Whereabouts by whereabouts

RNI No.: DELENG/2014/59308

Volume V Issue VII April 2019

Price ` 180 Per Copy

Amsterdam Ten reasons

to visit in summer

AYODHYA

The Birth Place of Lord Ram

TOP NEWS

AVIATION

NTO

HOSPITALITY

DESTINATION

DISCOVER SERENITY

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CONTENTS Editor Rajesh Tiwari rajesh@whereabouts.in +91 9818525672

Consulting Editor Shayan Mallick

Correspondents Jai Kishan Kaparwan Nisha Awasthi whereabouts.in@gmail.com

Art Director Mithlesh Gupta

Advertising Commercial Director Dheeraj Anand +91 9560444678 dheeraj@whereabouts.in Advertising Manager (North-West) Solomon Saxeana +91 9999810390 solomon@whereabouts.in Advertising Manager (South-East) Santosh K Mishra +91 8447786636 marketing@whereabouts.in Marketing & Events Manager Lakshman Vashisth +91 9911907050

Principal Advisor Anil Prakash

Legal Advisor Advocate Brijesh Tiwari

NEW & BRIEF

08 GOVERNMENT 10 CRUISE 12 TRADE 14 AVIATION 16 TECHNOLOGY 18 NTO 26 HOSPITALITY 30 WORLD 38 APPOINTMENT

Ankush takes over as CoChairman of FICCI TTC

Production & Distribution

Production Manager Subhash Solanki Distribution Executive Anoop Singh

Accounts CA Rishabh Rana

Nilamani Hotels eyeing MICE & Wedding segments

Technical & Web Support Amit Agrahari All information in Whereabouts is derived from sources, which we consider reliable and a sincere effort is made to report accurate and up to date information. All contents of this publication are reserved worldwide. Reproduction in any manner without prior written permission is prohibited. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of component courts and forums in Delhi only. Whereabouts is own, printed & published by Rajesh Tiwari. Whereabouts is printed at Pritika Printers, A-21/27, Naraina Industrial Area, PhaseII, New Delhi 110028 and published from E-8/401, Nehru Vihar, Delhi 110094. Editor Rajesh Tiwari

EDITOR’S NOTE

Amsterdam Ten reasons

to visit in summer

22 Dear Reader,

AYODHYA

As we all are aware that the very untimely and sad demise of Mr Praveen Chugh is a great loss to the Indian tourism industry. A dynamic and visionary leader Mr Chugh was representing the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) as its president for the 2018-20 term. Seen as one of the doyens of the Indian travel industry, he spent more than four decades in the travel sector, not only providing leadership and guidance to the industry but also in creating some of India’s largest travel companies. I believe that Mr Chugh will be remembered for his great contribution to the industry in the years to come. Furthermore, this issue of whereabouts brings the special attention to the attractions of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh and Amsterdam. Our first destination – Ayodhya famed as the birth place of Lord Ram, is an important pilgrimage centre about 134 km from Lucknow. The second, Amsterdam the capital city of Netherlands, a country in northwestern Europe, is known for a flat landscape of canals, tulip fields, windmills and cycling routes. Though Amsterdam is a city for all seasons it is recommended to visit the city in summers to have great experiences.

The Birth Place of Lord Ram

32 Indians are flocking to the USA and the Middle-East this spring

We wish that you explore both of the destinations. Your feedback is invited at rajesh@whereabouts.in

30 Keep Visiting, Keep updating J ust one click & ent er into the world of information. All the lat est from Tr avel Business be it T ourism, A viation, Hotels, T echnology, Cruise, OT A, Visa & much mor e... Follow us in:

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NEWS IN BRIEF

TAFI President Praveen Chugh passes away News Desk

dynamic and visionary leader Praveen Chugh, currently the President of Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) passed away on March 26, 2019 in Delhi due to a massive cardiac arrest upon his arrival at the Delhi Airport from Mumbai after attending the Managing Committee meeting of TAFI. Seen as one of the doyens of the Indian travel industry, Chugh spent more than four decades in the travel sector, not only providing leadership and guidance to the industry but also in creating some of India’s largest travel companies. He was associated with TAFI for the last few decades starting his TAFI relation as the founder Chairperson of North India Chapter, Chugh held various key

positions over the years like Vice President (TAFI) 2004 – 2006 and President of TAFI 2006 – 2008. He took over as the President of TAFI in 2018 again and unanimously re-elected for the post till 2020. He was also serving as Vice Chairman of the World Travel Agents Association Alliance (WTAAA) and COO, Via Agency Sales. He served as member of Agency Programme Joint Council (IATA)since its inception. He has been a member of Passenger Agency Programme Global Joint Council (IATA) since 2008. He also served as the Vice President of SKAL International for West Asia, President of SKAL International – India and SKAL President of Delhi Chapter. By dint of his sheer hard work, perseverance, vision and commitment, he rose from

the ranks to emerge as one of the outstanding leaders of the travel industry. He faced challenges, fought battles, had ups and downs in his career but never gave up. Those who knew him closely will recall his wit, humour, playfulness and mischief all of which added to his indomitable character. Born on October 16, 1955, Chugh started his career by joining the Hospitality Industry way back in 1974 thereafter in 1976 he joined the travel trade with President Travels. He was instrumental in making the company one of the top five travel agencies in India (North). He started Pearl International in 1991 along with its promoters and took the company from a startup venture to becoming the largest travel agency in North

India and one of the top three in the country. In 1999, he started Travel Services International (TSI) which went on to become one of the largest Online B2B consolidation companies in North India.

ADTOI Launches North East as Tenth Chapter of the association News Desk

n an attempt to promote North East region extensively the Association of Domestic Tour Operator of India (ADTOI) has launched its tenth Chapter recently at Taj Vivanta coinciding with Rongali Festival in Guwahati (Assam). Before this development, ADTOI had nine State Chapters – Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Gujarat, West Bengal+North East, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab, Haryana & Chandigarh operating in the country. A new team to lead the North East chapter has been announced during the launch. Arijit Purkayastha has been appointed as the Chairman, whereas Sazid Subhan – Secretary, Sudarshan

6 April 2019

Khound – Treasurer and Shreya Barbara took over as the Lady Entrepreneur Officer (LEO). Arijit Purkayastha, Chairman designate of the Chapter assured to put in best efforts by his team to promote the region extensively with the support of the State Government. According to the top leadership, a good number of ADTOI members in North East specially in Guwahati (Assam) encouraged to have a separate North East chapter. Earlier, the North East region was part of the West Bengal Chapter. ADTOI President PP Khanna assured unstinted support by its members on PAN India basis to promote North East region among the domestic tourists all the year round. With the improved infrastructure

facilities and accessibility to the destinations he is expecting a rise in the tourist arrivals in all States in the North East in the days to come. Among those present on the occasion were Rajesh Prasad, Principal Secretary, Razvee Hussain, Addl Secretary Tourism Govt. of Assam, Bhaskar Phukon, Managing Director,

Assam Tourism Development Corporation, along with ADTOI team lead by its President, P P Khanna and accompanied by Chetan Gupta, General Secretary, Dalip Gupta, Treasurer, Anil Rajput, Joint Secretary and EC Members Ashish Sehgal, Ved Khanna, Vishal Bhatia and West Bengal Chapter Chairman, Debjit Dutta.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Ankush takes over as Co-Chairman of FICCI TTC News Desk

nkush Nijhawan, the Managing Director of Nijhawan Group has been appointed as the Co-Chairman of FICCI Travel Technology Committee. The FICCI Travel Technology Committee is working as a sub-committee under the aegis of FICCI Tourism Committee to address the various issues and roadblocks in terms of adequate Infrastructure and technology which act as a hindrance for sustaining the rapid growth of this sector. In his new role, Ankush will be responsible for working closely

business organisation in India. A non-government, not-forprofit organisation, FICCI is the voice of India’s business and industry. From influencing policy to encouraging debate, engaging with policy makers and civil society, FICCI articulates the views and concerns of industry.

with the Government of India on various travel related policy matters. Also, by utilizing the Digital India initiative of Government of India, he will be facilitating the small medium enterprise in tourism with the use of technology. Ankush Nijhawan the Managing Director of Nijhawan Group is a BBA graduate from Boston and majored in Marketing and Psychology. Today Ankush is thriving with his strategic vision and direction to the Nijhawan Group to be a leader in the travel industry. He was chosen by CNBC as a Young Turk for revolutionising the travel trade

through his B2B travel portal. Ankush today by far is one of the most successful youngster in the travel trade. Established in 1927, FICCI is the largest and oldest apex

It serves its members from the Indian private and public corporate sectors and multinational companies, drawing its strength from diverse regional chambers of commerce and industry across states, reaching out to over 2,50,000 companies.

Rahul Chakravarty Indian passport jumps 11 appointed as COO of IATO ranks on global index He was previously working with FICCI heading the Tourism Division for last 15 years.

News Desk

ndian passport is gaining strength on the global index as more and more countries are offering visa on arrival and visa-free entry to Indians. As per the 2019 Global Passport Index, the Indian passport has steadily strengthened its position over the past five years. It has jumped from 77th position in 2015 to 66th position as on April 16th, 2019.

News Desk

n a recent development, Rahul Chakravarty has joined the Indian Association of Tour Operators – the national apex body of inbound/domestic tour operators, including hotels as member of the association. He has been appointed as the Chief Operating Officer of IATO, and took over the office on April 1st, 2019. He was earlier working with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), heading the Tourism Division for last 15 years. During his previous stint at FICCI, Rahul has displayed commendable performance and racked up an impressive track record. He has been instrumental in the remarkable growth of Travel Division of FICCI with the launch of various travel related programmes, such as the Great Indian Travel Bazaar (GITB) – a huge B2B platform for Inbound/ domestic tour operators, state tourism boards and hotel brands

of the country. In his current role, Rahul will be overseeing all aspects of operational and strategic management of the Indian Association of Tour Operators. The Association has over 1600 members covering all segments of tourism industry. Established in 1982, IATO today has international acceptance, and linkages. It has close connections and constant interaction with other Tourism Associations in the US, Nepal and Indonesia, where USTOA, NATO and ASITA are its member bodies; and is increasing its international networking with professional bodies for better facilitation to the International traveller.

The Passport Index is an online tool which collects and displays the ranks of the passports of the world. It is the only real-time global ranking of the world's passports updates frequently when new visa waivers and changes are implemented. It is worth mentioning here that 25 countries now allow visa-free entry to Indian passport holders, whereas 39 nations offer visaon-arrival. Indian Passport holders required to obtain Visa to 134 countries as of today. As per the reports, more and more countries are opening up to Indian tourists after realising the increasing spending power of its citizens. As per an official in the know-how, one of the reasons helping the Indian passport to

strengthen its spot is the fact that foreign governments do not view Indian travellers with suspicion and are now becoming more and more welcoming to Indian tourists. The Tourism Ministry for India is also offering e-tourist visa facilities to 166 countries, following a number of amendments in the e-visa regime of the country in order to make this process more tourist friendly. It is also expected that with such developments, the number of foreign tourist arrival will also double up by 2021. However, with all these developments, India is still behind many countries as per the global index, such as Singapore, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates. Thus, with India raising its bar in the index, the future looks more bright for Indian passport.

April 2019 7

GOVERNMENT

Awesome Assam partners with Indian Railway to promote tourism Taking the advantage of Indian Railways, Assam Tourism Development Corporation has partnered with IRCTC to promote Assam tourism and attract tourist from across the country. News Desk

he idea of vinyl wrapping of trains to tap the limitless potential of using train exteriors as a medium of advertisement was initiated by the Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal. Assam became the first state to grab the opportunity to use this unique advertising medium by fully branding the train for propagation of the ‘Awesome Assam’ campaign. The train

plying out of Assam travels to Bangalore at a distance of 3025 km passing through many cities and towns all over India. Realising the potential, the tourism department of Assam has decided to use three N.F. Railway trains to promote its Awesome Assam branding. 12552/12551 Kamakhya – Yasvantpur – Kamakhya AC express became the first such train in whole Indian Railway to be fully branded with a state government publicity campaign.

Corporation Ltd, Assam, Sanjive Roy, General Manager, N.F. Railway along with other senior officials of Assam Government and N.F. Railways.

The newly branded train was flagged off by Chandan Brahma, Minister of Tourism, Govt. of Assam, Jayanta Malla Baruah, Chairperson, Assam Tourism Development

The use of Indian Railway train to promote brands and products is an innovative idea forwarded and offered to the state governments across the country.

26 bloggers joins sixth edition of Kerala Blog Express The bloggers were exposed to a multitude of experiences, including adventure activities, responsible tourism initiatives, culture, classical art forms and cuisines of the state.

global interest about Kerala,” said P Bala Kiran, Director of Tourism. “All those who had joined the journey are going to be our brand ambassadors,” he said, “It was a joint endeavour of the State Government and Tourism Trade,” added Bala.

