EDITOR’S NOTE
Make in India, Travel in India too
I
ndia has a story to narrate, which is both classic and contemporary, alive and abstract. Paeans have been written about her grace and grandeur. Every year state tourism boards follow a certain norm to travel overseas to rope in the inbound traveller. I wonder if this brings in the desired results. The feedback received from inbound tour operators states a different story - that of a dwindling population of global travellers who aren't taking the great India journey. This response has been rather consistent in nature over the past few years. However, though the inbound inflow witnessed a dip, domestic tourism responded well by displaying encouraging growth. I have always rather emphatically echoed the fact that the real power of tourism in India rests in domestic tourism. It is certainly India Tourism's mainstay, resilient and responsive. Our cover story this issue celebrates some unique elements of this country. The Four Fabulous Facets of India need to be understood rather closely and carefully. From fashion and fabrics to flora and fauna, from festivals to food, the true magnificence of the country resides in these niche tourism journeys. We are proud to dedicate this issue to the spirit of domestic tourism in sync with the ADTOI Convention in Vizag. It’s encouraging to note that the convention is being held in a place, which can be rightfully called a new kid on the tourism block. Strategically placed on the eastern coast of India,
“We need to wake up to the power of domestic tourism and speak to the citizens on both facts and fables,that keep the intriguing and inspiring nature of the country alive”
Vizag has its own tourism story to narrate, be it in the MICE or leisure space. It is time the country is well understood by its own people who should venture on a India journey, not just as tourists but as travellers with a curious mind. Youth mobilisation and tourism education programmes are vital to revive tourism knowledge, as in the coming years the tourism business will be dependent on its citizens. I was rather shocked and saddened to note on my recent work trip to the island jewel of our country, the Andamans, that there are educated Indians who still feel one needs a passport to enter these islands. The shock did not stop there. I was further informed by a tourism official that there is a common misconception that the Andaman Express (an Indian railway network) brings people to the island region by rail! Is it our education, lack of awareness or just general pure ignorance, I wonder. For me a two-day work trip, planted me in the heart of history and heroism, the Cellular Jail, where the walls still echo the undeterred spirit of grit and glory, only if we care to listen. We need to wake up to the power of domestic tourism and speak to the citizens on both facts and fables, that keep the intriguing and inspiring nature of the country alive. REEMA LOKESH Editor editorial.etw@expressindia.com
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CONTENTS DESTINATION INBOUND Vol 12 No 10 November 2017 Pages 40 Chairman of the Board
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Viveck Goenka Sr Vice President - BPD
Neil Viegas Editor
Reema Lokesh* Assistant Editor
Steena Joy Sr. Associate Editor
Sudipta Dev
WINTER IN PARADISE As the landscapes transform during the winter offering a melange of experiences, Jammu and Kashmir witnesses a large footfall of tourists from across the world
CONTENT TEAM New Delhi
Saloni Bhatia DESIGN National Design Editor
Bivash Barua Assistant Art Director
Pravin Temble Chief Designer
Prasad Tate Senior Artists
IN FOCUS
Ratilal Ladani, Rajesh Jadhav SCHEDULING & COORDINATION
Ashish Anchan Photo Editor
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Sandeep Patil MARKETING Regional Heads
Harit Mohanty - East & West Prabhas Jha - North Marketing Team
Debnarayan Dutta Ajanta Sengupta CIRCULATION
Mohan Varadakar PRODUCTION
(21-29)
General Manager
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)
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TRAWELLTAG COVER-MORE TO ACCELERATE GROWTH
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GOOMO.COM HAS STRONG FOCUS ON BOTH B2B AND B2C
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IN LOBSTER LAND They say if you haven’t eaten Nova Scotia lobster in Nova Scotia, then you haven’t really eaten lobster. But this October, lobsters weren't the only reason for the buzz in this eastern Canadian province – as Halifax, the capital muncipality played host to GoMedia Canada 2017, Canadian Tourism Commission’s (CTC) biggest annual consumer media show
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IN THE NEWS
TrawellTag Cover-More to accelerate growth Sudipta Dev Mumbai TRAWELLTAG Cover-More has planned for extensive growth following the acquisition by Zurich Insurance Group earlier this year. Cover-More Group is now 100 per cent owned by Zurich. “The whole objective of buying Cover-More by Zurich is that it recognises the good work that CoverMore has done globally. Worldwide Cover-More is the mother brand and in each market, for example, in India it is TrawellTag Cover-More,” said Dev Karvat, CEOEmerging Markets, CoverMore Group. Pointing out that Zurich is one of the top three insurers
Dev Karvat
in the world, Karvat said, “The most important thing for us is that we get this huge brand credibility of Zurich. They have very large underwriting capabilities including
reinsurance capabilities. If any market we would like to enter, we can re-insure anything that brings huge capabilities for us. They have robust technology systems, which we can get access to. We can access the infrastructure to accelerate our growth into the Indian market. Also there is access to capital.” Reminding that they have acquired two large businesses in the large six months – the second/third largest travel insurance provider in the US, Travelex, and Halo Insurance in the UK, which specialises in car rental insurance, Karvat remarked, “We can leverage their specialisation in car rental insurance and bring those products to India. With Zurich coming in, it gives us
access to capital to continue our acquisitions across the world. We are looking at twothree interesting opportunities at the moment and will make a couple of announcements in the next two-three months.” Cover-More's assistance company Customer Care, and Zurich's assistance company WTP (World Travel Protection), have been merged into an integrated entity - WTP. This will be a big advantage, a gamechanger for TrawellTag Cover-More in the Indian market, because most insurance providers in India outsource their assistance business to a third party. “WTP will take the value proposition a few notches higher. It gives us very strong proposi-
tion protecting the customer when he is overseas. We have moved beyond telling our customer that if he falls sick we will reimburse or provide cashless, our focus is to make sure that the customer while he is overseas if something goes wrong, how can we bring him back home safe, how can we ensure that the line of treatment he is getting is right. Now we call tell our customers that not only are we managing claims but have an in-house support system which can take care of the customer wherever he is,” explained Karvat. An interesting new development is that Arsenal Football Club has announced Cover-More as its Official Travel Insurance Partner.
MP pushes to drive private investment in tourism sector In a first of its kind in India, the state has also set up wayside amenities called Midway Treat which will be operated on the franchise model Steena Joy Bhopal MADHYA PRADESH, known popularly as the heart of Central India, is working hard to drive private investment into the state’s tourism and hospitality sectors. Speaking on the sidelines of the fourth edition of Madhya Pradesh Travel Mart, Hari Ranjan Rao, tourism secretary, Madhya Pradesh, said, “MP Tourism has drafted a new policy for attracting pri-
Hari Ranjan Rao
vate investment into the state. Land is the biggest cost of a new hotel project and since we have a lot of land, we are offering it at a very low reserve price. We have got very good response for this from around 22 to 30 hospitality brands. We are also offering our forts and palaces to private players to convert them into heritage hotels with a reserve price of only `1 lakh. Our belief is that instead of charging them a high price, we want them to invest the
money in refurbishing the property. This is a change in our approach and thinking.” Orange County’s next property is coming up in Mandu. Mahindra Holidays and local brand Pugdundee also have upcoming hotels. The Grand Bhagwati group is also building a convention centre in Indore. The Oberoi group is also building a new property in Khajuraho. The state has also worked on providing quality infrastructure. It has set up wayside amenities
called Midway Treat which will be operated on the franchise model, the first state in the country to do so. Very soon the entire state will have these Midway Treat outlets, informed Rao. “We are also inviting interest from water activity operators. The tourism department can now issue licences to water sports operators after due diligence is conducted. Around 30 operators have already applied for licences to start mini cruises, houseboats, etc,” he stated.
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IN THE NEWS
Goomo.com has strong focus on both B2B and B2C Sudipta Dev Mumbai GOOMO HOLDINGS Services (India) which had acquired Orbit Corporate and Leisure Tours in 2015, launched Goomo.com earlier this year offering flights, hotels, holidays, trade fairs, and homestays. “We will be launching bus, train, visa, activities, cruises and other products. From innovation point of view one of the things that we will do is encourage customers to go to their local travel agents, we will enable the customers to discover those travel agents on our website, which most other OTAs do not do,” said Varun Gupta, CEO, Goomo Holdings Services (India), adding, “If a customer who comes to our site is not comfortable buying a product on-
line or through the call centre, they can seek the best advisor in the local market which we will help them discover.” Goomo is both into B2B and B2C segments. “Today we distribute our products into the B2B market through backend technology that you don't see - we are distributing to 5000 travel agents. By end of 2018 we will distribute to one lakh retail points,” mentioned Gupta. He believes that people who are in the travel distribution business, the lines between B2B, B2C, corporate are beginning to blur. He stated, “In the travel industry the product is the same (airline, hotels, trains, bus, visa, cars). The process of selling is largely the same, though there are differences in how the commercials work. It's a business
Varun Gupta
which is becoming increasingly tech enabled and requires pretty sophisticated technology in the backend. Given the investment in technology, most people find it can be leveraged across multiple channels - this is from distribution side. From cus-
tomer side, there is no difference between an online or an offline customer.” Harmonisation of the channels and the ability to integrate the sales process across multiple channels is relatively new. Speaking about the acquisition of Orbit, Gupta said, “Orbit has a legacy of 27 years and had a fantastic niche business with physical locations in 13 cities across India - an undisputed leader in taking large groups of Indians to trade fairs. We realised that it was a highly engaged customer that Orbit was dealing with and if we wrapped some technology around, it could scale up tremendously.” Reminding that about four crore people in India attend domestic trade fairs, and about 300,000 people travel for trade fairs outside of India,
he said. “Again all of them don't need packages. We have introduced technology where you can book travel to your trade fair online, in real time,” he added. Goomo has acquired inventory of more than 100 trade fairs globally, which will increase to 1000 next year. It is also focusing on patterns of how many people travel to which trade fair to predict the demand. Significant investment has also been made in the other business of Orbit – MICE, which according to Gupta has tripled since then. “From corporate travel perspective India will be among the top markets in the world. The nature of MICE in time will change, while there will be group travel, there will also be incentive travel more on FIT basis,”said Gupta.
Berggruen Hotels introduces two new hotels in Port Blair and Ramgarh ETW Staff Mumbai BERGGRUEN Hotels, one of India’s leading hotel chain which runs the Hotels under the 'Keys' brand, has announced the launch of new hotels in Port Blair and Ramgarh. This expansion is in line with the brands commitment to grow its portfolio in India following a recent “add-on” commitment of US$ 30 million. The venture has been internally funded by Berggruen Holdings, the proprietary investment company of Nicolas
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Berggruen. Commenting on the growth plans, Kabir Kewalramani, MD, Berggruen Holdings, said, "We have deepened our investments in the brand in order to expand the portfolio and make Keys a dominant brand across its product offerings. We are optimistic about the business and feel it is a right time to focus on growing scale in the India market." Commenting on the expansion, Anshu Sarin, CEO, Berggruen Hotels, said, "We are really grateful to our hotel partners who have shown faith
Anshu Sarin
in us to manage their properties. With the launch of ‘Your Happy Stays’, Keys as a brand is set to differentiate and offer enhanced experience to the ever evolving customers. With this new brand promise we reiterate our commitment to our guests and importantly to ourselves." The property in Port Blair, called Aqua Green is located opposite Port Blair airport and is in close proximity to the rest of the tourist spots. The hotel offers 48 rooms and suites, and serves choice of Indian and international cuisines at Cascade
the Keys Café, alongside an option to unwind at Stratus – The Unlock Bar. The property also features indoor banquet and conference facilities to cater up to 250 guests. The Keys Prima Aamari Resorts is situated 34 km from Nainital, amidst the serenity of the Himalayan foothills. Spread across 72 acres, it is one of the largest properties of the hotel chain in India, which also has an infinity pool along with a spa. It has 22 executive rooms and three executive suites known as sky villas.
