Asian Traveller October 2017 by Mediasteps

Vol. 11

No. 01

Pages 36

` 100

US $10 (Overseas)

October 2017

www.asiantraveller.in

Highlights Vol. 11 I No.01 I October 2017

6 Cover Story: City of Pearls

Hyderabad, captial of Telangana is a place where heritage blends with modernity

ICON-2017, the national convention of the IATA Agents Association of India (IAAI) concludes

TTM Tamil Nadu Tourism organises its first ever Tamil Nadu Travel Mart

16 13 In love with hospitality industry D Charles Fabian, General Manager, The Residency Towers, Chennai

The less explored Kolli Hills

Dr S Bakthavatchalam, Additional Director, Tamil Nadu Tourism talks about Kolli Hills which matches along with Ooty and Kovai in climate

FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK

CHEERFUL OUTLOOK FOR TOURISM

Editor & Publisher : Dr. G Biju Krishnan* Chief Mentor : Rajashekharan Nair

Group Vice President : Santhosh Kumaar K Editorial Team : R Parameshwaran

Smitha . R

Design : Kailasnath

Regional Head (Hyderabad) : Uma Ram

Director-Finance : K Harikrishnan

AGM-Operations : Krishna Nair

ourism is also about travel. And facilitation of travel is interlinked with development of tourism. That is why the UNWTO has given importance to facilitation of tourist travel as a key tool “to foster increased demand and generate economic development, job creation and international understanding.” In a recent document released, the UNWTO has underlined the fact that facilitation of travel, especially tourism related travel, “is of particular relevance in a moment where most economies look to stimulate their exports and economic growth.” The document observes that there is still scope for progress, despite great strides made in recent times in facilitating tourist travel in many regions of the world. The document advocates considering the possibilities to maximise the use of information and communication technologies in improving visa procedures. “It is important to further evaluate the current situation of visa regimes and procedures and the possibility to build solutions to advance travel facilitation,” said the document recalling the resolutions of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) on the facilitation of travel as well as the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism. A study conducted by the risk and crisis management programme of UNWTO, in cooperation with the policy and research department of WTTC and prepared by tourism economics, resulted in the declaration issued by the Tourism Ministers of the G20 (T20) calling for priority to be given to facilitating travel as a means to boost economic growth and create jobs (16 May 2012), and led to the recognition by the G20 world leaders of the importance of Travel and Tourism as a driver of jobs growth and economic recovery in the G20 Leaders Declaration. Despite these initiatives, there is much to be done in making tourism travel seamless. Since tourism is a tool for economic development, the governments should take necessary steps to ensure hassle-free travel for visitors – inbound and outbound.

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Cover Story Telangana Tourism

City of Pearls Telangana is perhaps India’s youngest state. But when it comes to tourism, Telangana is much loved by domestic as well as foreign tourists. India’s 29th state, Telangana carved out of Andhra Pradesh is a treasure trove of tourist destinations

rom olden times itself Telangana then part of Andhra Pradesh is known for its unique culture, dialect, cuisines and other aspects. Constituting a major part of Deccan plateau, Telangana has a pleasing climate, with abundant natural and water resources. The state is blessed with important rivers in South India like Krishna and Godavari Rivers and also serves as the gateway of them into South India. The rural diversity and exquisite richness of its rural side provides it the title ‘the seed capital of India’. The other districts of Telangana namely Adilabad, Nizamabad, Warangal, Khammam, Karimnagar, Nalgonda, Medak, Rangareddy and Mahabubnagar also have noteworthy rural charm. Even when rooted in its proud history and grand heritage, Telangana embraces modern technology for development and remains as one of the wealthy states. The etymology of word “Telangana” leads us to the word Trilinga Desa, believed to have achieved

from the presence of three ancient Shiva Temples at Kaleshwaram, Srisailam, and Draksharamam. A more historical reasoning is that during the reign of Nizams, the region was known as Telugu Angana to differentiate it from the areas where Marathi was spoken. The city of Nizam’sHyderabad which is also the capital of Telangana tops the list among visited places at Telangana. The hospitality and multicultural and pluralistic society of Hyderabad lives up to the reputation of Telangana. One of the

largest states in South India, Telangana and its capital Hyderabad is one of the largest cities in India boasting some of India’s best educational institutions, public sector and defence companies, global services sector and film industry. The city owes much to Mir Osman Ali Khan (seventh Nizam) who is referred to as the maker of modern Hyderabad. The city was expanded and civic monuments were widely constructed during his period. In 2012, the government of India declared Hyderabad the first “Best heritage city of India”, another feather on its crown. During the time of the Qutb Shahis and Nizams itself, Hyderabad had established

itself as a cultural hub, attracting artists, literary enthusiasts from different parts of the world. Later Hyderabad emerged as the foremost centre of culture in India and with the decline of the Mughal Empire in the mid-19th century several of them migrated to different parts of the country. Even so, Hyderabad still continues with these traditions in its annual Hyderabad Literary Festival, held since 2010, showcasing the city’s literary and cultural creativity. Hyderabad’s cultural identity is quite unique. It is home to a unique dialect of Urdu called Hyderabadi Urdu, which is a type of Dakhini, and is the mother tongue of most Hyderabadi Muslims, a unique community who owe much of their history, language, cuisine, and culture to Hyderabad, and the various dynasties who previously ruled. The influence of Mughlai culture ASIAN TRAVELLER | October 2017

is also evident in the region’s distinctive cuisine, which includes Hyderabadi biryani and Hyderabadi haleem. Spearheading development, Special economic zones dedicated to information technology have encouraged companies from India and around the world to set up operations in Hyderabad making it one of the first few cities to set up so. The emergence of pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries in the 1990s led to the Hyderabad naming as India’s “Genome Valley”. Hyderabad was historically known as a pearl and diamond trading centre, and it continues to be known as the “City of Pearls”. The city’s traditional bazaars including Laad Bazaar, Begum Bazaar and Sultan Bazaar still stand proud with its rich heritage.

Golconda Fort

Originally known as Mankal, Golconda Fort is located in the western part of Hyderabad city and is about 9 km from the Hussain Sagar Lake. Built on a hilltop in the year 1143, it was originally a mud fort under the reign of Rajah of Warangal. Bahmani Sultans and Qutub Shahi dynasty who later ruled fortified it. Golconda was the principal capital of the Qutub Shahi kings. The inner fort contains ruins of palaces,

October | ASIAN TRAVELLER

mosques and a hill top pavilion, which rises about 130 m high and gives a bird’s eye view of other buildings. Considered as one of the most magnificent fortress complexes in India, Golconda fort’s history of Golconda Fort goes back to early 13th century, when it was ruled by the Kakatiya’s followed by Qutub Shahi kings, who ruled the region in 16th and 17th century. The fortress rests on a granite hill 120 m high while

huge crenellated ramparts surround this structure. The etymology of Golconda leads us to Golla Konda which means Shepherd’s Hill. However, according to legend the place attained attention of the king after a shepherd boy had come across an idol on this rocky hill. The Kakatiya king constructed a mud fort around this holy spot and after the Qutub Shahi kings converted this into massive granite fort extending 5 km in circumference. The fort is considered a mute witness to historic events. The Qutub Shahis reign at Golconda ended in 1687 when it was run over by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who intentionally left it in ruins. The historical sights of Golconda still boasts of mounted cannons, four drawbridges, eight gateways, and majestic halls, magazines, stables etc. The outermost enclosure is called Fateh Darwaza meaning Victory gate, after Aurangzeb’s army marched successfully through this gate. At Fateh Darwaza one can witness fantastic acoustical effects, which is one among the many famous engineering marvels at Golconda. Clapping your hand at a certain point near the dome entrance reverberates which is heard clearly at the hill top pavilion, almost one kilometer away. This served as a warning note to the inhabitants of the fort of any impending danger, of course it now amuses visitors. The fort gains an impressive place among the architectural marvels

and heritage structures of India and is a testimony to Hyderabad’s glorious past.

Charminar

Charminar is a monument and a mosque, which is synonymous with the history of Hyderabad, India. Constructed in 1591 CE by Mohammed Quli Qutb Shahi, the fifth sultan of the Qutub Shahi dynasty to commemorate the end of a deadly plague menace that had gripped the city, it is today not only a landmark building of Hyderabad but also a famous monument of India. Located near the bank of the river Musi, it is an example for Indo-Islamic architecture combined with few Persian elements. The monument is located in the heart of old city and it is believed that Hyderabad was measured in four directions from Charminar for administrative purposes. Charminar is derived from two distinct words Char and Minar, which means four towers. A visit to Hyderabad is incomplete without visiting this grand and majestic centerpiece. It is also considered the Arc de Triomphe of the East. Each of the sides measure 20 m while the minarets are located at a height of 48.7 m from the ground level. Each side of Charminar opens into a plaza like structure where the giant arches overlook the major thoroughfares. It is a clear square structure that measures 31.95 m on each side while imposing arches span a distance of 11 m. The four minarets rise to a height of 56 m. The ornamental arches on the minarets

Cover Story Telangana Tourism

enhance the aesthetic value. There are 149 circular steps inside each minaret and one of them is open for tourists to climb and enjoy a breathtaking view of the city. It also houses the oldest mosque in Hyderabad with prayer spaces for the devout to worship.

the culture of old city of Hyderabad and the area is also a popular destination for lip smacking Muslim dishes, colourful bangles, pearls, jewelry and other items. The place is a symbol of Hyderabadi culture and stands tall and proud as a reminder of the glorious era.

