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<< Newsletters from the past 

<< May 2007



Welcome to another edition of "Creatively Yours", the newsletter from Creative Travel India  

Dear Industry Colleagues :

The last few weeks have been great for us at Team Creative !!!

At this years annual award ceremony (actually the second time it is taking place) at India's largest travel industry show SATTE (
South Asian Travel & Tourism Exchange), Creative Travel was honored with the distinction of being named as "India's Most Professional MICE Tour Operator". This award holds special significance as it was based on an industry poll of India's top hoteliers. Having won a SATTE award for the second time just makes us proud of the respect we have with the India travel fraternity.

Our chairman Ram Kohli was also honoured as an "Ambassador of Indian Tourism" for his years of services to the destination.

Do see the news piece on the weakening US Dollar as that will affect all pricing out of India. Some articles are linked that will give you an understanding on what is happening.

We at Creative Travel and our specialist brands - "Signature Tours" , the luxury travel specialist and "Plan it!", the finest conference management team in India are proud to offer the best of India and her neighbouring countries to the discerning traveler. With a 29 year award winning history behind us, we look forward to the opportunity of showing you what true destination management is all about.

To read more about us, you can download a copy of our company profile at - http://www.travel2india.com/who-we-are.htm

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.

 
In this Edition...
  • Creative News - Creative Travel named "India's Most Professional MICE Tour Operator".
  • Special Offer from Creative Travel & Taj Hotels
  • Summer Sale from Creative Travel
  • Client Comment of the Month - Find out what our Clients have to say about us in this section.
  • Destination News - Indian Rupee touches 9-year high against dollar, The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda, Ranthambhore National Park closure, Change in Elephant Ride timings at Amber Fort, Special Discounted Royalty Fee for Peaks in Pakistan....all this and more Destination news. 
  • Hotel News - New renovated Club Rooms at Taj Palace, Lemon Tree diversifies into Leisure resort business, Newly refurbished Wing of Galle Face Hotel opens, Westin Dhaka opens....all this and more update on hotels.
  • Aviation News - Update on airlines....Air Deccan bags best low fare airlines award, Kingfisher Airlines starts Lakshadweep service, Indian introduces daily Mumbai-Muscat flight.....and more.
  • Recipe of the month - Goan Prawn / Shrimp Curry.
  • Special Feature of the month - Jagannath Rath Yatra.

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Creative News
 
Creative Travel named "India's Most Professional MICE Tour Operator"

Continuing with its tradition of recognizing stellar performances and path breaking initiatives of players across various segments of the travel and tourism business, the 14th edition of SATTE, in partnership with Samsung, applauded some of the industry's noted names. While a majority of the awards were annual in nature, with performances of the past 12 months considered the key parameter, some special awards were also given away for long-term contributions.

 
SATTE conducted INDUSTRY POLLS, a cross-industry poll across different segments. Each segment voted for the other. More than 300 CEOs of the travel and tourism industry exercised their preference in selecting top performers and drivers of the industry. Hoteliers were asked to poll for the best tour operator and top inbound tour operators were asked to express their preference for the most professional hotelier, the best domestic destination and the best products. Similarly, outbound operators had to choose the best international destination and airlines judged top agents with NTOs identifying the best outbound tour operator. In each segment, respondents were asked to give three choices: Most preferred, second nominee and third nominee. Interviewees had to send in their opinion by April 2. However, considering requests by industry stalwarts, the closing date of the poll was extended by another week. 

Based on the opinion poll, SATTE awarded hotels, tour operators, domestic and international destinations, domestic and international airlines. The award for top business, heritage and beach hotel were clinched by Leela Palace, Bangalore; Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur and The Leela Goa respectively. The heritage hotel category award witnessed a lot of repositioning during the entire poll period. Till the first phase of poll, it was Samode Palace which was heading for the top position. However, after the extension of poll date, Umaid Bhawan Palace emerged the winner with 121 points pushing Samode Palace to the second spot with 102 points.

