbai's special event Mood Indigo. Performers from the international group U Theatre will perform at Mood Indigo this year on their invitation. Apart from culture

and performing arts, the country is also working on strengthening ties in the educational space. The Taiwan government is providing scholarships to Indians for further studies and the country has also established Chinese language training centres at JNU, IIT Madras, AMITY, Jindal Global University. Further, Indians who hold a valid visa for Japan, UK, USA and Shenzhen visa can easily avail a visa for Taiwan. Taiwan also hopes that India will reciprocate in a similar way by easing out visa procedures for inbound into India.

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MARKETS

German Consulate in Mumbai witnesses 15-20 % growth in student visas Rituparna Chatterjee Mumbai

France eases its visa process for Indians Archana Sharma New Delhi IN AN EFFORT to increase Indian tourists to France, the French government recently made key announcements to ensure ease in visa procedures for Indian tourists.

Tourist and business visas for Indians visiting France will now be delivered by French consulates within 48 hours beginning December 1, 2014. According to Francois Richier, French ambassador to India, “France is an ideal location for students, business travellers, artists looking for inspiration, food lovers and many more. The new measures will strengthen the connectivity between the two countries at all levels.” The French government has been on a drive to smoothen visa processes for India. Currently the official maximum processing time is 15 days. But in July, French minister for foreign affairs Laurent Fabius had announced that French con-

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sulates would issue tourist and business visas within two working days beginning January 1, 2015.

Richier also announced that eight new visa application centres will be opened in Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Pune, Goa, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Hyderabad and Jaipur by December 1, 2014. “Indian citizens will be able to apply at any visa centre in the country, regardless of their area of residence. Visas will be delivered within 72 hours in these new centres, depending on the time for transportation of visa applications to the French consulates,” he added.

Presently France has its visa centres in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Puducherry and Chennai.

According to tourism statistics, over 3.5 lakh Indian tourists visited France in 2013. “The number of visas issued by French consulates in India has increased by 33 per cent for January to October 2014 compared to the same

period in 2013. We expect to reach 90,000 visas delivered in 2014,” added Richier.

The ‘Chalo Paris’ app, an allin-one information application developed for smart phones and tablets, specially designed for the Indian traveller planning a French holiday, was also unveiled to be made available to the public on December 10, 2014. “It will be constantly upgraded and after observing its feedback eight more destinations will be added. For instance, places beyond Paris and across France, like Normandy, Bordeaux, and other areas and regions which are easily accessible from Paris,” said Richier.

Catherine Oden, director, Atout France India, informed that an average Indian group stays for two-three nights while FITs stay for at least five-10 days. “Although the majority of Indian travellers visit France as part of escorted tour packages and groups, we are also seeing a steady increase in the number of FITs from the past few years.”

THE CONSULATE GENERAL of the Federal Republic of Germany in Mumbai has witnessed a significant increase in student visa applications in 2014 by issuing around 12,000 student visas out of the 45,000 visas issued on a yearly basis, thereby recording a growth of 15-20 per cent year-on-year for five consecutive years.

“Out of the 45,000 visas issued from Mumbai office on a yearly basis, majority of it comprises of business visas, followed by tourist visas.

However, we have noticed a sharp increase in student visas over the last year, we are in five digits. Though there are more Indian students going to the US and UK due to language familiarity and family connections, Germany has also witnessed an increase and we are up to 12,000 Indian students,” stated Michael Ott, deputy consul general, Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Mumbai adding that the state-ofthe-art infrastructural facilities at universities, lesser educational cost and numerous attractions and festivals of the destination have been the major draw for students.

Moreover, Germany has

We have increased our contact with the travel community in India also witnessed a steady increase in the leisure segment because of tourism board's aggressive advertising and marketing campaigns pan India. “The number of leisure tourists going to Germany has increased considerably.

We haven't been aggressive like other countries in Europe when it comes to advertising, however, in the last couple of years we have been having a huge clientele coming to attend trade fairs and we are enticing them to stay and go for a touristic programme. For leisure we now have a better focus, than in the past, on advertising. Now we have been more outgoing, we have increased our contact with the travel community in India. I expect the numbers to grow a lot,” he opined. Oktoberfest in Munich is a big draw for leisure travellers along with destinations like Stuttgart, Hamburg, he added.

MARKETS

Swiss Youth Hostels looks at India market with renewed focus Rituparna Chatterjee Mumbai MAISON DE VOYAGE, the general sales agent (GSA) for Swiss Youth Hostels in India, is looking at promoting the brand in the India market with a renewed focus and for the same they are looking at approaching schools through the travel trade.

Speaking on this, Jenaifer Daruwalla, general manager, Maison de Voyage, stated, “Swiss Youth Hostels was introduced in the India market in 2012, but till now it hasn’t got the expected numbers. Next year,

we want to approach schools across India, however getting through them is a big challenge.

Hence, it brings us to narrowing down on travel agents who work with schools. If this segment opens up we are looking at having groups of a few hundreds that we can send across.”

The major clientele from the India market for this product has been the youth. However, they are looking at positioning Swiss Youth Hostels as a product for all traveller segments.

For the same, they recently organised an all women familiarisation trip to three Swiss Youth

Jenaifer Daruwalla

Hostels' properties across Interlaken, Zürich and Ticino.

Presently, the hostels are located in 54 different locations across Switzerland. “It is not a new product, but a relatively new concept for the India market.

The travel trade doesn't want to venture out and do something that is out of the box. The market needs to be more receptive to this product. Hence at this point of time, we are mainly focusing on B2B marketing,” she added. When asked about the USP of the brand, Daruwalla opined, “The hostels are similar to any three or four star hotels.

We have varied accommodation options for everyone at different price points, starting from 35 Swiss frank to 80-90 Swiss frank per person. There is Wi-Fi facility in the lobbies of all the properties. At the same time, it also an eco-friendly product. For instance, at the end of the stay you are required to wrap up your bedsheets and towels and give it to the housekeeping staff. Also the lights in the lobbies are sensor based, they light up when someone walks through. We have a lot of families and corporates coming in as they want to experience the local life.”

Belgium sees dip in visa applications from Mumbai Positive about welcoming more Indian tourists post PK movie release Rituparna Chatterjee Mumbai THE CONSULATE General of Belgium in Mumbai, issued around 22,000 visas in 2014 as against 33,000 visas in 2013, witnessing a dip of around 10,000 visa applications in the current year. The reasons for visa applications plummeting have been the appreciation of the Euro as against the Indian rupee, a shift in preference among Indian travellers from the Belgium Consulate to French and Italian Consulates for visa issuance and aggressive promotional campaigns of competing international destinations. “The visa application have been plummeting because people are going to the French and Italian Consulates to get their visas. The expensive Euro is another element and

South African Tourism and Tourism Australia have been promoting aggressively in the tourism segment. However, I am confident that next year there will be a rise again, post the launch of the Bollywood movie PK,” stated Karl Van den Bossche, consul general, Consulate General of Belgium in Mumbai.

The first 15 minutes of PK have been shot in Bruges, Belgium.

Post the release, the consul general is hopeful of the the visa application numbers going back to normal i.e. around 33,000.

Despite the plummeting visa applications, there has been a steady growth in the number of Indian corporates to Belgium.

“Over the last year we have had a fall in tourists but there has been a very steady growth in corporates going to Belgium. We see a rise in Indian investments in

L-R: Rajkumar Hirani, director of movie PK being felicitated by Karl Van den Bossche, consul general, Consulate General of Belgium in Mumbai

Belgium, the diamond community is always going to Belgium,” he opined. The reason for this steady growth has been the fast track visa procedure introduced three years ago, he asserted.

“Under this procedure, Indian investors can come to the Consulate and can file two to three papers and get it validated by an authorised signatory from companies. We have 50 Indian com-

panies benefiting from this loyalty system and all those companies who have invested in Belgium gets a long term multiple entry visa,” he added.

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Canada turns focus on Tier II and III cities in India To focus on organising training programmes for its frontline staff Archana Sharma New Delhi

Indian corporate segment new focus for Tourism New Zealand Sudipta Dev Mumbai THE INCREASING number of Indian visitors to New Zealand has led to India being included among the top 10 markets for the country. In 2013, as many as 35,000 Indians visited New Zealand. “The Indian market grew at a rate of 17 per cent last year. We have made significant investment in people and marketing budget in this country,” said David Craig, general manager, Asia, Tourism New Zealand. There are three focus areas in this market – young adventures (including honeymooners), families, and the new area of business events sector. The last 10

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months have seen the arrival of 1500 MICE visitors contributing more than NZD five million.

The ICC World Cup in 2015 will be one of the important events to be promoted for incentive travel. The key conferencing destinations in New Zealand are – Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown. “We have dedicated resorts for the incentive travel segment. There are a wide number of corporate team building activities,” said Craig, remarking that one of the key factors that makes a difference is the extent to which the agencies work together and the Immigration Department plays a significant role in this.

Tourism New Zealand, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) and six leading Indian travel agents have signed an MoU which will enable fast tracking of visa processing for Indian travellers attending business events in New Zealand.

“Signing of the MoU is an important factor making sure that New Zealand is open for business, work and play.

There are a lot of reasons why people from India want to travel to New Zealand,” said Michael Woodhouse, immigration minister, New Zealand. Under the MoU the visa applications will be processed in three working days. The MoU is effective till November 6, 2015.

WITH INDIA ranking among the top 10 source markets for Canada, the Canada Tourism Commission (CTC) is focusing on Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Hyderabad apart from the two key markets of Delhi and Mumbai. According to Siobhan Chretien, regional managing director, emerging markets, CTC, “The Tier-II market of Ahmedabad is showing growth following the visit by CTC. We will be holding training activities regularly in emerging markets of Tier-II cities such as Lucknow, Pune, Indore, Jaipur and Chandigarh, as well as Tier-III cities.”

For the next year, CTC will be focusing on organising training programmes for the frontline staff of the CTC India team from key cities. “We will be organising a roadshow from March 23-25, 2015 covering Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi,” she added. Working on a two-tier strategy, Chretien said, “We are innovating our offerings for the winter season so that we can increase traffic to the East and West coasts of Canada during the period.”

CTC also plans to add to the Canada Signature Experiences programme which was launched last year and comprised of a collection of 20 signature travel products for Indian travellers. “The list

After the launch of CAN+ Visa, there has been an increase of 20.6 per cent of the products to be added is currently under the pipeline but will be revealed early next year.” informed Chretien.