Islamic architecture of those times is marked by arches, minarets, and domes. The structure is famous for its profuse stucco decorations and arrangement of impressive balustrades and balconies. The floral design is executed delicately and stands as a masterpiece to the combination of Mughal and Hindu architecture crafted by the local artisans. The four clocks in four cardinal directions were added in the year 1889. The base of Charminar has a water cistern located at center which consists of a small fountain for ablutions, before the faithful offer prayers in the mosque. Charminar has become synonymous with

Ramoji Film City

Set up by Ramoji Group in 1996, Ramoji Film City is the World’s Largest Film City as certified by Guinness World Records & India’s Thematic Holiday Destination with Magic of Cinema. Ramoji Film City is always considered as a bold step in introducing Film City Tourism to India. Spread across a sprawling 2000 acres it is also the world’s largest Filmstudio complex where a filmmaker can walk in with a script and walk out with film. Around 1.5 million tourists visit Ramoji Film city every year. It is a world of magical realm filled with excitement and wonderful surprises at every turn. There is Birds Park which is considered as Asia’s largest birds aviary, Fundustan where kids can have fun, excitement, thrill & joy. The Eco Zone at Ramoji Film City houses Butterfly park. The 7200 sq

ft butterfly enclosure is a dedicated laboratory featuring countless exotic species of butterflies in thousands of colours. The Bonsai GardenVaman is a delightful garden containing hundreds of species, a variety of Genera and cultivars cutting across the plant kingdom, all arranged in an exotic manner with VAMAN, the Bonsai Bonanza. The Colours Park is a string of beautiful terrace gardens spread over 15,000 sq ft area. The interesting display area with a delightful mix of seasonal and perennial plants replicates an urban environment which is a tribute to nature. Ramoji Film City Tour is something which all visitors look forward to as they can travel through the Live Studio where favourite celebrities and movies have been shot. The open vintage tour bus takes you to the trip of everlasting memories. The Princess Street inside Film City Tour will get you a glimpse of the stunning avenue lined up with tall buildings with resemblances of international cityscape. North Town is another attraction where typical North Indian cityscape and buildings — complete in every detail are recreated. Mughal Garden is a replica of royal period staying true to its Mughal architecture. Sanctuary Garden is a selfie point where you can find Elephants, Deer, Peacocks, Giraffes sculpted in grass. For the picturesque locales

of Ramoji Film City visit Angel’s Fountain at Ramoji Film City. Kripalu Caves gives the visitors the much needed feel of serenity amidst the nature’s beauty. The cave narrates the diversified religions & history of Kalinga Magadha & Bodhisattva. This is a must visit as you emerge from a magnificent jewel of art & religion. Ramoji Film City visitors are all overwhelmed with the Movie Magic experience. Visitors can experience the creation of magical illusions in the real sets for the splendid blockbuster movies. There are also Live Shows whereby professional stunt masters perform live stunts. The Live Street Shows on the other side will amaze you as a band of wonderful dancers will throng the visitors and break into flash dance with blaring music. The Wild West Stunt Show is however the most appreciated. Here stuntmen will pull off amazing aerial jumps and bullet thuds creating an illusion that you are watching a movie before your eyes. The Spirit of Ramoji show is the reflection of India’s diversified cultures & its tradition. Experience the world of various cultures which takes you to the tour of India’s rich cultural heritage. Beautifully choreographed by the professional artists & the performances would definitely make you feel proud of the richness of Indian cultural ethos. ASIAN TRAVELLER | october 2017

IAAI

ICON-2017 concludes I CON-2017, the national Convention of the IATA Agents Association of India (IAAI), held from September 14- 17 at Cherai Beach Resorts, Kochi concluded. Over 400 delegates from across the country attended the convention. The theme for the convention was “Travel Agents by 2030- Protocols Redefined”.

Earlier the event was inaugurated by the Union Minister of State for Tourism, K J Alphons. The occasion was graced by the presence of Public Accounts Committee (Parliament) Chairman K V Thomas MP, Sanjay Shrivats, Regional Director, India Tourism; Ex-Minister for Fisheries S Sarma MLA. Speaking on the occasion K J Alphons said that we must give serious thought to why the numbers of foreign tourists visit India each year is still less when compared to other countries. The biggest issue is lack of cleanliness observed him. There are no clean toilets in most places in the country along highways and roads in Kerala. He said that basic infrastructure needs to be developed to attract more tourists. We should give more focus to highlight India’s heritage, philosophy and its diverse culture which is worth experiencing. The ‘demolition man’ also called for the demolition

of hotels and resorts that were illegally built by encroaching upon forests and government land in places like Munnar. IAAI National President Biji Eapen gave the presidential address. K V Thomas, S Sarma, IAAI Kerala State President & ICON 2017 Chairman Manu T G Nair also spoke at the inauguration. The ICON 2017 also saw the launch of iTop (Indian travel agents own portal) exclusively for travel agents to bring all consolidators or portals under one screen. In other words, it is a new revenue model that would safeguard the interests of its members from all the present challenging market conditions. i-Top will provide users a guaranteed opportunity to earn substantial commission for the sale of NDC airline tickets and also significant remuneration for other services like cancellation, refund, rerouting, date change etc, for which airlines used to charge

penalties without giving a share to travel agents. The direct connectivity to airlines will also result in a substantial reduction in Agent Debit Memos since in an NDC environment the airline makes the offer directly to travel agents. i-Top truly represents the changes that are taking place in the Global Information Technology and it can be integrated with IATA functionalities, BSP billing and payment systems or interlining with the NDC and the XML models. i-Top will offer flexibility to member agents as it shall be integrated with overseas medical insurance companies, forex, rail and bus reservations, tour packages, cruise, car rental and all such facilities. i-Top will also facilitate consolidators, OTA’s or even any member agents to sell their own products through i-Top to the network users and the user agents will have the flexibility to display all such related services,

trustworthiness, pricing and remunerative benefits that will help them to promote products without any compromise. IAAI also constituted a committee to negotiate with airlines and other suppliers and the response is encouraging said the committee members. The agent-friendly i-Top offers flexibility for B2B, B2C and B2D and is openly accessible to IATA agents in the ‘Active Member’ category and with certain limitations, also to the “Trade Partner” category members (tour operators and non-IATA agents). IAAI has recently signed an exclusive contract with Verteil Technologies for access and distribution of NDC listed airline products through its direct connect platform, “VDC” (Verteil Direct Connect) which is integrated with i-Top. There will be a user fee of Rs.25,000 as one-time payment and a yearly maintenance fee of Rs.5,000.

ASIAN TRAVELLER | October 2017

Kerala Tourism

Ola partners with Kerala Tourism to promote responsible tourism

ndian online transportation company Ola and Kerala Tourism have come together to promote and raise awareness about responsible tourism. Other than Kerala Tourism, Ola is also working with other key Tourism Corporations of some of the biggest states of the country like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Assam. Ola had rolled out an exciting 14-day long campaign in which famous actress and vlogger Shenaz Treasury travelled to 7 states, re-discovering 21 different lesser-known locations, with Ola Outstation – Ola’s smart mobility solution for intercity travel. The campaign that was flagged off from Bengaluru, Karnataka on 16th September, in its fifth leg entered Kerala. In Kerala, Shenaz travelled to Fort Kochi, Kodungallur (Muziris), and Kumarakom, before heading back to Maharashtra. Kerala is blessed with diverse beauty like beaches, hills, and lush coffee plantations; making it most suited for road trips across the state. With the aim of promoting the theme of

this year’s World Tourism Day (27th September), Ola and Kerala Tourism have come together to encourage people to plan road trips and unravel many lesser-known locations in the state that are now easily accessible due to a smart solution like Ola Outstation. Jafar Malik, Additional Director, Department of Tourism said, “With its beaches, backwaters and tropical greenery, Kerala is one of the most prominent tourist destinations in India. With people coming to the state throughout the year, from all across the globe, it is important that they have convenient and comfortable way of commuting from one city to another. It is great to see that corporates like Ola are building commuting solutions that are helping the citizens as well as the tourists. We applaud Ola for this latest campaign and are confident that its success will boost the tourism landscape of the state further.” Vijay Ghadge, VP of Operations at Ola said, “Kerala sees a high influx of tourists almost throughout the year and being home to some of the most popular hill stations and coffee plantations of the

country, having commuting solutions for hassle free intercity commute is extremely necessary. With a solution like Ola Outstation, we are aiming to make outstation travel as convenient and reliable as daily commute; without having to worry about driving themselves or hassle of looking for conventional taxitour operators. Moreover, Ola Outstation is available with Ola Play, taking the in-cab experience many notches higher.” He further added, “We are thrilled to have been recognised by Kerala Tourism for our efforts and are delighted to be chosen to play a significant role in building the tourism ecosystem of the state through our solutions like Ola Outstation and Rentals.” Shenaz Treasury, actress and Travel Vlogger said, “I have travelled across several countries and continents, but India holds a special place in my heart, every single state has something unique to offer. Being a passionate traveller, I strongly feel that the preservation of our

natural and cultural heritage across the country is facing a grave threat. There is now a need more than ever for us to travel consciously, respectfully, and responsibly. From avoiding littering to encouraging local economy, there is a lot each one of us can do that will go a long way in keeping the country’s cultural legacy intact. I’m thrilled to partner with Ola, be the flag-bearer of this message, and embark on what I am certain, will be an exciting journey of exploring Kerala’s palm-lined beaches and backwaters by road with Ola Outstation. Shenaz further adds, “I encourage people to take the road less travelled, explore the abundant offbeat locations. Take road trips, soak in some breathtaking experiences, and enjoy the scenic landscapes that our country has to offer.”

PEPPER- An Ode to Sustainable Tourism

nvisaged at turning the face of tourism, Participation for Planning and Empowerment through Responsible Tourism (PEPPER) is an effort towards establishing 100 percent structured Responsible Tourism destinations. It envisages the sustainable development of a destination by bringing the local community also into its fold. PEPPER aims at

October | ASIAN TRAVELLER

identifying new zones or unexplored destinations which have a huge tourism potential and developing them in a hundred percent sustainable fashion with the active participation of the local community. The project aims to empower the members of the local community as decisionmakers in the tourism policy towards the development of a tourist destination. It is an attempt at

spearheading a movement that will safeguard the rights of the local community, preserve the ecological and cultural fabric of a destination and ensure its holistic development. PEPPER will reinvent the way the local community is involved in tourism. Gramasabhas (village communities) will be formed in each destination and it will have a major say in framing tourism policies.

A first of its kind initiative in India, PEPPER is the way forward for the sustainable development of tourism destinations. The pilot project will be launched at Vaikom in Kottayam. The State level launch of PEPPER will be held in November. Soon, PEPPER will be the basis for developing the destinations in the State. It will soon develop into a tourism model that can be emulated across the world. 11

Kerala Tourism

Responsible Tourism Mission launched in Kerala The Responsible Tourism Mission, the first of the kind in the world which ensures tourism growth through environment friendly initiatives Responsible Tourism in the entire country. Our policy is to make tourism more popular. The government wants to use tourism as a tool for village development and women empowerment. The ultimate aim is to make Responsible Tourism more beneficial to the localities. The mission that started off in Kumarakom as a pilot project in 2008 is progressing and setting up as a proud example for other states to follow,” concluded him.

erala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched its Responsible Tourism Mission and said waste management should be a prime consideration in any development programme. Tourist spots and places around the state should be kept clean at all times, Vijayan said. Stressing the importance of tourism in the economic growth of the state, he said many countries have made “good fortune” through tourism. “Hence the same level of importance should be given here also,” he said. Adding further he stated that tourism model successfully implemented at Kumarakom to be extended to all spots. CM also requested the tourism service providers to think of tourists as a cherished guest. He said that most of the tourists visiting Kerala aren’t super rich. They are spending on travel and experience what they had

earned after hard work in their land. He asked tourism service providers to design affordable tourism packages.

environment-friendly initiatives ensuring rural development, employment opportunities and women empowerment.