Kerala maintained its supremacy from the beginning, ultimately bagging the top domestic destination award with 212 points, leaving the second position for Goa with 174 points. In the top international destination category, Singapore with 105 points remained far ahead of the second spot that went to Malaysia with 67 points.

In the aviation sector, there was a neck-and-neck fight between Jet Airways and Kinghfisher Airlines for the top spot in domestic airlines. However, Jet Airways, with 200 points, piped Kingfisher Airlines (199 points) to the post, with a single point separating the two. For the most dependable airline award, it was the good old Indian Airlines. In the of top international airline category, Emirates with 129 points beat Singapore Airlines in the final round by a margin of 23 points. During the first phase of poll, which was to be closed on April 2, Singapore Airlines had emerged the winner. However, in the extended period, Emirates Airline surged ahead.

In the tour operator's category, the top honours in the MICE, business travel, leisure and

outbound segments went to Creative Travel, Carlson Wagonlit Travels, Le Passage to India and SOTC respectively, while HRG Sita bagged the best travel agent award. Kumarakom Lake Resort and Amanbagh together were awarded in the best new product category. Other aspirants in this category included recently opened Radisson Kumarakom, Ista Bangalore, Casino Group's Swaswara, Baghvan, among others.

Click here to read the article published in Economic Times...
 





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Creative Travel becomes a charter member of ABC Events
ABCevents.com has been developed by specialists from the tourism sector together with corporate and agency meeting planners and travel managers. Today managed by Alchemy Sales & Marketing Solutions with active collaborators around the world, ABCevents goal is to help meeting planners in their event planning and organizational process by providing them with the information they need. Creative Travel is proud to be a partner of this new initiative.

 
 

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Summer Sale from Creative Travel
 

Enjoy India...

At a special promotion rate of US $ 72 per person per day...

Stay at five star hotels...


We want to share some advantages of the low season rates for you to sell India to your clients. For details click here or email us.


*Offer valid from 15th May - 31st August, 2007 only.
 

 

 

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Special Offer from Creative Travel & Taj Hotels
 
May - September 2007

Taj Hotels has launched a special deal for the traveler who wants to stay in some of their unique properties. There are 3 options for the guests :

1) Flexible Itineraries
- Incredible Royal Escapes 8 night offer - using a minimum of 2 nights  at either The Taj Mahal Delhi or Taj Mahal Palace & Towers, Mumbai, and the balance totaling upto 6 nights in any of the 3 Grand Palaces in, Jaipur,  Udaipur or Jodhpur.  Guests can extend their stay at any of the hotels as per the Individual per night Hotel offers given.

2) Fixed itineraries - There are 2 itineraries for the guests to choose from - Incredible Golden Triangle and Incredible Dream Escapes . The minimum number of nights indicated in each of the itineraries is mandatory, however guests can extend their stay at any of the hotels as per the Individual per night Hotel offers given.

3) Individual Hotel offers - These are per night rates at various hotels and the minimum length of stay is 1 night. So guests can make their own itinerary.

For details click here or email us.
 

 

 

 

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Client Comment of the Month

We at Creative track client 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 :

From - Francoise Montenay
 
To - Creative Travel


Dear Mr. Singh,

Thank you very much for your personal involvement to make the CEW travel successful. 34 women must not be so easy to satisfy specifically when their budget and schedule are tight. Click here to read more...

From - Marjorie Mounsey

To - Creative Travel


Hello Krishan,

I wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed the trip to India. We both thought creative travel did a marvellous job for us, attention to detail and your efficency was second to none. Click here to read more...

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Destination News
 
Indian Rupee touches 9-year high against dollar



The rupee breached a nine-year high of Rs 40.53 a dollar on Monday before a closing at a lower level of Rs 40.87. RBI fixed its reference rate on Monday at Rs 40.57 per dollar, which is the highest level since May 1998. This is bound to affect pricing of all Indian agents after having enjoyed years of a strong Dollar. The Weakening Dollar is an issue of concern and we will need to keep an eye on this for all matters of pricing.  Click here to read more...

