The document summarizes India's new multi-pronged approach to promoting tourism, which includes developing world-class infrastructure, training manpower, and undertaking aggressive promotional activities. It discusses India winning several World Travel Awards for its tourism offerings and notes that tourism is now recognized as an important driver of economic growth. The article also mentions plans to introduce seaplanes in certain parts of India to boost tourism.

1. Vol. XXV No. 1; January 1 st fortnight issue 2013 A DDP PUBLICATION Pages: 44 (Excluding cover) ` 50/-
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3. JANUARY 1 ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2013 TRAVTALK 1
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India ready with a new approach Seaplanes
to soar in
The new initiative includes developing world-class infrastructure and training manpower. It also Indian skies
includes undertaking aggressive promotional and marketing activities… With extensive
the world-class infrastructure coastlines and
T T B U R E AU Our ministry has prepared a
and manpower and undertak-
numerous lakes
I ncredible India has lined
up a multi-pronged
approach to aggressively
promote tourism in India, said
K Chiranjeevi, Minister for
ing aggressive promotional
and marketing activities. The
recently launched phase two
of Incredible India campaign
indicates a paradigm shift
multi-pronged strategy to
increase India’s share in
World Tourist Arrivals
in several parts
of the country,
State for Tourism with with the focus now being on Maritime Energy
Independent Charge to the consumers. The emphasis is wildlife, breath taking “Tourism is now recog-
global audience that had gath- on the fact that international mountains and vibrant nised as the driver of the Heli Air Services
ered to witness the grand tourists can find their destina- festivals. In fact, India economic growth. It’s also
finale of the World Travel tion or product of desire in bagged three prestigious reckoned as the best tool to
K Chiranjeevi
Minister for State for Tourism
(MEHAIR) plans
Awards in India. India,” said Chiranjeevi. India
offers a wide variety of travel
World Travel Awards (WTA),
namely World’s Leading
promote sustainable develop-
ment and address the inclusive turing, etc. Another unique
to introduce sea-
“Our ministry has pre-
pared a multi-pronged strate-
attractions, which exhibit
our traditional culture,
Destination- India, World’s
Leading Tourist Board-
growth concerns. Tourism has
the potential to stimulate other
aspect of the tourism sector is
that it provides employment
planes in Kerala,
gy to increase India’s share in ethos and modern outlook. Incredible India and World’s economic factors through even to the unskilled and Mumbai and Goa.
World Tourist Arrivals. It Tourism also draws strength Leading Tourist Attraction- its linkages with a host of sec- semi-skilled manpower,”
includes the development of in India from its diverse Taj Mahal. tors like agriculture, manufac- said Chiranjeevi. See full story on page 18
Lufthansa bags WTA
Tourism needs a makeover?
Experts believe that bringing change in orientation of the
tourism industry as pro-poor sector and its ability to generate
jobs will put its genuine demands on a stronger pedestal.
VIVEK SETHI the top decision makers in the Professor Emeritus, London
travel and hospitality industry School of Economics, who
SanJeet, Director, DDP Publications presents the World Travel Award (WTA) to Axel
Hilgers, Lufthansa’s Director-South Asia. The service has been adjudged as the World's
Leading Airline- Economy Class. WTA has capped its year-long search for the most
popular travel and tourism brands in the world with its glittering Grand Finale Gala
T he interactive session
called by the World
Travel & Tourism
Council, India Initiative
(WTTCII) titled ‘Leading
together. The four eminent
panelists included Arun
Maira, Member, Planning
Commission, Parvez Dewan,
Secretary, Ministry of Tourism,
dwelt deep into various possi-
bilities of making tourism a
profitable and priority sector.
Here are the excerpts from the
various expert insights:-
Ceremony in Delhi - NCR, India on December 12, 2012. The decision-makers of the
industry attended the VIP evening, which was officially supported by the Ministry of Tourism Through Turbulent Kapil Kaul, CEO, South Asia,
Tourism, Government of India, and hosted at The Oberoi, Gurgaon. Times’ in New Delhi brought CAPA and Ian Angell, Contd. on page 6

5. BULLETIN
MOT to study tax impact on tourism
The ministry will conduct the study of comparison on the impact of
excessive taxes on tourism viz-a-viz export industry and also with the
competing neighbouring countries.
T T B U R E AU
T he Ministry of Tourism is
now preparing to study
the ground realities, as to
create a more conducive
business environment
in the tourism industry.
K Chiranjeevi, Minister of
State for Tourism with
Independent charge has
IATO team with Tourism Minister Chiranjeevi (third from left)
announced that his Ministry
will conduct comprehensive tries,” said Chiranjeevi, and export industry status is as the export industry is
study on impact of taxation while addressing the dele- given to the tourism industry, exempted from service tax
on the tourism sector. gation of the Indian tourism will go up by at least whereas the tourism industry
Association of Tour 50 per cent in the country. is not. This is resulting in
“The ministry will con-
Operators (IATO) in discrimination not only
duct the study of compari- “Visa-on-Arrival scheme
New Delhi. against the exporters, but
son of the impact of exces- should be extended to all
also against tour operators in
sive taxes on tourism indus- The EC members of tourism-friendly countries. In
the neighbouring countries
try viz-a-viz the export IATO had met the minister in countries where Visa-on-
like Sri Lanka, Nepal etc,
industry and also the com- his office and apprised him of Arrival is not possible, e-visa
who are not paying any taxes
parative analysis on the tax the pertinent issues. Subhash should be issued for travelling
and the business for India
structure on the Indian Goyal, President, IATO to India. Indian tour operators
is being routed through
tourism industry with com- apprised the minister that if are being discriminated
them,” Goyal added.
peting neighbouring coun- Visa-on-Arrival is expanded against the physical exporters

6. STATISTICS
VIEWPOINT 1 bn tourists = 1bn opportunities
According to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO),
Together in 2013 one billion tourists have travelled internationally in 2012. This is equal
to one in every seven people on the planet travelling the world in 2012,
T he Travel & Tourism Industry is
moving forward on a very positive
note… The policy initiatives launched
up from just 25 million in 1950.
T T B U R E AU • US$ 1.2 trillion in exports nomic conditions, and is key to the power of one
during the last two months of the calendar a year supporting the global economy billion tourists to affect
year 2012 hold promise for more path-
breaking measures that shall be rolled out T he figure establishes
tourism as one of the
world’s largest and fastest
• Six per cent of world trade
• Eight per cent of the
in current challenging times.
UNWTO forecast point-
positive change
making small changes
to their travel behaviour.
by
in 2013. The two new marketing ed to the one-billionth tourist
growing economic sectors. It exports of least developed The campaign, One Billion
arriving somewhere in the
campaigns covering both international and accounts for: countries
world in December. UNWTO
Tourists: One Billion
• Nine per cent of global Opportunities, called on the
domestic markets, followed up by a GDP (direct, indirect and For developing countries,
chose December 13 as the
one billion tourists to make
symbolic arrival date of the
comprehensive study on the fall-out of induced) tourism brings much needed-
one-billionth tourist.
their actions count by saving
excessive taxation and setting up of a foreign exchange and invest- water and energy, using
• One in every 12 jobs
ment. Tourism has also proven To celebrate, the associ- public transport, protecting
regional tourism promotion council in a worldwide (direct, indirect
to be an extremely resilient ation ran a global campaign heritage and more.
and induced)
span of less than two months, further sector, despite uncertain eco- to raise awareness of
strengthens our hopes for 2013.
In 2012, a record one billion tourists crossed international
New Year brings with it a feeling of good 1 out of 7 people travel in 2012 borders in a single year.
will, cheer and relief. One more year has & how they make a difference Another five to six billion are estimated to travel in their own
countries every year.
gone and our business is doing well despite
the global crunch. I don’t want to sound like
a messiah or a doomsday nemesis, but if we
want to reach international standards, then
together as an industry we need to take a
vow for 2013 to carry our business and
this country forward with a feeling of pride
and ownership.
There are plenty of opportunities in India
for it to be sold as a destination, bestowed
with incredible travel offerings that have
Source:@UNWTO:2012
plenty to satisfy the needs of all segments
of travellers. To do this, even the smaller
operators need to organise and work with
a strategy:
1. Five years from now, what is the world
going to look like in which we run our
business? Tourism matters a lot
2. What will be the role of our company in
this changed future?
3. What are the steps we need to take,
starting today, to get there?
We must learn to value our people as
much as we value the opinion from the
other captains of the industry. Ask them
for their views, let them evaluate their
own everyday work and fit it into the
broader discussion of what to achieve in
that time period. This will help us draw
the path of operations, which will help in
Source:@UNWTO:2012
achieving the desired targets five years
from now.
Wishing you all a wonderful New Year, filled
with success and peace of mind.
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7. MOT JANUARY 1 ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2013 TRAVTALK 5
Say Namaste, Italia!
Parvez Dewan, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism at the inauguration of the
exhibition titled - ‘Italia comes to you’, highlighted the need to increase bilateral
efforts to increase the two-way flow of tourists between Italy and India.
VIVEK SETHI counterparts to enhance the by the Indian Tourism 94 per cent from India. We (L-R): Dewan and Bruschini at the exhibition
bilateral flow of visitors Secretary. had received 1,97,000 trav-
“L ike Italy, India has
cities that are world-
famous with great tourist
between the two countries,”
said Marco Bruschini,
Director General, Italian
“India is an important
market for us. Over the last
ellers in 2010 who consumed
an equivalent of 4,61,000
overnights. We aim to further
tions with our Indian travel
and trade partners,” he
added. The National Tourism
the said exhibition in other
BRIC countries successfully
and was now held in Delhi
attractions. However, over State Tourist Board reacting five years, Italy has witnessed strengthen these numbers by Board ENIT, instituted to and Bengaluru in December
2,00,000 Indians visit Italy to the gesture extended a tremendous growth of over also strengthening our rela- promote Italy had conducted 2012 over five days.
p.a. while only half the num-
ber of Italians come to India.
Both countries need to
enhance the bilateral flow of
visitors and explore the true
potential of tourism in both
countries,” said Dewan.
The Secretary, while
discussing the withdrawal of
the mandatory requirement
of the two months gap for
foreigners visiting India
on a tourist visa, stated, “We
need to build awareness
about Indian cuisine and cin-
ema, among many things to
increase the flow of Italian
visitors to India. The with-
drawal of the mandatory gap
for foreigners visiting will
definitely function as an
incentive for our Italian visi-
tors, as well,” he added.
On the other hand, “We
are reinstating our National
Tourism Board’s office in
New Delhi from January. We
will also undertake several
initiatives with our Indian
FTAs grow
by 5.9%
during
Jan-Nov.
As per the statistics
released by the Ministry
of Tourism, the Foreign
Tourist Arrivals (FTAs)
during the period
January-November 2012
were 58.99 lakh with a
growth of 5.9 per cent,
over the same period in
2011, as compared to the
FTAs of 55.72 lakh with a
growth of 9.4 per cent
during January-
November 2011 over the
corresponding period of
2010. FTAs during the
November 2012 were
6.90 lakh as compared to
FTAs of 6.70 lakh during
the same month in 2011
and 6.08 lakh in
November 2010. There
has been a growth of 3
per cent in November
2012 over November
2011 as compared to a
growth of 10.1 per cent
that was registered in
November 2011 over
November 2010.

8. 6 TRAVTALK JANUARY 1 ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2013 NEWS
Priya Paul is new
Chairman, WTTCII
Priya Paul, Chairperson,
The Apeejay Surrendra
takes over from Vikram
Madhok, Managing Director,
Ease taxation: A loud cry
Contd. from page 1
Park Hotels has been appointed Abercrombie & Kent India,
who completed his term at the Arun Maira, Member, Planning Parvez Dewan, Secretary, Ministry
recently held AGM in Delhi. Commission- The travel industry has of Tourism We are willing to work
The World Travel & Tourism a strong case to present to the with the industry to facilitate various
Council, India Initiative government and get most of its measures and try to ease the permis-
(WTTCII) was launched in year genuine demands addressed. But, sion seeking process, so that only a
2000 with a purpose to unite firstly, it requires itself to change its few permissions shall be required for
key players from the industry image and portray itself as a sector various processes, like opening a
to work closely with the that has immense job creation and hotel. But then having said that one
Government and other stake- poverty alleviation potential. The Arun Maira needs to keep the federal set-up of Parvez Dewan
travel industry needs to understand Member our country in mind. Everybody Secretary
Priya Paul that like the tourism and hospitality Planning Commission needs to understand that the central Ministry of Tourism
Chairman, WTTCII government can help them only to a
sector, all the industries want tax
concessions from the government. Here, change in orientation certain extent.
as the Chairperson and Dipak of the tourism industry as pro-poor sector and its ability to
Deva, CEO, Destination generate employment will put its case on a stronger pedestal.
Management, India & South
Kapil Kaul, CEO, South Asia,
Asia, Kuoni Destination CAPA - The aviation sector in India
Ian Angell, Professor Emeritus, had long been selling below costs.
Management has been
London School of Economics- The under recoveries had been
appointed as the Vice
Dipak Deva Excessive taxation is bad. In circum- huge and are contributing to the
Chairman of WTTC, India Vice Chairman, WTTCII
stances where it’s possible for a present position. One needs to
Initiative 2013 at the recently
project to pay for it, the government understand that the Incredible
held Annual General Meeting
should support it to pay for itself India tourism can’t stand without a
of the World Travel & Tourism holders to address issues of
through measures like tax holidays healthy aviation sector. After so
Council, India Initiative concern and advocate policy Kapil Kaul
and other incentives. CEO many years, the demand and supply
(WTTCII) in New Delhi. Paul, directives to support the devel-
South Asia dynamics look favourable to the
who was the Vice Chairperson opment of the Travel & Ian Angell
of WTTCII for the year 2012, Tourism sector. Professor Emeritus Indian airlines.
London School of Economics
‘India, China to lead Aviation this year’
According to IATA, India, China and Latin America would continue to lead the growth next year in the
global aviation industry which would improve its profit from USD 6.7 billion to an estimated USD 8.4 billion.
Excerpts from speech by Tony Tyler during the IATA event.
T T B U R E AU the past year are slots and a priority, the IATA Board of sions to this - cost and avail- concession agreement might
passenger rights. Europe pre- Governors asked us to defend ability. As governments have prevented it. We
W hile Chinese domestic
market continues to
expand ‘very strongly’
sented initial proposals for an
Airports Package of legisla-
the global system. And yes-
terday, we had good news
struggle with tight budgets,
many are looking to the pri-
have seen progress in India
since our protests. The
tion which included some from the European vate sector for help in devel- Minister has directed
despite a slowdown earlier
very positive changes such as Parliament that the corner- oping airport infrastructure. the airports to remove
this year, the Indian market,
the introduction of greater stones of the Worldwide Slot India, for example, devel- airport development fees.
by contrast, went into a
competition for ground han- Guidelines have been main- oped Delhi into a first class That challenge now is to get
‘sharp reverse’ in 2012
dling services at European tained. And it is not just hub airport with the partici- that implemented.
following the problems
airports. But it also proposed Europe. We are working in pation of private partners.
faced by Kingfisher Airlines
changes to the regulation of China, Colombia, India, The facilities are great. But
and the slowdown in
Tony Tyler slots which would have taken Mexico, Poland, the UK the structure of the conces- Taking off
the Indian economy.
Director General and CEO Europe away from some basic and the US, among other sion agreement requires the
Following are excerpts from IATA
Europe presented initial
principles of the global best countries, to defend the concessionaire to return 46%
a speech by Tony Tyler, proposals for an Airports
practices which are codified appropriate application of of the top line revenue to the
Director General and CEO, Package of legislation which
(and safety for that matter) is in the Worldwide Slot the global system. government. And this year,
IATA during the event: included some very positive
global standards, the same is Guidelines. Among other after a long process, the reg-
We are also keeping a true for much of the way that things, the use-it or lose-it
Infrastructure ulator approved a 346%
changes such as the introduction
of greater competition for ground
close watch on regulation. the industry is regulated. rule would have been Growth can be facilitat- increase in charge. That’s handling services at European
Just as the solution for avia- Some areas which have been changed to 85-15 from the ed or inhibited by infrastruc- unacceptable for the indus- airports
tion and the environment particularly newsworthy over globally accepted 80-20. As ture. There are two dimen- try. And a more realistic

