India - JAXFAX Travel Marketing Magazine
India - JAXFAX Travel Marketing Magazine
India - JAXFAX Travel Marketing Magazine
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
INDIA 2008-09<br />
<strong>Travel</strong> Agent Sales Guide<br />
Sponsored by The <strong>India</strong> National Tourist Office.<br />
<strong>JAXFAX</strong><br />
®<br />
The <strong>Travel</strong> Agents’ Path to Profits<br />
SEPTEMBER 2008-SUPPLEMENT<br />
MAGAZINE
<strong>India</strong> Fast Facts<br />
Official Name: Republic of <strong>India</strong> • Capital: New Delhi • Population: 1.13 billion<br />
Government: Federal Republic • Year of Independence: 1947<br />
Area: 1.27 million square miles, about one-third the size of the U.S. Comprised<br />
of 28 states and seven union territories: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andhra<br />
Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar<br />
Haveli, Daman and Diu, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and<br />
Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra,<br />
Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Puducherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim,<br />
Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal<br />
Languages: 18 languages including Hindi, the national language and English for national,<br />
political, and commercial communication plus 1,600 dialects.<br />
FOR A SMOOTH TRIP TO INDIA<br />
Accommodations: Incredible <strong>India</strong>, sponsored by the Government Tourism Ministry<br />
maintains a list of approved bed and breakfast accommodations:<br />
incredibleindia.org/pdf/approved_Incredible_<strong>India</strong>_B&B_Establishments.pdf<br />
<strong>India</strong> requires a visa for most tourists. You can handle much of the paperwork<br />
online at: www.indianembassy.org/consular/index.html<br />
Passports: A passport valid for at least six months beyond your return date is required.<br />
Visas are required for <strong>India</strong>, Nepal - destinations promoted by Ports of <strong>India</strong>. You will require<br />
a multiple entry visa for <strong>India</strong>. Apply at <strong>India</strong>n Embassies located in USA.<br />
Inoculations: The <strong>India</strong>n government does not require any inoculations, except<br />
proof of a yellow fever shot if visitors have traveled in a yellow fever affected area<br />
within the past six months. As a minimum, most tourists must take protection<br />
against Hepatitis A and get booster shots. However one’s personal physician may<br />
recommend some shots for your special needs.<br />
Documents: Airline tickets, itinerary, voucher, telephone/fax numbers of contacts in<br />
<strong>India</strong>, and any other relevant information about one’s trip should be mailed two<br />
weeks before departure depending upon date of booking.<br />
Weather: The average maximum temperature in most of Northern <strong>India</strong> is around<br />
85 degree Fahrenheit and in the range 55 to 80 degrees. However, from December<br />
to February the temperatures can drop to 45 to 50 degrees in Northern <strong>India</strong><br />
What to Pack: During visits to a temple or a mosque, visitors are advised to dress modestly<br />
and avoid dressing in black or leather. From November to February a sweater and<br />
AFGHANISTAN<br />
PAKISTAN<br />
Arabian<br />
Sea<br />
Gulf of<br />
Cambay<br />
Thar<br />
Desert<br />
INDIA<br />
New Delhi<br />
Ahmadabad<br />
Bombay Deccan<br />
Panaji<br />
Srinagar<br />
Delhi<br />
Agra<br />
Godavari<br />
Plateau<br />
Hyderabad<br />
Bangalore<br />
Calicut<br />
Krishna<br />
Gulf of<br />
Manhar<br />
Narmada<br />
Madras<br />
Himalayas<br />
Kanpur<br />
SRI<br />
LANKA<br />
NEPAL<br />
Indo-Gangetic Plain<br />
Nagpur<br />
Vishakhapatnam<br />
Varanasi<br />
Ganges<br />
Calcutta<br />
Bay of<br />
Bengal Andaman<br />
<strong>India</strong>n<br />
Ocean<br />
CHINA<br />
BHUTAN<br />
BANGLADESH<br />
Mouths of<br />
the Ganges<br />
Adaman<br />
Islands<br />
Brahmaputra<br />
MYANMAR<br />
Nicobar<br />
Islands<br />
Sea<br />
a windbreaker may be necessary<br />
in Northern <strong>India</strong>.<br />
Money: It is easy to change<br />
money at your hotel cashier's<br />
desk.<br />
Electricity: The voltage in <strong>India</strong><br />
is 220 volts AC 50 cycles.<br />
Time Zone: <strong>India</strong> has one time<br />
zone; 5.5 hours ahead of GMT.<br />
Tipping: Drivers, $10 per day;<br />
Restaurants, 10% of the bill.<br />
Call the <strong>India</strong> Tourist Office<br />
at 800-953-9399; 212-586-<br />
4901 (East Coast); or 213-<br />
380-8855 ( West Coast) or<br />
visit the ofiicial website at:<br />
www.incredibleindia.com<br />
SEPTEMBER 2008 • <strong>JAXFAX</strong> INDIA SALES GUIDE SUPPLEMENT 1
<strong>India</strong>: Closer Than You Think<br />
“ Although we have many languages and dialects<br />
in <strong>India</strong>, we really do speak the same language... ”<br />
Snar Lyne Khyriem the Regional Director, <strong>India</strong> Tourism<br />
Office, New York, is responsible for marketing and promotion<br />
of <strong>India</strong> tourism in North America, South America<br />
and the Caribbean Region. Below is his message to agents.<br />
“Last year, <strong>India</strong> counted 680,534 U.S. visitors so we passed<br />