Last year, the destination received 1,47,000 Indian travellers and after the launch of CAN+ Visa programme, there has been an increase of 20.6 per cent in Indian visitors to Canada till July 2014 as compared to the corresponding period last year.

CTC expects an eight per cent growth in arrivals to 1,97,000 from India by end of 2015.

According to Chretien, “Indians constitute of around one per cent of the Canadian population, and therefore we have seen a growth in the VFR traveller segment in the last couple of years.” Couples and families visiting the country stay for an average of 21 days and spend close to CAD 1,100 on an average, which is the lowest among other inbound markets.

MARKETS

Yunnan Tourism looks at enhancing connectivity to India Archana Sharma New Delhi IN ORDER TO promote Yunnan province of China as a tourist destination in the India market, a tourism exchange and cooperation promotion programme was held between India and China, on September 22, 2014 at ITC Sheraton, New Delhi. Duan Yueqing, director general of Yunnan Provincial Tourism Development Commission led a 10 member delegation, during the invitation extended by the Indian Consulate in Guangzhou and Outbound Tour Operators Association of

India (OTOAI). During the meet the various stakeholders discussed the need to start direct flights between Kunming, the capital of Yunnan, and Delhi, so as to enhance outbound and inbound tourism.

Presently, China Eastern Air-

lines offers direct connectivity from Kolkata to Kunming.

Yueqing said, “We realise the potential of India as a major upcoming source market and therefore we are looking at more connectivity between the two regions.”

Yunnan is witnessing approximately 22 per cent growth in tourist arrivals annually. The meet focused mostly on showcasing Yunnan as an attractive destination

This was the first such high-level delegation visit to India, following up on the recent agreement between Xi Jinping, president of China, and Narendra Modi, prime minister of India. As per the agreement between both the countries, China will celebrate 2015 as ‘Visit India Year’, and India will celebrate 2016 as ‘Visit China Year’. Currently, Yunnan is witnessing approximately 22 per cent growth in domestic and foreign tourist arrivals annually. The meet focused mostly on showcasing Yunnan as an attractive destination and the tourism products that are available for the

Indian consumers. Emphasising on the need for better connectivity, Guldeep Singh Sahni, president, OTOAI said, “ The India-Myanmar road project has to be extended till Yunnan, as Myanmar shares a border with Yunnan, and road connectivity will also enable us to better promote tourism between the two countries.”

Also present at the delegation meet were Mou Xue, marketing and promotion division, Yunnan Provincial Tourism Development Commission; Cheng Guangzhong, minister counsellor, The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of India.

Azamara Club Cruises eyes Indian waters Akshay Kumar Mumbai AZAMARA CLUB Cruises, one of the sophisticated and upmarket cruises line, is all set to sail from Chennai on December 9, 2014 for 13 night Spice Route – II Voyage across the Bay of Bengal passing through Andaman Islands, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. The cruise line has more plans to touch the Indian shores in 2015 to tap the Indian cruise travellers.

Ratna Chadha, chief executive, TIRUN Travel Marketing, said, “The Spice Route Voyage offers a truly immersive experience of the rich sights and sounds of the Indian sub-continent to international travellers.

It also provides an opportunity for the Indian guests onboard to experience Azamara style of

cruising through their unparalleled service and destination immersion programmes that showcase the region in all its splendour. Azamara Club Cruises will offer two Spice Route sailings in 2015 onboard the Azamara Quest- 16 night sailing from Singapore to Dubai on March 21, 2015 and 15 night Spices, Teas and Rubber Tree voyage from Dubai to Singapore on November 3, 2015. In addition to other Asian ports, the ship will touch Indian shores and

visit Kochi, Goa and Mumbai.

These itineraries are for international guests who wish to explore India.”

“For the next couple of years, while Azamara Cruise ships will touch Indian shores namely the ports of Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, Murmagao during its several Asian voyages, she will offer a 13 night Spice Route II sailing from Chennai to Singapore on November 17, 2016,” she added.

Recently, Azmara Cruise

Azamara Club Cruises will offer a 13 night Spice Route II sailing from Chennai to Singapore on November 17, 2016

Club had set its sail from Mumbai to Chennai on November 26, 2014. The 13 night Spice Route Voyage on Azamara Quest started from Mumbai and will cruise through Goa, Kochi, Maldives, Colombo, Galle and Chennai.

Azamara's 2015 voyages programme will comprise 52 voyages, ranging from five- to 18-night itineraries. Catering to up-market travellers, Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest will visit a total of 203 ports in 62 countries.

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India a key market for future of Etihad Airways Sudipta Dev Mumbai ETIHAD AIRWAYS recently announced that Mumbai and New Delhi will become its first destinations in India to be served with triple-daily flights.

The third daily flight to Mumbai will start on February 15, 2015 and to New Delhi on May 1, 2015. The airline will also start daily services to Kolkata from February 15, 2015 bringing the total number of Indian cities served by Etihad Airways to 11. "Earlier this year and due to strong demand from business and leisure travellers, Etihad Airways increased the frequency of its services to India by tripling the number of seats on the

Abu Dhabi-Mumbai and Abu Dhabi-New Delhi routes to 2,996 and 2,730 seats per week respectively, as well as doubling frequency to Kochi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kozhikode," said Neerja Bhatia, general manager - India, adding that, India is a key market of the future for Etihad Airways – and not just for services to and from the country.

Etihad Airways has identified India as a key growth market for the future, and according to Bhatia, an investment in Jet Airways fits perfectly with the airlines' business model, which combines organic growth with strategic airline equity investments and codeshare partner-

Neerja Bhatia

ships. “Our partnership with Jet Airways will play a role in significantly improving connectivity between India and the UAE, and through our

combined network of 140 destinations and codeshare partnerships with other airlines, passengers from 23 cities in India will now have convenient access to destinations across the Gulf region, Middle East, Africa, Europe and North America,” she said, pointing out that the airline is also bringing more travellers from these destinations to India, supporting the country’s aviation industry and economy.

Apart from enhanced connectivity across the world through an expanded codeshare agreement, for Indian passengers, Etihad is proving one-stop connection to cities in the US like New York and San Francisco. "Air travellers from India, flying with Etihad

Airways to the US, are also increasingly enjoying the benefits of having precleared US Customs and Border Protection at Abu Dhabi International Airport, which enables them to arrive in the US as domestic passengers," remarked Bhatia.

The strategy will continue to focus on offering significant new options for travellers to, from and within India. “We will also continue to work closely with the travel trade and leading private enterprise in the country to play a key role in the growth and development of travel and tourism between India and the UAE, and further afield to key destinations across our global network,” stated Bhatia.

Taxi For Sure to enter Mumbai market Akshay Kumar Mumbai TAXI FOR SURE, radio taxi and cab booking service, is all set to enter the Mumbai market. Currently Taxi For Sure is operational in thirteen major Indian cities namely; Ahmedabad, Aurangabad, Bengaluru, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mysore, Nagpur, Nashik, Pune, Rajkot, Vadodara and Surat with more than 7,000 drivers and as many as 400 operators.

Raghunandan G, cofounder Taxi For Sure, said, “The dry run had started a month back and we are operational in Mumbai, very soon we will make the formal an-

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nouncements.”

Speaking about the major challenges in Mumbai Raghunandan added, “Mumbai is a city that is already well connected in terms of transportation, as compared to other Indian cities. The cab using segment comprises a major chunk of the population, but we are making constant endeavours to ensure guaranteed bookings and on-time service keeping in mind the traffic woes and long distances that people need to travel every day.”

TaxiForSure has seen 700 per cent growth since August 2013, and surpassed more than three million customers to date. The company also has plans to extend its

services to 56 cities by next year.

Raghunandan said, “The response from the cities we operate has been phenomenal, we had announced promotional offers for each city at the time of launch which helped us attract more customers and now we have a large percentage of repeat customers in all cities. This goes to show that we have extremely brand loyal customers who are satisfied with our service. We also have drivers who have worked with us and are now successful operators, running their own fleet of cabs.”

When asked about new tieups with the local mode of transportation, Raghunandan

mentioned, “Adding to our existing fleet and tying up with other modes of transportation is an area we plan to enter, but we want to be extremely confident of the operational issues involved as well as ensure that we do not come across as a threat to auto drivers, but join hands with them so that both parties are mutually benefited from this merger. As of now we have not planned to tie-up with local transports in Mumbai. However, we are open to explore this in the future as the demand will increase.

Currently we are trying for such tie-ups in Bengaluru, following which we shall expand the same to other cities as well.”

Speaking about investments in the technology segment Raghunandan stated, “We at Taxi For Sure prefer to build everything in-house and do not purchase software services as much as possible.

We own the technologies that connects a customer to a cab driver. As a technology company we invest heavily in our own people and partnerships with leading academic institutions. Developing core algorithms for booking and cab dispatch engines, leveraging big data insights to connect our customers to services more effectively and creating beautiful, easy-to-use consumer experiences through app development are our key focus.”

MARKETS

Louis Cruises launches Celestyal Cruises ETW Staff Mumbai

SATTE 2015 to have more international participants ETW Staff Mumbai SATTE 2015 will be hosting its 22nd edition from January 29-31, 2015 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The event will be spread over 17500 sq m and will feature over 650 exhibitors with a target to increase participation to over 50 countries. Speaking on SATTE, Taleb Rifai, secretary-general, UNWTO stated, "Over the years SATTE has evolved into becoming one of the leading networking forums for the tourism sector in South Asia. SATTE has been and will continue to be a source that drives tourists into the country and vice versa.”

SATTE 2015 is expecting participation from new players such as Italy, Cambodia,

Russia, Greece, Fujairah, Bahrain and Sharjah, among others. International players who continue to show keen interest in SATTE include Abu Dhabi, Argentina, Bhutan, Brand USA, Dubai, Egypt, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Jordan, Macau, Malaysia, Israel, The Maldives, Swedavia, Japan, Korea, Mauritius, Oman, Fiji, Philippines, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, VisitBritain, Maldives, New Zealand and many more.

SATTE 2015 has recorded registration from 115 foreign buyers from over 40 countries and 452 Indian buyers from 48 cities of India.

The 2014 edition recorded a participation of over 640 exhibitors from 35 countries, 23 Indian states, airlines, DMCs, hotels and the entire gamut of travel, tourism and hospitality

suppliers showcasing their products. The event received 10,000 business meeting request between buyers and sellers. SATTE also welcomed its highest-ever number of attendees - 11,529 travel trade professionals, including preregistered and hosted Indian and international buyers and business visitors. The ministry of tourism, Government of India has extended it’s support to SATTE. Subhash Goyal, president, Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) stated, “Over the last few years, SATTE has given the Indian and Asian tour operators, hoteliers, state tourism boards, airlines, etc. an opportunity to showcase their products to foreign and local buyers without having to go to international trade shows.”

