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JUNE 2022 VOL. 25 NO. 02 Pages 68

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Editor’s Note

TOURISM AS A TOOL FOR PEACE

he long-term survival of the Tourism Industry is often put into question, regardless of the true list of variables, this will all depend on the overarching effects of sustainability and climate change. This includes the quality of air, water, soil and as a very humandependent business with multidimensional activities which affects various service industries, we must think about this with much higher priority when making all kinds of decisions. The Indian Tourism Industry has the potential to cement its place as a world player if there is more active engagement from central, state, and national governments, but along with it, private sectors, and voluntary organizations have to also become active partners in this endeavour to attain and achieve global sustainability standards while also making sure that sustainability within the business is also viable. Sustainable development and peace are closely interlinked, the concepts of ‘traditional’ and ‘responsible’ tourism can contribute to peace-building in regions of conflict and make tourism a tool for peace. The definition of ‘peace tourism’ consists of significant visits to places and educational associations with peacemaking, conflict prevention, resistance, or non-violence and reconciliation issues. The funding and promotion of education, historical preservation, and awareness of Peace cities and related peace museums, monuments, and city peace trails would ensure the establishment of peace as a subject for local tourism and would stimulate peace tourism development. Recognition of peace tourism as an aspect of cultural and heritage tourism will also boost the industry as a whole. Tourism has the power to discuss the global citizenship concept with a ‘Global Code of Ethics for Tourism’ which will help to motivate tourists and travellers and all

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stakeholders involved to be more responsible in their undertakings. As they can apply aspects of this Global Code of Ethics to their business, their jobs, and their private lives, that effectively turns into a personal code of responsibility. The Code of Conduct for tourism can be an informal but codified addendum to what the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights represents. Strategy for systematic change, based on community involvement and co-governance of affected regions is just as important, as people struggle for survival and due to systemic issues and prejudice, people often are forced to resort to illegal activities during difficult times. Locals play an active role in the tourism development processes. The mental and economic empowerment will increase their self-confidence and self-esteem and help them slowly overcome trauma and make societies better. Tourism can be a force for political stability and tourism should lead to peace-building and political stability. This is why a code of ethics and standards is important. We have partial examples from Cyprus, South Korea, and Ireland, to analyse the use of tourism as a tool for political stability and peace. Through an innovative approach, we can link tourism, peace, and political stability discourse to paradigms of international relations biggest obstacles for 7 sustained contact between the conflicting parties besides physical boundaries. The presence of war and unrest at a destination is a deterrent to most tourists and there are many examples of tourism destinations built on the heritage of past conflicts. War has no winners and History can teach us important lessons. It is just as important we record these complex histories and act as liaisons to guide future generations. Tourism is sensitive toward conflict but it can also be reactive towards peace. Rajani A Editor JUNE 2022 TOURISM INDIA

RNI No. KERBIL/1998/7642

Contents

JUNE 2022

VOL. 25 NO. 02

Cover Photo: Embroidery making by a Rajasthani Women

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

INDIA’S TRAVEL & TOURISM COULD SURPASS PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS BY THE END OF 2022

WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM STUDY SHOWS NEED TO PREPARE FOR FUTURE HEADWINDS

TOURISM IS NOT JUST ABOUT TRAVEL, IT’S ALSO ABOUT PEACE

“PEOPLE WANT TO TRAVEL”: TOURISM WILL CHANGE AND GROW TURNING POINT FOR TOURISM: UNWTO LOOKS BEYOND RECOVERY

INDIA’S TRAVEL & TOURISM COULD SURPASS PRE PANDEMIC LEVELS BY THE END OF 2022

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 VRA A -33/1, JAGATH NIVAS, VELLAYAMBALAM, VELLAYAMBALAM, SASTHAMANGALAM P.O., TRIVANDRUM, KERALA, INDIA 695010 TEL: +91 471 2315256 MOB: +91 9745598126 Email: info@tourismindiaonline.com 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 @2022

Printed and Published by Ravisankar K V on behalf of TOURISM INDIA PUBLICATIONS PVT LTD, VRA A -33/1, JAGATH NIVAS, VELLAYAMBALAM, SASTHAMANGALAM P.O., TRIVANDRUM, KERALA 695010 Editor: Rajani A

JUNE 2022 TOURISM INDIA

THE COMEBACK OF THE COVID LOSERS

K S SRINIVAS IAS IS NEW PRINCIPAL SECRETARY- TOURISM, KERALA

INDIANS PLANNING TO SPEND MORE BY ADOPTING THE ‘NEW NORMAL WITH MORE PURPOSE’

JAIPUR TO HOST RAJASTHAN DOMESTIC TRAVEL MART FROM JULY 22 - 24, 2022

KARNATAKA TOURISM ROAD SHOW AT CHANDIGARH

Contents 30

KTM PUTS ACROSS MESSAGE THAT KERALA IS BACK IN FULL SWING

‘KERALA TRAVEL MART A SPRINGBOARD TO POST-COVID TOURISM’

KTDC LAUNCHES KERALA’S FIRST CARAVAN TOURISM PACKAGE

KEF HOLDINGS LAUNCHES FIRST INTEGRATED CLINICAL WELLNESS RESORT BRAND

ITC’S 3 LEED ZERO CARBON-CERTIFIED HOTELS CREATE GLOBAL MILESTONE

THE LEELA ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH INDIAN SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY

WANTED:THAT OL’ CHARM OF AIR TRAVEL

E-

50 54 56

HEALTH AND HEALING IN THE HIMALAYAN FOOTHILLS SIX SENSES OPENS VANA DEHRADUN SIGNATURE WEDDINGS BY PULLMAN NEW DELHI AEROCITY EXPEDIA GROUP SPOTLIGHT ON SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL

DISCOVER THE WONDERS OF THE OCEAN WITH FOUR SEASONS MALDIVES

A MALDIVIAN ARTISAN BAZAAR AT ‘HUKURU UFAA’ BY OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI 9

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NEWS / INTERNATIONAL

INDIA’S TRAVEL & TOURISM COULD SURPASS PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS BY THE END OF 2022

esearch conducted by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has revealed the Travel & Tourism sector’s contribution to the Indian economy could surpass pre-pandemic levels this year, with a year-on-year growth of 20.7%. The forecast from the WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Report (EIR), shows the sector’s contribution to the nation’s economy could reach almost

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₹15.9 trillion (U.S. $215 billion) in 2022, 1% above 2019 levels. Employment levels are set to grow to almost 35 million Travel & Tourism jobs, with an 8.3% growth this year. Over the next decade, India’s Travel & Tourism’s GDP is expected to grow at an average of 7.8% annually, compared to 6.7% of India’s overall economy, to reach almost ₹33.8 trillion (U.S.$457 billion) – representing 7.2% of the total economy.

The forecast also reveals the sector is expected to create over 24 million jobs over the next decade, averaging more than 2.4 million new jobs every year. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “After the pain suffered by India’s Travel & Tourism sector, the future looks bright with Travel & Tourism to and from India set to exceed 2019 levels. “The outlook for the next decade is looking very positive

Travel & Tourism’s GDP expected to outpace India’s economy over the next 10 years and more than 2.4 million jobs could be created every year

with India accounting for one in five of all new Travel & Tourism jobs globally.” Before the pandemic, India’s Travel & Tourism sector’s contribution to GDP was 7% (₹15.7 trillion, U.S. $212 billion) in 2019, falling to just 4.3% (₹9.2 trillion, U.S. $124 billion) in 2020, which represented a shocking 41.7% loss. The sector also supported more than 40 million jobs in 2019, falling to just over www.tourismindia.org

29 million in 2020, 11 when the pandemic devastated the sector. Following the significant decline in 2020, the global tourism body’s latest EIR report reveals that 2021 saw the beginning of the recovery for the country’s Travel & Tourism sector. Last year, its contribution to GDP climbed 43.6% year on year, to reach ₹13.2 trillion (the U.S $178 billion). While the sector also saw a recovery of just under three million Travel & Tourism

jobs, representing a positive rise of 10.2% to more than 32 million, this is still eight million fewer jobs than in 2019. The sector’s contribution to the economy and employment could have been higher if it were not for the impact of the Omicron variant, which led to the recovery faltering around the world, with many countries reinstating severe travel restrictions. JUNE 2022 TOURISM INDIA 11 JUNE 2022 TOURISM INDIA 11

NEWS / INTERNATIONAL

WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM STUDY SHOWS NEED TO PREPARE FOR FUTURE HEADWINDS The World Economic Forum’s biennial travel and tourism study finds a recovering sector following pandemic lows, but the recovery has been uneven and challenges remain. Ranked India 54th position (down from 46th in 2019) with a score of 4.1 in its Travel and Tourism Development Index 2021.

he latest travel and tourism study by The World Economic Forum revealed that the sector is showing signs of recovery in many parts of the world after being hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Japan, the United States, Spain, France and Germany are at the top of the list. The Travel & Tourism Development Index 2021: Rebuilding for a Sustainable and Resilient Future, ranks 117 economies on a range of factors that are crucial to the development, sustainability and resiliency of their travel and tourism industry, which in turn contributes to economic and social development. “COVID shutdowns have reemphasized the important contribution travel and tourism makes to many economies around 12

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the world,” said Lauren Uppink, Head of Aviation, Travel and Tourism at the World Economic Forum. “As the world emerges from the pandemic, economies must invest in building a strong and resilient environment to deliver the travel and tourism experience and services for many decades to come.” While overall international tourism and business travel is still below pre-pandemic levels, the sector recovery has been bolstered by greater vaccination rates, return to more open travel, and growing demand for domestic and naturebased tourism. Many businesses and destinations have adapted to these shifting demand dynamics. According the UNWTO, the difference in international tourist arrivals between just January 2021

and January 2022 is greater than arrivals growth in all of 2021. As the sector slowly recovers from the global health crisis – especially as vaccines become more available and health restrictions lifted – it will be important for the travel and tourism sector to take steps that embed long-term inclusivity, sustainability and resilience as it continues to face evolving challenges and risks. Despite positive trends, the travel and tourism sector is still facing many hurdles with its recovery. This includes uneven vaccine distribution, capacity constraints, labour shortages, supply chain disruptions and more. “Government, business and civil society leaders can address barriers to recovery by looking at the different factors that can support

the long-term development and resiliency of their respective travel and tourism economies,” added Uppink. “This will require decisionmakers to restore consumer confidence and international openness by prioritizing such things as enhanced health and security measures, encouraging inclusive labour practices, improving environmental sustainability and investing in digital technology.”

Travel and Tourism Development Index 2021 results

In this year’s index, Japan takes the top spot followed by the United States, Spain, France and Germany rounding out the top five. Other than the US, the top-10 scoring economies are high-income economies in Europe or AsiaPacific. After top-ranking Japan, regional economies Australia and Singapore come in seventh and ninth, respectively. Italy joined the top 10 (up from 12th in 2019) in 2021, while Canada slid from 10th to 13th

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The Travel and Tourism Development Index assesses 117 economies, identifying key factors in enabling the sustainable and resilient growth of travel and tourism economies; Japan takes the top spot. Viet Nam experienced the greatest improvement in score (from 60th to 52nd) on the overall index, while Indonesia (44th to 32nd) and Saudi Arabia (43rd to 33rd) had the greatest improvement in rank. While Europe, Eurasia and Asia-Pacific dominate the 2021 rankings, Europe is the only region to have decreased its average score since 2019, slightly eroding its considerable lead. SubSaharan Africa had the greatest improvement in performance, but far more needs to be done for economies in the region to catch up with the global average. In other regions, Dominican Republic saw the greatest improvement in North and Central America (72nd - 69th) while Uruguay saw the biggest jump in South America (61st to 55th). The Travel and Tourism Development Index 2021 is a direct evolution of the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index, which has been published biennially for the 13 past 15 years. The change reflects the new index’s enhanced focus on the sector’s overall role in economic and social development and the greater need for stakeholder collaboration and development strategies. Based on an altered framework, methodology and other differences, the 2021 index should not be compared to the one published in 2019. To help address this, the 2019 results were recalculated using the new framework, methodology and

indicators; all comparisons in score and rankings throughout the new report are between the 2019 results and the 2021 results of the Travel and Tourism Development Index.

