Travel and Hospitality (TnH) - June 2019 by Prem Sagar

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JUNE 2019

NEWS 06

NEWS

Italian Embassy launches Casa Italia at VFS Global in New Delhi

16 09

NEWS

Slovakia Visa Application Centre inaugurated in Bengaluru

NEWS

Prahalad Singh Patel is the new Tourism Minster

NEWS

VFS Global re-awarded contract for Italy visa services in India

IN FOCUS

The agenda of tourism in Odisha 24

NEWS

ICCA 2018 City rankings: Paris storms to the first place 25

TALKING TRADE

'Travel agents need to leverage the latest technology to get a competitive edge'

SPOTLIGHT

Clarkes Inn strengthens its pan-India presence, makes international foray

HIGHLIGHTS 18

COVER STORY

Renewed expectations from PM Modi 2.0 28

REVIEW

A new world of luxury at Port Dickson 34

BITE CORNER

Culinary experience at Spice Market

DIPLOMAT C ORNER 38

'Taiwan to work with India's New Government to strengthen ties' 44

AROUND THE WORLD

Popular festivals around the world to look for in July 2019

COVER STORY

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FROM THE EDITOR

A fresh mandate to steer the nation

Publisher & Editor Srishti Rai Director Bharat S. Rai Managing Editor Prem Kumar GM - Marketing Prem Sagar premsagar@tnhindia.com (M) +91 99106 81111 Art Director Sunny Singh 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 Naveen Printers, F-11 B, Okhla Industrial Area, Ph-1, New Delhi-110020, and published at C-4, 2nd Floor, Community Center, Safdarjung Development Area, Opp Main IIT Gate, New Delhi-110016; Editor: SRISHTI RAI

In the recently concluded General Elections, Indian people stupendously voted for stability and continuity under the strong leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, belying all speculations and apprehensions of a hung Parliament and an unstable government. This election was mainly a referendum on the leadership of Modi, and the country has clearly given a resounding mandate to him, to his party and the NDA to lead the nation for five more years and steer its destiny. It is a historic result for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) because after 1984 no incumbent one-party majority government at the Centre has returned to power with an absolute majority and an increased mandate. As his government starts a new inning we congratulate the government for their massive win. We trust that under his leadership the country will grow by leaps and bounds, and his dream of a ‘New India' will soon become a reality. As the new government settle down in the office, it has its plate full of challenges facing the economy. According to an official data released on 31st May, a day after the Modi Government 2.0 was sworn in, Indian economy grew at 5.8 per cent in the last

quarter of FY 2018-19, registering the lowest growth rate in the last 20 quarters. As a consequence of this sharp fall in the growth rate, India has lost its fastest growing economy status to China, whose GDP grew at 6.4% in the same quarter. In the last financial year, the Indian economy grew at 6.8 per cent, the lowest in the last five years. So the new government has to get cracking immediately to revive the economy by bold economic reforms. Specifically, our readers, India's travel and tourism industry also have revived expectations from the government. Read our cover story 'Renewed expectation from PM Modi 2.0’ on page 18 to learn more. Moving on to our featured section Diplomat's Corner. In this issue, we have had an in-depth exclusive conversation with the Ambassador of Taiwan to India, H.E. Mr. Chung-Kwang Tien, on page 38. Mr. Tien recounts the steps and programmes being undertaken by the Government of Taiwan to promote his country as a popular destination in India, admitting that the number of Indian tourists visiting is still low as there is a lack of awareness in India about Taiwan. He said that through exhibitions and other programmes, efforts are on to create awareness in India about Taiwan. Also, read our Bite Corner on page 34, and many other features, interviews and news stories. Enjoy reading!

Srishti Rai Editor

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NEWS

ITALIAN EMBASSY LAUNCHES CASA ITALIA AT VFS GLOBAL IN NEW DELHI

VFS Global has joined hands with the Italian Embassy in New Delhi to launch ‘Casa Italia’ that brings a piece of Italy to Indian travellers in the city. This new pavilion is part of the Visa Application Centre located at Shivaji Stadium, and features an exclusive setting for Business travellers to Italy with an Italian look and feel.

H. E. Lorenzo Angeloni, Ambassador of Italy to India and Nepal (R) & Alok Singhal, Regional Head North & East India, VFS Global, inaugurating Casa Italia in New Delhi

Casa Italia is specially designed to provide business travellers the utmost comfort and convenience through the visa application process. The service provides end-to-end personalized assistance, professional guidance, privacy, a smoother visa submission process, and refreshments by Italy’s own LavAzza coffee. H. E. Mr Lorenzo Angeloni, Ambassador of Italy to India and Nepal, inaugurated Casa Italia in a formal ceremony in New Delhi on 23 May 2019. Casa Italia in New Delhi is a first-of-its-kind display of specially curated Italian brands, to promote the quality and innovation of ‘Made in Italy’ products among Indian travellers. This pavilion provides the ideal platform for renowned and upcoming Italian brands to show-case their

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | JUNE 2019

products to visitors. It is also equipped with audio-visual mediums, making it the perfect space to highlight tourist attractions and offers in Italy. H. E. Mr Lorenzo Angeloni, Ambassador of Italy to India and Nepal, said, “We are excited to launch the exclusive Casa Italia in Delhi, an all Made in Italy furnitured Visa space for the Indian business com-munity destined to Italy. Casa Italia is a strategic addition to the innovative Visa experience that we are providing to the Indian public. We are seriously focused in reshaping the Visa experience so that it pro-vides a truly enjoyable first glimpse of the ‘Italian way’ to any Indian business, travel, and study applicant heading to Italy.” Mr. Vinay Malhotra, Regional Group Chief Operating Officer – South Asia,

Middle East and China, VFS Global said, “We are extremely pleased to be bringing a piece of Italy to India through Casa Italia, as well as enhanced comfort through the visa application process for our corporate travellers. Our association with the Italian Embassy has been a long and strong one, and we look forward to further serving them through this exciting new venture.” VFS Global is the world's largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions worldwide. VFS Global, headquartered in Dubai, UAE, has Swiss parentage and is a portfolio company of EQT, a leading global private equity firm headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. With 3070 Application Centres, operations in 147 countries across five continents and over 199 million applications processed as on 30 April 2019, VFS Global is the trusted partner by TNH DESK of 63 client governments.

Casa Italia in New Delhi

Exclusive service area for Italian business visa applicants First-of-its-kind display of specially curated Italian brands Provides personalized assistance, professional guidance, privacy, a smoother visa submission process, and refreshments by Italy’s own LavAzza coffee

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NEWS

'A DREAM WEDDING IN THE MAKING' AT COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT GURUGRAM Shaadi by Marriott, the first of its kind customized wedding campaign created and launched by Marriott International Inc. in 2017, made its debut at Courtyard by Marriott recently. The event was curated to perfection, reaffirming the brand’s commitment to creating a wedding experience that was superlative and unforgettable in every way, from ideation to execution. “We at Marriott understand that a ‘Shaadi’ in India is not just a marriage of two individuals, but also the coming together of two families and their dreams. It’s about anticipating needs and fulfilling dreams, not just meeting expectations. ‘Shaadi by Marriott’ is a promise of quality and value, curating unforgettable wedding experiences for the guests. When it comes to creating a dream wedding; our team of experts take care of everything, right from collateral to food to service to seeing off the guests. We do everything as if it’s one of our own relative's wedding,” said Bhawna Verma, GM, Courtyard by Marriott Gurugram. The event hosted by the Courtyard by Marriott Gurugram was a rich and extravagant affair, which highlighted décor and designs by the most prominent decorators of the city. The evening was celebrated with food and beverage curated to perfection, a blend of international delicacies and local flavors striking that perfect balance between simplicity and extravagance, matched with a dynamic ambience and world-class

service. The highlight of the evening was the exorbitant display of Swarovski’s Jewellery collection. The event saw wedding planners, bloggers, PR and photographers turn up in full attendance. The entire experiential started from the moment one walked in, with a traditional aarti and tika ceremony followed by welcome drinks. The event was a refreshing insight into how the experts at Courtyard by Marriott make a dream wedding a reality, highlighting everything from breathtaking venue designs to a lavish wedding spread. Various lifestyle influencers and editors of well renowned wedding portals were by T NH DESK present at the event.

TRAWELLTAG ALWAYS STRIVES TO EXCEED YOUR EXPECTATIONS Lalit Kumar Dave travels to U.S. every year to meet his daughter. Unfortunately, his last visit did not go as expected, as Dave had to be hospitalized due to excruciating back pain. Lalit Dave’s daughter made sure that all the medical bills due were cleared as soon as he was discharged in order to avoid legal complications during his trip back to India. He was expecting a reimbursement of the expenses of the treatment on submission of the required documents, but nothing worked as planned. Things got worse when the hospital authorities refused to provide them the invoices for almost a year, which eventually led to closure of the claim. This defiance came into

light when Mr. Lalit Dave’s son-inlaw, Jayant Mehta got in touch with TrawellTag Cover-More’s claims assistance team. The team immediately swung into action and took care of the coordination with the US hospital authorities. After several discussions, Dave received the required documents and invoices and Team TrawellTag managed to secure a considerable discount on the hospital bill. Lalit Dave and his Son-in-law have hence decided that no matter where they intend to travel, TrawellTag Cover-More will always be their constant companion for all the future trips. TrawellTag doesn't just want to meet your expectations; it wants to repeatedly by T NH DESK exceed them!

We are indebted to TrawellTag Cover-More for assisting us not only during the time of my father-in-laws hospitalization in the U.S.A, but also for brining respite by handling a string of administrative formalities of the hospital.

Jayant Mehta (Lalit Dave’s Son-in-law)

TrawellTag Cover-More has always been my primary choice for my customers, as they understand the customers travel needs and always have the best offerings readily available. Mrs. Shilpaben Patel (Travel Consultant, Ahmedabad)

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | JUNE 2019

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NEWS

TAJ REACHES THE CITY OF THE TAJ MAHAL SIGNS A NEW HOTEL IN POOVAR, KERALA

The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has announced a Taj branded hotel in Agra. This hotel is owned by Sincere Developers Pvt Ltd. under a management contract by Taj. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IHCL said, “This signing further strengthens our leadership in the leisure portfolio, as aligned to Aspiration 2022. Agra is one of the key cities in the famed Golden Triangle circuit. With this established hotel migrating to the Taj brand, the company will offer a multiple choice of hotels in all the three cities of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. We are delighted to continue our growth in the fee based business model.”

The hotel is strategically located within walking distance from the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World and one of the three UNESCO World Heritage sites in Agra. The hotel comprises 239 spacious rooms as well as an all-daydiner, an Indian specialty restaurant and a rooftop lounge overlooking the Taj Mahal. The hotel also has the largest banqueting space in the city. Gulab Ladhani, Chairman and Managing Director, Sincere Developers said “We are proud to partner with The Indian Hotels Company Limited for its iconic Taj brand. Tourists to the city will now be able to get a taste of the legendary Taj hospitality.” by TNH DESK

Sarovar Hotels has signed a new hotel in Poovar. With its 80 plus operational hotels across 50 destinations in India and Africa, this will be Sarovar’s ﬁh hotel in Kerala. Pooovar is a well-known tourist destination due to its unsurpassed natural beauty, unspoilt beaches and beautiful rivers. It is an ideal destination for relaxing and cherishing the exotic beauty of beach. e hotel to be operated in mid-2019 will oﬀer 90 beautiful rooms with a by T NH DESK nature view.

Roseate launches The Roseate Ganges, Rishikesh • Roseate Hotels & Resorts announced the launch of its sixth hotel: The Roseate Ganges, Rishikesh, at ATM Dubai 2019. • The boutique luxury hotel brand continues to build portfolio of hotels targeted at affluent regional, international travellers. • Roseate will use knowledge of Middle East travelers’ preferences to fuel plans to enter the Middle East market imminently. • At the last year’s ATM the brand has announced its plans to extend its footprint into the Middle East. • Roseate Hotels & Resorts is a global collection of boutique luxury hotels by Bird Hospitality. An unparalleled, luxury retreat

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | JUNE 2019

on the banks of the river Ganges in Rishikesh, The Roseate Ganges redefines luxury, boasting of impeccable design, architecture and services that ensure an unforgettable experience in the serene, sylvan setting of the Garhwal Himalaya foothills. Located in Shivpuri, the luxury retreat overlooks the Ganges glorifies the yoga capital of the world, Rishikesh. “Our resorts are synonymous with luxury and The Roseate Ganges is a true embodiment of this. We welcome a large number of visitors from the Middle East at our properties in India and the UK, giving us insight into what travellers from the region are

looking for when it comes to a seamless, luxurious stay experience.We are looking forward to using this knowledge to fuel our plans to enter the Middle East market imminently,” said Dr. Ankur Bhatia, Executive Director, Bird Group The brand’s portfolio comprises six niche hotels across India and the UK with more currently being developed. Avantgarde, imaginative and contemporary in design, each Roseate hotel has a story to tell. A key focus is laid on service, aesthetics and detailing of hotels that pave the way to stylised accommodation, with both city hotels and resorts catering to business and leisure travellers

Ankur Bhatia Executive Director, Bird Group

alike. Within India, the group has two properties situated in Delhi The Roseate New Delhi and Roseate House New Delhi and a recently unveiled luxury retreat in by TNH DESK Rishikesh.

