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Highlights Vol. 9 I No.3 I December 2015
Goa
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Top 5 emerging holiday destinations to plan for an exciting vacation In recent times, a novel trend has been observed that there is a substantial rise in interest among tourists to visit destinations that are emerging and previously did not find a place in the hot list.
Goa is one of the most well known tourist destinations in India. People travel from far and wide to this small state for its diverse mix of beaches, adrenaline activities, parties, nature, and history.
Uday Samudra Wins State Tourism Award Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Hotel & Spa has been selected for the Best Four Star Hotel award by the Govt of Kerala for the fourth consecutive time.
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Exclusive Interview Mini Pereira
General Manager, Wind Haven Resort, Thekkady
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9th Kerala Travel Mart to focus on ‘Responsible Tourism’ The 2016 edition of Kerala Travel Mart (KTM), billed as the largest gathering of tourism stakeholders in the state, will be held in Kochi in endSeptember with focus on ‘Responsible Tourism.’
ODISHA Orissa (renamed Odisha) is one of India’s less frequented states, as it’s predominantly rural and “off the beaten track”.
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FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK
Boom Year Ahead
Editor & Publisher : Dr. G Biju Krishnan*
Executive Editor : Sunny Thomas
Chief Mentor : Rajashekharan Nair
Group Vice President : Santhosh Kumaar K
Photo Editor : Jose Jacob
Editorial Team : Sane K P
The outlook for India’s tourism market is bright for diverse reasons. First and foremost, the relaxation in visa restrictions and better air travel connectivity is paying off. The American economy has started picking momentum, and its confidence in raising the Fed rates sends the right signal. America sends the largest segment of tourists to Asia, and the Fed hike is indeed good news for India, though it might destabilise smaller economies. India’s diversity and the American craze for health tourism add luster to it. There is significant scope for expansion of both transport infrastructure and the hotel and accommodation sector, particularly outside major cities and in more rural areas. This rural thrust can generate employment, if proactively acted upon. The government is increasingly supportive of the tourism industry and is investing in a range of initiatives to increase both domestic and international tourism, helping ensure India’s attractiveness as a potential investment destination. The tourism and hospitality sector is among the top 15 sectors in India to attract the highest foreign direct investment (FDI). During the period April 2000-May 2015, this sector attracted around US$ 8.1 billion of FDI, according to the data released by Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP). Many companies have invested in this sector, and to mention a few to prove the point: Fairfax-owned Thomas Cook has acquired Swiss tour operator Kuoni Group’s business in India and Hong Kong for about Rs 535 crore (US$ 85.6 million). US-based Vantage Hospitality Group has signed a franchise agreement with Indiabased Miraya Hotel Management to establish its mid-market brands in the country. Thai firm Onyx Hospitality and Kingsbridge India hotel asset management firm have set up a joint venture (JV) to open seven hotels in the country by 2018 for which the JV will raise US$ 100 million. ITC is planning to invest about Rs 9,000 crore (US$ 1.42 billion) in the next three to four years to expand its hotel portfolio to 150 hotels. ITC will launch five other hotels - in Mahabalipuram, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Colombo - by 2018.Goldman Sachs, New-York based multinational investment banking fund, has invested Rs 255 crore (US$ 40.37 million) in Vatika Hotels. Japanese conglomerate SoftBank will lead the Rs 630 crore (US$ 95.6 million) funding round in Gurgaon based OYO Rooms. Thus global confidence in the India’s tourism and hospitality industry is rising.
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ASSAM TRAVELLER
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f you are looking for variety while choosing your holiday destination, Assam could be the perfect spot. Be it the natural scenery or culture of the people of Assam, you are sure to be awed by the variety and color Assam has to offer. People belonging to various cultures and races live here. The land has people following various faiths. Assam is home for various crafts as well.
Kaziranga National Park Kaziranga National Park has been declared a World Heritage Site. The park is spread over 430 sq. kms and you will find various wild species such as tiger, elephant, rhinoceros, Indian bison, sambar, deer and many more. If you love birds, you need to be here during winter as migratory birds are seen in great numbers. You could go round the park in a jeep or car. If you fancy elephant 6
ride, you are most welcome. The nearest cities from Kaziranga National Park are Jorhat and Tezpur.
Agnigarh Hill Agnigarh hill is situated in Tezpur in Assam. As per Hindu mythology, a fortress was built here by King Banasura with a view to isolate his daughter Usha. The legend further goes to say that the place derived the name owing to the fire that surrounded the fortress always to avoid movement in and out of the place. The word Agni means fire.
Kamakhya Temple Kamakhya Temple is located on Nilachal Hill, Guwahati top at an altitude of 800 feet above sea level. River Brahmaputra flows on the northern side of the hill. The temple is over 2200 years old. Apart from its rich cultural heritage, Kamakhya is beauty personified. It offers a stunning view of rivers and hills. Whatever faith one follows in life,
being at this location would make one experience divinity.
Dibru Saikhowa National Park Dibru Saikhowa National Park is situated in Tinsukia in Assam. It owns the credit of being one among the major biodiversity hotspots of the world and one among the largest parks in Assam. The park is a blend of deciduous forests, semi-evergreen forests and swamp surface making it bio-diverse. You will find many rare wildlife species here and feral horses are one of the most famous species seen here.
Orang National Park Orang National Park is situated on the northern banks of the river Brahmaputra. It is the only National Park in the country, which was created naturally. The tribes who lived there had abandoned 78.81-sq.km area. Some of the animals found here
include royal Bengal tiger, one horned rhinoceros, leopard, elephant and many more. The place offers great delight to bird watchers as one could find various local birds and migratory birds here.
Haflong Lake Haflong Lake is situated at the centre of Haflong hill town, which is famously called the ‘Switzerland of the East’. The picturesque landscape with blue hills, large and beautiful lakes, enthralling streams, waterfalls and abundance of pineapple trees and orange trees earns the title for Haflong town. Haflong Lake is one among the two lakes of the town. It is situated at an altitude of 1683 feet above MSL and no wonder you will find clouds and mists touching your arms as they gently move away. The beauty not only enthralls you but also offers various water sports and hence both your body and mind are rejuvenated.
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GOA TRAVELLER
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oa is one of the most well known tourist destinations in India. People travel from far and wide to this small state for its diverse mix of beaches, adrenaline activities, parties, nature, and history. One of the best ways to see all that Goa has to offer is by hiring a motorbike or scooter, and exploring at leisure.
luxury resorts to makeshift huts, and trance parties to tranquility. The Goa beach that’s right for you will depend on the kind of experience you want to have. Want water sports? Head to Baga. Want to hang with the hippies. Try Arambol. Prefer isolation? Agonda or Patnem might be the beach for you.
Markets
Once the magnificent Portuguese capital of Goa India, these days all that remains of Old Goa is a handful of imposing churches and cathedrals. They are amongst the largest in Asia though. Some of the buildings have now become archeological museums, and provide a fascinating display of Goa’s history. One of the most interesting buildings in Old Goa is the Convent and Church of Saint Francis of Assisi, built in 1521. Just opposite is the Basilica of Bom Jesus, which contains the preserved remains of the body of Saint Francis Xavier, a revered missionary and the patron saint of Goa. Old Goa is situated not far from Panjim, Goa’s current capital.
The Anjuna flea market is held every Wednesday from morning until evening, except during the monsoon season, on the southern end of Anjuna Beach. The market has exploded in size and attracts people from all over Goa. It’s now got over 500 stalls, and is still growing. You’ll find a huge assortment of goods there, but make sure you bargain. After a day of shopping till you drop, head over to Curly’s beach shack and take in the sunset scene there. If one market isn’t enough for you, the Saturday Night Market and Mackie’s Night Bazaar, both in the Arpora Baga area, are also worth checking out. They offer entertainment, including live music, as well as an eclectic range of food.
