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July 2003
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It has been raining well all over India this monsoon and the long spell of summer heat has disappeared. It is after many years that the rains have really covered the remote deserts too. Village folks can be seen planting the paddy sapling and singing folklores at the same time. Rains do bring a new lease of life on the dry earth and freshness on everyone’s face!
The tourism and hospitality industry has seen an upturn in its fortunes this summer, when hotels usually go empty. But from April to June, most hotels have seen high occupancy. Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore had an occupancy chart ranging from 60% to 80%. In leisure destinations, it is Goa, followed by Kerala and Rajasthan, which went packed. Room rates, have come down and it has clearly helped increase volumes. The SARS outbreak in the Far East helped hotels fill up their rooms. The domestic tourist traffic to the Far East got diverted to destinations within the country as was the case of international traffic. Business traffic is up by 20% compared to last year. Hotels in Mumbai are experiencing occupancy levels of 65% against occupancy levels of 50% in the same time last year. Hotels in Bangalore such as the Taj, the Oberoi and Le Meridien have had occupancies exceeding 80%.
The scene in Goa is also quite upbeat and every one is looking forward to welcoming the coming winter, specially the direct charter movement. Two new flights from Holland and several Russian charter flights per week are expected apart from the usual Britsih, German, Scandinvian and Swiss.
India as a destination for Incentives and Conferences has emerged pretty well and the coming winter is lined up with such events. In Goa, we have the very first time a Goa Tourism Meet organized from 5-8 Oct’03, which is going to be an annual event. This would see a big gathering of tour operators, travel agents, hoteliers, airlines and all the allied segments.
So, don’t you think it is high time that you made it to India soon and be at `home’ once again! TOP Keep traveling and don’t forget to wear that million dollar smile! See you in INDIA! |
Swiss International withdraws FROM Delhi: Swiss takes off Delhi from its Winter Schedule from last week of October.
AIR CANADA RESTARTS OPERATION TO DELHI FROM OCT: Air Canada is to commence daily non-stop service between Toronto and Delhi from October 26, 2003. It will be the only non-stop air link between North America and India. The new service will shave at least three hours off traditional best routings offering travellers the convenience of early arrival times that allow for connections to many key onward destinations. Flights will be operated using state-of-the-art 282-seat Airbus A340 aircraft featuring Air Canada's recently redesigned premium Executive First service.
AI INTRODUCES FIFTH FLIGHT TO NEW JERSEY: Air-India has introduced a fifth flight from Newark, New Jersey to India via Paris from July 4, 2003. Air-India has a daily service from JFK New York to India via London and three flights from Chicago to India per week (also via London).
AIR-INDIA RESUMES OSAKA SERVICE VIA HONG KONG: Air-India has resumed its twice a week flights from India to Osaka via Hong Kong. The service had been suspended during the SARS epidemic. Air-India is also to resume its other flights to Hong Kong as traffic pick up.
THAI AIRWAYS’ MORE FLIGHTS TO INDIA: Thai Airways is planning to start flights to five more Indian cities by 2004 doubling its seat capacity and sales on routes. The country's flagship carrier will start flights to Chennai in October. The carrier will also fly to Bangalore, Varanasi, Gaya and Guwahati by November 2004.
AIRBUS TO MAKE RECORD DELIVERY: Airbus is all set to make a record delivery of 300 aircraft this year. Airbus Industrie has opened a new factory in the UK at Broughton in Wales, costing Pounds 350 million (US $ 565 million). It will make the wings for the new A380 double-decker 550-seater aircraft. The 36-m long wings for A380 are the largest for a commercial aircraft. The first wings would be shipped next year and the first flight of the A380 would take place in 2005. Singapore Airlines will be the first airline to take delivery of the A 380, and will make its first commercial flight in 2006. TOP
UMAID BHAWAN PALACE NO MORE WITH WELCOMGROUP: Marudhar Hotels Pvt. Ltd. has decided to reposition the Umaid Bhawan Palace for International branding and hence to refashion their association with Maharaja Heritage Resorts Ltd. Henceforth, the Palace, formally a part of the WecomHeritage chain will be run just as Umaid Bhawan Palace with the help of a global chain. The Umaid Bhawan Palace shall now be setting up its own distribution network in India and abroad, including the local reservation office.