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NEWS

H.E. Mr Ivan Lancaric, Slovak's Ambassador to India (right) inaugurates the Slovakia Visa Application Centre in Bengaluru

Slovakia Visa Application Centre inaugurated in Bengaluru

VFS Global has launched Slovakia Visa Application Centre in Bengaluru. Now Slovakia visa applications are accepted at VFS Global centres in three Indian cities. 68 per cent increase was recorded in Slovakia visa applications from India in 2018.

The centre in Bengaluru was formally inaugurated on 29 March 2019 by H.E. Mr Ivan Lančarič, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Slovak Republic. This Visa Application Centre is one of three VFS Global centres launched across India, providing Slovakia visa services, with the other two located in Mumbai and Delhi. Prior to this centre being launched, applicants had to travel to New Delhi to submit their applications at the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in New Delhi. Slovakia visa applications have seen a rise in recent years, with the destination gaining popularity among Indian travellers across segments. An impressive 68 per cent increase was recorded in Slovakia visa applications in 2018 over 2017. H.E. Mr Ivan Lančarič, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Slovak Republic in New Delhi said, “If you are interested in visiting a country with a rich history, unique traditions, vibrant cities, historic architecture and a wealth of summer or winter opportunities for outdoor adventures, Slovakia

may be the perfect destination for your next trip. With many magical castles, mountain peaks and tasty food and wines, Slovakia offers the tourist experience that will both surprise and delight visitors.” Mr Vinay Malhotra, Regional Group COO – South Asia, Middle East and China, VFS Global said, “With the launch of this centre in Bengaluru, we now provide Slovakia visa services in three cities across India. The Central European country, popular for its national parks, vibrant culture and historical castles and chateaux, has caught the attention of the well-heeled Indian traveller, and we look forward to getting their visits off to a great start with our best-in-class visa services.” The Slovakia Visa Application Centre provides visa applicants a smooth and seamless visa submission experience, including a range of optional services to further ease the process, such as automated SMS updates on visa applications, online tracking of the visa request, and courier return of processed passports, among others.

Key benefits:

• Comfortable centres with automated crowd management capabilities • Professional and responsive staff with local language capability • 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 • Weekend submission option for professionals • On Demand Mobile Visa Services to enable submission of applications from a location of choice

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | JUNE 2019

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NEWS

ICICI BANKLAUNCHES CO-BRANDED TRAVEL CARD WITH GOIBIBO ICICI Bank has announced the launch of a co-branded multicur-

HRAWI HOLDS SALES & MARKETING SEMINAR FOR HOSPITALITY PROFESSIONALS The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) recently organized a special seminar on ‘Sales & Marketing Practices for Hotels & Restaurants’ at the Hotel Marine Plaza in the city. Participated by 46 hospitality professionals from several Mumbai based hotel and restaurant establishments, the seminar was conducted by industry’s leading proponents in the fields of sales and marketing. The Subject Matter Experts (SME) shared insights on industry best practices and trends which if practiced could help hotels and restaurants increase their top line growth. by TNH DESK

IHG launches its new Atwell Suites brand

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) has revealed its new allsuites brand, Atwell Suites to thousands of IHG owners and operators at its Americas Investors & Leadership Conference in Las Vegas. The new upper-midscale hotel brand will target an estimated $18 billion industry segmentwithstrong guest and owner demand. The Atwell Suites brand builds on IHG’s heritage of pioneering new growth opportunities for hotel owners and operators that better serve travelers.Through this strategy, IHG has successfully cultivated adynamic portfolio of unique midscale and upper-midscale brands across the mainstream category including Holiday Inn Express®, one of the industry’s fastest-growing brands catering to shorter, smarter stays;avidTM hotels; and best-in-class

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | JUNE 2019

rency travel card with Goibibo, a leading online travel booking company, to offer convenience as well as monetary benefits to the burgeoning section of international travel enthusiasts of the country. Anyone travelling abroad, whether an ICICI Bank savings account customer or not, can apply for the ‘Goibibo ICICI Bank Travel Card’ digitally on the Goibibo website and mobile app. Accepted across 200 countries and 46 million merchants globally, the card can be loaded with up to 15 currencies. The card is bundled with bene-

fits up to `20,000 which includes gift vouchers worth `15,000 from

Goibibo along with other benefits, that can be used to purchase flights and book hotels on the travel site. Additionally, customers get 40 paise discount on currency conversion rate on loading of minimum USD 1000. Further, they get the advantage of complimentary card protection from theft / loss up

to `5 lakh. It also provides flat 15% discount at over 100 Indian restaurants across six foreign cities. To offer an enhanced convenience of managing the currencies loaded in extended stay brands Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites®, catering tostays of a week or more. Guests at Atwell Suites properties are not simply booking a room, but seeking opportunities to discover new things, learn and grow as they travel – perhaps even extending their stay a few days to explore a destination. With this in mind, IHG designed a hotel for the “Opportunity Seeker,” optimized by T NH DESK for a longer stay.

the travel card seamlessly, the card allows customers to instantly convert money from one currency to another at Bank’s internet portal, as well as reload currency into the card anytime, anywhere using the Bank’s mobile and internet banking platform. by TNH DESK

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NEWS

THE MODI GOVERNMENT 2.0

PRAHALAD SINGH PATEL IS THE NEW TOURISM MINSTER

Prahalad Singh Patel

Prahalad Singh Patel has been appointed as the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism in Prime Minister Narendra Modi' new Council of Minster, which was sworn in on 30th May. Patel is also the new Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Culture. A ﬁth time member of Lok sabha, Patel is the member of newly elected Lok Sabha. A member of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Patel has been elected from Damoh Lok Sabha Constituency in Madhya Pradesh. Modi has again put two related ministries, tourism and culture, under one minister. He has

Hardeep Singh Puri

Piyush Goyal

done the same in 2014. Prahalad Singh Patel has succeeded Dr. Mahesh Sharma in the Ministry of Culture and K J Alphons in the Ministry of Tourism. Hardeep Singh Puri is the new Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Civil Aviation. As a Union Minister of State, Puri has retained the independent charge of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Aﬀairs. Besides he will be a minister of state in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Puri is the member of Rajya Sabha (Upper House of the Indian Parliament). He fought recent

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi introduce The Ledge by Dave Pynt Set to open on 1st July 2019, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi introduces The Ledge by Dave Pynt, a tantalizing new dining concept from the chef behind Singapore’s Michelin-starred Burnt Ends. Hilton’s iconic brand Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts recently announced the launch of its exclusive barbeque grill restaurant, e Ledge by Dave Pynt at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi. Chef Dave Pynt is the culinary mastermind behind Singapore’s Burnt Ends restaurant, which has been awarded one Michelin star and most recently ranked #10 on the San Pelle-

Nitin Gadkari

Lok Sabha election from Amritsar Constituency, but lost. As was the case in the last Cabinet, the new minster for tourism and culture does not have cabinet rank Piyush Goyal has been appointed the new Minister (Cabinet rank) for Railways. He is also the new Minister of Commerce and Industry. Nitin Jairam Gadkari has retained the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Besides he will also be Minister for Micro, Small and by TNH DESK Medium Enterprises.

grino Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants List 2019. Daniel Welk, vice president, Luxury and Lifestyle, Asia Pacific, Hilton, affirms, “In line with Waldorf Astoria’s pioneering legacy of culinary excellence and innovation, Dave Pynt’s unrivalled style of cooking is set to deliver an unparalleled dining experience for our guests at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi. An expert in his field, Dave brings an innovative spin to food preparation, a unique flavor and a distinct ambience.” e Ledge will feature Dave Pynt’s signature custom-built fourton dual cavity oven and elevation grills fired by sustainable Jarrah wood – enabling the use of various techniques including smoking, slow roasting, hot roasting, bakby TNH DESK ing and grilling.

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | JUNE 2019

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NEWS

SIGNS A NEW HOTEL IN JAIPUR, RAJASTHAN The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has announced its seventh hotel in Jaipur with the signing of a new Vivanta hotel in Jawahar Circle through a management contract with Kalpsagar Private Limited. Commenting on the signing, Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and CEO, IHCL said, “The signing of Vivanta Jaipur is in line with Aspiration 2022 and our domestic expansion strategy of consolidating presence in important capital cities. Jaipur is one of the key lodging markets

INDIANS READY FOR SUMMER VACATIONS: OYO’S BOOKING INDEX OYO Hotels & Homes, South Asia’s largest, China’s 2nd largest, and the world’s 6th largest and fastestgrowing chain of leased and franchised hotels, homes & living spaces today released Q1 travel booking index highlighting how Indians have planned their travel in the upcoming summer months. e index revealed a 119% increase in overall bookings vis a vis the same booking period last year ( January - March) highlighting the growing trend amongst Indians planning their summer vacations months in advance. An OYO was booked every 0.50 seconds and Goa, Delhi and Bengaluru emerged as top booked destinations. Interestingly, Goa, as the top destination, received maximum traction from Bengaluru and Pune and the maximum bookings were made by couples (58.4%) followed by families (28.3%). Also, app bookings were 28.8 times of desktop showcasing the growing preference of Indians to use an app to make bookings against other channels. Interestingly, a deep dive into few oeat, non commercial destinations revealed Coorg as the most booked city amongst other top contenders like Chail, Almora, Alwar, Chikmagalur, Coorg, Yercaud with a 159% increase in bookings vis a by T NH DESK vis last year.

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | JUNE 2019

in India. It offers immense potential for both leisure and business travellers. We are delighted to partner with Kalpsagar Private Limited for this hotel.” Vivanta Jaipur is a Greenfield project located at Jawahar Circle, a short drive from the airport. The hotel will comprise 200 well-furnished guest rooms and other features include an allday-diner, a lounge, a bar, recreation facilities and modern meeting spaces. The hotel is slated to open in early 2023. Commenting on the partnership, Kajal

Chhabra, Chairperson and Kaustubh Chhabra, CEO Kalpsagar Private Limited said“We are proud to partner with IHCL. We are delighted with this association with the pioneers of the Indian hospitality industry.” Jaipur is the capital of the state of Rajasthan and is known as the Pink City due to the dominant colour scheme of its buildings. It is a popular tourist destination in India and forms a part of the Golden Triangle tourist circuit along with Delhi and Agra.

Celebration of International Museum Day

by T NH DESK

e National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi, Ministry of Culture, Government of India celebrated the International Museum Day on 18th May 2019 at NGMA, New Delhi. is International Museum Day focuses on the new roles of museum as active members of their communities. e International Council of Museums (ICOM) established International Museum Day in 1977 to increase public awareness of the role of museums in the development of society, and it has been steadily gaining momentum ever since. ICOM selects each year for International Museum Day a theme that is at the heart of the concerns of society. eme for this year is “Museums as Cultural Hubs: e future by TNH DESK of tradition”.

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NEWS

VFS Global re-awarded contract for Italy visa services in India

VFS Global has been awarded the contracts to provide Italy visa services in nine countries worldwide - Ethiopia, India, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand and the United Kingdom. Under these new contracts, VFS Global will continue to operate the Italy Visa Application Centres in India, Ivory Coast, Nepal, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, and also roll out new centres in Baghdad and Basra, Iraq; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; and Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria, Bloemfontein and Polokwane, South Africa; and Gaborone, Botswana. Under the mandate of the Italian Embassy in New Delhi, VFS Global will continue providing Italy visa services across India and Nepal. VFS Global operates 14 Italy Visa Application Centres across 13 Indian cities, as well as one centre in Nepal in the city of Kathmandu. Additionally, VFS Global provides a drop-box facility in 28 locations across India, allowing Italy visa applicants, exempt from submission of biometrics, to submit their

application without the need for an appointment at the centre. Chris Dix, Head – Business Development, VFS Global said, “VFS Global commenced its Italy visa services 15 years ago with operations in India. It has been a long and successful relationship, and we look forward to continue our services in the market. With the introduction of our drop-box facilities for repeat travellers, we aim to make the Italy visa process as comfortable and convenient for our applicants.” VFS Global won its first contract to provide Italy visa services in India in 2004, and commenced opera-tions on behalf of the Italian Embassy in New Delhi with six Italy Visa Application Centres. In 2018, VFS Global processed 121,509 Italy visa applications from India. by TNH DESK

Chris Dix Head- Business Developement VFS Global

Italy awards VFS Global contract to provide visa services in 3 new countries – Ethiopia, Iraq & South Africa Re-awarded contracts to provide Italy visa services in 6 countries - India, Ivory Coast, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Thailand & UK 14 Italy VACs currently operational across 13 Indian cities Visa application drop-boxes available in 28 locations in India

NAIROBI SERENA UNVEILS NEW PAN-ASIAN RESTAURANT Nairobi Serena Hotel is bringing a taste of Asia to the heart of the city with its new Pan-Asian restaurant- Herbs & Spices. e restaurant will go by the name ‘H&S’ and is located on the ground ﬂoor of the newly refurbished north-

ern wing of the hotel and will be the fourth dining outlet at Nairobi Serena Hotel. H&S will serve a diverse all day dining menu inﬂuenced by Pan-Asian cultures across the world providing guests with

expertly craed cuisine that will be taking them on a culinary journey through South East Asia. Distinct cooking techniques and ingredients will be used to bring out the rich ﬂavours of the dishes with speciality ingredients. by TNH DESK

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | JUNE 2019

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TA L K I N G T R A D E

‘TRAVEL AGENTS NEED TO LEVERAGE THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY TO GET A COMPETITIVE EDGE’ Sandeep Dwivedi, Chief Operating Officer, InterGlobe Technology Quotient (ITQ) believes that travel agents must capitalize on technological solutions. In an interview with TnH, Dwivedi advises travel agents to leverage the latest technology to get a competitive edge over their peers

S ANDEEP DWIVEDI C HIEF OPERATING OFFICER, I NTERGLOBE TECHNOLOGY QUOTIENT

By Prem Kumar

As technology has become an enormous facet of travel & tourism industry, how is ITQ supporting travel agents in India with its new offerings? Travel and tourism industry has seen some major shis in the past few years. Technology has become a crucial part of travel ecosystem, which has resulted in myriad travel related services today. e technology driven travel market has made the travellers more demanding and to meet their everchanging demands, GDS industry has evolved immensely. If I talk about the Indian subcontinent, technology has greatly impacted the tourism and travel market. It’s quite impressive to see how technology has bridged the gap between GDS, travel agents or OTAs and travellers. And, as InterGlobe Technology Quotient is a part of this travel and trade fraternity, we ensure to empower travel agents with best-in-class technological solutions. With our pioneering products, we have been contributing towards the travel trade commerce since last two decades. Each of our technological solutions is designed with unique problem-solving capability, starting from; Travelport Smartpoint: Its latest version 8.2.1 increases the eﬃciency of travel booking process by providing global travel content that empowers travel agents to create perfect personalised travel solutions for their customers. ITQ Financial: Designed to automate end-

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | JUNE 2019

to-end accounting processes of travel businesses VR3: A consolidated solution for Reissue, Refund, Revalidation and Void a booked ticket Galstar: A plug & play white label online booking engine catering to B2B & B2C requirements. It enables process automation for improved workﬂow. Self-Booking Tool and Corporate Booking Tool: Intuitive and user-friendly interfaces designed to automate the travel booking process eﬃciently.

