TOURISM INDIA APRIL 2018

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April 2018, Vol 20, No 12

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special Many places on the earth are still beyond the grasp of ardent travelers, The Polar regions Arctic and Antarctica.

POLAR

ESCAPES

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10

Top Antarctica Cruises & Tours

TAAI Convention at Sri Nagar Tourism helps build bridges, end alienation

Kerala Blog Express

A Unique Marketing Success for Kerala Tourism

Jharkhand Travel Mart

Jharkhand woos footfalls through Tribal culture INDIA ₹100 US $4.99 UK £2.99 ISSN 2249-2461

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a Reason

Why Alleppey Should be your next Destination

Editor’s note

Polar Escapes: A journey to your soul

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very travel experience helps to change your outlook slightly, maybe travel is the only way to ease people into accepting everyone and situations, teaching you how to go with the flow.Sometimes, it’s a way to connect us with the elements of nature. Travelling sets people on a path towards the infinite vastness and abundance of the universe but it’s up to the traveler to choose how to traverse through this path. Bringing a state of mind which allows one to embrace uncertainty with a smile and live in the moment. Travel has bridged the gap in going from impatience to patience and through Travel we can open the door to our own Hearts and Souls.

To maximize Travel & Tourism’s potential as a Force for Good requires leadership, commitment, and action from all walks of life. Responsible tourism is defined as about showing respect, respect for the environment with a slogan don’t litter and don’t overuse resources, respect for culture, as learn about it, talk to locals and don’t wear behave inappropriately, and respect for people such as show interest, be polite to staff and tip as appropriate.

A Travelers responsibility starts even from the self control of throwing out the scrap through the windows of a train or bus. We can’t slip out from our greatest responsibility and every one of us have to do our own bit to preserve nature for the future generations. Nature tourism is another responsible travel to natural areas, which conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people. Ecotourism is more focused on ecological conservation and educating travelers on local environments and natural surroundings, where as sustainable tourism focuses on travel that has minimal impact on the environment and local

communities.

We had already traveled, conquered, tamed and colonized most of the destinations in the modern world. While living in an era of soft touch has been providing us chances for virtual tour any where around the globe still some places in the earth remains beyond the grasp of many ardent travelers, The Polar regions; Arctic and Antarctica. The South Pole is a continent at the end of the Earth and North Pole is a vastness of frozen waters surrounded by mainland. Out of the seven continents, except Antarctic regions have been permanently occupied by man. Fortunately, this is the only reason, Polar Regions are still existing without much destruction and attracting ardent travelers, Antarctic region is only accessible from November to March, while Arctic is from May to September, the summer season of the respective geographical areas.

Our Earth is a fascinating ecosystem, and our greedy nature trespasses all nature resources for our own life on this planet. Arctic and Antarctica regions have a unique ecosystem.

The Arctic is one of the most enigmatic regions on Earth which is filled with Glaciers and Icebergs and its flora and fauna is also equally importance for the survival of the world. If water and air are the two most important elements for the survival of life, then glaciers and icebergs can take their place at the top of the world’s ecosystem as well.

Travel to Antarctic and Arctic regions will be an eye opener and ultimately, this discovery of our inner self will change our attitude and life once and for all.

Rajani A Executive Editor

April 2018 Tourism India

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INCREDIBLE INDIA | AIRLINES | INDIA OUTBOUND | ONLINE

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April 2018, Vol 20, No 12

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SPECIAL MANY PLACES ON THE EARTH ARE STILL BEYOND THE GRASP OF MANY ARDENT TRAVELERS, THE POLAR REGION, ARCTIC AND ANTARCTICA.

POLAR

ESCAPES

M A G A Z I N E

Tourismindiamagazine

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10

TOP ANTARCTICA CRUISES & TOURS

TAAI CONVENTION AT SRI NAGAR TOURISM HELPS BUILD BRIDGES, END ALIENATION

KERALA BLOG EXPRESS

A UNIQUE MARKETING SUCCESS FOR KERALA TOURISM

JHARKHAND TRAVEL MART

JHARKHAND WOOS FOOTFALLS THROUGH TRIBAL CULTURE INDIA ₹100 US $4.99 UK £2.99 ISSN 2249-2461

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April 2018

Vol 20 No. 12

Managing Editor Ravisankar K V Executive Editor Rajani A Consulting Editor Biju Thomas Art Editor N Bhattathiri Design Editor Gopakumar K Photographer Vivek R Nair, Murukesh Iyer Management executive Divya N.S Business & Editorial Associates London T Haridas +44 7775833754 Germany Thomas Kannenkeril +4915124367982 New Delhi D Anilkumar +91 9868123311 Mumbai K.V. Satyanath +91 9745598126 Kolkata Jayasree Singh +91 94330 60333 Bangaluru Damodaran K Nair +91 8310955261 Coimbatore Biju Thomas +91 9944562027 Pondicherry Ramasubramanian +91 9894977161 Editorial & Corporate office Tourism India Publications Pvt. Ltd SEKT 52, Tourism House, Thamarakulam Lane Sasthamangalam P o, Trivandrum, Kerala, India 695010 Tel: +91 471 2315256 fax: +91 471 2315197 Contact us editor@tourismindiaonline.com Mob: +91 9847060531 circulation@tourismindiaonline.com Mob: +91 99471 60531 marketing@tourismindiaonline.com Mob: +91 99472 60531 Internet edition www.tourismindiaonline.com No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of TOURISM INDIA PUBLICATIONS PVT LTD. All rights reserved. Copyright @2018 Edited, Printed and Published by Ravisankar K V on behalf of Tourism India Publications PVT LTD, SEKT 52, Tourism House, Thamarakulam Lane, Sasthamangalam P O, Trivandrum, Kerala, India 695010 Printed at Maya Offset Printers, Eroor, Ernakulam for Arsha Offset Graphix, Janvilla Lane, Sasthamangalam PO, Trivandrum 695010 Editor: Ravisankar K V

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Polar Expeditions

Ultimate Travel Experience Polar Travel is considered as the best travel and adventure experience, a traveler can ever made in his life time. The two poles of our earth, south and north, offers an unimaginative and unmatchable visual treat and inner beauty for every human being. Explore the world of destination Arctic and Antarctica

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Meet 6 Antarctic Penguin Species Marvelous facts about Emperors, King, Adélies. Chinstraps, Macaronis and Gentoos penguins Cover Page: Polar Bear Mother & Cub Photo: Ravisankar.K.V Locations: Spitsbergen in Arctic circle

ts

Within 10 years Travel and Tourism industry in India is expected to contribute about US $500bn in revenue every year.

Aditya Ghosh, President & Whole Time Director of Inter Globe Aviation Ltd (Indigo)

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Tourism helps build bridges, end alienation 64th Annual Convention of TAAI has concluded in a resounding success at Sri Nagar, the Capital city of Jammu & Kashmir on March 27 - 29, 2018.

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Tourism in South Pole Expeditions have ventured to Antarctica since 1966.

In recent years, these expeditions largely are conducted aboard some 40 vessels, each carrying from six to 500 passengers.

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Seven Adventures in Antarctica

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Ten Top Antarctica Cruises & Tours

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Small is beautiful Courtesy to Polar images & contents: Oceanwide Expeditions, Aurora Expeditions, www.adventure-life.com, Kerala Travels Interserve Ltd. Trivandrum, Foveafoto, Wikimedia commons, pxhere.com

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India targets increase in Foreign tourists by

Novotel Kochi City Centre opens 2nd Accor Hotel In Kerala after the Ibis Kochi City Centre

2020

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Trip of a Lifetime for Bloggers: A Unique Marketing Success for Kerala Tourism 5th edition of Kerala Blog Express provided much scope in its efforts at destination marketing.

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Bake a Cake with Marriott

news/GOVERNMENTAL

India aims high on Foreign tourists by 2020 India tourism has launched Incredible India 2.0 marketing campaign globally to increase the tourist arrivals.

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ndia has targeted to increase India’s share of Foreign Tourist Arrivals in world’s International tourist arrivals to 1% by 2020 and increase to 2% by 2025. The share of India’s Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in world’s International Tourist Arrivals during 2016 was 0.71%, whereas the share of India’s International Tourist Arrivals (which includes Foreign Tourist Arrivals and arrival of Non Resident Nationals) in world’s International Tourist Arrivals during 2016 was 1.18%.

Ministry of Tourism has two flagship schemes viz. Swadesh Darshan -Integrated Development of Theme 8

Tourism India April 2018

Based Tourist Circuits, and PRASHADPilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive for creation of tourism infrastructure and thereby generating pro-tourism culture in the people. A sum of Rs.5638.87 crore has been sanctioned for a total

1% 2%

increase of FTAs is expected by 2020

increase of FTAs is expected by 2025

of 67 projects under various thematic circuits of the Swadesh Darshan scheme. The diverse tourist attractions of the country which includes the large gamut of experiences available in the evening, evening Cruises, Illumination of Monuments, Sound and Light Shows, Evening Arti, Night Bazaars, Fairs are also in the list for Promotion.

To reinforce the spirit of “Adithi devo Bhava” Ministry has launched Social Awareness Media Campaigns and Thematic creatives on different Niche products on Yoga, Medical Tourism, Golf Tourism, Fashion, RiverCruises, Cuisine, Wild Life, Heritage Sites have also been produced.

news/GOVERNMENTAL

‘Monument Mitras’ to adopt heritage sites/monuments Enlisted sites are categorized as green, blue and orange

“A

dopt a Heritage Project” launched on the occasion of World Tourism Day, 27th Sept, 2017 was began with 93 ASI ticketed monuments and has now been expanded to other natural and cultural heritage sites and other tourist sites across India. Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) launched this project to provide world class tourist facilities at the various natural/cultural heritage sites, monuments to make them tourist friendly, enhance their tourist potential and cultural importance in a planned manner across the country.

The project primarily focuses on providing basic amenities that include cleanliness, public convenience, drinking water, ease of access for tourists, signage etc. and advanced amenities like TFC, Souvenir shop, Cafeteria etc.The project envisages that selected public sector companies, private sector companies and individuals will develop tourist amenities at heritage sites. They would become ‘Monument Mitra’ and adopt the sites essentially under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

“Adopt a Heritage Project” focuses on active industry participation to ensure a sustainable model formulation. activity. They would also look after the operations and maintenance of the adopted site initially for the 5 years subject to review at any time.

The heritage sites/monuments enlisted are categorized as green, blue and orange on the basis of tourist footfall and visibility. As a part of project guidelines, it is mandatory for Monument Mitra, who is opting for a monument from green category to choose at least one site from either orange or blue category. The most competitive and innovative vision would be considered as the successful bidding entity. The interested parties selecting more numbers of monuments from orange and blue category shall be given higher weight age. The Interested parties may also opt for any other heritage site/monument or tourist site not mentioned in the above list, under the project and the unlisted tourist site will automatically considered under blue category.

The project focuses on active industry participation to ensure a sustainable model formulation.

Resources for the capital and recurring cost is proposed through industry participation, through CSR or any other funding option subject to review and approval of Oversight & Vision Committee.

Mr. K.J. Alphonse, Union Minister of State of State for Tourism and Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Union Minister of State for Culture, handing over the lease document to Capt Swadesh Kumar as part of Adopt a Heritage Scheme, in the presence of Mr. Sumna Billa IAS, Joint Secretary and Mr. Satyajeet Rajan IAS, Director General of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India.

April 2018 Tourism India

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news/GOVERNMENTAL

Jharkhand woos footfalls through Tribal culture 1st edition of Jharkand Travel mart was held at Ranchi, the Capital city of Jharkhand state from March 23rd to 25th 2018.

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harkand, the unexplored destination plans to promote tourism by its indigenous tribal art forms, Crafts and Textiles. As a part of the initiatives to promote tourism the first edition of Jharkand Travel mart was held at Ranchi, the Capital city of Jharkhand state from March 23rd to 25th 2018.

