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Vol. 10 | Issue 5 | March 2020 | Pages 56 | `50

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TravmarTExplore Business

Opportunities

Dear Friends,

Earlier, the new Coronavirus had created a stifled panic in Asia, but now due to the explosion in cases globally and given the current public health situation, many countries have begun implementing strict screening procedures in order to prevent the spread of the COVID-19. Also, for the first time in its 54-year history, ITB Berlin tradeshow has been cancelled due to rapid spread of the Coronavirus, following the recommendation of the concerned authorities.

I know, we all are hoping and praying that the virus fades away and the businesses recover very soon in our industry. However, presently, health and safety is our absolute priority, as it is with each one of our customers, colleagues and the general public. Our responsibility to them remains paramount.

At TTJ, for our March 2020 issue, we have tried to bring out our best, featuring Inbound, cruises and the general topics. We are sure you will find them interesting and remove the heaviness from your stressed minds.

So, with an optimistic ‘wait and watch’, the virus will be in oblivion soon.

Happy Reading

Warm Regards

Ravi [email protected]

Travel Trade Journal (TTJ) • Volume 10 • Issue 5 • March 2020

Team Sampan

Editorial and Marketing Office :Sampan Media Pvt. Ltd., B-7/114A, 3rd Floor, Safdarjung Enclave, Near Sukhmani Hospital, New Delhi – 110029 Ph: 9560264443, [email protected]

All information in Travel Trade Journal (TTJ) is derived from sources we consider reliable. It is passed on to our readers without any responsibility on our part. Opinions / views expressed by third parties in abstract or in interviews are not necessarily shared by us. Material appearing in the magazine cannot be reproduced in whole or in part(s) without prior permission. The publisher assumes no responsibility for material lost or damaged in transit. The publisher reserves the right to refuse, withdraw or otherwise deal with all advertisements without explanation. All advertisements must comply with the Indian Advertisements Code. The publisher will not be liable for any loss caused by any delay in publication, error or failure of advertisement to appear.

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Email: [email protected]

Editor & Publisher : Ravi Sharma

Associate Editor : Sriparna Pal Bhattacharya Contributing Editor : Naveen Lal Bureau Head (West) : Prashant Nayak Reporter : Sonika Bhandari Reporter : Aditya Vikram Singh

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GM - Marketing : Sonika Bohra Bureau Head (East) : Partha Chatterjee Manager PR : Ankit Dixit Cordinator (West) : Bharti Kalia Consultant (West) : Sameer Montario Project Head Events : Rohan Rana

Photographer : Parth Sharma Asst. Manager Administration : Kuldeep Singh Accounts Manager : Priyesh Ranjan

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Oman to launch Muscat Airport City and National Travel Operator

As part of Oman’s National Aviation Strategy 2030, Oman has announced its plans to launch the Muscat Airport City to boost airport capacity and the National Travel Operator (NTO) with

the larger goal of securing a bigger share in the international aviation and tourism sector market. The objective is to increase inbound travel, attract high-value tourists from key commercial markets including India. The strategy will also boost job creation and increase the local skill base. The announcement also marked the two-year anniversary for Oman Aviation Group (OAG) - an umbrella company encompassing Oman Air, Oman Airports and Transom (until recently Oman Aviation Services) and the first such company in the world to represent a country’s entire aviation sector.

Shimla: Get ready to pay ‘Green Tax’ from April 1

From April 1, 2020, you will have to spend more to plan a trip to Shimla. As per the latest reports, all tourists and outstation vehicles will have to pay extra tax to enter Shimla. The Shimla

Municipal Corporation has now levied a Green Tax on vehicles entering the city from April 1, 2020, onwards.

The tax has been announced in a move to decrease air pollution in Shimla; the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the local urban body to charge Green Tax from tourists.

Qatar Airways and American Airlines sign strategic partnership deal and

codeshare agreement

Qatar Airways has signed a significant codeshare agreement with American Airlines, in a move that will increase commercial cooperation, bolster connectivity and create hundreds of new

travel options for millions of customers. The new agreement will establish a partnership at a global level between two of the world’s most connected airlines, linking some of the largest airport hubs in the US to Hamad International Airport in Doha.

VFS Global launches the first online portal for Vietnam e-visa on arrival for travellers

VFS Global recently announced the launch of the first official and exclusive electronic Visa On Arrival (eVOA) digital solution for the convenience and comfort of travellers to Vietnam. Eligible travellers can apply for the Vietnam eVOA service before departure to Vietnam, by submitting their

applications on https://vietnam.vfsevisa.com/from a location of their choice anywhere in the world through their personal handsets or computers. The advanced and digitally integrated solution developed by VFS Global, as an exclusive service provider to the Embassy of Vietnam in India, will offer eVOA applicants a digital wallet/lockerwhich ensures high levels of data protection. This includes scanned copies of their passport, live facial biometric capture and finally, the receipt of their eVOA approval letters, once approved. customers can also make online payments using the portal.

Japan Airlines and Vistara announce expansion of codeshare network

Japan Airlines (JAL) and Vistara announced the expansion of their codeshare partnership, providing customers additional options when traveling between Japan and India.

Effective March 15, 2020, the two carriers will provide codeshare service on JAL`s international routes to India, namely Tokyo-Delhi and Tokyo-Bengaluru, as well as on connecting flights to major cities in their respective countries. Through this agreement, JAL will add 13 new destinations to its international network in India, such as Goa and Amritsar, while Vistara will add 5 major cities in Japan in its virtual network, which are Sapporo, Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka.

Air India inaugurates Mumbai – Stansted route

Air India inaugurated its 2nd long haul route to London Stansted Airport. The route sees a Boeing 787 Dreamliner flying between Mumbai and London three times per week. The new Mumbai service, the first ever direct link to India’s largest city

from London Stansted, joins the airline’s Amritsar route which commenced less than four months ago and has already proved to be extremely popular among the passengers from across London and the east of England. The route will be served by a 256-seat Boeing 787 Dreamliner and will initially operate until the end of the winter flight schedule.

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ITDC signs MoU with government of Gujarat to promote tourism in the

state

India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), the public sector undertaking under the aegis of Ministry of Tourism and Government of Gujarat in an attempt to further enhance

tourism growth in India signed an MoU, on February 13, 2020, for providing consultancy services for innovative/decorative lighting and illumination of important monuments and sound and light show at important places in Gujarat State. The MOU was signed by Shri G Kamala Vardhana Rao, C&MD, ITDC and Jenu Devan, The Commissioner of Tourism and Managing Director, Tourism Corporation of Gujarat, Government of Gujarat in the presence of Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Tourism Shri Prahlad Singh Patel, Hon’ble Gujarat Chief Minister, Shri Vijay Rupani, senior officials from Gujarat Tourism Department And Ministry of Tourism.

Seychelles flourishes at India’s largest travel market show

Air Seychelles together with the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) including key representatives from the local tourism industry, recently participated in the largest and most

influential international travel trade gathering held in Mumbai. The OTM exhibition known as the gateway to India’s largest travel market which proceeded for over three days, was attended by more than 50 countries, 1500 trade visitors and over 1000 exhibitors. Held at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, besides learning more about the carrier’s products, services and connections within India to Seychelles, participants who visited the attractive Seychelles stand, also had the opportunity to gather important information related to the combined package inclusive of accommodation for their stay in the Seychelles. Air Seychelles was represented by its General Sales Agents based in India whilst Amia Jovanovic-Desir attended the event on behalf of STB. Other participating partners included the Hilton Hotels and Resorts as well as luxury travel.

Kolkata set to see India’s first underwater train

Kolkata, India’s City of Joy, is all set to see the country’s first underwater train. The said train is a metro line, the East-West Corridor, and will run between Salt Lake Sector V and

Howrah, spanning a total of around 16 kms, with a part of it running underwater in River Hooghly. The metro train is the first- of-its- kind in India and has been drawing comparisons with the likes of Eurostar, which connects London and Paris. It is estimated that the train, while underwater, will be travelling at a depth that can be compared to a 10 storey tall building. The underwater stretch for the metro train will comprise of twin tunnels, which are made of 1.4 m wide concrete rings. They have been further fitted with hydrophilic gaskets to prevent water from entering the tunnels. A staggering `8500 crores has been the estimated project cost as yet.

Government of Odisha approves eight investment proposals worth `1609

crore

The Government of Odisha has approved eight more investment proposals worth `1,649.49crores in the 89th State Level Single Window Clearance Authority (SLSWCA) meeting. The meeting

was held under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary Shri Asit Kumar Tripathy in Lok Seva Bhawan conference hall wherein Shri Hemant Sharma, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Industries outlined the project proposals for consideration. These proposals will create employment opportunities for 1450 people. The projects were approved in food processing, chemicals, plastics, tourism, steel downstream and infrastructure.

Clarion Congress Hotel, Prague has signed up IRIS Reps India as its India representative in a bid to tap India’s outbound market and strengthen relationships with trade partners and

key stakeholders. Speaking on this occasion, Alefiya Singh, Managing Director, IRIS Reps India, says, “Prague is steadily growing as a must-visit part of Czech Republic. It has become a hot favourite among Indian guests looking at wholesome experiences. By presenting this property, we are happy to bring a range of options for our valued travel

partners. The Clarion Congress is looking at the niche India market of MICE and families positioning itself as a unique, affordable but premium destination. Clarion Congress objective is to increase the number of MICE and group movement from India and to capitalise on the growing potential of the MICE segment in the Indian outbound market to Prague, Czech Republic. For the newly-weds as well as the millennials, it is one of the best destination. Our focus markets will be New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.”

Clarion Congress, Prague appoints Iris Reps India as India representative

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Rajeev KohliJoint Managing Director, Creative Travel

There are two parts, one is the actual disease and second is the hysteria and paranoia and that is what we need to worry most about. The global tourism industry will be the most affected and will take a considerable time to recover. In some ways, this is a ‘reset button’ on how we work, behave and spend. The reaction of the industry is one of disbelief and helplessness as the government has taken zero steps to speak to the industry or come up with a crisis management plan. The industry across all segments lacks leadership and the ability to calm down the growing uneasiness. The stakeholders need to rely on themselves to get out of this. Not to wait for the government or associations to do anything.

Vasudha SondhiManaging Director, Outbound Marketing

While it is being said that SARS was more dangerous and had a much higher mortality rate, the spread of this virus seems faster. Information and misinformation has created a panic situation. The hotels in Thailand or Europe say, it is all normal except there are fewer tourists. There have been several cancellations, especially with the MICE and wedding segment. Millions, probably billions, will have been lost by the end of March. We are looking at this proactively and will utilise this time to conduct webinar trainings.

Priyanka NijhawanDirector, Representations, Nijhawan Group

There will be trouble and loss of business as February has definitely not been as buoyant as it was every year. The outbound from India has been on a halt for this entire period. The virus has definitely affected business, as the leisure and MICE travel is on hold. Luxury hotel chains are cutting back on their growth forecasts for this quarter and are witnessing major dips in generating revenue and occupancy. Moreover, the bookings for summer 2020 are being stalled. The economic restart of the South East Asian region will at least take another quarter of 2020 to roll on.

Riaz MunshiPresident, OTOAI

The industry is going through turmoil and it has affected travel worldwide, including India. The demand for international travel has taken a downward turn and is impacting travel brands across every sector from airlines and cruises to hotels and travel companies. People are reconsidering upcoming trips due to travel restrictions and fears of being quarantined. We have to assuage travellers’ fears, identify and closely monitor the destinations which are safe to travel and be trusted advisors to our customers.

Coronavirustakes the industry for a spin

COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease), the zoonotic virus with 14-day incubation period and epicenter in Wuhan, China, has assumed pandemic proportions, spreading to all the continents save

Antarctica, denting travel and tourism sector in a big way. As the reports of the outbreak and consequent fatalities pour from various countries, with heightened prospects of quarantine looming, causing collateral impact on the global economy, it is time to take stock and strategise without any

undue panic. TTJ interacts with various stakeholders to gauge the scenario as it unfolds.

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Sriram RajmohanMD & CEO, Club 7 Holidays

India has been pretty lucky with a negligible spread of the virus. Domestic tourism is doing pretty well as we don’t see any cancellations for MICE and other tourism related events being held in India, though outbound sector to Singapore, Hong Kong and China have taken a hit. We are closely monitoring the situation as it develops with our ground handling agents and feel return of normalcy with the onset of summers.

Jayesh AsharManaging Director, Pearl Tourism & Leisure Group

Besides the Corona virus, in the past, we have experienced the turnover- hammering events such as 9/11, Gulf war II, Mad Cow disease, SARS, 2008 Financial meltdown, H1N1, Demonetisation, and not to forget the OTA onslaught. We need not chase business at low margins and always work towards healthy gross margins and keep fixed costs low. We need to provide for a financial cushion to ride over the calamities and have faith in our abilities to change the course of business fast. Last but not the least ‘keep calm’ and think logically. Airlines should divert more flights to destinations that are not affected. In this context, Air India can take huge advantage by adding flights to Africa.

Mahendra VakhariaMD, Pathfinder Holidays

We are at the beginning of the peak summer holiday season bookings, but clients are asking to either hold on, or those who have made the booking especially to the affected areas/countries are cancelling or postponing the trip as of now. Sadly there is no confirmed source to say how and when it will stop. Fortunately, the clients travelling to Australia, New Zealand and Africa are not affected. It is hoped that the situation will improve.

