Asian Traveller India August 2016 Magazine by Mediasteps

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No. 11

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August 2016

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Highlights Vol. 9 I No.11 I August 2016

Nehru Trophy Boat Race When August comes, the placid water of the Punnamada Lake becomes a track on fire.

INTERVIEW Jose Sebastian

TAMIL NADU TRAVELLER Places to see in Pollachi and Valparai

24 22 RKV Houseboats and Tours They say the best way to explore and appreciate the beauty of backwaters is by travelling in houseboats.

TTF Hyderabad sees 20% growth indicating good travel season ahead Travel and Tourism Fair (TTF) Hyderabad opened recently at HITEX Exhibition Centre as a houseful show with over 182 exhibitors.

FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK

CHEERFUL OUTLOOK FOR TOURISM

Editor & Publisher : Dr. G Biju Krishnan*

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he recent spike in tourism attacks has caused a dent in the prospects of world tourism economy. This comes at a time when the world tourism growth has been gaining momentum. As per the World Tourism Barometer, tourist arrivals grew by five percent internationally between January and April 2016.

According to UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai, the data indicated a strong desire to travel which could drive tourism growth. “Yet, despite these good results, the tragic events of recent months remind us that safety and security remain a major challenge for all. We must continue to work closely together to address this global threat and ensure tourism is an integral part of emergency planning and response at global, regional, and national level,” added Rifai. According to a report by the UBS, the rise in terror attacks targeting European tourist destinations has dealt a doubledigit blow to the travel and tourism industry, with global tourism spending going down by 14 percent in June. As someone wrote recently in the wake of terror attacks, tourism is one of terrorism’s principal targets as it represents everything that threatens terrorists. Tourism is about “open societies in which we judge each person on his or her merits,” whereas terrorism is “where people are judged not by who they are but to which social, national, or religious group they belong.” Past experience has shown that tourism bounces back quickly from adverse situations. Resilience is one quality which has helped the industry to come out of many tight spots in the past. UNWTO forecasts international tourist arrivals to go up by 3.5 percent to 4.5 percent over the year 2016, in line with UNWTO’s long-term projection of 3.8 percent growth a year for the period 2010 to 2020. But tourism industry should find ways to effectively protect its interests and customers.

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The news items and Advertisements published herein have been collected from various source, which are considered to be reliable. Readers are however requested to verif y the facts before making business decisions using the same. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the writ ten permission from the Publisher. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2015 *Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act

Cover Story Nehru Trophy Boat Race

Nehru Trophy W

hen August comes, the placid water of the Punnamada Lake becomes a track on fire. Yes, it is the time of the prestigious Nehru Trophy Boat Race, where the silence of the lake is sliced by the slashing oars of the pacing boats. Held on the second Saturday of August every year, it is the most popular of all boat races in the world. Magnificent snake boats compete for the prized trophy to

commemorate the visit of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India to Alappuzha. The rhythmic and the synchronized way of rowing the majestic snake boats makes it a rare spectacle. The Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race is undoubtedly the most exciting race of the year. This prestigious cultural event of Kerala has been attracting people from all over the world. Though, it is a festival, what stands apart is the sportive spirit among the participants of

the race. Even though innumerable numbers of boat races are held in Kuttanadu and several parts of Alappuzha every year, Nehru Trophy Boat Race is a class of its own and has gained a popularity that no other boat race in Kerala can boast of. On the day of this fiercely fought boat race, the tranquil lake front is transformed into a sea of humanity with an estimated two lakh people, including tourists from abroad, coming to watch

the event. For the people of each village in Kuttanadu, a victory at this race for their village boat is something to be celebrated for months to come. The major attraction of the boat race is the competition of ‘Snake Boats’ (Chundan Vallams). Chundans (Snake Boats) are an impressive sight, measuring over 100 feet in length, with a raised prow. They were called ‘Snake Boats’ by the former colonial rulers, who based the name on a native boat

ASIAN TRAVELLER | August 2016

Boat Race found in Norway, although Kerala’s Chundans bear little resemblance to their European namesakes.

‘Snake Boats’ get their name from their shape rather than anything to do with live snakes! A snake boat is actually a long traditional canoe style boat used by the people of the Kuttanadu region. It is a traditional war boat of Kerala. Typical snake boats are 100 to 120 feet long, and hold around 100 rowers. Each of the villages in the region has its own snake boat, which they take great pride in. Every year, the villagers get together and race the boats along the lakes and rivers. People from near and far swarm the banks of Punnamada Lake to enjoy the spectacular Nehru Trophy Boat Race. August 2016 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

Apart from the races of Chundan Valloms and of smaller country crafts, the event has in store many fascinating moments like the ceremonial water processions, spectacular floats and decorated boats. The fund of energy, spirit of competition and unerring coordination makes this sport one of the most dynamic. The trophy named ‘Nehru Trophy’ is awarded to the winner of the boat race. The trophy is a replica of a snake-boat in silver, placed on wooden abacus on which the following words of Panditji are inscribed above his signature: ‘’This aquatic festival fosters a sense of unity, fraternity and sportsman spirit and attracts the largest number of foreign 7

Cover Story Nehru Trophy Boat Race

tourists for any boat race of its kind’’.

History

The history of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race is associated with the visit of late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India to Alappuzha. He chanced a trip from Kottayam to Alappuzha by boat, through water logged Kuttanadu. A pageantry of boats accompanied him on the trip. The first race was an impromptu one, conducted in 1952 in honour of Panditji who visited Alappuzha. In that race of snake boats, Nadubhagam Chundan stood first. Panditji, who was thrilled and excited in the performance of the oarsmen, jumped into the Nadubhagam Chundan, forgetting all security arrangements. The boat proceeded to the boat jetty carrying the Prime Minister. On his return to Delhi in December 1952, Nehru donated a Silver Trophy, which is a replica of a snake boat placed on a wooden abacus.

This trophy later came to be known as the ‘Nehru Trophy’, and in fond memory of great Panditji, the people of Alappuzha celebrate the Nehru Trophy Boat Race every year.