The coming era of NDC will redefine travel retailing for travel agents, OTAs, TMCs and airlines. Through NDC, travel agents and OTAs will have access to the widest choice of relevant and bookable travel content and offer a better customer experience.

How, according to you, do travel agents can leverage available technology in the best possible way? Rapid technological changes have brought travellers and airlines closer. In such scenario, it is essential for travel agents to capitalize on travel technological solutions in order to provide the latest communications and customised services to their customers. To get a competitive edge over their peers, travel agents have to leverage the latest technology in their products and services. Among the most important technologies, agents must use mobile technology; it is imperative for agents to use all devicessmartphones, notebooks, and tablets for quickly and easily connecting with their customers as well as accessing travel data anytime anywhere. Also, social media is another signiﬁcant technological tool that travel agents can use

to build customer relationships and develop credibility among various stakeholders. However, travel agents need to keep in mind that technology is a tool and they must select each tool wisely to serve their customers in the best possible way.

Travelport last year become the first GDS to start offering IATA's NDC content. What does this development mean for travel agents, OTAs and airlines? Travelport continually strives to bring innovative solutions in order to make managing and buying travel experience better for every-

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one. In December 2017, Travelport became the first GDS operator to achieve IATA’s highest certification as an NDC Level 3 Aggregator. e travel commerce platform again made history in October 2018 by becoming the first GDS operator to manage live booking of flights using IATA’s New Distribution Capability (NDC) technical standard. In the recent developments, Travelport completed onboarding of the first wave of NDC customers in January 2019. As we know travel industry is changing and NDC is a part of that change, the coming era of NDC will redefine travel retailing for travel agents, OTAs, TMCs and airlines. rough NDC, travel agents and OTAs will have access to the widest choice of relevant and bookable travel content and offer a bet-

ter customer experience by allowing them to select everything in a single go, thus giving them more streamlined booking options. Airlines will be able to create a better retailing experience and serve their customers in better way by customising and targeting services to specific traveller groups. e NDC era will enable airlines to offer a complete range of offers such as seat, bag or priority boarding in a single package.

According to you, what is going to be the biggest idea in 2019 as far as travel retailing is concerned? With evolving technology trends, consumer’s expectations are also rising. Today, travellers are demanding more from travel retailers; more personalised services and end-

ABU DHABI TOURISM TO MAINTAIN 15 % GROWTH IN INDIA e grounding of Jet Airways has adversely aﬀected travel by Indians to Abu Dhabi in the current holiday season, but Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) is conﬁdent of maintaining 15 % growth in 2019. Bejan Dinshaw, Country Manager, India, TCA Abu Dhabi, said, "In the current holiday season, we have noticed a minor dip in our visitor number from India as compared to the last year, due to Jet Airways crisis, but overall we don't see any major change in our Indian number in 2019. People had also postponed their travel plans due to the elections. Now as the elections are over, the number of people going on holidays will increase. We are hopeful that there would be an improvement in our number from India in quarter 3 and quarter 4 of the year."

Bejan Dinshaw, Country Manager, India, TCA Abu Dhabi

Dinshaw informed that in the ﬁrst quarter ( January-March period ) of 2019, Abu Dhabi received 96,045 tourists from India. In 2018, the total number of Indian tourist arrivals in Abu Dhabi was 415,000. As regards the current market sentiment, Dinshaw said, "Overall the sentiment is low at present. Unlike previous years, the

seasonal travel rush is missing. People were waiting for the completion of the elections. Now as the election process is over, we hope that travel activity will increase." Abu Dhabi has constantly been witnessing around 15 per cent annual growth in its tourist arrivals from Indian thanks to the effort put by the tourism authority. "Since last year we have put lots of efforts on attracting Indian tourists to the Emirate during the summer as this season in India is the main travel season. Indians love to travel with children, who can travel with parents during this season as their schools and colleges have summer vacations. Our efforts are paying off. e number of Indians travelling to Abu Dhabi during the summer has been increasing each year."

to-end traveling experience. e last year was more focussed on rendering fast, efficient and simplified travel technology solutions. And, we can expect a lot of big technological changes in the future that will mutually benefit both, retailers and travellers. If we look at 2019, Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be at the forefront of travel retailing industry. Businesses are already leveraging AI for numerous administrative and customer service segments. e widespread adoption of technology in travel industry can be seen in the form of chatbots, online customer service, data processing and data analysis. By deploying AI, travel retailers can provide personalised offers that will ultimately impact revenue generation. by T NH DESK

THOMAS COOK (INDIA) DECLARES STRONG FY19 RESULTS • omas Cook (India) Ltd. (TCIL) recently announced its ﬁnancial results for the year ended March 31, 2019 with a strong performance across its lines of businesses. • TCIL consolidated FY18 & FY19 results are not comparable as the former includes 11 months of Quess results. • TCIL’s FY 18 consolidated results also include a one-time accounting gain of `5.3 Bn. on account of the Quess deconsolidation. • Adjusting for this one-time accounting gain, TCIL standalone PBT increased by 875% from `41 Mn. in FY18 to `395 Mn. in FY19 • Consolidated PBT increased by 985% from `53 Mn. in FY18 to `573 Mn. in FY19 by T NH DESK

by T NH DESK

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IN FOCUS

THE AGENDA OF TOURISM IN ODISHA The state has been undertaking initiatives to emerge as a popular pilgrimage destination and with CM Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government returning to power in the state after the recent state elections, expectations are galore in the state travel trade. By Swaati Chaudhury

Naveen Patnaik's party Biju Janta Dl (BJD)has returned to power in Odisha after the party's victory in the recently held state elections. Patnaik has been sown in as the Chief Minister of the state for his fifth consecutive term. The state's travel and hospitality industry is happy with the return of the pro-tourism state government led by Patnaik. Tourism has been recognized as one of the leading revenue generators in Odisha after a long time. The state government has been quite proactive in boosting its tourism potential. TnH interacts with the veterans of the travel trade in the state in order to find out their demands. History, heritage, nature and pilgrimage define the appeal of Odisha, 'the Land of Neelachal'. Benjamine Simon, Member, Tourism Advisory Council, Government of Odisha commented, “The World Heritage Site of Konark and Puri renowned as one of the Chaar Dhams offers pilgrimage and beach experiences. The pilgrim resort is only 1½ hours’ drive from Biju Patnaik International Airport. The Smart City of Bhubaneswar and Chilika Lake, the largest brackish water lake are some of the rare wonders of the state. The

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | JUNE 2019

CM Naveen Patnaik

state government is trying its best to make its Diamond Triangle comprising Udayagiri, Khandagiri and Lalitagiri into a religious hotspot. These are not only heritage destinations but need to have some valueadditions to it.” Odisha has a vast repository of tourism potential. Simon said, “The focus should be on Golden Triangle and Puri’s Marine Drive Road. There should be toy train connecting Puri to Konark that will offer a flat drive of 45 minutes. The entire Marine Drive Road from Puri to Konark should be a four-way corridor with off-beat experiences like live display of the works of craftsmen and the dance forms like Odissi, Gotipua and Chhau in order to make the

artists self-reliant. Add to these, there should be theme parks and water –based activities on river Kushabhadra at Ramachandi that will bring a surge in tourists’ footfall.” At the moment, the state is in need of some out-of-the-box tourism projects with active social participation. Simon further said, “The time has arrived for the state government to showcase the real potential of the state and make a bid to develop the Golden Triangle at global tourism marts with the help of Public Private Participation mode. Single window clearance, identification of land bank for investors and overhauling of cruise tourism in Chilika Lake also remain on our agenda. At the same time, a miniature harbour can come

up at Konark to give fillip to international cruise tourism that would facilitate global tourist arrivals in Konark from Chennai and Sri Lanka.” Development of tourism infrastructure is another area of concern. J K Mohanty, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Swosti Group, stated, “Odisha was once well-known for Bhubaneswar, Puri and Konark as short-haul destinations but with the setting up of airports at Jharsuguda, Rourkela and Jeypore, we need to push our Buddhist heritage monuments, Sambalpur handloom, shrines and cultural hotspots across the state. We intend to boost the state as a 21-night tourist destination inclusive of 480-km long coastline along the Chilika Lake, exotic tribal culture of south and western Odisha, forts and handicrafts. Global airlines should look at Odisha and the state is in need of an additional capacity of 5000 hotel rooms.: The state is replete with plenty of tourism products all under one umbrella. Pradipta Mohapatra, Assistant Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Mayfair Hotels and Resorts informed, “Strategic focus on tourism infrastructure will enhance the visibility of the state on the global map. Once global tourist arrival

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gains momentum, this will break new grounds in employment and raise the living standard of the locals. There is a need to stress upon promotion of segment-based tourism with development of infrastruc-

ture, connectivity and incentives created for segments like MICE and destination weddings. Bhubaneswar and Konark should have global convention centres. The thrust should be on Bhubaneswar,

Puri and Gopalpur to emerge as destination wedding hotspots. The National Annual Doctor’s Conference should be recognized in terms of providing Odisha by TNH DESK tourism logo.”

India scales down travel advisory on Sri Lanka

As the Island Nation returns to normalcy, India's Ministry of External Affairs has updated its advisory for travelling to Sri Lanka. The Ministry of External Affairs of India has announced that its travel advisory on Sri Lanka has been scaled down given that national security is stable and the country is returning to normalcy. "Security situation in Sri Lanka is gradually re-

turning to normal with the lifting of curfew and restrictions on social media and the opening of schools. Indian nationals travelling to Sri Lanka are advised to be careful and vigilant," the MEA said in a note. The MEA also asked Indian nationals requiring any assistance in Sri Lanka to get in touch round the clock with its high commission in Colombo, assistant high com-

mission in Kandy and consulates in Jaffna and Hambantota. SriLankan Airlines, the National Carrier of Sri Lanka and one of the leading airlines that connects India to the world, has appreciated the Government of India for reviewing the travel advisory. This will allow SriLankan Airlines to reach to its valued passengers once again. by TNH DESK

RADISSON OPENS A NEW UPSCALE HOTEL IN GURUGRAM

Radisson Hotel Group has opened a new upscale Radisson hotel, Radisson Hotel Gurugram Sohna Road City, which is located in Sector 49, Gurugram, on Main Sohna Road. It is just 30 minutes drive from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. The 135-key hotel features an all-day-dining restaurant, Café Central, which serves Indian and international dishes, a specialty restaurant, The Great Kebab Factory, which offers unlimited kebabs made from traditional recipes,Brewhouse, a vibrant sports bar, and a patisserie. Radisson Hotel Gurugram Sohna Road City Center is one of the first hotels with its own in-house brewery. The hotel is equipped to host all types of corporate and social events, from business meetings to weddings, and offers a grand ballroom, which can accommodate up to 450 guests, flexible meeting and event space and an elegant outdoor terrace. Other recreational facilities include an outdoor pool, spa, salon and fitness center. “Radisson Hotel Gurugram Sohna Road City Center is an excellent new addition to our portfolio in India, which continues to grow from

SOTC TRAVEL LAUNCHES HOMESTAYS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OYO strength to strength. All our hotels are service driven, blending world-class accommodation and facilities with a friendly, positive attitude. Our aim is to deliver outstanding guest experiences in line with Radisson’s Yes I Can! SM service philosophy,” said Zubin Saxena, Managing Director and Vice President, Operations, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group. “We are excited to add a new Radisson hotel into Gurugram’s bustling hospitality landscape. From state-of-the-art event spaces to unique culinary options, we are dedicated to delivering memorable experiences. We look forward to delighting guests by making every stay feel special,” said Sanjeev Mahajan, Managing Director, Nimitaya Hotel by T NH DESK & Resorts Limited.

Will offer authentic homestay experiences across 16 cities for the first time.