Dev KarvatFounder & CEO, India & Emerging Markets, TrawellTag Cover-More

We have seen a large drop in travel volumes to South-East Asia and Europe, two of the most preferred travel destinations for Indians. The travel industry is definitely distressed by the threat of this virus. Yet, we are consciously following the government’s advisory and informing travellers of the threat to ensure their safety. We have to wait and watch what unfolds over the coming months now.

Harpreet VohraGeneral Manager, Radisson Blu Faridabad

Coronavirus has affected hospitality as there has been a slump in corporates from automobile sector from China for Radison Blu Faridabad. But, we need not panic, pause or decrease disproportionately marketing spans, but redirect at dollars from short haul and private freedom markets. To mitigate the impact of the cancellations, we have now started looking at MICE, social functions, f&b promotions and would want to go for digital platforms in OTAs. In nut shell, there is need to focus on domestic tourism.

TTJ View:Considering the outbreak of COVID-19, infecting humans across continents,

one thing is evident that it is spreading at a fast pace, though with comparatively lower mortality rate. More than the disease, it is the panic that needs to be addressed with dissemination and practice of the preventive measures, including quarantine. Though the travel and tourism sector is bearing the brunt, yet a change of approach in these times of the crisis can help surmount the situation. At this juncture, a shift in the focus to the areas unaffected by the onslaught of the virus, can be the way forward. Also, the austerity mindset, cost control measures and no-frills approach in the business will help us see through this turbulence. Impetus on domestic travel and tourism may also be examined as an alternate.


now, book your cruise

vacation with irCTC

As IRCTC goes fully fledged on cruise bookings we at TTJ spoke with Rajni Hasija, Director (Tourism & Marketing), IRCTC about the vigorous growth of the

cruise industry and, IRCTC’s plans to promote the industry

through their already well established platform.

Excerpts…

Sonika Bohra

Why the interest in cruise segment? What about cruise looks so positive that the management has decided to venture into this business?

IRCTC is one of the most dynamic organisations in the country with a vast gamut of businesses that include hospitality, packaged drinking water, internet ticketing and travel & tourism. Inbound and outbound tourism products are major revenue earners for the company’s travel & tourism business.

One area where the potential for growth is immense is the Indian cruise industry. Over the last five years the outbound market for cruises is estimated to have tripled in size to 1,80,000 cruise passengers who head for a global cruise every year. This represents just 3 Per cent of the outbound leisure market and indicates the tremendous potential of the Indian cruise industry. The Indian cruise market is growing at an aggressive pace

and this has encouraged IRCTC to target its own online and direct market base for the cruise product offering.

Tell us about the tie-ups with cruise liners in this segment?

IRCTC is collaborating with the sales agents of various international cruise line operating companies that have presence in the country. In our one stop travel & tourism website www.irctctourism.com, we have recently uploaded 33 attractive tour itineraries of 11 famous cruise liners to different continents of the world from India during the upcoming summer breaks i.e from May to August 2020.

What will be the mode of operations? Will technology play an important role in this line of business?

IRCTC is one of the premier organisations to adopt and implement technology practices in all spheres of business operations and marketing. This is fully visible as on regular basis we book more than 8.5 lakh e-tickets over our ticketing website www.irctc.co.in. IRCTC will offer cruise tour packages to the customers through its equally famous travel and tourism website www.irctctourism.com and also by direct marketing through travel agents’ network across the country. We intend to have tie-ups with all major cruise liners sailing globally and have a common full functional booking platform with payment options to allow the customers to choose the package of his or her choice.

Will you be more inclined to domestic cruises or the international ones? Are you looking at selling domestic river cruises as well?

IRCTC is equally interested to promote both domestic as well as international cruise tour packages in the India market. To promote river cruise in the country,

among the inbound and high end domestic market, we have tied up with cruise line operating companies on the river Ganga and we are shortly coming up with a composite luxury tour package of two weeks with seven days itinerary on our flagship luxury train Maharajas’ Express and the remaining seven days on luxury cruise tour on the river Ganga.

What will be the focus of your promotion activities?

IRCTC will promote the international and inland cruise tour packages to its target clientele in the country as well as to the inbound market. For this, the company will primarily market the product through

online, digital, print and electronic media platforms. The company is also planning to participate in domestic and international marts/exhibitions and road shows to promote cruise tour packages for the domestic, inbound and outbound market.

India is relatively a new market for cruise industry, how prepared are you with customer support and service?

Though it is correct that the cruise tour market has a limited capitalisation in the country, but at the same time the cruise tourism is growing at a vigorous rate in terms of outbound market. This shows an increase in the interest among the luxury and high-end tourist market for cruise tour packages. IRCTC has a strong marketing and sales team of experienced tourism professionals who have sufficient knowledge and experience in the particular business segment and are marketing the product very well among the potential customers by the mode of personal selling.

What are your views about the cruise market in India and its future?

The country’s cruise lines are looking to 2020 to chalk out a promising growth narrative due to the initiatives taken by the Indian government. For the Indian cruise operators, 2019 has been eventful with regard to both inbound and outbound. Thanks to ease of visa issuance and short haul flights, India has been one of the largest source markets for countries like Singapore. Many cruise travellers are beginning to combine cruises into their land vacations from Europe, Antarctica, Alaska, and the Caribbean. With all this, the future of cruise tourism business is poised for a decent growth not only by the end of this year but also in the times to come.

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Can you please share details of your cruises / offerings which are adept or explorative for Indians seeking to cruise in the domestic or outbound markets in the upcoming holidays?

Jalesh Cruises offers an extraordinary cruising experience that is combined with fun, adventure, travelling and more. Travellers can discover a world of thrills on board Karnika. The itineraries that we offer include short trips down the Indian Ocean from Mumbai to Goa as well as longer trips heading Northwest through the Arabian Sea in the Middle East and Dubai. The experience that Karnika offers its passengers is unique within India and represents grandeur from the moment a passenger steps on board. Jalesh offers fine cuisine from every region of India and western dishes globally, there are bars, and spa facilities, cruise ship entertainment including the broadway show, live entertainment, DJ and Casino. Karnika offers plenty of entertainment on board for all age groups, for kids, there is a play area, art and craft workshops, and a scavenger hunt that the crew organises on a timely basis. Karnika is also friendly for senior citizens and differently-abled people. There is never a shortage of things

to do while you are on Karnika.

What kind of growth have you seen at your organisation with the Indians taking a cruise vacation in the past two years?

It was only on the April 19, 2019 that Jalesh Cruises sailed with its maiden vessel MS Karnika, on its maiden voyage to the high seas. In the 10 months that we have been in operation we have been able to take over 90,000 happy customers for a cruise holiday, 97 per cent of these passengers were first time cruisers. Indians previously never had the option of a domestic cruise holiday, which now with Jalesh Cruises has become a reality. We do not have a precedence in our country of domestic cruises, so the first run has been a positive one with the total outbound from India on a cruise holiday standing at 1,80,000 today. This clearly shows that the cruise market for India is on a growth and a robust one at that. We also went ahead with sailing to a few new ports from Mumbai. We added Diu and Ganpatipule to Goa in the domestic market and Oman, Dubai and Bahrain in the international sector. We are very positive that this number will grow manifolds as Indians get comfortable to a

new way of travel. Excitement is that every time we sail we create history in the story of India cruising.

How do you look at the rise of domestic cruise tourism fuelled by companies like yours, Costa and some of the river cruise operators?

Cruise tourism is on a fast track growth. Domestic travellers are equally

Zen Cruises rides the robust

india cruise market

Established in 2018 in Mumbai, Zen Cruises is

India’s first premiere cruise company. The company is now

pioneering cruise holidays for Indian passengers in both domestic and international waters, with their premiere brand Jalesh Cruises and fabulous ship Karnika.

The cruise is a wholesome experience for the cruisers with international feel and

comfort, packed in one exotic vacation. TTJ speaks to Jurgen Bailom, President and CEO, Zen Cruises to understand

tremendous growth potential in the years to come.

Prashant Nayak

Jurgen Bailom

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interested to experience cruising around the country which offers pristine and beautiful beaches. There has been a growing interest in sailing to South East Asian countries and the Middle East. Considering there is a rise in the demand for cruise travel in these regions, we have, therefore, been channelising our energies towards empowering our travel partners and educating them with the benefits and experiences provided by a cruise liner. We also see an upsurge in MICE travel as corporates are considering cruise liners as an option. We foresee an increase in the MICE movement coupled with leisure travel. The coming year looks very promising in the rise of domestic cruise tourism as the industry sees strong growth as more Indians set sail.

According to you, what are some of the aspects that the government / port authorities should look into for the betterment of the cruise sector in India?

India is placed between Western Europe and Asia, so every ship travels through India on its way to Europe, thus providing travel opportunities to boost tourism in many ways. The government in this regard should, therefore, come up with efficient policies and tax relief benefits, good infrastructure and revamping of ports. On the other hand, our goal is to be a leading force and help in developing the cruise market in India and put the country’s

cruise sector among one of the top in the world. Thus, we too have the potential of being the top leader in the cruise industry. Zen Cruises wants to grow the cruise market as a whole in India. Our aim is to touch, delight and fulfil the lives of a million Indians and make them travel worldwide by 2025. Our premiere brand Jalesh Cruises believes in upholding the spirit, culture, and values of ‘Incredible India’ by contributing to the growth of tourism and allied businesses in India.

Tell us about the concept of ‘MICE on Cruise’ shaping up on board your cruises?

The concept of MICE travel is finding relevance in India and the concept of combining work and leisure activities on a ship seems to be gaining popularity among the corporates. The convenience of handling groups on a ship vis-à-vis land is becoming a favourite MICE destination. Companies seem to be showing interest in exploring new and innovative venue options to host meetings and conferences and have been considering cruise options, mixing business and pleasure. We have hosted several MICE conferences on Karnika, packaged with wellness treatments, entertainment activities, theme evenings, parties, among others. We are prepared for this segment and look forward to an increase in MICE numbers in the coming year.

According to you, what are the new trending destinations for 2020? Also tell us about the new trends in cruising you had witnessed in 2019 and the newer ones likely to be witnessed in 2020?

Travellers consider various aspects before choosing their destination, it could either be an amazing deal, a new offering, or a destination unexplored by many. Travellers are choosing offbeat locations to cut away from the hustle-bustle. However, some of the most likely trending travel destinations being considered by travellers, yet remains South East Asian countries, Middle East, Europe and United States.

Cruise liners are becoming conscious about lowering environmental impact and taking necessary steps. Jalesh Cruises was the first cruise in India to upgrade to environment-friendly fuel, two months ahead of the global deadline for all cruises in the world, including India. We are already setting new standards to safeguard our marine environment through our clean wave policy. Jalesh Cruises has also been at the forefront of engaging policy makers to look at the issues that ail the domestic cruise industry, which has the potential to grow to plus four million passengers in the next ten years. Apart from this, private-island is on a rise, solo sailing is also trending, and we are seeing a lot of women travellers on our cruise who are comfortable to explore the globe themselves.


The cruise industry in India has grown at an outstanding pace as there has been a significant shift of Indians opting for 7/8-night as against

4/5-night itineraries. Europe has been the most preferred luxury- sailing destination, however, they are also exploring destinations such as Alaska, Scandinavia and South America. Indian travellers

generally tend to travel in groups, which is why there are more and more Indian families opting for Norwegian Cruise Line because of its unique ‘Freestyle Cruise Experience’, where guests can design and plan their own cruise vacation without any restrictions. They can create their own dining timings, enjoy from a wide array of on-board entertainment options without worrying about any set dress code, letting them travel in a relaxed and hassle-free manner.

Emphasising on the augmentation of cruise tourism Manoj says, “We look forward to continuing work with the authorities to further enhance cruise tourism in the region, to ensure our ports are safe and accessible and continue to attract both local and international operators in the region. Also, in 2020, we foresee sustainable tourism picking up in the India market with an increased number of travellers sailing with companies that are committed to limiting their environmental impact. Also, we anticipate that consumers will continue to explore more exotic destinations like Alaska, and other countries outside the Asia region until Coronavirus concerns have subsided.”

Moreover, MICE organisers opt for cruise-based events with Norwegian Cruise Line as it offers everything they need on-board. We customise special programmes that cater to the specific requirements of each group, offering inclusive packages with costs clearly identified. Moreover, these are cost-effective and at the same time leave a lasting, enriching and memorable experience for our visitors. The trend is rapidly picking up owing to the benefits of cruise vacations versus events in luxury hotels. Now, with Norwegian’s fleet of 17 ships, we offer itineraries to more than 300 destinations worldwide. Six additional ships have been commissioned, giving

MICE organisers even more options to choose from,” winds up Manoj.

Being one of the largest cruise operators in the world, NCL offers itineraries to more than 300 destinations around the globe. Some of the popular itineraries amongst Indians are:

Western Mediterranean - The 7-day Western Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona to Spain, Italy, and France is quite popular among Indian travellers as it provides an opportunity to explore some of the most scenic on-shore excursions in each of these countries. Travellers can opt for the Capri, Sorrento and Pompeii tour in Naples, explore castles and catacombs

in Rome, or take a stroll through Cannes, learning about its history and discovering a quaint and lesser-known side of this famous French town.

Alaska - Popular among Indian travellers is NCL’s Alaskan voyages that promise many adventures amidst untouched beauty and wildlife. Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Joy, the youngest fleet of ships sailing the Alaskan coast, offer 7-day voyages from May to October. Guests can cruise around Alaskan waters, while indulging in unique experiences like salmon tasting, whale watching, white-water rafting and soaking in the beauty of the majestic glaciers.

