Let Tourism Bring Global Peace and Understanding! Happy World Tourism Day 27 Sep'05

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Recongnised by Department of Tourism Government of Goa

AIRLINES UPDATE

AIR-INDIA TO START MUMBAI– LOS ANGELES FLIGHTS FROM 11 JUNE: The service will be operated with Boeing 747-400 aircrafts being taken on dry lease. The second Boeing will be inducted in October by when it is expected to speed up the frequency from 3 to 5 a week. Actually these LA flights will operate via Frankfurt. Thus the total number of AI flights to Frankfurt will be nine, 3 terminating there, 3 flying on to Chicago and three to Los Angeles.

AIR-INDIA’S ALL WOMEN FLIGHT ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY (8 MAR):   On 8th March, International women’s day, Air-India operated its first ever International flight with an all women cockpit crew. AI-470 took off from Bombay via Delhi to Singapore. Ms Kshmata Bajaj piloted the flight with Commander Rashmi Mittal (Air-India’s first woman Commander) in-charge. This was a “flying tribute to women’s liberation” by the Maharaja and a first in its 71 years history, making it a team of “women on top”.

AEROFLOT MAKING ITS STRONGER PRESENCE IN INDIA: The Russian airliner commence its operations five times a week to Mumbai from Jan 24. They already started operating three additional flights to Delhi making a total frequency to 8 times a week since Nov last year, using Boeing 777 and Ilushin-96.

ALLIANCE AIR TO PURCHASE NEW AIRCRAFTS: The Indian Airlines board approved the replacement of Alliance Air’s ageing Boeing 737 fleet—over 20 years old—with the more recent Airbus-319s. This approval paves the way for the airline to phase out the Boeing 737 200s which have been running up high maintenance and operational costs and lease new aircraft.

It’s learnt that four of Alliance’s 11 Boeing 737s need immediate replacement which, sources said, can now be done through dry leasing Airbus 319s. The Airbus 319 can carry 122 passengers compared to the 119. Incidentally, the IA board, in its acquisition plan for 43 aircraft, has included purchase of 19 Airbus 319s, some of which are apparently meant for Alliance Air. But with the acquisition plan still to be cleared, there was an urgent need to address the issue of ageing fleet.

QANTAS TO FLY DIRECT SYDNEY TO BOMBAY: Beginning 1 September Qantas will operate direct flights from Sydney to Bombay. The service will operate 3 times a week, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays using a Boeing 747-300. Because of double-digit growth in tourist arrivals from India demand for flights has increased. Air-India will initially probably enter into a code share arrangement with Qantas.

LUFTHANSA STARTED MUNICH – DELHI – MUNICH FLIGHTS: Cashing on the current passenger traffic boom, Lufthansa started 3 non-stop flights to Delhi using Boeing 767-300 aircrafts from 28 Mar’04. Starting June 8, they are supposed to introduce new aircraft Airbus 340-300 on this route.

THAI AIRWAYS ON AN UPSWING IN INDIA: Thai Airways has already upgraded its aircraft by using Boeing 777-200 against the smaller AB 333. It started operations to Bangalore from 28 Mar. Now they are concentrating on increasing the frequency to Kolkata and Mumbai from 3 to 5 per week. They already have daily flights to Delhi and four times to Chennai.

BANGKOK-PORT BLAIR DIRECT FLIGHTS: The Barefoot Group and P.B. Air, a Madras based group, introduced the first international charter flight from Bangkok to Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Curtain raiser flights direct from Bangkok to Port Blair operated on March 18th, 22nd and 25^th. A full charter schedule will operate December 15th 2004 to April 15th 2005. Flights will operate at a minimum of once a week frequency. With the introduction of this convenient 90-minute direct flight, scuba divers, pleasure sailors, game fishing enthusiasts and eco-tourists travelers will now be able to easily visit the Andaman Islands. Bangkok-Varanasi-Bangkok charters are also planned for the winter.

DAILY COLOMBO FLIGHTS OF AIR SAHARA & JET AIRWAYS FROM 22 MAR: The two private carriers started their first flight between Chennai – Colombo. From promotional fares to special packages, both airlines have already made a series of announcements for the first flights. To start with, the two airlines will operate seven flights a week between Chennai and Colombo.

Sahara and Jet plan to extend their services over the next two-three months to include Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore and possibly link Sri Lanka to some popular Buddhist centres. It took 45 years for private airlines to enter the domestic sector and that too as ‘‘taxi operators’’ in 1992. The demand for access to foreign skies was made by operators five years later. A formal proposal was first made in 2001. This season alone, 2.5 lakh seats have been added through the open sky policy which the government has extended by a month. Yet all flights are overbooked.

AIR-INDIA ADDS FLIGHTS, LOWERS FARES ON KERALA-GULF SECTOR: Air India and Indian Airlines lowered fares from Kerala to the Gulf by 5 to 18% from 1 April. This is because they are passing on the tax benefit from the withdrawal of the sales tax on ATF (Air turbine fuel) to the customers. Air India Regional Director (Gulf and West Asia) Capt. P.P. Singh said in Dubai that passenger fares, from Gulf to Kerala are being reduced. As a further incentive to passengers a 21-day advance purchase fare has been introduced on peak period tickets, which is 17% lower than last year’s fare.
From April 2003 to January 2004 Air India registered a 7.5% increase in passenger traffic to the Gulf. Air India also introduced two new services Ahmedabad-London-Ahmedabad.

AIR DECCAN EXPANDS: The company plans to go ahead with a total of 100 flights per day from the present 40 flights, soon. By June, it should have a total of 12 ATR aircrafts spreading its wings to Delhi, Dehradun, Ludhiana, Agra & Chandigarh. From July 1, once they have received an A-320, they would start operating on trunk routes like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kochi, Chennai, etc.