He also stressed the importance of cleanliness. “No compromise should be made regarding cleanliness. Compared to guest houses in neighbouring states our guest houses are unclean. Unhygienic condition is a real issue for tourists who come from very clean places, “added him. He said that the tourism department should take the initiative to ensure cleanliness.

State Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran and Principal Secretary Kerala Tourism, V Venu were among those present. Speaking on the occasion, Kadakampally Surendran, State Tourism Minister said: “It is a proud moment that Kerala is the pioneer state in practicing the concept of

“Responsible Tourism that started off in Kumarakom is now a world-renowned concept and a point of discussion across the globe. It’s definitely a proud moment for us to be a pioneer in setting up this concept so effectively. Kumarakom could gain heavily through tourism both in terms of revenue and job possibilities to youth. The reason behind this growth is the involvement as a group by the communities around,” said V Venu. He also noted that the aim of Responsible Tourism is to create 1.5 lakh jobs in the future.

The Responsible Tourism Mission, the first of the kind in the world and is all set to lead Kerala Tourism through peoplefriendly, local communityfriendly and

ASIAN TRAVELLER | October 2017

10 questions

“Hospitality industry is an interesting domain where there’s always room for innovation” D Charles Fabian, General Manager, The Residency Towers, Chennai talks about his love for hospitality sector among other things in the industry to Asian Traveller

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? I started my career in Taj Coromandel Hotel, Chennai at the age of 19. I worked over a period of 15 years at various positions starting as an apprentice in the Food & Beverage Department, while pursuing my studies in hotel management through correspondence. My focus was to be employed only in Taj Coromandel as I felt it was more of an Institution than an Organisation. During that period, I was fortunate to be posted at Muscat for 3 years. An inborn passion towards Hospitality kindled within me that helped me gain knowledge in various departments. Presently, I am the General Manager of The Residency Towers Chennai and 36 yrs in the hospitality sector has been a continuous journey of exciting learning and thrills. I am a lover of food and this industry gave me the platform to learn, taste and enjoy October | ASIAN TRAVELLER

different types of food of different culture. This industry is the only place where many traditions and cultures meet under one umbrella. It helps in establishing friendly relations with guests. It’s the largest growing glamorous and lucrative industry. It’s an interesting domain where there’s always room / place for innovation. It includes all companies involved in providing services. It enables one to work under pressure, to stay organised at all times and helps to focus on tasks at hand. At the end of the day it gives more mental satisfaction than tangible objects.

2. What plans do you have for the company? Team work alway pays. The youth of today need to be guided properly to enable them to channelise their energy in the right direction with the right perspective. As the General Manager of The Residency Towers, Chennai, I strongly believe in the 3D’s - Desire changes nothing, Decision changes something and Determination changes everything.

I wish to create awareness within each member of my team to showcase their talents for their individual growth as well as the growth of the organisation. I wish to be that determined driving force and be recognised in the Hospitality sector as the hallmark of delivering services to the ultimate satisfaction of the guests.

3. How do you see the role of a hotel in developing a destination? What all things can hospitality sector do in this regard? Hotel industry is a part of modern dynamic environment which is ever changing. There should be a continuous process of learning new skills and knowledge. India is a favourite tourist destination for foreign investments, exchange of culture and most important this industry creates a pedestal of job opportunities.This helps an individual to grow along with the growth of the organisation as well. People looking forward for working in a hotel industry should possess

10 questions

mobility, stability and motivation.

4. Would you please share with us the proudest and some of the unforgettable moments in your professional life. There are many proud and unforgettable moments. I took the initiative to be identified as a trendsetter of local music at the Pub, Black & White in The Residency Hotel with the formation of Mind, Body & Soul and Jaya Ho, the Retro Hindustani Music. It has seen an upward trend with the completion of 8 successful years. The source of this influence has paved the way to meet many celebrities and top level people from various sections of the society. Another proud moment in my professional life was the day, The Residency Towers, Chennai was accredited the Certificate and re-classified as a Five Star Deluxe property. A distant dream of mine to be known as the General Manager of a five star property was fulfilled which will be cherished life long.

5. In your career, have you ever worked abroad? What according to you are the advantages of working overseas? I have had the opportunity to work in Sultanate of Oman for 3 years and Kingdom of Bahrain for 4 years. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quite competitive. Working overseas gave me an exposure when India was still considered a conservative market. It allows one to develop professionally as a person, improve on the skills one already possesses. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fun working with different responsibilities. It gives us the opportunity to meet and socialise with people representing a wide range of nationalities. On the whole, it helps us to have a tremendous exposure and expand intellectually.

6. Where would you like to see yourself, say, 10 years from now? I have grown both with regard to expertise in my field as well as within the organisation. Untapped resources are abundant in our country. Extensive initiative should be taken up to tap these resources, to impart training and encourage them to join this ever growing industry. I picture myself in a leadership role contributing to the industry in a significant way. At the same time I also envisage myself growing in my own skills and capabilities with continuous effort to mould myself as per the need of the hour.

7. How do you see the growth prospects of Indian hospitality sector? Hospitality industry in India is one of the fastest growing industries of the country. Many Indian big names like Taj, Leela, ITC etc have already captured a big market share. The reason being India has emerged as one of the most important business destinations in South Asia. India is expected to become a huge economy in the near future. Governments measure to increase the Tourism industry have motivated hotel companies to invest in the country. Many foreign

tourists are attracted to India as it has become a cheaper tourist destination. Hospitality has seen a fourfold growth since 2000-2001 and the growth looks very healthy.

8. About your Family. My wife Jayanthi is a home maker. My only daughter Sophia Andrea is married to John Regis, a Software Engineer from Bangalore. I have been fortunate to have been blessed with a granddaughter Johanna Sherin who is only five months old. My entire world revolves around this little bundle of joy.

9. Please tell us about your hobbies and other interests. I love listening to music especially from the yesteryears, both English and Tamil. I love to watch movies both Classic & Thrillers, reading books, socialising with friends are some of my hobbies.

10. Which is your favourite destination? Why? Hill stations are my favourite destination at any point of time. The serene atmosphere is intoxicating and helps me to unwind and relax in the lap of nature. I love to travel and given a chance would like to explore European countries.

ASIAN TRAVELLER | october 2017

Tamil Nadu Travel Mart

Tamil Nadu organises first Travel Mart in association with CII Modelled on Kerala’s highly successful Kerala Travel Mart (KTM), Tamil Nadu comes up with first Travel Mart to exhibit the culture, heritage and tourism potentials of the state

or the first time in the history of Tamil Nadu, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII Tamil Nadu) in association with Tamil Nadu Travel Mart Society supported by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India & Department of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu is organising the CII Tamil Nadu Travel Mart 2017 to showcase the potential of Tamil Nadu Tourism to the world. Tamil Nadu Travel Mart (TTM), a global event for the stakeholders from the Tourism fraternity will exhibit the culture, heritage and leisure potentials of the state. Tamil Nadu, being home to many natural resources, have evolved and continued to be a land of lively culture, pilgrimage, art, culinary tourism, medical tourism and many more taking roots from the extensive kingdoms of Chera, Chola, Pandya and Pallava from the olden days. Their contribution towards Art, Culture and Literature is what makes Tamil Nadu a destination of choice. The state is also well connected across the world and within the state with the best Air, Rail and Road infrastructure.

To promote these aspects of the state, the first edition of TTM is going to be held from 12-15 October 2017 at Chennai Trade Center, Nandambakkam, Chennai, India. The three day exhibition will have more than 250 stalls showcasing the business opportunities in the state. It will also provide business to business meetings for the 250 sellers and 750 buyers including domestic and international buyers from 40 countries. Prior to TTM, prearranged tours are available for buyers. The specially arranged tours to the 4 kingdoms of the state for the buyers will help them to see, feel and taste the richness the state has to offer. Besides, there will be an exclusive live demo of the century old arts and crafts of the state, cultural programs showcasing the state’s rich traditional folk dance and music, martial arts, religious activities like Homam, Yagam, etc. Live demo of weaving, sculpting, wood carving, TANJORE painting, Veena

manufacturing, pottery, traditional farming, bullock cart riding, fishing etc. will be added attractions. For buyers interested there will be field visits and village walks. All the pre-tours across the kingdoms will be from October 8 to 11 and will culminate at Pollachi with village festival. Apart from Hotels, Resorts, Homestays & Tour Operators of Tamil Nadu, TTM will have Farmstays, Monsoon Tours, Specialty Hospitals, Ayurveda Centres, Wedding & Honeymoon holidays, MICE destinations and many more in the picture. “Tamil Nadu has a wide variety of attractions, ranging

from temples, hill stations, beaches to fine arts, but the problem has been the lack of projection to both national and international market. We believe that upcoming travel mart will help to project the state in a big way. We will be recommending little known places in rural areas to tour operators, so that they can persuade tourists to come here. The mart will seek to highlight immense potential of medical tourism in Tamil Nadu”, said T Nataraajan, President, Tamil Nadu Travel Market Society. He said neighbouring Kerala has been holding its travel market and exploiting its tourism potential.

ASIAN TRAVELLER | October 2017

Bhutan

The Tourism Council of Bhutan launched its new Official Destination Website (bhutan.travel)

he Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) launched its new official destination website on 27th September, 2017, on the World Tourism Day. The TCB has undertaken this major development and up-gradation of its official travel destination website during the past few months with the hope and expectation of improving information sharing among the stakeholders of the tourism industry in Bhutan and among the industry members and visitors. The TCB also expects that this major up-gradation of the destination website would greatly improve confidence of the stakeholders and visitors in information being shared by the TCB regarding visiting Bhutan.

October | ASIAN TRAVELLER

The TCBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Destination website will mainly act as an information portal for the potential visitors to Bhutan. The new destination website offers some new features which were not available in TCBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s previous website. The new website has: Wish listing; the visitors can sort out and save the events and activities as their wish list for easier reference for their future visitation to Bhutan. Subscribing features; visitors can subscribe to the emails and newsletter. This will help the visitors to keep themselves updated about the information on tourism industry of Bhutan. Feedback; the current website is built in a user friendly way with feedback buttons. The users can send in their feedback to improve

the operation or share their thoughts on Bhutan tourism. Share buttons; the users can share the information on the website on their social handles thereby creating ripple of information dissemination. Another new improvement that has been incorporated in the new website is the inclusion of tour packages. With is new feature the visitors can have wider and better choice of tour packages to Bhutan that best suits their interest. Bhutan is regarded as one of the most exclusive travel destinations in the world. Bhutan enjoys a reputation for authenticity, remoteness and a wellprotected cultural heritage and natural environment. It is one of the last remaining biodiversity hotspots in the

world, forest cover as now increased to over 72% of the country, with 60% of the country under protection. Currently, more than 75% of the land is under forest cover and the constitution of Bhutan states that a minimum of 60% of the land shall be covered under forest for all times to come. You cannot find a more enlightened travel destination today. Perched high on the mighty Himalayan range, the Kingdom of Bhutan has defied globalisation and chosen to remain a hidden paradise, accessible only to a fortunate few. Bhutan is an all season destination, providing a unique experience to visitors throughout the year. There is something for everyone in Bhutan.

