ASIAN TRAVELLER AUGUST 2018 by Mediasteps

Vol. 11

No. 11

Pages 32

` 100

US $10 (Overseas)

August 2018

www.asiantraveller.in

Highlights Vol. 11 I No.11 I August 2018

Cover Story: Maldives- A Paradise on Earth Maldives, the South Asian Island nation has no counterpart in the entire world in terms of its unique geography and topography

Mekosha, A Modern Ayurveda Boutique Retreat Mekosha creates a skillfull synthesis between ageold therapies and modern spas

ATTOI Conducts Yoga Ambassadors’ Tour in Kerala Yoga Ambassadors Tour’,a specialized trip for yoga professionals from around the world

23 18 The most beautiful libraries around the world Libraries are known for noteworthy exteriors—think soaring architecture and bountiful gardens—and interiors

Trichy; a fine blend of tradition and modernity

Dr S Bakthavatchalam talks about Tiruchirappalli, the city on the banks of River Cauvery, is fourth largest city of the State

FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK

CHEERFUL OUTLOOK FOR TOURISM

ndicating a strong recovery from setbacks suffered by the tourism sector in recent years, the latest statistics released by World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) shows international tourist arrivals grew 7% in 2017, the highest increase since 2010. This growth got reflected by a strong increase in exports generated by tourism, which reached USD1.6 trillion in 2017, making tourism the world’s third-largest export sector. According to the report the sector has now seen uninterrupted growth in arrivals for eight straight years. International tourist arrivals in 2017 was 1,323 million, is 84 million more than the previous year and a new record. Europe and Africa, which received increases in arrivals of 8% and 9%, respectively, led the table. Meanwhile, the international tourism receipts increased by 5% in 2017. “In addition to the USD 1.3 trillion in receipts that destinations earned, international tourism generated another USD 240 billion from international passenger transport taken by non-residents. This raised total tourism exports to USD 1.6 trillion, or USD 4 billion a day, which corresponds to 7% of the world’s exports,” the report says. Sustained travel demand for destinations across all world regions was the main reason that fuelled the growth. The new report also illustrates that “China continues to lead global outbound travel, having spent USD 258 billion on international tourism in 2017.” Meanwhile, available data for early 2018 has confirmed international tourism’s continued strong growth, with a year-on-year increase of 6% in arrivals between January and April. So, things are looking up for the sector, and lets us hope the trend will continue in the coming days.

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The news items and Advertisements published herein have been collected from various source, which are considered to be reliable. Readers are however requested to verif y the facts before making business decisions using the same. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the writ ten permission from the Publisher. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2018 *Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act

Cover Story Maldives Tourism

Maldives,

A paradise on Earth White powdery beaches, crystalline lagoons and an astonishing underwater world make Maldives an obvious choice for a true holiday of a lifetime. Rising from the deep blue of the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean are more than a thousand islands and thousands more reefs that form the Maldives

ith 1200 islands and 26 atolls, Maldives holds a great allure for tourists across the globe for its enthralling blue seas, exotic islands, shiny-sandy beaches, magnificent reefs, and a variety of water sports. This island country, despite being a popular honeymoon destination, today, it receives many thumps on its ground even by family vacationers who come to rejuvenate amid the scenic island of Maldives. The official language is an Indo-European language called Dhivehi (or Maldivian); Arabic, Hindi, and English are also spoken. Islam is the state religion. The population of Maldives

belongs almost entirely to the Maldivian ethnic group, which is the result of various peoples settling in the islands successively through the country’s history. The first settlers, it is generally believed, were Tamil and Sinhalese peoples from southern India and Sri Lanka. Traders from Arab countries, Malaya, Madagascar, Indonesia, and China visited the islands through the centuries. One of the poorest countries in the world, Maldives has a developing economy based on fishing, tourism, boatbuilding, and boat repairing. This beautiful destination has historically been known under different names in

perfect for food fanatics, history and art lovers as well as adventurers. There are various Islands having a distinct character that you can explore when in Maldives.

packed with fresh produce, and along Chaandanee Magu, the spot for local souvenirs, such as carved wooden dhonis, miniature replicas of the boats dotting area waters. It used to be called ‘Mahal’ for being the abode of the ‘Royal Dynasties’ and is now famous as the King’s Island. Male has a tropical monsoon climate with rains occurring through most months in the year. The best thing about Male is its consistently moderate temperature, round the year. The Grand Friday Mosque, scuba diving and snorkelling, Male fish market, Male’s National Museum, Tsunami Monument, Dive Club Maldives, underwater scooters are some of the major attractions at Male.

Male

Addu City

the Sanskrit language, translated as “Necklace Islands,” “Garland of Islands,” and “Hundred Thousand Islands.” Tourism is relatively recent here-really, it all started for the Maldives in 1972 with just 2 resorts. It’s grown to over 80 resorts today. This holiday destination can also be

Traders from Arab countries, Malaya, Madagascar, Indonesia, and China visited the islands through the centuries

Male is the capital and most populous city in the Republic of Maldives. Located on the southern edge of Kaafu Atoll, the North Male Atoll is the largest city and the most popular destination among the best places to visit in Maldives. Shopaholics can savor Male’s flavors in the local markets, which are 6

Addu City is the largest city of Maldives after Male and can be found on the southern extreme of the island nation. Addu is the main economic and administrative centre in the southern atolls, and the only place to rival Male in size and importance. There are just three resorts down here, a few guesthouses and some ASIAN TRAVELLER | August 2018

superb diving opportunities. It is fascinating to get a view of it from the sky as it is shaped in the form of a heart. And Maldives being a prominent honeymoon destination, its shape attracts hordes of tourists to its boundaries. Addu City has 6 districts. They are Hithadhoo, MaradhooFeydhoo, Maradhoo, Feydhoo, Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo. Addu has some of the earliest settlements in the Maldives, The Addu society has very unusual culture and linguistics compared to all other parts of Maldives, and it was distinguished by strong social divisions.

and is visited by hundreds of travelers every month. With its azure, crystal clear waters — apt for diving, snorkeling and boating, the island is a perfect spot for a family vacation and for honeymoon too. Volleyball matches in the sun-kissed beaches and the dazzling sand, here, are great fun. The island provides for a secluded experience away from the hustle bustle of the world, which is also evident in its most famous Alimatha Resort that does not offer TV and telephone facilities in guest rooms. The Ayurvedic massage centre,

runner, dog-toothed tuna, barracuda and blue-fin jack playing around. You will also sight gray reef sharks and eagle rays. These spectacular corals benefit from the rich flow of nutrients provided

spa, bars, and restaurants make it a revitalising option among the popular tourist places in Maldives. There are also great diving sites here like Myaru Kandu, which is so beautiful that it has been included in the list of government-sanctioned protected sites.

overhangs, crevices, caves, peaks and drop offs. HP Reef in Maldives offers a great package of unlimited fun, excitement and adventure under the water.

COMO, Arena Beach Hotel, Crystal Sands, Beachwood Hotel, Island cottage are some of the best places to stay.

Biyadhoo Island

Maafushi is one of the inhabited islands of Kaafu Atoll and the proposed capital for the Medhu Uthuru Province of the Maldives. Maafushi is one of the more popular local tourist island. Maafushi Island is one of the biggest islands in Maldives. It’s surely the most popular local island in Maldives. It

Alimatha Island is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the island nation of Maldives by the currents which flow through the Somosomo Strait between the resort and the island of Taveuni a few miles away. The dive site offers everything to dive enthusiasts from

resort-island, Villivaru. The island has abundant vegetation of bananas, coconuts and mangoes along with cucumbers, cabbage and tomatoes. It is popular for its sparkling waters and adventurous water sports and hence got the name — ‘the Scuba-diving Island’. The scuba-diving in the area is famous for sites such as Kandooma Thila, known for its dense schools of fish species, Kandooma Caves, which is famous for its soft corals, and the Protected Marine Area of Guraidhoo Kandu, which is a broad, fast channel. Cocoa Island by

Banana Reef

Banana Reef is part of North Male Atoll and has been famous with divers since long ago, as one of the first dive sites on the Maldives Islands. It was, in fact, the very first diving spot in Maldives to get recognition for licensed diving and training. Shaped like a banana, the reef is choc-a-block with exuberant marine life, fantastic corals, amazing cliffs, overhangs, and caves. The season lasts from December to May, with the best diving opportunities from late May to July. The low season is from June to November. Banana Reef lies around 15 minutes away from the artificial island of Hulhumale and has a little bit of everything in it. Also known as “Gaathugiri”, this reef lies just inside Kuda Kalhi, and on the West of Club Med. Divers can see pinnacles, overhangs, caves, colorful coral formations, squirrelfish, bannerfish, oriental sweetlips, grouper, sharks, jacks, blue-striped snappers, and barracudas. Coco Bodhu Hithi, Paradise Island Resort & Spa, Adaaran Prestige Ocean Villas are the best places to stay here.

Alimatha Island

Sitting on the eastern edge of Maldives, Alimatha Island is located in Vaavu Atoll. Alimatha Island is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the island nation of Maldives August 2018 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

HP Reef

HP Reef in Maldives is a marine protected area located to the north of Girifushi in North Male Atoll. From small, harmful and colorful fishes to multihued corals, caves and overhangs — the sea here is bustling with the vivacity of marine life. With utmost care, the marine beings are protected here while making sure that ardent swimmers and divers only spring into waters when it is completely secure. You can swim through a huge cave following to the top of the reef known as ‘chimney’ at 24 meters. Blue delicate corals beautifully decorate the cave. Spot rainbow

Another popular island among the best places to visit in Maldives, the Biyadhoo Island is stationed in South Male Atoll. The island is located 18 miles (28.9 km) south of Male International Airport. It is located 0.62 miles from the island of Makunufushi, and only 330 yards from another

Maafushi Island

Cover Story Maldives Tourism to the Islamic calendar.

