2017 May June 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 • May - June, 2017 • Vol: 18 Issue: 5

Welcome Monsoon

Monsoon Destinations in India With the splash of monsoon, our surroundings become more vibrant with greenery and the world of flora and fauna blossoms with a new aura and fragrance. The tender green leaves sparkling with the rain drops and the earthy smell in the air altogether creates a refreshing atmosphere. In India there are some places which get more beautified with the spells of the monsoon. The scenery all around turns into an artist's canvas of playful vibrant colours where green dominates the backdrop. The flow of scintillating waterfalls and rapids enhances the beauty of these making them some of the best destinations to explore during monsoon. Monsoons are not only meant to be inside, these destinations will provoke you to leave your house and enjoy the true essence of rain.

Monsoon in Kerala God's Own Country, Kerala is the first state to receive monsoons, Kerala transforms into a green heaven. Majestic mountains covered in clouds, gushing backwaters, coconut trees swaying to the tunes of the cold breeze, such magical sights can only be witnessed

in Kerala. Some of the best monsoons getaways areAshtamudi About 76 km northwest of Thiruvananthapuram, the town gets its name from the octopus-shaped lake which also serves as gateway to the backwaters of Kerala. Sit by the banks under coconut groves and watch the lake transform into a bustling waterway during the day. Rainy season is the best time to opt for Ayurvedic treatment and Ashtamudi is the best place for it. Go for Kerala oil massages or treat yourself with the entire package, the soothing services along with the windy calm weather will rejuvenate your inner soul. If you are looking for some activity, then head to the boat building yards at Alumkadavu, the Maharaja's palace at Thevally or visit the town of Kollam. Munnar Go for lovely walks in the mist-covered tea estates or plan a trip to the famous Attukad Falls, which become a roaring cascade during monsoons. The vibrant landscape of Munnar gets more profound during the monsoon as the entire backdrop gets a green wash with the drizzles of the monsoon. It also has the highest peak in South India, Anamudi, which is an ideal spot for trekking.

Wayanad Wayanad would be one of the most exciting and romantic places during monsoon as it has the perfect tree houses tucked away amidst jungle to enjoy the drizzling weather. Treat yourself to some amazing valley views, bathe under waterfalls, go for long walks in the rain-kissed tea and coffee plantations or enjoy a memorable stay in the treehouses here and trek in the mountains! During monsoon Wayanad also arranges “Splash” carnival where participants enjoy the feel of playing football in the muddy land with the rain drizzles. Kovalam Though a very popular winter vacation spot, Kovalam is spectacular during the rains. Long walks on the beach, eating the fresh seafood prepared by the locals. Check out for any surfing activities during the monsoons as Kovalam is one of the best surfing spots in India. If you want to explore more, then the state capital Thiruvananthapuram and the vacation spots of Shankhumugham and Veli are also situated close by. Some of the other attractions during the monsoon are Alappuzha, Kumarakom, Wayanad and Bekal. Contd to Page 6

NEWS FLASH Foreigners Visiting India For Medical Treatment The number of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India on Medical Visa in the past three years is as below: Year FTAs on Medical Visa 2014 75,688 2015 1,34,344 2016 2,01,333 - In order to simplify and speed up the procedure of obtaining Visa for tourists coming to India for medical purposes, the Government of India has extended the facility of e-Medical Visa. Other measures taken by the Government to facilitate the tourists coming through eMedical Visa are as below - Extension of duration of stay for upto 6 months may be granted on case to case basis on merits of each case by the

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India Moves from 52nd to 40th Position in World Economic Forum Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (I/C) for Tourism & Culture shared the news about the improvement in ranking of India in the Travel and Tourism Competitive Index (TTCI) of World Economic Forum. India has moved 12 places up in this ranking from 52nd to 40th position. He acknowledged the vision, guidance and support of Prime Minister for the tourism sector of the country that is the driving force and motivation for all of us to continuously work for the growth of Tourism in India. India continues to charm international tourists with its vast cultural and natural resources with a ranking of 9th and 24th respectively which are the USP's of

Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO)/Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) concerned. - Triple entry will be permitted as against single entry earlier. In case of emergency, if Medical Visa is recommended by an accredited hospital in India, Indian Missions/Posts abroad should decide on such request within 48 hours of getting the application.

Indian Women Need Not Change Their Names In Passport After Marriage Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi have announced that Indian women need not change their names in passports after their marriage. Modi made the statement while speaking at the commemoration of the golden jubilee of Indian merchant chamber's ladies wing. To w a r d s t h e e n d o f 2 0 1 6 , t h e government had also made access for passports friendlier for divorced or separated women when the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stopped the practice of asking for the name of the

spouse. The step was among a number of measures announced by the government to modernize the passportseeking process.

Indian Tourism product. In terms of price competitiveness advantage, India ranks 10th. In terms of International openness, India is ranked 55th, up by 14 places. This has been possible through stronger visa policies. Implementing both visas on arrival and e-visas, has enabled India to rise through the ranks.

Indian Govt. Eases E-Visa Rules India is liberalising its visa regime from 1st April, 2017 by allowing multiple entries and easing visa regulations for longer stay for up to two months on e-visa for tourism, business and medical purposes. The window for e-visa has now been extended from 30 days to 120 days. The e-visa now is categorised under three sub-categories - etourist visa, ebusiness visa and e-medical visa. Now the facilities has been extended to the nationals of 161 countries who can enter through 24 airports and three ports of Cochin, Goa and Mangalore which will

enhance the potential of cruise tourism from different countries as well. S e p a rate i m m i g rat i o n counters and facilitation desks to assist medical tourists have been provided at airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. This step has been taken by the government to stimulate economic growth, increase earnings from the export of services such as tourism, medical value travel and business travel, making India an attractive destination for foreign direct and portfolio investment.

Lunching in July 2017

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spouse. The step was among a number of measures announced by the government to modernize the passportseeking process.

Lunching in July 2017

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IT & CM CHINA 2017

EVENTS

Record Turnout Projected For TTM+ 2017 In Chiang Mai The 16th Thailand Travel Mart 2017 Plus Amazing Gateway to the Greater Mekong Subregion (TTM+ 2017) is on track to report a record turnout of buyers which will be held between 14 – 16 June, 2017, in the Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Centre (CMECC) under the theme concept, “Delivering Unique Experiences”. The event will be opened on 14 June at 13.30 – 14.00 Hrs. followed by the forum for Sellers and Buyers and

t h e n L o c a l To u r i s m P r o d u c t Presentation. In the evening of 14 June, the welcome reception will be held at CMECC. On 15 June, a “Lanna Night” reception will be hosted by the Upper Northern Provincial Cluster. The “TTM+ 2017: Thank You Party” will be held on June 16 at CMECC. The show has already reported a registration (closure date 23 March) of 480 buyers from 64 countries and 354 sellers from Thailand and the GMS countries. As of 11 April, 2017, the largest contingent of b u ye rs fo r T T M + 2 0 1 7 a re E u ro p e (182), East Asia (137), ASEAN (42), America (38), Oceania (29), the Middle East (11), and Thailand (41).

The registration of 354 sellers comprise of hotels and resorts (272), tour operators and travel agents (30), GMS (14), entertainment (11), sustainable tourism (8), associations (6), NTOs (5), transportation (4), and other travel services (4). Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said, “This is a clear indication of the high level of interest in Thailand and Northern Thailand in particular. We are now finalising some very interesting events, activities and tours for the buyers which I am sure will go a long way towards helping them better promote Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand to their clients.”

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

Incredible India showcased Yoga & Wellness @ ATM 2017 India Tourism showcases the immense tourism potential of the country – both business and leisure travel – during the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2017 in Dubai. A total of 24 participants from India, representing the diversity of Heritage, Nature, Culture and Wellness tourism are participating in the India Pavilion set up by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India at ATM-2017. The India Pavilion has participants re p re s e n t i n g t h e S tate To u r i s m Departments of Kerala and Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh Air India, ITDC, IRCTC, Tour Operators, Travel Agents, Hoteliers/Resorts, Wellness, Spas and Ayurveda Centres. The theme chosen for ATM-2017 is “Yoga &

Wellness”. One of the highlights of ‘Incredible India’ being showcased at ATM-2017 is the depiction of India as a multi-faceted tourist destination for Luxury, Wildlife, and Wellness / Medical tourism. The number of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India during 2016 was 8.89 Million registering a growth of 10.7% over 2015. The Gulf and the Middle East region are an important market for India. There has been a consistent and positive growth of Foreign Tourist Arrivals from this region to India over the last 3 years with the year 2016 having registered an overall growth of around 17% over the previous year. India has emerged as a Destination for

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Medical / Wellness Travel in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The percentage of Foreign Tourist Arrivals visiting India for M e d i c a l Tre a t m e n t h a s b e e n increasing over the years and growing rapidly since the year 2000. India is poised to become a hub for medical tourism because of several factors viz. world class hospitals with latest technology; highly skilled Indian physicians and surgeons; cost effective treatment; excellent quality of care and nursing; less waiting time for availing of medical services; traditional healthcare therapies like Ayurveda & Yoga combined with allopathic treatment providing a holistic wellness destination.

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The 11th edition of IT&CM China 2017 was held from March 21 to 23 at Shanghai Exhibition & Convention Center of International Sourcing. The 2017 event witnessed an attendance of 3,000 MICE professionals from sectors including DMCs, PCOs, corporate travel and associations, some 400 hosted delegates, over 14,000 business appointments as well as over 75 business, education and networking sessions. The event highlights includes the last of two pre-event tours of Shanghai by Pacific World, and the event's keynote session on the future of MICE in China featuring Gaining Edge's Gary Grimmer, and panellists Alicia Yao, Deputy General Secretary of China MICE Committee of China Association of Travel Services; David Zhang, Director of Suzhou MICE Promotion Center; Roger Shu, Deputy General Manager of Hangzhou Convention, Exhibition & Travel; and Yao Xin, Secretary General, CCPIT Commercial Sub-Council. There was the joint Opening Ceremony

of IT&CM China and CTW China and We l c o m e D i n n e r s p o n s o r e d b y Shanghai Marriott Parkview for the third consecutive year. There were media briefings, hosted luncheons, co c k ta i l a n d d i n n e rs a s we l l a s destination presentations as part of a dedicated Association Days programme. To u r i s m F i j i h o ste d a l u n c h e o n concurrently while Hainan Tourism Development Commission conducted a MICE Promotion Session for invited buyers. Fukuoka Convention & Visitors Bureau and South Africa National Convention Bureau arranged for captive networking session with their potential buyers over lunch. In addition, AccorHotels, JW Marriot Shanghai Changfeng Park, Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), and Shanghai Marriott Parkview are part of the line-up of exhibitors who chose to benefit from being a cocktail or dinner sponsor. Others like returning destination CCPIT Chengdu (Chengdu Municipal Bureau

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of Exposition), Hangzhou Tourism Commission, Malaysia Convention & Visitor Bureau (MyCEB), Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau ( TC E B ), and new-comers VisitScotland, found the Association Days' Destination Presentation the right fit for them to reach much sought-after Association buyers. Delta Air Lines, Gloria Hotel & Resorts, HNA Hospitality, Huangshan Tourism Committee, MEET TAIWAN, Ministry o f To u r i s m o f T h e R e p u b l i c o f Indonesia, Monaco Government Tourist Bureau, Ningbo Tourism Administration, Pacific World, Shouqi Limousine and Chauffeur, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, and Xiamen Municipal Bureau of Convention and Exhibition Affairs, form the remaining organisations that benefitted from one or more of IT&CM China's core business engagement sessions this year. Topics on Creating Value in B2B Digital Communications, Understanding

Corporate Travel in China and How to Increase User Engagement & Experience through Mobile Innovation were also featured in this year's knowledge line-up. Social engagement platform providers, UpNixt, presented the latter and delved into the use of technology for event organisers to leverage on to further enhance participant experience and to better connect with attendees event needs and desires. Destination Macao, fronted by Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), also returned to IT&CM China 2017 as the largest exhibiting destination on the show floor. They were also the only destination to host a dinner exclusively for invited buyers taking advantage of one of the show's many captive networking sessions. Through their hosted dinner, IPIM promoted themselves as a one-stop service provider for MICE while introducing the available support programmes and services that can be customised towards each event.

