Travel and Hospitality (TnH) - February 2018 by Prem Sagar

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www.tnhglobal.com

Travel & Hospitality

ISSUE 05 | VOLUME IX | FEBRUARY 2018 | `50

PA G E S 5 2

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FROM THE EDITOR

An outstanding feat

Publisher & Editor Srishti Rai Director Bharat S. Rai Managing Editor Prem Kumar General Manager - Marketing Prem Sagar premsagar@tnhindia.com (M) +91 99106 81111 Art Director Sunny Singh Web Designer Mohit Chaudhary Senior Reporter Archana Sharma Correspondent (Kolkata) Swaati Chaudhury Accounts Chander Shakher Balodi Administration Executive Sarwat Jahan

For any query, write to us at: info@tnhindia.com

www.tnhglobal.com Printed, published and owned by Srishti Rai. Printed at Somsons Printing Works, 1/7, DoctorÊs Lane, Gole Market, New Delhi - 110001, and published at P- 23/90, Connaught Circus, New Delhi 110001; Editor: SRISHTI RAI

India's oldest and leading travel mart, SATTE is all set to organize its silver jubilee edition from 31st January to 2nd February 2018 in India's exhibition landmark, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. Since its modest beginning with its first edition in 1994, the country's premier travel trade show has constantly been expanding its national and international exhibitor base while consolidating its leadership position in India's travel exhibition segment, and now is all set for its silver jubilee edition. That is a big feat in a complex country like India replete with multiple challenges. Organizer of the show, India's travel trade fraternity and all the participants are excited about the Silver Jubilee edition of SATTE, which over the years has become the launch platform for many destinations and tourism products from across the globe. This year, the exhibition has received record response from the industry with over

1,000 exhibitors participating in the show, besides representation from over 50 countries and 28 Indian states. To know more about the silver jubilee edition of SATTE and its journey over the years, read our cover story, 'SATTE: 25 successful years' on page 18. Also, read our story 'Industry hails SATTE 2018' on page 22 to know India's tourism industry's appreciation and admirations for SATTE. Technology has permeated every aspect of our waking lives—and since travel is such a huge part of our existence, it has naturally transformed the industry in several ways. In this issue, we have analyzed some of the most innovative ways in which travel companies can successfully use and adopt technology in their businesses. To know these innovative ways, read our story ‘Innovative ways to adopt technology in travel business’ on page 26. Also read our Diplomat Corner (page 38), which features interview of the Ambassador of Ethiopia to India, H.E. Mr Asfaw Dingamo, who exhorts Indians to visit Ethiopia and explore the vast and diverse historical and cultural heritage of his country and its beautiful landscapes. At the end, I wish you all have great business times during SATTE 2018!

Srishti Rai Editor

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18 COVER STORY SATTE: 25 successful years 06 NEWS VFS Global Czech Republic Visa Application Centre inaugurated in Goa 10 NEWS VFS Global now accepts visa applications for Ukraine in India 14 NEWS EaseMyTrip to produce a film with Karan Kapadia 22 INDUSTRY SPEAKS Industry hails SATTE 2018

38 14

26 FEATURE Innovative Ways to Adopt Technology in Travel Business 28 INTERVIEW We have to create an atmosphere of trust among our members: VP-TAAI

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26 32 NEWS Emirates signs an MoU with Airbus for order of 36 A380s worth $16 bn 34 BITE CORNER Not old but classic 38 DIPLOMAT CORNER Ethiopia: a country of incredible heritage and exotic landscapes

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NEWS

VFS Global Czech Republic Visa Application Centre inaugurated in Goa Travellers to the Czech Republic can now apply for visas from 16 cities in India. The Embassy of the Czech Republic inaugurated the 16th VFS Global Czech Republic Visa Application Centre in India, in Goa, significantly extending the network of visa application facilities in the western region of India. H.E. Mr Milan Hovorka, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to India, inaugurated the centre. At the launch, H.E. Mr Milan Hovorka, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to India, said, “The launch of the Czech Republic Visa Application Centre in Goa reflects the country's genuine commitment to provide for the growing demands of Visas to the country among Indian tourists, business and culture. As a result of this policy, the Czech Republic has emerged as one of the preferred European destinations for Indian tourists.” The opening of 16 visa application centres in India over a twoyear period signifies VFS Global’ s strengthening association with the Embassy of the Czech Republic. Commenting on the launch of the visa centres, Vinay Malhotra, Chief Operating Officer – Middle East and South Asia, VFS Global, said, "Outbound traffic from India is constantly growing, and the Czech Republic in particular is

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H.E. Mr Milan Hovorka, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to India (centre) inaugurates the new Czech Republic Visa Application Centre in Goa

rapidly gaining popularity as a preferred tourist destination among Indian travel enthusiasts. With India being a large source market for travel to Europe, the new centre will help enhance the visa services network for the Czech Republic visa applicants in the region.” Besides Goa, other cities where applicants can submit visa applications for the Czech Republic are Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Gurugram, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, Puducherry, Pune and Thiruvananthapuram. VFS Global has partnered with the Government of the Czech Republic since 2008, when it first set up visa application operations in Russia. Since then, it has estab-

lished a robust network of 93 centres across 17 countries for this by TNH DESK client government.

Czech Republic Visa Application Centre

Address: 3rd floor, Gera Imperium 1, Office No 301, Patto Palza, Panjim, Goa 403001. Helpline: 022-67866023 Email: info.Czechindia@vfshelpline.com Website: http://www.vfsglobal.com/czechrepublic/india/ Submission Timing for Applicants, Representatives and Travel Agents: 0800 hrs to 1500 hrs (Monday - Friday) Document Collection Timing: 0800 hrs to 1500 hrs (Monday-Friday)

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NEWS

GOVERNMENT ALLOWS FOREIGN AIRLINES TO INVEST UP TO 49% IN AIR INDIA The Union Cabinet recently approved many amendments in India's FDI policy, including allowing foreign airlines to invest up to 49% under approval route in Air India. The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently gave approval to a number of amendments in the FDI Policy, with an aim to liberalize and simplify the FDI policy and improve ease of doing business in the country. As per the extant policy, foreign airlines are allowed to invest under Government approval route in the capital of Indian companies operating scheduled and non-scheduled air transport services, up to the limit of 49% of their paid-up capital. However, this provision was not applicable to Air India, therefore foreign airlines could not invest in Air India. It has now been decided to do away with this restriction and allow foreign airlines to invest up to 49% under approval route in Air India subject to the conditions that: 1.) Foreign investment(s) in Air India including that of foreign Airline(s) shall not exceed 49% either directly or indirectly, and 2.) substantial ownership and effective control of Air India shall continue to be vested in Indian National. With this decision of the government, Air India can attract investment from foreign airlines/global investors when government will start divesting its shares in the airline, enabling the airline to get higher value for its shares. The Congress has opposed allowing FDI in Air India. Congress Spokesperson RPN Singh said that UPA Government had kept Air India out of FDI because Air India is India's national carrier. It can be recalled that in September 2012, the UPA Government had allowed foreign airlines to pick up 49 % equity in domes-

New FDI policy allows foreign airlines to invest up to 49% in Air India Substantial ownership, effective control of Air India will continue to be vested in Indian National. Air India had a total debt of about Rs 48,877 crore at the end of March 2017. Of the total debt, about Rs 17,360 crore were aircraft loans and Rs 31,517 crore were working capital loans. The earlier policy allowed foreign airlines to invest in Indian airlines barring Air India A Parliamentary Committee recently suggested that the government should review its decision to privatise/disinvest Air India. The Committee advises the Government to explore the possibility of “an alternative to disinvestment of our national carrier which is our national pride.”

tic airlines. Criticizing the UPA government's decision , then BJP spokesperson and former Civil Aviation Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy said the decision to allow FDI in civil aviation was to “please a failed businessman.” The move comes at a time when the government is working on the modalities for strategic disinvestment of the lossmaking Air India and is expected to attract more bidders for the airline. A group of ministers is in the process of finalizing the contours for the proposed strategic stake sale in the national carrier and expression of interest is by TNH DESK likely to be invited from bidders soon.

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NEWS

APEEJAY SURRENDRA PARK HOTELS BRINGS ITS SOCIAL CATALYST BRAND 'ZONE BY THE PARK' TO JODHPUR Second property in Rajasthan with upcoming hotels in Pondicherry, Igatpuri & Goa. The Park Hotels, pioneers of luxury boutique hotels in India, enters Jodhpur with the launch of its second hotel in Rajasthan under 'Zone by The Park'. The first hotel of the price-conscious, design-conscious brand was launched in April 2015 in the pink by TNH DESK city, Jaipur.

ETIHAD AVIATION GROUP APPOINTS NEW GROUP CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Etihad Aviation Group (EAG) confirmed the appointment of Mark Powers as its new Group Chief Financial Officer. Powers will join EAG in January 2018. In his new role, Powers will be responsible Mark Powers for the finance function Group Chief Financial Officer, Etihad Aviation Group across the Abu Dhabibased group’s five divisions, which comprise UAE national airline Etihad Airways, Etihad Airways Engineering, Etihad Airport Services, Hala Group and Airline Equity Partby TNH DESK ners.

A R RAHMAN NAMED AS THE BRAND AMBASSADOR OF SIKKIM The maestro, who would also compose the tourism anthem for the state, wore the traditional Khada and lit the festival’s inaugural lamp. Academy Award winning music composer AR Rahman was named the official brand ambassador of the north eastern state of Sikkim, one of the favourite destinations of tourists preferring the upper reaches. Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling announced Rahman’s name at the inauguration of the state Red Panda Winter Carnival at Paljor Stadium in Gangtok. The maestro, who would also compose the tourism anthem for the state, wore the traditional Khada and lit the festival’s inaugural lamp. Chamling presented him with a hand-woven carpet.

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This was Rahman’s first visit to Sikkim. As per sources, Rahman’s team would be organising a concert in the state sometime in March. A number of Bollywood celebrities, including actor Sridevi and her producer-husband Boney Kapoor, are scheduled to take part in the 11-day-

long winter carnival. Another global celebrity and Assam tourism ambassador Priyanka Chopra is scheduled to visit Sikkim in April for the premiere of her home production Pahuna-The Little Visitors. The film has been shot exclusively in Sikkim. by TNH DESK

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CONRAD HOTELS & RESORTS WELCOMES SECOND PROPERTY IN INDIA

Conrad Bengaluru launches with a grand opening event, inaugurated by the Chief Minister Shri. Siddaramaiah (L to R): Daniel Welk, Vice President, Operations, Luxury & Lifestyle, Hilton; Shri. Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister of Karnataka; Irfan Razack, Chairman and Managing Director, Prestige Group and Parag Sawhney, General Manager, Conrad Bengaluru.

Stunning high-rise Conrad Bengaluru offers guests magnificent views of Ulsoor Lake in Bengaluru. Conrad Hotels & Resortstoday celebrates further expansion in India with the opening of Conrad Bengaluru. Soaring 24 stories above

NEWS

Stunning high-rise Conrad Bengaluru, located in the epicentre of prime business, technology, art and entertainment districts in Bengaluru

Bengaluru’s Central Business District, the new luxurious hotel, which is owned by Prestige Group and managed by Hilton is superbly located in the city providing excellent accessibility to prime business, technology, art and entertainment

districts. “The impressive Conrad Bengaluru is an outstanding addition to our luxury portfolio in Asia Pacific and we are delighted to be partnering with the Prestige Group on this by TNH DESK exciting project.”