Maldivian Cuisine

is located in Kaafu Atoll just 27 km away from Male. The island itself has an elongated form. 2700 people live on the island. The size is 1270 x 265 m. It’s amazing how so many people can live on such a small piece of land, but there, as well as on other local islands, you absolutely don’t feel that the place is overcrowded. The southern end of the island is a tourist zone; bikini beach, guest houses, gift shops, and restaurants are located there. The first guest house on Maafushi was opened in 2010, and since then the number of guest houses has been on the increase, as well as the population of the island. There are more than 60 guest houses of different price categories.

Maldives Festivals

Most of the Maldives holidays revolve around and are influenced by the Islamic faith. Ramadan is an important event held during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Much of the country alters its opening hours to accommodate this special fast.

Ramadan

Ramadan, also known as ‘Rorda Mas’, is one of the most important festivals of Maldivians. Being a totally Islamic country, the Maldives celebrates the Ramadan period every year. It has a lot of religious reverence. According to the Muslim calendar, Maldives Ramadan festival falls in the ninth month. It is basically the Islamic month of fasting, in which the Muslims observe 30 days of fasting. 8

Eid-Ul-Adha

Eid Ul Adha festival of Maldives is one of the major religious festivals of Maldivians. This festivity is known by different names like the Festival of Sacrifice, Eid-e Qorban, Qurbani Eid and many more. It is celebrated on the 10th day of Thul Hijjah, according to the Muslim calendar.

Prophet Mohammad’s Birthday

Prophet Mohammad’s Birthday in Maldives is celebrated with great pomp and show. It falls on the 12th day in the month of Rabeeul-Awwal, according to the Islamic Calendar. It has a lot of religious significance for the Muslims, as the festivity is observed to celebrate the birthday of holy prophet Mohammad.

Kuda Eid

Kuda Eid, also known as Fithru Eid, is an important religious festivity that marks the end of Ramadan, as in the Islamic month of fasting. It is a three day long festivity, which is observed as a public holiday period. Usually, the Kuda Id festival of Maldives falls on the first day in the month of Shawaal, according

The cuisine of Maldives is a rich assortment of traditional cuisine and comprises three main components: tuna, coconut and rice. Processed tuna, or Maldive fish, is produced in the Maldives and is a staple of Maldivian cuisine. It is also exported, mainly to Sri Lanka. The production process is to cut the fish in a particular way, boil it in water, smoke it and sundry it until it is like a piece of wood. With this type of preparation, the fish can be kept without refrigeration for years. The cuisine of Maldives, with its foreign influences, is a distinctive blend with its own flavours, symbolizing a unique culinary identity. Eating in the capital

The cuisine of Maldives, with its foreign influences, is a distinctive blend with its own flavours, symbolizing a unique culinary identity Male would be a very different experience. The hotels, restaurants and most guesthouses serve western and eastern specialties in addition to continental and a few local dishes. The cafés – locally known as hotaa is the best place if you would like to savour the local tastes. Coconuts are used in most Maldivian recipes.

Cocunuts are grated, squeezed for the coconut milk or pressed for coconut oil. To get the milk, the scraped coconut is squeezed after soaking in water. This coconut milk is used in curries, desserts and other dishes. The oil is used for anything deep fried. Grating takes place on a small stool with an extended serrated blade.

Mas huni

This dish is a blend of tuna, coconut and chili, which is loved by all Maldivians. It is more like a salad and requires very little time to prepare. This dish is eaten for breakfast with chapatti and black tea.

Kulhimas

Every single Maldivian enjoys this dish. Kulhi’ in Dhivehi, means hot or spicy and ‘mas’ means fish. It is easy to prepare and simply delicious. This dish can be eaten for breakfast with chapatti, or for dinner with rice.

Garudhiya

This dish is highly valued and eaten by Maldivians almost every day. Raw tuna is used to prepare ‘garudhiya’. From time in memorial, Maldivians have been fishing and drying or smoking tuna. The fishes that have been smoked are used to make dishes like ‘mas huni’.

Handulu Bondibai

A special dessert made by the people of Maldives for the most special occasions like the birth of a child. This dish is eaten with ‘kulhimas’ or separately. ‘Bondibai’ is commonly prepared with rice; but it can also be made using sago or breadfruit.

Best time to visit

The best weather – and the best time to visit the Maldives – is between November and April. The high season falls between December and March. The monsoon runs from May to October, peaking around June. In May-November months the northern atolls have highest rainfall; the southern atolls from November-March. ASIAN TRAVELLER | August 2018

Resort focus

Mekosha, A Modern Ayurveda Boutique Retreat With a unique focus on the traditional Indian sciences of ayurveda and yoga, Mekosha creates a skillfull synthesis between age-old therapies and modern spas

ituated in Thiruvannthapuram, Mekosha is Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first, ayurveda inspired boutique retreat with in-suite spas, unlimited massages and gourmet meals. Mekosha is a place where the mind, body and spirit are treated together by experts practicing the purest tenets of Ayurveda. The pampering and relaxing experience allows you to rejuvenate, unwind and renew yourself. Health is not expensive at Mekosha. Here guests can enjoy the ancient healing traditions of Ayurveda in a contemporary ambiance by a handpicked team without ever worrying about the cost. Here time-honored diagnostic methods and effective herbal medicines, customized Yoga, Pranayama and Meditation and a great balanced diet inspired by the classical Ayurveda scriptures forms the core program at Mekosha. Mekosha Wellness Retreat is located on the northern bank of the Attingal Aaru river, also known as Vamanpuram river, in Thiruvannthapuram. The serene sprawling lush greenery has more than 200 species of rare medicinal herbs creating a tranquil, refreshing atmosphere. The entire development has been designed to provide a healing atmosphere and ethnic ambience to recapture the rich architectural splendour and natural surroundings of

the region. The calming integration of lush greenery, fresh air, spring water, the luxurious therapy rooms and the mystifying environs of Kerala, provide the ideal environment for rejuvenation of the body, mind and soul. A stay at Mekosha is not complete without taking advantage of a range of international treatments. The bouquet of treatments brings together a fascinating global combination of complete wellness by blending the best known therapies garnered from every corner of the world. Going back in time, understanding practices, rituals and the spiritual teachings has allowed us to bring together revitalizing treatments such as the sensuous aromatherapy, the deeply relaxing Swedish massage, the pressure points and tension release work through deep tissue massage. The international treatments are all included in the Pure Health and Longevity programme package and has unlimited usage. Mekosha Hospitality, led by Ram Wasan has been conceptualized by the team that created Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first boutique hotel: The Manor, New Delhi. Ram Wasan

is a trusted advisor for many in the hospitality industry. Before founding Mekosha, Ram worked as an MD at HVS International where he focused on asset management services for South East Asia. He was instrumental in establishing The Manor, Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first designer boutique hotel. He started his career at Oberoi hotels and has held leadership roles with many companies including Reliance, DLF, K Raheja Corporation, Vatika Group and Citrus Hotels. Mekosha is also on the process to give the guest only organic and pure food sourced out from locality. For this they have their own vegetable garden for commonly used vegetables. Tropical fruits also cultivated in the garden. As part of new development programmes a Butterfly garden is also coming in Mekosha. Delhi, Goa, Rajasthan are the upcoming locations for Mekosha and Delhi is expected to open in another two months.

Accommodation and Dining

An all-suites boutique hotel, each 600 sq. feet SpaSuite has an integral Private treatment room and balcony overlooking the pool and with delightful river views beyond. In their sleek and contemporary designed suites, each is fitted with luxurious king sized beds using superior cotton bedding. The rooms offer a calm and relaxing space for you to continue to rejuvenate following your treatments. Fresh fruit, bottled mineral water and a selection of herbal teas are ASIAN TRAVELLER | August 2018

always available. All the suites are spacious and filled with light, each one incorporating an integral private massage and treatment room. A private balcony overlooks the pool and grounds with river views beyond to complete the tranquil atmosphere. The pool is shaded by trees and a stylish veranda completes this cool relaxation area. Food is an important element at Mekosha. The retreat is home to an organic plot that is home to a variety of vegetables and herbs which are all used in the kitchen. Guests can enroll in Ayurveda cooking classes and enjoy the benefits of healthy cooking. The center believes that healthy eating is definitely positive and transforming. Mekosha also offers a communal table setting, where guests can enjoy a great meal and a chance to meet other guests’ from all over the world. An all-inclusive dining experience provides for a fully immersive programme in which guests are free to focus on what matters most – getting healthy and feeling fit. Healthy food can be very pleasurable and filling, as our guests quickly learn. That’s why they stay on track when they return home. The joy of preparing meals which delight the senses and are healthy is the pillar of the programme. At Aamala the chef prepares delicious meals using healthy and high quality ingredients from the world over – maintaining, and often enhancing, flavours. A range of breakfasts, beverages and meals complete the selection. Chef Samta Gupta’s professional experience of more than two and a half decades with various restaurants and hotels across the world has given her a well- rounded skill set including first-rate communication and motivational skills excelling in cost analysis, menu planning, hiring and training, team building and quality control inspections leading to customer delight. She is besides, being adept in

employee supervision, team leadership, and time management, an amazing creator of magic when it comes to tossing up a sensational culinary menu with various ethnic and eclectic cuisines. In addition to her experience and personal qualities, she has a solid educational foundation from IH M, Kolkata and a passion for translating her knowledge into soulful menus.

create special itineraries and private insider tours. They will introduce you to hard-to-access experts to get you under the skin of real Kerala. These handpicked and curated experiences and excursions allow you to connect with surroundings and fully enjoy Kerala. See, feel, touch and taste the authentic art, culture and natural beauty of Kerala.

