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W orld View

World Tourism Day 2010 to Celebrate Tourism and Biodiversity

This year’s World Tourism Day celebrations will be officially hosted by China and will take place under the theme “Tourism and Bio Diversity” at Guangdong Province in China on September 27. The theme provides a unique opportunity to raise public awareness of the importance of biodiversity to tourism and the role of sustainable tourism in the conservation of life on Earth. Biodiversity is a key tourism asset and fundamental to its sustained growth. Intact and healthy ecosystems form the cornerstone of thousands of tourist enterprises and products worldwide, attracting hundreds of millions of tourists each year. As a leading economic activity, sustainable tourism has an important role and responsibility in managing and conserving biological natural resources...

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Public-Private Partnerships Key in Recovery: UNWTO
International Tourism First Results of 2010 Confirm Upward Trend
ATM 2010 Echoes Renewed Strength of Travel and Tourism Industry
Annual Tourism Meeting of Hong Kong and Macau Held
ITB Asia 2010 Enhances Its Buyers Programme
DTCM to Showcase Dubai in 46 Exhibitions, Road Shows
MGTO Director Elected as PATA Vice Chairman, Chairman-Elect
Dubai Is Ready For ATM 2010
Taleb Rifai Calls Upon the Tourism Sector to Speak with One Voice
ITB Berlin Expands Role as Global Market Leader
World Tourism Players Vow to Boost Cooperation
International Visitors to Asia Pacific Improves - PATA
WTTC Announces 12 Finalists for 2010 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards
Bruised Asian Travel Industry Recovering Slowly
World Tourism on Track for a Rebound in 2010
New York City Most Popular U.S. Tourist Destination
Parramasala Festival Announced
World Luxury Hotel Awards
Season of Hope Dawns
Increasing Confidence in 2010 Recovery for the Tourism Sector
UNWTO Bracing up for the Challenges Ahead
PATA Grand Awards 2009
India, Hong Kong, Korea Shine at PATA Awards
Uncork World-Class Wines Along the Niagara Wine Trail
Indian Tourism Sector Registers Positive Growth in July 2009
Union Tourism Ministry Asks States for Timely Implementation of Mega Tourism Projects
India Will Account for 50 Million Outbound Tourists by 2020: UNWTO
The End of Growth for Emerging Countries
A New Era Has Dawned for Sri Lanka Tourism
Thailand Unveils Marketing Strategy to Attract Business Events
TAT to Tap Wedding Tourism
Sri Lanka Benefits From Using .travel
Global Travel & Tourism Summit Ends on an Optimistic Note
WTTC Announces Winners of Tourism for Tomorrow Awards
Hiran Cooray, Chairman-Elect of PATA for 2010-11
World Tourism in the Face of Global Economic Crisis and Influenza Threat
ATM Concludes on an Optimistic Note
UNWTO Gets New Secretary General
Dubai Ready for ATM
Three Finalists Announced for New Frontiers Awards
ITB Berlin 2009
Singapore Ranked Top in Asia
ITB World Travel Trends Report 2009
WTTC Unveils 2009 Economic Impact Report
WTM to Run Summer Travel Conference
TAAI Managing Committee Visits Dubai
ITB Berlin Expected to Set New Attendance Record
WTTC Announces Finalists for 2009 Awards
IT&CM China 2009 Draws Biggest Chinese Participation

A sia-Pacific Scene

Asia Emerges as the New Luxury Travel Destination

Asia, the most happening region in the world tourism map, has added one more feather to its cap. According to the findings based on a new initiative that was launched by ALTM (Asia Luxury Travel Market) Asia has emerged as a luxury travel powerhouse. The increase in consumer confidence and the spending power of Asian elite which is reaching new heights has been the main factors that have contributed to this.      The results o...

