Safari Plus 2020 - Jan Feb

January - February 2020

Vol: 21 Issue: 3

NEWS FLASH MAHARASHTRA’s

New Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray Shri Aaditya Thackeray has taken over as the Minister for Tourism, Environment, & Protocol in the newly elected Maharashtra cabinet.

Speaking to media, the young and dynamic minister said, “I have been given the portfolios of tourism and environment.

We can strengthen the economy of Maharashtra with tourism and this will be our prime focus to retain the tourism in state, both domestic and international.”

Is your Company Listed in OnlineTravelDirectory.co.in

Tejas Express to start on New Him Darshan Express train Ahmedabad and Mumbai soon starts between Kalka and Shimla The Indian Railways started the Him Darshan Express train between Kalka and Shimla stations. The train has six modern and first-class AC vistadome coaches with glass rooftop to have a panoramic view of the hilly region.

The train 52459/52460 comprises seven coaches i.e. six First Class A/c vistadome coaches and one First Class coach. Vistadome coach will have the capacity of 15 people, while the First Class coach has the seating capacity of 14 passengers. Customers will have to pay ₹630 for single journey in Vistadome coaches. For a panoramic view, seats are adjustable (reversible) according to the direction of movement which will enhance the overall experience of sight seeing from inside the train.

The Tejas Express starts its commercial run on the route Ahmedabad to Mumbai from January 19. The train will run on all days of the week except Thursdays. The fully air-conditioned train will have two executive class chair cars with 56 seats each and eight chair cars 78 seats each with a total carrying capacity of 736 passengers. The train have halts at Nadiad, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Vapi and Borivali.

Tejas Express will be equipped with all modern facilities for ensuring a high-level of comfort to the passengers which has RO water filters in every coach. All passengers travelling on IRCTC train will be provided with rail travel insurance of up to ₹25 lakh free of cost this also includes exclusive coverage of ₹1 lakh against household theft and robbery during the travel period of the passengers. IRCTC will also pay a compensation of ₹100 in case the train is delayed by more than one hour and ₹250 in case of delay of more than two hours to every passenger as compensation.

     

Delivers Real-Time and accurate Information Platform for launching New Products Reaching Decision Makers Easily and Instantly Start conversations with B2B potential clients Reach a Large Number of Industry Experts Update your Company profile time-to-time

MUMBAI • PUNE • AHMEDABAD • BANGALORE • CHENNAI • KOLKATA

E visa specialist for 20 plus Countries

For More Info Contact Shailendra @ 97690 58991 JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

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JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

NEWS FLASH MAHARASHTRA’s

New Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray Shri Aaditya Thackeray has taken over as the Minister for Tourism, Environment, & Protocol in the newly elected Maharashtra cabinet.

Speaking to media, the young and dynamic minister said, “I have been given the portfolios of tourism and environment.

We can strengthen the economy of Maharashtra with tourism and this will be our prime focus to retain the tourism in state, both domestic and international.”

Is your Company Listed in OnlineTravelDirectory.co.in

Tejas Express to start on New Him Darshan Express train Ahmedabad and Mumbai soon starts between Kalka and Shimla The Indian Railways started the Him Darshan Express train between Kalka and Shimla stations. The train has six modern and first-class AC vistadome coaches with glass rooftop to have a panoramic view of the hilly region.

The train 52459/52460 comprises seven coaches i.e. six First Class A/c vistadome coaches and one First Class coach. Vistadome coach will have the capacity of 15 people, while the First Class coach has the seating capacity of 14 passengers. Customers will have to pay ₹630 for single journey in Vistadome coaches. For a panoramic view, seats are adjustable (reversible) according to the direction of movement which will enhance the overall experience of sight seeing from inside the train.

The Tejas Express starts its commercial run on the route Ahmedabad to Mumbai from January 19. The train will run on all days of the week except Thursdays. The fully air-conditioned train will have two executive class chair cars with 56 seats each and eight chair cars 78 seats each with a total carrying capacity of 736 passengers. The train have halts at Nadiad, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Vapi and Borivali.

Tejas Express will be equipped with all modern facilities for ensuring a high-level of comfort to the passengers which has RO water filters in every coach. All passengers travelling on IRCTC train will be provided with rail travel insurance of up to ₹25 lakh free of cost this also includes exclusive coverage of ₹1 lakh against household theft and robbery during the travel period of the passengers. IRCTC will also pay a compensation of ₹100 in case the train is delayed by more than one hour and ₹250 in case of delay of more than two hours to every passenger as compensation.

     

Delivers Real-Time and accurate Information Platform for launching New Products Reaching Decision Makers Easily and Instantly Start conversations with B2B potential clients Reach a Large Number of Industry Experts Update your Company profile time-to-time

MUMBAI • PUNE • AHMEDABAD • BANGALORE • CHENNAI • KOLKATA

E visa specialist for 20 plus Countries

For More Info Contact Shailendra @ 97690 58991 JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

2

www.safariplus.co.in

www.safariplus.co.in

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JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

EVENTS

EVENTS

th

OTOAI’s 5 Convention in Antalya, Turkey The Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI) has announced its 5th Annual Convention in Antalya, Turkey.

The convention will be held from March 15 – 18 and will be accompanied by optional Pre and Post Convention Tours (3 days each) to experience places in and around Antalya, such as Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Izmir. The airline partner of the Convention is Turkish Airlines, which offers convenient connections between India and Turkey.

Mr. Himanshu Patil and Mr. Vineet Gopal will be CoConvention Chairman.

Regarding the theme and the topics for the Business Sessions, Mr. Himanshu Patil, Vice President, OTOAI and Convention Chairman 2020, said, “The travel and tourism industry is going

through a challenging phase. The theme and mood of the convention will focus on how to make consumers have more faith and confidence in an outbound tour operator and suggest and work on ways and plans to help an agent/tour operator grow his business in these challenging times.

A Travel Agent must realise that if he is able to win the trust of the customers, they will never go elsewhere for their travel booking needs.”

“Our aim at OTOAI is to bring the outbound tour operators from various parts of the country together and showcase a new destination to them each time. Antalya and the region around it have much to offer to the discerning traveller and once our tour operators will experience the destination first hand, they will be able to sell it better to their clients in India,” said Mr Riaz Munshi, President, OTOAI.

ITB India All Set to Debut in a Grand Style in 2020 The inaugural ITB India is on track to take place in Mumbai from 15 - 17 April 2020 with big support from the industry. The outstanding number of bookings underline that all signs point to a successful premiere. ITB India will complete the trio of ITB Berlin, ITB Asia and ITB China, making it a quartet and strengthening the global ITB brand. Messe Berlin and all ITB shows, as well as the tourism industry from around the world are supporting the new ITB India. Numerous exhibitors have confirmed their participation at an early stage.

Leading minds will take the stage at the ITB India Conference, set to take place parallel to the trade show. During the three-day event, visitors will have the opportunity to be inspired by leaders in the tourism industry and learn from their experiences.

Committed top speakers from local and international brands are: Deep Kalra (Chairman & Group CEO, MakeMyTrip), Angel Llull Mancas (Vice President & Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Booking.com), Prakash Sangam (CEO, redBus), Siew Kum Hong (Regional Director for APAC, Airbnb) and Bhanu Chopra (Founder & CEO, RateGain). Visitors will have the chance to learn from top brands and other thought leaders of the Industry.

After two years of successful cooperation with ITB Asia, ACTE also becomes strategic partner for ITB India. At the ITB India Corporate Travel Day, industry professionals will be providing answers to many industry questions and highlighting best practices and actual scenarios from the business travel market.

The organizers of ITB India are convinced that India’s outbound market will continue to grow and that ITB India will establish itself as the leading travel trade event for the Indian market.

New Business Segments At IT&CM China IT&CM China 2020 Announces New Business Segments, Enhances Suite of Successful Programme Initiatives

Editorial Assistant: Priyanshu Kesarwani

Following successful new initiatives launched at this year's IT&CM China and CTW China, organisers have announced new business segments at the upcoming 2020 show in March.

Buyer Procurement Showcase: A fresh industry concept that spotlights prominent MICE, Association and Corporate buyers as they present their procurement requirements to relevant and interested destination and supplier leads. This segment runs parallel to the event’s 2-day exhibition and business appointments.

Enhanced MICE Innovation Hub with Tech Brand Presentation Showcase: Riding on the popularity of last year’s MICE Innovation Hub launch, this year’s space is expected to be larger with more featured technology solution providers and startups. Further, a dedicated brand presentation showcase featuring technology ideas

and solutions will be added to the 2-day exhibition and business programme, transforming the hub into a buzzing zone that integrates all-day talks on the latest travel teach trends with business meets and prescheduled appointments.

Mr. Darren Ng, Managing Director of TTG Asia Media said, “The success of our business initiatives in 2019 prompted its continuity and the addition of new initiatives to cater to the ever-changing needs of our delegates. This demonstrates the show’s constant evolution to provide delegates with an unparalleled platform to establish valuable connections and at the same time, add variety to the programme. More importantly, this hones IT&CM China’s differentiation of fostering lead generation between suppliers and buyers beyond one-on-one appointments.”

New Team at OTOAI

New TAAI Managing Committee for 2019-2021

The new team for the term 2019 – 2021 has taken over the reign at the Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI) Mr. Riaz Munshi (N. Chirag) as the President; Mr. Himanshu Patil (Kesari Tours Pvt. Ltd.) as Vice-President; Mr. Shravan Bhalla (High Flyer) as the General Secretary; Mr. Vineet Gopal as Joint Secretary and Treasurer has been retained by Mr. Sidharth Khanna (Khanna Enterprises). In the EC team – Mr. Ankush Nijhawan (Travel Boutique Online), Mr. Adl Abdul Karim, (Creative Tours &Travels India Pvt. Ltd.) Arshdeep Anand, (HMA Spectrum), Monia Kapoor (Travel O Holidays), Mr. Gurdeep Gujral, (Gujral Tours and Travels Pvt. Ltd) and Mr. Mahendra Vakharia, (Pathfinders Holidays Pvt. Ltd). Mr. Sanjay Datta (Airborne Travels) was the Election Officer of the OTOAI Elections 2019 –2021.

The New Managing Committee members of TAAI for 2019-21 are Ms. Jyoti Mayal of New Airways Travels (Delhi) Pvt Ltd., New Delhi takes over as President. Mr. Jay Bhatia of Tulsidas Khimji Holidays Private Limited, Mumbai as Vice President. Mr. Bettaiah Lokesh of Triway Travels Private Limited, Bangalore as Hon. Secretary General. Mr. Shreeram Patel of Unicorn Travels, Ahmedabad as Hon. Treasurer. And Managing Committee Members are – Mr. Anoop B. Kanuga of Bathija Travels Pvt. Limited, Mumbai, Mr. Rajan Sehgal of Airborne Travels Pvt. Limited, New Delhi, Mr. Paras Lakhia of Utopia Travel Services Pvt. Ltd., Ahmedabad, Mr. Devesh Kumar Agarwal of Victoria Travels Pvt. Ltd, Kolkata, Mr. P. Murugesan of Pioneer Aero Travels (Madras) P. Ltd., Chennai, Mr. R. Venkatachalam of Naveen Air Traavels (P) Limited, Trichy, and Mr. Sunil Notani of Air Aman Travels Private Limited., Bhopal.

PATA Travel Mart 2020 in Leshan, Sichuan, China The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is set to organise PATA Travel Mart 2020 in Leshan, Sichuan, China from September 3-6.

The event will be hosted by the Leshan Culture, Radio, Te l e v i s i o n a n d To u r i s m Bureau.

“We are delighted to be returning to Leshan, Sichuan, China for PATA Travel Mart 2020, having previously worked closely with our various partners to organise the PATA Annual Summit 2015, as well as the annual Emei Global Summit,” said PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy.

Leshan is a prefecture-level city located at the confluence of the Dadu and Min rivers in the Sichuan Province of China The city is located on the south-western fringe of the Red Basin in southern Sichuan, about 120 km (75 miles) from Chengdu. Leshan is one of the most mature tourist destinations in Sichuan and even China. It annually receives over 25 million visitors. The Leshan Giant Buddha of Mount Emei, a Cultural, Heritage and National 5A tourist attraction, draws worldwide attention due to its profound influence on Buddhist culture and is surrounded by a unique natural landscape.

Leshan City is a paradise for leisure and holiday. Other leisure activities in the area include hot springs, skiing and rural tourism. Travellers can connect to Leshan via Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, then land transfer by car, bus or by speed train from the airport to Leshan city.

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Delhi Off: 803, 8th Floor, Pearl Omaxe, Netaji Subhash Palace, Pitampura, Delhi - 110034 Ph: +91-11-42576099 Email: info@balib2b.com

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EVENTS

EVENTS

th

OTOAI’s 5 Convention in Antalya, Turkey The Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI) has announced its 5th Annual Convention in Antalya, Turkey.

The convention will be held from March 15 – 18 and will be accompanied by optional Pre and Post Convention Tours (3 days each) to experience places in and around Antalya, such as Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Izmir. The airline partner of the Convention is Turkish Airlines, which offers convenient connections between India and Turkey.

Mr. Himanshu Patil and Mr. Vineet Gopal will be CoConvention Chairman.

Regarding the theme and the topics for the Business Sessions, Mr. Himanshu Patil, Vice President, OTOAI and Convention Chairman 2020, said, “The travel and tourism industry is going

through a challenging phase. The theme and mood of the convention will focus on how to make consumers have more faith and confidence in an outbound tour operator and suggest and work on ways and plans to help an agent/tour operator grow his business in these challenging times.

A Travel Agent must realise that if he is able to win the trust of the customers, they will never go elsewhere for their travel booking needs.”

“Our aim at OTOAI is to bring the outbound tour operators from various parts of the country together and showcase a new destination to them each time. Antalya and the region around it have much to offer to the discerning traveller and once our tour operators will experience the destination first hand, they will be able to sell it better to their clients in India,” said Mr Riaz Munshi, President, OTOAI.

ITB India All Set to Debut in a Grand Style in 2020 The inaugural ITB India is on track to take place in Mumbai from 15 - 17 April 2020 with big support from the industry. The outstanding number of bookings underline that all signs point to a successful premiere. ITB India will complete the trio of ITB Berlin, ITB Asia and ITB China, making it a quartet and strengthening the global ITB brand. Messe Berlin and all ITB shows, as well as the tourism industry from around the world are supporting the new ITB India. Numerous exhibitors have confirmed their participation at an early stage.

Leading minds will take the stage at the ITB India Conference, set to take place parallel to the trade show. During the three-day event, visitors will have the opportunity to be inspired by leaders in the tourism industry and learn from their experiences.

Committed top speakers from local and international brands are: Deep Kalra (Chairman & Group CEO, MakeMyTrip), Angel Llull Mancas (Vice President & Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Booking.com), Prakash Sangam (CEO, redBus), Siew Kum Hong (Regional Director for APAC, Airbnb) and Bhanu Chopra (Founder & CEO, RateGain). Visitors will have the chance to learn from top brands and other thought leaders of the Industry.

After two years of successful cooperation with ITB Asia, ACTE also becomes strategic partner for ITB India. At the ITB India Corporate Travel Day, industry professionals will be providing answers to many industry questions and highlighting best practices and actual scenarios from the business travel market.

The organizers of ITB India are convinced that India’s outbound market will continue to grow and that ITB India will establish itself as the leading travel trade event for the Indian market.

New Business Segments At IT&CM China IT&CM China 2020 Announces New Business Segments, Enhances Suite of Successful Programme Initiatives

Editorial Assistant: Priyanshu Kesarwani

Following successful new initiatives launched at this year's IT&CM China and CTW China, organisers have announced new business segments at the upcoming 2020 show in March.

Buyer Procurement Showcase: A fresh industry concept that spotlights prominent MICE, Association and Corporate buyers as they present their procurement requirements to relevant and interested destination and supplier leads. This segment runs parallel to the event’s 2-day exhibition and business appointments.

Enhanced MICE Innovation Hub with Tech Brand Presentation Showcase: Riding on the popularity of last year’s MICE Innovation Hub launch, this year’s space is expected to be larger with more featured technology solution providers and startups. Further, a dedicated brand presentation showcase featuring technology ideas

and solutions will be added to the 2-day exhibition and business programme, transforming the hub into a buzzing zone that integrates all-day talks on the latest travel teach trends with business meets and prescheduled appointments.

Mr. Darren Ng, Managing Director of TTG Asia Media said, “The success of our business initiatives in 2019 prompted its continuity and the addition of new initiatives to cater to the ever-changing needs of our delegates. This demonstrates the show’s constant evolution to provide delegates with an unparalleled platform to establish valuable connections and at the same time, add variety to the programme. More importantly, this hones IT&CM China’s differentiation of fostering lead generation between suppliers and buyers beyond one-on-one appointments.”

New Team at OTOAI

New TAAI Managing Committee for 2019-2021

The new team for the term 2019 – 2021 has taken over the reign at the Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI) Mr. Riaz Munshi (N. Chirag) as the President; Mr. Himanshu Patil (Kesari Tours Pvt. Ltd.) as Vice-President; Mr. Shravan Bhalla (High Flyer) as the General Secretary; Mr. Vineet Gopal as Joint Secretary and Treasurer has been retained by Mr. Sidharth Khanna (Khanna Enterprises). In the EC team – Mr. Ankush Nijhawan (Travel Boutique Online), Mr. Adl Abdul Karim, (Creative Tours &Travels India Pvt. Ltd.) Arshdeep Anand, (HMA Spectrum), Monia Kapoor (Travel O Holidays), Mr. Gurdeep Gujral, (Gujral Tours and Travels Pvt. Ltd) and Mr. Mahendra Vakharia, (Pathfinders Holidays Pvt. Ltd). Mr. Sanjay Datta (Airborne Travels) was the Election Officer of the OTOAI Elections 2019 –2021.

The New Managing Committee members of TAAI for 2019-21 are Ms. Jyoti Mayal of New Airways Travels (Delhi) Pvt Ltd., New Delhi takes over as President. Mr. Jay Bhatia of Tulsidas Khimji Holidays Private Limited, Mumbai as Vice President. Mr. Bettaiah Lokesh of Triway Travels Private Limited, Bangalore as Hon. Secretary General. Mr. Shreeram Patel of Unicorn Travels, Ahmedabad as Hon. Treasurer. And Managing Committee Members are – Mr. Anoop B. Kanuga of Bathija Travels Pvt. Limited, Mumbai, Mr. Rajan Sehgal of Airborne Travels Pvt. Limited, New Delhi, Mr. Paras Lakhia of Utopia Travel Services Pvt. Ltd., Ahmedabad, Mr. Devesh Kumar Agarwal of Victoria Travels Pvt. Ltd, Kolkata, Mr. P. Murugesan of Pioneer Aero Travels (Madras) P. Ltd., Chennai, Mr. R. Venkatachalam of Naveen Air Traavels (P) Limited, Trichy, and Mr. Sunil Notani of Air Aman Travels Private Limited., Bhopal.

