Safari plus 2013 Jan Feb

Edited & Published by Shailendra Kesari • For Online News visit: www.safariplus.co.in • Email: info@safariplus.co.in • Jan - Feb 2013 • Vol: 14 Issue: 3

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Present Tourism Scene and... ...New Strategy for 2013

By Gour Kanjilal

issue. It is getting very difficult to get visas from the Indian Mission overseas and tourists are going to destinations which have tourist friendly visa norms. Visa process need to be streamlined on top priority basis Group visas needs to be introduced for easy movement of group on a fixed itinerary being handled by Govt. of India approved

Severe economic down turn in the traffic generating markets makes our travel trade to think of promoting domestic packages.

Stimulating growth in domestic tourism has been a good driver of economic expansion but we need to boost international tourism in order to earn foreign exchange that is essential for a sound economy.

Current decline in international tourist arrivals is attributed to a number of reasons including the sluggish markets in Europe, the United States and Germany the countries which are traditional traffic generating markets. The other reasons are high air tickets costs due to hike in air craft fuel charges and high operational costs. For India, one of the prime reasons for less traffic is the visa

bookings.

Some special events which can provide unique experience which is unique to India like Kumbh Mela experience, Kite festival, Yoga festival etc to be focused globally with regular advertisements and advance notice and incentives to tour operators overseas who are promoting special packages. Our tour operators offer also must focuss on new product offerings in various travel shows they participate and try to go beyond golden triangle circuit. It is unlikely that economic down turn will bring travel to standstill. Infact travelers will be more creative in their selection of destinations but no doubt travelers will be looking for cheaper alternatives in 2013 and many like to

tour operators in India. Another factor is the progressively high cost of hotels and varied taxes toward tourism sector.

Even our marketing strategy need to be revamped shifting focus from generic advertisements to focused destinations with some indications of the itinerary and package costs and local contacts for Contd. on pg 10

CLASSIFIED DISPLAY

2 SAFARI PLUS January - February, 2013

NEWS FLASH Tour CST's heritage portals

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus previously known as Victoria Terminals is a 125 year old building with a lot of hidden treasures still left to explore. Thousands of travelers go via this station for their daily works and yet are still left wideeyed by the magnificence of the CST building. Sadly, they are not allowed to enter some portions of the heritage

precincts and one can only click photographs of the exteriors making it the most photographed monument in the city.

For the common man to enjoy the whole beauty of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus officials is now going to allow visitors to enter the building during a particular period every day starting from December 28, 2012. Central Railway (CR) will provide access to the C-shaped main building. The money earned from the entry fee will be used for the conservation and upkeep of the

Incredible India Overseas Road Shows Following are the details of the MOT International Road Shows planned for the months of February-March 2013.

1. Road Shows in Japan and Korea 18 February, 2013 Tokyo 20 February, 2013 Osaka 22 February, 2013 Seoul 2. Adventure Tourism Road Shows in Europe, with ATOAI. 25 February, 2013 Zurich 26 February, 2013 Geneva 28 February, 2013 Munich 1 March, 2013 Frankfurt 4 March, 2013 Oslo 3. Road Show in Vienna, Austria (Post ITB Berlin, 6-10 March 2013) 12 March, 2013 Vienna

Chiranjeevi launches Incredible India 2013 calendar Shri K. Chiranjeevi, Union Minister for Tourism launched the Ministry of Tourism’s Incredible India-2013 Calendar on-line, during World Travel Mart(WTM), London2012.

India, today is a well established destination which offers something to every traveler. The calendar captures varied Indian tourism products & covers a wide spectrum of Indian destinations. The Calendar can be viewed as per website: www.incredibleindia.org.

The January month shows skiing in Gulmarg, the February depicts Bengal Tiger in Bandhavgarh, the month of March captures Scuba Diving in warm

waters of Andaman to see corals, the month of April brings to the fore a Double Decker root foot bridge in Cherrapunji, the month of May highlights Charminar of Hyderabad, the month of June takes the traveler to Buddhist Monks in Himalayas, the month of July has gorgeous Sun Temple of Konark, the month of August carries Icon of India Taj Mahal, the month of September takes the viewer to Mysore Palace in Karnataka, the month of October showcases the Formula One race, the month of November carries the picture of beautiful Munnar of Kerala and the Calendar ends with Desert of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.

Ministry of Tourism to Set-up multi-lingual helpline for tourists Union Tourism Minister Shri K. Chiranjeevi, has approved the settingup of a multi-lingual helpline to provide general information and assistance to tourists. To begin with, the helpline will be in the languages of the important source countries besides Hindi and English. The Minister has directed that the toll free helpline should be accessible

from everywhere in India and should start functioning in the new calendar year.

The primary objective of the proposed helpline would be to provide tourism related information to free independent travelers. The proposal was mooted at a meeting with the representatives of various leading travel trade associations held in the Ministry of Tourism yesterday.

building, which got the tag of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. The entry for students will be Rs 100 and other visitors Rs 200. Visitors will be allowed to take pictures inside the building for no additional charge. The access to the heritage building will be allowed between 3pm and 5pm on weekdays.

Souvenirs like T-shirts and mugs, embossed with pictures of the iconic building, as well as photo frames will be sold and Tourists will also be shown a documentary film on the history of the terminus. Visitors will also be treated to a collection of rare artifacts and photographs.

Delhi Sales Off: Mr. Vinod Sharma / Afreen Kazmi L - 37, 2nd Floor, Central Market Road, Lajpat Nagar-II, New Delhi - 110 024 Tel: +91- 011- 46064306 M: 9312728545 , 9312626030

E: vinod.sharma@sarda.co.in / info@applecountryresorts.com

Website: www.applecountryresorts.com

Dr. Christian Göke, new CEO of Messe Berlin Dr. Christian Göke is appointed as the new CEO of Messe Berlin GmbH as of 01 July 2013. Currently, Raimund Hosch, holds the post and would be retiring at the end of June 2013.

Dr. Christian Göke, who is qualified in business and has a PhD in Law, has been COO of Messe Berlin GmbH since April 2000 and previously held posts with Messe Frankfurt GmbH and Roland Berger & Partner.

Commenti n g , D r.

C hristian Göke said, “I wish to express my thanks and happiness to the Supervisory Board for the trust it has placed in me and until the changeover I intend to continue the good work with Raimund Hosch.“

Busworld India - 1 to 3 Feb, 2013 in Mumbai The 5th edition of Busworld India will be organized from the 1st to the 3rd February 2013 in Mumbai, showcasing the latest products and technologies in the Bus & Coach industry.

On the Opening day, a seminar on Sustainable, Modern Bus & Coach Mobility in India will be held followed by a display of new buses and coaches and presentations on their new product lines as well as Emphasis on fuel efficiency, ITS and Hybridization.

Busworld is an excellent event for

tapping the huge market potential of the Indian bus industry. Join them in their endeavor to promote sustainable, modern bus and coach industry in India.

Exhibition venue: Hall l, Bombay Convention & Exhibition Center, Western Express Highway Goregaon (East) Mumbai.

Agra-Jaipur Shatabdi Express The North-Western Railway has started a new Shatabdi Train service between Jaipur and Agra Fort from 30th November, 2012.

As per the load on this route, being one of the most famous tourist sector the railway official have announced the commencement of the train. The train will cover a distance of around 230 kilometers in approximate three and half hours and will have only one

halt at Bharatpur station for two mins.

It will leave from Jaipur at 07.05 am & reach Agra by 10.35 am. On the return journey, the train will depart at 4.20 pm & reach Jaipur at 7.50 pm.

The train is Chair Car and Fares areBetween 1st Class AC CC Jaipur – Agra Rs. 915 Rs. 430 Jaipur - Bharatpur Rs. 795 Rs. 381 Bharatpur – Agra Rs. 590 Rs. 295

January - February, 2013 SAFARI PLUS 3

EVENTS

International Travel Tourism Hospitality Expo 2013 The sixth edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 8-13, January 2013, is expected to present a better picture this year with the International T r a v e l To u r i s m Hospitality Expo 2013 which is organized by TAFCON Projects (India) Pvt Ltd. It is in association with the K and D Communication Ltd, as an integral part of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit.

According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, India will be a tourism hotspot during 2009-2018. Records indicate that India generated about US $ 200 billion in 2008 and that is expected to increase to US $ 375.5 billion by 2018 at a 9.4% annual

growth.

The Government of India a n d t h e S t a t e Governments in India are promoting the industry as “Incredible India” and the tourism campaigns run by states have given many dimensions, leading to awareness of the tourism potential. The Government of India set up an ambitious target of achieving one percent of the Global Tourism pie in the next 3 years which means, to double the industry share from 6 million to 12 million.

Realizing the potential of tourism in India, 'Govt. of Gujarat / Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited' in association with TAFCON are organizing “ I nte r n at i o n a l Trave l , To u r i s m

IITM Dates 2013 Sphere Travel media & IITM Exhibitions' announces the IITM 2013 Calendar of 'India International Travel Mart' IITM ( I I T M ) . E v e n t s t o b e IITM conducted in eight major IITM markets of India. The events for 2013 shall have over 400 IITM participants from over 30 IITM c o u nt r i e s a n d o ve r 2 5 IITM Indian states. The participants include Travel agents & Tour Operators, DMC, Hotels & Resorts, National Tourist Offices, Online Travel Po r ta ls , A d vent u re Tour Operators, Eco – Tourism activities, etc.

IITM Highlights for 2013 as this year IITM will see several new products in the Hospitality and Travel sphere being unveiled. The event provides an ideal ' m a r k e t i n g opportunity' and 'excellent backdrop' to enhance the participant's 'brandequity' in the eyes of the discerning end consumer and the travel-trade.

Boost for Domestic Tourism: Domestic Travel being India's biggest travel segment, this year shall see participants from over 25 different tourism specialties.

The events are supported by major associations such as 'Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India', 'Indian Association of Tour Operators' a n d O u t b o u n d To u r O p e rato rs Association of India', etc Mr. Sanjay Hakhu, Director, Sphere Travelmedia said, “India in spite of the present business environment is fast

Cochin: 31 Jan - 2 Feb2013 Kolkata: 28 Feb - 2 March 2013 Bangalore: 19 - 21 July 2013 Chennai: 26 - 28 July 2013 Mumbai: 6 - 8 Sept 2013 Delhi: 13 - 15 Sep 2013 Pune: 22 - 24 Nov 2013 Hyderabad: 29 Nov - 2 Dec 2013 emerging as one of the most interesting and productive countries for the travel trade industry both for leisure and business travel.

A combination of factors is responsible for the growth and demand of travel trends from India”.

To u r i s m S t u d i e s a n d Trends indicate that the year 2013 – 14 will see more than 15 million tourists embanking on overseas travel and with the advent of low cost international airfares, holiday packages that are available on monthly instalments payable over a period of time, International Travel is no longer a luxury.

Mr. Rohit Hangal, Director, Sphere Trav e l m e d i a a d d e d “ W i t h t h e present ongoing recession International Arrivals in India has dropped and India International Travel Mart provides the right impetus to the Indian domestic tourism industry. With a base of over 200 million discerning domestic travel seekers, it is a year long market, no hospitality and travel organization can ignore”.

Hospitality Expo (IITHE). It will be interesting to see that state of Gujarat has a colorful profile; the land is fertile, beautiful and prosperous on the coast line from Kutch in the west to Daman in south. Gujarat unfolds its magic as the Sasangir Sanctuary, Palitana, Somnath and Dwarka talk volumes of past glory and the heritage.

The ITTHE 2013 will take you through this journey and lend the atmosphere for forging useful links and tie ups. The Expo will be an opportunity to project the tourism packages offered by various state Governments and individual tour operators, not limited to Gujarat but to the rest of India and the world. The

Inbound and Outbound B2B interactions will be held and the Organizers will extend all facilities for the participants for a p r o p e r B 2 B interaction and cooperation between India & the other parts of the globe.

Japan and Canada are participating in the Summit and Expo as Partner countries.

The 5th Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit 2011 created many records over a million visited the Exhibition, with 101 countries participated and signed 8380 Mo Us for an investment of 2083000 crores (equivalent to US $ 450 Billion).

PATA Reports International Arrivals into Asia by Increase of 5.5% Pa c i f i c A s i a Trave l Association (PATA) showed preliminar y results of International visitors arrivals into Asia between the months of January and September 2012 as a collective increase of 5.5% year-on-year, as of 24th December, 2012.

During the first nine months of the year, the 4.7% collective growth rate fo r N o r t h e a s t A s i a w a s somewhat lo w e r t h a n A s i a ' s average; however this p e rc e nta ge increase translated to a ro u n d 7 . 8 m i l l i o n a d d i t i o n a l international visitor arr i va l s to t h e s u b - re gion. Intra-regional flows remained the key force behind this growth in both volume and percentage gain terms for the period. China (-2%) and Macau SA R ( + 1 % ) s a w relatively weak results while the r e m a i n i n g destinations, Japan (+41%), C h i n e s e Ta i p e i ( + 2 4 % ) , Ko re a (ROK) (+19%) and Hong Ko n g SA R ( + 1 6 % ) , p e r fo r m e d st ro n g l y w i t h e a c h d e stination posting doubledigit growth over the period.

Although South Asia (+7%) recorded a year-on-year increase above the Asia average, growth was still relatively sluggish compared to the double-digit growth rates during the corresponding periods of 2010 and 2011. All destinations showed slowing growth rates with India (+6%) and the Maldives (+3%) registering below the sub-region's average rate. This slowdown can in part, be attributed to the sluggish arrivals pattern from the main source market of Europe, due to the prolonged

economic crisis there. Even so, source market data for four re p o r t i n g destinations within South Asia excluding India - still showed that E u ro p e r e m a i n e d t h e h i g h e s t t ra ff i c - ge n e rato r fo r t h e s u b region during the first nine months of the year, followed by Northeast Asia.

Growing at an average rate of 10% during the three quarters of t h e y e a r, s e v e n r e p o r t i n g destinations in Southeast Asia collectively showed buoyant increases in visitor arrivals from Northeast Asia with more than 1.3 million additional visitors arriving from that sub-region. Fast growing intra-ASEAN travel demands also boosted growth for the period.

Nevertheless, most destinations in the sub-region posted softening growth rates compared to the corresponding period last year, with the exception of two significant destinations, Cambodia (+24%) and Myanmar (+43%).

Mr. Martin J Craigs, PATA CEO, said "Although arrivals growth rates into Asia have slowed a little, they are still robust. It is particularly pleasing to see destination Japan recovering its arrivals numbers. Myanmar, however, has been the story of the year."