Learn Ayurveda Cooking Techniques

At Elephant Junction you can enjoy interaction with elephants at close proximity and come away with a smile in your heart. Lord Padmanabhaswamy temple is also situated near to Mekosha. And there is Shanmugham beach. The vast stretch of white sand and the serene atmosphere away from the crowds of the city provide all the ingredients for relaxation and for enjoying a special evening. The beach is considered to be the ‘Arattukadavu’ of Sri Ananthapadmanabhan – the presiding deity of the city. Thousands of Hindus perform ‘Bali Tharpanam’ during special occasions.

At Mekosha they teach Ayurveda cuisine as part of their culinary programme for guests. This form of cooking has been practised for thousands of years but is increasingly relevant to today’s society. It is currently gaining momentum world-wide as a balance to today’s often stressful lifestyle. Many restaurants also now offer vegetarian and vegan menus as part of their full range of meals. Ayurveda guidelines are clear: ‘All good health starts with a healthy digestive system’. If we eat foods uniquely suited to our physiology and avoid overeating, particularly heavy, fatty or spicy foods, then the entire body will reap the benefits. Mekosha mainly focus on producing meals recommended by their physician to individual needs and treatments. Understanding these needs and continuing to use this knowledge at home will bring lifelong improvements in health and enjoyment of life.

Excursions

The concierge team at Mekosha loves to August 2018 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

Varkala, or Papanasam beach is a haven for sun-bathing and swimming. Located close to Mekosha it is one of the most popular tourism destinations in Kerala. The evening views of the sunset are an experience not to miss. Kuthira Malika, known as the Mansion of Horses, gets its name from the 122 horses that are carved into the wooden wall brackets supporting the southern roof. The official name of the palace is Puthen Malika (New Mansion).

Location

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is 29 km from Mekosha, while Veli Tourist Village is 24 km away. The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, 27 km from the property. 11

Travel books

Books That Will Fuel Your Wanderlust Books That Will Fuel Your Wanderlust Having the best books to inspire travel on your journey is like the cherry on top of a perfect adventure sundae. Travelling is a heady passion, reading headier than it. Imagine a combination of the two; what you will get is a concoction that every traveller in love with books can dream of. Happy reading!

Seven Years in Tibet This is an autobiographical travel book written by Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer based on his real life experiences in Tibet between 1944 and 1951 during the Second World War and the interim period before the Communist Chinese People’s Liberation Army invaded Tibet in 1950. A tale of redemption, it takes its readers high into the Himalayas and deep into their soul, imparting lessons to remember. An insight into the ways and time of Tibet’s sovereign days, the Dalai Lama’s personal quarters, and a quick journey across Himalayan India before taking you to Lhasa—this and much more awaits you between the pages.

A Passage to India A Passage to India is a novel by English author E. M. Forster set against the backdrop of the British Raj and the Indian independence movement in the 1920s. The storyline owes a lot to writer’s personal experiences during his time in India, and paints a somber picture of an India that was beautiful yet marred by communal and racial tension back then. The story revolves around four characters: Dr. Aziz, his British friend Mr. Cyril Fielding, Mrs. Moore, and Miss Adela Quested.

Eat Pray Love Eat, Pray, Love is a 2006 memoir by American author Elizabeth Gilbert. The memoir chronicles the author’s trip around the world after her divorce and what she discovered during her travels. A woman’s journey across Italy, India 12

and Bali, it might just make you run away from all things familiar. The book remained on The New York Times Best Seller list for 187 weeks. The movie rights for the memoir were purchased by Columbia Pictures. The film version, which stars Julia Roberts and Javier Bardem, was released in theaters on August 13, 2010.

in eastern Bhutan.What starts as a job for two years in Bhutan moves into a narrative that looks further than the Shangri-La image of this country. The writer includes Bhutan’s culture, religion, shamanistic beliefs of its people, the harsh living conditions and more. The book was first published in 1999.

Beyond the Sky and the Earth: A Journey into Bhutan

Malgudi Days

Beyond the Sky and the Earth: A Journey into Bhutan is a memoir written by Jamie Zeppa of her experience working as a lecturer in English at the Sherubtse College near Trashigang

Malgudi Days is a collection of short stories by R. K. Narayan published in 1943. One for the sheer charm of all things old school, this collection of short stories by RK Narayan is another gem for travelaholics. The book includes 32 stories, all set in the fictional town of Malgudi, located in South India. Each of the stories portrays a facet of life in Malgudi. The New York Times described the virtue of the book as “everyone in the book seems to have a capacity for responding to the quality of his particular hour. It’s an art we need to study and revive.”

Nine Lives: In Search of the Sacred in Modern India Nine Lives: In Search of

the Sacred in Modern India is a 2009 travel book by William Dalrymple. Yet, it manages to hook the readers, delving deep into lives of nine Indians, telling stories that will leave deep imprints on your mind. Each of these nine stories will engage you with their realistic, essentially Indian settings. The book was long listed for the Samuel Johnson Prize 2010. It has received the 2010 Asia House Award for Asian Literature.

A Thousand Splendid Suns A Thousand Splendid Suns is a 2007 novel by Afghan-American author Khaled Hosseini. Not your typical book for travellers, this masterpiece by Khaled Hosseini will make you heartache for the post-war Afghanistan, especially Kabul. Earning widespread critical acclaim upon publication, A Thousand Splendid Suns was released on May 22, 2007, and received favorable prepublication reviews from Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Booklist, becoming a number one New York Times bestseller for fifteen weeks following its release.

The Alchemist The Alchemist is a novel by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho that was first published in 1988. This is, perhaps, the most famous work of Paulo Coelho, a journey of magic that takes you far and wide. A story that develops in the mountains of Andalusia and stretches till the pyramids of Egypt, The Alchemist will test the realms of your imagination. ASIAN TRAVELLER | August 2018

Aviation News

Garuda Named 2018 World`s Best Airline Cabin Crew This achievement also makes Garuda Indonesia as the first global airline that successfully retains the title of “The World’s Best Cabin Crew” for 5 years in a row

he national flag carrier, Garuda Indonesia awarded “The World’s Best Cabin Crew” for fifth consecutive years from Skytrax, an independent London-based flight service rating agency. The award as the world’s best cabin crew is the fifth time received by Garuda Indonesia since 2014. “The World’s Best Cabin Crew 2017” award was presented by CEO of Skytrax Edward Plaisted to CEO & President Garuda Indonesia Pahala N. Mansury at Langham Hotel, London, on Tuesday (17/6) coincides with the biggest event airshow in the world, Farnborough Airshow 2018. The awarding session was also witnessed by the Services Director of Garuda Indonesia Nicodemus P. Lampe. CEO and President of Garuda Indonesia, Pahala N. Mansury said that the achievement as The World’s Best Cabin Crew is a pride for Garuda Indonesia. We proudly presents this achievement to Indonesia, which will soon celebrate the nation 73th independence day on 17th August 2018. “The World’s Best Cabin Crew is amongst the most highly prestigious airline award. To have successfully secured this award for five consecutive years is unbelievably amazing, and we are enormously proud of this achievement”, added Pahala. “This achievement also makes Garuda Indonesia as the only airline in the world to successfully defend the title of” The World’s Best Cabin Crew “for five years in a row. This appreciation

August 2018 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

Ambassador to the United Kingdom and Ireland Rizal Sukma said that “This award is a truly special achievement. The achievement of 5 consecutive years for the same field, shows the success of Garuda Indonesia in maintaining the best service to the customers “.

certainly has its own meaning for us amid various operational performance challenges faced by the company, Garuda Indonesia successfully proves its commitment in presenting the best quality of cabin crew service that is recognized world “. Furthermore Pahala said, “Achieving this accolade is certainly an honor for all of Garuda’s dedicated employees – and in particular our cabin crews, who have embraced the challenge together to achieve a high level of “Service of Excellence” and present Indonesian hospitality to the world. This award will truly serve as further inspiration for us to remain and even improve further, while it will also become a firm recognition of the sustained development we have continued over the recent years, not only in terms of services, but also throughout all aspects of our company”. “Finally, we would like to all Garuda Indonesia passengers for the support and trust towards Garuda Indonesia, which inspire us to continue to grow and fly even higher in the years to come”, added Pahala. The recognition of

Garuda Indonesia as “The World’s Best Cabin Crew 2018” is based on the assessment through the “Customer Satisfaction Survey” conducted by Skytrax globally involving more than 18 million passengers. The survey was conducted on more than 245 international airlines, and held annually by measuring 41 major aspects related to products and services provided by airlines. Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted said the “World’s Best Cabin Crew” award is one of the most prestigious honors in the world of aviation. To have secured this award for five consecutive years is remarkable and unprecedented and the staff and management of Garuda should be enormously proud of this achievement. “Maintaining the best predicate is not an easy thing. We believe that everyone in Garuda Indonesia has worked hard especially in providing the best service. This achievement will certainly bring the name of Indonesia in the eyes of the world “explains Edward. Meanwhile, Indonesia

“This is also an evidence of Garuda Indonesia effort in showing the main image of the Indonesia, through its cultural richness and hospitality,” said Rizal. In addition to winning the “World’s Best Cabin Crew” for the fifth time, through the Skytrax awards, Garuda Indonesia also maintained its performance as Top 10 World’s Best Airline. The overall achievements at the Skytrax Awards event also complement the world’s recognition of Garuda Indonesia which previously also managed to maintain the status as a five-star airline obtained through an independent audit process thoroughly to the performance and quality of service Garuda Indonesia. Previously, on July 11, Garuda Indonesia and its subsidiary, Citilink Indonesia also won the “TripAdvisor Traveler Awars Choice” hosted by TripAdvisor - the leading travel site in the world. For the second consecutive years Garuda Indonesia was named the best airline in Indonesia, while Citilink Indonesia, a subsidiary of Garuda Indonesia in the Low Cost Carrier service line, won the award for “Best Low Cost Airlines - Asia” for the first time. 13

Maharashtra tOURISM

Maharashtra offers a range of trekking destinations laced in rich history Trekking to a place that has some bit of history attached to it often gives some trekkers their goosebumps and thrill

rekking is a sport that is gaining fast popularity in the recent days, so much so that there is a huge community who have come together sharing their love for this alternative sport. Yet, trekkers have their love for the sport divided by the kinds of terrains and places they choose as their tracks. Places of nothing-but-nature are one of the top choices to trek by a lot of people, closely followed by the love of trekking to a historical place or route. Knowing that you are treading along a route where kings or dynasties have left their mark is an enthralling experience in itself. Of a lot of places, Maharashtra is one place that has a range of trekking destinations laced in rich history.