PATA Travel Mart 2020 in Leshan, Sichuan, China The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is set to organise PATA Travel Mart 2020 in Leshan, Sichuan, China from September 3-6.

The event will be hosted by the Leshan Culture, Radio, Te l e v i s i o n a n d To u r i s m Bureau.

“We are delighted to be returning to Leshan, Sichuan, China for PATA Travel Mart 2020, having previously worked closely with our various partners to organise the PATA Annual Summit 2015, as well as the annual Emei Global Summit,” said PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy.

Leshan is a prefecture-level city located at the confluence of the Dadu and Min rivers in the Sichuan Province of China The city is located on the south-western fringe of the Red Basin in southern Sichuan, about 120 km (75 miles) from Chengdu. Leshan is one of the most mature tourist destinations in Sichuan and even China. It annually receives over 25 million visitors. The Leshan Giant Buddha of Mount Emei, a Cultural, Heritage and National 5A tourist attraction, draws worldwide attention due to its profound influence on Buddhist culture and is surrounded by a unique natural landscape.

Leshan City is a paradise for leisure and holiday. Other leisure activities in the area include hot springs, skiing and rural tourism. Travellers can connect to Leshan via Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, then land transfer by car, bus or by speed train from the airport to Leshan city.

Your own

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Since 2012 serving in B2B business for Bali Indonesia, A leading Destination Management Company (DMC) for Bali.

Bali Off: Jl. Sapreg No 14, Sedang Badung Regency, Bali Indonesia Ph: +62 85967233180 Email: info@balib2b.com

Delhi Off: 803, 8th Floor, Pearl Omaxe, Netaji Subhash Palace, Pitampura, Delhi - 110034 Ph: +91-11-42576099 Email: info@balib2b.com

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DESTINATION

Coastline of Maharashtra The coastline of Maharashtra has a lot to offer to its visitors. There is a whole gamut of mystical, holy, and historical wealth, that the state has invested in. The coastline along the continent stretches over an area of 720 kilometres along the Arabian Sea. So take a plunge into crystal clear waters of the Arabian Sea, as Safari Plus tours you through some of these wonderful beaches.

Ganpatiphule As we head 375 kilometres southwards from Mumbai, we arrive at the pristine beaches of Ganpatiphule. The beach is regarded as one of the best along the Maharashtrian coastline. Silver sands outlining the beach highlight the beauty of the divine sights of this place. Apart from a wide range of accommodation facilities offered by the government, some exciting water sports can also be included in the to-do list, one can spot dolphins too. There Ganpatiphule is indeed a perfect family get away. The divine power of the Swayambhu Ganesha is pretty renowned, making Ganpatiphule an important pilgrimage site for the many followers of Lord Ganesha.

Malgund and Ratnagiri are other important tourists site around Ganpatipule.

Ratnagiri is a producer of some world class mangoes. Ganpatiphule can be easily reached by rail, air, and train. The nearest station and airport are in Ratnagiri.

Murad Janjira Situated in the Raighad district about 53 kilometres from Alibaug is Murad Janjira.

This destination is famous for the fortress that is built in the middle of the sea. The Murad Janjira is the only impregnable fort in all of Maharashtra. There are water tanks inside the fort, and deep wells that provide for sweet, and refreshing water to its visitors even to this day (sweet water from a tank within the fortress that is present in the middle of the sea). Shivaji Maharaj built a counter to Murad Janjira, which is the famous Kasa Padmd 2 kilometres away from the coastline. This fortress resembles a lotus. The technical skills involve transporting a great deal of building material into the sea. The easiest way of reaching Murad Janjira is by driving down the Mumbai Goa highway. The other way one can reach is by hopping onto a ferry from Mumbai (to Alibaug) and driving down the 53 kilometres to reach Murad Janjira. The MTDC resort is a recommended place to stay at.

Shriwardhan Incase you have an appetite for sea food than Shriwardhan is a place to be. The waters are inviting, one can go exploring on the boat as well. The original residence of the

On an Adventurous Trail

A destination in itself Skyview Patnitop by Empyrean

Peshwa's is just a boat ride away. Shriwardhan beach is situated at a distance of 200 kilometres from Mumbai.

Harihareshwar Just as the name implies this destination is famous for its Kalbhairav Shiv temple.

Harihareshwar is also known as the Kashi of South India. The hill on the sea shore at Harihareshwar is known as Harihar or Pushpad. The construction is old but historians cannot determine the exact age of this temple. The temple is a witness to the many devotees of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Parvati.

Bassein Situated in Thane district (77 kms from Mumbai), this beach is ripe with natural beauty. The ideal way to reach this beach is by using the roadway. The evidence of Portuguese presence lingers even today. The area was later captured by the Maratha's during the first half of the seventeen hundreds. Old monumental relics' jutting out of palm-groves is proof of the rich historical past. During the olden days the Bassien was an important destination for ship building. As one travels 10 kilometres northwest to the old Konkan capital city of Nalasopara, one can find many Buddhist statues. Nalasopara is said to be the birth place of Gautama Buddha in his previous life. Temples too form an inevitable part of sight-seeing in the area. One cannot miss on the Vajreshwar Temple, and the Sadguru Nityanand Maharaj Samadhi, and the Bhimeshwar temple in Ganeshpuri. The Akloli Hot springs also make an interesting worthwhile visit. As for food, relish on some lip smacking Portuguese cuisine.

Vengurla Malvan Beach How about enjoying farm fresh fruits? Well then Vengurla Malvan is the place to be. The beach is famous for its vast stretches of sand lined up with rows of cashews, coconuts, jackfruits, and mango. Malvan which is now a part of the mainland is an important pilgrimage. The temples of Shri Sateri Devi, and Rameshwar are found here. During the 17th century Malwan was an important centre of trade. Vengurla is 514 kilometres from Mumbai, and today it is famous for its salt pans and Chinese clay pottery.

As we conclude this breath taking tour, we'd urge our readers to go beyond the commercial destinations and explore. Our country is full of wonderful destinations. Those little villages and towns have a lot to offer to their guests.

The winter wonderland of Patnitop just two hours from Jammu, is serene and picturesque.

As winter falls, the region is covered with snow all around. With an early snowfall this year, the place is all set to host the tourist, for winter sports and snow adventure.

We landed in Jammu and directly headed to Patnitop by road. The drive is very smooth on the four-lane highway (yes, you read it right) crossing 4 tunnels. The view of the countryside was mesmerising, the river, gurgling and rushing alongside the road kept us wide awake for that one good shot to capture. The climate here is pretty unpredictable so, one should be well prepared for it. We reached Sanget (Udhampur) despite the heavy rain. However, our destination Patnitop and the road leading to it from Sanget was covered with 3 feet of snow, blocking the way to our hotel. But, we didn't miss out the scenic view of Patnitop. All thanks to Skyview Patnitop by Empyrean. It is a new adventure destination in Patnitop, or you can say it is a destination in itself. The lower terminal of the Skyview Gondola, that began operations a few months ago in August 2019, is nestled between Sanget and Patnitop.

This newly commissioned state of the art ropeway service takes visitors to Patnitop in

Interesting facts Skyview Patnitop  The project is spread over 11 acres, which includes 10 acres at the lower terminal and

1 acre at the upper terminal.  It is the largest Indo-French collaboration in mountain infrastructure development

and India's highest ropeway with over 65 mts. of ground clearance and the longest span of 849 mts between 8 towers and 18 Gondolas.  The entire site was built in record 2 years and 4 months.

Zipline - In collaboration with Flying Fox, this is Asia's longest zig-zag zipline measuring 580 meters. It starts at an altitude of 1,371 meters and ends at 1,344 meters above sea level. It includes 9 wires & 10 poles, with per hour capacity of 25 people.

Tubing Sledge - The most secure, innovative and fun activity on artificial grass for children [4 yrs & above] and adults alike. The tube starts at an altitude of 1,366 meters and ends at an altitude of 1,329 meters above sea level and features 238 meters of slopes.

Magic Carpet - India's first Magic carpet with a distance of 162 metres ride to the top.

It offers the highest surface conveyor capacity.

Some more attractions can be added to your adventure Nathatop – Half an hour from Patnitop, it is at an altitude of 2711m. You can enjoy skiing, paragliding and off course the freezing weather.

Sanasar - At an altitude of 2,050 metres, the beautiful place is named after small lakes, Sana and Sar. While picturesque year-round, it's during the winter that the lake becomes a true spectacle, with skiing and other attractions. One can enjoy adventure and sport activities which are specially done in this region during winter.

Naag Mandir - The temple is more than 600 years old and still stands in all its glory.

Worth a visit if you are in Patnitop.

Mantalai - Fabled to be the place where Lord Shiva married Goddess Paravati. Set in the midst of a lofty mountain range and virgin forest. Soon International Yoga Centre is 17th Century Church Luxury Suits coming up in Mantalai.

Shiv Khori - This famous cave is popular for its natural formation of the Shiv Lingam.

Surrounded by lush green mountains, it takes a 3km trek up to reach the main cave.

less than 15 mins from Sanget, which by road is a 45-60 mins drive. It is the best and most scenic short cut to reach Patnitop. This magical winter destination, still pretty untouched and unexplored, will surely bring out the adventurer inside you. Plus, the experience of fresh falling snowflakes touching your face and the cold freezing wind is something that cannot be expressed in words.

The stunning backdrop of Skyview Patnitop enjoys unbeatable views of the snowcovered mountains. The project aims to transform Patnitop to a major tourist attraction. Not only is the Skyview Patnitop ropeway India's highest ropeway in terms of ground clearance, the inclusion of some adventure activities such as Zipline, Magic Carpet, Tubing Sledge is bound to attract many visitors. One can also find an array of F&B options at The Wok, Skyview Cafe and Street Food Carts catering to every Indian taste-bud and suiting every pocket. It’s an ideal destination for those who are looking for a new destination and adventure or getaways with family, friends or even Varandah Garden Café corporates and MICE segments.

The destination matches with the world-class facilities equipped with a high level of safety measures and securities. It is one of the best in class in the Indian Market.

Zipline

Tubing Sledge

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

6

www.safariplus.co.in

www.safariplus.co.in

7

Magic Carpet

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

DESTINATION

Coastline of Maharashtra The coastline of Maharashtra has a lot to offer to its visitors. There is a whole gamut of mystical, holy, and historical wealth, that the state has invested in. The coastline along the continent stretches over an area of 720 kilometres along the Arabian Sea. So take a plunge into crystal clear waters of the Arabian Sea, as Safari Plus tours you through some of these wonderful beaches.

Ganpatiphule As we head 375 kilometres southwards from Mumbai, we arrive at the pristine beaches of Ganpatiphule. The beach is regarded as one of the best along the Maharashtrian coastline. Silver sands outlining the beach highlight the beauty of the divine sights of this place. Apart from a wide range of accommodation facilities offered by the government, some exciting water sports can also be included in the to-do list, one can spot dolphins too. There Ganpatiphule is indeed a perfect family get away. The divine power of the Swayambhu Ganesha is pretty renowned, making Ganpatiphule an important pilgrimage site for the many followers of Lord Ganesha.

Malgund and Ratnagiri are other important tourists site around Ganpatipule.

Ratnagiri is a producer of some world class mangoes. Ganpatiphule can be easily reached by rail, air, and train. The nearest station and airport are in Ratnagiri.

Murad Janjira Situated in the Raighad district about 53 kilometres from Alibaug is Murad Janjira.

This destination is famous for the fortress that is built in the middle of the sea. The Murad Janjira is the only impregnable fort in all of Maharashtra. There are water tanks inside the fort, and deep wells that provide for sweet, and refreshing water to its visitors even to this day (sweet water from a tank within the fortress that is present in the middle of the sea). Shivaji Maharaj built a counter to Murad Janjira, which is the famous Kasa Padmd 2 kilometres away from the coastline. This fortress resembles a lotus. The technical skills involve transporting a great deal of building material into the sea. The easiest way of reaching Murad Janjira is by driving down the Mumbai Goa highway. The other way one can reach is by hopping onto a ferry from Mumbai (to Alibaug) and driving down the 53 kilometres to reach Murad Janjira. The MTDC resort is a recommended place to stay at.

Shriwardhan Incase you have an appetite for sea food than Shriwardhan is a place to be. The waters are inviting, one can go exploring on the boat as well. The original residence of the

On an Adventurous Trail

A destination in itself Skyview Patnitop by Empyrean

Peshwa's is just a boat ride away. Shriwardhan beach is situated at a distance of 200 kilometres from Mumbai.

Harihareshwar Just as the name implies this destination is famous for its Kalbhairav Shiv temple.

Harihareshwar is also known as the Kashi of South India. The hill on the sea shore at Harihareshwar is known as Harihar or Pushpad. The construction is old but historians cannot determine the exact age of this temple. The temple is a witness to the many devotees of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Parvati.

Bassein Situated in Thane district (77 kms from Mumbai), this beach is ripe with natural beauty. The ideal way to reach this beach is by using the roadway. The evidence of Portuguese presence lingers even today. The area was later captured by the Maratha's during the first half of the seventeen hundreds. Old monumental relics' jutting out of palm-groves is proof of the rich historical past. During the olden days the Bassien was an important destination for ship building. As one travels 10 kilometres northwest to the old Konkan capital city of Nalasopara, one can find many Buddhist statues. Nalasopara is said to be the birth place of Gautama Buddha in his previous life. Temples too form an inevitable part of sight-seeing in the area. One cannot miss on the Vajreshwar Temple, and the Sadguru Nityanand Maharaj Samadhi, and the Bhimeshwar temple in Ganeshpuri. The Akloli Hot springs also make an interesting worthwhile visit. As for food, relish on some lip smacking Portuguese cuisine.

Vengurla Malvan Beach How about enjoying farm fresh fruits? Well then Vengurla Malvan is the place to be. The beach is famous for its vast stretches of sand lined up with rows of cashews, coconuts, jackfruits, and mango. Malvan which is now a part of the mainland is an important pilgrimage. The temples of Shri Sateri Devi, and Rameshwar are found here. During the 17th century Malwan was an important centre of trade. Vengurla is 514 kilometres from Mumbai, and today it is famous for its salt pans and Chinese clay pottery.

As we conclude this breath taking tour, we'd urge our readers to go beyond the commercial destinations and explore. Our country is full of wonderful destinations. Those little villages and towns have a lot to offer to their guests.

The winter wonderland of Patnitop just two hours from Jammu, is serene and picturesque.

As winter falls, the region is covered with snow all around. With an early snowfall this year, the place is all set to host the tourist, for winter sports and snow adventure.

We landed in Jammu and directly headed to Patnitop by road. The drive is very smooth on the four-lane highway (yes, you read it right) crossing 4 tunnels. The view of the countryside was mesmerising, the river, gurgling and rushing alongside the road kept us wide awake for that one good shot to capture. The climate here is pretty unpredictable so, one should be well prepared for it. We reached Sanget (Udhampur) despite the heavy rain. However, our destination Patnitop and the road leading to it from Sanget was covered with 3 feet of snow, blocking the way to our hotel. But, we didn't miss out the scenic view of Patnitop. All thanks to Skyview Patnitop by Empyrean. It is a new adventure destination in Patnitop, or you can say it is a destination in itself. The lower terminal of the Skyview Gondola, that began operations a few months ago in August 2019, is nestled between Sanget and Patnitop.

This newly commissioned state of the art ropeway service takes visitors to Patnitop in

Interesting facts Skyview Patnitop  The project is spread over 11 acres, which includes 10 acres at the lower terminal and

1 acre at the upper terminal.  It is the largest Indo-French collaboration in mountain infrastructure development

and India's highest ropeway with over 65 mts. of ground clearance and the longest span of 849 mts between 8 towers and 18 Gondolas.  The entire site was built in record 2 years and 4 months.

Zipline - In collaboration with Flying Fox, this is Asia's longest zig-zag zipline measuring 580 meters. It starts at an altitude of 1,371 meters and ends at 1,344 meters above sea level. It includes 9 wires & 10 poles, with per hour capacity of 25 people.

Tubing Sledge - The most secure, innovative and fun activity on artificial grass for children [4 yrs & above] and adults alike. The tube starts at an altitude of 1,366 meters and ends at an altitude of 1,329 meters above sea level and features 238 meters of slopes.

Magic Carpet - India's first Magic carpet with a distance of 162 metres ride to the top.

It offers the highest surface conveyor capacity.

Some more attractions can be added to your adventure Nathatop – Half an hour from Patnitop, it is at an altitude of 2711m. You can enjoy skiing, paragliding and off course the freezing weather.

Sanasar - At an altitude of 2,050 metres, the beautiful place is named after small lakes, Sana and Sar. While picturesque year-round, it's during the winter that the lake becomes a true spectacle, with skiing and other attractions. One can enjoy adventure and sport activities which are specially done in this region during winter.

Naag Mandir - The temple is more than 600 years old and still stands in all its glory.

Worth a visit if you are in Patnitop.

Mantalai - Fabled to be the place where Lord Shiva married Goddess Paravati. Set in the midst of a lofty mountain range and virgin forest. Soon International Yoga Centre is 17th Century Church Luxury Suits coming up in Mantalai.

Shiv Khori - This famous cave is popular for its natural formation of the Shiv Lingam.

Surrounded by lush green mountains, it takes a 3km trek up to reach the main cave.

less than 15 mins from Sanget, which by road is a 45-60 mins drive. It is the best and most scenic short cut to reach Patnitop. This magical winter destination, still pretty untouched and unexplored, will surely bring out the adventurer inside you. Plus, the experience of fresh falling snowflakes touching your face and the cold freezing wind is something that cannot be expressed in words.

The stunning backdrop of Skyview Patnitop enjoys unbeatable views of the snowcovered mountains. The project aims to transform Patnitop to a major tourist attraction. Not only is the Skyview Patnitop ropeway India's highest ropeway in terms of ground clearance, the inclusion of some adventure activities such as Zipline, Magic Carpet, Tubing Sledge is bound to attract many visitors. One can also find an array of F&B options at The Wok, Skyview Cafe and Street Food Carts catering to every Indian taste-bud and suiting every pocket. It’s an ideal destination for those who are looking for a new destination and adventure or getaways with family, friends or even Varandah Garden Café corporates and MICE segments.

The destination matches with the world-class facilities equipped with a high level of safety measures and securities. It is one of the best in class in the Indian Market.

Zipline

Tubing Sledge

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

6

www.safariplus.co.in

www.safariplus.co.in

7

Magic Carpet

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

INSIGHT

INSIGHT

Madhya Pradesh promotes Festivals Informa Markets inaugurates the 27th Edition of SATTE to attract Tourists to the State

Genting Cruise Lines introduced the future of cruising with GLOBAL DREAM

Madhya Pradesh Government has identified Tourism as one of the leading s e c t o r s f o r developments and aims to promote MP as an attractive destination for both domestic and international travellers.

Mr. Faiz Ahmed Kidwai IAS, Secretary Tourism, Govt of Madhya Pradesh and MD, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board was present during the event and interacting with us he said, “Madhya Pradesh is among the most exciting tourist destination in the country and has immense potential for the growth of inbound tourism. We are creating new opportunities and initiatives to promote the state and its rich cultural, natural and architectural heritage and its traditions and history.”