News Desk

As top travel bloggers and social influencers who have been to many parts of the world, each one of them has his or her personal choices and judgments when it comes to rating and writing about the places they visit. But while sharing their experience of the current trip at the sea-front Hotel Leela Raviz, they were unanimous in their view that ‘Kerala is a place which no traveller can afford to miss.

erala is absolutely amazing. It’s a land where nature, culture and people harmonise so well to make the visiting an unforgettable experience. It is simply unmissable. This was the general refrain of the members of a group of 26 bloggers from 21 countries who concluded a fortnight-long tour of the state. Facilitated by Kerala’s Tourism Department in partnership with the trade, the sixth edition of the Kerala Blog Express (KBE), which set out from Kochi on March 21, ended at the internationally renowned Kovalam beach. Thanking the participants for showing keen interest in Kerala, Tourism Secretary Rani George said the latest edition of KBE would certainly generate a lot more enthusiasm about the state the world over. “They all say it had been a memorable experience. I am sure the writings and images to be put out by these 26 bloggers from 21 countries would take forward Kerala Tourism’s Human by Nature campaign,” said George, who was present to listen to their experiences and bid farewell to them. “This time round, we have been able to bring bloggers from Latin American and African countries. This will help create greater

8 April 2019

A unique initiative of Kerala’s Tourism Department, KBE seeks to earn global focus on the state’s brand assets through firsthand accounts of the travellers. The journey facilitated the visitors to write and post their experiences real-time, as the luxury coach that took them to the best locations of the state was equipped with cutting-edge connectivity solutions. Farhana Oberson from Kenya was presented the Kerala Tourism’s prize for the best content posted during the journey for her video on the state and its people. “Kerala has the most kind and smiling people I have seen in any place I visited,” she said after receiving the prize. A unique initiative of Kerala’s Tourism Department, KBE seeks to earn global focus on the state’s brand assets through firsthand accounts of the travellers. The journey facilitated the visitors to write and post

their experiences real-time, as the luxury coach that took them to the best locations of the state was equipped with cutting-edge connectivity solutions. The KBE this time had a stronger representation from Latin American countries and had 16 of its 26 bloggers women. The endeavour was based on Kerala Tourism’s latest global campaign titled ‘Human by Nature’, a three-minute video film that encapsulates the scenic state’s unique charms. KBE shaped up after organisers shortlisted more than 7,000 entries the department received from 50-plus countries. The bloggers in KBE 6 included the wellknown Alex Chacon of the US and Londonbased Alex Outhwaite. While Chaon has traversed through more than 60 countries on a motorcycle clocking over two lakh kilometres and has two lakh followers on Youtube, Outhwaite has more than one lakh followers on Facebook.

GOVERNMENT

Uttar Pradesh readying to promote film tourism News Desk

aunching the film festival, Women Welfare Minister Rita Bahuguna Joshi said that she herself is very fond of cinema. Everything is available to promote film tourism in UP. History or spirituality, jungle, everything is found here, which is good for film shooting. The Uttar Pradesh State Film Festival Seminar has been completed with colorful events in the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan Gomti Nagar. Film Bandhu Uttar Pradesh and PhD Chamber of Commerce, U.P. Chapter, jointly organised this seminar. As the chief guest, Chief Minister Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, also distributed subsidy to the film in line with the film policy. While addressing the gathering she further said that the world producer and director of the film

should keep their suggestions before the government as the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of Uttar Pradesh is ready to promote the film tourism. There is a wide range of security arrangements in the state today, due to which there is no difficulty in getting a favorable condition for shooting films. The government is planning to offer more tax exemption with subsidy so that many filmmakers get interested in shooting films in Uttar Pradesh. Film director Anil Sharma said that whenever he comes to the land of Uttar Pradesh, he has no words to express. He said that he is thankful for the love he got from Lucknow. There should be a film city in UP just like Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi. UP should provide a platform to encourage talent there. Vinod Bachchan said that there is a lot of difficulties in

accomplishing the dreams. In Uttar Pradesh, there are unlimited possibilities of film tourism because Uttar Pradesh is really a Uttam Pradesh. He feels good on seeing their gali & mohalla’s. He wants to show their country because they have a deep engagement with his country and he wants to promote the cultural heritage by his films.

Famous TV serial director ‘Pavitra Rishta’, Rabindra Gautam said that in addition to the films, if the subsidy is given to the TV serial, then many TV serial directors will also be interested in Uttar Pradesh, which can be useful at a large level, so that local artists too will get a lot of opportunity.

With opening of tulip garden in Srinagar, tourist season begins in Kashmir News Desk

sia’s largest tulip garden overlooking the famous Dal Lake here in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir was open to public, marking the beginning of new tourism season in the valley. The garden witnessed an impressive footfall of locals and tourists on the first day of its opening this year. Formerly known as Siraj Bagh, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden was opened in 2008 by then Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. The idea of the garden, spread over 30 hectares in the foothills of snow-clad Zabarwan range, was conceived to advance the tourism season in the valley by two months.

The average life span of tulip flower is three to four weeks, but heavy rains or too much of heat can destroy them. The Floriculture Department plants tulip bulbs in a phased manner so that the flowers remain in the garden for a month or more. This year the department has planted nearly 12 lakh bulbs of different varieties.The garden houses 51 varieties of tulips this year. Then there are 12 varieties of hyacinths and some more varieties of other flowers. Tulip Garden in Kashmir is Asia’s largest tulips garden and there is a likely hood that it can become the world’s second largest too. Indira Gandhi Tulip Garden is located at the foothills of the Zabarwan Mountains which are present on the banks

of the Dal Lake, Srinagar. This garden is the most spacious one in Srinagar as compared to the other Mughal Gardens. The major attraction here is the large variety of Tulips found in

thousands of numbers. The sight is heavenly during the full bloom season with all shades of the rainbow scattered on the fields of this garden.

April 2019 9

TRADE

Cricket tourism witnesses spike as IPL fever takes over, Karan Anand The IPL matches are being played at Mohali, Jaipur, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata. Jai Kishan Kaparwan

he 11th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), has got off to a flying start with demand for matches, especially that’s played over the weekends attracting a huge volume of bookings from travellers who intend travelling to watch their favourite team in action. IPL has given a new dimension to the concept of sports tourism, which is still in its infancy. Early indications suggest that hotels and service providers benefit from this rush in travellers who combine a holiday with an IPL match thereby enriching their holiday experience. At Cox & Kings, we see a 30 per cent rise in the number of travellers booking their holidays where they combine a match experience with local sight-seeing. We are also seeing a spike in women-only travellers who have booked their hotels and sightseeing options. This has grown by 20 per cent.

Interestingly, the tourist places within 250 - 300 kms of the host cities have also observed an increase in the inflow of tourists. Chandigarh, Jodhpur, Aurangabad, Alibaug, Agra, Mysore, Puducherry are destinations that are much in demand. Nek Chand Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, Pinjore Gardens and High court museum form the list of top sights for the cricket tourists to visit, in Chandigarh. Similarly, the architectural wonder, Mehrangarh that sits over the blue blanket of mystical houses in Jodhpur is where most cricket fans are flocking to after attending the matches in Jaipur. Whilst in Mumbai many have booked a quick getaway to Alibaug for a dip in the sea, the fans going to Delhi are queuing up to see the Taj Mahal in Agra. Mysore palace and the quaint French lanes of Puducherry are also on the list of a must-see for those going to Bangalore and Chennai respectively. Hotels are cashing in as this is the low season for many of the city-specific hotels and their weekend occupancies have climbed from a dismal 30 per cent to 80 per cent during the match days. Noting the increase in demand,

Cox & Kings is offering special customised itineraries around the IPL dates. Cricket tourism is a niche sector, a subset of Sports tourism. In the past Cox & Kings, had revealed, sports tourism from India had grown by 12% in the outbound sector. IPL offers a great opportunity to boost domestic tourism by attracting both domestic and inbound tourists. Similar to the UK where sports tourism enjoys a focused approach, India can harness its potential to further boost the sports tourism sector given the popularity of several games including cricket is widespread. Karana Anand Head Relationships, Cox & Kings

Jalesh Cruises takes delivery of first cruise vessel, naming ceremony on April 19 The cruise liner will be sailing initially between Mumbai and Goa for first few weeks till May, 2019 before proceeding to the Middle East where it will remain till mid-September. News Desk

alesh Cruises first premiere cruise line catering to the Indian domestic and international cruise business, received its first ship – Karnika, the erstwhile Pacific Jewel from P&O Australia, on March 13, 2019 in Singapore. The vessel, which is the first in the fleet of the multi-destination cruise line Jalesh Cruises, will reach Mumbai on April 17. The 2,000 passenger ship, which weighs 70,285 tons, will go through its naming ceremony at a gala event in Mumbai on April 19. Jurgen Bailom, President & CEO, Zen Cruises, said: “We are going to offer a memorable vacation to passengers on board with exotic culinary experiences, international hospitality and best of entertainment shows

10 April 2019

at high seas. With Karnika, we mark the beginning of memorable cruise holidays that will bring joy and delight to the Indian and global community.” Karnika will dry dock in Singapore at Sembcorp Marine Admiralty Yard over the next few weeks for a extensive refurbishment exercise to customize the ship to suit Indians travelers. It will then proceed from Singapore to Colombo via Kochi, New Mangalore, Goa and finally arrive in Mumbai on April 17. The cruise liner will be sailing initially between Mumbai and Goa for first few weeks till May, 2019 before proceeding to the Middle East where it will remain till midSeptember. The cruise liner will be exploring the huge coastal length of India and giving the customer to enjoy and savor the same. Between May, 2019 and September, 2019, cruise passengers will have a choice of itineraries between Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Muscat and Sir Ban Yas Island. Following the refurbishment, Karnika will offer a multitude of facilities including spas,

salons, fitness, fine dining, leisure activities for kids and teenagers alike. To give a wholesome experience of vacation to cruise passengers, Jalesh Cruises will also offer on shore Excursions across Indian port cities including Kochi, Mormugao, Mumbai, and international locations including Abu Dhabi, Colombo, Dubai, Muscat among others. The company has initiated bookings for its 2019 itineraries on its website www. jaleshcruises.com or directly through its holiday advisors at 1800 266 8927 in addition to its Sales Business Partners.

IN CONVERSATION

Nilamani Hotels eyeing MICE & Wedding segments

Q. How do you look at the awareness of Nilamani Hotels in India? do you have any plan in this area?

The appointment of Sunrise Representations as India representative for Neelamani Hotels has contributed a remarkable increase in the numbers (Tanjung Benoa Beach Resort 58% and The Sakala Resort Bali 63%) from this part of the world. In an attempt to add further growth, apart from the FIT leisure and GIT, the hotel company is eyeing to attract a hefty share of weddings and MICE segmnets from India. The company is strengthening its relationship with business partners as well. Find out more from Javier Salgado, Executive Vice President, Nilamani Hotels in an exclusive Q&A with Whereabouts. Jai Kishan Kaparwan

Q. To start with, kindly throw some lights on the features and offerings of Nilamani Hotels? A. Nilamani – the word comes from Sanskrit which means a gemstone. Nilamani Hotels introduced a collection of its gems; The Sakala Resort Bali, Sakala Villa and Tanjung Benoa Beach Resort to the Indian market. Each property has different characteristic .The Sakala Villa – a luxury two bedrooms pool villa, The Sakala Resort Bali – all suite contemporary design for family comfort facility and Balinese hospitality, Tanjung Benoa Beach Resort – a charm of Balinese characteristic with greenery, garden and architecture. We are focusing on FIT leisure and GIT market such as honeymooners via honeymoon package and romantic dinner with authentic Indian set menu by native Indian Chef Anil Chandra. By establishing the wedding business Benoa has become the Indian wedding destination. Bali as a destination offers best comprehensive facilities ,water sport activities and local attractions for MICE venue option in Bali. Especially the Meetings & Incentive travel from India has registered a significant growth in the recent past. Q. Who are your target clients? A. FIT travellers both honeymooners and families are our target clients. Our hotels are located very strategically in Benoa area

A. The exposure is not strong enough as expected, but we are working on process to be featured more both online and offline platforms. Also, we are engaging by attending travel trade events under Ministry of Tourism Indonesia and Bali Tourism Board to host Familiarization Trips. Q. Do you have any strategy in place for 2019 to get more growth from India? what are your plans/initiatives for this market?

Javier Salgado Executive Vice President Nilamani Hotels

which offers tremendous leisure activities such as water sport activities, siteseeing tourist attractions, local culture and lifestyle, fisherman village and signature culinary to dine for such as Roti Chai Bali at Tanjung Banoa Beach Resort. Q. How has been the response? What kind of growth have you achieved from here? Could you provide the figures? A. As compare to the year 2017, we have registered 58% and 63% growth at Tanjung Benoa Beach Resort and The Sakala Resort Bali respectively from Indian market in the year 2018.The growth will continue in 2019 as India is Indonesia's third largest visitor arrivals source market with the growth of 23% year on year.

