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India: Unveiling new initiatives A

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ugust is a special month for Indian tourism. As the country celebrates its 72nd year of Independence, it is also taking a bold step to portray itself as the destination of choice. Thanks to the new-fangled measures by the tourism ministry, India is on the verge of showing skyrocketing tourist numbers. Not only are the tourism boards promoting the country as a spectacular destination, they are also taking steps to ensure that the nation is safe and secure for tourists. With a slew of new initiatives, tourism boards across India are innovating to bring in inbound travellers. This is visibly evident in the revamped Incredible India website, which posted 1.60 million views since its launch in June this year. The website has seen numerous visitors from Russia, the U.S., the U.K, and Italy. With its immersive user experience, the site intends to engage with travel buffs around the world and aims to promote the nation’s multi-cultural heritage, stunning landscape, festivity, spirituality, museums, and adventure. The tourism ministry is also keen on ‘Adopt a Heritage Project.’ The ministry is looking to collaborate with both private sectors and public sector companies. Meanwhile, on the business tourism front, the ministry is taking steps to promote India as a MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) destination. According to the recent press release issued by the tourism ministry, MICE sector will

be marketed as a niche product and will focus on portraying India as a 365 days’ destination. This segment is also being promoted under the global Incredible India media campaign. The India Tourism ministry is conducting road shows and seminars conducted regularly by the India Tourism offices overseas are regularly conducting roadshows to promote this sector. The India Convention Promotion Bureau (ICPB) has also been set up under the patronage of the Ministry of Tourism to promote India as a MICE destination. Another niche product recognized by the tourism ministry is ‘Adventure Tourism.’ In 2016, the government set a task force to develop and promote Adventure Tourism. The ministry, along with the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), recently launched

the “Indian Adventure Tourism Guidelines (Version 2.0) – 2018” on ‘Safety and Quality Norms for Adventure Tourism in India’. The guidelines list the basic minimum standards for adventure tourism and cover the land, air and water-based activities. If all goes well, 2018 will be promoted as the ‘Year of Indian Adventure.’ Meanwhile, in an effort to promote pilgrimage destinations in the country, the Ministry of Tourism, under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, has identified 26 religious sites in 19 states. While these initiatives look promising, it remains to be seen if these will help increase the number of inbound, international travellers.

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Most loved travel brands of 2018

APAC Tourism on Fast Track Pg24

India: Safe and Spectacular

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INDUSTRYBUZZ

ixigo, Xiaomi tie-up to ease train travel

Indian beauty queens to explore Korea In an effort to promote South Korea as a memorable tourist destination, Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), in association with Cox & Kings, is organizing a FAM trip for Miss India 2018 winner, Anukreethy Vas and 1st Runner-up, Meenakshi Chaudhary. The objective is to create Miss India Travel Diaries campaign called, #18 Reasons to Visit South Korea. Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, Seoul Tourism Organization, and Jeju Tourism Organization have joined hands with KTO to support this initiative and build awareness around South Korea among Indian tourists. Jong Sool Kwon, Director Korea Tourism Organization, New Delhi, said, “South Korea is a hidden gem waiting to be explored. It has futuristic cities, advanced technology, buzzing nightlife, legendary food, K-Pop dramas, high-quality cosmetics and much more.”

Le Méridien Goa turns one Le Méridien Goa, Calangute, celebrated its oneyear anniversary in August. With its close proximity to major tourist attractions, popular beaches, shopping and entertainment arcades, the hotel has become a favorite among travelers seeking unique and authentic experiences. Achieving a year of success, Le Meridien Goa, Calangute is a recipient of three national and international awards: The ‘Best International Hotel,’ the ‘Best New Hotel – Upscale,’ and the ‘Design Hotel of the Year for 2018 – Goa.’ To celebrate the anniversary, the hotel has lined up some exclusive offers for rooms and across its food and beverage outlets. The anniversary room package offers guests breakfast and two-way airport transfers at Rs.1 only. While at the food and beverage outlets, guests can buy one drink, starter or dessert and get the next one at Rs.1 only.

ixigo has tied up with Xiaomi to offer seamless train bookings services to passengers. Now, users of Xiaomi can check the PNR status of their train bookings even without downloading the ixigo app. Rajnish Kumar, ixigo CTO & co-founder, said that the partnership with Xiaomi’s MIUI is a step forward in making travel seamless for millions of Indian travelers. The app, which covers 80% of India’s digital user base, is available in eight vernacular languages: English, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada. This partnership will enable all MIUI users to benefit from Ixigo’s travel planning features built on cutting-edge technology, using artificial intelligence and machine learning. The partnership is also aimed at simplifying the lives of Indian train travellers, especially in tier 2 and 3 cities.

Japan to host World Expo 2025 The Government of Japan and the Japan World Expo 2025 Committee have joined hands to host the World Expo 2025. In July, the committee took the initiative to begin an event-oriented campaign in which Pokemon, one of the committee’s mascots, boosted bidding activities at the Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo in Ikebukuro and other places in Japan. The campaign website “Pokemon EXPO Type Check” was launched in June to help people support the bidding activities together with Pokemon.

Ginger expands its footprint in India Ginger has signed a new hotel in Noida, New Delhi’s satellite city. This will be the third hotel in Noida for Ginger, which already has 45 operating hotels with nine more in the pipeline. Slated to open in 2021, the hotel will have 119 rooms, an allday diner, a meeting room, and a fitness center. Deepika Rao, Managing Director, and Chief Executive Officer, Ginger, said, “One of the most modern cities in India, Noida is a commercial hub with the presence of some of the world’s largest international companies. We are delighted to partner with Admired Height Projects Private Limited and expand our presence in Noida.”

Zeavola Resort goes green

Coronet Peak creates snow magic Queenstown ski field Coronet Peak is amping up the snow magic, opening a new interactive experience: The Ice Slides by Ice Castles. The attraction by Utah-based Ice Castles features tunnel slides, turrets, peepholes and a large throne that has been created by professional ice artisans, including an award-winning ice carver. The team has hand-placed thousands of icicles and ice blocks each day since construction began in June to create the 4000-ton structure. Guests will be able to race down winding slides encased entirely in ice and get those all-important photos perched on a frozen throne. The ice is illuminated at night with color-changing LED lights which will add to the magic of Coronet Peak’s night skiing on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The experience is all about sharing the magic of winter, especially with those who don’t ski or snowboard, said Nigel Kerr, Coronet Peak Ski Area Manager.

In an effort to go green,, Zeavola Resort on Koh Phi Phi has begun producing its own water. The same will be served to guests in recyclable glass water bottles. With this new system, the Zeavola team took a step forward in the sustainable operation of the resort. The Zeavola Resort is making its own water using a reverse osmosis plant. With the new system, the resort will avoid the usage of about 95,000 plastic bottles per year, which will have a significant impact on the environment and the Phi Phi Island Marine National Park.

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Pacific Tourism Insights Conference to be held The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), in partnership with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), will organize the second Pacific Tourism Insights Conference (PTIC) in Apia, Samoa, on October 3. The event, hosted by the Samoa Tourism Authority (STA), brings together a dynamic and unique line-up of international thought leaders recognized for their success and expertise in innovative and disruptive thinking. “The first Pacific Tourism Insights Conference yielded a new era in the Pacific tourism conversation by exploring regional opportunities and challenges in line with global trends and influences. That event highlighted the need for both the public and private sectors to embrace change and build a strong foundation which protects the Pacific’s unique culture and heritage,” said PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy. This year’s event remains focused on four primary issues: Insights, development, expertise, and sustainability.

FabHotels unveils ‘Stay More & Earn More’ scheme FabHotels has launched its loyalty program (dubbed “A-List”) to offer its loyal customers special privileges and higher cash back at its 400+ properties. Special privileges include free room nights, free cancellation benefits and tier-wise bonus credits up to Rs. 10,000. Millennials make up a significant part of the workforce. They are ambitious and aspire to be winners in their respective fields. They are regularly traveling for business, and FabHotels strives to provide for these ‘Road Warriors’ The Global Business Travel Association predicts India to be one of the top five markets in business travel spend in 15 years. With the A-List loyalty program, FabHotels aims to reward its repeat customers. As part of its launch, FabHotels is offering free membership for a limited period of time. The A-List loyalty program has four membership tiers - Blue, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The robust competition in the Indian hospitality landscape has made it imperative for growing hotel brands to introduce value proposition for consumers. FabHotels, through its loyalty program, seeks to reward its customers and maximize their experience when they travel for business.

IHCL eliminates plastic straws The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has done away with the use of plastic straws from all its hotels. This decision comes close on the heels of a move to phase out single-use plastics on the occasion of Earth Hour. Earlier this year, the company had also launched its first ever “Zero Single Use Plastic Hotel”, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Andamans. Puneet Chhatwal, the Managing Director and CEO at The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), said: “The decision of eliminating plastic straws is in line with our ethos of weaving in sustainable and responsible practices in business operations.” Plastic straws are amongst the smallest plastic items used in the industry and they contribute to over 4% of plastic pollution in the oceans. IHCL’s hotels across its brands will phase out the use of plastic straws in the next hundred days.

The Ashok hosts art expo New Delhi-based The Ashok, a flagship property of India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) Ltd, hosted ‘Art Enigma,’ an expo that offered the perfect amalgamation of colors and textures. The artists have painted the canvas keeping in minds the diversity of the Indian society and with a view to creating both illusionary and real pieces of work with the common use of visual references, to the images that work enigmatically around us. The exhibition features a mix of art practice that draws on the free flow of ideas. The collection will display different colors of the Indian society, ranging from folk dancers to landscapes to portraits on the cultural heritage of Indian art. The collection showcased paintings by Bhaskar Rao, Deepali Jain, Gauri Verma, Nirakar Chowdhury, Parmeswaran O.P., Sanjay Soni, Sumanto Chowdhury, and Yuvraj Patil.

Radisson signs up in Dubai Radisson Hospitality AB has announced the signing of its first Radisson hotel in the Middle East at Dubai’s DAMAC Hills in the United Arab Emirates. Radisson Hotel Group portfolio now features 81 hotels and more than 20,000 rooms in operation and under development across the Middle East region.

‘The Leading Hotels’ members win awards Nearly 40 members of The Leading Hotels of the World hotels were awarded the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards. “We are delighted that so many of our properties were honored in the 2018 Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards,” said Ted Teng, president and chief executive officer of The Leading Hotels of the World. “With more than 60 total awards and the most hotels of a collection brand on “The Top 100 Hotels in the World” list, this accomplishment recognizes the strength and preference curious travelers have for individually branded properties in a competitive hospitality industry. As Leading Hotels celebrates 90 years of success in 2018, we look forward to our hoteliers creating more masterpieces of hospitality in the future for our valued guests,” he said.

Switzerland Tourism ropes in Ranveer Singh Switzerland Tourism has launched a new campaign for 2018-19 with Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh as brand ambassador. The campaign highlights Ranveer’s finest experiences from his recent trip to Lake Geneva region, which includes the cities of Montreux and Lausanne. The star actor takes India on a virtual tour of Lake Geneva in the ad campaign and shows everyone why he is #inLOVE with SWITZERLAND. “I am completely in awe of Switzerland. With each visit, I get to see different elements which make me realize why this country is the perfect holiday destination that should be on every travelers’ bucket-list. This campaign beautifully portrays the Lake Geneva region and all that it has to offer. “

INDIAOUTBOUND

Israel opens Visa Centre in Kolkata VW BUREAU

n an effort to encourage more Indian travellers to visit Israel, the Embassy of Israel in India has opened a Kolkata Israel Visa Application Centre for West Bengal and North Eastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. Additionally, visa applications in jurisdiction under the New Delhi centre are also acceptable at the new Kolkata Centre. The visa application categories include B1 for employment, B2 for business, tourism, meeting or conference and A2 for students. Hassan Madah, Director, Israel Ministry of Tourism - India & Philippines, said, “Israel is experiencing a tourism boom like never before. India has recorded a half yearly growth of 82% as compared to the same period in 2015 and has become one of the best performing markets in Asia for Israel.

Keeping this in mind, the Ministry consistently aims to introduce initiatives that ease the procedure of visa applications to Israel. The new centre in Kolkata will no longer require residents from West Bengal and North Eastern states to send in their documents to the Embassy in New Delhi. We are confident that this will be seen as a welcoming move to increase interest among travellers from these regions of India”. Among other initiatives, Israel recently announced a reduction in visa fees to INR 1,100 from its previous INR 1,700 charge for Indian citizens. In December last year, relaxed visa documentation was brought in for applicants who have availed visas of Schengen countries, US, Canada, Australia or Israel and have completed their travel to these destinations. Mr. Madah added, “The Ministry of Tourism will be conducting a roadshow in Kolkata on 29th of August

Israel is experiencing a tourism boom like never before. India has recorded a half yearly growth of 82% as compared to the same period in 2015 and has become one of the best performing markets in Asia for Israel. HASSAN MADAH Director, Israel Ministry of Tourism India & Philippines

More Indians are now traveling to Turkey VW BUREAU

he Turkish Tourism Board in India recently announced that the number of Indian tourists travelling to Turkey has doubled within the period of January-June 2018 as compared to previous year. The tourism board registered an upward trend in the first half of 2018 and is aiming to host 200,000 Indian tourists by the end of this calendar year. Turkey has always been a popular destination

amongst Indian travellers. In the last few years, the country has emerged as a key destination for Indian weddings and MICE summits. The Turkish Tourism board is now actively promoting Turkey as MICE and wedding destination. The Turkish Tourism board in India is hosting regular meetings and sessions with wedding designers and wedding planners, florists, entertainment managers, culinary artists and hoteliers that play a key role in destination weddings. Similarly, there are regular meetings with corporate houses and MICE agents. From July 11 to 14, Istanbul hosted 3000 people as a MICE group travelling from Indian compa-

The Turkish Tourism Board registered an upward trend in the first half of 2018 and is aiming to host 200,000 Indian tourists by the end of this calendar year.

UP IN THE AIR: Hot air balloon rides are one of the most sought-after attractions in Turkey.

ny, Sunpharma and at the same time an Indian weddingfor 400 people took place in Istanbul. Prior to that, another popular destination of Turkey, Bodrum, hosted a big Indian wedding at the famous Lux resort.The guests and family travelled via Turkish Airlines A330 charter flight to attend the gala weddings. The number of enquiries from Indian wedding planners and companies to explore wedding destinations in Turkey has increased in past few months Turkey is the home of unique nature, culture’ and deep-rooted historical and religious prestige, which reflects in its 18 world heritage sites recognized by UNESCO. It also offers diverse cuisine and entertainment options, along with world-class hotel and transportation service and the popular tourist sites while drawing attention to the emerging trends of adventure tourism, faith tourism and the country as a trending wedding destination.

to increase interest for the destination among consumers and trade fraternity. This will coincide well with the recent opening of the visa application centre to help us tap into newer segments. We also organised our maiden roadshow in Guwahati in May this year and successfully introduced the varied tourism offerings of Israel”. Israel offers a plethora of things to do and see to cater to the discerning traveller. From the historical city of Jerusalem to the beach city of Tel Aviv; from the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, to the marvellous underwater marine life of Red Sea in Eilat, Israel is truly a dynamic destination. Meanwhile, the Israel Ministry of Tourism is expanding its activities at Ben-Gurion International Airport with the set-up of a new welcome desk for incoming tourists in the arrivals hall of the airport. The idea is to offer a service to travellers seeking information on accommodation and attractions.

