The Newsletter from the Creative Travel Family of Brands
Dear Industry Colleagues,
Welcome to another edition of 'Creatively Yours'.
As we step into the shoulder season for travel in India, the Creative team is buzzing with fresh energy, curating unique experiences and uncovering new opportunities for discovery.
This month, the spotlight is on mindful and immersive travel. Sikkim has introduced tourist entry fees to support sustainable tourism, while IndiGo unveils IndiGoStretch on the Delhi–Hyderabad route for added comfort. In a significant conservation move, Madhav National Park has been declared India’s 58th Tiger Reserve. We also welcome Sariska Lodge — a new haven blending wildlife with wellness.
In our Cool Location feature, we head to Nepal’s mystical Upper Mustang. Perched at 2,800 metres, Shinta Mani Mustang – A Bensley Collection redefines Himalayan luxury with dramatic landscapes and soulful serenity. Our Iconic Things to Eat pick this month is the ever-refreshing Lassi, and Story of the Month explores the poetic diversity behind the many names of the New Year across India.
We are also gearing up for key industry events, including L.E/Miami and IMEX Frankfurt. We look forward to reconnecting with industry friends and forging new partnerships that will shape the future of travel.
We are delighted to present our 2025 ‘Be our Guest‘ portfolio to our partners. This gives you the opportunity to experience not only India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, but also the legendary services that have made us what we are today. Many will copy us, but there is only one ‘Be our Guest‘.
For personalized training and strategy sessions tailored for travel advisors and tour operators, feel free to reach out to us at knowledge@creative.travel Stay informed with weekly updates from The South Asia Travel Journal.
See details here.
They say, “seeing is believing”.
Can words describe 3.2 million sq. kms. of the Indian subcontinent? Can pictures capture a terrain as diverse as lush green forests, golden deserts and the majestic Himalaya range? Can stories tell you all you want to know about the complex cultures of the Indian people, their languages and dialects, their rituals and traditions? To feel their magic, be touched by her spirituality, experience her intensity or join in her celebrations, you have to be in India.
Akasa Air has expanded its global footprint by launching non-stop flights between Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Abu Dhabi, strengthening air connectivity between India and the UAE. The new routes mark Akasa's entry into the UAE capital and are part of its broader international expansion strategy. Operating four times a week from both Indian cities, these services aim to meet the growing demand for affordable, direct travel between key Indian metros and the Gulf.
Jetwing unveils a boutique nature retreat in Rambukkana
Jetwing Hotels has announced the opening of its latest property in Rambukkana, Sri Lanka, offering a boutique escape near the renowned Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. Nestled in lush greenery, the new retreat blends sustainable luxury with authentic local experiences. The property features eco-conscious architecture, serene views, and personalised hospitality, making it ideal for nature lovers and slow travellers. Jetwing Rambukkana is designed to support responsible tourism while spotlighting the region's natural and cultural heritage. With this addition, Jetwing strengthens its portfolio of eco-luxury offerings across Sri Lanka.
Sikkim introduces tourist entry fees to promote sustainable travel
In a move to regulate tourism and support sustainable development, Sikkim has announced it will begin charging an entry fee for tourists. The new regulation aims to manage growing tourist footfall while generating funds for local infrastructure and environmental conservation. While the fee structure and implementation.
Bhubaneswar to Abu Dhabi: Direct flights to boost global connectivity
In a significant boost to Odisha's international connectivity, Bhubaneswar's Biju Patnaik International Airport is set to launch direct flights to Abu Dhabi. This new air route will enhance travel options for both leisure and business travellers. The service marks a significant milestone in linking eastern India with the Middle East, promising easier access for the diaspora, tourists, and trade. It reflects ongoing efforts to position Bhubaneswar as a global gateway, encouraging cultural exchange and economic ties.
IHCL strengthens boutique luxury portfolio with Claridges Collection and Udaipur launch
The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has launched the Claridges Collection, a boutique luxury brand focused on curated, heritage-rich stays. The Claridges New Delhi will be the inaugural property, with Taj Connemara Chennai and Blue Diamond Pune to follow. IHCL plans to expand this portfolio to 20 properties by 2030.
Two Indian hotels on TIME's 'World's Greatest Places' List for 2025
TIME Magazine has released its 2025 list of the World’s Greatest Places, celebrating extraordinary destinations worldwide. Among the selected entries in the ‘Places to Stay’ category are two luxurious Indian hotels. The Oberoi Vindhyavilas Wildlife Resort, a 21-acre retreat near Bandhavgarh National Park, offers lavish tented accommodations with tribal-inspired decor, gourmet dining and immersive cultural experiences like Gond art and village walks. Meanwhile, Raffles Jaipur, a palace-style hotel inspired by a royal zenana, dazzles with Mughal arches.
Accor has expanded its presence in India’s capital by opening Novotel New Delhi City Centre. This 124-room hotel is designed to offer a seamless blend of comfort and functionality, catering to both business and leisure travellers. Strategically located in the city’s heart, the property provides easy access.