Panhala to Pawan Khind trek is one of the most popular treks

Unlike the other treks, this is a popular trek as the starting point and the end point both are enriched with the bravery of the Marathas – Panhala Fort to Pawan Khind. The Maratha army took it on themselves to rescue their Great Maratha Warrior – Shivaji who was held a captive in Panhala Fort, till Pawan Khind. This route has become so 14

popular that the Rugged Sahyadri Ultra Trail Run attracts a huge number of participants every year. The gorgeous route is a complete package with treading village backroads, through thick vegetation, and rugged trails. Deepak R Harane, Regional Manager, MTDC Pune, says, “Kolhapur is blessed with the rich history and legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj. The natural beauty, forts, and dam built by Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, cascading waterfalls are the great attraction for tourists. Strong and historic fort of Panhala is closer to Kolhapur city, which reverberates with the courage of Bajiprabhu Deshpande. Shivaji Maharaj courageously escaped from the clutches of Siddhi Johar, with the help of Bajiprabhu Deshpande who was martyred during the escape. Today’s youth should not forget the bravery of Bajiprabhu Deshpande. Ruggedian has brought ‘Rugged Sahyadri’ marathon from Panhala to Pawankhind with the option to explore the tracks. We feel Panhala fort which is filled with the beauty of nature & Kolhapur district should be seen impressively on the

maps of Maharashtra and India. Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation is whole hardheartedly supporting and assisting the Rugged Sahyadri Ultra Trail Run.”

walk around the perimeter of the Korigad Fort once they reach here. The Korigad Fort was under the Marathas during their rule. The fort was ultimately captured by the British in 1818.

Prabalgad Fort and Irshalgad Fortress are two popular ones in Matheran

We got the Founderdirector of Ruggedian Lifestyle Pvt. Ltd. Akash Korgaonkar to talk. He revealed, “Youngsters love to explore places that have the historical touch to it. They love to walk along the same paths, see the forts, cannons, canals from the times of history. We get hundreds of participants every year for RuggedSahyadri Ultra Trail Run, especially for the historical route connection.”

A lot of trekkers love to go on a Matheran trek because of its amicable climatic conditions. Throughout the trekking route, there are about 28 viewpoints in different places around the area. The Prabalgad Fort and the Kalavantin Fort are the two places where the crowd flocks. The Prabalgad Fort was originally called the Murarjan before the Marathas took it over and renamed it, under Shivaji’s rule.

Korigad Fort Trek is one based amidst clouds

Located around 20 Km far from Lonavala, the Korigad Fort has two routes reaching it. One starts from the Peth Shahpur village and the other will take you through the Ambavne village. Besides the fort, there are two beautiful lakes. The trek to the fort is one amazing one loaded with natural beauty across the length and breadth of the trail. Trekkers often love to

Ruggedian is a new-age lifestyle sports management company. Ruggedian organises different alternate sports that are finely enmeshed with adventure and entertainment. The amazing part about these sports is that, they facilitate everyone to take part in them, with age, gender, caste, and colour being no bar. With the increasing popularity of alternate sports, Ruggedian organises trekking, hiking, mountain biking, cycling, marathons, trail runs, night treks, obstacle races, rappelling and more. ASIAN TRAVELLER | August 2018

Kerala Tourism

KTDC launches country’s first state-run all-woman hotel project

‘H

ostess’, India’s first public sector hotel run entirely by women for women, is coming up in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala. Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran launched the work on India’s first public sector hotel run entirely by women for women in Thiruvananthapuram. A flagship project of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC), the hotel named ‘Hostess’ will come up within six months at the KTDC complex at the main bus station in the heart of the city, adjacent to the central railway station. The project was a ‘milestone initiative’ of KTDC, considering its purpose, security features and facilities of global standards at affordable rates, the minister said. “There are many services being

Tourism was a priority sector for the state, he said and lauded the KTDC initiatives to create top class facilities for visitors. “The government has given administrative sanction of Rs 17.5 crore to set up a 42-room budget hotel at Kanyakumari. The nod of local self-government institutions in Tamil Nadu is awaited to start the work,” he said.

Listing other key projects on the anvil, he said about Rs 39.6 crore has been sanctioned through KIFBI for development works at Muzhappilangad beach near Kannur and Rs 7.69 crore for ‘Kumarakom waterscapes’ through destination development. Presiding, KTDC chairman M Vijayakumar said the all-woman hotel was the first such initiative from a government institution in the country. “We give more emphasis on security and safety features besides comfort and convenience. If it becomes

“We mainly target women officials, researchers, sportspersons, teenage girls, business women and pilgrim groups, who arrive in the city for short stay,” said KTDC managing director Rahul R. As per the reports, the facility will have 22 AC rooms and two AC dormitories to host 28 people at a time. Rooms will be charged Rs 1,500 and the dormitory facility Rs 500 for four hours.

Kerala floods; Tourism industry estimates losses worth Rs 20 bn

s per a recent report, the tourism industry in Kerala is estimating losses worth Rs 20 billion due to the floods which include Rs 15 billion as the opportunity lost during the last two months and another two to three months. Sabarimala has seen a loss of around Rs 1 billion and is expecting the situation to remain bleak during this pilgrimage season if at least a bridge is not built for the pilgrims to travel to the Lord Ayyappa Temple. The government has said that it would hand over the task of building two

offered by KTDC which are affordable to common people and facilities at ‘Hostess’ at economic rates are expected to be of global standards,” he said.

a success here, similar hotels will be set up in other cities of the state,” he said. ‘Hostess’ will offer state-of-theart facilities, including automated security features, technologyoriented check-ins and check-outs, laundry service, complimentary breakfast, microwave oven and fitness centre.

bailey bridges at Pamba to the Indian Army and which will be ready before the upcoming season. A Padmakumar, president, Travancore Devaswom Board said that we are trying to make arrangements so that at least by the upcoming season the pilgrims can reach Sabarimala. The loss of infrastructure as per the preliminary assessment is around Rs 1 billion. At least a bridge is required to be built to make the hill temple accessible. We need help from everybody

for this. Devaswom Board has 1258 temples and many are sustained through the revenue from Sabarimala. Devaswom Board requires over Rs 4 billion to pay salary and pension. Tourism in Kerala is a Rs 300-350 billion industry. Opportunity lost due to the floods is expected to be at Rs 15 billion for the last two months and the next couple of months. “Indian Army has informed that they will build temporary bridges before the pilgrimage season starts. The Army will build two bridges, one for the pilgrims to cross

the river and the other for ambulances and vehicles necessary to cross the river. The responsibility of construction will be completely handed over to the army to ensure faster implementation,” said Kadakampally Surendran, minister for Co-operation, Tourism and Devasoms.

ASIAN TRAVELLER | August 2018

Adeeb Ahamed pledges Rs 1 crore to 2018 Kochi Muziris Biennale

he Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF) signed Adeeb Ahamed of the Lulu Financial Group as a ‘platinum patron’. Ahamed, the managing director of the Abu Dhabi-headquartered company, committed Rs 1 crore to the fourth edition of the exhibition this year. The Memorandum of Understanding on this was inked by Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF) President Bose Krishnamachari and Managing Director, Lulu Financial Group, Adeeb Ahamed. “Kochi Biennale is not just about art and artists. It is a commitment towards bridging art and society and making artistic exhibitions more accessible, easier to understand, and closer to the community over the

August 2018 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

years. The installations and works showcased by the Foundation have become important points of reference in a dialogue among artists and peers all over the world,” said Ahamed at the event. The contribution of Ahamed, a Malayali NRI businessman and son-in-law of LuLu Group chairman Yusuff Ali MA, would provide a robust impetus to the ‘sustenance and flourishing’ of the Biennale, said Bose Krishnamachari, KBF president. “I hugely welcome and appreciate his gesture, and look forward to our new partnership with great enthusiasm. I hope Mr. Ahamed’s generous contribution inspires young business people and entrepreneurs all over the country to realise the impact

and potential of cultural investment,” he added. KBF Secretary and acclaimed artist Riyas Komu said it signalled an affirmation of corporate support for the KMB, which has shaped up to be an internationally respected art event with huge implications for the culture and commerce of Kerala. The fourth edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale,

curated by Anita Dube and spread across 12 venues, will kickstart on December 12 this year, running over three months to conclude on March 29, 2019. The Biennale, visited by over 6 lakh people in its third edition in 2016-17, has managed to prove itself as one of India’s criticallyacclaimed art exhibitions with its nuanced and powerful installations.