Rebuilding for a sustainable and resilient future

Given the travel and tourism sector’s important role in global economic and social prosperity, investing in the drivers of its development will be crucial in the coming years, according to the publication. As economies look to rebuild their travel and tourism sectors, they should focus on making their travel sectors more inclusive, sustainable and resilient to future risks. To achieve this, one top enabling factor that should be prioritized is restoring and accelerating international openness and consumer confidence by improving, for example, health and security. This could include more investments into healthcare infrastructure and personnel and greater distribution of COVID-19 vaccinations in lower-income economies. “Efforts to build favourable and inclusive labour practices, improve environmental sustainability and strengthening the management of tourism demand and impact will help economies ensure strong development of their travel destinations,” said Uppink. For example, sustainable environmental policies that can help protect natural resources have become even more vital as consumer preference for sustainable travel options and nature-based travel grows. Digital technology will also be vital to achieving all of this. New digital tools can be used to manage tourism flows, optimize visitors’ experiences and reduce overcrowding. Addressing issues such as the digital divide, skills gaps and fully including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in digitalization efforts will be critical to fully leveraging digital technology to improve the tourism sector as a whole. JUNE 2022 TOURISM INDIA

NEWS / INTERNATIONAL

TOURISM IS NOT JUST ABOUT TRAVEL, IT’S ALSO ABOUT PEACE The World Economic Forum’s latest Travel & Tourism Development Index makes clear the scale of the challenge but also of the enormous untapped potential of tourism, particularly for developing countries.

s the world steadily opens up, the restarting of tourism is bringing hope to people around the globe. The sector’s recovery represents a unique opportunity to reassess the impact tourism has on people and on the planet and to build a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient future. The World Economic Forum’s latest Travel & Tourism Development Index makes clear the scale of the challenge but also of the enormous untapped potential of tourism, particularly for developing countries. It also demonstrates that sustainability and resilience are key pillars of tourism growth and that tourism development can only be successful if built on a systemic approach where people, the planet, and prosperity go hand-in-hand. Tourism has never been more 14

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relevant. Nor has its importance to both our societies and our economies been more visible as it is right now. The return of tourism offers a chance to reassert the values that define the sector, namely peace, solidarity, and international cooperation. The sector’s recovery also represents a

unique opportunity to reassess the impact that tourism has on people and on our planet and to build a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient future. Changes in demand, including the drive towards greater digitalization, growing interest in nature-based experiences, and the emergence of digital nomads, will come with many challenges but also immense opportunities for new businesses, entrepreneurs, and entire communities. Destinations that cater to tourists with non-traditional tastes are already being established. But for these opportunities to be realized, the sector needs both economic and practical support. Now is the time for all countries to prioritize tourism and back the sector through post-COVID

recovery and beyond. The time is now to build a new governance structure for tourism. This includes both governments and the private sector. Governments need to place tourism at the center of development policies and the private sector can contribute to greater coordination and partnerships as well as new innovative financing.

Sustainable tourism

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism. As much of the world begins to open up, the UNWTO is working to promote investments in projects that will help destinations scale their tourism industries sustainably, inclusively, and resiliently. We also have the ambitious objective to achieve net-zero tourism emissions. In this context, unlocking innovative finance will be key to enabling tourism’s transformation at every level, including through the development of essential infrastructure and the strengthening of socio-economic resilience in developing states.

As the world steadily opens up, the restarting of tourism is bringing hope to people around the globe; The sector’s recovery represents a unique opportunity to reassess the impact tourism has on people and on planet, and to build a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient future. The investment will also be crucial to enable destinations in all global regions to successfully adapt to meet the changing demands of consumers while working towards attaining the Sustainable Development Goals. And, of course, it will provide both countries and communities with the economic support they need to be part of tourism’s movement towards greater sustainability, allowing the

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sector to meet its climate action obligations. In response to the resolutions set out at the COP26 in Glasgow, UNWTO is looking to create a UN NetZero TOURISM Facility and Ecosystem. The ecosystem will rest on the following pillars: UN TOURISM, a unique alliance of United Nations partners, will lead the change at the global and national levels. International financial institutions and equity funds to support the green investment required. International organizations, development partners, and the private sector at large to support both the transformation and investment to reach net-zero emission levels for tourism.

Importance of investing in tourism

Investing in tourism will pay significant dividends, not least for destinations and their host communities. To a significant extent, this will depend on stability and peace. War, uncertainty, and a lack of confidence in travel, global governance, and institutions will only hamper the return of tourism and prevent our sector from delivering on its unique potential. As such, UNWTO calls on all governments and international partners to recognize tourism’s role as a pillar of peace and to ensure the right conditions are in place to allow the sector to recover and kickstart wider recovery. Supporting tourism at this crucial juncture will provide a lifeline for the most vulnerable in society, empowering them through jobs and education. At present, about 80% of the sector is made up of small and medium-sized businesses, many of them individual or family-owned enterprises. This shows the fragility of the sector but also its unique ability to drive transformation and development from the grassroots up. The restart and recovery of tourism will, in turn, help drive global inclusive recovery and build resilience against future shocks. (This article is part of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2022 at Davos) JUNE 2022 TOURISM INDIA

NEWS / INTERNATIONAL

“PEOPLE WANT TO TRAVEL”: TOURISM WILL CHANGE AND GROW In 2020 alone, the travel and tourism industry lost $4.5 trillion in GDP and 62 million jobs - the road to recovery remains long.

he post-pandemic recovery of the global travel and tourism sector is gaining pace as the world’s pent-up desire for travel rekindles. The road to recovery remains long with $4.5 trillion in GDP and 62 million jobs lost in 2020 alone, Travel restrictions, vaccination rates and health security changing market dynamics and consumer preferences, and the ability of businesses and destinations to adapt are a few factors that will greatly determine how the sector performs. At the same time, the sector will need to prepare for future shocks. The World Economic Forum’s latest Travel & Tourism Development Index highlights many of these aspects, including the opportunity and need to rebuild the travel and tourism sector for the better by making it more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient. This will unleash its potential to drive future 16

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economic and social progress. Despite the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the future looks bright for travel and tourism. Across the globe, people are already getting back on the road. Demand for travel is incredibly resilient and as vaccination rates have raised and restrictions eased, travel has rebounded quickly, often led by leisure. The way many of us live and work has changed because of

the pandemic and the way we travel has changed as well. New categories of travel have emerged. The rise of “bleisure” travel is one example – combining elements of business and leisure travel into a single trip. Newly flexible work arrangements, including the opportunity for many knowledge workers to work remotely, have created opportunities for extended travel, not limited to a Monday to Friday “9 to 5” workweek in the office. To capitalize on this renewed and growing demand for new travel experiences, the industry must join governments and policymakers to ensure that the right conditions are in place to welcome travellers as they prepare to get back on the road again, particularly those who cross international borders. Thus far, much of the recovery has been led by domestic and leisure travel. The incremental recovery of business and international travel,

“Data shows that the majority of travellers want to explore destinations in a more immersive and experiential way” Mr. Steve Kaufer, Co-Founder & CEO, Tripadvisor

e’re on the verge of a travel renaissance. The pandemic might have interrupted the global travel experience, but people are slowly coming out of the bubble. Businesses need to acknowledge the continued desire to feel safe when travelling. A Tripadvisor survey revealed that threequarters (76%) of travellers will still make destination choices based on low COVID-19 infection rates. As such, efforts to showcase how businesses care for travellers – be it by deep cleaning their properties or making items like hand sanitiser readily available – need to be ingrained within tourism operations moving forward. But travel will also evolve in other ways, and as an industry, we need to be prepared to think digitally and reimagine our use of physical space. Hotels will become dynamic meeting places for teams to bond in our new hybrid work style. Lodgings near major corporate headquarters will benefit from an influx of bookings from employees convening for longer periods. They will also make way for the “bleisure” traveller who mixes business trips with leisure. Hotels in unique locales will become feasible workspaces. Employers should prepare for their workers to tag on a few extra days to get some rest and relaxation after onlocation company gatherings. Beyond the pandemic, travellers will also want to explore the world

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differently, see new places and do new things. Our data reveal that the majority want to explore destinations in a more immersive and experiential way and to feel more connected to the history and culture. While seeing the top of the Empire State building has been a typical excursion for tourists in New York City, visitors will become more drawn to intimate activities like taking a cooking class in Brooklyn with a family of pizza makers who go back generations. This will undoubtedly be a significant area of growth in the travel and tourism industry. Governments would be smart to plan as well 17 and to consider an international playbook that helps prepare us for the next public health crisis, inclusive of universal vaccine passports and policies that get us through borders faster. Understanding these key trends

– the ongoing need to feel safe and the growing desire to travel differently – and planning for the next crisis will be essential for governments, destinations, and tourism businesses to succeed in the efforts to keep the world travelling.

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NEWS / INTERNATIONAL

“The travel and tourism sector will not be able to survive unless it adapts to the virtual market and sustainability conscience travellers” Mr. Shinya Katanozaka, Representative Director, Chairman, ANA Holdings Inc.

t a time when people’s movements are still being restricted by the pandemic, there is a strong, renewed sense that people want to travel and that they want to go places for business and leisure. In that respect, the biggest change has been in the very concept of “travel.” A prime example is the rapid expansion of the market for “virtual travel.” This trend has been accelerated not only by advances in digital technologies but also by the protracted pandemic. The travel and tourism sector will not be able to survive unless it adapts to this new market. However, this is not as simple as a shift from “real” to “virtual.” Virtual experiences will flow back into a rediscovery of the value of real experiences and beyond that, to a pang of hunger for real experiences with clearer and more diverse purposes. The hope is that this meeting of virtual and actual will bring balance and synergy to the industry. The pandemic has also seen the emergence of the “sustainability-conscious” traveller, which means that the aviation industry and others are now facing the challenge of adding decarbonization to their value proposition. This trend will force a re-examination of what travel itself should look like and how sustainable practices can be incorporated and communicated. Addressing this challenge will also require stronger collaboration across the entire industry and this will play an important role in the industry’s revitalization as it recovers from the pandemic. 18

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“The tourism industry must advocate for better protection of small businesses”

Ms. Gilda Perez-Alvarado, Global CEO, JLL Hotels & Hospitality

n the next few years, I think sustainability practices will become more prevalent as travellers become both more aware and interested in what countries, destinations and regions are doing in the sustainability space. Both core environmental pieces, such as water and air, and a general approach to sustainability are going to be important. Additionally, I think conservation becomes more important in terms of how destinations and countries explain what they are doing, as the importance of climate change and natural resources are going to be critical and become top of mind for travellers. The second part to this is we may see more interest in outdoor events going forward because it creates that sort of natural social distancing, if you will, or that natural safety piece. Doing outdoor activities such as outdoor dining, hiking and festivals may be a more appealing alternative to overcrowded events and spaces. A lot of lessons were learned over

the last few years, but one of the biggest ones was the importance of small business. As an industry, we must protect small businesses better. We need to have programmes outlined that successfully help small businesses get through challenging times. Unfortunately, during the pandemic, many small businesses shut down and may never return. Small businesses are important to the travel and tourism sector because they bring uniqueness to destinations. People don’t travel to visit the same places they could visit at home; they prefer unique experiences that are only offered by specific businesses. If you were to remove all the small businesses from a destination, it would be a very different experience.

however, will be significant for the broader industry and the millions who make their livelihoods through travel and tourism. Looking ahead to future challenges to the sector, be they public health conditions, international crises, or climate impacts, global coordination will be the essential component in tackling

difficult circumstances headon. International agreement on common – or at least compatible – standards and decision-making frameworks around global travel is key. Leveraging existing organizations and processes to achieve consensus as challenges emerge will help reduce risk and improve collaboration while

