Tourism and Travel Trends from India:
News and views on India's Travel and Hospitality Sector

Weekly News Related to Travel Industry in India

Top Travel Destinations
Places in the news
Travel and transportation infrastructure
Medical Tourism
Religious Tourism
Holistic Healing Service Providers
Travel characteristics of Indians
Investment related
Travel and Tourism Support Industries …and much more

Top Travel Destinations

Places in the news

1. PATA picks the best of Asia-Pacific`s travel industry
What do a Hong Kong journalist, a Sri Lankan hotel, an Indian beach and a Singapore-based airline all have in common? "They are all outstanding contributors to the responsible development and successfulpromotion of travel and tourism in Asia Pacific", said Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)  President and CEO Mr Peter de Jong.

"Furthermore, they`ve all been acknowledged and recognised as such by Asia Pacific?s most independent travel industry awards programme", added Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) Director Mr Joγo Manuel Costa Antunes.

Identified as "best-of-show" entries in the 2006 PATA Gold Awards, and each receiving an elite PATA Grand Award for their outstanding efforts, were: Mr Kevin Sinclair, Hong Kong; Mount Lavinia Hotel, Sri Lanka; Kovalam, India; and Singapore Airlines.

Less than six weeks remain for stakeholders in Asia Pacific travel and tourism to submit their entries to this year`s PATA Gold Awards programme, which is open to both PATA members and non-members until April 30.

Judged by panels of experts, PATA`s Gold Awards recognise exceptional achievement in six broad categories:-
         1.Marketing Campaign (five Gold Awards and one Grand Award)
         2.Environment (three Gold Awards and one Grand Award)
         3.Heritage & Culture (two Gold Awards and one Grand Award)
         4.Education & Training (one Gold Award and one Grand Award)
         5.Marketing Media (nine Gold Awards)
         6.Travel Journalism (four Gold Awards)
In total, PATA will present up to 24 PATA Gold Awards and four elite PATA Grand Awards at a special September 28 lunch at Grand Hyatt Bali, Indonesia, during PATA Travel Mart 2007.

Highlights of winning entries will be on display at the Mart for delegates to enjoy, and Award recipients will be featured in the Winners` Showcase souvenir booklet.

MGTO Director Mr Joγo Manuel Costa Antunes said: "MGTO is proud to continue our association with the prestigious PATA Gold Awards. For 12 consecutive years we have been sponsoring this leading travel awards programme in the Asia Pacific region."

"By recognising those who have made outstanding contributions to the tourism industry we believe that we are helping to inject new concepts in the sector, stimulating it to evolve to new levels. Macau is facing unprecedented tourism growth and more than ever we know that excellence and innovation are a must for the industry to thrive."

PATA President and CEO Mr Peter de Jong said: "We are delighted that the MGTO remains committed to helping PATA identify and acknowledge excellence in our industry."

Thursday, March 22, 2007
Source: TravelDailyNews.com

Travel and transportation infrastructure

Sector: Aviation

1. Jet to launch US flight by July-Aug

Jet Airways, the country's top private airline, will launch its long-planned maiden flight to the US via Belgium by July-August this year and make Ahmedabad the fourth Indian city in its network to have direct flights to London's Heathrow airport from April three.

The premier private carrier had earlier decided to start the Mumbai-Brussels-Newark flight on August 15, but efforts are now being made to advance the launch date, highly-placed sources in the airline told PTI here.

Jet's American operations have been delayed by almost two years as it was originally scheduled in October 2005. The delay was caused by an inquiry by US Department of Transportation after an American company of the same name alleged that its Indian namesake had underworld links.

The charges were investigated and subsequently found to be untrue. Jet was later given security clearance by Home Ministry last year.

The flight, to be operated by a Boeing-777 aircraft with a three-class configuration, may have an inaugural offer of an economy class return ticket at Rs 45,000 plus taxes.

Sources said the Ahmedabad-London Heathrow flight would be launched on April three as a twice-a-week service, but the frequency would be increased to thrice-a-week from May one. It already operates to London from Delhi, Mumbai and Amritsar.

The initial economy return fare on this sector would be an attractive Rs 22,000 plus taxes only, they said, adding this inaugural fare was likely to be valid for a month.

Friday, March 23, 2007
Source: Economic Times

2. Decongestion plans likely to push up peak hour airfares
The government’s move to decongest air traffic in Mumbai and Delhi airports by putting a freeze on allowing new flights in the summer schedule may push up airfares in the peak hours, especially during May and June. While rationalisation of capacity may lead to improvement in yield per seat, carriers are looking at flying larger aircraft to metros to overcome the crunch in availability of slots for take-offs and landings.

