TOURISM INDIA APRIL 2022 DIGITAL EDITION by TOURISM INDIA

INCREDIBLE INDIA

WONDERFUL WORLD AVIATION ONLINE TECHNOLOGY

APRIL 2022 VOL. 24 NO. 12 Pages 60

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IHCL THE LEELA & THE RAVIZ AMAL TAMARA ALLEPPEY EMIRATES QATAR AIRWAYS

OP TI MI ST IC RE STAR T

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Editor’s Note

Time to reset and refocus

ost countries have dropped quarantine restrictions for vaccinated travellers means the world is opening up in a way it hasn’t in quite some time. The COVID-19 recovery presents an opportunity to reset and refocus, on Travel & Tourism. Travel & Tourism can make directly and indirectly contributions to the fulfillment of all seventeen Sustainable Development Goals. Sustainability acts as a strategic driver for Travel & Tourism, with sustainability leadership as a key business attribute. On the other side, there are concerns about the negative impacts the sector can have on both local communities and the planet. At the same time, Travel & Tourism has enormous potential to educate the traveller, increase social capital and appreciation of diversity, and create meaningful employment that can alleviate poverty and promote economic inclusion. This can support the long-term resilience of the sector and enable it to make its fullest contribution to sustainable development Brundtland’s definition of sustainability is “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Travel & Tourism requires a major shift from incentives toward protecting and restoring natural systems, and a radical reorganisation of technological, economic, and social systems. Travellers use water, food, and energy and of course, tourism generates waste in destinations, with a displaced negative burden experienced in the most fragile places on the planet. By educating the travellers, to make optimal use of resources, maintain essential ecological processes and help to conserve natural heritage and biodiversity respect the values and customs of host communities, conserve their built and www.tourismindia.org

living heritage and traditional values, and contribute to inter-cultural understanding and tolerance ensure viable, long-term economic operations, providing benefits equitably to all stakeholders, including employment and contributing to poverty, will address the challenge. Embracing sustainable Travel & Tourism will require collective action to protect people and the planet over the long term. To resolve the dynamic tensions between profit and sustainability, leaders will need to welcome transformational change, integrating it strategically. Sustainability leadership can empower people, enhance productivity, and sustainably drive organizational innovation in times of high uncertainty. In this way, the sector can create and sustain shared value, making its fullest contribution to fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals and “a world where no one will be left behind”. Travel opens our hearts and minds and makes an impact on the world around us. Now People shift their minds and want their travels to benefit the environment7 and local communities as much as going on a great getaway benefits them. This can support the long-term resilience of the sector and enable it to make its fullest contribution to sustainable development to help drive change in the sector by co-creating educational content to help actions for sustainable development with stronger commitments. Rajani A Editor

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Contents

APRIL 2022

VOL. 24 NO. 12

10 Cover Photo Courtesy: Four Seasons Maldives

MANAGING EDITOR Ravisankar K V EDITOR Rajani A EXECUTIVE EDITOR Raadia Mukadam ASSOCIATE EDITOR G. Ajithkumar ART EDITOR N Bhattathiri DIRECTOR - DESIGNS Anand Sankar PHOTOGRAPHERS Vivek R. Nair, Murukesh Iyer

TOURISM ENJOYS STRONG START TO 2022 WHILE FACING NEW UNCERTAINTIES

PROGRESS IN OPENING THE WORLD TO TRAVEL

UNWTO INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR BEST TOURISM VILLAGES 2022

MOUNTAIN AND SNOW TOURISM SUMMIT LOOKS TO SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

THE LEELA HOTELS BACK TO KERALA

BUSINESS & EDITORIAL ASSOCIATES NEW DELHI D Anilkumar +91 9868123311 MUMBAI K V Satyanath +91 9745598126 KOLKATA Jayasree Singh +91 943306033 BANGALURU Damodaran K Nair +91 8310955261

EDITORIAL & CORPORATE OFFICE TOURISM INDIA PUBLICATIONS PVT. LTD A-29, KUMARA VILAS, ELANKOM GARDENS, VELLAYAMBALAM, SASTHAMANGALAM P.O., TRIVANDRUM, KERALA, INDIA 695010 TEL: +91 471 2315256 MOB: 9847060531 CONTACT US Editorial Enquiries editor@tourismindiaonline.com Mob: +91 9847060531 Advertisement Enquiries marketing@tourismindiaonline.com Mob: +91 9745598126 Circulation & Subscription Enquiries circulation@tourismindiaonline.com Mob: +91 9745598126 Online Edition www.tourismindia.org www.tourismindiaonline.com Digital Edition: https://issue.com/tourismindia No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of TOURISM INDIA PUBLICATIONS PVT LTD. All rights reserved Copyright @2021 Printed and Published by Ravisankar K V on behalf of TOURISM INDIA PUBLICATIONS PVT LTD, A-29, Kumara Vilas, Elankom Gardens, Vellayambalam, Sasthamangalam P.O., Trivandrum 695010 at Aarsha Offset Graphix, Mettukkada, Thycaud.P.O., Trivandrum- 695014 Editor: Rajani A

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18 20

PATA ANNUAL SUMMIT IN RAS AL KHAIMAH 68 DESTINATIONS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED FOR DEVELOPMENT: G. KISHAN REDDY

J&K TOURISM SHOWCASES NEW HOPES AND NEW DESTINATIONS

THE LEELA HOTELS BACK TO KERALA

IHCL BRINGS THE GINGER BRAND TO KOCHI

HEAD FOR THE HILLS THIS SUMMER

IHCL’S PAATHYA AN INDUSTRY LEADING INITIATIVE TO CHART A NEW TOMORROW

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AMAL TAMARA LAUNCHES IN KERALA

AYURVEDIC JOURNEY FOR LIFE HEALING FROM THE INSIDE OUT

WOODS AT SASAN LAUNCHES INDIA’S FIRST SATTVIC MEAL PLAN

COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT BENGALURU HEBBAL BRINGS MAGICAL STAYCATION PACKAGE

ABHISHEK KRISHNA AS THE DIRECTOR OF T&C AT NOVOTEL VISAKHAPATNAM VARUN BEACH

BEYOND MOBILITY’HYUNDAI MOTOR INDIA GREETS THE FUTURE OF MOBILITY

QANTAS LAUNCHES DIRECT FLIGHT FROM SYDNEY TO BENAGLURU

VISTARA BECOMES THE FIRST INDIAN AIRLINE TO INTRODUCE RFIDAEROCHECK

INDIGO REINFORCES REGIONAL NETWORK IN SUMMER SCHEDULE

EMIRATES TO RE-INSTATE PRE-PANDEMIC FLIGHT FREQUENCIES TO INDIA

QATAR AIRWAYS CELEBRATES THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN 9

QATAR AIRWAYS INVITES FANS TO BEAT THE CLOCK & SECURE THEIR SEATS

ETIHAD’S TRAVEL TIPS FOR A SMOOTH SPRING BREAK

THAT’S A WRAP! EMIRATES CONCLUDES A STELLAR SIX MONTHS AT EXPO 2020 DUBAI

ABU DHABI UNVEILS NEW HOME FOR NATURAL HISTORY

DISCOVER SPECTACULAR DINING SETTINGS WITH FOUR SEASONS RESORTS MALDIVES APRIL 2022 TOURISM INDIA

NEWS / INTERNATIONAL

TOURISM ENJOYS STRONG START TO 2022 WHILE FACING NEW UNCERTAINTIES International spending expected to rise 94% in 2022

nternational tourism continued its recovery in January 2022, with a much better performance compared to the weak start to 2021. However, the Russian invasion of Ukraine adds pressure to existing economic uncertainties, coupled with many Covid-related travel restrictions still in place. Overall confidence could be affected and hamper the recovery of tourism. Based on the latest available data, global international tourist arrivals more than doubled (+130%) in January 2022 compared to 2021 - the 18 million more visitors recorded worldwide in the first month of this year equals the total increase for the whole of 2021. While these figures confirm the positive trend already underway last year, the pace of recovery in January was impacted by the emergences of the Omicron variant and the re-introduction of travel restrictions in several destinations. Following the 71% decline of 2021, international 10

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arrivals in January 2022 remained 67% below pre-pandemic levels. Europe and Americas perform strongest All regions enjoyed a significant rebound in January 2022, though from low levels recorded at the start of 2021. Europe (+199%) and the Americas (+97%) continued to post the strongest results, with international arrivals still around half pre-pandemic levels (-53% and -52%, respectively). The Middle East (+89%) and Africa (+51%) also saw growth in January 2022 over 2021, but these regions saw a drop of 63% and 69% respectively compared to 2019. While Asia and the Pacific recorded a 44% yearon-year increase, several destinations remained closed to non-essential travel resulting in the largest decrease in international arrivals over 2019 (-93%). By subregions, the best results were recorded by Western Europe, registering four times more arrivals

in January 2022 than in 2021, but 58% less than in 2019. Additionally, the Caribbean (-38%) and Southern and Mediterranean Europe (-41%) have shown the fastest rates of recovery towards 2019 levels. Indeed, several islands in the Caribbean and Asia and the Pacific, together with some small European and Central American destinations recorded the best results compared to 2019: Seychelles (-27%), Bulgaria and Curaçao (both -20%), El Salvador (-19%), Serbia and Maldives (both -13%), Dominican Republic (-11%), Albania (-7%) and Andorra (-3%). Bosnia and Herzegovina (+2%) even exceeded pre-pandemic levels. Among major destinations Turkey and Mexico saw declines of 16% and 24% respectively as compared to 2019. Prospects for recovery After the unprecedented drop of 2020 and 2021, international tourism is expected to continue its gradual recovery in 2022. As of 24 March, 12 destinations had no COVID-19

related restrictions in place and an increasing number of destinations were easing or lifting travel restrictions, which contributes to unleashing pent-up demand. The war in Ukraine poses new challenges to the global economic environment and risks hampering the return of confidence in global travel. The US and the Asian source markets, which have started to open up, could be particularly impacted especially regarding travel to Europe, as these markets are historically more risk averse. The shutdown of Ukrainian and Russian airspace, as well as the ban on Russian carriers by many European countries is affecting intra-European travel. It is also causing detours in long-haul flights between Europe and East Asia, which translates into longer flights and higher costs. Russia and Ukraine accounted for a combined 3% of global spending on international tourism in 2020 and at least US$ 14 billion in global tourism receipts could be lost if the conflict is prolonged. The importance of both markets is significant for neighbour-

Travellers headed to secondary destinations and booking ‘the great outdoors’ in 2021 ing countries, but also for European sun and sea destinations. The Russian market also gained significant weight during the pandemic for long haul destinations such as Maldives, Seychelles or Sri Lanka. As destinations Russia and Ukraine accounted for 4% of all international arrivals in Europe but only 1% of Europe’s international tourism receipts in 2020. Economic uncertainty and pressures Even though it is too early to assess the impact, air travel searches and bookings across various channels showed a slowdown the week after the invasion but started to rebound in early March. It is certain that the offensive will

add further pressure to already challenging economic conditions, undermining consumer confidence and raising investment uncertainty. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) estimates global economic growth could be more than 1% lower this year than previously projected, while inflation, already high at the start of the year, could be at least a further 2.5% higher. The recent spike in oil prices (Brent reached its highest levels in 10 years), and rising inflation are making accommodation and transport services more expensive, adding extra pressure on businesses, consumer purchasing power and savings, UNWTO notes. This forecast is in line with the analysis on the potential consequences of the conflict on global economic recovery and growth by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), which has also downgraded its projection for world economic growth in 2022 from 3.6% to 2.6% and warned that developing countries will be most vulnerable to the slowdown.