IN THE NEWS
Ensuring better outdoor safety for India's adventures routes
Bringing special segments of travel trade together
Saloni Bhatia New Delhi
ETW Staff New Delhi
ADVENTURE travel in India is dominated by the unorganised sector and not much importance has been give to insurance covers. While insurance companies do provide insurance for normal holiday activities, it is not suitable for higher risk activities or sporting holidays. Insurance provider, Adventure Sports Cover 360 (ASC 360) provides a comprehensive list of adventure activities and also customises packages according to trips. Speaking to Express TravelWorld, Prateek Gupta, founder, ASC 360, said, “We have identified over 200 plus sports and adventure activities that cover all four categories of air, water, mountain and allied sports. These have been further divided into five levels based on the various risks involved in the category. If one get insured for Level Five they are automatically covered for all other activities falling in lower levels. The policy is flexible and can be customised for individuals, groups and events as well.” Often people are not able to get timely quality care in group accidents or individual mishap. Through ASC 360, there will no liability on adventure operators and the person undertaking the activity will be insured. The policy also include 60s days pre and 90 days post hospitalisation care. The company has recently introduced AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) to their policies as well. While many trekkers and adventure companies have had cases in the past, evacuation
THE SECOND edition of Business and Luxury Travel Mart (BLTM) was held in New Delhi at Hyatt Regency, Gurugram from October 26 to 27. This year the event focused on bringing together the sellers from business, MICE, luxury travel segments from all over the world. The two-day event saw 50 seller booths and destination pavillions with 150 individual sellers. Sri Lanka Convention Bureau had the largest pavilion with 11 sellers from the country. Speaking to Express TravelWorld, Prema Cooray, chairman, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, said, “Sri Lanka is keen on improving its tourism numbers from India and has broadened its approach towards marketing in the India market. We have some wonderful brands bringing in prime properties in locations that are best for both weddings and business. Through this show we hope we could showcase what we can offer as a destination.” Domestic tourism boards like Gujarat, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir were also present at the event along with international tourism boards like Peru, Korea, Bahrain, Taiwan among others. The hosted buyers at the show included corporate travel planners with purchasing authority, travel companies catering
usually takes time in rough mountains of India. Therefore, the brand has involved the local community. Gupta shared, “We have expanded our operations to on foot evacuation via porters, ponies, guides to include immediate first respondents in mountain activities. This has encouraged the local authorities and also given us the chance to expedite our evacuation time and provide medical services at a faster rate.” He further added, “This year 70 percent of the people on the Everest expedition were insured by our company. 12 people have already been evacuated this year while one death claim was settled through our insurance policy. We have tied up with international organisations, evacuation specialists and air transport companies for such higher level expeditions.” The policy is for Indians travelling abroad as well as foreigners coming to India as
well. Apart from travellers, the company also extends its service to adventure professionals. This additional factor makes it convenient for travel companies as it becomes a third party liability. Since there is no search and rescue facility in the country, this specific segment is at the mercy of the availability of Indian Airforce and their resources. Speaking about the future plans, Gupta informed, “As a company we plan to make procedures for evacuation comparatively easier and put all resources in one place. We have already partnered with Indian Mountaineering Foundation and some adventure tour operators to raise better awareness among the fraternity. On a private level we will be partnering with air ambulance and chopper companies to have services at quick disposal. The target is to package it all together and serve the best to the industry.”
to business, leisure, MICE and luxury travel, MICE travel managers and buyers, MICE organisers, business travel managers and buyers, film destination companies, associations, wedding planners and event management companies. This year recorded an increase of 75 per cent in new corporate
This year recorded an increase of 75 per cent in new corporate buyers and 80 per cent new hosted buyers from travel trade agents buyers and 80 per cent new hosted buyers from travel trade agents. According to the exit survey conduted after BLTM 2016, each hosted buyer has an average potential business worth 1.5 crore, aggregating overall business potential from the 200 odd buyers to 300 crores. The 250 corporate and trade buyers, wedding planners and MICE planners touched upon 2:1 buyer to seller ratio last year.
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IN THE NEWS
Ireland to tap Indians travelling to England to increase tourist arrivals Saloni Bhatia New Delhi THE BRITISH Irish Visa Scheme enables Indian citizens to apply for one travel permit to visit both the United Kingdom and Ireland. While the scheme only applied to short term visas, the tourism board plans to make the best of the opportunity in order to increase Indian tourist arrivals. Speaking to Express TravelWorld, David Boyce, head of developing markets, Ireland Tourism, said, “Last year we received around 30,000 Indian travellers while this year January to August has already seen a rise of 14 per cent in comparison to last year. While we are looking at other segments like MICE, our main focus is to increase the number of leisure travellers from the India market. With the British Irish Visa Scheme working to our benefit, we look at tapping the UK travellers to extend their trips into Ireland.”
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All new players had participated in Ireland Tourism’s recent road show held in India. The list included Adams and Butler, Doolin2Aran Ferries, Exploring Ireland Vacations, Limerick Travel, National Trust, Stena Line, Compass Connexions, Tailor Made Tours, Irish Greyhound Board and Irish National Stud and Gardens. Boyce stated, “India stands strong in our top developing markets with China, Hong Kong and UAE. However we have seen that many are still using the traditional icons in Ireland to explore the destination. We want to take Ireland to a new level and introduce new experiences to Indian travel agents so it can be included in their packages. Therefore we have all new players who themselves have seen more movement from the India market.” Ireland as a tourism destination has gained huge popularity for being the filming location of hit show Game of Thrones and Star Wars fran-
chise. It continues to attract people who wish to see the same locations. Commenting further, Boyce mentioned, “We have been heavily promoting screen tourism which has greatly worked to our benefit. But moving forward, Northern Ireland has some unique places like Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Belfast, etc which can work well for Indian packages.” The sellers present at the meet also expressed that they have seen an increase in Indian groups and travellers. Eugene Garrihy, managing director, Doolin2Aran Ferries, informed, “Recently we have seen an increase in Indian tourists who are looking for unique experiences. Many groups have already booked with us this year.” Similarly, Robert Mazzucchi, commercial operations manager, Tailor Made Tours, International reiterated that they have been many queries from the India market who are looking to spend more time in Ireland.
India emerges as important MICE market for NYC & Co
Sudipta Dev Mumbai THERE has been marked growth in the MICE market from India, in particular incentive tours. The group sizes have varied from 60 to 250-300. “New York City is such a great MICE destination. India is one of the top ten countries for MICE. We are engaging more with MICE buyers and conducting FAMs,” said Makiko Matsuda Healy, senior VP, Global Tourism Development, NYC & Company, adding that MICE delegates also get the opportunity to explore the different neighbourhoods of New York. A MICE FAM was organised for corporate clients and agencies that specialise in MICE recently, which was very well received. “It was not just seeing the sites but different types of engagement and meeting the suppliers,” remarked Healy. Next year will be NYC and Co's 10th anniversary in India. A roadshow has been planned in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru. The details are yet to be worked out , things are still being finalised.
Speaking about engagement in the market, Healy reminded that every year NYC & Co representatives have been coming to India. They have a strong engagement with the travel trade. Education programmes are also organised for the travel trade across the country, including Tier II and Tier III locations. NYC & Co works closely with Brand USA and US Commercial Service. “We have an online travel training academy as well, which is a great way for the travel trade to know about New York City. There are so many new things happening in New York constantly, to decimate the information, there is a travel trade newsletter, along with the training academy,” she said. She pointed out that IIFA which was organised in NYC earlier this year attracted hosted Bollywood stars, which attracted a lot of interest. “We are also in the coming year planning to continue those trainings and seminars face to face, but also increase indepth knowledge distribution through webinars,” she added.
IN THE NEWS
Simplifying tourist transport through technology Saloni Bhatia New Delhi BUILT to minimise human intervention in the transport booking process for travel agents, Transportal offers a range of vehicles - medium sized to large sized cars. It also includes the luxury category with custom-built luxury Tempo Traveller vehicles, volvos from brands like Audi, Mercedes, and BMW. Suyash Gupta, co-founder and CEO, Transportal, said, “Transport bookings were a very tedious and time consuming process which required the involvement of multiple vendors and quotes. There was no efficient way to completely customise a long haul itinerary which
would include more than one vendor association. With Transportal in the picture it becomes convenient for travel agents to address book as it serves real-time rates from transport vendors. Buyers can simply log onto the platform, create their multi-city itinerary, get an instant quote and book within a span of minutes.” While the buyer gets information on driver and car details, vendors are well prepared with the client’s flight, hotel and itinerary details. The platform ensures the quality and reliability of vendors as they are verified before registering. Transportal also extends its services for special events and weddings.
Custom built vehicles like bullet proof cars and luxury limousines are also available for VIPs and celebrities. “Transportal will also serve as management information system to its vendors and buyers. They can upload their inventory, change rates, see monthly bookings, check utilisation rates, finances, vehicle purchase decisions among others crucial things. The GST enabled invoicing makes it possible for the buyers to claim input credit on every purchase they make and access these invoices at any given point,” he added. Commenting on the future plans, Gupta informed, “Currently we will be focusing on B2B growth to increase the
While the buyer gets information on driver and car details, vendors are well prepared with the client’s flight, hotel and itinerary details. The platform ensures the quality and reliability of vendors as they are verified before registering number of buyers who can use the present inventory. Once we gain our first round of funding early next year, marketing would be the main goal as we would also like our
vendors grow their businesses. Alongside we shall also look into events and weddings as it forms a big segment of India’s travel industry.”
The India Travel Summit discusses the new age of travel ETW Staff New Delhi THOMAS COOK India Group hosted its second edition 'The India Travel Summit 2017 - The New Age of Travel' at Le Meridien, New Delhi. The India Travel Summit 2017 provided a platform for an interesting exchange of ideas benefiting the travel and tourism industry. The format centred around four panels of engaging dialogue on relevant topics - Easing visa processes by consular representatives, tourism boards discussing the new-age Indian traveller, technology partners and strategists debating on the future of
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the travel eco-system and senior policy makers deliberating on the Indian tourism story Incredible India 2.0. The summit facilitated exchange of ideas to benefit travel and tourism in India. The panel discussions were moderated by Mahesh Iyer, CEO, Thomas Cook India; Vishal Suri, managing director, SOTC Travel; Amit Madhan, president and group head – information technology and e-business, Thomas Cook India; and Dipak Deva, managing director, Travel Corporation (India). Panelists also included senior government officials, ambassadors and consular chiefs,
heads of various tourism boards, hotels and airlines as well as c-suite leaders from strong brands like Facebook, Accenture, Dentsu–Aegis Network, etc. Addressing the audience, Madhavan Menon, chairman and managing director, Thomas Cook India, said, “The India Travel Summit was conceptualised to offer cutting-edge ideation and dialogue amongst key influencers and decision makers across the travel and tourism ecosystem, focusing on both challenges and opportunities for the sector. India’s travel story is one that the world is looking forward to with excitement –
a nation that is emerging rapidly as one of the critical markets for tourism; inbound, domestic and outbound.” Suman Billa, joint secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, said, “For Incredible India 2.0, it’s all about how we are pitching the campaign, how we are going to portray the image of our country and create a mindset among the people that India is a great country to visit. Tourism campaigns should focus on Indian users and connect it with – Incredible India and Make In India.” Further representation of other state tourism boards and embassies were also pres-
ent at the event. Chee Pey Chang, assistant chief executive, international group, Singapore Tourism Board, stated, "We have observed a shift in the India market – travellers are going beyond check list holidays, they want authentic, deeper and immersive experiences.” The sessions highlighted how travel was changing across the world. Panelists threw light on transforming strategies in order to suit dynamics of the changing travel industry. The day concluded with attendees getting deeper insights on factors that will evolve tourism in the coming future.