MYANMAR AIRWAYS INTERNATIONAL ADDS DELHI TO ITS NETWORK (FROM 16 MAR): Myanmar Airways international (MAI) started operating to Delhi from 16 March. Flying to New Delhi from Yangon three times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and returning on the following days, it uses 168-seater Boeing 737-800. This regional airline flies to Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Dhaka, Jakarta and Hong Kong. Delhi will be its 6th destination. Only 6200 Indians traveled to Myanmar last year, but the same is likely to increase drastically.

AIRLINE TO PROVIDE NEW VARANASI LINK (By Anil Mathur, eTN New Delhi): In a move that is sure to be welcomed by the travelers and agents, PB AIR, a Thai Airways affiliate, is starting air services linking Bangkok with Varanasi, in India, which is a popular pilgrim and tourist destination. This sector has been traditionally short of air capacity, a fact which came out well at the Buddhist conclave, held in New Delhi from Feb 17 to 19, 2004.

PB Air will start the services, using a 50 or 70-seater aircraft, from October or November 2004, Samit Sawhny, managing director, The Barefoot Group. The frequency will be determined by the load factors, but it could be once a week or more. TOP

 HOTELS NEWS

WITH TOURISM ON THE RISE HOTEL INDUSTRY SET TO ADD 3000 ROOMS: The hospitality industry is upbeat again after a good season in 2003. It is set to add 3000 rooms in the top segment across the major cities and leisure centers of India. Projects in the pipeline are the ITC Grand Central and the Grand Hyatt in North Bombay, the Taj Group’s Wellington Mews in South Bombay, Marriott in Hyderabad and the Sarovar Park Plaza in Gurgaon (near Delhi) and in Gangtok (Sikkim) Bombay alone will get an additional 1000 rooms soon.

OBEROI TURNS WILDFLOWER HALL INTO LUXURY RESORT: Wildflower Hall, a landmark property evocative of the Raj is all set to have “a spa and wellness in the Himalayas” theme. The Resort in Simla also offers white water rafting, nature walks, horse riding and camping. From 7 May a promotional scheme offers “door to door service” with a pick up from home in Delhi followed by an air trip (2 ½ hours) in a 5 seater King Air aircraft (owned by the Oberoi group), and a stay in Wildflower Hall. The scheme is valid five days a week till end June. 

JUNGLE LODGES & RESORTS TO FORAY INTO HERITAGE TOURISM: Jungle Lodges and Resorts (JLR), a Karnataka government undertaking, will now enter 'heritage' tourism. So far, Jungle Lodges was concentrating only in the sphere of eco-tourism. Hotel Metropole, a 100-year-old hotel located in Mysore, has been renovated and restored by Jungle Lodges at a cost of Rs 3 crore. It was built before 1900, during the reign of the Wodeyar dynasty, and was managed by Ritz Hotels from 1961 to 1997. Last year, the government of Karnataka handed over the property to Jungle Lodges for renovation, refurbishing and management. The hotel is set on two acres of land and has 27 rooms, including the heritage portion in the main building and 14 other rooms that are newly constructed. The hotel also houses a new swimming pool and restaurant.

TRIDENT GURGAON OPEN: The Oberoi Group announced the opening of The Trident, Gurgaon on January 27th 2004. Spread over seven acres, this is a business hotel with a resort ambience. Gurgaon has emerged as a significant business destination and The Trident, Gurgaon has been created with the discerning international business traveler in mind. This hotel is also testimony of our vision for 'The Trident' brand and the standards of excellence this brand stands for". "This is the first hotel in India which the Oberoi group has taken on a management basis," said Mr. P.R.S. Oberoi. The hotel has a unique architecture and design with unparalleled leisure facilities making it an oasis of tranquility in the heart of the city.

SPPH TO GROW IN 50 PLUS HOTELS: Sarovar Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts is aggressively working towards expanding its base in the country to become a 50-plus hotel chain in the next five years.

The hotel also has plans to take its Food & Beverage brand — Geoffrey’s Pub — to Pondicherry in the near future and is looking at setting up a spa in Kerala, though no concrete plans have been finalised as yet. The hospitality chain was working at increasing its presence in India from 26 hotels (varying from the mid-level and upscale facilities including 3-5 star hotels) to a 50 plus hotel chain in the next five years.

OBEROI CO-BRANDS TRIDENT WITH HILTON FOR INTERNATIONAL EXPOSURE: The Oberoi chain of Trident hotels has tied up with the Hilton. As per Mr. PRS Oberoi, the Trident chain of luxury 1st class International hotels co-branding with the Hiltons will bring marketing support and International exposure to the corporate traveler. With India’s GDP projected to grow at over 8% per annum, corporate travel will grow exponentially and they want to be ready for this.  The Towers (next to the Oberoi) in Bombay will be called the Hilton Towers Bombay. Besides this the Trident Hilton in Agra, Bhubaneshwar Madras, Cochin, Gurgaon, Jaipur and Udaipur will get another Trident Hilton in Bombay (under construction) by 2007. Hiltons will provide no equity or management but a marketing presence globally.

HOTEL SAMODE HAVELI IS CLOSED FOR RENOVATION: This beautiful heritage property in Jaipur will be closed from 01 - 30 Jun.  TOP

FESTIVALS / MARTS & EVENTS

HIMACHAL HOSTED RIVER RAFTING COMPETITION 13-21 MARCH 2004: Top selected International and National Rafters attended the River rafting competition from 13 to 21 March. The Venue was the Sutluj at Tatapani, which lies in Mandi District of Himachal.