The Pageantry and Excitement

The race course having a length of about 1370 meters is divided into various tracks for the conduct of the competition. When they are advancing through various tracks, it appears like the fast moving snakes. The oarsmen splash the oars in unison with the rhythmic chants and beats of drums. The movements of competing boats are so thrilling that the spectators get a tune with the exciting mood of the surrounding uproars. The festival begins with a procession of the snake boats. The snake boats and the smaller varieties of Kerala race boats like the ‘Churulan’, ‘Veppu’ and Oadi’ move in a formation down the 1.4 km stretch of the lake as the sturdy villagers, their biceps rippling in

the sun, row with an elaborate flourish of the oars to the singing of couplets from ‘Kuchelavritham Vanchipattu’, the classic Malayalam poem written by Ramapurathu Warrier to regale King Marthanda Varma of Travancore in early 19th century, during a boat journey from Vaikom to Thiruvananthapuram. The numerous beaded umbrellas held aloft in each boat, the gilded sterns of the ebony black snake boats and the changing patterns that the rowers weave with their oars transform the lake into a kaleidoscope. Floats giving glimpses of Kerala’s rich cultural heritage follow the race boats, with artists performing ‘Kathakali’, ‘Theyyam’, ‘Panchavadyam’, and ‘Padayani’. And then a quiet falls on the lake front, broken only by the sound of ripples lapping the embankment and the rustle of palm leaves in the wind. The snake boats line up at the starting point for the great race. As the starter’s flag goes up, the scene freezes into a tableau: the rowers tense with their paddles poised; the pace keepers alert and the steersmen straining against their long oars. The flag falls in a blur and suddenly, the thumping begins. The crowd erupts into a roar, and the snake boats hiss their way down the lake in a haze of spray, fighting a pitched battle in the dappled waters. ‘Ayyo-Poyye… Ayyo-Poyye’ – the cadence grows to a crescendo as the oars dip and flash 100 to 120 times a minute and the steersmen hurl their gigantic oars in a high arc. Preparations for the big event begin several weeks in advance. The snake boat is smeared with sardine oil for smooth passage through water. The best oarsmen are selected and, under the supervision of the senior most oarsmen, the practice sessions begin.

ASIAN TRAVELLER | August 2016

INTERVIEW Jose Sebastian

e v i s clu

Jose Sebastian, General Manager, LuLu International Convention Centre and Garden Hotels, shares with Asian Traveller his thoughts on the hospitality industry, its linkage with tourism, and much more. Apart from enjoying being a workaholic, he is passionate about cooking, reading, and watching movies. 1. You have been in the hospitality industry for the past several years. Could you tell us about your early days? What made you enter the hospitality sector?

What made me enter the hospitality sector — the sincere answer is destiny. I wanted to be

a doctor by profession and hotel management was never in my dreams. Unfortunately, I couldn’t clear my MBBS entrance examination and then looked out for other options. But, no regrets now. About my earlier days — I completed my

Jose Sebastian.

Hotel Management from IHMCT & AN, Chennai with industrial exposure from The Leela, Goa. I started my career as Management Trainee with ITDC Ashok Group of Hotels through Campus recruitment. I consider myself to be lucky to begin my career in the hospitality industry on the managerial level with Ashoka Group. I worked with Ashok Hotels in various locations, departments, and posts in India for a span of 10 years. The wish to learn about new trends in the industry made me join QSR, Pizza Corner as Area Manager. But the charm and vibrancy of hotels brought me back to the hotel and, after a two year stint with Casino Hotels, I joined the Lulu Group in 2006, and is still continuing with this prestigious group. 2. What plans do you have for the company?

Lulu Group International is one of the most recognized brands in the world as on date, and has a strong foothold in the hospitality industry of Kerala now. Our company has already undertaken a lot of 10

ASIAN TRAVELLER | August 2016

Jose Sebastian INTERVIEW

hospitality projects in the last 10 years and many more are in different stages of development. The Lulu Marriot, Kochi; The Lulu Courtyard by Marriott, Nedumbassery; and The Lulu Flight Kitchen, Nedumbassery are our completed projects other than Lulu International Convention Center and Hotels, Thrissur. The world class Convention Centre and Hotel partnering Hyatt is almost under completion in Bolgatty Island, Kochi. New hotels are coming up in Thrissur, Thiruvananthapuram, and Calicut, with tie ups with international chains and also under Lulu brand name. 3. How do you see the role of a hotel in developing a destination? What all things can hospitality sector do in this regard?

Infrastructure plays a big role in developing a destination along with hotels. A good hotel can surely add to the growth of a destination. The best example I can think of is our Lulu International Convention Center at Thrissur. The Lulu ICC has made Thrissur — a known MICE destination, the city which was earlier known only for its pilgrimage tourism. The introduction of a MICE venue has helped the city as a whole with all hotels getting a share of the MICE crowd and, in turn escalating their occupancy percentages. 4. Would you please share with us the proudest and some of the unforgettable moments in your professional life?

The proudest moment was of course receiving the ‘Best Convention Center of India’ award

August 2016 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India for Lulu, Thrissur. The fact that we won the award competing with international hotel chains from metro cities all across India makes it more close to my heart. Associating with visionary Mr. Yusuff Ali M A of Lulu Group was the turning point of my career and, since then, very memorable. 5. What do you feel is the biggest challenge in our industry now?

Quality manpower is the biggest challenge as on date. Dedicated staff has become a rarity. Setting up an effective team with right attitude to deliver a quality, timely service is a real challenge. In case of Kerala tourism, I feel changing tax structures and policies (excise rules mainly) is a major concern. 6. Where would you like to see yourself, say, 10 years from now?

10 years ahead — I will surely be associated to something close to my heart — that is hospitality industry, for sure. After 10 years, that is then with more than 30 years of rich experience in the industry, I expect to contribute a lot to the industry by setting up mega projects, being active and influential in Tourism Policy making and providing positive inputs and guidelines for the next generation in hospitality industry.

7. How do you see the growth prospects of Indian hospitality sector?

Indian hospitality industry is growing and surely will keep the trend upwards in future also. Hospitality is going to be one of the most discussed topic in future which will result in development of new destinations and more national and international tourists visiting various destinations. Small factors like good basic infrastructure development, industry friendly tax structures, good and economical air connectivity, PPP model developments, etc., will make the growth of our hospitality sector much better. 8. About your Family?

My wife, Jhimli, is a hotelier by profession and is now the proud owner

of a Designer Stitching Studio. Two children Joshua and Jovita are both school goers. 9. Please tell us about your hobbies and other interests?

