Outbound

Seven Star Aviation to promote Romania to India market

To set up office in Bucharest by July 2008

Andrea Lopez - Mumbai

In a bid to promote offbeat destinations that have a potential in India, inbound and outbound tour operator Seven Star Aviation Services has announced that it will promote Romania and its products in the India market. This will perhaps be the first concentrated effort by an Indian operator to sell Romania in India. The company has been in talks with United European Airways to commence direct flights from Bucharest to Ahmedabad and New Delhi. The deal is expected to come through in August 2008. Speaking about the products that Romania has to offer, Nailesh Mashru, chairman and MD, Seven Star Aviation Services said, "Romania has a mixture of beaches, hill stations and spas. In fact it is very popular for its mud therapies. In 2006-07, about 2000 tourists from India visited Romania, mostly for its spa and wellness therapies that last from seven days to 45 days." He added, "We have been in talks with the tourism board and the consulate of Romania to iron out visa-related issues, and everything should be in place by August this year. Our office in Bucharest should be operational in July 2008."

In addition, the company also has plans to foray into the hospitality segment by setting up resorts on a small scale in Puri, parts of Rajastan and Gujarat. "We have already acquired land in some places and plan to set up not more than 40-50 cottages on the outskirts of the city," said Mashru. The company plans to primarily target the overseas market to make it a profitable venture. Mashru expressed that the company plans to buy out 10-15 acres for its resort and sell adjoining land to interested parties to develop auxiliary industries. This project too, is expected to materialise by the end of the year. Apart from this, Seven Star Aviation plans to continue its forte in the ground handling services department through its provision of network and coaches for the same.