TOURISM INDIA AUGUST 2021

INCREDIBLE INDIA

WONDERFUL WORLD AVIATION ONLINE TECHNOLOGY

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AUGUST 2021 VOL. 24 NO. 04 Pages 60

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MEGHALAYA TAJ HOTELS HUSSAINWALA BIO BUBBLE TOURISM BERLIN LOVES YOU

WOR LD HER ITAG E TAG FOR

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Editor’s Note

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Adapt the change and move hand in hand

lobally, in the hospitality markets in which there has been an improvement in transactions, soft brands are picking up slowly and at the same time the changing relationship between owners and operators with a stronger alignment on profit metrics rather than only revenue markers and the importance shifts to the focus on flow through and profit contribution.

The prediction of the recovery is difficult since the course of recovery will be different for different segments and markets and submarkets. Since the corporate travel is dependent on commercial business activity its pace of recovery is far more uncertain It is expected that the recovery is to take place first in the organised sector while consumer sentiment reflects a preference for brands, and it has seen more interest in the development and re-branding of the upscale category which is expected faster recovery than the luxury segment. The wedding group market which has seen high before will slow down but the chances for micro trips will dominate in the coming days .the smaller group travel have a better chance to resume.

The unexplored destinations have always been the attraction and will continue to show a steady increase in 2021. Even though the Traveller & guest preferences have changed significantly in the last year, with hygiene, cleanliness, safety, and privacy becoming their

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top priorities. Travellers will prefer independent, contained, and smaller spaces, for their travel.

In this new normal Technology adoption for hotels will be at a much faster pace than the pre covid days by the sector.

The COVID period was a chance for the industry players to think and act creatively upon their products and innovations. The industry should be now built upon all those product categories that were experimented with during the pandemic between 2020 and 2021. When it comes to resilience, the industry will always find ways to be innovative and it always adapts.

The Industry is taking all the possible steps to get out of these present challenges and overcome the crisis it is equally important to remember customers remain the key to this process. It is the extremely 5 crucial pace for brands to continuously upskill themselves and be ready to meet the demands of the industry and to match the pace of the changes taking place around..

The adaptation of the changes and keep them forward and move hand in hand towards progress is the right way for the industry to come out of this dark period.

Rajani A Editor

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Contents

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Cover: Rudreswara Temple (Ramappa Temple) at Palampet, Warangal, Telangana PhotoCourtesy: Wikimedia Commons

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

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UNWTO LAUNCHED ‘JOBS FACTORY’ TO KICKSTART TOURISM JOBS RECOVERY MR. KAMAL V. RAO IAS IS NEW DG, INDIA TOURISM VACCINE INCONSISTENCY COULD DELAY THE RESTART OF GLOBAL TRAVEL UNESCO HERITAGE TAG FOR RUDRESWARA TEMPLE VIRTUAL PATA TRAVEL MART 2021 FROM SEPT. 2-5

UNESCO HERITAGE TAG FOR RUDRESWARA TEMPLE

BUSINESS & EDITORIAL ASSOCIATES

NEW DELHI D Anilkumar +91 9868123311

MUMBAI K V Satyanath +91 9745598126

KOLKATA Jayasree Singh +91 943306033

BANGALURU Damodaran K Nair +91 8310955261

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

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KERALA’S BIO-BUBBLE TOURISM TO BE A ROLE MODEL FOR INDIA

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HUSSAINIWALA AT FEROZEPUR CAN OUTSHINE WAGAH BORDER

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PROSPECTS OF BORDER TOURISM IN MEGHALAYA

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CHASING THE MONSOONS

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VIVANTA BHUBANESWAR NOW OPENS

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BLIVE JOINS HANDS WITH GREEN CROSS UK TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

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TINYCHEF ACQUIRES TECHSTARS AND ZELISH

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ETIHAD AIRWAYS OPENS BOOKING FOR TRAVEL FROM INDIA

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INDIGO BECOMES FIRST INDIAN AIRLINE TO LAUNCH A PILOT FOR IATA TRAVEL PASS

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EMIRATES’ HOME CHECK-IN SERVICES FLYING IN JULY

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FLY GANGWON CHOOSES IBS SOFTWARE TO PROPEL CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT

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DAWAT-E-BIRYANI AT NOOK ALOFT BENGALURU CESSNA BUSINESS PARK

MESSE BERLIN (SINGAPORE) WINS SINGAPORE TOURISM AWARDS 2021

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BERLIN LOVES YOU

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SCENIC VINEYARDS OF NEWZEALAND

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VACCINE TOURISM IS TAKING OFF AT SFO

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ANANTARA WELCOMES BACK GUESTS TO THAILAND

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SANTA CLAUS AND MR LORDI ADVOCATE VACCINATIONS IN ROVANIEMI 7

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KHAZANA & TATA TRUSTS’ ANTARAN JOIN HANDS

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CELEBRATION 2.0 SALUD G&T 2.0 LAUNCHES ITS

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ISHA SEHGAL MANAGER MARKETING OMMUNICATIONS FOR HYATT HOTELS IN HYDERABAD

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VINTAGE RALLY WATCHES CELEBRATING THE ‘ART DE VIVRE’ OF GENTLEMEN DRIVERS

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NEWS /INTERNATIONAL

UNWTO

LAUNCHED ‘JOBS FACTORY’ TO KICKSTART TOURISM JOBS RECOVERY The Jobs Factory harnesses Hosco’s power of machine learning, algorithms, and deep learning to match candidates with suitable positions, both locally and internationally

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he World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has launched the Jobs Factory, powered by Hosco, the global hospitality network. This innovative platform is designed to connect talent with employers across the sector, being the perfect solution for hospitality recruitment.

The Jobs Factory harnesses Hosco’s power of machine learning, algorithms, and deep learning to match candidates with suitable positions, both locally and internationally. Job-seekers are able to create a profile, search for positions that match their experience and skills, and set up job alerts to be informed of the latest opportunities. The platform also helps tourism businesses and organizations to find and recruit the best talent.

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Zurab Pololikashvili says: “The pandemic has hit global tourism hard. Up to 120 million jobs are at risk. However, tourism has a long history of adapting and embracing innovation. The Jobs Factory will be a great help to the millions of people who depend on tourism. It connects employers with the very best talent our sector has to offer.

And it will help our Member States make important decisions based on the latest, trusted data.”

Olivier Bracard, Hosco’s CEO, added: “Hospitality is all about people, and since March 2020, its workforce has been terribly affected, thus the industry as a whole. Hosco’s purpose of making hospitality an exciting journey for talent has never been so challenging yet so crucial, and we’re thrilled to be joining forces with UNWTO to expand

the impact of our technology and expertise to its Member States.

We’re confident that UNWTO’s Jobs Factory, powered by Hosco, will become a critical asset for governments, employers, and hospitality professionals as we embrace recovery.”

All of UNWTO’s 159 Member States will be invited to use the Jobs Factory as their national tourism recruitment platform as will its more than 500 Affiliate Members, ranging from businesses to universities and think tanks.

Additionally, through the Jobs of the Future Observatory, Member States can also monitor current and future skills development to analyse trends. This will allow them to forecast and identify gaps and mismatches and make datadriven decisions.

MR. KAMAL V. RAO IAS IS NEW DG, INDIA TOURISM M

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r.G. Kamal Vardhana Rao IAS is elevated to the post of Director-General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and will continue as Chairman & Managing Director of ITDC. Mr. Kamala Vardhana Rao IAS, a Kerala cadre officer of the 1990 batch was the Principal Secretary, General Administration Department, Government of Kerala. He had served as the Secretary of Kerala Tourism in 2014-15. Earlier, Mr. Rao had held the posts of Principal Secretary, Public Works Department and Food and Civil Supplies; Chairman of Indian Tobacco Board; Director, Department of Fisheries; Director, Department of Tourism and Culture, Government of Andhra Pradesh; Managing Director of SC / ST Corporation in Andhra Pradesh, Revenue Secretary of Kerala; and District Collector, Kollam, Kerala.

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NEWS / INTERNATIONAL

VACCINE

INCONSISTENCY COULD DELAY

THE RESTART OF GLOBAL TRAVEL WTTC believes that once again, the lack of international coordination to agree on a list of approved vaccines is creating yet another major stumbling block for the restart of international travel.

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he restart of international travel could be seriously delayed without worldwide reciprocal recognition of all approved COVID-19 vaccines, says the World Travel & Tourism Council.

The global tourism body, which represents the global private Travel & Tourism sector, has issued its warning following concerns tourists face being turned away at the borders because countries don’t have a common list of internationally recognised and approved COVID-19 vaccines.

This comes just days after a number of British holidaymakers, who had been administered the Indian Covishield batch of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, were rejected entry into Malta despite 10 10

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the drug being chemically identical to the UK-made vaccine.

Over the past few weeks reports of holidaymakers facing obstacles to entry have been on the rise, with some even being

prevented from boarding their flights to destinations.

WTTC believes that once again, the lack of international coordination to agree on a list of approved vaccines is creating yet another major stumbling block for the re-

start of international travel.

This comes despite most vaccines have secured the approval of the World Health Organisation (WHO) or Stringent Regulatory Authorities (SRAs), such as the UK’s the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the Food and Drug Administration in the US, and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Reports of travellers being turned away because they have the ‘wrong’ vaccine batches or ‘unrecognised’ vaccines have fueled concern from consumers, deterring them from booking and thereby damaging the already struggling Travel & Tourism sector.

The plea for reciprocal recognition for all vaccines and vaccine batches forms part of WTTC’s four new guidelines which are aimed at safely resuming international mobility and save the millions of jobs and livelihoods which depend on this sector while kick-starting the global economic recovery.

Virginia Messina, Senior Vice President WTTC, said: “Reciprocal recognition of all vaccine types and batches is essential if we are to avoid any further unnecessary and damaging delay to restarting international travel.

