2017 March April by Safari Plus

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Edited & Published by Shailendra Kesari • For Online News visit: www.safariplus.co.in • Email: info@safariplus.co.in • March - April, 2017 • Vol: 18 Issue: 4

RURAL TOURISM

The Essence of Real India

India, a country with cultural and geographical diversities is decked up with multiple alluring destinations which attract heavy numbers of tourists every year. India, as a destination is quite fond among the tourists, so the tourism industry here plays a crucial role. But the true essence of India can only be found in its villages. Though India is a developing country comprising of some of the world-renowned metropolis, but still a large portion of India falls under the villages. So, a tour

of India is incomplete without experiencing its rural sector. Each state of India comprises of villages which depict the state's culture, tradition, and customs. Different villages practice different methods and varieties of cultivation and lifestyle. The villages of India truly portrays its unique portray of cultural diversities. Now-a-days rural tourism in India is progressing as many villages in India have found places in tourist maps. Not only it benefits the

villagers with an extra income but the tourists also get a chance to interact with them and gain a rare insight into the villager's way of life. On the other hand, villages portray a much beautiful story with nature all around. As the villages are away from the honking of the city life, so the freshness of the nature can be felt in its true essence. Now, let's take a tour through the rural parts of India some of which still lay unexplored. Contd on Page 7

NEWS FLASH Pre-Loaded Sim Cards For Tourists Arriving In India On E-Visa Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism and Culture, launched the initiative of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India for providing pre-loaded Sim Card to foreign tourists arriving in India on eVisa. This unique initiative will facilitate the foreign tourists in communicating with their acquaintances immediately after their arrival in India. The Minister presented the First Kit containing Sim to a representative of Travel and Tourism sector. This initiative has been launched in association with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd., (BSNL), wherein BSNL would distribute pre-loaded SIM Cards to foreign tourists arriving in India on e-

Visa. This facility will be initially available in the Indira Gandhi International Airport (T3 Terminal), New Delhi and later cover remaining 15 international airports, where e-Visa facility is currently available. To avail pre-loaded Sim Card, BSNL will collect e-Visa copy and the first page of passport from foreign tourists on arrival at the airport. Sim cards will be preloaded with a value of Rs. 50 talk time and 50 MB data and will be activated on immediate basis so as to enable them use this facility instantly. This initiative will also help them to contact with the 24x7 Multi lingual toll free helpline of Ministry of Tourism for any assistance and guidance during times of distress / medical emergency, etc.

New Area Director for Singapore Tourism Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has announced the appointment of Adrian Kong as Area Director, South Asia (Mumbai), with effect from October 2016. He will be based in Mumbai and one of his key responsibilities will be to oversee STBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tourism promotion, marketing and developmental efforts in South & West India and Sri Lanka. Adrian is well acquainted with the Indian markets having worked earlier in India between February 2012 and January 2014 as a Manager with STB in Mumbai.

Tourism Authority of Thailand, Mumbai New Address

123/124, 12th floor, Mittal Chambers, Barrister Rajni Patel Marg, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021. Tel: +91 022 2202 0264 / 65 Web:www.tourismthailand.org

Madhya Pradesh To Set Up Tourism Board The Madhya Pradesh State Government has d e c i d e d to s et u p a To u r i s m B o a r d . T h e decision was taken at a meeting of the tourism cabinet in Pachmarhi. The chief minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan will be the chairman of the board, the minister for tourism and chief secretary will be vicechairmen while principal secretaries of the

Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan

departments of finance, forest, u r b a n development, environment and culture will be the directors. According to the state government, the decision to constitute the Tourism Board has been taken to encourage and promote Madhya

Pradesh tourism nationally and internationally. The main work of the board would be implementation of the state's tourism policy, attract private sector participation, facilitate investors and extend benefits to them as is permissible under the tourism policy. The Board would also have to formulate new policies, monitor new tourism projects, select and increase land banks and organise fairs, food festivals, cultural programmes, cottage industry carnivals.

The state government also decided to develop all islands of Hanuwantiya on the Indira Sagar Dam. There are an estimated 80 such small islands on the lake.

For Bookings: Madhya Pradesh Tourism 45, World Trade Centre, Cuffe Parade, Colaba, Mumbai - 400 005 Contact: 2218 7603/ 2218 0654 Email: mumbai@mptourism.com

Web: www.mptourism.com Tourist Helpline : 1800 233 7777 2

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Tourism Authority of Thailand, Mumbai New Address

123/124, 12th floor, Mittal Chambers, Barrister Rajni Patel Marg, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021. Tel: +91 022 2202 0264 / 65 Web:www.tourismthailand.org

Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan

The state government also decided to develop all islands of Hanuwantiya on the Indira Sagar Dam. There are an estimated 80 such small islands on the lake.

For Bookings: Madhya Pradesh Tourism 45, World Trade Centre, Cuffe Parade, Colaba, Mumbai - 400 005 Contact: 2218 7603/ 2218 0654 Email: mumbai@mptourism.com

Web: www.mptourism.com Tourist Helpline : 1800 233 7777 2

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DOMESTIC

EVENTS International Conference On Tourism Technology 2017 At Kochi Business, today has become extremely competitive and we all are looking at finding new ways to bring in business. Tour Operations has come well past the Golden Era and now we are forced to "unlearn to relearn" to survive in this highly volatile market. Today's business is heavily dependent on technology and we can use a good lot among them and turn them into our strengths. International Conference on Tourism Te c h n o l o g y ( I C T T ) i s a l l a b o u t understanding and using this for betterment of Travel business. Many of us have starting using technology having understood its strength but how many of us are actually using it well ? A s s o c i a t i o n o f To u r i s m Tr a d e Organizations, India (ATTOI) back in 2013 did the first ICTT to impart new skill sets for the trade partners and now is back with the 2017 edition of

International Conference on Tourism Technology. Apart from catchy topics taken by renowned International and Indian speakers ATTOI is organizing workshops to take you through the actual experience. Slated to take place from 8-10 June 2017 at Le Meridien Kochi, this would be worthy investment of time and money for a better tomorrow. Commenting on Mr. Anish Kumar, President ATTOI, said, “The idea of organizing such an event arose from the rapidly changing business scenario where the tourism fraternity is heavily dependent on technology and

innovations. The transformation is so fast paced that catching up to the pace has become very difficult and by the time you adapt to one, the change may have become obsolete. The changes which are happening over the web space, t rave l - re l a te d s o f t wa re , m o b i l e applications, the turnaround of marketing and sales trends etc inspires us to share and discuss new ideas through the platform provided by the conference.”

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ANDHRA PRADESH To Come Up Publisher: Shailendra Publication Editor & Publisher: Shailendra Kesari Assitant Editor: Parul Kesari Brand Ambassador: Vyom Kesari Advisory: Gour Kanjilal, Om Prakash Sehgal Editorial: Jayatri Majumdar Layout Designer: Parul Marketing Team: Prashant, Dinesh Gupta Correspondent North: Manoj Babbar Correspondent West: Payal Gupta

Regd. Office: 155/153B, Samudrik Building, Bhuleshwar Road, Mumbai 400 002 Copr Office: Shop No1, B-4, Highland Garden, Dhokali Road, Thane (W) 400 607 Delhi Office: D-708, Chitranjan Park, New Delhi 110 009 Email: info@safariplus.co.in safariplus022@gmail.com Mobile: 97690 58991/ 9969948787 Web: www.safariplus.co.in

BAHRAIN TOURISM Industry To Reach US$1 Billion By 2020

The tourism industry in the Kingdom of Bahrain is growing rapidly and is expected to reach US$1 billion by 2020, according to figures released ahead of Arabian Travel Market 2017, which takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre April 24-27, 2017. Bahrain witnessed an 8.4% increase in inbound traffic in the third quarter of 2016 and a peak of 1.4 million arrivals

March - April, 2017

during the month of August. With the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority (BTEA) spearheading a robust marketing campaign, the Kingdom expects to welcome 15.8 million annual visitors by 2018. This will represent an increase of 36.2% on current figures and will place the country’s tourism industry on track to reach its $1 billion 2020 target.

Simon Press, Senior Exhibition Director, ATM, said: “The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority has engaged with a number of public authorities and private sector organisations over recent months and the returns are beginning to be realised.” “The BTEA now operates seven official representation offices worldwide, with a focus on source markets in Europe and Asia, and will continue to work hand-in- hand with hotels, tour operators and cruise lines to achieve its objectives.” This phenomenal growth will be driven primarily by the leisure sector, which should rise in terms of value by 4.3% per annum to BHD 1.2 billion in 2026. Business arrivals will generate BHD 219.3 million per annum by 2026. As

activity continues to increase, GDP contributions from tourism will also rise, from the 10.6% contribution witnessed in 2015 to a predicted 13% contribution towards GDP in 2026. The news comes as inbound investment into Bahrain’s tourism infrastructure reaches new heights. From funding totaling BHD 105.3 million in 2015 – representing 5.3% of total investment that year – investment is expected to reach BHD 217.9 million in 2026, which will be 8.6% of the national total. Promoting its hotels, leisure attractions and investment opportunities, the Kingdom of Bahrain will enjoy a strong presence at ATM 2017, with several exhibitors participating. These include the Kingdom of Bahrain Tourism Sector, Ministry of Culture, Sabre, Farhat International Tours; Travels WLL and the Gulf Hotel Bahrain.