A. Yes, plans and actions are in place. Apart from FIT leisure we are also focusing on MICE and Indian Wedding, by creating new guest experiences which meet the needs of the evolving traveller. Upkeep of properties, the authentic Indian cuisine, brand awareness and creating a reputation by delivering the Balinese charm and hospitality to meet the Indian guests needs. Both the properties are well-positioned to cater to the demands of the new age traveller and millennials. Q. How has been your relationship with Indian travel trade? How much of your business is coming from travel agents/tour operators? A. We appointed Sunrise Representations as our representative in India last year and this has contributed to the increase in numbers. We are engaging more and more with our business partners not only on a business perspective but also by participating in marketing activities. Where by 85% of our Indian clientele bookings come through travel agents/ tour operators.

Nilamani Hotels comprises one five-star property and one four-star property situated in the legendary and mysterious island of Bali. The Tanjung Benoa Beach Resort (www.benoaresort.com), situated at the tip of Tanjung Benoa Peninsula along Bali’s southernmost Nusa Dua region, is also a very strategically located hotel housed on the naturally lush landscape. The Sakala Resort Bali (www.sakalaresortbali.com) is located by the water-sport paradise of Tanjung Benoa Beach on the Nusa Dua peninsula that is sure to transport you into a realm of contemporary Balinese comfort like no other.

April 2019 11

TRADE

BSTDC to develop tourism hotspots in all districts of the state News Desk

ihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) will soon develop tourism hotspots in all the 38 districts of the state. Addresing the media, Anand Sharma, Managing Director, BSTDC said: “The tourism sector in the state will be developed by identifying hotspots in each district and then developing into a popular tourist destination. There are several avenues in the state which are yet to be explored.” By stressing on promotion and branding of the tourist destinations across the state he said that social media is a very

important platform to reach out to people across the world. “Our department will focus on promotion and branding of the destinations on several other platforms like Instagrame, Twitter and Facebook which will eventually draw the attention of the youths of the state also,” he said. The department will now take special measures to facilitate movement of tourists with disability in popular tourist destinations. Due to lack of basic facilities like specilised toilets and ramps, disabled people are not able to enjoy the place.

five states in the country with regard to tourism hotspots. The infrastructure, civic sense and literacy rate has improved a lot which will also help us to improve our tourism sector as well,” he added.

“Bihar has the potential to get counted among the top

According to him, Bihar has lot of unexplored natural beauty

and historical sites which has been ignored till now. BSTDC will also soon come up with a feedback mechanism including its social media handles where tourists and even residents of the state can give suggestions for improvement and beautification of the spots.

Industry stakeholders suggest measures for the sustainable development of Heritage Tourism in India News Desk

HD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) organized the 8th India Heritage Tourism Conclave with the theme ‘Sustainable Tourism Management at World Heritage Sites’ on 27 March 2019 at WelcomHotel The Savoy, Mussoorie. The programme was supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. Inaugurating the Conclave, Dr. Sanjeev Chopra (IAS), Director, Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, said, “A country as diverse as India is symbolized by the plurality of its culture and heritage. Heritage tourism in India is a real treasure as there are numerous cultural, historical and natural resources. There are immense possibilities of heritage tourism in India. This type of event can prove to be a milestone for increasing the tourism business of the country.” H.E. Chung Kwang Tien, Ambassador, Taipei Economic

12 April 2019

and Cultural Center in India; H.E. Fleming Duarte, Ambassador, Embassy of Paraguay; H.E. Dato Hidayat Abdul Hamid, High Commissioner, High Commission of Malaysia; H.E. Eleonora Dimitrova, Ambassador, Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria; and H.E. Jagdishwar Goburdhun, High CommissionerDesignate, Mauritius High Commission were also present at the programme and shared the heritage tourism potential of their respective countries. PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry and its Knowledge Partner- Auctus Advisors have jointly released a Knowledge Report ‘Sustainable Heritage Tourism in India’. The report gives a holistic view on heritage tourism across the world and in the country. The report says that while growth in Indian tourism needs to be aggressively taken up, the sustainability dimension of tourism also needs to be viewed with equal importance. Radha Bhatia, Chairperson – Tourism Committee, PHDCCI,

said that the ancient past of India has ensured that the present and subsequent generations have abundant of historical and cultural inheritance to be proud of. “The restoration efforts to safeguard valuable heritage assets at government’s end in association with various agencies and organizations are visible at places of historic significance but there are so many places which still stand apart and require immediate attention. Preserving India’s cultural heritage for the enrichment and education of present and future generations is crucial,” she said. Kishore Kumar Kaya, CoChairman – Tourism Committee, PHDCCI welcomed all the

dignitaries and expressed his desire to host more such programmes in future at WelcomHotel The Savoy, Mussoorie. Ruskin Bond, Leading Indian Author; Bill Aitken, Travel Writer and Dinraj Pratap Singh, Owner, Kasmanda Palace were felicitated during the programme. While setting the theme of the Conclave, Rajan Sehgal, CoChairman – Tourism Committee, PHDCCI, said, “India’s World Heritage Tourism Sites have an added advantage for attracting international tourists. Nearly 85% of all visitors to India visit one or the other heritage sites of the country in their course of the vacation."

April 2019 13

AVIATION

AirAsia to fly to Quanzhou, gateway to China’s Fujian Province News Desk

irAsia is set to fly to Quanzhou in Fujian, China with a daily direct service from Kuala Lumpur commencing 1 May 2019. Once one of the world’s biggest ports and the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road, Quanzhou was known to Arab traders as Zaiton and was praised by Marco Polo as the one of the two greatest havens in the world for commerce. Quanzhou remains a melting pot of diverse cultures and religions, and boasts many Buddhist and Hindu temples, mosques and churches, as well as museums celebrating its proud maritime heritage. AirAsia Malaysia CEO Riad Asmat said: “AirAsia has been championing connectivity to secondary cities in China such as Guilin,

Shantou and Nanning. This Kuala LumpurQuanzhou service further grows our footprint of unique destinations in China, and will provide greater accessibility to Malaysian and Chinese travellers. As we continue to expand in China, we look forward to exploring opportunities to connect our other, secondary hubs in Malaysia to China as well.” Must visit attractions in Quanzhou include Kaiyuan Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in Fujian, built over 1,300 years ago; Qingjing Mosque, China’s oldest Arab-style mosque, which was inspired by the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus; Luoyang Bridge, one of the ‘Four Ancient Bridges of China’ that resembles a silver dragon lying above the green water, and many more. Guests can also visit the nearby city of Xiamen, located only 1 hour away by high-speed train.

To celebrate the route launch, AirAsia is offering promotional all-in-fares from RM99*. Book at airasia.com or via the AirAsia mobile app from now until 14 April 2019, for travel from 1 May 2019 to 26 October 2019.

Etihad Airways and Gulf Air signs codeshare agreement In addition to the codeshare signing, both Etihad Guest and Gulf Air Falconflyer loyalty programmes are exploring ways to offer earn and burn opportunities. News Desk

tihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, and Gulf Air, the national airlineof the Kingdom of Bahrain, have signed a codeshare partnership, for travel commencing with the summer schedule. The announcement was made at a signing ceremony held at Etihad Airways Headquarters in Abu Dhabi, attended by Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Aviation Group and Krešimir Kučko, Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Air.

Speaking on the development, Douglas said: “This partnership reinforces Etihad Airways’ commitment to working closer with Gulf Air following the signing of our Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) last year. The signing today is a great example of how two flag carriers can enhance the experience of our guests by providing a greater choice of destinations and world-leading inflight service and Arabian hospitality.” Speaking on the same lines Krešimir Kučko added: “This is a remarkable event for both Gulf Air and Etihad Airways and we take pride in elevating this relationship further with the signing of this codeshare agreement. “Last year, during the Bahrain International Airshow, we signed a cooperation MOU and today we extend this to the next level with this codeshare. Customers of both airlines will now have more options to fly to more destinations and explore new cities across our networks,” he added.

14 April 2019

The agreement will see Etihad place its ‘EY’ code on Gulf Air flights from Bahrain to and from Abu Dhabi, Baghdad, Casablanca, Dhaka, Faisalabad, Larnaca, Malaga,Multan, Najaf, Peshawar, Sailkot and Tbilisi. Gulf Air will place its ‘GF’ code on Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi to and from Bahrain, Brisbane, Chicago O’Hare, Jakarta, Lagos, Los Angeles, Melbourne, New York JFK, Sydney and Washington. Gulf Air currently operates four return daily flights between Bahrain and Abu Dhabi while Etihad currently operates three return daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Bahrain.

AVIATION

Lufthansa Group and Amadeus agree to renew their 30-year technology partnership The Lufthansa Group and Amadeus announce today an agreement to renew their long standing technology partnership. News Desk

hrough the deal, Amadeus’ Altéa Passenger Service System (PSS) will continue to provide Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Swiss International Air Lines with their IT systems for reservation, inventory and departure control. In addition, the Lufthansa Group and Amadeus are also expanding their partnership to add further areas of collaboration. Areas in which Amadeus technology is supporting the Lufthansa Group range from operations and merchandising & shopping to disruptions management. “Amadeus and the Lufthansa Group are two companies, founded in Europe, driving growth and digitalization across the world,” says Dr. RolandSchütz, Executive Vice President Information Management & Lufthansa Group CIO. “Amadeus systems

will continue to support the Lufthansa Group through industry-leading solutions that foster innovation.” “We are very proud to announce an agreement to expand our partnership with Lufthansa Group today,” says Julia Sattel, President, Airlines, Amadeus. “Our partnership is based on a deep mutual understanding and respect, and this agreement is proof of the collaborative, individual approach we take with our customers. Amadeus’ industryleading technology supports the Lufthansa Group to pursue its business goals.” Some of the many areas that Amadeus and the Lufthansa Group are working on together include: Passenger Recovery: SWISS partnered with Amadeus using agile methodology to launch this solution which optimizes and automates the end-to-end transfer of passengers with greater speed and efficiency at times of disruption. Amadeus Passenger Recovery can analyze multiple flight disruptions, considering each traveler's itinerary and their overall value. In its first time in action for SWISS, 100 passengers

were rebooked in just three minutes after their flight was cancelled. Since its launch with SWISS, Passenger Recovery has also been implemented at Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines and is being deployed later this year at Brussels Airlines. Airport Pay: Due to a shared goal to improve the passenger experience at the airport, the Lufthansa Group was Amadeus’ launch partner for Amadeus Airport Pay, which allows passengers to make airports payments regardless of check-in infrastructure. It’s the first wireless payment solution in the industry, which accepts EMV chip card payments and can be used by multiple airlines, ground handlers, and banks. Lufthansa is now rolling out the solution in over 170 airports worldwide. Shopping & Merchandising: Amadeus technology has long-powered Lufthansa’s website and digital channels. One example that is helping drive sales is LufthansaCash & Miles, an innovative solution, which allows passengers to partly pay for flights with miles, by using a sliding scale.

Oman Air launches all new revamped Mobile App The application is iOS and Android smartphones friendly. News Desk

man Air has introduced its revamped mobile application for iOS and Android smartphones allowing its guests to organise and manage their journey on the go. Utilizing the latest innovations in mobile technology, Oman Air’s new app is a userfriendly platform with easy steps, providing guests with inclusive trip management capabilities like flight booking, online checkin, pre-selection of seats, flight status as well as information about Oman Air’s latest offers. The revamped app also enables guests to check their Sindbad miles balance, claim any missing miles, request for redemptions, keep track of tier progress, see their upcoming bookings on Oman Air, and much more. The new app is a one-stop-shop for Oman Air guests to access a number of services conveniently from their handhelds whenever

and wherever they are. The app, which is available in both English and Arabic language versions, is designed to be simple and informative. Furthermore, the app makes it easier than ever to book flights with Oman Air using credit or debit cards. The booking and purchase of tickets is completed in just a couple of clicks or taps on customized screens. Guests who prefer not to download the app can still book and pay for flights, and access all of Oman Air’s web-based services, using the airline’s Mobile website at www.omanair.com Oman Air’s launch of the revamped app is the latest in a series of digital developments at Oman Air which offer even greater convenience for its customers. As the carrier continues to expand with new destination, codeshares and fleet, attracting international acclaim for the quality of products and services, its award-winning digital presence is also ensuring that it is more accessible and responsive to the needs of its guests.

April 2019 15

TECHNOLOGY

Japan Airlines and Travelport agree to launch new joint venture ‘Travelport Axess’ News Desk

apan Airlines and Travelport Worldwide have agreed to form a joint venture to take ownership of Travelport Japan K.K. (Travelport Japan) and JAL’s 100% owned subsidiary, Axess International Network, Inc. (Axess). Under the unified Travelport Axess brand, the joint venture will operate a Global Distribution System (GDS) tailored to the needs of the Japanese travel industry. The proposed joint venture, which will operate under the brand name Travelport Axess, will combine Axess’ expertise in Japan and Travelport’s global technology leadership. Travelport Axess will continue to offer travel agents services through Axess’ GDS platform, “Axess”, and enable access to Travelport’s GDS platforms, Apollo and Galileo. The proposed joint venture will provide online, mobile and corporate travel propositions including global booking and expense management tools as well as access to New Distribution Capability (NDC) content, offering Japanese travel agencies and their customers the best of locally developed products with best in class global connectivity and capabilities.