IN THE NEWS
MSC Cruises deploys advanced man overboard detection system ETW Staff Mumbai MSC CRUISES has announced the launch of a new vanguard video surveillance system offering greater onboard security. In another industry-first, MSC Cruises has developed this advanced system in collaboration with Bosch and Hewlett Packard Enterprise. The integrated system is part of a bigger MSC Cruises operation to further optimise security monitoring on board the ship and will allow, among other features, for speedy intervention in the unlikely event a person or object falls overboard. After a successful pilot phase of extensive testing and software upgrades, the intelligent video capturing and analysis system is now operational – initially on MSC Cruises’ latest flagship, MSC Meraviglia. Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman, MSC Cruises, said, "The security and safety of our guests and crew on board has always been our highest priority. Therefore – as innovation has been from day one central to the way in which we operate and develop new features for our ships – we have developed a highly-innovative solution that, through the use of militarygrade technology, will allow ship command to take immediate action if needed. While a ship at sea is a challenging environment for accurate video security monitoring and oper-
ating high-tech equipment, our teams have managed to successfully develop a system that is at the same time accurate, stable and reliable." The new MSC Cruises system consists of a comprehensive shield of intelligent optical and thermal video cameras which provide nonstop comprehensive surveillance alongside the relevant exterior parts of the ship. All captured video images are streamed in real-time to a central security room where the video stream is monitored together with all other inputs from the 1,200 HD CCTV cameras on board the ship. MSC Cruises Security Department and experts from Bosch and Hewlett Packard Enterprise have worked over 14 months to meet the demanding security requirements and create the right surveillance setup. While a key component in the surveillance infrastructure is to install highly resilient hardware (cameras, casing, base) that resists tough conditions at sea, a significant part of the process is to programme the software in such a way it provides reliable and accurate data. In order to further increase the accuracy of the captured video images, the latter are processed and analysed by two separate and independent image processing systems. This double security system has allowed to significantly lower the error margin
for false alerts – typically caused by natural movements such as waves, reflection of sun or moon, or a bird triggering the alarm. These ordinary interferences usually pose significant challenges for current shipboard CCTV technology. Through over 25,000 hours of video analysis, extensive software testing and continuous algorithmic updates, the system has now reached a confirmed accuracy level of 97 per cent. In case of alarm, an acoustic signal and light will alert the ship’s security officer in the central security room who can immediately connect to the system and acquire all images and data and, if necessary, retrieve or review the relevant video images. The security officer has direct access to the ship command at the bridge to allow for immediate action. This new man overboard detection system was developed to further optimise security aspects for all guests and crew on board the ship. As MSC Cruises is bringing to the sea some of the latest advances in customer-centric technology, investments in innovative maritime technology, safety and security have been central to the company’s strategy. The system is now operational on MSC Meraviglia and is a first-of-its-kind in the industry. Over time, similar integrated systems will be developed and deployed across MSC Cruises’ global fleet.
Kenya continues to attract Indian travellers ETW Staff Mumbai IN THE PAST few years Kenya has only grown on India's outbound tourism map. From an emerging market to showcasing its true potential, Kenya keeps adding new offerings for the tourists. Marking a 30 per cent growth in visitor arrivals from January to July in 2016, India has already become the third largest source market for Kenya. The tourism board was further looking to attract 70,000 Indian visitors in 2016, and increasing this number to one lakh arrivals by 2018. Last year, Kenya Airways launched the Kenya Kalling travel trade incentive and consumer campaign to ensure visibility of the destination throughout the year. It has been a major step towards educating the travel trade about what lies in the destination and how it can be promoted. “Kenya is a country of heritage, traditions and scenic landscapes, ranging from snowcapped mountains to beaches. The magical highlights of Kenya include not just the safari but exclusive experiences like hand-feeding giraffes and hot air ballooning,” said Rajeev Nangia, COO, Trac Representations (India). It has some unique offerings and keeps experimenting to attract the new age traveller. Destinations like Mombasa, Kisumu city, Nairobi along
with the traditional safaris just add to what this country has to offer. Kenya has also promoted itself as a MICE destination for the India outbound. Over the last few years the conferencing business has seen a marked growth with some
Rajeev Nangia
key global conferences taking place in Kenya. It worked on building infrastructure and adding airline connectivity to become a preferred destination. Last year the president had also announced a range of new incentives put in place to encourage tourism in the country. As part of the US$ 11.7 million Charter Incentive Scheme, charter airlines which travel to the coastal cities of Mombasa and Malindi, were able to land without any cost. Charter airlines were also further incentivised as the ministry had announced that they will be subsidised by US$ 30 per every passenger brought to the region. The scheme continues until June 30, 2018.
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IN THE NEWS
Expo Indonesia to grow bilateral ties between India and Indonesia Steena Joy Mumbai AROUND 47 exhibitors displayed their products and conducted B2B table top meetings at the Expo Indonesia Trade, Tourism and Investment fair that was held in Mumbai recently. Organised by the Consulate General of Indonesia in Mumbai, the expo was held at the World Trade Centre. Speaking exclusively to Express TravelWorld, Saut Siringoringo, consul general of the Republic of Indonesia in Mumbai informed, “This is the second Expo Indonesia in India. This year we had more participants – 47 companies as compared to 30 last year. So the Expo is growing. I wanted the exhibitors to not just look at the business they can get from the India market which has huge potential for Indonesian businesses. If they can get good Indian partners, I am happy for
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them. The bilateral ties between the two countries is worth US$ 16 billion per year, dominated by coal and palm products.” He added, “For the future of the bilateral relations, we must diversify into more products like handicrafts and furniture which Indonesia is known for. Recently, a businessman from Kerala ordered 97 containers of furniture from our country. Indonesian knock down/portable wooden houses also have huge potential in the India market. I hope to see a 10 per cent y-o-y growth in bilateral business between our two countries.” The expo showcased products and services ranging from home interiors and decor goods, fashion products, garments /batik, handbags, food and beverage, traditional handicrafts, wood and rattan furniture, health, beauty and spa, jewellery, tourism and related services. The consul general added
that he also sees a lot of potential for Indian products in Indonesia like rubber and textiles. “Indian textiles are very popular in our country. Your film and creative arts is also much in demand. We have nearly eight Indian TV shows being aired on Indonesian TV channels. These shows have a huge fan following,” he said. Siringoringo reiterated that more than the business, he wants the delegation to invest in the people-to- people relationship. “There is a lot of similarity between our cultures and we must use this to connect with each other. I would like to point out here that India has excellent education and healthcare products that can compare with the best in the world. India offers quality education in a safe environment and at competitive prices. So Indonesian parents must look at India as an option to send their children for education,” he said.
Abu Dhabi looks at 10% growth in Indian visitors in 2017
ETW Staff Mumbai ABU DHABI is looking at a 10 per cent growth in the number of Indian visitors to the capital city in 2017 as it undertakes various initiatives to hard sell itself as a preferred destination. Abu Dhabi had received 336,024 visitors from India in 2016, Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism said. “We are expecting 10 per cent growth year-on-year in the number of visitors from India in 2017,” said Bejan Dinshaw, country manager – India, Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, adding that India currently is the second largest source market for Abu Dhabi. On the initiatives taken by the department, Din-
shaw said, “Over the last four years we have built up a lot of destination awareness. Earlier people were not aware of the kind of diverse offerings the destination has.” Proximity of Abu Dhabi is also an important factor, he added. “We also have consumer initiatives such as ‘Abu Dhabi Week’ that we are having in India. Moreover, we work with trade partners,” Dinshaw said. The average stay of Indian visitors is 2.8 nights per visit. The department is also planning to target Tier II and Tier III cities for promoting Abu Dhabi as a destination. “It is our intention next year to go to Tier II and Tier III cities as the purchasing power is phenomenal in these cities,” Dinshaw said. (PTI)
IN THE NEWS
SICA chefs undertake a culinary journey in Europe ETW Staff Mumbai FOR THE FIRST TIME ever, South India Chef’s Association (SICA) organised SICA Europe Culinary Tour 2017 for 25 corporate and executive chefs. Chefs from south India took part in this tour covering Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Spain from September 11 to September 27, 2017. Leading professionals from the culinary world were part of the delegation. The chefs visited facilities of renowned organisations like Blanco, MKN, Fonderia Finco, Electrolux-Italy, Electrolux-Switzerland and Salva. The team reached Frankfurt on September 11 and was received by Blanco's representatives. Blanco is Germany's largest kitchen equipment manufacturer. The SICA team tasted the authentic Maultaschen - a traditional German dish that originated in the region of Swabia in Baden-Württemberg in Frankfurt. Blanco also hosted a special dinner at Loewenthor restaurant which dates back to 1701 and boasts of interesting medieval interiors. The chefs got the opportunity to visit the Blanco factory along with the vineyards in southern part of Germany. On the third day, chefs travelled to Wolfenbuttel by train. The town is known for ancient historic buildings and is also the only place where Jägermeister herb liqueur is distilled. MKN, one of the world’s leading kitchen equipment suppliers is based in this city. The team visited the MKN factory next day as the visiting delegation participated in a chefs’ workshop and cooking master class of German cuisine. This was demonstrated in the Flexi Chef combi-oven and SICA members experimented
with Indian food recipes in the oven including some kebabs. The session offered a learning experience of Sous Vide cooking in combi-ovens. Later the chefs had dinner at Ristorante Giovanni to indulge in Italian cuisine. After exploring Berlin through river cruises and Oktoberfest, the world’s largest folk fair and beer festival, the team moved to Venice. The local host Fonderia Finco, Italy’s fivedecade-old manufacturer of cast iron utensils for healthy and natural cooking. From factory visits, special cuisine workshops to lo-
cal wines, many local experiences were organised by Fonderia Finco. SICA chefs along with chefs from the Electrolux Chefs Academy prepared Indian food in their combi-oven. Electrolux chefs also conducted some interesting demos on how to use technology to one's benefit. A memorable experience for the team was the opportunity to Prosciutto di Parma dated 2005. On September 21, the team drove down from Pordenone, Italy to Electrolux Professional production centre at
Sursee Switzerland. This is where the Thermaline brand is manufactured and was also their worldwide competence centre. A master class for SICA chefs was performed by Chef Helen with Electrolux Professional’s Thermaline range of equipment during the factory visit. The members also had an experience of Seafood Paella. Paella is a Valencian rice dish and considered by many as Spain’s national dish while in San Sebastián. Their visit to the Basque Culinary Centre led to a master
class in bakery as Salva had organised a bread making session with some of the best bakers in Spain. This was followed by a day-visit to the Salva factory where the team learned more about the bakery ovens, and a lunch at the Basque Culinary Institute along with the students. The SICA team completed its 17-day Europe Culinary Tour with enhanced knowledge of local cuisine and equipment developed by some well known brands. The workshops also enabled them to test Indian dishes and share their skills with the host.