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With Three Convention Centers In 2017 Andhra Pradesh, a state in the south-eastern coast of India comprises of beaches and hills. The engulfing waves of the Bay of Bengal lashing on the rocky stretches of hills i n V i za g m a ke s A n d h ra Pradesh a perfect combination for sea and mountain lovers. It can also be labeled as a divine destination with some of the major cultural landmarks comprising of some traditional and renowned temples which makes this place an ideal pilgrimage centre as well. Mr. Himanshu Shukla, Director of Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department shares his further plans to promote Andhra Pradesh as the most desired destination of the tourists. Q1. What is the growth rate of tourist arrivals in Andhra Pradesh? Instead of demonetization we were able to do good in 2016 and witnessed a 18% growth. This year figure is coming around 13 crores for domestic tourist arrivals. Also as a new state we have started promoting Vizag,

Vijaywada and Tirupati for foreign tourists and now we get 2.5 lakhs of foreign tourist. The amount is small but we are working on it to increase the number of foreign tourists to our state. Mostly we are promoting five locations in Andhra Pradesh i.e. Vishakhapatnam and Konaseema which is a beautiful backwater destination. Q2. How are you looking forward to promote Andhra Pradesh for kids or for families? We have planned to target the family travelers and the retired people. We will not target the youngster like 1830 group as Andhra Pradesh is a cultural

state. And now we are focusing more on rural tourism. We also want to focus on Araku and Lambasingi in Andhra Pradesh wherein we want to develop fish tourism for the fish lovers. Q3. Are you going to promote Andhra Pradesh as a MICE destination? Government is planning to build three C o nv e n t i o n c e n t re s a t Vyzaq, Vijaywada and Tirupati. In Vyzaq we already have the land available and in Vijaywada and Tirupati we have identified the land, DPR has been done and now we are asking private sector to come and participate. Q4. What new things you are going to highlight for 2017? On 8th of March we are going to take sustainable tourism, we are partnering with the UNWTO to promote sustainable tourism in Andhra Paradesh. We have identified few of the things which are going to be highlighted. The fish tourism, the tribal tourism, then the flamingos which come and breed in the

month of November to December near Pulkat lake and then Candopoly (handmade) local toys. Q5. What are your marketing mediums to promote Andhra Pradesh tourism this year? We are focusing on Mass media, digital media, campaigns like summer campaign which will be there for one month targeting especially Vizag and our marketing budget will increase 2 times than the previous year. Q6. How is Andhra Pradesh progressing in terms of hotels? Recently we took Industrial Meet Summit where we got 12,000 crore investments for the tourism sector, some five 5-star hotels and some ten 4-star hotels have already committed. In June we are expecting to inaugurate ITC in Guntur, Novotel in Vijaywada and The Park in Vyzaq. Q7. What are your source market for the year 2017? In domestic we are targeting Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai, Bhubaneshwar and Mumbai. In oversea we are targeting Spain, Germany, Japan and East Asia(Singapore & Vietnam).

APTDC Signs MoU with O2 SPA To Create Employment Opportunities The Government of Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) has signed an MoU with O2 Spa, Asia’s largest day spa chain and India’s first organized day spa chain aiming at setting up of O2 Spa facilities across Andhra Pradesh wherein youth from the State will be trained and absorbed thus creating employment opportunities. This will see an investment of $ 1.75 Mn for a period of 3 years starting from October 2017. This agreement was signed at the

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Second Sunrise Andhra Pradesh Investment Meet that was held in Vizag. O2 Spa was represented by Mr. Sameer Nair, Business Head – India whereas Mr. Girija Shankar, Managing Director of APTDC represented the Government. Mr. Ritesh Mastipuram, Founder and Managing Director, O2 Spa said, “The Indian wellness industry is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12 per cent for the next five years to achieve a Rs 1,50,000 croreturnover by 2019-20. The growth and

requirement of the industry will continue to see an upward curve and so will the opportunity for skilled youths. This partnership with the Government of Andhra Pradesh will enable us in reaching out and bettering the lives of many youths by appropriately skilling them and placing them in apt job opportunities”. O2 Spa will set up facilities across cities like Amravati, Vijaywada, Vizag to name

a few within the next 3 years. The training aspects for the youths will be undertaken by O2 Skills Academy, an initiative of O2 Spa, primarily conceptualized to help meet the shortage of quality and skilled manpower in the spa and hospitality industry.

March - April, 2017

DOMESTIC

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BAHRAIN TOURISM Industry To Reach US$1 Billion By 2020

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RURAL TOURISM Best places to experience Rural Tourism of the Western Part of India Villages of Maharashtra Villages of Maharashtra are mostly famous for its rice cultivation. These rice stories of the villages draw the tourists more to get engage with their lifestyle. The amazing blend of rural activities, tranquility of the surroundings, the ancient Warli art, artisans and potteries, the craftsmanship of the villagers and bountiful nature all around is sure to infuse within you the real essence of India. Participate in the rice cultivation or other village activities, interact with the villagers or live their lifestyle, altogether these will give you a rustic experience. Some of the mesmerizing villages of Maharashtra lie in its Konkan belt. White long stretches of the sandy shorelines along with the serene rustic surrounding makes these villages an ideal place to rejuvenate oneself and indulge in the rustic lifestyle of the villagers. Konkan is especially known for its beaches, but other than the tranquil beaches the seafood of this region are also an alluring option to visit these places. Chiplun in

Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra is another scenic village to experience utter tranquility. Situated far away from the busy city life of Mumbai and nestled along the Vashishti River and Konya D a m , C h i p l u n o ffe rs yo u w i t h breathtaking views and refreshing air. Another serene village is Raipur in Baldhana district of Maharashtra where you can experience a rustic peaceful life. All these villages are ideal destinations to experience rural tourism as they are also facilitated with homestays. Tourists can book their stay in these houses which are decked up with basic home decors and can experience the rustic lifestyle. The Konkan cuisines including ample of seafood options with rice is the authentic dish to experience the rural parts of Maharashtra. Some of the other

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village destinations of Maharashtra are Purushwadi, Dehna, and Valwanda. Villages of Rajasthan Take out some time from your stressful city life and visit the villages of Rajasthan still upholding the ancient era. Remember that these are the glorifying parts of the ancient era of Rajasthan and holds some important parts in the chapters of history. Exploring Rajasthan cannot only be done through its forts and palaces, but the small villages tucked away in the remote parts of Rajasthan are the best way to give you the rustic feel with a royal aura. Some of the ethnic villages of Rajasthan lying on the vast sandy stretches of the Thar are Ranakpur, Pali district, Padampura, Nana, Gulthani, etc. As rural tourism is quite popular in Rajasthan so there are many options to experience them as well. Organic farm stays and home stays are available for the tourists who want to experience the real flavour of Rajasthan. These home stays or activities arranged for the tourists by the villagers are also a source of additional income for them. These home stays nestled in the interior villages of Rajasthan designed with a rustic blend of ethnicity and culture are the best place to experience the true Rajasthan. The rural men wearing colorful turbans and the women wearing ethnic ghagra-cholis with arms full of traditional row of bangles will please you with charm and will transport you to a cultural portion of India. Participate in the morning meeting of the shepherds, buy some of the handmade accessories of the Bhat tribe, visit the local village temple ornamented with silver doors, experience horse riding on the golden sandy paths of the villages, try your hands in harvesting mustard seeds with the villagers or get entertained at night with the live bhajans and local dancing of the villagers under the starry sky, all these activities will open in front of you the unexpected treasures of Rajasthan hidden in its villages. Know everything about the “sheep of the desert”, the camels and the hospitable nature of the villagers will tempt you to stretch your stay in these villages or you might like to tune into their folk

songs and dance. Villages of Gujarat G u j a r a t , another state of western India, comprises of a m p l e o f options to experience rural tourism. The villages tucked in the far away land of the Kutch

region of Gujarat previously known as “India's Wild West” welcomes the tourists with quite a number of options to experience the state's tradition and culture through its rustic life. The vast barren stretch of Kutch is made up of many migrant communities from not only Pakistan (Sindh) and the Marwar region of Rajasthan but also further afield, including Persia (Iran). Many villagers earn from art which is an important source of income there and which has been passed down from generation to generation. The simplicity and the quietness of the remote villages show you another perspective of life and you can learn from them. You can easily spend a week there exploring its rural parts. Some of the village destinations of

Gujarat to experience rural tourism are Bhuj, Mandvi, Great Rann of Kutch, Little Rann of Kutch etc. As rural tourism is peeking now from every nook and corner of the rural parts of India, so why Gujarat be lagging behind. Keeping in mind the travelers interest in rural parts of India, many home stays have been developed in these villages to experience the real flavour of Gujarat f ro m i t s villages. These home stays serve with basic home amenities, authentic G u j a rat i cuisines and

the refreshing rustic nature of the surrounding. Bhuj is the capital of the Kutch region where you can go on a history trail with ancient forts, palaces, temples and museums. The markets and bazaars selling handicrafts can take you to meet some expert artisans in Bhuj. After exploring the artistry of Bhuj, people generally head towards Mandvi to watch the 400 year old shipbuilding yard. The drive from Bhuj to Mandvi is intresting as the parched land in the distance transforms into lines of greenery and palm trees. The authentic flavour of Gujarat's villages can mainly be experienced from the villages of the Kutch region. The Kutch region is mostly popular of its handicrafts and art like bandhani tie die and ajrakh block printing. Participate in this artistry and buy some souvenirs for your home. Embroidery, weaving, pottery, lacquer work, leather work, mud and mirror work, and rogan art are also some of the popular arts of this region. Meet these artisans and know more about these beautiful art works. Some of the villages which are popular for their creative art works and where these artisans reside are Bhujodi, Ajrakhpur, Nirona, Khavda, Gandhinugam, Ludiya etc. Know the details of these art works or buy some masterpieces at cheap rates to carry back with you, all these experiences are enough to let you know about the rustic lifestyle of Gujarat. Not only the lifestyle of the villagers, Gujarat also has unending pleasing views. Wake up in the morning and watch the sunrise along the stretch of Great Rann of Kutch and the Salt Desert. The golden light of the sun swaying the sandy stretch looking like a golden veil will make you go awestruck. Experience rural tourism in these colourful villages of Gujarat and infuse yourself with its tradition and culture. On our village trail we have covered the villages of the western part of India which are the ideal destinations to experience rural tourism. Continue to read more about the rural tourism of other parts of India which we will cover in our next edition of May June. Till then stay tuned and read more on travel.

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Medical Tourism

My Divine Journey to

In India Gaining Popularity

No doubt, India now stands in the fore front of the global medical value travel industry. India's amazing growth as a successful Health Care provider has been experienced by overseas patients. They were highly appreciative of the world class treatment and the state of art facilities available in Indian hospitals. India has showcased products for hospitals, dental clinic, Ayurvedic and unani Hospitals, Physiotherapy centers, Post-Operative Care Centers, Panchakarma Centers, Spa Centers, Fitness and Wellness Centers, Medical and Health Care Products, Medical Equipment Manufacturers, Pharmaceutical companies, Pharma packaging companies, Medical education universities/Institutions, Nursing training collages, Pharmacy education Institutes , Medical Insurance Companies, Third party administration, state government tourism developments, Hotels, airlines, Tour Operators, Medical tourism facilitators etc in the global platforms and created confidence to present as prime