I am a workaholic to a certain extent. Hence, I will say working is my hobby. But, of course, in my leisure time, I do cook for my family. Fusion cuisine being my favourite, as it gives me an innovative ‘kick’. I do try traditional Indian cuisine also. Reading and watching movies can also be added on to the hobby list. 10. Which is your favourite destination? Why?

Tough question — because I have a lot more countries to visit. As of now, Switzerland tops the international list, and Munnar tops the Indian list.

TTF Hyderabad

(3rd from the left to right) B Venkatesham, Azmeera Chandulal, Pervaram Ramulu inaugurating the Travel Tourism Fair.

TTF Hyderabad sees 20% growth indicating good travel season ahead

ravel and Tourism Fair (TTF) Hyderabad opened recently at HITEX Exhibition Centre as a houseful show with over 182 exhibitors. The inaugural function was presided over by the Telangana Tourism Minister Azmeera Chandulal, in the presence of a host of dignitaries and senior tourism officials: B. Venkatesham, Secretary Telangana Tourism; Pervaram Ramulu, Chairman, Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (TSTDCL); and Dr. Christina Z. Chongthu, Managing Director, TSTDCL.

TTF is Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest and largest travel trade show, which is now organised in 9 cities annually. With over 182 exhibitors from 8 countries and 20 Indian states and union territories, the three day travel trade show at Hyderabad has brought together state tourism boards, national tourist offices, hoteliers, airlines, tour operators, travel agents, online travel companies, railways, cruises and other travel marketers under one roof. Host states Telangana and Andhra Pradesh showcased their top destinations, tourism products, projects and initiatives in a big way.

Telangana Tourism had a large and colourful pavilion, with private sector operators as co-exhibitors. The pavilion also had an area for highlighting the work of weavers from the state. An interesting addition was the Telangana Food Festival curated by Telangana Tourism, where members of the Telangana State Hotel Association had set up food stalls selling local delicacies, including the ubiquitous biryani. Attractive pavilions were also put up by the state tourism boards like Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab,

Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. Country representations from China, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Singapore, Thailand and UAE had set the bar high at TTF Hyderabad this year. Gujarat, Odisha and Himachal Pradesh had participated as partner states for the event while Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Goa, Punjab and Kerala were the feature states. The partner countries for TTF Hyderabad were Sri Lanka and Nepal along with China as the feature country. TTF Kolkata also had participation from

Seeing a healthy 20% growth in the exhibition area booked and the number of exhibitors, TTF Hyderabad is the biggestever in the city, indicating a strong travel season ahead.

ASIAN TRAVELLER | August 2016

Andaman and Nicobar, Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Some of the other noteworthy participants were Galaxy Tourism, Southern Travels, Journey to Ladakh, Make Plans Holiday, Dook Travels and Club Mahindra, among others. After a successful debut at TTF Kolkata, StartupKnockDown+ was also being organised at TTF Hyderabad by TravHQ and TTF. This new level of competition invited companies at various stages of development, be it an early stage venture or an emerging travel start-up or an innovative product by a recognised enterprise. Nepal Tourism Board organised a Travel Trade and Media Presentation on the sidelines of TTF Hyderabad on Day 1. Sanjiv Agarwal, Chairman and CEO, Fairfest Media Ltd (the organiser of TTF), said, “TTF Hyderabad provided an important opportunity to be present in a hugely strategic market in the centre of South India. Hyderabad has a remarkable prospect due to its unique position of serving as the capital city of two states, in the transition period. We have recently experienced a rapid expansion of TTF in

Telangana Tourism Stall at Travel & Tourism Fair.

Hyderabad.” Fairfest Media, organiser of the TTF and OTM shows, has strengthened its unparalleled lead as India’s No. 1 travel trade show organiser, with about half the market share. It organises TTF branded shows every year in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Surat, Mumbai, Pune (July-September) followed by Chennai, Bengaluru and New Delhi (JanuaryFebruary), in addition to the grand finale OTM Mumbai in February. To enhance and showcase their respective offerings, aside from attractive and

elegant stalls, participating states and countries at TTF Hyderabad had presented daily cultural events and marketing presentations to trade visitors and the media. The newly introduced Tea@TTF had special networking sessions by top travel trade bodies, including the SKAL club, during the three days of the event. TTF Hyderabad Exhibitors’ awards were presented on the concluding day. First half of the show was reserved for the travel trade, after which it was open to the public. Entry to the show was free and

all visiting families got a surprise souvenir. From there, TTF will move to West India covering Ahmedabad (September 2-4), Surat (September 9-11), Mumbai (September 16-18) and Pune (September 2325), together comprising the biggest tourism market in India. TTF is supported by Incredible India, Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI), Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI), Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), IATA Agents Association of India (IAAI) and SKAL.

Dignitaries, senior tourism officials along with the dance troop at Travel & Tourism Fair.

August 2016 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

Fairfest Media Limited, organiser of TTF and OTM, is a member of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), Indian Exhibition Industry Association (IEIA) and International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE). 13

TOAT

“T

TOAT demands healthy competition in tourism sector

he fittest will survive” is the general rule of market. But is it correct to consider it as a market rule, where unethical practices prevail, to ouster the experienced travel agents ? That was the question raised by the newly formed, Tour Operators Association of Telangana (TOAT). With the aim to reform the travel and tourism sector from unethical practices of online travel sites and to address the issues of experienced travel operators, the tour operators of Telangana state have came together to form TOAT. The members of TOAT claim that it is a social service oriented association. Members of TOAT.

The President of TOAT, Siraj Ansari, said ,“The online travel sites are creating a big challenge for experienced travel agents, who had been in this sector for years. They are offering small prices for the tour packages including travel and accommodation, as they are having long term contract with the service providers.” He also added that the trend of online travel sites providing star rated hotels at cheap rates will bring down the standards of hospitality sector. “We are not against any business happening in the sector. We are only demanding that not to pull down others for your profit,” he added.

Siraj Ansari, President of TOAT.