VISIT MONACO CELEBRATES NEW YEAR WITH KARAN JOHAR

rector, entrepreneur and ultimate showman of Indian entertainment industry, unveiled the cover of the magazine and also talked about the business of entertainment and its evolution. Parineeta Sethi, Chief Editor and Publisher of Millionaireasia India who was with Karan in Monaco for the exclusive photoshoot and interview, said, "Every aspect fitted in beautifully. by TNH DESK

Millionaireasia India, the country’s first by-invitation magazine for HNIs along with The Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Bureau, brought in 2018 with an emphatic bang at a spectacular event that featured Bolly-

wood’s game-changing icon, Karan Johar. The scintillating event was the culmination of Karan’s visit and photoshoot in Monaco for the cover of Millionaireasia India’s Jan-Feb 2018 edition. The di-

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NEWS

VFS GLOBAL NOW ACCEPTS VISA APPLICATIONS FOR UKRAINE IN INDIA Residents of India wishing to travel to Ukraine can now apply for both short and long term visas at the VFS Global Visa Application Centre in New Delhi. Ukraine was recently signed on as VFS Global’s 57th client government worldwide, when the Ukraine Ministry of Foreign Affairs and VFS Global signed a contract to provide visa services on behalf of the Eastern European nation across eight countries – Angola, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, and Tunisia in the Africa region, Lebanon in the Middle East region, India in the South Asia region, and China, in September 2017. The contract entails the launch of 10 visa application centres across these eight countries by 15 January 2018, with the one in New Delhi being the first step toward that goal. Vinay Malhotra, COO – Middle East and South Asia, VFS Global, remarked, “It is with great pride that VFS Global announces its partnership with Ukraine. It is with even greater delight that we launch the first Ukraine Visa Application Centre in New Delhi, India. Ukraine is fast becoming a popular destination for Indian travellers, and we look forward to offering travel

enthusiasts in the region our best in class visa application services to ease their submission process.” The year 2017 has been a marked success for VFS Global, with seven new client governments added to its portfolio. The organisation has also expanded its presence to five new countries and also crossed the milestone of handling its 150 millionth appli-

Vinay Malhotra COO – Middle East and South Asia, VFS Global

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cation through the year. Key features of the Ukraine Visa Application Centre: • Comfortable centre with automated crowd management capabilities • Professional and responsive staff dedicated to handle visa applications • Accept visa applications and scrutinize them for completeness • Accept visa fees and service fees through Cash, Credit & Debit Cards • Reduces waiting time and long queues at the Embassy and offers convenience to the applicants • Increases customer satisfaction due to reduced travel time for applicants • Dedicated website to provide information on visa categories, fees and other application related details • Call centre and email support to answer queries • Online tracking of application status • Convenient and secure courier return of visa documents to address of choice by TNH DESK

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NEWS

VIRGIN ATLANTIC APPOINTS DAVID HODGES AS NEW COUNTRY MANAGER FOR INDIA Virgin Atlantic has announced the appointment of David Hodges as the new Country Manager for its India operations. In his new role, David will drive Virgin’s business at a strategic and commercial level for all sales within India. An accomplished industry leader with over a decade of business development and external affairs experience, David has an established track record of leadership and business expansion at large, complex, multi-national organisations including varied roles at London Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Brevia Consulting where he worked with multinational companies such as EDF Energy and T-Mobile. Commenting on his appointment, David

said, "I am very pleased to take up this new role at Virgin Atlantic and excited to be part of the dynamic team in India. We will continue to champion the needs of the customer and tap the incredible growth opportunities in both leisure and business segments. I look forward to meeting the organisation's objectives, strengthen the brand and grow the business in the Indian market." David Hodges joined Virgin Atlantic in 2013. Within the remit of his role David oversees sales, distribution, contact centre management, marketing, press relations and customer experience. Prior to his appointment as the Country Manager for India, he was the Senior External Affairs Manager in which he worked closely with the Government and the business sector on issues that led to a significant increase in the number of people flying with Virgin Atlantic. David started his career as an adviser

David Hodges Virgin Atlantic India Country Manager

to a Parliamentary inquiry at Westminster into English Football and its Governance, leading to significant reforms. He then moved on to advise businesses such as T-Mobile and EDF Energy on communications before taking a position at the London Chamber of Commerce running their infrastructure and skills section. David holds a first class Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Politics from the University of Leicester and a Master’s of Science degree from Brunel University. by TNH DESK

NYC & COMPANY ENCOURAGES VISITORS TO ENJOY DIVERSE TEAS IN NEW YORK CITY As Temperatures Dip in New York City, Travelers and Locals alike can Traverse the City Streets in Search of Different and Delicious Cups of Tea As temperatures dip in New York City, travelers and locals alike can traverse the City streets in search of a steaming cup of tea (served with a stir of sugar and a touch of spice), to counteract the frigid blast we’re currently facing. Below, select establishments are highlighted, including hotels, traditional high tea parlors, specialty leaf purveyors, and modern venues with colorful aesthetics,

ideal for those looking to showcase their visit online. The Plaza Hotel and the Downton Abbey Exhibition have new tea collaboration in NYC, being served in the Palm Court while afternoon tea at the Lowell Hotel is steeped in elegance and rooted in ritual. Firmdale Hotels’ the Crosby Street Hotel and the Whitby Hotel offer afternoon tea with gluten free, sugar free and Vegan options, ideal for travelers with dietary restrictions. Two E, at The Pierre, a Taj Hotel, offers legendary traditional afternoon tea service, paired

with scones and petit fours baked fresh in-house each morning. by TNH DESK

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NEWS

INDIGO SOON TO OPERATE DIRECT DAILY FLIGHTS TO COLOMBO • Colombo soon to be its 8th international and 49th overall destination on 6E network In its endeavour to expand and strengthen its growing network, IndiGo shared its operational plans from Colombo. With daily direct flights from Chennai and Bengaluru, Colombo has become IndiGo’s 8th international and 49th overall destination effective from January 20, 2018. With these new flights IndiGo will also offer convenient connections to & from Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai & other major Indian cities. Both corporate and leisure passengers travelling to and from Colombo will get the opportunity to experience on-time, af-

fordable and a hassle-free travel experience that IndiGo is synonymous with. These new flights further consolidate IndiGo’s position as the fastest growing airline in India with over 150 Airbus

SAROVAR HOTELS & RESORTS EXPANDS IN MUMBAI; SIGNS A NEW HOTEL IN DAHISAR Sarovar Hotels signed a new hotel deal in Dahisar, marking the group’s strong foothold in the Mumbai market. The group has signed an agreement for a 112 suites hotel, Royal Hometel Suites, Dahisar. Owned by M/s Lion Pencils Limited, Royal Hometel Suites is expected to open in 2018. With a key location, the hotel under development will offer all facilities of an international standard hotel. Allowing guests a comfortable stay and pleasant experience, Royal Hometel Suites will feature All Day Dining, Bar, Banquet Halls, Conference & Meeting Facilities, Swimming Pool, and Gymnasium. Anil Madhok, Executive Chairman, Sarovar Hotels & Resorts, said, “We are delighted to sign yet another hotel in Mumbai which is one of our most significant markets. We are already present in Mumbai with all of our three brands Sarovar Premiere, Sarovar Portico and Hometel.” by TNH DESK

A320 and three ATR aircraft strong fleet, operating over 1000 daily flights, connecting 49 destinations w.e.f January 20, 2018. by TNH DESK

MOT ANNOUNCED 2018 AS “THE YEAR OF ADVENTURE TOURISM” On the behest of ATOAI, MOT announced 2018 as “The Year of Adventure Tourism”. The Association will spearhead various activities across the country to promote adventure travel to celebrate the year of adventure tourism. “The goal is to double the adventure travel in the country in the next two years.” said Capt. Swadesh Kumar-President ATOAI on the announcement. For past few years the focus of ATOAI has been creating widespread awareness about adventure tourism being one of the important facets of tourism in the country and the need to promote India as one of the most popular adventure tourism destinations in the world. India as an adventure tourism destination has grown in popularity both in the domestic and international market. The celebration of 2018 as Year of Adventure Tourism will greatly help in achieving the goals which ATOAI has set. ATOAI is aiming to have a series of events, roadshows in India and overseas, FAM trips for international adventure tour operators as well as travel media to mark the celebrations. by TNH DESK

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NEWS

CELEBRATE THE 2018

TAIWAN LANTERN FESTIVAL! To be celebrated from 2nd March to 11th March, the 2018 Taiwan Lantern Festival is going to present itself via water, on the land, and in the air. Bringing together tourism, technology, culture and art, the festival is expected to manifest Chiayi

County's renewed traditions and creativity as a ground-breaking "smart" event. The "water" lantern zone features water and light shows which are in par with international standards on the globally famous sea of clouds, sunrise, forest railways and cherry blossoms

of Alishan, in addition to a presentation of the water landscape and architecture of the Southern Branch, National Palace Museum located right in Chiayi. The shows will take place at fixed hours every evening during the festival period, as accompanied by dance performances by professional troupes. The "land" lantern zone delves into Chiayi history, highlighting traditional craft art and the works by local artists. New ideas are instilled into this otherwise traditional lantern display in an artistic way. The "air" lantern zone shows high-tech lanterns made with new technology, materials and techniques. These lanterns look truly different. Chiayi is planning to build an innovative lantern festival. by TNH DESK

JORDAN TOURISM BOARD CONDUCTS B2B ROADSHOW IN MUMBAI Jordan Tourism Board conducted a Roadshow in Mumbai with 9 partners - Air Arabia, United Travel Agency, Travco Tours, Dakkak Tours, Emirates, Friends Tours, Jordan Tours, Karma House Travel, La Beduina Tours and Oman Air. The aim of the Roadshow was to meet the city’s premium travel agents and tour operators to discuss hotels, transportation, flights and much more to Jordan to enable the agents to plan the perfect MICE, wedding, honeymoon or holiday to Jordan! The Roadshow were conducted keeping in mind to associate air, land, hotels, excursions and all other arrangements on one plat-

form, and to make Jordan a strong contender in their itineraries for the coming season. The event was attended by Ashit Taneja, Country Manager, Jordan Tourism Board’s Representative Office in India along with Think Strawberries team, which handles the Sales, Marketing and PR & Media for Jordan Tourism Board

in India. He commented, "These Roadshows offer a fantastic opportunity for the travel agent and tour operator community to connect with B2B segement and directly with JTB to help them drive more business and numbers towards the destination.” by TNH DESK

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NEWS

THE NEW OBEROI REOPENS IN NEW DELHI New Delhi’s Favourite Hotel is Back! The Oberoi Group has announced the highly anticipated re-opening of The Oberoi, New Delhi after comprehensive renovation which commenced shortly after the hotel celebrated its Golden Anniversary in 2016. The hotel was expected to take twoyears but was completed three months ahead of schedule. The Oberoi, New Delhi’s multi-million dollar transformation was directed by the internationally renowned designer Adam D. Tihany who took Edward Lutyens’ modernist vision as his inspiration. For over fifty years, The Oberoi, New Delhi has established itself as a destination for the world’s most discerning guests; from presidents to global CEOs and celebrities.

Renovations have been painstaking, with attention being paid to the finest details, so that guests have the sensation of ‘coming home’ yet of walking into an entirely new hotel. The 220 rooms, including 34 suites, are more spacious and luxurious with abundant natural light. What remains unchanged though is the hotel’s enviable location. Striking views of Humayun’s Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Delhi Golf Course, India’s oldest golf course, can be enjoyed from the hotel. The addition of advanced air filters throughout the hotel will provide clean and fresh air. The Oberoi, New Delhi has partnered with two internationally acclaimed by TNH DESK chefs.