Medical destination. This quantifies that infrastructure is very sound for Medical operations. According to FICCI â&#x20AC;&#x201C; KPMG report, the global medical value travel industry was estimated at US$ 10.5 billion in 2012. It is expected to grow at a CAGR of 17.9% from 2013-2019 to reach US$ 32.5 billion in 2019. Growing at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27% the inflow of medical tourists in India is likely to cross 3.2 million in 2016 (which quantifies the Medical value Travel importance in India. The cost effectiveness, superior clinical expertise alternative medicine, no waiting location of hospitals all over t h e c o u n t r y, E n g l i s h l a n g u a g e proficiency (also all hospitals of repute have language interpreters), Pathological labs attached to hospitals, trained tour operators/facilitators, introduction of Medical visa (new triple entry-visa for medical purpose announced by the government, notification awaited) medicines availability all made our country a favorite MEDICAL VALUE TRAVEL destination in the world. Patients from SAARC countries such as Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Maldives, African countries such as Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and Middle East form major part of India's medical tourism clients. Now even patients from countries including Russia and CIS

countries and Myanmar also join this inflow. Even our N R I ' s / P I O ' s a re visiting for medical Care in numbers. The demand is visible for treatments like cardiology, orthopedics, transplant, ophthalmology and India holds good credibility. Also on cost effectiveness parts, we have a clear-cut difference, nearly 1/10 of the cost of such treatments in USA, UK or 1/5 of cost of in Thailand, Singapore etc. Our corporate hospitals which have global linkages with high ending technology have regular clients for checkups, stress management and other curative care for their executives. For Neurology and Gastroenterology our facilities are well accepted and our hospitals have regular inflow from the Gulf and the Middle East and they have tie ups with our hospitals. But we need to consolidate our efforts and strategies on how to utilize the available opportunities develop our relationship with hospitals overseas from where we can get referral cases, specially tie up with governments of SAARC countries and the Gulf and the Middle East. For this we need to get our hospitals enlisted with NABH /Global Quality Standardization and global acceptance. Also our Insurance operations part to be

in sync with global norms. We must also educate ourselves about Medical laws in v a r i o u s countries to avoid legal challenges. Our hospitals also need to open support offices in countries from where they expect medical tourists. Indian Embassies overseas also need to cooperate in extending Medical Visas and the persons accompanying them. Our medical tour operators should workout packages that can include medical treatment, arrangement for airport transfers, travel guides, Spa Services, Hotels Stays, PreTests and all such allied services mainly partnering with overseas tour operators. We feel proud that this Medical Tourism segment has added a real value travel component in our tourism scene, taken up the challenges in right spirit and doing a remarkable work in helping people to reach out for new possibilities in Health and wellness segment. We also should create a feeling of 'HOME AWAY FROM HOME' and confidence in clients that 'INDIA IS THE RIGHT CHOICE.' By Gour Kanjilal, Executive Director, IATO and Former, Dy. Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India and Freelance Journalist.

Madhya Pradesh, the central part of India retaining its historic monuments and buildings from the ancient era is a place of cultural landmark. Other than its ancient and historic preserves, Madhya Pradesh also comprises of some of the pilgrimage destinations and National Parks. Other than the tourist destinations of Madhya Pradesh, this state is enriched with its own tradition and culture which can be understood while travelling through its lanes and places.

Omkareshwar Omkareshwar is a holy pilgrimage destination in Madhya Pradesh along the banks of River Narmada. Shri Omkareshwar Jyotilinga, a Shiv temple on the Omkar Mountain in the midst of the river attracts bulk of pilgrims every year. This pilgrimage spot is considered as one of the sacred Hindu place in India. There are 12 jyotirlinga temples in world and Omkareshwar is one fo them. The temple has a grand Sabha Mandap (meeting or prayer hall) standing on about 60 huge brown stone pillar (14 feet high), elaborately carved with a curious frieze and fillet of satyrlike figures. Many of them have broad shoulders and meditating foreheads. The temple

Omkareshwar & Maheshwar

is 5 storeyed each having a different deity. There are three regular 'Pujas' in the temple. The temple is always crowded with pilgrims, coming after a bath in the Narmada and with pots full of Narmada water, coconuts and articles of worship. While my car stopped in the parking zone, I took to foot to visit the sacred temple. There is a hanging bridge on the river which connects the temple and provides a pathway for the devotees to cross the river and visit the temple. While moving towards the holy place I could see shops lined alongside the roads. Once I reached the view of the Narmada Ghat it

Text & Pic by: Jayatri Majumdar

filled me with the holy essence of Omkareshwar. T h e re w e re priests and saints moving around which highlighted more my presence in the divine destination. Standing lamely on the bridge and looking at those steamers and ferries moving on the holy river carrying passengers made me feel that I am in Varanasi. As I entered the temple, it made me realize that it's an age old structure, but maintained well for the

devotees. After offering my prayer, I patiently stood there and watched the River Narmada which was infusing within me a sense of purity and devotion. After paying my holy visit to the Jyotilinga temple, the driver took me to Narmada Resort, a Madhya Pradesh Tourism Resort for lunch.

And then I left for Maheshwar.

Maheshwar After a driving of almost 52 km I reached Maheshwar. It is another holy place of the Hindu religion. Other than its holiness, it emits a sense of purity with refreshing greenery all around. Nestled along the banks of River Narmada, Maheshwar appeals to both tourist and pilgrims. This town preserves some of the treasures of Madhya Pradesh, like the historic palaces, temples and exquisite Maheshwari saris. After reaching Maheshwar, I checked in to Narmada Retreat, a spacious resort of Madhya Pradesh tourism surrounding by trees and decked up with garden and a pool. It was really refreshing staying in the resort amidst so much of freshness. I can hear the sounds of the bells from the temple alongside the banks of the River Narmada from the resort. It filled my heart with an utter sense of relaxation and calmness. After relaxing in the

resort, in the evening we went for Holkar Fort, Rajwada, Jaleshwar temple and Narmada Ghat, which are some of the treasures of Madhya Pradesh. Rajwada is a splendid architectural wonder constructed during the reign of the most powerful female leader Rani Ahilyabai Holkar. The architectural displays surprisingly not only depict the Maratha architectural style but also Mughal and French architecture. Beside the palace there is another section where I saw the work process of Maheshwari fabrics. These fabric mills were a real wonder to watch which depicted me the story of the origin of the famous Maheshwari fabrics. The most splendid sight was, as the sun was about to set, it bathed the palace with its dimly lit orange light which made the palace more glorify its ancient presence in the chapters of history. After the palace, I stepped into adjoining ghats of the Narmada River. I watched the sunset on the Narmada River as it swathed the holy water with its fiery orange light. The wooden boats of all sizes were anchored along the ghat. I sat for a few moments along the ghats which made me rejuvenate my soul with a sense of holiness and purity. The next I woke up in the morning with the sounds of bells ringing in the temple and treasured all the memories which I have collected during my stay in Madhya Pradesh and left for Indore. My trips to these holy places were really divine and I will always cherish these memories.

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Medical Tourism

My Divine Journey to

In India Gaining Popularity

Omkareshwar & Maheshwar

Text & Pic by: Jayatri Majumdar

And then I left for Maheshwar.

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TRAVEL TRADE

DOMESTIC NEWS

Yatra Signs MoU With Madhya Pradesh To Promote Homestays In The Region

Yatra.com has signed an MoU with the Government of Madhya Pradesh to jointly promote homestays in the region. The MoU was signed by Mr Jaimon Mathew - GM operations MPSTDC and Mr Manish Bansal - GM Homestays, Yatra.com in the presence of AMD MP Tourism Ms Tanvi Sundariyal. The partnership will enable Yatra to promote

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all the state tourism approved homestays, wherein travelers can rent a room in the home of a local family (host) or the e n t i r e house. With an intend of establishing itself as the largest homestays curator of over 3000 homestays across 130 cities across India, come March the portal will sign two more MoU’s with the Governments of Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Speaking on the partnership, Mr. Sharat Dhall, COO (B2C), Yatra.com said, “We are pleased

to announce this partnership and aim to promote homestays in the state. We believe that this partnership will offer best-in-class stay experience for the tourists visiting the state. Strengthening our eco-system for homestays, we are aggressively working towards promoting homestays across the country which will also generate employment for the local population and help contribute to the economy of the nation.” Yatra.com is closely working with the state Governments to promote homestays. The company recently signed MoU with the Government of Uttrakhand, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat. As a part of this partnership, Yatra will list over 90 properties on its website and encourage the growth of homestays in Madhya Pradesh, giving tourists a very homely experience.

FAIRY QUEEN Ready To Haul Heritage Train Once Again

T h e ‘Fair y Q ueen’, t h e o ld est surviving functional steam engine in the world is once again operational to haul a heritage train from National Capital Delhi to Rewari, Haryana after a gap of 5 years. This train, which is a great attraction among steam engine lovers across the globe, runs between Delhi Cantt. Station and Rewari for a single day trip. The locomotive was constructed by Kitson, Thompson and Hewitson at Leeds, in England, in 1855, and reached Kolkata, then known as Calcutta, in the same year. On arrival, it was given fleet number "22" by its owner, the East Indian Railway Company, not receiving a name until 1895. Initially, the 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) gauge locomotive was used to haul light mail trains in West Bengal, operating between Howrah and Raniganj, and during the Indian Rebellion of 1857 hauled troop trains. It was later consigned to line construction duty in Bihar, where it served until 1909. It was restored and given a special spot in the newly built National Rail Museum at Chanakyapuri, in New Delhi which was opened to public 40 years back on 1st February, 1977. The locomotive was restored to full working order in 1997, in preparation for its first mainline journey in 88 years and its return to commercial service on 18 July. It was certified by the Guinness Book of Records in 1998 as the world's oldest steam locomotive in regular operation. The following year, the train received a National Tourism Award for the most innovative and unique tourism project from Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the then Prime Minister of India.

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Okhla Bird Sanctuary To Be Eco-Tourism Spot A good news for birdwatchers and Nature lovers. The Noida Authority, on the directions of its chairman Rama Raman, who is also UP principal secretary, has set up a proposal for revamping the Okhla Bird Sanctuary (OBS). Following a meeting with Raman in Lucknow last month, a team of senior officials of Noida Authority conducted a survey of OBS to implement the revamp and beautification plan with an aim to attract more tourists. The revamp

project will be jointly funded by Authority and UP government. According to Authority officials, the revamp will chiefly include beautification and development of a 3-km stretch in the OBS. The concept plan has been planed by the deputy conservator of forests Mr. G B Nagar. This involves a holistic management plan of the sanctuary apart from its beautification.

Domestic Tourism In India Booming With Significant Growth In Domestic Tourist Visits Ministry of Tourism compiles data on tourist arrivals While surpassing the growth rate of 6.8% in Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) observed in January 2016 over January 2015, a significantly higher double digit growth rate of 16.5% has been witnessed correspondingly in the month of January 2017 over January 2016. A similar higher growth rate is also observed in the Domestic Tourist Visits (DTVs) during 2016, recording a marvelous growth rate of 15.5% over 2015. Following are the salient features of the provisional figures for DTVs to States/ UTs during the year 2016: ·During 2016, the number of DTVs to the States/ UTs was 1653 million (provisional) as compared to 1432 million in 2015 (+ 15.5 %). · The contribution of the top ten States/ UTs

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during 2016 stands at about 84.2% to the total number of Domestic Tourist Visits as against 83.62% recorded in 2015. · The top ten States in terms of number of DTVs (in millions), during 2016, were Tamil Nadu (344.3), Uttar Pradesh (229.6), Madhya Pradesh (184.7), Andhra Pradesh (158.5), Karnataka (129.8), Maharashtra (115.4), West Bengal (74.5), Telangana (71.5), Gujarat (42.8) and Rajasthan (41.5). · Madhya Pradesh has gained several ranks to reach the third position leaving Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra at the succeeding fourth, fifth and sixth positions. · West Bengal surpassed Telangana to attain the seventh position rendering Telangana at the eighth, followed by Gujarat and Rajasthan.