PHOENIX PARK INN TO BE OPENED BY END OF JULY AT CANDOLIM, GOA: This 4 star boutique property, affiliated to Sarowar Park Plaza hotel, is soon to be opened (by the end of July). It would have a total of 110 rooms.
UDAIVILAS RATED AMONGST TOP 50 HOTELS GLOBALLY: The Oberoi Hotels & Resorts latest luxury resort in Udaipur, was ranked amongst “the 50 coolest new hotels in the world” by Conde Nest Traveller, UK’s most prestigious travel magazine. Udai Vilas is the only Indian hotel to have been chosen in the prestigious “Hot List 2003” category.
THE RENAISSANCE GOA RESORT REBRANDED: This famous Goan resort has been re-branded the Ramada Caravela Beach Resort. According to a spokesperson, Advani Hotels Resorts (India) Ltd found the need to re-brand the Goa property because the Renaissance brand is mainly associated with business properties. The Ramada brand of hotels suited them better as they have number of resort properties, thus making it an easier poisoning exercise. TOP
NAVRATRI (9 NIGHTS) FESTIVAL, GUJARAT: The festival celebrations will be held from September 25 to October 5, 2003 in Gujarat. The festival of Navratri, a carnival of nine nights of colourful costumes dance and devotion, is the best cultural symbol of the state and has always attracted tourists from India and abroad. Visiting tourists can also have the first hand experience of staying with a host family and finding out for themselves what makes Gujarat so vibrant. The guests can get to enjoy the state’s vast repertoire of attraction that includes the last abode of the Asiatic Lions as well as the numerous temples and beaches that dot its 1600-km (1000 miles) coastline. Please refer www.navratriafestival.com or www.gujarattourism.com
PURI FESTIVAL, ORISSA (JULY): Jagannath Yatra (car festival) which took place in Puri, Orissa from July 1 to 10 commemorated the journey of Lord Krishna (as Lord Jagannath) from Gokul to Mathura. The main rath (chariot) of Lord Jagannath 14 metre rode on 16 wheels. More than 4000 persons pulled the raths. The images of Lord Jagannath and his brother and sister kept in Jagannath Temple were brought out in huge "Raths" (cars) to the Gundicha Mandir (Gardon Temple). The word "juggernaut" comes from Jagannath. The Jagannath Temple is considered one of the holiest and dates back to twelfth century.
Delhi Tourism organizeD 15th Mango Festival: Delhi Tourism recently organized 15th Mango Festival at Talkatora Stadium displaying over 300 varieties of mango including rare varieties like sirki, amrapali and mallika. The common varieties like chausa, dusheri, tota puri, and angoori and royal family of raja, maharaja and rajmahal. There are more than 1500 varieties of mangoes spread throughout world. The festival witnessed large number of visitors.
PREPARATIONS IN FULL SWING FOR KUMBHA FAIR, NASHIK: Nashik, the venue for this millennium’s first `Simhastha Kumbha Mela’ less than a month away, hectic preparations are on to meet the inflow of an estimated 50 lakh Hindus during the 12 month long event, beginning on 30 Jul. Being held after a gap of 12 years, the Mela has returned to Nashik after doing rounds of Alahabad, Ujjain, and Hardwar. As per the Hindu calendar, the event is observed when Jupiter moves in the constellation of Leo. TOP
NEWS MEANS GOOD NEWS (India)
The India International Boat Show (IIBS), KERALA:
India's premier boat and maritime event, will be conducted from 26th to 28th
of September 2003 at the Le Meridien International Convention Centre in
Cochin. Leading tour operators and hotels in Cochin have also extended their
support by offering discounted tour packages and accommodation for the boat
show participants. IIBS will be a premier event of its kind in the region
between Middle East and Southeast Asia. IIBS is being publicised on a large
scale with intensive PR campaigns, advertisements and outdoor publicity
campaigns already underway. The website
www.indiaboatshow.com provides comprehensive information on all the
aspects of show and also features provisions for exhibitors, buyers and the
media to register online.
