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

The month gone by is full of happy news and not so happy news. On 1st November, India celebrated the biggest, most famous festival of lights - Diwali. A few days before Diwali, at the height of the festive season, Delhi rocked with a couple of bombs that killed over 60 people. As always, Creative was the first to get an update out to our partners. The first update was issued less than 2 hours after the bombing. No tourist was hurt nor was any tourist area targeted.

This was a random incident. Although the country mourned, India is a resilient country and Indians never get cowed down by acts of terror. Diwali was celebrated in great festive spirit. Creative wishes you all a belated Happy Diwali.

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 Travel puts client's safety first
After a safety audit of the elephant rides at Amer Fort in Jaipur, we in Creative Travel have decided not to offer elephant rides at the fort to our clients. This was indeed a difficult decision that was made after hours of deliberation and assessment of the pros and cons. The elephant rides have always been a highlight of the fort visit and we appreciate that our decision is not in the interest of the elephant owners, but as always, client safety has to come first.
For full details on our decision click here to download our memo.

Plan it! at ICPB
During the India Convention Promotion Bureau’s annual convention held at Hotel Taj Palace from 10th to 11th August 2005, the conference division of Creative travel – Plan it! made its strong presence felt as a major Professional Conference Organisor. Because of its attractive stall layout and a dominating orange color theme the Plan it! brand had a high recall amongst the conference organisers who were thronging the Plan it! stall in high numbers.

The Plan it! brochure was also launched during the conclave which was highly acclaimed as a world class product brochure highlighting Plan it!’s edge in the MICE industry. A key attraction at the Plan it! stall was its sophisticated conference management software which was on display. The high end software – a major technology investment by Plan it! is the only of its kind in India, tailor made to fully automate conference management.

The 2 days of the conclave, ended in a good note with Plan it! emerging as a major force to reckon with in the MICE industry.   

Conde Nast ranks India as the 5th top tourist destination
India is the world’s 5^th most happening tourist hotspot as per the Conde Nast Reader’s Travel awards. India’s ranking was largely on account of its top class hospitality facilities like spas and hotels.

IATO and FHRAI sign code of practice
Bouncing of groups and re-pricing of room rates by hoteliers will become a thing of the past under an agreement signed by the two organizations on October 8, 2005 in New Delhi. The agreement says :

• Once the contractual rates are signed, hotels have to abide by them.
• Hotels cannot let out any room guaranteed to the tour operator.
• For guaranteed reservations, hotels have to keep the rooms at the client’s disposal until mid-day following the date of arrival.
• In case of premature departures, tour operators shall compensate the hotels for the loss.
• Hotels will refrain from soliciting the client to make direct reservations in future.

MOT is voted as the most outstanding organization
Ministry of tourism, Government of India has been voted as the most outstanding organisation in the Asia Pacific region. The organisation has been declared committed and dedicated, and has been recognised for its excellent tourism services. The selection was done on the basis of appreciation for the various initiatives being taken by the Indian government for tourism promotion. The award was presented at a ceremony in Thailand on October 13, 2005.

National Museum Delhi to open Coins Gallery
Rare punch-marked 6^th century BC coins, 100 beautiful coins of the Gupta period which bear iconographic representation of Puranic deities, the Mughal Emperor Akbar’s “mohars” and machine made coins of the Nizam of Hyderabad will all be on display at the coins gallery to be opened this month by the National Museum. The 1669 coins slated for display will range from the 6^th century BC to the British era thus projecting Indian history in a nutshell as well as the growth of scripts and languages over the ages. The museum has over 1, 20,000 coins of different ages in its possession.

Medical Tourism to get major boost
The government is all set to give medical tourism to India a big thrust. A task force under the Director General Health Services has been set up for this purpose. Plans are afoot for the registration of all clinical establishments to ensure uniformity in services. Due to excellent healthcare facilities and low costs compared to the developed world many are coming to India for medical treatment and surgery. A new category of “medical visa” has also been introduced for those coming for medical treatment.

Results of the Conde Nast Reader’s Travel Awards

• Ananda In The Himalayas was voted as the world’s #1 destination spa.  The award was based on ten criterion including body treatments, accommodation and cuisine.
• The Oberoi Rajvilas was rated as the #1 hotel among the preferred leisure hotels in Asia and the Indian subcontinent. The Oberoi Vanyavilas was rated as #9. The Rajvilas received the highest scores for its location and ambience and also secured seventh place in the world’s top 100 list featuring all categories.