This is likely to impact ATR operations of Air Deccan, Jet and Kingfisher, especially for flights connecting Delhi and Mumbai to smaller metros. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) last week limited the number of flight movements this summer to the winter schedule levels of 30 an hour to decongest air traffic at Mumbai and Delhi airports.

Kingfisher Airlines plans to deploy larger aircraft in the Delhi-Mumbai sector, and may also look at hiking fares for flying in the peak hours, its head honcho Vijay Mallya told ET. Most airlines said under the new summer schedule the block time for any aircraft — the time slot given for its arrival and subsequent departure — have in many cases gone up substantially. “In some cases, the aircraft has to be on the ground for two-three hours, before it is allowed to take off. This may impact overall aircraft utilisation, affecting our revenues,” said an airline executive. Most carriers have gone back to the drawing board to rejig their schedules for the summer.

“We will fly two larger aircraft — A321s — in the Delhi-Mumbai sector, giving us additional seat capacity of around 20%,” Mr Mallya said. Kingfisher is in the process of inducting 20 new aircraft over the next one year into its fleet, many of them being ATRs which would largely be deployed in the southern routes. Low-cost carriers like SpiceJet, IndiGo and Go use similar type of aircraft and do not have the flexibility of deploying larger aircraft in major metro routes. Most airlines feel with air capacity outstripping demand, fares are likely to remain competitive.

“Indian air traveller has to learn to pay more for travel in peak travel hours,” said a senior executive from a low-cost carrier. With the government planning to incentivise airlines to fly in the non-peak period, differential fares in the busy and non-peak hours are likely to become a reality in the Summer of ’07.

Friday, March 23, 2007
Source: Economic Times

3. Freeze on fresh flights may jack up peak-hour fares this summer
Government’s move to decongest air traffic in Mumbai and Delhi airports by putting a freeze on allowing new flights in summer schedule may lead to rising of fares in peak hours, especially so in the busy travel season during May and June.

While rationalisation of capacity may lead to improvement in yield per seat for airline operators, carriers are also looking at flying larger aircraft to major metros to temper their expansion plans. Due to the crunch in availability of slots for take-offs and landings, especially in the Mumbai airport, airlines are being dissuaded from flying smaller aircraft.

This is likely to impact the ATR operations of airlines such as Air Deccan, Jet and Kingfisher, especially those flights connecting Delhi and Mumbai to smaller metro centres. Last week, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) limited the number of flight movements in the Summer of 2007 to the winter schedule levels of 30 an hour to decongest air traffic in Mumbai and Delhi airports.

As an indicator of the shape of things to come this summer, which other airlines may follow suit, Kingfisher Airlines plans to deploy larger aircraft in the Delhi-Mumbai sector, and may also look at introducing fare differentials, namely charging passengers more for flying in peak hours, its head honcho Vijay Mallya told ET. Most airlines ET spoke to said under the new summer schedule, the block time for any aircraft — the time slot given for its arrival and subsequent departure — has in many cases gone up substantially.

“In some cases, the aircraft has to be on the ground for two-three hours, before it is allowed to take off. This may impact overall aircraft utilisation, affecting our revenues,” said a senior airline executive. Most carriers have gone back to the drawing board to rejig their schedules for the summer, with crammed peak-hours travel.

“We will fly two larger aircraft, A321, in the Delhi-Mumbai sector, giving us additional seat capacity of around 20%,” Mr Mallya said. Kingfisher is in the process of inducting 20 new aircraft over the next one year into its fleet, many of them being ATRs which would largely be deployed in the southern market. He did not rule out some hike in air fares in the peak travel periods. Low-cost carriers such as SpiceJet, IndiGo and Go use similar type of aircraft and do not have the flexibility of deploying larger aircraft in major metro routes.

Saturday, March 24, 2007
Source: Economic Times

Sector: Hotels & Restaurants

1. Unique 'train restaurant' in Bhopal
The next time you visit Bhopal, you could tickle your taste buds at a unique restaurant that looks every inch like a stationary train at a platform.
The rail-coach restaurant-cum-bar, Shan-e-Bhopal, has been built by converting an unused train bogie, with the backdrop of actual sights and sounds of a railway platform. The atmosphere is colonial.
The restaurant is located at Hotel Ashoka Lakeview here and was opened to the public Friday.

The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (MPTDC) had come up with the idea in a bid to promote tourism.

The eatery has been equipped with all the railway paraphernalia, including lights and signals. Actual sounds of a railway platform are being played for special effect. A railway signal has been installed to indicate whether the restaurant is open or closed.

Its other specialties include cast iron furniture, silver cutlery and crockery, old-fashioned street lamps, lanterns and signals that were used by the Great India Peninsular Railway way back in 1849.