8TH SINDHU DARSHAN FESTIVAL (11-13 JUN’04): The 8th Sindhu Darshan Festival will take place in Ladakh from 11 to 13 June. The adventurous can travel via the Manali - Leh highway traversing some of the highest mountain passes in the world. In Leh, the capital of Ladakh there will be cultural activities, local polo matches played on mountain ponies and visits to thousand year old monasteries like Hemis, Shey and Thiksey. Shopping in Soma bazaar will surely add to the excitement.

ANDHRA PRADESH RESTARTS FESTIVAL IN 400 YEAR OLD MONUMENT: The 400 year old Taramati Baradari where the Quli Qutub Shah Rulers once held cultural soirees is being restored to its old glory by Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation. A Cultural festival will be held here as also other cultural events from time to time. An inaugural ballet “Durga” was performed by the famous actress – danseuse Hema Malini and her troupe, in the first week of February.

FDI WORLD DENTAL CONGRESS IN DELHI (10 – 13 SEP’04): 2004 FDI World Dental Congress is to be Held in New Delhi, India September 10-13, 2004 with a theme “Empowering Global Dentistry to Face Future Challenges.” FDI has 175 Member Associations representing 700 000 dentists worldwide.

Congress offers our delegates International and regional speakers from all over the world looking to share their latest and proven knowledge, covering a wide range of dental methods and products. An additional bonus will include Hands on Courses and the chance to present free communications and posters. All sessions of the Scientific Programme will be held at the Pragati Maidan conference center under the same roof as the World Dental Exhibition.

Over and above the numerous lectures on the FDI Scientific Programme there will be specialized workshops from Public health, Ethics, Tobacco Aid Organisations, World Development and History of Dentistry, to name but a few.

World Dental Exhibition: With over a billion people to serve in India alone you can expect the World Dental Exhibition to be a hive of activity and the place to be! International and regional exhibitors and traders will be situated in the Pragati Maidan halls side by side with the scientific lectures. Walk with ease from hall to hall and sample all that's new and on view. Marvel in the fascinating mix of the dental industry as east meets west in this jamboree of international and Indian exhibitors.

KERALA TRAVEL MART IN SEPTEMBER (30 Sep – 02 Oct’04):  Kerala Tourism will host world’s biggest single-destination travel mart in September. God’s Own Country has been forced to make early preparations for the three-day Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) beginning only on September 30. The state government is only the thin partner in KTM, with just Rs. 50 lakh stakes, with private industry pitching in heavily in cash and kind in hotel rooms, buses, vehicles and banquets running to the tune of Rs. 4.5 crore. The event in Kochi is the third of the biennial event starting from 2000. The public private partnership model had leapfrogged to 1250 buyer delegates and 182 exhibitors in 2002, bringing an incredible 30 per cent growth in tourist arrivals in Kerala. Travel business from China in the long – and Eastern Europe – in the short term – are the new markets expected to emerge at the third KTM. There have been travel marts world over bigger than KTM, but they are all multi-destination-marketing marts. On the contrary, the entire stretch of God’s Own Country is marketed as a single destination with the thrust on making a 365-day season for Kerala Tourism. For more information, please check out www.keralatravelmart.org

AGRA FORT TO HOST AGHA KHAN AWARD CEREMONY: India is set to play host at the Fort in Agra on November 28 to the Agha Khan Architecture Awards presentation, a 3-day event. These awards are one of the most prestigious in the world, carrying a prize money totaling US$ 5,00,000. This international event is attended by the Agha Khan himself. Several culture and education Minister from countries round the world are expected to attend besides eminent personalities from the world of architecture, art and music. The event is bound to attract international media attention thus giving a boost to tourism. The Indian Government plans to issue 3 commemorative stamps on the Agra Fort to mark the event.      TOP

NEWS MEANS GOOD NEWS (India)

TOURIST ARRIVALS SOAR IN FIRST 4 MONTHS: In the first quarter of 2004 tourist arrivals went up 23% compared to a rise of 12% last year. Foreign exchange earrings also went up 21% compared to the corresponding period last year. Foreign tourist arrivals during February 2004 registered 23.4% increase over the arrivals in February 2003. During the month 3,41,538 foreign tourists visited the country in comparison to 2,76,773 in February, 2003. Total arrival during first two months of this year was 6,64,012 an increase of 20.5% over the corresponding period of last year.

If we see the month of April, the increase gets 30.4 percent in April 2004, compared to April 2003.

During Jan-April 2004, India welcomed 1.17 million visitors, a 24.1 percent boost over the same period last year. Foreign exchange earnings showed 35 percent increase, at US$1.53 billion.

It is worth pointing out that this country is steadily climbing as a hot destination for tourists as well as airlines bringing them into the country. The passenger strength on International carriers like Lufthansa and Thai has grown 30% to and fro from India last year. Moreover foreign tourist arrivals to India are tipped to go up by 25% this year.

If there is one constraint, which may soon hit the tourism industry, it is the airline capacity constraint. Industry estimates put the shortfall of airline seats for inbound tourism at 20% in the peak months of October to March.