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IT & CM CHINA 2017

EVENTS

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Monsoon in Karnataka Karnataka receives heavy rainfall during the monsoon and thus is blessed with l o t s o f m o n s o o n getaways . T h e monsoon rains green-wash the entire state including the forests and the undulating landscapes into a relaxing sight. Fed by the rains, the waterfalls become voluminous and jut out with heavy flow along the rocky surface of the mountains which is really a mesmerizing sight. White patches of cloud hovering over the green stretches of mountains transforms the landscapes of Karnataka into a magical land. Some of the destinations which deserve special mention for monsoon beauty in Karnataka are listed below. The Jungles of Kabini While other forests and wild life reserves remain closed during the monsoon, the Jungles of Kabini is open for all. The specialty of Kabini can only be watched during the monsoon as the rains are the great time to spot the tiger, leopard, wild dogs, elephants and of course the eyecatching peacock mating dance. Enriched with fresh greenery all around, Kabini is an ideal place for the wildlife and nature lovers. Some other nearby attractions close to Kabini are Lakshman Teertha Waterfalls, Coffee Estates of Coorg, Bylakuppe Tibetan Monastery, Ranganatitthu Bird Sanctuary and Mysore. Agume Rainforest This small town of Karnataka is one of the wettest place of the state. Always drenched in rain, this place is home to some of the tropical rainforests in India. Decked up with its sheer diversity this place is one of the best monsoon destination. The famous king Cobra can be sighted here. Then there is the rainforest research station that takes you deep into the rainforests and helps you spot rare wildlife species. The extremely green terrain and the waterfalls offer a lot of trekking options. The sunset point and Kundadri will amaze the nature lovers and is excellent for seeing that beautiful sunrise. Some other nearby attractions are Sita Nadi River Rafting at Hebri, The spiritual town of Sringeri, Kudlu Teertha Waterfall Trek and Barakona Trek, Someshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. Sharavathi River Valley and Jog Falls This is Karnataka's one of the most prettiest waterbody. The Sharavathi river valley, the reservoir, the Shola forests, the National Highway 206 and the mighty Jog falls altogether creates a magical ambience. Reaching this marvelous spot is another bewitching experience as driving through the winding ghat roads through mist and rain is a charming experience. Your car is

Welcome Monsoon

enjoyable, and Goa's historic characterfilled buildings provide much interest. You can wander around the Fontainhas Latin Quarter and soak up the atmosphere or visit old restored Portuguese mansions.

Monsoon in Jharkhand

bound to halt at screech while driving because of the unending stunning sights on the way. Some of the nearby att ra c t i o n s a re B h a d ra W i l d l i fe Sanctuary, Linganamakki Reservoir, Gokarna and Yanna Mountains. Coorg Coorg is the place where nature thrives and thus it becomes more vibrant with the spells of monsoon. Its unending undulating terrains gets covered with rich greenery and the diversified flora all around speaks a thousand words with the monsoon drops. Mists and clouds lowers down and float over the hills where you might get a chance to catch them also. The rhyming sounds of the s c i n t i l l a t i n g w a t e r fa l l s a n d t h e refreshing nature all around are an ideal place to relax in monsoon. Some nearby attractions are Mandalpatti, Abbey falls, Irupu falls, Pushpagiri, Nisargadhama reservoir etc.

Monsoon in Maharashtra After the brunt hot summer months of Maharashtra, the monsoon frees the state from the sweaty shackles and the blistering coastal breeze. Monsoon in Maharashtra stays for a longer period. But the true essence of the rains can only be enjoyed in the outskirts of the state where the landscapes suddenly springs to life with lush green fields and rolling green hills. The romantic weather, the scenic landscapes and the gushing waterfalls gives Maharashtra some of the awesome monsoon getaways. Malshej Ghat A hill station in the Sahyadri ranges, this place near Mumbai in monsoon is engulfed in green hills and innumerable waterfalls. The drive to Malshej Ghat itself is very calming with the picturesque view of the splendid valleys and placid lakes. This mountain pass is also home to various flora and fauna; flamingos are known to come here all the way from Europe during the monsoons. An excellent place to visit near Mumbai for outdoor activities likes trekking, hiking and b i r d watching. Bhandardara Bhandardara, is an ideal monsoon d e st i n at i o n engulfed with g r e e n terrains, rolling hills, diversified f l o r a , voluminous reservoirs

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and massive waterfalls. Monsoon transforms this place into an abode of eternal peace and heavenly beauty. The low lying mist and the clouds over the mountains gives it a picturesque view and thus you get a lot to see in Bhandardara. Mahabaleshwar Though a place for strawberry, but Mahabaleshwar can also be enjoyed during the monsoon. Mahabaleshwar is known for its spectacular mountain views and the surrounding green hills. Located close to Mahabaleshwar are other beautiful spots like the Kaas valley of flowers and Tapola, a beautiful village in the hills. During monsoon the waterfalls in Mahabaleshwar splurges to great volumes and it's an enchanting view to watch those white water cascades speeding out the through the rocky patches of mountains. Some other monsoon destinations of Maharshtra are the Konkan coastline, Matheran, Bhimashankar, Kalsubai, Thosegar falls, Lonavala, Kolad, Durshet, Lohagad Fort, Mulshi Dam, Karnala, Kalsubai Peak, Alibaug etc.

Monsoon in Goa When the rains splutter on the waves of the ocean, it becomes a divine view to gaze at. Goa is known as a happening place, whose beaches are always thronging with vibrant life. But during the monsoon, these crowded beaches transforms into calm heaven. You get the whole beach for yourself and you may try a cartwheel at the beach and slump on your face because there wouldn't be anyone to see you. Sit along the beach and watch the raindrops playing splitter splatter on the waves. Attractions during monsoon in Goa Goa's picturesque wildlife sanctuaries are open all year round. The major ones are Mollem National Park and Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary. As well as nature trails, Bondla has a mini zoo and deer safari park, which is great for kids. The imposing Dudhsagar Falls, located on the fringe of the Mollem National Park, is at its best during the monsoon as the water rages down from a huge height. The acclaimed spice plantations around Ponda are another popular place to visit during the monsoon in Goa. An evening boat cruise up the Mandovi River from Panjim is

Jharkhand popularly known as the “Land of forests” is decked up with nature and wildlife all around. Blessed with unparalleled beauties like hills, mountains, forests, and waterfalls this is an ultimate destination for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. The abundant natural beauty of Jharkhand along with its several attractions such as holy s h r i n e s , m u s e u m s , a n d w i l d l i fe sanctuaries, together contribute towards Jharkhand tourism. Other than these the waterfall, the undulating mountains, the rivers and the dams are the main attractions of the monsoon. Ranchi Ranchi is one of the best place to visit during the monsoon. Rich in minerals and surrounded by heavenly waterfalls, Ranchi justifies its pet name as the “City of Waterfalls”. The serene mountains and hills swamped with these sparkling waterfalls leaves no scope to disappoint the tourists. Some of the popular tourist attractions in Ranchi are Hundru Falls, Dassam Falls, Jonha Falls, Panch Gagh Falls, Birsa Zoological Park, Ranchi Lake, Ka n ke D a m , J a ga n n at h Te m p l e , Nakshatra Van, Sun Temple, Pahari Mandir, Rock Garden and Deer Park. Hazaribagh As one of the picturesque destination of Jharkhand, Hazaribagh is an amazing world of flora and fauna. The abundant greenery, rolling green hills, romantic weather, wildlife sanctuaries and robust waterfalls adds glory to the beauty of Hazaribagh. Some of the best places to visit here are Canary Hill, Hazaribagh W i l d l i fe S a n c t u a r y, H a za r i b a g h National Park, Isko Village, Suryakund, Rajarappa temple, Urwan Tourist Complex and Konar Dam. Giridih Giridih is another astounding scenic pleasure of Jharkhand. Known as the “Land of Hills”, Giridih is widely visited by Jain pilgrims because of its several Jain Temples and various Jain buildings & sites. Beautiful valleys, charming hills, dams, and temples in Giridih contribute in the tourism in Jharkhand. Major tourist destinations in Giridih include Parashnath Hills, Usri Fall, Khandoli Park and Dam, Madhuvan, Jharkhandi Dham, Harihar Dham, Langta Baba Samadhi Sthal, Surya Temple and Devari Temple. Other places of attractions during the monsoon in Jharkhand are Sahibganj, Deoghar, Dhanbad, Bokaro, Netarhat and Palamu.

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

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Welcome Monsoon

enjoyable, and Goa's historic characterfilled buildings provide much interest. You can wander around the Fontainhas Latin Quarter and soak up the atmosphere or visit old restored Portuguese mansions.

Monsoon in Jharkhand

SAFARI PLUS | MAY - JUNE, 2017

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

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Product Innovations will be the key to India’s Sustainable Tourism Growth

India as a destination was only focused as cultural destination and even our tour operators have been promoting traditional products which is mainly focusing on our unique cultural heritage. This is mainly branded as the Golden Triangle of India ie Delhi-Agra- Jaipur circuit and may be extended by including in the circuit Gwalior-Shivpuri-Orchha, KhajurahoVaranasi or Jaipur-Udaipur-JodhpurMumbai or Delhi-Shimla-Kullu-Manali mainly covering North India destinations as the Delhi is now the main gateway for arrival of international tourists. There is no denying that now the time has come to redesign our products with new products which have been developed in Madhya Pradesh-Bhopal-Indore, Kanha National Park or move towards South India in a big way. Here air-connectivity from various parts of the globe have made a remarkable change in tourist movements. We should encash the new interest among tourists to explore more unexplored areas in India. This helps to get repeat visitors and longer stay from

tourists. Western India and Eastern India have many Niche products which can also be the unique sale proposition to attract foreign tourists, Kerala products have already got the global acceptance. Its Ayurvedic Rejuvenation packages hold attraction and with 3 international airports have taken good number of international tourists. They rightly diversified the product with Munnar Hills, Backwater drive at AlleppeyKollam, Periyar wildlife very enchanting packages with in 500 km also with an affordable price. Similarly Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu have come into tourism scene of India challenging North India with varied products specially Chennai on Medical Tourism, Andhra Pradesh with MICE, Karnataka with world Heritage Monuments of Aihole-Pattadakal-Hampi, Telangana with miles of pristine beaches and temple festivals and tiers of hotels, air connectivity with brand new International airports. The remarkable changes in tourist movements happened because of diversification of products. East Kolkata-Darjeeling and Buddhist pilgrim circuits in Bihar and the North East. Ministry of Tourism also putting special efforts to promote Buddhist circuits to attract more traffic toward Gaya, Bodhgaya, Rajgir-NalandaVaishali-Kushinagar and had Buddhist Conclave in Varanasi where over 400 delegates from overseas participated. Even Gaya is now open for Charters from Buddhist destinations. A good winds of

change is visible with new products. No doubt, innovations will be the key for future growth. The states which can really provide unique experience and a very different package and more on affordability part taken care, will have prosperous tourism. In this respect Kerala, Rajasthan, Goa and Madhya Pradesh are making positive impact in tourist’s mind. Even Gujarat, Odisha and Himalayan states of Uttarakhand are doing quite well. These states specially Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh etc are doing well because of unique nature trails, Himalayan temples, wildlife and Gujarat and Odisha for temples, beaches, wildlife, cuisine and shopping. As in Uttarakhand infrastructure is limited, they have started with limited groups. Tamil Nadu is a big alternative destination with temples, beaches, resorts, wildlife, shopping and big efforts put by the government of Tamil Nadu Tourism. Cruise tourism, wellness, Health tourism, sports tourism are also the areas where South is doing well by diversifying the products, Rural Tourism with ethic culture has been India’s new tourism product and hold good potential but need infrastructure upgrading to have international acceptance and also good connectivity. Government has to do more and now doing its best as per market needs mainly global marketing of all these new products/destinations and infrastructure development in an integrated manner with state government partnerships.

Our wildlife packages have been added as new attractions and is being promoted with eco-sensitive approach. The viewing of wildlife is much better now and Tiger viewing is challenge for tourists. Our festivals and fairs have been packaged very professionally and tourists are queuing to buy these diversified products. Sports tourism with golfing tours, skiing in Auli, Gulmarg, Solang valley near Manali are big attractions and getting popular. Even Farm Tours in Haryana also getting popular, Winery visits in Maharashtra, Rice field visits in Dehradun, Tea Estate visit in Darjeeling, Assam and Nilgiri, Hills; even visit to Automobile plant in Punjab Textile plant, i n S u rat , I T H u b s ( A P ) , C a r p e t manufacturing, glass manufacturing, filigree work in Odisha, Leather (Tannery) have growing interest to new generation tourists. Even younger tourists like to come to India to learn musical instruments Tabla, Flute, Sarod and dance of various forms and like to spend 2 to 3 months for this purpose. We have so much of options and new initiatives. With innovative approach and investments, India can be the most popular destination in the world. We can show the difference to the world and present India as a destination For all Reasons and for all Seasons. By Gour Kanjilal, Executive Director, IATO and Former, Dy. Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India and Freelance Journalist..