SOTC Travel has launched Homestays in partnership with OYO Hotels & Homes. Travelers can now book homestays starting at INR 2,400 to have authentic travel experience. This is available across 16 popular cities in India including Kochi, Lonavala, Dehradun, Dharamshala, Pondicherry, Coorg, Udaipur, Mount Abu, Bhubaneswar among others. These properties are located amongst beautiful local neighborhoods and come with great convenience and reliability. by TNH DESK

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COVER STORY

PM MODI 2.0 RENEWED EXPECTATIONS FROM

India's travel & tourism industry expects the new government led by PM Modi to accord high priority to this sector. Considering that he understands the immense potential of the sector, he should pay special attention to the issues that are holding back this industry.

By Prem Kumar

Indian people have once again reposed their faith in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Riding high on his nationalist credential, strong leadership, a tough security stance, many social welfare schemes along with his track record of clean governance, Modi delivered a massive victory to his party and the NDA in the recently held national elections. e BJP on its own won 303 parliamentary seats exceeding its previous record of 282 seats. Indian voters have voted for strong leadership, stable government and policy continuity with the accelerated outcome. As a chief minister of Gujarat for more

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | JUNE 2019

than a decade, Narendra Modi was seen as a pro-industry leader, having the pulse of the industry. His model of governance in Gujarat became known as the Gujarat model with a high rate of economic growth. e Indian industry had tremendous expectations from the PM when he took charge in 2014, but his ﬁrst term (2014-19) as PM has been a mixed bag as far as bold economic reforms are concerned. Economic experts complain that other than the implementation of goods and services tax (GST) and legislating Insolvency and Bankruptcy Act (IBA), there have been few big reform initiatives. Privatization of loss-

making PSUs was not pursued vigorously. Debt-ridden Air India was not privatized. e banking sector remained saddled with non-performing asset (NPA) issue that the Modi government inherited from his predecessor, restraining banks ability to lend fresh loans to firms. e UPA-2 Government enacting a tougher land acquisition act in the fag end of its tenure made land acquisition very difficult and expensive, affecting overall investment sentiment in the economy. Many infrastructure projects such as Jewar airport have been delayed or did not take off due to strict provisions of the

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COVER STORY

Peter Kerkar Group CEO, Cox & Kings Ltd

current land acquisition act. ere has been a signiﬁcant improvement in India's raking in terms of ease of doing business, but that could not ignite business sentiment due to high interest rates and slow credit growth. e focus on infrastructure development with enormous public spending kept the economy going, maintaining about 7 % growth in the country’s GDP. Now, the industry expects that in his second term Prime Minister Modi will undertake bold reform initiative to unleash the entrepreneur spirit of our economy. India's labour and land acquisition laws need to be reformed, GST should be rationalized. Fuel products such as diesel, petrol and ATF, and liquor products should be brought under GST net. With the new government having an absolute majority, reforms should be accelerated.

to absorb tourists in large numbers. Last mile connectivity from major metros to tourism destinations will act as a catalyst to double our tourism numbers and thereby contribute to overall development," said Peter Kerkar, Group CEO, Cox & Kings Ltd. He added that another major area that the government should focus on is to increase the air seat capacity to India as this is one major challenge that India tourism is facing when it comes to attracting more overseas visitors to India. On the domestic front, the UDAN scheme should be extended to more airports and the private sector should be helped to make it viable. Most importantly these steps should be taken up on priority by the new government." According to SN Srivastava, Co-Founder & President, Clarks Inn Group of Hotels, "With a slew of macro-economic initiatives related to the development of road infrastructure, transportation systems like high-speed Vande Bharat train and launching government’s regional air connectivity schemes like UDAAN, GST rollout, the cleanliness campaign, growing conﬁdence in safety, security and wellbeing of travellers, among others, the government has been able to create the much-needed environment conducive for the growth of tourism. However, until now the sector has

Travel & Tourism industry

For India's travel & tourism industry, much more needs to be done to tap the latent potential in this sector. e new government must resolve prevailing issues in the country's civil aviation sector and in the travel & tourism industry. "e new government should increase its focus on tourism and speed up tourism projects in destinations that have the carrying capacity

SN Srivastava Co-founder & President, Clarks Inn Group of Hotels

Mahesh Iyer Executive Director & CEO, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd

pretty much witnessed simple and not-soimpressive organic growth. We now need the government to undertake focused travel and tourism development initiatives that can unlock the potential of the sector for the nation’s economy." With the domestic travel being the backbone of India tourism, Srivastava says, the government's ﬁrst and foremost priority should be to develop domestic tourism by developing new destinations within the country. As every single state and part of the country is steeped in unique history, heritage and culture, he says, there is ample opportunity for many more destinations to be developed. He added that wildlife and adventure tourism and other niche areas also need to be paid attention to. On the international front, Srivastava wants the government to not only reopen the closed overseas oﬃces but also look at entering new markets involving private sectors for PR and promotions in these markets in order to grow and diversify country’s tourism source markets. He said that the country needs to have strong and year-round destination marketing plans in place in order to grow inbound numbers. He also expects that the government, on a priority basis, will further simplify and rationalize the taxation on travel and tourism. Srivastava says the government

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COVER STORY

Rajeev Kohli Joint Managing Director, Creative Travel

should also look at the growing aviation scenario in the country that is making air travel costly and adversely impacting tourism. Mahesh Iyer, Executive Director & CEO, omas Cook (India) hopes that the newly elected government will strengthen the tourism industry with the continuity of its tourism friendly policies. "We see the opportunity for increased focus on initiatives like UDAN aimed at enhancing regional connectivity and aﬀordable air travel, Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY), integrated development of pilgrimage destinations through Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spirituality Augmentation Drive (PRASAD), increased allocation towards enhancement of the eVisa initiative to include additional countries, development of new tourism circuits and attractions for the inbound travellers, along with a strong focus on infrastructure," said Iyer. According to Iyer, given the recent challenges faced by the aviation sector due to the withdrawal of Jet Airways ﬂights and other challenges being faced by Indian carriers, there is an urgent need for a holistic view and corrective measures to be taken to revive the sector. is is crucial and in the interest of the larger travel, tourism, hospitality and business environment. "Our wish list also

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includes clarifying the issue of Air Travel Agent being subjected to Tax Collection at Source. e amendment of the proviso to section 16(2) in claiming the input tax credit on the tax charged by the airline will also help in providing for the specific scenario of payment made by corporates or registered passengers to a travel operator," said Iyer, adding finally, "By focusing on Corporate Tax for the FY 2019-20, we look forward to a reduced corporate tax structure of 25% across the board." Expressing his concern over the current state of the Indian Inbound tourism, Rajeev Kohli, Joint Managing Director, Creative Travel, said the new government, on a priority basis, should focus on effectively marketing the destination India. "Incredible India campaign has become outdated. e government should start on a fresh note and come up with a completely new and innovative global marketing campaign to catch the attention of the world. Such a campaign should be implemented properly in the targeted markets" added Kohli. According to PR Bansal, Chief Operating Officer, Lords Hotels & Resorts, the new Modi Government needs to accord industry status to the tourism sector on a priority basis. It should also work for a liberal liquor policy for the whole country. More tourist attractions and facilities should be developed. "We should emulate destination

Anil Kumar Prasanna CEO, AxisRooms

like Dubai which has created everything in the desert. e government should offer incentives to the country's travel and tourism industry to fully tap the potential of this sector," added Bansal. AxisRooms' first expectation from the new Government is to reduce GST rates on the hotel & hospitality industry. "Our GST rates are much higher than any of the welldoing tourism destinations in the world. Infrastructure like airports and good roads brings a direct benefit to the industry, so we expect some development to access even remote tourism opportunities in India," said Anil Kumar Prasanna, CEO, Axis Rooms, who also wants a mechanism to ensure invoices are paid to hotels in time from all institutional users.

Tourism Industry's expectations:

P R Bansal COO, Lords Hotels & Resorts

• Improvement in last-mile connectivity to destinations • UDAN scheme should be extended • Rationalization of GST rates on travel & hospitality • Corrective measures to revive the aviation sector • A new global marketing campaign

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NEWS

APPLY FOR AN E-VISA TO AZERBAIJAN IN THREE EASY STEPS

Azerbaijan is currently on the cusp of a tourism boom as it welcomed a record number of in-bound visitors spending more than US$ 2 billion in 2018, making it one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in the world. Toensure convenience to travellers, the Caucuses country has launched several innovative reforms such as the new simplified electronic visa procedure. Since the introduction of the ASAN visa system, tourists can obtain a visa in 3 simple steps (application, payment and download) from the convenience of their home or on their mobile device. Tourists should visit www.evisa.gov.az, the official e-visa portal of the Republic of Azerbaijan which serves travellers in 9 different languages. At present, nationals of 95 countries are eligible to apply for an E-Visa. The list of countries can be found here. Emergency visas can be issued within 3 hours at an additional cost. Group visas can also be obtained by TNH DESK through the portal.

Football fans watched UEFA Europa League Final in Baku

Azerbaijan’s economy continues to diversify through the influx of visitors to the country in recent years. A new group of tourists are being attracted to the country with high-profile sporting events such as the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Added to the list this year is the UEFA Europa League, Europe’s second biggest club football tournament, the final of which was hosted at the Baku Olympic Stadium on 29 May 2019. The highly anticipated final attracted not only football aficionados from Europe, but from across the world. With this sports event, Azerbaijan captured the attention of sporting enthusiasts with its many offerings of outdoor pursuits and by T NH DESK high-energy activities.

TAIWAN'S FOUR TOWNS RECOGNISED AS 'SLOW TOWN'

Four towns in Taiwan, Fenglin, Nanzhuang, Sanyi and Dalin, have been recognised with prestigious 'Slow Town'; status by Cittaslow International (www.cittaslow.org). This influential Italy-based association, inspired by the “Slow Food” movement, promotes a relaxed lifestyle. Its goals are quality improvement in daily living through the slowing down of overall pace, a more people-friendly flow of humans and vehicles through public spaces, environmental conservation, sustainable development and Slow Food culinary habits.In these small towns, visitors can immerse themselves in their unique culture and traditions anddiscover what they have to offer at a leisurely pace. As a world-class tourist destination, many first-time travellers think of Taiwan as an industrial dynamo with big busy cities and humming factories, responsible for producing world-famous products like industry-vanguard microchips and Giant and Merida bicycles. While that is true, the islandis more than just that. It was once a land of towns and villages, and international visitorswill be delighted to know this part of Taiwan remains very much alive. by T NH DESK

VOX GROUP LAUNCHES NEW DIGITAL TRAVEL PRODUCTS IN SINGAPORE

Vox Group, the leader in tour guide systems, held a product launch of its new digital travel products in Singapore recently with key industry delegates from DMO, tour, agency, MICE and media sectors in attendance. John Boulding, Vox CMO, said: “Our new VoxCity and POPGuide smartphone applications bring a big opportunity to the Singapore travel community. These are powerful solutions that will enable travel businesses to successfully meet the highly individual demands of travellers today. Vox Group digital tools are the key to this dilemma. Our destination content and application technology is quick, easy and inexpensive to integrate and is already changing the face of global travel.” The Vox City Guide is a B2B2C solution for tour operators and travel agents who are looking for a smart add-on product. It’s a smartphone app which acts as a ‘personal concierge in by T NH DESK your pocket’.

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Royal Caribbean International introduces year-round sailings to China and Japan Two of the best ships Quantum of the Seas and Spectrum of the Seas from Royal Caribbeanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fleet to undertake journeys with diverse itineraries. Royal Caribbean International have included a slew of year-round cruise sailings to destinations across China and Japan,

aimed at offering global and Indian cruise enthusiasts unique oriental travel experiences. Two of the best ships from Royal Caribbean Internationalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fleet, Quantum of the Seas and Spectrum of the Seas, will be undertaking these journeys. Quantum of the Seas is a highly technologically

advanced popular ship which has reimagined cruise ships all over the world. The other ship, Spectrum of the Seas,the newest and the largest ship in Asia, has been designed especially for the Oriental destinations. The influences can be seen everywhere. by TNH DESK

Varun Chadha CEO, Tirun

KLM expands across IndIa KLM will start flight operations from Bengaluru to Amsterdam from 31st October 2019. It is also expand to daily flights between Mumbai & Amsterdam by 28th October 2019. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is expanding its footprint in India. The

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | JUNE 2019

airline will be increasing frequency between Mumbai and Amsterdam and expanding network with the launch of flight operations from Bengaluru to Amsterdam. Bengaluru will be the third Indian city serviced by KLM, while Delhi and Mumbai are already being served.

Effective 31st October 2019, KLM will launch a thrice-weekly direct service from Bengaluru to Amsterdam. These flights will be operated by the Boeing 787-9 (Dreamliner) equipment with a seating of 294. The thrice-weekly connection from Bengaluru will open up more opportunities for travel from India with easy connections to Europe and North America via the convenient hub of Amsterdam Schiphol. Starting 2nd September 2019, KLM will add one additional frequency between Mumbai and Amsterdam. This will be the fourth frequency on this route. This will be followed by the fifth frequency effective 30th September. From 28th October 2019 Mumbai-Amsterdam will be flown daily. This route will also be served by the Boeing 787 by T NH DESK Dreamliner.