Old Goa Latin Quarter Capital city Panjim is worth visiting for its Fontainhas neighborhood. Declared a UNESCO Heritage Zone in 1984, it gets its name (meaning “fountain”) from the fountain at the foot of the hill. You’ll be transported back in time as you wander past colorful old Portuguese homes, belonging to the last surviving Portuguese families of Goa. Narrow winding streets and lanes, quaint shops, art galleries, bakeries, and restaurants give it undeniable charm.
Wildlife Sanctuaries Goa isn’t just all about beaches and churches. The state’s location along
the mountainous Western Ghats is home to an array of birds and animals. Around 20% of Goa consists of wildlife sanctuaries. They’re open all year round, although October to March is the best time to visit. The two main sanctuaries are Bhagwan Mahvir (of which Mollem National Park is a part) and Cotigao. On the fringe of the Mollem National Park you’ll find the imposing Dudhsagar Falls, where the water rages down from a huge height during and just after the monsoon season. Accommodations, provided by the Goa Forest Department, are available at both sanctuaries. For a very eco-friendly stay, try a mud hut at the Shanti Nature Resort in Mollem National Park.
Goa Beaches Goa’s long stretch of sandy coastline is renowned for its multitude of beaches. There’s something on offer for everyone, from
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ODISHA TRAVELLER
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rissa (renamed Odisha) is one of India’s less frequented states, as it’s predominantly rural and “off the beaten track”. However, tourist interest in Orissa’s eclectic combination of attractions is growing. Orissa offers picturesque national parks and wildlife, unpolluted beaches, traditional music and dance, temples, handicrafts, tribal culture, and Buddhist relics.
Bhubaneshwar The capital city of Orissa, Bhubaneshwar is most famous for its temples (there are over 700, mostly devoted to Lord Shiva) including the largest temple in the state -- the Lingraj Mandir. The motley collection of caves cut into the hillside on the outskirts of the city is another popular attraction. They were once home to Jain aesthetics. The most interesting ones can be found at
Udayagiri (Sunrise Hill). The complex is open from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. If you’re interested in natural medicine, the ethereal Ekamravan garden of medicinal plants is notable and well worth visiting.
Konark Sun Temple Designed to be a huge chariot for the Sun God Surya, the intricately carved Sun Temple was constructed in the 13th century. It stands 30 meters high on 12 massive wheels. Erotic carvings similar to those on the Khajuraho temples are a renowned feature.
Puri Puri is located on the beach, but don’t go there expecting a beach paradise. You’ll need to head far away from the center to find an unpolluted patch of sand. Instead, Puri’s appeal lies in its holiness. The imposing Jagannath Temple is only open to Hindus, but the roofs of nearby buildings offer
decent views (for a small fee). Puri is also a good place to organize tribal tours and day trips. Another attraction is the Rath Yatra festival, which takes place in July/August each year. It’s the only occasion when non-Hindus can get to see the temple deities. A mere glimpse of Lord Jagannath on the chariot, or even to touch the chariot, is considered to be very auspicious. A Puri Beach Festival is also held every November.
Handicrafts Villages Orissa is a state that’s renowned for its handicrafts. There are two villages between Puri and Bhubaneshwar that you can visit where the residents are all artisans. They are interesting places to interact with the artisans, see demonstrations, and of course buy their beautiful handicrafts. The specialties are Pattachitra paintings and colorful applique works.
Chilika Lake If you want to spend time amongst nature, head to the remarkable Chilika Lake. Asia’s largest brackish water (a combination of sea and fresh water) lagoon is an ecological wonder spanning around 1,000 square kilometers. It’s full of wildlife, particularly fish and migratory birds from far off lands. There are even dolphins! The Lake also has a number of islands. Grassroutes Journeys offers eco-friendly Chilika Lake camping trips and birdwatching cruises. Also check out Mangalajodi Ecotourism. Explore Chilika Lake and its various islands by boat. Most departures are from Satapada (where the dolphins are), located at the mouth of the Lake around 50 kilometers from Puri. Other departures are possible from Barkul, Rambha, and Balugaon.
Chandipur Beach Casuarina trees, sand dunes, and a tide that receeds out for miles all make Chandipur Beach special. This little known beach is the place to come if you want a tranquil beach getaway. Of course, if you’re looking for crystal clear water and golden sand, there are better beaches in India. However, this one is unique! It’s also very safe. Chandipur Beach is readily accessible by train from Bhubaneshwar and also Kolkata in West Bengal. Walk on the huge stretch of seabed when the tide is out. It’s brilliant for beach-combing. Discover small puddles of water with tiny fish, sea shells, and crabs. 8
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RAJASTHAN TRAVELLER
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ajasthan is one of the most visited states in India. It’s not surprising because it shows India at its most colorful and exotic best. All the things that come to mind when you think of India can be found in Rajasthan -- palaces, forts, desert, camels, elephants, and snake charmers.
Jaipur The “Pink City” of Jaipur is full of ancient palaces and forts, with most of them boasting stunning views and elaborate architecture. Jaipur forms part of India’s popular Golden Triangle Tourist Circuit, and lures visitors with its evocative remnants of a bygone era. A visit to Jaipur will give you a feel for how the monarchy once lived in all its glory. Staying in Jaipur is also particularly enjoyable. The city has some incredible heritage hotels that have been converted
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from old palaces, giving guests a very regal experience!
Udaipur Udaipur is an enchanting place full of old mansions, beautiful gardens, intricate temples and grand palaces overlooking expansive shimmering lakes. The City Palace, which stretches along the eastern shore of Lake Pichola, is a highlight. The way it has been constructed is exquisite, with Rajput military architecture and Mughal style decorative techniques both combined together. Its museum displays many royal heirlooms, family photos, and other memorabilia.
Jaisalmer Jaisalmer is often referred to as being straight out of a romantic Arabian Nights fable. It’s a cliche, but how better to describe this
remarkable sandstone city that rises magically from the sand dunes of the Rajasthan desert? Jaisalmer’s mesmerizing ancient fort, built in 1156, is perched high on a pedestal overlooking the city. Inside, the fort is alive and spellbinding. It houses five palaces, several temples, and some exquisite havelis (mansions), as well as shops and other residences.
Jodhpur Affectionately known as the “Blue City” for its blue painted buildings, Jodhpur is the second largest city in Rajasthan. The walled old part of the city is presided over by the looming Mehrangarh Fort. One of the largest forts in India, it’s the pride of Jodhpur. Every October it has the honor of providing the setting for the Rajasthan International Folk Festival. Inside the fort are a number of palaces, and a museum. The fort is also an excellent place to view Jodhpur’s blue buildings.
Ranthambore National Park Ranthambore National Park is full of history, having witnessed many battles played out on its land, and the rise and fall of many rulers. The chances of spotting a tiger in the wild at Ranthambore are amongst the best in India. In contrast with many national parks in India, Ranthambore is also really accessible and easy to get to. The landscape is dominated by the formidable 10th century Ranthambore Fort. It’s a huge structure that contains ruined pavilions, splendid monuments, and three Hindu temples.
Bikaner The vibrant desert town of Bikaner receives fewer tourists than many other prominent destinations in Rajasthan. It’s an excellent place to go on a camel safari, as an alternative to Jaisalmer. The main attractions are the atmospheric walled Old City and fort. Bikaner is also renowned for the infamous Karni Mata rat temple nearby. The Karni Mata Festival, held to worship the rats there, is one of the quirkiest festivals in India. A Camel Fair is also held in Bikaner every January.
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ANDHRA PRADESH TRAVELLER
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nown for its rich cultural heritage and scenic beauty, Andhra Pradesh tourism attracts a large number of tourists from all parts of the country. Tourism in Andhra Pradesh includes historical monuments, museums, palatial havelis, tombs, hill stations, natural caves, temples, churches, mosques and many sacred pilgrimage shrines.