"Interestingly, many dishes served at the restaurant have been named after various parts of a bogie and the railway engine. The dishes include Indian, Chinese and Continental," says A.K. Sen, an MPTDC chef.

"This is the first restaurant in the world to be prepared on a railway theme. The railways are planning to add another coach to the eatery in the near future," said Dilip Shrivastava, assistant engineer, MPTDC.

Monday, March 19, 2007
Source: Economic Times via IANS

Medical Tourism

Religious Tourism

Holistic Healing Service Providers

1. Wellness benefits while you travel
Wanting to beat the stress and tension associated with city life, more and more Indians are turning to ayurvedic or yoga spa treatments. And what has emerged is a thriving Indian spa industry that caters to city-dwellers looking to unwind.

“Indians are becoming more aware of the positive effects of ayurvedic treatments. This is also the best way to pamper oneself. It is very healthy too. Interestingly, more and more young people are planning trips to spas or meditation centers as they think it’s the best way to unwind,” said Shubhada Joshi, secretary-general of Travel Agents Association of India.

In fact, there are several special meditation and yoga tours being offered by travel agents and hotels. Ayurveda treatments at spas are becoming popular with people looking to cure diseases like Osteoarthritis, Psoriasis and Leukaemia. But, the regular array of therapies, treatments and techniques, which enhance and revitalize the body are eternally popular. Radhika Chatterjee, 26, a marketing executive visited Kerala recently. She says, “I went to Aranya Nivas in Thekkady, and their ayurvedic therapy was refreshing. I though it was the perfect way to heal my tired body. While some of my friends party to unwind, this is my way of relaxing.”

One of the most popular spa destinations is Kerala, which has successfully amalgamated ayurvedic healthcare with the spa industry. According to estimates almost 95 per cent of visitors are foreigners. Destinations like Uttaranchal, and Karnataka too, are becoming increasingly popular. Moreover, most hotels to have started in-house spas and ayurveda treatment centres.

Industry analysts talk of a trend where tourists now opt for spa travel as opposed to run-of-the-mill trips. This shift in vacation choices to ‘experience-oriented’ trips is remarkable.
Those looking for yoga packages must head out to Hrishikesh, the ‘yoga capital of the world’. The annual yoga week, held every February, is extremely popular. Haridwar is also another preferred destination.

Tuesday, March 20, 2007  
Source: dnaindia.com

2. Spa Industry in India

Spa, an established industry already in US and Europe now is going further east with great growing potential in Asia region and especially in China and India which are defined as the fastest growing countries over 2007 and the decade to come according to the World Travel & Tourism Council numbers.

India tops the list along with China and Montenegro with demand growing each year at a rate of 7.9 per cent as far as India is concerned. Their strong foothold in terms of performance is underscored by a sustained expansion in their Travel & Tourism industry as a result of focussed strategic development and targeted investment.

This investment concerns all the aspects of the travel & tourism industry including the Spa Industry. For the time being the spa industry in India is still small but it has a bright future ahead. It depends mainly on resort spas but this characteristic is changing as the influx of international companies in the country and the growth that India is facing will give way to day spas and it will allow them to finally be a daily routine and not just a part of a holidays’ package.

Northern India shows the biggest increase in spa development in the country as it has a more steady economic growth in relation to the other regions in the country. On the other hand, Mumbai, the land of Bollywood, will be an upcoming market for many spa operators as the city is an already well established tourism destination and houses many financial institutions and corporations.

Moreover, Kerala region is a well known destination for ‘Ayurveda’ as a substantial increase of the ayurveda massage centres is witnessed there in all the major tourist destinations within the State. This was powered by the Government of Kerala scheme for the approval of Ayurveda Centres as it felt necessary these centres to be classified in accordance to their level of quality in order to promote tourism in the State.

India’s spa market is still considered a niche market with great opportunities for investments as many hotel operators lack of expertise and experience. A great problem is that there is a lack of therapists besides the renowned therapists for the Ayurveda method of treatment which follows a 5,000-year-old Indian tradition.

The treatment, which involves a massage and, in some cases, incorporates dietary advice and yoga, is increasingly popular in the U.S. But we have to mention that India besides of resort spas has also other types of spas such as day spas, salon spas, destination spas, club spa, medical spa, cruise ship spa, mineral spring spa and airport spa. The most common spa treatments in India include body treatments, facials, massages, aroma therapy, hair removal, hydrotherapy, manicures and pedicures. Spa treatments in India have also a great number of massages including Indian and exotic massages done with herbal and aromatic oils.

International Spa Trends and Asia Region

Similar to restaurants, hotels and fitness centers, spas play a significant role in today’s culture worldwide. US spa market is one of the greatest as one in four American adults has been to a spa and knows what they want from a quality spa experience. The trends are being driven by educated spa-goers who actually see them as expectations, said Lynne Walker McNees, President of the International SPA Association to

TravelDailyNews.