9. EXHIBITIONS JANUARY 1 ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2013 TRAVTALK 7
Witnessing innovations@FITUR 2013
At FITUR 2012 in Madrid, around 1,800 trade appointments took place at different workshops that were
organised within the framework of the fair.
FITUR Know-How & Trade Institute (ICEX). It products and services, and this is a characteristic that and have produced some
T T B U R E AU Export Forum, which seeks aims at promoting the value to buyers from other sets the fair apart from excellent results in the past,
to add a value-added dimen- of expertise and experience foreign markets. other events. in terms of providing access
A ccording to its Ana
Larranaga, Director,
FITUR 2013 promises much
sion to the business and
innovation prospects of com-
within the tourist industry
as a means of boosting inno- Gateway to Latin Exhibitor’s delight
to new markets, strategic
alliances and trade
more, as it has enhanced its
panies operating within the vation and development. America and more These B2B meetings opportunities. These trade
field, is promoted by the fair, Around 30 companies will FITUR effectively serves will take place within the meetings have proven to
legacy of niche B2B platforms
in conjunction with SEGIT- present their potential, as a hub for the Latin framework of the Third be highly effective in
and tools that are made avail-
UR and the Spanish Foreign know-how and experiences, American tourist market Hosted Buyers Workshop previous years.
able to its travel trade part-
ners. This will cater to the
exhibitors’ delight and con-
tribute important perspective
to the industry on pertinent
global developments. The
Ana Larranaga
Director
FITUR
The strong
attendance of
international
tourism
professionals
reflect their
interest in FITUR
director elaborates more on
leading FITUR as the gateway
to the Latin American markets
and more. Excerpts:-
Strategic B2B forums
and tools
Larranaga says that
FITUR is committed to the idea
of innovation, always based on
new trends and new market
needs. In this respect, in addi-
tion to its most important new
initiative on this occasion, in
the form of the business forum
known as FITUR Know How &
Export, the fair will incorpo-
rate a new forum devoted to
wine tourism and hotels, as
well as others that focus on
various areas of interest or of
up-and-coming importance
within the tourism business,
such as tourism efficiency
(FITUR Green), the application
of technology in tourism
(FITURTECH) and the spe-
cialised sections known as
FITUR LGBT, Receptive
Tourism Spain and FITUR
Active. “All of these initiatives,
offer important tools to
tourism professionals and in
this respect, we seek to make
our contribution to the future
growth of the tourist industry,”
she says.

10. HOTELS
Kolkata airport boosts biz
With rise in the number of existing flights, introduction
of new routes and ever-increasing tourists, hospitality
development will also rise. speaks to some
eminent stakeholders to get their views on the same.
M E G H A PAU L league of hotels - the business to be operational by
hotels that will cater exclusive- 2013-14.” The occupancy
T he new Kolkata airport
has been upgraded to
handle 20 million passengers,
ly to the MICE segment, he
adds. With a focus to promote
the East as a potential tourism
will also increase, if the
Government is able to
attract investment to
double the current capacity. hub, CII has been hosting the the city. The success of
Saugata Mukherjee MJ Robertson Marco Saxer
Regional Director - Co-Chairman Tourism Committee - Bengal General Manager
Eastern Region CII Chamber of Commerce & Industry Swissotel Kolkata
The development The new airport Companies
at the airport will will bring more would like to
have positive hospitality showcase the
effects on the business and new airport to
hotel industry in relieve air their colleagues
Kolkata congestion and partners
The initiative of Airports event Destination East, the their efforts will also
Authority of India (AAI) to first B2B event in the region. reflect on occupancy,
transform Kolkata airport into The airport development will he points out.
a hub for South-East Asia will boost this event as well. The
According to Marco
soon be a reality. The new third edition of ‘Destination
Saxer, General Manager,
integrated terminal in the East’ will be organised from
Swissotel Kolkata, the new ter-
upgraded Kolkata airport is to February 8-15 in Kolkata,
minal will help Kolkata to
be fully functional by the first he informs.
achieve greater number of
quarter of 2013. Industry
MJ Robertson, Co- visitors. Not only corporate,
leaders see a big spurt in the
chairman, Tourism but more of transient guests
hospitality development in
Committee - Bengal Chamber will now frequent the city.
the region.
of Commerce & Industry MICE and smaller meetings
Saugata Mukherjee, opines, “The new airport will will be held in Kolkata as many
Regional Director - Eastern not only bring in more hospi- companies in Kolkata would
Region, CII feels, “An increase tality business, but will also like to showcase the new air-
in international flights is antic- relieve the considerable con- port to their colleagues and
ipated, as Kolkata is the only gestion presently seen at the partners, he comments. The
gateway to all of eastern India. existing airport. It will also General Manager expects a
Also, with the increase in provide the much-needed rise in occupancy from the
inbound footfalls from ASEAN support to the airlines to existing 76 per cent to over 80
and the Far East, expand operations in the per cent. The ARR should also
destinations in this region eastern sector.” witness some growth of
have also been growing. almost 20 per cent. To cash in
Hospitality growth can never Regarding the boost to on the new airport, the hotel
happen in isolation and these the hospitality sector, will tie-up with the local cor-
developments will surely affect Robertson says, “There are porate houses and airlines.
the hotel industry in Kolkata a number of hotels coming “We have teamed up with
positively.” Also, with more up on the connecting road airlines flying to Kolkata and
number of MICE travellers that from the airport. Big-ticket have optimised the search
might visit the city now, operators are in the fray engine for our hotel on
Kolkata will witness a new and the hotels are all slated the web,” he adds.
1 lakh footfall in Kite Festival
A two-day Delhi lakh footfall on both the days. ture this festival in its regular
International Kite Festival was According to GG Saxena, extravaganza. Going forward,
organised by Delhi Tourism & Managing Director and CEO, Delhi Tourism will bring back
Transport Development Delhi Tourism & Transport the successful and much-
Corporation (DTTDC), in asso- Development Corporation awaited food festival - Dilli Ke
ciation with the Delhi govern- (DTTDC), Delhi Tourism plans Pakwaan. The festival will be
ment on December 8-9. The to promote more of these old held at Baba Kharak Singh
festival witnessed around one fading traditions and will fea- Marg from December 24-30.

11. NEWS JANUARY 1 ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2013 TRAVTALK 9
Gujarat gets ready with ITTHE 2013
As an integral part of the Vibrant Gujarat Trade Show, TAFCON is organising the International Travel Tourism
Hospitality Expo (ITTHE) 2013 under the aegis of the Government of Gujarat from January 8-13.
T T B U R E AU nated government cam- end break or longer holiday 25 countries. ITTHE 2013 all over the world showcase bound tourism. It will also
paigns to promote to their trip. Foreign tourists will be an ideal platform for a diverse range of tourism see tourism professionals
G ujarat is one of the most
proactive states when it
comes to taking initiatives in
‘Incredible India’.” Owing to
the booming IT and out-
sourcing industry, a growing
spend more in India than
almost any other country
worldwide, he added.
both national and interna-
tional tourism organisations
to meet, collaborate and dis-
products. The Expo presents
a perfect platform for both
local and international trav-
from India and around the
world showcase a diverse
range of accommodation
the tourism segment. Adding number of business trips are cuss inbound and outbound el and tourism organisations options, breathtaking
another feather to its cap, made by foreigners to India, The expo is expected to tourism. It will help the to collaborate and discuss tourism attractions and new
there is another interesting who will often add a week- have participation from over tourism professionals from inbound, domestic and out- airline routes.
initiative coming up. At the
IITHE 2013, hoteliers and
other stake holders can
explore new market products,
services and destinations,
sign long-term deals, meet
M L Wadhwa
CMD
TAFCON
India’s tourism
industry is
experiencing a
strong growth,
driven by
burgeoning
Indian middle
class, rise in
high-spending
foreign tourists
and government
campaigns
top international buyers and
generate sales leads. Besides
this, they can meet existing
customers and channel part-
ners, recruit new agents and
distributors and launch new
products and packages at
must-visit show of the year.
Talking about the
much-awaited event, ML
Wadhwa, CMD, TAFCON
pointed out, “India’s
tourism industry is experi-
encing a strong period of
growth, driven by the bur-
geoning Indian middle class,
growth in high-spending
foreign tourists and coordi-
Meeting Point
ITTHE 2013 will be an ideal
platform for both national
and international tourism
organisations to meet,
collaborate and discuss
inbound and outbound
tourism

12. HOTELS
Moving ahead with caution
Saurabh Rai Bhatnagar, Regional Director (South Asia),
Preferred Hotel Group, talks about commitment to
consolidate the existing portfolio along with the future
growth in key business and leisure cities in India.
M E G H A PAU L alliances owing to the diffi-
cult financial conditions as
C hicago-based Preferred
Hotel Group is targeting
an increase in its clientele to
these are anyways niche
products.” The group typical-
ly works on a five-to-seven
35 hotel members in India by year contract with the hotel;
the end of April 2014. “Over which is relatively shorter
the next 18 months, we plan given the average duration of
to have 35 member hotels. I management contracts of
am very confident that we the hard brand operators.
will achieve these numbers,” “However, despite having a
Bhatnagar said. shorter term contract, we
Saurabh Rai Bhatnagar
South Asia Regional Director have over 95 per cent reten-
The company currently
Preferred Hotel Group tion rate,” he revealed.
has 29 hotels, including New
Delhi-based Imperial and Confirming that the
The Leela Palace New Delhi of hotels in the market, we OTAs are a fundamental part
as its members. In its are fully committed to deploy of online travel, Bhatnagar
10-year old operations in the our existing infrastructure for emphasised, “We consider
India market, the member our long-time partners by them as partners and we
hotels are present in all six adding to their competitive would like to ensure that we
brands, from five-star luxury strength,” he added. will continue our regional
Preferred Hotels and Resorts channel management. For
Going forward, the
to four-star Sterling Hotels retail, an OTA will pull in an
group will also look at
and Sterling Design. “We are entire inventory of the hotel,
reassessing its relationship
looking at both business and henceforth, we have
with member hotels. He
and leisure destinations to tied up with over 140 key
pointed out, “Our prime
expand our portfolio of Online Travel Distribution
objective is to increase the
travellers,” he revealed. (OTD) companies around
brand presence of the hotel
the world.”
In the changing sce- and its profitability. So even
nario, where hospitality busi- if one of these get realigned,
ness has been hit worldwide, it is important to reassess the Future Talk
the group is moving cautious- relationship. While hotel
ly in India as well. According owners are riding through It is of utmost importance that
to Bhatnagar, growth in India choppy waters, it would not utility of the existing hotels
cannot just be defined by be surprising if owners are ought to be maximised
numbers. “In our business pushed to take some harsh While hotel owners are riding
proposition, it is of utmost decisions such as selling their through choppy waters,
importance that utility of the hotels or letting it go to owners may be pushed to
existing hotels ought to be another operator. We do take some harsh decisions
maximised. With new supply anticipate changes in such as selling their hotels
Visit Finland adds X-Mas fervour
Visit Finland invited travel trade to celebrate the spirit of Christmas and mood of the coming New Year
with Santa from Lapland in New Delhi, which was very well attended by its travel trade partners.