INDIA SECOND FASTEST GROWING TOURISM ECONOMY IN THE WORLD: India Shining seems to be rubbing off on travel and tourism industry. India has been ranked the second fastest growing travel and tourism economy in the world, one spot ahead of China, and right behind chart-topper Montenegro, as per the latest 2004 Travel and Tourism forecasts released by World Travel & Tourism Council in London. Global travel and tourism industry is poised for a recovery in 2004 battling the fall out

of 9/11, the war in Iraq, SARS and the downturn in economy over the last two years. Over the next ten years the annualized real growth in demand for travel and tourism is expected to grow by 10.3 per cent for Montenegro. The figure is pegged at 8.8 per cent for India and 8.7 per cent for China. WTTC ascribes the growth in India and China to the impact of the emerging middle-classes on the economy. As per the forecast, global travel and tourism industry is expected to

add nearly 10 million new jobs – through direct and indirect employment - in 2004. WTTC expects global travel and tourism economy to be worth around $5.5 trillion in 2004, growing at a rate of 5.9 per in real terms. “The ten-year annualised growth (2005-2014) forecast is 4.5 per cent per annum illustrating the outlook for a bull market recovery in 2004,” the trade body said. The combined direct and indirect impact of the travel and tourism economy is expected to total 10.4 per cent of world GNP in 2004.

FOREIGN CRUISE LINERS PUT INDIA ON ITINERARY: Foreign cruise liners have finally put India on their itinerary. Star Cruises, a Norwegian liner, is in talks with the shipping ministry for making India a regular port of call.

“The liner, which hardly calls on India, has sought clarifications regarding immigration, Customs procedure and may be expected to finalise certain tourist circuits within the country,” a ministry official said.

In the past year, only 15 cruise vessels have come to India, of which the Star cruise vessels have called twice.

Globally, Star Cruise is among the top five cruise liners, both in terms of the number of ships and gross registered tonnage (GRT). It maintains a fleet of 22 vessels, which is the largest in the world, with a tonnage of 1.05 million GRT. The Star group, along with the Carnival, Royal Caribbean International and P&O Princess Cruises account for 75 per cent of the global passenger capacity.

In order to make India an important cruise destination, the government has decided to exempt these vessels from the purview of the “cabotage” regulations for five years. This means these foreign vessels will no longer have to obtain permission from the Director-General of Shipping before operating between Indian ports.

The government is also considering introducing a single-entry visa. Which means that tourists will be able to travel hassle-free with a common visa instead of having one for each destination they visit.

It is also working on simplifying immigration and Customs procedures to generate greater interest among global cruise operators. The government has also set up a cruise terminal in Mumbai and will set up another in Goa. INDIA INVITES had the honour of handling the cruise ship (partially) called ASTOR which touched Indian shores end March.

INDIAN ELECTIONS ATTRACT TOURISTS: Election Commissioners from about forty countries came to see and experience the elections in the world’s largest democracy. For the first time India pioneered a modern voting system entirely through electronic voting machines, having done away with the ballot system. Election Commissioners from Europe and South East Asia will visit Tourism Minister Mr. Jagmohan’s constituency on 10 May to see the voting in progress. “Gods Own Country” sold unusual and innovative tours called “election” packages complete with the sound and fury of Indian elections. Three groups so far enjoyed tracking candidates, attending meetings and rallies etc. Compared to the somewhat bland European elections restricted to TV debates, the noise and colour of Indian elections was high voltage drama.

CHALMERS BRINGS “GREAT ESCAPE” TO DELHI: “The Great Escape” is a prime time program of the National Geographic Channel – a unique real life adventure. Mr. William D Chalmers – acclaimed by many as the world’s greatest traveler, brought 12 men and women for a “blind date” with the world. It is like a scavenger hunt, which is filmed and shown as a reality show on the National Geographic Channel. Covering 10 countries over 4 continents the tour will take 23 days. To add to the suspense, the participants are given their tickets only six hours before an international flight. Till then they do not know which is their next destination. In Delhi ITC Maurya Sheraton was their home for 4 days. They went around Delhi following clues. They visited markets, located a painting in the National Museum, rode elephants, mingled with Sufi dancers, saw the Taj; all part of their experience. Most of the $ 7900 participation fee and other money raised goes to charities. Their parting remark, “No one can die without having seen India”. 

BUKHARA JUDGED ONE OF TOP 50 WORLD RESTAURANTS: Bukhara at the Maurya Sheraton has played host to some of the world’s best known “rich and famous” including former US President Bill Clinton and Microsoft Chief Bill Gates. As Bukhara completes 27 years, it is fitting it gets placed at the 36th position in the world’s top 50, Restaurants, by the London based magazine – The Good Food Guide. Their signature Dal Bukhara (a lentil) and Sikandari Raan have found a special place in many a VIP’s appreciative stomach. Chefs and proprietors from California, Barbados, Dubai, India, Hong Kong and Australia were present at the awards ceremony held in London. The title of “Best Restaurant in the World” was won by “The French Laundry” in California for the 2nd successive year.

PATA GOLD AWARDS FOR INDIA TOURISM:
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) announced the winners of its Gold Awards recently. PATAs Gold Award for marketing Government - Destination: National has been won by Department of Tourism Government of India for its “Incredible India” Campaign. This campaign also won the PATA gold award in the travel advertisement print media category. The Ministry’s tourism email newsletter received an honorable mention. PATA Gold Award for Environmental-Ecotourism Travel-related went to Thenmala Ecotourism, Kerala Tourism, for Heritage and Culture Heritage to East Fort, Kerala Tourism for Travel Guide Book – 75 Holidays in the Hills to Outlook Publishing (India) and for CD-Rom, “Ayurveda the Mantra of Niramaya”, Kerala Tourism.

AGRA PLANS TO LIGHT UP TAJ TO DRAW FOREIGN TOURISTS: The Agra Development Authority has decided to light up the Taj Mahal with floodlights for encouraging tourists to spend the night in the city. Its vice-chairman has already requested permission from the Archaeological Survey of India for installation of the lamps, in order to cut down the declining number of foreign tourists staying in the city after their tour of Taj Mahal. ASI has been requested to conduct a study, if necessary, on the effect of “soft lighting” on the Taj from a distance. The letter also describes the spots where the lights will be set up at Mehtab Bagh.