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NEWS / INTERNATIONAL

PROGRESS IN OPENING THE WORLD TO TRAVEL A simplified and interoperable digital solution is vital to fully achieve the recovery of the Travel & Tourism sector

he International Air Transport Association (IATA) welcomed the increasing momentum towards reopening of borders and relaxation of travel restrictions, as COVID-19 moves into the endemic phase. An IATA survey of travel restrictions for the world’s top 50 air travel markets (comprising 88% of international demand in 2019 as measured by revenue passenger kilometers) revealed the growing access available to vaccinated trav-

REGION

elers:25 markets representing 38% of 2019 international demand are open to vaccinated travelers without quarantine measures or testing requirements—up from 18 markets (28% of 2019 international demand) in mid-February. 38 markets representing 65% of 2019 international demand are open to vaccinated travelers with no quarantine requirements—up from 28 markets (50% of 2019 international demand) in mid-February.Repeated surveys of passen-

# OF MARKETS IN TOP 50

gers by IATA during the pandemic have shown that testing and especially quarantine are major barriers to travel. Travel in Asia remains heavily compromised by COVID restrictions. While North American and European international traffic rebounded to -42% of their 2019 peaks last year, traffic in the Asia Pacific remained at -88%. Even in this region, however, there has been some progress, with India and Malaysia among the countries recently announcing the

# OF MARKETS OPEN TO VACCINATED TRAVELERS WITH NO QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS

Asia Pacific

Americas Europe

9 20

9 18

Middle East

Africa

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relaxation of restrictions. The easing of measures reflects the growing consensus that travel restrictions such as border closures and quarantine do little to control the spread of COVID-19. A recent report by OXERA and Edge Health, looking at the spread of the Omicron variant in Europe, concluded that travel restrictions may only delay the peak of a wave by a few days. “The world is largely open for travel. As population immunity grows, more governments are managing COVID-19 through surveillance, as they do for other endemic viruses. That is great news for a growing www.tourismindia.org

number of destinations that will receive a much-needed economic boost from the upcoming Easter and Northern Summer travel seasons. Asia is the outlier.13Hopefully, recent relaxations including Australia, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Pakistan, and the Philippines are paving the way towards restoring the freedom to travel that is more broadly enjoyed in other parts of the world,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director-General. The regional variations in the degree of openness among the markets are stark. APRIL 2022 TOURISM INDIA

NEWS / INTERNATIONAL

UNWTO INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR BEST TOURISM VILLAGES 2022 Applications will be open until 28 June 2022 and the chosen villages will be announced at the end of the year.

NWTO promotes and enhances the role of tourism in safeguarding rural villages, along with their landscapes, natural and cultural diversity, knowledge systems, and local values and activities, including gastronomy. Best Tourism Villages the initiative launched in 2021, also promotes transformative approaches to the development of tourism in rural destinations that contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Following on from the success of the pilot project in 2021, UNWTO has announced the return of Best Tourism Villages for 2022. In 14

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2021 over 40 villages from more than 30 countries across the five world regions (from over 170 applications) were recognized as Best Tourism Villages and a further 20 villages were selected to participate in the Upgrade Programme. Now, UNWTO Members States are invited once again to present candidacies through their National Tourism Administrations (NTAs). Applications will be open until 28 June 2022 and the chosen villages will be announced at the end of the year. The ‘Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO’ recognizes outstanding examples of rural tourism desti-

nations with recognized cultural and natural assets, that preserve and promote rural and community-based values, products, and lifestyles and have a clear commitment to innovation and sustainability in all its aspects – economic, social and environmental. The recognition is based on an evaluation of their resources and initiatives in nine areas covering the three pillars of sustainable development. The ‘Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO’ Upgrade Programme assists a select number of villages among those that do not fully meet the criteria to obtain the

recognition. The villages receive support from UNWTO and Partners in improving elements of the areas identified as gaps in the evaluation process. The ‘Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO’ Network provides a space for exchanging experiences and good practices. It includes representatives of the villages recognized as ‘Best Tourism Village by UNWTO’ as well as those participating in the Upgrade Programme and it will benefit from the contributions of experts, public and private sector partners engaged in the promotion of tourism for rural development. The Network also contributes to the work of UNWTO in identifying good practices, developing guidelines and policy recommendations as well as insights and knowledge. Applications will be evaluated by an external independent Advisory Board consisting of experts in the different fields based on

The ‘Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO’ Network provides a space for exchanging experiences and good practices the nine evaluation areas covering natural and cultural resources as well as initiatives in the three pillars of sustainability – economic, social, and environmental. Announcing the launch of the second edition on the occasion of its 48th Commission meeting for the Middle East in Cairo, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Tourism

brings immense opportunities to communities around the world to build new businesses, promote and protect their culture. I look forward to seeing examples of villages working to realize tourism’s unique potential to foster sustainability and create opportunities for all.” In parallel to the announcement, the kick-off meeting of the BTV Network will be held online on 30 March 2022 with more than 60 current members to take part in shaping its identity, objectives, and approach. The calendar of activities within the Network (training, webinars, masterclasses, etc.) will also be expanded from April to December 2022. The Network will be enlarged with new members of Best Tourism Villages 2022 and forthcoming editions with the aim of becoming the largest international network focusing on tourism for rural development.

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APRIL 2022 TOURISM INDIA

NEWS / INTERNATIONAL

MOUNTAIN AND SNOW TOURISM SUMMIT LOOKS TO SUSTAINABLE FUTURE Ensure the wellbeing of mountain communities and addressing issues such as innovation, sustainability and digital transformation

he 11th World Congress on Snow and Mountain Tourism has concluded with a shared commitment to centre innovation and promote investment in green infrastructure and low-impact travel experiences. Held as part of the UN Year of Sustainable Mountains, the Congress focused on the recovery of tourism and on an approach to the future based on understanding the tourist’s needs while also preserving natural and cultural resources. Also on the agenda was ensuring the wellbeing of mountain communities and addressing issues such as innovation, sustainability and digital transformation. Tourism as a beacon of hope During his official visit to 16

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Andorra, UNWTO SecretaryGeneral Zurab Pololikashvili met with Prime Minister Xavier Espot Zamora and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ms. Maria Ubach Font, discussing their existing partnership and identifying possibilities for further collaboration in the future. At the Congress, Mr Pololikashvili highlighted the sector’s unique ability to provide hope in difficult times. “We can show the world that tourism stands united, that our sector can offer answers and generate the trust that we all need in such difficult times,” he said. Prime Minister Xavier Espot Zamora said: “The World Congress on Snow and Mountain Tourism, which is held biannually

in Andorra, is an excellent forum for debate on the sustainable development of tourism. Our country works intensely with projects to improve the quality of tourist services, diversify the offers and maximize the experience of tourists.” High-level participation Over 400 participants from 23 countries gathered in Andorra, which has organized the biannual event in partnership with UNWTO since its inception. Among this year’s participants were private and public sector as well as the Ambassadors to Andorra or Spain of Cabo Verde, Bulgaria, France, GuineaBissau, Kazakhstan, Spain and Saudi Arabia, a show of the importance and opportunities

for cooperation in this area. More than 200 participants also joined online. Speakers included, among others, the Atout France, Andorran Michelin Start Chef Jordi Grau, Slow Food Travel, the Basque Culinary Centre (BCC), the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), Huttopia, Intrepid Travel, Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency, Cluster Montagne in France and a series of startups. Minister of Tourism of Andorra, Jordi Torres Falcó concluded: “As we have seen over these two days, only together and building synergies, can we make tourism recovery solid as the future of tourism sustainable in its three pillars – environmental, social and economic.” A high-level panel on policies for mountain tourism, made up of Jordi Torres Falcó, Minister of Tourism and Telecommunications of Andorra; Dauren Abayev, Minister of Culture and Sports of Kazakhstan; Simon Zajc, Secretary of State, Ministry

Participants were private and public sector as well as the Ambassadors to Andorra or Spain of Cabo Verde, Bulgaria, France, GuineaBissau, Kazakhstan, Spain and Saudi Arabia of Economic Development and Technology of Slovenia; Fernando Valdés; Secretary of State for Tourism of Spain, Sofia Zacharaki, Viceminister of Tourism of Greece and Massimo Garavaglia, Minister of Tourism of Italy (stressed the importance of creating a strong adequate

governance that brings together different levels of government and the private sector, addressing climate change and invest in infrastructure. Alongside this, promoting and growing gastronomy and wellness emerged as key priorities for the future of mountain tourism. Further recommendations from the Congress included the need to monitor tourism in mountains and its impact to better manage resources and waste produced, respecting destinations’ carrying capacity and empower mountain communities. The Summit provided an opportunity for the UNWTO leadership visit Ordino, recently included in the UNWTO Best Tourism Villages Upgrade Programme. Here, SecretaryGeneral Pololikashvili recalled how tourism can be a driver of rural development, promoting the promotion and preservation of local culture and values.

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NEWS / INTERNATIONAL

PATA ANNUAL SUMMIT IN RAS AL KHAIMAH PATA Annual Summit, originally scheduled to take place live and in person in March, will now be held from October 25- 27, 2022 in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

he Pacific Asia Travel Association has announced the next PATA Annual Summit, originally scheduled to take place live and in person in March, will now be held from October 2527, 2022 in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. The event will be the first time that the not-for-profit travel trade association, the largest spanning Asia-Pacific, will host its Annual Summit in West Asia. Hosted by Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), the three-day event brings together international thought leaders, industry shapers, and senior decision-makers who are invested in driving tourism to, from, and within the Asia Pacific. The PATA association network consists of both public and private entities representing every facet of the travel ecosystem – government, tourism offices, hotels, airlines, MNCs, SMEs, universities, and other travel-related companies with interests in the Asia Pacific region, Exploring the theme ‘ReconMr. Raki Phillips, CEO Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority 18

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necting the World’, the program will provide a platform for PATA’s public and private sector members and partners to convene on critical industry topics, including destination recovery strategies, sustainability and resilience, human capital development, women in travel, and innovation. The event, comprised of conference presentations, leadership task force sessions, workshops, PATA

board meetings, and a travel mart component, will be hosted in various locations across the Emirate, including the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, The Ritz-Carlton Al Wadi Desert, and Al Hamra International Exhibition & Conference Center. “We are delighted that we will still be organising the PATA Annual Summit in Ras Al Khaimah this year and bring together our

industry network to discuss opportunities and best practices to enable recovery and sustainable growth,” said PATA CEO Liz Ortiguera. “The team is working hard to put together an event programme, under the theme ‘Reconnecting the World’, that will take on a format that is more experiential and will maximize in-person connections and engage an appreciation for this beautiful destination. I invite all of our members, partners, Chapter members, and industry colleagues to join us for this long-awaited opportunity.” Mr. Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, added “As we navigate through a new era of travel and tourism, platforms such as the Pacific Asia Travel Association Summit provide invaluable insights that help guide our industry moving forward. We are pleased to host the summit in Ras Al Khaimah, the nature-based destination with exceptional connectivity and access that reso-