the half million mark; our goal for 2010 is one million. Americans<br />
are ready for <strong>India</strong> and we are ready for them.<br />
This is our time and your time as travel agents, to aim for the<br />
clients who have been curious about China and Africa -- this is<br />
your market for <strong>India</strong>, which is home to 26 World Heritage Sites<br />
alone. Americans are definitely losing their fear of visiting this<br />
giant country of ours – with one billion people that speak 18<br />
languages and 1,600 dialects – and if they have not visited before,<br />
it is safe to recommend a tour. There are so many tours<br />
that cater to many tastes, offering flexibility and the security of<br />
structure, it makes getting around <strong>India</strong> much easier than to<br />
drive on your own for instance, which, is unimaginable.”<br />
Celebrities and Hollywood<br />
<strong>India</strong> is very popular now among celebrities like Madonna and<br />
Richard Gere; <strong>India</strong>n culture is becoming more and more prominent<br />
in the U.S. through personalities such as Deepak Chopra<br />
and authors like Arundhati Roy who wrote The God of Small<br />
Things and London-based Zadie Smith whose White Teeth<br />
was made into a film that aired on public TV. Jhumpa Lahiri’s<br />
best-seller The Namesake will soon be released in the U.S. as<br />
a film about a family whose move from Calcutta to Boston<br />
brings many themes home to American viewers. Some of our<br />
film directors -- Ishmael Merchant, Mira Nair and Deepa Mehta<br />
– are also becoming known in the U.S. through their work. New<br />
York City’s ImagineAsia Theatre on 59th St., presents <strong>India</strong>n<br />
films. And who can forget the impact of Monsoon Wedding?<br />
From Yoga to Wildlife, Trains and Cruises<br />
We are seeing a rise in all sorts of programs: culinary tours led<br />
by well known chefs such as Julie Sahni and Madhur Jaffrey, to<br />
architectural, garden, archeology, safaris, rural tourism, bird<br />
watching and river cruising. Additionally, our traditional health<br />
and healing arts are attracting Westerners – yoga retreats and<br />
ayurveda, an alternative medicine used primarily in <strong>India</strong>—are<br />
also very popular.<br />
Yes, many people do not realize how many wildlife viewing opportunities<br />
there are in <strong>India</strong>. Recently Taj opened Mahua Kothi,<br />
the first of its new Wilderness Lodges in partnership with CC<br />
Africa. It is set on 40 acres in<br />
the rolling Satpura hills of Madhya Pradesh.<br />
This sort of development opens up another market for us -- the<br />
wildlife safari market. Visitors will see tigers, leopards, jackals<br />
in the jungles of Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh.<br />
Also rural tourism explores very local villages in hill towns,<br />
many of which are only accessible by train. We have two luxury<br />
trains that travel along more than 40,625 miles of train track;<br />
as well as a vintage train that visits hill stations between Rajasthan<br />
and Agra.<br />
We are seeing more of two types of cruises: river cruises and<br />
big-ship cruising on the <strong>India</strong>n Ocean. Assam Bengal Navigation<br />
has just introduced a new river boat and the Vivada, a 32cabin<br />
boat cruises along the Ganges on wildlife expeditions to<br />
see tigers in the wild.<br />
Access and Accommodations<br />
Nonstop direct flights take just 14 hours now from New York as<br />
opposed to the former 18. Since the Open Sky Agreement with<br />
the U.S. went into effect in January 2005, ample airlift is coming<br />
our way. Delta has just entered an interline agreement with<br />
Kingfisher Airlines (as of Nov. 1, Delta is operating flights from<br />
JFK-New York to Mumbai); Continental operates flights out of<br />
Newark to Delhi, American from Chicago to Delhi, and Air<br />
<strong>India</strong> operates 28 flights weekly from four gateways. Air <strong>India</strong><br />
is expected to add more non-stops to <strong>India</strong>. Additionally, British<br />
Airways, Air Emirates, Lufthansa, Singapore and Virgin Atlantic<br />
also serve <strong>India</strong>.<br />
We have always had a strong hotel inventory; among the international<br />
brands in <strong>India</strong> are: Four Points Sheraton, Hyatt,<br />
InterContinental, Kempinski, Leela, Marriott, Oberoi,<br />
Shangri-La and Taj. Accor has just opened the Novotel Hyderabad<br />
located in this hi-tech city near the <strong>India</strong>n Institute of<br />
Information Technology, the School of Business. Business travelers<br />
are among our best ambassadors as they visit on business<br />
and return soon afterwards with their families; or just<br />
extend their stays.<br />
Message to Agents<br />
Sell <strong>India</strong>, it is a magnificent country with a tremendous variety<br />
from wildlife safaris to spiritual retreats. <strong>India</strong> is also a good ticket<br />
item for agents, yet the dollar is worth much more than in many<br />
other destinations today. Although we have many languages and dialects<br />
in <strong>India</strong>, we really do speak the same language – English.<br />
2 SEPTEMBER 2008 • <strong>JAXFAX</strong> INDIA SALES GUIDE SUPPLEMENT
