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Monthly Tourism Newsletter from India |
July 2006 |
| Permanent Feature - GOA | Contest |
| Special Feature | News From Nepal |
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Greetings from rainy & cool Goa!
We are pleased to present you the latest issue of tourism updates from India! With a string of festive period round the corner, it is the time to start making your plans soon! See you in India! |
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AIRLINES UPDATEIndiGo, low-fare carrier, opens bookings for daily services from Delhi: The low-cost airline IndiGo is to take to the skies in the first few days of August with a 180-seater Airbus A-320 aircraft. India's newest low-fare carrier opened bookings for daily services from Delhi to Guwahati, Imphal, Pune, Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Chennai. The airline’s nonstop daily service between Delhi and Guwahati, with a same-aircraft continuation to Imphal will commence on August 4, 2006. Nonstop daily service between Delhi and Pune, with a same-aircraft continuation to Bangalore will commence on August 10, 2006. Besides, the airline will initially offer nonstop daily service between Delhi and Kolkata, with a same-aircraft continuation to Guwahati, commencing August 20, 2006. The new airline venture is being jointly promoted by InterGlobe Enterprises Ltd and Mr. Rakesh Gangwal, who during his two-decade long career in aviation has worked in senior management positions with leading airlines, including United Airlines, Air France and US Airways. They plan to have one type of fare which would always be low. The airline would certainly offer beverages to the passengers although there would be no hot meals and in-flight entertainment on board the aircraft. GOAIR AND KINGFISHER LAUNCH FLIGHTS TO SRINAGAR: Low cost carrier GoAir launched its Srinagar-Bombay-Srinagar service which is sure to give a big boost to tourism to the valley. Kingfisher also started its services on the sectors Delhi – Srinagar, Mumbai – Srinagar and vice versa. Kingfisher First is also being offered on these flights to cater to the upper-end of the air travel segment. Work is also on to upgrade the Srinagar air-strip into a modern international airport. With Indian, Jet, Sahara, Spice Jet and Air Deccan already operating to Srinagar passengers have a wider choice. “INDIAN” TO OPERATE NAGPUR-BANGKOK TWO TIMES A WEEK: Indian now flies 2 times a week Nagpur – Bangkok on Tuesdays and Saturdays besides Nagpur. This makes it easy for people from the hinterland towns like Gondia, Bhandara, Chandrapur, Amravati and Gadchroli to fly to Thailand. SPICEJET FIRST TO CROSS 95% PASSENGERS LOAD FACTOR IN APRIL: SpiceJet claims to have achieved an all time high of 95.4% passenger load factor in April. On 11 sectors the airline registered 100%. MANALI HELICOPTER TOURS A GREAT SUCCESS: A recently introduced helicopter sightseeing service has been welcomed by tourists. It offers breathtaking views of snow clad peaks and scenic valleys. A 30 minute ride to the Rohtag Pass (13,050 feet) and the peaks around costs US$ 100 (Rs. 4500) per person while a five minute and 10 minute ride costs US$ 33 (Rs. 1500) and US$ 66 (Rs. 3000) per person respectively. HELICOPTER SERVICES FOR TOURISTS IN KERALA: King Rotors is starting a helicopter service between Kovalam and Kumarakom a popular tourist destination in Kerala. The company says it will gradually expand to other destinations.
GoAir expands Airbus fleet with 10 more A320: Mumbai-based GoAir signed a purchase agreement for 10 Airbus A320 family aircraft with an option for a further 10 at Farnborough Airshow on July 17, 2006. The aircraft will be powered by CFM International engines. GoAir launched services with two leased A320s in November 2005, with a further five leased A320s scheduled to enter the fleet during 2006.
Heathrow - Amritsar flights launch: Jet Airways is to become the only airline to serve India's northern city of Amritsar from Heathrow. The independent Indian carrier is to run three flights a week from August 4 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. It will be the airline's fourth destination from London. Jet Airways is to use a 226-seat Airbus A330-200 on the route in a two-class configuration including a 30-seat Premiere Class. Situated in the state of Punjab, Amritsar is home to the Golden Temple in the heart of the city's old town.
LOW-COST CARRIER JAZEERA AIRWAYS BEGINS SERVICE FROM KUWAIT: Jazeera Airways, the new low-cost airline from Kuwait, has launched services to New Delhi and Bombay. There will be six services a week to Bombay and three a week to Delhi a 169-seater Airbus A320 aircraft. It may also add flights to Cochin and Hyderabad later.
AI EXPRESS SERVICES FROM AMRITSAR AND MANGALORE TO DUBAI PLANNED: Air India Express, the low cost subsidiary of Air India, is planning to operate from Mangalore and Amritsar to Dubai shortly. The airline is awaiting customs and other facilities to be available in Mangalore, before starting the flight. The air services bilateral part with Dubai allows designated airlines of the two countries to offer an additional 8,000 seats per week over the earlier limit of 10,400 seats per week in each direction.
