The Newsletter from the Creative Travel Family of Brands
Dear Industry Colleagues,
Welcome to another edition of 'Creatively Yours'.
As we find ourselves in the heart of the Indian summer, the month of May arrives with a steady sense of momentum — a moment to reflect, reimagine, and reengage with the evolving rhythm of travel across South Asia.
This month highlights the rise of luxury and eco-conscious travel. Mumbai opened India’s largest cruise terminal, boosting maritime tourism, while Air India Express expanded Middle East connectivity from North Goa. In Sri Lanka, Teardrop Hotels unveiled the tranquil Kalkudah Beach House on the East Coast.
This month’s Cool Location feature transports us to Trebartha East in Ahangama, Sri Lanka — a remarkable architectural sanctuary nestled within a 12-acre cinnamon plantation. Designed by the visionary Dr. Narein Perera, the property blends sustainable materials with modern Sri Lankan craftsmanship, offering stunning views of lush paddy fields and tropical jungle from its signature circular pavilion and infinity pool. Our Iconic Things to Eat pick celebrates a timeless Indian favorite — Masala Chai and in Story of the Month, we dive into refreshing summer sips, indian-style.
In our Indians Around the World section, we pay tribute to cinematic legend Satyajit Ray — a master storyteller whose legacy shaped Indian cinema far beyond the screen. Born in Kolkata in 1921, Ray was more than a filmmaker — he was a composer, writer, illustrator, and Renaissance soul whose influence continues to inspire generations.
We’re also preparing for key global industry events, including Virtuoso Travel Week, Las Vegas and PURE Life Experiences, Marrakech. These are important opportunities to reconnect with industry partners and shape the future of experiential 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.
Lastly, we are proud to be nominated again in three categories at the prestigious 32nd World Travel Awards this year. Your vote means a lot to us — you can find the voting links in our Creative in the News section and across our social media 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.
Radisson Hotel Group has unveiled the Aaramgah Jawai Resort & Spa, a member of Radisson Individuals Retreats, in Rajasthan’s Jawai region. This is the group’s 11th operational hotel in the state. The resort offers 32 luxurious accommodations.
Accor has announced the opening of Mercure Lucknow in Gomti Nagar. The 109-key hotel features thoughtfully designed rooms and suites, modern comforts and local character. Culinary offerings include an all-day dining restaurant serving regional and international dishes; a rooftop bar with panoramic city views; and a stylish lobby bar for casual gatherings. For events, the hotel provides two versatile banquet halls and a spacious meeting room.
Chef Arturo Castro Salazar, originally from Peru, heads Haliconia at JW Marriott Goa, the state’s first Peruvian Nikkei cuisine restaurant. Nikkei cuisine blends Japanese techniques with Peruvian ingredients, creating a unique culinary fusion. Salazar’s journey began in Peru, where he trained under a Japanese chef in Lima, honing his skills before working internationally in Kenya.
Sayaji Hotels opens 3 properties in Mumbai and Goa
Sayaji Hotels has expanded its portfolio by launching three Effotel-branded properties in key locations, i.e., Panaji, Calangute, Goa, and Navi Mumbai. Effotel by Sayaji in Panaji offers 48 stylish rooms, an all-day dining restaurant, and a rooftop pool with scenic city views. The Effotel in Calangute features 66 rooms, a poolside bar, a spa, and a banquet hall, providing a serene escape with Goan charm. Meanwhile, Effotel by Sayaji in Navi Mumbai stands out with 58 well-appointed rooms, a multi-cuisine restaurant, a bar, and a large pillarless banquet hall.
Teardrop Hotels unveils Kalkudah Beach House on Sri Lanka’s East Coast
Teardrop Hotels has unveiled the Kalkudah Beach House, a new luxury boutique retreat on Sri Lanka’s pristine East Coast. Situated within a secluded coconut estate.
Marriott International has officially opened the Udaipur Marriott Hotel, marking its debut in the City of Lakes. Situated near Fateh Sagar Lake and the Aravalli Hills, the hotel offers 226 elegantly designed rooms and suites, many with panoramic views. Guests can indulge in four dining venues, including a rooftop restaurant, and unwind at the Quan Spa or outdoor pool. The property also features 65,000 sq. ft. of versatile event space, ideal for weddings and conferences.
Air India Express has launched new international routes from North Goa’s Manohar International Airport (GOX), enhancing connectivity between Goa and the Middle East. Direct flights to Kuwait have commenced, followed by services to Abu Dhabi. These additions complement the airline’s existing Goa International Airport (Dabolim).