LOUIS CRUISES, a home porting cruise line in Greece, recently launched its brand, Celestyal Cruises and website, CelestyalCruises.com.

Celestyal means 'of the stars', 'heavenly' and 'divine'. The new logo of the company honours the Ancient Greeks, by combining two Greek images - the spiral, taken from seashells, and the windmills of the Aegean. The Celestyal logo evokes the sea, sun and wind. It reaffirms the company's commitment to its Hellenic roots, and to supporting the economy and preserving the environment of each destination it visits.

The spiral also symbolises its continued growth as a company. As the company builds the Celestyal Cruises brand, it will continue, as Louis Cruises, to operate in the chartering and ship management segments of the cruise industry.

Moreover, in 2015 Celestyal Cruises will add 12 new Ionian, Adriatic and Dalmatian Coast ports of call to its 2015 itineraries, including Bari, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Igoumenitsa, Kalamata, Katakolon, Kefalonia, Kotor and Saranda, Albania. The company's two ships, Cristal and Olympia, have been rechristened to Celestyal Cristal and the Celestyal Olympia. The Louis Aura will retain her name and will continue her scheduled itineraries in France and Cyprus.

This year the company was felicitated with three awards at the Greek Tourism Awards, a gold for contribution to local and social development and two bronze, one for its integrated 2013 communication campaign promoting Greek destinations in 17 countries, the other for the rich and mainly Greek culinary experience it offers at its cruisers.

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Whisky& Wine Tourism

A MATURING MARKET Though still at a nascent stage in India, the demand for outbound wine and whisky trails continues to show immense growth as travel agents and tourism boards turn their focus on developing unique gourmet experiences for the discerning Indian traveller

BY RITUPARNA CHATTERJEE

T

oday’s evolved Indian is travelling like never before and so is his increasingly discerning and sophisticated palate. Indians are also becoming more cosmopolitan - with a keen desire to indulge in not just the local cuisines but also in whisky and wine trails across different regions of the world. A 2012 food and travel survey conducted by TripAdvisor revealed that 33 per cent of the 1,000 respondents across India have attended a wine/whisky trail while on a holiday. Among those who hadn’t, almost 50 per cent expressed their interest in attending one if given a chance. Another encouraging trend is that 25 per cent respondents said they had chosen a holiday destination specifically to experiment with the local food. From Cape Town in South Africa, Napa Val-

ley in USA, Hunter Valley in Sydney, Australia, Portugal, France, Italy to Ireland and Scotland, Indians are increasingly exploring popular and emerging wine and whisky destinations across the world.

“However, this market is still niche. But it is growing steadily,” says Karan Anand, head, relationships, Cox & Kings. “We have already observed a 20 per cent upswing from the segment of travellers opting for food and wine experiences and expect it to grow by about 10-15 per cent in the next few years. While we saw its origins in classic wine tours of France or more contemporary new age wines of California, Australia, New Zealand, today there is a veritable smorgasbord of wine-cheesechocolatier experiences in Switzerland, champagne trails in France, culinary tours around Italy’s Piedmont truffle festival and safari-spa-wine and fine din-

ing itineraries of South Africa,” states Shibani Phadkar, senior vice president - products and operations, leisure travel (outbound), Thomas Cook India.

The Barossa Valley in Australia holds strong allure to food and wine aficionados on account of its fresh food produce and finest wine offerings. Virginia in USA, a popular winery destination, is also being recognised for its nascent distilleries manufacturing some of the most exquisite whiskies. The other emerging whisky and wine destinations are Mendoza, Argentina; Aegean Islands, Greece; California, Mexico; BadenBaden, Germany; Texas Hill Country, USA. “Interestingly, we have seen a strong uptake for special interest tours from India’s Gen Y and equally so from our senior citizen Gen S clientele and ad hoc group of friends,” adds Phadkar. However, very few Indians opt for wine and

whisky trails as a standalone product. Most Indians are combining them with their regular holidays as they believe in getting value for money.

Unique experiences With this category of tourism set to expand in the Indian market, travel agents are exploring the possibility of offering well framed packages as the growth in this segment is still at a nascent stage. “Indians opt for tours of the winelands that are paired with activities such as harvesting, cultural heritage or gourmet experiences. We design tailor-made Scottish, Italian, French holidays to suit the needs of our travellers. We provide options such as self-drive whisky and wine tours on request.

Travellers can explore distilleries in Ireland, or can even plan a holiday or vacation that combines both Scotland and Ireland.

We do get a lot of queries for

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cover ) “We have seen a 20% rise from the segment of travellers opting for food and wine experiences” Shibani Phadkar Sr VP - products and operations, leisure travel (outbound), Thomas Cook India

“Indians opt for tours with activities such as harvesting, cultural heritage or gourmet experiences” Vishal Suri CEO - tour operating, Kuoni India

“We would like to forge associations with prominent wine clubs” Catherine Oden Director, Atout France in India

20 EXPRESS TRAVELWORLD December 2014

wine tourism in France and Italy as these are more evolved and preferred destinations in this segment,” mentions Vishal Suri, chief executive officer- tour operating, Kuoni India.

Apart from travel agents and tour operators, even most tourism boards today have identified more than one way to woo the discerning Indian traveller.

In a step towards this direction, they are now offering travellers more unique wine and whisky experiences. For instance, with a view to promote a holistic image of France as a destination for wine trails, Atout France in addition to acquainting the Indian traveller with famous wines, is also making the wine tasting experience interesting with games such as blind wine tasting, wine casinos and tastings at unusual locations. “Visitors can expect vineyard visits, gastronomic meals with pairings of local delicacies and wines from the region, activities such as hot-air ballooning promises panoramic views of resplendent vineyards.

Even the hospitality experience can be made special with a choice of accommodation options ranging from bed and breakfast properties to luxurious chateaux in vineyards that make the entire wine-trail experience a truly memorable one. For the future, we would also like to forge associations with prominent wine clubs to find mutually beneficial avenues of working together,” opines Catherine Oden, director, Atout France in India, adding that over the recent years, the regions of ReimsEpernay-Champagne, Strasbourg-Alsace, Dijon-Burgundy, Beaujolais-Rhone Valley-RhoneAlpes, Provence, BordeauxAquitaine and Loire Valley have gained popularity among Indian travellers.

Cape Town, South Africa's capital, offers a number of wineland experiences, and the region is the source of many legendary Cape wines. Apart from the Franschhoek and Paarl routes on the outskirts of the city, there are three key wine routes that are a half-to-full day

“Travel agents are always on the look out to promote varied experiences and product differentiation vis-a-vis their competitors. This segment has the potential” Karan Anand Head - relationships, Cox & Kings

trip for visitors to the city - Constantia, Durbanville, Stellenbosch and Helderberg. Beyond these routes, there are other wine regions like the West Coast, Swartland, Robertson and Overberg. “To date, the trend we have seen for visiting Indian travellers is that they like to combine wine farm visits and tastings with activities such as blending your own wines, wine and food pairing, horse trails – and a general focus on activities for children and families,” says Hanneli Slabber, country manager, South African Tourism in India.

Scotland is synonymous with its most iconic brand – the

Scotch whisky. Apart from tasting the best in the land of whiskies, most visitors to Scotland are keen to know about the history of scotch whisky, how it is made, which are the most famous distilleries, and other interesting information. For the last two and a half decades the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre (SWHC) has been offering the inimitable whisky experience to visitors from around the world.

SWHC was launched in July 1987, in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. The heritage centre has seen a substantial increase in number of arrivals from India in recent years. “In 2012 we wel-

comed 3,250 visitors from India and in 2013 the market increased by 56 per cent,” reveals Julie Trevisan Hunter, head of marketing, The Scotch Whisky Experience at SWHC, adding that, “We are also home to the world’s largest collection of scotch whisky and a visit to this is included in every tour experience.”

The scotch whisky experience includes the silver and gold whisky tours covering all aspects of scotch whisky. Guests can dine in Amber restaurant with its whisky bar where many whisky and food matching packages are offered. However, reinventing the whole experience is essential for attracting repeat visitors. “We invest in the attraction every year having spent over GBP five million in the past five years and are constantly changing and updating our interpretation, increasing language provision and interactivity and introducing new tour, tasting and food experiences.

There is always something new,” says Hunter.

Another whiskey destination, the island of Ireland is famous for its high quality whiskies, whether it’s blended or single malt. “Two of the main distilleries we promote in the India market are the Old Bushmills Distillery in Northern Ireland and the Jameson Distillery in Dublin and Cork in the Republic of Ireland,” mentions Huzan Fraser Motivala, India representative, Tourism Ireland.

Bushmills Irish Whiskey is made at Ireland’s oldest working distillery in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The Bushmills Brand Experience encompasses guided tours around a working distillery with all the associated sights and smells, tutored whiskey tastings and a specialist whiskey shop. “Travellers can also relive the story of John Jameson and Son through the history, the atmosphere and above all the taste at the Old Jameson Distillery in the heart of Dublin where guests receive a signature Jameson drink and volunteers are selected to participate in a

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accompanied South African Tourism on a roadshow across India. “In early 2015, we will be visiting India again and we look forward to sharing more information on the food and wine experience that awaits visitors to Cape Town,” informs Slabber.

Likewise, Italy which is popular for its old world wines is also looking at penetrating further into the India market. “Italy has 20 different wine producing regions. We have to push our wine trails more in the country. To achieve this, we need to invite people to Italy to participate in cooking classes and wine tasting events. Moreover, we have to organise educational tours and familiarisation trips to Italy, invite opinion makers to important events, and so on. Advertising is also equally important,” states Dr Riccardo Strano, director Asia and Oceania, ENIT - Italian National Tourist Board.

“Indian travellers like to combine wine farm visits and tastings with activities such as blending your own wines, wine and food pairing” Hanneli Slabber Country manager, South African Tourism in India

Gaining exclusivity

“Italy has 20 different wine producing regions. We have to push our wine trails more in the country” Dr Riccardo Strano Director - Asia and Oceania, ENIT - Italian National Tourist Board

tutored whiskey comparison and earn a personalised Whiskey Taster Certificate.