Click the below links to read more :
The Times of India : Rupee breaches 41/dollar
The Economic Times : Re rides past 41 to new 9-year peak
 
The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda
Welcome onboard luxury cruiser The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda, the only way to experience “God’s own country” Kerala in complete grandeur and style. As the cruise meanders through canals and lakes, unwind and rejuvenate in the peace and tranquillity of this photographer’s heaven. Experience a way of life unique to this region with this vessel’s expert sightseeing guides. Absorb the rich tradition of Kerala while classical dancers in beautiful costumes provide enchanting performances on board.  Click here to read more....
 
 

 
Hotel plots go abegging
Despite the huge shortfall of hotel rooms in the NCR, progress is slow as developers find that the reserve price in the auctions are unusually high. Click here to read more...




 
 


Ranthambhore National Park closure

Ranthambhore National Park authorities announced that an animal census will be held in Ranthambhore National Park from 02 - 18 May 2007. The park will be completely shut for tourists on the 2nd and 3rd May 2007. Hence there will be no jungle drives on these dates. From the 4th May till 18th May 2007, no jungle drives will be conducted in the morning session. However, the afternoon drives will remain operational as normal. It normally starts at 1530 hrs during summer period. The process of counting will be based on identification of pugmarks and physical sighting around the water holes.
 
Change in Elephant Ride timings at Amber Fort
The Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan, Jaipur has announced a change in the elephant ride timings at Amber Fort due to excessive heat. The procedure is that 2 people ride on one elephant, which does a maximum of 04 rounds in a day. The new elephant ride timings are as follows :
  • 03 Rounds of each elephant from 07.00 am to 09.45 am
  • 01 Round of each elephant from 04.00 pm to 06.00 pm.
  • The timings of the Amber Fort are 8.00 am to 6.00 pm till further notice.
 


Incredible India' banner hoisted on South Pole

The 'Incredible India' campaign of Union Tourism Ministry hit another milestone after an adventurist skied all the way to South Pole, hoisted the tricolour and put up the campaign banner over there. Ajeet Bajaj, had earlier skied to North and became first Indian to ski to both poles after this latest expedition that concluded in February. Speaking to reporters with Bajaj alongside, Minister of Tourism Ambika Soni said "It is a proud moment for our Incredible India campaign, which showed how far we can go in terms of adventure tourism."
 
India’s Kerala Houseboat industry preparing to tap MICE tourism on backwaters
Attracting tourists from around the world as a floating beauty, the famous Kerala houseboats "Kettuvallam" are now becoming a leisure tourism product, captivating big corporate houses and business centers. With a growing number of business companies preferring to conduct high-level meetings on "Kettuvallams", the Houseboat experts are anticipating a boom in the Houseboat industry and thus promoting MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) tourism here.
 

 
Matheran set to attract more tourists with revival of toy train
The narrow gauge toy train service from Neral to Matheran in Maharashtra, which resumed in March after eight months, is expected to boost the tourist inflow to the hill station. Locals feel that with the resumption of this train service, the number of tourists visiting here as well as other commercial activities will increase. Foreign tourists come here in large number regularly and the toy train is the main attraction for them. The tracks of this heritage toy train were damaged and washed away at many places in the heavy downpour last year. The two-hour journey on the train actually takes only half an hour by road. Yet, it is the romance of the train ride one eternally fancies and cherishes.
 


Top cruise liners call at Kochi port
Kochi has now become a major hub for cruise liners. Last month Queen Mary 11 arrived at Kochi in the second week of March carrying 2500 passengers onboard. The visit by the world’s largest luxury cruise ship Queen Mary II was soon followed by two more cruise liners - Queen Elizabeth II and Radisson Voyager, which dropped anchor in the last week of March at Kochi. Kochi recently has become the only port in India where luxury liners are making a visit, and port of call by Queen Mary 11 at Kochi was the only one in India. The passengers of these ships were given a traditional Kerala welcome including caparisoned elephants and Panchavadyam, the traditional orchestra.

