This
is a formatted HTML email. If you receive it in a unreadable / garbled
form, please let us know.
To keep the message size low, some images are linked
to the internet and would show only when you are on-line.
If you would like to be removed
from this mailing, please see the removal instructions at the end of this
mail or email us.
This mailing is going out to individuals we have met over the years or
to people whose names have been
obtained from various lists provided to us by various trade shows. We
do not mean to be intrusive to anyone.
<< Newsletters from the past << June 2006
Welcome to another edition of "Creatively Yours", the newsletter from Creative Travel India.
Dear
Industry Colleagues :
Here is another issue of "Creatively yours'. India just had a great
cover story on the latest issue of Time Magazine. Makes us proud. A link
to that article is below.
Don't forget to take advantage of off season deals for your clients. Summer
is a great time to see
With summer
here and business going into its traditional off-season mode, we at Creative
would like to invite our international partners to come and visit this
magnificent destination. We would be delighted to offer you special privileges
and prices for familiarization trips to our region. Just ask.
We appreciate the support our partners all over the world have shown us.
It is with your partnership that Creative is where it is today. For those
of you with whom we have not had the pleasure of working with, all I can
say is try us and see the Creative magic for yourself.
Through "Creatively Yours"
we hope to keep you informed on the latest news in Team Creative and the
destination. We hope you find this to be useful.
Have a Creative Day !
Rajeev Kohli
Director of Marketing
Creative Travel India
Established in 1977, Creative Travel has grown to be among India's leading Destination Management Companies covering all of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Tibet. This region is a special place for travelers and our vast experience in handling clients from all over the world allows us to create the most memorable programs for you.
-
Creative News - Creative in the press.
-
Sri Lanka Situation Update - Sri Lanka has been in the news again......Read more.
-
India in the News - Read about India in the latest issue of Time magazine...
-
Special Offer from Creative Travel and Oberoi Hotels - Experience Exotic India with Oberoi resorts...
-
Special Offer from Creative Travel & Taj Hotels - Incredible Escapes with Taj hotels....
-
Client Comment of the Month - Find out what our Clients have to say about us in this section.
-
Destination News - Foreign tourist arrivals in India increases, Kerala Travel Mart to be held in September, Hollywood’s Mel Gibson and Colin Farrell in Mumbai.....all this and more Destination news.
-
Hotel News - Novotel Hyderabad opens, Le Meridien Kathmandu Gokarna Forest Golf Resort & Spa voted to Condé Nast, Heritance Ahungalle unveils in June, Radisson Water Garden Hotel Dhaka opens ....all this and more update on hotels.
-
Aviation News - Update on airlines....Jagson Airlines adds largest passenger helicopters to its fleet, Goa to become SriLankan Airlines’ 50th destination, India and New Zealand sign Air Services Agreement....and more.
-
Recipe of the Month - Pea Pulao.
Creative in the Press
Rajeev Kohli, Director of Marketing at Creative is also the Vice
President of the India Chapter of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA).
ASTA India recently invited top leadership from the US chapters to visit
India on a familiarisation trip.
Click here to read the news article on this.
Sri Lanka has been in the news again for a sudden escalation in the tensions between the Government and the Tamil Tiger rebel forces. There have been reports of recent bombings and civilian casualties followed by retaliations by the Sri Lankan armed forces. At this stage tourism into the island country is normal and there are no reasons for concerns. We are however closely monitoring the situation and shall keep our partners posted if the situation deteriorates in any form. At Creative, client safety always comes first and you can always be assured of this.
Time
Magazine - June 26, 2006
"India Inc. - Why the world's biggest democracy is the next great
economic superpower - and what that means for America"
Fueled by high octane growth, the world's largest democracy is becoming
a global power. Why the world will never be the same.
Read more.
Bombay's Boom
Brash, messy and sexy, India's biggest city embodies
the nation's ambition. How Bombay is shaping India's future - and our
own.
Read more.
My Lost World
On a return to his provincial hometown, the author
discovers how wealth is uprooting tradition and transforming India's way
of life.
