The Newsletter from the Creative Travel Family of Brands
Dear Industry Colleagues,
Welcome to another edition of 'Creatively Yours'.
With summer in full swing across India, we embrace a radiant season of growth, renewal, and thoughtful reflection — a perfect time to embrace the ever-evolving travel landscape of South Asia. In this edition, we bring you stories that celebrate heritage, creativity, and the spirit of discovery.
We’re also excited to share the 2025 edition of our ‘Be our Guest‘ portfolio — your passport to immersive experiences across India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Many may imitate, but there’s only one Be Our Guest. For personalized training or strategic sessions, feel free to contact us at knowledge@creative.travel. and subscribe to The South Asia Travel Journal for weekly insights.
We kick off with exciting industry highlights and this month’s Cool Location takes us to Ahilya Fort in Maheshwar — a living testament to the legacy of Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar. Our Iconic Things to Eat feature celebrates Naan — India’s most beloved bread. In Indians Around the World, we honor Vikram Sarabhai — the visionary physicist who helped launch India’s space program.
Looking ahead, we’re preparing for major global events like Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas and PURE Life Experiences in Marrakech — essential opportunities to reconnect with our industry community and shape the future of experiential travel.
Lastly, we’re honored to be nominated once again in three categories at the prestigious 32nd World Travel Awards. Your vote means the world to us — find the links in our Creative in the News section and across our social platforms.
Creative Travel and Jungle sutra have been nominated yet again by the prestigious World Travel Awards
It's about trust, continuity, and reliability of 48 years we have honoured the trust our clients & partners have placed in us across India and the subcontinent. We have never let a partner down and never will.
We are humbled and honoured to have been nominated yet again by the prestigious World Travel Awards in three categories -
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.
Fairmont Mumbai officially opened its doors, with Rajiv Kapoor at the helm as General Manager. Bringing over two decades of experience in luxury hospitality, Kapoor has been instrumental in leading the hotel through its pre-opening stages and shaping its vision. The property showcases 446 rooms.
Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) has unveiled Coral Pearl, Lakshadweep – an IHCL SeleQtions property on Bangaram Island. This exclusive resort features 50 luxurious glamping tents, each offering panoramic views of the Arabian Sea through expansive glass panels. The interiors are designed with subtle hues and natural textures, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Guests can indulge in a culinary journey at 'Smok,' the all-day dining restaurant, or unwind at 'Calypso,' a vibrant bar inspired by the deep-sea legends of Lakshadweep.
CGH Earth Saha has introduced Hibiscus Villa, a private lakeside retreat on the serene shores of Vembanad Lake in Kerala. Designed for families and small groups seeking a tranquil escape, the villa features three spacious bedrooms, an airy living and dining area.
IndiGo launches Abu Dhabi flights from Bhubaneswar & Vizag
IndiGo has introduced direct flights from Bhubaneswar and Visakhapatnam to Abu Dhabi, significantly improving international connectivity for travellers in eastern and southern India. The Bhubaneswar–Abu Dhabi route will operate three times a week, while the Visakhapatnam–Abu Dhabi service will run four times weekly. These new routes are part of IndiGo's wider expansion in the UAE market, increasing its weekly flights to the region to 275 from 18 Indian cities, including 100 weekly flights to Abu Dhabi alone.
The Vande Bharat Express between Jodhpur and Delhi provides a faster and more comfortable travel option across the 620 km route. The semi-high-speed train completes the journey in about 9 hours, stopping at seven key stations, including Jaipur, Alwar, and Gurgaon.
Leisure Hotels enters Rajasthan with Ranthambore resort
Leisure Hotels Group (LHG) has made its Rajasthan debut with Singhvilas, a boutique jungle resort located just 4 km from Ranthambore National Park's safari gates. The resort offers 24 well-appointed villas across the Deluxe, Junior Suite, and Premium Suite categories, each featuring modern comforts such as private plunge pools and outdoor seating with stunning jungle views. Guests can savour global and local cuisine at the alfresco restaurant, L'attitude, and enjoy unique experiences such as guided safaris.
Padmaa, a 18th century haveli in Jaipur, has reopened as a luxury boutique hotel, offering a tranquil escape in the heart of the Pink City. Situated on Chaura Rasta, a historic route once used for royal processions.
IHG Hotels and Resorts launches Crowne Plaza Lucknow
IHG Hotels & Resorts has launched Crowne Plaza Lucknow, marking its 50th hotel in India. Situated on Lucknow-Sultanpur Road, the property offers easy access to Shahid Path, the city’s growing IT hub, and the cricket stadium, catering to both business and leisure travellers. The hotel features 110 well-appointed rooms and expansive event spaces spanning 40,000 square feet, accommodating up to 700 guests.