The ideology of TOAT is to retain business standards in tourism

sector. One of the main drawbacks of online travel sites is the lack of accountability. TOAT addresses this challenge by providing personto-person service as the customer is in direct contact with the tour operator. So, in case of any cancellation from the service providers’ side, the tour operator is answerable to the customer, and hence it ensures better accountability. The members of the association admitted that they are getting positive response from travel agents inside the state, as the challenge caused by online travel sites are experienced by all in the industry. They also added that the association of Kerala tour operators is giving good support to them.

ASIAN TRAVELLER | August 2016

Tourism Football Tournament

TPC Monsoon wins All Kerala Tourism Football Tournament, 2016

he 2nd All Kerala Tourism Football Tournament organized by the Kerala Houseboat Owners Federation (KHOF) and Blue Jelly Cruises & Resorts was inaugurated by KHOFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s President, V C Zackaria. Dr. T M Thomas Issac, Minister of Finance, Kerala, was the Chief Guest for the event. Dr. G Biju Krishnan, Editor and Publisher of Asian Traveller Magazine, General Convener Tomy Joseph Edayadi, R R Joshi Raj, Johny

Abraham, Jacob Thomas, and Aju Jacob Mathew spoke on the occasion. In the event where 14 teams representing various prominent institutions in the Tourism and Hospitality industry competed, Tourism Professionals Club (TPC) Monsoon emerged winner after defeating KHOF in the final. During the semi-finals, TPC Monsoon beat Kondai Lip, and KHOF defeated Brunton Boatyard Kochi, thereby entering final. KHOF entered

semi-finals after defeating Coconut Lagoon, Kumarakom 3-0, and Brunton Boatyard, after defeating Carnoustie Alappuzha 2-0. In the other matches, Marari Alappuzha beat Malabar House Kochi and Kondai Lip defeated Punnamada Resort Alappuzha. In the tie-breaker, Casino Alleppy beat Crown Plaza Kochi. Other teams like Lake Palace Alappuzha, KLR Kumarakom, Lakes and Lagoons got defeated in pre-quarters itself.

ASIAN TRAVELLER | August 2016

August 2016 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

FUNBRELLA

Executive Events conducts

Funbrella 2016

xecutive Events, Kochi, conducted its annual painting competition ‘Funbrella,’ as a part of its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, on July 24 at Le Meridien, Kochi. The event gave a unique opportunity for high school children to bring out the artists in them by painting on umbrellas, based on the theme ‘Monsoon of Kerala’. More than 100 children from across the state participated in the event. The first prize, worth Rs. 25,000 was won by Ms. Devika Suresh of Mar Thoma Public School, Kochi. The second prize, worth Rs.10,000 was bagged by Ms. Akshara Ramesh of St. Mary’s Anglo Indian High School, Kochi.

Apart from this, there were 5 consolation prizes worth Rs.2000 given to the best of the rest.

Being a CSR initiative, the best 15 umbrellas chosen by the judges will be auctioned and this profit will be used for the art training of underprivileged children in the state. Executive Events is a company with extensive experience in managing and organising corporate and product based events, medical, scientific and industrial conferences, seminars, weddings, private parties, theme parties, etc. It is the first and only ISO 9001-2008 certified event Management Company in Kerala, India. The company has a decade’s worth of experience in organizing and executing successful events.

ASIAN TRAVELLER | August 2016

August 2016 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

Nepal tourism

Restoration of

Nepal tourism

ourism has always been the heart of Nepal’s economy. But after the 2015 earthquake, the tourism income of the country was reduced to one-third of its normal income. Many tourist spots were destroyed in the earthquake, and then there was negative media publicity that the country is unsafe for tourists. Now, the Nepal Tourism Board has come out to promote tourism by changing the notions about safety. Earlier, many celebrities like David Beckham and Jackie Chan visited Nepal to promote the tourism sector of the country.

Pashupatinath Temple.

As part of this, at the recently concluded Travel and Tourism Fair (TTF), held at Hyderabad, the Nepal Tourism Board encouraged Indian tourists to visit Nepal. Nabin Pokharel, a senior official of Nepal Tourism Board, during his visit to India for promotional activities, said, “It is a fact that many tourist spots of our country were destroyed during the earthquake. But now, considering their importance we are rebuilding it and many of them are already open for tourists.” The Nepal Tourism Board is very optimistic about the future of tourism in the country

as they hope in 2016, the tourism sector will see pick-up in business. Why Indian tourists are important for Nepal? The lifeblood of Nepal tourism is mainly religious tourism as the country has many monuments and places of religious importance. According to official sources, about 70% of pilgrim tourists to Nepal are from India. The main tourist destinations of pilgrims are Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath, Lumbini, Muktinath and Manakamana. Many of these places were destroyed in the

earthquake and now is in a revamping stage. Casinos in Nepal It might be a quite surprise for some that casinos and gambling are allowed in a highly reserved country like Nepal. But it is true that casinos are allowed inside the country, but the entry is restricted only for tourists. Nepali citizens are not allowed to enter these casinos, as for them it is illegal. According to the perspective of Nepal Tourism Board, the Indian tourists make a complete cycle of tourism, as they travel to religious places and also spend in casinos.

ASIAN TRAVELLER | August 2016

Sri Lankan Tourism

Sri Lankan Tourism now beacons newly weds

growing sector and backbone of the country’s economy, Sri Lankan tourism sector is growing at a steady pace. The 25 year long Sri Lankan civil war ended in 2009, and since then, a resurgence of Sri Lanka as a tourist destination has been evident. Foreseeing the upcoming tourist season, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) is marketing the country as a honeymoon destination. To attract tourists, the SLTPB offers

a wide variety of exotic wedding destinations. The country offers a variety of wedding venues within the island, some of which are: ballrooms, catamaran cruises, underwater and garden weddings, private beaches, etc. What is unique in choosing Sri Lanka as a wedding destination is that there are a number of wedding themes to select from. The choices and traditions are varied from a civil ceremony to a Christian one, a Buddhist ceremony to a Hindu or Muslim

ceremony. Some of the exotic honeymoon locations inside the country are Trincomalee, Mirissa, Bentota and Tangalle. Viranga Bandara, Assistant Director of SLTPB, said, “Now our country is peaceful and being rated as one of the top destinations to be visited by many leading surveys; this has helped our tourism sector.”

Ramayana tourism Along with honeymoon destinations, Sri Lanka is known

for spiritual tourism also, mainly because of Hinduism. This tour will take you to the ancient roots of great Indian epic, the Ramayana, and explores the concept of dharma. The tour includes destinations that were mentioned in the Ramayana.

