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

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FEATURE

LGBT TOURISM: A PROMISING OPPORTUNITY FOR THE INDIAN TRAVEL INDUSTRY

PA G E S 5 2

DIPLOMATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CORNER

GEORGIA: WHERE PAST MEETS FUTURE

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FROM THE EDITOR

Leveraging India's soft power

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 Senior Reporter Archana Sharma Correspondent (Kolkata) Swaati Chaudhury Accounts Chander Shakher Balodi Administration Executive Sarwat Jahan

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

www.tnhglobal.com Printed, published and owned by Srishti Rai. Printed at Somsons Printing Works, 1/7, DoctorĂ&#x160;s Lane, Gole Market, New Delhi - 110001, and published at P- 23/90, Connaught Circus, New Delhi 110001; Editor: SRISHTI RAI

India is the repository of many soft powers that include cultural and spiritual heritage. Once visiting India, Martin Luther King Jr. had said, 'To other countries, I may go as a tourist, but to India, I come as a tourist.' Buddhism, which originated in India and spread beyond its border to many parts of Asia, is one of our greatest soft powers. While assessing this power, if one thing stands out, it is the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great legacy of Buddhism. India can rightly be described as the holy land for Buddhists with the country having so many places associated with the life of Buddha and footprint of Buddhism preserved in most parts of the country. Prominent among them are Bodhgaya in Bihar, Sarnath and Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh. On the other hand, there are nearly 500 million Buddhists across the

World; the majority of them living in East Asia, South East Asia and Far East countries. These countries can serve as key source markets for Buddhist Tourism in India. At present, a very small fraction of them visits Buddhist sites in India. Obviously, the potential to attract tourists from these countries to prominent Buddhist sites is quite high. With proper planning and efforts, Buddhist tourism can attract a huge number of tourists from across the world! We must leverage this soft power to become a popular destination for Buddhists. Read our cover story: Leveraging Buddhism: India's soft power (page 18). In the wake of India's Supreme Court striking down Section 377 of Indian Penal Code (IPC), the LGBT community offers an important business opportunity for the tourism industry. To know more, read our feature 'LGBT Tourism: a promising opportunity for the Indian travel industry' (page 22). This issue also features an interview of the Ambassador of Georgia to India on page 38. Have fun while reading!

Srishti Rai Editor

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16 18 18

COVER STORY

NEWS

BITE CORNER

DIPLOMATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CORNER

Leveraging Buddhism: India's soft power

Marines Safaris: Explore fascinating marine creatures in South Africa

NEWS LGBT Tourism: a promising opportunity for the Indian Travel Industry

Skew Residences: revolutionary designed weekend residences in the Himalayas, Bhowali, Uttarakhand

Nation remembered Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant on his 131st birth anniversary

Taste Exotic Oriental food at Kylin Experience'

Georgia: Where Past Meets Future

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NEWS

TATA group retains Delhi's iconic Taj Mansingh Hotel With Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) recently winning the auction conducted by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Delhi's iconic Taj Mansingh Hotel remains with TATA Group, which won the auction against its rival ITC. The lease for the hotel has been granted to the group for 33 years at double the license fees. IHCL will pay Rs. 7.03 crore as license fee per

month including GST or 32.50 per cent of the gross turnover of the property. Commenting on wining the auction, Puneet Chhatwal, MD & CEO, IHCL, said, "We are delighted that the iconic Taj Mahal, New Delhi which has been an important part of the cultural and historic fabric of the National Capital, will continue to remain a part of the IHCL family. We would like to thank our customers for their enthusiastic support and our employees, who have always offered exceptional service to our guests for over 40 years. We look forward to investing in the hotel and taking it to new heights of Indian hospitality. The Taj legend will continue to serve Delhi with elegance and charm.” The Tata group had acquired The Taj Mansingh on a lease in 1978 for 33 years, which ended in 2011, but the Group continued to operate the hotel on temporary extensions after the expiry of the lease period because the NDMC could not auction the property due to litigations. by TNH DESK

ICICI Bank with MakeMyTrip to launch a range of co-branded credit cards ICICI Bank has announced its partnership with MakeMyTrip, the country’s leading online travel company, to launch a range of cobranded credit cards tailor-made to suit the aspirations of the rapidly expanding segment of travel enthusiasts in the country. As part of the agreement, ICICI Bank will offer two types of credit card – MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Platinum Credit Card and Make-

MyTrip ICICI Bank Signature Credit Card. The cards provide customers attractive lifestyle privileges as well as the opportunity to convert their daily spends on the card to MakeMyTrip ‘MyCash’, the reward currency of the travel portal. Each reward point earned as ‘My Cash’ has a value of Re 1. It can be redeemed across an array of categories on the travel portal such as

air-travel, hotel booking, holiday packages. Additionally, customers can also use it to redeem for vouchers of partner merchants of MakeMyTrip. by TNH DESK

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NEWS

CLIA Asia to conduct a seminar at ITB Asia 2018 Cruise is one of the fastest growing leisure travel segments globally and has been picking up steam in the Asia region. Most Asian markets such as Singapore, Indonesia, India, Mainland China and Malaysia registered doubledigit year-on-year growth in passenger numbers. 2018 will see 38 cruise lines de-

ployed and more ships in Asian waters. Compared to 2017, the number of large vessels with a capacity of 2,000 – 3,500 passengers will see the most significant increase of almost 50%. Followed by small, upscale ships with a capacity of under 750 passengers expecting a 20% increase in numbers.

Southeast Asia, is expected to see a significant 20% increase in port calls for 2018 due to the deployment of more ships. by TNH DESK

IHCL signs its fourth Taj Hotel in Dubai The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has announced the signing of a new Taj hotel at the Deira Creek in Dubai in partnership with Ithra Dubai LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD). Commenting on the signing of this agreement, Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) said, “The Middle East is a significant market for IHCL. We are honored to partner with Ithra Dubai for this new hotel in Deira - the historical and cultural center of Dubai. IHCL has a long tradition of managing marquee hotels with rich heritage links across the world.” The new Taj hotel is a Greenfield project slated to open in early 2022, conveniently positioned 15 minutes from Dubai International Airport. This hotel will be part of Deira Waterfront Development – one of Dubai’s most significant rejuvenation projects. An urban oasis, the hotel will have approximately 200 spacious rooms and suites with a selection of rooms cantilevered over the water, with scenic by TNH DESK waterfront views.

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Norwegian Cruise Line unveils Hull Artwork for Norwegian Encore Celebrated Spanish Artist Eduardo Arranz-Bravo commissioned to design the Hull of the final breakaway-plus class ship Norwegian Cruise Line revealed that Eduardo ArranzBravo, the award-winning Spanish artist, created the hull artwork for the fourth and final ship of its Breakaway-Plus class, Norwegian Encore, debuting in Miami in November 2019. A representation of his modern and abstract style, the ship’s hull will feature a labyrinth of color inspired by Arranz-Bravo’s life by the sea in Barcelona and pay tribute to the vibrant guest experience for which the Norwegian brand is recognized. by TNH DESK

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NEWS

Air Arabia launches new route to Prague

Park Inn by Radisson to debut in Thailand Park Inn by Radisson, the upper mid-scale brand from Radisson Hotel Group, will make its debut in Thailand with the launch of a brand-new hotel in Phuket Town, the island’s provincial capital and cultural heart. Phuket welcomed a record 8.4 million international visitors in 2017, making it Thailand’s most popular resort destination. The island’s expanding international airport receives travelers from across the globe, including direct flights from Beijing, Sydney, London, Dubai and Moscow. by TNH DESK

Air Arabia has announced the introduction of its new European destination, Prague in Czech Republic, direct from Sharjah, UAE. Air Arabia’s inaugural flight to the city will commence on 11th December 2018. Flights to Prague will operate 5 times a week from 13 destinations in India including Jaipur, Kochi, Nagpur, Coimbatore, Thiruvananthapuram, Goa, Kozhikode, Hyderabad, New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, and Chennai, connecting via Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia, said “With the continued development of residents in the region and international tourists looking for value-for-money services, Air Arabia is focused on the continued expansion of its international routes. by TNH DESK

SriLankan Airlines awarded two titles at the World Travel Awards 2018 Asia & Australasia SriLankan Airlines was awarded two prestigious titles at the World Travel Awards 2018 Asia and Australasia Ceremony held at InterContinental Grand Standford in Hong Kong. Whilst the Airline’s launch campaign to Australia titled ‘Two Cities. One Spirit’ was awarded the ‘Asia's Leading Marketing Campaign 2018’ accolade, SriLankan managed to defend the familiar title

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‘Asia's Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean 2018’ for the second consecutive year. SriLankan Airlines, Group Chief Executive Officer, Vipula Gunatilleka said, “SriLankan Airlines’ emphasis has been on systematic and focused growth in certain markets to reposition the Airline as a leader in the region through product/frequency enhancements and induction of new destinations. Our

SriLankan Airlines Manager Hong Kong, Mr. Pradeep Durairaj (centre) with the WTA officials after receiving the awards.

consolidated strength in the Indian Sub-continent has allowed us to offer a wider choice of travel to customers across our global network. by TNH DESK

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NEWS

IHG opens Holiday Inn Express in Gurgaon, Sector 50 InterContinental Hotels Group expanded its Indian portfolio of Holiday Inn Express by opening Holiday Inn Express Gurgaon in Sector 50. Highlight: • IHG will open 13 more Holiday Inn Express hotels in India by 2019. • All 14 Holiday Inn Express hotels are coming in partnership with SAMHI. • The new launch also marked the unveiling of a new Holiday Inn Express brand campaign in India, centered around ‘More Than Ready’. InterContinental Hotels Group inaugurated the Holiday Inn Express Gurgaon Sector 50, the first Holiday Inn Express hotel in Gurugram. As a part of

(L to R) Vaibhav Jain, Director- Operations, SAMHI, Pascal Gauvin, MD-IM...

