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Main Story
Major
plans for a sizeable local market: Kuoni Group CEO
The Kuoni Group, the largest international tour operator in
India, is gearing up to substantially expand its Indian operations.
In launching its Kuoni brand in the country, the travel major
is adding a new dimension to its long-standing commitment
to the Indian tourism business. And Group CEO Armin Meier
(47) reveals more major plans for the sizeable local market.
30 Minute Interview
`India
has always been relevant to BA'
Charles P Carneiro tells Bhisham Mansukhani that British Airways’
(BA) recent India-specific campaign is a celebration of an
increase
in capacity rather than a shift in perspective on the market.
“We
are positioning Korea as a destination for the niche travel
segment”
On a recent trip to Mumbai to promote the first Bollywood
film shot in Korea, Hyo Sik Jeon announced his plans to target
the film industry
and increase the tourist inflow from India. He divulges to
Neeti Mehra the plans in store for the Indian market.
Airwaves
Indian
airports need licences from 2006
For the first time, the government has decided that all airports
in the country will need to be licensed to ensure that they
conform to standards laid down by the International Civil
Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
BA
plans further rollout of Web check-in facility for key metros
Following the launch of an India-specific promotional campaign
recently, which catapulted it in to the spotlight, British
Airways (BA) is adding to its concerted marketing effort a
plan to introduce Web check-ins for additional cities across
India.
Inflight
retailing to bring in revenue for LCCs
Retail is now literally in the air, with airlines especially
low cost carriers chalking out their inflight retailing plans
as an additional revenue source. Both Air Deccan and Go Air
are working on the road map to introduce inflight retailing.
Indian
to sign agreements with Karnataka, Jharkhand
The next big step in the country's civil aviation sector may
be intra state connectivity if efforts of the government are
anything to go by. In the next few weeks, the government-owned
Indian (formerly Indian Airlines) is likely to sign agreements
with at least two states, Karnataka and Jharkhand. Talks are
on with some other states as well.
Trade Bytes
Mumbai
Festival 2006 to promote 'Stay with Indian family' concept
Fest to stress on cultural tourism, targets one million tourists
coming into Mumbai in five years reports Reema Sisodia
India
becoming popular as adventure tourism destination
India as an adventure tourism destination has grown in popularity
both in the domestic and international market. At present,
about 10 lakh tourists could probably be classified as adventure
tourists according to the Adventure Tour Operators’ Association
of India (ATOAI) vice president, Mandip Singh Soin.
Malaysia
keen to increase its share of Indian MICE
In its attempts to increase its share of MICE from India,
Malaysia is providing ample opportunities for Indian MICE
operators to offer its facilities to Indian corporates for
their meetings and incentives.
Prime
Travels sets base in the USA to boost India inbound
To strengthen its business further from the USA into India,
New Delhi based Prime Travels has established its presence
in the US market.
Macro View
CII
thrust on a roadmap for tourism
Notwithstanding the splendid growth of tourist arrivals into
India, the industry estimates that the number of Indians travelling
overseas rose approximately to 7.3 million in 2005 compared
to inbound tourist visits of 3.8 million.
Channel Chat
Domestic
BSP roll out in January
After a long pilot project to precede the formal induction,
IATA is set to roll out its domestic Bill and Settlement Plan
(BSP) in the Indian market, beginning January, with three
airlines currently on board, namely Indian, Jet Airways and
Air Sahara.
Uplink
Bird
Group’s IT solutions for travel industry
It is boom time for the travel industry with the end traveller
community, the airlines and the travel agencies benefiting
the most. Recently, the Bird group, one of India's largest
conglomerates in the travel and Information Technology arena,
announced its portfolio of IT solutions for the Indian travel
and tourism industry.
Exercising
the GDS option
The question of how large an opportunity the low cost domestic
aviation boom pose for GDS companies is relatively insignificant.
