The Newsletter from the Creative Travel Family of Brands
Dear Industry Colleagues,
Welcome to another edition of 'Creatively Yours'.
March is one of our favourite months. Spring is arriving, the air is warmer, and the festive calendar is full. It's a good time to be in India.
The big news this month: we've crossed 100 global awards. The milestone was reached when Creative Travel won the “Achievement Award for Best Sustainable Program” at the annual conference of the Association of Destination Management Executives International (ADMEI) in Costa Rica. The recognition was for Viaje Diamantes 2025, an incentive journey designed for Omnilife Mexico, spanning across Ladakh, Varanasi, and the Maldives. The award was collected on our behalf by Ofelia Barrios from our Mexico Sales office.
March has also been a month of celebrations. Holi brought colour and laughter to the streets, Gangaur carried its spirit of devotion across Rajasthan, and Eid was observed with quiet gratitude after a month of reflection. Baisakhi is just around the corner, marking the harvest season in Punjab.
In this edition, we spotlight The Mudhouse Marayoor near Munnar, a retreat built from mud and intention, located in the Western Ghats, where slow walks and home-cooked meals are the main event. For those drawn to wellness, Amritara Chakra River Resort in Rishikesh sits on the Ganges in Mohanchatti, where yoga, spa, and the stillness of the mountains do the rest.
This month’s reading covers a little bit of everything. We explore the significance of jewellery for the Indian bride, travel to Rajasthan for the meditative folk art of Jal Sanjhi, and revisit the legacy of M. F. Husain, the barefoot painter who reshaped Indian modern art. For food lovers, we celebrate momos, the Himalayan dumpling that has won hearts across India. And from Mrs Kohli’s kitchen, a recipe for Gujiya, Holi’s beloved sweet, flaky, cardamom-scented treat.
We are delighted to present our 2026 Be Our Guest portfolio to our partners. This allows you to experience not only India, Nepal, Bhutan 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‘.
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.
Creative Travel Wins Award for Best Sustainable Program at ADMEI
We are proud to share that at the annual conference of the Association of Destination Management Executives International (ADMEI) in Costa Rica, Creative Travel India and Creative Travel Maldives were honoured with the Award for Best Sustainable Program.
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.
Sri Lanka has introduced a Digital Nomad Visa alongside an extended-validity tourist visa to attract remote workers and long-stay travellers. The new categories, approved by the Cabinet.
Indian Hotels Company Limited has strengthened its Mumbai presence with the launch of a new SeleQtions-branded hotel in Bandra, reinforcing the city’s continued appeal for premium hospitality development. The brownfield project marks another strategic addition for Indian Hotels Company Limited in one of Mumbai’s most sought-after neighbourhoods.
Espire Hospitality Expands Country Inn Portfolio with New Opening in Varanasi
Espire Hospitality Limited has announced the launch of Country Inn, Varanasi, marking another milestone in its expanding Country Inn Hotels & Resorts portfolio. Located in one of the world’s oldest living cities.
IndiGo to Launch Non-Stop Delhi and Mumbai–Athens Flights with India’s First A321XLR
IndiGo has announced the launch of direct flights from Mumbai and Delhi to Athens, marking a significant milestone in India–Europe air connectivity. Services from Mumbai will begin on January 23, 2026, followed by Delhi on January 24, operating three times a week. These routes will be operated using India’s first Airbus A321XLR, making IndiGo the only Indian carrier to offer non-stop flights to Greece.
Himachal Pradesh Launches Heli Taxi Services Linking Shimla with Key Hill and Urban Centres
The Himachal Pradesh government has inaugurated long-awaited heli taxi services connecting Shimla with Kullu, Reckong Peo, and Chandigarh, significantly strengthening regional air connectivity. The services were flagged off from the Sanjauli Heliport.
Sterling Strengthens Rajasthan Presence with Launch of Sterling Amargarh Jodhpur
Sterling Holiday Resorts has expanded its Rajasthan portfolio with the launch of Sterling Amargarh Jodhpur, a large-format resort set amid landscaped greens on Pal Road. The opening reinforces the brand’s focus on heritage-led destinations while catering to the growing demand for experience-driven stays.Designed to blend the regal spirit of Marwar with contemporary comfort, the resort is positioned for family holidays, destination weddings and corporate retreats. Its architecture draws from Jodhpur’s royal legacy.