Publisher: Shailendra Publication Advisory: Gour Kanjilal, OmPrakash Sehgal Chief Correspondent, Delhi: Manoj Babbar Editor & Publisher: Shailendra Kesari Editorial: Priyanshu Gupta, Sunayana Vaidya Chief Correspondent, Thane: Payal Gupta Assistant Editor: Parul Kesari Layout Designer: Trupti Kapadia Marketing: Prashant, Dinesh Gupta

Regd. Office: 155-B, Samudrik Building, Bhuleshwar Road, Mumbai - 400 002 | Email: info@safariplus.co.in Website: www.safariplus.co.in Corp. Office: B-11, Arun Chambers, Tardeo Main Road, Mumbai - 400 034 M: 98199 67576 / 97690 58991 Email: safariplus022@gmail.com Delhi Office: D-708, Chitranjan Park, New Delhi 110 009 M: 98712 61503 / 99115 56361 Email: safariplus011@yahoo.co.in

4 SAFARI PLUS January - February, 2013

TRADE PLUS

Dimaz Aviation

VFS & Tour Operator for Russia & CIS Countries Dimaz Aviation Private Limited is a leading Travel Agency for Russia and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). It is headed by Mr. Manish Synghal (Director) & his progressive team of professionals with over two decades of experience in the Travel & Tourism industry, especially in Russia & CIS countries. Dimaz Aviation has its associate offices in India (Mumbai & New Delhi) & in Russia & CIS. Russia has always attracted Indians, be it for business, studies & research, film shootings or for adventure tourism. Almost a decade ago, Russian visa procurement, tailor made business & holiday packages, communication with the locals in an unfamiliar language, presented a hurdle to common folk who wanted to establish trade, business, cultural or recreational links with Russia. To facilitate the process of establishment of such links, Dimaz Aviation is closely working with the concerned authorities of the Govt of Russian Federation in India, to assist all Indians & others from

within the territory of India to obtain Russian visas & make their journey to Russia pleasurable & hassle free.

Manish Synghal has been associated with Russia & CIS for more than 20 yrs and has a vast experience in Travel & Tourism, Air passenger & Cargo charters, trade between India, Russia and CIS countries. He is eager to share his experiences and plethora of immense knowledge of Russia's vast unexplored treasures with the rest of the world to explore and enjoy!

Dimaz Group - Area of Expertise Visa Facilitation Services (VFS) - Dimaz Aviation is now providing VFS for Russia & CIS for frequent travellers and businessmen - single/ double/ multientry visas invitations for duration from 90 days to 1 year invitations. Business Visas to Russia are procured from Russian Chamber of Commerce for business travel to Russia.

Tours & Packages – Dimaz Aviation is an

IRIS Reps promoting niche products in India Iris Reps, a Destination Promotion, Marketing & public relation company, is led by M s A n j u m Lokhandwala & Ms Alefiya Singh.

Both collectively have an experience of 20 yrs in the travel & tourism industry & have worked as Destinations Specialist. Working together as a team, both are highly focused, target oriented and innovative. Adding value to their products, ensuring quality & being very pro active, is in their nature.

Their main vision is to be 1 of the most preferred Representative company for the clients who are wishing to establish a presence in the Indian Markets. They are mainly into B2B marketing, representing the client for all sales, having a database of 500 corporate from

IATA accredited agent, & specializes mainly in tours & tailor-made holidays & business p a c ka ge s fo r corporates, groups & discerning individual travellers to Russia & CIS countries.

Dimaz Aviation services includes organizing of Dealer Meets, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions (MICE) & full range of tourist services which includes ticketing, hotels, transfers & sightseeing, cargo & baggage transportation by air & sea.

Russia Location Scouting for Film Shoots – Manish Synghal's experience in several contents, having worked and networked in Russia more than most people, his database of production houses in Moscow & St. Petersburg, locations, contacts etc is an

Manish Synghal says, “We aim to make our client's travel a pleasurable tourism experience & the professionalism of our staff allows us to render high quality s e r v i c e s a t competitive rates. We focus on the c u s t o m e r ' s requirements & provide suitable terms & full cooperation.

We are committed to making journey to Russia & CIS, pleasant, safe & memorable.”

invaluable source for anyone seeking assistance or guidance for film production in Russia. No matter how seasoned a producer may be, when he or she is on foreign ground, there is no greater resource than a local contact who can help in interaction with locals officials, land & property owners, business people, & even law enforcement agencies & army.

Dimaz has a rolodex of people who are trustworthy, reliable & easy to contact.

Educational Consultancy Dimaz has good contacts with some of the most esteemed Medical Universities of Russia & CIS, which are recognized in India, and throughout the years have been providing all the required facilities to students going for study in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and other countries. Dimaz services for student include VISA handling, ticketing & guidelines for admission in Medical & Engineering fields & other fields.

INPROTUR, Argentina Represented

By KNACK in India

Industries, familiarization trips & training seminars along w i t h wo r k i n g together with the airlines & conducting training sessions to ensure that they remain competitive in the market.

Innovative marketing activities are carried out by IRIS REPS where they have to create the brand for the principals.

Their mission is not only to drive sales & stimulate growth but to provide a representation service that creates a strong image & ensuring positive awareness about all their clients. Iris Reps have always taken up the challenge to promote niche products like Beachcomber – Luxury Resorts in Mauritius & Seychelles, Canada, Fiji Islands, Reunion Islands & SouthAfrica in India's market.

THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TOURISM PROMOTION (INPROTUR), Argentina announced the appointment of 'KNACK' as its official representative in India. Based in Mumbai, Knack Marketing will be responsible to formulate and implement tourism marketing strategy in India. The appointment supports the strategy to develop the potential of the Indian outbound market and drive further growth in visitor arrivals to Argentina.

Argentina has been the main tourism receptor, with 5.8 million overseas visitors.

Argentina offers numerous options to the Indian travellers like the majestic Iguassu falls (recently named one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world), El Calafate – the progressive glacier, Ushuaia – the end of the world, the beautiful wine regions in Mendoza, the exciting Buenos Aires and so much more.

“We are delighted to partnership with INPROTUR to showcase this

amazing destination, create breath taking experiences and build a solid presence in the Indian market” says Medha Sampat, Founder, Knack Marketing.

“The outbound market in India has been growing very rapidly and we are very happy to be a part of it. We were thrilled with the response that we received in India during our last visit. It would be a pleasure to showcase our country and welcome the Indian traveller ” says Leonardo Boto, Chairman of INPROTUR, Argentina.

With Trabacus, everything about your travel enterprise changes.

Quotations to your customers are designed & sent in a minute, you don't miss out on a single follow-up call with the customer, your work moves and not your people, you stop purchasing paper for printing, you are in complete control of each lead that comes to you...and much more. In short, you sit back, relax and watch your enterprise grow. After all, this is what we call auto-pilot! Isn't it?

“I recommend Trabacus to all travel and holiday service providers. It is such a beautiful system that it can be useful for a company with 2 employees as well as 100. It will end all your day to day hassles such as response time, customer service issues, on-time communication & add a professional outlook to your firm with its excellent presentation of information. The reports help you analyze your strengths & weaknesses. It is, in true terms, a 360 degree software and gives you a complete view of your organization.”

- Rajnikant Sinojiya, Co-Founder, VCONNECT Travel & Holidays, Pune.

January - February, 2013 SAFARI PLUS 5

EVENTS

ITB Berlin Convention Programme 2013 now online The ITB Berlin 2013 is the largest travel industry event of its kind in the world.

Official partner country of ITB Berlin 2013 is Indonesia. Azerbaijan is the Convention & Culture Partner of ITB Berlin 2013. The Basic Sponsors of the convention are the World Tourism Forum Lucerne and Studiosus.

The ITB Berlin Convention 2013 fe at u re s l e a d i n g s p e a ke rs a n d discussions on key themes concerning tourism, politics and society – tenth anniversary of the travel industry's leading think tank – free admission for visitors to the show.

From 6 to 8 March 2013, leading speakers representing tourism, industry

and politics will discuss the main t h e m e s c o n c e r n i n g t h e t rav e l industry, both now and in the years ahead. Over this period of three days, the ITB Destination Days will examine the challenges facing international destination management and the outlook for the future. Topics include fast-growing travel markets such as health tourism, sustainable tourism and gay and lesbian travel.

On 6 March 2013, the topics to be discussed at the ITB Future Day will include changes in consumer behaviour and travel patterns, the challenges posed by climate change and the prospects for information

technology.

On 7 March 2013, the ITB Hospitality Day will focus on the hotel industry of the future. Students, tour operators and hotel managers will debate Generation Y's expectations regarding travel and hotels. At a session entitled the “Hot Seat”, two students will question hotel managers about career opportunities and what employers expect from the next generation.

On 8 March 2013, at the ITB Marketing and Distribution

Day, award-winning travel journalist Doug Lansky will deliver a keynote about the tourism act in irresponsible ways. A special survey on internet usage will reveal important findings concerning the online activities of a tourism-related target.

In 2012 a total of 10,644 exhibitors from 187 countries displayed their products and services to 172,000 visitors, who included 113,006 trade visitors.

Further details on - www.itbconvention.com/program

Arabian Travel Market 2013 will host UNWTO Forum Arabian Travel Market 2013 (ATM) is the well known travel and tourism event within the Middle East for inbound and outbound tourism professionals. The 2013 show will run from May 6 – 9 2013 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC), Dubai. This event, will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President & Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai.

ATM 2013 will host a special UNWTO Forum for the second time. This year

forum's session will take place on Tuesday 7th May, 2013, and the theme will be 'Aviation and Tourism Policies: Balancing the Benefits'. This annual UNWTO gathering will bring regional airlines, tourism leaders and the UNWTO together to discuss the role of the industry in driving Middle East tourism growth and the regional influence on its tourism strategies and policy.

“The theme for this year's forum is particularly relevant, and timely, as IATA reports indicate that the Middle East will

6 SAFARI PLUS January - February, 2013

handle 400 million air travelers by 2020 as a number of new state-of-the-art airports come on line, major carriers expand their route networks, and aircraft orders from the Gulf region add new capacity,” remarked Mark Walsh, Portfolio Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions, organizer of Arabian Travel Market.

“Route network expansion for the Middle East's major carriers is driving domestic and international tourism demand. Regional aviation sector growth forecasts remain positive through to 2020, buoyed by up to US$90 billion worth of investment into infrastructure expansion in key gateway destinations,” he added.

DESTINATION INSIGHT

AJANTA ELLORA CAVES

India has become the hub of tourism as it is a land of historical and heritage buildings with landscapes going from snow lands to deserts to forest lands and climates that can sooth your soul. Indian Tourism due to historical places has caught the eye of many travelers.

Trying to keep places and sights as raw as possible, Ajanta and Ellora caves are one of them, signifying the true culture of India. Buddhist architectural designs are austere and atmospheric and can be considered as the finest manmade cave art.

These caves are in the state of Marathas,

Maharashtra, 100 kilometers from the city of Aurangabad. The caves are by the river Waghora, in the midst of the Sahyadri hills buried by thick forests on all four sides. The Ajanta Caves were discovered by a British Captain, John Smith in 1819, while he was on a hunting expedition.

These caves built during the 3rd century are like travelling back to the past only to find that the wall paintings illustrate the events in the life of Gautama Buddha. The finest masterpiece of Buddhist art and architecture depict rise and spread of both the two sects of Buddhism, the Hinyana and the Mahayana and were inhibited by Buddhist monks and religious devotees for more than 800 years.

Aurangabad, organizes the Ajanta-Ellora Festival which pays tribute to the legendary caves every year. The best time to visit the Ajanta Ellora Caves is during monsoon and the winter season.

Ev e r y y e a r, t h e Year Visitors number of domestic 2009 Domestic and foreign visitor's Foreign increase, to see the 2010 Domestic magnificent Foreign sculptures and 2011 Domestic paintings Ajanta – Foreign Ellora have to offer.

The Ministry of Tourism to increase the number of travelers from all over the globe has put forth itself in creation/up gradation of tourism infrastructure, wayside amenities, improving road connectivity leading to the tourist sites, especially from the National Highways/Sta te Highways and other points under its Plan Scheme of Product/Infra

Ajanta Caves 346018 22964 389572 28192 412473 28576

Ellora Caves 738841 18946 1187432 32540 1308262 33023

structure Development for Destinations and Circuits, increasing the availability of trained manpower, etc.

The growing charts show the total number of visitors visiting the caves Year Visitors.

Sikkim International Flower Festival 2013

The glory of Sikkim is its breathtaking array of flowers.

S i k k i m ' s geographical positioning has gifted it a repository of over 5000 species of flowering plants. Forests of magnolia, blue poppies, primulas, gentians and geraniums create a spellbinding floral spectacle. Orchids,

gladioli, poppies, azaleas and camellias add to the heady collection. Its great variety of rhododendron ranges from shrubs at ground level to towering specimens that set the t e r ra i n ablaze in a riot of colors.

To promote its distinct of the state, Government of Sikkim is organizing the 2nd International Flower show from 23-27 February 2013. The Horticulture & Cash Crops Development Department will be the Nodal Department for organizing the event. This five day event will be hosted in Saramsa in East Sikkim. Sikkim, home to around 5,000 species of flowering plants, 515 rare orchids, 60 primula

8 SAFARI PLUS January - February, 2013

species, 36 rhododendron species, 11 oak varieties, 23 bamboo varieties, 16 conifer species, 362 types of ferns and ferns allies, 8 tree ferns, and over 424 medicinal plants. A variant of the Poinsettia, locally known as "Christmas Flower", can be found in abundance in the mountainous state. The orchid Dendrobium nobile is the official flower of Sikkim, while the rhododendron is the state tree.

The International Flower show 2013 will be a mega show, where participants from different states as well as International are expected in a huge number. The targeted visitors to the show is around 1 Lakh, for which massive advertisements has been given in the local, national and International papers and magazines. The government is expecting 50 participants for the Flower show, 100 for the Materials and 500 participants for the conference. The

entire show will be funded by the Government of Sikkim (India).

The main objectives of organizing the show are:To showcase the floral potential of Sikkim.

To promote Floriculture Industry in Sikkim.

To provide Flower growers of Sikkim an International Exposition for understanding the Global trend of Floriculture Development and Florabusiness.

To keep pace with the advancement of World Floriculture.

To highlight Sikkim as a Floriculture State / destination.

To promote Tourism in Sikkim.