Libraries AROUND THE WORLD

The most beautiful libraries around the world Let us travel around the world to some of the oldest libraries. Libraries often act as such cultural gathering places, whether enshrining masterpieces or hosting present-day events. These libraries are known for noteworthy exteriors—think soaring architecture and bountiful gardens—and interiors. A library is the ultimate escape – from the noise and bustle of the outside world, into a place of peace and quiet, into wherever your book takes you Trinity College Library, Dublin, Ireland

This is the largest library in Ireland and is the permanent home to the Book of Kells. The 65-metre-long (213 ft) main chamber of the Old Library, the Long Room, was built between 1712 and 1732 and houses 200,000 of the Library’s oldest books. Initially The Long Room had a flat ceiling, shelving for books only on the lower level, and an open gallery. Today library has over 6 million printed volumes with extensive collections of journals, manuscripts, maps and music reflecting over 400 years of academic development. The Library was endowed with Legal Deposit privilege in 1801 and continues to receive copies of material published in the United Kingdom and

Ireland.

George Peabody Library, Baltimore, USA

The George Peabody Library, housed in the world-renowned Peabody Institute of Music, is part of the Sheridan Libraries Special Collections at Johns Hopkins University. The George Peabody Library contains over 300,000 volumes stacked in five decorative tiers. The books are impressive, sure, but the cathedral like-atrium, marble floors, and wroughtiron details are the main draw here. The library interior is often regarded as one of the most beautiful in the world.Completed in 1878, it was designed by Baltimore architect Edmund G. Lind in collaboration with the first Peabody provost, Nathaniel H. Morison, that

described it as a “cathedral of books.” Between July 2002 and May 2004, the now historic library underwent a $1 million renovation and refurbishment.

Stiftsbibliothek Admont, Admont, Austria

The world’s largest monastery library was built in 1776 and is known for its Baroque architecture, art and manuscripts. Within it are represented various artistic genres (architecture, frescoes, sculptures, manuscripts and printed works) that come together to form an impressive whole. The seven ceiling frescoes are also suffused with the spirit of the Enlightenment and were painted by the then 80-year-old Bartolomeo Altomonte (1694 – 1783) in the summer months of the years 1775 and 1776. The library holds some 70,000 volumes while the Abbey in total owns nearly 200,000 books. The most valuable among these are the more than 1,400 manuscripts (the oldest dating to the 8th century AD) and the 530 incunabulae (books printed before 1500).

Rampur Raza Library, Uttar Pradesh

The Rampur Raza Library is one of the important libraries of South Asia. The Rampur Raza Library located in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh. Registered as a national monument, the 18th-century Rampur Raza Library has been a 18

powerhouse of Indo-Islamic studies since its founder, ruler Nawab Faizullah Khan, set it up in 1774. The collection, which started as his private one, has been added to over the years, and includes manuscripts and palm leaves with inscriptions on. It is having 17000 manuscripts in Arabic, Persian, Pashto, Sanskrit, Urdu, Hindi and Turkish languages. A collection of around 60,000 printed books in various Indian and foreign languages are also available.

Austrian National Library, Vienna

The Austrian National Library is the largest library in Austria, with more than 12 million items in its various collections. Austria’s largest library is also its most spectacular, with its central State Hall – opened in 1723 as a royal library – an extraordinary combination of baroque flair and traditional library design. Grand marble sculptures swagger between the shelves, the bookcases are propped up by ionic columns and frescoed ceilings and marble flooring give it that outré baroque feel. There are guided tours, or you can visit alone – there’s a small exhibition space within the library. The library is located in the Neue Burg Wing of the Hofburg in center of Vienna. Since 2005, some of the collections have been relocated within the baroque ASIAN TRAVELLER | August 2018

as books, books and more books.

The Royal Library Copenhagen, Denmark

structure of the Palais Mollard-Clary. Founded by the Habsburgs, the library was originally called the Imperial Court Library, the change to the current name occurred in 1920.

Klementinum Library, Prague

The Klementinum library, a beautiful example of Baroque architecture, was first opened in 1722 as part of the Jesuit university, and houses over 20,000 books. With trompe l’oeil frescoes mimicking sweeping domed ceilings, marble flooring and intricately carved wooden Corinthian columns between the bookshelves, it’s an extraordinarily flamboyant space – with the scalloped balcony and gilded rails adding extra bling to the mezzanine level. The ceiling frescoes were painted by Jan Hiebl. In 1781, director Karel Rafael Ungar established Biblioteca Nationalis, a collection of Czech language literature. Today, the main room is filled with antique globes and clocks as well

The Royal Library in Copenhagen is the national library of Denmark and the university library of the University of Copenhagen. It is among the largest libraries in the world and the largest in the Nordic countries. Known as the Black Diamond, this neoModernist building was built in 1999 as an addition to the Royal Library’s original complex. Its striking steel, glass, and black granite structure contains a concert hall, a popular café, and exhibition spaces. The Black Diamond treats visitors to spectacular harbor views and a ceiling fresco by one of Denmark’s most famous artists, Per Kirkeby. It contains numerous historical treasures, and a copy of all works printed in Denmark since the 17th century are deposited there. The Royal Library acquires Danish books through legal deposit.

is a cavernous space ringed with three terraced levels of open shelving. Stockholm Public Library includes more than 2 million volumes and 2.4 million audio tapes, CDs and audio books.

Boston Public Library, Massachusetts

The Boston Public Library is a municipal public library system in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1848, The Boston Public Library contains approximately 19 million volumes, and electronic resources, making it the second-largest public library in the United States behind only the Library of Congress (with 34 million volumes), according to

Stockholm Public Library, Sweden

Stockholm Public Library is a library building in Stockholm, Sweden, designed by Swedish architect Gunnar Asplund, and one of the city’s most notable structures. The round main hall has books in every Nordic language and a white, textured roof that was designed to look like clouds. Visitors to the library ascend (process up) a staircase and through an Egyptian-style doorway into the library’s main space: the reading room. Occupying the central cylinder, the reading room

the American Library Association. Best known for his portraits, Sargent painted his Triumph of Religion mural cycle in Sargent Hall between 1890-1919, and it’s said to be one of the most ambitious cycles in the USA. According to its website, the Boston Public Library has a collection of over 23.7 million items. Boston Public Library has two digital partners-in-residence at the Central Library in Copley Square. The first is Internet Archive, a nonprofit digital library that offers permanent access to historical collections in digital format for researchers, historians, and the general public. The Digital Public Library of America provides access to digital content from American libraries, archives, museums, and historical societies.

Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana, Venice The Biblioteca Nazionale

August 2018 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

Marciana is a library and Renaissance building in Venice, northern Italy; it is one of the earliest surviving public manuscript depositories in the country. Almost all of the 40,000 visitors who set foot in Venice every day make it to Piazza San Marco; few venture upstairs to the Museo Correr, the gallery that runs along the upper floors of the Procuratie Nuove buildings enclosing the famous U-shaped square. One of the oldest surviving libraries in Italy, designed by Sansovino, hung with Titians and Tintorettos, and filled with antique globes and manuscripts from the 15th century onwards. Among

the irreplaceable treasures are unique scores of operas by Francesco Cavalli and sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti.

Cardiff Central Library, United Kingdom Cardiff Central Library, is the main library in the city centre of Cardiff, Wales. The first Cardiff library was opened in 1861 as the Cardiff Free Library, later expanded and known as the Cardiff Free Library, Museum and Schools for Science and Art. The latest incarnation, completed in 2009, is patterned with tall, thin panels of blue, black, and green glass designed to resemble the spines of books. A steel sculpture called Alliance, which represents Cardiff’s journey from past to present, sits in front of the library. At night, the sculpture glows as words in Welsh and English are projected on it. 19

Europe TOURISM

Europe’s seven tiniest countries Here are seven of the tiniest European countries, all of which pack a surprising amount of history and culture into their itsy-bitsy territories. They’re the perfect short break destinations

Vatican City

Vatican City is the smallest country in the world. An independent state within the city of Rome, the Vatican City is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church and the smallest state in the world in both size and population. Guests enter Vatican City through expansive St. Peter’s Square. The square was laid out by Bernini during the pontificates of Alexander VII and of Clement IX (1657-1667). Visitors to this magnificent square (which is actually an ellipse) are surrounded by two huge colonnades, with 284 Doric columns arranged in four rows, atop which stand 140 statues of saints. The main attractions include St Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums. It’s income is derived mainly from the sale of postage stamps and tourist mementos, and its ATMs are the only ones in the world to offer you the option of conducting your transaction in Latin.

Monaco

Known for its wealthy residents and abundance of casinos, the tiny principality of Monaco revolves around Monte Carlo gambling, but has little else in common with Las Vegas. Luxurious boutiques and restaurants and yacht-lined harbour, the tiny city-state of Monaco 20

has become an upscale playground for the rich and famous. There’s also an excellent Oceanographic Museum, a gorgeous RomanByzantine-style cathedral in which lie the remains of Princess Grace, and an 18th-century fort, Fort Antoine, which now acts as a theatrical venue for summertime performances. And don’t miss the Prince’s Palace, which houses a large collection of 15th-century

Liechtenstein is the fourth smallest state in Europe, the smallest to border two countries and a popular winter sport destination frescoes, a 17th-century palatine chapel, and a gorgeous Canarra marble double staircase leading up from the main courtyard.

San Marino

Established as a monastic community at the beginning of the fourth century C.E., San Marino is a tiny nation state on the Italian Penninsula with an excellent, albeit small, economy and a number of interesting claims to fame, most of which are historic in nature. Also known as the Most Serene Republic of San Marino, this mountainous microstate in north-central Italy is the world’s oldest sovereign state and its oldest republic. The capital, Città di San Marino, clings to the slopes of Monte

Titanos, its medieval walled old town and cobbled streets an UNESCO listed site. Like the Vatican, postage stamps and coins - keenly sought by collectors - are important sources of revenue.

Liechtenstein

Between Switzerland and Austria, the tiny landlocked Principality of Liecthenstein is a beautiful mountainous country popular with winter sports enthusiasts and vacationers looking for a non-touristy alternative to some of the more popular Alpine destinations. It is the fourth smallest state in Europe, the smallest to border two countries and a popular winter sport destination.