KLM-Northwest welcomes interline e-ticketing agreement with Jet Airways: Customers of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Northwest Airlines and Jet Airways will benefit through a reciprocal interline electronic ticketing product. The launch of KLM-Northwest and Jet Airways e-ticket interlining will boost e-ticketing which has become popular with passengers in a short span of four years since its introduction in the Indian market.
Paramount Airways eyes national carrier status in India: A comparatively new player in the domestic carrier market, Paramount Airways has plans to expand its routes from South India to the entire country. The airline will be introducing more flights and acquiring more aircraft with an objective to achieve national carrier status. In order to take on the competition from other low-cost carriers (LCCs), Paramount is banking upon its full business class service at prices significantly lower than the normal economy class fares of other airlines and offering direct services to a number of second-rung cities in India.
China Eastern Airlines inducts Indian crew: China Eastern Airlines has recently inducted a 16-member Indian crew on the Delhi-Shanghai sector, thus becoming the first Chinese airline to do so. The crew went through intensive training at Shanghai to be well versed in Hindi and Punjabi apart from English. The airline is keen to expand the number of the Indian crew based on response and growing demand.
EMIRATES STARTS DUBAI-KOLKATA SERVICE WITH SIX DIRECT FLIGHTS WEEKLY: Emirates starts Dubai-Kolkata service with six direct flights weekly Emirates flew its inaugural flight from Dubai to Kolkata, giving West Bengal and neighbouring North-Eastern states of India, direct access to Dubai and Emirates' global network of 82 cities in 57 countries, via Dubai. The airline will fly six direct, non-stop flights per week to Kolkata from Dubai and operate Airbus A330-200 aircraft on the route in three and two-class configurations offering over 1,500 passenger seats and a little over 95 tonnes of cargo-carrying capacity per week.
DELTA TO START NON-STOP NEW YORK-BOMBAY-NEW YORK SERVICE: Delta Air Lines will start direct nonstop service between New York and Bombay from November 1 this year. The Bombay to JFK flight will be the world’s first nonstop connection between these two important business centers and forms an integral part of Delta’s strategy to offer customers a greater choice of nonstop service to and from the United States.
AIR FRANCE TO START PARIS-MADRAS-PARIS FLIGHTS FROM OCT 31, 2006: Air France has announced the introduction of Paris-Madras-Paris services from October 31, 2006. The flights would be operated with a 291-seater Airbus A-340 aircraft, three times a week. The airline is increasing its services on Paris-Bangalore-Paris route to a daily service instead of the five times a week service that it offers at present.
NEW US STARTUP SAPPHIRE AIRWAYS PLANS FLIGHTS TO INDIA: An America entrepreneur of India origin Mr. Rahul Puranik has approached the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) to set up a new airline Sapphire Airways. He hopes to get all the clearances within the next six to eight months, and then plans to start direct flights between USA and India. Sapphire will be the fourth American carrier – after Continental Airlines and American Airlines and Delta to start direct non stop flights to India.
HOTELS NEWSDLF UNIVERSAL TO SPEND US $ 2.5 BILLION ON HOTELS: DLF Universal, one of India’s major real-estate companies, has drawn up US $ 2.5 billion plan for its foray in the hospitality industry. It has already acquired 24 sites all over India and is negotiating for 15-20 more. The cities include New Delhi, Gurgaon, Jaipur, Bombay, Madras, Pune, Cochin and Goa. Initially it plans to build 15 four-star business hotels, five upscale business hotels and three luxury hotels. SWOSTI PLAZA BHUBANESHWAR has added another feather in her crown: She is adding another 42 rooms in her inventory from 01 Oct 2006 & will be having 148 rooms in total which is the highest room inventory for any luxury hotel in Orissa. WelcomHeritage opens new property in Ranikhet (Uttaranchal): WelcomHeritage recently announced the addition of 45th property to its chain. The newest addition is Windsor Lodge and Hotel, located at Ranikhet, a hill station at a height of 6,000 ft in Uttaranchal. The property is built in colonial style of architecture and has stonewalls, a white pillared verandah and a red-tiled roof. The interiors comprise period furniture, stone fireplaces and artefacts to match its colonial look. Unison Hotels plans expansion in major business locations in India: Unison Hotels is planning to set up 5-star hotels in the major business locations including Bangalore, Hyderabad and Delhi. The expansion programme will involve an estimated investment of Rs 700 crore in the first phase spanning three years. The hotels will feature good conferencing facilities and meeting rooms for the target corporate customers. Also, they will provide good spa and health facilities and will be technologically up-to-date. LEELA GROUP TO OFFER COSMETIC SURGERY PACKAGES: The Leela Palaces and Resorts, a five-star hotel group has become the first luxury