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HOSPITALITY SHOWCASES 12 VENUES IN DUBAI TO HOST EVENTS Emaar Hospitality Group is showcasing 12 iconic venues in Dubai that are designed to make any event memorable, innovative and truly exceptional. e 12 iconic venues are located centrally in the city and next door to some of the top touristic attractions, adding to the delight of the attendees. At Address Downtown, a ﬂagship hotel under Address Hotels + Resorts in Downtown Dubai, elevate your next corporate function or exclusive celebration at its exceptional events venues, complemented by signa-

partners with Visit California to increase tourism

ture service courtesy of its events and culinary specialists. Enjoy uninterrupted views of Burj Khalifa and e Dubai Fountain at Zeta’s al fresco

terrace that can accommodate up to 500 guests. e Secret Garden is the perfect venue for a chic reception. by T NH DESK

Etihad's double-daily from Abu Dhabi to Moscow Building on the success of its current daily service between the capitals of the UAE and Russia, Etihad Airways has announced a new second daily ﬂight between Abu Dhabi and Moscow’s Domodedovo airport, which will operate seasonally between 27 October and 10 May 2020. e additional ﬂight will provide more convenient travel options between the two capital cities as passengers can now choose between a daytime and evening departure from both Abu by TNH DESK Dhabi and Moscow.

Etihad Airways has partnered with Visit California to promote the Golden State to travellers from around the world. e agreement was announced this week at the Arabian Travel Market in a signing ceremony with Robin Kamark, Chief Commercial Oﬃcer Etihad Aviation Group and Caroline Beteta, President & CEO for Visit California. e partnership between Etihad Airways and Visit California will involve the organisations collaborating to promote travel to California as a destination from both Abu Dhabi and other

key markets. e two sides will be developing a strategy and promotion plan to drive tourism and highlight the many attractions that California offers to international travellers. Etihad Airways operates regular scheduled flights to Los Angeles. Travellers to the United States from Abu Dhabi benefit from the purposebuilt US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility at Abu Dhabi International Airport, allowing passengers to process all immigration and customs inspections in Abu Dhabi by TNH DESK before they depart.

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REPORT

ICCA 2018 City rankings: Paris storms to the first place ICCA recently released its 2018 Country and City Rankings. Terming 2018 as yet another successful year for the association meetings market, ICCA capturing a total of 12,937 rotating association meetings taking place in 2018. Past favourite Paris achieves landslide victory with return to first place in ICCA city rankings. The release of ICCA’s 2018 Country and City Rankings marks yet another successful year for the association meetings market, with the global meetings industry trade association capturing a total of 12,937 rotating association meetings taking place in 2018, at an increase of 379 additional meetings compared to the number recorded at the same time in 2017. The highest annual figure ICCA has ever recorded in its yearly Statistics, these new rankings signal industry growth is continuing on a strong and robust trajectory. Paris, which previously held the top city spot in 2016, returns in 2018 to claim first place. The U.S.A. continues to top the country rankings.

Association meetings market expansion solidifies in its 56th year According to ICCA Statistics, between 1963 and 2013, the number of international association meetings doubled every 10 years. Released in October 2018 to coincide with its 55th year anniversary as an association, ICCA’s latest industry report on the 55-year growth of the international association meetings market, “A Modern History of International Association Meetings – Update: 1963-2017”, confirmed that this exponential growth trend has now slowly transcended into a more mature, yet still solid, growth pattern between 2013 and 2017. The 2018 figures seem to confirm this trend.

2018 City rankings: Paris storms ahead in first place Paris climbs to the top of the city rankings by number of international association meetings with a landslide margin of 40 meetings above second place holder Vienna. In 2017, Paris and Vienna held joint second place, with 190 meetings each. Last year’s number one Barcelona falls to fourth place, with Madrid entering the top 5 for the first time since 2015 in third place. Among the top 5 cities for another year, Berlin falls to fifth place from fourth in 2017. Remaining in the top 10 but changing position are London, Prague, Singapore and Lisbon. London, Singapore and Prague drop to seventh, eighth and ninth place respectively, and Lisbon climbs three positions to hold sixth place. Bangkok rises seven places from 17th to 10th, knocking Seoul out of the top 10. Seoul falls to 15th place, surpassed by top 20 risers and joint position holders Amsterdam and Tokyo, which jump from 16th to 13th place and 18th to 13th place respectively. Buenos Aires stays firmly in 11th place and Hong Kong rises to 12th. Dublin drops four places to 18th, and Stockholm holds 19th place for another year. Montréal, QC and Rome drop out of the top 20, and newcomers Brussels and Taipei enter in 17th and 20th place. U.S. remains unchallenged In an unsurprising turn of events, the U.S.A. remains in the top country spot, unchallenged for over two decades. Germany remains in second place and 2017’s number three the United Kingdom drops to fifth place, overtaken by Spain, which rises to third. After exiting the top 5 last year, France re-enters in 2018 in fourth place. Italy replaces France in sixth place, and Japan and China-P.R. remain in seventh and eighth place for another year. by T NH DESK

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SPOTLIGHT

Clarkes Inn strengthens its pan-India presence, makes international foray By Prem Kumar

2018 was a remarkably good year for Clarks Inn Group. It was a year of achieving milestones. Last year Clarks Inn achieved a historic milestone of having 50 operational hotels. " In 2018, we added 12 hotels to our operational portfolio, thus reaching a momentous landmark to have a portfolio of 50 operational hotels. Last year we also signed 17 hotels and made our international debut by opening our first hotel outside India in Nepal," informed Rahul Dev Banerjee, Associate Vice President Operations, Clarks Inn Group of Hotels. Since its inception in 2006, there is no looking back for Clarks Inn Group. In a short span of time, the group has become the fastest growing home-grown hotel chain in India. "Our track record in terms of growth has no parallel in the Indian hospitality industry. Now we have an established presence in almost

Clarks Inn Group of Hotels today boasts of a portfolio of 92 hotels including 55 operational properties. It has a presence in over 20 Indian states and Nepal.

Rahul Dev Banerjee

Associate VP - Operations, Clarks Inn Group of Hotels

every part of the country, and we are truly a pan-India hotel chain," said Banerjee.

The chain continues to be on expansion spree by opening many new hotels this year and many are scheduled to open in coming months. "We kicked off 2019 on a very strong note, by opening as many as 10 hotels within the first five months of the year," said Banerjee. These hotels have opened at Katra, Bhowali, Raipur, Gaya, Bhagalpur, Vijayapura (Bijapur), Nepalgunj, Hassan, Amritsar and Goa. Moreover, as Banerjee informed, the company has signed seven hotel properties in the first five months of this year. They are located at Gaya, Bhagalpur, Bhopal, Amritsar, Goa, Hosur and Nepalgunj (Nepal). All the newly opened hotels are

equipped with modern amenities such as lounge and bar, health club and spa and have multiple F&B outlets. They offer large spaces for business events and social gatherings. Elaborating further on company's plans for 2019, Banerjee said that Clarks Inn aims to add around 25 properties to its operational portfolio this year, including 10 properties that have already been opened till May 2019. "Over the next few months, we will be opening hotels at Bareilly, Belgaum, Bhopal, Kota, Lucknow, Mysore, Pathankot, Rae Bareli and Ramgarh," informed Banerjee. He added that Clarks Inn is very much hopeful of signing more than 25 properties this year. "With the strong interest in our brand promises and deliverables as well as a robust pipeline, we are confident that we will achieve our target of signing more than 25 properties by the year-end." Clarks Inn now operates a portfolio of about 55 properties, with the size of its combined portfolio reaching 92 hotels including operational ones, and is present in over 20 Indian states and Nepal.

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NEWS

LEISURE HOTELS GROUP OPENS THE SYLVERTON, MUSSOORIE With this opening, Leisure Hotels Group 's portfolio increased to 26 properties Leisure Hotels Group, with a prominent presence in Northern India and the largest in Uttarakhand, has opened its 26th property, in Mussoorie. With the management acquisition of this resort, e Sylverton, Mussoorie, also heralds the entry of the largest luxury Hotels Chain in Uttarakhand, in this erstwhile summer getaway of the British. e Sylverton is located at a walkaway distance from the mall road, in Mussoorie. e Sylverton oﬀers a colonial charm reﬂecting a by T NH DESK bygone era.

COX & KINGS ENTERS INTO STRATEGIC TIE-UP WITH RCI Cox & Kings has entered into a strategic tie-up with RCI, the global leader in vacation exchange and part of the Wyndham Destinations, to facilitate ancillary travel services for their India membership base. e tie-up will provide RCI members with all facilities under one roof while on a RCI holiday; be it visa processing, air tickets or transfers. e concept of vacation ownership is fast gaining ground in India with increasing number of vacationers finding timeshare more appealing and cost-effective. According to JP Singh, COO, Sales & Distribution, Cox & Kings, “We are happy to partner with RCI whose members in India can avail of our expertise in travel management to complete their holiday experience.” Cox & Kings has over 170 offices across India spanning metros and mini-metros and all located in the key tourism source by TNH DESK markets.

IndiGo introduces Shillong as 54th domestic destination IndiGo, India’s largest carrier, today announced 6 new daily ﬂights to and from Kolkata, while introducing Shillong as their 54th domestic destination.

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Eﬀective July 20, IndiGo will operate daily non-stop ﬂights on ShillongKolkata and Raipur-Kolkata route with its ATR-18 aircra. Furthermore,

Kolkata – Shillong – Kolkata will be IndiGo’s nextroute under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS). William Boulter, Chief Commercial Officer, IndiGo said, “We are strengthening our network from Kolkata with six new flights including a new RCS route. Kolkata-ShillongKolkata, our next RCS route, will significantly increase connectivity and tourist traffic in the Northeast region. Shillong, an important city in the Northeast, will be the 54th domestic destination in our network. With this expansion, we hope to create more affordable, point-to-point connectivity for our passengers. IndiGo will continue to offer an on-time, courteous and hassle-free service and affordable by TNH DESK flying experience always.”

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NEWS

ADDRESS DOWNTOWN BAGS TWO PRESTIGIOUS INDUSTRY AWARDS

TURKISH AIRLINES TO OPEN 5 LOUNGES AT THE NEW ISTANBUL AIRPORT With the completion of “Great Move” to its brand new home base, Istanbul Airport, one of the most significant cornerstones of the Turkish aviation history, Turkish Airlines will open five passenger lounges available for Business Class, Miles & Smiles Elite Plus & Elite, Star Alliance Gold and Corporate Club passengers. There are currently three lounges open – the Turkish Airlines Business Lounge, Miles & Smiles Lounge and Domestic Lounge. The Exclusive Lounge and Arrival Lounge are planned to open in Summer 2019. The Turkish Airlines Business Lounge has an approximate area of over 60,000 square feet, seats 765 guests and features 13 private

suites with showers. Turkish Airlines also designed a 130 square foot museum in here collaborating with the arts and cultural institution Istanbul Modern. The Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles Lounge is also over 60,000 square feet seating 765 guests, and offers 11 private suites with showers and space where guests can rest on comfortable couches, savor delicious and exclusive treats from Turkey along with international cuisine, or enjoy mobile masseur services. A console gaming experience, golf simulators and large children’s play area provide entertainment, while a technology center with 3D glasses and virtual reality is planned.

Emaar Hospitality Group’s Address Downtown, Dubai has won the impressive title of ‘Middle East’s Leading Luxury Hotel & Residences’ at the 25th World Travel Awards. Established in 1993, World Travel Awards acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism and hospitality industry. At 302 metres in 63 levels, Address Downtown is one of the region’s foremost references for luxury hospitality, in the very centre of Downtown Dubai. This significant award further underlines Address Downtown’s appeal as a haven for connoisseurs of refined indulgence. Impressively designed to the highest standards and providing an ideal environment for both indulgence and invigoration, The Spa at Address Downtown has also been recognised as ‘Dubai’s BestSpa’ at the second annual FACT Spa & Wellness Awards Dubai 2019. by T NH DESK

by T NH DESK

Atlantis Aquaventure adds a brand-new tower The addition of the incredible 34-metre tall Trident Tower, set to open in summer 2020, will make Atlantis Aquaventure one of the world’s biggest water parks. The region’s number one waterpark will break records with the 34-metre tall ‘Trident Tower’, which will introduce 12 incredible

new slides to the Atlantis Aquaventure offering and entertain everyone from the little daredevils to the waterpark veterans. Aquaventure has long been the Middle East’s favourite waterpark, with more than 20 amazing rides and rivers spread across 17 hectares of thrills and spills at Palm Island. Now thrill-seekers

will be treated to a whole new world of fun with the addition of Trident Tower which will feature signature world-class ProSlide® rides including the world’s longest all-new ProSlide MammothBLAST, a 449metre family adventure water coaster that delivers uncompromising force at unprecedented speeds. by T NH DESK

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REVIEW

A NEW WORLD OF LUXURY AT

PORT DICKSON F By Swaati Chaudhury

or intending wellheeled travellers who wish to indulge in the world of unlimited luxury in South-East Asia, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson that forms the ultimate luxury hospitality landmark of Malaysia. Snuggled on Pasir Panjang beach of Port Dickson in the coastal region of Negeri Sembilan, Lexis Hibiscus opened its doors in 2015. The hospitality group is from the

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house of a homegrown Malaysian brand- Lexis based out in Kuala Lumpur. The luxury haunt sprawls in the shape of Hibiscus flower and has redefined luxury with its largest number of water villas across the globe. During my recent Malaysia sojourn, I had a chance to head to the five-star property on the Straits of Malacca that is only an hour drive from Kuala Lumpur International Airport and is easily accessible by North-South Expressway.