2004 TO BE INTERNATIONAL TAJ YEAR: In An effort to promote tourism in Uttar Pradesh, the UP government has decided to adopt the Taj Mahal as its icon. So the UP Tourism Department will be celebrating the year 2004 as “International Taj Year” and has planned year-long festivities and cultural activities in Agra, in the name of “350 years of Taj Mahal”. Uttar Pradesh Minister for Tourism Naresh Agarwal announced on Sunday that the state government has decided to promote Agra as an international tourism destination in 2004.

FARM TOURISM A BIG DRAW: A delegation of 52 foreign travel agents and tour operators from over 35 countries enjoyed the rural landscapes and had a glimpse of village life in the national capital region (NCR). A number of Haryana districts neighbouring the city have recently been developed under the concept of “farm tourism” to showcase the rural culture. To start with, Haryana government had collaborated with 13 farm owners in Faridabad, Gurgaon, Rohtak and Karnal and claimed to have opened new holiday opportunities, particularly for Delhiites. All the delegates were members of Agriculture tour Operator International (ATOI) and are promoters of agriculture tourism, a unique concept for Indian tourism. The ethnic kitchen was a big attraction, with food cooked on earthen stoves and served in clay vessels. The concept was a big hit with the foreign tourists, who enjoyed the taste of bajra ki roti and gur. German national Vera Huhn said: “We had a great supper, unforgettable hospitality. I will do my best to promote this place and show them another aspect of India’s beauty.”

SACRED CHANTS OF MONKS OF SHERABLING MONASTERY WON GRAMMY: Tai Situ Rinpoche’s monks won the Grammy for best traditional world music for their album “Sacred Chants. The Monks of Sherabling Monastery” at the 46th annual awards in Los Angeles recently. The chants are recited at the Sherabling Monastery close to Dharamsala everyday as part of their worship.

THE GOLDEN FORT OF JAISALMER TO GET FACELIFT: The famous “Sonar Fort” (Golden Fort) of Jaisalmer is to get US $ 1.3 million/Rs 60 million for renovation. The fort has been under threat for a long time due to over habitation, water logging etc. Now at last the Central Government and the World Watch Monument Organization (WWMO) have realized that if corrective action is not taken this unique piece of heritage may be lost forever. The renovation will take 2 years with work set to begin in October.

UAE OUTBOUND FOR INDIA UP BY 43%: Tourist traffic from the UAE to India witnessed a 43 per cent increase in 2003. Several destinations such as Goa, Kerala and Kashmir have seen a spurt in tourist flow during last year. India Tourism, Dubai, has taken great efforts to boost tourist traffic to India in association with Air India, Indian Airlines, Gulf Air, Emirates Airlines, Qatar Airways and various travel agencies and trade partners. Jammu and Kashmir has been receiving a steady influx of tourists from the Gulf including the UAE. Efforts are being made to make it the number one tourist destination in the country, restoring it to its former glory.

LIGHTING UP OF 12 DELHI MONUMENTS: It’s a journey through history that those who take won’t forget. Stretching from Red Fort in the Walled City to Qutub Minar in Mehrauli, Delhi now has a set of 12 new monuments lit up every night. Qutab Minar was not being lit up for almost past five years.

Part of the ‘City Beautiful’ project undertaken by the Union Ministry for Tourism and Culture, the monuments have been provided with lights to project their facade to passers-by and draw visitors.

The monuments are Arab Ki Sarai in Humayun’s Tomb complex, the rear wall of Humayun’s Tomb, the Khanekhan Tomb on Mathura Road, Sher Shah Suri’s Tomb on Mathura Road, Sabz Burj at the Humayun’s Tomb roundabout, Nila Gumbad in Nizamuddin, Barakhamba in Central Delhi, the Lodhi Garden wall, a tomb in the Lodhi Garden complex, Chhote Khan and Bhure Khan tombs in Kotla Mubarakpur and the Nizamuddin complex.

Before this, only five monuments — Humayun’s Tomb, Purana Qila, Qutub Minar, Qila Rai Pithora and the rear wall of Red Fort — were lit up at night. In the second phase, the ITDC will work on the lighting up of tombs and monuments in the Qutub complex. Once the infrastructure is in place, these too will be handed over to the ASI.

MUNNAR GETS FIRST TEA MUSEUM: The first ever tea museum opened its doors to welcome visitors at the Nulthathanni Tea Estate of the Tatas (of the Taj Group of Hotels) The museum provides a glimpse into the world of “Planters” who opened up the wilderness of Munnar to the new cash crop – tea. Besides giving an insight into the history of tea, there are photographs and curios and other paraphernalia connected with tea. Set in an, over a century old tea estate it gives tourists first hand knowledge about processing of black tea. Preserved are the original 1905 tea roller, the rotor vane and the Pelton wheel used in the power generation plant of the 1920s besides furniture from an old time planter’s bungalow. The entry fees is Rs 50 and is open every day from 1000 – 0500 hrs.

MUGHAL GARDENS OPENED FOR THE FIRST TIME EXCLUSIVELY FOR DISABLED: From March 31 to April 2 the President of India, in a special gesture to the physically and mentally challenged, had the Mughal gardens opened exclusively for them. A limited number of wheelchairs were also available at Rashtrapati Bhawan (Presidents House). The gardens were closed to the general public during this period.