According to McNees the trends that will affect the industry in global level are:

• Consumers want results. Whether they are looking for stress reduction, relief from chronic pain or want to look younger, people continue to embrace the spa lifestyle because they are aware of, and expect to see, the benefits that spa treatments bring.
• Spa visits are seen as necessary and an entitlement. This is particularly true among baby boomers. They feel entitled to spa experiences rather than viewing them as a treat or only reserved for special occasions.
• The evolution of men as spa-goers is boosting demand for products and services designed with men in mind.
• Spa-goers want experiences that are customized to their personal needs and desires.
• Real estate developers are adding residential spas to the gated communities and high-end condominiums they are building.
• The medical industry in general, and the plastic surgery sector in particular, are beginning to incorporate spa treatments such as naturotherapy and acupuncture into their service structure.
• ‘Team’ treatments that use two or more therapists are seen as being on the rise.
• Spa-going moms desire products and experiences designed for them and their babies.”

As far as the Asia region is concerned ISPA and the Canadian Tourism Commission partnership on the research of the spa traveler shed light on trends in the region.

Through that research, both Canadian and American spa travelers prefer to take their spa vacations close to home. When asked about preferred foreign spa destinations for future trips, Canadians listed Mexico/Caribbean, the U.S., Europe and Asia respectively, while Americans prefer Mexico/Caribbean, Europe, Canada and Asia.

For the time being there is inadequate research for the Asian market in the spa industry and ISPA will conduct a global research on the spa-goer in multiple Asian and European countries, as well as the United States and Canada. The Asian results will be released in June during ISPA’s International Spa & Wellness Conference and Exhibition in Shanghai, China as McNees revealed to TravelDailyNews.

The Indian market is still based more on the domestic travel and the arrivals from the neighbouring countries but this is going to change according to estimations as more US and European travelers would combine a spa treatment with their travel in the country. Globalization and therefore today’s economy have a significant role to play to the establishment of new conditions in the region in the near future.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Source: TravelDailyNews.com

Travel characteristics of Indians

1. Online Travel Soars in India

Online travel sales in India will nearly quadruple to $2 billion in 2010, according to Euromonitor.
The online travel market is growing in several Asian countries, thanks to rising Internet use in large cities.
"High computer ownership rates and large urban populations provide the ideal infrastructure for Internet services," said Parita Chitakasem of Euromonitor. "With double-digit growth forecast in the number of urban households between 2006 and 2010, India is showing great potential for online businesses and as a result, great potential for online travel retail."
Japan has the largest online travel market in Asia, followed by South Korea, but the market is growing fastest in other countries. Vietnam's online travel market will nearly triple by 2010. Hong Kong's market will double. Indonesia's market will grow by 83%, Malaysia's by 82% and China's by 71%.
Demographics are helping drive this growth. Asians older than 65 are getting more comfortable with the Internet, and they are bringing high disposable income levels with them when shopping for travel online. 
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Source: eMarketer Inc

2. Middle-class prefers to holiday abroad

The Great Indian Middle-class is on the move. A new study says that not only are middle-class Indians more likely to travel abroad than within the country but the profile of the Indian traveller is changing. He is more likely to be male, single, between 25-45 years of age and interested in mixing business with pleasure.

A study 'India the Asia and the Pacific intra-region outbound series' by the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) also estimates that people from north and west India are more likely to travel than those living in other regions.

The study says that of the Indians travelling, 60% belong to north and west India, 25% come from the south while 10% are from the east. About 60% of those travelling are between 25-45 years of age and there is a preponderance of males (about 60%).

An overwhelming 70% prefer multiple destinations and while most leisure travellers prefer to move in groups, the number of 'free individual travellers' is increasing.

The study says this is largely due to the growth in business and MICE (meetings-incentives-conventions-exhibitions) tourism. Indians' love for shopping is also obvious with 30% saying it is their primary motive for visiting a destination.

The World Travel and Tourism Council said, "Although tourism is a net earner of foreign exchange for the country, the growth of inbound tourism arising out of increase per capita income could provide a different picture in the future... The only way to counter the threat of inbound tourism is to develop and promote tourism within the country."

The WTO study notes that this "fear seems to have become a reality." Quoting the RBI report on its assessment of the Indian economy during 2004-2005, the report says that "overall earnings from net invisibles were buoyant...

However, net travel receipts were negative because of the rapid expansion in outbound tourism from India, despite a jump of tourist arrivals."

