AVIATION - More Stars in the sky

expresstravelworld.com, Jan 2008

Star Alliance-the world's biggest airline alliance- recently celebrated its tenth anniversary by inducting two Chinese carriers-Air China based in Beijing and Shanghai Airlines in Shanghai- while its Chief Executives Board unanimously approved Air India's membership in Beijing.
By inducting an Indian carrier, Star has now filled its 'white spots' of India and China. Russia and South America will be next, according to Star CEO Jaan Albrecht. Talks are on with TAM Brazil to replace Varig and restore Star to Latin America. Next year, Turkish Airlines and EgyptAir are expected to join, extending the alliance in South East Europe and North Africa. Air India will become a member once integration of its systems to align with those of Star is completed within 15-18 months, said chairman and managing director, Vasudevan Thulasidas, who specially flew to Beijing for the announcement.

>>Full article

INDIA - Kashmir plans luxury hotels for high-spending tourists

earthtimes.org, Dec 26, 2007

Jammu (TVLW) - The Jammu and Kashmir government has worked out a proposal to have five-star hotels in Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Srinagar to cater to the needs of high spending tourists.
Currently, the valley has only one hotel of five-star category, Grand Palace, at the eastern bank of Dal Lake in Srinagar. But it alone hardly meets the accommodation requirements of tourists during the peak season.
In Srinagar, according to the proposal, another five-star hotel would be constructed at the site of the Tourist Reception Centre in collaboration with a firm owning chain of luxury hotels, a tourism official said here.

>>Full article

INDIA - The Indian tourism market is maturing

Expresstravelworld.com, december 2007

The outbound leisure market is expected to grow by 20 per cent with 15 million tourists by the year 2011. With the spending ability increasing and the number of free individual travellers growing faster than ever, outbound tourism is bound to be on the rise. This implies opening up of newer areas of tourism to cater to this growing market. Accordingly, this growth can also be witnessed by the coming in of newer tourism boards into India. The future of tourism in the Asia-Pacific region belongs to India and China; countries that will take tourism in the region to newer heights. The future for outbound tourism from the country looks very bright, posing a challenge therefore for the NTO's to bring in unique products along with matching the barometers of service standards.

>>Full article

INDIA - Punjab plans mega eco tourism project

travelbizmonitor.com, 10-12-2007

Department of Tourism, Punjab is planning a major eco tourism initiative and will implement the proposed project by creating a special Directorate or Society under the Forest and Wild Life Department or Punjab State Forest Development Corporation (PSFDC). This development comes in the wake of the Eco Tourism Policy for Punjab drafted recently by the state Forest Department. The proposed mega project with an outlay of an investment Rs 128 core and time frame of about eight years from next financial year includes eco site development, creating environment parks, setting up interpretation centres, creating infrastructure, accommodation, facilitation centres, chalking out trekking routes, expansion of lake at Chhatbir Zoo and introduction of toy train, procuring equipment like boats, vehicles etc., setting up information booths at strategic locations like airports and bus stations and brand building and promotion campaigns.

>>Full article

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS - reports of 2007 closing strongly

TTGasia.com, Nov 16-22, 2007

The closing months of 2007 are quite positive for us. Our occupancy rate is 76 per cent and our average room rate is 2,500 pesos (US$54).

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has launched many promotional campaigns together with airlines and agents and has staged various international tourism roadshows. The increase of flight frequencies and the introduction of direct international services into Thailand play a vital role in boosting the number of visitor arrivals.

India’s heritage and culture continues to attract visitors. Niche segments such as adventure tourism in the Himalayas and wellness and spiritual tours are also on the upward trend. Medical tourism is growing even faster than leisure tourism.

>>Full article

INDIA - Kerala improves tourism facilities

TTGasia.com, Nov 16-22, 2007

KERALA is adding new infrastructure and festivals to draw tourists, and authorities have been allotted a budget of US$7.63 million to do so in the current financial year.

International tourist arrivals increased by 20.05 per cent from January to June 2007, compared to the same period last year.The state is spending US$1.27 million to develop 10 “town squares”. Kerala Tourism director, Mr Sanjay Kaul, told TTG Asia: “Town squares with sufficient open space at important centres will act as tourism nodes.” He said tour operators could utilise the spaces to assemble and move to different tourist attractions.

>>Full article

INDIA - plans to create a splash in the cruise market

easier.com, Novermber 13 2007

India is gearing up to relaunch itself as a major cruise destination.
Ports selected for upgraded cruise facilities include Mumbai, Mormugao (the port city of Goa); Cochin in Kerala, New Mangalore on the southwest coast and Chennai on the east coast.Speaking at World Travel Market, Leena Nandan, Joint Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Tourism, said: “Cruise operators are more than ever searching for new destinations and itineraries and India’s reputation as an enchanting, exotic and historical destination lends itself ideally to becoming a major port of call.”