13. STATES JANUARY 1 ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2013 TRAVTALK 11
Uttarakhand lays out the welcome mat
The Nanda Devi Raj Jatt is going to be held after 12 years in 2013 and the
state tourism board is ready to attract visitors, especially during this festival.
Focussing on religious tourism, Uttarakhand is also promoting adventure.
Himalayas and the Reserve, Corbett National years who come to
T T B U R E AU revered Ganges. Park and Rajaji National visit Gangotri, Yamunotri,
Park. The national parks are Kedarnath and Badrinath, the
D omestic tourist visits to
Uttarakhand increased
from 1.9 crore in 2007 to
Uttarakhand has 65%
forest cover and thus is home
ideal for those seeking the
call of the wild. Till now,
four most holy pilgrimages
know as the Char Dham.
to the ‘Valley of Flowers’, the Uttarakhand has welcomed Now, the government is also
2.66 crore in 2011, repre-
Nanda Devi Biosphere pilgrims for thousands of promoting ‘village stays’.
senting 4.1% growth. The
foreign tourist visits
increased from 96,000 in
2007 to 1.14 lakh in 2011
showing a 0.73% increase.
For 2012, the tourism board
expects these numbers to rise
further and is going all out to
attract more tourists.
The State recorded good
growth in the tourism sector
and has prioritised this indus-
Poonam Chand
Regional Tourism Officer
Uttarakhand Tourism
try due to the festival. Efforts
to get Uttarakhand recog-
nised worldwide as a tourism
destination are underway.
In 2013, the tourism
board is going all out to pro-
mote Nanda Devi Raj Jatt, an
important spiritual and cul-
tural festival of Uttarakhand,
which takes place after every
12 years. This legendary
yatra will take place for the
first time after the State’s
formation. It would take
place from August 29 to
September 16, 2013 and
will witness hundreds of
thousands of devotees
and enthusiasts from across
the world. It will cover a
long trek of about 280 kms
with 18 halts on the way
at an altitude of 3,960
metres in 18 days.
Uttarakhand is seen as
fount of spiritual energy.
Everyone cherishes coming
to the hilly state to rejuve-
nate oneself by the virtue of
its pristine beauty, wildlife,
natural environs and places
of religious and pilgrimage
importance. It is ideal for
tourists seeking peace and
tranquillity, along with
leisure and adventure activ-
ities. The State has a perfect
blend of spiritual, adventure
and nature. The charm of
meditation, spirituality, yoga,
rural tourism, skiing,
trekking, rafting amidst the
fascinating views of mighty

14. HOTELS
The Address Hotels & Resorts
India shining for Dubai Address
The discerning Indian traveller has made it to the top list of The
Address Hotels & Resorts, a Dubai-based five-star premium
hotel of Emaar Hospitality Group with an average of 3-5 nights.
T T B U R E AU about deriving true value for ations in India for The Address
money. With our portfolio of Hotels & Resorts over the last
I ndia is among the top five
markets for us. This has set
an all-new definition for glob-
The Address Downtown
Dubai, The Address Dubai
Mall, The Address Dubai
three years. “We have success-
fully extended our reach in
Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru
al standards in luxury hospi- Marina, The Address through our Indian partner.
tality, says Seema Pande, Montgomerie Dubai and The Going forward, we look for-
Group Director, Sales and ward to strengthening our
Marketing of The Address reach in Chennai and
Hotels & Resorts. Ahmedabad,” said Pande.
“India has pleasantly
“We value all our B2B
surprised us with a fabulous
partners and are always acces-
increase in the numbers of
sible to all our, small, medium
top-end business in leisure,
and large travel partners. We
FIT, corporate and MICE
are fortunate to have an equal
front. With increase in the
balance of corporate and
family travel from India, we
leisure travellers and the
have witnessed an impres-
weekdays are as good as
sive growth in Indian wed-
weekends. Even though we
dings and engagements at
Seema Pande have multiple teams taking
our properties. The Indian Group Director, Sales and Marketing care of various travellers, we
families with members The Address Hotels & Resorts
remain accessible and value all
spread all over in USA, UK,
our small, medium and big
Europe and other parts of the
Palace Downtown Dubai, we B2B partners,” she stated.
world, find Dubai to be an
expect to close our 2012 year
easily accessible destination
with over 10-15% growth
with adequate air connectiv-
from the Indian market. We
ity and a welcoming visa
are also looking at expanding India Market & Address
regime,” informed Pande.
our presence in key destina- India is among the top five
“The Indian visitors tions in the Middle East, North markets for us
spend on an average of 3-5 Africa, the Indian subconti-
nights and are among the top nent, South Asia and Europe,” We expect to close our 2012
spenders. Indians are willing she added. The Nijhawan year with over 10-15 per cent
to spend on premium products Group has been taking care of growth from the Indian market
only when they are convinced the sales and marketing oper-
Jumeirah set to enter India
The Group signs the first management agreement for
a Mumbai property. They are also involved in advance
negotiations on potential projects.
A N I TA J A I N our group properties, with
room night occupancies
I n February 2012,
reported the interest of
Dubai-based luxury hotel
improving by close to 50 per
cent year-on-year. We have
set our sight on city centres
management group - and resort destinations like
Jumeirah Hotels, Resorts & Mumbai, New Delhi,
Residences to enter the Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Goa
Indian hospitality sector. In a and Kerala.
latest development, the
group has recently signed its The need for five-
first management agreement star hotels in India
for a five-star property in Gerald Lawless
Lower Parel area of Central
President & Group CEO has been growing
Jumeirah Group
Mumbai. The property is and we are happy to
expected to be launched by
worldwide. At the macro
have initiated the
2017 and will house about
level, Jumeirah will adhere to first phase of our
470 spacious rooms, suites
and apartments along with
its core business in India; expansion in India
managing luxury and five- with our first
wide range of banqueting and
star hotels and resorts using
F&B services. The name of
an asset light approach.
project in Mumbai.”
the property, investment
details and additional facts Gerald Lawless, The group currently
will be disclosed by mid President & Group CEO, operates 20 luxury hotels
2013. The group's operating Jumeirah Group said, “India and serviced apartments,
model is expansion through is one of the major players in including 10 in the UAE,
the acquisition of manage- the global hospitality and seven in Europe, seven
ment contracts in both key tourism industry, particularly in the Maldives and 1 in
gateway cities and aspira- Asia. It is currently the third China with 15 additional
tional resort destinations fastest growing market for under development.

15. HOTELS JANUARY 1 ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2013 TRAVTALK 13
Bengaluru gets its The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa
first Marriott Hotel
Marriott Hotel Whitefield,
Bengaluru city’s first Marriott
sits atop the newest mall
IT hub in India and also has
a GDP growth four times that
of Bengaluru city.
Adding value to the Valley
Inorbit. It has one of the
largest ballrooms in the city
Although the city has a lot
of hotels but in Whitefield
The new Gulmarg enterprise will aim at converting hordes of tourist day
with 2,500 sq metres of area, there is yet a dearth of trips to Gulmarg into overnight stays and more.
outdoor space. The hotel rooms. There are no interna-
has 324 rooms, including 17 tional five-star hotels in this
T T B U R E AU year, the growth story
area at this given point and
of increasing footfalls only
time. Whitefield not only
houses most of the Fortune
500 companies but also has a
W ith peace prevailing in
Kashmir, tourism has
now got a boost in the Valley.
got better. However, now the
problem that still looms
large is the issue of
steadily growing residential With an unprecedented 10.73 accommodation.
population. The area itself is lakh tourists till September
about 18km from the heart of Addressing this dilem-
the city. The city roads ma is The Khyber Himalayan
are choc block almost all Resort & Spa in Gulmarg.
through the day, and residents The resort opened its doors
Matthew Cooper prefer to stay in Whitefield on December 21 last year.
General Manager
over the weekend, constantly The 85-key resort is
Marriott Hotel Whitefield
Gulmarg’s first luxury resort
looking for places to go to.
and is spread over seven
There are also plenty of com-
suites. The executive lounge panies around the hotel and
acres and located at an eleva- time and return to Srinagar “We are eyeing
tion of 8,825 ft in the at night. Thus, the objective the inbound
on the 15th floor offers the view these companies have ample Pir Panjal range of the of the hotel is to convert the
of Whitefield and is available Marriott Rewards members Himalayas while overlooking day trips to overnight trips.” market, specifically
to guests staying on the exec- who are currently staying the Affarwat peaks. the travellers
utive floor to conduct business elsewhere. Given this “Right from its opening
and meetings. scenario, the hotel is bound Alex Koshy Supporting the desti- on December 21, the hotel who visit Gulmarg
Talking about the to do well.”
General Manager
The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa
nation with the hotel, Alex was sold out for the first two for skiing
choice of location for the The hotel property is also Koshy, General Manager, weeks,” he adds. during winters
The Khyber Himalayan
hotel, Matthew Cooper, banking on the MICE segment
30 in 2011, it seems that the Resort & Spa said, “All Being the best skiing
while during
General Manager, Marriott to boost their occupancy, since summers, we will
love for Kashmir has been tourists include Gulmarg in destination in India, the hotel
Hotel Whitefield, says, the hotel houses a large func-
“Bengaluru’s business hub is tion space. The hotel estimates
rediscovered. This is a first, their itinerary. However, is targetting skiing enthusi- eye the domestic
as it is the highest number of owing to the dearth of good asts all over. “Domestic travel tourists,” the
clearly moving to micro-mar- the business mix to be about
tourist arrivals in the state, hotels in the region, they is still at its peak during the
kets. Whitefield is the largest 80:20 in the initial period. over the past 25 years. Last visit Gulmarg during day- summers in India.” GM reveals.

16. NTO
More than just stop-overs
For the first time, Turkish Hoteliers Federation hosted
a 5-city roadshow in India to focus on the varied
destinations such as Istanbul, Cappadocia and Antalya.
T T B U R E AU
I n 2011, Turkey received
31.4 million foreign
tourists of which 74,000
were from India. In 2012,
from January to September,
the arrivals from India
reached 66,700. In a bid to
hard-sell itself as a business
and leisure destination in
India, the country is now tar-
getting a 30 per cent growth Emin Cakmak Ozgur Ayturk
Founding Chairman Culture and Tourism Counsellor
to get more than one lakh Turkish Healthcare Travel Council Turkey
Indian arrivals by 2013.
This is the first time the The motive for Turkey has
Turkish Hoteliers Federation
has organised a roadshow in this roadshow planned
India. Emphasisng on wed- is to convert workshops and
ding, golf and honeymoon des-
tinations such as Istanbul, this transit joint marketing
Cappadocia and Antalya, Emin
Cakmak, Founding Chairman, business events with
Turkish Healthcare Travel into overnight leading Indian
Council pointed out, “India
is one of the key markets for stays tour operators
us and the positive growth rate
of Indians visiting Turkey
has strengthened our
Turkey has planned 2013, we have also increased
confidence in the market.
media and ad campaigns apart our promotional budget, which
Currently, a chunk of Indian
from workshops and joint mar- has been earmarked for US$
travellers visit Turkey only as
keting events with leading two million. We will be spend-
a transit destination. The road-
Indian tour operators. Revealed ing nearly US$ 1 million for
show is to convert these
Ozgur Ayturk, Culture and media and advertisement cam-
transits into overnight stays
Tourism Counsellor, Turkey, “In paigns as well.”
in the country.”
VisitBritain ups promotion
In a strategic initiative, it announced partnership with
Yatra.com in New Delhi. Both entities will work on
promoting new itineraries via a 3600 media campaign.
T T B U R E AU the end of December. The through our TSI-Yatra initia-
print campaign will kick-start tive. It has over 3,000 B2B
I ndia remains one of our
most important inbound
markets,says Patricia Yates,
in mid of January to be fol-
lowed up by an intensive
online campaign. The idea is
partners, which will help us
make the strategic alliance
into a successful partner-
Director - Strategy and to create various new itiner- ship,” Dev Added.
Communications,VisitBritain. aries spread across 5-12 days.
Yatra.com has already
“This partnership will help They can cost anywhere
done successful joint cam-
us to broaden our appeal as between ` 90,000-2,25,000,
a special destination and
promote all that is great
about Britain, as to capitalise
on all the positive mega cov-
erage after the London
Olympics. Indian tourists can
very well choose from a tour
of Buckingham Palace, see-
ing the sunrise at
Stonehenge or watching a
cricket test match to name a
few,” she says. (L-R); Neeraj Singh Dev, Patricia Yates & Shivali Suri
which can be customised fur- paigns with other destina-
The joint promotional
ther and they will deliver on tions such as Thailand and
initiative is estimated to be
the Indian aspiration to visit Malaysia. According to Dev,
over £ 100,000 and will be
tourist attractions beyond Yatra.com has seen growth in
beamed across electronic,
London.” its visitor arrivals to Britain
print and B2B channels.
by over 50 per cent.
Here, Neeraj Dev, Head- “The B2B players in
VisitBritain on the other
Outbound Product, Yatra.com India will also be able to ben-
hand, has set an ambitious
added, “We aim to utilise the efit from our strategic
target of welcoming over
star power of Salman Khan to alliance, as they can sell the
5,00,000 Indian visitors
engage with the audience. various itineraries that will
by 2012.
The first TVC will go on air by be a part of our campaign

17. ASSOCIATIONS JANUARY 1 ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2013 TRAVTALK 15
IAAI National Convention in January
IATA Agents Association of India (IAAI) is organising its National Convention from January 24-26, 2013 in Mumbai.
The theme for this year’s convention is, ‘Emerging Challenges and Opportunities in the Aviation Industry’.
issues and are working to The main business ses- discuss survival strategies convention will be very busi- widespread awareness
T T B U R E AU put airlines, travel agents sion is, ‘ASHA: Agents semi- and different ways to handle nesslike and professional. We about such important
and GDS on the same plat- nar on Handling Adversities’, these issues,” he adds. are also planning to circulate issues,” adds Eapen.
I AAI had decided to con-
duct its IAAI biennial
National Convention (ICON
form that will help us
debate relevant issues and
which they feel, assumes
humongous significance at a There will be four to
a white paper discussing the
tragic difficulties faced by the IAAI hopes this conven-
address all uncertainties,” juncture when airlines, GDS five business sessions along industry and address issues tion will help evolve new
2013) from January 24- 26,
said Biji Eapen, National and Travel Agents are strug- with the annual general such as weekly payments strategies in the present and
2013 at The Retreat, Hotel &
President, IATA Agents gling for co-existence. “In the meeting and the elections and highlight its misfortunes an all the more challenging
Convention Centre, Mumbai.
Association of India (IAAI). business session, we want to during this convention. “Our for us. We want to create aviation industry.
About 400-500 members of
the travel fraternity from
India are expected to attend
this convention. The associ-
ation feels that this conven-
tion will add extra mileage
in promoting India
Tourism. The theme of
ICON 2O13 is, ‘Emerging
Challenges and Opportunities
in Aviation Industry’.
Biji Eapen
National President
IATA Agents Association of India
We are planning to
circulate a white
paper discussing
the tragic
difficulties faced by
the industry and
address issues
such as weekly
payments
“Under this theme, we
will address the biggest
challenges faced by the
industry today. We want to
provide meaning to the
Premium
economy class
in Cathay
Starting January 1, 2013,
Cathay Pacific Airways is
introducing its new Premium
Economy Class cabin along
with Business Class on
Chennai-Hong Kong route.
Following the recent increase
of Chennai flights, from four
times a week to a daily serv-
ice, Chennai will be the first
city in South India to offer a
three-class configuration –
new Business Class, Premium
Economy Class and the new
long-haul Economy Class for
passengers travelling.

