Tourism and Travel Trends from India:

News and views on India's Travel and Hospitality Sector

Weekly News Related to Travel Industry in India

Places in the News
Travel and Transportation Infrastructure
Niche Tourism
Policy
Travel and Tourism Support Industries
Travel Characteristics of Indians

Places in the News

Travel and Transportation Infrastructure

Sector: Aviation

1. Cathay Pacific shifts regional base to India
Cathay Pacific has shifted its regional base from Bahrain to India which handles operations for of India, Middle East, Africa and Pakistan. Tom Wright, General Manager will shift base to Mumbai office from August 1 for Cathay Pacific and Dragon Air operations. The airline's immediate priority is to increase frequencies between India and Hong Kong. However, this will be possible only after the governments of both the countries hold bilateral talks, which are expected to take place soon, informed Rupert Bray, Outgoing Country Manager, Cathay Pacific.

Also, it wants to introduce flights on the India-China via Hong Kong route before the commencement of Beijing Olympics which is scheduled for 2008. Wright also informed that the airline is on the verge of expanding its fleet with 31 new aircraft by 2010.

To enhance the experience on its flights on the India route, Cathay Pacific is planning to adopt 'Olympus', a product for business and first class passengers that offers luxurious seating due to its hi-tech features, in two years time. The product has already been launched on the airline's global services. It is also considering addition of a fourth 'Premium Economy' class that will be mainly targeted at business travellers who have to pay flight fares from their personal expenditure. Also on the charts is implementing the Pico Cell technology which enables onboard passengers to use SMS facilities, post-testing its efficiency.
July 28, 2007
Source: Travel Biz Monitor

2. UB awaits SEBI nod for picking 20 pc more in Deccan

Vijay Mallya-led UB Group, which has acquired 26 per cent in Deccan Aviation Ltd, on Wednesday, said its open offer for picking up an additional 20 per cent stake in the airline has been delayed as it is awaiting SEBI's nod.

The offer, which is being managed by Edelweiss Capital, was scheduled to open today and close on August 13.

"Observations in terms of SEBI regulations are yet to be received from SEBI and are awaited. In view of the same, the schedule of activities announced earlier shall be required to be revised," Deccan Aviation said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

The revised schedule of activities would be announced shortly upon receipt of observations from SEBI, the company added.

Kingfisher Radio, a wholly-owned subsidiary of United Breweries Holding Ltd, has made an offer for acquiring 2.70 crore shares of Deccan Aviation at a price of Rs 155 per share.

UB group plans to utilise a combination of internal accruals and borrowed capital to fund the acquisition.

UB Holdings had announced the acquisition of 26 per cent stake in Deccan Aviation on May 31 for Rs 546 crore. With the acquisition, the Kingfisher-Air Deccan combine would have the largest fleet of 71 aircraft - 41 Airbus and 30 ATR aircraft - in the domestic market.

Shares of UB Holdings were trading at Rs 717.10, down 0.66 per cent, while those of Deccan Aviation were trading at Rs 140.70, down 1.99 per cent, on the BSE.
July 25, 2007
Source: PTI via Economic Times

3. Airports to turn into all-in-one aeropolises

You may not attend a wedding at an Indian airport anytime soon (in 2005, over 450 marriages were solemnised and officiated at Stockholm’s Arlanda airport). But you can look forward to spending an eventful day at an airport without going anywhere near an aircraft — maybe a movie, a piping hot meal or some shopping?

Airports are vying with each other to go beyond flight operations. Call it an aeropolis or aerotropolis — that’s the buzzword in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Nagpur. With city centres, plush hotels, convention centres and banks, the airport projects in these centres aim to become self-contained cities.

The airport city theme is gaining ground with greenfield airports at Hyderabad and Bangalore providing enough scope even as the proposed cargo hub at Nagpur plans to include a special economic zone besides logistics facilities and a township.