Visa Formalities Sri Lanka provides a maximum of 30 days visa for any tourist visiting their country. For Indians, the country allows to take tourist visa at the time of arrival at Sri Lanka.

the Leela Palace

The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts voted a top hotel brand in Travel + Leisure 2016 World’s Best Awards The Leela Palace New Delhi ranked No. 3 among Best City Hotels in Asia

he Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, India’s premium luxury hospitality group, is ranked the world’s fifth best hotel brand and its flagship hotel — The Leela Palace New Delhi has been voted as one of the top three city hotels in Asia by readers in Travel + Leisure’s USA 2016 World’s Best Awards Survey, one of the most prestigious honours in the travel and hospitality industry. Rated above exclusive luxury hospitality chains worldwide, The Leela, a network of nine majestic properties across India, has been voted fifth in the ‘Top 15 Hotel Brands in the World’ category and the Leela Palace New Delhi ranked third in the

The Leela Palace Udaipur.

‘Top 10 City Hotels in Asia’ category, demonstrating the group’s consistent excellence on a global scale. The awards are a result of a worldwide Readers Poll conducted by Travel + Leisure USA, in which travellers hand-pick and rate the world’s most exceptional hotels on key parameters - quality, location, service, restaurants, and value.

Lobby Lounge at the Leela Palace New Delhi.

August 2016 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

Rajiv Kaul, President, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, said, “We

are delighted to make our debut amongst the ‘Top five Hotel Brands of the World’ and thank the discerning readers of Travel + Leisure USA for their appreciation. This recognition shall further spur our young talented team to continue to offer the finest hospitality experience and find new ways to delight our guests.” In a short span of three decades, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, founded by Late Chairman Captain CP Krishnan Nair, has grown from one hotel to a network of nine worldclass luxury hotels spread across key destinations in India, with plans to expand in the country and overseas through management contracts. In addition to the magnificent Leela Palace New Delhi, which is

celebrating its fifth anniversary, and the Leela Palace Chennai, the city’s only sea-facing modern Palace Hotel, which opened its doors three years ago with rave reviews. New upcoming projects include a luxury resort in Jaipur; a business hotel at Bhartiya City, Bengaluru, strategically located near the international airport; and a Palace hotel in Agra, where every room will face the Taj Mahal. The World’s Best Hotel Awards will be published in the August edition of Travel + Leisure. The awards are a part of the annual survey where readers of Travel + Leisure cast their votes for the hotels, airlines, car rental companies, destinations, airports, cruise lines, and tour operators that represent the ultimate in worldwide travel. 23

Oman Air

Oman Air CEO pays tribute to Indian travel sector T he Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air, Paul Gregorowitsch, has praised travel agents, tour operators, and the aviation sector in India. His comments were made in Mumbai as he met with Oman Air’s top 20 travel agents in India, key commercial partners, and senior media representatives for a series of engagements.

Mr. Gregorowitsch said, “The size of India, the scale of its population and its increasing prosperity make the country an essential market for any international business. For Oman Air, these factors combine with a dynamic travel industry and forward-thinking aviation sector to make India one of our most important territories.” “In fact, one of Oman Air’s first international services, which was launched in November 1993, was to Trivandrum. Since then, we have launched a further 10 destinations in India, six of which are served by double daily services. The remaining five 24

destinations, each enjoy 10 or 11 frequencies per week. In total, Oman Air operates 126 flights per week between the Omani capital of Muscat and destinations in India, offering the very best in 21st Century air travel for business and leisure customers alike. Such success could not have been achieved without the dedication and commitment of India’s travel trade and I would like to pay tribute to its vital contribution,” he added. Mr. Gregorowitsch’s positive comments about India’s travel and aviation sectors were matched by his praise for the country’s air travellers. He said, “Oman and India enjoy a close and historic relationship and Indian air travellers have played an important part in Oman Air’s success.” “As the economy of India – the seventh largest in the world - continues to thrive, more and more Indian travellers are exploring the world beyond their borders. Furthermore, India’s global diaspora is huge, and in Oman they constitute

the largest expatriate community.”

“I am delighted to say that many of them choose to fly with Oman Air to enjoy our warm hospitality and award-winning service. Oman Air recognizes with gratitude the patronage given by Indians to our airline. As Oman Air continues its current ambitious fleet and network expansion programme, we look forward to welcome many more Indian air travellers aboard our aircraft.”

As well as operating more flights between Muscat and India than ever before, Oman Air’s holiday division offers Indian visitors a wide choice of opportunities to discover the country’s extraordinary beauty, rich culture and warm, authentic hospitality. Oman Air Holidays’ new booking portal at omanairholidays. com enables customers to book flights, choose from a range of accommodation, arrange activities, hire cars, and build the holiday of a lifetime. And a range of

special offers ensures some of the very best prices on the market. Within the last year, the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of India have agreed to increase the number of flights between the two countries. Oman Air’s latest destination in India is Goa, launched in 2015, and the possibility of further destinations is under constant consideration. The launch of services to Goa was undertaken as part of Oman Air’s ongoing expansion programme. This will see the airline operate 70 aircrafts by 2020, which will fly to an anticipated 75 destinations across the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe. The enhanced range of destinations, increased frequencies and improved connectivity offered to customers as a result will deliver greater value, choice and convenience for customers. In addition, the airline will be able to make an even greater contribution to the economic and social wellbeing of the Sultanate of Oman.