Yoriyuki Kashiwagi, Japan Airlines’ Executive Officer of International Passenger Sales, said: “We believe that the future of travel will be transformed by technological innovation. I am confident that Travelport Axess, will be able to help Japanese travel agents to respond to growing global demands by offering services based on state-of-the-art technology.” Gordon Wilson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Travelport, commented: “This announcement and our ongoing partnership with Japan Airlines is a significant advance in the provision of state-of-the-art technology for the Japanese travel industry. We are very excited about the growth opportunities it presents for our mutual travel agency customers.” Stephen Shurrock, Travelport’s Chief Commercial Officer added, “Through a forward-thinking combination of Axess’ local expertise and Travelport’s API-based commerce platform technology we’ll bring greater choice and exceptional performance to our Japanese customers and travelers.” Under the planned agreement, Travelport will hold a majority stake in Travelport Axess, with JAL controlling the remaining stake and playing an active role in the joint

venture. Following the signing of a definitive agreement between Travelport and JAL, the new joint venture is expected to be formed on 1st June 2019. Initially, Travelport Japan and Axess will continue to operate independently, with a gradual program of integration to combine the two organizations commencing later this year. Travelport has worked closely with and provided core systems to Axess under technical collaboration arrangements since 2012 and has established a trusted relationship with JAL. JAL is pleased to partner with Travelport in this joint venture due to Travelport’s focus on meeting the needs of its travel agency customers, demonstrating JAL’s strong commitment to continue to work closely with Japan’s travel agents. For Travelport, this joint venture will strengthen its position in Japan’s growing international travel industry[1]. Travelport Axess will benefit from a team of Japanbased service agents and product specialists uniquely able to deliver products tailored to customer needs. Through combining the strengths of the two companies, Travelport Axess aims to build a strong position and plans to become the leading GDS provider in Japan.

Hahn Air distributes Airbus’ corporate shuttle service in Amadeus News Desk

ahn Air enables the booking of Airbus’ corporate shuttle flights in Amadeus under the Hahn Air Lines designator HR. Tickets can be issued by Airbus’ travel agents on the Hahn Air HR-169

ticket. All Airbus corporate shuttle flights are exclusively offered for Airbus staff. Hahn Air serves as the validating and marketing carrier, while the flights are operated by three other European carriers. They currently offer a total of five connections: Between Hamburg-Finkenwerder (XFW) and Toulouse (TLS), between Chester (CEG) and Toulouse via Bristol (BRS), as well as between Augsburg (AGB) and Marseille (MRS). Hahn Air provides Airbus with a complete distribution and handling package, including displaying the inventory in the GDS, booking and ticketing processes, reporting and passenger handling at all relevant airports.

16 April 2019

“As we have the know-how and the systems’ infrastructure in place, it is only a logical next step for us to support corporations and make their intra-company flights available in the GDSs”, says Mathieu Montmessin, Vice President Product & Airline Distribution. “Since 1999, Hahn Air has specialised in offering indirect distribution solutions for airlines of any business model. As the market leader in the industry, we are facilitating ticket sales between airlines and 100,000 travel agencies in 190 markets. Our connectivity to all major GDSs and almost all BSPs worldwide and our network of interline partners, which is the largest in the world, makes us the natural choice for intracompany shuttle flight distribution. We are pleased and honoured to be able to announce this new partnership with Airbus,” he added.

April 2019 17

NTO

Celebrate the Tung Blossom Festival in Taiwan This tie- up is aimed at providing Indian agents, a diversified product for Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and South Africa, at value pricing. News Desk

ome 30 March to 19 May, travellers to Taiwan can immerse themselves in a magical floral fantasy as millions of Tung blossoms burst into full bloom, carpeting the hills and fields in the countryside in a vast sea of white. During the Tung Blossom Festival, visitors can enjoy viewing tours around the Hakka village and take part in a grand ceremony conducted by the Council for Hakka Affairs to worship the three Mountain Gods, who are the people’s guardian spirits. The ceremony not only offers thanks and respect to the mountains and forests, but also serves to encourage the people, exhorting them to respect the law, be solemn and holy,

devout in their prayers and cherish the roots of their culture. Once an important cash crop for the Hakka people; Tung trees were widely planted in the mountainous regions in the Hakka area, bringing many economic opportunities to local communities. The Hakka people, who lived a simple, hardworking life nurtured by ancient wisdoms passed to them by their ancestors, would extract Tung tree oil from seeds and use its wood as a basic material in producing consumer goods. The tree has helped many a family make ends meet, and is thus the main reason that the Hakka have a deep, heartfelt gratitude for it, the mountains and nature in general. The Tung tree undergoes different stages throughout the year. In April and May, as the Tung Blossom Festival kicks into action, its flowers come into full bloom and are a beautiful snow white. In summer, green leaves sprout from its branches, autumn

turns all its leaves yellow, while tree sheds all its leaves in winter. Throughout their history, the Hakka people’s movements and activities have often mirrored these seasons, moving from their homes as winter sets in and daily living gets tough. Yet, these people have nevertheless held on firmly to their traditions. Though people’s livelihoods are no longer dependent on the Tung tree today, the Tung Blossom Festival has enjoyed great popularity, as travellers frequently come by each spring to witness the countryside decked out in dreamy white hues.

Destination DC conducts sales mission to promote new developments & offerings

With 32% increase in tourist visits, India becomes fourth largest source market for Destination DC. News Desk

estination DC (DDC), the official destination marketing organization for Washington, DC, conducted a sales and media mission in India from April 1-5, 2019 to promote the new tourism developments and unique offerings of the district in partnership with the Capital Region USA (CRUSA) and Washington Dulles International Airport. The delegation visited Mumbai, Ahmedabad and New Delhi, connecting with over 300 travel partners. “With a 32 percent increase in visitation, India has proven to be one of our most successful growth markets, ranking fourth globally. We see immense potential among Indian travellers. Through this roadshow, we aim to establish strong partnerships and continue to market not only the key attractions in the city, but also its dynamic neighborhoods that reflect the ‘DC Cool’ brand,” said Elliott

18 April 2019

L. Ferguson, II, President and CEO of Destination DC.

“Our recently added dedicated representation led by Indiva Marketing reinforces our commitment to reach additional Indian travellers,” he added. India is city’s fourth overseas market with 135,000 visitors in 2017. The National Cherry Blossom Festival (held from March 20 – April 14) was the theme of the sales mission. More than 1.5 million visitors descend upon Washington, DC every year to admire the 3,000 cherry blossom trees in full bloom. The festival celebrates 107 years of enduring friendship between the people of the United States and Japan. Apart from iconic monuments and memorials embellishing the National Mall, Washington, DC offers insight to the culture and history of the District through its neighborhoods. DC boasts one of the nation’s greatest collections of riverfront communities including Georgetown and the newly developed Wharf in Southwest. DC’s new tourism campaign, ‘Discover the Real DC’ (view campaign video) is born from the organization’s desire

to convey the authentic DC experiences that you can have in these areas and beyond. New hotel inventory, attractions, renovations are a draw, with $11.2 billion in development underway. There are 18 hotels in the pipeline adding 3,987 rooms to the city, including recently opened Conrad Washington, DC and Hilton Washington DC National Mall, anticipated to open in April 2019. The International Spy Museum moves to L’Enfant Plaza on May 12 and the Washington Monument reopens this spring. The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History’s “Fossil Hall” reopens in June.

NTO

Monaco Tourism appoints Antognelli as President, Camia as Deputy Director News Desk

new team has been appointed, as head of the Monaco Government Tourist & Convention Authority. Guy Antognelli, former Deputy Director becomes the new President of Monaco Tourism and Sandrine Camia, who has been serving as head of the Monaco Convention Bureau for the past seven years, becomes Deputy Director. After a post-graduating in Finance Engineering at Nice-Sophia-Antipolis University, Guy Antognelli started his career in a Monegasque subsidiary of a Swiss private bank, first in the back office then in the risk management and internal audit department. During the next 10 years, he contributed to the development of an insurance company in Monaco, managing high end client portfolios using his financial expertise as well as his social skills. In 2011, he has been appointed Head of Statistics Department of Monaco Government Tourist & Convention Authority. He has contributed to the development of this service and has extended his field of action to strategic and competitive intelligence. In

2015 he took the position of Deputy Director and worked in closed cooperation with all services for promoting and developing tourism in the Principality.

While elaborating on his appointment as President, Antognelli said: “This appointment is recognition of my work and a statement of trust from the Government. I especially look forward to working with the team who is dedicated to promote the destination and has achieved great results over the past years.” “My aim is to lead all missions of Monaco Government Tourist & Convention Authority to ensure a high level of tourism throughout the year and maximize the economic benefits for the destination. We have always been working closely with all partners in the Principality’s tourism sector. We must deploy innovative tools within the framework defined for the promotion of the destination, in order to improve the good results of tourism in the Principality,” he added. Sandrine Camia who has been promoted as Deputy Director, cpmes with a strong experience in tourism. She has been working for 20 years for luxury hotel brands

including Hotel Lutetia in Paris and Hotel Martinez in Cannes, which were then both properties of Taittinger Family. She held the position of Director of Sales, Marketing and Communication for two independent luxury hotels, Hotel Royal Riviera in Saint-Jean CapFerrat and Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo. In 2011, she was appointed head of Monaco Convention Bureau and has been in charge of the promotion and development of MICE, while implementing new communication and marketing tools and ensuring the loyalty of the best customers.

Qatar Visa Center inaugurated in New Delhi, six more soon

QVC’s in Mumbai, Kochi, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Chennai and Kolkata will be operational shortly. News Desk

n order to provide better facilities for the Indian community and further strengthening the distinguished relations between the two nations, State of Qatar inaugrated the Qatar Visa Center at New Delhi followed by six more QVC’s in different cities of the country. The large number of Indian expatriates, travelling to the State of Qatar for work and tourism will benefit through these centers, which will facilitate smooth and hassle-free recruitment process and ensure speedy completion of procedures to obtain the visas and residence permits for the State of Qatar. At the new Qatar Visa Center, work visa applicants for the State of Qatar will be able to sign on work contracts digitally, enroll their biometrics and undergo mandatory medical test all under one-roof, thus saving time and

making it hassle free for the applicants. The move to get work visa applicants to complete the most essential and critical part of their visa processes in the country of origin (India in this case) is aimed at guaranteeing prospective employees their rights in a manner consistent with the best international standards. Mandated by the Ministry of Interior, State of Qatar, Qatar Visa Center was inaugurated by His Excellency Mohammed Khater Al Khater, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of India in New Delhi. The opening ceremony was attended by Major Abdullah Khalifa Al Mohannadi, Director of Department of Visa Support Services, Ministry of Interior of the State of Qatar. The Ambassador of the State of Qatar in India, H. E. Mohammed Khater Al Khater, stressed that the State of Qatar, under the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, has witnessed a speedy growth and development over the past years and the

Indian community in the State of Qatar has contributed significantly in the development process. “As part of Qatar’s willingness to facilitate the work process and protect the rights of expatriates, Qatar Visa Centers will be opened in a number of countries which include India,” said Major Abdullah Khalifa Al Mohannadi, Director of Visa Support Services Dept at the Ministry of the Interior, Doha, Qatar. The visa center is in sync with international standards guaranteeing greater transparency, traceability and improved anti-fraud measures and security screening mechanisms for the visa applicants. The center will operate between 08:30 am to 04:30 pm from Monday to Friday.

April 2019 19

NTO

Fourth time in raw India continues third largest market for Singapore News Desk

ingapore welcomed more than one million Indian travellers in 2018, reinforcing it as one of the most preferred destinations for Indian outbound travel. The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) announced that India retained its third position, after China and Indonesia, as a Visitors Arrival (VA) source market for Singapore, having first gaining that spot in 2017. It recorded the second highest growth at 13%, after USA (14%). While key metro cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai continue to contribute the highest number of visitors to Singapore - 498,000 travelers in 2018, a yearon-year (YOY) increase of 8%, STB’s efforts to engage other key metros and secondary cities resulted in them providing good growth in visitorship. These cities, including Hyderabad, Kolkata Pune, Amritsar, Coimbatore and Visakhapatnam contributed 253,000 travelers in 2018, a YOY growth of 12%. Singapore received 160,000 cruise holiday makers from India in 2018, a 27% YOY increase, making India remain as the top cruise travel source market for Singapore. Up till third quarter 2018, Singapore had welcomed two million BTMICE global

visitors, a 14% YOY increase. From India, Singapore continued to draw a high number of meetings & incentive (M&I) travel groups in 2018, including from prominent corporates like Amway India and Voltas. The year 2018 was an eventful year for STB in the Indian market. It promoted the destination brand ‘Passion Made Possible’ vigorously and presented Singapore’s diverse offerings to audiences across India families, early & established careers, cruise travellers, meetings and incentive groups and travellers from Tier 2 & 3 cities. It embarked on several creative consumer engagement initiatives like the first-ever English music video collaboration by an international tourism agency in India with Vh1, marketing partnerships with high consumer-touch brands Paytm and Ola and a music promotional association with Maestro Ilaiyaraaja targeting the South India market. The STB also undertook intensive travel trade outreach efforts across 21 cities to connect with travel intermediaries promoting Singapore holidays. GB Srithar, Regional Director SAMEA (South Asia, Middle East and Africa), STB said, “We are grateful to all our partners who promoted Singapore actively in 2018, making us welcome a record 1.44 million

visitors from India. With Singapore’s diverse sightseeing and attraction offerings, array of exciting events and year-round festivals and celebrations catering to the different passion points of travelers, we look forward to welcoming more visitors from India to experience Singapore in 2019.” Visitors will have many reasons to visit and revisit Singapore in 2019. The city will celebrate the much-anticipated opening of Jewel Changi Airport on April 17th. The 10-storey complex will be home to more than 280 shops and food and beverage (F&B) outlets. A five-storey garden with more than 2,000 trees and 100,000 shrubs, with two walking trails and a 40m-high Rain Vortex - the world's tallest indoor waterfall will delight visitors.