There is a sustained focus on infrastructure development, restoration of heritage s i te s , d eve l o p m e nt o f natural reserves and biodiversity, promotion of sustainable and responsible tourism as well as rural tourism. The board is also looking to promote the festivals like “Mandu Utsav” “Namaste Orchha” and “Jal M a h o t s a v ”. “ M a d h y a P r a d e s h Tr a v e l M a r t (MPTM)” is one of the annual events which is very popular

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

Informa Markets in India inaugurated the 27th edition of SATTE, at India Expo Mart, Greater Noida, Delhi NCR. The three-day expo has brought over 1,050 exhibitors, .l/200 foreign buyers from over 50 + countries and 500+ domestic hosted buyers from 104 Indian cities. More than 30,000 travel and tourism professionals are set to attend the show.

The marquee expo was inaugurated by Chief Guest, Shri Prahalad Singh Patel, Union Minister for State for Tourism & Culture (I/C), Government of India along with key dignitaries- Mansukh L Mandaviya, Minister of State (I/C) for Shipping, Govt. of India;, YB Tuan Muhammad Bakhtiar bin Wan Chik, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia; Mr. Michael Goh, President, Dream Cruises & Head of International Sales, Genting Cruise Lines; Mr. Michael Duck, Executive Vice President, Informa Markets – Asia; Mr. Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, Informa Markets in India, amidst an august gathering.

SATTE 2020 is hosting a series of sessions and workshops, presented and lead by high profile speakers and industry stalwarts, covering topics from all aspects of the industry.

Mr. Yogesh Mudras, said, “Despite the current economic and political crackdown, tourism industry still remains one of the fastest growing sectors. This is the largest version of SATTE with an outstanding participation. The overwhelming response from the exhibitors and the upcoming discussions at the conference related to trending subjects like Tourism and Jobs, Corporate Travel, simplification of e-visas, destination weddings etc. will provide great insight into the industry. Through SATTE, we hope to provide viable solutions to help businesses thrive in the ever-evolving industry over the three days.”

8

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Genting Cruise Lines introduced the future of cruising with Global Dream, Dream Cruises’ first global class ship arriving in Asia in 2021.

Catering to India’s growing multi-generation travellers who are seeking new travel options, the 20-deck Global Dream will be the largest cruise ship in the world by passenger capacity, accommodating over 9,000 passengers across 2,350 cabins. The largest cruise ship to be built in Germany, Global Dream will benefit from the country’s vaunted reputation for the highest safety standards, build quality, speed, power and luxury finishes.

Guest of Honour, the Honourable Shri.

Prahalad Patel Ji, Union Minister of State for Tourism & Culture, Government of India,

cruising industry, we are very happy to have a number of cruises entering the country. We witnessed the unveiling of Genting Cruise Lines new ship and the wonderful innovations on board. We hope to have the Genting fleet enter India in the near future,” said Shri. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Shipping, Government of India.

As part of the largest-ever cruise line exhibition at SATTE, a full-scale replica of a Global Dream smart cabin was specially constructed for the Genting Cruise Lines booth. Global Dream’s luxurious cabins will redefine the concept of accommodations at sea, introducing the industry’s most spacious staterooms at approximately 15% larger than the industry

standard cabins and packed with cutting-edge technology and smart systems.

Designed for multi-generation travellers, the cabins can accommodate up to four guests per room via a bed and sofa bed, separated by a thoughtful partition curtain for privacy, and features a unique two-bathroom design to maximize space. For the ultimate pampering, Dream Cruises’1 signature concept and Asia’s largest luxury “ship-within-a-ship”, The Palace, will take pride of place on board Global Dream with 151 lavish suites, exclusive amenities and services.

The Space Cruiser rollercoaster which will be the main highlight and centrepiece of ‘Dream Park at the Pier’. The first-ever theme park at sea, Dream Park at the Pier will excite guests with a myriad of unique and thrilling attractions for all ages such as the “Bouncy Activity Park” – a massive inflatable park with bouncy obstacles, “Jump” – a special trampoline park, “Wipe Out” – an on board wave and surf simulator, “Little Dreamers Ride” – mini karts for tiny tots in a safe and controlled environment and much more. In addition to the theme park, Global Dream will boast a series of innovations including the largest cinema at sea (8 convertible theatres for MICE groups), the world's first offshore DFS T Plaza, with a shopping area of nearly 1,600 square meters, the largest variety of Asian and international cuisine at sea, the world’s top 3 ranked club, Zouk, and more.

unveiled the innovative ‘Spike’ vehicle of Global Dream’s Space Cruiser for the first time in South Asia at SATTE. Featuring a 300-metre track, the Space Cruiser will be the world’s longest roller coaster at sea when Dream Cruises launches Global Dream in 2021 and will be one of the attractions at Dream Park at the Pier, the ships on board theme park. Perfect for the whole family, the 2-seater ‘Spike’ vehicle incorporates the latest in technology and interactive control, allowing riders to tailor their rollercoaster experience to their individual tastes.

“With India traditionally having larger extended families and the increasing trend of multi-generation travel in general, Dream Cruises’ fleet of cruise ships offers convenient multi-generation travel solutions through its current roster of Genting Dream, World Dream and Explorer Dream,” said Mr Michael Goh, President of Dream Cruises & Head of International Sales, Genting Cruise Lines. “Especially exciting will be the debut of Global Dream in 2021, our next generation cruise ship that will enhance the modern travellers’ cruise voyage with even more exciting offerings including our Space Cruiser rollercoaster, family friendly smart cabins and more.”

“We are focusing on cruise tourism in India. The number of cruise tourists is growing in the country. With the development of cruise ports in India and innovations in the

www.safariplus.co.in

9

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

INSIGHT

INSIGHT

Madhya Pradesh promotes Festivals Informa Markets inaugurates the 27th Edition of SATTE to attract Tourists to the State

Genting Cruise Lines introduced the future of cruising with GLOBAL DREAM

Madhya Pradesh Government has identified Tourism as one of the leading s e c t o r s f o r developments and aims to promote MP as an attractive destination for both domestic and international travellers.

Mr. Faiz Ahmed Kidwai IAS, Secretary Tourism, Govt of Madhya Pradesh and MD, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board was present during the event and interacting with us he said, “Madhya Pradesh is among the most exciting tourist destination in the country and has immense potential for the growth of inbound tourism. We are creating new opportunities and initiatives to promote the state and its rich cultural, natural and architectural heritage and its traditions and history.”

There is a sustained focus on infrastructure development, restoration of heritage s i te s , d eve l o p m e nt o f natural reserves and biodiversity, promotion of sustainable and responsible tourism as well as rural tourism. The board is also looking to promote the festivals like “Mandu Utsav” “Namaste Orchha” and “Jal M a h o t s a v ”. “ M a d h y a P r a d e s h Tr a v e l M a r t (MPTM)” is one of the annual events which is very popular

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

Informa Markets in India inaugurated the 27th edition of SATTE, at India Expo Mart, Greater Noida, Delhi NCR. The three-day expo has brought over 1,050 exhibitors, .l/200 foreign buyers from over 50 + countries and 500+ domestic hosted buyers from 104 Indian cities. More than 30,000 travel and tourism professionals are set to attend the show.

The marquee expo was inaugurated by Chief Guest, Shri Prahalad Singh Patel, Union Minister for State for Tourism & Culture (I/C), Government of India along with key dignitaries- Mansukh L Mandaviya, Minister of State (I/C) for Shipping, Govt. of India;, YB Tuan Muhammad Bakhtiar bin Wan Chik, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia; Mr. Michael Goh, President, Dream Cruises & Head of International Sales, Genting Cruise Lines; Mr. Michael Duck, Executive Vice President, Informa Markets – Asia; Mr. Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, Informa Markets in India, amidst an august gathering.

SATTE 2020 is hosting a series of sessions and workshops, presented and lead by high profile speakers and industry stalwarts, covering topics from all aspects of the industry.

Mr. Yogesh Mudras, said, “Despite the current economic and political crackdown, tourism industry still remains one of the fastest growing sectors. This is the largest version of SATTE with an outstanding participation. The overwhelming response from the exhibitors and the upcoming discussions at the conference related to trending subjects like Tourism and Jobs, Corporate Travel, simplification of e-visas, destination weddings etc. will provide great insight into the industry. Through SATTE, we hope to provide viable solutions to help businesses thrive in the ever-evolving industry over the three days.”

8

www.safariplus.co.in

Genting Cruise Lines introduced the future of cruising with Global Dream, Dream Cruises’ first global class ship arriving in Asia in 2021.

Catering to India’s growing multi-generation travellers who are seeking new travel options, the 20-deck Global Dream will be the largest cruise ship in the world by passenger capacity, accommodating over 9,000 passengers across 2,350 cabins. The largest cruise ship to be built in Germany, Global Dream will benefit from the country’s vaunted reputation for the highest safety standards, build quality, speed, power and luxury finishes.

Guest of Honour, the Honourable Shri.

Prahalad Patel Ji, Union Minister of State for Tourism & Culture, Government of India,

cruising industry, we are very happy to have a number of cruises entering the country. We witnessed the unveiling of Genting Cruise Lines new ship and the wonderful innovations on board. We hope to have the Genting fleet enter India in the near future,” said Shri. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Shipping, Government of India.

As part of the largest-ever cruise line exhibition at SATTE, a full-scale replica of a Global Dream smart cabin was specially constructed for the Genting Cruise Lines booth. Global Dream’s luxurious cabins will redefine the concept of accommodations at sea, introducing the industry’s most spacious staterooms at approximately 15% larger than the industry

standard cabins and packed with cutting-edge technology and smart systems.

Designed for multi-generation travellers, the cabins can accommodate up to four guests per room via a bed and sofa bed, separated by a thoughtful partition curtain for privacy, and features a unique two-bathroom design to maximize space. For the ultimate pampering, Dream Cruises’1 signature concept and Asia’s largest luxury “ship-within-a-ship”, The Palace, will take pride of place on board Global Dream with 151 lavish suites, exclusive amenities and services.

The Space Cruiser rollercoaster which will be the main highlight and centrepiece of ‘Dream Park at the Pier’. The first-ever theme park at sea, Dream Park at the Pier will excite guests with a myriad of unique and thrilling attractions for all ages such as the “Bouncy Activity Park” – a massive inflatable park with bouncy obstacles, “Jump” – a special trampoline park, “Wipe Out” – an on board wave and surf simulator, “Little Dreamers Ride” – mini karts for tiny tots in a safe and controlled environment and much more. In addition to the theme park, Global Dream will boast a series of innovations including the largest cinema at sea (8 convertible theatres for MICE groups), the world's first offshore DFS T Plaza, with a shopping area of nearly 1,600 square meters, the largest variety of Asian and international cuisine at sea, the world’s top 3 ranked club, Zouk, and more.

unveiled the innovative ‘Spike’ vehicle of Global Dream’s Space Cruiser for the first time in South Asia at SATTE. Featuring a 300-metre track, the Space Cruiser will be the world’s longest roller coaster at sea when Dream Cruises launches Global Dream in 2021 and will be one of the attractions at Dream Park at the Pier, the ships on board theme park. Perfect for the whole family, the 2-seater ‘Spike’ vehicle incorporates the latest in technology and interactive control, allowing riders to tailor their rollercoaster experience to their individual tastes.

“With India traditionally having larger extended families and the increasing trend of multi-generation travel in general, Dream Cruises’ fleet of cruise ships offers convenient multi-generation travel solutions through its current roster of Genting Dream, World Dream and Explorer Dream,” said Mr Michael Goh, President of Dream Cruises & Head of International Sales, Genting Cruise Lines. “Especially exciting will be the debut of Global Dream in 2021, our next generation cruise ship that will enhance the modern travellers’ cruise voyage with even more exciting offerings including our Space Cruiser rollercoaster, family friendly smart cabins and more.”

“We are focusing on cruise tourism in India. The number of cruise tourists is growing in the country. With the development of cruise ports in India and innovations in the

www.safariplus.co.in

9

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

V-DISPLAY

Islands of Kaveri Srirangapatna is a town in the Mandya district of Karnataka, a southern state in India. The closest big city is Mysore. It is of great religious, cultural and historic importance. The town is easily accessible by train and bus from Karnataka's capital, Bangalore and also from Mysore. The town takes its name from Ranganathaswamy temple which dominates the town, making Srirangapatna one of the most important centers of pilgrimage in India.

Close by is the Rangantittu Bird Sanctuary. You can find the Painted Stork, Openbilled Stork, Black-headed Ibis, River Tern, Great Stone Plover and Indian Shag. The temple of Lord Srinivasa - Karighatta also known as Black Hill, is situated near by. The summer palace of King Tipu Sultan is also an interesting place to visit. About 27 km away from the town is the Sivasamudra Falls, the second biggest waterfall in India.

Shivanasamudram It's located in the Mandya District of Karnataka. At this point the Kaveri River splits into two and each branch falls down rocky cliffs.

The more popularly viewed waterfall is called Gaganachukki and the other one Bharachukki. These spectacular waterfalls are surrounded by forests of the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary. The best time to visit Shivanasamudramis between June and February.

The Cauvery River leaves the Kodagu hills and flows onto the Deccan plateau, forming two islands, Srirangapatna and Shivanasamudra. The river rises at Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri hills in Kodagu. Although there is not a flow at this point all year round, it forms the principal drainage of this district, and is already a major river when it leaves the Western Ghats near Kushalanagara.

After forming two islands, namely Srirangapatna and Shivanasamudra, the river drops into the Hogenakal Falls just before it arrives in the towns of Hogenakal and Srirangam in Tamil Nadu. At Sivasamudra Island the river drops 320 ft (98 m), thus forming the famous Sivasamudram Falls known separately as Gagana Chukki and

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

Bhara Chukki. Asia`s first hydroelectric plant (built in 1902) was on the left falls and supplied power to the city of Bangalore. In 1906, Bangalore became the first city in Asia to be fully electrified and to have electric streetlights, mainly due to the contributions of the islands of the Cauvery River.

In the course of River Cauvery through Karnataka, the channel is interrupted by twelve "anicuts" (dams) for the purpose of irrigation. From the anicut at Madadkatte, an artificial channel is diverted at a distance of 72 miles (116 km), thus irrigating an area of 10,000 acres (40 km²), and ultimately bringing its water supply to the town of Mandya. Near one of the islands of the Cauvery River, Srirangapatna, there is an aqueduct, the Bangara Doddi Nala, which was constructed in the 17th century by the Wodeyar maharaja of Mysore, Ranadhira Kantirava, in reminiscence of his favorite spouse. It is said to be the only channel where the water from a river, was collected upstream and is carried by the aqueduct over the very same river few miles downstream. This aqueduct also served as a motorable bridge between the islands of the Cauvery River until 1964.

The Cauveri River runs through Erode district where river Bhavani converges with it. While passing through Erode, two more tributaries merge. Noyyal and Amaravathi join it before it reaches Tiruchirapalli district. Here the river becomes wide, with a sandy bed, and flows in an easterly direction until it divides into two at upper channel about 14 kilometers west of Thiruchirappalli.

The northern branch of river called the Coleroon or Kollidam while the southern branch retains the name Kaveri and then goes directly eastwards into Thanjavur District. These two rivers join again and form one of the Islands of the Cauvery River, namely the Srirangam Island near Tiruchirapalli. The Islands of the Cauvery River are not only scenic pieces of land but also major tourist spots in its own regard.

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11

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

V-DISPLAY

Islands of Kaveri Srirangapatna is a town in the Mandya district of Karnataka, a southern state in India. The closest big city is Mysore. It is of great religious, cultural and historic importance. The town is easily accessible by train and bus from Karnataka's capital, Bangalore and also from Mysore. The town takes its name from Ranganathaswamy temple which dominates the town, making Srirangapatna one of the most important centers of pilgrimage in India.

Close by is the Rangantittu Bird Sanctuary. You can find the Painted Stork, Openbilled Stork, Black-headed Ibis, River Tern, Great Stone Plover and Indian Shag. The temple of Lord Srinivasa - Karighatta also known as Black Hill, is situated near by. The summer palace of King Tipu Sultan is also an interesting place to visit. About 27 km away from the town is the Sivasamudra Falls, the second biggest waterfall in India.

Shivanasamudram It's located in the Mandya District of Karnataka. At this point the Kaveri River splits into two and each branch falls down rocky cliffs.

The more popularly viewed waterfall is called Gaganachukki and the other one Bharachukki. These spectacular waterfalls are surrounded by forests of the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary. The best time to visit Shivanasamudramis between June and February.

The Cauvery River leaves the Kodagu hills and flows onto the Deccan plateau, forming two islands, Srirangapatna and Shivanasamudra. The river rises at Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri hills in Kodagu. Although there is not a flow at this point all year round, it forms the principal drainage of this district, and is already a major river when it leaves the Western Ghats near Kushalanagara.

After forming two islands, namely Srirangapatna and Shivanasamudra, the river drops into the Hogenakal Falls just before it arrives in the towns of Hogenakal and Srirangam in Tamil Nadu. At Sivasamudra Island the river drops 320 ft (98 m), thus forming the famous Sivasamudram Falls known separately as Gagana Chukki and

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

Bhara Chukki. Asia`s first hydroelectric plant (built in 1902) was on the left falls and supplied power to the city of Bangalore. In 1906, Bangalore became the first city in Asia to be fully electrified and to have electric streetlights, mainly due to the contributions of the islands of the Cauvery River.

In the course of River Cauvery through Karnataka, the channel is interrupted by twelve "anicuts" (dams) for the purpose of irrigation. From the anicut at Madadkatte, an artificial channel is diverted at a distance of 72 miles (116 km), thus irrigating an area of 10,000 acres (40 km²), and ultimately bringing its water supply to the town of Mandya. Near one of the islands of the Cauvery River, Srirangapatna, there is an aqueduct, the Bangara Doddi Nala, which was constructed in the 17th century by the Wodeyar maharaja of Mysore, Ranadhira Kantirava, in reminiscence of his favorite spouse. It is said to be the only channel where the water from a river, was collected upstream and is carried by the aqueduct over the very same river few miles downstream. This aqueduct also served as a motorable bridge between the islands of the Cauvery River until 1964.

The Cauveri River runs through Erode district where river Bhavani converges with it. While passing through Erode, two more tributaries merge. Noyyal and Amaravathi join it before it reaches Tiruchirapalli district. Here the river becomes wide, with a sandy bed, and flows in an easterly direction until it divides into two at upper channel about 14 kilometers west of Thiruchirappalli.

The northern branch of river called the Coleroon or Kollidam while the southern branch retains the name Kaveri and then goes directly eastwards into Thanjavur District. These two rivers join again and form one of the Islands of the Cauvery River, namely the Srirangam Island near Tiruchirapalli. The Islands of the Cauvery River are not only scenic pieces of land but also major tourist spots in its own regard.