Additionally, we also promote the Ireland Whiskey Trail which is a free touring guide to Ireland's distilleries, best whiskey pubs, hotels and golf club bars and specialised whiskey shops,” she adds. Also featured on the whiskey trail is the Jameson Experience in Cork, Kilbeggan Distillery Experience in Kilbeggan and the Tullamore Dew Visitor Centre, County Offaly.

Working strategically From organising B2B workshops and familiarisation trips to being counseled by travel agents on creating various wine and whisky itineraries, tourism boards are tapping diverse platforms to enhance and update the Indian travel trade's knowledge on various wine and whisky trails. “We often welcome wine growing regions as part of our annual B2B workshop that takes place in New Delhi and Mumbai.

Our workshop enables these regions to reach out to potential

agents. An annual global workshop is also conducted in France known as Destination Vignobles which brings under a single roof different french suppliers working in the domain of wine tourism and travel companies from all over the world including India. Pre-workshop familiarisation tours are also organised to wine growing regions enabling the visiting delegations to have a first-hand experience of the touristic assets of the regions,” mentions Oden.

In 2014, Cape Town Tourism

With this niche segment steadily growing in the India market, is there potential for travel agents to specialise in wine and whisky tours exclusively? “Travel agents are always on the look out to promote varied experiences and where they can offer product differentiation vis-a-vis their competitors. So this segment also has the potential like other specialised products like self drive vacations, cruises, etc. The customer of today is more evolved and expect the travel agent to offer them products that cater to their specific needs,” says Anand. The same is reiterated

by Suri, who believes, “Many wine and whisky regions around the world have found it financially beneficial to promote such tourism. Wine and whisky tourism is not only about a trip to taste, buy and learn about wines and whiskies but is also an opportunity to showcase the rich cultural diversity of the land.

Self-drive tours which feature wine tasting are popular amongst travellers. This opens avenues for travel agents to specialise in wine and whisky tours.”

“We also promote the Ireland Whiskey Trail, a free touring guide to Ireland's distilleries” Huzan Fraser Motivala India representative, Tourism Ireland

“In 2012 we welcomed 3,250 visitors from India and in 2013 this increased by 56 %” Julie Trevisan Hunter Head of marketing, The Scotch Whisky Experience, Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre

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EVENT ROUNDUP

ASIAN SHOW OF STRENGTH The Asian continent is strong and robust, which was evident at ITB Asia 2014. The ASEAN countries made their presence felt and there were a host of buyers ready to talk business

By Reema Lokesh

T

HE ASIAN continent is always referred to and recognised as being big but when it comes to business it is more than just big. While penning this edit I was in the thick of all the action and articulation at ITB Asia in Singapore, where the power of the Asian giant was felt rather strongly in the travel and tourism space. The event witnessed some high power debates and discussions ranging from topics that were intense to inspiring. From the tech touch v/s human touch debate to the online-offline story questioning the survival of brick and mortar set-ups to refreshing pointers on brand positioning, some of the sessions were thought provoking. Sensitive issues of survival and profits, inspiring success stories to emulate, best practices and formulas to be applied in business, using technology to one's advantage, there was a lot to both learn and unlearn. Knowledge seminars on technology and trade, human resource and responsible tourism ran parallel across the three days with some sessions going off track, however giving the audience an opportunity to both filter and factor in the best practices and solutions that can be applied to businesses for better efficiency and ROI. A dedicated full day seminar on hotel technology proved to be an interesting learning ground. From Qooco based language training to using technology in art and

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architecture, (the case study of the Sunrise Kempinski Hotel, Beijing for example) to wearable technology in tourism and hospitality, there is lots more that India can adapt and adopt.

India a top market The BRIC countries are a focal point of discussion at most international trade events especially in the tourism space.

Within them the I and C of the BRIC were discussed at the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) seminar at ITB Asia 2014. GBTA’s BTI study also forecasts China to overtake the US as the world’s number one business travel market by

2016 and other Asia Pacific countries such as India and Indonesia to grow between 11-14 per cent annually over the next five years. According to Welf Ebeling, vice president, operations, Asia, GBTA, “The second fastest growth market in Asia is India which equally to China showed a 16 per cent growth in the first decade of this century.

Over the last 15 years, India has worked its way up the rankings of major global business travel markets from number 24 in 2000 to the world’s 10th ranked market in 2013. GBTA expects India to become the ninth largest business travel market within the next five years.” He

further added, “In Asia Pacific, there are a number of countries showing high growth in terms of business travel spend. These markets include Vietnam, Philippines, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. We forecast an average growth rate of 7.5-10 per cent annually in these markets.” The global business travel spend is expected to reach a record US$ 1.18 trillion by 2014, with nearly 40 per cent coming from Asia Pacific, according to GBTA's Business Travel Index (BTI) outlook report released at ITB Asia 2014.

This year also saw the strongest buyer participation to-date, with 14 per cent more

EVENT ROUNDUP buyers compared to 2013, informed Christian Goke, CEO, Messe Berlin and organiser of ITB Asia. He further added, “The MICE sector in particular is growing exceptionally, accounting for over half of the total business travel market. It is a very resilient segment that is outpacing traditional corporate travel.”

“The dramatic progress of Asia’s travel and tourism markets, fueled by the rising BRIC economies, testifies once again to the region’s immense potential for growth. Now, more so than ever, we need to encourage greater strategic collaboration among the leaders of the industry. Over the years, ITB Asia has been incredibly valuable in delivering comprehensive market insights and important networking opportunities. We are confident that STB’s partnership with Messe Berlin will continue to boost the success of ITB Asia and anchor TravelRave’s status as the region’s premier travel and tourism week for the trade,” said Neeta Lachmandas, assistant chief executive, Singapore Tourism Board.

This year’s ITB Asia also witnessed a sizeable number of players in the technology space including back-end technology and software solutions providers targeting both the travel and hospitality sector. Incredible India was present at ITB Asia. Punjab Tourism was present in full force and was determined to make its presence felt by aggressively marketing its product.

National Geographic World Legacy Awards The 15 finalists of the inaugural National Geographic World Legacy Awards were unveiled at ITB Asia 2014. The World Legacy Awards, a partnership between National Geographic Society and ITB Berlin, showcase the leading travel and tourism companies, organisa-

tions and destinations — ranging from historic monuments to eco-lodges and from small islands to entire countries — that are driving the sustainable tourism transformation of the travel industry based on National Geographic’s work of inspiring people to care about the planet. More than 150 World Legacy Awards entries were received, from 56 countries and six continents. Finalists in five categories were selected by an international team of 18 judges, experts in sustainable travel and who will now conduct on-site inspections of the finalists.

A green picture Marina Bay Sands, the hospitality partner, worked towards making ITB Asia a green initiative. The team even in the past has worked with a sustainable approach to reduce its carbon footprint by five per cent from 399 tonnes in 2012. This has been done through a range of measures such as choosing food

The carbon credits will in turn be invested in two regional climate change mitigation projects

items sourced regionally for the Harvest Menu, utilising newly activated in-room motion sensors to ensuring maximum lighting efficiency in the meeting rooms and setting a room temperature of 24 degrees. The total carbon footprint that was produced during the three-day ITB Asia event was also offset entirely, as per the company spokesperson. The carbon credits will in turn be invested in two regional climate change mitigation projects, Sungai Kerling Hydropower in Malaysia and Wayang Windu Geothermal in Indonesia through the integrated resort’s partner, Carbon Story.

Considered to be the greenest trade show in the region, ITB Asia 2014 worked on a plan to collect all unused booth giveaways and stationery such as notepads and pens from the exhibitors at the end of the show.

These will be donated to the integrated resort’s charity partner Food from the Heart. Leftover brochures at the booths werecollected to be recycled. The nature of such a donation and recycling drive is a first for ITB Asia, as well as for Marina Bay Sands, an ISO 20121 certified venue host.

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DESTINATION OUTBOUND

A'DATE' IN THE DESERT

Though distinctly placed as part of the GCC, the Omani world is full of culture and character which is unique to the land and its inhabitants. Even a few days spent in the Sultanate is sure to leave you impressed with the place and its people

By Reema Lokesh

T

HE SULTANATE of Oman has its very own charm, which is rather distinct both in style and expression when compared to its neighbouring GCC counterparts. The first thing that makes a rather impressive impact is the fact that the fairer sex is highly respected and given her rightful place. From the Khawa (special Omani welcome drink) to the dates, (the

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story goes that there are more date palm trees in the region than its people) the Omani hospitality is distinct. Undiscovered till about recently, the tourism board of Oman in Mumbai is aggressively and strategically promoting the region in India and the recently concluded mega FAM trip is proof of its commitment toward tourism promotion. The 'Discover Oman’ FAM for In-

dian travel agents highlighted some unique tourism elements of country from the mountains, deserts, ocean fronts, to the cultural sites and heritage monuments. The Indian outbound business has always been a promising source market for international tourism boards across continents.

Tapping India outbound Oman Tourism established

itself in India in 2010 to promote Oman as a premium leisure and MICE spot in the Middle East. Since its inception, the ministry of tourism, Sultanate of Oman’s focus has been to cater to the niche, experiential and high-quality seeking travellers in India and promote itself as a leisure, adventure, MICE and wedding destination. To achieve this objective, the ministry with the

support of its India office led by Lubaina Sheerazi, India representative, MoT, Oman, conducted its first mega FAM to the region recently, with 60 Indian travel agents on board from Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Pune and Hyderabad. The hosted group travelled to Muscat, Nizwa, Sharqiyah Sands, Sur and Ras Al Jinz to discover the culture, landscape, monu-

DESTINATION OUTBOUND ments and cuisine of Oman.

The aim was to offer the trade partners a comprehensive view of the destination in both the MICE and the leisure space.

The group was handled by six DMCs from Oman - Oman World Tourism, Zahara Tours, Tour Oman, Elite Travel & Tours, Gulf Ventures and Bahwan Travels.

The travel agents were given an opportunity for site inspections at various properties including Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, Hormuz Grand Hotel, Al Falaj Hotel, Al Bustan Palace - A Ritz Carlton Hotel, Alila Jabal Akhdar, Al Nahda Resort, Ramee Guestline, Wadi Shab Resort, Sur Plaza Hotel, Sahab Hotel, The Jungle Restaurant, On the Rocks lounge and they also went dolphin watching with Sidab Tours. The agents attended B2B sessions and got an opportunity to network with a wide selection of travel and tourism representatives in Oman - hotels, attractions and DMCs. Speaking at the B2B session, HE Maitha Al Mahrouqi, under secretary, MoT, Oman who met the travel agents said, that she was very keen to receive Indian tourists and provide the Indian trade the support they needed. “We have a very special product in this region and are confident that we will meet the expectations of the Indian discerning traveller.