Indira Gandhi Zoological Park The Indira Gandhi Zoological Park in Visakhapatnam is located on the national highway and covers an area of 250 hectares. This is the second largest zoological park in the state, after Hyderabad Zoo. It boasts of a rich collection of flora and fauna, including some exotic species of animals from Australia. The Park has more than 400 varieties of fauna. The Park opened its doors to the public in 1972 and today offers deer safari, has five enclosures for monkeys and primates, special dens for lions and tigers, six enclosures for deer and eight specially designed enclosures for small mammals. The main attraction of Indira Gandhi Zoological Park is undoubtedly the big cats, in particular the white tiger.
Kolleru Lake Bird Sanctuary Kolleru Bird Sanctuary is perhaps the best fresh water sanctuary in India. There is a host of wildlife within the sanctuary, which is located in the deltaic region between the rivers of Krishna and Godavari. The sanctuary is a haven for migratory birds, which fly all the way from Siberia, the Philippines, Australia and Egypt. During the winter season in India, these birds come to nest at the sanctuary. The
sanctuary is situated about 65 kilometres from the city of Vijayawada and offers a wonderful opportunity to bird watchers and nature lovers to see some really rare species of birds. Kolleru Bird Sanctuary was established in 1999 and is protected by the Wildlife Protection Act. The placid lake and the lush greenery makes it an ideal refuge for birds, such as red-chested pod chards, pintails, herons, egrets, migratory ducks, water birds, pelicans, teals, ibises and storks. It also is home to 63 species of fish, crustaceans and molluscs.
Rushi Konda Beach Located just 8 kilometres from the port city of Visakhapatnam, RushiKonda Beach is known as the Jewel of the East Coast. The unspoiled beauty of the beach is its main attraction and offers a unique opportunity to relax and enjoy the golden sands and gentle ocean currents. The beach is a haven for watersports lovers and is popular among windsurfers and jet skiers. However, it is the scenic beauty of the beach that lures visitors throughout the year, who come to enjoy spending time amidst greenery, golden sands and azure waters. The day the city celebrates the festival of colours, Holi, the beach gets transformed to a hue of vibrant colours, with people splashing color and water on each other.
Tirupathi The king of all temples lies in Tirupati, which is located in the Chittoor District. The town is located at the foothills of Tirumala Hills, which is home to one of the most ancient and holy temples of India. This temple attracts millions of devotees each year and is called Sri Venkateswara Temple. It is claimed that the temple get more pilgrims than Mecca
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and Jerusalem. Tirupati is about 525 kilometres from Hyderabad and is surrounded by seven panoramic hills, which are home to perennial waterfalls, lush valleys and verdant forests. Besides the Sri Venkateswara Temple, other shrines located in the region include the Sri Govindrajaswamy Temple, Sri Kondandaramaswami Temple, Sri Kapileswaraswami Temple and the Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraswami Temple.
Mahanandi The picturesque village of Mahanandi is located east of Nallamala Hills, near Nandyal, in Kurnool District. The village is enveloped by dense verdant forest. About 15
kilometres from the village are nine shrines to Nandi. Mahanandi is one of the nine shrines. The other eight are Shivanandi, Vinayakanandi, Somanandi, Prathamanandi, Garudanandi, Suryanandi, Krishnanandi (also known as Vishnunandi) and Naganandi. The Mahanandiswara Swamy Temple is about 1,500 years old and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The shivalinga in the temple is considered to be unique because it is formed by a rough, uncut rock containing two cavities. Devotees are allowed to touch the shivalinga. There is a huge Nandi located in front of the main shrine. The tower above the shivalinga is what makes this temple unique. It is constructed in the North Indian style of architecture. 11
TRAVELOGUE
Top 5 emerging holiday destinations to plan for an exciting vacation
I Dr. Prem A multi-faceted man, Dr. Prem is an acclaimed speaker, global traveller, successful entrepreneur, chartered consultant author and publisher. Utilizing his vast global experience and diverse knowledge, he has written and published a series of life improvement guidebooks, which intend to improve all aspects of our life and has a well-insulated network of 50 websites that are popular with readers and prominent search engines.
n recent times, a novel trend has been observed that there is a substantial rise in interest among tourists to visit destinations that are emerging and previously did not find a place in the hot list. These destinations are a little less developed in terms of infrastructure and staying arrangement, which is quite obvious due to their late exposure to the tourist nevertheless they are pristine untouched by pollution brought in by mounting tourism. Here, we select 5 such destinations that are just emerging but gathered an appreciable score among the travel enthusiasts.
Iceland This freezing cold hub nestled far up in the north is a quite getaway, charming
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and unique in its own right. The natural splendor would collect heaps of appreciation and to be frank you won’t find another wonderful vacationing destination as this one in the entire planet. Land of awe inspiring glaciers mirroring the sunrays in a wonderful shower of light, Iceland would for certain be a perfect for lovers to spend a romantic weekend. Besides a marvelous scenic treasure featuring black sands, blue hot springs, rocky lava beds and the lush green valleys would be just a start for the long series of pleasant surprises awaiting the hungry eyes of tourists. Iceland is a living legacy of nature where her enormous wrath was fuming back in 2000 when there was a furious volcanic eruption at Mt Hekla. The stunning
ASIAN TRAVELLER | DECEMBER 2015
worldwide fame. Food is great with an exotic local flavor. Myanmar is for sure an upcoming tourist destination for a unique holidaying experience.
Mongolia With its capital at Ulaanbaatar, this desert country is positioned well in the list of emerging tourist destinations. This country is relatively free from the tourist crowd and could very well become your next vacationing destination. The exotic monasteries are great to visit. Visiting the birthplace of the great Mongol invader Chengis Khan would be a memorable and awe inspiring experience! A camel trek across the sands of Gobi Desert would be another awesome experience as would be spending a couple of days in a Yurt with a nomad family. It is basically a historical land with lovely sand dunes and wonderful national parks. The famous beauty of Vatnajokull glacier is arresting and would immensely appeal the love birds witnessing its splendor.
Papua New Guinea This amazing country located off the northern coast of Australia is certainly an off the beaten tourist hub, which is currently emerging as a popular new find with lots of promises as a tourist hotspot. Despite its treacherous terrain for primarily being a mountainous country, movement becomes difficult nevertheless the idyllic charm of the near primitive greenery more than offsets the trouble involved in a trek. This amazing country has stunning coral reefs that look like a lush marine garden. There are excellent opportunities for adventures like snorkeling and scuba diving. A wonderful combination of sea beaches, forests and mountains make this place
Altai range is visible from a distance, and the sight of the Khongor sand dunes is absolutely hypnotic. Besides the grand traditional Naadam festival should not be missed at any cost.
Montenegro This amazing little hub belongs to the Balkans and is a rising summer destination for the tourists who prefer spending long hours on sunbathed sea beaches. You can very well be one of those lucky tourists soaking in the sun and its shine scattered over beautiful beaches belonging to an extended coast line. The awesome mountain ranges in view offer a jawdropping scene that is guaranteed for drawing in intense pleasure. Among a number of splendid sceneries, Kotor Bay is famous, which is a lagoon like water body bounded by a wall of granite and limestone rocks. It is surely a feast for your eyes.
a lovers abode. Papua New Guinea offers awesome scopes of interaction with the primitive tribesmen witnessing their traditional cultural festivities and exotic folk dances. Among other popular scenic lures, the Kokoda track stands out prominent which is a narrow strip of land opening up an amazing view of the Owen Stanley mountain range!
