The Newsletter from the Creative Travel Family of Brands
Dear Industry Colleagues,
Welcome to another edition of Creatively Yours,
As the year draws to a gentle close, December arrives with its familiar blend of reflection and warmth. The months behind us have asked for resilience and imagination, and as we step toward a new year, we do so with gratitude for the journey and quiet optimism for what awaits.
It is also the season when celebrations soften the air, and small joys take centre stage. In India, December ushers in our busiest travel period. Through Crafted by Creative, we curate seamless, meaningful journeys across the country, offering travellers access to experiences shaped by authenticity and a deep sense of place. We welcome you to explore these on our experiential journeys platform.
This month also brings a moment of pride: our Joint Managing Director, Rajeev Kohli, has been recognised across all three honours on the Eventex Power List 2025 — a distinction made especially meaningful by votes from the global events community. We extend heartfelt thanks to our partners and friends for their enduring trust. Read more below.
In this festive edition, we explore Christmas in India: a celebration of light, music, and warm hospitality that stretches from coastal towns to cathedral-filled cities. Under Iconic Things to Eat, we turn to Mumbai’s beloved Vada Pav, a humble street-side creation that has become a symbol of the city’s irresistible pace and flavour. In Indians Around the World, we reflect on the remarkable legacy of Homi Jehangir Bhabha, whose vision helped shape India’s scientific future. And in Cool Location, we escape to The Alampara in Tamil Nadu, a windswept coastal retreat where backwaters, casuarina groves, and open sky blend into a tranquil, cinematic landscape.
As always, we continue to offer tailored training and one-on-one strategy sessions for travel advisors and tour operators worldwide. To schedule a session for you and your team, please email us at knowledge@creative.travel with your details.
We will be reconnecting with our global community at Essence of Phuket in Thailand from 2–6 March 2026, followed by inVoyage Bangkok from 17–20 April 2026.
Read these and other stories in this edition of Creatively Yours. More news awaits you on our online portal — The South Asia Travel Journal.
Lucknow Joins UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network for Gastronomy
Lucknow has earned a coveted spot in UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network under the ‘Gastronomy’ category, a global recognition of its centuries-old culinary heritage. The city now joins 407 others worldwide celebrated.
Sri Lanka has announced the removal of its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirement for incoming tourists, simplifying entry procedures for international travellers. The Department of Immigration and Emigration confirmed that the directive, effective from October 15, has been withdrawn. As a result, visitors can once again apply for visas following the same procedures that were in place prior to the introduction of the ETA system.
Air India Express Launches Direct Trivandrum–Trichy Flights
Air India Express has introduced a new direct service between Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram) and Trichy (Tiruchirappalli), enhancing air connectivity between Kerala and Tamil Nadu’s key spiritual hubs. Launched on November 1, 2025, the flight operates six days a week.
Maldives Becomes First Nation to Enforce Generational Tobacco Ban
The Maldives has become the world’s first country to enforce a generational tobacco ban, prohibiting the sale, purchase, and use of tobacco for anyone born on or after January 1, 2007. Ratified on November 1, 2025, the amendment to the Tobacco Control Act aims to create a tobacco-free generation, with retailers now required to verify customer age before sales.Ratified on November 1, 2025, the amendment to the Tobacco Control Act aims to create a tobacco-free generation, with retailers now required to verify customer age before sales.
Nautika Pro Unveils India’s First Business-Class Ferry Experience in the Andamans
Nautika Pro has launched India’s first-ever business-class ferry service in the Andaman Islands, transforming inter-island travel into a premium experience. The new 2025 catamaran, the largest in the islands, connects Port Blair.
Oberoi Rajgarh Palace Opens in Khajuraho, Marking a New Chapter in Madhya Pradesh’s Luxury Tourism
The Oberoi Group has unveiled its newest landmark: The Oberoi Rajgarh Palace in Khajuraho, inaugurated by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. Celebrating the launch, he noted that the property “reflects the rich heritage of Madhya Pradesh while providing world-class hospitality,” positioning it as a significant addition to the state’s tourism landscape.
Dwarika’s Resort Unveils New Identity as Dwarika’s Sanctuary
Dwarika’s Collection has reintroduced its Dhulikhel retreat as Dwarika’s Sanctuary, marking a renewed vision of Himalayan wellbeing rooted in Buddhist and Vedic healing philosophies.
