>> July 2008    >> Newsletter Archive  

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In this Edition.....

• Creative News - TIME Magazine mentioned Creative Travel as "the industry leader of MICE in India"

• India in the Summer - There is a lot of misconception out there why India cannot be visited in summer. Not all true. There is a lot one can do in summer.......

• Where you can find us next - PATA 2008, KTM 2008, ITB Asia 2008, WTM 2008, EIBTM 2008, ILTM 2008.

• Special Offer from Creative Travel & Oberoi Hotels

• Special Offer from Creative Travel & Taj Hotels

• Guest Comment of the Month - Find out what our clients have to say about us in this section.

• Destination News - India bags World Travel Awards as Asia’s Leading Destination, National Parks in Madhya Pradesh will be closed from 1st July to 15th October 2008, Sound and Light Show at Amber Fort to start in August, Nepal Tourism Board issues NEW Tourist Visa rules effective from 16th July, “Dream Home Programme” for longer stay.......all this and more Destination news. 

• Hotel News - World Travel Award Winners, Hotel Bizzotel, Gurgaon opens, WelcomHeritage adds one more property in Pushkar, Hyatt Regency Kathmandu wins awards, One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives launches National Geographic Aquatic Discovery Dive Program.....all this and more update on hotels.

• Aviation News - Update on airlines......BJets to offer fractional and block charters in India in the next two months, Paramount Airways flies into Tiruchirapalli (Trichy), Jet Airways honoured with awards at Changi airline awards, Emirates spreads its Indian wings......and more.

• This Month's Recipe - Moong Sprout.

• Special Feature of the month - Jaipur by Night.

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Creative News.....

TIME Magazine mentioned Creative Travel as "the industry leader of MICE in India"
Creative was the first company in Asia to win the coveted SITE Crystal Award. TIME Magazine, in a special MICE segment, has mentioned Creative Travel as "the industry leader of MICE in India". Click here to read more....Yet another feather in our cap!!

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India in the Summer.....

Going back to India and the summer. There is a lot of misconception out there why India cannot be visited in summer. Not all true. There is a lot one can do in summer and the best part is that we can leverage our volumes from the season into some great deals into the off season.

Some reasons to visit India in the Summer include -

• The best value possible - you get to stay in some of the finest hotels in the world at prices that you would pay for a 4 star hotel in the winter.

• For wildlife lovers, late April and May are the best times of year to see the famous Indian tiger. This elusive animal stays closer to the water during this time, and is more easily seen.  

• It’s cooler than you think! Particularly in the desert regions of Rajasthan, the peak heat is between 11:30 am and 4:30 pm, when you could relax and enjoy the hotel. Sightseeing can be done in relative comfort in the early mornings and the evenings. The Indian summer is not hotter than many other destinations that you would consider in the summer months - Dubai, Spain, Miami, etc.  

• Enjoy the monuments without the crowds - you have the luxury of visiting the monuments in the cities you visit, without having hundreds of tour buses present at the same time.  

• Enjoy the hotels - with lower summer occupancies, you can enjoy the hotels to their fullest. Use the spa without having to book it in advance, step into the restaurants without a reservation, have the pool to yourself.....

If you would like to explore how we can help you make India a special destination to sell this summer, let us know. We have some amazing deals from our partners like the Taj group and Oberoi hotels and many more.

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Where you can find us next.....

To meet us at PATA, India, click here and email us your details   

To meet us at KTM, India, click here and email us your details   

To meet us at ITB Asia, Singapore, click here and email us your details   

To meet us at WTM, London, click here and email us your details   

To meet us at EIBTM, Barcelona, click here and email us your details   

To meet us at ILTM, Cannes, click here and email us your details   

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Special Offer from Creative Travel & Oberoi Hotels.....

• Maidens Hotel – Delhi
• Trident Agra
• Trident Jaipur
• Trident Udaipur

For details and reservations please email us.

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Special Offer from Creative Travel & Taj Hotels.....

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Guest Comment of the Month.....

We at Creative track guest feedback very carefully. Each evaluation form gives us an insight on our operations and allows us to constantly refine our service delivery process. Now and then we get a few letters that brighten up our days. These are some of them :

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

From - Ramon del Castillo, Mexico

To - Creative Travel

Dear Ram,

Throughout my development as an incentive trip planner, I have had the opportunity to organize unforgettable trips in many countries. This has allowed me to meet and collaborate with real professionals for the organization of this kind of travel experience. Click here to read more.....