Property Scan

Enjoy luxury in the city of Taj in a new avatar at VITS Agra

oping to cash in on the growing leisure travellers in the city of Taj, VITS Hotels Worldwide has launched its 4 star property ‘VITS Agra’. Prominently located on National Highway 2, the hotel is well connected by air, road and rail. With major tourist attractions namely the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Akbar Tomb and Jama Mosque in close proximity, the hotel boasts of aesthetically designed rooms and suites ideal for business and leisure alike.

tourist destination, is the home to the Taj Mahal and also called city of love. The city with its vibrant culture enjoys pre-eminence in attracting a large slice of leisure and business tourists from across the world. We are delighted to launch our property in the city that would enable us tap the growing potential of tourist inflow. VITS Agra with a perfect blend of contemporary amenities rooted in customary elegance will make every guest’s stay a pleasurable experience”.

Announcing the launch, Chandrakant Shetty, Chief Executive Officer, VITS Luxury Business Hotels says, “Agra is world renowned

VITS Agra offers 60 rooms with 3 categories deluxe room, Suite room and executive deluxe room each boasting of tastefully adorned

décor, luxurious ambience and modern services. Each room is replete with amenities ranging from Wi-Fi connectivity, 24-hour room service, tea/coffee maker and an attached bathroom with complimentary toiletries. It offers a stunning array of facilities that include multicuisine restaurant with wide range of culinary choices, banquet hall for parties, travel desk, same day laundry services, conference room with audio visual equipment and large lawn for wedding & receptions. The Cafe at Hotel VITS Agra serves delicious vegetarian food prepared with fresh ingredients. Best known for its multicuisine spread, the in-house restaurant offers the best fine dining experience in Agra. The Banquet Hall at VITS Agra is equipped with latest technologies including Wi-Fi, air-conditioning and audio-visual equipment. It is an ideal place to host receptions, conferences, parties, promotions and exhibitions. The hall can accommodate up to 150 guests. VITS Agra is situated 2.2 km from Mariam’s Tomb

and 9.6 km from Agra City Railway Station. Major tourist attractions include Tomb of Akbar the Great (3.6 km), Dayal Bagh Temple (9.1 km), Agra Fort (11.2 km) and Taj Mahal (13.8 km). VITS Agra is easily accessible from the Agra Railway Station and Airport Terminal. VITS Agra provides a combination of luxury, elegance and comfort, the signature features of the VITS brand name. VITS Luxury Hotels presently operates 9 properties located in Mumbai, Pune, Dwarka, Aurangabad, Latur, Ankleshwar, Silvassa, Agra and Bhubaneshwar. The Hotel chain presently has inventory of 600 rooms with host of banqueting, conferencing, restaurant and lifestyle facilities. As part of its expansion plans VITS Hotel will unveil the VITS hospitality experience in Mumbai (Colaba), Nanded, Dahej, Ahmedabad and Mangalore by April 2018. The company plans to penetrate its reach nationally with 20 properties scheduled for launch primarily in Tier 2 and tier 3 in cities within the next 3 years.

ASIAN TRAVELLER | October 2017

Resort Scan

Beachside luxury at its best- The Anam beachfront Situated on one of the world’s most beautiful bays with a backdrop of jungle clad mountains, The Anam is the epitome of tropical beachside luxury

he Anam’s concept is to deliver an experience of the old “Indochine” era, which is reflected in its architecture, design and service standards, while offering modern and luxurious facilities. The resort boasts over 300 m of absolute beach frontage on one of the world’s most beautiful bays. There are stunning views across the ocean and its islands to the east and the rugged jungle clad mountains to the west. With warm tropical breezes, swaying palms, and the ocean literally at the doorstep, The Anam’s signature designed villas, nestle harmoniously into the surrounds. It is as close to paradise as one can find.

With warm tropical breezes, swaying palms, and the ocean literally at the doorstep, The Anam’s signature designed villas, nestle harmoniously into the surrounds

The Anam, a luxurious new 12-hectare resort on Vietnam’s pristine Cam Ranh peninsula, has unveiled two remarkable new villas complete with couples’ massage tables, a sunken granite Jacuzzi large enough for two, a steam room and a large outdoor pool. Set on 400 sq m of lush hillside land located next to The Anam’s 10-treatment room Sri Mara Spa’s grounds, the 180-sq-m villas and their spa facilities afford the indulgence of a private spa journey in the privacy of one’s own villa. To mark the opening of the one-bedroom ‘Private Pool Villas (Spa Included)’, The Anam, which celebrated its grand opening in April this year, is offering guests staying at these villas one complimentary invilla spa treatment per person per day, as well as free breakfast and airport transfers. An array of in-villa treatments are on offer from the Sri Mara Spa’s ‘hightouch, low-tech’ menu combining traditional Balinese techniques with a Vietnamese touch. A 25% discount is available for further treatments booked

October | ASIAN TRAVELLER

For each treatment the spa therapist tailors the ingredients to suit the guest’s needs, be it to energise, heal, detox or relax throughout each stay. For all treatments, ranging from massages and facials to body wraps and slimming programmes, Thémaé products are combined with ingredients grown in The Anam’s spa garden, including lemongrass for purification, aloe vera for reducing redness and ginger for its anti-inflammatory, circulation-boosting properties. For each treatment the spa therapist tailors the ingredients to suit the guest’s needs, be it to energise, heal, detox or relax. The team, headed up by Balinese Spa Manager Kadek Wina Jelita Wati, also arranges in-villa yoga and meditation sessions with The Anam’s resident yogi, Umesh. A variety of healthy dishes are served up as part of the resort’s in-villa menu and at its three restaurants, including light and zesty traditional Vietnamese cuisine made with fresh herbs and vegetables, as well as juices, smoothies and cleansing teas. The Anam also offers three swimming pools, a host of active pursuits at its water sports centre and a 300-m stretch of private beachfront. Nightly rates for Private Pool Villas (Spa Included) start from $490++, including one complimentary spa treatment per day, breakfast and airport transfers. 19

Destination Weddings

Destination Weddings- for that wonderful day

Destination weddings are increasingly getting popular. From picturesque mountaintops and vineyards to white-sand beaches, amazing resorts, the options are endless for the modern day couples to tie the knot

or a surprisingly different destination wedding, the dream team at Alila will go all out to create memorable moments for keeps. Located in the most dramatic and unspoilt locations, ceremony options include a Cliff-Edge Cabana or a beachside temple garden in Bali, a peaceful oasis in Goa or a fairy tale warrior fort in Rajasthan or a tranquil celebration in the tea plantation in Anji, China. The hallmark of Alila is the combination of innovative design and luxury in unique locations, set apart by an unprecedented level of private space, crafted artisanship, personalised hospitality, and bespoke journeys. Alila means “Surprise” in Sanskrit, which suitably describes the refreshing character of the properties and impressions of the guests when they stay with Alila. In support of sustainable tourism, Alila hotels adopt EarthCheck operating standards, integrating the natural, physical and cultural elements of their environments. To stay at any

of Alila’s hotels & resorts is to embark on a destination experience – be it in recreating the flavours of the local cuisine, enhancing your well-being through ancient healing arts or the thrill of adventure sports, you will re-discover the luxury of living at Alila.

a stylish inspiring wedding with a difference. Located along the southernmost coast of Bali, close to the Uluwatu Temple, the couple will enjoy exclusive use

With a dedicated wedding planner on-site at each hotel, Alila offers a bespoke and personal service to ensure a celebration to remember. Here are a few options by Alila for couples to turn their wedding the most memorable day in their life:

Heights of Sophistication - Alila Villas Uluwatu – Bali Couples looking for a tropical island setting to embark on the journey to marital bliss should head to Alila Villas Uluwatu for

Alila means “Surprise” in Sanskrit, which suitably describes the refreshing character of the properties and impressions of the guests when they stay with Alila

ASIAN TRAVELLER | October 2017

of the spectacular CliffEdge Cabana perched dramatically over the Indian Ocean. Helmed by panoramic ocean views, the party can continue onto the Cliff Top Lawn. This well thought-out package, offers the newlyweds, a three-night stay in a one-bedroom villa to start off their honeymoon. A Cliff-Edge Cabana Wedding at Alila Villas Uluwatu starts from USD 7,432 for 40 guests. The package also includes a three-night stay for the bride and groom in a Onebedroom Pool Villa inclusive of airport transfers, breakfast for two, daily refreshment, morning yoga session, 24hour Host service and an indulgent 90-minute Spa Alila treatment for the bride and groom.

Back to Nature – Alila Anji – China Alila Anji is a peaceful lakeside resort situated in the ecological heart of the Zhejiang province. The picturesque lake and surrounding bamboo groves, tea plantations, plum trees, and Spring blossoms, make this a dramatic backdrop for a beautiful wedding. The resort boasts several creative event spaces including an elegant ballroom that can host up to 300 guests. Experienced event curators will work closely with the couple to ensure every aspect is tailored to meet personal preferences. For guests looking for some pre-or-post wedding relaxation, Spa Alila provides treatments

October | ASIAN TRAVELLER

blending ancient Asian healing techniques with age-old beauty recipes using fresh, natural ingredients. The Bliss Wedding Package at Alila Anji starts from USD 1,189 for a minimum of 20 guests. The package also includes a two-night stay in an Upper Lake View Room for bride and groom, complimentary homemade wedding cake, champagne tower and bridal bouquet. In addition, the couple will also receive a complimentary wedding photo-session at scenic locations, an Alila Experience and a present of a one-night stay, for their first wedding anniversary.