Ras Al Khaimah, the fastest-growing destination in the Middle East, set a global benchmark by being the first city in the world to be certified safe by the ‘SafeGuard Label’ from Bureau Veritas and the ‘Safe Travels Stamp’ from the WTTC nates well with Asian travellers. Combined with global hospitality brands and world-class meeting venues, we are confident that the PATA Annual Summit this fall will be a great success.” Considered as the fastest-growing destination in the Middle East, Ras Al Khaimah set a global benchmark by being the first city in the world to be certified safe by the ‘SafeGuard Label’

from Bureau Veritas and the ‘Safe Travels Stamp’ from the World Travel and Tourism Council. It was also named the ‘Gulf Tourism Capital’ for both 2020 and 2021 by the Gulf Cooperation Council. With over 7,000 years of fascinating history, traditions, and culture, Ras Al Khaimah promises an authentic and easily accessible Arabian experience. A haven of year-round sunshine, the Emirate features pristine beaches, lush mangroves, and terracotta dunes, as well as fertile, green oases and the dramatic, awe-inspiring vistas of the majestic Hajjar mountains. From cultural escapes to eco-tourism and adrenaline-fueled adventures to beach retreats, Ras Al Khaimah caters to a full suite of travellers. The unique natural beauty of the Emirate, combined with its world-class tourism infrastructure and portfolio of global hospitality brands, makes it the perfect destination for both leisure and adventure travel as well as for business travellers.

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NEWS / NATIONAL

68 DESTINATIONS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED FOR DEVELOPMENT: G. KISHAN REDDY Sites in 30 States/UTs has been identified under the PRASHAD Scheme

inistry of Tourism has identified 15 themebased circuits for development, spanning the entire country, which include the Buddhist Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Desert Circuit, Eco Circuit, Heritage Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Krishna Circuit, North-East Circuit, Ramayana Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit, Sufi Circuit, Tirthankar Circuit, Tribal Circuit and Wildlife Circuit and 68 destinations/sites in 30 States/UTs under the PRASHAD Scheme. Ministry of Tourism has also identified the Niche Products for development and promotion like Cruise, Adventure, Medical, Wellness, Golf, Polo, Meetings Incentives Conferences & Exhibitions (MICE), Eco-tourism, Film Tourism, Sustainable Tourism and Rural Tourism. In addition, the Ministry of Tourism is promoting India as a holistic destination 20

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showcasing its various tourism destinations/sites/circuits as well as tourism products through campaigns, website and social media platforms to attract both domestic and international tourists for realising the potential of

tourist places in the country. The Ministry of Tourism undertakes various promotional activities in the international and domestic markets to promote tourism destinations and products of the country in a holistic

manner and has sanctioned 10 projects under Heritage Circuit theme of the Swadesh Darshan scheme which includes the project ‘Development of Tezpur – Majuli – Sibsagar’ sanctioned for Rs. 90.98 cr. under Heritage circuit theme in the State of Assam. The Ministry of Tourism has now revamped its Swadesh Darshan scheme in order to develop sustainable and responsible destinations with tourist & destination centric approach. The Ministry of Tourism under its Schemes of Swadesh Darshan and ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ provides financial assistance for development of tourism infrastructure in the country including tier II destinations. Under Swadesh Darshan scheme, the Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned 76 projects in different themes including 10 projects under heritage theme since 2014-15. The PRASHAD scheme of the Ministry aims at integrated development of identified pilgrimage and heritage destinations. Skill training programme for tourism service providers under the Capacity Building for Service Providers (CBSP) Scheme has also implemented on pan-India level including the tier-II cities, to enhance the employability of the candidates which includes fresh candidates, candidates for re-skilling and upskilling who are already working in the hospitality sector on pan-India level including the tier-II cities. The Ministry of Tourism had initiated the Destination Based Skill Development training programme w.e.f. FY 2019-20, with the objective to bring in an all-encompassing training plan at the tourist destination itself to upgrade and build capacities of all service providers to the tourists. www.tourismindia.org

TRAVEL INDUSTRY WELCOMES THE REOPENING OF INTERNATIONAL PASSENGER SERVICES

he decision of the Government of India to reopen scheduled commercial international passengers services to/ from India from 27.3.2022, after a gap of two years, has been hailed warmly by all the trav-

el industry stakeholders of the country. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation had suspended operations of international commercial services with effect from 23rd March 2020, with a view to preventing the spread of the Covid 19 pandemic. Earlier, the Government of India had started granting fresh Tourist visas to foreigners arriving on charter flights with effect from 15th October 2021. Hailing the resumption of normal international passenger services, Mr. Rajeev Mehra, President of the Indian Association of Tour Operators said that this would definitely increase tourist traffic to India and from September 2022 onwards, which is the start of the next inbound tourism season, a substantial amount of the affected business is expected to be back. The tourism sector has been one of the most adversely affected sectors by the Covid 19 pandemic, impacting the livelihoods of stakeholders related to the tourism industry. APRIL 2022 TOURISM INDIA

NEWS / NATIONAL

J&K TOURISM SHOWCASES NEW HOPES AND NEW DESTINATIONS The government has carefully chosen 75 new destinations in Kashmir

ammu Kashmir Tourism de- tourism promotional campaigns partment participated in the across major cities of the country. 3-day OTM event, in a big way The Jammu Kashmir pavilion as part of its extensive winter was the cynosure of all eyes at

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the gathering and offered the most-engaging experiences for the consumer and trade visitors as well as the participants of

the various sessions. The interactions of the Jammu Kashmir Tourism Board with the event attendees consisted of detailed presentations, various short films on known and off-beat destinations of Jammu and Kashmir, and the floating luxury products of the grand Kashmiri Houseboats. Dignitaries such as Dr. G.N. Itoo, Director Tourism Kashmir, Mr. Bakshi Javed Himayun, Director SKICC, and Mr. Manav Gupta, Secretary JTGC, Jammu & Kashmir represented the Jammu Kashmir Tourism Board at the event. Dr G N. Itoo, as the spokesperson, revealed that despite pandemic challenges, the tourist footfall in Kashmir had touched an impressive number of 6.65 lakhs and it was a similar scenario in Jammu as well. They had bumper seasons in the autumn and winter

as well. As a result of the various measures initiated by the department for the revival of the tourism sector, throngs of domestic tourists had visited during winters and enjoyed snow in Gulmarg, Srinagar, Pahalgam, Patnitop, Sanasar, Natha Top, Sonmarg, and Doodhpathri. The good times have continued to roll for the UT, as the visitors’ numbers in 2022 since January have been growing at a very encouraging. Dr. G.N. Itoo puts it forth, the Jammu and Kashmir government has again taken the lead by launching ‘Mission Youth,’ a new initiative aimed at bringing 80 villages to the forefront of tourism. The soul of each village, unique on its own, will serve as the USP to promote tourism. The energetic youth of the villages will not only get employment but also

will project themselves as the native ambassadors of tourism. They will focus on ensuring the availability of good homestays and hotels for making the tourist experience most comfortable and memorable. In addition, the government has carefully chosen 75 new destinations in Kashmir and extraordinary efforts are being put in to maintain the pristine environment. All of these 75 destinations have well-established connectivity to reach several sought-after destinations like Doodhpatri, Bangas, Doda, and many others where tourism has a strong footprint. In addition, the government is also in talks with cab aggregators to make their services available for the convenience that the tourists are used to in their own cities.

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NEWS / HOSPITALITY

THE LEELA HOTELS BACK TO KERALA

The Luxury hotel brand expands footprint in South India with the signing of The Leela Kovalam and The Leela Ashtamudi A Raviz Hotels

he Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts has recently announced the signing of a management agreement for two properties, The Leela Kovalam, a Raviz Hotel, and The Leela Ashtamudi, a Raviz Hotel in Kerala, expanding its footprint in South India and fortifying the brand’s resort portfolio. The Leela Kovalam, a Raviz Hotel returns to The Leela portfolio after three years while The Leela Ashtamudi, a Raviz Hotel will be a significant new addition to the brand portfolio to complete the much sought-after and serenely beautiful Kerala itinerary.

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Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Anuraag Bhatnagar, Chief Operating Officer, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts said, “We are delighted to reintroduce The Leela brand into Kerala as we welcome The Leela Kovalam, a Raviz Hotel back into our fold and introduce The Leela Ashtamudi, a Raviz Hotel, a hidden gem into our portfolio. The two resorts complement each other and define two very distinctive and unique experiences that showcase the best of Kerala. This expansion is in lockstep with the growing demand from the discerning global

leisure traveller to experience meaningful and transformative journeys that are an authentic expression of a region’s beauty, heritage, cuisine, and culture.” Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ganesh Ravi Pillai, Vice Chairman, RP Group said, “I am excited to partner with The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts to reintroduce The Leela brand in its new avatar to Kerala. Great projects are rarely built-in isolation, and great ecosystems are more so. The coming together of Raviz and Leela will create a synergy that can

propel the State to the centre stage of the global tourism network. The partnership of the two great brands in the luxury travel and wellness sectors can be a force for good; not just for the State but for the entire southern region. Together, we can reimagine and transform the tourism sector in the region. The Leela Kovalam, A Raviz Hotel Spread across a 60-acre canvas of greenery, The Leela Kovalam, a Raviz Hotel is India’s only clifftop beach resort offering scintillating views of the Kovalam shoreline and a pristine beachfront. A 20 minute-drive from Thiruvananthapuram Airport, half an hour from the railway station, and merely a minute away from its own hotel Helipad, the resort provides a private passage to the Arabian Sea allowing travellers to soak in the tropical sun and encounter the deep azure waters. A seamless blend of modern technology and traditional grandeur, the soothing décor of each of the 184 rooms and suites whispers warm aesthetics with each room opening out to a breath-taking view of either the sea or the lush green gardens. The resort also houses 4 suites at the Kovalam Palace, which was once the summer retreat of the Travancore royal family. The resort offers a host of dining experiences that range from all-day dining at The Terrace which serves Asian, European, Indian, and authentic Kerala specialties, to The Café where one can lounge in utmost comfort, to The Tides which serves the best seafood in

town to The Sky Bar, an open-air live tapas kitchen serving signature cocktails and The Bar an ideal place to unwind. It boasts of a 7,000 square feet Grand Ballroom and sprawling outdoor venues besides a 16,000 square feet beach providing a superlative venue for iconic celebrations, memorable weddings, and bespoke events. Leisure facilities include a gymnasium, swimming pool, and a spa that offers enriching Ayurveda treatments. The Leela Ashtamudi, A Raviz Hotel An authentic backwater resort, The Leela Ashtamudi, a Raviz Hotel reflects traditional Nālukettu architecture capturing glimpses of Kerala’s heritage. With Trivandrum International Airport about 71 km away, the hotel is situated at Thevally, 10 minutes away from the historic Kollam town and just 15 minutes from the Kollam beach. With 93 rooms, the resort is home to a bevy of accommodation that ranges from a heritage wing that offers a collection of rooms and suites with a contemporary ambiance to two