ASIAN TRAVELLER | August 2016

HOSPITALITY

RKV Houseboats and Tours

erala, which is fondly referred to as ‘God’s own country,’ is one of the popular tourist destinations in India as well as Asia. Included in the National Geographic Traveller’s list of ‘50 Places of a Lifetime,’ its equitable climate, long shoreline with over 50 serene beaches, extensive tea plantations and spice fields, large network of canals, attracts visitors far and near. And, one specific attribute which is unique only to this place is the network of water channels popularly known as ‘Kerala Backwaters’. The Backwaters The backwaters is a unique ecosystem where freshwater from the rivers meets the seawater from the Arabian Sea. Among the major backwaters, the most beautiful and accessible one is the Ashtamudi Lake. Next comes the Vembanad backwaters, and Kannur-Valiyaparambu backwaters. And the minor ones include: Thiruvallam Lagoons and AkkulamVeli Backwaters located in Thiruvananthapuram district; Alumkadavu Backwaters located in Kollam district at Karunagappally; Kumbalangi Backwaters, which is part of Vembanadu Lake, located near Kochi; and Canoli canal and Kallai backwaters, located in Kozhikode district. Among these places, the best one is Alappuzha, due to its weather and scenic beauty. Its proximity to the ocean makes it more temperate and the temperature rarely goes above 35 degrees celsius and never below 20 degrees. The best time to visit Alappuzha is from September to March. The monsoon rains here is

always heavy, and monsoon tourism is also popular from June to August. The best way to experience Kerala, and Alappuzha in particular through house boats, is through RKV Tours. RKV Tours takes pride in introducing you the ‘utopian’ world of sensations and surprises by blending tradition with hospitality and heritage.

They say the best way to explore and appreciate the beauty of backwaters is by travelling in houseboats. RKV House Boats Houseboats, also known as ‘Kettuvallam,’ which means a boat made by tying together pieces of wood. It is about 118 feet in length and has a width of around 18 feet in the middle. It is crafted purely out of wood, these boat are made without using a single nail. The materials that go into

the making are all local and eco-friendly bamboo poles, coconut fiber ropes, bamboo mats, coir carpets etc. The main wood used is ‘Anjili.’ Once the primary means of transporting cargo — mainly rice, coconut, and even mail and morning newspapers; these vessels have now been converted into luxury houseboat equipped with

all modern amenities. They are designed in the form of a house and have all the facilities of a home: rooms, toilets, kitchens, sit outs and sun bathing deck, and dedicated and devoted crew members to cater to your needs. Among other house boats, what makes RKV’s boats special is; it is embellished with the most modern day comforts and meticulous care is taken to keep our guests ASIAN TRAVELLER | August 2016

happy and safe. Its enterprising crew also makes sure that you are placed at the zenith of comfort zone. The houseboats have fully furnished single and 7 rooms with sundeck, private balcony with comfortable chairs, kitchen and toilet with WC. In addition, there is also separate rest room for the crew. Traditional lanterns are used as lights. The crew includes a chef and two oarsmen. The cuisine is traditional Kerala flavour with the local specialities, delicious fish and prawns. There are single bedroom houseboats for two people and two bedroom houseboats for four people. RKV’s houseboats come under two variants A/C Premium and A/C Deluxe.

Premium Houseboat having spacious leaving area, bedroom, attached bathroom and kitchen. Anytime A/C is the specialty of these premium houseboats. On-board the guests will get complimentary beer, candlelight dinner, flower A/C Premium:

August 2016 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

decoration, fruit basket, etc. A/C Deluxe: The deluxe houseboat have a living area, A/C bedroom with attached bathroom and kitchen. The A/C is available only during the night. Tour Packages RKV Tours also offer excellent tour packages ranging from 3 to 8 days to see the best of what South India has to offer. The itinerary includes: Munnar – Kumarakom – Alappuzha; Munnar – Thekkady – Alappuzha; Coimbatore – Ooty – Lodaikanal; among other combinations. www.rkvhouseboats.com 27

TAMILNADU TRAVELLER

Places to see in

Pollachi and Valparai

Pollachi.

This time around, Dr. S Bakthavatchalam takes you to two of the most attractive scenic tourist spots in Tamil Nadu. Coimbatore, and is just 40 kms from Coimbatore.

Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park Dr. S. Bakthavatchalam Additional Director, Tamil Nadu Tourism

Pollachi

Located in Coimbatore district of the state of Tamil Nadu, Pollachi is an exquisite tourist destination which is popularly known as ‘Porul Achi’. The pleasant climatic conditions of the place captivate tourists to spend their vacations in the city. It is ranked as the second largest town of the state after the corporation of

Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park is one of the most attractive preserves of nature. It is also known as ‘Annamalai Wildlife Sanctuary’ or ‘Top Slip’. It has an integrated tiger reserve. The sanctuary is situated at a distance of only 90 kms from Coimbatore in the Western Ghats, at an altitude of 1400 meters above sea level. It is a popular natural habitat of wild animals like deer, civets, gaur, sloth bears, tigers, panthers, elephants, wild dogs, flying squirrels, porcupines, jackals and pangolins.

There are many places of natural and scenic beauty in the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park. Some of them are Grass hills, Karianshola, Anaikunthi Shola, groves,

waterfalls, teak forests, reservoirs and dams. The best time to visit the place is from December to April when the weather is pleasant and there is a good chance of sighting wild animals in

Pollachi Ayyappan Temple.

ASIAN TRAVELLER | August 2016

bring out the joy and peace within you.

Sholayar Dam

A vital reservoir under the Parambikulam Aliyar Project, Sholayar Dam is situated about 20 kms from the hilly town of Valparai. The dam is actually split into two reservoirs — Upper Sholayar Dam, and the Lower Sholayar Dam. The

built in the 1960’s. The dam is constructed across the Nirar River and the purpose of the dam is to carry out the diverted water from Anaimalaiyar Basin to the Sholayar Valley. The dam has evident tourism opportunities as it is covered by a forest, which gives the place a mystical and lush charm. It

Aliyar Dam.

their natural habitat.

Pollachi Ayyappan Temple Pollachi Ayyappan Temple, located in Venkatesa Colony, Pollachi (also known as Tatvamasi Temple) has an eternal relationship by heart with many people in the place since their childhood. The temple, which was built in 1970 shares

during 1959-1969 across the Aliyar river, mainly for irrigation purposes. Later, the dam was upgraded for production of electricity, and in September 2002 it was commissioned. The dam is a popular tourist destination, and near the dam there are some tourist attractions including a park, garden, aquarium, Sholayar Dam.

tourists have access only to the Upper Sholayar Dam, and the banks of the same are surrounded by tea gardens, while the lower Sholayar Dam is surrounded by deep forest.

Valparai.

several similarities with the Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple. It is one of the most famous temples of Pollachi. The temple houses the idol of many deities; however the main deity of the temple is Ayyapan. Several devotees visit the temple everyday to attend the regular rituals, homams, and pujas.