18. 16 TRAVTALK JANUARY 1 ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2013 FAMILY ALBUM
LPTI sets mood for festivities
Le Passage to India (LPTI) organised its annual cookout to bring together the travel trade partners and set the jovial mood for ushering
in the year-end celebrations, which was held on December 22, 2012 at the Select City Walk.
Jyotsna Suri is new FICCI Vice President
It is the first occasion, when a popular figure in travel and tourism has been bestowed such an honour. Her
popularity is evident as she was recently voted as the most popular woman in a survey conducted by .
T T B U R E AU She has been the has been bestowed such hon- survey was overwhelming Tour operators (IATO)
Chairperson of FICCI Tourism our. Her popularity is evident and Suri had registered a annually to the most
J yotsna Suri, Chairperson &
Managing Director, The
Lalit Suri Hospitality Group
Committee for the last five
years. Under her leadership,
FICCI introduced ‘The Great
as she was recently voted as
the most popular woman in
the travel industry survey
clean sweep over other nom-
inees. Lately, Suri was also
conferred the ‘Hall of Fame
prominent personalities,
who have contributed to
the growth of Indian
has been elected as the Vice India Travel Bazaar’ in 2008 conducted by . Award 2012’ by Prithviraj tourism. Suri has created
President of FICCI at the 85th and ‘The Great Domestic Chavan, Chief Minister of many new benchmarks in
Annual General Meeting Tourism Bazaar’ in 2011 – two This was a survey done to Maharashtra at the 28th IATO the tourism industry by fol-
of FICCI held in December heavily-attended events facil- recognise and felicitate Annual Convention held at lowing her dictum of
2012. Suri has been vocifer- itating tourism business inter- women, who have achieved NCPA, Mumbai in September. ‘Developing the destination
ously promoting Indian actions. It is the first such exemplary results in the field and not just hotels’,
Jyotsna Suri tourism both nationally and occasion, when a popular fig- of travel and tourism. The The Award is given by which has won her many
Vice President , FICCI
internationally. ure in the travel and tourism response received from the the Indian Association of accolades.

19. AVIATION
Emirates: Confident of India
Emirates launched a network wide ‘fare promotion’ campaign,
renewed partnership with Jet Airways and also introduced
unique packages to increase loads from the Indian market.
T T B U R E AU in aviation being relaxed this
year, it is a matter of time
I nternationally, India is the
biggest operating market
(in terms of number of cities
before international carriers
decide to participate.”
Moving forward, the airline is
connected to Dubai) for optimistic that the industry
Emirates Airline with 185 will record a positive growth
weekly flights from 10 Indian in 2013. “Airlines venturing
cities. With an average load into newer markets and
of over 70 per cent on every expanding their current net-
route in India, the airline is work will be a key.
not looking at expanding its Consolidation in some mar-
operations but consolidating Essa Sulaiman Ahmad kets will take place while in
Vice President – India & Nepal
on current routes. It has Emirates Airline
others operators will look to
recently renewed its partner- pool resources and reduce
ship with Jet Airways under their costs. International
which all the Emirates fre- Talking about India as LCC’s will continue to grow
quent flyer members have an aviation market, Essa and prosper with areas
options to fly on five daily Sulaiman Ahmad, Vice such as back-offices, ground
direct flights of Emirates and President – India & Nepal, handling and cargo logistics,
daily flights of Jet Airways on Emirates Airline said, becoming outsourced,”
Mumbai-Dubai route. adds Ahmad.
Moreover, considering India “Our focus on India
Furthermore, Ahmad
being a late booking market, remains where explained about some very
the airline also introduced a it is bullish and promising trends in the
network-wide fare promotion
from November 23- confident and that industry in 2013. The airline
expects a substantial increase
December 2, 2012 for travel we are operating in in the number of MICE trav-
between January 21-June a fundamentally ellers with many global
10, 2013, offering maximum
strong economy. events and is expected to
attract tourists from across
the globe. Leisure travel is
Growth chart for 2013 expected to rise around the
Emirates will launch services to Warsaw and Algiers in February mid-year period as the indus-
and March 2013 respectively, adding to its global network of 128 try approaches the summer
locations, while its fleet will also increase as the airline takes delivery vacation period. Adding to
of new aircraft. The airline has 212 aircrafts on order worth USD this, will be a good amount of
62 billion and is the leading customer of the Airbus A380 with 27 student traffic during the
in its fleet and 63 on order. peak admission time of April
– September. “All in all, I
60 per cent and minimum Taking into account the would say the year 2013
30 per cent discount on long-term potential of the looks exciting for the industry
select routes to encourage Indian market, our operations as well as Emirates,” con-
early bookings. reflect this outlook. With FDI cludes Ahmad.
Lounge@New Delhi Railway Station
IRCTC has unveiled its swanky new
"executive” waiting lounge at the Ajmeri
Gate entry point of the New Delhi
Railway Station. For ` 300 a person, one
can now enter the facility for three hours
and enjoy complementary buffet meals
or snacks, tea, coffee and accessing wi-
fi, The lounge has TV screens with train
information display, apart from other
screens that display other channels. If
passengers want to stay beyond three
hours, ` 125 will be charged for an
hour.Catering services are provided by
SSP Catering India, which also provides
catering to Emirates’ lounge at T3, IGI
Airport. Spread over 300 sq m and two
floors, the lounge has a seating capacity
for 125 persons.

20. 18 TRAVTALK JANUARY 1 ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2013 AVIATION
Sea taxis to fly over Mumbai skies “The services will com- ports in these areas, adds
D E N C Y M AT H E W mence by late January, 2013 Verma. It is also expected to
once we clear a few permis- boost spiritual tourism from
M EHAIR will undertake a
very ambitious project
in the skies of Mumbai by
sions that are pending and
will be undertaken on a
Mumbai as the time required
to travel from Mumbai to
Cessna 208 amphibian air- Shirdi is less than one hour.
introducing seaplanes in the
craft which can carry 9 pas- There are also plans to intro-
city. The operations will be
sengers and 2 pilots at a time. duce our seaplanes as air
undertaken in two phases
We have signed an MoU with taxis in Mumbai to fly from
with phase one involving
MDTC for three years who Juhu to Chowpatty. This will
services from Juhu to Mulla
will promote and market our cut down the time drastically
Dam for Shirdi, Varasgaon
seaplanes in their resorts, for someone who needs to
websites and buses and will commute from suburbs to
also sell some tickets on our south Mumbai everyday.
behalf. We are also planning
on partnering with some
Pilot Project was in
leading travel operators to
Andaman and Nicobar
sell the tickets,” says
Islands
Siddharth Verma, Director, MEHAIR started intro-
Andaman and Nicobar. The pricing the tickets and mak- says AP Anilkumar, Minister
MEHAIR ducing seaplanes in the skies
phenomenal response they ing it an economical journey. for Tourism, Kerala.
of India from the inlands of
received in their pilot project So a 25 minute ride from
How will it benefit has encouraged them to Cochin will cost only Rs Investment incurred and
Mumbaikars?
Modus Operandi introduce a second and big- 4,500 or so,” says Verma. future plans
The company is quite ger seaplane in Andaman by
“Kerala has a beautiful MEHAIR has invested
Siddharth Verma confident of the success of The operations will be late quarter of 2013. Besides
Director the project in Mumbai. This undertaken in two phases this, they will also be intro-
aerial view and we want our ` 25-30 crore in each of the
MEHAIR tourist to get a glimpse of the projects in Kerala and
service, Verma says, is “ideal with phase one involving ducing seaplanes for the first
picturesque landscape of the Mumbai and will invest Rs
for the people in Mumbai to services from Juhu to Mulla time in Kerala. “We hope to
Dam for Lavasa, Murud reach places that don’t even Dam for Shirdi, Varasgaon start our services in Kerala
state. By travelling on a sea- ` 250 crore in the next five
Dam for Lavasa, Murud
plane, the tourist visiting years in other projects across
Janjira, Girgaum - Chowpatty have runaways.” This will by January-end. Our inten-
Janjira, Girgaum - Chowpatty Kerala will get a very differ- India. The company hopes to
and Bhandardara Dam. Phase also generate employment tion was to introduce this as
and Bhandardara Dam ent perspective and experi- introduce services in Goa
two will be begin from and infrastructure in these a novel experience for leisure
ence of the state. We plan to in 2013 also which will
October 2013 and include areas and the government is The services will commence
travellers coming to Kerala.
start the services from allow people to commute
routes on the Konkan coast also keen on implementing by late January, 2013 And we are concentrating
Cochin to Munnar, faster from Goa airport to
like Tarkarli, Harihareshwar this service as it is more cost- more on volume rather than
Kumarakam and Alappuzha,” North Goa.
and Ganpatipule. effective than building air- margin. Hence, are not over
Mumbai gets Shangri-La Hotel
The much-awaited Shangri-La Hotel, Mumbai recently opened its doors to guests. The hotel is located
15 kilometres from Mumbai's international airport, nestled between the city’s two main commercial areas
— Nariman Point and Bandra Kurla Complex. “It is our pleasure to announce the official opening of the
Shangri-La Hotel, Mumbai, which is the group’s second hotel in India. We look forward to welcoming
guests and providing them with our hallmark hospitality from the heart,” said Greg Dogan, President and
CEO, Shangri-La International Hotel Management.
4.65 lakh domestic air passengers
The total domestic pas- month of October 2012 the month of November
sengers carried by the were 45.55 lakhs. This 2012 is as follows: Air
scheduled domestic airlines shows that 4.65 lakh more India-20.7 per cent, Jet
in the month of November passengers travelled in the Airways-18.3 per cent,
2012 were 50.20 lakhs. The month of November 2012 JetLite-6.9 per cent,
total domestic passengers compared to October 2012. IndiGo-27.3 per cent, Spice
carried by the scheduled The market share of sched- Jet- 19.5 per cent and Go
domestic airlines in the uled domestic airlines for Air- 7.4 per cent.

21. AVIATION
Tiger Airways on India route
The alliance will help Via.com and its agent partners
to tap the leisure segment with value for money
packages with Tiger Airways’ network of over 50
destinations in the Asia-Pacific region.
T T B U R E AU
S ingapore-based low cost
carrier (LCC) Tiger
Airways has now more to offer
to the Indian traveller. Tiger
Airways has joined hands with
Via.com as the exclusive travel
agent distributor for its
tickets in India, Indonesia and
the Philippines.
According to Vinay
Gupta, CEO, Via.com, this Vinay Gupta Kaneswaran Avili
CEO Commercial Director
partnership perfectly aligns Via.com Tiger Airways
with Tiger Airways and
Via.com’s strategic initiatives
to expand their existing cus-
This Customers
tomer base, while also expand- partnership can access
ing into new geographic mar-
kets. This enables both com- also enables Tiger’s
panies to better serve the bur-
geoning Asian business and
the airline to offerings
leisure travel market. “This actively through
will also act as one-stop assis-
tance for other travel needs promote its Via.com’s
such as hotels and travel other routes network
insurance. This partnership
also enables the airline to
actively promote its other
routes by allowing the cus- Airways revealed, “The from India.” Going forward,
tomers from India to connect objective of this alliance is to the group aims to increase
with other destinations, con- make it easier for customers flight frequency on its Indian
nected through the airline to book flights with Tiger routes and would like to add
such as Indonesia, Hong Kong, Airways. They can now Kolkata to the network in the
Macau, China and Australia,” access the full range of next 12 to 15 months.
he added. Tiger’s offerings through
To celebrate this part-
Via.com’s network of 7,000
The alliance will help nership, Tiger Airways is
travel agencies throughout
Via.com and its agent part- offering special promotional
India. This acts as an exten-
ners to tap the leisure seg- fares from INR 3,900 one-
sion to Tiger’s website,
ment with value-for-money way all-inclusive of taxes.
www.tigerairways.com.”
packages with the airline’s Booking period starts from
network of over 50 December 6 -19, 2012 with a
Regarding the impor-
destinations in the Asia- travel period from February
tance of the India market,
Pacific region. 1- March 31, 2013.
Avili pointed out, “India is a
Talking about increasing key market for the airline. We Tiger Airways is keen to
ties in the B2B and the B2C operate from six Indian cities further expand with its recent
market, Kaneswaran Avili, and have been experiencing move to Changi International
Commercial Director, Tiger load factor of 80 per cent Airport, Terminal 2.
Travel agents on track Japan tops
with Rail Europe prog. VoA list
The Visa on Arrival
(VoA) Scheme of the gov-
ernment has become pop-
ular with the tourists. The
scheme registered a
growth of 25 per cent dur-
ing the period January-
November 2012 over the
corresponding period of
2011. A total number of
13,903 VoAs were issued
during the period
January-November 2012
as compared to 11,121
VoAs issued during the
corresponding period of
2011. The highest number
Kunal Kothari, Executive Director, Rail Europe India (Left) along with Jason Tarabo,
a trainer from Rail Europe’s head office in Paris in New Delhi.
of 3,913 VoAs was issued
In order to increase product awareness and educate the Indian travel agents about to tourists from Japan fol-
its products and offerings, Rail Europe India conducted training programmes for lowed by New Zealand
retail agents, General Sales Agents (GSAs) and their sub-agents across India. The
(2,645) and The
programme received a massive response from the travel trade. The agents were
made aware of new products from Rail Europe’s upgraded portfolio. Philippines (2,205).