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TRAVEL TRADE

DOMESTIC NEWS

Yatra Signs MoU With Madhya Pradesh To Promote Homestays In The Region

March - April, 2017

FAIRY QUEEN Ready To Haul Heritage Train Once Again

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DOMESTIC NEWS

DECCAN ODYSSEY'S 2017 Companion Scheme launched

Deccan Odyssey, the award-winning luxury train operated by Cox & Kings, announces an exclusive Companion Offer on select journeys starting January 2017. Travel enthusiasts can book a lavish twin-sharing cabin in Deccan Odyssey and avail flat 50% discount for

t h e i r companion. Imagine sitting o n t h e magnificent couch with a view that slowly unravels the best-kept secrets of the s e r e n e countryside of W e s t e r n , Southern and Central India. Onboard Deccan Odyssey, you can now live a grand life at an unimaginable price. The offer is applicable on bookings made from 1st January – 30th April 2017. The exclusive scheme is open to all including

Indian citizens, Foreign diplomats / Expats resident in India having work/resident permit. At the palatial train, you discover more than one facet of India on any of the enchanting journeys. Here your destination is the journey itself, the moving palace takes you through Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Goa and Delhi depending on your choice of itinerary. Guests onboard will be treated to memorable experiences. These experiences include delicious Wine

tasting in Nashik, reliving history through the architecture of the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, visiting the party state of Goa, escaping from the bustle of the city to witness the sentient massive boulders at Hampi and innumerable other surprises that come your way to astound you. As your expeditions of the day end, you are welcomed back to the majestic train to lean back and get pampered again. The Deccan Odyssey treats each of their guests to unprecedented luxury on wheels with the help of 21 superlative,

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PRICING DETAILS

luxury coaches. Out of these, twelve are guest cabins. The train is also home to four resplendent Presidential Suites with exquisite decor and all modern amenities. It has been refurbished in keeping with the aspirations of the new-age traveller. From the well-stocked bar to the rejuvenating health spa, the luxury train has state-of-the-art and high-tech amenities to make your journey alluring. Differently abled guests can enjoy their journey, with a specially equipped cabin for their comfort. The two gourmet restaurants on board help guests taste the local specialities of each of the very diverse states that the train makes its way through. The train also boasts of a well-equipped conference car, is fitted with everything needed for official meetings. JOURNEY NAME - DEPARTURE DATE Maharashtra Splendor - 21-Jan-17 Maharashtra Splendor - 11-Feb-17 Jewels Of The Deccan - 18-Feb-17 Maharashtra Splendor - 25-Feb-17 Hidden Treasures of Gujarat - 25-Mar-17 Indian Sojourn - 1-Apr-17 Jewels Of The Deccan - 22-Apr-17 Maharashtra Splendor - 29-Apr-17 Maharashtra Splendor - 6-May-17 The detailed itinerary of the select journeys: Maharashtra Splendor: Mumbai – Nashik – Aurangabad - Ajanta –– Kolhapur – Goa – Sindhudurg – Mumbai Hidden Treasures of Gujarat: Mumbai – Vadodara – Palitana – Sasan Gir – Little Rann of Kutch – Modhera - Patan – Nashik – Mumbai Indian Sojourn: Mumbai – Vadodara – Udaipur – Jodhpur – Agra – Sawai Madhpur – Jaipur – Delhi Jewels of the Deccan: Mumbai – Bijapur – Aihole - Pattadakal – Hampi –Hyderabad – Aurangabad – Ajanta – Mumbai For more information visit our website www.thedeccanodyssey.com and for bookings email us on trains@deccanodyssey.in

March - April, 2017

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DOMESTIC NEWS

DECCAN ODYSSEY'S 2017 Companion Scheme launched

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CLASSIFIED DISPLAY

V-DISPLAY LEH LADAKH KASHMIR DARJEELING - SIKKIM ASSAM - MEGHALAYA ARUNACHAL PRADESH KINNAUR - LAHAUL - SPITI

Pure HAZEL Kitchen Food, Jain - Non Jain meals, Luxurious hotels and vehicle, expert tour planning, memorable holidays

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Contact: Mr. Tar Tshering Kabeemo (MD)

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Office Address : Space No 4, Whitetara Complex, Olakha, Thimphu / Post box 934 Email : bstbhutan2014@gmail.com /tshering3@gmail.com Web: www.bhutandmc.com

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Light House Road, Kovalam, Vizhinjam Trivandrum Kerala State, South India - 695523 Tel: +91-471-3999 000 M: +91-98472 33736, 09349752220 / 19/ 18 E-mail: sagarabeachresort@usa.net, info@sagarakovalam.com

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Promoting Responsible Wildlife Tourism, Cultural Tourism, Photography Expeditions in India D. B. Vallabh Das Palace, 1288, Hanuman Tal, Jabalpur 482002 Madhya Pradesh India Email: info@stripesholidays.com M: (+91) 9977853263, 9575800584, 9425153263

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V-DISPLAY LEH LADAKH KASHMIR DARJEELING - SIKKIM ASSAM - MEGHALAYA ARUNACHAL PRADESH KINNAUR - LAHAUL - SPITI

Pure HAZEL Kitchen Food, Jain - Non Jain meals, Luxurious hotels and vehicle, expert tour planning, memorable holidays

pankaj@hazeltnt.in / esha@hazeltnt.in

Your Partner in Bhutan

Contact: Mr. Tar Tshering Kabeemo (MD)

Bhutan Sonamith Travel

Office Address : Space No 4, Whitetara Complex, Olakha, Thimphu / Post box 934 Email : bstbhutan2014@gmail.com /tshering3@gmail.com Web: www.bhutandmc.com

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GPS NAGPUR 2017 SNAPSHOT

HUA HIN Thailand is not only restricted within its famous beaches of Phuket and Pattya, rather it has a lot more to offer. Hua Hin is a such an upcoming destination of Thailand which is on its way to become popular among the tourists. Exceptional than the other serene beaches of T h a i l a n d w h i c h a re ta g g e d a s honeymooner's paradise, Hua Hin is an exuberant place thronging with an active urban life and lively activities. Like all other vivacious places of Thailand like Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya, Hua Hin is lined up with an array of luxurious properties of international brands where wealthy exapats and middle-class Thais from Bangkok come to relax on their weekends. With a complete blend of Thai cuisine and tradition, this place is full of activities which are kids friendly. In the process of upgrading itself to a kids friendly destination, this place has come up with certain attractions which are enough to make the kids fall in love with Hua Hin. The sunny long shorelines,

exciting water activities, amusement parks, the colourful night market, peaks, caves, waterfalls and other scenic destinations makes Hua Hin an ideal place to relax with your family. And travelling with kids will be of more ease as they will be busy in exploring the kids friendly attractions. Thus I, Vyom Kesari is sharing with you my travel story of Hua Hin with my parents which will give you a clear picture of Hua Hin as a kids friendly tourist place. Places to Explore while in HUA HIN Hua Hin Rail Station - Hua Hin Railway station which was a real pleasure to the

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eyes. The unique architecture of the brightly painted wooden buildings portraying the authentic Thai concept and design was a real wonder to me. The most striking feature of the station is its Ro y a l Wa i t i n g Ro o m w h i c h i s constructed in pure Thai architecture. Hua Hin Beach - As beaches are my

favourite, so, without wasting much time we headed towards Hua Hin beach with my beachset. Leisure activities like water sports and horse riding are available and the seaside restaurants offer tasty seafood platters. The Venezia - Visit Venice in Thailand! This colourful and vivacious place built on an outlay of Venice which is enough to transport you to the place, stole my heart and I was enthralled with joy. The Venezia is full of activities including Gondola ride, european style carriage riding, mini train, fontana di trevi park, 3d art gallery, english house upside down, mini europe, fantasy land etc. Venezia, is the newest theme shopping and attraction village in Hua Hin. Hua Hin Night MarketThe streets are lined with shops selling local foods and souvenirs. The attractive touristy trinkets, clothes and wares m a d e m e curious enough to turn each item with wonder. I was amazed to see the sea food stalls selling huge size lobsters, crabs and prawns. ATV Park Cha Am - This place will be really loved by the adventure freaks. ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) is a fun ride in ATV PARK. There are tracks for beginners and experts as well which gives chance to everyone to try their hands on ATVs. Not only the riding tracks, other activities like paint ball and archery are also available here. It was a new thing for me to do amidst the nature which excited me to have some more enjoyable

moments in Thailand.

Adjacent to the ATV Park there is one property in the midst of the countryside known as The Country Chaam Resort. Built on a typical country house outlay, this resort will give you a feel of staying in a home away from home. Surrounded by the Thai cultivating field all around, this place gives you the feel of staying close to the nature away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. Santorini Park - Santorini Park, brings a slice of the picture perfect Santorini island of Greece in Thailand. The classic white-washed buildings, colourfully painted windows, stonepaved paths and dome shaped towers

will transport you to the excellence of Greece. This was a fun place for me with ample of lucrative options starting from shopping, restaurants and amusement parks. I tried some of the intoxicating rides and adventurous activities. After completing the tour of the Santorini Park, I was feeling fortunate enough to visit this place. C a m e l Re p u b l i c Camel Republic is a new attraction of Thailand highlighting camels, some farm animals and an

adjoining amusement park. I was excited to see animals like camels, giraffe, sheep, rabbits and fishes. Feeding the animals was really exciting for me. The play zone is full of amusement rides like Skyfly, Flying Macaw, Eagle Zipline, Zero Gravity etc. Go Carting for kids are also available and I could do it in one go with much confidence and fun. Ample of shopping and food options are also available here. Phraya Nakhon Cave - As Thailand's one of the first marine national park, this place is surrounded with a series of limestone hills along the Gulf of Thailand. The main attractions of the national park are Phraya Nakhon Cave with its iconic royal pavilion and huge chambers, Kaeo

Cave and Thung Sam Roi Yot Freshwater Marsh. The magnificient Phraya Nakhon Cave is one of the most mystical and mysterious landmarks of Thailand. A boat tour is also conducted to those caves which was a really exhilarating experience for me. The rich wildlife in mangrove forests, beautiful beaches, limestone islands, trails and view points left a remarkable footprint in my mind. Monkey Temple Wat Khao Takiab - Wat Khao Takiab jutting out to the sea is a 272m headland. Climb up 100 steps to reach the Buddha temple and get an excellent reward of watching the entire coastline of Hua Hin from such a great height. I was amazed to watch the Buddhist architecture of the temple and the four-legged frolic mammals, the monkeys excited me more. As the name suggests that it is a habitat for the monkeys, so you will find a plenty of them here.