Malta Just south of the Italian island of Sicily, the three-island country of Malta is easily one of the most historically significant spots in the all of the Mediterranean. Here you’ll find megalithic temples, Roman ruins and Norman cathedrals, each marking a stage in the islands’ staggering 7,000 year old history. In 2018, the capital Valletta is a European Capital of Culture. Historians believe that the island was inhabited since the early Neolithic Era, and Malta has been influenced by myriad cultural groups over the centuries, including the Greeks, Phoenicians,

Romans, Arabs, French, and later the British, from whom the country became independent in 1964.

Andorra

High up in the Pyrenees Mountains between Spain and France, little Andorra is well-known for its duty-free shopping and great skiing. When the snow melts, the country is criss-crossed with hiking trails, ranging from leisurely walks to more demanding treks. The capital, Andorra la Vella, is the highest capital in Europe. he Catalan-speaking country is co-ruled by the Bishop of Urgell (the head of the Catholic diocese that covers Andorra and parts of Spain) and the French president, though the country also has its own Prime Minister and parliament.

Luxembourg

Luxembourg is a small European country, surrounded by Belgium, France and Germany. Away from the medieval, fortified old town of the capital, the country is mostly rural, with dense Ardennes forest and nature parks in the north, rocky gorges of the Mullerthal region in the east and the Moselle river valley in the southeast. The peoples of Luxembourg and their languages reflect the grand duchy’s common interests and close historical relations with its neighbours. ASIAN TRAVELLER | August 2018

Five Destinations

Five foreign destinations you can visit for under Rs one lakh We all know, traveling not only relaxes our mind but also our souls. Most of the times, our budget exceeds our limit and finally, we end up dropping our plans! Here’s a line-up of hot foreign destinations a couple can visit for under Rs one lakh. There is a myriad list of cheapest international destinations from India that can easily fit into your wallet Sri Lanka

One of our neighboring countries, Sri Lanka is amongst the best backpacking destinations in the world. With its irresistible combination of affordability and abundance of beaches, wildlife, temples and natural beauty, Sri Lanka aces the list when it comes to budget foreign holidays. Verdant tea plantations and rainforested peaks beckon walkers, trekkers and those who just want to see them from a spectacular train ride. This is the reason that unlike other destinations, you can take a five-night, six-day trip to this southern neighbour and add many more places to visit instead of 1-2 cities. Sri Lanka is spectacular, affordable and still often uncrowded. Now is the best time to discover it. Best time to visit: April, SeptemberOctober.

Philippines

The Philippines is an archipelago in South-East Asia of more than seven

thousand islands located between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea at the very eastern edge of Asia. One reason for the lukewarm response among Indians is that Philippines is an archipelago of 7,641 islands and 82 provinces, making island hopping a timeconsuming and expensive affair. you can select only two destinations, Manila, the capital city, and Palawan, for the four-night, five day trip, even though there are several beautiful islands and provinces like Boracay, Cebu, Bohol, Surigao, Bicol and Ilocos. The Philippines is a multicultural country having Christian, Muslim and Chinese holidays aside from secular holidays. Best time to visit: May or November.

Indonesia

Indonesia straddles the Equator between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. While it has land borders with Malaysia to the north as well as East Timor and Papua New Guinea to the east, it also neighbors

Australia to the south, and Palau, the Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, and Thailand to the north, India to the northwest. Bali is the most visible and inviting face of Indonesia, but there are several other places, like Yogyakarta, Raja Ampat Islands, Sulawesi, Flores, Lombok and the famous Komodo National Park in Nusa Tenggara Timur. These are as or even more enchanting, with their pristine beaches, volcanic mountains and marine and wildlife. Indonesia is the world’s 14th largest country in terms of land area and the 7th largest in terms of combined sea and land area. Best time to visit: April or October for 4N/5D

Hong Kong

Hong Kong welcomes with an iconic skyline, a legendary kitchen, and lush, protected nature where rare birds and colourful traditions thrive. A fantasy land for the kids, Hong Kong is also known for its grooviness and electrifying atmosphere. It’s better to explore the city in three days and even then you may have to leave out some tourist hotspots due to high expense. A good thing is that you don’t dole out

anything for visa as you can spend 14 days visafree on completing prearrival registration online. One of the world’s top culinary capitals, the city that worships the God of Cookery has many a demon in the kitchen, whether the deliciousness in the pot is Cantonese, Sichuanese, Japanese or French. Best time to visit: Early October for 3N/4D

Cambodia

The Kingdom of Cambodia is a Southeast Asian nation bordered by Vietnam to the east, Laos to the north, Thailand to the northwest, and the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest. The traumatic past of this beautiful Southeast Asian country— rooted in the genocide inflicted by the Khmer regime—has translated into tourism potential. Add to it dollops of architecture and history, scenic beauty and affordability, and you have a country begging to be visited. Experience the rhythm of rural life and landscapes of dazzling rice paddies and swaying sugar palms in Cambodia’s countryside. It is important to book 3-4 months in advance and check multiple flight options to get the right price and comfortable flight duration. Best time to visit: April or October for 4N/5D. ASIAN TRAVELLER | August 2018

Yoga &Meditation

ATTOI Conducts Yoga Ambassadors’ Tour in Kerala Around 60 yoga exponents from 22 countries participated in the Yoga Ambassador Tour, organised by ATTOI (Association of Tourism Trade Organisations, India), in association with Ministry of Ayush and Kerala Tourism

‘Y

oga Ambassadors Tour’,a specialized trip for yoga professionals from around the world, part of Kerala government’s tourism promotion programme, was inaugurated by Minister of State for AYUSH Shripad Yesso Naik on June 14, 2018. Yoga Ambassador Tour was conducted to propagate Kerala as a global destination for yoga. The participants in the event include yoga instructors, researchers, disciples, tour operators, wellness magazine personnel and yoga admirers. Though they come from different parts of the world, speaking

Going beyond Ayurveda, Kerala and its neighbouring Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu together have a few renowned Yoga destinations like Shivandanda yoga ashram, the meditation centre at Vivekanada Rock in Kanyakumari and the prehistoric sites of Munnar where meditation was once practiced. There was already a notable segment of foreign tourists who visit Kerala for taking yoga courses due its rich yoga resources, he said. The yoga ambassadors were welcomed to the event with ‘Panchavadyam’, the traditional orchestra of Kerala. Later, the delegates

Vivekananda Rock there, undertake a heritage tour in Thiruvananthapuram before moving to Jadayupara, Elephant Rock, Kollam, Kumarakom, and Muniyara, near Marayur, in Munnar. The Muniyara Dolmenoids are prehistoric dolmens, 55 km from Munnar, belonging to the Neolithic Age. The place is favoured by wellness travellers for meditation and yoga. “ Kerala has become a model for the other destinations by introducing yoga ambassadors tour,” said State tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran. “The aim of the tour is to familiarise one with the concept of yoga in Kerala

tour of Kerala as part of Yoga Ambassador Tour not only showcased the varied product range of Kerala but also gave an opportunity to the delegates to engage in various yoga based activities. ATTOI is the first tourism industry association to incorporate into its business charter a commitment to Responsible Travel and Sustainable Tourism. ATTOI is a non-government, non-profitable, apolitical organisation, committed to promote tourism in various sectors and also to generate interest for a healthy business relationship and harmony

The yoga ambassadors were welcomed to the event with ‘Panchavadyam’, the traditional orchestra of Kerala

different languages, with different religious beliefs, all were unanimous in one thing and that is the serenity and ambience of Kovalam beach as the venue for practicing yoga. Naik complimented the ATTOI and Kerala Tourism for taking up the concept of a yoga tour. “Kerala’s clean environment and the rich tradition of Ayurveda has contributed for the promotion of tourism. August 2018 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

displayed yoga postures in front of the event venue on a flower carpet. The tour concluded on International Yoga Day on June 21 at Kochi. The tour started from Trivandrum and moved to places like Kanyakumari, Kovalam, Alleppy, Kumarakom, Thekkady, Munnar and Kochi. They visited Maruthamala in Kanyakumari district, the meditation centre on the

and connect different destinations with yoga in different parts of the state,” said P K Anish Kumar, President of ATTOI. Apart from introducing the places associated with Yoga and wellness. Aneesh Kumar said that it would also strive to remove many misconceptions associated with it and many unhealthy practices getting into it in different parts of the world. This 10 day educational

among parties in the trade. The Association of Tourism Trade Organisations, India was established in 2003, and registered under the Charitable Trust Act of Kerala. Protecting the natural and cultural environment and responsible travel are key concerns for ATTOI and its members. Each potential member’s sustainable tourism credentials are examined before they are admitted as members. This is to ensure sustainability and to ascertain that local culture and environment are treated with utmost care and respect. 23

Goa Tourism

Goans now have GoaMiles for all their cab needs GOAMILES will provide the convenience of booking a taxi immediately upon arrival in the state at reasonable, government approved rates

oa’s first and exclusive mobile app based taxi service GOAMILES has been launched by Chief Minister of Goa, Manohar Parrikar at the Secretariat Complex, Porvorim. The launch of GOAMILES will bring about a revolutionary change in travel in and around Goa for both tourists and locals and provide benefits to taxi drivers serving under the new initiative. The GOAMILES app can be downloaded from Google Play Store and Apple Store. Present at the launch were Minister for Tourism, Manohar Ajgaonkar; Chairman of Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), Nilesh Cabral; Chief Secretary of Goa, Dharmendra Sharma; Secretary for Tourism, Sheo Pratap Singh, Menino D’Souza, Director, Dept. of Tourism along with other dignitaries. Speaking at the launch, Parrikar said, “Goa can now take tourists for miles through the new app based taxi service which will be affordable and give travelers a comfortable journey from the time they arrive till they leave. I congratulate Goa Tourism for launching this

initiative and wish them a huge success.” Adding to this, Ajgaonkar stated, “ The launch of the app based taxi service in Goa will bring a revolutionary change in the transportation system for all stakeholders including taxi drivers, tourists and locals. I am confident that tourist taxi drivers across Goa will join this digital system so that Goa does not lag behind other states where such systems are working successfully.” Talking about the advantages of this initiative, Cabral opined, “We have launched a public information campaign to reach out to one million people in Goa to create

Emphasis has been given on safety, as driver and vehicle details are shared with the passengers before boarding awareness about GOAMILES. We are anticipating a huge response from the general public who will download and use the app for tourism purposes and daily commute as well. This app based taxi service aims to boost the digital economy, enable ease of travel for tourists

and give taxi drivers better income. This initiative offers not only a brand new customer experience, but also makes taxi fare payment easy and secure.” He further explained that the app is one of the most quickest and convenient systems being implemented for the first time making Goan taxi drivers partners in the digital system while giving amazing customer experience to tourists.

passengers would be able to track the location of the ride in real time as well as past and current bookings. Emphasis has been given on safety, as driver and vehicle details are shared with the passengers before boarding. There is also an in-built “PANIC” button in the app to ensure that the safety of passengers isn’t compromised.