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Asia Emerges as the New Luxury Travel Destination
ASEAN Nations Eyes NE India for Tourism Investment
ITB Asia 2010 Buyer Applications Surge
Thailand Getting Back its Smiles
Macau Continues to Explore the ME Tourism Market
Singapore Registers 20 pc Growth in Arrivals
Macau to Tap the Indian Leisure Market
Sri Lanka Records World`s Highest Growth in Tourism
MGTO Hosted Spring Luncheon in Hong Kong
New Web Platform for ASEAN Travel
We have to reposition Sri Lanka
Asia Pacific Tourism Shows Up Ward Trends
ITB Asia Buyer Registration Now Open Online
Activities that You Just Cannot Miss In Philippines
Skills Training to Boost Business Event Sector in Asia
Shanghai Ready for IT&CM 2009
Singapore Visas Now Available in 24 Hrs
SLTDA plans Rest Houses and Holiday Resorts for Budget Travellers
Malaysia Targets Six Lakh Tourists from India
Thailand Targets School Tours from the Middle East
10 Unique Venues for MICE Travellers in Singapore
First Non-Profit Luxury Eco-Resort

I ndian Panorama

Karnataka Tourism Gets a Fillip at Global Investors` Meet

The recently concluded two-day Global Investor’s Meet (GIM) in Bangalore organised by Karnataka State Government which saw investment worth Rs 4 Trillion has also acted as a boost to the state tourism industry. The long-pending idea of helitourism, also known as the ‘air taxi’ project will be one of the first to benefit. B S YeddyurappaKarnataka Chief Minister G ...

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India Tourism Shows Upward Trend
Conservation of Natural Resources the Focal Point of TN Tourism Policy
The Lalit Suri Green Initiative Launched
India`s First Marina Opened in Kochi
Tiger Reserves in India to Remain Open for Tourism
Adieu, John `Papa` Wakefield
Uttarakhand to Restrict Tourists in Eco-sensitive Zones
Indo-Turkey Tourism Council Set-Up
Take Incredible India Brand to Next level to Present a Cohesive, Forceful image
Indian Travel Agents Need to Introduce Travellers to New Products, Experiences
Tamil Nadu Becomes a Preferred Medical Tourism Destination
Reduce Luxury, Service Tax to Boost Tourism: FICCI
Visit California Events in Mumbai and New Delhi
The Golden Chariot Introduces Southern Splendour
95 cr Vivanta by Taj in Guwahati
Capt. Nair Conferred the Hotelier of the Century Award
Jamnagar - A Muti Coloured Stopover
Vinay Gupta Calls for Collaboration Among Travel Trade
Signs are Encouraging for Tourism in India: Selja
State Tourism Departments, Stake Holders Urged to Help in Poverty Alleviation
Domestic Travellers the Mainstay of National Tourism
Biggest Thai Celebrations
India Tops in Macau Tourism Charts
Arrivals to India Show Upward Trend
India Post, Thomas Cook Join Hands to Provide Travel Services

K erala Traveller

Artificial Reef at Kovalam Commissioned

A multi purpose artificial submerged reef has been commissioned recently at Kovalam, the famous beach destination in Kerala, recently. The reef, installed between the Light House and the Edakkal rocks off the Light House beach, will protect the severely eroding coast besides making the resort a round-the-year surfing destination.The project, funded under the Centre’s tsunami rehabilitation programme, was executed by the New-Zealand-based Artificial Surfing Reef Ltd. The Harbour Engineering Department has set up the reef for Kerala Tourism. ...