2017 CHENNAI BANGALORE DELHI – NCR MUMBAI PUNE HYDERABAD KOCHI KOLKATA

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DOMESTIC NEWS Goa Tourism Gets Its New Tourism Minister M r. M a n o h a r Azgaonkar has been appointed as the new Minister for Tourism, Government of Goa. Under the leadership of Azgaonkar, Goa Tourism is planning to introduce new initiatives and infrastructure projects, promote the diverse cultures of the state and focus on improving all its products and services. Also, Mr. Nilesh Cabral, the current MLA of Curchorem Taluka has been reappointed as the Chairman of Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC). In his previous stint as Chairman of GTDC, the corporation became a profit making corporation, introduced new and attractive activities and initiatives, formed a (Special Purpose Vehicle) SPV cell to

expedite tourism infrastructure projects, procured funding from Central Govt. schemes and has lined up new p r o j e c t f o r construction and commissioning in the next two to three years. One of the first decisions that the new Tourism Minister, Manohar (Babu) Azgaonkar, has taken is to revive the defunct Tourism Squads so as to crackdown on illegal activities along the coast, that includes the ‘harassment’ of tourists by lamanis, hawkers, beggars and touts. The squads that the Tourism Minister intends to revive will have the additional responsibility of keeping tabs on criminal activities like drug peddling and prostitution.

Kerala Tourism Gets Its New Director Mr. P Bala Kiran, IAS, has joined as the new Director of Kerala Tourism. Prior to this he has served as the Director of Kerala State IT Mission, District Collector Kannur and Director of Panchayat Department. A 2008 batch Indian Administrative Service o ff i c e r h a i l i n g f ro m Hyderabad, Kiran started his civil service career as Assistant Collector of Kozhikode and then took over as Sub-Collector of Thiruvalla and Kasaragod. He is an alumnus of IIT Madras and an M.Tech holder in

Computer Science and Engineering. Kiran is a recipient of National Award for Best Electoral Practices of Election Commission of India for the 'Innovative Measures' implemented in Kannur during the Assembly Elections in 2016 and National Award for his 'Barrier-Free Kannur' project from Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, President of India, for his contributions towards ensuring a barrier-free environment in the district and thereby making it accessible to the differentlyabled sections of the society.

Jammu & Kashmir Inaugurates India's Longest Road Tunnel Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has inaugurated India's longest road tunnel and t h e l o n ge st h i g hway tunnels in Asia, ChenaniNashri tunnel, on the Jammu-Srinagar National H i g h w a y, m a k i n g i t operational for traffic. The tunnel will save fuel worth nearly Rs. 99 crores a year. Rs. 27 lakh worth of fuel is likely to be saved per day. The tunnel will also reduce the travel time between Jammu and Srinagar by two hours. The distance between Chenani and Nashri will now be 10.9 kms (between two ends of the tunnel), instead of the existing 41 kms.

The Chenani-Nashri tunnel is India's first and the world's sixth tunnel to have transverse ventilation system, providing fresh air to passengers. The tunnel, constructed at a cost of Rs. 2,519 crore is at an altitude of 1,200 meters and is part of National Highway Authority of India's (NHAI's) project between Jammu and Srinagar, along the National Highway 44.

The 4 Days Jammu Mahotsav Took Place Successfully The four-day-long Jammu Mahotsav took place showcasing and promoting the cultural diversity and heritage of the region to national and international tourists. The Mahotsav, a brainchild of Jammu and Kashmir Minister of State for Tourism, Ms. Priya Sethi. The event was inaugurated by deputy Chief Minister Mr. Nirmal Singh at Maulana Azad Memorial (MAM) Stadium in Jammu. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Singh appreciated the efforts of the tourism and information departments of the state for organising the festival that celebrates Jammu and its culture, dance, music, food, vibrant costumes and handicrafts. He said this festival will put the region's cultural diversity on display for national

and international tourist fraternity and put out a strong message of varied multifaceted activities available in the State for the visitors. Ms. Sethi said multiple events are being organised simultaneously in a number of areas that will help mobilise the tourists to various destinations in Jammu besides giving the locals, especially the youngsters, a taste of their culture, traditions and heritage.

15,16,17 July 2017 21,22,23 July 2017 15,16,17 September 2017 22,23,24 September2017 24,25,26 November 2017 1,2,3 December 2017 18,19,20 January 2018 23,24,25 February 2018

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Product Innovations will be the key to India’s Sustainable Tourism Growth

2017 CHENNAI BANGALORE DELHI – NCR MUMBAI PUNE HYDERABAD KOCHI KOLKATA

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15,16,17 July 2017 21,22,23 July 2017 15,16,17 September 2017 22,23,24 September2017 24,25,26 November 2017 1,2,3 December 2017 18,19,20 January 2018 23,24,25 February 2018

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Bihar’s Nalanda University Bags India Today Tourism Award Nalanda University, located in the town of Rajgir, in the northern state of Bihar has bagged the “India Today Tourism Award” for securing the first runner up place in the Heritage Category as part of the India Today Tourism Survey 2017. The news was shared by Mr. Pankaj Kumar, IAS Secretary, Bihar Tourism. Nalanda, founded in the 5th century AD, is the ruins of the world's most ancient university. It is a postgraduate, research intensive, international university supported by the participating countries of the East Asia Summit and designated as an “institution of national importance”. The University has academic collaborations with Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (Singapore), Chulalongkorn University (Thailand), Peking University (China), Archeological Survey of India (ASI, India), European Consortium for Asian Field Study (ECAF, France), International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS, Netherlands) and many others.

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India Is A Top Market Foreign Exchange Leisure Market For Cruising From Singapore Thomas Cook India eyes on

Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. in a focused initiative to tap into the high growth potential of the Foreign Exchange leisure market, announced its 'Grand Forex Festival' across 180 foreign exchange outlets (including its 4 airport counters) pan India, and extends over a 2 month period ending June 30, 2017. During the 2 month Grand Forex Festival, India's travellers serve to benefit from the range of assured gifts and attractive rates available on purchase of foreign exchange from Thomas Cook, including a shoppersstop.com voucher worth

Rs.400 with every purchase, a Samsung Tab worth Rs. 18,000 to be won daily and V i c to r i n ox p re m i u m luggage worth Rs. 35,000 to be won weekly. The Mega Prize of the Grand Forex Festival is a “Tata Zest” sedan. Also available during t h e G ra n d Fo rex Fe st i va l , a re additional advantages to consumers, like the handy “rate block” feature (to protect against rate fluctuations), convenient online purchases via the thomascook.in Forex Store and guaranteed doorstep delivery across major cities in India.

Cruising from Singapore is steadily becoming one of the key activities Indian travelers consider when planning their holiday itinerary in the Lion City. In 2016, Singapore reported 1.2 million cruise passengers with a double digit growth of 16% as compared to 2015, out of which 100,000 were from India, an increase of 29% over 2015 figures. Singapore Tourism Board (STB) organized the second edition of its India Cruise Forum in Mumbai which was attended by 120 people. The day-long forum featured a thought provoking panel which was led by Mr. GB Srithar, Regional Director for South Asia, Middle East & Africa (RD SAMEA), STB with panelists Ms. Nalini Gupta,

firm Cox & Kings said in a study. As per the study, the airfares for a Delhi-London journey came down to INR 31,800 in April this year as against INR 39,497 in the same month last year, a drop of 19%. Similarly, airfares from New Delhi to Singapore also dropped by 22% INR 22,715 in April this year from INR 29,069 in April 2016. T h e t i c ket p r i c e s fo r Mumbai- Kuala Lumpur saw the sharpest decline with airfares going down by 28% to INR 20,377 from INR 28,342, it said. Airfares on Mumbai- Dubai route declined 11% while Mumbai-Paris and Mumbai-Hong Kong route saw a drop of three per cent each this summer as compared to April last year, the report added. The ticket prices for Sydney from Mumbai decreased 16% to INR 60,345 from INR 72,169.

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Mumbai: Direct Clients (022) 2805 2060 / 6628 5555 | Email: sales@lohanatoursindia.com Mumbai: B2B (022) 4206 0666 | Email: lhr@lohanatoursindia.com Ahmedabad: Direct Clients (079) 2768 2690 | Email: ahm@lohanatoursindia.com Web: www.lohanatoursindia.com | Facebook: /lohanastours/

Managing Director, Lotus Destinations (GSA of Costa Cruise India), Mr. Naresh Rawal, Vice President Sales, Genting Cruise Lines – Star Cruises, Dream Cruises and Crystal Cruises, Ms. Suzanne Perreira, Senior Vice President Sales, Trade Relationships and Communications, Thomas Cook India, Ms. Anita Raja, Regional Manager – South India, TIRUN Travel Marketing and Ms. Harshali Darpel, Senior Manager – Western India, Cruise Professionals. This was followed by an interactive workshop by Mr. Peter Kollar, Head o f I n t e r n a t i o n a l Tr a i n i n g a n d Development at Cruise Lines International Association.

Summer Travel 2017 Sees 39% Growth

Airfare this Summer to Overseas are Cheaper

According to a report, flying on overseas destinations such as London, Singapore, Sydney, Kuala Lumpur from India became cheaper this summer with airfares going down up to 28% amid capacity addition on international routes. The entry of foreign carriers including Brussels Airlines have also helped the airlines keep their ticket prices lower in April 2017 compared to same period of 2016, Tour and travel

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Even as temperatures are soaring, there has been a substantial increase of 39% in bookings for travel during the summer of 2017 among Indians, according to a recent report. “There has been a huge increase in the number of people travelling this summer and about 39% more Indians are opting to travel this summer season,” MakeMyTrip COO – Hotels and Holidays – Mr. Mohit Gupta told quoting the 'Summer Travel Trends' report. The findings of this report is based on the bookings seen on MakeMyTrip platform till February 28, 2017 for travel for the summer season (April–June 2017) and highlights the trends seen in the travel space compared to last year. There also has been a remarkable year on year increase in bookings coming from smart phones, Gupta said. Smartphone penetration and adoption led by the young travellers is driving the shift from offline to online in the travel industry, he added. The transactions made from

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mobile app has increased by 49% since last summer in 2016, the report said. Further the report said, more young Indians are travelling this summer with 12% of the travellers in 18-24 age group compared to 9% last year with in the same age group. More travellers this summer are heading to long haul international destinations, which has registered 36% growth in bookings, it said. International travellers continue to prefer staying at 4 to 5 star hotels, it said.

