APRIL 2019, PAGES 36
NEW ZEALAND A trip of a lifetime
MICE IN JAIPUR Face-lifting the profile of Pink City
VOL. 2, ISSUE. 3
Where families come together at sea Genting Dream Ex-Singapore
DREAM
OFFER
INR 28,900* PER PERSON
PAY FOR 3 NIGHTS GO 5 NIGHTS
ITINERARY
PORT OF CALLS
Pulau Redang - Sihanoukville - Laem Chabang Penang - Phuket - Langkawi - Port Klang Nha Trang - Ho Chi Minh Surabaya - North Bali Booking : Until 20 October 2019 | Blackout dates: 9 June, 14 & 28 July 2019 Departure Dates : 28 April 2019 to 20 October 2019
Fireworks at Sea
Entertainment
Including Indian Veg/Jain Food
Offer Excludes:- Airfare, visa, shore excursion, Gratuity and port tax for 5 Nights cruise. Above offer is calculated as per person on twin occupancy in interior stateroom FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL US: Mumbai: (022) 71002888 New Delhi: (011) 41077900/01 Ahmedabad: (079) 26308099 Bangalore: (080) 46357792 www.dreamcruiseline.com
/DreamCruisesIndia/
@dreamcruiseline
To book your Dream Vacation, Please contact your nearest travel agent.
*T&C Apply
5 NIGHTS SINGAPORE CRUISE ( Sunday Departures )
Publisher’s Note PUBLISHER & CEO Varun Malhotra varun@versatilemedia.in DIRECTOR Pranav Khullar pranav@versatilemedia.in ASSOCIATE EDITOR Gagneet Kaur ASST. EDITOR Sayanti Halder REPORTER Kritika Dua REPORTER & MARKETING ANALYST Lokesh Tuli AGM SALES & MARKETING (MUMBAI) Aarti Rajkhewa MARKETING EXECUTIVE Bhavini Srivastava CONSULTANT Anindya Malhotra, Jitin Mann ART DIRECTOR Rakesh Kumar ACCOUNTS Chandan Kumar Jha, Swati Jauhari ADMIN HEAD R Prem Lata
Dear Readers, It had been a while since we projected the potential of Rajasthan and how it is surfacing to become the next MICE star in India’s topography. Sprouting the trend, this year, we engaged with the leading business hotels in Jaipur to comprehend the current development of the city to sustain the much-awaited boom of business tourists and the contributing factors that can add to more travellers visiting ‘The Pink City’. At the pace with which the hospitality sector is growing in the royal state of Rajasthan, Jaipur has all the ingredients to pitch on MICE tourism. Now looking beyond the forts and palaces, tourism stakeholders have sensed how the segment of MICE tourism is set to augment the tourism in Jaipur. Followed by this and budding our seed of curiosity further, we explore the unexplored lanes of the soil mixed with heritage and modernity called Kochi (erstwhile Cochin). We handpick the ‘must-see’ spots of this city of
triumph and heritage that one may indulge in after a hard day at work or conference. Furthermore, with summer comes the plethora of places in the Southern Hemisphere that is currently speculating in the loved season of winter. And a lesser-known star on this region is none other than the ‘Land of Zulu’, New Zealand that brings to you a platter of some of the most exciting activities, which one may cherish for a memorable experience. Other than this, we bring to you the latest and on-going news from across the segments of the industry including the names that joined the travel and tourism clan. I thank you all again for your kind support. We value your feedback and suggestions so please do write to us at varun@versatilemedia.in. Happy Reading!
EXECUTIVE-CIRCULATION Hari Puri, Raja Rari
Editorial & Marketing Office: Versatile Media: 207, Satya Mansion, Commercial Complex, Ranjeet Nagar, New Delhi-110008 Contact: 011 - 45530380/83 • varun@versatilemedia.in All information in MiceInsiders is derived from sources we consider reliable. It is passed on to our readers without any responsibility on our part. Opinions/views expressed by third parties in abstract or interviews are not necessarily shared by us. Material appearing in the magazine cannot be reproduced in whole or in part(s) without prior permission. The publisher reserves the right to refuse, withdraw or otherwise deal with all advertisements without explanation. All advertisements must comply with the Indian Advertisement Code. The publisher will not be liable for any loss caused by any delay in publication, error or failure of advertisement to appear. Owned and published by: Varun Malhotra, Editor & Publisher, EB-63, Maya Enclave, Hari Nagar, New Delhi - 110064 and printed on his behalf at Acme Tradex India Pvt. Ltd. ( Unit : Printing press) B - 70, Sector - 80, Noida - 201305
Special
CONTENT Spotlight
Page No. 8
MICE IN JAIPUR
FACE-LIFTING THE PROFILE OF PINK CITY
Since the time India boarded the bandwagon of destination marketing in terms of promoting its MICE tourism, under the Incredible India campaign, Rajasthan’s picturesque Pink City Jaipur continues to hold sway even today, despite the fact many competing destinations came into the scene. We speak with some of the key players from Jaipur to understand the current developments of the city and the contributing factors backing the massive swing from Jaipur being known as heritage city to getting identified as a popular MICE hub in India
IN CONVERSATION 16 ABU DHABI TALKS MORE ABOUT ITS WEDDING OFFERINGS PLANS TO TARGET TIER I AND II INDIA MARKETS FOR INCREASED ARRIVALS
OVERSEAS 18 NEW ZEALAND A TRIP OF A LIFETIME
HOTEL FEATURE 24 RADISSON BLU PUNE HINJAWADI FOR A TRUE BLU EXPERIENCE
HOMEWARD 28 KOCHI A PEEP INTO THE GATEWAY TO ‘GOD’S OWN COUNTRY’
4
APRIL 2019
Sara Abdullah Al Aslai, Conferences and Exhibitions Unit Head, Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) – Abu Dhabi talks about Abu Dhabi gradually consolidating its MICE leg of tourism for the global market with a sharp focus on attracting more Indian travellers
REGULAR NEWS 06...........................................................................................................................Trade 14...................................................................................................................... Inbound 17....................................................................................................................Outbound 22................................................................................................................. Hospitality 32...................................................................................................................... Aviation 34..........................................................................................................Appointments
News
TRADE
Jalesh Cruises takes delivery of the first cruise ship New India-based cruise brand Jalesh Cruises has taken delivery of its first ship, which formerly sailed as P&O Australia’s Pacific Jewel. The 2,000-passenger vessel will be revitalised, rebranded and customised to suit the tastes of Indian travellers at Sembcorp Marine Admiralty Yard in Singapore over the next few weeks. During the refurbishment, the vessel will be fitted with spas, salons, fitness, fine dining venues and leisure facilities for young passengers and more. Once complete, the ship will depart Singapore for Mumbai
in India, where she will be renamed Karnika during a christening ceremony on April 19, 2019. Karnika will offer cruises between Mumbai and Goa until May and then offer itineraries to destinations on India’s coast such as Kochi, Mormugao, Mumbai and ports in the UAE and Middle East, such as Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Muscat and Yas Island. “Today marks a crucial day for the Indian cruise tourism industry with the acceptance of Jalesh Cruises’ first ship,” said Jurgen Bailom, President and CEO, Zen Cruises.
Trafalgar announces definite departures for Europe & Britain Trafalgar has announced 100 per cent Definite Departures on its Europe and Britain trips for the 2019 summer season. “We know it has been a challenging sales year for our agent partners with high consumer interest yet a later booking window, so we are going 100 per cent definite to help our valued partners close the sale and reassure their clients that now is the best time to book,” says Gavin Tollman, Trafalgar’s CEO. To celebrate 100 per cent definite departures and a
6
APRIL 2019
decade of connecting guests with the locals through its ‘Be My Guest’, Trafalgar is offering USD 200 savings per couple bookings. “We are always AgentsFirst and by making our trips 100 per cent ‘Definite Departure’ status, alongside our great offers right now with up to 15 per cent off all May departures for our Europe and Britain departures, Trafalgar is the only choice to truly deliver on fulfilling one’s travel dreams,” Tollman concluded.
‘Escapes by Globus’ for low season travel starts for 2019/20 Globus has introduced ‘Escapes By Globus’, urging travellers to travel in the ‘low season’. For 2019-20, new vacations have been introduced for Italy, Scotland, Spain and Egypt while beyond Europe, there are vacations to Brazil and Argentina as well. Launched in 2017, ‘Escapes’ showcases vacations to destinations which are attractive even during the winter months from October to April. Travellers can now visit the must-see landmarks and experience the culture without the crowds, without the high-season prices.
