November 2014

Rajeev Kohli
Joint Managing Director

Dear Industry Colleagues

Welcome to another edition of award winning 'Creatively Yours'.

Today is a red letter day in the history of Indian Tourism. Today we witnessed the inauguration of the NEW ELECTRONIC TOURIST VISA ON ARRIVAL system, a move that changes the dimensions of the Indian travel industry. We have been working on this project for the past two years and are delighted it is now a reality. More details below.

In our last few months we have met many new operators who wish to start India. That is very encouraging. One of the things we do for our partners is help them create a strategy for our region. What to sell. How to sell. What price point works best and so on. Our relationships with our clients across the world is not a buyer-seller one but rather one of true partnership where we are also vested in your success. If you would like to have a chat on how we can help you grow India and the region as a more profitable product base, let us know.

We have developed a few unique products based around food, festivals and wellness. These are now being put out to market and if you would like to receive them as well, please let us know.

Take care

www.travel2india.com
www.creative.travel

We are so very excited. So happy today for our long wish has been answered. After two years of negotiating and planning, the Government of India today launched its new Electronic Travel Authorisation system or what is more commonly called Tourist Visa on Arrival. This heralds a new chapter in India tourism as this system will allow citizens of 43 countries to apply for their visas online and get their approval online as well.

The system was inaugurated today at a large industry event hosted by the trade. Present were the national Home Minster, the National Tourism Minister, a number of Ambassadors from different countries, other key government officials and over 400 members of the travel & hospitality industry.

The Indian Association of Tour Operators, who has been working on this project with the government for the past two years says that this is a game changer for us in Indian Tourism industry. It will allow for impulse travel to India, for travellers to plan their trips with shorter lead time and also allow travellers not residing in their country of citizenship to apply for tourist visas quicker and more easily. The entire process has been simplified and the visa fee is lower as well.

This is Phase 1 of the implementation and we expect the rest of the world to be added to the list in the next 4 – 6 months. You can see the official information video of the new system at Coming to India has never been so easy.

Download the brochure on the new system here

An article from today's papers is here

Do share any feedback with us that you may have on the system and any challenges clients may face. We will share that input with the relevant ministries to see what needs to be tweaked.

Eligibility for using this system is -

1. International Travellers whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation , sightseeing , casual visit to meet friends or relatives, short duration medical treatment or casual business visit.

2. Passport should have at least six months validity.

3. International Travellers should have return ticket or onward journey ticket, with sufficient money to spend during his/her stay in India.

4. International Travellers having Pakistani Passport or Pakistani origin may please apply for regular Visa at Indian Mission.

5. Not available to Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders.

Application details can be seen on at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html
 

Mount Abu Winter Festival is one of the most awaited events in the state of Rajasthan and it happens during the last week of December. It takes place at a serene hill station called, 'Mount Abu'. This year, the festival will take place from 29th to 31st December. This three day festival is managed and organized by the Rajasthan Tourism and Municipal Board, Mount Abu. The scenic location along with the zesty people make the festival a 'must see' event during the winters. It begins with a ceremonial procession starting from the RTDC Hotel Shikhar and goes through the Nakki Lake Chowk area. The folk artists from Rajasthan, Haryana and other places in India perform their art for the guests.

A band show is followed with Boat Race, Skating Race, Panihari Matka Race, Tug of War among the foreign Travelers and Indian Travelers, Henna Painting workshop and much more. The festival concludes with fireworks which is an icing to the cake.
Mount Abu is accessible through road and rail network.

Started back in 2006, the Jaipur Literature Festival has been a guiding light for the budding writers as well as a showcase point for the established ones. This year, the Jaipur Literature Festival will be celebrated on the 21st of January and will last until 25th January. JLF is a full pack of fun, knowledge and learning and you should not miss this year's extravagant festival that will satiate everyone's expectations. read more...

The Tourism department of Rajasthan has decided to introduce a new "Night Tourism" concept to the travelers. It will hopefully get started in the month of November. Under this concept, the monuments will be given a time extension until 11 pm as opposed to their closing by the early evening. Activity based circuits are also being planned by the government in which the guests who are interested in bird viewing can move to the ""Birding circuit", the ones with spiritual interests can move to the "Spiritual Circuit" which includes temples and similar outings; likewise, the people who have interest in authentic arts can move to the "Handicraft Circuit" and so on.

