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North,South India Most Preferred Tourist Destination on Year-End: ASSOCHAM
By Deepak Arora
NEW DELHI, Dec 28: With the New Year just a few days away the hospitality industry in India is reporting a significant increase in the occupancy rates, since over 5 lakh tourists are likely to voyage to world renowned tourist destinations of North India to usher in the New Year 2011.
The preferred destinations include – Shimla, Kinnaur, Lahaul and districts of Spiti, Chamba, Kangra, Mandi Nainital, Kullu, Manali, Massourie, Dalhousie, Kufri, Kashmir valley, Chandigarh, Panchkula, Udaipur, Jaipur in North, apart from picturesque destinations like Ooty, Mysore, Pudducherry, Rameshwaram down south and Goa, Mahabaleshwar in west, according to just concluded survey conducted by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).
ASSOCHAM carried out the survey in 10 major cities – Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Thiruvanathpuram and Ahemdabad and interacted with as many as 3500 globetrotters.
Of the 3500 participants 55 per cent preferred to visit parts of northern India to enjoy their New Year festivities as the region is likely to witness mild snowfall on the New Year’s eve. Whereas, almost 35 per cent potential travellers preferred to visit coastal regions of Goa, Pudducherry, Kerala, Thiruvananthpuram, Rameshwaram etc. and 10 per cent desired to visit areas like Ooty, Mahabaleshwar, Jaipur etc.
Owing to the improved economic situation in the country the hotels and restaurants in the aforesaid tourist hot-spots are recording a massive business boom during the New Year festive season. Expressing their views the Hoteliers in the region said that they have recorded improved performance this year as even the foreigners are flocking India since, majority of Europe has been badly hit by freezing weather, during what is supposed to be the busiest times of the year.
Releasing the findings of ASSOCHAM survey, Chamber's Secretary General, Mr. D.S. Rawat said, “There is steady increase in hotel occupancy mostly in North India and other traditional tourist destinations. We are approaching the festive season and that is when more people go for holidays, so the festive season and an increase in domestic tourism should be given credit for this surge in hotel occupancy and the hotels are cashing in on the increased spending power of the individuals and buoyant festive mood.
“Resort regions of Goa, Pudducherry, world-famous backwaters of Kerala and other coastal areas, apart from hilly states of Uttrakhand, Himachal Pradesh happen to be highly congested tourist destinations attracting both domestic and foreign tourists by providing tourism opportunities at competitive tariffs”, added Mr. Rawat.
The upsurge in number of tourists has resulted in 35-40 per cent increase in tariffs for hotel accommodations as food & beverage costs are also running up by nearly 20-25 per cent. Almost all hotel owners have boosted their prices by significant margin as the tourists jostle to enjoy the New Year fever.
Concentrating on the significant potential the government is shifting its focus on tourism with a view to make it a leading industry for higher revenue realization in the time to come.
Santa Claus in Kerala's Backwaters
By Deepak Arora
 NEW DELHI, Dec 24: Kerala’s breathtaking backwaters, which recently left even the Taj Mahal behind on a list of ‘destinations to go before you are dead’, has received the endorsement of none other than the Santa Claus this Christmas and New Year season.
A new video, which is attracting surfers on the internet, shows the Santa cruising the luxurious backwaters of Alappuzha and Kumarakom, on a houseboat, greeting the people on the way.
According to video portal India Video (www.indiavideo.org), which has created the nearly two-minute clip in association with the Kerala Tourism, more than 100,000 people have seen it around the world within three days of it hitting the internet.
“The video has been designed as a Christmas and New Year greeting. The response has been tremendous,” said a spokesperson of India Video, which is based in Thiruvananthapuram.
 The clip, which shows the Santa drinking coconut water and enjoying a ride on a rope swing, was shot in locations at Alappuzha and Kumarakom, the spokesperson said.
Kerala Tourism has been a pioneer in using the new media for promoting destination Kerala. During the Onam festival this year, the department created a portal for Kerala recipes to help Malayalees living abroad as well as non-Malayalees fond of Kerala culinary delights make the dishes themselves.
In 2009, the National Geographic Traveler had selected Kerala backwaters as one of the top 133 destinations of the world, placing it way ahead of the Taj Mahal on the list.