“Escapes by Globus is for the travellers who are looking to explore Europe hotspots without the high price tag and deluge of summer tourists. Besides travellers paying less for their Globus tour, with far fewer tourists, there will be plenty more opportunities to experience the local culture,” says Varesh Chopra, Regional Director – South Asia and the Middle East. “We are very excited with the selection of new tours for the 2019 and 2020 season, with such great itineraries, we envisage an even greater success of the Escapes by Globus, for this year.”
One Above opens office in Mumbai A newly-opened DMC, One Above that offers Destination Marketing Services, recently opened its new office in Mumbai. Located in Andheri East, the office is headed by BA Rahim, Director, along with co-directors Vishal Somaiya and Irshad Dadan. One Above already has 15 DMCs in its kitty in countries
including Maldives, South Africa, Dubai, Russia, USA, Baku, Cambodia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and Mauritius. Rahim shared his utmost happiness for the launch of the Mumbai office, sharing that with the increase of the company’s existence, the business is expected to boost rapidly.
Travel agents in Kashmir want UDAN to be extended to the state Travel agents in Kashmir are requesting the central government to include Kashmir as a destination in the ‘Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik’ (UDAN) Scheme. This comes as a result of the increased fares to the destination and the negative perception about the state after the recent attacks. Zahoor Qari, Chairman, TAAI – J&K Chapter says, “We are
demanding that the government extends the UDAN scheme to Kashmir as well. Currently, the perception of travellers towards Kashmir is negative after the recent attacks and it is a difficult situation. Currently, the situation is difficult and the valley is suffering from a financial crunch, which can improve if domestic tourism develops in the state.”
Spotlight
MICE IN JAIPUR
FACE-LIFTING THE PROFILE OF PINK CITY
8
APRIL 2019
Spotlight
Since the time India boarded the bandwagon of destination marketing in terms of promoting its MICE tourism, under the Incredible India campaign, Rajasthan’s picturesque ‘Pink City’ Jaipur continues to hold sway even today, despite the fact many competing destinations came into the scene. Rapid development, fast-paced growth, newer venues for wedding and events and improvement in infrastructure have vastly added to the attractiveness of the city as a centre for countless MICE activities. Moving in tandem with the vision and a strong foundation that Rajasthan has generated till date, the hotels and convention centres seem to capitalise on this shift in the Jaipur market. We speak with some of the key players from Jaipur to understand the current developments of the city and the contributing factors backing the massive swing from Jaipur being known as heritage city to getting identified as a popular MICE hub in India By Gagneet Kaur and Kritika Dua With a steady rise of extravagant travellers looking forth to experiencing something authentic, cultural yet very classy and magnificent, Jaipur has emerged as one of the preferred spots for hosting meetings, events and weddings and is under a constant process of upgrading the MICE facilities. If the reports and trends are to believed, the travel agents, tour operators, hotel companies, chains and cruise companies are all eyeing the Rajasthan MICE market aggressively having great potential for future growth and Jaipur, having a sheer size of the market and tremendous capacity, is under the spotlight. Jaipur is in a continual process of upgrading its MICE facilities. There are multiple plans on the anvil for more world-class convention centres, airports that contest with the best in the world. For instance, if we take a closer look at the pace with which the hospitality sector is growing in this royal state, Jaipur offers all the ingredients to pitch on MICE tourism. According to the reports, in just a span of 12 months, the room inventory in only the new hotels of Jaipur has surged from around 2,000 to its double 4,000 which is contributing not a major but a decent chunk of business to the hotels. Binny Sebastian, General Manager, Alila Fort Bishangarh shares that while winters stand out as the outstanding season in terms of MICE business to their hotel, summers, on the other hand, witness a slight dip. He shares that MICE contributes to approximately 20 per cent of the total numbers. Vipul Bhargava, General Manager, The LaLiT Jaipur shares that the property, on an average caters to around 50 residential conferences which comprise 50 to 200 guests. Ashish Kaul, General Manager, Radisson Blu Jaipur informs that months such as November and February are usually dominated with MICE due to a number of regular medical conferences that have been happening in the city. Durgesh Sharma, General Manager, Samskara Resort & Spa
says that being a boutique property and premium resort, on an average they receive 5000 delegates from different corporate segments. The city which was initially known for its heritage palaces and hi-end hotels, has lately shifted the focus to cater to the niche market and provide accommodation suiting mostly all the budgets. However, according to a few hoteliers, there is still a need to balance the future developments in a way that the overall growth of destination does not suffer and its tremendous capacity makes it both substantial and lucrative for the business visitors and ones planning their wedding, alike. In recent years, there has been a feeling that the city needed a large facility with global standards, for Jaipur exhibitions. The Birla Auditorium served its purpose well, but as the demand increased and preferences shifted, the city needed a bigger, smarter and international quality facility to capture the emerging opportunities. Giving a mammoth facelift to the Pink City’s profile, Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Center (JECC) was opened as the largest pillar-less exhibition-conventionentertainment facility of its kind in all of South Asia.
The multi-purpose spaces at JECC feature a striking contemporary design, making them the perfect venues for all types of events including exhibitions, conferences, corporate meetings, entertainment events, seminars and banquets. In addition to being the perfect backdrop for every occasion, the experts at JECC provide end-to-end event planning and management, making it a one-stop-destination for world-class services. Aashish Vyas, General Manager, Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Center informs that JECC organised at least 112 events, both small and big events in a year that include from various sectors of the economy such as central and state government entities, national and state federation and large corporate entities with a national presence, jewellery sector, textile sector, medical sector and various local associations. Since it’s evident from the facts and figures that the city is now on the verge of introducing more comprehensive and innovative MICE facilities and also eyeing developments that are crucial for both the state and city in particular, we further ask the industry pundits on what more is required to augment the MICE inflow to the city.
APRIL 2019
9
Spotlight
“The MICE industry contributes 0.22 per cent to the GDP of India.”
Aashish Vyas General Manager, Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Center (JECC)
Jaipur for many years has been part of the famed Golden Triangle, which has been a must-visit for inbound and domestic tourists. Gradually with the building of JECC and other venues, Jaipur has become a popular and much in- demand MICE destination. The parameters contributing to it are a world-class convention cum exhibition centre, enhanced air connectivity, great choice of hotels, robust services in the sector, history, sightseeing and culture. MICE in India set to triple over the next two to three years; the sector is poised for a robust growth. According to the reports, MICE industry in India is estimated at 1.3 billion dollars. At present, India is at 31st position on the global MICE map. The MICE industry contributes 0.22 per cent to the GDP of India while 3.26 per cent to the tourism
industry. We’ve a long way to go to be on the top 10 of global MICE map but we can surely achieve it very soon with the developing infrastructure and profitable business policies. When it comes to choosing a MICE destination, travellers primarily look for a good venue, ample accommodation in and around the venue and connectivity along with other elements such as local transport, city infrastructure, sightseeing and more. Jaipur is connected with seven key international destinations such as Singapore, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Muscat and on the domestic front, the city is well-connected with over 20 major metro cities in India. The state government has been actively trying to assist the MICE industry to draw both business and leisure travellers, helping the industry grow.
“Hotels need to be well-equipped with basic necessities required by a MICE traveller.”
Ashish Kaul General Manager, Radisson Blu Jaipur
From once being a pure ‘luxury tourism’ destination, Jaipur has emerged as one of the most crucial subsectors of MICE tourism for its greater per capita expenditures compared to leisure tourism. This has tremendously helped in sustaining the ‘hot summers / off-season– April to March’ through incremental traffic. Business hotels with MICE facilities now enjoy decent year-round occupancy with just minor rate fluctuations in summers and winters. As many international destinations having comparatively better tourism infrastructure have become more tourist centric and economical, cities in destinations such as Rajasthan needed a shift for balance. Influx of corporate companies and better connectivity via air, land and rail has bought in a massive demand to Jaipur as a capital
of Rajasthan. Giant convention centres such as Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Center (JECC) and Birla Auditorium coupled with most of the business hotels such as Radisson Blu Jaipur providing top-notch MICE facilities with a traditional Rajasthan touch, Jaipur has created a niche for itself as one of the preferred MICE destinations of the sub-continent. Hotels need to be well-equipped with basic necessities required by a MICE traveller. Comfortable bed, healthy breakfast layout, seamless hi-speed Wi-Fi connectivity, business facilities such as web-conferencing, adequate venues to cater to seminars with supporting break-away rooms and provision of activities for relaxion including spa, gym, pool, games and yoga are vital.
“All the major hotels in the city have sizeable conference halls to accommodate big conferences.”