WORLD’S TALLEST `HANUMAN’ STATUE ERECTED:
The world’s tallest 150-ft statue of Lord Hanuman (Bajrang Bali) was
consecrated at Paritala village on the Machilipatanam – Hyderabad highway,
about 88 km from Machilipatanam. TOP
NEWS MEANS GOOD NEWS (International)
SARS IS A GONE CASE NOW: Eventually, the SARS is gone! The last country to be removed from the list of countries, i.e. Taiwan, was also declared SARS free. TOP
BHIMBETKA (24th WORLD HERITAGE SITE IN INDIA): Surrounded by the northern fringe of the Vindhyan ranges, Bhimbetka lies 46 km South of Bhopal. In this rocky terrain of dense forest and craggy cliffs, over 600 rock shelters belonging to the Neolithic age were recently discovered. Here, in vivid panoramic detail, paintings in over 500 caves depict the life of the pre-historic cave-dwellers making the Bhimbetka group an archaeological treasure, an invaluable chronicle in the history of man.
We feel it our proud privilege to inform you that UNESCO’ World Heritage Committee has selected the pre-historic caves of Bhimbetka as a World Heritage site. Bhimbetka has become the latest addition in the existing list of 24 cultural and natural World Heritage sites in India. These beautiful rock paintings throw light on the art and life of pre-historic man dating back 8000 years. The “Buddhist Stupas” at Sanchi also 46 km north are on the World Heritage list for some time now. TOP
DESTINATION/S OF THE MONTH
AMRITSAR (Punjab): Amritsar, as the name suggests, is rightfully a pool of nectar. Located in the state of Punjab, Amritsar is one of the most important pilgrimage centres especially for the Sikhs in the country. The city is characterised by some of the must visit religious, historical as well as contemporary sites of importance. The Golden Temple, where Sikhs from all over the world come to pay their reverence to Guru Granth Sahib and take a dip in the Amrit Saras Kund (Pool of Immortality) for spiritual purification is the major landmark of the place. Amritsar is also characterised by the hard working and warm-hearted people.
There are a number of tourist attractions to visit in and around Amritsar. However, most of the places are of religious and historical importance. Golden temple which is located in the heart of the city, the Jalianwallah Bagh, which is a memorial of the martyrs of the 1919, the Durgiana Mandir that is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Durga, Baba Atal Rai Tower and the Wagah Border are some of the main tourist attractions out here. Dharamsala, a popular hill station in the neighbouring Himachal Pradesh, can be easily accessed from the city of Amritsar. TOP
NATURE DOES MATTER
ABC FARMS, PUNE: Situated on the banks of a river over 41 acres of land, A.B.C Farms Pvt. Ltd is a Pune-based undertaking, which is India's leading cheese and dairy product manufacturer. A.B.C Farms produces over 60 varieties of cheese using their own cultures. A.B.C Farms management team has around 50 years of operational and business experience in the dairy industry. Hybrid cattle and goats are used for the production of milk and subsequently cheeses. A.B.C Farms has its humble beginnings from 1976, by Rohinton Aga, Adi Bathena and Eruch Chinoy with 14 cows and 27 acres of land at Dehu Road, Pune, India
ELEPHANTS WITH RELFECTORS: Captive elephants, threatened by car-hits on busy Delhi roads, are being provided with reflectors and reflective tapes to ensure that motorists see them in the dark.
The Wildlife Trust of India (WTI-www.wti.org.in) in partnership with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW-www.ifaw.org) will soon provide these reflectors and reflective tapes to the elephant owners who want to attach these to the 'howdah,' and the ropes which tie this contraption to the elephant's back.
In the last two years, Wildlife Trust of India's Wild Rescue team has attended to three cases of road accidents involving four elephants. The most recent case was in December 2002 when a female elephant was hit by a speeding truck in the early hours of dawn. The elephant was severely wounded with little scope of recovery and ultimately had to be euthanised.