New Zealand’s landscapes appeal to Indians

VW BUREAU Indians are drawn to the imagery of New Zealand’s landscapes and wide range of activities, according to Tourism New Zealand’s latest image testing research. The research was conducted with 450 Indians between the ages of 25-54 who are actively considering a holiday in New Zealand. Tourism New Zealand’s Regional Manager for South and SouthEast Asia, Steven Dixon says image testing is important because it helps to understand what motivates an audience. “Images that capture attention and resonate with the audience generate a strong brand representation in their mind that’s likely to influence behaviour.” “By finding out what type of imagery appeals most to our target audiences across our markets we are able to tailor campaign content to give us the best chance of encouraging people to book a holiday to New Zealand.” The respondents within the India market were asked to indicate which images appealed to them most. The highest performing images in India included a combination of relaxation and adventure activities that showcased New Zealand’s stunning landscapes, such as hot pools, glaciers, kayaking and dining experiences. “We are seeing strong growth in holiday arrivals from India, with increase of 19.2 per cent in the past year alone.” “The results of this image testing are incredibly important in guiding our work and supporting the industry in order to maintain this growth,” says Steven. Image testing has also been carried out for the USA, China, Indonesia, Japan, Germany & UK markets recently. To access the latest top rating images for each visitor market, visit the ‘Top Picks’ section of Tourism New Zealand visual library.

INDIAOUTBOUND

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Singapore sees an uptick in Indian tourists VW BUREAU

ingapore has received over 6 lakh visitors from India between January to May 2018, reporting a 17% year-on-year increase from 2017. The year 2017 was a record year for STB as visitor arrivals from India had crossed the 1 million mark for the third time in a row, showcasing the highest growth rate at 16% in comparison with all markets. India also continues to be the top source market for visitor arrivals in the cruise segment for Singapore. Last year, 127,000 cruise passengers from India sailed out of Singapore’s shores, showing a year-on-year increase of 25% from 2016. In 2017, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) undertook several initiatives to deepen its position in India. These included its association with the Bollywood movie ‘Badrinath Ki Dulhania’, participation in cruise forums and travel trade events such as SATTE 2017, partnerships with airlines, launch of the Vegetarian Food Guide and unveiling of a new brand identity, Singapore: Passion made Possible, among others. Early this year, STB organised roadshows in Jaipur and Mumbai, participated in SATTE 2018 and organised a

This year, we are happy to have welcomed 6.1 lakh visitors from January-May 2018, representing a 17% year-on-year increase. We are looking forward to working closely with both Indian and Singaporean travel trade partners to continue the momentum. G.B SRITHAR Regional Director (South Asia Middle East Africa), Singapore Tourism Board two-day Consumer Travel Fair in Bangalore to engage with Indian travellers. This year, the STB has lined up a series

of collaborative initiatives to entice and welcome more Indian travellers to Singapore in 2018. They embarked on an 8-city roadshow, from July 16-26, with close to 40 stakeholders to connect and grow their partnership with in-market travel agents. The 8 cities were Trichy, Ludhiana, Kochi, Kolkata, Surat, Vizag, Coimbatore and Lucknow. This is part of STB’s ongoing efforts to take the ‘Passion Made Possible’ brand messaging forward and showcase Singapore’s diverse offerings to the target audience- families with kids, early & established careers, cruise travellers, meetings and incentive groups. Themed, “With Passion, Forging New Possibilities”, the roadshows enable STB to present exciting, new offerings and familiar favourites to in-market travel agencies. Through the roadshows, STB plans to deepen its existing partnerships and foster new ones with the travel trade partners. Some of the new enhanced leisure offerings are - Maritime Experiential Museum, AJ Hackett Sentosa, Genting Dream, Singapore Sidecars tours, Rainforest Lumina at the Singapore Zoo, among others and upcoming events such as the Singapore Food

Festival in July, Singapore Night Festival in August and Grand Prix Season Singapore in September. The roadshows include key stakeholders from Singapore representing hotels, airlines, integrated resorts, attractions, Destination Management Companies (DMC) and cruise operators. The delegation is being led by STB’s G.B Srithar, Regional Director (South Asia Middle East Africa), Adrian Kong, Area Director (South Asia Mumbai), and Yuemin Li Misra, Area Director (North and East India). Srithar said, “India has been a very important source market for Singapore and STB has been steadfastly engaging travellers through partnerships and various marketing initiatives. Last year, India moved up a spot to become the third largest source market for Singapore in terms of Visitor Arrivals. This year, we are happy to have welcomed 6.1 lakh visitors from January-May 2018, representing a 17% year-on-year increase. We are looking forward to working closely with both Indian and Singaporean travel trade partners to continue the momentum and entice more Indian travellers to come, enjoy Singapore’s offerings.”

Now, you can ‘Discover Hong Kong Like A Local’ VW BUREAU

ong Kong has long been one of the most popular destinations among Indians. Recently Hong Kong has seen a rising interest among young, mid-career independent travellers who are looking for more undiscovered and lesser known experiences. To lure more Indians to visit the city and get a taste of its local culture, the Hong Kong Tourism Board collaborated with Bollywood actress Yami Gautam to boost its ‘Discover Hong Kong Like A Local’ campaign in India. As a part of the collaboration. Yami was invited to get an in-depth experience of Hong Kong’s unique and rich local culture and to become an advocate and endorser for experiences that Indian travellers can try. The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), Cathay Pacific and The Landmark, Mandarin Oriental together curated an experiential program for Yami. Through the program, HKTB wants to showcase the captivating and authentic culture of Hong Kong through Yami’s eyes. Yami’s itinerary featured activities recommended by locals like visiting city attractions, local temples and monasteries, sampling street shopping and street food, going on walking tours of revamped old districts, enjoying some water sports and relaxing at local spas. Yami has been capturing her holiday experience on her social media with stunning pictures of her visit. Talking about her collaboration, Yami Gautam said, ’’I never realised how beautiful and fun Hong Kong is as a

holiday destination. There is so much to explore here and it’s been absolutely thrilling to discover Hong Kong as a local would. I’ve truly enjoyed. The people have been so warm and welcoming and all the discoveries I’ve made from chic, charming districts to temples and monasteries, secret markets and fashion spots to delicious local food have been beyond impressive. I would love to come back to explore more of this vibrant city.” Puneet Kumar, Senior Manager, Marketing development for India region, said, “Yami is a youth icon and has a huge fan following in India. We are delighted to collaborate with Yami to bring alive our new campaign “Discover Hong Kong Like a Local” to showcase Hong Kong’s local culture in neighborhoods, unique retail and dining experiences and green outdoors. We have certainly impressed Yami to become a fan of Hong Kong and we invite her fans to come and discover Hong Kong like Yami on their next holiday in Hong Kong.” As a part of the program, Yami was be seen exploring districts like Old Town Central, which represents the beautiful union of eastern and western influences with ancient temples and streets alongside modern eateries and bars and Sham Shui Po, the fashion hub of Hong Kong where she will interact with local designers and get acquainted with local culture. Her other local experiences also included a ride on Aqua Luna, a visit to Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery and a tea appreciation class.

NEW CAMPAIGN: To lure more Indians, The Hong Kong Tourism Board has roped in Bollywood actress Yami Gautam. With 40% of Hong Kong’s territories are covered by mountainous terrain, remote valleys and untouched beaches Yami also enjoyed beachtime and kayaking at Sai Kung. With dining being a

big part of local culture Yami was given a completely immersive dining and sampled a range of experiences from local street food and dim sums to silk stocking tea and the iconic egg waffles.

globaltrends

Voyager’s World | August 2018 | P12

MOST LOVED

Travel Brands of

2018 VW BUREAU

onsumer opinions matter. This is especially true for businesses in the Travel and Hospitality industries. How customers feel about your brand directly impacts whether or not they spend their vacation days with you! And there are thousands of brands competing for their attention. When consumers are looking to disconnect from their daily lives and go somewhere new, they are turning to social media for inspiration on where to go next, where to stay, and what to do while they’re there. NetBase, an enterprise social analytics, recently released its annual Social Media Industry Report 2018 Travel and Hospitality. The report leveraged NetBase’s social analytics technology to examine the most popular brands across five categories including, Airlines, Car Rental, Cruise Lines, Hotels, and Travel Sites. The company’s technology evaluated sentiment not only at the keyword level, but also thematically. Themes provide insight to drill down into conversations around

IMAGE CREDIT: HAL GATEWOOD

Marriott dominates the travel and hospitality industry; Airbnb is the most loved travel site, and American Airlines leads the airline industry.

topics such as customer service, sales and discounts, adventure travel, or anticipation around travel, and then analyze how consumers feel about a brand within that theme. Comparing brands across conversation themes enabled NetBase to identify strengths and opportunities for brands in a wide array of areas – from operations to content types – in order to increase brand sentiment. “Social media plays an extensive role in how customers feel about travel and hospitality brands, and where they choose to spend their vacation time,” said Paige Leidig, chief marketing officer at NetBase. “Most consumers have a limited amount of vacation time and turn to social media for recommendations. The company analyzed, translated and packaged these social conversations into digestible insights, helping travel and hospitali-

ONLINE BEHAVIOR: Social media plays an extensive role in how customers feel about brands, and where they choose to spend their vacation.

ty brands to better communicate with consumers and ultimately motivate them to love and trust their brands.” According to the report, Airline brands dominated the social conversation for Travel and Hospitality brands this year with 58 percent of the share of voice for all brands on the list, despite only making up 25 percent of the brands researched. Car Rental brands have the lowest Net Sentiment and Passion scores on average. This may indicate that most conversations on social media are about customer service. Car rental brands should see this as an opportunity to create messaging around exciting activities that their offerings enable. Cruise lines had the highest Net Sentiment scores, on average, at 79%, as well as the highest passion scores. Cruise lines are generating positive conversation, and it’s just a matter of how they grow their share overall travel conversation beyond the current 5% share of voice. Hotels accounted for 33% of the top 10 brands, and performed well with the second highest average Net Sentiment and passion the company measured in the report. There is an opportunity for them to start embracing more visual channels like Instagram and YouTube. Travel Sites accounted for 10 percent of the conversation measured for this report and see most of their conversation take place on forums and Instagram. NetBase found that conversation themes differed between aggregators and specialty sites. Methodology The Social Media Industry Report

THE WINNERS › › › › › › › › › › › › › › ›

Marriott (1) Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts (2) Hilton (3) Airbnb (3) American Airlines (3) Royal Caribbean Cruises (4) JetBlue (5) Southwest Airlines (5) United Airlines (6) Singapore Airlines (7) Delta Airlines (7) Cathay Pacific Airlines (8) The Ritz-Carlton (9) Hyatt (10) Qantas Airlines (10)

2018 Travel and Hospitality is based on brand conversations across the social web, inclusive of Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, and millions of other sources during the one-year period from July 1, 2017 through July 1, 2018. NetBase maps each category using four dimensions: • Volume – measuring the number of earned and owned mentions and conversations. • Passion Intensity – indicating how strongly consumers feel about a brand or company based on a scale of 0-100. • Net Sentiment – measuring the overall direction of how consumers feel about a brand’s marketing, customer service and products on a scale of -100 to +100. • Brand Passion Index (BPI) – a brand’s Net Sentiment-to-Passion ratio provides a look at how the brand is favored. For example, a brand with a low Net Sentiment but a high Passion Intensity is hated, whereas a brand with a high Net Sentiment but low Passion Intensity is liked, but not loved.

Voyager’s World | August 2018 | P13

Visitor arrivals grow by 10% in Hong Kong VW BUREAU

he Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) announced today that more than 30.6 million visitor arrivals were recorded in the first half of 2018, representing year-on-year growth of 10.1%. Of these, overnight visitor arrivals exceeded 13.85 million, up 6.2% year on year. Visitor arrivals from both the Mainland and international markets rose. Anthony Lau, Executive Director of the HKTB said, “The growth in total visitor arrivals in the first half of this year was driven mainly by the Mainland market. As for international arrivals, long-haul markets performed well, growing 2.6%. With the continued intense competition among travel destinations in the region, visitor arrivals from short-haul markets fluctuated, falling of 1.5%. Looking ahead, the business environment for the tourism

NUMBERS DROP: Visitor arrivals from short-haul markets fluctuated, falling 1.5%. industry will face different challenges caused by the unstable global economy and exchange rates, which may affect

tourism growth in the second half of the year. The HKTB will continue to work with the travel trade to attract more

South Africa shows an increase in inbound travellers VW BUREAU

outh Africa continues to be an attractive tourist destination for travellers from across the world, with the latest figures showing an increase of 2.7% for the first five months of 2018 compared to the first five months of 2017. Last week Statistics South Africa released the latest official tourism figures showing that South Africa welcomed a total of 4,423,165 tourists from January to May 2018 compared to the 4,308,358 tourists that visited South Africa during the same period last year. Africa continues to be the biggest contributor of tourist’s arrivals with a noticeable increase of 39.2% in the number of Angolans visiting South Africa during the month of May 2018 compared to the same period last year. This increase can be attributed to the visa waiver which came into effect in mid-December 2017. A combination of concerted marketing efforts and investments including deal-driven campaigns, outdoor campaigns, South Africa’s diverse tourism offering and experiences as well as big events contributed to growth in tourist’s numbers coming from other African countries with Zimbabwe growing by 5.8%, Mozambique by 3.6%, Malawi grew by 1,573 (12.2%) to 14,477 and the Democratic Republic of Congo by just over 35%. South African Tourism Chief Executive Officer, Sisa Ntshona, welcomed the overall growth in tourist numbers coming from the rest of the African continent. “We are so pleased to see the growth in the number of visitors coming from the various countries of our

continent. These are however more than just numbers. These represent the results of the all-important partnership that we have in-market.