hotel company in the world to offer dedicated cosmetic surgery packages from the U.K. The group has joined hands with Globe Health Tours to offer cosmetic procedures in the picturesque haven of Kerala in southern India. Globe Health Tours has a proven track record in offering overseas procedures to the U.K. market from its base in Edinburgh and The Leela Palaces and Resorts owns four of the finest properties in India today, located in Mumbai, Bangalore, Kovalam and Goa, and will be extending the family to nine hotels by 2009. Country Club makes Goa opening: Goa is set to get into clubbing mode with the Country Club India Ltd (CCIL), the country’s largest chain of family clubs, opening its first project – Country Clube de Goa – at Anjuna in Bardez on June 24. Country Clube de Goa consists of 48 suites (including two presidential), a swimming pool, health club and an open-air restaurant and is located behind Starco Hotel. The Clube has been given a Goan and Portuguese touch to give it a local look. CCIL’s current club.Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts on an expansion mode in India: Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts has recently opened their regional offices in Mumbai and Bangalore. The Mumbai office opened a month back and the hotel has already signed a big contract for a conference. The Bangalore office will start operations from July 1, this year. Meanwhile, the chain also announced the launch of its three new properties in Bangalore, starting 2008. The group has signed management contracts with India's Adarsh Group to operate its new hotels in Bangalore, adding a total of more than 1,000 rooms to the group's inventory in India. India's tallest hotel coming up in Ahmedabad: Shree Raj Travels & Tours is setting up the country’s tallest hotel in Ahmedabad. The hotel will be about 40-storey high and is expected to be completed in four years time. The hotel will feature about 400 state-of-the-art rooms, country’s largest health spa and convention centre. It will also have 10 different conference halls, banquet areas and theme restaurants. The whole venture will involve an estimated investment of Rs 350 crore. LE MERIDIEN BECOMES PART OF STARWOOD HOTELS AND RESORTS WORLDWIDE: Le Royal Meridian hotel in Madras and others in the rest of India have become part of Starwood Hotels and Resorts World Wide. Starwood have bought out the Le Meridien brand and the related franc his business of the portfolio of 130 hotels and resorts across the world. In San Diego at a meeting of the owners of Le Royal Meridian properties across the globe, Starwood will unveil its roadmap via-a-vis the Le Royal Meridien properties. Ushering Swiss hospitality into India: Poised to enter the Indian market by 2008 with a business hotel in Bangalore, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts' strategy will focus equally on business hotels in key cities and resorts in tourist destinations, says Jean Gabriel Pérès, president and CEO. "There is huge potential for growth in the tourism sector in India and Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts intends to be well positioned to service this growth," believes Jean Gabriel Pérès, the company's president and CEO. "The Indian market is of great importance and is predicted to grow in the coming few years, aided by a strong economy and a focused government to make that happen," he opines. It has signed a management contract with the owning company MS Ramaiah Hotels. Apart from Bangalore, the chain is also looking at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Goa, Pune, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Jaipur. TOP TARNETAR FESTIVAL, GUJARAT 28 – 30 AUG’06: This popular festival takes place this year from 28th August 2006 to 30th August 2006 to be held at Tarnetar, in district Surendranagar, Gujarat. The festival is held near the Trinetareshwar temple situated in a small village bearing the name Tarnetar. Like almost all the fairs, the Tarnetar fair too, has a legend attached to it. It is said that Arjun, the legendary archer of the epic Mahabharata, successfully competed in the archery to win the hand of local Princess Draupadi at a Swayamvar and married her at this very place. This Swayamvar is repeated every year at Tarnetar though in a different form. Beaming young boys attired in their traditional best sit under gorgeously embroidered umbrellas. Custom assures that young maidens hover around these umbrellas and after making up their mind they approach the boys of their choice and talk to them. The approach of the girl and the talk she has with the particular boy is taken as a signal that the girl has made her choice. After the fair, the families return home and marriages are formalized. SNAKEBOAT RACE 11 – 13 AUG’06, ALLEPPEY, KERALA: The verdant land of Alleppey beckons you in the midst of monsoon To witness the spectacular sport of the traditional snake boat race Where over a 100 men row in unison to the rhythm of the ‘Vanchi Paatu’ And the winner is always - team spirit, rhythm, vigor and harmony.” The annual snake boat race held in Alleppey (Alappuzha), Kerala, India, on the second week of August every year is an event worth a vacation, where giant Snake Boats compete