IHG’s partnership with SAMHI for a portfolio of 14 Holiday Inn Express hotels, this property first opened its doors to guests on September 15th. by TNH DESK

StayWell Holdings announces first Leisure Inn in Kochi

Sarovar Hotels & Resorts signs Yeha Hotel in Ethiopia Expanding its overseas portfolio, Sarovar Hotels Pvt. Ltd. has signed its latest project in Africa, Yeha Hotel- A Sarovar Premiere Hotel, a luxury property in Axum, Ethiopia. This development signifies Sarovar’s focus on Africa and the latest addition to its existing portfolio of properties in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia. Travellers would love to visit the ancient city of Axum, a UNESCO heritage site, where it is believed the true Arc of the Covenant is hidden. Once the residing city of Queen of Sheba, Axum is now a tourist town and religious centre best known for its obelisks which are more than 2000 years old by TNH DESK and many ancient churches.

StayWell Holdings has announced the signing of a new hotel in Kochi, Kerala. StayWell Holdings has announced it will further expand its Leisure Inn portfolio in India, with the opening of Leisure Inn VKL Kochi scheduled to launch in the last quarter of 2018. The 53-room hotel will signify a number of milestones for StayWell Holdings, marking the Group’s second property in Southern India, following the recent opening of Park Regis Aveda in Kumarakom and the first Leisure Inn to open post the acquisition of StayWell Holdings by Prince Hotels Inc. Overlooking the Chilavanoor Lake, Leisure Inn VKL Kochi is located in one of the principal tourist destinations of Kerala and plays witness to an intriguing mix of culture and architecture. Simon Wan, President & Director, StayWell Holdings, said “We are looking forward to widening our by TNH DESK reach in the Southern market.”

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NEWS

British Airways announces partnership with Vistara

British Airways and Indian domestic carrier, Vistara, have announced a new partnership that will open up more routes between India and London than ever before. As part of the new agreement customers can book seats on Vistara flights to destinations across India from Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi. British Airways operates two direct flights a day from Heathrow to Mumbai, a double daily service to Delhi and a daily flight to Chennai. The airline also flies direct to Hyderabad and Bengaluru from Terminal 5 and is rolling out a £4.5 billion, five-year customer investment plan that includes the installation of the best quality Wi-Fi and the delivery of 72 new airby TNH DESK craft.

Cox & Kings appoints Anushka Sharma as its first ever Brand Ambassador Celebrating 260 years, Cox & Kings Ltd. has roped in Bollywood youth icon and avid traveller Anushka Sharma as the company’s first ever brand ambassador. The versatile actress will be seen promoting the comAnushka Sharma pany’s unique travel offerings in a new TV campaign to be released soon. Karan Anand, Head, Relationships, Cox & Kings said, “Anushka is known for her versatility, experimentation and unusual personality. She perfectly represents a generation that is energetic, unapologetic and fun loving which makes her the right fit to showcase Cox & Kings’ innovative holiday offerings.” Speaking about her experience Anushka Sharma said, “I am glad to be associated with the world's oldest travel company Cox & Kings. I love to travel and personally think that travelling opens us up to new incredible experiences and changes the way we look at the world. Whether you are travelling solo, with your partner or friends, Cox & Kings has a holiday expeby TNH DESK rience for every type of traveller.”

90% of Indian business travellers feel motivated when travelling for business The Hyatt Place Business Traveler Survey provides insight into the mindset of business travellers, including what motivates them and what they learn during their travels. The Hyatt Place brand recently released findings from a Business

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Traveler Survey, which was conducted online by The Harris Poll and consisted of more than 1,300 adults across India, the United States and China who have traveled for business in the last 12 months (international business travelers), to gain a greater under-

standing of how business travel can deliver both personal and professional growth on the road. As corporate travel continues to grow rapidly, the online survey sheds light on the evolving preferences and behaviors of modern business by TNH DESK travellers in India.

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NEWS

World Knowledge Forum to Gather Global Leaders in Korea

Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas re-launches its website As the original hospitality brand to place indigenous experiences at the heart of luxury travel, Anantara Hotels & Resorts extends this ethos to the re-launch of the brand website, Anantara.com. Redesigned as a visual feast for the eyes, the website utilizes on-trend design and UX features such as abundant video content, emotive full bleed images and interactive maps. Thoughtfully crafted to follow the intuitive user journey, experiences have been made central to the website flow, fully immersing guests in the digital world of Anantara. Once a guest selects a property, video-enabled ‘day in the life’ teasers, image carousels plus concise and evocaby TNH DESK tive storytelling bring the chosen destination.

The 19th World Knowledge Forum (WKF) is taking place at Jangchung Arena Shilla in Seoul from October 10 (Wed) - 12 (Fri) and is expected to welcome around 3,500 delegates. First launched in October 2000, WKF serves as a platform to educate about pressing global issues and seek ways to promote a balanced world economic growth. This prestigious event is participated by heads of state and government, business leaders, and other public figures - further building itself as WEF Davos' counterpart in Asia. The central theme of this year's forum is Global Challenges: Geopolitical Conflicts and Trade War. Event delegates will gain insights on the interesting developments of the diplomatic relations in the Korean Peninsula; how the blockchain technology is disrupting the existing monetary system; and ways to improve the quality of life beyond wealth and technology. by TNH DESK

Radisson to launch two new hotels in Wuhan Radisson Hotel Group will be introducing its globally renowned Radisson Blu and Radisson brands to central China, with the signing of two new hotels, Radisson Blu Wuhan ETD Zone and Radisson Wuhan Optics Valley in the city’s high-tech business and development zones. These two hotel properties will provide high-quality accommodation and world-class facilities for the rising number of domestic and

international visitors attracted to Wuhan’s economic zones. The capital of Hubei province, Wuhan is a bustling metropolis that

is home to approximately 10 million people. Nicknamed the “Detroit of the East,” this city has one of China’s largest automotive industries and a thriving manufacturing sector, which has attracted many major Chinese and international companies. Radisson Blu Wuhan ETD Zone is an impressive new lakeside property located in Wuhan’s Economic & Technologiby TNH DESK cal Development Zone.

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NEWS

Deccan Odyssey named Asia's leading luxury train 5th time in row Deccan Odyssey made history at the World Travel Awards (WTA), after being named as Asia's Leading Luxury Train for the 5th time in a row. The country's premier luxury train is known for its majestic journeys and exemplary service. The winners of the prestigious award were announced at a glittering ceremony held at the Intercontinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong on 3rd Sep-

tember 2018. According to Arup Sen, director, special projects, Cox & Kings, "The Deccan Odyssey has surpassed the definition of luxury with its unparalleled service and stunning design that not only offers unimaginable comfort but also a rare window to tour India. The WTAs acknowledges the train's excellence in offering unique experiences and extraordinary by TNH DESK journeys.’’

QATAR IS AMONG 10 MOST OPEN VISA COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD: UNWTO Qatar has become the most open country in the Middle East and the 8th most open in the world in terms of visa facilitation. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) recently updated its visa openness rankings, confirming Qatar’s recent visa facilitation improvements including allowing nationals of 88 countries to enter Qatar visa-free and free-of-charge. Actions Qatar has taken to improve visa facilitation include introducing an online platform for efficient and transparent visa processing and evisas, as well as a free 96-hour transit visa doubling the time stopover passengers can remain in the country. by TNH DESK

TdP conducts B2B Trade Roadshows in New Delhi and Mumbai

Filipe Silva, Mumbai

Turismo de Portugal (TdP) conducted successful Roadshows combined with B2B sessions, recently in New Delhi and Mumbai. The aim of the roadshow was to educate and motivate the focused invitee list of preferred travel agents, tour operators and trade partners and update their knowledge about Portugal, the products it has to offer, USP’s of the destination, exchange rate, visas and how it caters to different segments of the Indian travellers.

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The event was divided into 2 different sessions -- one was the focused B2B sessions where the invitees held business meetings with the Portugal DMCs. The DMCs and their top management attend the Roadshow; including Ricardo Ferreira, Head of Incoming and M.I.C.E., Osíris; Tânia Dias, Director of Sales, Tours for You and Naresh Chandnani of Representation Serene Experiences; and Bruno Canhoto, Commercial Manager, by TNH DESK Top Atlântico.

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NEWS

JW Marriott Chandigarh launches the North's first microbrewery

Designed as a destination that brews fun and luxury with creativity and creative pursuits, 35 BREWHOUSE is all set to welcome patrons with Tricity’s longest party spanning over three days. Opening its doors to the freshest and most satisfying brews in the Tricity, JW Marriott Chandigarh is now coming up with 35 BREWHOUSE, the region’s first microbrewery in a 5 star property, in its premises in the heart of Chandigarh. A unique offering for a luxury property, 35 BREWHOUSE at JW Marriott Chandigarh is the much required addition in the country’s luxury hospitality space with Chandigarh going a step ahead than metropolitans and hospitality hubs like Delhi and Mumbai to offer the most authentic of brews in a heavenly setting. “35 BREWHOUSE has been conceptualised as a destination that is much more than a brewery, where you could not only have beer, but also brew rich experiences. It has been designed as a dynamic destination that can fit well with the diverse moods of different interest groups amongst the patrons of the property,” said Mr Dilpreet Singh Bindra, General by TNH DESK Manager, JW Marriott Chandigarh.