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quaint villas that overlook the lake and are complemented with traditional décor from the village and two cottages that were inspired from 300-yearold ancient heritage structure called ‘Mana’ – a home of Brahmins and a 200-year-old style cottage transposed from Eerattupetta. the resort also offers houseboats, also known as Kettuvallams that evoke the true heritage of local Kerala. For a rich culinary escapade, there are four unique options - Keraleeyam, a multi-cuisine restaurant, Portico Café, serving comfort food, Renthal, the floating restaurant, and Zirkon, the aqua-themed bar. From a stately convention center to inspiring meeting rooms, the resort offers extensive choice and flexibility for bespoke events as well as iconic celebrations. The hotel also features a holistic world-class spa, a state-of-the-art gymnasium, and an outdoor pool. In 2021 The Leela opened 3 hotels, The Leela Palace Jaipur, The Leela Gandhinagar, and The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru adding 799 keys. Venturing into the southern waters, The Leela has embraced the coastal state with authenticity to explore moments of tranquillity and provide unforgettable experiences and stays to their guests to savour the true culture, art, wellness experiences, and flavours of Kerala. Promising unparalleled luxury, this expansion is a testament to the company’s strategy to grow in gateway cities and key leisure and resort destinations across the country. The Leela Palaces, Hotels, and Resorts is owned by a Brookfield Asset Management-sponsored private real estate fund and operates eleven award-winning properties in major cities and leisure destinations across India. These include the flagship hotel in the capital city of New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Udaipur, Jaipur, Gurugram, East Delhi, Goa, Mumbai, and Gandhinagar. APRIL 2022 TOURISM March 2021 TourismINDIA India

NEWS / HOSPITALITY

THE GINGER BRAND AT KOCHI GINGER FORAYS INTO THE CITY WITH ITS FIRST HOTEL

ndian Hotels Company (IHCL) has announced the opening of its first Ginger hotel in Kochi. Located at Kalamassery, the hotel is built around the brand’s design and service philosophy of offering a vibrant, contemporary, and seamless hospitality experience to its guests. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, IHCL, said, “Ginger has been on a journey of rapid expansion. The opening of this hotel is in line with the brand’s strategy of being present in metros and key commercial hubs across India. We are proud to bring the Ginger brand to the multifaceted city of Kochi, which is Kerala’s leading financial and cultural destination.” Ginger Kochi, Kalamassery is strategically located on the Kochi-Salem Highway, with convenient access to Cochin SEZ and economic centre with key IT companies and industries. The hotel features 73 rooms,Café et cet26

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era – the all-day diner, meeting rooms, a rooftop swimming pool and fitness centre. The port city of Kochi, located on the Malabar Coast, is a key industrial and business destination. Its cosmopolitan culture and rich heritage make it one of India’s leading tourist attractions.With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have 13 hotels across brands in Kerala, includ-

ing three under development. Ginger, the lean-luxe brand from The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), has a pan India presence of 84 hotels with 57 hotels in operation and 27 under development. The brand prides itself in its ability to enable its guests to switch seamlessly between work and play, and offers experiences that provide comfort and convenience.

HEAD FOR THE HILLS THIS SUMMER Taj, Vivanta and SeleQtions hotels in the hills across the country offers stunning packages to lure tourists

he cool allure of India’s hills and their enduring attractions offer relief from the heat and dust of the plains during summer. Cooler temperatures, local cuisine and incredible landscapes make for a perfect getaway. Explore the buzzing favourites or find tiny hamlets tucked away from the tourist maps when you stay with Taj, Vivanta and SeleQtions hotels in the hills across the country. Discover the utopian kingdom of Sikkim with scenic Pakyong.

The town offers lush paddy fields, bamboo forests and stunning view of the snowcapped Himalayas. Step into plush green acres in Darjeeling to indulge in plenty of forest treks and tea trails and marvel at the mystique of the Makaibari tea estate. Ideal for open-air enthusiasts to sip tea and laze, the hill station breathes the finest air. With the finest panoramic view of the Dal Lake and Zabarwan Mountains, the hotel in Srinagar is a paradise rediscovered.

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Guests can unwind in a delightful Kashmiri high-tea experience as they take in the soothing views of the changing colours of sky and water at sunset. The hotel in Shimla is the go-to quintessential luxurious home in the hills, where travellers can indulge in various activities such as hiking to Hatu Peak, mountain biking and strolling through apple orchards and much more. Nestled in the heart of the rolling hills in the Nilgiris, the hotels in Ooty and Coonoor are an enchanting vacation option which ushers guests into a colonial-era lifestyle with afternoon high-tea, croquêt on the lawns and an exclusive taste of local cuisine. For more adventurous summer retreats down South, the hotels in Chikmagalur and Coorg offer a new-age experience in the lap of nature. APRIL 2022 TOURISM INDIA

NEWS/ HOSPITALITY

IHCL’S PAATHYA AN INDUSTRY LEADING INITIATIVE TO CHART A NEW TOMORROW IHCL has defined several short and long-term goals to be fulfilled by2030 under Pathya Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), has announced a framework to drive its sustainability and social impact measures under Paathya. Derived from the Sanskrit term पथ्य, inferring a path, Paathya encapsulates initiatives to lead positive change with IHCL’s core values of Trust of all stakeholders, Awareness around the

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needs of our ecosystem and Joy at heart. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. G Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Tourism, Culture and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Government of India, said “Sustainable and responsible tourism is the way forward and the Government of India is

already working in this direction. The government and the industry together are exploring ideas, solutions, and strategies to face the environmental and societal challenges. I applaud IHCL for its holistic approach of Paathya and for leading the path for the sector.” The function was graced by

Ms. Rupinder Brar, Additonal DG, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. Taking ahead IHCL’s over a century old legacy, Paathya forges a journey focused on Environmental Stewardship, Social Responsibility, Excellence in Governance, Preserving Heritage, Value Chain Transformation, and Sustainable Growth. Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, IHCL, said, “Today, it has become even more important to chart a new tomorrow - one that is more sustainable and inclusive. We believe this is the only way to drive India’s journey to being among the top travel and tourism economies. The launch of Paathya is in line with IHCL’s commitment to strengthen its resolve of contributing to the society with an integrated approach towards creating sustainable growth and positive impact. This reaffirms our founder, Jamsetji Tata’s vision of keeping community at the heart of business. ” IHCL has defined several short and long-term goals to be fulfilled by 2030 under Paathya. From 100% elimination of single-use plastic across all its hotels to ensuring 100% of waste water is reused, the company’s 100% of hotels will be certified to a global sustainability standard. Representing best practices, 78 IHCL hotels have achieved EarthCheck certification with 47 Platinum recognitions, largest in the global tourism industry. Furthermore, all business meetings and conferences will go green

Derived from the Sanskrit term ,थ्यप inferring a path Paathya forges a journey focused on Environmental Stewardship, Social Responsibility, Excellence in Governance, Preserving Heritage, Value Chain Transformation, and Sustainable Growth.

with the introduction of Innergise - Green Meetings, reducing their environmental impact. Taking ahead its commitment to skill building, and create employability for the deserving and the marginalized, IHCL aims to impact the livelihood of over 100,000 youth. Long heralded as the custodian of Indian heritage, IHCL’s collaboration with UNESCO, will see adoption of 100% of Intangible Cultural Heritage (IHC) projects in the geographies it operate in.

Ms. Rupinder Brar, Additonal DG, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & CEO, IHCL www.tourismindia.org

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NEWS / NATIONAL

AMAL TAMARA LAUNCHES IN KERALA

Where mind, body, and spirit is restored through the ancient and time-tested tenets of Ayurveda

mal Tamara in Alleppey is Tamara Leisure Experiences’ first foray into luxury wellness Ayurveda experiences that are designed with bespoke curative programmes for those looking for a restorative Ayurvedic wellness experience. The newly-launched 19-key property continues to hold the company’s core values of Responsible Hospitality at the root of operations and experience. Amal Tamara specifically applies the unique Ayurvedic concept of Chikitsa Chatushpada – a tenet of Ayurveda that centralises healing in the synergy of four forces: physician, patient, therapist, and medicine. Based on the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, every programme at Amal Tamara is carefully designed to offer privacy, tranquillity, and authentic programme, diets, and exercise and meditation regimes 30

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for a truly transformative experience. Every patient becomes an Amal Yatri from the moment they connect with the Amal Tamara team – embarking on a journey for life. An expert medical team comprised of highly experienced Ayurvedic Vaidyas will assess the unique needs, body compositions, and goals of each patient before designing personalised and specialised treatments and schedules. For each Amal Yatri, the goal will be to equip each individual with an understanding of lifestyle changes that will allow them to carry wellness wisdom home with them. Amal Tamara offers personalised Ayurvedic programmes for immunity booster, anti-ageing, among other chronic conditions, providing a customised healing experience. Additionally, a customised menu is designed to suit

each individual’s specific dietary and health requirements, consisting of wholesome, organic, vegetarian meals, prepared by expert in-house chefs. “It is perhaps less well-known that our family comes from a long line of Ayurvedic practitioners dating back to the 1920s. With a deep belief in the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda and a deep and long-standing connection to the region of Alleppey, Amal Tamara is a very special project and I couldn’t be prouder to be opening our doors at a time when so many of us are in need of tranquillity and healing. It is yet another step towards Tamara Leisure Experiences’ mission of delivering Responsible and Memorable Hospitality. Our approach to wellness is one with a long-term vision. Every experience will begin well

before the arrival of our patients and will extend to long after they leave the property. Our medical experts, or ‘Vaidyas’ are highly skilled and this knowledge and philosophy will remain at the bedrock of every decision taken at Amal Tamara.” said Shruti Shibulal, CEO & Director, Tamara Leisure Experiences Pvt. Ltd. The property boasts 19 luxurious rooms in three different types of accommodation – Astha Rooms (450 square feet), Ekta Rooms (550 square feet), and Idha Rooms (750 square feet). A picturesque lake view adds to the aesthetic value of the accommodation, providing both privacy and serenity. An environment for meditation, healing lamp lighting, and a se-

rene library are some of the property’s amenities and a glimpse into the cultural experiences of Kerala like Kathakali, Kalaripayattu and more will also provide. Tamara Leisure Experiences has multiple property launches lined up in different locations across India and has achieved its

target of 1000 keys globally well ahead of schedule. Adding to its German portfolio of hospitality outlets, the organization has recently acquired Moxy Bremen at Uberseestadt in Bremen, marking its fourth hotel acquisition outside India.

