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Tourism Newsletter
September 2002
Airlines Update Hotels News Festivals, Marts & Events News Means Good News Destination of the Month Permanent Feature - Goa Nature Does Matter Contest
VISA AIRWAYS TO COMMENCE OPERATION IN A MONTH: The much awaited Visa Airways, one of the new domestic airlines, should be starting its operation in a month’s time with two small aircrafts as recently it was accorded the status of a scheduled airline (fourth such airline in India). They plan to add one more aircraft by next month and two more by December end. With the 37-seater Dash 8 Series 100 aircrafts, manufactured by Bombardier Aerospace, Canada, they would be operating mainly on feeder routes like Mumbai – Pune, Rajkot, Nasik, Belgaum, etc.
AIR-INDIA DECIDES FLEET AUGMENTATION: Air India has finally decided, in a board meeting that took
place on 18 Sep, that it would purchase 17 long-range aircrafts between 2003-04 & 2007-08 to augment the fleet and start operating on new routes. It is after a gap of eight years that new fleet is to be bought and these would be a mix of 250-plus and 400-plus seaters.
United Airlines Moving Ahead with Fortified Cockpit Doors: United Airlines announced that it has begun installation of FAA-certified fortified cockpit doors on its commercial fleet well in advance of the government deadline of April of 2003. The new cockpit doors for the Boeing fleet, for example incorporate improved features, which includes the doors that can withstand blunt force resistance of 300 joules, an international energy measurement equal to a 220-pound person, approaching the door at 5.5 miles an hour, ballistic and explosive resistance materials, blowout panels meeting the requirements for sudden decompression, and an electronic locking system that allows pilots to admit or deny access to the flight deck using a switch on their cockpit control panels. TOP
HYATT REGENCY OPENS IN CALCUTTA: Hyatt Regency is the first international brand five-star hotel in Calcutta (Kolkata). The 235-room hotel costing US Dollars 75 million is the second Hyatt Regency properties in India after the one in New Delhi, Asian Hotels Ltd under license from the Hyatt International Hyatt Regency Kolkata is strategically located at Salt Lake midway between the city center and the airport.
HYATT REGENCY GOA SCHEDULED TO OPEN IN DECEMBER: Opening in December 2002, Hyatt Regency Goa Resort and Spa is a 251 room Spa-resort in the heart of refined South Goa. The hotel reflects Goa's rich cultural heritage in design and brings a new vision and standard of hospitality to the Indian sub-continent. offers a serene sanctuary of sophistication to the discerning leisure guest. To the aficionado, it promises high drama in its presentation of architecture, food and entertainment. To the discriminating traveller, it redefines comfort and attentive service with luxuriously designed accommodations and Goa’s most expertly trained hosts and hostesses. To the businessperson on holiday, it lends the most advanced assistance in communication and commercial support services. With its variety of restaurants, an array of recreational facilities and activities; in-house shopping & entertainments and the world-class conference facilities – it is going to be a common choice for most types of tourists.
SAROVAR PARK PLAZA HOTELS TAKES OVER PEERLESS INN CALCUTTA: Peerless Inn Calcutta management has been taken over by Sarovar Park Plaza Hotels. The 122 room 4-star hotel on Chowringhee is in Calcutta’s prime location. The hotel Peerless Inn is 21st property of the group.
CHOICE HOSPITALITY PROPERTY IN AURANGABAD: Quality Inn Meadows Aurangabad is the latest property of Choice Hospitality. It has 48 elegantly appointed a/c rooms. The hotel boasts of a swimming pool, a well equipped health club and other recreational facilities. Aurangabad is one of the prime tourist destinations in Maharashtra and the staging point for visits to the world famous heritage sites, the Ajanta and Ellora caves.