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GPS NAGPUR 2017 SNAPSHOT

March - April, 2017

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moments in Thailand.

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HOSPITALITY NEWS Oaks Debuts In India With Westin Hotels & Resorts Opening Of Oaks Bodhgaya Expands Presence In Rajasthan

Oaks Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of Oaks Bodhgaya, marking the brand's debut in India. Part of Minor Hotels portfolio of brands, the group has partnered with GP Group and Top Travel & Tours Pvt. Ltd. (TTPL) to open the new hotel, which represents an overall investment of USD 6.7m. Oaks Bodhgaya welcomes travelers to the captivating temple town of Bodhgaya, Bihar. Home to Mahabodhi Temple, where Buddha is said to have found enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree, this temple complex is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Hotel is 7 kms from Gaya International Airport, 2 kms from Magadh University,

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three and 1/2 kms from the sacred Mahabodhi Temple. The 78-key new-build Oaks Bodhgaya p ro v i d e s m o d e r n accommodation with spacious living areas and generous bathrooms. Guest room features include the comforts of air conditioning, a work desk, an iron and ironing board, internet access and flat screen LED cable TV, tea and coffee making facilities and a mini bar, an inroom safe, bathroom amenities and a hair dryer. Hotel services range from a 24-hour reception, concierge, kiosk and multilingual staff, to the convenience of an express check-in and check-out, same day laundry and daily newspapers. Facilities and public areas are designed to be accessible for guests who are physically challenged or handicapped, and a doctor is on call 24-hours a day. Outstanding hotel facilities include a gymnasium, a rooftop meditation space w i t h a l i b ra r y l o u n g e a n d a n international all-day dining restaurant. Business and event guests can take advantage of the banquet hall.

Westin Hotels & Resorts announces the highly-anticipated opening of The Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa in Rajasthan. The Resort & Spa is surrounded by the picturesque Aravalli Hills and spread across 11 acres. The property offers 98 contemporary guestrooms, of which 44 feature private pools. In addition to the signature amenities, including the Westin Heavenly Bed and the Westin Heavenly Bath. The resort will offer a choice of four unique dining venues: Seasonal Tastes, the signature all-day dining restaurant, SuperFoodsRx and Fresh by the Juicery menus; Panorama, the resortâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rooftop lounge, will offer snacks and beverages with a view; Splash will feature a refreshing menu of light bites and drinks, served by the poolside; while Mix will offer a range of cocktails and beverages at the bar.

The Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa boasts a 10,000 squarefoot Heavenly Spa with seven therapy rooms offering a range of local and international treatments. Additional amenities include a sprawling, outdoor pool located at the center of the resort, and a state-of-theart Westin WORKOUT fitness studio. For family entertainment, The Westin Family Kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Club features a 20-seat mini theater. The Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa will also offer over 19,000 square feet of versatile function space, including a ballroom and meeting rooms, as well as a beautiful garden for corporate events and weddings.

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Conceptualized and founded by Ritesh Reddy Mastipuram and Swapna Reddy in 2008, O2 Spa today is deemed as one of Asia's largest day spa chain and is one of India's first largest organized day spa chain with 81 centers in 18 cities. O2 Spa is envisioned to offer its customer, be it the youth, men or women complete access to holistic wellness, beauty and spa. A bold d e p a r t u re f ro m t h e i n d u st r y ' s operations format, all outlets of O2 Spa are company owned, company operated (COCO outlets) and is the only spa chain that successfully runs its business by a d o p t i n g d i f fe r e n t fo r m a t s o f operations, i.e., being present in high end hotels, at Airports, Malls , Standalone stores and Luxury trains. The company has the largest outreach of over 81 outlets across 18 cities and is the number one preferred wellness partner for airports and luxury star hotels, servicing over 9 airports and 40 star hotels in India. The interior of O2 spa has been crafted and designed in such a way which creates an utter tranquil ambience to

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rejuvenate the soul. The interior of the spa rooms are decorated with soothing spa accessories which is enough to transport you to a world of heavenly pleasure. The well-trained and hospitable staffs of O2 add a cherry to the cake with their welcoming nature and exotic massages. O2 Spa is represented in India in over 18 cities and in 4 locations in UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Fujairah) with over 4 Lakh customers per year. O2 Spa services are based on a perfect fusion between age-old therapies and modern spa treatment delivered only by professionally trained technicians. The menu at all outlets comprises of over 50+ services making It by far one of the most comprehensive menus available under one roof. This spa chain is designed with an exclusive array of services and products specially crafted to replenish the body and soul. The body treatments, hair services, messages, make up and skincare services come with multiple variations to suit every precisionist's demand. The services or products

deliver the finest experience which will help in rekindling the body with its lost energy. Some of the exclusive products of O2 are its Signature Facial and Aromatherapy Massage O2 Signature Facial This exclusive facial is specially crafted to offer finest skincare needs which will enhance the texture and tone of the skin for a more glowing complexion. The facial includes the message of the face, neck, shoulders and hands to make these treatments more accomplished and relaxing. The most innovative and effective technologies and products used in this Ultimate Signature Facial makes this treatment a revolutionary and refreshing one for the skin. A complete rejuvenation with the soothing hands makes these services excellent for any skin type and more beneficial for those prone to oiliness and breakout. Milder than the acne facial, this treatment frees blocked pores, rebalances sebum production, and reduces breakouts which will put a shine on the skin. Aromatherapy Massage Aromatherapy massage consists of a relaxing therapy with deep soothing strokes done with beautiful essential oils. These oils are extracted from plants and have been used for thousands of years to benefit physical, mental and emotional health. Massaging the back, front, back of the legs, feet, arms and chest with these oils will indulge you

with relaxation and will help to fight back stress. O2 Spa is today creating newer markets and finding appropriate space to footjam thus enabling them to spread out to wider locations and go where the customer is. This in turn is paving the way for other brands to set foot in az readyto-use market while also setting precedence for the industry to venture and built in-roads into markets rather than just tread on what is already built/available. O2 Skills Identifying the ever present gap in demand-supply of the industry, O2 Skills was initiated under the O2 Spa in the year 2009. The intent was to identify and train talent in wellness space from across the country. This proved fruitful for the Spa industry as a whole as it meant availability of fully trained and certified technicians thereby filling the gap as witnessed in the industry. Each year, O2 Skills trains nearly 500 individuals and have maintained a 100% record of job placements. By virtue of having trained over 2000+ students, O2 Skills today carries the distinction of being the largest skill development academy in Asia. So, once you are in O2, you will be tempted to visit this place frequently because of its soothing exotic massages, multiple rejuvenating treatments, relaxing ambience etc. This place is an epitome of refreshment where you will be able to find your rekindle your energy with a refreshing mind and body.

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HOSPITALITY NEWS Oaks Debuts In India With Westin Hotels & Resorts Opening Of Oaks Bodhgaya Expands Presence In Rajasthan

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DESTINATIONS For Last-Minute Plans Countries Offering Visa On Arrival to Indian International travel is a hidden urge of every traveler. Exploring our own country is within our easy reach, but exploring places or countries outside our border requires much planning and preparation. The most arduous task before an international travel is to secure a VISA. Acquiring a visa for some countries can be really grueling but on the brighter side there are many countries that provide visa to Indians on arrival also and the interesting part is that these countries are the most amazing parts of the earth as well. Some of the top destinations are listed underneath which you can opt for your last-minute plan.

SRI LANKA Our neighbor Sri Lanka, is a colourful destination flourishing with enriched

culture, tradition, amazing places, food, and history. Whether you are searching for beaches, islands, wildlife or a historical place, Sri Lanka is a juncture of all to satisfy your every hunger. Relax on the sandy shorelines by the turquoise blue water or discover the Sri Lankan ethnicity and culture while exploring the historical building and monuments, the country is a treasure box of varied attractions. Some of the popular destinations in Sri Lanka which you can enjoy while your visit there areColombo Colombo, the heart and the capital of Sri Lanka is a vibrant city with an amalgamation of urban modern life, colonial buildings and ruins. This harbor city is positioned along the East-West sea trade routes and was popular among the ancient traders. Named after Christopher Colombus, the Portuguese

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had a great influence on this city. Some of the popular attractions in Colombo which you can explore during your stay there are National Museum, World Trade Center, Vihara Maha Devi Park, and the Galle Face Green. Head to the malls where you can subdue your shopaholic hunger with ample lucrative options. Some of the places which are nearby Colombo are Pinnawala which is famous for its elephant orphanage where you can see the elephants at close quarters and Dambulla which is recognized as a World Heritage Site for its preserved cave temples. Sigiriya As another preserved city of Sri Lanka, Sigiriya is also recognized as a World Heritage Site with its giant rock fortress and other ancient structures. This Sigiriya rock is a hardened magma form of an extinct volcano. This huge lion figured rock leads to the garden, ancient frescoes which speak a lot about the ancient creativity and the mirror wall. Altogether this place will transport you to the ancient ages depicting the stories from the chapters of history. Anuradhapura Anuradhapura is another ancient city of Sri Lanka. Recognized as the World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This city will reveal to you the ancient stories of Sri Lankan civilization through its ruins and buildings. Major tourist attractions in Anuradhapura are Sri Maha Bodhi, R u w a n w e l i s aya , T h u p a ra m aya , Lovamahapaya, Jetavanaramaya, Abhayagiri Dagaba, Mirisaveti Stupa and Lankarama. Each stupa will reveal to you a different history of the ancient age. Some of the other well-known attractions of Sri Lanka which are mostly v i s i te d by to u r i st s a re Ka n d y, Trincomalee, Nilaveli, Kataragama, Nuwara Eliya, Polonnaruwa, Yapahuwa, Wasgamua national park,

Kaudulla national park, Yala national park, Jaffna, Nagadeepa, Negombo beach, Induruwa beach, Haputale beach etc. If you want to explore the place more, then visit www.srilanka.travel