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EASEMYTRIP TO PRODUCE A FILM WITH KARAN KAPADIA

Nishant Pitti, from EaseMyTrip.com, is going to produce a film with Karan Kapadia that will hit the theatres in year 2018. Nishant Pitti, CEO & Co-founder of EaseMyTrip.com is one of the producers of the movie. Karan Kapadia, who is the nephew of the veteran actress Dimple Kapadia and cousin of Twinkle Khanna, is all set to make his Bollywood debut with Tony D’Souza and Vishal Rana. The title of the film has not been decided yet. In this movie the famous Bollywood star Sunny Deol is another big name associated as a lead actor. The Bollywood

debut of Karan will be directed by Behzad Khambata. Karan has really worked hard for the film and shed good amount of weight by attending regular gym. From being an obese of 118 kg, he turned really fit and became 88 kg. Karan is the son of Dimple’s sister Simple Kapadia. Tony D’Souza shares a close relationship with actor Akshay Kumar (who is brother-in-law of Karan). They have already worked together on two films, including Blue and Boss. Akshay introduced Karan to D’Souza in a party. by TNH DESK

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NEWS

THAI GOLF PASSPORT LAUNCHED IN DELHI

Thai Golf Passport will offer Indian golfers a seamless golf experience in Thailand. When it comes to hospitality no country comes closer to perfection than Thailand offering something for everyone of diverse interest, every age and every budget. From pristine sandy beaches to lush jungles, bustling busy cities to traditional villages, Michelin star menus to roadside noodle stalls, historic Buddhist temples to 21st-century skyscrapers Thailand is truly amazing! Amazing Thailand also has Amazing Golf facilities. Ideally located more than 200 golf courses throughout the country, by the sea, by the mountains, by the lakes, inside the cities even besides the airports. Top quality courses, reasonable green fees, friendly caddies. From the beach resorts in the south such as Phuket to the mountainous surroundings in the north, or the bustling cities of Bangkok and Pattaya, there are golf

Isra Staphanaseth & Vaani Kapoor

courses to suit every preference. To bring value to this offering, SLW, the leading Golf Management company has launched the first ever loyalty program for a country. “Thai Golf Passport has been launched in India to offer Indian golfers a seamless golf experience in Thailand. Indian golfers can be a part of this

Amazing rewards program whenever they tee off in Amazing Thailand,” said Anil Dev, Managing Director SLW. “A number of quality service providers like Thai Airways, Cox & Kings, Callaway and a number of Golf Courses, Resorts and hotels have come together to partner by TNH DESK this initiative,” he added.

RINGING IN THE NEW HORIZON The Land of Siam is enticing Indian travellers with novel destinations and robust air connectivity. With Thailand emerging as an evergreen tourist destination for outbound Indian holiday-lovers, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has drawn up its New Year strategies to pull a large number of Indian tourists to the amazing Land of Siam. Isra Staphanaseth, Director, TAT, New Delhi

informed, “We are emphasizing on group women travellers, wedding travellers, highend luxury and golf tourists, leisure and family holidaymakers in the New Year. We have a novel service product for Indian tourists heading off to Thailand. A plethora of Indian weddings take place in famed tourist destinations like Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Hua Hin, Rayang and Krabi and

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we are targeting PanIndia including North India and the eastern region to draw wedding travellers.” Staphanaseth was speaking at a marketing campaign themed “Open to new shades” hosted by TAT in Kolkata sometime on December 20. In today’s times, most of the major cities in North India boast of sound connectivity to Bangkok, Staphanaseth by TNH DESK said.

Isra Staphanaseth Director of TAT, New Delhi

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NEWS

KENYA EYES 12-15% GROWTH IN FOOTFALLS FROM INDIA IN 2018 Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), in partnership with 10 members of the Kenya travel trade, participated in the Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) 2018 in Mumbai, India. KTB showcased Kenya’s authentic experiences to the trade from India through various presentations and round table discussions. The show provided a business networking platform for the Kenyan travel trade to engage with their Indian counterparts. Among the members of the Kenya travel trade that have confirmed participation in OTM 2018 include Wildtrek Safaris, Safari Trails, Golden Holidays and Travel Company and Golden Holiday Travel, Vintage Africa, Silverbird Safaris, Shian Tours, African Trotter and Serena Hotels. KTB Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Betty Radier said, “the show pro-

vides Kenya with a gateway to the high spending 22 million outbound adventurous Indian traveler, MICE groups, Safari seekers and those looking to do weddings and /honeymoon in Kenya.” She said KTB will position Kenya both as a high value tourist destination offering value for money and also the ultimate destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) for Indian groups. “Kenya is well positioned to take a major share of India’s growing travel market. Kenya is endowed with breath-taking landscapes, a magnificent range of captivating wildlife, a beautiful coastline that offers diverse magical experiences, an array of enriching cultural encounters, exquisite cuisine, vibrant cities and beautiful people propelling it to be the most preferred safari destination.”, KTB CEO has

Betty Radier Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Tourism Board

said. Dr. Radier noted that adventure tourism is one of the segments which is very rapidly picking up in India and for Kenya, it is going to be a major growth driver. India is the third largest source market of Kenya after the US and UK. In 2017, Kenya hosted 64,116 Indians by TNH DESK travellers.

IXIGO INTRODUCES INDIA’S FIRST AUGMENTED REALITY FEATURE FOR TRAIN PASSENGERS iPhone users can accurately locate their coach position on railway platforms, like never before. ixigo, India’s leading travel marketplace, has introduced India’s first augmented reality (AR) feature on its trains app. The AR Coach Position feature will enable train travellers to accurately locate their coach positions for over 13,000 passenger trains at more than 7,000 railway stations across India. With the Coach Position feature, iOS users using the iPhone 6+ and

above just need to use their smartphone in order to have their coaches instantly categorized and labeled, thereby identifying how far away they are from their intended coach. ixigo’s AR feature leverages ARKit, Apple's augmented reality (AR) technology

toolkit, that delivers engaging experiences through the seamless blending of virtual objects with the real world. Users with the ixigo trains app need to grant camera access to the app, point it at the railway platform, and the app will overlay coach positions of their train on the phone screen. by TNH DESK

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COVER STORY

SATTE:

25 Successful Years The grand Silver Jubilee edition of SATTE- South Asian Travel and Tourism Exchange is all set to take place from 31st January to 2nd February 2018.

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South Asian Travel and Tourism Exchange or SATTE, India's premier travel trade show, completes 25 years of its successful journey this year and is set for its Silver Jubilee edition. The show has come a long way since its first edition, achieving many milestones and contributing hugely to India's Travel & Tourism Industry. In the last 25 years, SATTE has greatly served as a platform for travel companies and destinations from India and across the world to showcase and launch their products with an aim to target Indian market. SATTE, Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first national and international buyerseller meet for travel trade, was organized for the first time in 1994 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi with over 300 foreign buyers. Over the years, the show grew to become South Asia's leading show and one of the biggest tourism exhibitions in Asia. Today every small to big brand having interest in Indian travel market, wants to be part of this show. SATTE was launched by Delhi-based Cross Section Media headed by Naveen Berry, which organized the show till 2011 before selling the platform to UBM India along with its travel trade publication Travel Trades Today (T3). Started on

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Yogesh Mudras Managing Director, UBM India

a small-scale, the B2B travel trade show today is India's premier travel trade exchange platform, and the one of the best examples of successful private-sector initiatives in India's travel & tourism industry. Since its acquisition in 2011 by India's leading media and event company UBM India, SATTE's position as India's premier travel trade show has been getting further strengthened. Conceived as the first platform in India to promote the country as an attractive tourism destination in international markets, SATTE over the years has played an instrumental role in establishing India as one of the important tourism destinations on the global

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Industry awaits the grand Silver Jubilee edition of ‘SATTE’ tourism map. Held annually in a huge area in Pragati Maidan, an exhibition landmark of India's capital city, SATTE has honor to partner with some of the leading national and international brands and institutions including the UN's World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), India's Ministry of Tourism, PATA, SITE, SKAL International, UFTAA besides leading Indian travel trade associations. The show enjoys a dominating position in India's travel trade mart segment. Since its inception, SATTE has grown exponentially breaking its records year after year. Last year, more than 800 exhibitors from over 40 countries and 28 Indian states, took part in SATTE. Over years, SATTE has evolved as a truly global exhibition platform in the south Asia, and its standing and popularity is growing year after year, attracting new exhibitors and visitors. UBM India is all set to organize the 25th anniversary edition of SATTE from January 31 to February 2, 2018 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. This year, the exhibition has witnessed a tremendous response from the industry with participation from over 1,000 exhibitors and representation of over 50 countries and 28 Indian states. SATTE will provide a comprehensive platform to domestic and international buyers and professionals from across the travel, tourism and hospitality industry along with National and State Tourism Boards (NTOs and

SATTE 2018 has record participation from over 1,000 exhibitors It has representation of over 50 countries & 28 Indian states This leading platform is well-supported by India's Tourism Ministry SATTE is the biggest travel show & leading networking forum in South Asia

STOs) to congregate and conduct business, arrive at solution-driven innovations to counteract economic uncertainties, and promote inbound, outbound and domestic tourism in India. This most favoured industry platform is also well-supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

Spread over three days, SATTE 2018 will be witness to several exciting partnerships and announcements that promise to augur in new trends in the industry. Visitors at the signature expo can expect to witness a number of features including a special pavilion of 10 start-ups and venture capital firms to provide seed investments for captivating ideas. Speaking on the announcement of the 25th edition of SATTE, Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, UBM India said, “A diverse country like India has a huge tourism potential. The industry is growing at an unprecedented pace with the urban middle class taking to every kind of travel – from conventional package tours to independent and off-beat itineraries. Low-cost airlines and higher disposable incomes have ensured

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that Indians are travelling more than ever before. The Indian tourism industry is the fastest growing among the G20 countries. Ease of access through online portals and hassle-free bookings and accessible pricing will play a pivotal role in ensuring that India’s travel sector grows to a US$48 billion market opportunity by 2020.” “SATTE is perfectly placed to provide a most comprehensive industry platform and showcase the true potential of tourism for India and other countries, all under one roof. With this edition, SATTE will also achieve its Silver Jubilee milestone and on our part, we have pulled out all stops to celebrate it in a grand way. The ‘I am 25’ campaign brought various sectors of the industry together on the 25th of each month to celebrate 25 years of the show, and there’s plenty happening onsite as well. SATTE is also happy to engage its exhibitors and visitors to pledge for sustainable tourism under the unique I-Pledge scheme where they pledge to conserve natural reserve; respect and save wildlife; say no to plastic; dispose waste smartly and travel responsibly. We have already got over 22,000 pledges at last count,” he further added. Pradip Lulla, Vice President, Travel Agents Federation of India, said, “While the T&T industry has seen a commendable growth, plenty could be done to enhance the overall figures and market reach, thereby increasing its vast potential. The outreach of the

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T&T could be furthered to include the masses. Tourism infrastructure in the country needs to be further developed with organized cooperation from the public and the government. In this context, SATTE, being the biggest exhibition in South Asia, has been a blessing for the industry of India. It provides an unmatched platform for small and medium travel agents to network with representatives from 50 countries and experience different offerings. I am delighted to see the positive impact SATTE has had on the tourism industry in India and hope the growth continues in an exponential manner.” SATTE 2018 will have an array of State Tourism Boards with many of them increasing their presence for the 25th edition of SATTE. So far, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Kerala, West Bengal and Rajasthan have confirmed their participation. States such as Goa, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, J&K, amongst others are in the process of finalising their participation for the coming edition. The eight North Eastern states will participate under the Incredible India Pavilion of the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India. Foreign Tourism Boards such as Spain, Peru, Czech Republic, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, Turkey, Philippines, Japan, South Korea, Fiji, New Zealand, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Azerbaijan,

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Egypt, Israel, Sharjah, Dubai, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, Mauritius, Indonesia, Abu Dhabi, Visit Russia, Visit Florida and Las Vegas and Oman, amongst others have confirmed their participation too. This year, the expo is also witnessing an increase in participation from an array of hospitality players and products. Groups such as Movenpick, Neemrana, Treebo, Sterling Resorts, Minor Hotels, Dusit, Melia Hotels International, Shangri -La Hotels and Resorts, DS Group, Choice Hotels, Abad Hotels, Lords Hotels, Alcon Victor Goa, Zen and Singge Palace from Ladakh, Grand Imperial Agra, Somatheeram, Ramada Kerala, Ananta Resorts, Venetian Cotai, Ayana Resorts Bali, Marasa Africa, Banyan Tree, Disneyworld Paris, EuropeCar, The Ultimate Travelling Camp and many more have confirmed their participation at the mega event. One of the key features of SATTE 2018 will be the conference programme from January 31 to February 2 that promises industry discussions and sharing of new insights pertaining to the sector and industry best practices. As a pre-cursor to the expo, UBM India will be hosting the SATTE Awards 2018, the second edition of the awards. Slated for the evening of January 30th, the awards is an endeavour to recognize and celebrate the excellence, achievements and innovations of key stakeholders in the Travel and Tourism industry and will be based on transparent, authentic and genuine parameters, a philosophy which is imbibed in the values of SATTE. UBM India for the first time hosted the SATTE Awards last year.

