India - JAXFAX Travel Marketing Magazine

INDIA 2008-09
Travel Agent Sales Guide
Sponsored by The India National Tourist Office.
JAXFAX
®
The Travel Agents’ Path to Profits
SEPTEMBER 2008-SUPPLEMENT
MAGAZINE

India Fast Facts
Official Name: Republic of India • Capital: New Delhi • Population: 1.13 billion
Government: Federal Republic • Year of Independence: 1947
Area: 1.27 million square miles, about one-third the size of the U.S. Comprised
of 28 states and seven union territories: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andhra
Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar
Haveli, Daman and Diu, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and
Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra,
Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Puducherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim,
Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal
Languages: 18 languages including Hindi, the national language and English for national,
political, and commercial communication plus 1,600 dialects.
FOR A SMOOTH TRIP TO INDIA
Accommodations: Incredible India, sponsored by the Government Tourism Ministry
maintains a list of approved bed and breakfast accommodations:
incredibleindia.org/pdf/approved_Incredible_India_B&B_Establishments.pdf
India requires a visa for most tourists. You can handle much of the paperwork
online at: www.indianembassy.org/consular/index.html
Passports: A passport valid for at least six months beyond your return date is required.
Visas are required for India, Nepal - destinations promoted by Ports of India. You will require
a multiple entry visa for India. Apply at Indian Embassies located in USA.
Inoculations: The Indian government does not require any inoculations, except
proof of a yellow fever shot if visitors have traveled in a yellow fever affected area
within the past six months. As a minimum, most tourists must take protection
against Hepatitis A and get booster shots. However one’s personal physician may
recommend some shots for your special needs.
Documents: Airline tickets, itinerary, voucher, telephone/fax numbers of contacts in
India, and any other relevant information about one’s trip should be mailed two
weeks before departure depending upon date of booking.
Weather: The average maximum temperature in most of Northern India is around
85 degree Fahrenheit and in the range 55 to 80 degrees. However, from December
to February the temperatures can drop to 45 to 50 degrees in Northern India
What to Pack: During visits to a temple or a mosque, visitors are advised to dress modestly
and avoid dressing in black or leather. From November to February a sweater and
AFGHANISTAN
PAKISTAN
Arabian
Sea
Gulf of
Cambay
Thar
Desert
INDIA
New Delhi
Ahmadabad
Bombay Deccan
Panaji
Srinagar
Delhi
Agra
Godavari
Plateau
Hyderabad
Bangalore
Calicut
Krishna
Gulf of
Manhar
Narmada
Madras
Himalayas
Kanpur
SRI
LANKA
NEPAL
Indo-Gangetic Plain
Nagpur
Vishakhapatnam
Varanasi
Ganges
Calcutta
Bay of
Bengal Andaman
Indian
Ocean
CHINA
BHUTAN
BANGLADESH
Mouths of
the Ganges
Adaman
Islands
Brahmaputra
MYANMAR
Nicobar
Islands
Sea
a windbreaker may be necessary
in Northern India.
Money: It is easy to change
money at your hotel cashier's
desk.
Electricity: The voltage in India
is 220 volts AC 50 cycles.
Time Zone: India has one time
zone; 5.5 hours ahead of GMT.
Tipping: Drivers, $10 per day;
Restaurants, 10% of the bill.
Call the India Tourist Office
at 800-953-9399; 212-586-
4901 (East Coast); or 213-
380-8855 ( West Coast) or
visit the ofiicial website at:
www.incredibleindia.com
SEPTEMBER 2008 • JAXFAX INDIA SALES GUIDE SUPPLEMENT 1

India: Closer Than You Think
“ Although we have many languages and dialects
in India, we really do speak the same language... ”
Snar Lyne Khyriem the Regional Director, India Tourism
Office, New York, is responsible for marketing and promotion
of India tourism in North America, South America
and the Caribbean Region. Below is his message to agents.
“Last year, India counted 680,534 U.S. visitors so we passed
the half million mark; our goal for 2010 is one million. Americans
are ready for India and we are ready for them.