THAILAND As one of the favourite destination among tourists, Thailand is visited by flocks of tourists every year. A country with white stretches of sandy shorelines, famous beaches beautified by turquoise blue water, innumerable water sports options, cities with vibrant nightlife, unending shopping options and some of the delicious Asian cuisines to try from. Thailand is close to the heart of honeymooners and as well as

families. Whether you are on a boat tour to explore the islands or enjoying the nightlife of Bangkok, you will love the city more as you discover it further. Some of the renowned places of Thailand areBangkok Life is always vibrant and lively in Bangkok as the city never sleeps. The nightlife of Bangkok is quite famous among the tourists as it is always buzzing with enthusiasm. A paradise for vivacious hearts, Bangkok is sure to turn on every gloomy mood. With endless shopping options in the street markets or in the unending chains of the ornate shopping malls, it's the best pick for the shopaholics. Exploring Bangkok on your own is never a pain because of its ultramodern communication system getting connected to every popular location. Some of the lucrative options to visit in Bangkok are Siam Ocean World, the museum of Siam, the Siam Paragon Mall, Chatuchak weekend market, boat trips on the rivers and canals, floating

market of Amphawa, fun with the dolphins at the Safari World, etc. Phuket As one of the popular beaches of Thailand, Phuket attracts the bulk of tourist every year. Mainly famous for its water sports/activities, Phuket is an ideal place for the water lovers. Thronged with lines of shops, shacks and food stalls along the sandy shoreline, Phuket is an ideal spot to relax your mind and body. Pattaya If you want to spend your vacation relaxing in a quiet place, then Pattaya is the place is what you are searching for. Lie in the hammocks swaying in the breeze or relax on the white beaches,

Pattaya is the place which is ready to offer you with ample of rejuvenating options. Hundreds of beer bars, go-go clubs, and massage parlors are sure to make the vacations a perfect one. It is also home to many activities, water sports, international resorts, and restaurants. To explore Thailand more visit www.tourismthailand.org

INDONESIA Indonesia offers wide and varied attractions for your family holiday or couple journey. Be it just for weekend getaways or Couple's Love celebration on Honeymoon, it has something for everyone to explore and enjoy. Decked up with ample of awe-struck destinations, Indonesia is ideal for families, honeymooners or just for the nature lovers. Jakarta Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia is a huge sprawling metropolis which is home to almost 9 million people. Located on the

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northern coast of Java, the province of Jakarta has rapidly expanded through the years, absorbing many villages in the process. It is a conglomeration of villages known as Kampung, now crossed by main roads and super highways. Jakarta is not only the seat of the national government and the provincial government, this city is also Indonesia's political center. It is no wonder, therefore that you will find Jakarta an ever dynamic city, a city that never sleeps. It's the best place to enjoy the nightlife or trigger your taste buds with different toothy local and international cuisines there. While your stay in Jakarta you can enjoy some attractions like Grand Indonesia Mall, Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta Cathedral, National Museum, Museum Bank Indonesia, Beautiful Indonesia in Miniature Park, Thousand Islands etc. Bandung It is a great place to visit any time of the year as it's not only renowned for its picturesque open vista, but the town also offers many attractions well worth a visit. Well known for its friendly climate, Bandung soon grew into a town for wealthy planters who owned the miles and miles of tea, coffee and cinchona plantations, fruit orchards and vegetable gardens in the cool and fertile hills of West Java. Now Bandung became the center for textile mills producing much of Indonesia's textiles for fashion wear, linen, and upholstery. So, Bandung, a shopping paradise for the tourists is worth among all of the activities in Indonesia. You may be overwhelmed with the large number of factory outlets scattered along the street of Dago, Riau, Cihampelas, and Setiabudi. Here you can shop to your heart's content and grab famous brands, trendy fashion and a lot more. The jeans lovers can shop there to their heart's content as it is the ideal place to hunt for the best quality jeans at an affordable rate. Bali Popularly known as honeymooner's paradise, it appeals through its sheer natural beauty of looming volcanoes and lush terraced rice fields that exude peace and serenity. Bali enchants with its dramatic dances and colourful ceremonies, its arts and crafts, to its luxurious beach resorts and exciting nightlife. And everywhere you will find intricately carved temples. From Denpasar to Ubud, you'll find many things you'd like to bring back home. You can find them easily at popular spots like Kuta or Sanur. There are a variety of watersports available, such as banana boats, parasailing or jet skiing, scuba diving, swimming or plain sunbathing. Dig into the pure beauty of nature while you enjoy the orange Tanged Sunset over the Indian Ocean at Tanah Lot, or Mountain and Lake Scenery at

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Kintamani and Bedugul. Bali is the perfect place as it has one of the most beautiful landscapes in Asia which blends spectacularly with mountain scenery and beautiful beaches with warmth and friendliness of the people, a

vibrant culture and exotic resorts. Some of the other attractions of Indonesia are Lake Toba in Medan, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Malang, Lombok etc. To know more about Indonesia visit www.indonesia.travel

colourful fruit markets where you will get unique colourful fruits or visit the flea market to shop for some souvenirs. Robert Louis Stevenson Museum & Mt Vaea National Reserve. This place is the mansion of the famous author Stevenson featuring all his belongings and mementos. Stroll through the garden and the rainforest trails or walk up to the author's tomb on Mt. Vaea overlooking the splendid views of Apia. Palolo Deep National Marine Reserve Flanked by walls of co ra l re efs a n d myriad of tropical fish, this place is an excellent spot for snorkeling, diving, and swimming. To e n j o y a n d experience an exotic undiscoverable marine life, one should visit this place. Some of the other attractions of Samoa which are equally spellbinding and mesmerizing are Papaseea Sliding Rocks, Piula Cave Pool, Le Pupu-Pue National Park, Lalomanu to Lotofaga, Swimming with the Turtles, Saleaaula Lava Fields, Alofaaga Blowholes and

love or discover your inner peace, St. Lucia is ready to charm you with every charismatic wonder. Home to volcanic beaches, coral reefs, fishing villages and untouched rainforests, this island gives numerous reasons that can make it your ideal Caribbean vacation destination. Lined up with palm fringed beaches and beautified with Piton Mountains at the backdrop, this place deserves to be an ideal pick for every traveler. Some of the popular attractions of St. Lucia are – The Pitons Formed out of volcanic activities, Pitons are the twin towering peaks soaring out of the sea to great heights. The vast stretches of blue water lined by lush greenery under the gigantic Pitons are really a charm to gorge at. Some divers enjoy the underwater cliff while some simply love to watch the view from the high soaring Pitons. Marigot Bay One of the most beautiful bays of St. Lucia, the view of Marigot can be enjoyed from the main Caribbean coastal road. Water shuttles are available here which transfers ferry travelers from the bay to hotels lined up on the opposite side. Anse Chastanet Marine National Park This coral reef harbor is a treasure for the sea lovers. On a plateau of two to eight meters varying across depths, divers can see coloured sponges, soft corals, boulder coral and brain corals. A myriad of marine life starting from lobster, crabs, and eels, this place will transport you to the marine kingdom. Some of the other attractions of St.Lucia

Falealupo. For more information on Samoa visit www.samoa.travel

are Soufrière, Morne Coubaril Estate, Sulphur Springs Park, Diamond Botanical Gardens, Waterfall & Mineral Baths, Soufrière Estate, Pigeon Island National Park, Rodney Bay, Tet Paul Nature Trail, Edmund Rain Forest Reserve - Enbas Saut Waterfall Trail, Morne Fortune, Castries Market, Derek Walcott Square etc. For more information visit www.stlucia.org

SAMOA Birthed by a volcanic explosion, Samoa is a country comprising the westernmost group of the Samoan island in the heart of Polynesia which portrays sheer beauty with serene white sandy beaches, lustrous sea, lush green jungles and sparkling waterfalls. Best described as the treasure island of Polynesia, Samoa is a paradisiacal paradox. As an epitome of beauty, this place is a hidden charm on earth, away from the vibrant attractions and clumsy city life but still welcomes all with warmth. Despite its isolation, it offers plenty of adventurous activities, but you can roam around the island safely and can enjoy the sweet charm of it. Some of the attractions of Samoa areApia It's the prospective metropolis of Samoa with markets all around and to enjoy the perfect flavour of an island life, you will have to come to this place. Visit the

ST. LUCIA St. Lucia is an island country in the Eastern Caribbean sea on the boundary with the Atlantic Ocean, is a place for the love birds, adventurers and for those busy bodies who want to slump from their busy schedule. Re-kindle your lost

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SRI LANKA Our neighbor Sri Lanka, is a colourful destination flourishing with enriched

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Kaudulla national park, Yala national park, Jaffna, Nagadeepa, Negombo beach, Induruwa beach, Haputale beach etc. If you want to explore the place more, then visit www.srilanka.travel

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Falealupo. For more information on Samoa visit www.samoa.travel

March - April, 2017 21

AVIATION PLUS Ibrahim Hakki Appointed As New GM Of Turkish Airlines Ibrahim Hakki Guntay took over as the General Manager of Turkish Airlines for Western and Southern India. In his role, Mr Hakki is taking charge of Turkish Airlines' strategic success in this region and is responsible for driving growth and expansion of the company's market share in India. Prior to moving to Mumbai, İbrahim Hakki Guntay built his career at

Turkish Airlines in Istanbul starting in 2013 as a m a r ket i n g a n d s a l e s specialist. He was engaged in various responsibilities and projects within the Airline, including General Manager in Niger (20152016). Ibrahim Hakki Guntay, a Turkish national, was born in Kayseri and graduated in Economics from Bogazici University.

Nepal Airlines' Meet For Travel Agents In Mumbai

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LUFTHANSA

All the leading travel agencies like Akbar Travels, Riya Travel, Thomas Cook, SOTC, Kesari, Creative Travels, Atlas Online, TBO and Nepal tour operators like Nishi Travels, Vision Holidays and Indo Nepal Holidays had attended and extended their wholehearted support to promote Nepal Airlines in times to come. Ms Bindu Thomas Manager – Sales and Mr Mukesh Sharma – Vice President Bird Travels had specially thanked all the guests on behalf of Nepal Airlines and Bird Travels.

Mumbai - Harare In April

Deploy Airbus A350-900 To Mumbai & Delhi Lufthansa initiated commercial services of the A350-900 on its Munich (MUC) to Delhi (DEL) route, from February 11. "This aircraft reflects the values of the new global Indian, and reaffirms our commitment to this important market by introducing the very best and latest in air travel,” says Wolfgang Will, Senior Director South Asia, Lufthansa Passenger Airlines. Further to extend the connectivity Lufthansa Group will deploy Airbus A350-900 to Mumbai From April 16, 2017 onwards. The Lufthansa A350-900 is the world's most modern and environmentally f r i e n d l y l o n g - h a u l a i r c ra f t . I n

comparison with similar types of aircraft it consumes 25% less fuel and produces 25% fewer emissions. The noise footprint is up to 50% smaller than comparable aircraft models. The aircraft offers Lufthansa's most modern onboard product, assuring passengers the highest level of comfort in all travel classes, with a wider cabin, self-service area in Business Class, new seats in Economy Class, bigger windows, large TV screens, innovative mood lighting, personalized playlist and much more. The Lufthansa A350-900 is configured to seat 293 passengers: 48 in Business Class, 21 in Premium Economy and 224 in Economy Class.