Luxury Hotels head for Gurgaon
Gurgaon, a suburb of Delhi in Haryana is a “Multinational’s city” with numerous call centers and Corporate headquarters. Now the major luxury hotel chains have plans to open hotels here, to cater to this burgeoning market. The Oberoi, Carlson hospitality, ITC hotels, Marriot, Starwood’s Westin, the Regent, International Crown Plaza, to name a few, will all provide visitors with the best in hospitality.

Carlson – big plans for India
The Carlson group with a focus on South Asian region, is now entering the luxury segment with its Regent brand in India. By 2010 the group will have 75 hotels operational and in development under its various brands, said President Carlson Group, India, K. Kachru. Its most recent property, a Radisson Plaza Hotel for the upscale 5-star segment will open early next year in Kumarakom, Kerala. Eight new Radisson Hotels are under development at Hyderabad, Bangalore, Khajuraho, Agra, Pune, Alibaug and Jaipur and includes the Radisson Plaza at Kumarakom, said Kachru. Six of its budget brand Country Inns & Suites are operational and two new hotels were recently signed in Pune and Durgapur.

Radisson Jass Hotel commissioned in Shimla
Nestled in the vast Himalayan mountain range, the Radisson Jass Hotel-Shimla in India offers scenic valley views from its quaint hill station site. Just 15 minutes from the main city center and 16 miles to the Jubbar Hatti Airport, the hotel offers a choice of 47 deluxe rooms, 4 executive suites and 8 deluxe suites. Considered the “summer capital” of India, Shimla is the site for a variety of local attractions, from Naldehra golf course, the oldest course in India, to shopping malls and historic walking tours. The hotel is 30 minutes from Jakhoo, Shimla’s highest peak and the Himachal State Museum.

Hilton to manage new Hotel in Chennai
Hilton International has signed an agreement with Empee Hotels Ltd, part of the Empee Group, to manage and operate a luxury hotel in Chennai. The hotel is located just 15 minutes from Chennai Airport and is scheduled to open in December 2007. The 253-room Hilton Chennai will feature several fine dining restaurants, a destination bar, a swimming pool, a health club, four conference rooms, a ballroom and a business centre.

Shangri-La Hotel to be fully operational by November
Shangri-La Hotel, Delhi which had a soft opening in September, will be fully operational in November. Other expansion plans of the Group include two Shangri-La hotels and one Traders Hotel in Bangalore. The Group is also looking at more Shangri-La hotels in Mumbai and Hyderabad, and Traders Hotels in Gurgaon and Noida.

Leela plans Hotels in Chennai and Udaipur
The Leela Group of hotels is planning to open hotels in Chennai and Udaipur. The Leela Palace Udaipur, on the shores of Lake Pichola, is slated to open by winter 2006.  The unique features of the Udaipur resort are its location by the lake and that it overlooks the city palace. The hotel will have 80 guest rooms and suites. The Leela Palace, Chennai is located on Adyar beach facing the Bay of Bengal and is expected to be operational by early 2008 and will have 400 guestrooms.

Marriott extends its domestic presence
Currently Marriott International’s portfolio in India comprises five properties in key cities. The group is expanding its presence with three more properties due to open shortly as per the following details :

• 243-unit Courtyard in Chennai, opening in December 2005.
• 308-Room Hyderabad Marriott, opening Jan 2006.
• 250-room JW Marriott, Bangalore, opening in 2007.

Sri Lanka’s New Hotels Feature in World Class “Hot List”
Sri Lanka has hit the jackpot in this year’s “Hottest New Hotels and Resorts” rankings published in the May 2005 edition of the prestigious US-based travel magazine, Conde Nast Traveler. Of the 116 hotels - from 38 countries - ranked in the magazine’s Hot List 2005, four were from Sri Lanka.

• River House, the five-suite property near Bentota that features a hilltop pool and pavilion, received a ‘hottest’ ranking with three flames.
• Amangalla, the historic 22-room New Oriental Hotel in the Galle Fort received a ‘hottest’ ranking with three flames.
• Amanwella, the 30-suite resort in Tangalle received a ‘hottest’ ranking with three flames.
• The Galle Fort Hotel situated on the ramparts of the fort itself received a ‘hotter’ ranking with two flames.