Not to be left behind, the joint ventures modernising Delhi and Mumbai airports are also planning to host hotels, retail space and entertainment options. A similar attempt is expected by smaller airports as the government goes in for upgrade of 35 non-metro airports.

While the government is expected to invest Rs 12,000 crore in modernising airports over the next five years, current estimates indicate private investors and developers would pump in Rs 24,000 crore.

“We want to build everything at the Delhi airport, providing all the civil amenities — from a business centre to shopping complex. So, if a traveller wants to have a meeting and wants to return to his/her destination the same day he/she can do it,” said a spokesperson for Delhi International Airport.

“We had invited expressions of interest from property developers and investors for building hotels of various sizes and categories, ranging from economy to luxury. We have got responses from about 50 developers. After shortlisting the potential bidder, we would award the contract within a month for the first phase of the work,” he added.

The Hyderabad and the Mumbai international airports are also scheduled to get luxury hotels, convention centres and speciality restaurants by 2010. The Accor Group, for example, is planning a 309-room business hotel at the Hyderabad airport.

“Revenue earned from non-aeronautical activities at some of the airports such as Singapore and Hong Kong are significant. In some cases, they are higher than traditional aeronautical income. Many more new facilities, such as hospitals, speciality retail outlets, are planned,” said an industry expert.

Many new facilities not directly related to air travel can now be seen at airports, added an airport source. “Non-aeronautical revenue as compared to aero is currently 25-35% of the total revenue. But in the years to come, it would increase to 50%, if not more,” KPMG executive director Rajeev B Batra said.
July 24, 2007
Source: Economic Times

4. Low Cost Airports: No longer a distant reality for India
The aviation sector is at an all-time high and the low cost carrier (LCC) segment has been a major contributor. At an average growth of 25-30 per cent, the segment is pegged to have at least a 50 per cent market share by 2010. It's hardly surprising then that international low cost carriers - such as Nok Air, Tiger Airways, Air Asia, to name some - have been making a beeline to enter the Indian market and cash in on the untapped potential of this nascent industry.

As low cost airlines worldwide are spreading their wings, airport authorities are competing fiercely to attract these players to use their airport infrastructure. However, the picture is rather different in India. There are 400 airstrips and airfields in the country, of which only 62 are operational. The current privatisation bid, that has got all airports on a revamping spree, is still concentrating on catering to full service carriers (FSCs). Sadly, there is no model for low cost airports in India, primarily due to the dearth of space.

Age of low cost airports
Over the last few years, low cost airlines have become significant drivers of airport planning, along with aircraft size and other technical factors. They have requirements that are not the same as those of the 'legacy' carriers. They focus on cost and on alternative ways to handle passengers. Now that they have become sizeable participants in the air transport industry, they are influencing airport design too. Low cost airlines are central to the proliferation of secondary airports and metropolitan multi-airport systems. They are catalysing the development of cheaper airport terminals configured internally much differently than traditional designs. These factors lead to the creation of 'low-cost airports' for low cost carriers around the 'legacy main airports' built to serve the legacy airlines.

Consistent with economic theory, the competition between the legacy and low cost airlines is extending to their major factors of production, that is, the airports. This competitive reality creates great uncertainty and poses substantial strategic issues for airports as well as airline managers and planners. As the global low cost airport saga unfolds, India can definitely learn a few pertinent lessons from its international counterparts so that it's better braced for the phenomenon.

Global scenario
Globally, airports are classified into three distinct kinds - the low cost airport like the European model, which is bare minimum; the South Asian model, which is state-of-the-art and then, the Asia Pacific airports, which adopt a hybrid approach. To take a case in point, the Gold Coast Airport - which has the distinction of being the first low cost international airport in the continent - follows a simple methodology: minimum passenger facility with an economical outcome. The approach ensures that all facilities are offered to passengers, but at the same time the airport works closely with all departments or divisions to enhance revenue. It is an all-in-one domestic and international terminal with low cost facilities.