for the coveted Nehru Trophy. Join in the exhilarating Snake Boat Race Festival and experience the spirit, culture and glory of the land and its people. DELHI TOURISM’S MANGO FESTIVAL DISPLAYS 500 VARIETIES: The 18th Annual Mango Festival at Talkotara Stadium was inaugurated recently. The festival organized by Delhi Tourism displayed almost 500 varieties of this “King of Fruits”. The festival includes mango eating competitions, folk songs celebrating the fruit, and cultural programs. India exports 60000 tons of mangoes every year. ICPB CONFERENCE ON 2 & 3 AUG’06 AT ASHOK HOTEL IN DELHI: Over 250 domestic and 100 international buyers have already registered to attend the two day event organised by ICPB- India's only body for the promotion of India as a convention destination. These buyers are hosted by the Bureau and Govt. of India. The buyers will be interacting with ICPB members during the specially designed exhibition and networking during lunches/dinners and social functions. The prime focus of “India - Emerging MICE destination” the 4th convention is to highlight the potential of conference industry in India. India is one land where the ancient and the modern co-exist and has literally everything that a visitor wants to experience and offer people a complete holiday both physical and mental. Presently India is served by over 40 International Airlines with weekly average seat capacity of 90000 people. India is globally connected to a network of over 50 international airlines and several domestic airlines which provide convenient connectivity within India. A major pooram, temple festival, Happening in Dec’06 in KERALA: A major Pooram (festival) is taking place at Kizhoor Devi temple - 100 km north of Cochin or 23 km north of Trichur on 4th Dec and highlights are colourful pageant involving more than 60 caparisoned elephants and 1 hour long percussion. Timing is 1200 - 1900 hrs. SINDHU DARSHAN NOW LADAKH SINGHEY KHABABS SPRING FESTIVAL: The Sindhu Darshan Festival has now been re-christened as Ladakh Singhey Khababs Spring Festival. Singhey Khababs means the river that comes out of the lion’s mouth. The festival has been renamed to involve more of local people besides just the Buddhists. It is held on the banks of the Indus near Shey village from where one can have a panoramic view of the central Ladakh valley. CELESTIAL WEDDING CELEBRATED IN ORISSA FOR GOOD MONSOON: Sambalpur in Orissa celebrates the “Shiva Shital” festival every year in early June as it angurs well for the Monsoon. The colourful wedding of Shiva and his consort Parvati is performed with people coming forward to act as the parents of the bride and groom. The unusual feature is hundreds of eunuchs dancing in the streets as part of the wedding procession. The farmers join in as they get ready for the planting season. BATHING DATES FOR ARDH KUMBH FAIR AT ALLAHABAD – JAN 2007: Shahi Snan (bathing dates specifically for saints & Priests: 15th, 19th & 23 January, 2007. Other important days are: Paus Purnima, Wednesday, January 3rd, 2007; Makar Sankranti 14-15th January and time 1115 pm and 0341 pm (the following day). Other auspicious dates are: Mauni Amavasya, 19th Jan; Basant Panchami, 23rd Jan; Maghi Purnima 2 Feb; Mahashivratri 16th Feb. MITM INCentive TRAVEL TRADE SHOW – 20TH EDITION HELD IN LAS VEGAS, june 6 & 7, 2006: MITMarket, the North American Meetings and Incentive Trade Market, was held in Las Vegas (USA), on June 6th & 7th 2006. The renewed trade show, in its fourth edition, was directed exclusively to attract North American meetings and incentive buyers, to do business with International tourism and travel suppliers, and offered the option for exhibitors to contact buyers, hosted by MITMarket, by pre-arranged one-on-one meetings.Close to 200 people attended MITMarket 2006, including international exhibitors from twelve (12) countries, as well as qualified buyers and professional tourism visitors from the world’s most important meetings and incentive market, the USA. G.S.A.R. Marketing, a twenty year-old company, is celebrating their 10th year organizing meetings & incentive travel events besides MITMarket Las Vegas: MITM Latin America, its seventh edition to be held in Quito (Ecuador), October 27, 2006; MITM Euromed, its eleventh edition to be held in Hammamet (Tunisia), February, 2007; and CULTOUR, an new intercontinental trade show focusing on Cultural Travel, being held in Santiago de Compostela (Spain), January 2007. GSAR Marketing is planning to retain MITMarket in Las Vegas as a permanent venue. WEBSITES: www.mitmevents.com & www.cultourfair.com DELHI PLANNING A FEAST OF FESTIVALS IN OCTOBER: As a warm up to the Commonwealth Games 2010 the Delhi Government is planning a feast of festivals for Delhi in October, as a kind of pilot run. It will include a ghazal festival, Italian Opera, International music fest, a literary festival, food festival, fusion music etc. This cultural extravaganza will seek people’s participation and will have events take place all over the city at different venues. DAY “FESTIVAL OF INDIA” IN BEIJING: Chinese children performed Bharatnatyam at Peking University during the 10 day “Festival of India” of the Indian Embassy in Beijing It is part of the year long India-China