Vipul Bhargava General Manager, The LaLiT Jaipur
10
APRIL 2019
Jaipur as a city is well-connected to all the major metro cities of India and is in close proximity with New Delhi where most of the corporates operate from. Our airport is well-connected to all the major cities in India and abroad as well so that helps a lot. The infrastructure in Jaipur has grown by leaps and bounds, we have great auditoriums, which can accommodate large conferences with stateof-the-art facilities. All the major hotels in the city have sizeable conference halls to accommodate big conferences, for example LaLiT Jaipur has a pillar less ballroom which can accommodate around 600 people with all the modern amenities. Hotels need to offer world class amenities with big venues having state-of-the-art facilities. They need to offer
different types of themes which the guests can choose for their conferences so that there are different options of organising a conference. Good transportation is also required to help guests move around in the city. The rates need to be competitive so that we can compete with the markets in metro cities. Hotels can design special itineraries in which the guests can go around in the city and have a chance to sample the local culture and blend some relaxation time with the conference. The hotels should have good restaurants which can offer food from all over the world so that it can cater to all the guest requests and give them a fine dining experience.
Spotlight
“Every hotel creates a niche for itself that becomes its USP for attracting the MICE travellers.”
Binny Sebastian General Manager, Alila Fort Bishangarh
Rajasthan has emerged as one of the most sought-after MICE destinations for over a decade now. Jaipur being the capital city gets more preference and is the best MICE destination. The remarkable connectivity, cultural richness and natural beauty just add to the purpose. The various attractions of the destination make the business meetings and conferences an absolute pleasure. The MICE visitors get so much more to explore in Jaipur. Every hotel creates a niche for itself that becomes its USP for attracting the MICE travellers. The USP should be defined by the strength of the individual hotel, having its
own unique identity complimented by being located in a MICE destination. For instance, Alila Fort Bishangarh is a landmark in Rajasthan and with the various accolades that we have received over the years MICE becomes a reason to stay at this historical marvel.
“On an average 40 per cent of our business comes from the MICE segment.”
Durgesh Sharma GM, Samskara Resort & Spa
12
APRIL 2019
Known for its history and heritage, Jaipur has gradually turned into a hub of MICE and weddings owing to its worldclass infrastructure. The city is well-connected with all major cities of India and abroad. There are various itineraries catering to all groups as per their budget and convenience. All leading groups of the world has hotels with very competitive rates. The major part of our revenue generation is through MICE travellers. Although there is cut-throat competition but still in totality we are getting a good marginal business and average 40 per cent business comes from the MICE
segment. We are facing challenges because of economy slow down, worldwide and all multinational companies has cut short their off-site budget and we can witness its impact on high-end MICE events. Budgeted clients are increasing but due to various options and market competition, rates have become stagnant. Higher inventory hotels are offering very lower rates but boutique properties like ours, which is widely spread across can’t match those rates. Still, we all are getting a portion of the cake.
News
INBOUND IGE targets revenue Of INR 100 cr by 2024 The 8th Indian Golf and Turf Expo (IGE) 2019 is scheduled to be held at New Delhi’s Thyagraj Stadium on April 26 and 27, 2019. Speaking at the launch of the event, Suman Billa, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tourism (MoT), Government of India said, “The MoT of the Government of India has long identified Golf as a potential tourism booster and has taken several measures including developing more public courses to grow and promote the sport in the country. In a welcome addition, this year’s IGE has also involved turf experts and professionals in a big way. This is crucial to ensure that the best of infrastructure is available in the
country, not only to boost the prospects of Golf but also other sports where quality turf plays a critical role in boosting the standards of the athletes game. I thank all partners in making IGE a success over the years and look forward to the 2019 edition.” The expo will be attended by Peter Walton, President & Chief Executive, IAGTO - The Global
Golf Tourism Organisation; Bruce MacPhee, Senior Agronomist and Mike Orloff, MD, Golf Industry Central, amongst others. Rishi Narain, former Asian Games Gold medalist stated, “The Golf Industry Association has set a target to generate revenue of INR 100 cr in next five years through Golf tourism.”
Election tourism is the new travel trend in India With the Indian election 2019 knocking on the door, the tour guides and travels agents are eyeing at boosting the new avenue of ‘election tourism’. According to reports, Gujarat tour operators have introduced this novel idea for foreign tourists who wish to witness events related to Lok Sabha Elections 2019. The organisers are expecting the number of rise this year during the Lok Sabha Elections 2019. The tourists were from Japan, UAE, and even from parts of Europe. According to reports they were taken to various parts of the state where they attended rallies and public meetings. The tours also include a trip to rural parts of the state in order to get a first-hand view of poll preparations there. Election tourism 2019 is an attempt to involve all interested parties, including students , media professionals, youngsters, and researchers.
J&K Tourism organises Kashmir Conclave in Mumbai
EKTTA to explore new avenues of tourism in Odisha The Enterprising Knot of Travel & Tourism Associates (EKTTA) organised its first annual convention in Bhubaneswar, with an aim to develop local tourism and bring forward the unexplored destinations of the state to the limelight. The event was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Priyadarshi Mishra, MLA, BhubaneswarNorth and Guest of Honour, Aruna Mohanty, Padma Shri awardee and renowned Odissi Exponent; Utpal Kumar Pati, Joint Director, Odisha Tourism and Sarat Kumar
14
APRIL 2019
Lenka, Nodal Officer, IITTM. Addressing at the inaugural ceremony, Sanjay Kumar Mohanty, President EKTTA recounted the journey of the association and briefed about the activities and initiatives it has taken to help its members and the tourism fraternity. The convention was aimed to bring all the stakeholders of the tourism together at one stance with a motive to develop the concept of MOS (Man on Spot) and WOS (Woman on Spot) keeping the local representatives at focus.
A big delegation from Kashmir comprising J&K (Jammu & Kashmir) Tourism, J&K Hoteliers Club and Maharashtra Tour Organisers’ Association (MTOA), organised a Kashmir Conclave in Mumbai to address the safety issue in the state and to encourage the travel agents in India to continue to sell packages. The event was addressed by Advisor to Governor of J&K, Khurshid A Ganai. The evening also saw the presence of Rigzin Samphel IAS, Secretary Tourism, Govt. of J&K along with Sudhir Patil, President of Maharashtra Tour Organisers’ Association (MTOA) and Mushtaq A. Chaya, Chairman, J&K Hoteliers Club. A delegation of over 40 members from the travel and hospitality sector of the state of J&K participated in it. “In Srinagar, Pahalgam, Sonmarg, Gulmarg including Katra and Jammu another
breaking news is happening this year is introduction of cable car at Patnitop which is starting around April 20, 2019 in collaboration with our European partners,” shared Patil. The Department of Tourism J&K Government along with the travel and hospitality sector of the state will conduct roadshows throughout the country in cities such as Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur. Over 200 travel agents/ tour operator/destination management companies/tourism promoters from Maharashtra and Gujarat participated in the event.”
In Conversation
ABU DHABI TALKS MORE ABOUT ITS WEDDING OFFERINGS
Plans to target tier I and II India markets for increased arrivals
During her recent visit to India, in order to analyse the current sales and promotional initiatives taken for the market, Sara Abdullah Al Aslai, Conferences and Exhibitions Unit Head, Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) – Abu Dhabi talks about Abu Dhabi gradually consolidating its MICE leg of tourism for the global market with a sharp focus on attracting more Indian travellers By Sayanti Halder A distinguished Middle Eastern tourism destination, Abu Dhabi is fast becoming popular in the global MICE tourism industry. In recent years, the city witnessed considerable growth in MICE activities, with world-class meetings and events facilities that inspire event planners from around the globe to host their dream event in this sultry capital. Taking the current status a notch higher, Al Aslai reveals that Abu Dhabi, as a standalone MICE tourism destination, is looking at fetching wedding groups from India. “Nowadays, we are focusing on strengthening our emirate as an ideal place for an Indian destination wedding as we have got good feedback since last year after hosting a couple of Indian weddings. And this year, we additionally hosted one of the biggest Indian weddings in Abu Dhabi having around 1200 guests. We are beginning to understand its requirements as wedding is a new market that we are tapping and doing well already. Last year, we hosted around 25 Indian weddings and this year, till date, we have hosted two with more in the line.” As Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) Abu Dhabi has observed the prospect of India as a
16
APRIL 2019
wedding market, Al Aslai further informs that Abu Dhabi is trying to increase the MICE platforms of communication in India market and further focusing on tier I and II markets. “We are also planning more marketing campaigns to attract those businesses to Abu Dhabi. Apart from the metro cities in India, we normally look at cities such as Lucknow, Jaipur, Indore, Bhopal and the South Indian belt. In terms of tier II cities, we believe that the quantity might be less but the quality of travellers is big because of its nature of celebrating elaborate weddings,” she explains. “We plan to attend more shows focusing on destination weddings and will be promoting Abu Dhabi as a wedding destination, hence forth. We are trying to be a big part of such shows that are related to Indian weddings.” In 2018, Al Aslai notes that around 4,15,000 Indians visited Abu Dhabi and the tourism department aims at doubling the number, this year, with its varied MICE and leisure offerings for the Indian travellers. “Like Dubai’s vision, DCT has the ‘2030 Plan’ wherein we are focusing at 12 sectors including MICE, medical, infrastructure and biochemical. We are trying to
send the message that all Indian leisure and MICE businesses based in India are welcome to come to Abu Dhabi. India is one of our tier I source markets followed by China. So, we are trying to have a vast representation in India as much as we can, especially related to MICE business.” Speaking of Abu Dhabi’s strength when it comes to its growing MICE tourism, Al Aslai points out that the incentive segment seems to be rising rapidly as compared to last year’s figures. The emirate hosted several demands for the incentive market for India and China in which a maximum of 17,000 delegates was supported by the Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau (ADCB). It is 20 per cent of the total tourists that visit Abu Dhabi, every year while leisure is also a slice that the department is trying to increase, year-on-year. Explaining the new projects of DCT, Al Aslai reveals that there is a plan of launching a Commercial Centre in Yas Island along with added attractions coming up at Yas Marina circuit, this year. Moreover, she mentions that the department aims at having 10,000 hotel rooms in the pipeline, in order to draw more tourists to the emirate.