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REVIEW

Verdict

The one-of-a-kind luxury beach resort is a must-visit with its unlimited facilities and stunning views that provides an overwhelming experience and is a dream of luxury tourists.

outdoor entertainment areas are beyond any word to describe. We took time out to soak in the sights and enjoy the soul-stirring the scenery of the property on the Straits of Malacca. The colossal property

stands tall with 639 pool villas and 552 fabulous sea water villas and each of these villas boasts of a private swimming pool and steam room that form the highpoints of the property. Another prominent feature is that the luxury suites have a glass panel on the floor to have a glimpse of the marine world underground. The property boasts of six food outlets like Roselle Coffee House, Umi Japanese restaurant, Horizon Deck, Wave Dining, Coralz Bistro and Captain Lounge. According to Steve Woon, Senior Vice President- Sales and Marketing, Lexis Hotel group, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have the largest number of swimming pools and the most overwater villas that makes us stand out from other luxury haunts. We concentrate mostly on honeymoon couples. We provide sound meeting facilities for MICE tourists with a number of ballrooms and meeting rooms for all

kinds of events. There are theme-based meal arrangements and our beach resort has on offer a wide range of beach activities ranging from helicopter rides, catamaran cruise and waterbased adventure activities. We make our presence at SATTE every year and we are a new player in the Indian market. We had around 5,000 Indian visitors last year and we are looking to have double the number of Indian visitors footfall in the current period.â&#x20AC;? There is the Hibiscus Grand Ballroom, being the only banquet hall in Port Dickson with a seating capacity of 450 that provides the best option for MICE venue. The hotel has the highest ballroom in Port Dickson. Address: Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson 12th Mile, Jalan Pantai, 71250 Pasir Panjang, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia Phone: +606 660 2626 Website: www.lexishibiscuspd.com

Since the route was congested, it took two hours for us to reach the luxury haunt but upon reaching, I realized that the journey was well worth the effort. I was completely gobsmacked seeing the huge property that provides stunning views of oceanfront villas stretching out more than a kilometre from the beach to the wilderness of the sea. The glittering interiors, the luxurious suites, the fine dining set-up, spa and the

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NEWS

EASEMYTRIP NOW OFFERS A DIRECT ACCESS TO AIRPORT LOUNGE SERVICES

VAPOUR BENGALURU LAUNCHES THE CANTEEN- BAR & KITCHEN Vapour, the largest chain of microbreweries in India has launched ‘e CanteenBar & Kitchen’. Situated at the boiling pot of contemporary culinary paradise, Indiranagar the restaurant promises to take you right back to the 90’s with its quirky interiors and classic menu. Staying true to its name, e Canteen Bar and Kitchen puts focus on delicious food to serve authentic Indian delicacies at unmatchable prices with great hospitality. To keep the authenticity of dishes intact, e Canteen sources all its spices from Lucknow, which gives its culinary creations a strong regional taste. Awadhi cuisine being one of them, plays a major role in the menu and an incredible set of dishes are all set redefine one’s palate. e talented team of chefs who are well versed with regional cuisines of India will put their gastronomical skills to best use to serve some of the finest fair at e Canteen. e USPs of the restaurant are its striking interiors, classic collection of in-house brews and the first of its kind per piece menu, which is all set to make by T NH DESK heads turn in the F&B space.

EaseMyTrip (EMT), one of the leading online travel aggregators in India has come up with a splendid offer for its customers. EaseMyTrip allows its customers accessing the exclusive Airport Lounge services for free. On booking domestic flights from cities of Ahmadabad, Bangalore, Delhi or Hyderabad with EaseMyTrip, customers can access the services of Premium Plaza lounge at the respective airports of the cities. With this, if any customer books a domestic flight from Ahmadabad, Bangalore, Delhi or Hyderabad at EaseMyTrip, he will get an email on his registered email address with a lounge pass code. They can show this code at the airport to access the services of the lounge. This unique coupon code will be cross verified by the Plaza Premium team. To avail the benefit of this offer, one needs to use the coupon code- EMTLOUNGE while booking their air tickets. Customers have to show their boarding pass, e-ticket and automated mail (having unique coupon by T NH DESK code) at the counter.

BARCELOS EXPANDS AND INTRODUCES THEIR NEW VENTURE ‘RASSASY BY BARCELOS’ e operation of Barcelos in QSR format. e ﬁrst outlet of ‘Rassasy by Barcelos’ will be opening at the Orb by JW Marriot, Mumbai followed by Hyderabad’s Forum Sujana Mall further in Bangaluru and New Delhi. ‘Rassasy by Barcelos’ will be paying homage to the American 50’s and the ’60s, which will reﬂect in their Interi-

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ors, Food and Music. In 2019, the Barcelos opened 5 new outlets – one each in Chennai, Lucknow and Chandigarh and two in Mumbai. e brand will now progress in food courts and in continuation to that Barcelos will translate to ‘Rassasy by Barcelos’. Barcelos will now focus on expanding to Tier II cities

while ‘Rassasy by Barcelos’ will focus on opening 5 outlets in Tier I cities and metros by the end of 2019. Each outlet of ‘Rassasy by Barcelos’ will have an investment of INR 2 crores and overall 20-25 crores have been allocated for openings, promotion and marketing. by TNH DESK

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NEWS

Dubai association conference to return under patronage of crown prince The second edition of the Dubai Association Conference, being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, will take place 9-10 December under the theme of ‘Driving change: The societal impact of associations’. Over the course of two days the conference, organised by Dubai Association Centre and taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre, will bring together association executives from around the world, government representatives, industry

leaders, as well as university faculties and students, in a space focused on building the association community in the region for the purpose of positive social impact. Established in 2014, the Dubai Association Centre (DAC) is a joint initiative of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) that support and license regional and international associations in setting up an office or chapter in Dubai. The inaugural edition of its Dubai Association Conference

took place in December 2017, while DAC last year hosted an Association Leaders Getaway in the city. Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said: “As Dubai continues to grow as a knowledge hub, associations have immense potential for driving growth in our rapidly transforming economy. Along with being a catalyst for business opportunities within a thriving ecosystem, they have the power to fuel innovation and creativity which ultimately contributes to the wellbeing of our communities, and society.

Issam Kazim CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing

Al Hashemi noted that DAC has witnessed exponential growth since its establishment and that the second Dubai Association Conference will provide an ideal platform to expand this network. by TNH DESK

TWA HOTEL OPENS AT JFK AIRPORT, BRINGS BACK JET AGE GLAMOUR

ISSAM KAZIM - CEO, DUBAI CORPORATION FOR TOURISM AND COMMERCE MARKETING The Korea MICE Expo (KME), the nation’s largest trade show for incentive planners and meeting professionals, will take place on June 12-14, 2019 in Songdo ConvensiA, Incheon. The event will provide a perfect venue for over 3,000 expected attending MICE industry professionals to engage with 300 exhibiting local service providers, including convention bureaus, unique venues, and travel agencies. The event will kick-off on June 12 with an evening Welcome Reception and the official program will continue over the next two days. Local convention bureaus will showcase local food specialties before the reception, giving visitors a chance to taste various local flavors from across Korea while interacting freely with other participants. Buyers participating in the event have the opportunity to take part in pre and post tours. “This year has significance because it is KME’s 20th Anniversary. We hope this will serve as a new beginning, marking KME’s first step in expanding beyond Korea to become an exhibition of global scale in the next 20 years,” said Namchun Kim, Director of the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) Meetings & Incentives Team. This year’s theme is ‘Green MICE’, showcasing the latest sustainby T NH DESK able, eco-friendly trends in the MICE industry.

JFK’s only on-airport hotel opens its 512 soundproof guestrooms, restaurants and retail outlets with a ribbon cutting celebration led by New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. A sight for soaring eyes: The TWA Hotel opened today at JFK Airport, where thousands of guests watched New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and Tyler Morse, CEO and Managing Partner of MCR and MORSE Development, cut the ribbon in the iconic Sunken Lounge. Celebrating the careful restoration of Eero Saarinen’s landmark 1962 former Trans World Airlines terminal — which now serves as the heart of the 512-room hotel — visitors were surprised by a flash mob bopping to period tunes. Excited TWA alums came out in droves, proudly wearing their lovingly preserved uniforms, reuniting with friends and sharing memories. Speakers also included Rick Cotton, Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; Queens Borough President Melinda Katz; Peter Ward, President of the New York Hotel & Motel Trades Council, AFL-CIO; Robin Hayes, CEO, JetBlue; and City by TNH DESK Council Speaker Corey Johnson.

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NEWS

Image: HTM 2018

HIMALAYAN TRADE MART 2019 With its theme, ‘Spirit of the Himalayas' the Nepal Tourism Board along PATA's Nepal chapter is organizing the Himalayan Travel Mart 2019 in Kathmandu on June 7-9. One of the biggest tourism events in Nepal, the Himalayan Travel Mart 2019 will be organised in the ﬁrst week of June 2019. e tag-line for the event to be held at the Soaltee Crowne Plaza Kathmandu is “Nepal, Gateway to the Himalaya.” Organised by Nepal Tourism Board, Paciﬁc Asia Travel Association (PATA) Nepal chapter and a number of other travel and tourism organizations, the

theme of the event is ‘Spirit of the Himalayas” During the 3-day event, various events will be organised. June 7, 2019: Himalayan Travel Mart Conference (HTM 2019) June 8, 2019: International Travel Bloggers & Media Conference June 8 & 9 2019: Travel Mart (meetings of travel sellers and buyers) During the event a number of talks and discussions will be organised where notable celebrities from the travel sector from all around the world will share their experiences and expectations.

Taiwan Tourism Bureau holds 3-city roadshows in India The Taiwan Tourism Bureau (TTB) hosted its trade colleagues at a series of roadshows held in New Delhi, Kolkata and Hyderabad between 16 and 22 May. The events brought workshops where attendees learnt more about what Taiwan had to offer to both leisure

and MICE travellers. They also interacted with workshop delegates, who included TTB officials and its airline and DMC partners. In his opening remarks, Dr Trust Lin, Director, Taiwan Tourism Bureau, Singapore office, revealed plans to promote Taiwan as the

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ideal travel destination. Among the plans include partnerships with the Times of India Group to roll out radio and TV campaigns, as well as print advertisements in publications like Lonely Planet and The Economic Times. by TNH DESK

Initiatives like these make one hopeful that Nepal can still muster up the political will to improve its infrastructure and attract the kind of tourists that will boost its economy. International Travel Bloggers & Media Conference (ITBMC) will also be held on the second day of e Himalayan Travel Mart 2019, in Kathmandu at the Soaltee Crowne Plaza Kathmandu. It is a platform for travel bloggers to network, learn and meet travel experts from Nepal and the world over. It will also be a platform to understand the challenges that Nepal faces in marketing its tourist by T NH DESK products.

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NEWS

MACHINE LEARNING, AI TO REVOLUTIONISE THE WAY YOU DO BUSINESS Technologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) have the potential to transform the GCC’s hospitality and travel sectors, but regional operators must strike the right balance between high-tech and high-touch. This was the message from industry experts participating in Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2019, who told attendees that – if implemented effectively –the latest innovations will help them to ‘sell travel’ more effectively in the future. by T NH DESK

BIKE TOURISM ACCELERATES IN SOUTHERN THAILAND As bike tourism accelerates in southern ailand, AKARYN Hotel Group unveils a special programme for cycling enthusiasts at Aleenta resorts in Phuket and Hua Hin. AKARYN Hotel Group has become one of the ﬁrst Asian hospitality companies to catch the cycling bug, as it launches a series of fully-equipped bicycle tourism adventures through the spectacular scenery of southern ailand. e group is positioning its two luxurious beach resorts, Aleenta PhuketPhang Nga Resort & Spa and Aleenta Hua Hin-Pranburi Resort & Spa, as “Bicycle Friendly Beach Resorts” – the perfect destinations for enthusiastic cyclists, training triathletes, Ironman hopefuls, or even just families who by TNH DESK enjoy taking scenic bike rides together.

NEW YORK’S EMPIRE OUTLETS OFFERS A MODERN TAKE ON DISCOUNT SHOPPING

Recently, thousands of New Yorkers, state and city officials, and business leaders celebrated the grand opening of Empire Outlets. New York City’s firstever outlet center. Empire Outlets’ unique combination of high-quality retail outlets, green public open spaces, dynamic art installations, and world-class dining embody the future of the New York City shopping experience. Visitors to Empire Outlets will be treated to outlet-priced merchandise in a modern, airy, light-filled setting designed by the world-renowned SHoP Architects. Across 340,000 square feet, Empire Outlets boasts scores of designer stores including Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers, Columbia Sporting Goods, Gap Factory, H&M, Jockey, Nike Factory, and Old Navy among many others. Additional retailers, including Nordstrom Rack, American Eagle Outfitters, Crocs and more will open their stores by TNH DESK throughout the spring and summer.

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BITE CORNER

Spice Market Culinary experience at

For those looking for authentic, traditional Malay experience in luxury dining with a sprinkling of a fusion of Indian, Malay and Chinese dishes, Spice Market in Langkawi is a sound option.