35 historic forts in the state have been offered to the private sector in order to develop them with more zeal and effectiveness. Hence, Rajasthan has pulled up its sleeves to welcome the travelers to its pristine land.

To boost tourism, the government launched a mobile application to offer tourists various travel related information including availability and charges of hotels, air fares, and local attractions of any particular place in the country. Instead of using 10 to 12 different Apps, a tourist now can use only one App which will cater to all his or her travel related requirements in a particular city, Tourism Secretary Parvez Dewan said after launching the Android App. The application, named 'Tripgator Android App', has been launched byTripgator.com, in partnership with Incredible India. "You will get to know how to get from one place to another, what are the attractions there, information about hotels, restaurants, ATM kiosks and other necessary details for a tourist," Dewan said. The App will also provide information about health facilities available in a particular area. "You will get all these information including indicative rates on real time basis so that you will be able to plan your itinerary in an effective and hassle-free way," he said. However, since this is a non-commercial App one cannot book hotels or tickets through it, but will only get indicative rates on air fare and hotel charges. The App also has a price index which will offer cheaper available options as well as medium and high budget options.

Goa Tourism, launched white water rafting activities at the Tilari river gorge.
Ameya Abhyankar IAS, Director, Department of Tourism said: "The rafting at Tilari is perhaps the most technically demanding rafting trip south of the Himalayas. This is an excellent opportunity to try your hand at a new sport and experience the thrills amidst stunning landscapes." The rafting activities, set in jungle surroundings located about 1.5 hours from North Goa, begin in October and will continue till January, subject to dam releases. The tour takes 2.5 hours include drop to the river and back, training and running six kilometres of rapids up to class four.

From the viewpoint of a tourist, particularly from that of a foreign traveller, a word tantamount with India is 'culture'. Festivals have been generating a significant amount of tourists and are being recognised as a form of cultural tourism, by the Ministry of Tourism (MoT), Govt. of India as well as the state tourism boards, with millions of tourists attending major Indian festivals each year. Cultural tourism is one of the significant branches of tourism. The World Tourism Organization suggests that more than 40 percent of all international tourists are "cultural tourists". read more...

From November 15, Taj Group hotels started offering complimentary Wi-Fi connectivity for residential guests in all their 125 hotels around the globe. A first-ever all brand-inclusive initiative, guests at any of the Taj Group of hotels – The Taj, Vivanta by Taj, Gateway Hotels and Ginger will now be able to enjoy free Wi-Fi connectivity for the duration of their stay on up to 3 devices as soon as they check-in to the hotel. read more...

WYNDHAM Hotel Group is honing in on the midscale segment in India, with 10 more hotels to open by mid-2017. The new properties will be located in Gurgaon and Greater Noida, Bengaluru, Chennai, Darjeeling, Jaisalmer, Pali, Loneer, Dharmapuri and Trivandrum. This adds over 1,000 rooms across brands like Howard Johnson, Ramada Encore, Days Inn and Planet Hollywood.

"The hospitality segment is looking bullish with the new government and the list of incentives it has promised to provide to investors. Additionally, the commercial returns are faster in the mid-market level in India, so we're venturing mainly to capitalise on this niche segment." Wyndham currently has 24 hotels with 2,500 keys in India and 3,500 more rooms in the pipeline. It opened a Howard Johnson property in Bengaluru earlier this month.

The ibis, the international hotel brand of Accor recently opened its third hotel in Bengaluru - ibis Bengaluru City Centre. It is the eleventh ibis in India that offers 173-guest rooms catering to the business and leisure travelers.

Ibis has launched a unique campaign #bangalorelouvin for the opening of ibis Bengaluru City Centre with the concept to engage people's love for Bangalore city through social media. The campaign has been launched with a musical video of the general public expressing their views of Bangalore. The key attraction of the viral campaign is the ibis life-sized red pillows and heart-shaped shutter glasses as visuals. A three-phased campaign begins with the musical video going viral, activation by people sharing their love of the city on social media and finally seeking ownership on the exciting activities linking it back to ibis Bengaluru City Centre. read more...

The Sarovar Hotels announced the opening of Nirwana Hometel in Jaipur the third hotel in Jaipur and fifth property in Rajasthan, in addition to Sarovar Portico & Park Inn in Jaipur; Park Plaza in Jodhpur and Optus Hometel in Bhiwadi.

The hotel is located at the city centre near Khasa Kothi Circle that offers 82 rooms. The Nirwana Hometel Jaipur redefines an economy hotel with the needs of the budget-conscious traveller who seeks quality and affordability. read more...

