asian traveller february 2012

�ASIAN TRAVELLER | FEBRUARY 2012

Incredible India

in this issueVol.5 . No. 05 . February 2012

P 32-36

� ASIAN TRAVELLER | FEBRUARY 2012

Jagan Lacsher gLadys stephen raJa gopaaL Iyer

Photo Courtesy (Cover): german tourism Board photographer: Korall

Murugan raJan

FACE TO FACE

P 16-17

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

P 8-9 WOMAN OF THE MONTH

P 10-12

TEN QUESTIONS

P 14-15

P 38-39

6 ITBBerlin:Thebiggesttraveltradeextravaganza

18 Internationaltouristarrivalstotouchonebillionin2012

20 SriLankatotapIndianMICEsegment

22 Bahraingivesacallcentre

pushtotourismindustry 24 KeralasetseyesonAustralia

andMiddleEast

27 Dubaibagsthemostbeautifuldestinationaward

28 CentaraplanssecondresortinMaldives

44 Etihadretainstheworld’s

leadingairlinetitle46 Emiratestopromote

Mauritiusholidays

ITB SPECIAL ISSUEPARTNER STATE

T rr acrin a G. Biju KrishnanEditor & Publisher

[email protected]+91 9447555222

EDITOR’S NOTE

If last year saw several emerging and some of the least developed economies identifying and admitting the potential of tourism to create employment and bring in a comprehensive economic growth, 2012 seems to be the turn

of developed countries, which are staring at the looming economic crisis with crossed fingers. The US has set the ball rolling, with its President Barack Obama taking a slew of measures, including making the visa application process faster and simpler, expanding the global entry programme that will allow expedited entry for trusted travellers and creating a task force to develop a strategy for promoting travel to and within the country, to make it easier for tourists to visit the US. And it can well be considered as a wake-up call for other developed countries that are confronting the downward dive of the economy to capitalise on the power of travel and tourism industry, to fuel economic recovery and create jobs.

The measures taken up by the zealous US President fall in line with United Nation’s World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Secretary General Taleb Rifai’s call for travel facilitation. In fact, this prestigious tourism body has identified travel facilitation as a key to develop tourism and set it as a

priority in 2012. While everyone will admit tourism industry is a crucial contributor to a country’s economic vibrancy, it is important

to realise how vital it is to facilitate travel, in order to draw more arrivals, which will in turn result

in increased foreign exchange. As tourists flock to a destination, demand for budget to luxury

accommodation, recreational facilities and other things related to travel and tourism will naturally

shoot up, opening up job opportunities for a large number, in different fields. It is said, for every job

created in tourism another 1.5 jobs are created in other sectors. And it sums up everything. Travel facilitation is

the success mantra! As a developed nation, US has shown the way ahead and it is important other countries follow it

suit, to have the last laugh.


Editor&Publisher : G. Biju Krishnan ChiefExecutiveOfficer : M. P. Sreekumar GroupEditor : Anil Mathew* PhotoEditor : Retheesh Kariyam ArtEditor : Biju Kumar N SeniorSubEditor : Krishnadas P SubEditor : Jagadeesh Narayan N EditorialTeam : R. Parameswaran, Arya Anil, Lekshmi P, Smitha R Director-PR(Mumbai) : Ashok Bania Director,TourDivision : Joby K G GM(Marketing) : Briji Abraham GM(Finance) : Sreedevi R Manager(Marketing) : Ashok G SMarketingCoordinator : Dhanya Rajan FinancialAdvisor : Jayachandran S LegalAdvisor : Adv. G.S. Prakash GM-TamilNadu : P. Deenadayalu

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The news items and Advertisements published herein have been collected from various source, which are considered to be reliable. Readers are however requested to verify the facts before making business decisions using the same. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission from the Publisher.All rights reserved. Copyright © 2009*Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act

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ITB BERLIN

ASIAN TRAVELLER | FEBRUARY 2012

The countdown to the 46th edition of ITB Berlin, one of the

world’s leading travel trade shows, to be held at Messe Berlin, from March 7-11, 2012, has already begun. This year’s event is expected to draw about 11,000 exhibiting companies from more than 180 countries. The main focus is on the partner country Egypt, which will organise the opening ceremony. During the event, all of Egypt’s local regions will present their wide range of products and services to the trade visitors and general public.

“Bookings are in level with last year’s figures and it once again confirms ITB Berlin’s role as the travel industry’s leading international platform. ITB Berlin 2012 will live up to its reputation as the travel industry’s driving force. This year’s convention will feature up-to-the-minute and forward-looking themes and leading experts will be taking part in the debate. We will also offer a unique opportunity to learn more about cruise tourism and tourism market developments in the Arab states,” informs, David Ruetz, Head, ITB Berlin.

As per the available information, ITB Berlin 2012 is likely to see more exhibitors from Far East and South-East Asia, than ever before. “Countries like Vietnam, China, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Indonesia, a booming tourism region, will have a strong representation at the event. Also, new hotels from Kerala and Rajasthan are expected to exhibit their products and services at this year’s ITB Berlin,” discloses, Ruetz.

The biggest travel trade extravaganza

African countries such as Republic of Côte d´Ivoire, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Libya will all be occupying larger stands at ITB Berlin 2012, while you can locate countries such as Panama Nicaragua and

Honduras at USA stand and representatives of Portugal, Greece, Italy, Spain and the Turkish Riviera at European stand.

Cruise tour operators such as Passat Kreuzfahrten, TUI-Flussgenuss, Hapag-Loyd and Plantours, and software providers, including Tripadvisor, Unister, Mystifly, Air Fast Tickets, Expedia, Travel Guru (India),

Booking Markets and z-direct will also be exhibiting at this year’s ITB Berlin.

“We are particularly pleased that we have been able to inspire many new innovative companies and the regular, high performing participants as well as previous exhibitors to come to ITB Berlin,” smiles, Ruetz.

Given the topics to be discussed at ITB Berlin 2012, the event is a must attend for the hospitality players from across the globe. There won’t be a better platform to discuss topics such as safety at hotels, consolidation trend among hotel portals and a number of issues concerning staff and senior executives of hotels, including shortfall in staff.

For students and career starters with experience in tourism, the ITB CareerCenter will be the place to find the job of one’s dreams or take a first step on the career ladder. For newcomers and those who

already work in the hotel industry, restaurants, catering and tourism sector, the ITB Job Exchange powered by ‘yourcareergroup’ will be the main meeting place at the show.

Realising the importance of travel technology in the global travel industry, ITB Berlin 2012 has taken enough care to attract over 230 travel technology companies, from around 15 countries. They will display back office technology, hotel software and reservation machines as well as social media, travel portal and mobile travel solutions.

The main attraction of the event will be the three-day ITB Berlin Convention that will discuss a number of relevant and key topics under ITB Future Day, ITB Hospitality Day, ITB CSR Day, ITB Marketing and Distribution Day, ITB Mobility Day and ITB Destination Days.

david ruetz, Head, ITB Berlin

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW


At last, Pullman is all set to commence its operations in India. What went behind selecting Gurgaon, to roll out your operations in the country?

During the last one decade, Gurgaon has gone through major changes and has now developed into a prime business and shopping district in New Delhi, National Capital Region (NCR). Gurgaon, with its excellent infrastructure and nearness to New Delhi, has become a suitable choice to hold conferences, conventions and all types of business meetings. Weddings have also flourished in the city, of late. With the speed in growth comes the rise of numerous hotels in and around Gurgaon. How an important market will India be for you, in the long run? Can we expect

more Pullman hotels in the country? If yes, please take us through your expansion plans.

This will be the first Pullman hotel in India and three more are currently under development in Lavasa, Delhi International Airport

and Bengaluru. Pullman is an upscale brand of Accor, placed between Novotel, our midscale brand and Sofitel, our upscale luxury brand. It is a known fact that Pullman has its focus on business travellers and MICE segment. Will you be

targeting the same segments, in India?

As rightly mentioned by you, Pullman brand is positioned for the international business travellers and as an ideal venue for meetings and incentive groups. And of

A perfect MICE destination

If the entry of known and established hotel brands in key business and leisure locations in the country is any indication, India is fast emerging as a fertile ground for global hospitality players. The latest addition is Pullman at Gurgaon. With world-class facilities and its unique guest service attitude programmes, Pullman Gurgaon Central Park is ready to give the best of everything to the travellers. In an interview with Anil Mathew, Jagan Lacsher, Hotel Manager, Pullman Gurgaon Central Park, detailed at length on its focus, reasons behind selecting Gurgaon to roll out Pullman’s operations in the country, expansion plans and how it is planning to position itself in the market. Edited Excerpts:


EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

course, we will be targeting the same segments, in India. Our unique product offerings here at Pullman Gurgaon Central Park, such as the wellness zone, designer spa, heated pool, dedicated rejuvenation programmes and chillout spaces, will be added attractions for them. You have introduced the concept of ‘Co-Meeting’. Would you please throw more light on this novel idea and tell us how the customers stand to benefit from it? Will this offering be made available at Pullman Gurgaon Central Park?

The Pullman brand offers a unique ‘Co-Meeting’ concept for meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE) business, which revolves around the fundamentals of providing the guests efficient ‘COnnectivity’ solutions, service delivery with ‘COmittment’, ergonomic and ambient ‘COmfort’ and ‘COhesion’ of all services packed as a one-stop shop, to ensure a successful event. Yes, this offering will be available at Gurgaon property.

At Pullman Gurgaon Central Park Hotel, through our dedicated events concierge team, comprising Events and IT Solutions Managers, we deliver this one-stop shop service attitude by assisting with planning and executing events to the last detail, with our ‘Meeting Matrix’ event planner solution. From identifying the ideal keynote speaker from our ‘Coach Menu’, to planning innovative and exclusive networking activities with ‘pauses’, our customised and invigorating offering breaks the usual menu.

We will have nine meeting rooms, besides multiple outdoor options. Overall, we will have over 17,000 square feet of meeting space. Our Grand Ballroom stands tall at

a height of 8.6 metres, making it one of the tallest ballrooms in the NCR region. External Glass lifts will transport our guests to an above ground open air terraced events deck. All our boardrooms will be fitted with new age connectivity technology and complimentary WiFi. As you are aware, Gurgaon is home to a number of business hotels. How will Pullman Gurgaon Central Park make a difference, from the rest and how do you plan to position yourself in the market?

Whilst we just cannot pull out all our rabbits out of our proverbial hat, our marketing and launch strategy is based on introducing this new attitude Accor Hotels brand to India, with Pullman Gurgaon Central Park being the centre of excellence for all things that Pullman is known for. We have commenced our teaser campaign with the launch of one of our new attitude concepts ‘Connectivity Lounge’ at South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE) 2011 show held at Pragati Maidan. We are also focusing on our ‘Pullman

Art’ and ‘Pullman Fit’ service attitude programmes, as unique hotel launch features. You will have to keep an ear out for further developments in this respect. How a desired destination will be this venture of yours in Gurgaon for leisure travellers? Do you have any products and services specially designed for them?

Our ideal location, at the doorstep of golden triangle and in close proximity to the New Delhi international airport and major interstate highways, makes us an upcoming high potential destination for the leisure travellers. As mentioned before, our innovative dining concepts and the designer spa will add on to their experience.What are the unique offerings at Pullman Gurgaon Central Park?

The Pullman brand is built around three fundamentals of a guest’s experience that we refer to as Calm, Conviviality and Connectivity. At Pullman Gurgaon Central Park Hotel, these fundamentals are presented by efficient and friendly Pullman Persons,

who deliver our unique Guest Service Attitude programmes that allow our guests to get closer and stay connected to their lifestyle, work or peers, all from within the hotel. The Pullman promise is to ensure that a guest’s stay experience continues through their daily agenda, uninterrupted, whether it is for work or leisure. Also, we adapt our services to ensure that our guests simply ‘take a pause’ and do not stop what they are doing.

With innovative guest experience services like our Chillout Zone, Fit Lounge, Wellness Zone, Connectivity Lounge, free high speed WiFi, a designer Spa, etc., we are set to deliver a wide range of service options. Our guestrooms boast of in-room fitness equipment, personal Nespresso machines, media hub, a sound bar and Bose I-pod docking stations. We deliver innovative bar and dining concepts, all set in contemporary ambience and complimented with exclusive bespoke mood music for all seasons and art, both in traditional and digital forms, to scintillate all five senses.