For more information please visit (www.internationalflowershowsikkim.c om)

January - February, 2013 SAFARI PLUS 9

COVER STORY

BY GOUR KANJILAL

Present Tourism Scene and... ...New Strategy for 2013

Contd. from Page 1 Government policy must support the industry ie Tour Operators in India and overseas both for marketing , advertisements, joint promotions as they mean business and can convert the awareness into actual traffic. With such financial support, it can help and motivate the tour operators overseas to offer India specific holiday packages, put India holiday advertisements in the local press where they operate their business (even in distant areas) and help them to upgrade their manpower with India specific training by holding educational tours, seminars (where in Indian tour operators can join, show them what their clients will get in India, type of hotels and services as they are going to handle their clients in India). Just releasing TV advertisement is not going to help in creating India business. To help drive up business, a deal with the local tour operators overseas is a must. Thus we have to strengthen our efforts in developing the market and try to realize the goal fixed at the outset of the year and budget ear marked accordingly. A clear cut policy decision in this respect is the need of the hour.

We should also ensure effectiveness in Civic Governance as since last one year we got several negative reports in the global Press and there is a fear psychosis about safety of women tourists.

Improve cooperation mechanism among government Ministries and State Governments and work together to see GST is put into place as this can bring tax structure

down.

Tourism has to be made competitive with less tax burden. We must educate our people about tourism benefits in relation to poverty reduction and job opportunities. We need to fully leverage the role of the Civil Society and private sector in this endeavor and jointly meet the global challenges.

We also need to have friendly relations with neighboring countries.

There is an urgent need for intraregional tourism like GCC countries moving within the GCC region, Asian countries or Latin American countries have continuous tourism within the region on Intra-regional tourism basis.

India can promote even SAARC

we failed and work out new strategies, products innovation with customers need and assurance for delivery. What is more important is to have cash to sustain the business and to tide over the current slowdown. The experience which gave me learning that most of our new tour operators have little experience of handling a

No country is immune to the complex and multiple security threats and we must take a holistic approach to address both the symtoms root causes of diverse security challenges and build a stable regional security environment. We hope that all political parties will settle their difference through inclusive and constructive political dialogue and work for country’s growth.

Regional tourism for boosting Regional Tourism.

Tour operators main job will be to bring back consumers confidence.

They have become very careful on selecting the destinations. Tour operators must look for new distribution channels like tie up with Departmental stores, airlines, banks, insurance agencies etc. New Year is the time to look into the areas where

meltdown of this scale. But we have to keep in going and so get fully prepared for 2013.

By Gour Kanjilal - The writer is the former Deputy Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and presently working as Executive Director with Indian Association of Tour Operators, New Delhi, (This is based on my personal experience).

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10 SAFARI PLUS January - February, 2013

Sanchi

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Amazing Amritsar,punjab

Text by: Heer Kothari

Over the years, India has been an observer to several events. History and mythology have left an indelible mark on the subcontinent. Tourists and locals enjoy the glorious past of the country by visiting monuments and places of worship.

Amritsar - My trip to Amritsar took me quite by surprise. I witnessed history unveil right in front of me. My everchatty chauffer gave me a virtual tour of the city while I was on my way to the Golden Temple. He also gave me insight on the numerous uncared for monuments in and around Amritsar.

The sudden upsurge of my curiosity knew no bounds. The next thing I wanted to do was to get going and learn more about these places. The old 'bazar' that sprawls around the vicinity of the Golden Temple intrigued me. The traditional and colourful Amritsari 'Juttis' (Shoes) and 'Phulkari' (material for ladies suits), lured me into retail therapy. After a round of retailing, I decided to catch up on some lipsmacking Punjabi cuisine, at a typical Punjabi 'Dhaba', named, 'Bharwan da Dhaba'. The Locals eat rich food, and is generously laced with butter and cream. I could not stop ogling at the 'Phirni', a sweet delicacy served chilled in clay pots. Tourists come to Amritsar to experience the gravity of the Sikh Faith, by visiting the Golden temple. But the Sikh faith expands beyond that.

The Golden Temple- The construction of the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) concluded in the 16th century

by Guru Arjan Dev. This is the most important place of worship for the

Sikhs. The Guru Granth Sahib (holy scripture) rests in the temple. As the day ends, pious devotees participate in the 'Palki Saheb' ceremony, where the holy book is carried onto a palanquin to the 'Akal Takht' to rest. The 'Akal Takth' is also where the Sikh parliament meets.

The Sikhs have also constructed a 'Gurudwar' in honour of the very first Granthi of the Harmandir Saheb (Golden Temple). 'Baba Buddha Ji' had served and anointed most of the Sikh Gurus. He was very close to Guru Nanak. This Gurdwar is also known as 'Baba Buddhaji Gurdwar'.

The Jalianwalla Baug, a significant monument for martyrs is just a two minute walk from the temple.

The Durgiana Temple - Almost a hundred years old, this temple was built to honour Goddess Durga. It is a Hindu Temple, and is modelled on the lines of the Golden Temple. The inside of the temple complex houses a water body or 'sarovar' that has several smaller temples within it. The main temple is that of Goddess Lakshmi. Hoards of believers come here in lieu of the Goddesses blessings.

Ram Tirth- Ram Tirth is situated eleven kilometres outside Amritsar city. It is more eminently known as the birthplace of the sons of Ram, Luv and Kush. The Temple also has Balmiki's hut (the great sage who wrote the Ramayana). It was here that the great sage wrote his manuscripts. During Sita's exile she lived at this very place. This is evident as Hanuman even scooped out the earth to give rise to an evergreen well.

Wagha Border- Wagha border or 'Attari crossing' is the last station of India (from the state of Punjab). After one crosses this border one reaches Lahore, which falls under the Pakistani jurisdiction. It is worth watching the flag down ceremony in the evenings. Soldiers from both the ends perform the parade with much gusto. This is indeed worth watching.

However before getting there please ensure you take the necessary permissions to get into the V.I.P. quota rather than getting caught up in the crazy crowds.

Pul Kanjri- Very close to the Wagha border is a 'Bardari' constructed by Maharana Ranjit Singh. The emperor and his troupe as a guesthouse used the 'Bardari' during times of war. The architecture of the monument is Mughal in orientation. There is also a bridge constructed. It is believed that Moran's (the emperor's favourite courtesan) shoe once fell in the canal flowing past the 'Bardari', she insisted that if the bridge was not constructed, she would not dance. Moran only resumed to entertain the emperor once the bridge was built. This is also how the bridge got its name 'Pul Kanjari' , the bridge for the courtesan. The Pul Kanjari houses a 'Masjid', a 'Gurdwara', and a temple, displaying the secular beliefs of the Maharaja. The frescos give a vivid description of the proceedings at court, and also display instances from the Hindu Mythological scriptures. The monument is a UNESCO world heritage site, but it has not received as much attention as the other monuments and historical sites. We are letting our

politician's bind us in cultural apathy and unfortunately we citizens also succumb to the same.

Kartarpur - Guru Nanak founded the 'City of God', in 1522. It is believed that Guru Nanak spent the last days of his life in Kartarpur. Just three kilometres away from Kartarpur is Guru Nanak's Shine, Dera Nanak Saheb. This falls under the Pakistani Jurisdiction. The 'Gurdwar' can be viewed using a pair of binoculars.

Hindus and Muslims visit the Shrine from both the nations.

Kalanor- It is a common saying that if you haven't visited Kalanor, you haven't seen anything at all. Kalanor has invests in a rich historical past. Akbar was crown the emperor of the Mughal Empire by Behram Khan in Kalanur.

Muslim brothers of the Noor tribe founded the city. The fort could have also taken its name by a celebrated Shiv temple in that region. Kalanur was ruled over by King Janme Jiya who was the great grandson of the warrior Arjuna.

The city was a major urban centre during the 14th and 16th century. A beautiful palace was built by Firuz Tughluq Shah on the banks of the banks of the Kiran rivulet. Traces of this palace stand to this day.

One can find an eclectic mix of upcoming modern skyscrapers and malls in a city that is still very religiously rooted. Teachings of Nanak come alive with everybody allowed to practice their own faith, still willingly embody the doctrines f Sikhism. As I wind up, I would encourage readers to make a trip in her heart of Punjab, and experience the charms of 'Punjabi' culture.

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12 SAFARI PLUS January - February, 2013

LOCAL PLUS

Gujarat Festival 15th December 2012 to 31st January 2013 Gujarat, with its all inclusive, sustainable and rapid growth, is emerging as a globally preferred destination to live in and to do business with. The year 2012 showed a rapid growth o f 1 6 % i n to u r i s m positioning Gujarat as the number one tourist destination in India. As of 2013, the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd. (TCGL) is looking forward to tap a large number of tourists and a bigger number in its statistics. TCGL is motivating tourism by promoting their various festivals on a large scale.

The Rann Utsav, being held from 15th December 2012 to 31st January 2013, is attracting a record number of tourists.

The accommodation f a c i l i t y, c u s t o m created by TCGL, includes 200 a/c tents, 100 non-a/c tents and 38 cottages designed along the lines of Kutchi houses called 'Bhungas'. The festival is visited and enjoyed by more than 8000 tourists from all over the world and has been an amazing success.

The forth coming festivals which are being promoted by TCGL are ·7th January 2013 - International Kite Festival in Mumbai & Delhi. ·8th January 2013 - International Kite Festival in Vadodara & Surat. ·9th January 2013 - International Kite

Festival in Surat & Modhera. ·11th January 2013 International Kite Festival in Mandvi, Dhordo & Somnath. ·11th to 13th January 2013 – Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2013. ·12th to 13th January 2013 International Kite Festival and Adventure sports in Ahmedabad. ·29th to 31st January 2013 – 3rd Global Bird Watchers Conference.

The 25th edition of International Kite Festival will be celebrating its silver jubilee and is the biggest and most awaited event of its kind. About 100 international participants will take part

in the kite festival along with the locals.

Mr. Kamlesh Patel, Chairman, TCGL, said, “The International Kite Festival is an opportunity to witness the rich and vibrant culture of Gujarat. I am extremely happy to see the response and love that the International Kite Festival has garnered in its glorious journey covering a span of more than two decades. I invite you all to come be a part of this festival and witness color, vibrancy and grandeur of Gujarat as it is scheduled to travel across some of the most beautiful tourist destinations in the state in the following week”.

‘My Golf Tours’ peak at Golf, MTDC proposed plans for Tourism Promotions in Mumbai Business and Travel The My Golf Tours Invitational Golf Tournament held recently at the Bombay Presidency Golf Club, on 21st December 2012. The event saw an active participation from the top echelons of the corporate & business community, with 85 registered participants from Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Baroda, Belgaum, Delhi, Thailand, Malaysia & Dar e Salaam.

The Golf Tournament was followed by some fine networking opportunities, and a glittering awards banquet night. Organized

by My Golf Tours, in association with Sri Lankan Airways, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Tourism Malaysia, Vacations Exotica, Hallmark Interiors, and Tathasastu, along with Event Partner Growth wise Consultants and Media Partner The Hindu BusinessLine,theEventwasahugesuccess.

47 prizes were awarded to the Gross and Net Winners respectively, in 3 categories of handicaps. 12 close to pin and 22 longest drive winners were also awarded. The prizes ranged from Free Return Air Tickets to Bangkok, Kualalumpur, & Singapore, Golf Bags, & accessories. The Presentation Ceremony was followed by afine round of cocktail & dinner.

The next scheduled events are the 'Miracle

Cup' in Bangkok, Thailand from 14 to 18 January & World Amateur Cup at Dublin in April 2013 informed Mr. Arun Iyer, Managing Director of My Golf Tours. Arun, Mita & Sivaram, received several compliments for organizing an event of top class.

“We are happy to announce that My Golf Tours has been contracted for three more Corporate Tournaments in 2013 - in Mumbai, Delhi and Pune respectively. We will also ensure more Indians are influenced to play Golf & achieve India becoming an all season Golfing destination for overseas Golfers", said Arun Iyer Mg. Director My Golf Tours.

Mumbai also christened as an 'Alpha world city' is renowned to be the city which is Pulsating, Alive, On the Move, Vibrant, Fun and one that never sleeps is now gearing itself for the tourist's world.

There are more than 150 places in Mumbai that tourist can explore. Maharashtra tourism government has set up a committee to prepare a special tourism plan for Mumbai. Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) reported that the committee, including stakeholders in Mumbai, will prepare separate Tourism plans for the city and its suburbs. Mumbai is the only metro in the world that has wildlife, seashore, historical structures, mangroves, migratory birds and many other aspects to it.

Mr. Chhagan Bhujbal, Tourism Minister, shares some proposed plans with us ·MTDC along with BEST (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport), from February 1, 2013, will start special compressed natural gas buses at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park for tourists.

Ten air-conditioned buses have been purchased for this purpose. The Forest Department has also agreed to hand over three guest houses in the national park to

MTDC for renovation and up-gradation. ·The Maharashtra government also plans to make a state-of-the-art, one-stopshop for filmmakers to promote Bollywood tourism. This will be added tourist attraction in its Bollywood's tour where tourists will have access to shoots and sets. And has plans to make a Bollywood museum which will inside the Film City premises (Goregaon). Special sections will be built on sets to allow tourists to watch shoots in progress through mirrored walkways that will ensure minimal interference. ·Chhagan Bhujbal also said technofeasibility report on the Seaworld project in Sindhudurg district has been submitted to the cabinet. An interim detailed project report (DPR) is expected in 15 days.

The culture in Mumbai is a fine amalgamation of festivities, religions, music, food, music and theatres.

Mumbai is said to have most active nightlife in comparison to other cities.

And MTDC is in plans to tap all these segments to promote Maharashtra on world tourism map.

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January - February, 2013 SAFARI PLUS 13

DOMESTIC PLUS The perfect holiday resort in the lap of the jungle can be well defined by the music created by bird's chanting, a visit to a tribal village which takes you back in time, tiger shows and elephant rides with sights of lots of rare animals. A continental lunch with a glass of wine in the midst of swimming pool with your spouse followed by a DJ and a Tribal dance can be the cherry on the top.

Mahua Tiger Resorts (MTR) is a wing of Mahua Hotels Pv t. Ltd, which specializes in developing state of the art deluxe quality wildlife resorts. Presently MTR is operational in couple of world famous tiger Resorts in Kanha & Bandhavgarh National Park, along with many more in the pipeline. Within a couple of years of its launch it has carved a unique niche for itself across both -

domestic as well as foreign travelers.

MTR's USP lies in their spacious resorts, top class hospitalities and their provision of services. MTR are unique with a blend of 'Modern day Dynamism' with traditional Royal Rajputana Charm' and are a perfect exemplar of architectural magnificence. The resort offers Deluxe accommodations with AC, refrigerators, fire places, TV with Tata Sky connection (a rarity in jungle resorts); Jungle suits, luxury Swiss tents; conference hall, swimming pool, meditation courts, library naturalist, Barbeque, exotic cuisines, Ayurvedic massage facilities, jungle safari bookings and many more.