PROPOSED VAGAMON HILL RESORT IN KERALA: Sprawled over 2000 acres the proposed Vagamon Hill Resort will come up in the undulating landscape of Idukki and Kottayam. Nestled between dense forests and endangered grasslands on the edge of the Periyar and Idukki sanctuaries, the visitor at the resort will be able to go back in a time wrap and touch & see the biodiversity of the bygone era. Kerala has seen very impressive growth in tourist arrivals and the number of domestic and foreign tourists has crossed 500000 & 200000 respectively. TOP
BONDERAM FESTIVAL: The feast of Bonderam is celebrated on the fourth Saturday of August every year at Divar Island, 12-km from Panjim in Goa. The name Bonderam revolves around the involvement of flags which in itself is an interesting story. Frequent disputes which occurred between two wards (section of the village) - Piedalda and Sao Mathias - over property matters often led to bloody duels, and sometimes death. Subsequently, the Portuguese introduced a system of demarcation of boundaries with flags of various nations. The rival groups, however, knocked down the demarcation flags sometimes with stones. Today, in a parody of the past, this is commemorated with a "Fotash" flight (toy weapon of bamboo stem) and berries are used as missiles in a mock fight between rival groups to knock down an offending flag. An expectant crowd assembles along either side of the main thorough fare of the village.
GANESH FESTIVITIES (10 – 20 SEP’2002): Just concluded Ganesh festival, for Hindus, is almost like Christmas New Year festive period in Maharashtra & Goa regions. This lovely God is the son of Lord Shiva & His wife Parvati and who is elephant headed with one half broken tooth, loves sweets and rides a rat! He is the God of wisdom and prosperity and remover of all obstacles. That is why he is remembered before embarking on any major work. In his four hands, he holds a charka (wheel), shell, lotus and mace. Earlier this festival was purely celebrated at home, till Bal Gangadhar Tilak, famous social reformer and freedom fighter, made it into a community affair wherein rich and poor could participate together. The beauty of religious harmony can be found in Goa where they even share the church ground for the functions for this festival!
Preparations for this begin well in advance. A clay idol is established and worshipped. People visit their ancestral homes and all relatives meet together. Classical singing, community programmes, various competitions and shows are arranged.
THE LEGENDS OF LOVE – MANDU (Oct’02): The legends and songs of medieval royal lovers will be the main theme during a four-day cultural festival to be held at the historic city of Mandu in the second week of October. A tale of love by the poet-prince Baz Bahadur for his consort, Rani Roopmati, will be enacted through classical dance, vocal and instrumental performance and dance-play at Hindola Mahal (Swinging Palace) at the Pleasure Resort, previously known as Shadiabad (City of Joy).
FIRST INDIA TOURISM GLOBAL INTERLINE GOLF TOURNAMENT 27-29 SEPTEMBER’02: The first India Tourism Global Interline Golf Championship sponsored by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India will be held in New Delhi, as per following program: Venue - Classic Golf Resort, which has been designed by Jack Nicklaus, Dates: 27 September 2002 – Practice Round, 28 September 2002 – Round one, September 29, 2002 – Round two. Tournament is open to Airlines only. Each airline can enter maximum of four teams of two players each. All participants will be entitled to free hotel accommodation from 26 - 30 September 2002.
POLISH TRAVEL MART(October 25-26, 2002): The PATA Poland Chapter, in cooperation with TTG Poland and Poznan International Fair, is organising the 6th Polish Travel Mart, to be held in Poznan, Poland, October 25-26, 2002, during the International Exhibition of Tourism "Tour Salon." The event targets international suppliers who wish to showcase their products and services to Polish buyers through pre-scheduled appointments.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN SPAIN (November 7, 2002): In order to tap the Spanish market, the PATA Europe Division will hold a sales mission in Madrid on November 5 and Barcelona on November 7, 2002, ahead of WTM 2002 in London, November 10-13. TOP
NEWS MEANS GOOD NEWS (India)
Delhi Metro Railway: It is all set to commence its commercial operation by December when 60 trains imported from South Korea will start chugging on the metro routes of Delhi (on all three levels, i.e. underground, on and above the ground). They had a trial run on 17 Sep. Each train would have three bogies and each bogie can carry 380 passengers at a time. Delhiites in particular will get immense benefit from it while the rest of the country is greatly looking forward to it. As informed already, Goa would have a bullet train which will cover a distance of 580 km between Mumbai & Goa in 3 hours and a half, running at a speed of 150 km per hour, the trial run is scheduled for 31 Dec.