10

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11

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

SHIRDI

V-DISPLAY

Place of Divine & Spritiuality

The busy and stressful life can get you longing for a break, what best then a trip to Shirdi. A break that would dive in yourself and will rejuvenate you from soul to body. A small town, situated close to Nasik and 280kms from Mumbai, the pilgrim city, Shirdi attracts tourists and devotees from all across the world to its holy lands.

Home to the venerated sage Sai Baba, Shirdi undeniably ranks among the topnotch pilgrim destinations in the country. Worshipped for his compassionate nature, prudent preaching and miraculous healing powers, this humble saint with divine powers stamped his impression all over the land.

Best time to visit - Shirdi is a major pilgrimage centre and scores of tourists throng the city throughout the year. Festivals like Guru Poornima, Baba's death anniversary and Dussera witness lakhs of devotees visit this place. The most fascinating about Shirdi is the Palki that is carried every Thursday throughout Shirdi. Baba's footprints are carried in a ceremonial procession from Dwarkamayi to Chavadi on every Thursday night.

Accomodations - Sai Ashram Phase 1 consisting of 1536 rooms can accommodate 9000 devotees.1152 common rooms with attached bath room and 384 AC rooms. It also has an Open Air Theatre (OAT) to accommodate about 2000 devotees for Sai

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

Kirtans, Bhajans and other cultural programs.

The Dwarawati is two minutes walking distance from the Bus stand. It has 334 rooms & dormitories & large rooms to accommodate small groups or families of six to ten people. It also have 80 AC Rooms .

The Saibaba Bhaktaniwassthan (500 Rooms) the biggest accommodation complex consisting 542 rooms of various categories. It is about 01 Kilometer away, on south of the Mandir Complex, on the Highway itself.

Nearby place to see - The Khandoba Mandir is located on the AhmednagarKopergaon road, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the oldest temples in the area The neem tree is also said to be the spot where Baba's Guru took his Samadhi, which gave rise to the name Gurusthan. Today, the place consists of a huge neem tree and an old portrait of Sai Baba along with the silver impressions of his feet.

Dwarkamayi (Masjid) This is the mosque where Baba lived, preached, performed his miraculous deeds and maintained his “Dhuni� (a sacred fire that still stays lighted). If you are here to feel the true vibrancy of the saint, the Masjid will impart you the essence of Baba's aura. The most Primary monument in shirdi one can visit Samadhi Mandir, this is where Baba's remains have been buried. Baba promised he would listen and help his followers free them from all pain.

Lendi Bagh is an important place and a must-see while you are in the town. Lendi Bagh was transformed into a beautiful garden by Sai Baba Lendi Bagh is a beautiful little green park with towering trees and blooming flower plants.

How to Reach - One can reach Shirdi through train, state buses or by private cars. By Air - One can fly from direct to Shirdi (The Shirdi Airport is located at Kakadi village, about 14 km south-west of the town of Shirdi). By Road - Maharashtra State Transport buses are available from major cities like Nashik, Mumbai, Aurangabad, Ahmednagar, Pune, Manmad and Kopargaon to Shirdi. Private air-conditioned buses also available from various cities of Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujrat, Andhra-Pradesh to Shirdi. By Train - Shirdi can be reached from the new railway station at Sainagar, other Railway stations are Manmad-Junction (60 Kms), Kopargaon(22 Kms) and Nagarsul (50 Kms) on the Central Railway.

12

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13

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

SHIRDI

V-DISPLAY

Place of Divine & Spritiuality

The busy and stressful life can get you longing for a break, what best then a trip to Shirdi. A break that would dive in yourself and will rejuvenate you from soul to body. A small town, situated close to Nasik and 280kms from Mumbai, the pilgrim city, Shirdi attracts tourists and devotees from all across the world to its holy lands.

Home to the venerated sage Sai Baba, Shirdi undeniably ranks among the topnotch pilgrim destinations in the country. Worshipped for his compassionate nature, prudent preaching and miraculous healing powers, this humble saint with divine powers stamped his impression all over the land.

Best time to visit - Shirdi is a major pilgrimage centre and scores of tourists throng the city throughout the year. Festivals like Guru Poornima, Baba's death anniversary and Dussera witness lakhs of devotees visit this place. The most fascinating about Shirdi is the Palki that is carried every Thursday throughout Shirdi. Baba's footprints are carried in a ceremonial procession from Dwarkamayi to Chavadi on every Thursday night.

Accomodations - Sai Ashram Phase 1 consisting of 1536 rooms can accommodate 9000 devotees.1152 common rooms with attached bath room and 384 AC rooms. It also has an Open Air Theatre (OAT) to accommodate about 2000 devotees for Sai

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

Kirtans, Bhajans and other cultural programs.

The Dwarawati is two minutes walking distance from the Bus stand. It has 334 rooms & dormitories & large rooms to accommodate small groups or families of six to ten people. It also have 80 AC Rooms .

The Saibaba Bhaktaniwassthan (500 Rooms) the biggest accommodation complex consisting 542 rooms of various categories. It is about 01 Kilometer away, on south of the Mandir Complex, on the Highway itself.

Nearby place to see - The Khandoba Mandir is located on the AhmednagarKopergaon road, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the oldest temples in the area The neem tree is also said to be the spot where Baba's Guru took his Samadhi, which gave rise to the name Gurusthan. Today, the place consists of a huge neem tree and an old portrait of Sai Baba along with the silver impressions of his feet.

Dwarkamayi (Masjid) This is the mosque where Baba lived, preached, performed his miraculous deeds and maintained his “Dhuni� (a sacred fire that still stays lighted). If you are here to feel the true vibrancy of the saint, the Masjid will impart you the essence of Baba's aura. The most Primary monument in shirdi one can visit Samadhi Mandir, this is where Baba's remains have been buried. Baba promised he would listen and help his followers free them from all pain.

Lendi Bagh is an important place and a must-see while you are in the town. Lendi Bagh was transformed into a beautiful garden by Sai Baba Lendi Bagh is a beautiful little green park with towering trees and blooming flower plants.

How to Reach - One can reach Shirdi through train, state buses or by private cars. By Air - One can fly from direct to Shirdi (The Shirdi Airport is located at Kakadi village, about 14 km south-west of the town of Shirdi). By Road - Maharashtra State Transport buses are available from major cities like Nashik, Mumbai, Aurangabad, Ahmednagar, Pune, Manmad and Kopargaon to Shirdi. Private air-conditioned buses also available from various cities of Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujrat, Andhra-Pradesh to Shirdi. By Train - Shirdi can be reached from the new railway station at Sainagar, other Railway stations are Manmad-Junction (60 Kms), Kopargaon(22 Kms) and Nagarsul (50 Kms) on the Central Railway.

12

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13

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

INTERNATIONAL

V-DISPLAY

Swarovski Kristallwelten ATF TRAVEX 2020 Opens For Business In Brunei Darussalam celebrates its 25th Anniversary

Business activities formally begin on the first day of ATF 2020 TRAVEX, between top travel and tourism suppliers across all 10 ASEAN destinations – Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam – plus India, and global buyers.

Held in conjunction with official meetings by ASEAN NTO, ministerial delegates, association boards and tourism groups that began since 12 January, TRAVEX is ATF’s 3day Travel Exchange component. The business-led exhibition is dedicated to showcasing ASEAN destination products and services and promoting inbound and intra travel within the region, coupled with structured appointments between ASEAN sellers and buyers from 43 countries including Australia, Azerbaijan, China PR, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Latvia, Macedonia, South Korea, Sweden, Poland, Russia and United States.

Among this year’s event highlights is today’s business speed-dating segment – a newly-added feature to the TRAVEX programme – provided plenty of opportunity for delegates to build their lead generation network ahead of exhibition and appointment days that commence on 15 and 16 January.

To optimise on-site efficiency, all exhibitors and buyers were able to schedule up to 100% of their appointments prior to arriving in Brunei.

Complimentary pre-show tours of Brunei on 13 and 14 January provided delegates an insight into Brunei’s abode of peace. Post-TRAVEX days, the experience continues beyond the show floor with charming optional tour itineraries such as a cruise along Brunei River or outdoor adventures at the Ulu Temburong National Park from 17 January onwards.

Swarovski, founded by Daniel Swarovskia, a family-owned company opened in 1895.

From the very outset, company had the vision to regard crystal not just as a material, but as a source of inspiration. When Swarovski celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1995, a unique place was created that turned crystal into a living experience: Swarovski Kristallwelten (Swarovski Crystal Worlds). Renowned names from art and design interpret crystal in their own way and turn the sparkling material into unique concepts of experience and space. In line with the idea of the company’s founder, Daniel Swarovski, Swarovski Crystal Worlds is constantly reinventing and developing itself. It is always surprising and always on the cutting edge – a reliable partner for the tourism industry and an ongoing attraction for travelers through Austria. Spread out over 7.5 hectares, the iconic Giant’s fantastical realm offers a one-of-a-kind blend of contemporary art, classic history, captivating nature, and a year-round program of events for all ages.

One of the most frequently visited attractions in Austria, Swarovski Crystal Worlds has delighted more than 15 million visitors since 1995. Celebrating its anniversary year as a place of wonder full of surprises, it embraces the philosophy of continual innovation and development. Swarovski’s wide-ranging brand portfolio, culinary delights, and the year-round program of events give eloquent testimony to the diverse history of Swarovski Crystal Worlds, which spans 2020 25 years.

Contact for

Rates

SINGAPORE Thailand, Laos, Malaysia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia, Cambodia

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

INTERNATIONAL

V-DISPLAY

Swarovski Kristallwelten ATF TRAVEX 2020 Opens For Business In Brunei Darussalam celebrates its 25th Anniversary

Business activities formally begin on the first day of ATF 2020 TRAVEX, between top travel and tourism suppliers across all 10 ASEAN destinations – Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam – plus India, and global buyers.

Held in conjunction with official meetings by ASEAN NTO, ministerial delegates, association boards and tourism groups that began since 12 January, TRAVEX is ATF’s 3day Travel Exchange component. The business-led exhibition is dedicated to showcasing ASEAN destination products and services and promoting inbound and intra travel within the region, coupled with structured appointments between ASEAN sellers and buyers from 43 countries including Australia, Azerbaijan, China PR, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Latvia, Macedonia, South Korea, Sweden, Poland, Russia and United States.

Among this year’s event highlights is today’s business speed-dating segment – a newly-added feature to the TRAVEX programme – provided plenty of opportunity for delegates to build their lead generation network ahead of exhibition and appointment days that commence on 15 and 16 January.

To optimise on-site efficiency, all exhibitors and buyers were able to schedule up to 100% of their appointments prior to arriving in Brunei.

Complimentary pre-show tours of Brunei on 13 and 14 January provided delegates an insight into Brunei’s abode of peace. Post-TRAVEX days, the experience continues beyond the show floor with charming optional tour itineraries such as a cruise along Brunei River or outdoor adventures at the Ulu Temburong National Park from 17 January onwards.

Swarovski, founded by Daniel Swarovskia, a family-owned company opened in 1895.

From the very outset, company had the vision to regard crystal not just as a material, but as a source of inspiration. When Swarovski celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1995, a unique place was created that turned crystal into a living experience: Swarovski Kristallwelten (Swarovski Crystal Worlds). Renowned names from art and design interpret crystal in their own way and turn the sparkling material into unique concepts of experience and space. In line with the idea of the company’s founder, Daniel Swarovski, Swarovski Crystal Worlds is constantly reinventing and developing itself. It is always surprising and always on the cutting edge – a reliable partner for the tourism industry and an ongoing attraction for travelers through Austria. Spread out over 7.5 hectares, the iconic Giant’s fantastical realm offers a one-of-a-kind blend of contemporary art, classic history, captivating nature, and a year-round program of events for all ages.

One of the most frequently visited attractions in Austria, Swarovski Crystal Worlds has delighted more than 15 million visitors since 1995. Celebrating its anniversary year as a place of wonder full of surprises, it embraces the philosophy of continual innovation and development. Swarovski’s wide-ranging brand portfolio, culinary delights, and the year-round program of events give eloquent testimony to the diverse history of Swarovski Crystal Worlds, which spans 2020 25 years.

Contact for

Rates

SINGAPORE Thailand, Laos, Malaysia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia, Cambodia

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

HOSPITALITY

HOSPITALITY Sarovar Hotels taps on the

DELIGHT HOTELS

western suburbs of Mumbai with its 6th Hotel

added two property in Lachung and Dooars

ROYAL HOMETEL SUITES in Dahisar

Delight Hotels is a known name today with the bouquet of hotels & memorable hospitality services in Sikkim & Darjeeling region. The group has recently included two more names to the list – Delight – The Fortuna Lachung - It is one of the finest upcoming properties of Lachung with an inventory of 27 rooms. It will be having some amazing amenities as a hotel in Lachung like Swimming Pool, Fire Place in rooms, Spa with Jacuzzi and so on.

The Hotel will give a luxurious and memorable experience to guests who loves to explore but stay in comfort.

The finest eco-friendly resort in Dooars (Lataguri) named as Delight – Green Heaven Resort. It is located absolutely in the lap of nature, surrounded by tea garden and lush greenery all around. It offers 10 rooms with facilities like playing area & garden. It has also one important benefit as it is bang opp Garumara National Park booking office, which enables the travellers to visit the jungle and do safari very easily.

Delight Hotels have always been in a constant endeavour to reach a newer height in terms of service quality and customer satisfaction and will be in continuous process of doing so in future as well. For more details visit- www.delighthotels.in or Call- 033-23556051 or Mail- sales@delighthotels.in

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

Sarovar Hotels & Resorts launched Royal Hometel Suites in the heart of Dahisar, Mumbai. The hotel is on the western express highway, making it an ideal choice for business and leisure travellers.

The Hotel has 112 wellappointed rooms with 52 suites.

Royal Hometel Suites features two banquet halls to host special occasions, corporate parties, conferences, wedding and social gathering, that can accommodate up to 550 guests.

The hotel homes to 3 restaurants ‘Flavours’ all daydining restaurant, ‘Chill’ allow guests to spend quality time unwinding over refreshing cocktails and drinks and ‘Café 365’for coffee break or business networking.

On the launch, Mr. Anil Madhok, Executive Chairman, Sarovar Hotels & Resorts, said, “The opening of Royal Hometel Suites strengthens our position in the Mumbai market in line with the brand’s growth strategy. The launch follows the growing trend of business and leisure hotels along with the brand’s quality assurance and ‘Signature Sarovar Hospitality’. Our new property is appropriate for both business and leisure travellers considering the location of the hotel.”

Sarovar Hotels & Resorts one of the fastest growing chains of hotels in India managing more than 80 operational hotels in 50 destinations in India and overseas.

16

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Signature Hotel Pattaya Signature Hotel Pattaya is located on South Pattaya Road. It is a beautiful luxurious property accessible from the Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Bangkok (45 minutes). The hotel has 131 excellently designed rooms with extreme comforts. The rooms offer a breathtaking view of the Gulf of Thailand and offer the sighting of the city’s skyline. One can easily begin the day with some good exercise in the wellequipped fitness centre. After some warm exercise one can have a nice dip in the outdoor pool. Amenities like air conditioning, flat-screen TV, telephone with voicemail facility, mini-refrigerator, work desk and free Wi-Fi access are provided in all guest rooms.

In an exclusive interview with Safari Plus, during Edwin Thailand, Mr. Jaspal Singh Champi, Founder, Signature Hotel, said, “It is our honour to host Edwin and the Trade Partners from India. Our property has received 5 stars accreditation from THA (Thailand Hotel Association). We are well equipped to host the families from India and take care of their food choices as well. Nowadays Indian tourists prefer Pattaya than Bangkok, and 30% to 40 % families prefer traveling with kids as there are lot of activities around. Pattaya is also famous for its coral island which takes half an hour by

ferry from our Hotel.

TAMNAK Hill Room (capacity to accommodate up to 150 people) and SIGNATURE Room (capacity to accommodate up to 60 people) are the two state-of-the-art meeting rooms are appropriate for hosting a corporate event. In addition, conveniences like a business centre, airport transfers (paid), local area shuttle, and complimentary parking and Wi-Fi access make for a comfortable stay. For a good meal, dine in the basking ambience of the hotel's all-day dining MoMo Cafe that

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serves delicious international dishes. The hotel has an Indian chef and serves dishes for breakfast.

The surrounding area offers popular tourist hotspots, such as the Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum and Central Festival Pattaya Beach Shopping Mall. They are within a 5minute drive of the hotel. The Art in Paradise Museum is around a 10-minute drive away. Known for its hustling bustling nightlife, Walking Street is reachable in just 10 minutes by foot.

17

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

HOSPITALITY

HOSPITALITY Sarovar Hotels taps on the

DELIGHT HOTELS

western suburbs of Mumbai with its 6th Hotel

added two property in Lachung and Dooars

ROYAL HOMETEL SUITES in Dahisar

Delight Hotels is a known name today with the bouquet of hotels & memorable hospitality services in Sikkim & Darjeeling region. The group has recently included two more names to the list – Delight – The Fortuna Lachung - It is one of the finest upcoming properties of Lachung with an inventory of 27 rooms. It will be having some amazing amenities as a hotel in Lachung like Swimming Pool, Fire Place in rooms, Spa with Jacuzzi and so on.

The Hotel will give a luxurious and memorable experience to guests who loves to explore but stay in comfort.

The finest eco-friendly resort in Dooars (Lataguri) named as Delight – Green Heaven Resort. It is located absolutely in the lap of nature, surrounded by tea garden and lush greenery all around. It offers 10 rooms with facilities like playing area & garden. It has also one important benefit as it is bang opp Garumara National Park booking office, which enables the travellers to visit the jungle and do safari very easily.

Delight Hotels have always been in a constant endeavour to reach a newer height in terms of service quality and customer satisfaction and will be in continuous process of doing so in future as well. For more details visit- www.delighthotels.in or Call- 033-23556051 or Mail- sales@delighthotels.in

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

Sarovar Hotels & Resorts launched Royal Hometel Suites in the heart of Dahisar, Mumbai. The hotel is on the western express highway, making it an ideal choice for business and leisure travellers.

The Hotel has 112 wellappointed rooms with 52 suites.

Royal Hometel Suites features two banquet halls to host special occasions, corporate parties, conferences, wedding and social gathering, that can accommodate up to 550 guests.

The hotel homes to 3 restaurants ‘Flavours’ all daydining restaurant, ‘Chill’ allow guests to spend quality time unwinding over refreshing cocktails and drinks and ‘Café 365’for coffee break or business networking.

On the launch, Mr. Anil Madhok, Executive Chairman, Sarovar Hotels & Resorts, said, “The opening of Royal Hometel Suites strengthens our position in the Mumbai market in line with the brand’s growth strategy. The launch follows the growing trend of business and leisure hotels along with the brand’s quality assurance and ‘Signature Sarovar Hospitality’. Our new property is appropriate for both business and leisure travellers considering the location of the hotel.”

Sarovar Hotels & Resorts one of the fastest growing chains of hotels in India managing more than 80 operational hotels in 50 destinations in India and overseas.