This is our time and your time as travel agents, to aim for the
clients who have been curious about China and Africa -- this is
your market for India, which is home to 26 World Heritage Sites
alone. Americans are definitely losing their fear of visiting this
giant country of ours – with one billion people that speak 18
languages and 1,600 dialects – and if they have not visited before,
it is safe to recommend a tour. There are so many tours
that cater to many tastes, offering flexibility and the security of
structure, it makes getting around India much easier than to
drive on your own for instance, which, is unimaginable.”
Celebrities and Hollywood
India is very popular now among celebrities like Madonna and
Richard Gere; Indian culture is becoming more and more prominent
in the U.S. through personalities such as Deepak Chopra
and authors like Arundhati Roy who wrote The God of Small
Things and London-based Zadie Smith whose White Teeth
was made into a film that aired on public TV. Jhumpa Lahiri’s
best-seller The Namesake will soon be released in the U.S. as
a film about a family whose move from Calcutta to Boston
brings many themes home to American viewers. Some of our
film directors -- Ishmael Merchant, Mira Nair and Deepa Mehta
– are also becoming known in the U.S. through their work. New
York City’s ImagineAsia Theatre on 59th St., presents Indian
films. And who can forget the impact of Monsoon Wedding?
From Yoga to Wildlife, Trains and Cruises
We are seeing a rise in all sorts of programs: culinary tours led
by well known chefs such as Julie Sahni and Madhur Jaffrey, to
architectural, garden, archeology, safaris, rural tourism, bird
watching and river cruising. Additionally, our traditional health
and healing arts are attracting Westerners – yoga retreats and
ayurveda, an alternative medicine used primarily in India—are
also very popular.
Yes, many people do not realize how many wildlife viewing opportunities
there are in India. Recently Taj opened Mahua Kothi,
the first of its new Wilderness Lodges in partnership with CC
Africa. It is set on 40 acres in
the rolling Satpura hills of Madhya Pradesh.
This sort of development opens up another market for us -- the
wildlife safari market. Visitors will see tigers, leopards, jackals
in the jungles of Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh.
Also rural tourism explores very local villages in hill towns,
many of which are only accessible by train. We have two luxury
trains that travel along more than 40,625 miles of train track;
as well as a vintage train that visits hill stations between Rajasthan
and Agra.
We are seeing more of two types of cruises: river cruises and
big-ship cruising on the Indian Ocean. Assam Bengal Navigation
has just introduced a new river boat and the Vivada, a 32cabin
boat cruises along the Ganges on wildlife expeditions to
see tigers in the wild.
Access and Accommodations
Nonstop direct flights take just 14 hours now from New York as
opposed to the former 18. Since the Open Sky Agreement with
the U.S. went into effect in January 2005, ample airlift is coming
our way. Delta has just entered an interline agreement with
Kingfisher Airlines (as of Nov. 1, Delta is operating flights from
JFK-New York to Mumbai); Continental operates flights out of
Newark to Delhi, American from Chicago to Delhi, and Air
India operates 28 flights weekly from four gateways. Air India
is expected to add more non-stops to India. Additionally, British
Airways, Air Emirates, Lufthansa, Singapore and Virgin Atlantic
also serve India.
We have always had a strong hotel inventory; among the international
brands in India are: Four Points Sheraton, Hyatt,
InterContinental, Kempinski, Leela, Marriott, Oberoi,
Shangri-La and Taj. Accor has just opened the Novotel Hyderabad
located in this hi-tech city near the Indian Institute of
Information Technology, the School of Business. Business travelers
are among our best ambassadors as they visit on business
and return soon afterwards with their families; or just
extend their stays.
Message to Agents
Sell India, it is a magnificent country with a tremendous variety
from wildlife safaris to spiritual retreats. India is also a good ticket
item for agents, yet the dollar is worth much more than in many
other destinations today. Although we have many languages and dialects
in India, we really do speak the same language – English.
2 SEPTEMBER 2008 • JAXFAX INDIA SALES GUIDE SUPPLEMENT

The subcontinent of India lies in southern Asia, bordering
the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal between Myanamar
(Burma), Pakistan, China and Nepal. Bordered to the
north by the Himalayas, the world's highest mountain chain,
foothill valleys cover the northernmost parts of the country's
28 states. Further south, plateaus, tropical rain forests and
sandy deserts are bordered by palm-fringed beaches.