Atlantis, The Palm to launch a new entertainment destination

Opening in Q1 2019, this all-encompassing venue will merge adventure with live entertainment, fantastic food, creative beverages and one-of-a-kind experiences for adults and families alike. Atlantis, The Palm and leading F&B operator, Solutions Leisure, have joined forces to create a revolutionary dining and entertainment venue, called Wavehouse. Located at the iconic entertainment resort, the hotspot is due to launch in Q1 2019 and will well and truly shake up Dubai’s definition of dining, entertainment and nightlife. With a

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ground-breaking approach including a family-friendly restaurant, sprawling terrace, four-lane bowling alley, a climbing frame, a kids’ play area, gaming zone and adult-only bar, Wavehouse brings an exciting first to

the GCC with the inclusion of a dedicated Wave Rider, a state-of-the-art wave machine allowing guests to feel the rush of surfing. Set within the iconic Atlantis, The Palm, overlooking Aquaventure Waterpark, the rustic-beach-bar-meets-industrial-gastro pub will be in a league of its own, seamlessly blending adult down-time with family activities and interactive adventures. A key feature of Wavehouse, the ultramodern Wave Rider machine will be available to both water park and Wavehouse guests, with prime viewing from the sunby TNH DESK drenched terrace.

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NEWS

Taj Connemara reopens in Chennai Taj Connemara, South India’s oldest hotel reopens after undergoing a year-long extensive renovation and redesign. Dating back to 1854, the hotel’s legendary history has been brought to life with fresh and modern sensibilities. Over a century old, the Taj Connemara is a proud relic of the colonial era and is named after Lord Connemara, the then Governor of Madras. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), said “Taj Connemara

is another jewel in the Taj portfolio of iconic heritage hotels. We are committed to continuing our century-old legacy of restoring historical treasures across the globe for our guests. The newly renovated Taj

T&A Consulting to represent STB in South India The Singapore Tourism Board growing steadily and STB has (STB) announced the appointworked with a Marketing Reprement of T&A Consulting as its ofsentative agency for the past few ficial Marketing Representative years to cultivate the travel trade agency for South and entice travellers India with effect from from the region. T&A 1st October 2018. Consulting, headquar2017 was a record tered in New Delhi, is a year for Singapore boutique advisory firm tourism. For the first with extensive experitime, India moved up ence in promoting India a spot to become Sinoutbound tourism and gapore’s third largest providing representation Visitor Arrival (VA) to tourism boards and source market, with destination management Adrian Kong Area Director - South Asia, Singapore 1.27 million visitors companies. T&A ConTourism Board in 2017 – a 16% yearsulting has a record of on-year growth. This made India working with overseas enterprises the fastest growing market for towards achieving successful and Singapore. Travel from South Inaccelerated entry and growth in by TNH DESK dian cities to Singapore has been India.

Connemara draws on the hotel’s illustrious past whilst offering patrons a distinctive, modern and individualistic experience. We are happy to announce that Taj Connemara will resume its place in the cultural heart of Chennai.” by TNH DESK

Evergreen Group celebrates 50th Anniversary Evergreen Group celebrates its 50th Anniversary at the Chang Yung-Fa Foundation, home of the charity set-up by Evergreen Group Founder and Chairman Dr. Y.F.Chang. In addition to senior executives and employees of the Group’s businesses, the event was also attended by public officials, customers and business agents from both the shipping and airline industries as well as representatives of supply chain partners from more than fifty countries. The celebration commenced with a performance by the choir of the Yihsing branch of Jiahsing Elementary School from Hsinchu County. by TNH DESK

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NEWS

Marines Safaris: Explore fascinating marine creatures in South Africa

ith Sustainable Tourism being the theme of UNWTO for 2018, there is a lot of focus on wildlife and its conservation. Of the 8.7 million species, while 6.5 species are land based, a whopping 2.2 million live in the oceans! While hordes of fascinating marine creatures are waiting to be discovered – South Africa offers the best place to start. In addition to its inimitable wildlife and adventure experiences, South Africa is blessed with a coastline stretching more than 2500 kilometers. There are some extremely remarkable marine safaris that travelers can experience along this vast coast line. What makes South Africa especially attractive to travelers are the exceptional opportunities to view the Marine Big Five - African Penguin, Cape Fur Seal, Dolphins, Southern Right Whales and Great White Shark, the most popular marine animals of the country. THE AFRICAN PENGUIN is indigenous to southern west coast of Africa and can be found waddling in their natural ways at the famous Boulders Beach and Betty’s Bay. Countless penguins parade the length and breadth of this stunning Boulders Beach all day long and attract close to 60,000 visitors a year. Stony Point in

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Betty’s Bay is another huge penguin colony and popular spot. Declared a protected area for this endangered species, the Stony Point Colony is the only population of African Penguins that is increasing in numbers. THE CAPE FUR SEAL or African Fur Seal is the largest of all the fur seal varieties. While the seals spend majority of their time in water, they can be often spotted lazing on the rocks, soaking in the sun. Seal Island in False Bay, home to a colony of well over 60,000 seals, offers beautiful scenery and once-in-a-lifetime experience to observe seals in their natural habitat. For the wildlife adventure enthusiasts, Cape Town also offers Seal Snorkeling. DOLPHINS: The South African coastline is ideal to spot the famous bottlenose dolphin, the beautiful common dolphin, and the shy humpback dolphin on dolphin tours especially across Garden Route and False Bay. SOUTHERN RIGHT WHALES: South Africa offers an unrivaled whale watching experience. Hermanus, also known as the whalewatching capital of the country, is one of the biggest draws for a marine safari. Travelers can watch the majestic whale jet-rise out of the sea without even going in it, as Hermanus is one

of the world's best land-based whalewatching spot. The Hermanus Whale Festival brings together residents and visitors to celebrate the migration of Southern Right Whales and other marine wildlife with ocean-themed activities and exhibitions. The festival combines whale watching from shore and sea with live shows, hands-on family fun, street parades, film, music, seafood and local produce. GREAT WHITE SHARK spotting is one of the biggest draws to South Africa. It is one of the ultimate activities to feature on any adrenaline seeker’s bucket list while visiting South Africa. Gansbaai and Mossel Bay are two places in South Africa that promise fantastic shark cage diving experiences. Big 5 marine creatures in S Africa: • African Penguin • Cape Fur Seal • Dolphins • Southern Right Whales • Great White Shark by TNH DESK

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COVER STORY

LEVERAGING BUDDHISM: INDIA'S SOFT POWER

Buddhism is India's one of the greatest soft powers. The county must leverage this asset to become a popular destination for Buddhists from across the world.

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COVER STORY v B PREM KUMAR

I Y

ndia is one of the oldest civilizations in the world, with an incredible treasure trove of heritage, culture, and history. This is the land of many religions and myriad ways of life. Martin Luther King Jr had once said, 'To other countries, I may go as a tourist, but to India, I come as a tourist.' Religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism have their origins in India. Among these, it is Buddhism which transcended India's border and spread in many parts of Asia. Followers of Buddhism are across the world. Even those who are not Buddhists, practice Buddhism for mental peace and holistic wellbeing. Presently, it is estimated that there are nearly 500 million Buddhists all over the World and majority of them live in East Asia, South East Asia and Far East countries. However, a very small percentage of them visit the Buddhist sites in India. So the potential of encouraging more tourists to visit the Buddhist destinations where Lord Buddha lived and preached is immense. Of late, Buddhist Tourism has become a key highlight of the country’s tourism development initiatives. While assessing India's soft power, if one thing stands out among all, it is the country’s great legacy of Buddhism. India can rightly be described as the holy land for Buddhists with traces and footprint of Buddhism present in

the most part of the state. Buddhist Tourism is one of the religious and spiritual tourism in India with so many places in the country being associated with the life and teachings of Buddha and his disciples. The most significant and revered places in India for Buddhists include Bodhgaya in Bihar where the Buddha attained enlightenment, and Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh, where he gave his first teachings and Kushinagar (UP) where he achieved salvation. Lumbini in Nepal is the birthplace of Buddha. India should work with the government of Nepal to promote Buddhist tourism. The Ministry of Tourism recently organized International Buddhist Conclave (IBC), 2018 in New Delhi. The event was inaugurated by President Ram Nath Kovind, who also launched the Ministry of

Tourism website on important Buddhist sites indiathelandofbuddha.in and a new film showcasing the Buddhist sites in the country. Delivering inaugural address, the President said that the voyage of Buddhism from India to Asia and the transcontinental links that were created carried more than just spiritualism. "They carried a rich cargo of knowledge and learning. They carried arts and crafts. They carried meditation techniques and even martial arts. Eventually, the many roads that the monks and nuns - those men and women of faith - carved out became among the earliest trade routes. In that sense, Buddhism was the basis for an early form of globalisation – and of inter-connectedness in our continent. It is these principles and values that must continue to guide us."

Bodhgaya

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COVER STORY It is very unfortunate that India despite being the birthplace of Buddha and Buddhism and being home to the main Buddhist pilgrimage sites, receives less than 1 per cent of Buddhist pilgrims in the world. Historically, the successive governments at the Centre and in the states such as Bihar and others having Buddhist heritage have failed to recognize the tourism potential of the country’s Buddhist heritage. For a state like Bihar, which still continues to suffer from social and economic backwardness, tourism has hardly been a priority, therefore the state has failed to tap the tourism potential of its Buddhist heritage. The same holds true for the state of Uttar Pradesh and Odisha. Other than its iconic Taj Majal, the UP has not been able to tap tourism potential of its other heritage sites including its Buddhist heritage. Promoting the Buddhist trails in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhatishgarh and Maharashtra will give a big boost to the overall tourism in the country. The good thing is that the PM himself is taking keen interest in promotion of Buddhist tourism.