The subcontinent of <strong>India</strong> lies in southern Asia, bordering<br />
the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal between Myanamar<br />
(Burma), Pakistan, China and Nepal. Bordered to the<br />
north by the Himalayas, the world's highest mountain chain,<br />
foothill valleys cover the northernmost parts of the country's<br />
28 states. Further south, plateaus, tropical rain forests and<br />
sandy deserts are bordered by palm-fringed beaches.<br />
Side by side with the country's staggering topographical variations<br />
is its cultural diversity, the result of the coexistence of a<br />
number of religions as well as local traditions. The towering<br />
temples of south <strong>India</strong>, easily identifiable by their ornately sculptured<br />
surface, are associated with many crafts and performing<br />
arts of the region.<br />
In the desert of Kutch, Gujarat, on the other hand, a scattering<br />
of villages pit themselves against the awesome forces of<br />
nature, resulting in Spartan lifestyles made vibrant by a profusion<br />
of jewelry and ornamental embroidery used to adorn apparel<br />
and household linen. In the extreme north is the high<br />
altitude desert of Ladakh.<br />
For Incredible<br />
Holiday in !india<br />
<strong>India</strong>’s Mosaic of Cultural Crossroads<br />
Please contact:<br />
421 7 Av, Suite 1004, New York, NY. 10001.<br />
Call Toll Free: 1-888-9C INDIA (924-6342)<br />
Tel: 212-695-1005 | Fax : 212-695-1006<br />
Email: sans@sansincrediblevacations.com<br />
Visit: www.sansincrediblevacations.com<br />
SPECIALIST IN CUSTOMIZED TOURS<br />
Economy<br />
<strong>India</strong>'s diverse economy encompasses traditional village farming,<br />
modern agriculture, handicrafts, a wide range of modern industries,<br />
and a multitude of services. Services are the major source<br />
of economic growth, accounting for more than half of <strong>India</strong>'s output<br />
with less than one third of its labor force. The economy has<br />
posted an average growth rate of more than 7% in the decade<br />
since 1997. <strong>India</strong> achieved 8.5% GDP growth in 2006, and again in<br />
2007, significantly expanding production of manufactures. <strong>India</strong> is<br />
capitalizing on its large numbers of well-educated people skilled in<br />
the English language to become a major exporter of software services<br />
and software workers.<br />
Spiritual Roots<br />
Local culture is visibly shaped by the faith - Buddhism, as well as<br />
by the harsh terrain. Yet another facet of <strong>India</strong>n culture is observed<br />
in the colorful tribal lifestyles of the northeastern states of Nagaland,<br />
Mizoram, Tripura and Manipur with their folk culture.<br />
In the central <strong>India</strong>n states of Orissa and Madhya Pradesh tribal village<br />
life has resulted in a variety of artistically executed handicrafts.<br />
<strong>India</strong>'s mountains provide settings for heli-skiing, river rafting,<br />
mountaineering and trekking. Its beaches provide lazy sunbathing<br />
as well as wind surfing and snorkeling, and its jungles<br />
provide shooting wildlife with a camera.<br />
Historic Beginnings<br />
<strong>India</strong>'s history goes back to 3,200 BC when Hinduism was first<br />
founded. Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism. Judaism. Zoroashtrianism,<br />
Christianity and Islam all exist within the country today.<br />
As a consequence of <strong>India</strong>'s size, the history of the country<br />
has seldom been the same for two adjoining territories, and its<br />
great natural wealth has lured a succession of traders and foreign<br />
influences to it, each having left their imprint in the country,<br />
however faint or localized. Thus, Chinese fishing nets in<br />
Kerala are a throwback to that country's ancient maritime trade,<br />
while in the north, terra-cotta figurines of the centuries BC bear<br />
distinctly Greek traces.<br />
And Today…<br />
Modern <strong>India</strong> is home to the tribal with his anachronistic lifestyle<br />
and to the sophisticated urban jetsetter. It is a land where temple<br />
elephants exist amicably with the microchip. Its ancient monuments<br />
are backdrops for the world's largest democracy where atomic energy<br />
is generated and industrial development has brought the country<br />
within the world's top ten nations. Today, fishermen along the<br />
country's coastline fashion simple fishing boats in a centuries old<br />
tradition while, a few miles away motor vehicles glide off conveyor<br />
belts in state-of-the-art factories.<br />
And the <strong>India</strong>n calendar brims with festivals from a diverse array<br />
of religions. If you can, time clients’ visits with the major festivals<br />
for insight into this fascinating culture.<br />
4 SEPTEMBER 2008 • <strong>JAXFAX</strong> INDIA SALES GUIDE SUPPLEMENT
AIRLIFT TO INDIA<br />
Air <strong>India</strong> is <strong>India</strong>'s national flag carrier. By entering into alliances<br />
with other leading airlines of the world, Air <strong>India</strong> today<br />
offers passengers a wider network of routes they can fly. A detail<br />
of Air <strong>India</strong>'s seat sharing arrangements with various airlines<br />
is given on their website: Visit www.airindia.com<br />