This growth in the number of travellers is attributed to good economic performance that has created a substantial disposable income for a large number of Indian families, liberalisation of civil aviation policies of the country, making air access to more countries easier, liberalisation of policies for issue of travel documents, relaxation in foreign exchange regulations and greater awareness about destinations due to marketing campaigns.

Thursday,22 March, 2007
Source: The Times of India

3. Swiss strive to live up to Bollywood image
The Swiss tourist industry has produced new guidelines to better cater for a growing number of Indian visitors attracted by Bollywood's portrayal of the country.

Industry officials highlight Indian cultural, shopping and culinary preferences and dislikes. Indians spent a total of 284,390 nights in Swiss hotels last year, up 14 per cent on 2005. 

The report from the Swiss tourist board and the hotel industry, Hotellerie Suisse, hailed India as one of the most important markets and forecast an average 15 per cent increase in the number of visitors from the country every year for the next ten years.

"Together with China, India is the most important market for us in Asia because it has such a big population and a rapidly growing economy," Switzerland Tourism director Jürg Schmid told swissinfo. "That means more Indian tourists can afford to travel to Switzerland."

"Switzerland is a dream destination for many Indians and a must-stop venue on any European tour."

Indian businessman Waseem Hussain, boss of Swiss-based consultancy firm MARWAS AG, was commissioned to help produce the brochure - Swiss Hospitality for Indian Guests - that was presented in Zurich on Wednesday.

He told swissinfo that India's view of Switzerland is heavily coloured by the dozens of romantic Bollywood movies shot in the Alps every year. "Switzerland is a dream destination for honeymooners and group tourists," he said.

"Some of the individual tourists who come to Switzerland know quite a bit about the federal political structure and that it is a multilingual country, but that awareness, while growing, is in its early stages."

Hussain advised Swiss companies doing business with their Indian counterparts to be aware of the strong family roots inherent in most of these firms. He urged Swiss businesses to take the time to develop strong personal ties with Indian bosses.
 Cheese off the menu
 "If they can be accepted as quasi-friends then the business possibilities will be enhanced. It would be harder if they treat Indian companies merely as businesses," he said.

"Indians like to laugh. A sense of humour - of course always taking into account the required politeness towards business partners - is very well received and additionally reinforces the personal relationship."

The brochure highlights a number of ways in which Swiss hotels in particular can raise their game to make Indian guests feel even more welcome.

For example, it points out that Indian tourists often come in family groups and that is it vital that they can all sit together at one table at meal times.

Small points, such as providing fresh water free of charge and tea-making facilities in hotel rooms, will go a long way, the brochure states.

On the culinary side, many Indians prefer home cooking to Swiss dishes. "With some typical Swiss cheese specialities such as fondue and raclette a certain amount of restraint is necessary as dairy products are not always easily digestible," it says.

CONTEXT

India has the second-biggest population in the world behind China at 1.1 billion inhabitants or 16.7% of the world's population.

The economy has grown annually at an average of 6-7% (gross domestic product) over the past 10 years, picking up to around 8% growth in the past three years.

Indian filmmakers began arriving in Switzerland in the early 1960s to shoot Bollywood movies against the backdrop of the Alps.

Some 15-18 Bollywood movies are shot or partially shot in Switzerland each year, although some contain just a few Swiss location shots.

KEY FACTS

• Indians spent a total of 284,390 nights in Swiss hotels last year, up 14.2% on the previous year. In 1980 they spent only 70,579 nights in Switzerland.
• The most popular Swiss destinations are Engelberg, Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken and Geneva.
• Indian tourists stay an average of 10 days during their visit, usually between the months of April and July.
• They spend on average SFr250 ($205.75) per day during their Swiss holiday, amounting to SFr71 million ($58.4 million) a year.

Wednesday, March21,2007
Source: swissinfo.org

Investment related

Travel and Tourism Support Industries …and much more

Service Providers

1. Indian cos eyeing Changi Airport staff
Headhunters scouting for airport talent are eyeing staff at Singapore's Changi in hopes of luring qualified people to fill key positions in India, media reports said Wednesday.

Infrastructure giant GMR Group, leading the consortia tasked with building and running new airports in New Delhi and Hyderabad, has hired a recruitment firm in the city-state to fill 15 key positions in airport management, operations and ground handling, according to The Straits Times.

While foreign carriers such as Emirates regularly conduct pilot and cabin-crew recruitment exercises in Singapore and elsewhere, GMR is believed to be the first foreign airport operator to advertise for staff in the city-state in a significant way.

With Changi's reputed brand name and many more airport development projects in India, the Middle East and China coming up, keeping good people will be a growing challenge for the airport, said analyst Shukor Yusof of Standard & Poor's Equity Research.

Middle East companies have demonstrated they are prepared to "over-pay" to attract good people, Yusof said.