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keeping borders open. World Economic Forum asked four business leaders in the Tourism sector to reflect on the state of the sector’s recovery, lessons learned from the pandemic, and the conditions that are critical for the future success of travel and tourism businesses and destinations. JUNE 2022 TOURISM INDIA

NEWS / INTERNATIONAL

TURNING POINT FOR TOURISM: UNWTO LOOKS BEYOND RECOVERY Tourism is united and determined like never before, and UNWTO is guiding it forward, with inclusivity and sustainability at the very heart of all our work

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he Executive Council of UNWTO has met to advance the recovery of tourism around shared goals and a common vision for the sector. Held for the first time in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the 116th session was the largest meeting of the Executive Council since the start of the pandemic, with more than 200 participants and 32 countries represented. Members noted that the meeting came at a pivotal point for the sector as it learns from the lessons of the pandemic while at the same time looking ahead to a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient future. Advancing priorities in challenging times “We have faced up to a triple crisis: an ongoing pandemic, a climate emergency and now the return of war in Europe,” UNWTO SecretaryGeneral Zurab Pololikashvili said. He stressed that “tourism is united and determined like never before, and UNWTO is guiding it forward, with inclusivity and sustainability at the very heart of all our work”. In his report to Members on achievements since the previous Council meeting six months ago,

the Secretary-General illustrated how UNWTO is seizing tourism’s unprecedented relevance, including within the United Nations, in national recovery and growth plans and within the wider public and media conversation. Tourism’s restart UNWTO laid out its plans to keep advancing the priorities around fostering sustainability, promoting tourism jobs and education, growing tourism investments and accelerating its digital transformation. The Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia and host of the Executive Council, Ahmed Al Khateeb, said: “Tourism’s restart in many countries around the world offers a unique chance to rethink tourism governance, communications and beyond. We have an incredible opportunity to set a new way forward, to create a strong future for the global tourism sector, and we must embrace it.” The recognition of tourism’s importance was further echoed by the Minister of Tourism and Leisure of Cote d’Ivoire, also serving as Executive Council Chair, Siandou Fofana, who noted that

“tourism is united to face future challenges”, while stressing the importance of cohesion in planning and policymaking as the sector recovers to drive wider social and economic recovery. Members agreed to hold the 117th session of the UNWTO Executive Council in Morocco, in the second half of this year. With two countries offering to host the 118th session, Members voted in favour of the Dominican Republic holding the first Council of 2023. Onto Riyadh, emerging tourism hub Members of the Executive Council were provided with an update on the work of the UNWTO Regional Office for the Middle East, opened in the capital of Saudi Arabia in May 2021. The office in Riyadh is set to emerge as both a regional and global hub for the sector, with a special focus on tourism education and tourism and rural development, exemplified by the first major project to come out of the office, Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO. From Jeddah, the UNWTO leadership will visit Riyadh to formally welcome personnel.

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COLUMN

THE COMEBACK OF THE COVID LOSERS choices on spending – either to postpone it or to downsize it. The consumer slowdown in goods was inevitable – with COVID everyone was stuck at home and so people are up to their eyeballs in high-ticket hard goods, from the latest kitchen gadgets to outdoors and garden equipment to indoor furniture. However, as we sift through the wreckage, there is a clear silver lining emerging from all of this. As the world opens and as more and more restrictions are lifted there is a clear shift in consumption from goods to services as people are willing to spend more on travel, eating out and socializing. This is very positive for the tourism industry globally which has been the principal Covid loser over the last 2-3 years. In Covid, there was this perception that we are in a “New New World” and that people will jettison past habits to stay indoors and change their lifestyles substantially. A couple of years hence and this he Year 2022 has been has been proven to be total painful for investors in hogwash – there is a significant the stock market globally pent-up demand for returning but the last couple of weeks to behaviours and habits have been especially painful suspended during the heart of as several retailers like Wal- the pandemic. People want to Mart, Target, GAP, and Dick’s travel, meet each other again Sporting Goods have all warned and lead a normal life, while sales of a significant slowdown in growths of Peloton, Streaming consumer spending for their Media and Zoom have slowed products. The explanation of the down tremendously. The “COVID consumer slowdown is easy: the winners” are back to earth and last stimulus checks have run there is significant life left in out, and, with high oil and food “COVID losers”. prices, inflation is eating into the The move of spending from disposable income of the broad goods to services is not just consumer who is forced to make a recent phenomenon, it has By Aradhana Khowala CEO & Founder Aptamind Partners, UK

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been happening for a while before COVID. Numerous studies have shown that more and more consumers and especially Millennials prefer experiences over material things. Experiences include things that make them laugh and have fun or learn something new or take away stress and anxiety. Fortunately, tourism ticks all these boxes – travelling to a nice holiday destination, visiting and immersing in new cultures, eating fantastic food and bonding with family are all well-established ways of achieving these outcomes. What may be a difficult period for big-box retailers, can become an amazing opportunity for travel and tourism. We are bored of staying at home and staring at screens, and we are craving to explore, see new things and become normal humans again. Even as things are more expensive than before, the consumer is more willing to spend money on travelling today than in the last 3 years and is willing to forgo the next cool T-shirt, latest pair of sneakers or the next handbag for the joy of filling their memory baskets. As global tourism rebounds, the tourism sector in India needs to grab this opportunity with both hands and destinations need to make sure they put the traveller’s passion points front and centre, and welcome guests with unique and memorable experiences. Entertain this returning customer and they will never leave again!

K S SRINIVAS IAS APPOINTED AS

PRINCIPAL SECRETARY - KERALA TOURISM

r. K S Srinivas IAS, Principal Secretary - Fisheries, Government of Kerala has been given full additional charge of the Department of Tourism in place of Dr. V. Venu IAS, Additional Chief Secretary - Higher Education, who was holding the additional charge of Tourism since July 07, 2021. Mr. Srinivas, a 1997 batch Kerala cadre Indian Administrative Service officer, hailing from Cuddapah in Andhra Pradesh. He graduated from the National Institute of Technology, Warangal with an engineering degree in electronics and communications. Thereafter, Srinivas completed a Postgraduate degree in marketing, finance, economics, and management from the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta in 1997. Before qualifying for Indian Administrative Services, Srinivas started his career at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) in Hyderabad, where he worked for seven years until 1994. Thereafter he worked as a manager in the corporate office of Unit Trust of India, Mumbai for four months in 1997. He started his civil service carrier as a Sub Collector in Fort Kochi for two years. Before moving to the Kannur as a District Collector from Sep

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1999 to August 2001,he also served as the District Collector of Palakkad and has launched multiple initiatives E-office, an e-Governance project, National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme. Later he was appointed as the Managing Director at the Malabar Cements at the Walayar, Palakkad District for tenure of two years. He served as the Department’s Head of Industries & IT department, Kerala for four years. In addition to being the head of the department, he also held additional charge as MD of Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd, Chavara, Kollam & Travancore Titanium Products Limited, Trivandrum. He was then appointed as the joint secretary at the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India from February 2015 to Aug 2018. He implemented the 23Electronic National Agricultural Marketing project in the country. In August 2018, Srinivas was appointed as the Chairman of the Marine Products Export Development Authority, a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce, Govt of India located in Kochi, Kerala. He implemented the Seafood Import Monitoring Programme of the USA for the export of frozen shrimps from India to the United States.

Mr. Srinivas is a recipient of several administrative and management awards including the Corporate Leadership Award from the Department of Industries, Government of Kerala. He was also honored with the Best Award for implementing NREGA from Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and the Rajbhasha Keerti Award from Vice President Mr. M. Venkaiah Naidu for the best implementation of Hindi in MPEDA. JUNE 2022 TOURISM INDIA

NEWS / TRAVEL TRENDS

INDIANS PLANNING TO SPEND MORE BY ADOPTING THE ‘NEW NORMAL WITH MORE PURPOSE’ American Express Travel Trends Report reveals that 93% of Indian respondents are planning to spend more or the same on travel in 2022 compared to a typical pre-pandemic year and 96% of Indian respondents like to shop and eat at local businesses while traveling to support the local community.

ndian travelers are looking to adopt the new normal with more purpose. The American Express Travel Global Travel Trends Report1 based on data from seven countries including the United States, Australia, India, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and the United Kingdom further reveals that the motivation to travel for 48% of Indians is for discovering new experiences, 46% for relaxing and 45% for exploring new destinations. With 93% of Indians planning to spend more or the same on travel in 2022 compared to a typical pre-pandemic year and 96% agreeing they like to eat and shop at local businesses to support the local economy. Indians think 2022 will be a 24

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better year for planning travel with most of the respondents saying travel will be less stressful this year than in 2021 and many are looking forward to regaining control over their trips in 2022 after feeling overwhelmed last year. The report also shows that like their counterparts, Indians are also traveling to see the people and places they love, celebrate important life events, embark on wish list trips, experience inperson events, and seek greater wellness and self-care. Highest

amongst all the other surveyed countries, 91% of surveyed Indians agree they will book a dream vacation in 2022 which they normally would not have considered before the pandemic while 87% want to book a oncein-a-lifetime vacation in 2022. Talking about the travel trends in India, Manoj Adlakha, SVP and CEO, American Express Banking Corp., India said, “After two tough years, the travel sentiment amongst Indian travellers is upbeat where spending time with loved ones is a top priority. Our travel trends report shares that to make the most of the lost time, 94% of respondents agree they plan to travel more with family in 2022 than they did in 2021 while 89%

shared that they are interested in multi-generational family trips than ever before.” Nearly all surveyed Indians plan on taking a trip in 2022 with nearly a fourth saying they will take two vacations, and a fifth saying three vacations during the

Top motivators for travelling – relaxation, new experiences, and new destinations.

the previous year. The majority agree that they prefer purpose-driven travel in the mind and want to have a positive impact on the community they are visiting and want to travel to destinations where they can immerse themselves in the local culture. Travelling responsibly is of high importance for the respondents Mr. Manoj Adlakha, SVP and CEO, as 94% stated they would take a American Express Banking Corp.,India ‘greencation’ and 93% are more likely to book travel with a brand year. 94% of respondents plan that is committed to improving to spend more on international its environmental impact, travel in 2022 than they did in ranking highest than their global

counterparts. Asia is the number one choice Indians want to explore in 2022 and exploring different cities within India itself remained the preferred choice for 51% of respondents. 69% of respondents want to travel to their dream destination this year and five in ten respondents shared they are willing to travel solo. As per the survey, 94% of respondents prefer to visit destinations that have access to more than one scene (e.g., beach, city, mountain, desert, etc.) while 91% are more interested in cultural immersion and allinclusive luxury travel resorts than before the pandemic. 89% of consumers held off on traveling for major entertainment events last year but have plans to return to these types of events this year. As travel momentum continues to grow, American Express provides unique offers and benefits for its Cardmembers to make the most of their travel.

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JUNE 2022 TOURISM INDIA

NEWS / NATIONAL

JAIPUR TO HOST RAJASTHAN DOMESTIC TRAVEL MART Rajasthan Tourism Department and the Federation of Hospitality and Tourism Rajasthan will jointly organise the event from July 22 to 24, 2022

ajasthan Tourism Department and the Federation of Hospitality and Tourism Rajasthan (FHTR) has decided to

organise the next edition of the Rajasthan Domestic Travel Mart from July 22- 24, 2022. The three day event will provide opportunities

for hoteliers, travel agents and tour operators of the state to showcase their products to travel agents across the country.

Rajasthan Tourism officials headed by Mrs Gayatri Rathore, Principal Secretary Tourism, Govt of Rajasthan, and Dr Rashmi Sharma, Director Tourism, Govt of Rajasthan and FHTR members lead by Mr. Apurv kumar, President and Mr Lalit K Panwar, Advisor at RDTM Road Show.

