The Newsletter from the Creative Travel Family of Brands
Dear Industry Colleagues,
Welcome to another edition of 'Creatively Yours'.
As we step into February, it’s a pleasure to reflect on what an energising start 2026 has had. The month began on a high note with our much-loved annual Chaat Party, a celebration of camaraderie and the vibrant spirit of our travel community. With hundreds in attendance, we extend our heartfelt thanks to our partners for helping make this tradition yet another memorable success.
We are also proud to share that Creative Travel was recognised at the SITE Global Conference in Abu Dhabi with two SITE Crystal Awards – Excellence in Incentive Travel, Asia Pacific, and the prestigious Par-Excellence Award for the highest-scoring global entry. This award was for the first-ever global incentive to the remote Himalayan destination of Ladakh. The trip took place in deep winter with temperatures of –16° centigrade. The group went on to Varanasi by the Ganges, ending in the Maldives– three unique emotional touch points. If you would like to hear more and get the case study, please write to us at proposals@creative.travel
This month also marks an important milestone as Creative Travel becomes Biosphere Certified, affirming our alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and our long-term commitment to responsible travel across South Asia. For us, sustainability is a structured commitment to ensure our journeys create positive impact beyond commerce.
Introducing Be Our Guest 2026! Each year, we curate a limited portfolio of journeys designed exclusively for you. Be Our Guest is our way of saying thank you, and of inviting you to experience South Asia not as an inspection, not as a checklist, but as a genuine holiday.
Across this month’s edition, we spotlight distinctive stays, cultural moments, and regional flavours, while looking forward to reconnecting at industry gatherings, including Essence of Luxury by Serandipians in Phuket and inVOYAGE in Bangkok.
As always, we continue to offer custom training and one-on-one strategy sessions for travel advisors and tour operators worldwide. To book a session, please write to us at knowledge@creative.travel with your details.
And finally, beyond this monthly newsletter, stay even more informed with our weekly updates through The South Asia Travel Journal.
A Tradition That Endures: Creative Travel’s Annual Chaat Party 2026
Some gatherings transcend the idea of an event. They become markers of time, memory, and shared purpose. Creative Travel’s annual Chaat Party is one such moment, an institution quietly woven into the fabric of the travel industry.
Creative Travel Celebrates Two Prestigious Wins at SITE Global Conference
Creative Travel is proud to announce that we won two distinguished honours at the 2026 SITE Crystal Award Gala Dinner, held during the SITE Global Conference. The ceremony took place on 13th February at Warner Bros. World™ Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, bringing together the very best in global incentive travel.
We are proud to share that Creative Travel is now officially Biosphere Certified, marking an important milestone in our long-standing commitment to responsible tourism.
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 Himalayan 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.
Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh Unveils Its First Dedicated Astro-Tourism Observatory
Pithoragarh has taken a significant step towards science-led and sustainable tourism with the inauguration of its first dedicated Astronomical Observatory. Established by the District Tourism Department in partnership with Starscapes Experiences Pvt. Ltd., the facility was inaugurated by Uttarakhand’s Tourism Minister, Satpal Maharaj.
IHCL Debuts Taj Paro Resort & Spa, Expanding Bhutan Presence with CG Hospitality
Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has expanded its footprint in Bhutan with the opening of Taj Paro Resort & Spa, developed in partnership with CG Hospitality Global. The launch builds on a collaboration spanning over two decades and reflects IHCL’s continued focus on strengthening its presence across the Indian subcontinent.Located in the serene Paro valley, close to the iconic Tiger’s Nest monastery, the 45-key resort offers sweeping views of the surrounding Himalayas. Designed to deliver an immersive destination experience.
IndiGo Expands Long-Haul Network with Delhi–Heathrow Service
IndiGo will introduce flights between Delhi and London Heathrow in the first week of February, marking another step in its long-haul expansion. The service will operate five times a week using a leased Boeing 787 Dreamliner from Norse.
Virgin Atlantic to Increase London Heathrow - Bengaluru Flights from January 2026
Virgin Atlantic has announced an expansion of its London Heathrow–Bengaluru service, increasing frequencies from seven to eleven flights per week between January and March 2026. The enhanced schedule reflects the airline’s continued focus on strengthening air connectivity between the UK and India, while also improving onward access through Heathrow to North America.
India has expanded its e-Tourist Visa programme to 166 countries, up from 156 last year, signalling a renewed and aggressive push for inbound travel. Updated quietly by the Ministry of Tourism in January 2026, the move follows India’s return to pre-pandemic foreign visitor numbers and supports.