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Cochin to Gangtok Rickshaw Rally Draws Adventure Tourists
Kerala to Prepare Special Tourism Packages for CWG
Kerala Tourism Conducts Road Shows in UK
Kerala Tourism, Google Tie up
Kerala Tourism to Have Awards Day from Next Year
Kerala Tourism brands Rajdhani Express
Tourism Sector Holds Promise for the Future
MV Aquamarine Opens Up High Seas Luxury Cruising for Indian Tourists
KTM 2010 From September 23
Move to Take Over Golf Club Flayed
GKSF Gets Off to a Colourful Start
ATTOI Members Meet in Kuala Lumpur
Kerala Tourism, KTDC Revamps Websites
Kerala Tourism Wins PATA Gold, CNBC Travel Awards
Kerala Tourism to Organise Partnership Meets
Monsoon Carnival in Wayanad
Investor Meets to Have a Permanent Web Based Platform
KTDC Hotels and Resorts Targets Global Customers
Bekal Becoming an International Travel Destination
Mobile Phone to Become A Key Publicity Tool
The Sounds of Kerala to Hit Radio Waves in Key Metros
MIR- Taking Liesure to New Dimensions
Dentistry in the Time of Crisis
The Leela Kovalam Wins Pevonia Asia Spa Award
Leela Kovalam Introduces More Asian Cuisines
Kerala Tourism Steps into New Markets In Sweden And Russia
Trade Fair Authority for GKSF
KTDC Launches City Tour in Thiruvananthapuram
NRKs to Partner in Tourism Growth of Kerala
Single Window System Mooted for Tourism Projects
Kerala Plans Visit Kerala Year 2009
GKSF Exceeds Expectations
Kerala Tourism Launches ORS

A viation

DGCA Issues Fresh Norms for Airlines

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the regulator of aviation in India has issued Fresh norms mandating correct landing procedures and occupying of the cockpit in the backdrop of the recent Air India Express mishap in Mangalore, Karnataka in India.DGCA has instructed directives on Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to all scheduled, non-scheduled and general aviation operators to go for ‘correct landing’ procedures that is made at the correct point on the runway with the correct flight parameters than soft landing which results in a delayed touchdown that require harsh deceleration to avoid overshooting the runway or other catastrophes. In case of an unstablised approach the pilot should go-around for another opportunity to conduct a safe approach...

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Trends in Airline Marketing
IBS Inks Deal With Malaysia Airlines
Paramount Goes International
Kuwait Airways to be Privatised by Year End
KT, Jet Join Hands
Paramount Doubles Services to Kolkata
Paramount Airways Plans Foray into East
Royal Jet Introduces Unique Personal Chef Services
Global Airport Traffic Remains Flat
Paramount Introduces Smart Flyer APEX Fares
Bird Group Partners with VistaJet to Offer World Class Business Aviation Experience
IBS Launches iFly Solution Suite
AAI Receives Miniratna Category-I Powers
Singapore Airlines Introduces Promotional Offer to Popular Destinations
India, Malaysia Revises Air Services Agreement

F ace to Face

Anju Chandrashekar

On USPI believe we have a wonderful and matchless geographic location where our property stands. So we have an existing USP. The traditional cottages we here were transplanted from their original locations and are not newly built or given makeover. We have been renovating and bringing it up the comfort standards, for the last one and a half years. We have a fully professional management for running the resort.On Future PlansThe future plans for Surya Samudra include some more resorts. We are starting a small resort at Chikmagalur. It is a four bedroom old English villa which is being converted. The property at Kumarakom is coming up with 25 cottages and its construction is underway. We are looking at Goa and we plan to bring ...

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Thailand to be Promoted as Year-Round Destination
Dreaming it Big and Making it Real
Budget Proposal Will Give Boost to Industry: Vivek Nair
We Want to be the Number one Destination
Abinash Manghani
Take Steps to Make Fairs Cost Effective
Meena Kumari
Babu Alex
Rockybul Hussain
Marinique Truter
Amit Aggarwal
SilkAir Eyes New Heights
Sajeev K Pillai
Maytas Jiwalai
Nishad Menon
Lissy Unnikrishnan Nair
Sarath Sasi
Daniela Andrea Sharma
Asish Nair
Jana Linhartova Samdani
Assam Banking on Nature
We Hope for a Better Turn Out Next Season
Keys Hotels to Have 38 Hotels in India by 2014
Sikkim to Give Prominence to Adventure, Eco Sectors
Thai Travel Industry Back to Normal
Dubai Has Much More Than Shopping to Offer
India is an Important Market for Malaysia
Our USP is the People
Himachal Pradesh, A Picture Postcard Destination
Philippines Beckons Indian Travellers
Macau Plans More Promotional Activities
Down Under Eyes Indian Travellers
Andhra to Promote Budhist Circuits
HHR Targets Metros, Tier II Cities in India
Country Club Luxury and Leisure
Bringing Together Global Standards and Local Knowledge
Taj Unveils New Property
Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya
Shahram Saber - Regional Director (Asia) PATA
Internet to Play a Major Role in Promotional and Marketing Activities