“The failure of countries to agree on a common list of all approved and recognised vaccines is of huge concern to WTTC, as we know everyday travel is curbed, more cash-strapped Travel & Tourism businesses face the even greater strain, pushing ever more to the brink of bankruptcy. www.tourismindia.org

“We can avoid this by having a fully recognised list of all the approved vaccines – and vaccine batches – which should be the key to unlocking international travel, not the door to preventing it.

“It will also give holidaymakers and travellers the confidence they need to book trips, flights and cruises, confidence in the knowledge that their fully-vaccinated status will be internationally recognised.”

WTTC says the restoration of safe international travel can be achieved by following its four guidelines.

Through a combination of COVID-19 testing, vaccination, digital health travel passes and the use of health and safety protocols, such as wearing face masks, safe international mobility can resume while at the same time-saving millions of jobs and livelihoods which depend on the sector and kick-starting the global economic recovery.

Appropriately reduced protocols for vaccinated travellers, including no need for testing or quarantine for those fully vaccinated. Global recognition for international travel of all vaccines authorised for use and deemed 11 safe and effective by the WHO or by the WHO recognised SRAs. A data-driven, risk-based, and internationally harmonized approach to re-establishing freedom of movement, that is consistent across countries, easy to communicate and clearly understood by travellers.

Global adoption of ‘digital health passes’ which enable travellers to

easily obtain and verify their vaccination status, negative COVID test result or natural immunity from a previous infection. These must work with existing border control and travel operator systems accepted by all countries.

Digital verification of a traveller’s COVID status prior to travel will avoid lengthy and unsafe queues in transport hubs and terminals.

Continued implementation of high-quality health and safety standards throughout all areas of the Travel & Tourism sector, including continued adoption of the WTTC’s Safe Travel Protocols and Safe Travel Stamp, with the continued wearing of face masks in crowded and enclosed areas as well as on all forms of public transport.WTTC’s fundamental guidelines to restore international mobility while safeguarding public health include: are guidelines WTTC’s fundamental to restore international mobility while safeguarding public health include: WTTC advocates the full implementation of these proportionate and responsible guidelines for travel over the next few months, as many travel restrictions begin being eased as major travel markets begin to reopen.

This is against the backdrop of a successful vaccination rollout, with a subsequent decrease in deaths, cases, and hospitalisations in many countries. However, variants will continue to because of concern as the world struggles to emerge from the effects of the pandemic.

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UNESCO HERITAGE TAG FOR RUDRESWARA TEMPLE Rudreswara Temple (Ramappa Temple) at Palampet, Warangal, Telangana inscribed on UNESCO’s 39th World Heritage Site in India

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he Rudreswara Temple, (also known as the Ramappa Temple) at Palampet, Mulugu district, near Warangal in the state of Telangana has been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. The decision was taken at the 44th session of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO. Ramappa temple, a 13th-century engineering marvel named after its architect, Ramappa, was proposed by the government as its only nomination for the UNESCO World Heritage site tag for the year 2019. “Just inscribed as World Heritage Site: Kakatiya Rudeshwara (Ramappa) Temple, Telangana in India. Bravo!”

UNESCO announced in a tweet.

The Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi has expressed his happiness on UNESCO declaring Kakatiya Ramappa Temple a World Heritage site. He also urged the 12

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people to visit this majestic temple complex and get a first-hand experience of its grandness. Reacting to a tweet by UNESCO, the Prime Minister said “Excellent!

Congratulations to everyone, especially the people of Telan-

gana. The iconic Ramappa Temple showcases the outstanding craftsmanship of the great Kakatiya dynasty. I would urge you all to visit this majestic temple complex and get a first-hand experience of its grandness.”

Mr. G Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) thanked the Prime Minister for his guidance and support as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) conferred the World Heritage inscription to Rudreswara Temple, (also known as the Ramappa Temple) at Palampet, Mulugu district, near Warangal in the state of Telangana. “It gives me immense pleasure to share that @ UNESCO has conferred the World Heritage inscription to Ramappa Temple atPalampet, Warangal, Telangana. On behalf of the nation, particularly from people of Telangana, I express my thanks to Hon’ble PM @narendramodi for his guidance & support”. The Minister also congratulated the

entire team of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and also thanked the Ministry of External Affairs. He said, “I congratulate the entire team of @ASIGoI for their untiring efforts towards making the Ramappa Temple a World Heritage Site. I would also like to thank the Ministry of External Affairs for their efforts under the guidance of Hon’ble PM @narendramodi”. Mr. G Kishan Reddy tweeted The Rudreswara temple also known as the Ramappa temple was constructed in 1213 AD during the reign of the Kakatiya Empire by Recharla Rudra, a general of Kakatiya king Ganapati Deva. Ramappa is the sculptor who executed the work in the temple for 40 years. The presiding deity here is Ramalingeswara Swamy. The temple complexes

of Kakatiyas have a distinct style, technology, and decoration exhibiting the influence of the Kakatiyan sculptor. The Temple stands on a 6 feet high star-shaped platform with walls, pillars and ceilings adorned with intricate carvings that attest to the unique skill of the Kakatiyan sculptors.

The sculptural art and decoration specific to the time and Kakatiyan Empire have an outstanding universal value. The distinct style of Kakatiyas for the gateways to temple complexes, unique only to this region confirm the highly evolved proportions of aesthetics in temple and town gateways in South India. An European such traveler had remarked that the temple was the “brightest star in the galaxy of medieval temples of the Deccan”.

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NEWS / INTERNATIONAL

VIRTUAL PATA TRAVEL MART 2021 FROM SEPT. 2-5 The PATA Grand Title Winners were presented to outstanding entries in two principal categories: Marketing, Sustainability and Social Responsibility

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he Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA has announced that Virtual PATA Travel Mart (PTM) 2021 will take place from September 2-5 and Leshan, China will once again be the featured destination for the event.

Virtual PTM is a business-to-business travel contracting and virtual networking event that both mirrors and enhances the features of the long-standing PTM, which boasts over four decades of experience in connecting qualified international buyers and sellers from the Asia Pacific and beyond

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through one-to-one business appointments.

“PATA’s goal is to bring valuable content and virtual networking opportunities to enable our members and trade show attendees to stay current with the latest travel products and build connections with new global colleagues,” said PATA CEO Liz Ortiguera. “I invite our industry stakeholders to join us for this year’s event, as we support our members and the industry in this recovery.”

The event is being organised in conjunction with the Sichuan International Travel Expo (SITE) with the support of Official Event Partner, the Leshan Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism Bureau, and is powered by the Official Virtual Event Partner, Dragon Trail Interactive.

“PATA, as one of the most authoritative international tourism organisations in the world, enhances the value, quality, and

sustainable growth of travel and tourism to, from, and within the Asia Pacific region. In recent years, PATA has been actively committed to promoting indepth cooperation with Leshan Tourism, and has achieved fruitful results, becoming a model of regional cooperation in Asia and even the world,” said Ms. Song Qiu, Director of Leshan Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau. “PATA Travel Mart is one of the longest-running travel trade shows in the Asia Pacific.

In 2020, Leshan, as the Featured Destination of PTM 2020, took advantage of the SCITE and cooperated with PATA to jointly organize an international tourism EXPO, and achieved a transaction volume of over 90 million yuan through the interactive form of “online + offline”. In 2021, Leshan will once again hold PTM 2021 with PATA to provide convenient and comfortable services for in-

ternational buyers and sellers, build communication and interactive platform for participants, and work with PATA to make new and greater contributions to the development of tourism in the post-pandemic era.”

The event will offer two business days of one-on-one meetings with up to 50 matched appointments across all time zones from September 2-3. There will also be two trade visitor days on September 4-5. In addition, industry trends and insights will be a part of the program as well as interactive networking breaks with special sessions from various national tourism organisations (NTOs).

Dragon Trail Interactive Co-founder & CEO, George Cao, said, “PATA Travel Mart is a trade show with a long and distinguished history. Going virtual last year demonstrated PATA’s

strong leadership in innovation for our industry, and that leadership continues today. As a PATA member, we are proud to be selected again as a partner for this year’s PTM and hope to work with the PATA team, and with the Leshan government, to bring another successful show to fellow PATA members and the global travel industry.”

Virtual PTM 2021 highlights include Interactive Exhibition Experience – Navigate an interactive map to browse sellers, submit appointment requests, view product pitches, and exchange contact information.

Video Meets – Set up time slots and request meetings supported by video calls, text, and voice chat.

High-Quality Live Forums – Gain insights on travel recovery with live presentations and pan-

els through the PTM Forums.

Buyer Incentives – Buyers have the opportunity to earn prizes by earning points and completing event missions.

Games & Giveaways – Join one of the virtual social games and get the chance to win some awesome travel giveaways and prizes from our sponsors and partners.

PATA International Members in good standing are eligible for a free Standard Booth and both Chapter Members and Non-Members can benefit from seller fees that are 50% lower than market rates (US 599 for Chapter Members and 799 for Non-Members).

Virtual PATA Travel Mart is a one-stop service to market to over +75,000 Chinese and international travel trade professionals, contract valuable new business and consolidate existing business relationships.

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NEWS / NATIONAL

KERALA’S BIO-BUBBLE TOURISM TO BE A ROLE MODEL FOR INDIA Kerala focuses on safe and risk-free tourism

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etting a role model for the entire country in insulating tourists from Covid-19 to the maximum, Kerala has rolled out an efficient and meticulous Bio-bubble model to create protective layers of mostly inoculated service providers to receive and host tourists.

Bio-bubbles are sanitized, safe,

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and secure environments, where people within them, likely to come into contact with tourists, are vaccinated.

The protective ring of the Biobubble will see that tourists landing in any airport in Kerala meet only vaccinated ground staff. From the airport, they can drive to their chosen destinations in cabs, provided by accredited tour operators, whose drivers are all vaccinated. The same goes for the hotels, resorts, or homestays they stay during their holiday, where the staff is vaccinated.