friendship year 2006. Cultural activities are planned for the whole year. TOP NEWS MEANS GOOD NEWS (India)Ooty botanical garden to get a facelift: Having been established about 160 years ago as a vegetable garden by the European residents of this hill station for producing English vegetables and subsequently being converted into a botanical garden for promoting horticulture in the Nilgiris, the Government Botanical Garden has over the decades played a stellar role in spreading the fame of Ooty as a scenic spot far and wide. Enquiries made by The Hindu revealed that the number of visitors that was about 16.81 lakhs (1.68 million) in 2001 had gone up to 17.25 lakhs (1.72 mn) in 2005. In between in 2003 it had even shot up to 18.34 lakhs. During the summer season the average number of tourists visiting the garden on weekdays was about 15,000 and on Saturdays and Sundays around 20,000. The ponds that were among the most attractive features of the garden would be protected and irrigation facilities improved to ensure a steady supply of water to the plant multiplication centres, green houses and nurseries. While the old water cascades would be given a facelift the Japanese garden would be given a new look. AJEET BAJAJ ON HIS NORTH POLE EXPEDITION: Mr. Ajeet Bajaj of Snow Leopard Expeditions and President of Adventure Tour Operators Association of India recently skied successfully with a group of Americans and Norwegians to reach the North Pole, first ever feat by any Indian on a ski. Foreign tourist arrivals in India register 13.9% increase in June: Foreign tourist arrivals in India have registered an increase of 13.9 per cent in June 2006. The total foreign tourist arrivals in June this year was pegged at 2,154,890 while in last June, it was 1,891,228. Foreign exchange earnings, in Rupee terms, have also recorded a growth of 15.7 per cent during the given month with an amount of Rs 13440.98 crore (US$ 2987 million). LUCKNOW LINK TO SHERLOCK HOLMES: Twenty Second May was the 147th birth anniversary of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle the creator of super sleuth, Sherlock Holmes. Lucknow patted itself on the back for having suggested the character of the Detectives faithful chronicler Dr Watson. A Lucknow physician and close friend of Doyle, Dr Mohammed Ebrahim Sufi while going through a draft of the debut Holmes story “A study in scarlet” (1887) felt the investigator needed a “foil”. He suggested an additional character as his colleague and personal assistant and Dr Watson came to life. Lucknow also figures many times in Doyle’s stories. preparations in full swing for 2010 Commonwealth Games IN DELHI: With just four years to go for the Commonwealth Games, the Delhi Tourism is putting its act together to make Delhi more tourism friendly. New flyovers will soon be operational to ease the traffic congestion within the city. With new underpasses and flyovers along the Ring Road, commuting in Delhi is going to be a smooth sail. Two Dilli Haats, along the lines of the one in INA, are coming up in Pitampura and Janakpuri. A hi-tech, state-of-the-art park spread over 150 acres is also in the offing at Kanhawala. Agra to get a complete makeover: The ministry of tourism along with the local agencies of Agra has taken an initiative to clean up the city and give it a complete new look. There is a master plan to clean up the city and the area close to the famous Taj Mahal. Emphasis would be given to greening the city with many trees being planted along the Taj Mahal route. A shilpagram would be constructed where all the shops would be brought under one shelter. Fortune favours Indian middle-class: The much hackneyed Indian middle-class has finally got due recognition on the global arena by grabbing a place ahead of corporate mavericks like Bill Gates and market swingers like the US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke in a list of ‘Top 50 people that matter now’ published by a Fortune group magazine. “The emerging global middle-class of China, India, Russia, Brazil and elsewhere” has been ranked at the seventh position in the “50 who matter now” list in the latest July issue of Business 2.0 magazine. The global recognition comes at a time when Indian middle-class is being termed as the driving force behind a retail revolution in the country and the future economic growth. The Indian middle-class, along with their counterparts in China, Russia, Brazil and other emerging economies, has outscored a host of who’s who on the global arena — entertainment mogul and TV show host Oprah Winfrey, Virgin group chairman Richard Branson, Oracle’s Larry Ellison, Intel’s Paul Otellini, Dell’s Michael Dell, Toyota chairman Fujio Cho, author of bestsellers like ‘Getting things done’ David Allen are just a few who have lagged behind. NATHU LA PASS BETWEEN INDIA AND CHINA OPENS ON JULY 6: Nathu La Pass was a traditional trading point between Tibet and Sikkim. Nathu La Pass once part of the old silk route that linked India and China reopened after having remained closed for 44 years. The 44 year old freeze in trade relations between India and China across the 14,600 ft Nathu La border thawed as top leaders from both sides cut ribbons and others cheered. The temperature of minus 