Myanmar Myanmar is also an emerging destination with a steady rise in tourist popularity over the years. Beautiful landscapes and awesome country sides steal the show as does the mountains and impenetrable rain forests of the northern region and exquisite seashores of the south. The brilliant architectural feats express themselves very elaborately in Pagodas or Buddhist shrines. The golden Sheudagon pagoda acquires
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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Hospitality Doyen When one enjoys what one is doing you are more or less likely to excel in it. One fine example for this is Mini Pereira, General Manager of Wind Haven resort, Thekkady. Hospitality is not just her forte but her passion which has resulted in an umpteen number of happy guests over the years. Asian Traveller caught up with her for a chat. Excerpts…
Mini Pereira
General Manager, Wind Haven Resort, Thekkady
It seems you have, over the years, established yourself in the travel and tourism industry. What attracted you to this business segment and how has been the journey so far? My brother introduced me to this field. Since I like hospitality I enjoy this field. It has been more than 5 years.
What are your plans and changes you will implement in your organization to attract tourists/customers? I am working in Wind Haven resort and the location is Ramakkal near Thekkady. I tell my staff to be polite to the guests and talk to them with a smile. And do what the guests ask to do. When the guest gets a very good service from us they will suggest others to come to our resort.
Brief us about your first assignment in the hospital industry? During my initial days in this field, a guest came here and he was complaining that this place had nothing to see as this place was covered with fog. I told him that I will take him to the nearby places like Kuravan mount, panoramic view of Tamil Nadu, Ramakkal, Top station ,echo point and wind mills for sightseeing 14
and he agreed. Next day I took him for sightseeing and he was surprised with the speed of wind at the place. Ramakkal is where maximum strong wind blows in Asia and after we returned, he told that he never thought that this place was so beautiful and also told that he will send a gift for me. After a few days I got a call from him telling that he has sent the gift and the gift was his friends who were coming to visit this place.
Having been in the industry for quite some time, you will surely be having some great moments of glory. Do you mind sharing them? The people who visit this place write reviews in trip advisor mentioning my name with the hospitality and service I provide. It’s not because of my talent that I can give such good service to them, but because of God’s grace only.
Being a woman, what were the hurdles you faced from the industry? At the initial stages it was hard for me to control my staff. But later on they started coordinating with me and it became real easy. I use to tell my staffs that there will be guests who will not be satisfied with
no matter what kind of service we give them. Take that as a positive factor and work according to that. “Negative people find difficulties in opportunities, where as positive people find opportunities in difficulties.”
How do you rate your career success so far? In this industry, I have been in the food and beverage, front office and marketing section. Each of this field taught me how I should be like. Because of this I can now handle any of these departments. I understood that I shouldn’t consider this work as a profession and only when you have this feeling you will be successful in this field.
From the career point of view, isn’t a job in the tourism sector very challenging? Tell us from your experience how you have handled demanding situations with calm and dignity? Since I enjoy the job that I do, I don’t feel stressed in this field. So I can work peacefully.
Who is the most influential person in your life? My brother Noble Pereira who motivates me every time I go through difficulties.
How special is the family for you? How important is it for you to spend some lighter moments with other members of your family? The time I get to share with them is the most joyful moments of my life. It’s just few hours I can spend with them but still we find happiness. I usually share everything with my family members when we sit together and have fun.
Your future aspirations and plans When I entered this field I never thought that I will reach this position. I feel happy to be here. My brother used to tell me, we should buy the firm where we work. My aim is to start a new property so that I can give the service to the guests in my way and send them back happily.
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TAMILNADU TRAVELLER
An Exotic Summer
Getaway
With a rich bio-diversity and an unspoilt natural beauty, Meghamalai beckons travellers to have a refreshing experience, writes Dr. S. Bakthavatchalam
T
he places to go and sites to see during the warm summer months are virtually endless. It ranges from an exotic tropical getaway to a backpacking excursion. However, today’s stress is on multi-activity holidays. Not everyone wants to lie on the beach. Hill stations have become the preferred getaway for many. It is in this context, Meghamalai in Theni district of Tamil Nadu, stands apart. It’s a hill station with a difference. It is where you can enjoy a multi-activity holiday.
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Dr. S. Bakthavatchalam
Additional Director, Tamil Nadu Tourism
So, get ready to take a mesmerising journey to the Meghamalai, which beckons avid travellers, with a host of attractions, ranging from the clichéd to the neverbefore. Endowed with spectacular scenery, hills, waterfalls, valleys and lakes, the scenic town of Meghamalai will surely offer a respite from the hustle and bustle of a city life. Meghamalai is located on the slopes of the Western Ghats, close to the Periyar Tiger Reserve, about 43 kilometers off Chinnamanur
The beautiful 190 feet high Meghamalai waterfalls is special, as it embodies a twin-waterfall that is active almost throughout the year. The fall is also known as Clouds land fall.
ASIAN TRAVELLER | DECEMBER 2015
wild boar, porcupine, liontailed macaque, pea fowls, jungle fowl and Malabar giant squirrel are commonly sighted across the forest terrain. Meghamalai is also home to a wide variety of birds, mammals, reptiles and butterflies. Over 100 species of birds have been identified so far. One of the rarest fruit bats in the world, Salim Ali’s Fruit Bat, which is named after Indian ornithologist Salim Ali, is found in this mountain range. If you are either a bird-watcher or a wild life enthusiastic, you are surely in for a big surprise.
on the Madurai-Kumily interstate highway. The drive to Meghamalai, which is popularly known as ‘High Wavys Mountains’, is a thrilling experience, as the roads snake through the spice plantations and series of hills and winds around eighteen hairpin bends. All through the drive from Theni to Meghamalai, where silence reigns supreme at 1500 metres above sea level, the forests and the mountains often disappear, as the mist mysteriously wraps everything in it. As you drive past the stretches of tea and coffee estates, and pepper, cardamom and cinnamon plantations, you can see Meghamalai welcoming you with its extensive forests, plenty of wild flowers, misty moors and luxuriant grasslands. Covered in lush vegetation and surrounded by undulating hilly terrain, Meghamalai is home to attractions like Manalar, Venniyar and Iravangalar
dams, echo points, Meghamalai estate and Maharaja Mettu. Spread over an area of about 6000 acres, Meghamalai is home to several unique varieties of wildlife. Gaurs, elephants, tiger, leopard, Nilgiri Tahr, langur, spotted deer, barking deer, sambar deer,
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The hill station is ideal for trekking and long mountain walks and on the way you can find a view point by the very name Highwavys. From here you can enjoy a spectacular view of the nearby Varusanadu Hills. Another major attraction is Vellimalai, which could be described as the heart of Meghamalai. Standing at an average elevation of 1650 metres, Vellimalai is sure to cast a spell on the travellers, with its emerald green mountains. An abode of river Vaigai, Vellimalai offers a breathtaking beauty. The tea and coffee estates, houses of plantations workers and an artificial
lake, add to the charm of the place. It’s not enough to go to Meghamalai and just drive to the top of the mountain peak. There are a variety of sights and sounds that are worth indulging in. The beautiful 190 feet high Meghamalai waterfalls is special, as it embodies a twin-waterfall that is active almost throughout the year. The fall is also known as Clouds land fall. If you wait enough, you can also spot elephants, gaur, spotted deer, and other wild animals, which often frequent the site, at dawn and dusk. What you cannot miss is a drive to Manalar dam. The entire stretch from High Wavys to Manalar is scenic. You will just get awestruck at the number of lakes you see on the way to Manalar. From Manalar dam, one can view the deep Cumbum Valley and the villages of Theni District. Then, there is something extraordinary awaiting you at Maharaja Mettu. Lo and behold! A mist clad peak. The congregation of clouds, water and green covered hills of Iravangalar will be the perfect finish that you could ask for. Heavenly would be a word too clichéd to describe the beauty of Iravangalar.