16

www.safariplus.co.in

Signature Hotel Pattaya Signature Hotel Pattaya is located on South Pattaya Road. It is a beautiful luxurious property accessible from the Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Bangkok (45 minutes). The hotel has 131 excellently designed rooms with extreme comforts. The rooms offer a breathtaking view of the Gulf of Thailand and offer the sighting of the city’s skyline. One can easily begin the day with some good exercise in the wellequipped fitness centre. After some warm exercise one can have a nice dip in the outdoor pool. Amenities like air conditioning, flat-screen TV, telephone with voicemail facility, mini-refrigerator, work desk and free Wi-Fi access are provided in all guest rooms.

In an exclusive interview with Safari Plus, during Edwin Thailand, Mr. Jaspal Singh Champi, Founder, Signature Hotel, said, “It is our honour to host Edwin and the Trade Partners from India. Our property has received 5 stars accreditation from THA (Thailand Hotel Association). We are well equipped to host the families from India and take care of their food choices as well. Nowadays Indian tourists prefer Pattaya than Bangkok, and 30% to 40 % families prefer traveling with kids as there are lot of activities around. Pattaya is also famous for its coral island which takes half an hour by

ferry from our Hotel.

TAMNAK Hill Room (capacity to accommodate up to 150 people) and SIGNATURE Room (capacity to accommodate up to 60 people) are the two state-of-the-art meeting rooms are appropriate for hosting a corporate event. In addition, conveniences like a business centre, airport transfers (paid), local area shuttle, and complimentary parking and Wi-Fi access make for a comfortable stay. For a good meal, dine in the basking ambience of the hotel's all-day dining MoMo Cafe that

www.safariplus.co.in

serves delicious international dishes. The hotel has an Indian chef and serves dishes for breakfast.

The surrounding area offers popular tourist hotspots, such as the Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum and Central Festival Pattaya Beach Shopping Mall. They are within a 5minute drive of the hotel. The Art in Paradise Museum is around a 10-minute drive away. Known for its hustling bustling nightlife, Walking Street is reachable in just 10 minutes by foot.

17

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

HOSPITALITY

HOSPITALITY

River Kwai Village Resort

Pride Kadamb Kunj Resort’ Pride’s 2nd property in Rajasthan Pride Group of Hotels has launched ‘Pride Kadamb Kunj Resort’ at Bharatpur, its second property in the vibrant state of Rajasthan.

The Resort is prominently located on NH-11 Fatehpur Sikri Road, Bharatpur, this upscale ethnic resort is an expression of the spirit of Rajasthan and its royal elegance.

The resort property is spread over 3 acres that give a feeling of openness and greenery all around. With major tourist attractions namely Fatehpur Sikri, Bird Sanctuary, Museum, Agra, Mehendipur Balaji, Deeg Palace, Mathura/Vrindavan, in close proximity, the hotel boasts of aesthetically designed rooms & suites ideal for leisure travelers.

Announcing the launch, Mr. S.P. Jain, Managing Director, Pride Hotels Limited says, “Rajasthan with its vibrant culture enjoys pre-eminence in attracting large sections of leisure tourists from across the world. We are delighted to open our second resort in Rajasthan at Bharatpur to tap the growing potential in this region. ‘Pride Kadamb Kunj Resort’ with a perfect blend of contemporary amenities rooted in customary elegance and excellent services will make every guest’s stay a pleasurable experience”.

Pride Kadamb Kunj Resort offers 42 well-appointed rooms and 2 suites replete with all modern elements. The resort has a main block (reception & lobby block) and 2 wings comprising of rooms. In one wing rooms take shape of Octagon and has a beautiful central courtyard that is used for puppet show, cultural evenings and bonfire, and other activities. Rooms at new wing open towards massive open mustard fields giving a pretty sight to every room. All three blocks are connected to the convenience of everyone. All the rooms are equipped with LED TV, mini bar, tea/ coffee maker, Wi-Fi, individual air conditioning and comfortable beddings.

The resort facilities include swimming pool, travel desk, laundry services, Library cum

Kanchanaburi, Thailand

TV lounge, Pool Table Room, banquet hall and indoor activities room for kids. The swimming pool area has a huge open deck for sunbathing and an adjacent poolside lawn where parties, lunches/dinner can be arranged. Multi-cuisine air-conditioned Fork” N” Spoon is a lively place with traditional yet chic decor. It serves both Ala-carte and Buffet and can seat up to 80 pax. Indian, Chinese and Continental cuisine along with the local flavours of Rajasthan are served with a smile. The resort also boasts of air-conditioned banquet cum conference hall with a capacity of 200 persons.

‘Pride Kadamb Kunj Resort’ Bharatpur is most suitable for Leisure guests and wedding function and other social events as it is very close to Delhi.

The Pride Group of Hotels & Resorts is one of the fastest-growing chains of hotels and is operating 20 hotels on Pan India basis with 2500 Rooms, 52 Restaurants, and 73 Banquets and Conference Halls.

Taking ahead the glory with Pride Mr. Satyen Jain shares his thoughts With his entrepreneurship skills Mr. Satyen S. Jain has proven his mettle and talent, bringing on the rich domain knowledge of marketing strategies and distribution networking. Presently Mr. Satyen S. Jain serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Pride Hotels Limited. Mr. Jain oversees the implementation of the ongoing projects and has a keen eye upon applying International standards in F&B, Hi-tech Connectivity, room facilities, soft furnishings and hardware at the Pride Hotel sites.

He shares some of his innovative ideas he implemented in the hotel which has taken the Pride Group in the rapid growth mode. Mr. Jain has incorporated the five senses of traditional Indian welcome, fragrance, music, ambience, regional Indian paintings & frescoes and mouth-watering Indian Cuisines. At Pride, Guest is welcomed with a Namaskar, tika and aarti. There is a familiar fragrance of tuberose in lobbies of all the hotels. All public areas are playing local regional music. All the artworks of the rooms and public areas have taken inspiration from local architecture, culture and colours.

The all-day dining offer an international and Indian menu but have tried to incorporate lot of popular dishes from regional cuisines.

Pride Hotel believes in sustainable tourism. Mr. Jain has taken initiative in installation of heat pumps in all the hotels. Entire lighting is of all hotels in led lights. Green power is being bought from windmills and solar farms. All wastewater is treated and reused in the garden and a/c cooling towers. A lot of steps have been taken to be an environmentally friendly hotel.

He has invested in a robust guest feedback system to enhance Guest experience where the customer feedback & request system is connected to the employee Mobile for prompt service and hotel can revert to Guest before the guest moves out of the hotel.

A strong system to track all the guest reviews on various international OTAs and social media is developed. Pride reward loyalty program is launched for loyal Guests which reward customers who regularly use the hotel's hospitality service. From the first stay, itself Guest start earning points. There are lots perks of being a part of loyalty program such as free stays, free upgrades, priority check ins, late check out, free meal, bonus points, exclusive offers etc.

The Pride Hotels today is a major player in the hospitality industry in India. The Pride Hotels, manage & operate 15 hotels having more than 2000 rooms, 40 restaurants & 60 banquet halls.

To enjoy the splendours of mother nature and have a relaxed and quiet holiday, visit the exotic River Kwai Village (Resort and Onsen). The property is surrounded by mountains and the luscious greenery around the area gives the hotel a serene cover. It is a destination in itself with hot mineral springs. It is located on the bank of the Kwai Noi River in Sai Yok district. It is 190 kms from Bangkok, the journey takes about 2 and a half hours along the Kanchanaburi-Thong Pha Phum route. One can travel by car, train or van.

The Assistant Managing Director, Mr. Suchin Jienjitlert expresses his love for the property by saying that the jungle resort is inclusive of rooms, activities and raft room. It has more than 271 rooms which are good enough for 500 people.

It is a place in the middle of nature far away from the congestion of big cities like Mumbai and Delhi. The River Kwai Village hotel has hosted many meetings for the MICE movement and is a favourite hotspot for family holidays and honeymoon couples.

There are 5 styles of accommodation to choose from, including 4 swimming pools and Water Park with water slides for children to enjoy. The resort has the Jungle View Restaurant serving delicious Thai food. To name some ravishes of the resort - It has a rock valley hot spring, fish spa and Thai massage. It is attended by well-trained professional

and it will give your body and mind a relaxing as well as enriching experience.

The Hotel has ample of activities, you can get involved in: * The walk rally or ninja camp * Extreme centric park * All terrain vehicle *Dtv shredder * Zorbing * Paintball * Bobble football * Archery * Abseling * Eurobungy * Rollerball * Bamboo rafting * Flying fox * Rope bridge and skycycling * Football field * Table tennis etc.

The hotel has organized many other special activities such as campfire, elephant trekking, rafting, fishing and golf courses nearby to the other 3 hotels to serve you and your group at a special price.

The resort has meeting rooms which can accommodate 170 to 500 people - * Takien Thong room * Saiyok room * Erawan room * Royal wing Stadium(outdoor) * Cliffing Room(outdoor) There are five styles of rooms to choose from in the exquisite resort. One of them is the Raft room(24 rooms). It is a floating raft house parallel to the water. The Cliffing rooms (78 rooms), a 3 storey building designed majestically with complete facilities.

The front of the building has a swimming pool with a Jacuzzi. The Room at AK Pool Wing (51 rooms)in a 3 storey building with a view of the beautiful river. The rooms are decorated in Thai style. There is a balcony for you to see the view of the Kwai Noi River. The Waterfront building (54 rooms) is a 3-storey building with the view of the river. It has a large clear glass window and a terrace for you to be amidst nature. A one storey Foothills

building has 60 rooms (grand and spacious). There is a covering of the trees which divide the space into separate living area from the garden and nearby pool.

This form is valid till 31 December, 2019

Address - 405, 4th Floor, Wing - C, Shreepati Aradhna, Bhuleshwar Road, Mumbai - 400002, INDIA E- shailendra@safariplus.co.in

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

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www.safariplus.co.in

19

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

HOSPITALITY

HOSPITALITY

River Kwai Village Resort

Pride Kadamb Kunj Resort’ Pride’s 2nd property in Rajasthan Pride Group of Hotels has launched ‘Pride Kadamb Kunj Resort’ at Bharatpur, its second property in the vibrant state of Rajasthan.

The Resort is prominently located on NH-11 Fatehpur Sikri Road, Bharatpur, this upscale ethnic resort is an expression of the spirit of Rajasthan and its royal elegance.

The resort property is spread over 3 acres that give a feeling of openness and greenery all around. With major tourist attractions namely Fatehpur Sikri, Bird Sanctuary, Museum, Agra, Mehendipur Balaji, Deeg Palace, Mathura/Vrindavan, in close proximity, the hotel boasts of aesthetically designed rooms & suites ideal for leisure travelers.

Announcing the launch, Mr. S.P. Jain, Managing Director, Pride Hotels Limited says, “Rajasthan with its vibrant culture enjoys pre-eminence in attracting large sections of leisure tourists from across the world. We are delighted to open our second resort in Rajasthan at Bharatpur to tap the growing potential in this region. ‘Pride Kadamb Kunj Resort’ with a perfect blend of contemporary amenities rooted in customary elegance and excellent services will make every guest’s stay a pleasurable experience”.

Pride Kadamb Kunj Resort offers 42 well-appointed rooms and 2 suites replete with all modern elements. The resort has a main block (reception & lobby block) and 2 wings comprising of rooms. In one wing rooms take shape of Octagon and has a beautiful central courtyard that is used for puppet show, cultural evenings and bonfire, and other activities. Rooms at new wing open towards massive open mustard fields giving a pretty sight to every room. All three blocks are connected to the convenience of everyone. All the rooms are equipped with LED TV, mini bar, tea/ coffee maker, Wi-Fi, individual air conditioning and comfortable beddings.

The resort facilities include swimming pool, travel desk, laundry services, Library cum

Kanchanaburi, Thailand

TV lounge, Pool Table Room, banquet hall and indoor activities room for kids. The swimming pool area has a huge open deck for sunbathing and an adjacent poolside lawn where parties, lunches/dinner can be arranged. Multi-cuisine air-conditioned Fork” N” Spoon is a lively place with traditional yet chic decor. It serves both Ala-carte and Buffet and can seat up to 80 pax. Indian, Chinese and Continental cuisine along with the local flavours of Rajasthan are served with a smile. The resort also boasts of air-conditioned banquet cum conference hall with a capacity of 200 persons.

‘Pride Kadamb Kunj Resort’ Bharatpur is most suitable for Leisure guests and wedding function and other social events as it is very close to Delhi.

The Pride Group of Hotels & Resorts is one of the fastest-growing chains of hotels and is operating 20 hotels on Pan India basis with 2500 Rooms, 52 Restaurants, and 73 Banquets and Conference Halls.

Taking ahead the glory with Pride Mr. Satyen Jain shares his thoughts With his entrepreneurship skills Mr. Satyen S. Jain has proven his mettle and talent, bringing on the rich domain knowledge of marketing strategies and distribution networking. Presently Mr. Satyen S. Jain serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Pride Hotels Limited. Mr. Jain oversees the implementation of the ongoing projects and has a keen eye upon applying International standards in F&B, Hi-tech Connectivity, room facilities, soft furnishings and hardware at the Pride Hotel sites.

He shares some of his innovative ideas he implemented in the hotel which has taken the Pride Group in the rapid growth mode. Mr. Jain has incorporated the five senses of traditional Indian welcome, fragrance, music, ambience, regional Indian paintings & frescoes and mouth-watering Indian Cuisines. At Pride, Guest is welcomed with a Namaskar, tika and aarti. There is a familiar fragrance of tuberose in lobbies of all the hotels. All public areas are playing local regional music. All the artworks of the rooms and public areas have taken inspiration from local architecture, culture and colours.

The all-day dining offer an international and Indian menu but have tried to incorporate lot of popular dishes from regional cuisines.

Pride Hotel believes in sustainable tourism. Mr. Jain has taken initiative in installation of heat pumps in all the hotels. Entire lighting is of all hotels in led lights. Green power is being bought from windmills and solar farms. All wastewater is treated and reused in the garden and a/c cooling towers. A lot of steps have been taken to be an environmentally friendly hotel.

He has invested in a robust guest feedback system to enhance Guest experience where the customer feedback & request system is connected to the employee Mobile for prompt service and hotel can revert to Guest before the guest moves out of the hotel.

A strong system to track all the guest reviews on various international OTAs and social media is developed. Pride reward loyalty program is launched for loyal Guests which reward customers who regularly use the hotel's hospitality service. From the first stay, itself Guest start earning points. There are lots perks of being a part of loyalty program such as free stays, free upgrades, priority check ins, late check out, free meal, bonus points, exclusive offers etc.

The Pride Hotels today is a major player in the hospitality industry in India. The Pride Hotels, manage & operate 15 hotels having more than 2000 rooms, 40 restaurants & 60 banquet halls.

To enjoy the splendours of mother nature and have a relaxed and quiet holiday, visit the exotic River Kwai Village (Resort and Onsen). The property is surrounded by mountains and the luscious greenery around the area gives the hotel a serene cover. It is a destination in itself with hot mineral springs. It is located on the bank of the Kwai Noi River in Sai Yok district. It is 190 kms from Bangkok, the journey takes about 2 and a half hours along the Kanchanaburi-Thong Pha Phum route. One can travel by car, train or van.

The Assistant Managing Director, Mr. Suchin Jienjitlert expresses his love for the property by saying that the jungle resort is inclusive of rooms, activities and raft room. It has more than 271 rooms which are good enough for 500 people.

It is a place in the middle of nature far away from the congestion of big cities like Mumbai and Delhi. The River Kwai Village hotel has hosted many meetings for the MICE movement and is a favourite hotspot for family holidays and honeymoon couples.

There are 5 styles of accommodation to choose from, including 4 swimming pools and Water Park with water slides for children to enjoy. The resort has the Jungle View Restaurant serving delicious Thai food. To name some ravishes of the resort - It has a rock valley hot spring, fish spa and Thai massage. It is attended by well-trained professional

and it will give your body and mind a relaxing as well as enriching experience.

The Hotel has ample of activities, you can get involved in: * The walk rally or ninja camp * Extreme centric park * All terrain vehicle *Dtv shredder * Zorbing * Paintball * Bobble football * Archery * Abseling * Eurobungy * Rollerball * Bamboo rafting * Flying fox * Rope bridge and skycycling * Football field * Table tennis etc.

The hotel has organized many other special activities such as campfire, elephant trekking, rafting, fishing and golf courses nearby to the other 3 hotels to serve you and your group at a special price.

The resort has meeting rooms which can accommodate 170 to 500 people - * Takien Thong room * Saiyok room * Erawan room * Royal wing Stadium(outdoor) * Cliffing Room(outdoor) There are five styles of rooms to choose from in the exquisite resort. One of them is the Raft room(24 rooms). It is a floating raft house parallel to the water. The Cliffing rooms (78 rooms), a 3 storey building designed majestically with complete facilities.

The front of the building has a swimming pool with a Jacuzzi. The Room at AK Pool Wing (51 rooms)in a 3 storey building with a view of the beautiful river. The rooms are decorated in Thai style. There is a balcony for you to see the view of the Kwai Noi River. The Waterfront building (54 rooms) is a 3-storey building with the view of the river. It has a large clear glass window and a terrace for you to be amidst nature. A one storey Foothills

building has 60 rooms (grand and spacious). There is a covering of the trees which divide the space into separate living area from the garden and nearby pool.

This form is valid till 31 December, 2019

Address - 405, 4th Floor, Wing - C, Shreepati Aradhna, Bhuleshwar Road, Mumbai - 400002, INDIA E- shailendra@safariplus.co.in

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

18

www.safariplus.co.in

www.safariplus.co.in

19

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

AVIATION Mr. Ali Waheed inaugurates the Japan Airlines’ first ever non-stop season's 1st GoAir flight to Malé direct flight on Bengaluru - Tokyo Mr. Ali Waheed, Minister of Tourism, Maldives inaugurated this season’s first flight of GoAir that recommenced its Malé operations from India with direct flights, five days a week from Mumbai, New Delhi and Bengaluru.

1. Mumbai – Malé – Mumbai: Direct flight G8 23 will depart from Mumbai at 09:00 hours and arrive in Malé at 11:15 hours, every Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. On its return journey, flight G8 24 will depart Malé every Wednesday and Sunday at 12:10 hours and on Thursday it will depart at 12:20 hours to arrive in Mumbai at 15:40 hours.

2. Delhi – Malé – Delhi: Flight G8 33 will depart from Delhi at 10:35 hours and arrive in Malé at 14:15 hours, and flight G8 34 depart from Malé at 15:15 hours and arrive in Delhi at 19:45 hours on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

3. Bengaluru – Malé – Bengaluru: Flight G8 will depart from Bengaluru at 13:10 hours and arrive in Malé at 14:40 hours, and on its return journey flight G8 44 will leave Malé at 15:45 hours and reach Bengaluru at 18:10 hours every Wednesday and Sunday.

Japan Airlines is inaugurating the first-ever non-stop direct flight on Bengaluru - Tokyo route with daily flight operation effective 30th Mar 2020 with the most seamless connection to USA and Canada from Bengaluru.