Another important factor is that the airport works in close conjunction with the airlines and tourism boards of the country. At the Gold Coast Airport, co-operative marketing activities are executed, wherein the airport works together with the airline to even sell airline seats. Simultaneously, the airport also works along with tourism board authorities to promote the destination. Joint advertising campaigns are developed with the co-operation of all departments - airlines, tourism boards, state governments, tour operators, hotels and other players. This system offers dual benefits: increase in tourist numbers to the destinations, as well as rise in revenues for the airport.

The same methodology is being adopted by other low cost airports around the world as well. For instance, the new 100-million-ringgit (USD 27 million) KLIA low cost terminal in Malaysia and Singapore's (Changi) USD 45 million budget terminal that was launched last year. The airports conduct regular events to provide transiting passengers a glimpse of the country's offerings. Recently, travellers passing through Singapore's budget terminal were invited to participate in a game called Wheel of Winnings, wherein the winners bagged Tiger Airways' tickets to the destination of their choice.

The Middle East is also keen on tapping on the low cost extravaganza. Low fare services will be available at Jebel Ali, where the Dubai Civil Aviation is building a low cost terminal, Dubai World Central, which will be able to handle at least five million passengers a year in the first phase of the airport's construction. The first phase of the terminal will be for logistics services and low cost carriers.

India joins in
The need of the hour not just to refurbish the existing airports, but also to create and promote low cost terminals as an additional revenue system. This is a win-win deal for both, the airports and destinations. The entrance of new low cost carriers - be it international and domestic - have got a number of countries to seriously consider setting up low cost terminals. And India is no different.

"Whether Indian airports are ready to set up a low cost terminal or not, depends on the size of the airport. A low cost terminal is just the three Ls - Less comfort, Lower price and Lower quality."

Stephan Widrig, Chief Commercial Officer, Bangalore International Airport Limited, says, "Whether Indian airports are ready to set up a low cost terminal or not, depends on the size of the airport. If one takes the Bangalore and Hyderabad airports into consideration, the answer is a clear no, but factors could be evaluated for the Mumbai and Delhi airports. The business model for low cost airports is distinct from that of the traditional airports. Mirroring the difference between low cost and legacy airlines, low cost airports emphasise profitability through operational efficiency and minimal frills. One also has to consider the factors that make up a low cost terminal, such as, basic facilities at an affordable price, reduction of complexity at the terminals, non-aviation revenue and maintaining the quality of the airports. A low cost terminal is just the three Ls - Less comfort, Lower price and Lower quality."

As per recent reports, GR Gopinath, Executive Chairman, Air Deccan, called on the private sector to build low cost airports in smaller cities and towns so as to facilitate air connectivity to rural India. The company is already in talks with builders to set up low cost airports in the smaller cities. Besides, GMR Infrastructure Ltd, the company undertaking the modernisation of the Delhi and Hyderabad airports, has already made provisions for low budget terminals in the above projects. Likewise, GVK Consortium, the group working on the modernisation of the Mumbai airport project, sees potential for low budget airports in non-metro areas. This may very well be just the beginning of the Indian era of low cost airports.
July 23, 2007
Source: Travel Biz Monitor

5. Allow FDI in airline infrastructure: PHDCCI

The new civil aviation policy should allow foreign direct investment for developing airline infrastructure and encourage larger participation of private players, industry chamber PHDCCI has said.

"As the civil aviation sector is expected to see 25 per cent growth in the next 10 years, civil aviation infrastructure needs faster development through public-private participation mode, to be supplemented by foreign direct investment," PHDCCI President Sanjay Bhatia said in a statement.

He said the new policy should facilitate entry of new private carriers and promote healthy competition to benefit the national economy and air passengers.

More funds from private sector and FDI were needed as airport development in the country has not kept pace with the growth of the economy and passenger and cargo traffic, the statement said.

"The airport infrastructure was developed expecting a growth of 16 per cent in air transport traffic per annum but the actual growth during the last three years has been in the range of 24-28 per cent," it said.