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IN THE NEWS
Assam rolls out carbon-free tourism project in Majuli ETW Staff Mumbai ASSAM Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has rolled out a carbon-free tourism project in the world’s largest river island Majuli. The project ‘Majuli Sustainable Tourism Development Project’ is aimed at encouraging a carbon-free tourism experience in the island along with creating an environment protocol for the tourism industry, an official release said. “As part of the project, Sonowal launched modern orange cycle tours resembling the colour of the sunset in the island to add a new dimension to carbon free travel experience in Majuli. These cycles will be up for rent for the tourists from the circuit house campus itself,” the statement said. Initially, 30 orange high-end BTWIN rockrider cycles with
gear will be put in service. The project also envisages different levels of interventions, starting from promoting carbon-free
travel to capacity building programmes and creating environment protocol for tourism industry to act as catalyst in funding
for women and indigenous communities. The project is a joint initiative between Assam Tourism
Development Corporation and the NGO Root Bridge Foundation. (PTI)
Ethiopian Airlines to launch Africa’s first 787-9 service to Mumbai ETW Staff Mumbai ETHIOPIAN Airlines has announced that its is set to launch Africa’s first and the airline’s youngest and modern operating fleet B787-9 Dreamliner operation in to Mumbai. The aircraft made its debut flight to New Delhi. The Dreamliner fleet is an integration of design and technology with unique features of biggest windows in the sky, high ceiling, less noise, dis-
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tinctive lighting, and higher air humidity. Tadesse Tilahun, regional director, Indian sub-continent, Ethiopian Airlines, said, “Ethiopian was the first airline to introduce Dreamliner 787-8 to India market in 2012 and Airbus A350-900 XWB in the month of April 2017. Once again, we are proud to celebrate yet another first with the introduction of the cutting-edge Africa’s first 787-9 into India Market.”
He added, “India is a very strategic market for Ethiopian that has been served for more than 46 years and in line with our expansion strategy in India market, we are pleased to deploy our latest fleet and adding capacity on the existing route to better serve our esteemed customers and to further strengthen the growing trade and commercial ties between the booming economies of India and Africa.”
DESTINATION INBOUND
As the landscapes transform during the winter offering a melange of experiences, Jammu and Kashmir witnesses a large footfall of tourists from across the world
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ften referred to as 'India's own Switzerland' and 'Paradise on Earth', Jammu and Kashmir is widely popular for winter tourism. The state has four distinct seasons, each with its own peculiar character and distinctive charm. However, the state witnesses significant tourist footfalls during winter, due to the offerings unique to Jammu and Kashmir. Even though the snow-clad trees have a bare look and the beauty of the coloured gardens no longer catches the eye, there is an altogether different charm in the surroundings. The snow covered landscape is a visual treat as well.
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Winter in the state ranges from December to the beginning of March, which presents the state capital Srinagar in another mood. The state's tourism department has been continuously involved in promoting tourism through various activities and infrastructure development. Recently, the Jammu and Kashmir government has commenced a chopper service between Jammu and Doda district, which will help promote tourism and provide an alternative means to communicate between the two districts during the winter season, when parts of the region remain cut off. Also recently, in order to promote
winter tourism through activities, the state government organised a winter carnival in Bhaderwah town. Jammu and Kashmir offers a plethora of winter excursions such as heli skiing, moto skiing, snow cycling and more. Skiing is one of the prime attractions in Kashmir and is apt for adventure seekers. A skiing hotspot, Gulmarg is accredited as the highest cable car enabled ski resorts in the world mainly due to a Gondola Cable Car Lift that was set up here. The second section of this cable car takes visitors up to a height of about 4,000 m above the snow level from where they can enjoy a five-km downhill ski run. Over the years, heli
skiing has also gained popularity among tourists visiting the Jammu and Kashmir in the winter season. Heli skiing in Gulmarg usually from atop Sunshine Peak where one can ski down to Drang. Skiers in Gulmarg have more options like tree skiing and off piste skiing in Gulmarg which goes down from Gulmarg to Baba Rishi. Located in the Lower Himalayan range, 112 km from Jammu, Patnitop is another beautiful winter destination in the state. The lush wooded pine forest in Patnitop offers opportunities for long and short treks to the nearby mountains. For those looking for snowboarding, September to December is
the best time to visit. In the Ladakh region, Zanskar is the most isolated of all the trans-Himalayan valleys, yet an ideal destination for winter tourism. The Penzi -la pass is a picturesque tableland surrounded by snow-covered peaks. As the Zanskar road winds down the steep slopes of Penzi-la to the head of the Stod valley, the Drang-Drung glacier looms into full view. A long and winding river of ice and snow, Drang-Drung is one of the largest glaciers in Ladakh, outside the Siachen formation. The Himalayan landscape and the lifestyles of the inhabitants attract many tourists to the hidden Zanskar.
DESTINATION INBOUND
‘THE BEAUTY OF KASHMIR RESIDES IN OUR PEOPLE’ The beauty of our place is world famous, but the true beauty rests in our people, says Mahmood Ahmad Shah, director tourism, Kashmir. He highlights the state's new tourism offerings across niche segments By Reema Lokesh
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he natural beauty of the state of Jammu and Kashmir is well known and revered the world over. However, it's the people that is its true tourism wealth; this is what the director of tourism, Kashmir wishes to convey rather emphatically. He clearly states that the media in general has been rather harsh and hard on the state by displaying stories of negativity and images of unpleasant situations, which are either hyped or unwarranted. He proudly states that the Kashmir he knows or experiences is all about warmth and welcome especially to tourists and visitors. "From our taxi drivers to our boat men to our staff on ground, our message has been only about being friendly and forthcoming to our visitors. It's rather unfortunate
that stories of love and friendship are always kept on the backburner. I am sure many know, that the famous Bollywood film song Jai Jai Shiv Shankar, was filmed in Kashmir. However, I wonder how many know that the temple (Rani temple in Gulmarg), which was part of the song's backdrop, till today has a Muslim who conducts the Aarti (Prayer) every single day," he expresses. Mahmood A Shah
Of museums and masterpieces The story of Kashmir is all about tourism. From eco tourism to winter tourism, from garden tourism to adventure tourism, the story of J&K tourism is worth viewing in a refreshing light. He insists that the tourists need to stop by and experience the wonders of the State Museum, which houses
some unique ancient weaves from 1817 and manuscripts and more. Interesting findings of Burzahama are also housed there.
Going green The tourism authority has brought on some interesting changes to ensure the environment is kept clear of pollution
as much as possible. The main market walkway in the heart of Srinagar is designed to be completely vehicle free. It has been declared as a pedestrian zone. The department has also ordered for around 20 more battery operated, non-polluting vehicles, to the existing 10; these will be deployed at prominent tourism zones. Further, a successful drive was conducted to install sewage treatment plants on houseboats.
Positive progress The state has always been proactive toward the film fraternity. Single window clearance is actively undertaken and not just on paper. Both Indian and global films have relied on the region's landscape that has been a cinematographer's delight. The region is also encouraging MICE business.
There are conference facilities both in Srinagar as well as in tourist spots like Gulmarg and Pahalgam. The private sector players and hospitality brands also offer some excellent MICE facilities. The state has encouraged incentive schemes to set up guest house facilities and tourist attractions such as adventure parks. Since the region offers some spectacular mountaineering and trekking routes, the region along with the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, offers insurance cover for such soft and serious adventure activities. "Kashmir is famous for its blossoms and gardens and also a perfect destination for winter tourism. Come by to experience some heartwarming hospitality across seasons," he concludes.
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VFS Global to process Thailand visa applications in Western India ETW Staff Mumbai VFS Global has recently received authorisation from the Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi and its Consulates in Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai to process Thailand visa applications across India. In order to provide convenience to the travellers from across East, West, North and South India, VFS Global has expanded its network of Thailand visa application centres to 13 cities. VFS Global has already been servicing Thailand visas in East, North and South India, with centres in the cities of Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Bengaluru, Gurugram, Kochi and Chandigarh. With the addition of oper-
ations in Western India, travellers can now also apply for a Thailand visa at any one of the VFS Global Thailand VACs in Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad and Goa. Vinay Malhotra, chief operating officer – Middle East and South Asia, VFS Global, said, “Thailand has long been a popular destination for Indian travellers, and a long-standing partner of VFS Global. For well over a decade, we have proudly served The Royal Thai Embassy and The Royal Thai Consulate General in India, with nine centres. It is therefore an honour to announce that VFS Global has been authorised to expand its Thailand visa services across India through its network of visa centres in 13 cities.”
ATribute Neeraj Ghei, director, Select Infrastructure pays a tribute to her father, Inder Sharma, former chairman of Select Infrastructure and Sita World Travel, and a doyen of the Indian travel industry, who passed away recently. He is remembered with great fondness and respect
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iving life on his own terms, Inder Sharma was a strong advocate of the motto, “Whatever you do, you must try to get into the best of the league in that profession.” And this is exactly what he did! He not only took the Indian travel and tourism industry to greater heights, but after a successful sale of SITA, he also founded Select Infrastructure, going on to play a huge role in the establishment of one of the biggest and most admired shopping centres in the country. A business he established when he was in his 70s and yet he was flagbearer
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Inder Sharma
of all things progressive and futuristic in an industry that was completely different to what he had done all the years before that. For him, client satisfaction and honesty to
one’s profession were of utmost importance and he approached a brick and mortar business with the same ground rules as a service business, making Select Citywalk
the most iconic and loved mall over the last 10 years. And despite all the success, he was always a people’s person – grounded and humble. It was qualities like these, clubbed with hard work and dedication, that helped the pioneer scale greater heights. Like a true visionary, he had his finger on the pulse of the sectors he was associated with, and also liked to keep himself abreast with the world outside. To that end, he loved travelling – he felt it gave him the opportunity to meet new people, learn new things and, thus, grow both personally and
professionally. The feats he accomplished are there for everyone to see. The former chairman of Select Infrastructure has numerous awards to his credit, including the prestigious Padma Shri, the Holder of the Keys to Britain Award (he is the only Indian to have received the honour) and many more. Having left behind a legacy of hard work and commitment, the entrepreneur will always be missed. He always remembered his father’s advice, “Treat people from all walks of life just the way you’d like them to treat you.” RIP.