3 degrees Celsius, light rain and chill winds failed to dampen the spirit on either side, with officials looking forward to full-fledged bilateral trade even before the teams of 100 each from India and China crossed over to the other side with samples of their ware. For the moment, trade would be restricted to 29 items for export from India and 15 for import. DARJEELING HIMALAYAN RAILWAY TO CELEBRATE 125 YEARS: To commemorate the completion of 125 years existence of heritage Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, the Northeast Frontier Railway plans to put three steam locomotives on August 23 from Siliguri railway station. They have started on exercise of procuring steam engine locomotives of meter gauge and broad gauge from different zones of railways to flag it off from Siliguri railway station simultaneously in three directions. This will also help in popularizing the only railway station of the world which has all the three kind of railway tracks. They have antique steam engine locomotives for narrow gauge which will be running on is usual Darjeeling Himalayan Railway section while broad gauge steam engine train would run up to Chalsa Forest Reserve and meter gauge steam engine locomotives will go up to Bagdogra. WOMEN’S WORLD SQUASH CHAMPIONSHIP IN HYDERABAD: The third biggest championship of the Women’s International Squash Players’ Association (WISPA) Tour, with a prize fund of US$ 79,550, the Qatar Airways Challenge was held in Hyderabad from 4-9 July. New wing at Terminal 1B, Mumbai, begins operations: Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) opened a brand new section at Terminal 1B Departures at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) to passengers on June 28, 2006. This is part of their 100-day ‘Parivartan’ period starting May 3, 2006. The Terminal is to be used for domestic departures and the check-in counters have been doubled. With the opening of Departure II, Terminal 1B will have a total of 80 check-in counters, which should ease the current congestion at the existing check-in areas and reduce queuing time. There will be a larger waiting area and an electronic flight information display. Indian tulips to adorn Holland bouquets HYDERABAD: As the Land of Tulips beckons, the outsourcing mantra has just spread to another industry - horticulture. Two companies have been identified by the Netherlands government for joining hands with their Indian partners to grow flowers. “This is the first ever outsourcing project in the agro-horti-industry,” says KS Money, chairman, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). The reason for outsourcing is the obvious low cost. It costs about Rs 10 to grow one tuber plant in India, compared with Rs 30 in the Netherlands. The commerce ministry has also been approached by a few other companies from the Netherlands for sourcing orchids from Sikkim and flowers and tubers from Kerala. Now, the Indian bouquet may just be the beginning of something bigger. WAGAH TO BECOME A TOURIST HUB: From an imaginary line separating India & Pakistan and goose-stepping security forces into a day recreation center is a far cry. Yet this is what Wagah is destined to become. The whole area between Wagah and Amritsar will be developed by the Punjab Heritage and Tourism Board. Included will be the Rajasansi village carpet weaving complex which carries on an old craft and the Ram Tirath Temple which dates back to the period of the epic Ramayan commemorating Rishi Valmiki’s hermitage. SOUTHERN SPLENDOR BY TRAIN PLANNED BY ANDHRA PRADESH: The Andhra Pradesh government is planning ‘Southern Splendor by train” a special train that will take tourists on a around of south India and would be like the “Palace on Wheels” run by Rajasthan Tourism. RAILWAYS TO SELL SMART CARDS FOR TICKETS THROUGH ATM: The Railways have tied up with the RBI (Reserve Bank of India) SBI (State Bank of India) and Kaizen Automation (a consortium of 2 companies, one based in Singapore and the other in Australia) to sell multipurpose smart cards that can serve as railway tickets. They will be sold through 200 unmanned counters or kiosks at strategic locations such as petrol pumps and will be operational by September. Plans are afoot for tie ups in Bangalore and Calcutta to start the same service. MODERNISATION OF INDIAN AIRPORTS: The modernisation of 35 non-metro airports will now be conducted in one go and not in phases as proposed earlier. The ministry has set a target date of 2008-09 for the completion of the projects. TOP NEWS MEANS GOOD NEWS (International)
The Rolwaling Conference Mountain Hazards, Mountain Tourism WORLD TOURISM ON THE EDGE OF AN UPSURGE – PATA: The world is teetering on the edge of another dramatic upsurge in travel demand and that the bulk of the growth will be intra-Asia Pacific according to PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) President and CEO Mr. Peter de Jong.
A380 SETS WORLD RECORD FOR NUMBER OF EMERGENCY SLIDES
DEPLOYED: The
world’s largest passenger aircraft A380 set another record last month. Sixteen
emergency slides were deployed at the same time using only the aircraft’s
battery power. This is the largest number of evacuation slides ever inflated
simultaneously in any passenger aircraft.