All tourism centers in Kerala re-opened and will be accessible to tourists who

have had at least the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine, or possessing a negative RTPCR test certificate taken before 72 hrs. This applies to hotels, resorts, homestays, houseboats, and open spaces of tourist interest.

For an early revival of the pandemicravaged travel and hospitality sector, Kerala had launched a highly successful, targeted campaign to vaccinate the entire population in tourism destinations, with Vythiri in Wayanad being declared as the first destination to achieve the status.

The drive aims to inoculate entire stakeholders in the tourism industry and the campaign will soon be completed in all tourist destinations across the state.

“Safety of guests is nonnegotiable as far as Kerala Tourism is concerned. The Bio-bubble initiative is meant to ensure that the tourists have a risk-free stay in our state. This is a critical factor

for the revival of tourism, which has been clobbered by the pandemic.

It was with this larger perspective that we successfully carried out the vaccination campaign covering the entire population in Vythiri. This initiative will tell the world that Kerala is a place where you can holiday safely,” said Mr.Mohamed Riyas.

“Kerala Tourism has outlived grim crises like devastating natural calamities like floods and epidemics that battered its infrastructure and economy. We have proved to be resilient by bouncing back from each crisis. Agreed, the Covid-19 pandemic has been unprecedented in its sweep and dimension. The best way to come out of this pandemic induced setback is to set the highest premium on the safety of tourists”, said Dr. Venu V IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism, Govt. of Kerala.

The lockdown-weary people from all corners of the world will be treading to safe and healthy places when tourism opens up globally and nationally. Going by our natural assets and advanced social milieu,

Kerala has immense scope to tap the incoming rush to unpolluted and less crowded spaces. Creation of a safety shield like the bio-bubble is a vital component in keeping the state tourism sector ready”, said Mr. V R Krishna Teja IAS, Director of Tourism, Kerala.

With the Kerala Government setting its goal of inoculating

the whole eligible population at the shortest possible span, the Covid-19 vaccination programme is progressing at a brisk pace throughout the state. So far, over 43.37 percent of the state’s total population have been administered the first dose of vaccine and 18.08 percent with both doses.

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NEWS / NATIONAL

HUSSAINIWALA AT FEROZEPUR CAN OUTSHINE WAGAH BORDER The Indo-Pak Retreat Ceremony at Hussainiwala Border is a popular activity and can be witnessed from as close as 100 feet from the Zero Line

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housands of tourists visit the holy city of Amritsar every day to visit Golden Temple followed by Jallianwala Bagh, Beating Retreat Ceremony at Wagah Border and to

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experience the cuisine of Punjab. However, there are several other unexplored districts like Ferozepur, which despite having immense tourism potential gets overlooked due to lack of aware-

National Martyrs Memorial Hussainiwala in Punjab

ness and promotion. This was discussed during the 3rd webinar of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Border Tourism Webinar Series focusing on Ferozepur district for the promotion of Border Tourism in Punjab.

Delivering the Keynote Address, Mr. Gurpal Singh Chahal (IAS), Deputy Commissioner – Ferozepur District, Government of Punjab, informed that recently Punjab Government has sanctioned INR 5 crores for the development of Light and Sound Show at the National Martyrs Memorial at Hussainiwala Border. The Indo-Pak Retreat Ceremony at Hussainiwala Border is a popular activity and can be witnessed from as close as 100 feet from the Zero Line. If developed and marketed properly, this can outshine the retreat ceremony at Wagah Border, Amritsar.

He further mentioned that

the Harike Wild Life Sanctuary, situated on the confluence of the River Beas and Sutlej at the Ferozepur and Amritsar border is one of the most important Wild Life Sanctuaries being recognized throughout the world. It has the potential for promoting eco tourism and other activities like bird watching, boating.

Mr. Chahal pointed out that

the only challenge the district faces for promoting tourism is that it doesn’t fall in mainline unlike other cities like Amritsar.

He urged the industry members to visit Ferozepur and include it in the tour packages for tourists visiting Punjab.

Mr. Rama Kamaraju, Senior Consultant, NITI Aayog, spoke in length about the Aspiration-

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NEWS / NATIONAL

A view from National Martyrs Memorial Hussainiwala

al Districts Programme (ADP) launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister in 2018. He said that ADP is based on 49 indicators from the 5 identified thematic areas, which focuses closely on improving people’s Health & Nutrition, Education, Agriculture & Water Resources, Financial Inclusion & Skill Development and Basic Infrastructure.

He mentioned that tourist footfall to any area is directly proportional to the livelihood of the local people. He said that Ferozepur district has many historical places, museums, forts, wildlife to offer. Connectivity is a challenge in the district and if addressed properly can certainly help in improving tourism. Mr. Kamaraju suggested that the state government can look at launching a 20

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‘Desh Bhakti’ circuit which can connect the key tourist places of Punjab.

Appreciating the efforts of the Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Kamaraju informed that Ferozepur district has performed extremely well in the ADP with average growth of 25% in all the thematic areas.

Mr. Harsh Mittal, Manager – Marketing and Skill Development, Punjab Heritage & Tourism Promotion Board, Government of Punjab, discussed about the projects and initiatives undertaken by the state government to attract more tourists to the state.

He shared that a project ‘Countryside’ has been launched which helps in promoting authentic cuisine, culture and the rural side of Punjab to the tourists.

He further said that there are three retreat ceremonies organized at Attari, Ferozepur and

Fazilka. While Attari is already a popular tourist attraction, the other two needs push for the promotion of Border Tourism in the state.

Mr. Manmeet Singh, Chairman – Punjab Chapter, Indian Association of Tour Operators, mentioned that while Amritsar has been a tourist attraction for years, there is a need to promote Ferozepur and other adjacent areas of Punjab. He said that the government needs to improve the infrastructure at Hussainiwala Border and Saragarhi Memorial so that Film Tourism can be promoted at these areas.

Mr. Manasvee Pushkarna, Director of Sales, Taj Hotels, highlighted the need for better road connectivity and accessibility.

Mr. Anirudh Gupta, CEO, D.C.M. Group of Schools, while giving a holistic background on Ferozepur district said that the district has several attractions which need

to be capitalized and infrastructure should be developed to ease tourists’ connectivity.

Mr. R S Sachdeva, Mentor – Punjab State Chapter, PHDCCI, mentioned that Ferozepur district along with other districts of Punjab can play pivotal role in promoting Border Tourism as they have lot of tourist attractions and hospitality facilities. He suggested that rural stays should be organized for the tourists to get a firsthand experience of the local flavour and culture of Punjab.

While presenting the theme address, Mr. Anil Parashar, Chairman – Tourism Committee, PHDCCI, said that Punjab has always ranked high when it comes to courage, might and valour. The state has made major contributions to the freedom struggle of India though in the process it had

to face its own division. The richness of the state is reflected in its dress, customs, traditions and also cuisine. There are religious sites to be visited, museums, forts and palaces to be explored and many other things to be done during a visit to Punjab.

He further mentioned that Border Tourism webinar series will continue and PHDCCI would work towards showcasing the tourism potential of the diverse and untouched border districts of India.

Mr. Rajan Sehgal, Co-Chairman – Tourism Committee, PHDCCI while proposing a formal vote of thanks to the delegates, mentioned that post pandemic, tourists are looking at exploring lesser known destinations across the country and Ferozepur can be Panoramic Paddy Fields of Hussainwala distrcit in Punjab

an ideal option for them with so much of history and culture associated with it.

The webinar was moderated

by Dr. Jatinder Singh, Director, PHDCCI, and received participation from senior government officials, tour operators, hoteliers, tour guides, airline professionals, travel associations, students from the travel and hospitality institutes.

PHDCCI’s webinar was supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India; DLF India; Multani Pharmaceuticals; UFLEX; JK Tyre & Industries; Marble City; Paramount Cables; SMC Investments and Advisors; Blossom Kochhar Aroma Magic; Comtech Interio; DCM Shriram Industries; Radico Khaitan; R.E. Rogers India; Ajit Industries; Synergy Environics; Timberworkz; Jindal Stainless; P S Bedi & Co; and IFFCO.

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PROSPECTS OF BORDER TOURISM IN MEGHALAYA Ease of access to zero line; ensuring last mile connectivity; creating economic activities around border towns will be key drivers for promoting Border Tourism in Meghalaya

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HD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) has launched its Border Tourism Webinar Series with a view to explore the tourism potential in the

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border districts of India and to create awareness about the lesser-known destinations across the country. The fourth webinar in the series held on 30 July 2021

focused on East Khasi Hills district for the promotion of Border Tourism in Meghalaya.

Delivering the Keynote Address, Mr. Vinod Zutshi (Retd.

IAS), Former Secretary – Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, said that Border Tourism has immense potential if promoted and marketed well as it gives an opportunity to see the neighboring countries without actually crossing the border. Campaigns like ‘Dekho Apna Aur Padosi Desh’ can be introduced to promote semi international travel. A national-level seminar should be organized by the Ministry of Tourism with all the 18 Border States and UTs to create awareness and buzz about this segment, which will help to increase domestic as well as international tourists.

Mr. Zutshi further said that ease of access to zero lines; ensuring last mile connectivity; creating economic activities around border towns will be the key drivers for promoting Border Tourism in Meghalaya. There is a huge potential for promoting Monsoon Tourism in the state as Cherrapunji is known for being the wettest place on Earth. Emphasis should also be given to Festivals and the state government should www.tourismindia.org

create a mega Tourism Festival on the lines of the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland.

Mr. Cyril V. D. Diengdoh (IAS), Director – Tourism, Government of Meghalaya, said that the state has seen a steady growth of tourist arrivals from Bangladesh over the years with 4,300 arrivals in 2014, which went up to 13,000 in 2018. An MoU has been signed between the Tour Operators Association of Meghalaya and the Bangladesh Tour Operators Association to promote Mountain to Sea Tourism.