Today, huge houseboats dot the backwaters, with all the comforts of a good hotel, including furnished bedrooms, modern toilets, cozy living rooms, kitchen and even a balcony, enthralling both the domestic and international tourists alike.
Celebrating Egypt Tourism
Report and Pix By Deepak Arora
 NEW DELHI, Dec 13: Egypt is an exotic and vibrant destination and is hot spot amongst the tourists of the world. We would like to see the number of Indian tourists to Egypt go up to 700,000 in the next five years, said Mr Khaled El Bakly, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to India.
Speaking on the occasion of the gala “Egyptian Night” held here on Monday night, Mr Khaled El Bakley said: “Both Egypt and India share a common interest that is promotion of tourism across the world. The natural beauty of India’s tropical forests, beaches and landscape, as well as its rich cultural heritage, make it a world famous tourist destination."
"Similarly, Egypt with its exotic and vibrant destinations is a hot spot amongst the tourists of the world,” he added.
 The “Egyptian Night”, organized by the Egyptian Tourism Office and the Egypt embassy, is being held to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and to strengthen the harmony between the two countries.
The Ambassador said the gala night is a cultural extravaganza organized with the objective to promote and showcase the cultural richness of the country through various performances by the contemporary Egyptian artists.
The Sharkeya Fold Troupe from Egypt entertained the audience that included Ambassadors, diplomats, high-officials and leading people from the tourism industry. Those present on the occasion included Oman Ambassador Shaikh Humaid Al-Maani, Saudi Ambassador Faisal Al-Trad, Bahrain Ambassador Mohamed Ghassan Shaikho and Dominican Republic Ambassador Hans Dannenberg Castellanos.
 Mr Adel El Masry, Director, Egyptian Tourism Office in India, said “India is a key Asian nation for Egypt Tourism. Asia provides for 10 per cent of Egypt tourism business and India ranks second among the mix."
"With the people having higher disposable incomes, we are also wooing tourists from smaller cities in India,” he added.
“We want people from all over India to visit Egypt. After all, India and Egypt have many similarities in culture and cuisine,” he added.
Mr Adel El Masry pointed out that whenever anyone thinks of Egypt, they always think of majestic pyramids. However, he said, there was so much more to Egypt than the land of pharaohs.
 He said the Egyptian Tourism authorities were also trying to promote Egypt as a land beyond the pyramids and accordingly are looking at promoting the nation as a destination for adventure, wellness, beaches, golf and entertainment amongst other things.
Through this gala night, he said “we want to show the world a different side of Egypt --- the Egypt of today and of the future."
Masry said the Tourism Department also plans to target tourists according to their age group. "For elder person, we are marketing Egypt as a religious destination. For the middle-aged, we are portraying Egypt as an exotic country with rich culture, luxury hotels and resorts and cuisine. For the youth, we are emphasizing on adventure and sports and entertainment tourism."
 He also pointed out that Egypt was a very romantic tourist destination. “We are also targeting newly wedded couples to choose Egypt as a honeymoon destination.”
Egyptian Tourism has roped in Bollywood actor Celina Jaitely as its brand ambassador.
Commenting on the Egyptian Night, Mr Adel El Mastry said “Like India, Egypt also simply lures on to its rich culture. Just as intriguing as its stories, Egyptian dances also convey the unheard. Hence, it’s a matter of honour for us to be a part of this huge platform in a country like India that already has so much to offer.”
 He said Egypt and India are perfect tourist destinations offering a diverse mix of past and the present, ancient and modern, art and culture, heritage and history, sports and entertainment.
Egypt and India have cultural synergies and affinities that go far back in history.
Both Egypt and India, he said, have a magical aura, with the past, present and the future juxtaposed in the same frame.
Both the countries exercise a hypnotic fascination and boast of a traditional warmth and hospitality that few others offer.
 While Egypt's rich heritage and archeological significance might be what most would consider highlights of a trip to the country, it is not so.
This desert country, bordered by the Mediterranean on the north and the Read Sea on the southeast, is famous for its scenic beaches. It is a diverse country full of hidden treasures.
Synonymous with the legends of the Pharaohs, Egypt offers a warm welcome by its friendly people and has a rich blend of culture and cuisine – combined with abundant coral reefs and luxurious beach resorts.
 "Sharm el-Sheikh, a city situated on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula is a world famous diving destination.
It is home to many luxurious resorts and attracts many tourists throughout the year and is a must visit for anyone who enjoys water sports," adds Masry.
