The Newsletter from the Creative Travel Family of Brands
Dear Industry Colleagues,
Welcome to another edition of 'Creatively Yours'.
May arrives with a certain stillness before summer fully takes hold. In much of India, the mornings remain gentle, evenings stretch a little longer, and the scent of mangoes begins to fill markets and homes alike. It is a month that feels unhurried in its own way, poised between spring’s softness and the intensity of the season ahead.
It has also been a season of recognition for us at Creative Travel. In the final week of April, we were honoured to receive the award for Creating Tourism Experiences at the WION & Red Hat Iconic Travel & Tourism Summit 2026, and the Best Inbound Tour Operator award at the inaugural FICCI Travel & Tourism Excellence Awards. We are also proud to have been nominated at the 33rd World Travel Awards in three categories. Your support and vote would mean a great deal to us. For details on how to vote, you can read more in our Creative in the News section.
In this month’s edition, we journey to The Oberoi Naila Fort, an exceptionally private four-bedroom fort near Jaipur, available for exclusive rental by guests. Set within Rajasthan’s royal landscape, it offers a rare opportunity to experience heritage, privacy and quiet luxury in a setting that feels entirely one’s own.
We also look ahead to some of the region’s most remarkable celebrations, from Ladakh’s Hemis Festival to Rath Yatra and Bhutan’s Ura Yakchoe. With mango season officially upon us, our Story of the Month celebrates India’s enduring love affair with the fruit. Elsewhere, we step aboard the Palace on Wheels for a look into India’s iconic luxury train journeys, revisit the comfort of Masala Chai in Iconic Things To Eat, and spotlight the legendary conductor Zubin Mehta in Indians Around the World.
We are also gearing up for IMEX Frankfurt and look forward to reconnecting with industry friends and forging new partnerships that will shape the future of travel.
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‘.
Creative Travel and JungleSutra Make the Nominations at the 33rd World Travel Awards
Trust is not claimed. It is earned, quietly, over time. For 49 years, Creative Travel has been built on one simple promise, which is to never let a partner down. Not once. Not ever. It is a promise we intend to keep.
Creative Travel Recognised for ‘Creating Tourism Experiences’ at the WION & Red Hat Summit 2026
Creative Travel was recognised with the award for ‘Creating Tourism Experiences’ at the WION & Red Hat Iconic Travel & Tourism Summit 2026, held at ITC Maurya, New Delhi. The summit centred around Tourism 4.0: Coding the Resilience of the New Tomorrow, bringing together voices from across travel, hospitality, and technology to discuss the future of the industry.
Creative Travel Honoured at the Inaugural FICCI Travel & Tourism Excellence Awards
Creative Travel was honoured with the Best Inbound Tour Operator award at the inaugural FICCI Travel & Tourism Excellence Awards, held on 27 April 2026 during the 15th edition of the Great Indian Travel Bazaar in Jaipur. As one of India’s leading B2B travel platforms, GITB brings together international buyers and the Indian travel industry to encourage collaboration and meaningful tourism exchange.
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.
India Makes E-Arrival Card Mandatory for Foreign Visitors From April 1, 2026
India has replaced paper immigration forms with a mandatory digital e-Arrival Card for all foreign nationals and OCI cardholders, effective April 1, 2026. The change affects tourists, students, and business travellers entering the country.
ELIVAAS Enters Pushkar with First Property in the Pilgrim Town
Private villa operator ELIVAAS has launched its first property in Pushkar, expanding its Rajasthan portfolio to over 60 properties across destinations including Udaipur, Jaipur, Ranthambore, Alwar and Neemrana. The new addition, ELIVAAS Tuscun Villa, operates under the company’s broader portfolio of brands alongside ELIVAAS Privé and Alaya Stays.The move into Pushkar is driven by observed demand rather than opportunity alone.
IndiGo Expands International Network with New, Direct Flights between Delhi and Colombo
IndiGo, India’s preferred airline, is further strengthening its connectivity to Sri Lanka, with the launch of new, direct flights between Delhi and Colombo. The service began on 29 March 2026, with the airline will operating six flights every week on this route using its A320 aircraft.
Ramada by Wyndham Opens in Kathmandu’s Dhumbarahi Neighbourhood
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has expanded its Nepal presence with the opening of Ramada by Wyndham Kathmandu Dhumbarahi, operated under franchise by Akama Hotel Limited.Located in Dhumbarahi, approximately five kilometres from Tribhuvan International Airport, the 108-room property is well-positioned for both arriving international travellers and those exploring the capital. Located in Dhumbarahi, approximately five kilometres from Tribhuvan International Airport.
CGH Earth Saha Opens Isai Karai, a Coastal Bungalow in Mahabalipuram
CGH Earth Saha has opened Isai Karai, a five-room boutique bungalow in Mahabalipuram, just 50 metres from the shores of the Bay of Bengal. The name translates to “musical shore,” .
