EDITOR’S NOTE
Luxury learnings
I
ndia's outbound market has been proving to be a fertile ground for innumerable tourism boards since over a decade. They look at the region as a perfect market to increase their tourism inflow and foreign exchange earnings through tourism. The latest who will soon join the list is the Bahrain Tourism Authority. The office is all set to announce their tourism representation in the India market and interestingly, they have identified India as their flagship office for the region extending to the Asia Pacific. They have done sound research and analysis of the tourism boards of the GCC region who have already made inroads into the India market, and are clear that they want to primarily tap the high-end tourism market from India and cater to a niche crowd with specific interests. Luxury today is defined differently and it clearly speaks about experiences and interests over and above the tangible. Our cover story this issue, speaks about this very trend, wherein luxury need not necessarily mean stay in a top of the line hotel brand with a state-of-the-art spa and other add-ons. As we see it today, the luxury travel market in India is witnessing a new high. A recent report 'Shaping the Future of Luxury Travel' commissioned by Amadeus reveals India’s luxury market compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13 per cent. This is higher than any of the other BRIC nations, and is the highest of the 25 countries surveyed in the report. From local cuisine to community interactions, from cultural in-
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“They want to primarily tap the high-end tourism market from India and cater to a niche crowd with specific interests. Luxury today is defined differently” KOLKATA Ajanta Sengupta The Indian Express (P) 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 Mathen Mathew The Indian Express (P) Ltd. Ground Floor, Sankoorikal Building, Kaloor – Kadavanthra Road Kaloor, Kochi – 682 017 Mobile: +91 9840826366 COIMBATORE The Indian Express (P) Ltd. No. 205-B, 2nd Floor, Vivekanand Road, Opp. Rajarathinam Hospital Ram Nagar, Coimbatore- 641 009
sights to creative engagements – Indian tourists seek authentic meaningful experiences both in India and abroad. A global trend report, 'The Future of Luxury', was recently released in India by Beverly Hills Conference and Visitors Bureau (BHCVB). According to the research, luxury is currently at the epicentre of LUXURY 2.0 – the digitalisation of exclusivity where traditional luxury brands are increasing their digital presence and appealing a more digitally savvy audience. The future trend will be LUXURY 3.0, where consumers will revert back to ‘old-school’ concepts, such as private members clubs, meeting places for connoisseurs, organic and locally-sourced eating. On the aviation front, in the capital recently, ASSOCHAM’s National Council on Civil Aviation brought together stakeholders of aviation and travel industry to discuss the new aviation policy. Another interesting story in this issue is the interview of Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, vice president – India & Nepal, Emirates, who speaks about future investments in the India market. Finally, Prabhjeet Singh, head of strategy, Uber India talks about the growing trend of Indian travellers using Uber app in countries like the US, UK, Singapore, UAE and Malaysia.
REEMA LOKESH Editor editorial.etw@expressindia.com
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CONTENTS MANAGEMENT Vol 11 No 6 JULY 2016 Pages 40
26
Chairman of the Board
Viveck Goenka Sr Vice President - BPD
Neil Viegas Editor
Reema Lokesh*
DISCOVERING QUEBEC'S HIDDEN GEMS QUEBEC HAS MUCH TO OFFER AS A TOURISM DESTINATION, GIVING INDIAN VISITORS THE CHANCE TO EXPLORE ITS LITTLE KNOWN ATTRACTIONS – FROM HERITAGE SITES IN QUEBEC CITY TO NATURAL SPLENDOURS OF CHARLEVOIX
Chief of Product
Prabhas Jha Assistant Editor
Steena Joy Sr. Associate Editor
Sudipta Dev CONTENT TEAM Kolkata
Joy Roy Choudhury New Delhi
Saloni Bhatia DESIGN National Design Editor
EDGE
Bivash Barua Assistant Art Director
Pravin Temble Senior Graphic Designer
Rushikesh Konka Senior Artist
Ratilal Ladani, Kiran Parker SCHEDULING & COORDINATION
Ashish Anchan Photo Editor
Sandeep Patil MARKETING Regional Heads
Harit Mohanty - East & West Prabhas Jha - North
HIGH ON LUXURY
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India's luxury market, growing at a CAGR of 13 per cent, has given an impetus to luxury travel business as Indian HNIs travel the world seeking bespoke, authentic holiday experiences (22-25)
THE MEMBERSHIP ECONOMY HOW THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE BOOMING NEW MEMBERSHIP ECONOMY
Manager
Ashwin Kamble Marketing Team
Debnarayan Dutta Ajanta Sengupta Mathen Mathew Ravindra Pawar CIRCULATION
MARKETS
06
Mohan Varadakar
LIFE
MOCA TO FOCUS ON REGIONAL CONNECTIVITY AND UNUSED AIRPORTS
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OMAN AIR LOOKS AT INCREASING FREQUENCIES TO EXISTING ROUTES
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PRODUCTION General Manager
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B R Tipnis Manager
Bhadresh Valia Express TravelWorld® POSTAL REGD. NO. MCS/163/2016 – 18 RNI Reg. No.MAHENG/2005/15993 Printed by The Indian Express (P) Ltd. 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 & Administrative Offices: Express Towers, 1st Floor, Nariman Point, Mumbai – 400021)
VFS' TURKEY VISA APPLICATION CENTRE OPENS IN MUMBAI
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ROCKIES HELI CANADA OFFERS PREMIUM MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE
P03: EDITOR’S NOTE
A HIGH FIVE FOR WILDLIFE AIRLINE INDUSTRY PLEDGES TO FIGHT AGAINST WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING
P35 : APPOINTMENTS P36 : WEEKEND
Copyright © 2016 The Indian Express (P) Ltd. All rights reserved throughout the world. Reproduction in any manner, electronic or otherwise, in whole or in part, without prior written permission is prohibited. *Responsible for selection of news under PRB Act
IN THE NEWS
MoCA to focus on regional connectivity and unused airports Saloni Bhatia New Delhi ASSOCHAM’s National Council on Civil Aviation in support from ministry of civil aviation, Government of India was recently organised in New Delhi. The conference brought the stakeholders of aviation and travel industry to discuss the new aviation policy. The inaugural session included special address by key people in the industry. Talking about further plans, Rajiv
Nayan Choubey, secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, said, “It has been a great year for the ministry with 22 per cent growth in the sector; but to look forward, we are drafting a scheme for increasing regional connectivity in the country. The unused airports can be converted into Special Economic Zones (SEZ) or leased out to the private sector for further training purposes. Instead of just investments, we need to build an ecosystem in order to con-
tinue growing at the same rate.” India has the potential to become the third largest aviation market by 2020 and the largest by 2030. There is untapped potential for growth due to the fact that regional connectivity to several areas is still not established. On being asked about capping prices, Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati, Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Government of India, stated, “A cap on airfares will not help reduce the
steep rise in ticket prices. A recent analysis showed that only 1.7 per cent of the tickets sold were at high cost. A cap on the airfares will push up lower prices that would eventually increase the ticket cost. Only the last minute high price of ticket is a matter of concern.” The sessions focused on details of the policy and the panelists shared their suggestions with the ministry representative. However, one of the main points that stood out
was involvement of the tourism sector. Bharat H Malkani, president, Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), opined, “The growth in the aviation sector is largely based on tourism and we should not forget that. The lack of regional air connectivity to certain areas makes it inaccessible to tourists. There needs to be a holistic policy on aviation and tourism that promotes more tourists travelling to and within the country.”
Brexit to make UK travel cheaper; travel trade hopeful of outbound growth Mohit Rathod Mumbai The recent withdrawal of the UK from the European Union (EU), commonly known as Brexit, has caused a stir in the travel and tourism sector. Brexit has led to a drop in the value of the Pound, which is considered a positive indicator for travellers, as it will make travelling cheaper. Additionally, popularity of the UK among Indian travellers is expected to create a surge in outbound travel to the UK. Sharat Dhall, president, Yatra.com, informed, “Brexit has resulted in a big drop in the value of the Pound and if this trend remains, then we could see a surge in leisure tourism to Britain. However,
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it is too early to establish that this drop in the Pound will be sustained and we are yet to see any surge in travel bookings to the UK. A drop in the Pound could also result in an increase in students from India choosing the UK as a destination as it will make education significantly cheaper there.” Guldeep Singh Sahni, president, Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI), sees it as a momentary effect, which is expected to remain for a long term. He said, "We will have to wait and evaluate the situation carefully, and not jump to conclusions. However, drop in the Pound's value will boost outbound tourism to the UK. Additionally, it is also expected to improve immigration numbers."
It is too early to establish that this drop in the Pound will be sustained and we are yet to see any surge in travel bookings to the UK. A drop in the Pound could also result in an increase in students from India choosing the UK as a destination as it will make education significantly cheaper there The development, however, may have its fallout on other aspects of the economy. But to eliminate the negativity of its exit from EU, Britain is anticipated to promote travel and tourism. “The current volatility will not impact our core business, however we will witness wide
spreads in the currency trade for the short term and expect that the market will settle down,” stated Madhavan Menon, chairman and managing director, Thomas Cook India. Although Brexit has invited varied opinions from the industry, a large part acknowledges
that it will facilitate cheaper travel for Indians. "Inbound tourism from the UK will get affected, however outbound will definitely grow. For those Indians who want to take the opportunity of going there, this is the right time," opined Manoj Gursahani, founder and chairman, Travelmartindia.com.
AVIATION
'WITH INCREASED CAPACITY,WE CAN CONTRIBUTE MORE TO INDIA’S GROWTH' India is the largest market for Emirates after Dubai. Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, vice president – India & Nepal, Emirates, talks about Emirates' commitment to future investment and expansion in the India market By Sudipta Dev How significant is the contribution of India sector in Emirates’ record increase in profits? Emirates’ 30 years in India have been defined by progressive investment, partnership and growth. Since its launch in 1985, Emirates has grown its Indian operations to serve 10 destinations across India - Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram – with 183 weekly flights. According to a recent study released by the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), Emirates' operations in India have contributed over US$ 848 million annually to the country's GDP while supporting over 86,000 Indian jobs and generating almost US$ 1.7 billion in foreign exchange earnings. We are confident that with increased capacity, we can contribute even more to India’s economic growth and development by opening new conduits for trade and investment, through our growing worldwide network. In FY2015/16, Emirates carried 5.5 million passengers on its Indian network, totaling 41.9 million passengers carried over the past 10 years. The 2015/16 data shows that around 38 per cent of Emirates’ India passengers travelled to/from the hubs of Delhi and Mumbai, and 62 per cent travelled to/from nonhub points. During the same period, Emirates carried over 227,000 tonnes of freight, 59 per cent of which was to/from nonhub airports, greatly benefit-
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trained to deliver exceptional service on each and every flight.
Essa Sulaiman Ahmad
ting India’s regional economies, particularly those in the southern Indian markets it serves. In FY14-15, India’s air cargo market saw growth of 6.4 per cent, whereas Emirates saw growth of 8.2 per cent in the country. In 2015/16 Emirates’ cargo operations in India grew by 5 per cent. India is the largest market for Emirates after Dubai and is the main contributor to revenue from WAIO (West Asia & Indian Ocean) region to Emirates’ annual profits. Has Emirates’ brand positioning been affected as a result of Etihad's aggressive focus on this market ? At Emirates, while we do take competition seriously, our focus is on offering the best
service and products to our customers and continually launching innovative solutions to help Emirates become the preferred airline of the Indian market. What continues to be the strongest driver for Emirates in India ? Being one of the world’s leading global airlines, Emirates continues to add new routes and destinations, connecting more people with more places. It is our strategy to constantly improve and innovate in order to offer the best travel experience to our customers. We continue to invest heavily in developing the most innovative and high quality products onboard, not to forget our multinational cabin crew who are
Any new Indian routes / flight frequencies / increase in capacity planned in the near future? Which cities? As a long-term strategic partner for India, Emirates is committed to future investment and expansion in the market in support of India’s goal to be the world’s third largest aviation market by 2020. However, our growth is restricted as the 60,200 seats per week capacity entitlement granted to us in 2014 is now fully utilised. Looking at the expanse of Emirates’ network and with demand for air travel expected to double in the next five to ten years in India, Emirates is well positioned to bring a growing number of tourists and business travellers to the country, further enabling trade and investment. Over the next four years, traffic will need to grow by 67 per cent to reach India’s 2020 growth target of 85 million international passengers, and we hope to agree an increase in our capacity entitlement so that we can support this goal. What is Emirates’ focus on reinventing customer experience ? At Emirates, we are always in pursuit of excellence when it comes to delivering the best experience possible to our customers, both on-ground and on-board. This includes tailoring our product offering to the particular markets in which we operate. For example, on our
services to and from India we cater specifically to Indian passengers – many of whom have their own set of preferences in terms of entertainment, cuisine and language requirements. Throughout all cabin classes, passengers can enjoy a staggering choice of over 2,500 channels of entertainment on our award-winning in-flight entertainment system ICE, with a large selection of regional content:65 Bollywood & Classic Bollywood Movies and 44 Indian Regional Movies, 21 Indi TV channels, 40 Indian Music channels across nine Indian languages. Passengers can also look forward to a host of culinary offerings prepared by gourmet chefs; the specially created Indian regional menus that suit the tastes of our Indian customers on all Emirates flights and experience Emirates’ renowned in-flight service from the airline’s multi-national cabin crew from over 135 countries. We set our roster to ensure an adequate number of these particular crew are on board our India services. Our passengers can enjoy the Emirates’ route-specific wine list featuring some exclusive Champagnes, red and white wines and ports sourced from countries across its global route network. Customers onboard can also connect to Wi-Fi. Young fliers, including infants and unaccompanied minors, are very important to Emirates. We go great lengths to make sure that the flight is as comfortable. These services are continually updated.