ASIAN TRAVELLER | FEBRUARY 2012�0

Q & A

What inspired you to take up a career in the travel and tourism industry? Please take us through the career growth path.

Just to give a push to my unplanned career, as a young girl I stepped into the General Sales Agency of Thai Airways, Chennai. Though now a power to reckon within the organised travel business, I got into it quite by accident. Things looked interesting then on in travel business. After a brief stint with the Thai Airways, I

moved on to join the GSA of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, as a Passage Supervisor and later on I served them as a Sales Manger. By then, I had discovered my inner desire to succeed in life. My training programmes at Amsterdam, Holland, gave me not only in-depth knowledge of travel business, but also a golden opportunity to meet people from various countries. This experience of mine ignited me to start my own travel and tourism agency. Reality of my unforeseen dream is today taken a huge leap and there you see Taanya Travels!Would you please detail at length on your current role with Taanya Travels?

Taanya Travels, Chennai, is a 22 years old IATA Corporate Travel Management Company. I never thought even in my distant dreams that I could be one day the Managing Director of either a small or a big company. I am quite satisfied and I experience a sense of fulfilment for being the MD of ‘my own baby’, Taanya Travels.

At Taanya Travels, our focus is on knowing our clients and their objectives extremely well. We ensure that our clients’ travel expectations are efficiently and cost effectively managed. We regulate audit routes and fares on behalf of our customers and recommend the best buy initiatives that balance the correct degree of flexibility, with

the least cancellation and amendment fees. We also manage the increasing complexity of modern travel management and support clients, to achieve their cost saving and profitability objectives, without sacrificing on quality. I am proud to own an independent travel management firm that has no bias in giving our best advice. Would you please brief us about your plans, immediate and long term, for Taanya Travels?

The travel and tourism industry is perpetually growing and there is enough opportunity for everyone. We strive to identify profitable opportunities and provide an unforgettable experience to our clients, to sustain in our business. We bet big on innovative technology, smart supplier management and consistent and personalised service. We are also keen on collaborating with leading service providers in other parts of the world, in areas such as eco tourism, health tourism, student travel, senior citizen travel, etc.Having cemented your place in the industry, where would you like to see yourself, say, 10 years from now?

My ambition is to serve my clients, without compromising on quality. God willing, I want Taanya Travels to continue being known as the most customer friendly travel agency in South India. You know, once you start something, it is your duty and

GLadys stephenMd, taanya travels

Here is a tale of a woman, who has made it big in the Indian travel and tourism industry, after entering it quite accidentally. The woman is none other than Gladys stephen, MD of Taanya Travels, who openly admits her gender has put her at an advantageous position to reach where she is today. Also known as Meena, she has set a perfect example for the young girls, who want to build a career in the travel and tourism field, as to what can be achieved through determination, confidence, patience, self motivation and strong belief in one self. Read more…

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Q & A


responsibility to nurture it till the end, just like a mother nurses her baby. Has anyone exerted an influence in your professional life? If yes, do you mind telling something about them?

My husband, two kids and a dear sister are my backbone. They have been the greatest influence in my professional life. If not for their understanding and sacrifices, I would not have been where I am today. Needless to say that my committed team, our bankers (viz, Indian Overseas Bank) and most of the airlines have extended their effortless support, since the inception of Taanya Travels agency. As a woman, what were the challenges you had to face in your professional life?

As a woman, I should say, I have been at an advantageous stage. My self-esteem, confidence and strong

belief in self have helped me to be where I am today. I have had absolutely no challenges to be faced in my professional life. Thanks to my family and close friends! Do you have any advice to the young girls who long to build a career in this fascinating and fast growing industry?

Young girls will be really happy if they join this trade, as it has lots to offer. They will not only have a sense of satisfaction, but also will have bright opportunities to meet various people and tour every part of the world, if they so desire. Sky is the limit for the hard-working, determined, self motivating girls, who enter this sector! Later in life, this vast experience and the confidence gained will stand them in good stead and job opportunities will be aplenty, if they choose to be housewives!If you do not mind, share with us the secret behind

your successful journey, as a travel and tourism professional.

I am a hands-on person. I believe in myself. I succeed every time I fail and there are no shortcuts to success. The secret of my success lies in determination, patience, hard work, self motivation, keen eye for detail and above all HIS GRACE. I take a complete approach to whatever I do. I am passionate about the services we offer through Taanya Travels. If you are the one who cherishes proudest moments in the life, would you please share with us the proudest moment in your life?

I am where I am today, because of my willpower and focus. Being a woman, owning a business in itself is most satisfying. However, my defining moment in life could be, when I received my first award as Top Ten Agent from Luftthansa German Airlines, Chennai.

Please tell us about your family.

I am a Mangalorean married to a Tamilian and the marriage itself has brought a lot of joy and learning in my life. I have learnt to appreciate both the cultures closer. It has been great fun living in Chennai. We have two lovely children and enjoy various good things that both the cultures have to offer, like exotic food, languages, celebrations, etc. Ours is a close-knit family and we cherish every bit of family spirit. What are your hobbies?

I love experimenting on different cuisine and entertaining my friends. I love to read, travel and make new friends. I spend a lot of my time with my pet ‘Simba’ and it gives me great joy. My thoughts are always with destitute children and the aged.

You have been in the hospitality industry for the past several years. Could you tell us about your early days? What made you enter the hospitality sector?

Well, I have completed 20 years in the industry. All along, I have been in Sales and Marketing within the (Taj) group. I have completed an entire spectrum of assignments, starting with property sales in some of

the India Hotels under the erstwhile classification of leisure, business and luxury hotels. Then, I moved on to an overseas assignment in Colombo, before taking up an assignment to oversee Karnataka Sales, as its Head, based from Bangalore. Later, I was assigned to oversee the Sales of Vivanta hotels, for South India and Sri Lanka based from Chennai. With an option for a switch to operations, I decided to give it a try, as you know that a smooth operation is the fountainhead of a well run hotel. I am happy to have made that switch and the experience has indeed been fulfilling. In your career, have you ever worked abroad? What, according to you, are the advantages of working overseas?

If you call Sri Lanka ‘abroad’, then yes, I have worked in Colombo for a few years. Since so close, countries like India, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Nepal have a similar culture and a mindset that is shared. I believe that working in different geographies is a must for every professional, as it offers you an insight into their culture, buyer behaviour, guest perspective, approach to doing business by clients and peers, etc. I can name several more advantages. It nourishes

any professional’s thinking and therefore, a must for all-round development and decision making, when you assume higher responsibilities. What plans do you have for the company?

In the hotel industry, the jurisdiction for the General Manager is the unit which he/she runs! From that perspective, I would like to see this unit that I manage, retaining its undisputed leadership position in Trivandrum even in future, when competition is likely to surface. To sum it, the way forward would be to position the product with adequate investments in guest facilities and services, such that its relative perception in the minds of its customers always stands tall. How do you see the role of a hotel in developing a destination? What all things can hospitality sector do in this regard?

I will answer this question with an example of our own hotel. Until the Vivanta entered the Trivandrum market as a five star hotel, this destination did not attract investments to have a five star hotel in the brand that we operate. Now, with the success of a bold decision made by our Company, I hear that competing hotels in similar standards are expected. I go

For a majority, a job is all about a means to make a living. But, there are a few, who embrace it to the heart and take satisfaction and pleasure in leaving an indelible stamp, by taking the company to new heights. And, Murugan Rajan, General Manager, Vivanta by Taj, Trivandrum, is one such person. He is witty, intelligent and determined. Through 10 Questions, he shares with us several interesting things about his career, family, hobbies, favourite destination and hospitality sector.

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Q & A


Murugan rajan General Manager, Vivanta by Taj, Trivandrum

by the well researched theory of ‘supply creates demand’ that has worked well in Trivandrum. With the growth of the market comprising superior quality hotels, the destination is bound to grow by way of increased business in the business segment with a sprout in meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE) and other corporates. In some sense, the quality of hotels is directly proportional to the destination recall among potential customers within the tourism sector, thereby enhancing its value.Would you please share with us the proudest moment and some of the unforgettable moments in your professional life?

I see my role in any assignment as something that should result in leaving an

indelible stamp, considering every market and hotel poses a different challenge. I would like to share two occasions that were among the proudest moments. One of them was in Colombo in 2002-04. Taj Samudra, where I was heading the Sales, moved to ‘Black’ (PBT positive) from being in ‘Red’ for several years, primarily due to an enormous growth in the revenue streams. The team I led as a Sales Head of the hotel, with the support from the then General Manager and the operations team, reached this milestone. The other occasion was when I was the Head of Sales for Karnataka, when we gained our market position as the No. 1 hotel in Bangalore (Taj West End), after it was derailed, with the entry of a brand new

competing hotel. Even here, the unstinted support and unconditional cooperation of my team members lead to these proud moments, which I will cherish for a long time to come.Where would you like to see yourself, say, 10 years from now?

Whether I will be there or not is secondary (smiles), but I would like to see myself painting a larger canvas preferably in a policy making capacity of a larger assignment.How do you see the growth prospects of Indian hospitality sector?

It’s a beaten path…, unless tourism sector is given the treatment and strategic importance like Kerala or some of the Far Eastern countries have done, we will only be inching forward. I

am sure there are veterans in the tourism sector, who are learned enough to take this forward. Would you paint a picture of your family?

One wife and one son….Banker and student!Please tell us about your hobbies and other interests?

I’m interested in current affairs, Hollywood and books. Most recently, my curiosity in various cuisines and their relation to the cultural source is something I am taking keen interest in, though I have not tried my hands at cooking. Which is your favourite destination? Why?

Sri Lanka and do not know why!! But I believe you are what you love and not what loves you…so I am not overtly interested in knowing why!!!

��ASIAN TRAVELLER | FEBRUARY 2012

Q & A

After serving the Indian hospitality sector for more than two decades in various capacities, now you have come up with your own baby Raj Hospitality and Management Consultants Pvt. Ltd. How long have you been working on it and how do you feel after its launch?

I feel very touched and proud, as I could make it. I had this in my mind for the last 10 years. In fact, I

conceived it in a different name and had done some ground works. I always felt I had belongingness towards the work I do and it has enabled me to walk that extra mile. Fortunately, I have worked with some of the best MDs like Rajashekharan Nair and Ramesh Reddy and learnt a lot from their success stories.

My baby Raj Hospitality has celebrated its first

anniversary and during the past one year, I was figuring out the company’s strengths and weakness, in order to find out the areas we have to concentrate on, to offer the best to our valued clients. Now, I am looking for more properties, but I am not after the number game. I will handle only the number of hotels I can render my dedicated services. I am also putting in more efforts

on training and taking the training, in the first and second level hospitality management. Raj Hospitality will add two more hotels this year and will work with clear goals. Would you please take us through your journey to the Managing Director, Raj Hospitality Management?

There was always a dream to own a company in the hospitality sector. Then,

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FACE TO FACE


“I want to bring in a different culture in the hospitality”

Dreams often remain just dreams for many. But, there are people who work towards realising their dreams. They climb the ladder of success one by one and ultimately reach the set target. The journey of Raja Gopaal Iyer to the Managing Director of his own baby Raj Hospitality has its root in such a humble dream and dedicated efforts to fulfil it. In an interview to Asian Traveller, he opened up his mind and shared with us his plans for Raj Hospitality and views on different aspects of Indian hospitality sector. Edited Excerpts:

I have seen the growth of Sarovar group, Taj, Oberoi and Leela and I feel they are my mentors in the hospitality. I want to bring in a different culture in the hospitality and we Indians are surely better than anyone else in this sector, in terms of Athithi Devo Bhava.

It was a tough journey all the way. I passed out from school in 1982 and wanted to become an actor, a cricketer or a charted accountant. However, I landed in the hospitality sector and I could build up a successful career. My stints with Oberoi (1982-84) and the Taj (1984-90) have helped me groom myself, to take up major responsibilities in the sector. In 1991, I became the General Manager of Kodai International and I have not looked back since then. Looking back, I cannot forget Kerala, where I spent last 10 years. I have received true recognitions from God’s own country, for my efforts. My dream is to have a minimum of four hotels in different locations of Kerala. What went behind the decision to concentrate on managing hotels? How lucrative a business segment is this?

After completing 28 years in the hospitality sector, I could not resist the urge to do something exciting and interesting, where I could apply my ideas and thoughts. It led me to launch Raj Hospitality and now, I can involve in setting up of a hotel, training the manpower and standardising operations, etc. It will be interesting to handle different people and motivate them towards a common goal. I want a new history to be created in customer care and hospitality.