Mr. Amar Kumar Bauri, Minister for Revenue & Land Reforms, Art, Culture, Tourism, Sports & Youth Affairs, Governemnt of Jharkhand has Inaugurated the first edition of Jharkhand Travel Mart 2018 that is being organised

by Department of Tourism, Govt of Jharkhand. Dr. Manish Ranjan, IAS, Secretary, Tourism, Govt. of Jharkhand ,Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Besra, IAS, Director - Tourism, Govt. of Jharkhand, Mr. Rajeev Ranjan, Joint Director – Tourism, Jharkhand Mr. Sanjay Hakku and Mr. Rohit Hangal, Director of Sphere Travel

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Tourism India April 2018

Lighting of the Lamp by Minister Shri Amar Kumar Bauri, Dr. Manish Ranjan, IAS, Secretary, Tourism, Govt. of Jharkhand, Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Besra, IAS, Director Tourism, Govt. of Jharkhand, Mr.Rajeev Ranjan, Joint Director – Tourism, Jharkhand, Mr. Sanjay Hakku and Mr. Rohit Hangal, Directors of Sphere Travel Media.

Media & Exhibitions were present during the occasion.

The colour full Inaugural ceremony showcases the unique and vibrant Tribal culture of Jharkand. The three day event will bring top buyers and exhibitors face to face on a one-of-its-kind platform

to exibit the tourism offerings of Jharkhand State Tourism.

JTM has hosted more than 300 leading Tour operators and 50 media professionals from across India as part of the promotional programme of Jharkhand.

news/GOVERNMENTAL World’s top 20 busiest a Airports 1.

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New Delhi now World’s busiestAirportlist Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi is ranked 16th in 2017 by ACI World

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s ACI World releases preliminary 2017 world airport traffic rankings Passenger traffic India and China airports were featured among major contributors in air-travel markets.

Demand has continued its robust year-on-year growth across the world’s major airports both in terms of passenger numbers and air cargo.

Passenger traffic at the world’s 20 busiest airports grew by 5.2% in 2017.

With almost 1.5 billion passengers passing through their terminals in 2017, this group of 20 represents 17% of global passenger traffic.

Based on reports from 1,202 airports worldwide, ACI’s preliminary passenger traffic results for the most-traveled airports in 2017 reveal that AtlantaHartsfield-Jackson (ATL) has secured top spot again. With almost 104 million passengers, the airport is within a two-hour flight of 80% of the United States’ population. Beijing (PEK), holds second spot and Dubai (DXB) remained in third position. As a major connection point for long-haul international flights,

Dubai International Airport is also the world’s busiest in terms of international passengers. Total passenger traffic at DXB grew 5.5% in 2017.

Delhi (DEL) jumped from 22nd to 16th solidifying its status as one of the fastest growing airports in the world for passenger traffic; Guangzhou (CAN), in China, grew by 10.3% making it the second fastest growing airport among the top 20. “The surge in cargo volumes and passenger numbers across many of the world’s airports is testament to heightened business and consumer confidence, at least in the short term,” said Angela Gittens, Director General, ACI World. “The world’s airports continue to be a vital link in the economic multiplier effect that aviation provides and the role it plays as an enabler for global commerce is growing”.

“Connecting people, business and places still remains paramount to the aviation sector despite the recent threats of a step backwards in market liberalization in some major economies,” Gittens concluded.

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Hartseld-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Atlanta GA, USA Beijing Capital International Airport, China Dubai International Airport, UAE Tokyo International (Haneda) Airport, Japan Los Angeles International Airport, USA O’Hare International Airport, Chicago IL USA Heathrow Airport London, UK Hong Kong International Airport Pudong International Airport Shanghai, China Aéroport de Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Paris, Franc Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Netherlands Dallas/Ft Worth International Airport, USA Guangzhou Bai Yun International AirportAtatürk, China Flughafen Frankfurt/Main, Frankfurt, German Atatürk International Airport, Istanbu, Turkey Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, India Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakart, Indonesia Singapore Changi Airport, Singapore Incheon International Airport, Incheon, Republic Of Korea Denver International Airport, Denver CO USA

April 2018 Tourism India

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news/GOVERNMENTAL

Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board creates Land Bank

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adhya Pradesh is always been a major tourist attraction and one of the forerunners among the economically rising states of the country which is teeming with vast potential of investment in tourism sector and has good amount of land parcels and heritage properties for private investments which is been promoted by the state on various platforms in the recent past.

Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board has taken one such step for development of tourism and to attract private investors for effective implementation of Tourism Policy. The Tourism Board has procured above 849.077 hectare land for the Tourism Department at 144 places of 49 districts of the State and created a Land Bank for tourism projects in Madhya Pradesh. Besides this, at 71 points, additional 432 hectare land has been identified.

Land procurement is in process and soon it

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Tourism India April 2018

will be transferred to the Tourism Department. Amidst land bank 60 hectare land allotted to 16 private investors which generated a premium of Rs 23.50 crore.

The newly constituted Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge) Mr. SurendraPatwa

MPTB has procured above 849.077 hectares land for tourism projects. informed that the State has been segregated in five tourism regions and potential of private investment has been identified. In Indore region, Indore, Dhar, Khanwa, Burhanpur, Khargone, Badwani, Alirajpur, Jhabua, Ujjain, Ratlam, Dewas, Agra Malwa, Mandsaur and Neemuch district in 43 areas around 233 hectare land

has been transferred to Tourism Department by the Board. Besides this, in these districts additional 17 areas have been identified for procurement and are in process.

In Jabalpur Region, land has been identified in Jabalpur, Katni, Narsinghpur, Chhindwara, Seoni, Mandla, Balaghat, Dindori, Shahdol, Umaria and Anuppur district at 28 areas around 82 hectare land has been transferred, while at 10 points 32 hectare additional land has been identified for land acquisition.

Similarly, in Bhopal region at 33 points around 135 hectare land has been transferred in Bhopal, Sihore, Rajgarh, Vidisha, Raisen, Hoshangabad, Betul, Harda districts.

Through land bank private investors under land transfer policy under Tourism Project 94 hectare land in 19 land plots for Hotel, Resorts and other establishments’ tenders have been invited.

In this noted groups like Mahendra Holiday, Orange County, State Express, JahanumaPalce Hotel, Gen-X Hotel, Sristi Ventures have been included.

news/appointments

PURATOS INDIA APPOINTS ASHISH SETH AS MANAGING DIRECTOR

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uratos Food Ingredient Pvt. Ltd., the subsidiary of the Puratos international group is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Ashish Seth as its new Managing Director. A seasoned professional, Ashish Seth has over 15 years of pivotal experience in the realm of Food & Beverage (F & B) industry.

new Manager Key Accounts & OTAs India for Oman Air

O

man Air as part of its rapid expansion process has brought in a new commercial sales structure in India by appointing Mr. Jayakrishna Bhaskaran as Manager Key Accounts & OTAs - India, based out of Mumbai office. In his new role he will be working with the current 11 India station teams of Oman Air to ensure maximum growth and contribution on Oman Air. Jayakrishna Bhaskaran has been with Oman Air for 8 years and has a rich experience of 21 years in the international airline passenger domain.

Saffron Stays appoints N Karthik

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r. N Karthik, has been appointed as the Regional Head South for SaffronStays, a micro hospitality collective. His primary responsibility will be tofacilitate the growth and development of SaffronStays’ in South India, and to build its presence across all holiday destinations in South India.

As the Regional Head, Karthik will lead a team of professionals -

including acquisition, business development, marketing and operations for the region.

With full responsibility for the leadership and development of SaffronStays’ South business, Karthik will play a key role in planning and execution of business strategies as well as building on the brand’s outstanding reputation for service and delivery to clients.

As the Managing Director, Ashish will be overseeing manufacturing, marketing, product innovation regulatory, customer relations and administrative activities in Puratos India and South Asia .With wealth of experience and proven track record he will continue with the company’s vision to make Puratos India reach newer heights.

Sanjeev Pahwa, VP Development of Taj Hotels

I

ndian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), the parent company of Taj Hotes, Resorts, Palaces & Safaris has announced the appointment of Mr. Sanjeev Pahwa as Vice President Development, in the Real Estate and Development function.

Sanjeev Pahwa joins IHCL from the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. He brings with him over three decades of professional experience with expertise in Business Development, Strategic Planning & Execution and Global Sales & Marketing.

April 2018 Tourism India

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news/GOVERNMENTAL

A Unique Marketing Success for Kerala Tourism 5th edition of Kerala Blog Express provided much scope in its efforts at destination marketing.

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ravelling across Kerala and imbibing the spirit of all that God’s Own Country offered, 30 bloggers from countries such as the US, the UK, France, Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain, Bulgaria, Romania, Venezuela and Peru had embarked on Kerala Blog Express which provided them with much fodder to document their experiences in Kerala so that the travelers who look forward to travelling to the state could benefit from.

The Kerala Blog Express which set off on a two-week-long journey around the state capital and witnessed history etched in places like the famed Kuthiramalika palace and the Padmanabhaswamy temple. After spending time at the globally renowned beach destination of Kovalam, they continued with their journey towards Alappuzha where they experienced the backwaters with a stay in houseboats. A trip around the model Responsible Tourism villages in and around Kumarakom proved to be an

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Tourism India April 2018

Mr. Kadakampally Surendran, Minister for Tourism, Govt. of Kerala clicking a selfie with bloggers during the flag off ceremony of Kerala Blog Express, in the presence of Ms. Rani George IAS, Secretary, Tourism, Mr. Balakiran IAS, Director, Mr. Jafar Malik IAS, Additional Director, Kerala Tourism, Mr. E.M. Najeeb, President, Confederation of Kerala Tourism Industry and Mr. P.K. Anishkumar, President, ATTOI.

experience of a lifetime for the bloggers who took keen interest in getting to know more about Kerala’s successful implementation of its responsible tourism initiatives that had local community friendly as well as nature friendly tourism measures at its centre.

Moving ahead from Alappuzha, the Kerala Blog Express had a brief halt at Kochi, where the bloggers indulged themselves in the experience of a Muziris Heritage site visit, travelling to Paliyam Palace, and the Chendamangalam Synagogue. The bloggers also had a riveting experience by opting for a country boat ride in Kochi’s backwaters.

Travelling further north, the bloggers set foot in Munnar, the picturesque hill station that is considered the pride of Kerala. In Munnar, they were treated to a variety of cultural events and visits to the tea estates and tea factory there. From Munnar, the Kerala Blog Express chugged on to Kerala’s cultural capital Thrissur and had their fill of the experience that the Chathakudam Temple Pooram offered to them.

At Kozhikode, the bloggers had the chance to partake of the experience that the martial arts offered at the famed C V N Kalari. They explored Kozhikode’s sweetmeat lane (Mittayi Theruvu) in local autorickshaws. They were also entertained by the wall paintings organised by ‘Compassionate

Kerala Blog Express participants visiting at Kumarakom Responsible Tourism Village along with Mr. Rupesh Kumar, State Coordinator of Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission

Kerala Blog Express 30 Bloggers from 12 Countries Kozhikode’, after which they visited the Beypore Shipyard .

A visit to the Ezhuthupara and a ‎rappeling adventure made the Kerala Blog Express’s Wayanad jaunt meaningful, after which they travelled to Kannur and indulged themselves in a kayaking session at Dharmadom. A visit to

the Muzhipilangad beach and a session of quad biking was completed before walking into the St Angelo’s Fort in Kannur.

Further north, the arrival in Kasaragod opened before the bloggers a boat ride across Valiyaparamba backwaters. The Kasargod leg of the trip was complete with a Muthappan temple theyyam recital, and sightseeing at Bekal Fort and its surrounding areas.

For Kerala Tourism, the fifth edition of Kerala Blog Express provided much scope in its efforts at destination marketing. The blogs and documentaries uploaded by the bloggers are expected to take Kerala’s fame beyond all that has been achieved hitherto in terms of tourism marketing.

Kerala Blog Express participants at Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty, during the valedictory function.

April 2018 Tourism India

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news/INDUSTRY

Tourism helps build bridges, end alienation Ms. Mehbooba Mufti, Chief Minister, Jammu & Kashmir 64th Annual Convention of TAAI has concluded in a resounding success at Sri Nagar, the Capital city of Jammu & Kashmir on March 27 - 29, 2018.

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ammu and Kashmir is the only place in India where “women are safe” and tourism helps build bridges among people which ultimately leads to minimizing alienation or misgivings about each other, said Ms. Mehbooba Mufti, Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, while inaugurating the 64th convention of Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) at Sheri Kashmir International Convention Centre at Sri Nagar, the Capital city of the Paradise on Earth.