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Rajasthan Domestic Travel Mart (RDTM) is a unique initiative by the Department of Tourism to provide a platform to facilitate businessto-business meetings to showcase the immense potential in the state. As part of the event, a series of roadshows will also be organised across the state to publicise various initiatives the recently launched Rajasthan Film Tourism Promotion Policy, 2022., the Guest House scheme, and the Revised Homestay(PG)scheme, Revised Heritage Guidelines, among others. A roadshow for RTDM 2022, was held on May 12 in Jaipur. The event was graced by Mrs Gayatri Rathore, Principal Secretary Tourism, Govt of Rajasthan, and Dr Rashmi Sharma, Director Tourism, Govt of Rajasthan, among other officials. Mrs Gayatri Rathore said that Rajasthan is not only a favoured destination for tourism but also for investment in tourism and its allied projects. The Principal Secretary further said that along with its cultural and royal heritage,

Rajasthan is also a huge destination in arenas of wildlife, eco-rural, wellness, leisure, pilgrimage, weddings, etc. Ms Gayatri A Rathore said that Rajasthan is not only a favoured destination for tourism but also for investment in tourism and its allied projects. A large number of MoUs and Lois were signed in the tourism sector for the Invest Rajasthan Roadshows: Rs 11,906 Crores for 363 projects which will generate employment of 57,138 persons. The Principal Secretary further said that along with its cultural and royal heritage, Rajasthan is also a huge destination in arenas of wildlife, eco-rural, wellness, leisure, pilgrimage, weddings, etc. She hoped for the proactive participation of stakeholders in the forthcoming RDTM in July. Mr Apurv Kumar, President, FHTR and Managing Director, Clarks Group of Hotels, said that Rajasthan today stands head and shoulders above the other states given the hugely sector

beneficial budget announced by the State Government. This was bound to attract investment in tourism projects. He also evinced satisfaction with the fact that the State Government’s Bureau of Investment Promotion (BIP) has also joined hands with FHTR in organizing different roadshows in the State. He said that 7 roadshows will be held across the State in cities like Mandawa, Ajmer, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Udaipur and Kumbhalgarh. Mr Lalit K Panwar, Former Secretary of Tourism, Government of India and Patron of FHTR, said that post covid, the time has now come to focus on Domestic Tourism. The potential for harnessing the domestic tourism sector is hugely more than the foreign tourism sector – which will take time to open up. The heritage certificates for 5 projects were handed over during the roadshow. Three short films prepared by the Department of Tourism were also screened on the occasion.

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NEWS / NATIONAL

KARNATAKA TOURISM ROAD SHOW AT CHANDIGARH KSTDC has identified 19 cities across the country, which are the key source market for domestic arrivals

o increase domestic footfalls from Chandigarh capital region, Punjab and Haryana, the Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka along with Karnataka

State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. (KSTDC) have organized a Roadshow at Taj Chandigarh. A performance of ‘Puja Kunita’, an ancient art form of Karnataka was

organised to showcase the vibrant cultural heritage that Karnataka is known for. The roadshow brought together different aspects of Karnataka tourism such as nature,

Mr. T. Venkatesh IAS, Director, Karnataka Tourism lighting the traditional lamp to inaugurate the Karnataka Tourism Roadshow in Chandigarh. Mr. G. Jagadeesha, IAS, MD, Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation, Mr. Rohit Hangal and Mr. Carl Vaz are also seen

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wildlife, adventure, pilgrimage, heritage, and many more. Mr. T. Venkatesh, IAS, Director, Department of Tourism said, “Karnataka is home to a large and exciting portfolio of globally acclaimed tourist attractions like UNESCO World Heritage sites, splendid wildlife, and resplendent nature, virgin beaches, etc. It is an around-the-year tourist destination. The roadshow series will provide impetus to domestic inbound travel and would enhance the marketing efforts of Karnataka Tourism to promote the state’s destinations to prospective tourists and the travel trade of north India.” Karnataka Tourism’s main objective behind the event was to promote the state as a tourist attraction for leisure tourism, MICE – meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions, adventure, and wildlife tourism, and a wedding destination. KSTDC is the nodal agency to conduct the roadshows in various cities of India. The state also offers an avid traveler a vast range of tourist landscapes such as archaeology, religion, ecotourism, and handicrafts. Mr. G. Jagadeesha, IAS, Managing Director, Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation said, “Karnataka with its diverse range of tourism products is fast emerging as one of the most interesting and productive states for both leisure and business travel. Domestic tourism is the backbone of the tourism economy and has a lot of potential that needs to be tapped. Post-pandemic, these roadshow activities will be an excellent occasion for our stakeholders in the travel trade as well as tourists.” The roadshow had B2B interactions and presentations that showcased the destination and also opened up new avenues to showcase Karnataka in a new light to the travel and trade community. Some of the stakeholders, who exhibited at the roadshow included KSTDC, Jungle Lodges, and Resorts, The Serai Resorts, Intersight Tours & Travels (P) Ltd, Mookanana Resort – Chikmagalur, Paul John Resorts & Hotels, TGI Hotels & Resorts, and Travel India Company. This exclusive B2B Roadshow www.tourismindia.org

had over 10 stakeholders from Karnataka and over 100 discerning trade partners from Chandigarh. Karnataka – One State, Many Worlds, which is well known for silk, milk, coffee, honey and many more is being showcased in a magnificent manner through 25 different boutiques, each displaying tourism circuits, handicrafts, cuisines, art, craft, culture, handlooms, etc. from Karnataka. Famed Mysuru silk, Dharwad Kasuthi, rosewood inlay, and sandalwood articles, Ganjifa

paintings, mirror embroidery, Spices, Bidriware, terracotta items, honey, wine . The State offers an avid traveller a vast range of tourism landscapes including heritage, archaeology, religion, wildlife, ecotourism and handicrafts. The Roadshow presented an ideal platform for the suppliers to provide information, and to interact directly with leading tour operators, key decisionmakers from the industry, airline representatives and travel agents.

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NEWS / NATIONAL

KTM 2022 KERALA TOURISM RESURGENCE Mr. Arif Mohammad Khan, Governor of Kerala opens 11th edition of KTM 2022 held from May 5th to 8th. Delegates from 69 countries and holds 55,000 business meets. The highest ever in KTM history.

he huge success of Kerala Travel Mart 2022, shows the grit and guts of each and every Tourism partners of the state. The 4 day event that was held from May 5th to 8th at Kochi, has given a positive impact to International Tourism globally “As the country’s largest tourism sector buyer-seller meet, the four-

day event has rejuvenated the pandemic hit tourism industry, by attracting great numbers of domestic and foreign guests to the event”, said Mr. K S Srinivas, Principal Secretary Tourism, while addressing a press meet. Mr, K S Srinavas along with the office bearers of KTM society, opined that the fruitful interactions

at the KTM brought buyers and sellers from around the world together and infused a fresh optimism in the state’s renewed efforts to attract more domestic and foreign tourists. He lauded the “Keravan Kerala” the states Caravan Initiative as a brilliant idea to lure more tourist to the state. He appreciated the KTM organizers for

Mr.K S Srinivas, Principal Secretary Tourism, addressing a press conference convened in Thiruvananthapuram. Also present are Tourism Director, Mr. VR Krishna Teja, KTM Society President Mr.Baby Mathew Somatheeram, Secretary Mr.Jose Pradeep and Former President Mr. EM Najeeb.

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showcasing the product with much prominence at the KTM pavilion. He further explained the international B to B sessions will boost the arrival of foreign tourist including visitors from the Middle East. Mr. R Krishna Teja, Director, Kerala Tourism, said that by setting a platform for direct interactions, KTM convinced the world that Kerala is ready to welcome visitors to a safe destination of diverse attractions. Mr. Baby Mathew Somatheeram, President, KTM Society, gave further statistics of 49000 online interactions between buyers and sellers and 6000 allied meetings. 1200 buyers participated of which 897 were domestic and 234 were foreign buyers. These figures he said, was significantly higher than KTM 2018 where the B to B meetings were around 30000. QR code facilities made the event very convenient and user friendly. The sellers at the KTM went for marketing tactics focusing on

Earnest activities among states are vital for Kerala’s steady progress of tourism as a vital sector of the economy, especially amid the ongoing post-Covid recovery efforts, Mr. Arif Mohammad Khan, Governor of Kerala said at Kochi rejuvenating domestic tourism for the next two years. No other place in the world has held an event as big as KTM after the slide in the pandemic. KTM gave the world the right impression that Kerala is set to receive travellers from the rest of the country and abroad, said Mr. Baby Mathew. Besides, two post-KTM tours

were also arranged — to central and south Kerala. Overall, 500 delegates from other states of the country and abroad became part of the tourism-promotion packages. KTM 2022 was inaugurated on May 5 evening by Kerala Governor HE. Arif Mohammad Khan at Grand Hyatt in Bolgatty, in the presence of top industrialist Mr. M.A. Yusuff Ali. The rest of the three days’ proceedings were held in the Sagara and Samudrika Convention Centres at Willingdon Island. The paperless event in 1.5 lakh squarefeet space featured 325 stalls and seminars by experts. Also, KTM 2022 displayed three caravans as part of promoting Kerala Tourism’s latest product wooing travellers with customised packages. The KTM Society, which is the country’s biggest organisation in the travel and tourism segment, has been tirelessly working towards reviving the industry since Covid-19.

Mr. Arif Mohammad Khan, Governor of Kerala inaugurates Kerala Travel Mart (LEFT TO RIGHT) KTM Society Secretary Mr. Jose Pradeep, KTDC MD Ms. V Vighneshwari IAS, Kerala Tourism Director Mr. VR Krishnateja IAS, KTM Society President Mr. Baby Mathew, Leading Entrepreneur Mr. MA Yousafali, Tourism Department Principal Secretary Mr. KS Srinivas IAS, Addl. Chief Secretary Dr. Venu V IAS, KTDC Chairman PK Sasi, Former KTM President Mr. Abraham George, India Tourism Regional Director Mr. Mohammad Farooq and former KTM Presidents Mr. Riyaz Ahmed and Mr. EM Najeeb were present.

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NEWS / NATIONAL

KERALA TRAVEL MART A SPRINGBOARD TO POST-COVID TOURISM KTM 2022 at Kochi, which featured 325 stalls, gave a platform to around 1500 domestic and international buyers Mr. MA Yousafali, a prominent NRI businessman and Managing Director of Lulu Group and other distinguished guests light the chandelier at the inaugural function of Kerala Travel Mart 2022 at Kochi. Kerala Tourism Director Mr. VR Krishnateja IAS, KTDC MD V Vigneshwari IAS, KTM Society President Mr. Baby Mathew, Mr. MA Yousafali, KTDC Chairman PK Sasi, Addl. Chief Secretary Dr. Venu V. IAS and former presidents Mr. EM Najeeb, Mr. Abraham George and Mr. Riyaz Ahmed are near.