In the past couple of years, the number of international hotel chains seeking to enter or expand in the

country has considerably gone up. It is no secret that India, together with China, represents one of the biggest growth opportunities for international hotel chains. I feel, in this wake, small hotels have better chance with people like us. We are not expensive, compared to the big names but at the same time we can deliver them quality services. Would you please brief us about the company’s vision and mission?

My mission statement is to fill the heart of guests with the light and warmth of hospitality, while my vision is to be the first choice of any hospitality promoters in India, building on the rich culture and heritage, and the strength of Raj Hospitality. Our business model keeps our goals and priorities closely aligned with the needs of our owners. Though we are into franchising and management contracts, we think like owners, as we operate hotels for them. We have our focus on strong operations, brand relevance and strategic growth that will enable the hotel to stand out in the burgeoning domestic market. We offer four brands and they are White Peackok, for four star category hotels, Carnation, for three star hotels, Lotus, for wellness resorts and hotels, and Aryan, for training and research facilities. How do you plan to build Raj Hospitality into a brand?

Of course, there are certain principles and core ideologies in place, to build Raj Hospitality into a known brand. Though they are very much a secret, I can surely give an outline of the same. A company can outperform rivals, only if it can establish a difference that it can preserve. It must

deliver greater value to the customers or create comparable value at a lower cost, or do both. The arithmetic of superior profitability then follows. Delivering greater value allows a company to charge higher average unit prices, while greater efficiency results in lower average unit costs. Loyalty marketing practice is another concept of mine. We will also take into account requirements of local community and destination management, besides adhering to environment policies. We hear that your goal is to manage 10 hotels within a span of 10 years. Don’t you feel that you have set quite a modest target?

As I said, I do not believe in the number game. I need to establish each project with great quality and set consistent standards. The owners, who have made huge investments in their projects, should, by all means, be happy. The hotel should bring business, name and fame for them. I prefer a slow and steady growth. I am comfortable now, as I can meet the investors on a monthly basis and visit the hotel and spend quality time to check the standards myself. How do you plan to be different from the other hospitality management companies in India?

With the economy recovering from the downfall, the hospitality sector is seeing the entry of a large number of foreign players. And this time around, it is big hospitality players bringing in new brands to India. And they cater to all price points - luxury, mid-market and budget. I am sure I can be different from the rest, in several aspects. We will give real customer care experience

and build strong staff bonding towards the brand, to offer the best to our customers. How do you see the growth prospects of Indian hospitality sector? Why do they depend on players like you and what are the advantages they stand to gain from it?

According to the world travel and tourism council, hospitality sector is expected to grow at a rate of 15 per cent, per year. When it comes to India, the government’s decision to upgrade 28 regional airports and major national highways connecting to various parts of India has opened up new avenues for the development of hotels in the country. Increased competition and growth in demand have consolidated the growth of hospitality segment and opened up a plethora of opportunities. Fierce competition has forced hotel majors to come up with innovative ideas, delivering impressive hospitality products and services. Players like me can render our services to the players and help them emerge successful, beating the competition from others, with unique offerings and dedicated quality services. To start with, you have concluded the deal with R K Group of Hotels in Bengaluru, to manage the property. What plans you have for La Classic?

It is a dream come true! Our aim is to become the best hotel chain in Karnataka. We will develop a massive resort in Sarjapur, an ayurvedic resort in Gokarna, a heritage property in Hampi and properties in Mysore, Coorg and Mangalore, in next 10 years. Each property will be a class in itself and will be known for the architecture, interiors and themes.

�7ASIAN TRAVELLER | FEBRUARY 2012

FACE TO FACE

If everything goes well, 2012 will be written in golden letters in the history

of the global tourism industry. For the first time international tourist arrivals is expected to touch the magical figure of one billion by the end of the year. Governments across the world, who are looking to stimulate economic growth through tourism, have already intensified the marketing blitz, to draw a significant share of the projected growth in the arrivals.

“International tourist arrivals grew 4.4 per cent globally in 2011 to a total of 980 million, from 939 million in 2010. International tourism hit new records last year, despite the challenging conditions. It was a year characterised by a stalled global economic recovery, major political changes in the Middle East and North Africa as well as

natural disasters in Japan. For a sector directly responsible for five per cent of the world’s gross domestic product, six per cent of the world’s

total exports and employing one out of every 12 people in advanced and emerging economies worldwide, these results are encouraging,” says, Taleb Rifai, Secretary General,

UNWTO. He also asked

the governments to make international travel easier, by taking advantage of the information and communication technologies, to improve on visa application and processing formalities.

“Travel facilitation is closely interlinked with tourism development and it is the key to boost the demand. This area is of particular relevance, as the governments are looking to stimulate economic growth through tourism,” adds Rifai.

International tourist arrivals to touch one billion in 2012

The Sapporo Snow Festival held in Japan turned out to be a

venue for India to promote its tourism industry and strengthen Japan’s position as an important source market for Indian tourism. The main attraction of the festival, which celebrated the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Japan, was the ice replica of Taj Mahal. The festival, which was inaugurated by the Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahay, also featured an Incredible India booth set up by the ministry of tourism.

“The ice replica of Taj Mahal will definitely play a major role in attracting a large number of visitors from not only Japan, but also neighbouring countries, to India. We have received more than 1,65,000 tourists from Japan in 2011 and it is an important source market

for us,” says, Sahay, who held important meetings with representatives of Japanese Tourism Department and tour and travel trade during his four-day visit to the country. He also hosted an India

evening at the festival, which was attended by Japanese tourism and travel trade, media, opinion makers and stakeholders.

Sapporo Snow festival is one of Japan’s largest and

most distinctive winter events and it is considered to be an opportunity for promoting international relations. About two million people come to Sapporo to see hundreds of beautiful snow statues and ice sculptures that line Odori Park, Susukino and Tsudome, main sites of festival.

India strengthens tourism ties with Japan

Taleb Rifai, Secretary General, UNWTO.

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Subodh Kant SahayUnion Tourism Minister

If you are planning a trip to Thailand this year and your intention is more

than just travelling, hold on. Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is all set to organise Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2012, from June 15 to August 15, offering one a golden opportunity to shop for a wide range of good quality products that come with tempting price tags. If you are the one who values value for money,

there is no best time to visit this shoppers’ paradise than when it hosts the grand sale extravaganza, to feast the shopaholic in you. Organised in cooperation with Visa, the global payments brand, and major merchants in the country, this annual sales season, which is into its 15th year, usually pulls a large number of travellers to the amazing Thailand.

The best thing about the event is that it is not confined

If the recent reports are any indication, Asia is fast emerging as a sought

after destination among Australians, who are now choosing to travel overseas more than ever before. As a result, the number of Australians travelling to India, China, Indonesia and Malaysia is witnessing a steady rise. The appreciation of Australian dollar has enabled the travellers to take advantage

Australians prefer Asia for their expeditions

TAT to lure shopaholics to a single location. Visit any of the provinces like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Samui, Hadyai and Phuket and you can find the retail merchants participating in the event. In each of the province, there will be more fun for the tourists, as they can experience Thai style shopping, at shopping and walking streets. About 15,000 retail merchants are expected to line up for this years’ Amazing Thailand Grand Sale and the focus will be on categories such as Thai OTOP products and Thai fashion brands, including flea and whole-sale markets such as MBK and Platinum Mall.

The major attractions of this years’ event include Terminal 21, Robinson Rama 9, Megabangna, Central Ladprao and Zen. Megabangna, built on only two levels, is the first low-rise regional mall in South-East Asia, with the concept of everything under one roof, while Terminal 21 is a shopping mall styled after an airport, featuring atmosphere of market streets from all around the world.

To shop for cutting edge and fashionable brands, one may head to Zen, part of the exciting CentralWorld shopping complex, but if you prefer the most hustle-bustle area, Central Ladprao is the place for you. With over six floors of sale areas, Robinson Rama 9 is a major shopping destination in itself, where you can embrace the modern life at its best.

“As an active supporter of TAT’s Amazing Thailand Grand Sale campaign since 1998, Visa has worked to make this sale a not to be missed event in the region. Visa is committed to putting Thailand back at the top of the list of premier shopping destinations in Asia and this year, following the floods, we are focused on showing that Thailand is once again ready to welcome tourists from around the world,” smiles Somboon Krobteeranon, Country Manager - Thailand, Visa. In support of Thailand’s tourism and retail industries, Visa will be encouraging cardholders around the region to come to Thailand and take advantage of the attractive offers.

of cheap flights available through favourable currency exchanges. In January, Australian dollar had hit a 27-year high against the pound.

“We have always known that some of the best holidays in the world are available in countries like India, China, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong

Kong, Malaysia and Thailand. In 2012, these destinations are just going to be more affordable,” say, Australian tourism authorities.

According to the latest Roy Morgan Single Source data, the number of Australians that are considering taking up an overseas holiday in the next two years has risen significantly, as compared to a decade ago.


NEWSLINE

In an ambitious move to promote tourism industry in Ethiopia, Tadelech

Dalcho, State Minister of Culture and Tourism of Ethiopia, has sought India’s assistance. The minister, who visited India recently with a keen interest to know about India’s tourism activities, has met the country’s Tourism Secretary R H Khwaja and she is learnt to have enquired about various activities of the Indian tourism ministry.

“India and Ethiopia enjoy warm and cordial relations in political, commercial, cultural and other areas.

I have suggested visits of representatives of travel and tour operators between the two countries for promotion of tourism,” discloses Khwaja.

India Tourism office located in South Africa is responsible for promoting India as a tourist destination in Ethiopia. The office provides brochure support to local tour operators and carries out joint advertising with tour operators and

airlines in Ethiopia. In 2010, India saw nearly 4,000 tourist arrivals from Ethiopia.

Ethiopia is truly a land of contrasts and extremes, and a land of remote and wild

Ethiopia seeks India’s help to promote tourism

Sri Lanka to tap Indian MICE segment

20

NEWSLINE


R H KhwajaTourism Secretary, India

places. Some of the highest and most stunning places of the African continent are located here, such as the jaggedly carved Simien Mountains, one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. Other major attractions

in Ethiopia include fascinating Danakil Depression, Afro-Alpine highlands, Rift Valley, moors and mountains, white-water rivers, giant waterfalls, dense and lush jungle and teeming wildlife.

Sri Lanka Convention Bureau has re-launched the campaign ‘Meet Sri

Lanka’ in India, in association with Sri Lankan Airlines and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events (MICE) industry, to attract more Indian outbound MICE travellers to the Pearl of Indian Ocean, by creating awareness about the country’s profile, proximity and products among Indian corporates and travel trade. As per the available information, the campaign will be rolled out in tier I and tier

II cities of Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Trichy, Trivandrum and Cochin.

“In recent years, Lanka has seen a growing number of Indian arrivals from both leisure and MICE segments. However, we still believe that Sri Lanka has not received its due market share, owing to the lack of awareness about its offerings and we hope to rectify this by re-launching the campaign,” says, Upekkha Samaratunga, Sri Lankan Consul-General in Mumbai.

Short flights, easy connectivity, affordability as well as multiple shopping and entertainment options have catapulted Sri Lanka into an ideal MICE destination. As part of the campaign, Sri Lanka is expected to hold road shows and MICE events in all the seven target cities. “India is an important market for us and the campaign will provide us a great opportunity to work closely with the travel trade and MICE operators across the country. We will also be conducting educational workshops, familiarisation trips, etc., to facilitate the travel trade and to increase awareness about the destination,” she informs.

In 2011, Sri Lanka received more than 170,000 Indian visitors, an increase of around 35 per cent compared to the arrivals in 2010. “Our target is to draw 200,000 Indian visitors by the end of 2012,” concludes, Samaratunga.

This is an island of magical proportions and few places in the world can offer the travellers such a remarkable combination of stunning landscapes, pristine beaches, captivating cultural heritage and unique experiences, within a compact location as Sri Lanka.

As part of its efforts at providing better services to the

tourists and investors, and strengthening partnerships with the private sector, the Bahrain Ministry of Culture, Tourism Sector, has launched its own call centre, in co-operation with Silah Gulf,

a joint venture between the government authority and UK-based merchants. Eight well-trained Bahraini nationals will be available at the centre round-the-clock, to offer a wide range of tourism information and

services, both in Arabic and English.