On the Beach – Alila Seminyak – Bali Alila Seminyak, located on the pristine beaches of Bali’s south west coast, is the perfect beachfront setting for a cool, stylish wedding. The resort is connected by shimmering pools cascading from a stunning backdrop of vertical gardens. It is set in the undeniably trendy side of Seminyak so it is the ideal base for the newlyweds to explore the island after the big day. Alila Seminyak offers three bespoke wedding packages for parties of different sizes. Each can be tailored accordingly by the onsite wedding planner to ensure the newlyweds have an awesome day to remember. The Enchanted Wedding Package at Alila Seminyak starts from USD 4,372 for 50 guests. The package

After the wedding, the newlyweds can enjoy their honeymoon at the exclusive Diwa Club, an intimate haven within Alila Diwa Goa, with its own swimming pool, open air Jacuzzi, hot tub and all-day private dining also includes exclusive use of the Temple Garden Terrace, scented cold towels, wedding decorations, English-speaking priest/ celebrant, wedding dress steaming and tuxedo pressing, choir and musical accompaniment during the ceremony, ceremonial certificate, mocktails for up to 50 guests, canapes and chocolate fondue, day use of the Deluxe Suite for preparation, one-night stay in Alila Ocean Suite for the couple including a two-hour couple spa package and a three-hour photography session.

Goan Haven – Alila Diwa Goa – India Right down in the south of Goa, off the tourist trails and Goan crowds, Alila Diwa Goa is a quiet haven amidst lush, verdant rice plantations, making it the perfect retreat to get hitched. With 153 rooms and suites, intimate ballroom, pool deck, courtyards and lovely outdoor spaces, the wedding planning team will ensure the occasion is completely tailored to the couple’s preference. After the wedding, the newlyweds can enjoy their honeymoon at the exclusive Diwa Club,

an intimate haven within Alila Diwa Goa, with its own swimming pool, open air Jacuzzi, hot tub and all-day private dining. The Mystical Wedding Package at Alila Diwa Goa starts from USD 50,000 for a wedding party of 150 guests. This well-thoughtout package includes stay at the Terrace Rooms (double occupancy for up to 150 guests), a bridal suite for the wedding couple, one complimentary welcome dinner hosted for immediate family members (maximum 10 guests) at the signature restaurant ‘Spice Studio’, customised sit down dinner for up to 300 guests and curated venues for each occasion, a decorated vintage wedding car for the groom’s arrival on the wedding day, specially crafted key jackets, room linen, wedding cakes and artisanal homemade chocolates branded with the couple’s initials, one organised pool party with Spa stations for head massage and foot reflexology by the infinity pool. In addition, the bridal couple will receive a wedding gift from the hotel with a complimentary anniversary stay voucher for two nights valid for a year.

A fairy tale wedding– Alila Fort Bishangarh– India The Royal Wedding package at Alila Fort Bishangarh is from USD 148,000 for 3-day resort buyout. It includes Mehandi, Sangeet, Haldi ceremonies, a royal-themed wedding ceremony and more. 21

Gastronomical experiences

A new Kaleidoscope of flavours and cuisines reopens its doors at Atlantis, The Palm The intercontinental dining buffet destination is back with a brand-new look and feel

tlantis, The Palm, the first entertainment resort destination in the region and located at the centre of the crescent of The Palm in Dubai relaunched its international buffet venue introducing a brand-new look and feel for the international all day dining restaurant, Kaleidoscope. Atlantis, The Palm is also known as the culinary destination in the region with a collection of world-renowned restaurants including Bread Street Kitchen & Bar, Nobu and Ronda Locatelli. The resort boasts an impressive collection of luxury boutiques and shops as well as extensive meeting and convention facilities. The restaurant’s new theme nights include the following: On Sunday’s guests, can grab a sombrero and spice up their life with ‘Hola Mexico’ night, featuring Mexican favourites from traditional chilli con carne

to the fresh flavour of chicken quesadillas. AED 200 per person.

risotto. AED 200 per person.

On Tuesdays, diners can enjoy ‘A Taste of Persia’, delivering lavish and elaborated spreads including long grain rice, kebabs and kachi. AED 215 per person including soft drinks and water.

palate-pleasing displays of flavours and textures from the very best of Indian, Mediterranean and Arabic cuisines. AED 215 per person including unlimited soft drinks and water. (AED 170 per person food only on weekdays)

On Thursday’s, Kaleidoscope rounds off Monday nights will set the working week with taste buds on fire with the ‘Marhaba Arabic’ night, incredible serving authentic spices of With its refreshed Arabian recipes ‘Indian Heat’, from traditional interior, an array with a colourful of global cuisine mezzeh to tender choice of meat, grilled that includes North Indian favourites and Indian cuisine, specialties, special recipes. and reinvigorated AED 200 per mixed with themed nights, South Indian person. this impressive charm. AED Weekends are casual dining 210 per person what dreams are location will cater including soft made of and at drinks and to everyone’s Kaleidoscope it’s water. palate no different, with

Wednesday’s will see Kaleidoscope bring the flavours of Italy to the restaurant with ‘Buenvenuto Italia’, offering traditional Italian cooking from freshly made pizzas, pastas and

The rejuvenated interior of Kaleidoscope, has given the venue a new lease of life and modern feel. The neutral colour palate, marble tiled flooring and

pillars allow the colourful furniture to stand out, creating a warm and welcoming ambience, perfect for families, friends and coupes alike. The live cooking stations have taken on a smoother, more polished look, with the updated marble countertops and copper tops for the food stations. The updated covered outdoor terrace provides stunning views over the Royal Pool and The Palm, providing the perfect place to capture memories with family and friends. With its wide range of international tastes, Kaleidoscope, brings with the very best of North African, Mediterranean and Arabic cuisines, with the influences of Greece, Malta and the Levant region to Atlantis, The Palm. Breakfast is served from 7am- 11am (11:30am on weekends), Lunch is served from 12:30pm-4pm (5pm on weekends) and Dinner is served daily from 6pm 11pm. ASIAN TRAVELLER | october 2017

Taiwan

It’s time for Retreat at Taiwan!

Health and wellness have become bywords in India, as people are embracing the benefits exercise offers combined with a healthy lifestyle and good food

aking cues from the success of the health conscious new wave, Sunny Arora, entrepreneur and Fitness Enthusiast has recently launched India’s premium and organised fitness revolution through Fitness tourism. FitZup would be dedicated to introduce and promote natural and healthy alternatives to the health conscious and fitness addicts. The revolution pledges to revive the ancient techniques and deep-rooted philosophy of Ayurveda, in a more modern and urban avatar to acquaint the new India with the glorious roots of its past. Retreat Taiwan is the second stop in its

International fitness tour -- the core vibe of the tour focuses on the idea of celebrating fitness and travel. From calming aquatic exercises to rejuvenating hot spring massages, beach workouts and boot camps this tour is tailor-made to unwind and rejuvenate. Top 5 Indian TV actresses (Barkha Bisht Sengupta, Mrunal Thakur, Kanchi Singh, Tejaswi Prakash & Priyanca Talukdar) accompanied by young and dapper Actor Rohan Mehra and lifestyle blogger Santoshi Shetty, under the able guidance of fitness expert Ritesh Sahiwal participated in this journey through Taiwan to experience the boot-camp to revive and refresh through a dexterous programme of Fitness & Travel. “Taiwanese people are very humble, down to earth and very friendly. I felt very safe here and thoroughly enjoyed my time

Taiwan is perfect for a family holiday as its very safe and easy to travel through the country here. As a single woman, I cannot emphasis enough how safe and friendly Taiwan is,” said Barkha. Mrunal Thakur thoroughly enjoyed the food in Taiwan which she found very healthy and tasty. Kanchi Singh was awed by the beauty and natural assets of Taiwan which were worldclass and took the retreat to another level. Tejaswi Prakash and Priyanca also enjoyed the trip through Taiwan and deemed it perfect for a family holiday as its very safe and easy to travel through the country. The main motivation behind the trip was to build a like-minded community of health enthusiasts and curate a responsible health driven attitude in the society. The core aim is to bring together an interactive platform to exchange healthy living concepts and promote wellness and fitness with a quintessential global approach. In immediate future, we plan to extend our vision of

healthy living and curate a hand-picked range of healthy and natural products and introduce the world to the super foods of India. We also dedicate our efforts in collaborating Ayurvedic science with modern nutrition take for healthy Living.” Collaborating fitness, healthy lifestyle and nutritional eating Retreat Taiwan is a hit. Watch these fit & fab TV stars and influencers rejuvenate and relax in the tranquil serenity of Taiwan. This trip is tailor-made to explore Taiwan like never before through the lens of meditative leisure. We look forward to create and generate re-energised testimonials,” commented Dr Trust Lin, Director, Taiwan Tourism Bureau, Singapore Office. The activities on the trip included: Poolside fitness party, Reikei Hot Spring Resort, Movement raining on grass, Parkour, Free Run at Landis Resort, a Parachute Run at Yangminshan National Park, Beach boot camp, Cycling at Old Caoling Tunnel, Yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates, Dance as therapy and a 5 km run in Taipei. ASIAN TRAVELLER | October 2017

SLH awards 2017

Dormy House Hotel, UK is the Hotel of the Year

mall Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has announced Dormy House Hotel in the Cotswolds, UK, as Hotel of the Year at the SLH Awards 2017. Described as ‘very nearly perfect’, it is one of thirteen hotels in SLH’s 500-strong portfolio of independently minded hotels that were honoured with awards at the luxury brand’s International Conference in California last week. The awards highlighted excellence in everything from notable staff and noteworthy suites, to their embracing of social media and the local community. For the first time, many of the experiential categories were voted for exclusively by members of SLH’s loyalty programme, INVITED, and luxury travel agents. These included the Refinery New York (City Hotel of the Year), Baros Maldives (Resort Hotel of the Year) and Dormy House Hotel (Country House Hotel of the Year), which were then put forward for the ultimate accolade – Hotel of the Year. Meanwhile, immersive spa Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda, two Michelinstarred ABaC Restaurant & Hotel in Barcelona and 137 Pillars Suites Bangkok were all deemed by SLH guests and agents to have the best spa, restaurant and suites respectively, and CastaDiva

October | ASIAN TRAVELLER

Resort & Spa on Lake Como was voted Most Romantic Retreat. Member hotels were invited to enter the awards designed to applaud their own innovation and high levels of service: •

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akyra Manor Chiang Mai in Thailand received the Love of Local award based on its ‘give back’ policy, working with the local community not only to source products but also assisting local schools. Giovanni Sanchez, a waiter at The Arch London’s Hunter 486 restaurant was awarded the Hotel Hero award, thanks to his bespoke and consistent excellence, extensively acknowledged by both colleagues and guests.

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Owl and the Pussycat Hotel in Sri Lanka received the Most Instagrammable award based on its daily posts of an imaginary travel journal that travels into the nonsensical world of Edward Lear.

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Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal in Paris was awarded Best Hotel Video for

a ‘work of art’ featuring Royal Swedish Ballet dancer Casia Vengoecha.