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India Is A Top Market Foreign Exchange Leisure Market For Cruising From Singapore Thomas Cook India eyes on

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Airfare this Summer to Overseas are Cheaper

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

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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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Mumbai based travel company Ravine Trek has organized an educational familiarization trip (FAM) to Ladakh for travel agents from the Western Region (Mumbai & Gujarat) with Safari Plus as their Media Partner. The aim of this FAM trip was to educate them about the ins and outs of Ladakh as a destination. The name of the associates who will participate in the FAM are Mr Ajinkya Dhumma, Classis Holidays; Ms Anshu Tejuja, Ashoka Dream Holidays; Mr Shripal Shah, Shripal Tours & Travels; Ms Gayatri Hingorani, Serendipity Leisure Travels; Mr Amit Thaker, The Great Next; Mr Tej Singh, Memorable Holidays; Mr Irfan Devdiwala, White Holidays; Ms Rupali Raithatha, Harikrupa Travels; Mr Ankit Bajaj, Chiky Travels; Ms Dhwani Shah, Synergy (Ravine); Mr Tirth Shah, Synergy (Ravine); Mr T h o m a s Ko s hy, Sy n e rg y (Ravine); Mr Bhavin Toprani, Indiatravelite; Mr Shailendra Kesari, Safari Plus; Mr Kaviraj Tapar, Kavi Travels; Mrs Reema Alate, Tripotel; Mrs Nimisha Jariwala, Jesal Holidays; Ms Divya Rajput, Ravine Trek; Mrs Vikita Naik, Ravine Trek; Mr. Ashish Kumar, Meghdoot Travels.. Ladakh – “India's Own Moonland” spectacularly jagged with mystical mountains and a magical Buddhist kingdom is embellished with supernatural wonders. The pictureperfect gompas with colourful flags fluttering with the rhythm of prayer wheels spun clockwise, whitewashed stupas, spiritual messages on the chilled walls makes Ladakh an epitome of serenity. The innocence of the Ladakhi people have swathed away the land with virgin beauty and utter tranquility. Each high passes of Ladakh unfolds a different story with varied landscapes and prodigious attractions. Day 01: Destinations covered Leh & Sham Valley We reached Leh (the largest town of Ladakh) early in the morning from Mumbai airport to start off with our Ladakh journey. Sham Valley – We drove past the Sham Valley through its villages amidst the rich forest of Cedar trees along the River Indus. Renowned as the most favorable trekking route, Sham Valley covers some of the astounding destinations of Ladakh. Pathar Sahib Gurudwara – We visited The Pathar Sahib Gurudwara situated at an altitude of 3600 meters and about 22kms from Leh was constructed in memory of Guru Nanak Devji. It is right on the Srinagar – Leh Highway and is believed that this sacred stone/boulder refused to move in road construction operations even by huge machines/bulldozers etc. After offering the prayers, taking prasad we moved ahead to Magnetic Hills as next stop on

the tour of Sham Valley. Magnetic Hill - Situated at an altitude of 11,000 feet, this hill is a phenomenon to define gravity and is believed to have magnetic properties. It is located about 30 kms from Leh at Srinagar – Leh Highway. After covering the destinations of Sham Valley we took rest for the complete day to acclimatize our body to the difference in altitude. Later in the evening we visited the Apricot Tree resort he which is a riverside premium boutique getaway nestling among apricot and apple trees on the edge of a cliff overlooking the River Indus. Day 02: Destinations covered in Leh Alchi Monastery - After our breakfast

we drove to Leh enroute to visit the Alchi monastery. Renowned as the oldest Buddhist learning centre in Ladakh, Alchi Monastery is located 70 km from Leh in Jammu and Kashmir on the bank of Indus River. A national heritage site, it is distinct from other monasteries in Ladakh as it is situated on flat ground unlike others which are located on hilltops. It is the most famous and the largest of all the monasteries built by Lotsava Rinchen zangpo, (great translator from 11th century). Hall of Fame - The Hall of Fame, located near the Leh Airfiled, is a museum constructed as well as maintained by the Indian Army in the memory of the soldiers who had lost their lives during t h e I n d o - Pa k w a rs . T h e r e a r e information about the brave soldiers and artifacts of various wars. There is also a section dedicated to the Siachen glacier. Also there is an adventure park nearby filled with fun activities that they use for army training for families to enjoy. In the evening we visited few hotels in Leh and shopped some Ladakhi souvenirs from the Leh market and then returned to our resort to rekindle the energy for our next day tour. Day 03 & 04: Destinations covered in Nubra Valley & Leh

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After breakfast we drove to Nubra Valley, also known as Valley of flowers via Khardungla Pass, the highest motorable road in the World, (18,380 ft). The deep-cut Shayok and Nubra River Valleys upholds some of the jawdropping attractions offering tremendous scenery on a grand scale, with green oasis villages surrounded by thrillingly stark tree slopes, boulder fields and harsh arid mountains. Lchang Nang Retreat - On arrival in Nubra Valley we first visited the Lchang Nang Retreat set amidst an orchard of elm, apricot, and apple trees, further blessed by the continuous flow of the Siachen river rushing past its western boundary at Sumur Valley. Sumur is a village that is more like a religious stop-over and a place that hikers and backpackers would love since there are many undulated paths and trails which leads to high altitude villages and temples. Hundur Village - After lunch at

Lchang Nang we left for Hundur Village. Hunder sits like an oasis in the middle of cold desert in Nubra valley of Jammu and Kashmir. The high altitude desert, with rolling expanse of sand dunes and barren landscape seem enigma to scores of tourists who come to visit the spectacle. Later in the evening we visited the Sand Dunes on the Bactrian camels which are another attraction because of their two humps. Deskit Monastery – Next day after our early morning breakfast we left for

Leh enroute the Deskit Monastery (Big Buddha). It is a picturesque monastery settled atop a hill and offers an overwhelming view of Nubra Valley. Every year this monastery plays host to the popular Dosmoche festival, held during the month of February, which is a famous tourist attraction. Later we drove back to Leh by same picturesque route crossing the Khardungla Pass. Shanti Stupa - Later in the afternoon we visited to Shanti Stupa situated on a hilltop in Chanspa, Leh district offering a beautiful and panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. This Buddhist white-domed stupa holds the relics of the Buddha at its base, enshrined by the 14th Dalai Lama himself. After dinner at Hotel Grand Dragon we stayed overnight at Leh. Day 05: Destinations covered Pangong Lake Pangong Lake - After an early breakfast we left for Pangong Lake (14,500 ft) via Changla Pass 17,350 ft, which is the third highest motorable road in the world. Pangong is the highest salt water lake in the world, shared by India and China. The different hues of blue and green contrast beautifully with the monotonous back drop of barren brown and grey mountains. In the afternoon we drove back to Leh by the same route, enroute visit to Thiksey Gompa and 3 Idiot fame school which is also known as Ranchos School - The Druk White Lotus School. The school instills values of Tibetan Buddhism along with the modern day values. The schooldoes not encourage class barriers, encouraging students from various walks of like to come and learn. The journey ended with sweet memories which are to be cherished forever.

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Explore the Wonders of

Korea, a historical state in East Asia, is adorned with picturesque landscape, ancient tradition, ethnicity, culture and abundance of attractions to explore. Every part of Korea is equally beautiful and leaves no chance to amaze the travelers. South Korea's compact size and superb transport infrastructure mean that tranquility can be found in easy reach of the urban sprawl. Hike to the summits of craggy mountains enclosed by densely forested national parks. Some of those same mountains transform into ski slopes in winter. Get further off the beaten path than you thought possible by sailing to remote islands, where farming and fishing folk welcome you into their homes and simple seafood cafes. Chill out in serene villages surrounded by rice fields, sleeping in rustic Hanok (traditional wooden house) guesthouses. Korea consists of quite a number of airports which makes it easily accessible. The airports that Korea houses which are nearby the below mentioned tourist attractions are Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport.

SEOUL Whatever you want, at any time of day or night, Seoul can provide. An early morning temple visit can lead to a palace tour followed by tea sipping in Bukchon and gallery-hopping in Samcheong-Dong. Drink and snacks in a street tent bar will fuel you for shopping at the buzzing Dongdaemun or Namdaemun night markets, partying in Hongdae or Itaewon. History clings tenaciously to Seoul with some of the world heritage–listed sites such as Jongmyo Shrine, the alleys between the graceful Hanok (traditional wooden homes) that cluster in Bukchon, and striding along the magnificent city walls. Attractions in Seoul GYEONGBOKGUNG Gyeongbokgung Palace arguably the most beautiful and remains the grandest of all five palaces is also called “Northern Palace” because it is the furthest north when compared to the neighboring palaces of Changdeokgung (Eastern Palace) and Gyeongheegung (Western Palace). Restored during the reign of king Gojong, the rooms and architecture of the palace displays royal grandeur. Roam around the palace ad look into the chapters of history, this palace will answer all your questions from the ancient times. The National Palace Museum of Korea is located south of Heungnyemun Gate, and the National Folk Museum is located east within Hyangwonjeong. MYEONGDONG It is the fashion street of Seoul with shops selling international brands and unique items lined across the streets. Shop your heart out here with latest trends and fashion. A trip of Seoul is incomplete with its shopping in Myeongdong. Myeongdong also houses a variety of family restaurants, fast food, plus Korean, Western and Japanese dining options. It is the place where everyone shops for famous Korean Cosmetic brands.

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KOREA

LOTTE WORLD Lotte World consists of the world's largest indoor theme park (a Guinness World Record) which is open all year around, an outdoor amusement park called “Magic Island”, an artificial island inside a lake linked by monorail, shopping malls, a luxury hotel, a Korean folk museum, sports facilities, movie theaters and obviously the attractive Lotte World Tower all in one place. Taking inspiration from traditional Korean art forms in the design of the various interior program spaces, the sleek tapered form of Lotte World Tower will stand out from Seoul's rocky, mountainous topography. It contains retail components, offices, a 7-star luxury hotel, and an Officetel. Officetels, common in South Korean real estate, offer studioapartment-style accommodations for people who work in the building and often feature certain services found in hotels, such as furnishings, a security desk, and gym access. The building's top 10 stories are earmarked for extensive public use and entertainment facilities, including an observation deck and rooftop café. The Gyro Drop and Gyro Swing are the top pleasers– a steep drop with an altitude of 70 meters, or taste the thrilling sensation of being inside a tornado. The Flume Ride is a long boat with a high-altitude wave, and the Spanish Pirate Ship swings at an electrifying 75 degrees. N SEOUL TOWER Namsan Seoul Tower was built as Korea's first integrated transmission tower beaming television and radio broadcasts across the capital. The tower's main attractions include multi-colored digital art projected onto the tower at night, a digital observatory, a roof terrace, the HanCook restaurant, the N.Grill restaurant, and the Haneul (Sky) Restroom. Namsan Seoul Tower's mountain surroundings on Namsan Mountain have made it a popular place to unwind for locals and tourists alike. The tower's Digital Observatory is unique, offering an astonishing 360 degree panorama over the city, and 32 LCD screens recounting the 600year history of Seoul. Situated on top of the N Plaza, the Roof Terrace is a spacious wooden viewing deck whose exotic atmosphere makes it very popular with lovers.

INCHEON Located west of Seoul, the port city of Incheon has served as Korea's window to the world for over a century since the opening of its port in 1883. Vestiges of the port's role as a getaway can be discovered at Chinatown and Gaehang Nurigil, both located near the port. Come here to eat Chinese food, stroll along the Wolmido waterfront and visit the fish market at Yeonan, where you can catch ferries to China or the West Sea islands. Attractions in Incheon WOLMIDO ISLAND Going to Wolmido Island for a day trip is a fabulous idea. It takes half an

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hour by bus from Incheon subway station. There is a big amusement park where you can play Viking Ship, the 70-meter-high Hyper Shoot Drop, Tagada Disco, or go on the 115-meter-high Ferris Wheel. If you want to enjoy the natural environment, you can go to Wolmi Traditional Park in which many beautiful gardens, ponds, and buildings are located. CHINATOWN In Incheon Chinatown, there are great restaurants, informative museums, and interesting pedestrian streets, full of Chinese characteristics. You can have a look at Chinatown Paeru, Jung-san School, Euiseondang, and the Korean-Chinese Cultural Centre, where you will be able to learn about the life of ancient Chinese people in Korea. It is also the place where Jajangmyun (noodles with black bean sauce) was invented, so there are many restaurants selling this delicious dish. SONGDO INTERNATIONAL CITY Built on reclaimed land, Songdo offers a number of attractions. A trip to Songdo can start at Central Park, a natural oasis in the city. Because of its proximity to the sea, the manmade waterway is filled with sea water, and water taxis travel through the park. Close by are a lawn and a promenade along a field of reeds. Nearby, there are many futuristiclooking buildings, high rise towers, exhibition centers, well trimmed parks creating a harmonious combination of technology and the natural environment.