INDIA WILL HOST THE FIRST AFRO-ASIAN GAMES IN 2003: India will host the first to be held Afro-Asian Games from October 24 to November 1, 2003 in New Delhi. Originally planned for November 2001, the government had indefinitely postponed the games due to the September 11 terror incidents in USA. Thousands of athletes from Asia and Africa will participate in this event.
KERALA TOURISM TO APPOINT BRAND AMBASSADORS: Kerala, one of the hottest destinations in India is likely to appoint brand ambassadors. This may include Hollywood stars and other celebrities. Kerala has launched an aggressive marketing campaign both in India and overseas. A Hollywood star may help promote Kalaripayattu, the martial art form of Kerala said to be the oldest in the world. Kerala Tourism recently held an exhibition of paintings of motifs from God’s own country – by M.F. Husain, after the artist’s stay in Kerala. As it is, the entire Indian travel trade is greatly looking forward to the Kerala Travel Mart starting in Cochin from 3 Oct.
FIRST SUBMARINE MUSEUM IN ANDHRA PRADESH: The first submarine Museum of India has opened here. The Soviet-built submarine, INS Kursura, the fourth to be inducted into the Indian Navy on December 18, 1969 has been put on display to the public. The Indian Navy handed over the submarine museum, stated to the first of its kind in South-East Asia and fourth in the world, to the State Government. TOP
NEWS MEANS GOOD NEWS (International)
ENCOURAGING TRAVEL TRENDS IN THAILAND: A year after the tragic events in the United States shook the world and sent international tourism into a tailspin, the flow of visitors to Thailand remains steady, the Nation newspaper reported 9 Sep. Juthamas Siriwan, the newly appointed governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, was quoted as saying that she expects nothing out of the ordinary to happen and visitor arrivals to continue as usual. Thailand has been affected less than neighboring countries, she said, adding that there were no reported cancellations from overseas tourists planning to come to Thailand on Sept. 11. In the first half of the year, the country saw the number of American tourists declining 3.6 percent to 252,825, while Malaysia experienced a drop of 30.14 percent, Australia reported that the number of US tourists was down 14 percent and Singapore welcomed 11.9-percent fewer visitors from the United States, the report said. Courtesy Travelwirenews
PATA SPEAKS OUT AGAINST CHILD ABUSE IN TOURISM: PATA Vice President-Development Mr. Peter Semone represented PATA at a forum in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to tackle the issue of sexual abuse of children in tourism destinations. He told delegates at the August 30-31 meeting: "The law enforcement agencies in these countries need to strictly enforce their country's current legislation on child prostitution. Only then can we protect our children and finally put an end to this destructive business." The event was hosted by Child Wise Tourism (ECPAT in Australia) and the Royal Government of Cambodia Ministry of Tourism.
DE JONG HIGHLIGHTS INTRA-REGIONAL GROWTH: PATA President and CEO Mr. Peter de Jong addressed the World Travel & Tourism Council Retreat in Agra, India, August 23-25. In a presentation entitled "The Sinews of Revival," Mr de Jong told delegates: "During 2001, only 21 percent of total international arrivals [to the Pacific Asia region] originated in non-PATA markets. Almost 80 percent of arrivals in that year came from within the region. That becomes very apparent in the case of Southeast and Northeast Asia and illustrates why they were less affected by the economic, political and social ills that beset the world during 2001."
Mountain Climbers for Peace: IIPT was honored to join with the Himalayan Club, Green Globe, Pacific Asia Travel Association and SKAL International in endorsing the members of the IUCN-UIAA Summit Team in their climb together in Switzerland between 24 and 29 August 2002. The purpose of the climb was to recognize the success of the Swiss Government in achieving UNESCO World Heritage status for the Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn region and to promote trans-boundary co-operation for sustainable development and peace. The climb was particularly noteworthy as the Team was comprised of mountaineers from India and Pakistan and a quadruple amputee from Scotland. Notable firsts of the climbing team included climbs of the via Ferrata on the Tour d'Ai (2330m), Les Diablerets (3209m), and the Monch (4099m). A full record of activities is available from http://www.iucn.org/ and http://www.uiaa.ch/.