Ethnicity of Tribes of Madhya Pradesh, Jungle Safari, Trekking and Bird Watching for Naturists, the best wining

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In Kahna & Bandhavgarh National Park and dining for all you Connoisseurs and Gourmets, Huts in the jungle with a hint of Rajasthani Architecture, and the only resort of Kanha to have a stupendous Swimming Pool !

The parent company Mahua Hotels Pvt. Ltd is an emerging hospitality brand in central India, specializing in across the spectrum services such different built ups of resorts, restaurants, travel agency, transportation and logistics, spiritual tourism packages, MICE packages and many more. It aspires to become one of the national players in end to end hospitality in the next five

years. It has the strong backbone support of the parent company and well integrated verticals, which enable MTR to provide top notch tailor made services to the user. Mahua hotels along with MTR, has been developed on the philosophy of excellence. Be it any sphere, Team Mahua tries its level best to provide the optimum and contented services to their travelers. It is surely among the finest travel and tourism brand in Central India.

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Patna Vihar Bird Sanctuary Patna Vihar Bird Sanctuary is a protected sanctuary in the Jalesar sub division of Etah district in Uttar Pradesh.

Covering an area of 108 hectares, it was founded in 1991. It is the smallest Bird Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh, with a wetland area of only 1 km².

Ornithologists have reported about 2,00,000 birds of 300 different species of exotic birds with multicolor plumes clustering here for roosting and breeding during the peak season of winter months.

Pied Mynas, herons, cormorants & ducks and geese of all descriptions also frequently visit the Sanctuary. These winged visitors start migrating back when the hot weather conditions set in during the month of March. For long it has been a favorite breeding centre for a large number of migratory birds. Besides the migratory birds, Patna Bird Sanctuary is a permanent abode for local birds as well, which abound all through the year. One can see large concentration of rosy pelicans, waders, ducks, cranes etc. The birds allow close access and there are

watch-towers for birding.

Though on paper it's the smallest bird sanctuary in U.P. , Patna vies with the best when it comes to its avifauna of over 2,00,000 birds transforming the lake into a riot of colors, sounds and forms. Each morning Patna reverberates with the songs of close to fifty thousand Pied Mynas who have made the adjoining areas of the lake their home, glorifying the dawn of another beautiful day who, dissolve sweetness in the atmosphere of Patna.

This sanctuary is also famous for its Bird Safari and Wild Animal Watching. In addition, it also has the highest number of aquatic plants as the ponds and other water bodies are clear and are situated at an open place. Human interface is low in theses reservations.

You may sight the Blue Bull, Fishing Cat, Jackal, Jungle Cat, Fox, Cobra, Pit Viper, Krait, Turtles and Monitor Lizard, Koel, Cormorants, White Ibis, Ruff & Reef, Ashy Wren-Warbler, Rosy Poster, Grey Shrike, Eastern Skylark, Swallow, Crested Lark,

Fantail Snipe, Pintail, Moorhen, Grey Quail, Rain Quail, Osprey and many more.

The scenic beauty of the sanctuary with intertwined date trees provides a topographic atmosphere akin to Goa, in Uttar Pradesh. An old and historic temple dedicated to Lord Shiva attracts thousands of pilgrims for spiritual pursuits. It is the tinkling of the temple bells mingled with the chirping of birds that creates an atmosphere of rare tranquility here.

By Road, one has to go via Jalesar which is nearest town from Patna Bird Sanctuary (5KM) or via Agra which is the nearest city and a 1 ½ hour drive. The nearest local railhead is also Jalesar which is connected to New Delhi and to other cities from Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, West Bengal and Uttarakhand. The nearest major railhead is Agra (60KM) which is well connected to the

Patna Bird Sanctuary UP

rest of the country. As for Air transport, the nearest airport is Agra which is well connected to New Delhi.

The average year round temperature varies from 47o C in peak summers to 4o C in winters. After the abundant Indian monsoons fills the lake to its brim comes the best season to visit Patna. Hence, the ideal time to visit the Patna Sanctuary is during March.

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= Kanha National Park = Bandhavgarh National Park = Pench National Park = Satpuda National Park = Panchmadi = Jabalpur = And many other Central Indian destinations

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Honeymoon Destinations in India

India, the land of rich culture, beautiful landscape and its hospitable and friendly people have always attracted tourists from world over. The country plays a perfect backdrop and romantic retreat for honeymooners too... India has it all from gorgeous valleys to pristine beaches; picturesque beauty of mountains to sparkling backwaters and from the Royal retreat to Adventure safaris. Couples now from all across the world are coming to India to undertake

their first trip together as a married couple.

BINSAR Binsar, located on top of Jhandi Dhar Hills, is a scenic place with a beautiful view of the Himalayas and is part of the Bisar Wildlife Sanctuary. These mountains are some of the last refuge for plants and animals before the icybarren Himalayas ranges just 300km north. The nearest town is Almora which is 30 km south of Binsar.

For people who simply want to enjoy the serene environment, it is an ideal destination for nature lovers, adventure lovers as its dense forest is home to many species of flora and fauna. It is easy to get lost among the beautiful landscaped made complete by the songs of birds and animals. Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, Zero Point - The highest accessible point of Binsar, Almora City, Binsar Sanctuary Museum are the various places couples

can visit. There are many forest resorts where you can stay at Binsar for comfortable and pleasant stay.

WAYANAD Home to exotic legends, ancient ruins, aborigine tribes, hidden treasures, mysterious mountain caves, tree houses, jungle trails and exotic wild life, Kerala's Wayanad district is the perfect setting for a hundred great adventures for honeymooners!

Wayanad is situated in an elevated picturesque mountainous plateau in the Western Ghats. Its unique va st st retc h e s o f m i st capped mountains, green meadows of valleys, white water springs, blue water lakes and wild forests express the splendid natural beauty of Wayanad and, perhaps what the visitor finds most endearing about this quaint little hill station is its large tribal population of about fifty-strong tribes and their fascinating lifestyle. Couples can stay at the tree top houses and mud huts and enjoy the thrills of jungle life.

Chembra Peak, Edakkal Cave, Kuruva Island, Lakkidi, Muthanga Wild Life

Sanctuary, Pakshipathalam, Pookot Lake, Sentinel Rock Waterfalls, Kanthanpara Waterfalls, Soochippara Waterfalls and Banasura sagar Dam are the sites which provide a hypnotizing sight to tourists. With vast areas still unexplored, Wayanad is truly an adventures cape waiting to be discovered!

HAFLONG Haflong located in the Himalayan terrain of Assam is a beautiful location is the district headquarters of North Cachar Hills District. Entitled as 'Switzerland of the East' which describes it best, the township is a garlanded by the Himalayan ranges at an average elevation of 513 meters.

The town is located between beautiful green hills, fast flowing water streams, caves and waterfalls just like living in a beautiful painting and the only hill station of Assam and is known as White Ant Hillock. Various attractions of the town are Haflong Lake, Laisong, Dimasa Kachari Kingdom, Semkhor, Jatinga and Mailbong and many other waterfalls. Providing habitat to various species of birds, birdwatching is one of the most popular activities of the region. Moreover, the

destination hosts several festivals and flea markets, which are one of the chief tourist attractions. Haflong, situated at an altitude of 680 m above sea level, offers various sightseeing options.

Haflong can be reached by driving up the narrow mountainous roads.

Travelling by train on a century-old track is another way to reach the destination.

On the way, traditional towns and villages exhibiting tradition and culture of the north-east can be seen.

CHIVLA BEACH There are a few uninhabited islands off the coast from Malvan with pristine untouched beaches these island looks as if straight out of postcards and Chivla Beach fits the picture perfectly.

Chivla is a small arc shaped beach with clean waters with rocky stretches on either end of the arc. The beach is not crowded and has a few but very good home-stay and resort options. The rock gardens are very close and a fishing village where you will find many fishing boats on the palm lined beach.

The Chivla beach is mesmerizing and captivating and will keep you occupied for most of your time. There are various things to do like snorkeling near the Malvan jetty, visit Sindhudurg fort which is inside the sea, Devbagh sangam, dolphin sighting tour and last but not the least, a long walk on the beach during sunrise or sunset which every couple dreams of.

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January - February, 2013 SAFARI PLUS 15

TRADE PLUS 'Think Strawberries' signs on Jordan Tourism Board Think Strawberries has been appointed as t h e I n d i a representative office of the Jordan Tourism Board, to promote and market Jordan's destinations and products in India for both media and the travel trade.

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, which once was the topic of folklore, continues to capture the imagination of a whole new generation with its stunning combination of nature, history, food, religious and Biblical sites that are important for those interested in holy land pilgrimage and historical sites of relevance. An extremely peaceful, stable and progressive nation, Jordan enjoys a

temperate and warm climate all around the year.

Float into smooth nothingness in the Dead Sea and imagine how it was when Jesus Christ walked on this very sea more than 2000 years ago; gasp in amazement in Petra; Revel in Wadi Musa which is the very spot where Moses passed; taste the delectable cuisine in its capital city Amman or go dune bashing in Wadi Rum -- Jordan will capture all your senses and is the perfect destination for a religious pilgrimage, holiday, or its superior quality hotels, modern infrastructure and varied activities.

SAMPOORNA to represent Chios, Regional Unit, Greece Chios Regional Unit, part of the North Aegean region of Greece, has appointed Sampoorna Country Promotions as their representative in India. The regional unit consists of the islands of Chios (the capital), Psara, Oinousses and some smaller uninhabited islands in the Aegean Sea and is a beach destination w i t h h i sto r y a n d c u l t u re , a n d picturesque villages as its highlights.

As part of its destination marketing mandate, Sampoorna will organize road shows in India, conduct meetings with the travel trade, organize cultural events, participate in major tourism fairs, and promote the destination through various media channels, and conduct other Public Relations (PR) activities.

"It is an unexplored destination for the Indian Outbound and has great potential for Leisure and Incentive segment. This Northern region of Greece can be easily clubbed with Turkey, especially Istanbul, for a two-to-three-night stay as there is good connectivity from Istanbul. Also, it is a good value-for-money destination as even five-star hotel rates are lower compared to European destinations and even Turkey,� stated Vijesh Thakker, CEO, Sampoorna Country Promotions.

He further added, "We plan to organize Familiarization (FAM) trips for the Indian travel trade to get a first-hand experience of the region and also organize road shows sometime between April and June with suppliers from the Chios Regional Unit�.

Indonesia aims to welcome 9 million tourists in 2013 Indonesia looks forward to welcoming between 8.5 million to 9 million tourists in 2013, Minister for Tourism and Creative Economy, Mari Elka Pangestu, asserted, despite difficult global economic conditions.

This is a significant increase of between 7%12.5% from the 8 million international arrivals in 2012.

In 2013, Bali will host the APEC Summit along with 10 other Indonesian cities hosting related ministerial meetings prior to the Summit. There will also be the WTO Ministerial Meeting. Additionally, Bali and

Jakarta will host the Miss World Pageant, for which events the airports of Bali and Jakarta and of many destinations are being improved and expanded and many access roads are under construction.

Large events are similarly planned in almost all parts of the country, from the annual Sail Indonesia 3-month regatta, which this year will focus on Sail Komodo, to the Tour de Singkarak in West Sumatra, as well as regional traditional events ranging from the Baliem Valley in the highlands of Papua

16 SAFARI PLUS January - February, 2013

to the shores of Lombok and Bali, to international concerts studded with singing superstars that attract crowds from Indonesia and overseas.

More cruise ships have also booked to sail in Indonesian waters where the Benoa harbor in Bali and other ports of call have been widened to serve and accommodate the larger cruise ships.

Indonesia's own burgeoning middle class is also expected to travel, creating a l a r g e d e m a n d fo r a t t ra c t i o n s ,

transportation, hotels, and restaurants all across the archipelago.

All the above developments boost confidence in Indonesia's positive tourism prospects for 2013.

Today, Indonesia's tourism is the 4th highest ranking foreign currency earner for the country outside oil and gas, following coal, palm oil, and rubber products.

Tourism ranks higher than the production and exports of apparel, electrical goods, textiles and paper products.

Mystifying !ndia India is unique geographically, socially, culturally, scientifically. Home of the Himalayas, the tallest mountains, India is our world's largest and oldest democracy, and contains an amazing wealth of wisdom, culture and spirituality. And within this earliest civilization known to mankind, lie hidden mystical secrets. It lies hidden in India's silent spirituality, making her a mystic land of meditation, contemplation and enlightenment.

Magnetic Hills of Ladakh

Bhangarh ruins of Rajasthan

Can you ever imagine a vehicle moving up a steep hill with the ignition off? Sounds unbelievable right? The Magnetic Hill is located on the Leh-Kargil-Baltik national highway at a distance of 30 km from the capital city Leh in Ladakh. It is at a height of 14,000 feet above sea level and is known to possess strong magnetic properties. The uncommon phenomenon here is that the car moves by itself when put in neutral gear at a steady speed of 10km/hr or above depending on the type of vehicle.

Today the place has become a popular sightseeing place where tourists are amazed to see their car moving on its own.

Noted to be the scariest place in India, Bhangarh is attracting scores of tourists these days, lies beneath the Sariska forest in the Alwar district in the state of Rajasthan.

Hundreds of years ago, its occupants fled, or died. Nobody's sure. Not a single human soul lives in the 158 hectares of land.

The city, according to legend, was cursed by a tantric (a performer of Black magic) in the sixteenth century. The tantric, was attracted to the beautiful queen of Bhangarh, Ratnavati. One day, he saw her maid buying some hair oil for the queen and put a love spell on it. The queen was a tantric herself and as she looked at the swirling oil, she threw the flagon away. As soon as it touched the ground, a stone magnified into a boulder and moved towards the tantric. Before the boulder crushed him, he put a curse on the land and the whole town was vacated over night never to be returned to again.

Roopkund Skeleton Lake

Roopkund, better known as “Skeleton Lake,” is one of the most mysterious places in India. It is a glacial lake in Uttarakhand state of India, at an altitude of about 5,029 meters (16,499 feet).

An enormous grave of between 500-600 skeletons is what this place is most famous for. The carbon dating from samples indicated that the people were from the 12th century to the 15th century. The site is so isolated that it requires about four days travel from the nearest human settlement. Generally, trekkers and adventurers travel to Lohajung or Wan by road.

Following this awesome discovery of 1942, the skeleton abode of Roopkund has generated a phenomenal sensation. More recently in 2004, a team of European and Indian scientists visited Roopkund to carry on with the probe and part of their findings included anthropological treasures like well-preserved corpses, jewelry, bones and skulls belonging to the dead.

Levitating Stone

Shivapur, a small village near Pune, Maharashtra is famous for its Levitating stone. The story behind is that Qamar Ali, who lived in this village (6 centuries ago), was born in middle-class Muslim family whose men prided themselves on their muscular prowess. Unlike his aggressive older brothers, he was introspective and gentle. When he was scarcely six, he became a disciple of a Sufi Pir and started meditation and fasting. Before long, throngs of devotees began to flock at his doorsteps, drawn by his mystic's compassion and miraculous powers of healing.