Delhi, the capital city of India is home to 30 privately owned captive elephants. Living in an overcrowded city, these elephants are beset with various problems arising out of improper management and welfare conditions.
In addition to being prone to various ailments and nutritional deficiencies, the elephants, who are made to work commercially, are also made to walk amidst vehicular traffic on crowded city roads for long distances at odd hours and in extreme weather conditions.
Due to this, speeding vehicles often hit elephants resulting in road accidents and injuries to elephants as well as humans. Lack of visibility due to the elephants' dark color compounds the problem at night in a city where most roads remain unlit.
WTI-IFAW's Captive Elephant Care project is already experimenting with the reflectors to create an optimum model acceptable to the elephants and their owners.
GURUWAYUR ELEPHANTS GET LIFE & MEDICAL INSURANCE: The famous Guruwayur temple of Kerala, which boasts of the world’s largest captive herd of 62 elephants, has at last given them insurance cover, fearing their lives and also to cope with the mounting expenses while treating their `lifestyle’ ailments. TOP
PERMANENT FEATURE - GOA
Master plan for de-weeding Carambolim lake: The government will frame a master plan for de-weeding the famous Carambolim lake of Salvinia within ten days. The Herald, a local newspaper had highlighted the plight of the lake which had got overgrown with the killer weed Salvinia. This lake has been declared as an important Bird Area Site in India by the Bombay Natural History Society, with 80 species of birds visiting this site. But these birds were being hindered by this weed.
GOA TOURISM MEET FROM 6 – 8 OCT: The first ever Goa Tourism Meet is going to be organised for the above dates. The topics covered will be: Goa’s brand position in the Global market; Goa – a 365 days destination; Connectivity – a key to success, etc. This will be complemented with the exhibition stalls from different states, travel agents, tour operators, airlines, etc.
ZUARI BRIDGE IS LIKELY TO BE RE-OPENED FOR LARGE VEHICLES: After carrying out the case study, the consent has been given to re-open the Zuari bridge, which has been repaired and strengthened after it developed some cracks over 4 years ago.
GOA TO HOST INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVALS: India plans to stage its International Film Festival in Goa. The state is famous for its pristine beaches, laidback style and Mediterranean influence due to the long Portuguese rule till 1961. Goa has become an all season destination for tourists. In view of it popularity, it has been decided to hold International Film Festival here. Recently a team was here in Goa to do the survey of the venue. The chief minister of Goa personally accompanied them at the sites. TOP
NEW DELHI – LAHORE BUS SERVICE STARTED FROM JULY 11: The Delhi Transport Corporation resumed its bus service from July 11 between India and Pakistan, which was started after a gap of over a year and half.
AGARTALA – DHAKA BUS SERVICE TO START FROM 9 AUG: After the Delhi – Lahore bus service, now India and Bangladesh are coming closer by starting a direct bus route.
tourism tag for 10 temples IN ANDHRA PRADESH: The AP government has approved master plans to develop 10 major temples in the state as spiritual, tourist and cultural centres. The Chief Minister approved the proposed master plan prepared by the Tourism Department. The temples that come under the master plan are located in Simhachalm, Bhadrachlam, Annavarm, Vijayawada, Dwaraka Tirumala, Srisailam, Yadagirigutta, Keesaragutta, Vemulawada and Srikalahasti. These temples would also have visitor zones with facilities such as hotels, recreation and entertainment joints, which would be built by Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation. The Chief Minister has also sanctioned an amount of Rs 10 lakh for the preservation of the natural rocks of the state.
APTDC PLANS SEA CRUISE SERVICE: The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation is planning to introduce sea cruise in the Bay of Bengal to attract more tourists and some private companies have evinced interest in taking up the project.
J&K TOURIST ARRIVALS MAY CROSS RECORD: With more than 60,000 tourists already flocking to Kashmir this year and several more expected, the state government is now eyeing to cross 1999’s record figure of 217,000 tourists in the current year.