The Ministry of Tourism has identified Buddhist Circuit as one of the thematic Circuits under its flagship ‘Swadesh Darshan’ Scheme for development of infrastructure in various states in the country with the help of State Governments and private stakeholders. The Centre and state governments need to invest

"The voyage of Buddhism from India to Asia and the transcontinental links that were created carried more than just spiritualism. They carried a rich cargo of knowledge and learning. They carried arts and crafts. They carried meditation techniques and even martial arts. Eventually, the many roads that the monks and nuns those men and women of faith - carved out became among the earliest trade routes." -President Ram Nath Kovind

hugely to make the country’s Buddhist heritage sites attractive tourist spots. The adequate infrastructure and amenities are required to be developed in and around Buddhist sites. These would include improving air connectivity, road transportation, last mile connectivity and development of hotels. The Government of India has expanded Buddhist tourism circuit to 21 more states. Earlier Buddhist tourism circuit comprised seven major Buddhist pilgrimage

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sites in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The Government has so far sanctioned a total of Rs 362 crore, of which Rs 75 crore has been cleared for Madhya Pradesh under the Ministry’s Swadesh Darshan scheme for the development of Sanchi, Satna, Rewa, Mandsaur and Dhar. The Ministry of Tourism has identified stupas and viharas in these states, around which small intra-state Buddhist zones will be developed. These include Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, as also Kerala, West Bengal, Goa, Gujarat and Jammu & Kashmir. One of the key reasons for Buddhist tourist sites in India not becoming popular tourist attractions is that there is lack of awareness among foreign and Indian tourists towards India as a destination of Buddhist sites. A roadmap is needed to transform Buddhist sites as attractive destinations by developing and improving infrastructure, hotels and civic amenities. Currently Buddhist sites receive a small fraction of Buddhist tourists. The Government needs to develop a new strategy to market the country's Buddhist heritage. States like Bihar, UP and Odisha can significantly increase their foreign tourist arrivals if they properly focus on the promotion of their Buddhist heritage sites. Buddhist tourism has undoubtedly immense potential in India. With proper attention and resources, Buddhist tourism can be developed to a great extent in future, and India can become a popular destination among Buddhists across the world.

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NEWS

TOURISM MINISTER CONFERS NATIONAL TOURISM AWARDS 2016-17 Tourism Minister also launched Incredible India mobile App on the occasion. The Union Minister for Tourism (IC) K.J. Alphons, presented the National Tourism Awards 2016-17) on the World Tourism Day (27th September), in New Delhi. The Minister also launched the ‘Incredible India Mobile App’ and the “Incredible India Tourist Facilitators Certification” programme. Speaking on the occasion, the Tourism Minister said that India has taken great strides forward in the field of tourism during the last four years of the Government and added that tourism, today, is the cornerstone of the Indian economy, as it is a major source of employment and foreign exchange, and in order to tap the full potential of this sector, industry has to join hands. Congratulating the awardees, K. J. Alphons also shared the concern that the tourism sector needs to improve its hospitality services since it is the hospitality offered which is the distinguishing feature of India and gives it an edge over other countries. He also added that it is the responsibility of every citizen to build the image of the country as safe for anyone to travel. The Minister also announced that, India will be the host country for official World Tourism Day celebrations for the UNWTO, in

2019. The theme for the World Tourism Day 2018 being “Tourism & Digital Transformation”, the Minister recounted the various digital initiatives taken by the Ministry in harnessing technology for tourism promotion, which include, launch of a new Incredible India website; 24 X7 Chat bot interface on this website; launch of a new website on Buddhism in India and many more initiatives.. The Minister also said that the Ministry of Tourism has formulated a voluntary scheme for Approval of Operational Motels, with effect from 25th September 2018

with an aim of recognizing the Motel segment as a component of the overall tourism product, and set standards of facilities and services of Motels. K J Alphons also informed the industry that the flood-stricken Kerala is now ready to receive tourists since the hotels and tourist sites are now operational. He also added that the state is rapidly recovering from the disaster and it is now the time for the tourism industry to support the state’s tourism sector. Delivering the welcome address, the Union Tourism Secretary, Rashmi Verma said that in the last four years, India has aggressively implemented its promotion strategies in branding, advertising, and selling of its tourism potentials. Rashmi Verma also added that the Ministry in tune with the changing times, has brought in new initiatives like the Adopt a Heritage scheme wherein collaboration with corporate, schools and other stakeholders was initiated to improve facilities at monuments, initiation of 12 iconic sites, MoUs for bilateral tourism with countries, first ever India Tourism Mart and the International Buddhist Conclave 2018.

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FEATURE

LGBT TOURISM: A PROMISING OPPORTUNITY FOR THE INDIAN TRAVEL INDUSTRY The Indian Supreme Court legalizing homosexuality in India is set to unlock a new vertical of tourism making it a promising pink economy in the world.

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September 6, 2018 is the historic day when India got free from the shackles of the 157-year-old British Empire law against homosexuality, after honorable Supreme Court of India decriminalized section 377. And, as the acceptance is to grow, the LGBT Tourism is going to emerge as a big opportunity for the Indian travel industry. Background of IPC Section 377 and its abolishment The decision and judgment of the abolishment of Section 377 faced a struggle of 24 years and many legal challenges. The five-judge bench at the Supreme Court of India ruled, "Consensual sex between adults in a private space, which is not harmful to women or children, cannot be denied as it is a matter of individual choice. Section 377 results in discrimination and is violative of constitutional principles." What is LGBT Tourism? According to IGLTA, LGBT tourism refers to the development and marketing of tourism products and services to lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people. Some products and services are designed specifically with LGBT travellers in mind. “It is less typical for gay travellers to have children, and they do have

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more money and time to travel,” said John Tanzella, head of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA). Over the years, many cities around the world have cultivated a reputation as LGBT-friendly vacation spots”. From surf lessons in Brazil, a guided tour of the Tel Aviv start-up scene, party at gay clubs in Greece

or yoga retreats in Thailand, travel operators are very much active to cater the affluent LGBT traveller. By far, the most popular packages are those linked to weddings and honeymoons, driven by the legalization of gay marriage in nations around the world. Tanzella said his travel federation had created a foundation to help “emerging LGBT destinations in difficult contexts”, and sponsor small gay pride parades in countries where the community is working to find more acceptance. Opportunity for the India Travel Industry From gay-friendly honeymoon destinations to party escapes, tourism has catered to LGBT travellers for a long time. According to a report issued by the World Tourism Organization in a 2016 stated that LGBT travellers account for five to 10% of

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FEATURE

Homosexuality: Legal Status around the world

global tourists. It describes them as a group “that travels with greater frequency and demonstrates higherthan-average patterns of spending”, making them and their so-called “pink dollars” welcome visitors in many countries. Keshav Suri, Executive Director of the Lalit hotel group, activist and petitioner in the landmark case while speaking to media talked about the scope of it for Indian economy. He said, “It can bring billions of dollars to the Indian econ-

omy if they can activate the spending of gay people in India. There is business to be done, real estate to be bought and sold, holidays and all the services that go with that.” India is home to over 55 million LGBT adults, according to Out Now Consulting, a marketing agency that helps businesses target gay and lesbian consumers. LGBT bars, clubs and cafes will surely provide new employment and boost sales in the food and alcohol industries while people will now be able

to attend holidays designed specifically for the gay market without fear of legal reprisal.

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NEWS

Cox & Kings bags PATA Gold Award for its Travel Brochure

Celebrating 260 years, Cox & Kings Ltd. won the prestigious Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Award in Marketing Media – Consumer Travel Brochure category. Cox & Kings’ entry “Experiential Showcase of the Indian Journeys” was chosen of the numerous nominations, by an esteemed Jury Panel consisting of the travel industry's luminaries. The award ceremony that took place at Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC), Langkawi, Malaysia recognised 32 outstanding entries from the travel and tourism industry. Peter Kerkar, Group CEO, Cox & Kings said, “Customer engagement means a great deal to us and we are always looking at innovative ways to showcase and promote our offerings to the discerning travellers. Our Travel brochure was designed in a way that not only exhibited the vibrant offerings and experiences of India but also provided a comprehensive and informational guide to help travellers plan their trip better. We are very honoured that our innovative marketing initiatives are being recognised at a global platform like PATA.” Cox & Kings Ltd. is a leading leisure and education travel group with operations in 22 countries across four continents. It is one of the most experienced travel companies in the world, havby TNH DESK ing been in operation since 1758.

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ixigo announces partnership with Treebo Hotels

ixigo has announced a partnership with Treebo Hotels for sales and distribution of Treebo’s hotel inventory on ixigo’s apps and website. Treebo is a key player in the domestic hospitality industry and budget hotel category. With over 6 lakh hotel options on ixigo to choose from, this partnership will bring on board an additional list of over 400, handpicked budget hotels across 80 cities in India. Now, ixigo users on its apps and website will be able to search, view and book a Treebo accommodation with utmost ease. With an average of about 21% of all travel queries received by ixigo being for business travel, and over 56% of the users on ixigo looking for an affordable branded hotel chain, there has been a considerable rise in this travel segment over the past few years. by TNH DESK

Seychelles Tourism Board successfully concludes roadshow Seychelles Tourist Office, India organised a three city roadshow from 3rd to 7th September 2018 in Kolkata, Bangalore and Pune. The cities have not only seen an increase in outbound tourism but have high exposure and interest in Seychelles. This potential made them an ideal choice for a targeted roadshow after Delhi, Ahmedabad and Mumbai last year. Following the success of 2017’s format, the roadshow saw the same ‘pre-fixed meeting’ format in all three cities. This by-invite only format ensured quick 15 minute meetings between top agents from the cities and the private sector partners from Seychelles. The event had Elsie Sinon from the Seychelles Tourism Board in attendance who shared information about the destination with all agents. by TNH DESK

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NEWS

OYO raises $1 billion to expand global footprints OYO has raised a total of $800 million in the latest financing round led by SoftBank Investment Advisers (SBIA) through SoftBank Vision Fund, with participation from existing investors Lightspeed Venture Partners, Sequoia and Greenoaks Capital. OYO Hotels also confirmed that it received a commitment of an additional US$200 million, bringing the total to US$1 billion in this round. Speaking about the development, Ritesh Agarwal – Founder & CEO, OYO said, “In a short span of time, OYO Hotels has grown to become the most-preferred hotel brand in both economy and mid-market segments. We have already started expanding our presence to newer segments, with OYO Home, OYO Townhouse and more recently Palette Resorts by OYO. We will continue to explore newer businesses

while remaining focused on both organic and inorganic growth. In the last 12 months, we have increased our international footprint to five countries - India, China, Malaysia, and Nepal, and more recently in The UK. With this additional funding, we plan to rapidly scale our business in these countries, while continuing to invest further in technology and talent. We will also deploy fresh capital to take our unique model that enables small hotel owners to create quality living spaces, global.” OYO India has over 125,000 rooms and is witnessing 3x growth in transactions year-on-year with net take rates over 20%. In addition to attaining unit-level profitability, the company is benefiting from 90% demand coming from its direct channels, improving operating efficiencies while customer loyalty, with over ~67% of the top line in India coming from re-