The Hyatt Hotels & Resorts and SAMHI announced the opening of Hyatt Place Gurgaon/UdyogVihar in Haryana, India the first Hyatt Place hotel in the gateway city of Delhi National Capital Region (NCR) and the second Hyatt Place hotel in India, following the 2012 opening of Hyatt Place Hampi.

Pablo Graf, Senior Vice President of Operations of Hyatt , Southwest Asia, said, "The Hyatt Place brand combines style, innovation and round the clock convenience to create a perfect seamless stay with every modern comfort for the multitasking traveler." read more...

Dusit Thani Maldives has launched a new luxury accommodation option – the three-bedroom beach residence. Covering 690m² of space, this two-level unit is located on the beach and surrounded by palm trees. The central villa of the residence encompasses one master bedroom, which opens on to a private veranda, plus a second twin bedroom, a lounge, a six-seat dining table and a separate kitchen area. Outdoors there is a large veranda, swimming pool, dining area and beach pavilion. A third bedroom is also available in a separate villa, complete with its own plunge pool, outdoor rain shower and semi-open air bathroom. "This premium, high end product is an incredible addition to the resort which now presents a more diversified lodging proposition. Catering to a more affluent segment… we are pleased to provide more versatility and choice of accommodation at the resort. This is a step in the same direction," said Thanos Lionsatos, the resort's director of sales & marketing. To complete the sense of luxury, the residence is served by a private butler and maid, who also have a room on the premises.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has expanded its portfolio in India, with the launch of the 200-room Crowne Plaza Ahmedabad City Centre. Located in the business district of Ahmedabad and a half-hour drive from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, the new hotel becomes the seventh Crowne Plaza in India. It also joins the Holiday Inn Express Ahmedabad Ashram Road as the second IHG property in Gujarat's largest city. "IHG has been in India for nearly 50 years and we have always been committed to growing in the market. We are very pleased to welcome Crowne Plaza Ahmedabad City Centre into our system and we look forward to delivering great experiences to our guests at the hotel," said Pascal Gauvin, IHG's chief operating officer for India, Middle East & Africa.

The new hotel features a range of facilities, including two restaurants, a tea lounge, spa, swimming pool, fitness centre and extensive conference and banqueting space.
IHG now operates 19 hotels in India across four brands: InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express. But this portfolio is expected to expand rapidly in the coming years; the company has 47 hotels in its development pipeline, including a further seven Crowne Plazas.

Best Western is expanding further across Asia, with the launch of its first ever hotel in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. The company has signed an agreement for a brand new 41-room hotel in the country's capital, Thimphu. Expected to open in mid-2015, this new-build property will join the collection of upscale Best Western Plus hotels.

Hotel facilities will include a conference room, fitness centre, spa, bar, and a terrace lounge with views across Thimphu's low-rise skyline. There will also be two restaurants, including one traditional Bhutanese option with outdoor seating. "Bhutan really is a paradise on Earth. Home to breathtaking mountains and glaciers, ancient monasteries, and an incredible variety of rare wildlife, this spiritual country offers an endless array of allures and attractions for lovers of nature and Himalayan culture. Best Western's entry into Bhutan marks another milestone in the company's Asian expansion strategy. Late last year, Best Western entered Myanmar for the first time, and already this year it has made its debut in Sri Lanka. The opening of this new upscale hotel in Bhutan will extend Best Western's regional coverage to more than 200 hotels in 24 countries across Asia and the Middle East.

Marriott International has opened its first luxury JW Marriott resort in India.
The JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove Resort & Spa is located at the hill station of Mussoorie, in the foothills of the Himalayas. All 115 rooms and suites feature their own private balconies overlooking the surrounding hills and gardens. Guests at the resort will be able to choose from a selection of five restaurants, while other leisure facilities include a spa with five treatment rooms, a fitness centre and indoor heated swimming pool, plus a large entertainment centre featuring a bowling alley, billiard and pool tables, games consoles and a library. The hotel also features some of the largest meeting space in the city, including the 305m2 Grand Orchard Ballroom, three break-out rooms and a large pre-function area. "JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove & Spa is a beautiful addition to our growing India portfolio and overall global presence," said Mitzi Gaskins, vice president & global brand manager for JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts. "Each year, thousands of travellers pass through the picturesque hill station of Mussoorie to experience its temples, gardens, hiking trails and natural falls and we are thrilled to celebrate that rich history and culture with our guests." The new resort becomes JW Marriott's sixth property in India, joining existing city hotels in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Pune and Bengaluru.