Lufthansa customers have been benefiting from its close cooperation<br />
with Air <strong>India</strong>. For the past three years, the German carrier<br />
grew in the <strong>India</strong>n market, offering 45 non-stop flights every week<br />
from Frankfurt and Munich to six gateways in <strong>India</strong> — Bangalore,<br />
Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai.<br />
Lufthansa Airlines launched new service from Munich to<br />
Pune–its first, continuous, all-business class six-day a week<br />
flight. Lufthansa plans to increase its flights from Mumbai and<br />
Kolkata apart from also increasing its cargo and catering services<br />
in <strong>India</strong>.<br />
Werner Heesen, Lufthansa German Airlines’ director, South<br />
Asia, said, “The Lufthansa private jet service is an extension<br />
we offer to our business and first class passengers. It allows<br />
them to reach the thousands of smaller European airports<br />
where widebody aircraft cannot.”Heesen further added that<br />
Lufthansa presently offers private jet service only in Europe and<br />
that it is looking for an <strong>India</strong>n partner for its introduction in <strong>India</strong><br />
as well. He said that <strong>India</strong>’s lawyers, consultants, film stars and<br />
other such customers could avail this private jet service. It was<br />
also underscored that the <strong>India</strong>n sector is sustainably profitable<br />
sector for Lufthansa.Visit www.lufthansa.com<br />
Jet Airways inaugurated a new flight with the touchdown of<br />
its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft at New York's John F. Kennedy International<br />
Airport last month.<br />
Final preparations were completed with this new daily service<br />
from JFK to <strong>India</strong>, via Brussels International Airport. Flights<br />
depart JFK at 7:55 p.m. to arrive in Delhi, <strong>India</strong> at 12:10 a.m.<br />
Other gateways are Newark Liberty International Airport starting<br />
on August 5 and Toronto's Pearson International Airport on<br />
September 5, bringing the total to three daily flights from North<br />
America to <strong>India</strong>. Additionally, Jet Airways in cooperation with<br />
Brussels Airport, opened an airport lounge at its hub in Brussels.<br />
www.jetairways.com<br />
Kingfisher Airlines launched direct daily services connecting<br />
Bangalore to Mangalore and Mangalore to Chennai. With a<br />
daily flight in each direction, these new routes will provide convenient<br />
service for business and leisure travelers alike. Visit<br />
www.flykingfisher.com<br />
6 SEPTEMBER 2008 • <strong>JAXFAX</strong> INDIA SALES GUIDE SUPPLEMENT
NORTH INDIA<br />
Geographically, north <strong>India</strong> boasts<br />
the towering majesty of the Himalayas,<br />
the breathtaking mountainous<br />
beauty of Himachal<br />
Pradesh and Kashmir, the agriculturally<br />
rich plains of Punjab,<br />
Haryana and the Ganga basin of<br />
Uttar Pradesh that has nurtured<br />
many ancient civilizations to form an incredibly rich visual extravaganza.<br />
The history of this land of the Vedas goes back at<br />
least 5,000 years, the passage of the millennia peppered by the<br />
arrival of explorers, missionaries, envoys and traders. They all<br />
contributed to the cultural kaleidoscope that north <strong>India</strong> is today,<br />
a very colourful destination for the modern tourist.<br />
Uttar Pradesh is the confluence of the three mighty religions<br />
of the world - Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam. Varanasi is one<br />
of the oldest cities in the world and to this day one of the holiest<br />
of the Hindu pilgrimage centres, followed by Gaya.<br />
Regional Flavors Of <strong>India</strong><br />
NORTH EAST<br />
WEST SOUTH<br />
Part of this State was called the Middle Land in Buddhist literature,<br />
hallowed by the presence of the Buddha and Mahavira<br />
2,500 years ago. It was also in Uttar Pradesh that Muslim culture<br />
really blossomed in immortal literature, dance, music, art<br />
and architecture.<br />
Rajasthan is a State with an entirely different visage. Its medieval<br />
forts and palaces, the very distinctive nomadic desert<br />
lifestyle and stark scenery are unique in <strong>India</strong>.<br />
The mountainous States of Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal<br />
Pradesh are dream destinations for tourists since they combine<br />
the awesome beauty of the Himalayas with a delightfully distinctive<br />
ethnic culture.<br />
This rich cultural tapestry is woven with brilliant strands of<br />
many hues-dance, music, food, costumes, languages, customs,<br />
festivals for a variety staggering<br />
in its appeal.<br />
SOUTH INDIA<br />
Surrounded by three oceans, South<br />
<strong>India</strong> is a region of overwhelming<br />
grandeur and pristine beauty. Separated<br />
from north <strong>India</strong> by the Vindhya<br />
Mountain range, the south <strong>India</strong>n<br />
peninsula is doubly insulated by the Arabian Sea and Eastern Ghats<br />
on the east and the Bay of Bengal and Western Ghats on the west.<br />
As a result, this triangular volcanic land that was once part of the<br />
geologically primeval Gondwanaland, remained culturally undisturbed<br />