IN THE NEWS
ADTOI plans foray in southern markets with its convention in Vizag
Saloni Bhatia New Delhi ASSOCIATION of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI) will be hosting its eighth convention-cum-exhibition in Visakhapatnam with the support of Andhra Pradesh government. The convention themed 'Explore India- One Nation, Many Worlds' will be held from November 17 to 19, 2017 at Novotel Hotel, Varun Beach. At a recent press meet held in New Delhi, P P Khanna, president, ADTOI, informed, "Visakhapatnam popularly known as Vizag is called the Goa of East India. It truly has some unique offerings for the domestic market with its well built infrastructure and third cleanest city of India tag. Domestic tourists are keen to explore more destinations and we as an association want to unravel new
places. Through the convention, we will promote the state's numerous offerings and bring them to India's notice." Rama Rao, special officer on duty, Andhra Pradesh gov-
ernment, was also present during the press briefing. Extending his views on the tourism potential of the state, he said, "Andhra Pradesh government understands the tourism potential of the state
and has associated with companies like Wizcraft to create tourism destinations. Through this convention we are hopeful that these regional agents will witness what the state has to offer and
showcase it better." The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Gujarat Tourism, Jammu and Kashmir have already extended their support with further associtions awaited from tourism boards like Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, West Bengal, Odisha Tourism, Telangana Tourism and other stakeholders in the industry. Focusing on the convention, Rajat Sawhney, convention chairman and vice president, ADTOI, stated, "As a pan-India association, we now wish to penetrate the southern market and strengthen our presence. Vizag will be perfect opportunity for us to understand and explore the markets, unveiling some new products for our members as well. As for the two day sessions, some of the topics include new ideas and strategies for growth in domestic
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IN THE NEWS market, digital media, rural tourism, India's potential in MICE and weddings, is infrastructure only solution for tourism growth in the industry among other relevant topics. We are already seeing queries from states like Siliguri, Kargil and Kerala which shows the penetration of domestic tourism." The convention is expected to be attended by over 300 delegates including government officials, hoteliers, airlines and other major stakeholders of the tourism industry. The association has already extended an invitation
The convention is expected to be attended by over 300 delegates including government officials, hoteliers, airlines and other major stakeholders of tourism industry to K J Alphons, minister of state for tourism to attend the event. Pre and post FAM tours will be organised to Sunray Resort in Vizag and explore Araku Valley which is
a popular destination in the region. Dalip Gupta, convention co-chairman, expressed, "We are all set to welcome delegates to the event and open a
new doorway of opportunity for them. As the convention co-chairman, I look forward to see our members in full attendance and gain maximum through the sessions and exploration tours. I am sure Andhra Pradesh will unveil itself as a great opportunity for domestic travel movement through our convention." Addressing the gathering, Chetan Gupta, general secretary, stated, "A lot has already been said about the various opportunities in the state and it holds tremendous potential. We hope the five days of convention and explorations can
help our members understand how to best package the unique destinations in Andhra Pradesh." The convention is to be held at Novotel Hotel at Varun Beach. The five-star luxury property offers exeptional views of the Bay of Bengal. The hotel is know for hosting events of large scale seamlessly, located at the proximity of some pristine beaches and business centres. Apart from being an event destination it is also well known as a vacation hotel for leisure travellers. The delegates will be staying at the same hotel and experiencing its hospitality.
Visakhapatnam LOCATED on the eastern shore of India, Visakhapatnam also known as Vizag is often called 'The jewel of the East Coast'. The port city also known as Vizag is home to pristine beaches, natural attractions, wildlife, clean surroundings and fresh air. Nestled among the hills of Eastern Ghats and facing the Bay of Bengal gives it a unique advantage over other cities of this beautiful state. According to history, the city was named after the god of ValorVishakha. It was a part of the Kalinga Kingdom, under Ashoka's rule in 260 BC. It passed on later to the Andhra Kings of Vengi. As the largest city in Andhra Pradesh, it has become a hub of industries, private sector companies and the IT sector. Being a port city, it has also become the home of Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy. One of the best tourism destinations of the area, it offers everything from lakes, beaches, hill ranges, caves to valleys. The district also boasts of some cultural spots that represent the heritage of India. It offers diversity of things from a small area, be it bird watching, experienceing natural terrains, churches, temples, natural valleys which are yet to be fully discovered by the Indian travellers. It has beaches along the Bay of Bengal, only made more picturesque by the surrounding vegetation. Other popular tourist locations include the Venkateswara Tem-
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ple, Baba Ishaq Madina Dargah, Church of the Virgin Mary, Vuda Park, Kailasagiri Hill Park and many others destinations. Delegates will be able to experience a luxury stay at the Sunray Resort as part of their FAM tour. The garden and pool view rooms are both cozy and inviting. One can lay back to enjoy the stay and service. They will be able to indulge in regional cuisines and traditional delicacies at the property. With some of the best indoor and outdoor spaces, Sunray Resorts can be used for weddings and MICE events too. Araku Valley has also been added to the post FAM itinerary. The valley is surrounded by thick forests of Eastern Ghats mountain range. It is home to a number of tribes and the famous Borra Caves. A tribal museum dedicated to the area's numerous indigenous tribes, known for their traditional Dhimsa dance showcases traditional handicrafts. The caves are truly a natural wonder yet to be discovered by Indian explorers. William King, the British geologist discovered the cave in 1807. It is a naturally formed cave believed to be 150 million years old. The perennial water flow over millions of years resulted in the formation of the caves. A miniature train runs through Padmapuram Gardens, with its sculptures and tree-top huts. In addition to being a beautiful vista point, you can also try your hand at a num-
ber of adventure sports here, which include trekking and swimming as well. Vizag has some unique places like Vijayawada, Vellore, Rajahmundry, Anantpur, Kurnool which
are yet to find a prominent position on a domestic traveller’s itinerary. This convention will surely open more doors and create new tourism opportunities for domestic travel agents.
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FESTIVALS & C E L E B R AT I O N
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ndia as a country, with its unified diversity, houses many cultures and religions. This has led to celebration of numerous festivals across the year. Each festival has its own history, legend and significance as thousands join in with passion. One of the most colourful festivals celebrated in the world, Holi is representative of India’s essence and vibrancy. Celebrated across two days in the month of March; on the first day communities come together to burn a bonfire to commemorate the sacrifice of Holika and the next day people come out to play with colours. Among the famous places to celebrate Holi in India, Mathura, Vrindavan, Dwarka and Kumaon region of Uttarakhand are the best. The festival of lights, Diwali is one the Indian festivals which is celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm across the country in different ways. The word is derived from Sanskrit word Dipavali, meaning ‘rows of lighted lamps’. According to Hindu beliefs, when Rama and Sita returned to Ayodhya after an exile of 14 years after defeating Ravana, the people welcomed them with lighting of lamps. It also celebrated the day MahaDurga destroyed a demon called Mahisha. Therefore this festival also celebrates the triumph of good over evil. It is a five day festival which
spreads over cleaning of the house, decoration with lights, prayers on the third day and celebrating with friends. The last day is called Bhai Dooj where the brother visits his sisters to renew their bond and celebrate with sweets. Navratri is a nine day festival celebrated in the worship of Hindu goddesses Durga, Lakshmi and Sarawati. Devotees fast during the day and come out to celebrate through dance in the evening. It falls twice a year with the latter culminating with Dussehra, few days before Diwali. The festival is celebrated all over India but in different ways. In western area, especially in the state of Gujarat it is a joyous occasion where people step out to enjoy the Garba nights or Dandiya Raas. In West Bengal, it is celebrated as Durga Puja where people gather in pandals and worship the goddess. Another huge religious festival of India is Eid-ul-Fitr which is followed by a month long fasting. The festival is once again a celebration of food, beliefs and culture. The Muslim community is seen celebrate through Iftar parties which see active participation from other communities as well. Cities such as Lucknow, Delhi and Hyderabad see joyous celebrations and fanfare during Eid. The festival is also symbolic of the brotherhood and cultural uniqueness of India. Many other festivals like Bhuddha Purnima, Janmashtmi, Maha Shivratari, Pongal are celebrated with
great fervour across the country. While some are region specific, some cities have taken active interest in experiencing these festivals. Many other such fairs and festivals are also celebrated to compliment our culture and traditions. Goa Carnival is a perfect example of the vibrant culture and festive mood of the state. The four day extravaganza brings together travellers from all around the globe. There is a parade of colourful floats and troupes of revellers in costumes dancing and singing to the live
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music. Originally celebrated by the Catholics, it has now become a joyous occasion where the city comes alive making it a must-have experience. A festival known for its colourful delights, Konark Dance Festival glorifies the rich heritage of this country and not just its culture. The five day festival sees renowned classical dancers from all over the country get together to pay tribute to the Sun temple at Konark. It is organised by eminent Odissi guru Gangadhar Pradhan's Odisha (Orissa) Dance Academy in association with the Eastern Cultural Centre, Kolkata at Konark Natya Mandap in Konark. This cultural festival celebrates the Odissi, Bharathnatyam, Manipuri, Kathak and Chau dance forms in their purest form. A celebration of the cultural heritage of the Nagas, the Hornbill Festival is one of the biggest cultural carnival of the north east. It is a weeklong celebration where all the Naga tribes come together for their cultural and traditional plight. The main events of the festival take place at the Naga Heritage
Village, Kisama which is about 10 km from Kohima, the capital city of Nagaland. These events are mainly traditional dances, playing sports and singing songs from the Naga tradition. Gujarat is known to be the land of distinct culture and one of the most widely celebrated festivals of this region is the International Kite Festival. It is celebrated every year on January 14 and also commonly known as Uttaraya and Makar Sankranti in northern India. In Tamil Nadu, this festival is celebrated as Pongal on the 15th. According to the Hindu calendar, this day marks the beginning of summer. The blue skies are dotted with colourful kites as people gather on rooftops to celebrate the festival. Urs festival is held every year in the memory of Saint Khawaja Moinddin Chisti, known for his goodwill acts among people. Muslim pilgrims observe it at the Ajmer Sharif Dargah where the immortal remains have been entombed. The festival honours the death anniversary of the Sufi saint in the holy city of Ajmer.