News
OUTBOUND Qatar Visa Centers in seven metros to be functional from India Qatar Visa Center was recently inaugurated by H.E Saif Bin Ali Almohanndi, Consul General, The Consulate General of The State of Qatar in Mumbai. Having already launched in New Delhi and now in Mumbai, five other visa centres in Kochi, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Chennai and Kolkata will be operational shortly. At the new Qatar Visa Center, work visa applicants for the state of Qatar will be able to sign on work contracts digitally, enrol their
biometrics and undergo mandatory medical test all under one roof. Almohanndi expressed gratitude
saying, “Our thanks and appreciation to the officials in the Ministry of External Affairs- Republic of India
and the Government of the state of Maharashtra for their continued support to achieve this goal by opening the Qatar Visa Centre (QVC) on March 29 in Mumbai. For Indian expatriates who travel to Qatar for employment, can complete their medical tests and sign work contracts before their departure and this stands confirm to the State of Qatar’s keenness to ensure safety and protection for expatriates and residents.”
Buyer-Seller online applications open for Thailand Travel Mart 2019 The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) recently opened online applications for buyers and sellers wishing to attend the Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+) to be held between June 5 and 7 at the Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Pattaya. This is the second consecutive year that Thailand’s largest annual B2B tourism and travel trade event is being held at the marina. The event is designed largely to give the emerging generation of creative small- and medium-sized enterprises, especially those which cannot afford to attend international trade shows, an opportunity to network with international buyers.
This year, the theme of the ‘New Shades of Emerging Destinations’ is designed to encourage visitors to explore the new shades of Thailand in the 55 provinces identified as emerging destinations or the ‘hidden gems’ throughout the country. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said, “Although Thailand is one country, every place has its own character. There’s more to Thailand than Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket waiting for visitors to discover. TAT is also trying to expose businesses from the emerging destinations to the international audiences in this year’s TTM+.”
Czech Republic witnesses 12.5 pc growth from India in 2018 Becoming an emerging destination among Indian travellers, the recent Indian footfall to the Czech Republic has grown by 12.5 per cent in 2018. The Central European destination welcomed 96,325 Indian visitors through the year and recorded a total number of 2, 36,145 nights spent by Indians last year, with the average length of stay being 3.5 nights per visit. While Prague and its attractions remain popular among travellers, an increased interest has been recorded in newer experiences such as beer spa, glass–blowing and wine tasting, bringing Indian footfall to the newer parts, including the South
Moravian region. Arzan Khambatta, Head of Czech Tourist Authority, CzechTourism India said, “The theme of the ‘Land of Stories’ this year are the happening cities of the Czech Republic such as Prague and Brno and cultural experiences of castles and chateaux where families can rejuvenate amid nature.” Apart from targeting families, experiential travellers, business visitors, honeymooners and leisure travellers, one of the main focuses this year would be the MICE segment. The Czech Republic has a state-of-the-art infrastructure in place, with the capacity to host large corporate groups and events.
Indian operators explore new regions in France at ‘Rendezvous en France’ The Indian trade delegation that recently was in France to attend the annual show, ‘Rendezvous en France 2019’ organised by Atout France has been exploring the potential of regions yet unfamiliar to the Indian travellers. The 32-member delegation hosted by Atout France India included tour operators from Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Chennai and Bengaluru. The regions that the Indian delegates found appealing for their clients include Provence and the Rhône-Alpes. The two-day show was held in Marseille this year to promote the region in the international markets. About 915 tour operators from 73 different countries are attending this B2B travel show, one of the biggest trade events in France. APRIL 2019
17
Overseas
NEW ZEALAND A Trip of a Lifetime
Situated in the Southern Hemisphere, New Zealand is the land of mystery and is called ‘The God Zone’ for a reason. Whether you are a nature lover or a thrill seeker, you will be spoiled with choices when it comes to things you can do in this beautiful island. From glow worm caves to mighty glaciers, hiking volcanoes to tasting different wines, it has so much to offer By Lokesh Tuli Immerse Yourself in the Maori Culture There are many ways in which you can get acquainted with the culture of New Zealand’s native inhabitants either by spending a night in an ancient Maori village or by learning about Maori heritage at Te Papa. Local Maori guides will also explain you in great details about the links between Maori culture and the New Zealand landscape and will show you how the culture still survives in modern times. But no matter which way you choose to discover about New Zealand’s glorious past, you’ll come away with tremendous respect for the land and its native tribe.
Dig Your Own Space at Hot Water Beach Hot Water Beach which is located in the Coromandel, not far from Cathedral Cove, is a place favoured by both adventurers and nature lovers alike. From the sound of the surging waves to the fierce bite of the hot sand underneath your bare feet, it presents a landscape and an atmosphere like nowhere else. All you need to do is just grab a spade and start digging your personal hot water pool. Soak in the warm water and relax as you enjoy the stunning scenery that surrounds you. It’s a strange but very pleasant feeling to be lying in a pool of hot water just a few metres away from the forever soothing sea.
18
APRIL 2019
Overseas
Adventure Sports For all the adventure junkies out there who are looking for some great thrills and excitement, get ready for the experience of a lifetime. New Zealand has every adventure sport you can think of and some that you’ve never even heard of! From bungee jumping to sky diving, to jet boats and white river rafting, New Zealand has it all. These fast-paced activities are bound to push the limits of all the thrill seekers. And all is set to a backdrop of mind-blowing landscapes.
Go on a Wine Tasting Spree Although the Island nation is known for its beautiful landscapes, you can never go wrong when it comes to New Zealand wines. One of the most exciting pastimes is to take a wine tour to some of the most popular vineyards to taste some of the best wines that have put New Zealand on the map in various international wine awards. You may also choose to stay for a few days in an exquisite holiday villa or even work in a winery, as viticulture is a top backpacker job in New Zealand. One thing is for sure, you’ll be very “grapeful” for the opportunity to taste these amazing wines.