Besides offering a leading platform, SATTE offers an opportunity to industry stakeholders to discuss and share new insights pertaining to the sector and industry best practices. SATTE will host six panel discussions that will bring together stakeholders of the industry on a single platform, allowing exchange of ideas that will add value to Indian tourism at large. The Key sessions and panel discussions covered a wide range of subjects and relevant topics that brought together industry stakeholders on a single platform allowing valuable exchange of ideas. For Indian travel trade, the largest travel trade networking platform offers a great platform to exhibit their products to both domestic and international buyers. It is boon for small and medium size companies, which may find attending international travel marts like WTM and ITB less attractive because of cost consideration. Besides providing a platform to big players, SATTE offers an opportunity to start-ups, new entrants, small and less popular destinations. India's coveted and comprehensive platform, SATTE brings all the segments of travel, tourism and hospitality under one roof. A perfect platform to showcase tourism products and services to the global travel trade community, and network with top decision makers from hotels & resorts, travel agencies & tour operators and MICE planners, SATTE features inbound, outbound as well as domestic travel companies, all under one roof.

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INDUSTRY SPEAKS

Industry hails SATTE 2018 India's Travel & Tourism Industry is eagerly awaiting the Grand Silver Jubilee Edition of SATTE being held from 31st January to 2nd February 2018 in New Delhi. Hassan Madah Director, Israel Ministry of Tourism, India Israel as a tourism destination has seen record-breaking growth in inbound arrival statistics with over 3.8 million visitors in 2017 marking a growth of 24% over 2016. From India, we have seen 31.4% growth in arrivals for 2017 over 2016. One of the major changes in the travel trends we have observed is the increase in travel for adventure tourism and female travellers – both individuals as well as groups. Participating at SATTE, will help us continue our efforts to build on existing relationships as well as create new ones by exposing the attendees to the destination of Israel on a larger scale. SATTE offers exposure to the Tourism board in the Indian market and helps the attending inbound Israeli Trade operators establish new relations with their Indian counterparts.

Noel Saxena Country Manager, Taiwan Tourism Bureau, India SATTE provides a perfect platform to meet travel agents and media to help us promote the Taiwan as the

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prefect destination for all of your needs and to make it a resonant as a multifaceted destination, which is “Asia’s best kept secret” waiting to be discovered. Taiwan has been a part of SATTE for last 7 years and it is very much business and marketing plan and we would like to leverage it to meet our prospective clients and promote Taiwan at its best. SATTE also provides us to meet plenty of travel agents and media; and we are looking forward to highlight the new attractions of our destination to increase the inbound tourism to Taiwan. SATTE has always been an important trade event to build partnerships at the best avenue to promote inbound, outbound and domestic tourism for any tourism board. It is one of the biggest Travel Trade event which helps in promoting the growth of tourism industry. Various exhibitors and other participants get a huge platform to create a lasting impression on the people attending the event and provide an opportunity to directly sell their services or product. At SATTE 2018, we will be highlighting our upcoming biggest festival "Taiwan Lantern Festival" which is to be celebrated from 2nd March to 11th March 2018.

Anil Parashar President and CEO, InterGlobe Technology Questient (ITQ) SATTE being the highly regarded event of the travel industry in South Asia, we look forward to participating in. InterGlobe Technology Quotient as a leader of delivering ground-breaking technology, aims to bring the latest solution each time such as: • Launch of Travelport Smartpoint latest version 7.5 which is PCI DSS compliant as per IATA issued advisory for all IATA authorized travel agents. • On-boarding of 250 airlines on our premium Mer-

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INDUSTRY SPEAKS

chandising Suite for better ancillary sale. • Streamlined sale of IndiGo on Travelportthe first ever direct sale option of LCC in the history of Indian Global distribution system, with enhanced display of its Fare Families on Travelport. • ITQ Financial and VR3 (Void, Reissue, Refund, Revalidation) - two exceptional introductions enabling travel agencies to automate their processes in financial accounting as well as reissuing and refunding tickets. • Galstar and uAPI - developed to ease the online workflow of online travel agents, including the agencies that are aspiring to go online. • Self-Booking Tool and Corporate Booking Tool are two highly advanced products that can streamline work and help in easy management of bulk bookings. At SATTE, we also intend to depict the core value of ITQ as a one-stop-shop for advanced travel technology which motivates new age businesses to contact us and understand our products and services. It gives us the platform where we can additionally get in touch with our clients and the sector to populate our technology and help them reach optimum growth.

ket their product to meaningful visitors coming from across the globe. As far as getting leverage from SATTE is concerned, we have always received a very favorable response from the travel trade and the stall remains packed with our travel partners, looking to further strengthen their relationship with us. This year also we expect the same and hope to see visitors in large numbers which we are sure will be at our stand E114.

Jaal Shah

Head, Relationships, Cox & Kings Ltd. While destinations will continue to determine the kind of trips one wants to take, one cannot ignore that ultimately immersive experiences will take precedence over destinations. In the coming year, travellers will seek experiences that

Group Managing Director – Travel Designer Group, Founder – RezLive.com SATTE is one of the most significant travel trade shows happening in India. It provides the right platform to the OTA’s, hoteliers, Agents, DMC’s to showcase & mar-

Ankush Nijhawan Co-Founder& CEO, Travel Boutique Online SATTE has always been the most important event of the year, for the simple reason that it is The India show. The show gives us a lot of benefit, mileage and new networking opportunities with partners overseas. Additionally, it also gives us the opportunity to meet our current customers who are already transacting with us. DMC is something we will be focusing in a very big way. In addition, for the first time DTCL will come under our responsibility.

Karan Anand

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INDUSTRY SPEAKS are defined by their personality, interests and style, most of which have been evolving over the years but will find a definite pattern as we move towards 2018. We believe that SATTE 2018 will reflect these trends. It is one of the key exhibitions that Cox & Kings participates in India. We have been participating in SATTE for the last 16 years and we have found it a very productive investment. We will showcase our brands and introduce interesting itineraries.

Bejan Dinshaw Country ManagerIndia, Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi SATTE is an exceptional platform to showcase our products and connect with the entire fraternity under one roof. It is a onestop destination to meet and network with top decision makers from hotels & resorts, travel agencies, tour operators and MICE planners serving inbound, outbound & domestic tourism. I look forward to have industry discussions and share new insights pertaining to the sector and industry practices. We are keen that these interactions with key people will give us the desired mileage of promoting Abu Dhabi in India. SATTE is considered to be the biggest networking forum for the travel and tourism industry in South Asia. This event attracts over 750 exhibitors from 35 countries, airlines, DMCs, hotels and the entire gamut of travel, tourism and hospitality suppliers showcasing their products. Therefore, it makes SATTE an important trade show that bring together stakeholders of the industry on a single platform.

Kingshuk Biswas Manager, Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd. Domestic Tourism is a focus area for all states as there is tremendous potential for all stakeholders from within India. SATTE 2018 is a great platform for in-

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bound Tourism due to its quality international participation. Hence, whether it is domestic tourism or inbound tourism, SATTE 2018 promises to be a great networking platform for us. We have been attending SATTE probably right from its inception. It is a truly an international level event for India. We have a big presence this year at SATTE 2018 and we hope that we can network and interact with new players/stakeholders both from the national and international markets. We will be launching some interesting and unexplored areas like Birdwatching, Golf Tourism and the exotic Little Rann of Kutch.

Josanne Lai Manager, Destination Marketing, Sands Resorts Macao There is a dramatic change on the customers’ behaviour, SATTE 2018 acts as a critical platform for us to respond to the industry with tailor products. Not only the highlights of the year would be presented, at SATTE 2018, audiences can enjoy the unique experience that Sands Resorts Macao has prepared for the market. Sands Resorts Macao including flagship The Venetian® Macao and The Parisian Macao will introduce their latest offerings, including The Parisian Macao package and Meetings Beyond Imagination package at SATTE.

Sulaiman Bin Suip Director, Tourism Malaysia, New Delhi This year is the 25th year of SATTE since it was first organised in 1994, and it is regarded as one of the largest travel trade exhibitions in the South Asia region, attracting hundreds of trade visitors from all over the world. Malaysia’s presence at SATTE this year is an early preparation for the promotion of Visit Malaysia Year 2020 in the region. This promotional effort is expected to increase the number of Indian tourists to Malaysia significantly, through promoting a greater awareness of Malaysia as an ideal holiday destination, as well as fostering greater cooperation between tour operators and members of the tourism fraternity. India is one of the top ten markets for Malaysia, with a total of 638,578 tourists recorded in 2016.

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NEWS

INDIA’S FIRST VOICE-ACTIVATED SMART HOTEL ROOMS DEBUT AT PARK INN BY RADISSON IP EXTENSION, NEW DELHI Park Inn by Radisson IP Extension is set to transform the Indian hospitality industry with the launch of its voice assistant-enabled smart hotel rooms. The property features the world’s first hotel rooms to have complete automation of service requests and virtual control of TV &lighting fixtures. Six of the property’s spacious studio rooms have been fitted with Amazon’s AI-powered Echo Dot devices. This allows guests to control light settings, music played in the room, and even the television with

simple voice commands. Additionally, guests can now request for services such as room cleaning, wake-up calls, laundry, in-room dining, and room check-out by merely speaking to the smart device.

OMAN TOURISM LAUNCHES NEW PROMOTIONAL WEBSITE The Ministry of Tourism Oman has launched a new promotional website “www.experienceoman.o m” that will serve as a one-stop-shop for all Oman Tourism related information. The website was launched under the patronage of His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, Minister of Heritage and Culture during a gala dinner that was hosted on the sidelines of the 2nd UNWTO/UNESCO World Conference on Tourism and Culture that was recently held in Muscat. Lubaina Sheerazi, India

Representative, Ministry of Tourism, Oman said, “The launch of the website comes as a part of the Ministry's initiatives to

support the development of the tourism sector in all areas, especially in the use of electronic platforms and digital marketing.” by TNH DESK

Alternately, guests can manage basic room functions & service requests with just a tap of their personal mobile phones; without downloading any apps. Park Inn by Radisson IP Extension, New Delhi is the first property in the world to provide this app-free solution, with Web RTC technology. Saurav Dutta, GM of the hotel, said, “Internet of Things (IoT) & voice-enabled technologies are without a doubt the future and we are excited to pioneer these comprehensive & intuitive smart hotel by TNH DESK room features in India.

CLEARTRIP LOCAL LAUNCHES THE MAGIC FINDER FEATURE TO ENABLE TRAVELLERS TO SEARCH, DISCOVER AND BOOK EXCITING ACTIVITIES Look for experiences based on parameters such as ratings, reviews, supplier type, etc. and curated recommendations Cleartrip has launched the new feature, Magic Finder on Cleartrip Local. With this feature, travellers can simply share their

interests from various options such as theme parks, music events, day outing, spa, or trekking, etc. along with their preferred travel dates to receive a carefully curated list of recommended experiences that fit their requirements. by TNH DESK

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FEATURE

Innovative Ways to Adopt Technology in Travel Business Technology has permeated every aspect of our waking lives—and since travel is such a huge part of our existence, it has naturally transformed the industry in several ways. We examine some of the most innovative ways in which travel companies can successfully use and adopt technology in their businesses.