22. 20 TRAVTALK JANUARY 1 ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2013 ANALYSIS
Saying ‘I do’ on foreign shores
Indian weddings are getting larger than life and are increasingly becoming a booming affair involving large
scale expenditure. Realising the worth of hosting Indian weddings abroad, foreign tourism boards and
hotels are keen to attract this niche segment.
D E N C Y M AT H E W and resorts being booked to The global economic
conduct a traditional Indian meltdown had little effect on
R ecently, a Karan Johar
directed movie showed
an India-based family choos-
wedding in the exotic islands
of Thailand. These glimpses
from reel life have now come
the huge Indian wedding
budgets. With wedding
themes getting extravagant
ing Thailand as a wedding alive in real life too, as many and over-the-top, many
destination for their son’s Indian couples and families international hotels and
wedding. What followed on are opting for a destination resorts are bending back-
screen were charter flights wedding away from India. wards to accommodate the
requests of Indians families.
While special chefs are
Malaysia being flown down to cater
to the large wedding
“A segment that has grown entourage, there are also
exceedingly well is the wedding special arrangements being
segment in Malaysia. Many dis- made to facilitate the Indian
cerning Indian families now prefer weddings which include
to host their weddings in more arranging special garlands
exclusive surroundings and and lights to king-size
Malaysia has plenty of just that. In chandeliers.
2011, over 30 Indian weddings
Spreading overseas travel packages and tie-ups
were held in Malaysia. Favourite
Manoharan Periasamy Among international with Malaysia Airlines and Thailand
amongst the destinations are Director destinations, Indians have other 5-star properties to Thailand too has witnessed a
Langkawi, Pangkor, Penang and Tourism Malaysia
shown a lot of interest in encourage and attract Indian lot of Indian weddings over the
Kuala Lumpur. More than a dozen
Thailand, Malaysia, South wedding planners. Besides years. “Over 100 large-scale wed-
of India’s leading wedding planners have been taken on host-
Africa and Mauritius for wed- this, they have conducted dings ranging from 200 to 800 peo-
ed tours to Malaysia to discover the best that is on offer,”
ding destinations. Malaysia many fam tours for Indian ple were organised in Thailand in
says Manoharan Periasamy, Director, Tourism Malaysia.
has drafted many affordable wedding planners to experi- 2011. In 2012, the Mumbai office
ence first-hand service and facilitated 20 weddings in Thailand.
facilities available as well as To increase our growth and attract
possible venues for different more Indian weddings, we facilitate
budgets. All these efforts family or wedding planners in terms Sethaphan Buddhani
have borne fruit as they have of immigration, welcome reception, Director
Tourism Authority of Thailand
seen an increasing interest provide Thai cultural show and
among people from Gujarat, ticket to bride and groom who are
Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, really keen to see the wedding venue. We also support with
Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and upgrading flight tickets to business class and we also inform
Andhra Pradesh in holding the family in terms of names of wedding planners in India and
their weddings in Malaysia. Thailand,” says Sethaphan Buddhani, Director, Tourism
Authority of Thailand.
New York City
Seeing the large stream of income that weddings generate
and the potential of this market, many new destinations are
emerging which aim at wooing the wedding planners. Even long-
haul and expensive destinations like New York City are ready to
host the Indian weddings on its soil. “NYC & Company has start-
ed a ‘NYC I DO’ initiative to promote the City as a wedding des-
tination for all couples. We work with wedding organisers to
consider New York City’s hot spots or most elegant venues to Makiko Matsuda Healy
tie the knot. The large NRI community in America often considers VP Business Development
a reception or other events in India and New York City to invite NYC & Company
family, friends and business partners for the big occasion. Our
hotel members offer year-round attractive wedding arrangements and fine Indian cuisine
with regional variations are available,” says Makiko Matsuda Healy, VP Business
Development, NYC & Company.
Jet Airways expands code-share
agreement with Etihad Airways
Jet Airways has placed its code-share to Paris is in
code on Etihad’s flight oper- addition to the existing
ating out of Abu Dhabi to code-share between Jet
Paris Charles de-Gaulle air- Airways and Etihad Airways
port from December 10, on the Abu Dhabi-
2012. This code-share will Mumbai/Delhi routes
allow Jet Airways to offer its operated by Jet Airways and
guests excellent connectivity the Etihad flights connecting
from India to Paris via Abu Abu Dhabi with
Dhabi. The airline’s Mumbai, Delhi, Kochi,
JetPrivilege members will Thiruvananthapuram,
earn JPMiles for their entire Airways code-share flights Kozhikode, Chennai and
journey when they fly on Jet from India to Paris. This Hyderabad.

23. STATES JANUARY 1 ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2013 TRAVTALK 21
Bekal – The new kid on Kerala’s block
Bekal has been identified as an untapped tourist destination by the Government of Kerala.
Kerala will promote Bekal to attract repeat travellers and off- beat travellers.
T T B U R E AU developed in the region. From Resort & Spa Bekal. With the go are Guruvayoor, inbound markets. However,
the initial stage itself a rigor- advent of many more resorts Cheruthuruthy, Nattika Beach, Bekal as a destination still
“W e are actively pro-
moting more of our
northern areas like Bekal as
ous sales activity has been
ongoing with focus on print
media, developing a movie on
and hotels in the region, Bekal,
got a much needed impetus.
“North Kerala is maturing
Nilambur, Palakkad, Wayanad,
Kannur, Calicut and Bekal. Out
of these places, Bekal and
suffers from lack of publicity
and quality tourism infrastruc-
tures like guides and quality
these places now hold the Bekal called ‘Bekal-The Big as a region to look out Wayanad are the fastest transport,” says Mathew
key to attract tourism. Water’,” says Dilip Mishra, for. Among the prominent growing destinations for the Joseph, Managing Director, AK Anilkumar
Places like Bekal are still Resident Manager, The Lalit places where travellers domestic as well as the Pepper Tours. Minister for Tourism, Kerala
untapped and have a lot to
offer tourists. There will be
subsequent infrastructural
developments in these areas
besides beautifying them,”
says AK Anilkumar,
Minister for Tourism, Kerala.
In 1992, the
Government of India
declared Bekal as a Special
Tourism Area. The untouched
and scenic landscape, exten-
sive beaches, backwaters and
unspoilt environs qualified
Dilip Mishra
Resident Manager
The Lalit Resort & Spa Bekal
Bekal as a potential site for an
international standard beach
destination. Bekal also has
several historic and religious
sites. And to tap the potential
of this destination, Bekal
Resort Development Corpo-
ration was formed for the
implementation of Bekal
Tourism Project. The Bekal
Mathew Joseph
Managing Director
Pepper Tours
Resort Development
Corporation had acquired
land for the development
of resorts and hotels of star
category. In 2004, The
Bekal Resorts Development
Corporation had leased out 6
plots of land to major hospi-
tality players with Bharat
Hotels (owner of The Lalit
Suri Hospitality Group)
being one of them.
“The Lalit Resort & Spa
Bekal is the first Five Star
deluxe Resort & Spa to have

24. 22 TRAVTALK JANUARY 1 ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2013 SPOTLIGHT-2013
Travel Trade: All guns blazing for 2013
The coming year will definitely be better than the last, believe travel bosses. speaks to the biggest names in
travel and tourism and asks them what they expect from 2013 in terms of business.
LPTI & TUI India Kuoni India
Arjun Sharma, Managing Director Rajeev Wagle, Managing Director
India is believed to be one of the best tourist destinations from The year 2013 looks optimistic for the travel industry. This is primarily
2009-2018. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, because of various economic reforms introduced in the second half of
the country has the highest ten-year growth potential. Our focus, the year 2012. Initiatives like FDI in retail and aviation are likely to
in the coming year, will remain on exclusive and differentiated boost the Indian economy growth thereby increasing discretionary
products. It is our intention to create a range of specific products spending on services like travel. There is a tremendous scope for expan-
target at different customer segments and tailored to meet tastes sion and evolution in the market. Increase in number of young travellers
of the global consumer. seeking unique, off-beat experiences is opening up new doors to the
tourism segment. With a view to enhance loyalty and productivity, cor-
porates are setting increasing budgets aside for incentive trips.
Nijhawan Group of Companies Travel Spirit International
Ankush Nijhawan, Managing Director Jatinder Taneja, Managing Director
In 2013, with an infusion of FDI in the aviation sector, domestic airlines India should focus on infrastructure growth. We need to have high-
will get a major boost. The investment shall help in a significant quality highways, which will help reduce travel-time from one city
increase in load factors of the airlines and hotel occupancy. 2012 was to another. We also need high-speed trains connecting important
a challenging year, however the business of the Travel Boutique Online tourist cities, which will help increase tourism. Thirdly, when tourists
(TBO) grew by 40-45 per cent. We would also be focussing a lot on are visiting monuments, we need to provide them with a good expe-
innovating technology especially for the hotel content. We would also rience. The cities should be clean and so should be the surroundings
launch our smartphone applications for our travel partners by early monuments. The developments and upgrading of various
2013. TBO will continue to strengthen its position in India, Middle airports is commendable indeed. Now we have a lot new
East and North Africa. We would start our operations in Thailand in airports in India which convey a strong message that we are chang-
early 2013. ing for the better.
Kuoni India Cox & Kings
Dipak Deva, CEO Destination Management, India & South Asia Arup Sen, Director, Special Projects
The coming year looks positive. The government has recently eased The incoming foreign tourist arrivals in India registered a growth
restrictions on tourist visas which had earlier mandated a two- of 5.9 per cent and this is primarily due to a collective bag of positive
month gap between consecutive visits by foreign nationals. This is forces. The recovery of the euro and green shoots in USA, Australia,
a positive step and should show results in the coming year. The Canada, Middle East, CIS & Africa was a positive contribution along
effort put in by the MOT, in the form of roadshows around the globe, with augmentation of infrastructure including increased hotel inven-
is an important way of maintaining tourist interest in India as a des- tory, modernisation of airports due to the Commonwealth Games
tination. As for Sita, we will be focussing our attention on issues provided much required relief. On the domestic front, enhanced
that will be crucial to our long-term success - the importance of purchasing power further contributed to the growth.
quality, technology and training to help meet and exceed customer expectations.
Contd. on page 35
TECHNOLOGY
InterGlobe Technology Quotient Wizie
J B Singh, President & CEO Moondeep Aggarwal, Director
The travel and hospitality sector has gone through unprecedented As a technology company, I would be like to comment on the technology
times amidst challenges such as the economic slowdown, surging demand dynamics for 2013. In this age of technology, we still believe
fuel prices and rupee depreciation. These posed an imminent risk that there is a high demand for a good online booking engine that works
to the growth of the industry. However, the rate at which technology for wholesalers and travel agents. Moreover, automation products are
is seeping into the travel and hospitality sector and the level at high in demand, so that agents can reduce cost of operations and the
which innovations being introduced by companies, prospects appear airline debit memos. We are planning to launch a solution which will
optimistic for both leisure and business travel. help travel agents to work on all three GDS sans training and increase
sales and reduce cost of operations.
Abacus India Arzoo.com
Jeet Sawhney, Managing Director Amal Purandare, Head Operations
Abacus is expecting to see India maintain its position as one of Initiatives like FDI are always good news for the travel Industry,
the leading travel markets within the Asia-Pacific region. The trav- which means making more inbound travel. Currently, airlines are
el industry within India is set to see greater growth in 2013. This doing their best to delve into Kingfisher’s share of business. In
will be brought about both by the stabilisation of the overall avi- 2013, we will also focus on consolidating our B2C customer base
ation situation as well as the continued rise of the middle class, and try and further strengthen our B2B stronghold. The end of
leading to increased travel. 2013 may also see the beginning of mergers and acquisitions in
the OTA space.

26. 24 TRAVTALK JANUARY 1 ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2013 FAMILY ALBUM
‘Leading Tourism through turbulent times’
The leading decision-makers across different value chains in the tourism industry gathered to attend the interactive session ‘Leading Tourism through
Turbulent Times’ on 12-12-12 in New Delhi. The who’s who took time out to look into best perspectives and the needful directions which will help
the industry to sail through present testing times.

27. SPOTLIGHT-2013
Hospitality: What’s in store
With mixed fortunes, the general outlook of hospitality
growth in India remained disappointing in 2012.
However, industry experts forecast 2013 as being the
year when business will bounce back to good health.
The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group
Samil Malhotra, Vice President
The start of 2013 may bring some relief to the industry. We expect
this to be a long slog to recovery but would want a real grip to
return to the industry by 2013. However, we remain optimistic
on the long-term growth story for the industry. As our expansion
plans, the group is opening two new properties in 2013 - The
Lalit Chandigarh and the re-opening of the much-awaited Lalit
Great Eastern Kolkata. Also, The Lalit New Delhi has commenced
with celebrations of 25years.
The Suryaa New Delhi
Greesh Bindra, Vice President and General Manager
The industry will remain the same like last year because of the downturn
in the European market. However, we can expect sustained growth in
the corporate and domestic leisure. Commercial activity and international
leisure segment will pick up only in 2014. However, our hotel will witness
some major movements in the international leisure segment. The industry
will also witness massive rate correction this year. Going forward, the
strategy that hoteliers should adopt this year is the exploration of new
markets. New travel segments ought to be be created. Suiting the target
business areas, it will be wise for hoteliers to concentrate on product augmentation and differentiation
and create a different experience for the customers.
Fairmont Jaipur
Atul Lall, General Manager
Fairmont Jaipur opened at a time when the number of luxury room
nights offered in Jaipur has gone up to 1500 from 721 just two years
ago. In 2011, Jaipur showed a 13 per cent rise in the average room
rates. Thus, it is because of the nature of the hotel rooms that business
is changing in Jaipur. Traditionally viewed as a leisure destination,
Jaipur has emerged as a MICE and wedding market too. The two seg-
ments that will drive business for us and the entire Jaipur market in
2013 are wedding and MICE. Incentives are expected to pick up in
Jan-March period. The transit travel segment has also been increasing over the last year. There
will be fluctuation in the ARRs this year. However, whether it will be negative or positive, is
difficult to say now. But whatever the case, it will stabilise eventually.
Best Western India
Sudhir Sinha, President & COO
Overall, for the industry, the growth should be in the range of around
seven-eight per cent based on how the global economic environment
pans out, specifically related to the European debt crisis and the US
fiscal cliff. Also, guest preference is decisively shifting in favour of
chain hotels vis-à-vis standalone properties and this trend is expect-
ed to increase steadily. Reservations through mobile-based platforms
are expected to gain further momentum as more people use the
internet through their smartphones rather than through their desk-
top/laptop. The role of intermediaries is expected to shrink unless they are able to transform
themselves into MICE specialists and work., work as the in-house corporate travel agency for
corporate houses or focus on niche segments.
Leisure Hotels
Vibhas Prasad, Director
We continue to remain bullish on the future of the hospitality indus-
try in India, especially in the domestic segment. The popularity of
short-haul destinations from key metros will gain momentum this
year. Another important development over the last two years which
will continue in 2013 is the opening of Kashmir to ‘mass tourism’.
India will attract a large number of spiritual tourists. Maha Kumbh
2013 in Allahabad is also expected to be on the itinerary of every
spiritual traveller in the first quarter of this year. However, going
forward, there will be a few roadblocks which need to be tackled. Infrastructure issues with
air and road connectivity and cheaper overseas destinations with easy connectivity can play
spoilsport. Air traffic will remain muted due to high oil prices (high international Brent Crude).