JACKIE CHAN APPOINTED UNWTO AMBASSADOR TO PROMOTE TOURISM: Action film hero Jackie Chan is the World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) first “Asia-Pacific Tourism Ambassador”. In his new role, Jackie Chan will help promote tourism as a means of fighting poverty throughout the region. “I am really honoured to receive this Asia-Pacific Tourism Ambassador award,” said the actor. “I will do my best to achieve the tasks you have given me: to promote tourism in a healthy and sustainable way, and to help people who are less fortunate through tourism.” Jackie Chan is already an honorary professor at the School of Hotel and Tourism Management of Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Asia tsunami warning system ready: A tsunami warning system covering the Indian Ocean region is now "up and running", Unesco has said. The UN organisation, which has overseen the project, says the whole region can now receive and distribute warnings of possible tsunamis. The system is in place 18 months after the devastating tsunami of December 2004 that killed more than 200,000. world's highest railway OPENS IN CHINA: The Qinghai-Tibet line boasts high-tech engineering to stabilise tracks over permafrost and sealed cabins to protect passengers from the high altitude. China says the 1,140km (710-mile) line will bring major opportunities to a poor region. But critics fear it will be used by China to assert its control over a contested border region. They also say the railway line threatens not only the delicate Himalayan environment, but also the ancient Tibetan culture. The first train left Golmud in China's Qinghai province, carrying 900 passengers to the Tibetan capital, Lhasa. (Source BBC) London to build a new landmark for Indian visitors: The Wembley Hindu Temple Development Complex in London is building a massive Indian Hindu Temple with the traditional architecture, resembling the famous Meenakshi Temple of south India. This temple is being built on a multi-acre land in the busy Indian shopping quarters of London’s Wembley area at the cost of over Rs 200 crore. The Indians settled in UK and other countries are funding the project. Construction is in full swing and expected to be completed in the next six months. TOP
(Source: Nepal Tourism Board)
Le Meridien Kathmandu Gokarna Forest Golf Resort & Spa Voted to Condé Nast Traveler's Hot List 2006: Le Meridien Kathmandu Gokarna Forest Golf Resort & Spa has been voted to Condé Nast Traveler's prestigious HOT List 2006, stated in a press release issued by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc on May 18, 2006. In the most recent Condé Nast Traveler's HOT List survey, the magazine's global network of editors and field reporters reviewed the newest hotels that opened in the past year incognito, and came up with the HOT list consisting of 130 top new hotels around the world spanning 54 countries on 6 continents.
Hillary Calls for Revival of Nepal's Tourism Industry: Edmund Hillary, one of the two first men to conquer the world's highest peak Mt. Everest on May 29, 1953, has called on tourists to help revive the tourism industry of Nepal, a report said. In an interview with the New Zealand Television, 85 year old Hillary said that the revival of tourism industry of this Himalayan country would help in recovery of the country's derailed economy by the recent political troubles. For the last 43 years, Hillary has been active in fund raising for development work in the Solukhumbu region.
Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon: The 3rd Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon, organized by Himalaya Expeditions and promoted by Nepal Tourism Board, was held on May 29, 2006 starting from Everest Base camp 5356m (17,149 feet). The marathon ended at Namche Bazaar at 3446m (11,300 feet) covering 42 km (26.2 miles) over Rough Mountain trails. When Everest Marathon started in 2003, there were barely 70 participants with two five foreign participants but it grew to 120 last year with more than 20 foreign participants. Since the names of Tenzing and Hillary have been associated with Mt. Everest ever since first they climbed, Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon is a most befitting response to these great souls who climbed Mt. Everest for the first time in the history of human civilization. Deepak Rai won the fourth edition of the Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marathon covering the distance ahead of Karma Serki Sherpa and Lok Bahadur Rokaya Monday on a cool and foggy day. Among ladies, Ang Dami Sherpa (35) covered first with a timing of 5 hours 6.55 mins while Mingma Chhamgi Sherpa (16) timed 5 hours 11.56 min to stand second. American Tom Perkins, 22, was the first among the foreigners completing the race in 6 hours 1.24 min. Tris Kelly of UK finished second with a timing of 6 hours 11.21 min, six minutes ahead of Ryan Miller of USA. The event featured 140 participants including 21 foreigners. TOP FORT Devi Garh, DELVARA, NEAR UDAIPUR, RAjASTHAN: Restored fort palace with sleek, contemporary interiors is situated about 45 minutes drive from Udaipur. All 39 suites are lined with marble inlaid with semi precious stones. Eight luxury stands are available from March to October, Indian and International cuisine is served in the restaurant: private dining can be arranged Ayurvedic treatments are offered in the spa, and there are yoga sessions on the ramparts. X-factor ‘the design and detail give Devi Garh the ambience of Armani –Sur-Rajasthan. You can’t even think of the heartbreakingly beautiful Devi Garh without going all week at the knees. An ancient palace restored from ruin. It is sophisticated slick and contemporary. Eat privately on the balcony of your bedroom. Or in a secret turret. Or on the roof while starting at the hills beyond magnificent. TOP New snake THAT CHANGES COLOUR