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FOOD & FLAVOURS
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ndia's culinary culture is as diverse as its cultural heritage. Exploring the finer nuances of India's food heritage would take a lifetime for any traveller. However, a visit to the cuisine capitals of the country would give them an insight to the best of India's rich and evolving food culture. While cities like New Delhi, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Kochi and Kolkata are popularly regarded as the country's cuisine capitals, every destination has its own food specialities that are distinctively their own. Many modern day chefs have added their own innovative touch to the traditional fare for the new age consumers. In the north, the Kashmiri cuisine has evolved over hundreds of years, and strongly represents several influences such as Central Asian, Persia, and the north Indian plains. The most notable ingredient in Kashmir cuisine is mutton (lamb). Wazwan, a multicourse meal in Kashmiri cuisine and a matter of pride in Kashmiri culture and identity, includes dishes that are meatbased (lamb, chicken, fish). Amritsar is a great city to ex-
perience the best of Punjabi cuisine. Some favourites include stuffed paranthas and dairy products (in particular paneer), maa ki dal (lentil) and sarson da saag (mustard leaves). Uttar Pradesh has also been greatly influenced by Mughal (Mughlai cuisine) cooking techniques which are very popular worldwide. Lucknow is home to some of the best traditional chefs. Lucknawi biryani, Tundey kabab, kulcha nihari are the most famous dishes from the capital of UP that have attracted visitors to the city to experience the food in its traditional eateries. In recent years Awadhi cuisine has been the fastest growing popular cuisine in the country. The cuisine of Madhya Pradesh is a confluence of tastes. True to its exquisiteness and taste, MP's cuisine has its influence from Rajasthani and Gujarati cuisines. It is observed that wheat and milk are the main ingredients in places like Indore and Gwalior, while in Bhopal, meat and fish dishes such as rogan josh, kheema, biryani pilaf, and kebabs which are spicy, are famous. Since the climate is dry throughout the year, typical snack of Malwa is bhutta ka kees and chakki ki shaak. The main appeal of Chattisgarh lies in its delectable sweets and namkeens that form an insepa-
rable part of the cuisine. The food of Chattisgarh is primarily tribal cuisine, which varies with each tribe having its own distinct taste. In the west, the cuisine of Maharashtra is widely influenced by seafood and coconut. The coastal region of Maharashtra boasts of Konkan cuisine, which is a combination of Malvani, Gaud Saraswat Brahmin and Goan cuisines, while the interior regions offer their own distinctive Varadi cuisine where dishes are made of besan (gram flour) and the nonvegetarian platter mainly con-
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sists of meat. Aurangabad offers rich and aromatic pulaos and biryanis cooked in mouth watering spices. In contrast, Pune which is the city of Peshwas and Brahmins serves delicately cooked Marathi food with low fat content. Mumbai is the food capital of the state and offers an entire range of Maharashtrian cuisine along with a harmonised combination of Christian, Mughal, Parsi and Gujarati cuisines. The sweet and spicy vegetarian fare of Gujarati cuisine is popular across the country. The traditional Gujarati Thali is the perfect example of the best in Gujarati cuisine. Goan cuisine offers a blend of the east and the west, from mouth-watering fish curry to the aroma of Feni, Goans have an assorted platter reflecting the traditional style of cooking. The southern states have a rich cuisine heritage. While Andhra Pradesh food is known for its heavy use of spices and chillies, Telugu cuisine has a distinctive identity of its own from Hyderabadi cuisine, the most famous of which is the Hyderabadi biryani. In Karnataka, masala dosa, rava idli, and medu vada are popular. Kerala cuisine has a wide range of dishes prepared using fish, poultry and meat. The traditional Kerala Sadhya, served on banana leaf is much liked by both locals and tourists. Ap-
pam, idiyappam and puttu are favourite breakfast dishes. In Tamil Nadu, sambhar, vathal kuzhambu, idli, dosa, uthappam and pongal are popular. Chettinad cuisine has a distinct taste of its own and is famous for its use of meat marinated in spices. Bengali cuisine is well known for its fish preparations, which are cooked in various ways – steamed, stewed with vegetables, cooked in mustard / poppy seed paste. Panchphoran (five spices) is a typical aspect of Bengali cuisine. Milk based Bengali desserts are also much savoured across the country, in particular rosogolla, rajbhog, ras malai, cham cham, etc. Oriya cuisine is not very different from Bengal , while dairy products are popular in Bihar. The northeastern states have varied cuisine heritage that is constantly evolving. Khaar (a meat delicacy), duck meat curry and maasor tenga (tangy fish curry) are much relished. Boiled rice cakes wrapped in leaves is a favourite snack in Arunachal Pradesh, while in Meghalaya rice is combined with spicy meat and fish preparations. Mizoram’s cuisine is a blend of Chinese and north Indian cuisines. Dried fish, prawns and ghost chilli are common ingredients of Naga cuisine, while Sikkim has its own unique dietary culture.
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FASHION & F A B R I C S
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ndia's fashion scene is a kaleidoscope of colours, cultures and creativity. Each of India's state offers its own distinctive design spoken through a textile language, which is an integral part of the country's tourism offering. Since ancient times, textiles have been associated with important rituals and social occasions which has only evolved over the years. The country boasts of a handloom heritage through its fabrics, prints, techniques and patterns. These traditional methods and patterns have transformed in modern age creativity to offer a holistic fashion range to the world. Majority of Indian designers have been using Indian
handcrafts in all their work. Designers like Tarun Tahiliani, JJ Valaya or Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla, Rohit Bal, Anita Dongre, Ritu Kumar of the senior cadre to Nachiket Barve, Rimzim Dadu, Dhruv Kapoor and Swati Kalsi among the younger brigade work with crafts to promote India's traditional fashion industry through their creations. These designers have successfully created beautiful embroideries, reinvented traditional styling, dyeing and printing techniques on handlooms to give it a new meaning. Ritu Kumar, one of India's foremost designers is known to create clothing using ancient designs and traditional crafts. She works with fabrics like silk, cotton and leather to create stunning outfits rich in elegance filled with intricate embroideries. She had launched a campaign, 'Beautiful Hands' to
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encourage the purchase of garments with ethnic Indian style of embroidery. To match the campaign she launched a clothing line called 'The Revivalist' which integrates traditional Indian crafts into mainstream fashion. Similarly Anita Dongre's brand 'Grassroots' is a sustainable luxury brand born to revive, sustain and empower India's crafts and artisans. They translate village art into design for the globetrotting woman, and showcase the handcrafted traditions of India in contemporary tales. She strongly believes that it will be a colossal loss of India's rich textile and craft heritage to disappear. She has been successfully able to establish the brand in the international market.
Delicate and intricate needlework on fabrics is able to express bold and passionate designs when models walk international runways. From simple gold and or red border sarees to everyday khadi wear, there have been multiple attempts to transform these handloom fabrics in affordable luxury. Keeping the tradition alive many new designers have come up with their own small stores across the capital city. Brands like Amrich, Kardo, Dhruv Kapoor, Rara Avis, Tokree, Eka, Soham Dave, Bodice, Raw Mango are all making a conscious effort to support India's crafts and craftsmanship. Wendell Rodricks was one of the few designers to introduce eco friendly minimal design aesthetics in the fashion
scene. He is known for his efforts to revive the long-forgotten tribal Goan Kunbi saree. Similarly Sabyasachi Mukherji continues to use traditional cotton, khadi, banarasi and handwoven fabrics in his designs. His 'Save the Saree' campaign once again brought forward the saree designs from across the states into the limelight. The entire proceeds go to the weavers of Murshidabad which showcases the commitments of India's fashion to India's fabric. Another famous Indian designer who has been known to use several hand woven textiles in her designs is Neeta Lulla. Over years she has highlighted some very unique and traditional techniques in her work with recent one being Paithani. It is an ancient Maratha technique that creates beautiful silk pieces women with multiple threads of colors while incorporating gold and silver. In another example, Rohit Bal has shown extensive use of Khadi in his designs used internation-
ally which proves as a proud movement for India's fashion industry. Many other designers like David Abraham and Rakesh Thakore, Aneetha Arora, Rahul Mishra, Gaurang Shah, Paromita Banerjee, Shruti Sancheti, Shravan Kumar Ramaswamy specialise in handloom designs and consider it their creative responsibility to showcase India's fabrics. They have enjoyed working with handwoven textiles like Kanjeevaram, Khadi, Uppada, Paithani, Patan Patola, Benarasi, Kota, Maheshwari and Bengal weaves to create unique products. Thew new age designers are enabling the fashion industry to walk hand in hand with traditional fabrics. They are seen engaging with rural artisans and understand the craft to fully imbibe it in new age fashion. Designers have given a new version to Indian fashion by fully retaining the traditional craft and skill of authentic designs.
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FLORA & F A U N A
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n the melange of tourism offerings, India's flora and fauna enjoys a prominent place with its numerous forestlands spread across the country. The increasing interest among tourists to explore the flora and fauna treasures of India is further facilitated by the emergence of eco tourism and wildlife tourism. The wild, diverse and magnificent forests of India range from the Himalayas in the north to the Terai region in its foothills, from salt marshes of Kutch in the west to the mangroves in the east and the unexplored greens in northeast, to the landscape of the peninsular region in the south – all featuring rich and diverse floral and faunal attractions.
North The northern region of India is home to numerous national parks, housing a myriad of wildlife. These include Dachigam National Park, Hemis National Park, Pin Valley National Park, Great Himalayan National Park, Corbett National Park, Rajaji National Park, Ranthambore National Park and many more. Starting from the tip of India, the Himalayan range is one of the richest hotspots for animal life. For instance, it is remarkable that almost one third of the world's mammalian species that may be called true mountain animals are native to these mountains. Whereas, the much visitied Dal Lake is a bird watcher's paradise. Located 22 km from Srinagar, Dachigam National Park harbours the last viable population of the endangered Hangul or Kashmir Stag. Himalayan black bears are visible in the lower reaches from spring to autumn. Long-tailed marmots are very conspicuous during summer in the upper reaches while mouse hares are active throughout the year. Other wildlife includes leopard, common palm civet, jackal, red fox, yellow-throated marten
and Himalayan weasel. Over 145 different bird species including the lammergeier, colourful species like monal pheasant and blue magpie are also seen. Pin Valley National Park in Himachal Pradesh is characterised by alpine pasture or dry alpine scrub forest. So far more than 400 plants species have been reported in this area, which is rich in medicinal herbs and spices. There are more than 20 species of animals and birds in the park. Pin Valley National Park is specially renowned for the protection of endangered snow leopard. Other species are ibex, bharal, red fox, marten, weasel, pika, snow cock, beareded vulture, chukor, golden eagle, griffon, Himalayan chough, raven and more. Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand has captured the imagination of many with its diverse wildlife and landscapes. It supports numerous plant and animal species, representing Himalayan as well as plains ecosystem. The most famous of Corbett's wild residents are the Royal Bengal tigers and the Asiatic elephant.
West The western region prides itself being home to Gir National Park – the only place with wild lions, outside Africa. To truly experience Gir and the lions, its is recommended to explore the natural habitat, with everything from tiny wild birds to crocodiles floating in the marsh waters. Around half of the forested area of the park is teak forest, with other trees such as khair, dhavdo, timru, amla, and many others. Whereas, at the Velavadar Black Buck Sanctuary and National Park, one can find a land of wide-spreading golden grasslands under a deep blue sky, where spiral-horned antelope or the black bucks can be seen bounding up out of the grasses. Close to the coast there are wetlands full of birds, and in the evenings, seabreezes blow up into the savannah and cools things off after a hot day in the sun. At night, wolves and jackals roam the fields, and the flat country of-
fers a view of a starry sky. Maharashtra has some of the largest wildlife sanctuaries located in ecological hotspots that attract both, researchers and tourists in huge numbers. Of these, the Melghat Tiger Reserve is one of the best known in the country. Located at the border of Maharahstra and Madhya Pradesh, it features a wide variety of animals and birds, including the elusive forest owlet. The giant flying squirrel is also a rare sighting here. Another interesting destination is the Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary, where the grasslands and wetlands come together and provide shelter for a wide range of floral and faunal species. Located amidst the bustling city of Mumbai, the Sanjay Gandhi National Park provides a window to a fascinating world of animals and birds. The park is home to 274 species of birds along with 42 kinds of mammals, of which the most renowned is the elusive leopard. Nagpur's Tadoba is probably one of India’s finest tiger reserves. Some of the other hotspots for floral and faunal diversity in Maharashta include Radhanagari, Navegaon National Park, Painganga Wildlife Sanctuary and more.
East In the east, Odisha's Similipal Tiger Reserve is endowed with high peaks like Khairiburu, Maghasini and rocky cliffs like Ganapati facing the frost-valleys in Devasthali. The biodiversity of the sanctuary harbours tiger, leopard, sloth bear, elephant, gaur and other important faunal species. Similipal is the only home for the unique melanistic tiger in the world. Chilika Lake in Odisha also imbibes one of the most supportive ecosystems, Chilka Wildlife Sanctuary, in the region. It is also popularly known as Nalabana Bird Sanctuary. The core area of about six sq km attracts around 400,000 waterfowls of different species. Further in West Bengal, Sundarbans – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – is the
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largest single block of tidal, halophytic mangrove forests in the world. Apart from being a unique largest mangrove ecosystem of the world, the Sundarbans has the world's largest deltaic mangrove forests and is also home to one of India's most iconic wildlife species, the Royal Bengal Tiger. It is also the world's largest estuarine forest criss-crossed by hundreds of creeks and tributaries, intersected by a network of tidal waterways, small islands of salt-tolerant mangrove forests and mudflats. Kaziranga National Park in the northeastern state of Assam adorns patches of mixed deciduous forests, interspersed with vast stretches of savannah grasslands, wetlands and chars of river islands formed by the shifting course of the Brahmaputra. The Park is the abode to more than 70 per cent of onehorned rhinoceros in the world. While some of the other treasures in northeast include Manas National Park, Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, Keibul Lamjao National Park among many more.