28. 26 TRAVTALK JANUARY 1 ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2013 NTO
Korea sees increase in India outbound
Indian travellers spent an average of 13.5 days in contrast with other nationalities who spent an average
of 10 days. This only reflects the amount of scope outbound travel has as an opportunity for India.
T T B U R E AU Korea. Since then the Indian partly helped in boosting 2008. Lee who was visiting among others. Since then,
outbound to Korea has been on numbers from the India out- the newly opened Korean the MICE market in
K orea Tourism Organisation
(KTO) opened a represen-
tative office in Mumbai in
the rise, says Jae Sang Lee,
Director, Korea Tourism
Organisation, New Delhi.
bound,” he said.
Korea has registered a
Cultural Center in New
Delhi informed. The Korean
government selected
Korea has garnered expert-
ise with support from the
government and its initia-
2011 and the Korean Embassy “The number of documents growth of 25 per cent from MICE as one of the ‘new tive to develop creative
also appointed VFS to make it required to obtain a visa the Indian market, since it growth engine’ industries, content and technology
easier for Indians to travel to has been reduced and has opened office in India, in along with green energy indigenous to Korea. Jae Sang Lee
Director
Korea Tourism Organisation, New Delhi
The organisation is also
targetting the FITs and family
travel from India.
“According to a
survey conducted by
the KTO in 2010,
Indians spent US$
1446 per trip. This is
in contrast to other
visitors who spent
US$ 1298 per trip
when visiting Korea.
Indian travellers spent
an average of 13.5 days in con-
trast with other nationalities
who spent an average of 10
days. This only reflects that
there is a huge scope in this
segment,” he pointed out.
Comparing India market with
China, Lee opined, “Ten years
ago, five lakh Chinese trav-
ellers visited Korea. In 2011,
we received 2.2 million. This
is a very sharp curve and we
expect this kind of a spurt
from India as well.”
Virgin Atlantic
to connect
Delhi and
Mumbai with
new routes
Virgin Atlantic has
finalised plans to launch a
domestic flying pro-
gramme within the UK
from spring 2013. The air-
line will be adding 24
domestic flights a day
within the UK to its exist-
ing long haul network that
will strengthen connectiv-
ity for its Indian passen-
gers. The airline will focus
its operations on flights to
and from Scotland. From
April 2013, the airline will
operate six round-trip
flights a day between
Heathrow and Edinburgh,
with three daily round-trip
flights between Heathrow
and Aberdeen. The airline
has also utilised three of its
own Heathrow slot-pairs to
complement the new
Scottish routes with three
daily round-trip services
between Heathrow
and Manchester from
March 31, 2013.

29. SPOTLIGHT-2013 JANUARY 1 ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2013 TRAVTALK 27
Looking on the brighter side
After combating challenges in 2012, travel associations are looking forward to brighter prospects in 2013. The
veterans are hoping that taxes will be reduced, thereby bringing a breather for the industry. reports.
OTOAI IATO ADTOI
Guldeep Singh Sahni, President Subhash Goyal, President Subhash Verma, President
The industry is currently caught We had been pressing for the The year 2013 will surely be a good one
between ‘A Rock and A Hard Place’. On demand of granting industrial status for domestic tourism in India. As the
one side, it is extremely vulnerable to and similar benefits to the tourism growth in the international tourist
external shocks and events and on the industry. We hope that in year 2013, arrivals has been constant, the rise in
other side, it is battling an internal many such demands of our inbound domestic tourists will drive tourism.
transformation with the increased use industry will be accepted. There is Tour operators should make use of the
of technology and changing market a strong case for extending the tax opportunity. They should utilise the
dynamics. Going forward, I feel, how benefits to the travel industry, which time in strengthening the manpower in
the industry faces the external head- we’ll urge the MOT to pursue with the Ministry of Finance. the office by providing special training
winds and internal shocks will define the market in the years There are merits in opening the skies further. programme and educational tours with-
to come. 2013 promises to be a great year for our association. in the country to launch new packages based on new products.
WTTC, India Initiative TAFI IAAI
Vikram Madhok, Praveen Chugh, Vice President Biji Eapen, President
Former Chairperson This uncertain trend might also spill over 2013 will be a promising year for the
to the next year. Experts’ fears are com- inbound business. The MOT,
India is high on the priority radar of
pounded by the thought that the coming Government of India has a new team.
leading developed countries, which
budget might add to the existing tax bur- Initiatives such as ‘Hunar se Rozgar’
are now in the advanced stages of
den adversely affecting the existing tourist programme, Clean India campaign,
economic revival. This means that
flow to the country. However, it is hoped safe and honourable tourism and the
after a lull due to difficult economic
that India’s inbound tourist volume will promotion of medical and wellness
conditions, Incredible India will reg-
grow due to its rapidly increasing average disposable income, rising tourism are definitely going to yield
ister rapid increase in arrivals. The
number of business opportunities, vast natural and cultural positive results. With the new team, it is expected that continuity
recent announcement of the Kerala Government to to start its
resources and increased spending by the government on developing will be maintained in implementing above programmes in an
own airline is a step in the right direction. accelerated manner.
tourism infrastructure.

31. FAMILY ALBUM JANUARY 1 ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2013 TRAVTALK 29
Neptune Foundation’s charity polo match
The Jaipur Polo Ground in New Delhi was buzzing with activity as diplomats, bureaucrats, businessmen
and socialites got together to cheer their favourite team to victory at the Neptune Foundation Charity Polo
Match. The Ambassador of Thailand to India, Pisan Manawapat, was the chief guest at the event. The
Amazing Thailand Team lifted the cup beating Team Constance.

33. SPOTLIGHT-2013 JANUARY 1 ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2013 TRAVTALK 31
Wooing Indian travellers in 2013
Even as people tighten their belts bracing for the year ahead, tourism boards get ready with a host of new
products and promotional plans to woo Indian travellers. reports...
South African Tourism Tourism Australia Tourism New
Hanneli Slabber, Country Manager Nishant Kashikar, Country Manager Zealand
2013 will see some interesting initiatives by South We expect the growth momentum for visitor arrivals
African Tourism in India. Increasing competition to continue in 2013. Our focus will remain on devel-
from other tourism boards and the present con- oping demand for Australia as a holiday destination
dition of the economy will be a challenge for us. among the affluent, well-informed, seasoned trav-
The key to success will be to deal with the chang- eller, residing in the top metro cities, especially in
ing travel patterns and preferences effectively by Mumbai and Delhi. Simultaneously, there will be
diversifying our products, maintaining excellent initiatives to develop the business events segment
service and innovating our marketing channels. and on gaining more incentive visits to Australia.
The most critical element would be to ensure that we deliver value for money The Tourism Forecasting Committee estimates arrival of 178,000 visitors for
holiday experience. the year 2013/14.
Mischa Mannix-Opie
Regional Manager - South &
Atout France Ministry of Tourism, Oman South East Asia
Currently, India is our 12th largest
Catherine Oden, Country Manager Lubaina Sheerazi, India Representative market and we expect it to grow
The global economic situation will, to a large We have managed to reach out to people in Tier II at a steady pace. Based on
extent, influence travel trends for the first half of cities of Pune, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad in 2012 Tourism New Zealand’s research,
2013. At our end, we will renew our efforts to besides the Tier I cities of Mumbai, Delhi, there are approximately over 21
present France as an affordable destination and Bengaluru and Chennai. In 2013, we want to take million people in India who fall
make it attractive for our potential visitors. We are it to the next level and reach out to more cities. into this category of travellers.
confident that we will find ways to cope with We hope to increase the passenger numbers from This coupled with the rise in
adverse situations and will find different means of India to Oman. We also hope to create more brand spending power of Indians make
generating footfalls to France. All our best efforts awareness for Oman through our Bollywood asso- the future appear pretty bright for
will be put forth to increase arrival figures for 2013. ciation with the movie ‘Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Again’ which is slated an increase in the number of
to release in mid 2013. Indian travellers
Continued overleaf

34. SPOTLIGHT-2013
Contd. from page 31
Canadian Tourism Commission, Representative in India
Tina Singh, Assistant Vice President
In 2013, CTCs main focus continues to remain on the Travel Trade.
Approximately 77% of the budget would be spent on marketing activities
through the trade. While we have already obtained good presence in Delhi
and Mumbai, we would be expanding our sales network in 2013 to newer
markets like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata by conducting
training seminars to educate the travel trade in these cities on the desti-
nation. Further, we will be launching Signature Experience Collection (SEC)
in the India market where the destination will be repositioned as a truly
unique, experiential destination. We also plan to develop co-op programmes with tour operators. We
will also be promoting our consumer website ‘Keep Exploring’ in 2013.
Macau Government Tourism Office, India
Madhvi Awasthi, Media Manager
Despite a gloomy global economy, the Indian market performed well in
visitor arrivals in 2012.
2013 is going to be an important year for Macau’s tourism industry, as we
celebrate the 60th Macau Grand Prix and 25 years of the Macau International
Fireworks Display Contest. Besides promoting our heritage sites and other
attractions, we will continue to focus our efforts on business tourism initia-
tives. We have been expanding our tourism products to diversify our source
market profile. We will also leverage our recently launched Wedding Incentive Scheme and Student
Excursion Incentive Scheme to boost visitor arrival figures. The Incentive stimulation plan offered by
Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) helps agents and corporate look at Macau as a destination for
business movement. We have had group moments throughout the year to the tune of 200 – 1800.
Phillipines Tourism Marketing Office, India
Chetna Singh, Senior Marketing Manager
India is an emerging market with a vast source of potential travellers.
Over the past ten months, the Phillipines recorded a double-digit growth
of 42.0 per cent with month-on-month comparison for October 2011
and 2012. This milestone may be attributed to the recent implemen-
tation of the 14-day visa-free entry facility for Indian tourists with the
existing valid multiple entry visa of US, Japan, Australia, Canada,
Schengen, Singapore or UK (they should have travelled to these desti-
nations at least once). The Phillipines Tourism Marketing Office in India
is expecting to bolster Indian travel to the Philippines through integrated marketing efforts in 2013.
We predict an increase in the number of inbound travellers from India in the coming years as the
Phillipines is fast becoming a destination of choice amongst the Indians.
Sterling Holidays opens 19th resort
Sterling Holidays, a to be one that exudes beauty engage members and guests
Vacation Ownership and and charm. The USP of The in fun-filled, memorable hol-
Leisure Hospitality Company, Sanctuary thus is its location. iday experiences.
opened its 19th resort, With the majestic view of the The hotel also hopes to
Dharamshala - The Dhauladhar range and the attract MICE inspite of being
Sanctuary. Talking about the gurgling, perennial brooks of located in a leisure zone. All
choice of location for the the Beas River, it is the loca- of Sterling’s resorts in fact
hotel, Lata Subramanian, tion which is the property’s are located in leisure locales
Vice President - Marketing of biggest draw. It offers won- in India and are built to offer
Sterling Holiday Resorts derful scenic canvas of stunning views of the desti-
nation. “This fact
alone makes each
of our resorts the
perfect choice for
offsite conferences
and events as the
breathtaking views
and fresh air prove
to be invigourating
for MICE dele-
gates. The MICE
offering from
Sterling is not a
new venture as
our resorts have
been built to host
conferences from
inception. Sterling
(India) says, “At Sterling, Himalayas and the emerald offers complete MICE solu-
great emphasis is laid on green Kangra Valley. The tions at value pricing, which
choosing the locations for the property is also very close to include well-equipped con-
resorts within each destina- the Norbulingka monastery.” ference facilities and guest
tion. The goal remains to The full-service, modern rooms, banquets, airport
delighting holidayers with resort has 26 elegantly fur- transfers and a team of ‘Fun
stunning views. With that nished rooms, a multi-cuisine Rangers’ who organize a
very philosophy, when it restaurant, bar, conference range of holiday and team
came to choosing a destina- facilities and a range of recre- building activities,” says
tion for our new resort, it had ational activities designed to Subramanian.

37. SPOTLIGHT-2013 JANUARY 1 ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2013 TRAVTALK 35
New Year to see more in-out traffic
The year 2012 saw a lot of ups and downs in the tourism industry. In the initial months tourism was moving
slowly, but picked up towards the end of the year. spoke to some of the leading travel agents and asked
them to review the year that was 2012.
Contd. from page 22
Nomad Travels Thomas Cook (India)
Ajay Prakash, Chief Executive Madhav Pai, Director – Leisure Travel (Outbound)
2012 was a year that saw some tough times for the industry. Young Thomas Cook India has bucked the trend by launching Summer
Indians have shown a move towards niche or experiential holidays - Tours – ‘European Holiday Supermarket’ and ‘American Holiday
and this trend will grow. We shall crawl past the 6 million mark for Supermarket’ this October for 2013. This unique ‘Super Market’
inbound tourists, but at less than 0.5% of global tourism. India is far concept has been impactful and our forward booking position is
from realising its potential for inbound tourism - and the reasons are already up by an impressive 65% . Almost 45% of our individual
there for all of us to see. It's heartening to see additional rooms being holiday travellers are youth, and this segment is poised to grow at
added in all the major cities. Hopefully, that will keep room rates at a an exponential rate of 25-30%.
reasonable level for both inbound as well as domestic tourists.
Pepper Tours Inorbit Tours & Travels
Mathew Joseph, Managing Director OmPrakash Sehgal, Director
In 2013, business will be difficult and travel operators who are more proac- This year was full of evolution and changes and I'm happy to see that
tive in terms of advertising, media and networking will do well. In terms we all were able to adopt to the changes. For 2013, we will have to
of inbound tourists, UK, Russia and Australia will be our biggest source come up with innovative strategies and business model. If there is any
markets. Places like Kashmir will do well in 2013 as it is opening up and external unrest in the Indian economy on macro level, our tourism
has the potential to attract tourists. Kerala market will face stiff competition industry will be influenced on a greater scale. Thus, all service providers
from other markets unless it will become more flexible in terms of its hotel need to be cautious and at the same time start with new products,
rates. Outbound travel will increase in 2013 to Far East and Middle East innovative marketing strategies and come up with affordable travel
along with niche destinations in Europe. packages to attract our booming middle class.