Discover Calm in the Wild: Brij Hotels launches its Newest Property in Bandhavgarh
Brij Hotels has unveiled its newest sanctuary: Brij Sone Bagh, a retreat where the untamed beauty of the jungle meets the quiet grace of mindful living.
Netarhat’s New Jungle Safari Puts Jharkhand’s “Queen of Chotanagpur” on the Map
Jharkhand has unveiled an immersive new experience for travellers, the Netarhat Jungle Safari, a project designed to showcase the hidden beauty of one of eastern India’s most underrated hill stations. Long known for its mist-wrapped forests, rolling hills and spectacular sunrise and sunset vistas, Netarhat in Latehar district is now stepping confidently into the spotlight with a safari that brings its wilderness to life.
Every year, as the vast white desert of Kutch awakens under the shimmering light of the moon, the Rann Utsav comes to life, inviting travelers from around the globe to experience the true essence of Gujarat. What began as a humble three-day event in 2005 has blossomed into one of India’s most celebrated.
The International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad, celebrated during Makar Sankranti, marks the sun’s transition into Capricorn and the arrival of longer days. Rich in cultural significance, it symbolises hope, prosperity, and community unity. Held annually, the festival transforms Gujarat’s skies into a rainbow of colourful kites, ranging from traditional designs to creative, modern artistry. Flying kites becomes a shared activity that brings people together, fostering a sense of community across generations and backgrounds. As one of Gujarat’s most beloved festivals,
Christmas in India – A Journey through Light, Faith & Festive Spirit
Christmas in India unfolds like a travel story painted in light, music and warm hospitality. Despite being a minority-observed festival, Christmas here feels remarkably widespread — celebrated in churches and city squares, in small towns and along the coastline, on decorated streets and in homes glowing with paper stars. What begins as a sacred Christian observance expands into a cultural season enjoyed by the entire nation, making December a beautiful time for travellers to explore India.
Raga Svara: Where India’s Ancient Wisdom Finds Its Quietest Expression
In the gentle landscapes of Kasturbadham, Raga Svara unfolds like a meditation: serene, intentional, and deeply rooted in India’s wellness heritage. This thoughtfully designed retreat stands apart not through opulence, but through its philosophy: healing is most powerful when nature, silence, and purposeful living meet.
Meeting and interactive session with a senior Monk
Embark on a transformative voyage into the heart of Bhutan’s spiritual essence with our exclusive encounter: an enchanting rendezvous with a revered senior monk. Delve into the timeless wisdom of Buddhism and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Bhutanese culture amidst an aura of pure serenity. Nestled within the sacred confines of monasteries or temples, this intimate session promises profound spiritual teachings and enlightening discussions on Buddhist philosophy and meditation.
The Alampara, Tamil Nadu: A Secret Coastal Hideaway
On a quiet stretch of Tamil Nadu’s Coromandel Coast, The Alampara feels less like a resort and more like a coastal hideaway discovered by chance and never quite forgotten. Reached via the East Coast Road, it unfurls across 50 acres of backwaters, lagoons and whispering casuarina groves, where sky, sand and water blur into a soft, cinematic haze.
Born in the bustling streets of Mumbai in the state of Maharashtra, Vada Pav originally fueled mill workers and daily commuters who needed something quick, hot, and affordable. Over time, it has evolved from a humble workers’ snack into a citywide obsession, often called Mumbai’s “vegetarian burger.” You’ll find it everywhere – from tiny roadside stalls near train stations to specialty shops and modern cafés offering gourmet versions with cheese, unique spices, or fusion sauces.
Homi Jehangir Bhabha: The Visionary Who Reimagined India’s Scientific Future
Homi Jehangir Bhabha’s story reads almost like a quiet revolution, one shaped not by rhetoric, but by intellect, ambition, and a profound belief in India’s scientific potential. Born in 1909 into a distinguished Parsi family in Bombay, Bhabha left for Cambridge to study engineering, only to discover a deeper calling in theoretical physics. His early research on cosmic rays positioned him among the world’s leading young scientists.
In India, winter arrives not only with a change in temperature, but with the unmistakable aroma of slow-cimmering carrots—known locally as gajar—melding with milk, ghee, and warming spices. Gajar Ka Halwa, literally translated as carrot pudding, is far more than a dessert. It is a seasonal ritual, a celebration of harvest, and a symbol of warmth shared across generations. Made exclusively during the colder months when winter carrots are at their sweetest and most flavorful, this glowing dessert is also a cherished feature at Indian weddings, where it is served as an emblem of prosperity, comfort, and joyful beginnings.
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