for millennia, evolving an aura of poised tranquility.<br />
The dominant features of south <strong>India</strong> are the tropical climate less<br />
harsh than the northern States, lush green tropical vegetation in<br />
the coastal areas and the architecture, culture, languages and<br />
lifestyle, which has remained essentially Dravidian at the core in<br />
spite of repeated exposures to outside influences.<br />
Since the southern culture evolved millennia before the modern<br />
State borders did, there is a racial, cultural and linguistic homogeneity<br />
here that makes visitors perceive the four major southern<br />
States together simply as 'south <strong>India</strong>', albeit mistakenly.<br />
In spite of the seeming similarity, each State has different<br />
scenery, festivals, architecture and subtle cultural variations to<br />
offer, each State in its own right a fascinating tourist destination.<br />
Pondicherry and Lakshadweep are again utterly different<br />
from the four traditional States of Tamil Nadu, Andhra<br />
Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala. The southern culture is a tapestry<br />
of magnificent temple architecture going back to the 6th<br />
century, the unaltered traditions of food, religion and lifestyle,<br />
handicrafts, heritage of sandalwood, silk, rosewood and brass,<br />
and of course the grandeur of classical dance and music.<br />
This is a land of temples, a land of the devout, the profusion<br />
of jasmine and 'kanakambaram' flowers and the soft beat of<br />
distant drums as yet another festival starts.<br />
8 SEPTEMBER 2008 • <strong>JAXFAX</strong> INDIA SALES GUIDE SUPPLEMENT
EAST INDIA<br />
Steeped in thousands of years of<br />
history, much of East <strong>India</strong> still remains<br />
untouched by time. It is in the<br />
unimaginably fertile Gange delta that<br />
the ancient kingdoms with lilting<br />
names like Anga, Banga, Kalinga<br />
flourished at least 3000 years ago.<br />
Early industrialization of <strong>India</strong> took place in the east, due to<br />
the incredibly rich hinterland, access to river and ocean commercial<br />
transport and British investment in technology.<br />
Orissa on the east coast of <strong>India</strong>, is home to the Hirakud Dam,<br />
one of the longest dams in the world. Orissa has several popular<br />
tourist destinations. Puri, with the Jagannatha's temple near<br />
the sea, and Konark, with the Sun Temple.<br />
Bihar is located in the eastern region of <strong>India</strong>, bordering<br />
Nepal in the North. It is in Bihar that the Buddha and Mahavira<br />
preached the gentle way of life that changed human history.<br />
It is in West Bengal where the British metamorphosed from<br />
traders to supreme rulers of <strong>India</strong> - a historical event that altered<br />
<strong>India</strong>'s national psyche for centuries. As powers and persona<br />
rose and fell, history shaped the people of the plains.<br />
Calcutta (Kolkata) is the capital of the <strong>India</strong>n state of West<br />
Bengal which served as the capital of <strong>India</strong> during the British Raj<br />
until 1911.<br />
Other states in the East include: Mizoram, Nagaland and<br />
Manipur home to the Tulihal Airport, the airport of Imphal,<br />
which connects the state capital with Delhi, Calcutta and Guwahati.<br />
Also Meghalaya state which literally means "The Abode of<br />
Clouds" in Sanskrit and other Indic languages. Surrounded by<br />
Bangladesh on the north, south and west, the state of Tripura<br />
possesses an extremely rich bio-diversity, there are 379<br />
species of trees.<br />
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands – an emerald dollops in<br />
the sapphire indian ocean are traditionally known for their shell<br />
wealth, used as novelties supporting many cottage industries<br />
producing a wide range of decorative items & ornaments.<br />
WEST INDIA<br />
The four states of Maharashtra,<br />
Gujarat, Goa and Madhya Pradesh<br />
in the west are so different in their<br />
landscape, culture and milieu that it<br />
may be difficult to believe they are adjacent<br />
to each other.<br />
Maharashtra is the land of famed<br />
warriors. Ridged by the Western ghats and covered by dense<br />
forests, it has witnessed a valiant history - rise and fall of<br />
Maratha empire.<br />
Shivaji is an immortal legend here, his memories alive in the<br />
innumerable forts scattered across the countryside. The rock<br />
cut caves at Ajanta and Ellora eloquently record the earliest mingling<br />
of all faiths - the Buddhist, Jain and Hindu sculptures and<br />
frescoes co-exist in complete harmony.<br />
Since ancient times Arab traders touched the <strong>India</strong>n ports on<br />
the west coast of Gujarat and a multi-product export import<br />
trade flourished. The mythical port city of Dwarka supposed to<br />
have been founded by Lord Krishna 5,000 years ago, had been<br />
recently excavated from below the sea. The ruins of the Harappan<br />
civilization that were discovered in Lothal date back 3,500<br />
years. Gujarat is still steeped in history. The Muslim culture in<br />
Ahmedabad founded by Ahmed Shah and the memories of life<br />
and work of Mahatma Gandhi who spent a part of his life here,<br />
are a living presence.<br />