Japan Airlines product line will be based covering entire USA major points with its own 10 main gateways including West Coast (San Francisco / Seattle / Los Angeles/ San Diego / Dallas), East Coast (Chicago/ New York/ Boston) including Honolulu and Kona and USA domestic points with its codeshare / one world partner. Japan Airlines will also cover Vancouver in Canada as its main gateway.

With the full flat bed in business class and JAL Sky wider economy class seats, Japan Airlines will provide a very distinctive Japanese style service to its customer which will definitely create a refreshing feel among its customers.

The Japan Airlines sale has already started for this route for travel on and after 30th Mar 2020.

IndiGo launches direct flights to Kolkata - Doha and Dubai

IndiGo connecting Gorakhpur and Prayagraj IndiGo, announced the launch of a daily direct flight connecting Gorakhpur and Prayagraj, in-line with its vision of increasing point-to-point connectivity across Tier II and III cities. IndiGo currently operates daily non-stop flights connecting Gorakhpur with Delhi, Hyderabad and Kolkata. Cities will be connected to With Prayagraj - Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Raipur and Gorakhpur With Gorakhpur - Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Prayagraj The inaugural ceremony at Gorakhpur was graced by Honourable MLA Shri Radha Mohan Das Aggarwal, Gorakhpur District Magistrate Shri K. Vijan Pandiyan, City Magistrate Shri R. K. Srivastav, Mayor Shri Sitaram Jaiswal and SSP Dr. Sunil Gupta, along with other AAI officials. The maiden flight to Prayagraj departed at 11:40 am on January 10, 2020.

In a bid to create corridors of connectivity from the country,IndiGo announced daily direct flights connecting Kolkata with Dubai and Doha, effective February 16 and March 01, 2020 respectively. Also known as the ‘City of Joy’, Kolkata witnessed the highest growth of 13.3% in foreign tourist arrivals (FTA) between April-December 2019, among all the metro cities in the country. These flights will further strengthen connectivity from the city to the Middle-East and cater to the growing international traffic to and from Kolkata.

EDWIN THAILAND

EDWIN’s educational trip to THAILAND was to explore some new destinations and properties. During the tour EDWIN arranged B2B sessions for Travel Agents to understand the destinations and connect to the local Trade Partners. The B2B sessions were successfully concluded at The Greenery Resort Khao Yai, and Rama Garden Hotel, Bangkok. This educational trip ‘Edwin@Amazing Thailand’ was in association with ATTA (Association of Thai Travel Agents) and THA (Thai Hotel

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

20

www.safariplus.co.in

www.safariplus.co.in

Association). Traweltag- Covermore were the insurance partner. The places the Indian Travel Agents explored during the event were less explored region of Kanchanaburi and Khao Yai in addition to Bangkok and Pattaya. Khao Yai- the National Park which covers more than 2,000 square kilometers of forest and grassland in central Thailand and Kanchanaburi is a city located in western Thailand it is a great place for travellers of all kinds from nature lovers to history buffs.

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JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

AVIATION Mr. Ali Waheed inaugurates the Japan Airlines’ first ever non-stop season's 1st GoAir flight to Malé direct flight on Bengaluru - Tokyo Mr. Ali Waheed, Minister of Tourism, Maldives inaugurated this season’s first flight of GoAir that recommenced its Malé operations from India with direct flights, five days a week from Mumbai, New Delhi and Bengaluru.

1. Mumbai – Malé – Mumbai: Direct flight G8 23 will depart from Mumbai at 09:00 hours and arrive in Malé at 11:15 hours, every Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. On its return journey, flight G8 24 will depart Malé every Wednesday and Sunday at 12:10 hours and on Thursday it will depart at 12:20 hours to arrive in Mumbai at 15:40 hours.

2. Delhi – Malé – Delhi: Flight G8 33 will depart from Delhi at 10:35 hours and arrive in Malé at 14:15 hours, and flight G8 34 depart from Malé at 15:15 hours and arrive in Delhi at 19:45 hours on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

3. Bengaluru – Malé – Bengaluru: Flight G8 will depart from Bengaluru at 13:10 hours and arrive in Malé at 14:40 hours, and on its return journey flight G8 44 will leave Malé at 15:45 hours and reach Bengaluru at 18:10 hours every Wednesday and Sunday.

Japan Airlines is inaugurating the first-ever non-stop direct flight on Bengaluru - Tokyo route with daily flight operation effective 30th Mar 2020 with the most seamless connection to USA and Canada from Bengaluru.

Japan Airlines product line will be based covering entire USA major points with its own 10 main gateways including West Coast (San Francisco / Seattle / Los Angeles/ San Diego / Dallas), East Coast (Chicago/ New York/ Boston) including Honolulu and Kona and USA domestic points with its codeshare / one world partner. Japan Airlines will also cover Vancouver in Canada as its main gateway.

With the full flat bed in business class and JAL Sky wider economy class seats, Japan Airlines will provide a very distinctive Japanese style service to its customer which will definitely create a refreshing feel among its customers.

The Japan Airlines sale has already started for this route for travel on and after 30th Mar 2020.

IndiGo launches direct flights to Kolkata - Doha and Dubai

IndiGo connecting Gorakhpur and Prayagraj IndiGo, announced the launch of a daily direct flight connecting Gorakhpur and Prayagraj, in-line with its vision of increasing point-to-point connectivity across Tier II and III cities. IndiGo currently operates daily non-stop flights connecting Gorakhpur with Delhi, Hyderabad and Kolkata. Cities will be connected to With Prayagraj - Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Raipur and Gorakhpur With Gorakhpur - Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Prayagraj The inaugural ceremony at Gorakhpur was graced by Honourable MLA Shri Radha Mohan Das Aggarwal, Gorakhpur District Magistrate Shri K. Vijan Pandiyan, City Magistrate Shri R. K. Srivastav, Mayor Shri Sitaram Jaiswal and SSP Dr. Sunil Gupta, along with other AAI officials. The maiden flight to Prayagraj departed at 11:40 am on January 10, 2020.

In a bid to create corridors of connectivity from the country,IndiGo announced daily direct flights connecting Kolkata with Dubai and Doha, effective February 16 and March 01, 2020 respectively. Also known as the ‘City of Joy’, Kolkata witnessed the highest growth of 13.3% in foreign tourist arrivals (FTA) between April-December 2019, among all the metro cities in the country. These flights will further strengthen connectivity from the city to the Middle-East and cater to the growing international traffic to and from Kolkata.

EDWIN THAILAND

EDWIN’s educational trip to THAILAND was to explore some new destinations and properties. During the tour EDWIN arranged B2B sessions for Travel Agents to understand the destinations and connect to the local Trade Partners. The B2B sessions were successfully concluded at The Greenery Resort Khao Yai, and Rama Garden Hotel, Bangkok. This educational trip ‘Edwin@Amazing Thailand’ was in association with ATTA (Association of Thai Travel Agents) and THA (Thai Hotel

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

20

www.safariplus.co.in

www.safariplus.co.in

Association). Traweltag- Covermore were the insurance partner. The places the Indian Travel Agents explored during the event were less explored region of Kanchanaburi and Khao Yai in addition to Bangkok and Pattaya. Khao Yai- the National Park which covers more than 2,000 square kilometers of forest and grassland in central Thailand and Kanchanaburi is a city located in western Thailand it is a great place for travellers of all kinds from nature lovers to history buffs.

21

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

TRAVEL TRADE A hidden gem for nature lovers in Kerala Thattekad (The literal meaning of Thattekad is flat-forest) is a sacred abode for exotic birds in Kerala. The rare emulsion of flora and fauna, painted perfectly, on the breathtaking landscape of the woody valleys and serpentine Periyar River all culminates into one masterpiece and an ideal romance heaven is also a preferred choice for honeymooners.

A painting truly created by the ‘Creator’ himself, a visual appeal one would cherish and keep in heart till eternity. If you want to wake up to a beautiful sunrise on lush greens with your lover, this is the place to be. One can find plenty of untouched scenic splendors at Thattekad!

The offbeat places in India hold unexplored natural beauty and cultural diversity that makes one want to leave everything and get lost in the wild right then. Thattekad, Kerela is one such rare emulsion of flora and fauna, painted perfectly on the breathtaking landscape of the woody valleys and serpentine Periyar River, all culminating into one masterpiece.

A birding goldmine Thattekad, is a playground for budding artists, photographers and birdwatchers. The traditional Kerala style architecture, collaborated with the phenomenal Thattekad backdrop will give the guests the king like experience.

This magnificent piece of Kerala is just an hour away from Cochin (60 km north-east) and the magical drive to Thattekad will make you fall in love with the Mother Nature. These days, honeymooners prefer a detailed activity chart that helps the couple to know each other’s holidaying interests.

It has interesting activities like camping in Hornbill Tower that offers its own private jungle and spectacular view of the river Periyar, tribal village visits, butterfly park conservation habitat etc. The quiet and beautiful countryside is ideal for explorers to discover Kerala.

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary is one of the biggest bird sanctuary in India and home for mare than 500 different species of exotic birds. It has rare birds like Mottled Wood Owl, Spot-bellied Eagle Owl, Malayan Night Heron, Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Rustytailed Flycatcher, Grey-headed Bulbul and the Nilgiri Wood Pigeon. The couples / travellers who enjoy nature wake up early next day and set off on an exciting guided bird watching adventure through the sanctuary.

The most common thing to do here is bird watching. Guided tours of the sanctuary are organized by the forest authorities, which are conducted at individual as well as group levels. Trekking through the preserved forest is restricted to a particular area.

Cruising in a House Boat through the back waters is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty. Couples can sit back and relax while the boat cruises through the narrow serene backwaters, rivers and canals. Overnight stay at House Boat will be a unique experience. The visit to Thattekad surely ensures an everlasting memory of Gods own Country that will continue to linger in your mind!

Thattekad enjoys a moderate climate all round the year, with the temperature ranging from 10 degrees C - 26 degrees C. There isn't too much rain.

Best Time to Visit - October to March.

IHCL Steps Into Arunachal Pradesh with Vivanta Hotel The Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), announced the signing of a Vivanta hotel in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh.

This hotel is a management contract with Mr. Pema Khandu.

Commenting on the signing, Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, MD and Chief Executive Officer, IHCL said, “We are excited to partner with Mr. Pema Khandu to set foot in the scenic and unexplored state of Arunachal Pradesh. This signing is in line with Aspiration 2022 to be present in all the states of India. With Vivanta Tawang, the company continues its journey of pioneering new destinations. This signing also demonstrates our commitment to North East India – we will now be present in five states in the region.”

Nestled in the gentle slopes of Tawang, Vivanta Tawang has a refreshing vernacular architecture using local materials. The hotel has 88 spacious rooms with breathtaking views of the valley. Surrounded by lush foliage, the hotel features waterfalls and imposing fort-like natural retaining walls, which is characteristic of the region. Facilities of the hotel include a multi-cuisine restaurant, a resto-bar and recreational facilities such as an indoor pool and spa, meeting rooms and a banquet hall for social and business gatherings. It is a Brownfield project slated to open in 2022.

RezLive.com launches Affiliate.Travel RezLive.com, a global player in B2B online travel reservation space from the house of Travel Designer Group, announced the launch of ‘Affiliate.Travel’. Affiliate.Travel will be a game changer to revolutionise India’s corporate travel by empowering travel agencies and professionals managing business travel with their own booking engines without investing in technology. As per a KPMG report, India’s business travel market is expected to reach over US$ 93 billion by 2030.

Realising the potential in this segment, Indian travel agencies and tour operators are gearing up to e n c a s h t h e g ro w t h o p p o r t u n i t i e s .

Affiliate.Travel will help Indian travel and toursim industry to create new success avenues with the rise of business travel in the country.

Affiliate.Travel allows travel agents to distribute their own booking platform to their corporate clients for managing reservations. This booking platform is powered by RezLive.com’s robust booking engine with access to over

250,000+ hotels, 45000+ sightseeing options and 5000+ transfer options. The booking tool is packaged with the innovative features of RezLive.com, complete with a payment gateway for seamless payment collection from corporate clients.

Speaking about the launch of Affiliate.Travel and sharing insights on new industry trends, Mr. Jaal Shah, MD, Travel Designer Group said, “Digital revolution has given way to an overload of information that has transformed customer behavior in the travel industry. While there are multiple challenges that need to be tackled, we believe that there are immense opportunities to the travel agents, who can step in as experts in designing and executing travel plans. RezLive.com is here to support with its unique offerings in product, service, payment modes and booking features for the travel agents to service their end customers seamlessly. We are confident that Affiliate.Travel will help travel agent community to take business travel segment in India to new global heights.”

InterGlobe Hotels soon to open ibis styles in Vagator, Goa

InterGlobe Hotels, recently held a Bhoomi Poojan on its site measuring 6,888 sq. meters in Vagator, Goa. This marked the commencement of construction of the ibis Styles hotel (142 keys) which is slated to open in 2022.

With 17 hotels already operational and another 6 hotels under development, InterGlobe Hotels will have a room inventory of more than 4,000 by 2022.

The group’s portfolio has steadily grown at a CAGR of 31% over the last five years and now stands at 17 hotels spread across 14 cities in India.

This 142 key ibis Styles hotel at Vagator will be InterGlobe Hotel’s second property in Goa and the second ibis Styles in India. In addition to this, the building will have an IGBC gold rating certification which is a testimony to the co m p a ny ’s co nt i n u e d fo c u s o n sustainable development.

Amongst the hotel’s Food and Beverage offerings, the property will feature the signature ibis restaurant and bar - Spice It and The Hub. It will be built on the “New Gen ibis” concept featuring newly designed rooms and bathrooms, vibrant public areas with art works influenced by local flavours, large meeting spaces and upgraded gym and BOH areas.

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

22

www.safariplus.co.in

www.safariplus.co.in

23

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

TRAVEL TRADE A hidden gem for nature lovers in Kerala Thattekad (The literal meaning of Thattekad is flat-forest) is a sacred abode for exotic birds in Kerala. The rare emulsion of flora and fauna, painted perfectly, on the breathtaking landscape of the woody valleys and serpentine Periyar River all culminates into one masterpiece and an ideal romance heaven is also a preferred choice for honeymooners.

A painting truly created by the ‘Creator’ himself, a visual appeal one would cherish and keep in heart till eternity. If you want to wake up to a beautiful sunrise on lush greens with your lover, this is the place to be. One can find plenty of untouched scenic splendors at Thattekad!

The offbeat places in India hold unexplored natural beauty and cultural diversity that makes one want to leave everything and get lost in the wild right then. Thattekad, Kerela is one such rare emulsion of flora and fauna, painted perfectly on the breathtaking landscape of the woody valleys and serpentine Periyar River, all culminating into one masterpiece.

A birding goldmine Thattekad, is a playground for budding artists, photographers and birdwatchers. The traditional Kerala style architecture, collaborated with the phenomenal Thattekad backdrop will give the guests the king like experience.

This magnificent piece of Kerala is just an hour away from Cochin (60 km north-east) and the magical drive to Thattekad will make you fall in love with the Mother Nature. These days, honeymooners prefer a detailed activity chart that helps the couple to know each other’s holidaying interests.

It has interesting activities like camping in Hornbill Tower that offers its own private jungle and spectacular view of the river Periyar, tribal village visits, butterfly park conservation habitat etc. The quiet and beautiful countryside is ideal for explorers to discover Kerala.

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary is one of the biggest bird sanctuary in India and home for mare than 500 different species of exotic birds. It has rare birds like Mottled Wood Owl, Spot-bellied Eagle Owl, Malayan Night Heron, Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Rustytailed Flycatcher, Grey-headed Bulbul and the Nilgiri Wood Pigeon. The couples / travellers who enjoy nature wake up early next day and set off on an exciting guided bird watching adventure through the sanctuary.

The most common thing to do here is bird watching. Guided tours of the sanctuary are organized by the forest authorities, which are conducted at individual as well as group levels. Trekking through the preserved forest is restricted to a particular area.

Cruising in a House Boat through the back waters is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty. Couples can sit back and relax while the boat cruises through the narrow serene backwaters, rivers and canals. Overnight stay at House Boat will be a unique experience. The visit to Thattekad surely ensures an everlasting memory of Gods own Country that will continue to linger in your mind!

Thattekad enjoys a moderate climate all round the year, with the temperature ranging from 10 degrees C - 26 degrees C. There isn't too much rain.

Best Time to Visit - October to March.

IHCL Steps Into Arunachal Pradesh with Vivanta Hotel The Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), announced the signing of a Vivanta hotel in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh.

This hotel is a management contract with Mr. Pema Khandu.

Commenting on the signing, Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, MD and Chief Executive Officer, IHCL said, “We are excited to partner with Mr. Pema Khandu to set foot in the scenic and unexplored state of Arunachal Pradesh. This signing is in line with Aspiration 2022 to be present in all the states of India. With Vivanta Tawang, the company continues its journey of pioneering new destinations. This signing also demonstrates our commitment to North East India – we will now be present in five states in the region.”

Nestled in the gentle slopes of Tawang, Vivanta Tawang has a refreshing vernacular architecture using local materials. The hotel has 88 spacious rooms with breathtaking views of the valley. Surrounded by lush foliage, the hotel features waterfalls and imposing fort-like natural retaining walls, which is characteristic of the region. Facilities of the hotel include a multi-cuisine restaurant, a resto-bar and recreational facilities such as an indoor pool and spa, meeting rooms and a banquet hall for social and business gatherings. It is a Brownfield project slated to open in 2022.

RezLive.com launches Affiliate.Travel RezLive.com, a global player in B2B online travel reservation space from the house of Travel Designer Group, announced the launch of ‘Affiliate.Travel’. Affiliate.Travel will be a game changer to revolutionise India’s corporate travel by empowering travel agencies and professionals managing business travel with their own booking engines without investing in technology. As per a KPMG report, India’s business travel market is expected to reach over US$ 93 billion by 2030.

Realising the potential in this segment, Indian travel agencies and tour operators are gearing up to e n c a s h t h e g ro w t h o p p o r t u n i t i e s .

Affiliate.Travel will help Indian travel and toursim industry to create new success avenues with the rise of business travel in the country.

Affiliate.Travel allows travel agents to distribute their own booking platform to their corporate clients for managing reservations. This booking platform is powered by RezLive.com’s robust booking engine with access to over

250,000+ hotels, 45000+ sightseeing options and 5000+ transfer options. The booking tool is packaged with the innovative features of RezLive.com, complete with a payment gateway for seamless payment collection from corporate clients.

Speaking about the launch of Affiliate.Travel and sharing insights on new industry trends, Mr. Jaal Shah, MD, Travel Designer Group said, “Digital revolution has given way to an overload of information that has transformed customer behavior in the travel industry. While there are multiple challenges that need to be tackled, we believe that there are immense opportunities to the travel agents, who can step in as experts in designing and executing travel plans. RezLive.com is here to support with its unique offerings in product, service, payment modes and booking features for the travel agents to service their end customers seamlessly. We are confident that Affiliate.Travel will help travel agent community to take business travel segment in India to new global heights.”