“People calling the hotline on 800080001 can get information about cultural and historical attractions, besides contact and general information on hotels, travel agencies, shopping and entertainment

centres,” say the tourism officials. Investors can also use the hotline to enquire about tourism investment procedures and relevant legislations, they add.

The call centre will also entertain complaints and

suggestions regarding tourism and relevant services, it is learnt. “The Tourism Sector has joined hands with Silah in this initiative, as part of the ministry’s policy to partner with the private sector, to develop the tourism sector through initiatives and activities using state-of-the-art technologies. The call centre is a novel concept as it will allow citizens, tourists and investors to gather any information regarding Bahrain’s tourism through an easy phone call,” smiles Nada Ahmed Yaseen, Assistant Undersecretary for Tourism.

The newly launched call centre is one of the key projects that the tourism sector has been working on, after Manama was selected as the capital of Arab culture 2012 and the capital of Arab tourism 2013. The Ministry of Culture is expected to launch more leading initiatives and

projects in the near future to mark the two occasions.

“We are delighted to partner with the Ministry of Culture to help provide a professional face to tourism in Bahrain. By being available 24 hours a day, seven

days a week and with a comprehensive knowledge base of information, the tourism hotline will be able to cater to visitors from all time zones,” maintains Joe Tawfik, CEO, Silah.

Bahrain, strategically located as a gateway to the Middle East, is fast emerging as a preferred destination for corporate events, meetings, conferences, exhibitions and other world-class events, thanks to its growing economy, advanced infrastructure, easy connectivity to countries around the world, cosmopolitan workforce, leisure facilities, pleasant environment, warm climate and rich culture and traditions.

Bahrain gives a call centre push to tourism industry

World congress on snow and mountain tourism

With an objective to provide a clear understanding

of the challenges and opportunities of the snow and mountain destinations and to acquire an overview of successful business models, innovation and the impact of climate change, UNWTO and the Government of Andorra,

in collaboration with the parish of La Massana, will organise the seventh World Congress on Snow and Mountain Tourism at La Massana, Andorra, from April 11-12, 2012.

This year’s event will discuss new strategies to be adopted for mountain tourism, with a special

focus on the use of ICT, diversification of tourism activities and/or services, development of new

products for the summer season and emerging mountain tourism destinations.

Nada Ahmed YaseenAssistant Undersecretary for Tourism, Bahrain

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NEWSLINE


OTOAI launches Western India Chapter

India may draw more arrivals from UK

Nepal steps up efforts to promote Lumbini

Peru to see revival in tourist arrivals

Ram Baran Yadav, President of Nepal.

23ASIAN TRAVELLER | FEBRUARY 2012

NEWSLINE

Nepal has launched a new campaign in the presence of

hundreds of thousands of devotees gathered at Lumbini Garden, to attract tourists

and pilgrims to Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha. Located in Rupandehi district of Nepal, Lumbini is a Buddhist pilgrimage site and it is where Queen Mayadevi gave

birth to Siddhartha Gautama. It is home to Puskarini Pond or Holy Pond, where Buddha’s mother took the ritual dip prior to his birth, ruins of ancient monasteries, a sacred Bodhi tree and a number of temples, including Mayadevi Temple. “Nepal is eager to welcome both devotees of Buddha and peace believers to Lumbini, where Buddha is believed to have been born 2,555 years ago. Our campaign is to spread the message of brotherhood, love and compassion for world peace,” says, Ram Baran Yadav, President of Nepal. The country is confident that the

campaign will help them draw more arrivals to Lumbini, this year. Nepal is a country where the Himalaya’s most sophisticated urban cultures took place. Landlocked between China and India,

this country is noted for its majestic beauty of nature, rich cultural heritage, towering pagodas and spectacular Himalayan ranges. Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, houses some of the best tourism sites, including old palace of Newar Kings and Kathmandu Durbar Square. Nepal received about 800,000 visitors in 2011.

If the large number of visits recorded on the Skyscanner UK site by British travellers, searching for flights to

India is anything to go by, the country will see an increased number of arrivals from UK in 2012. The top five popular arrival points for British visitors flying to India are Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Bangalore and Ahmedabad.

“India has strong connections with the UK. The subcontinent has always held a great allure for British travellers, with its diverse landscape, climate and culture. Due to the heavy depreciation of rupee value in recent months, UK travellers may be attracted by the great value India currently offers,” says, Kavitha Gnanamurthy, Market Development Manager for India, Skyscanner.

Arrivals to Peru is likely to increase anywhere between 12 and 14 per cent in 2012, as the

country is expected to see more travellers from Latin American countries, says the Lima Chamber of Commerce, a business

resource providing products, services and networking opportunities. Peru will invest about $450 million by 2016, for developing tourism infrastructure, it is learnt.

“Peru has a great opportunity to attract more tourists, after posting a nine per cent increase in arrivals last year. Estimates show that there will be a growth between 12 and 14 per cent in 2012 and we hope it will happen. Latin America would be Peru’s major source of tourists, unlike the United States and Europe, which would be affected by the crisis,” maintains, Alvaro Benavides, Head of the CCL’s Tourism Committee.

Outbound Tour Operators Association of

India (OTOAI), the newly established trade body representing the outbound travel in the country, has

opened its Western India Chapter. As Chairperson, Kesari Tour’s Himanshu Patil will head the new chapter, from Mumbai. At the time of its launch in Delhi on December 28, 2011, OTOAI

has announced its plans to have four regional chapters across India.

OTOAI is a non-profit organisation and it was set up as a voice for the outbound agents with the concerned

authorities, and to safeguard consumers and international suppliers by taking up their cause on global and domestic issues to enhance market efficiency and ensure customer protection.

Buoyed up by the increase in foreign tourist arrivals in 2011,

Kerala is likely to spend more than Rs 10 crore in 2012, on mass media campaigns and road shows in the Middle East and Australia, to draw more travellers from these regions. This southern Indian state had registered an 11 per cent growth in foreign arrivals last year, when the global tourism industry dearly felt the heat of the bleak economic environment.

“We will be spending over Rs 10 crore on mass media campaigns and road shows alone in the Middle East and

Australia, this year. This is a significant amount, as the total marketing budget for the state’s tourism department is only Rs 35 crore, for the current year,” confirms, Rani George, Tourism Director, Kerala.

The first leg of the marketing campaign in the Middle East has concluded recently, with the road shows in three main cities of Saudi Arabia - Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. “We will also

conduct road shows in Down Under, to lure more Australians to God’s own country. Besides Middle East and Australia, we will also be concentrating on

Kerala sets eyes on Australia and Middle East

Rajasthan to hold tourism festivals in major cities

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Rani George, Tourism Director, Kerala

markets like Russia and China in 2012,” adds, Rani George.

Kerala is both a global tourist destination and a known brand name, across the globe. This lush green tropical state, wedged in-

between the Arabian Sea and Western Ghats, is one of the trend setters in tourism business as well as a true role model for others, thanks to its continuous and consistent innovation in tourism products and services.

In a bid to woo more tourists from various states in India, Rajasthan

Tourism Department will, under its tourism promotion campaign Rajasthan Calling, organise a three day tourism festival in 22 major cities across the country, including Ludhiana, Dehradun, Surat, Coimbatore, Trivandrum, Cochin, Mumbai, Kolkata and Ahmedabad. The festival will be held with an objective of showcasing Rajasthan’s traditional culture, its exquisite range of handicraft products and its delicacies to the general population and travel trade in other states, to give them the very feel of Rajasthan and facilitate a better understanding of the state and its tourism offerings. Major attractions of the festival will be live dances and food court.

As part of the festival, a number of stalls will be set up in selected areas of

the host cities, providing one an opportunity to shop for Rajasthani handicrafts,

woolen shawls from Bikaner, embroidery from Barmer, brass work and blue pottery from Jaipur, terracotta from Udaipur and tie and dye from Jaipur, Pali and Jodhpur.

“Rajasthan is a brand in itself and besides the proposed tourism festivals in 22 major cities in the country, we are also marketing the state through social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Blogs,” says, Anand Tripathi, Deputy Director, Rajasthan Tourism.

Rajasthan had attracted more than 20.5 million domestic tourists in 2010 and over 10.6 million arrivals, in the first half of 2011. “Gujarat is a major market for us, followed by West Bengal and Maharashtra,” points out Narayan Sharma, Tourist Officer, Rajasthan Tourism Department.

2�ASIAN TRAVELLER | FEBRUARY 2012

Himachal has taken a number of measures, including huge investments for the

development of tourism infrastructure, to promote the tourism industry and create employment opportunities for the state’s unemployed youths. “On every investment of Rs 10 lakh, employment opportunities for 45 persons are being generated, directly or indirectly,” says, the Himachal Chief Minister Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal, who has laid the foundation stone of the tourism

Himachal to bolster tourism industry

To give a boost to the tourism industry, Nagaland is planning

to develop places of historical and religious importance in the state. As a first step, the government will promote Chesezu in Phek district, where Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose set up his last forward camp during World War II, as a destination for tourists. Since the village is situated at a high altitude, from here one can have a panoramic view of all neighbouring villages and surrounding areas.

The state government is also expected to work towards drawing

pilgrims to the 135-year-old Molungyimsen village in Mokokchung district, which is said to be the birthplace of Christianity in the state. In December 1872, American missionary Dr Edward Winter Clark visited the village and established the first church of Nagaland.

The move indicates that Nagaland has realised

the importance of tourism industry to generate revenues. “Advanced countries depend on funds generated from the tourism industry, but Nagaland has failed to make the fullest use of tourism activities and promote this industry. Promoting pilgrimage and

historical tourism in Nagaland would bring in numerous tourists round the year and generate a significant amount of revenue for the people of the state. The number of tourists around

the globe is about to cross one billion and if the state can pull in just 0.1 per cent of these tourists, it will be a great achievement” says, Yitachu, Parliamentary

Secretary of Tourism. While promoting tourism,

the state is likely to lay stress on preserving the state’s heritage and culture. Nagaland has a rich tradition of performing various rituals and festivals. Home to as many as sixteen tribes, the state has much to explore. The virgin terrains of the state are extremely charming and lovingly beautiful.

Nagaland bets big on historical and religious tourism

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Yitachu, Parliamentary Secretary of Tourism, Nagaland

reception centre that would be constructed at a cost of Rs 80 lakh, at Targhel Ukhli in Hamirpur district.

Besides develop-ing famous tourist destinations within it, the government is also doing its bit to promote rural tourism in the state. As part of this move, Himachal has launched home stay scheme, to

better allow the travellers to explore its rich cultural traditions. The response has been encouraging and a large number of units have been registered under the scheme. The registered units can, besides tax relaxations, enjoy water and electricity facilities at domestic rates.

“The government is implementing various schemes in assistance with Asian Development Bank. For developing tourism

infrastructure in Hamirpur alone, we are spending about Rs 6.55 crore,” informs the Himachal CM. The government has already undertaken beautification and landscaping work at Gasauta Mahadev at a cost of Rs 15 lakh, restoration works of Shiva temple and picnic spot at Bhoukhar at a cost of 13 lakh and development of double storeyed parking in Hamirpur at a cost of Rs 2 crore.

“In addition to a tourist reception centre and parking facility at a cost of Rs 75 lakh, the state government is setting up a river rafting centre at Nadaun at a cost of 35 lakh. Another tourist reception centre and parking facility at Sujanpur at a cost of Rs 50 lakh is also on the cards. Beautification and

landscaping work at Tauni Devi temple and Awah Devi at a cost of Rs 35 lakh and 68 lakh, respectively, are also in progress. We are also planning to connect Shah Talai and Deot Sidh Temple through a ropeway,” adds, Dhumal. More than 1.50 crore tourists visited

Himachal in 2011. Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal, Himachal CM

Beating US, France, Germany, UK and Singapore, Dubai has

bagged the Most Beautiful Destination Award, at the 10th China Travel Channel Awards. Saleh Al Geziry, Director of Overseas Promotions and Inward Missions, Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), received the award from the famous Chinese TV star Hong Jianhong, at a gala ceremony held in Beijing recently.

The Travel Channel Vision Award is instituted by the Travel Channel in association with the China National

. . . and now woos Indians

Dubai bags the most beautiful destination awardDubai in the tourism domain and hope it will help us to attract more Chinese tourists to the Emirates in the coming months. DTCM operates three representative offices in China and there has been a significant increase in the number of Chinese tourists to Dubai, since the signing of Approved Destination Status between the UAE and China, a few years ago,” says, Geziry.