Tourism from India has witnessed a steady rise and we can only improve the numbers with time,” she said. The country has witnessed a 10 per cent growth in tourism arrivals from 2012 to 2013.

Launched in 2011, the Discover Oman specialist training programme has offered agents online and offline trainings in the past and continues to be active through product trainings and webinars. The success and feedback received over the years encouraged the MoT to extend the training programme to Oman.

The country is also working towards improving the airport infrastructure in the near fu-

ture. The tourism board is clear in its strategy to have a long term approach toward the India market. This vision is supported by the national carrier Oman Air with robust flight connections between the two countries.

The country has received an encouraging response from the Indian market especially in the film and wedding tourism segments.

Hospitality experiences

TEN THINGS YOU MUST DO IN OMAN 1

Try the welcome drink Khawah and of course the dates and also coffee with a combination of rosé and cardamoms.

2

Visit the splendid Sultan Qaboos Brand Mosque an architectural marvel. The unique handwoven Persian carpet covers over 4,000 sq mtr internal space and its unique chandelier is worth a look.

3

Walk around the Souks for some unique trinkets and silver.

4

The Muscat Royal Opera is an experience in itself.

5

The special sound therapy treatment at the Alila Jabal Akhdar is worth experiencing. It reveals a lot about your chakras in the body.

6

Surely stay back in the desert for a night or two to experience the sounds of silence.

7

A journey on the sand dunes is a must. You can leave your footprints on the sands of time.

8

For some realtime therapy, check out the Al Nahda resort and spa. Meet Dr Mary Ann there, she can guide on some vital lifestyle tips.

9

Check out the historical and heritage areas of Birkat Al Mouze region. The unique mud structures will take you into a different era.

10

Just enjoy the Omani hospitality which is unadulterated. The people are happy and in love with their ruler.

Oman has its own style, and it is for those who are looking for a break which is both stately and subtle. From classy hospitality experiences to refined desert camp living, it has a range of products that can pamper you. The Alila Jabal Akhdar, is a unique hotel in its space and its natural settings sets the tone for those who are discovering or rediscovering love. The Al Nahda Resort & Spa close to Muscat provides you with some health centric curative therapeutic offerings.

Meet Dr Mary Ann for some life style management talk, and she will not disappoint you. For some business talk check out the Hormuz Grand, which is a new kid on the block. ShangriLa's Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa is a destination in itself.

It's unique positioning gives its guests some splendid views of the beach and the mountains combined. Further, The Sahab Hotel in Jabal Akhdar mountain range also has some unique 270 million year old fossils in its set up. The country has some unique hotels in its region namely Hotel Atana Musandam, a very authentic Omani hotel, in Khasab. From fort hotels to seafood restaurants such as Al Baleed, the country has a lot to offer for the foodie as well. From rooftop dining experiences to savouring special Omani delicacies in desert camps, the story of the Middle Eastern journey continues.

Adventure and more For those who feel Oman is all about the desert and mountains, you will be surprised to experience some serious water

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DESTINATION OUTBOUND

For those who feel Oman is all about the desert and mountains, you will be surprised to experience some serious water based and other special adventure experiences based and other special adventure experiences. From canyoning, abseiling, caving, climbing to the famous dolphin watching moments in Muscat and Musandam, the place has a lot to offer for those who like to have an adventure touch to their break. For those keen to take a journey into the sea, then scuba diving in Oman is a perfect option. You will meet some seahorses, turtles, dolphins, whale, sharks on your underwater journey if you please.

If the mountains are your calling, then this country has this natural splendour in abundance. The mountain ranges are unique in topography. Take a journey up to Jabal Shams, the region’s highest mountain point; the panorama is special. The country also has another natural site - the sinkhole located in Hawiyat Najm Park on route from Quriyat to Sur, is an interesting stop over. The region of Sur, is also known for being the old world shipping building hub especially the wooden ones. Oman surely takes you to a different world which is old world but pleasantly modern in its style and substance.

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BACKWATERS

'Kochi,Munnar and Thiruvanathapuram will be connected by seaplane' In an exclusive interview, P I Sheik Pareeth, director, Kerala Tourism, outlines the state tourism department's plans for 2015

By Steena Joy What plans has Kerala Tourism lined up for 2015?

After consolidating our presence in the traditional markets including UK, France, Germany, we are also reaching out to new markets in Scandinavia and Europe

(Poland, Czech). This year, we have already made inroads into Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Scandinavia with our successful road shows.

We are expecting to cross more and more geographical

boundaries in the coming year.

With its natural beauty and visa on arrival facility being offered to more countries, Kerala will establish itself as a major tourist destination in the world market. The hop-onhop- off taxis in Kochi-Muziris

and Kochi Biennale area will also attract more tourists.

Quite a number of plans are in the pipeline. We will be finalising these plans in a few months’ time.

What new strategies/initiatives is Kerala Tourism planning in Responsible Tourism? Will any new RT destinations be developed?

Kerala Tourism has introduced a tourism policy which will focus on enhancing the socio-economic growth of the state through the promotion of ‘Responsible Tourism’ (RT).

As an initiative to promote RT, the government will endorse additional hotels, ayurveda centres, houseboats, convention centres, tour operators, tourist transport operators, etc. The government will also provide incentives to them based on a set of requirements.

RT-based sustainable tourism practices will be implemented at Ambalavayal in Wayanad, Bekal in Kasaragod, and Kumbalangi in Ernakulam.

Will the innovative marketing campaign on Mumbai Metro be replicated elsewhere in the country?

Rajdhani branding, London cab branding, and Kolkata tram branding are some of the examples of Kerala Tourism’s innovative marketing campaigns before Mumbai Metro branding. A lot more projects on similar lines will be seen in the next financial year.

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P I Sheik Pareeth

Is there an environmental impact of the hop-on-hop-off water taxis on the backwaters?

Kerala is known for its beautiful backwaters and hop on hop off water taxis connect these backwaters. Kerala Tourism projects have always been eco-friendly and these water taxis are no different.

These taxis connect much sought after destinations in Kochi including Marine Drive, Bolgatty, Vypeen, Fort Kochi and Mattancherry. These boats have also served as a platform for the local artist to showcase their talent, by branding the boats’ exterior.

Kerala Tourism will be enhancing the facilities of the six seated air-conditioned boats in the coming year.

What is the current status of the sea plane project? Which new destinations will be connected in 2015?

We are in the process of finalising the sea plane project.

Service schedules are being awaited from the sea plane operators. Key destinations in Kerala including Kochi, Munnar and Thiruvanathapuram will be connected by seaplane.

BACKWATERS

Luxurious retreat Heritage lake resort Situated on the shores of Vembanad Lake, Goldfield Lake Resort is an ideal picturesque retreat for different travellers

A backwater heritage resort in Alleppey, the Kayaloram Lake Resort offers varied facilities for the discerning traveller

GOLDFIELD LAKE RESORT is located on the shores of the largest backwater lake in Kerala, the Vembanad Lake. Beautiful landscaped gardens complement the entire resort that offers vacationers complete serenity, occasionally interrupted only by the chirping of birds. The architecture showcases traditional style Kerala houses with sloping terracotta roofs.

Coconut palms cast cool shadows over twin-storied dwelling units that offer stunning views of the backwaters. The elegantly styled lounge with conventional woodwork exudes a warm welcome. A swimming pool right on the lake's edge gives guests the feeling of staying afloat on the lake rather than

THE KAYALORAM LAKE RESORT is an exquisite Kerala backwater resort amidst coconut palms, manicured lawns and profusions of orchids set beside the Vembanad Lake. Classified as an heritage property by the Government of India, it is an architectural marvel built in the traditional style once prevalent in Kerala and yet offers all the luxuries of a modern getaway resort. Comprising of carved wooden cottages facing the lake on one end, others arrayed beside a pool, a butterfly garden with a delightful variety of tropical butterflies and a traditional ayurveda treatment centre at the other, the Kayaloram Lake Resort is just perfect to enjoy a memorable tryst

the pool. The resort houses twenty rooms comprising of superior rooms, deluxe rooms and luxury suites that are fully equipped with all modern facilities for a comfortable stay. The aesthetically crafted living spaces offer vacationers a relaxing environment where one can unwind after a hectic day spent exploring the city and its natural scapes. The room architecture, dĂŠcor and furniture perfectly complement the backwater ambience. Whether guests are on work or pleasure, honeymoon or vacation with their loved ones, they can stay in comfort in well-equipped rooms. Julienno, the multi-specialty restaurant takes guests on a culinary journey of exploring authentic delicacies of Kerala.

with the many natural charms that an Alleppey lake resort has on offer. A cruise on a traditional rice barge refurbished into a houseboat, through the fabled backwaters of Alleppey is an experience of a lifetime and upon returning the chef will serve guests a sumptuous Kerala meal composed of some of the most exotic spices from this part of the world.

The Kayaloram Lake Resort boasts of cottages that are categorised into Lake View and Pool View rooms. The resort has won many accolades from the state department of tourism, for being an authentic ayurvedic centre, and is headed by a team of highly qualified and experienced Ayurvedic professionals.

LUXURIOUS BACKWATER REJUVENATION AT THE ZURI KUMARAKOM, KERALA RESORT & SPA In the heart of ethereal Kerala lies a unique experience, waiting to be lived, The breathtaking Vembaned caresses its uncommon beauty and an extraordinary vision outlines its luxury. The Zuri kumarakom, a confluence of exquisite opulence and refreshing rejuvenation.

All of 18 acres, The Zuri Kumarakom Kerala, Resort & Spa is a five -star deluxe resort with accommodation, ideal for the leisure traveller or business guest. its 72 elegant rooms including the 10 lake -view pool blends the uniquely ethnic culture of Kerala with contemporary and international architectural elements and the most modern living comforts.

Eating in style is every connoisseur 's delight and consummate fine dinning options make the Zuri, Kumarakom A gourmets true joy. Ethnic and authentic Kerala reflects in the stunning spreads of kerala cuisine and fresh sea-food served at the resort. Fluffy appams, delicious fish preparations and the famous paayasam are few of the sinful temptations of the cuisine on offer.

It's desirable to balance gastronomic nutrition with nourishment for the soul.

Rejuvenation finds a new identity in the exotic Maya spa, one of the largest spas in south India. A complete wellness and health destination, the Maya Spa nurtures the entire being with exotic therapies and treatments in both traditional Ayurveda as well s international therapies.