IndiGo Introduces IndiGoStretch on Delhi–Hyderabad Route
IndiGo has expanded its business class offering, IndiGoStretch, to the Delhi–Hyderabad route. The service, already available on key routes like Delhi–Mumbai and Delhi–Chennai, features wider seats with extra legroom. Flyers can expect a 38-inch seat pitch, 5-inch recline, six-way adjustable headrest, device holders, USB-C power ports (60W), and a three-pin universal power outlet. Passengers also enjoy gourmet in-flight meals, specially curated by Oberoi Flight Services, as part of the premium service experience.
The Maldives just got dreamier with the grand opening of Centara Grand Lagoon—an island sanctuary where turquoise waters meet barefoot luxury. Nestled within the Atollia collective, this resort combines stunning beachfront and overwater villas, breezy beach clubs, and soulful spa rituals.
Oberoi unveils Oberoi Vindhyavilas Wildlife Resort in Bandhavgarh
The Oberoi Group has announced the opening of The Oberoi Vindhyavilas Wildlife Resort near Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh. Nestled within 21 acres of forest, the resort offers 19 luxury tents and two villas.
Madhav National Park declared India’s 58th Tiger Reserve
Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh has officially become India’s 58th tiger reserve, reinforcing the country’s conservation legacy. The park covers over 350 sq km of forest, grassland, and wetland ecosystems in the Shivpuri district. Once a royal hunting ground, it’s a protected sanctuary supporting diverse flora and fauna. Upgrading tiger reserve status will enhance ecological protection, encourage eco-tourism, and further India’s tiger conservation goals. With this declaration.
Marriott launches Jim Corbett Marriott Resort & Spa in Uttarakhand
Marriott Hotels has expanded its presence in Uttarakhand with the opening of the Jim Corbett Marriott Resort & Spa. Situated on the banks of the Kosi River, the resort offers guests a luxurious retreat amidst the natural beauty.
Sariska Lodge: A new sanctuary for wildlife and wellness
Recently opened near Sariska Tiger Reserve, Sariska Lodge offers a harmonious blend of luxury and nature. Set across 15 acres, the lodge features ten suites, including Mountain Suites with panoramic Aravalli views, Pool Suites with terrazzo bathtubs, and Fort Suites with private rooftops overlooking the historic 18th-century Tehla Fort. The property is designed with sustainability and incorporates local stone and wood, rainwater harvesting, and an organic garden supplying fresh produce.
Paro Tshechu is one of Bhutan’s most vibrant religious festivals annually in the stunning Paro Valley. Rooted in Vajrayana Buddhism, it honours Guru Rinpoche, the saint who brought Buddhism to Bhutan.
Thrissur Pooram, held every May in Kerala, is one of India’s most dazzling temple festivals. It celebrates the annual gathering of deities from nearby temples to the Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur — a tradition started by Maharaja Rama Varma in the 18th century. Rooted in devotion and community spirit, it honours Lord Shiva and marks the harmonious gathering of temples in a show of unity. Two main groups.
Buddha Poornima and Vesak Poya in Sri lanka or Vesak in Bhutan ( 12 May)
Buddha Purnima in India and Vesak in Sri Lanka and Bhutan commemorate the birth, enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana of Lord Buddha. In India, sacred sites like Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, and Kushinagar draw pilgrims for prayer, meditation, and acts of kindness.
In India, the New Year isn't a single midnight countdown. It doesn't arrive with party hats and champagne flutes. It comes gently, like a hush before dawn, like a breeze rustling through temple bells. It arrives in different seasons, under different skies, through ancient and evolving rituals. Here, time isn't a square on a calendar; it flows with the rhythm of sun and soil, seed and spirit, harvest and hope. And so, across the land, the New Year takes many names, each one echoing a community’s way of beginning again.
Shinta mani Mustang: High-altitude refuge in the other Himalayas
At 2,800 metres above sea level, just outside Jomsom in Nepal’s Upper Mustang, Shinta Mani Mustang – A Bensley Collection offers an arresting contrast to the conventional Himalayan retreat. This is the trans-Himalayan rain shadow, where dry riverbeds score ochre cliffs and prayer flags flutter above windswept ridges. Here, Tibetan Buddhist culture peeks from weathered monasteries, while sky caves, chortens, and centuries-old salt trade routes etch the land with meaning.
This ubiquitous drink is served in terracotta Kulhads or tall steel tumblers nationwide. Lassi is India’s most beloved summer elixir…frothy, creamy, and deeply comforting. A blend of curd, water, and a swirl of tradition heralds a moment of pause in a searing afternoon. It’s a symbol of hospitality, a bridge between nourishment and indulgence.
Nestled in the serene embrace of the Sahyadri Mountains in Maharashtra, Dharana at Shillim is an award-winning luxury wellbeing retreat spread across a lush forested estate, this eco-luxury wellness destination invites you to step away from the chaos and immerse yourself in intentional living.
Often hailed as India’s Frida Kahlo, Amrita Sher-Gil was revolutionary in modern Indian art. Born in Budapest in 1913 to a Sikh father and a Hungarian mother, she existed at the cusp of two worlds. It was this confluence that shaped her bold, unflinching vision. From Parisian ateliers to Indian hinterlands, Amrita traced her own path, a fusion of Western technique and Indian spirit.
Fish Curry, is a culinary cornerstone celebrated across the vibrant tapestry of Indian cuisine. Embark on a flavor-filled journey as locally sourced treasures like coconut, poppy seeds, and tamarind dance harmoniously, each adding their unique twist to this beloved dish.
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