South Africa continues to be the biggest contributor of tourist’s arrivals with a noticeable increase of 39.2%. Through these partnerships and various other marketing efforts, we have extended an invitation and we stand ready to welcome even more tourists from the rest of the African continent,” said Ntshona. Ntshona also noted the 3,7 % decline in the number of overseas tourists. While the overall number of people travelling to South Africa from Europe declined

by 2.3 %, the number of French tourists coming to South Africa grew by 6% and the Russian Federation grew by a staggering 60%, also due to the result of a visa waiver. Asia experienced a 5.1% decline and the number of tourists coming to South Africa from the Middle East declined by 11 %. The Americas saw growth driven by the South American markets with Argentina growing by a phenomenal 30%, Brazil growing by 5%, and Chile by almost 7%. “We have seen the positive effects of the removal of barriers on the tourism industry. We are therefore excited by the possibilities that lie ahead with government’s reaffirmed commitment to bolstering tourism through destination marketing and reducing regulatory barriers, as articulated in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation address,” said Ntshona.

overnight visitors from different source markets to Hong Kong.” To address the situation in short-haul markets, the HKTB has scaled up summer promotions in these markets, targeting the family and young segments, and partnered with airlines, especially low-cost carriers, and other trade partners to launch special travel offers. The HKTB will also continue its collaboration with the trade to launch promotions riding on mega events to attract more visitors to Hong Kong. Leveraging the upcoming opening of the Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong High Speed Rail and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the HKTB will introduce related promotions through various channels to promote the two main infrastructure additions and travel experiences featuring Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.

Abu Dhabi hotel guest numbers rise by 6% VW BUREAU

he latest figures released by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) for the emirate’s hospitality sector show the number of hotel guests staying in Abu Dhabi during June rose by 6% compared to the same month a year ago, with Saudi Arabian and American guests underpinning the uplift. Completing a record-breaking first half of the year, June’s results reveal the Department’s plans to exceed 2017’s record-breaking numbers of guest arrivals, when close to five million people stayed in the emirate, are on track. In total 339,592 visitors were guests of Abu Dhabi’s 162 hotels and hotel apartments during June, an increase of more than 19,000 over the previous year. For the first six months of 2018, the figures show Abu Dhabi upping the total number of hotel guests to the emirate by 5% on the year, with 2,413,230 guests in total arriving. Visitors from Saudi Arabia and the USA provided the main drivers for June’s strong showing, with the Holy Month of Ramadan a factor in the almost 57% increase in arrivals from KSA. The United States also posted double-digit growth for the month, with approximately 27% more guests arriving in June compared to last year.

HOSPITALITY

Voyager’s World | August 2018 | P14

IHG, Holiday Inn to focus on Buddhist tourism VW BUREAU

nterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has signed a management agreement with Lotus Trans Travel Private Limited to establish a four-hotel portfolio under the Holiday Inn banner. Slated to open between 2020 and 2023, Holiday Inn properties in Bodhgaya, Kushinagar, Gorakhpur and Shravasti will add over 450 rooms to IHG’s system and establish company’s presence at the Buddhist tourism circuit. As a part of the agreement, Holiday Inn hotels in Bodhgaya, Kushinagar and Shravasti will be refurbished and upgraded, to ensure the portfolio is fully representative of the Holiday Inn brand globally. Bodhgaya in Bihar, Gorakhpur, Shravasti and Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh are some of the main pilgrimage centres for Buddhism in India and together form a part of ‘The Buddhist Circuit’ in the country that drives a great deal of religious visitors and international travellers to these states. With this signing, IHG is uniquely positioned as the first international operator to have presence in the Buddhist Circuit of India. Sudeep Jain, Vice President, Development, South West Asia, IHG, said, “We are excited to be collaborating with Lotus Trans Travel Private Limited, who have a strong presence and a deep market understanding of Bud-

INVITING PILGRIMS: The Buddhist Circuit’ in India gets traffic from both domestic and international tourists.

Holiday Inn properties in Bodhgaya, Kushinagar, Gorakhpur, and Shravasti will add over 450 rooms. dhist destinations in India. This signing adds to the rapidly growing presence of our well-recognized Holiday Inn brand across the country. The Hol-

iday Inn brand family is IHG’s growth engine in India, and this agreement is in line with our development strategy for the South West Asia region

He added:” The Buddhist Circuit is an important landmark for religious tourism and is being further established, as a result of the Government’s efforts to develop and promote the route. This presents a great opportunity for us, and we look forward to catering to the growing number of tourists’, and the local demand for F&B and banqueting requirements.” Lajpat Rai, Managing Director, Lotus Trans Travel Private Limited, said that the company is thrilled to partner with IHG in the Buddhist tourism circuit including Bodhgaya, Kushinagar, Gorakhpur and Shravasti. “The global scale and many years of international hotel management experience make IHG an ideal partner for us to further strengthen our offering. Holiday Inn is one of the world’s most-loved hotel brands, and we are confident it will cater to the growing number of travellers visiting these cities,” said Rai. Karan Rai, Director, Lotus Trans Travel Private Limited, added that there is a need for quality branded accommodation in cities with immense travel potential such as Bodhgaya, Kushinagar, Gorakhpur and Shravasti. “With IHG’s strong distribution systems, preferred brands and best-inclass loyalty program, we are confident to achieve success across all four hotels,” he said.

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festivals of the WORLD

Heritage and Tourism Festival Bonn Beethovenfest August 31-September 23, Germany Beethovenfest will be held in Bonn from August 31 to September 23. The heart of the Bonn Beethovenfest is the music of Ludwig van Beethoven. Here performances by internationally acclaimed artists and ensembles give local, regional, nationwide and worldwide impetus to the preservation of his oeuvre. To the present day the festival has created dramatic interdisciplinary ties to Beethovenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s past, present and future.

September 14-16, South Africa South Africa will play host to the Heritage and Tourism Festival from September 14-16 at the Voortrekker Monument and Freedom Park sites. The festival aims to connect the tourism industry and heritage sites, and in doing so, conserve the beautiful heritage sites in Tshwane by involving communities in a sustainable manner. A wide variety of family activities will take place and the organizers plan to make this an annual event. There will be stalls with arts, crafts, and delicious food. A fashion show will also be held to showcase the African diaspora. . Visitors can also take part in a 10km walk or a bicycle race. Pre-booked tours for both sites will be presented exclusively on September 14. The festival commemorates the 80th year of laying the cornerstone of the monument. The VTM was declared a Grade 1 National Heritage Site in 2011.

Fireworks Carnival September 1-October 1, Macaut The 29th Macao International Fireworks Display Contest will be staged above the sea area overlooked by the Macau Tower on September 1, 8, 15, and 24 and on October 1. Ten pyrotechnic teams will present spectacular fireworks displays synchronized to music and laser lights within a multimedia experience not to miss. Aside from an array of outreach programs, the Fireworks Carnival will be held concurrently with the contest to bring together culinary delights, lively performances and fun games. The Macao Government Tourism Office has infused a palette of fascinating elements into five memorable fireworks evenings. The lineup of the contest promises wondrous spectaculars this year. The contest pits ten teams from the Philippines, Korea, Japan, Belgium, France, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Italy and China against each other, among which the fireworks companies from Korea, Belgium, France and China will debut in Macao.

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Ko-lae Boat Race September 23-25, Thailand The Ko-lae boat races, one of highlights of the Narathiwat cultural festival, will be held from September 23 to 25, along the Bang Nara River in front of the Narathiwat City Hall. This year, teams from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei and the Philippines will participate. The “Ko-lae” boats are traditional fishing vessels commonly found in the Malay communities of Southern Thailand. In the southern provinces of Thailand, the Thai Ko-lae Boat Race was first hosted in 1976 in honor of their king and the queen, when the Royal Family travelled to Narathiwat on a state visit. Since then, Ko-lae and long boat races have been organized as an annual event, they have become one of the main attractions of the province. Ko Lae boats have been used in boat races since ancient times, but the boat races were later suspended for a long period. The festival of Ko Lae boat races was revived after the construction of Daksin Palace, the royal residence.

Mela Festival August 17-19, Norway The annual Mela Festival in Norway will be held from August 17-19. The threeday event is held every year and will feature music, dance, theatre, arts and crafts, and food from different parts of the world. The festival was first held in 2001. Mela means “meeting point”, and has roots thousands of years back in South Asia. The festival introduces artistic and cultural expressions from all over the world, including music, arts and crafts, theatre, and dance. Oslo Mela is one of the largest events of its kind outside the Asian subcontinent. Mela was held in for the first time in 2001, and evolved into one of the leading international European festivals of its kind. The festival attracts around 300,000 people every year, and features an incomparable lineup of diverse art expressions from Africa, Asia, America and Europe.

Street Parade August 11, Zurich Get set for the world’s largest techno party in Zurich, Switzerland. On August 11, electronic sounds will make the city vibrate and hundreds of thousands will be dancing on the streets of Zurich. The Street Parade sparks an incredible party atmosphere with 30 love mobiles, hundreds of DJs and seven stages around the Lake Zurich basin. This will be the largest techno party in the world and an indisputable highlight of Zurich’s event calendar. During the Street Parade, hundreds of thousands of electronic and techno music fans dance around Zurich’s lake basin. But there is also plenty to experience before and after the parade.

Sanur Village Festival August 22 -26, Indonesia Sanur Village Festival will be held in Indonesia from August 22 to 26 August. In its 13th year celebration, it brings back an anticipated week filled with numerous arts, cultural, food, water sports and environmental-awareness events to the shores of Bali’s otherwise tranquil sunrise coast. With festivities mainly focused in the Maisonette area of the legendary Inna Grand Bali Beach Hotel, the committee of this year’s festival promises to continue on the typical highlights of the previous festivals, with new added activities at various venues around Sanur. This year’s Sanur Village Festival highlights a bazaar, food fest, fashion shows, expos, tours, culinary challenges, yoga, sports activities and environmental awareness programs. It will also highlight an international kite festival, an exotic jukung festival and a Sanur Run. The event also features a fishing tournament around the idyllic coastal waters of Sanur Beach.

FLIGHTTALK

FLYING HIGH India, China drive air traffic growth in the APAC. VW BUREAU

irports Council International (ACI) World reported global passenger traffic grew by 5.6% in May on a year-over-year basis. While this was close to one percentage point below its year-to-date growth figure, it remains a robust demonstration of resilience considering the global climate of increasing geopolitical tension. ACI’s month-by-month passenger and freight statistics are based on a significant sample of airports that provide regular reports and form part of the world’s most comprehensive source for airport data. Freight volumes picked up speed during the month despite comparing to a particularly favourable May 2017, reaching +5.1% year-over-year, close to their +5.3% year-to-date figures. Outlook for global air freight is currently mixed, with trade tensions and inflation up in May, but freight demand remaining robust in the near term. “The air transport sector has shown remarkable resilience to the tense climate that has descended over international relations and trade,” said Angela Gittens, Director General, ACI World. “Tensions include the ongoing Qatari blockade and the political challenges facing major Western powers including Brexit negotiations in Europe, and the shifting approach to international relations in the United States. “The link between aviation and global macroeconomic conditions, however, remains strong, so a prolonged period of diplomatic and market instability

could dampen the industry’s outlook for the near future.” Passenger traffic analysis Global passenger traffic growth reached 5.6% in May on a year-overyear basis, below its parallel year-todate and 12-month rolling average figures of 6.4%. The period marked a return to normal in the industry’s distribution of domestic and international passengers as contributors to growth, with international passengers posting +6.6% globally and domestic passengers posting +4.8%, against +4.9% and +7.1% respectively in April. All three major regional markets grew at a similar pace in May, with Asia-Pacific growing by 6.3%, Europe by 6.2% and North America by 5.6%. Asia-Pacific’s year-to-date numbers reached 8.2% during the period, a slight slowdown from its frequent double-digit growth in 2017. The region’s two passenger markets have been growing significantly, with international passengers reaching +9.0% in May on a year-to-date basis, 1.1 percentage point above domestic passengers. The region’s passenger traffic figures showed higher disparity this month, with India, China and South Korea posting +13.3%, +8.3% and +8.1% respectively, while Australia and Japan posted more subdued figures of +2.8% and +2.3% respectively. In Europe, growth was almost entirely driven by the international segment, which reached +7.6% on a year-overyear basis, compared to its domestic segment’s +2%. The region’s year-todate growth figure has been trending downwards very slightly in recent months after a particularly strong

year 2017 and stood at +6.7% at the end of May. A number of advanced but more peripheral economies grew by double digit figures during the period, with Iceland posting an impressive +26.5%, followed by Greece (+18.9%), Hungary (+13.5%), and Finland (+11.2%). Ireland was close behind, posting 9.8%, nearly double the country’s year-to-date growth rate. The Russian Federation and Turkey, still on a recovery path, grew by 9.4% and 8.0% respectively. The positive pull of the European periphery may be one of the developing trends in 2018. North America followed with +5.6%, up from its 5.1% year-to-date and +4.2% 12-months rolling average. Although this could suggest a rising trend line, current macroeconomic outlook for the United States remains mixed for the second half of the year, with the national-level effects of the recent tax cuts having run much of their course, and trade pressure crystallizing its impact on a growing number of industries and the jobs they support. Out of the six ACI regions, Africa posted the highest growth rate for the period, with +7.9% on a year over year basis. The region has been growing at a robust rate in the last 7 months, with major economies such as Nigeria and Egypt, recovering from macroeconomic shocks, which stood at 28.8% and 20.5% respectively on a year-todate basis. The region’s success is distributed unequally, however; while Nigeria and Egypt are posting recovery-boosted figures, Morocco and Algeria both declined in May, with -2.3% and -7.6% respectively on a year-over-year basis. Latin America-Caribbean grew at a

more moderate 4.1% in May, up from its year-over-year growth of 3.0% in April. The region’s international segment pulled the general growth figure upward, standing at 5.7% on a yearover-year basis. The region’s passenger market, like Africa’s, has been beset by macroeconomic shocks, leading to mixed results at the country-level. In May, Peru (+12%), Chile (+9%) and Mexico (+7.9%) contributed a significant portion of the region’s yearover-year growth, with markets such as Argentina (+3.9%), Brazil (+2.8%) and Colombia (-0.3%) experiencing slowdowns. May was a difficult month for Middle Eastern airports, with the Qatari blockade close to entering its second year on 5 June and showing few signs of moving towards a resolution. The region’s passenger traffic has been suffering from slowdowns since tensions erupted and travel restrictions were enacted and has been trending downwards ever since. Apart from a short reprieve in March, where passenger traffic grew on a year-overyear basis, the region’s figures have been in the negative for all of 2018 up to this point. Although a number of major airports in the affected countries have seen their traffic figures degrade, Hamad International Airport (DOH) once again suffered the brunt of the impacts, its total passengers falling by 23.6% during the month on a yearover-year basis, and its year-to-date reaching -14.8%. Freight volumes analysis Freight volumes continued on an upward curve in May, reaching +5.1% on a year-over-year basis, from +4.5%