Mr. P A Mohamed Riyas, Minister for Tourism, Govt. of Kerala launching the Amal Tamara Alleppey in Thiruvananthapuram. Mr. V.R Krishna Teja IAS, Director, Kerala Tourism; Ms. Shruti Shibulal, CEO & Director, Tamara Leisure Experiences Pvt. Ltd.; Mr. M.G Rajamanickam IAS, Managing Director, Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd are also seen. www.tourismindia.org

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NEWS / HOSPITALITY

AYURVEDIC JOURNEY FOR LIFE HEALING FROM THE INSIDE OUT A

mal Tamara offers the perfect ambiance to achieve the balance of body, mind, and spirit. Here, your days will be spent in complete tranquillity, surrounded by the breath-taking backwaters, swaying palm trees, and chirping birds. Rest all your senses and immerse yourself in the peace and quiet of Alleppey, enjoy glimpses of the rich local culture, and detox with fresh, wholesome, vegetarian meals, prepared specially for your needs, as directed by your consultations with Ayurveda experts at the retreat. Amal Tamara’s wellness philosophy is Chikitsa Chatushpada – a unique Ayurvedic concept, referring to the idea that four limbs of a curative programme, namely, the physician, the patient, the therapist, and the medicine itself, must work in synergy. Their approach bridges the traditional ayurvedic concept with modern-day luxury 32

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to create a perfect symphony of contemporary Ayurveda for your comfort and wellness. Ayurveda at Amal Tamara is focused on the body’s natural ability to heal – helping the body to renew and rejuvenate. Here, you will embark on a journey as an Amal Yatri, your path to Ayurveda for life. They prioritise offering you a holistic healing experience while you are with Amal Tamara. In addition, the retreat staff cares deeply about ensuring that you can carry Ayurveda’s best practices home with you. The Doctors at Amal Tamara will help guests to absorb the principles of this time-tested school of medicine, allowing for lifestyle changes that will extend far beyond your stay with them. As Amal Yatris, guests become a part of a community with longterm access to their space and experts.

Staying with Amal

A true healing journey is best when tranquillity, comfort, warm and thoughtful accommodation that assures guests the privacy and convenience during their stay at Amal Tamara. Amal offers guests three categories of rooms to choose from Astha, Ekta, and Idha Rooms IDHA ROOMS Idha rooms, the most spacious at Amal Tamara are 550 sq. ft. + a private balcony overlooking the backwater. The features of an Ekta room, with an additional walk-in closet or changing area, are designed in the traditional Kerala style of architecture. For a long stay, the added space and comfort can make the world of a difference, offering you the warmth, privacy, and convenience, you need for your healing journey.

EKTA ROOMS The Ekta rooms are 450 sq. ft. in size + a private balcony overlooking the backwater that offers guests all the features of an Astha room, with an additional seating area – perfect for those staying for longer periods of time, or those who enjoy a little added space. Private bathrooms and balconies allow for all the comforts of home, with the added perk of waking up to the stunning view of the lake outside your window. ASTHA ROOMS Complete with a private balcony, overlooking the Vembanadu lake, the Astha rooms at Amal Tamara have 350 sq. ft. + a private balcony. Elegantly designed with hardwood furniture, a convenient workspace, single or twin beds with linen bedding, a foyer, and a private bathroom, are perfect for your healing journey.

THE AMAL WAY OF LIFE www.tourismindia.org

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NEWS/ HOSPITALITY

WOODS AT SASAN LAUNCHES INDIA’S FIRST SATTVIC MEAL PLAN Woods At Sasan is the flagship venture of 1000 Island Hotels and Resorts, a hospitality signature that brings people closer to themselves and the environment

oods AtSasan, the biophilic and sustainable wellness luxury retreat, has innovated a sattvic nutritional

meal plan making it India’s 1st nutritional retreat based on sattvic principles. In the post-Covid era, with health

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as the prime focus, the Sattvic Meal Plan draws from ancient Ayurvedic principles of ‘the right food and the right lifestyle’ to present an innovative and structured nutritional meal plan that is complemented by the experiences of a mindful stay at the retreat - natural immersions and

outdoor escapes with a team of naturalists, and best-in-class wellbeing programming at SOM, their holistic wellbeing center. Boldly breaking from conventional 3-meals-a-day buffet plans in vogue in the hospitality sector, the pioneering Sattvic Meal Plan offers a

carefully curated, 5 balanced meals a day plan that’s positioned around the natural circadian rhythms of the body – food served when your body needs it. Wholesome, bountiful and life-enhancing, each dish on the plant-based Sattvic Meal Plan is made from fresh, seasonal, locally sourced and organic produce, with a majority of it grown in-house in their Edible Garden. Working on the Sattvic idea that the act of eating is not just what you eat but how you eat, the plan offers Pre-breakfast Juices, a Nutritional Breakfast, the Celebratory Slow Lunch, a SomSundowner and the immersive Silent Dinner, all perfectly cooked and ideally portioned. “At Woods At Sasan, the flagship retreat of 1000 Island Hotels & Resorts, we innovate products and services that further our idea of a sustainable wellbeing lifestyle. With this in mind, we made a conscious decision to shift from a resort to a wellbeing retreat. During this transition, we realised the need for a comprehensive nutritional plan that aligns with our philosophy of holistic well-being, and that’s how the Sattvic Meal Plan evolved – as a healthy and experiential meal plan that’s ofwww.tourismindia.org

fered during the full length of your stay. Developed over the past year with inputs from nutritionists and subject experts, The Sattvic Meal Plan approaches wellbeing from a holistic point of view,” says Mr. Maulik Bhagat, Founder, Woods At Sasan. Blending the best of traditional nutritional knowledge with modern culinary techniques the Sattvic Meal Plan at Woods At Sasan follows 4 core principles - living and wholesome food, mindful food choices that are light on seasoning, a multi-sensorial experience of eating, and meals prepared and served in accordance with the circadian rhythm. Together, they form a pow35 erfully energising and healthful diet that elevates the body and mind to a

state of calm and balanced clarity. A sattvic lifestyle promotes food habits that are pure, essential, natural, energy-giving, conscious, honest, and wise. Every dish is prepared with living, fresh, and organic ingredients that are ethically bought and wholesome providing high vital energy. These plant-based meals include the use of good fats and natural oils to ensure dishes prepared are tasty yet healthy. Woods AtSasan, situated on the fringe of the SasanGir forest, offers a holistic approach to wellbeing that considers physical, mental, spiritual and environmental wellbeing. With the launch of the Sattvic Meal Plan, the team has achieved yet another milestone in their quest for a slow, sustainable and design-led wellbeing lifestyle.

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NEWS/ HOSPITALITY

COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT BENGALURU HEBBAL BRINGS MAGICAL STAYCATION PACKAGE O

This Summer Relax, Rejuvenate and Replug at a specially crafted Staycation

ne of North Bengaluru’s picturesque hotels, Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal is an ideal destination for staycations. Adorned with blends of comfortable rooms, excellent in-room facilities, and amenities, the hotel brings to you exciting offers on food and drinks. Indulge in exquisite cuisines at Hebbal Café, the signature all – day dining restaurant at the hotel or head to Nazaara, the stunning openair, rooftop restaurant which is the perfect getaway for delicious Indian cuisine. Patrons can sit back and unwind with exquisite cocktails with the blue of the sky melting with a beautiful lake in front and scintillating music to further enhance the overall experience. One also gets to lounge by the infinity pool with a pristine setting and view of the city as well as relax at Tattva Spa for some in36

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dulgent massages and skin routines. Escape to an experiential staycation at Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal with this limited-period offer, Magical Staycations. As part of

this offer, patrons get: Breakfast at Hebbal Café, Lunch or Dinner at Hebbal Café, 15% discount on Spa, Buy 1 get 1 from 1700 hrs to 1930 hrs on select beverages at

Nazaara, 20% discount on Food and Beverage, 50% savings on interconnecting room applicable for kids below 12 years, Kids stay and dine free (up to 12 years), Complimentary Wi-Fi, Special in-room amenities. Guests can book this experience on the hotel’s website by clicking on the link marriott.com. The booking window is open till 30th April 2022

SATURDAY BRUNCH, BARBEQUE & DRINKS BY THE POOLSIDE

ourtyard By Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal, serving global cuisine with an indigenous flair, has introduced Saturday Brunches & Barbeque every Saturday. Warm summer afternoons means outdoor drinking and what better way to do it than by the poolside. It welcomes patrons to help unwind with a zest of delicately barbecued grills and unlimited beverages with their squad. Executive Chef Rohan Malwanakar has put together a sumptuous feast for this newly launched brunch at the hotel. The Brunch & Barbeque menu features Chicken Peri Peri Drumstick, Grill Prawns, Rosemary and Olive, Pesto Chicken, Grilled Cottage cheese Skewers, Zaatar Vegetable and much more! The outdoor seating by the pool under the sky is the perfect spot for unwinding after a long week of work. For a weekend filled with uninterrupted excitement, entertainment and bespoke hospitality, you could also opt for a Staycation package at unbelievable prices! www.tourismindia.org

ABHISHEK KRISHNA AS THE DIRECTOR OF TALENT &CULTURE AT NOVOTEL VISAKHAPATNAM VARUN BEACH

ovotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach has announced the appointment of Abhishek Krishna as the Director of Talent and Culture. In his role, he will be spearheading the talent acquisition and culture teams for one of the flagship properties Of Novotel in India. Mr. Krishna will also oversee all organizational human resources functions, including recruitment, hiring processes, onboarding, compensation, employee relations, and professional development. With 14 years of hospitality experience and a deep understanding of talent acquisition, he will be prominent in managing the entire HR and training functions. On Abhishek’s appointment, Ravi Rai, Cluster General Manager, Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, Novotel Vijayawada Varun, and The Bheemili Resort expresses, “We are delighted to have Abhishek as the37new Director of Talent and Culture. He is a positive personality and will bring forth his gamut of experience in the HR sector that will work towards enforcing company policies and best practices for the hotel.” Prior to joining Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, Abhishek has worked in the Talent and Culture space with reputed brands across India. APRIL 2022 TOURISM INDIA

NEWS / AUTOMOBILE

BEYOND MOBILITY’ HYUNDAI MOTOR INDIA GREETS THE FUTURE OF MOBILITY Brings up an Iconic Installation near IGI Airport, New Delhi; The symbolic ‘Namaste’ installation represents Hyundai’s brand direction ‘Beyond Mobility’ and its commitment to India; 38

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rings up an Iconic Installation near IGI Airport, New Delhi; The symbolic ‘Namaste’ installation represents Hyundai’s brand direction ‘Beyond Mobility’ and its commitment to India; Inspired from the global vision of Progress for Humanity, the iconic installation is a classic amalgamation of Human Values & Technological Progression Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has unveiled an iconic ‘Namaste’ installation near the IGI Airport, New Delhi to welcome all its visitors. Inspired from the

brand vision of Progress for Humanity, the ‘Namaste’ installation is designed to represent the sustainable future of mobility. Commenting on the unveiling, Mr. Unsoo Kim, MD & CEO, HMIL said, “25 years ago, India welcomed Hyundai as a gracious host. Now, the symbolic ‘Namaste’ installation is a testament to our global vision of Progress for Humanity, wherein technology and human values come together to deliver path-breaking innovations and sustainable technology thereby manifesting the future of mobility into a welcoming gesture. With this installation we at Hyundai welcome the Future of Mobility and the visitors of IGI Airport with great optimism and positive energy.” The 30 feet tall ‘Namaste’ installation comprises of a robotic hand that symbolizes the Advanced Technology along with human hand in a wheel repre-

senting the integral role of humanity in Long Term Sustainability & Progress for Humanity. At Hyundai, we are taking experiences Beyond Mobility and are strongly focussing on Intelligent Technology, Sustainability & Innovation. As a part of our commitment to the nation, we will continue our efforts towards the betterment of society and communities. The installation is centrally located on the approach road to IGI Airport and will cater to visitors coming from New Delhi and Gurugram to IGI airport as well as those coming from the airport side to enter Delhi. Use of live plants surrounding the installation, showcases Hyundai’s values of collectively working for a better and sustainable tomorrow. The initiative is the true testament of Hyundai’s commitment to India in line with its brand direction of “Beyond Mobility”.