GMR's recruitment drive coincides with a pay-structure review by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS).

A CAAS spokesman told the newspaper that salary reviews are done regularly to ensure that remuneration packages "are competitive in order that we can attract and retain talent."

Talent will flow to where the grass is greener, said analyst Andrew Miller with the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation.

Any airport that has good talent and does not understand this will see some of that talent depart offshore, he said.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Source: IANS via Economic Times

2. Travel cos banking on win over Lanka

The Indian team’s win over Bermuda has done little to calm the domestic travel industry’s fears. Faced with calls from customers who now fear their itinerary in the Windies might not include a dekko on the men-in-blue, the travel companies are hoping for an Indian win over Sri Lanka on Friday.

In fact, cricket’s loss might be motor sports’ gain. Some Indian tourists are believed to have cancelled the World Cup trip and have instead asked to be booked for the upcoming Formula One race in Malaysia in April.

“After India’s loss to Bangladesh, there has been a setback. We have got calls from customers who want to know about cancellation procedures. But everyone is waiting for the Sri Lanka match to take a call,” said TravelPort CEO Javed Akkhtar. The company has been sub-contracted to sell packages.

In fact, the company has till now sold about 75 of the 200 packages it has on offer and was expecting a rise in bookings after Indian team’s progress to the second round of the tournament. “It is a trend that has been seen in the last two World Cups. In South Africa too, the numbers increased after the team inched towards semi-finals,” adds Mr Akkhtar.

SOTC, one of the official travel and hospitality partners for the World Cup, has got about 600 bookings and is hoping to sell up to 1,000 packages. But after the Bangladesh debacle, the calls have been fewer.

“There has been no cancellations, West Indies is a tourist destination in itself. But yes, the number of enquiries has reduced from an average of five per day to one on Tuesday,” said Shyam Kartikeya, business head of SOTC’s sport abroad programme.

About 6,000 Indians are expected to visit West Indies for the World Cup and almost all the bookings are for the Super Eight round. Though this is half the number of fans who travelled to the last edition in South Africa, the heavy tag on packages to West Indies means that the travel industry gets to pocket about Rs 200 crore from the packages itself.

But that would depend on the performance of Dravid and his boys on Friday. If the team falls short, the travel companies might be forced to give major concessions. Mr Kartikeya though is more hopeful. “We have already got bookings for semi-finals and final. So not everybody is waiting for India’s performance,” he says.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Source: Economic Times

3. TravelGoIndia.com Announces a Discount Season for the Easter Month Getaways!
www.TravelGoIndia.com launches a range of premium hotel deals to offer this Good Friday weekend. These special packages and discount prices have been customized, exclusively for travelers making online reservation through TravelGoIndia.com – the India travel portal and complete information guide.

TravelGoIndia.com announces a discount season for Easter Holiday Weekend getaway to beat the blues of hectic schedules with a unique holiday discount package. The search portal has information on discount offers and details on 5730 hotels from all over India with categories and ranks ranging from cheap to extravagant, austere to ostentatious.

TravelGoIndia.com also helps travelers get wised on travel information ranging from weather to road maps to information on the top visited places or places one cannot afford to miss while traveling. Budget constraints TravelGoIndia.com has added travel tips for this Easter and Good Friday season, on activities, that visitors can enjoy, at their choice of destination.

Easter in India, is one of the oldest Christian Festival celebrated all over in India, especially in Kerela, Mumbai and Goa, with solemn enthusiasm and lavish arrangements, be it wholesome food, clothes, music, pageantry, processions, rituals or arduous prayers. TravelGoIndia.com has a lot more information on all the travel locations where a traveler can indulge in a strong tradition of Easter and Good Friday celebration in Kerela, or celebrate this day with eager and dutiful harmony in Mumbai. Goa becomes a fun and faith place to visit with mass processions and bands playing religious music. Churches resound with the melody of the psalms, requiems, and evangelical teachings Easter Day in both Kerela and Goa. Delicious and artful Easter eggs, decorative Easter bunnies, and mouth-watering dishes remain the major distracters in all these religious havens.

At TravelGoIndia.com, vacationers get the added advantages of booking air flights too. Last minute bookings are remarkably easy with options for real time online booking, which allows travelers overcome any last minute booking crisis. TravelGoGoa.com also gives instant confirmations on all hotel bookings, be it at discount rates or regular rates. Reliable travel related tips, help travelers indulge in a Easter weekend that is smooth, hassle free and cheap, but luxurious. Specific information on individual travel locations are also available in www.TravelGoIndia.com.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Source: www. prleap.com

4. Travelocity launches travel portal in India
Travelocity, an online travel portal, launched its website in India today and introduced its teams based in Delhi and Mumbai. The website will have on offer a choice of 72,000 hotels, 1000 cruises and over 4000 popular sights, tours and activities.