>>Full article

INDIA - eyes $6.5 bln funding for medical tourism

reuters.com, Nov 7 2007

India is trying to simplify procedures for foreign investors to invest in Indian hospitals and hotels, the tourism minister said on Tuesday, forecasting $6.5 billion flowing into the sector in the coming years.
"The biggest deterrent for foreign investors is the unavailability of a single window clearance system," Ambika Soni said, adding the government was working on simplifying processes. She said the government was in talks with three international firms to set up 1,000-bed hospitals in New Delhi and adjoining areas.

>>Full article

INDIA - Goa struggling to cope with Russian tourist influx

earthtimes.org, 30 Oct 2007

This fall, 1,400-1,500 Russian visitors are expected to fly to Goa's resorts every week, as compared with last year's average of 800-900.
Russian airlines offering flights to Goa will have to increase their capacities dramatically this year to be able to handle the ever-growing tourist traffic.To meet the demand, KrasAir's Boeing 757 will take Russian holidaymakers to Goa once every ten days and TransAero will schedule three Boeing 747 flights per week.The number of Russians choosing the former Portuguese colony as their holiday destination during the high season, which in Goa is between November and March, has now reached 30,000, and is expected to increase to 50,000 in 2007-2008.

>>Full article

INDIA - Allocates billions to upgrade tourism infrastructure

TRAVEL IMPACT NEWSWIRE -- Edition 63 – Friday, October 19, 2007

October 15, 2007 – The Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned a record Rs.323.00 crore for various development and site improvement projects nationwide in this fiscal year (1 April 2007 – 31 March 2008). Special importance has been given to improve the tourism infrastructure. The Ministry of Tourism extends Central Financial Assistance to the State Governments/UTs for Product/Infrastructure Development of Destinations and Circuits. A two-pronged strategy is being followed of upgrading tourism infrastructure coupled with vigorous marketing under the banner of ‘Incredible India Campaign’ to position India as a global brand.During 11th Five Year Plan (2007-2012), the Ministry of Tourism proposes to continue supporting creation of world class infrastructure in the country so that existing tourism products can be further improved and expanded to meet new market requirements and enhance the competitiveness of India as a tourist destination. In consultation with the State Governments and UTs the Ministry of Tourism have identified several tourist circuits and destinations for integrated development.

INDIA - Kerala starts year-long study on tourism impact

business-standard.com, 20 Sept 2007

Kerala Tourism (KT) has launched a year-long study to find out the impact of tourism on ecology and infrastructure. The study comes in the wake of its initiative to promote eco-tourism in a big way.
The Responsible Tourism (RT) initiative is being implemented on a pilot basis in four destinations -- Kovalam, Kumarakom, Thekkady and Wayanad."The state is also set to host the second international conference on responsible tourism in association with the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT), India," Venu V, secretary, Kerala Tourism, said.

>>Full article

INDIA - Luxury travel new craze among millionaires

indiatimes.com, 19 September 2007

If luxury is about indulging, sans the boundaries, then owning a private jet or yacht is the ultimate in luxury travel for the Indian millionaires.
Luxury travel has arrived in India and is moving very fast— from speedboats to luxury yachts, from small four-seater aircraft to bigger brands. Indian corporate houses—Reliance Industries , Videocon, UB Group, Raymond, GMR, Bharat Hotels, Taj Air, Oberoi et alare all buying private jets such as Falcons, Cessnas, Bombardiers, Beech Kings and Gulfstreams in large numbers. The new-age Indian traveller wants to travel not only in comfort but also save time, and at his convenience. With money not being the deciding factor, orders for private jets shot up to more than 45 last year while nearly 100 new yachts are expected to enter the India market this year.

>>Full article

INDIA - promises to link Thailand and Singapore to the Andamans

AFP, Sep 8, 2007

India on Saturday said it will try to link Singapore and Thailand to the Andamans by air by March 2008 but added the archipelago needed a makeover to sell itself to tourists.
The announcement comes amid an unprecedented increase in the number of arrivals by low-budget domestic tourists to the Andamans, where most of the 36 inhabited islands are now partially open to visitors.
Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said the Indian Ocean archipelago, mauled by the tsunami in 2004, could outshine destinations in Thailand and Singapore if it were refurbished.
"There is not much difference between Phuket, Bangkok and the Andamans but more tourism-related facilities are needed here," Patel said in capital Port Blair, which upgraded its airport to international standards six months ago.
Most European tourists to India avoid the island chain because of its remote location and due to the stifling presence of the Indian military.
"We now intend to link Andamans to Singapore, Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand within six months by air and we are certain we can match their tourism industries," Patel said.