During her inaugural speech Ms. Mehabooba has appealed to India’s travel and tourism industry to clear the negative perceptions about Jammu and Kashmir among our citizens and help in bringing peace to the troubled Valley by bringing more tourists to place J&K Tourism to its

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shining days once again.

Ms. Mehbooba said that visit of tourists to this place is an investment in peace. “My father used to say that when a tourist visits us, it is an investment in peace. Your every step that you set in Kashmir is investment for peace. Just like an Army jawan fights on the borders or fights against militancy that is one way of fighting.

The second is to fight the alienation and the crown of the country has lost its sheen for some time. It needs to be treated by you”, she said.

There are many ways to deal with the situation but we are using only one way to deal it. That is fighting the gun with the gun but the pain it inflicts needs balm that can be provided by the people of the country, by you people”, she said.

Mesmerising view of Dal Lake Photo: Ravisankar K.V

Ms. Mehabooba welcomed the delegates and asked them to bring their families first and then persuade others to come to Paradise on Earth again and again. Jammu and Kashmir is the only place in India where “women are safe” . She termed the people of Kashmir as Waqt Kay Sataye and Taqdeer Kay Maray.

Before concluding her speech Ms. Mehbooba said Jammu & Kashmir state has gone through a phase of enormous violence during the last three decades or so for which people here need a healing touch which tourism sector alone can provide.

Visibility, Connect and Opportunity are the offers from TAAI to Jammu & Kashmir People in the future.

Sunil Kumar, President, TAAI

“Government alone cannot do that, you have to do partnership with us”, she told to the TAAI delegates.

“There is no doubt that we are

going through a very difficult phase but we have invited you today for our handholding”, she said.

Mrs. Mehbooba has urged to TAAI members that, the tourism fraternity of the country to come forward and help in further improving tourist footfall in the State and tourism as the best means of people to people dialogue adding that every effort in this regard would be an investment in peace She was emotional in describing the state and status of Kashmir and it was responded by the audience by standing ovation, she recalled her memory, “My father used to say that people tell us

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news/INDUSTRY

Ms. Mehbooba Mufti, Chief Minister, Jammu and Kashmir inaugurating the 64th Annual Convention and Exhibition of TAAI at Sri Nagar in the presence of Mr. TassaduqHussain Mufti, Minister for Tourism, J&K, Mr. Sunil Kumar, President, TAAI, Mr. Sanjay Narula,Vice President and Ms. Jyothi Mayal, Secretary General f TAAI.

that if you do good deeds, you will land in heaven. But he would say, he did not know if this Jannat (Kashmir) was more beautiful than the Jannat in the hereafter.” Since you came here, it looks spring has come to this place.

Your presence is a good omen.”

Appealing tourists to visit Kashmir, she said: “We have same forests, same lakes and same rivers, there are golf courses, diverse languages, rich culture, I feel that there is no such diversity in any part of the world which we have here which is alone in Jammu and Kashmir.”

Mr. Tassaduq Mufti, Minister for Tourism, J&K said in his address that Jammu & Kashmir provides a varied attraction to tourists in terms of the regions, cultures and cuisines.

The stakeholders have to act as guardians and conservationists for the preservation of the same. The return of TAAI convention after a gap of 31 years offers hope to the members of tourism industry of the State.

Ms. Priya Sethi, Minister of State for Tourism, J&K has also addressed the inaugural function and outlined the uniqueness of the State in providing niche tourism attractions to every segment of society.

Mr. Aditya Gosh, President and 18

Tourism India April 2018

“I welcome you from the core of my heart to most prestigious and mesmerizing city, Srinagar, “the crown jewel” of Kashmir valley and hope that you will bring your families here first because if you come with your families, you can persuade others to come.

Ms. Mehbooba Mufti, Chief Minister, Jammu & Kashmir

Whole Time Director, Indigo Airlines delivered the key note address said that domestic tourism is the backbone of travel & tourism in India and the aviation sector is the major supporter for this growth. The ever increasing costs and escalating revenue sources are the major hindrance in this sector and he urged the J&K Government to convert the Srinagar airfield into a 24x7 airport, which will increase the flow of international and domestic tourist to the state and generate more jobs for the local population and acts as economic growth engine in the region.

Mr. Sunil Kumar, President of TAAI presided over the grand inaugural function and Mr. IAS, Secretary, Tourism, J&K welcomed the gathering.

Mr. Sanjay Narula, Vice President of TAAI and Co Chairman of the 64th annual convention proposed vote of thanks.

J&K cabinet Ministers, Mr. Abdul Rehman Veeri, Mr. Syed Basharat Bukhari, Mr. Abdul Haq Khan, Mr. Syed Altaf Bukhari and legislators were also attended the event.

J&K Tourism department has showcased the rich and varied cultural heritage through traditional dance and musical performances during the inaugural function. .

news/INDUSTRY

TAAI DEDICATED 2018 AS YEAR OF KASHMIR PROMOTION TAAI has declared 2018 as “Visit Kashmir Year”, for the promotion of Jammu & Kashmir – the Paradise on Earth to bring back its old glory

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ravel Agents Association of India (TAAI), has decided to celebrate 2018 as “Visit Kashmir Year”, for the promotion of Jammu & Kashmir – the Paradise on Earth to bring back its old glory .

Over 600 delegates from across the country and abroad visited Kashmir to attend 64th TAAI Convention that concluded successfully on March 30, 2018 at SKICC in Sri Nagar. After successfully holding its three-day 64th TAAI convention from March 27th to 30th, majority of the delegates are

TAAI will promote Kashmir through their websites, print and publicity material, jointly and independently enjoyed their stay in the lap of nature at Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Srinagar.

Mr. Sunilkumar, President of TAAI, while announcing 2018 as “Visit Kashmir Year”, said all their members will promote Kashmir through their websites, print and publicity material, jointly and independently.

The managing committee of country’s leading travel trade organization of prominent industry stake holders has unanimously adopted a resolution as part of their commitment and responsibility to bring back the tourism potential of Jammu & Kashmir tourism

Tulip Garden in full bloom at Sri Nagar

to its old position.

The pre and post-convention tour for the convention delegates was organised by the Department of Tourism, Government of J&K as part of its Familiarization (FAM) programme to expose the travel agents and media persons to the real experience of warmth and hospitality of the Valley.

During the convention, the delegates described Kashmir as “one of the best and most peaceful places for travellers” and the Association announced 2018 as “visit Kashmir Year”. The three day TAAI convention, was held at SKICC Srinagar after a gap of 31 years from TAAI convention was held in 1987 at the same venue.

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Mr.Tassaduq Hussain Mufti Minister for Tourism, Jammu & Kashmir addressing the media at Sri Nagar. Mr. Sanjay Narula, Vice President - TAAI, Mr. Sarmad Hafeez IAS, Secretary- Tourism, J&K, Mr. Sunilkumar, President, TAAI and Mr. Mehmood Ahmed Sha, Director- Tourism, Kashmir are also seen.

Preserve Nature to bring back tourism Tourism should prosper everywhere Irrespective of borders and People should be aware about preserving nature to regain the glorious image of Kashmir in the tourism map: Mr. Tassaduq Hussain Mufti Minister for Tourism , Jammu & Kashmir

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he TAAI convention was held at the famous, impressive and outstanding venue-Sheri-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar from 27 to 30 March,2018. Around 500 leading travel agents from across India are expected to participate in the 64th annual TAAI convention.

Jammu & Kashmir still goes with a negative impression and it should have to change and people 20

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should be aware about preserving nature to regain the glorious image Kashmir in the map of Indian tourism Industry said Mr.Tassaduq Hussain Mufti Minister for Tourism ,Kashmir while addressing media at 64th Travel Agents Association of India.(TAAI) ) convention at Srinagar.

“We have been polluting our rivers and lakes. This trend has to be reversed immediately so that

environmental awareness keeps pace with the development of the tourism industry in Kashmir,” Hussain said.

“It is great to have TAAI delegates here. They organize things very efficiently. I hope we do well with them this year,” Jammu and Kashmir needed TAAI more than they “they need us”. he added According to the minister Tourism should prosper everywhere

Irrespective of borders. He emphasized the need of safe feeling about Kashmir for tourists and locals for the growth of Tourism in the state.

In his Inaugural speech Tassaduq Mufti reflected his interest in nature, ecology ,environment and preservation of cultural heritage of Kashmir. His passion towards the nature is the reason which might have earned him the seat of the Tourism and Culture Minister.

Speaking on the occasion TAAI President Mr. Sunil Kumar exuded confidence that Kashmir tourism would benefit after the conclusion of the three-day convention.

“We are very confident that once this convention concludes successfully, the visibility of Kashmir as a tourism destination will multiply many times and this would result in more tourists coming to Kashmir.

That is our goal, that is our desire and that is our prayer,” he said.

“We will be working on knowledge session on subjects of tourism. We have speakers who would focus on initiatives that the industry stakeholders must take,” he said.

The tourism stakeholders in Kashmir are hopeful that the TAAI convention would help increase footfall of tourists in Valley. “This will help revive tourism in the Valley,” they said.

Tourism Director Mehmood Shah said because of the shortage of 5-star accommodation in Kashmir, only 600 of the TAAI’s 5,000 members were attending the present convention.

“We have delegates from all over the country and outside. There are delegates from the United Kingdom, Taipei, Nepal, Turkey and the UAE.” According to Mr.Kapil Kaul, CEO, Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) India , Infrastructure development and , institutional framework are the need of the hour for J&K Tourism .

interval on the Srinagar sector is a natural outcome of demand and supply. It is obvious that the earlier you book, the cheaper you get. This exists everywhere and here as well. If J&K can build more five-star hotels in the future, then more high profile jobs will create and this will benefit for well educated young generation job aspirants to stick to this industry and this will create more ground for a consistent economic growth and development.

Mr. Kapil Kaul opined that the development of the Srinagar Airport and its operational hours need to be increased for utilizing the full economic potential of the airport.

Tassaduq Hussain emphasized the need of safe feeling about Kashmir for tourists and locals for the growth of Tourism in the state “The lack of international quality tourism infrastructure in the Jammu & Kashmir state is the major bottle neck for the growth of the tourism industry and job creation in the valley and there is a need for a major civic infrastructure development along with institutional framework within the travel, tourism and hospitality industry is needed so that trickledown effect on local economy is larger.” he said Skyrocketing of airfares by frequent

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Re imagine the aviation industry for the future of India : Aditya Ghosh Aviation industry in India contributing 9.4 % to gross GDP and creates 41 million jobs , this shows the importance of Travel & Aviation sector for the overall growth of India.

Mr.

Aditya Ghosh, President & Whole Time Director of Inter Globe Aviation Ltd (Indigo) has urged the J&K government to reduce the aviation turbine fuel (ATF) taxes and see the change taking place on the tourist footfalls in the near future, while delivering the key note address during the inaugural function of 64th TAAI annual convention at Sri Nagar.

He described the Indigo’s previous experience of certain destinations using this method to improve footfalls.

Mr. Ghosh said that within 10 years Travel and Tourism industry in India is expected to contribute about US 500 billion dollars in revenue every year, while Indian aviation market has vast growth potential and can achieve the target of flying 500 million passengers annually within the next decade.

Aviation industry in India currently contributing almost 9.4 % to gross GDP to the country and creates 41 million jobs as being part of the overall tour and travel sector, this shows the importance of Travel & Aviation sector for the overall growth of India.

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policy of the Government of India has set a target of ensuring that there is a half a billion domestic air travelers in India in next nine years. It would seem like an impossible task but if we grow at 25 to 30 per cent every year, we may well get to that half a billion mark before the next decade is out,” Mr. Ghosh added.

Mr. Aditya Ghosh urged the need to re imagine the aviation industry and the travel and tourism market.

