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Welcome to another edition of "Creatively
Yours", the newsletter from Creative Travel India.
Dear Industry Colleagues :
Here is
another issue of "Creatively yours'. March is finally here. That
means two things for us - a slow down in the traditional inbound season
and the onset of summer. Hopefully we will get a slight break from the
regimen of a brutally hectic last few months.
This also brings us to the period where we start contracting for the
post September 2006 rates. Last year,
The heated demand in the gateways also caused a lot of problems that
are consequences of hotel overbooking and failures to meet contractual
obligations. I am proud
to say that given our strong relationships with the hotels and our consistent
respect for contracts, Creative Travel was put through very minimal
distress when compared to other DMCs in the market. This is one of the
reasons partners world-wide trust us to look after the best interests
of their clients.
February 28 also saw the announcement of the Indian National Budget
for 2006 – 2007. Our industry has seen a marginal increase in the rate
of the service tax. The impact of that will be known once the analysis
of the budget document is done.
We appreciate the support our partners all over the world have shown
us. It is with your partnership that Creative is where it is today.
For those of you with whom we have not had the pleasure of working with, all
I can say is try us and see the Creative magic for yourself.
Summer is a great time to see
Through "Creatively Yours" we hope to keep you
informed on the latest news in Team Creative and the destination. We
hope you find this to be useful.
Have a Creative Day !
Rajeev Kohli
Director of Marketing
Creative Travel India
Established in 1977, Creative Travel has grown to be among India's leading Destination Management Companies covering all of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Tibet. This region is a special place for travelers and our vast experience in handling clients from all over the world allows us to create the most memorable programs for you.
- Where you can find us next - We will be at......ITB 2006, Berlin.
- Festival Alert - HOLI !!!
- Special Offer from Creative Travel and Oberoi Hotels - Experience Exotic India with Oberoi resorts...
- Client Comment of the Month - Find out what our Clients have to say about us in this section.
- Destination News - India to host Global Village this October, Kashmiri Shikaras in Rajasthan, Art of living celebrates Silver Jubilee, Colombo to host PATA.....all this and more Destination news.
- Hotel News - Ananda scored Conde Nast Readers, The Imperial awarded , Aditya Resorts and Spa opens ....all this and more update on hotels.
- Aviation News - Update on airlines....Kingfisher Airlines launches King Mobile Service, SriLankan Airlines plans flights to Goa, Etihad Airways to expand operations ... and more.
- Special Feature - Rajasthan Day Celebrations....
Where you can find us next
Festival Alert
Holi
Holi celebrates an ultimate triumph of the 'good' over the 'evil'. The most widely held belief is that Holi marks the day when the devotee of lord Vishnu, Bakt Prahlad, seated on the lap of demoness Holika, was saved from the effect of the fire by God and the demoness got burnt instead. Holi, the most lively of all Hindu festivals is observed all over North India. It heralds the end of the winter and the beginning of the spring and marks the rekindling of the spirit of life. It is a festival of joy when all is forgiven.
The night before full
moon, crowds of people gather together and light huge bonfires. People
throw coloured powders at each other and make merry. People, young and
old are drenched with colours. Singing and dancing add to the gaiety
of the occasion. The Holi celebrations in Mathura and the small towns
of Braj Bhoomi - the land of Sri Krishna, are spectacular. The Rang
Gulal Festival is celebrated for over a week with exuberant processions,
songs and music.
Creative Travel will be closed on 15th March, 2006.
Special Offer from Creative Travel & Oberoi Hotels
Experience
Exotic India with Oberoi resorts
This summer, enjoy a bonus of upto 7 extra nights, with our compliments!
At every Oberoi hotel and resort, you can experience
India in its true spirit of royal hospitality, palatial comfort, grand
architecture and elegant style. Create your own exotic itinerary between
Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Ranthambhore or Shimla in the Himalayas. Get
pampered with the glorious cuisine of India while our spas revitalise
you with Ayurvedic massages and Yoga sessions.
Agents booking this package through Creative Travel can get special commission.
For more details click here or email us.
Special
Offer from Creative Travel & Taj Hotels
Incredible Escapes
Stay for 6 nights, pay for 3.....Stay
for 10 nights, pay for 5......Stay for 14 nights, pay for 7......&
more....