Side by side with the country's staggering topographical variations
is its cultural diversity, the result of the coexistence of a
number of religions as well as local traditions. The towering
temples of south India, easily identifiable by their ornately sculptured
surface, are associated with many crafts and performing
arts of the region.
In the desert of Kutch, Gujarat, on the other hand, a scattering
of villages pit themselves against the awesome forces of
nature, resulting in Spartan lifestyles made vibrant by a profusion
of jewelry and ornamental embroidery used to adorn apparel
and household linen. In the extreme north is the high
altitude desert of Ladakh.
For Incredible
Holiday in !india
India’s Mosaic of Cultural Crossroads
Please contact:
421 7 Av, Suite 1004, New York, NY. 10001.
Call Toll Free: 1-888-9C INDIA (924-6342)
Tel: 212-695-1005 | Fax : 212-695-1006
Email: sans@sansincrediblevacations.com
Visit: www.sansincrediblevacations.com
SPECIALIST IN CUSTOMIZED TOURS
Economy
India's diverse economy encompasses traditional village farming,
modern agriculture, handicrafts, a wide range of modern industries,
and a multitude of services. Services are the major source
of economic growth, accounting for more than half of India's output
with less than one third of its labor force. The economy has
posted an average growth rate of more than 7% in the decade
since 1997. India achieved 8.5% GDP growth in 2006, and again in
2007, significantly expanding production of manufactures. India is
capitalizing on its large numbers of well-educated people skilled in
the English language to become a major exporter of software services
and software workers.
Spiritual Roots
Local culture is visibly shaped by the faith - Buddhism, as well as
by the harsh terrain. Yet another facet of Indian culture is observed
in the colorful tribal lifestyles of the northeastern states of Nagaland,
Mizoram, Tripura and Manipur with their folk culture.
In the central Indian states of Orissa and Madhya Pradesh tribal village
life has resulted in a variety of artistically executed handicrafts.
India's mountains provide settings for heli-skiing, river rafting,
mountaineering and trekking. Its beaches provide lazy sunbathing
as well as wind surfing and snorkeling, and its jungles
provide shooting wildlife with a camera.
Historic Beginnings
India's history goes back to 3,200 BC when Hinduism was first
founded. Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism. Judaism. Zoroashtrianism,
Christianity and Islam all exist within the country today.
As a consequence of India's size, the history of the country
has seldom been the same for two adjoining territories, and its
great natural wealth has lured a succession of traders and foreign
influences to it, each having left their imprint in the country,
however faint or localized. Thus, Chinese fishing nets in
Kerala are a throwback to that country's ancient maritime trade,
while in the north, terra-cotta figurines of the centuries BC bear
distinctly Greek traces.
And Today…
Modern India is home to the tribal with his anachronistic lifestyle
and to the sophisticated urban jetsetter. It is a land where temple
elephants exist amicably with the microchip. Its ancient monuments
are backdrops for the world's largest democracy where atomic energy
is generated and industrial development has brought the country
within the world's top ten nations. Today, fishermen along the
country's coastline fashion simple fishing boats in a centuries old
tradition while, a few miles away motor vehicles glide off conveyor
belts in state-of-the-art factories.
And the Indian calendar brims with festivals from a diverse array
of religions. If you can, time clients’ visits with the major festivals
for insight into this fascinating culture.
4 SEPTEMBER 2008 • JAXFAX INDIA SALES GUIDE SUPPLEMENT

AIRLIFT TO INDIA
Air India is India's national flag carrier. By entering into alliances
with other leading airlines of the world, Air India today
offers passengers a wider network of routes they can fly. A detail
of Air India's seat sharing arrangements with various airlines
is given on their website: Visit www.airindia.com
Lufthansa customers have been benefiting from its close cooperation
with Air India. For the past three years, the German carrier
grew in the Indian market, offering 45 non-stop flights every week
from Frankfurt and Munich to six gateways in India — Bangalore,
Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai.
Lufthansa Airlines launched new service from Munich to
Pune–its first, continuous, all-business class six-day a week
flight. Lufthansa plans to increase its flights from Mumbai and
Kolkata apart from also increasing its cargo and catering services
in India.