AVIATION
Oman Air looks at increasing frequencies to existing routes Sudipta Dev Mumbai OMAN AIR had started Indian operations in 1993, now 23 years later the airline flies to 11 destinations in India. “Our focus is on increasing on the number of frequencies to these destinations. Recently we were allowed to increase the number of seats (weekly). Today we fly double dailies to a number of cities in India – six destinations out of 11 have double dailies. Our first intent will be to go triple dailies at the existing destinations,” said Paul Gregorowitsch, CEO, Oman Air, adding that the load factor is 90 per cent on the India route. By 2020 Oman Air will fly to 75 destinations worldwide and have 70 aircraft, out of which, 45 will be narrow bodied and 25 wide bodied. Oman Air also looks at making Muscat a hub. “Every year we have been introducing new destinations and increasing frequencies,” stated Gregorowitsch. He also questioned why Dubai had four times the entitlement in India market. “We have grown de-
spite fierce competition from our neighbours. If new opportunities arise we will fly to new airports in India. We would welcome open skies in India.” Reminding that there are 700,000 Indian nationals living and working in Oman and as many as 2,900 Indian entrepreneurs support the economy, Gregorowitsch informed, “In Oman Air, 25 per cent of our staff are Indian nationals working in different functions. Oman Air will benefit from more open sky regime in India.” Lauding the role taken by budget carriers in India, he said, “It is impacting airlines like Oman Air as more and more young people are opting to fly and tourism is growing. We are promoting destinations like Goa through Oman Air Holidays.” Regarding the recent raise in FDI cap in the airline sector, Gregorowitsch stated, “We do not exclude financial participation in Indian airline industry – it is an open issue for us. If we see that opportunities arise with sustainable ROI, we will consider it. But we will not put a
blank cheque on a table to invest. Investment is not limited to airline only, but also options like large MRO.” The airline will also stop taking aid from its government by 2018. He remarked, “Our vision of Oman Air is to improve our services every year; we have won many
awards over the years. Our objective is clear – be a safe airline, an airline of first choice, to make money, cater for our goals and contribute to the Sultanate of Oman, 'where beauty has an address'.” The airline will not fly to Australia or the US as these destinations require different kinds
of aircraft. “It is not our focus to match the network of other GCC countries,” remarked Gregorowitsch. Travel agents contribute more than 50 per cent to Oman Air. The airline has strong engagements with the travel agent community in India.
After 70 years, we’re circling the globe more than ever. Ethiopian Airlines serves more African cities than any airline in the world. But that’s only half the story. We also serve more cities outside of Africa than any other carrier on the continent. Add to that our membership in Star Alliance — the world’s premier airline network — and Ethiopian Airlines clearly stands at the peak of the African aviation sector.
Toll Free Number: 24/7 000 800 100 7947 | Mumbai Ticket Office: 0900 to 1700 hours MON to FRI 28395247 | www.ethiopianairlines.com
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IN THE NEWS
Ajman sees increase in tourist footfall Creates brand identity and website to push numbers
Steena Joy Ajman THE SMALLEST emirate in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Ajman, saw a surge in the number of tourists in the first quarter of this year. Speaking at the annual Global Meeting Exchange (GME) of FRHI Hotels & Resorts in Fairmont Ajman, H E Faisal Al Nuaimi, general manager, Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD), said, “The emirate saw a 20 per cent increase in visitor arrivals in the first quarter of 2016, generating tourism revenues of AED 108 million, up from AED 90 million in the corresponding period a year ago.” Ajman welcomed 142,404 visitors from January to March as compared to 120,000 tourists in the same period last year. Domestic tourism within the UAE remained the primary source market for Ajman hotels with 34,334 guests, followed by 28,228 guests from Asian and African countries, covering a total of 60,190 guest nights. The number of guests from Europe for the first three months reached 13,129, but delivered 56,585 guest nights. Guests from the GCC countries and other Arab nations also contributed to the growth, with total guest numbers of 26,315 and 23,885, respectively. Nuaimi added, “The ATDD was established to promote the emirate of Ajman as a safe family, business and leisure destination. We have developed a strategic plan to promote tourism in Ajman by participating in local, regional and international exhibitions, conferences and promotional campaigns. At these shows, we have seen remarkable interest from the industry when we presented to them what is available in Ajman in terms of
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attractions, accommodations and activities. We have also created a new brand identity for Ajman with the tagline 'Sincerely Emirati,' which embodies the true spirit of Emirati hospitality.” ATDD has also developed a website (www.ajman.travel) as a comprehensive, one-stop gateway for promoting tourism in the emirate. Ajman is popular as a weekend getaway and is known as a beach destination. Apart from Fairmont Ajman, other five-star properties in the emirate include Ajman Saray A Luxury Collection Resort, The Ajman Palace Hotel and Kempinski Hotel Ajman.
FRHI HOTELS SEES INDIAAS DYNAMIC MARKET
H E Faisal Al Nuaimi
FRHI Hotels & Resorts which owns the Raffles, Fairmont and Swissotel brands views India as an important market for the group. Speaking at the GME in Fairmont Ajman, Bastien Blanc, vice president, sales & marketing, Middle East,Africa and India, said, "India is an important market for us and it is a dynamic one.We already have Fairmont Jaipur and Swissotel Kolkata. The Fairmont Jaipur is attracting a lot of MICE groups and weddings.These hotels also act as a feeder market for the rest of the region." Jennifer Fox, president, international FRHI Hotels & Resorts and president, Fairmont Brand, opened the GME 2016 saying, "We are really focused on luxury and upper upscale. For the future roadmap, FRHI will be focusing on three target segments - Aspiring Aristocrats, Cultural Connoisseurs and Occasion- based Luxury Travellers.These are the three affluent global tribes."
IN THE NEWS
‘BAHRAIN TOURISM AUTHORITYIS WORKING TO APPOINT REPRESENTATION IN INDIA’ Jerad Bachar, executive director – tourism and leisure, Bahrain Economic Development Board (EBD), in conversation with Reema Lokesh, speaks about Bahrain's tourism potential and the importance of the Indian market for the region What will be the strategy to tap the India market for inbound tourism into Bahrain? Bahrain has long been known for its open and authentic culture and this has been an important factor in making Bahrain a welcoming home to more than 350,000 Indians. Bahrain also has an authenticity and historical depth of culture stretching back 5,000 years. Bahrain and India have a long history in trade and for this reason the Bahraini culture has adopted some elements of the Indian culture. An example of a similarity is the social concept of joint family house and some food and sweet dishes. These simple yet historical factors make Bahrain appealing to the Indian clientele – and with the excellent connectivity that provides direct links from Bahrain to a number of cities in India, they will find it a convenient prospect as well. In order to encourage Indian visitors and to assist them with planning their trip, the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority intends to open an office in India where further information on travel and accommodation, as well as cultural and leisure experiences will be available. What is the role of EDB, vis-avis the tourism board? The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority was launched to grow the number of inbound tourists by continuing to upgrade projects and maintain the facilities, coastal
areas, and islands as well as engage with other cultures around the world by hosting cultural events. The focus of the EDB is to encourage international companies in the tourism sector to invest in Bahrain. Of course, those aims are complementary and will depend on each other for their success. As the number of visitors to Bahrain grows, it becomes an increasingly attractive market for companies in the sector and as we continue to invest in our tourism infrastructure, Bahrain will be more appealing for potential visitors. What would be your B2B and B2C strategy for India? On the B2B side, the Bahrain tourism community will continue to conduct regular visits to India and engage with businesses in the sector, including travel agencies, tour operators and destination management companies. We realise the value of engaging with outbound agencies in the market, including both traditional and online agencies. As mentioned, the Bahrain Tourism Authority is working to appoint representation in India. This agency will be responsible for creating and implementing dynamic campaigns that target the outbound Indian tourism sector. We will continue to work to build an understanding of how unique Bahrain is and what we can offer the Indian traveller. In terms of numbers, what is tourism's contribution to the
ence, the value that Indian businesses can bring to the Bahraini economy. Bahrain is home to a large number of Indian companies, including Electrosteel, Chemco, Canara Bank, Tech Mahindra, HDFC Bank, Bank of Baroda, Tata Consultancy Services, ICICI Bank and State Bank of India.
economy and how much will you be investing in the sector? At the EDB, we estimate that the direct contribution of tourism to the Bahraini economy was some five per cent of GDP in 2015. The indirect impact of the sector is far greater – approximately 12 per cent of GDP. We also estimate that the sector supports around 40,000 jobs in Bahrain, with a significant indirect impact of several sectors of the economy. Hotels and restaurants was the fastest growing sector in the kingdom over the past two years, expanding by 4.4 per cent in 2014 and by 7.3 per cent in 2015. In the near future, the kingdom’s broader tourism market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.8 per cent, reaching US$ 1 billion by 2020. The King-
dom of Bahrain is set to dedicate over US$ 32 billion to developing infrastructure across the country over the next few years. The tourism sector will benefit greatly from this investment. In the Asia Pacific region, where do you see India as a tourism business partner? We see India as one of our key partners in the region because of a range of factors – including cultural and logistical connectivity, the size of the market and high level of existing Indian residents. We think that the potential is arguably greater there than anywhere else, so we would also expect Indian tourism businesses to play an important role. We also know from first-hand experi-
What is a general target audience that you expect into Bahrain from India? We believe that Bahrain can appeal to a wide range of audiences. Our culture is very family-friendly, the travel time from India is relatively short and the investments being made in new high quality hotels and resorts mean that we think Bahrain can be a particularly attractive option for family holidays. Bahrain also has a unique history that sets it apart – much of which can be seen today in our museums and archaeological sites, encompassing some of the region’s earliest civilisations and the world’s first great work of literature, Gilgamesh. This makes the kingdom a very special destination for anyone with an interest in culture and history. To add to the experience of visiting Bahrain, there are a great variety of restaurants that serve authentic Middle Eastern cuisine as well as Far Eastern, Chinese, Indian, and European food. In addition, Bahrain’s liberal lifestyle means that the island has developed a vibrant night life that caters to locals and visitors alike.
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IN THE NEWS
VFS' Turkey visa application centre opens in Mumbai Mohit Rathod Mumbai ON THE HEELS of a recent contract between Turkey and VFS Global, VFS Global's Turkey visa application centre has been opened at VFS Global's new facility in Mahalaxmi, Mumbai. The Mumbai centre is part of the March 2016 agreement between Turkey and VFS Global to roll out 18 centres across India, Nepal and the Maldives. The Mumbai centre was inaugrated by Turkish Consul General in Mumbai, Erdal Sabri Ergen. Speaking about the centre, Ergen said, "Mumbai has the highest number of visa applications across segments such as business, tourism, etc, so it is essential that we have good relations and a good agent to han-
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Erdal Sabri Ergen
dle visa applications for us. VFS Global has experienced staff and offers excellent service, which is why we chose them. We will be working exclusively with VFS for visa processing, and we are confident that VFS will do a great job." Compared to five-six years
ago, there have been 2.5 times more applications for Turkey, but the numbers in the consulate remained the same, which is attributed to the growing use of e-visa facility. Ergen informed, "We have been giving visas for around 18,000-20,000 Indians anually. Two years ago, we had started giving e-visas, which can be used by holders of valid Schengen/ USA/UK/Ireland visas. We had around 65,000 Indian arrivals six years ago, but now we have around 150,000 Indians coming to Turkey," adding that Indian tourists spend 2.5 times more in Turkey than Europeans. In order to increase its visibility in India market, Turkey plans to interact with Indian film industry, due to its influence on Indian travellers. "Leveraging on India's fast growth and increasing disposable income of Indians, we aim to attract more Indians to visit Turkey," stated Ergen. Commenting on the recent Istanbul attack, Ergen said, "Unlike other airports that were attacked, our airport was back to operations in 10 hours, which is a record time. We have learned our lessons, and now we need to move ahead and make Turkey a convenient and a safe place; this is an aim that we will definitely achieve. We have a good security and are increasing it." The other centres in India include Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Goa, Gurugram, Hyderabad, Jalandhar, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, New Delhi, Pune, Puducherry and Thiruvananthapuram; and Malé in the Maldives and Kathmandu in Nepal.
Tanzania to strengthen bilateral ties; drive tourism growth from India Mohit Rathod Mumbai ZANZIBAR TOURISM Promotion Center and Tanzania High Commission, New Delhi recently organised a gathering for Tanzanian diaspora and Indian travel fraternity in Mumbai, aiming at establishing the destination in India and strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries. The event's major focus was encouraging bilateral relations and trade and investments from the India market. Speaking to Express TravelWorld, Mohammed Hija, acting high commissioner of Tanzania to India, said, "We want Indians and Tanzanians to come together and find investment possibilities. There have been many changes in Tanzania recently and we want Indians to come and see them. There’s an increase in Indian tourists in Tanzania. We are targeting the leisure segment in India, however, MICE tourism is also growing gradually. We are also promoting film tourism in the India market." The Tanzanian government is working closely with India on the trade front. PM Narendra Modi is expected to visit Tanzania this month. Hija informed, "A number of transactions will be done be-
tween the two countries. We expect some exhibitions and Indo-African business interaction. We also anticipate that Narendra Modi’s visit will promote tourism from India to Tanzania." Jilesh Babla, director, Zanzibar Tourism Promotion Center India, suggested that lesiure accounts for a larger share of Indian tourist arrivals; and the tourism body aims to boost tourism through working closely with Indian travel trade associations – TAAI and TAFI. Babla stated, “We are already doing certain road shows. We have also got some hotel partners. From next year, we are looking at participating in trade shows. The response from India has been excellent, because Indians know this as a new destination. We have seen a good rise in enquiries.” Inviting investments from India across diversified sectors, a presentation was made to hint at trade and investment possibilities. "The amount of trade between India and Tanzania is around US$ 4 billion, and we want to increase that. We are also looking at investments from India, for which, we are looking at direct interaction with Indian corporate and chamber of commerce. India is a good market for us."