Mr. Ghosh, who leads India’s No 1, Low Cost Carrier airlines, addressed the India’s leading Travel agents in the presence of Ms. Mehabooba Mufti, Chief Minister of J&K and Mr. Altaf Bukhari, Finance Minister suggested that, “J& K government is currently charging 26.5 % taxes on the aviation

Mr. Aditya Ghosh, President of Inter Globe Aviation Ltd delivering the key note address during the TAAI Annual convention at Sri Nagar.

turbine fuel, reduce it to just one percent and see the change with immediate future. Citing the example of Andhra Pradesh, Ghosh said one of the measures the Jammu and Kashmir government should take for increasing the footfall of tourists in the state is to reduce the sales tax on aviation fuel. You will see even aircrafts flying to Srinagar for the sole reason to get refueled.” He explained how Andhra Pradesh government did it and how the fate of Hyderabad Airport has triggered a phenomenal growth in the Indian aviation sector by showing a growth of 200 percent increase in the footfalls during the last decade. After state bifurcation, both AP and Telangana are following the suit to attract more airlines to respective states. Now Indigo is flying daily to four destinations in newly created Andhra Pradesh with Vizag, Vijayawada, Rajamudry and Tirupati .

He also suggested that, if there is no change in a few months after implementing the new ATF levy

India expects 1000 aircrafts after 10 years.

1000 550 2018

scheme, the state government has every right to roll back their decision at any point of time.

Mr. Ghosh, who spearhead Indigo as one of the fastest growing LCC in the world, shared his experience about where India’s aviation sector stands and how it can change fortunes, was the main take away of the TAAI 64th annual convention.

Calling for having a fully functional Srinagar airport, there was need to have a 24-hour operational Srinagar airport despite security issues and requires certain basics to improve so that the aviation industry takes Jammu and Kashmir seriously. Last few years Jammu and Kashmir sector has witnessed almost 70 percent improvement in the aviation sector, it still falls behind in comparison to certain smaller destinations like Bubhaneshwar and Viajyawada.

Indigo is ready to park an aircraft in Srinagar for the night so that it can fly early and land late. The Goa airport is a naval base and it is operational 24 x7 for 365 days. “Why cannot Srinagar be the same?” Mr. Ghosh insisted.

Urging the government that it should lay emphasis on providing an

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enabling environment rather than creating infrastructure for tourism, he said once the environment for tourism is conducive, the private tourist players would themselves create the infrastructure. Naming Kashmir a place that was of high repute to his heart, the IndiGo boss said he was charmed to be in the Valley.

Offering a detailed account of how the aviation sector in operates in India, Ghosh said though India’s is the third biggest country in the world ranking in numbers of air travellers, it has still the least aircraft penetration. India has only 550 aircrafts and it will take next ten years to reach 1000 aircraft level.

“This is the even smallest number in comparison to South West airways in the US that has 700 aircrafts and we are ten times behind in comparison to other countries,” he insisted.

Mr. Mehmood Ahmed Sha, Director- Tourism, Kashmir, Ms. Jyothi Mayal, Secretary General of TAAI, Mr.Tassaduq Hussain Mufti Minister for Tourism, Jammu & Kashmir, Mr. Pazhani Murugesan, MC Member, TAAI, Mr. E.M. Najeeb, CMD, ATE Group, Mr. Sarmad Hafeez IAS, Secretary- Tourism, J&K, Mr. B.T. Ramnanai, MC Member, TAAI, Mr. Baijan,Country Manager- India of Abu Dhabi Tourism, Mr. Sanjay Narula, Vice President – TAAI and Mr. Sunilkumar, President, TAAI during the Knowledge Session.

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Kerala Records 10.94% rise in Tourist Arrivals Kerala Tourism recorded the highest number of tourism arrivals in 2017 & more destinations are gaining in prominence in travelers’ minds.

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he year 2017 recorded the highest number of tourism arrivals in the past nine-year period, with a 10.94% rise compared with the figures of last year. An increase of 15.54 lakh new tourists- domestic and foreign travelers combined - was recorded this year, with footfalls going up to 1,57,65,390 in 2017, as against 1,42,10,954 in 2016.

The year 2017 also recorded the highest number of domestic tourist arrivals in the past nine-year period, with the number posting an 11.39% rise compared with the figures of 2016.

An increase of 15 lakh new domestic tourists was recorded this year, with footfalls going up to 1,46,73,520 in 2017, as against 1,31,72,535 in 2016.

Year 2017 saw the highest domestic footfall in Kochi City with a total number of 23, 05,627tourists visiting Kerala’s commercial capital. It may be seen that aspects such as MICE Tourism, Lulu Mall, Wonderla water theme park, the metro nature of Kochi city were those that brought in more domestic tourists to Kochi city.

Meanwhile, the adjacent destinations such as Fort Kochi (2,02,535), and Maradu (98,047) also registered significant rise in domestic footfall.

The temple town of Guruvayur

Domestic and foreign travelers

1,57,65,390 2017

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1,42,10,954 2016

bagged the second place in terms of domestic tourist preference, while Thiruvananthapuram City marked as third. The fourth is Kovalam and fifth Kozhikode city, sixth Wayanad district, seventh Munnar, eighthKumarakom, ninth Alappuzha and tenth Thekkady.

Taking into account the numbers between 2013 and 2016, it has been seen that Guruvayur, which used to be the prime destination of domestic tourists during the past few years, fell in prominence, to the second slot this year. However, the pilgrim destination has been witnessing tourist arrivals of more than 20 lakh per year for the last four years. In 2016, the footfall in Guruvayur was 2336394 which reduced to 2138632 this year. in the meantime Kozhikode city, fell to fifth position in 2017 and Kovalam to fourth.

The hill station of Munnar recorded a footfall of 6,28,427 with an increase of 34.31% over the previous year. Domestic tourists were seen increasingly visiting Munnar –in 2013 the number was 3,68,816 and it rose to 6,28,427 in 2017. Over the past five years, in percentage of domestic tourist inflow to Munnar increased by 70.39%.

In the meantime, Wayanaddistrict registered a footfall of 7, 11,546 with 25.08% increase over 2013, and the beach destination of Kovalam registered a growth rate of 41.42% over 2013.

The increase in flow of pilgrims to Padmanabhaswamy temple pushed up footfalls in Thiruvananthapuram city to 12,17,446, showing a growth of 18.63 percent over 2016. The growth rate is 47.04 percent over year 2013.

Foreign tourist arrivals to Kerala have registered a significant growth of 5.15 percent during the year 2017, compared with the figures of the previous year.

According to statistics compiled by Kerala Tourism, Kerala saw as many as 10,91,870 foreign travelers arriving at its famed destinations in 2017. This is against the total number of 10,38,419 tourists who arrived from foreign lands in 2016.

It has also been found that foreign tourists preferred travelling to Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam districts, while also opting to visit destinations like Alappuzha, Munnar and Wayanad.In terms of specific locations, both foreign and domestic tourists were found to have preferred

The hill station of Munnar recorded a footfall of 6,28,427 with an increase of 34.31 per cent Kochi city as a prime destination.

Considering the foreign tourist arrivals, Kovalam came second in preference and Varkala third. The fourth most preferred location was Fort Kochi, while the fifth slot went to Thiruvananthapuram city, sixth to Alappuzha, seventh to Maradu in Ernakulam, eighth to Kumarakom, ninth to Munnar and the tenth slot was taken up by Thekkady. Foreign travelers showed a liking for hotels and other accommodation units in Kochi city while they toured Kerala.

The trends throw up results which showed that Kovalam, which was the prime destination of international tourist till 2015, has been losing its

charm in 2016 and 2017 over Kochi.

Meanwhile, nearby beach destinations like Varkala and Poovar showed significant growth.

While the growth rate of Kovalam was just 5 percent in the last five years, Varkala registered a growth rate of 130.02 percent in the last five years, with the total foreign footfall in Varkala zooming to 1, 33,658 in 2017. Further, there has also been a specific increase in the number of foreign tourists visiting Kochi city, Fort Kochiand Maradu, at 43.89 percent over the last 5 years.

Total figures of these three destinations increased from 2,52,548 in year 2013 to 3,63,400 in year 2017.

Meanwhile, foreign tourist visits to Kumarakom and Thekkady fell.

Mr. KadakampallySurendran, Minister for Tourism, Cooperation and Devaswoms,said the statistics show up encouraging trends in terms of increasing footfalls both in the international as well as domestic segments. The domestic tourism circuit has shown laudable numbers, and it is heartening that the 2017 recorded the highest number of domestic tourism arrivals in the past nine-year period.

Mrs. Rani George IAS, Secretary, Department of Tourism, said that the trend in tourist arrivals over the past 5 years has shown a marked change in the pattern of tourist visits to different destinations. It is exciting that more destinations are being sought after by tourists, and that shows more destinations in Kerala are gaining in prominence in travelers’ minds.

Highest domestic footfall in 2007

1,42,10,954 in Kochi

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Novotel Kochi City Centre opens

2nd Accor Hotel In Kerala after the Ibis Kochi City Centre

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ccorHotels has officially launched its second property in Kerala, Novotel Kochi Infopark at Kakkanad, after Ibis Kochi City Centre which has opened in 2017 at MG Road in Kochi, the Commercial capital of Kerala- God’s Own Country.

Novotel Kochi City Center will feature 128 rooms including 8 Executive Suites, each featuring modern state of the art facilities such 26

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as 49” smart television, high speed Internet, access to the picturesque Infinity Pool and gym.

Mr. Jean-Michel Cassé, Chief Operating Officer-India and South Asia, said AccorHotels’ have ambitious expansion plans in India this year and the first Novotel in the city and the state of Kerala, Novotel Kochi City Center will be officially launch in April.

The hotel major is going forward with

a series of new opening of various brands of Accor Hotels in across India.

AccorHotels has already launched three hotels in the first quarter of 2018 – ibis Pune Hinjewadi, Novotel Goa Dona Sylvia and Mercure Chennai Sriperumbudur.

AccorHotels will reach almost 2,000 keys mark in 2018 with the opening of Novotel Kochi City Center and open two to three more hotels this year

with Novotel Chennai Chamiers Road, Novotel Vijayawada and ibis Kolkata.

By the year-end, AccorHotels will have 50 properties in India and will also reach a benchmark of 20 Novotel hotels by December 2018, said Mr. Jean-Michel Cassé.

Globally, AccorHotels experienced strong growth in the luxury and upscale segment, opening 30 hotels and signing 60 during 2017, primarily in the Asia-Pacific region (59%) and Africa-Middle East (24%). In 2017, globally the group’s net profit jumped by 66% to 441 million Euros, said Cassé.

AccorHotels is also looking at

In 2017, globally AccorHotels’s net profit jumped by 66% to

441 million Euros

Accor Hotels is looking at improving guest experiences through the launch of ‘MyRoom’, virtual concierge kiosks, and Phil Welcome’. improving guest experiences through the launch of ‘MyRoom’ – a unique and personalised concept that helps create stronger links between employees and guests. This concept allows employees to plan and decorate a room based on their passion, which guests with similar interests can enjoy as well.

This hospitality brand has invested in innovative technological solutions such as the virtual concierge kiosks at its properties which enable guests to access details about the property and also use it as a guide to explore the city. Phil Welcome’ – a chat bot based on the Artificial Intelligence technology designed by AccorHotels to assist with guest’s requests including room bookings digital innovation by the group is explained Cassé.

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Bake a Cake with Marriott

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or the cake lovers there is nothing like the aroma of a freshly baked cake and the joy of enjoying the mouth watering delight. Keeping the same spirit alive, Indore Marriott Hotel’s widely recognised Marriott Culinary Academy (MCA) rolled out Baking Class by Chef Sikander. The bakery’s Chef emphasized a healthy lifestyle and the art of cake making by teaching three types of delicious cakes at the Indore Kitchen. The bakery eatables prepared

by Chef Sikander are fondly adorned by the food lovers of the city.

MCA has successfully completed three months from its launch by teaching various cooking styles

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keeping in view the elements of the kitchen that interests the people most.

According to Mr. Somrup Chanda, Director, Food & Beverages, Indore Marriott Hotel The Marriott Culinary Academy has received a tremendous response from the people and with in a short time, the academy has successfully established a reputation for excellence. Expert Chef’ s unique style of teaching recreates and reinvents the traditional way of cooking which was handed down in the past by our ancestors. The members learned the professional baking skills returned home with an inspiration of our culture and style of food making.

Marriott Indore Wins ‘Best 5 Star Property of Indore’ Title

arriott Hotels is evolving travel through every aspect of the guest’s stay, enabling the next generation to Travel Brilliantly. With over 500 hotels and resorts in 59 countries and territories around the world, Marriott boldly transforming itself for mobile and global travelers who blend work and play. Marriott leads the industry with innovations, including the Great room lobby and Mobile Guest Services that elevates style & design and technology.