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Destination News.....

India bags World Travel Awards as Asia’s Leading Destination
At the World Travel Awards 2008 “Asia and Indian Ocean” Ceremony organized in Shanghai on 19 June 2008, India received the award for the leading destination in Asia. Another feather in the cap has been the “Bronze Lion Award” at the 55th International Advertising Festival held at Cannes, France from 15- 21 June 2008 in which the creative on “Taj Mahal “ which was used for Ministry of Tourism’s Incredible India campaign in the international market. This is the first time that this prestigious award has been received by Ministry of Tourism. The World Travel Awards were launched in 1993 to acknowledge and recognize excellence in the world's travel and tourism industry. Now celebrating its 15th Anniversary, the awards are regarded as the very highest achievement that a travel product could ever hope to receive. Thousands of votes are cast by travel professionals in over 160 countries across the globe.

Several new cubs have been spotted at India's Ranthambore tiger reserve
The good news was embedded in the dirt trail that snaked its way through the brush: two prints - one belonging to an adult tiger and, within it, the distinct outline of a cub's paw. Click here to read more...



 

National Parks in Madhya Pradesh will be closed from 1st July to 15th October 2008
Madhya Pradesh Tourism has announced that the National Parks (Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Pench) will remain closed from 1st July till 15th October and will reopen from 16th October.
 

UNESCO declares Kalka-Shimla Railway line as a ‘World Heritage Site’
The Kalka-Shimla Railway (KSR) line, launched on November 9, 1903, has been declared a ‘World Heritage Site’ by UNESCO. With this decision, the Indian Railways has secured World Heritage status for their fourth line. The other three being the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway in West Bengal, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway near Ooty and the Chhatarpati Shivaji Terminal in Mumbai. During its six-hour journey on the 96 km narrow gauge route from Kalka to Shimla, the line runs through 102 tunnels, several arches, including 33 major bridges and picturesque stations like Dharampur, Barog and Solan.

Sound and Light Show at Amber Fort to start in August
Noted Bollywood lyricist and filmmaker Gulzar has penned the script for a sound and light show at the famed 16th century Amber Fort for which superstar Amitabh Bachchan has lent his baritone. The show is scheduled to begin in August and will educate tourists about the history of Jaipur, its rulers, historical monuments, the historical background of the fort and ancient anecdotes associated with it. The one-hour show will be in Hindi and English initially. A part of the fort would be illuminated by laser lights and a detailed description of that portion would follow along with historical tales associated with it. Located at a distance of 11 km from Jaipur, the Amber Fort situated on a hilltop in Rajasthan is a popular tourist attraction. The fort was constructed in 1592 and modified over a period of 150 years by successive rulers.

Nepal Tourism Board issues NEW Tourist Visa rules effective from 16th July
The Nepal Tourism Board has issued a circular regarding Tourist Visa rules which will be effective from 16th July 2008. Tourist visiting Nepal must hold a valid passport and visa. Click here to read more....



 

Narayanhiti Palace converted into national museum
Prime Minister G P Koirala hoisted the Nepalese flag at the Narayanhiti palace, converting the 124-year-old sprawling complex into a national museum, which will showcase the diamond-studded crown surrendered by deposed monarch Gyanendra and a Mercedes Benz gifted to his grandfather by Adolf Hitler. Prime Minister Koirala formally unveiled a board 'Narayanhiti Palace Museum' over the pink roofed building at a function attended by hundreds of people. The palace, which takes its name from the famous historic waterspout situated at the southern corner of the massive premises, is situated in the heart of the city and overlooks “King's Way”, one of the more elegant streets of Kathmandu, from the southern side.

“Dream Home Programme” for longer stay
Taking into consideration the repeated requests of tourists to be allowed to stay on in Sri Lanka for extended periods of time, much longer than the Tourist Visa eligibility period, the department of Immigration and Emigration announced the ‘Sri Lanka – My Dream Home Programme’ . The department invited applications from foreign nationals, offering many benefits for those seeking temporary residence in Sri Lanka, for the purpose of a more leisurely life style.
 

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Hotel News.....