IN THE NEWS
'INDIANS USED UBER IN 68 COUNTRIES' Prabhjeet Singh, head of strategy, Uber India talks about the growing trend of Indian travellers using Uber app in countries like the US, UK, Singapore, UAE and Malaysia. By Sudipta Dev In which countries are Indian travellers using the Uber app more proactively ? Our goal is to get more users trying Uber this year than they did last year and to be the single biggest global choice for riders and drivers everywhere from Mumbai to Madrid, New York to New Delhi or Beirut to Bangalore. As per our data, Indian travellers have used Uber in 68 countries around the world. The data from first five months of this year shows that the maximum number of Indian travellers are using their Uber app in the US, followed by UK, Singapore, UAE and Malaysia.
What kind of growth have you witnessed over the years ? We are seeing phenomenal growth - both in India and also Indians using Uber globally. Studying the Uber trips worldwide by Indians, we see to-date, approximately 80,000 unique Indian app users have travelled in two or more countries using Uber. Of these, about 40,000 have used the services in 2016 itself - this means that in last five months we have added as many new ‘global Uber’ riders as in first two years of our operations in India! Any interesting trends in terms of profile or preference
of these travellers ? While US, UK and Singapore remain the top three countries for incoming and outgoing ‘global Uber’ users - China is growing very rapidly. Interestingly, there are a lot more visitors from China who use Uber in India than vice-versa. In the next few years in which overseas destinations do you foresee Uber app usage becoming more popular for Indian travellers? Any new destinations? We are in 70 countries, 400+ cities today and continue to expand into new cities every week. Our mission is make
transportation as reliable as running water - everywhere for everywhere. Being a global platform helps us get closer to that vision. You can be an Indian business or leisure traveller today and can board a plane to any country and rest assured there is a high likelihood of you finding an Uber at your destination. In terms of ranking by country of the most common tourist destinations among Indian travellers from January 1, 2016 to May 15, 2016 is the US followed by UK and Singapore. Have you done a study of how many foreign visitors to India
Prabhjeet Singh
use the app here? Which cities? Yes, the data collected from all the completed trips from January 1, 2016 to April 1, 2016 suggests that visitors from 68 countries use the Uber app in India.
Rockies Heli Canada offers premium mountain adventure Sudipta Dev Mumbai ROCKIES HELI Canada has been providing mountain adventures to a global clientele since 1999. The company has also catered to premium Indian travellers and MICE groups. The company has two bases in the Rockies – the Kananaskis Base and Icefields Adventure Base. Kananaskis Base is a short drive from Calgary, Canmore, and downtown Banff. “The heli tours range from a 12 minute ride to 20 minutes or an hour. Those are the base programmes. Family groups, corporates and incentive
groups customise their own programming including lunch on the mountain peak. After the helicopter lands they can either go with the pilot for a short walk if its on the ridge or hike with the guide. The helicopter can pick them up from another place when the hike ends,” said John Samms, operations manager/director of sales, Rockies Heli Canada. The activities include heli snowshoe adventure, dog sledging, white water rafting, twilight yoga, etc. Icefields Adventure Base is located near the spectacular Icefields Parkway at Saskatchewan Crossing. “If
the group is staying at Lake Louise or Jasper, they go to this base. All the glaciers are
located at Columbia Icefields. You are flying right over the national parks and the gla-
ciers. For people coming from India this is hugely unique,” stated Samms. The diverse activities include hiking, mountain-top yoga, horseback expedition, backcountry camping, exclusive heli-fishing experience, culinary adventure and much more. One interesting trend that has emerged in recent times is yoga retreats in the Rockies. “It is a hugely popular. There are companies in Canmore with whom we can book heli retreats. These people have yoga studios so from time to time guests buy into their programme,” mentioned Samms.
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IN THE NEWS
Safari Getaways promotes luxury wildlife experiences Sudipta Dev Mumbai SAFARI GETAWAYS, a new venture of Nirvana Excursions is introducing luxury wildlife experiences for those seeking vacations with a difference. “We want to give people an experience they cannot imagine in the middle of the African savanna, from infinity pools overlooking a waterhole where animals frequent, to ultra luxury tents comparable with five-star hotels,” said Viren Batra, founder and CEO, Safari Getaways, adding that their product is not a mass product. “On a regular safari you would end up paying US$ 2500 upwards, we are looking at taking that and going beyond,” he added. The clientele are mainly FITs as of now; later Safari Getaways will introduce group tours also. There is no fixed schedule and guests can have unique experiences. “There is a
Viren Batra
lot of interest among people to see animals in their natural habitat. Also, safaris help support the local economy as well, which will help the animals be there for a long time. The best part is that there is no impact on the environment, the tents are built over a small area for a particular period of time and moved. The area is left as it is,” stated Batra, pointing out that
the luxury tents are one part of the offering. “We are looking at bringing in all the available luxury options within East Africa, Central Asia, South East Asia like Vietnam and of course India. There is a lot of interest in South America and Central America - Panama, Costa Rica, the Amazon,” he said. Guests get to stay in exclusive lodges in Kruger National Park with
river (frequented by animals) running through the property so they are guaranteed better sightings. “Luxurious camps in private reserves overlooking the valley, from where you cannot see another tent. There are similar experiences in game rich destinations of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Namibia,” added Batra. Another initiative is Little
Nirvana Explorers with kids itineraries. “We are planning mom and kids groups. There will also be a lot of FITs and every itinerary will be designed keeping in mind the age of the child, for example a start pack for skiing in Kashmir, swimming with dolphins in the Amazon,” stated Nidhi Batra, cofounder and director, Nirvana Excursions.
ADTOI introduces 6th chapter in Chhattisgarh Saloni Bhatia New Delhi ADVENTURE Tour Operators in India (ADTOI) recently launched its sixth chapter in Chhattisgarh and appointed Ritesh Mundra as the chairman and Jaspreet Singh Bhatia as the general secretary of the Chhattisgarh Chapter. Speaking to Express TravelWorld, Jyoti Kapur, president, ADTOI, informed, “ADTOI has spread its wings further and we are happy to launch the new chapter in Chhattisgarh. Raipur has
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been a great metropolis and we believe that the state has tremendous potential. We have also requested the team to host a road show in Delhi by next month to showcase the state as a domestic destination.” Anurag Agarwal, general secretary, ADTOI, further added, “We saw keen interest from the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board (CTB) and the tour operators in the state. The inauguration was held at the Hyatt in Raipur after the conclusion of a FAM trip which included around 30 ADTOI members.” Sanjay Agarwal, vice presi-
dent, ADTOI, explained, “The state has really good infrastructure and well connected roads. Our agents got to know more
about the state which changed their perception to see the true potential of the state. It was a great networking opportunity
for all our members to see Chhattisgarh as an upcoming inbound destination.” Mundra informed, “Santosh Bafna, chairman; Kedar Nath Gupta, vice chairman and Dr Sanjay Singh were present from the CTB. The event was a huge success in the presence of large number of local travel agents. ADTOI members from other states like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, etc were also present at the event. We look forward to promote our state to the members in the association and reach out to more people.”
IN THE NEWS
NAMASTAAI launched in New Delhi Saloni Bhatia New Delhi TRAVEL AGENTS Association of India (TAAI) launched their new magazine NAMASTAAI in New Delhi at The Claridges Hotel. The evening saw the members of the association come together to be a part of this new initiative. The magazine was unveiled by Dr Mahesh Sharma, minister of state for tourism and culture, Government of India. Addressing the gathering, Sunil Kumar, president, TAAI said, “I am thrilled to have the minister of tourism and culture, Dr Mahesh Sharma with us this evening. I am also honoured to have two of our past presidents, Inder Sharma and Balbir Mayal, with us. This magazine is a unique initiative that brings together information from our agents and professionals in the industry. It will be distributed to all the members and industry players to educate them about what TAAI is truly about.” Dr Sharma, chief guest at the occasion, said, “I compliment the team of TAAI who has envisioned this great initiative in such a short period of time. We need a change in perception of the tourism industry. A lot has changed in the past few years but now we need to be more aggressive. The showcase of our country in a proper manner is much needed and I think initiatives like this magazine helps us achieve that. I wish them luck and hope that the information here helps the travellers as well as the agents in the industry to take tourism forward.” Advising the team he said, “Add the initiatives by the government in the magazine so more agents can know about them. They will further spread the word so the tourist gets informed about such issues. It is time that we showcase the efforts India is making to improve the tourist experi-
ence.” The launch of NAMASTAAI is a key milestone for TAAI, which is celebrating its 65th anniversary. Kumar added, “The inaugural issue is a 84-page magazine that will go out to all our members and industry players. The cover story ‘Why is India Incredible’ talks about the rich heritage and culture of our country. Through this magazine, we look forward to showcase TAAI as a unique body that means MICE, tourism, technology, aviation and much more.” After looking at the magazine, Inder Sharma, past president, TAAI (1978 – 1979) said, “The new league of TAAI has been more active and this is another initiative that brings forward their involvement with the industry. I look forward to more issues of NAMASTAAI.”
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IN THE NEWS
KTM 2016 to promote tourism through culinary festival UNESCO, Kerala Tourism and Union Tourism Ministry to organise Spice Route Culinary Festival ETW Staff Mumbai THE UPCOMING Kerala Travel Mart (KTM), the largest gathering of tourism stakeholders in the state, is hoping to substantially augment its appeal by leveraging a unique Spice Route Culinary Festival to commemorate the shared legacy of the over 2,000-year-old maritime trade way. The culinary festival, to be hosted by UNESCO, Kerala Tourism and the Union Tourism Ministry in Kochi from September 23-26, 2016 will witness leading chefs from the 31 countries on the Spice Route. The festival is a prelude to the ninth edition of the KTM, to be inaugurated on World Tourism Day, September 28. The three-day event, to be held at the Samudrika and Sagara Convention Centre, Willingdon Island, will run till September 30, 2016. “The festival will promote the KTM 2016 theme: ‘Muziris and Spice Route’. The three-day event will hold great appeal for foodies. There will be a competition in which an expert panel and invited dignitaries will rate dishes and select the best chef,” said Abraham George,
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president, KTM Society. At the festival, leading chefs from across the Spice Route countries will sample Kerala’s cultural and gastronomic offerings, participate in cooking demos and culinary discussions, and showcase cuisines from their homelands in a tasting competition. The dishes – an entrée (main course of a meal) and dessert each – will be based on made-to-order recipes inspired by Kerala spices and using locally sourced ingredients, with the winning creations to be featured in the city menus. The festival will culminate in a public tasting event. Ambassadors from the respective countries will participate in the culinary festival with the winner to be felicitated at the inaugural ceremony of KTM 2016. “With the Spice Route festival expected to bring in a substantial number of foreign tourists to Kerala, the KTM is hoping to benefit from and augment the state’s destination pull. Chief Minister, Finance Minister and Tourism Minister have extended full support for the upcoming KTM edition. The government has plans to bolster the development of the tourism
sector,” asserted George. The ninth edition of KTM, organised in partnership with the Department of Tourism, will also focus on ‘Responsible Tourism’. The KTM will be a platform for B2B networking, bringing together business entrepreneurs from Kerala including tour operators, hotels, resorts, home stays, houseboats, Ayurveda resorts and cultural art centres. It will also facilitate their meetings and interactions with buyers from around the world. Around 265 stalls for Kerala-based exhibitors will be featured at the venue. “We have been receiving great response from international as well as domestic buyers. Around 350 international and 900 domestic buyers have registered. We are planning to close the buyers’ registration by July. The KTM is always looking to reach out to buyers from new international markets with focus on new arenas of tourism. With the Spice Route project encouraging modern-day travellers to retrace the pathways set down by pioneers, the influx of tourists drawn to the oldworld charm of Kerala will undoubtedly increase,” added George.
India needs to attract big MICE events Saloni Bhatia New Delhi RUNNING ONE of the oldest firms offering MICE travel in the country, Amaresh Tiwari, owner A T Seasons and Vacations feels that the real potential of India as a MICE market has been realised only recently. Speaking to Express TravelWorld about what has brought the transformation, he shared, “We all know that India is being looked at as the next big economy and our country also realises the importance of attracting international audience. Our company has provided MICE travel to several international clients and we have seen that it is a great growth initiator. The best way to tap the real potential is to provide the right package.” At the recent Global MICE Travel Mart held in Delhi, as one of the panelists, Tiwari emphasised on the fact that in order to compete with the international market, our stakeholders need to attract major events. He said, “The best factor of this segment is that it has a spillover effect in the business resulting in growth of the economy. And according to reports Indian economy is at the brightest spot in the global landscape. We all need to lay down strategies and initi-
Amaresh tiwari
ate an aggressive social media plan to attract foreign stakeholders to the India market.” As the honorary treasurer of ICPB (Indian Convention Promotion Bereau), he informed, “ICPB recently held a training session for agents from all across the country in order to eliminate queries regarding the sector. We wish to create better understanding among the agents to promote MICE travel and see that there is a certain level of professionalism maintained.” Apart from providing MICE and holiday travel for the country, Tiwari also runs Youreka Adventure Campouts all across India. The company provides adventure travel to corporates and school students.