38. 36 TRAVTALK JANUARY 1 ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2013 FAMILY ALBUM
Abacus India gets trade on the dance floor
November was a busy month for the Indian travel industry as Abacus India staged trade gatherings in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Kolkata. The events
were well-attended and received by the industry partners in the cities. Different themes were explored in each venue. Mumbai went Hawaiian, replete with
flower garlands, while the Kolkata event went ‘Disco Nite’ with travel consultants turning up in grooving outfits and dancing the night away.
FICCI rolls
out CITI
FICCI in partnership
Club Med rolls out red carpet for Indians
with the state govern- Having 80 resorts worldwide, the USP of the Club Med is their ‘All-Inclusive’ resorts. Since
ments and the Ministry of
Tourism will organise successfully launching the concept of ‘All-Inclusive’ resorts many years ago across the world,
the first-ever two-day
focussed Conclave on Club Med hopes that Indians too will soon see value-for-money in this product.
Investment in Tourism
Infrastructure (CITI). It
will encompass exclusive T T B U R E AU in luxury travel in India. India
state presentations, B2B now has a lot of FITs who take
meeting of investors with
state governments and T he ‘All-Inclusive’ pack-
ages of Club Med include
accommodation and all meals
shorter breaks to spend more
time with their family
because of which we think
exhibition by organisations
in the hotel supply chain, and transfers. The guests that this ‘All-Inclusive
forging one to one meet- have, at their disposal, exqui- Holidays’ will work in India,”
says Vijay Sharma, Country
ings with their target con-
Manager, Club Med, India
sumers during January 16-
17, 2013 at the Federation Club Med, a French
House, FICCI. Investors in company owns several pre-
tourism infrastructure mium resorts across the
from across India and a globe and currently, the com-
strong 50-member Asian pany receives more than
American Hotel Owners 2000 Indian families across
Association ( AAHOA) del- its properties with 80 per
egation from USA led by cent staying at their Asian
lagoons. Club Med’s core include the relaxing volley- time in the sunshine. And
their Chairman, members resorts while 20 per cent in
charges also include unlimit- ball, surfing, golf, archery, there is an element of enter-
of FHRAI, HAI, IHHA, their European resorts.
Vijay Sharma ed quantities of alcoholic and tennis, beach soccer, kayak- tainment behind every Club
members from state level Country Manager non-alcoholic beverages. The ing, snorkeling and flying tra- Med stay as there are daily
hotel associations and Club Med, India all-inclusive concept ensures peze. The chain’s ‘Kids Clubs’ entertainment shows featur- A la carte
organisations in the hotel that the guests’ adrenaline are state-of-the-art facilities ing live performances.
supply chain will forge ties site buffets, chef’s specials levels don’t reach safe lows, where trained professionals The all-inclusive concept
and specialty bars. And also thanks to a cross-section of look over and entertain the “Our concept of ‘All- ensures that guests remain
through B2B meetings
the dining locations are set in activities and adventures young ones while their par- Inclusive’ is still new in India. entertained thanks to activities
with one another.
picturesque spots such as sports at each resort. These ents and guardians have their However, we now see a rise and adventures sports

40. 38 TRAVTALK JANUARY 1 ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2013 FAMILY ALBUM
OTOAI celebrates 1 anniversary st
OTOAI (Outbound Tour Operators Association of India), which was formed last year to boost India's outbound
tourism, has recently completed one year of success and achievements. Moving forward in the next year,
JANUARY the association is all geared up with increase in its member base (currently has 170 active members), enhanced
relationship with NTOs and with its foraying into the smaller cities of India.
4-6 Chennai Travel & Tourism Fair
8-13 Gujarat International Travel Tourism &
Hospitality Expo
9 Coimbatore Tourism Authority of Thailand’s
B2B Event
11 Mangalore Tourism Authority of Thailand’s
B2B Event
11-13 Bengaluru Travel & Tourism Fair
14 Pune Tourism Authority of Thailand’s
B2B Event
16-17 New Delhi FICCI’s Conclave on Investment
in Tourism Infrastructure 2013
16-18 New Delhi Tourism Malaysia’s Roadshow
19 Kolkata Tourism Malaysia’s Roadshow
20-22 Guwahati ATOAI’s Annual Convention
21 Mumbai Tourism Malaysia’s Roadshow
21 Mumbai Tourism Fiji’s Roadshow
22 Ahmedabad Tourism Fiji’s Roadshow
23 Kolkata Tourism Fiji’s Roadshow
23 Chennai Tourism Malaysia’s Roadshow
24 New Delhi Tourism Fiji’s Roadshow
24-27 Singapore Zak Salaam India Tourism
Expo - Singapore
25-27 Switzerland Travel Expo
25-27 Coimbatore Holiday Expo
25-27 Nagpur India International
Travel Exhibition
25-27 Germany Leisure Travel Market
30-3 Spain Fitur
31-2 Kochi India International Travel Mart
Cochin
FEBRUARY
5 Mumbai Austrian National Tourist
Office’s B2B Event
6 Chennai Austrian National Tourist
Office’s B2B Event
7 New Delhi Austrian National Tourist
Office’s B2B Event
12 Ahmedabad Tourism Philippines’ Roadshow
13 Kolkata Tourism Philippines’ Roadshow
19 Mumbai Disney Parks - Disney Days Trade
Event
21 Delhi Disney Parks - Disney Days Trade
Event
22 Ahmedabad Macau Govt Tourist Office’s Trade
Workshop
22 Mumbai Canadian Tourism Commission
Agents Training Programme
25 Delhi Canadian Tourism Commission
Agents Training Programme
25-26 New Delhi ATOUT France’s Paris
Promotion
27-1 Mumbai ATOUT France’s Paris
Promotion
27- 2 Jaipur Canadian Tourism Commission’s
Focus Canada India
28-2 Kolkata IITM Kolkata
MARCH
1 New Delhi Starwood Hotels Worldwide’s
Sales Expo for B2B / MICE &
Corporate Agents
2 Kolkata Starwood Hotels Worldwide’s
Sales Expo for B2B / MICE &
Corporate Agents
4-6 Thailand Kiwi Link South & South
East Asia
8 Chandigarh Macau Govt Tourist Office’s B2B
Workshop
22 Kolkata Macau Govt Tourist Office’s B2B
Workshop
For more information, contact us at: talk@ddppl.com

42. Calendar of Travel Events
JANUARY MARCH JULY
1 Delhi Starwood Hotels
4-6 Chennai Travel & Tourism Fair Worldwide’s Sales Expo for B2B / 5-7 Kolkata TTF
8-13 Gujarat International Travel Tourism & MICE & Corporate Agents 9 Chennai Macau Govt Tourist Office’s B2B
Hospitality Expo Minimart
1-3 Vijayawada India International Travel Exhibition
8-13 Utrecht, Holiday Fair (IITE) 10 Bengaluru Macau Govt Tourist Office’s B2B
The Netherland Minimart
2 Kolkata Starwood Hotels Worldwide’s
9 Coimbatore Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Sales Expo for B2B / MICE & 12-14 Hyderabad TTF
B2B Event Corporate Agents 19-21 Bengaluru IITM Bangalore
11 Mangalore Tourism Authority of Thailand’s
B2B Event 4-5 Warsaw & Polish Outgoing Workshop 26-28 Chennai IITM Chennai
Katowice, Poland
11-13 Bengaluru Travel & Tourism Fair
4-6 Thailand Kiwi Link South & South East Asia
AUGUST
14 Pune Tourism Authority of Thailand’s
B2B Event 6-10 Berlin, Germany ITB
16-17 Delhi FICCI’s Conclave on Investment in 7-9 Guangzhou, China Guangzhou International Travel Fair
Tourism Infrastructure 2013 8 Chandigarh Macau Govt Tourist Office’s B2B 9-11 Aurangabad IITE
16-18 Delhi Tourism Malaysia’s Roadshow Workshop 16-18 Ahmedabad TTF
16-18 Delhi South Asian Travel and Tourism 14 Moscow, Russia Luxury Travel Mart 20 Chennai German India Pool, B2B Event
Exhibition (SATTE) 15-17 Raipur Indian International Travel Exhibition 22 Delhi German India Pool, B2B Event
17-20 Helsinki, Finland Matka Expo Nordic Travel Fair (IITE) 23-25 Surat TTF
19 Kolkata Tourism Malaysia’s Roadshow 19-21 London, UK International Confex 30-1 Sept Mumbai TTF
20-22 Guwahati ATOAI’s Annual Convention 20-23 Moscow, Russia Moscow International Travel and
21 Mumbai Tourism Malaysia’s Roadshow Tourism Exhibition (MITT)*
21
21-22
Mumbai
Mumbai
Tourism Fiji’s Roadshow
SATTE Mumbai
21-24 Gothenburg, Sweden Tur SEPTEMBER
22 Kolkata Macau Govt Tourist Office’s B2B 2-3 Delhi Atout France’s ‘France
22 Ahmedabad Tourism Fiji’s Roadshow Workshop Promotion’
23 Kolkata Tourism Fiji’s Roadshow 25-27 Abu Dhabi, UAE GIBTM* 2-4 Beijing, China China Incentive Business
23 Chennai Tourism Malaysia’s Roadshow 27-29 Kiev, Ukraine UITT* Travel Market (CIBTM)*
24 Delhi Tourism Fiji’s Roadshow 4-6 Mumbai Atout France’s ‘France
24-27 Singapore Zak Salaam India Tourism
APRIL
Promotion’
Expo - Singapore
6-8 Mumbai IITM Mumbai
25-27 Switzerland Travel Expo
6-8 Pune TTF
25-27 Coimbatore Holiday Expo 4-6 Baku, Azerbaijan Azerbaijan International Tourism
Fair (AITF)* 8-11 Prince Edward Canadian Tourism Commission’s
25-27 Nagpur India International Travel Exhibition
5 Lucknow Macau Govt Tourist Office B2B Island, Canada Go Media
25-27 Germany Leisure Travel Market
Workshop 13-15 Delhi-NCR IITM Gurgaon
30-3 Madrid, FITUR*
Spain 8-9 Cape Town, International Luxury Travel Market 17-20 Moscow, Russia Otdykh Leisure
31-2 Kochi India International Travel Mart South Africa Africa (ILTM Africa) 17-20 Moscow, Russia Luxury Leisure
31-3 Feb Istanbul, Turkey EMITT* 9-11 Beijing, China China Outbound Travel Tourism 24 Kiev, Ukraine Luxury Travel Market
Mart (COTTM)*
24-27 Paris, France International French Travel Market
FEBRUARY
11-13 Novosibirsk, Russia SITT (TOURSIB)* Top Resa
14-16 Jaipur Great India Travel Bazaar 25-27 Astana, Kazakhstan Astana Leisure*
2-3 Innsbruck, Austria Travel Trend 21-24 Auckland, Tourism New Zealand 27 Almaty, Kazakhstan Luxury Travel Market
New Zealand TRENZ 2013
2-4 Chandigarh India Travel Mart (ITM) 30-3 Oct Cancun, Mexico International Luxury Travel
23-25 Sao Paulo, Brazil World Travel Market
5 Mumbai Austrian National Tourist Office’s Market Americas (ILTMA)*
B2B Event Latin America*
5-6 London, UK The Travel Technology Show 23-26 Riyadh, Riyadh Travel Fair
5-6
5-6
London, UK
Tel Aviv, Israel
Business Travel & Meetings Show
International Mediterranean
24-26
Saudi Arabia
Almaty, Kazakhstan International Tourism
OCTOBER
Tourism Market Kazakhstan Fair (KITF)* 1-3 Bangkok, Thailand IT&CMA CTW
6 Chennai Austrian National Tourist Office’s 4-6 Indore IITE
B2B Event
7 Delhi Austrian National Tourist Office’s
B2B Event
MAY 10-12 St. Petersburg,
Russia
Inwetex-CIS Travel Market
5-7 Stuttgart, German Travel Mart 10-12 St. Petersburg, MICE Industry
7-10 Prague, Holiday World Russia
Czech Republic Germany
14-18 Hanzhou, China Canadian Tourism Commission’s
8-10 Mumbai TTF & OTM 6-9 Dubai, Arabian Travel Showcase Asia
12 Ahmedabad Tourism Philippines’ Roadshow UAE Market (ATM)*
18-21 Taipei, Taiwan Taipei International Travel Fair
13 Kolkata Tourism Philippines’ Roadshow 9-11 Shanghai, China World Travel Fair
23-25 Singapore ITB Asia
14-16 Delhi TTF & OTM 11-14 Durban, Indaba Expo
14-17 Milan, Italy BIT South Africa
NOVEMBER
18-21 Johannesburg, Meetings Africa 12-15 Ottawa, Canada Canadian Tourism
South Africa Commission’s Rendezvous
19 Mumbai Disney Parks - Disney Days Trade Canada
Event 13-15 Kuwait City, Travel World Expo 4-7 London, World Travel Market*
Kuwait UK (WTM)
21 Delhi Disney Parks - Disney Days Trade
Event 16-18 Lugano, Meeting Luxury 6-7 London, UK Business Travel Market
22 Ahmedabad Macau Govt Tourist Office’s Trade Switzerland 11-14 Costa Daurada, International Golf Travel Market
Workshop Spain
22 Mumbai Canadian Tourism Commission
JUNE
22-24 Pune IITM
Agents Training Programme
22-24 Pune IITM Pune
22-24 Bhubaneswar Holiday Expo
23-25 Ahmedabad Indian Travel Mart (ITM) 3-6 Shanghai, China International Luxury Travel 26 Delhi German National Tourist Board
Market Asia (ILTMA)* Roadshow’s B2B Event
25 Delhi Canadian Tourism
Commission Agents Training 11-13 Chicago, USA Americas Incentive 27 Bengaluru German National Tourist Board
Programme Business Travel & Roadshow’s B2B Event
25-26 Delhi ATOUT France’s Paris Meetings Exhibitions (AIBTM)* 29 Mumbai German National Tourist Board
Promotion 13-16 Hong Kong, International Travel Expo Roadshow’s B2B Event
26-27 Melbourne, Asia Pacific Meetings and SAR China 29 -1 Dec Hyderabad IITM Hyderabad
Australia Incentive Expo (AIME) 13-16 Hong Kong, ITE MICE
27-1 Mumbai ATOUT France’s Paris Promotion SAR China
27- 2 Mar Jaipur Canadian Tourism
Commission’s Focus Canada India
21-23 Beijing, China Beijing International Tourism Expo
(BITE) DECEMBER
27-3 Mar Lisbon, Portugal BTL 26-27 Auckland, Tourism New Zealand 2-5 Cannes, France International Luxury
28-2 Mar Kolkata IITM Kolkata New Zealand MEETINGS 2013 Travel Market*
*For more details, contact: ddpexhibitions@ddppl.com