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1. Big Data and Predictive Analysis: Big Data is essentially a technology-based work methodology that uses past information to predict future events. It allows one to intelligently predict what will happen tomorrow and to access that information. Thus, in addition to information based on the forecasts of a business’ computer system, one can access reliable information on what will happen in the future, the number of reservations that will be cancelled and other variables that help adequately meet human resource needs, streamline management, and deliver a better service. For instance, Hopper uses Big Data to predict and analyze airfare. Google Now is also somewhat of a travel agent, suggesting flights, rental cars and hotel reservations based on a traveller’s time and location. 2. Internet of Things: Life today is incomplete without a smartphone. This has given rise to solutions such as positioning beacons that can be used to identify mobile

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FEATURE based interface, allowing them to book plane tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars and more. PackPoint tells users what to pack based on length of travel, weather at the destination and activities planned during the trip.

phones and their owners with ease. Mobile apps are then used to contact users at given points, thereby generating an interaction with a place, hotel, leisure area, city, museum, etc. Thus, it is possible to determine how much time a customer will have to wait to be served or how many have left because of the wait. This information can then be used to reorganize and streamline management, increasing the return and improving service. It will likewise be possible to monitor production processes in order to organize and distribute tasks more efficiently based on need. 3. Apps: Given the popularity of smartphones, it has become imperative for each travel business to have its own app. There is so much to learn from some innovative apps in the travel and hospitality circuit. While Peek puts a tour guide in your phone, HotelTonight is a last-minute hotel booking tool. AnyRoad helps connect users to guides and thus, avoid travel agencies. Discover & Deliver has a service that uncovers the source of luxury items in hotel rooms and then offers them for sale on their site. Pleasebringme has a service where locals can request items from tourists and vice versa. Soverinn asks tourists to enter their ideal holiday location preferences and then encourages local hotels to offer packages and deals personalized to their preferences. Further, on HelloGbye, users can verbally ask or type in their travel wishes and the app will display a number of itinerary options including airfare and hotels. Lola users interact with agents through a chat-

4. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR): The use of VR and AR is starting to take hold in travel industry content marketing and is providing new ways of engaging customers at each stage of their travels. Airlines have been using VR to showcase their cabins in order to sell upgrades and premium amenities. For a traveller selecting a hotel room, an immersive experience elevates the traditional 360Â° virtual tour available on most websites. 5. TravelBots: A TravelBot, or ChatBot, allows travellers to gain assistance with booking travel through a messaging platform such as Facebook Messenger. Through it, travellers can enter their destination, travel dates and how many nights. The bot makes recommendations and the traveller can select a hotel and move forward with the booking themselves. Once the booking is complete, the bot will send the traveller their itinerary. 6. Wearable Devices: Travel brands are increasingly using wearable technology to provide a connected and personalized guest experience. Smartwatch enabled travellers to board a plane or unlock hotel rooms with a flick of the wrist. Stored preferences allow for personalized service, navigation of large event spaces and ease of payment. The wearable tech trend not only allows for an elevated guest experience but it also streamlines services and lowers costs. 7. Voice Interfaces (VI): AI and Chatbots mean the transformation to VI travel booking is inevitable. On an enterprise level, travel management companies will be able to benefit as interactions with apps evolve and become more natural. Potentially, businesses will have the ability to access the same information one can see on the screen and manage operations in situations where accessing the screen is not possible.

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INTERVIEW

We have to create an atmosphere of trust among our members: VP-TAAI Sanjay Narula, the newly elected Vice President of Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) said that members of TAAI have entrusted the new team with a huge responsibility by their overwhelming support in a very keenly fought election. In an interview with TnH, Narula says that the new team of TAAI has a lot to do and to start with, "we have to create an atmosphere of trust among our members and ensure that what we do is in their best interest."

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You recently got elected as the Vice President of TAAI. What issues have been closer to your heart, and as the second senior most officebearer of the Association, how are you going to address them? I agree the members have entrusted us and our team with a responsibility by this overwhelming show of love and support in a very keenly fought election. I am indeed very grateful and take this responsibility very seriously. TAAI has a lot to do and for a start we have to create an atmosphere of trust among our members and ensure that what we do is in their best interest. We will work to grow the respect of each and every travel agent and tour operator in this country. We have to collaborate effectively with all stakeholders and see to it that our interests are protected. The members of TAAI approximately control almost 80 % of the tourism products which are distributed in India and we have to make it count.

According to you, what are the issues and challenges India's travel agents are facing today? For a start we have to get complete clarity on the GST rollout for the travel agents. TAAI did take the lead in addressing this issue and we have been meeting with members regularly and also doing presentation by top experts in the field for them to consume the extensive information available and also implement that correctly in their offices. We cannot claim to have addressed each and every issue but the start has been good and much appreciated.

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Sanjay Narula Vice President, Travel Agents Association of India

TAAI members dominate the space as the ticketing agents of airlines, outbound and inbound tourism from and into India and we will make sure that each and every stakeholder, be it the airlines, hotels, tourism boards , government, trade fairs, media and their representations have proper access and give their best to our members .

With the role of technology growing fast, how do you think travel agents can survive?

Our best facilitator i.e. the Internet is our boon and bane as well, while it has made our lives and work re-

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ally easy but the transparency it offers also makes it very difficult to earn our margins. The service and cost associated with the interaction that our members offer to the customers, needs to be recognized and rewarded suitably and we hope we can move forward on that aggressively.

What new opportunities do you see for travel agents? How can they diversify their businesses? IATA is to introduce the New Distribution Capability (NDC). This brings with it challenges and also opportunities to be able to sell a diverse range of tourism offering which TAAI intends to partner with and bring an aggregator which will structure value for our membership. Our team is focusing on educating the frontline teams in new offerings and training them on destinations. Our clients can experience and there are several programs being developed to ensure that these things happen before the start of the peak holiday season.

ECO-TOURISM: THE CALLING CARD OF THE EAST

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Eco-tourism is the way forward for a state like Odisha that has a number of renowned national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, famous lakes and waterfalls. With the environmental brigade taking up cudgels to conserve nature and the state governments in the eastern region of India offering topmost priority to develop eco-tourist hubs, eco-tourism is the call of today’s world. To begin with, the land of Odisha has the largest area of land under forest cover and there is a wide spectrum of eco-tourist desti-

INTERVIEW According to you, what should TAAI do to empower its members to prepare for future?

We have created and developed the various councils amongst ourself to look after each activity which affects our business. The Airlines Council will seek regular interaction and discussion and address member issues. We as office bearers are having an APJC meeting shortly. We are looking at reworking the members default insurance program. The Allied Services Council will effectively engage to bring better coordination with government and the tourism ministry and all the Foreign Missions here and seek to create a more effective outreach with the Visa Program operators such as VFS Global and the like. We will be reviewing our co-operation and the MOUs with the various tourism boards and look at increasing our efforts in this space and creating an opportunity of seeking new enhanced bilateral agreements to seek two way traffic, create destinations etc.

nations. The state has the largest inland salt water lake in Asia- Chilka Lake. The latest additions in the ecotourism sector are waterfalls in the state. Nitin Bhanu Das Jawle, Director, Odisha Tourism commented, “Odisha has nearly 34 per cent of forested area and the largest tract of the Eastern Ghats is in the state. The most sought-after, emerging ecotourist destination has been Simlipal National Park followed by Bhittarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary and Chilka Lake. We are boosting Satkosia Gorge in a big way. There are a couple of forests on Marine Drive Road connecting Puri with Konark. We have identified around 30 eco-tourist destinations in the state and a number of lesser-known eco-tourist spots are waiting in the wings.”

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NEWS

THINK STRAWBERRIES SIGNS ON COCOON MALDIVES AS ITS SALES, MARKETING AND PR & MEDIA REPRESENTATIVE FOR INDIA AND THE MIDDLE EAST Think Strawberries has been appointed as the India and Middle East representative office of Cocoon Maldives. Maldives can be summarized as a dazzling landscape of immaculate beaches, azure seas, palm trees and yearround sunshine. Synonymous with once-in-a-lifetime luxury, romance and complete tranquility, the 1,190 coral islands or atolls that make up the Maldives, regularly top the dream destination bucket list and are first choice for honeymooners, family holidays or a relaxing break. Cocoon blends the best of Italian design

with the Maldives’ stunning natural beauty, all set against the backdrop of the azure Indian Ocean. Cocoon’s interiors are exclusively designed by Lago, one of Italy’s finest design companies. This 5-star, family-friendly, stylish resort, based on the principle of ‘affordable luxury’, is the perfect destination from which to

Sarovar HotelS Pvt. ltd. oPenS SingHania Sarovar Portico in raiPur Continuing its aggressive expansion mode, Sarovar Hotels Pvt. Ltd. announced the launch of Singhania Sarovar Portico, Raipur, a contemporary and upscale hotel strategically located in the hub of the city near AIIMS Hospital, NIT and Science College. With this brand new and elegant hotel, Sarovar Hotels & Resorts Pvt. Ltd. which is one of the fastest growing chains of

hotels in India, brings to travellers to the city an ideal choice of quality accommodation and services for both business as well as leisure.

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by TNH DESK

discover the Maldives, whether you are honeymooning, scuba diving, or just looking for a place to unwind and relax. Inspired by the concept of lightness, Cocoon aims to regenerate the spirit and soothe the mind. Everything has been carefully planned to create a perfect atmosphere of harmony by TNH DESK and tranquility.

‘DEMONETIZATION LEADING US TOWARDS DIGITIZATION’ The Union Budget 2017-18 had announced some policy measures which were positive for the hospitality industry. "Some of these measures such as setting up of five special tourism zones, special pilgrimage and tourism trains have been extremely positive for us," said Tanya Agrawal, Director, Shri Radha Brij Vasundhara Resort and Spa, Govardhan, Mathura, which is proposed to be one of special tourism zones. According to Agrawal, the initiatives announced to improve infrastructure also brings direct and indirect benefits for us. The other major event of 2017 has been the rollout of GST. Though in short run adjusting to the new tax regime led to some issues but in the long run its impact will be largely positive. Agrawal said that demonetization was a major disruptor in 2017, but it brought several benefits.

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NEWS

EMIRATES SIGNS AN MOU WITH AIRBUS FOR ORDER OF 36 A380S WORTH $16 BN Emirates has announced a US$ 16 billion (AED 58.7 billion) deal for 36 additional Airbus A380 aircraft, with 20 firm orders and 16 options. EmiEmirates orders 36 additional Airbus A380 aircraft rates’ A380 fleet operates worth US$16 billion. HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airboth GE and Rolls-Royce enline and Group signed the agreement today with John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer Customers, Airbus Comgines, and the airline is evaluatmercial Aircraft at Emirates’ Headquarters in Dubai. ing engine options for its latest A380 order. The additional Airbus A380s will be delivered to Emirates from 2020 onwards. Together with the airline’s 101-strong A380 fleet and its current order backlog for 41 aircraft, this new order brings Emirates’ commitment to the A380 programme to 178 aircraft, worth over US$ 60 billion. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said, “Emirates truly represents Dubai’s spirit of growth, innovation and resilience. It also epitomizes the city’s increasing role in connecting the world in terms of people, capital and information flows. This deal reflects Emirates’ confidence in shaping the future, and its commitment to advancing Dubai’s vision to grow further as a world-class destination and aviation hub.” His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer Customers, Airbus Commercial Aircraft at the airline’s headquarters in Dubai.