World Travel Award Winners
The World Travel Awards were launched in 1993 to acknowledge and recognize excellence in the world's travel and tourism industry. The Indian winners of the 15th World Travel Awards, voted by travel agents worldwide for the Asia category are :

• Asia's Leading Green Hotel - The Orchid Hotel

• Asia's Leading Hotel - The Imperial New Delhi

• Asia's Leading Meetings Hotel - Trident Hilton, Gurgaon

• Asia's Leading Resort - The Leela, Goa

• Asia's Leading Suite - Durbar Mahal Suite, The Raj Palace, Jaipur

The Indian winners of the 15th World Travel Awards, voted by travel agents worldwide in the India category

• India's Leading Boutique Hotel - Devi Resorts, Devi Garh

• India's Leading Business Hotel - The Leela Palace Kempinski Bangalore

• India's Leading Castle & Palace - Taj Lake Palace

• India's Leading Conference Hotel - Grand Hyatt Mumbai

• India's Leading Hotel - Trident Hilton, Gurgaon

• India's Leading New Business Hotel - Crowne Plaza Hotel Gurgaon

• India's Leading Resort - Kumarakom Lake Resort

• India's Leading Spa Resort - The Oberoi Wildflower Hall, India

• India's Leading Suite - Rajput Suite, The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai

Lazylagoon Sarovar Portico Suites opens
Lazylagoon Sarovar Portico Suites is situated in the heart of North Goa, a stones throw away from the famous beaches of Baga, Calangute and Anjuna. The hotel offers 39 well appointed guest rooms comprising of 13 Superior Rooms and 26 Suites all vibrant and colourful, offering a discerning traveler a refreshing haven. The rooms are equipped with Tea/coffee maker, Wi-fi connectiviy, Direct dialing, Private Bar, Electronic safety locker and Electronic Door Locks. The dining options in the hotel include Balcao, the coffee shop and multi-cuisine restaurant: Tavern, the Barbeque restaurant and bar and Ola, The Lounge Bar.

Hotel Bizzotel, Gurgaon opens
Located in the Heart of Gurgaon city Hotel Bizzotel offers 39 well appointed Deluxe rooms. Surrounded by the famous Gurgaon malls and corporate towers, the hotel is only 10 to 12 minutes away from Delhi's Domestic and international Airport. The hotel is very close to the premier Industrial hub and prominent residential colonies. The rooms are fitted with most modern luxury gadgets, like plasma televisions, soft mini bar fridge, high speed internet connectivity, a personal safe locker in each room, swimming pool, health club, steam and sauna bath, tea /coffee maker, money exchange facility. The pool side MNC club/ corporate club houses a multi cuisine restaurant.

WelcomHeritage adds one more property in Pushkar
ITC WelcomHeritage has taken over the operation of Gulaab Niwaas Palace, a luxury heritage hotel in the holy city of Pushkar. Situated near the Pushkar Lake and ancient Hindu temples, the heritage property consists of 40 rooms and suites. Each room is spacious and well furnished.

Hyatt Regency Kathmandu wins awards
Hyatt Regency Kathmandu won awards for being Nepal’s Leading Hotel as well as Nepal’s Leading Resort at the recent 15th World Travel Awards function, voted by travel agents worldwide in the Nepal category.

Sri Lankan winners of the 15th World Travel Awards
The winners in the Sri Lanka category of the 15th World Travel Awards are

• Sri Lanka's Leading Boutique Hotel - Galle Fort
• Sri Lanka's Leading Hotel - Hilton Colombo
• Sri Lanka's Leading Resort - Ayurveda Pavilions, Negombo
• Sri Lanka's Leading Spa Resort - Ayurveda Pavilions, Negombo

Hilton Colombo bags coveted awards
Hilton Colombo was recently singled out from over 500 hotels across the world to be awarded two of the most prestigious and coveted Hilton Brand Awards, the Asia Pacific Regional Hilton Brand Award Hotel of 2007 and the World-wide Hilton Brand Award Hotel of 2007. Hilton Colombo was the best hotel in Asia in the Balanced Scorecard category. The Balanced Scorecard measures a hotel’s performance in team member satisfaction, team member training, guest service feedback and Hilton International’s Hilton Honors loyalty members’ feedback. Not only did the Hilton Colombo achieve the most improved guest satisfaction scores for Asia in 2007 but also was the most improved hotel in the Asia Pacific region.