10 Questions

Vini Gupta

Vini Gupta started his hoteliering career in US more than three decades ago and worked in different capacities in different parts of the country before moving to India and then to Nepal.Tell us about your hotel and its USPs.Soaltee Crowne Plaza Kathmandu is managed and owned brand part of InterContinental Hotels Group, IHG PLC.  It is an upscale brand with a resort atmosphere offering the high level of comfort, service and amenities.  The hotel is strategically located from the city centre and sightseeing options and offers 282 be...

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B. Gopinath
Shijo N Varghese
Rajesh Kumar Madan
Saji Joseph
Ramnidhi Wasan
N C Somaiah
Sharat Dhall
Utkarsh Faujdar
Sanjay Sharma
Deepak Ohri
Peter Paul
Suresh Kumar
Lemuel Herbert
Raja Gopaal Iyer
Thomas Mueller
Dinesh Nachappa
Vincent Hoogewijs
Sunil Sikka
Rainer Stampfer
Pascal Dupuis
Sanjay Sharma
Celestine John Dcruz
Sreekumar Kunath
Unnikrishnan Nair

W oman of the Month

Asha Subramanian

How did you become interested in Travel & Tourism business? My joining the Travel and Aviation Industry was not planned in the strict sense .As a child, I was keen in learning and knowing about different cultures, countries and people. The entire world of travel was fascinating and held me in great awe. Being an extrovert, I like meeting and interacting with people from different walks of life and this industry is a natural platform to do so. Soon after my graduation from Bangalore (which is my home town), I moved to Thiruvananthapuram where my spouse is based.I started my career in the sector in1992 with Air Travel Enterprises Ltd as Assistant Manager – Sales where I did a three year stint. I then moved on to Spencer’s Travel Services...

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Farida Attarwala
Behnaz Irani
Priya Harikumar
Audrey Brindley
Deepika Unni
Anne Sajeev
Sonalee Vaz
Huzan Fraser
Prema Ram
Prameela Devi
Jaya Chandrahasan
Pariva Rustagi
Harinder Singh
Sheema Vohra
Abhilasha Jain
Nina Reddy
Gauri Jayaram
Shilpa Sethi
Neerja Bhatia
Aishvarya Guhagarkar
Neha Lidder Ganju
Neelu Singh

H ospitality

The Park Hotels Expands Portfolio with Properties in Kochi, Hyderabad

The Park Hotels group, pioneers of the boutique hotel concept in India, has expanded its portfolio with the addition of the Apsara, The Park on Vembanad Lake in Kochi, Kerala and The Park Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.The Park Hotels launched its first luxury lake cruiser – Apsara – a two-level, eight-cabin cruiser described as ‘heaven on water’ on Kerala’s Vembanad Lake. Designed with luxury and comfort in mind, the interiors combine elements of Kerala’s magnificent heritage with the quiet elegance of European yachting style.Each week, the Apsara boat sets sail on four-day/three-night itineraries that take cruisers through the tranquil waters of Vembanad...