Encalm Debuts India’s First Women-Led Business Lounge
Encalm Hospitality has unveiled Encalm Prive, a premium business-class lounge at Indira Gandhi International Airport Terminal 1, marking a national first as a women-led domestic lounge.Set within the domestic departures area, Encalm Prive is designed as a tranquil retreat, blending refined interiors, plush seating, and warm lighting to elevate the pre-flight experience. The all-women team brings a distinctly thoughtful, intuitive approach to service, underscoring the brand’s focus on inclusive leadership.
Kaziranga Turns to Astro-Tourism to Encourage Longer and Low-Impact Visits
Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve is piloting astro-tourism as a thoughtful way to extend visitor stays without increasing pressure on its core wildlife habitats. Officials say the initiative aims to diversify tourism while keeping conservation at its centre.
jüSTa Hotels & Resorts has expanded its portfolio with the addition of The Bagh Kanha, a premium wildlife resort located near Kanha National Park. The brand has partnered with Gajraj Wildlife Resorts Private Limited to operate and manage the property, marking jüSTa’s entry into Madhya Pradesh.Set across 23 acres in a natural forested landscape, The Bagh Kanha features 31 spacious rooms and suites designed to offer comfort while staying rooted in place.
Mobile Phones Banned on Safaris Across Major Tiger Reserves in India
Mobile phones have now been banned on safari drives across several of India’s major tiger reserves, following fresh directions linked to Supreme Court guidelines aimed at reducing human disturbance inside core wildlife habitats, marking a significant shift in park regulations.
Holi: When Spring Arrives in Colour (4 March 2026)
Holi is India’s most exuberant celebration of spring, renewal, and human connection. Marked by the playful throwing of colours, music, and shared meals, the festival dissolves social boundaries and welcomes joy in its purest form. Rooted in ancient mythology, Holi symbolises the triumph of good over evil and the arrival.
Taj Mahotsav: India’s Living Crafts Festival (18 – 27 February, 2026)
Held annually near the Taj Mahal, Taj Mahotsav celebrates the richness of India’s traditional arts. Set along the banks of the Yamuna, the festival brings together artisans, performers, and culinary traditions from across the country.Handcrafted textiles, pottery, metalwork, and folk art line the festival grounds, while musicians and dancers showcase regional traditions on open-air stages. Visitors experience India’s cultural diversity through sound, colour, and craftsmanship, all framed by the timeless presence of the Taj Mahal.
Khajuraho Dance Festival: Classical Grace in Stone (20 – 26 February 2026)
Set against the sculpted backdrop of the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, the Khajuraho Dance Festival is a celebration of India’s classical dance heritage. Held annually, the festival brings together leading dancers performing.
Maha Shivratri, literally the Great Night of Shiva, is one of Hinduism’s most sacred festivals, celebrated this year on 15 February. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the day symbolises spiritual renewal, inner stillness, and the triumph of light over ignorance. Across India, devotees observe a rigorous fast, chant, meditate, and keep vigil through the night, offering milk, water, and bilva leaves at Shiva temples.
Set against the tranquil landscape near the Himalayas, Tulah Wellness Sanctuary is envisioned as a space where healing unfolds gently and naturally. Designed around the philosophy of conscious living, the sanctuary invites guests to slow down and reconnect with themselves through mindful practices and restorative surroundings.
Glasshouse Celeste: Where Glass Walls Meet the Himalayas
Tucked away in the quiet folds of Ranikhet, Glasshouse Celeste by Saffron Stays is a mountain retreat designed to blur the boundary between indoors and out. Wrapped in glass and framed by tall pines, this three-bedroom villa opens itself to ever-changing Himalayan skies, from misty mornings to glowing sunsets.
Few foods evoke comfort quite like the vada, a beloved staple of South Indian cuisine. Made from soaked and finely ground urad dal, shaped into a ring and fried until crisp, its form is instantly recognisable. The signature hole is not decorative alone; it allows the batter to cook evenly, creating a vada that is airy inside and golden outside.
Uday Shankar was a visionary who transformed how the world perceived Indian dance. Born in the early twentieth century, he moved beyond rigid classical boundaries to create a new vocabulary rooted in Indian aesthetics yet open to global influence. His work drew inspiration from mythology, rhythm, sculpture, and everyday movement, resulting in performances that were expressive, fluid, and deeply evocative.
Tandoori King Prawn Skewers are a delightful treat for seafood enthusiasts, offering a perfect combination of smoky aroma, juicy texture, and bold flavors. This traditional Indian dish features large, succulent prawns marinated in a rich and flavorful blend of yogurt, garlic, ginger, and an array of aromatic spices such as cumin, coriander, and garam masala. The marinade not only enhances the natural sweetness of the prawns but also infuses them with a tantalizing depth of flavor.
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
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