Mandara Resort opens in Weligama
Mandara Resort, which opened in Weligama, became the latest addition to Sri Lanka’s rich boutique type hotels. The Mandara Hotel management has invested Rs. 400 million to construct this 20-room hotel. Mandara Resort is perfectly located on one of the islands most beautiful beaches in Mirissa, in the deep south; a fishing enclave famous for its fresh seafood, tropical fruit and cinnamon plantations, just minutes away from the beautiful Weligama bay. Besides being surrounded by the sea, the hotel also offers its guests a swimming pool with magical fibre optic lighting. The hotel facing a panoramic view of the sea offers four rooms with plunge pools, 12 with Jacuzzis and four superior rooms. The spacious rooms have large television with Cable TV, and many other features.

One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives launches National Geographic Aquatic Discovery Dive Program
The One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives, has launched the National Geographic Aquatic Discovery Dive program. Guests will now be able to be involved in the resort’s environmental initiative to conserve existing corals and help spread the growth of corals in their natural environment of the lagoon and the house reef surrounding the resort. The diving experience begins with an overview from Oliver Deubel – Dive Centre Manager who will lead the group in collecting detached pieces of coral samples at nearby dive or snorkel sites for transplantation, followed by de-stressing the coral samples in an oral de-stress pool for approximately 24-hours after planting on the concrete base. After which the de-stressed corals will be moved to the coral table stations in selected areas of the lagoon. Pending the growth progress of the corals, guests will be able to replant the corals at the coral replant station (on the house reef) and glue it to the rock structure of the reef with underwater adhesive. Guests may then return on their next visit to monitor the growth and development of the corals they had planted. All instructors are qualified as National Geographic Diving Instructors and will lead the divers to observe and explore the dive sites like an underwater scientist.

• Indian Ocean's Leading Hotel - Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
• Indian Ocean's Leading Resort - Kurumba Maldives
• Indian Ocean's Leading Villa - Baros Residence, Baros

World Travel Award Winners in Maldives

• Maldives' Leading Resort - Kurumba Maldives
• Maldives' Leading Spa Resort - Kurumba Maldives
• Maldives' Leading Water Villas - Adaaran Prestige Water Villas Maldives
   

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Aviation News......

Domestic

BJets to offer fractional and block charters in India in the next two months
Tata Group backed business aviation company, BJets, is planning to offer fractional, as well as block charters for both corporates and individuals, in the next two months. The company, which has already received its first aircraft, is modifying it to suit Indian needs and is expecting delivery of three more aircraft in the next two weeks. BJets will also operate at a lower scale for the leisure segment by August this year. While based in Mumbai, BJets will work out of the GMR Hyderabad International Airport at Shamsabad and also offer business aviation services from Singapore.

Kingfisher Airlines reintroduces Varanasi Khajuraho flights
Effective 5th July, Kingfisher Airlines has reintroduced flights on the Varanasi-Khajuraho-Varanasi sector. Click here for the flight schedule...

Jet Airways launches direct flights from Pune to Hyderabad, Nagpur and Ahmedabad
Jet Airways has launched new direct services from Pune to Hyderabad, Nagpur and Ahmedabad, effective July 15 this year. The flight from Pune to Hyderabad and Ahmedabad will be a daily direct flight whereas flights between Pune and Nagpur will operate six days a week, except on Saturdays. Click here for the flight schedule...

Paramount Airways flies into Tiruchirapalli (Trichy)
Paramount Airways has recently introduced its flights to Tiruchirapalli in Tamil Nadu. The airline operates a daily return flight from Chennai departing 09.45 hrs and arriving at 10.20 hrs. The same flight will return to Chennai departing Tiruchirapalli at 10.45 hrs and arriving Chennai at 11.20 hrs. With the introduction of this flight, Paramount is fulfilling a long felt need for a convenient flight in the morning which would largely benefit business executives and discerning passengers from industry and trade.