Seychelles Tourism Board launches global advertising campaign There are two versions of the film the master three minute film will be used for promotion across B2B platforms whereas two 30 seconds versions have been created for digital and television promotion. News Desk

eychelles Tourism Board has launched its global advertising campaign film that will be showcased across traditional and digital mediums in the India market. The film is a first of its kind initiative of Seychelles Tourism Board, India Office and is directed and developed by digital content creators –TheVibe. The film captures the essence of Seychelles and highlights diverse aspects of the destination. Speaking about this recent development on the Indian market, Sherin Francis,

20 April 2019

STB Chief Executive mentioned that the collaboration with TheVibe has been an opportunity to maximize on the destination’s visibility on the Indian market.

mélange of all these aspects which will appeal to young audiences; while helping to boost footfalls in the coming months, “she added.

“Seychelles remains amongst one of the dream destinations for wedding and honeymooners and our marketing efforts as STB is to carry on promoting Seychelles aggressively in the Indian market and in countries around the world. The film’s international appeal showcases the beauty of this country beyond its beaches,” said Francis.

Lubaina Sheerazi, COO, Blue Square Consultants, Seychelles Tourist Office – India further added, “The film is a big development for us, as it is an initiative from the India market which will be used for global distribution and promotional purposes. We believe this will facilitate our trade partners to reach out to their audiences and highlight the varied adventurous experiences Seychelles has to offer.

“An increasing number of young couples have been opting for destinations that offer more than just relaxation on their honeymoon. Our aspiration is for our guests to indulge in the recreational activities of their choice and create memories of a lifetime. We believe that this new film has put together an interesting

“We are also delighted to say that Seychelles received 13,901 tourists from India in 2018, retaining India’s position as the top 6th source market for the tourism board,” informed Sheerazi.

NTO

Tourism Australia launches incentive for qualified Aussie Specialists

Nishant Kashikar, Country Manager, India & Gulf said, “Tourism Australia were the first National Tourism Organisation to pioneer an online training program exclusively for the Indian travel trade, and over the years we have kept reinventing the wheel by refreshing the content and enhanced the quality of the program.”

Applications for frontline travel sellers from India are open now until April 28 and the announcement of the winner will be made by midMay 2019. News Desk

n a unique, industry-first initiative, Tourism Australia has launched an exclusive incentive for qualified Aussie Specialists to become ‘Aussie Specialist Ambassadors’. As a part of this program, one winner from India will join a bespoke trip to the land Down Under in June 2019, and share their incredible Aussie experiences with other international travel sellers. Speaking about this latest project, Tourism Australia’s Managing Director, John O’Sullivan said, “Frontline travel sellers are a critical part of the travel distribution system and the new Aussie Specialist Ambassador initiative is all about peer-topeer advocacy. We want these Aussie Specialist Ambassadors

Nishant Kashikar Country Manager India & Gulf Tourism Australia

to experience why there’s truly nothing like Australia and have a fantastic time experiencing our world-class tourism products and share their enthusiasm and insights with other travel sellers in their home market.” “We hope the content created by the Ambassadors will help other Aussie Specialists improve their product knowledge, encourage more frontline travel sellers to sign up to the program and ultimately help more people book their Australian holidays,” he added.

“Aussie Specialist Ambassador is the latest initiative to recognise the efforts of those who have been passionately promoting our country and have helped us realise our tourism goals. In addition to these schemes, qualified Aussie Specialist Agents also gain access to bespoke training modules and sales resources, travel offers from Australian operators, invitation to attend exclusive Tourism Australia events, regular product updates, face to face trainings, and can participate in online training webinars,” he added.

Parisian Gourmet Festival Returns News Desk

he Parisian Macao has launched its second Parisian Gourmet Festival, a celebration of superb French food, wine and entertainment taking place at the Eiffel Tower’s Observation Deck (Level 7) Wednesday to Sunday from 4 p.m. until late, from now until June 9, 2019. With al fresco wining and dining set under the iconic Eiffel Tower, the Parisian Gourmet Festival is a celebration of all things French. Guests can also enjoy Parisian ‘Streetmosphere’ entertainment

and live music throughout the evening while taking in the stunning views of Sands® Cotai Strip.

The authentic festival provides an extensive food and beverage menu. Visitors will love the delectable waffles, which elevate the humble snack to something special. Other culinary highlights include freshly-shucked oysters, aperitif platters, flambéed skewers and a range of wine and Champagne. Mark McWhinnie, Senior Vice President of Resort Operations and Development, Sands China Ltd. said: “The Parisian Macao offers an authentic sense of French joie de vivre right here in Macao and the Parisian Gourmet

Festival at our Eiffel Tower will again give guests and visitors a genuine taste of French café culture with wonderful food, exciting live entertainment and panoramic views of Sands Cotai Strip and Macao.” Parisian Gourmet Festival

Date: March 29 – June 9, 2019 (blackout date April 13) Time: Wed, Thur and Sun – 4-10 p.m. Fri and Sat – 4 p.m.-midnight Venue: Level 7, Eiffel Tower, The Parisian Macao (Enter via Eiffel Tower Souvenir Shop on Level 5) Admission: Free

Amsterdam appoints Geerte as New Director News Desk

eerte Udo will be the Director for Amsterdam & Partners. Udo was already on the management team and was responsible for strategy and research. Anita Nijboer, Chair of the Supervisory Board, said: “This broad management role, with ultimate responsibility, is well suited to Geerte. She has a great passion for the Amsterdam

Metropolitan Area and all its stakeholders. She has vision, carries it out, can connect and knows how to innovate. Geerte has the necessary support and trust internally and externally. All these things made us unanimously decide to appoint her to this role.” Geerte Udo (45) studied Public Administration at the University of Leiden. After her studies, she started as a consultant at the consultancy firm Twijnstra Gudde (2000). She advised on issues which were often related to partnerships and change management in the public sector. In 2006 she moved to Amsterdam Partners and in 2013 she joined the management team of the then Amsterdam Marketing, the current amsterdam&partners. From an early age Udo has had a love for art, culture and good food. She has lived in Amsterdam for 20 years.

April 2019 21

DESTINATION

Amsterdam Ten reasons to visit in summer Amsterdam is a city for all seasons. Come wind, rain, snow or shine, there’s always something to do and see. But never is Amsterdam more alive than in the summer, when the city’s streets, canals and parks transform into a buzzing kaleidoscope of activity. Whereabouts brings more on this fascinating destination. News Desk

msterdam is the capital of Netherlands, known for its artistic heritage, elaborate canal system and narrow houses with gabled facades, and legacies of the city’s 17th-century Golden Age. Its Museum District houses the Van Gogh Museum, works by Rembrandt and Vermeer at the Rijksmuseum, and modern art at the Stedelijk. Cycling is key to the city’s character, and there are numerous bike paths. The Netherlands, a country in northwestern Europe, is known for a flat landscape of canals, tulip fields, windmills and cycling routes. Find out top ten reasones to visit Amsterdam in summer.

Perfect summer destination Whether you want to party all day long at a festival, lounge on the beach, explore the canals by boat, or barbecue in the park, there is an endless choice of things to do in Amsterdam during the warmer months. Here are just a few reasons why the Dutch capital is the perfect summer destination.

22 April 2019

DESTINATION

Festival happening every weekend

Swim in the open air

You could say that Amsterdam is a little bit festival mad. More than 300 festivals take place each year in and around the city – the bulk of these happening in the summer months. So no matter when you visit, there’s bound to be something going on. From huge dance music events to foodie festivals and cultural carnivals, Amsterdam’s festival agenda spans all tastes and genres.

The Dutch are very proud of their clean water, and come summer time you will find locals stripping off and jumping in at every opportunity for an alfresco dip. Many of the city’s recreational areas like Sloterplas, Amsterdamse Bos, Gasperplas and Het Twiske have ample spots for swimming (some with showers and changing rooms too), or head to one of the city’s many urban beaches on a hot day.

Take your barbecue to the park

Cinema on a beach or a rooftop

While the rules in other countries around barbecuing in public can be a little hazy, in Amsterdam it’s okay to get out your sausages and light up a BBQ in the park. Only in certain parks though; so check this handy map for a guide to which Amsterdam parks allow barbecues. However, as of 2017 barbecues are no longer permitted in Vondelpark, though Westerpark and Oosterpark make excellent alternatives.

Beginning in July and typically running through to September, a selection of Amsterdam institutions take the world of celluloid outdoors, mixing up film classics with new releases and setting them against a backdrop of some of Amsterdam’s top scenic sights. So choose a deckchair, snuggle up with a blanket and get ready to enjoy some great cinema in the great outdoors. Find open-air cinemas in Amsterdam.

Many terraces to enjoy For a city which is pretty cold a lot of the time, Amsterdam really does do a good line in al fresco drinking and dining. As soon as the sun comes out (and often when it doesn’t), Amsterdam’s bars and restaurants take things outdoors, and locals and visitors alike flock to enjoy a drink in the sunshine. From bohemian beaches to swish rooftops, Amsterdam is brimming with fantastic terraces .

Dine in a pop-up restaurant on a secret island For a limited time during the summer, adventurous diners can take a boat to a nearby deserted island and enjoy a four-course meal in a specially constructed greenhouse. The pop-up restaurant experience on Vuurtoreneiland is a popular culinary draw, so be sure to book in advance.

April 2019 23

DESTINATION Free to be who you want to be Taking over the streets, canals, bars, clubs, restaurants and everywhere in between, Amsterdam Gay Pride is one of the most famous Pride celebrations in the world. Find out more about what to expect during Amsterdam Gay Pride. You can go to the theatre in the park for free. From May to September, an open air-theatre in the middle of the Vondelpark hosts performances of dance, music, cabaret, comedy and children’s events every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It’s totally free (although donations will not be discouraged).

Amsterdam boasts an impressive public transport network including metros, buses, trams, ferries and trains to help you get around the capital. Save money on travel with the I amsterdam City Card, which offers unlimited use of the GVB public transport system for 24, 48 or 72 hours. And before you see the sights, you can plan your journey with the excellent apps designed to help you find your way around the city.

I amsterdam City Card Make your visit to Amsterdam easy and affordable with the I amsterdam City Card. You’ll save at least €50 on access to the city’s top attractions, public transport and much more.

Visit 70+ major museums & attractions: See more of Amsterdam with free access to the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Artis Zoo and much more. Take public transportation: Enjoy unlimited use of public transportation in Amsterdam (bus, tram & metro) while your City Card is active. Cruise the canals: Discover the city’s historic sites from the water with a free cruise.

Beach holiday in Amsterdam It may not be the first place you think of when you envisage a beach holiday, but just half an hour from Amsterdam by train are the popular beach resorts of Bloemendaal aan Zee and Zandvoort aan Zee. Boasting vast expanses of golden sands to bask upon, plenty of watersports to try plus loads of beachfront cafes and bars, the two towns make a perfect summertime day trip out of the city.

Party with the animals For a night out with big cats and jungle dwellers, head to ARTIS Royal Zoo’s late night event Zoomeravonden (summer nights) on Saturdays in June, July and August. Have a picnic, watch performances and take a twilight tour of the zoo.

Getting around Amsterdam Amsterdam is a world-class international transport hub and there are countless ways of getting into the city. Many travellers fly into the award-winning Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, while hopping on a train is also a great option.