In 2010, Dubai saw a 41 per cent increase in the number of Chinese guests. It was also a year that saw a 33 per cent growth in the number of tourism companies in China promoting tourism to Dubai.

Tourism Administration. China Travel Channel is the only satellite travel and lifestyle TV channel in China

with over 350 million viewers in major cities.

“We are glad to receive this latest recognition for


NEWSLINE

With an aim to provide updated information on

Dubai, including tourist attractions, destination management companies and hoteliers, to the Indian travel industry, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Government of Dubai, has conducted road shows and tourism workshops in Mumbai, Hyderabad, New Delhi and Ahmedabad. The delegation from Dubai, besides representatives of tourism department, hospitality sector and destination management companies, included an

official from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs, who is responsible for visa issuance. The road shows and workshops were part of its 2012 marketing strategy to boost the overall number of Indian travellers to Dubai.

“The Dubai Tourism India road show 2012 was a huge success and it underlines how a sought after destination Dubai is to the Indian travellers. The road show saw significant participation from various Indian travel associations, including Travel Agents Association of India, Travel Agents Federation of India

and Enterprising Travel Agents Association of India. At times, India is the second top source market for us, after Saudi Arabia,” says, Carl Vaz, Director - DTCM, India Representative Office.

The delegation from Dubai met over 1,000 Indian travel trade professionals, comprising major travel and tour operators, wedding planners and up-market leisure operators and presented Dubai in a new light, highlighting its position as a year round destination, for student groups, senior citizens, sporting enthusiasts, heritage and culture lovers,

up-market leisure travellers and the wedding segment.

“It was a pleasure to lead a delegation, representing hotels, resorts, hotel apartments and destination management companies along with our national air carrier Emirates. Dubai is a vibrant destination and attracts travellers to revisit it, every year. Through workshops such as this, we aim to increase the overall number of inbound travellers to Dubai, from across the world,” smiles Saleh Al Geziry, Director, Overseas Promotions and Inward Missions - DTCM, Dubai.

Centara Hotels and Resorts is all set to open Centara Ras

Fushi Resort and Spa, its second property in Maldives, in the second half of 2012. Set on Giraavaru Island in North Male Atoll, the property is just 15 minutes from Male International Airport, by speedboat. In 2009, the company had set up its first property Centara Grand Island Resort and Spa Maldives in the region.

“We are delighted to announce our second resort in Maldives. Our first resort here has been a tremendous success and we feel Maldives has enormous potential for further tourism growth, which is why we are investing in the ownership of this very fine property. Centara Ras Fushi Resort and Spa will

complement our existing resort, both in geographical terms and in the markets it will serve, as it is essentially a resort designed for adult guests,” says, Suthikiati Chirathivat, Chairman of

the Executive Board, Central Plaza Hotel Public Company Limited.

On one side of the resort, there is a large lagoon, making it a good spot for swimming and snorkelling. Then, there are some excellent diving sites, including Giraavaru Cave, Lion Head and Kuda

Haa, in close vicinity. The property comes with Beach Villas, Premium Beach Villas,

Water Villas and Spa Deluxe Water Villas. To offer a unique dining experience, the resort will have Oceans Restaurant, overlooking the ocean front. Other dining options at Centara Ras Fushi Resort and Spa include La Brezza and Spice Island.

Centara Hotels and Resorts is Thailand’s largest operator of hotels, with 38 deluxe and first-class properties covering all the major tourist destinations in the region. The group also has 17 resorts in different locations, including Maldives, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Mauritius (Indian Ocean).

Centara plans second resort in Maldives

Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality group,

is likely to open 17 new hotels – four under ‘Vivanta by Taj’ brand and the rest under ‘Gateway’ brand - in the country in 2012, it is learnt. The company is also in talks to open Vivanta by Taj Hotels in China, Africa and Dubai.

“We will open Vivanta hotels in Kerala, Coorg, Gurgaon and New Delhi and about 13 Gateway hotels in different parts of the country, including Kolkata, Raipur and Hubli, this year,” confirms, Raymond N Bickson, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IHCL.

The company has recently launched Vivanta by Taj Begumpet, a five-star hotel in Hyderabad. This Rs 150 crore venture is its first Vivanta and Taj’s fifth property in the city. IHCL and

its subsidiaries are collectively known as Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces. Taj has opened 23 Vivanta hotels so far, including one each in Sri Lanka and Maldives.

“We will take the total number of Vivanta hotels to 35, in the near future. We opened one new hotel every six to seven weeks last year and in 2012, we will open one new hotel every three weeks,” adds a determined Bickson.

IHCL to open 17 hotels in 2012

Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hotel company and a member of Dubai Holding, has

signed a management agreement with PT Asia Pasifik Properti to operate Jumeirah Bali, a luxury resort, in Bali. The company is expected to open the property that will feature architectural designs reflective of Bali’s rich cultural heritage in 2015. To be modelled after an ancient Javanese-Hindu water palace, the resort will house 80 spacious hotel suites and 25 private villas.

“We are delighted to bring the Jumeirah ‘stay different’ experience to Bali. Our guests will enjoy the exclusive and pristine beachfront location as well as the traditional Balinese ambience of the resort. This reaffirms our commitment to celebrating the cultural uniqueness of every destination, while offering our award winning service in the most luxurious settings,” smiles Gerald Lawless, Executive Chairman of Jumeirah Group.

Suthikiati Chirathivat, Chairman of the Executive Board, Central Plaza Hotel

Jumeirah to operate luxury resort in Bali

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NEWSLINE


V Duraikkannan

I always call these two industries the ‘Happiness Industries’ – the Airline

and the Hotel! Because these are the two industries where the workers as well as the customers or the guests can be happy and be made happy, as inherently as possible. These are the two industries where happiness is very much part of the process and delivery. These two industries are capable of turning their employees into perfect ladies and gentlemen, if only they are open and willing enough to learn. That is why Horst Schulze, the former president of the famous Ritz Carlton hotel wrote of the workers in the hotel industry as ‘Ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen’ at his tender age of 15, for a term paper in a hotel school. The very line came to be the fabulous motto of the Ritz Carlton in the later days!

While it is debatable whether the airline industry is any longer happy, the hotel industry still is. The airline industry is in a mess and the owners and chairmen of almost all the airlines, barring a very few, are slapping their head in deep stress and worry. Richard Branson of Virgin Atlantic had very famously said: “You want to become a millionaire? Be a billionaire and start an airline!” Their worry is pervasive and it displaces the happiness down the line. Unhappy employees make customers unhappy and

they are just indifferent, to say the least like the air hostess on Air India flight, which I flew from Singapore to India last week, was. She was courteous in her announcement and all. As we started descending into Chennai, she did the ritual of thanking the customers for having chosen to fly Air India and that they were looking forward to serving us again, etc. She also solicited the passengers’ feedback for improvement of their services (a welcome sign!) but it turned to be a farce for we were never given a feedback form or a pencil to write with!

I have come across some of the brilliant ladies and gentlemen in the hotel industry. One of them was from the Green Park in Hyderabad. As I was checking in, the receptionist at the desk was gathering my preferences of meal and newspapers etc. As regards the newspapers, I just asked her what all were the options I had. She said: “Sir, we have Indian Express,

The Hindu, Deccan Chronicle and Times of India and on the business side we have Economic Times, Financial Express and Business Standard!” More than half jokingly I said that I would like to have a copy of each. She just smiled and quietly jotted down something. Perhaps for a moment I thought I had offended her very flippantly. Out of that awkward non-reaction from her, I left that matter at that and moved to my suite. The next day morning, I was in for a big and a pleasant surprise. Lo and behold, hanging there was a jute bag on the doorknob, with all the seven newspapers like a quiver full of arrows!

Likewise, the wishing of a Happy Friendship Day on the early morning of an August Sunday way back in 2002 at Hotel Viceroy, Hyderabad (it is now the Marriott) from the young lady at the reception desk is still ringing in my ears. I was not even realising the day, until she called in and wished me. That was mark of a happiness attitude!

While we have such pleasant things happening, there is no dearth of incidents of the opposite also. I was in for a kind of mild shock and disbelief that such un-customer friendly things did happen in an otherwise a well-mannered and pro-customer country like Singapore.

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During my last before last visit to Singapore, as I cleared the immigration, I wheeled my luggage to the Duty Free Shop (DFS) there, to pick a bottle of whiskey. I was looking around at the various brands on display and finally picked my regular Teachers! As I stepped to the billing counter a stewardess in the shop came up to me and very officiously asked whether I would like to offer her a one-dollar tip and without as much waiting for any yes or no from me, she just collared the bottle with a loop tag .When I looked up the tag it said, ‘Served by Alice’! The best part was that she was not even around or looking at me and she just waltzed away to some other corner of the shop. I was left to deduce for myself that I would be charged 23 Singapore dollars and the break-up was 22 for

the whiskey and one for Alice! One dollar was a negligible pittance but the act was scandalising enough for me.

While the DFS experience was shocking (looks like they have done away with this practice now, as I did not find the same on my subsequent visit there to the same shop),

the experience at the famous Mandarin China, one of the biggest hotels on the richest street in Singapore Orchard Road left me wondering ‘whither Singapore’!

I went to see my colleague, who was rooming there. He ordered for two cups of tea for us. The waiter took

an easy 20 minutes to bring the tea which he did only after a reminder call from my friend. He kept the tray down and gave the check for signing. My friend asked him whether he could pay it off by cash, instead of billing it to room. He said yes and as my friend was pulling out his wallet, the waiter very unabashedly chimed in: “Hope you are taking care of me as well!” For one thing it was unacceptable from Singapore and for another it was atrocious for the delay with which he rendered his services! The word ‘TIPS’ was supposed to have originated from ‘To Insure Prompt Service’, but here I was finding more of prompt than service from their side!

I know Singapore is becoming more expensive but better it watch out!


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32 ASIAN TRAVELLER | FEBRUARY 2012

GREEN PASTURESWith the Queen and the Princess of hill stations in its basket, Tamil Nadu offers travellers perfect avenues to experience the naked beauty of nature at its best. Asian Traveller takes a close look

If you wish to take a break from the heat, haze and humdrum of a city, grab

your backpacks and head out to any of the quaint hill stations in Tamil Nadu and lose yourself in the laps of mother nature altogether. Hill stations of Tamil Nadu, part and parcel of Western and Eastern Ghats, are gateways to some veiled enchanting beauty. These hill stations offer serene environs, captivating views and salubrious weather. Do not search reasons for planning a holiday to the hill stations of Tamil Nadu. Instead, just imagine yourself surrounded

by beautiful valleys, snow covered mountains, which are far far away from the sweltering heat. It will surely instil in you a strong desire to

take pleasure in the pristine scenery of the Western and Eastern Ghats. You can head to Ooty, Yelagiri, Yercaud and Kodaikanal, and the

valleys throw open a special welcome, to savour their charm and explore the secrets they have hid in the lush green mountain ranges.

TAMIL NADU TRAVELLER



OOTYNestled in the green hills

of Nilgiris, Ooty, which is also known as Udhagamandalam, is one of the favourite summer retreats in Tamil Nadu. Orchards of peaches

Major tourist attractions in Ooty include Botanical garden, Ooty lake, St Stephen’s church, Charing cross, Rose garden, Pykara and Ooty train. It also offers one enough avenues for shopping

and plums, terraced tea plantations and eucalyptus, pine and wattle lining the landscape, make it a perfect holiday destination. Popularly known as the Queen of hill stations, Ooty can well be grouped into a 365 days destination. A unique way to explore the mesmerising mountain ranges and the picturesque landscapes of Ooty is trekking. The rough terrains and rugged cliffs provide trekkers with an excellent platform to unleash their inherent sporting zeal and get energised through trekking and hiking. For a trekker’s delight, there are a number of planned trekking routes from Ooty. However, nothing will more entice you than Doddabetta, the highest mountain in Nilgiri Hills. There is road access to its summit that is remarkable for its flattened curve. Situated about 10 kilometres away from Ooty, you will find the trek to its top worth the while, as you can enjoy the panoramic view of Ooty town, Ketti Valley, Coonoor and the cantonment of Wellington, Avalanche Dam and Mukurthi, in a clear weather. The region is home to a number of endemic species, including the shy, hard to spot Nilgiri Tahr. It is also a place, where Indian gaurs, langurs, elephants and barking deers roam freely.