Renowned for his extraordinary power, on his death bed he requested to keep a circular stone near his tomb. If 11 people touch their finger to the stone and shout the name “Qamar Ali Darvesh”, the stone flies up in the air. It is a huge stone weighting around 200kg. While some call it illusion and some impossible , the fact is that it is an inexplicable event.

The panorama of Pangong Lake

Living Root Bridges Have you ever wanted to go to forest of some kind of magical presence? In the depths of northeastern India, in one of the wettest places on earth, bridges aren't built - they're grown. The living bridges of Cherrapunji, India are made from the roots of the Indian Rubber Tree - 'Ficus elastica' tree. It may sound magical or even exaggeration; the root bridges of Cherrapunji are really alive. The root bridges, some of which are over a hundred feet long, take ten to fifteen years to become fully functional, but they're extraordinarily strong - strong enough that some of them can support the weight of fifty or more people at a time. One special root bridge, believed to be the only one of its kind in the world, is actually two bridges stacked one over the other and has come to be known as the "Umshiang Double-Decker Root Bridge."

The Pangong Tso lake of Ladakh, situated at an altitude of 4350 meters on the Indian/Chinese border, is in a high mountain valley in the upper drainage basin of the Indus river and at the east end of the Karakoram Range.

Pangong Lake is long, narrow and the water is brackish making it the highest situated lake with salt water. Five fresh water rivers fed by the perennial springs and snow-melt mountains, flow into the Indian portion of the lake, still keeping its salt level high.

Pangong means extensive concavity and is 134 kilometer long, but it is only 5 kilometers wide at the widest points. The topography is not just a tourist's paradise but a geologist's sphere of influence too but surely no fun for the army in the frozen temperature to take care of the tactical landscape.

January - February, 2013 SAFARI PLUS 17

HOSPITALITY PLUS

Kohinoor Elite offers The Elite Day Lounge Located in the heart of Mumbai, a threestar business budget hotel offering fivestar services to its esteemed customers, Kohinoor Elite is an innovation in hospitality. As a preferred choice for the discerning new age business traveler, Kohinoor Elite offers an excellent range of guest facilities and services tailored to the needs of business travelers valuing their precious time.

Kohinoor Elite also offers an unique feature The Elite Day Lounge. It sounds same as Airport lounge but offers lot more than that. For those who land in the morning and have to fly back in the evening after a few meetings through the day, Kohinoor Elite has just the facility one wants - The Elite Lounge. After checking into the lounge, one can have a shower and freshen up, and then go for meetings leaving their baggage in the safe hands of the hotel.

On returning in the evening, one can relax, have a bite and check out of the lounge to leave for the airport. All this for a steal! It is the only business budget hotel in the

nearby central suburb.

They boast of descent spacious room with all comforts & luxury services and also facilitate the traveler with the option of Business room in the hotel to conduct their short meetings, interviews or screening for those who basically don't have any office in Mumbai.

Their services includes from handling b a g g a g e , l a u n d r y, a n d W i - F i connectivity. All this as one single complete bill package with all meals (18hrs buffet) included in the room rate a unique facility you will get only at Kohinoor Elite.

Vivanta by Taj – Madikeri, secrets of a rainforest –Vivanta by Taj Hotels & Resorts has opened – V i v a n t a b y Ta j Madikeri, Coorg its 25th property since its launch in 2010. Located seven kilometres from the charming hill station of Madikeri in South-Western India Situated at an altitude of 4000 ft. within 180 acres of subtropical rainforest.

Madikeri, Coorg has luxurious 63 rooms and villas built within an eco-conscious context to ensure the property is unobtrusive and respectful to the natural beauty of its location and the hotel stays true to its eco-sensitive narrative.

The hotel has a 30,000 sq. ft. Jiva Grande

Spa for relaxation. guests can swim in the climate controlled indoor swimming pool or they can enjoy the open air pool overlooking the paddy fields. Other rejuvenation options include meditation at the Buddha Garden, a saunter through the strawberry farm, a cultural performance or private dining moments – some of the “motif” experiences that are uniquely Vivanta. During the course of a stay, guests can participate in a therapeutic clay modelling session or get a chance to interpret an elusive rainforest with their “rainforest insider” and learn survival skills with adventurous activities.

18 SAFARI PLUS January - February, 2013

India's first Playboy Beach Café in Goa Playboy announced its entry into the Indian hospitality market in alliance with PB Lifestyle Ltd. The new venture will launch India's first Playboy Beach Café in Goa with future plans for additional openings of clubs, cafes and hotels across India.

Sahil Manchanda Director, PB Lifestyle Ltd. said, “The clubs we are introducing in India are a class apart and I'm sure the Indian consumer will be very pleased with the international standards that

they are going to set in India.”

PB Lifestyle will start with a 22,000 sq ft Playboy Beach Café in Goa which will be the epitome of high-end culinary expertise along with a touch of the evergreen Playboy lifestyle followed by other food, beverage and hospitality formats in markets including Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkota, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Pune, among other cities throughout India.

Minor Hotel Group opens first Oaks in Bangkok Minor Hotel Group (MHG), operator of over 80 properties across the brands of Anantara, AVANI, Oaks and Elewana, has opened its first Oaks property in Asia Thailand – Oaks Bangkok Sathorn announced further new Oaks to open in China next year.

Oaks Bangkok Sathorn is located in the heart of the Thai capital's business and entertainment districts offering travellers the option of short and longer stays in fully serviced, spacious, self-contained apartments.

The 115 apartments are generously proportioned with separate bedrooms, a living area and kitchen in a choice of studio, one-, two- or three-bedroom configurations, ranging from 39 up to 185 square metres. Balconies open to city and river views offering an urban sanctuary above the bustling city.

Perfect for both leisure and business stays is just a short stroll to Bangkok's

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) where guests can connect with the sky train (BTS) and easily access many of the attractions on offer in this vibrant, sensory city.

Guests can work out in the gym, enjoy a swim in one of Bangkok's longest hotel pools, indulge in a spa treatment at Senses Spa, or play tennis on the onsite court. Dining includes the innovative 100° East all-day dining restaurant and gourmet pizzeria Crust. For business guests an array of conference and meeting facilities are available.

HOSPITALITY PLUS StayWell Signs 3 Leisure Inn Hotels in India StayWell Hospitality Group of hotels has added three additional properties in India. The properties are currently under development in various key areas of India and will be launched under StayWell's Leisure Inn brand·82 room hotel located in the city centre of Hyderabad, scheduled to open in May 2013 ·192 room serviced apartment hotel in Greater Noida scheduled to open by early 2014. ·99 room property located in Raipur which is part of the largest retail mall in the region and is expected to open in 2014.

Mr Simon Wan, CEO of StayWell, said,

“We are thrilled to further expand our portfolio into one of the biggest emerging markets in the world.

Our growing reputation and brand presence in India will place us well for further property developments in the region – of which we currently have four more deals in Jaipur, Goa, Mumbai and NCR nearing finalization. Based on our current business plan, we aim to increase our portfolio in India to a total of 25 hotels by the end of 2014 and 50 hotels by 2016.”

This latest addition brings StayWell Hospitality Group's portfolio to 35 including the further upcoming announcement of properties launching in Bali, Kuala Lumpur and Shanghai.

Alila Fort Bishangarh restored as hotel and will open late 2013 The Alila Fort Bishangarh in Jaipur District is located within a 230-year-old Fort situated on a granite hill of the Aravallis. The only warrior fort that has been converted into a heritage resort, Alila Fort Bishangarh will be open by the end of 2013. The original fort has been left intact, with much care given to ecological restoration and the reconstruction of new residential areas, to recreate the courtly flavor of Shahpura's royalty.

The resort boasts 59 suites, each with the stunning views and spacious interiors elegantly furnished with large bay windows and day-beds, expansive bathrooms with footed bathtubs, luxury bedding and room amenities, comfortably accommodating a family of four.

Down the hill, the public areas comprise the arrival courtyard, luxurious banquet lawns, the pool, pool terrace & juice bar, Fitness Centre and a 'Play Soldiers Club' for Kiddies.

Within the Fort, are two specialty theme restaurants, an all-day café lounge, a bar & cigar room, wine cellar, state

ballrooms, Library, Spa Alila wellness centre, Alila Living shop and guest suites.

Alila Fort Bishangarh provides a majestic locale for grand weddings and celebratory events including MICE facilities. Its royal banquet hall, banquet dining room, conference and meeting rooms, an open-air terrace and large banquet lawns, provide a perfect setting for all occasions. The Alila Experience will introduce guests to the colorful culture of Rajasthan with a host of rural activities & adventure for a diversely enriching journey.

It is easily accessible from Delhi (180 kms) and Jaipur (55 km). It is 6 kms off the Delhi-Jaipur NH.

DORAK Holding announces 6th hotel, Cappadocia, Turkey Dorak Holdings, 'Cappadocia', is the natural beauty of Central Anatolia and cultural heritage of Turkey. The region is surrounded by volcanic stones and rockcave houses which have a spiritual and mystical charm, has given a great inspiration on hotel investments in the region.

The Anatolian Cave Houses is their 6th hotel in Goreme – Cappadocia which is a top class hotel. The hotel is listed in many magazines and websites for luxury travelers. Each suite of the hotel is decorated in a unique style to represent the different eras of history. Anatolian Houses promises guests a luxurious hotel service within its cave formations.

Anatolian Houses provide a family pension where one feels quickly at home and the owner will welcome you with a big smile, early in the morning. They have several

prices for different budgets - From single, through dormitory (in fairy chimney) to double, triple rooms in normal, cave, or fairy chimney. The premise has a Pleasant garden with trees and flowers for all to stroll around. The Anatolian Houses boast a total of 15 Cave Rooms, 07 Stone Rooms where all the rooms are provided with a Jacuzzi.

IHG's First Holiday Inn Express Hotel opened in India Duet India Hotels (DIH) and Inter Continental Hotels Group in partnership have launched the Holiday Inn Express, Ahmedabad. They respectively hold 76% and 24% equity stakes in their joint venture. There are 18 properties are nearing completion under the same brand. And 37 Holiday Inn Express hotels across Asia Pacific and this will grow to nearly 100 over the next few years, making Holiday Inn Express one of the fastest growing brands in the region.

The Holiday Inn Express Ahmedabad is located in close proximity to the airport and city centre. The 173-room property offers a core range of facilities as well as complimentary Wi-Fi and breakfast.

Commenting on Mr. Naveen Jain,

President of Duet India Hotels said, “Our strategic partnership with IHG gives us with the platform to tap into the full potential of this opportunity. At Duet we concentrate on the property asset - using our expertise to find the right site and building the product. IHG then manage the operation of the hotels on our behalf.

The strengths of our two organizations combined will ensure these hotels succeed.”

Jumeirah Signs management agreement to operate a luxury hotel in Mumbai Jumeirah Group's e x p a n s i o n negotiations start with a string of hotels and resorts in key destinations in India.

The Group has already signed a management agreement to operate a luxury hotel in central Mumbai, where the hotel is part of a major new development in the Lower Parel district of the city and is expected to open in 2017.

On completion, the property will consist of 470 rooms, suites & serviced apartments, a wide range of restaurants and bars, extensive conference, wedding, banqueting & meeting facilities, & a Talise spa.

President and Group CEO, Jumeirah Group, Gerald Lawless, said, “The demand for five-star hotels in the Indian market has been robust and we are delighted to have initiated the first phase of

our expansion into India with this landmark project in Mumbai. We look forward to building on this success by bringing our promise of Jumeirah Stay Different to other destinations in the country.”

Jumeirah currently operates 20 luxury hotels and serviced apartments, including 10 in the UAE, 7 in Europe, 2 in the Maldives and 1 in China. A further 15 hotels are now under development.

GHM Signs its 1st hotel in India GHM has expanded its portfolio of luxury hotels around the world with its first property in India. The Aayu Mumbai will claim the top five floors of Kohinoor Square's Central Tower, the tallest commercial building in the city.

The all-suite hotel overlooks historic Shivaji Park and offers sea views to the west, and the island mainland to the east.

A 42-suite luxury hotel spread over a 5acre parcel of land and towering 203 meters above the Dadar area of Mumbai, Sandeep Shikre & Associates (SSA Architects) in Mumbai and US-based GKK Works collaborated to design the 50storey Kohinoor Square complex of office, commercial, retail and residential space that is poised to dramatically redefine the skyline of India's most populous city.

Interior designer Jaya Ibrahim, will lend

his award-winning aesthetic to The Aayu's spaces. A library lounge and bar, cigar and cognac lounge, exclusive malt bar and capacious boardroom will occupy the 49th floor. The hotel's spa will be unmoored from a fixed location, with all treatments conducted in a guest's room. The Aayu's 50thfloor rooftop terrace will be home to Mumbai's highest bar, complemented by a swimming pool and deck with ocean views, as well as 1,400 sq m. of landscaped courtyard.

January - February, 2013 SAFARI PLUS 19

AVIATION PLUS

RAK Airways increases frequency to Calicut RAK Airways increases its flights from Ras Al Khaimah to Calicut on a daily basis effective from 15th December 2012 due to increasing customer demand.

Mr. John Brayford, CEO RAK Airways “Calicut is one of our key destinations and passenger demand on our Calicut flights has always been exceptionally good. Effective from 15 December 2012, RAK Airways will operate daily flights into Calicut. I believe stepping up the frequency will satisfy our passenger mix of tourists as well as the significant number of Indian expatriates from the southern state of Kerala, working in the UAE and in GCC. The new flight schedule will also provide

Cinnamon Air Sri Lanka’s new carrier

excellent connections for travelers who are working in the other GCC states within our network, namely Doha and Jeddah”.

RAK Airways is one of the youngest airlines of the United Arab Emirates. RAK Airways flew over 250,000 passengers on its network in 2011. The airline's present route network comprises of 10 cities - Abu Dhabi, Peshawar, Lahore, Chittagong, Dhaka, Cairo, Kathmandu, Calicut, Doha and Jeddah.

Cinnamon Air, the first and only scheduled domestic carrier in Sri Lanka will fly from March 2013. It is in joint venture of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Chaaya Hotels & Resorts, John Keells Holdings, MMBL Leisure Holdings and Phoenix Ventures. This will help in accessibility for visitors and it will allow them to discover the incredible diversity of the island scenically with ease.