Inspired from the global vision of Progress for Humanity, the iconic installation is a classic amalgamation of Human Values & Technological Progression www.tourismindia.org

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NEWS / AVIATION

QANTAS LAUNCHES DIRECT FLIGHT FROM SYDNEY TO BENAGLURU FIRST DIRECT ROUTE BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND SOUTHERN INDIA, SET TO TEAM UP WITH INDIGO AIRLINES

ustralia’s national airline Qantas will fly non-stop from Bengaluru to Sydney, and is finalising a codeshare partnership with IndiGo to make travel between India and Aus-

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tralia easier. From 14 September, Qantas will operate four weekly return flights between Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru and Sydney’s

Kingsford Smith International Airport with its widebody Airbus A330 aircraft. These are the first direct flights between Australia and southern India

antas Group CEO Alan Joyce said demand for di-

rect flights between Australia and India had grown steadily since both countries reopened their borders. “For the first time southern India will have a direct connection to Australia, which will make travel between the two countries more convenient and much faster for customers. The signing of the Australia-India free trade agreement will also drive travel demand as trade and investment links expand between Australia and India’s population of more than one billion people. Our new direct flights from Bengaluru to Sydney, combined with the proposed codeshare with IndiGo, have the potential to reshape the way many people travel between Australia and India.”

by any airline, cutting almost three hours off the current fastest trip between Bengaluru and Sydney. The Bengaluru community has strong connections with Australia for both business travel and people visiting friends and relatives. Famous for its beautiful beaches and iconic landmarks the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, Sydney is one of the world’s most iconic cities. Qantas will continue to operate up to five flights a week between Melbourne and Delhi, making it the only airline offering direct flights between both northern and southern India and Australia. Travellers are also set to ben-

efit from improved one-stop access to Sydney from more than 50 Indian cities, as part of a proposed codeshare agreement between Qantas and IndiGo. Once finalised, customers will have more convenient access from not only the major Indian cities, but many popular regional cities such as Pune and Goa. The proposed codeshare agreement will enable seamless connections via Bengaluru, Delhi, or Singapore into Australia’s largest capital cities. Qantas is Australia’s leading premium airline, with all customers receiving complimentary food, drinks, baggage, and inflight entertainment. As part of the proposed agreement, customers who join the Qantas Fre-

quent Flyer program will be able to earn and redeem points on connecting IndiGo flights (QF code only) and IndiGo will recognise Qantas Frequent Flyer benefits for tiered members (Silver, Gold, Platinum and Platinum One) including priority check-in, additional baggage allowance and priority baggage. Qantas customers travelling on IndiGo will enjoy the same baggage allowance for the entire journey as well as complimentary food and drinks. The partnership will extend to Jetstar customers who will be able to book connecting flights on IndiGo services through its Jetstar Connect platform on jetstar.com, currently intended to start from late April.

“We are delighted to welcome Qantas to BLR Airport, India’s third busiest airport in terms of passengers and cargo. Australia is a very important market for South India and Bengaluru in particular, for corporates, students and leisure travellers. “The newly announced non-stop Bengaluru-Sydney service will further strengthen the position of BLR Airport as the nat41 ural gateway for South and Central India. South India contributes the largest share of visitors between Australia and India with Bengaluru strategically located in the midst of the South Indian peninsula. With state-of-the-art infrastructure, including a second parallel runway and a new terminal, which will be operational later this year, the timing of this flight couldn’t be better.. “The proposed code sharing arrangement between Qantas and IndiGo, BLR Airport’s largest carrier with a large number of non-stop domestic routes, has opened will open up many new one-stop city pairs between South and Central India and Australia.

Mr. Hari Marar, MD & CEO, Bangalore International Airport Ltd:

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NEWS / AIRLINES

VISTARA DEPLOYS RFIDAEROCHECK TECHNOLOGY V

REITERATES COMMITMENT TO MAINTAINING HIGHEST SAFETY STANDARDS

istara has announced its partnership with Aerospace Software Development (ASD) and became the first scheduled Indian airline to deploy RFIDAeroCheck technology as part of its commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards. ASD’s RFIDAeroCheck will track the presence and expiration of emergency equipment on the airline’s entire fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft. Yet another industry-first by Vistara, the RFIDAeroCheck technology enables efficient management of all life-limited components, ensuring their presence on the aircraft as well as tracking expiry dates. This is done by storing information related to tracked components within a server-wide application database including information on defined equipment types, aircraft locations, and configurations as well as information on various parts. Using the latest ATA Spec2000 and GS1 standards, RFIDAeroCheck is fully compliant with industry standards. 42

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Mr. S K Dash, Senior Vice President – Engineering, Vistara, said “Ensuring the safety of our customers and employees is the topmost priority at Vistara and we are committed to investing in technologies that aid our growth plans and enhance our safety framework. We are pleased to partner with Aerospace Software Development (ASD) for the deployment of RFIDAeroCheck which provides a quick and accurate integration of our maintenance processes, giving us the required commercial and operational flexibility across our fleet. We are also proud to be the first Indian airline to introduce this cutting-edge technology to the Indian aviation sector – another step in our digital transformation journey.” Mr. Dave Browne, Managing Director, Aerospace Software Development, said “We are delighted that Vistara selected ASD as their RFID partner and we are very proud to have Vistara as our first airline customer in India. Working in partnership with

Vistara, we have implemented the RFIDAeroCheck solution on time and on budget. The successful implementation of RFIDAeroCheck at Vistara will lead to tracking of all emergency equipment on aircraft in a fraction of the time currently required and with significant financial savings.” With the RFIDAeroCheck, aircraft scans can be completed within minutes, ensuring accurate data and timely information regarding upcoming requirements. For instance, an RFID maintenance scan on a Boeing 787 aircraft (with 288 life vests on board) can be completed in less than a minute by simply walking down the aisle. An O2 Generator presence and expiry check which takes 4 manhours on an average (usually 2 mechanics spending 2 hours each) can be completed in 30 seconds. Vistara brings together Tata’s and SIA’s legendary hospitality and renowned service excellence to offer the finest full-service flying experience in India.

VISTARA REKINDLES THE JOY OF TRAVELLING WITH #THESOUNDTRACKOFTRAVEL

CAMPAIGN

istara announced the launch of a one-of-its-kind melodious campaign, #TheSoundtrackOfTravel. Aimed at rekindling the joy of travelling by evoking feelings that one goes through in anticipation of their next vacation, the special soundtrack has been curated using recognisable sounds that one gets to hear while travelling with Vistara. The Soundtrack of Travel is a mash-up of many familiar sounds that travellers get to hear at the airport – the hustle-bustle of the passengers, the roar of the aircraft engine, the splashing of hot

coffee being poured at 35,000 feet and the ding of the seatbelt sign turning off when the aircraft lands. It aims to capture the audience’s imagination and spark nostalgia for some of their best travel memories. Mr Deepak Rajawat, Chief Commercial Officer, Vistara said, “We are excited to be the first Indian airline to introduce such a unique melody, with ASMR sounds, that brings back the joyful memories of people’s numerous excursions. Through the Soundtrack of Travel, we also try to recognise the various teams who work together in harmony to deliver the seamless

experience our customers have grown to love and appreciate. We hope this music becomes the soundtrack of many journeys together with our customers.” #TheSoundtrackOfTravel is a 360-degree holistic, multiple-touchpoint campaign which will be amplified across radio, digital, social media channels, TV and cinemas; and will also be available to customers onboard Vistara World starting May 2022. A dedicated Spotify channel will be the next leg of the campaign to reach a wider audience and inspire them to travel again.

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NEWS /AIRLINES

INDIGO

REINFORCES REGIONAL NETWORK IN SUMMER SCHEDULE

Announces 100 domestic flights; To introduce 20 exclusive routes and re-commence 16 exclusive flights effective March 27, 2022

o strengthen connectivity, IndiGo has launched its summer schedule including 100 flights connecting key metro and regional cities in India, starting from March 27, 2022. IndiGo is introducing exclusive flights between Pune-Mangaluru, Pune-Visakhapatnam, Hubli-Hyderabad, Amritsar-Lucknow, Jaipur-Patna, Jaipur-Varanasi, Jammu-Indore, Jammu-Varanasi, BhopalChennai, and Tirupati-Tiruchirappalli starting from March 27, 2022. The airline is also adding a 2nd frequency between Amritsar-Srinagar, Chennai-Bhubaneshwar, Indore-Jaipur, Chandigarh-Hyderabad and commencing operations between Prayagraj-Lucknow under RCS route, effective March 27, 2022. The airline will be resuming operations exclusively between Madurai-Tirupati, Pune-Ranchi, Pune Thi44

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ruvananthapuram, Kolkata-Dehradun, Hyderabad-Dehradun, Hyderabad-Srinagar effective March 27, 2022, and Ahmedabad-Agra, Ahmedabad-Ranchi from June 02, 2022. Additionally, the airline is resuming operations between Chennai-Shirdi, from March 29, 2022. IndiGo is also commencing additional frequencies connecting Bhubaneshwar- Kolkata, BhubaneshwarHyderabad, Mumbai-Vadodara, Mumbai-Bengaluru, Mumbai-Delhi, Mumbai-Chennai, Bengaluru-Delhi, Bengaluru-Chennai, Bengaluru-Thiruvananthapuram, Kolkata-Guwahati, Hyderabad-Coimbatore, Hyderabad-Delhi, Hyderabad-Goa, Hyderabad-Indore, Hyderabad-Vijayawada, Chennai-Delhi, , ChennaiPune, Chennai-Vizag, Chennai-Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai-Tiruchirappalli,

Delhi-Chandigarh, IndoreJaipur, effective March 27, 2022. Mr. Sanjay Kumar, Chief Strategy and Revenue Officer, IndiGo said, “We are pleased to announce these 100 flights to strengthen our domestic network. These new and recommenced routes will not only enhance our domestic connectivity across regions, but also cater to the city-specific travel demand. Reinforcing inter and intra-regional connections between north, east, south, and west, these flights will also promote trade and tourism across the regions. We will continue to offer new routes as per the travel demand on various sectors. It is our endeavour to consistently provide IndiGo’s signature on-time, courteous and hassle-free service at affordable fares, across an unparalleled network.”