Werner Heesen, Lufthansa German Airlines’ director, South
Asia, said, “The Lufthansa private jet service is an extension
we offer to our business and first class passengers. It allows
them to reach the thousands of smaller European airports
where widebody aircraft cannot.”Heesen further added that
Lufthansa presently offers private jet service only in Europe and
that it is looking for an Indian partner for its introduction in India
as well. He said that India’s lawyers, consultants, film stars and
other such customers could avail this private jet service. It was
also underscored that the Indian sector is sustainably profitable
sector for Lufthansa.Visit www.lufthansa.com
Jet Airways inaugurated a new flight with the touchdown of
its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft at New York's John F. Kennedy International
Airport last month.
Final preparations were completed with this new daily service
from JFK to India, via Brussels International Airport. Flights
depart JFK at 7:55 p.m. to arrive in Delhi, India at 12:10 a.m.
Other gateways are Newark Liberty International Airport starting
on August 5 and Toronto's Pearson International Airport on
September 5, bringing the total to three daily flights from North
America to India. Additionally, Jet Airways in cooperation with
Brussels Airport, opened an airport lounge at its hub in Brussels.
www.jetairways.com
Kingfisher Airlines launched direct daily services connecting
Bangalore to Mangalore and Mangalore to Chennai. With a
daily flight in each direction, these new routes will provide convenient
service for business and leisure travelers alike. Visit
www.flykingfisher.com
6 SEPTEMBER 2008 • JAXFAX INDIA SALES GUIDE SUPPLEMENT

NORTH INDIA
Geographically, north India boasts
the towering majesty of the Himalayas,
the breathtaking mountainous
beauty of Himachal
Pradesh and Kashmir, the agriculturally
rich plains of Punjab,
Haryana and the Ganga basin of
Uttar Pradesh that has nurtured
many ancient civilizations to form an incredibly rich visual extravaganza.
The history of this land of the Vedas goes back at
least 5,000 years, the passage of the millennia peppered by the
arrival of explorers, missionaries, envoys and traders. They all
contributed to the cultural kaleidoscope that north India is today,
a very colourful destination for the modern tourist.
Uttar Pradesh is the confluence of the three mighty religions
of the world - Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam. Varanasi is one
of the oldest cities in the world and to this day one of the holiest
of the Hindu pilgrimage centres, followed by Gaya.
Regional Flavors Of India
NORTH EAST
WEST SOUTH
Part of this State was called the Middle Land in Buddhist literature,
hallowed by the presence of the Buddha and Mahavira
2,500 years ago. It was also in Uttar Pradesh that Muslim culture
really blossomed in immortal literature, dance, music, art
and architecture.
Rajasthan is a State with an entirely different visage. Its medieval
forts and palaces, the very distinctive nomadic desert
lifestyle and stark scenery are unique in India.
The mountainous States of Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal
Pradesh are dream destinations for tourists since they combine
the awesome beauty of the Himalayas with a delightfully distinctive
ethnic culture.
This rich cultural tapestry is woven with brilliant strands of
many hues-dance, music, food, costumes, languages, customs,
festivals for a variety staggering
in its appeal.
SOUTH INDIA
Surrounded by three oceans, South
India is a region of overwhelming
grandeur and pristine beauty. Separated
from north India by the Vindhya
Mountain range, the south Indian
peninsula is doubly insulated by the Arabian Sea and Eastern Ghats
on the east and the Bay of Bengal and Western Ghats on the west.
As a result, this triangular volcanic land that was once part of the
geologically primeval Gondwanaland, remained culturally undisturbed
for millennia, evolving an aura of poised tranquility.
The dominant features of south India are the tropical climate less
harsh than the northern States, lush green tropical vegetation in
the coastal areas and the architecture, culture, languages and
lifestyle, which has remained essentially Dravidian at the core in
spite of repeated exposures to outside influences.
Since the southern culture evolved millennia before the modern
State borders did, there is a racial, cultural and linguistic homogeneity
here that makes visitors perceive the four major southern
States together simply as 'south India', albeit mistakenly.
In spite of the seeming similarity, each State has different
scenery, festivals, architecture and subtle cultural variations to
offer, each State in its own right a fascinating tourist destination.