Indore Marriott Hotel, the largest 5-Star property in Madhya Pradesh, has been awarded the ‘Best 5-Star Property of Indore’ title by the Times Retail Icon Awards which was introduced to regconise outstanding leadership, firm’s contribution to the respective industry and socioeconomic progress in the state.

On this occasion, Devesh Rawat, General Manager, Marriott Hotels said, “It’s been only 5 months since the launch of Indore Marriott Hotel and we are really honoured to receive the award for “Best 5-Star

Property of Indore 2018”. This award strengthens our faith and effort in delivering world-class hospitality to our guests for which Marriott brand is known for. We would like to thank Indore and our delighted guests for all the appreciation for this achievement. We promise to keep on reinventing ourself to define new experiences for our guests.”

Indore Marriott Hotel, the premium 5-Star property strategically located a few minutes away from the airport, with easy access to all the business and entertainment hubs of the city in Madhya Pradesh.

The hotel has total 218 residential rooms including 11 suites and 80 rooms that are fully controlled

by I-pads. Indore Marriott Hotel’ s widely recognised Marriott Culinary Academy (MCA) rolled out Baking Class by Chef Sikander.

Indore Marriott also boasts distinctive facilities that cater to different requirements from dining options to recreational facilities to renowned Quan Spa.

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cover story/Feature

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Ultimate Travel Experience April 2018 Tourism India

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cover sotry/FEATURE Many places on the earth are still beyond the grasp of many ardent travelers, The Polar region, Arctic and Antarctica.

by Ravisankar. K.V

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ravel is an indispensible part of modern world and one of life’s great eye openers. The Best parts of a travelexperience include discovering new places, contact with new people and unimaginable perspectives, challenges and pre-assumptions we otherwise would not even have fathomed, and brings travelers to make unexpected discoveries about the world around them. Ultimately, this discovery of our inner self will change our attitude and life for the better. Until we visit a new place and explore, we never realize, how much we loved this new discovery.

The global travelers have already experienced the dense evergreen forest of Amazon and vastness of Sahara or the unimaginable depth of the Pacific Ocean and the towering peak of Mount Everest. We have traveled most of the destinations in the modern world, but many places on the earth are still beyond the grasp of many ardent travelers, The Polar region; Arctic and Antarctica.

The South Pole is sits in a continent, near what many call‘ the end of the Earth’ and the North Pole is a vastness of frozen waters surrounded by mainland. Of the seven continents, the Antarctic remains the only region on earth not permanently occupied by man. This is perhaps the only reason, the Polar Regionsstill exist without much adulteration, in its natural state and attracts the bravest

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of travelers, who are all, still trying to explore the undiscovered beauty of the white expanse and the erstwhile hidden wildlife, from Blue Whales, to the glorious Emperor Penguins in the Antarctic or Polar Bears in Svalbard, or to see the flocks of migrating Arctic Terns all the while keeping up with responsible travel behavior and attitude.

The Antarctic region is only accessible from November to March, while the Arctic is from May to September, the summer season of the respective geographical areas. The Antarctic offers grand and vastness of white icy landscape and unpredictable wilderness, with no towns or villages, to inhabit, except the 70 odd scientific research stations or expedition huts. The Arctic regions are, however bordered with towns like Spitsbergen, Tromso, Alaska and Greenland, but it offers the same whiteness to her big sister’s snowy beauty and rich variety of wilderness.

Tour operators and passengers make direct financial contributions to scientific and conservation organizations active in Antarctica and Arctic regions

The Arctic and Antarctic regions have unique ecosystems which filled with Glaciers and Icebergs. According to researchers, the glaciers, ice caps and permanent areas of snow throughout the world comprise 1.7 percent of the total water worldwide. However, glaciers and icebergs actually serve a much more vital function than this statistic would seem to indicate.

The same ice formations and snow that are found in the Arctic Region and Antarctica, account for a shocking 68.7 percent of the world’s freshwater supply. In other words, icebergs and glaciers provide the main storage for the drinking water that all living beings need to survive. The topic of glaciers opens up new perspectives, Glaciers are not timeless remnants, they are rather complex structures and they are given to cyclical and progressive change. So, these Titans advance to the sea by as much as 98 feet or 30 meters each year.

Winter births new glacial ice and each spring, these Giants bleed fresh water from their crystalline hearts. Because glaciers have like their own anatomy and Chambers and ice of different consistency so they melt according to pressure, not temperature. A large portion of the World’s glaciologists live near these regions and understanding the subtleness of an otherwise ignored part of nature makes it even more exciting to go on an Arctic expedition.

Discovery of new Places

If you ask any frequent and ardent traveler the simple question,‘what is one of your best memories from a place you visited in the past thatyou still cherish?’, more often than not, it wasn’t just the beauty of the destination that made their trips memorable, it was the people, who travelled with them, or the people you meet. Especially when you are on a Polar Cruise, the travelers experiencing the charming beauty of white expanse outside and breaking the

Walruses resting at Floating Ice in Arctic Sea

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Penguins at Antarctica

ice inside you.

Dutch traveler Dorine Boekhout, who travelled in with Oceanwide Expeditions, a major Polar Expedition Operator accounts her experiencein 2013 when she went on a four-week Antarctic cruise, and along with bringing a lot of penguins and icebergs into her life, also introduced her to new friends.

The Science of Polar Cruise Camaraderie is unmatchable to any leisure or expedition trips, unlike the colossal cruise liners freighting thousands of passengers through the Caribbean or pacific on veritable floating circuses, polar cruises are comparatively smaller groups. Normally, Polar Cruises trips use small but strong ice breaking ships. They usually carry about a hundred passengers, offer shared cabins and dining tables, and run Zodiac outings in intimate groups. A smaller ship size with a limited number of passengers allows you to have better interaction with your expedition staff, as well as the on-board historians and wildlife experts who further help to enrich your experience. Fewer passengers mean fewer names to learn, and more opportunities to really get to 34

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interact and know the people in your group.

But there’s something else, a quality that applies to the environment itself.

Maybe it’s the cold, maybe the feeling of being so far from civilization – or maybe it’s polar fever, as Dorine mentioned – but the polar regions make people stick together, help each other more than they might on a typical luxury holiday.

I am fortunate to travel many part of the world and India. I’ve backpacked my way across places, in local trains and buses and on foot; as an adventure traveler by hiking, trekking and staying in tented camps and wayside home stays in the Himalayas’; as a leisure traveler in flights and luxury hotels in various Asian and European destinations. But my travel to Arctic has been one of the ultimate travel experiences I ever had in my life.

Memories I still cherish and it’s never ever faded from my mind.

Polar expeditions trips, are unlike other travel experiences; these are travelers cruising together, living together, dining together and exploring together... and like every experience, they are even better shared with new friends.

Expedition’s members trying to capture the images of Polar Bear from Zodiac in Arctic Sea

antartic vs artic

South Pole

North Pole

As far as 50 degrees south

As far as 60 degrees north

Antarctica is a continent, a long geological evolution created a variety of stones and mountain ranges up to 3,794 meters.

Arctic mostly ocean, plate boundary (volcanism), in Greenland old metamorphic stones.

Average Temperature The coldest temperature recorded in Antarctica was -89.6°C at Vostok station in 1983.

The average winter temperature at the South Pole is about -55°C.

The average Arctic winter temperature is -30° F (-34°C), while the average Arctic summer temperature is 37-54° F (3-12° C).

Flora & Fauna

Almost no vegetation, mostly Lichens

Marine mammals like penguins, whales, and seals.

Tundra, flowering plants

Marine mammals like polar bears, walrus, seals, and whales. Terrestrial mammals like wolves, foxes, hares, lemmings, reindeer, and oxen.

population Historically deserted though today there are impermanent settlements for scientists.

Indigenous population (Inuits, Indians, Siberians) and enduring settlements

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Getting to Antarctica M

ost of the Antarctic expeditions begin and end in either at Argentina or Chile. First, you’ll need a passport that is valid for least six months after the date of your return trip home, as well as the appropriate visas for your destination.

From India, there is no direct flight connection to any airports to Argentina or Chile. But Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad, Lufthansa, British Airways, Air Canada and US Airlines will provides good connection to Santiago or Buenos

ine airl

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When to travel

You can only visit the area during the Antarctic summer, from November to March. Prices are cheaper at the beginning and end of the season, but there is less to see in the way of wildlife. Photographers wanting to capture classic images of pristine Antarctic ice will get their best shots in November, and at this time, penguins start to come ashore for courtship rituals and nest building, but the days are shorter and the ice thicker, restricting access to some areas.

From mid to late December penguin chicks start to hatch on the Antarctic Peninsula, and in January you can watch the feeding frenzy. By February, penguin colonies are busy, noisy and smelly as the young penguins begin their moult; February to early March is the best time to see whales, and a good number of fur seals.

By mid March most penguin colonies are emptying as the birds return to the sea.

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Tourism India April 2018

Aires.

Since most international flights land in Buenos Aires or Santiago, where you change for an internal flight to southern ports, it’s worth spending a few days in either city, or a week or so exploring further afield. Popular side trips include Iguazu Falls, a stay on an estancia or trekking in Patagonia.

Ushuaia, the departure point for most Antarctic cruises, is also a good base for exploring the lakes, valleys and forests of the Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego.

What to take

You may be travelling in the Antarctic summer, but temperatures are still likely to be at or below freezing. Dress as for skiing in January: thermal underwear, a thin insulating layer, then a fleece or a thin down jacket, all topped with seriously waterproof trousers and jacket (with hood). Also a hat, ski gloves, good sunglasses and waterproof boots to at least knee height for wet landings; if the boots have grippy soles for scrambling over rocks and ice, so much the better.

Also take the best binoculars you can afford, and a camera with a good zoom if you want to avoid photos of black humps of whales on the horizon; carry both in a waterproof case or backpack, as Zodiac trips can be splashy. And do pack bucketfuls of seasickness pills. You’ll be crossing the notoriously rough Drake Passage, so don’t be tempted to cut costs by picking a cabin without en suite facilities.

Health Check

Where to go

This might seem obvious, but many Antarctic itineraries include the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, as well as the Antarctic Peninsula. If you are very keen on bird and animal life, it’s worth taking one of the longer cruises to all three destinations, but these tend to take between 18 and 22 days.

For most people a classic 10 or 12-day cruise to the Peninsula gives a really good feel for the special nature of the place: the icebergs, penguins, whales, seals, expedition history and solitude. South Georgia will appeal to devotees of Ernest Shackleton, since this is where he made his famous journey to save the crew of the icebound Endeavour, and it’s also the site of his grave.

Most of the Polar Expedition operators don’t have any age limit, but we do require that all passengers present a signed medical form from their General Medical Practitioner’s six to three months before your date of departure.

As you sail across the historic Drake Passage between Argentina and the Antarctic Peninsula you’ll get a chance to adjust to life on the Polar Pioneer and steady your sea legs. Some passengers may feel the effects of sea sickness more than others, and may wish to arrange motion sickness medicine to take on their voyage. Please consult your GP prior to departure to confirm which solution is right for you.

Just like any overseas holiday, you’ll need to take out insurance for your Polar voyages.

Whichever provider you choose to go with, ensure you have a comprehensive policy that covers emergency evacuation especially from Antarctica.

cover story/FEATURE

Tourism in South Pole A Responsible & Serious affair

Expeditions have ventured to Antarctica since 1966 and visits are mainly concentrated at ice-free coastal zones over the five-month period from November to March

“Y

ou can’t protect a region or natural environment, until what you don’t know about that in details.”, said Lars-Eric Lindblad, who led the first traveller’s expedition to Antarctica in 1966, with the concept of ‘expedition cruising,’ coupled with education as a major theme.

The tourism industry in South Pole region is generally considered to have begun in the late 1950s, when Chile and Argentina took more than 500 farepaying passengers to the South Shetland Islands aboard in a naval transportation

ship.

Mr. Lindblad has believed that by providing a first-hand experience to tourists you would educate them to the ecological sensitivity of the Antarctic environment and promote a greater understanding of the earth’s resources and the important role of Antarctica in the global environment.