The Airlines is operated by Saffron Aviation and will provide a unique timetable of scheduled daily flights linking the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Colombo with key holiday locations on the South West coast, the East Coast (in the summer season), Kandy, the Cultural Triangle and

Hambantota/Yala. The airlines will deploy two Cessna 208 Caravan Amphibian Aircrafts and one wheeled Cessna 208B Grand Caravan aircraft allowing the Airline the flexibility to operate from any of the domestic and international airport as well as from waterdromes in Sri Lanka.

More info on: www.cinnamonair.com.

IndiGo flies to Kolkata - Bangkok 4917* (or INR 9009) on all new flights.

International flight schedules for new route will beIndiGo, announce s the introduction of new flights connecting Kolkata w i t h B a n g ko k . Ef fe c t i v e f ro m December 21, 2012, the airline will launch New daily and n o n - sto p f lights between Kolkata - Bangkok.

Introductory ret u r n fare of Thai Bhat

Flight # 6E 77

Origin

Destination

Kolkata

6E 78

Bangkok

Arrival (local time) 01:55 AM

Frequency

Bangkok

Departure (local time) 09:40 PM

Kolkata

02:55 AM

04:00 AM

Aditya Ghosh, President, IndiGo said, Expanding operations on this route is in line with our growth strategy outlined for both

20 SAFARI PLUS January - February, 2013

the regions. There are strong trade and tourism ties between eastern region of India and Thailand and travelers have requirements of low

Daily

Round-trip Fare INR 9009

Effective 21-Dec-12

Daily

INR 9009

21-Dec-12

fares by an Indian airline. Our affordable fares on these new routes will further g row t h e m a r ket a n d b e n e f i t travelers. It is our constant

endeavour to provide more flexibility of choice for our customers as IndiGo continues to offer them on time, hassle free and always affordable flying experience. We hope to provide t h e m u c h n e e d e d av e n u e fo r countless Indians to explore wider horizons and at the same time open up the doors to more and more overseas travellers to experience India.” *All inclusive lowest round-trip fare.

Limited seats.

AVIATION PLUS

Virgin Atlantic connects India with Scotland & Manchester Virgin Atlantic will be adding 24 and Aberdeen. The airline has also Atlantic's flights from domestic flights a day within the UK to its utilised three of its own Heathrow slotDelhi and Mumbai to existing long haul network that will pairs to complement the new Scottish Manchester and Scotland strengthen connectivity for its Indian routes with three daily round-trip is enclosed below: passengers from Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and services between Heathrow and Mumbai to LON and Punjab. It outlined plans on 11th December Manchester from 31 March 2013. onwards within UK 2012, to launch a domestic flying The schedule connecting Virgin schedule: programme within the UK from spring 2013. This move will also Flight No Departs Arrives Flight No Departs Arrives create more than 150 new VS 301 New Delhi 13:35 London Heathrow VS 355 Mumbai 03:10 London Heathrow 07:55 jobs in the UK. VS 300 London Heathrow 21:50 New Delhi VS 354 London Heathrow 10:35 Mumbai 01:10 Virgin Atlantic will focus its operations on flights to and VS3003 London Heathrow 09:10 Edinburgh VS 3011 London Heathrow 19:50 Edinburgh 10:40 from Scotland. From April VS 3010 Edinburgh 18:45 London Heathrow VS3012 Edinburgh 06:40 London Heathrow 08:10 2013, the airline will VS 3045 London Heathrow 20:15 Manchester 10:30 operate six round-trip VS3041 London Heathrow 09:30 Manchester VS 3044 Manchester 17:40 London Heathrow 07:35 London Heathrow 08:45 flights a day between VS3046 Manchester Heathrow and Edinburgh, VS3021 London Heathrow 09:30 Aberdeen VS 3025 London Heathrow 20:15 Aberdeen 11:10 with three daily round-trip VS 3024 Aberdeen 17:35 London Heathrow VS3026 Aberdeen 06:35 London Heathrow 08:15 flights between Heathrow

Jet Airways connect Mangalore-Dubai Delhi - Dubai Jet Airways, will fly six times a week on the Mangalore-Dubai sector from January 3, 2013. The airline will deploy a Boeing 737800 aircraft with 170 Economy seats on this route, offering guests warm service and delectable cuisine.

On Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, the new flight 9W 532 from the port city of Mangalore will depart at 2000 hrs and arrive Dubai at 2230 hrs (Local Time).

On the return leg, flight 9W 531 will depart Dubai at 2330 hrs (LT) on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and arrive Mangalore at 0430 hrs (LT) next day.

On Fridays, flight 9W 532 will depart Mangalore at 1900 hrs and arrive Dubai at 2130 hrs (local time). On the return, flight 9W 531 will depart Dubai at 2230 hrs (LT) and arrive Mangalore at 0330 hrs (LT) the next day. On Tuesdays, flight 9W 532 will depart Mangalore at 1940 hrs and arrive Dubai at 2210 hrs (LT).

Jet Airways also introduces a second

GOA

service between Delhi and Dubai from January 18, 2013. The introduction of this new flight between Delhi and Dubai further strengthens the presence of Jet Airways in the Indo-Gulf sector, making it one of the region's leading carriers. The airline will deploy its new generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft, offering twin class configuration of 16 Premiere and 138 Economy seating.

Flight 9W 546 will depart at 1115 hours and arrive Dubai at 1330 hrs (Local Time).

On the return leg, flight 9W 545 will depart Dubai at 1425 hrs (LT) and arrive Delhi at 1855 hrs (LT). This new flight will provide convenient connections to guests travelling to and from northern India, as also from SAARC/ASEAN countries through the airline's important HUB - Delhi.

17:55 11:50 21:20 20:15 21:15 18:50 21:55 19:15

New Delhi to London and onwards within UK schedule: The timings will also give the most attractive offering to passengers travelling direct between London and the UK regions, with flights spread at key points throughout the day including morning arrivals into Heathrow to give business travellers a full day in the capital and an early morning departure from London to Edinburgh for business visits to the Scottish capital.

Spicejet starts fights to and from Pondicherry Re v i va l o f Pondicherry airport, after over two decades of languishing due to disuse, is on the cards with commercial carrier SpiceJet. In its endeavor to connect more and more tier-II and tier-III destinations, SpiceJet is also connecting Pondicherry with Bangalore and vice versa on Dash 8 Q400 aircraft starting January 17, 2013. Pondicherry is a popular destination among tourist and the airline is pleased to provide affordable air connectivity on this route.

SpiceJet Ltd, now connects Chennai – Mysore (Via Bengaluru) and Pondicherry to Bengaluru with direct flights. The airline is also connecting Mysore with other metro cities

–Mumbai and Delhi while Pondicherry is connected to Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Kolkata.

Booking of tickets for these destinations are open now and commercial flights will commence from January 14, 2013 and January 17, 2013 to Mysore and Pondicherry respectively.

The airline would be deploying Bombardier Q400 aircraft on these routes. The Bombardier Q400 NextGen turboprop aircraft can accommodate 78 passengers and is widely accepted as the best shorthaul aircraft globally.

Paradise Village Beach Resort, GOA is one of the leading 3 star deluxe Resorts in North Goa situated on the world famous Calangute Beach, a complete Spanish Villa Style Resort located

Facilities & Services - Swimming Pool, Conference Facilities, Restaurant & Bar, GYM, Children Play Area, Pool Table, Coffee Shop, Ayurvedic Massage Center, Badminton Court, Mini Golf Course etc.

Paradise Village Beach Resort - Resort Address: Calangute Beach, Goa Reservation Off: Marina Resorts, Shop No.37, Shantivanam, Manuel Gonsalves Rd, Off Turner Rd, Bandra (W), Mumbai- 50 Tel: 26423600, 26443378 F: 26437617 Email: pvillageresort@yahoo.com

January - February, 2013 SAFARI PLUS 21

INTERNATIONAL PLUS Monaco offers Indian travelers a top of the line experience!

Indian guests can enjoy Monaco one of the most serene destinations in Europe as it is located on the Mediterranean Sea coast of France, it is a gamut of indulgences and entertainment. Monaco has an excellent climate and amazing beauty making it a perfect getaway for vacationers.

Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority gave an insight into the various activities and luxuries that Monaco has to offer like its picturesque views, romantic abundance, and stupendous landscapes, it offers magnificent holiday options for the discerning Indian traveler.

On offers that provide outstanding accommodations, gastronomy delights, historical previews & attractions, fashion & lifestyle, renowned casino options and remarkable events.

H. E. Patrick Medecin Ambassador of Monaco to India said that while in 2010 there were 1200 travelers from India, this number grew to around 1500 in 2011 and we expect 25% growth in Indian travelers visiting Monaco in 2012.

Although it is the world's second smallest country, Monaco - with its legendary reputation as the home to royalty, luxury suites and multimillion dollar penthouses - receives more than 4 million visitors every year. Visitors to the country are not restricted to leisure travelers alone. Monaco also comes

across as one of the ideal destinations for MICE travelers. With 300 days of Sunshine, the Mediterranean natural beauty and the world-class infrastructure, Monaco could be the premier choice for meeting and recreation, specially keeping in focus that destination is committed to providing very special value-driven offers for MICE and customized programs.

During the road shows, travel trade and media will be given an opportunity to speak to the Key representatives from Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority Mr. Jean-Francois Gourdon, Director of Communications and Public Relations, Mr. Eric Marsan, Marketing Director and Ms. Corrine Kiabski, Press and Communication Manager.

Everything about this exotic destination is rich, flamboyant and colorful, and is sure to leave the visitors with memories to be cherished for a lifetime!

22 SAFARI PLUS January - February, 2013

The Philippines registers a stupendous growth of 42% in Indian Arrivals Basking in the glory of t h e various awards t h a t t h e To u r i s m Board has been bagging ever since it was launched, its new campaign-'It's more f u n i n t h e Philippines', the destination has seen a surge in travelers from across the globe.

As per the la t e s t f i g u r e s , T h e Philippines registered a noticeable growth of 42 per cent in tourist arrivals from India for the month of October 2012. The figures indicate an encouraging number of 3,802 Indian to have visited Philippines in October as compared to 2,677 Indian arrivals over the same month in 2011.

Highlights •Indian travelers to the Philippines increase by 42% •AJACKSUK Visa regulations continues to allure Indians to the Filipino shore. •More promotional campaigns lined up for 2013.

The Tourism Board has been closely working upon various marketing initiatives to woo the Indian travelers. It

recently announced Visa-free entry for Indians who have travelled on United States of America, Japan, Australia, Canada, Schengen, Singapore or United Kingdom visa.

While the Tourism Board has been conducting workshops in Delhi & Mumbai, they are now also active in other Tier-I cities like Bangalore and Chennai and have hosted a few road shows as well. In 2013, the Tourism Board plans to visit more Tier-I & Tier-II cities.

With an aim to promote the brand in the untapped markets of India, the Philippines Tourism Marketing Office continues to work along with the Indian travel trade partners and have aligned an array of upcoming activities for the coming year.

INTERNATIONAL PLUS

Dubai Shopping Festival 2013 A month long of shopping extravaganza that will take your senses for a roller coaster ride - shopaholic's haven, a family's delight and a child's fantasy, all come true at the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF).

Hosting a Gala evening of Entertainment and a Press Conference at Sofitel Luxury Hotels, on 10th December 2012, Mumbai, Dubai Events and Promotions Establishments (DEPE) in association with Emirates Airline, the strategic partner of DEPE for DSF 2013 announced attractions and highlights of the 18th edition of Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) 2013. The biggest edition to be held yet, DSF 2013 is running under the marketing campaign slogan

time at DSF World's Highest Catwalk to feature in the 18th edition at 442 metres at Burj Khalifa of Dubai Shopping Festival , midnight fashion show and other such walks, Carpet OasisGlobal Village where all cultures come together to offer some form of entertainment.

Biggest Breakfast – to break Guinness World Records Biggest Sampling and make-over fest

there are host of other activities for the whole family to indulge i n f a m i l y e n te r ta i n m e n t fun.

“We are pleased to be here in India's financial capital to announce the launch of the 18th edition of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF).

We believe this year will be an extraordinary DSF as compared to the previous editions. Ever since the DSF was launched, we have seen an

spectacular activities that have something on offer for every member of the family.

In addition to the events, shoppers will also have a chance to win cash prizes and shopping vouchers. The festival will also stage weekly draws for Infiniti, Ferrari and Nissan Patrol cars. The Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group also unveiled their raffle promotion of prizes totalling to 15

of “Dubai at its Best”, highlighting the fact that DSF brings out the best of Dubai across its sectors to its visitors and residents alike. DSF 2013, due to be held from January 3rd to February 3rd 2013, is expected to surpass all previous editions in style, size, turnover and grandeur.

This year's DSF has been planned keeping in mind the successful previous editions setting the highest standards and constantly innovating on what it has to offer such as – Al Rahbani show – land of Gypsy Cirque Du Soleil ( Circus ) Layali Dubai ( Nights of Dubai) Shahrukh Khan to perform live for the first

Racing at Mayden , Sports Events , Standard Charted Marathon, Wild Wadi's Swim at Burj Al Arab, Car Extravanza TeaOasis, Food Fiesta, Fire crackers and other such events.

With the entire city decked up, prizes worth crores of rupees on offer and a spectacular itinerary of international events will await DSF fans from across the world.

The 2011 edition of the Festival attracted 3.98 million visitors that collectively spent $413 million during the month long festival. The Dubai Shopping Festival which started in February, 1996 has since become a great tourist attraction for visitors from around the world. Besides discounted shopping

increasing number of visitors from India.

Without a doubt, this market has the potential to grow exponentially in the coming years. Indians are a vibrant part of UAE's society constituting a significant segment of the total international visitors to DSF.” Said, Saeed Al Falasi, Director- Strategic Alliances, Dubai Events and Promotions Establishments (DEPE).

Attracting millions of visitors each year, the festival showcases the region's best in shopping, winning, and family entertainment. Promoting Dubai at its best, the whole city will wear a festive look with performances, colourful displays and range of

kilograms of gold. Additionally, customers will also be presented with a chance to win up to 20 lakhs of rupees as instant cash prizes in a 'Scratch and Win' promotion upon the purchase of Pearl, Watches or Diamond jewellery worth 1000 Dirhams.

DSF presents a great opportunity for shopaholics with fantastic shopping offers and discounts at more than 6000 retail outlets in 70 shopping malls which are designed to stand out as a fullfledged festive season of its own, the 18th edition of DSF pledges shopping, winning and entertainment for all. It is truly one of the most awaited seasons to watch out for!

Canadian Tourism Commission conducted successful workshops In a bid to further expand its reach in India, the Canadian Tourism Commission, (CTC) India organized a three-city workshop in Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata in December 2012.

By conducting workshops and sessions across several Indian cities, they are expected to enhance the number of Indian travelers to Canada.

During the workshop, CTC Team India interacted with over 300 travel agents while giving a presentation on Canada.