He further mentioned that the tourism department is 23 keen to develop ‘Experiential Eco Tourism’ apart from Adventure Tourism, Rural Tourism, and Homestays. In order to enhance the experience of tourists, the state government is following the three fundamentals – right pricing, carrying capacity, and zero waste. He also informed that Meghalaya Tourism has come up with a mobile app that provides a one-stop solution to tourists who wish to plan a trip and helps in contact-

less check-in following the safety protocols.

Ms. Varianarica Syiem (IAS), Director – Border Areas Development Department, Government of Meghalaya, informed that there are 13 border blocks in the state and 435 recognized border villages. In order to ensure ease of movement for the tourists, several projects have been funded under the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) for the construction of roads, parking, and wayside amenities.

Mr. T. Kabilan (IDAS), Director – North Eastern States, NITI Aayog, informed that the Government is keen on promoting Homestays in the state as that will aid off-beat, experiential tourism in addition to increasing options for the domestic and international tourists.

He further said that Tourism has the greatest potential for generating income and employment opportunities and therefore it should be integrated in a manner that the youth in North-East Indian states do not have to move out for livelihood.

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Mr. S. S. Dev Barman, Regional Director, India Tourism North East, said that the region is endowed with diverse tourist attractions and each state has its own distinct features. Besides having spectacular biodiversity, wildlife, snow-capped Himalayas, tropical forests, shrines of diverse religions, and prominent archaeological sites, Northeast India provides an immense opportunity for Medical Tourism which can attract tourists from the South East Asian countries.

While giving an overview on the East Khasi Hills district, Mr. Alexander S. Mukhim (MCS), Additional Deputy Commissioner, I/c Sohra Civil Sub-Division – East Khasi Hills District, Government of Meghalaya, shared that new tourist sites are being developed in the district and the government has helped in providing support and assistance in the maintenance of these sites.

Mr. Arijit Purkayastha, Chairman – North East Chapter, Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India, talked about the different aspects of tourism – cultural, natural, and spiritual which offers 24

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a prospect to promote Experiential Travel in Meghalaya.

Mr. Parambir Singh Sehdave, President, Federation of Shillong Hotels, emphasized the need to improve infrastructure, connectivity in the state which will help to double the number of tourists, especially from Bangladesh. He also emphasized the need for tourism education and skill development in the border areas which will help to generate employment.

In his presidential address, Mr. Sanjay Aggarwal, President, PHDCCI, mentioned that the problem of border districts and tourism development is recognized as an important challenge for local communities along the border. Although institutional environment and security barriers remain the stumbling block for entrepreneurial cooperation; conditions for Border Tourism enhancement can be enabled through the setting up of frameworks for easier cooperation of public, private, and civil actors.

Mr. Anil Parashar, Chairman – Tourism Committee, PHDCCI, said that Meghalaya has some

of the thickest primary forests in the country and therefore constitutes one of the most important eco-tourism circuits in India.

He further said that air and road connectivity, infrastructural facilities at tourist sites in terms of accommodation, transport, drinking water, sanitation, healthcare, needs to be addressed. However, all efforts to develop tourism infrastructure have to be done carefully, keeping in mind the fragility of the mountain environment.

Mr. Rajan Sehgal, Co-Chairman – Tourism Committee, PHDCCI delivered the formal vote of thanks and mentioned that PHDCCI will come out with a White Paper after each webinar and the recommendations shall be submitted to the relevant Ministries for their immediate action.

The webinar was moderated

by Dr. Jatinder Singh, Director, PHDCCI, and received participation from senior government officials, tour operators, hoteliers, tour guides, airline professionals, travel associations, students from the travel and hospitality institutes.

PHDCCI’s webinar was supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India; Meghalaya Tourism; DLF India; Multani Pharmaceuticals; UFLEX; JK Tyre & Industries; Marble City; Paramount Cables; SMC Investments and Advisors; Blossom Kochhar Aroma Magic; Comtech Interior; DCM Shriram Industries; Radico Khaitan; R.E. Rogers India; Ajit Industries; Synergy Environics; Timberworkz; Jindal Stainless; P S Bedi & Co; IFFCO and Hindware.

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CHASING

THE MONSOONS Make your way through the country and follow the raindrops as you explore some of India’s most breath-taking destinations with Taj, Vivanta and SeleQtions hotels

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vercast skies, moisture laden clouds and the smell of fresh rain-soaked earth, the monsoons bring relief from the hot summer days and a sense of abundance and adventure. Make your way through the country and follow the raindrops as you explore some of India’s most breath-taking destinations with Taj, Vivanta and SeleQtions

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hotels.

A road trip to Nashik is a traveller’s delight. Take a scenic drive to Wine Country for a quick getaway at the quaint hotel nestled amongst vast expanses of landscaped gardens. Explore the city’s many wineries or indulge in an intimate picnic by the river, the choices are endless.

Embark on a journey to God’s

Own Country with its serene backwaters, many shades of green and rich culture. Each offering beautiful views of Kerala’s many waterbodies, you can experience vignettes of village life, the flavourful cuisine of the region and glimpses of history like the centuries-old Bekal Fort.

Where better to enjoy the rains than in the midst of a 180-acre

rainforest perched atop hills peppered with more than 200 species of flora and fauna. At Coorg, become one with nature as views of the mist-covered hills keep you spellbound. Enjoy an adrenaline rush with winding nature trails or sit back and indulge in the luxury of time with our signature experiences at the award-winning Jiva

Spa. For those looking to travel back in time, the Queen of Hill Stations – Ooty, is the perfect rainy day antidote. With its colonial-era architecture and lifestyle, the heritage hotel, offers guests a slice of life from the past. Walk through the lush Nilgiris tea estates, enjoy an idyllic afternoon high tea

or learn the art of playing croquêt on the hotel’s lawns – there is something for everyone.

Break away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and explore the beauty of the Indian monsoons delighting over the range of eclectic experiences.

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VIVANTA BHUBANESWAR NOW OPENS BHUBANESWAR, WITH A RICH HISTORY DATING BACK CENTURIES, HAS RECENTLY BEEN RANKED AS THE BEST PLACE TO CONDUCT BUSINESS IN INDIA, GIVING IMPETUS TO ITS STATUS AS AN EMERGING COMMERCIAL CENTRE IN THE COUNTRY

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ndian Hotels Company (IHCL), South Asia’s largest hospitality company, announced the debut of its first Vivanta hotel in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The hotel boasts of a contemporary design that pays tribute to the city’s vi-

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brant spirit.

Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IHCL, said, “This opening is in line with IHCL’s vision to be present in all state capitals of

India. We believe that the state of Odisha has tremendous business and tourism potential with its rich heritage and abundant natural beauty. We are delighted to launch Vivanta Bhubaneswar,

making it a part of the city’s rapid evolution as a key business hub and a significant tourism destination.”

Located in a developing commercial district and a short driving distance from Bhubaneswar International Airport, Vivanta Bhubaneswar has 136 stylishly designed rooms and suites along with a range of eclectic culinary offerings. Mynt, the all-day diner offers a global menu reminiscent of a bistro, while Wink, the plush lounge, offers signature drinks and small bites. While the rooftop Poolbar is the ideal location for sundowners, Swirl, the deli, will offer some of the finest confectionery in town. With the city’s largest conferencing facilities including a dedicated bridal room and poolside lawn, the hotel is the perfect venue for weddings and events. The award-winning Jiva Spa & Salon in the heart of the hotel is an oasis of calm, with the roof-top swimming pool offering guests an opportunity to relax with expansive views of the city.

“We are delighted to partner with Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) for this hotel. The entry of Vivanta will revolutionise the hospitality landscape in the state and open up the entry of leading hotel brands into Odisha, which will give a big boost to the tourism and hotel sector,” said Jagadish Prasad Naik, Managing Director, Lifeline Multiventures Pvt Ltd. Bhubaneswar, with a rich history dating back centuries, has recently been ranked as the best place to conduct business in India, giving impetus to its status as an emerging commercial centre in the country.

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DAWAT-E-BIRYANI AT NOOK

ALOFT BENGALURU

CESSNA BUSINESS PARK

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he blissful aromas of Biryani will surely entice all the foodies. Aloft Bengaluru Cessna Business Park, a Marriott International hotel, offers a chance to indulge in some authentic, mouth-watering biryanis from across the country as they celebrate Dawat-e-Biryani at Nook, their all-day dining.

There is something for every possible taste bud with their huge spread. With the monsoons hitting the city, it is a perfect way to treat yourself, friends, and family to the world of aromatic flavors of traditional cuisine. This is sure to create a tingling in your taste buds as the dishes are made from secret recipes of expert chefs, with well-chosen exotic spices and ingredients.

The festival will offer a variety of Biryanis like Hyder29 Chicken abadi Mutton Biryani, Dum Biryani, Chicken Donne Biryani, Veg Kolhapuri Biryani, Tawa Pulao, and more.

To go along with these delicious biryanis, the team at Aloft has also curated a kebab menu as an add-on bonus, like Chicken Tikka, Shami Kebab, Dahi Kebab, and much more.

Whether you are a vegetarian or non-vegetarian, the

finger-licking biryanis and kebabs await you at Nook. If you aren’t willing to step out just yet, this entire menu is also available for home delivery with the best-insafety protocols in place!

Aloft Bengaluru Cessna Business Park has everything India’s next-generation traveller seeks in the best hotels in Bangalore.

The Aloft rooms are equally cheery, audacious, and spacious.

It features a multi-cuisine all-day dining restaurant- ‘Nook’. Light meals, snacks, healthy bites are catered at ‘Re-Fuel’, and ‘W XYZ Bar offers a wide range of signature cocktails with live music in a splendid ambiance. A Fitness gym is known as ‘Re-charge’ and a pool ‘Splash- Outdoor Pool’ is added facility that Aloft Hotel offers.