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arnest activities among states are vital for Kerala’s steady progress of tourism as a vital sector of the economy, especially amid the ongoing post-Covid recovery efforts, Mr. Arif Mohammad Khan, Governor of Kerala said at Kochi. “A meaningful engagement among the Indian states is very important for sustainable and inclusive development of tourism. This is the right time to further strengthen the cooperation and coordination among the states in the tourism sector for the benefit of everyone,” he said while inaugurating the eleventh edition of Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) which is the country’s biggest tourism event. Noting that a prolonged restriction on international flights owing to the global pandemic had nourished Kerala with domestic tourism, the Governor said Kerala needs to retain its warm ties with other states of the country for the travel industry to flourish further. At Grand Hyatt in Bolgatty on May 5, 2022, the Governor noted that tourism, apart from being an economic activity, is a cultural experience that transcends borders. “Being conscious of the need for a robust partnership in reviving tourism, Kerala has ensured healthy government-industry collaboration in tourism. In fact, the state has set a successful model on how a rewarding partnership between the administration and the travel and hospitality industry could lead to a win-win situation,” he said at the ceremony where prominent industrialist Mr. M.A. Yusuff Ali was the guest of honour. Mr. Yusuff Ali called for more investments in infrastructure development and capacity building in the context of increasing demand created by new trends in postpandemic tourism. “Shopping and conventions have the potential to attract more tourists,” he noted. “KTM-2022 gives the world the message that Kerala is back on its feet in tourism after the pandemic.” Dr Venu V., Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Kerala, said KTM-2022 demonstrates the

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Expect lower tolerance from the new generation

enewed emphasis on ecotourism is welcome while bringing travellers back after two years of COVID lull, but the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals should not amount to reining in the overall economic development of any region, speakers at KTM 2022 seminar session at Kochi. Also, the catchwords and packages on travel should appeal more to the tech-savvy young generation whose behavioural pattern is comparatively less emotional, the speakers noted at the Kerala Travel Mart (KTM), the country’s biggest tourism event. Not only do the initial trends in post-pandemic travel point to a need for altered marketing strategy, the tourism products themselves have to match the perception about 33 destinations, experts suggested at a seminar on ‘God’s Own Country Version 2.0’. Initiating discussions at the two-hour session, the Man behind the Kerala- God’s Own Country slogan, logo and branding exercise and former top bureaucrat Mr. K. Jayakumar IAS ( Rtd) said constant refrain on ecological conservation would sound “empty rhetoric” if they are not matched with green initiatives.

Mr. K. Jayakumar IAS ( Rtd) “We should go for a holistic upgradation in the quality of experience we serve to visitors, and not go for islands of tourism excellence,” the former Kerala Chief Secretary said at the talks moderated by Mr. Riaz Ahmed, past president of KTM Society which is organising the mart at Sagara and Samudrika convention centres in Willingdon Island. As the director and Secretary of Kerala’s Tourism for seven years from 1988 when the department initiated a massive transition under the name of ‘God’s Own Country’, Mr. Jayakumar called for continued zest and innovation to reinforce Kerala as a premium brand in global travel market. “The pandemic has made sanitation of destinations and safety of visitors vital like never before,” he pointed out at the seminar on the penultimate day of the Martare feet. Mr. Jayakumar, who is currently Director at Institute of Management in Government Thiruvananthapuram, said the tourism industry must expect lower tolerance from the new generation, whose travel plans are guided by technologies based on artificial intelligence and algorithms. “So phrases that caught public fancy two decades ago may not work now.” JUNE 2022 TOURISM INDIA 33 JUNE 2022 TOURISM INDIA 33

NEWS / NATIONAL Dr Venu V. IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Kerala, said travel operators must equip themselves to address the “anxious traveller”, who needs reassurance as life is limping back to normalcy after the worldwide spread of the novel coronavirus. “Trips will become increasingly personalised; people will travel in small groups to relatively smaller destinations. So the information provided to them should be authentic. Responsible tourism, which strives for sustainable nature and stronger role of local communities, will gain vitality,” said the senior bureaucrat, who earlier served as Additional Chief Secretary, Kerala Tourism. resilience of the people of Kerala, ending two years of slump in the sector. “This event is set to become a turning point, heralding a surge in the state’s revival of tourism,” he added. Mr. K.S. Srinivas IAS, Principal Secretary- Tourism, Government of Kerala said KTM-2022 gifts the state a “great opportunity” to

strengthen tourism that has been in the doldrums for the past two years owing to COVID-19. Mr. V.R. Krishna Teja IAS, Director, Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala made a presentation on the newest trends and products that the government offers to the visitors. Kerala made a decisive surge

towards ending two years of pandemic-riddled lull in its tourism activities, as Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) concluded successfully with Chief Secretary of Kerala Dr V.P. Joy IAS hailing the country’s biggest buyer-seller meet as a springboard to regaining visitors after Covid-19. The four-day KTM-2022 has been an exemplary model for public-

Mr. K.S. Srinivas IAS, Principal Secretary, Kerala Tourism, Mr. VR Krishnateja IAS, Director, Kerala Tourism and Ms. V. Vighneshwari IAS, MD, KTDC at Kerala Tourism, Mr. Rupesh Kumar, State Coordinator, Kerala RT Mission, Dr. Rajashri Ajith, Director, KITTS, Mr. Baby Mathew Somatheeram, President, KTM Society and Mr. E.M. Najeeb, Sr. Vice President, IATO at Kerala Tourism stall stall

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Noting that domestic tourism is going to be the bedrock of the sector after the pandemic, Hotelier Mr. Sameer M.C said Covid-19 taught people the value of life in its broader sense. “Several families have suddenly realised the necessity to keep a healthy work-life balance and the need to be connected with near and dear ones. There is an increasing tendency to take quick and short breaks,” pointed out the MD of Fortune Parks Hotel Ltd. “All the same, tourists want protected travel that guards them against any disease. So hygiene has become highly important,” he added. private partnership, triggering a mood of enthusiasm among the state’s tourism stakeholders, he said at the valedictory ceremony of the May 5-8 meet in the state’s commercial capital Kochi. “The government will provide the KTM Society and the entire tourism fraternity all its support to revitalise travel industry in Kerala,” Dr Joy told the final session of the international event at Willingdon Island. Noting that Kerala has figured on the list of the UN’s Human

Development Index during the past three years, the top bureaucrat highlighted the role of tourists for the state’s economy to progress steadily. “We have both beautiful nature and warm people. We must strengthen tourism infrastructure,” he pointed out at the end of KTM2022. While brainstorming on various steps that would rejuvenate tourism in a post-COVID era, experts from across the country and abroad addressed four seminars. The paperless event was held in

a space of 1.5 lakh square-feet at Sagara and Samudrika convention centres. Mr. Baby Mathew Somatheeram, President, KTM Society chairing the session, said the mart will be followed by travel package for 300 delegates to the state’s northern, central and southern regions. “We have also arranged a chartered flight to Kannur this Tuesday. They will have a week’s local tour to know more about Malabar, which is our new focus of tourism,” he added.

Mr. Rajagopal Iyer, CEO, UDS Hotels & Resorts, Mr. Gokulam Gopalan, Chairman, Gokulam Group of Hotels, Nr. Rajasekharan Nair, MD, UDS Hotels & Resorts and Mr. Ravisankar K.V., Managing Editor & Publisher, Tourism India Media Group

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NEWS/ NATIONAL

KTDC LAUNCHES KERALA’S FIRST CARAVAN TOURISM PACKAGE Kerala’s premium hospitality service provider, the staterun KTDC has struck an agreement with caravan service providers opting to operate under the package

mparting an added momentum to the state’s Keravan Kerala initiative, Kerala Tourism

Development Corporation (KTDC) has come out with an attractive ‘Caravan Holidays’ package, which offers the tourists a high-end experience of travelling through the panoramic settings at an affordable rate with an array of frills attached including free breakfast and parking. Under the package, a tourist can enjoy all comforts and compliments while travelling on a luxury caravan paying Rs 3,999 plus tax per person per night. The ride fare per kilometre has been fixed at Rs 40. Each caravan will carry up to four adults and two children. As Kerala’s premium hospitality service provider, the state-run KTDC has struck an agreement with caravan service providers opting to operate under the package. An initial safari circuit worked out as part of the package covers Kumarakom-Vagamon- Thekkady route. Starting from the lake-side Kumarakom in the morning, the caravan will reach Vagamon in the afternoon, covering a distance of 80-100 km through the stunning scenic settings of central Kerala. The package offers free parking and a bonfire experience for tourists at Keravan Meadows, Vagamon. The next day, the journey will resume 36

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taking visitors to eco-tourism hub Thekkady, where they will be provided with a stay at one of the KTDC’s properties. Tourists can opt for a single-day journey or travel through the entire route. “It is significant that KTDC is launching this highly attractive package when tourism activities are back in full swing in Kerala. This wholesome package aims at providing a high-end experience to domestic as well as foreign

tourists at a reasonable rate”, said Mr P K Sasi, Chairman, KTDC. This will also help stakeholders in the tourism sector to quickly recover from the downturn caused by the staggered Covid-19 pandemic, said V R Krishna Teja IAS, Director, Kerala Tourism. This is the first package to be announced as part of the recently-launched caravan tourism project. The response from the industry to the Caravan Holidays has been encouraging, said Mrs V Vigneshwari, Managing Director, KTDC. The compliments in the package include free veg breakfast, refreshments to be served on the caravan, free snacks, tea and coffee in the park, a bonfire experience and a Wi-Fi connection for tourists. The breakfast will have a choice of seasonal fruit juices, toast, butter and jam, cornflakes or porridge, followed by a course of South Indian dishes like idly, dosa, appam, and idiyappam with accompaniments like chutney and sambar. For those opting for the North Indian menu, poori bhaji and stuffed parathas will be served with a variety of spice-rich curries.

KERALA UNIVERSITY CONFERS DOCTORATE TO PK HARIKRISHNAN

r. Hari Krishnan PK, Assistant Professor, Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies ( KITTS), Thiruvananthapuram, has been awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph D) in Tourism Management by the University of Kerala. His topic of research was “ Inbound Medical Tourism in Kerala: A study on Prospects and Problems”. His research study is an attempt to explore the significance of inbound medical tourism for the tourism development and mitigation of tourism of Kerala. Mr. Harikrishnan is a Travel and technology professional with more than two decade of experience in Travel and Tourism industry in India. Prior to joining in the KITTS to enter the tourism academic world, Mr Jari worked with many leading tourism establishments in India and UK including Kerala Travel Interserve Ltd and Link Air UK.

DOUBLETREE BY HILTON GOA PANAJI APPOINTS MOUSUMI SHARMA AS ASSISTANT F & B MANAGER

oubleTree by Hilton Goa – Panaji has appointed Ms. Mousumi Sharma as Assistant Food & Beverage Manager. In her new role, Mousumi will be responsible for the entire F&B operations of the hotel. As an experienced professional, Mousumi has over 13 years of reliable work experience in the hospitality industry within the core area of food and beverage. Her skill set includes healthy leadership skills, excellent team building, and interpersonal relations skills, 37 revenue growth, menu development, strategic planning, food sanitation practices, and similar. Commenting on Mousumi’s appointment, Shiv Bose, General Manager of DoubleTree by Hilton Goa – Panaji expresses, “We are elated to have such a talented individual join our culinary team at the hotel. Mousumi not only brings years of expertise but a passion for this thriving F&B department. We are confident that she will continue our tradition of contributing to the growth of the hotel with her innate skills”. With a vast array of experience and knowledge, Mousumi has been the driving force behind the F&B operations of notable brands like The Leela hotels and resorts, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, and Marriott International. In her leisure time, Mousumi enjoys making pottery.

www.tourismindia.org

JUNE 2022 TOURISM INDIA

NEWS/ NATIONAL

KEF HOLDINGS LAUNCHES FIRST INTEGRATED CLINICAL WELLNESS RESORT BRAND KEF Holdings , a Dubai-based conglomerate headed by Mr. Faisal Kottikollon, will be opening a super-exclusive clinical wellness retreat near Kozhikode in Kerala next year.

Mr. Faisal Kottikollon, KEF Holdings Chairman and Ms. Shabana Faizal, Vice Chairperson of KEF Holdings in the presence of Mr. P A Mohammad Riyaz, Minister for Tourism, Kerala playing the bamboo gong at the launch function of KEF Clinical Wellness Retreat at Chelembra, Malappuram near Calicut .