APRIL 2019
19
Guest Column
Is MICE RFP process driving the best value? A corporate event specialist, equipped with an extensive experience spanning two decades, Anirban Sengupta, Senior Vice President, 2Hub, India’s leading B2B reseller platform that focusses at the travel and hospitality industry, shares vivid insight on corporate pitching and suggests that the MICE Request for Proposal (RFP) process should be replaced with a stronger selection process The MICE Industry is about innovations. Organisations conduct meetings and events to achieve a higher objective which they are unable to meet in their day-to-day operations. A MICE agency’s role in this process is not only to organise a successful event but also meet the desired objective. However, the selection criterion for the agency is based on the cost proposal. Surely cost is vital but not the only objective. Request for Proposal (RFP) is a process of soliciting proposal for procurement of goods or services. Organisations announce their requirement allowing vendors to submit their proposals, mostly through a bidding process. The process is intended to allow comparison in a fair practice environmen. The process of RFP most likely started during the industrial revolution of the 1800s, when markets were expanding and managing costs became imperative for profitability. Through time and technological advancements, the process went through development yet the basis remained archaic. Procurement of goods can have apple to apple comparison but services (particularly MICE), may not be similarly comparable. The MICE RFP process to be competitive, is missing out on the value proposition. MICE agencies attempting to be the cheapest, lose focus on the deliverables. Most MICE RFP processes are single dimensional– focusing on cost but
20
APRIL 2019
disregarding technical aspects of the operator, such as – experience, knowledge, innovation, legacy, people etc. Technological advancement hasn’t helped the process very much either other than taking the process to an online platform (and making way for some toxic mechanism such as Reverse Auction). MICE RFP process intended to be more competitive is becoming less competitive. For example, Corporate A is planning to have an event in Goa, invites five to six agencies in a closed RFP bid. Agencies, in turn, get in touch with their partner network to put together a proposal. Suddenly, the Goa market is flooded with similar enquires. Suppliers such as hotel, venue, transportation and more are sensing the demand become rigid. Agencies lose the power of negotiation in the artificially created the sellers’ market. In a similar scenario, Corporate B wants to conduct an incentive group to Switzerland. The corporate reach out to five to six MICE operators and they, in turn, get in touch with two to three Destination Management Companies (DMC) each. Suddenly the query is pursued by 10 to 15 operators creating havoc in the market place and loss of seriousness. Under no circumstances, one is undermining the need for a corporation to have a fair and competitive procurement process. But the current RFP process may not be the best solution. There
is a greater value in organising an event. Multiple I’s to be dotted and T’s to be crossed – which cannot be reflected in the RFP process alone. Corporations need the best person on the job who can deliver a successful event at the most competitive price. Successful MICE agencies invest heavily on knowledge, people, experience, processes, distribution and a lot of other tangible benefits available for the client. To deliver the goods in line with the RFP, the agency is mostly neglecting the ‘WOW’ element of the event. If MICE agencies are expected to think out of the box, they need to be given an opportunity to be ‘out of the box’. A MICE agency’s role is that of a consultant. We consult our clients to put together a memorable event. All events have a budget and once made aware of it, we work around it to ensure the best value. Corporates should replace the MICE RFP process with a stronger selection process and have the best in the industry as empanelled agencies. Given the nature and scope of an event, capable agencies should be invited for an objective briefing. The agencies then would be required to make a proposal with ideas of location, venues, activities and more along with a cost proposal. This process will continue to be fair and competitive and allow innovation and creativity which the current system lacks. The need is to create competitiveness and not competition.
Modi Yoga Retreat, Rishikesh At the foothills of Himalayas and just by the Ganges, this beautifully located property has been designed to make people happy, which we believe is the biggest faith or religion (Dharam) of a man kind. Luxuriously designed to be the world’s first 7 Star Dharamshala or as we like to call it”A Happy Home”
Beauty lies in a healthy mind
Relax
Rewind
Address: MODI YOGA RETREAT - 238, VIRBHADRA ROAD, RISHIKESH, UTTARAKHAND 249201 Tel : +91-7303552333, Email : contactus@modiretreat.com
For Bookings visit - https://modiretreat.com/
Rejuvenate
News
HOSPITALITY
WelcomHeritage Kalyan Bhawan Jaisalmer opens WelcomHeritage has added one more property to its existing portfolio with WelcomHeritage Kalyan Bhawan in Jaisalmer. WelcomHeritage Kalyan Bhawan was the former home of the Ruler of Jaisalmer – Maharawal Jawahir Singh. It is a centrally located property amidst the walled city of Jaisalmer and features 22 exquisite rooms and has been refurbished in the original art deco style to meet the requirements of the modern traveller and caters to both leisure and business travellers who want to enjoy the local flavours of town. Sanjeev K Nayar, General Manager, WelcomHeritage shared,
“This is the 34th operational property of WelcomHeritage and we are extremely happy with the new addition. Out of 34 operational properties, we now have 12 in Rajasthan. This property has its own unique charm and caters to both leisure and business travellers who want to explore Jaisalmer and enjoy the local flavours of the town. Very soon, we will be adding few more properties in the south and north-east regions of Rajasthan. We are looking at adding around three to four more properties by the end of this financial year”.
RCI adds 16 resorts in India in H2 2018 Global vacation exchange provider, RCI added 103 new properties to its affiliate exchange network during the second half of 2018. The new affiliations include resorts in India, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, Latin America and North America. RCI added 16 resorts in India, including five resorts from Times Heaven Club across the country. “Through these additions, we continue to expand the choices we offer our 3.9 million members through our global exchange network. Over the past year, we have
22
APRIL 2019
added some exceptional properties to the RCI exchange all over the world. In India, these 16 new affiliates significantly augment our presence and commitment to the country. Our growing presence in India is a clear indication of the confidence our members and developers have in the concept of vacation ownership and the recognition of RCI as their preferred partner of choice in delivering memorable experiences to all the RCI members around the globe,” said Sabina Chopra, Managing Director of RCI India.
First SureStay Hotel opens in Amritsar Best Western Hotels & Resorts launched its new SureStay Hotel Group concept in India with the opening of its first property in Amritsar. The hotel features 30 contemporary guestrooms, equipped with convenient amenities, including complimentary WiFi, Café Sure-a multi-cuisine restaurant with bar, elegant banquet hall and Let’s Talk-the private dining room cum meeting room. “We are delighted to unveil SureStay Hotel by Best Western Amritsar, an exciting new hotel that will redefine the smart economy hotel sector,” said Atul Jain, Best Western’s Chief Operating Officer for India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. “By combining the ease and affordability of economy hotels with the international standards of a global chain, SureStay Hotel Group is sure to appeal to business and leisure travellers alike”. Its strategic location confers on the SureStay Hotel by Best Western Amritsar, Ranjeet Avenue an unmatched advantage. Guests can reach the hotel from the international airport and railway station in 10 to 15 minutes.
Marriott launches ‘Courtyard By Marriott’ in Siliguri Marriott International announced the launch of Courtyard by Marriott Siliguri, the 17th ‘Courtyard by Marriott’ branded property to open in South Asia and the first in the East of India outside of Kolkata. Comprising 130 spacious rooms, the Courtyard by Marriott Siliguri offers 4000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor space. “The opening of the first Courtyard by Marriott in the East of India marks a great milestone for Marriott International”, said Gaurav Singh, General Manager, JW Marriott Kolkata & Cluster General Manager-Bangladesh, Marriott International. “It was a matter of time before the Marriott brand came to Siliguri, the Gateway to the North-East of India. Marriott is globally renowned for its intuitive service and commitment to providing guests with truly enriching experiences. We believe this property will create a new atmosphere and be an integral part of this city’s growth story.” Rohit Bajpai, GM, Courtyard by Marriott Siliguri said, “We are looking forward to catering to guests from North Bengal, Sikkim, the North Eastern states and our neighbours Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.”
News
HOSPITALITY Cygnett Hotels adds new property in Jaipur
Kapil Chopra
The Postcard announces its fourth hotel in South Goa Having opened three hotels in Moira, Cuelim and Old Goa, The Postcard Hotel has now signed a new boutique luxury hotel project in South Goa that will offer 50 rooms and is slated to open in 2021. Kapil Chopra, Founder & CEO, The Postcard Hotel said, “I believe Goa has the potential to be the next Bali and I also see Goa as an emerging design, architecture and culinary capital of India. Goa lives through its 334 villages and communities and we want our guests to experience and appreciate this variety through our hotels. The challenge was to have a site which had the potential to build a hotel that sets new design standards globally. The search for that iconic location ended with this site, which offers a serene white sand beach of the mighty Arabian Sea in front and countryside on its other end.”
Lords Hotels and Resorts announces grand opening in Nepal Lords Hotels and Resorts announced the grand opening of its 60-room property, Diyalo’ Lords Plaza Birgunj- Nepal. This hotel is an ideal choice for discerning travellers visiting Raxual or Birgunj and it provides the best of both worlds for business and leisure travellers. Diyalo’ Lords Plaza Birgunj features contemporary rooms and suites, business centr,e conference rooms, F&B outlets, spa, gym, pool and casino. The inauguration ceremony was followed by the lighting of the lamp by Nepal’s ex-PM, Sherbahadur Deuba and felicitation was done by Pushpendra Bansal, CEO and Rishi Puri, VP of Lords Hotels. and Resorts.