CLARKS INN DEBUTS IN SRINAGAR, KASHMIR Clarks Inn Group of Hotels has added another landmark feather to its growing portfolio with the opening of Clarks Inn Srinagar recently. The distinct hotel property is strategically located at a stone-throw distance from the commercial hub of Lal Chowk and Srinagar’s scenic Dal Lake and just about three kilometres from the famous Mughal Garden. Located in the city centre at Jawahar Nagar, Clarks Inn Srinagar boasts of 41 aesthetically designed rooms across different categories to cater to the needs of discerning business as well as leisure travellers. With the latest addition, Clarks Inn now boasts of a portfolio of 80 hotel properties, including 43 in operation, spread across 17 states in India and one in Kathmandu, Nepal. by TNH DESK

KRASNODAR IN RUSSIA SIGNS SALVIA PROMOTERS AS ITS INDIA REPRESENTATIVE Russian province of Krasnodar Krai, home to 2014 Winter Olympic destination Sochi, has appointed Delhi based Salvia Promoters as its tourism representation office in India. Located along the picturesque Black Sea coast, Krasnodar Krai is in the North Caucasus and is the southernmost region of Russia bordering Georgia and Crimea. Over the last few years, Krasnodar region has emerged as Russia’s biggest tourism hotspot. Commenting on the appointment of Salvia Promoters as Krasnodar’s tourism office in India, Marina Sharapova, Head of Tourist Information Centre, said, “Krasnodar region is the most popular tourist region of Russia with great climate and rich touristic resources that meets the expectations and tastes of discerning Indian tourist travellers. The appointment of Salvia Promoters is a step in that direction and to create the right buzz and

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Prashant Chaudhary MD, Salvia Promoters

Marina Sharapova Head, Tourist Information Centre, Krasnodar

awareness about Krasnodar region in what has emerged as one of the fastest growing tourism source market of the world.” Prashant Chaudhary, MD, Salvia Promoters, added, “Our mandate is to promote this wonderful region in the Indian market and grow Indian arrivals there. We have already put our destination promotion and marketing plan in place.”

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NEWS

KERALA RIDES HIGH ON ECO-TOURISM

BY SWAATI

CHAUDHURY

God’s Own Country to emerge as Barrier Free Tourism in the current year. With the setting of the New Year, God’s Own Country has drawn up grandiose plans termed “Barrier Free Kerala Tourism” to offer accessible space for differently-abled and Senior citizens of the country. Today when the choice of travellers is changing and they are looking for authentic travel experiences, Kerala Tourism is actively boosting rural tourism and home stays. P Bala Kiran, Director, Kerala Tourism informed, “The department of tourism is looking forward

P Bala Kiran Director, Kerala Tourism

to set up 1,000 new home stays in the Malabar region. At the same time, it is stressing on implementing the master plan for Responsible Tourism mission across the state. The state government has allotted a

huge amount of Rs. 4,50,00,000 to the department of tourism for Responsible Tourism. Very soon, we will roll out a huge marketing campaign for European and North American destinations. Our new source tourist markets are Malaysia, Singapore, Oman, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Over the past five years, there has been a high flow of domestic tourists from the states of Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan and West Bengal.” The state’s latest tourism attraction is Adventure Rock Hill at Jatayu Earth Centre nestling in Chadayamangalam in the district of by TNH DESK Kollam.

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BITE CORNER

NOT OLD BUT CLASSIC

North Indian Dishes

Guruprasad Udupi, an old restaurant in South Delhi, still manages to pull crowds with its authentic taste.

v B RAKESH KUMAR Y

South Indian food has always been the favourites of most of us, the Delhiites. Old or new, small or big, does not matter if we get some tasty authentic food. Guruprasad Udupi, an old restaurant in South Delhi serves some of the most delicious dishes and is managing to pull crowds with its authentic taste. It’s not hard to spot Udupi when you are in the Munirka Market complex. It’s just a few minutes' walk from Munirka Bus

stand. You will see potted greens lining a few steps and once you climb them you are inside a huge space. The space is quite simple in appearance and you feel like stepping into the nineties ambiance. Simple seating arrangements make you feel comfortable and homely. The service is also up to the mark, well-dressed, smiling and attentive waiters are always eager to help you have a great time. Thanjavur paintings adorn most of the walls in the

Enterance

Green Chilli Chicken

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Chilli Potato

name of décor and you will never find the restaurant quiet as it is always full with patrons enjoying some of the best south Indian food in the city. Akash Rao, owner of the restaurant says, "Of course, I can make it as

modern as other fine-dining restaurants in Delhi. But if I do it, it will lose its charm. Udupi is a wellknown restaurant. People come here because of its quality, quantity and hygiene, not just for the décor."

Chowmein

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BITE CORNER

Kulfi

Chilli Paneer

The restaurant was started by Akashâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father, V Ramachandra Rao almost 30 years back and at that time it was the one of the few authentic South Indian restaurants in Delhi. Today Udupi is one of the most popular restaurants serving not only Dosas and Idlies but also North Indian and Chinese cuisines. The south Indian dishes are still the loved ones here at Udupi. "When my father started it, it was serving only South Indian and to provide the authentic taste he brought some cooks from our native place, Udupi. It was the taste, which fetched customers every time," informed Aakash Rao. Today, the restaurant has three sections; one for South Indian food, second one offers North Indian food and the third section is dedicated to Chinese cuisine. All the three kitchens are open. It also

has a Kid Zone, an area just for the kids. In terms of food, the allvegetarian restaurant serves some super delicious South Indian delicacies, and the restaurant

Choley Bhature

takes pride in serving as many as 50 different types of dosas. In the North Indian section, it serves Thali, Dal Makhani, Shahi Paneer and Cholla Bhatura. And in Chinese, you can enjoy spring roll and Noodles. Among the South Indian foods, one could try Onion Paneer Rava Uttapam, served with sambar and red chutney. Not to be missed is the authentic

South Indian Thali served with crispy papad and traditional after-meal filter coffee. The restaurant is in the vicinity of IIT and JNU, so is mostly full of students from these campuses. Also a big population of south Indians live in the area and they also frequent the place. Because of its traditional and authentic servings, they have also made quite a few

loyal customers. Even if they have migrated to other places, they visit the restaurant whenever they are in the area. "There were many couples, who came to the restaurants in their bachelor days, now they come to the restaurant with their grown up kids," informed Rajendra Thapa, an employee of the restaurant since 1989.

Fast Facts: Address: DDA Shopping Complex, Phase 2, Munirka, New Delhi Contact No: 011 26175487, 011 26106572 Table for two: Rs 600 (approx.)

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EVENT ALERT

TNT TRAVEL SHOW 2018 February 3-4, 2018 Location: Olympia, London

The 2018 TNT Travel Show brings a whole new experience for visitors. With a new venue at Olympia, and running alongside The Destinations Show (the world’s biggest consumer travel show), there is anywhere quite like and Destinations Show brings together one of the biggest gatherings of travel

experts, this in the world to come and get inspired or book your next travel adventure. The TNT Show and market-leading travel companies all under one roof. With Seminars, competitions and special show deals to be had you really need to make sure this is on your to do list this year. by TNH DESK

February 21-23, 2018 Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

February 9-11, 2018 Location: Tallinn, Estonia

TOUREST is the oldest and largest travel trade fair in the Baltic countries that has been organized by the Estonian Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (ETFL) since 1991. It covers all the main travel segments, offering efficient platform to meet face to face the travel-hungry consumers and the majority of the market’s travel trade profes-

sionals who make the purchase decisions. It’s the optimum environment to present your products at the start of the season. TOUREST 2018, organized already for the 27th time, nearly 30 000 visitors will be expected, who will have a great possibility to familiarize with the over 500 exhibitors from ca 30 countries. by TNH DESK

KARNATAKA INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL EXPO 2018

PATA ATRTCM 2018 The PATA Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference and Mart 2018 (ATRTCM) is Asia Pacific’s leading travel trade event dedicated to the adventure travel industry. The three-day event comprises of a one-day travel trade mart and one-day conference, along with other value-added activities that facilitate networking and re-

TOUREST TRAVEL TRADE FAIR 2018

February 28 – March 2, 2018 Location: Karnataka, India

lationship building. With past events held in Thimphu, Bhutan, Chiang Rai, Thailand, and Luoyang, China, the event’s choice of host destination reflects the growing importance of dispersing tourists to emerging destinations. ATRTCM 2018 is kindly hosted by the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi.

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by TNH DESK

The 'Karnataka International Travel Expo' is to be held at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC). The inaugural expo is the largest B2B travel event in India. A platform of over 400 registered buyers and media from over

25 countries seek to further enhance the tourism sector. The three-day event will attract over 1,000 delegates facilitating over 10,000 prematched appointments to bring together International Buyers and by TNH DESK sellers.

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DIPLOMAT CORNER

ETHIOPIA: A COUNTRY OF INCREDIBLE HERITAGE AND EXOTIC LANDSCAPES

Q&A

One of the most beautiful countries in Africa, Ethiopia is a country of many legends and exotic landscapes. Ethiopia is among the few countries in the world having so much history and diversity. The country offers incredibly amazing attractions to tourists. Exotic heritage sites, stunning monuments, lush highlands, magnificent deserts, wildlife, ethnic traditions and festivals, there are so many things that Ethiopia offers. In an exclusive interview, H.E. Mr Asfaw Dingamo, Ethiopia's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to India, accentuates the vast historical heritage of his country that makes Ethiopia one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. H.E. Dingamo says that Indians must visit Ethiopia to see its wonderful historical sites and other attractions. H.E. Mr Asfaw Dingamo

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DIPLOMAT CORNER v B PREM KUMAR

Please tell us about current relations between India and Ethiopia. How has this relationship got strengthened in recent years? The relations between the two country, India and Africa are among the best ones. Ethiopia was the first country in Africa to establish diplomatic relation with India. We established diplomatic relationship with India immediately after India's Independence in 1948. That time Ethiopia was only recognized and independent country in Africa. Since then our relations have been growing strong. This year the both countries are going to celebrate 70th anniversary of our diplomatic relation. With rise of India as an economic power, many Indian businessmen flocked to Africa for business opportunities and investment. Ethiopia has emerged as one of the best investment destinations for Indian businessmen. When we go back to history, India and Ethiopia share many similarities. Our rela-

tions go back 3000 years. Ethiopia is an ancient country as is India, so we have many common similarities, which make us people of similar destiny. People-topeople contacts and relations between the two countries started 3000 years ago when Ethiopians were trading things like ivory, gold, silk, spices etc, with India. So we have a long history of ties.

We have high regard for the Indo-African historical relations among which the IndoEthiopian relation is one of the best. We are trying to enhance this relation as comprehensive strategic partnership. India is heavily supporting development activities in Ethiopia by providing a line of credit and also support many of our endeavors both in bilateral and multilateral

"Ethiopia is a land of many exotic historical sites. Just like India, Ethiopia is also an ancient country. It is a land of origins. Even the human kind originated from Ethiopia. Many archeologists have agreed about discovery of first walking man in Ethiopia."

How do you want to further strengthen the relations between the two countries? We are working closely with government of India. There is strong bondage and relations between the two countries. The constant efforts of our embassy in New Delhi is bringing fruits. We regard India as our strategic partner.

arenas. We can say that Indian support to Ethiopian initiatives is enormous. Capacity building is one of the primary areas we are getting enormous support from India. Many Ethiopian scholars are taking part in different Indian universities. Many Indian professors are going to Ethiopia to teach in higher educational institutions. So

our relations are going stronger every day.

Tell us about the tourism potential of the country. Ethiopia is a land of many exotic historical sites. Just like India, Ethiopia is also an ancient country. It is a land of origins. Even the human kind originated from Ethiopia. Many archeologists have agreed about discovery of first walking man in Ethiopia. Other things like coffee also originated in Ethiopia. It was found in the province of Kaffa. We have many ancient historical sites. We have 10 UNESCO world-heritage sites in Ethiopia and many other historical and cultural sites are in the process of getting UNESCO world-heritage recognition. We have very sound and special cultural heritage, exotic sites; our country is very beautiful; our people are very hospitable. Ours is a land of many opportunities. So those who want to see exotic historical and religious sites must visit Ethiopia for incredible experiences.