A symbol of a rare approach to luxury, The Zuri Kumarakom has beed showered with awards endlessly. Zuri Kumarakom enjoys the distinction of being a leading resort recommended by Conde Nast Johannsen. A shrine entombing the ancient secrets of wellness from the world-over, the Maya Spa has won the ASIA SPA AWARD- Best Resort Spa in India, two years in a row and coveted title of being ‘India’s Leading Resort’, 2010 at the World Travel Awards. The latest and most favorite acquisition has been winning the TripAdvisor's 2014 Traveller's Choice Awards.

For further information, please visit: www.thezurihotels.com or Contact: +91-481 2527272 or email: reservation.kumarakom@thezurihotels.com The Zuri Kumarakom Kerala Resort & Spa V 235 A1 to A54, Karottukayal, Kumarakom, Kottayam, Kerala - 686 563. INDIA

Maya Spa assumes its name from the word Maya, which refers to the mystical ability to transform an illusion into reality. And transform it does by revitalizing the body and mind with aid of a variety of glorious, time-tested therapies. An array of renowned spa treatments, specialized and personalised nature therapies are specially designed to help relax and return refreshed. An emphasis on complete wellness sees the award-winning spa combine Eastern and Western wellness systems. The range of exotic therapies include Ayurveda, Hydro therapy, Solar therapy, Stone therapy and Dead sea water treatments and massages, Swedish & Thai Massage and Sabai Stone therapy.

The spa also provides a choice of multi-gymnasium, Jacuzzi, Sauna, Steam and Plunge pool to enjoy a refined experience of healing and wellness.

A Member Of

BACKWATERS

KTDC: In the lap of the backwaters

Holistic treatment Staying at Vasundhara Sarovar Premiere Kerala – Vayalar is a sublime engagement with luxury living VASUNDHARA SAROVAR Premiere Kerala – Vayalar offers an unique experience to guests through its 60 rooms, each of which have heritage motifs meld with contemporary design in-room architecture and furnishings, conjuring a new perspective on hospitality and on Kerala. Spread across 5000 sq ft, The Spa at the property offers contemporary and age-old techniques of massage and health and is operated by Soft Touch, the internationally acclaimed spa professionals. Their treatments and materials are specially evolved in consultation with the in-house doctor. With an extensive spa menu that offers Swedish deep tissue massages, to aromatherapy and Ayurveda therapies, the spa with its soothing and healing ambience is the ultimate in relaxation and wellness for the guest at the property. The therapies offered at The Spa include:

Rejuvenation therapy This treatment includes detoxification and rejuvenation

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of body by herbal oils and medicines, which nourishes the body tissues. This therapy increases the health span by improving the quality and purity of structural components. An effective and prominent treatment to release daily strain and stress.

Slimming programme From the perspective of Ayurveda, losing weight is not about starving or suppressing the appetite. It is about balancing the fat metabolism. One does not have to starve oneself or exercise until one drops. Balance is the key and with a therapy which is tailor made to suit one’s constitution. Treatments include body massage by special herbal powders and internal herbal medicine.

Spine care This programme includes special treatments for neck pain and low back pain due to various conditions like muscular conditions, spondylosis, spondylitis, ankylosing spondylitis, disc problems, etc.

The treatment includes traditional massages with special herbs from Kerala, nasal drops, medicated steam, medicated spinal baths and internal medications.

WATERSCAPES, previously known as Kumarakom Tourist Village is located 15 km west of Kottayam, is adjacent to the Kumarakom Bird sanctuary and is a 104 acre estate surrounded by mangrove forests, green paddy fields and coconut groves.

The picturesque village of Kumarakom is a cluster of small islands on the eastern banks of the Vembanad Lake. To go out into the lake guests can choose from traditional country crafts, boats and canoes. The resort offers comfortable accommodation and leisure options like ayurvedic massages,

The landscape is lush with tropical vegetation and the property offers the splendid view of the horizon-stretching expanse of the Vembanad. KTDC Waterscapes has 40 waterfront cottages, swimming pool, restaurant, beer parlour, ayurvedic centre, conference hall, boating, backwater tours, sightseeing trips, etc.

KTDC Suvasam is located at Thannermukkom, Alappuzha. Suvasam means a pleasant stay in Sanskrit.

Thannermukkom is the name of the barrier constructed here to prevent tidal action and intrusion of salt water into the Kuttanad lowlands across Vembanad

yoga, meditation, boating, fishing and swimming.

The rooms at Waterscapes stand on stilts, while the restaurant has water flowing under it.

Lake, between Thannermukkom and Vechur.

KTDC Suvasam overlooking the Vembanad lake has 37 rooms, each with a garden in front and lakeview.

Skin care This special programme is for improving the complexion and toning up of the body. This includes special detoxification programme and beautification therapies. Cures skin diseases like psoriasis, eczema, scabies, dermatitis, folliculitis, premature graying and hair falling, etc. This includes special herbal face packs and more.

Panchakarma therapy A five-fold treatment, which includes different massages, internal herbal teas and treatments like Nasyam (nasal drops), Virechanam (purgation), Vasthy (enema therapy), etc. This is for the mental and physical well being - tones the body, mind, breath, nerves and purifies the blood. It takes a minimum of 14 up to 28 days for the treatments.

BACKWATERS

‘Wellness will see rapid growth’ Sarat Valsraj, general manager of The Zuri Kumarakom, Kerala Resort & Spa talks about the USP of his property, impact of the liquor ban on business, responsible tourism initiatives and more

By Rituparna Chatterjee How are you positioning the property in the Kerala market?

The Zuri Kumarakom is a premium luxury product in destination Kumarakom for a discerning traveller who is looking to spend time and rejuvenate in this beautiful backwater destination.

Maya Spa with 14 treatment rooms specialising in both Ayurveda and western treatments with trained therapist and consulting doctor is the USP of the property. The high spending corporate trav-

eller who wants to spend quality time with family will be the new target segment for us. Presently we have a mix of international inbound series business with domestic travellers. Destination weddings are a big draw and The Zuri Kumarakom is popular for the same.

What about expansion plans?

There is no additional inventory being added to the current supply. A complete soft refurbishment of different cat-

Catering to luxury

THE MANOR BACKWATER RESORT, built in contemporary Indian style inspired by traditional Kerala architecture, is sprawled across four acres of land. This four-star facility resort boasts of 40 water facing- semi connected cottages, a restaurant on the river front, pool, a dedicated ayurvedic spa, a gym and even a viewing area. A unique feature at The Manor Backwater Resort is the view of the water from each and every room. The resort is built as separate cottage blocks with connecting bridges; each block has an atrium of indoor garden on either side of the passages. The view differs from

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ground to first floor, from one end to the other and from one direction to the other. Guests can stroll, view, stoop at the bridges connecting the blocks. The rooms provide a wonderful view of the sun in the eastern rooms and the last rays of the sunset visible from romantic western rooms. The Manor Backwater Resort is a place where guests can enjoy a drink or a snack in their own secluded privacy while watching the sunrise or sunset. The hotel offers various activities such as village walks, toddy tapping and even canoe racing. The property is designed to cater to every desire of the discerning luxury traveller.

egories of rooms is ongoing without effecting guest services.

How has the recent liquor ban impacted the sector in Kerala?

As The Zuri Kumarakom is a fivestar deluxe property, liquor license is issued and the unit has not been impacted with the policy decision for this financial year. But with Sunday being declared as a dry day there is bound to be an impact on the weekend business in MICE (corporate and wedding segment). Most corporates who plan their off-sites have to rethink because of this policy decision of the government. The big picture will come in when the official numbers will be made available by the tourism department on the number of tourist arrivals for this financial year. This policy decision will not impact the market segment if all stakeholders promote the destination for the beauty and splendour which it has to offer. Also various roadshows, both domestic and international, are good platforms to allay any fears and clear all doubts of our travel partners who book different destinations.

Kumarakom is known for its responsible tourism (RT) initiative, how is the group implementing this?

Our RT Cell has helped in the involvement of the local community in meeting the requirements of the industry. The RT Cell was instrumental in establishing units for vegetable cultivation, fish processing, chapatti making, chicken processing, supply of tender coconuts, gift making, pappad making, handicraft and painting, souvenir, and performing groups like Shinkarimelam and other cultural groups. All these units are operated by different micro enterprises and individuals. Coconuts, tender coconuts, coconut oil, pappad and eggs are the main items the units are sourcing from the local community.

Besides we have opened employment opportunities for the local community with close to 45 employees working in

Sarat Valsraj

different departments of the resort.

You views on growth of the hospitality and wellness industry in Kerala?

Presently we have seen a growth of 22 per cent against last year. Wellness will see rapid growth in the coming years with Ayurveda being positioned as holistic wellness in upscale properties.

Another very important contribution by Kerala physicians is the continued practice and enrichment of the panchakarma therapy. Even when they became defunct in the rest of the country due to socio-political reasons, Kerala retained this therapeutic wealth in all its pristine essence. Medical tourism is an area which will be explored as a potential first mover in the tourism sphere.

Destination properties are tying up with top notch medi-city hospitals to collaborate in post treatment and recuperation in leisure for families of patients.

Any other significant factor?

More marketing spend by the state government should help in maintaining the numero uno position of Kerala God’s Own Country. The Government of Kerala should take steps to focus on infrastructure development. An effective integration of road, rail and water transport along with smaller airports in different districts will ease travel time.

BACKWATERS

A picturesque destination You may have seen Pollachi in movies. However Pollachi is prettier than the reel life rushes that you may have come across in movies such as ‘Barfi’, ‘Raavan' and ‘Guru’ SADDLED IN the vicinity of the Western Ghats along the Kerala border, the town of Pollachi, which means the land of natural wealth and prosperity, remains one of Tamil Nadu’s best kept secrets for tourism. The town boasts of the fact that some 1500 films have been shot here. While Pollachi offers

tourists an experience of tranquil solitude, it also caters to a wide range of tourists –the wildlife enthusiast, the nature lover, the spiritually inclined, the explorer, the wellness aficionado and so forth. The place is also a perfect weekend vacation spot for families, travel freaks and corporate crowd from the

nearby cities of Coimbatore and Tirupur.

Coco Lagoon, the leisure cum wellness resort, is located in this picturesque town. The resort is aptly named as it is set against the natural backdrop of coconut trees and calm waters.