The presentation highlighted various Canadian provinces and also educated the trade on Visa procedures.

Another major highlight of the session was the Canada Specialist Program (CSP), an educational tool designed to promote travel and tourism to Canada,

helping travel agents in becoming experts in Canadian travel experiences.

The program was promoted by CTC during these workshops to further encourage the agents to register. The session concluded with an interactive quiz and the winners were awarded with kit bags, Canadian Ice Wines and tickets to Canada.

In the year 2013, CTC plans to launch its Signature Experiences Collection (SEC) in the India market which will be an endeavor to reposition Canada as a truly unique, experiential destination. The Tourism Board will also continue to conduct trade seminars and market places in major cities; focusing on FITs (free independent travelers), SECs and Visa awareness along with developing co-op programs with tour operators.

Malaysia to strengthen sales mission in India To u r i s m M a l ay s i a w i l l b e on their annual sales m i s s i o n i n I n d i a f ro m 8 t h J a n u a r y t i l l 1 8 t h J a n u a r y, 2 0 1 3 . T h e d e l e ga t i o n w i l l be led by Director G e n e ra l , To u r i s m M a l ays i a a n d i n d i v i d u a l s a n d g ro u ps f ro m a c ro s s to u r, t rave l a s s o c i a t e s , service and hospitality sector, with the aim of promoting Malaysia as a Asia, like never before.

The objective of the sales mission is to strengthen Malaysia's standing as a dream trav e l d e s t i n a t i o n Tourism Malaysia Road shows and increase tourist a r r ivals from India. It will schedules are as follows: also provide Malaysia's · 8th Jan in Chennai, tourism industry players an opportunity to develop and · 10th Jan in Mumbai, strengthen co-operation with · 14th Jan in Kolkata their Indian counterparts. · 16th Jan in Delhi During the sales mission, Director General will meet cities to discuss and explore areas key tour operators, for collaboration to attract more associates fro m t r a v e l , s e r v i c e Indian tourists to Malaysia. a n d h o s p i t a l i t y s e c t o r in all

January - February, 2013 SAFARI PLUS 23

INTERNATIONAL PLUS

Thailand Eyes on 2 Tier cities in India Starting 2013, The Tourism Authority of Thailand has plans to strengthen their foothold in the Indian market.

The strategies in place will help TAT attract tourists from the tier- 2 cities in India.

As a start to the overall plan of reaching out to newer cities and towns within India, TAT has planned to host a buyerseller meet in -

Coimbatore - 09 Jan 2013 Mangalore - 11 Jan 2013 Pune - 14 Jan 2013 In the coming year. “India is a very vast and important market for Thailand.

While we are happy to see the overall increase in tourist arrivals from India this year, we expect to up the numbers by

reaching out to newer m a r k e t s ,” s a y s M r.

Sethaphan Buddhani, Director of TAT Mumbai Office.

Compared to last year Thailand received a total of 10.37% increase in tourist arrivals to from India. “The numbers this year are overwhelming and that is the reason why we now want to focus more on newer cities which have potential travelers,” adds Mr. Buddhani.

Another key focus for TAT in 2013 will be on highlighting new regions of travel by e d u cat i n g t h e t rave l t ra d e o n destinations such as Khao Yai, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Trang and focuses on promoting niche sectors of travel such as biking tours, wedding solutions, medical and wellness tourism.

Macau launches website to promote budget hotels Macau Hoteliers and Innkeepers Association with the support from Macau Government Tourist Office have launched a new website www.macau-budgethotels.org to help boost local budget hotels' competitiveness and capability of operation as well as fostering the diversified development of tourist markets.

This site holds information of all the budget hotels, online room-booking service for direct transactions between consumers and operators, travel information, etc. and is available in three languages: traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese and English.

8 budget hotels have joined the online room-booking service at the first stage with the assistance of Macau Hoteliers and Innkeepers Association, with over 500 rooms available for booking, comprising one third of same-category rooms operated in Macau while some budget hotels still shy away.

There are 13 two-star hotels, 4 threestar guest houses and 29 two-star guest houses, providing close to 1,500 rooms in Macau.

The website is expected to also launch an online payment service soon. Clients will then be able to pay online through Visa, Master or Union pay cards.

Currently, after receiving a booking confirmation from the hotels, guests must settle the payments due to the property upon check-in.

Portugal to focus on Indian film industry A high ranking Portuguese tourism delegation led by H. E. Cecilia Meireles, Secretary of State for Tourism visited India on 10th December 2012, to boost their promotions of Portugal. Secretary Meireles was accompanied by H. E. Jorge Roza de Oliveira Ambassador of Portugal to India; Mr. Frederico Costa, President of Turismo de Portugal, senior Government officials and the heads of some of Portugal's finest hoteliers and local tour operators. This was the maiden B2B networking workshop in India titled 'Portugal Experience Workshop 2012' in New Delhi and Mumbai.

The objective of this marketing initiative was to build cordial relationships between the two countries as well as providing an impetus to inbound

tourism into Portugal. The workshops provided a platform for the Portuguese delegation to interact and establish commercial relationships with Indian travel agents, tour operators, wedding planners, corporate travel agencies and India's burgeoning 'Bollywood' film industry professionals.

The delegation met with the Indian film fraternity comprising of prominent line producers and location coordinators associated with big production houses such as Disney UTV, Pop Corn Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. (Sunil Shetty's production company), BSK Network and Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., (Boney and Sridevi Kapoor's film production company) amongst others. During the B2B workshops in India, the delegation

24 SAFARI PLUS January - February, 2013

interacted with an impressive 500 to 600 pre-selected Indian trade professionals that comprise major travel & tour operators, wedding planners, golf & cruise promotional organizations in addition to MICE operators.

Hotels such as - Altis Hotels, Dom Pedro Hotels, 4 Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon, Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel, Hotel Lutecia, Pestana Group, SANA Hotels, Penha Longa Hotel Spa & Golf Resort, Vila Gale Hotels and Thema Hotels & Resorts.

Travel companies such as - AIM Group, Argon Travel, GeoStar, Oasistravel.net, Osiris Travel, Quasar, VEGA & destination management companies

such as In Tours Portugal – DMC, Limits Incoming & Incentives – DMC, Lusanova DMC, Mr. Travel Portugal – Luxury DMC and Vista DMC & Emirates Airlines.

Chiang-Rai as well as Nong Nooch camping resort in Prachinburi province, which made its debut in 2001. In order to maintain the gardens, management was then handed over to her s o n , M r .

Nongnooch garden more prominently known as “Suan Nong Nooch” in honor of Mrs. Nongnooch, where “Suan” means garden, opened to public in 1980 and today has the largest plant collection in Asia, as well as the conservation of the world's LARGEST palm collection, the largest variety of Orchids in Thailand and other tropical flora and fauna. Mrs. Nongnooch and her husband Mr Pisit Tansacha, brought approximately 600 acres of rolling hills and valleys and converted it into a tropical garden of ornamental flowers and plants. Eventually, the garden is now turned into a tourist attraction fully equipped with Thai styled houses, cottages, villas, seminar halls, banquet halls, restaurants, cafes as well as other facilities constructed for tourist's convenience.

Mrs. Nongnooch, along with her life's work of the garden, spends her time between Bangkok and the orchard in

Kam pon Tansacha.

The Tropical Garden has 2 man-made lakes with swan boat rides and exquisitely manicured gardens, including: Garden Designs - Various types of gardens like the European garden, Orchid garden, Pottery display garden, French garden, Stonehenge Garden, Cactus Garden, Bromeliad Display Garden (hybrid plants from America), Floating garden, Bonsai garden, Sansevieria garden (plants which need less water), Italian garden, Variety garden and other such, consist of different forms and looks.

Palm of the World – Boasts a collection of more than 1000 species of palm found all around the globe.

Caribbean Walk – Features palm and cycads from the Caribbean islands.

Hortus Botanicus – Endangered plants from all around the world are grouped here which also helps it serve as a conservation center. It also consists of a Cycad Conservation center which is created to grow genetically distinct and endangered cycads.

Streblus asper (Koy) – a garden which is trimmed and shaped into ornamental shapes which also shows the Thai style of plant trimming art.

Topiary Trees – plants which are trimmed into various shapes and forms also hold a spot in these gardens.

Butterfly Hill, Waterfalls, Riverside garden, Sky Walk, Cycad Valley, Heart Garden are also a part of the Nongnooch garden family.

Zoo garden – Various sculptures

of mammoths, colorful lizards, insects, animals, birds, deer's made from stones etc add color to the garden.

Aquarium – Different aquariums are built to showcase fresh water fish, sea fish and other aquatic animals.

Antique Hall – the Tansacha family's belongings are kept here which include artifacts, the Buddha and ancient jewelry.

Various shows take place as a tourist attraction. Fascinating Thai Culture and traditional dances are presented daily in the theater within the garden compound.

Along with the traditional shows, visitors have an opportunity to see other performances such as religious ceremonies, martial arts and The Amazing Elephant Show – one of the most popular attractions here where one can be the witness to an elephant's intellect playing football, basketball, bowling dancing and even playing with tourists. Floral shows, Car show rooms are also a part of these attractions. One can take pictures with animals like tigers, cheetah's and other such animals and birds. For people who don't want to walk, Elephant rides are made available as well as cycles.

At Nongnooch, they also have educational attractions where the young generations are taught about

global warming, conservation and awareness of environment. A professional guide is provided to help and guide. Nongnooch camp is established for training and personnel development.

Nong Nooch also offers accommodation at their beautiful resort, from lakeside terraces, 6 star standard luxury villa's and Thai style living houses. Of course take advantage of all the wonderful Thai luxuries of excellent food, famous friendly service, relaxing massage, swimming, and cycling. There are Souvenir and gift centers which provide various things to buy.

Nongnooch is just inland from Pattaya, or a 4 to 5 hour bus ride south from Bangkok. There are various modes of transport which can lead you to the destination. Nongnooch is always d e ve l o p i n g a n d i m p ro v i n g t h e beautification process in order for the garden to look as beautiful as it can. to know more log on: www.nongnoochtropicalgarden.com

January - February, 2013 SAFARI PLUS 25

INSIGHT

The Gate to Hell

Turkmenistan

For all you supernatural believers, the door to hell really does exist. It is an amazing vacation experience for the dare – devils and adventurous wonderers as seeing the door to hell with one's own eyes is an experience like none other. Plus a name which everyone finds appropriate for its sheer raging beauty. It is considered as one of the most apocalyptic landscapes in the world. Welcome to Derweze in Turkmenistan - or, as the locals have called it, 'The Door to Hell'.

Derweze (the gate), is in the hot, expansive Karakum desert in Turkmenistan where about 350 inhabitants are located. Turkmenistan is an almost landlocked country in central Asia if not for its coast in the Caspian Sea. It is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran to the South and Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to the North. Turkmenistan is a fast-developing country and the government has taken several steps to enhance the country's tourism.

Derweze is a crater 60 meters wide and

20 meters deep; that has been on fire and is the outcome not of nature but o f a n industrial accident. In 1971 a Soviet drilling rig accidentally punched into a massive underground natural gas cavern, causing the ground to collapse and the entire drilling rig to fall in.

Having punctured a pocket of gas, poisonous fumes began leaking from the hole at an alarming rate. To head off a p o t e n t i a l environmental catastrophe, the Soviets set the hole alight. The crater h a s n ' t sto p p e d burning since and for over 40 years it has constantly been active. This hole can be seen glowing for miles around. The whole area sits atop a natural gas field and the locals sometimes entertain their visitors by tossing lit cigarettes on the ground creating bursts of flames. Due to the intense heat, one can only stand

26 SAFARI PLUS January - February, 2013

near the crater's edge for a couple of minutes at a time.

There is no other accommodation nearby except for local stay in the nearby village. Derweze inhabitants are mostly Turkmen of the Teke tribe, preserving a semi-nomadic lifestyle find themselves hosting one of Turkmenistan's few tourist attractions, drawing adventurers from all over the world. Staying in a traditional Yurt one can feel life style of Central Asia nomads, traditional Turkmen hospitality and kindness and taste traditional Turkmen cuisine,

mainly based on meat pilav, Turkmen bureg, chorba/ lam soup and refreshing soft drink Chal.

Due to its remote location, transport options are limited and the main option available is to arrange a tour with a local from Ashgabat. It is safest that a guide is arranged, as good off-road driving skills and knowledge of the area are

important. They would take food and supplies along and provide accommodation in a yurt or camping near to the crater. The crater is located about a 4 hour-drive away from the Turkmen capital Ashgabat. The fire crater is located approximately 10 kilometers off the main road.

In addition to the burning Derweze gas crater, there are two other craters nearby that can be visited. Neither is on fire. One has toxic gases bubbling up through green water and the other has gas bubbling up through mud.

INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION

The Plain of Jars, Laos

Khuang province. No one knows for sure their precise age, who built them, or why. They are swathed in mystery and surrounded by unexploded bombs.

The Plain of Jars is one of the oldest archeological mysteries in Southeast Asia, in the mountainsofIndochina;thereareabout90 different jars sites. Each site contains from 1 to 400 jars. It has been estimated that they were created 3,000 years ago, and are made of sandstone, limestone, granite, breccias and conglomerate, with the majority being made of sandstone. The tallest jar is about 9 ft. and all are made from their own individual slab of stone.

At first glance they appear to be haphazardly placed, with some standing upright and others on their sides, pointing in different directions.

Stonediskswerefoundthatmarkedagrave,anda numberofothergraveswerediscoverednearone of the jars. Further studies have revealed that the jars are placed in positions that form the constellation patterns of the stars. There has been lots of speculation about the purpose of the jars – drinking glasses for a giant race, being used to collect rainwater, or as burial urns.

Most of the jars are empty, but a few have

b e e n fo u n d w i t h bodies or tools inside, or filled with miniature Buddha statues.

Exploration is hard as the area is littered with unexploded bombs from the American War on Laos.

There are a total of three sites Site 1 (Thong Hai Hin) is the biggest and most accessible site. It is 15km southwest of Phonsavan and features 250 jars, most weighing 600kg to one ton each. The largest jar weighs as much as six tons and is said to have been the victory cup of mythical King Jeuam and so is called Hai Jeuam. The site has two pavilions and restrooms that were built for a visit by Thailand's crown prince.

Site 2 (Hai Hin Phu Salato), about 25km south of town, features 90 jars spread

out across two adjacent hillsides.

Vehicles can reach the base of the hills, so it's only a short if steep walk to the jars.

Site 3 (Hai Hin Lat Khai). It's about 35km from Phonsavan on a scenic hill-top near Lat Khai, southeast of Phonsavan. It is more impressive as it is a site of 150-jars and Ban Xieng Di - a small monastery where the remains of Buddha images that were damaged in the war have been displayed.