>>Full article

INDIA - Andaman tsunami tourism plan backfiring - industry

in.reuters.com, September 10,2007

PORT BLAIR, India - A flood of low-budget tourists since the 2004 tsunami is hurting India's ecologically fragile Andaman and Nicobar islands and ruining plans to make it a top global destination, industry officials said.
It has drained scarce resources such as water, sparked excessive demand for airline tickets, hit hotel revenues and created a service culture which is insensitive to the needs of wealthier travellers, they said.The problem, officials said, is a decision to allow all levels of government and state-run firms' workers to use their paid family and home leave travel allowances, awarded every two years, to fly if they want to visit the Andamans.That means low wage state workers were visiting -- taking up the chance to fly for the first time and visit the far-off islands -- with trips previously restricted to senior level state employees.

>>Full article

INDIA - Touristy South Indian Cities A Haven For Asian LCCs

Bernama, July 28 2007

Flourishing south Indian cities are a haven for burgeoning Asian no-frill airlines that have set an exciting rhythm for travel-starved passengers in the region.Regional low cost carriers (LCCs) like AirAsia, Nok Air (Thailand) or Tiger Airways (Singapore) cannot miss the economically vibrant and touristy cities such as Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Cochin, from their radar screens. The four cities are a remarkable catchment area and if we look at the classic LCC model of 3-5 hours flying band," CAPA (Indian subcontinent and the Middle East) chief executive Kapil Kaul told Bernama."There is a remarkable historical and cultural affinity between countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. There are so many Indians from the south settled or working in these countries which any airline must take note of.

>>Full article

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS - India, Pakistan to discuss group tourism

The Hindu, 29-6-2007

India and Pakistan are in talks about strengthening their tourism ties.
ISLAMABAD - A proposal to permit group tourism between India and Pakistan, and increasing the number of religious shrines that pilgrims from either country can visit on the other side, are on the agenda for the two-day talks between the two culture secretaries that will begin here on Thursday.Permit for touristsAt present, India and Pakistan do not permit tourists from either country, but both sides recently included group tourism among proposals to liberalise their respective visa regimes.

>>Full article

ACCOMMODATION - Hyatt goes for quality growth

TTGasia.com, Jun 8-14, 2007

Hyatt International has big plans for development in Asia over the next couple of years, with the three main target markets being China, India and Thailand. But at an Asia-wide Hyatt roadshow in Beijing last week, Hyatt Asia/Pacific marketing vice-president, Mr Grahame Carder, said the group was not competing in the numbers game. He said regional expansion for the company was all about quality. Mr Carder told TTG Asia: “It’s one thing saying you’re going to have 50 hotels by such and such a date, but the biggest challenge for everyone is finding the resources to do it. “For us, less is more. We’d rather have slightly fewer hotels but have real quality in everything we do. “It’s more important for us that the brand quality and consistency is kept in focus for the group.”

>>Full article

INDIA - The mammoth growth of the Indian aviation

eTN, 11-6-2007

The Indian domestic market is showing no sign of reducing its aviation activities, with a 25 percent increase in the number of flights scheduled for May 2007 compared with the same month last year, new figures revealed.
According to the latest statistics from OAG, the Indian domestic aviation is seeing an additional 8,631 flights and an “astonishing” 1.7 million extra seats available to people traveling within India, putting the country in third place in the Top 10 list of countries with the highest number of additional flights in May this year compared to the same month in 2006, behind China and the USA.

>>Full article

MARKETS - The coming of the Asian wave: Are we ready for it?

STB-passport, june issue

As travel and tourism enters its third phase, the period when masses of Asians, led by India and China, will begin to travel, are we prepared for the massive growth ahead? And what will the Asian legacy be? Banyan Tree's chairman, Mr KP Ho, gives food for thought.

The tourism industry is entering the third phase, defined as the "Asian period of tourism", a period that will present unprecedented opportunities and challenges.
In a speech at the China Hotel Investment Summit in Shanghai last month, Mr KP Ho, Chairman of Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, said that this phase will see two-third's of the world's population, mainly in China and India, attaining a level of economic development where their populations will start to travel.
This wave, he said, would lead to a democratisation of tourism which will come "perilously close to the commoditisation of tourism, resulting in such massive numbers as to threaten the physical and cultural environments in most societies".
"Sustainable tourism will become an endangered ideal as our global industry lurches towards unsustainability," he said.

>>Full article

AVIATION - Tiger Airways obtains Indian Operating Permits

ASIATravelTips.com, 5 June 2007

Singapore-based, Tiger Airways has been granted a Foreign Carrier Air Permit from the Government of India, Civil Aviation Department (DGCA). This means the airline has cleared the final regulatory hurdle and is now permitted to operate international flights between Singapore and a wide network of destinations across India.

Tiger Airways has been granted the rights to fly between Singapore and Chennai, Cochin, Goa, Trivandrum, Kolkata and Kozhikode. The airline is now in the midst of planning its flight routes and is in talks with airports and suppliers at these destinations.

>>Full article