Cygnett Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of Cygnett Inn Grand hotel in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Stuated at a close proximity to the Jaipur railway station and airport, the hotel is ideal for both business and leisure travellers. Boasting a modern and upscale European Renaissance style design, the hotel offers spacious and stylishly designed rooms with all modern amenities and in-room service. Guests can enjoy the benefits of a well-equipped gym, a swimming pool, or simply
unwind at the Spa. Cygnett Grand Inn offers all its guests 24-hour room service. The hotel also has an all-day dining restaurant, Cygnett Pavilion. Cygnett Grand Inn also offers conferencing and banqueting services.
The Inn promises to serve superior value and unforgettable experience for both corporate events and social celebrations. The Banquet room, Columbia, is 1550sq.ft in size and can be set up in variety of styles as per the need of the occasion.
Seyfert Sarovar Portico is now rebranded as Seyfert Sarovar Premiere, Dehradun Sarovar Hotels and Resorts further expand its portfolio in Delhi- NCR region with the signing of yet another project in Ghaziabad. The place is known as the ‘Gateway to Uttar Pradesh’ and an emerging hub for various industries, upscale shopping malls and foremost educational institutions. Sarovar Portico, upon completion in 2021, will have 52 tastefully designed rooms including suites. All rooms boast of contemporary décor and smartly equipped with a comprehensive range of modern amenities. Its prime location and spacious banqueting facility make it an ideal venue to hold a business
meeting and conference and social functions. Other facilities include an all-day dining restaurant, rooftop gymnasium and swimming pool.
The Imperial New Delhi bags ‘GIFTTS Pineapple Award For Sustainability’ By Preferred Group The Imperial New Delhi recently added another feather to its cap by winning the illustrious honours of Preferred Hotel of the Year- India, Middle East and Africa 2019 and Preferred GIFTTS Pineapple Awards 2019 for Excellence in Sustainability. The awards were presented at the closing ceremony of the 2019 Preferred Global Conference held at the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort in Monaco. Vijay Wanchoo, Senior Executive VP and GM, The Imperial New Delhi said, “The hotel enjoys its own reckoning in the market
as an iconic heritage hotel and being honoured with two prestigious Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ awards is a moment of immense pride for all of us. The esteemed accolades establish The Imperial not only as a hotel with a lineage of delivering unmatched hospitality but also one that is environmentally conscious and responsible in its operations. It is also hugely motivating for the associates who will collectively continue to work towards maintaining the highest standards of service that The Imperial experience stands for.”
APRIL 2019
23
Hotel Feature
Radisson Blu Pune Hinjawadi For a true Blu experience A peaceful retreat in the “Oxford of the East” offering a modern respite away from the chaos of the city-life, Radisson Blu Pune Hinjawadi elevates the level of hospitality with their matchless services, top-notch facilities and modern furnishings providing their patrons with upscale comforts By Kritika Dua
Location:
Living Spaces: The uber-chic hotel features well-appointed 151 rooms and suites, which are magnificent and spacious, wherein each is complete with modern amenities such as a convenient workstation and free high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity among others, catering to the requirement of business and leisure travellers alike. The guests are offered with the wide variety of choice ranging from Superior Room, Deluxe Room, Business Class Room, Deluxe Suite to Executive Suite. Radisson Blu Pune Hinjawadi has accessible rooms as well. So sink into their ultra-comfortable beds for some sound sleep.
24
APRIL 2019
Nestled in the heart of Pune’s IT hub, Radisson Blu Pune Hinjawadi is located in close proximity to some of India’s most illustrious Fortune 500 companies. It is also a few minutes away from Pune’s significant commercial arteries such as Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Bengaluru highways. With Hinjawadi’s largest banquet area, multiple dining venues, a rooftop pool and a well-equipped gym, Radisson Blu Pune Hinjawadi is indeed travellers preferred choice. Prime tourist attractions such as Dagdusheth Ganpati, Chaturshringi Temple, Pataleshwar Caves, Shaniwar Wada, Khadakwasla, Lonavala, Sinhagad Fort, Lohagad Fort, Lavasa and others are all short drives away, while Pune International Airport is mere 24 km away from the hotel.
Hotel Feature
Meetings and Events:
Rejuvenation: Unwind, refresh and rejuvenate with the exceptional recreational facilities of Radisson Blu Pune Hinjawadi. The fitness enthusiasts can keep up with their workout schedule at the fitness centre featuring top-of-the-line equipment. While you are here make the most of the inviting rooftop pool for a rigorous routine or refreshing splash. Indulge in an expansive selection of holistic healing practices, contemporary rejuvenation and well-being techniques at Nilaya Spa. De-stress after a hectic day with their well-versed therapists as they take you through revitalising experiences and redefine the art of massage. You will feel ultimate relaxation as you choose the therapies influenced by Ayurvedic, European and Oriental practices.
Host memorable events and meetings in Radisson Blu Pune Hinjawadi with two levels of expansive banquet halls spread over an area of 5,318 sq. ft., additional pre-function areas and an exclusive entrance, all of which makes their facilities indeed unparalleled in Hinjawadi. Offering 247 square meters of pillarless carpeted ballroom space and 94 sq. mts. of pre-function area, Ballroom 1 is an ideal venue for meetings and ceremonies. Ballroom 2 (identical to Ballroom 1) can be divided into two parts to make a breakout room for your conferences. The hotel’s set of ‘Experience Meetings’ tools and services such as Brain Food and Brain Box aid in making meetings easier. Brain Food is an innovative, responsible food and beverage solution for meetings and events. Some meetings and ideas are better when conducted outside traditional meeting rooms. Brain Box is the Experience Meetings alternative to a more indulgent and flexible meeting room environment that uses bright colours, walls to write on, high-tech idea sharing, versatile furniture and lighting to build an atmosphere that supports delegates’ creativity. Their proficient and resolute team complemented by delectable dishes, make every conference, meeting or social event seamless and spectacular. APRIL 2019
25
Guest Column
OVERCOMING STUMBLING BLOCKS OF DOMESTIC TOURISM An avid traveller and being part of the travel industry in India for over four decades now, Carl Dantas, Chairman Emeritus-ETAA and former CEO and member of the advisory board of Bombay Travels Private Limited, tries to connect the dots of tourism in India by sharing his viewpoint on all that needs to change in order to augment domestic tourism ROLE OF GOVERNMENT: The central tourism ministry is becoming more proactive as well as those from the various states. But, they lack the infrastructure of follow-up and thus most of what they do in overseas promotions does not result in an increase in inbound numbers. There is a lack of coordination between the travel associations and the government, both central and state. Only a select few are given preferred treatment in this respect and thus if you don’t carry the entire industry with you, the results are poor. The ministry officials need to correct this situation and the trade needs to help with this through the associations. I can guarantee the results will show.
cent of their earnings for R&D which pays off in the long run. FAMs are all that the industry wants without any post FAM commitment, this attitude has to change.
EASE OF TRAVEL: THE INDUSTRY IN A NUTSHELL: The industry associations need to come together on the same platform and organise joint programs. If foreign tourism boards conduct workshops here, online specialist programs, roadshows, so why can’t the state tourism boards do this? They can easily train the counter staff of travel agencies and tour operators so that they become specialists for each region in the country and thus are able to handle the queries of inbound operators in a more prudent way. I have found that our industry is more prone to selling ready-made packages most of which they have no first-hand knowledge about which is a deterrent to the inbound operator to market our destination to their customers overseas. I have always advised friends and associates from the industry to keep aside at least five per
26
APRIL 2019
The govt. has made humongous efforts to increase connectivity and offered incentives to airlines to cover additional destinations and in this regard, the Udaan scheme has been quite helpful with govt. subsidy. But, there have been frequent delays of the carriers, lack of service and the final nail in the coffin is on arrival at destination, the lack of infrastructure, guides are not up to the mark and presentable, cars are not wellmaintained, hotels have not kept up to international standards of cleanliness and hygiene nor cater to the dietary food habits of a foreigner. Efforts are made but there is a lack of supervision and there are also a huge amount of cases of attempts to cheat the visitors in various ways. Our trains are pitiful, so is the bus travel. This has to be looked into on an emergency basis. The industry can’t blame the govt. for this, we have to do a self-introspection
rather than looking at making quick bucks and ruining the reputation of our country and thus killing the enthusiasm of a repeat customer or being given a good recommendation for future customers. Immigration and security at airports can be quite a nuisance but that is changing rapidly with the use of technology. Many international airports have now upgraded their systems for arrival and departure wherein some nationals can use the scanner for the relevant pages of the passport and walk through, I wonder why we are lagging behind. Check-in with bags drop off is also quite common now. The e-visa is a great boon for inbound but the service at the airport immigration is pitiful, most of the times. This has to change immediately if we want more domestic tourism from overseas.
