Quote
Politics is more dangerous than war, for in war you are only killed once. - Winston Churchill
SURAJKUND CRAFTS MELA, 1–15 FEBRUARY, 2012
The Surajkund Crafts Mela is organized annually by the Haryana Tourism Department in the month of February. This delightful handloom and handicrafts fair is planned every year to promote the traditional Indian Handicrafts in rural ambience at Surajkund in the vicinity of New Delhi. The fair was first time organized in 1981 and since then the fair continues to be a strong platform for Indian artists and craftsmen to display their skilled crafts and art work. At this annual week long fair skilled artists from all over the country display the rich crafts tradition of India in the typical rural setting and bring alive the age-old living crafts tradition. Surajkund crafts mela offers to its visitors the exquisite and skilful paintings, textiles, wood stock, ivory work, pottery, terracotta, stonework, lac work and cane and grass work. Visitors can shop here for some of the world's most treasured wares. The fair is not only limited to exhibitions of artwork but also presents the visual delight to its visitors in the form of special Natyashala folk dances and musical evenings at the open-air theatre.
These programs are also accompanied by lip smacking and delicious rural cuisine, adding colors to this popular crafts fair. Every year, the Surajkund Crafts Mela is planned by selecting a particular Indian state as a theme and entire ambience for the fair is designed accordingly. Many states have showcased its finest handlooms, handicrafts and mouth-watering cuisines in past fairs. Theme states for last 5 Surajkund Crafts Mela were Madhya Pradesh (2009), West Bengal (2008), Andhra Pradesh (2007), Maharashtra (2006) and Chattisgarh (2005).
VISA ON ARRIVAL TO BE EXTENDED TO MORE COUNTRIES
Extending Visa-on-Arrival facilities to more countries and at four more international airports was one of the major decision taken in a meeting attended by Secretaries of concerned ministries of Union government. The Indian government is expected to extend VoA facilities to at least 13 countries from Europe, South East Asia and Central Asia. Another decision taken was to extend VoA facilities to Kochi, Goa, Hyderabad and Bengaluru airports. It was decided that the Home Ministry will take steps to facilitate extension of Visa-on-Arrival to Goa, Hyderabad, Kochi and Bengaluru airports within next one year. However, this is yet to be notified by the government.
OVER 12,000 VISA ON ARRIVALS ISSUED IN 2011
Over 12,000 visitors from 11 countries availed of the Visa on Arrival (VoA) facility in 2011, with the maximum numbers coming from New Zealand, Japan and Indonesia, the Tourism Ministry revealed yesterday. "During 2011, a total of 12,761 VoAs were issued," said a statement by the Ministry. In 2010, over 6,500 foreigners availed of the scheme to visit India. Last year, the highest number of visas were issued to citizens of New Zealand (2,762), followed by Japan (2,344), Indonesia (2,063), the Philippines (1,956), Singapore (1,848) and Finland (1,335). Residents of Cambodia (149), Vietnam (145), Myanmar (71), Luxembourg (74) and Laos (14) also availed of the facility. The statement said that a total of 1,640 VoAs were offered to foreign tourists in December last year, and 1,382 VoAs in November, according to a report by The Times of India. According to the Tourism Ministry, in 2011 the maximum number of visas was issued at Delhi airport. As many as 7,340 visas were issued at the Delhi airport, followed by Mumbai (2,816), Chennai (1,948) and Kolkata (657). The scheme was first introduced Jan 1, 2010 for citizens of Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand and Singapore. Following a good response, the government extended it to six more countries, Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Laos and Myanmar, from January 2011. And now the proposal is to extend it to 13 more countries and to be announced soon.
FOREIGN VISITORS TO INDIA CROSSES 6 MILLION MARK FOR THE FIRST TIME
In a first for the country, India saw 6.28 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2011 as compared to 5.28 million in the previous year. However, growth rate of 8.9 percent was less than the rate prevailing in 2010 of 11.8 percent. Foreign Exchange Earnings from tourism during 2011 was Rs 77,591 crore with a growth of 19.6%, as compared to Rs 64,889 crore with a growth of 18.1 percent during the year 2010.