OYO’s Vision 2020 OYO has planed to hire over 2020 technology experts and engineers by 2020. The announcement was made at the launch of OYO’s maiden tech conference, which is an industry-first initiative for any hospitality chain. The event also witnessed a product showcase that highlighted the cool and innovative technology applications introduced by OYO in order to automate every customer, hotel partner and OYOprenuer touch point, and thereby improve efficiencies. by TNH DESK

Ritesh Agarwal Founder & CEO, OYO

peat customers. OYO China, on the other hand, has presence in 171 cities with over 87,000 rooms, in over ten months since its foray into the market. The company will direct a significant part of the funds from this round of financing, approximately $600 Million, into strengthening its position in China, which is still in the early stages of growth, while the rest will go into maintaining its leadership position in India and expansion into new markets. by TNH DESK

VITS LUXURY HOTELS LAUNCHES ‘VITS UPPER THANE’ VITS Luxury Hotels has launched ‘VITS Upper Thane’a luxury corporate hotel located in the fastest growing city of Kalyan. Located just 35 minutes drive away from the Thane Railway Station; VITS Upper Thane is the best hotel in the city for both corporate and leisure stay. The hotel has been de-

signed with string of traditional and modern concepts to suit the needs of the global by TNH DESK travelers.

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NEW VISTAS

SKEW RESIDENCES: revolutionary designed weekend residences in the Himalayas Bhowali, Uttarakhand In todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s busy work schedule and hectic lifestyle, everyone is looking for solace and a breath of fresh air. Keeping this need in mind, Skew Residences has come with a concept of ultra modern and contemporary holiday residences in Uttarakhand. A holiday in the mountains is a great way to eat, sleep and relax, and replenish your senses after a hectic week schedule. The current scenario of pollution level has crossed AQI of 150, therefore making air unbreathable and causing many diseases related to lungs. Therefore, it becomes necessary that you must take a holiday at a place to rejuvenate where fresh air can fill your lungs and give them a new life. Skew offers such kind of holiday cottages which will serve as a perfect weekend wellness haven for you and your family.

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Skew is settled in Bhowali, Nainital district of Uttarakhand. It is just 15 minutes from hustle bustle of main mall road of Nainital (11 KM). Strategically distanced from the major northern Indian city centres, it is 5.5 hr drive from Delhi, 7 hr drive from Chandigarh and about 8 hrs drive from Lucknow. In order to give you an

insight about the project, the group mentions that Skew is composed of two kinds of cottages along the same ridge. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a set of 10 cottages, comprising five 2 BHK and five 3 BHK units. The cottages, arranged along the contour in strategic sets of 4 strips, provide direct access from the main road heading from Nainital.

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NEW VISTAS

Skew offers you a technologically sound and driven cottages offering plush lifestyle to its residents. Concrete gables and the exposed wilderness with the lower units have a clear glass panorama, while the skewed envelopes on the upper levels sustain a semi-open deck with a cantilevered plunge pool. Here, you can enjoy the music of the hills with bedroom offering panoramic and unhindered moun-

tain views. It also offers the barbeque, an open deck and swimming into the plunge pool on the deck. Skew Residences will be showcasing these cottages to a very selective audience and will be first of its kinds in India. For more details, logon to http://www.skewresidences.com/.

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NEWS

HOTELS.COM REVEALS CHINESE TRAVELLER TRENDS

Hotels.com divulge Chinese Traveller Trends as Indian Ministry of Tourism aims to attract 14 lakh Chinese Travellers. China, with 144 million outbound travellers, is the largest outbound source market in the world – and by a huge margin! While China is attracting eyeballs from all across the globe, what has

been making headlines recently is the Indian Tourism Ministry’s interest in the Chinese market and the initiatives being taken to draw 14.4 lakh Chinese visitors into the country by 2020 (10% of the global pie). With only 2.4 lakh Chinese travellers visiting India in the last year, Tourism Minister K J Alphons renewed India’s efforts and delivered a strong pitch at a recent roadshow in Beijing to increase the inflow of Chinese travellers to India by highlighting India’s diversity and assuring visitors the paramount security. India found its way to the top 10 popular destinations in Asia for Chinese travellers reported Hotels.com, a jump that can be attributed to increased efforts by the Indian tourism ministry to woo travelers from the world’s top tourism source-market. Chinese International Travel Monitor report by Hotels.com has revealed that more than half of the Chinese travelers are traveling to India for leisure. This is attributed to India’s local cuisine (30%), rich history and heritage (25%) and the traditional handlooms, craft and shopping markets (25%), which make India an appealing destination to by TNH DESK experience its local culture.

RADISSON HOTEL GROUP ACCELERATES EXPANSION IN CHINA Radisson Hotel Group is accelerating its expansion plans in China with key appointments, landmark hotel signings and new openings. Radisson Hotel Group’s growth strategy in China is a key initiative in Destination 2022, the Group’s five-year strategic operating plan. With 35 properties in operation and under development across 21 cities in China, the Group plans to triple its portfolio of hotels by 2022.

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To implement this strategy, Radisson Hotel Group has announced three key appointments for the development team in China. Eric Cheng, Senior Director, Development, China, recently joined the company from the UAE’s Emaar Hospitality Group’s and was based in the regional office in Shanghai, where he held the position of Head of Business Development, China. by TNH DESK

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NEWS

MPTB SHOWCASES FAST GROWING TOURISM SECTOR AT ITM IN NEW DELHI Madhya Pradesh is a state that reflects the true cultural heritage and history of Incredible India. The great emperor of India, from Ashoka to the Gupta’s has marched on this soil. They highlighted their presence in the form of historical monuments and cultural heritage. Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board had participated in ITM (India Tourism Mart) held at Hotel Ashoka, New Delhi from 16 to 18 September 2018. by TNH DESK

Fortune launches first hotel in Durgapur

Fortune Hotels has flagged off its first hotel in the Steel City - Durgapur. Marking this celebration, the chain’s senior leadership team including Samir MC, Managing Director; Rohit Malhotra, VP – Operations; Dhananjay Saliankar, Head – Sales & Marketing and Kovid Sharma – Head Human Resources was present at the ceremony. With the inauguration of this hotel, Fortune now has 46 hotels across 39 cities in India. An iconic city landmark, Fortune Park Pushpanjali is centrally located in Durgapur City Centre with easy access to Durgapur by TNH DESK Steel Plant, shopping and district.

Oman Tourism conducts multi-city roadshow

(L-R) Sunil V.A., Oman Air, H.E. Maitha Al Mahrouqi, Undersecretary, Ministry of Tourism, Oman, Lubaina Sheerazi, India Representative, Ministry of Tourism, Oman

The Ministry of Tourism, Oman successfully conducted the second leg of the multi-city roadshow in Mumbai today. The event witnessed around 140 notable companies of Mumbai’s travel trade in a bid to bridge connections between local travel agents and destination management companies, hotels and attraction operators in Oman.

Keys Hotels celebrates 12 years of creating happy experiences On this occasion, announces to add another 1500 room keys in next three years Keys Hotels, a part of the Los Angeles based Berggruen Group, is celebrating 12 years of successful operations in India. Founded in year 2006, Keys Hotels has expanded their portfolio to 21 hotels across by TNH DESK 19 cities in India.

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NEWS

TTF opens in Ahmedabad The biggest-ever Travel and Tourism Fair in the city. The 3-day Travel and Tourism Fair (TTF) kicked off in the Exhibition Halls at Gujarat University. 665 exhibitors from 27 Indian states/UTs and from 23 countries are participating in TTF Ahmedabad, making this an unprecedented networking and business

opportunity for the travel trade from all over Gujarat and the Western India region. TTF Ahmedabad was graced by the presence of Mahendra Vakharia, President, OTOAI; Jong Sool (Michael) Kwon, Korea Tourism Organization, New Delhi and Viranga Bandara, Director, SriLanka Tourism Promotion Bu-

reau among others. Among exhibitors from abroad, Nepal and Sri Lanka are the Partner Countries where Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau has the largest by TNH DESK pavilion.

Renaissance launches ‘Lake View Café’ in Mumbai Renaissance Mumbai has a grand opening of ‘Lake View Café’ with splendid style, delectable food, and exotic drinks alongside a spellbinding Fashion Soirée by designers Tasneem Merchant and Asif Merchant. The party rolled out the invite-only Red Carpet, which marked the presence of Showstopper Malavika Mohanan for Tasneem Merchant and fashionistas by TNH DESK as well as a number of celebs.

(L-R) Roshni Sheoran, Amanpreet Kaur, Vinay Singh, Aditi Hundia & Anukreethy Vas

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TMA successfully conducted multicity roadshow in Gujarat Three B2B travel companies namely RezLive.com, BookonBlueStar.com & Pearl Tourism and Leisure Group who are part of Tourism Marketing Alliance (TMA), recently connected with the travel partners of Gujarat and created awareness about latest outbound travel trends, travel technology and diversification within the travel business. They also updated the local travel partners on the growing outbound business in India which has opened-up multiple opportunities for traditional travel agencies to expand their business from ticketing and inbound to outbound tourism. TMA's Western roadshow touching three cities namely Surat, Vadodara and Ahmedabad from 4th – 6th September, 2018 concluded with an encouraging response from travel agents, which also reflects the keen interest of the by TNH DESK travel partners in the outbound tourism.