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NEWSLINE
Ministry of Tourism Promotes India as a Holistic Destination
Under the new scheme Swadesh Darshan for Integrated Development of Tourist Circuits around Specific Themes, twelve Thematic Circuits namely North-East India Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Desert Circuit, Tribal Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wildlife Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit and Ramayana Circuit have been identified for development, which among other things, cover remote villages and small and medium towns. The Ministry of Tourism (MOT) promotes India as a holistic destination and as part of its on-going activities, annually releases print, electronic, online and outdoor media campaigns in the international and domestic markets, under the Incredible India brand-line, to promote various tourism destinations and products of the country. MOT also promotes the tourism destinations and products through its websites and publicity and promotional material produced by it from time to time. In addition, a series of promotional activities are undertaken in important and potential tourist generating markets abroad through overseas India tourism offices with the objective of showcasing India’s tourism potential and increasing tourist arrivals to the country. These include participation in travel fairs and exhibitions; organising road shows, ‘Know India’ seminars and workshops; organising and supporting Indian food and cultural festivals; publication of brochures; offering joint advertising and brochure support and inviting media personalities, tour operators and opinion makers to visit the country under the hospitality programme of the Ministry.
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GVK MIAL wins Golden Peacock Award for Risk Management GVK Mumbai International Airport Private Limited (MIAL), a joint venture between a GVKled consortium and the Airports Authority of India,has been declared as the winner of the ‘Golden Peacock Award for Risk Management’ for the year 2015 by an awards jury under the Chairmanship of Justice M. N. Venkatachaliah, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India. The award was presented at a specially organized presentation ceremony, the “Golden Peacock Awards Nite”, on Friday, December 18, 2015 at Hotel ITC Windsor Manor, Bengaluru in the presence of a distinguished gathering of business leaders during IOD’s National Convention on Risk Management,which was held at the same venue.
The Golden Peacock secretariat received 77 responses this year, of which 31 applications were shortlisted for final selection and only 12 were awarded after careful scrutiny through a three-tier assessment process managed by a group of Risk Management experts. The award was conferred on a company each from twelve different industry sectors. MIAL secured the honour in Transportation (Aviation). The Golden Peacock award comes on the back of 38 other awards and accolades that MIAL has won in the year 2015 for the world-class and passenger-friendly facilities and services at the international airport, including the Pranaam GVK Guest Services, the GVK Lounge, the Airport Garden, the architecture and structural design of the terminal and other features.
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group Signs Seven Hotels in Jammu and Kashmir Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the world’s largest and most dynamic hotel groups, recently announced the signing of a portfolio agreement with Mushtaq Group of Hotels to open seven hotels comprising 817-rooms under the Radisson Blu, Radisson and Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM brands, in the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The seven hotels will be located in the main gateway markets throughout the state and will position Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group as the largest international hotel operator in Jammu and Kashmir. The first hotel is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2016 in Srinagar. “This multiplehotel portfolio deal underscores the rapid rate of Carlson Rezidor’s expansion and reinforces our leading position in India, a key market that we remain deeply committed to. We are pleased to be forging a new partnership and will be employing our proven strategy of signing conversions
as well as new builds to establish a strong brand presence efficiently and expediently,” said Thorsten Kirschke, President, Asia Pacific, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. Raj Rana, chief executive officer, South Asia, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group added, “The region enjoys strong domestic leisure demand and is home to some of the most visited leisure destinations in India. Integral to our growth in India is an emphasis on expanding in leisure markets and state capitals. With the signing of this portfolio, we will make inroads into the summer and winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir, as well as provide our Club Carlson members an international brand choice in high demand leisure driven markets such as Srinagar, Pahalgam and Gulmarg.” ASIAN TRAVELLER | DECEMBER 2015
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NEWSLINE
P. Pradeepan Wins “Chief Engineer of the Year” Award
P. Pradeepan the chief engineer at Novotel Hyderabad Airport (GMR Hotels & Resorts Limited) has been awarded with the “Chief Engineer of the year” in the category of Mid Market to Upscale at the very prestigious Hotelier India awards. The award was conferred by Jean Michel Casse to P. Pradeepan in the presence of guests and other dignitaries from the hospitality industry. The Hotelier India Awards are one of the widely respected and recognized awards events in India. The award acknowledges the efforts of hoteliers from all the different departments within the hotel who contribute towards the success of their property. Hotelier India Awards 2015 had nominations under 16 different categories. On the occasion P. Pradeepan said “I am very happy to receive this award in recognition of my work at Novotel Hyderabad Airport. I want to thank the management who has helped me achieve my true potential and prove my capabilities as a Chief Engineer. This award was possible only because of the great support from my team and the positive working culture of the organisation.” Speaking on the occasion Maverik Mukerji, General ManagerNovotel Hyderabad Airport said, “I want to congratulate P. Pradeepan for receiving this award. It is his sheer dedication and hard work which has helped him won this coveted award. We at Novotel Hyderabad Airport always work towards creating an enabling environment to nurture performance and talent within the organisation. 20
Kuwait to Establish a Tourism Authority proceeds and political, economic and social benefits, Minister Sheikh Salman said, noting the private sector should be included in such a process; backed by the government with the necessary legislations.
Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem AlHumoud Al-Sabah, Information Minister, State Minister for Youth Affairs and the Supreme Tourism Committee Chairman has called for establishing a tourism authority in order to manage the sector’s diverse activities including cultural and entertainment programs. During a meeting of the commission, the Minister affirmed keenness on overhauling the sector with the intent of making it one of the national income sources, as part of the state revenues’ diversifying policy. This sector has been envisioned as one of the Kuwaiti economy foundations, considering its high
The supreme commission, which groups talented citizens, is capable of activating such a strategy for the Kuwaiti tourism, he said, noting the need for in-depth studies, upgrading the infrastructure, diversifying the programs and allocating more lands for new projects. He also called for training national cadres, particularly the young nationals, in the process to develop the field. Expansion of Kuwait International Airport to reach an accommodation capacity of 25 million passengers per year, warrants expansion of the services and tourism projects, “which in turn should lure many young Kuwaitis thus creating new work opportunities for them,” the Minister said. The meeting was held following the shift of the tourism portfolio from the Ministry of Commerce to the Information Ministry.
Deccan Odyssey wins India Travel Award Deccan Odyssey, the luxury train operated and managed by Cox & Kings Ltd , was awarded the Best Luxury Train in India at the North India Travel Awards 2015. The award ceremony took place at the Crowne Plaza, Jaipur. Gracing the occasion with his presence was Gajendra Singh Khimsar, Cabinet Minister of Industries, DMIC, NRI, Sports & Youth Affairs, Government of Rajasthan, as well as other dignitaries from the travel and tourism industry in North India. The black-tie event was attended by the who’s who of the travel industry and it represented the best in the industry. The objective behind these awards is to advance and promote the well-being and prosperity of the sector. The train has 21 coaches, out of which 12 are passenger cars accommodating 8 people per coach (10 passenger / deluxe Cars, 4 coupes per coach - 2 Presidential Suite Cars, 2 coupes per coach), 1 Conference/ Entertainment Car, 2 Dining Cars, 2
Generator Cars with Luggage Store, 2 Staff Cars, , 1 Spa Car, 1 Bar Car. The train has on-board facilities like LCD T.V. in each cabin, Wi-fi , cell phones in each cabin, Channel Music, Gymnasium, Beauty Saloon, Paramedic on board, Foreign exchange facilities, etc. The capacity of the train is 88 passengers The winners of India Travel Awards (ITA) are defined by a fair and unbiased selection process done through online voting and judgement by a panel of jury consisting of travel industry luminaries. The total scores of the judges and the number of votes received by each nominee determined the final scores of the winners. ASIAN TRAVELLER | DECEMBER 2015
NEWSLINE
Jet Airways Launches Uday Samudra Wins State Tourism Award convenience of today’s App for Apple Watch Jet Airways, India’s premier international airline unveiled its app designed exclusively for Apple Watch to enable guests to access seamless travel information on their wrists. The application with watchOS 2 support, will allow guests to conveniently access real time information about their flight status of any flight on Jet Airways’ network, receive a flight status notification, get alerts for upcoming trips as well as updates on special deals and offers from Jet Airways.
Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Hotel & Spa has been selected for the Best Four Star Hotel award by the Govt of Kerala for the fourth consecutive time. The Chief Minister presented the award to Rajasekharan Nair, CMD & Executive Director Karthika Nair of UDS group in a colorful function held at Vivanta by TAJ, Trivandrum.
To access the Jet Airways app for Apple Watch, users will first need to download the app for iPhone, (existing users will need to upgrade to the latest version). Apple Watch users will need to visit the Apple Watch App Recently, UDS has won the on iPhone and turn on the ‘Show App prestigious World Luxury Hotel Award on Apple Watch’ option within the ‘My for the sixth consecutive year (from Watch’ tab. 2010 onwards) The Award was received The Jet Airways Apple Watch app by the CMD Rajashekhran Nair, & features a flight status application, Executive Director Karthika Nair at which allows guests to check their the prestigious ceremony held at Hotel flight status on the day of departure. Harbour Grand, Hong Kong. This is done by entering the flight The UDS’s philosophy of combining number on the keypad of the watch the best elements of nature with the to receive the latest status update. For more details, guests will need to click “More on iPhone” on the Apple Watch, and the app will open the flight status details page.
modern world, through exceptional standards of luxury, elegance and service, together with ISO 9001 - 2000 standards and impressive management tools, has created a powerful presence in the hospitality sector. The hotel, which features 225 Rooms, 5 Restaurants, 3 Swimming pools, 7 Banquet Halls, Ayurveda & Yoga Centre, Ocean Spa, Slim & Shape Naturopathy Centre, Beauty Studio, Health Club, Dental Clinic, is a luxury destination in its own right. Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Hotel & Spa branded as UDS & its other properties are Uday Suites, the only four star Airport hotel in Trivandrum, Uday Sky kitchen & Uday Samudra Ayurveda & Yoga Beach Resort, UDS group is growing enormously in Indian Hospitality sector with its upcoming projects, Hotel & Convention Centre with 2500 seating capacity plus 190 rooms, Backwater resort in Alleppey at the famous backwaters of Kerala & Ayurveda Hill resort in Wagamon near Thekkady.
The Leela Palace Udaipur wins Favorite Leisure Hotel Award
Specially optimised for Apple Watch, the Jet Airways app leverages its innovative features and design, making it a more convenient, personalised and seamless travel experience with notifications displayed directly on the Apple Watch. Commenting on the new Jet Airways app for Apple Watch, Gaurang Shetty, Senior Vice President Commercial, Jet Airways, said, “At Jet Airways we constantly endeavour to be in step with evolving developments in technology and communication to enhance guest experience across touch points. The Jet Airways app for Apple Watch incorporates latest trends in user experience design, personalisation and technology to provide a unique experience and access to relevant travel information on the go. The app symbolises our continued commitment to our customer focused ‘Guest First’ service philosophy, which is at the core of our business.” dECEMBER 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER
Bagging another achievement in its kitty, the exquisite hotel The Leela Palace of Udaipur was voted as the most ‘Favorite Leisure Hotel’ of the country at the fifth edition of Conde Nast Traveller India Readers’ Travel Awards held recently in New Delhi. In the ceremony, another Leela property, The Leela Palace New Delhi won the most ‘Favorite Hotel Spa’ in India. Rajiv Kaul, President of The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts said, “We are truly honored that The Leela Palace Udaipur and The Leela Palace New Delhi have been recognized as the top favorite hotels of India by the highly discerning readers of Conde Nast Traveller.” He added that these awards are an affirmation of The Leela
Group’s unwavering commitment towards offering the finest in luxury hospitality. Situated alongside Lake Pichola, The Leela Palace exudes first class architecture and grandeur whilst providing finest hospitality. With the view of pristine blue lake and surrounding Aravali ranges, this property has been highly regarded by travelers from world over and won several awards in the past years. 21
NEWSLINE
Visit California Partners With Air India
As a part of the build up to the formal announcement of Air India’s first ever direct flight from Delhi to San Francisco, Visit California, in association with Air India, conducted training programmes in the cities of Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad from 25th to 27th November, 2015. All 3 seminars cumulatively saw over 200 people from the Indian Travel Trade industry. The seminars, whose objective was to create awareness about San Francisco and California, provided participants an ideal platform to find information and get educated on the Golden State of California. Air India, the Indian national flag carrier, commenced its firstever non -stop flights between Delhi-San Francisco from December 2, 2015. Slated to be one of the longest flights in the world, Air India will currently operate three flights services a week - Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, from Delhi, using Boeing 777 LR (long-range) aircraft. The introductory flight will be connected to other metros like Bangalore, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad etc. to reach out to travelers from these cities wanting a non-stop service to the West Coast of the United States of America. Accounting for 27.9% market share of the total visitors to the US, more than 262,000 Indians visited California in 2014. These remarkable numbers demonstrate a 9.17% growth in visitors over the previous year, and forecasts indicate an additional growth of 9.5 percent in 2015 and 339,000 projected arrivals by 2017. Indian visitors’ average length of stay in California is 21 days.
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India International Travel and Tourism Is Back With Its Third Edition - IITT 2016 IITT 2016, presented by NDTV Good Times, is scheduled to be held from 15th to 17th January, 2016 at the Bombay Convention & Exhibition Centre, Mumbai.
Girish Shankar, Additional Secretary Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India who inaugurated IITT 2015 said “The exhibition is at par with other exhibitions and comprises of a very enthusiastic team. Year 2014 was a historic year for the tourism industry of our country and one of the contributions was from IITT also as they started their first initiative in 2014. I believe they have grown to a much larger size in its very second edition and I am very grateful to interact with many industry professionals at this forum.” The organizers will be hosting 300+ buyers from over 30 cities pan India. These buyers generate large buying volumes & have the potential to transact business with the exhibitors. The buyers will also consist of wedding planners and MICE operators from across India. Spread over 15000+ square meters of area, IITT 2016 will have participation from 500+ exhibitors from over 25+ Featured States and 20+ Featured countries including Travel agents, Tour Operators, airlines - domestic and international, hotel chains, cruise liners, resorts and allied industries.
a vital role in achieving success. Few key brands that will be showcased at IITT 2016 are Turkish Tourism & Culture, Kuwait Airways, Lavasa Tourism, Gem Tours & Travels, Akquasun Group, Booking.com, Treebo Hotels, Oyo Rooms, DNATA, Ottila, Yatra.com, Vistara Airlines, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, Marriott and many more such brands. IITT is focusing on inviting 200+ direct corporate from across India at Mumbai, as Mumbai is the Corporate hub for the travel industry. These corporates can thus be trained about their products and services. The event is supported by Incredible India – Ministry of Tourism and is also receives support from leading associations like TAFI, OTOAI, IATO, IAAI, ATOAI, ATTOI, ETAA, etc.
IITT 2016 will also introduce special workshops for promoting some of the hottest destinations of the world to encourage Indian out bound tourism. The program will cover International Visited by 10,000+ trade visitors Destinations like Switzerland, and 15,000+ consumers, IITT is one of the leading platforms to showcase your Indonesia, Mauritius, South Africa brand to the target audience and plays and many more.