IN THE NEWS
Andhra Pradesh promotes 5 tourist hubs ETW Staff Mumbai ANDHRA PRADESH is aiming to promote tourism in the state, with the announcement of 25 new packages for travellers. The tour packages have been segregated into the five tourist hubs of the state: Visakhapatnam, Konaseema-Rajahmundry-Kakinada, Amaravati-Vijayawada, Tirupati-Nellore and Ananthapuramu-Kurnool-Kadapa. Visakhapatnam hub which covers Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakapatnam districts has announced four packages: Visakhapatnam Araku-Anantagiri (three nights/four days), Visakhapatnam-Araku-Arasavalli (three nights/four days), Visakhapatnam-Borra Caves-MatchkundJeypore-Jagadalpur (three
nights /four days) and Visakhapatnam-Jagadalpur-Konark Puri-Chilka lake (four nights/five days). The second hub KonaseemaRajahmundry-Kakinada, has announced four packages: Rajahmundry-Maredumalli (an eco-tour package), KakinadaSamarlakota-Annavaram, Kakinada-Maredumalli and Rajahmundry-Maredumalli-Papikondalu. The third hub, Amaravati, covering the districts of Krishna, Guntur and Prakasam has announced a single day star package: Amaravati Capital tour package. The fourth hub Ananthapuramu-Kurnool-Kadapa, has announced seven tour packages. Heritage Eco-Pilgrimage Tour: Bengaluru, Lepakshi, Penukonda, Horsley Hills, Pilgrimage and Heritage Tour:
Bengaluru-Puttaparthy-Lepakshi; Temple Tour: Bengaluru, Srisailam, Mahanandi, Ahobilam, Temple and Eco Tour: Anantapuram-PuttaparthyKadiri-Katarupalli-Timmamma Marrimanu; Temple and Eco Tour: Kurnool-Orvakal-YagantiBelum Caves-Ahobilam-Mahanandi-Srisailam; BengaluruMantralayam Tour and Heritage and Leisure Tour: BengaluruKotilingeswra temple-Horsley Hills-Puttaparthy LepakshiBengaluru. Whereas the fifth, Tirupati hub, encompassing the districts of Nellore and Chittor, has announced nine tour packages: Sri Kalahasti local package tour, Kanipakkam-local package tour, local packages starting from Vishnu Nivasam, Tirupati-Horsley Hills-Talakona-Tirupati; Temple Tours: Tirupati – Sriasailam – Mahanandi, Ahobilam-Yaganti-
Convenience of traveller is of utmost importance for us and these packages have been designed keeping their comfort and convenience in mind.We aim to provide them with a memorable experience to cherish Belum Caves- Tirupati (on demand tour), Chandragiri FortTirupati, an evening package (on demand tour), ex-Chennai (on joint partnership basis), exMadurai and KumbakonamTirumala. Neerabh Kumar Prasad, principal secretary, tourism and culture, Government of Karnataka, said “The tour packages have been spe-
cially crafted for holiday travellers to make best use of. Convenience of traveller is of utmost importance for us and these packages have been designed keeping their comfort and convenience in mind. We aim to provide them with a memorable experience to cherish ever after every time they visit Andhra Pradesh.”
Stayzilla,MPSTDC promote homestays to boost tourism ETW Staff Mumbai STAYZILLA.COM, a platform for homestays and alternate stays, and Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation (MPSTDC) have signed an MoU for joint promotion and development of homestays in Madhya Pradesh. The MoU was signed in the presence of the Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj
Singh Chouhan; Tanvi Sundrayal, additional managing director, MPSTDC and Yogendra Vasupal, founder and CEO, Stayzilla.com. Under this agreement, Stayzilla will support verification procedures, jointly boost homestays in cities and places of interest within the state. All homestays registered with MPSTDC will receive technical support in the form of inventory management and soft-
ware applications. Stayzilla and MPSTDC will also jointly conduct educational and training sessions for MPSTDC registered homestays on best practices such as online usage, content management, operations and expense management. Vasupal said, “We are honoured to collaborate with MPSTDC for boosting comfortable homestays in Madhya Pradesh. We will be jointly
working in the direction of enabling tourists to experience Madhya Pradesh hospitality, cuisine, customs and traditions by staying with families.” MPSTDC website will include a Stayzilla website link on its portal that can facilitate booking for both MPSTDC and Stayzilla registered homestays in Madhya Pradesh. Similarly, MPSTDC registered properties will get a separate landing page for its properties
on the Stayzilla portal. Each of the MPSTDC homestays registered with Stayzilla shall bear an MPSTDC verified badge on Stayzilla. Stayzilla presently has over 8,000 homestay units in its portfolio. The company has conducted about 10 townhall events in Madhya Pradesh and over 250 workshops across the country to create awareness about homestays, and bed and breakfast facilities.
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IN THE NEWS
Sabre to launch new travel agency platform ETW Staff Mumbai SABRE HAS GIVEN travel consultants and suppliers across the airline, hotel, rail, cruise and car rental industries a glimpse of its new Sabre Red Workspace. The software solution is designed to harness the changes in the industry and provide both retailers and suppliers with a content-rich marketplace, intelligent decision support tools and predictive data insights that enable agents and suppliers to more easily create personalised experiences for travellers. Developed on Sabre’s mer-
chandising platform providing access to the GDS, travel consultants around the world will benefit from a more intuitive way to book travel, while airlines, hotels and other industry suppliers are now empowered to market their brands in the same way they market in other channels. “Data, analytics, personalisation and mobile have been trending in the marketplace for some time and offer opportunities for buyers and suppliers to meet changing traveler needs. Travellers want more than an itinerary; they want to feel confident about their purchases and expect a trip built around choice.
That’s why in addition to a superior user experience, our new Sabre Red Workspace provides travel consultants with data insights, relevant offers and price transparency. Data and analytics are critical assets to increase productivity and efficiency in the retail world, and our travel insight engine will help drive decision-making, revenue optimisation and true personalisation,” said Sean Menke, president, Sabre Travel Network. Sabre will begin upgrading travel agency customers to the new solution in early 2017, after a pilot later this year. “Asia Pacific’s travel market
is expanding . Rapid economic growth and rising expendable incomes across the region’s burgeoning middle classes keep driving up demand. But with this, traveller expectations are also on the rise. We’re a region that dominates the global mobile economy and easier access to extensive travel information online continues to drive a more informed, more demanding traveller. Expectations for choice, flexibility, price and personalisation are at an all-time high. The release of the new Sabre Red Workspace will help travel retailers and suppliers respond directly to this new generation of
traveller,” said Roshan Mendis, senior vice president, Sabre Travel Network Asia Pacific. Agents and suppliers who have been involved in the development have helped drive the user interface of the new travel marketplace solution, combining the look and feel of a consumer-focused website with insights, tools and features that help drive more personalised offerings to sell travel more effectively. The new Sabre Red Workspace will provide a consistent user experience across multiple operating systems and devices, including desktop, Sabre Red Mobile and Sabre Web Services.
Singapore Changi Airport records 3.4 mn Indian passengers ETW Mumbai SINGAPORE CHANGI Airport has announced it annual data, revealing a record 55.4 million passengers and about 346,300 landings and take-offs in 2015. Registering 3.44 million Indian passenger movements, India remains Changi Airport’s seventh largest country market. Mumbai was Changi’s fourth fastest growing route (+8.2 per cent onyear) among destinations with at least half a million passengers handled in 2015. Bangkok, Colombo and Guangzhou took the top three spots. In December 2015 alone, Mumbai saw close to 11 per cent increase in traffic.
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The addition of a new service to Lucknow has increased the total number of Changi’s city links to India to 13, strengthening the airport’s position as the most connected airport in Southeast Asia to India. In terms of traffic, the top five Indian cities for Changi Airport are Mumbai, Chennai, New Delhi, Bengaluru and Tiruchirappalli. Changi Airport also identified India as fourth amongst the top five nationalities by concession sale in 2015, with 5.9 per cent of retail sales (+4.2 per cent on-year) being contributed by Indian passenger traffic during the year. The annual data also reveals that favourite buys for Indian passengers last year were liquor
and tobacco, perfumes and cosmetics followed by confectionaries, electronics and jewellery. December 2015 was the busiest month for Changi Airport in terms of retail sales, with international brands like Zara and Samsung launching their first airport stores in Singapore and other promotions like Star Wars plush toys adding to the surge in the number of passengers. Lee Seow Hiang, CEO, Changi Airport Group, said, “2015 was a year of two halves for Changi Airport. Following 2014, which saw a number of airline incidents in the region and depressed yields for many regional carriers, we had a relatively weak first six
The addition of a new service to Lucknow has increased the total number of Changi’s city links to India to 13 months with flat growth for the period. Nevertheless, we pressed on to actively woo new airlines and seek growth opportunities with existing
ones, and our efforts have yielded some positive outcomes. We have seen both fullservice and low-cost carriers add capacity in recent months and this has resulted in stronger passenger growth of about five per cent for the second half of the year.” “Closer to our hub, Asia continues to present growth opportunities, with untapped tourism potential in many parts of the continent, and growing affluence in the emerging economies driving air travel. Changi Airport is well placed to capture future growth with our expanding network, including many secondary cities, to key markets like China, India and Indonesia,” added Seow Hiang.
HOTEL TALK
Marriot-Starwood Jumeirah’s 101 merger set to change new golf buggies travel buying: CWT feature UAE artwork FHW Staff Mumbai
ETW Staff Mumbai MARRIOTT’S acquisition of Starwood is set to change the hotel industry significantly. Carlson Wagonlit Travel’s (CWT) latest white paper suggests that corporate travel buyers need to start thinking about the implications now and start planning how it will change their travel programmes. Scott Brennan, CWT EVP and head of Global Supplier Management, said, “Consolidation in the hotel industry isn’t new, but the Marriott-Starwood tie-up is likely to change the way corporate travel is bought and sold. Everyone has to think carefully about what this means for negotiating corporate travel deals.” In 14 of the world’s top 20 cities, the new hotel group will have nearly a third of the corporate travel hotel spend, rising to half in some places. Also, CWT’s analysis suggests that Marriott, more than any other chain, has chosen not to take part in corporate travel RFP processes. Brennan continued, “The implications are potentially
huge. We think the new Marriott-Starwood group is going to have a lot of say in the market, which could alter the way corporate rooms are bought and sold. We don’t know yet the full impact and because the new group won’t be finalised in time for the negotiations this year, we won’t know until the 2017 negotiating season, in September.” A further consideration is travel policy compliance. One of the travel buyer’s best negotiating tools is compliance, because they can drive volume to preferred properties. However, CWT’s analysis shows 22 per cent of non-compliant spend is with Marriott and nine per cent is with Starwood. “According to a 2015 GBTA survey of corporate travel managers, hotel chain loyalty programmes is one of the underlying reasons for non-compliant hotel spend. We don’t know yet what changes, if any, the new Marriott will make to its and Starwood’s loyalty programme. But whatever happens, the new group already accounts for a large share of non-compliant spend. The combination of the new Mar-
riott’s increased market share and the pulling-power of its loyalty programme means it will be in a strong position. After all, volume drives the discussion in the hotel industry. On top of that, where a player the size of the new Marriott goes, others will follow,” added Brennan. He concluded, “Our advice is to start planning now for your travel programme negotiations. The more prepared you are, the better the deals you will be able to strike.” CWT has suggested corporate travel buyers take four steps now to start building their negotiating position: ● Assess key markets: look at share by top chain within key cities or areas within a city, assess alternative hotels and potential savings ● Prepare to have a more flexible approach for 2017, incorporating alternative suppliers as required ● Adapt your travel policy to ensure compliance ● Communicate with travellers, engage them in corporate objectives, and create shared ownership in the results
GUESTS at Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Madinat Jumeirah and Jumeirah Beach Hotel can soon travel between the resorts in one of 101 new luxurious golf buggies decorated with artwork inspired by the UAE’s heritage and culture. The project is the result of collaboration between Jumeirah Group, Dubai Culture and Brand Dubai, which sees the new fleet of vehicles featuring the artwork of four female Emirati artists and one UAE-based artist. “The provision of 101 new golf buggies provides a unique canvas and we quickly realised that this could be used to support H H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s vision for Dubai to become an open air museum by
2020. Forming a partnership with Dubai Culture and Brand Dubai, we have worked with some extremely talented artists to deliver artistic concepts inspired by the traditions of the UAE and Dubai. The result is a unique experience that brings a combination of modern artwork and the heritage of the country to the guests,” said Margaret Paul, general manager, Madinat Jumeirah. The golf buggies have been designed exclusively for Jumeirah by Danish manufacturer Garia, one of the leaders in luxury golf buggies. The construction of the buggies – which are 100 per cent electric – utilises wind turbines to generate 39 per cent of the power required for the vehicles’ construction. Each buggy is comprised of more than 1,700 pieces.
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HOTEL TALK
Dream Hotel Group announces $200 mn India expansion ETW Staff Mumbai HOTEL BRAND and management company Dream Hotel Group has signed its first hotel in the Middle East with Qatar-based Al Alfia Holding to develop a Dream Hotel in Doha. Dream Hotel Group also took the opportunity to announce US$ 200 million in properties in India at Goa and Jaipur and another US$ 1.5 billion in new hotel development, including Doha and five other locations, all with independent hotel development partners. Sant Singh Chatwal is the chairman of Dream Hotel Group.
“We are thrilled that the Dream brand of hospitality, marked by vibrant nightlife and dining opportunities, has resonated so widely. These new developments double the footprint of our founding brand and give our loyal guests many more options to explore the other side of themselves,” said Jay Stein, CEO, Dream Hotel Group. The Dream Hotels brand is on track to have five hotels operating in the US by early 2019, with an additional opening in Doha, Dream Hotels’ first foray into the Middle East. India development will begin this year and the properties are expected to be
Sant Singh Chatwal
India development will begin this year and the properties are expected to be ready by 2019-2020
ready by 2019-2020. “We’ll be announcing additional properties in the coming months, continuing to so-
lidify our burgeoning portfolio. The expansion stands as testimony to the passion that the Dream team shows me
every day in bringing rich experiences to our guests,” added Stein. “We always believed in the Dream brand, but it’s exciting to see so many of our development partners believing in the same dream and turning it into a reality,” noted David Kuperberg, chief development officer, Dream Hotel Group. Dream Doha will be a 325-room property, featuring nine dining and nightlife venues. Joining Dream Phuket Hotel & Spa and Dream Bangkok in Thailand, Dream Doha marks the third international property for the group.