The modern expedition cruise industry was born shortly thereafter in 1969 when Lindblad built the world’s first expedition ship, the “Lindblad Explorer”, specifically designed for

carrying tourists to the Antarctic. Prior to this, human activity in Antarctica was limited to the early explorers, those seeking fortune in the exploitation of seals and whales, and more recently to scientific research and exploration.

Antarctica’s physical isolation, extreme climate and remarkable wilderness values are a great part of its attraction for tourism. From an industry he began in 1966, Lindblad’s model of expedition cruising is still followed today by the majority of companies operating shipborne tourism to Antarctica.

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cover story/FEATURE Tourist expeditions have ventured to Antarctica every year since 1966.

In recent years, these expeditions largely are conducted aboard some 40 vessels, each carrying from six to 500 passengers. The ships sail primarily to the Antarctic Peninsula region.

Some itineraries also include South Georgia and the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas). These voyages generally depart from Ushuaia (Argentina), Port Stanley (Falkland Islands) or to a lesser extent from Punta Arenas (Chile), Buenos Aires (Argentina) or Puerto Madryn (Argentina).

Voyages to Antarctica also have included larger passenger vessels (carrying from 500 to 3,000 guests), which conduct “cruise-by” or sightseeing cruises only, without landing. Yacht travel to Antarctica is also popular, with nearly all itineraries in the Antarctic Peninsula, and using Ushuaia as a port.

Several expeditions take place outside the Peninsula region each season. The Spirit of Enderby, has been operating voyages in the Ross Sea Region and the New Zealand and Sub Antarctic Islands for many years, departing out

The geographic scope of tourism activities in the Antarctic South Orkneys 1 Including Laurie, Coronation Islands Elephant Island 2 Including nearby islands South Shetland 3 Islands Including Deception, Livingston, King George, Low and Smith Islands

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1

4 Northeast Antarctic Peninsula

2

4

From Cape Dubouzet (63 16’S, 57 03’W) to James Ross Island 5 Northwest Antarctic

3 5

Peninsula From Cape Dubouzet (63 16’S, 57 03’W) to the north end of Lemaire Channel

6

Southwest Antarctic Peninsula From the north end of Lemaire Channel to the area of (67 34’S)

6

of Bluff, New Zealand. The Orion also offers voyages to Antarctica via the Ross Sea from Hobart, Australia. Since the 1970s there have been occasional voyages from the Peninsula to the Ross Sea, usually including New Zealand and Australian Sub-Antarctic islands.

Hobart (Australia), Bluff and LytteltonChristchurch (New Zealand) are the most common gateway cities to the Ross Sea Region and East Antarctica.

Occasionally there have been departures from Cape Town and Port Elizabeth (South Africa) and Fremantle/Perth (Australia).

Antarctic visits are mainly

Education & Adventure are the important components of Polar expedition. concentrated at ice-free coastal zones over the five-month period from November to March. Visits ashore are generally of short duration (+/-3 hours), of moderate intensity (<100 people), and of variable frequency.

Typically there are 1-3 landings per day. Landings are made using Zodiacs (Jacques Cousteau type rubber inflatable crafts) or, in the case of a few vessels, also by helicopter. Other activities by visitors to Antarctica

include mountain climbing, camping, kayaking and scuba diving from tourist vessels.

Shore visits are supervised and conducted by shipboard staff, which typically includes one staff member for each 10-20 passengers. Such staff generally includes ornithologists, marine biologists, general biologists, geologists, glaciologists, historians and naturalists.

Shipboard tourism provides a legitimate means, within the provisions of the Antarctic Treaty System and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, to meet the tourism demand without the need for permanent infrastructure and with limited residence time, especially compared to science and logistics activities. ‘This is possible through the availability of small, specialized vessels, well suited for polar environments that provide an optimal means to conduct tourism activities in a safe and wellmanaged way.

The geographic scope of tourism activities in the Antarctic Peninsula region can be divided roughly into several sub areas such as South Orkneys Including Laurie, Coronation Islands. Elephant Island Including nearby islands, South Shetland Islands Including Deception, Livingston, King George, Low and Smith Islands.

NortheastAntarctic Peninsula from Cape Dubouzet (63 16’S, 57 03’W) to James Ross Island. Northwest Antarctic Peninsula from Cape Dubouzet (63 16’S, 57 03’W) to the north end of Lemaire Channel. Southwest Antarctic Peninsula from the north end of Lemaire Channel to the area of Marguerite Bay (67 34’S).

The benefits derived from responsible tourism, such as better knowledge and appreciation of the region are substantial. The wildlife-rich coastline, snow-covered mountains, glaciated landscapes, and extreme weather of this physically remote and magical part of the world lend this region remarkable wilderness and aesthetic value for the adventurous traveller.

2016 - 17 Total visitors

Non Landed (Cruise ships)

295607 Landed

(Expeditions)

45083 14893

5289

USA

china

6

4488

uae

Australia

292 india

4172

Germany

3915

united Kingdom

April 2018 Tourism India

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cover story/FEATURE

in Antarctica A

ntarctica has adventure in its bones. Long before most travelers even reach the continent, they have to cross the Drake Passage, an oft-tumultuous waterway considered by many a hallmark of high adventure in itself.

Once you do reach the Antarctic shores, the variations of landscape and wildlife are as multiform as the activities you

can pursue there. While not all of these activities can or should be shoehorned into a single article, this piece will give you a survey of the top eight. Like everything in the Polar Regions, these activities are subject to weather conditions – and your own threshold for adventure.

Kayak the ice-studded waters

Sailing through sea ice on a fortified polar vessel is exhilarating, cruising around icebergs in a Zodiac outboard boat is exhilarating, but if you want more personalized control of your time spent on the Antarctic waters, kayaking is the way to go. Once you’ve mastered getting into the kayak, which for many people is the most difficult part, it’s typically smooth paddling from there on out. We offer numerous Antarctica kayaking tours, kayaks included of course, and on all of our outings you will be accompanied by a guide close at hand to make sure everyone stays safe. In the seat of a kayak, you get to be your own captain, experiencing the glacial beauty of the Antarctic wilderness in one of the most intimate and peaceful ways possible.

See Antarctica from a helicopter

For seeing Antarctica up close, it’s hard to beat the power of your own two legs. But when you want a more expansive overview of the sprawling Antarctic landscape, consider availing yourself of one of our helicopter tours. On certain Ortelius Weddell Sea cruises, we provide helicopters meant to not only provide you a soaring survey of the Antarctic landscape, but also deliver you to wildlife and landscapes that are otherwise inaccessible. These locations typically include remote penguin rookeries, particularly emperor penguins. After landing at a safe distance so as to not disturb the animals, you can reach the penguin breeding colonies on foot for a more firsthand visit.

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Scuba dive below the Antarctic waves

Mountaineer to lofty Antarctic summits

Some of us travel to the polar regions for the tranquility of an untouched landscape, some for the sights and sounds of terrain and wildlife that can be found nowhere else – and some of us go for the heart-pounding adrenal rush of a rugged Antarctic adventure.

Fortunately for those who like to do a little of everything, you don’t have to be an avid mountaineer (or even experienced with snowshoeing) to thoroughly enjoy our Antarctica mountaineering cruises. You will need to be in decent physical shape, obviously, as well as imbued with a healthy dose of polar wanderlust, but beyond that we have everything else covered: As with our other activities, all the essential gear is available on the vessel, so all you have to do is put one foot in front of the other and enjoy the scenery the way the historic Antarctic explorers did centuries ago.

Antarctica isn’t shy. Those who make the trip to see it are greeted immediately with a virtually endless panorama of otherworldly sights.

But some people prefer to search beneath the surface, exploring a world that is not so readily visible.

Scuba diving is one of the best ways to do this in Antarctica. A region so replete with icebergs, of which only about ten percent protrudes above the surface of water, seems almost made for the kind of submerged exploration scuba diving affords. We offer specially planned Antarctica scuba diving trips that allow you to enjoy a true polar plunge, entering the water right off the edge of a Zodiac.

During these dives you can descend up to depths of 20 meters (60 feet) to explore the polar world from the point of view of the penguins, seals, and whales who inhabit it. Unlike most of our activities, you do have to be considerably experienced to participate in this option: Scuba certification is required, along with extensive cold-water experience. We are happy to provide compressors and weights, but the rest is up to you.

Though polar diving is an activity that necessitates a great deal of equipment and demands a high level of safety, the surreal experience of gliding under the Antarctic waters can’t help but be a truly definitive adventure.

Hike or snowshoe the icy spans of Antarctica Hiking in other parts of the world is in many ways only a prelude to hiking in Antarctic. Few other locations are as wild and untouched. There are no paths but the ones you leave behind in the snow, and the open white landscape unrolls in fields of ice so vast they dwarf everything in their presence. On our Antarctica hiking trips, you’ll get the chance to walk this spectacular terrain,

and unlike in the Arctic, you won’t even have to worry about polar bears. Antarctic hikes are generally concentrated around the Weddell Sea, the South Shetland Islands, and South Georgia – the third location of which grants you the opportunity to hike the last 6 km (3.7 miles) of polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton’s famous walk across the subAntarctic island.

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cover story/FEATURE

Camp under the Southern Hemisphere stars There is perhaps no better way to experience Antarctica like the people who first explored it than by spending the night on the Antarctic terrain itself. Camping in the Arctic would not be safe given the presence of polar bears, but in Antarctica the chatter of penguins is likely to be the most dangerous thing you’ll encounter. Our Antarctica camping trips try to offer each passenger the opportunity to sleep out overnight, though there may be additional nights in weather conditions permit. Sleeping bags are provided, as well as mattresses, three-person tents, and other necessaries. If the weather is good enough, you’ll have the option of sleeping out under the open sky. And if the sky is clear, you may even witness the very constellations by which discoverers navigated their vessels in some of the earliest explorations of Antarctica.

Practice your photography in a workshop

For many travelers, it’s often as much a priority to capture good pictures as it is to have experiences worth capturing.

If that is the case with you, prepare to bring out the best in your polar pictures on our Antarctica photography cruises.

In these workshops you will earn from a professional photographer who will lead two types of workshop, one on board the ship and the other on landed excursions.

These workshops generally take place in groups of 20 and 14, respectively, enabling all participants to have access to the instructor. You will learn about the equipment and principles of photography on the ship, and in the field you will practice your skills by photographing wildlife and terrain in real-world Antarctic conditions. You will need to provide your own camera, which by the end of the workshops you will be able to use to take pictures that do justice to your Antarctica experience.

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cover story/FEATURE

1

Top Antarctica Cruises & Tours in 2018-2020 Antarctic Peninsula

12 days Sail to distant Antarctica on this 12-day Antarctica cruise, round the trip from Ushuaia in Argentina.

View the abundant wildlife which call this frozen continent home. Cross the famous Drake Passage as you sail back to Ushuaia and spot albatrosses, prions, petrels, penguins, seals, whales, and dolphins as you explore the Antarctic Peninsula from the comfort of the Hebridean Sky. Also explore the Argentinean leather markets & Patagonia´s succulent lamb dishes, Sail down the Beagle Channel joined by penguins, cormorants, and sea lions, Explore historic & scientific sites of interest on the Antarctic Peninsula,

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Antarctic Peninsula – Base camp Plancius

Expedition and exploration are the focus of these voyages aboard the MV Plancius. The ship becomes a base Feb 17 camp for these polar voyages. “Base camp” is by Dec 18 2019 Dec 29 definition a temporary storing and starting place, Feb 27 2020 from which an activity starts. “Activity modules” are Mar 9 offered which go beyond normal shore programs.

Prices from The vessel stays for two or three days at specific locations to serve active passengers as a comfortable hub, allowing more time than usual for wide-ranging activities on this exciting Antarctic cruise, including complimentary camping, kayaking, snowshoe/hiking, mountaineering, and a photo workshop. Polar diving (additional fee) is available on select departures.