State Tourism Award For Marari Beach Resort
Subrahmanian P., General Manager, Marari Beach, receiving Kerala State Tourism Award from the Hon. Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy along with Tourism Minister A. P. Anil Kumar, Health Minister V. S. Sivakumar and Secretary Tourism G. Kamala Vardhana Rao
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NEWSLINE
9th Kerala Travel Celebrate New Year’s Eve 2016 in Maldives If you want to start the New Mart to focus on Year relaxing and pampering ‘Responsible Tourism’ yourself, enjoying on the stunning white, sandy beaches and relishing unrivalled luxury, Maldives is the unequivocal choice for New Year’s Eve!
The 2016 edition of Kerala Travel Mart (KTM), billed as the largest gathering of tourism stakeholders in the state, will be held in Kochi in endSeptember with focus on ‘Responsible Tourism.’ Tourism Minister A P Anil Kumar said that the Samudrika Convention Centre would be the venue for the September 28-30 event, being held by Kerala Travel Mart Society, in partnership with the state’s Tourism Department. KTM 2016 is expected to attract nearly 1,100 buyers from around the country and abroad, he told reporters here today. “KTM 2016 will reach out to buyers from new markets like Australia, Austria, Brazil, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Middle East, Norway, Poland, South Africa, Sweden and USA, with special emphasis on raising the quality of participation next year,” he added. KTM, the minister said, has contributed largely to the development of tourism industry in the state. “As the responsible tourism campaign titled ‘God’s Own Country, People’s Own Tourism’ goes, we hope to popularize the concept among the common man,” he said. KTM brings together business entrepreneurs offering various tourism products and services, including tour operators, hotels, resorts, homestays, houseboats, Ayurveda resorts and cultural art centres, onto a single platform and facilitates their meeting and interaction with buyers from around the world. The Mart will also project Kerala as an ideal breakaway destination for weddings and honeymoons along with its Ayurveda and leisure products-all of which are emerging segments for tourism destinations-with the aim of increasing the state’s tourism market share by an additional Rs 5,000 crore. 24
The Maldives is a chain of breathtaking islands located in the Indian Ocean, owning one of the leading holiday destinations in the world for the exceptional beaches, crystal clear waters and year round tropical climate. New Year’s Eve in Maldives is perceived with great flair and show, including traditional local events for the season that include drummers, musicians, singers, dancers and more, all coming together to entertain locals and visitors. Everyone enjoys trying out the delicious local dishes like kiru sarubath, kuhli boakiba, gulha and foni boakiba. Singing carols are also savored in the local homes which are cheerfully decorated with strings of colourful lights for the season. Families and friends plan gatherings all evening while reuniting and spending quality time staying up and enjoying a wealth of festivities in the comfort of their homes. All resort hotels of the Maldives celebrate the festive season in December, organizing exceptional events for Christmas and New Years Eve. Gala dinners, music and discos are organized to make sure the guests have the best time celebrating these occasions. Resorts go all the way to
make sure their guests get served the tantalizing food and chefs create menus for the grand gala dinners made from fresh local produce and the very best ingredients from around the world. Some of the resort’s culinary chefs prepare the food on the beach, allowing the guests to dine under the stars as they enjoy the wonderfully festive atmosphere. Celebrating New Years Eve in Maldives gives you the opportunity to stay in one of its lavish resorts with all the best amenities, friendly and welcoming staff, surrounded in exquisite natural beauty. During the holidays, the Maldives experience an inflow of tourists from all over the world, coming to the area to celebrate in tranquility. Some people prefer to stay in the city and enjoy a variety of New Years Eve activities, and other’s would rather escape the crowds and stay in one of the many exclusive hotel resorts located on the beautiful beaches. Maldives offers the best hotels and accommodations for New Years Eve 2016. The Maldives is an epicurean paradise, the perfect getaway for a luxury New Years Eve experience.
Cox & Kings Bags Luxury Operator Award Cox & Kings Ltd. has recently bagged the World’s Leading Luxury Tour Operator award at the World Travel Awards Finale held at the Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort in Morocco. Peter Kerkar, Director, Cox & Kings stated, “Successfully operating a luxury tour requires unparalleled excellence, and this award testifies just that. We have been at the forefront of providing luxury holiday experiences to discerning class of travellers across the world, and this award further reinforces our commitment to delight the customer with our expertise and luxury offerings.”
The award presentations were the highlight of the red carpet event which welcomed over 300 industry leaders from around the globe to the Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort in Morocco. World Travel Awards President Graham Cooke said, “Each of our Grand Finale nominees has been recognised as a regional leader during our Grand Tour 2015, and this evening we were able to salute the best of the best – the elite of international tourism.’’ WTA was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. ASIAN TRAVELLER | DECEMBER 2015
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NEWSLINE
Thailand Announces Paradise Beach Phuket
Paradise Beach is Thailand’s first permanent beach party. Located on a private section off Phuket’s famous Patong beach, the newly created attraction will also see spectacular Full moon, Half moon and Black moon parties featuring international DJs. Festive seasonal events, such as the recently concluded Loy Krathong gig on 25 November and the upcoming Christmas gig will lend it a uniquely local flavor. Visitors will be greeted by a beautiful natural jungle view that befittingly marks the entrance to Paradise Beach. This leads into a series of Fisherman Walking Streets which collectively feature 70 shops. Phuket’s dazzling turquoise ocean plays backdrop to everything here from Paradise Beach’s luxury Spa Sawan to all its five restaurants and two quirky bars. Tiered, flexible packages allow visitors enjoy a whole host of beach activities including volleyball, beach soccer, canoeing, snorkeling, paddling boards and the use of beach chairs. Alternatively, visitors can pay for each activity individually. Similar passes are available for parties that kick off after sundown. A host of F&B packages (some straightforward like brunch, seafood brunch or dinner and some idyllic ones like barbeque on the beach and private dinner on the beach) have been created and at the moment, there are four wellness packages on offer for Spa Sawan. Paradise Beach is also open to hosting special occasions – attractively priced wedding and theme party packages are already on offer. Die-hard party-lovers in Phuket will be thrilled at the four party “junctions” fashioned at Paradise Beach. Each junction features a special décor and them and visitors can choose from Thai Fusion, Oriental, Italian and Mexican. 26
Women in Aviation, International Launches India Chapter
On the occasion of International Civil Aviation Day, Women in Aviation, International, (WAI) a non-profit organisation that skills and empowers women in the aviation industry has announced the launch of its India Chapter at the Embassy of the United States of America. The India chapter pioneered by Radha Bhatia, Chairperson, Bird Group and mentored by CJ Collins, Senior Representative-South Asia, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will connect, educate and empower women across all verticals in the Indian aviation and aerospace industries. Radha Bhatia, Chairperson, Bird Group said, “I believe that the Indian aviation sector offers immense opportunities for women to touch heights in their careers when provided with adequate guidance and support. With a firm belief to engage, educate
and empower women through various initiatives to augment inclusive growth, I together with CJ Collins initiated the formation of India chapter of the Women in Aviation, International. The India chapter will provide women aspiring for a career in aviation to connect, engage and draw inspiration across all verticals such as commercial, operations, engineering, financial and human resource to achieve their dreams.” CJ Collins, Senior Representative to South Asia, Federal Aviation Administration added, “With the launch of WAI India chapter, we aim to educate, train and recognise women in aviation industry while empowering them with necessary skills and avenue of growth. Our goal will be to highlight career avenues in verticals which are largely dominated by men force such as manufacturing, leasing, law, engineering, MRO. ” The India chapter of the Women in Aviation, International was jointly inaugurated by Richard R Verma, the US Ambassador to India and Secretary Rajiv Nayan Choubey, Ministry of Civil Aviation in the presence of its 15 founding members.