Ummrao Saaj Opens at Courtyard by Marriott Mumbai International Airport
Awadhi cuisine finds a contemporary new home in Mumbai with the launch of Ummrao Saaj at Courtyard by Marriott Mumbai International Airport. The restaurant draws its soul from Lucknow’s royal culinary legacy, reinterpreted through a modern lens, think slow-cooked dum pukht preparations, aromatic spice profiles, and refined plating that honours heritage without being confined by it.
Two Indian Wetlands Added to Ramsar List Ahead of World Wetlands Day
India has added two more sites to the global Ramsar list of Wetlands of International Importance, marking a significant conservation milestone ahead of World Wetlands Day on February 2. The announcement was made by the Union Ministry of Environment.
The International Yoga Festival in Rishikesh, held from 9th to 15th March, celebrated yoga’s ancient practices and their holistic benefits. The week-long festival attracted global participants, offering diverse yoga styles, meditation, and wellness workshops. Attendees immersed themselves in rejuvenating practices.
Gangaur: Where Devotion Wears Its Finest Colours (March 21)
Falling on 21st March this year, Gangaur is Rajasthan’s most beloved festival. It is a celebration of love, devotion, and the sacred union of Goddess Gauri and Lord Shiva. The name itself tells the story: Gana for Shiva, Gaur for Parvati.For 18 days, women fast, sing folk songs, and adorn clay idols of the divine couple with flowers and jewellery. Hands are painted with mehndi, streets fill with colour, and the air carries the scent of festival sweets like ghevar, kheer, barfi, shared freely among neighbours.
Eid means festivity. Fitr means breaking the fast. Together, they describe a day that arrives like a deep exhale, the joyful culmination of Ramadan’s month of fasting, prayer.
Celebrated on April 14th this year, Baisakhi embodies two distinct aspects in one festival. For farmers across Punjab, it marks the harvest of the rabi crops, a moment of deep gratitude for the season’s abundance.For the Sikh community, it holds something even more profound: in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh Ji initiated the first five Sikhs, the Panj Pyare, and established the Khalsa Panth, a collective built on courage, equality, and devotion.
Have you ever looked closely at an Indian bride walking into the Mandap, sparkling from head to toe in her wedding jewellery? In India, bridal jewellery isn’t just about looking beautiful…it’s a symbol of heritage, blessings, and new beginnings. When she steps into the wedding ceremony, she’s not just wearing extravagant accessories; she’s wearing precious memories that tell the story of her family, culture, and life ahead.
Step into the enchanting world of Jal Sanjhi Painting, a centuries-old art form revived by a single family in Udaipur. Originating in Jaipur, this exquisite craft boasts a rich history spanning over 200 years, now meticulously preserved by dedicated artisans through generations. Embark on an exclusive Jal Sanjhi Painting Workshop where you’ll unlock the secrets of this mesmerizing artistry, a divine homage to Lord Krishna. Watch in awe as charcoal and mystical ingredients gracefully dance on the water’s surface, forming a floating canvas where vibrant hues blend seamlessly.
Amritara Chakra River Resort: Where the Ganges Does the Healing
Rishikesh has always known something the rest of the world is still catching up to: that true restoration begins where the mountains meet the river. Nestled on the tranquil banks of the Ganges in Mohanchatti, Amritara Chakra River Resort is a peaceful sanctuary for those seeking genuine renewal, wrapped in majestic mountain views and the ceaseless, calming sound of flowing water.
An hour from Munnar, tucked into the hills of Marayoor, where Kerala quietly meets Tamil Nadu, sits a property that doesn’t try to impress, and somehow, does so completely.
Few street foods have won over India quite like momos. These little pockets of joy, stuffed with minced meat or fresh vegetables, are incredibly satisfying. Whether steamed for a delicate bite, fried for a crispy edge, or pan-seared to perfection, they are almost always served with a fiery red chutney that adds just the right kick. From roadside stalls in the hills to trendy cafés in the city, momos are everywhere, and for good reason.
Born in 1915 in Maharashtra, M. F. Husain began his artistic journey painting Bollywood billboards on the streets of Mumbai. Over time, he became one of India’s most celebrated modern artists, known for his bold strokes, vibrant colours, and ability to capture the nation’s soul on canvas.
Gujiyas are sweet dumplings made of maida or flour and filled with a delightful khoya and dry fruits mixture and are popularly made in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Deep fried in ghee and dipped in a sugary syrup, this Indian dessert is commonly made during the festival of Holi. The crisp outer layer cracks in the mouth for the sweet filling to take on your senses. Today, there are many versions of the gujiya available with different fillings such as dry fruit gujiya, mawa gujiya and even healthier ones like baked gujiyas, but nothing beats the timeless classic.
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