International

Jet Airways honoured with awards at Changi airline awards
Jet Airways has been honoured with two awards at the annual Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) awards for the growth of its passenger and cargo carriage through Changi airport. The third annual Changi Airline Awards were held in Singapore on June 12. The award recognises airlines that have achieved the highest year-on-year growth in passengers and cargo, as well as airlines that have carried the most passengers and cargo through Singapore's Changi airport. Jet Airways received awards for being one of the ''Top 5 Airlines by Growth in Passenger Carriage'' and one of ''Top 5 Airlines by Growth in Cargo Carriage.'' As many as 78 airlines that operate 4,400 weekly scheduled flights at Changi Airport contested for the awards, a Jet release said.

Air India Express cancels its Goa-UAE flights
Air India Express has cancelled operations of its flights from UAE to Goa, a week after opening bookings for the same. According to a report in a Gulf daily, the low-cost subsidiary of Indian, catering mainly to Middle East countries, was scheduled to operate flights thrice a week to Goa from June 18. As per the report passengers who had booked tickets will either get a complete refund or will be provided alternative arrangements. One of the reasons cited by the report or the airline shelving its operations is load sustainability after the peak season. The peak season from June to December witnesses maximum passenger traffic on the route. But after that the question of the airline operating at full capacity arises, according to Air India Express authorities. Currently Indian operates direct flights to Goa twice a week.

Emirates spreads its Indian wings
Emirates has announced plans to advance its Indian operation with 18 additional flights per week starting 1 July 2008. The airline will step up its frequencies to New Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad. Emirates will introduce four additional weekly frequencies to New Delhi, one each on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, starting 2nd July. The enhanced capacity – 18 flights per week – will provide corporate travellers smooth connections to international business hubs such as New York, London, Frankfurt, and Paris via Dubai. Bangalore will be served with seven additional weekly frequencies – two of which will be introduced in July and the remaining five in October. Emirates will progressively increase its Hyderabad service to 18 flights a week by 1st October. The additional flights have been timed to provide the city’s business and leisure travellers with quick connections to onward points in Europe and North America. Click here for the flight schedule...

SriLankan Airlines woos Middle Eastern tourists by increasing flights to the region
SriLankan Airlines is closely supporting initiatives by the Government of Sri Lanka to spark a boom in Middle Eastern tourism to the country, by adding more weekly flights to the region. With this initiative, SriLankan Airlines will have 37 weekly connections to nine cities in the Middle East – Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Muscat, Dammam, Riyadh, Jeddah and Kuwait. Click here for the flight schedule...

Cathay Pacific increases flight frequency to India
Cathay Pacific started a direct flight service between Hong Kong and Chennai as part of its plan to increase flight frequency to India. Cathay Pacific had recently announced a total of 20 new flights from India to Hong Kong. The airline's wholly owned subsidiary Dragonair has commenced its India operations from July with daily flights to Bangalore. Cathay Pacific will operate four flights between Hong Kong and Chennai. The airlines increased the number of flights from Hong Kong to Delhi to 14 a week from four flights a week earlier. It also took the number of flights to Mumbai from Hong Kong to 10 from four flights per week. Click here for the flight schedule...

Qatar Airways to fly to Kozhikode
Qatar Airways has added Kozhikode in Kerala to its list of Indian destinations from June 15. The new daily flights will depart Doha at 11:10 p.m. local time and reach Kozhikode at 6 a.m. The return flight will take off from Kozhikode at 7am and land in Doha at 8:45am. Click here for the flight schedule...

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This Month's Recipe......

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Special Feature of the month......

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Newsletters from the past.....

June 2008, May 2008, April 2008, March 2008, February 2008, January 2008, November 2007, October 2007, August 2007, July 2007, June 2007, May 2007, March 2007, February 2007, January 2007, December 2006, November 2006, October 2006, September 2006, August 2006, June 2006, May 2006, April 2006, March 2006, February 2006, January 2006, November 2005, October 2005, September 2005.

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Contact Us......

Creative Travel Pvt. Ltd.
Creative Plaza, Nanakpura, Moti Bagh, New Delhi 110021. India.
Tel : 24679192, 26872257-58-59, 26114281     Fax : ++91-11-26885886 / 26889764     Email : creative@travel2india.com
USA Fax: +1-646-349-1614       EUROPE Fax : ++44-20-7681-1242      www.travel2india.com

24 Hours International Emergency Contact Number : +91 - 99 11 266 277
(prefix a "0" before the number if dialing from outside New Delhi but from within India)

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You may contact us or any of our regional sales team nearest to you.

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