Wanderlust Marketing to represent My Private Villas ETW Staff Mumbai WANDERLUST Marketing, an associate company of Global Destinations, has announced its appointment as the representative for My Private Villas. My Private Villas is a collection of luxury properties available for rent directly from their owners in France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Caribbean, Thailand, South Africa through to the Swiss and French Alps and more. My Private Villas has over 400 villas in 40 countries. Prime locations globally include Cote d’Azur, Amalfi Coast, Tuscany, Mykonos, St Barth, Koh Samui, Courchevel, etc.
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“People seeking luxury are now moving more towards the rental market as our villas provide five-star service, but you spend less than in a five-star hotel. The experience becomes personal as the villa becomes your home for your holiday,” said Paolo Macchiaroli, founder and CEO, My Private Villas. The properties enrolled in the club portfolio can also be rented for weddings, corporate and team building events. Pranav Kapadia, founder, Wanderlust Marketing, stated, “I am excited entering the luxury space and to be assigned the task of handling marketing, sales and public relations activities for My Private Villas.”
HOTEL TALK
Cygnett Hotels to expand pan India Joy Roy Choudhury Kolkata CYGNETT HOTELS and Resorts is planning to open six new properties by the end of this year, which will take the total number of properties to 10. Sarbendra Sarkar, founder and managing director, Cygnett Hotels & Resorts, said, "We currently have four operational hotels and another six projects are in their final stages of launch. Shortly, we are launching two new properties, the first one is a 100-key Cygnett Inn property with casino at Nepalganj and another at Bongaigaon in Lower Assam, under the Cygnett Park brand name. By the end of this year, we are certain to take our tally to 10 or more." Sarkar said that the company will explore both management and franchise route to expand its footprints in the country. The hotel management and brand franchising company has tied up with US based hospitality company, Jameson Inn Inc, to promote their Jameson Inn brand of ho-
tels in the India market. Besides, the US partner's brands, Jameson Inn and Jameson Inn & Suites, Cygnett also plans to promote its own range of brands – Cygnett Plaza, Cygnett Park, Cygnett Inn, Cygnett Residences and Cygnotel. The company has also recently launched Cozzet Hotels brand which primarily does franchise and management tie-ups across the country. At present the company is operating four hotels, namely Jameson Inn Shiraz in Kolkata, Cygnett Inn - Repose in Guwahati, Cygnett Inn - Celestial in North Goa and Cozzet Resort at the beach resort of New Digha in West Bengal. "We are also in discussions with owners/developers for hotel properties across other Tier II and Tier III cities in east and north east states like Manipur, Tripura and Meghalaya. We are also eyeing Bodh Gaya in Bihar," revealed Sarkar. Apart from opening properties in east India, the company is targeting other cities in north and south India. "You would
The hotel management and brand franchising company has tied up with US based hospitality company, Jameson Inn Inc, to promote Jameson Inn brand of hotels in the India market. Besides, the US partner's brands, Cygnett also plans to promote its own range of brands Sarbendra Sarkar
soon see our first property being launched at Sonipat, the new food hub on the outskirts of Delhi. It would be under the Cozzet brand and should be operational within the next few months. Also in the pipeline are properties at Mussoorie; Belgaum, Karnataka; Mysuru; Ooty; Jaipur and several other Tier II and Tier III cities. We are on the verge of closing our deals at Delhi, Ujjain, Rajkot, Dwarka, Udaipur and Lucknow," he stated. The company aims to at-
tract loss making budget hotels with an inventory of minimum 30 rooms and above into its fold and turn them around after making "cosmetic changes", wherever required to fit the service standards of Cygnett and Jameson brands. The company is in the process of investing in technology to introduce central reservation system (CRS), micro booking engine, mobile booking apps to achieve a higher rate of occupancy, and customer rela-
tionship management (CRM). Commenting on future plans, Sarkar informed, "We do have plans to promote Cozzet brand of hotels in the second phase. For our future expansion plans, we need funds and so we are in talks with global PE funds to raise around US$ 150 million, but nothing has been finalised as of now. F&B would be another growth engine for us. We have done a lot of research and development on this."
587,339 rooms under contract in APAC: STR report ETW Staff Mumbai THERE are 587,339 hotel rooms in 2,538 projects under contract in the Asia Pacific region, as revealed by STR’s May 2016 Pipeline Report. The total represents a 5.5 per cent increase in rooms under contract compared with May
2015 and a 2.5 per cent yearon-year increase in rooms under construction. The region reported 260,709 rooms in 1,045 projects under construction for the month. Among the countries in the region, China reported the most rooms under construction, with 146,590 rooms in 485 hotels. Indonesia and
India reported more than 20,000 rooms under construction – 22,918 rooms in 110 hotels, and 22,037 rooms in 138 hotels respectively. Under contract data includes projects in the under construction, final planning and planning stages, but does not include projects in the unconfirmed stage.
Among the countries in the region, China reported the most rooms under construction, with 146,590 rooms in 485 hotels EXPRESS TRAVELWORLD
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cover story)
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THE MAIN FOCUS
HIGH ON LUXURY India's luxury market, growing at a CAGR of 13 per cent, has given an impetus to luxury travel business as Indian HNIs travel the world seeking bespoke, authentic holiday experiences BY SUDIPTA DEV
T
he luxury travel market in India is witnessing a new high. A recent report 'Shaping the Future of Luxury Travel' commissioned by Amadeus reveals India’s luxury market compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13 per cent. This is higher than any of the other BRIC nations, and is the highest of the 25 countries surveyed in the report. From local cuisine to community interactions, from cultural insights to creative engagements – Indian tourists seek authentic and meaningful experiences. While the outbound luxury travel segment has seen a steady growth over the years, within the country many curated products are being offered to the new age traveller for unique experiences of the land. The definition of luxury travel has changed in the last decade; today for travellers it is all about experiences, and not just the destination. "We are catering to a traveller who has travelled widely and is in search of newer experiences," says Karan Anand – head, relationships, Cox & Kings. The new lux-
ury tourism destinations in Europe include Scotland and Ireland, the Lake District in the UK, Chamonix Valley in France, and Zurich, Interlaken and Gstaad in Switzerland. "Russia and Japan have also become the flavour for Indian luxury travellers. In Africa, Tanzania and Zambia are the new destinations for spotting wildlife," mentions Anand, pointing out that for long haul travellers USA, Australia and New Zealand also
hold a lot of appeal. He avers that while there will always be a huge demand amongst Indians to travel business or first class and stay in luxurious suites, when they travel across the world, a segment among them are also looking for different experiences. “These range from travelling by a private jet within India to taking a ride onboard the Deccan Odyssey,” states Anand. Cox & Kings was handed over the operation and
marketing of the Deccan Odyssey by MTDC in 2014. Cox & Kings refurbished the train and made changes for the contemporary luxury traveller. "It has borne fruit. In 2015-16 our passenger count went up by 40 per cent compared to 2013-14 and we increased the number of departures from 16 to 23," reveals Anand.
Unique concepts Rare Destinations and Experi-
ences advocates a different kind of luxury; offerings are as conceptual as they are diverse, ranging from homestays to jungle lodges, palace hotels to hill retreats, wellness spas to luxury camps. "Some unique concepts we have on board which seamlessly align with some of the best luxury hotels in India are Chhatra Sagar, Shahpur Bagh, Ranvas, Niraamaya Retreat, etc. Each one is conceptually unique," says Shoba Mohan, MD, Rare Destinations and Experiences. She believes the evolution of luxury travel will see more active vacations. For example, cycling, driving, trekking etc and hobby holidays that include painting, photography, cooking etc. There is also a conscious decision among these luxury travellers to opt for ethical luxury. "Luxury that is insensitive to the destination is something HNI and world travellers are becoming more and more aware of, hence destination hotels that have an intrinsic community development perspective, conservation angle, art or craft initiative or learning objective are some concepts that are driving choices,” says Mohan, adding that luxury offerings in India are yet to strongly promote
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cover story) messages for conservation and development strongly.
Seeking the authentic
“We are catering to a traveller who has travelled widely and is in search of newer experiences” Karan Anand Head – Relationships, Cox & Kings
"The evolution of luxury travel will see more active vacations" Shoba Mohan MD, Rare Destinations and Experiences
"Kerala has a lot of authentic experiences to offer" Joerg Drechsel Creative Director, Malabar Escapes
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Luxury today relates to authenticity and meaningful experiences and focused efforts are being made by a few like Joerg Drechsel, creative director, Malabar Escapes. “Kerala has a lot of authentic experiences to offer – the hills with its spice plantations, the unique backwaters, ayurveda, yoga, cuisine and all the wealth of a composite culture in a rich tropical setting," says Drechsel. Malabar House in Fort Cochin is the first Relais & Chateaux property in India. All Malabar Escapes properties offer highly personalised and friendly, yet discreet services. “We pamper all your senses with our signatory blend of art, hospitality, fine dining and refined ayurvedic spa treatments at our Purespa,” states Drechsel. These travellers seek memorable experiences, much more than traditional luxury hotel stays and travel. They want to connect with the local community, understand the local culture, engage in local activities and festivities, but without having to compensate on comforts. “These are evolved travellers who have travelled a lot and now look beyond the confines of a five star hotel. Community, culture, culinary delights, conservation initiatives at offbeat destinations is the new preference of the HNI Indian,” adds Rajnish Sabharwal, COO, The Ultimate Travelling Camp (TUTC). The company promises guests a breathtaking journey across India's most beautiful landscapes, through super luxury mobile camps at Thiksey and Diskit in Ladakh and Kohima in Nagaland. “We have designed our itineraries for each camp in a way that suit the interests, choices and leisure of our guests. What we aim for our guests is that they just do not simply stay at our camps with good amenities and services or visit tourist attractions, but rather immerse themselves in the entire experience of the local culture and feel a part of it. Each of our camps celebrate the
They want to connect with the local community, understand the local culture, engage in local activities and festivities, but without having to compensate on comforts indigenous culture and traditions, unique fairs and festivals,” states Sabharwal. For instance, the Kohima Camp in Nagaland coincides with the Hornbill Festival, which showcases the rich heritage of local tribes.
Global trends A global trend report, 'The Future of Luxury', was recently released in India by Beverly Hills Conference and Visitors Bureau (BHCVB). According to the research, luxury is currently at the epicentre of LUXURY 2.0 – the digitalisation of exclusivity where traditional luxury brands are increasing their digital presence and appeal to a more digitally savvy audience. The future trend will be LUXURY 3.0, where consumers will revert back to ‘old-school’ concepts, such as private members clubs, meeting places for connoisseurs, organic and locallysourced eating. Pointing out that India is a fast and expanding market, especially in the luxury sector, Julie Wagner, CEO, BHCVB mentions that Beverly Hills has innumerable luxury experiences to offer to Indian travellers. “We strive to provide travellers with unforgettable experiences, whether it be via our
world-class shopping, gourmet dining, lavish spas or acclaimed hotels.” Interestingly, ostentation is no longer associated with luxury, and in that sense, a destination like Seychelles which promotes 'barefoot luxury' with modern facilities, appeals well to the new age global Indian traveller. "Unique and luxury are synonymous with Seychelles, " says Sherin Naiken, CEO, Seychelles Tourism Board, pointing out that the three main islands – Mahe, Praslin and La Digue – have many award-winning luxury and ultra luxury resorts. Naiken acknowledges that the HNI segment is demanding for activities and ideas which also give a flavour of the local way of life of a destination. “For example, we have seen families visiting the islands for only bird watching, group of ladies only for spa and wellness, couples visiting for short diving holidays in the numerous marine parks, honeymooners opting for resorts like North and Fregate Island for barefoot luxury experience, young families taking their children for hiking and trekking to nature reserve islands like Curieuse and Cousin to educate
them on unique flora and fauna and many such interesting experiences,” she informs. Seychelles has shown 183 per cent growth in Indian arrivals in 2015, when compared to the previous year and 85 per cent growth from January to April this year. In a time of understated luxury Malaysia, a popular destination for India outbound, has studied Indian luxury travellers' preferences and demands. “Luxury today is not a status symbol or ostentatious display. What defines a luxury holiday is a genuine sense of mental, physical and emotional well-being,” says Mohd Hafiz, director, Tourism Malaysia. He believes that while luxury travel involves spending more money than the prudent counterpart, luxury travellers also like to know they're spending wisely and securing top quality that justifies the price. “Which means destinations and services need to meet and surpass expectations of this evolving tribe,” asserts Hafiz. Tourism Malaysia will be promoting Sabah and Sarawak, a fairly unexplored region, amongst Indian luxury travellers. “We are offering them experiences that range from interacting up close and personal with some of the exotic fauna and flora in the world, feeding orangutans, mud baths originating from dormant volcanoes, taste of culture with the aborigines and more,” informs Hafiz. Among Malaysia's unique luxury offerings is Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat, nestled in a 16.19-acre valley, among towering Paleozoic limestone hills, verdant rainforest, geothermal hot springs, natural caves and cascading waterfalls. Then there is Atmosphere 360 degree in the heart of Kuala Lumpur – a revolving restaurant situated 282 m above ground level, located at the tallest tower in Southeast Asia, Menara Kuala Lumpur. Ireland, which is gaining popularity among the Indian HNI, has plenty to offer in luxury tourism. The country has unique accommodation options including castles, cliff-top lighthouses and country homes
( buffered with forests. "Some of Ireland’s finest luxury castles include Ashford Castle, Crom Castle, Ballygally Castle, Malahide Castle, Dromoland Castle, Cliff House Hotel, Ballynahinch Castle and Lough Eske among others. You could privately hire O’Brien’s Tower at the edge of the Cliffs of Moher, and enjoy tasty seafood and hot whiskeys to the strains of a Celtic harpist,” says Beena Menon, India representative, Tourism Ireland, adding that at some castles and stately homes, one can even be a treasured house guest for a few hours. At Ballywater Park in County Down, for instance, Lord and Lady Dunleath will treat the guest to lunch, followed by an afternoon of archery and shooting on their estate. In New Zealand, the Indian traveller is seeking experiences like food and wine tours, Maori cultural experiences, luxury experiences, walks, self-drives and adventure sports. "This is good for the industry as it helps to showcase our offerings beyond the stunning landscapes. Escaping a hectic schedule is one of the major reasons a tourist seeking luxury travel comes to New Zealand," says Steven Dixon, regional manager, South and South East Asia, Tourism New Zealand. He reminds that New Zealand offers bespoke and authentic luxury experiences in stunning natural settings making it a destination perfect for even the most discerning of premium travellers. “These experiences cater to all tastes, set amongst a backdrop of breath-taking landscapes – from heli-picnics atop soaring mountains to personal chefs being helicoptered directly to your charter boat, or private tastings at New Zealand’s best wineries,” states Dixon. Among the most unique offerings that South Africa is promoting and marketing in India is the iconic Blue Train, unforgettable bushveld experiences, including luxury safaris and luxury game lodges like Malamala. “Today’s luxury traveller is not the one who splurges and spends on everything, but rather the one who likes to
experiment and seek newer experiences. For such discerning travellers, luxury is no longer about an extra star on a hotel or restaurant, it is instead about doing the unusual and demanding an experience that has been tailor-made especially for you that nobody else has got,” says Hanneli Slabber, country head, South African Tourism.
