As hoteliers excitedly speak of heavy winter bookings and tourist inflows foretell a 10 percent growth this year, the Indian travel industry seems to have bounced back since November 2008 when the Mumbai terror attacks dealt it a huge blow. 

Sabina Chopra, co-founder of yatra.com, a travel portal, said: "In 2010, we are expecting to see a growth of 10-12 percent in the travel industry. In the previous year, the growth was around eight-nine percent." 

According to a tourism ministry official, between January and October this year, 4.32 million tourists arrived in India - a growth of 9.9 percent over the corresponding period in 2009. 

Hoteliers have gone so far as to say the winter season has exceeded their expectations and the upward cycle will peak in 2012. 

"With winters here, the tourist season is in full swing and the slump of 2008 seems to be finally over," said Rajan Mehta, a tour operator. 

It's a far cry from the time when the travel trade fell victim to 26/11, a setback that was compounded by swine flu and global recession. 

According to the tourism ministry, in the first 11 months of 2009 - soon after the attacks - foreign tourist arrivals saw a decline of 17.6 percent. The financial meltdown and the swine flu outbreak which happened around the same time also contributed to the downfall. 

"It's not just terror attacks, if there is a natural calamity like an earthquake or a flood, or an epidemic, then tourism is the first casualty. Similar was the case during the Mumbai terror attacks," according to Gour Kanjilal of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO). 

"Two years on, I think the industry is more cautious and you can see that with the beefed up security in hotels," Kanjilal told IANS. 

On Nov 26, 2008, a handful of terrorists held Mumbai - including two five-star hotels - hostage, killing 166 people and shocking the world. The attacks at the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel and the Oberoi Trident were in fact said to have been aimed at foreigners. 

Chopra of yatra.com said: "In the first three months after the Mumbai attacks, from November to February, there were almost no travel bookings at all and there were mass cancellations. Before that the industry was seeing a 15-16 percent growth. Things started improving around the latter part of 2009." 

She said while the more robust domestic market jumped back soon after the attacks, the international market took time to recover. This was mainly because various embassies issued advisories on travel after the incident, raising questions about safety. 

Read full news at source: ET

India will now get 8 more tiger reserves, in addition to the existing 39. A new tiger reserve will be set up in Sathyamangalam in Tamil Nadu, BR Hills in Karnataka will have another, and while Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh will have two each, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa will get one each.

Union Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh said, "I hope the tiger census will be released in two weeks. I am keeping my fingers crossed. I hope we will have good news.”

Ramesh also said the National Tiger Conservation Authority will be decentralized with three new offices in Nagpur, Bangalore and Guwahati. Ramesh’s ministry has moved the Finance Ministry for an additional Rs 800 crore in 2010-11 and another Rs 1,000 crore in 2011-12 for relocation of families from core tiger areas.

Some 50,000 families need to be relocated of which 3,000 have been moved already. “We should do this in five years,” added Ramesh. Each family is being given Rs 10 lakh.

The allowance for field staff in tiger reserves has also been doubled. There are 10,300 staff members at present.

To improve the state of sustainable tourism, Ramesh said that the ministry will start a mechanism in which the revenue from tourism flows back into the reserves.

Tiger conservation in India is “most extensive and most intensive” than any other nations in the world, the minister added.

Read at source: Tehelka

The Ministry of Tourism signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), an agency of the World Bank, on Wednesday here to improve and promote the Buddhist tourism circuit in the country.

Thousands of pilgrims and tourists throng Buddhist destinations in the country every year, but most of the places suffer a severe lack of amenities.

Anand Kumar, Joint Secretary in Ministry of Tourism and Rachel Kyte, Vice-President for the IFC's Business Advisory Services, signed the agreement.

Kumari Selja, Minister of Tourism, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, said the support of the government and private sectors would improve Buddhist tours.

"We have intended an agreement in which one of the organisations of World Bank (IFC) is also involved. We would further plan the methods by which we can promote the Buddhist circuit, so that the private sector investments would also take place so that the government and private sector would make this Buddhist circuit, would support the betterment of this Buddhist sector so that people across the country and abroad would visit," Selja said.

The IFC has already supported one tourism project in India's northwestern state of Rajasthan, and the Ministry is hopeful of the same results in the Buddhist circuit, as well.

IFC has partnered with Rajasthan to promote a more dynamic business environment to attract private investment, facilitate regulatory simplification, generate opportunities for small businesses, and create jobs.

India is IFC's largest exposure with about $1 billion in new commitments annually. IFC has had a strong presence in Rajasthan supporting infrastructure and financial private sector players. (ANI)

New Source: Sify

Three Delhi/NCR hotels - Trident Gurgaon, Taj Palace and Radisson NH-8 - were rated the best in Asia in their categories, and India bagged the distinction of being the continent's top destination, at the World Travel Awards Asia and Australasia on Thursday evening.