GOAMILES is managed by a local Goan company called FROTAMILES Pvt. Limited created as an SPV as per the requirements of the tendering process. This SPV is a subsidiary of the parent company PITASYS Software Pvt. Ltd. who were the successful bidders for GTDC’s app based taxi service. PITASYS Software Pvt. Ltd. is in the transport automation business for the last 7 years and has expertise in transport sector domains like mass transportation, fleet/taxi aggregation and employee transportation. Currently its registered passenger user base is more than 60,000.

GOAMILES has made sure that this service also benefits the taxi drivers equally by not charging anything from their revenues, as against the popular trend elsewhere in India and world over. Taxi drivers will receive payment on a daily basis. The same mobile app can also be used for tax and insurance purposes and finding business nearest to the diver’s location thereby ensuring that every driver earns. Income report would be generated in the app itself. There will also be an equal distribution of business amongst local Goan drivers and they can earn more by serving more which will motivate them to work.

With the launch of the new app based taxi service, tourists will find GOAMILES to be very convenient and time saving as it would enable them to book, monitor and pay all through a single mobile app. Tracking would also be made easy as

Do’s & Don’ts are set up for drivers which will be monitored by GTDC through random checks and balances physically & digitally. Reports to reprimand the defaulters would help in ensuring and maintaining high level of customer satisfaction.

ASIAN TRAVELLER | August 2018

Fiji Tourism

Tourism Fiji launches brand campaign with Ileana D’Cruz The campaign, #BulaHappiness, sets on a happiness quest in Fiji, by capturing the true spirit of the Bollywood actor’s visit to the country

orgeous white sandy beaches, clear blue water and sunny skies can be found at several places around the world. However, rarely is it combined with the warmth of a culture that exudes a distinct aura of impeccable hospitality. With over 300 islands, the resplendent Fiji transports you to a land of pure bliss from the very first ‘Bula’. Bringing a little bit of heaven to India, Tourism Fiji unveiled its new brand campaign, #BulaHappiness with their Brand Ambassador, Bollywood starlet, Ileana D’cruz. The campaign video launched in Mumbai amidst the presence of Ileana D’cruz, High Commissioner of the Republic of Fiji, His Excellency, Yogesh Punja, Regional Manager Asia, Kathy Koyamaibole and Country Manager India, Seema Kadam and other Fiji Partners. The perfect blend of sandy shores, green interiors and warm, friendly people is what Fiji is all about and Tourism Fiji’s new campaign video exemplifies this beautifully. The video encapsulates Ileana’s experience during her visit, highlighting some of the best places and unparalleled experiences in Fiji. Commenting on the new campaign, Seema Kadam, Country Manager India, Tourism Fiji said, “India holds a lot of potential for us as far as tourism is

August 2018 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

concerned and a lot of focus is driven towards the growth of the market. From 20162017, there has been a 30% increase in Indian nationals visiting Fiji. During the first quarter of this year, we recorded a rapid growth of 27.8% as compared to 2017, making India one of the fastest growing tourism source markets, for Fiji. With Ileana as our Brand Ambassador, we aim to showcase through this campaign video, a first-hand experience of what Fiji has to offer and hope that more and more Indians experience what this beautiful country has to offer.” Bollywood Star and Tourism Fiji’s Brand Ambassador, Ileana D’Cruz said, “I love travelling and Fiji has always been on my travel bucket list. Associating with Tourism Fiji is not only a great opportunity, but also a novel and unparalleled experience. Fiji is not only about the beautiful beaches. The food, culture, people, adventure, all together makes this gorgeous place, one big playground for the entire family. Shooting for this campaign in Fiji was one

of the most memorable and unforgettable experiences I have ever had.” Tourism Fiji’s campaign was launched at the Fiji Roadshow, which is being held from 7 to 10 August, across all the metropolitan cities in India – Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Bangalore, respectively. Tourism Fiji Partners – Fiji Airways, Fiji Marriott Resort

Fiji is an archipelago of 333 sun-kissed, picture perfect islands tucked away in the South Pacific, close to Australia and New Zealand Momi Bay, Matamanoa Island Resort, Namale Resort & Spa Fiji, Sofitel Resort & Spa Fiji and The Pearl Resort were also a part of this roadshow. The partners highlighted what makes Fiji the next big destination for Indians, the visitor attractions and some of the unparalleled experiences that one can get only in Fiji. Fiji is an archipelago of 333 sun-kissed, picture perfect islands tucked away

in the South Pacific, close to Australia and New Zealand. The majority of Fiji’s islands were formed through volcanic activity starting around 150 million years ago. Today, some geothermal activity still occurs on the islands of Vanua Levu and Taveuni. Fiji’s main island is known as Viti Levu and it is from this that the name “Fiji” is derived. The climate in Fiji is tropical marine and warm year round with minimal extremes. The warm season is from November to April and the cooler season lasts from May to October. Fiji has a significant amount of tourism with the popular regions being Nadi, the Coral Coast, Denarau Island, and Mamanuca Islands. The biggest sources of international visitors by country are Australia, New Zealand and the United States. Fiji has a significant number of soft coral reefs, and scuba diving is a common tourist activity. Fiji has several popular tourism destinations. The Botanical Gardens of Thursten in Suva, Sigatoka Sand Dunes, and Colo-I-Suva Forest Park are three options on the mainland (Viti Levu). A major attraction on the outer islands is scuba diving. The Suncoast, which runs along the north and west of Viti Levu, is a land of abundant sunshine, bright blue skies and dramatic grassy peaks. The Suncoast is sugar country. Lautoka, Fiji’s second largest city, was built on the sugar industry and is home to the country’s biggest sugar mill. 25

TAMIL NADU TRAVELLER

Trichy; a fine blend of tradition and modernity Tiruchirappalli, universally called Trichy or Tiruchi, isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just a travel junction of Tamilnadu: it also mixes up a heaving bazaar with some major temples. This city on the banks of River Cauvery, is the Head Quarters of Tiruchi District and fourth largest city of the State

richy district is famous for many ancient and popular temples and religious institutions. The bus network of Trichy is very developed and most of the city readily accessible by bus at reasonable prices. Trichy may have been a capital of the early Cholas in the 3rd century BC. It passed through the hands of the Pallavas, medieval Cholas, Pandyas, Delhi Sultanate and Vijayanagars before the Madurai Nayaks brought it to prominence, making it a capital in the 17th century and building its famous Rock Fort Temple. Under British control, it became an important railway hub known as Trichinopoly. The two major rivers draining Tiruchirappalli are the Kaveri and its tributary the Kollidam, but the city is also drained by the Uyyakondan Channel, Koraiyar and Kudamuritti river channels. The city of Tiruchirappalli lies on the plains between the Shevaroy Hills to the north and the Palni Hills to the south and south-west. Tiruchirappalli is completely surrounded by agricultural fields. Many of

Dr S Bakthavatchalam the old houses in Srirangam were constructed according to the shilpa sastras, the canonical texts of Hindu temple architecture. A resident of Tiruchirappalli is generally referred to as a Tiruchiite. Situated at the edge of the Kaveri Delta, the culture of Tiruchirappalli is predominantly Brahminical, prevalent elsewhere in the delta. The main festival celebrated in Tiruchirappalli is Pongal, a regional harvest festival celebrated during January. As part of the Pongal celebrations, Jallikattu, a bull-taming

Textile weaving, leatherwork and gem cutting are some of the important crafts practiced in Tiruchirappalli village sport played on the last day of the festival, is occasionally held on the outskirts of the city. Vaikunta Ekadasi, Aadi Perukku, Samayapuram flower festival, Srirangam car festival, and the Teppakulam float festival are some of the prominent festivals that are held locally. The Trichy

Travel Federation (TTF) was formed on 5 May 2009 to promote Tiruchirappalli as a favourable tourist destination. Wooden idols of Hindu gods and goddesses are sold at Poompuhar, the crafts emporium run by the Government of Tamil Nadu. Jambukeswarar Temple, in Thiruvanaikaval, is a famous Shiva temple in Tiruchirapalli. The sanctum of Jambukeswara has an underground water stream and in spite of pumping water out, it is always filled with water. Samayapuram Mariamman Temple is a famous temple in Samayapuram near Tiruchirappalli. The main deity is Samayapurathal or Mariamman, a form of supreme mother goddess Durga or Maha Kali or Aadi Shakthi. Devotees also offer mavilakku, a sweet dish made of jaggery, rice flour and ghee. Offerings of raw salt is also made to the Goddess by the rural devotees. As per a report Samayapuram is the second wealthiest (in terms of cash flows) temple in Tamil Nadu after Palani. The rock-cut cave temples of the Rockfort, along with the gateway and

the Erumbeeswarar Temple, are listed as monuments of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India. The Rockfort Temple is 5 km at the North of Trichy junction. The temple complex has many temples. Thayumaanavar, Uchchi pillayar and Maanikka vinayagar are the most important temples. Also enjoy the birdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eye view of Trichy, SriRangam, Cauvery and its surroundings in the morning or in the evening. Just eight kilometer from Trichy junction is Sri Ranganathaswamy temple. This temple has the sleeping form of Lord Vishnu. It has 21 gopurams and the biggest of them is 73 m high. NonHindus can only go up to the sixth wall but not inside the gold topped sanctum sanctorum. Trichy is well connected to Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu. Geographically located in the centre of Tamil Nadu, Trichy provides good connectivity between all major towns and cities in Tamil Nadu both by road and rail.