Luxury MICE Luxury MICE in South Africa is a category that has been earning a lot of interest over the years – MICE groups can go on luxury game drives, where they can walk with elephants, be a game ranger for a day and learn
business lessons from nature. "Another option for meetings in South Africa is the Cape winelands with its breathtaking views, wine farms, and exquisite Cape Dutch architecture. Here meetings and corporate workshops are combined with wine and olive tasting, vineyard tours, horse-back rides, hot air ballooning, culinary tours and many more exciting group activities. Franschhoek and Stellenbosch are extremely popular among Indian tourists," says Slabber. Besides, South Africa has excellent golf courses that offer MICE travellers a unique experience, such as the Fancourt Hotel & Golf Estate in
"Destinations and services need to meet and surpass expectations" Mohd Hafiz Director, Tourism Malaysia
"Ireland has some unique and unusual incentive offerings" Beena Menon India Representative, Tourism Ireland
"New Zealand offers bespoke and authentic luxury experiences" Steven Dixon Regional Manager, South and South East Asia, Tourism New Zealand
"The luxury traveller likes to experiment and seek newer experiences" Hanneli Slabber Country head, South African Tourism
George, Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa in Western Cape, Legend Golf & Safari Resort in Limpopo, Mount Edgecombe Golf Lodge in KwaZulu-Natal, Conrad Pezula in Knysna and Riviera on Vaal Hotel and Country Club in Gauteng amongst others. “Some of these properties also offer world-class spas, exceptional food and wine choices and several leisure activities for the group,” mentions Slabber. Ireland has diverse offerings to motivate and inspire a luxury MICE group. The options include exciting outdoor team-building activities, many international and indigenous sporting events, golf and equestrian activities, fine dining, world-class spa retreats, shopping, awe-inspiring scenery and lively evening entertainment from traditional ceilis to medieval banquets, as well as unique gala venues. "Ireland is also known to have some unique and unusual incentive offerings. In the past we had incentive programmes which include Whiskey Tasting Masterclass, private hire of O’Briens Tower at the Cliffs of Moher, where locally sourced seafood and Irish Coffee was served, and many such unique offerings," informs Menon. BHCVB is also keen to attract the luxury MICE segment from India. “Known for its sophistication and incomparable bespoke service, Beverly Hills is the perfect choice for meetings or events, whether for 20 or 1,500 people. With over 100,000 sq ft of meeting space at our hotels alone, Beverly Hills is well designed for conferences, small groups, incentive programmes or business gatherings,” said Wagner. The Beverly Hills Hotel and Bunglows, The Beverly Hilton, Beverly Wilshire, Four Seasons Hotel, and Montage Beverly Hills are few of the hotels that offer options for both large conferences and small, intimate gatherings. Private events can also be organised at the historic Greystone Mansion or at the many high-end restaurants, luxury stores and outdoor public spaces.
THE MAIN FOCUS
"Each of our camps celebrates the indigenous culture and traditions" Rajnish Sabharwal COO, The Ultimate Travelling Camp
"We strive to provide travellers with unforgettable experiences" Julie Wagner CEO, Beverly Hills Conference and Visitors Bureau
"Unique and luxury are synonymous with Seychelles" Sherin Naiken CEO, Seychelles Tourism Board
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DESTINATION OUTBOUND
Discovering Quebec's hidden gems Quebec has much to offer as a tourism destination, giving Indian visitors the chance to explore its little known attractions – from heritage sites in Quebec City to natural splendours of Charlevoix to the warmth of native hospitality, and much more By Sudipta Dev
Q
uebec is in the heart of French speaking Canada. The capital Quebec City, is just a three hours drive from Montreal. For Indians visiting Toronto, exploring some of the highlights of Quebec can be an interesting option that travel agents can look at while planning itineraries. Quebec is one of the largest producers of maple syrup in the world. Maple is grown in only a few states in Canada, and a visit to a traditional sugar shack Érablière le Chemin du Roy gives an interesting insight into the history of the industry and the making process. The sugar shack is surrounded by trees, which are tapped in spring. Trees that are more than 20 years old are tapped, and some of them have scars that are at least five decades old. Visitors are welcomed with a glass of local Caribou, made of red wine, hard liquor (like whisky) and maple syrup. They can have lunch at the shack and enjoy traditional music. The best part of the unique experiences at the sugar shack is saved for the last – taffy on snow candy. Quebec City has a very European feel to it with 95 per cent of the populace being native French speakers. A leisurely walk soaking in the sights and sounds of the fortified Old Quebec is the best way to explore the historic city. There is a guided tour inside the Parliament, which also has a restaurant for
26 EXPRESS TRAVELWORLD July 2016
good vegetarian options. The museum in the premises is a fascinating showcase of the life, art and heritage of the Wendat community.
Diverse attractions
visitors, serving delicacies with focus on regional cuisine. Quebec City is on the banks of the St Lawrence River, which is the third largest river in North America. Visitors can get a beautiful view of the river from the Battlefields Park. The park is also the site of the Quebec Winter Carnival and a popular location for cross-country skiing. A canoe race, ice sculpture competition, are among the highlights of the carnival. The residents in Quebec City truly know how to celebrate winter. Hotel de Glace, the Ice Hotel which comes
up during the winter months, has been beating its occupancy record every year.
Native hospitality Aboriginal tourism offers a great insight into the life and culture of native communities in Canada. Traditional Huron Site is a recreated village that has guided tours and activities which could be of interest to Indian visitors. The guided tour includes visit to the Long House, the sweating tents (for purification), giant teepee, and others. The activities range from canoeing to snow
shoe ride in the forests, archery and craft class. Visitors get to experience the warm hospitality of Huron-Wendat community. For those interested in aboriginal culture, a unique accommodation option is the HôtelMusée Premières Nations. At this aboriginal themed boutique hotel, guests can stay in luxurious rooms that are decorated with indigenous objects. Those a bit more adventurous can sleep in the nearby Long House and experience the true lifestyle of a native community. The hotel has an excellent restaurant with
Enroute from Quebec City to Charlevoix is a destination which is considered among Canada's hidden gems – Canyon SainteAnne. This is the site of the magnificent Sainte-Anne Falls, which is higher than the Niagara Falls. The 74-metre-high waterfall is a spectacular site which visitors can enjoy from the three suspension bridges and the many observation decks. A visit to the park is an enthralling experience for all age groups and categories – from families on vacation to avid hikers. Adrenaline junkies can also zipline across the gorge. The area is managed by the McNicoll family. The Bureau d’information touristique de Charlevoix is located at a lookout spot from where visitors can enjoy the scenic vista of St Lawrence River and the mountains. Baie-SaintPaul has a vibrant art scene – thanks to the Musée d’art contemporain de Baie-Saint-Paul. This contemporary art museum holds many national and international art exhibits throughout the year. The little town of BaieSaint-Paul is famous for its art galleries, quaint shops and restaurants. Saint-Jean-Baptiste street is the best place for some curio shopping. Home of Cirque du Soleil, the very first
DESTINATION OUTBOUND
show 'La Fete Foraine de BaieSaint-Paul' was held here in 1984. An interesting accommodation option here is the HĂ´tel Le Germain Charlevoix, which was a wooden barn, now converted into a hotel famous for its eclectic designs. The precincts of the hotel also includes a railway station, a public square, meeting rooms, spa and other facilities. Regarded as one of the most scenic routes in North America, the St Lawrence Route links Baie-Saint-Paul to La Malbaie where the iconic Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu is located. The imposing architecture and impeccable hospitality make this the hotel of choice for most visitors to the region. The Casino de
Charlevoix in the vicinity is a big draw for locals as well as tourists with its 900 slot machines.
Picture perfect Charlevoix Charlevoix is famous as the site of meteorite impact, and the best place to understand this is at the Astronomy Observatory where an expert will explain the phenomenon that shaped the area's landscape 350 million years ago. Visitors also get the once in a lifetime opportunity to touch rare metorite rocks. A surreal experience on a clear night is looking through the telescope and seeing Jupiter with its three moons. The observatory is supported by the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu.
One of the tourism highlights of Charlevoix is the Maison du Bootlegger or the Bootlegger's House. It was a high-end hunting and fishing lodge for American tourists. At that time Charlevoix was a dry area and to hide from the church and the authorities, liquor was served here for select clientele. The house has false doorways, secret chambers and trapdoors. The fact that Elvis Presley had visited here is confirmed by his signature on a wall. Interestingly, among the many photographs framed on the walls of the rich clientele who frequented the house in those days, two were of Indian origin. The Bootlegger's House is today a tourism hotspot with a popular restaurant / bar and a hotel. Those visiting Charlevoix from May to October can go on a whale watching cruise. Even though it was the beginning of the season, the writer was fortunate to see beluga, blue, fin and humpback whales, along with penguins and seals. Enroute to the jetty are small villages on either side of the road with population of just about 200 people. There are beautiful holiday homes overlooking the St Lawrence River that can be rented by visitors who want to enjoy a holiday with a difference.
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SPOTLIGHT
A success story JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar started operations about a year ago with the city's largest inventory of 585 rooms and extensive banqueting space. Saeid Heidari, general manager, JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar talks about the exceptional response his hotel has received in the city whose hospitality scenario looks buoyant in the near future. By Sudipta Dev
M
UMBAI'S second JW hotel – the JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar opened in 2015 with the largest rooms inventory in the city. A year later, Saeid Heidari, general manager, JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar is a happy man – not only because of the good business the property has generated, but also for the high benchmark in hospitality that his young team of professionals have set across various functions. “The way we have been received in Mumbai is much beyond our expectation. Of course at the beginning when we started the hotel, we had the privilege of being the second JW, so everybody knew what is JW and Marriott at the same time as the other hotel was such a halo hotel, it was a big burden if we could not live up to the expectation. Another factor that I felt was that being so close to the airport, it was not the best location,” says Heidari, adding that one year later, they are totally surprised. “Even in terms of hiring, we felt that we will hire about 500-550 and when the occupancy is going up, we will hire more people. To give you some indication by October 2015 (after seven-eight months), we went to 741 people. It was an extremely good year for us. Even in financial year as a new hotel coming into the market we did `150-160 crores of business,” remarks Heidari.
People proud What has worked to the advantage, according to Heidari, when they were opening the hotel was that the brand being so famous
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Saeid Heidari
they were able to select the best talent. “I interviewed around 3400 people. When I hire people – from dish washer to one cleaning the floor, doorman, house keeper, manager, I interview everyone personally. Even if for two minutes to say hello to them. I spend time with them to see how they behave. I look to hire the right people,” he says, pointing out that in a good hotel one should have a team with the right attitude to make the best out of it. That is the secret of the hotel. “My guests comment on social media and through emails that this is one of the most hospitable hotels and they compliment my people. It is justified even if I had to interview 8,000 people,” he asserts. Heidari acknowledges that he is proud of his people. “When I see people complimenting them, it is the greatest achievement for me. There are certain principles in life. People go to do their best at work. What is important is to see the positive in people and train them. I am sending most number of people for training. Thinking positive is important –
the new generation have a different approach. Recently we had a training for chefs and restaurant people on how to promote themselves,” avers Heidari, reminding that the world is changing and building knowledge is one of the most fundamental things to educate people as it improves brand image and quality of people. “All of us have aspiration to do better. I might not give them the highest salary, but I can develop them to get to that salary,” he adds.