Olive Café & Bar has launched its newest location in Kolkata, marking the Olive Group's expansion into India's eastern region. Situated on Shakespeare Sarani, the restaurant offers a Mediterranean-inspired menu blending Greek, Italian, and coastal flavours.
Ladakh is home to one of the world's highest densities of snow leopards, with an estimated 477 individuals living across the region, nearly two thirds of India's total snow leopard population. This data comes from the Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SLPAI) survey which utilised camera traps and field research across snow leopard habitat. In Ladakh, the survey found the density of snow leopards.
The government starts India's first Vistadome jungle safari train
Uttar Pradesh has introduced India's first Vistadome jungle safari train, linking Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, Dudhwa National Park and Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary. The train features specially designed coaches with large glass windows and transparent roofs, providing passengers with panoramic views of the forest covering a distance of 107 kilometres in about 4 hours and 25 minutes. This initiative aims to promote eco-tourism, generate local employment, and stimulate the regional economy. Additionally, the Uttar Pradesh Eco Tourism Development Board is developing travel packages from Lucknow to Katarniaghat,
Chokhiwadi Forest Retreat, an eco-luxury resort near Rajasthan's Sariska Tiger Reserve, has opened its doors, offering stunning views of the Aravalli hills. The resort features a mix of luxury tents, mud villas, and stone cottages that blend rustic charm with elegant interiors.
Teej is a vibrant and joyous festival celebrated primarily by women across northern and western India, especially in Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal. Marking the onset of the monsoon season, Teej honours the divine union of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, symbolising marital bliss, fertility, and prosperity. The festival usually falls in the month of Shravan (July-August) according to the Hindu calendar.
The Kandy Esala Perahera, held annually from July 30 to August 9, is Sri Lanka's most spectacular cultural and religious festival. Centred in Kandy, it honours the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Lord Buddha, housed at the revered Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth). The ten-day celebration begins with the Kumbal Perahera, featuring traditional drummers and elephants adorned with minimal ceremonial decorations. This leads into the Randoli Perahera, where elaborately adorned elephants carry the sacred relic in a golden casket, accompanied by vibrant dancers, fire performers, and drummers.
There's a reason the mango is India's national fruit. It's not just an official decree; it's the invisible consensus of a billion hearts. No other fruit occupies such a prominent place in our collective psyche. It ripens not just in orchards but in memory. Blistering summer afternoons, sticky fingers and laughter, childhoods bookmarked by the season's first bite. Mangoes are awaited, celebrated, and even mourned when the season comes to an end. They arrive with the scent of sun-warmed leaves and leave behind the aftertaste of longing. More than a fruit, it's a feeling.
Embark on an exhilarating journey through the kaleidoscopic streets of Mumbai, led by the iconic Dabbawalas. Experience the pulse of this bustling metropolis as you witness the marvel of their globally celebrated lunchbox delivery system, renowned for its unmatched precision and efficiency. Step into their world, where every crate, bicycle, and handcart narrates tales of unwavering dedication and meticulousness. Learn about their illustrious history, adorned with accolades and awards.
Ahilya Fort Maheshwar: Living legacy on the Narmada
Ahilya Fort sits high on a bluff above the Narmada, watching over the temple town of Maheshwar. Initially built in the 18th century, it was the residence of Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar, one of India’s most respected rulers, known for her deep sense of justice, spiritual dedication, and patronage of architecture and the arts. She governed from this very site for three decades, commissioning temples and Dharamshalas across the subcontinent and nurturing Maheshwar into a cultural capital of her time.
Soft, pillowy, and blistered with char from a clay tandoor, India's favourite bread is a canvas for gravies, a vehicle for indulgence, and an emblem of India's love affair with flour and fire. Slathered with butter, stuffed with cheese or garlic, folded into wraps or torn by hand, its warm, chewy comfort belies a tale of ancient migrations, royal kitchens, and evolving tastes.
Vikram Sarabhai: The man who launched a nation’s dreams
Born in 1919 into the progressive and philanthropic Sarabhai family of Ahmedabad, Vikram Sarabhai was raised in an environment where science, art, and social reform intertwined seamlessly. It was this rare confluence that shaped him into a scientist and visionary. After earning his doctorate in cosmic ray physics from Cambridge, he returned to newly independent India, brimming with potential, and saw in science not just a pursuit of knowledge but a tool for nation-building.
Veg Shammi Kebab, a vegetarian twist on the traditional Indian classic, is a culinary masterpiece that tantalizes the taste buds with its rich blend of flavors and enticing textures. This delectable appetizer has transcended cultural boundaries and emerged as a beloved dish worldwide.
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