International Hospitality sector keen on Sri Lanka
The big players in the international hospitality industry are considering investment opportunities in Sri Lanka since the country is exuding a positive tourism outlook of late.

• Construction has begun on the Hyatt Regency Colombo. The 43-storey Hyatt Regency building, set on prime land on Galle Road, in the heart of Colombo, will house both the Hyatt Regency and luxury apartments and is expected to be completed by early 2008.
• Sheraton, part of the giant Starwood Hotels and Resorts Group, is also moving ahead with its plans to establish its luxury brand name in Sri Lanka. The Colombo property will be constructed on three acres of land and will be a fully-fledged business hotel with 300 rooms and modern conference facilities.
• Luxury international hospitality brand, Banyan Tree, will develop a new lifestyle concept in the capital, Colombo. Developed under the company’s Angsana brand – The Angsana City Club & Spa – located at the up-market Crescat City mall in the centre of Colombo is scheduled to open later this year.

Kandalama Hotel to reopen in December 2005
Kandalama Hotel, located within the island’s Cultural Triangle, flanked by two UNESCO world heritage sites - the 1st Century BC Dambulla rock temple and the 5th Century AD Sigiriya rock fortress is scheduled to reopen as follows :

• 1^st December 2005 - Sigiriya Wing.
• 1^st February 2006 - Dambulla Wing.

Conaissance de Ceylan is now Amaya Resorts and Spas
Connaissance De Ceylon has embarked on a major rebranding exercise for its flagship properties. The Group’s three hotels will be rebranded under the ‘Amaya’ banner, a Sanskrit word for reality and non-illusion. Culture Club in Dambulla on the shores of Kandalama Lake is Amaya Lake; Le Kandyan in Kandy is Amaya Hills and Reef Comber in Hikkaduwa is Amaya Reef. The new branding has also led the group to refurbish rooms to include additional comforts. The hotels have been repositioned as four-star-plus hotels.

Tangerine Group of Hotels readies to welcome visitors
After extensive refurbishing, the Tangerine Group of Hotels is all set for the coming season. The Grand Hotel in Nuwara Eliya, a colonial hill resort, has undergone an extensive refurbishment programme with 30 rooms and its public areas being upgraded; a new fusion restaurant will be opening shortly at Royal Palms; The Nilaveli Beach Hotel in Nilaveli, Trincomalee, is being renovated and the soft opening is scheduled for January 1, 2006. 

Jet Airways offers ‘Web Check-in’ Facility across India
Jet Airways has become the first domestic airline in India to offer Internet check-in. This specialised Web Check-in facility is currently available for passengers holding a confirmed and valid E-ticket, anytime between 48 hours and 60 minutes prior to their flight departure, in 29 of the airline’s destinations across India. E-tickets can be issued through travel agents, Jet Airways portal, Jet Airways airport and city offices. This new initiative allows customers to not only select their preferred seat but also to print their boarding pass for their same day return flight.

GoAir commences ticket sales, offers 10,000 free tickets
GoAir, a Mumbai-based low-cost carrier and newest venture, promoted by the Wadia Group has started selling tickets from October 21, 2005. GoAir will launch its operations on October 30. The airline will start off with two daily flights each on the Mumbai-Goa and Mumbai-Ahmedabad routes and one flight a day on the Mumbai-Coimbatore sector. Of the seat inventory, 10,000 tickets will be offered free on the airline every month. The airline will follow the ‘metro to non-metro’ flight model.
For flight details and schedule click here.

Jet Airways signs Frequent Flyer Programme Partnership with Gulf Air
Jet Airways has signed an agreement with Gulf Air, which allows members of the Jet Privilege (JP) programme to earn and redeem JP Miles, when traveling on Gulf Air. Moreover, elite tier Jet Privilege members can also enjoy premium privileges such as lounge access and extra baggage allowance among others, when they fly with Gulf Air. As this is a reciprocal relationship, members of Gulf Air Frequent flyer programme will also be able to earn and redeem miles, as well as enjoy special benefits when traveling on Jet Airways.

Air Deccan introduces new flights
Air Deccan, India’s low cost, no-frills airline has introduced new flights. Click here for the schedule.