InterGlobe Hotels soon to open ibis styles in Vagator, Goa

InterGlobe Hotels, recently held a Bhoomi Poojan on its site measuring 6,888 sq. meters in Vagator, Goa. This marked the commencement of construction of the ibis Styles hotel (142 keys) which is slated to open in 2022.

With 17 hotels already operational and another 6 hotels under development, InterGlobe Hotels will have a room inventory of more than 4,000 by 2022.

The group’s portfolio has steadily grown at a CAGR of 31% over the last five years and now stands at 17 hotels spread across 14 cities in India.

This 142 key ibis Styles hotel at Vagator will be InterGlobe Hotel’s second property in Goa and the second ibis Styles in India. In addition to this, the building will have an IGBC gold rating certification which is a testimony to the co m p a ny ’s co nt i n u e d fo c u s o n sustainable development.

Amongst the hotel’s Food and Beverage offerings, the property will feature the signature ibis restaurant and bar - Spice It and The Hub. It will be built on the “New Gen ibis” concept featuring newly designed rooms and bathrooms, vibrant public areas with art works influenced by local flavours, large meeting spaces and upgraded gym and BOH areas.

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

22

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JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

INTERNATIONAL

Desaru Coast A perfect venue for MICE and Weddings The trend of destination weddings or the theme wedding is continually growing its popularity in India. Beach wedding is one of those preferred, where number of couples choose to exchange their vows on a sandy beach.

Desaru Coast is curated as a new integrated destination resort in Johor, south of Malaysia and is looking to tap this growing market. It is one of the upcoming destinations which is a perfect venue for Wedding and MICE. Spanning over 4,000 acres along a pristine 17km beachfront facing the South China Sea. Desaru Coast beach is among the best in Johor. The beach is clean, lined with casuarina trees.

Speaking to Safari Plus, Ms. Roslina Arbak, C h i e f E x e c u t i v e O f f i c e r, D e s a r u Development Holdings One Sdn. Bhd said, “We are excited with the growing popularity of destination weddings.

Desaru Coast is already receiving a lot of interest as a wedding destination. And to facilitate the requirement of this segment we have formed the Desaru Coast Destination Concierge, which customizes the client requirement end to end from logistic to accommodation.”

Desaru Coast has an array of luxury high-end hotels with the state of the art facilities and majority of the resorts has direct access to the beach and is within close proximity the world-class golf courses including the beachfront of Desaru. Hotels along with the Desaru Coast host various wedding events with different themes to suit the preferences of their guests. To name some Hotel brand – One&Only Desaru Coast - An ultra-luxury resort offering the unique One&Only experience in a beach destination. Anantara Desaru Coast Resort Villas - A luxury resort, with direct beach frontage, designed to encompass the cultural and natural offerings of the destination whilst providing guests with the Anantara genuine hospitality and personalized approach. The Westin Desaru Coast Resort - This resort focus on wellness with a promise to ensure that guests leave feeling better than when they arrived. Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast - This property is one of the first to be managed directly under Hard Rock International. The resort offers a unique

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

experience coupled with the Hard Rock authentic experience with focus on live music and entertainment. Other independent Hotels Includes Lotus Desaru, Amansari Sand Sandals, and Tunamaya.

Desaru Coast Conference Centre: A fully-equipped multipurpose venue with a banquet area and exhibition space that can host up to 1,000 participants, the centre is complemented with meeting and breakout rooms, VIP lounges, pre-function area and a courtyard to cater to corporate functions, meetings, exhibitions and entertainment events. The conference centre, to be managed by The Westin, has a ballroom and banquet capacity of 1,000 pax, a pre-function area, and a VIP waiting room.

Desaru Coast is also home to Adventure Waterpark - one of the world's biggest waterparks, The Els Club Desaru Coast – 45 holes of golf in total with two distinct clubs, Ocean Course and Valley Course, and Desaru Coast Riverside – a 23-acre waterfront landscaped retail and lifestyle village.

Getting there – It is easily accessible by road from Johor Bahru (2hrs), Kuala Lumpur (4hrs) and Singapore (Changi International Airport - 2hrs). By Sea it is 30-minute ferry ride from Changi Ferry Terminal to Tanjung Belungkor Ferry Terminal followed by a 30-minute drive to Desaru Coast.

24

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Travel Heels Delhi and Pune Networking Meet

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INTERNATIONAL

Indian visitors to GCC to increase 81% by 2024, says new ATM report

TAT joins forces with THAI to promote 60th anniversary promotions

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is joining forces with Thai Airways International (THAI) to mark their 60th anniversaries in 2020 with a range of tourism promotions aimed at strengthening the kingdom’s positioning as a preferred tourist destination whilst promoting responsible tourism, in line with the global sustainable development goals.

Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said, “TAT is delighted to form another collaboration with THAI to celebrate our 60th anniversaries together. Indeed, we share similar goals in attracting international travellers to Thailand for memorable Thai travel experiences and promoting domestic tourism to stimulate the local economy.”

Under the 60th-anniverary collaboration, TAT will share with THAI marketing insights of its annual events; such as, The Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok (every February), World Wai Kru Muay Thai Ceremony (17 March, annually), The Great Mekong Bike Ride (around June or July), as well as international events including The Honda LPGA Thailand and PTT Thailand Grand Prix (MotoGP).

THAI can utilise the insights to promote travel packages on these events to specific target groups and offer added value by combining with TAT’s seasonal promotions including the Amazing Thailand Grand Sale and Thai Pass Plus – presenting a boarding pass on THAI and Thai Smile Airways for giveaway items or special discounts from participating shops and tourism establishments. TAT will also provide publicity support for THAI’s marketing activities.

The number of Indian tourists travelling to the GCC is expected to increase 81% from 5.4 million in 2018 to 9.8 million in 2024, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10%, according to the latest data published ahead of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2020.

As destinations throughout the Middle East prepare to showcase their latest offering at ATM 2020, which is being held at Dubai World Trade Centre from Sunday 19 – Wednesday 22 April 2020, Colliers International predicts more than 20% of India’s total outbound market will travel to the GCC by 2024 – with business, place of work and leisure underpinning this demand.

ATM is witnessing this growth firsthand, in 2019, 10% of the total buyers at the show were from India. In terms of potential, we are only scratching the surface as the Indian middle class represents just 3% or 40 million of the total Indian population and average real wages set to quadruple between 2013 and 2030.

In 2018, the UAE welcomed 2.89 million Indian tourists with this figure expected to reach 5.29 million by 2024, increasing at a CAGR of 11%, according to ATM’s official research partner, Colliers International. Adding to this, India retained its top spot on Dubai’s list of source markets for inbound tourism, with almost 1 million Indian tourists arriving in the emirate during the first half of 2019. Despite the UAE leading comparative growth, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait are all expected to witness an increase of 10% respectively between 2018 and 2024.

Indian tourists are among the world’s highest spenders while travelling abroad, with outbound travel and tourism expenditure to increase from US$21.4 billion in 2018 to US$39.3 billion by 2024.

On average, Indian travellers spent approximately US$1,100 per trip made to the GCC in 2018, according to the latest data from Euromonitor International, with business and experience-seeking tourists likely to spend at least 15% more per trip.

ATM, considered by industry professionals as a barometer for the Middle East and North Africa tourism sector, welcomed almost 40,000 people to its 2019 event with representation from 150 countries. Looking ahead, ATM will adopt Events for Tourism Growth as the official show theme for the 2020 edition of the show.

VIVACITY

of

Russia is a place of many Cultural hotspots, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, world famous theaters and museums, and manmade attractions are all accessible abundantly in this great and large country. But, if you are in the mood to travel around a little out of the ordinary, here are some of the less visited, but equally spectacular natural wonders of this beautiful country.

Be sure to make space for them in your itinerary, if planning a trip to Russia as you'll have a tale worth telling ten times over when you get back home.

LENA'S STONE FOREST

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THE VALLEY OF GEYSERS

Lena's Stone Forest or Lena's Pillars are natural rock formations about 60 km upriver from Yakutsk, in Russia. The astounding stone structures towers over 150 meters in height and extends along the river for about 80 km.

Lena's Pillars are a remarkable vista to behold and have awestruck travelers since the 17th century. They contain exceptional evidences of the Earth and its living inhabitant's expansion history. Abundant fossils of ancient organisms found here are unique preserved evidences of a very important stage in the history of the organic world and a biodiversity "boom”, which occurred in lower Cambrian epoch. Also in Lena Pillars area the fossils of mammoth fauna representatives were found: mammoth, bison, fleecy rhinoceros, Lena horse, Reindeer etc.

Evidence of ancient human life can be seen from the rock paintings and manuscripts from the area. This unique ecological and tourism location was submitted as a World Heritage site in 2006.

To get there, ones trip has to start in Moscow city from where you will have to take a four day journey to the Siberian area of Yakutsk. From Yakutsk you have to take a boat. Though, supposedly only a half a days trip upriver and finally after four days of travel, you will have arrived at your destination.

geographical structure and is an eye-catching destination for adventure loving tourists.

POLES OF THE KOMI REPUBLIC

26

shamanofthegiantsdroppedhisdrumandtheentireteamfrozeintothestonepillars.

These towering rock totems are not only implausible by mark of their size and location, but also because of their astounding forms and eccentric; some might say capricious, distribution. Some of the columns are narrower at the base, and while six are huddled together, the seventh stands aloof or guardian-like as if observing them from far. The site is hard to reach but once again, totally worth your time as well as your effort.

Situating on the bank of Geysernaya River, Valley of Geysers is considered the second largest concentration of geysers in the world and is only geyser field of its kind in Eurasia which offers strange natural beauty which is not easy to reach.

Barely 6 km long, it has as many as a hundred hot springs and geysers in it. It is located in the Kamchatka Peninsula, and it's one of the very few places in the world that has naturally occurring geysers. A wonderful volcano of Kamchatka with the temperature of 250 degree centigrade has been preserved as a significant aspect of the Kronotsky Natural Reserve. Valley of Geysers falls under the UNESCO World Natural Heritage site as the volcano of Kamchatka.

The history of Geysers' Valley discloses that it was explored in 1941, but was made noted only after 14 years. However, after the discovery of this hidden part of Russia, it became hot cake for every local as well foreign traveler. But it cannot be visited easily due to the difficult

Manpupuner which in the Mansi language means “little mountain of the gods” or the Seven Strong Men Rock Formations or Poles of the Komi Republic are a set of 7 gigantic abnormally shaped stone pillars located north of the Ural mountains located in the Troitsko-Pechorsky District of the Komi Republic. They are considered amongst the most mysterious attractions of the world. Locals refer to them as the “7 Strong Men” even as scientists try to explain these gigantic tower-like structures – with heights that reach up from 30 to 42 meters and jut out of a hilly plateau formed through the weathering effects of ice and winds, Local legends say that the stone pillars were once an entourage of Samoyeds giants walking through the mountains to Siberia in order to destroy the Vogulsky people. However, upon seeing the holy Vogulsky Mountains, the

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

RUSSIA

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PUTORANA PLATEAU Putorana is the vast basalt plateau almost non-bothered by society rising on the north of East Siberia to the north of the polar circle. Deep canyons dissect unusual and spectacular trapshaped terrain. The size and number of waterfalls are impressive (this area has the highest concentration of waterfalls in Russia). The area includes a number of lakes, some as much as 400 m deep. The landscape of lake fiords is picturesque and extravagant.

Vegetation cover is presented by larch taiga, sparse forests and mountain tundra. The flora list of this reserve counts to about 400 higher plants species, including several rare, relic and of endemic forms. There are 34 mammal species in the reserve. Here lays the migration route of the Taimyr wild reindeer population of over 500 000 specimen. Having been isolated from the main population about 15 000 years ago, it has formed a separate sub-specie. About 140 bird species have been noted in the reserve. Numerous water reservoirs are stopover points for thousands of migrating birds.

27

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

INTERNATIONAL

Indian visitors to GCC to increase 81% by 2024, says new ATM report

TAT joins forces with THAI to promote 60th anniversary promotions

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is joining forces with Thai Airways International (THAI) to mark their 60th anniversaries in 2020 with a range of tourism promotions aimed at strengthening the kingdom’s positioning as a preferred tourist destination whilst promoting responsible tourism, in line with the global sustainable development goals.

Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said, “TAT is delighted to form another collaboration with THAI to celebrate our 60th anniversaries together. Indeed, we share similar goals in attracting international travellers to Thailand for memorable Thai travel experiences and promoting domestic tourism to stimulate the local economy.”

Under the 60th-anniverary collaboration, TAT will share with THAI marketing insights of its annual events; such as, The Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok (every February), World Wai Kru Muay Thai Ceremony (17 March, annually), The Great Mekong Bike Ride (around June or July), as well as international events including The Honda LPGA Thailand and PTT Thailand Grand Prix (MotoGP).

THAI can utilise the insights to promote travel packages on these events to specific target groups and offer added value by combining with TAT’s seasonal promotions including the Amazing Thailand Grand Sale and Thai Pass Plus – presenting a boarding pass on THAI and Thai Smile Airways for giveaway items or special discounts from participating shops and tourism establishments. TAT will also provide publicity support for THAI’s marketing activities.

The number of Indian tourists travelling to the GCC is expected to increase 81% from 5.4 million in 2018 to 9.8 million in 2024, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10%, according to the latest data published ahead of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2020.

As destinations throughout the Middle East prepare to showcase their latest offering at ATM 2020, which is being held at Dubai World Trade Centre from Sunday 19 – Wednesday 22 April 2020, Colliers International predicts more than 20% of India’s total outbound market will travel to the GCC by 2024 – with business, place of work and leisure underpinning this demand.

ATM is witnessing this growth firsthand, in 2019, 10% of the total buyers at the show were from India. In terms of potential, we are only scratching the surface as the Indian middle class represents just 3% or 40 million of the total Indian population and average real wages set to quadruple between 2013 and 2030.

In 2018, the UAE welcomed 2.89 million Indian tourists with this figure expected to reach 5.29 million by 2024, increasing at a CAGR of 11%, according to ATM’s official research partner, Colliers International. Adding to this, India retained its top spot on Dubai’s list of source markets for inbound tourism, with almost 1 million Indian tourists arriving in the emirate during the first half of 2019. Despite the UAE leading comparative growth, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait are all expected to witness an increase of 10% respectively between 2018 and 2024.

Indian tourists are among the world’s highest spenders while travelling abroad, with outbound travel and tourism expenditure to increase from US$21.4 billion in 2018 to US$39.3 billion by 2024.

On average, Indian travellers spent approximately US$1,100 per trip made to the GCC in 2018, according to the latest data from Euromonitor International, with business and experience-seeking tourists likely to spend at least 15% more per trip.

ATM, considered by industry professionals as a barometer for the Middle East and North Africa tourism sector, welcomed almost 40,000 people to its 2019 event with representation from 150 countries. Looking ahead, ATM will adopt Events for Tourism Growth as the official show theme for the 2020 edition of the show.

VIVACITY

of

Russia is a place of many Cultural hotspots, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, world famous theaters and museums, and manmade attractions are all accessible abundantly in this great and large country. But, if you are in the mood to travel around a little out of the ordinary, here are some of the less visited, but equally spectacular natural wonders of this beautiful country.

Be sure to make space for them in your itinerary, if planning a trip to Russia as you'll have a tale worth telling ten times over when you get back home.

LENA'S STONE FOREST

www.safariplus.co.in

THE VALLEY OF GEYSERS

Lena's Stone Forest or Lena's Pillars are natural rock formations about 60 km upriver from Yakutsk, in Russia. The astounding stone structures towers over 150 meters in height and extends along the river for about 80 km.

Lena's Pillars are a remarkable vista to behold and have awestruck travelers since the 17th century. They contain exceptional evidences of the Earth and its living inhabitant's expansion history. Abundant fossils of ancient organisms found here are unique preserved evidences of a very important stage in the history of the organic world and a biodiversity "boom”, which occurred in lower Cambrian epoch. Also in Lena Pillars area the fossils of mammoth fauna representatives were found: mammoth, bison, fleecy rhinoceros, Lena horse, Reindeer etc.

Evidence of ancient human life can be seen from the rock paintings and manuscripts from the area. This unique ecological and tourism location was submitted as a World Heritage site in 2006.

To get there, ones trip has to start in Moscow city from where you will have to take a four day journey to the Siberian area of Yakutsk. From Yakutsk you have to take a boat. Though, supposedly only a half a days trip upriver and finally after four days of travel, you will have arrived at your destination.

geographical structure and is an eye-catching destination for adventure loving tourists.

POLES OF THE KOMI REPUBLIC

26

shamanofthegiantsdroppedhisdrumandtheentireteamfrozeintothestonepillars.

These towering rock totems are not only implausible by mark of their size and location, but also because of their astounding forms and eccentric; some might say capricious, distribution. Some of the columns are narrower at the base, and while six are huddled together, the seventh stands aloof or guardian-like as if observing them from far. The site is hard to reach but once again, totally worth your time as well as your effort.

Situating on the bank of Geysernaya River, Valley of Geysers is considered the second largest concentration of geysers in the world and is only geyser field of its kind in Eurasia which offers strange natural beauty which is not easy to reach.

Barely 6 km long, it has as many as a hundred hot springs and geysers in it. It is located in the Kamchatka Peninsula, and it's one of the very few places in the world that has naturally occurring geysers. A wonderful volcano of Kamchatka with the temperature of 250 degree centigrade has been preserved as a significant aspect of the Kronotsky Natural Reserve. Valley of Geysers falls under the UNESCO World Natural Heritage site as the volcano of Kamchatka.

The history of Geysers' Valley discloses that it was explored in 1941, but was made noted only after 14 years. However, after the discovery of this hidden part of Russia, it became hot cake for every local as well foreign traveler. But it cannot be visited easily due to the difficult

Manpupuner which in the Mansi language means “little mountain of the gods” or the Seven Strong Men Rock Formations or Poles of the Komi Republic are a set of 7 gigantic abnormally shaped stone pillars located north of the Ural mountains located in the Troitsko-Pechorsky District of the Komi Republic. They are considered amongst the most mysterious attractions of the world. Locals refer to them as the “7 Strong Men” even as scientists try to explain these gigantic tower-like structures – with heights that reach up from 30 to 42 meters and jut out of a hilly plateau formed through the weathering effects of ice and winds, Local legends say that the stone pillars were once an entourage of Samoyeds giants walking through the mountains to Siberia in order to destroy the Vogulsky people. However, upon seeing the holy Vogulsky Mountains, the

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

RUSSIA

www.safariplus.co.in

PUTORANA PLATEAU Putorana is the vast basalt plateau almost non-bothered by society rising on the north of East Siberia to the north of the polar circle. Deep canyons dissect unusual and spectacular trapshaped terrain. The size and number of waterfalls are impressive (this area has the highest concentration of waterfalls in Russia). The area includes a number of lakes, some as much as 400 m deep. The landscape of lake fiords is picturesque and extravagant.