Jet Airways has boosted its international operations with the addition of extra flights to three key destinations – Bangkok, Colombo and Doha.

Earlier this month, Jet added a third daily direct flight on the Mumbai-Bangkok route. This makes Jet the Indian carrier with the most amount of flights to Bangkok, and under a new agreement with Vietnam Airlines it will also offer onward connections to Ho Chi Minh City. This new flight, 9W060, departs Mumbai at 1255 and arrives at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport at 1835. The return flight, 9W061, leaves Bangkok at 0855 and arrives back into Mumbai at 1155. "Jet Airways is delighted to introduce these additional frequencies from Mumbai to Doha, Colombo and Bangkok that will afford its guests the convenience of seamless travel and unmatched flight options," said Gaurang Shetty, the airline's senior vice president of commercial. "Jet Airways has already established itself as a prestigious brand in these competitive sectors in a relatively short period of time and these enhanced connectivity further emphasises the airline's commitment to growing this market." Jet Airways currently operates more than 560 daily flights, both domestic and international.

Jet Airways (India) Ltd. recently launched a daily direct service between Lucknow and Abu Dhabi. Flight 9W 512 took off from Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport at 1905 hrs and arrived at Abu Dhabi International Airport at 2220 hrs (local time). The return flight 9W 511 departed from Abu Dhabi at 1035 hrs (local time) to reach Lucknow at 1550 hrs, as per a release.

Jet Airways has deployed the Boeing 737-800 Next Generation (NG) aircraft on this route, where Premiere and Economy guests can avail of the airline's in-flight service and In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) programme. read more...

With 25 weekly flights to India after the launch of services to Mumbai yesterday, flydubai aims to operate 29 weekly flights to India by March 2015. During a media round-table in Mumbai today, to announce the arrival of its inaugural service to Mumbai, Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO, flydubai, said, "We will fully deploy our flying rights as per the bilateral agreement, by March 2015. This could be an addition to the existing routes or new cities in India. The launch of our Mumbai route is a clear indication of the enduring relationship between India and the UAE. Today's announcement is a reflection of this, and in tandem with the decision to increase seat capacity we can now offer enhanced options for passengers connecting to Dubai and other destinations in our network." read more...

SriLankan Airlines has commenced direct, non-stop service to London, with its newly acquired Airbus 330-300. The inaugural flight UL505 departed from Katunayake at 0225 hrs on November 9 for London Heathrow airport, returning to Colombo at 0440 hrs the next day, as per a release. The A330-300, the first of seven such aircraft on order from Airbus, was inducted to SriLankan's fleet last month, launching its wide-body fleet renewal and replacement programme, with the aim of reducing costs, improving operational efficiencies and providing an enhanced product offering to customers.

The A330-300 has configured its layout seating 297 passengers in two classes accommodating 28 in Business Class and 269 in Economy. The aircraft boasts of state-of-the-art cabin features, introducing innovations in in-flight entertainment systems with Thales Avant Audio-Video on Demand (AVOD) and Ambient lighting across both cabins, Wi-Fi Connectivity features and Ultra comfort in seating.

Air India is now enabling more Russian travellers to visit the beaches of Goa.

The national carrier now operates four weekly flights between the Goa and the Russian capital, Moscow, via New Delhi. Services run every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. The connections have been made possible by the addition of a third daily service between Delhi and Goa. The extra daily flight between Goa and Delhi is operated using an Airbus A319 aircraft, while the Delhi-Moscow uses a modern Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. "This [third daily Goa-Delhi] flight will offer additional capacity to meet the demand for the forthcoming holiday season," Air India said in statement.
And the airline is also expanding its Dreamliner operations on more domestic routes. The 256-seat twin-aisle aircraft is now available on two of the four daily Delhi-Bengaluru flights and one of the three daily Delhi-Kolkata services.
Air India now operates a fleet of 17 B787-8 Dreamliners.

Lufthansa has announced that the global roll-out of its Premium Economy Class will happen nine days earlier than planned. The new travel class will be available from tomorrow for the first time on all routes flown by a Boeing 747-8, including Bengaluru, Buenos Aires, Chicago, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Peking, Sao Paolo, Seoul, Tokyo-Haneda, and Washington D.C. Bengaluru becomes the first city in India to welcome Lufthansa's new Premium Economy offering, as per a release. read more...

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