Voyager’s World | August 2018 | P19

in April and +2.4% in March. May’s results were just below year-to-date figures, which stood at +5.3%. For context, March and May 2017 figures were particularly high, with almost all regions reaching double-digit growth, leading to relatively slower figures this year. The domestic segment, particularly through North America’s high figures, drove a significant portion of that growth. It posted +8.6% for the period, compared to +3.6% for the international market. On a yearto-date basis, international freight has been growing at a slower speed than domestic freight this year, a change of pace from 2017. North America and Latin America-Caribbean performed particularly well during the period, both reaching +8.6% on a year-over-year basis. North America’s figures showed solid gains for both Canada and the United States, with 14.3% and 8.5% respectively on a year-over-year basis. The United States freight market was still going strong in May, with a year-todate figure standing at +6.9%. These numbers were mostly driven by domestic freight, which gained 11.3% in May, compared to 4.6% for the international segment. At the airport level, Miami (MIA) and Memphis (MEM) benefitted from strong growth rates, with 9.0% and 8.7% respectively. As with passenger traffic, Chile and Mexico contributed a significant portion of growth to the Latin America-Caribbean’s freight market in May. The former posted +36.6% on a year-over year-basis, with its yearto-date growth reaching +21.1%. Mexico posted +10.3%, pushing its year-to-date to +9.5%. Chile’s San-

Asia-Pacific’s growth, though still robust at +4.8% on a year-to-date basis, has been middling in recent months, its 12-months rolling average reaching +6.3% in May. Year-over-year growth in freight volumes in the region’s major markets was relatively homogeneous, with figures ranging from +6.1% for India, to +3.1% for South Korea. tiago airport (SCL), which suffered a slowdown in freight traffic in the first quarter of 2017, has managed to recover the loss since and has been growing at double-digit figures in the last six months. The airport posted an increase of 38.0% in freight volumes in May on a year-over-year basis. Affected by 2017 numbers, Europe’s freight market suffered a relative slowdown during May, posting +1.3% after growing by 4.6% in April and 0.9% in March. Although year-to-date figures remain in moderate growth territory with 4% at the end of May, the region’s 12-months rolling average has been trending downwards in 2018. As with Europe, Asia-Pacific’s growth, though still robust at +4.8% on a year-to-date basis, has been middling in recent months, its 12-months rolling average reaching +6.3% in May. Year-over-year growth in freight volumes in the region’s major markets was relatively homogeneous, with figures ranging from +6.1% for India, to +3.1% for South Korea. Chinese Taipei (+5.0%), Hong Kong (+4.7%), China (+4.4%) and Japan (+3.6%) all fell between this range. Asia-Pacific’s major air freight markets remain vulnerable to incoming tariffs from the

United States through their consumer electronics exports. As such, this more moderate growth may remain for most of 2018. The Middle East, where the freight market had long sustained growth despite local geopolitical tensions, fell for the second month this year, posting -0.9% for the month of May. Its year-to-date numbers stood at +0.4%, with a rolling 12-month average of +3.1%, which has been steadily declining. The slowdown was mainly due to the United Arab Emirates, the largest freight market in the region, which fell by 5.4% during the month, bringing its year-to-date figures to -4.4%. Qatar’s Hamad International Airport (DOH), despite the blockade, managed to grow by 4.6% on a yearover-year basis. The airport’s year-todate figures stood at 8.4% at the end of May. Africa, though remaining the smallest freight market of the six ACI regions, has been growing at a strong rate in the last year. May figures stood at +13.5%, pushing year-to-date figures to +11.4%. This is partly due to recovering figures in Nigeria and Egypt, which represent a major part of the region’s freight market and

grew substantially during the month. Nigeria’s year-to-date figures stood at +10.2% in May. Egypt, which has been oscillating between declines and low growth rates in recent months, achieved +19.1% growth for the month on a year-over-year basis, pushing up its year-to-date to +1.0%. “The air transport sector has shown remarkable resilience to the tense climate that looms over international relations and trade,” said Angela Gittens, Director General, ACI World. “Economic and political pendulums continue to move in opposite directions. On the one hand, historically low unemployment rates in the US and the European union have helped power consumer confidence and the propensity to travel by air in such markets. Moreover, the presence of the low-cost business model among carriers coupled with historically low jet fuel prices, have certainly acted as catalysts to stimulate air transport demand through lower fare offerings on certain market segments. Finally, the flourishing middle class in populous countries such as India and China have certainly helped to boost traffic especially in their respective domestic markets.” Gittens added, “At the same time, we must be cognizant of the downside risks. For instance, the full impact of the erected tariff walls set by major economies such as the US and China is yet to play out before our eyes. Trade wars could potentially have a recessionary consequence on the global economy thereby jeopardizing advances in air transport demand.”

India &

incredibleindia

Safe

spectacular

The state tourism boards are going the extra mile to ensure the safety of the travellers. CAROLINE DIANA

t was a rough start for India tourism in 2018. Earlier this year, the U.S., the U.K, and Canada — the countries which dole out a huge outbound revenue — issued advisories to their citizens that India is not a safe destination to travel. The reasons cited were primarily terrorism and sexual assault. However, Union Minister for Tourism, KJ Alphons, kept an even keel. He was confident that such advisories—which were “hugely biased” and “uncalled for”—would not deter discerning tourists from visiting the beautiful country. The minister was right. Thanks to the slew of initiatives taken by the Indian government and the tourism ministry, despite the negative narrative woven by the foreign press, brand India has only seen an increase in footfall from International tourists. According to the report released by the government, Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) during the period Jan-

uary-March 2018 were 31.27 lakh as compared to 28.45 lakh in January-March 2017 registering a growth of 9.9%. The percentage share of FTAs in India during March 2018 among the top 15 source countries was highest from Bangladesh (19.59%) followed by the U.K (11.56%), the U.S (10.79%), Russian Federation (3.89%), Sri Lanka (3.72%), Malaysia (3.36%), Canada (3.35%), Germany (3.19%), China (2.67%), Australia (2.62%), France (2.58%), Japan (2.11%), Thailand (2.00%), Singapore (1.64%) and Afghanistan (1.60%). The ministry of tourism, alongside the state tourism boards, is proactively taking measures to promote India as a must-visit destination. To ensure the safety of travelers and curb crime, tourism police have been deployed and CCTVs have been installed at various tourist hubs across the country. So far, 14 states across India have deployed the tourist police. These include Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Kar-

The Kerala tourism department has imparted special training to the tourism police on how to be accessible to visitors. MRUNMAI JOSHI Additional Director General, Department of Tourism nataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and Odisha. Besides, the tourism ministry has also launched the 24x7 Multi-Lingual Tourist Info-Helpline (toll-free number 1800111363, short code 1363) in 12 languages (Hindi, English and 10 international languages). The state tourism boards have also unleashed a plethora of initiatives to

lure the global traveler to the Indian shores. This called for promoting the destination as both safe and spectacular. Goa, for instance, is one of the most sought-after destinations by both domestic and international travelers. In 2018 (as of March), the state has seen an influx of 129, 5145 tourists. In 2017, tourist arrivals in Goa by cruise ship was 44, 350, and tourist arrivals by charter flights were 247365. According to a report by the 5th biennial Hotelivate State Ranking Survey for Tourism, Goa ranks 3rd in the list of top five states in tourism. While Delhi and Maharashtra are at the top two places, Goa stands third followed by Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. Besides beaches, Goa is also looking to promote themed holiday packages, such as pilgrim tours, hot air balloon rides, and monsoon trekking, said Deepak Narvekar, Senior Marketing Manager, PRO, GTDC, and Ganesh Teli, Assistant Director, Department of Tourism, Goa. To ensure safety for tourists, the state has deployed local police authorities, IRB force, and lifeguards. About 60 tourist wardens have been deployed to the safety of the travelers. Like Goa, Kerala too is taking steps to ensure tourist safety. Kerala tourism

Voyager’s World | August 2018 | P21

sees 10.94% growth. According to the latest figures released by the state’s tourism department, the arrival of tourists saw a 10.94 per cent rise compared to last year. The state recorded an increase of 15.54 lakh new domestic and foreign travelers in 2017, with footfalls going up from 1,42,10,954 in 2016 to 1,57,65,390 in 2017. Mrunmai Joshi, Additional Director General, Department of Tourism, said that CCTVs have been installed at Veli Tourist Village to ensure the safety of the travelers. However, this is only the beginning. Preparations are in full swing to install CCTV cameras in other tourist hubs as well. “There have been few stray incidents in the past. But the tourism department, as well as the Kerala police, have been quick to take action. Veli Tourism Village is completely under CCTV surveillance. Soon, other tourist destinations will also come under CCTV surveillance. Moreover, the Kerala tourism department has imparted special training to the tourism police on how to be accessible to visitors.” Himachal Pradesh too has been attracting a lot of visitors. Last year, about 153 lakh tourists visited Himachal Pradesh between January and September. Tourism contributed 6.8

Goa launches taxi app

oa is also leading the race in innovation. Goa’s first and exclusive mobile app-based taxi service GOAMILES was recently launched by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. “Goa can now take tourists for miles through the new app based taxi service which will be affordable and give travelers a comfortable journey from the time they arrive till they leave,” he said. Goa Tourism minister Manohar Ajgaonkar said that the launch of the app will bring a revolutionary change in the transportation system for all stakeholders, including taxi drivers, tourists, and locals. GOAMILES will provide the convenience of booking a taxi immediately upon arrival in the state at reasonable, government-approved rates. The GOAMILES app can be downloaded from Google Play Store and Apple Store. Emphasis has been given on safety, as driver and vehicle details are shared with the passengers before boarding. There is also an in-built “PANIC” button in the app to ensure that the safety of passengers isn’t compromised. Chairman of Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), Nilesh Cabral said, “We have launched a public information campaign to reach out to one million people in Goa to create awareness about GOAMILES. We are anticipating a huge response from the public who will download

and use the app for tourism purposes and daily commute as well. This app-based taxi service aims to boost the digital economy, enable ease of travel for tourists and give taxi drivers better income. This initiative offers not only a brand new customer experience but also makes taxi fare payment easy and secure.” GOAMILES is managed by a local Goan company called FROTAMILES Pvt. Limited created as an SPV as per the requirements of the tendering process. GOAMILES has made sure that this service also benefits the taxi drivers equally by not charging anything from their revenues, as against the popular trend elsewhere in India and world over.

incredibleindia percent to the Gross State Domestic Product and constant efforts were being made to increase it. This is expected to rise to GSDP 18% by 2021-2022. The state government has plans to introduce heli-taxi services, which are expected to improve connectivity and open up remote areas for tourists. The tourism sector of Himachal Pradesh contributes to 7.2% in the state GDP. To boost tourism in the state, Asian Development Bank (ADB) has sanctioned a loan of US$ 95 million. Gujarat, though a dry state, has been attracting a lot of international tourists. “Being a dry state is not a weakness. It’s an opportunity. Most international tourists visit the state to witness the culture. Gujarat takes pride in being a dry state,” said Sanatan Pancholi, Resident manager, Tourism Corporation of Gujarat. According to the figures of state’s Tourism department, Gujarat recorded just over 2.54 crore tourists in 201213, of which tourists from rest of India numbered 53.56 lakh or just about 21% of the total tourist count. In the first nine months of 2017-18, the total number of tourists rose to over 3.75 crore, of which 94.96 lakh were from other states, constituting 25.22% of total tourists. In 2016-17, 1.15 crore tourists from others visited Gujarat, constituting 26% of total 4.48 crore tourists. Jharkhand, meanwhile, is wooing international visitors by marketing heritage tourism. The board is actively partnering with destination marketing companies, tour operators, and artisans to promote its traditional culture. According to a recent India Tourism Statistics Report, Jharkhand holds 13th

Voyager’s World | August 2018 | P22 rank in the country as per total annual tourist. The domestic tourists had shown a healthy CAGR of 89% from the previous year. To promote the state, Jharkhand Tourism has also scheduled several B2B roadshows in key markets such as Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Asansol, etc to promote the state and the inaugural edition of ‘Jharkhand Travel Mart’. Dotted with numerous tourist hubs, Karnataka provides diverse attractions for the explorers. While Bangalore flaunts the urban infrastructure of malls, theatres, cafes, and pubs, Mysore

Tourism police have been deployed and CCTVs have been installed at various tourist hubs across India. exhibits an influence of the Raj era. It is scattered with architectural splendor and natural beauty. The coastal city of Mangalore remains surrounded by major pilgrimage centers like Udupi, Horanadu, and Dharmasthala. Places like Hassan, Halebidu, Badami, Hospet, and Belur are known for their exquisite temples, forts, and historical structures. With most people well-versed in English and Hindi, it becomes easier for a first-time traveler to navigate easily through the state. Tourist arrivals in the state increased from 36.7 million in 2006 to 102.3 million in 2017. The state has world heritage sites at Hampi and Pattadakal. The sector contributes 14.8 percent to GSDP of Karnataka; plans are afoot to expand to 26 percent by 2020. Tourism in Jammu & Kashmir has taken a hit due to the negative media coverage. However, officials and tour operators assure that the state is perfectly safe for tourists. In fact, in 2017, the state registered international visitor footfall of one lakh and domestic visitor footfall of more than a crore. In Andhra Pradesh, the total tourist arrivals crossed 153.50 million in 2016. Under Budget 2017-18, the Government of Andhra Pradesh announced an allocation of Rs 285 crore (US$ 44.24 million) for the development of tourism in the state. The state government witnessed 26% growth in tourist arrivals in 2016. The tourism board, on its website, has issued safety tips that will help keep the tourists safe. “The locals can be inquisitive and western tourists may get overwhelmed by the questions they ask. It is best to answer politely and leave without appearing rude,” the board stated on its website. Tamil Nadu managed to retain its first position in the list of destinations having the maximum number of domestic and international tourist arrivals in India. A total of 1.21 crore tourists had visited Tiruchi in 2016, a marginal increase from the 1.20 crore in 2015. Steps were being taken to increase the arrival of domestic and international tourists to the state. Madhya Pradesh is all set to woo travelers from India as well as Europe. In December, the tourism board will host the first AdventureNEXT event in Asia to promote activities available, such as trekking, mountain

biking, and wildlife safaris. With a focus on increasing inbound visitor numbers to the state, international attendees at the mart will have the opportunity to schedule one-on-one meetings with local representatives from airlines, accommodation providers and state and national tourism organizations. Madhya Pradesh Tourism also took part in a three-city summer roadshow in the U.K. Telangana has kept its track record of attracting hundreds of thousands of new foreign tourists every year. Compared to the year of the formation of Telangana, the state has registered more than a three-fold growth in foreign tourism, going from 75,000 tourists in 2014 to 2.51 lakh in 2017. 2017 witnessed a humongous 2.47 lakh foreign visitors to Hyderabad alone. A safe destination for tourists, Telangana aims to focus on developing adventure sports to international standards. Maharashtra offers a wide range of attractions such as caves, creeks, beaches, mountains, and monuments. Maharashtra saw the arrival of 116.5 million domestic tourists and 4.6 million foreign tourists during 2016. According to a report by Invest India, the state’s tourism policy is expected to generate investments of over $4.4 billion, achieve a sector growth of 10% and create one million jobs by 2025. With a plethora of initiatives unleashed by different states, tourism in India will not only contribute to the country’s GDP, but it will showcase the country as a safe, spectacular, and most sought-after world destination.