The moot question is whether these airlines opt for this sophisticated
channel of distribution. Bhisham Mansukhani and Neeti
Mehra find out if they have a choice anymore
Inbound
Punjab
Tourism says ‘balle balle’ to tourists
In its bid to substantially increase the flow of inbound tourists
into the state in the next couple of years, Punjab Tourism
Development Corporation (PTDC) has charted a roadmap with
special emphasis on medical and heritage tourism and is encouraging
participation from the private sector.
Rajasthan
plans two new airports to boost tourism
The Rajasthan government has planned to set up two new airports
in the state and upgrade two existing ones to boost tourism.
Outbound
DTCM
to tell trade Dubai is handicap-ready
As part of its 2006 agenda, Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing
(DTCM) plans to inform both - the Indian trade and travellers
of its handicap-friendly approach and infrastructure. It is
also set to promote deep sea diving and corporate golf tourism
to the Indian market which has so far predominantly taken
to shopping and desert adventure.
Switzerland
Tourism sees future in Indian FIT
Switzerland Tourism is training its eye specifically on the
Indian FIT after studying trends that reveal that this segment
has been consistently staying longer and spending more vis-à-vis
groups.
Schilthorn
to market itself as wedding destination in India
Schilthorn Cableway Limited, the longest aerial cableway in
the Alps, the Schilthorn/Piz Gloria that provides a panoramic
view in Switzerland, is aiming to promote and market itself
as a potential destination for wedding tourism in India.
Bali
Tourism makes inroads in India
In its attempts to cash in on the recent boom in the tourism
industry in India, Bali, the Indonesian island, has decided
to make its presence felt in the country.
French
regional tourism authorities, sellers to tap Indian outbound
Buoyed by the growing interest in specific French regions
evinced by Indian tourists, tourism authorities of these regions
have begun to take individual interest in the Indian market
apart from supporting the Maison De La France (French Tourist
Office).
Hotel Talk
Starwood
to set up office in India
Following the footsteps of other internationally renowned
hotel companies like Hyatt International, InterContinental,
Carlson, Choice, Cendant, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
has firmed up its plans to establish an area representative
office in the country to further its expansion agenda.
Orchid
Ecotel ventures into Raipur
Furthering its plan to venture into secondary cities of India,
Orchid Ecotel Hotel would be seen in Raipur, Chhattisgarh
by the end of 2006. This venture would be completely owned
and managed by the group and would be a five star property.
Taj
unveils ‘Jiva’ Spa in Maldives
Situated in the middle of one of the largest lagoons in the
Maldives, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa Maldives unveiled its
first authentic Indian spa outside India - Jiva Grande Spa.
The Spa includes a Yoga and Meditation Pavilion, a VIP Spa
Suite and two over-water luxurious couple spa suites.
area.
Four
Seasons opens fifth property in Middle East
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, the internationally renowned,
Canadian-based luxury hotel company, has further enhanced
the Middle East hospitality market with the opening of its
fifth property in the region.
FHA
returns to Singapore Expo
Food & Hotel Asia 2006 (FHA2006), the biennial international
food and hospitality industry event in Asia returns for the
15th time in April this year. Providing one-stop shop for
Asian hoteliers and restaurateurs, FHA 2006 is projected to
occupy 65,000 square metres of the Singapore Expo - one of
the region's largest exhibition centre.
Wine&SpiritsAsia
Challenge attracts international entries
The Wine&SpiritsAsia Challenge is a series of blind tasting
held over two days at the upcoming FHA 2006.
Newstrack
Express
TravelWorld launches The Tourism Handbook of South India at
WTM
Express TravelWorld unveiled the Tourism Handbook of South
India at WTM recently. This initiative covered the southern
states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry
and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in a comprehensive manner.
Finmin
paper for rationalisation of tax structure in tourism industry
A recent finance ministry paper seeking Asian Development
Bank (ADB) funds for tourism infrastructure projects has proposed
aligning the investment policy of the country with the tourism
policy. It also mooted rationalisation of tax structure for
the tourism industry at par with global benchmarks.
Misc.
Snippets
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