Pondicherry and Lakshadweep are again utterly different
from the four traditional States of Tamil Nadu, Andhra
Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala. The southern culture is a tapestry
of magnificent temple architecture going back to the 6th
century, the unaltered traditions of food, religion and lifestyle,
handicrafts, heritage of sandalwood, silk, rosewood and brass,
and of course the grandeur of classical dance and music.
This is a land of temples, a land of the devout, the profusion
of jasmine and 'kanakambaram' flowers and the soft beat of
distant drums as yet another festival starts.
8 SEPTEMBER 2008 • JAXFAX INDIA SALES GUIDE SUPPLEMENT

EAST INDIA
Steeped in thousands of years of
history, much of East India still remains
untouched by time. It is in the
unimaginably fertile Gange delta that
the ancient kingdoms with lilting
names like Anga, Banga, Kalinga
flourished at least 3000 years ago.
Early industrialization of India took place in the east, due to
the incredibly rich hinterland, access to river and ocean commercial
transport and British investment in technology.
Orissa on the east coast of India, is home to the Hirakud Dam,
one of the longest dams in the world. Orissa has several popular
tourist destinations. Puri, with the Jagannatha's temple near
the sea, and Konark, with the Sun Temple.
Bihar is located in the eastern region of India, bordering
Nepal in the North. It is in Bihar that the Buddha and Mahavira
preached the gentle way of life that changed human history.
It is in West Bengal where the British metamorphosed from
traders to supreme rulers of India - a historical event that altered
India's national psyche for centuries. As powers and persona
rose and fell, history shaped the people of the plains.
Calcutta (Kolkata) is the capital of the Indian state of West
Bengal which served as the capital of India during the British Raj
until 1911.
Other states in the East include: Mizoram, Nagaland and
Manipur home to the Tulihal Airport, the airport of Imphal,
which connects the state capital with Delhi, Calcutta and Guwahati.
Also Meghalaya state which literally means "The Abode of
Clouds" in Sanskrit and other Indic languages. Surrounded by
Bangladesh on the north, south and west, the state of Tripura
possesses an extremely rich bio-diversity, there are 379
species of trees.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands – an emerald dollops in
the sapphire indian ocean are traditionally known for their shell
wealth, used as novelties supporting many cottage industries
producing a wide range of decorative items & ornaments.
WEST INDIA
The four states of Maharashtra,
Gujarat, Goa and Madhya Pradesh
in the west are so different in their
landscape, culture and milieu that it
may be difficult to believe they are adjacent
to each other.
Maharashtra is the land of famed
warriors. Ridged by the Western ghats and covered by dense
forests, it has witnessed a valiant history - rise and fall of
Maratha empire.
Shivaji is an immortal legend here, his memories alive in the
innumerable forts scattered across the countryside. The rock
cut caves at Ajanta and Ellora eloquently record the earliest mingling
of all faiths - the Buddhist, Jain and Hindu sculptures and
frescoes co-exist in complete harmony.
Since ancient times Arab traders touched the Indian ports on
the west coast of Gujarat and a multi-product export import
trade flourished. The mythical port city of Dwarka supposed to
have been founded by Lord Krishna 5,000 years ago, had been
recently excavated from below the sea. The ruins of the Harappan
civilization that were discovered in Lothal date back 3,500
years. Gujarat is still steeped in history. The Muslim culture in
Ahmedabad founded by Ahmed Shah and the memories of life
and work of Mahatma Gandhi who spent a part of his life here,
are a living presence.
Goa conjures another world. Ancient temples and majestic
churches, a rich tradition of classical music, truly exuberant folk
entertainment, delectable cuisine and a beautiful 160-mile
coastline with nearly year round sunshine combine in magical
alchemy to make it an ideal getaway holiday resort.
Madhya Pradesh, surrounded by seven States, known as
the heart of India, geographically shares the mountain ranges
and plateaus of the western States. Its verdant forests are rich
in flora and fauna and shelter ancient tribes, in many ways a
uniquely harmonious world where life continues to be unhurried
and natural.