Thanksgiving Festival of Tamil Nadu Pongal is a harvest festival. Pongal is celebrated for four days which according to the Gregorian Calendar is normally celebrated from January 13 to January 16, but sometimes it is celebrated from January 14 to January 17. This corresponds to the last day of the Tamil month Maargazhi to the third day of the Tamil month Thai. Pongal is one of the most important festivals celebrated by Tamil people in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry as well as Tamils worldwide. Pongal corresponds to Makara Sankranthi, the winter harvest festival celebrated throughout India. The day marks the start of the sun’s six month long journey northwards (the Uttarayanam). The Pongal is mainly celebrated to convey
appreciation to the Sun God for providing the energy for agriculture. Part of the celebration is the boiling of the first rice of the season consecrated to the Sun – the Surya Manangalyam. It is a thanksgiving festival. In an agriculture based civilization the harvest plays an important part. The farmer cultivating his land depends on cattle, timely rain and the Sun. Once a year, he expresses his gratitude to these during the harvest festival. Tamil Nadu Tourism is also celebrating Pongal Tourist Festival in all tourist centres in the State to publicise the importance of the festival among the domestic and foreign tourists. Many programmes are organized by this Department involving the foreign tourists making them to take part in the festivities. ASIAN TRAVELLER | DECEMBER 2015
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NEWSLINE
Brand USA conducts “DiscoverAmerica”
Korea Tourism Organization Celebrates Korean Night 2015 200 members of New Delhi’s travel trade and media converged at the Hyatt Regency hotel to celebrate South Korea at ‘Korean Night 2015’. The highlight of the event was a performance called Jump, which amalgamates martial arts with dance choreography and comedy, making for an entertaining show.
Brand USA organized an educational seminar for travel agents in Kolkata on 9th December 2015 as a part of the “DiscoverAmerica” series. The seminar was a great success and was attended by over 90 travel agents. The objective of this training programme is to update the travel trade about the latest destination developments and product offerings the United States of America has to offer. At the seminar; Brand USA also encouraged the agents to become a ‘USA Specialist’ by completing the “USA Discovery Program”. This innovative and interactive online training programme hosted at www.usadiscoveryprogram. in provides travel agents with the knowledge and skills needed to sell trips to the USA more effectively. Currently, over 2,400 travel agents from across India have completed the “USA Discovery Program”. Brand USA partners who participat- ed in the Kolkata educational seminar were:
Korea is going all out to showcase its young, hip side to the discerning Indian traveller though initiatives in the B2B and B2C space. Korean Night 2015 targeted the travel trade showcasing not only cultural offerings through the Jump performance (a comic nonverbal martial arts performance), but also the destination’s leisure and MICE products through dedicated presentations. Additionally, the Destination Management Companies from Korea and hotel groups like Accor Hotels and Starwood Hotels met with approximately 150 members of Delhi’s travel trade earlier in the day during the travel mart held in order to update the local travel agents on latest offerings of Korea. The suppliers included US Travel, Bosuk Tour, Kim’s Travel, Jane Tour and Jangbogo Tour. The event was graced by the presence of H.E. Cho Hyun, Ambassador of Republic of Korea to India, who addressed the evening along with Guldeep Sahani, President OTOAI. The key players of the travel fraternity such as TUI INDIA, Cox &
Kings and Mercury Travels were also present at the event. KTO also acknowledged all its travel agent partners through an award ceremony for their efforts in jointly marketing the destination over the year 2015. Meanwhile, KTO also engaged the traveler directly though ‘Korea Festival 2015’ held during the weekend prior to the road show i.e. on November 28 and 29 at the Select City Walk Saket, New Delhi. KTO transformed the Select City Walk Courtyard into a miniKorea and created awareness about its culture through various activities like K-Pop Fan club Flash Mob, Korean Fashion Show. The marital art performances by the K-Tiger and Jump team were attention-grabbing. 3-D optical illusions from TrickEye museum were re-created and the uniqueness of a photo booth drew a host of interested customers and potential travelers, to the Korea Festival 2015. The K-pop performances and the magnificent martial art performance performed by the K-tigers and Jump team was a treat for the eyes and ears of the audiences.
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Visit California
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Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism
California Organises FAM Trip
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Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority
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NYC & Company
Visit California India organized a familiarization trip for senior product managers of four major travel companies across India.
Josef M. Burton, Consular Officer, US Consulate, Kolkata and Arup Kumar Mitra, Senior Commercial Speciaist, U.S. Commercial Service- East India were also present during the presentation and updated the audience on US visa procedures and new policies.
Organised in November, 2015, with the objective of enhancing product knowledge on the Golden State beyond its gateways, the itinerary showcased the diversity of California regions. The group experienced various attractions, cuisines and the breathtaking views of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Solvang, Monterey and San Francisco.
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The attractions experienced during the FAM were Warner Bros Studio, Universal Studios, Monterey Bay Aquarium, California Academy of Sciences and Golden Gate Bridge. The group also experienced fun activities like whale-watching and the 17 mile drive. More than 262,000 Indians visited California in 2014, thereby having 27.2% market share of the total visitors to the US. These remarkable numbers demonstrate a 9.1% growth over the previous year. ASIAN TRAVELLER | DECEMBER 2015
NEWSLINE
Etihad Airways Wins Top Accolade targets and always thinking ahead”.
Etihad Airways has been named Airline of the Year 2016 by the USbased aviation industry publication, Air Transport World (ATW). The competition saw entries from more than 100 airlines around the world. “The award recognises Etihad Airways’ clear vision, its successful organic growth supplemented by a unique partnership strategy, its commercial focus that has delivered net profits in each of the last four years, the rapid growth of its highly motivated workforce, its development of innovative products and services, including The Residence by Etihad, and the airline’s strong executive leadership,” the airline said in a statement. Air Transport World editor-in-chief Karen Walker said, “I am absolutely delighted to recognise Etihad Airways as ATW’s Airline of the Year 2016.” James Hogan, Etihad Airways
dECEMBER 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER
president and CEO, said: “I am pleased to accept this award on behalf of the 27,000 employees of the Etihad Airways group around the world.” News of the award was announced during a reception hosted in New York by Etihad Airways to mark the arrival of its Airbus A380 daily service from Abu Dhabi to America’s financial capital. Etihad Airways was recognised for “fast but thoughtful growth, consistently delivering against its
The airline was also applauded for its “excellent numbers on financials, cargo and safety, its unique partnership strategy that was paying dividends, a willingness to be bold in equity tie-ups boosting the number over the past 12 months to include Etihad Regional and Alitalia, and its strategy of developing ground-breaking strategic contracts with suppliers”. ATW also spoke highly of Etihad Airways’ “consistently diplomatic, dignified and assured response to attacks by US airlines on Gulf carriers” in which Etihad Airways had developed a powerful defence of its business model and strategy. The Airline of the Year award will be presented in a gala dinner at the 42nd edition of the annual ATW Airline Industry Achievement Awards, taking place during the Singapore Air Show on February 15, 2016.
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TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE CONTEST - 94 1. What continent has the most World Heritage sites? 2. The Swiss towns of La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle were added to the World Heritage List in 2009 for what Cultural distinction? 3. What is the Vrede Dome, World Heritage site in South Africa? 4. How many countries have adhered to the World Heritage Convention? Sunil Gupta
appointed as CEO, WelcomHeritage Hotels
Philippe Zuber
appointed as President and COO, One&Only Resorts
5. Only two countries have ever had a World Heritage site removed from the list. What are they? 6. A World Heritage site added in 2006 recognizes what in Mexico? 7. Where was the lake scenes in Dirty Dancing filmed? 8. What’s the only U.S. state that doesn’t have any natural lakes? 9. Where are the Finger Lakes?
Charles Saliba
Sarah Esmail
appointed as General Manager, appointed as Sales Manager, Kempinski Hotel Ajman Crown Plaza Sohar, Oman
10. What’s the most common lake name in Minnesota? Send in your answers to editor@mediastepsindia.com with TYKC 94 in the subject line. Answers should reach us before the 30th of this month.
Answers to TYKC - 93
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