Travelocity wants to make India one its top third market in the Asia Pacific region and plans to promote the portal by search engine marketing and advertising through the mainstream media.

"We are bringing some clever marketing practices to this part of the world. There are alot of travel portals in the market but they merely put up plain content online. We however, will stand behind our customers and give them quality service," Scot Blume, CEO, Travelocity said.

The domestic online travel industry is roughly about $800 million (around Rs 3,600 crore). As per the estimates of Internet and Mobile Association of India, online travel transactions have increased nearly fourfold from 207,000 a month in 2003-04 to 795,000 in 2005-06.

The Indian online travel market already has players such as Makemytrip, Yatra, Travelguru and Cleartrip. Expedia, another international travel portal is planning to come to India later this year.

With internet usage growing at 50% per year, e-commerce projected to double by 2007, low-cost carriers making a way to India and the credit card market booming, industry experts peg the online travel market to touch the $2 billion mark by 2008.

Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Source: Business Standard via Google news

5. No worry on the travel front
Irrespective of India’s shocking display in the ongoing World Cup, top travel agencies are not unduly worried right now.

Asked whether India’s disappointing performance is going to affect the demand for World Cup related tour packages, Mr Stanley Rosario, manager sales, of SOTC, said: “There won’t be much difference as most of the packages are already sold. Moreover, most people who had opted for packages with Cup tickets mainly wanted to see the World Cup matches live in from the stadium, India playing in those matches would have been a bonus.”

SOTC has two packages for the World Cup ~ “Down Under Antigua” package, costing Rs 349,999 with a discount of Rs 100,000 will contain tickets for two Super 8 matches. While the more lavish “Encounter in Barbados” package will make one poorer by Rs 387,000 with a discount of Rs 75,000, and shall include a cruise for 12 nights. In addition to this, there is also a package which will contain tickets for one of the semi-final matches.

According to Mr Rosario, most people would go there to enjoy cricket in general, and the ones who wanted to see India in one of the matches would now shift their attention from cricket to sight seeing.

“Europe is usually the preferred destination for Indians holidaying abroad. This is their chance to visit the Caribbean which is very beautiful and exotic,” he said.

Mr Arunava Chowdhury, a customer care executive for Thomas Cook, shared the same opinion. “The packages were sold out two months in advance. And in any case, India’s ouster is not going to make much of a difference as people can then explore the country,” he said.
Their package, costing Rs 159,900 excluding airfare, includes a cruise and match tickets.

Thomas Cook, however, do not have any package of their own, but they are acting as representatives for Air Cruise Travel Agents, a Delhi based agency that is also one of the official sponsors of the event.
An official for Cox and Kings, Mumbai, however, was of the view that demand may lessen now. “People from India would now rather opt to go to the West Indies after the World Cup as there will be a major fall in the prices then,” she said.

None of the agencies, however, have given any package that would provide tickets only for the Super 8 matches where India would be involved, a smart move on their part as that would have been a disaster considering the team’s performance.
Saturday, March24, 2007
Source: The Statesman

6. Why travel insurance is a MUST
The summer holiday season is soon going to begin. And all of us are looking forward to that break when we go out with our families for a vacation in India or abroad or a trek.
All the travel plans are well laid out with ticket bookings, hotel reservations etc all in place.

However, like everything else, travel does involve an element of risk. Especially, when you come across rough weather abroad. Medical treatment abroad is expensive and it becomes all the more harsh if one has to pay in foreign currency. This is where travel insurance comes in.

Eligibility for Travel Insurance:
It is available up to the age of 70 years and for a maximum period of six months. The policy, however, needs to be purchased before leaving the country.
For travellers above 40 and in some countries 60, you are required to submit following medical reports with the visa form:
1. ECG
2. Fasting blood sugar or urine strip test
(These reports are required if the travel period exceeds 60 days and above.)
However, in case the traveller is unable to submit the above medical reports, the risk cover comes down to $10,000.
Benefits: Here are the salient features of travel insurance Medical Cover*
Total Amount: $50,000 to $250,000
Covers: Medical cost due to illnesses or accidents, including out-patient and in-patient medical expenses, medical aid, therapies and diagnostic test. It also covers medically evacuation cost back to India. Daily Allowance in case of Hospitalisation**
Maximum Amount: $25 per day for a maximum of 5 days,
Covers: Compensation for hospitalisation for more than 2 days. Dental Treatment
Maximum Amount: $250
Covers: The cost of acute anaesthetic treatment to natural teeth due to an injury.
Repatriation of remains: Maximum Amount of $7,000:
Covers: The expenses of repatriating the remains back to India. Personal Accident
Maximum Amount: $15,000
Covers: Compensation paid in case of death or permanent total disability. Personal Liability
Maximum Amount: $100,000
Covers: Compensation for damages paid to a third party, resulting from death, injury or damage to health or property that is caused involuntarily by the insured. (Notes: * Deductible of $100. This deductible is applicable on per illness (complete treatment) basis and not on per visit to the doctor/hospital. ** Deductible of $50. *** 2 days deductible.)