The chamber has sought that the policy should provide a long-term vision beyond 2020. According to the government, the number of aircraft on scheduled operations would increase to 1,000 from current 321 and air passengers would go up to 280 million by 2020 from 95 million at present.

Liberalisation of rules and regulations governing the civil aviation, without compromising on safety and security, and reduction in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices and taxation of ATF and lease rentals are also important, it added.
July 22, 2007
Source: Economic Times

Sector: Railways

1. Railways issues 27,000 frequent travellers card

Railways have issued more than 27,000 cards till date to train passengers under the Scheme of Frequent Travellers (SOFT).

With a view to reward passengers who travel frequently by train, SOFT has been launched by Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation in collaboration with State Bank of India, an official release on Tuesday said.

To improve patronisation of higher classes where occupancy level is relatively low as compared to Sleeper Class and 3-AC classes, the scheme was launched in February 2006. The scheme is applicable to 1st AC, 2AC and AC chair car classes.

Under the scheme, a passenger who travels frequently by trains, has to get himself registered on payment of first year membership fee of Rs 500 after which a card is issued.

The card has to be renmewed every year on payment of an annual fee of Rs 300, the release said, adding that such a passenger gets a comlimentary train trip after certain number of reward points are accumulated.
24 Jul, 2007
Source: Economic Times

Niche Tourism

Medical
Spiritual & religious
Rural
Wine
Heritage
Adventure
Education
Nature tourism
Luxury & rejuvenation ( ayurveda, spas, holistic healing, cruises, customized travel)
Others

Policy

1. Chhattisgarh to offer tax relief for land use, free power to set up hotels

In keeping with the pro-active measures adopted by most states in terms of encouraging investment in the tourism sector, Chhattisgarh's Tourism Minister, Brijmohan Agrawal, recently announced the government's decision to offer tax relief for land use and free power to set up hotels in the state.

The idea is to encourage private investors to develop infrastructure in the state so as to give a fillip to the tourism revenues. Agarwal had announced that the state government will provide concessions like tax relief, free power for 10 years and a waiver on land diversion taxes for investors to construct of resorts, heritage hotels, health resorts, multiplexes, roads and art and craft villages around tourist sites in Chhattisgarh. The tax concessions will be awarded under Chhattisgarh's recently announced Tourism Promotion Scheme for investors who have given applications after April 1, 2006.
July 27, 2007
Source: Travel Biz Monitor

2. APTDC to promote Hyderabad as major MICE hub
As Hyderabad braces itself to host the next edition of PATA Travel Mart in October, 2008 and the World Military Games in 2014, the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) is doing all that it can and more to develop Hyderabad as a major MICE (Meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) hub.
It plans to set up 22 hotels in the city, of which 10 will belong to the five-star category.

Hyderabad already houses the largest MICE facility in Asia, the Hyderabad International Convention Centre, which has a capacity of 6,000. Besides, there is the Paryatak Bhavan, Hyderabad International Trade Expositions Ltd (HITEX), Shilpakala Vedika and Taramati Baradari cultural complex to cater to the growing MICE segment.

"The upcoming airport and increased flight connectivity at Hyderabad are all set to boost MICE tourism. At present, there are 71 international flights to Hyderabad," says Balasubramanyam Reddy, Joint Director, Department of Tourism, Andhra Pradesh. It is considering public private partnerships (PPP) for most of its projects, whereby the land will be given by the government and the projects will be developed by private entrepreneurs. The state government claims that its latest tourism policy is investor-friendly, thereby encouraging private sector participation.

Andhra Pradesh is also looking to capitalise on the South India Tourism Council's (SITCON) initiative of jointly promoting South India as a destination. Hyderabad will be the headquarters for SITCON, the council that was recently formed by the Departments of Tourism of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala, along with Puducherry and Goa. "Each state has been asked to create customised packages for itself. The idea is to offer packages ranging from one week to 15 days, depending on the visitors' requirements. The first package will be rolled out in approximately six months," says Reddy.