Goa conjures another world. Ancient temples and majestic<br />
churches, a rich tradition of classical music, truly exuberant folk<br />
entertainment, delectable cuisine and a beautiful 160-mile<br />
coastline with nearly year round sunshine combine in magical<br />
alchemy to make it an ideal getaway holiday resort.<br />
Madhya Pradesh, surrounded by seven States, known as<br />
the heart of <strong>India</strong>, geographically shares the mountain ranges<br />
and plateaus of the western States. Its verdant forests are rich<br />
in flora and fauna and shelter ancient tribes, in many ways a<br />
uniquely harmonious world where life continues to be unhurried<br />
and natural.<br />
INCREDIBLE FARES TO INDIA<br />
SEPTEMBER 2008 • <strong>JAXFAX</strong> INDIA SALES GUIDE SUPPLEMENT 9
Touring <strong>India</strong> With The Experts<br />
A As it celebrates its 250th anniversary, Cox & Kings.<br />
www.coxandkingsusa.com, is a premium brand in all<br />
travel related services in the <strong>India</strong>n subcontinent, employing<br />
over 800 trained professionals. Its <strong>India</strong> operations are headquartered<br />
in Mumbai. It has over 12 fully owned offices in <strong>India</strong><br />
across key cities such as New Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore,<br />
Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Hyderabad, Pune, Goa, Nagpur and<br />
Jaipur. Its Signature Escorted <strong>Travel</strong>, is limited to 18 participants<br />
and features at least one C&K Signature Event, and is led by<br />
its most popular Escorts. The typical number of travelers is only<br />
nine. Custom Designed <strong>Travel</strong> is among its options as you may<br />
want to help develop a one of a kind luxury experience. The<br />
company offers safaris for individuals, and families.<br />
Collette Vacations, www.collettevacations.com. offers a<br />
16-day “Mysteries of <strong>India</strong>”, including a two-night stay in a<br />
palace, stays at five-star Taj Hotels, an elephant ride to Amber<br />
Fort, a horse and carriage or "Tonga" ride to the Taj Mahal, a visit<br />
to Mother Theresa's Charity Home. Departures available are:<br />
Jan. 15, March 5, May 28, and Oct. 15, 2009. Land rates range<br />
from $2,849 per person double for the May departure to $3,999<br />
per person double in Jan. and March.<br />
Goway <strong>Travel</strong>, www.goway.com, offers an ultimate fully escorted<br />
20-day Splendors of <strong>India</strong> package--one of their signature<br />
Holidays of a Lifetime trips. Departing February 2, 2009<br />
the tour is priced from $9,759 per person double with roundtrip<br />
airfare out of Los Angeles with British Airways.<br />
Hariworld, www.hariworld.com headquartered in New<br />
York, has branch offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los<br />
Angeles and San Francisco all ARC approved, plus an office<br />
in New Delhi, which is IATA approved.<br />
Canada-based Indus <strong>Travel</strong>s, www.industravels.ca, has recently<br />
introduced its Luxury Collection. Among its current portfolio<br />
is the seven-night, “Yoga, the Healing Touch” priced from $897<br />
for land arrangements only. The program visits the Taj Mahal in<br />
Agra; accommodations are at the Ashram in Rishikesh and include<br />
yoga sessions and sightseeing. Additionally, a nine-night<br />
program, “Kerala Explorer” includes a boat trip at Peryar National<br />
Park, a sunset cruise at Kumarakom and dance performances at<br />
Cochin. Besides <strong>India</strong>, Indus also custom-designs travel to Nepal,<br />
Sri Lanka, Maldives, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Dubai.<br />
Picasso Tours, www.portsofindia.com, has introduced a<br />
new product line to the subcontinent dubbed Ports of <strong>India</strong>.<br />
Programs focus on north, south, central, east and west <strong>India</strong> in<br />
a series of programs with enormous variety and options. The<br />
Chopra is catalyst for Guide<br />
Ram Chopra is well known in the travel industry.<br />
He has straddled both sides of the<br />
fence: the public and private sectors and has<br />
landed squarely at the source of his passion, his beloved<br />
<strong>India</strong>. His career spans nearly half a century. In that time,<br />
he has been involved with tourism promotion, marketing<br />
and salesmanship on every level of the industry.<br />
A catalyst for this supplement, Chopra said, “The decision<br />
for <strong>India</strong> Tourism and Jax Fax to collaborate on producing<br />
this travel guide for <strong>India</strong> right now is very timely.” He<br />
added, “While traveling at home and to nearby countries<br />
and states is becoming arduous due to the fury of gas<br />
prices, air travel to <strong>India</strong> has become very affordable due to<br />
the availability of seats both on the direct and stopover<br />
flights.” Additionally, hotel accommodations have also been<br />
enhanced in all categories especially in the three and fourstar<br />
properties. Add to this, <strong>India</strong>’s portfolio of grand rail luxury<br />
journeys for what may quite possibly position <strong>India</strong> as<br />
the very best foreign destination buy this year.<br />
A PATA Gold Award winner, Chopra headed the Government<br />