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EF Holdings has launched the first integrated clinical wellness resort brand in Kerala with an investment of Rs 800 crore. The brand, named ‘Tulah’, is built on a state-of-the-art integrated complex in Kozhikode in an area covering 30-acres land using sustainable technology with a positive impact on the community, the KEF Holdings said. “The facility rests with the primary purpose of encouraging guests to develop healthy habits and transform their lifestyle with a comprehensive healthcare program that includes clinical wellness, spa services, physical fitness activities, wellness education and healthy cuisine,” the Group said in a release. It said the project envisions creating a sustainable and ecofriendly ecosystem that features solar power parks, tree plantations, high-tech organic farming, organic grown food, water technology, composting and radiant cooling instead of air-conditioning. The Group expects to offer direct employment to 400 people. “The walls and floor of the building are constructed by passing cooling and ventilation pipes through 3D panels. The resort will be fully powered by solar energy

The 30-acre Integrated Clinical Wellness Complex at Kozhikode is built on state-ofthe-art sustainable technology with a positive impact on the community and water conservation through aquaponics, hydroponics and water harvesting. The aim is to become self-sufficient,” the release said. The infrastructure and design of the space has been conceptualised by a world-renowned team of international architects and designers, which includes KEF Designs, KKD, LAMI and SquareM. The wellness centre offers clinical wellness, spa services, physical fitness activities, wellness education, healthy cuisine and special programmes. “With medical supervision designed to support the processes

of renewal and restoration, the experience looks at traditional diagnostics and therapy according to modern and complementary medicine,” the Group said. The resort is strategically located at Chelembra, near Kozhikode Airport, and will have 130 rooms of which 50 rooms will commence operations in its first phase by March 2023. The resort also offers features a 44,000-square-foot swimming pool and a Michelin Star restaurant with a farm-to-table concept linked with the organic farms in the property. “The organic farm has been developed along with the resort with an aim to mobilise farmers from different parts of the state to adopt community farming methods. The vegetables currently being produced are supplied to retailers and wholesalers in Kozhikode,” it said. The resort brand was launched by Mr. P A Mohammad Riyaz, Minister for Tourism, Kerala in Kozhikode recently. The ‘Tulah’ brand was launched together by the minister, KEF Holdings Chairman Mr. Faisal Kottikollon and KEF Holdings Vice Chairperson Ms. Shabana Faizal uniquely by playing bamboo gong.

www.tourismindia.org

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NEWS / HOSPITALITY

ITC HOTELS ACHIEVE GLOBAL MILESTONE LEED ZERO CARBONCERTIFICATION “This achievement is not ours alone but of all our associates and guests who believed in us and shared the same value system” - Anil Chadha, Divisional Chief Executive, ITC Hotels.

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TC Hotels’, three properties in India have been ranked as the world’s top 3 LEED Zero Carbon

certified hotels, a first-of-its-kind achievement globally, reaffirming its Credo “Responsible Luxury” with a comprehensive focus on sustainability, health and hygiene. ITC Windsor, Bengaluru, became the 1st hotel in the world, while ITC Grand Chola Chennai, the largest hotels in the world to have received the prestigious LEED Zero Carbon Certification. ITC Gardenia Bangaluru has become the third hotel in the world to receive the certification. LEED Zero Carbon recognizes buildings operating with net-zero carbon emission and LEED® Platinum is the highest rating awarded by U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). ITC Hotels becomes world’s largest chain with the maximum number of LEED Platinum Certified Properties as per USGBC. From using renewable energy and recycling solid waste to conserving water, actively mitigating singleuse plastic and reducing the carbon footprint at every step, ITC Hotels have been delivering luxury experiences with planet positive offerings embedded in product, processes, people & progress. Over 40% of consumable food materials used at ITC Hotels are sourced locally and the properties have adopted infra-red based efficient cooking in the kitchen leading to near 20% energy savings. Living up to its promise of ‘Responsible Luxury’, ITC Hotels launched a path-breaking “WeAssure” programme, adopting the highest standards and protocols in health, hygiene, safety and infection control management. For this initiative, ITC Hotels became the first hotel chain in the world to receive Platinum level certification under DNV’s My Care Infection risk management programme. In addition, the hotel group introduced waste segregation methods to achieve more than 99% waste recycling and also pioneered the mitigation of single-use plastic. Anil Chadha, Divisional Chief Executive, ITC Hotels, stated, “ITC Hotels is committed towards sustainability and consistently works to achieve its vision of offering patrons an experience of ‘responsible luxury. We pride ourselves on the milestones that we have achieved in our endeavour toward contributing to the Planet.

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Three of our luxury properties have put India on the global stage by being recognised by LEED as Net Zero Carbon Certified hotels. This achievement is not ours alone but of all our associates and guests who believed in us and shared the same value system. I would like to acknowledge the efforts of ITC Hotels in ensuring that we preserve the elements of sustainability. We shall continue in this direction with our promise to Mother Earth.” All ITC Hotels have organic waste converters with most of them being equipped with Onsite Bio- Methanation plants. The group has reduced freshwater consumption by almost 50% with strategic conservation, treatment and reuse over the last 5 years. 57% of electrical consumption at ITC Hotels & Welcomhotels is met through renewable sources. These include ITC Grand Chola, ITC Windsor, ITC Gardenia, ITC Maratha, ITC Grand Central, ITC Mughal, Welcomhotel Chennai, Welcomhotel Coimbatore, Welcomhotel Bengaluru and Welcomhotel Sheraton New Delhi, which are powered by renewable electrical energy. ITC Hotels’ current carbon emission level is 61 kg per overnight guest stay and 58 kg per sqm per annum against the 2030 target of 65 kg and 129 kg respectively. These milestones have been accomplished through the implementation of various renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives. The ITC Hotels are designed based on Green Building guidelines and standards which are energy efficient, utilize renewable energy,

and conserve and recycle water while taking concrete steps to preserve the eco-system around them. The hotels have witnessed up to 20% increased efficiency with the installation of a programmable HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) control called the Automated BMS System. Key sustainability initiatives are executed in identified hotels. They include in-house production of water with the help of an atmospheric water generator, rainwater harvesting, daylight harvesting, solar heating, food waste composting, biogas generation and the switchover from HSD/ biodiesel fired boilers to renewable electrical energy based boilers for steam application. All ITC Hotels and Welcomhotels are ISO 14001 Environment Management System and ISO 22000 Food Safety Management Certified and have implemented COVID Mitigation in Conditioned Space in its HVAC system. This active technology creates photo hydro ions which neutralize every airborne organic contaminant it locates and destroys more than 99% of microbes present in the conditioned space. ITC Hotels is also committed to supporting local artisans while reviving and popularising ancient cuisines and is actively engaged in keeping alive India’s time-honoured rituals that promote well-being. WelcomArt, WelcomJawan, WelcomTheatre, Responsible Dining through Local Love, Eat Wisely and Food Sherpa are some of its signature programmes that have defined Responsible Luxury.

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NEWS/ HOSPITALITY

THE LEELA ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH INDIAN SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts has launched the Leela Leadership Development Programme at The Leela Ambience Gurugram

he Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts recently announced the launch of the Leela Leadership Development Programme (LLDP) with its first batch of 25 candidates at The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel

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& Residences. Built around a world-class curriculum, in partnership with the Indian School of Hospitality (ISH) in alliance with Les Roches, the class of 2023 will kickstart learning through blended modules that include boot camps,

classroom training, and online classes and on-the-job experience across Leela hotels. Mr Anuraag Bhatnagar, Chief Operating Officer at The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts said, “We are excited to welcome

we are moving forward together in our mission to prepare young professionals who will shape a thriving industry in the new world environment. We are happy to be co-creating value for this programme through our alliance with Les Roches, one of the world’s leading hospitality business schools”. The LLDP programme is a 15-month programme that identifies and mentors the talent in the industry with capstone projects, assessments, and extensive guidance at the iconic Leela properties. The programme will also include immersive knowledge sessions at ISH’s world-class campus in Gurugram and will offer an applied learning format through various expert sessions and workshops delivered by their faculty. As a tailored management training programme, Leela Leadership Development Programme offers young aspiring hoteliers the opportunity to train at some of the leading luxury hotels in the country under the leadership of accomplished hoteliers with blended learning modules focused on global hospitality competencies moulding them to be leaders of tomorrow. Mr. Anuraag Bhatnagar, Chief Operating Officer The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts our first batch of Leela Leadership Development Programme, class of 2023 in partnership with Indian School of Hospitality in alliance with Les Roches. We are truly humbled by the overwhelming response for our inaugural batch and thrilled to see the passion for hospitality in these young minds. Leela’s deep-rooted Indian legacy and ethos of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ is the crux of Indian hospitality and we are delighted to partner with ISH to train and develop leaders who can take on challenges at a global level while retaining this ethos that defines true Indian hospitality. It is a privilege to interact with young talent and even a greater one to shape remarkable future luxury hospitality leaders.” Dilip Puri, Founder and Chief Operating Officer, of the Indian School of Hospitality, was quoted as saying: “We are excited to work with The Leela Group and leverage our executive education capabilities to help them train and nurture future hospitality leaders. By extending our academic expertise and pedagogy for the creation of this programme, www.tourismindia.org

Mr. Dilip Puri, Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Indian School of Hospitality

JUNE 2022 TOURISM INDIA

NEWS /AIRLINES

FLYBIG TO ACQUIRE 10 DE HAVILLAND CANADA TWIN OTTER SERIES 400 AIRCRAFT Pilot-turned entrepreneur Sanjay Mandavia, who had placed a qualifying bid for Jet Airways, has now launched a regional airline — FlyBig.

e Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (“De Havilland Canada”) has announced that Big Charter Private Limited has signed a Letter of Intent to

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purchase up to ten new Twin Otter Series 400 aircraft for operation by its promoted airline, flybig. The companies will work towards a definitive purchase agreement

that would include five firm-ordered aircraft and options for another five. “In conjunction with the UDAN initiative, the Indian Government’s recently released policy to assist

Captain Sanjay Mandavia, Chairman and Managing Director, Big Charter Private Limited (flybig)

Fly Big has started new connectivity between Guwahati & Patna to explore the beauty of two state capitals with daily same-day-return flights operating from June 5th, 2022, while another new, direct & daily flights operating from Hyderabad to Aurangabad & back. www.tourismindia.org

in serving small and remote communities, flybig’s goal is to provide connectivity to communities that were not previously accessible by air,” said Captain Sanjay Mandavia, Chairman and Managing Director, flybig. “De Havilland Canada’s Twin Otter Series 400 is the right aircraft 45 for our operations because of its proven record for safe, reliable operations and its versatility -including the capability to land on land or water.” “We are very excited to be working with flybig to connect underserved destinations that currently rely on inconvenient and inefficient modes of transportation,” said Philippe Poutissou, Vice President, Sales, and Marketing, De Havilland Canada. “It is always a source of pride when De Havilland Canada

aircraft are selected by a new operator and we welcome this opportunity to work with flybig to increase connectivity across India.” The Twin Otter has earned a reputation around the globe for its versatility and reliability in a variety of extreme environments. From executive and private travel to commercial operations in some of the most challenging conditions on earth, the number of operators and breadth of industries supported by the Twin Otter is a testament to its flexibility and durability. The Twin Otter also boasts unrivaled versatility within each of its many operational applications. As a regional connectivity transportation solution, it is used worldwide for island hopping and commuter tra Additionally, its robust fuselage, convertible cabin, and exceptional performance capabilities allow for effective industrial support, critical infrastructure, environmental monitoring, special missions, and cargo transport operations. Additionally, its robust fuselage, convertible cabin, and exceptional performance capabilities allow for effective industrial support, critical infrastructure, environmental monitoring, special missions, and cargo transport operations. The Twin Otter also boasts unrivaled versatility within each of its many operational applications. As a regional connectivity transportation solution, it is used worldwide for island hopping and commuter travel, offering flexible quick-change interior options in its configurable 19-passenger cabin. With more than 5,000 aircraft delivered, De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (De Havilland Canada) is well established across the globe and its talented team of aviation professionals is dedicated to advancing its near100-year reputation for excellence in innovation, production, and customer support. The aircraft also support a wide variety of special mission operations including aerial firefighting, search and rescue, medical evacuation, reconnaissance, and coastal surveillance. JUNE 2022 TOURISM INDIA

COLUMN

By Binu Philip

WANTED: THAT OL’ CHARM OF AIR TRAVEL The soft bell inside the aircraft alone isn’t enough!

risply ironed trousers and shirts, skirts and tops in checks, stripes, and floral patterns. Shades of bright, dark and light. Good-looking shoes, white and brown caps, shawls of various fabric fluttering along with loosely tied hair.