INDIGO RESTARTS ITS INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS I

Schedule with flights on 150+ routes -Direct connections from key cities in India to destinations across Middle East, South and South-East Asia

ndiGo has announced the resumption of its international flight schedule from various destinations in India. These flights will operate from cities like Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Amritsar, Kozhikode, Kochi, Chandigarh, Tiruchirappalli, Thiruvananthapuram, and Mangaluru. The international destinations include Dammam, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi,

Sharjah, Jeddah, Riyadh, Doha,Bangkok, Phuket, Singapore, Colombo, Dubai, Kathmandu, Maldives, and Dhaka. Scheduled operations on more than 150 routes will be restarted in a phased manner through the month of April 2022. Flights to these routes had earlier been operating under air-bubble agreements with the respective countries. Scheduled operations from to destinations in Thailand have

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already commenced fromMarch 27, 2022. The resumption of these flights will bolster India’s connectivity with the globe and aid in the acceleration of economic and tourist activities that had been impacted by the pandemic. Mr. William Boulter, Chief Commercial Officer, IndiGo said, “We are pleased to resume our scheduled international operations. Following the easing of restrictions, we are witnessing a huge demand for international travel. We hope that this enhanced connectivity with various destinations across the continent will provide a boost to the travel and tourism sector, while proving to be a catalyst for economic revival. IndiGo remains committed to play its part in helping the nation bounce back and we will do so via our signature on-time, courteous and hassle-free service at affordable fares, across an unparalleled network.” In addition to these flights, IndiGo has also announced the commencement of bookings for flights to Muscat and Kuala Lumpur starting operations in May 2022 and, to Istanbul in June 2022. APRIL 2022 TOURISM INDIA

NEWS / AIRLINES

EMIRATES TO RE-INSTATE PRE-PANDEMIC FLIGHT FREQUENCIES TO INDIA

Emirates currently has codeshare agreements in place with 22 airline partners and two rail companies

mirates will re-introduce pre-pandemic flight frequencies to its destinations in India from 1 April 2022. The airline will be operating 170 weekly flights to nine cities in the country. The move comes on the back of the decision by the Indian government to restore international flights to and from the country in line with established bilateral agreements from the end of March 2022. Emirates will be operating the flights Mumbai- 35 weekly flights, New Delhi- 28 weekly flightsBengaluru – 24 weekly flights, Chennai- 21 weekly flights, Hyderabad21 weekly flights, Kochi- 14 weekly

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flights, Kolkata – 11 weekly flights, Ahmedabad- 9 weekly flights, Thiruvananthapuram- 7 weekly flights Emirates has also brought back its customer-favourite Airbus A380 on a daily basis between Dubai and Mumbai in March 2022. Emirates flight EK 500/ 501 is operated by the iconic double decker aircraft. Customers travelling on Emirates across all classes of travel can enjoy an unparalleled flying experience with spacious cabins and signature service. During their flight, Emirates customers can savour regionally inspired meals and more than 4,500 channels of content on its award-winning in-flight entertain-

ment system, ice. Customers travelling in First and Business Class with Emirates from Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi can avail complimentary chauffeur drive service to the airport and on arrival at select locations within the airline’s global network. Customers travelling in premium cabins and Emirates Skywards members in select membership tiers will also have access to Emirates’ exclusive lounge experience in Dubai and select airports around the world. Emirates continues to lead the industry with innovative products and services and recently took its customer care initiatives further with even more generous and flexible booking policies, which have been extended to 31 May 2022. Keeping the health and wellbeing of its passengers as top priority, Emirates has introduced a comprehensive set of safety measures at every step of the customer journey.

QATAR AIRWAYS CELEBRATES THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN The airline will serve bespoke Iftar treats to passengers travelling on select routes

atar Airways welcomes the Holy Month of Ramadan and prepares its flights for Iftar by serving bespoke treats to passengers on board and at Hamad International Airport (HIA). The airline’s cabin crew will announce the ‘Maghrib’ prayer time on board and will invite passengers to enjoy their Iftar meal together. Passengers will be presented with a specially designed Iftar treat that includes a selection of vegetarian and non-vegetarian wraps, a sweet box with traditional Arabic desserts, dates, fresh laban and a water bottle. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr Akbar Al Baker, said: “Ramadan is a special time for many of our passengers, and we would like to take this opportunity to embrace the unity that comes with the traditions of this Holy Month. As the World’s Best Airline, it is important for us to provide a customised service that caters to the needs of fasting travellers, and goes the extra mile to ensure their journey is seamless. On behalf of Qatar Airways, I wish you all a blessed Ramadan.” Qatar Airways’ Iftar treats are designed to embrace the spirit of the Holy Month, and feature Arabic calligraphy writing, wishing passengers ‘Ramadan Kareem’. To share the joy www.tourismindia.org

and traditions of Iftar, all passengers will be served an Iftar treat when travelling on select routes across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. Travelling between time zones can be challenging for the fasting traveller; thus, the Qatar Airways cabin crew will make an announcement and serve the Iftar treats at the time of breaking the fast. Throughout the Holy Month of Ramadan, passengers can enjoy the airline’s Islamic collection on Qatar Airways’ award-winning Oryx One Inflight Entertainment System (IFE); they can listen to the Quran or enjoy watching different Islamic programmes on Islam and Life Channel. During Ramadan, more than 700 new entertainment options will be added to Oryx One as part of the airline’s festivities. Oryx One 47 IFE offers passengers over 5,000 entertainment options, from the latest blockbuster movies, TV box sets, games and much more. Passengers transiting via Doha can continue their spiritual rites at Al Safwa First Class Lounge and Al Mourjan Business Lounge, where the call to prayer will be announced and guests will be wel-

comed to utilise the readily available prayer rooms. When passengers are ready to break their fast, Qatar Airways premium lounges offer a selection of traditional Ramadan favourites over and above an already extensive menu. In addition to Arabic coffee and dates service, jallab, tamarind, kamardine, rose syrup, laban and water will be offered to quench the passenger’s thirst. Vegetable Samosa, Tharid and Harees will also be included as traditional Ramadan favourites to the dining experience. HIA has 16 spacious prayer rooms with dedicated ablution facilities, designed to accommodate passenger’s spiritual needs. When passengers are ready to enjoy their Iftar meal, HIA offers more than 30 restaurants and cafés including Harrods Tea Room, Armani Ristorante and Evergreens Organics.

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NEWS / AIRLINES

QATAR AIRWAYS INVITES FANS TO BEAT THE CLOCK & SECURE

THEIR SEATS

With a successful Final Draw complete and groups set, fans are invited to secure their all-inclusive travel packages from Qatar Airways, the Official Airline Partner of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

ith the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ Final Draw completed and the 32team tournament set to kick off on 21 November, Qatar Airways celebrates the successful ceremony and is ready to welcome

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teams to the country as nations’ groups for the round-robin stage are set. The airline invites fans from around the world to purchase their all-inclusive Qatar Airways travel packages to secure their tickets to cheer on

their favourite team by visiting qatarairways.com/FIFA2022, as Qatar anticipates hosting more than 1.5 million fans for the most popular sporting event. From now until 30 April, eligible members of the Qatar Airways Privilege Club who book an individual flight or a travel package during the FIFA World Cup™ period (15 November – 18 December 2022) will earn 5,000 bonus Avios upon completion of their journey. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “The Final Draw is a major milestone as nations around the globe look to the FIFA World Cup™. At Qatar Airways, we are proud and excited to help fans travel and witness this incredible tournament in Qatar. With groups now set, we encourage fans to

experience Qatar Airways’ truly unique and hospitable service as our nation welcomes the world.” To mark this milestone, the airline hosted Final Draw viewing events in seven cities around the world, including Frankfurt, Johannesburg, Lagos, London, New York City, Paris, and São Paulo. While guests who attended the ceremony live in Doha were able to relax in an award-winning Qsuite, to experience the feeling of traveling in the World’s Best Business Class. Fans can choose from seven-tiered travel packages, which include return flights, match tickets, and accommodation options. Customers can reserve their seats for their preferred matches and follow their favourite team. Qatar Airways’ unique travel packages start from USD $3,400 per person*. The travel packages are currently live and accessible in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France,

Germany, Greece, Georgia, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Iran, Japan, Kenya, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Nigeria, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, South Africa, Sudan, Spain, Sweden, Tunisia, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and Vietnam. Additional markets will be added soon (subject to licensing agreements). With a surge in passenger demand expected during the FIFA World Cup™ period, Qatar Airways will implement various strategies to maximise capacity and optimise its network, to ensure that fans from around the world experience the airline’s award-winning service. These strategies include increasing capacity in countries that have qualified for the tournament, as well as those countries where football fans are likely to travel to Qatar for the historic event. The airline will redesign the network to make it more agile and flexible,

offering passengers seamless connectivity around the world. The tournament will be held across eight world-class stadiums which are designed to inspire the various symbols of Arabian culture. The Al Bayt Stadium will host the opening game with a capacity of 60,000 seats, while Lusail Stadium is set to host the final match of the tournament, with a capacity of 80,000 seats. The remaining stadiums will house 40,000 spectators. These include Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Janoub Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium, Education City Stadium, Stadium 974, and Al Thumama Stadium. In its goal to bring communities together through sport, Qatar Airways has an extensive global sports partnership portfolio that includes football-governing bodies such as FIFA, CONCACAF, and CONMEBOL. The airline also sponsors some of the world’s biggest football clubs including Al Sadd SC, Boca Juniors, FC Bayern München, K.A.S. Eupen and Paris Saint-Germain.

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NEWS / AIRLINES

ETIHAD’S TRAVEL TIPS FOR A SMOOTH SPRING BREAK Passengers who are fully vaccinated do not need a PCR test when returning to Abu Dhabi

s travellers begin flying for the spring break, Etihad Airways is preparing to welcome a large volume of passengers at Abu Dhabi International Airport over the weekend and urges travellers to follow the travel tips. Covid related travel restrictions have been completely removed for

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travellers flying to UK, Bahrain and Ireland, while travellers to Jordan, Maldives or Saudi Arabia need only provide a health declaration form. More information can be found on etihad.com/destinationguide. Travellers departing from Abu Dhabi will only need to take a PCR test if it is a requirement of their fi-

nal destination. Passengers who are fully vaccinated do not need a PCR test when returning to Abu Dhabi. Terry Daly, Executive Director Guest Experience, Brand and Marketing, Etihad Airways, said: “With the removal of most travel restrictions, we’re looking forward to welcoming our guests on board over

the coming holiday period. We’re particularly excited to host families over the school spring holiday, who will experience our new ‘Little VIPs’ family-friendly travel experience.” At Abu Dhabi International Airport, Etihad’s ‘Little VIPs’ offers a dedicated check-in space for families with minimised queuing to make their journeys as smooth as possible. Thoughtful touches include a small set of stairs at check-in counters meaning the younger ones can take a peek at the check-in process with ease. Special Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi’s themed gifts will also be offered inflight.