Nepal
 
Increase in Visitor Arrival
Visitors arriving by air route to Nepal during March 2007 witnessed another encouraging upsurge with 33.5% growth registered during the month compared to the last March. A total of 34,122 international visitors entered Nepal last month. This was stated in the figures provided by Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport, Nepal. The growth in arrivals is contributed by the improved air connectivity in the region on one hand and the growing confidence among the international trade and consumer towards the new era of peace and stability in Nepal on the other. This very encouraging rise in long haul markets especially from US and Europe attests this renewed interest in Nepal as a unique holiday destination..
 


Bhutan

Off season months in Bhutan changed
Bhutan's Department of Tourism (formerly TAB) has changed the dates for off season and peak season travel in the Kingdom. Beginning February 2007, only the months of July and August will be off season with reduced rates. The rest of the year will be considered peak season with regular rates.

Pakistan

Special Discounted Royalty Fee for Peaks in Pakistan
There will be a discounted royalty fee for peaks in Pakistan during the year 2007. The royalty fees are as under :
  • There will be a zero Royalty Fee for peaks up to 6500M
  • 10% Royalty Fee on mountains situated in Chitral, Gilgit, and Ghizer except on Spantik / Golden peak
  • 5% Royalty Fee on all peaks during winter season (December - February)
  • 50% Discount on Royalty Fee will continue during the year 2007 on all peaks except those mentioned above.

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Hotel News


India

New renovated Club Rooms at Taj Palace

Taj Palace, New Delhi has recently renovated its rooms. The new Club Rooms are elegantly styled with a contemporary mood. The Club Rooms feature king size beds, a personal bar, comfortable lounge seating and a generous work desk. They also feature the latest technology for internet and telecommunications and are equipped with widescreen LCD TV, DVD player, digital safe,
intelligent lighting controls, and tea/coffee maker. The Club Room’s main space flows seamlessly in to a generous 4-fixture bathroom, complete with soak tub and rainshower.

 

Fortune Chariot Beach Resort opens at Mahabalipuram
ITC’s wholly-owned chain Fortune Park Hotels, recently announced the opening of its property, the ‘Fortune Chariot Beach Resort’ at Mahabalipuram. The hotel is located 45 kms from the airport & 55 kms from the railway station. The resort offers a range of accommodation ranging from the standard room to fortune cottages, sea view cottages & sea view suites. All rooms have modern amenities like Wi Fi connectivity, Satellite television, Data port, Hair dryer, Iron and ironing board. The hotel offers delectable south Indian cuisine as well as Zodiac, the 24 hour Astral coffee shop. The Health & bar will be opening shortly.
 


The Park launches 80 room hotel in Navi Mumbai

The Park has opened its 80 room boutique hotel in Navi Mumbai. The Park, Navi Mumbai is only one hour drive from the domestic airport and is located in CBD Belapur with stunning views of hills and lush green foliage. The hotel provides a contemporary and elegant setting for both business and pleasure. The interiors mix traditional Indian patterns and textures with clean lines and modern shapes, bringing together East and West and fusing technology with local crafts. The hotel houses Zest, vibrant all hours restaurant which enjoys the views of the terrace through full height glass windows. Aqua poolside restaurant and Dusk, the stylist, elegant and classical moody space are the other restaurants.

Fortune Select Palms opens at Chennai
With the opening of Fortune Select Palms, Chennai, Fortune Hotels has strengthened its position in the Southern state of India. The hotel is 17 kms from the airport and 14 kms from the railway station. The hotel offers 129 well appointed rooms which include Standard rooms, Fortune Club rooms & Suites. All the rooms boast of a contemporary décor with modern amenities. The hotel also has the Zodiac – the 24 hrs Astral Coffee Shop and a Chinese Restaurant - Oriental Pavilion.
 