He said “It is not just water sports and pyramids that are attracting people. Egypt is home to many different types of deserts --- something most tourists find fascinating.
 Our desert safaris are very popular. Adventure sports like sandboarding attract a lot of the young crowd."
The Sharkeya Fold Troupe from Egypt also performed at the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR). The troupe would later perform in God's Own Country, Kerala.
Egypt provides the perfect backdrop for those seeking guaranteed year-round sunshine, value for money, and the highest standards of accommodation and service.
 Need to invigorate Kazakh-India tourist exchanges: Ambassador Kuanyshev
By Deepak Arora
NEW DELHI, Nov 22: Kazakh Ambassador D. Kuanyshev has underlined the need for reinvigoration of tourist exchanges between Kazakhstan and India, whose economies have been on a rapid growth recently.
Launching the fifth Kazakhstan-India Tourism and Travel Fair held here, the Ambassador invited the participants to see the seventh Winter Asian games to be held in Almaty and Asthana in Kazakhstan January 30 to February 6 next.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of State for Tourism Sultan Ahmed said that Kazakhstan–India relations in the field of tourism are developing quite satisfactorily.
 During the fair, representatives of the two countries explored ways to expand tourism ties by working out attractive packages for potential tourists.
The fair was organized by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in association with Air Astana, national carrier of Kazakhstan and its GSA, CozyDeepika Group.
More than 170 Indian Travel Agencies attended the fair.
 A video presentation of the attractive destinations in Kazakhstan was also shown.
Kazakh tourism authorities intend to use the prestigious sporting events early next year to capture the interest of the world community as they want to point out the development of country’s tourism industry.
During last year, the Ambassador said tourism in Kazakhstan grew by 8 percent and reached 4.5 million visitors. However, about 80 percent of tourists were in the country on a business trip.
Kerala gets a big boost as intellectual destination
 NEW DELHI, Nov 22: With Kerala planning to dish out a string of art and literary events in the coming months, the God’s Own Country is poised to become a tourist hub that is intellectually exhilarating to the visitors.
While the traditional Kerala has never failed to seduce one’s senses with a tapestry of scenic grandeur; in its modern-day avatar, it is also wooing sophisticated and cerebral tourists with a promise to satiate their intellectual appetite.
The just-concluded Hay Festival of Literature and Arts in Thiruvananthapuram turned out to be an intellectual blast. Attended by celebrity authors like Vikram Seth, William Dalrymple, Shashi Tharoor and Sebastian Faulks, rock stars Sting and Bob Geldof and Malayalam film legend Adoor Gopalakrishnan, it was only a part of the Kerala Tourism’s new aggressive strategy to position the state as a destination for the discerning, evolving and sophisticated traveller.
Apart from the forthcoming International Film Festival of Kerala in December, there are thoughts of an international art exhibition coming Kerala’s way. The art exhibition is expected to give a fillip to Kerala’s claim as an intellectually-appealing destination. Also in December, Thrissur will host the annual International Theatre Festival.
Kerala Tourism Secretary Dr Venu V explained that cultural events like the Hay festival fit in snuggly with the Kerala Tourism’s new promotion strategy. He explained, “By a discerning traveller, we mean somebody who can weigh alternatives based on their value system, like environment consciousness, for example. An evolved traveller is looking for an experience, for a connection or for satisfying higher urges like art, culture, literature or a special interest pursuit. A sophisticated traveller will see different kinds of layers in a destination and therefore different layers of experience.”
According to the Kerala Tourism Secretary, when a visitor chooses to come to Asia or India and looks particularly at Kerala, it amounts to recognition of how well the state has been positioned. “It is because of the complex nature of life in Kerala. The state tourism department believes that cultural events in the state like the film and theatre festivals are part of the Kerala mythic.
“These events appeal to the sophisticated visitor. The belief that Kerala is a destination of choice for the sophisticated traveler is getting strengthened,” said Dr Venu.
Trinidad and Tobago to Expand Tourism Ties with India
By Deepak Arora
 NEW DELHI, Nov 15: Ms. Urvashi Ramnarine, acting High Commissioner of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, has expressed her country’s desire to expand tourism ties with India, which she said has emerged as a big tourist destination in the world.