Etihad Airways travel tips

Arrive at the airport early: Travellers should check in online and arrive early to complete the airport formalities. During peak times, check-

in opens four hours before departure and closes one hour before departure for non-US flights and two hours before departure for US flights. Boarding for all Etihad Airways departures closes 20 minutes before departure. Get Verified to Fly: For destinations with travel restrictions, travellers should visit ‘Manage my booking’ on etihad.com to upload their Covid travel documents. Approval will be shared by email giving passengers confidence that all required documents are in place. Approved passengers can use fast-track ‘Verified to Fly’ desks at the airport, or the self-service kiosks. Use Home Check-in: For more convenient travel options, guests can also check in for their Etihad flight from the comfort of their own

home by visiting etihad.com/homecheckin up to seven hours before their flight. This means passengers can check in their bags, choose their seat and collect their boarding pass and luggage tags from their home in Abu Dhabi. Once at Abu Dhabi International Airport, all non-transit passengers who have used the home check-in service can skip the queues bag-free, making the airport journey seamless. Luggage will need to be collected at the destination baggage belt. Check the flight timing and departure terminal: Given the significant increase in passenger numbers, Etihad Airways will relocate check-in for Economy class guests travelling on selected flights. Please check the latest information on etihad.com or the Etihad app.

SPECIAL INFLIGHT RAMADAN MENU FROM ETIHAD

s part of celebrations of the Holy Month and to offer a specially curated inflight menu for the month of Ramadan, Etihad Airways has teamed up with Emirati Chef Khaled Alsaadi. The Abu Dhabi-based Chef has put his signature twist on authentic Emirati recipes, fusing contemporary cooking techniques and local ingredients to recreate popular Ramadan dishes for guests. Terry Daly, Executive Director of Guest Experience, Brand and Marketing, Etihad Airways, said: “This Ramadan, we wanted to surprise our guests with a special menu that takes a modern approach to traditional, well-loved recipes, to make every iftar on board Etihad Airways a memorable experience. Our special Ramadan menu in collaboration with Chef Khaled brings our guests the warmth and flavours of family iftars while showcasing the best of modern Emirati cuisine. The UAE has seen a dramatic rise in the number of talented young chefs who are deconstructing Emirati cuisine and using traditional recipes and ingredients in new ways www.tourismindia.org

to create a gastronomic experience that is modern yet deeply inspired by the culinary heritage of the country. Guests will be treated to Ramadan meals including lamb quzi with black pepper chutney, bulgur salad with a date vinaigrette, and sticky date pudding. In addition, a selection of Chef Khaled’s bespoke recipes will be available online or by scanning QR codes placed at the bottom of the onboard menu, allowing guests to recreate Etihad’s unique inflight meals at home. Etihad’s Ramadan menu will be available to guests on selected 51 flights that coincide with iftar times. This includes flights to and from the GCC countries and flights catering to Umrah groups travelling to Jeddah and Medina during the month of Ramadan. The Etihad Ramadan experience starts from the lounges at Abu Dhabi International Airport, which has dedicated prayer rooms, and extends to special onboard products and services. Travellers breaking their fast prior to departure or just before landing

will be provided with takeaway bags containing dates and adorned with an image inspired by one of UAE’s hidden gems. Chef Khaled Alsaddi, said: “Travelling during Ramadan, travellers long for a cosy family iftar meal. I wanted to bring the essence and warmth of the family iftar in each and every bite that will taste like the one prepared by mothers and evokes pleasant memories. It was an absolute pleasure to team up with Etihad and its culinary design team and it allowed me to present modern Emirati dishes to international guests travelling on board the UAE’s national carrier.” The airline’s inflight entertainment system, E-box, will be updated with a selection of Ramadan content including recordings of the Holy Quran as well as a Mecca Qibla pointer.

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NEWS / AIRLINES

THAT’S A WRAP! EMIRATES CONCLUDES A STELLAR SIX MONTHS AT EXPO 2020 DUBAI

Over the past six months, Emirates has brought millions of passengers to the Expo, from over 120 destinations, across six continents.

mirates has wrapped up a stellar six months at Expo 2020 Dubai, wowing hundreds of thousands of visitors at it ultra-futuristic Pavilion. As the world’s greatest show lowers its curtain,

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the airline looks back at 180 days of unique experiences at its Pavilion - teleporting visitors into the future of commercial aviation in 2071. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the Chairman

and Chief Executive of Emirates Group said: “It has been an incredible journey. What started off as a bid and dream has turned into a reality. Emirates has been a partner of Expo from the very start and we are proud

to have played a significant role in the success of this mega-event. Dubai has an unbeatable record of always doing things bigger and better, and Expo 2020 Dubai was just that. Emirates’ extensive route network and seamless connectivity have truly made Dubai the world’s meeting point and the best place to be this year, and every year.” More than 40 Emirates aircraft donned with special Expo liveries, including the head-turning “be part of the magic” Expo livery, has flown across the airline’s network to spread awareness of one of the world’s largest global events. Emirates has invested more than AED 100 million in advertising and other promotional campaigns to promote and spread awareness of Expo 2020 across its global markets. From partnering with the famous actor, Chris Hemsworth, to launch a bold campaign during the opening of the Expo, to captivating the world with a viral ad featuring its cabin crew on the tip of the Burj Khalifa – the airline has played a massive role in placing Expo 2020 Dubai on top of

the world’s travel agenda. The airline also rolled out various initiatives and multiple products offers, including specialised trade packages, early-bird offers, and a complimentary Expo Day pass for all Emirates’ passengers – which more than 1 million customers redeemed on emriates.com. More than 20,000 items of Emirates merchandise were snapped up by Expo visitors Since October 2021, Emirates has welcomed a significant number of visitors to its Pavilion. The impressive, multi-sensory installations and

visual experiences offered visitors a glimpse into the future of commercial aviation. The Virtual Reality headset – in which visitors could explore aircraft interior cabins of the future – was the most visited and popular digital experience. Unique, limited edition, memorabilia - such as the Emirates A380 “be part of the magic” Expo aircraft model, and Expo branded passport covers - were some of the most sought after items by aviation fans and Expo visitors who visited the Pavilion.

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NEWS /DESTINATION

ABU DHABI

UNVEILS NEW HOME FOR NATURAL HISTORY Mission to inspire and empower younger generations to protect our planet future through curiosity and discovery; Construction on new museum and scientific research centre expected to be completed in 2025, as the latest addition to Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District

atural History Museum Abu Dhabi, the latest addition to Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District will feature some of the rarest wonders of natural history ever found is expected to be completed in 2025. Visitors will travel on a 13.8-billion-year journey through time and space, which will include a thought-provoking perspective into a sustainable future for planet Earth. A highlight of the new museum’s collection will be the world-famous ‘Stan’, a remarkable, mostly complete 39-foot-long (11.7 meters) Tyrannosaurus rex, which is one of the best-preserved and most studied fossils of this iconic predator from the Late Cretaceous Period. ‘Stan’ the 67-million-year-old dinosaur has a new home at the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi. ‘Stan’ will be joined by an extraordinary Murchison Meteorite specimen, which crash-landed in Australia more than 40 years ago and has since revealed to scientists new information about the early solar system. Containing a huge range of organic ‘stardust’ compounds as well as pre-solar grains which formed 54

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over 7 billion years ago – long before our current solar system existed – the meteorite provides ancient insight into the very building blocks of life. The museum’s collection will feature numerous significant artifacts as part of its curatorial vision, as well as fascinating experiences be-

ing created by a dedicated team in Abu Dhabi, and supported by strategic partnerships with world- leading scholars and natural history experts. Conceived and developed by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) in partnership with Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading creator of destinations and

experiences, the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi will be a scientific research and teaching institution and an educational resource for learning about the evolving story of our planet, aiming to ignite a lifelong passion for the natural world in visitors of all ages. According to HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, nurturing awareness of how we are impacting the planet has never been more important. “Natural history has a new home in Abu Dhabi. A new museum that tells the story of our universe through some of the most incredible natural wonders known to mankind. These are awe-inspiring gifts from nature that we are proud to share with the world – unlocking millions of years of knowledge to not only advance scientific discovery but to inspire our children to protect our planet’s future,” said HE Al Mubarak. “As we nurture a new generation of global advocates that are incredibly curious and passionate about natural history, we are fulfilling our vision to enrich lives and make Abu Dhabi the place for research, research, collab-

oration, and discovery.” As part of Abu Dhabi’s strategy to position the emirate as a center for culture, arts, and creativity the museum will join the diverse cultural institutions and museums in the Saadiyat Cultural District, which include Louvre Abu Dhabi and the upcoming Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi galleries will take visitors on a journey back to the very beginning of time, narrating the evolution of our

universe, the Earth’s formation, and the history of life on our planet – as well as providing a glimpse into our possible future. Covering an area of more than 35,000 sqm, lead architect Mecanoo designed the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi to resonate with natural rock formations,. Every element of the design uses geometry as an overriding theme, with pentagonal shapes resembling cellular structures.

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NEWS / HOSPITALITY

DISCOVER SPECTACULAR DINING SETTINGS

WITH FOUR SEASONS RESORTS MALDIVES From a state-of-the-art padel court to a range of immersive dining experiences, the new offerings are designed to further enhance the guest journey on the private island sanctuary

our Seasons Resorts, Maldives invites travellers to immerse in storied, stylish drinking-and-dining experiences across four distinctive properties, united by their passion for concept-led gastronomy. Crafted with expertise and delivered with impeccable care, the culinary offerings range from theatrical dining productions pulsing with energy and flair, to serene sojourns that brim with nostalgia and are best savoured slowly. Discover each destination through locally harvested ingredients, trademark kitchen techniques, and carefully guarded recipes that are nearly impossible to find in other restaurants. Also worth noting are the thoughtful menus and soulful culinary activities offered at several of the resorts, designed to enrich body, mind, and spirit alike. A Stage for Culinary Extravagance Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, Baraabaru ignites each evening with legendary dining rituals, from tandoor tapas under the stars to Indian thalis on the torchlit 56

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deck. Helmed by Chef Kishan Singh, this lagoon-top restaurant was recently recognized by CNN Travel as one of the Top 10 Finest Tables in the Maldives.

Dishes bursting with creativity and collaboration await at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaruas part of a unique partnership with two Michelin-starred Italian

Chef Gaetano Trovato. Trovato’s à la carte menu at Blu Beach Club marries produce from Tuscany and the Maldives, crafted year-round by the maestro’s on-site protégés – and by Chef Trovato himself during his bi-annual residency periods. Nourishment for the Whole Self Guided by a resort-wide principle of “Planetary Wellbeing,” Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru offers dining options that focus on balance: guests can book a complimentary dosha reading at AyurMa, the resort’s wellness haven, then choose from uniquely categorized Ayurvedic dishes at all its restaurants. Once-in-a-Lifetime Dining Experiences Set sail from Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru to a deserted sandbank in UNESCO Biosphere Reserve waters, where a gourmet barbeque is served on a sand-carved candlelit table beneath a blanket of stars. For unmatched privacy, guests can book Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at

Voavah, an exclusive-use hideaway offering fully customizable dining for up to 22 guests: think beach picnic breakfasts, poolside banquets, or cocktails and hand-caught sashimi aboard a yacht. “At Four Seasons, we recognise that travel is, at its best, a transformative experience,” says Philipp Blaser, Vice President of Food and Beverage for Four Seasons in the Asia Pacific. “The team at each destination provides an intricately imagined culinary dimension, meant to complement the resort’s curation of wellness rituals and cultural activities. We want our guests to connect with the local food culture in myriad ways, from tasting the terroir to experiencing cherished tableside traditions.”

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