India's First Wine Resort & Spa opens
Indage Hotels, the hospitality division of Chateau Indage, has opened India's first wine resort and spa, Tiger Hills Resort, near Pandav Caves in Nasik which will be fully operational this month. The resort, the first of its kind in the country, is attached to the Tiger Hills winery and will have a restaurant, lounge and spa. The Tiger Hills Resort is a boutique property with just 20 rooms.


 

 

 
Lemon Tree diversifies into Leisure resort business
Business hotel chain Lemon Tree Hotels has diversified into the leisure segment with the launch of its first leisure resort at Candolim beach in North Goa. With this, the hotel hopes to cater to the 'up-segment' corporate clients. The resort stretches from the main road right up to the beach front. Designed to evoke the poetry and romance of 15th century Portugal, it is visually stunning - with medieval oil paintings, artifacts, tile work and stained glass set amidst a lush green environment and calm water bodies. The resort offers guests a choice of 60 beautiful rooms and suites, built along arched loggias, Spanish fountains and palm dotted walkways. All ground floor rooms provide access to a compact private garden. The six heritage rooms and suite, housed in a century old Portuguese mansion, have been restored to their original glory and appointed with all modern amenities. Designed for rest and relaxation, all rooms have large window spaces with cozy seats, adding to the old world charm of the resort.
 

 
Fortune Inn Riviera opens at Jammu
Located on the banks of river Tawi, the hotel is a cozy retreat in serene Jammu. The hotel has 29 well appointed rooms. 4 Deluxe suites, 4 suites and 21 Standard rooms with all modern amenities - Air conditioned, Wi Fi connectivity, LCD television, in-room tea/coffee maker, Minibar, hair dryer and electronic digital safe etc. The hotel offers north Indian cuisine prepared with earthen oven. The other choices include the Orchid-24hrs Multi-cuisine Restaurant, Earthen Oven- An authentic North Indian Restaurant, Open air restaurant (for bar-be-que)
 
 


Sri Lanka
 
Newly refurbished Wing of Galle Face Hotel opens
Step into the newly refurbished Southern Wing of Galle Face Hotel - The Regency and immediately you will experience how modern day luxuries have been tastefully incorporated into the Victorian design and architecture of years gone by. A carefully planned and meticulously completed renovation project was carried out. 82 rooms consisting of a multitude of suites cater to both business and leisure travelers with a perfect combination of the ambience of the past and the superior facilities and comforts of today. Guests can look forward to theme rooms and suites, fantastic specialty restaurants, a plush shopping arcade - Piazza, a museum, an exclusive life-enhancing spa and many more attractions located in the new wing.
 


Bangladesh

 

Westin Dhaka opens
Westin Dhaka is now opened and is accepting reservations for arrival on or after June 1, 2007. Uniquely designed and comfortably appointed, The Westin Dhaka is a new five-star hotel, conveniently located within the prime diplomatic and commercial zone of Gulshan. The embassies, high commissions, multinationals offices, and shopping malls are within easy walking distance. All 235 beautiful guest rooms, including 23 suites and a Presidential Suite, feature the world-renowned Westin Heavenly Bed® in addition to state-of-the-art workstations with telephones, four-fixture bathrooms, High Speed Internet Access, and plasma TV with satellite channels. The Executive Club floor offers the grandeur of Westin service standards with complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails.        
 

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Aviation News


Domestic

Air Deccan bags best low fare airlines award
Air Deccan, India’s second largest airline has won the Excellence Award for the Best Low Fare Airline in India for the year 2006 instituted by the Air Passenger Association of India (APAI).  Air Deccan, which commands a market share of 21.6 percent, has the largest network in India, currently covering 64 airports and plying over 350 flights a day.