ANCIENT MONUMENTS TO HOST OFFICIAL BANQUETS: The Ministries of Tourism and External Affairs have come together to hold banquets in the country’s historic monuments, making a start with Delhi and Agra Recently a dinner for delegates to a tripartite collaboration between India, Brazil and South Africa was hosted in Purana Quila  (Old Fort) grounds. The Fort built by Sher Shah Suri (of Grand Trunk road fame) was lit up to create a perfect backdrop for the banquet, with a cultural program adding to the ambience. It is an excellent way of showcasing India’s cultural heritage to visiting dignitaries. Other venues planned are the Red Fort and Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi and the Fort in Agra.

MANALI – LEH ROAD OPENS: Manali/ Spiti and Manail/ Leh have opened up for tourist traffic. Now it would be possible again to start promoting the Manali / Spiti / Kinnaur / Shimla and Manali / Leh safaris until the mid or end September when it will close again due to the snow fall.

Fixed camps at Sarchu are yet not operational but are expected to start by end of May. We will keep you advised as & when the fixed camps at Sarchu start operations.

OLYMPIC FLAME TO RIDE AN ELEPHANT IN DELHI: Two Zardozi decked elephants with three baby elephants in tow, will carry the Olympic flame bearers across Vijay Chowk when the Olympic Flame touches Delhi on June 10. After that the flame will be taken across Delhi’s monuments. The relay will be broadcast from, four sites – Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Red Fort and Vijay Chowk. The flame will go to 34 cities around the world with each host country organizing a special “picture for the world” run.    TOP

NEWS MEANS GOOD NEWS (International)

FORMULA ONE POWERBOAT CHAMPIONSHIP IN BOMBAY:  The city hosted the UI M formula One Powerboat championship from March 5 to 7. During these 3 days Bombay got high exposure as it was beamed into 206 million homes, worldwide. The area around Nariman Point was spruced up for the occasion with close to a million spectators viewing the event. Bombay’s elite got an adrenalin rush when taken on a 5-minute joyride on a 2-seater powerboat on the 1770-meter water track. Bombay, as the country’s financial capital was chosen as an exotic location for the Formula One-powerboat races. 12 teams participated including eight times world champion Guido Capellini. “Stars of Florida”, an acrobatic team from Florida performed at Chowpathy beach, as the water ski show is also part of the world championships.

BBC SURVEY LISTS WORLD’S BEST 50 ADVENTURE DESTINATIONS, NAMES MT EVEREST: A recent BBC survey (with 20,000 Britons casting their vote in 2003) has revealed that climbing Mt. Everest is amongst the world’s best 50 adventures that everyone should do in their lifetime. The Nepalese adventure stands at 26th place. Watching tigers in India is at 46th. “Swimming with dolphins” in Florida, won first place. BBC has also placed Nepal in the Wild 8th in the list of world’s 10 best and wonderful holidays under “a trip of a lifetime” theme. India’s Ranthambhore National Park (famous for the tiger) has been voted as the first in this category.

INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN MUSEUM OPENS IN POKHARA, NEPAL: The International Mountain Museum opened on 5 February in the picturesque central city of Pokhara in Nepal. Featured here are rare photographs of the Himalayas and mountaineering equipment used by the world’s greatest climbers. Some of the major attractions include mountaineering equipment used by Apa Sherpa, who has a record 13 successful ascents on Mt. Everest, portraits of Sir Edmund Hillary, and jackets of Maurice Herzog who conquered Mount Annapurana in 1950. Established in over 12 acres of land the museum features a miniature Mount Manaslu, ponds, gardens, bridge and replicas of local houses in rural settings.

EMMY AWARD WINNER’S FILM “INDIA – KINGDOM OF THE TIGER”: Emmy award winner Bruce Neibaur has a directed a film “India – Kingdom of the Tiger”; a story seen through the eyes of the tiger. It follows Jim Corbett the conservationist/hunter in his race to save a village from a man- eater. It is a historic epic showing India from 1910 to the modern age. This film was made in collaboration with the National Wildlife Federation and Primesco (a Montreal Company) and has an Indo Canadian cast and crew. They traveled through 17 cities across India and the film takes viewers on a journey through India. The music is collaboration between Emmy award winners and the late Sufi Musician Nusrat Fatehali Khans nephew. It is shot in IMAX technology. The film premiered at the British film Institute London and has been shown in Taiwan, Japan, South Africa, Canada, and Paris.

CELEBRITIES TAKE HORSE SAFARIS IN RAJASTHAN: Last year Conde Nast Traveler Magazine featured horse safaris in Rajasthan. It seems to have caught the fancy of celebrities like the pop superstar Sting who took one such safari a while earlier. He even brought his family with him. Sporting a colourful Rajasthani turban Sting enjoyed his trip and plans to come again. TOP

SPECIAL FEATURE

MEDICAL TOURISM: Enterprising tour operators in India are designing an irresistible package for British patients: fly down to India for state-of-the-art treatment and then convalesce in the many splendours of incredible India.

Thomas Cook, that began operations from Leicester, is leading the way by offering surgery and treatment in Mumbai hospitals and then recovering on the sylvan beaches of Goa or with visits to peaceful temples in the southern India.

Patients in Britain often face lengthy waiting periods to get treatment on the National Health Service (NHS) - many of them die waiting for their turn on the operation table. Some enterprising people have gone to India and returned mightily satisfied and are encouraging others to take the first flight to Delhi or Mumbai for a state-of-the-art medical treatment.

Arthritic James Campbell preferred to go to India for a knee operation rather than face a two-year wait on the NHS. The 69-year-old from Braemar, Aberdeenshire, was in so much pain he was forced to walk backwards down stairs to ease the pressure on his joints. He was appalled when he was told he would have to wait two years just to get on the waiting list for surgery. So he flew to India for the operation last October.

Campbell thought about having the surgery privately but could not afford the £20,000 bill. He picked the Krishna Heart Institute in Gujarat from the Internet for his treatment, which cost £8,000, and has since returned to what he says is a 'new life' after receiving top treatment.