The Summit Team stressed the value of international links and exchanges in sport, culture and tourism as effective vehicles for promoting peace, cooperation and understanding among people of different backgrounds. The Team also hopes that sports organizations in India and Pakistan will make new efforts to share and enjoy the common sporting and cultural interests of the two nations that would lead to co-operation and understanding. IIPT is currently exploring ways to sustain this noble initiative in promoting understanding between India and Pakistan through Tourism, Culture and Sport at the Second Global Summit in Geneva and is hopeful that one or more members of the climbing team will be able to join us at the Summit. Source IIPT. TOP
NILESHWARAM: The tranquil backwaters and the adjoining serene landscape is perhaps the ideal getaway for the month of September – October. Elegant and traditional house boats of Kerala at Kottapuram House Boats at Nileshwaram await you for that soul soothing tryst with the fascinating backwaters life and adjoining serene landscape studded with places of interest.
It is high time that one should relish this delightful experience called Kottapuram House Boats in Nileshwar run by Kannur Boatels and Cruises, a project of Bekal Resorts Development Corporation. The boat houses here offer nothing but a novel and exhilarating cruise experience in the ethnic Kettuvallam (stitched boat) modified to the standards of a luxurious guest house.
The house boats feature two bath attached spacious bedrooms, hygienic kitchen, spacious dining area cum lounge and balcony to watch aquatic birds, fishermen in their canoes, coir making, sand mining, mussel collection etc. The culinary skills of the chefs here are bound to keep your taste buds busy with an array of dishes especially the Malabar seafood delicacies such as shrimps, squids, mussels and lobsters. The sight of small islands, of course, will be a feast to your eyes along with the wild and ecstatic beauty of the setting sun.
With abundant natural excellence and commendable service of very professional and friendly crew make your home away from home, a memorable experience at a surprisingly affordable price!
Other Facilities & Attractions: Fishing, Swimming, Village walk, Sunrise and sunset, Canoeing with fishermen, Visit to Edayilakkad, Valiyaparamba and Kavai Islands. Stay at a five bedroom European Chalet of excellent woodwork overlooking the Arabian Sea on all three sides in Elathur, Calicut. A House Boat cruise on the river of Kannur, Handloom City of Kerala.
Places of Interest: Bekal Fort, Chandragiri Fort, Ranipuram Hill Station, Ezhimala Naval Academy, Anandashram / Nithyanandashram.
Getting there: Nearest Airport: Mangalore (110 Km); Nearest Railway Station: Nileshwar (Pass), Cheruvathur / Kanhangad (Express) & By Road: Mangalore – Kasaragod – Nileshwar (110 Km): Kozhikode – Kannur – Nileshwar (155 km) (Source: Kerala Tourism) TOP
SUNDERBANS TO BE DEVELOPED FOR TOURISM: The West Bengal Government is planning to develop a US Dollars 140 million project encompassing islands in the Sunderbans, billed as the world’s largest mangrove swamp. The Project envisages a five-star floating hotel, besides catamaran services for tracing the course of the river through the swamps and creating scuba diving facilities off Sagar Island in the Bay of Bengal. The facility would non-conventional energy sources for power. The three islands are the Sagar Island, the largest among the cluster of Islands that make up the Sunderbans, L Plot and Kaikhali.
National Geographic covers India's Western Ghats to kick-off new "Hotspot" series: The biosphere is wonderfully rich. So great is the diversity of life forms, that we have still not taken its measure. And yet, it is also very fragile - ill equipped to withstand humanity's relentless assault on the habitats in which they live. The human species has become a more destructive force than storms and droughts. Half the world's forests are gone, many coral reefs are fading away, pollution and damming are causing the wholesale extinction of native aquatic species, and greenhouse warming threatens the existence of entire ecosystems. Researchers generally agree that extant species are now vanishing at least 100 times faster than new ones are being born. Is there any way to save some of what remains?