ASIAN TRAVELLER | August 2018

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IHG IMEA HR Learning Event concludes at Crowne Plaza Kochi Crowne Plaza Kochi hosted the Intercontinental Hotels Group’s IMEA (India, Middle East and Africa) HR Learning event from June 17- 19, 2018. Around 90 Delegates from 8 countries (India, South Africa, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and UAE attended the event which chalked out the future HR strategy for the global hospitality major. Despite the recent Nipah threat and adverse weather conditions the conference was attended by delegates with lot of enthusiasm. The conduct of the event itself was a testament that Kerala is safe for travel and the participants enjoyed the cuisine, cultural heritage and Monsoon in God’s Own Country. Placed 9th in the ‘Great

Place to Work’ survey, at the very heart of IHG is a real passion to help and care for others, and the organization has a proud track record of creating positive change in the local communities wherever it operates. In the past, vital contributions were rallied around during disaster by the organization through programs like ‘Shelter in a storm’ and IHG Foundation have helped almost 50,000 people build their skills and education in hospitality During the event, ‘True Hospitality for Good’, IHG’s new flagship program for Community Development and charitable giving was unveiled. Working with a select group of charity partners, True Hospitality for Good aims to change lives for the better in two main areas: building skills and education

in our hospitality industry; and supporting communities in times of disaster. Closely connected to IHG’s purpose of providing True Hospitality for everyone, the new program would build more powerful and meaningful partnerships. During the Event, the HR leadership team from all over the region collaborated with CARE, a strategic

partner for disaster relief, to facilitate a team building and CSR workshop activity. The 90 HR leaders were asked to scan for disaster hazards and come up with action plans to mitigate the risks. This collaboration was meant to guide and empower teams at the hotels to be knowledgeable and prepared about risk management in the event of disaster.

Cirque du Soleil to make its India debut in November CEO, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, said in a statement.

Cirque du Soleil, a Canadian entertainment company, is set to come to India for the first time later this year, with shows in Delhi and Mumbai. Cirque du Soleil with its motley crew of acrobats, dancers and musicians, and 700 tons of complex contraptions will be cruising into Indian shores. It has partnered with BookMyShow to make its India foray. Canadabased Cirque du Soleil’s new touring show ‘Bazzar’, its 43rd original production, 28

will have its world premiere in India this November, before heading to other countries. “After entertaining millions of people around the world for over 30 years, there are few remaining markets we have yet to visit. We have been looking forward to introducing Cirque du Soleil to the Indian market, which is very important for our international growth,” Daniel Lamarre, President and

“We’ve been looking at India as a potential market for quite a while. We wanted to introduce the brand appropriately. That’s why we created Bazzar with a new creative concept and format. Bazzar is a whimsical universe inspired by the collision of sounds and colours, high energy and diverse characters that one would find at a traditional Indian bazaar. The group will reimagine and reinvent these vibrant scenes in an artistic, acrobatic game of order and disorder,” said Finn Taylor, senior vice president— touring show division, Cirque du Soleil. Originally composed of 20 street performers in 1984, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group reinvented circus arts, going on to become a world

leader in live entertainment. It has presented productions, which are replete with dramatic performances, whimsical costumes staged under magical lighting and set to original music compositions, in close to 450 cities in 60 countries. Where exactly the circus will roll is yet to be confirmed, but the team will arrive ahead of November to set up the arena st-anding 62ft high and stretching to 135ft in diameter that will seat more than 1,500 people at a time. Albert Almeida, Chief Operating Officer Non Movies, BookMyShow, said: “Cirque du Soleil is an unbelievable entertainment experience that has amazed millions of people across the world with its performances that defy ‘normal’ in every sense. We are excited to work with them a they prepare for a debut in India.” The entry for the shows will be through online registrations. ASIAN TRAVELLER | August 2018

NEWSLINE

Over 1.6 lakh people visited India for cruise tourism in 2017-18 More than 1.6 lakh people visited India for cruise tourism in 2017-2018 said Tourism Minister K J Alphons. During the year 2017-18, a total of 1,62,660 cruise passengers visited India at six major ports namely Mumbai Port, Chennai Port, Cochin Port, Kolkata Port, New Mangalore Port and Mormugao Port. During the same period, total 139 cruise ships visited India at these six major ports. The Ministry of Tourism (MoT) has also sanctioned various projects for the development of Cruise Terminals related infrastructure in Goa, Maharashtra, Kerala and Tamil Nadu at the major ports for INR 106.39 Crore under the Scheme for ‘Assistance to Central

create an enabling ecosystem for the development of Cruise Tourism in India. The task force meets regularly and the last meeting of the task force was held on May 21, 2018.

Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development’. A task force on Cruise Tourism has been formed jointly by the MoT and Ministry of Shipping with representatives of all major ports and stakeholders for coordinated efforts to

Explaining about the steps being taken to increase the flow of cruise tourists in the country, the minister said, “The government had allowed foreign flag vessels carrying passengers to call at Indian ports for a period of 10 years without obtaining a license in February 2009. This facility has been extended further for a period of 5 years i.e. up to February 5, 2024.”

Immigration counters have been set up at five major ports visited by cruise ships. The facility of E-visa has been extended to five sea ports namely Mumbai, Goa, New Mangalore, Cochin and Chennai. Cruise tourists arriving with E-visa have been exempted from the requirement of biometric enrolment for a period of three years i.e. till December 31, 2020 to facilitate expeditious immigration clearance. To address manpower, coordination and logistic issues for handling cruise vessels at ports, Port Level Facilitation Committees have been formed under the respective Chairman of the above-mentioned major Ports to facilitate seamless handling of cruise ships and passengers.

Udaipur, Third Among World’s 15 Best Cities: Travel Poll ships, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated cities on their sights and landmarks, culture, cuisine, friendliness, shopping, and overall value.” The Indian city got featured in the ‘The World’s Top 15 Cities’ list in a survey done by famous magazine Travel and Leisure. The heritage city of Udaipur has been ranked third among a list of 15 best cities in the world. The first two cities on the list are San Miguel de Allende and Oaxaca, both in Mexico. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico topped the list with a score of 91.94. Oaxaca, Mexico was second with a score of 90.52. Udaipur August 2018 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

scored 89.31 to be ranked third on the list. The other cities in top-10 in order of their rank are as follows: Ubud, Indonesia; Kyoto, Japan; Florence; Luang Prabang; Hoi An, Vietnam; Chiang Mai, Thailand; and Charleston, South Carolina. According to magazine Travel and Leisure, Every year for the World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top cities, islands, cruise

In 2017, Udaipur had received this distinction by Travel + Leisure, had been ahead of scores of other international tourist hotspots to be crowned among one of the world’s top 15 cities in a new poll. Udaipur is once again the only Indian city to make the final cut and is ahead of other major tourist destinations including Mumbai and Delhi. Its inclusion in 2018 follows past success in 2009 when Udaipur topped the same poll and was voted as the

‘best city in the world to visit’. Udaipur, also known as the City of Lakes, is the crown jewel of the state of Rajasthan. It is surrounded by the beautiful Aravalli Hills in all directions, making this city as lovely as it is. This ‘Venice of the East’ has an abundance of natural beauty, mesmerising temples and breathtaking architecture which makes it a must-visit destination in India. A boat ride through the serene waters of Lake Pichola will be enough to prove to you why Udaipur is the pride of Rajasthan. According to T+L, “The World’s Best Cities list also speaks to our readers’ growing interest in Asia.” Travel and Leisure magazine is known for its World’s Best Awards survey. People follow Travel + Leisure for travel inspiration and information on the best destinations and properties to visit around the world. 29

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE CONTEST - 120 1. Which river crosses the equator twice? 2. Which state has won the ‘Best Tourism State’ national award 2017 ? 3. In which state have Indian Railway introduced “ Palace on Wheels” to promote tourism ?

Adrian Upward

appointed as Culinary Director at InterContinental Bali Resort, Indonesia

Danielle Curtis

appointed as Regional Exhibition Director for the Middle East at Reed Travel Exhibitions

Giuseppe Rivoli

appointed as Head Chef at InterContinental Bali Resort, Indonesia

4. Which country shares the longest border with China? 5. Which place is designated as 0 degrees longitude? 6. Which city is known as “City of Blood” in India ? 7. Which is the largest landlocked country in the world? 8. Which country imports the most metals? 9. Which country is known as land of kangaroo ?

Jean-Noel Rault

appointed as General Manager – Indian Sub-Continent at Air France-KLM

Robert C Hauck

appointed as General Manager of Galle Face Hotel, Sri Lanka

Rahul Malik

appointed as General Manager - Operations at Clarks Inn Group of Hotel

10. Name the region which is also referred as the “Garden of southern India” ? Send in your answers to editor@mediastepsindia.com with TYKC 120 in the subject line. Answers should reach us before the 30th of this month.

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