Benefits

• ? Spend for medical bills in foreign currency.
• ? Covers for accident of sponsor travel of family visit in case of hospitalisation of insured.
• ? Entire family can be covered under one policy.

Major exclusions

• All pre-existing disease/illnesses are not covered (known and unknown).
• Travelling against medical advice or for medical treatment including routine check-up.
• First $100 of all claims is to be borne by the traveller.
• In case of health cover
  Original bills, vouchers, reports and discharge summary. These documents must mention: (i) Name of the treated
  (ii) Type of illness
  (iii) Details of medical treatment provided
  (iv) Dates of treatment Prescriptions and original bills and they must:
  (i) Clearly show the medicines prescribed
  (ii) Price and the receipt stamp of the pharmacy You also need to attach a medical statement from a physician indicating:
  (i) Cause of illness
  (ii)Reason for necessity of the transportation

There are many companies in the market such as Bajaj Alliance, ICICI Lombard, New India Assurance etc. Thus, precautionary measures taken initially for a small amount of premium could have a great benefit to one's own self and other family members. Before or after the journey, one has to have health insurance in place.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Source: rediff.com

7. Thomas Cook net profit up by 8% at Rs 36cr
Thomas Cook (India) Limited (TCIL), a leading travel solutions player in the country, has posted an impressive growth in its 14-month period ended Dec-06 showing an annualized revenue increase of 53%, from Rs 130.8 crore to Rs 234.7 crore. The annualized net profit for the period increased by 8%, from Rs 28.5 crore to Rs 36 crore. The results were announced at a meeting of Thomas Cook (India) Board of Directors held in Mumbai today.

The Board proposed a Dividend of 50% against the 37.5% declared in the previous year.

The Board of Directors approved in principle the company’s Rights Issue in the ratio of 1:3 (for every 3 shares held 1 share will be issued) aggregating upto Rs225 crore. The proceeds of the proposed rights issue will be deployed to augment the capital base of the company for further growth.

Mr. Madhavan Menon, Managing Director, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, said “Over the last year we have strengthened our position in all our areas of operations; we will continue to enhance our offering portfolio giving our customers new products & services. This year will be the one of consolidation, we will capitalize on synergy benefits and maximize returns to our shareholders’.”

Thomas Cook (India) had embarked upon rapid growth path including both organic and inorganic routes. As a part of its strategy, the company had merged LKP Forex, and acquired Travel Corporation India (TCI) during last year. Thomas Cook (India) today is largest player providing integrated travel services with market leadership in foreign exchange and inbound travel segment.

Thomas Cook (India) has changed its accounting period to January – December from November – October period. As a result the present results are for a period of 14 months.

Thomas Cook India is celebrating its 125 years of operations in India. The company has embarked upon a major growth phase and has plans to grow all its business segments in India.

Friday, March23, 2007
Source: Sampark Public Relations Pvt Ltd via Moneycontrol.com

8. Travel agents' meet a chance to showcase State's tourism potential
The Tourism Department is keen to play the role of facilitator in hosting the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) convention here.
TAAI has sought the help of the Government and the South India Hotels and Restaurants Association to get enough rooms for the delegates.

The convention is coming to Chennai after 19 years and is reckoned to be one more chance to showcase the State's tourism potential and highlight issues of the hospitality industry.

Tentative schedule

The Government is considering holding the convention from September 28 to 30.

A meeting of representatives of the South India Hotels and Restaurants Association and TAAI office-bearers was held here on Wednesday, with Tourism Minister N. Suresh Rajan in the chair.

Tourism and Culture Secretary V. Irai Anbu, Secretary, Textiles, Viswanath Shegaonkar and Chennai Corporation Commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni were present.

TAAI southern region chairman C.K. Ashok said steps were being taken to invite Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi to inaugurate the convention. Of the 600 rooms required, 425 rooms had been made available. The TAAI has 2,250 members nationwide and 200 in the southern region.

SIHRA honorary secretary-general R. Rengachari, who attended the meeting, hoped that the convention would further boost the buoyant hospitality sector and take the Tamil Nadu Tourism brand equity, `Enchanting Tamil Nadu,' to a wider audience.

Saturday, March 24, 2007
Source: The Hindu