INCREDIBLE FARES TO INDIA
SEPTEMBER 2008 • JAXFAX INDIA SALES GUIDE SUPPLEMENT 9

Touring India With The Experts
A As it celebrates its 250th anniversary, Cox & Kings.
www.coxandkingsusa.com, is a premium brand in all
travel related services in the Indian subcontinent, employing
over 800 trained professionals. Its India operations are headquartered
in Mumbai. It has over 12 fully owned offices in India
across key cities such as New Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore,
Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Hyderabad, Pune, Goa, Nagpur and
Jaipur. Its Signature Escorted Travel, is limited to 18 participants
and features at least one C&K Signature Event, and is led by
its most popular Escorts. The typical number of travelers is only
nine. Custom Designed Travel is among its options as you may
want to help develop a one of a kind luxury experience. The
company offers safaris for individuals, and families.
Collette Vacations, www.collettevacations.com. offers a
16-day “Mysteries of India”, including a two-night stay in a
palace, stays at five-star Taj Hotels, an elephant ride to Amber
Fort, a horse and carriage or "Tonga" ride to the Taj Mahal, a visit
to Mother Theresa's Charity Home. Departures available are:
Jan. 15, March 5, May 28, and Oct. 15, 2009. Land rates range
from $2,849 per person double for the May departure to $3,999
per person double in Jan. and March.
Goway Travel, www.goway.com, offers an ultimate fully escorted
20-day Splendors of India package--one of their signature
Holidays of a Lifetime trips. Departing February 2, 2009
the tour is priced from $9,759 per person double with roundtrip
airfare out of Los Angeles with British Airways.
Hariworld, www.hariworld.com headquartered in New
York, has branch offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los
Angeles and San Francisco all ARC approved, plus an office
in New Delhi, which is IATA approved.
Canada-based Indus Travels, www.industravels.ca, has recently
introduced its Luxury Collection. Among its current portfolio
is the seven-night, “Yoga, the Healing Touch” priced from $897
for land arrangements only. The program visits the Taj Mahal in
Agra; accommodations are at the Ashram in Rishikesh and include
yoga sessions and sightseeing. Additionally, a nine-night
program, “Kerala Explorer” includes a boat trip at Peryar National
Park, a sunset cruise at Kumarakom and dance performances at
Cochin. Besides India, Indus also custom-designs travel to Nepal,
Sri Lanka, Maldives, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Dubai.
Picasso Tours, www.portsofindia.com, has introduced a
new product line to the subcontinent dubbed Ports of India.
Programs focus on north, south, central, east and west India in
a series of programs with enormous variety and options. The
Chopra is catalyst for Guide
Ram Chopra is well known in the travel industry.
He has straddled both sides of the
fence: the public and private sectors and has
landed squarely at the source of his passion, his beloved
India. His career spans nearly half a century. In that time,
he has been involved with tourism promotion, marketing
and salesmanship on every level of the industry.
A catalyst for this supplement, Chopra said, “The decision
for India Tourism and Jax Fax to collaborate on producing
this travel guide for India right now is very timely.” He
added, “While traveling at home and to nearby countries
and states is becoming arduous due to the fury of gas
prices, air travel to India has become very affordable due to
the availability of seats both on the direct and stopover
flights.” Additionally, hotel accommodations have also been
enhanced in all categories especially in the three and fourstar
properties. Add to this, India’s portfolio of grand rail luxury
journeys for what may quite possibly position India as
the very best foreign destination buy this year.
A PATA Gold Award winner, Chopra headed the Government
of India Tourist Office, New York when India promotion
was at its earliest stage in the U.S. It is no surprise
Chopra reappeared in the market at the helm of the North
American operations for Indian tour operator SANS Incredible
Vacations.
Call Ram Chopra, Sans Incredible Vacations at 212-695-
1005, 888-9C-INDIA; 347-323-2252 or visit www.sansincrediblevacations.com.
10 SEPTEMBER 2008 • JAXFAX INDIA SALES GUIDE SUPPLEMENT

Exotic South, for instance, is a fully escorted
12-night tour that travels from
Chennai, to Tanjor, Madurai, Ponticherry,
Cochin and ends in Mumbai.