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BITE CORNER RATING Food: Service:

Ambience:

By Swaati Chaudhury

or those Indian diners with deep pockets heading to the island getaway of Langkawi and yearning to savour traditional SouthEast Asian delights, head straight to Spice Market, the all-day dining food outlet of Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort and Spa. The 200-seater spanking restaurant focuses on spice route from Northern Europe to South-East Asia and rustles up an incredible selection of South Asian breakfast. Opened way back in 1989, Spice Market enjoys the reputation of serving traditional Malay cuisine comprising Malay, Chinese and Indian platters. As the name conjures up, the traditional Malay spices used to rustle up the exotic fares are displayed in the outlet. The food outlet provides options for buffet breakfast and dinner while lunch is a la carte. The decor exudes an old-world ambience and

3.5/5 4/5 4/5

round off my breakfast. I had dinner date with a plethora of yummy delights served in the restaurant. The dinner menu offers a glimpse of a taste of good life to the foodies. I began my dinner with a lip-smacking appetizer called oven baked tandoori vegetable salad done up with roasted pumpkin, cauliflower, spices, cherry tomatoes, spinach and curd dressing. I moved on to the mains with the Indian vegetarian thali comprising Pilaf Vegetarian rice and Paratha that were relished with Fried Potatoes and Green Peas, Vegetable Jhalfrezi and Soya Paneer Masala that was an exotic dish. There were add-ons like cucumber Raita and Papad. Since no meal can be concluded without any sweet treats, there Verdict was a mind-boggling an array of Continental Spice Market is sure to desserts like cakes, pormake foodies smile. Wellheeled travellers with a penridges and not to forget chant to savour a blend of the traditional Malay Malay, Indian and Chinese cakes and jellies. I was iniplatters in a conventional tially served Gulab Jamun the dimly-lit Malay set-up need to check and Rambutan Cinnamon restaurant with in to the outlet. compote â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a fusion of Indian chandeliers is more and Malay delight that has been of a traditional Malay innovatively churned up by the chef spice shop and diners can and it was a heavenly delight. I never get unforgettable views of the Straits missed the chance to nibble the Continental of Malacca. There are four live counters set desserts that are eternal favourites and there up for noodles, eggs, roti and fruits during were Chocolate Cakes, Honey Dew Pudding, breakfast while two live stations for noodles Carrot Cakes and Chocolate Mousse. and barbecue are provided for dinner. The food outlet remains open every day I got an opportunity to gorge on Southfrom 7 AM to 11 PM. East Asian delights at Spice Market, during my recent brief sojourn at Meritus Pelangi Beach and Spa Resort in Langkawi. I used to start off my day by savouring an array of breakfast items like vegetarian noodles, dosa, upma, some fritters and cupcakes. There were lots of tropical fruits on offer such as honeydew, watermelon and pineapple. I never missed out on the plain yoghurt to

Address: Spice Market Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa, Langkawi, Pantai Cenang, 07000 Kedah, Langkawi, Malaysia. Phone: 604 9528888 Food for two: RM 300 approximately exclusive of alcohol.

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NEWS

Orange county attracts 50+ million visitors in 2018 Orange County welcomed a record-breaking 50.16 million visitors in 2018 according to a preliminary report on visitation. is tremendous milestone brought with it impressive visitor spending of more than $13 billion countywide. e 50+ million visitor achievement reﬂects a 1.6% increase in visitation over 2017 ﬁgures. With respect to visitor spending, the new tally is 4.2% higher than 2017 levels. When combined with results of OCVA’s most recent economic impact study, the latest pre-

CATHAY PACIFIC' CALL TO ACTION: 'LET’S MOVE BEYOND' Jay Burress

Chairman of the Orange County Visitors Association

liminary ﬁgures underscore the critical role tourism plays in the Orange by T NH DESK County economy.

Cathay Pacific recently celebrated the start of a new journey with the purpose of moving people forward in life, through the airline’s ability to connect them to meaningful people, places and experiences. Cathay Pacific CEO Rupert Hogg said: “Over the last seven decades we have grown to become one of the world’s leading airlines, and our goal now is to continue to move forward by becoming one of the world’s greatest service brands.” by TNH DESK

THE NEWLY REFURBISHED OCEANIA INSIGNIA SAILS TO THE SHORES OF INDIA OCEANIA CRUISES HAS ALSO ELEVATED ITS GUEST EXPERIENCE TO NEW LEVELS THROUGH NEW DINING EXPERIENCES AND REIMAGINED MENUS.

Oceania Cruises’ newly refurbished Insignia arrived in Mumbai aer visiting Cochin, Mangalore and Goa in India as part of her 180 Day Around the World Cruise. e ﬁrst ship to debut the dramatic new enhancements undertaken as part of the ambitious Oceania NEXT initiative, Insignia guests will travel through the Paciﬁc and Asia, as well as cruising through the MiddleEast, Europe and American regions.

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | JUNE 2019

In addition to the sweeping array of dramatic enhancements, Oceania Cruises has chosen to elevate its guest experience to new levels through new dining experiences and reimagined menus, allowing guests to savour e Finest Cuisine at

SeaTM, as well as in-depth destination exploration. In 2018, Oceania Cruises announced its Oceania NEXT initiative, a sweeping array of dramatic enhancements designed to elevate every facet of the guest experience. by T NH DESK

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NEWS

Melbourne plans a new spectacular global festival The first winter festival will be staged in 2020 over several weeks, with exact timings yet to be finalised. A spectacular new festival will redefine winter in Melbourne, with the Andrews Labor Government bringing together ambitious and unique attractions to deliver Victoria’s sixth and only creative major events pillar. Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley and Minister for Tourism and Major Events Martin

Pakula recently revealed plans for the new festival, which will celebrate Melbourne’s cultural, creative and culinary strengths. A new creative team will be charged with developing a diverse program of visual and performing arts, with large-scale takeovers of precincts filling our laneways and venues and celebrating Melbourne’s famed ‘after dark’ culture. The festival will build on our

renowned independent arts scene, having a strong focus on specially commissioned and world-first collaborations between local and international artists. The festival will improve access to cultural experiences for a greater range of Victorians with free and ticketed events, building on our strengths as a vibrant and diverse city.

(referred to as the “Expo” or “MITE”) was held at Cotai Expo of the Venetian Macao on April 26-28. This was the largest scale of the event since its inaugural edition. The event presented seven

key highlights this year including the “Pavilion in Celebrations of the 20th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region.”

by TNH DESK

7th Macao International Travel Expo concluded with terrific response Organized by Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) in coordination by Macau Travel Agency Association, the 7th Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo

by T NH DESK

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D I P L O M AT â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S C O R N E R

H.E. Mr. Chung-Kwang Tien Taiwan's Representative to India

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D I P L O M AT ’ S C O R N E R

'TAIWAN TO WORK WITH INDIA'S NEW GOVERNMENT TO STRENGTHEN TIES'

Taiwan's Representative to India, H.E. Mr. Chung-Kwang Tien said that his country will work with India's new government to further cement the ties between the two courtiers. In an interview on the sidelines of Taiwan Expo 2019 held recently in New Delhi, Mr. Tien said that there is an immense trade and tourism potential between the two countries. By Prem Kumar

Mr. Chung Kwang Tien has been in India for the last six year as his country's envoy and working earnestly to improve relations between the two countries in diﬀerent areas including trade and tourism. anks to his eﬀorts, Taiwanese investment in India has been growing over the years. e bilateral trade is also continuously rising, with India becoming Taiwan's 16th largest trading partner. Taiwan and India’s total bilateral trade volume reached US$7 billion in 2018, that was a 5-year high and an 11% increase from 2017. Mr. Tien said that his country will continue to closely work with India's new government to further cement the bilateral ties between the two courtiers. "ere is an immense trade and tourism potential between the two countries, and Taiwan Expo 2019 is aimed to tap this potential." As regards Taiwan's position in India as a tourist destination, "ere is a lack of awareness among Indians about Taiwan as a tourist destination. Some people here mistake

Taiwan for ailand. ere is need to create awareness here about Taiwan," said Mr. Tian, informing that his country has regularly been organizing fam trips to Taiwan for Indian tour operators. "We have also been organizing cultural programmes in India, for which performing groups come from Taiwan. We are focusing on our so power to promote peopleto-people contact between the two countries," Mr. Tien said.

There is a lack of awareness among Indians about Taiwan as a tourist destination. Some people here mistake Taiwan for Thailand. There is a need to create awareness here about Taiwan.

The trade war between the US and China Expressing his concerns over the trade war between the US and China, Mr. Tien says: As we all are part of the global economy, we are deﬁnitely concerned about its impact on our economy, and paying special attention to this issue. e trade war has the potential to severely aﬀect the international supply chain and all economies dependent on manufacturing. But I think this is a good opportunity for us to work more closely to face

global challenges. ere are so many commonalities between us. If we work closely on trade issues, the eﬀect of the trade war can be minimized. I think each and every country will have to restructure their old economic policy in view of the new global challenges. ey will have to upgrade their capabilities and do something that is diﬀerent from the past. Now bilateral

KEY FACTS ABOUT TAIWAN

Capital: Taipei Currency: Taiwanese Dollar Languages: Mandarin, Taiwanese Hokkien & others Political System: Democratic Republic

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D I P L O M AT ’ S C O R N E R

relations will become more important, which we will have to strengthen further. e existing restrictions should be relaxed to attract more business to countries. ese are the structural challenges every country will have to pay more attention to. We don't like the trade war, but it is happening. So we have to face it and cooperate to minimise its adverse impact. India-Taiwan trade ties We are keen to have a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India. We are working on it. Last year we signed a Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA) with India, a key step to promote our economic ties. e agreement guarantees the safety of our investments. is is why last year we witnessed Taiwanese investment in India increasing tremendously as compared to 2017. Last year Taiwanese investment in India was US$ 360 million as compared to only US$ 30 million in 2017. is indicates that we are moving in the right direction. Tourism between the two countries ere is a lack of awareness among Indians about Taiwan, says Mr. Tian. Some people here mistake Taiwan for ailand. ere is a need to create awareness. We are working on it. On steps being taken by the Government of Taiwan to promote Taiwanese tourism in India, Mr. Tien says, there are several projects we are working on. First, we have invited some people from Bollywood to Taiwan. We are organising fam trips for them. We also plan to invite Indian producers to shoot their movies in

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Tourist Attractions in Taiwan

Natural attractions such national parks, lakes, mountains, rivers, waterfalls, springs and beaches, historical buildings, museums, memorials, lighthouses, temples and pagodas, nightlife, theme parks, festivals, shopping centres and many other attractions.

Taiwan. I think that would be more eﬀective. Second, we are organising and participating in tourism exhibitions and roadshows, as one was recently organised in Le Meridien New Delhi. And third, we are planning to invite some cricket or Bollywood star to Taiwan. We may invite cricket star such as Sachin Tendulkar to come to Taiwan to promote cricket in our country because Taiwanese are not familiar with cricket. He can go to Taiwan and team up with some universities to promote cricket among young students. is would be a good opportunity to promote people-to-people contact between the two countries. Besides, we have been organizing familiarization trips to Taiwan for Indian tour operators on a regular basis. Of course, India is a huge country and we have to go step by step. But you can see that the number of tourists from India to Taiwan is increasing year-onyear, which means that our method is working, but we can not expect it to jump suddenly. It will take time. Last year we received about 35,000 tourists from India and registered a 17% growth in our Indian arrivals as compared to 2017. We believe that so power is more important. We are cooperating in areas like education and culture. We are organizing student exchange programmes between Indian and Taiwanese universities. We bring a group of university students as goodwill ambassadors to India every year. ey visit Indian universities and interact with Indian students. We also bring performing groups here. is year on 6th July a circus group from Taiwan will perform in Kamani Auditorium in Delhi. Earlier also many Taiwanese performing groups have come here.

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NEWS

THE NEXT BIG MICE DESTINATION FOR ALL CORPORATE EVENTS: THE DELTIN, DAMAN e Deltin, Daman is spread across 10 acres of land and boasts of generally sized 176 rooms. e property is known for its greenery and plethora of facilities and amenities. Under a comfortable driving distance from Mumbai, Surat, Baroda and easy accessibility from Pune, Nashik, Ahmedabad, it is a perfect destination for all your meetings and conferences away from the hustle of the city life. eir belief, which has successfully favoured them as the most opted MICE destination around the city is to provide unmatched high quality experiences to the guests.

Preferred Hotels Rolls Out I Prefer Planner in Asia Pacific Designed to incentivize and reward meeting and event planners for choosing the independent hotel experience, Preferred Hotels & Resorts has launched I Prefer Planner in the Asia Pacific. Effective immediately, corporate travel buyers and planners across the region who book group and incentive travel at any of the more than 700participating I Prefer hotels

TIME Hotels joins an elite club

UAE-headquartered TIME Hotels has signed an agreement with Dubai-based Plan B Solutions, to oﬀer its guests the opportunity of enrolling in the TIME Elite Club Membership. e cobranding loyalty programme has two tiers, the ﬁrst being a complimentary level where would be members can enrol for free, by simply downloading the elite club mobile app and registering. Members can earn two points for every one US dollar spent in any participating TIME hotel and points can be redeemed, through the elite club e-com-

and resorts around the world are eligible to earn five points for every US$1 spent on actualized room revenue for group meetings and events booked through Preferred Hotels & Resorts channels, up to a maximum of 500,000 points (equivalent to US$100,000 in room revenue) awarded for a single event. 500,000 points are the equivalent of US$1,000 in cash-value Reward Certificates

merce platform against gi certiﬁcates, retail products or cash vouchers, which can be spent at any TIME Hotel. “Elite Club is all about adding value to our proposition. Guests can earn points every time they stay or dine with us, which can be saved and redeemed at a later stage. Although we already have a very loyal customer base, we thought this was another way of saying thank you for their continued loyalty,” said Mohamed Awadalla, CEO, TIME Hotels. by T NH DESK

that can be used towards room nights and other on-property expenditures during future bookings at any participating property. Introduced as a points-based model by Preferred Hotels & Resorts in August 2013, I Prefer Hotel Rewards is the world’s first and largest global points-based guest loyalty program for independent hotels with more than three million travellers currently enrolled. As a result of the program’s success with leisure and business travellers, the brand introduced I Prefer Planner to US-based meeting planners in 2015and implemented the program in Europe in 2016. Now planners in travel hubs such as Hong Kong, New Delhi, Singapore, Tokyo, and Jakarta can claim earned points for eligible events by visiting IPrefer.com/Meetings and submitting their invoices. by T NH DESK

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E V E N T WAT C H

AN EVENING WITH DIPLOMATS IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL

Dictionary of Castilian. that Sangria was a "drink invented by the English that It takes a lot in the English and French colonies of America " And in the wake of the Mariners and the Pirates that roamed the area It was spreading all over the world. This is how SANTA SANGRĂ?A was born in honor of the brave who sailed those seas.