A providential arrangement in the geography of life makes it possible. Biodiversity is not uniformly distributed - a large part is concentrated in a relatively small number of habitats. By preserving these "hotspots", conservation biologists say, it should be possible to protect a large part of Earth's threatened flora and fauna. India's Western Ghats, one of Earth's richest ecosystems, is one such "hotspot".
The Western Ghats are the mountain chain that runs for nearly 1000 miles along India's South Western coast. The Ghats serve as the principal watershed for all of peninsular India, capturing a major portion of the rain each monsoon. The ancient Sanskrit name, Sahyadri, meaning "benevolent mountain" is apt, for without the mountains' ability to absorb monsoon rains and release them gradually over the rest of the year, life in Southern India would be impossible. Some 60 rivers (including the Godavari, Krishna and Cauvery), a wide variety of forest cover, and a tropical climate have led to a diversity of plant and animal riches that are only now beginning to be understood.
Commercial exploitation of the Western Ghats began in the 19th century, during British rule - the ecologically rich mix of rain forest and grasslands were displaced by tea gardens, eucalyptus trees, and coffee, cashew and cardamom plantations. Things did not let up, even after Independence. India's exploding population and eagerness to modernize have seen evergreen forests giving way to mines, roads and massive irrigation and hydroelectric projects. By the end of the 20th century, the 62,000 square miles of undisturbed forest that are believed to have covered the Ghats at the beginning of the century had been reduced to less than 5000.
BISON RIVER RESORT IN KARNATAKA: Located on the scenic banks of the river Kali, The Bison River Resort in Karnataka offers a variety of adventure activities – from wildlife safaris, nature tracks to bird watching and fishing rapids of Kali River range from thrilling rough and tumble drops to gentle family rafting. Other facilities include wildlife films and audio visuals, jungle safaris with professional naturalists, elephant rides (subject to availability), fishing, coracle and raft joyrides/safaris, nature treks and bird watching treks, cycling, bonfire nights, barbecues and tribal dances that can round off an exciting holiday. TOP
Goa Opens Its Heritage Homes To Tourists: Through its ‘Go Goa 365 Days A Year’ campaign, the Goa government, is to reap rich benefits of a previously untapped resource. The state is putting in place plans to upgrade a number of its heritage houses with modern amenities and open it for tourists, either for accommodation purposes or as a heritage site of archeological importance.
Since September last year, domestic tourism has registered an increase of 18 per cent, which is very positive sign. This has urged to reinvent Goa as a tourism product highlighting features which have historical and architectural importance. With over a hundred heritage homes, it only seems apt that we promote heritage tourism in Goa.
“The heritage houses scheme has been take up by the government of Goa to ensure that very old houses of Goan architecture are preserved and maintained. The main idea behind this scheme is to preserve and maintain heritage houses that are over 200 years old.” Fifteen houses have tentatively been identified while the scheme is still to be finalised. Ten of these houses have shown keen interest in renting their homes to tourists. The average cost of restoration is reportedly approximately Rs 5 lakh per house and the modalities for funding this scheme is been worked out. “The renovation programme is completely sponsored by the department of tourism, government of Goa. The draft scheme has already been submitted to Government of India, for their perusal and request for central financial assistance.”
It is also learnt that of the fifteen properties, ten will be offered for accommodation while the others will be open for sightseeing purposes. The original tenants will continue to stay in these houses. In homes made available to tourists for accommodation, certain rooms will be offered to the tourists while the original tenants will occupy the rest of the house. - courtesy Express Travel & Tourism
‘Hashers’ to descend on Goa in the fourth week of September: This is the first time an international meet of the Hash House Harriers is being held in India. This group was founded in Kuala Lumpur by British expatriates. The Hash House is a nickname for the restaurant at the Royal Selangor Club in the Malaysian capital. Forty per cent of the ‘hashers’ are women. Some 3560 participants have already registered for the South Goa meet from September 27-29. ‘Hashers’ aim is to do a bit of cross-country jogging, followed by a convivial gathering, with the aim of working off the “excesses of the weekend”. Says Frederick half-jokingly, “We’re a running club with a drinking problem.” Beer-guzzlers of this like now have a claimed fraternity of about 2,200 clubs in some 180 countries. It is a fraternity.