BOOSTING TECHNOLOGY: This has played a great role in recent times for the travel industry. Use of social and digital media has enhanced business for most organisations and those that have not used this tool are lagging behind and thus stagnating without realising its potential. Perhaps, they feel that it is an expensive route but if one spends some time to understand the nuances of technology, it is quite easy and simple to use. Also for digital promotions, there are several tools available and those that are able to get a grasp of it have been able to do it themselves or got it done through others for a pittance with great results. There are companies that have developed apps for hotels and the corporate
sector providing facilities including seamless check-in and check-out that has cut down costs for hotels and saves the corporate traveller’s time. Efforts have been made in this direction but we provide this more to the international market rather than doing it within the country.
ENHANCING AVIATION: We are going through a crisis situation now with Kingfisher having shut down and Jet Airways on the verge of doing so. Indigo has a shortage of pilots as reported in the press and others have a shortage of aircrafts. Hopefully, the govt. shall intervene in some way and find a solution or else domestic tourism for locals will suffer a big blow as well as inbound for lack of connectivity. Although there have been many impediments as mentioned above, it seems that the situation will change for the better quite soon and hopefully tourism will boom once again with the use of technology and preventive measures against terrorism. Also, airlines are increasing the number of flights and thus, fares are becoming cheaper for the budget traveller. I can’t help but make an appeal to the travel industry in India to come together on the same platform and work out a strategy to dispel the image in the international market of India not being a safe destination and for domestic tourists too. Finally, I am again making an appeal to the travel associations to come together and find out how we can help with domestic tourism both for local tourists and those from foreign countries.
Homeward
KOCHI
A peep into the gateway to ‘God’s Own Country’ Kochi (Cochin) is encapsulated with the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea and famous for its natural reserve that it was captured as well as influenced by several colonies before becoming a part of independent India. Filled with tourist attractions, natural beauty, monuments, forts, beaches and much more, Kochi has an altogether different signature and for those who wish to explore the real treasures of Kerala, here we go with the list of ‘must’ places to visit in Kochi By Sayanti Halder
PARADESI SYNAGOGUE Built in around 1568, the Paradesi Synagogue or Jewish Synagogue is the oldest one amongst all commonwealth countries’ and attracts numerous visitors to this day. Jewish synagogue is located in the reputed Jew Town area of Cochin and was built by Cochin Jewish group or Malabar Yehudan people in order to emphasise their glorious existence in the area. It adds to the area’s quaint charm and is a great symbol of the love and harmony that exists in the community. ‘Paradesi’ literally translates to ‘foreigner’ in most Indian languages. Many of the original members of the community hailed from Kodungalloor, the Middle East and Europe. One step into its divine halls leaves a person enthralled with
28
APRIL 2019
the rare antiques on display. The chandeliers and lamps sparkle alongside the natural sunlight that flows in through its large windows showcasing silver and gold crowns, chandeliers made of Belgian glass, century-old copper plates, hand-woven oriental carpet and a clock tower.
DON’T MISS: Paradesi synagogue houses very rare and appreciated antiques such as carved teak ark with four scrolls of Torah (the first five books of Old Testament)
Homeward
TRADE MATTANCHERRY PALACE Located in Palace Road and built by the Portuguese as early as 1547, The Mattancherry Palace, also known as Dutch Palace, is considered to be one of the important places to visit in Cochin. It is famous for its long and spacious halls along with its central courtyard. Noted to be one of the finest examples of the Kerala style of architecture interspersed with colonial influences, this landmark has the style and architecture that resembles a typical traditional Kerala house with four individual wings and like every other Kerala house, Mattancherry Palace also has a courtyard in the centre. The patio has a beautiful temple of Bhagavati, the protective deity of Kochi community. However, don’t restrict to the interiors of the palace. Take in the beauty of its famous sprawling gardens and manicured lawns that earned it a spot among the best tourist places in Kochi.
DON’T MISS: It is also the home of the deity of royal family, Pazhayannur Bhagavathy (the Deity of Pazhayannur)
KODANAD ELEPHANT TRAINING CENTRE Elephants are considered as auspicious animals in Kerala and no major festival or celebration in Kerala is complete without a massive elephant procession. The Kodanad Elephant Training Centre, which was moved to Abhayaranyam near Kaprikkad, is one of the largest elephant training centres in Kerala. It is flanked by the high ranges and is set near the southern banks of the Periyar River. Since the ban on capturing elephants was enforced, this place now serves as one of the premier elephant training centres in Kerala. Kodanad is a relatively small riverside village in Ernakulam district in Kochi, where the elephants are groomed, washed and trained, every sunrise. You can come to Kodanad for a day trip and be a part of this unique experience and watch the elephants early in the morning. Watching animals of such mighty sizes roll and play like children in the water is a fun moment, always to cherish. It is surely every elephant lover’s paradise to view these magnificent beings up close.
DON’T MISS: Feeding, washing and training the baby elephants is a must-do activity in this centre APRIL 2019
29
Homeward
VEERANPUZHA BEACH A typical Malabar coastal topography in the midst of serene beaches, soothing sea breeze, lush green bordering vegetation, fisherman settlements and sandy shoreline sum up the picture of the Veeranpuzha Beach that charmingly streams to the mighty Indian Ocean. The beach and its backdrop are among the most placid tourist places in Kochi and certainly a stop that assures calmness, peace and quality time with your dear ones. Veeranpuzha is the northern extension of Vembanad Lake. From Kochi Azhi to Munambam Azhi, the serene backwater popularly known in this name is a slice of the most scintillating landscapes that Kochi has to offer. You can never forget the sight in your lifetime. Most of the people are fishermen and agrarians even as they are very cooperative and tourist-friendly. Very recently, some resorts are being established in the banks of it in order to attract more tourists, visiting Kerala.
DON’T MISS: Explore the surroundings, walk on the beach and visit the fishermen villages to know more about their living and working styles
HILL PALACE Located about 10 km from Kochi, the Hill Palace Museum was the official residence of the erstwhile rulers of Kochi. Built in 1865, it is now famous for being a full-fledged Ethno-Archaeological Museum and Kerala’s first ever heritage museum. The palace complex itself comprises 49 buildings and is built in the traditional Kerala style of architecture, having over 52 acres of terraced land around it. The beautiful gardens and refreshing outer facade of the museum are added as a bonus, besides the real knowledge and artefacts huddled inside the buildings. Along with modern-day art gallery, other popular objects worth seeing are Kudakkallu (tombstone), Thoppikkallu (hood stone), granite and laterite memorials, rock-cut armaments of the Stone Age, wooden temple replicas and plaster-cast prototypes of objects of Mohenjodaro and Harappa of the Indus Valley Civilisation. If you are a history or culture buff, Hill Palace is certainly among the best places to explore in Kochi.
DON’T MISS: Additionally, one can see oil-paintings, murals, sculptures, manuscripts and belongings of the Kochi royal family
30
APRIL 2019
News
TRADE AVIATION GVK raises its stake in Mumbai airport to 74 pc GVK Power and Infrastructure (GVKPIL) has said that its subsidiary, GVK Airport Holdings, has agreed to acquire 10 per cent shares of Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) from Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) Global. The company agreed to acquire 12 crore equity shares at the rate of INR 77 per share, which amounts to about INR 924 crore. Upon completion of the acquisition, GVK group’s share in the Mumbai airport will rise to 74 per cent from the existing 50.6 per cent. Earlier, the group acquired a 13.5 per cent stake from Bidvest. The AAI, which holds 26 per cent stake in MIAL, will be the only other JV partner after acquiring the stake from Bidvest and ACSA by GVK arm in the Mumbai airport company.
Tata Group enters airport business, buys 20 pc stake in GMR infrastructure A consortium of Tata Group and two foreign entities, Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC and SSG Capital Management have agreed to invest INR 8,000 crore (USD 1.2 billion) to buy around 20 per cent stake in GMR Airports, which runs the Delhi International Airport. Post the deal, GMR Infrastructure and its units will hold about 54 per cent stake in the airports business, while the company’s Employee Welfare Trust will own two per cent. Tata Group will hold about 20 per cent, with GIC and SSG holding stakes of about 15 per cent and 10 per cent, respectively. This will mark the second
corporate behemoth’s entry into India’s airport sector this year. Tatas would invest INR 3,650 crore, while GIC and SSG will put in INR 2,670 crore and INR 1,780 crore respectively, making it possibly the largest foreign PE investment in India’s airport’s space. According to an official statement, the deal will pump INR 1,000 crore into GMR airports as equity infusion, which will be used to retire the airport operator’s debt. The three investors will use the remaining 7,000 crores to buy GMR Airports shares from parent GMR Infrastructure and its units, which will also be used to pare debt.