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TRIBUTE

Nation remembered

Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant on his 131st birth anniversary

v B ARCHANA SHARMA Y

On the occasion of the 131st birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant, nation remembered him and his exemplary work for shaping modern India. He is one of the prominent names in Indian independence struggle and its history, who worked aggressively shaping modern India. Life of Pant Govind Ballabh Pant was born on September 10, 1887 in Khoont, Uttarakhand in a Brahman family. He started his career as a lawyer in Kashipur, and actively campaigned against the British Raj. After

gaining popularity, he entered into politics in 1921, and elected to the Legislative Assembly of the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh. In 1935, he was elected to the Central Legislative Assembly and soon became deputy leader of the Congress party in the Assembly. In the 1937 election, he was elected unchallenged as the leader of the Congress Party in the United Provinces (present day Uttar Pradesh) and became the first Chief Minister of the United Provinces under the Government of India Act, 1935. As Chief Minister, he brought about several necessary reforms in the State. After signing the Quit India resolution in 1942, he was arrested and let free in March 1945 on grounds of deteriorating health. Post independence, he became the first Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and operated office from 26 January 1950 to 27 December 1954. Later, in 1955, he was inducted into Jawaharlal Nehru’s cabinet and was made the Union Home Minister. He served in this position till his death on 7th March, 1961.

His notable works for the society • In 1914, as a young lawyer, Pandit Pant successfully campaigned against the British Raj by challenging a law against ‘coolie beggars’ to carry the luggage of British officers for free. • His major contribution to the society was to abolish the Zamindari system, making monogamy compulsory for Hindu men and conferred upon Hindu women the rights to divorce and inherit ancestral property. • He established Hindi as an official language of the central government and a few other states. Awards & Achievements In 1957, he was awarded India’s highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna, for his selfless service to the nation.

Celebration in the Nation Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Former vicepresident Hamid Ansari and senior BJP Leader L K Advani garlanded his statue and paid floral tribute to Pandit Pant in New Delhi.

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NEWS

Piyush Goyal inaugurates the first ever India tourism Mart Tourism sector can change the destiny of India, said Railways Minister Piyush Goyal. Tourism Minuister K J Alphons said that India is among the fastest growing tourist destinations in the world The Union Minister for Railways and Coal, Piyush Goyal inaugurated the ‘first ever’ India Tourism Mart (ITM 2018) in the presence of Union Tourism Minister, Shri K J Alphons and the Tourism Minister of Morocco, Mr. Mohamed Sajid, in New Delhi today. The India Tourism Mart is being organized by the Ministry of Tourism from 16th to 18th September 2018, in partnership with the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality (FAITH) and with support of State /UT Governments. The function was

held in presence of the Secretary, other senior officials of Tourism Ministry and Chairman/members of FAITH and also delegates from India and across the world. Inaugurating the event, Piyush Goyal wished the best to the Tourism Ministry to reach the ambitious goal of US$100 billion FTA receipts/year within 5 years. The Minister said that unless the infrastructure/fundamentals are set up, India can’t come up as a well sought after destination and he

ITC Hotels acquires Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa Business continuity and preparations for upcoming tourist season top priority ITC Hotels, India’s leading luxury hotel chain, today announced the successful acquisition of Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa. The acquisition is a part of an auction held by Industrial Finance Corporation of India (IFCI) for Rs. 541 crores in 2015, and upheld by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in its 19th

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March judgement. ITC Hotels is making preparations for the upcoming festive and tourist season. Business continuity remains top priority for the company. by TNH DESK

said that the present government has been developing these like ensuring 24 hour power supply, promoting renewable energy forms, and improving connectivity by effectively connecting the remotest destinations. The Minister also added that the most important element that will help promote Tourism in a complete way is the Government’s cleanliness drive, the Swachhta Abhiyan, which will ensure India becoming a preferred destination for all international tourists. Mentioning the income multiplier effect in the Tourism sector, the Minister said that Tourism generates a number of employment opportunities in formal and informal sectors and can change the destiny of the country. by TNH DESK

TAT pushes for new-found Thai destinations in India TAT has set the ball rolling to discover the lesser-known tourism destinations of Thailand for Indian outbound travellers and wedding visitors. In an attempt to offer a major push to the novel tourism products of Thailand, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) touched down Kolkata to host Amazing Thailand Road Show 2018 themed “Open to New Shades” sometime on August by TNH DESK 31, this year.

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Bite Corner

Taste Exotic Oriental food at

Kylin Experience Dimsums

v B PRADEEP CHAMARIA Y

ndians love Pan Asian delicacies. One can see people enjoying Momos almost on all streets in towns, and Chinese food joints in food halls etc. But somehow the indigenisation of oriental food has spoiled the traditional and authentic flavours and taste of this type of food. Luckily, we still have a few places where exotic and authentic oriental delicacies are still available. One such places is Kylin Experience which is on the ground floor of Holiday Inn, Mayur Vihar in Delhi. Kylin is a fine dining Pan Asian restaurant with authentic Japanese and Thai being their specialty serving mouth-watering sushi, dimsums and a unique mix of oriental favourites. It already is a hit with food enthusiasts all over Delhi. The dĂŠcor at Kylin Experience is both dramatic and spacious. The moment

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one enters the restaurant, he gets overwhelmed by the pleasing Oriental interiors. Kylin Experience gives oriental food a new definition. Soups, appetisers, veggies and various kinds of seafood and meat tossed up with excellent curries are highlights of the elaborate menu. The best thing about the dishes at Kylin Experience is that it serves dishes which have very traditional and authentic taste and are not like the oriental food that we are normally accustomed to, I mean the Desi Asian flavours. We were at Kylin recently and started with a few drinks at the bar and loved the Pineapple Mojito and Cucumber Mint Tumbler which were quite refreshing, but I guess I should have given a miss to Wasabi Bloody Mary. The food menu, a perfect blend of comfort and innovation is packed

with delightful and exciting Asian flavours to give an extraordinary experience of the cuisine that is commonly limited to just red or green curry in India. We started with Tom Kha Vegetable soup, a Thai soup. We loved the spicy and sour taste of this coconut milk soup. Soon, the exotic presentation of dimsums and sushi arrived on our tables. Asparagus Maki sushi, Vegetable curry dumpling, Tofu and vegetable dimsums, all of these were exotic pieces of culinary art, and tasted equally divine. It was one of the most authentic tastes that you normally donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t find at any other oriental outlets in Delhi NCR. In fact when the platters arrived on my table, the fragrance took me to the environs of restaurants in Singapore. We also had the Oshitashi Roll, and the Asparagus Tempura roll.

Main course

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Bite Corner

Crispy mushrooms honey and chili

Fried icecream spring rolls

Main course

Sushi platter

This was in fact one of out the magic in the those rare occasions Tofu dishes too with when I forgot to click perfect blend of spices. pictures before disturbAnd for a sweet finish ing the presentations. to our meals we had They were flavoursome Chocolate Mah-Jong Ice with crunchy shredded Cream, Star Anise Ice veggies inside rice outer cream and Fried Ice crusts. We also tried Cream Spring Rolls. A Crispy mushroom honey perfectly hot and melting chili pepper, and Lotus Choco Mahajong ice stem honey chili in the cream is something you starter section. donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get everywhere. It is Pineapple Mojito For the mains we tried a warm soft brownie, Mapo Tofu vegetables, Lohan veg dipped with hot chocolate and spicy, Garlic Veg fried rice and Nooserved with ice cream. At Kylin I dles. Tofu as we all know does not was super delighted when my colhave any flavour of its own and I leagues left the plate after just a bite, prefer to avoid them. But the excelI happily finished the entire serving. lent work of the chefs here brought Star Anise ice cream was the show

Rating Food Service Ambience

4.5/5

5/5 4/5

stealer of the evening. I was amazed at the flavours that star anise has added to the ice-cream. Again I was very happy to have had a chance to finish the entire serving. Well, friends, we have tried to be as experimental as possible and enjoyed the authentic flavours that we were presented at Kylin Experience. This certainly is one of the most authentic pan-asian restaurants in Delhi and we hope that you also will have a gala time when you visit.

Average Cost INR 1,800 for two people Exclusive of applicable taxes and charges, if any INR 300 for a pint of beer Address: 13 A, Mayur Vihar, District Centre, Mayur Vihar, Phase -1, New Delhi

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Magical Kenya Travel Expo October 3-5, 2018 Location: Nairobi, Kenya

After two years of successful moments, this event namely Magical Kenya Travel Expo is back with its third editions which can also be defined as the high profile international tourism exhibition hosted by the Kenya Tourism Board. It is one of the fastest growing tourism events in the region and is currently positioned as the leading travel trade fair in East Africa. It aims at raising the profile of the destination Kenya and the region as a whole. The main aim of this event is to raise the profile of the destination which made it an important and influential platform for tourism networking and business transactions.

Ukraine International Travel Market (UITM) October 3-5, 2018 Location: Kiev, Ukraine

The Ukraine International Travel Market is a three day event supported by domestic and foreign exhibitors who use the fair to introduce and promote their innovations. This event showcases products like largest Ukrainian annual travel industry event for autumn and winter season, where tourism professionals have an opportunity to examine all assortments of market offers. The exhibition is a unique platform on which the largest tour operators and travel agencies are brought together, seminars and conferences, presentations of the new directions and bonus programs are held and business meetings with target audience are planned etc. in the Business Services, Travel & Tourism industries.

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ITB Asia October 17-19, 2018 Location: Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

ITB Asia is Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest and only hybrid show, bringing 11,000 show attendees from MICE, Corporate, and Leisure sectors. It is designed to become the primary event for the Asia Pacific travel industry, much like its parent event â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ITB Berlin. It is the premier meeting place for the travel trade industry and a forum for establishing highquality customer contacts and conducting businesses. It is an annually held three day B2B trade show and convention for the travel industry. Now in its eleventh year in Singapore, ITB Asia will be taking place at Marina Bay Sands and organised by Messe Berlin (Singapore) Pte Ltd.