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BLIVE JOINS HANDS WITH GREEN CROSS UK TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM As part of the MoU signed, BLive will also work as an Impact Advisor to GCUK for sustainable tourism initiatives across the Globe

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Live, India’s First EV Tourism & Experience platform has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Green Cross United Kingdom (GCUK) to champion the cause of Electric Mobility in Tourist destinations across the world. As a part of this association, BLive and GCUK will formulate various initiatives to drive EV adoption in Tourist Destinations. BLive will also work as an Impact Advisor to GCUK for sustainable tourism initiatives across the Globe.

BLive through its unique EV Tourism initiative, has been at 30

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the forefront of promoting sustainability across key tourist destinations across India. This partnership will help in promoting sustainable tourism across the country where tourists can explore various hidden gems in different parts of the country, without contributing to the carbon footprint and pollution of the environment.

Commenting on the recent development, Samarth Kholkar & Sandeep Mukherjee Co-Founders, BLive, said, “This is a very big step towards promoting the adoption of electric vehicles along with the promotion of sustainable tourism across the globe. We are happy to have a partner like GCUK onboard to help us in our mission of making sustainable mobility a practice across the globe and a big part of the experiences offered in tourist destinations. Once we are on the other side of this wave and it is safe to travel again, with this partnership, we will be accelerating our presence across 30 cities and introducing more BLive tours across India.”

Comment from the Executive Director of GCUK – “We are happy to join hands with BLive as our new local eco-mobility partner. With our span of experience and BLive’s expertise, we hope to make sustainable tourism to the next level, in not just India, but beyond Indian markets. Business models like that of BLive’s will help build more environmentally conscious consumers and travellers and a greener tomorrow.”

BLive offers unique, experiential, guided tours on electric bikes and also launched India’s first www.tourismindia.org

online EV marketplace offering top brands of E-Cycles and E-Scooters. BLive EV Tours has expanded to the top 15 cities across 9 states in India and has completed over 13,000 eBike tours so far. The EV Store has already successfully delivered to customers in over 25 Cities in less than 3 months of online store launch.

As an Electric Vehicle Experi-

ence platform BLive follows the experiential approach of driving adoption of Electric Mobility through BLive EV Tours and BLive EV Store. Green Cross is an Observer Organization with consultative status at the United Nations, and as a non-profit NGO, its actions are planned and executed for the benefit of society and the Planet.

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NEWS / TECHNOLOGY

TINYCHEF ACQUIRES TECHSTARS AND ZELISH

Tinychef has helped inspire users with over 3 million recipe discoveries and nearly 1.7 million meals cooked using Tinychef voice-guided assistance

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he food AI-Tech players together account for 1.2 million users and have built a hands free cooking experience aided by Amazon Alexa.

Bahubali Shete, Asha Shete, and celebrity Masterchef Sanjeev Kapoor’s voice-first culinary AI platform Tinychef are all set to acquire Zelish (the team and its assets) for an undisclosed amount. A Techstars accelerator and Bosch and Siemens Home Appliances backed company, Zelish was founded 2 years ago by Rakesh Edavalath, Saakshi Jain, and Arpit Joseph.

The latest feather in Zelish’s cap is the 2021 Bosch Siemens Home Startup Award in the Product Innovation category. Previously the recipient of the “Best Of 2020 Apps”

by Google Play, and the Editors Choice Award for “Best Upcoming App” in July 2020, Zelish has 32

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covered sizable ground in a short span of time. By acquiring Zelish, Tinychef will also gain access to the app’s 125,000 users and 35% of whom are monthly active users!

Speaking on the acquisition Zelish, co-founder, Saakshi Jain said.

“We’re really excited about this acquisition as it will help us take the Zelish experience into the world of voice-assisted cooking. With Tinychef in the picture, users can look forward to a completely handsfree experience. We are looking forward to the Zelish app spreading across the Indian sub-continent and growing its presence globally in the North American market as well.”

Rakesh Edavalath, co-founder of Zelish added, “We are thrilled to expand the vision of our techfirst platform Zelish to become a voice-guided assistant thanks to Tinychef. Most people who man-

Ms. Saakshi Jain Co Founder Zelish

age the kitchen complain that there is a constant back and forth between operating their phones and managing the said tasks. People will soon be able to relish the Zelish experience on voice assistants like Alexa instead of going back and forth on recipe videos. ” To put things into perspective nearly 4 million recipes were requested and over 1.7 million meals have been cooked using the Tinychef skill on Alexa in India alone and over half a million recipes were made using Zelish last year!

Meanwhile, Tinychef already has over a million users and over 100,000 active monthly users in India and within a month of its launch, it has garnered over 25,000 users in North America with the

bulk of the user base belonging to the US and Canadian markets.

Zelish gives Tinychef a powerful app with a highly engaged user base. Similarly, this alliance also gives Zelish a chance to integrate with Tinychef’s voice-assisted, Alexa-enabled, hands-free cooking universe. Tinychef now aids everything from automatic meal planning to 1-click grocery shopping, voice-guided cooking, and the use of connected Appliances.

Simply put, people will now be able to discover recipes and get inspired, plan their meals, shop for products, and indulge in voice-guided cooking all from one platform. This is exciting as voice search queries in India are growing at 270% and over 82% of smart-

Tinychef Co-Founder Bahubali Shete & Co- Founder Chef Sanjeev Kapoor

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phone users are already using voice search on a regular basis.

Esentially Zelish is an app that lets users plan meals, shop for ingredients, and cook based on recipes by celebrity chefs and influencers like Ranveer Brar & Hebbar’s Kitchen. The pandemic has encouraged a lot of people to start cooking at home for healthy, safe, and hygienic food. Zelish makes it easy for people to cook delicious meals at home without wasting food or struggling with meal ideas.

Excited about this acquisition Tinychef Co-Founder, Bahubali Shete said, “As a pioneer in voicefirst solutions on smart speakers for consumers in the kitchen, adding smartphones was the natural next step for us so that we become truly a ‘device agnostic’ smart kitchen assistant. ‘I am super excited to bring Zelish into Tinychef’, would be an understatement given the potential of the combined solution, team, and partnerships that we bring together. I am really bullish that we will make Tinychef the default kitchen assistant for every kitchen around the world” “I have always tried to impact kitchens in India and across the world with simple and healthier recipes and tips that households appreciate. I am looking forward to seeing kitchens across the world get even simpler with these two wonderful brands combining into something even more powerful.”

Added Celebrity Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, Co-Founder Tinychef Tinychef has helped inspire users with over 3 million recipe discoveries and nearly 1.7 million meals cooked using Tinychef voice-guided assistance. The app currently has a user retention rate of 40% and grocery shopping pilots have seen nearly 50,000 users/month add ingredients to shopping lists across the app/partner channels.

Going forward this acquisition is projected to help Tinychef achieve MoM Growth of 70%.

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NEWS / AIRLINES

ETIHAD AIRWAYS

OPENS BOOKING FOR TRAVEL FROM INDIA India gateways: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Mumbai and Trivandrum, for travel to UAE and transit

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tihad Airways has launched a number of flights from eight Indian gateways, allowing eligible UAE residents to return, and for transit to Eti-

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had’s network, as well as from three Pakistani cities, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka for transit passengers to access Etihad’s global network of destinations.

The airline will operate services from Chennai, Kochi, Bengaluru, Trivandrum, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Mumbai in India, as well as Karachi, Lahore

and Islamabad in Pakistan. Etihad is also operating flights from Dhaka, Bangladesh, and Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Passengers returning to the UAE must have a valid residency and proof of having received both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine within the UAE no less than 14 days before travel. Unvaccinated people in certain categories eligible to return include medical workers, UAE based teachers, students, residents with extenuating circumstances, patients undergoing medical treatment in the UAE and employees who work for federal or local government agencies. These latest categories are in addition to previously exempt categories of UAE nationals, Diplomatic missions, official delegations and Golden residence holders. All passengers will be subject to acceptance and quarantine conditions.

In order to travel, all passengers must have: Permission to return through the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship website.

A negative PCR test –a maximum of 48 hours before their first flight departure time, taken at an approved lab in their origin city and contain a QR code for verification.

A rapid PCR test taken within four hours of boarding at the airport- Rapid PCR tests must be taken at an airport facility.

Any test taken outside of an airport facility will not be accepted.

Guests are urged to arrive at the airport at least six hours before their flight to assure that they receive their rapid test results on time.

Upon arrival to the UAE a PCR will be conducted at the airport. www.tourismindia.org

INDIGO BECOMES FIRST INDIAN AIRLINE TO LAUNCH A PILOT FOR IATA TRAVEL PASS To initiate pilot from August 20, 2021

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s s part of the effort to chart recovery for international travel, IndiGo has partnered with International Air Transport Association (IATA) to become the first Indian airline to launch a pilot for IATA Travel Pass to help passengers easily and securely manage their travel in line with any government requirements for COVID-19 testing or vaccine information. The airlines will initiate pilot from August 20, 2021.

IATA Travel Pass is a mobile app that helps travellers to store and manage their verified certifications for COVID-19 tests or vaccines. It is more secure and efficient than current paper processes used to manage health requirements. This is important given the potentially 35 enormous scale of testing or vaccine verifications that will need to be securely managed.

The pass will enable IndiGo passengers to create a ‘digital passport’ to verify their pre-travel test or vaccination status to meet the SOPs of the destination. The passengers will be able to share the test and vaccination certificates with authorities as well as airlines to facilitate travel. The app will also enable passengers to manage and

save all their travel documentation digitally and seamlessly throughout the travel experience.

Mr Ronojoy Dutta, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo said, “We are proud to partner with IATA to become the country’s first airline to take this step towards enabling customers with a travel pass mobile app.

This initiative is a significant step to prepare for a new normal, especially with regard to international travel. Today, most countries have implemented protocols for travellers across the globe and this IATA Travel Pass will simplify and digitize the requisite passenger information for respective countries. We are certain that our collaboration with IATA on this innovation will prove to be a stepping-stone towards international air travel recovery while providing a hassle-free experience to our customers”.

The platform will also enable authorized labs and test centres to securely send test results or vaccination certificates to passengers. The global registry, operated by IATA, will manage and allow the secure flow of necessary information amongst all stakeholders and provide a seamless passenger experience.