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Airport floors took the hard pound of heels; pounding as bold as the confident man in the old ‘Moods’ advertisement. Leather bags as if polished recently, and hand bags vie for attention. There was dignified silence around the few shops that catered

to a book reader or a window shopper. At the restaurant, fork/ knives clanked. The furious roar of engines signalled either arrival (nearing in) or departure of planes (furthering out). ‘Up ahead in the distance’ whether on the jet bridge or atop

the ladder, the voice of happy air hostesses welcoming ‘passengers’ (not guests) was like a BGM to the plane’s seemingly never ending whine. Inside the aircraft an air of quiet sophistication overtook the senses, with colourful carpets, upholstery, seat covers and the folded tray table. As uniformed women and men walked past with warm smiles, stretching their arms to switch off a call bell, or secure an overhead bin, the Captain’s announcement was treated with a near-respectful silence - the information is interesting (Guten Morgen meine Damen und Herren, mein Name ist xxx und ... Der heutige Flug führt uns über Dubai, die Türkei, Rumänien, Österreich und schließlich in die deutsche Luftraum). Food trolleys rolled in mouthwatering gourmet cuisines with metal cutlery, and created a near-synchronised rhythm beating the noise from fully throttled engines up in the air. Conversations and the occasional loud peal of laughter got interrupted by the sound of the flush system from the ‘nearest lavatory behind you’. Warm goodbyes, and the customary ‘see you next time’ brought an end to the flying experience, until the next available opportunity. All that, was in the past. Cut to today’s “lean, clean” mode of flying in a “machine”!! Brand promises and (low) price structures that lure “everyone (can) to fly” have created a different animal in the forest that is today’s airport. Cars jostling for space at the drop off location can be mistaken for a busy roundabout amidst disorderly traffic. Hard heels have almost been replaced with flip flops that flip and flop according to the pace of one’s scampering. Loud calls from group leaders pretending to have flown a thousand times to those lost in the maze of an airport, resemble a sudden clatter of unused vessels in a kitchen. At Security Check, a head of the family has half a dozen homeprinted boarding passes stapled... www.tourismindia.org

but hello, each member needs to show the respective pass and cross check. Immediately there’s a confusion that rivals the one in the Congress party… the suit-clad bloke and the hapless old couple go: “why did I choose this line”? ‘Puma’ has glorified the47traditional flip flops and they are now a crowd. ‘Crocs’ has a number of cousins. Backpacks with unbuckled straps flap around, at times ‘whipping’ passersby. Eyes bulge out as heavy trolleys bags that have wheels(!), are carried around (some of them are a case to question the check-in staff - did they not see it?). Thanks to bank cards, “now almost everyone can enter lounges”. Resembling at times an ‘A2B’ restaurant, an ‘Empire’ outlet at midnight, or the celebrated

‘Manohar’ chaat house in Bhopal, they are no longer ‘business! lounges’. Every TDH* is here. Some hurry and scurry to grab more food than what can be placed on their pieces of ceramic (have they not seen food before?), almost tipping over tired pairs of stretched out legs. While some couples engage in the longest version of ‘who will blink/talk first’, at another corner an entire family group is busy eating, drinking and making merry. Sometimes children come out of your ears, and at other times noisy men clutter around in a group, take the lion’s share of space (and food!) laid out aesthetically. They talk and laugh with mouths brimming with rice and curry (joy-full). In between they pick their teeth using finger JUNE 2022 TOURISM INDIA

COLUMN

nails, rub them on their pants, then slide their phone and howl out at their wives or vendors (it doesn’t sound any different). When you think they’re over with their gluttony, one of them arrives with a new “dish” from the buffet and “kindly” shares it with the others. Without being pejorative, this is a scene straight out of an Indian Railway’s Sleeper Class travel experience. Mothers run behind kids who drop ‘gulab jamun’ on the floor, pasting it onto the carpet! Nerdy, bespectacled guys with open laptops debrief their colleagues ... but hey, why should an entire airport lounge know your sales target, the next year’s budget or strategy? They all then head to the ‘lean and clean machine’ (not aircraft). 9 out of 10, “all-can-fly” citizens never bother to respond to the warm greeting from smiling stewards / stewardesses (almost the only thing that remains of treating men, women and “boys and girls” as human beings). Meanwhile on the jet bridge, the new generation corporate traveller will invariably get a call on his foldable phone, to which the reply will be: “... yes, but I am going out of the country for the next few days and I am boarding a flight... can you call me ten days later?”. His friend asks him who that was, and laughs his lungs out when he knows it was a call from an insurance agent (“otherwise you never pick that call, 48

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no?”, goes the friend). No one wants to hear the Captain’s announcement anymore. 180 heads bow to their phone. Many will update their wives “boarded”! Captain can go to hell (like professor in college; who cares what s/he says). Once airborne, the once popularin-Indian-skies “sir, can I get you veg or non-veg?” is replaced with “do you want to purchase any item from our menu?” The sound of cutlery has been replaced with “as per guidelines from Ministry of Civil Aviation, there will be no service of food and beverage as this fight is less than two hours”**. The ‘mind your arms and legs’ recital however, continues. To those who were vociferous in their support to the idea of LCC flying, one question: when food and beverage is taken off the flight’s service, cost of flying should have been reduced too, right? On the contrary we are seeing an increase. All of it can’t be fuel alone. On landing, many phones ring in different ways, ranging from bhakti tunes and weird sounds, to great Eric Clapton or Bollywood licks, or plain vanilla factory tones. A hundred passengers answer: “just landed”. The aunty, uncle and the young techie ... all alike, go: ‘paanch minat’. Only that the plane’s door would not have been open yet! And finally, we have the ultimate cynic roaming the swanky terminal buildings He (almost certainly I’ve not seen a woman do this) will question the need for a world class

airport, which to him looks like a shopping mall with a jet bridge! He will curse the system for having him arrive at the airport many hours in advance rather than just a few minutes, as before. Maybe he never heard of 9/11. Today’s air travel is a pale shadow of how it used to be just even a decade ago. The only thing that remains, is that soft ‘ding’ that signals a message from the cockpit to the cabin crew, or a passenger calling the attention of a member of Crew to ask, “how much more time to land”! And that is not enough. I need the taste of that sharp dash of hot coffee through the thick froth - that good old charm of flying. There’s a silver line - the “joy of flying” is on its way back. Hopefully, the “new feeling of flying”, will get better with the “wings of change”, and not just pretensions of “(my) coming first”. *tom, dick and harry **during Covid times

Binu Philip

www.tourismindia.org

JUNE 2022 TOURISM INDIA

FEATURE / HOSPITALITY

HEALTH AND HEALING IN THE HIMALAYAN FOOTHILLS

or many years, Vana has been a sanctuary for rebalancing, healing, and learning, based on its aspiration to help guests achieve the best spiritual, emotional, physical, and intellectual potential. It offers a journey of selfdiscovery and transformation, where everything is personalized

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according to each guest’s needs. Staying for a minimum of three nights, traditional practices such as Ayurveda, yoga, and Tibetan Medicine are integrated alongside the latest complementary therapies into a daily routine, nudging guests gently along their path to vitality. For complete detoxification of

body and mind, the Ayurvedic Panchakarma retreats welcome guests for up to a month. Vana’s approach is authentic and soothing yet determined and effective. Honoring and building on these foundations, Six Senses is excited to bring this much-loved and wellestablished wellness gem into its portfolio this autumn.

Vana is a wellness retreat in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. A search for equilibrium, learning and the inner journey are at the heart of Vana. A refuge for all beings, and are beyond conventional definitions. Vana means forest, and those that take abode within it are Vanavasis.

SIX SENSES OPENS VANA DEHRADUN www.tourismindia.org

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FEATURE / HOSPITALITY

Playful yet Dedicated

Never shy of defying convention, Six Senses has built its success on its commitment to wellness, and the goal is to work with Vana’s team to weave in new experiences to the existing formula offered by the retreat and bring it to a broader global audience. The property is also a great addition for the brand in India, alongside Six Senses Fort Barwara in Rajasthan. “With its ancient healing traditions and spiritual practices, India has long been heralded as the ultimate wellness gateway and, in a gentle but intentional way, this plays to who we are too,” says CEO of Six Senses Neil Jacobs. “Vana comes to us with a strong philosophy and loyal Vanavasi clientele manifested by founder Veer Singh. The seed was sown in Veer’s mind through his deep interest in and respect for sustainable farming, traditional wisdom, and nature, which we will continue to nurture under the Six Senses brand. This marriage made in the Himalayas allows us to build on what exists with some of our signature experiences.” Commenting on the latest chapter in the Vana story, founder 52

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Veer Singh adds, “Vana becoming Six Senses Vana is the most natural and logical progression for this precious and beautiful retreat. I am humbled by the care and sensitivity Six Senses has shown to protect and nurture everything good about Vana. I am excited to see how they will deepen and strengthen our current offering and complement it with signature experiences they have successfully tried and tested around the world. I see no reason why Six Senses Vana will not become what we set out to be when Vana first opened: the most iconic wellness retreat in the world.”

Creating the Right Journey for the Goal

Vana means forest, and indeed it is tucked away amid organic kitchen and herb gardens in a saltree reserve within India’s lush and leafy Mussoorie region. Close to Rishikesh, the birthplace of yoga, and north of Dehradun on the approach to the Himalayas, this is a place to rediscover one’s own path. There is no one common objective that guests come to achieve, and the arrival consultation will continue to guide the entire journey with a wellness screening

providing additional analysis and insights. Each guest’s uniqueness is fundamental to creating a personalized program with ancient practices, complementary therapies, and plenty of movement. Some wish to focus on natural healing, deepen their yoga practice, or address their weight holistically; others come for Panchakarma, or rest and relaxation. From this autumn, guests will be able to try their hand at making their own spa products at the Alchemy Bar and enhance their recovery with a biohacking offering. Sleep With Six Senses will ensure guests dismantle old habits and reverse physical or mental exhaustion using smart tools and guidance to sleep soundly and wake up ready to embrace each day. In India, food has always been seen as an offering to the divine, and the retreat’s mindfully prepared menus match the Eat With Six Senses guiding principles of natural ingredients, local and sustainable, and less is more. The organic gardens are being extended so that ingredients can be influenced by the seasons and personal preferences while being themed

to the location, contributing to the preservation and revival of local culture and traditions. The cuisine will therefore be grown in, not flown in, and indigenous and intentional. The bar will serve healthy drinks, shrubs, and tonics and become a gathering point to activate the power of the “we” in wellness. Along with a lifestyle concept store for sustainable fashion and spa products, there will also be a Cinema Paradiso, courts for various ball games, and experiences that tap into the retreat’s location to encourage movement and reconnection with nature. There’s a healing power to art and music, and creative expression can be an emotional and somatic lifeline. Exhibitions, visiting artists, and performances will continue to be woven into the retreat’s programming. Whether guests come alone or with friends or family, they will leave having connected with a whole new Vana family.

Sustainability as a Way of Life

Since the early days of Vana, sensitivity to ecology has played

an intrinsic role in its thinking, creating, and maintaining harmony with the natural world. Energy, water, and waste are managed effectively in LEED Platinum certified buildings, and all textiles and solvents are sourced in compliance with sustainable standards. These principles are aligned to core values at Six Senses, communicated through the Earth Lab, where guests are encouraged to be the change they want to see during hands-on and light-hearted workshops. Regenerative travel experiences will offer guests a tangible connection to the local

community and wildlife projects, infusing their Vana journey with purpose and positive impact.