Encounter humpback and minke whales near Lemaire Channel, Hike near the shore or trek to hilltops for panoramic views, View Adelie and gentoo penguin colonies, Kayak between icebergs in the polar waters while searching for wildlife, enjoy the beauty of Waddington Bay, Wiencke Island and Cross the famous Drake Passage

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$7,950

Jan 18, 2019 Jan 7, 2020 & Feb 4, 2020

Prices from

$9995

April 2018 Tourism India

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cover story/FEATURE

Antarctic Explorer

Board the Ocean Endeavour in Ushuaia and begin your 11-day polar adventure by crossing the Drake Passage - the next time you see land you are in Antarctica. Enjoy zodiac excursions to explore bays, channels, and landing sites each day. Visit penguin rookeries and search for whales, seals, and seabirds.

Hike the Antarctic landscape for breathtaking views of your surroundings. As you soak it all in, prepare for your journey back across the Drake Passage.

4

Antarctica Express Air Cruise

For those short on time this Antarctic Express Air Cruise optimizes your experience so you can see it all! Embark the Ocean Nova in Ushuaia and set sail for Cape Horn.

Depending on the weather, be one of the few to step foot on this rarely-visited island! Begin by crossing the Drake Passage en route for King George Island. While at sea, attend lectures and presentations about the polar region. Keep your eyes open for wildlife such as seabirds, whales, dolphins, and seals.

Instead of sailing, enjoy flying across the Drake Passage to Punta Arenas, Chile where you can continue on to your next destination.

Nov 29, 2018 Jan 14, 2019

Prices from

$4,695

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Tourism India April 2018

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Nov 5, 2018 Jan 8 Jan 17 2019 Feb 9 Prices from

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$6,895

Antarctica - Off the Beaten Path

Begin this 13-day expedition in Ushuaia and chart a course through the Drake Passage, potentially making landfall in the South Shetland Islands prior to reaching the Antarctic Peninsula. Your journey in Akademik Ioffe Ship may take you south of the Lemaire Channel to the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, or reverse depending on ice and weather conditions. Optional activities include an overnight sea kayak and camping excursion led by kayak guides, camping on the ice amidst the Polar landscape, ski touring, snowshoeing, walking, hiking, zodiac cruising, and field photography. There are a handful of preferred landing sites where Nov 7, you can enjoy these 2018 activities, allowing you to appreciate Prices from varied terrain.

$8,895

6

Antarctic Small Ship Expedition

Board Ocean Nova Air Cruises for a 10-day journey to the 7th Continent Antarctica. Depart from Ushuaia, Argentina and cross the infamous Drake Passage.

Zodiac to shore each day for the opportunity to explore the Antarctic landscape with your expert polar guides!

Highlights of the trip is Sail along ice-filled fjords and among large icebergs, Cross the infamous Drake Passage and search for marine life, Explore the Antarctic landscape with expert polar guides and Search for penguins, seals, and whales

Nov 20, 2018 Mar 3, 2019

Prices from

$5,995

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Classic Antarctica

Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the 7th Continent - Antarctica. The remarkable history of the Antarctic Peninsula provides you with remarkable excitement as you cross the Drake Passsage. Icebergs and snow-capped mountains indicate that you have reached the South Shetland Islands, a haven for wildlife. Keep your eyes open for whales, penguins, seals, and sea birds while Navigate narrow passages between towering rocks and glaciers. Enjoy frequent trips ashore as you explore this polar region by land and sea on this 10day cruise aboard the MV Ushuaia.

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Nov 5, Nov 14 2018 Dec 13, Dec 22 Jan 19, Jan 28 Feb 16, Mar 8 2019 Mar 17, Mar 26 Nov 14, Dec 13 Mar 17, Mar 26 2020 Prices from

$4,770

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9

Explorerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Antarctica

Explore the path taken by several early explorers before you. Hike the Falkland Islands, zodiac South Georgia, and explore research stations on the Antarctic Peninsula. View rockhopper, gentoo, macaroni, king, Magellanic and chinstrap penguins and learn about the history of this remote region from your onboard guides. Board the luxurious Silver Explorer for this 19-day Antarctic journey starting from Ushuaia, Argentina; visiting the West Point Island, Saunders Island, Stanley in Falkland Islands, South Georgia Island, Elephant Island, South Shetland, and the Antarctic Peninsula.

Explore the Drake Passage on the way back to Ushuaia, Argentina.

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Nov 19 2018 Dec 17 Jan 4 2019 Feb 3

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Prices from

$19,300

Polar Circle Air Cruise

Bypass the Drake Passage by flying directly to the South Shetland Islands.

The journey starts from Punta Arenas, Chile on day 1 and fly to King George Island on next day. Exit the airplane to a world unlike any other on earth; ice-filled fjords, pengiun rookeries, and great expanses of ice await. Sail as far south as possible in an attempt to reach the Polar Circle.

Cruise along ice-filled fjords and icebergs to Search for wildlife such as penguins, whales, seals, and seabirds. This Antarctic cruise aboard the Ocean Nova is an unforgettable experience you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to miss!

Source Courtesy: www.adventure-life.com

Antarctic Explorer

Discovering the 7th Continent Board the Ocean Diamond in Ushuaia and begin your 11-day polar adventure!

Cross the Drake Passage - the next time you see land is in Antarctica. Enjoy zodiac excursions to explore bays, channels, and landing sites each day. Visit penguin rookeries and search for whales, seals, and arctic seabirds. Hike the Antarctic landscape for breathtaking views of your surroundings.

As you soak it all in, prepare for your journey back across the Drake Passage.

Nov 6, 2018 Dec 9, 2018

Prices from

$6,895

Jan 1, 2019 Jan 22, 2019 Feb 18, 2019

Prices from

$14,995 April 2018 Tourism India

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cover story/FEATURE

Meet 6 Antarctic Penguin Species Emperors, King, Adélies. Chinstraps, Macaronis and Gentoos penguins are 6 types of Penguin species.

I

n total, there are 17 penguin species, but only six of them reside in the Antarctic on a permanent basis. Of these six, there are two that actually claim the continent of Antarctica as their homeland: Emperors and Adélies.

Three other species prefer to do their breeding on the most northern section of the Antarctic Peninsula: Chinstraps, Macaronis and Gentoos. Meanwhile, King penguins stick to the northern Sub-Antarctic islands where the temperature stays warmer throughout the year. The rest of the penguin

species spend the majority of their lives in the cooler areas of the Southern Hemisphere, with the interesting exception of the Galapagos penguin, which lives on the equator.

It is estimated that there are 20 million breeding pairs of penguins living in the Antarctic region. Due to this high population, it is common for there to be up to 19 penguins within every square meter during the winter time. This makes it extremely easy to spot them during winter expeditions.

Courtesy — Holly Chavez/Oceanwide expedition

The Six Antarctic Penguin Species Emperors

Emperor penguins are among the most popular with expedition participants.

Once they reach adulthood, they have an approximate height of 115 cm and a weight of 38 kg. Emperors live on a diet of crustaceans, squid and fish, and they are usually found in the Ross Sea and Weddell regions. This is the only bird species in the entire Antarctic that breeds during the winter. The baby chicks are born between the end of July and the middle of August, but they are unable to explore the sea alone until January.

Chinstrap

Adélie

This penguin species typically weighs 5.3 kg and reaches a height of 71 cm. There are 2.5 million pairs of Adélie penguins in the Antarctic region, and their preferred food is krill and fish. Their babies are usually born in early to mid-December, and the chicks are able to be left alone for short periods of time by their third week of life.

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Tourism India April 2018

With 7 million pairs of Chinstrap penguins in the area, it is not surprising when one of these penguins is spotted from the expedition ship. Adult Chinstrap penguins have an average height of 71 cm and weigh 5 kg. They usually eat fish and krill. Chinstrap penguins typically have two chicks per mating season, and they are born between late February and early March.

Emperors Weight

38kg Height

115cm

Macaroni Weight

King Weight

16kg

Height

94cm

Gentoo Weight

5kg

Chinstrap Weight

71cm

Height

Height

5.6kg

AdĂŠlie Weight

75cm

Height

Height

Macaroni

These Sub-Antarctic island dwellers have an estimated population of 12 million pairs. The adult Macaroni penguins and Chinstrap penguins are virtually identical in terms of height and weight as each usually reaches 71 cm and 5 kg.

Their main diet consists of fish, krill and squid.

The baby chicks grow enough within 10 weeks to leave their parents behind and integrate into the adult population.

5kg

71cm

5.3kg 71cm

Gentoo

There are 300,000 breeding pairs of Gentoo penguins in the Antarctic region, and this puts them second only to the Emperor penguin in terms of smallest population. As adults, Gentoos can reach 75 cm tall and weigh 5.6 kg. They rely on a diet of squid, fish and crustaceans.

Baby chicks are usually hatched in October, but it takes three months before they are able to strike out on their own.

King King penguins are the second largest Antarctic penguin species. Once they reach full maturity, they will weigh approximately 16 kg and stand 94 cm tall. The 2 million breeding pairs dine on squid and fish, and they live on the barren coasts found within the SubAntarctic islands. King penguins have an extremely unusual breeding timeframe that lasts approximately 14 months from courtship to the fledgling of the chick.

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Facts about

cover story/FEATURE

Flightless Birds

P

T

here are 17 species of penguin, some of which are found as far north as the equator. Of these 17 species, just six are found in Antarctica: chinstraps, emperors, Adélies, gentoos, and macaronis, all ready to be spotted on your trip to the cold continent.

Scientists believe that around 40 – 50 million years ago, when Antarctica was breaking away from Gondwanaland, penguins formed into their own species.

Originally native to warmer climates, penguins had to adapt to the frozen continent as it made its way south.

enguins are unique flightless seabirds that are at home on both land and sea. Unlike flying birds, which moult and replace their feathers slowly so they can remain airborne, penguins moult all at once over a period of 2 – 5 weeks during the summer.

This sudden moulting lets the birds head back out to sea without any “leaks” in their insulation.

Moulting is an important process for the penguins, as their feathers wear out through the course of a year due to rubbing against other penguins, contact with the ground and water, and constant preening. Once the moulting is done and new feathers appear, penguins are ready to head out to sea with a brand new coat.

Swimming Is a Penguin Talent

O

ver time, penguins have evolved their wings into flippers that enable them to zip through the water

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Tourism India April 2018

Penguins with ease. They have welldeveloped breast and wing muscles that help them push through dense water.

To make swimming easier, the penguin’s blood – the haemoglobin within it – has been adapted to transport large volumes of oxygen throughout the body while swimming. Also, a large amount of myoglobin is in their muscle tissues, so they can store oxygen when underwater. While swimming, penguins like to tuck their heads near to their shoulders to keep their body compact.

They also keep their feet close to the tail, enabling them to navigate. Penguins have good eyesight underwater, and in fact the species’ vision is better suited to the water than the air. Penguins can tell the

difference between shades of blues, purples, and greens, and they have a secondary “see-through eyelid” to see clearly underwater.

Research into Penguin Dives Reveals a Complex Biology

in McMurdo Sound designed special probes to monitor several penguins’ muscles during dives. In 50 recorded dives ranging between 7 – 64 metres deep (23 – 210 feet), the penguins stayed underwater anywhere from 2.3 – 11.4 minutes.

During the deeper dives, researchers found the penguins selectively sent extra oxygen from their blood into their muscles. They can only do this for short periods of time, however, until blood oxygen levels become too low for the rest of their body.

When this occurs, penguins have to come back to the surface. The downside of their oxygen-boosting adaptation is that it builds up lactic acid, so penguins will only do it if the prize (a good dinner) is worth it.

Large Colonies Are Preferred Penguin Breeding Grounds

O

n land, penguins form colonies that can contain up to a million nesting pairs.

Adélie penguins in the Ross Sea migrate each spring from the outer pack ice towards land where they breed. Most of the time spent travelling to their colonies is spent either walking, tobogganing, or swimming. The migration to the colonies is only done when the penguins have

E

mperor penguins can dive below the sea ice for up to 20 minutes at a time. To stay underwater that long, they have developed the ability to control how and when their muscles use oxygen. They can switch between two types of oxygen utility, either starving their muscles for oxygen or giving them a boost to keep them working during long dives. To figure out how emperor penguins can dive for such lengths of time, scientists

April 2018 Tourism India

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feature/INCREDIBLE cover story/FEATURE INDIA

obtained a huge supply of body fat to sustain them while the southern ice pack is too thick to allow constant feeding. They arrive at their breeding colonies in early October. The males are first to arrive, followed by the females. The colonies reach peak population around early November. It only takes them between one and 12 days to find a mate, and between one and three eggs are laid per breeding pair.