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EMIRATES’ HOME CHECKIN SERVICES FLYING IN JULY More than 2,500 customers used the service with the most popular destinations being Amman, Beirut and Male

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ver 2,500 Emirates customers enhanced their travel experience by adding innovative home check-in services to their bookings in July.

The airline’s popular service enables passengers departing from Dubai to quickly and efficiently complete the check-in process in the comfort of their home and enjoy a swift and smooth journey through the airport.

During the peak summer travel departures from the UAE in July, Emirates’ home check-in services were typically booked for groups of four to five people, with travellers’ most popular destinations being Amman (Jordan), Beirut (Lebanon) and Male (Maldives). Thursdays and the Eid long weekend were particularly busy with up to 130 home checkins completed and 150 pieces of baggage delivered to the airport a day across Dubai. Underscor36

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ing the popularity of the service, some 400 home check-ins were for repeat customers who had already taken advantage of the service before.

During the safe and convenient home check-in process, customer-oriented agents check in travellers for their flights, issue boarding passes, weigh and tag

their sanitised baggage and ensure these are delivered to the airport and loaded onto the aircraft. Each piece of baggage is disinfected with a long-lasting protective coating that lasts for up to 72 hours.

Emirates customers can easily book their home check-in service on emirates.com up to 24 hours before their flight and receive the service up to 8 hours before scheduled departure time.

Customers also have the option to book fast-track marhaba services to help whisk them through airport immigration for an even more contactless on ground experience. In addition, travellers can also book pre-travel COVID-19 testing. A qualified

Emirates’ home check-in service is delivered by DUBZ, dnata’s baggage technology and logistics company medical professional performs the swab test ahead of the home check-in process, and results are shared with customers digitally.

All passengers who test negative

for COVID-19 receive a medical certificate within 24 to 48 hours to meet the entry guidelines of their destination.

For their return to Dubai, customers can choose to book a land and leave service which enables them to proceed directly home while trained agents collect their baggage, clear it through customs, sanitize the baggage, and then deliver it directly to their doorstep.

Emirates’ home check-in service is delivered by DUBZ, dnata’s baggage technology and logistics company. Based in Dubai, DUBZ providers innovative, unique solutions to travellers, ensuring a safe and seamless experience for them throughout their journey.

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NEWS / AVIATION

FLY GANGWON CHOOSES

IBS SOFTWARE TO PROPEL CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT iFly Res is designed to provide airlines with greater business flexibility and operational efficiency

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ly Gangwon, the South Korean Tourism Convergence Carrier (TCC) airline startup, has partnered with IBS Software to overhaul its distribution and reservations capabilities as it seeks to attract customers and boost revenue as domestic air travel in South Korea continues to bounce back.

By deploying IBS Software’s iFly Res platform, Fly Gangwon will implement a fully digital, omnichannel platform that will empower the airline to promote and differentiate products and offers through multiple channels, 38

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transforming the customer experience in the process.

Fly Gangwon’s system was unable to gain customer insight or delivered tailored offers.

Moving to the iFly Res cloud platform will enable Fly Gangwon to dynamically manage customer profiles, implement differentiated B2B and B2C internet booking

engines and significantly enhance indirect distribution.

These capabilities will transform the airline’s retailing experience and customer satisfaction, giving them a competitive edge in the South Korean low-cost market.

“Customers are the lifeblood of any passenger airline and it’s critical that we continue to

put them first by investing in the latest technology to deliver more personalised, relevant, and engaging offers and services,” said Won Suk Joo, CEO Fly Gangwon. “Our partnership with IBS Software will bring us closer than ever to our customers, and together we can surprise and delight them in new and increasingly innovative ways.”

“In a challenging and competitive market, you need every advantage to thrive. Fly Gangwon’s single-minded dedication to casting away the limitations of legacy technology and embracing cloud technology to transform their passenger offering and customer experience makes them a joy to work with,”

iFly Res is designed to provide airlines with greater business flexibility and operational efficiency.

Born out of a need for more dynamic PSS in the aviation industry

said David Friderici, Head of Aviation Passenger Solutions, IBS Software. “Dynamic, data-led PSS undoubtedly deliver airlines with a competitive advantage, higher revenues, and more engaged, happier customers.

We’re excited to continue

innovating with Fly Gangwon and seeing the partnership deliver commercial value.” iFly Res is designed to provide airlines with greater business flexibility and operational efficiency. Born out of a need for more dynamic PSS in the aviation industry, iFly Res features a customer-centric design that can seamlessly manage to change business models – from low cost to hybrid operations. iFly Res is the first natively compliant IATA NDC PSS product in the industry, with a rich API portfolio that exposes fully NDC compliant booking and DCS functions providing rapid connectivity to content providers, consumers, and trade partners.

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NEWS / INTERNATIONAL

MESSE BERLIN (SINGAPORE) WINS SINGAPORE TOURISM AWARDS 2021 The award received in the category of Outstanding Event Organiser

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esse Berlin (Singapore) wins the “Outstanding Event Organiser” award at the Singapore Tourism Awards 2021 for successfully organising TravelRevive, the first international travel tradeshow to take place physically in the Asia Pacific during COVID-19, with both local and foreign attendees and exhibitors.

The Singapore Tourism Awards celebrates and recognises individuals and organisations in the tourism sector for delivering outstanding experiences and demonstrating enterprise excellence. The award is an integral part of the Singapore Tourism Board’s (STB) efforts to enhance the competitiveness of Singapore’s tourism sector by motivating organisations and individuals to create compelling experiences 40

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and adopt best practices.

Powered by ITB Asia and STB, TravelRevive was the first pilot tradeshow to trial the newly developed ‘hybrid event’ tradeshow prototype for safe business events, safe itineraries, and digital enablers in Singapore. The event was part of a public-pri-

vate alliance among various government agencies that aimed to bring to life Singapore’s vision for safe, trusted and innovative business events. The two-day event brought together local and international attendees on-site to exchange ideas, bridge knowledge gaps, and reimagine the future

The Singapore Tourism Awards celebrates and recognises individuals and organisations in the tourism sector for delivering outstanding experiences and demonstrating enterprise excellence of travel. It featured conference sessions, an exhibition, as well as opportunities for one-onone buyer-seller appointments.

It was complemented by virtual conference sessions which enabled a wider global audience to connect with regional travel businesses.

“Messe Berlin (Singapore) has been providing our industry with event excellence for over 14 years by delivering all-rounded experiences for attendees in both our physical exhibitions and virtual events. We are very grateful to receive this important award, which recognises our proven record in organising and running quality exhibitions. It has been a difficult year of hard work for our team. Event experience is what we strive for. Our team continues to adapt, change and excel in bringing an unparalleled platform for industry stakeholders to do business, learn, and network. With TravelRevive, we did our part to help pave the way for a positive future for trade shows during and post-pandemic”, said Katrina Leung, Managing Director of Messe Berlin (Singapore), the www.tourismindia.org

organiser of ITB Asia and TravelRevive.

Messe Berlin (Singapore) bagged “Outstanding Event Organiser” award at the Singapore Tourism Awards 2021 Messe Berlin (Singapore) wins “Outstanding Event Organiser” award at the Singapore Tourism Awards 2021 for successfully organising TravelRevive, the first international travel tradeshow to take place physically in Asia Pacific during COVID-19, with both local and foreign attendees and exhibitors.

The Singapore Tourism Awards celebrates and recognises individuals and organisations in the tourism sector for delivering outstanding experiences and demonstrating enterprise excellence. The award is an integral part of the Singapore Tourism Board’s (STB) efforts to enhance the competitiveness of Singapore’s tourism sector by motivating organisations and 41 individuals to create compelling experiences and adopt best practices.

Powered by ITB Asia and STB, TravelRevive was the first pilot tradeshow to trial the newly developed ‘hybrid event’ tradeshow prototype for safe business events, safe itineraries, and digital enablers in Singapore. The event was part of a public-private alliance among various government agencies that aimed to bring to life Singapore’s vision for

safe, trusted and innovative business events. The two-day event brought together local and international attendees on-site to exchange ideas, bridge knowledge gaps, and reimagine the future of travel. It featured conference sessions, an exhibition, as well as opportunities for one-onone buyer-seller appointments.

It was complemented by virtual conference sessions which enabled a wider global audience to connect with regional travel businesses.

“Messe Berlin (Singapore) has been providing our industry with event excellence for over 14 years by delivering all-rounded experiences for attendees in both our physical exhibitions and virtual events. We are very grateful to receive this important award, which recognises our proven record in organising and running quality exhibitions. It has been a difficult year of hard work for our team. Event experience is what we strive for. Our team continues to adapt, change and excel in bringing an unparalleled platform for industry stakeholders to do business, learn and network. With TravelRevive, we did our part to help pave the way for a positive future for trade shows during and post-pandemic”, said Katrina Leung, Managing Director of Messe Berlin (Singapore), the organiser of ITB Asia and TravelRevive.

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NEWS / DESTINATIONS

BERLIN

LOVES YOU 3,000 Berliners collectively extend an invitation to visitors from around the world: “Berlin loves you!“• An image and short film of the event are available here now

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t the Berlin Freedom Dinner, 3,000 Berliners celebrated a special event on the runway of the former airport at Berlin Tegel and sent a message to the world: “Berlin loves you!“. 1,018 dinner tables are arranged in an area 800 metres long and 60 metres wide.

Berlin, a magnet for tourism

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and trade fairs, is setting the scene for reopening business and looking forward to hosting events and visitors again. At the same time, Berliners are saying goodbye to Tegel Airport, which for many years as a gateway to the world and will now become the innovative “Urban Tech Republic“.

Burkhard Kieker, managing director of visitBerlin: “Today, together with many Berliners, we are happy to be sending out a welcome message – and from a very special place, on the runway at what used to be Tegel Airport.