Major tourist attractions in Ooty include Botanical garden, Ooty lake, St Stephen’s church, Charing cross, Rose garden, Pykara and Ooty train. It also offers one enough avenues for shopping. The Botanical Garden, which was laid out in 1847 by William Graham McIvor, will simply cast a spell on you and the well maintained lush green lawns

will surely be a welcome treat for your eyes. The garden that is spread over an area of 22 hectares is now maintained by Tamil Nadu Horticulture Department. Besides home to rare tree species like cork tree, paper bark tree, monkey puzzle tree (monkeys cannot climb this tree) and a 20 million years old fossilised tree, it has in it other attractions like an Italian style garden bordering a clear pool, a vast variety of flowering bushes and plants in myriad hues (exotic and ornamental) and a fern house with a wide range of ferns and orchids. A flower show along with an exhibition of rare plant species is held every year in the month of May, at this garden. Rose garden is also a must visit, as it

houses more than a thousand varieties of roses. Spread over 10 acres of land, it is the largest rose garden in India.

To unwind in a relaxed setting, you can also head to Pykara, a river that passes through a hilly tract. It is located just about 19 kilometres from Ooty and the major attraction is Pykara falls. The dam and the boat

house by the waterfalls are added attractions to the tourists. The boat house is maintained by the Tamil Nadu Tourism and Development Corporation.

The train journey through the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, one of the oldest mountain railways in India, will be a unique experience and it is something that you cannot afford to miss out during your trip to Ooty. The journey, where you feel you can actually reach out and touch the elusive Nilgiris, starts from Mettupalayam and ends at Coonoor. Nilgiri Mountain Railway was declared a UNSECO World Heritage Site in 2005.

Situated on National Highway 67, Ooty is well

connected by road. The nearest airport is Coimbatore International Airport, while the nearest railway station is Mettupalayam.

KODAIKANALSaid to be the trekkers’

and nature lovers’ ultimate destination, the sterling city of Kodaikanal is blessed with lakes, waterfalls, meadows and grasslands. Located on the southern peak of the Palani hummocks, this small, easily accessible hill station is untouched by commercialism and hence, ranks top among India’s most flocked hill stations. Wooded slopes, gushing waterfalls, winding routes, long stretches of forests, lush meadows, mighty rocks, bowers, creeks and flocks of sheep gazing on green pastures are a source of joy, delight and thrill for the onlookers. The real charm of Kodaikanal lies in its wooded slopes and gigantic trees. Referred to as the ‘Princess of hill stations’, Kodaikanal is known for its rich flora. Cypress, eucalyptus and acacia dominate the tree varieties. You can also find a lot of pear trees, with fruits that are ripe enough.

Once in Kodaikanal you have plenty of options to make your outing to this enchanting hill station a memorable one. Some of

the attractions include Berijam lake, Coakers walk, Bryant park, Kodai lake, Kurinjiandavar temple, Suicide point, Pillar rocks, Guna caves, Pine forest, Shanthi valley and Silver cascade. The main attraction is, however, Kodaikanal lake. Your holiday experience here would remain incomplete, without a boat ride. Hire either a rowboat or a pedestal one, to enjoy the scenic surroundings and watch the clouds. You can also hire a bicycle or a horse to take a ride around the lake, to take home some unforgettable moments. If you like to unwind by the lake side Kodaikanal offers another option in Berijam Lake and it is located at a distance of 20 kilometres from the main city. It is a calm and serene lake surrounded by beautiful landscape.

Bryant’s park is situated close to Kodaikanal lake and it is named after H D Bryant, who planned and built it in 1908. The park, which is home to about 325 varieties of trees, shrubs, cactuses and roses, transforms into a rainbow of stunning flowers, during the season. Water lilies in the park’s pond are another pleasing sight. A glass house which shelters fine varieties of flowers can also be seen here. Horticultural exhibitions and

flower shows are held here every summer, to coincide with the peak tourism season.

After the lake and park experience, to take yourself to an entirely different planet you may head to Coaker’s Walk, a paved pedestrian path that winds around Mount Nebo. The panoramic view of the plains is something that will remain in your mind for a long time. On the way, there is an observatory with a telescope, to catch the scenic valleys. If you are passionate about climbing, Pillar rocks, a

set of three giant rock pillars, is rewarding. This hill station also has in it several scenic trekking spots. Perumal Malai, the tallest peak in the region, is the most preferred location for trekkers.

Another not to be missed attraction is Dolphin’s Nose, a flat rock that projects over a breathtaking chasm of around 6,000 feet. As the name suggests, the tip of the peak resembles a Dolphin’s nose and from here one can have the view of mountains, winding streams and

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extensive tea gardens. You can also view the Catherine falls, a double cascaded fall, from here on a clear day. Silver Cascade is also a popular stop for the visitors.

Kodaikanal is well connected by road, rail and air. Nearest airports include Madurai, Trichi and Coimbatore. Those who take train may get down at Palani railway station, Kodai Road station or Dindigul railway junction.

COONOORIf you are the type who

likes to mingle with nature, romance in the mountains, feel the tingle of the cool and gentle breeze, watch leaves flutter in dance like movements and hear chirping sound of birds fill the air, then Coonoor is the place for you! It is the second largest hill station in Nilgiri Hills and is located at an altitude of 1,800 metres above sea level. This hill station is an ideal base for trekking expeditions. Coonoor is connected by

Nilgiri Mountain Railway. The main attraction here is Sim’s Park, a small but well maintained botanical garden that houses several varieties of plants. It is spread over 12 hectares and the annual fruit show in summer is a must attend event. Bird watching

is a popular pastime in Coonoor, as the area boasts of a large variety of species like cormorants, pipits, thrushes, parakeets, skylarks, Nilgiri verditer flycatcher, etc. Travellers can also take a walk through the tea gardens. One of the popular trekking routes

leads tourists to Lamb’s Rock that is nine kilometres away from Coonoor. Lamb’s Rock is the best spot to get a spectacular view of the landscape covered with tea and coffee plantations. Other major attractions of Coonoor include Law’s Falls, Katary Falls and Droog Fort.

YELAGIRIIf what you want is a

relaxed weekend at the comfort of exuberant greenery, Yelagiri hills, one of the popular hill stations in Tamil Nadu, is a right choice to spend quality time with your family. Located at an altitude of 1,410 meters above mean sea level, this beautiful hill station is surrounded by four mountains, which are well-known for pleasant climate throughout the year. To reach this ideal getaway from the hustle, bustle and madness of the city, you have to travel the winding ghat road that has 14 hairpin bends. However, the journey should surely be exciting, as the hairpin bends offer panoramic, breathtaking views of the hills and its surroundings. The seventh bend is significant, as it offers the view of the mountain slopes and the green forests that carpet the hill.

Spread across around 30 kilometres, this emerging tourist spot in Vellore district of Tamil Nadu is surrounded by orchards, rose gardens and green valleys. Situated off the Vaniyambadi-Tirupattur road, Yelagiri comprises 14 small hamlets and the population here is largely tribal people, engaged in agriculture, horticulture and forestry, etc. The customs, habits and the structure of the houses of these tribes are very unique and a visit to this destination can well be an opportunity

To reach Yelagiri hills, you have to travel the winding ghat road that has 14 hairpin bends. However, the journey should surely be exciting, as the hairpin bends offer panoramic, breathtaking views of the hills and its surroundings




to experience an entirely diverse culture. The main attractions of Yelagiri hills include Punganoor artificial lake-cum-park, Jalagamparai waterfalls, Swamimalai Hills, Telescope observatory and YMCA camp centre.

Among these, perhaps the most popular spot is the picturesque Punganoor artificial lake, which spreads over an area of 57 square meters. There is a park adjoining the artificial lake and it is an ideal outing place to take your kids along, who like to play around. One can take a short walk along the lakeside or enjoy a boat ride. You can either take a pedalling or a rowing boat, as the Yelagiri Hills Development and Tourism Promotion Society, which runs the boat club, offers these two choices. There is a newly laid out floricultural garden with a pathway along the lakes’ bund.

A short distance away from the lake, on the other side of the hill, you can locate Jalagambarai waterfalls, another tourist attraction. It’s the river Attaru, which flows through the Yelagiri hills, plummets down to form a highly captivating waterfall.If you are more passionate about trekking, Swamimalai,

possibly the highest peak in the area, is the best bet. Here, one can take an easy trek along a muddy path, starting from the eastern side of the lake, which is about three kilometres long and pretty scenic. Most visitors to Yelagiri hills, who have trekking in mind, head to Swamimalai. The trek will lead one to a small peak, from where one can have an enchanting view of the entire valley.

Yelagiri is located around 19 kilometres from Jolarpettai, a small town in Vellore. The nearest airport is Salem and it handles both domestic and international flights. If you are taking

train, get down at Jolarpettai Junction. This hill station is also well connected by road.

YERCAUDThe lofty hills of Yercaud,

which are known for coffee plantations and orange groves, are endowed with a decent climate and usually attract leisure travellers, who like to unwind in a relaxed setting. This quiet little hill station on the Shevaroy hills of the Eastern Ghats is scenically as enchanting and picturesque as the hill stations on the Western Ghats. Trekking is one of the most pleasurable ways to pass time, at Yercaud, which

is popularly known as the jewel of the south. Yercaud lake, surrounded by gardens and wooded trees, is the major tourist attraction. The highest point in Yercaud is the Servaroyan hill and there is a cave temple atop it. The main deities of the temple are God Servarayan and Goddess Kaveri. This hill station is also home to attractions such as Lady’s Seat, Killiyur Falls, Bear’s Cave, Green House, The Grange, Pagoda Point, Silk Farm and Rose Garden, Fairholme Bungalow and Heaven’s Ledge. Yercaud is situated in Salem district, Tamil Nadu.

The State also has in it several other hill stations, including Kolli Hills, Anamalai, Javadhu Hills, Kalrayan Hills, Sirumalai, Megamalai, Amirthi and Valparai. With summer knocking at your door, it is time to plan the annual escape and head for the hills. The cool breeze and fresh fragrance of the woods will surely transport you to a new world. These splendid hill stations will cast a spell on every traveller, visiting the spot. And it will be hard to resist your yearning to revisit these places, to have enough of enchanting Tamil Nadu experience.

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If there is a religious destination that tops the preference list of both

pilgrim and leisure travellers, it should be Madurai, which is popularly known as the Temple city. Located in the southern side of South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Madurai is home to attractions such as Meenakshi-Sundareswar Temple, Thirupparamkundram, Azhagar Kovil, Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam, Thirumalai Nayak Palace and Gandhi Museum.

This popular tourist spot is also known as the City of junction, City of jasmine, City that never sleeps and City of four junctions. The entire city of Madurai is built around Meenakshi-Sundareswar Temple. Believed to be founded by Indra, King of celestial deities, the temple is famous for its architectural beauty.

Dedicated to Goddesses Parvati (Meenakshi) and her consort Lord Shiva

(Sundareswar), the temple comes with 12 ‘gopurams’ in different heights and two golden sculptured ‘vimana’ (shrine). Its southern tower is the tallest one, with a height of over 170 feet, while the eastern ‘gopuram’ is the oldest one and it is said to be built in 1216-1238. Each ‘gopuram’ is a multi-storeyed structure and features thousands of stone figures of gods, animals and demons painted in bright hues. The present structure of the temple was built in 1623-1655 CE, during the reign of Thirumalai Nayak. The Vasantha and Kilikoottu ‘mandapams’ are his contributions to the temple, while it was Rani Mangammal, who added the corridors of the temple tank and Meenakshi Nayakar ‘mandapam’. It is one of the largest temple complexes in Tamil Nadu, with four entrances facing four directions. The temple is also known as Meenakshi Amman Temple and it offers a divine atmosphere

to the devotees, while others can simply marvel at its architectural beauty.

Thirumalai Nayak Palace is just 1.5 kilometres from the Meenakshi Temple. Built in 1636 by the King Thirumalai Nayak with the help of an Italian architect, this 17th century palace is famous for its classic fusion of Dravidian and Islamic styles. The present building was the main palace, where the king lived. The original palace complex, which was four times bigger than the present structure, consisted of two parts – Swarga Vilasam and Ranga Vilasam. The interior of the palace is richly decorated and is a treat to behold. You will surely fall in love with it, as you enter its huge central courtyard, which is surrounded by massive circular pillars. Other attractions include dancing hall, theatre, shrine, armoury, palanquin place, royal bandstand, quarters and pond and garden.