World Travel Show October 19-21, 2018 Location: Warsaw, Poland

The International World Travel Show is a great opportunity to establish business relations, acquire new clients and discover markets unknown so far. The mission of International Tourism Fair World Travel Show is promotion of countries and regions from all around the world that are attractive for tourists and presentation of companies from the tourism business, creation of a new standard for tourism fair and integration of the business environment. The World Travel Show will be organised in Ptak Warsaw Expo in Nadarzyn of Warsaw. International Tourism Fair World Travel Show is one of the most important fair events of tourism business in Poland.

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DIPLOMATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CORNER

GEORGIA: WHERE PAST MEETS FUTURE

In an interview, H.E. ARCHIL DZULIASHVILI, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to India, explains how his country is emerging as an attractive tourist destination and what makes it extraordinary.

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DIPLOMAT’S CORNER v B PREM KUMAR

AN EXTRAORDINARY TOURIST DESTINATION

would you say are Q What the must-see destinations in Georgia? Summer in Georgia traditionally remains the most intense period, when the country sees maximum number of its tourists and international visitors. However, it is important for Georgia to grow

into an attractive and interesting tourism destination for all four seasons. Besides summer months, the winter season destinations in Georgia are very popular among lovers of skiing, who can choose among four beautiful ski resorts – Gudauri, Bakuriani, Mestia and Goderdzi. The highest mountain peak in Georgia is Shkhara, which is 5,200 metres above sea level. The old town of Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, is distinguished by cobblestone paths and charming historical structures that make you feel as if you have gone back in time by several centuries. Visiting the sulphur baths in Abanotubani district is a

“

"Summer in Georgia traditionally remains the most intense period, when the country sees the maximum number of its tourists and international visitors. However, it is important for Georgia to grow into an attractive and interesting tourist destination for all four seasons. Besides summer months, the winter season destinations in Georgia are very popular among lovers of skiing."

“

You have set up several Georgia Visa Application Centres in India. Has there been an increase in visits from India to your country? Yes, there is definitely an increase in travel to Georgia. It is emerging as a popular destination for tourists who are keen to explore its natural beauty, rich history, wonderful people and experiences that are on offer. In addition to tourism, the country has always been a popular destination for students, especially those in the medical field, with many top medical universities located there. In fact, Georgian universities have been coming to India to conduct interviews for prospective students, and we have been working with VFS Global to facilitate student admissions as part of this process. So yes, it has been most gratifying to see Georgia emerge as a favoured destination for tourism and education.

There are so many extraordinary things to explore in Georgia. Visitors can enjoy the stunning rugged scenery of the mountains and forests, the serenity of the beaches and its ancient and well-preserved historical monuments and rich culture. With its fertile valleys and massive grapevines, Georgia is also the oldest wine country in the world – where wine production has been going on for the last 8,000 years! Ancient Georgian traditional Qvevri winemaking method is on the List of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Georgia is a small country, but incredibly diverse in food and wine, that makes for an unforgettable experience for gourmets.

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DIPLOMATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CORNER

definite must-do when you are in the city. Georgia has a rich and very ancient culture and is a country where past meets future and ancient civilisation gives strong impetus to the modernisation of the country. The palaces, cathedrals and gardens in Tsinandali, Mtskheta (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Gelati (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Stepantsminda and many more, like Upper Svaneti (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Tusheti regions are worth visiting for their stunning architecture and landscapes. The countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s artefacts are well preserved in museums, which have a wealth of church treasures, particularly preChristian gold, art, photographs and archaeology. You can explore Vardzia, an ancient massive cave monastery, or spend a day-long wine tour in Kakheti, enjoy coastal city of Batumi and the beaches of the Black Sea. Where else in the world can one ski on the mountain slopes and lay by the sea on the same day! So there is a lot to explore in Georgia, you can come here any time of the year. In fact, I might add that this year is especially significant for us. On May 26, Georgia proudly celebrated Independence Day and 100th anniversary of the establishment of the first democratic republic. How simple is the visa process for Indian travellers? How about for first-time travellers? The visa process is fairly straightforward for all travellers as applicants can fill out the online application and submit it in

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person at any one of the VFS Global Visa Application Centres in five cities of India. This year, we opened more centres in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal for the convenience of applicants in those countries. With the support of VFS Global, we are looking forward to opening more centres in other cities of India as well. is the air connectivity Q How between India, the UAE and Georgia? Several airlines operate convenient flights to Georgia, such as Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Air Astana, Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, and Gulf Air, to name a few. So it is a fairly convenient passage for travellers, That said, efforts are being made to introduce direct flights between India and Georgia. is extraordinary about GeorQ What gia as a tourist destination? There are so many extraordinary things to explore. Visitors can enjoy the stunning rugged scenery of the mountains and forests, the serenity of the beaches and its

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DIPLOMAT’S CORNER

ancient and well-preserved historical monuments and rich culture. With its fertile valleys and massive grapevines, Georgia is also the oldest wine country in the world – where wine production has been going on for the last 8,000 years! Ancient Georgian traditional Qvevri wine-making method is on the List of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Georgia is a small country, but incredibly diverse in food and wine, that makes for an unforgettable experience for gourmets. have been the highlights of Q What your stay in India? I have been in India for quite some time now, but however much time you spend here seems less. There is such a rich abundance of knowledge, culture and history that even a lifetime would fall short. I am thoroughly enjoying my time here and I look forward to immersing myself in the rich culture and heritage of India. I hope to travel the country as much as I can. So far, I have managed to visit Goa, Amritsar, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Kochi, not just for work, but to explore

and enjoy the culture and environment of those locations as well. I hope to visit more places soon, and hopefully spend some more time here. India holds a special place in our hearts since we share a sacred connection. Some of the relics of our sacred Saint Queen Ketevan were interred in St. Augustine’s Church at Goa by Portuguese Monks. Her relics were discovered during a joint archaeological excavation in 2006 and are currently on display in Georgia. This year was especially significant, since it saw the participation of the Georgian Choir Ensemble 'Aghsavali' at the Third Ketevan World Sacred Music Festival held in Goa, and of the Georgian National Ballet, Sukhishvili at Hema Malini’s Synergy, an Indo-Georgian Dance Fusion, in four cities of India. We hope to have many such cultural interactions in the future. In fact, I am confident that the ties between our two friendly nations will continue to grow stronger, especially since our relations are historically founded on rich cultural exchanges.

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NEWS

TRAVEL TRENDS FOR INDIANS FOR THIS FESTIVE SEASON

Munnmunn Marwah, COO, Think Strawberries

v B MUNNMUNN MARWAH Y

Diwali spreads the spirit of the holiday season by Indians. Travel has always been a part of the festival break, and the trend of travelling solely during a festival break is gaining popularity. Lights Show Away from Home Diwali in India is perceived as a family-oriented festival- typically, a time for family members to be reunited in their familial homes to enjoy home-cooked food in a familiar setting. Taiwan hosts the Sun Moon lake Cycling, Music and Fireworks festival in the months of OctoberNovember. To give a festive Diwali undertone to your vacation, end the festival nights by appreciating the incredible fireworks show overlooking the majestic Sun Moon Lake. In Japan, the Tsuchiura Fireworks Competition is a great chance to see some of Japan’s best fireworks outside of the summer festivals. Spending Behaviour Statistics show that Indians plan their vacations, booking accommodation and flights, in advance when they have holidays from work predicted. Most hotels, to ensure they fill up on inventory, offer early-bird schemes before traditional booking season. Festival travel deals have, in fact, made the season a more economical time to vacation, further giving Indian travellers the incentive to choose faraway destinations over staying home for Diwali.

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LORD(ING) OVER MID MARKET Surfing the midmarket hospitality wave with great success, The Lords Group has within 10 years established itself across the country and even in Nepal with as many as 26 PR Bansal properties. PushCOO, Lords Group pendra Bansal, Chief Operating Officer of the group – a civil engineer before he took the business plunge – points out that the group lays equal emphasis on quality in terms of amenities, ambience and customer service. He is confident of reaching the target of 40 properties in the next couple of years. The Brand is well known for its offerings against its price and strategic locations. What is more, around a dozen projects are in the pipeline and will be operational within a year, taking the total number of hoby TNH DESK tels under its belt to 40 by 2020.

THE FERN RESIDENCY OPENS IN MIRAMAR The Fern Hotels & Resorts added another hotel to its kitty by opening The Fern Residency Miramar, Goa. Earlier the same property was known as Mystique Heights Beacon. Now it has been upgraded, refurbished and rebranded as The Fern Residency, Miramar - Goa. This takes the tally of hotels under the company’s management to 54 hotels. The hotel is close to famous Dona Paula Jetty and Miramar beach is just a few minutes away from the hotel. by TNH DESK

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AROUND THE WORLD

Popular festivals around Lewes Bonfire November 5, 2018 Location: Lewes, England

Iceland Airwaves November 7-10, 2018 Location: Reykjavik, Iceland

Iceland Airwaves is an annual music festival organised in Reykjavík, Iceland during early November. The festival spans five days (Wednesday Sunday) and its main focus is showcasing new music, both Icelandic and international. Iceland Airwaves was started in 1999 as a party sponsored by Iceland’s favorite airline, Icelandair, throwing a music concert in an airplane hangar. This homegrown festival later outgrew the original venue and now transforms downtown Reykjavík into a citywide festival full of art, music, fashion and fun.

Guy Fawke’s Day or Bonfire Night is traditional throughout the UK, but in Lewes the celebration reaches new heights. The Lewes Bonfire Night celebrations is the biggest celebrated Fifth November event in the world, and is held in the usually peaceful county town of Lewes East Sussex, every year on 5th November, and the carnival or festival is known as the Lewes Bonfire Night or just simply the Fifth. Every year on November 5th, Brits light bonfires and set off fireworks to remember their good luck in stumbling upon Guy Fawkes just before he attempted to blow up Parliament in 1605.

DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS November 2, 2018 Location: Oaxaca, Mexico

The Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico, in particular the Central and South regions, and by people of Mexican ancestry living in other places, especially the United States. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died, and help support their spiritual journey. In 2008, the

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tradition was inscribed in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

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AROUND THE WORLD

the world in November Guru Nanak Jayanti November 23, 2018 Location: India (majorly North India)

YI PENG AND LOY KRATHONG (LANTERN FESTIVAL) November 23, 2018 Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand

Loy Krathong is a festival celebrated annually throughout southwestern Thai cultures. The name could be translated as "to float a basket", and comes from the tradition of making krathong or buoyant, decorated baskets, which are then floated on a river. Loi Krathong takes place on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar. Loi Krathong coincides with the Lanna (northern Thai) festival known as Yi Peng. Swarms of Lanna-style sky lanterns are launched into the air where they resemble large shoals of giant fluorescent jellyfish gracefully floating through the sky.

MELBOURNE CUP CARNIVAL November 6, 2018 Location: Melbourne, Australia

Guru Nanak Jayanti also known as Guru Nanak Gurpurab or Guru Nanak's Prakash Utsav is one of the grandest and most visual celebrations in India, marking the birthday of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh gurus. The festival falls on the full moon, or Kartik Poornima, which is a lovely sight given that the location is the Golden Temple with a lake surrounding it.

The Melbourne Cup is the crown jewel of the Australian horse racing calendar. First run in 1861, the Melbourne Cup is steeped in social, fashion related and cultural tradition. Each year on the first Tuesday of November, the greatest thoroughbreds from across the globe make their way to Flemington Racecourse for a shot at the prestigious title and a chance at the AU$6.2 million in prize money. The Melbourne Cup is one of Australia's most prestigious Thoroughbred horse races.

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EVENT WATCH

S KAL D ELHI M EET The monthly luncheon meeting of Skal Delhi was held on 12 September 2018 at The Claridges hotel, New Delhi. The meeting saw an impressive turn out of Skalleagues, who enjoyed the hospitality laid out by The Claridges hotel, and discussed issues of relevance to the travel and hospitality sector.

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NEWS

(2nd from right) The Ambassador of Turkey to India, H.E. Mr Şakir Özkan Torunlar

Turkish Ambassador hosts high tea at his residence The Ambassador of Turkey to India, H.E. MR ŞAKİR ÖZKAN TORUNLAR recently hosted a high tea for members of media at his official residence in New Delhi. The informal meet and greet session was organised to acknowledge Indian media's ongoing support to Turkey and apprise them on current tourism statistics and trends between the two countries. The high tea at the ambassador’s residence was an extravagant occasion giving a peek of Turkish culture, enjoyed in exquisite surroundings. The guests were seen interacting with the ambassador. Over snacks, tea and Turkish coffee, they discussed a variety of subjects from Turkish culture, Turkish cuisine, Indian destination weddings in Turkey and, of course, tourism. “Turkey and India enjoy warm

relations and also share a close historical relationship with strong cultural links. The relationship between Turkey and India has steadily grown year after year in both scope and depth and spans many different areas of cooperation. Turkey enjoys immense geographical, cultural and social diversity, which is why it is extremely popular among Indians. We are working towards tourism related verticals like increasing air connectivity and changes in visa policy so as to ensure better engagement between both countries” said H.E. Mr Şakir Özkan Torunlar, Ambassador of Turkey to India. According to the Ambassador, every single Indian who visits Turkey once becomes the ambassador of Turkey after his return back to India. The Turkish Tourism Board in India recently announced that the number of Indian tourists travel-

ling to Turkey has doubled. “In 2017, Turkey hosted more than 32 million international tourists while from India the number was 87,000. This year, from January to July, we recorded a 25% increase in the number of overall tourists. That means we will be hosting 40 million international tourists by the end of 2018. When we look at figures from India, we see 95% increase for the same period. If this trend continues we will be hosting almost 2 lakhs Indian tourists by the yearend”, said Mr Deniz ERSÖZ, Culture & Tourism Counsellor of the Turkish Embassy in New Delhi. Mr ERSÖZ further added, “Istanbul, Antalya, Cappadocia, Troy and Izmir are extremely popular among Indian travellers. However, Bodrum and Marmaris have also emerged as major tourist attractions in recent past. In addition to that, Konya where Celaleddin Rumi spent his last 45 years, the sacred site where he was buried is also among the popular destinations for Indians."

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MOVING ON

Alma Au Yeung Corporate Director – Strategic Projects & Partnerships, Emaar Hospitality Group Emaar Hospitality Group has appointed Alma Au Yeung as its Corporate Director – Strategic Projects and Partnerships. In her new role, she will have overall charge in driving the Group’s strategic partnership with Expo 2020 Dubai. In addition to leading the Emaar Hospitality Group team to deliver on its mandate as the Official Hotel & Hospitality Partner, Alma will be involved in planning, managing and executing numerous private clubs, F&B outlets and catering sites within the Expo 2020 Dubai site. She will develop strategic plans to drive incremental business growth prior to and during the much-anticipated global event by selling rooms, events and F&B.

Varun Sahani Vice President Operations, Kamat Group of Hotels Kamat Group of Hotels has appointed Varun Sahani as Vice President Operations for the group. A seasoned professional, he has over two decades of pivotal experience in the realm of hospitality operations and sales. An IHM graduate, he has excellent track record of pre opening and establishing operations. Varun Sahani joined The Orchid Mumbai in 2015 as General Manager. Prior to that, he held senior level management and operations position with The Lalit, Clarks Inn and Jaypee Greens Golf & Spa Resort. In his new role, Sahani will spearhead the operations, marketing & sales, revenue management and strategic growth initiatives of the property.

Mitalee Karmarkar Head, Marketing & Communications (India), South African Tourism South African Tourism has appointed Mitalee Karmarkar the head of Marketing and Communications: India. Mitalee joins South African Tourism from the Consulate General of Sweden where she was the senior officer for communications, media and cultural affairs for the past 4 years. Mitalee has over 11 years of experience in the communications and media industry. Her appointment comes as South African Tourism aim to boost its brand image as well as garner eyeballs and top of the mind recall to position South Africa as a world-class tourism destination. Her responsibilities include developing, implementing and managing strategies to help the country achieve this goal.

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MOVING ON

Devidyuti Ghosh Director of Rooms, JW Marriott Kolkata Devidyuti Ghosh has been appointed as the Director of Rooms at JW Marriott Kolkata. She has got a degree in hospitality management from the Institute of Hotel Management, Kolkata. In 2008, she started training under the Taj Management Program in core hotel operations in Delhi, Mumbai, Aurangabad and Kolkata. In 2010 she became duty manager at Mumbai’s Taj Lands’ End where she worked for a year before moving to The Taj Bengal to work as duty manager. In 2015, she headed Front Office Operations at JW Marriott, Juhu for a short while before moving to JW Marriott, Kolkata to be a part of its opening team.

Chef Simran Singh Thapar Executive Chef, The Roseate, New Delhi Roseate Hotels & Resorts has appointed Chef Simran Singh Thapar as Executive Chef at The Roseate, New Delhi. In his new role, Chef Simran will be responsible for the F&B department of The Roseate, New Delhi. Having started his career at The Oberoi Centre of Learning and Development in 2007, Chef Simran brings with him 11 years of culinary expertise and his undying passion for food to The Roseate, New Delhi. He specializes in Indian and Western fusion dishes and has been trained under industry stalwarts such as Chef Parvinder Bali and Chef Adrian Mellor. He has also curated menus for the illustrious Ambani family.

Deepak Kolhekar General Manager, Marasa Sarovar Portico, Rajkot Deepak Kolhekar has joined Sarovar Hotels and Resorts as General Manager at Marasa Sarovar Portico, Rajkot. At his last assignment he was working with The Park, Navi Mumbai as an Associate Director Food & Beverage. His achievements include winning the 'Visionary Director Food & Beverage' as well as nominated in 'Top 100 Future Leader in Hospitality Magazine'. He holds a degree in Hotel Management and has more than 15 years’ experience in chain hotels like The Park Hotels, Radisson Hotels and Taj Hotels. His vast experience, and great hospitality and service acumen is set to take the property great satisfaction for its guests.

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TECH CORNER

Flight Centre rolls out new chauffeur with Amadeus deal Travelport signs distribution deal with Etihad Airways Travelport has announced the signing of a new multiyear content agreement with Etihad Airways. The agreement includes continued use of the company’s leading merchandising tools, Travelport Rich Content and Branding and Travelport Sponsored Flights. by TNH DESK

Flight Centre Travel Group has overhauled its ground transport booking services for clients of its business travel divisions, FCM Travel Solutions and Corporate Traveller, with the launch of Amadeus’ transfers content. FCTG has also partnered with Mycab International as the first preferred global ground transfers provider to be integrated within its Amadeus’ transfers solution in the UK and EMEA. by TNH DESK

AMADEUS SIGNS NEW CARLSON WAGONLIT TRAVEL PARTNERSHIP

Amadeus has signed a multi-year renewal and expansion of a long-term business partnership with Carlson Wagonlit Travel to provide technology. As part of this agreement, Carlson Wagonlit Travel by TNH DESK counsellors around the globe.

Carnival Corporation launches OceanView Mobile In another first for the travel industry, Carnival Corporation & plc announced it is launching OceanView Mobile – the first travel content app from a travel provider that lets people explore the most popular destinations wherever and whenever they choose. OceanView Mobile is available for download on the Apple App Store and by TNH DESK Google Play.

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Ethiopian Airlines has partnered with CellPoint Mobile Ethiopian Airlines has partnered with CellPoint Mobile to accept payments via Alipay – China's leading alternative payment method (APM), in the mobile app of Ethiopian Airlines. This is the first APM integration for CellPoint Mobile as part of an ongoing partnership with the flag carrier of Ethiopia. by TNH DESK

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