Berlin is back and invites visitors to enjoy the city of freedom.“ Martin Ecknig, CEO of Messe

Berlin: “The Berlin Freedom Dinner is a great example of Berlin’s determination to reopen. Together, we have put together a unique open-air event. It is for an experience such as this that we at Messe Berlin are well prepared – and so it makes me all the happier when the sum of many parts becomes one, and the world can see our welcome message: BERLIN LOVES YOU!“ Governing Mayor of Berlin Michael Müller and Senator for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises Ramona Pop had extended an invitation to this special evening event, together with Messe Berlin and visitBerlin.

The supporting music and dance programme featured more than 50 artists, including Andrej Hermlin & Family, Peter Fox’s show drummers BÄM, the tap dancers TAP Connection, as well as other dance and music, acts from Berlin. A special hygiene concept was established to ensure a safe event.

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FEATURE / DESTINATION

SCENIC VINEYARDS OF

NEWZEALAND

SFO community offer a range of food options that are fresh and locally-sourced, specialty retail shops and passenger services, airline lounges, and our on-airport hotel, the award-winning Grand Hyatt at SFO

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he International Pinot Noir Day, August 18 is the perfect time to celebrate New Zealand, the home to more than 260 cellar doors with over 500 winery experiences. New Zealand Pinot Noir is now the

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country’s top red wine variety and the second-most exported wine after Sauvignon Blanc.

Pinot Noir is predominantly grown in the cooler southerly regions in New Zealand: Wairarapa, Marlborough, Nelson,

North Canterbury, and Central Otago. The huge diversity in climates and soils enables a wide range of styles from these main Pinot Noir producing regions, while also offering experiences unique to each region.

Growing this grape isn’t easy, but it sure is worth it. Not only do these grapes taste amazing when turned into wine, they are beautiful to gaze upon when growing.

Wairarapa Wairarapa, meaning “land of glistening waters” in Māori, is the main North Island region with a climate best suited to this heartbreak grape. With a fascinating early settler history, vines were first planted here in 1883 but fell victim to the temperance movement in 1905. Wairarapa’s modern wine history dates from the late 1970s, and the region boasts some of New Zealand’s most sought-after Pinot Noir producers. Between sub-regions Martinborough, Gladstone, and Masterton, there are over 30 cellar doors. The region’s flagship red is richly flavoured and warm, with darker fruit aromas, often with a savoury component. www.tourismindia.org

Marlborough Although Marlborough is known for its Sauvignon Blanc, it is also the largest Pinot Noir growing region in New Zealand.

The first plantings of the variety in Marlborough took place as far back as 1973, though for the next 20-plus years most of the Pinot Noir fruit grown in the region was used to make sparkling wine until serious growth began after the year 2000.

Marlborough is a wine-lovers dream destination, as visitors 45 than 40 can choose from more cellar doors within minutes of touching down at the Blenheim airport.

Nelson The picturesque region of Nelson is found on the northern tip of the South Island, and because it is protected by mountain ranges on three sides, Nelson is blessed climatically. The region often leads the country in sunshine hours, while the dryness of the late summer months

suits early ripening Pinot Noir.

Nelson has a vibrant artistic and café culture and offers a wonderful sense of tranquillity and relaxation – add in a National Park and many cellar doors all on Nelson’s doorstep, and you have the perfect place to enjoy the wines and the scenery.

North Canterbury In North Canterbury, Pinot Noir here ranges from perfumed and pretty, to dark and brooding.

North Canterbury’s cool, dry climate with high sunshine and a long growing season gives this region’s Pinot Noir finesse and depth, with supple structure and good complexity. Today, vineyards are dotted across the region, and North Canterbury is a great wine destination for those looking to discover some hidden gems. The cellar doors of North Canterbury are all within easy reach of the Christchurch Airport, ensuring you are sipping wine shortly after touchdown.

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FEATURE / DESTINATION Central Otago A spectacular landscape and popular tourist hub, Central Otago is also home to some of the world’s most well-known Pinot Noir and is the world’s southernmost wine region. Pinot Noir from Central Otago is fragrant, lush fruit underpinned

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by taut structure, silky texture and true intensity. Easily accessible through Queenstown Airport, Central Otago is the perfect place to cosy up to the fire with a glass of Pinot Noir.

For the best New Zealand Pinot Noir experience, the age for 2-5 years and serve at 15

degrees Celsius/60 degrees Fahrenheit. A large round bellshaped glass is perfect to serve Pinot, as it collects the delicate aromas of the wine. Take a journey through the scenic vineyards in New Zealand where this notoriously fickle grape is grown.

VACCINE TOURISM IS TAKING OFF AT SFO Over 30,000 vaccines administered; fastest-growing category is foreign visitors

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s the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) surpasses 30,000 vaccine doses administered at the Airport, a clear trend has emerged: more and more foreign travelers are making vaccination a part of their visit to San Francisco. Known as “vaccine tourism,” this concept represents the fastest-growing category of visitors to the SFO Medical Clinic, where the free Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine is administered. At present, 80% of new vaccine appointments at SFO are coming from non-US citizens, and over 1,000 doses have already been administered to visitors from 58 countries around the world.

“This trend truly represents a win-win situation for all,” said Airport Director Ivar C. Satero. “It ensures that vaccines doses do not go unused by making them available to those who may have trouble accessing it in their home country. It also stimulates travel and visitor spending for the Bay Area, and – most importantly – it helps protect against the community’s spread of the virus. My thanks go out to the entire team for making this program a reality.” www.tourismindia.org

Since late May, the SFO Medical Clinic, located pre-security in the International Terminal, has been offering free single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccines on an appointment basis.

SFO first offered vaccines onsite in February, when it partnered with the County of San Mateo to provide vaccines to health care workers and County residents over 65. The Airport converted one of its multi-lev-

el garages to serve as a drivethrough vaccination facility. Over 26,500 doses were administered through this program.

SFO also launched a vaccination clinic in early May, located in the International Terminal, which offered doses to airport workers, local residents, and travelers.

This program was administered through a partnership with Safeway and administered almost 2,200 doses.

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FEATURE / DESTINATION

ANANTARA

WELCOMES BACK INTERNATIONAL GUESTS TO

THAILAND

Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort, Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort, and Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas are welcoming back guests with a range of luxury stays and memorable travel experiences

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ith Thailand’s world-famous islands of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan all set to reopen to international travelers, Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort, Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort, and Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas are welcoming back guests with a range of luxury stays and memorable travel experiences.

After 18 months of border closures, guests can once again enjoy the Gulf of Thailand’s pristine national parks, untouched beaches, and unforgettable cultural sites. Muay Thai classes, Spice Spoons cooking classes, and unique Dining by Designs along with pampering experiences at Anantara Spa, such as yoga, meditation, and exercise classes will enhance guest stays at each resort.

Under the “Samui Plus Model” fully vaccinated international travellers flying into Koh Samui are required to stay at a Samui Extra Plus approved hotel, such as Avani+ Samui Resort. After Day 7, guests can stay at any Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA+)

Certified hotel on Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, or Koh Tao provided they produce negative RT-PCR tests.

Anantara’s three resorts are SHA+ approved in accordance with local government and World Health Organisation guidelines.

Additional measures include all team members being fully vaccinated plus the implementation of Anantara’s “Stay with Peace of Mind” programme – a rigorous set of sanitation procedures and social distancing measures to ensure guest safety.

Nestled in Samui’s iconic Fisherman’s Village, Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort offers 106 rooms, suites, and beachfront pool suites. Guests can enjoy the beachfront infinity pool the stunning Anantara Spa spread over 3,000 sqm of lotus ponds and garden, fine-dining chargrill at Full Moon restaurant, and sundowner cocktails at the newly-opened A.Shore Beach Bar. Rates start from THB 25,900 net for a seven-night stay including airport transfers, breakfast, and optional half-board or full board.

With 122 recently renovat-

ed guest rooms and pool villas, Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort is a tropical sanctuary with a prime location on Chaweng Beach. Guests can enjoy the beachside infinity pool, a fully supervised kids’ club, and unique dining at Tree Tops Restaurant and Bar. Rates start from THB 31,900 net for a seven-night including airport transfers, breakfast, and optional half-board or full board.

Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas offers an extravagant getaway experience with 64 pool suites and pool villas set upon one of Thailand’s most stunning beaches. For pampering experiences, a luxury jungle spa with visiting wellness practitioners is also available. Rates start from THB 59,500 net for a seven-night stay including shared scheduled transfers by speedboat, breakfast, and optional half-board or full board.

Guests who begin their Alternative Local Quarantine at Avani+ Samui Resort can complete their stay at Anantara and receive additional exclusive benefits:

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FEATURE / DESTINATION

SANTA CLAUS AND MR LORDI ADVOCATE VACCINATIONS IN ROVANIEMI Finland welcomes vaccinated travellers from all over the world

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inland’s best-known people, Santa Claus the ambassador of goodwill and Mr Lordi winner of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2006, visited the Rovaniemi Town Hall vaccination centre on the 1st of August 2021.

Rovaniemi is known for being the home town of both of these famous characters.

“I have already received my full vaccine series, thanks to my old age, I was one of the first to receive the vaccine”, reveals Santa Claus. “We will certainly meet this Christmas, if not face-toface, it is also possible for us to meet remotely. I want to wish people around the world the very best of health and patience”, Santa continues.

As of the 26th of July Finland welcomes travellers from all countries if they have proof of valid full vaccination against COVID-19 Mr Lordi received his second dose of the vaccine on his visit. He says he has spent a year and a half staying put in Rovaniemi. “Our European tour was postponed time and time again.

Bearing this in mind, times have been rather tough. Nevertheless,

I’ve enjoyed this past year and a half because we managed to do something that otherwise would have been impossible: we made seven albums during this time – kind of a world record”, Mr Lordi boasts.

“I just hope everybody uses common sense. If we want this world to get back to normal, or at least something close to normal, people have to realise we’re all in the same boat. My message is: take the shot!”, Mr Lordi encourages.