South Down south, Bandipur National Park in Karnataka is known for its wildlife and has many types of biomes, but dry deciduous forest is dominant. It is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve totaling 2,183 sq km, making it the largest protected area in southern India and largest habitat of wild elephants in south Asia. Bandipur also supports a wide range of timber trees including teak, rosewood, sandalwood, Indian-laurel, alongside notable flowering and fruiting trees and shrubs including. Further down, Kerala's Periyar Tiger Reserve is another example of rich bio diversity. Sprawled over an area of 925 sq km, Periyar is one of the 27 tiger reserves in India. It is a repository of rare, endemic and endangered flora and fauna and forms the major watershed of two important rivers of Kerala, the Periyar and Pamba. However, the trail extends to many more destinations in south including Nagarhole National Park, Mudumalai National Park, Point Calimere Bird Sanctuary and Silent Valley National Park.
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IN FOCUS
In lobster land They say if you haven’t eaten Nova Scotia lobster in Nova Scotia, then you haven’t really eaten lobster. But this October, lobsters weren't the only reason for the buzz in this eastern Canadian province – as Halifax, the capital muncipality played host to GoMedia Canada 2017, Canadian Tourism Commission’s (CTC) biggest annual consumer media show By Steena Joy
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his October as Canada changed colours to welcome Fall, some of the world's best travel media made their way to Halifax in Nova Scotia. Halifax, a port town best known for the Explosion that was the largest man-made explosion before the development of nuclear weapons, and its role in the aftermath of the sinking of the RMS Titanic, was playing host to GoMedia Canada 2017. Organised by Canadian Tourism Commission’s (CTC), the annual event connects top Canadian and international travel media and influencers with provincial, territorial and regional Canadian tourism organisations, leading hotel properties, attractions and transportation companies. Hosted by a different Canadian destination each year, the marketplace features one-to-one meetings, pre/post and regional tours and networking events. “Travel media plays a critical role in tourism marketing. Our goal is to increase consumer awareness of Nova Scotia as a travel destina-
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DESTINATION CANADAWANTS TO GO BEYOND VFR TOURISTS FROM INDIA: EMMANUELLE LEGAULT I
ndia has always been a traditional VFR market for Destination Canada, thanks to its huge Indian migrant community. But the NTO now wants to have a bigger slice of the Indian tourism pie.
tion by interacting and engaging with travel media – so we are thrilled to host this event,”said Michele Saran, CEO, Tourism Nova Scotia. This year's GoMedia Canada was held from October 1 - 5 at the Cunard Centre in Halifax. The event witnessed participation of over 106 Canadian partners, 122 media from Canada, the United States and CTC’s 10 international markets including India. The event witnessed a total number of 392 registrants and 3,731 appointments. Along with face-to-face meetings and
non-stop networking opportunities, delegates also got a chance to explore the region, province and country through media tours. The official host for accommodations was The Westin Nova Scotian hotel. The event saw some new entrants this year including Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, Le Corridor, Niagara Falls Tourism, Ontario Parks, Quebec Original, Société des Établissements de plein air du Québec, Town of Windsor and Tweedsmuir Park Lodge and Bella Coola Heli Ski. At the event Destination Canada also celebrated the best in travel and tourism storytelling with the presentation of the annual Explore Canada Awards of Excellence. Destination Canada’s coveted Explore Canada Awards of Excellence celebrate stellar content creation from the travel media and tourism industry. After reviewing over 285 high-quality entries from 12 countries, three finalists were selected in each category, and with the help of a panel of expert judges.
Speaking exclusively to Express TravelWorld, Emmanuelle Legault, vice president – International, Destination Canada, stated,“We have seen a significant increase in tourist arrivals from India in 2017.That includes a lot of VFR numbers coming into Canada. But going forward, we want to target a different type of traveller from India.We are working with both media and trade partners to try and get the traveller who wants to come here with his family.We want the bit more high yield consumer to come as a tourist and as a traveller, not necessarily as a VFR.” Ontario,Vancouver and British Columbia have been regular destinations for the India market. Elaborating on the new regions it is looking to promote, Legault said,“Regions to the East have lots of opportunities. Now with flight connectivity to Montreal, we want Indians to take that second flight and travel to places like Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Lots of Indians are now looking at very high end products that include nature based, culinary and local experiences.The new age Indians are curious about such experiences.And there is also potential for Manitoba for the experiences it offers like polar bears and immersive indigenous culture.” Commenting on the potential of the young demographic in the India market, Legault admitted that it was not a target audience they have gone after in the past.“But going forward, this is the segment we are really looking to go after, because we are seeing this segment as travellers who are more curious and want to explore the unexplored regions I talked about earlier. They are the travellers of the future,”she added.
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SPOTLIGHT
SWOSTI GROUP FOCUSES ON TRUE POTENTIAL OF ODISHAAS A DESTINATION Continuing with expansion plans in Odisha and fully utilising its true potential as a tourist destination, Swosti Group launched Swosti Chilika Resort recently. The Swosti hotels in Bhubneswar and latest addition in Chilika expands the state's hospitality offerings as it plans to become India's next favourite destination
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he 11 acre property at Chilika Lake offers 70 deluxe rooms and one presidential suite along with other event and restaurant facilities. The resort is being positioned for the discerning traveller, both for leisure and for MICE. For those who wish to literally get away from chaos and clutter, Chilika and the resort serves well for the mind, body and soul. The resort offers its guests a spa tastefully placed called Ekayaa. It offers its guests traditional Indian wellness therapies, equipped with single and double treatment
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suites, beauty treatment rooms, meditation and relaxation decks. The resort offers living facilities across four categories, namely The Sanctuary – one Presidential Suite, five Millpond – The Pool Villas, 36 Windchime – The Quad Villas and 36 Midlake County – The Hotel Blocks. For those who prefer the outdoors and activities, the resort has game zones, a cycling pad and other soft sports activities. J K Mohanty, CMD, Swosti Group, mentioned, “For me this resort is a dream, which has unfolded. We went through a lot of planning, on and off the drawing
board, the how and the look of it and more. I was clear in my vision and waited for the right partner who could understand it and convert it into a reality. We are here to welcome our guests to our authentic hospitality as the locals here are warm and welcoming. We are proud to be recognised as a leading eco tourism resort and as the son of the soil, I am proud of my region and would only wish to welcome the world to this part of India.” He added, “Chilika Lake holds a lot of potential as a tourist spot and our resort is sure to attract more tourists.
We are confident that the quality and service will fulfill the needs of the high-end domestic and foreign tourists.” Swosti Group currently owns three hotels in Odisha with Chilika Resort being its fourth. The hotel brand has gained huge popularity among locals and frequent travellers for its service and hospitality. At the recently concluded Asiatic Athletics Championship held in Bhubaneswar, the hotel extended its full support by hosting the delegates and participants. As Odisha plans to create a niche on India's tourism map,
Swosti Hotels will surely mark a trending change with its properties. While speaking about the expansion plans, Mohanty expressed, “We will continue to expand in Odisha as there is a scope in a lot of areas. We own lands in locations like Puri, Bhitarkanika, Satpura which shall shape up as future projects. Since majority of hotels in Bhubaneswar are business hotels, the average occupancy ranges from 60-70 per cent but at the resort property we are looking to cater 80 per cent leisure guests.”
SPOTLIGHT
New milestones in business travel In 2016, India became the world's 8th largest business travel market. Global Business Travel Association's annual flagship and education event organised in Mumbai last month highlighted the opportunities and challenges in this market, and focused on the key trends By Sudipta Dev
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LOBAL Business Travel Association (GBTA) recently organised its flagship networking and education event for India. Headquartered in Washington DC, GBTA is the largest body of business travel professionals worldwide. Speaking at the inaugural, Gaurav Sundaram, president – ProKonsul and regional director – India, GBTA said, “GBTA is the world's largest body of business travel professionals worldwide, 9000 members across six continents. The members comprise 70 per cent of Fortune 500 companies.” GBTA in India has over 120 members. Plans for 2018 include three annual conferences – Delhi, Mumbai
and Bengaluru; annual business travel awards; professional development programmes and education (Q3 2018); focus on research in India and Asian markets. Giving the GBTA Global Leadership Presentation, Michael W McCormick, executive director & COO, GBTA highlighted the key trends including the fact that business travel drives business growth and the needs of the business traveller has changed. “Global business travel spending grew by 3.5 per cent in 2016, but will accelerate over the next five years. APAC represents 42 per cent of global business travel spending, with China becoming the world's largest, outranking the US. In 2016, India jumped from 10th largest to 8th largest. It is one of the fastest growing and will
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SPOTLIGHT become one of the top five-six in the near future. India's six million travel spending will grow by 10 per cent in each of the next five years,” said McCormick. The CXO Roundtable on the future of business travel in India was moderated by Sundaram. Pointing out that business travel in India still has a long way to go, Wolfgang Will, director South Asia, Lufthansa stated, “We need to find a common understanding of the stakeholders who are part of the industry.” According to Arif Patel, VP sales, marketing, distribution & loyalty, South Asia AccorHotels, India does not follow what happens outside the country. “We will evolve our own way of working. It is important to become successful. We cannot approach India like we approach other
markets,” remarked Patel. Gopal Agrawal, chief internal business officer, WNS Global believes that the corporate buyer is being underestimated, adding, “If you make a value proposition there are enough buyers ready to pay.” Rakshit Desai, MD, Flight Centre Travel Group mentioned, “We are at an infliction point. We tend to overestimate the India story.” In his keynote address on hotels and business travel, Chinmai Sharma, chief revenue officer, Taj Hotels, Palaces, Resorts, Safaris showed a video of their social media command centre, Taj.live, which captures all the chatter in real-time. “We have brought down our turnaround time on social media to 15 minutes. We will continue to reinvent ourselves,” said Sharma.