Sprawled across the coconut grove are 32 luxury rooms,

with hay thatched roof, offering various grades of accommodation. Coco Lagoon offers five types of accommodation – executive deluxe rooms; presidential suites with a separate dining room and a sky light bath deck; royal suites with a whirlpool tub; a garden villa with a private garden and a massive whirlpool tub; and a pool villa with a private swimming pool.

All the rooms are minimalist with teak furniture and with paintings gracing the textured walls. Each room has an outdoor patio overlooking a pond with a fountain. For those who want to take a stroll around the resort, a cemented pathway meanders through the bamboo landscape, providing an opportunity to reconnect with nature. The resort is also home to an infinity pool overlooking the man made pond, a multi-cuisine restaurant serving ‘Kongu’ delicacies, a large amphitheatre for outdoor events, and a conference hall designed to accommodate the corporate segment. Being a family destination, the resort also offers a wide range of recreational activities such as

boating, bullock cart rides, snooker and much more.

The one adornment, which lends Coco Lagoon a distinctive and well deserved edge over other resorts in the vicinity, is its Ayurvedic wellness centre – Vaidya Sutras.

Established in technical collaboration with the Vaidyaratnam Group of Kerala, the centre uses remedial powers of Ayurveda. The therapies on the menu include rituals like Mana Prasadanam (stress management programme), Deha Sodhanakara Panchakarmam (detoxification treatment) and Sirasshoola Prashamanam, which helps cure and contain migraine and sinusitis.

Pollachi is also a favorite desitnation for nature and wildlife enthusiasts as it boasts of the Anamalai Tiger Reserve, an elephant camp ‘Kozhikamuthi’ and the ‘Kannimara’ teak tree. A visit to the Valparai hill station, a two hour drive from the resort, is another must to do. Also, en route, one can experience attractions such as Monkey Falls, Balaji Temple, Aliyar Dam, and Temple of Consciousness.

The resort is aptly named as it is set against the natural backdrop of coconut trees and calm waters. Sprawled across the coconut grove are 32 luxury rooms, with hay thatched roofs, offering various grades of accommodation

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SPOTLIGHT

Mega Malaysia From high fashion designer wear in luxury malls to traditional handicrafts in a street bazaar, the 1Malaysia Year End Sale is a great opportunity for visitors to Malaysia to get products at the best prices, along with simultaneously enjoying the unique culture, cuisine and the many attractions of the country

By Sudipta Dev

T

HE 1MALAYSIA YearEnd Sale (1MYES) got off to a stupendous start in Malayasia on November 15, 2014, coinciding with the Mega Fam programme which saw participation from 277 media and travel industry delegates from 26 countries. The annual year end sale reaffirmed Malaysia's position as one of the world's

leading shopping destinations that has a great attraction for visitors from all over the world.

Malaysia organises three major sale campaigns every year the 1Malaysia Grand Prix Sale in March, the 1Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival from June to September, and 1MYES from November 15, 2014 to January 4, 2015. These grand sale events give an opportunity to foreign tourists to buy the best of products ranging from eth-

nic handicrafts to the biggest international brands at value for money deals in the many cities across the country, along with exploring Malaysia's attractions as a tourism destination.

Launching 1MYES 2014 at the National Visual Arts Gallery in Kuala Lumpur, Dato' Maznah Mazlan, deputy chairman, Tourism Malaysia, said, “Kuala Lumpur has been acknowledged as the second

best destination for shopping in APAC by Globe Shopper Index. Malaysia's shopping experience is something for you to remember. The retail industry plays a very important part in supporting and making the event a success.

The collective effort is the combined ability to offer low prices in most of the shops, including three of the biggest shopping malls in Asia, which makes Malaysia the world's premier

shopping destination.”

The focus on high fashion is a part of Malaysia's effort to become a haven for luxury goods. “The country is already a duty free haven for most luxury goods including watches and jewellery,” said Mazlan.

Shopping is a significant contributor to the nation's tourism industry, and the second biggest share of tourist expenditure after accommodation.

The retail sector constituted 30.2 per cent of the total tourist expenditure in 2013. Tourist expenditure on shopping was RM 19.8 billion. The 1MYES is a prelude to an exciting new campaign. In 2015, it is going to be a year of endless celebrations in Malaysia with the launch of the Malaysia Year of Festivals (MyFEST).

Strategic tourism Tourism in Malaysia start-

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SPOTLIGHT ed in 1959. The international network today includes 37 overseas offices and seven marketing offices. The New Delhi office was set up in 2000 and that in Mumbai a year later. Today India is at number six position among the top tourist generating markets.

The domestic tourism market is also an important segment, with a network comprising 13 offices. “Our objective includes increasing foreign tourist arrivals, extending the average length of stay and increasing the market share of international MICE segment,” said Dato' Hj Azizan Noordin, deputy director general (Promotion), Tourism Malaysia. The year 2013 saw 25.7 million tourists, with receipts worth RM 65.4 billion.

The forecast for 2014 is 28 million tourist arrivals (RM 75 billion).

The target market ranges from leisure to eco tourism, education tourism, sports tourism, incentive, shopping, homestay and others. As far as India is concerned the focus segments are - leisure high end travel, shopping, honeymooners, education tourism and incentive travel. “We get a lot of weddings from the India market,” informed Noordin.

Malaysia has been organising Mega Fam programmes since 2000, and since then Tourism Malaysia has hosted 45,000 participants. The Mega Fam participants enjoyed a tour of Kuala Lumpur's Shopping Trail – the Bukit Bintang-KLCC (BBKLCC) Walk.

Focus Kuala Lumpur There are three key aspects in Kuala Lumpur that would attract a visitor, acknowledged Noraza Yusof, head of tourism, Kuala Lumpur City Hall. These are – shopping, food and culture. There are plans introduce a shopping bus

by March 2015 to connect the hotels to the malls. “Kuala Lumpur is a duty free fashion paradise, which is propelled by luxury fashion. There is duty free shopping, excellent price point, etc.,” said Yusof. She pointed out that Kuala Lumpur has become a fashionable city

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At WTM recently, the Kuala Lumpur Food Trails guide was launched ranging from the best of Indian food in Brickfields to the local Peranakan cuisine with a few designers having made it big globally. “There are also home grown designers and stores. About 20 minutes drive from Kuala Lumpur is the MO Outlet which has 50 brands selling products that are just a season behind,” she added.

Being a true melting point of Malaysia, not surprisingly Kuala Lumpur is also a food heaven. At WTM recently, the Kuala Lumpur Food Trails guide was launched ranging from the best of Indian food in Brickfields to the local Peranakan cuisine available in quaint restaurants across the city. There are many unexplored attractions for repeat

visitors to the city as well, for instance the free 'JalanJalan@Kampung Bharu' guided walk to explore Malay culture in a traditional village.

Kuala Lumpur is also fast emerging as a city of shows, performances and culture, for instance the musical production – Mud: Our Story of Kuala Lumpur at the historic Panggung Bandaraya and the just launched License to Thrill – A Bond Concert at the majestic Istana Budaya. There is also the Petronas Filharmonik Hall, home to the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra. Kuala Lumpur is also a MICE city of distinction in APAC region.

Shopper’s paradise The history of malls in Malaysia began in 1973. The country has many big shopping complexes, and more than 350 shopping malls. Of the top 10 largest shopping malls in the world, three are in Malaysia.

These are the Egyptian themed Sunway Pyramid, Mid Valley Megamall, and 1Utama Shopping Centre. In the global future supply of malls, Malaysia ranks in the number nine position. The future mall projects coming up include Sunway Velocity Mall and Sunway Putra Mall in Kuala Lumpur.

BBKLCC in Kuala Lumpur

has 3000 stores across nine malls – Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Fahrenheit88, Lot 10, BB Plaza, Suria KLCC, Berjaya Times Square, Sungei Wang Palza, Plaza Low Yat and Starhill Gallery. From bargain shopping at Sungie Wang to exclusive stores in Suria KLCC at the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, tourists can get great discounts at hundreds of stores.

Having been declared a duty free shopping destination since 2011, visitors can get a wide range of tax exempted goods at Malaysia's many popular duty-free zones, which includes the islands of Langkawi, Labuan and Tioman.

Johor Premium Outlets is the first in Southeast Asia and features more than a 100 designers and brand outlet stores offering savings of almost 65 per cent. The other important shopping venues in Johor are Johor Bahru City Square, Galleria@Kotaraya and the Zon Shopping Mall. In Melaka, the Dataran Pahlawan Megamall takes the centrestage in branded shopping, while the Jonker Street offers a treasure trove of artefacts for the discerning traveller.

The shopping experience in Penang is not limited to its many malls – the city is famous for its mile long night market, which is a great draw for tourists – from clothes to handicrafts to computer games there are many interesting bargains at the Batu Feringghi Sidewalk Bazaar.

Well known for its natural beauty Sabah is also famous for its handicrafts, which visitors can purchase from Wawasan Plaza in Kota Kinabalu and the Handicraft Market at Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens. 1Borneo Hypermall Autocity and Suria Sabah are the better known malls in Sabah. While mall enthusiasts in Sarawak can go to the Boulevard Shopping Complex in Miri or The Crowne Plaza Shopping Complex in Kuching city, to get the essence of the land, its culture and people, a visit to the many quaint sidewalk stores is a must.

CONSERVATION

Walking the tiger's trail Formed with the objective of forest conservation and development of rural livelihood, Madhya Pradesh Ecotourism Development Board is engaging local communities in tiger reserves to run eco tourism initiatives in buffer zones

By Sudipta Dev

T

HE STATE OF Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest area in the country, including almost 10,000 sq km of protected areas. Considering the fact that almost 80 per cent tourism in the state is focused on wildlife and nature, eco tourism is of particular significance in the state. Madhya Pradesh Ecotourism Development Board was formed in July 2005. It is an autonomous organisation under the Forest Department of Madhya Pradesh and has been established to take care of the tourism part in the forest areas of the state. The vision is conservation of forest and development of rural livelihood. “Our basic role is to identify those areas that have the potential for eco tourism initiatives and tie-up with the local communities of those places in the tourism trade so that while they get employment, tourists also get to move inside jungles, learn about the flora and fauna and interact with the forest in the right manner,” says Anuj Sharma, manager projects, Madhya Pradesh Ecotourism Development Board.