43. NEWS
Teeing off on Indian grounds
India Golf Tourism Association (IGTA) will kickstart
2013 on a positive note by participating in the Ministry
of Tourism’s North East International Travel Mart
scheduled to be held in January in Assam…
Secretary, Vipan Sharma- Jt.
T T B U R E AU Secretary and RK Mathur-
Treasurer. The IGTA officials
L eading golf enthusiasts
from the tourism and
hospitality industry have
desire to work closely with
the Ministry of Tourism to
ensure that Golf in near
come together to launch
future becomes a major con-
India Golf Tourism
tributor to the tourist arrivals
Association (IGTA), which
in India.
strives to enhance India’s golf
offerings. The new associa- Here, Sehgal adds, “Golf
tion also strives forward to is India’s best kept secret.
bring International Golf Meet The country has the rare
Asia 2014 to India. Rajan Sehgal advantage of having an array
President
IGTA
of golf courses from the met-
As per Rajan Sehgal,
ros to the mountains as well
President, IGTA, “The India
as courses with great histor-
Golf Tourism Association has conduct an annual Golf
ical importance. Once in
been formed to bring all golf Tourism Conference, work as
India, the tourists coming
courses and golf tour promot- a dialogue facilitator with all
arriving for experiencing golf
ers on one platform. This stakeholders to better pack-
will also be inspired by
helps in bringing better age the Indian golf product to
India’s attractions such as
understanding and coordina- maximise foreign visitor
spa, culture, adventure, din-
tion among various stake- arrivals in India,” he added.
ing and business offerings.”
holders promoting golf in
IGTA has planned a host
India. Our membership will
of events and will kick start
be open to travel and tour
operators, golf courses,
2013 on a positive note by Plan of action
participation in the Ministry
hotels, airlines, state tourism
of Tourism’s North East The IGTA was launched in the
boards and international
International Travel Mart first week of December 2012
tourism organisations.”
scheduled to be held in at Suryaa, New Delhi
“IGTA hopes to bring in January in Assam. The IGTA
the prestigious International was launched in the first The IGTA officials desire to
Golf Meet Asia 2014 to India. week of December 2012 at work closely with the Ministry
of Tourism to ensure that Golf
Besides this, the association Suryaa, New Delhi and its
in near future becomes a
will work towards inviting executive team also includes
major contributor to the tourist
foreign golf tour operators to Gajender Singh-Vice
arrivals in India
experience golfing in India, President, Uday Marwah-
IGTA launched in New Delhi
The IGTA was launched in the first week of December 2012 at Suryaa, New
Delhi and its executive team includes Gajender Singh-Vice President, Uday
Marwah-Secretary, Vipan Sharma- Jt. Secretary and RK Mathur-Treasurer.
The IGTA will strive forward to make India a leading golfing destination.
Courtyard Kochi Airport by Marriott
Strategically located 300 have a contemporary look Rooms making it the highest
meters from the Kochi and feel, the hotel reflects room inventory in the vicin-
International Airport, the refreshing hospitality ity of the Kochi International
Courtyard by Marriott, Kochi offered by the Marriott Airport. All the rooms come
Airport is well connected to Group. The hotel has 107 fully equipped with hi-speed
all major destinations in and rooms that include 7 Suites, internet, ergonomic seating,
around Kochi. Designed to 22 Twin Rooms & 78 King tea/coffee maker etc.

44. OPPORTUNITY

45. CLIPBOARD JANUARY 1 ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2013 TRAVTALK 43

46. 44 TRAVTALK JANUARY 1 ST FORTNIGHT ISSUE 2013 MOVEMENTS
Bhutan Tourism Corporation Limited Marriott Hotels India JW Marriott Hotel New Delhi Aerocity
Delhi Delhi New Delhi
Vishal Kumar has been appointed as the Head Sales & Vishal Gupta is the new Director of Travel Trade Sales for the Josef Schuppler has been appointed as the Director of
Marketing - India Representative for Bhutan Tourism Corporation Marriott Hotels India. Prior to this stint, he was the Director of Operations at the JW Marriott Hotel New Delhi Aerocity, which
Limited (BTCL). He brings with him almost Sales for the Greenbelt Marriott and Marriott is scheduled to open in early 2013.
13 years of experience in Hospitality & Inn & Conference Centre UMUC in Maryland, Schuppler has over seven years of
Aviation industry. In his current role, he USA. He has been with Marriott International experience in managing the Food &
would take care of Sales & Marketing for 12 years now and has extensive Beverage division across Marriott hotels
and setting up Bhutan as a destination international work-experience that covers in Asia including the JW Marriott Hong
for the Indian Market. Kumar has worked countries such as Australia, St. Kitts Kong, JW Marriott Beijing and JW
with Eaton Smart Transit hotel – T-3, DIAL (Caribbean) and United States before Marriott Shanghai. He tables invaluable
for the T3 Operations & Project Planning returning back home to India. multi-property experience, off-property
& hotels in various locations in India such Gupta has worked with events and expertise in F&B as well as
as InterContinental The Grand & eminent brands such as Hotel operations management.
The Grand New Delhi. InterContinental, Sydney and
The Hilton New Delhi.
Bengaluru Marriott Hotel Whitefield
Bengaluru Neeraj Maharshi is the new Director of Sales and Marketing
at JW Marriott Hotel New Delhi Aerocity. He comes with 15
Sonika Chaturvedi is the new Director of Human Resource Gaurav Apte has joined the Bengaluru Marriott Hotel, years of experience in the hotel industry. In his previous role,
at the Bengaluru Marriott Hotel Whitefield. She Whitefield as the Director of Rooms. In this Maharshi held the position of the Director of Sales and
comes in with 14 years of experience in profile, he will be responsible for overseeing Marketing at the Jaipur Marriott. He was
the field of Human Resources, financial interactions & transactions. also instrumental in positioning the
organisation development, training & Previously, Apte was associated with the Jaipur Marriott as the ideal destination
customer service in hotels, telecom & Courtyard by Marriott, Pune Hinjewadi as for MICE and leisure business. In his
BPO. Prior to joining this profile, the Director of Rooms, where he played a present profile, he will work towards
Chaturvedi worked at the Renaissance significant role in ensuring its successful maximizing the hotel revenue from
Hotel and Convention Centre & Marriott opening. He has earlier worked with The different market segments and lead the
Executive Apartments, Mumbai as the Lakeside Chalet Marriott Executive hotel’s sales team.
Director of Human Resources, where Apartments and The
she successfully managed the Renaissance Mumbai Hotel
department with her experience & Convention Centre
in this segment. for 7 years.
Renaissance Mumbai Convention Hilton Mumbai International Airport Courtyard by Marriott Pune City Centre
Centre Hotel and Lakeside Chalet Mumbai Pune
Mumbai, Marriott Executive Kasturi Deo has joined the Hilton Mumbai International Airport Shubhendu Kadam is appointed as the Executive Chef at
Apartments as the Executive Housekeeper. She brings in more than 15 years Courtyard by Marriott Pune City Centre. He brings with him 16
of experience with her to this new role. In years of experience in the hospitality
Mumbai her former position at Bombay Dyeing domain. Kadam encompasses an
& Manufacturing, she was heading expertise in pre-opening and refurbishing
Neesha Mohapatra has joined of Hotel F&B, Speciality restaurants and
housekeeping operations for the
Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Cruise Ships in India, The Philippines and
Mumbai-based company with
Hotel and Lakeside Chalet - Mumbai, USA. He started his career as a
diverse interests in textile, airlines,
Marriott Executive Apartments as Commis - II chef at Hyatt Regency, New
FMCG and realty. Prior to this, Deo
the new Director of Human Delhi in October 1996. His career stints also
held positions with Leela
Resources. Her portfolio includes include working at Park Hyatt Goa
Kempinski in Mumbai, Taj
working with brands like The Unison and Fort Aguada Beach
Residency in Vadodara,
Hotels Group, The Leela Group Resort, Goa as and the
Hotel Ramada in
and the InterContinental InterContinental Goa.
Mumbai and others.
Hotels Group.
Karim Makhlouf , Chief Simon Wan, Chief Executive and
Commercial Officer, Gulf Air Managing Director, StayWell
was in India to celebrate 31 Hospitality Group says, “I spend
years of operations. He was around two weeks every month trav-
born in Germany and started elling for work. Thus, my wife has
his career with Lufthansa, started calling me Mr Who,” he
Talking People is a special dedicated corner, created as a sounding where he worked for over 10 chuckles. When Wan is home, he likes
board for who’s who of the Indian and International travel industry. With years. He loves the multicultur- to spend time with his wife and two
Talking People, it is our endeavour to bring you face-to-face with people.
Contributed by: Vivek Sethi, Dency Mathew & Megha Paul al environment in Bahrain, Karim Makhlouf daughters, aged 15 and 17. “I love Simon Wan
which he believes has strong Chief Commercial Officer cooking. It acts as the best rejuvena- Chief Executive and
resemblance with Indian ethos. Gulf Air tion therapy for me. I grow my own Managing Director,
StayWell Hospitality Group
Makhlouf is passionate about herbs and vegetables in my garden.”
Patricia Yates, Director of Strategy and golf, cooking and fitness. He has recently been blessed
Wan also likes sneaking in for a game of golf occasionally.
Communications, VisitBritain has done her masters with a baby girl and loves spending time with his family
He loves to watch action-packed movies. “Skyfall was the
in Physics from Oxford University and treaded into that includes his wife and son.
last movie I saw and thoroughly enjoyed it,” he says.
travel writing, while working for a science journal.
She is also a fellow of the Tourism Society and had
joined VisitBritain just prior to London was
announced as the host city of Olympics and
Yann Gillet, General Manager, Park Hyatt Chennai was born and brought up in Pessac, a village
next to Bordeaux in France, known for the Chateau Haut Brion. Hailing from a family of a physicist
Paralympic Games. Yates loves travelling, reading
father and three doctor sisters, Yann has travelled extensively as a child to countries that include
and is also a fitness freak. “I firmly believe that the
Patricia Yates Sweden, USA, South Africa, Spain, China and many others. This, he believes, is where the first
Director of Strategy and travellers today have a global vision and their needs
seed of his passion for the hospitality industry were sown.
Communications should be addressed accordingly,” she says.
VisitBritain Gillet is an avid sports enthusiast with interests ranging from football, running and water
sports. He is adept at sailing, surfing, kite surfing and windsurfing and has also been an instructor
of the latter at Bordeaux. “I love running and am doing a 10 km run with absolute ease every
Yann Gillet
General Manager weekend,” he says while talking about his daily routine.
Park Hyatt Chennai

48. Postal Reg. No.: DL(ND)-11/6044/2012-13-14;
WPP No.: U(C)-178/2012-14 for posting on 1st-2nd and 15th-16th
of the same month at New Delhi P.S.O., RNI No.: 53492/91
Date of Publication:30-12-2012
HIGHLIGHT
Affordable travel in 2013: Kuoni
Rajeev Wagle, Managing Director at Kuoni India is making all efforts to bring
out the best business models, marketing strategies and product lines with more
focus on FITs. He also plans to make travel more affordable for Indians.
Why cautiously opti- are doing lot of stuff on the Moreover, we are also
A N I TA J A I N mistic and not confident- product, destination and dis- working closely with our
ly positive? tribution sides which we Kuoni offices worldwide to
D espite turbulence faced
by the Indian tourism
industry in 2012, Kuoni
This is because no one
can take a beat on the growth
believe will take us to much
higher growth in 2013. We
bring in more diverse knowl-
edge of various destinations,
are used to the new level of better deals with suppliers
India comfortably managed rates in 2013. I feel we are on
rupee and we still have and seamless experience for
to record single digit the right track and might hit
affordability as a plank. At our customers in any part of
growth. However, with the seven per cent GDP.
Kuoni India, we are ready for the world by consistent serv-
things looking cautiously
positive and pleasantly con-
With more travellers this year with better hotel ice under Kuoni umbrella.
fusing in 2013, the company
searching online and deals, affordable travel pack-
How will you make travel
is well-prepared with a solid
gaining confidence in ages, revamped distribution
more affordable for
business strategy to record
OTAs, what lies ahead model, our spread out reach
Indian travellers in 2013?
a higher double digit growth
for the offline agents? in the country and with
our differentiated products I think the industry
this year. Moreover, it is also OTAs have done a great
on-board etc. needs to do a lot of affordabil-
ready to take on its B2B divi- job by opening up the travel
ity. Our economy is growing;
sion - Kuoni Business Travel market in the country. With There is a lot of growth
our middle class travellers are
to the next level by bringing seamless technology, they are coming from Tier II and Tier
becoming richer and need for
in more efficiency and tak- really good at air ticketing III cities and we are all set to
travel is already implanted in
ing it to the international and one-destination pack- tap that growth. Also, after
their head. So, if our travel
markets in a few years. ages. However, complex and consolidating our group tour
packages become more afford-
multi-destination travel business, we are now looking
able, the overall economy will
The year 2012 witnessed bookings market is still at FIT (both high-end and
benefit out of it. Thus by mak-
unstable global economy, owned by offline agents. With budget), a segment where we
ing the price point cheaper,
drifting currency, fluctu- evolving market, there is want to make a difference.
more numbers will travel. This
ating airfares, etc. How place for both online and This is now possible with our
part can be worked upon by
will you see 2013 for your offline travel agents. India is strong IT system (CRM) in
the industry, but, on the other
business? a unique market with a place which enables us to
side, government should fur-
hybrid operating model (com- service the customer at the
During the first half, ther open up our skies,
pany with both online and point of sale with good rates.
Indian tourism industry faced improve air connectivity,
offline presence). It will also help us maximise
tough times, but the second develop infrastructure, etc.
each line of product to cater
half was more pleasant with Kuoni India has aspira- India is one of the highest
to every segment of traveller.
reforms coming from the tions to go online, but we will spending markets for various
government’s side like FDI in never try to compete with countries and thus there are
retail and aviation, regulating any OTA as the business good numbers of NTOs pres-
the banking industry, amend- model is different. We do ent here. This shows our
ment Bill being passed, stock have our website and high- potential and it’s time to
markets performing well, etc. light our products, but, for make travel affordable. Let
These reforms proved to be a bookings, we will direct the more people travel and
boon for the Indian economy customer to a branch. expand our market size.
making 2013 look more pos-
itive. A feel good economy
Are you prepared for
makes people do discre-
2013? Trends in 2012
tionary spend and thus, trav- Rupee drift- Trends of people travelling
el comes into picture. I think ing with the econ- more frequently became
the general view is good. omy and travellers more pronounced
Economy grew at 5.4% in the down-trading was Category of travellers has
first half and is expected to observed in 2012. been widened with travellers
end at 5.8-5.9%, which Since it came in travelling with friends, family,
means second half is already suddenly, travel in groups, etc
budgeted at higher level. industry was not Travellers down-trading on
Since our tourism industry is prepared for it. This their trips (cutting down
directly attached to the coun- year we are better on number of travelling
try’s economy at macro level, prepared. We still days, opting for short-haul
I’m cautiously optimistic grew last year but we destinations, selecting
about the growth opportuni- did not meet our tar- domestic over short-haul
ties for this year. gets. So this year, we Rajeev Wagle, MD, Kuoni India international destinations etc)