Banqueting business The current occupancy level is around 60 per cent. During the high season, informs Heidari, it had reached almost 70 per cent. Considering the fact that inventory of rooms is the largest in Mumbai, Heidari has reasons to be happy with this number. “We are the largest hotel in town right now. On an average, we have occupancy of 350 rooms. In any other middle sized hotel, it will be sold out. We are doing good and our banqueting business is flourishing – from weddings and social events to MICE. Due to the
fact that we are JW, a higher brand and a new facility, we can get even a premium. It is important for me to say that we did not take the business away from anyone, as in this area there is no banqueting hall which is able to take the business that we are taking. We are hosting larger groups and making business for surrounding hotels as we cannot take 800 rooms or 1,000 rooms for conferences,” he informs. The business of this hotel is primarily corporate clients and the concentration is on MICE business. “It depends on location as well. For instance, JW Juhu has lots of leisure guests, while in this part of the town it is primarily corporates,” says Heidari. At the moment there are two operational restaurants. Heidari clarifies that normally JWs have three/four/five restaurants, but in this property instead of having an Indian or a Japanese or a Thai restaurant, all have been combined in an allday dining, which has specially appointed chefs. “We have an Arabic chef, a Thai chef, a Japan-
ese chef, an Italian chef. We have four restaurants in one place. For Indian cuisine, we have kebabs from Lucknow, local Maharashtrian food, Goan fish cuisine, etc,” he adds. For every cuisine there is an expat chef to maintain authenticity. The Sunday brunch is considered one of the best in the city. Every Sunday there is a themed lunch.
Mumbai's hospitality scenario Pointing out that Mumbai is a huge market, Heidari states, “I came with 600 rooms and doing 60 per cent to 70 per cent occupancy. While 2016 looks a very good year, in 2017 and 2018 the market will go to the extent of 2006-2007, maybe the rates not that high, but occupancy will go up. The market is growing every year about eight per cent to 12 per cent in the city and there is no big hotel coming up. The additional demand that came to North Mumbai and Mumbai market was 144,000 rooms. In September-October, I expect the occupancy in our hotel to go above 75 per cent.”
SPOTLIGHT
Transforming a destination With experiential tourism and demand for unexplored locations on the rise, Phaltan in Maharashtra is an ideal destination for weekend getaways and unique experiences. Jakson Hospitality directs efforts towards the destination's promotion and development. By Mohit Rathod
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STATE RENOWNED for its weekend getaways, Maharashtra still houses unique unexplored locations. About a fivehour drive from Mumbai and two-hour from Pune, lies Phaltan in Satara district. Unknown to many, Phaltan has historical significance, due to its association with Maratha warrior Shivaji Maharaj. Offering attractions such as Aundh Museum, Ajinkya Tara Fort, sugarcane farms, pomegranate orchards, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in Baramati, and Pusegaon windmill farm; Phaltan is ideal for eco-tourism, agri-tourism, heritage tourism.
Sustainable tourism Although the destination enjoys presence of numerous attractions, it remains unexplored among travellers, in the wake of which, Jakson Hospitality aims to promote Phaltan as a destination, by creating an awareness and developing new additional attractions. Established in 2011, Jakson Hospitality, through its recently opened hotel Jakson Inns, is promoting sustainable tourism in Phaltan, alongside highlighting the places of interest in and around the place. A 75room three star property with LEED India Gold Certification and American Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, Jakson Inns adopts sustainable practices such as solar power, rain water harvesting and efficient waste management. Elaborating on the destination, Gautam Banerjee, general manager, Jakson Inns, says, "Every destination has its own USPs. Unfortunately, the USPs of Phaltan are not yet being highlighted. Fortunately, Jak-
sons is here, but this place can't survive merely on it, so we have to build Phaltan as a destination and work on the marketing factor. There's KVK, where people can learn about various agro products, farming techniques, organic farming. People hardly know anything about the historical significance of this place. We have heritage, but it is not utilised to make this place recognised." "Another thing that can make Phaltan grow as a destination is farms. There are sugarcane farms; sugarcane factories, where tourists can learn about the various products that are produced; and brick factories among others. Everyday one cannot go to the mainstream
destinations such as Lonavla and Mahabaleshwar. There lies a population that wants to explore something different," he adds.
MICE focus The region has significant presence of industries and corporates. Many IT companies are situated in Pune, which is one of the major target segments for Jakson Inns. The hotel aims to leverage the presence of corporates and industries to grow MICE tourism in Phaltan. Jakson Inns, being the only hotel in Phaltan with facilities to meet varied requirements, also expects business from this segment. Banerjee comments, "Pune, having a huge IT pres-
ence, is the nearest market for the hotel. As the IT sector has a lot of young people, it is one of the important target segments for us – the younger generation wants to explore different places; hence we are developing this destination to provide them new experiences." In terms of families, weddings, eco-tourism and agritourism segments; Banerjee wants to let people know about Phaltan's offerings, whilst setting up facilities and arrangements to cater to these segments. He infoms, "Visitors can also watch flemingos for a period of eight months in Baramati, which is not known to many people. There's also a sanctuary coming up in Baramati. So we
are trying to see that we can promote these things to attract more visitors to this region. Then there are hundreds of windmills. These are the things that people have not explored." The hotel is also coming up with a small waterpark, through which, it aims to attract families, weekend travellers, and corporate employees. Banerjee sees this idea beneficial for the destination and the hotel, as there is no such facility around Phaltan. He mentions, "We have 27 varieties of plants, and we will be setting up a green shade to grow apples. Additionally, we are also planning a spice garden. Our capital budget has a significant proportion for landscaping. Currently we grow our own vegetables, so that guests are served with healthy organic food.We organise Dosa Festival, which features 24 different types of Dosas; Mango Festival, where we have everything prepared with mangoes; and Paratha Festival, offering 56 variants of parathas. This will hopefully attract more visitors," while pointing out that weddings can be arranged in unique settings such as farms, pomegranate orchards, forts, under the windmills and more. On the marketing front and business expansion, Banerjee states, "We are pumping in big marketing efforts. We have tied up with several wedding planners. We are also looking at tieups with travel agents, and are in talks with Thomas Cook, Kuoni, Kesari in Mumbai; and several travel agents in Pune. Alongside, we will also participate in trade shows. Shortly, we are planning to set up three more hotels in different regions. We are a new chain, with different ideas."
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DESTINATION OUTBOUND
Germany’s medieval jewels Magdeburg and Quedlinburg, two cities in the Saxony-Anhalt region of Germany offer a peep into medieval history, Romanesque and Gothic architecture and a cultural legacy of the Ottonian empire. The travel trade in India will do well to include these two cities in their itineraries, both for the discerning Indian leisure traveller and the corporate visitor. By Steena Joy
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he word 'burg' which means an ancient or medieval fortress or walled town has a special place in German history. Both, Magdeburg and Quedlinburg in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, were important medieval cities of Europe and form the centrepieces of the Romanesque Road. The route takes the form of a figure-of-eight, with a northern and a southern loop, with Magdeburg as the centre, linking village churches, monasteries, cathedrals and castles built between 950 and 1250.
Multi-faceted Magdeburg Situated on the Elbe river to the southwest of Berlin, Magdeburg is the capital city and the second largest city of the region. Tourists to the city are charmed by its quaint Baroque facades and monumental districts from the Gründerzeit period. Although it was burned down in 1188, Magdeburg became a flourishing commercial centre in the 13th century and also established an autonomous municipal administration, Magdeburger Recht (Magdeburg Law), that later was widely adopted throughout eastern Europe. Today, Magdeburg is a centre of food processing, particularly sugar refining, flour milling, heavy engineering, chemical and textile. Magdeburg is known as the city of two Ottos - Emperor Otto the Great, who was responsible for the construc-
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tion of the Magdeburg Cathedral and Otto von Guericke, the scientist who used his Magdeburg hemispheres experiment to demonstrate the power of air pressure. The city is the seat of Otto-von-Guericke University of Magdeburg
and there are numerous schools and technical colleges which have many international students including from India. At the old market square (Alter Markt) in front of the Town Hall, one can find a copy
of the Magdeburg Horseman sculpture, which is assumed to be a depiction of Emperor Otto the Great. The original sculpture was created in as early as 1240 and is now located in the Magdeburg Cultural History Museum which
is worth a visit. The river Elbe serves as a perfect setting for bicycle tours and walks, and boat trips that travel up to the Waterway Junction, which is home to the world's longest canal bridge. The city's many parks serve as open-air venues for jazz festivals and theatre performances. Be it opera, musicals, or ballet performances, Magdeburg is a cultural hotspot. The city also boasts a Puppet Theatre that is renowned all over the world in the field of puppetry and marionette performances. The city of Otto is also known for its modern architecture. Travellers can experience the Green Citadel of Magdeburg, one of the last architectural projects by the Austrian artist and architect, Friedensreich Hundertwasser. The building with its pink walls and uneven lines is home to 55 residential apartments probably the most expensive real estate in the city. Besides shops and cafés on the ground floor, there is also a hotel on the upper floor for guests who want to spend the night in this unique architectural marvel. Magdeburg Cathedral, known locally as Magdeburger Dom, is dedicated to St Maurice and St Catherine and dates back to over 1,000 years. The very first cathedral to be built in the Gothic style in Germany, it houses the graves of Otto the Great, and that of his first wife. There are guided tours to the roof of the Cathedral for groups of 10 or more
DESTINATION OUTBOUND
on certain days of the week (must be pre-booked) and the view from the top is worth the climb up some 250 odd steps. Another famous attraction is the Monastery of Our Lady, considered to be the oldest surviving building in Magdeburg. The unique well-house, barrelvaults and the monastery church with its towers are a fine exmpale of Romanesque architecture. The building hosts both the Magdeburg Art Museum and the Georg Philipp Telemann concert hall. For followers of Martin Luther, Magdeburg embraced the Reformation in 1524. An important site is St John's Church where Luther preached about “true and false righteousness” following which all of Magdeburg’s churches converted to Protestantism. There is a statue erected in memory of the Great Reformer in front of the church.
Quaint Quedlinburg One and a half hours from Magdeburg is another medieval town, Quedlinburg which is on the southern loop of the Romanesque Road. The city's narrow, cobblestone streets lined with over 1300 half-timbered houses, has given it a UNESCO World
Heritage Site tag. King Heinrich I (Henry the Fowler) was crowned King of Germany here in 919 A.D. This was the first time anyone had ruled Germany as a single entity. The church, Norbertinerkirche, was built around this time. Quedlinburg lies approxi-
mately 200 km west of Berlin and can be reached directly by train (a transfer in Magdeburg). By air, the gateways are Berlin, Leipzig or Hannover. This town was ruled by women for 800 years. King Heinrich I's widow, Mathilde, founded a convent for aristocratic women in 936 and their
granddaughter became the ruler of the town as the Abbess in 966. The Abbesses of the convent ruled the city until 1802, when Napoleon invaded and disbanded the Abbey. Not surprisingly, the first German woman to win the right to attend a university was a native of Quedlin-
burg. Dorothea Erxleben was the first woman to receive the academic title of Medical Doctor in 1754. kTheatre and concert productions of the Nordharzer Stadtdbundtheater, the Quedlinburg Music Summer, concerts in the town hall, in the Baroque Palais Salfeldt and in the Church of St. Blasius as well as the Quedlinburg Dixieland and Swing Weekend are some of the wide spectrum of events to be enjoyed in Quedlinburg. The Kaiserfruhling (an annual re-enactment of the spring assembly convened by the Ottonian emperors) and the special pre-Christmas offerings of Quedlinburg as Advent City draw many tourists every year.
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STRATEGY
The membership economy How the travel industry can take advantage of the booming new membership economy
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RAVEL COMPANIES are being continuously marred with escalating distribution and advertising costs, high competition in the market while their margin is on the decline. As distribution costs continue to rise because of OTAs, travel providers (hotels, airlines, car rentals and cruise lines) are challenged to win back business from third-party intermediaries and produce more bottom line profit for owners. Global travel brands are paying big shares of their already slim margins while giving up control of retail rates to merchant OTAs. Also, according to a report published by Adgooroo in 2014, there has been a 40 per cent increase since 2012 in Pay Per Click cost in advertising in travel industry which clearly shows that the heightened competition has driven up the prices for keywords. Leading travel brands are forced to pump huge amount of money in advertising, with decreasing value. To combat the loss in revenue, travel companies have invested in Loyalty Programmes but these customer rewards have been severely criticised as shortlived, cheap promotional activities, giving something for nothing. On an average, a customer participates in 10 different Loyalty Programmes with decreasing value for each programme as a result. Major airline companies have come up with Frequent Flyer Programmes
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to attract and retain customers, however this is nothing new anymore, nothing that differentiates them. So, the question that arises is: How do travel companies earn the loyalty of customers and deliver outstanding benefits without losing margins? One possible answer is: Building loyalty with your customers through a bespoke travel club. According to latest industry reports, Membership Economy is the new currency for business growth in 2016. One of the many examples isThe Hilton Select Programme by Hilton Hotels. Hilton Select is members only savings programme offered by the most recognised hotel brand in the world and its huge success is a testament to that. According to Robbie Kellman Baxter, author of The Membership Economy, companies who are able to obtain and retain members will be the ones that thrive. Members are a powerful source of regular reliable income and travel companies that service and retain members have a financial and marketing advantage over others. Personalisation of service is a huge trend among Millennials. A travel club brings that personal touch in travel services directly to your customers. Developing a travel club could be one of the smartest and most profitable business decisions your company can make. Here are a few benefits of starting your own Travel Club: ● Create a new recurring revenue stream through
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monthly memberships and sales Create and maintain customer loyalty as customers keep buying travel from you
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Generate leads from existing travel club members and by advertising the travel club on your website Attract new customers
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and retain existing customers by selling travel club as part of a rewards programme Cross-sell other services or products.