Read more.
How To Ride The Elephant
Indian stocks have taken a tumble. But here's why the
country's long-term prospects remain bright - for Indians and investors.
Read more.
Newsweek - March 6, 2006
"The New India " - Special Report by Fareed Zakaria
Read more...
Special Offer from Creative Travel & Oberoi Hotels
Experience Exotic India with Oberoi resorts
This summer, enjoy a bonus of upto 7 extra nights, with our compliments!
At every Oberoi hotel and resort, you can experience
India in its true spirit of royal hospitality, palatial comfort, grand
architecture and elegant style. Create your own exotic itinerary between
Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Ranthambhore or Shimla in the Himalayas. Get pampered
with the glorious cuisine of India while our spas revitalise you with
Ayurvedic massages and Yoga sessions.
Agents booking this package through Creative Travel can get special commission.
For more details click here or email us.
Special Offer from Creative Travel & Taj Hotels
Incredible
Escapes with Taj Hotels
May - September 2006
Stay for 6 nights, pay for 3.....Stay
for 10 nights, pay for 5......Stay for 14 nights, pay for 7......&
more....
Taj Hotels has launched a special deal for
the traveler who wants to stay in some of their unique properties, but
is on a budget.
Participating
hotels (any combination and in run of
the house rooms): Taj Palace Hotel
New Delhi, The Ambassador Hotel Delhi, Taj President Mumbai, Taj
Connemara Chennai, Jai Mahal Palace Jaipur, Taj Hari Mahal Jodhpur,
Usha Kiran Palace Gwalior, Taj View Agra, Taj Ganges
Varanasi, Hotel Chandela
Khajuraho, Rawal Kot Jaisalmer, Taj Residency Aurangabad, Taj Malabar
Cochin, Taj Residency Ernakulam, TGR Kumarakom, TGR Thekkady, TGR
Varkala, Taj Green Cove Resort Kovalam, TGR Chikmagalur, Fisherman's Cove,
TGR Madurai, TGR Coonoor, Hotel Savoy Ooty, Taj Exotica Goa, Taj Holiday
Village Goa, Fort Aguada Beach Resort Goa,
Taj Residency Lucknow and Taj Residency Calicut.
For more details
click here or email us.
Mr. Ram Kohli
Chairman
CreativeTravel Pvt. Ltd.
Dear Sir and Madam,
I am just writing to express our satisfaction with the tour organized by Creative Travel on behalf of Wexas. Everything about the tour was excellent. Read more...
Foreign
tourist arrivals in India increase over 14% in April 2006
Foreign tourist arrivals in the
country in April 2006 have registered an increase of 14.4 per cent. Total
arrival of tourists during the month was 16,05,773, while in last April,
it was 14,03,234. Foreign exchange earnings, in rupees term, also recorded
the growth of 16.3 per cent during the month with an amount Rs 9919.81
crore.
Goa Airport set for makeover
Goa’s Dabolim airport will soon have a bigger apron and a new International
terminal building as the Navy has agreed to provide 9 acres of land for
this. This will meet the demands of all the carriers flying to Goa. After
this more scheduled flights from Airlines like Air Arabia, Emirates, Condor
and Virgin may become a reality.
Kerala
Travel Mart to be held in September
The fourth edition of the Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) will be held from 28th
to 30th September this year. The main objective of the event is to become
a mechanism for an effective and continuous private-public partnership
to facilitate the promotion of tourism in the state. The event is an ideal
platform for sellers (like Hotels, Resorts, Houseboats, Ayurvedic Treatment
Centres, Tour Operators, Adventure Tours, Speciality Hospitals, etc) and
buyers (like Tour Operators, Travel Media and the like from India and
abroad).
Houseboat cruises debut in Maharashtra
The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) will have its own
80 feet long plush houseboats, starting October this year. MTDC will introduce
two standard houseboats and one luxury houseboat at Tarkarli-Nerur Par
and Aronda Creek, which are the selected routes for the houseboats. These
houseboats are made entirely of wood and fibre, making them eco-friendly
and lifeguards will be onboard to ensure safety. A small boat is attached
with the houseboats for those who would like to explore places further
from the houseboats. The luxury boats would comprise two bedroom accommodations
with sun deck facility and a restaurant onboard, while the standard houseboats
would not include the sun deck facility.