Scandinavia, Russia and the Baltic- For history, art and culture lovers, 9-day adventure to Scandinavia, Russia and the Baltic from Copenhagen is very good while travelling through Tallinn’s old town or immersing oneself in the rich history and colourful cultures of St. Petersburg.

Greek Isles - The 7-day Greek Isles from Venice is another breathtaking itinerary popular amongst Indian cruisers. Guests can enjoy a fascinating week-long cruise from Venice, exploring the Greek Isles, Montenegro and Croatia on the way. Discover Santorini and visit the white-washed hill-top towns of Oia and Fira or enjoy wandering through the narrow, winding streets of Mykonos. NCL’s newly refurbished Norwegian Spirit offers seven-day voyages to the Greek Isles, including destinations like Rhodes, Mykonos, Santorini and Corfu.

The rise of domestic cruise tourism is great news for the whole cruise industry as travellers are exploring new ways of vacationing. Also, if guests have experienced domestic cruising then they are more likely to engage in international cruising with confidence.

nCL navigates through

india market with aplomb

India has been identified as a key market for NCL in the Asia region, having registered a double-digit

percentage growth over the last five years. NCL offers a fly-cruise product in the

India market, therefore passengers booking cruises with NCL need to factor in the availability of airfares and ensure adequacy of time to meet all the visa

requirements for the cruise. It is also important that travel partners fully explain all the inclusions, such as gratuity

policy and the packages available that best suit the

needs of each guest, enabling them to budget effectively.

Manoj Singh, Country Head, Norwegian Cruise Line shares more with TTJ.

Sonika Bhandari

Manoj Singh

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india’s inbound tourism reflects great potential

When it comes to volatile industries, there are many that come to mind. The travel industry is definitely one of them and tourism is far from being immune to economic, political, social shifts and natural

calamities. There are constant challenges that the travel industry is facing time to time and year after year affecting inbound, domestic and outbound travel. Now, it’s agreed upon that most of these factors are outside the control of tourism boards and travel companies. However, travel is a big, lucrative and a

passionate business for many and regardless of these challenges, the travel fraternity is optimistic as they throw light on the current inbound scenario and gives an overview of the future inbound market.

Prashant Nayak/Sonika Bhandari

Rajiv Mehra, Director, Uday Tours and TravelWe were all hopeful that

February and March would cover the losses but Corona virus is a dampener. The introduction of e-visa has seen a rise in the last minute bookings, as earlier the clients used to book individual travel six-eight months in advance which has now come down to one-two months. The road, rail and air infrastructure have improved over the years but a lot is still to be done. We do have some good quality

national highways now and the railway infrastructure is also improving. The announcement of the Tejas Express between Agra and Varanasi will be a good step to increase tourism in this area. Also, under UDAN scheme, the introduction of new flights has also helped.

In the luxury segment, palaces and resorts, we have top ranking properties but in the budget category improvements are solicited in

terms of quality and quantity. More budget hotels are needed in major tourist locations that can cater effectively to international tourists with a promising price tag. The tourists now-a-days seek more sightseeing time and spend less time in their hotels.

106 branded hotels with 9,316 rooms opened in 2019 in India while 223 hotels with 20,885 rooms have been signed during the same period. Hotel investments in India improved significantly in 2019 however, the government needs to be more proactive with land banks so that the gestation lag for the ROI and breakeven is within a viable limit.

With the efforts of Ministry of Tourism and the Honourable Prime Minister, I hope, inbound tourism in India would increase. The nation needs to be more tourism friendly and all government departments need to understand as this is the way we can increase tourism many folds. This will also generate employment in various sectors.

There are plenty of historical sites and monuments which will definitely lure the tourists and introduce the travellers to the ‘Incredible India’ and to name a few Taj Mahal, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Red Fort, Amber Fort, Golden Temple, Statue of Unity, Rann of Kutch, Srinagar, Gulmarg, Khilan Marg, Leh Ladakh, Kerala Back Waters, Varanasi, Beaches of Goa, River Tourism in West Bengal, Ravines of Chambal, Ajanta Ellora, Rohtang Pass, Bandhav Garh Tiger Reserve and much more.

Elina Satapathy, Managing Partner, Seven Sister Holidays

The general awareness about various tourist destinations has increased over the past 3-5 years. And this is evident from the increase in query about offbeat destinations and moreover the younger generation is willing to explore more about the region. More information is available online and people are trying to learn more about the culture and tradition of our people and experience it

on their own.

Definitely connectivity is a major concern in our country especially in the remote areas like the North East. But the Government of India has come up with schemes like UDAN to connect various sectors by air which are otherwise less accessible. And regarding infrastructure a lot is yet to be done. The government needs to put extra efforts to bring it at par with the other countries.

I think India is way behind the International standards of budget accommodation for the tourists. But the good thing is that a lot of private players are emerging as big contributors towards quality accommodation and other facilities. We still lag behind in providing good roadside amenities to the tourists. The government should work towards the same.

Of late, the government has realised that a sustainable tourism policy is important for the growth of economy and the government of India has taken various steps to promote tourism. It has been promoting tourism through different platforms like WTM, ITB, SATTE and a range of roadshows arranged in different cities worldwide. The government has taken up various steps within the country by opening up a few new trekking routes in the Himalayas and opening up the Indo-Myanmar border for tourists under the Act East policy etc. I definitely see an increase in tourist inflow in the near future.

Gone are the days when India meant only the Golden Triangle - Delhi, Agra, Jaipur. The new age tourists want to explore and experience new and offbeat destinations. Being based in the North Eastern region of the country, we offer them various experiences starting from the only floating National Park in the world, a home stay in the floating huts inside the Loktak Lake, trekking to the Dzuko Valley and The Shirui Hills, Kohima, Kaziranga National Park, Majuli, Cherrapunji, Dawki, Dirang, Tawang etc. We also provide guided tours through the trails of the Second World War.

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Sunil Gupta, MD & CEO, Avis IndiaIndia has remained a tourism

powerhouse attracting millions of foreign tourists every year. The country has witnessed around 10.89 million foreign tourists in 2019 alone with ̀ 2.2 lakh Forex earnings. However, this growth trajectory has recently started experiencing a downfall, which is 3.1 per cent as compared to 5.2 per cent of 2018 and 14 per cent of 2017. This can be mainly attributed to factors such as increasing pollution, mostly in northern

India, including Delhi and street protests over the new citizenship law. But again, we should understand the fact that this is nothing but temporary disturbances and will eventually calm down in the next few months.

Moreover, with the scale at which the country has grown in the last few years, inbound tourism is only going to increase in the coming days. India

at present is the 8th largest country in terms of significant GDP generated through travel and tourism. In fact, as per a recent FICCI-Yes Bank report, the country’s tourism sector is set to grow at 6.7 per cent per annum, which will help it become an ` 35 trillion economy with 9.6 per cent of GDP.

The pace at which India has enhanced its infrastructure and connectivity engines over the years is impressive. The continuous innovations including greenfield road construction, double-digit growth in the domestic aviation market, 100 per cent FDI in the railways sector and transformative government schemes like ‘Housing for All Mission’ that aims to build 100 new smart cities and facilitating affordable accommodation options for the country’s ever increasing population, are real-time testimonies.

Apart from the conventional tourist attractions such as the Taj Mahal – Agra, the Red Fort – New Delhi or the Gateway of India – Mumbai, India also houses some of the most offbeat tourist destinations that one should not miss exploring. Some of those places that gained maximum traction in the last few years are Jodhpur and Udaipur in Rajasthan, Coorg, Chikmagalur, and Gokarna in Karnataka and Khajjar in Himachal Pradesh. I would strongly recommend these places to anyone visiting India for the first time.

Prrithviraj, Director, Eastbound GroupSince the inception of

Eastbound Group in 2006, we have seen an upward swing in inbound tourism. However, ongoing anti-CAA protests, Coronavirus and the pollution levels in North India have posed challenges for the travel industry, yet I am positive, this too shall pass quickly. Travel is an integral component of human nature and there may be a phase of slowdown but people will never stop travelling. India’s inbound

tourism is likely to grow at 6.7 per cent per annum. The Indian government intends to achieve the target of one per cent foreign tourist arrivals in

world’s international tourist arrivals by 2020 and increase it to two per cent by 2025. Enhancement of connectivity, favourable government policies and laws, reinforced tourism promotions have all acted as positive catalysts for growing inbound numbers.

Government of India’s initiatives to propel inbound tourism such as e-visa initiative in 2014 and the fast-track infrastructure development resulted in 2.37 million foreign tourists availing the e-visa facility in 2018, an increase of 39.4 per cent over 2017. Further, infrastructure development for various thematic segments across the country received a significant boost through the Swadesh Darshan and PRASAD schemes.

India has much more to offer to the tourists be it the popular Taj Mahal and Red Fort which are a must-do for first time visitors; Varanasi, Jaisalmer, Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary in Madurai, Mysore Palace and Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya are some of the destinations that we recommend to our clients. Apart from this, we have a full product development team that identifies and curates unique experiences that are exclusive to Eastbound. Renewed focuses on property websites, social network integration and improved quality of restaurants have led to more travellers visiting India and preferring to stay at hotels here.

Rajnish Kaistha, Director, Paradise Holidays We at Paradise Holidays

have been Indian sub-continent DMC for over three decades and have seen the changing times in our industry. It’s digital world today and guests want overall precise product information and price which needs to be better than the one available online. Pricing needs to be dynamic, in sync with guests’ budget. Well informed traveller, now is willing to explore newer off beat places as experiential

tourism. Far- flung hidden tourist places have now become accessible with government’s UDAN scheme and many of such tourists routes were recommended by IATO as well. There is definite improvement in surface transportation but a lot needs to be done. Online payments of interstate road taxes and fast tags shall help improve travel time in near future. Highways need to be safer with better organised road side amenities, patrolling and SOS posts. Last mile connectivity by state government is equally important.

With the introduction of Tejas trains, and now possible privatisation of important railway routes, is the way forward. Even using waterways

for cruise tourism is required and now luxury tourist vessels plying from Kolkata to Patna on the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers are helping promote newer destinations. There are 37 UNESCO world heritage sites in India and urban- educated world traveller wish to visit such unique places. Indian Himalayas are now year- round attraction with trekking, skiing and soft adventure. North East (Nagaland, Meghalaya, Manipur and Assam) are newer destinations that are opening up. More of wild and tribal central India with virgin routes, Rann Utsav in Kutch, origin of 2000 years old temple architecture starting from Aihole in Karnataka, hiking trails in Western Ghats and Nilgiri hills for repeat visitors is just few places to start with. We invest a lot on product building and off beat tours.

We have many national and international hotel chains opening up, and I belive clean, simple, safe accommodation equipped with modern crisp facilities, is the need of the hour, home stays have also grown in popularity. We inspect a lot of home stays with state governments and need to encourage, educate and incentivise people in this sector.

IATO has worked hard with other industry players for e -visa and now it’s open to more than 150 nationals of the world. Not only this, but with overall reduction in visa fee and only USD 10 PP to visit from May to June, shall definitely give us more arrivals. Although, actual growth in organised sector is lagging, the problem areas are being identified and remedial steps are being taken. We need to project positive India, with positive media campaigns. So, with new quality products, better connectivity, more good budget rooms on anvil, better overall connectivity, positive marketing, we look at the healthier growth ahead both in our business and for all of us in the tourism and hospitality industry.

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Ravi Gosain, Managing Director, Erco Travels Overall inbound tourism in

India is not growing as per our expectation, whatever growth numbers published by ministry of tourism, government of India, we observe are from neighbouring countries. Unfortunately, these tourists do not add much value to our inbound industry. India has a huge potential and it is known to everyone, engaged in tourism business within India or overseas, in reality it has been difficult for all of us to

generate enough interest among travellers to visit India. If I look back

to the last five years, our inbound business is more or less similar; we aren’t able to get new clients which are quite worrisome.

We must generate 10-15 per cent of our sales every year from new sources but we are lacking somewhere to achieve that target. Although, I must admit there are huge improvements in India in terms of infrastructure, rail and air connectivity which are very important and provide better facilities to the tourists. We have to look for newer destinations such as Ladakh, North East India, Gujarat and North Karnataka, to name a few.

Accommodation plays an important role too, as in the recent times; many hotels came up in four and five star categories, which are good for the tourists, looking for luxury. However, we need to work on creating good three star or comfortable hostels to accommodate budget international tourists and students who love to explore such places. Overall, I think India needs to be marketed as a ‘New India’ among overseas travellers by showcasing some of the new features, we are adding to our products. Our company is doing this and it is quite helpful for us to stay afloat.

Sabina Chopra, Co-Founder and COO, Corporate Travel & Head Industry Relations, Yatra.com

Travel and tourism sector has been a key facilitator of growth all over the world with its significant contribution towards socio-economic progress through employment generation, infrastructure development and foreign exchange earnings. India has become a preferred choice of destinations with its diverse portfolio of product offerings of niche tourism such as eco-

tourism, spiritual tourism, MICE, etc which attracts many domestic and international tourists. In the recent years, the rise in inbound tourists have resulted from the growing middle class and high spending foreign tourists having disposable incomes. With better travel connectivity and the government’s initiatives to enhance tourism such as Swadesh

Darshan Scheme, and the UDAN Scheme have helped synergise and strengthen tourism in the country.

India’s efforts towards infra boost and greater connectivity is constantly developing. By 2025, India aspires to become the third largest travel market across the globe. The government’s efforts in building better road and air connectivity by introducing new interstate trains and the UDAN scheme under which 100 more airports are to be developed by 2025 will certainly play a significant role in tourism development. Reasonable airfares and attractive offers by airlines are also accounting to increased tourist inflow. Apart from this, heritage tourism along the waterways and cruise tourism can also attract millions of tourists from all over the world.