For more details click
here or email us.
We at Creative track
client feedback very carefully. Each evaluation form gives us an insight
on our operations and allows us to constantly refine our service delivery
process. Now and then we get a few letters that brighten up our days.
This is just one of them.
Mr. Ram Kohli
Chairman
CreativeTravel Pvt. Ltd.
Dear
Ram
This letter is expressly to place on record my personal and Lufthansa's
deep appreciation for all the valuable and unfailing help and support
that you and your team have extended to us on various occassions in
the past.....Read
more...
India
Delhi to host Global Village this October
The Delhi Global Village is scheduled to commence between September
30 and October 31, 2006. A 40 acre plot near Delhi will host the “Global
Village.” Out of this 20 acres have been slotted for stalls from different
parts of the country as well as for foreign participants, while the
rest of the area has been allocated for the visitor’s parking. The state
tourism expects over 25 countries to participate in this event.
Kerala trains eyes on streamlining its health tourism
In an effort to promote health tourism in Kerala, the
state government has drawn up plans to network major hospitals and strictly
enforce quality standards for Ayurvedic resorts. The state tourism minister
K C Venugopal recently informed that the Kerala Tourism Development
Corporation (KTDC) had signed an MoU with Amrita India Institute of
Medical Sciences as a step in this direction. A committee, comprising
Ayurveda experts, tour operators and officials, has been formed to assess
the quality of Ayurveda resorts and treatment centres in Kerala.
Art Of Living celebrates Silver Jubilee with world’s largest collective meditation
The Art of Living (AOL) celebrated its silver jubilee 17-19 February in Bangalore with Vedic ceremonies and 15th century music. This was followed by an address by Sri Sri Ravishanker, the AOLs charismatic guru sending the crowd into raptures. Scores of people, including several heads of states from at least 140 countries across the globe were among an estimated 2.5 million strong crowd of followers who gathered for the celebrations making it the largest collective meditation in history.
4th Conventions India Conclave from August 2-3, 2006
The India Convention Promotion Bureau, a body sponsored
by the ministry of tourism with private industry partnership recently
announced the date for its forthcoming ‘Convention India Conclave’,
which is to be held on 2-3 August, 2006. The conclave will be an opportunity
for participants from many different but related disciplines to bring
with them a world of knowledge, a desire to seek information and share
experiences. The convention would also be organised with an aim to strengthen
the brand positioning of Incredible India as a MICE destination.
Kashmir Shikaras to float on Rajasthan’s Lakes
The houseboats and Shikaras of Kashmir will soon become
a part of the lakes of Udaipur and Jodhpur. Initially shikaras and houseboats
will be launched in Fatehsagar lake in Udaipur and in Kaylana lake in
Jodhpur from March. If successful the project will be extended to Jaipur,
Kota, Bundi and Jhalawar.
99 Year old Matheran Toy Train’s service restored for tourists
The floods in Maharashtra (26 July 2005) washed away
most of the tracks of the Neral-Matheran toy train putting a stop to
the train that will complete a 100 years in 2007. Now the central Railway
is offering charters of the train for a 6.5km run between Neral and
Jummapatti.
Nepal
NTB Bags PATA Gold Award in CD-Rom
Category
The Pacific Asia Travel Association has announced to award PATA Gold
Award in CD ROM Category to Nepal Tourism Board's recently produced
CD-ROM on Nepal's tourism. The winning campaigns were selected from
more than 200 Gold Award entries by panels of international experts
in each category. The awards were open to both PATA and non-PATA members.
The award CD ROM; offers precise information about Nepal's tourism;
with hundreds of photographs; write ups; music and videos; in nine different
sections: The Country; Facts for Visitors; Tourist Destinations; National
Parks; Trekking and Mountaineering; Rafting and Kayaking; Other Outdoor
Activities; Suggested Itineraries and Tourism Related Services.
Sri Lanka
Colombo scheduled to host PATA in 2008
Sri Lanka will host the Pacific Asia Travel Association
annual conference in 2008 in the the Capital City, Colombo. This event
is expected to further advance Sri Lanka’s National Travel and Tourism
sectors.