Hollywood’s Mel Gibson and Colin Farrell
to shoot in Mumbai
Hollywood’s top stars Mel Gibson and Colin Farrell will be in Mumbai to
shoot for “Tree of Life”. They will shoot in Mumbai for the last leg of
the film, which constitutes about 15% of the film.
After
12 years, blue dawn beckons
The Neela Kurinji blooms every 12 years at 5,000 feet and above covering
hillsides with its blue flowers. But as the year rolls towards the second
half of 2006, lovers of the plant are again counting the days. The last
time the flower bloomed was in 1994. The next flowering is in the year
2018. Stretch of grasslands between Kodaikanal and Munnar will turn velvet
blue by August. The flowers picturesquely carpet the entire hillsides
with its mauve blossoms. Nearly 500,000 visitors are expected to visit
the area for the blooming.
Luxury Cruise Amadea makes historic call at Trincomalee Port
The luxury cruise liner Amadea recently called at the Port
of Trincomalee creating history as the first cruise vessel to call at
this port after the Trincomalee port had been nationalized in 1967. The
vessel arrived with 444 European passengser and 280 crew members.
India
Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces – Renovations 2006
To see the schedule
for the renovation / refurbishment at Taj Hotels, click
here...
Novotel Hyderabad opens
Novotel Hyderabad is strategically located in HITEC city, just 20 minutes
drive from the airport, or 15 minutes from the central shopping district.
The hotel is set in 15 hectares of landscaped grounds, overlooking a lake
and features 287 rooms, 2 restaurants, a bar, swimming pool and health
club. The main restaurant precinct is within easy walking distance, as
are the IIIT (Indian Institute of Information Technology), ISB (School
of Business) and regional headquarters for major software companies.
New Aditions at
WelcomHeritage
Hospitality major ITC group has added four new properties in this category
to raise its presence across the country to 43. The new properties are
Kikar Lodge near Anandpur Sahib in Punjab, Narmada Jackson at Jabalpur
in Madhya Pradesh, Tea Houses in Jorhat in Assam and the Denzong Resort
in Sikkim.
- Kikar Lodge, a two hour drive from Chandigarh, offers 1,800 acres of forests, a spa and 20 suites and deluxe cottages with exteriors that look like mud huts with thatched roofs.
- Narmada Jackson, built in the 19th century during the British colonial era, offers 66 centrally air-conditioned rooms with Internet connectivity and a business centre.
- Jorhat's Tea Houses are actually a cluster of three structures called "Burra Sahib's Bungalows" built 125 years back for the then British owners of the tea estates on which they stand. With well-manicured laws and flowering trees, these spacious bungalows are splendid basis to explore the treasures of the region and learn more about the making of the famous teas of Assam.
- The Denzong Resort, located opposite the Raj Bhavan or governor's residence in Gangtok, offers some of the finest views of the Sikkim capital, the pristine splendour of undulating hills and a magnificent view of the towering mount Kanchenjunga in the background.
Nepal
Le
Meridien Kathmandu Gokarna Forest Golf Resort & Spa voted to Condé
Nast Traveler’s Hot List 2006
Le Meridien Kathmandu Gokarna Forest Golf Resort & Spa has been voted
to Condé Nast Traveler’s prestigious HOT List 2006. In the most recent
Condé Nast Traveler’s HOT List survey, the magazine’s global network of
editors and field reporters reviewed the newest hotels that opened in
the past year incognito, and came up with the HOT list consisting of 130
top new hotels around the world spanning 54 countries on 6 continents.
The recently opened Le Meridien Kathmandu Gokarna Forest Golf Resort &
Spa is just 30 minutes from the city centre of Kathmandu, capital of Nepal.