Aliyar Dam

Aliyar dam is located in the Anamalai hills of the Western Ghats and it is about 65 kms from Coimbatore on the Valparai main road. The dam was constructed

August 2016 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

play area and a mini themepark, which is maintained by the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Corporation. The scenery is magnificent, with mountains surrounding three quarters of the reservoir. Boating is also available at the dam.

One can drive around the entire length and breadth of the dam, and it provides stunning views of this massive water body. In terms of tourist infrastructure, there is not much provided around the dam, but the people can enjoy a good picnic near its banks.

Nirar Dam

The history of Nirar Dam specifies that the dam has never gone dry, after it was

is also the highest dam in Valparai region. Apart from natural attractions, the area nearby Nirar Dam has also spots that are of religious importance. The Balaji Temple of Karamalai is in the vicinity of dam.

Chinnakallar Waterfalls

Chinnakallar is the second highest rainfall area in India and it is considered as one of the wettest places in India with close similarity to Mawsynram, Cherrapunji, and Agumbe. The waterfalls can be reached by an adventurous trek upon a hanging bridge. The bridge was designed by the British and the waterfall provides a gushy and moist feeling to the tourists’ eye.’

Valparai

The pollution free haven, Valparai is located above 3,500 feet from the sea level on the Anamalai mountain range. Valparai doesn’t mean only a single town; it stands majestically with green spread mountains and forest all around. It is a place to be visited at least once in your life span, to

Chinnakallar Waterfalls.

NEWSLINE

Barbeque Nation ranked as leading ‘Great Place to Work’ in F&B sector

Outrigger Resorts wins “Best Hotel/ Resort Group”

Barbeque Nation has been recognised as one of the best employers in India and has won a leading ranking in “Great Place to Work, 2016” survey and awards. Since 2006, Barbeque Nation, one of the leading casual dining chains in India has garnered fans and continually retained its loyal customers. Within a decade, the brand has been recognized as one of the best employers in the Food and Beverages sector. This year, the ranking has been awarded on the parameters of confidential employee feedback from 800 organisations across industries, by Great Place to Work Institute, India. The surveyed organisations were studied under two dimensions. First, being a unique employee-centric framework that measures the levels of trust, pride and camaraderie established at work. Second, through a questionnaire seeking

to understand the people, practices, philosophy, and values of an organisation. All the participating companies are evaluated primarily on the basis of their employee’ responses to the survey which is given 2/3rd weight. The remaining 1/3rd of the score is derived from culture audit, a questionnaire seeking to understand the people, practices, philosophy, and values of an organisation. Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Sameer Bhasin, CEO, Barbeque Nation Hospitality Ltd., said, “We are elated to be one of the leading employers in the F&B sector. Restaurants are infamous for their stressful work environment and long work hours. However, at Barbeque Nation we believe in doing things differently. The goal is simple — giving our customers a great experience without compromising our employee work satisfaction. At any restaurant, a happy team will provide better customer service and a better, more personalised dining experience. As a team, we take pride in this award and will continue our efforts towards enriching the work culture at Barbeque Nation.” 30

Outrigger sales team at the awards (left to right): Maria Alaveras, Andrew Gee and Juliet Hudson.

Outrigger Resorts has been hailed as the “Best Hotel/ Resort Group” in the Australian Federation of Travel Agents’ National Tourism Industry Awards for Excellence, which took place at Sydney recently. Outrigger saw off competition from other finalists such as Accor Hotels, Club Med, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, and leading hotels of the world. More than 500 travel industry representatives turned out for what is the Australian hospitality industry’s night of nights at Darling Harbour in Sydney to recognise and celebrate excellence across a range of categories. The Hawaiian-based Outrigger Enterprises Group is a privately held, leisure lodging, retail and hospitality company operating in the Asia Pacific, Oceania, and Indian Ocean regions. Guided by more than 68 years of family leadership, Outrigger runs a multi-branded portfolio of hotels, beachfront resorts, condominiums and vacation resort properties located in Hawaii (Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Hawaii Island); Guam, Fiji (Coral Coast Viti Levu, Castaway Island); Thailand (Phuket, Koh Samui); Mauritius and the Maldives. The portfolio currently has 38 properties with approximately 8,000 rooms. Representatives from Outrigger’s Sydney Regional Sales Office, Andrew Gee - Regional Director of Sales and Marketing of

Australia and New Zealand, Maria Alaveras - Sales Manager of Retail Travel, Wholesale and Industry Partners and Juliet Hudson - Sales Manager of Destination Weddings, Groups and M.I.C.E were on hand to accept the award. “I can’t begin to say how proud I am of our Australia-based team, particularly Maria Alaveras who has established an excellent relationship with the travel industry community,” said Mr Gee. “This really is an outstanding acknowledgement of our hardwork and commitment in this market. We sincerely thank the industry for getting behind us to make this award possible. We are a very close team with an enormous passion for our wonderful values-led brand,” he added. Mark Simmons, Vice President, Sales and Marketing of Asia Pacific for Outrigger said that the award was of major importance. “The Australian outbound market to Outrigger is significant and we are fortunate to have a very strong team to generate this business,” he said. Outrigger Resorts has opened five properties in the last three years; in Mauritius, Maldives, Phuket, Koh Samui, and Fiji. The company continues to carefully assess further expansion opportunities in warm water beachfront resort destinations around the world. ASIAN TRAVELLER | August 2016

NEWSLINE

Milind Soman spotted at the Pattaya Marathon

Actor and eternal heartthrob Milind Soman ran at the Pattaya Marathon with four winners of Pinkathon (Soman’s breast-cancer awareness initiative; a women’s marathon held across 8 Indian cities). He and the winning runners from the Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bengaluru marathons, not only participated in the worldfamous Pattaya Marathon, held on the popular Pattaya beach road, but are also podium finishers. Nilam Rajput from Mumbai stood first and Supriya Mali from Hyderabad bagged the third place at the Pattaya Marathon in the age group of 25 – 34. V Priyanka from Chennai secured the sixth position in the age group of 19 – 24. The Tourism Authority of Thailand partnered with Pinkathon, in order to create awareness about Thailand as the perfect getaway for women travellers. The event features overall marathon (42.195 km), overall half marathon (21.1 km), overall quarter marathon (10.55 km.),

and is applicable for both male and female marathon runners. There is also wheelchair quarter marathon (10.55 km), which is open free of charge for the people with disabilities. The top-five winners of each category will get a cup and prize as a reward. The Pattaya Marathon was launched as a TAT initiative over two decades ago. Now in its 25th edition, the worldfamous marathon is run by Pattaya’s local authorities, and attracts runners from all over the world. Registration for the event usually opens early June and those who wish to participate next year should start seeking registration by June first week. The Pinkathon is more than a Marathon. It is the seed of change. It is the beginning of a movement carried forward by a growing community of empowered women across India, who share a belief that a healthy family, a healthy nation and a healthy world begins with empowered women. This year marked its fourth edition.