With a vast cultural and geographical diversity, India has become one of the favourite tourist destinations for travellers globally. Known for its travelling experience, popular destinations that witness higher footfall are Tamil Nadu, Agra, North East, Goa, Delhi, Rajasthan, Kerala, Karnataka, and Mumbai among others for their offerings. Travellers are also keen on exploring the uncharted destinations such as Phugtal Gompa in Jammu & Kashmir, Chopta in Uttarakhand, Tharangambadi in Tamil Nadu, Moorang in Himachal Pradesh and Mahakuta and Banashankari in Karnataka.

Ashish Dhruva, Vice President, CleartripIndia has become

fastest growing tourist market with visitor numbers increasing every year. India’s attractiveness as a tourist destination has been growing steadily. India has established itself as one of the fastest-growing travel markets across the globe in the past decade. The sector is predicted to grow at an annual rate of 6.9 per cent by 2028 (9.9 per cent of GDP). However, with different unforeseen episodes in travel

and tourism, the predicted growth rates may witness some variation. Though with the government’s clear intent to boost the industry, the offsets may only be temporary.

There is still huge potential to be unlocked in the travel industry in India. As we overcome existing challenges, more travellers will increasingly recognise India as a unique travel destination, replete with spellbinding beauty and diversity. The huge potential of India as a global tourism destination remains untapped. A large number of tourist worthy destinations are inaccessible primarily due to infrastructural challenges including online booking support. To ensure infrastructural inadequacies do not fetter the growth on India’s path to becoming a destination of

choice, the government is already making provisions for boosting travel, accessibility, connectivity and security infrastructure towards global benchmarks and must continue to stay committed on this path.

Some of the areas that need attention: Destination development, capacity of a transport system, alternative modes of transport, dining facilities, recreational spots, and online book ability of things to do. Safety and security concerns- the government is continually upgrading its infrastructure. This momentum needs to be sustained. Sanitation infrastructure needs attention at many places. Communication infrastructure, data and phone connectivity in hinterland and interiors though improving still has a long way to go. Talent pool, a sensitive service industry like tourism equally depends upon the efficient work of various tour functionaries like tour guides and tour operators. The specialised nature of these jobs requires carefully planned training programme to enable them to interact effectively with tourists of diverse types.

India’s diversity as a tourist destination is incomparable. India claims 37 world heritage sites and has an unparalleled diversity to offer. There’s so much to discover in India, but we don’t know who to ask and people generally stick to a few popular places only and a large part remains unexplored. The strengths need to be coupled with effective marketing communication and to reiterate the position of India as an attractive destination for international tourists. In addition, the heightened focus that we have seen in the last few years towards bridging infrastructure gaps needs to be maintained. With a thought-through strategic approach and optimal political will, there is no reason why India’s attractiveness as a tourist destination would not grow.

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A name that is synonymous with world class hospitality, wellness

and state-of-the-art features, Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts offers attentive yet discreet services, and is known for providing naturally-luxurious, ecological, culturally-sensitive experiences.

Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts has grown into one of the world’s leading international operators in the hospitality and spa industry that manages more than 48 resorts and hotels, 64 spas, 74 retail galleries and three championship golf courses in 28 countries. The company has created hotels and resorts to suit the traveller’s needs and lifestyle built on a foundation of sustainability. With a kitty full of world class properties, Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts tenders you with an

experience of a lifetime.

An abode to three of the finest properties of Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts, Angsana Bintan, Cassia Bintan and Banyan Tree Bintan, Bintan the largest island in Indonesia’s Riau Archipelago, is a melting pot of rustic serenity, local cultures and lush rainforests, the island is a perfect habitat for a true Banyan Tree experience.

Cassia BintanOpened in 2017, Cassia

Bintan is the island’s only apartment-style hotel that offers beachfront living by the South China Sea. Located along a private stretch of pristine beachfront within the tranquil Tanjung Said Bay, the vibrant Cassia Bintan sits beside Banyan Tree Bintan and Angsana Bintan, sharing its facilities with its sister resorts. Furnished in colourful hues, Cassia Bintan’s apartments make for a vibrant

under the shade of

‘Banyan Tree Hotels & resorts’A leading name in the luxury resort and

spa market, Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts has grown into a chief brand of

niche and premium resorts and spas across the Asia Pacific. Despite having marked its footprints across the globe, Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts has managed

to preserve its Asian identity along with a strong brand image. We at TTJ take

you through the brand expedition as we share insights on their three immaculate

properties: Angsana Bintan, Cassia Bintan and Banyan Tree Bintan.

Rachita Sehgal

Cassia Bintan - Two Bedroom Loft Living Room


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living experience. Each unit features a master bedroom with a separate living area that is complete with a fully equipped kitchenette, wi-fi and plasma TV. For a unique holiday experience, you can choose to stay in the contemporary loft apartments and lounge at the mezzanine level or hang out at the terrace. Each of the 179 apartments offer forest, ocean or garden views, all equipped with a compact kitchenette. 41 out of these 179 apartments are spacious loft units, featuring an overhead loft area and outdoor terrace. The resort conducts free foam parties at the beachfront infinity pool every weekend.

Banyan Tree BintanSituated 60 minutes from Singapore’s

Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Bintan’s Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal and a short 10 to 15-minute ride by car, sits one of the most serene resorts of the island, the Banyan Tree Bintan. An only all-pool, all-villa resort on the island, the resort is nestled on a hillside perch along a private stretch of pristine beachfront within the tranquil Tanjung Said Bay. Bathed in earth-toned colours and accented with traditional local décor, Banyan Tree Bintan’s alluring ocean-

facing villas come fitted with either a private outdoor relaxation pool or infinity pool. Surrounded by the shimmering South China Sea, each of Banyan Tree

Bintan’s 67 traditional Indonesian villas sits elevated on wooden stilts, bearing quintessential hallmarks of classic Balinese-style architecture and décor complemented with high-tech creature comforts. The resort also offers stays in the Kelong Villa, which is the first luxury floating villa in the Bintan region aimed at reconnecting guests with each other and nature through an eco-friendly, sustainable means of experiencing the island. Complete your island vacation with the award-winning Banyan Tree Spa, Laguna Golf Bintan, signature dining outlets and breathtaking destination dining experiences.

Angsana BintanLocated along a private stretch of

pristine beachfront within the tranquil Tanjung Said Bay, the charming Angsana

Bintan invites you to live the island life with its laidback ambience. The refreshing pool, garden and ocean views from the comfort of Angsana Bintan’s cosy 109 rooms and suites is awe inspiring. Whether you’re here with family or friends, the award-winning Angsana Spa, Laguna Golf Bintan, XANA Beach Club and Rangers Club will enhance your island vacation. Complemented with chic interiors accented with the brand’s signature tangerine orange hues, and all the creature comforts available in your room the hotel is a haven to rejuvenate your soul and body. Whether you are looking for a casual meal, a beachfront experience or just delicious Indonesian cuisine, Angsana Bintan has it all. Take in the tranquil island life as you are pampered by the finest in Asian hospitality amid the beauty of tropical flora.

Angsana Bintan - Spa

Banyan Tree Bintan - Oceanview Infinity Pool Villa


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Though India is strongly building on its tourism infrastructures and initiatives to promote inbound tourism, the growth seems minimal.

There are several factors that affect tourism and India is in a constant mode of turmoil in its tourism initiatives which is either result of its people ineffectiveness, natural calamities or man- made disasters at work. Although, inbound tourism largely takes a hit time and again, there is recovery in the market in due time and there is still a confidence in the tourism industry regarding inbound tourism. The phrase ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’, the ancient Indian tradition of welcoming the guest as God has stayed alive despite the countless changes our country has gone through. ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ is not merely a concept, it needs to translate into reality and become one of our most important engines of economic growth. The hospitality industry must realise the immense potentials of inbound tourism and its own sector and work together to reach new heights.

Sarbendra Sarkar, Founder and Managing Director, Cygnett Hotels and Resorts

Presently, the market sentiments are down because of the turbulence in the country. As depicted in some market reports, there has been an increase in the footfall as compared to the previous years; however, the growth rate has declined. The condition of budget accommodation is improving because of the presence of many international players in the country. It is the reason that is making domestic brands to raise their units to accommodate a value-seeking international guest. Our company has tied up with various

international portals to boost the visibility of the brand. In addition, we are also working on the feeder market through our digital marketing efforts.

The foremost concern for any visiting foreign national is safety and security issues in different locations. So, our government should increase the safety and security measures to showcase our hospitable atmosphere positively. Moreover, there is a need for lucrative FDI policies that could help promote business tourism in the country. The efforts towards the betterment of cleanliness and hygiene standards in public places and in public transportation needs to be heightened to give a positive outlook about India’s hospitality and tourism market.

We cannot call online aggregators a direct competition but rather an indirect one as our guests’ profiles and mindsets are totally different. Such business models have certainly created a disruption in the market, and we are working actively to develop new hospitality concepts to retain and provide better personalised experiences to our guests.

Sanjay Pagi, General Manager, Mercure Goa Devaaya Retreat

Inbound tourism has increased by leaps and bounds in the past couple of years and is expected to continue to grow. India has done very well in the leisure and heritage tourism segment with the integration of holistic alternative medicine tourism with adventure tourism, will certainly lead to greater footfall. When it comes to leisure and adventure tourism, there are fewer chances of repeat clientele, as they always look for a new destination, unlike health and eco-tourism, as they make it a ritual to visit the place every year and reset their mind, body

india is known for hospitality

and we should

capitalise on it to

attract more inbound tourism

In-spite of what looks like depression in the Indian economy, the hospitality

sector is going ahead with its expansion plans. India,

with its rich history, cultural offerings, warm hospitality

and unique local experiences, offers a range of meaningful

purposes for travellers from across the globe.

Here, one can also find an accommodation to suit every

mood, taste and budget. Additionally, the rise in

convention centers is helping generate international MICE demand as well. Thus, TTJ

tries to understand some ups and downs of inbound tourism from the people in

the hospitality sector.

Prashant Nayak / Sonika Bhandari

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and soul. The airline and hospitality industry needs to work together to find cost equilibrium to encourage people to travel within the country.

All global hotel chains are high on their enthusiasm to get all their portfolio brands in India to take advantage of the growing market and tap on the demand. All big players have their expansion plans in the pipeline from luxury, mid-scale to budget segment to ensure that the customers can be retained with the brand wherever they travel.

In the last two years, the Ministry of Tourism has undertaken several initiatives to provide a further boost to the sector such as the launch of new schemes like Swadesh Darshan and PRASAD, revamping of existing schemes such as Hunar Se Rozgar to provide skilled workforce, extending e-tourist visas to more countries, developing a mobile application for tourists, introducing an incredible India tourist helpline etc. Visa on arrival and the possibility of extending visas once in the country would do good to boost international tourism.

Digital presence and social media posts help in efficiently marketing the brand in today’s age. The tendency among consumers is to ‘Google’ everything, especially, when it comes to travel, preferring to compare prices and reviews before checking in at any place. I personally believe the word-of-mouth promotion being the best marketing tool, hence we ensure that we deliver more than we promise to our customers to win their loyalty and retain them with the brand forever.

Ranjith Reddy, Director of Sales & Marketing, Leela Palace Chennai

The market scenario is weak as NRC protests across the country have sent

wrong signals to international tourists. Also, the outbreak of Corona virus has led to extensive cancellations. India is well equipped for international visitors with all kinds of budget accommodations of international standards with adequate infrastructure across price segments. The rise in online aggregators like Airbnb may not pose any challenge to luxury market as discerning travellers have specific needs which Airbnb cannot service. It is strongly felt that lifting of visa restrictions and charges associated with the processing will definitely help in increasing the International footfalls. Our strategy is to forge alliances with international airlines and FTO’s to enhance the International arrivals.

Saharsh Vadhera, Director of Sales & Marketing, Shangri-La Hotel Bengaluru

The industry has been plagued by the coronavirus threat which has had drastic impact on inbound tourism. India is currently one of the safest countries with negligible known threat of the virus and will see return of inbound tourism very soon, hopefully. Various state tourism boards are participating in unique campaigns for inbound promotion which will definitely help unlock some new markets with higher spending capacity. We must utilise online media to showcase our best in the coming months.

Indian airports are world class now with great connectivity through domestic airlines. Branded hotels have mushroomed in last decade, catering to various budgets. Also, India remains the hot bed for hospitality related investment with higher returns than western countries. All this, together makes India a good choice for travellers on leisure as well as business trips.

Clientele for such aggregators

are different and may impact non-branded budget hotels only. In fact, these aggregators can promote new destinations through untapped source markets which can eventually unlock potential for bigger hotels in these locations. Tax reduction and regulating flight prices will help India in contending with other destinations within South Asia. Safety of international travellers and creating a welcoming environment will have a positive impact.

We will continue to have like minded associations to promote our food and beverage offerings. Subtle and holistic marketing will be done keeping in mind our target audience both in print as well as digital media.

Anand Athavale, Director of Sales and Marketing, The Leela Mumbai

Inbound tourism has always been more focused towards certain key metros like Mumbai and Delhi. The interest also lies in places like Rajasthan, Kerala and Goa. The most common is the Golden triangle (Delhi/ Agra/ Rajasthan) where Delhi and Mumbai are the entry or exit points for the tourists. These groups are generally booked three to six months in advance. Traditional and emerging themes of tourism, including nature, heritage and culture, religious, adventure, medical and wellness, MICE and wedding, among others have been a key attraction for domestic and foreign tourists. Over the last few years medical tourism has also grown for the inbound guests.