Vegetation cover is presented by larch taiga, sparse forests and mountain tundra. The flora list of this reserve counts to about 400 higher plants species, including several rare, relic and of endemic forms. There are 34 mammal species in the reserve. Here lays the migration route of the Taimyr wild reindeer population of over 500 000 specimen. Having been isolated from the main population about 15 000 years ago, it has formed a separate sub-specie. About 140 bird species have been noted in the reserve. Numerous water reservoirs are stopover points for thousands of migrating birds.

27

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

HOSPITALITY

TRADE NEWS

Plaza Premium Lounge Airport lounge adds wings to your travel experience Whether it’s travelling to or from somewhere, ease of comfort is what each traveller sought every time. Travelling has certainly become an indispensable part of our lives such that we travel frequently for different reasons. However, in this scenario, would it seem fair enough to wait in endless queues or at the uncomfortable, edgy seats at the terminal?

Whether it is the increasing traffic woes, frequent delays in flight schedules or long hours in for various checks, every traveller assuredly ensures to arrive early at the airports.

Millennials today prefer being productive in such scenarios than wasting these wee hours in traffic or queues. This is why airport lounges are playing a key role in making our journey smooth enough to keep ourselves ready for the next leg and save our time.

Why do passengers need access to lounges? While unnecessarily waiting at the airport, travellers scout for a perfect place and airport lounges appear as the best option, as they provide all the necessary services to make our pre and post boarding experiences memorable. Apart from making moments worth reminiscing, these lounges also offer services that add to our comforts. Plaza Premium Lounge, for instance, offers exclusive services like meet and greet, porter assistance, baggage handling and guidance to immigration, simply easing the travelling experiences.

Lounge access is now easily available through the majority of the credit cards as a complimentary service or otherwise, the lounges by airlines themselves can opt.

This, however, has increased the scope for the aviation industry as the Indian air transport sector has shown very strong growth in recent years – particularly on the

domestic market segment. In June 2018, the domestic India market recorded its 46th consecutive months of double-digit year-on-year growth; outstanding performance and one which is showing no signs of ending anytime soon.

The number of passengers has driven airline companies to provide hassle-free travel experiences for passengers and serve them better. To realize these goals, different stakeholders are coming up with blazing concepts to enhance the customer experience. The Plaza Premium Lounge itself not just offers quality food and entertainment but also has brought the first-of-a-kind transit hotels in Hyderabad! This is simply the beginning to a new era, perhaps the much-awaited one in the aviation sector.

The Sheraton Hotels & Resorts brand in debuts in Indore, MP

The Sheraton Hotels & Resorts brand in debuts in Indore, Madhya Pradesh with the opening of the Sheraton Grand Palace Indore. This hotel is the latest addition to the portfolio of Sheraton hotels that are globally recognized as gathering places for local communities to celebrate everyday occasions.

Formerly known as the Grand Bhagwati Palace, the heritage building has been transformed into the Sheraton Grand Palace Indore although it retains its exquisite Graeco- Roman architectural property spread across 8.62 acres of land.

The hotel features 115 spacious guest rooms that convey a streamlined, modern style with teak wood flooring accented by stylish soft furnishings, and Sheraton signature

amenities and services, including a premium slumber experience.

The hotel features five distinctive dining options including S Café - the all-day dining restaurant. Indian specialty restaurant Araana does not disappoint with its rich and diverse menu. Malt is the in-house bar that holds a vintage charm with its rustic setting and plush seating, serving an exclusive range of premium spirits. Infuse the cake shop is ideal for guests to indulge in an array of freshly baked breads, cakes and sweet treats.

The serene poolside restaurant Plunge offers an oasis of calm for guests to sit back and request their favorite beverage and finger foods. In addition to the pool, there is also a fully equipped, 24-hour Fitness Centre and spa to keep guests active and relaxed at the hotel.

As a local place for celebrations and gatherings, the Sheraton Grand Palace Indore offers venues spread across 116,700 sq ft of indoor and outdoor banquet space, with a range of flexible layouts that can accommodate extravagant weddings, large-scale conferences and meetings. Catering to a growing MICE audience, the hotel is fully equipped with state-of-art technology, upscale catering services and generous amenities in addition to beautiful architecture and eco-friendly meeting packages.

"The Sheraton Grand Palace Indore offers excellent dining options, a pampering spa and ample event spaces for guests and locals alike to celebrate their everyday occasions with us. The hotel promises to be the preferred address of the city’s elite, as well as for the business and leisure travelers from across India and the world at large, “said Rohit Bajpai, General Manager, Sheraton Grand Palace Indore.

Located at a 30-minute drive from the Indore International airport, the hotel is within easy reach to the city’s ancient and historically, significant landmarks including the beautiful Mandav Fort; historic spiritual attractions Ujjain Mahakaleshwar Temple and the Khajrana Temple; as well as street food destination 56 Dukkan, a night market offering a smorgasbord of regional snack foods.

A Social Group For Travel Women Entrepreneur Join the group on Facebook search TRAVEL HEELS JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

28

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South African Minister of Tourism visits India To Announce Launch of Pilot E-visa Programme The newly appointed South African Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko KubayiNgubane, along with the COO charted out the tourism board’s India-specific growth strategy for the new year. As South African Tourism sets its sights on doubling international tourist arrivals from 10.5 million to 21 million by 2030, India is expected to play a significant role in achieving this long-term goal. From January to October 2019, the destination welcomed 81,316 Indian visitors to South Africa – a 5.48% YoY increase. Average length of stay saw an 8% YoY increase in the first half of 2019 from 25 nights to 27 nights. Total Indian traveller spends in the first half of 2019 were at a 4year high with South African Tourism achieving 64% of its annual spends target within this period.

In 2019, South Africa piloted a new e-visa system in New Zealand. On successful completion, there is intention to begin rolling-out e-visas in other countries, with India being amongst top priority markets. With the aim to further stimulate travel and tourism from India, the Minister indicated that the piloting of e-visas for the market was under serious consideration and would be initiated shortly. This comes close on the heels of an initiative launched in 2018 pre-vetted visas for top tour operators to fast-track visa processing.

In November 2019, the South African Minister of Home Affairs announced that the country was doing away – with immediate effect – the need for unabridged birth certificates previously required by minors visiting from international countries.

South African Hon. Minister of Tourism, Ms. Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane announced that, “South Africa has taken several measures to provide ease of access to Indian tourists including bringing changes in the visa regime. The online visa application system pilot testing will happen from next week and if the pilot project goes without any glitch, a full roll out will take place from 1st April 2020. We have a positive outlook for the India market and are also in talks with India for granting multiple-entry visa to South Africa.”

“MICE and sports tourism are predicted to drive arrivals growth for South Africa. South Africa has also emerged as a popular wedding destination for Indians. The South African government is also exploring interests from third country airlines willing to operate direct flights on the India-South Africa routes and any relevant proposals would be discussed with the Indian government,” added the Minister.

From January to September 2019, MICE accounted for 24% of the Indian traveller visits. 43% of overall Indian arrivals to South Africa were repeat visitors. 2019 witnessed a 36.6% increase in Indian traveller spends on shopping and a 26% increase in spends on leisure activities in South Africa.

KSA Enterprise HRANI & IRCTC will Represent Partnership to promote tourism & hospitality Madagascar Tourism Board in India Market

Hotel and Restaurant Association of Northern India (HRANI) has signed a MoU with Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC) to facilitate the hotel members of HRANI for the listing of their room rate and inventory on IRCTC booking engine portal. The same has been done in a bid to promote domestic tourism and reduce the customer acquisition cost.

The occasion was graced with the esteemed presence of M.P. Mall, Chairman & MD, IRCTC as Chief Guest. The event also witnessed the presence of Surendra Kumar Jaiswal, President HRANI & Vice President FHRAI, Amarvir Singh, Hony Secretary, HRANI, Garish Oberoi, Treasurer and Renu Thapliyal, Secretary General, HRANI along with leading hoteliers.

On the association M.P. Mall, CMD, IRCTC said “IRCTC - A Mini Ratna is a Central Public Sector Enterprise under Ministry of Railways, Government of India. IRCTC handles the catering, tourism and online ticketing operations and claims that it has 60 million registered users on the website, and is the world's second busiest, with around 8 lacs bookings per day. In addition to ticket booking, people can also book their stays, domestic & international holiday packages, flights and meals on the IRCTC website.

IRCTC is now into the direct contracting with hotels of all categories on pan India basis and would be making all hotel inventory for sale through its all websites i.e. www.irctc.co.in www.irctctourism.com and www.ictc.co.in. for on line sale to its valued customer.

The partnership is surely a win-win situation for both IRCTC and HRANI to promote hotel inventory to the end customers. IRCTC would be promoting hotel inventory on its all websites and through different promotional activities

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Madagascar Tourism Board has appointed KSA Enterprise as Indian representative for promoting Madagascar as tourism destination in Indian Market.

Madagascar, an Island country offering a wealth of unique bio-diversity fosters the development of outstanding plant and wildlife that includes 43 National Parks, 294 bird species, 6 endemic baobab species, around one hundred lemur species and over 1000 species of orchids. There are abundances of adventure activities one can enjoy in Madagascar, to name few are - bird watching, trekking, hiking, scuba diving, sport fishing, kite surfing, sailing, whale watching, motorbike, Quad, and Mountain bike trekking.

KSA Enterprises LLP is a pioneer in international tourism industry which helps over 1,000+ companies to strengthen their branding through various branding channels such as Awards, Travel business conferences, PR & News related sectors. Not just the marketing, KSA Enterprises has involved into Travel Technology division for more than 8 years and offering a cutting edge software technology solutions to travel companies around the world.

Commenting on the tie-up Mr. Karthik - Director, KSA Enterprises, said, “We are pleased to have Madagascar tourism Board as our client. We are always available to the Travel Trade for any assistance to promote Madagascar as one of preferred selling destination in India.”

29

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

HOSPITALITY

TRADE NEWS

Plaza Premium Lounge Airport lounge adds wings to your travel experience Whether it’s travelling to or from somewhere, ease of comfort is what each traveller sought every time. Travelling has certainly become an indispensable part of our lives such that we travel frequently for different reasons. However, in this scenario, would it seem fair enough to wait in endless queues or at the uncomfortable, edgy seats at the terminal?

Whether it is the increasing traffic woes, frequent delays in flight schedules or long hours in for various checks, every traveller assuredly ensures to arrive early at the airports.

Millennials today prefer being productive in such scenarios than wasting these wee hours in traffic or queues. This is why airport lounges are playing a key role in making our journey smooth enough to keep ourselves ready for the next leg and save our time.

Why do passengers need access to lounges? While unnecessarily waiting at the airport, travellers scout for a perfect place and airport lounges appear as the best option, as they provide all the necessary services to make our pre and post boarding experiences memorable. Apart from making moments worth reminiscing, these lounges also offer services that add to our comforts. Plaza Premium Lounge, for instance, offers exclusive services like meet and greet, porter assistance, baggage handling and guidance to immigration, simply easing the travelling experiences.

Lounge access is now easily available through the majority of the credit cards as a complimentary service or otherwise, the lounges by airlines themselves can opt.

This, however, has increased the scope for the aviation industry as the Indian air transport sector has shown very strong growth in recent years – particularly on the

domestic market segment. In June 2018, the domestic India market recorded its 46th consecutive months of double-digit year-on-year growth; outstanding performance and one which is showing no signs of ending anytime soon.

The number of passengers has driven airline companies to provide hassle-free travel experiences for passengers and serve them better. To realize these goals, different stakeholders are coming up with blazing concepts to enhance the customer experience. The Plaza Premium Lounge itself not just offers quality food and entertainment but also has brought the first-of-a-kind transit hotels in Hyderabad! This is simply the beginning to a new era, perhaps the much-awaited one in the aviation sector.

The Sheraton Hotels & Resorts brand in debuts in Indore, MP

The Sheraton Hotels & Resorts brand in debuts in Indore, Madhya Pradesh with the opening of the Sheraton Grand Palace Indore. This hotel is the latest addition to the portfolio of Sheraton hotels that are globally recognized as gathering places for local communities to celebrate everyday occasions.

Formerly known as the Grand Bhagwati Palace, the heritage building has been transformed into the Sheraton Grand Palace Indore although it retains its exquisite Graeco- Roman architectural property spread across 8.62 acres of land.

The hotel features 115 spacious guest rooms that convey a streamlined, modern style with teak wood flooring accented by stylish soft furnishings, and Sheraton signature

amenities and services, including a premium slumber experience.

The hotel features five distinctive dining options including S Café - the all-day dining restaurant. Indian specialty restaurant Araana does not disappoint with its rich and diverse menu. Malt is the in-house bar that holds a vintage charm with its rustic setting and plush seating, serving an exclusive range of premium spirits. Infuse the cake shop is ideal for guests to indulge in an array of freshly baked breads, cakes and sweet treats.

The serene poolside restaurant Plunge offers an oasis of calm for guests to sit back and request their favorite beverage and finger foods. In addition to the pool, there is also a fully equipped, 24-hour Fitness Centre and spa to keep guests active and relaxed at the hotel.

As a local place for celebrations and gatherings, the Sheraton Grand Palace Indore offers venues spread across 116,700 sq ft of indoor and outdoor banquet space, with a range of flexible layouts that can accommodate extravagant weddings, large-scale conferences and meetings. Catering to a growing MICE audience, the hotel is fully equipped with state-of-art technology, upscale catering services and generous amenities in addition to beautiful architecture and eco-friendly meeting packages.

"The Sheraton Grand Palace Indore offers excellent dining options, a pampering spa and ample event spaces for guests and locals alike to celebrate their everyday occasions with us. The hotel promises to be the preferred address of the city’s elite, as well as for the business and leisure travelers from across India and the world at large, “said Rohit Bajpai, General Manager, Sheraton Grand Palace Indore.

Located at a 30-minute drive from the Indore International airport, the hotel is within easy reach to the city’s ancient and historically, significant landmarks including the beautiful Mandav Fort; historic spiritual attractions Ujjain Mahakaleshwar Temple and the Khajrana Temple; as well as street food destination 56 Dukkan, a night market offering a smorgasbord of regional snack foods.

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South African Minister of Tourism visits India To Announce Launch of Pilot E-visa Programme The newly appointed South African Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko KubayiNgubane, along with the COO charted out the tourism board’s India-specific growth strategy for the new year. As South African Tourism sets its sights on doubling international tourist arrivals from 10.5 million to 21 million by 2030, India is expected to play a significant role in achieving this long-term goal. From January to October 2019, the destination welcomed 81,316 Indian visitors to South Africa – a 5.48% YoY increase. Average length of stay saw an 8% YoY increase in the first half of 2019 from 25 nights to 27 nights. Total Indian traveller spends in the first half of 2019 were at a 4year high with South African Tourism achieving 64% of its annual spends target within this period.

In 2019, South Africa piloted a new e-visa system in New Zealand. On successful completion, there is intention to begin rolling-out e-visas in other countries, with India being amongst top priority markets. With the aim to further stimulate travel and tourism from India, the Minister indicated that the piloting of e-visas for the market was under serious consideration and would be initiated shortly. This comes close on the heels of an initiative launched in 2018 pre-vetted visas for top tour operators to fast-track visa processing.

In November 2019, the South African Minister of Home Affairs announced that the country was doing away – with immediate effect – the need for unabridged birth certificates previously required by minors visiting from international countries.

South African Hon. Minister of Tourism, Ms. Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane announced that, “South Africa has taken several measures to provide ease of access to Indian tourists including bringing changes in the visa regime. The online visa application system pilot testing will happen from next week and if the pilot project goes without any glitch, a full roll out will take place from 1st April 2020. We have a positive outlook for the India market and are also in talks with India for granting multiple-entry visa to South Africa.”

“MICE and sports tourism are predicted to drive arrivals growth for South Africa. South Africa has also emerged as a popular wedding destination for Indians. The South African government is also exploring interests from third country airlines willing to operate direct flights on the India-South Africa routes and any relevant proposals would be discussed with the Indian government,” added the Minister.

From January to September 2019, MICE accounted for 24% of the Indian traveller visits. 43% of overall Indian arrivals to South Africa were repeat visitors. 2019 witnessed a 36.6% increase in Indian traveller spends on shopping and a 26% increase in spends on leisure activities in South Africa.

KSA Enterprise HRANI & IRCTC will Represent Partnership to promote tourism & hospitality Madagascar Tourism Board in India Market

Hotel and Restaurant Association of Northern India (HRANI) has signed a MoU with Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC) to facilitate the hotel members of HRANI for the listing of their room rate and inventory on IRCTC booking engine portal. The same has been done in a bid to promote domestic tourism and reduce the customer acquisition cost.

The occasion was graced with the esteemed presence of M.P. Mall, Chairman & MD, IRCTC as Chief Guest. The event also witnessed the presence of Surendra Kumar Jaiswal, President HRANI & Vice President FHRAI, Amarvir Singh, Hony Secretary, HRANI, Garish Oberoi, Treasurer and Renu Thapliyal, Secretary General, HRANI along with leading hoteliers.

On the association M.P. Mall, CMD, IRCTC said “IRCTC - A Mini Ratna is a Central Public Sector Enterprise under Ministry of Railways, Government of India. IRCTC handles the catering, tourism and online ticketing operations and claims that it has 60 million registered users on the website, and is the world's second busiest, with around 8 lacs bookings per day. In addition to ticket booking, people can also book their stays, domestic & international holiday packages, flights and meals on the IRCTC website.

IRCTC is now into the direct contracting with hotels of all categories on pan India basis and would be making all hotel inventory for sale through its all websites i.e. www.irctc.co.in www.irctctourism.com and www.ictc.co.in. for on line sale to its valued customer.

The partnership is surely a win-win situation for both IRCTC and HRANI to promote hotel inventory to the end customers. IRCTC would be promoting hotel inventory on its all websites and through different promotional activities

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Madagascar Tourism Board has appointed KSA Enterprise as Indian representative for promoting Madagascar as tourism destination in Indian Market.

Madagascar, an Island country offering a wealth of unique bio-diversity fosters the development of outstanding plant and wildlife that includes 43 National Parks, 294 bird species, 6 endemic baobab species, around one hundred lemur species and over 1000 species of orchids. There are abundances of adventure activities one can enjoy in Madagascar, to name few are - bird watching, trekking, hiking, scuba diving, sport fishing, kite surfing, sailing, whale watching, motorbike, Quad, and Mountain bike trekking.

KSA Enterprises LLP is a pioneer in international tourism industry which helps over 1,000+ companies to strengthen their branding through various branding channels such as Awards, Travel business conferences, PR & News related sectors. Not just the marketing, KSA Enterprises has involved into Travel Technology division for more than 8 years and offering a cutting edge software technology solutions to travel companies around the world.

Commenting on the tie-up Mr. Karthik - Director, KSA Enterprises, said, “We are pleased to have Madagascar tourism Board as our client. We are always available to the Travel Trade for any assistance to promote Madagascar as one of preferred selling destination in India.”

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JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 2020

January - February 2020

Vol: 21 Issue: 3