Brij Paraiso, nestled in the serene village of Saligão in North Goa, offers a tranquil escape that blends slow living with rich Goan heritage. The boutique retreat, an extension of a 25-year-old structure, features nine rooms named after Goan villages, each reflecting local culture and comfort. The property boasts a white Indo-Portuguese arched gateway adorned with intricate paintings, leading to a duplex with a woodsy lounging area and a cosy library nook. Guests can indulge in authentic Goan cuisine, relax by the pool, or explore nearby beaches, all while immersed in the vibrant spirit of Goa.
India’s maritime tourism was significantly boosted with the inauguration of the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal (MICT) at Ballard Pier. Flagged off by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, MICT is the nation’s largest cruise terminal.
Outpost 12: A Sustainable Wildlife Retreat in Kanha National Park
Outpost 12, a new wildlife lodge in Kanha National Park, offers an immersive experience led by naturalists Durgesh Singh and Sunny Saxena. Located in the village of Tilari.
The Jagannath Rath Yatra is one of India’s most revered grand festivals, celebrated annually in Puri, Odisha. It is a nine-day event dedicated to Lord Jagannath and his siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra.
In the sweltering heat of the Indian summer, the quest for a refreshing drink is a cultural experience in its own right. Across the vast landscape of India, beverages are meticulously crafted to counterbalance the relentless heat, offering hydration and a blend of flavours, traditions, and medicinal benefits deeply rooted in the country’s heritage.
Discover the heart of India’s wilderness with a visit to the Kanha Craft and Pench Centre, an extraordinary initiative by Pashoo Pakshee and The Corbett Foundation (TCF). Immerse yourself in community-led tourism and witness the harmony between local communities and the majestic tigers they coexist with. Join us for a hands-on craft workshop where you can create your own souvenirs and support local artisans.
Tucked into the buzzing heart of Old Delhi, Haveli Dharampura is a rare marvel, a 200-year-old Mughal mansion revived with painstaking precision. Once crumbling under time's weight, it has been reborn as a living museum of Indo-Islamic architecture, thanks to a seven-year restoration. Today, it's a window to Shahjahanabad's golden past, with every corner whispering stories of courtyards, courtesans, and courtly grace.
Trebartha East, Ahangama: Architectural poetry amidst Sri Lanka's Cinnamon Hills
Nestled amidst the lush expanse of a 12-acre cinnamon plantation in southern Sri Lanka, Trebartha East is a contemporary sanctuary that perfectly blends modern luxury, sustainable design and deep-rooted cultural heritage.
The property's design, created by the visionary Dr. Narein Perera, incorporates a striking circular structure made from locally sourced timber. A seamless fusion of contemporary style and traditional Sri Lankan craftsmanship incorporates rich materials such as metal and stone. A sweeping infinity pool lets guests enjoy uninterrupted views of the surrounding rice paddies and tropical jungle.
In India, masala chai is an emotion, an invitation, a punctuation mark in the rhythm of life. It is poured at dawn and again at dusk, clinked between colleagues at roadside taps, offered reverently to guests, and sipped slowly during the monsoon as the world turns to velvet grey. There's always time for chai…and if there isn't, one makes it.
Before India’s film industry was known for its glitz and grandeur, one man quietly changed the game with black-and-white frames, long takes, and lingering silences that said more than a thousand words. That man was Satyajit Ray. Born in Calcutta in 1921, Ray wasn’t just a filmmaker. He was a storyteller, illustrator, composer, calligrapher, writer, thinker and a true Renaissance spirit.
Mango Kulfi is a beloved Indian frozen dessert that beautifully blends tradition with tropical flavor. Its origins trace back to the 16th century during the Mughal Empire, where the royal kitchens of Delhi crafted kulfi by slowly simmering milk with pistachios and saffron, then freezing it using a salt-ice mixture. The word "kulfi" comes from the Persian "qulfi," meaning “covered cup,” reflecting the cultural fusion of the era. Over time, regional variations emerged, and mango—India’s most cherished summer fruit—became a favorite addition. Creamy, dense, and intensely flavorful, mango kulfi is more than just a dessert; it’s a nostalgic celebration of Indian heritage and seasonal joy, enjoyed at festivals, family gatherings, and roadside stalls across the country.
Global Sales Offices: Creative Travel has network of sales teams around the world to assist you in your region. Specialists are available to assist you with information on leisure travel, special interest trips, corporate, meetings & incentive travel and wildlife products. For details please visit www.creative.travel/contacts
283, Udyog Vihar II, Gurugram, Haryana-122016, India T: +91124 4567 777 24 Hours Emergency Contact Number: +919911 266277
This is a formatted HTML email.If you receive it in a unreadable/garbled form,please let us know. To keep the message size low, some images are linked to the internet and would show only when you are on-line. If you would like to be removed from this mailing, please follow instructions at the bottom.This mailing is going out ot individuals we have met over the years or to people whose names have been obtained from various lists provided to us by various trade shows.We do not mean to be intrusive to anyone.