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Zuri Celebrates Anniversary, Consolidates Group Companies
Fortune Launches Properties in Mumbai, Gandhinagar
Captain Nair Conferred The Hall of Fame Award at HIFI 2010
WelcomHeritage Adds Three More Properties to the Chain

C olumns

As I Travel - June 2010

Last week I was in Port Blair and as I was driven from the airport by a relative, I saw on the road at a signal point the amber turning to red and we stopped. The traffic sign did not flash ‘STOP’ but it said ‘RELAX’! Nice thought! In fact there is a touch of poetry in it (maybe the typical beauty of an island living and thinking). A positive replacement to the minatory word ‘STOP’! But then the question is: Do we get onto the road only to relax?! Life is funny, hilarious, and sweet with its uncanny ironies, come to think of it!Then a trail of long-brewed weird questions was running in my mind: Why the word ‘ABBREVIATION’ is so long?  Why there is no anagram for the word ‘ANAGRAM’? How come there are five syll...

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As I Travel - May 2010
As I Travel - April 2010
As I Travel - March 2010
As I Travel - February 2010
As I Travel - January 2010
As I Travel - December 2009
As I Travel - November 2009
A Piece of the UK in Spain
End of an era…
As I Travel - October 2009
As I Travel - August 2009
As I Travel - July 2009
As I Travel - June 2009
Chinese, Portugese, Dutch and Kochi
How Green Was My Valley
As I Travel - May 2009
Gateway to Periyar National Park
As I Travel - April 2009
India Has to Take Action in Fighting Pollution
As I Travel - March 2009
Ozone Layer Depletion
As I Travel - February 2009
Satyam - Hidden Truths in Aviation
As I Travel - January 2009
Safety on the Ramp Getting Out of Fashion?
As I Travel - December 2008
A Fairytale Gone Well
As I Travel - November 2008
Flying High - October 2008
As I Travel - October 2008

V ariety

Secrets of Slovenia

Slovenia is indeed a special place. Regardless of where you cross the border, you can expect to witness an exciting phenomenon: the sheer diversity of the landscape, which changes quite stunningly. A short drive of just over two hours will take you from the blue Mediterranean waters to Alpine peaks. From there, the Pannonian basin is not very far away, nor is the gentle rolling hills of Dolenjska. And then there is the mysterious underworld of the Karst. The common feature is the green and unspoilt land. Everything is close at hand and easily accessible. A visit to Slovenia is an experience you are bound to re-live over and over again!Small in size, yet brimming with personality, Slovenia is at the crossroads of Europe; where the north meets the s...

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Kanchanaburi - History and Culture
Kingdom of Dreams
Best of Asia
Go Wild, Go Green
Those Snowy Yellow Evenings
The Jewel of the East
Where All the Flowers Have Gone
Ode to Majuli
Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head, They Keep Falling!
Folk Colours of Tamil Nadu
Phuket
Krishnagiri
Go Elagiri Go Serene
A Train Journey Across Africa
The Sun, The Sand - A True Australian Holiday
In the Ahom Heartland
Philippines
Kaziranga National Park
Junbeel Mela
The Lallgarh Palace
One-Stop Solution for Tourists Visiting Northeast
Be the First to Discover Ko Chang
The First Four Seasons Property in India
Under the Sea, I will marry Thee...
The Sun, The Sand - A True Australian Holiday
After Zero - What Next?
Mawlynnong - Where Ceanliness is a Way of Life
Return of the Happy Camper
The Dominican Republic

C urrent Issue
O ther Stories
Control Panel for Corporate Kerala
IT&CM China 2009 Draws Biggest Chinese Participation

First Non-Profit Luxury Eco-Resort

India Post, Thomas Cook Join Hands to Provide Travel Services

Kerala Tourism Launches ORS

MoT Asks Tour Operators to Promote New Tourism Circuits

India, Malaysia Revises Air Services Agreement

As I Travel - October 2008

Unnikrishnan Nair

Neelu Singh

Internet to Play a Major Role in Promotional and Marketing Activities

Progress and Priorities 2008-09

The Dominican Republic

Test Your Knowledge - 34

Event Guide

Jessica Sim

Letter 1


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