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India all set to promote ‘Adventure Tourism’ VW BUREAU The Ministry of Tourism has recognized ‘Adventure Tourism’ as a ‘Niche Tourism’ product to promote India as a 365 days’ destination and attract tourists with a specific interest. A Task Force on Adventure Tourism has been set up in October 2016 to act as a forum for resolving issues related to development and promotion of Adventure Tourism in the country. It has also been decided to promote 2018 as the ‘Year of Indian Adventure’. Besides, Adventure Tourism is regularly highlighted for promotion as part of the Incredible India Campaign in the print, electronic, online and outdoor media in India and abroad as well as at the various travel

‘Paryatan Parv’ to be organized nationwide VW BUREAU

he Ministry of Tourism, India, in collaboration with other central ministries, state governments, and stakeholders, is organizing a ‘Paryatan Parv’ across the country from September 16-27. The ministry, under the chairpersonship of Rashmi Verma, secretary, Ministry of Tourism convened a ‘Preparatory Meeting’ with representatives from Central Ministries, states/UTs, and other stakeholders to plan and formulate the Paryatan Parv in New Delhi. The Parv is being organized with the objective of drawing focus on the benefits of tourism, showcasing the cultural diversity of the country and reinforcing the principle of ‘Tourism for All.’ The secretary, while addressing the meeting, informed that the Paryatan Parv will have three main components as like last year, viz. Dekho Apna Desh, Tourism for All and Tourism & Governance. While stressing that this year also Paryatan Parv shall focus on domestic tourists especially to sensitize youth, the Secretary said that India has a huge variety of destinations many of which are yet to be promoted. The secretary has asked the states to focus on prime tourist destinations to focus and promote such locations through this Paryatan Parv. Verma also added that the tourism sector contributes in a big way to the country’s economy with the generation of employment to youth, women and also for the rural livelihood. Therefore, the programs should have a festive look and encourage maximum possible participation of the people, she added. The Paryatan Parv will start with the India Tourism Mart in September, which will further ensure wide participation from outside the country. The Paryatan Parv shall conclude with the World Tourism Day celebrations on September 27.

trade exhibitions overseas. The Ministry of Tourism along with the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) has launched the “Indian Adventure Tourism Guidelines (Version 2.0) – 2018” on ‘Safety and Quality Norms for Adventure Tourism in India’. The guidelines list the basic minimum standards for adventure tourism and cover the land, air, and water-based activities. All the State Governments/UT Administrations have been advised to adopt and implement these Guidelines in order to minimize the risk associated with such activities and provide a system of search and rescue for tourism activities. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism

has launched a revamped version of the Incredible India website. Since the launch of the revamped website in June, nearly 1.60 million visitors have visited the Incredible India website as in August, engaging in the immersive experience of India’s spectacular heritage, festivity, spirituality, museums, and adventure. The composition of website traffic from the top 5 countries are Russia, India, the U.K, the U.S, and Italy. The website showcases India as a holistic destination, revolving around major experiences, such as spirituality, heritage, adventure, culture, yoga, wellness and more. The website follows the trends and technologies of international standards, that aims to project India as a

“must-visit” destination, among its overseas travelers. It has many useful features to make it more interactive and to provide a deeper engagement to the travelers visiting the website. The new site now allows the Ministry of Tourism to engage effectively with visitors across Web & Social channels and measure engagement, to deliver real-time personalized experiences for each visitor, based on their interest and travel persona. The website also brings online a series of compelling visuals, which will give the user an immersive experience of India’s spectacular heritage, festivity, spirituality, museums, and adventure. The website is dynamic and constantly evolving, with new design and theme.

globaltrends

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ccording to recent surveys and findings, the travel and tourism industry is about to witness a paradigm shift. With the advent of smart mobile technologies and an increasing number of travellers who want to take the road less taken, the industry, at a global level, is up for exciting times ahead. Michelle Low, VP of Sales for Asia and the Middle East, Amistad Partners, says that countries in Asia have realized the potential of their respective destinations and have awoken to the benefits of promoting tourism by opening markets and encouraging increased air routes. As per recent findings by the UN, APAC countries have seen a fast growth and are the second most visited region in the world after Europe. The APAC, in fact, outperformed all other regions around the world, marking eight consecutive years of growth since 2010. “Unsurprisingly, strong economic growth across the Asia Pacific has gone hand in hand with a significant uptick in tourism, both inter-regional and international,” says Low. Low also explained that it is difficult to exaggerate the momentum of the economic boom across Asia. According to the UN report, Asia is the world’s largest region in economic output, with the region’s gross do-

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mestic product surpassing that of the Americas for the first time in history in 2016. Between 2000 and 2016, Asia experienced the fastest economic growth across the world, driven by

China and India. For hotels in the APAC, there are numerous opportunities to attract guests. In 2017, Asia Pacific welcomed 324 million tourists, about a quarter of the

world’s tourists. 75 percent of the inbound travel spending in Asia-Pacific is on leisure with the remainder being spent on business. While one-third of travellers stay for short trips lasting

India to see an increase in leisure travel spend

ccording to a report by World Economic Forum, between 2016 and 2026, the top 10 fastest growing destinations for leisure travel spending are expected to be India, followed by Angola, Uganda, Brunei, Thailand, China, Myanmar, Oman, Mozambique, and Vietnam. In 2016, there were 1.24 billion international arrivals, whereas only 25 million travellers went abroad in the 1950s. This is because of a decrease in travel barriers and affordability. This pattern has only been accelerated by income growth, expanding middle class populations, and greater openness to international travel in markets around the world. This in turn is already shifting the broader patterns of global travel on their axis. In previous decades, North America and Europe have dominated the travel markets, but this may not be the case for much longer. “By 2030, most of the growth in international travel will come from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Emerging markets will not only become larger source markets but they will also become more attractive destinations. Barriers persist Although travel barriers still exist, especially in the form of visa requirements and security provisions at airports, technology could help eliminate these challenges. “Travel barriers operate just like any other trade barriers, impeding growth and depressing job creation. Removing travel visas at the bilateral level would more than triple travel flows be-

tween countries. Expanding on the case for technology-led security and processing improvements, the report notes that because of a complex geopolitical landscape marked by a rise in physical and e-terrorism and a surge in populism and xenophobia, together, they have the potential to reverse the growing freedoms acquired in previous decades by citizens to travel the world. Travel is social, mobile The widespread adoption of powerful mobile devices, and the corresponding explosion of social media activity, continues to have profound effects on the global travel industry. This bears on aspects of service delivery for international travellers, but also on the ways in which prospective travellers seek out and share information about travel and study experiences.

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APAC TOURISM on FAST TRACK

0-3 days, over one-quarter stay for 4-7 days while another quarter of travellers stay for more than 12 days. Key Drivers City breaks: In MasterCard’s Global Destination Cities Index 2017, five of the top 10 most visited cities were in Asia-Pacific. The region also had the highest spend by tourists among the top 10 cities. Bangkok is the most popular of Asia’s cities, followed by Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. In terms of future growth, Osaka is a rising star in terms of destination cities in Asia, with Chengdu in China and Colombo in Sri Lanka not to be outshined. Asian cities will see more tourist traffic in 2018 and beyond. Inter-regional travel: 80 percent of the tourism is intra-regional and Chinese tourists are the largest contributors to this with China, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan as the most popular destinations for these travellers. The benefit for hotels in the region is that tourists are favoring to spend their money in the region rather than take it externally. A growing middle class has certainly contributed to a high demand of inter-regional travel in Vietnam and we expect this trend to continue. Technology: As consumers become more sophisticated purchasers of travel, we can expect technology to contin-

APAC countries are the second most visited region in the world after Europe. The APAC, in fact, outperformed all other regions around the world, marking eight consecutive years of growth since 2010. ue to fundamentally change how travellers travel, from where they go to how they book flights and hotels. Booking Holdings, which includes brands such as booking.com andagoda.com, spent $4.5 billion in marketing alone last year, and while it is most commonly known in Europe, the company has ambitious growth plans in Asia. Hot on its heels is Airbnb. Meanwhile, tourism in China is also showing strong growth and is becoming a powerful contributor to the country’s economy. The country expects to receive more than 140 million inbound visits in 2018, higher than the number of inbound tourists in 2017 and 2016. “Independent hotels in China, and their sales and marketing teams in particular, should consider how their hotels can be positioned to attract the interest of inbound travellers,” says Rachel Mao, VP-Sales, China. Interest in China is on the up: China’s domestic tourism industry earned $720 billion) with 5 billion domestic trips made in 2017, according to the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA). The industry accounted for 11

percent of economic output. Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy, said in an interview that he is optimistic about tourism to China. “The growth--the increase of 0.8 and 3.6 percent--may not be that significant compared with the growth of the outbound tourism market,” Dai said, “but it’s the third consecutive year of positive growth since we were hit by the Asian financial crisis, SARS and the global financial turbulence.” Inter-regional travel: Inbound tourism to China is fuelled by regional visitors. CNTA data shows that 17 countries, including Myanmar (Burma), Vietnam and South Korea, are the main sources of visitors with nearly 43 million people paying visits to China in 2017. Visitors from Asian countries make up the greatest share of inbound visits, about three out of four visits. With several cities in China offering visa-free transit for 72 hours or more, it’s no surprise that over half of visitors to China spend one to three days in the country. This allows international business travellers to add a few days on to their trip to take in some key tourist sights. It also gives

regional tourists the chance to get away for a quick, short break. Improvements to infrastructure: Those in China are aware that some substandard domestic travel services are hampering the country’s ability to encourage tourism. China plans to build the country into a tourism power in the next 15 years. The country’s high-speed railway is already the longest in the world and there are no signs of slowing down. The high inter-regional demand is also resulting in increased competition by airlines to add more flights to current routes and to expand the routes. Cultural experiences and off-thetrack locations: In his interview, Dai Bin also said that more culture-related tour packages co-developed by travel agencies and high-tech companies will be available at domestic travel destinations to help improve tourists’ travel experiences and boost the development of inbound tourism. Travellers are looking for unique experiences and something different from the usual tour, and the Chinese government is urging the industry to take action. Rural tourism has been stressed as a crucial part of China’s strategies of rural vitalization. The sector is helping eliminate poverty and increase people’s wealth, as official data showed that 2.5 billion trips were made in rural China in 2017, and its tourism consumption topped 1.4 trillion yuan.

CRUISETALK

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India, Singapore hold talks to promote cruises VW BUREAU

ithin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport, Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, said that India is holding talks with Singapore to develop cruise tourism in the country. Cruise tourism infrastructure will be developed in Goa, Mumbai, Puthuchery, Chennai and Kochi. “We are keen on promoting cruise tourism on a mega-scale in the country. Mumbai alone is expected to have 950 cruise vessels in the coming five years,” the minister said while addressing the delegation from ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) in New Delhi in July. “Around one lakh Indians visit Singa-

pore every year for cruise tourism. We have large scope for developing cruise tourism in India, with our 7,500 kilometers of coast line and we think Singapore can play a key role in making it happen,” he said. To market cruise tourism, India has relaxed the government policies and enticing global consultants. Earlier, Gadkari said that a policy is under formulation to put India on the global map of cruise tourism. The government is expecting to generate around 2.5 lakh job opportunities, which in turn will contribute to the development of the country. India has 12 major ports, of which Mumbai, Goa, Cochin, New Mangalore and Chennai have facilities to berth

international cruise ships. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head - Holidays, MICE, Visa & Passport Services, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd, said, “At Thomas Cook India, we truly welcome the government’s initiative to promote cruise tourism (both ocean and river cruising) on a mega-scale in the country. Cruise tourism in the country will certainly expand the India market significantly and not just for the inbound segment, but equally the burgeoning domestic market. The new age of travel is all about experience and the protagonist traveller of today looks for “brag-worthy” experiences and cruising fits the bill perfectly. What is noteworthy is that unlike international markets, cruise demand in India is not

restricted to the Gen S/Seniors segment, but sees strong uptake from millennials, DINKS, families and ad-hoc groups; corporate movement and MICE being powerful opportunities too. Kale said that he strongly support the government’s initiative of developing an action plan for cruise tourism and appreciate the Minister’s talks with ASEAN nations including Singapore to support the process. “India’s opening its coastline and waterways will certainly be a game-changer with a tremendous multiplier impact on the tourism landscape: expanding the tourism market for India, employment/job creation for cruise tourism and allied industries, as well as on foreign exchange receipts.

Norwegian Jade to feature calls in India, Sri Lanka VW BUREAU

orwegian Cruise Line has announced enhancements to its 2019 and 2020 itineraries to leverage the strong global demand environment in highly sought after destinations. Norwegian Joy will join sister ship Norwegian Bliss sailing seasonally in Alaska in summer 2019 and will offer Mexican Riviera and Panama Canal voyages in winter 2019/2020. Norwegian Pearl will sail to Europe as the cruise line’s sixth ship in the region in summer 2019, while Norwegian Jade and Jewel will significantly expand Norwegian’s presence in Australasia in winter 2019/2020. Maintaining Norwegian Cruise Line’s commitment to serving the Chinese cruise market, Norwegian Spirit will sail seasonally in China beginning summer 2020. “The booming demand environment in our core markets around the world, coupled with Norwegian Bliss’ record-breaking performance, continue to exceed our expectations,” said Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “As a result, we are leveraging the strategic benefits of our growing fleet to quickly seize sizable opportunities in over performing, unserved and underserved markets to meet the demands of our global customer base and drive higher returns for our shareholders,” he added. “Norwegian Cruise Line expanded the Alaska cruise experience as the first line to sail to the state from Seattle over 24 years ago,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “I am extremely excited to further strengthen our presence in the region with the addition of Norwegian Joy, sister ship to Norwegian Bliss, the most successful ship in our 51 year history. With $50 million in enhancements including the addition of a Starbucks store and enhanced restaurant, bar and entertainment options, Norwegian Joy will be a welcome addition for guests looking to cruise on a world-class ship in one of the world’s most sought after destinations.”