ASSAM TO PROMOTE RIVER TOURISM
After showcasing wildlife and culture, Assam tourism is all set to focus on river tourism. The biggest and most modern cruise liner is being launched next month. The cruise ship has already reached Guwahati. This was briefing to media on the eve of the inauguration of the 26th Surajkund Craft Mela, where Assam is the Theme State this year. The entire mela ground has been done up to present the Assamese way of life complete with an ‘Assam Ghar’ where a family would live for the next 15 days depicting day-to-day rural life. Traditional handicrafts and handloom, cultural programmes would be on display and Assamese food would be served. Thailand has been made the partner nation. Some 50 stalls would show-casing handlooms of which 30 would be for the weavers. Some renowned craftsmen have been brought over to show case their works. A fashion show has also been organised.
RAILWAYS TO LAUNCH TRAIN FOR SIKH SHRINES
Eyeing to tap the large number of domestic and foreign tourists interested in Sikh shrines, the Indian railways will shortly launch a special train for the pilgrims. The train will cover the famous Takhts (Gurdwaras) like Sri Keshagarh Sahib at Anandpur Sahib, Sri Damdama Sahib at Bhatinda, both in Punjab, besides Sri Harmandir Sahib at Patna in Bihar and Sri Hazur Sahib at Nanded in Maharashtra. In the national capital, the tourists will be taken for a visit to Shish Ganj Gurdwara and Bangla Sahib Gurdwara. The tour will also include Gwalior and its Bandi Chor Gurdwara and the world famous Taj Mahal and the Fort at Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The duration of the tour will be of 10 days and 9 nights. There will be three categories like Deluxe (1st AC), Standard (2nd AC) and Budget (3rd AC). The package will include all meals (including morning tea, breakfast, lunch, evening tea, dinner); AC transport; 3 or 4 Star hotel accommodation (wherever required); professional guide; insurance; monument charges; on-board security and house-keeping. The tour will commence and end at Amritsar in Punjab. However, the tourists may join or leave the tour at Jalandhar and Ludhiana stations.
MORE COUNTRIES TO PARTICIPATE AT SOUTH ASIA TRAVEL AND TOURISM EXCHANGE, FEBRUARY 10 – 12, 2012
The South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE) 2012, to be held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, from February 10-12, will see many first time exhibitors from countries who have begun to realise the immense potential of the Indian market. For the first time at SATTE, Israel, Argentina, Japan, The Dominican Republic and Macau will showcase the beauty of their nation to lure Indian tourists. Additionally, SATTE 2012 has confirmed participation of The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, 50 NTO's, 22 state governments, Indian and International Hotel Chains and other travel and tourism products and services.
Some of the other exhibitors that are participating at SATTE 2012 are: Abu Dhabi Tourism, Accor Hotels, American Express, Axis Rooms, Best Western Hotels, Carlson Hotels, Chariot Beach Resorts, Chhattisgarh Tourism Board, Dubai- Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Department Of Tourism – Goa, Ezeego1.com, Fiji Tourism, Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corp, Hilton Worldwide, Hong Kong Tourism Board, Hyatt Hotels And Resorts, Indonesia Tourism, Jharkhand Tourism, Karnataka Tourism, Kenya, Kerala Tourism, London & Partners, Madhya Pradesh, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal, New Zealand Tourism, Oman Tourism, Online Tourism & Freight P. Ltd., Punjab Tourism, Spain Tourism, Sterling Holiday Resorts India Ltd., Starwood Hotels and Resorts, The Lalit Suri Group, The Leela Palaces & Resorts, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Turkey and The Venetian Macao - Resorts & Hotels, Zuri Hotels among many others. SATTE 2012 has added another feather to its cap. Close on the heels of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)-SATTE conference tie-up, The United Nations World Trade Organisation (UNWTO) has collaborated with SATTE and will make a presentation as part of the SATTE conferences programme.
242 BUYERS FROM 50 COUNTRIES CONFIRM PRESENCE AT GREAT INDIAN TRAVEL BAZAAR 2012
The fifth Great Indian Travel Bazaar (GITB), scheduled from April 15-17 has so far received confirmation from 242 foreign buyers from across 50 countries. This number is expected to further grow as the organisers are targetting 250 buyers for the event this year. Also over 116 private sector players, including DMCs, travel agents, tour operators, hotels among others from across India have so far confirmed participation for the event. GITB 2012 will see Gujarat as the partner state. Besides, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have also confirmed their participation at GITB 2012.