In Goa, over two dozen runs are planned. Runs would take this odd group to Old Goa, the ruins of historic forts like Cabo de Rama, Goa’s famed beaches, and even to a spice plantation. One run would take participants to the local unit of a brewery, near Ponda, some 30 kms from here. This brewery is to sponsor 150,000 cans of beer, each of 330 ml, calculated to be guzzled at the rate of around 12 cans per participant a day! Of course, this is not serious athletics. Hash runs are not competitive. There are different lengths of runs, to suit varying fitness levels. Very short runs, short runs (5-6 km), not-so-short runs (9-10 km) and ‘not even slightly short runs’ (13-14 km). Average age of hashers is 45-60 years old. Organisers stress that they’re “not hippies, but people who have done well in life”. Some, they say, include diplomats.
HOST OF ACTIVITIES TO BOOST TOURISM IN GOA: During the next few months, Goa would be a hot-bed of multi-dimensional activities. In December, the Junior World Chess Championship is being hosted which would attract many tourists, especially from East & Central Europe – the chess-loving regions. About 7000 odd exporters will be here exhibiting their ware in February. The state is planning to organize and International Film Festival in Goa too.
Russian charters already introduced Goa on its map and the inflow is expected to grow. Condor is planning to make the charter flights from Germany a round the year activity. At the same time, the South Korean market is also opening up this winter and Goa seems to be getting more popular day by day.
At the same time, a multi-million Rupees project has got approval to develop a man made lake in Margao near the stadium. This would offer an elevated cyber café, 24 hours coffee shop, view pedestal and tower, children’s play park, water activities like boating, jogging track, necklace promenade, etc. The beautification of the natural water spring (it carries medicinal value) is also underway!
SHACKS IN GOA: This time, they have been allowed to put up the deck-bed chairs in front of their shacks. The applications have to be sent in next one week. North Goa will have 113 and South Goa 67 shacks in all. This time the first time, they have put up a condition that each should have a mobile toilet.
GOA Govt to ban use of plastic 'stuff' at tourist spots: The notification to come into force from October 2, 2002, is issued to prohibit the use and sale of plastic bags and bottles within the notified boundaries of the wildlife sanctuaries of Cotigao, Mahavir and Bondla; of Miramar and Caranzalem beaches located between Goa Marriott Resort and the precincts of Cabo Raj Nivas; and of the Old Goa Complex of heritage monuments.
INTERNATIONAL SEA FOOD SHOW IN GOA (FEBRUARY 07-09, 2003): The event is expected to have 150 stalls with marine product vendors from all over the world. This is a big attraction among the foreign tourists. TOP
Just Answer Five Simple Questions:
1) In which state is the Bekal Fort situated?
2) Jog Falls, the highest waterfall in India falls in which state? Please answer.
3) Which are the best months to visit the Valley of Flowers and in which state is it located?
4) Which is the headquarters of Lahaul Spiti in Himachal Pradesh?
5) When did the first Indian train start its operation and between which two places?
The WINNER from the last contest is Mr Peter Healey from UK! Warm Congratulations! He is being sent a book on India! The correct answers are:
1) V.S. Naipaul is the winner of Nobel Prize who has an Indian origin.
2) Goa got liberation from the Portuguese on 19th December 1961.
3) The road from Rohtang to Leh is thrown open in the month of June every year.
4) Nalanda is famous for its old university, now in ruined state, related to Buddhism. Near Nalanda, now Bodh Gaya temple complex has been declared a world heritage site.
5) Assam’s Kaziranga sanctuary is mainly famous for one horned rhinoceros not found anywhere else in the world.
Rules: It is open to only the foreign Tour Operators or the individuals. Only the all-correct entries are eligible for the lucky draw and one of them will be chosen for the prize – a book on India. The name along with correct answers will appear in our next newsletter. Last date to send your entries with your full postal address is 30 Sep’02 at the email address pmaurya@vsnl.net. There are no legal obligations on us. TOP
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. Moreover, anyone interested in advertising one’s product can also contact us as last two pages are used for the purpose.