Ms Ramnarine, who is leading the delegation from Trinidad & Tobago, said this at an interaction with officials of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) here on Monday.
Other members in delegation included Ms. Kira Clarke, First Secretary in the High Commission, Mr. Ernest M. Littles, President, Tourism Development Company Ltd Trinidad and Tobago and Mr. Cornell Buckradee, Manger, Investment Promotion in Tourism Development Company Ltd.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Ernest M. Littles, President Tourism Development Company Ltd of Trinidad and Tobago said “Tourism could act as a bridge between Trinidad and Tobago and India in the field of Tourism, Trade and Commerce. It could also help establish people to people contact among nations of both the countries.”
“Our new govt. has very open investment policy and we welcome investments from India”, said Mr. Cornell Buckradee.
Mr. Pronab Sarkar, Vice President, IATO, mentioned that high-end Indian travelers going to the UK and the USA would very much like to visit these beautiful islands for five to seven days if visas are easily available to them.
Indians are high spenders and number one spenders in Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai and Thailand. Trinidad & Tobago would very much benefit by promoting tourism from India to these island destinations. As these are round the year destinations, these have attractions for honeymooners, he added.
Mr Rajesh Mudgill, Secretary, IATO, suggested that if these destinations are to be promoted, it should provide films, DVDs, brochures and other promotional material for distribution amongst Indian tour operators.
He said an educational tour for tour operators would be the right step to begin with. He also asked for a list of the tour operators in Trinidad and Tobago so that IATO members could make the right contacts. He also talked about air connectivity, traveling time, accommodation as these are essential to float packages.
Thereafter, IATO Manual 2010 was handed over to Ms. Urvashi Ramnarine and Mr. Ernest as to give them some knowledge about IATO, its activities, about its members and some information on destinations popular with tourists.
Republic of Trinidad & Tobago is also organizing similar meetings in Bengaluru on November 16 and 17 and on November 18 and19 in Mumbai with IATO Chapter Chairpersons.
A big delegation is to visit in January 2011 headed by Minister of Tourism and will hold interaction with IATO members. A joint MoU is expected to be signed on that occasion between Travel Association of Trinidad & Tobago and IATO for fostering the business relations.
An invitation has also been extended to IATO members to join the carnival in March and after ITB. A Fam tour will be organized by the authorities to these island, cities to facilitate IATO members to acquaint with the tourism products on offer and promote the destinations with confidence.
The delegation for Trinidad and Tobago found interaction very useful and expressed their happiness for making some beginning with this meeting.
IATO delegation included Mr. Pronab Sarkar, Vice President, Mr. Rajesh Mudgill, Hony. Secretary, Mr. Atul Rai, Hony. Joint Secretary, Mr. Subhash Goyal, immediate Past President, Mr. Tony Marwah, Executive Committee Member and Mr. Naresh K. Sharma, Executive Committee Member. Mr. Gour Kanjilal, Executive Director, coordinated the meeting of IATO with the delegations from Trinidad and Tobago.
Despite CWG hype, only 5% spurt in foreign tourist inflow
NEW DELHI, Nov 7: For all the hooplah about foreign tourists flocking to the Capital for the Commonwealth Games, there has been a paltry 5% increase in their footfall as compared to October last year.
Data available with the Union tourism ministry shows that the number of foreign tourists arriving at Delhi airport has increased by a measly 5.1% in October 2010 as compared to October 2009.
The statistics for the rest of the country were hardly any better. Altogether, 4.87 lakh foreign tourists visited India as against 4.46 lakh during October 2009 registering an increase of 9%.
While officials have constantly blamed negative publicity for the lack of enthusiasm abroad, industry sources attributed it to absence of a focussed, well-orchestrated campaign and planning.
An overall picture for the last six months shows that 43.22 lakh foreign tourists visited India during January-October with a growth rate of 9.9% as compared to last year, indicating that travellers hit by economic recession were gradually bouncing back. Growth had dipped to 6.7% during January-October 2009 over the corresponding period of 2008.
"Despite the fact that business and leisure travel is up, India was unable to capitalise on the opportunity that the Games as an international sporting event offered," a source in the travel industry said.
Foreign exchange earnings from tourism during January- October 2010 were Rs 51,334 crore with a growth rate of 21.1%, as compared to Rs 42,395 crore with a growth of 4.1% during January-October 2009 over the corresponding period of 2008.
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