of <strong>India</strong> Tourist Office, New York when <strong>India</strong> promotion<br />
was at its earliest stage in the U.S. It is no surprise<br />
Chopra reappeared in the market at the helm of the North<br />
American operations for <strong>India</strong>n tour operator SANS Incredible<br />
Vacations.<br />
Call Ram Chopra, Sans Incredible Vacations at 212-695-<br />
1005, 888-9C-INDIA; 347-323-2252 or visit www.sansincrediblevacations.com.<br />
10 SEPTEMBER 2008 • <strong>JAXFAX</strong> INDIA SALES GUIDE SUPPLEMENT
Exotic South, for instance, is a fully escorted<br />
12-night tour that travels from<br />
Chennai, to Tanjor, Madurai, Ponticherry,<br />
Cochin and ends in Mumbai.<br />
Priced from $2,025 per person double<br />
for land arrangements; air is additional but Picasso can and will assist<br />
agents with consolidator prices. A three-night extension to Goa<br />
costs about $700 per person double.<br />
Ritz Tours, www.ritztours.com, madkes its first venture into<br />
<strong>India</strong> with the new 16-day Essence of <strong>India</strong> program for travel<br />
in 2008 and 2009. The “Pearl of the Orient,” priced from $3,699<br />
per person double begins in Bangkok, Thailand, stops in <strong>India</strong>’<br />
capital of Delhi, on to Agra. Departing Jan. 8, 28 and Feb. 18.<br />
SANS Incredible Vacations, www.incrediblevacationsindia.com,<br />
offers a comprehensive Fam tours leaving<br />
every Thursday and priced from $1,599 including roundtrip<br />
air on major carriers from U.S. and Canadian gateways.<br />
Two one-week options are being offered. The Gold<br />
Fam includes Delhi-Agra-Ranthambore-Jaipur and the<br />
Green Fam covers Mumbai-Kochi- Periyar-Kumarakom<br />
with Combinations and extensions.<br />
SITA World Tours, www.sitatours.com, which is approaching<br />
its 75th anniversary, has retained an edge in the Tourism In-<br />
dustry by tapping into various niche markets. Tours to <strong>India</strong> and<br />
Nepal range from luxury to deluxe to first-class programs as<br />
well as a healthy roster of options for Independent travelers.<br />
Programs are focused, yet the Golden Triangle remains one<br />
of the best first-time visitor tours, while others that focus on<br />
South <strong>India</strong>, Wildlife, and luxury train rides may appeal to those<br />
who have been to <strong>India</strong> and want to visit again.<br />
Sky Vacations, www.skyvacations.net, excels at <strong>India</strong> destination<br />
management. From budget-conscious tourists to highend<br />
clients looking for a private jets and exclusive suites, Sky<br />
Vacations caters to your clients specific requirements. Its parent<br />
company, Sky Bird <strong>Travel</strong> & Tours Inc. is comprised of eight<br />
offices across the U.S. Known within airline circles, Sky Bird<br />
now offers enhanced value addition for clients who choose to<br />
venture out, seeking new destinations to visit with experts.<br />
STI <strong>Travel</strong> LLC, www.sti-travel.com <strong>India</strong> programs range<br />
from Enchanting North <strong>India</strong>, Enchanting South <strong>India</strong>, Classic<br />
Kerala, Rajasthan with Taj Hotels and, the popular Golden Triangle<br />
offering extensions on the Kerala package, a Call of the<br />
Wild package and the Last Shangri-La. An air-inclusive fam trip<br />
is scheduled for Sept. 19-29, 2008 at $1,869 per person double.<br />
SEPTEMBER 2008 • <strong>JAXFAX</strong> INDIA SALES GUIDE SUPPLEMENT 11
RIDING THE RAILS<br />
Last fall, <strong>India</strong> welcomed two new attractions: The Vidarbha<br />
Queen Express, <strong>India</strong>’s first jungle safari train and the Deccan<br />
Odyssey. Vidarbha visits Tadoba National Park, Maharashtra’s oldest<br />
Tiger Reserve, endowed with biodiversity and home to the<br />
Royal Bengal Tiger, <strong>India</strong>’s national animal, currently in danger of<br />
extinction. Other tiger reserves in Maharashtra are the Melghat<br />
Tiger Reserve located on the southern region of the Satpura Hill<br />
Range, 140 miles from the Nagpur Airport close to Chikaldhara, in<br />
the north east of the State and the Pench Tiger Reserve.<br />
The Government of Maharashtra along with the Japanese<br />
Bank of International Cooperation, have embarked on a $95 million<br />
investment to conserve the Ajanta and Ellora regions. Other<br />
conservation projects include restoration of Elephanta Island,<br />
another UNESCO World Heritage site in Mumbai, the Lonar<br />
Crater, and other archaeological museums in the region.<br />
A joint venture between the <strong>India</strong>n Railways and the Government<br />
of Maharashtra represented by the Maharashtra Tourism Development<br />
Corporation, the Deccan Odyssey showcases the<br />
tourism assets of Maharashtra, the grandeur of Konkan coast, the<br />
art, culture, the heritage of Maharashtra as well as local arts, crafts<br />
and cuisine of the state during the journey. It takes 80 passengers<br />
on a tour of the Konkan region, including Goa, and northwestern<br />
Maharashtra, stopping at Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Goa, Pune, Aurangabad,<br />
(for Ajanta and Ellora) and Nashik, visiting forts, historical<br />
places, museums, beaches and boat rides in the backwaters. The<br />