Aska Beverages Pvt. Ltd recently organized an evening with Sangria in Capital to launch Tetra pack of Santa Sangria for the first time in India. Official diplomats and entrepreneurs got together for the evening with Sangria in Hyatt, New Delhi. The event was graced by Mr Rajbir Singh of Aska Beverages, the Ambassador of Argentina to India H.E. Mr Daniel Chuburu, Charge de Affaires of Panama Mr Ricardo Berna, Ambassador of Ireland H.E. Mr Brian McElduff and many more.

SANTA SANGRIA If you thought that sangrĂa had been invented in Spain you are wrong. Sangria was already consumed in the eighteenth century, in the area of the Antilles and the Caribbean Sea. The term originated from the English

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | JUNE 2019

voice sangaree, which, in turn, was inspired by the Spanish "blood" to name this soda for its color. Thus, what was called "wine lemonade" is named as early as 1788 Father Torres affirmed in his

Two flavors of Santa Sangria have been launched in India: Citrus: It is made with the most traditional white strains of Argentina. Along with a selection of the best natural citrus extracts such as Lima Limon and Ginger. Tropical: It is made with the most emblematic red strains of Argentina. Along with blend of tropical natural extracts such as Orange and Pineapple with sweet by TNH DESK aromas of fruity flavor.

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REPORT

4 IN 5 INDIAN BUSINESS TRAVELERS PICK WINDOW OVER AISLE: CWT RESEARCH Research by CWT, the B2B4E travel management platform, shows that twothirds (66%) of business travelers globally prefer window seats over aisle seats. at rises to 71% in Asia Pacific, and falls to 59% in the Americas, with the Europeans in the middle at 65% window over aisle. Indian business travelers expressed a strong preference for window seats, with 79% of those surveyed saying they prefer scooting all the way in. Globally, a narrow majority of business travelers would prefer to miss their flight rather than be separated from their luggage – with travelers from the Americas showing the strongest preference at 54%, European travelers at 52%, and travelers from Asia Pacific split down the middle. In contrast, 56% of Indian business travelers said they would rather have their luggage misplaced than miss a flight. When it comes to ground transportation, 54% of travelers still prefer traditional taxis over ridesharing services like Ly or Uber. But there are strong regional differences. In Europe, a full 69% Europeans prefer taxis – almost exactly the reverse of American travelers, 63% of

whom prefer rideshare services. Asia Pacific travelers are more evenly split, with 56% preferring taxis. Unsurprisingly, with the rapid growth of services like Uber and Ola in the market, nearly three in five (58%) Indian business travelers said they prefer ridesharing services to taxis. “ese findings provide fascinating and sometimes counter-intuitive insights into how global business travelers approach their journeys,” said Niklas Andreen, Executive VP and Chief Traveler Experience Officer at CWT. “We see significant differences between regions – for example, in booming Asia, people are more likely to want a window seat, whereas in markets like the US, the view is less of a draw.” CWT’s research also shows that trav-

elers are generally happy to share their travel preferences with both apps and travel industry staﬀ – globally nine out of ten (89%) travelers are “extremely” or “somewhat” willing to do so. at applies equally to business travel and leisure travel, suggesting that travelers make little distinction between the two, at least when it comes to sharing information on their personal preferences. e survey found that that European travelers are least willing to share data: 14% of Europeans are “not willing” to share their preferences either with apps or people while traveling for business. at rises to 17% when traveling for leisure. Travelers from the Americas or Asia Paciﬁc are much less likely to refuse to share their preferences, especially by TNH DESK when traveling for leisure.

International tourism numbers and confidence on the rise

UNWTO forecasts growth of 3% to 4% in international tourist arrivals in 2019.

The latest issue of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer from the World Tourism Organization shows that international tourism continued to grow over the first quarter of 2019. Though at a slower rate when com-

pared with the last two years, the 4% increase registered in early 2019 is a very positive sign. The Middle East (+8%) and Asia and the Pacific (+6%) experienced the highest increase in international arrivals. Numbers in both Europe and Africa were up by 4%, and in the Americas growth was by TNH DESK recorded at 3%.

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AROUND THE WORLD

POPULAR FESTIVALS AROUND THE WORLD TO LOOK FOR IN JULY 2019 Lollapalooza Paris Festival July 20-21, 2019 Location: Paris, France

It comes as really good news for music lovers that Lollapalooza, the big multi-genre American music festival that forms a part of the renowned global festival family would be held at Hippodrome de Longchamp in Paris. The venue is a well-know horse-racing facility sprawling over 57-hectacres of land with a capacity of 57,000. Lollapalooza took shape in the United States back in the decade of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;90s. The festival initially took off in France in 2017 and has been a rage. The festival features rap icons and rock veterans, DJs and pop favourites.

Gilroy Garlic Festival July 26-28, 2019 Location: California, the United States

Famed as one of the largest food festivals in the United States, Gilroy Garlic Festival is a leading fundraiser for charities. It is held at Christmas Hill Park in California every year. Gilroy Garlic Festival Association is a non-profit group that lends a helping hand to non-profit organizations in Gilroy. Regarded as the largest garlic festival in the world by none other than Guinness World Records, scores of gourmet lovers flock to this food mart to savour garlic food, live music, arts, craft, cooking competitions et al. Foodies get to sample garlic ice cream free of cost.

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AROUND THE WORLD

BASTILLE DAY July 14, 2019 Location: Paris, France

Bastille Day symbolizes the birth of French Republic and is regarded as the National Day of France. It marks the setting up of the constitutional monarchy in France. On this day, the Bastille that formed the 14th century fortress was stormed way, way back in 1789. The Red Letter Day takes off with a spectacular military parade along the Champs Elysees that forms the most premier and largest military parade in Europe.

Jagannath Rathyatra July 4, 2019 Location: Puri, Odisha

Popularly known as Chariot Festival, Rathyatra is the biggest annual event in the Orissan calendar. The festival honours Lord Jagannath, his sisterGoddess Subhadra and his elder brother, Lord Balabhadra. Huge wooden idols of all the three deities are taken from the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Jagannath temple in Puri and placed in embellished chariots. These idols are brought to Gundicha temple, their auntâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s abode at a distance of 3 km and stay for a period of nine days.

HEMIS FESTIVAL July 11-12, 2019 Location: Leh, Hemis Monastery

The two-day Buddhist festival is held on the 10th day of the lunar month of the Tibetan calendar. Held at Hemis Monastery, the festival connotes the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava and also signifies that good triumphs over evil. This is incidentally the largest monastery in Ladakh that comes to life in the barren desert of the Western Himalayas. The monastery is decked up and there is a wide display of local handicrafts.

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E V E N T WAT C H

SKAL DELHI MEET Skal Delhi organised its monthly lunch meeting on 22nd May 2019 at Shangri-La Hotel, New Delhi. The meet was attended by a large number of skalleagues and their guests. It concluded with a delectable lunch. Here are some glimpses of the luncheon meeting:

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NEWS

Emaar launchEs singlE-point mobilEapp for all its hotEl, hospitality and lEisurE ExpEriEncEs Emaar Hospitality Group, the hospitality and leisure business of Emaar Properties PJSC,has launched afully-integrated Mobile App that covers all the hotel, hospitality and leisure experiences under the Group. With the single App, users will have seamless access to an extensive range of services including booking of hotels, restaurants, spas, golf and entertainment attractions using their mobile devices. The new App replaces all the earlier Apps

that were launched for the individual hotel brands and leisure attractions under Emaar Hospitality Group. The new Emaar Hospitality Mobile App is available for download both on App Store and Google Play. With the Mobile App, guests

can explore a comprehensive portfolio of hotel, hospitality and leisure services at Emaar Hospitality Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premium luxury hotel brand Address Hotels + Resorts, the upscale lifestyle brand Vida Hotels by TNH DESK and Resorts.

Corporate travel is on the rise in Asia Pacific: Sabre According to a recent Sabre Corporate Travel Survey, Corporate travel is on the rise in Asia Pacific, but people are doing it differently. Sabreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s survey discloses that as economic growth continues to sweep across the region, more and more companies are expecting their corporate travel managers to contribute to their business success, asking them to look for doorto-door travel booking solutions, demanding expense integration and most importantly, to by T NH DESK identify cost saving opportunities.

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MOVING ON

APPOINTMENTS OF THE MONTH

1 2 WiSSaM SuleiMan

GM, the St. Regis Doha the St. Regis Doha has appointed Wissam Suleiman as its General Manager. in this role, he will be responsible for overseeing the awardwinning 336-room luxury property, managing its operations and maintaining the unparalleled service excellence that matches the legacy of the St. Regis Brand.

Stephen D'Souza

GM, hotel Four points by Sheraton, Vashi hotel Four points by Sheraton, Vashi has appointed Stephen D'souza as its General Manager. Stephen has been working in the hospitality business for more than 18 years and will lead Four points by Sheraton to its continuing success.

3 4 MohaMMeD ShoeB

associate Vp, pride plaza hotel aerocity, new Delhi pride hotels has appointed Mohammad Shoeb to the post of associate Vice president, pride plaza hotel aerocity, new Delhi. a post Graduate Diploma holder in tourism & hotel Management, Shoeb brings with him over 30 years of hospitality experience.

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | JUNE 2019

Bhanu Gupta

Director, F & B, Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre hotel Bhanu has been in the hospitality industry for past 15 years and worked with various brands and properties. he is responsible for heading a team of culinary professionals and experts, crafting an exciting and innovative direction to create unique experiences.

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MOVING ON

Ritu Rana

Director of Sales, Renaissance mumbai Ritu Rana has been appointed as the Director of Sales for Renaissance mumbai Convention Centre Hotel and Lakeside Chalet - marriott Executive apartments. She will be spearheading the sales functions of both the renowned Hotels. She was heading the corporate segment at the Westin mumbai Garden City before taking up the new role.

DEBajYOti PaL ROY

Executive Sous Chef, the Leela ambience Gurugram Chef Debajyoti Pal Roy has been appointed as Executive Sous Chef at the Leela ambience Gurugram Hotel & Residences. With a remarkable experience of over a decade, Chef Debajyoti has been a competent professional and has remarkable experience in Food & Beverage operations.

7 8 Yaman Rai

F & B manager, Courtyard by marriott & Fairfield by marriott Bengaluru Courtyard by marriott and Fairfield by marriott Bengaluru Outer Ring Road, marriott indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first dual branded hotel, has appointed YamanRai as Food and Beverage manager. Yaman will oversee the food and beverage operations at the establishment.

nikita DaS

Sr. Cluster mar-Com Head, Bangalore Hotels, marriott international marriott international has appointed nikita Das as Sr. Cluster marketing and Communication Head for its Bangalore Hotels. Being in the industry close for close to a decade, nikita brings with her vast knowledge and experience in the hotel industry.

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | JUNE 2019

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NEWS

10,000 GUESTS VISIT LOUVRE ABU DHABI ON INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM DAY More than ten thousand guests, made up of children, families and other art enthusiasts, including visitors from abroad as well as UAE residents, visited Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saturday the 18 May, as the global community of cultural institutions celebrated International by TNH DESK Museum Day.

ETIHAD ADOPTS NEW BOEING TOOLBOX MOBILE LIBRARY Etihad Airways has introduced Boeing’s Toolbox Mobile Library, an iPad mobile application, to enable its Technical Operations team to improve the efficiency of its maintenance engineers and technicians. With Toolbox Mobile Library, the airline’s engineers now have access to maintenance documents for instant reference and use at all times, removing the need to rely on connectivity or hard-copy printouts. Toolbox Mobile Library hosts maintenance documentation for Etihad Airways’ Boeing 777 and 787 Dreamliner airplanes, along with the airline’s internal documentation. by TNH DESK

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THE BIG BANG THEORY COSTUMES TO JOIN THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY e Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History received costumes worn by the seven main cast members of the 12-season television show, e Big Bang eory. e news was announced by cast members on e Late Show with Stephen Colbert on May 16. e items will join thousands of artifacts in the museum’s popular entertainment collections and help tell the story of groundbreaking work by T NH DESK in American television.

THE BRIEF South Africa: 'the best international destination for wildlife' in 2019 South Africa bagged yet another accolade for being the ‘Best International Destination for Wildlife’ at the Lonely Planet Magazine India Travel Awards 2019 held on Tuesday, 7th May 2019. Qatar Airways plans aid to Indian expats Due to the recent exceptional circumstances affecting the Qatar-India market, which has resulted in a drastic reduction in the number of seats offered by Indian airlines operating to/from Qatar, Qatar Airways has made a formal submission to the Indian authorities to allow for the implementation of a temporary solution to Indian families during the summer travel peak. BA's A350 aircraft with the new Club Suite to fly to Bangalore British Airways has announced that its new A350 aircra with its highlyanticipated new business class Club Suite, will fly to India later this year. Bangalore will be the first city in India, and just the fourth destination on the airline’s worldwide network, to welcome its new A350 aircra. e airline's sophisticated and newlybranded Club Suite offers direct-aisle access, a door for greater privacy and luxurious flat-bed seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. by T NH 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