Air India Flew An All-Women Crew Flight Around The World After successfully operating since September 2015, Nepal Airlines Corporation had organized a get together for agents in Mumbai. Deputy Director – Marketing and Sales Ms Archana Khadka had flown down from Nepal especially for the event to express her gratitude for their sincere efforts in promoting their product. She has assured her full cooperation and support for all the future endeavours. The meeting involved several exchange of suggestion and resolution of queries which will be mutually beneficial in the longer run.

RwandAir To Start Flying

Air India scripted history by flying an allwomen crew flight around the world. The flight AI 173 had earlier taken off from Delhi on 27th February to San Francisco covering a distance of around 15300 km in 15 and a half hours over the Pacific route and on the return journey from San Francisco over the Atlantic. The flight was in the safe hands of Capt. Sunita Narula, Capt. Kshamta Bajpai,

Capt. Indira Singh and Capt. Gunjan Aggarwal. The all-women cabin crew and the entire flight was operated by the women staff of eight departments. These departments included Cockpit crew, Cabin crew, Check-In staff, Doctor, Customer Care Staff, ATC and the entire ground handling from operator to technician, Engineer and flight dispatcher and trimmer.

RwandAir, the national carrier of the Republic of Rwanda is pleased to announce that flights to Harare in Zimbabwe and Mumbai in India will commence on 1st and 3rd April 2017 respectively. The flights to Harare which will be tagged to the existing Lusaka (Zambia) route will be operated daily while the Mumbai flights will be operated nonstop four times per week respectively by

our young Bombardier and Boeing Next Generation fleet offering a state of the art dual class cabin. “We are delighted to enable new and seamless co n n e c t i o n s b et we e n more African cities and beyond the continent which goes along with creating more businesses and boost the various countries’ social and economic development”, said Mr. John Mirenge, RwandAir Chief Executive Officer. The two new destinations will take RwandAir’s growing network to twenty one destinations. The airline will this year launch more destinations including its first long haul flights to London Gatwick in the United Kingdom and New York in the United States of America.

Zoom Air Launches Into India Airspace Zoom Air, India's newest private airline has commenced its Delhi-Kolkata-DurgapurDelhi daily service after receiving the schedule operating permit from India's Director General of Civil Aviation. It will be utilizing the 50-seater Bombardier CRJ-200LR aircraft on this sector, which is on a dry lease and will be adding four more similar aircraft in the coming months. The new airline will focus on serving the underserved airports in the country, according to Mr. Koustav Dhar, CEO and director of Zoom Air. “We will fill the gap of connecting sectors which are less catered by other scheduled airlines. (For example), Durgapur is an industrial hub (in West Bengal) with a huge potential for air connectivity,” he said. Zoom Air has also plans to begin daily flights on the Delhi-Surat-Bhavnagar-

Delhi sector in early April. It is also looking to connect Delhi and Kolkata to d e st i n a t i o n s s u c h a s T i r u p a t i , Vijayawada, Mumbai, Shillong, Aizawl, Pasighat and Ziro. The airplane also hopes to begin international operations in about a year's time to neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar. Dhar elaborated, “There is huge traffic from India's north-east into Myanmar. As for Bangladesh, Indian carriers currently only fly to Dhaka. We are looking at unserved destinations like Chittagong there.”

Jet Airways Announced Delta Air Lines confirms As Second Daily Flight Between Diamond Sponsor At CTW China New Delhi And Abu Dhabi Jet Airways announced the introduction of a second daily flight between New Delhi and Abu Dhabi. The new service – designated as flight 9W 212, is conveniently timed to depart for Abu Dhabi from New Delhi, in the evening at 1745 hrs IST. It arrives in Abu Dhabi at a comfortable time of 2010 hrs (local time). The return flight, 9W 211, departs Abu Dhabi at 0845 hrs local time, arriving in New Delhi the same afternoon at 1335 hrs IST. Mr. Jayaraj Shanmugam, Chief Commercial Officer, Jet Airways, said, “The new service will offer our guests additional flexibility and choice to plan their travel, whether to the Gulf or further

onwards. It is yet another step from Jet Airways to make their travel experience enjoyable, convenient and comfortable. Our signature Indian hospitality together with our commitment to create an exceptional flying experience for our guests will undoubtedly cement our place as the preferred airline on this extremely vital route.” This also double cargo-capacity on the sector. The enhanced capacity will offer exporters greater flexibility in shipping various consignments, including perishables such as vegetables, flowers, food products, as well as more durable goods such as garments, fabrics, leather goods, machinery and pharmaceuticals.

The U.S. airline Delta Airlines ties up with Corporate Travel World (CTW) China 2017 as the Diamond sponsor. The show’s ability as a trade platform to connect suppliers to the quality Corporate Travel buyers they want. Recognising the importance and value in knowledge-building and localising global best practices, Delta Air Lines will also contribute their expertise as panellists at the CTW China conference sessions. Wong Hong, President – Greater China, Delta Air Lines, said “CTW China has been an outstanding B2B platform to promote the Delta brand, hence our decision to step up our sponsorship this year.Delta is focused on delivering exceptional customer

experiences as the most Chinesefriendly U.S. airline and we are excited to be able to share our initiatives and know-how with the corporate travel i n d u st r y t h ro u g h o u r s p e a k i n g opportunities.” Delta continues to deepen partnerships with both their Chinese airline partners, China Eastern and China Southern, to improve customer experience in the air and on the ground. The company already has a minority stake in China Eastern, a SkyTeam partner and presently one of the big-three airlines in China, and provides international connectivity for its domestic passengers transiting through Shanghai by tapping on these service routes.

Valid Till 31 May, 2017

March - April, 2017

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March - April, 2017 23

Nepal Airlines' Meet For Travel Agents In Mumbai

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LUFTHANSA

Mumbai - Harare In April

RwandAir To Start Flying

Valid Till 31 May, 2017

March - April, 2017

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS SRI LANKA Tourism Conducts Roadshow in Mumbai

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau conducted a road show for the travel trade and wedding planners in Mumbai, with an aim to increase footfalls to the emerald island. The road show saw an attendance of 27 participants from Sri Lanka comprising of leading travel companies and hoteliers besides the national carrier, SriLankan Airlines. Speaking about India as a market, Ms. Madubhani Perera, Director of Marketing, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau who attended and addressed the gathering said, “India is a very important market for us. The road show was conducted to increase destination awareness and highlight the new attractions in Sri Lanka.

We hope this event will add a positive impact and further increase Indian footfall in Sri Lanka. Further we have planned several promotional activities for Indian markets” Apart from the road show in Mumbai, the SLTPB has plans of conducting road shows in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Pune later in the year. The promotion plans for 2017 also include joint promotions with international partners and a digital marketing campaign targeting potential Indian travellers. Sri Lanka received a 12.8% increase in Indian tourist arrivals in 2016 and are expecting an even better double digit increase in 2017.

AUSTRIA Summer 2017

The Austrian National Tourist Office held its annual roadshow from the 7th9th of February 2017. Delegates from local tourist boards, incoming agencies, attractions, hotels and travel partners were part of the roadshow to showcase Austria as a destination for summer 2017. The roadshow was held in 3 cities; Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi and was a

huge success, with close to 400 agents attending collectively. Press events were held in Mumbai and Delhi Travel from India to Austria saw a 25% increase from 2015 to 2016 in arrivals and 34% in overnights. Austria total 2016: 2,27,100 overnights (plus 24% from 2015) from India and 1,47,300 arrivals (plus 25% from 2015) from India.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS Increasing Numbers Of

Indian To INDONESIA S ignificant increase, of Indian tourists to Indonesia over the year, h a s encouraged t h e Indonesian Government to further step up their promotion of Indonesia in India. F or the last two years, there was a significant rise in the number of Indian tourists visiting Indonesia. Data shows that while in 2014 there were 237,990 Indian visitors to Indonesia, the number sprung up to 336,575 by the end of November 2016. In short, the India market is booming and therefore a steadily incremental promotional effort is a logical step to keep up the growing trend. Thus, it is relevant that the Ministry has set a high target, of 546,000 visits by the end of 2017, for the Indian market, i.e.an increase of 56% over last year’s target of 350,000. C onnectivity was once a major challenge for Indonesia Tourism, as there were no direct flights connecting India to Indonesia. However, this challenge has been answered, by the reopening of the route from Mumbai to Jakarta, starting December 12, 2016. Using Boeing 737-800 with a capacity of 156 seats, Garuda Indonesia now flies 3

Rising Trend Of Indian Travelers In SOUTH AFRICA

Indian Tourist Arrivals To SOUTH KOREA Increase By 27.3%

South Korea welcomed 195,579 visitors from India in the year 2016, with an increase of 27.3% compared to 2015. The constant efforts made by the Korea Tourism Organization, New Delhi office on educating the travel trade partners to promote the destination and proactive business approach from the DMCs (destination management companies) have been the key factors in the result.

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Connecting with the end traveler through tactical media platforms and increase in the airline connectivity from Delhi with Asiana Airline having seven times a week frequency and Korean Air with five times a week will play as game changer this year. According to Mr. Byungsun Lee, Director Korea Tourism Organization, “South Korea will be more accessible to the Indian traveler now. With the positive growth trend, our focus this year will be to promote affordable packages from Delhi and Mumbai with our partners. We shall also seek association with neighboring tourism boards to jointly promote both destinations and create a win-win situation.”

times (on Monday, Wednesday and Friday) every week. Return flight to Indonesia includes a short stopover, at Bangkok, for refuelling. T he main aim is to promote the reopening of the direct flight route. Indonesia is closely connected with India by the Hinduism heritage. There are temples spread across Sumatra and Java Islands. Indians who are vacationing in Bali will witness the Hindu heritage even more obvious. In addition to the Hinduism heritage, the Indian visitors can also enjoy the alluring beaches and underwater beauty of Indonesia, encounter Komodo, the native animal, of East Nusa Tenggara, experience the breathtaking Lake Segara Anak on the crater of Mount Rinjani in West Nusa Tenggara, the historical Old City of Jakarta, the majestic masterpiece of ancient Indonesian civilization viz. The Borobudur and Prambanan Temples, and many other stunning natural wonders of Indonesia.