Dubai registers strong MICE results in H1 2018

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ubai Business Events (DBE), the city’s official convention bureau, has reported strong results for the first half of 2018, with 125 successful bids to host business events, reflecting a 29 percent increase from the same period last year. Conferences, meetings and incentive programmes secured in the first six months of the year, including from bids submitted in previous years, are poised to attract over 65,000 delegates from around the world, resulting

Dubai’s success in attracting an increasing number of business events is a testament to the city’s ability, across the public and private sectors, to coalesce together to position it on a global stage. ISSAM KAZIM CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing in an expected economic impact of approximately AED 500 million, further cementing Dubai’s position as a leading global business events destination. Issam Kazim, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said:

Dubai Business Events, the city’s official convention bureau, secured 125 business events in the first half of 2018 which are set to attract over 65,000 delegates from around the world, with an expected economic impact of approximately AED 500 million. “Dubai’s success in attracting an increasing number of business events is a testament to the city’s ability, across the public and private sectors, to coalesce together to position it on a global stage. Dubai Business Events has worked closely with stakeholders to ensure the city is able to optimize its bidding opportunities, highlighting not only the tourism and events infrastructure but also the knowledge exchange possibilities in Dubai. We thank all our partners and look forward to working with them to build on our collective efforts to contribute to our ambitious tourism targets.” Key business event wins in H1 included: Pro-Health China Incentive (2019), World Chamber Congress (2021), International Congress for the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (2021), World Congress of Gastroenterology (2021), as well as Asia Pacific Congress of Cardiology (2023). During the first half of 2018, DBE also ramped up efforts to highlight the city’s offering to international audiences and strengthen strategic partnerships to help grow the business event sector in Dubai. DBE representatives attended over 70 trade events where it showcased Dubai’s dynamic business events offering and services to more than 9,000 international meetings, events, and incentives industry professionals. At IMEX, DBE, along with 24

key stakeholders, including Emirates Airline, Dubai World Trade Centre, Expo 2020 Dubai and Jumeirah Group, demonstrated a strong focus on transforming Dubai into a global knowledge hub. DBE also facilitated 14 site inspections for 30 clients and hosted four in-depth study missions for a total of 136 hosted buyers in the first half of the year. During the first half of 2018, the bureau also organized three roadshows in key markets across Europe, South East Asia, and North America, attracting more than 400 business events planners. The roadshows acted as a platform to meet and engage with

The growth in bid wins in the first half of 2018 is a strong demonstration of the positive reception globally to Dubai’s business events proposition. STEEN JAKOBSEN Director, Dubai Business Events

key decision makers, educate them, and showcase the city’s capabilities, as well as services offered by DBE. Steen Jakobsen, Director of Dubai Business Events, said, “The growth in bid wins in the first half of 2018 is a strong demonstration of the positive reception globally to Dubai’s business events proposition. As we continue on our path towards further strengthening Dubai’s reputation as a premier host destination for business events, we have an exciting set of initiatives and activities planned for the remainder of the year. This will include participation in key trade shows and in-market activities, as well as bringing more meetings industry professionals to the city to show them Dubai’s latest developments and capabilities.” Dubai Business Event’s Al Safeer Congress Ambassador Programme has contributed measurably to the city’s success in bidding for international events. The programme features a network of 300 prominent experts from diverse sectors, including science, academia, finance, and health care, who are based in the UAE. Since January, the programme contributed to securing a total of 18 business events for the city. Major business event bid wins from previous years, such as the 57th International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Congress and the World Heart Federation are set to take place later this year. Further study missions in 2018 will come from North America, Southeast Asia, and India, while DBE also will build on its participation in major trade shows with significant presence at IMEX America and IBTM World, both of which are taking place towards the end of the year.

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ICPB to boost the Indian MICE market JEELANI MN India is aiming to be the next MICE destination and ICPB is creating more avenues to fulfil this dream. Chander Mansharamani, Vice Chairman, ICPB, sheds light on on how growth has become a visible feature for all developments in the MICE sector. How is India growing as a MICE destination? India always has an edge when it comes to being the preferred MICE destination. We do have the infrastructure to cater to the majority of the conference and meetings as 86.5% of the conferences all over the world have less than 1,000 delegates and we are also looking at an add-on to various unique segments like beaches, adventure, heritage and culture, wellness program, and golf. India certainly has an advantage

India always has an edge when it comes to being the preferred MICE destination. We do have the infrastructure to cater to the majority of the conference and meetings. CHANDER MANSHARAMANI Vice Chairman, ICPB How is ICPB facilitating India’s vision of progress?

The vision of ICPB is to make India a professional Convention Destination. We have taken a lot of initiative in that direction. We hosted a successful international roadshow in Europe with 102 MICE players interacting with our members. We have created a positive impact by letting them know about the various facilities India can offer. We have also made foreign buyers confident about our professional services. Will you be adding new conventions in the coming future? One of the initiatives ICPB has been working towards is to make India participate in overseas MICE-related tradeshows. We plan to have at least two international trade shows a year besides road shows in India, as most of the international conferences are initiated by Indian counterparts of international associations. We in ICPB are quite confident, keeping in view of the overwhelming support from

the ministry of tourism in recognizing ICPB as a nodal agency for making India a preferred convention destination and achieve the vision we have set for our self. What kind of growth are you expecting in the near future? The growth is visible now as India has improved its ranking from 34 to 25 by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), the global meetings industry network. What are the latest developments at ICPB? The major development at ICPB is that we have been appointed as a Professional Research Agency by the Ministry of Tourism, and ICPB will be working on the size of the convention industry. This will have an economic and social impact, which will help the states plan in creating a better MICE infrastructure, and make India a MICE destination.

Seoul Convention Bureau sets its sights on India IRENE SUSAN EAPEN The Seoul Convention Bureau (SCB) is a division of Seoul Tourism Organization dedicated to the business of Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE). The SCB’s partnership with local industry partners, joint promotion of Seoul’s meetings infrastructure and the financial and non-financial support for all events in are aiming in improving the competitiveness of Seoul’s MICE industry on the global stage. How has the growth been from the Indian market in 2017? What is the expected growth for this year? The company witnessed a total number of Indian visitors of 123,416 in 2017 and can expect to see an approximate 15% growth in MICE visitors for this year. Currently, most of the MICE groups we have had from India are small groups of 15-45 pax and some groups can be up to 100-150 pax. The MICE groups from India tend to request In-

India is a potential market for Seoul. The company wants to showcase Seoul as one of the popular destinations for MICE amongst the Indian companies and travel agents. JIN HYEOK PARK Director, Seoul Convention Bureau

dian food and Indian meals. The SCB sees an increase in demand for Indian MICE groups with industry and factory visits. What are your marketing plans? In 2017, the company launched the PLUS SEOUL Package as an all-inone brand for MICE. This year, the Seoul Convention Bureau has also collaborated with 36 members of the Seoul MICE Alliance, a group of 260 private sector companies, including hotels, PCOs, DMCs, and entertainment facilities, to provide meeting planners with benefits such as discounts and free room upgrades. The Seoul Convention Bureau had recently showcased Seoul as a MICE destination at IMEX Frankfurt with a promotional booth. Last March, the Seoul Convention Bureau jointly organized a roadshow in New Delhi at the Taj Palace Hotel

with the Korea Tourism Organization, Incheon Tourism Organization, and Gyeonggi Tourism Organization. The roadshow witnessed 150 attendees that included travel agencies, business groups, and members from the media. The Seoul Convention Bureau is in the planning stages of roadshows next year and considering India as one of the destinations. What are the new MICE infrastructure offered to the Indian market? Seoul offers MICE infrastructure like the Coex Convention & Exhibition Center and has been the mainstay of Seoul’s MICE facilities. Seoul is expanding its MICE cluster into the nearby Jamsil area. Besides that Seoul will have a new international exchange MICE complex, which is set to be constructed in 2019 and launched by 2025 that facilities add more than 100,000 square meters in exhibition

space for business, MICE, sports, and entertainment. What MICE events have you organized for India? Seoul hosted an incentive group from a Mumbai-based life insurance company from February to April 2017. The event was attended by approximately 500 participants who arrived in ten groups. The Seoul Convention Bureau is in the process of bidding events with Indian organizations but no confirmed events to report currently. What are the unique MICE facilities in Seoul? Some of the unique venues of Seoul are the traditional Samcheonggak, the modern DDP, and the main riverside venue Some Sevit. Seoul has accommodation for MICE events, with 399 hotels and 53,454 rooms.

Thomas Cook eyes Indian MICE sector VW BUREAU

homas Cook (India) has witnessed a significant increase in demand for experiential travel from the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions & Exhibitions) sector and to capitalize on this opportunity, has launched a portfolio of unique programs that deliver exceptional and engaging experiences across key global destinations. The MICE sector in India has been evolving at a rapid pace. In this the new age of travel, India’s corporates are displaying an increasing appetite for unique travel experiences to woo their top performers, and are not hesitant to spend on the same. The clear shift from the traditional basic sight-seeing tour plus gala dinner, to innovative and immersive experiential itineraries, has created significant potential for the MICE sector. Thomas Cook India’s internal data too has reiterated this growth potential, having witnessed demand of over 20% for experiential MICE travel in the last 3 years. Hence, in a strategic initiative to leverage this momentum, the company’s MICE business has curated a series of cutting-edge MICE programs. Thomas Cook’s experiential MICE portfolio incorporates fascinating long-haul destinations (Iceland, Canada, Japan, Korea, Norway, New Zealand, Australia and USA, etc.) and short hauls (like Baku, Kiev, Morocco, Oman), coupled with distinctive elements including the adrenalin rush of Queenstown’s adventure experiences, snow-mobiling in Iceland, rafting in

NEW-AGE TRAVEL: India’s corporates are displaying an increasing appetite for unique travel experiences. Norway, Formula 1 drives on the Yas Marina circuit, 360 degree helicopter tours, etc. Sightseeing trips are delivered with an exciting twist: via segway in Hungary or Spain, vintage cars in Prague, stretch-limousines in Dubai/ Abu Dhabi or helicopters in Canada. Also incorporated are exclusive dining

The travel company has curated MICE programmes focussed on experiential travel. experiences- on a glacier in Canada or a private island in Australia; also decadent spa-wellness programs and thermal baths in Iceland, Turkey, Jordan, New Zealand and more. Key source markets in India for expe-

riential MICE travel include Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad; also mini-metros and Tier 2 cities like Pune, Ahmedabad and Indore. Spends per MICE traveller have reached up to Rs 5 lakhs per person for a 6 - 7 night trip. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head - Holidays, MICE, Visa & Passport Services, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd, said, “The evolution in the MICE sector is creating an expanded market of discerning corporates. With experiential travel high on their wish-list, our launch of engaging MICE experiences was intended to capitalize and build on this significant and growing opportunity.” He added, “Our MICE Product Development Team has pushed the envelope with exclusive experiences to wow our discerning MICE clientele, and fun-engaging elements like team-building ‘war games’ in Russia in Kosack mili-

tary gear and aboard tanks, helicopter rides to soak in Canada’s breathtaking vistas, glacier landings in New Zealand, luxury super-cars for inter-city transfers in Germany or beer-biking in Holland are but a few of the exciting examples. Food plays a mission-critical role in MICE tours and to ensure an authentic experience, we have had meals curated by celebrity Chef Ranveer Brar that include both pure Indian and hybrid cuisine.” ”A great success story was our Iceland tour for a prestigious MICE group of 400 travelers, with spectacular experiences like snowmobiling adventures, glacier climbs, monster truck tours and exclusive access to the renowned Blue Lagoon Spa. Customer delight and the growing pipeline for such experiential MICE programmes indicates vibrant business potential and one we certainly intend to maximise,” he added.

CALENDAR 2018 August 2018

October 2018

Caribbean Meeting & Incentive Travel Exchange 6 - 9 Quintana Roo - Mexico

Meeting & Incentive Forums Europe Abu Dhabi 7-11

IncentiveWorks 14 - 15 Toronto - Canada

11-13 MICE Industry St. Petersburg - Russia

September 2018

November 2018

IBTM Americas 5 - 6 Mexico City - Mexico

Global European Marketplace (GEM) London, UK 02

CIBTM – China 12 - 13 Beijing – China

TourInvest Forum Paris, France November 6-7

HOSPITALITY

Voyager’s World | August 2018 | P31

Amadeus to acquire TravelClick for $1.52bn VW BUREAU

madeus is all set to acquire TravelClick from Thoma Bravo, a private equity investment firm, for USD $1.52bn. TravelClick, which is based in New York City, is a global hospitality provider that serves more than 25,000 customers across 176 countries. It provides cloud-based solutions, including an independent and mid-size hotel Central Reservation System (CRS) and Guest Management Solution (GMS), as well as business intelligence and media solutions. This portfolio gives hotels distribution

As part of the acquisition, approximately 1,100 TravelClick employees are expected to join Amadeus. reach across all channels, both digital and traditional. It also allows them to improve digital interaction with guests, increase revenues and performance, reduce cost and create a strong brand. The addition of TravelClick’s solutions to the Amadeus portfolio will help provide a broad range of innovative technology to hotels and chains of all sizes across the globe. “TravelClick has a great team, great

technology and a broad customer base, and we are looking forward to welcoming such a successful business into Amadeus,” said Luis Maroto, President and CEO of Amadeus. “Our ambition is to provide the hospitality industry with the tools they need to grow their businesses and deliver a great experience to their guests. The combination of our two portfolios will allow us to provide that to hotels of all shapes and sizes across the world,” he added. The Partnership “This deal marks the next stage in TravelClick’s incredible journey of success in delivering groundbreaking solutions for hoteliers,” said Larry Kutscher, CEO of TravelClick. “This is a huge step forward for Amadeus in hospitality,” said Francisco Perez-Lozao, senior vice president Strategic Growth Businesses, Amadeus. “While we have already made strong progress with the large chains, TravelClick gives us access to the mid-chain and independent hotel segment that makes up almost three-quarters of the market. We can now serve the entire industry with a very broad portfolio of solutions and we are looking for significant growth in the years ahead.” “TravelClick is an excellent example of Thoma Bravo’s proven investment approach of acquiring a best-in-class vertical market software company and

TECH-SAVVY: The partnership will help provide a broad range of cutting-edge tools to hotels and chains of all sizes. working alongside talented leadership to implement operational best practices and drive growth both organically and through M&A,” said Holden Spaht, a managing partner at Thoma Bravo. “We appreciate the outstanding execution of Larry Kutscher and the management team at TravelClick, and believe the company is well positioned to continue delivering innovative software, data analytics and marketing services that maximize revenue for hotels around the world,” said Spaht. As part of the acquisition, approximately 1,100 TravelClick employees are expected to join Amadeus.