As of the 26th of July Finland welcomes travellers from all countries if they have proof of valid full vaccination against COVID-19.

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NEWS / NATIONAL

KHAZANA & TATA TRUSTS’ ANTARAN JOIN HANDS I

A curated exhibit of Indian handlooms inaugurated at Khazana at Taj Lands End, Mumbai presented a handpicked collection of masterpieces created using traditional weaves of the regions

ndian Hotels Company (IHCL), South Asia’s largest hospitality company’s luxury lifestyle store,

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Left to right: Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, MD & CEO, IHCL; Actress Ms. Shabana Azmi; Cricketer Mr. Sachin Tendulkar; Mr. N. Srinath CEO, Tata Trusts at the Khazana store at Taj Lands End, where the curated exhibit of handlooms was unveileda

Khazana, announced its partnership with Antaran - Transforming Crafts; Tata Trust’s Craft-Based Livelihood Programme. For over four decades, Khazana has provided a platform to showcase India’s rich heritage of traditional art, craft and textiles. Antaran works towards strengthening the ecosystem and empowering entrepreneurship and self-employment of artisans from lesser known craft clusters in the country. This unique collaboration between Khazana and Antaran furthers the intent to impact the livelihood of thousands of weavers across Odisha, Assam, Nagaland and Andhra Pradesh.

Speaking on the occasion Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IHCL said, “This partnership is in line with IHCL’s commitment of giving back to the community.

Khazana celebrates the boundless creativity of Indian craftsmen and showcases the work of local artisans to a discerning global audience while providing sustainable livelihoods. We are delighted to partner with Antaran in helping to further the cause of supporting traditional crafts of the country.”

A curated exhibit of Indian handlooms inaugurated at Khazana at Taj Lands End, Mumbai presented a handpicked collection of masterpieces created using traditional weaves of the regions.

This will soon be available in other Khazana stores. Khazana with its wide footprint operates 17 luxury lifestyle stores across nine cities with three stores opening soon in www.tourismindia.org

Chennai, Shimla and Bhopal.

At the launch of the showcase N. Srinath CEO, Tata Trusts said, “Tata Trusts’ Antaran initiative was established to shine a spotlight on hidden clusters of unique craft-forms across the country.

In everything we do, our goal is to empower artisans through education, exposure and access to markets, such that they can build enduring sources of income. This partnership will offer these fine products, the true khazana of Indian heritage and culture, an audience hitherto untapped”.

Initiated to bring seminal changes in craft development, Tata Trusts’ Antaran has in the past three years, nurtured around 1,507 artisans and has created 147 micro-enterprises across its six regions. The intervention aims to directly benefit 3,000 households involved in pre-loom, on-loom and post-loom processes, while also impacting the livelihood of thousands of other weavers in these regions. This unique initiative also presents designers and buyers an opportunity for creative collaboration with weavers.

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NEWS / PRODUCTS

CELEBRATION 2.0

SALUD G&T 2.0 LAUNCHES ITS PARTY PACK SIXPACK Sauld G&T 2.0 – now comes in a pack full of celebration.

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his latest offering from urban lifestyle brand Salud is a customisable party pack of 6, filled with the cheery vibes of its signature refreshing and unique flavours – Original, Cucumber and Lavender.

These packs make a great gift or ice breaker for a cosy house party, easygoing brunch, long drawn out romantic evening, poolside revelry or virtual hangout.

Mix and match the flavours of your choice to create the perfect celebration vibe, no matter the location or occasion.

The party pack is available in all outlets across Bangalore, and there are special introductory offers available in select outlets now to build and bring home your sixpack of chillout fun.

APPOINTMENT

ISHA SEHGAL

MANAGER CLUSTER MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS

FOR HYATT HOTELS IN HYDERABAD

M

s. Isha Sehgal has been appointed as Cluster Marketing Communications Manager for Hyatt hotels in Hyderabad. Isha will lead marketing communications & PR for Park Hyatt Hyderabad, Hyatt Hyderabad Gachibowli, and Hyatt Place Hyderabad Banjara Hills. Her re-

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sponsibilities will include spearheading the marketing initiatives, collaborations and continue to build a strong brand presence in the city.

An engineer by education, Isha after Post Graduation in PR, Advertising & Marketing, started her career with Ogilvy & Mather. She comes with around a decade of experience in integrated marketing communications, strategy development, social media optimization, and brand management. She has been in Hyatt for more than 3 years as Marketing Communications Manager for Hyatt Regency Chandigarh. Her tenure in Chandigarh constituted the launch of exclusive food concepts & campaigns in the city and developing 55 strategies for brand development.

In the past, Isha has worked with AccorHotels, The Park Hotels along with a few education institutes in cities like Delhi, Jaipur, Kolkata, and Mumbai.

On her appointment, Ms. Isha mentioned, “I am elated to continue the journey with Hyatt in this part of the country and appreciate the opportunity to bring the passion for what I do, across the three Hyatt brands in Hyderabad.

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NEWS / PRODUCT LAUNCH

VINTAGE RALLY WATCHES CELEBRATING THE ‘ART DE VIVRE’ OF GENTLEMEN DRIVERS This collection is based on a close collaboration with Austin-Healey, the two brands have joined forces back in 2004

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or over 15 years, connoisseurs of beautiful engineering have honoured the union of automobiles and watchmaking with the limited

Vintage Rally series, created by Frederique Constant in tribute to the legendary Austin-Healey. Contributing to this legacy are two new models in retro styles that are every bit as sleek as they are stylish.

It’s become something of a ritual that fans of the Geneva-based Maison have come to expect like clockwork; this year, Frederique Constant is offering new versions of its iconic Vintage Rally collection, the only one it has ever designed for car collectors.

The similarities with watchmaking include an appreciation of beautiful engineering, precision, timeless design, the combination of leather and metal, comfort, and above all, a certain ‘art de vivre’. The Vintage Rally by Frederique Constant represents all that… and plenty more besides.

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This collection is based on a close collaboration with Austin-Healey, the two brands have joined forces back in 2004. Counting 17 years of fellowship geared around sport and watchmaking, theirs is one of the most enduring associations in the industry, reflective of the unbreakable bond the two Maisons share in drawing on tradition to create thoroughly modern designs, especially for those who truly appreciate craftsmanship and elegance.

Good company on the road

If the Vintage Rally collection has seen many wonderful breakaways in its time, 2021 is one of the few years to produce not just one, but two editions of the same vintage.

Authenticated by the original “Healey” logo marked on the dial, these Vintage Rally Healey Automatic Small Seconds are in fittingly short supply, with only 888 pieces of each one available.

The green version is probably the most iconic of all. Extending across the whole dial, this particular shade of British racing green alludes to the legendary colour of the Austin-Healey company.

A study in contrast and a return to the roots of one of the most iconic rally car colours, ‘British racing green’ has long been associated with the vintage Austin Healeys that are especially desirable among collectors now. For this model, Frederique Constant has opted for luminescent silvered applique hour markers with the 6 and the 12 being more generously proportioned – one of the distinguishing features of the Vintage Rally collection.

The piece has an off-center small seconds hand at 9 o’clock.

Its very traditional complication has only surfaced once in almost 20 years. It is counterbalanced at 3 o’clock by a date window. Running around the dial is the flange www.tourismindia.org

complete with a 60-minute scale, all set within a 40 mm diameter case, a favourite with collectors on account of its timeless quality.

The perforated strap has received particular attention; on this ‘racing green’ model, it comes in brown leather. Not found anywhere else on the watch, this colour also recalls the upholstery of the beautiful cars from the 1940s to the 1970s, as well as the gloves, are worn by gentlemen57drivers in their element.

Finally, the last version is supposed to be the most classic, aligned as it is with the fine watchmaking that Frederique Constant has always championed in Geneva. The case is rose gold plated, as are the hour markers, hands, and crown. This sunny shade of gold really sets off the midnight blue dial, picked up on the leather strap. Day and night, the classic

and classy elegance of the latest Vintage Rally Healey Automatic Small Seconds shine through.

The case backs of these new models have been engraved with a Healey being driven at full throttle; the famous Healey 100S NOJ393 was purchased by a collector for £155 in 1969 and sold for nearly €1 million in December 2011. Each piece comes in a collector’s gift set, complete with a miniature replica of the NOJ393.

Frederique Constant creates, develops, assembles, and controls a wide variety of mechanical, quartz, and connected timepieces at the same time within its 6,200 m2 Manufacture in Plan-les-Ouates (GE). To this day, Frederique Constant has designed 29 Manufacture calibers, including high complications, such as the Tourbillon, Perpetual Calendar, and Flyback Chronograph.

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INDIA INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL MART India’s Premier Travel & Tourism Exhibition

2021 - 22

Ensure your place in the most happening destination of travel!

A Spectacular showcase to stimulate the Domestic and Outbound travel industry. More customers, business improvements strategies, star status, wide audience and extra mileage. Everything to lead your business to non-stop activity-only at IITM. Real excitement as you’ve always desired!

EVENTS CALENDAR 2021-22 Chennai 18, 19 Oct 2021

Bengaluru 22, 23 Oct 2021

Pune 26,27,28 Nov 2021 Supported by

Delhi 26, 27 Oct 2021

Hyderabad 03,04,05 Dec 2021

Mumbai 29, 30 Oct 2021

Kochi 27,28,29 Jan 2022

Partner Associations

Ahmedabad 12, 13 Nov 2021

Kolkata 04,05,06 Mar 2022 Media Partner

Member THE VOICE OF CHANDIGARH A LEADING NEWSPAPER thevoiceofchandigarh@gmail.com

the meeting & business travel publication

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SPHERE TRAVELMEDIA & EXHIBITIONS PVT. LTD.

# 245, 7th Main, Amar Jyothi Layout, Domlur, Bengaluru - 560 071, India. | P: +91-80-4083 4100 | F: +91-80-4083 4101 E: info@iitmindia.com | www.iitmindia.com | www.spheretravelmedia.com

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