Priced from $2,025 per person double
for land arrangements; air is additional but Picasso can and will assist
agents with consolidator prices. A three-night extension to Goa
costs about $700 per person double.
Ritz Tours, www.ritztours.com, madkes its first venture into
India with the new 16-day Essence of India program for travel
in 2008 and 2009. The “Pearl of the Orient,” priced from $3,699
per person double begins in Bangkok, Thailand, stops in India’
capital of Delhi, on to Agra. Departing Jan. 8, 28 and Feb. 18.
SANS Incredible Vacations, www.incrediblevacationsindia.com,
offers a comprehensive Fam tours leaving
every Thursday and priced from $1,599 including roundtrip
air on major carriers from U.S. and Canadian gateways.
Two one-week options are being offered. The Gold
Fam includes Delhi-Agra-Ranthambore-Jaipur and the
Green Fam covers Mumbai-Kochi- Periyar-Kumarakom
with Combinations and extensions.
SITA World Tours, www.sitatours.com, which is approaching
its 75th anniversary, has retained an edge in the Tourism In-
dustry by tapping into various niche markets. Tours to India and
Nepal range from luxury to deluxe to first-class programs as
well as a healthy roster of options for Independent travelers.
Programs are focused, yet the Golden Triangle remains one
of the best first-time visitor tours, while others that focus on
South India, Wildlife, and luxury train rides may appeal to those
who have been to India and want to visit again.
Sky Vacations, www.skyvacations.net, excels at India destination
management. From budget-conscious tourists to highend
clients looking for a private jets and exclusive suites, Sky
Vacations caters to your clients specific requirements. Its parent
company, Sky Bird Travel & Tours Inc. is comprised of eight
offices across the U.S. Known within airline circles, Sky Bird
now offers enhanced value addition for clients who choose to
venture out, seeking new destinations to visit with experts.
STI Travel LLC, www.sti-travel.com India programs range
from Enchanting North India, Enchanting South India, Classic
Kerala, Rajasthan with Taj Hotels and, the popular Golden Triangle
offering extensions on the Kerala package, a Call of the
Wild package and the Last Shangri-La. An air-inclusive fam trip
is scheduled for Sept. 19-29, 2008 at $1,869 per person double.
SEPTEMBER 2008 • JAXFAX INDIA SALES GUIDE SUPPLEMENT 11

RIDING THE RAILS
Last fall, India welcomed two new attractions: The Vidarbha
Queen Express, India’s first jungle safari train and the Deccan
Odyssey. Vidarbha visits Tadoba National Park, Maharashtra’s oldest
Tiger Reserve, endowed with biodiversity and home to the
Royal Bengal Tiger, India’s national animal, currently in danger of
extinction. Other tiger reserves in Maharashtra are the Melghat
Tiger Reserve located on the southern region of the Satpura Hill
Range, 140 miles from the Nagpur Airport close to Chikaldhara, in
the north east of the State and the Pench Tiger Reserve.
The Government of Maharashtra along with the Japanese
Bank of International Cooperation, have embarked on a $95 million
investment to conserve the Ajanta and Ellora regions. Other
conservation projects include restoration of Elephanta Island,
another UNESCO World Heritage site in Mumbai, the Lonar
Crater, and other archaeological museums in the region.
A joint venture between the Indian Railways and the Government
of Maharashtra represented by the Maharashtra Tourism Development
Corporation, the Deccan Odyssey showcases the
tourism assets of Maharashtra, the grandeur of Konkan coast, the
art, culture, the heritage of Maharashtra as well as local arts, crafts
and cuisine of the state during the journey. It takes 80 passengers
on a tour of the Konkan region, including Goa, and northwestern
Maharashtra, stopping at Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Goa, Pune, Aurangabad,
(for Ajanta and Ellora) and Nashik, visiting forts, historical
places, museums, beaches and boat rides in the backwaters. The
Deccan Odyssey takes visitors on a seven-night journey departing
every Wednesday from the Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) in
Mumbai between October and April. The Deccan Odyssey features
21 air-conditioned coaches which include two world-class
restaurants, a spa, gym, hair salon, steam/sauna, and massage,
yoga and business centers. The world-renowned Taj Group operates
the spa, dining and housekeeping facilities, which includes 24hour
room service. www.maharashtratourism.gov.in
Palace Tours offers a wide variety of luxury tours to India
quite possibly setting the standard for touring excellence by
providing ease, flexibility and a multitude of choices for your
clients. The company offers the luxury train tours in India retaining
nearly 50% of the worldwide market share for Palace
on Wheels in Rajasthan, India's flagship luxury tourist offering.