To reach the Plain of Jars, one can travel via any mode of transport. The nearest airport is in Phonsavan which has Lao Airlines offering flights to travelers. By bus, one can travel to Phonsavan from Vientiane you can either take VIP buses or local buses. One can also hire a minivan or motor - bikes in either Luang Prabang or Vientiane. One can also cycle to Jar Site 1 from Phonsavan. Accommodation facilities are easy to find around.

ATF TRAVEX 2013 registered over 1,000 exhibitors from across ASEAN have snapped up more than 460 booths in Vientiane, Lao PDR (+40% compared last year) with wide range of diverse products and services from the 10 ASEAN countries. The exhibition boasted of 75 corporate booths, the highest number achieved by the event thus far. With new exhibitors comprising 35% this year, and strong booth take-up from returning exhibitors. International media registrations also hit the 170 mark.

Host country Laos participated with its largest ever contingent at ATF and aimed to meet and create relationships with buyers and

the international and regional media.

Talking about the country's progress in tourism development, Mr. Saly Phimpinith, DirectorGeneral of Tourism Marketing Department in the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Laos said, “Laos is constantly improving its service standards in the tourism industry. We have begun to classify hotels and guesthouses and are actively promoting Community Based Tourism in order to improve the standard of living in remote areas. We are happy to give ATF TRAVEX delegates a glimpse into the beauty of Laos through the pre-show city tours and post-show tours.”

City Tours and Post-Show Tours: The host

committee crafted tours to give delegates an authentic experience of Vientiane and other popular destinations in Laos.

Three city tours around Vientiane and Buddha Park gave visitors an insight into the history of the capital city. The postshow tours took delegates on 3 Days - 2 Nights trips to two of the most celebrated and beautiful locations in the country, Luang Prabang and Pakse/ Khong.

For more information, program updates visit: www.atflaos.com 2013 TRAVEX Dates: 22 to 24 January 2013 Venue: Lao International Trade Exhibition & Convention Centre (Lao ITECC).

Moscow (3N/4D) for Rs 25,999/-

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©SAFARI PLUS 2013

The Plain of Jars is massive and mysterious and has all the ingredients to stir ones imagination. Shrouded in mystery and myth, and laced with intrigue and tragedy, they are tumbled amongst the bomb and slit trenches, and overlooked by the poisoned hillsides. It is a bizarre collection of ancient cylinders scattered in their hundreds across the war-scarred (secret war by A m e r i c a n i n 7 0 ’s ) countryside of northern Laos's Xieng

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January - February, 2013 SAFARI PLUS 27

INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION

PENANG's Top 10 Soak in the sun, dwell in the serenity of pristine beaches, walk through lush tropical green forests or get immersed in the unique sights and sounds all around.

There are so many things for you to do when it comes to Penang. It gives you a glimpse into a world where nature,

'food paradise' of Malaysia.

Here are the top ten sights you should not miss out on Heritage Buildings: - About its heritage buildings, UNESCO quoted - “A unique architectural and cultural townscape without parallel anywhere in East and Southeast Asia.” Get enamoured by unique charms of eclectic architecture from a rich colonial past. George Town is a mustvisit, and a trishaw ride through its streets is an unforgettable experience.

Kek Lok Si Temple: The Kek Lok Si Temple sits majestically at the hills of Ayer Itams is perhaps one of the remarkable gifts that Penang possesses today. During the Chinese New Year, the temple is a spectacular sight, brilliant with millions of lights to mark the celebration.

Reclining Buddha: This magnificent creation is a must-see, whose official name is Wat Phra Chettuphon Wimon Mangkhlaram Ratchaworamahawihan.

One is sure to be awed by the 33 meter gold plated statue as well as the dragons,

sized heroes. It has entered in the 'Malaysia Book of Records' as the first toy museum in the country and with the largest toy and figurine collection.

Tropical Spice Garden: Here you will be greeted by lush green foliage, exotic ferns and flowering plants; over 500 varieties of flora from Malaysia and other regions can be found here. The garden's café is an ideal setting for a lazy afternoon.

Snake Temple: Built in 1850 and originally named as the "Temple of the

tradition and history blend into a rich cultural tapestry.

Penang having long been known as one of Southeast Asia's finest destinations, adds on to the glory of Malaysia. It is also the name of the Malaysian state which is made up of Penang Island and the facing strip of territory on the mainland called Seberang Perai (formerly Province Wellesley).

Rich culture, lush nature makes Penang a must-visit. It also boasts of being the

Thee Kong Tua (Jade Emperor's Temple): This 140 year old temple is dedicated to the supreme ruler of heaven and creator of man, making him the most important deity – Thee Kong – and is a marvel to look at.

Penang Hill: Originally known as Strawberry Hill, this has some of the grandest colonial mansions dotting its landscape. You can enjoy the cool refreshing air and a bird's eye view of the beautiful island.

mythical serpents, and elaborately decorated shrines of all shapes and sizes around the temple and also known to be the birthplace of traditional Thai massage.

National Park: Enjoy trekking , swimming, boat riding at Penang's National Park and make it a point to visit the majestic Lighthouse built in 1883.

Toy Museum: The Penang Toy Museum in Tanjung Bunga is home to over 100,000 toys, dolls, models and life-

Azure Cloud" in honor of the beauty of Penang's sky, this temple is of one of its kind. Guarded by green Wagler Pitt Vipers to protect the deity, the Chor Soo Kong Temple makes for an interesting visit.

Butterfly Farm: Is the Tropical World's 1st live Butterfly & Insect Sanctuary and one of Penang's most visited eco-tourism gem. Based in Teluk Bahang, it is an amazing experience on its own.

28 SAFARI PLUS January - February, 2013

DESTINATION INSIGHT

Thailand on BIKE

vrrrooomm...

For all the adventure lovers, Thailand is now open to having tourists going on a biking trail. Enjoy discovering the northern parts of Thailand on a bike.

The northern parts of Thailand have a particularly rugged terrain. There are loads of adventure sports that have lured tourists to this part of the country.

Bikers must make sure that they carry luggage that is durable and easy to use on these tours.

Biking companies of sound repute have mushroomed in different parts of Ayutthaya, KhoYai National Park region, NakhonNayok, Chaing Mai, and ChaingRai. The biking companies offer flexible tours suiting your adventure type. They are also open to customising tours. The tours are explored both by armatures and old-hand bikers. The companies offer bikes that are less than two years old (relatively new bikes), and service the same regularly ensuring a safe and fun filled trip.

The northern parts of Thailand offers its tourists scenic vistas, culture oriented villages, farms, and luxurious massages, and a dip in the hot water springs. One can also gulp in scoops of the rich historical past of the country on a bike. One can even enjoy day trips on a bike to get a slice of this adventure.

by the night. Also check out the significance of each Chedi (tower) that was raised by various rulers that reined over the region of Old Siam.

One can also enjoy discovering the intricate carving of the Buddha head in a tree at WatMahathat. By round lunch time relax by taking a traditional Thai foot massage. Some of these massage parlours even overlook the river front.

By the evening one can easily explore the old city along the waterways around Ayutthaya. Enjoy a traditional Thai dinner on the cruise while doing so.

PAK CHONG TO WANG NAM KIEW This is every biker's haven. The drive invests in a scenic vista which is truly a treat for ones eye. A biker can enjoy the good weather especially during season time that pans from September to February. The climatic conditions does wonders to add adventures to this drive. Tourists can visit Farm Chochai, a unique Texas style farm, and even a winery. The P.B. Valley vineyards also have a lot to offer to it guests.

FARM CHOKCHAI Farm Chokchai is the largest Dairy farm in all of Thailand. It is a unique Texas

tourism. Even the tractors moving around the farm run on biogas that is manufactured on the farm itself.

The farm organizes a cowboy shows.

Tourists can enjoy making an ice cream with fresh fruits and milk that is available on the farm. Maybe one can even try a hand at milking the cow.

There are restaurants on the farm that offer the choicest variety of meat and stake.

P B VALLEY P.B.Valley is one of the finest winery situated at the very edge of the KhoYai National park. One can call it the birthplace of the finest wines in Thailand. The P.B.Valley is open to

NAKHONNAYOK

AYUTTHAYA Explore the old capital of Siam on a Bike. The trip can start by roughly by 9.30 in the morning.

One can spend the entire afternoon driving around the historic relics around the old city. Drive to the Wat Lokayasutharam, and stop by to offer your prayers to the reclining Buddha. Explore the rich past of the Thai Royal at the Ancient Palace.

Check out the ruins of one of the largest temples in Thailand at Wat Si Sanphet. This temple looks stunning

famous for its wood tossed pizzas, and other Thai and Western cuisines.

Accommodation and food are available on both these properties.

The Heiw Naraok Water fall is one of the largest and breathtaking waterfalls of this region. The terrain around this area is rugged, and a perfect stop for bikers.

Maybe our bikers can also visit one of the most fascinating private properties in the region on bike itself. The Bloom, by TV, is a must stop for every biker on this trail.

One can indulge in a host of other adventure activities including kayaking, white water rafting, pain-tball, bungee jumping, exploring the Thai jungles using the all Terrain Vehicle (ATV), elephant riding , golf, and fishing.

style farm. The unit diversifies into several other businesses including dairy farming. The farm also offers intensive training session for aspiring youngsters who want to get into the field of dairy farming. The certificate is recognized. The farm has gradually converted into an eco friendly dairy farm promoting eco

v i s i to rs o n a d a i l y b a s i s . T h e accommodation offers state of the art facilities. The P.B. Valley KhoYai Winery is one of the finest winery that is found in the region. A trip around the property on the mini train will give you a complete insight on the nuances of wine making. You can also drop by the restaurants 'The hornbill' which is

Explore the scenic beauty of NakhonNayok on bike. This can be especially enjoyed, as it is a region that is not yet got the influence of western tourism.

One can catch up with some of the most important temples of the 11th century in this region.

Also bikers can enjoy the sights at the kings palace and the numerous swamps and natural water tanks that house more that a hundred variety of fresh water fish.

Exploring Thailand on bike and motorbike can be a very refreshing experience. This way one can enjoy a lot more than travelling by car or any other sophisticated mode of transport. Hoping our readers enjoy the vrrrrooomm.

Text by: Heer Kothari

January - February, 2013 SAFARI PLUS 29

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In Papua New Guinea, you'll find it's easy to imagine that you're the only person on earth!

A Million Different Journeys Papua New Guinea (PNG) resides in the eastern half of the rugged tropical island of New Guinea (which it shares with the Indonesian territory of Irian Jaya) as well as numerous smaller islands and atolls in the Pacific. Lying just south of the equator, 160km north of Australia, PNG is part of a great arc of mountains stretching from Asia, through Indonesia and into the South Pacific.

This mesmerizing land boasts more than 600 islands and more than 800 indigenous languages (tok ples), and is home to the largest area of intact rainforest outside of the Amazon. Papua New Guinea consists of 4 regions made up of 19 provinces and the National Capital District, each with their own special character, culture and spirit.

The central part of the island rises into a wide ridge of mountains known as the

Highlands, a territory that is so densely forested and topographically forbidding that the island's local peoples remained isolated from each other for millennia.

The coastline is liberally endowed with spectacular coral reefs, giving the country an international reputation for scuba diving. The smaller island groups of PNG include the Bismarck Archipelago, New Britain, New Ireland and the North Solomon's. Some of these islands are volcanic, with dramatic mountain ranges, and all are relatively undeveloped. With vast tracts of wild

and undeveloped country, in Papua New Guinea, you'll find it's easy to imagine that you're the only person on earth!

Nearly 85 percent of the main island is carpeted with tropical rain forest, containing vegetation that is a combination of Asian and Australian species. The country is also home to an impressive variety of exotic birds, including virtually all of the known species of birds of paradise, and it is blessed with more kinds of orchids than any other country. Vast tracts of the country are wild and undeveloped, with magnificent scenery that ranges from pristine coral atolls to volcanic mountains, dense tropical rainforest and large rivers.

The mainland is divided by the Owen Stanley Range, a massive central spike with peaks towering over 4000m.

Papua New Guinea offers a wide variety of Adventure Vacations. From the jungle-clad volcanic mountains of the highlands; to the flooded delta regions; to the sandy white beaches and pristine coral atolls of the coastal and island provinces; the landscape of Papua New Guinea is as diverse as the people that inhabit it.

With vast tracts of wild and undeveloped country, in Papua New Guinea, you’ll find it’s easy to imagine that you're the only person on earth!

The rugged mountain terrain and deep cave systems offer wonderful adventure

opportunities for walkers, cavers and climbers. Sepik River, one of the world's longest waterways and PNG’s delta system is ideal for canoeing, kayaking and fishing. Bush walking through the rain forests and canoeing, trekking & hiking and snorkeling are the various fascinations of PNG. PNG also enjoys some of the world's best diving around its warm coastal waters, with striking coral reefs around the mainland coast and the islands of the Bismarck Sea and the Milne Bay area.

It also offers an extraordinarily rich and varied natural environment and the island also holds many reminders of World War II, when it was the scene of brutal battles between the Japanese and Allied forces. Visitors will discover a wealth of tropical scenery, from the jungle-clad mountains of the highlands to the sandy white beaches and atolls of

the coastal and island provinces.

Papua New Guinea is a strange place when it comes to travel.

To enter PNG, one must have a passport that is valid for at least six months, have an onward/return airline ticket, and proof of sufficient funds. For air travel, in addition to two international airfields, Papua New Guinea has 578 airstrips, most of which are unpaved. Jackson International Airport in Port Moresby (Capital City) is the nation's international airport with Air Niugine and Airlines PNG as its own aircrafts. Air

Niugini flies to and from Cairns, Sydney, and Brisbane, Australia; Honiara, Solomon Islands; Manila, Philippines; Tokyo (Narita), Japan; Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong while Airlines PNG connects a large number of local and smaller centers. Other international flights like Qantas, Virgin Australia and Pacific Blue also fly to PNG. One can also hire a private boat or ferries as there are ports with entrée. The tropical conditions, fierce geography, and lack of government capacity means there are very few paved roads in the country.

Accommodation in PNG is available to suit every budget and need. Whether

you're backpacking or are on business, whether you're looking for a quiet and very secluded hideaway or a fun family atmosphere...it is all there in Papua New Guinea. There is not so much shopping in the regular sense as most of the local shopping is done in small markets that are held irregularly. There it is possible to buy handicrafts from every part of the country. The food is largely devoid of spices. A typical way of cooking is a Mumu, an underground oven in which meat and vegetables, such as Kaukau (sweet potatoes), are cooked. In just about every meal, there is rice and another form of starch with sometimes a gulp of locally made beer.

www.papuanewguinea.travel

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