Kanneliya Reserve Conservation Centre opens
The new
Kanneliya Reserve Conservation Centre Complex, Information Centre and
Museum built in the Kanneliya Rain Forest Reserve adjoining the Sinharaja
Forest has opened. The 12,000 acre Kanneliya Forest Reserve consists
of 234 different plant species. Among them are a large concentration
of medicinal plant and creepers. The reserve which is rich in bio-diversity
has 155 species of endemic plants and 60 different species of animals
of which 25 are endemic to Sri Lanka. The newly opened information centre
has a valuable collection of data and other information about the Kanneliya
Reserve.
Sigiriya Handicraft Village gets facelift
The Ministry of Rural Industries
will modernise the Sigiriya Handicraft Village providing its 21 vacant
trade stalls to craftsmen who create and manufacture quality craft items
in the country. Under this programme, these stalls will be handed over
to craftsmen within two months through the National Craft Council. The
full range of Sri Lankan Handicrafts is on display at the village. People
have an opportunity to observe, touch and feel the crafts and also to
chat with the artisans and craftsmen while they are at their creative
work.
Bhutan
Paro Tsechu,
09 - 13 April
The Paro Tsechu is the biggest and most spectacular of
the Buddhist festivals held each year in early to mid April with dates
set by the lunar calendar. Performed by monks, lay monks and citizens,
a Tsechu is performed by Bhutanese for Bhutanese to recount the history
of Bhutan and the Buddha. Performing and watching a tsechu is an act
of merit building and honour. This victory of the Buddhist doctrines
of "Dharma" over evil powers is the theme of the Bhutanese
Tsechu celebration. The "gods of death", the dance of the
stagg and the hound, kings and queens, the triumphal entrance of
the Guru are all portrayed here in dance. Tsechus take place all over
the country, but Paro is the most famous and includes the world's largest
Thangka to be unfurled early in the morning of the last day.
India
Ananda in The Himalayas scores with Conde Nast
Readers
Ananda in the Himalayas has been voted as the first runner up in the
category “the Best Overseas Lifestyle Destination Spa” by the readers
of Conde Nast Traveller Magazine. Swirled
in the sacred mists of time, nestled in the Himalayas is Ananda, a world
class Destination Spa. Once the residence of Maharaja of Tehri-Garhwal,
it is dedicated to today’s traveler, who is looking for innovative ways
to restore and rejuvenate his energies.
The Imperial awarded at World Travel Market
The Imperial has been awarded the prestigious World Travel Award for being the ‘Leading Hotel in India for 2005.’ The recognition was conferred at the Gala Awards ceremony of the 12th World Travel Awards that took place at WTM in London. Candidates for nominations are based upon the previous year’s voting. Voting is cast by travel agents in over 200 countries around the world.
Park Plaza Royal Palms Mumbai wins top award
Barely four months after its opening, the Park Plaza
Royal Palms, Mumbai has won the covted ''best corporate (business) Hotel''
in the luxury category. The award, instituted by the prestigious India
Interenational Tourism Council, was received by Mr Dilawar Nensy, Joint
Managing Director, Park Plaza Royal Palms, Mumbai. The 223 rooms and
suites Park Plaza Royal Palms, a Sarovar Hotel, is set amidst 240 acres
of landscaped greenery, locted near the famed Aarey Milk Colony. It
is seven kms. from the international airport and 28 kms. from Mumbai
City Centre.
Travel and Leisure features Shreyas as among the top 50 resorts
Shreyas Resort has been featured amongst the top 50 romantic and unusual resorts. According to the publication "The ashram meets the Amanresort at Shreyas, a farmland yoga retreat 22 miles outside Bangalore. Its four cottages and eight tented chalets—with all the typical luxuries (but no television)—are drizzled with jasmine, frangipani, and rose petals. Couples spend most of the day indoors, recharging with rigorous twice-daily Hatha yoga classes and vegetarian dishes prepared with produce from the gardens.
Le Royal Meridien Mumbai bags Five-Star Diamond Award 2006
Conferred by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences, the ‘International Five Star Diamond Award’ is the most prestigious symbol of excellence for luxury hotels across the globe. Le Royal Meridien Mumbai is only one of the select few within India to have won this prestigious title. The award was bestowed after evaluating hospitality, gastronomy, attitude, quality, cleanliness and above all service at the hotel. A board of internationally renowned trustees oversees the decision to recognise establishments and organisations worldwide that demonstrate outstanding commitment to hospitality within their category and classification.