In terms of leisure tourism, the state is developing leisure cruises on the Hussain Sagar Lake, especially for the corporate travellers. It is also looking to develop a luxury tourism cruise between Vizag and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which will be a project sponsored by the central government.

The state government's other tourism-friendly initiatives include development of new amenities on NH 7 and NH 9, green valley train, Rs 450 lakh coconut country resort in East Godavari District, Rs 10 crore Hyderabad Expo City and several budget hotels across the state. Apart from this, its online booking system will also be launched next month
July 25, 2007
Source: Travel Biz Monitor

3. Tamil Nadu's high on tourism

Keen to tap on the booming tourism industry, the Tamil Nadu government is working on a strategic plan vis-à-vis developing tourist hotspots and improving the infrastructure in the state. To begin with, the state government will sanction Rs 100 lakh to beautify Kallanai, located in Thanjavr district and known for its picnic spots. Similarly, the Kovai-Courtallam tourist centre will be developed at an investment of Rs 36.90 lakh.

In keeping with the growing interest in religious tourism, the state government has sanctioned Rs 43.25 lakh for upgrading facilities at the Kundrakudi Lord Subramanya Temple, a popular pilgrim centre of Chettinad region. Besides, an investment to the tune of Rs 25 lakh is being made on developing tourist amenities in Pillayarpatti of Sivaganga district, noted for its 12-feet monolithic statue of Lord Karpaga Vinayagar.

For enhancing the basic amenities at Veerapandiya Kattabomman Memorial Fort in Tuticorin, the government has kept aside about Rs 30 lakh. Besides, it plans to develop the Courtallam waterfalls centre in Tirunelveli district at a cost of Rs 88 lakh.

In the hospitality segment, the government will sanction 10 per cent capital subsidy for projects, including construction of a tourist hotel and conversion of heritage buildings into hotels at a cost of not more than Rs 100 lakh. The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation also has plans to upgrade hotel units at Kanchipuram, Coimbatore, Kodaikanal, Madurai, Rameswaram, Kanyakumari, Thnajavur and Yeracud at a cost of around Rs 300 lakh.

Apart from this, around 37 cottages in Hotel Tamilnadu (beach resorts complex) Mamallapuram will be renovated at a cost of Rs 180 lakh. The state government also intends to purchase 68 new house boats at an estimated cost of Rs 30 lakh.
July 24, 2007
Source: Travel Biz Monitor

Travel and Tourism Support Industries …and much more

Service providers

Travel ecommerce

1. Ministry of Tourism launches an e-commerce platform on its website
In a move to further popularise the Incredible India campaign, the tourism ministry launched an e-commerce platform, which was inaugurated by Ambika Soni, Tourism and Culture Minister, here yesterday. The platform will be available on the tourism ministry's existing website- www.incredibleindia.org. The new platform will provide for a detailed list of accommodation available at travel destinations in India and also allow online booking for the same. The application has been developed by the ministry of tourism with the help of Eviivo, a UK based business solutions firm.

Soni said that the new platform will strengthen Incredible India's visibility on the internet and will make a huge difference for those looking to use the Bed & Breakfast (B & B) scheme. Travellers will be able to get in direct touch with people providing home stay under the B & B scheme, as the contact details of the latter will be displayed on the website. Also, tourists will be able to access details of a lot of small and medium service providers through this platform which will help to get rid of the notion that India is an expensive destination.
July 26, 2007
Source: Travel Biz Monitor

Events

1. Ministry of tourism bags the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) grand awards

Ministry of Tourism, Government of India bags the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) grand awards. The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)'s Gold Awards recognise exceptional achievement in a variety of endeavours, bringing acclaim to the best the Asia Pacific's travel industry has to offer. The winning projects set industry standards for excellence and innovation, serving as examples for others to follow. In addition to the 24 Gold Awards, PATA also presents up to four Grand Awards for "best of show" entries in the following broad categories: Environment, Education & Training, Heritage & Culture and Marketing Campaign. The four "best-of-show" Grand Awards were bagged by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, in the Marketing category.