India records over 20 pc growth in the number of new air routes: IATA The growth of over 20 per cent in the number of new routes in India provided a sizeable boost to passenger demand in the market, states a report by International Air Transport Association (IATA). The surging number of international flyers is drawing airlines to new air routes in India. The increase in international air traffic from India and a focus on business and leisure travellers have prompted not only foreign airlines such as Air Italy and NokScoot to launch new routes to destinations in the country but has also got several Indian carriers including Jet Airways and IndiGo to start operations on foreign routes. Although the combination of GDP and network developments explain more than threequarters of the variation in domestic RPK growth rates over time, other factors such as tourism attractiveness, availability of travel alternatives, trade flows and demographics account for the residual growth in traffic. India has become the third largest domestic aviation market in the world and is expected to overtake the UK to become the third largest air passenger market by 2025, states a report by India Brand Equity Foundation.
32
APRIL 2019
Mumbai Airport runway gets fully operational, air-traffic back to normal GVK led Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) has completed its runway re-carpeting and maintenance work at the intersection and will resume regular work after a twenty-oneday runway shutdown. The key to success of this project was handing precision on-time re-carpeting work of the runway within its stipulated six hours, maintaining Mumbai’s challenging flight schedule. The re-carpeting of the 50,000 sq. mt. intersections was carried
out using state-of-the-art technology which allows ease application, quick-setting features and enables airports to take a load of normal air traffic immediately after application. The resurfacing work was carried by a team of 600 workers in-line with a well-planned exercise. A military disciplined process was followed right throughout the planning, designing and construction stages with limited aircraft downtime.
News
AVIATION Hindon Airport to start flight operations from April-end The new civil terminal at Hindon Airbase, Ghaziabad, recently inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi, is likely to start operations by April-end. Hindon Airbase is located at a distance of 40 km from Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport and has been developed for the operation of RCS flights at the cost of INR 40 crores. This civil enclave will be connected to Jamnagar, Shimla, Kalaburgi, Kannur, Faizabad, Nasik, Hubli and Pithoragarh under RCS – UDAN. The development of new civil enclave at Hindon Airport will take the load off from Delhi`s
IGI Airport and will also serve the passengers from Delhi NCR and Uttar Pradesh.
Air India all set to connect DelhiKannur Air India is all set to fly from Delhi-Kannur, starting April 2, 2019. The newly launched flight will be operating five times a week. The flight will commence from Delhi at 09:05 hours on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and will reach Kannur at 12:15 hours. After this, it will continue to operate from Kannur at 13:00 hours to Kozhikode at 13:30. The flight will return to Delhi by 18:45 hours on the same day via Kannur.
Indigo starts 20 flights from Mumbai’s T2 Budget carrier Indigo has started operating its domestic flights from the T2 terminal of the Mumbai International Airport. Out of the 20 flights, 9 originate from Mumbai to destinations such as Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Indore, Kochi, Nagpur, Vadodara. Airline’s all other domestic flights will continue to operate from Terminal 1 and International flights from Terminal 2 of the airport. “As these new flights, will be operating from Terminal 2, Mumbai, please ensure you check your flight number and terminal before you leave for the airport,” IndiGo said in a statement.
Development of civil enclave at Airforce Station Hindon has been planned for the operation
0of RCS flights in two parcels of land measuring 5.6 acres for civil enclave and 4.8 acres for construction of approach road from Sikandarpur Marg. Airport infrastructure has been developed by AAI and the approach road has been constructed by the government of Uttar Pradesh. A terminal building has been constructed on an area of 5,425sqm. With eight check-in counters, the terminal building will be able to handle 300 passengers during peak hours.
Changi Airport named the best; Delhi Airport ranks 59 Singapore’s Changi Airport has been declared the world’s best airport for the seventh time in a row, while New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport and Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport features at 59th and 64th spot, respectively, according to the UK-based consultancy firm Skytrax’s World Airport Awards. The Delhi airport has also been adjudged as a global four-star airport and ascribed as ‘Best Airport’ in India and Central Asia. The other Indian airports in the list were the Rajiv Gandhi Hyderabad International Airport at 66, up 10 points and Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport at
69, down five points from last year’s rankings. Delhi airport was ranked 66th in 2018, while the Mumbai airport stood at 63rd position, last year.
DGCA approves Jet Airways’ summer schedule only till April 25 Indian aviation watchdog DGCA has approved the summer schedule of flights of Jet Airways from March 31 to April 25 only, according to an official document. The summer schedule of flights of all
other domestic airlines such as Vistara, IndiGo, Air India and GoAir have been approved till October 26, according to the document. The summer schedule begins on March 31, 2019, for all the airlines. As per the international practice, DGCA approves two flight schedules in a year, namely, ‘summer schedule’ effective from Sunday of the last week of March and ‘winter schedule’ effective from Sunday of the last week of October. A major crisis at the struggling Jet Airways was averted Sunday after its pilots’ body, National Aviator’s Guild (NAG), deferred till April 15 its call for halting operations.
APRIL 2019
33
News
APPOINTMENTS
ANIL CHADHA
DENNIS GORDIENKO
SHARAD K UPADHYAY
KARAN BERRY
ITC Hotels appoints Anil Chadha as Vice President - Operations, Hotels Division. Chadha was VP- South & General Manager– ITC Grand Chola, Chennai and will be moving to Delhi as VP- Operations, Hotels Division from April 1, 2019. He was earlier responsible for the growth and expansion in the southern region in WelcomHotel and Luxury Collection brands: WelcomHotel Coimbatore & WelcomHotel Kences Palm Beach, Mahabalipuram opened under his aegis, as did the ITC Kohenur, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hyderabad.
Premiering in Cambodia, the renowned FCC Angkor, managed by Avani Hotels & Resorts will open doors in mid-2019, has appointed Dennis Gordienko as General Manager. Gordienko is a passionate hotelier with international experience across Europe, the Middle East, Indian Ocean and Asia. He joins Avani from Vistana Penang Bukit Jambul, Malaysia, where he held his first GM role. Gordienko began his hospitality in 2008 as a Restaurant Manager for Copthorne Tara Hotel in London, UK.
Holiday Inn Mumbai International Airport announced the appointment of Sharad K Upadhyay as General Manager. Upadhyay comes with over 20 years of experience across a broad spectrum of hospitality functions and holds specialisation in hotel operations with an avid interest in F&B and in Sales and Marketing. In this role, he will spearhead the business operations, overall implementation and business development at Holiday Inn Mumbai, ensuring its growth and expansion.
Mandarin Oriental, Taipei has announced the appointment of Karan Berry as General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Taipei. With more than 22 years of experience in the hospitality industry and a solid background in hotel operations, Berry previously served as General Manager at The Ritz-Carlton Pacific Place, Jakarta before joining Mandarin Oriental, Taipei. Prior to that, he was the General Manager of JW Marriott Hotel Jakarta and worked at several Oberoi Group hotels.
RAVI GANGLANI
SONAM SHARMA
DEEPPREET BINDRA
ABHAY SINGH
Avani Sukhumvit Bangkok has appointed Ravi Ganglani as Director of Sales & Marketing. While this is his debut in the role, Ganglani is also a familiar face at Minor Hotels, having started with the company in 2012 as Cluster Director of Sales – MICE in Thailand, before being promoted to Area Director of Sales – MICE across South East Asia. He has earlier worked with Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers as Senior Sales Manager.
Hilton Bangalore Embassy GolfLinks announced the appointment of Sonam Sharma as Director of Finance. In this role, Sharma will be supervising the revenue management and distribution strategy of the hotel along with managing the day-to-day yield operations. A seasoned hotelier, she brings over 12 years of domain experience in Accounting & Financial Management through SAP, OPERA, Control Gap Analysis and Supply Chain Management.
Bengaluru Marriott Hotel Whitefield appointed Deeppreet Bindra as Director of Operations. Bindra brings with him over 14 years of expertise in the service industry which will aid in boosting the hotel’s proficient operations to even greater heights. In his new role, Bindra will oversee hotel operations and aims to focus on creating experiences for both, resident and non-resident guests. He served in this hotel as DoSM for more than two years.
The Westin Pune Koregaon Park appointed Abhay Singh as Director of Operations. Singh holds an experience of over 10 years in the hospitality industry converting strategic vision into measurable results at various hotels. In this role, he will be responsible for heading and managing the hotel operations and maintaining high standards of guest satisfaction. He was earlier the Director of F&B at Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa and Langkawi International Convention Centre.
34
APRIL 2019