The Awards, universally regarded as the Oscars of the travel and tourism business, are determined by secret ballot in which more than 1,83,000 travellers and industry professionals participate in over 160 countries. Of the 47 awards handed over to Asian destinations, hotels and resorts, India bagged 11, including the best hotel brand award to The Oberoi Hotels and Resorts.

A clear sign of the country's growing positive presence in the international tourism sector was the competition that India was up against for Asia's best destination award. It pipped Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Phuket, Tokyo and Sri Lanka to win the coveted honour.

Likewise, Trident was the first past the post in a field of 21 contenders for the double honour of Asia's leading hotel and luxury hotel. Taj Palace got the award for the continent's best meetings and conference hotel, and Radisson NH- 8 for the best airport hotel.

"It is a big achievement to win this award second time in a row," said Taj Palace general manager Taljinder Singh. " Next year we'll try to win the 'best in the world' title."

The Awards also brought little-known hotels and resorts into the spotlight. One of them is the Raj Palace, Jaipur, whose Maharaja Pavilion was adjudged Asia's leading suite.

"It is an honour to win an award at the Oscars of the travel and tourism industry," said Ankur Rara, the Jaipur hotel's general manger.

And though her hotel was not among the Asian award winners, Monisha Dewan, general manager, Hilton Garden Inn Gurgaon, was quick to point to the significance of the Indian ascendance.

The surprise winner in the leading luxury train category was the Indian Maharaja, which has been in the news for its financial woes. Its general manager, Kuldeep Singh, though, was quite upbeat. The Commonwealth Games had infused a new energy into India's travel and tourism industry, unlike what people are led to believe.

Read Full article at orginial source: IndiaToday

As the XIX Commonwealth Games drew to a close, India also stole the show at this year’s World Travel Awards Asia & Australasia Ceremony in Delhi.

The industry’s elite – including CEOs and directors of leading travel companies, government ministers and tourist board chiefs – all gathered to see who would be crowned the best of the best during the most important evening of the year in the Asian tourism calendar.

Despite the controversy surrounding the build-up to the Commonwealth Games, India has proven its credentials as a top travel destination, taking away the title of “Asia’s Leading Destination”.

Other big wins for the region include “Asia’s Leading Hotel” and “Asia’s Leading Luxury Hotel” for the Trident Gurgaon; “Asia’s Leading Resort” for The Leela Kempinski Kovalam Beach Kerala, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts won the award for “Asia’s Leading Hotel Brand”; while Incredible India picked up “Asia’s Leading Tourist Board”.

(India’s Sadhya Dance Troupe open the World Travel Awards 2010 Asia & Australasia Ceremony)

With Asia leading the world out of recession, several key brands were rewarded for their extraordinary efforts, including Malaysia Airlines, which was voted “Asia’s Leading Airline” and “Asia’s Leading Airline Business Class”.

Shanghai won the award for “Asia’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination”, Avis received the trophy for “Asia’s Leading Car Hire”, Cox & Kings were awarded “India’s Leading Destination Management Company”.

The Pan Pacific Singapore won the trophy for “Asia’s Leading Business Hotel”, while Swissôtel was crowned “Asia’s Leading Business Hotel Brand”.

The arrival of several new properties over the past years has raised the Asian hospitality bar even higher. Of these, Sheraton Incheon Hotel, South Korea received the award for “Asia’s Leading New Hotel” while Resorts World Sentosa picked up “Asia’s Leading New Resort”.

The luxury market also revealed some strong contenders, with China’s Fuchun Resort winning “Asia’s Leading Luxury Golf Resort”, while Raffles Group picked up “Asia’s Leading Luxury Hotel Brand”.

Read full article at Source: BreakingTravelNews

Kochi, Sept 23 (PTI): The four-day Kerala Travel Mart (KTM), began here today showcasing tourism products of 'God's Own Country', with buyers from the world over pouring in. Said to be the biggest International Travel Mart concentrating on a particular state, the sixth edition will see over 500 international tourism professionals from 54 countries participating. There are 382 sellers from Kerala under different tourism product categories, including 12 houseboats

There has been a record registration by buyers from various countries, including Poland, Finland, Mexico and South Africa. About 551 International and 1621 Domestic Buyers have registered for the mart, inaugurated by Kerala High Court Chief Justice J Chelameswar. The UK has the highest number of buyers registrations in this Mart, the theme of which is 'Athithi devo bhava'.
A promotional film on Kerala Tourism "Your moment has come" was screened on the occasion. The venue Bolghatty Palace hotel, has been decked up to showcase the culture, traditions and festivals of Kerala in the most befitting manner. The first Marina in the country at Bolgatty Island is all ready with the houseboats and luxury yatchs. A grand entertainment programme, on the theme, Athithi Devo Bhav which is this years theme for the Mart was also held. Three seminars will be held during the Mart-- 'Buyers perspective of Kerala', 'Sustainable Tourism' and an exposition on Muzries heritage. The Kerala Mart Society conducts the Mart once in two years for select buyers from outside Kerala and other parts of the world in order to meet, interact and promote sellers, who are members of the society.