In my opinion, as a country, we are well equipped only in specific locations. Key metros and the frequently visited locations within the country have come up with a lot of options which can match to the international standards however; there is a lot of opportunity

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in tier II and III cities to develop decent accommodations of international standards to attract tourism. Cities like Mysore, Bhopal and many more have a lot of potential to grow the inbound tourism to the country.

In order to grow the footfalls, I believe some of these initiatives need to be taken by the government as well as private players like encouraging and incentivising private sectors to participate in the committee for faster development. Upgrade government owned infrastructure through private sector. Leveraging social media to boost the inbound tourism. GST rationalisation and upgradation and penetration of technology in the tourism sector. Combined visa option in addition to the current e-visa options can be thought of. Focus on source markets via roadshows in collaboration with government as well as private sectors and developing new destinations within the country to boost demand of inbound tourists.

Vikas Sharma, General Manager, Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel Gachibowli

When it comes to inbound tourism, the India market has seen an increasing rise in the past few years. Various segments and sub segments such as medical tourism, experiential tourism and adventure-based travel have further aided inbound tourism into the country. India has also immensely benefited with the influx of new investments in the country, which helps travellers extend their stay and effectively utilise their weekend breaks to explore the country.

India has always been ahead of the game with its unparalleled hospitality offers and impeccable service standards. This has been the case

even before the advent of international brands in the country which now add to the quality of standards in all the possible segments. Brands such as Fairfield, Aloft, Ibis, Lemon Tree even provide budgeted travel at the comfort of a brand, however matched with much superior levels of service and personalisation, when compared to the US, Europe and similar markets.

I am quite appreciative of the efforts taken by the authorities in order to boost tourist footfalls. Personally, I would recommend that we consider marketing each destination with its distinctive USPs. India has been promoting tourism based on its rich culture for a long time now, however I do feel additional efforts can be made in order to promote the ‘instagramable experience’ or ‘story to tell experiences’ in this digital world.

At Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel, we continue to work with similar strategies that drive both domestic as well as international arrivals into the hotel, as studies indicate that both these segments are equally profitable to the business. Apart from this, we also focus on catering to our international travellers in unique ways, owing to their various palates, cultural and emotional needs altogether.

Manish Dayya, General Manager, Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre and Hyderabad International Convention Centre

India has always attracted foreign leisure travellers because it offers multiple options ranging from history and cultural tourism, eco- tourism, adventure tourism, health tourism and rural tourism. MICE is a very prominent tourism segment. This is

evident from the percentage of foreign tourists’ arrivals as business travellers to the country and to Hyderabad, the convention capital of India. In last few years we have noticed that the business traveller’s demands are dynamic and more matured than ever. We need to be flexible and equipped in all aspects to cater their multi facet requirements. We, at Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre and HICC not only offer them the most unique meeting and conference experience with more than 1,00,000 sq ft of space but also cater to their need for personalisation, especially for services like food and beverage preferences, functional rooms and suites, various options of indoor and outdoor event space, advance audio visual solutions to keep them connected and real time feedback and solutions to ensure a comfortable stay.

Of course, India caters to the needs of travellers with any budgets. Within the Accor portfolio we have multiple brands serving guests from budget to uber luxury. Indian hospitality also stands apart due to the fact that we have instilled a culture of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ which has been a way of life in India, we in India have always treated our guests as God and guest experience is at the core of Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre, always ensuring that the guests needs come first. Even for a seasoned traveller the attention to detail and grandeur is sure to wow them. We are constantly in the process of enhancing our facilities and ensuring they match global standards. Our hotel encourages wellbeing (me time) and also promotes togetherness and bonding (we time). The refreshed look of the rooms have incorporated the soothing colors and modern fixtures preferred by new age travellers.

While there are many policies in place already to entice foreign travellers, better coordinated and planned efforts between central and state governments can facilitate the growth of MICE contribution in the global tourism market. The development of MICE focused venues and functional spaces like HICC will allow MICE operators to choose India as a destination for renowned meetings and conferences. These steps act as a significant push factor to market India as a global MICE destination.

Given that MICE is a major contributor to the business generated by Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre and HICC being an international MICE venue of this size and functionality, we not only compete with other hotels and cities but with global MICE venues. With participation in international

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roadshows, MICE fairs, hosted buyer programmes, we continue to expand our presence on relevant networks, organising media FAMs for global media support and enhanced PR and dedicated digital campaigns. With our complex, featuring hotel and convention centre together, we were one of the early movers to understand and capitalise the MICE segment in India.

Our collaborative efforts with the state government, PCOs and Hyderabad Convention Visitor Bureau, help us to reach a larger audience promoting Hyderabad as a destination for global MICE and distinguish ourselves from the competition. We are also working closely with authorities, governing bodies, and bureaus in order to promote Hyderabad and Telangana as a tourist friendly destination to attract more global travellers to the city.

Anand Sarode, GM Sales, Lords Hotels and Resorts

India has seen the spurt in inbound tourism after the launch of campaign ‘Incredible India’. Infrastructure development is the key to improve the destinations in terms of connectivity and other facilities that are very important for the tourists. Centre and state governments have taken all measures in developing and commissioning the infrastructure. Also, oceanariums, budgeted accommodation, circuit routes, roads and highways etc are being developed to encourage inbound tourism.

India has a large market for travel and tourism. The economy budget hotel segment has been growing from strength to strength. The last one decade has seen the rise of many budget and economy hotels in the country. They have raised the standard

and made a lot of adaptations of their offerings at lesser price.

Technology is redefining the way we exist in this world and it has been proved beyond doubt that the use of technology has really improved where ever it was used in conjunction with the tourism. For instance, Maharashtra tourism division is making its website supportive to international languages. It is believed that it has plans to support all Indian languages as well. With e-guides and virtual tours as its website offerings, we feel it can really stimulate a potential tourist. In addition, many states are installing electronic information kiosks at its tourist destinations for the purpose of providing guidance to tourists. More such steps should be taken towards leveraging technology at different touch points.

The marketing strategies to strengthen international arrivals at our hotels are from geo specific online advertisement campaigns to target right audience as per their location. Giving special offers and promotions, to lure audience for online booking through our website. Being a hospitality partner to international fairs and film festivals and promoting international guest reviews online to attract more bookings.

Abhay Singh, Director of Operations, Westin Pune Koregaon Park

Travel and tourism has become a significant industry in the country over the last few years, thanks to the government initiatives and policies along with increasing foreign tourist arrivals. The inbound tourism scenario of India has also picked up due to the entry and growth of global

hotel brands like Marriott International and the increasing penetration of the internet.

The demand normally spurts in the peak season between November and March. The intensity is much higher in metros, but it is also slowly picking up in tier II and III cities. Also, there is an increasing demand for medical tourism, despite the economic slowdown, medical tourism in India is the fastest growing segment of the tourism and hospitality industry. India has been recognised as a destination for spiritual tourism for domestic and international tourists.

Marriott International has introduced their unparalleled collection of brands in India. Our guests can discover classic brands and time-honoured hospitality for the modern traveller. For those who lean towards memorable experiences with a unique perspective, we offer our family of distinctive brands. Whatever is their preference, we can’t wait to welcome our guests - luxury, premium, select, longer stays, collections.

We at The Westin Pune Koregaon Park know our consumers and deliver value to them through Marriott’s loyalty program – Marriott Bonvoy. Our guests gravitate towards unique experiences and shared platforms, which we make sure that our guest experiences this through curated events, personalisation and our social media platforms. We pursue excellence and our dedication to the guest shows in everything we do. Marriott’s reputation for superior customer service dates back to J. Willard Marriott’s original goal for his business: ‘good food and good service at a fair price’. We take pride in the details—every day, in every guest experience.

Most importantly, we need to first identify our target audience, we must know the kind of foreign tourists visiting our region. Try to understand their nationality, age group, their stay patterns and how they spend during their stay in a hotel and the time of their visit etc. Once we get to know our target guest, it becomes easier for you to have a strategy to attract them to our property.

India is a large market for travel and tourism. It offers a diverse portfolio of niche tourism products - cruises, adventure, medical, wellness, sports, MICE, eco-tourism, film, rural and religious tourism. India has been recognised as a destination for spiritual tourism for international tourists.

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Madhya Pradesh, known as the heart of India, is an incredible tourist destination with a wide variety

of products that satisfy every traveller. The state has mountains, rivers, forests

and national parks including some of the best tiger reserves, religious and heritage sites that a traveller can explore.The interactive app helps to discover these exciting destinations and interesting facts about the places, to book accommodation before travel and explore the place in a more personalised manner, while combining love for running and wellbeing.The runs are designed to make the vacation a holistic experience. The RunCation app promotes a healthy, responsible and innovative way to sightseeing.The app lets you add your personal running scores to your profile.

While previewing the destinations, tourists can resort to 360-degree view of the spot and play interactive quizzes and games that will generate their interest in the location. The app currently provides live access to seven popular spots - Bhopal, Khajuraho, Gwalior, Mandu, Orchha, Pachmarhi and Pench. It also allows tourists to indulge in the favourite group activities, treasure hunts that are GPS enabled to ensure that the visitors have a memorable and hassle-free experience.

Users can discover different destinations on the home page, can explore each destination and get details such as monuments in the region, travel routes and options, hotels and accommodation, places to visit in the region, local cuisine, specialties of the region and virtual experiences. The app helps tourists discover offbeat and under-the-radar spots, along with the popular ones. It also

brings users travel tips, itineraries and more.

The app can also be used as a virtual tour guide as the users can transport themselves to the destinations through their phone itself. Locations such as forts, palaces, temples, rivers, jungles and mountains, everything is accessible through the app and can create an elaborate and exciting virtual experience. What

is more, the app adds new destinations every month.

Quizzes and GPS treasure hunts are an innovative way to learn about the history and the stories of tourist destinations along with fun things to do, what to shop and more, even before visiting the spot. Further, when users finally visit the destination, they can indulge in the real and exciting GPS treasure hunts with their families and friends.

Traveling to smaller destinations can sometimes get a bit hair raising for some. RunCation app will make your journey smooth and stress free.You can also see a full listing of hotels from the destination you want to travel to and book the one that fits your needs and budget.

Launched by the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board in October 2019, RunCation mobile app, available on both Android and iOS platforms, has been downloaded over 100 times and is expected to pick pace. The State Tourism Board announced ‘Namaste Orchha’, a new festival March 6-8, 2020, celebrating the cultural landscape of the state in the historic town of Orchha. The app can be well utilised for the three day extravaganza in this ancient and quaint town which features diverse activities of music, art, wellness, travel, nature, adventure, history and culture.

‘runCation’ app of

Madhya Pradesh,

a new medium for health and exploration

Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board has a new and unique

app called ‘RunCation’ which is an exciting app to design your entire travel

lifecycle in Madhya Pradesh. The M.P RunCation app

encourages exploration of Madhya Pradesh’s fantastic

destinations by helping travellers through their

journey. These immersive experiences help the

travellers to virtually explore destinations which inspire them to travel and finally

make on-ground exploration more exciting.TTJ shares more on this amazing and

interesting app.

Sonika Bhandari

Golden Chariot

The Golden Chariot train was commissioned in 2008 by Karnataka Tourism in association with Ministry of Railways, features Government of India and Ministry of Tourism, Government

of India to provide the discerning rail travellers, an option to explore the history and culture of Karnataka in the luxurious comforts of a specially designed train.

The train features 11 guest carriages with 4 guest cabins in each with ensuite bathrooms. The guest cabins are a mix of 13 double bed cabins, 30 twin bed cabins and 1 cabin for differently abled, where liveried valets attend to each guest requirements. The two restaurants,

Ruchi and Nalpaka, serve delectable meals from various parts of the world coupled with an array of Indian options. Madira, the bar serves choicest wines, beers and spirits.

Arogya, the spa cum health club combines traditional auyrvedic spa therapies and modern workout machines for the guests to rejuvenate their mind, body and soul. A business center enables the modern day traveller to attend to business requirements also.

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• Inclusive tariff

• All meals with mix of Indian and international cuisine

• Complimentary house wines, spirits and beers

• Sightseeing with entrance fee

• Services of experienced tour director

• Excursions in air conditioned buses

• Choice of optional excursions on additional payment

• Paramedic onboard

• Round-the-clock valet service

• Ensuite shower and WC

• Television and infotainment system in all cabins

• Electronics safe in all cabins

• Mix of twin and double bed cabins

• CCTV cameras, smoke alarms and 24X7 security

Features

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ItinerariesItineraries on the Golden Chariot train are an eclectic mix of history, culture, nature and tradition of South India. The itineraries are paced to allow the travellers to soak in the majestic landscape, visit important spots at each destination and relax onboard in the comforts of the train.

Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation Ltd.

11th Floor, A-Wing, Statesman House, B-148, Barakhamba Road, Connaught Place, New Delhi-110 001

Ph.: +91-82879 30030 +91-82879 30197

Email: [email protected]

www.goldenchariot.org www.irctctourism.com

Pride of Karnataka (6 Nights/7 Days)

Bengaluru – Bandipur - Mysore – Halebidu – Chikamangalur - Hampi – Badami – Pattadakal - Aihole – Goa - Bengaluru

Glimpses of Karnataka (3 Nights/4 Days)

Bengaluru – Bandipur – Mysore – Hampi – Bengaluru

Jewels of South (6 Nights/7 Days)

Bengaluru – Mysore – Hampi - Mahabalipuram – Thanjavur and Chettinad – Cochin – Kumarakom -Bengaluru

Aihole Bandipur National Park

Halebidu Chikamangalur Pattadakal

Badami Mysore

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been segregated in different verticals for ease of operations and to provide their partners a single point of contact for all the queries.