If you are on a pilgrimage, head to Thirupparamkundram, a hill about five kilometres southwest of Madurai. It is said to be the first of six abodes of Lord Muruga. Azhagar Kovil is another popular stop for tourists and it is a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is situated about 22 kilometres from Madurai city. You cannot also miss out Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam, one of the largest temple tanks in South India, which is situated at a distance of about five kilometres from the Meenakshi Amman Temple. A visit to this site is important for the pilgrims, as it houses Vinayakar temple dedicated to Lord Vigneshwara, the elephant-faced God. The visitors can also spend quality time at Gandhi Memorial Museum, which is housed in the historic Tamukkam Palace.

dr s Bakthavatchalam gets the details of the offerings that make Madurai a sought after destination for pilgrim and leisure travellers

Majestic Madurai



Beatific Bandung

Given the spellbinding beauty of tourist spots, rich food, active night life and exciting shopping centres, it is worth visiting Bandung, writes sajan J

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TRAVELOGUE


As the aircraft slowly starts descending at the Bandung

International Airport, I feel almost like I am at the old domestic airport at Kochi. Very few airlines operate here. Silk Air operates five days a week, while Air Asia flies daily.

This awesome family trip was organised by Silk Air Kerala, to introduce their new destination in Indonesia – Bandung (BDO), in coordination with the tour operator BMW, Hotel Vue Palace, Hyatt Regency, Sheraton and Hilton of Bandung.

Tour operators Mr Rona and Sayyed were ready at the airport to welcome all travel agents from Kerala. All the hotels were decorated with huge Christmas trees, to welcome their guests. We had been told that it could get

cold, but thankfully we were pretty comfortable with the weather there.

Bandung, the capital of west Java province of Indonesia, has a population of eight million people. A lovely hill station above 768 meters mean sea level (msl), this city lies in a river basin surrounded by Volcanic

Mountains. It is the third largest city and the second largest metro in Indonesia.

In the 18th century, the Dutch first set up tea plantations around the mountains and constructed good roads, connecting these plantations to the capital. Bandung, renowned for its Dutch colonial architecture,

gradually developed into a resort city for the plantation owners. The buildings are a harmonious blend of the east and west. Luxurious hotels, restaurants, cafes and European boutiques were opened and the city later came to be known as ‘the Paris of java’.

The cool weather, the warmth and hospitality of the people in Bandung attract several immigrants and weekend travellers to this beautiful destination. Most of the natives are Sundanese and their language is ‘Sundanese’.

Tourism is the mainstay of the Bandung economy and their textiles are very famous. Our team leader Mrs Saramma Jacob was able to manage some neat bargains, as she could converse with them in their language.

Mr Sayyed took us to the ‘Tangkuban Perahu’, a

popular tourist attraction. It was foggy and the mountain was crowded with local tourists. The local handicraft shops were the main attraction. A sudden downpour and the crowd scattered. The fog disappeared and Lo and behold!! Before our surprised eyes stood the Tangkban Perahu!! A dormant volcano, which was last erupted in 1959.

Two of us decided to explore the night life in Bandung, with our tour operator Rona. We visited some clubs and Karaoke theatres. It was a pleasant experience and they were filled with young people. We spotted beautiful girls singing and dancing, to Karaoke music. People from neighbouring cities like Bali usually flock to Bandung, for shopping, food and other fun activities, during weekends. This sadly results in traffic congestion. It was 3.30 am, when we returned to our hotel! It was a fun filled evening and I even bought a pack of Marlboro for Rp 12500 (Rupiah)!! Yes, that is the value of money there and we sure felt like ‘crorepatis’ for that whole week in Bandung. One US dollar is approximately Rp 9000 (1INR = 178 IDR).

Another attraction was the white lake, with various interesting local tales about its history. Birds were said to be reluctant to fly over the region and the villagers in the area tended to regard the forest around the lake as eerie and somewhat mysterious. There used to be a sulphur mine at the crater of Tangkban perahu. Steam bubbles out of the lake and a strong smell of sulphur pervades the atmosphere. This site is really amazing but not too popular amongst tourists!

On the way back, we visited a strawberry field and it was yet another amazing experience. We had a lunch of fish, lamb and several other tasty dishes. The food in Bandung is truly delicious. The welcome drink in most of the hotels here is the refreshing Bandung black tea, which tastes like our ginger tea.

We ended the day with an amazing musical experience/performance, the ‘Saung Angklung Udjo’. It was impressive to see the ease with which very young children were playing various instruments. Another interesting act was the Angklung, a bamboo music piece played as a group. A definite must see for anyone visiting Bandung. The teacher also made the

whole crowd to play the Angklung together - a symphony!!

Shopping in Bandung is very exciting. There are lots of factory outlets with an array of cotton outfits, where you can bargain in four or five

digits Rp. It is better to have your money exchanged before landing in Bandung, since forex outlets are very few.

We left Bandung after a week filled with fun and enjoyment and a head full of awesome memories.


TRAVELOGUE

Photos by Sajan J

Keys Hotel Trivandrum, the first Berggruen Hotel in India, was

selected as one of the top 25 trendiest hotels in India, at the recently concluded 10th annual TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2012. Launched in August 2009, the hotel has 100 modern and stylish rooms, a contemporary café, restobar, gym, business concierge and board rooms. Based on the reviews and opinions from millions of travellers, Keys Hotel Trivandrum was ranked 10th amongst the 25 trendiest hotels in the country.

“Keys Hotel is a young holistic brand that has been designed after carefully assessing the needs

of travellers, utilising a young and dynamic hotel service team that ranks among the best names in the hospitality sector. We are glad that Keys Hotel Trivandrum has been ranked the 10th trendiest hotel in the country, based on the valuable testimonies of our customers,” says, a jubilant Sanjay Sethi, Managing Director and CEO, Berggruen Hotels.

Though modern and stylish, in terms of price, Keys Hotel Trivandrum can well be categorised as a budget hotel. Keys Hotel is a trendsetter in the hospitality sector, particularly due to the consumer demand for value

for money and quality accommodation in the

key business and leisure destinations across India. “Whilst the product is upscale, the price positioning has been kept to suit the travel budgets of small and large corporates, in line with their need to manage administration and travel costs more efficiently,” adds, Sethi.

Berggruen Hotels was founded in 2006 by Sanjay Sethi. The business is completely funded by Berggruen Holdings out of New York. The company has set up a leading chain of mid market hotels, resorts

Keys Trivandrum emerges as a trendiest hotel

At the 10th annual TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice

Awards, Hyatt Regency Pune

has been selected as one of the top 25 hotels in India. Unlike any other honours in the hospitality sector, TripAdvisor

Travellers’ put Hyatt Regency Pune at the top

Sanjay Sethi, MD and CEO, Berggruen Hotels.

Gadi Hassin, General Manager, Hyatt Regency Pune

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HOSPITALITY


select the winners based on millions of reviews and opinions from travellers, across the world. Hyatt Regency Pune is the only hotel from Pune as well as the only Hyatt hotel in India that has found a place on TripAdvisor Travellers’ list of top 25 hotels in India.

Hyatt Regency Pune is a five star hotel that comes with 219 rooms and suites, and 84 serviced apartments for long-term guests. The hotel features a variety of luxury restaurants, bars and lounges. It also houses Arogya Spa and Fitness Centre that comes with a 17-metre heated indoor swimming pool, a sauna, a steam room, a whirlpool and a yoga room.

“We are delighted and proud to be selected as one of the top 25 hotels in India. The award reiterates that we are on the right track to achieve our mission to be recognised as the preferred hotel and residences in Pune and encourages me and my team to continue to provide excellent service and authentic hospitality to all our guests,” says a joyful Gadi Hassin, General Manager, Hyatt Regency Pune.

With enough avenues for sightseeing, trekking and playing golf in close proximity, Hyatt Regency Pune offers its guests unforgettable moments, during their leisure or business trip.

and service apartments across India under its brand Keys Hotels, Resorts and Apartments. Currently, the company owns and operates 12 hotel properties across India. It also has 12 properties in various stages of development.

Foodlink, Bungalow 9 steal the show at Times awards

Sanjay and Advaita Vazirani

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HOSPITALITY


WelcomHeritage, India’s finest chain of heritage hotels, has added one more

property into its kitty, with the launch of WelcomHeritage Jukaso Ganges at Varanasi, last month. The hotel has 15 well appointed suites, which offer river view. Besides modern facilities, this fine property also features a multi cuisine restaurant, a business centre with complementary WiFi and a spa. Sandstone quarried from the Chunar area has been extensively used in the structural beams and columns of this property.

WH launches Varanasi property

Epicurus-Andhra Pradesh hotel Association has honoured La Classic, Bengaluru, a four

star luxury hotel, with the best four star hotel award, at a function held at Hitex City, Hyderabad, recently.

K Ramesh, Managing Director, La Classic, received the award from MP Dr Geetha Reddy.

La Classic, Bengaluru is a sought after destination for business and client meets, corporate gathering, family get together and other special events. The hotel has been nominated for World Luxury Hotel Awards

2012 and International Hotel Award 2012. Also, its Executive Director Raj Gopaal Iyer has been nominated for the Global HR Excellence Award for the exemplary leadership.

La Classic bags the best four star hotel award

It was a double delight for restaurateur couple Sanjay and Advaita Vazirani at

Times Food and Nightlife Guide Awards (TFNGA) 2012, as Foodlink, their multi cuisine food servicing company won the Best Multi Cuisine Caterer Award and

Bungalow 9, their restaurant, bagged the Best Global Cuisine Restaurant Award. They received the awards from Parvez Damania, at a glittering award ceremony held at ITC Grand Central, Parel, Mumbai. TFNGA is known as Oscars of Food

Awards and honours Mumbai’s best in the business.

“We are very delighted and honoured. We have worked hard in building Food Link a brand that it is today. We started catering to small scale events and today, our catering services reach out to most elite business network and celebrities. This award definitely gives us more recognition and credibility as well as will allow people to know our work. We have been putting our efforts to bring the best of world cuisines and highest standards to all our patrons and will continue to do so,” smiles Sanjay Vazirani, Managing Director, Food Link Services Pvt. Ltd.

Bungalow 9, a multi cuisine fine dining restaurant near Mount Mary Steps, Bandra (W), Mumbai, which won the Best Global Cuisine

Restaurant Award, was launched in 2011. Within a short span of time, it has emerged as one of the most sought after fine dining restaurants in Mumbai, with a clientele comprising of crème de la crème of business and bollywood community.

“We are extremely grateful to Times Food Guide for recognising our efforts through these awards. We believe

in striving for excellence by reviewing our performance, regularly updating our service and taking into account the views of our patrons. This award is a validation of our efforts and we will continue to work hard and bring in unique experiences in food services from time to time,” says, an elated Advaita Vazirani, Director, Food Link Services.

Leela Palace New Delhi tops the list of Asia-Pacific hotels


HOSPITALITY

In recognition of highest standards of service excellence, readers of the

internationally acclaimed DestinAsian Magazie have voted the Leela Palace New Delhi, as one of the top hotels in the Asia-Pacific region. The award was conferred at the seventh annual Readers’ Choice awards ceremony held recently in Hong Kong, in the presence of major hospitality players in the region.

The Leela Palace New Delhi is acclaimed for its grand opulence and contemporary sophistication, impeccable

guest services and convenient geographical location, making it a preferred destination for discerning business and leisure travellers. The poll results also recommended the Kiziswedhna spa ritual at ESPA, a synchronised ayurveda-inspired massage, as a must try at the hotel.

“At the Leela Palace New Delhi, we firmly believe that ‘Guest is God’ and it is our constant endeavour to anticipate guest needs and offer

personalised attention and superlative services. We thank the readers, who patronised us and have recognised our

efforts. The Leela is, indeed, a celebrated brand the world over and this award reiterates our commitment towards creating benchmarks in luxury hospitality in India,” smiles, Tamir Kobrin, General Manager, The Leela Palace New Delhi.

The Leela Palace New Delhi perfectly exemplifies the magnificent architecture, grace and elegance of Lutyens’ Delhi. Located at the heart of the prestigious Diplomatic Enclave area, the hotel is in proximity to the Presidential Palace, the Prime Minister’s office, a number of embassies, central business district and a host of historical monuments.

The hotel, which combines state-of-the-art functionality with traditional warmth to ensure guests the highest levels of Indian hospitality at a global standard, offers a royal Indian dining experience at Jamavar, a modern global dining at The Qube, an exclusive Japanese culinary experience at Megu, a gastronomically entertaining evening at Le Cirque and a sophisticated retreat at The Library. Another attraction is an exclusive spa by ESPA.