Air Arabia Starts Sharjah - Nagpur Flights
Air Arabia LLC, the first and the only low-cost airline in the Middle East and North Africa, is to be the first international airline to operate between Sharjah and Nagpur in India. The flight schedule is as under :

Sector

Sharjah / Nagpur

Nagpur / Sharjah

Air Nepal International Opens its Wings
Air Nepal International, a Nepali Airline promoted by an elite group of domestic airline operators and tourism entrepreneurs, has commenced operations. The airline is currently flying twice a week to Kuala Lumpur and thrice a week to each of the cities of Bangkok, Doha and Dubai. It is the first private Nepali carrier to operate beyond the SAARC Region. The airline has flying rights to the Indian cities of Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Bangalore and other international destinations including Frankfurt, London, Paro and Lhasa. In the next phase the airline is planning to connect to Indian cities.

Austrian Airlines resumes flights
Austrian Airlines will fly twice a week on the Vienna-Kathmanda route from October. The only airline that flies directly to Europe from Nepal, the Austrian Airlines aircraft operating on this route has a capacity of 36 business and 209 economy class seats. The airline generally operates seasonal flights from Nepal to Europe for eight months a year - from mid-September to mid-May.

Sector

Vienna / Kathmandu

Kathmandu / Vienna

Three major carriers announce plans to begin services to Colombo
Anticipating a boost in tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka, three major carriers have announced plans to begin new services to Colombo.

• Currently operating one flight a week in cooperation with Lauda Air, Austrian is set to introduce its twice weekly flights under its own brand name from the beginning of November. If the demand increases, the airline could also consider a third flight in 2006. Flight schedule is as under:

Sector

Vienna / Colombo

Colombo / Vienna

• Martinair, a Dutch carrier, is on course to launch its inaugural weekly flights from Brussels to Colombo in December, 2005. Flight schedule is as under:

Sector

Brussels / Colombo

Colombo / Brussels

• First Choice Holidays, a UK-based company also has plans to launch its fortnightly service from Manchester to Colombo from May 2006.

Set in rugged countryside, Aman-i-Khás is a wilderness retreat located on the fringe of Ranthambhore National Park in Rajasthan where tigers, deer, sloth bears and other wildlife may be spotted. Echoing the rich Moghul traveling tents of another era  with 'rooms' separated by cotton drapes, Aman-i-Khás  consists of 10 tents, each measuring 108sq m with soaring six metre canopies.

Amanbagh sits in isolation amidst the arid Aravalli Hills near Alwar in Rajasthan. Set within a walled oasis, the resort echoes the region's Moghul architecture. Use of makrana (pink marble) and sandstone, recalls the palatial haveli mansions then favoured by nobility. The Resort has 24 rooms & 16 suites. The 16 Pool Pavilions are located on the perimeter of the resort and offer their own private swimming pool and spacious garden. The 8 Terrace Haveli Rooms are located on the upper level of the two, two-storey structures. The 8 Garden Haveli Rooms are located on the ground level, 8 Courtyard Haveli Rooms are located on the ground level of two, two-storey structures on either side of the swimming pool.

In the historic port of Galle, Amangalla sits within the ramparts of the 17th century Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Derived from aman or peace in Sanskrit and galla, the word for the town of Galle in Sinhalese, the resort reveals the Fort's daily activities and its rich heritage, the narrow streets lined with still functioning buildings from the Dutch and British colonial eras.

A two hour drive east of Galle, Amanwella is situated in a mature coconut grove fronting a crescent-shaped beach close to the village of Tangalle. Combining aman or peace in Sanskrit with wella, the Sinhalese word for beach, all 30 suites of this contemporary beachfront resort feature their own private plunge pool and terrace. Linked by pathways, suites are interspersed along the hillside and offer sweeping views of the ocean and the beach. Guests can enjoy the 45m swimming pool and expansive terrace, the well-stocked Library, spa treatments, the Restaurant serving Asian and Mediterranean cuisine with an emphasis on fresh local seafood, water sports and casual, beachside dining at the Beach Club.

8 drops Rose Water

1) Wash and drain the rice. Soak in water for 1/2 hour.
2) Boil Milk and add drained rice. Simmer on low heat till it reduces to 1/3rd of its original consistency. Scrape the sides and bottom frequently to prevent sticking.
3) When the rice is cooked and the mixture gets a creamy consistency, add sugar and stir well.
4) Remove from heat and add crushed cardamom seeds, rose water and shredded almonds.
5) Serve hot or refrigerated cold.