Hotel Marina to re-open as Radisson Marina
Hotel Marina situated in the capital’s historic market, Connaught Place, was built around 1930 and is one of the earliest hotels of Delhi. It will open as a four star hotel maintaining its heritage character. The Marina has signed a franchise agreement with Radisson and after renovation will open as the Radisson Marina.
Ramada Plaza soon to open its doors in Delhi
Next to the Shangri La is the former Ashok Yatri Niwas of the ITDC. This property has been sold and refurbished and will be launched as a 450 room hotel, to cater to upscale tourists, as the Ramada Plaza.
Marriott opens new hotel in India
Marriott International, Inc. has opened a Courtyard hotel
in Chennai, India, under a management agreement with Palm Grove Beach
Hotels Pvt. Ltd. The 238-room Courtyard by Marriott Chennai is the first
Courtyard by Marriott property to open in the country. The Courtyard
by Marriott Chennai is conveniently located near the Chennai Trade Center.
Nearby attractions include Fort St. George and Marina Beach.
Future openings in the country include the-
-
JW Marriott Hotel Bangalore - The 250-room property is scheduled to open in early 2007. The JW Marriott Hotel Bangalore will be located in close proximity to the heart of the city’s commercial center and high-end residential neighbourhoods, Bangalore’s race course and golf course, and the Palace Gardens, in addition to the primary retail and entertainment areas of the city center. The airport is approximately a 25-minute drive away.
-
Hyderabad Marriott Hotel (2006).
Leela Group to manage a new 5-star property at Gurgaon
Hotel Leela Venture has signed a management agreement with Ambience Hotels and Resorts to manage a 5-star deluxe hotel with 319 guestrooms and suites along with 90 Serviced Residences which is under construction at Gurgaon. The group plans to enter into more such management agreements selectively in India and abroad. The Leela Kempinski Gurgaon and The Leela Residences will be part of an up-scale, mixed-use development located on a plot of about five-acres which includes an up-market shopping centre measuring 15,000 sq metres. Strategically located just across to the Delhi border, the development has the unique feature of having a 1 km long shopping mall located on National Highway - 8, leading to Gurgaon city.
The Leela, Goa fascinates President
Clinton
In the midst of a hectic agenda the tranquil Leela,
Goa was recommended by US Senator Mr. Stephen Z Solarz for former
President William J Clinton's stay. Flying straight in on a private
flight from Islamabad, the President was warmly welcomed by the Chairman
Capt. C. P. Krishnan Nair and his wife Leela. The stunning grandeur
of the Vijayanagara Empire architecture impressed him.
Click here to read
more...
Click image for closer look
Taj GVK on major expansion drive
Taj GVK Hotels & Resorts is set to expand its
business operations around the country. Expected to be operational by
2008, Taj GVK will be building a new, 189 room business hotel in Hyderabad.
The company is setting up a five-star business hotel in Chennai. It
also plans to add another 129 rooms at the Taj Krishna in Hyderabad.
Sri Lanka
Aditya Resorts & Spa opens
Aditya, Sri Lanka’s newest boutique hotel is located
on a secluded stretch of beach, about a hundred kilometres south of
Colombo. This fascinating corner of the island, typifies the variety
of Sri Lanka. The colonial port of Galle, with its historic Dutch fort,
is a ten minute drive south from Aditya. Hikkaduwa, just to the north
of Aditya, is famous for its coral gardens as well as its characterful
restaurants and bars. Aditya offers a unique sense of escape, a sanctuary
from the humdrum, the mundane and maddening. Accommodation consists
of Five Garden Suites, Six Sea View Suites, and the Grand Surya Suite.
Each suite is equipped with a full range of luxury and convenience features,
including a private plunge pool. Guests can summon room service, laundry,
and en suite spa treatment with an exiting and holistic spa menu.