OYO launches business app for hotel booking • •

• 32

First app-based hotel booking solution for corporates in India. 6-month pilot with over 1600 corporates resulted in upto 30% savings on travel expenses. Mumbai no.1 city on OYO for

Business app. OYO, India’s largest branded network of hotels, has announced the availability of its self-serve platform for business travellers on its mobile app. called ‘OYO for Business,’ the platform offers rooms to cater

to the needs of corporate travellers. Amenities include air-conditioned rooms equipped with flat-screen television, free Wi-Fi, complimentary breakfast and 24x7 customercare support. The rooms are present in over 6000 hotels spread across 180 cities in India. This development follows a six-month period of testing with 1600 companies, including large corporates, SMEs and start-ups. Using this platform, companies witnessed average savings of 30% on their travel-related expenses. Speaking on its launch, Ritesh Agarwal, Founder and CEO - OYO, said, “OYO has ushered in an era of reliable customer experience in the highly fragmented and unpredictable category of unbranded hotels in India. We are thrilled to extend our brand promise to business travellers across India’s premier corporate, SMEs and start-ups. We are confident that business travel in India will become more rewarding and hassle-free once booked through OYO for Business.” The platform offers ease of creating bulk bookings via the web and mobile app along with the added convenience of travel-expense management. Companies that enrolled in the pilot phase include corporates such as Citibank, Sony, E-value serve, Ranbaxy,

Capgemini and Larsen and Toubro, and startups including Zomato and Snapdeal. Since launch, more than 4500 corporates have come onboard with OYO for Business with recurring demand from 1500 of them. Top clients include ITC Limited, Bharti Airtel, HCL Technologies, Tech Mahindra, Ernst and Young, Bennett Coleman and Company, AMW Motors, Hitachi and start-ups such as Delhivery, Grofers, and IndiaMart. Founded in 2013 in Gurgaon, OYO currently operates in more than 180 Indian cities. These include major metros, regional hubs, top leisure destinations, as well as pilgrimage towns. It has now grown to become India’s largest branded network of hotels and partners with IRCTC, Airtel, Samsung, Lenovo, Biotique, Cleartrip, Itzcash, FreeCharge, Mobikwik, Peppertap and Grofers to deliver a seamless and standardized experience to guests. ASIAN TRAVELLER | August 2016

NEWSLINE

Global Panorama Showcase expects 300 buyers at each of its 4-city roadshow For the upcoming twocity roadshow, Global Panorama Showcase (GPS) is looking at welcoming more than 300 buyers over the three-day event at each edition. The Ahmedabad and Chandigarh edition got over on July 16 and July 22, and Kolkata is scheduled for July 27-29 and Coimbatore, August 3-5. “We will have more than 50 exhibitors showcasing around 70-80 products at each edition of GPS. The event will begin with six presentations on the first day. The presentations will be conducted by Starwood, Genting Hong Kong, among others, along with a session on service tax by Manish Gadia from GMJ & Co. The registration process will begin at 10.30 am and presentations will start at

11am. Each presentation will be of 45-minute duration,” said Harmandeep Singh Anand, Co-Founder, GPS. The second and the third day of the trade marketplace will be dedicated to B2B interactions. “The B2B days will be thrown open at 10.30am and conclude at 6pm and 5pm, respectively, on the second and third day. On the second evening of GPS, we will host a networking dinner, which will see members of associations like TAAI (Travel Agents Association of India), Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), Enterprising Travel Agents Association, OTOAI (Outbound Tour Operators Association of India), Travel Agents of Gujarat, Travel Agents of Coimbatore, Travel Agents

of Punjab, etc., along with other industry delegates interacting with buyers and exhibitors. We are awaiting confirmations from some other associations as well,” Anand said. Additionally, GPS will conduct Hosted Buyer programmes of one and two-nights in each city, for agents from the surrounding Tier-II and III areas. As for the exhibitors, like the Nagpur edition earlier this year, GPS will

create a backdrop display. Last month, in order to provide a common networking ground, GPS launched a mobile application (app). “The mobile app is available on Android, iOS, Windows and Blackberry platforms. It offers an opportunity for interaction between buyers and exhibitors. It has proved to be very effective and everyday, we are adding new features to make it more comprehensive.

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE CONTEST - 102 1. In the 1963 film ‘The Great Escape’, what names were given to the three tunnels? 2. Which liqueur, bearing the letters D.O.M. on the bottle label was developed at Fecamp, France, in the 16th century? 3. What is the third major Balearic Island with Majorca and Minorca? Anand Ramachandran appointed as General Manager of Apollo Dimora Hotel, Trivandrum.

Muhammed Siraj M T

appointed as Operations Manager of Apollo Dimora Hotel, Trivandrum.

Gopi Mohan

appointed as Director of Sales at Apollo Dimora Hotel, Trivandrum.

4. Who won six consecutive Wimbledon singles titles in the 1980s? 5. In which country did the Mau Mau uprising (1952-60) occur? 6. What does a numismatist study or collect? 7. Who was Radio 1’s first female DJ? 8. Who captained Jules Verne’s submarine Nautilus? 9. The llama belongs to the family of animals commonly called what?

Ravi Khubchandani

appointed as the General Manager, Novotel Hyderabad Airport, Hyderabad.

Chef Pankaj Jha

appointed as the Senior Executive Sous Chef, The Suryaa, New Delhi.

Viktoria Riley

appointed as the Director of Sales and Marketing, One & Only Ocean Club, Dubai

10. Which guitarist is known as Slowhand?

Send in your answers to editor@mediastepsindia.com with TYKC 102 in the subject line. Answers should reach us before the 30th of this month.

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ASIAN TRAVELLER | August 2016