It is ideally located in the 470 acre Gokarna Forest which was once the
private hunting grounds of the Nepalese kings. The hotel offers 55 luxurious
rooms, suites and cottages with all rooms overlooking the lush green Gokarna
forest with the magnificent backdrop of the Himalayas. All rooms are furnished
in ethnic Nepali style and modern amenities. The hotel also offers 3 restaurants
and bars, Harmony Spa and an 18-hole golf course.
Sri Lanka
Heritance Ahungalle unveils
in June
Starting June, Triton Ahungalle will be officially launched as a five-star
hotel after a 12 million dollar refurbishment programme. The completed
architectural and interior makeover, incorporates a complete redesign
of the resort as well as the guest bedrooms and suites, all carefully
implemented to ensure that the luxurious new surroundings are complementary
to newly – christened Heritance Ahungalla’s unique atmosphere and environment.
The refurbished guest rooms at Heritance Ahungalla reflect a contemporary
design while maintaining an image of elegance and sophistication with
clean modern lines.
Manor House now a Luxury Boutique Hotel
The management of Hill country house has converted the 1884 built Hill
Country House to ‘Manor House’ an exclusive small luxury boutique in Katugastota,
Kandy. This traditionally and centrally located old stately house with
a mixture of British and Dutch architecture offers 10 elegant rooms, 4
exquisite suites showcasing the traditional Sri Lankan luxuries in a tranquil
setting. The hotel offers a ayurvedic beauty parlour, internet at each
room, outdoor barbeque, billiard room, satellite TV in each room, library
and gallery gift shop and a business center.
Taj Hotels plans makeover in Sri Lanka
Taj Hotels and Resorts is planning a makeover in Sri Lanka. In the next
three years, the hospitality major will add 500 rooms to its hotels in
Sri Lanka and will open another one in Kandy.
Veer Vijay Singh, area director, Sri Lanka and general manager, Taj
Samundra, said, "We are going to invest $8m in Taj Samundra in
phases. In the first phase, 180 rooms were done with an investment of
$2m. In the second phase, we will open another 50 rooms in the hotel,"
he said. The hotel management will renovate the kitchens, coffee shop
and health club. A new discotheque will also be opened in the hotel. The
second phase will be over by October this year with an investment of $5m.
In the final phase which commences next year, the lobby will be renovated
and a new lounge bar will also be opened.
Taj Airport Garden, which
is near the airport, will also be renovated with an investment $10m and
addition of 100 rooms. The group is also looking at building a hotel in
Kandy with an investment of $10-15m. This premium segment resort will
have around 150 rooms.
Update on Bentota Beach Hotel and The Lodge
Habarana
- Bentota Beach Hotel,
consequent to a decision taken by The Management will not be closed
for refurbishment in Summer 2006, as originally planned. The refurbishment
of Bentota Beach Hotel, has now been re-scheduled for Summer 2007.
- The Lodge Habarana will be refurbished as planned, and on completion (Estimated Dec 2006) will be re-named "Cinnamon Lodge Habarana" The hotel, on completion of the renovation, will have 72 Superior rooms, 40 Deluxe rooms and 6 suites. 30 of the standard rooms will be upgraded to deluxe category in Summer 2007.
Bangladesh
Radisson
Water Garden Hotel Dhaka opens
The Radisson Water Garden Hotel Dhaka was officially inaugurated by Begum
Khalida Zia, Honorable Prime Minister, Government of People’s Republic
of Bangladesh. Located adjacent to the diplomatic enclave and upcoming
blue chip commercial hub, the hotel is just five kilometres from Zia International
Airport. The 206-room hotel is situated on more than seven acres of beautifully
landscaped gardens and features a modern interior design and architecture,
an outdoor tennis court, world-class health spa, well-equipped fitness
centre, jogging track, swimming pool, and access to a nearby golf course.
Radisson Water Garden Hotel Dhaka offers 30,000 square feet of function
space, including the Grand Ballroom, which at 9,900 square feet can accommodate
more than 1,180 guests theatre style.