The Amadeus group employs around 16,000 people worldwide, across central sites. Amadeus and Thoma Bravo expect to close the acquisition sometime in the fourth quarter of 2018, following regulatory approvals. The transaction will be debt-financed and immediately earnings accretive. The deal will significantly expand Amadeus’ presence in the hospitality sector. Addition of TravelClick’s cloud-based solutions for mid-chain and independent hotels will enable Amadeus to reach all segments of the market with an enhanced portfolio.

Sheraton Grand unveils The World Café VW BUREAU

heraton Grand Bangalore Hotel at Brigade Gateway and their business associate Brigade Hospitality have added yet another venue to their portfolio with the launch of The World Café. Located in World Trade Center, Bangalore, the concept for The World Café was developed along with immense support and involvement from Brigade Hospitality - the perfect place to get people together for a conversation while sipping freshly brewed single origin coffees from around the world and crunching on some scrumptious food. Spread across 2,300 square feet, the combination of glass and chrome interiors contributes the café an elegant ambiance that represents true Café culture — one that is relaxed and welcoming. The bistro-style café is designed with simple colors with a modest décor that make the background artful and appealing music to create an ideal working atmosphere. The World Café features passionately created signature items like single origin coffees, refreshing smoothies and quick bites. The handpicked single origin coffee beans are sourced from various places, roasted at a controlled heat &

time and brewed freshly to give the ultimate way to experience the spirit of coffee. Some of the world’s most famous single origin coffees such as Ethiopian Sidamo, Brazilian Santos, Costa Rica Tarazu and Jamaican Blue Mountain feature in the menu. Apart from exclusive coffees, the Café also offers wide varieties of sandwiches such as Belgian Mitraillette, Aussie Vegemite, Canadian smoked meat rye for breakfast, as well as evening snacks like Grilled Vegetable Pesto, Lamb Pepper Fry, Chicken Jalapeno and decadents such as Baked Cheese cake, Sacher Torte, Opera pastry, to complete your meal. Sujeet Kumar, General Manager, Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel at Brigade Gateway, said, “The World Café is one of our dream projects and we are delighted to launch it at the World Trade Center. A great deal of creativity and innovation has gone into bringing out this contemporary Café that reflects on the brand’s vision to introduce a trendsetting global café for the prized guests”. The place is conceptualized with the need to have an outlet for informal meetings where guests can start their day with a healthy breakfast, stop by for delicious lunch and scrumptious evening snacks to end their day.

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events

Voyager’s World | August 2018 | P32

ITE HCMC 2018 to kick off in September VW BUREAU

isitors and buyers will be spoilt for choice with a wide array of travel destinations and options from the exhibitors, which include the Department of Tourism for various Vietnamese provinces, National Tourism Organisations and Tourism Promotion Organisations from top travel destinations in Asia, as well as exhibitors from over 10 countries as far-flung as South Africa. The International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC) will soon open its doors, and organisers are expecting over 300 international companies and brands to set up booth at the Saigon Exhibition & Convention Center this September 6 – 8. The largest and most established annual international travel trade event in the Mekong sub-region is now in its 14th edition, and features services and products for both inbound and outbound markets. Confirmed participants include the Department of Tourism (DOT) for several Vietnamese provinces, as well as various National Tourism Organisations (NTO) and Tourism Promotion Organisations (TPO) from top travel destinations in Asia. Over 30 DOTs from Vietnamese provinces and cities are expected to participate in this year’s ITE HCMC, like Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Danang, Daklak, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Gia Lai, Hai Phong, Hanoi, Hue, Khanh Hoa,

Lam Dong, Long An, Ninh Binh, Ninh Thuan, Quang Nam, Thua Thien Hue, Tien Giang, Vinh Long, and Vung Tau. Buyers and visitors will also find booths from India Tourism; Japan National Tourism Organization; Korea Tourism Organization; Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board; Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Laos; Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia; Ministry of Tourism of Republic Indonesia; Myanmar Tourism; Nagoya City; Penang Global Tourism; Taiwan Tourism Bureau Bangkok Office; Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau; and Tourism Authority of Thailand (HCMC Office). Companies from the tourism hotspots of Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, will also be making their way to the exhibition. They include Bedlinker, Ben Thanh Tourist Services JSC, Bhutan Herders Expedition; Cu Chi Tunel, Fidi Tour; FVG; Good Time Travel Taiwan; Kansai Airports; Komtom, Lac Viet Travel; Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA); Muong Thanh Group Joint Stock Company; Namibia Express Travel and Tours Info Centre; Prince Hotels (Thailand) Co., Ltd; Saigon Tourist Holding Company; South Pacific Travel; Sungroup, Traveltek Australia Ltd; Tugo Travel; VIAGS VNA; Vier Princess Cruise; Vietmap Travel; Vietravel;

PARTICIPANTS: Over 30 tourism boards from Vietnamese provinces and cities are expected to participate in this year’s ITE HCMC. and Vinpearl. Three hundred Hosted Buyers have also been invited in the show’s International Hosted Buyers Programme, a long-standing and prominent feature in ITE HCMC. The buyers, like the exhibitors, will be able to book appointments with sellers online, conduct buyer-seller meetings, and attend various networking functions during the three-day event. The B2B Buyer-Seller meetings are a highly efficient and popular feature with almost 5,300 meetings conducted in last year’s edition. Organisers anticipate a 15% increase in the B2B meetings this year. All hosted buyers, from leisure, corporate, MICE, luxury, and special interest travel companies, are carefully selected and approved by an Advisory Committee comprising of travel industry professionals from independent

Travel experts to gather at WTM London VW BUREAU

parties in the region. Thirty international hosted members of the media and bloggers from prominent travel, lifestyle, tourism, and broadcast platforms will also be present, and they will enjoy a customised itinerary programme featuring curated pre- and post- show tours to enjoy the best of Vietnam. Since the first edition of ITE HCMC held in 2005, it has become a prime platform for local and international industry players and leading brands to showcase their latest tourism products and services; source for quality agents and distributors; and expand their business into Vietnam and the Mekong sub-region. The event also provides attendees ample opportunities to build contacts, foster new relationships, and discover new business leads.

Applications open for UNWTO awards VW BUREAU

INSIGHTS: Experts will outline the key factors that have affected their sectors. like Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Danang, Daklak, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Gia Lai, Hai Phong, Hanoi, Hue, Khanh Hoa, Lam Dong, Long An, Ninh Binh, Ninh Thuan, Quang Nam, Thua Thien Hue, Tien Giang, Vinh Long, and Vung Tau. Buyers and visitors will also find booths from India Tourism; Japan National Tourism Organization; Korea Tourism Organization; Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board; Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Laos; Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia; Ministry of Tourism of Republic Indonesia; Myanmar Tourism; Nagoya City; Penang Global Tourism; Taiwan Tourism Bureau Bangkok Office; Tokyo Convention & Visitors

Bureau; and Tourism Authority of Thailand (HCMC Office). Companies from the tourism hotspots of Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, will also be making their way to the exhibition. Three hundred Hosted Buyers have also been invited in the show’s International Hosted Buyers Programme, a long-standing and prominent feature in ITE HCMC. The buyers, like the exhibitors, will be able to book appointments with sellers online, conduct buyer-seller meetings, and attend various networking functions during the three-day event.

romoting innovation, job creation and sustainability are key considerations for the 15th World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Awards. UNWTO invites submissions until 31 October 2018. The UNWTO Awards recognise the contribution of public and private institutions and NGOs to development of a more competitive, responsible and sustainable tourism sector that works towards achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda of the United Nations. Initiatives at local, national, regional and international levels are all considered. Applications are now open for the UNWTO Awards in Public Policy and Governance, in Enterprises, and in Non-Governmental Organizations. Interested parties are encouraged to apply before 31 October 2018 (23:59 CET). Finalists will be notified in December 2018, with the award winners to be announced in January 2019. A further award, the UNWTO Ethics Award will also be announced in January 2019.

Voyager’s World | August 2018 | P33

EXECUTIVE HIRES Jean-Noel Rault

Fredrik Blomqvist

GM, Indian Sub-Continent Air France-KLM ir France-KLM has appointed Jean-Noel Rault as the new General Manager, Indian SubContinent. He will be responsible for accelerating the growth and strengthening the presence of Air France-KLM in the Indian Sub-Continent. He will also drive the consolidation and extension of the company’s partnerships in the same geography. Jean-Noel started his career with KLM in 1987 and joined Air France in 1989. Over three decades of his career, he has held decisive positions at Constantine, Bucharest, Prague, Riyadh, Noumea, Abidjan, and Montreal.

General Manager Four Seasons Hotel, Bangalore

Reuben Kataria

General Manager JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru

W Marriott Hotel Bengaluru has appointed Reuben Kataria as the new General Manager. In his new role, Kataria will oversee operations and management of the flagship hotel, along with the senior leadership team. Kataria will work towards creating timeless experiences for the guests at the hotel.

Cajetan Araujo General Manager W Goa

HOTELS has appointed Cajetan Araujo as the General Manager for W Goa. Araujo is a global luxury hotelier who began his journey in hospitality as a Front Desk Executive in Geneva, Switzerland and since then has been a culinarian, and an entrepreneur, leading some of the finest restaurant and food and beverage operations in New York, Miami, Bermuda, Ireland, Dubai and Qatar.

redrik Blomqvist has been appointed as the General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel, Bengaluru. Helming the pre-opening team of this muchanticipated Four Seasons property in the Indian subcontinent, he is looking at positioning this uberluxury destination as a futuristic hub in the city of Bangalore. Fredrik has worked with Four Seasons across the globe - Dublin, Philadelphia, Guangzhou, Chiang Mai, Jakarta, Shanghai and now Bangalore. Drawing upon his Swiss Hotel Management education and more than two decades of International Hotel experience, Fredrik characterizes his management style as straightforward, approachable and inspiring.

Rahul Malik

General Manager- Operations Clarks Inn Group of Hotels

ahul Malik has been appointed as the General Manager – Operations, at Clarks Inn Group of Hotels. A hospitality professional and a visionary with expertise in business, strategic maximization of revenues and overall profitability with the utilization of available resources, Malik’s experience spans over 18 years and encompasses sales, marketing, guest relationship Management and Pre-Opening assignments. In his illustrious career, Amitabh has excelled and thrived at mentoring and motivating team members to achieve greater professional and personal success with many of them today in leadership positions across the industry.

Elroy Tulkar

Firoz Jangaria

Director-Operations Sheraton Grand BengaluruHotel

lroy Tulkar has been appointed as the Director of Operations at Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center. With over a decade of experience in the hospitality industry, Elroy has worked in both the Indian and International markets. In his new role, he will lead the management team in planning and strategizing operational and administration aspects. His role also involves improving guest satisfaction and developing strategies to increase operational efficiency and creating productive working environments for the team.

General Manager Renaissance Bengaluru

Puneet Kapoor

Director of Events Hyatt Regency, Delhi

yatt Regency, Delhi, has appointed Puneet Kapoor as Director of Events. In his new role, Kapoor will be responsible for managing operational and administrative functions to ensure the projects are delivered efficiently along with monitoring the progress of the planning and execution of each task that has to do with any event at the flagship hotel. He brings in 16 years of experience in the hospitality industry.

iroz Jangaria has been appointed as the General Manager of Renaissance Bengaluru Race Course Hotel. In his new role, he will be responsible for overseeing the hotel operations and ensuring stellar standards of guest service with which the Renaissance brand is associated. As head of the hotel, Firoz will be leading the executive team with strategic planning and tactical management. Firoz brings a wealth of over 15 years’ experience, with expertise in hospitality operations and management.

HAPPENINGS

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School girls celebrate Aviation Day With the vision to encourage girls to take up STEM subjects and explore career opportunities in related industries, the initiative is aimed at showcasing opportunities in the aviation and aerospace sectors. This initiative also aligns with the Government of India’s Skills India initiative. As part of the program, the forum invited 50 students from various schools for a tour of Agartala Airport. Visiting students were given an opportunity to explore, learn, and discover the various aspects of aviation and aerospace such as air traffic controller, airline dispatch, pilot, aviation maintenance technician, aeronautical engineer or aviation management. In addition, the girl students were given a tour of the ATC Tower, Airside, Terminal Building and AOCC and all their queries and questions were answered by the officials working in the respective departments. Post the airport tour, the students were given a small presentation about the industry and its intricacies. “We will continue our endeavour to introduce young girls to role models and educate them in a fun and supportive atmosphere. We are very fortunate to be able to partner with Airport Authority of India for this initiative. Their effort in leading youth into STEM careers is truly commendable,” said Radha Bhatia, President, Women in Aviation International (India Chapter).

Ethiopian wins ‘Best Airline’ award Ethiopian Airlines has won SKYTRAX World Airline Award for the Best Airline in Africa for second successive year. Group CEO Ethiopian Airlines, Tewolde GebreMariam, said, “Ethiopian is a customer focused and market driven airline. In a context of hyper competitive global airline industry, the only way for Ethiopian to sustain its success is through its differentiated service delivery and by meeting its customers’ expectations. We are, therefore, honored and delighted to have been named the Best Airline in Africa at SKYTRAX World Airline Award as voted by passengers and we will not relent in our continuous efforts to offer our customers the best possible travel experience.” Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax on his part said, “Passengers have voted Ethiopian Airlines Africa’s premier carrier for a second successive year and this is a simply fabulous achievement for the airline management and frontline staff.” Ethiopian Airlines is a multi-award winning airline and has previously received SKYTRAX World Airline Award for Best Airline Staff in Africa, two times.

Aloft wins ‘Best New 5-Star Hotel’ award Aloft New Delhi Aerocity, the newly opened urban luxury hotel – was recently acknowledged for its excellence in the industry by being awarded the Best New 5-Star Hotel in New Delhi at the 12th annual edition of Today’s Traveller awards 2018. Bringing together the best from across all functions of the travel and tourism industry, the awards celebrated outstanding contributions made to the hospitality sector. Suresh Prabhu, Minister of Commerce and Industry and Civil Aviation was the chief guest for the grand evening. On the occasion of this recognition, Suman Gahlot, General Manager of Aloft New Delhi Aerocity, said that the team is elated with the win. “This award is dedicated to all the associates who have contributed towards the successful launch of the property and who have ensured smooth operations and delivered impeccable hospitality to all our guests. We will strive to maintain the same proficiency and look forward to providing a memorable stay to our patrons.” The soiree, which was held on August 7, was also a combined celebration of Today’s Traveller 21st Anniversary revelries. The popular publication which is considered India’s premiere travel and leisure magazine, also launched the cover of their Coffee Table Book, titled, ‘Passion for Excellence’.