CHATWAL GROUP TO INVEST US$ 400 MILLION ON 50 HOTELS IN INDIA
Hampshire Hotels & Resorts, the management arm of Chatwal Hotels & Resorts, plans to set up more than 50 hotels across the country. In a statement the company has said it is “currently courting franchise and management opportunities” for the Dream and Night brands that it promotes. It plans to launch 40 Night hotels and 12 Dream hotels in the country. The first location for the Night hotel brand will be Madras, while Goa will be the first location for the Dream hotel. The Dream brand is positioned as a full service, lifestyle brand for gateway cities and resort destinations. The company also plans to have hotels in New Delhi, Bombay, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Calcutta, Udaipur and Jaipur.
WYNDHAM HOTEL GROUP ADVANCES INDIA DEVELOPMENT
Executive team members at Wyndham Hotel Group, the world’s largest hotel company based on number of hotels and part of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation are traveling throughout India this month to explore development opportunities in the country. Already, the Company announced plans to expand its presence in India in 2012 and beyond with a non-exclusive development agreement to launch the iconic Howard Johnson brand in India with 3,000 rooms across 35 new properties by 2017. This agreement with Unique Mercantile India Private Limited, a large firm in India with investments in real estate development in Gujarat and Hyderabad, India, also includes the development of a new 120-room Ramada resort in Udaipur that will feature a spa, swimming pool, game room, a poolside bar and international cuisine. The hotel’s first 72 rooms are due to open in April 2012 with 48 additional rooms completed by December 2014. These properties will add to Wyndham Hotel Group’s 14 hotels already in operation and the 15 properties that are currently under development in the country.
STARWOOD HOTELS FIRST PROPERTY IN CHENNAI
Increasing its foothold in the South, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide recently signed The Westin Chennai Velachery, the first property in Chennai franchised under the Westin Hotels and Resorts brand. Owned by Dr P Mohamed Ali under Mfar Hotels and Resorts, The Westin Chennai Velachery will be a 215-room property. The new Westin is scheduled to open later this year. The property will also feature four food and beverage venues, including an all-day diner, a specialty restaurant, a bar and a poolside restaurant. In addition, Westin Workout, a pool and a Heavenly Spa by Westin will be available. It will feature a 12,600 square feet meeting and function space, internet access and audio-visual technology.
INDIAN HOTELS COMPANY LTD TO ADD 17 VIVANTA BY TAJ AND GATEWAY HOTELS IN 2012
The Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL) plans to open 17 new hotels under ‘Vivanta by Taj’ and ‘Gateway’ brands over the next year. The Vivanta brand currently has an inventory of 3,500 rooms and is seeing about 65 per cent occupancy. They plan to open four new Vivanta hotels in Kerala, Coorg, Gurgaon and New Delhi and about 13 Gateway hotels beginning with Kolkata, Raipur (Chhatisgarh) and Hubli (Karnataka) this year. They are also looking at some of the existing hotels to upgrade them to Vivanta. Taj has opened 23 Vivanta by Taj hotels in all so far, including one each in Sri Lanka and Maldives. In addition, the company is hopeful of good growth by its brand Taj in the luxury segment, its largest revenue earner, Vivanta by Taj in the upper upscale space, Gateway in the upscale and Ginger in the budget hotels spaces.
ROYAL ORCHID UNVEILS 'REGENTA' BRAND FOR CONVENTIONS MARKET
Bangalore-based Royal Orchid Hotels Ltd is targeting a total inventory of around 5,000 rooms in the next three years as it looks to tap into growing domestic demand for branded hotels. The company, which currently operates 20 hotels with 1,800 rooms across India in the upscale and mid-scale segments, has also announced a new brand, 'Regenta', with an eye on the weddings, conferences and events market in the country. The newly launched Regenta Hotel and Convention Centre in Delhi is spread across six acres of land with 50 rooms, extensive lawns and banquet halls. The property is owned by Anant Raj Group and has been taken on lease by Royal Orchid.
TAJ PALACE NAMED AMONG BEST BIZ HOTELS
Travel + Leisure magazine's annual World's Best Awards Survey-2011 has acknowledged Taj Palace, New Delhi, amongst the world's best international business hotels. Taj Hotels is very proud to be recipients of this prestigious award that recognises highest standards of service quality and excellence. They have worked hard at earning the repute of being a preferred hub for significant international and domestic events. Every year, the magazine asks business travellers to vote for the hotels.
13 NORTHERN SKIES OPEN UP FOR COMMERCIAL AVIATION
From March 2012, Kargil in Jammu and Kashmir will see regular commercial air operations. Not only will this see commercial air connectivity improve in North India, but it will also provide tourists another area to enjoy in North India. Commercial operations to Kargil will be undertaken in small aircraft capable of carrying between 50 and 80 passengers. An official delegation has already conducted a survey and feels there is enough potential for regular operations to Kargil.