India eyeing share in medical tourism pie by M. Somasekhar: A NICE blend of top-class medical expertise at attractive prices is helping a growing number of Indian corporate hospitals lure foreign patients, including from developed nations such as the UK and the US.

If a liver transplant costs in the range of Rs 60 lakh-70 lakh in Europe and double that in the US, a few Indian hospitals, such as Global in Hyderabad, have the wherewithal to do it in around Rs 15 lakh-20 lakh. Similarly, if a heart surgery in the US costs about Rs 20 lakh, the Chennai-headquartered Apollo Hospitals Group does it in roughly Rs 2 lakh.

As more and more patients from Europe, the US and other affluent nations with high medicare costs look for effective options, India is pitted against Thailand, Singapore and some other Asian countries, which have good hospitals, salubrious climate and tourist destinations.

Things are going to change drastically in favour of India, especially in view of the high quality expertise of medical professionals, backed by the fast improving equipment and nursing facilities, and above all, the cost-effectiveness of the package, said some of the hospitals Business Line spoke to.

The Apollo Group, Escorts Hospitals in New Delhi and Jaslok Hospitals in Mumbai are to name a few which are established names even abroad. A list of corporate hospitals such as Global Hospitals, CARE and Dr L.V. Prasad Eye Hospitals in Hyderabad, The Hindujas in Mumbai, etc also have built capabilities and are handling a steadily increasing flow of foreign patients. "India has much more expertise than say Thailand or Malaysia. The infrastructure in some of India's hospitals is also very good. What is more significant is that the costs are much less, almost one-third of those in other Asian countries," says Dr K. Ravindranath, who returned from abroad to start Global Hospitals, which has facilities for liver, kidney and heart transplantations.

As Indian corporate hospitals are at par, if not better than the best hospitals in Thailand, Singapore, etc there is scope for improvement, and the country may become a preferred medical destination.

Indian corporate hospitals excelled in cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery, joint replacement, orthopaedic surgery, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, transplants and urology to name a few.

The CARE Hospitals, which has specialised in heartcare, has concentrated on drawing patients from the Gulf and at least 50 were treated last year, said a hospital spokesperson.

In addition to the increasingly top class medical care, a big draw for foreign patients is also the very minimal or hardly any waitlist as is common in European or American hospitals. In fact, priority treatment is provided today in Indian hospitals.

FAIRY QUEEN: Journey back into time....1855. The year when the Majestic Fairy Queen rolled out for the East Indian Railways. The engine, is probably the oldest working engine in the world. After over 142 years, the Fairy Queen rolled again on Feb. 1st 1997 from Delhi. Finding its pride of place in the Guinness Book of World Records and also the National Tourism Award winner, this prestigious pristine beauty, that graces the National Rail Museum, New Delhi, runs again. The Queen with the privileged ones aboard reaches the picturesque town of Alwar in Rajasthan the same day, from where the Guests are taken to Sariska Tiger Reserve for an overnight stay.

Fairy Queen Programme

The tariff is Rs. 7500 / US$ 165 per person (All inclusive except liquor). For bookings, please contact us at pmaurya@vsnl.net   TOP

DESTINATION

Aurangabad: Aurangabad, 400 km from Bombay, is linked by Indian Airlines flights. Spectacular rock cut caves and cave paintings exist at two nearby places, Ajanta and Ellora. The most notable feature of these cave temples is that entire hillsides were cut away with the artisan’s chisel to produce some of the world’s most exquisite sculpture. Ellora’s 34 caves are over 10 centuries old and represent elaborate sculptures of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain faiths. The caves at Ajanta date back to the 5th century and contain paintings and sculptures of major events in the life of the Buddha. Aurangabad is a convenient base for organising visits to the famous rock-cut temples of Ajanta & Ellora. The town is named after Aurangzeb, the last of the six great Mughal Emperors, who built a mausoleum here for his wife.

Ajanta: The thirty rock-hewn caves at Ajanta which are cut into the scrap of a cliff are Chaityas (Chapels) & Viharas (Monasteries). Most of these are carved so that a flood of natural light pours into them at any given time of the day. Both the facade & the inside of the chambers faithfully reproduce the structural patterns known to those ancient builders. On the walls are paintings, many still glowing with their original colours. The outer walls are covered with brilliantly sculptures. The caves are not numbered in chronological order. Cave no 9, 10, 12 & 13 are the earliest belonging to Hinayana sect of Buddhism. Cave no 1 to 8, 11 and 14 to 30 are of Mahayana sect among these Mahayana Caves no 19, 26 & 30 are the Chaityas and rest are Viharas. The most notable of all these caves are 1, 2, 9, 10, 16, 17, 19 and 26 where ancient Indian art attained the zenith of its development and revealed a dynamic rhythm of life.

Ellora: There are 24 caves at Ellora, carved between 7th & 11th century AD. These cave temples represent 3 religious faiths. Carved in sickle shaped hill, spread north to south in an area of 3 km, they were dug into the slope of a hill. Of these 12 are Buddhist, 17 are Hindu and 5 are Jain. The most remarkable of the carved shrines at Ellora is the Kailasa Temple. It is 50 meter in length, 33 meter wide & 30 meter high. The fantastic edifice has been chiselled out by hand from single rock with Gateway, Pavillion, Courtyard, Assembly Hall, Vestibule, Sanctum and Tower-hall those out of the same enormous rock.