Incredible India
"Targeted at affluent travellers from the US, Europe, Asia, the Pacific and the Middle East, the Incredible India global campaign has helped to drive strong double-digit growth in foreign visitor arrivals into India. Leveraging India's colour and cultural diversity in the campaign, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture made aggressive use of traditional above-the-line advertising as well as interactive new media, including several micro sites and 11 online contests. "

Winning a PATA Gold Award greatly enhances the winner's marketing and public relations profile. The winning entries will be featured in the PTM07 Daily newspaper and a PATA press release, which invariably attracts a lot of positive travel industry media coverage. The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a membership association acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry. Founded in 1951, PATA is the recognized authority on Asia Pacific travel and tourism. PATA provides leadership and advocacy to the collective efforts of nearly 100 government, state and city tourism bodies, more than 55 airlines and cruise lines, and hundreds of travel industry companies. In addition, thousands of travel professionals belong to dozens of PATA chapters worldwide. PATA is a not-for-profit organization. The Association is headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand with representative offices in North America, the Pacific, China (PRC), Europe and the Gulf region. The winners will be honoured at a special luncheon during the PATA Travel Mart 2007 in Bali on September 28.
July 26, 2007
Source: Press Information Bureau

Research and Market reports

Human Resources & Training

1. Aviation management
Pailan Aviation Institute is a promising institute in Siliguri that offers a robust career option for those who wish to fly high, says Swaati Chaudhury

If you’re interested to shape your career as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, then look forward to join Pailan Aviation Institute (PAI) that has emerged as the largest aviation-training institute in the Eastern region of India. This training institute came up sometime in August 2005, and from July 2006, it started a three-year combined course in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering in Rotary Wing Aircraft (Helicopter) and Jet Engine, which has been approved by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Government of India. Such a programme has been introduced first time ever in India.

Aircraft Maintenance Engineers are highly essential to look after the building, smooth running and revamping of aircrafts.With global airlines touching down the Indian metros and the eastern skies suddenly becoming active, there is a huge demand for Aircraft Maintenance Engineers in the Indian and global aviation industry. The institute imparts training to students in all aspects of aviation industry. Candidates have to appear in a written test and interview and are selected on the basis of their merit. There are state-of-the-art teaching facilities; highly qualified faculty, updated hangar, computer laboratory, machine shop, modern workshop and a library spruced up with books, periodicals and aviation magazines. Elaborates Apurba Saha, Founder and Chairman, Pailan Group, “Our institute offers the best of training infrastructure to students and we teach them A to Z of aviation. There are aspirants coming from all over India. At the formal launch of our institute, we had received 5,000 applicants for 30 seats. We have procured our own aircrafts that include CESSNA 185 and Chetak helicopter for our institute last year.” The budding professionals are offered esteemed placements in public sector airlines like Air India, Indian Airlines, Alliance Air, Pawan Hans and Coal India while private airlines include Jet Airways, Sahara Airlines, Air Deccan, Kingfisher Airlines, Spice Jet and Air Emirates. “The initial salary for fresh Aircraft Maintenance Engineers is very high and few years of service experience will result in salary over lakhs per month,” quiped Apurba Saha.

Keeping with the current demand in the aviation industry, the institute also prepares the life of students as highly qualified flight or ground attendants. For those who wish to dart across the globe, the institute has designed one-year diploma course in Airline Hospitality Management for the aspiring Airhostess, Cabin Crew, Ground Staff, hospitality, and travel & tourism professionals. More than 90 per cent of the students are well placed and majority of them are working in various national and international airlines. Saha said, “We are mulling options to launch the diploma course in Srinagar sometime in August, 2007. Our institute has its presence in offering diploma course in places like Agartala and Siliguri.