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City Hotel of the Year - Refinery New York (USA)

SLH’s infamous Mystery Inspectors also had their say based on their experiences whilst staying at each and every one of SLH hotels over the last twelve months, with Casas Del XVI in the Dominican Republic coming out top based on a combination of guest reviews, inspection scores and overall quality rating.

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Resort Hotel of the Year - Baros Maldives (Maldives)

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Country House Hotel of the Year – Dormy House Hotel (UK)

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Best Newcomer Hotel – Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay (Spain)

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Mystery Inspectors’ Excellence Award – Casas Del XVI (Dominican Republic)

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Hotel Hero – Giovanni Sanchez, The Arch London (UK)

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Love of Local – akyra Manor Chiang Mai (Thailand)

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Best Gourmet Experience – ABaC Restaurant & Hotel (Spain)

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Best Hotel Video – Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal (France)

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Most Instagrammable – Owl and The Pussycat Hotel (Sri Lanka)

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Most A-List Suite Experience – 137 Pillars Suites Bangkok (Thailand)

The full list of winners and shortlisted finalists is as follows:

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Most Sensational Spa – Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda (Italy)

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Most Romantic Retreat – CastaDiva Resort & Spa (Italy)

Also new for this year was an award to recognise a significant newcomer to the SLH family – this year Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay was the outstanding winner. Since opening in June, the hotel has received an unprecedented level of interest, press coverage and reservations. Filip Boyen, CEO of Small Luxury Hotels of the World said: “As curators of the very best small, luxury hotel experiences around the world, we are delighted to recognise these exceptional hotels that showcase our independently minded ethos in such a variety of creative, classy and culturally-relevant ways.”

Hotel of the Year Dormy House Hotel (UK)

TAFI hospitality

Explore the world of luxury with LEEU Collection in South Africa, Florence and London Serene surroundings, luxurious comfort, innovative cuisine, intuitive service and sensory enjoyment are all things which comes into the mind of luxury travellers when they hear of the sumptuous Leeu Collection lifestyle. Apart from the hotels at South Africa, the group has ventured into UK and Italy recently

he Leeu Collection (in Sanskrit Singh means lion, which is leeu in Afrikaans) comprises three five-star boutique properties in South Africa’s scenic Cape winelands: Leeu Estates, a 17-room country house retreat and boutique winery in the Franschhoek valley; Leeu House, a 12-room hotel in the heart of Franschhoek village; and Le Quartier Français, a romantic 21room hotel and threebedroom LQF Villa, also located in the village. Leeu Estates encompasses an exclusive boutique hotel, winery and wellness spa set among vineyards, gardens and fynbos (a distinctive type of vegetation found only on the southern tip of Africa) in the scenic Franschhoek valley, minutes away from the village of Franschhoek and just under an hour’s drive to Cape

Town. This elegant and private hideaway offers much more to the discerning travellers. The luxuriously appointed spacious rooms and suites feature bespoke furniture, wool-and-sisal carpets, and textured layers of linen, horsehair, leather, wood and stone in a calm colour palette. The generous marbleclad en-suite bathrooms have double vanities, rain showers, heated towel rails and underfloor heating as standard. Careful attention to detail is prevalent throughout the property. Extending beyond the offering of luxury accommodation, Analjit Singh (or BAS as he is affectionately known) is a partner in award-winning Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines. Complementing the Leeu Collection, an exotic culinary hub across the road from Leeu House, Heritage Square, is home to Marigold, Franschhoek’s

first authentic Indian restaurant. Adjacent to Leeu House, Tuk Tuk, a craft beer microbrewery in partnership with the award-winning Cape Brewing Company team, serves bespoke brews and Mexicaninspired food. Everard Read Franschhoek in partnership with the Leeu Collection is a considered space showing modern and contemporary artworks by southern African artists. The gallery includes a sculpture garden, interspersed with herbs and vegetables, and is located adjacent to Le Quartier Français. The Leeu Collection’s first addition outside of South Africa is Linthwaite House, a country retreat overlooking Lake Windermere in England’s scenic Lake District. This boutique hotel is a celebrated 36-room four AA Red Star hotel situated in landscaped

Adjacent to Leeu House, Tuk Tuk, a craft beer microbrewery in partnership with the award-winning Cape Brewing Company team, serves bespoke brews and Mexicaninspired food

Franschhoek; and Le Quartier Français, a romantic boutique hotel and threebedroom LQF Villa, also located in the village of Franschhoek.

Every moment spent at the Leeu Collection is craft fully designed to delight guests every time gardens and woodland grounds. The second is Leeu Villa Querce in Florence, Italy, a luxury hotel and gardens set to open in 2021. The latest acquisition is 55 Newman Street, a former office building in fashionable Fitzrovia in the West End of London, United Kingdom, that will be transformed into a luxury hotel (opening 2020). Both the historic centre of Florence and the Lake District are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Set in and around picturesque Franschhoek in South Africa’s Cape winelands and in the scenic Lake District in England, the Leeu Collection has appointed ‘Knack’ Marketing as its official representative in India. The appointment supports the Leeu Collection’s strategy to develop the potential of the Indian outbound market. The Cape winelands are considered one of the most precious jewels in the South African crown. An initiative has been taken to introduce this fabulous luxury portfolio of hotels to the Indian market. The Leeu Collection comprises three five-star properties in South Africa: Leeu Estates, a country house retreat and boutique winery in the Franschhoek valley; Leeu House, an equally exclusive boutique hotel in the heart of

October | ASIAN TRAVELLER

Within the Leeu Collection portfolio is the Leeu Spa & Gym, a wellness sanctuary offering expert massages and holistic treatments; the award-winning Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines; Indaba – The Meeting Place, a well-appointed event and meeting venue; Heritage Square, home to Marigold, an authentic Indian restaurant; Tuk Tuk Microbrewery, in collaboration with the Cape Brewing Company; and Everard Read Franschhoek, a contemporary art gallery with a unique sculpture herb and vegetable garden. The Franschhoek valley, with its Cape Dutch heritage and strong French influences, is renowned as one of the world’s finest food and wine destinations. The portfolio also comprises luxury boutique hotel Linthwaite House, located in the heart of England’s Lake District and set in established gardens and well-maintained private woodland grounds. Linthwaite House, which is on a hilltop overlooking Lake Windermere, is the perfect base from which to explore the scenic surroundings. It all started as a personal journey for the Leeu Collection’s founder Analjit Singh (aka BAS), an international investor of Indian origin. He was first captivated by the Western Cape’s exceptional beauty and vibrant energy during a trip to South Africa for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Soon afterwards, his company acquired Klein Dassenberg farm in the Franschhoek valley, which he originally intended to be a family home. But then, the seeds were planted to transform it into a world-class hospitality and winemaking destination. “It is in my DNA to build, to create, to develop. The Leeu Collection is the manifestation of my vision for sophisticated escapes and unique guest experiences steeped in passion and pleasure,” says BAS. “The Cape winelands is a beautiful area where travellers can enjoy the stunning landscapes, but when that is combined with top-notch hospitality it creates a whole new dimension to the itinerary. Each property is unique and handpicked, making it special in its very own way. Every moment spent at the Leeu Collection is craft fully designed to delight guests every time. We are absolutely thrilled to represent the Leeu Collection and are looking forward to pampering the Indian traveller in the right setting,” states Medha Sampat, the founder of ‘Knack’ Marketing.Group’s Le Quartier Français, a 21-room boutique hotel and three-bedroom LQF Villa located in Franschhoek, is set in private perfumed gardens with mountain views. Le Quartier Francais offers guests a gourmet destination with easy access to the village.

TAMIL NADU TRAVELLER

The less explored Kolli Hills One thing which makes Kolli Hill station favourite among tourists is that throughout the year it has got a pleasant cool climate. The temperature never rises above 300 C or falls below 130 C Dr. S. Bakthavatchalam Additional Director, Tamil Nadu Tourism

he serene and pristine mountain range of Kolli hills is located 55 km from Namakkal district in Tamil Nadu. It is also a favourite among the historians as the land is still relatively untouched by time and 16 quaint little tribal villages that once constituted the historical hill Kingdom of Ori were around here. The reference to Kolli Hills in several works of classical Tamil literature such as Silappathigaram, Manimekalai, Purananuru and Ainkurnuru is a proof to this. The hill station still has got a mystical charm of its own certifies travellers. It is also a great spot for nature lovers, hiking enthusiasts and trekking clubs. Unlike Ooty and Kodaikanal, Kolli Hills are never crowded. For a quiet holiday it is the best option. The spectacular Agasagangai waterfalls nearby Arapaleeswarar temple is the biggest attraction for tourists visiting Kolli Hills. The

climb up to the waterfall is strenuous as visitors have to climb up 1000 steps along the mountain edge to reach there. However the sight of water cascading down 300 ft down will energise you for sure. Arapaleeswarar temple nearby the waterfall also attracts a large number of devotees. Kolli Pavai also known as Ettukkai Amman Temple is another place of pilgrimage at Kolli Hills. The name of the mountain is attributed to Goddess Ettukkai Amman (Kolli Paavai), the local deity. The mountains have several mythological legends associated with them. The unexplored and less travelled terrain leaves the temple still a divine feel. The Siddha Caves is another attraction at Kolli Hills. It is believed that the evergreen forest is home to several rare medicinal plants. Kolli hills is said to have the largest expanse of evergreen or shola forest cover anywhere in the entire Southern part of the Eastern Ghats. The

jackfruit grown on these mountains is well known for its taste and fragrance along with the wild honey harvested from here. It is believed that the Siddhaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (ancient medicine men) lived, researched and meditated here in the caves inside the sacred groves. Trekking expeditions to the caves where the Siddhaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lived are common. The caves of Bogar and Agastya are situated near the Agaya Gangai waterfalls, while Korakka Siddha and Kalaanginatha Siddha are deep inside the forest. Selur Viewpoint is one of the highest points in the hills is

Selur Nadu. It is here King Pari, a Tamil King, gave away his chariot as support to the helpless jasmine creeper. For a birdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eye view of the region, a visit to Selur Viewpoint is must. The long and winding road from Semmedu to Selur Nadu is equally awarding in terms of beautiful scenery. There are many Banana and coffee plantations enroute along with tall silver oak trees. Guava and orange trees laden with fruit and a host of other tropical plants typical of this region, all are proof of the wide flora the region has got. Apart from this, the Botanical Garden, boathouse, Seekuparai View Point, Masila Falls, Nam Aruvi and Tribals Market are other major attractions at Kolli Hills. ASIAN TRAVELLER | October 2017