Air India has relaunched non-stop flights between Delhi and Rome Fiumicino, resuming a route that had been suspended for nearly six years. The service operates four times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, using a Boeing 787-8 aircraft configured with 18 fully flat Business Class beds and 241 Economy seats.Rome becomes Air India’s eighth gateway in Mainland Europe and its second Italian destination after Milan.
Rishikesh Set to Welcome India’s First Glass-Floor Bridge Over the Ganga
Bajrang Setu, billed as India’s first glass-floor suspension bridge over the Ganga, is nearing completion in Rishikesh. Located close to the historic Laxman Jhula, the 132-metre structure is currently undergoing.
Sri Lanka Approves Free Visa Facility for Travellers from 40 Countries
Sri Lanka has taken a significant step to strengthen its tourism sector, with Parliament approving new regulations under the Immigration and Emigration Act to offer a free visa facility for travellers from 40 countries. The move is part of the government’s wider effort to attract more international visitors and make travel to Sri Lanka easier and more appealing.Under the new regulations, eligible travellers will be granted a free 30-day visit visa.
Assam Launches Kaziranga Heritage to Strengthen Eco and Cultural Tourism
Assam has inaugurated Kaziranga Heritage, a new hospitality destination set within the Kaziranga landscape, developed through a public-private partnership between the Assam Tourism Development Corporation and Centre Point Hospitality Group. The property was opened by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma .
Tathastu Resorts Opens Fifth Property at Satpura Tiger Reserve
Tathastu Resorts has launched its latest wildlife retreat at Satpura Tiger Reserve, expanding its presence across Central India’s forest circuit. Tathastu Satpura joins the group’s existing portfolio spanning Pench, Kanha, Tadoba and Bandhavgarh.The property offers 34 villa rooms and 5 pool suites, each oriented toward the forest and designed around privacy and low-density living. Earthy interiors,private verandas and forest-facing layouts keep the natural surroundings at the centre of the guest experience.
High in the mountains of Ladakh, where the landscape feels almost otherworldly, the courtyards of Hemis Monastery come alive with quiet intensity during the Hemis Festival.Celebrated in honour of Guru Padmasambhava, the festival dates back to the 8th century.
In the coastal town of Puri, the mood begins to change days before anything moves. People gather slowly, conversations soften, and the streets start to feel like they are waiting. By the time Rath Yatra arrives, the town is already in motion.Every year on a single day in April, the ancient Vadakkunnathan Temple becomes the stage for one of the subcontinent’s great ritual gatherings. Ten temples converge at Thekkinkadu Maidanam, each arriving in procession with caparisoned elephants adorned in gold– nettipattam, gleaming silk parasols catching the light.
In the quiet valley of Ura Valley, life moves gently through most of the year. But with the arrival of Ura Yakchoe, the stillness gives way to a sense of shared anticipation.
In India, the arrival of summer is not marked by the calendar, but by the scent of mangoes ripening quietly in homes and markets. Known as the national fruit, the mango has been part of the subcontinent’s story for centuries, woven into culture, poetry, and everyday life.
Step into a realm of timeless elegance and unrivaled luxury aboard India’s legendary trains, promising a journey steeped in the grandeur of a regal era. Experience the opulence of bygone times as you traverse the vibrant landscapes and cultural tapestries of India’s most iconic destinations. Indulge in the splendor of renowned trains such as the Palace on Wheels, where an enchanting eight-day voyage unveils the treasures of the Golden Triangle.
Just beyond the bustle of Jaipur, where the land opens into quiet hills, The Oberoi Naila Fort feels less like a hotel and more like a place that has simply been waiting.Built in 1849 by the Champawat clan as a defensive outpost, the fort has lived many lives before being carefully restored into an intimate residence. Today, its original arches, courtyards, and hand-finished details remain, layered gently with the comforts of modern hospitality.
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.
In a world often divided by language and borders, Zubin Mehta chose music as his way of connecting it all. Born in Mumbai in 1936 into a Parsi family deeply rooted in music, his early years were shaped by the influence of his father, a violinist and founder of the Bombay Symphony Orchestra. What began at home soon found its way to Vienna, where Mehta trained as a conductor and quickly stood out, winning the prestigious Liverpool International Conducting Competition at just 22.
Bring a delightful twist to traditional fishcakes with Bombay Potato Fishcakes! Infused with the vibrant spices of Bombay potatoes, these fishcakes are a perfect fusion of flavor and texture. Start by combining mashed potatoes, flaked cooked fish, and a medley of Indian spices like cumin, turmeric, and garam masala. Shape the mixture into patties and coat them with crushed poppadums for an extra-crispy, flavorful crust. Pan-fry until golden and serve with a tangy yogurt dip or mango chutney. These fishcakes are not just delicious but also an exciting way to explore Indian-inspired cuisine in every bite!
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