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates,

for the third year in a row, was named the world’s leading airline, at the World Travel Awards. At the gala event held in Doha, Qatar, last month, the airline also received the World’s leading airline first class and the World’s leading airline to the Middle East awards.

“We are delighted to have been named the world’s leading airline at the World Travel Awards for the third successive year. Etihad Airways’ vision is simple - to be the best airline in the world. These accolades from industry experts at the World Travel Awards demonstrate that we

are meeting that goal,” smiles, James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways.

“Last year was a fantastic year for Etihad Airways, as we could reap the full benefits of financial and operational strategies developed over the last five years. Nothing is as important to us as our guests and we work tirelessly to ensure their experience with Etihad Airways to surpass their expectations. We are

always looking to innovate, whether that be by introducing qualified chefs in our Diamond First Class or bringing

leading inflight entertainment systems with mobile and internet connectivity to the sky,” he adds.

Etihad retains the world’s leading airline title

Emirates adds fifth US gateway

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AVIATION


Etihad Airways’ success in Doha follows recognition at the World Travel Awards Middle East in May 2011, when the airline took home awards for Middle East’s leading airline, Middle East’s leading airline first class, Middle East’s leading cabin staff and Middle East’s

leading airline in-flight entertainment.

From its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport, Etihad serves 82 cities in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and North America, with a fleet of 64 Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

In a move to expand its US network, Emirates Airline, one of the

fastest growing airlines in the world, has launched new service from Dallas/Fort Worth to Dubai. The national airline of Dubai will serve Dallas/Fort Worth daily with a Boeing 777 aircraft, offering the highest standards of passenger comfort, including private

suites in first class, lie-flat beds in business class and generously-sized economy class seats. It is the fifth gateway for Emirates in the United States and the fourth new route to join the airline’s international network in 2012.

“Emirates’ newest US destination is a thriving and dynamic metroplex, which is home to one of the

highest concentrations of Fortune 500 companies in the country. A direct link with Dubai will open new vistas for North Texas, with key trading and business centres in the Middle East, Africa and the Indian subcontinent now just one stop away,” says, Nigel Page, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations – Americas, Emirates.

“This daily flight is a big deal for both North Texas and our partners in the UAE. Our world is getting smaller and it is crucial that we take advantage of every opportunity to expand our global business and tourism presence. This connection certainly does that,” maintains Betsy Price, Mayor, Fort Worth.

WestJet Airlines enhances Chicago network

Emirates to promote Mauritius holidays

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AVIATION


WestJet Airlines, a low-cost Canadian carrier that provides scheduled and charter air

service to 75 destinations in Canada, US, Mexico and Caribbean, is set to introduce daily non-stop services between Chicago and Vancouver, and Chicago and Calgary, from May 14, 2012.

For the new routes, WestJet will use its Boeing 737 next generation aircraft, while it will continue to use its partner American Airlines’ code-share flights for non-stop services from Chicago to Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Chicago is American Airlines’ major hub, providing connections to key destinations in the US and across the world.

“We are pleased to introduce services to and from

Chicago. It will allow both business and leisure travellers to experience what Chicago has to offer, as well as northbound travellers to visit Banff and the Rocky Mountains via Calgary or board cruise ships from Vancouver,” says, John MacLeod, Vice President - Network Management and Alliances, WestJet Airlines.

Emirates Airline, the national airline of Dubai, has signed a memorandum of

understanding (MoU) with Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, to globally promote Mauritius holidays and bring passengers to the island on one of the 11 flights it operates from Dubai. Both will also engage in a range of marketing and promotional activities, to stimulate demand and increase the ‘visibility’ of Mauritius across the global network that Emirates has built in recent years.


EVENTS

SPLASH 2012 launched

Thrissur, the cultural capital of Kerala, is all set to host Lulu Carnival and BAI Expo, from

March 23 to April 1, 2012. Organised by Oscar Event Management in association with Builders Association of India, it is first of its kind consumer fair and property expo happening in Thrissur. To be held at LuLu International Convention Centre, this unique carnival will feature more than 200 stalls, showcasing electronics, textiles, jewellery, furniture, crafts, food products and home and kitchen appliances. Also, there will be stalls dedicated to education, IT and finance.

The main attraction of the fair will be the celebrity cultural show that will be held every evening. On offer are dance performances, orchestra and fashion show. The organisers have arranged for free transportation to and from the venue and Thrissur city, during the exhibition hours.

“With a car parking facility for 1800 cars and totally air-conditioned stalls, this is a one of its kind venue and bound to attract the masses in thousands. LuLu International Convention Centre and Garden Hotels is the winner of the best convention centre of India award for the year 2009-10, from the Ministry of

Lulu Carnival and BAI Expo to be held in Thrissur

The fourth edition of SPLASH, the festival of monsoon in Wayanad,

Kerala, was launched at a glittering function organised at Travel Tourism Fair (TTF), Mumbai, recently. To be held from July 13-15, 2012, this rain carnival will feature outdoor programmes, a cultural fete, indoor and outdoor games and competitions, offering the travellers a memorable experience. If you like to go splashing in the rain, enjoying the scenic beauty of nature, head to Wayanad, one of the districts in southern Indian state of Kerala, when

it holds SPLASH. The event is organised by Wayanad Tourism Organisation (WTO), in association with Kerala Tourism.

Abraham George, Vice President, Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) and Managing Director, Intersight, was the chief guest at the function and he officially

launched the SPLASH 2012, in the presence of who is who of the travel and tourism industry. Jose Kainady, President, WTO, welcomed the gathering, while Mahesh, CEO of TTF, Sajeev Kurup, Secretary of KTM and Jose Mathew, Executive Member of KTM gave felicitation speeches.

The gathering also saw several distinguished people, including Sameer Vora of Capri Tours, Mumbai and Kumar Maisheri of People Holidays, Mumbai, sharing their experience at previous editions of SPLASH. Ashraf C C, Vice President WTO, proposed the vote of thanks.

WTO uses SPLASH to promote Wayanad and position it as a monsoon destination. Their efforts have yielded results, as the event has helped them to draw visitors to Wayanad during monsoon season, which was earlier a lean period.

Tourism, Government of India,” say the organisers. The event is expected to enhance the image of LuLu, as a meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) venue, particularly for exhibitions.

“The recently held Gem and Jewellery exhibition, organised by the Art of Jewellery, is a good example of the potential and scope of this venue and its facilities for exhibitions of any stature. This exhibition was attended by thousands and the facilities, services and the hospitality were acclaimed by one

and all. The sheer massiveness of the venue, which enabled to accommodate the large number of versatile stall designs and the sheer crowd over three days, is amazing!,” adds the organisers of the Lulu Carnival.

LuLu ICC and Garden Hotels is already a most sought after venue for conferences and events. The main attractions of the venue include a variety of food courts, featuring several theme counters, and an amusement area, featuring different rides and contests.

In a goodwill gesture, Kerala Institute of Travel and Tourism

Studies (KITTS) has launched a unique skill development programme to address the issue of scarcity of trained manpower in the tourism industry and hospitality sector. The main focus of the programme will be to empower the younger generation, especially from the marginalised section and women. This 50-day long skill development training programme will be conducted in all district headquarters, offering training to 1,800 youths, in 60 batches in a year.

“The training will be offered free of cost and will cover eight diversified areas related to tourism and hospitality sector, such as travel and tour consultants, naturalist, nature guides, souvenir making, food and beverage service, house keeping and front office. When facing real life after education, students have an initial hesitation. So, they will highly benefit from the KITTS finishing school programme,” says, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who inaugurated the programme in Trivandrum recently.

KITTS has already conducted a two-month long finishing school training programme for the students of Vocational Higher Secondary Education (VHSE), free of cost. The finishing school training was offered to 124 students in seven batches across different locations of the state. The programme was successful and has helped them get placements in various organisations through

KITTS to bridge skilled manpower gap


KERALA TRAVELLER

the interview conducted by KITTS. Developing working knowledge in computers, communication and interpersonal skills formed part of the training programme.

“The greatest challenge tourism industry is facing today is scarcity of human resources. The training for VHSE finishing school students in tourism is a stepping stone to meet that challenge. Kerala Planning Board has granted Rs 2.5 crore to ensure skill development programme for 1800 youngsters. Established in 1988, KITTS is awaiting to celebrate its silver jubilee,” says, U V Jose, Director, KITTS.

The students who got placements were offered an initial pay of Rs 4000 plus accommodation and food. The second phase of the finishing school training for VHSE students is set to begin soon.

Designed on the lines of National Skill Development Mission, this programme is given high priority and is led by Kerala government. Kerala Planning Board is also likely to give priority to skill development programme, as part of the 12th five year plan.

The Chief Minister has, besides ensuring the availability of educated human resources in the industry, assured all government support to KITTS and the students of VHSE, to study the development of tourism industry and hospitality sector.

“We are glad to say that the government can provide placements for students passed out of KITTS and Food Craft Institute in the state. The private sector support is also crucial in offering placements for youngsters,” says, Kerala Tourism Minister A P Anil Kumar, who gave away the employment offer letters to the selected students at the programme.

Tourism principal secretary T K Manoj

Kumar, Rathan Kelkkar, Managing Director, Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) and Rajashekharan Nair, MD, Uday Samudra Leisure and Beach Hotel, Kovalam, were present at the inauguration of the KITTS skill development programme.

1. Which is the third most popular companion mammal other than the dog and cat?2. Which city has the highest number of hotel rooms in the world?3. After Canada and Mexico, which is the nearest country to USA?4. Which is the second biggest city in Iran after Tehran?

53

Compiled by Deekay

Send in your answers to [email protected] TYKC 53 in the subject line.

Answers should reach us before the 29th of this month.

AnswerstoTYKC52

1. Uhuru. 2. The founder of the brand Rene Lacoste was nicknamed ‘the Crocodile’ for his tenacity on court as a tennis player. 3. Ipoh, Malaysia. 4. It is Italian for ‘wind’. 5. It means ‘gulf’ in Arabic. 6. 27 ( Cultural – 22 & Natural – 05). 7. Kew Gardens, London. 8. Coffee. 9. American Way ; Ada, Michigan. 10. Melbourne

WINNER OF TYKC 52

One all-correct entry will getFree Stay at UDS, Kovalam

[ 2 nights and 3 days for two ]*

* Conditions apply

With its sleek and stylish design, Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Hotel is nothing less than a golden feather in the cap of Kovalam beach. Located just 15 metres from the sea, this four star hotel can well be categorised into a destination in itself. Its philosophy of combining the best elements of incomparable lifestyle, with the convenience of today’s modern world through exceptional standards of luxury, elegance and services, is well reflected in its products and services and has put the Uday Samudra Beach Hotel, popularly known as UDS, at the top position, in Kovalam. What is more noteworthy about UDS Kovalam is the international flair it sports.

5. Who was Maria Spelterini?

6. The largest word in English containing all the five vowels in sequence is ‘FACETIOUS’. Which is the largest word in English that has all the five vowels in reverse sequence?

7. USA calls it ‘beltway’. Europe calls it ‘ring road’. How does UK call it?

8. Where do the Batu Caves in Malaysia get their name from?

9. Which state in USA was known as Franklin for a long time until 1796?

10. What does CTC in the CTC Tea stand for?

Helen Lee has joined Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Ltd as Director of Finance

Graziela Padoin has joined GainingEdge as Business Development Consultant for Latin America

Jeewan Bakhtawar has joined The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts as Vice President – HR

Vikram Madhok has joined World Travel and Tourism Council, India Initiative as Chairperson

FHRAI has appointed Kamlesh Barot as its President

Saeid Heidari has joined Renaissance Hotel, Mumbai and Marriott Lakeside Chalet Executive Apartments as General Manager

Courtyard by Marriott, Chennai, has appointed Ankush Sharma as its General Manager

Marco Saxer has joined Swissotel, Kolkata, as General Manager

Srilal Miththapala has been elected a Fellow of Institute of Hospitality, United Kingdom

Vivianne Martins has been appointed to the Board of Directors, Association of Corporate Travel Executives

Air Seychelles has appointed Cramer Ball as CEO

Oman Air has appointed Wayne Pearce as CEO

British Airways has appointed Christopher Fordyce as Regional Commercial Manager for South Asia

Govt. of Kerala has appointed P S Rajeev as Managing Director, TOURFED

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