NEWSLINE

Kozhikode to host the sixth edition of Kerala Health Tourism 2017 Kerala is all set for a leap in medical tourism. More and more hospitals are joining hands with the tourism industry to benefit their services. The high priority for health in Kerala is bound to make this relatively new aspect of tourism into a multicrore industry in future. Major hospitals are joining hands with the government in promoting medical tourism. Kerala is ideally suited for medical tourism because of its moderate weather throughout the year, advanced hospitals with world class facilities, renowned doctors specialised in major disciplines, trained paramedical staff and technicians and international connectivity. Besides, Kerala also enjoys definite advantages such as the high standard of hygiene that is maintained, the already well

developed tourism industry with its high quality resorts and hotels, competitive costs for packages of medical treatment, and ideal locations for a relaxing holiday. The tourism department has played a pioneering role in promoting Kerala as a major destination in medical tourism in the international market. To promote medical tourism in Kerala, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is organising its flagship event, sixth edition of “Kerala Health Tourism” - An International Conference and Exhibition on Health Tourism with the theme “Your Destination for Good Health” on 17 & 18 November 2017 at The Raviz Resort & Spa Kadavu, Calicut (Kozhikode), Kerala. The program aims at creating awareness and getting the stakeholders

together to promote Kerala as a preferred destination for health tourism. The Kerala Health Tourism will ensure participation of all stakeholders to share their views and jointly take action towards the upliftment of Health Tourism in Kerala. It is expected to have more than 400 delegates for the conference (national & international) and above 1000 visitors for the exhibition. The suggested session topics for the Summit are: Policy Initiatives to Promote Health Tourism, Infection Control and its

Impact in Medical Tourism, Medical Value Travel Mainstreaming Ayurveda & Dental Tourism, Need for High Class Infrastructure in Attracting Medical Tourism, Challenges in Healthcare Insurance in Medical Tourism; Sharing the Best Practices from Neighbouring States & Countries. There will be a Banquet Session on day 1 on “Health Tourism and way forward” by an eminent personality.

Green drive turns to gold at Celtic Manor The Celtic Manor Resort has achieved a Gold Award in recognition of a concerted drive to improve its environmental performance and reduce its carbon footprint. The resort achieved an 83 per cent rating in its latest assessment from Green Tourism, progressing from Silver to the prestigious Gold Level. The report from Green Tourism praised several positive changes made since its previous audit, improvements which have resulted in energy savings as well as giving

a greener experience to guests. Green Tourism lead assessor Stuart Park said: “The bigger changes have included the introduction of CHP (Combined Heat and Power) for the main hotel, as well as further installation of LED lamps and low flow showerheads. “Staff awareness and training seems particularly strong and evidenced on the site visit while the site has been very active in supporting many local and national good causes and charities. Effort has been made to reduce travel impacts with electric cars on-site and car charging points for electric vehicles.” The report also highlighted the resort’s commitment to sustainability,

October | ASIAN TRAVELLER

vastly increased rates of recycling, communication of green policy to guests, energy and waste monitoring, and the range of healthy activities available for guests to participate in. Celtic Manor’s Energy and Environmental Manager Joel Kirby has led the initiatives which have resulted in the Gold Award since his appointment in September 2016. He said: “We are delighted that all our hard work to improve our environmental performance has been recognised by the officials at Green Tourism with this Gold Award.It is essential we do everything we can to address these concerns and reduce our carbon footprint. Making efficiencies in electricity and gas consumption also saves us money as a business at a time of increasing energy costs so it’s a win-win process. As well as getting

some great feedback from guests, it has been really rewarding for me to see how enthusiastically all the staff at Celtic Manor have embraced our new initiatives and thrown themselves into recycling and saving energy with real commitment.” “The most pleasing improvements for me over the last year have been the 21% increase in our recycling rates, and the reduction of our CO2 emissions by 381 tons so far this year, the equivalent of taking 64 cars off the road for an entire year.” The Celtic Manor Resort will take recommendations from the Green Tourism report to further improve its environmental practices and continue to reduce its carbon footprint. The five star venue in South Wales received further recognition for its environmental progress last month when it was awarded Green Dragon Level 3 status from Groundwork Wales. 29

NEWSLINE

NYC & Company highlights New York City’s new, refreshed and soon-to-launch hotels In celebration of New York City’s hotel development pipeline, the nation’s most active, NYC & Company invites travellers to explore the diverse range of new, refreshed and soon-to-open five-borough accommodations. With an active inventory of over 113,700 rooms appealing to varied demographics, NYC’s lodging landscape is constantly evolving. “New York City expects 139,000 total rooms in our inventory by the end of 2019 based on the current robust pipeline,” said NYC & Company President and CEO Fred Dixon. “Our five-borough destination continues to attract new and return visitors, from business and meetings delegates to leisure travellers seeking authentic, livelike-a-local experiences to ‘bleisure’ travellers who combine both.” Aligned with the current global movement toward experiential and immersive travel, properties that have undergone transformations and new hotels in the City are going local. Thoughtfully incorporated design choices, plus regionally and internationally renowned gastronomic collaborations, enhance the originality and authenticity of the extensive hotel choices available to visitors. New and re-imagined hotels that have opened as of 2017 or are projected to open in the current hotel development pipeline include:

Meet by Design

Firmdale Hotels’ The Whitby Hotel is a boutique, design-centric property opened in Midtown Manhattan as of Q1 2017. The ideal venue for intimate meetings has 86 rooms plus a 130-leatherseat theater well suited to corporate presentations. Two sumptuously appointed 30

private event spaces on the ground floor add to the event capacity and The Orangery restaurant hosts receptions of up to 100 guests. In June 2017, Public, an Ian Schrager Hotel, opened on the Lower East Side, offering 367 luxury rooms at affordable rates. Public Arts is a 100-capacity screening room on-site, doubling as an avant-garde multimedia performance space. Fiftyseven hundred sq ft of meeting space on the 17th floor, an expansive outdoor terrace, plus menus by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, are more amenities of the cutting-edge, designoriented option in the NYC meetings and events landscape.

Conventions and Events

New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge, part of the Marriott Convention Resort Network and the borough’s largest hotel, recently underwent a $45 million three-phase dramatic transformation. Partnerships with local food and beverage purveyors and artwork commissioned to convey the vibrant local feel contribute to the property’s design and experiential revolution. It boasts 47,000 square feet of flexible meeting space including the expansive 18,105-square-foot Grand Ballroom. The 667room hotel celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2018. Q1 of 2017 also held openings notable for business and convention travellers. Four Points by Sheraton Manhattan Midtown West is uniquely situated in the developing Hudson Yards neighborhood. Near the Javits Center, it is easily accessed, thanks to the extension of the 7 subway line to Hudson Yards. The Times Square EDITION, upon projected opening in 2018, will be

a 452-room property in the heart of Midtown. Of note to meetings planners, the highly anticipated NFL Experience Times Square will ground the new property, offering a logical expansion opportunity to any itinerary in need of excitement. Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is well suited to the sustainability-conscious traveller and offers varied meetings spaces including Meadow Rue ballroom, a 10th floor hospitality suite and bar, seasonal rooftop bar with East River and Manhattan skyline views, screening room and more. The Doubletree by Hilton New York City – Times Square West, also opened in February, has a 612-room capacity.

Airport Accommodations

The ibis Styles New York LaGuardia Airport and Aloft New York LaGuardia Airport opened in July and August, respectively. The sister properties are less than a mile from La Guardia Airport, which is currently undergoing an expansive $4 billion public-private rebuild, to result in a new, unified airport. At another NYC metro area airport, the highly anticipated TWA Hotel at JFK Airport is currently under construction. JetBlue and the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey are partnered with MCR Development to fulfill the

505-room hotel, with a flight observation deck, museum and rooftop pool, projected to debut in January 2019. The design hotel will be housed in two buildings at the former Trans World Airlines terminal. TWA Flight Center, originally designed by architect Eero Saarinen and vacant for over a decade, will serve as the lobby.

Stadium-Centric Stays

Beyond the City’s airports, global sports enthusiasts are drawn to its athletic venues. Three recent Bronx hotel developments add accessibility to Yankee Stadium. A Comfort Inn & Suites debuted in May, Holiday Inn Express followed in August and a Hampton Inn is to be completed by year’s end. Meanwhile, a Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott in Fresh Meadows, Queens, is projected to open this month near Citi Field—ideal for Mets fans.

Art and Aesthetic

A number of artistic retreats are new to the City. On October 2, the 189-key 20 floor Mondrian Park Avenue debuted. Named for Dutch painter Piet Mondrian, the property offers a luxury lifestyle experience. Serving as a vibrant hub for art, Ara Starck contributed a Cityinspired statement piece, among others. The unique, on-site subterranean nightclub Yours Truly has a hidden entrance.   ASIAN TRAVELLER | October 2017

NEWSLINE

Jet Airways partners Vidya Balan-starrer ‘Tumhari Sulu’ to strengthen consumer connect Jet Airways, India’s fullservice premier international airline, earlier this week announced a partnership with T-Series and Ellipsis Entertainment - producers of the forthcoming Hindi film, ‘Tumhari Sulu’, becoming the film’s ‘Official Airline Partner’. The partnership is part of the airline’s philosophy to constantly seek and use new, engaging ways in order to strengthen connect with its guests and consumers. Directed by noted advertising film-maker Suresh Triveni, ‘Tumhari Sulu’ stars Vidya Balan in the lead, who essays the role of a beautiful, enthusiastic and a happy-go-lucky housewife whose life gets completely transformed after unexpectedly landing an exciting job as a night RJ (radio jockey) with a leading radio station. Welcoming the alliance, Jayaraj Shanmugam, Chief Commercial Officer, Jet Airways, stated: “The

partnership with Tumhari Sulu marks a great start to an exciting new journey that will help us to promote Jet Airways’ well-differentiated product and service offerings in innovative ways, via the silver screen, for both Indian and global audiences.” Commenting on the association, the producers of the film - Bhushan Kumar, Tanuj Garg, Atul Kasbekar and Shanti Sivaram Maini said, “The mutually beneficial arrangement will allow Jet Airways to leverage the power of a top-notch family film starring Vidya Balan to communicate important aspects of its brand story, while allowing the producers to access and directly promote the film to the airline’s enormous and loyal customer base, both within India and abroad.” Explaining the synergy behind the association, Belson Coutinho, Vice President – Marketing, E-commerce and Innovations, Jet Airways

said, “Tumhari Sulu adopts a fresh and highly-engaging perspective about listening to one’s inner calling and then stepping out in the world to realise those aspirations. The movie’s inspirational messaging is in sync with the values we hold and promote at Jet Airways including, using every opportunity to go beyond one’s abilities and having a passion for excellence in one’s job. Vidya effortlessly portrays the everyday trials of the archetypical Indian woman, who not only balances her family’s life on one hand but also nurtures her private dreams on the other. We are confident that the inspirational narrative will strongly resonate with movie goers including contemporary women, a significant number of whom travel

with us.” As part of its association and as a unique publicity initiative to promote the women-focused film, Jet Airways will roll out an attractive promotion for its women guests in India next month, enabling them to avail an attractive 10% discount on fares while booking their travel with Jet Airways, upon entering the promo code SULU on the airline’s website www. jetairways.com or its mobile App. Bookings open from October 16 until November 17, for travel effective November 17, 2017. Tumhari Sulu releases worldwide on November 17, 2017.