 The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (“IRCTC”) have introduced Bharat Darshan, a special pilgrimage train from next month taking tourists through various religious and pilgrim centers within North India over a period of 14 Days.

The Bharat Darshan train includes a trip to various North Indian places like Shirdi in Maharashtra , Varanasi, Gaya, Allahabad, Haridwar, Delhi, Mathura and Agra. 

"As these places are situated in different parts of the country, people find it difficult to visit all these places at one go even if they want to. Therefore, this venture is expected to meet the aspirations of such people," said the Zonal Tourism Officer of IRCTC, Puneet Saxena.

The Train for Bharat Darshan will start south, from Bangalore (Karnataka) and travel north via Secundrabad in Andhra Pardesh and Shirdi in Maharashtra. It can accommodate upto 45 people. Currently it is planned as a one time journey, however the response to the train will help IRCTC decide to make it a regular feature in every 3 months.

Per person ticket cost for Bharat Darshan is Rs. 7,695. This cost includes sleeper class journey, transportation for sightseeing, South Indian vegetarian food and lodging in halls. In case any person wishes to make other arrangements for lodging and boarding, the same has to be done at their own cost.

The train embarks October this Year.

India on Friday won three prestigious awards at the international travel mart in Macau for its rural and eco-tourism projects, an official said here. At a glittering function organised by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Travel Mart, the tourism ministry bagged the PATA Grand Award and two PATA Gold Awards, the official said.

PATA, founded in 1951, is a non-profit membership association and works for building responsible development of the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry.

While the PATA Grand Award was given under the heritage category for the Rural Tourism Project at Hodka village in Gujarat's Kutch district, the two other awards were given to the ministry for marketing its products in an innovative manner.

About the Gujarat project, the organisers said: "The scale of this project is very welcome and could have major positive impacts on the community." 

The rural tourism project is owned and operated by the Village Tourism Committee of the people of Hodka village. A rural resort, which boasts of totally modernised facilities, it is surrounded by the natural beauty of Kutch.

Art, craft and textiles made by the villagers is sold to customers, thus providing a livelihood to the villagers.

While the first marketing award was for promoting various destinations in India, the other was for creating a buzz about eco-tourism products.

Every year, the PATA Travel Mart gathers tourism stakeholders from around the world to network and seek business opportunities.

PATA's membership boasts more than 100 government, state and city tourism bodies, over 50 airlines and cruise lines, and hundreds of travel industry companies.

Around 1,000 delegates from across the world congregated for the three-day event. The Indian delegation was led by Tourism Secretary R.H. Khwaja.

The PATA Travel Mart 2011 will be held in Delhi in September, the official added.

Source: HindustanTimes

WASHINGTON: India has been identified as the most important country for tigers with 18 source sites dedicated solely to their conservation, according to a recent study.

In a worrying discovery, the Wildlife Conservation Society and other groups have found that most of the world's last remaining tigers - long decimated by overhunting, logging, and wildlife trade - are now clustered in just six per cent of their available habitat.

In their study, the researchers have identified 42 'source sites' scattered across Asia that are now the last hope and greatest priority for the conservation and recovery of the world's largest cat.

The securing of the tiger's remaining source sites is the most effective and efficient way of not only preventing extinction but seeding a recovery of the wild tiger, say the study's authors.

The researchers also assert that effective conservation efforts focused on these sites are both possible and economically feasible, requiring an additional 35 million dollar a year for increased monitoring and enforcement to enable tiger numbers to double in these last strongholds.

"While the scale of the challenge is enormous, the complexity of effective implementation is. In the past, overly ambitious and complicated conservation efforts have failed to do the basics: prevent the hunting of tigers and their prey. With 70 per cent of the world's wild tigers in just six per cent of their current range, efforts need to focus on securing these sites as the number one priority for the species not," said Joe Walston, Director of the Wildlife Conservation Society's Asia Program and lead author of the study.

According to the paper, fewer than 3,500 tigers remain in the wild, of which only about 1,000 are breeding females.

Walston and his co-authors identified 42 tiger source sites, which were defined as sites that contain breeding populations of tigers and have the potential to seed the recovery of tigers across wider landscapes.

India was identified as the most important country for the species with 18 source sites.

Sumatra contains eight source sites, and the Russian Far East contains six.

The authors calculate the total required annual cost of effectively managing source sites to be 82 million dollars, which includes the cost of law enforcement, wildlife monitoring, community involvement, and other factors.

The authors say that in spite of decades of effort by conservationists, tigers continue to be threatened by overhunting of both tigers and their prey, and by loss and fragmentation of habitat.

Much of the decline is being driven by the demand for tiger body parts used in traditional medicines.

The study has been published online in PLoS Biology.

More information on Project Tiger

News source: EconomicTimes