GoAir eyes tourist season in Kashmir, to operate more flights
With an eye on the coming tourist season in the Kashmir valley, GoAir announced a new summer schedule introducing daily flights between Srinagar and Mumbai via Delhi. A company spokesman said GoAir was so far the only airline that had direct flights from Mumbai to Srinagar thrice a week. Giving the new schedule, he said there would be three weekly direct flights from Mumbai to Srinagar, 18 weekly flights between Mumbai-Srinagar-Mumbai, 12 weekly Delhi-Srinagar-Delhi, nine weekly flights connecting Jammu and Srinagar and in all 12 connections from Mumbai to Srinagar and Jammu via Delhi. Click here for the flight schedule.

Kingfisher Airlines starts Lakshadweep service
Kingfisher Airlines has launched flights to Lakshadweep from March 3, the first private carrier to do so. The Bangalore – Cochin - Agatti flight will operate three times a week using a 42 seater aircraft. Click here for the flight schedule.

Air Deccan now flies to the “Queen of the Hills” - Shimla
Air Deccan has commenced direct flight from Delhi to Shimla and back. An ATR 42-500 (48 seater) aircraft has been deployed to serve this route. Shimla, built over several hills and connecting ridges is aptly called the “Queen of the Hills”. The city thrives on tourism and enjoys a close economic link with Delhi. Air Deccan’s flight between Delhi and Shimla will facilitate scores of travelers and tourists. Air Deccan already provides air connectivity to the immensely popular tourist belt of Himachal Pradesh with regular flights from Kullu to Delhi and Dharamshala to Delhi and Pathankot. Click here for flight schedule...

Kingfisher gets onboard satellite TV by Abu Dhabi-based Gamco
Kingfisher Airlines Airbus A320 aircraft are getting fitted with advanced onboard satellite television systems by the Abu Dhabi-based Gulf Aircraft Maintenance Company (Gamco). Currently, Gamco is about to complete the first batch of installation of the airline's Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) system. Kingfisher is the first airline in Asia and the second in the world to install on-board satellite television on Airbus A320. Unlike inflight entertainment programmes, the DBS systems enable Kingfisher to receive signals directly and passengers can access the full spectrum of satellite video and audio programming.

Bangladesh

GMG Airlines to raise Dhaka-Kuala Lumpur frequency
GMG Airlines, a privately owned airline from Bangladesh, will increase its flights from thrice weekly to daily beginning April 21, flying on the Dhaka-Kuala Lumpur (vice versa) route, utilising MD82 type aircraft with a seating capacity of 153. The flights depart on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from Dhaka at 2100 hrs. arriving in Kuala Lumpur the next day at 0300 hrs. The flights depart Kuala Lumpur at 0400 hrs. on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays arriving into Dhaka at 0600 hrs.

Sri lanka


Cathay to resume Colombo flights
Cathay Pacific Airways will resume daily flights between Hong Kong and Colombo on April 22. CX703, which departs from Hong Kong on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, will fly via Bangkok; while CX711 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday stops in Singapore before continuing to Colombo.
Click here for the flight schedule.

SriLankan boosts Goa offering
SriLankan Airlines is adding a third weekly flight to the popular coastal resort of Goa, moving closer to becoming the first scheduled foreign airline to have a hundred flights per week to India. Already the foreign carrier with the most frequencies, SriLankan will have 95 flights to 10 cities in India with the addition of 7 more flights to Mumbai last month and the new Goa flight scheduled for 30th March. The third flight will be on Fridays, adding to the current flights on Mondays and Saturdays.
Click here for the flight schedule.

Srilankan Airlines flies to Jeddah
Sri Lankan Airlines has begun operations services to Jeddah from 27 March making the city its third destination in Saudi Arabia. Jeddah will be the ninth city in the airlines Middle East network. The flights depart on Tuesdays and Fridays from Colombo at 1515 hrs. arriving in Jeddah at 1825 hrs. The flights depart Jeddah at 1935 hrs. on Tuesdays and Fridays arriving into Colombo at 0405 hrs.