GYEONGGI-DO Gyeonggi-Do province which wraps itself around Seoul like a donut is made up of satellite cities of the capital and is also a popular weekend getaway destination for Seoul residents. The province offers an endless list of sights, from theme parks to shopping centers and more which are accessible by public transportation from Seoul. Attractions in Gyeonggi-Do EVERLAND Everland is South Korea's largest theme park at 100 hectares. The park is home to over 40 heart-pounding rides and attractions. In addition to 'Safari World' featuring white tigers, tigers, lions and bears, 'Herbivore Safari' lets visitors get up close and personal with the safari's giraffes, elephants, and ostriches. Everland is also known for its gorgeous flower arrangements and beautiful gardens, which have been year-round fixtures since the Rose Festival in 1985. KOREAN FOLK VILLAGE At this village Korean customs and lifestyle from the time period can be experienced by visitors, who will have the impression of having travelled back in time. Folk music concerts, martial arts demonstrations, traditional marriages and other Korean customs from the past are regularly on display at the village and master artisans may be seen at their workshops making earthenware, wine and liquor

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musical instruments. VIVALDI SKI RESORT Vivaldi Park Ski World has been noted for being the most visited Ski resort in Korea for seven consecutive years. It has its state-of-the art facilities and slopes suitable for all levels and yet more facilities are newly installed every year to maintain its reputation. Only 45 minutes from Seoul, It is the closest ski resort from a Seoul and largest Ski area in Seoul metropolitan region. Surely it will not only give you unforgettable memories, but also will be a perfect get away from your busy life. This World-class Ski World can accommodate 20,000 visitors daily, covers combined slope area of 1,322,021m2, total slope length of 6,784m. Among a total of 10 lifts Vivaldi Park Ski World operates, there is a Asia's first 8-seater express chairlift and 8-seater gondola. DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) In South Korea, visiting the DMZ is huge for tourism. Here, you can choose from all multitude of tours, from full day visits or JSA only tours. A visit to the DMZ is without a doubt an eye-opener and a must see for those interested in history and current affairs. The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is a region on the Korean peninsula that demarcates North Korea from South Korea. The DMZ runs along the complete 248 km land border between North Korea and South Korea and is 4 km wide. DMZ is highly militarized on both sides. It has become a wildlife haven for both animals and migratory birds, and there are calls to preserve it as a national park and sanctuary for wildlife in the event of reunification on the Korean peninsula. PETITE FRANCE Petite France is a French cultural village set in the Korean countryside. It serves as both a French cultural village and a youth training facility (Goseong Youth Training Center), and consists of 16 French-style buildings where visitors can lodge and experience French food, clothing, and household culture. The concept of Petite France encapsulates 'flowers, stars, and the Little Prince.' The village contains a memorial hall dedicated to Saint-Exupery, the author of the celebrated French novel, Le Petit Prince (1943) and as such it is called the Little Prince theme park. It also has a gallery displaying sculptures and paintings of le coq gaulois (the Gallic rooster), the national symbol of France; Orgel House where a 200-year-old music box plays a sweet melody; a shop that sells herbal and aromatic products; a souvenir shop; and many other locales where you can experience French culture. The village can accommodate up to 200 visitors with 34 guest rooms that hold four to ten people each. Enjoy the marionette experience and hear percussion instruments from around the world, and also enjoy soap bubble experience. Explore South Korea through its wondrous collection and get amazed as each destination unfolds its new surprises.

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KOREA

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ATM 2017 Arabian Travel Market 2017 Kicked Off With Exciting Announcements In Dubai

FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON BUR DUBAI

Four Point Sheraton is a living extravaganza located in the historical heart of Dubai. Its prime location in Bur Dubai makes it accessible from all tourist attractions. Located on Bank Street, this example of luxurious grandeur is a 10-minute drive from the Dubai International Airport, Dubai World Trade Center and public beach. It provides easy access to the Dubai Metro as well via two metro stations: Burjuman and Al Fahidi. It is also walking distance from the city's most popular tourist attractions, such as Dubai Museum, Meena Bazaar and the old Bastakiya Quarters. With well furnished rooms and posh interiors, Four Point Sheraton is an example of splendor in Bur Dubai. It has a total classification of four types of rooms: Classic Rooms, Executive Rooms, Grand Rooms and Executive Suite. Each room is designed with all the modern amenities and displays an utter example of lavishness. The hotel also features with a health club, concierge service and business centre. Whether planning for a Birthday party, Wedding reception, Graduation party, Christening or any social event, big or small, Four Point Sheraton helps you make it the best it can be. The attentive and friendly staff will get you what you need, when you need it, so that you will be

free to enjoy our Simple Pleasures. Our event venues can accommodate up to 350 guests. Restaurants and Bars Whether you're craving a sweet treat and a cup of coffee, or dinner with a glass of wine, you will find it in one of the restaurants. If you'd rather relax in the comfort of the guest room, in-

room dining menu will be provided with plenty of tasty options. Ricetta - Ricetta's home is at the Four Points by Sheraton Bur Dubai. At Ricetta, the Italian chef reaches into his family history and blends the old with the new in a pleasant trattoria style location. Enjoy dishes such as

Gamberi Piccanti or Tagliatelle Mare e Monti , homemade ravioli with l a m b a n d b ro c c o l i ( A g n e l l o e Broccoli). Ricetta is the perfect recipe for a great meal served with one final key ingredient; a warm welcome and genuine hospitality. Antique Bazaar - A Journey To The Royal Past. Antique Bazaar is an

award winning Indian restaurant that reflects the authenticity of Indian cuisines. Few restaurants stand out with the right delicacy and the perfect ambience, Antique Bazaar is one of such. Renowned for carrying on the legacy of serving cuisines that once ruled the hearts of the royal

families of India who are still known for their respect for exquisite food. The Viceroy Pub - An English pub with a colonial setting, it is the perfect place to spend a relaxed afternoon or a cheerful evening. On the several LCD screens in the pub shows a wide variety of sports. Relax with your favourite beer in The Viceroy Pub. The Best Brews are always available on tap ever y evening. La Terrace - Lobby Café The elegant lobby lounge offers guests the perfect respite before, after or during a busy day. Relax in the warm and cozy ambience and watch the crowds go by from the floor to ceiling glass windows. Some of the attractions of Dubai close to Sheraton are Abra Water Taxi, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Al Ghubaiba Bus Station, Barclays Bank, Burjuman Mall, Deira City Centre, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, Dubai Festival City, Dubai Gold Souk, Dubai Heritage Village, Dubai International Convention Centre, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai Mall, Dubai Museum, Dubai, World Trade Centre, Jumeirah Beach Park, Jumeirah Mosque, Khaleed Bin Waleed Metro Station, Lamcy Plaza, Meena Bazaar, Old Bastakiya Quarters and Shindagha.

Arabian Travel Market 2017 welcomed over 2,600 exhibitors with 100 exhibiting for the first time – representing more than 150 countries, across 65 national pavilions. The 24th edition of the show saw the august presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Among other dignitaries including HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman and CEO of the Emirates Group; and His Excellency Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM). Mr. Simon Press, Senior Exhibition

Director, ATM, said, “We have visitors registered from all corners of the globe and all facets of the hospitality industry for what promises to be the biggest show yet in the event's 24-year history. The growth and scale of ATM 2017 is testament to the buoyant travel and tourism industry here in the MENA region. With a series of mega-events scheduled for the coming years, including Expo 2020, this growth will undoubtedly continue.” ATM Buyers Club Speed Networking kicked off with buyers and exhibitors from across the globe who came together to strike deals and do valuable business at Dubai World Trade Centre. Exhibitors and senior buyers got five focused minutes together to talk leads, deals and business.

ATM Dubai talked off an in-depth on cruise tourism. With Dubai alone targeting one million cruise tourists by 2020. The cruise experts gave invaluable insight into the growth potential and the steps the region must take to attract more cruise lines. China and India was up for discussion on the ATM Global Stage on how to increase promotional activities to attract more visitors from two of the future’s biggest inbound source markets. Qatar Airways made a host of exciting announcements including its announcement of high-speed

broadband on flights starting this summer, along with a brand new graphic user interface (GUI) for improved usability and a complimentary new entertainment application for early access to thousands of entertainment options, combined with the regional reveal of its impressive and groundbreaking Qsuite.

India – The Largest Growing Outbound Tourism Market Dubai welcomed 1.8 million visitors from India in 2016, up 12.5%, while Abu Dhabi saw almost 323,400 Indian tourists, up 15%, making the South Asian country one of the top source markets for both emirates. India has been named the largest growing outbound tourism market in percentage terms, with the UNWTO predicting 50 million Indians will travel overseas annually by 2020.

More than 300 flights a week already operate between Abu Dhabi and major Indian cities, and in 2016. Etihad Airways announced an expansion of its Indian network through its partner Jet Airways – with the two airlines adding 28 weekly flights and three new destinations. Indian tourists are also making their mark across the Middle East, with rising numbers in Oman and Qatar, among other destinations.

Dubai

Celebrates Soaring Tourist Arrivals Dubai attracted 4.57 million travelers in the first quarter of 2017, reflecting more than double the growth achieved in the same period last year. The Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) figures show an 11% increase in overnight visitation from January to March, with China, Russia and India emerging as key feeder markets. This comes after a record 14.9 million overnight visitors were recorded in 2016, marking a 5% increase on the year before and positioning the Emirate on course to reach its goal of 20 million annual visitors by 2020.

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ATM 2017 Arabian Travel Market 2017 Kicked Off With Exciting Announcements In Dubai

FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON BUR DUBAI

Dubai

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HOSPITALITY Hyatt Place Rameswaram Celebrates Official Opening

Intercontinental Opens Holiday Inn In Chennai

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has opened Holiday Inn Express hotel for budget accommodation on the Old Mahabalipuram Road in Chennai. Conveniently located in the heart of the IT corridor on Rajiv Gandhi IT Expressway, also known as Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), Holiday Inn Chennai OMR IT Expressway is easily accessible to the city and just 13 kms away from the Chennai International Airport. Whether you are travelling for leisure or business Holiday Inn ensure your stay a comfortable as well as a memorable one. The property has 202 comfortable guest rooms, contemporary interiors, breathtaking view of the IT corridor, complimentary standard Wi-Fi access,

stylish banquet hall and to top it all an efficient staff who are always at your service. Relish a refreshing dining experience at our all day dining restaurant, Café G. If you’re looking for a place to unwind post a stressful day, then we’ve got a sports themed bar, Score with the right blend of music, beverages and ambiance. Also the right place for you to have the afternoon tea or a meeting over a cup of coffee. With Tidel Park just 10 minutes away, and IT companies such as Cognizant Tech Solutions, HCL Technologies and Cisco Systems located in close proximity, the hotel is well placed to cater to corporate and MICE travelers as well as leisure travelers exploring Chennai.

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Located in Rameswaram – one of India’s holiest pilgrimage destinations – the 101-key is the first Hyatt Place to open in the state of Tamil Nadu. Developed by JKR Enterprise Limited, the hotel offers guests a convenient base for pilgrimages and leisure travel in the southernmost tip of India. Each room comes with a swiveling 42-inch HDTV, Hyatt Grand Bed and Cozy Corner sectional sofa. Facilities on-site include a restaurant, poolside bar, complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, 24-hour gym, outdoor swimming pool, as well as more than 440m2 of function space. "The opening of Hyatt Place Rameswaram is a significant milestone for the Hyatt Place brand as it continues to expand in India and across the globe," said Kurt Straub, Hyatt's vice president of operations, India. "Rameswaram's first Hyatt Place hotel will be a vibrant and dynamic hotel that combines comfort and style that fits right into the region's religious

tourism." The hotel is situated in the heart of the Rameswaram, close to the holy Ramanathaswamy Temple and Agni Theertham, one of Rameswaram's sacred bodies of water, as well as the house of former Indian president Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalamvarious. "We are delighted to announce the opening of Hyatt Place Rameswaram in South India. The Hyatt Place brand offers an innovative service concept and a modern design, and we are confident this hotel will provide a wonderful new lodging option to those visiting the area. JKR remains highly committed to providing modern and affordable accommodation and services that cater to the needs of those visiting the holy city," said Sharda Deepa, managing director, JKR Enterprise Limited.

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HOSPITALITY Novotel plans to launch The Source At Sula

Novotel Guwahati in 2017

India's First Heritage Winery Resort

Novotel, a hotel brand from AccorHotels, will make its debut in the capital city of Guwahati with the opening of Novotel Guwahati GS Road in July, 2017. The hotel is strategically located in the heart of Guwahati's commercial district, conveniently situated near the GuwahatiShillong highway, suitable both for business trips and for holidays. The property is 25kms from the Guwahati International Airport, and adjacent to the upcoming SM JDB Mall. The Assam-based SM JDB Estate Private Limited will be responsible for the development of the project. The hotel, which is part of the Novotel brand known for its spacious modular guestrooms, commitment to guest wellbeing, meeting facilities, children's offerings and attentive service, will feature 122 modern and well-appointed rooms and suites. Guests at Novotel Guwahati GS Road will enjoy an array of modern facilities, including an all-day dining restaurant, lobby bar, lounge and health club. Restaurants - SQUARE (International cuisine); LOUNGE BAR (Located at the

Sula Vineyards announces the launch of the country's first heritage winery resort – 'The Source at Sula'. The resort not only showcases an exquisite Tuscan theme, but also opens up to the stunning views of the vineyards, the Deccan hills and the beautiful Gangapur Lake. The Source at Sula has 23 unique rooms, including the gorgeous Tower Suite, with its unparalleled vistas “like a Van Gogh painting” in the words of Sula Founder Mr. Rajeev Samant. There are also four charming 'closer to nature' Tree Houses. The Source at Sula comes with facilities like a swimming pool, tennis court, spa, gym, and restaurant, along with Sula's signature wine tourism activities – winery tours and tasting sessions with the winemakers. Next door, guests can enjoy sunset views at the Tasting Room or grab a bite at Sula's restaurants Soma and Little Italy. For the outdoor junkies, bicycles are provided to amble through the vineyards and rural roads.

lobby level, Lounge Bar is a sleek and modern bar that serves a wide range of cocktails and drinks. The perfect spot to relax and unwind) and ROOFTOP BAR (Located next to the swimming pool, the Rooftop Bar provides a comfortable ambience to catch up with friends and colleagues. It serves an extensive range of mocktails, cocktails, wine and snacks. The top floors will be the hotel's main attraction with a rooftop pool and the adjacent bar, creating a new trendy destination to unwind and socialise in the city for visitors and locals alike. With four modern and spacious meeting rooms and banquets backed by state-ofthe-art infrastructure, the hotel will be the latest address in the city for meetings and events.