Style and Sophistication

As a mindful oasis away from India’s trademark, intense color, noise, and activity, the naturaltoned rooms and suites, all with balconies or terraces, look over the sal forest or gardens and are comfortably appointed to evoke a sense of harmony. From mantras to meditation, massages and activating the mula bandha, Six Senses Vana will lead guests with a soft heart yet steely hand to a profound and purposeful transformation.

www.tourismindia.org

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NEWS / HOSPITALITY

SIGNATURE WEDDINGS BY PULLMAN NEW DELHI AEROCITY Pullman New Delhi Aerocity has launched ‘Signature Weddings by Pullman’ with an exclusive event at the Peacock Ballroom.

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real-time experience for guests to envision a celebratory moment of their fairy tale wedding and to plan and bring their dreams to reality. The event captures and brings together all wedding elements under the same roof in partnership with leading wedding planners in the Industry Sumarooh Events, R2S events and weddings, Midas events, and Wedding Design Studio along with Artisan partners – Celeste Tea and Arq Mithai. During the day, the show will allow guests to step in and get a first-hand experience of the mega event which will showcase beautifully decorated thematic wedding setups like Mandap, Reception, Lounge, and Sajjan Goth with personalized time slots with professionals followed by a high tea. It will be a vibrant city wedding experience with a perfect location, showcasing thematic wedding setups like a Bohemian vibe, mirror work mandap, fresh flowers

mandap, and a high-end lounge reception. A dream wedding cannot be put into reality without the element of personalization and customization. “Our Peacock Ballroom is a sight to behold. Breath-taking and immensely spacious, it’s the right spot for that unforgettable first dance. Completely customizable and pillarless, the 13,000 sq. ft. space can host the grandest wedding. Connected to a spacious pre-function area, the Peacock Ballroom is easily accessible from the lobby. It can accommodate up to 1500 guests. Whether you are planning a big fat Indian wedding or a small, intimate affair, Pullman New Delhi Aerocity will ensure that is the most memorable day of your life..” Says Vineet Mishra, Complex General Manager, Pullman New Delhi, Aerocity The gala evening will be a grand affair with the best of the wedding industry, The celebratory evening will consist of entertainment with a live band, DJ, and flash mob artists

infused with culinary gastronomy with live counters and cocktails. There are flying buffets and smaller menus with more visual and taste appeal. Keeping the sustainability factor in mind, the hotel endeavors to procure and use fresh and more local produce. The iconic twin property of Pullman & Novotel New Delhi Aerocity is ideally located in the trendiest new destination in the capital – Aerocity, in close proximity to the IGI Airport and within driving distance from business hubs of Gurgaon & New Delhi. A combination of 670 Suites & Rooms under one roof along with a state-of-the-art convention space with 16 meeting rooms and one of the largest ballrooms in Delhi NCR. The hotels offer an array of food & beverage options with 6 innovative outlets that draw the best of international and local culinary specialties. Leisure facilities include a spa, a fully-equipped health club, and an outdoor swimming pool

www.tourismindia.org

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NEWS / TRAVEL TRDENS

EXPEDIA GROUP SPOTLIGHT ON SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL Consumer Attitudes, Values, and Motivations in Making Conscientious Choices

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t is well documented that the slowdown during the past two years resulted in positive environmental impacts such as reduced air pollution, improved air and water quality, and ecological restoration. Now, as travel restrictions continue to ease and travelers hit the road and skies once again – flooding the market at levels not seen during the past two years – we must balance the longawaited return of travel with the growing importance of improving sustainability in the travel industry. Looking ahead, travelers will increasingly seek ways to have more meaningful and conscientious travel experiences, from searching for and booking more sustainable options to identifying opportunities to improve their impact on the destinations and communities they visit. We commissioned new custom research to understand what consumers consider

sustainable travel, what tradeoffs they are willing to make to travel more sustainably, and where and how they are looking for information to make more mindful choices. Conducted in February and March 2022 by Wakefield Research, the study engaged 11,000 representative consumers in 11 countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, the UK, and the U.S. Here are some key findings for travel marketers on past and future attitudes, behaviors, and values around sustainability in travel. Consumers Are Looking for Sustainable Travel Options and Turning to Trusted Resources for Guidance Consumers around the world are already making more mindful decisions when traveling, such as visiting local cultural

or historical sites (46%), using more environmentally friendly transportation options (43%), and traveling to smaller, lesser-known destinations (41%), and more want to do so in the future. Compared to prior trip behavior, intent to make these same choices on future trips increased nearly 10% on average, demonstrating the growing opportunity in sustainable travel. Nine in 10 consumers said they look for sustainable options when traveling, though 70% reported feeling overwhelmed by starting the process of being a more sustainable traveler. Many are turning to trusted travel resources and providers for inspiration and guidance to inform their decisions, including destinations, lodging providers, transportation providers, travel agencies, and booking sites. For travel brands, this indicates the importance of clarity in sustainability information. When

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NEWS / TRAVEL TRDENS spotlighting eco-friendly options or differentiators, travel brands should make it easy for consumers to understand. This includes clear and concise messaging, leveraging visually appealing formats, and showing the positive impacts of making responsible travel choices. The Price of Sustainable Travel   Although most consumers said it costs too much to be more sustainable when traveling, there are opportunities to shift that mindset. Half would be willing to pay more for transportation, activities, or lodging if the option was more sustainable. And they are also willing to make tradeoffs to lessen their environmental impact. Nearly 70% of consumers said they would be willing to sacrifice convenience to be a more sustainable traveler. Making mindful travel choices goes beyond eco-tourism as well, with nearly 3 in 4 consumers stating they would choose a destination, lodging, or transportation option that is committed to supporting the local community and culture, even if it was more expensive.

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Consumers are willing to pay more for certain sustainable travel options—and make tradeoffs—so illustrating the value and positive impact of making more conscientious choices can help make the decision even easier. Furthermore, since consumers may be overwhelmed by the prospect of making their entire trip more sustainable, it’s important to communicate how one small change can make a difference. Opportunities in Sustainable Travel As broad consumer interest in sustainable travel continues to grow and many intend to make more conscientious travel choices in the future, it’s important to understand the types of information they want access to during the trip planning process, and the preferred formats. The leading sustainable travel information consumers want to see when planning a trip are recommendations for locally owned businesses and restaurants at or near a destination, and

transportation options that have lower environmental impact (45%). Additionally, cultural resources are helpful during the trip planning process – 43% of consumers want information on how to best engage with local cultures and communities at or near a destination. The good news for the planet, as well as all of us who market to travelers, is that the interest in sustainable travel is high and travelers are looking for a broad range of information on sustainable travel options. Whether you’re a destination, a lodging, transportation or activity provider, a restaurant, or a local business, consumers are interested in learning more about eco-friendly offerings and recommendations. When it comes to viewing sustainable travel information during the trip planning process, listings or information pages on travel sites is the preferred format (54%), though video content, reviews from other travelers, and advertisements are valued by consumers, as well.

Authenticity in Sustainability Commitments is Critical Consumer attention toward sustainable tourism has also resulted in higher expectations for destinations and travel brands. Seven in 10 consumers have avoided a destination or transportation option because they felt it was not truly committed to sustainable practices. This

illustrates that authenticity and transparency around sustainability commitments and outcomes are of the utmost importance. Consumers want to know that travel brands are genuinely committed to sustainability, not just checking a box. Backing up sustainability practices and claims with proof points and data can help drive traveler consideration

and minimize skepticism. For example, in our recent Discover Iberostar campaign, we educated travelers on the hospitality group’s commitment to sustainability and Wave of Change initiative, while also surfacing inspirational and informative content on more responsible vacation experiences.

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DISCOVER THE WONDERS OF THE OCEAN WITH FOUR SEASONS MALDIVES T

he Four Seasons Resort, Maldives, Landaa Giravaru is one of the world’s most beautiful islands: a natural UNESCO Biosphere Reserve wilderness where iridescent blues, jungle greens, and dazzling whites meet innovation, conservation, and wellness. Snorkel with mantas in aquarium-like waters, rehabilitate sea turtles in the resort’s Marine Discovery Centre, experience world-class wellness at AyurMa, and indulge in morethan-Michelin-starred dining at Blu Beach Club. Making a holiday in this island paradise even more enticing are these two offers for an unforgettable marine adventure, applicable for guests opting for a minimum 4-night stay at the Four Seasons Resort. MANTA WATCH OFFER: Take an exhilarating speedboat trip to hotspots where you can snorkel with mass gatherings of manta rays and whale sharks (June to 60

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November). Join the Maldives’ only full-time manta ray research project. Swim with dolphins and turtles in the lagoon. Help turn previously empty reef flats into thriving coral ecosystems. The offer includes an exhilarating Manta-on-Call speedboat safari for two guests, a Dolphin cruise, and a marine biologist briefing for two guests. All these plus seaplane transfers and daily breakfast. DIVE DISCOVERY OFFER: Cross it off your bucket list. This deep dive into the marine wonderland includes return airport transfers, an orientation dive, six tank dives per couple, per stay, locals’ insights into secret sites, and more. Includes seaplane transfers and daily breakfast. The hotel provides full equipment, consisting of a tank, weights, belt, fins, mask, snorkel, wetsuit, BCD, regulator with the alternative air source, pressure gauge, and depth gauge, so you can travel light!

Landaa Giravaru is one of the world’s most beautiful islands: a natural UNESCO Biosphere Reserve wilderness where iridescent blues, jungle greens, and dazzling whites meet innovation, conservation, and wellness

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A MALDIVIAN ARTISAN BAZAAR AT ‘HUKURU UFAA’ BY OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI Hukuru Ufaa offers an authentic glimpse into the Maldivian way of life.

ZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI stays true to its brand promise of curating a melange of exceptional experiences rooted in indigenous culture with the soulful ‘Hukuru Ufaa’ – launched

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in March 2022. Hukuru Ufaa, which means Friday Happiness in Dhivehi, is an inspiring art and craft extravaganza that unfolds under starry twilight skies inviting guests to discover passionate stories of

local craftsmen, soak in enchanting music performances, and immerse in an elegant cultural experience that is distinctly Maldivian. Hukuru Ufaa offers an authentic glimpse into the Maldivian way of

life. Every week on Friday evening, three different craftsmen are invited to the resort to participate in the elegant island bazaar, set to the backdrop of majestic sunset hues. Peaceful poolside settings, charming displays of intricate jewellery, handloom, handicraft, and free-flowing conversations with local artists evoke an indulgent bohemian vibe. Traditional motifs are highlighted throughout the experience. Dhoni-shaped display platforms and food stations mirroring Badhiges (traditional kitchens in the Maldives) transform the OZAR poolside deck and beach. Guests can savour authentic Maldivian, Indian, and Sri Lankan aperitifs as they walk around and appreciate the enchanting art displays. At the heart of this culinary experience is a Maldivian dish, a new one curated, executed, and served by a local chef each week. Craft comes alive at a live station, be it a potter at the wheel, a jewellery designer at work, or a painter capturing the timeless lagoon views on canvas – guests have a lot to discover here. Live

musical acts bring the local flavours of culture alive. Hukuru Ufaa is also conceived as a platform to support established and emerging Maldivian artists. It is their space to showcase traditional artisanal skills, sell their creations directly to travellers, and find the freedom to continually renew and innovate their craft. Luisa Lalli, General Manager of OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, says “It is with the spirit of preserving Maldivian culture, that we launched our first Hukuru Ufaa event. Bolifushi Island offers an

enriching island lifestyle. We seek to facilitate moments of connection with nature, people, and culture that spark conversations and create deeper, more meaningful immersions into the destination. For a truly rewarding travel experience.” Soulful white sandy beaches surround OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, which can be reached via private luxury catamaran service 20 minutes from Malé Airport. 90 stand-alone villas and RESERVE make up OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI’s accommodation options.

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