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DIPLOMAT CORNER

Why should Indians visit Ethiopia? First of all we are requesting Indians to visit Ethiopia and see our exotic historical sites. As Indians love history, they must visit Ethiopia to see wonderful historical sites which almost look like the Indian historical sites. As you have seen, many Indian historical sites are full of indigenous knowledge, so are the Ethiopian historical sites. We request Indian scholars and students to visit those historical sites. Apart from the cultural similarities, our family values are same. As in India, family ties are very strong in Ethiopia.

How do you look at the bilateral tourism potentials between India and Ethiopia? India and Ethiopia have signed bilateral agreements in areas such as culture, trade and investment. These agreements are being steadily implemented. We have been inviting Indians to come Africa as the continent has historical ties with India and offers lots of opportunities. As

Ethiopia is a gateway to Africa, Ethiopia can be a bridge between Africa and India. As per our bilateral arrangement, people-to-people contact is very important. There is direct flights between India and Ethiopia. This is the biggest advantage for Indian businessmen. There are 28 weekly flights from India to Ethiopia: 14 flights from Delhi and 14 from Mumbai. Indian tourists and scholars should visit Ethiopia to see our exotic archeological and historical heritage sites and cultural diversity. Staying in Ethiopia is not very expensive. We can offer Indians every kind of facility.

What is the current state of tourism exchange between the two countries?

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Many Ethiopians are visiting India for different purposes such as business, education, medical and tourism. We have strong trade ties with India. We are importing a lot of materials from India. Medical tourism from Ethiopia to India is growing fast. Many Ethiopians are visiting Indian hospitals for quality and affordable medical care. Government of India through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) is supporting our students to get education in Indian educational institutions. Our Ethiopian government is also sending many Ethiopians students to India by bearing their living cost and tuition fees. Thousands of Ethiopian students have been educated and trained in India in the

last 15-18 years. Many professors from Indian universities are going to Ethiopia and teaching in our universities, thus strengthening people-topeople and educational relation between the two countries. We are a country under the process of reform. Many of our reforms initiatives are getting momentum. We are learning a lot from Indian institutions and from success stories of Indian development. Capacity building is one of the areas in which India has mastered and we are trying to learn lessons from India in this area. The relation between the two are getting stronger. As the Ethiopian economy grows and size of Ethiopian middle-class expands and people's income increases, they are travelling to India not only for business, but also for medical and tourism purpose.

How many Indians are currently travelling to Ethiopia? Number of Indians visiting Ethiopia as tourists is not very high. It would hardly be a few hundreds or thousands but many Indians are

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DIPLOMAT CORNER going to Ethiopia on business trips. Many Indians have invested in Ethiopia. According to a recent figure of Ethiopian Investment Commission, in 2017 India was the second largest investor in Ethiopia next to China. So many business travelers and expatriates are travelling to Ethiopia that is regarded as favorable investment destination, but we need to increase number of Indian tourists visiting Ethiopia.

What is your government doing to increase the number of Indian tourists to Ethiopia? We are working with Indian sides to promote Indian tourism to our country. We are promoting our historical heritage sites in India. We are creating awareness about Ethiopia in India. Ethiopia is probably the only country in whole Africa which has stable government and is safe and peaceful. This situation is fantastic for Indians who want to visit

Ethiopia for business or tourism purpose. This is reason that many Indians have already invested in Ethiopia. As I mentioned earlier, another big advantage that Ethiopia offers is the direct flight between the two countries. Indians are also using Ethiopia as a transit to travel to Europe, Africa and the Middle East. We are highlighting this fact in India. Because of this fact, we are inviting Indians to visit to Ethiopia.

How is the Ethiopian visa process for Indians? Our visa process for Indians is one of the simplest in the world. We also provides visa-on-arrival and online visa. Ethiopian immigration system can provide online visa or visa-on-arrival to those Indians who are far from our embassy or consulate office in India. Our embassy in New Delhi and Consulate office in Mumbai are issuing visa in a single day. Indians don't need to wait 24 hours to get visa.

Please tell us about Ethiopian

food. Our food culture is very rich and diverse. Ethiopian foods have many similarities with Indian foods. Just like Indians, Ethiopians also use lots of spices in foods. I know that Indians love spicy foods, and the amount of spices in Indian foods are higher than Ethiopian foods. As many Indians are vegetarians, Ethiopia also offers lots of vegetarian food options. For non-vegetarians we also have all types of options. Because of similarities between Indian and Ethiopian foods, Indians would definitely love Ethiopian foods. Some of our capital cities also have Indian restaurants for many years. As increasing number of Indian people including business travelers are travelling Ethiopia, Indian foods are gradually becoming popular in Ethiopia. So food is not a problem.

Ruins of Aksum

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DIPLOMAT CORNER

INDIA: A FAVORITE DESTINATION FOR ETHIOPIAN STUDENTS India and Ethiopia are working closely in areas such as capacity building and human resource development. India is a favorite destination for Ethiopian students, who feel at home in India. In an interview with TnH, H.E. Mr. Asalf H/Georgis, Minister Counsellor-1 (Education) speaks about deep educational and cultural ties between India and Ethiopia.

H.E. Mr. Asalf H/Georgis

v B PREM KUMAR Y

"Relations between India and Ethiopia have been very strong. People-topeople contacts have been growing continuously. Both countries are closely working in areas like education and capacity building. The Indian government has been supporting our students in the form of scholarship to study in India through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme," said Mr. Georgis. There are some short-term training programmes which support Ethiopian students for training in India. ICCR also supports many Ethiopian students every year for long-term train-

ing programmes. "Students mostly come for higher education. Under the Ethiopian government's scholarship programmes, around 1000 scholarship holders are pursuing Masters and PhD programmes in 28 Indian universities. Our government bears tuition fees and accommodation costs of many students learning here. Our scholarships are for studying in

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India, Europe and Asian countries. Most students prefer to come to India," informed Mr. Georgis. ICCR is playing a key role in promoting cultural exchanges between the two nations . "With support from ICCR, our cultural teams are coming to India to introduce our culture in different Indian cities. We really appreciate ICCR for supporting our capacity building pro-

grammes and cultural exchanges. Our economy is growing at the rate of more than 8%. To further this growth, capacity building programmes are very essential, therefore it must continue." There is also university to university collaboration for faculty exchanges between the two countries. More than 1000 Indians are teaching as professors and assistant professor in different Ethiopian universities. Ethiopia's Ministry of Education has for the first time recently started offering scholarships to Ethiopian students for training in science and technology in various Indian universities.

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NEWS

VISTARA TO FLY DELHI-CHENNAI TWICE, TO CONNECT PORT BLAIR Direct service between Chennai and Port Blair, from February 15 and March respectively. Vistara announced the expansion of its network by entering the Delhi Chennai sector with two daily flights and a direct service between Chennai and Port Blair, from February 15 and March respectively. The Tatas and Singapore Airlines-promoted Vistara said these two flights increase its network to 22 cities and the bookings are already open on

these new sectors. While the DelhiChennai operations will begin from February 15, the one between Chennai and Port Blair will be starting from March 1, the airline said in a statement. The airline is offering a one-way ticket in the Delhi-Chennai sector at Rs 3,099 and in the Chennai-Port Blair sector at Rs 3,699. Within three years of operations,

DELHI TO HOST INDIA’S FIRST EVER ADVENTURE SPORTS EXPO ASIA & AWARDS 2018 Adventure Sports Expo Asia 2018, India's first and the biggest adventure extravaganza is all set to kick-start from January 27th-29th at Four Points by Sheraton, New Delhi. This unique and first of its kind expo will witness participation from over 60+ brands. The expo expects to welcome 15000+ visitors and adventure sports enthusiasts over the 3-day long adventure extravaganza. The an-

nouncement was made today in a special curtain raiser event at The Constitutional Club of India in the presence of various dignitaries including Suman Billa, IAS - Joint Secretary of (Tourism), Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Tejbir Singh Anand – Vice President - Adventure Tour Operators Association of India, Archana Sardana India's first female BASE by TNH DESK jumper.

Vistara has expanded to 22 cities offering over 700 weekly flights, operated by a fleet of 17 Airbus A320s. Since the launch full service, the airline has ferried more than 7 million customers. by TNH DESK

COUNTRY INNS & SUITES BY CARLSON ANNOUNCES NAME CHANGE TO COUNTRY INN & SUITES BY RADISSON Country Inns & Suites By Carlson announced it has changed its name to Country Inn & Suites by Radisson. This strategic name change will allow the brand and the individual hotels to leverage the global recognition and strength of the Radisson brand. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson is a part of Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, which also includes Quorvus Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Park Plaza and Park Inn by Radisson. The consumer-facing

changes will be made in stages throughout the first half of 2018. Changes will include a new visual identity, updated logo and refreshed marketing and hotel collateral. “We are delighted that our Country Inn & Suites brand will be taking on a new name to leverage on the strength of the Radisson brand, drive awareness and increase marketing efficiency” said Katerina Giannouka, President, Asia Pacific, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. by TNH DESK

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FESTIVAL CORNER

Popular festivals around the world to see in the next month March 1-4, 2018 Location: Jeju, South Korea

Jeju Fire Festival Jeju Fire Festival is a unique festival that takes place at Saebyeol Oreum. It kicks off for a weekend of traditional celebrations of spring, community building, and fun. The festival is held to pray for a good harvest and good health in the New Year. Various folk games and hands-on programs are available, and the beautiful natural environment of Jeju Island makes the festival even more enjoyable. The Jeju Fire Festival originated from 'banggae', the old pastoral culture that used to set fire to the mountainous grasslands to control pests and to facilitate the growth of new grass in order to graze animals; this spirit was inherited and developed into the contemporary festival that enthralls visitors every year.

March 2, 2018 Location: Vrindavan, India

Mathura-Vrindavan Holi People from all corners of India, rather, world gather at Mathura-Vrindavan every year to feel the essence of Holi in the land of Krishna. People relive the legends of Holi associated with Radha and Krishna and play pranks the young Krishna played with the gopis. The underlying feeling of this fun-frolic was love and devotion. Even today, romance can be experienced in the very atmosphere in the Krishna-nagari. One just needs to breathe in this air and drench oneself in the feeling of love and romance. Myriad colours of Holi are simply a facade on this. So, join the masses at Holi during the last lunar cycle of the winter, when the streets are awash with pigment in an effort to welcome in spring and break down social barriers.

March 3-5, 2018 Location: Mendoza City, Argentina

Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia (The Grape Harvest National Festival) takes place annually in Mendoza City, Mendoza Province, Argentina. It is one of the most important festivals in the country, attracting large numbers of tourists to the region. It is a world-renowned celebration of wine and the winemaking industry. Each of the 18 departments in Mendoza Province prepare for the festival in the early months of the year. The first vendimia celebrations in Mendoza Province occurred in the 17th Century. The first official Vendimia festival took place in 1936. The main event occurs in the first week of March in Mendoza city featuring hundreds of dancers and performers, the selection of a "Reina Nacional de la Vendimia" (National Vendimia Queen) and a large fireworks display.

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FESTIVAL CORNER March brings a lot of festivity with variety of colorful festival, carnivals and music festivals for an explorer. There are many festivals around the world like, Jeju Fire Festival (South Korea) to Cape Town International Jazz Festival (Cape Town, South Africa). Here are some of the best festivals which a traveller must enjoy!