Widely travelled, Madhav’s vast experience has helped many multinationals reach greater heights. His experience and expertise ensures best possible services at very competitive prices. Prior to setting up WOW, Madhav was associated with Thomas Cook for close to 18 years. He was responsible for the phenomenal growth of the outbound business, driving sales for both b2b and b2c, product development, contracting and operations for groups and FITs.

Madhav says, “India’s travel and tourism industry has a huge growth potential, thanks to its rich cultural diversity, nature abundance and historical importance. With culture, festivals, history, adventure, wildlife, cuisine, world-famous heritage sites, India as a whole has always been an enticing destination for the tourists across the globe. The foreign tourist arrivals in India has witnessed 3.23 per cent increase to 96,69,633 during January-November 2019 despite global economic headwinds, which is quite encouraging for the industry. The growth amply explains India’s improvement in Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) ranking by the World Economic Forum to 34 in 2019 from 65 in 2013.”

Also, India’s inbound tourist market started witnessing an upward trend with the government introducing e-visas for citizens of 43 countries entering through nine airports in 2014 and further extending the facility to 166 countries and 28 airports. Reduced GST rates

on hotel room bookings also acted as a growth driver in foreign tourist arrivals. The arrival of multinational hotel chains in India in the last decade or so has also enhanced India’s position as the most sought after tourist destination globally.

“The transport and hospitality infrastructure has improved over the years and will enhance even further thanks to the national infrastructure pipeline announced by the government with an investment pledge of `100 trillion. The infrastructure drive will further strengthen connectivity to various tourist destinations by rail, air, highways and waterways. So, foreign tourist will experience much better connectivity in India,” assures Madhav.

Madhav states further, “The competitiveness of the country’s tourism industry depends on the availability of budget accommodations of international standards in various important tourist places. Some hospitality players have trained their eyes on the budget hotel or accommodation segment and that has led to a phase of growth and consolidation in that segment. The need of the hour is to further improve the tourist infrastructure and basic amenities like lighting, parking, toilets, traffic signages and interpretation of the significance of a tourist place in english.”

“The international arrivals in India are expected to reach 15.3 million by 2025, as per the estimate of the World Tourism Organisation. With the continued support from the government in terms of infrastructure development and tax relief, the industry will witness growth in inbound tourism,” concludes Madhav.

india has always been an enticing

destination

WOW Holidays (World of Wonders Travel) is one of the finest and the most trusted DMCs for Europe, USA, Australia and New Zealand in India. Madhav

Pai, Chairman & Managing Director, World of Wonders

Travel is an eminent travel visionary and a

distinguished personality in the travel fraternity and also

a pioneer in international holidays. Given his

experience and expertise, he speaks his mind about

the current inbound tourism scenario in India.

Prashant Nayak

Madhav Pai

WOW is a team of experienced professionals from multiple facets of the travel trade,

established by Madhav Pai in January 2014 with a vision to provide the travel industry value based quality holidays and a ‘WOW’ experience to their clients. The core team has more than 20 years of Individual experience each in the industry with high reputation. WOW team has


Maharajas’ Express, a train almost half a mile long, redefining luxury and comfort, recreating lifestyle of the princely era. A train that never falls short

of providing you a royal experience, Maharajas’ express features four cabin configurations – deluxe, junior suite, suite and presidential suite. Every cabin has large windows, just so that you can savor every bit of magnificent India.

All guest carriages have state-of-the-art facilities - live television, DVD players, wi-fi etc, to keep you entertained through the journey. With 24 hours valet service from pantries on each car and round-the-clock services of a paramedic, the journey is truly an experience extraordinaire. All cabins come with ensuite bathrooms and toilets with bath tubs. Presidential suite has one living room and two bedrooms (one twin and one double), both with ensuite bathrooms with one of the bathrooms having both tubs.

To ensure safety and security of the guests, the train is equipped with CCTV cameras, smoke alarms and 24x7 Security.

Maharajas’ ExprEss

an experience unsurpassed

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Maharajas’ Express facilities

Mayur Mahal and Rang Mahal (Restaurant Cars): The two in-house restaurant cars with unique theme décor have the capacity to seat 42 guests each. The menus are a mix of international and Indian cuisines with chefs always willing to go the extra mile to make the culinary experience a truly memorable one.

The Rajah Club: The Rajah Club provides you with the choicest collection of house brands of beers, wines and spirits. The Rajah Club has been witness to many a conversation traversing international boundaries.

Safari Bar: The Safari Bar is a perfect place to rewind with its own bar, game tables and comfortable club arm chairs and a collection of books.

Sandouk (The Boutique): The train houses a boutique which stocks pieces of authentic Indian art jewelry and clothing.

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ITINERARIES1. Southern Sojourn (7Nights / 8 Days)

Mumbai - Ratnagiri - Goa - Hampi - Mysore - Cochin - Kumarakom - Trivandrum

2. Southern Jewels (7 Nights / 8 Days) Trivandrum - Chettinad / Karaikudi - Mahabalipuram - Mysore - Hampi - Goa - Ratnagiri - Mumbai

3. Indian Splendour (6 Nights / 7 Days) Delhi - Agra - Ranthambhore - Jaipur - Bikaner - Jodhpur - Udaipur - Mumbai

4. Heritage of India (6 Nights / 7 Days) Mumbai - Udaipur - Jodhpur - Bikaner - Jaipur - Ranthambhore - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra - Delhi)

5. Indian Panorama (6 Nights / 7 Days) Delhi - Jaipur - Ranthambhore - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra - Orchha - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi)

6. Treasures of India (3 Nights / 4 Days) Delhi - Agra - Ranthambhore - Jaipur - Delhi

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38 Hotels 16 States 34 Cities

Contact Us : 011 46035500 | Email : [email protected] | Website : www.welcomheritagehotels.in

Your escape toeternal heritage .. !!

Each WelcomHeritage Hotel endeavours to showcase the rich cultural and traditional brilliance of the region, thus promising an

experience that is as diverse as India.

Ahmedabad | Amritsar | Coorg | Corbett | Delhi | Dharamshala | Gangtok | Hansi | Jaipur | Jaisalmer | Jodhpur | Kasauli | Kota | Leh-

Ladakh | Manali | Mount Abu | Mohangarh | Mussoorie | Nainital | Nawalgarh | Ooty | Pachmarhi | Palampur | Panchkula | Panjim | Pench |

Pragpur | Prayagraj | Ranakpur | Ranikhet | Ranthambore | Sandur | Srinagar | Tadoba | Udaipurwati

WelcomHeritage Glenview Resort, Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh

WelcomHeritage Gurkha Houseboats, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir

WelcomHeritage Judge’s Court, Pragpur, Himachal Pradesh


Largely unexplored, infinitely exotic and full of unique experiences, the Little Rann of Kutch is a one-of-its-kind habitat in the world. This remarkable landscape is a vast unbroken

bare flat land encrusted with salts covering an area of 4954 sqkm. After monsoon the whole place transforms to a spectacular coastal wetland. The only haven of the Asiatic wild ass and the favoured breeding ground of many rare bird species, the Little Rann offers innumerable sights and unforgettable experiences. Alongside the animals and birds that make the region home, live the Agariya tribes people who harvest salt for a livelihood. ‘Agar’ in the local

language means salt and the unique salt-pans are natural production units of salt. Visiting the Little Rann thus also provides an opportunity to see the salt harvesting process by the Agariyas.

Little Rann of KutchExhilarating Explorations

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The Little Rann has one of India’s largest wildlife enclaves, the ‘Wild Ass Sanctuary’. Wild Asses are graceful animals that look like a cross between a horse and a donkey and possess the strength of the former. Wild Asses are known to run at an average speed of 50 km per hour for long distances. This is the only natural habitat of Wild Ass in the world.

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When you are at Ahmedabad, don’t miss the 5.5 km walled city, the inner enclave that was originally founded by Ahmed Shah, the ruler in whose name the city is known today. Most of the 600 year old antiquity is preserved in the walled city. That’s why the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO announced it as a

World Heritage City. Ahmedabad has now joined the ranks of Paris, Vienna, Cairo, Brussels, Rome and Edinburgh and has etched India on the World Heritage map.

The walled city is home to about 400,000 denizens living in the century old wooden residences belonging tonearly 600 neighbourhoods.The important heritage structures of Ahmedabad include the Pol, Bhadra Fort, Sidi Saiyyed Mosque, Jhulta Minar, Dada Hari Ni Vav, Kalupur Swaminarayan Mandir, CalicoDome, TeenDarwaza, and the Jama Masjid.

Ahmedabad, ‘India’s first

world heritage city’

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In its run up to gain World Heritage City status, Ahmedabad’s nomination had received huge support from around 20 countries, who lauded the peaceful co-existence of Hindu, Islamic and Jain communities in the confinements of the Walled City. The city’s position at the heart of India’s non-violent struggle to gain freedom from the British was equally admired along with the present day cultural harmony.

Ahmedabad’s World Heritage City status is quite befitting. Its value, glory and magnificence will now be preserved more and showcased for the amazement of visitors from around the world.

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Bird watchers are spoilt for choice when they come to Gujarat. The state has so many bird sanctuaries

to choose from. Gujarat has an unrivalled and unique diversity of eco-systems. There are the moist forested hills of the Dangs District

to the salt-encrusted plains of Kutch district. Deciduous forest like Gir National Park, and the vast grasslands of Kutch and Bhavnagar districts, scrub-jungles, river-systems like the Narmada, Mahi, Sabarmati and Tapti, and a multitude of lakes and other wetlands offer ample breeding ground for the feathered flocks. Not to mention a long coastline with two gulfs, many estuaries, beaches, mangrove forests, and offshore islands fringed by coral reefs. These dissimilar but bird-friendly ecosystems beckon both birds and bird watchers in abundance to Gujarat. Along with indigenous species, birds from as far away as Northern Europe migrate to Gujarat every year and make the wetlands and other suitable places their breeding ground. Bird watchers of all kinds benefit from their visit to Gujarat’s superb bird sanctuaries.

Even in suburban areas of some Gujarat cities one can find bird sanctuaries housing thousands of exotic birds. Khijadiya near Jamnagar, and Porbandar bird sanctuary right in Porbandar town are just two examples. In contrast the Rampara Wildlife Sanctuary and the Wild Ass Sanctuary offer a broader and sometimes harsher canvas for bird watchers to pursue their winged friends. Hundreds of exotic birds are in the must see list of avian enthusiasts to Gujarat. Major numbers of them are endangered. Flamencos and world’s tallest flying bird Sara’s Crane can be seen in Gujarat’s bird sanctuaries.

Avian Adventures

flocking for fun

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Abundant variety and innovative

brillianceof Handicrafts

Gujarat and its grandeur is a window to India’s glorious past, the roots of which can be traced back to the Stone Age. The proof of heritage in the region stems from the evidence of city ruins and supplies that have been unearthed in different parts of the state. Lothal, which

dates back to 5000 B.C., Dholavira in Kutch from around 3000 B.C. and many other ancient sites witnessed a myriad of traditions and cultural richness, woven together by people and communities over centuries.

Gujarat got its name from Gujjars who are believed to have been the first settlers in the region. Gujjars are believed to have first appeared in northern Indian during the Huna invasion. A series of dynasties and kingdoms had its imprints on the state over the passage of centuries. The Mauryas, Guptas, Marathas, Mughals, Solankis were some of the most prominent empires that took hold of the region and influenced the social mosaic of Gujarat.

The exuberance and the celebration of life of Gujarat’s people are reflected in its wide variety of handicrafts and artisanship. From hand block printing, kalamkari, bandhani, puppets and stuffed toys, leather work, appliqué, bead work, embroidery, clay and terracotta work, mud work, bird hangings, wood work, metal work, woven work, rogan painting, tangalia work, and warli painting are all expressions of great taste, skill and artistry. S

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Gujarat shines in every quest and so do their golf courses. With international courses holding prestigious world-class golf tournaments, Gujarat has now become a magnet for golf

enthusiasts. The varied nature of their fine courses attracts both top professionals and enthusiastic amateurs. Occasionally the tournaments host both PGTI and European Challenge season.

The golf courses have been designed by legends such as Jack Nicklaus, and frequented by the who’s who of sports and business universe. Besides these fabulous facilities, night golfing and virtual golfing are also contribute in making Gujarat a sought-after golf destination.

Gaekwad Baroda Golf Club is perhaps one-of-a-kind among the world’s golf courses. Acclaimed as the most picturesque golf course in Gujarat,it is a prestigious golf destination with the majestic Lakshmi Vilas Palace built in 1890 as the backdrop. The magnificent palace and its grounds offer a special ambience to golfers.

Gujarat’s golf courses offer the highest level of playing standards. Lengthy drive, perfect putts and sweet spots all find a place in their fairways.

Gujarat’s magnificentGolf Courses

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Adorned with urban elegance, The Den is the first millennial luxury hotel of the Dan Hotels Israel in India that stands

out for its suave pad of comfort in the central business district of Whitefield in Bengaluru. It’s contemporary design reflects the innovative and progressive

elements that are in tune with the modern-day Bengaluru. Today, the guests look at the new innovations from a prism for the brand that offers, inter alia, guest safety and security. Along with a very dynamic and a refreshing food and beverage offering, the property also boasts about having a private cinema in the hotel, a serious games zone called the Playhouse where one can have the arcade games to Wii to PS4 with VR. The thought process is to keep the guests occupied with the modern trends of tomorrow when it comes to R&R.