Penguins Drink Salty Water

M

ost penguins live in environments where there is little or no fresh water. They have either ice or saltwater to choose from when thirsty. With saltwater being more convenient and easier to obtain, penguins have a special adaptation that helps keep their salt levels balanced. Penguins have a distinct supraorbital gland located near their eyes that 50

Tourism India April 2018

filters salt out of their systems.

As blood passes through the gland, it traps the salt before it can travel through the rest of their body. When the gland filters salt from the blood, the excess salt has to be expelled from the body. Salt in the gland mixes with a small amount of moisture inside the gland before travelling down the nasal passage. Salty drops then drip out of the penguin’s nose. Nonetheless, just because every penguin has this gland does not stop them from drinking freshwater when they can find it: Rockhopper penguins, which can be found on cruises to the Falkland Islands, prefer to live around freshwater sources rather than drink from the sea.

Penguins Have an Open Diet

P

enguins eat krill, which is a shrimp-like creature, as well as squids and fishes. For example, Adélie penguins, which can be seen in the Ross

single hunting trip.

Penguin Feet Don’t Freeze on the Ice

B Sea, eat a variety of readily available high-energy food that is easy to gulp down.

During the summer months, penguins like to eat Antarctic silverfish, which are the most abundant small fish in the shallow coastal waters off Antarctica. Their shape is easy for penguins to swallow head first. Meanwhile king and emperor penguins, a major wildlife attraction of Antarctica cruises, like to feed on lantern fish in addition to krill. Emperor penguins are particularly determined to catch food at great distances, known to forage anywhere from 164 – 1,454 km (102 – 903 miles) from their colony in a

ecause most of the penguin’s body is warm and waterproof due to all their fat and feathers, they can easily overheat on a sunny day. To stay cool, heat escapes from their beak and feet, helping the body maintain a constant temperature.

However, this leaves their feet exposed to the cold. To stop their feet from freezing, penguins have special arteries in their legs that can adjust blood flow in response to foot temperature, enabling them to send just enough blood to their feet to keep them above freezing. To make sure the heat isn’t lost, the warm blood on the way to their feet passes the blood that is coming back up, resulting in the warmer blood heating the colder blood before it continues down toward their feet.

cover story/FEATURE

bear necessity

T

he polar bear is a carnivorous bear whose native range lies largely within the Arctic Circle, encompassing the Arctic Ocean, its surrounding seas and surrounding land masses. It is a large bear, approximately the same size as the omnivorous Kodiak bear. A boar (adult male) weighs around 350â&#x20AC;&#x201C;700 kg, while a sow (adult female) is about half that size. Although it is the sister species of the brown bear, it has evolved to occupy a narrower ecological niche, with many body characteristics adapted for cold temperatures, for moving across snow, ice and open water, and for hunting seals, which make up most of its diet. Although most polar bears are born on land, they spend most of their time on the sea ice. Polar bears hunt their preferred food of seals from the edge of sea ice, often living off fat reserves when no sea ice is present. Because of their dependence on the sea ice, polar bears are classified as marine mammals.

polar bear facts Diet Seal Length Up to 3 meter

Hight 1.5 meter kg

Weight Up to 800kg

Young polar bear can run about

Bearded seal

Walruses

15km

without stopping

Polar bears are strong swimmers; they swim across bays or wide leads without hesitation. They can swim for several hours at a time over long distances. They've been tracked swimming continuously for 100 km

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cover story/FEATURE

Small is

beautiful Polar Expedition Operators are normally using smaller marine ships for better travel experience

P

olar Expedition Operators are normally using smaller marine ships, compared to gigantic cruise ships, for expedition trips to Arctic or Antarctic. Most of the reputed Polar expedition operators are very responsible in their business and keen to protect Polar environment.

According to Australia based Aurora Expeditions, they have already started to redefine Expedition Cruising, with the introduction of their latest vessels, The Greg Mortimer, named after Aurora Expeditionsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; co-founder, 52

Tourism India April 2018

utilises some of the latest advancements in naval design & technology to revolutionise the small ship expedition cruising experience. The X-BOW makes sailing smoother and faster, while protecting the vulnerable environments visited using a virtual anchoring system. Shore excursions are made easier, with four sea-level Zodiac loading decks & a specially-crafted activity platform, designed in close consultation with their world-renowned expedition & activity leaders. The ship is due for completion in 2019

1

The experience is more personal

A smaller ship size with a limited number of passengers allows you to have better interaction with your expedition staff, as well as the on-board historians and wildlife experts who help to enrich your experience. With us, you’re not just a name on a list, you’re part of the expedition crew!

2

You can get to know your fellow passengers better

Fewer passengers mean fewer names to learn, and more opportunities to really get to know the people in your group. After all, you’ll be living together, dining together and exploring together... experiences that are even better shared with new friends.

3

Go where the bigger cruiser can’t

One of the biggest downsides to travelling on a large cruise ship is how close they can get to shore. On a smaller ship, we can venture closer inland, exploring secluded bays in South Georgia, or down tranquil fjords in Norway.

Our more compact vessels also enable our skilled captains to

make spontaneous stops, or change course to bring you closer to any wildlife sightings off the set itinerary.

4

Never miss out on a shore landing

Some destinations just aren’t designed to handle thousands of passengers disembarking from a cruise ship. For example, Antarctica’s strict rules around tourism as imposed by the IAATO mean that vessel carrying over 500 passengers are not permitted to make landings on the frozen continent.

Furthermore, no more than 100 passengers are allowed to be onshore at one. Thankfully, as the Polar Pioneer

has a maximum of 54 passengers, you’ll never be prevented from venturing ashore due to passenger numbers.

5

The focus is always on your environment

Larger cruise ships will nearly always outweigh our expedition vessels in terms of the number of facilities. We don’t have swimming pools, cinemas, theatres or gyms onboard our ships.

Instead, we cater for your general comfort, while focusing on bringing you closer to the real adventures waiting at our destinations.

Courtesy : Aurora Expeditions

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Greenl cover story/FEATURE

Land of midnight sun and

54

Tourism India April 2018

land

d Northern Lights

G

reenland is simply one of earth’s most beautiful treasures in a massive island and autonomous Danish Territory . This country have a rich cultural history and located between the Atlantic and Arctic oceans and providing an exciting experience for any traveler and much of its land surface is covered in ice. Nuuk is the Capital city and most of its small population lives along the ice-free, fjord-lined coast, particularly in the southwest. Its northerly position, largely above the Arctic Circle, results in natural phenomena such as summer’s midnight sun and winter’s Northern Lights. Let’s focus on some of the top reasons to take a Greenland trip. The following list will have you wondering why you haven’t visited sooner.

Once you infected the travel bug,

Fjords are found in locations where current or past glaciation extended below current sea level. it’s tough to ignore. There’s nothing quite like seeing a massive iceberg for the first time, as you sail in one of the thousand fjords. Where can you do something so remarkable? Not only the unique activities awaiting your arrival; but the magnificent scenery around every corner, where nature can be experienced in its rawest form.

At Greenland you are truly surrounded by raw and pristine Nature with breathtaking mountains, lakes, where you can hike for hours as you breathe in the crisp Greenland air.

The destination Greenland offers a unique claim to fame, one in which every traveller should experience.

Greenland’s Ice Sheet is an ice cap that spans from coast-to-coast. This

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cover story/FEATURE

Greenland

Capital: Nuuk Many travellers flock to Greenland for the beautiful scenery and wildlife, there is a lot to discover in Greenland’s capital city; Nuuk. This city is still surrounded by natural beauty, but also incorporates old traditions, with modern influences. This city is constantly evolving, however, cultural traditions remain strong. You can explore Greenland’s vast history and culture here, at Greenland’s National Museum.

ice sheet covers approximately 80% of Greenland’s land surface, being one of only two ice sheets worldwide.

There has been an ice sheet covering Greenland for an incredible 18 million years. Currently, Greenland’s ice sheet is approximately 3 km thick, and over 100,000 years old. This experience will transform you with a whole new perspective of appreciation for nature.

Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis is a rare natural phenomenon on the planet due to the clash of charged particles and the earth’s atmosphere, here you can experience swirling tones of light. Although green and yellow tones are most common, you can see tones of blue, red, and purple. It’s as though the sky has been painted with the utmost vibrancy. Visit Greenland between the months of SeptemberApril, as the sky provides a natural light show to experience this phenomenon These lights are described as having 56

Tourism India April 2018

A fjord is formed when a glacier retreats, after carving its typical U-shaped valley, and the sea fills the resulting valley floor. the ability to dance across the night sky and Scoresby Sund, East Greenland is the best places for this view. It is also the largest fjord system on the planet, reaching more than 350 km in length.

Within this area, there is only around 500 inhabitants.

Glacier and Iceberg is one of the other un-forgettable experiences in Greenland. Once you have the

muskoxen, to Walruses, Whales and birds; Greenland has it all. On land, there are more mammals than you would first believe (considering the concentration of ice and snow). You could potentially spot polar bears, musk oxen, caribou, and more. Green land will not disappointed for those who have interest in bird-watching.

From eagles, to ptarmigans, to puffins, Greenland is home to diverse populations of birds.

You cannot visit Greenland without exploring its marine life. Whales are of course a sight-to-see, but there are also numerous species of seals, walrus, and a variety of fish and shellfish. The people of Greenland live in harmony

Historic Cocktails

Visitors of Greenland can reach into the water, obtaining free-floating pieces of ice that are up to 4,000 years old.

Where else can you crush ice for your martini or whiskey, sampling a piece of history? It is simply one more unique experience that Greenland provides.

opportunity to see an iceberg or glacier in person, it will take your breath away. You can view these large pieces throughout the country. In North Greenland, you’ll find larger icebergs; while South Greenland provides the opportunity to see sites that are full of smaller glaciers and icebergs.

North of the Arctic Circle, the summer brings the midnight sun Although the daylight turns into warmer hues for the evening hours, the sun remains in the sky. As the sun reflects off icebergs, you will witness an array of colours.

Greenland offers unique wildlife sightings. From polar bears and

with these species, providing a whole new outlook on free roaming wildlife.

Whale Watching is a major tourist attraction of Greenland, whether you have never been whale watching, or you have been ten times before, each time is a unique experience. This is especially true in Greenland, as you’ll be exposed to numerous species of whales. With narwhals, belugas, and bowheads calling this area home all year round, you are bound to have a memorable experience.

The summer months also welcome fin, minke, humpback, and other species of whales, as they migrate to cooler waters, feeding off krill and other

plentiful food sources.

Ilulissat Icefjord, the rare collection of massive ice sculptures, is a world wonder. It is not only an incredible sight, but it tells a profound tale of our planet’s history. In order to fully grasp the grand scale of this iceberg collection, you must witness the Ilulissat Icefjord from a bird’s eye view.

The experience does not stop there however. At the water’s level, a massive vessel begins to feel quite small. Sailing through icebergs that are the size of skyscrapers, allows you to see this area in a whole new perspective. To top it all off, you can actually hike on this World Heritage Site.

Travelling is not just about experiencing the land; it’s about meeting the people that call that region home. Inuit are known to be kind, hospitable people, but they’re also culturally diverse and highly adaptable. Although Greenland is the 12th largest country by land mass, it is sparsely populated. Around 90% of the population is of Greenlandic descent, while the remaining 10% are immigrants, mainly from Denmark. It’s refreshing to speak and interact with individuals who have such high respect for the outdoors, as well as the local wildlife.

Around the 10th century, Vikings began to settle on Greenland’s South West coast. Once the Little Ice Age hit, Norse settlements disappeared. This left only Inuit populations for centuries.

By exploring South Greenland, you will experience rolling landscapes and Viking ruins. This area is where the Icelandic Viking, known as Erik the Red stayed. Hiking this area, will allow you to take in the beautiful scenery, while you become more aware of this area’s fascinating history.

Undoubtedly we can say, Greenland is a traveller’s paradise. It offers some of the most unique experiences on the planet. Between the culture, history, wildlife, and raw nature; you will see why it is such an incredible destination.

With inputs from Oceanwide Expedition

April 2018 Tourism India

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