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Mr. Monit Dhavale, Head of Sula's Hospitality Operations said, “People from all over the world want to come stay at our vineyards which are now world famous. Our other properties Beyond by Sula with also Sky Villa are very popular and have their own charm but we could not think of a better place and experience to offer than one at the building of our very first winery.” Cecilia Oldne, VP- Marketing and Global Brand Ambassador, Sula Vineyards said, “We have retained much of the Rahul Mehrotra designed winery's original structure and added a Tuscan twist to it! You really feel a part of history spending time at The Source at Sula. It's truly a stunning property and a must visit!” Launched this month at Sula Vineyards, the tariffs for the next getaway start at INR 6,500 + taxes.

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HOSPITALITY Hyatt Place Rameswaram Celebrates Official Opening

Intercontinental Opens Holiday Inn In Chennai

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HOSPITALITY Novotel plans to launch The Source At Sula

Novotel Guwahati in 2017

India's First Heritage Winery Resort

SAFARI PLUS | MAY - JUNE, 2017

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS Film "Tiger Zinda Hai" Shoots in Innsbruck

Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 1 June to 31 July, 2017 The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) much anticipated annual Amazing Thailand Grand Sale campaign, which has been held successfully for 18 consecutive years, will return this year as the ‘Thailand Shopping & Dining Paradise 2017’ and will be held from 1 June to 31 July, 2017, in cities nationwide. Under the Thailand Shopping & Dining Paradise 2017 campaign, partners and participating outlets will be offering special promotions and steep discounts to encourage foreign travellers to enjoy shopping, dining, entertaining, and travelling within Thailand throughout the two-month period. Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor said, “The campaign is organised during the ‘Green Season’ so there is no better time to come to Thailand if you are a serious shoppers. We have a wide range of tourism products and travel services from every region joining this campaign. This campaign will ensure to all visitors that Thailand will continue being a leading “ p r e f e r r e d destination” for every

visitor to Thailand”. Among the campaign partners include major credit cards – Visa International, MasterCard, UnionPay, and JCB, department stores and shopping malls nationwide, leading airlines, the Thai Hotels Associations Thai Restaurants Association, Thai Spa Association, and a lot more. There will be sales promotion activities to take place at commercial bordering towns in every region nationwide, particularly in the country’s Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which include Mae Sot district in Tak province, Mueang district in Khon Kaen province, Aranyaprathet district in Sa Kaeo province, and Hat Yai district in Songkhla province.

Yash Raj Films has successfully wrapped the shooting for the Indian action film "Tiger Zinda Hai" in Innsbruck, Austria. The scenes showing Salman Khan as RAW agent Tiger and Katrina Kaif as his wife Zoya have been shot in the Riesensaal of the Hofburg Imperial Palace in Innsbruck. Furthermore the team was shooting scenes in the Hofgasse, the Herzog-Friedrich-Strabe beneath Innsbrucks landmark, the Golden Roof. Apart from the old town of Innsbruck, filming was continued in the picturesque holiday villages surrounding Innsbruck, such as Praxmar and Kuhtai, where terrific action sequences were shot. The joint efforts of Innsbruck Tourism and local Cine Tirol Film Commission have succeeded in establishing Tirol as a preferred filming destination for Indian film productions for many years. Karin SeilerLall, CEO of Innsbruck Tourism is convinced of the great potential filminduced tourism has. “It's great for our marketing to be seen within this Bollywood movie.

Innsbruck's image will be delivered to an international audience,” says Seiler-Lall. Gripping action scenes were shot on location in Praxmar and Kuhtai. Ursula Keplinger's Creative Creatures service production company was responsible for planning and organizing the shooting in Tirol. The production of “Tiger Zinda Hai” is supported by Innsbruck Tourism, Location Austria, FISA – Film Support Austria and Cine Tirol.

As Thailand's “Rose of the North”, Chiang Mai is a land of cultural and natural wonderland with ethnic diversity, a multitude of attractions and welcoming hospitality. Many people come to visit the historical northern city of Chiang Mai, but never extend their visit to travel into the hills and mountains surrounding it. Even fewer visit the charming neighbouring cities of Nan, Lampang and Lamphun which have an even older history than Chiang Mai. Northern Thailand is popular for its adventure and the attractions here are lucrative enough to keep the tourists engaged other than the monotonous beaches and water activities. To name few here are some of the activities which you can enjoy in Chiang Mai. Activities in Chiang Mai Elephant Camps - Numerous elephant

camps have been established to help protect the elephants in the area. The camps put on elephant shows and activities for tourists where the elephants display their various skills. Most of the camps have elephant rides where tourists ride the elephants for an hour or two through the jungle surrounding the camps. There is the Mae Ping Elephant Camp, Patara Elephant Farm, Mae Sa Elephant Camp, Chiang Dao Elephant Tra i n i n g C e n t e r T h a i E l e p h a n t Conservation Center (near Lampang) and lots more. Treetop Zip Lining - "Flight of the Gibbon" - includes 3 hours of exhilarating rides through the rainforest canopy on zip lines and skybridges high above the forest floor. Tiger Kingdom - Get up close and play with the tigers. This is an ultimate experience for lovers of the big cats. Trekking - Lots of tourists/travellers go on organized treks through the mountain regions to visit and even stay in the various hill tribe villages. You can see

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various hill tribe people around Chiang Mai daily, often at the markets selling their locally produced goods to support the families in the villages. Chiang Mai X Centre – It is one-stop for all adrenaline junkies with a wide range of thrilling activities to keep visitors of all ages entertained all day long. Starting from motorsport action to off road tours by motorcycle or buggy into the hills that overlook the beautiful Mae Rim Valley or the racing track, you will get all adventure under one roof.

Lamphun Lamphun is a small city located 26 km away from Chiang Mai. It is an ancient city and thus contains many historical sites. An ideal place for a history buff as the ancient buildings and architecture will portray the epic stories. The most important sight of Lamphun is the temple

Wat Phra That Haripunjaya, which sits in a lovely location near the river. Other than these fishing activities are also provided is some of the lakes and national parks.

Lampang Lampang is a charming small city near Chiang Mai that is famous for its horse drawn carriages and home of the king's stable of white elephants. Of all the cities and towns near Chiang Mai, Lampang has the most distinctive character. The rooster is a very old symbol of Lampang, derived from a local legend. Since Lampang is more than 1,000 years old (older than Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai) it is rich in archaeological and historical sites from the kingdoms of Hariphunchai, Lanna, and Burma. There are also some nice riverside restaurants and a friendly local population. Just outside of the city, on the road to Chiang Mai, is the 'Thailand Elephant Conservation Centre' which is a famous government run centre.

Chiang Mai Zoo Located at a distance of about 19 km, Chiang Mai Zoo is an amazing world of

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over 200 types of Asian and African mammals in this striking landscape. Situated at Doi Suthep foothills, just next to the beautiful Huay Kaew Arboretum, it is home to China Panda Family Ambassador to Thailand, Linping, Lin Hui, and Chuang Chaung at the Panda House. Follow by immersing yourself in Asia's longest 133-meter underwater tunnel at the newly aquarium where you will discover rare sea and river fish from northern regions including Khong River Basin, Amazon River Basin, the mangrove. Then there is the Nakhon Ping Bird Aviary you will explore vast array of international bird species with the scenic view of waterfall. The zoo also offers tram service for sightseeing trip with informative live guide about the zoo and its highlights. Or traverse the zoo with the bird's eye view on the mono rail which stops in the 4 highlight attractions.

Doi Suthep-Pui National Park A national park in Chiang which covers a 262-square-meter verdant forest and mountain ranges in three districts of Chiang Mai and located at a distance of 30 km. Attractions in this national park include Huai Kaew Waterfall and Kru Ba Sri Wichai monument. The major hills which dominate the backdrop here are Doi Suthep, Doi Buak Ha, and Doi Pui. Doi Suthep is perhaps the best known as its peak is the location of a sacred Wat Phra That Di Suthep and the golden pagoda that shines against the sun.

Chiang Mai Night Safari Traverse the exciting Thailand's first night safari in the 50-seat open air tram to meet elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, Asiatic black bears, tigers, hyenas, crocodiles, and many more. Many activities are lined up including bathing elephants, feeding hippopotamus and rhino horn. Enjoy the Night Safari in 3 different zones, North Zone is a 25-minute trip with the

carnivorous animal, South Zone is a 30minute trip with the animal from African savanna, and Walking Zone which is a walking trail wrapping around Swan Lake for 1.2 kilometers.

Doi Inthanon National Park Part of the Himalayan mountain range, Doi Inthanon is Thailand's tallest peak at 2,565 metres above the sea level. Doi Inthanon National Park covers an area of 482.4 square kilometers in three districts of Chiang Mai province. During winter the blossoms of Siamese sakura flowers spreads all over the area. This national park of Chiang Mai is an amazing world of natural wonders including waterfalls, forests, caves, pagodas, stupas, nature trails and an ideal spot for bird watching.

Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai is a relaxed city within the area famously known as the Golden Triangle. The Golden Triangle is where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos converge. It has many traditional Thai temples and also temples with a distinctly Burmese influence due to a long Burmese occupation of the area. There is also the famous White Temple one of the most distinctive temples in the world. The region is home to many hill tribes including the Akha, Lisu, Mien and Hmong and Chiang Rai is famous for selling handicraft items such as fabric, woodcarvings and silverware produced by the hill tribe people. Chiang Mai doesn't end here. There are some other attractions also which adorns this northern Thai province. Those who deserve special mention are Wat Phra Sing, Wat Chedi Luang Varavihara, Wat Phan Tao, Wat Chedi Jed Yord, Kad Suan Kaeo Art & Cultural Centre, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and Thaton.

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS Film "Tiger Zinda Hai" Shoots in Innsbruck

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Wat Phra That Haripunjaya, which sits in a lovely location near the river. Other than these fishing activities are also provided is some of the lakes and national parks.

Chiang Mai Zoo Located at a distance of about 19 km, Chiang Mai Zoo is an amazing world of

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carnivorous animal, South Zone is a 30minute trip with the animal from African savanna, and Walking Zone which is a walking trail wrapping around Swan Lake for 1.2 kilometers.

Chiang Rai

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AVIATION

AVIATION Airbus To Open Aerocity In New Delhi

Airbus is setting up a greenfield training facility at Aerocity, New Delhi, to support India's growing need for Airbus aircraft pilots and maintenance engineers. India is the fastest growing domestic aviation market in the world and is expected to continue to grow at an annualized 9.3% over the next 20 years, outpacing the world average of 4.6%. To cater to this huge demand, Airbus forecasts a requirement for at least 1,600 new passenger and freighter aircraft by 2035. The consequent increase in Indian in-service aircraft fleet will lead to an accompanying need for over 24,000 new pilots and maintenance engineers. The almost 7000 square meter Airbus India Training Centre will be built in a

Garuda Indonesia Trade & Press Meet in Mumbai

modular concept in order to become operational by end-2018 with two A320 full flight simulators, increasing to four and potentially to six simulators in due course. It will start with an initial capacity to train over 800 pilots and 200 maintenance engineers annually. Airbus India had decided to open its full flight training centre at Delhi Aerocity Terminal district keeping in mind the growing requirements of its customers as Delhi is a key base for most of the airlines - Air India, Indigo and Vistara. “We have only scratched the surface when it comes to the growth of civil aviation in India. This training centre will be the first such facility fully owned by us in Asia. It is a symbol of our enduring partnership with this country,” said Mr. Tom Enders, CEO, Airbus.