SPECIAL PERMISSION REQUIRED: Special Permission from Archaeological Survey of India is needed for use of Tripod & Artificial lights to take photographs of Archaeological monuments. However video shooting from the exterior of the monuments is permitted by paying a nominal fee. (Source: India Tourism Website) TOP

NATURE DOES MATTER

DEFACING OF ROCKS NEAR MANALI STOPPED: When the Rohtang pass opens to the public next week, the casual traveller will be granted a simple pleasure denied for years: Click a picture of the scenic Beas and the snowy Himalayas, with un spoilt rocks rising along the side of the mountain.

The rape of the rock—which had been assaulted by advertisements of Coke, Pepsi, MBD Books, among others is over, the healing almost complete.

The occasional white patch on the otherwise clean rock face is the only reminder of the days when coats of paint in garish colours over-ran these mountain sides. Some of the damage to these ecosystems—the moss and micro organisms date back 45 million years—was irreparable but experts have salvaged whatever they could.

After the first story of companies defacing ancient rock faces appeared in The Sunday Express in August two years ago, it was followed by a campaign called the ‘Rape of the Rock’.

Within two months, the Supreme Court imposed a fine on these companies and directed a team of specialists to clean the mess. Today, 90 per cent of the work is complete. The three-member team plans to wrap up the remaining work soon. In two seasons, they have cleaned up nearly 1,000 big and small rocks, spending just 30 per cent of the total money that was collected as fine. The rest will be spent on conservation work in the area that is starved for funds.

‘‘We avoided expensive techniques like laser and grinding. Instead we just relied on the right blend of chemicals,’’ said O P Agarwal, director-general of the Indian Council of Conservation Institute that had been entrusted with the clean-up. Each offending company had used a different mix of paints and required a different antidote.

The team worked through last summer into November last year when the snow started covering all the slopes. For once, for a project of this nature, money was not a problem. The Court, enraged by the reports in The Indian Express, asked for a corpus of Rs 5 crore to be created. The Himachal Pradesh government was asked to pay Rs 1 crore, MBD and Coca Cola Rs 30 lakh each, Pepsi Rs 15 lakh. The others told to chip in were Grasim, Fena, Amaron Batteries, Sleepwell and State Bank of India.

This particular project was estimated to cost Rs 178 lakh. The Central Empowered Committee, set up by the Supreme Court to look into all forest-related cases, estimated that 180 sites had suffered irreparable damage.

Now a member of the committee said that they would be going to the Court with a plan to use the remaining money for conservation measures.

Meanwhile, the local authorities are satisfied with the job well done. ‘‘This is not just about cleaning the rocks but it has created a lot of awareness about not tampering with nature,’’ said Vineet Kumar, Conservator of Forests (Kullu). TOP

PERMANENT FEATURE -  GOA

INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL TO TAKE PLACE IN GOA: The state government is spending a sum of Rs 200 crore for setting up the infrastructure, of which a sum of Rs 50 crore will come from the Planning Commission for which the Information and Broadcasting Ministry will work as a facilitator. The money will be spent to create the basic infrastructure.

The state government has already decided to give interest-free loans to entrepreneurs who wish to construct multiplex theatres for the festival. The Centre has said that the multiplexes should be of international standard. The international renowned firm of architects HOK has been hired to draw the designs for this purpose.

The inauguration will be held at the Kala Niketan which is situated at the point where the River Mandovi meets the sea.

Although October has been approved by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) for the IFFI, the Government will seek special permission to hold the festival in November this year. The focus this year will be on Chinese cinema.

Goa will also be promoted at the Cannes Film Festival this year, and the Chief Minister is expected to be present along with the Indian delegation. Mr Prasad said the aim was to combine the film festival with tourism in Goa, as was being done in other parts of the world. 

CANCELLATION OF RAIL TOUR TO DUDHSAGAR: With the closure of the weekly rail tour from Vasco to Dudhsagar by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation, the dream of tourists to see the milky Dudhsagar waters cascading from a height of over 200 meter and splashing into a wide ravine, has been shattered.

ORCHIDS UNIT IN SAL: Goa's largest commercial orchid unit with 15,000 plants has been set up in the scenic village of Sal in Bicholim. While the orchid plants are in various stages of growth-from established plants to flowering-peak blooming is expected to coincide with the decennial exposition at Old Goa and International Film Festival of India at Panaji.

CHARTER SEASON ENDS ON HIGH NOTE: The departure of the last charter flight-headed to Russia (16 May), brings the curtain down on one of the more successful periods in the history of tourism in Goa. This season has been extremely good for Goa, compared to the previous years, it has come to the position of before 11 September 2001. The hotels we had an average occupancy of 80-90 per cent. TOP

CONTEST

Just Answer Five Simple Questions:

1)      In the popularity chart worldwide, India got which rank in a Lonely Planet Survey recently?

a.      First                 b. Second

b.      Third                d. Fourth

2)      Pench National Park lies in which state of India?

a.      Madhya Pradesh c. Himachal Pradesh

b.      Maharashtra    d. Jammu & Kashmir

3)      Rat Temple in India falls in which place?

a.      Deshnoke        c. Jaisalmer

b.      Varanasi          d. Pushkar

4)      Myanmar Airways International started its operation to which city of India from Yangon?

a.      Delhi                c. Mumbai

b.      Chennai           d. Kolkata

5)      In Goa, 2004 will see two major important events. One is International Film Festival and the second one is:

a.      St. Francis Xavier’s Exposition

b.      Shooting of a James Bond movie

c.       Conference of SAARC Prime Ministers

d.      Afro Asian Games

LAST DATE: 31 May’04 to send your entries at the email address pmaurya@vsnl.net

ANSWERS OF LAST CONTEST:

1.      If you are visiting Bondla wildlife sanctuary, you are in which state of India?

ANS:     GOA

2.      Auli is famous for which sports a