As the General Sales Agent of several Indian State Tourism Departments,
Palace Tours also represents India's newest trains:
The Deccan Odyssey and Heritage on Wheels. Call 800-724-
5120; www.palacetours.net
Greaves Tours has just the ticket for those seeking an enchanting
rail-journey across India. Palace on Wheels is regularly featured
in Greaves’ portfolio. The “Deccan Odyssey” is scheduled to leave
Mumbai weekly on Wednesday evenings, from September to
April each year. Both packages include an elephant ride in Jaipur;
camel ride in Jaisalmer; canter ride in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve;
boat ride in Udaipur; cycle rickshaw ride in Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary.
Call 800-318-7801; www.greavesindia.com
ACCOMMODATIONS
India is rich with a wealth of
accommodations from five-star
deluxe palaces to rural tourism,
which is fast taking off among
visitors. Visit www.exploreruralindia.org
Aman Resorts, www.amanresorts.com: Just south of the
Delhi Golf Course, is The Aman, New Delhi. This city-based resort
rises nine stories and houses 39 rooms (31 are poolside) and suites
with private plunge pools.
Aman Resorts in northern India include the Aman-i-Khás, a 3 3/4
hour train journey from New Delhi. It is a tented camp for wildlife safaris
set on the outskirts of Ranthambhore National Park. Amanbagh,
a verdant oasis of mature palm, fruit and eucalyptus trees
lying within a walled compound once the staging grounds for royal
hunts, is 4 1/2 hours by car from New Delhi.
The Leela Palace Kempinski, www.theleela.com: Glamour,
characterized The Leela Palace Kempinski in Bangalore. The
Leela Palaces-Hotels-Resorts group, in fact is among the most
expensive lodging in India and its executives like it that way as
they embark on an aggressive three-year expansion plan that
will double room capacity by introducing six new properties,
bringing the group’s total to 10. The new properties will be in
Gurgaon Delhi, to open Spring, 2008; Udaipur, winter, 2008;
Chennai, winter, 2009; and by 2010 in South Delhi; Hyderabade;
and Pune, representing a total investment of $300 million.
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, www.shangri-la.com: Among
Asia Pacific’s leading luxury hotel groups, recently signed an
agreement with Pallazzio Hotel and Leisure Limited to manage
the Shangri-La Hotel, Mumbai, opening at the end of 2009. The
Shangri-La Hotel, Bangalore; Palm Retreat Shangri-La, Bangalore;
and Traders Hotel, Bangalore, all will open in 2009.
Wyndham Hotel Group, www.wyndham.com: The Wyndham
Hotel Group recently reached an agreement to construct
at least 38 Super 8 and Days Inn hotels in India.
Breaking new ground in India, CC Africa and Taj Hotels Resorts
and Palaces, www.tajsafaris.com, joint venture offers
the country’s first and only wildlife circuit. This partnership provides
guests with the ultimate wildlife experience based on a
proven sustainable ecotourism model. CC Africa’s two new jungle
safari lodges are on track to open next month, in October 2008.
Pashan Garh in Panna National Park and Banjaar Tola in Kanha National
Park will join CC Africa’s award-winning lodges, Mahua Kothi
and Baghvan, offering an unmatched wildlife circuit highlighting
Madhya Pradesh’s diverse national parks.
Dan Hotels, www.danhotels.com, expands its luxury hotel
operations with new properties to open in India.
Construction of the first of the new Dan Hotels in India will
begin in the next few months in Bangalore, and is scheduled to
be completed by 2011. More hotels will follow throughout
India, building on the success of the Dan Hotels Israel, including
the legendary King David Hotel in Jerusalem and the Dan Tel
Aviv, both Leading Hotels of the World.
12 SEPTEMBER 2008 • JAXFAX INDIA SALES GUIDE SUPPLEMENT