THAI & Bangkok Airways Enter Code-Share Agreement

Garuda Indonesia hosted Open House in association with Visit Indonesia Tourism Office in Mumbai. Sharing the recent updates of the Airline with the Media and trade partner. Garuda Indonesia has appointed Bird Travels as the General Sales Agent having 08 offices across India. The purpose of the event was to create awareness about the Garuda Indonesia Airline new office in Mumbai and informing the trade about the various opportunities available to promote Indonesia as a destination. The Garuda Indonesia office was recently inaugurated at, 510/511, 5th Floor, Nirman Kendra, Dr. E. Moses Road, Mahalaxmi, Mumbai 400 011. H. E. Mr. Saut Siringoringo, Consul General of The Republic of Indonesia in Mumbai, inaugurated the event in the Indonesian Traditional way and addressed the guests thereafter. The ceremony was held in the presence of Garuda Indonesia Service and Station Manager, Mr. Sampiriyanto, Ms. Shelly Chandhok, Country Manager of Visit India Tourism Office, Mr. Kishore Bukane, Sales Manager for Garuda Indonesia along with the entire team of Garuda Indonesia. A product presentation was given to the travel fraternity to update them more on Garuda Indonesia product & services

and to promote Indonesian destinations beyond Bali. Garuda Indonesia’s Jakarta-bound s e r v i c e o p e rate s o n M o n d ays , Wednesdays and Fridays and is operated by Garuda’s state-of-the-art 162-seater, Boeing 737-800 aircraft with a two-class cabin configuration featuring its globally praised Business Class service concept, and the World's Best Economy Class (Skytrax Global Airline Awards 2013). The airline also received the World's Best Cabin Crew award by Skytrax for three consecutive years (2014, 2015 & 2016). In 2016, Garuda Indonesia is bestowed with the World’s Most Loved Airline Award by Skytrax, in recognition of the outstanding services being rendered by the airline, globally. To enable passengers to take advantage of the summer holiday season, Garuda Indonesia is running a special return promotional fare valid for travel until 26 April 2017. Mumbai to Jakarta and Denpasar (Bali) all-inclusive Economy class return fares starts from INR 22,000 and Business class from INR 58,000. (Terms and conditions apply) The fares are available for purchase from the Garuda Indonesia Mumbai sales office and the appointed travel agents. Please call us on +91 22 2496 1040 / 4970 4827 for more details and visit www.garuda-indonesia.com

Belgian's leading airline Brussels Airlines connects M u m b a i ' s C h h a t ra p a t i Airport to Brussels Airport with a direct flight. With its 5 weekly services, Brussels Airlines now offers a smooth link to the European capital. Brussels Airlines' inaugural flight SN601 landed at Mumbai in the late hours of March 30. As a special gesture for its customers, the departure of the first flight out of Mumbai, flight SN602, was celebrated with a ribbon and cake cutting ceremony. The flight schedule consists of daytime flights to Mumbai on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. The flights depart in the morning and arrive late in the evening in Mumbai. Flights leave Mumbai on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday night and arrive in Brussels early the next morning. The Mumbai-Brussels flight schedule will allow seamless connections to many European, African and American

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) led by Mrs. Usanee Sangsingkeo – Acting President and Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited by Mr. Puttipong PrasarttongOsoth – President has signed a CodeShare Agreement to strengthen their respective route networks. The code-share agreement will facilitate expansion in the area of commercial sales and increase passenger convenience on more flights that connect between the two air carriers. The code-share agreement will be on the following routes: Flights Operated by Bangkok Airways

1. Domestic flights on 10 routes: roundtrip flights on the route BangkokSamui, Bangkok-Chiang Mai, BangkokChiang Rai, Bangkok-Phuket, BangkokKrabi, Bangkok-Lampang, BangkokSukhothai, Bangkok-Trat, Chiang MaiMae Hong Son, and Samui-Phuket. 2. International flights on 4 routes: roundtrip flights on the route BangkokDanang (Vietnam), Bangkok-Luang Prabang (Laos), Bangkok-Maldives (Malé), and Bangkok-Siem Reap (Cambodia). Flights Operated by THAI Roundtrip international flight on the route Bangkok-Singapore and other future routes are being considered.

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mode is activated on their mobile phones, the exPhone service will automatically run, which will be used till the flight is ready for landing. The eXPhone service, offered in close c o o p e r a t i o n w i t h Panasonic/AeroMobile, has successfully been tested on board during a flight with the participations of our relevant authorities, via one of our cabin attendant' mobile phone. The eXPhone service will be billed by the passengers' mobile phone operators, and the prices will vary depending on their individual roaming contracts.

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destinations in the Brussels Airlines network, like London Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Bristol, Geneva, Paris, Lyon, Toulouse, Stockholm, Milan, Madrid and the intercontinental flights to New York, Toronto, Washington and 19 African destinations. “India is an important economic partner for Belgium and has a large leisure potential at the same time. With our new service, we offer the diamond- and travel industry direct flights, which is an important investment in our network expansion, but also in the economic relations between India and Belgium.” said Mr. Bernard Gustin, CEO Brussels Airlines.

Air India will operate a non-stop flight from Delhi to Washington from July 7th, 2017, to connect the capitals of India and the USA. This will be the only direct flight connecting Delhi with Washington with a B777-200LR aircraft. Washington will be Air India's fifth non-stop destination in USA after New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Chicago (ORD) and San Francisco (SFO). AI 103 will depart from Delhi at 0115 hrs (IST) to reach Washington at 0715 hrs (GMT). While AI 104 will depart from Washington at 1100 hrs (GMT) and will land at IGI airport, Delhi at 1030 +1 hrs (IST). Operating thrice a week on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, the

Jet Airways has started direct daily flights between Mumbai and Madurai (Tamil Nadu) and Mumbai and Bagdogra (West Bengal). The airline also commenced direct daily flights between Jaipur (Rajasthan) and Chandigarh. The maiden Mumbai-Madurai flight 9W 336 departed Mumbai at 1005 hrs. and arrived at Madurai 1300 hrs. The return flight 9W 357 departed with a full

complement of guests at 1335 hrs. from Madurai and reached Mumbai at 1535 hrs. Similarly, flight 9W 791 departed Mumbai at 1005 hrs and arrived at Bagdogra Airport at 1300 hrs while the return flight 9W 792 left Bagdogra at 1335 hrs and arrived in the financial capital at 1635 hrs. The new service is part of Jet Airways' strategy to introduce direct flights between metros and emerging cities across India. The airline's c o n t i n u e d expansion of its domestic network indicates its strong confidence to connect and offer greater choice of destinations to its guests.

Jet Airways Signs Codeshare Agreement With Jetstar Asia Jet Airways and Jetstar Asia has announced a codeshare agreement for flights from Singapore. Under this agreement, Jet Airways will place its marketing code '9W' on Jetstar Asia flights operating from Singapore to 11 destinations across in the Asia Pacific region: Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand, Perth and Darwin in Australia, Jakarta, Denpasar Bali and Surabaya in Indonesia, Ho-Chi-Minh City in Vietnam, Kuala Lumpur and Penang in Malaysia and Hong Kong.

With this codeshare, Jet Airways will extend its codeshare foot-print to three brand new destinations: Darwin, Phuket and Penang. The codeshare will allow Jet Airways to offer seamless travel options to its guests from its everexpanding and convenient bouquet of business and leisure destinations. The codeshare will also bring immense value to JetPrivilege members who will be able to accrue JPMiles on the codeshare flights operated by Jetstar.

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flight will offer a 3-cabin configuration, with 8 seats in First Class, 35 seats in Business Class and 195 seats in Economy Class. This non-stop flight will not only provide convenient connections to Indians based in the Pacific Northwest region but will also further enhance the diplomatic relations between the two countries. The direct flight will take around 15hours and 30mins to reach Washington from Delhi. Passengers looking to travel and experience the world class facilities with a non-stop Boeing 777 flight can start booking their tickets now through www.airindia.in or through Air India booking offices.

Indigo Introduces 35 Additional Flights

Jet Airways starts Non-Stop flights to Bagdogra & Madurai

Turkish Airlines Introduces In-Flight Mobile Connectivity Turkish Airlines now introduces its new in-flight mobile connectivity through “eXPhone” for an uninterrupted communication on board. As an extension of Wi-Fi and live TV availability on its Boeing B777 and Airbus A330 aircrafts, Turkish Airlines now offers mobile internet connectivity by eXPhone to its guests, by April, 2017. By using this service, passengers will be able to send text messages (excluding voice messages), check their e-mails and browse internet (including social media platforms) with their own mobile phones. The stages of the process will be shaped as ! The cabin crew will make an announcement to inform the passengers about the service' current availability for on-board use, after the take-off. ! Provided that the “Data Roaming”

Air India To Connect Delhi & Washington

Brussels Airlines Connects India To Brussels Airport

Reiterating its commitment to provide enhanced connectivity across its network – IndiGo 35 new flights in its summer schedule. Effective April and May, IndiGo will introduce new flights between Amritsar - Jammu, Chennai – Bhubaneshwar, Chennai – Indore, Kolkata – Jammu, Srinagar – Kolkata, Bengaluru – Mangalore, Mumbai – Mangalore, Sharjah Thiruvananthapuram and Hyderabad -Trivandrum, respectively. The airline will also add new flight frequencies from 6 stations including, Ahmedabad, Goa

C h e n n a i , Tr i v a n d r u m , Agartala, Amritsar and Delhi. With the introduction of these flights, IndiGo will operate 926 daily flights ( E f f e c t i v e M a y, 2 0 1 7 ) connecting 46 destinations, thus further consolidating IndiGo's position as country's largest and fastest growing carrier. Speaking on the launch, Mr. Aditya Ghosh, President and Whole Time Director, IndiGo said, “In line with our endeavour to meet the requirements of both business and leisure travellers, we have introduced 35 additional flights across 6E network. It gives me immense pleasure in announcing these new flights, which will provide even more flexibility of choice for our customers, and connect these destinations across India.”

Airbnb Launches “Trips' In India Home-share booking site Airbnb has launched a new platform 'Trips' in India to help users experience unique features about destinations across the country. The new platform has added 15 local experiences about Delhi, making it unique. For visitors, 'Trips' is a way to experience a different side of the city, immersing themselves in communities through the eyes of locals, Airbnb said. Commenting on the development, Airbnb CEO and Head of Community Mr. Brian Chesky said: "Trips is the most significant development in the history of Airbnb. We're expanding beyond

accommodatio n, but taking the same peoplefocused approach to the entire trip". Airbnb Trips will offer locals and visitors alike the chance to immerse themselves in the people, places and experiences that make the city unique, he added. "I'm excited to launch India Trips today as we've handpicked unique experiences, designed and led by locals, to reflect the diversity and variety of the city," Chesky said. Some of the experiences in Delhi include journey of couture, shadow and light, vintage viewfinders and Sufi gospel.

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AVIATION

AVIATION Airbus To Open Aerocity In New Delhi

Garuda Indonesia Trade & Press Meet in Mumbai

THAI & Bangkok Airways Enter Code-Share Agreement

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Indigo Introduces 35 Additional Flights

Jet Airways starts Non-Stop flights to Bagdogra & Madurai

Air India To Connect Delhi & Washington

Brussels Airlines Connects India To Brussels Airport

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS 13.2% Growth In Jordan Announces Indian Arrivals In Canada Growth In Indian Arrivals

Tourism to Canada has been breaking its own records year-on-year. Destination Canada's year-end data highlights that there has been a remarkable growth in the number of Indian tourists as visited Canada in the year 2016. More than 215,664 Indian tourists sojourned in the country from January-December, 2016, registering a remarkable growth of 13.2 per cent as compared to 2015. Mr. SanJeet, India Representative Destination Canada, said, “This huge rise in arrivals from India proves that Indians are exploring Canada for the kind of diversities it offers. In 2016, Canada has been promoted extensively with the travel trade as well as consumers and we are hopeful to maintain steady growth this year as well,

which is a special for all of us as Canada turns 150.” Last year, Destination Canada India office conducted a series of extensive market reach programmes including agent training sessions across India, consumer activations, digital campaigns, social media campaigns, familiarisation trips, networking sessions, among other activities. If reports came from the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) are to go by, Canada welcomed a total of 20 million visitors in 2016, a 14 year high. In 2015 the Tourism Industry Association of Canada set a 5 year industry goal to bring 20 million visitors to the country by 2020.Jordan Announces Unprecedented Growth In Indian Arrivals.