Domestic
Jagson Airlines adds largest passenger helicopters
to its fleet
Jagson Airlines announced addition of two 26-seater helicopters MI-172
to its fleet, at an estimated value of more than $10 million. Built by
Kazan Helicopters, MI-172s are the world’s largest commercial passenger
helicopters. The purchase of these two helicopters marks a significant
step towards expanding operations in regions such as Jammu & Kashmir,
Himachal Pradesh and the North East.
Abacus signs India's Kingfisher Airlines
One of India’s fastest growing airlines Kingfisher Airlines has signed
up to join Abacus. Kingfisher Airlines is a full service airline in India
which carried more than a million guests in a short span of ten months
of operations. Kingfisher Airlines will be available on Abacus systems
by August this year.
Jet Airways Launches Kiosk Check-in
Jet Airways introduces yet another first in the Indian aviation history
“Kiosk Check-in service.” With the new-age Kiosks, you can print Boarding
Pass at the touch of a screen. To use this facility, one can be a frequent
flyer or a first-time flyer, and should be travelling with an e-ticket
and just hand baggage. Kiosk Check-in will be available from 1st June
onwards, at Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore airports.
Sri
Lanka
Goa to become SriLankan Airlines’ 50th destination
The famed Indian coastal resort town of Goa is to become SriLankan Airlines’
50th global destination, and the 10th in India, with the airline planning
to launch services from Colombo in November. The twice-weekly flights,
which will be of two hours’ duration, are scheduled for Mondays and Saturdays.
International
India and New Zealand sign Air Services Agreement
India and New Zealand signed an air services agreement to allow new airlines
to operate daily flights to India. This will allow airlines from New Zealand
to operate 7 flights per week to Bombay via Australia or Singapore. India
can operate services to Auckland. Both country’s airlines can also enter
into code share agreements with other airlines.
Virgin Atlantic offers Indian travellers a suite in the skies
In keeping with its tradition as the industry innovator,
Virgin Atlantic has introduced its revolutionary product on its daily
flights on the Mumbai-London-Mumbai and Delhi-London-Delhi routes. The
Upper Class suite offers the largest fully-flat business class bed in
the industry. The Upper Class suite offers a comfortable reclining leather
seat for take-off and coverts into a full-flat bed with a proper mattress
for sleeping at the touch of a button. This is all in addition to the
existing features of Virgin Atlantic's upper class, which includes an
onboard bar, a relaxing massage at 35,000 feet and a chauffer-driver pick-up
and drop service for easy travel to and from the airport.
Turkish Airlines starting flights
Turkish Airlines has started thrice weekly flights
from Mumbai to Istanbul from May 6. The flights depart Mumbai at 04.45
and arrive in Istanbul at 08.45. It already flies four times a week from
Delhi.
Alaska Airlines scouts for partners in India
US- based Alaska Airlines is in talks with Indian carriers for partnership
in providing travel benefits to passenges in both countries and to guage
how they can connect with the airline in providing passengers domestic
connectivity in each other’s countries.
Pulao and Biryani are most common fried rice dishes found throughout India. Pea Pulao is an eternal favorite. It is simple yet tasty. It goes well with non-vegetarian and vegetarian curries. Basmati rice is a fragrant variety of long grained, high quality rice. Usually Basmati rice is used to prepare Biryanis and Pulaos.
| Ingredients: |
Method:
Heat 2 tablespoon of margarine or vegetable oil and fry the onion
until brown. Remove and set aside for garnishing. Heat remaining 3 tablespoon
of margarine or vegetable oil and fry the cloves, cardamoms, cinnamon,
and bay leaf for a minute or two. Add rice, fry for 2 or 3 minutes, add
peas and fry for one more minute. Heat water to boiling point. Add salt
and rice peas mixture. Stir well. Cover and steam until done.
Serve garnished with browned onion. Tastes good with plain yogurt and
sweet and sour mango chutney. This is a whole meal by itself.
Newsletters from the past:
May
2006, April
2006,
March 2006,
February 2006,
January 2006,
November 2005,
October 2005,
September 2005.
Contact:
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