Madhya Pradesh Ecotourism Development Board has identified many destinations and has been working in the buffer zones of the tiger reserves. “The core areas of tiger reserves have limited tourist capacity. We need to provide a diversified eco tourism facility to the visitors,” says Sharma. Consequently, Madhya Pradesh Ecotourism Development Board has been opening up the

We are in the process of making local communities open new camping sites. We are also getting in touch with private investors who could fund these kind of initiatives buffer zones of tiger reserves so that people can go inside those areas, do walking safaris, camp there, do night safaris so that their interaction with the jungle increases. “Only the gypsy safaris are not enough interaction with the jungle. Similarly we are doing initiatives in the reserve forest areas which are near the already existing tourism circuits

of Madhya Pradesh. For instance, if it is the sites near Bhopal, we are exploring them, as these are on existing tourist maps of Madhya Pradesh,” points out Sharma.

Engaging communities All these facilities are run by communities living in these areas. Madhya Pradesh Eco-

tourism Development Board provides them training related to tourism services. “We have given them all the equipment and capital funding that is required initially and they have been running these destinations for us,” mentions Sharma. Training for local communities include guide training, camp management, hospitality and

catering, adventure activities, nature interpretation, eco tourism management training for eco self help groups.

The buffer zone has been opened in some places, for instance in Satpura there is a Forsyth Trail that has been operational for the last one and a half years now. The name is derived from Captain James Forsyth, a forester from the British era who found Panchmarhi by walking on these trails.

Then there are areas in the buffer zone of Pench where there are facilities for walking, bird watching, safari. These initiatives have been taken by the local communities in collaboration with the park management.

Recently initiatives have started in Bandhavgarh, where tracks have been identified for trails in buffer zones. “We are in the process of making local communities open new camping sites.

We are also getting in touch with private investors who could fund these kind of initiatives and make sure that these projects are run professionally in the buffer zones of tiger reserves,” informs Sharma. There are also plans to open up other areas of tiger reserves. Kanha and Panna are also in the pipeline.

In the future, Madhya Pradesh Ecotourism Development Board is focused on strengthening its initiatives.

“We need to run these projects more professionally and come into the market with more visibility. These are our basic targets,” states Sharma.

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MOVEMENTS Canadian Tourism Commission DAVID GOLDSTEIN has been appointed as president and chief executive officer of Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC), effective December 1, 2014. Goldstein is currently the president and chief executive officer of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC). In this capacity, Goldstein was one of the key architects of the Federal Tourism Strategy with Industry Canada.

Inmarsat Aviation CAPTAIN MARY I MCMILLAN has been appointed as vice president of aviation safety and operational services at Inmarsat Aviation. A 30-year veteran of the aviation industry, Captain McMillan has recorded over 12,000 hours flight time in aircraft ranging from B747, B767 and Airbus 320. Prior to joining Inmarsat Aviation, Captain McMillan was senior vice president, aerospace safety and environment at Tetra Tech AMT. In that role, Captain McMillan was responsible for the development of safety risk strategies and safety management systems for air navigation service providers, airports and airlines, and subject matter expertise in the area of aviation safety reporting and data analysis.

Etihad Airways YASSER AL YOUSUF has been appointed as managing director of Etihad Guest, Etihad Airways’ and its partners Air Serbia, Air Seychelles and Etihad Regional, loyalty programme. Yousuf has a strong background in the loyalty industry having worked at Emirates Skywards, and more recently at Du. He joined Etihad Airways in 2013, and has held a number of senior roles within Etihad Guest since then, including head of services and head of coalition partnerships.

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SHANE O’HARE has been appointed as senior vice president – marketing of Etihad Airways. At Etihad Airways, O'Hare will have the responsibility for developing the airline's marketing strategy, and for leading its successful implementation across commercial strategies, brand management, communications, product and service development, and sales and distribution strategies. O’Hare began his career with Qantas Airways, before founding a regional airline and tourist operation, Seair Pacific.

ESZTER UNGAR has been appointed as head of corporate affairs – Europe at Etihad Airways. Ungar joins the airline from Boeing where she held the position of communications director for EU/NATO, Northern Europe and Africa, based in Brussels.

Ungar has also held posts at GE and Hill & Knowlton, where she managed several Fortune 500 clients. Ungar will be based at Etihad Airways’ European headquarters in Berlin where she will be responsible for building and managing the airline’s brand and reputation in Europe as well as supporting its engagement with European Union institutions.

Amadeus FRÉDÉRIC BAROU has been appointed as vice president of distribution, products and operations at Amadeus Asia Pacific. Based in Bangkok, Barou will be responsible for driving the overall product marketing strategy, delivering innovative and personalised business solutions to Amadeus customers across the Asia Pacific region.

He will also be leading Amadeus customer service for the region.

Barou has been a member of the Amadeus family since 1999. Prior to joining the Asia Pacific team, he was vice president, sales and account management for Amadeus North America, based in Chicago.

CHRISTIAN LUKEY has been appointed as regional director of hotel distribution in Asia Pacific of Amadeus.

With more than 16 years’ experience in hospitality roles across Asia Pacific, Lukey has extensive insight into hotel business strategy, reservation systems, distribution networks and travel buyers’ needs. Lukey was previously commercial director of HRS, where he spearheaded the opening of the Singapore office to drive regional business development.

AAPA EMIRSYAH SATAR, president and CEO of Garuda Indonesia, has assumed his duties as chairman of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) for 2015. Satar succeeds Osamu Shinobe, president and CEO of All Nippon Airways, whose one-year term expired at the conclusion of the AAPA 58th Assembly of Presidents, which was held this week in Tokyo, Japan. Every year the position of AAPA chairman is changed and passed on to another member airline's CEO. This is the second time the AAPA chairmanship has been held by Garuda Indonesia -which joined AAPA in 1967.

Travelport KAYLENE SHUTTLEWOOD has joined Travelport as general manager, Pacific, while incumbent ALEX FITZPATRICK will be relocating to Travelport headquarters in the UK to take up a senior role as head of global payments and settlements portfolio, starting December.

Shuttlewood will oversee Travelport’s commercial operations and drive business growth across the Pacific region. She will also be responsible for leading and supporting the deployment of Travelport’s technologies to customers in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, as well as

Abacus PETER LI has been appointed as general manager for China at Abacus. Reporting directly to Brett Henry, vice president - commercial, Li will build on the collaborative strategy that has established Abacus as China’s complementary foreign Global Distribution System (GDS) used by a fast growing network of international travel agents. Li brings with him over 17 years of experience, most recently overseeing business development at TripAdvisor where he was particularly instrumental in educating China’s hoteliers on the online opportunity, connecting them with wider domestic and overseas audiences.

managing Travelport’s distribution partner in Papua New Guinea.

Matt Minetola has been appointed as chief information officer of Travelport. Minetola, who takes on the responsibility for leading Travelport’s Technology organisation with immediate effect, has more than 27 years of global experience of large scale technology leadership gained in both the hardware, software and banking industries. Most recently, he was CIO for HP Financial Services. During his 14 year tenure at HP, Minetola served in a variety of IT leadership roles. Prior to his most recent position, he spent three years leading the technology organisation for HP’s print business.

GKN Aerospace DAVID M BRANTNER has been appointed as president of aerospace division at GKN Aerospace, a new role with global oversight of customer relations, including programme performance and strategic product and tech-

nology deployment for sustained growth. Brantner will report to Kevin Cummings, chief executive, GKN Aerospace. Brantner has served more than 20 years with Pratt & Whitney, United Technologies. The last 15 years have been in executive roles with wide ranging experience. His most recent role was as president, commercial engines at Pratt & Whitney.

PATA MARIO HARDY has been appointed as chief executive officer of PATA. Prior to becoming CEO, Hardy was chief operations officer of PATA, a position he held since 15 January 2014. Hardy is an entrepreneur with close to 30 years of combined leadership, corporate development and change management experience. He is also the past chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PATA Foundation.

Prior to PATA, Hardy worked 14 years for UBM/OAG and occupied several leadership roles in London, Beijing and Singapore.

BUSINESS AVENUES

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5 - 7 December 2014 Parade Ground, Sector 17, Chandigarh, India Timings : 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

KNOWLEDGE PARTNERS (HOSPITALITY SECTOR)

42 December 2014

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E V E N T S

LEARNING OPPORTUNITY Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority in association with Etihad Airway recently conducted a FAM trip to Abu Dhabi for the Indian travel trade

SHOWCASING DESTINATION Tourism Trinidad & Tobago recently hosted a group of travel agents from India as part of a FAM trip. The six day trip was led

by Beena Menon, India representative, Tourism Trinidad & Tobago

NEW ATTRACTIONS Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Mumbai office recently organised a FAM trip to showcase the islands of Koh Samed and Koh Chang to the India market

PLAYING HOST The fifth edition of Ballantine’s Team-Am Golf Challenge series, which took place in Thailand’s capital city, Bangkok witnessed participation from nearly 200 Indian golfers

WOMEN POWER Swiss Youth Hostels and Switzerland Tourism recently organ-

CULINARY NIGHT Julie Bishop (centre), Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs

ised an all-women FAM trip for eight women travel agents to Interlaken, Zürich and Ticino with an objective to highlight a woman's significance in decision making on travel

and Barry Brown (right), vice president Australasia, Emirates, at the recently concluded Restaurant Australia’s culinary event ‘Invite The World To Dinner’ held at Hobart’s Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in Tasmania, Australia

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MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL

BEST SERVICE Ethiopian Airlines was recently named the African Airline of the

L-R: Punam Singh, ED, OTOAI and Tom Denkins, chairman, ETOA signed an MOU at WTM, London in order to mutually promote and support an Indian contingent of around 20 pax at MAMA 2015 – the March marketplace in UK

Year by the African Airlines Association at the 46th Annual General Assembly held in Algiers

LOVE FOR CRICKET L-R: Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with the Cricket World Cup Trophy

LOYALTY PROGRAMME TUI India recently launched their loyalty programme ‘The TUI Club’ in Ahmedabad with a view to foster and strengthen the relationship with trade partners

SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE L-R: Geethanjana Gunawardena, deputy minister of civil aviation, government of Sri Lanka; Kapila Chandrasena, CEO , SriLankan Airlines and Nishantha Wickremasinghe, chairman, SriLankan Airlines marked the arrival of the fleet’s new A330-300 aircraft

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AGGRESSIVE PROMOTION EXPO 2015 and Italian State Tourist Board (ENIT) recently organised a road show at Trident Nariman Point in Mumbai to promote EXPO MILANO 2015 in India

REGD.WITH RNI UNDER MAHENG/15993/05, MH/MR/SOUTH-156/2013-15 PUBLISHED 11th OF EVERY MONTH AND POSTED ON 12, 13 & 14 OF EVERY MONTH POSTED AT MUMBAI PATRIKA CHANNEL SORTING OFFICE.