Useful Amsterdam apps In addition to the I Amsterdam City Guide apps, there are a number of other apps that will make your trip to Amsterdam easier, more informative and more fun. Plan your night out, check your flights, find the nearest tram, take a historical tour and more with the apps listed below. GVB app 9292ov app

Weather at a glance Summers in Amsterdam are generally warm with occasional colder periods, while Amsterdam winters are fairly cold with rain, wind and some snow. Occasionally temperatures can dip to below freezing in winter. Rain can be expected throughout the entire year, with spring generally being the driest season. Many people prefer to visit Amsterdam in spring or summer months (May to September), although winter in Amsterdam has its own magic, when the canals glow in fairy lights and the city’s cosy pubs and restaurants offer solace from the weather outside. Warmest month in Amsterdam: August Coolest month in Amsterdam: January Wettest month in Amsterdam: November Driest month in Amsterdam: April

24 April 2019

April 2019 25

HOSPITALITY

Swosti Premium certified as Five Star Hotel To host various weddings, seminars and meetings, there are state-of-art lush outdoor venues, banquet halls and conference rooms that provide excellent corner to plan a successful event. News Desk

wosti Premium – A Luxury Hotel in Bhubaneshwar, after renovation and upgradation of its infrastructure, services and standards, has now been certified as a 5-Star Hotel by the Ministry of Tourism,Government of India. The hotel strives to make the experience of its patrons comfortable by offering spacious suites, furnished with ultra-modern facilities. There are different categories of luxury accommodation available to suite specific needs from the luxury business suite, executive suite, premium, and deluxe; guest will find comfortable amenities wellappointed rooms. Again, to host various weddings, seminars and meetings, there are state-of-art lush

outdoor venues, banquet halls and conference rooms that provide excellent corner to plan a successful event. When it comes to varied yet simple cuisine, guest can check-out the finest restaurant and delectable food prepared by experienced and professional chefs. They can get a fine taste to bud with the authentic dishes of the fresh seafood from coast, or the fresh produced from gardens. Swosti Premium has some of the best city showcasing cuisines like Odia, Chinese, South India, North Indian, Italian, etc. As the hotels in Bhubaneswar takes utmost concern about your titbits, you can arm yourself to its delicacies and enjoy your recreation or business programmes at ease. Fully equipped gym, largest swimming pool, Scottish-themed bar, in-house laundry, wellness spa, wireless internet. While commenting on the achievement, J K Mohanty, MHCIMA, CMD, Swosti Group said: “I convey my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all esteemed patrons of Swosti

Group for consistently choosing us over others and continue to find happiness in our services.” “Today with facilities like the largest state of the art Convention venue in the State of Odisha with seven different types of banquet halls, we offer the most varied services that you have come to expect from us,” he added. The hotel is just 7.9 km. from the Bhubaneswar International airport and 7 k.m. from the Bhubaneswar Railway Station.

Marriott international launches food truck – marriott on wheels Over a span of a 40 days, this food truck will be seen cruising across six cities covering 6761 kms in the country. News Desk

ommencing its journey from Mumbai, the Marriott food truck will be seen travelling across six destinations in India, serving its patrons signature dishes and local favourites from Marriott properties in the respective cities. The food truck was flagged off in Mumbai on April 04, 2019 by Craig Smith, President and Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Marriott International and Neeraj Govil, Area Vice President, South Asia, Marriott International along with actor and producer Saif Ali Khan. Cruising through the cities of Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Lucknow, Pune, Madurai and Kochi, this food truck will be covering a distance of 6761 km over 40 days. Through this initiative, Marriott International Inc. aspires to manifest on the F&B strength of its Select Serve Brands - Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield by Marriott, Four Points by Sheraton and Aloft Hotels. Spending two days in each city, Marriott on Wheels will be stationed at some of the most popular hubs, such as, Food Truck

26 April 2019

Park in Ahmedabad, Sahara Market Plaza in Lucknow and Info Park in Kochi.Upon its arrival in the city, an Executive chef from a Marriott property will be present on-board, serving a limited time menu, specially curated for the food truck. Some of the dishes served on-board would include Mutton tikka quesadillas which will be available in Amritsar, Karaikudi chicken wings in Madurai and Kosha mangshokathi roll in Pune to name a few. Commenting on the launch of Marriott on Wheels, Neeraj Govil, Area Vice President, South Asia, Marriott International Inc. said, “Over the years, Marriott International Inc. has amplified its dominance in the F&B space with the help of chefs who have tremendous experience and skill. With culinary experiences driving the focus for Marriott this year, the launch of Marriott on Wheels is yet another initiative that showcases our strength and leadership in the F&B industry.” As part of Marriott International’s commitment of reducing environmental impacts, eco-friendly items such as containers made of bagasse and glass water bottles will be used on-board Marriott on Wheels. This will be implemented not just in Mumbai but also across all the other six

cities where the food truck will be present. Sustainability increasingly plays into requested experiences, as more guests are looking to create a positive impact in local communities and Marriott International will remain committed to maintain a sustainable environment through all the initiatives.

Schedule for Marriott on Wheels April 07 – 08, 2019: Ahmedabad, Ahmedabad Food Truck Park |Mondal Heights April 13 – 14, 2019: Amritsar, Ranjit Avenue C Block | Kabir Parikh Market April 18 – 19, 2019: Lucknow, Metro Apartment| Sahara Plaza Market April 30 – 01 May 2019: complex | Kalavasal

Madurai,

HCL

May 05 – 06, 2019: Kochi, Lulu Mall | Infopark May 14 – 15, 2019: Pune, EON | Mariplex

HOSPITALITY

Sarovar signs another project in Ghaziabad ubder Portico brand The 52 keys Sarovar Portico is expected to be launched by 2021

day dining restaurant, Rooftop Gymnasium, Swimming pool.

News Desk

Commenting on the development, Anil Madhok, Executive Chairman, Sarovar Hotels & Resorts, said: “In order to maximize further growth and expansion opportunities, we are delighted to consolidate on our presence in Delhi NCR. With the opening of Sarovar Portico, we aim to cater to these markets by offering best value to business and leisure travellers in sync with Sarovar’s signature hospitality.”

his will be Sarovar’s eighth property in Uttar Pradesh. The other hotels of the group are in Agra, Vrindavan, Lucknow, Jhansi and a recently signed hotel in Greater Noida West. The home to the new property – Ghaziabad is known as the gateway to Uttar Pradesh, and an emerging hub for various industries, upscale shopping malls and foremost educational institutions. Sarovar Portico upon completion in 2021 will have 52 tastefully designed rooms including suites. All rooms boast of contemporary décor and smartly equipped with comprehensive range of modern amenities. Its prime location and spacious banqueting facility make it an ideal venue to hold business meeting & conference, social functions etc. Other facilities include an all-

Headed by a team of industry veterans, the Company manages 80 operational hotels in 50 destinations in India and overseas, under Sarovar Premiere, Sarovar Portico, Hometel brands. The brands cover the 3, 4 and 5 star spectrum. Sarovar Hotels also operates Corporate Hospitality Services division with the management of services at various prestigious Business Schools.

Cocoon Maldives gets Tree of Light installed at the resort The artwork has been exhibited in the iconic nighttime scenes of the Oscar awarded movie ‘The Great Beauty’ which was directed in Rome by the Italian Director Paolo Sorrentino. News Desk

mulating the Oscar awarded movie, “The Great Beauty”, the art piece, ‘Tree of Light’, which has been designed by Tomaso Schiaffino, Bellaria Design Art Director, will be installed in Cocoon Maldives resort. The very first and only design hotel in the Maldives, this artwork will be the perfect complement with Cocoon’s naturalistic and breathtaking scenery, as part of an innovation says Alessandro Azzola, Managing Director of Cocoon Maldives.

RCI announces affiliation with Tathastu Resort News Desk

CI the holiday exchange company and part of the Wyndham Destinations family of brands announced its affiliation with the Tathastu Resort, Nagpur. On the affiliation, Sabina Chopra, Managing Director, RCI India said: “We are very excited about this new affiliation as we believe this property will attract many domestic and international members who want to enjoy the Indian wildlife experience. “We look forward to working closely with them to continue to build new and innovative programs that will provide increased flexibility, benefits and opportunities for their owners and our members,’ she added.’

On behalf of Tathastu, Gaurav Agarwala said: ‘’ It was an easy decision to partner with RCI as it brings with it a great business opportunity. Our ‘dare-to-be-different’ approach & multiple activity options, combined with personalized services will surely provide memorable holiday experiences to all member guests. With this alliance, we believe Tathastu Resort is positioned for growth in the coming years and to serve many more customers both domestic and inbound.” Nagpur being India’s geographical center provides just 4 hours from your home to the resort proximity including 90 minutes flying time from any city and 90 minutes driving time from airport to resort. This certainly makes it a perfect getaway from the hustlebustle of city and to soak in the exotic beauty of nature. Located just 90 km from Nagpur, Tathastu offers unbelievable wildlife experiences. It is situated in the buffer of the Pench Tiger Reserve, which is spread across 785 sq km including the birth place of ‘Mowgli’. It has 5 different safari zones including Night Safari.

The resort has been furnished in a tasteful contemporary Italian style by leading design company, Lago. The project is inspired by Tomaso Schiaffino, Art Director of Bellaria Design, an individual who focuses on innovation and unique design. ‘Tree of Light’ is made up of real lighting installations that took two years to design due to its sophistication. Each model requires 85 custom parts and the lastest-gen LEDs. The result is a beautiful and simple structure which had been built to impress. Speaking on this, Alessandro Azzola further said: “I was stunned by the creativity, simple and yet sophisticated. Hence I immediately envision that it would be perfect addition to complement Cocoon Maldives and will become one of the Iconic unmissable tourist’s attractions.”

April 2019 27

HOSPITALITY

Pride Resort & Convention Centre Rajkot opens for guest The resort offers wonderful settings for Pre-wedding shoots, Destination weddings, Pool Parties and sunset point brunches. News Desk

he Pride Group of Hotels, which manages 14 Hotels and Resorts across the country announces the inclusion of Pride Resort and Convention Centre Rajkot as the 15th property under the Pride Umbrella. The resort is conveniently located on Rataiya Road, Ishwariya, Rajkot. Announcing the launch, SP Jain, Managing Director, Pride Hotels Ltd. says, “This is also our third property in the State of Gujarat. We are extremely upbeat on the growth prospects in the region having successfully managed our properties in Ahmedabad and Vadodara.” “The city of Rajkot has seen steady growth in inflow of travelers from India and across the world. Pride Resort Rajkot with its imposing ambience, banqueting& conferencing

facilities and host of hospitality services will appeal to guests looking for the ideal destination for Business Meets, MICE, Theme Weddings and Leisure,” he added. Located in a serene ambience surrounded by lush greenery, the hotel offers 99 spacious rooms that encompass 31 Deluxe rooms, 31 Executive rooms, 31 Premium rooms and 6 Suite rooms. The guest rooms are stylishly designed with a luxurious ambience. The facilities include a Specialty Restaurant with global culinary choices, 24-hours room service, fully equipped business center, Banquet& conference Halls, Travel Desk, four lavish green party lawns and dedicated parking areas. Guests can relish a magnificent culinary journey that spans diverse gastronomic options and Gujarati cuisines at Casablanca restaurant. The Pool Café offers a choice of mocktails and open buffet while Café Pride is the ideal meeting point for great coffees. Culture Lounge offers a great variety of

delicious cuisines. It is the ideal place to meet, greet and crack business deals. It is well connected through Rail, Road and Air to all major cities. Pride Resort and Convention Centre Rajkot will bring in a True Indian Touch in the Hospitality Industry in the City and will soon become the preferred venue for leisure & business travelers, conventions and events. The Pride Hotels manage & operate 15 hotels having more than 2200 rooms, 40 restaurants & 60 banquet halls. The company plans to unveil properties at Gangtok (2019) for Pride Resorts and Bangalore (2020) for Pride Biznotel. Besides these Pride Group of Hotels is planning major expansions nationally with properties planned in Guwahati, Goa, Panipat and Nashik.

India Sales Associates to represent Furaveri Island Resort & Spa in India market News Desk

uraveri Island Resort & Spa enters in Indian market through a representation agreement with India Sales Associates.

Regarded as a Truly Maldivian resort with modern facilities, Furaveri Island Resort & Spa is the perfect getaway in Maldives. Expansive green landscape in 23 hectors, overlooking a white sandy beach and panoramic ocean views are the setting for a relaxing holiday in the most beautiful surroundings. “Whether you are an adventurer seeking the underwater experience, an explorer looking for a remote exotic island or a fishing enthusiast ready for the big catch,” said Manas Sinha, Director, India Sales Associates. “Led by one of the Maldives most celebrated chef, resort is geared to serve the authentic Indian cuisine and Jain meals, aside the wide variety of International and specialty Fusion Asian and Casual Mexican cuisine,” he added. “To enable our travel partners,to promote this resort effectively, the launch offers

28 April 2019

include a very attractively priced ‘Thohar Package’, in which a 3-nights package starts from USD 1,700 per coupleinclusive of Half Board stay and return Seaplane transfers. Our DMC partners are ready with these packages to support the travel companies for honeymoon and family bookings. Guests can chose 3nights, 4 nights and longer package stays,” he further informed. With well-appointed accommodation, delectable dining, rejuvenating spa therapies and pristine beaches, Furaveri Island Resort offers a blend of Maldives beautiful natural splendor with evening entertainment including Starlight Cinema, Karaoke, Traditional BoduBeru Band, Live Music, DJ Night’s, Cultural events and world class facilities to ensure a truly wonderful stay for every guest. Furaveri Island Resort & Spa features 107 units of variety of stay options from Garden Villas to Beach Pool Villas, Water Villas and unique Dhoni Pool Villas (The design is inspired by the traditional Maldivian fishing boat locally called “Dhoni”) to Two Bedroom Water Suite with private pools. Also it boasts

of 4 different restaurants and a bar, one main pool with separate children pool and a large kids club. Furaveri Island Resort & Spa is located 151 kilometers (95 miles) north from Malé International Airport, is accessible by direct scenic seaplane flight or domestic flight followed by a 45-minute speedboat journey, offers an unmatched experience for individuals, couples and families. Furaveri SPA & Wellness provides a tropical escape surrounded by flowery fragrances and flowing waters by skilled professional therapists with high touch and low-tech approach to calm the mind.