“When it came about expanding and launching the first hotel in India, it showed that Bengaluru has seen a massive rise in luxury and upper upscale hotel inventories and a city that was always short of rooms, suddenly has a glut of oversupply. This is going to continue for a few more years. Also, we are looking forward to more brand penetration this year. This should be the year of stabilisation and growth which should catapult us in the league of established brands of India. We are certainly looking at expanding in potential markets. Right now, our focus is on The Den Bengaluru and we don’t want to leave any stone unturned to position the brand in the right perspective,” shares Vinesh.

With a positive attitude and an optimistic approach Vinesh outlines, “Even though ‘DAN Hotels’ is the most renowned, largest and oldest brand in Israel, however, carrying the legacy of the brand and establishing the right perception were one of the biggest challenges we faced. Competition is always welcome, and we have established ourselves as a force to reckon with in a short duration, in a market that is dominated with all International and Indian brands. Undoubtedly, there

is competition and it is getting stiffer but our brand values and quality makes a distinction helping us overcome them with relative ease. The city always has a demand for rooms hence the supply is increasing year-on-year. When it comes about competitors, we believe in providing flawless experience to our guests. However, we are seeing guests, who have knack for quality service and product instead of following the established mass brands, preferring us. We have to be the leading luxury hotel in the market in less than 36 months of starting operations, and this will help us follow our ambitions of growing fast in the India market. We feel that the time has come, we are cruising ahead and the future is bright.”

The hospitality trend that the industry would witness in 2020 is the mind-shift towards sustainability and minimalism in luxury segment. Hopefully, Indian travellers would evolve and understand that no-excess is tomorrow’s trend while embracing the experience of essentialism. There are a few more trends such as VR enriching customer experience, personalising guest experience with guest data analytics, evolving to attract the new generation (Gen Z) travellers and OTAs to see an increase in demand this year.

Vinesh sums up, “We profess, believe and practice ‘Never Ever Give up’ attitude as there is always a way to do things in the right way that will eventually lead one in the right direction. We believe in leading by example where all of us pitch in to see that the guests who enter the doors of The Den and The Dan, leave with unparalleled memories and a wish to be back soon.”

Vinesh Gupta

a distinctive experience

with The Den

The exponential growth of Bengaluru as a major technology hub over the

years has captivated eminent Israeli hospitality chain, Dan

Hotels, to begin its global foray in India from this city. The hotel offers luxury with

a twist of modernity that reverberates with the modern

globetrotter as well as the traditional traveller. Vinesh Gupta, General Manager,

The Den, Bengaluru shares more about the property

with TTJ.

Sonika Bhandari

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Asia Leisure Hotels possess six properties across the island, namely Le Grand, The

River House, Tamarind Hill, Shinagawa Beach, The Habitat and Taprobana. The properties are known for the picturesque locations, while promising experiences and memories that last a lifetime. The resorts draw inspiration from the heritage and history of Sri Lanka and utilises the country’s charming locations and unique flora and fauna spread across the island to its advantage. This allows travellers and trekkers to continue to seek luxury travel opportunities in a magical backdrop, with stunning and diverse adventures. The hotel chain has etched a reputation for developing destinations that cater to a wide variety of travellers from the illustrious and opulent to the intimate. Blending modern day luxury with old world styled debonair, from sparkling beaches to exotic sanctuaries, from tropical havens to tranquil secluded resorts, each of the resorts owned and managed by Asia Leisure hotels provide something spellbinding, for that discerning and yearning travel enthusiast of the 21st century.

Attributing significance to India market David says, “India is indubitably a growing market and approximately 10-11 million tourists travel each year and the growth rate has been 3-5 per cent for the past two years. Beyond this, I feel that India needs to be more targeted

in marketing of the destination. India has so much to offer and travellers come for different reasons – history, culture, wildlife and scenery etc. The challenge for the hotel industry is to offer more personalisation and local experiences that the modern traveller is increasingly in search of.”

“I would focus on two of the fastest growing segments of the tourism industry i.e, the authentic local experiences – this phrase has become a bit of cliché, but

it’s one thing to talk about it and another to actually deliver it. The modern traveller is less inclined to visit the usual tourist attraction as they look for truly amazing ‘off the beaten track’ local experiences,” shares David.

“From the marketing perspective, we are very focused on developing good social media content to generate interest in not only our properties, but our destinations also. In this regard, we do work with a number of influencers who have a good following. We also encourage both travel agents and media familiarisation visits as we feel it is far more powerful to have our partners see our properties for themselves, than just for us to tell them about it. Most of our guests are leisure travellers and they include couples as well as families. We find our resorts quite popular for small groups of 10-20 people as we are able to provide a high degree of personalisation. We also target some corporate groups, but mainly incentives rather than meetings,” asserts David.

“Personalisation and flexibility is our USP. I realise that many hotels say the same thing, but with our portfolio of six boutique resorts, which range in size from 57 guest rooms to only five, we really are in a position to deliver. We are always happy to develop close relationships with our travel agents and tour operator partners, so we travel to a number of trade shows during the year, but also like to visit our partners’ offices to have one-on-one meetings,” rounds off David.

David Jones

asia Leisure Hotels offer a heady

concoction of

hospitality and service

With a vision to create holistic, all-encompassing resorts for

lasting memories and magical moments, Asia Leisure hotels has carved a niche for itself in

Sri Lanka which has been a key attribute for the success of the brand. The chain of hotels

in the company’s portfolio has ensured the brand is well reputed for its hospitality and

service excellence. David Jones, Director of Sales & Marketing,

Asia Leisure Hotels gives a precise description of the hotel

to TTJ.

Sonika Bhandari

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India is Washington DC’s third overseas market and visitations to DC have more than doubled in the last five years with 117,00 visitors in 2018 and the growth opportunity continues to soar in the

India market. With an optimistic approach, Destination DC (DDC) delegation visited Mumbai, New Delhi and Chennai, reaching out to over 300 travel partners and meeting with more than 20 publications.

Outlining the dynamics of travel and hospitality Elliott says, “From my perspective it is the economic development

as visitors come to the city, we help create jobs. Visitation plays a huge part in the economic balance of the destination and important to Washington. We look at the market here simply because of the size, the growth and the opportunities for additional travellers. We have seen continuous growth for five years in terms of visitation and non-stop flights, so there is a great opportunity to really capitalise on what we call India an important market.”

“We continue to work with the India representative, Indiva, to promote Washington DC and also look at the opportunities, especially at inceptive operators for travel to the US. I think the most important element and concept that Washington has to offer are so many things that are free or value for money. It is important that one looks at the value of DC from that perspective, as we are looking to selling DC as a destination,” shares Elliot.

Emphasising on the tourist segment Elliot asserts, “I have different departments within my organisation, where we focus on every single market, realising great opportunity for the MICE market here in India. So, that’s also the sphere of our interest where we are focusing and making enough efforts to grow the market more positively. As a part of this mission, we are targeting the leisure segment, knowing that Washington receives a major footfall from India and ensuring that leisure travellers understand how diverse Washington is as a destination. When it comes to FITs or the business travellers, the market is still on the verge of growth for us.”

Elliott L. Ferguson

Washington DC allures

indian travellers with it’s diversity

In an attempt to promote Washington DC’s new tourist

attractions, a tri-city trade, sales and media mission

in India was conducted in partnership with Capital Region USA (CRUSA).

Elliott L. Ferguson, President & CEO, Destination DC offers an insight of the

destination for the Indian travellers.

Sonika Bhandari

Besides being a stakeholder himself, Zia Siddiqui, CEO, Alliance Hotels and Executive Committee Member & Convenor Skill

Development Committee- IATO, has stepped an extra mile by being instrumental in imparting training relating to digitalisation,

enabling the fraternity to remain relevant in the present times.

Naveen Lal

Zia siddiqui contributes towards ‘skill Development’ for the stakeholders

Zia, a multi tasker, has been in the forefront for organising Skill Development Workshops on various subjects to enhance the knowledge

of the small and medium operators and their team members enabling them to face the up-coming challenges and competition in the market and to create a win-win situation for the organisation they are associated with. He has always believed that today’s trainee executives and beginners would be tomorrow’s sr. managers and the leaders of the industry. Hence, their foundation must be strong, so that they would be able to strengthen the organisation as well as to create professional working atmosphere. This is to help Gen-X to change their mind-set to face the future industry challenges.

The training curriculum includes, inter

alia, relevant soft skills, communication skills, influencing skills, interpersonal skills and digitalisation transformation.

Consequent beneficiaries gain efficiency and chart out the growth for themselves. The programmes, that have been organised in Delhi, Kochi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bhubaneshwar, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Guwahati have included IATO members as well as the non-members in the industry. Later on the non-members took up the membership of IATO, thus swelling it’s ranks. The travel partners have acknowledged and praised the efforts of Zia.

Zia Siddiqui

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Taiwan, an emerging destination for intrepid indian

travellerTaiwan’s Tourism Bureau is stepping up

efforts to make a strong case for hiking in the country’s mountain ranges as it prepares

to market 2020 as the ‘Year of Mountain Tourism’ with plans to promote seven

mountain routes, offering ‘Participatory Tourism’ experiences. Dr Trust H J Lin,

Taiwan Tourism Bureau, Director of India, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore and the

Middle East shares more about the campaign with TTJ.

Sonika BohraTaiwan’s Tourism Bureau has designated

2020 as the year of Mountain Tourism and announced plans to further boost it in this particular segment and is ready to cater to various needs of the travellers, especially the adventure segment. Elaborating about

the campaign, ‘Year of Mountain Tourism’, Lin shares, “In such a small island we have 268 mountains higher than 3000 meters, which is a miracle and a paradise for hikers. So, this year, we are promoting mountain tourism so that we can check and explore around the world to go to Taiwan. Aside to the mountains, we offer regional tribal culture, hot springs and resorts; combined together, form our very good selling point. Not to forget the upcoming Lantern Festival that has been held in Taiwan for more than three decades.”

Giving a view of the source markets, Lin states, “Top five performing markets include China, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea and South East Asia countries. The contribution from India market is still very low but it’s growing as we observed a growth of 4.4 per cent from India in 2019 over 2018 and the ratio between business and leisure tourism has been in the range of 2:1. There are more and more visitors from India, so this time we are focusing on MICE and online travel agents, our new target segment.”

Providing details of four pronged promotional campaigns Lin outlines, “In addition to tier I, we are also focusing on tier II cities. The second campaign will be ‘out-of-home’ campaign, targeting shopping malls, airports, movie theatres and b2c advertising. Third initiative will be on internet with emphasis on OTAs by launching online training programmes for them, while fourth campaign will be via PR and road shows.”

“Despite the current economic slowdown, we are quite optimistic about the growth of business from India. Our goal is to end with 20 per cent growth in tourism from India, with more growth in tier II cities, while working with airlines as strategic partners for seasonal discounts,” signs off Lin.

Dr Trust H J Lin


Rachita Sehgal 9711454401

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ANNOUNCING THE

2ND EDITION


Portugal pitches for india market for it’s

long haul strategy

Ever evolving India market enamours Portugal, setting in motion a slew of initiatives, kick starting with opening

of National Tourist office in Delhi. Filipe Silva, Board Member at Visit Portugal

and Claudia Matias Director, TdP, India Office provide an

insight of the approach to effectively promote Portugal

in India.

Naveen Lal

what roadshows have to offer such as where to go, what to see, what to do, what type of gastronomy they will be having and what experiences do they provide to their customers. So, we are very positive and look forward to the results on the short and medium terms. This will involve a proper follow up with different partners, including the joint venture efforts with different airline partners, to have important results in terms of new business coming.”

“India market is evolving significantly, with the government having set the policy in terms of providing the transport, enabling more people to travel, especially the millennials with financial freedom, who look at travelling as something very much aspirational. This will allow us switch our strategy to tap these kinds of segments, with more digital focused, more targeting, allowing us to have a more direct and immediate response. Groups, families and couples also constitute our focus area, including weddings from India within the range of 200-300 people. MICE is also on the rise with increase in international conventions and we will also be targeting sustainability and infrastructure. Religious tourism is also important in Portugal as Fatima,

who is very important to Catholics, is also visited and revered by different religious beliefs. We have an all inclusive approach when it comes to religion, be it Islam, Jewish, Catholic or Hinduism. We have the welcoming attitude towards all the religions, it is in our DNA,” stipulates Filipe.

Providing the insight of global source markets Filipe shares, “Top source markets include Europe, US, Canada, China, Japan, Korea and Australia. Now, India is on our focus as we are targeting more on longer haul. In terms of percentage India has a very small share but the scope is very high, based on positive experience sharing.”

Emphasising the importance of initiatives Filipe outlines, “The initiatives undertaken besides launching roadshows include spreading awareness through the media by organising FAM trips for them. On the trade front, we look forward to more partnerships with Indian companies. We have strong commitment to India market, going forward we have opened our National Tourist Office in our Embassy in Delhi headed by Claudia Matias as the Director, TdP, India Office.”