Dia Mirza explores Kenyan landscape Bollywood star Dia Mirza visited Kenya for a holiday from July 19 to July 23.The actress’ flight was facilitated by Air Arabia. During a meet-and-greet hosted for fans and sponsors on 19July, Air Arabia’s representative said, “Dia Mirza choose Air Arabia as her Airline partner for her trip to Nairobi, Kenya. We as an airline are very conscious about the environment and hosting Dia Mirza and her family on this trip to Kenya was an absolute pleasure.” Speaking about flying with Air Arabia, the Sanju star said, “As UN Goodwill Ambassadors, we always fly economy during any trip that is below eight hours journey. We do that consciously because it is better for the environment. I feel so proud to have done this trip from Mumbai to Nairobi with Air Arabia. It was such a comfortable, wonderful experience and the best thing is that I know in my own little way, I have helped to conserve the environment.” During her visit, Dia visited the Maasai Mara and the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Magical Skies were the hospitality partners of Dia’s visit. Commenting on hosting the star, the Magical Skies General Manager Adil Eltaff said, “It was an absolute pleasure hosting Dia Mirza and her group. It’s incredible seeing the beauty of Kenyan experiences through the eyes of other people and it’s what gives Magical Skies the constant passion to do what we do.

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Warner Bros. World opens to public Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, recently inaugurated Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, the world’s first-ever Warner Bros. branded indoor theme park developed by Miral, Abu Dhabi’s creator of destinations, with an investment of $1 billion. The duo attended the official inauguration ceremony, which took place in the Warner Bros. Plaza at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi. The ceremony included the first screening of Cinema Spectacular, a captivating show that brings Warner Bros.’ unparalleled film library to life. Guests were also treated to a series of festive celebrations incorporating the park’s beloved characters. The pair took the stage alongside some of the park’s iconic DC and animation characters to press a button marking the official opening of the highly anticipated theme park, which is expected to draw in thousands of guests including residents and tourists of all ages. Following the opening ceremony, they toured the park, which officially opened to the public on July 25.

Fiji launches brand campaign in India Bringing a little bit of heaven to India, Tourism Fiji unveiled its new brand campaign, #BulaHappiness with their Brand Ambassador, Bollywood starlet, Ileana D’cruz. The campaign video was launched in Mumbai amidst the presence of Ileana D’cruz, High Commissioner of the Republic of Fiji, His Excellency, Yogesh Punja, Regional Manager Asia, Kathy Koyamaibole and Country Manager India, Seema Kadam and other Fiji Partners. Seema Kadam, Country Manager India, Tourism Fiji said, “India holds a lot of potential for us as far as tourism is concerned and a lot of focus is driven towards the growth of the market. From 2016-2017, there has been a 30% increase in Indian nationals visiting Fiji. During the first quarter of this year, we recorded a rapid growth of 27.8% as compared to 2017, making India one of the fastest growing tourism source markets, for Fiji. With Ileana as our Brand Ambassador, we aim to showcase through this campaign video, a first-hand experience of what Fiji has to offer and hope that more and more Indians experience what this beautiful country has to offer.” Tourism Fiji’s campaign was launched at the Fiji Roadshow, which was held from August 7 to 10, across all the metropolitan cities in India – Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Bangalore, respectively. Bollywood Star and Tourism Fiji’s Brand Ambassador, Ileana D’Cruz said, “I love traveling and Fiji has always been on my travel bucket list.”

Inventree ties up with Coffee Grove Inventree Hotels and Resorts is joining hands with Coffee Grove to enter Chikmagalur, Karnataka’s most sought-after tourist destination. Inventree Hotels and Resorts is the hotel management brand by itravel. The six-year-old company has successfully on-boarded a new property in Chikamagalur, which will be rebranded as Coffee Grove by Inventree Hotels and Resorts from September 1. On the acquisition, the MD of Inventree, Sudipta Deb and the Managing Partner of Coffee Grove Resort , Rangaraj, said that this collaboration shows a lot of promise. Coffee Grove resort is the hidden secret of Chikmagalur. “Inventree hotels and resorts are happy to collaborate with The Coffee Grove and to work for greater success of this wonderful place and get it maximum visibility,” said Deb. “Inventree Hotels and Resorts have their extensive network and deep market insight. Coffee Grove Resort is excited to join hands with Inventree, they have the right balance of an experienced team, expertise in the domain and enthusiasm. They are a group of passionate professionals who believe that performance is the single most measuring matrix of their success. We are sure to get you a different coffee on your next visit with Inventree hotels and resort,” added Rangaraj.

Abu Dhabi a hit at Souk Okaz Festival The Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi, has concluded its successful participation in the 12th edition of the historical Souk Okaz Festival, which ended recently in Saudi Arabia. The DCT Abu Dhabi pavilion, which was located in the Arab Neighborhood section, attracted more than 10,000 visitors per day. Emirati artisans proved a major attraction for visitors to the Festival, which was organized by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, as they presented live demonstrations of traditional crafts practiced by Emirati women, such as Sadu and Khous. Inscribed on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Sadu is the art of weaving wool to create various types of carpet, while Khous uses dry palm leaves to create baskets, food containers, hand fans amongst other items. The artisans also showcased many products made from traditional materials which meet modern-day needs, along with traditional clothing, incense, and Tali products. Saeed Hamad Al Kaabi, Director of the Intangible Heritage Department at DCT Abu Dhabi, said, “Our participation in Saudi Arabia’s heritage events is of particular importance due to our shared cultural and historical heritage. “Our Souk Okaz pavilion witnessed a huge number of Saudi visitors, who expressed particular interest in UAE heritage in all its forms.

IITM ADVANTAGE Bangalore Chennai

Highlights

VW BUREAU

e it global or domestic, the tourism scene is constantly evolving. This year’s India International Travel Mart (IITM) portrayed just that. The expo, which was held in Bangalore and Chennai, brought to light futuristic ideas, disruptive technologies, and passionate travel trade enthusiasts — all under one roof. The IITM in Bangalore, Karnataka, was inaugurated by state tourism minister Sa. Ra. Mahesh. He said that Karnataka, with its myriad scenic locales, has the potential to become the most sought-after global tourism hub. The minister added that events like

IITM will help accelerate the growth of tourism in India, as these exhibitions bring multiple tourist boards and tour operators under one platform. Sundar, Secretary, Tamil Nadu Travel Mart, inaugurated the IITM event in Chennai in the presence of S Venkat N Reddy, President, SKAL International Chennai, Sanatan Pancholi and Resident Manager, Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd. With a healthy blend of tourism boards and tour operators, to hoteliers and destination management companies (DMCs), the event doled out a concentrated dose of inspiration and insights. Patrick George , Director, Prakruthi Holidays, says his focus is on promot-

ing exotic, unexplored regions in Karnataka — particularly Chikmagaluru. The IITM in Bangalore and Chennai gave him a platform to do that. The three-day expo, which received footfall from both B2B and B2C segments, enabled interaction and exchange of relevant travel trade opportunities. Navin Krishna GN, Founder, AirPro Tours, who is participating in IITM for the first time, emphasized that this was the right place to showcase the brand. “It’s the age of videos. We wanted to give a visual treat to our walk-in customers. We therefore set up a video facility in the stall. People were impressed at the destinations

showcased. They were inquisitive about how to get to there. We clinched a lot of B2B deals from Erode, Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichy and Bhavani,” he said. For a niche travel entrepreneur like BC Kiran, Founder, Outdoor World Sustainable Tourism, the travel mart was a perfect platform to display his unique business model. The company, which focuses on ‘voluntourism,’ gained numerous consumer insights. “We are promoting ‘voluntourism’ in Banavasi. We need platforms like IITM to reach out to travel agents as well as travel enthusiasts—all in one place,” he said. Highlighting the benefits of partici-

Voyager’s World | August 2018 | P37

pating in the event, Mrunmai Joshi, Additional Director General, Department of Tourism, said that every year, IITM works towards facilitating business-to-business contacts by giving information to travel enthusiasts as well as tour operators, hoteliers and resort owners. “This year too, it has been beneficial,” she said. For hoteliers, it was a one-stop shop to exchange ideas and explore strategic tie-ups with tour operators. Sandeep Bhatnagar, General Manager, Ramada Plaza, Chennai, said that the event had a good turnout in Bangalore and Chennai. “Our stalls received good response from MICE operators as well as domestic players,” he said. International

hoteliers and destination marketing companies also took part in the event. Sri Lanka, for instance, put up a spectacular stall, which saw footfall from scores of Indian travel enthusiasts. Sri Lankan Tourism Minister John Amaratunga, who visited the venue in Bangalore, said that taking part in the travel mart has proved to be fruitful. Launching the Ramayana Yatra website during the three-day event, he said, “We participated in IITM last year as well. Since then, the number of Indian tourists to Sri Lanka has increased, running up to about 200,000. This year, we have already crossed the 150,000 mark. We may go up to 300,000 by end of this year. But India has 1.5 billion people, and we

want everyone to visit Sri Lanka, as the country caters to every taste.” The minister also announced that Sri Lanka is mulling over a visa-free travel for tourists from India. The IITM event was a win-win for tour operators who got to generate potential leads from both B2B as well as B2C segments. Nasir Shah, Director, CNE Luxury Holidays, said that the event has been a productive tool for the domestic market. “IITM has a wide range of clientele, and includes both B2B as well as B2C business. Mohammed Shajahan, Managing Director, Silver Moon Travel & Tourism, said that the company, by participating in the event, received over 2,000 leads

at Chennai. “This platform helped us clinch several deals, including group tours.” “IITM was a good opportunity to meet travel agents, holiday planners, MICE agents and media persons under one roof in Bangalore. We are here to promote Mauritius Tourism Board and have used this platform to showcase Mauritus as one of the premium destinations,” said Chandrani Chakraborty, Manager, PR & Marketing, Outbound Marketing. Overall, the India International Travel Mart enabled tie-ups with tour operators, DMCs, tourism boards, transportation vendors, technology providers, and other disruptors of the travel trade industry.

incredibleindia

India to focus on developing North East Circuit VW BUREAU

he Governor of Manipur, Najma A. Heptulla inaugurated the “Development of North East Circuit: Imphal & Khongjom” project implemented under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme of Ministry of Tourism, at a function held at the historic Kangla Fort in Imphal, Manipur on August 14. This is the first project to be completed under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme of the Government of India. The project was inaugurated in the presence of N Biren Singh, Chief Minister of Manipur, K.J. Alphons, Union Minister of State (I/C) for Tourism, State Ministers of Manipur and Rashmi Verma, Union Tourism Secretary. Speaking on the occasion, Heptulla drew the attention of the government to the huge potential of the tourism industry of the state which comes in the form of culture, sports, arts, ecology, history, handloom and handicrafts. A message from the Prime Minster Narendra Modi was also read out by minister Alphons, stating that tourism will bring the people of the country together and it will serve in cultural growth and bring prosperity to the country. Modi had reiterated that tourism is an engine of growth through job creation which will ultimately eradicate poverty. Minister Alphons, in his speech, congratulated the Manipur government for the commendable work in tourism sector and asked them to come up with more such projects. He also expressed his willingness to be generous on the projects to be taken up in the northeast. Chief Minister Biren Singh has pro-

TOP PRIORITY: Development of tourism in northeastern region is the prime area of focus for the Ministry of Tourism. posed three more projects for development and strengthening of eco, ethnic and sports tourism at Loktak Lake, Mapithel Dam and Shadu Chiru. He also expressed his happiness on the progress of Kangkhui cave tourism project. The Swadesh Darshan scheme is one of the flagship schemes of Ministry of Tourism for development of thematic circuits in the country in a planned and prioritized manner. The scheme was launched in 2014 -15 and as on date the Ministry has sanctioned 70 projects for Rs.5708.88 crore to 29 states and union territories under the scheme. 30 projects/major components of these projects are expected to be completed this year. The project, which was inaugurated in Manipur, was sanctioned by the Ministry of Tourism in September 2015 for Rs.72.30 crore. The project covers two sites i.e. Kangla Fort and Khongjom. Kangla Fort is one of the most

important historic and archaeological sites of Manipur located in the heart of the Imphal city. Kangla has a special place in the hearts and minds of the people of Manipur. The old Govindajee Temple, outer and inner moat and other relics are perfect reflections of the rich art and architectural heritage of Manipur. Under this project, the ministry had carried out works like restoration and improvement of outer and inner moat and rejuvenation of sacred ponds; reconstruction of old rampart; sound and light show, construction of Rock Garden, utility block; audio guide, eco-friendly conveyance, development of crafts’ houses and parking on Naga Nullah; polo gallery; reception and ticket counter. The above work has been carried out at a cost of Rs. 63.90 crore. Khongjom is the place where the last war of resistance of Anglo Manipur War of 1891 was fought. Under the project, a pedestrian bridge and rejuvenation of

Kombirei Lake has been carried out for Rs.4.89 crore. Development of tourism in northeastern region is prime area of focus for the Ministry of Tourism. The ministry is carrying out an array of activities for the development and promotion of tourism in the region. The ministry is also developing the infrastructure under its schemes of Swadesh Darshan and Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spirituality Augmentation Drive (PRASAD). Together, under both the schemes, the ministry has sanctioned 15 projects covering all northeastern states for Rs.1301.47 crore. The ministry is carrying out an array of activities for the development and promotion of tourism in the region. The efforts of the ministry have shown positive results and the foreign tourist arrivals in the region have shown an upward trend over the years. The region received a total of 1.69 lakh foreign tourist visits during 2017 as against 1.45 lakh in 2016 registering a growth of 16.7% over 2016. The domestic tourist visits reached to 95.47 lakhs in the year 2017 against 77.71 lakhs registering impressive double digit growth of 22.8% over 2016. The increased number of tourists in turn has created better employment opportunity for the local population in the region. A number of facilities like Tourist Facilitation Centres, Interpretation Centres, better last mile connectivity, heliports, wayside amenities region, eco log huts, rope way, golf course, and theme parks are being developed up in the region under the above schemes to enhance the experience of tourists when they visit the region.

events CALENDAR aug-OCT 2018 AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

3, 4, 5 India International Travel Mart Chennai

25,26,27,28 Int’l French Travel Market Paris, France

17,18,19 Holiday Expo Vadodara

28, 29, 30 India International Travel Mart Mumbai

31 July, 1 August MICE India Travel Congress Delhi

31 Aug-2 September Philippines Travel Mart Pasay Philippines

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1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Outbound Travel Roadshow Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Singapore (Optional)

1, 2, 3, 4 Regional Tourism Exhibition Erfurt, Germany

04, 05, 06 India International Travel Mart Delhi

5, 6, 7 World Travel Market London, UK

12, 13, 14 Holiday Expo, Nagpur

23, 24, 25 India International Travel Mart Hyderabad

26, 27, 28 Holiday Expo, Visakhapatnam

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