found in Borneo: A new and previously unknown type of snake, which can change its colour like a chameleon, has been discovered by biologists. WWF said the poisonous snake, when picked up was reddish-brown but when it was put in a bucket it changed its colour to white. The half meter long snake was discovered in the wetlands and swamp forests of Betung National Park in the Indonesian part of the island, which is also shared by Malaysia and Brunei. TOP GUIDES NO MORE ALLOWED INSIDE THE BASILICA OF BOM JESUS: Guides are no more allowed to explain about this world heritage site. Besides more strict rules have been laid down for the visiting tourists as well inside the Basilica. FRANKFINN TO SET UP US $ 20 MILLION TRAINING CENTRE FOR PILOTS AND ENGINEERING IN GOA: Bombay based Frankfinn Institute of Air Hostess Training is planning to start a US$ 20 million aviation school for pilot and aircraft maintenance training in Panaji, Goa. The institute will also lease an Airbus A330 aircraft for this purpose. GOA CELEBRATED SAN JOAO FESTIVAL ON 24 JUN: The annual San Joao festival was celebrated on June 24 throughout Goa. Legend has it that St John de Baptista took a leap in his mother’s womb when she was informed of birth of Jesus that was considered as a leap of joy. The festival derives its name from the saint. People celebrate this day by jumping into any water source near to them. The Goa Tourism Development Corporation had lined up various activities to mark the occasion. This included a river cruise Santa Monica, with a splash dance. Like all festivals in Goa there is a lot of singing and dancing. GOA TOURISM IS TRYING TO WOO AUSTRALIAN TOURISTS: Goa is attempting to tap into the Australian travel market and into medical tourism to tide over its June to September lean season patch. There are reasons to believe that tours to Goa can be sold during the June-September months, when our rates are discounted and the Australians have their winter. Direct charter flights from the UK, Germany, Scandinavia, Russia and Europe have increased from 690 flights in 2004-05 to 750 in the 2005-2006 season. 'Raindrops tourism' aggressively marketed in the past yielded only partial to poor results. PREHISTORIC CAVES DISCOVERED IN GOA: The state archaeological department has located rock cut caves at Issorcim, Khollant, in Vasco, believed to belong to the Megalithic period approximately 500 BC. These remains point to an ancient culture that flourished here. Tourism sector is the highest tax payer in GOA: Contributing Rs 1500 crore (US$ 333 million) to the exchequer through luxury tax, VAT, excise and other levies, it is the highest source of income to the state exchequer. Besides, an equal amount, he said, is collected by the Centre as income tax, service tax, and customs duty. Goa passed bill for disable people: Goa has now taken a new step to ensure that disabled persons have equal and easy access to not just all buildings but also transport facilities. The smallest state of India has taken a giant step towards equal rights for the disabled. A new policy by the Goa Cabinet - the first in the country - makes it mandatory for all public buildings, transport systems, hospitals and tourist areas to have facilities that provide them easy access. The government says facilities like ramps, special seating in buses and toilets will be set up by 2008. BROADBAND TO ALL GOAN HOUSEHOLDS BY NEXT YEAR: Every household in Goa would be connected to the state capital through common broadband based state-wide area network by the end of next year. This is the first step... Goa is going in a big way into IT sector. All district and taluka headquarters would be connected to the capital headquarter by December 31, 2006 and talukas would be connected to panchayats by March, 31, 2007, by a ten gigabyte cable. Later on, the panchayats would be connected to households by one gigabyte cable. TOP
Just Answer Five Simple Questions to win a book on India:
1) Alleppey Boat Race trophy is given after whose name, being held every year on the second Saturday of August in Kerala? a. Jawahar Lal Nehru b. Mahatma Gandhi c. Indira Gandhi d. Rajiv Gandhi
2) As per the latest news, Goa is trying to woo the tourists from which country in leaner period of summer & monsoon? a. Switzerland c. Australia b. Germany d. Singapore
3) Which Indian adventurer recently led a team to the North Pole on ski? a. Ajit Bajaj c. Dr. Naresh Trehan b. Sanya Mirza d. Leander Paes
4) Which airline is going to have two services per week from Europe to Goa as a scheduled carrier? a. Lufthansa c. Air India Express b. Condor d. Austrian Air
5) In which city are the next Commonwealth Games scheduled to be held? a. Beijing c. Perth b. London d. Delhi
LAST DATE: 15 Aug’06 to send your entries at the email address pmaurya@vsnl.net
ANSWERS OF LAST CONTEST:
1) Which computer hardware giant is going to have a very big presence in India? ANS d. IBM
2) How many days in advance the monsoon rains have hit the Goan coast this year than the normal schedule? ANS b. 10 days
3) Which new special train was recently flagged off in India? ANS a. Heritage On Wheels
4) Please advise the name of person who climbed Mt. Everest this year in May, who had both his legs amputated already? ANS a. Mark Inglis
5) Which hotel chain has started a new hotel in Gokarna in Karnataka? ANS a. CGH Earth
WINNER OF LAST CONTEST: There were quiet a few all-correct answers, however Farooq A.A., Abu Dhabi is the lucky winner out of the lot! Warm congratulations! The other people with all correct entries are: Dr. Gail Fernandes, Australia, Yogita Mehra, Dr. Gerry Rodricks, Goa; Libov Dimova, Bahrain; Damiana Fili, Italy; all of you – better luck next time!!! TOP
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NOTE: This newsletter is currently being sent to about 22000 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 |