Very soon, we will spread our wings in Jamshedpur, Durgapur and also in Dhaka.” Commenting on the kind of competition faced by the institute, Saha adds with a grin, “Our students are our best competitors.”

He informed, “ The domestic aviation sector is on an expansion mode and the east has a promising market but is trailing behind in infrastructure. Nearly 2,000 aircrafts will be ready by next two years in India and there will be a huge demand for 20,000 Aircraft Maintenance Engineers within next five years.”

The Central government needs to make an endeavour to beef up the infrastructure facilities in the East. An air travel forms the fastest mode of communication particularly in North-East India. There are no such night flight services at Guwahati and Agartala although there are potential takers. Once night flight services are developed in this region, there is scope of sound opportunity.
July 27, 2007
Source: The Statesman

2. Good Shepherd College of Hotel Management, Ooty, launches India's First Authentic Twinning Programme with the Renowned César Ritz Colleges, Switzerland

Saturday ushered in a new era in quality education with the opening of the Good Shepherd College of Management, Ooty, India’s first ever three year twinning programme in partnership with the renowned César Ritz Colleges, Switzerland.
This stellar programme, both unique and innovative in its course structure through its varied learning offerings and multifarious development opportunities, provides a new avenue for aspirants who would like to set a firm foothold in the hospitality, travel and tourism sector. The international approach ensures that students imbibe the best there is to offer and equip themselves with the right fuel to trail blaze their careers globally.

The initial two years aim to equip the students with a world class environment to learn and to lead. Further on successful completion they undertake their third year in César Ritz Colleges, Switzerland and are awarded a Bachelor’s degree in International Business in Hotel & Tourism Management.

Students graduating from this program will have a thorough understanding of the industry and a broader perspective about the latest trends that impact the market. Tanja Kisseleff, the Dean of the college said that “we want to create managers” and true to her words the course seems to essay her vision out in entirety. That is not all. The course understands the need of development holistically and the innumerable extracurricular activities bear testimony to that. Students will learn the intricacies of business and acquire a management perspective of the global hospitality sector. At the César Ritz during their third year, they will further develop experience and exposure in the latest techniques and absorb the correct skills as mandated by the leading restaurants, hotels and resorts internationally.

Dr. P.C. Thomas, President, Good Shepherd College of Hotel Management, talking about the benefit to the students admits his new venture will act as a catalyst and an ambition accelerator for aspirants all over the country. Talking about this collaboration he said, “We are pleased to partner with César Ritz to create this unique program." He added further, “The school would pave the way for students who want to take that career leap in this sector internationally. It would also help generate higher and better employability and create more entrepreneurs. And, this alliance shall indeed provide the students with a course curriculum that will help them learn from the global leaders.”

The academic partnership degree program is part of a broader alliance the two colleges have forged. The alliance aims to enhance the educational experience for students and to serve the hospitality industry through education, research and professional skills development. It is a synergy that aims to fuse the best of each institution into one unique collaborative degree program and this has been launched on the July 21st 2007, heralding a new age of educational excellence.

Passionate about creating the best, Mr. Martin Kisseleff, President César Ritz colleges, Switzerland says, “We at César Ritz look forward to this exciting association with GCHM to deliver a program that gives students a distinctive edge in education since it mirrors the best of both institutions. This is exactly the kind of innovative educational offering that we envisioned upon forming this academic partnership"

“The hospitality management is becoming a desired destination for the brightest minds in all fields, be it tourism, IT, engineering, etc. The job opportunities are also exploding both in India and the global markets. The number of senior managers who are expats in the Indian hospitality industry is evidence of this. This is only set to grow further. Being trained for the best by the best would be the right option for aspirants.”

The Good Shepherd College of Hotel Management is all set to begin a new chapter in grooming fine minds that shall go on to achieve incredible success in India and around the world in the hospitality industry.
July 27, 2007
Source: Indian PR wire

Travel Characteristics of Indians