Deccan Odyssey takes visitors on a seven-night journey departing<br />
every Wednesday from the Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) in<br />
Mumbai between October and April. The Deccan Odyssey features<br />
21 air-conditioned coaches which include two world-class<br />
restaurants, a spa, gym, hair salon, steam/sauna, and massage,<br />
yoga and business centers. The world-renowned Taj Group operates<br />
the spa, dining and housekeeping facilities, which includes 24hour<br />
room service. www.maharashtratourism.gov.in<br />
Palace Tours offers a wide variety of luxury tours to <strong>India</strong><br />
quite possibly setting the standard for touring excellence by<br />
providing ease, flexibility and a multitude of choices for your<br />
clients. The company offers the luxury train tours in <strong>India</strong> retaining<br />
nearly 50% of the worldwide market share for Palace<br />
on Wheels in Rajasthan, <strong>India</strong>'s flagship luxury tourist offering.<br />
As the General Sales Agent of several <strong>India</strong>n State Tourism Departments,<br />
Palace Tours also represents <strong>India</strong>'s newest trains:<br />
The Deccan Odyssey and Heritage on Wheels. Call 800-724-<br />
5120; www.palacetours.net<br />
Greaves Tours has just the ticket for those seeking an enchanting<br />
rail-journey across <strong>India</strong>. Palace on Wheels is regularly featured<br />
in Greaves’ portfolio. The “Deccan Odyssey” is scheduled to leave<br />
Mumbai weekly on Wednesday evenings, from September to<br />
April each year. Both packages include an elephant ride in Jaipur;<br />
camel ride in Jaisalmer; canter ride in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve;<br />
boat ride in Udaipur; cycle rickshaw ride in Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary.<br />
Call 800-318-7801; www.greavesindia.com<br />
ACCOMMODATIONS<br />
<strong>India</strong> is rich with a wealth of<br />
accommodations from five-star<br />
deluxe palaces to rural tourism,<br />
which is fast taking off among<br />
visitors. Visit www.exploreruralindia.org<br />
Aman Resorts, www.amanresorts.com: Just south of the<br />
Delhi Golf Course, is The Aman, New Delhi. This city-based resort<br />
rises nine stories and houses 39 rooms (31 are poolside) and suites<br />
with private plunge pools.<br />
Aman Resorts in northern <strong>India</strong> include the Aman-i-Khás, a 3 3/4<br />
hour train journey from New Delhi. It is a tented camp for wildlife safaris<br />
set on the outskirts of Ranthambhore National Park. Amanbagh,<br />
a verdant oasis of mature palm, fruit and eucalyptus trees<br />
lying within a walled compound once the staging grounds for royal<br />
hunts, is 4 1/2 hours by car from New Delhi.<br />
The Leela Palace Kempinski, www.theleela.com: Glamour,<br />
characterized The Leela Palace Kempinski in Bangalore. The<br />
Leela Palaces-Hotels-Resorts group, in fact is among the most<br />
expensive lodging in <strong>India</strong> and its executives like it that way as<br />
they embark on an aggressive three-year expansion plan that<br />
will double room capacity by introducing six new properties,<br />
bringing the group’s total to 10. The new properties will be in<br />
Gurgaon Delhi, to open Spring, 2008; Udaipur, winter, 2008;<br />
Chennai, winter, 2009; and by 2010 in South Delhi; Hyderabade;<br />
and Pune, representing a total investment of $300 million.<br />
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, www.shangri-la.com: Among<br />
Asia Pacific’s leading luxury hotel groups, recently signed an<br />
agreement with Pallazzio Hotel and Leisure Limited to manage<br />
the Shangri-La Hotel, Mumbai, opening at the end of 2009. The<br />
Shangri-La Hotel, Bangalore; Palm Retreat Shangri-La, Bangalore;<br />
and Traders Hotel, Bangalore, all will open in 2009.<br />
Wyndham Hotel Group, www.wyndham.com: The Wyndham<br />
Hotel Group recently reached an agreement to construct<br />
at least 38 Super 8 and Days Inn hotels in <strong>India</strong>.<br />
Breaking new ground in <strong>India</strong>, CC Africa and Taj Hotels Resorts<br />
and Palaces, www.tajsafaris.com, joint venture offers<br />
the country’s first and only wildlife circuit. This partnership provides<br />
guests with the ultimate wildlife experience based on a<br />
proven sustainable ecotourism model. CC Africa’s two new jungle<br />
safari lodges are on track to open next month, in October 2008.<br />
Pashan Garh in Panna National Park and Banjaar Tola in Kanha National<br />
Park will join CC Africa’s award-winning lodges, Mahua Kothi<br />
and Baghvan, offering an unmatched wildlife circuit highlighting<br />
Madhya Pradesh’s diverse national parks.<br />
Dan Hotels, www.danhotels.com, expands its luxury hotel<br />
operations with new properties to open in <strong>India</strong>.<br />
Construction of the first of the new Dan Hotels in <strong>India</strong> will<br />
begin in the next few months in Bangalore, and is scheduled to<br />
be completed by 2011. More hotels will follow throughout<br />
<strong>India</strong>, building on the success of the Dan Hotels Israel, including<br />
the legendary King David Hotel in Jerusalem and the Dan Tel<br />
Aviv, both Leading Hotels of the World.<br />
12 SEPTEMBER 2008 • <strong>JAXFAX</strong> INDIA SALES GUIDE SUPPLEMENT