Pakistan

China Southern in codeshare with Pakistan Air
China Southern Airlines is launching a new code-share agreement with Pakistan International Airlines. Effective immediately, China’s largest airline will code share with PIA, the national flag carrier on the Islamabad-Beijing service – operated by PIA & the Urumqi-Islamabad service, operated by China Southern.

International

Jet Airways adds fourth Indian Gateway nonstop from London
In advance of its launch of service to the United States later this year, Jet Airways, India’s premier airline, has expanded its international scope by introducing flights linking London with Ahmedabad in the Indian state of Gujarat. This twice weekly service, commencing April 3, 2007, Jet Airways now operates a total of 29 non-stop flights per week from London Heathrow to India – to Mumbai, Delhi, Amritsar and now Ahmedabad. Ahmedabad also serves as a gateway for western Rajasthan so that travelers now have an alternative to Delhi when making their travel plans to one of India’s most exotic states. The Airbus 330-220 aircraft used on the new route has been specially configured with 30 seats in Premiere Class and 196 seats in Economy Class.

Indian introduces daily Mumbai-Muscat flight
Indian has stepped up its Gulf operations to meet increasing air traffic demands of the region. From April 2, Indian will introduce a new daily service from Ahmedabad to the Omani capital of Muscat via Mumbai. As a result, the existing thrice weekly Delhi-Ahmedabad-Muscat flight will now operate non-stop between Delhi and Muscat. The new evening flight IC 685 will depart Ahmedabad at 1940 hrs, arrive Mumbai at 2040 hrs, leave Mumbai at 2200 hrs and arrive Muscat at 2310 hrs. In the return direction, IC 686 will leave Muscat at 0005 hrs, arrive Mumbai at 0415 hrs, leave Mumbai at 0530 hrs and reach Ahmedabad at 0630 hrs. The thrice weekly Delhi-Muscat flight IC 885/886 will continue to operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays but with revised timings. IC 885 will now leave Delhi at 1920 hrs and reach Muscat non-stop at 2100 hrs. The return flight IC 886 will leave Muscat at 2300 hrs and arrive Delhi at 0315 hrs the next day.

Qatar Airways launches daily flights between Doha and Chennai
Qatar Airways established its air link with Chennai in March with daily flights from Doha. The airline has now 42 flights every week to six cities in India with daily flights to Hyderabad and Kochi as well. Click here for the flight schedule.

Continental to start Daily Non-Stop Bombay-New York Flight from October
A daily non-stop flight between Bombay and Newark’s Liberty International Airport, New York will be launched by Continental Airlines from October this year. The flight targeted at business travelers will connect the financial capitals of both India and USA. Bombay will be the 30th city in Continental’s trans-Atlantic routes.

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Recipe of the month
 
Goan Prawn / Shrimp Curry
The Goan cuisine is an interesting mix of varied influences and is undoubtedly one of the most evolved cuisines of India. Goan cuisine is the most diversified of all Indian cuisines. The South Indian flavors, Mughlai influence and the Portugese interpretation makes it very rich in flavors. This delicious recipe tastes great with plain steamed or boiled rice. Click here to read the recipe of Goan Prawn / Shrimp Curry.

 

 

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Special Feature of the month

 

Jagannath Rath Yatra
Jagannath is another name for Lord Krishna, and the Jagannath Rath Yatra observed in the month of Ashadha (June-July) celebrates Krishna's annual visit from Gokul, to his birthplace, Mathura . The Jagannath Temple at Puri, Orissa, is the main venue for celebrations. People from all across Orrisa, various parts of India and overseas come to take part in this auspicious occasion. The Car Festival remains one of the world's most unbelievable spectacles in terms of grandeur and enthusiastic devotion. Click here to read more.
 

 

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Newsletters from the past:
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:
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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