Connect Travel announces Connect Travel Marketplace Connect Travel, the leisure tourism division of Connect announced Connect Travel Marketplace, a new event bringing top international travel buyers together with travel industry suppliers in the company’s signature reverse-style trade show format. Connect Travel Marketplace will take place Feb 18-20, 2018, at Hyatt Regency Orlando. Connect Travel Marketplace combines a robust educational program from thought leaders in travel and marketing with efficient, effective, prescheduled one-on-one appointments that enable buyers and sellers to expedite the sales process and close business. Shari Bailey has joined the Connect team to lead the Connect Travel Marketplace October | ASIAN TRAVELLER

as director international. Bailey has spent 20 years in domestic and international business development for Visit Florida, Visit Tampa Bay and Sea World. “I am thrilled to be a part of this new venture,” said Bailey. “This is a unique opportunity to launch a new event that creates and adds real value to our partners. The timing is right for international tour operators to develop new leisure travel product, and we are expecting a great turnout of top operators from the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Brazil, Mexico and China, among others.” The new show has generated enthusiastic support from buyers and suppliers alike. “Thomas Cook Group plc

continually seeks business opportunities that will assist us in providing our customers the best holiday, and the timing of this show is key as February is an optimal time for product development,” said Julian Stockdale, head of USA Contracting with Thomas Cook UK and Ireland. “We are eager to attend the new Connect Travel Marketplace in February 2018.”

upcoming Connect Travel Marketplace.”

“Connect is an integral part of our sales and marketing efforts. For several years, we have been able to increase our meetings business through attendance and sponsorship at Connect events,” said DT Minich, president and CEO with Experience Kissimmee.

Connect Travel also serves as a strategic marketing partner connecting destination marketers with the products, services and people that will allow them to thrive in a rapidly evolving and highly competitive marketplace.

“We are looking forward to the same success in the leisure market with the

“To attend the new Connect Travel Marketplace is also our top priority,” said Fred Dixon, president and CEO with NYC & Company. “Connect has an excellent reputation and a proven track record for producing quality events that focus on providing the best ROI for all involved.”

It offers a full suite of marketing solutions and events for destination marketers. 31

NEWSLINE

Enjoy ‘Flavours of India’, a unique dining experience onboard Jet Airways Beginning this weekend, guests get to indulge their taste buds onboard Jet Airways, India’s full-service premier international airline, as it celebrates the festive season with a special Flavours of India food festival. All Economy guests aboard the airline’s domestic flights of over 90 minutes duration, will have the opportunity to savour a vast and varied menu of carefully curated delicacies from all corners of India. The menu, crafted by select chefs from Taj SATS, Sky Gourmet and Oberoi Flight Services, reflects the cultural diversity of India, making for an onboard gastronomic experience like never before. Guests opting for a Vegetarian meal can choose from dishes such as Subz Kofta (Awadhi speciality), Dhansak (a popular Parsi dish), Paneer Saagwala (from Punjab), Subz Chorchori (from Bengal),

as well as Ennai Kathirikkai and Malabari Veg from the south of India. The nonVegetarian menu offers guests a variety of dishes some of which include Murgh Banjara (from Hyderabad), Butter Chicken (North Indian speciality), Doi Murgh (from Bengal), Milagu Varuva and Chicken Chettinad (SouthIndian speciality), and Chicken Malwani (from Maharashtra). Jayaraj Shanmugam, Chief Commercial Officer, Jet Airways, said, “Flavours of India marks yet another experiential onboard endeavour from Jet Airways. As an airline, we have always been committed to creating exceptional onboard flying experiences for our guests and we hope that this initiative will make travel

on Jet Airways, during this festive season, even more unique and memorable.” ‘Flavours of India’ dining festival will be rolled out for all guests travelling Jet Airways on flights of over 90 minutes in duration. The

festival will be held onboard from Oct 14- 25, 2017 and will comprise Lunch and dinner services, with the festive menu available on flights from Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai.

PATA Travel Mart to be held at Malaysia

The 41st PATA Travel Mart will be held at Langkawi Malayasia from 12-14 September, 2018. This prestigious and successful event has been held at a variety of venues across Asia Pacific bringing global tourism to the doorstep of a new country every year. Langkawi, promises to be a very interesting destination located in the heart of Asia. PATA Travel Mart (PTM) is Asia-Pacific’s premier

travel trade show featuring unparalleled networking and contracting opportunities to help travel and tourism organisations. It helps to access decision makers, meet new clients, expand their networks, establish new relationships and to consolidate existing business partnerships.

Buyers and Sellers meet with pre arranged appointments, making the event extremely productive and mutually beneficial. PTM 2017 had seen the number of Hosted Buyers to 293 while buyer delegates from 281 organisations and 51 source markets took part. From Northeast Asia 32%, Europe 29%, Southeast Asia 13%, North America 10%, South Asia 7%, Pacific 5%

and Others 4%. PATA is offering Early bird discount of 10% on Booth space for any company which sends in the application form and settle payment within 1st Dec, 2017. It is to be noticed that there is no increase in cost of booth space since 2016. PATA India Chapter is officially appointed as the nodal office for all PATA events.

PATA Travel Mart has successfully attracted International Buyers & Sellers to a common platform year on year. It is amongst the few International Travel & Tourism Marts where

ASIAN TRAVELLER | October 2017

NEWSLINE

Tourism trend in the Middle Kingdom: Chinese outbound travel grows despite decline in trips to Europe In 2016, China registered a 13 per cent increase in outbound trips – city trips and Sun & Beach holidays are becoming more and more important – trips to Europe declined – ITB Berlin and IPK International analyse outbound travel behaviour of the Chinese

In 2016, while international travel grew by about four per cent, China registered a growth rate of 13 per cent, further consolidating its position as one of the world’s most important source markets for international travel. Thus, China exceeded the Asian/Pacific average outbound growth rate, which was at nearly nine per cent in 2016. These are the results of a special analysis by the World Travel Monitor, conducted by IPK International and commissioned by ITB Berlin.

Decline in trips to Europe in 2016

In 2016, the Chinese went on 51.2 million international trips with overnights, not including trips to Macau and Hong Kong. Compared to the previous year, that amounts to an additional six million trips and an increase of 13 per cent. China also strengthened its position as the world’s fourthlargest source market October | ASIAN TRAVELLER

behind Germany, the USA and the UK, while further distancing fifth-placed France. Around three out of four outbound trips from China are to destinations within Asia/Pacific, with the Top-5 destinations being within the region, such as South Korea and Thailand. The USA is China’s sixth most popular destination, to which some 2.8 million trips have been made in 2016. The most preferred European destinations are Germany, Spain, France, Switzerland and Austria. However, following seven years of consecutive growth, Chinese trips to Europe declined by four per cent in 2016 compared to the previous year, resulting in a total of 16 per cent of all Chinese outbound trips going to Europe. Nevertheless, first trends for 2017 indicate a positive development again regarding Chinese trips to Europe.

City trips and Sun & Beach holidays are gaining ground Holidays are the reason

for over 80 per cent of Chinese outbound trips. Above all, holiday trips only (without visiting friends or relatives) have a significantly higher share among Chinese travellers (72 per cent) compared to the global average of 57 per cent. For some years, the most popular type of holiday has been round trips, whereas city trips as well as Sun & Beach holidays have been catching up recently. Even though the share of business trips in 2016 was rather small (15 per cent), the number grew by 22 per cent compared to 2015, while holiday trips increased by 11 per cent. Moreover, the average length of stay abroad was nearly 6 nights, which represents a slight increase compared to the previous year, while spending per night remained at the same level.

Preference for first class hotels and above average travel agency bookings

Around 75 per cent of

Chinese outbound travellers chose to stay in hotels. Four and five star hotels were the preferred categories, accounting for 52 per cent of accommodation on all trips. Thus, also regarding the accommodation choice, the Chinese differ widely from the global average, which in respect to luxury hotels stands at only 39 per cent. For the Chinese, planes are the preferred means of transportation, making up for over 80 per cent. This figure is also significantly higher than the global average of around 60 per cent. When it comes to information sources used prior going on an outbound trip, 88 per cent of Chinese travellers use the internet, which is only slightly higher than the worldwide average of 81 per cent. However, while worldwide, around one in three travellers seek for information through a travel agency, Chinese exhibit a much higher share of nearly 70 per cent. This also applies to travel agency bookings. Globally, around 30 per cent book their outbound trip through a travel agency, while almost 50 per cent of Chinese do so. The World Travel Monitor Forum is an exclusive industry gathering which discusses the latest travel trends and forecasts of tourism development, taking place on the 9th and 10th of November 2017 in Pisa, Italy. A summary of the Forum’s main findings will be published in the ITB World Travel Trends Report. 33

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE CONTEST - 113 1. Giant Panda is the national animal of which nation? 2. Catalonia is a part of which nation? 3. Name the capital of Ecuador? 4. Jaffna is a part of which nation? Candice D’Cruz

appointed as Vice President of Luxury Brands at Marriott International

Liji Chacko

appointed as Director of Finance and Business Support at Copthorne Hotel Dubai

Rena Hozore Reiss

appointed as Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Marriott International

5. Nassau is the capital of which Caribbean country? 6. Hong Kong is the autonomous territory of which nation? 7. The currency of Thailand 8. Where is the National Cherry Blossom Festival celebrated? 9. Name the capital of Afghanistan?

Till Klauss

appointed as Hotel Manager at Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria.

Sanjeev K Nayar,

General Manager WelcomHeritage is overseeing the Sales & Marketing functions

Ulrike Andorff

appointed as the General Manager of Fujairah Rotana Resort and Spa

10. Which place is known as the ‘Las Vegas of Asia’? Send in your answers to editor@mediastepsindia.com with TYKC 113 in the subject line. Answers should reach us before the 30th of this month.

Answers to TYKC - 112

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7. Praia do Cassino Beach, Brazil 8. Sindhudurg, district, Maharastra

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ASIAN TRAVELLER | October 2017