SAMBHAR LAKE TO BE DEVELOPED AS TOURIST SPOT: Sambhar Salts Limited, a subsidiary of the government-owned Hindustan Salts Limited, will develop the Sambhar Lake as a tourist spot
NOW TOURISM OFFERS HOSTESSES: Tourists coming to Hyderabad, particularly those in the high-end bracket like NRIs and corporate executives, can now have a ‘customised’ tour of the city and other places of interests nearby with a tour hostess in attendance. TOP
PATA NEWS
** The Tourism
Authority of Thailand (TAT) projects a 5.82 percent growth in arrivals and
8.54 percent growth in revenue for 2004. TAT has allocated a budget of THB 48
billion for the 2004 fiscal year. Half is to be spent on marketing and
promotions. In order to boost the Chinese inbound market, TAT will invest an
additional THB50 million.
** Singapore has
launched a fully automated underground commuter train system to fill gaps in
the city's existing network. Trains on Singapore's new 20-km, 16-station line
will not have drivers. Five hundred computers will drive the system.
** To protect the
Great Wall of China, Beijing has restricted development within 500 metres of
the wall. Commercial activities within three kilometres must undergo a special
approval process.
** Garuda Indonesia will
resume its twice-weekly flights from Jakarta to Shanghai via Singapore using
an Airbus A330-300.
** China Eastern
Airlines has reinstated twice-weekly B767-300ER flights between Kunming and
Singapore and daily Airbus A300-600 flight between Shanghai and Singapore.
** By the end of
July, Australian Airlines (a subsidiary of Qantas Airways) will have daily
services to Singapore. The airline currently operates thrice-weekly services
between Cairns and Singapore. From July 29, it will operate a weekly flight
from Cairns to Singapore via Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. From July 25, the
airline will also operate thrice-weekly services between Sydney and Singapore
via Denpasar, Bali. B767-300ERs will operate on all services.
Just Answer Five Simple Questions:
1) Apart from Bangalore, which is the other city in India compared with the Silicon Valley?
a. Chandigarh c. Varanasi
b. Mumbai d. Hyderabad
2) Near which city in India are caves of Ajanta & Ellora situated?
a. Ahmedabad c. Aurangabad
b. Hyderabad d. Hoshangabad
3) Where did Lord Buddha receive the enlightenment?
a. Sarnath c. Lumbini
b. Bodhgaya d. Shravasti
4) Where is the famous rock garden situated?
a. Chandigarh c. Amritsar
b. Bangalore d. The Himalayas
5) The snake boat races are celebrated in which part of Kerala in August?
a. Palakkad c. Kovalam
b. Alleppey d. Marari
LAST DATE: 05 Aug’03 to send your entries at the email address pmaurya@vsnl.net
ANSWERS OF LAST CONTEST:
1) Where in India is carnival celebrated each year: GOA – the erstwhile Portuguese colony
2) Apart from Cochin, where else could you find the Chinese fishing nets (quite similar) in India? In Assam
3) In which state are the famous monuments Jahaz Mahal situated? In Madhya Pradesh
4) Nagaur in Rajasthan is famous for which festival? Animal (Cattle Fair)
5) Sindhu Darshan festival is celebrated in which state of India? Jammu & Kashmir in early June every year
WINNER OF LAST CONTEST: The proud winner of the last contest is Mr. James Clarke from UK! He is being sent a book on India! TOP
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India Tours & Travels
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Aquem Alto, Margao
GOA - 403601, INDIA
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Email: pmaurya@vsnl.net
NOTE: This newsletter is currently being sent to about 1000 select tour operators, individuals, friends, tourist offices, and other organizations. The news contents of this are compiled through various resources, newsletters, magazines, newspapers, books, etc and are being customized to suit our needs of balanced information in tourism and its related field. The newsletter itself does not carry any commercial value and the sole purpose is to increase the awareness and disseminate the available information in a fast manner to the people concerned in the trade. We try to provide the news as authentic and correct as possible, however, there might be errors sometimes. TOP