April 2019 29

WORLD

Indians are flocking to the USA and the Middle-East this spring Oman, South Korea, and Italy closely follow as preferred destinations, as per Kayak report News Desk

fter analyzing billions of search queries and travel trends, Kayak, the world's leading travel search engine, has revealed popular destinations that are gaining more interest among Indian travellers to visit in spring. Reprt reveals a new trend, with an increasing number of Indians preferring to travel to the USA, UAE, Oman, South Korea, and Italy during the months of March and April. Commenting on the travel trends, Abhijit Mishra, Regional Director, APAC of Kayak mentioned: "Kayak’s extensive database has indicated that the interest in some destinations have doubled year-on-year while Indian travellers are planning their spring vacations to escape the ongoing Indian heat. Based on the trends that we noticed, Atlanta, Seattle, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, and Rome have the highest year-on-year increase in search volume.”

Trending International cities by Indian travellers in spring 2019 (March and April): Atlanta and Seattle, United States of America This spring, Atlanta and Seattle top the list with more Indian travellers visiting these destinations compared to last year. While they are popular destinations for skiers during the winter months, the weather in spring is most pleasant for travel too. Temperatures in the months of March and April vary from 9°C to 20°C, which are perfect to experience the region’s stunning National Parks. For tourists looking for a fun and relaxing holiday, a visit to Marine World, Atlanta Zoo and Six Flags over Georgia Water Park in Atlanta; and Seattle’s Great Wheel, the Museum of Pop Culture and Ballard Locks are a must. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates From historical and magnificent architecture to sparkling and gratifying beaches - Abu Dhabi has something for every kind of traveler. Spring is the best time to visit this city as the weather is pleasant, it is less crowded and pocket-friendly too! Tourists can spend their holidays sailing on the beautiful azure

30 April 2019

sea or visit the historical attractions and museums, which feature incredible works of art that reflect the region’s rich heritage and culture. For tourists wanting to experience a taste of luxury, a trip to the Ferrari World, Yas Island and Marina Mall are a must to tick off the bucket list. Muscat, Oman

Located by the Gulf of Oman, Muscat is becoming a hot spot for travellers in the Middle-East. Surrounded by the rugged and picturesque Al Hajar Mountains, the city’s contemporary yet traditional charm will make every tourist fall in love with it. The months of March and April are the best to see the turtles at Ras al Jinz, swim in the natural pools of Wadi Ash Shab or simply head to the Oman Avenues Mall for some retail therapy. Seoul, South Korea Spring is the time for cherry blossoms and apart from Japan, the other best place to see the blossoms in full bloom are in Seoul. The cherry blossom trees paint the city’s green spaces with various shades of pink as their fragrance lingers in the cool spring air. Besides indulging in the world-renowned Korean cuisine, Seoul is also a fantastic destination for shopping. Some of the best areas to stay in Seoul are Myeongdong - the shopping paradise, Gangnam - made famous by the popular song and vibrant nightlife; and Jongno - the city’s historic core. Rome, Italy For a vacation packed with gorgeous ancient ruins, enchanting monuments and tiddly International destinations

Average trip duration (Days

cobblestone streets, Rome is a must visit. Be it casual trattorias or takeaway pizzas, this romantic city is a foodie's paradise, with a variety of world-class delicacies to choose from. While the weather is pleasantly chilly during the months of March and April, it is a great time for sightseeing, especially during the Holy Week (Easter) to experience the festive spirit in the areas around the Vatican City. For history buffs, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, St. Peter's Basilica and the Trevi Fountain are some landmarks that simply cannot be missed. For travellers looking to plan their spring adventures, KAYAK offers many helpful tools that can help you plan your holidays, such as KAYAK’sHeat Maps that identifies the nearest accommodation options in one’s preferred area of choice of tourist attractions. Users can also use KAYAK’sTrips feature, which is a free personal travel assistant to organize, manage and share your trip itinerary with any hassle.

Year-on-Year search volume change

Year-on-Year price change

Atlanta

93%

-12%

Seattle

79%

-20%

Abu Dhabi

126%

12%

Muscat

68%

25%

Seoul

64%

-1%

Rome

51%

-7%

WORLD

Germany records 1.8 million overnight stays from GCC during 2018 According to the latest forecast from the GNTB, GCC nationals visiting Germany are expected to grow to 3.6 million overnight stays by 2030. News Desk

he GCC market is Germany’s third-largest non-European source market behind China and the US. GCC travellers tend to stay an average of 11 nights and spend on average $5,300 per person per trip, significantly more than other international travellers. According to the latest forecast from the German National Tourist Board (GNTB), GCC nationals visiting Germany are expected to grow to 3.6 million overnight stays by 2030, compared with 1.8 million guest nights from Gulf nationals recorded in 2018, with key markets being UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

The forecast increase is being attributed to the collective efforts of all German Tourism stakeholders identifying and accommodating the travel requirements of GCC nationals,not to mention the excellent connectivity provided through flights from the GCC to Frankfurt, Munich, Dusseldorf, Hamburg and Berlin.

In an attempt to get more from here, the GNTB has announced that it will be showcasing arange of key destinations at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2019, which takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 28th April to 1st May. Underscoring the relevance of ATM to ‘Destination Germany’, Sigrid de Mazieres, Director for the Gulf countries at the German National Tourist Office (GNTO), an affiliate of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB), commented:

“ATM presents us with an ideal opportunity to showcase our wide-ranging tourism offeringfrom dynamic cities to breathtaking countryside with fairytale castles, lush forests and mountains. In addition, there are great family attractions, excellent shoppingcentres and superb sightseeing opportunities – visitors will be fascinated by the incredible diversity that Germany has to offer.” Participants from Germany partnering with the GNTB this year include the ‘Hotel Palace Berlin’; ‘Frankfurt Tourist and Congress Board’; ‘Baden-Baden Tourism Board’; ‘OUTLETCITY METZINGEN’,the State Tourist Board SouthWest-Germany(BadenWürttemberg Tourismus) and the Black Forest Highlands (HochschwarzwaldTourismus). Germany’s attraction as a destination of choice for tourists,

is further illustrated by the number of visitors recorded in 2018. Last year,Germany’s inboundtourism figures reached record levels for the ninth year in a row. According to the German Federal Statistical Office, there were 88 million international overnight stays recorded (in accommodation establishments with at least ten beds) – an increase of 5% compared with 2017.

Saudi tourism sector worth over $70 billion in 2019

international arrivals to Saudi Arabia are expected to increase 5.6% per year from 17.7 million in 2018 to 23.3 million in 2023. Religious tourism is expected to remain the bedrock of the sector over the next decade, with a goal of attracting 30 million pilgrims to the Kingdom by 2030, an increase of 11 million from the 19 million Hajj and Umrah pilgrims that visited the country in 2017.

According to data from ATM’s research partner Colliers,

Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “At ATM, we are witnessing this growth first hand with the total number of delegates arriving from Saudi Arabia increasing 42% between 2017 and 2018, while 33% of delegates, exhibitors and attendees were interested in doing business with the Kingdom.

New leisure and tourism facilities forecast to fuel domestic tourism at 8% per year until 2023, says new Arabian Travel Market report. News Desk

audi Arabia’s travel and tourism sector is expected to contribute $70.9 billion (SAR 263.1 billion) in total to the country’s GDP in 2019, according to data from the World Travel and Tourism Council, as exhibitors prepare to showcase what the Kingdom has to offer at this year’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which is being held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 28 April – 1 May 2019.

“More relaxed access to visas, through online portals such as the ‘Sharek’ and the growth of the Umrah plus market – combining religious and leisure travel – are expected to be key drivers in the growth of international tourism in the Kingdom.” Vision 2030 has set aside $64 billion to invest in culture, leisure and entertainment projects over the next decade, which will significantly add to the attractiveness of the country as a touristic destination, according to a recent report from real estate firm Savills. The first phase of the Red Sea project, which is estimated to grow the kingdom’s GDP by US$5.86 billion (SAR22 billion) and will consist of an airport, marinas, up to 3,000 hotel

rooms and various recreational activities, is expected to complete during 2022. Additionally, last year Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund announced the development of Amaala, a new ultra-luxury tourism megaproject which is earmarked for completion in 2028. The development will add 2,500 hotel rooms – further boosting the accommodation offering for both domestic and international visitors alike.

April 2019 31

AYODHYA

The Birth Place of Lord Ram

Famed as the birth place of Lord Ram, it is an important pilgrimage centre about 134 km from Lucknow. The ghats of Saryu river bring alive a deeply spiritual experience. Apart from the main attraction of Ayodhya – the Ram Janam Bhoomi several beautiful buildings such as Gulab Bari, Moti Mahal and the tomb of Bahu Begum are worth visit. These buildings are particularly interesting for their assimilative architectural styles. News Desk

Ramkot or Janambhoomi The chief place of worship in Ayodhya is the site of the ancient citadel of Ramkot which stands on an elevated ground in the western part of the city. Although visited by pilgrims throughout the year, this sacred place attracts devotees from all over India and abroad, on ‘Ram Navami’, the day of Lord’s birth, which is celebrated with great pomp and show, in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April).

Kanak Bhawan The exquisitely embellished temple was constructed by Vrishbhanu Kuvari, Queen of Teekamgarh (Madhya Pradesh) in 1891 and is also known as Sone-ka- Mandir. The main temple surrounds an open inner area which houses the sacred shrine of Rampada. The beautiful idols of Goddess Sita along with Lord Ram and his three brothers are marvellous to look at. Theses idols are wearing gold crowns.

seated on her lap. The devotees believe that all their wishes are granted with a visit to this holy shrine. A massive structure in the shape of a four sided fort with circular bastions at each corner houses a temple of Hanuman and is the most popular shrine in Ayodhya. Every day thousands of devotees visit Hanuman Garhi to offer prayers and seek Lord Hanuman’s protection from evils and blessings for happiness and prosperity.

Hanuman Garhi

Saryu River

Constructed in the shape of a fort, this place of worship of Hanuman is situated in the centre of the town. The 10th century temple is approachable by a flight of 76 steps. Legend has it that Hanuman lived here in a cave and guarded the Janambhoomi or Ramkot. The main temple contains the statue of Maa Anjani, with Bal Hanuman

One of the most prominent waterways in Uttar Pradesh, the river finds mention in ancient Hindu scriptures such as the Ved and Ramayan. Literally translating to ‘that which is streaming’, it flows through Ayodhya, and as is believed, rejuvenates it and washes away impurities.

32 April 2019

DESTINATION

‘Ram ki Pairi’ is the Saryu riverfront with a large stretch of ghats and gardens, skirted by a row of temples. It is visited by hundreds of devotees who come here to take a holy dip throughout the year on various religious occasions.

Nageshwarnath Temple The temple of Nageshwarnath is said to have been established by Kush, the son of Rama. Legend has it that Kush lost his armlet, while bathing in the Saryu, which was picked up by a Nag-Kanya, who fell in love with him. As she was a devotee of Shiva, Kush erected this temple for her. It is said that this has been the only temple to have survived till the time of Vikramaditya, the rest of city had fallen into ruins and was covered by dense forests. It was by means of this temple that Vikramaditya was able to locate Ayodhya and the sites of different shrines here. The festival of Shivratri is celebrated here with great pomp.

Guptar Ghat

Bahu Begum Maqbara

The sacred ghat on the bank of River Saryu is believed to be the spot where Lord Rama took Jal Samadhi. It comprises a series of fine wellmaintained Ghats built by Raja Darshan Singh in the first half of the 19th century. On the top of the Ghats there are the Sita-Ram Temple, the Chakrahari and the Guptahari shrines and Narasingh Temple.

Bahu Begum Maqbara is the tomb of Begum Unmatuz Zohra Bano, the queen of Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula. The mausoleum is an outstanding example of Awadhi architectural style. The entire complex, full of greenery, is now a protected site under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and is managed by the Shia Board Committee (Lucknow). It comes to life during Muharram. One can witness a bird’s eye view of the city from the top of the complex which is said to be the tallest standing edifice in Ayodhya.

Gulab Bari Gulab Bari, the rose garden is one of the most beautiful gardens in town. Sprawling over a large lush green area, the complex houses mausoleum of Shuja-ud-daulah the 3rd Nawab of Awadh, along with his parents. The splendid mausoleum has a huge dome and is surrounded by a wall. It has two big gateways to enter the complex. Landscaped in the 18th century, one will be amazed by the varieties of colorful roses planted in the garden.