The South African Tourism hosted a four-city initiative offering travel agents in Chennai, Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai a chance to interact with a variety of suppliers. Hotel chains, a i r l i n e s , p ro d u c t s , att ra c t i o n s , destination management companies and local tourism offices keen on networking and deal-making with Indian agents, have brought to the table a host of exciting updates. South African Tourism noted an increased length-ofstay, average spend and an overall increase in arrivals from India in 2016. Even amidst demonetisation woes and a generally gloomy travel outlook towards the third quarter of last year, the Indian market has shown good numbers for

South Africa during 2016. The destination closed 2016 on a successful note, noting a 27% growth in arrivals that clocked at 81,429 by the end of the third quarter. Overall spends from India crossed an astounding ZAR 1,100,000,000 by the end of the third quarter and average spend per leisure traveller was placed at INR 590,000 (approx. ZAR 150,000) indicating that destination South Africa attracts a variety of pocket-sizes. Market intelligence delivered by trade partners tells the tourism board that the destination sells to travellers with an INR 1.5 lakh budget as effectively as it appeals to travellers with 10.5 lakh budget. South Africa's recently launched a campaign – wow in every moment – that has kicked off earlier this year. “Indian travellers are becoming very aware of their personal tastes and often even within a family or group of friends who travel together, there are multiple preferences. This campaign showcases our ability to surpass the expectations of every segment and every type of traveller. It also entices repeat visitors by reminding them that there is so much more to see, feel, taste and experience in South Africa”, said Hanneli Slabber, country manager, South African Tourism – India.

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PHILIPPINES To Re-Introduce Its Tiger Reserve, Suvic With More Adventure Crescent-shaped beaches dusted with talcum powder-like sand; u n i n h a b i te d t ro p i ca l islands, lush impenetrable jungles bristling with u n i q u e w i l d l i fe , t h e thrusting soaring capital of Manila, historic cities, a diverse local cuisine and culture … the Philippines has all this and more. Discover some of the 7,107 islands of this vibrant archipelago where English is widely spoken, the people are fun loving and life moves to a lilting beat. In OTM Mumbai 2017, Safari Plus was also in talks with Mr. Glen Agustin, Chief Tourism Operations Officer of Philippines Department of Tourism to discuss on their plans and strategies to promote Philippines in India market.

Q1. Are you planning to promote Philippines as a kid or family destination? We have started promoting Philippines as a family destination. There are BMCs in India that organizes packages for families. There are certain destinations like Subic which we want to reintroduce. Its a tiger reserve much like that of Bengal with big tigers where jeep safaris are provided. Other activities for familes are canopy walks, gondola rides, Marine Park with ocean adventure etc. These are some of the destinations for families. Q2. What are your plans to promote Philippines as a cruise market? S eve ra l d e st i n at i o n s i n Philippines can be promoted as a cruise

destination as they have their own ports. So, we are already working towards it so that Philippines also turn out to be a good cruise destination with places like Palawan, Boracay and Batangas. Cruise ships based in Hong Kong and other Asian countries like Singapore have included several destinations of Philippines in some of their itinerary. Q3. What is the growth rate of Indian tourists visiting Philippines and what steps are you taking forward to increase the number? In 2015-16, Indian arrivals grew by 21.27 % than the previous year. This is a benchmark or an accomplishment for us. So, tourism board will put more effort to increase this number in the future years. For MICE travelers we are planning to do visa-on-arrival which may take a few more months. We are also planning to

upgrade the air connectivity between India and Philippines. We would like to encourage the Indian carriers to carry passengers to Philippines which will be beneficial for both the countries. Q4. What are your strategies to promote Philippines tourism in India? We are continuing with our strategies, but we will concentrate on MICE, family, honeymooners and even on wedding travelers. Education is another segment which we are trying to test out as there are lots of Indian students in the Philippines perusing Medical degrees.

TAIWAN To Highlight Its Lantern Festival For 2017 With beautiful landscapes, diversified culture, appetizing cuisine, hospitable climate and people, Taiwan is an amazing destination. There are multiple attractions for visitors to discover in Taiwan. Visitors are able to arrange tours to discover magnificent landscape and beautiful coastlines, experience Ta i wa n ' s h i sto r i c h e r i ta ge a n d traditional culture of Taiwan, or taste the unique Chinese cuisine and Taiwanese snacks. Taiwan's MICE industry has also shown dramatic growth in both service qualities and hardware build-up including convention centres and Exhibition facilities. Safari Plus was in talks with Mr. Cherng Tyan Su, Vice Chairman of Taiwan Visitors Association

to know about every updates on Taiwan tourism. Q1. As you are promoting Taiwan in India market from the past few years, so what is the growth rate of Indian tourists to your country? From the past few years we have seen a commendable amount of increase in the growth rate of Indian tourists to our country. From the growth rate it seems to us that Indians are interested to visit Taiwan. In 2016, 37,000 Indian tourists have visited Taiwan which gradually increased to 45,000. So, we are expecting this number will increase much more in 2017. Q2. Last year Taiwan was promoting

Lantern festival, so will you be highlighting the same this year also or any other festivals of Taiwan? Lantern festival of Taiwan is a unique festival which attracts lots of tourists there. So, we are focusing on that only and thus will be highlighting the same this year as well. Q3. How is Taiwan growing as a MICE destination? Taiwan is a good MICE destination and we are working more towards it to make it effective. For incentive travelers it's a good place for teamwork, gala dinner and good

Other Than Honeymooners MALDIVES Will Be Now For Families As Well Maldives with its mesmerizing belts of islands draws a large bulk of tourists every year. The tranquil crystal clear water, the mysterious underwater kingdom, white sandy stretch of exotic beaches, lavish seaside resorts and an interesting array of water activities makes Maldives a heavenly place to relax the inner soul. Safari Plus was in talks with the top notch tourism official of Maldives to know their future plans and proceedings in promoting Maldives tourism. Ms. Reesha Rasheed, Marketing Executive o f Mald ives Marketin g & PR Corporation, highlights on how Maldives can be promoted as a family destination apart from a honeymooner's nest. Q1. Maldives is much popular as a honeymoon destination. So, other than honeymooners which segments of

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tourists are you focusing on to promote Maldives? As there are ample of water activities options in Maldives, so we are focusing to promote its water sports activities which can be enjoyed by the families. Thus, we are focusing to promote it as a family destination other than the honeymooners. Q2. From past few years, how has the growth rate of Indian tourists visiting Maldives changed? Maldives is counted among the top five destinations. The growth rate of Indian tourists visiting Maldives is also increasing year by year and thus India is the main market for Maldives. Q3. Can you share with me the tourist

inflow number from India to Maldives? In 2015, 52,368 tourists and in 2016, 66,955 tourists from India visited Maldives. So there was an increase of 27.9%. So, with the 2016 growth rate we are expecting more tourists from India in 2017 as well.

location for some fun activities like biking, cycling etc. Q4. What is your marketing budget and strategies for promoting Taiwan tourism in India? Approx. we have planned to allocate 1 million US$ for our marketing budget to promote Taiwan tourism in India. We have also planned to ease the visa issues. We are working towards facilitating the visa process for the Indians.

ISRAEL TOURISM Appoints Blue Square Consultants As New PR Partner Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT) has appointed Blue Square Consultants (BSC) as its new Public Relation (PR) partner in India. BSC will be responsible for all aspects of Israel tourism's communication strategy, consumer PR, brand management across its key target markets. Confirming the appointment, Hassan Madah, Director – IMOT India & Philippines said, “India is one of the key emerging markets for us and with this new association we hope to further strengthen our presence in India and witness an increase in tourist arrivals.” He also added that Israel recorded a growth of 13% in 2016 over the previous year with 44,672 Indian tourists visiting the destination.

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS SRI LANKA Tourism Conducts Roadshow in Mumbai

AUSTRIA Summer 2017

INTERNATIONAL NEWS Increasing Numbers Of

Rising Trend Of Indian Travelers In SOUTH AFRICA

Indian Tourist Arrivals To SOUTH KOREA Increase By 27.3%

March - April, 2017

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS TCEB To Launch A Discover Unique Local Experience Business Forum In Vadodara

THAILAND To Promote

The Tourism Authority o f T h a i l a n d ( TAT ) , pioneers in offering Leisure Destinations, is all set to raise the bar of quality levels in the tourism segment by announcing the theme for 2017 - 'Discover Unique Local Experiences' in Mumbai. Mrs. Srisuda Wanapinyosak, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing (Asia and the South Pacific) and brand ambassador Anusha Dandekar graciously presided the occasion with their presence. As per the recent numbers released by Department of Tourism, in 2016, Thailand welcomed 1.19 million Indian travelers and for 2017, the target is 14% increase in revenue and 8% increase in footfalls expected from India alone. The focus destinations this year will be mainly the local communities along with Chiang Mai, Krabi, Trat and Bangkok. Commenting on the future plans and the campaign, Mrs. Wanapinyosak, said, “India has always been one of the significant markets for us as each year we see an increase in the footfalls. This year too we are expecting a phenomenal

March - April, 2017

growth of 8%. This year, with Discover Unique Local Experience theme, we are happy to give our guests an experience of the local tastes and culture that holds Thailand to its roots, and we also plan to introduce new destinations and activities for the travelers which will make their stay memorable and invaluable.” Anusha Dandekar commented, “As a traveler, I personally like to explore the local culture, traditional, history, art and flavors to get the real-authentic experience which will last a lifetime. The 'Thainess' aspect radiates a unique charm, which urges travel enthusiasts from all over the world to head on to this fantastic destination. Experiencing the local Thai culture and way of life will introduce a different facet of Thailand which the world has ever seen.”

In a move that reflects deeper engagement with India, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) partnered Thailand's Board of Investment (BOI) to launch a business forum in Vadodara, Gujarat on December 15, 2016 at the office of Federation of Gujarat Industries (FGI). BOI's Director & Consul-Investment Ms Kanokporn Chotipal and TCEB's India representative Mr. Sachin Manocha spoke to members of FGI and local trade associations under the theme “Doing business with Thailand”. Vadodara was chosen because its industrial profile mirrors that of Thailand and that many trade shows in T h a i l a n d c a n b e n e f i t G u j a ra t i industrialists, especially those that cater to the c i t y ' s ke y industries such as agriculture, e n e r g y , pharmaceutical, p l a s t i c , engineering, textile and jewellery. Many of these trade shows have grown to become major

events in their industries, making them a vib rant marketp lace fo r n ew technologies, new business and networking. TCEB's outreach efforts in Gujarat will continue in Rajkot and Ahmedabad in 2017. When planning a visit, Indian federations, chambers of commerce and trade organisations can also take advantage of TCEB's “CONNECT Businesses” campaign to receive USD100 for each trade visitor who achieves three business meetings at their chosen exhibition. Detailed campaign and application can be requested to Mr. Sachin Manocha – TCEB's India Representative at exhibitionexperts@gmail.com.

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS TCEB To Launch A Discover Unique Local Experience Business Forum In Vadodara

THAILAND To Promote

March - April, 2017

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March - April, 2017 27

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Edited & Published by Shailendra Kesari • For Online News visit: www.safariplus.co.in • Email: info@safariplus.co.in • March - April, 2017 • Vol: 18 Issue: 4

RURAL TOURISM

The Essence of Real India