Matias shares her feelings as she took over the India office, “I am absolutely thrilled to have been given this fantastic opportunity to represent Visit Portugal in amazing India. Without question, Portugal is a magnificent and diverse destination for Indians to discover and it will be my main mandate to build awareness for reasons to ‘travel now’, for a longer period of stay, while and across Portugal. I look forward to working closely with the press and trade commercial partners to improve product knowledge about the destination and help build their expertise. I would work towards creating synergies for both countries, with such special historical bond; yet so visible still in Portugal and India. The focus is on working with the Indian tourism industry in the coming years, establishing successful partnerships with commercial intermediaries to build a range of products that can be distributed to customers and drive conversions.”

Highlighting significance of India market Filipe says, “India is a very important market for us and for this reason Turismo de Portugal

(TdP) recently concluded its four-city roadshows in India, namely Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad and New Delhi, with the announcement of opening of our first India office in New Delhi. This effectively shows the importance of India market and the recognition of its potential. With 13 partners on board from hotels, DMCs, professionals from Portugal, we are looking forward to the business from India which increased by 34 per cent compared to last year. We expect, this roadshow and additional marketing, to provide more consistence in terms of the numbers coming from India.”

Expressing satisfaction with the response received from the roadshows Filipe quips, “People are eager about

Filipe Silva

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Embassy of the Slovak Republic in New Delhi associates with

Representation World to organise a destination showcase, ‘1 Lakh

reasons to visit Slovakia’

With an aim to showcase the destination and it’s elite offerings to the travel trade fraternity and the media, a short movie aptly portraying the destination in all its

grandeur was screened along with informative and intriguing speeches and presentations delivered by H.E Ivan Lancaric-Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to India, Roman Berkes-President of Slovak Association of Tour Operators and Travel Agents (SACKA), Adriana Ondova and RadekZabransky from Airport Bratislava (representing Bratislava Tourist Board as well) and Patrik Liska-Economic Diplomat (III Secretary of the Embassy).

The event was inaugurated by H.E Ivan Lancaric, highlighting the potential of Slovakia as a destination. This was followed by speeches from Roman Berkes, President SACKA, Riaz Munshi, President OTOAI and Amit Kumar Sharma, Regional Head South Asia, VFS Global.

One of the main features of the event was the signing of MoU between the President of SACKA, Roman Berkes and the President of OTOAI, Riaz Munshi for their collaborated efforts in promoting the destination through various forthcoming partnerships. In addition, the keynote speech by Sameer M Upadhyay, Line Producer of Bollywood movie ‘Chehhre’, which

had an extensive shoot schedule in Slovakia, was another highlight of the evening.

The Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) announced at press conferences in Mumbai and Delhi that the number of visitors from India touched

the figure of 4,49,574 in 2019 with an average length of stay of three nights per guest, making India the largest source market for Abu Dhabi. This record number is an 8.2 per cent increase from the past year and an increase of 60 per cent from 2015.

Abu Dhabi boasts of a diverse range of offerings, providing visitors and residents of all backgrounds with an opportunity to create extraordinary memories. Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Hosn, Qasr Al Watan and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque are iconic cultural experiences. Yas Island continues to attract droves of families to its Ferrari World, Yas Mall and Warner Brothers World, and has recently opened ‘CLYMB’, the world’s biggest flight chamber and tallest climbing wall. Not forgetting, Abu Dhabi’s year-round schedule of high-profile events,

covering everything from sport and culture to food and music.

Tourism in Abu Dhabi has seen significant growth in 2019, as the emirate welcomed a record 11.35 million visitors throughout the year, a 10 per cent increase from 2018.

Abu Dhabi posts 8.2 per cent growth in India market with new initiatives

Crowne Plaza Greater Noida launches world’s first hotel VR

experience center

Crowne Plaza Greater Noida, a leading business hotel in Delhi NCR, recently launched the world’s first hotel Virtual Reality Experience Center, in association

with Noida-based VR-Tech startup, The Knotty Tales. The Experience Centre was inaugurated by Hon’ble Dr Mahesh Sharma, MP G B Nagar and Ex Central Minister, Government of India.

The VR Experience Center, located strategically at the hotel lobby, would allow users to indulge in an immersive 8K three-dimensional, computer generated virtual environment that can be explored and interacted with as per the client’s requirements. With this initiative, Crowne Plaza Greater Noida becomes the world’s first hotel to adopt VR technology with a physical experience centre on-site. “This is the future and VR is such a powerful immersive medium that perfectly complements the experiential nature of our industry. I am certain about the potential this holds for hotels to technologically advance the way we present our product to a prospective client or a business partner,” says hotel General Manager, Ashwani Nayar at the launch event.

This technology additionally allows the product to be carried to the doorsteps of the potential customers and allow a technologically advanced way to explore a hotel like never before.

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TBO Group raised the bar yet again as it hosted the biggest and the most sought after party of the year for its trade partners on February 15, 2020 at Nijhawan Farms in

Delhi. A notch above last year, the party was jam packed with more than 2400 trade partners from the travel fraternity, hotels, airlines, tourism boards, media, government bodies and who’s who of the travel, tourism and hospitality industry. This one-of-its-kind ‘Sundowner Party’ created waves from late afternoon until midnight. The celebrations began on a cheerful note preceded by an awards ceremony to felicitate productive partnerships for top performers. Addressing the gathering Ankush Nijhawan, Co-Founder, TBO Group and Managing Director, Nijhawan Group thanked the travel fraternity for their continued support and contribution. The evening concluded with pulsating music that set the stage ablaze, lavishly spread food palate and cocktails.

The party of the year 2020 hosted by TBO Group at Delhi

TBO Group rocks the West India travel fraternity in Mumbai

The most hyped and much awaited party of the year was hosted by TBO Group with support of NCL Cruises for its business partners from the travel trade fraternity on February 4, 2020 in Barrel Mansion, Mumbai. With an eclectic mix of cocktails, travel

conversations and amazing music, this glittery evening was graced by the presence of over 900 guests from the Western India market including several stalwarts of the trade. The evening was very well attended and graced by key operators/travel agents/airlines/hoteliers/media and who’s who of the West India travel fraternity. The evening commenced with

an award ceremony where top 53 performers of West India were awarded and acknowledged for their contribution for the year 2019. The

evening concluded with much gusto and fervor.

Union Tourism Minister Shri Prahlad Singh Patel launches

multilingual Incredible India website in

New Delhi

Shri Prahlad Singh Patel launched the multilingual Incredible India website in New Delhi on March 3, 2020. The

website is currently hosted in English and hindi is now launched in Chinese, Arabic and Spanish also to attract tourists from these regions.

On this occasion Shri Yogendra Tripathi, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Smt. Meenakshi Sharma, Director Genral, Ministry of Tourism senior officials of the ministry, foreign delegates and stakeholders of tourism industry were also present. Speaking on the occasion Shri Prahlad Singh Patel said that the Incredible India website and mobile app, a digital initiative launched by the Ministry of Tourism, aims to showcase India as a popular tourist destination worldwide.

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Accor Showcase in New Delhi, on Feb 26th and Mumbai, on Feb 28th saw an enormous response from the travel and tourism fraternity with the

participation from more than 50 Accor properties globally. The hotel representatives interacted with more than 1000 tourism leaders at Pullman New Delhi, Aerocity and Sofitel Mumbai BKC. The conversation centred around Luxury and leisure segment, brand Raffles, upcoming Fairmont in Mumbai and the new loyalty programme, ALL (Accor Live Limitless).

Speaking on the success of Accor Showcase 2020, Kerrie Hannaford, VP, Commercial, Accor India and South Asia said, “The hospitality industry is geared up for multiple campaigns and initiatives and we are certain that Accor will get a lot of traction from the fraternity and media alike.”

Rohit Chopra, Regional Director Sales, India observed, “Accor Showcase 2020 had a great turnaround, a testimony of Accor’s great presence, products and offerings we provide. Our international as well as India representatives were elated to meet the India travel and tourism community.”

The event, most highly respected and anticipated hotel exhibition, offered insights to discover accommodation trends and explore the latest and newest Accor hotels and resorts from around the world. The event concluded with an entertainment packed evening over a selection of the finest food and beverage offerings.

Kempinski Hotels recently organised a three-city roadshow in India from February 26th - 28th, 2020. The roadshow was held in the cities of Mumbai, Bengaluru and Delhi

to strengthen relationships with the leading travel agents and tour operators to boost Indian travellers to various Kempinski properties around the globe. The roadshows witnessed participation from key luxury agents, top tour operators, TMCs, event and wedding planners. The roadshow gave the Indian travel trade the opportunity to have one to one interactions with thirteen participating Kempinski hotels from Middle East, Thailand, Switzerland, Munich, Doha, Singapore and many more.

Amanda Elder, Chief Commercial Officer & Member of the Management Board of Kempinski Hotels SA, said, “As India is one of the fastest growing outbound tourism markets in the world, it is becoming more important to us year-by-year. We highly appreciate interacting personally with top travel agents and luxury travel advisors in order to clearly understand

their needs and the needs of their demanding clients. To attract especially the luxury traveller, opulence alone is not enough anymore. Luxury now carries a more multi-layered meaning and centers increasingly around personalised experiences and not simply around just visiting a new destination.”

The fourth annual signature event, Accor Showcase 2020, holds promise for travel and tourism

Kempinski Hotels conducts a tri-city roadshow in IndiaE

vent

s


App

oint

men

tsThe St. Regis Mumbai

The St. Regis Mumbai recently announced the appointment of

Nicholas Dumbell to lead ‘The Best Address’ as General Manager. A veteran hotelier, driven by passion and creativity, Nicholas Dumbell is a multi-cultural global citizen with 25 years of

experience in the hospitality industry. Having commenced his career in London with leading international hospitality chains, he soon became a part of Marriott International’s myriad brands spanning the last two decades. At The St. Regis Mumbai, Nick will lead the dynamic luxury team to sustain the hotel’s positioning as one of the most awarded hotels and as a preferred destination for the social elite.

Sun Siyam Group

Sun Siyam Resorts has appointed Vishen Mootoo as the Director of

Sales & Marketing for Olhuveli Beach & Spa Maldives. Vishen will oversee relationships with key partners, develop sales growth strategies and will be actively involved in marketing, the much

enhanced four star deluxe property, Olhuveli. With over 15 years in building his career in the field of sales and marketing, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. He has been associated with leading premium brands, such as Sun Resorts, Centara Hotels & Resorts, The Small Maldives Island Co (namely AmillaFushi and Finolhu) and also the last undertaking at VARU by Atmosphere.

American Express Global Business Travel

American Express Global Business Travel (GBT), the world’s leading

business partner for managed travel, announced the promotion of Michael Qualantone to Chief Revenue Officer,

reporting directly to CEO, Paul Abbott. As Chief Revenue Officer, Qualantone will partner with Drew Crawley, the incoming Chief Commercial Officer, to accelerate sales growth, while also assuming leadership of the pricing team. He will also remain focused on driving growth in the meetings and events business.

Banyan Tree Phuket

Banyan Tree Phuket recently announced the appointment of

Michelle Lee as Director of Sales & Marketing. With over 20 years’ experience in sales & marketing across Asia, Lee brings a seasoned know how to the 220 pool villas resort. A native of

Singapore, Michelle has extensive experience in sales & marketing across Asia and has played key role in rebranding and opening projects in resort and city hotel that includes the pre-opening Director of Sales & Marketing at Capella Singapore, Director of Sales & Marketing at the Sofitel Metropole Hanoi and the Four Seasons Singapore.

Brennia Kottefaru

Brennia Kottefaru, recently announced the appointment of Aditya Raj

Singh as the Deputy Director of Sales & Marketing. Beginning his career in the year 2006 post completion of his degree in hotel management, Aditya brings with him vast experience to Brennia. He has

worked with India’s third largest hotel chain – ITC Hotels, Aitken Spence Hotels India and Six Senses, India, where he handled the promotional activities of Six Senses Resorts in India and Bhutan. His expertise lies in strategic thinking, creative business planning and development, brand management, marketing communications, sales tactics, and identifying and maximising business opportunities.

Niraamaya Wellness Retreats

Niraamaya Wellness Retreats recently announced the appointment

of Allen Machado, he has a successful career spanning over 20 years in luxury hospitality. He has specialised in working with exciting trendsetting luxury hotels in India and the Middle East, strategically

developing profitable business models within his scope of work. He has been associated with brands such as The Oberoi Hotels & Resorts; The One & Only Hotels & Resorts (Kerzner International), The Intercontinental Hotels & Resorts, The Holiday Inn Club & Graviss Hospitality which are well oiled and operating hospitality giants prior to joining Niraamaya Wellness Retreats as Chief Operating Officer.

Air India

The government has appointed senior IAS officer Rajiv Bansal as the

Chairman and Managing Director of Air India (AI). Bansal, previously additional secretary in petroleum ministry has held additional charge of AI chief in August 2017 for about four months when the

then chairman Ashwani Lohani was moved to Railway Board. After retiring from railways, Lohani was made AI CMD last February for a year who recently completed his second term. In his long career, he has served as secretary, Central Electricity Regulatory Commission; joint secretary in the department of heavy industries and director in aviation ministry.

Pride Sun Village Resort & Spa Goa

Pride Sun Village Resort & Spa Goa recently announced the appointment

of Romol D’Silva. He has 14 plus years of experience and has worked in various brands such as Sarovar Hotels, Keys

Hotels and Concept Hospitality etc. Prior to joining at Pride Sun Village Resort & Spa Goa, he was heading the Keys Ronil Resort Goa as General Manager. He has also worked as General Manager at Fern Gir Resort and Azuree by Spree, Goa.

RNI No. DELENG/2010/36163Reg. No. DL-SW-1/4155/2017-19 Posting Dt. 6-7/03/2020, Date of Publication 5/03/2020 Posting at N.D.P.S.O

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