Shopping In Ayodhya, local handicrafts are limited to woodwork. However, pilgrimage related articles are available in large numbers. Sweets of Ayodhya are also famous.

April 2019 33

DESTINATION

Fair & Festivals Ram Lila: Ram Lila, the enactment of the story of Lord Rama is believed to have been started by great Saint Tulsidas. The Ramcharitmanas, written by him forms the basis of Ram Lila performances. In some places, Ram Lila is associated with Vijayadashmi celebrations in late September and early October and also with Rama Navami, the birthday of Lord Rama. Ram Lila, till today, is presented as a cycle-play with the story varying from 7 to 31 days. The Ram Lila performance evokes a festive atmosphere and enables observance of religious rites. It is also rich in performance of crafts such as costume jewellery, masks, headgear, make-up and decoration. Sravan Jhula Mela: This mela celebrates the playful spirit of the deities. On the third day of the second half of Shravan, images of the deities (specially of Rama, Lakshman and Sita) are placed in swings in the temples. They are also taken to Mani Parvat, where the idols are made to swing from the branches of the trees. Later the deities are brought back to temples. The mela lasts till the end of the month of Shravan. Parikramas: Ayodhya is perhaps the most noted place in the northern India where parikramas are undertaken by Hindu Pilgrims. These are circumambulations of important religious places and are of varying duration, shortest being the `Antargrahi Parikrama’ which has to be completed within a day. After taking a dip in the Saryu, the devotee commences the parikarma from the Nageshwarnath temple and passes through Rama Ghat, Sita Kund, Maniparvata and Brahma Kund, finally terminating at Kanak Bhawan. Then there is the `Panchkoshi Parikrama’ circuit of 10 miles, which touches Chakratirtha, Nayaghat, Ramghat, Saryubagh, Holkar-kapura, Dashrathkund, Jogiana, Ranopali, Jalpa Nala and Mahtabagh. On the way the people pay homage to deities in the shrines which are situated on the route. The 'Chaturdashkoshi Parikrama' constitutes a circular journey of 28 miles made once a year on the occasion of Akshainaumi, which is completed within 24 hours.

Nearby Destination Lucknow Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, lies in the middle of the Heritage Arc. This bustling city, famed for its Nawabi era finesse and amazing food, is a unique mix of the ancient and the modern. It is home to extraordinary monuments depicting a fascinating blend of ancient, colonial and oriental architecture.

34 April 2019

Lucknow was the epicenter of the 1857 War of Independence, and much before that, it was the seat of a line of Nawabs who gave the city its unique identity. Literature, cuisine, performing arts and tehzeeb put Lucknow a cut above the rest – and the world acknowledges it. The city boasts a number of heritage destinations, among the magnificent monuments are Imambara, Rumi Darwaza, Kaiserbagh Heritage Zone, Residency and Dilkusha. Chikan embroidery and zardozi have made Lucknow a brand in the global fashion. Lakhnawi cuisine is another reason to visit the city, kebabs and biryani are the two lip-smacking delicacies that beckon visitors again and again.

Prayagraj Prayagraj is a beautiful city situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. The city draws attention of pilgrims and heritage lovers from all over the world as it opens the traveller to a world of mythological and spiritual wonders. Prayagraj is a fusion of sanctity, religion, traditions, history and architecture which offers varied experiences from historical to religious. Prayagraj is one of the destinations which holds the Kumbh Mela, world’s largest congregation of devotees. For the Mughals the city had a great strategic importance to control their empire, and it also became a prominent administrative hub for the British era. The city was the nerve centre of activities during the India’s Freedom Movement. Several eminent national leaders were born on this land. Prayagraj has also played a leading role in development of Hindi and Urdu literature. The city has been described in ancient scriptures as ‘Teerthraj’, the holiest pilgrimage centre and is indeed a perfect place to have a soulful escape.

Getting Ayodhya By Air: Nearest working airport to Ayodhya is in Lucknow which is located about 130 km from the city. From there you can take State buses and Private taxi services to reach the Ayodhya city. By Rail: Ayodhya railway station is directly connected via rail to all major stations of North, East and West India. Major cities like Kolkata, Jaipur, Delhi, and Lucknow are connected directly to Ayodhya via railway. By Road: The city is connected with all major cities of Uttar Pradesh hence you can easily reach by road. Lucknow is 130 km, Allahabad is 155km, and Varanasi is 200 km from the Ayodhya which are the major cities of Uttar Pradesh. Frequent bus service is available from Delhi, Lucknow, Allahabad and Varanasi to reach Ayodhya.

April 2019 35

MP Tourism Project Buddhist Cultural Park and John Marshall Museum

adhya Pradesh State Tourism

and Museum. The current effort has been

Development Corporation Limited

an exercise in assertion and continuity, just

is a nodal firm under Department of

with an added inducement for quickening

Tourism, Government of Madhya Pradesh with

the process. The concept has been

a mandate to develop tourism infrastructure in

communicated through interactive designs.

the State of Madhya Pradesh.

The concept revolves around the teachings

MPSTDC has undertaken this project to

of the Buddha. His teachings, lean on the

conceptualize, design and supervise the John

religious and philosophical vocabulary of the

Marshall Museum and Buddhist Theme Park in

time which is uniquely displayed at Sanchi.

Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh. The museum will be

Buddha, the eye to the world envisioned

established in an existing heritage building.

Buddhism as a reform movement from

The main objective of the project is to establish

within Hinduism. Sanchi is a tranquil ode

a museum in memory of Sir John Marshall

to the magnificent undying Buddhist faith.

and a Buddhist theme park representing the

All the Buddhist monuments evoke the

Sanchi site and the philosophies of Buddhism

presence of Buddha and his teachings. The

through specially designed immersive exhibits

cultural landscapes of Sanchi marks the

integrating physical and digital interactive

broad concept for the Buddhist Theme Park

design and specialized theme park related

at Sanchi.

structures and exhibits.

Another component of the project is the

The proposed concept and storyline enable its

John Marshall Museum. Over the centuries,

audiences to explore the social and cultural

the archaeologists have played a major role

impact of the ancient past and get deep

in documenting, studying and conserving

knowledge of the Buddhist philosophy. Other

the monumental edifice at Sanchi. John

important objectives are to work out a plan

Marshall, the most renowned archaeologist

to implement innovations in the landscaping

played a vital role in creating an artistic

components, physical infrastructure, specific

monograph for Sanchi. Efforts made by

actions to increase visitation, and develop

other scholars are rightly reflected in

staffing plan.

the preserved state of the WHS. Today,

This DPR builds upon the cultural significance (OUV) of the site, recognized by UNESCO nearly three decades ago. Larger goal is to create an interactive and visitor friendly Theme Park

36 April 2019

the site is under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological survey of India, the precincts are maintained by PWD and horticulture department.

Covered Destinations under Buddhist Circuit 1. Sanchi 2. Mandsaur 3. Dhar 4. Satna 5. Rewa 6. Satdhara 7. Sonari 8. MurelKhurd 9. Gyaraspur

ADVERTORIAL

Buddhist Circuit in Madhya Pradesh

Sanchi; and the area around here is also associated with one of the Buddha’s great disciples: Ven. Mahãkaccãyana, who lived in the Avanti area.

importance in Madhya Pradesh, Central India.It is known for its Buddhist stupas and was discovered in 1982.These stupas are credited to the Mauryan emperor, Ashoka.

Sanchi: Sanchi is a Buddhist complex famous for its Great Stupaon a hilltop at Sanchi town in Raisen District of the State of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in 46 kms north-east of Bhopal, capital of Madhya Pradesh. It was originally commissioned by the emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE. Its nucleus was a simple hemispherical brick structure built over the relics of the Buddha. Sanchi was also birth place of Ashoka’s wife Devi as well as venue of Ashoka’s wedding.

Sonari is the archaeological site of an ancient monastic complex of Buddhist stupas. The site, positioned on a hill, is located about 10km southwest of Sanchi. The stupas were excavated around 1850 by Alexander Cunningham who discovered two boxes containing relics.

Bharhut (Satna): Bharhut is a village located in the Satna district of Madhya Pradesh, central India. It is known for its famous relics from a Buddhist stupa.

(Sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme of MOT, GOI)

Great Stupa No. 1: During the later rule of the Shunga, the stupa was expanded with stone slabs to almost twice its original size. Great Stupa No. 2 &3: The stupas which seem to have been commissioned during the rule of the Shungas are the Second and then the Third stupas. The Relics of Sariputra and Mahamoggallana, the disciples of the Buddha are said to have been placed in Stupa No 3. Sanctioned components at Sanchi– Development of Marshall House, Buddhist Theme Park, TFC, Development & Beautification of Pathway, Light & Sound Show, etc. Satdhara and Sonari Stupas: Satdhãra, around 14km from Sanchi, at the site there are around 20 stupas, many of which had been reconstructed. The atmosphere was very quiet and meditative. The stupas here were the site for the relics of Ven Sariputra and Mahamogggallana, which are now in the Mahãbodhi temple at

Gyaraspur and Murelkhurd: Gyaraspur is a small town of great historical importance, medieval period in Madhya Pradesh. This comes under Vidisha district and is 35 km away from Vidisha. The name is derived from a fair which is held at the eleventh month of the Hindu calendar, gyaras means joy at the eleventh. There are many monuments of importance belonging to 9th-10th century. This is a small town and all the monuments can be visited walking around.1. Athakhamba (9th century) –2. HindolaTorana (10th century) 3. Chaukhamba (10th century) 4. Mala Devi Temple (9th century) 5. Bajra Matha (10th century) 6. Dhaikinath Stupa (6th-7th century). Murelkhurd: -There are 37 stupas at Bhojpur (Pipalia) near Murelkhurd on the top of hill. Sanctioned components at Satdhara, Sonari, Murelhurd& Gyaraspur- Development of last mile connectivity, Meditation center and premises development. Dev Kuthar (Rewa):-Deorkothar/ DeurKothar is a location ofarchaeological

Sanctioned Components at Rewa and Satna - Interpretation Center cum meditation hall, Tourist reception center, Development and beautification of Approach Road Dharmrajeshwar (Mandsaur): Dharmrajeshwar is an ancient Buddhist and Hindu cave temple site of 4th – 5th century in Mandsaur district in Madhya Pradesh, India.It is an example of Indian rock- cut architecture, situated in Garoth tehsil of Mandsaur district at a distance of 4 km from Chandwasa town and 106 km from Mandsaur city. Sanctioned components at Mandsaur (Dharmrajeshwar) – Interpretation Centre cum Meditation Hall, Approach road, Premises Development Bagh Caves (Dhar): The Bagh Caves are a group of nine rock-cut monuments, situated among the southern slopes of the Vidhya’s in Bagh town of Dhar district in Madhya Pradesh state in central India. The Bagh Caves were quarried in the 5th -6th century AD, in the very late stages of Buddhism in India, and long after most of the Indian Buddhist Caves had been built, many of them since the 2nd or 1st centuries BCE. Sanctioned components at Dhar (Bagh caves): Tourist Reception Centre, approach road and Premises Development.

April 2019 37

APPOINTMENT

Rohit Bajpai Hotel Manager Courtyard by Marriott Siliguri

Shimomura Kazuya Head Chef-MEGU The Leela Palace New Delhi

Vikram Singh Rathore General Manager Sarovar Premiere, Jaipur

Rohit is competent and result-driven hotelier carrying over 20 years of functional managerial experience with a strong F&B knowledge being the backbone of his career. Through outgoing leadership, innovative staff management, honest handling in the development of friendly and respectful relationships, Rohit has displayed commendable performance and racked up an impressive track record. In his current role Rohit will be overseeing all aspects of operational and strategic management of the 17th‘Courtyard by Marriott’ branded property to open in South Asia and the first in the east of India outside of Kolkata.

Backed with twenty six years of rich culinary experience, Chef Shimomura is set to bring intense excitement, exquisite technique and perfectly balanced flavours to discerning diners at Megu. Shimomura has garnered acclaim for his seamless integration of modern and traditional Japanese cuisine and has effectively created an inimitable repertoire by working in globally recognised kitchens of Hinokizaka at Ritz Carlton Tokyo and in the Michelin starred restaurant Mizumi at Wynn Macau. Shimomura mastered the art of Tempura and acquired the skill of curating Kaiseki–a sought-after traditional multi-course Japanese style dinner.

Vikram is a seasoned Hospitality Professional with a strong background that boasts of an illustrious and ascending career graph with a rich experience of working with good hospitality brands. He is a result driven, highly motivated professional with an experience of close to two decades in the hospitality industry with expertise in operations management and strategy planning. Before associating with Sarovar, his last assignment was with Royal Orchid Regenta Central Jalmahal, Jaipur as General Manager. He has worked with hospitality brands such as ITC, Carlson Group of hotel and Holiday Inn.

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Volume V Issue VII April 2019

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Amsterdam Ten reasons

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AYODHYA

The Birth Place of Lord Ram