March 8-11, 2018 Location: Wairakei, New Zealand

Wanderlust Festival More than just a yoga festival, Wanderlust combines natural beauty with fun activities, epic musical performances, organic food and inspiring lectures. It’s encouraging to see how a simple idea, executed well, can create a global festival phenomenon. There’s a music festival to meet virtually each person’s taste around the planet, allowing you to surround yourself with like-minded folks in a habitat that feels like it’s an extension of you. Jeff Krasno, co-founder of Wanderlust, wondered why there wasn’t a gathering like this for the holistically-minded, health-conscious folks of the world. So, in 2009, he combined yoga with live music, farm-to-table food, outdoor adventure, inspirational speakers, a healing vibe, and a beautiful Lake Tahoe setting, and Wanderlust was born.

March 15-19, 2018 Location: Dublin, Ireland

Dublin St. Patrick's Festival St. Patrick’s Festival was established by the Government of Ireland in November 1995. The principal aim of St. Patrick’s Festival, since its inauguration, is to develop a major annual international festival around the national holiday over which the ‘owners’ of the festival, the Irish people, would stand proud. It sets out to reflect the talents and achievements of Irish people on many national and world stages, and it acts as an exciting showcase for the manifold skills of the people of Ireland, of every age and social background. As the one national holiday that is celebrated in more countries around the world than any other, St. Patrick’s Day is the day when everyone wants to be Irish.

March 23-24, 2018 Location: Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town International Jazz Festival One of the world’s largest jazz festivals celebrates world-renowned artists and South African acts alike. The festival is an annual music festival held in Cape Town, South Africa. The first one was held in 2000 to 2005 and is recognised as the fourth largest jazz festival in the world and the largest jazz festival on the African continent. Affectionately referred to as “Africa’s Grandest Gathering,” the festival is one of the largest jazz-oriented events in the world and the single largest music event on the continent. It’s the flagship event for Africa, a global event company, and the celebrated, annual music festival appeals to devotees of jazz in a traditional sense and mainstream audiences alike. Crucially, for a proudly South African event, the festival highlights native South African artists and international marquee stars in equal measure.

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EVENT WATCH

S KAL D ELHI M EET Skal Delhi has its first meet of the New Year in the newly renovated The Oberoi, New Delhi which reopened its doors for guests in January 2018. The Oberoi showcased newly renovated hotel to members of Skal Delhi over a hosted lunch.

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NEWS

NORTHEAST FRONTIER RAILWAY INTRODUCES NEW TECHNOLOGY TO TACKLE FOG The device weighs 1.5 kg and is carried by the loco pilot at the time of assuming charge of the locomotive. The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has introduced a new GPSbased system in all locomotives for auto warning to train drivers during the foggy season, an official said. The system is also expected to ensure timely running of trains. NFR Chief Public Relations Officer, Pranav Jyoti Sharma, said an equipment called FogPASS (Fog

Pilot Assistance System for Safety), consisting of an in-built battery and GPS antenna with a magnetic base, has been installed in all locomotives in the NFR. “The device, which weighs 1.5 kg, is carried by the loco pilot at the time of assuming charge of the locomotive. It is placed on the console of the loco and, as the train moves, it displays short description and remaining distance of next two landmarks in geographical order on an LCD screen,” he said, adding that

landmarks include signals of various types and level-crossings. “This means that as a train approaches a station, the device will flash the distance left for the home signal of that station. by TNH DESK

THE AGAM MUSEUM OPENS IN RISHON LEZION, ISRAEL

THE FERN AN ECOTEL HOTEL OPENS IN AKOTA, VADODARA The Fern Hotels & Resorts added another Ecotel to its portfolio of hotels with the launch of The Fern, Akota-Vadodara. This is the second Fern property in the city. The hotel is situated 2 km from Alkapuri, the main commercial hub of Vadodara. The hotel is also in the vicinity of entertainment and shopping centers, and the airport only 8 km from the hotel. Ideally suited for business travellers, The Fern, Akota-Vadodara offers 72 rooms in two different categories viz. Winter Green and The Fern Club Rooms. The rooms are well equipped with all the modern facilities that a business traveller is looking for. Dining options include Zeste-a multi cuisine all-daydining restaurant and 24 hours in-room dining service.

The Yaacov Agam Museum of Art has recently opened in Rishon LeZion, childhood home of father of Kinetic Art and internationally acclaimed Israeli artist Yaacov Agam. Located in Israel's third largest city, just 10 minutes south from Tel Aviv, the Museum - a joint initiative of the Rishon LeZion Municipality and the artist - will showcase six decades of Agam's groundbreaking artistic research and present in temporary exhibitions and permanent displays some of his most important artworks, coming from prestigious Israeli and worldby TNH DESK wide collections and museums.

by TNH DESK

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MOVING ON

Timothy Kelly GM & Sr. VP, Operations, Atlantis, The Palm Atlantis, The Palm has appointed Timothy Kelly as General Manager and Senior Vice President, Operations. Directly reporting to Serge Zaalof, Chief Operating Officer for Atlantis Resorts & Residences, Kelly will oversee all operations, strategic direction, management and continued growth of Atlantis, The Palm. This also includes additional responsibility for all Administrative, Retail, Food & Beverage, Banqueting & Special Events, Marine & Waterpark, and Recreational Services. With over 25 years of international experience, Kelly joins Atlantis, The Palm from Wynn Resorts where he managed multiple property portfolios in Las Vegas, Macau and Cotai as well as being instrumental in the successful opening of Wynn Palace Resort and Casino in Macau in 2016. He was also appointed to the Nevada Hotel Lodging Association Board of Directors for six years, lobbying the state legislature on bills that would support the integrated resort industry.

Eliza Artiaga General Manager, Vida Downtown Emaar Hospitality Group has appointed Eliza Artiaga as General Manager of Vida Downtown, the upscale lifestyle hotel in Downtown Dubai under Vida Hotels and Resorts. With 17 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Eliza is responsible for implementing creative strategies that align with Vida Downtownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brand image, and ensuring the guests continue to receive unrivalled service. She will also drive the business strategy for the hotel and manage the overall operations. Originally from Brazil, Eliza holds a degree in Hospitality Management and Psychology, from Florida International University in Miami, USA.

Mohit Kanwal Director of Sales & Marketing, Hyatt Regency Delhi Hyatt Regency Delhi has appointed Mohit Kanwal as Director of Sales and Marketing. He brings more than 18 years of experience in the industry, which gives him an in-depth and holistic understanding of the hospitality business in the country. Kanwal possesses great leadership skills, a passion for quality and a penchant for developing high performing teams that deliver expected results within stipulated timelines. He completed his postgraduation in Marketing from SIES University Mumbai in 2004. Thereafter, he started his career with The Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi as Hotel Operations Management trainee, after which he joined The Oberoi and Trident Nariman point in Mumbai as a Sales Executive in 2004.

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MOVING ON

Suman Julka Director of Sales & Marketing, The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat Suman Julka has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing for The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat. A Sales and Marketing expert, Suman Julka is armed with over 18 years of experience in a number of sectors. A true hotelier at heart, who believes in offering memories to her guests, she began her career with hotels in 1999 as a Guest Service Officer at Grand Hyatt Delhi, after completing her Graduation in English from University of Delhi. During her tenure here, Suman obtained a PG Diploma in Public Relations from Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan, New Delhi. In 2010, she completed her Post Graduation in Marketing from Symbiosis University, Pune. Over the years, she’s worked at Hyatt Regency Kathmandu, Hyatt Regency Delhi, Hotel Soul Vacation, Goa, The Grand New Delhi, The Westin Gurgaon, Hyatt Regency Gurgaon before joining The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat as the Director of Sales and Marketing. She joined The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat within 15 days of opening as Director of Sales & Marketing.

Payal Singh Assistant Director, Food & Beverage, The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat Payal Singh has been appointed as Assistant Director of Food and Beverage for The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat. Trained at the prestigious Oberoi Centre of Learning and Development, Payal has specialised in Food and Beverage. Having worked with the Oberoi Group of Hotels for 11 years, she brings her expertise in hotel operations to The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat. Born and brought up in Jamshedpur, Payal has solidified her position in the hospitality industry where only men rule. She loves to read and once in a while tries her hands at photography.

Ravish Ranjan Mishra Executive Sous Chef, The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat Ravish Ranjan Mishra has been appointed Executive Sous Chef for The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat. Having extensive knowledge and hands-on experience in international as well as Indian cuisine, Chef Ravish R. Mishra has been perfecting and excelling in the culinary field since 2008. After having completed his graduation from IHM Hyderabad, he joined the prestigious WMI (ITC’s Management Training Program) as a management trainee. He has additionally obtained a degree in Human Resource Management from Sikkim University. Over his tenure of 11 years, he has developed his own standard of cuisine with deep commitment to hospitality. After a two year stint at The Lalit Mumbai, he joined The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat, in the capacity of Executive Sous Chef. In his current role, Chef Ravish’s primary responsibility includes overlooking and assisting in leading kitchen operations, alongside mentoring a comprehensive team and overall management of food and beverage outlets.

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AROUND THE WORLD

CHINA IS BUILDING A GIANT RESEARCH PARK DEDICATED TO DEVELOPING A.I. China is planning to build a 13.8 billion yuan ($2.1 billion) technology park dedicated to developing artificial intelligence (AI). The campus will be constructed within five years and situated in the suburban Mentougou district in western Beijing. It will cover 54.87 hectares. The technology park will be home to

NAUMI AUCKLAND AIRPORT SET TO OPEN IN FEBRUARY

around 400 businesses and is expected to create an annual output value of about by TNH DESK 50 billion yuan.

Azul, one of the largest airlines in Brazil, and Turkish Airlines have signed a codeshare agreement. Through this codeshare partnership, the national flag carrier of Turkey will add its flight code,

made 3.7 trips last year, he said. Meanwhile, 129 million overseas trips were made last year. by TNH DESK

AIR ASIA X INCREASES FLIGHTS TO THE MALDIVES AirAsia is increasing its Maldives operations with the commencement of additional services to be operated by its long-haul affiliate AirAsia X, in addition to the daily flights currently operated by AirAsia Malaysia. AirAsia X will op-

erate a four times weekly Kuala Lumpur-MalĂŠ service under the D7 airline code utilising Airbus A330-300 aircraft, equivalent to an incremental 1,56,000 seats per year.

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | FEBRUARY 2018

nationally. Set to officially open on February 1st, Naumi Auckland Airport has been designed to exude a contemporary vibe, with bold accents of colour and playful details at every turn. by TNH DESK

TURKISH AIRLINES SIGNS CODESHARE DEAL WITH AZUL OF BRAZIL

CHINA'S TOURISM REVENUE HITS 5.4 TRILLION YUAN IN 2017 The tourism industry continued to boom in China in 2017, generating revenue of 5.4 trillion yuan (about 832 billion U.S. dollars), according to Li Jinzao, head of the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) at a tourism conference in Xiamen in east China's Fujian Province. On average, every Chinese person

Naumi Hotels, the Singapore-based design hotel group, is to launch Naumi Auckland Airport as its first location in New Zealand. The move is part of wider expansion plans in Australasia and inter-

by TNH DESK

TK, to Azul domestic flights. As a result, customers will be able to purchase tickets directly from Turkish Airlines sales channels to fly to Brazilian destinations operated by by TNH DESK Azul.

ACCORHOTELS SIGNS WITH NAKHEEL FOR LATEST DUBAI PROPERTY Developer Nakheel and AccorHotels have signed a management agreement for ibis Dubai Jumeirah Village Circle, further strengthening their strategic partnership for Dubai hospitality projects. The agreement,

inked today by Nakheel chairman Ali Rashid Lootah and Olivier Granet, managing director for AccorHotels Middle East & Africa, is the third collaboration between the two companies. by TNH DESK

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DL (ND)-11/6167/2017-18-19 | DATE OF POSTING: 5-6 OF MONTH | RNI NO.: DELENG/2010/33723 | DATE OF PUBLISHING: 4 th OF THE MONTH