Sundaram also moderated the panel discussion on the impact of GST on business travel, and highlighted the many challenges. He also spoke about greater collaboration in the industry and buyers, greater automation in financial reporting and management process, changes likely in business travel eco system in India. Mritunjaya Chandra Mohan, travel manager global procurement, Adobe Systems stated, “We are GST complaint but not GST ready. The GST Council is expected to release enhancement in its own systems soon.” Sneha Thacker, business head – western India, HRG dnata, pointed out that currently there is a lot of confusion, and it is important to have patience. Phocuswright Innovation Spotlight was moderated by Chetan Kapoor, research analyst – Asia Pacific, Phocuswright. The panel members were Sunny Sodhi, COO corporate travel & head industry relations, Yatra.com, and Ranjeet Oak, chief business officer, MakeMyTrip.com. India is the fastest growing market online travel market and online mobile market in APAC (after China). Reminding that 40 per cent of travel bookings in India is online, Kapoor informed that by 2020-21, this will increase to 45 per cent.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: MICHAEL W MCCORMICK
In an exclusive interaction with Express TravelWorld, Michael W McCormick, executive director and COO, GBTA shared his strong belief that the India market will continue to grow. “We saw India move from number 10 to number eight last year in terms of market size, it will move to number six in the coming years,” he said, pointing out that if business travel continues to grow, it has a direct impact on the growth of jobs and the economy. Reminding that business travel is an investment and it has been proven in every market, he said, “Business travel is still largely driven by domestic travel, so one of the big opportunities for India's marketplace is international business travel, which also indicates maturing of the market.” There are plans to expand the India operations. He also spoke about developing a local chapter - the model has worked very well in the US. “There is a need for a local chapter, with a regional focus to bring on one platform major companies and suppliers,” he said. The education programmes of GBTA have been expanded to five more cities in India. “There is an opportunity to continue to provide education research and information as there is a thirst for education and learning about the marketplace,” mentioned McCormick, adding that there is also a need in secondary and tertiary markets where it is not possible for all of those people working in the industry to travel and take the education. In the US, there are 40 local chapters across the country, which have been there longer than than GBTA global organisation. “They meet locally, are largely volunteer driven, provide the networking, it is an efficient way to take the education programmes delivered locally and create those local communities,” he said. Being a US based organisation, the key research team is located there, but they work with different regions to develop local research.
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REPORT
World's top 10 fastest growing tourism cities are all in Asia Delhi and Mumbai together generate over one million tourism jobs, says a WTTC report
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he World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has recently released new city tourism impact data which shows that the world’s top 10 fastest growing tourism cities are all in Asia. Asia Pacific City Travel & Tourism Impact, is one of a series of reports by WTTC which looks at the contribution of travel and tourism to city economies and job creation. The study covers 65 cities, 21 of which are in Asia Pacific. The data shows that Asian cities are at the forefront of tourism growth over the next 10 years. Chongqing (14 per cent growth per year) heads the table, followed by Guangzhou (13.1 per cent), Shanghai (12.8 per cent) and Beijing (12 per cent). The other cities on the top 10 list are Chengdu (11.2 per cent), Manila (10.9 per cent), Delhi (10.8 per cent), Shenzhen (10.7 per cent), Kuala Lumpur (10.1 per cent) and Jakarta (10 per cent). With the world average growth rate at four per cent four per cent per year, and Asia Pacific at 5.8 per cent, these cities are significantly outpacing both the regional and global average. Asia Pacific also includes some of the world’s largest travel and tourism cities. Shanghai, with an annual tourism GDP contribution of US$ 30 billion is the largest in the world; followed by Beijing (US$ 29 billion). Tokyo (US$ 20 billion) is ranked sixth in the world. Shanghai and Beijing together account for 21 per cent of China’s travel and tourism economic impact (GDP), whereas Tokyo alone accounts for 18 per cent of
Japan’s total. The dominance of the Chinese market is clear, both in terms of future growth and overall size and as a main source market for destinations in the wider Asia Pacific region. The success of Chinese cities is largely driven by domestic business (as high as 94.5 per cent of spend in Chongqing is domestic), and the Chinese outbound market is key for neighbouring cities such as Tokyo (24 per cent of spend is Chinese, the largest market) and Bangkok (38 per cent). Gloria Guevara, president and CEO, WTTC said, “The
power of Asian cities when it comes to driving the travel and tourism sector is clear to see in this new data. However, not only do these cities contribute significantly to their country’s tourism sector, tourism is an important generator of economic growth and jobs within the cities themselves. With this level of forecast growth, the importance of investment in long term planning, infrastructure and sustainable public policies cannot be underestimated. It is vital that city authorities understand the economic impact of travel and tourism, GDP and employment contribution, and not just visitor
arrivals, as they seek to develop new products and opportunities to increase traveller spend and sustainable growth. WTTC has invested in this new research and data to support them in this ambition.
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Other highlights from the report include: ● Singapore’s travel and tourism has doubled in the past ten years, to a total of US$ 12.4 billion in 2016 and supporting 164,000 jobs. ● Tourism in Bangkok generates US$ 18.2 billion for the city each year, representing 10 per cent of the city’s economy
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and 50 per cent of Thailand’s travel and tourism. Delhi and Mumbai together generate over one million tourism jobs, 10 per cent of India’s total tourism employment. Macau is the most tourism intensive city in Asia Pacific, with 27 per cent of its economy a direct result of tourism spend. Eight cities in the study contribute more than 25 per cent of their country’s travel and tourism economy: Auckland, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Seoul and Sydney.
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November 2017
MOVEMENTS NRAI National Restaurants Association of India (NRAI) has made some new appointments in the managing committee which include representation from all segments. New appointments made to the managing committee include: PRATIK POTA, CEO, Jubilant Foodworks; ZORAWAR KALRA, managing director, Massive Restaurants; PRIYANK SUKHIJA, director, Lazeez Affair; KABIR SURI, director, Azure Hospitality; VARUN TULI, managing director, Yum Yum Cha; NITIN SALUJA, CEO, Sunshine Teahouse (Chaayos); SAM CHOPRA, chairman, Carls Junior from Delhi /NCR; ANURAG KATRIAR, executive director and CEO, Degustibus Hospitality; A D SINGH, director, Olive Bar & Kitchen; MOHIT KHATTAR, CEO, Baskin Robbins; RAHUL LEEKHA, director, Coffee by Di Bella from Mumbai; MANU CHANDRA, partner, Olive Café South (current Bengaluru Chapter head); KAYUM DHANANI and managing director, Barbeque Nation from Bengaluru.
Etihad Aviation Group
procuring and supporting all the equipment and services for the British Armed Forces. In the UK, he held senior positions with airport operator BAA, and as chief operating officer and group chief executive designate of Laing O’Rourke. Etihad Aviation Group has also appointed ABDUL KHALIQ SAEED as the new chief executive officer for Etihad Airways Engineering. Saeed brings over 35 years of international maintenance, repair
and overhaul (MRO) industry experience, and joins Etihad Airways Engineering from Abu Dhabi based, Turbine Services & Solutions (TS&S) where he has been chief executive officer since 2014.
brands under the umbrella group, including Indigo, Indigo Deli, Neel & D:OH!outlets along with moveable feast in India. With an experience spanning over 23 years, he has worked with renowned hospitality brands like The Leela, Jumeirah, Meridien, InterContinental, Radisson and Hyatt, and has been part of the pre-opening team of Vu’s - Italian Fine Dining, InterContinental Hotels at Emirates Tower.
Metrojet
Tony Douglas
Gary Dolski
November 2017
deGustibus Hospitality has recently announced its new corporate executive chef, KEDAR M BOBDE who will be heading all
Kedar M Bobde
Metrojet, a Hong Kong-based business aircraft services provider, has appointed GARY DOLSKI as chief executive officer. He will oversee Metrojet’s long term business development and strategic growth, as well as day-to-day operations. Dolski, a Canadian national, has over 35 years of aviation industry experience having worked with Bris-
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deGusitbus Hospitality
Abdul Khaliq Saeed
Etihad Aviation Group has recently appointed TONY DOUGLAS as group chief executive officer, who will join the company in January 2018. Douglas joins Etihad from the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence, where he has served as CEO of the defence equipment and support department, responsible for
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tol Aerospace, Bombardier, MD Helicopters and Jet Aviation. He joined Metrojet as the managing director of aircraft management and charter in April 2017.
Wharf Hotels
InterContinental Hotels Group InterContinental Hotels Group has appointed CLAIRE BENNETT as chief marketing officer, effective immediately. Bennett joins IHG from American Express, where she held a number of senior, consumer-focused marketing roles over a period of more than 10 years. During tenure with American Express, she has overseen global marketing and brand management, leading its worldwide advertising, media, sponsorship and marketing research teams. Claire has an in-depth knowledge of the
group’s vice president of operations, Bevans is responsible for room operations of the group’s 15 operating hotels under the Niccolo and Marco Polo Hotels portfolios across China, Hong Kong and the Philippines. Bevans will also be tasked with overseeing the rooms divisions for three new Niccolo projects in Hong Kong, Changsha and Suzhou. Bevans brings with him nearly 25 years in leadership roles with luxury brands including Hyatt, The Peninsula, Mandarin Oriental, Fairmont and Raffles.
The St Regis Doha, Qatar
Wharf Hotels has appointed seasoned hotelier JAMES BEVANS as its new group director of rooms. Reporting to the
The St Regis Doha has announced the appointment of REBECCA PLATT as director of marketing to join as part of their executive committee. With
James Bevans
Rebecca Platt
travel and tourism sector, as a former executive board member of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), and through her participation on multiple industry advisory boards.
over 15 years of marketing experience in the hospitality industry, Platt brings extensive PR, marketing and digital knowledge to the property. She will be heading the marketing team as part of the senior leadership team at the hotel and will be responsible for developing the complete marketing strategy and representation of the St Regis Doha. In more recent years, she has worked for recognised hoteliers such as the Shangri-La Group, the InterContinental Hotel Group, Wyndham Hotels and UK-based Bespoke Hotels Group, as well as celebrity chef Marco Pierre White in assisting in his hospitality ventures in the UK.
MSpa International Patrick Huey has joined MSpa International as group director of Spa – Asia. Currently on the board of directors of the International Spa Association (ISPA), Huey joins Minor Hotel’s MSpa International in Bangkok from the Caribbean. Huey brings a rounded approach to MSpa’s holistic well being programme. He has over two decades’ experience in luxury hospitality, from Ian Schrager hotels in New York to the Four Seasons and Viceroy groups, in roles from overall group strategy to daily operations and sales.
weekend
E V E N T S
NEW DEVELOPMENTS Cathay Pacific Airways conducted a series of sales blitz
AERO EXPO 2017 Vice President Venkaiah Naidu at the 2nd Aero Expo 2017,
and workshops in Ahmedabad, Pune and Mumbai to mark the reintroduction of its premium economy class and the increase in capacity on flights from Mumbai
in New Delhi
UPLIFTING TOURISM Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) recently associated with the second 'International Buddhist Festival for Social & Culture Relationship' in Aurangabad
GOLDEN HONOUR Karan Anand, head - relationships and supplier
FILMING GROWTH PHD Chamber and its knowledge partner BnB Nation recently released 'PHDCCI Global Film Tourism Report' in Mumbai
management, Cox & Kings was recently honoured with the Gold Award by the French government
LAGER N BARREL With the onset of Oktoberfest this year, Delhi NCR witnessed Gaana Lager N Barrel festival, North India’s first beer and music festival
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November 2017
weekend
E V E N T S
STRENGTHNING BONDS Seychelles Tourist Office, India recently organised a three-city roadshow in Delhi, Ahmedabad and Mumbai
PRIDE OF MUMBAI The Department of Posts on recently issued two postage stamps to commemorate the completion of 75 years of operations of the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai
RESPONSIBLE TOURISM Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan recently launched a dedicated mission for the state's 'Responsible Tourism' campaign
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November 2017
NEW EXPERIENCES South African Tourism’s India office recently organised an educational tour to South Africa for a number of travel agents from Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Nagpur and Bengaluru
PLATINUM PARTNER Louvre Abu Dhabi has signed the first exclusive platinum partnership with Etihad Airways
ROYAL EVENING Skal Club of Bombay, in association with India Business Group, British Business Group and Cigar Club, hosted an evening at Royal Opera House in Mumbai, featuring popular performances
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.