IN FOCUS
A DUBAI DEBUT Global association meeting experts share insights at first ICCA Middle East International Meetings Forum in Dubai
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UBAI BUSINESS Events (DBE), the city’s official convention bureau, and the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), the global community and knowledge hub for the international association meetings industry, hosted the first ICCA Middle East International Meetings Forum at Sofitel Downtown Dubai. The first ICCA Middle East International Meetings Forum in Dubai attracted more than 180 regional and global meeting experts plus association meeting planners. The new ICCA Middle East Forum marks the start of an annual education programme leading to the 2018 ICCA Congress in Dubai. The focus of the inaugural ICCA Middle East International Meetings Forum was to establish a platform for sharing knowledge and best practices that will be essential as the region’s meetings industries seek to align products and services with the rapidly evolving demands from international associations and corporations. ICCA has a regional office in the Middle East since 2012, which, with the assignment of new regional director Middle East, Senthil Gopinath, moved to the new Dubai Association Centre at the beginning of this year. The event was organised as a precursor to the 2018 ICCA Congress, which will see an expected 1,000 global event leaders descend on Dubai. The forum attracted over 20 internationally renowned speakers and global meetings industry experts, who discussed global trends, the im-
portance of destination teamwork and industry collaboration, and the competitiveness of the Middle East region as a stepping stone to booming markets in the Middle East and Africa. Speakers also shared strategies on bidding for international meetings and conferences in what has become an increasingly competitive world, as well as the need for training programmes capable of supporting and responding to future trends across the region. Further insights into the region were shared by executives from four international associations, who shed further light on how the Middle East can leverage its competitiveness, maximise its growth potential, and increase its share of the global meetings market. Steen Jakobsen, director of
The Middle East is growing at a rapid pace and establishing this forum gives us the opportunity to connect the region with our global network of practitioners, allowing for knowledge sharing and understanding the needs of the meetings business in a deeper way Martin Sirk, CEO, ICCA.
Dubai Business Events, said, “The first ICCA Middle East International Meetings Forum was a tremendous success and we’re proud to have played a leading role in organising the inaugural event. I personally look forward to see the Forum grow in strength in the coming years as the city gears up to host the ICCA Congress in 2018. Dubai has made no secret of its desire to create a
world-leading knowledgebased economy and has demonstrated an exceptional ability to pioneer new ideas of its own as well as foster the exchange of ideas between countries and cities around the world.” Martin Sirk, CEO, ICCA said, “The Middle East is growing at a rapid pace and establishing this forum gives us the opportunity to connect
the region with our global network of practitioners, allowing for knowledge sharing and understanding the needs of the meetings business in a deeper way. Ahead of the ICCA Congress coming to Dubai in 2018, we want to ensure that we build up interest and capacity together with our local members and partners in the region over the next two years."
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CONSERVATION
Ahigh five for wildlife Airline industry pledges to fight against wildlife trafficking
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he International Air Transport Association (IATA) 72nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) unanimously endorsed a resolution denouncing the illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products and pledging to partner with government authorities and conservation organisations in the fight against the traffickers of endangered animals. Tony Tyler, IATA’s director general and CEO said, “The illegal wildlife trade threatens the survival of many endangered species, the local communities and businesses that depend on them, and poses a risk to health and safety. In line with our broad commitment to sustainability, the airline industry is reinforcing its role by helping to shut down the vile activities of poaching and trafficking.” The resolution urges governments to commit additional resources to address illegal trafficking and calls on airlines to: ● Increase passenger, client, customer and employee awareness about the nature, scale and consequences of the illegal wildlife trade ● Partner with airports, freight forwarders and other stakeholders to work proactively with enforcement agencies and conservation organisations to address the problem ● Consider the adoption of appropriate policies and procedures to discourage trafficking through awareness programmes, information sharing and incident reporting. In March 2016 IATA was among the signatories to the Buckingham Palace Declaration supporting the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce initiative of The Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.
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The resolution also encourages airlines individually to sign the Declaration. In a recorded message to the AGM delegates, His Royal Highness Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge urged the industry to unite in support of this cause. "Many airlines, and your association IATA, have already signed the Buckingham Palace Declaration, pledging your support for our aims. IATA has been instrumental in helping to set up workshops to raise awareness and educate front-line staff to spot smugglers in the act. The more of you that can join us in this work, the more powerful our deterrence activities will be. These criminal gangs are exploiting the incredible global aviation network you have built, and it needs nothing short of a global coali-
tion to find them and stop them,” said the Duke of Cambridge. “We all have a responsibility to protect our planet and its diverse ecology. I am aware of the important goals you have set for capping and reducing carbon emissions from civil air transport. This is to your credit and shows the power of aviation when it comes together as a force for good. Now I ask you to make a commitment to our planet’s wildlife, to join us and help save our most precious animals for future generations to enjoy,” he added. “We are honoured that the Duke of Cambridge has recognised aviation’s role in the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking. Aviation has taken a responsible approach to its sustainable development. We are determined
to ensure that the global air transport network will not be exploited for the nefarious purposes of illegal wildlife traders,” said Tyler. The resolution furthers the airline industry’s heightened activity in this area. At the 71st IATA AGM last year, a memorandum of understanding was signed with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Two awareness-raising workshops for airline and airport staff have been held at international airports in Nairobi and Bangkok. In addition, IATA joined the US Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Reducing Opportunities for Unlawful Transport of Endangered Species (ROUTES) Partnership. New guidance
material for airlines has been published, and an IATA Environment Committee Wildlife Taskforce has been set up to monitor progress and provide advice on the next steps. The original airline signatories to the Buckingham Palace Declaration are Air China Cargo, Air India, Emirates Airline, Etihad Airways, International Airlines Group (British Airways, Iberia, Vueling Airlines and Aer Lingus), Jet Airways, Kenya Airways, Qantas, Qatar Airways, and South African Airways. In addition, 10 airlines signed the Declaration at the 72nd IATA Annual General Meeting: Air Berlin, Air Mauritius, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Cathay Pacific Airways, Finnair, Luxair, SriLankan Airlines and Virgin Australia.
MOVEMENTS IATA Jet Airways chairman NARESH GOYAL has been re-elected to the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) board of governors for a fifth successive tenure. The reappointment follows IATA’s 72nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Dublin, Ireland. As a member of the board of governors, Goyal will participate in providing policy directives and guidance to IATA industry committees and to their subsidiary bodies. He will serve a
Naresh Goyal
three year term, lasting until the close of IATA’s 75th AGM in 2019. He is the only representative from India on the IATA board of governors. WILLIE WALSH, CEO of International Airlines Group (IAG), has succeeded ANDRES CONESA, CEO of Aeromexico, as chairman of the IATA board of governors. Walsh, who represents British Airways on the board, takes up his duties immediately for a one-year term until the conclusion of IATA’s 73rd AGM.
sen by TAT as she represents the segment TAT aims to target.
ADTOI
Anantara Vacation Club Anantara Vacation Club has appointed NISHA CHAND as group director of human resources. A veteran HR professional with nearly two decades of experience, Chand joined Minor Hotels Group five years ago as a director of HR at Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort in Abu Dhabi. She subsequently moved to the corporate offices in Bangkok where she served as director of HR, before eventually taking over as regional director of HR. Chand managed the corporate team and provided support for the site HR leaders in China, Hong Kong, Thailand and Indonesia. Before coming to Minor Hotels, she worked for more than 10 years with InterContinental Hotels Group in various operational and HR leadership roles in the Middle East.
Swiss International Airlines Swiss International Airlines (SWISS) has appointed RETO FRANCIONI as the chairman board of directors. Francioni served as the CEO of Deutsche Börse AG Frankfurt/Germany from 2005 until May 2015. He has also been professor of Applied Capital Markets Theory at the University of Basel since 2006. His previous positions include various fur-
Doris Russi Schurter
ther executive functions, such as chairman of the Swiss Exchange in Zurich; co-CEO and management spokesman of Consors AG, Nuremberg; and a member of Corporate Finance Divisional Management at Hofmann-La Roche, Basel. DORIS RUSSI SCHURTER has been appointed as a member to the SWISS board of directors. A native of Lucerne, an attorney-at-law and a former partner at auditing and accountancy company KPMG, Schurter already sits on the boards of directors of several major corporations. She is also president of the VSUD, the association of Swiss companies in Germany.
Air Asia AirAsia has appointed KATHLEEN TAN as president – North Asia. Under this role, she will be responsible for building AirAsia's market in China, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Tan returns to AirAsia
Tourism Authority of Thailand The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched a campaign in India to target women travellers and has appointed ANUSHA DANDEKAR as its brand ambassador. A television personality, Dandekar was cho-
Adventure Tour Operators in India (ADTOI) recently launched its sixth chapter in Chattisgarh and appointed RITESH MUNDRA as the chairman and JASPREET SINGH BHATIA as the general secretary of the Chhattisgarh Chapter. Other members include Kapil Jain, Mahesh Bansal, Pankaj Sood, Ajeet Dodai, Sunil Vishwakarma, Parminder Sahni, Rohit Dwivedi, Hardeep Hora and Ricky Malhotra.
from her stint as CEO of AirAsiaExpedia. Before joining AirAsiaExpedia, Tan was regional head of commercial and senior vice president of China, at AirAsia from 2004 to 2013.
Sabre Travel Network DAVER KA FAI LAU has been appointed as regional director, Sabre Travel Network – North Asia. Reporting to newly appointed Sabre Travel Network Asia Pacific vice president of sales and market development, Todd Arthur, Fai Lau will lead the Sabre Travel Network business in North Asia (China, Hong Kong, Korea and Taiwan). Based out of Taiwan, he will be responsible for business expansion and relationship development in the North Asia region, as well as driving local product and support initiatives for customers in these markets. A global distribution system business and travel technology veteran, Fai Lau has held various management roles in Asia Pacific spanning the last 19 years, most recently serving as general manager for Amadeus Taiwan.
AccorHotels, Mumbai Reto Francioni
Kathleen Tan
AccorHotels has announced the appointment of
NAMIT BHAVSAR as the new director, sales and marketing, Novotel Imagica, Khopoli. In his role, Bhavsar will be responsible for leading and further improving all aspects of the sales, social and digital marketing communications, and promoting brand strategies. A seasoned hotelier, Bhavsar has been in the hospitality industry for over eight years. Prior to joining AccorHotels, he was the associate director of sales at The St Regis, Mumbai.
The Ajman Palace Hotel The Ajman Palace Hotel has appointed MAHMOUD HAGGAG as executive assistant manager. Mahmoud's most recent posting was at Mercure Center Hotel, Abu Dhabi where he worked as rooms division manager. In his new role, Mahmoud is tasked with assisting the general manager in hotel operations, specifically the rooms department, while ensuring service quality and guest satisfaction. Mahmoud has spent over 27 years in the hospitality industry, beginning his career at Semiraamis InterContinental Hotel and InterContinental Hotel – Hurghada, Egypt.
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weekend
E V E N T S
FRUITFUL ASSOCIATION Karan Anand, head, relationships, Cox & Kings (fourth from left), speaking at a reception in Chamonix to celebrate 10 years of Cox & Kings' association with the destination, along with other representatives
ANOTHER MILESTONE Nick Fadugba, CEO African Aviation (right), presenting the 'African Airline of the Year’ Award for 2016 to Mesfin Tasew, COO, Ethiopian Airlines, during the 25th Anniversary African Aviation Air Finance Africa Conference & Exhibition and African Aviation Summit
EXPLORING HOMELAND Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis along with the diaspora youth of Indian origin and other government officials, at the recent 35th Know India Programme hosted in Maharashtra
MAIDEN ROADSHOW In order to increase tourist footfalls from India, Zambia Tourism Agency (ZTA) recently conducted its maiden roadshow in Mumbai and Delhi
A PROUD MOMENT L-R: Chandrashekar Jaiswal, deputy general manager, MTDC; Hemant Kaushik, CEO, IBC Infomedia and Satish Soni, director of tourism, Government of Maharashtra and joint MD, MTDC, receiving the ‘Best State Tourism’ Award at the India’s No 1 Brand Awards 2016 in Mumbai
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CELEBRATING TEAMWORK L-R: TAAI Eastern Region office bearers Chandra Prakash Poddar, treasurer; along with Vikas Sarawgi, secretary; and Devesh Agarwal, chairman, at the TAAI - ER Annual Bash
weekend
E V E N T S
STRENGTHENING RELATIONS Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) recently hosted an event in Panjim to promote Goa's tourism facets and boost travel and trade ties with Croatia, Iceland and Israel
PROMOTING TIES Hiroshi Shimo, vice governor, Wakayama Prefectural Government (WPG) recently led an official delegation to Mumbai and visited CM Devendra Fadnavis, Government of Maharashtra, to discuss the success of the MoU between Maharashtra and Wakayama Prefecture, Japan
MUSICAL ATTRACTION The Philadelphia Orchestra at a recent concert in The Venetian Theatre, The Venetian Macao
A BUSINESS EXPLORATION Indian travel agents at the recent INDABA 2016 post tour hosted by South African Tourism
SHARING MEMORIES Tourism New Zealand brand ambassador Sidharth GROOMING PROFESSIONALS Ethiopian Aviation Academy was recently recognised as ICAO Regional Training Center of Excellence, at the ICAO’s Global Aviation Training and TRAINAIR PLUS symposium held in Seoul, Korea.
Malhotra (fourth from left) sharing his New Zealand memories, along with Steven Dixon, regional manager, South and South East Asia, Tourism New Zealand and other representatives
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REGD.WITH RNI NO. MAHENG/2005/15993,POSTAL REGD. NO. MCS/163/2016 – 18,PUBLISHED ON 11TH EVERY MONTH, POSTED ON 12TH,13TH,14TH OF EVERY MONTH, POSTED AT MUMBAI PATRIKA CHANNEL SORTING OFFICE,MUMBAI – 400001.