INDIGO INTRODUCES EIGHT NEW FLIGHTS ACROSS INDIA
Low cost carrier, IndiGo is enhancing its offerings to customers with the launch of eight new flights on its network. Effective February 10, 2012, IndiGo will operate seven daily and direct return flights between Delhi to Bengaluru and four daily and direct return flights between Delhi-Ahmedabad and Delhi- Lucknow. The airline will now operate its fourth flight from Delhi to Goa via Ahemdabad, and new direct flights from Bengaluru to Lucknow, and Goa to Ahmedabad. IndiGo offers 307 daily flights connecting 31 destinations - Agartala, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhubaneshwar, Coimbatore, Chennai, Delhi, Dibrugarh, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Imphal, Indore, Jaipur, Jammu, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna, Pune, Raipur, Srinagar, Trivandrum and Vadodara.
‘THAI AIRASIA PLANS TO START FLIGHTS FROM CHENNAI TO BANGKOK FROM MARCH 22, 2012
Thai AirAsia plans to start five flights a week from Chennai to Bangkok from March 22, 2012. This addition has been made to boost the Airline’s network in India. The flight is scheduled to start on the same date when AirAsiaX suspends its services from New Delhi. At present, the Airline operates flights from Chennai to Kuala Lumpur.
AIR MAURITIUS TO INCREASE FREQUENCY TO INDIA
Air Mauritius will now offer additional flights between the island of Mauritius and the Indian cities of Mumbai and New Delhi. At present, the Airline operates three flights a week from Mumbai and plans to increase the frequency in March this year. Similarly Air Mauritius will increase its weekly frequency to three flights from New Delhi in May 2012. The increasing appeal of the island as a holiday destination is the main factor behind this decision.
VISAKHAPATNAM-DUBAI FLIGHT FROM MARCH 25
The decks are cleared for operation of Air India (AI) flight to Dubai from the port city from March 25. The inspection of the airport and immigration requirements for upgrading Visakhapatnam Airport into an International Airport have been completed. Air India will be operating Airbus-321 with 152 economy and 20 business class seats. The flight from Vizag to Dubai will take-off at 1840 hrs, reach Hyderabad at 1940 hrs and later depart to Dubai at 2100 hrs.
ADVANCED AVIATION METEOROLOGICAL SUPPORT FOR 46 MORE AIRPORTS ON CARDS
The integrated Airport Meteorological Instrument System (AMIS), which is currently operational at eight airports in the country, will be extended to another 46 airports as part of the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) modernisation programme. The AMIS is operational at the Amritsar, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Jaipur, Mumbai and New Delhi airports. This facilitates automatic acquisition, processing, dissemination and display in real time, of meteorological parameters affecting landing and take-off operations, according to a report by The Times of India.
'VENTURA AIRCONNECT' LAUNCHES FIRST INTRASTATE OPERATIONS IN MADHYA PRADESH FROM BHOPAL TO JABALPUR
Ventura Airconnect has launched the first intrastate, non-scheduled airline in the state of Madhya Pradesh. It operates twice daily flights between different city pairs within the state. From its bases at Bhopal and Indore, the airline connects Jabalpur, Gwalior, Khajuraho, Agra, Satna, Rewa and tiger resort destinations of Kanha and Bhandavgarh. Ventura plans to expand its fleet to 19 aircraft in three years. It will then be able to fly nearly five million passengers per year with each aircraft making an average of eight trips a day. Fares on Ventura start at Rs 1,500 per trip. The Company is in talks with other state governments to extend its service area.
NEPAL-BASED BUDDHA AIR TO FLY KATHMANDU-VARANASI FROM MARCH 1, 2012
Buddha Air, a Nepal based airline, will operate scheduled flights from Kathmandu to Varanasi from March 1, 2012. The Airline will operate four flights a week on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. This one-hour flight aims to target pilgrimage tourism between Kathmandu and Varanasi. Buddha air is also planning to expand its services to Kolkata.
DID YOU KNOW ?
The name `India’ is derived from the River Indus, the valleys around which were the home of the early settlers. The Aryan worshippers referred to the river Indus as the Sindhu. The Persian invaders converted it into Hindu. The name `Hindustan’ combines Sindhu and Hindu and thus refers to the land of the Hindus.