Six Senses invests USD 10 m in Sri Lanka
One of the leading hotel chains, Six Senses Resorts and Spas will invest in Sri Lanka to build a six star luxury hotel on a 10 acre land bordering Triton Ahungalle. The construction of the hotel would commence in June and would be opened towards the end of 2007.
India
Kingfisher Airlines launches King Mobile Service
Kingfisher Airlines has launched a new service to keep its clients updated even when on the move. King Mobile enables passengers to get the latest flight information on their cell phone. By using the King Mobile service a traveller can get information on schedules, flight status and assistance numbers in various cities and flight schedule alerts instantly. To know more about the service all a passenger in India needs to do is type “King” and send an SMS to 6388 to get the entire menu and details on how to avail each of these services.
Jagson Airlines to plug in Pondicherry from Chennai, Bangalore &
Tirupati
The Union Territory of Pondicherry is soon going to be connected by air for the first time. Jagson Airlines is going to launch its services from Chennai, Bangalore and Tirupati. Goutham Reddy, director tourism informed that special packages are planned for the tourists besides many tourism development projects to boost tourism in the Union Territory.
Kingfisher launches Mumbai-Mangalore service
Kingfisher Airlines recently announced the launch of
its new service between Mumbai and Mangalore. The new route will
provide convenient service for business and leisure travellers alike
with an inaugural True Value fare of Rs 1,999 onwards for travel between
Mumbai and Mangalore. With the launch of this new route, the number
of daily flights offered by Kingfisher Airlines has gone up to 58 connecting
14 key Indian cities.
Sri Lanka
SriLankan Airlines plans flights to Goa
The Indian market for SriLankan Airlines is expected to grow strongly over the next five years. In tune with that potential, India will be the primary market focus for the carrier this year. Its next growth opportunity would be from new destinations such as Goa in the next winter. It also has plans for other cities, which would offer it two-way traffic. It plans to provide 70-seater flights to the smaller towns such as Coimbatore and Mangalore. SriLankan Airlines is also in talks with Indian (airlines) to develop an air pass that would let foreign visitors use either of the airlines' services regardless of sector at competitive rates.
Italian Blue Panorama flies Sri Lankan skies
Italian carrier Blue Panorama has stepped in to fill
the existing gap in capacity between Italy and Sri Lanka. The inaugural
flight arrived in Sri Lanka on February 20, 2006. The airline will operate
a brand new Boeing 767-300ER aircraft once weekly, arriving at the Bandaranaike
International Airport on Monday mornings, increasing to twice-weekly
services from May onwards. Configured for both business- and economy-class,
the Blue Panorama will operate the Rome-Milan-Colombo route. The aim
is to bring tourists to Sri Lanka while facilitating the ethnic market
and provide a scheduled carrier for Sri Lankans living in Italy to travel
back home. Space would also be available for up to 10 tonnes of cargo
to Italy and beyond.
International
Etihad Airways to expand operations in South India
Etihad Airways, the national airline of United Arab Emirates, is planning to start direct services from Abu Dhabi to south Indian destinations by the year-end. The cities in focus include Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai. At present, the airline operates 10 flights a week from India to Abu Dhabi -- seven from Mumbai and three from Delhi. Besides south Indian cities, the airline is also contemplating to connect Amritsar and Kolkata in the near future.
Thailand-India flight capacity set to double
India and Thailand have agreed to nearly double air-seat capacity for their respective airlines over the next three years. The move will give a substantial boost to business and leisure travel between the two countries. Thai Airways International has gained rights to fly to Hyderabad, its sixth city in India, and increase flights to Bangalore and Chennai (Madras) to daily services. THAI''s budget subsidiary airline Nok Air has also been included in the agreement as a designated carrier, while Jet Airways and Air Sahara have been included as designated airlines from the Indian side.
Qatar Airways to make Nagpur Sixth Indian Destination
The Akbar Al Baker led Qatar Airways will fly non-stop from Doha to Nagpur, three times a week. At present the airline operates to Delhi, Bombay Trivandrum, Cochin and Hyderabad. The Nagpur route will commence this summer with an Airbus A 320.
Jetstar launches flights from Bangalore
Enthused by its successful operations to Kolkata, Jetstar Asia launched its Bangalore-Singapore service.
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Rajasthan Day Celebrations, 21- 30 March
in Jaipur
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