The Jordan Tourism Board has announced the 2016 Indian arrival figures to Jordan. In a unprecedented trend, the same day visitor arrivals from India has declined by 4.50%, which indicates that visitors are now spending more time in the country. Also, overnight visitors have shown an unprecedented growth of 18.40% , which is an impressive figure. The India Representative office of JTB, Think Strawberries has set a goal to take Jordan to the position of ‘Most Desirable Destination’ for the Indian traveler by 2019 by achieving higher visitor arrivals and increasing the overnight stay steadily. Ashit Taneja, C o u n t r y Manager, Jordan Tourism Board, India Office comments: "Jordan still is and will remain one of the safest destinations to visit. It is a very stable country with unique blend of culture, history, food, wellness,

adventure and warm hospitality that continues to draw tourists from India and all over the world every years." Jordan offers an excellent blend of tradition, culture along with developed i nf ra st r u c t u re a n d wo r l d c l a s s hospitality services. Jordanian food and the great experiences of Dead Sea, Petra and Wadi Rum makes it distinct from other countries. We welcome the Indian tourist to Jordan and want them to come back to India with fond memories and memorable experiences. Indians can avail of FREE Visa on arrival in Jordan since the beginning of 2016. More details can be found on http://www.jordanpass.jo

Korea Tourism hosted Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Korea MICE Night 2017 signs MoU with OTOAI

Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) in association with regional tourism boards of Seoul, Incheon & Gyeonggi organized its special MICE road show on 29th March 2017 at the Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi. The event was divided into three parts, the Travel Mart, The Media interaction session and the Gala Night. More than 150 trade partners were attended by 17 Korean exhibitors, which included three regional tourism boards from Incheon, Seoul and Gyeonggi and other service providers such as convention centres, hotel and cruise. Both MICE and Leisure assets of South Korea were discussed in detail with the Indian travel agents,

wedding planners and corporate. The media session was a fruitful discussion between Regional Tourism Boards and journalists regarding the new horizons that can be explored in South Korea as a tourist destination. The evening function Korea MICE Night 2017 was full of insights of the new regional destination editions to the Indian travel market, i.e. Seoul, Busan and Gyeonggi. The show was attended by 200 trade partners. The main attraction of the evening was the non-verbal performance by the Korean troop “The Original Drawing Show” that engrossed the audience in Korean style. Mr. Byungsun Lee, Director, Korea Tourism Organization, says “The Korea MICE Night along with the MICE Mart was a very successful event, where our exhibitors received encouraging response from big corporate, wedding planners and event companies. KTO will ensure its support to all the partners willing to promote Korea in India.”

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Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development A u t h o r i t y ( T DA ) h a s s i g n e d a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI) for a mega three-day convention to be held in Ras Al Khaimah, the northernmost emirate of the UAE. Aimed at further strengthening the offering for Ras Al Khaimah tourism among the Indian Travel Industry, the convention will be held from 12 to 14 September, 2017. Around 225 delegates, including overseas participants are expected to be a part of the event. The convention will feature multiple business sessions featuring national and international speakers and discuss the growth of India outbound and subsequent future marketing strategies. “It gives us immense pleasure to announce the hosting of 3rd OTOAI convention in Ras Al Khaimah. We welcome the opportunity to strengthen our visibility among the Indian audience. India, being our fo u r t h m o s t s i g n i f i c a n t international source market, is expected to be an important contributor to the emirate’s vision to attract one million visitors by the end of 2018,” said Haitham Mattar, CEO, Ras A l K h a i m a h To u r i s m

Development Authority. “This event underlines our growing credentials as a leading option for medium-size MICE events thanks to our convention facilities, hotel offering and meeting spaces. OTOAI’s attendees can also look forward to experiencing the unique diversity of Ras Al Khaimah, including our untouched natural beauty, authentic Arabian culture, heritage and a history dating back more than 7,000 years,” he added. Guldeep Singh Sahni, President, OTOAI, stated, “Every year the convention is organised keeping in view the shifting industry dynamics and changing trends in outbound travel. The plan is to create new opportunities through a combination of traditional and digital strategies so as to remain competitive in the travel world.”

INTERNATIONAL NEWS Reasons to Travel to Cotentin Peninsula, France

The Cotentin Peninsula In Normandy, France is a land of hidden treasures lulled by the wind and the sea. Some of its examples of finest beauties are La Hague, Val de Saire, UNESCO heritage sites, and lands of art and history. It is a great destination for those wishing to charge up their batteries and awaken the senses! Cherbourg Tourisme director Guillaume Hamel reveals the reasons for visiting the Cotentin Peninsula and plans for the new tourism office in Normandy. The top 10 places to visit in Cotentin are1. Experiencing sunrise at Saint Vaast La Hougue and sunset at Carteret on the same day. 2. Getting lost in the wild Biville Dunes and then finding one of the most quiet beaches in France. 3. Feeling the spray of the rough sea during a winter storm in Cap de la Hague. 4. Hiking on the historical Smugglers Tracks along the cliffs and coastline off the Channel Islands. 5. Visiting Tatihou Island to party at the World Music Festival in August. 6. Climbing 365 stairs and 52 floors of the 18th century Gateville lighthouse – also third highest lighthouse in the world – for a stunning view of land and sea. 7. Kayaking with the seals in the Cotentin Marshes; a truly awe-inspiring experience. 8. Visiting Cité de la Mer and experiencing an adventure under the sea onboard a real nuclear submarine. 9. Enjoying the very French tradition of walking through the exquisite botanical parks and gardens of Vauville. 10. Feasting on oysters and fresh seafood at Barfleur, which has been awarded the title of 'one of the most beautiful villages in France'. Q. We hear a radical change is coming to the

tourism industry in France. Can you shed some light on this and how is this going to work? Yes, there is, especially to the Cotentin Peninsula or the Cherbourg Peninsula, as it is more popularly known. The Cotentin Peninsula is more relaxed and so it also has much better customer service; people are friendlier and due to our proximity to England and the Channel Islands, most people here are happy to speak English. Q. So what is Cotentin? Why haven't we heard of it as much? Cotentin is the untouched Normandy. It is completely different from the image the world currently has of Normandy. The Cotentin Peninsula is the North-West coast of France just across from the UK. Here we have some of the most untouched, almost savage, beaches in France – many of these are protected heritage sites so you won't find ugly constructions or sea walls built along them. Q. What is the new tourism entity going to be all about? We used to have 11 tourism offices spread across the Cotentin Peninsula, but in the coming months these will merge into one big entity. It will be known as the Cotentin Tourism Office and will become one of the most powerful tourism offices in the country. We will have a yearly budget of EUR4 million and of that we're hoping to spend up to EUR1 million on promoting the region by way of Familiarisation trips, participation in trade shows and other publicity events. Q. Why would tourists include Cotentin in their itinerary? So far Normandy has mainly been promoted as a historical war destination focusing on D-Day Landing beaches, warcemeteries and World-War Museums. But this is just one aspect of what we have to offer. There is the immaculately preserved natural beauty of the peninsula with its protected heritage sites, middle-aged castles and unique food culture. Food tourism is a massive business today and here we have the freshest seafood and vegetables available all year round. Apart from food, tourists have the chance to step inside an actual nuclear submarine at the Cite De La Mer – a maritime museum built to showcase Cherbourg's nautical achievements.

Bahrain Tourism To Reach New Heights By 2020

Qatar Invests Heavily To Boost Tourism Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) aims to welcome 10 million visitors a year by investing US$ 45 billion (AED15.3 billion) to boost tourism product. This include US$2.3 billion (AED 8.45 billion) for 2022 FIFA World Cup facilities, and US$6.9 billion (AED25.35 billion) for transport infrastructure. To accommodate the

growth in all-round demand, Qatar is adding almost 16,000 rooms to its hotel offering, marking a 69 % increase. QTA predicts that by 2026, the tourism sector's economic contribution will reach US$22.3 billion (AED81.9 billion), 7.3% of its GDP, up from US$ 13.3 billion (AED48.8 billion) in 2015.

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

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to reach its $1 billion 2020 target. The $1.1 billion Airport Modernisation Programme (AMP) at Bahrain International Airport will double capacity from 7 million to 14 million passengers per year, by Q2 2020. STR Global estimates that there is currently, 12,641 rooms and a pipeline of 4,187 rooms, an increase of 33.1% in hotel stock over the coming years. To drive the expected demand, BTEA's plans for 2017 include capitalising on the leisure market, particularly the heritage and cultural aspects, regenerating beaches, targeting cruise passengers, as well as the opening of Avenues Bahrain Mall.

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS 13.2% Growth In Jordan Announces Indian Arrivals In Canada Growth In Indian Arrivals

Korea Tourism hosted Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Korea MICE Night 2017 signs MoU with OTOAI

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS Reasons to Travel to Cotentin Peninsula, France

Bahrain Tourism To Reach New Heights By 2020

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MICE TCEB Launches Spice Up Thailand 2017 Campaign T h e T h a i l a n d C o nve nt i o n a n d Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB, in collaboration with Visa International (Thailand) Company Limited, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thai Airways (Public) C o m p a ny L i m i te d , T h a i S m i l e Airways Company Limited, and Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce, has launched the Spice Up Thailand 2017 campaign for the 4th consecutive year. The campaign offers special privileges for MICE travelers, such as 10% hotel discounts, 50% discounts for car rentals and airport transfers, Bt500 cash coupons for shopping, 25% restaurant discounts, and 50% off golf course green fees. In addition, other hotel, shopping, dining, wellness, activity and

transportation promotions have been made available. Mr. Nopparat Maythaveekulchai, the President of Thailand Convention a n d E x h i b i t i o n B u re a u ( P u b l i c Organization) or TCEB, said that “Promoting MICE-related business through adopting an online marketing strategy has been a significant tool applied by TCEB, aimed to boost the domestic and i n t e r n a t i o n a l m a r ke t o f M I C E t rave l e rs . C o n s i ste nt w i t h t h e government's Digital Economy policy, this will drive the growth of Thailand's MICE industry, while also supporting the overall economic growth of the country. TCEB has developed the Spice Up Thailand campaign together with five partners in order to promote and create awareness of the MICE industry overseas, as well as delivering a firstclass experience to MICE travelers; in

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turn, this will help to increase spending and encourage MICE travelers to extend their stay in Thailand. The campaign has been carried out for the previous three

years and is continuously developing in terms of adding new privileges for domestic MICE travelers, and targeting the MICE industry in Asia, specifically CLMV (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam) countries. In the previous year, a total of 46 MICE events from 16 organizers registered to join the campaign with more than 43,000 coupons redeemed, generating over 20 million views online. The Top 5 most popular products and ser vices redeemed by MICE visitors were restaurants, shopping, attractions, spas, and transportation (car rental and airport transfers). The Top 10 nationalities of MICE travelers redeeming such coupons during the campaign were China, India, Singapore, Vietnam, USA, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Australia, Algeria, and Thailand.” In 2017, the Spice Up Thailand Campaign is working in alliance with registered organizations with more than 60 exhibitions in total. To encourage more MICE travelers to download the privilege coupons on offer as part of the Spice Up Thailand campaign, TCEB has organized an online activity, ‘Plan More, Enjoy More’, which enables MICE travelers to design their own trips and share their experiences through social media channels, such as Facebook or Twitter, using the hashtags #PlanMoreEnjoyMore and #SpiceUpThailand. The participant who obtains the highest number of Likes & Shares will receive a prize of two international air tickets courtesy of Thai Airways (the winner can choose to fly to any destination within the flight route operated by Thai Airways). This activity will be held from May to July 2017. MICE travelers can access these privileges by registering and downloading the Spice Up Privilege C o u p o n s v i a t h e c a m p a i g n ’s W e b s i t e www.spiceupthailand.com, or pick up the Spice Up Privilege Coupon Booklet at the registration counter. The coupons must be shown to participating shops, venues and businesses in order to activate the special Spice Up Thailand privilege. Offers run from this April until December 2017.

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turn, this will help to increase spending and encourage MICE travelers to extend their stay in Thailand. The campaign has been carried out for the previous three

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Contact: ++94 770102448 | ++94 11 437 6247 India: +91 98696 95649

Edited & Published by Shailendra Kesari • For Online News visit: www.safariplus.co.in • Email: info@safariplus.co.in • May - June, 2017 • Vol: 18 Issue: 5

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