Survey Reveals Travellers from Asia Pacific the Most Tech-Savvy

The need to stay connected at every corner of the globe, has made technology both a trusty companion and an indispensable resource for leisure travelers.

According to Visa’s Global Travel Intentions Study 2013, phones are the top choice as a holiday companion (80%), followed by cameras (70%), computers (54%), and entertainment devices (32%).

Gadgets are used to find essential information and easily share their travel experiences with friends and family which is why 65% of global travelers take a smartphone with them.

 Asian tourists are also particularly tech-savvy with 73% choosing to check-in online while abroad.

This emerging trend is not just limited to the trip itself – 71% of travelers share their holiday experiences online after returning from their trips.

Asian travelers are even keener to share their experiences with 77% of tourists updating the web with their adventures.

Internet capability also rates highly when deciding which gadgets to bring on holiday, coming in as the top consideration for affluent travelers (45%) ahead of gadget size and weight – possibly due to the 25% who require access to internet banking while away.

First-time travelers, however, listed size as being the most important factor (41%).

Online sources such as travel review, service provider and official tourism websites are used by 71% of global travelers for trip planning, 65% for bookings of independent travel and 57% for information while traveling.

 Travelers from Asia Pacific are the most tech-savvy, with these numbers increasing to 80%, 76% and 73% respectively.

Ross Jackson, Head of Cross-Border, Asia Pacific, Central Europe, Middle East & Africa, at Visa Worldwide, said, “Technology has impacted every aspect of our lives, and the way that we plan and enjoy holidays is no different. While traditional word of mouth reviews from friends, relatives and guidebooks are still used – especially among travelers from Africa & the Middle East – online resources that offer reviews from frequent travelers as well as a host of other information such as currency converters, pictures, booking and discount facilities are becoming the first source of information for most global travelers. In a positive sign for providers who are offering both information and booking solutions online, global travelers are saying that online booking processes are fast and getting easier. Visa understands this and provides a number of ecommerce solutions to make online payments secure and convenient for both merchants and customers.”

Travel & tourism industry supports relief work in Uttarakhand

The travel and tourism industry has come forward wholeheartedly to support the relief and rescue operations of the government agencies in flood-ravaged Uttarakhand. Travel and tourism associations have asked their members to participate in providing succour to people stranded, as well as those who have lost their livelihood in the natural calamity. The paramilitary forces have so far evacuated close to 90,000 Char Dham pilgrims from the affected areas.

Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) has urged its members to contribute generously to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund to help the government in the rehabilitation work for the affected people. Similarly, the Indian Tourist Transport Association (ITTA) had sent 30 tourist coaches on June 20 and 21 from Delhi to Uttarakhand with relief materials. These coaches were flagged off from Delhi by Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister of Delhi. “We have also requested members to contribute to the Relief Fund and are getting good response. ITTA has decided to participate in the rebuilding of Uttarakhand in collaboration with the state government and local administration,” said Krishan Dutt Yadav, President, ITTA.

Delhi Hotel & Restaurant Association, an umbrella association of guest house owners of Delhi, has decided to offer free rooms, food and medicines to pilgrims evacuated from affected areas, who are on transit to different places in the country. Sandeep Khandelwal, President, Delhi Hotel & Restaurant Association, said that about 250 member hotels will provide rooms, food and medicines to pilgrims who arrive in Delhi, en route to their destinations in different parts of the country.

Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) has urged the government to announce a comprehensive financial package for the reconstruction of tourism infrastructure in Uttarakhand. In a statement, Vijay Pande, Secretary, FHRAI, said that the recent natural calamity had “dealt a severe blow” to the tourism and hospitality industry, which comprises largely “small- and medium-sized" establishments.

“On account of these incalculable losses, the sector faces a perilous future, which also threatens the livelihood of lakhs of people. FHRAI makes an urgent appeal to the Union Government and financial institutions to formulate a comprehensive relief package for the state’s hospitality and tourism industry, in the form of loan waivers, tax exemptions and subsidies,” Pande said.

Kerala Tourism to start seaplane service next month

The seaplane project of Department of Tourism (DoT), Government of Kerala, which was showcased at the Emerging Kerala Global Connect event held in Kochi in September last year is all set to take off. The non-scheduled service operated by Bengaluru-based Kairali Aviation Pvt Ltd, will be inaugurated at Ashtamundi Lake, Kollam on June 2, 2013. The company currently has a Cessna 206 aircraft (five passenger capacity) and will operate flights from Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Calicut to Punnamada in Allappuzha district and Astamundi in Kollam district. Kairali Aviation is the first to commence the service among four operators that have registered with the Kerala government to start sea plane service. The sea plane project is aimed at providing swift and convenient last mile connectivity to various important tourist destinations in the state.

Commenting on the service, Suman Billa, Tourism Secretary, Government of Kerala said, “The product offers tremendous potential to boost tourism in Kerala. The service will provide a unique experience to travellers, both as a joy ride and as an effective mode of transport to distant destinations. For e.g. a tourist, who travels from London to Kerala to visit Munnar can reach the destination via a seaplane from Cochin Airport within 20 minutes instead of six hours by road.”

According to Col. (Retd) Sasikumar, Chairman and Managing Director, Kairali Aviation, the company will soon extend its services to Kumarakom and Bolgatty. He informed that a half hour flight is priced between Rs 4,000 to 5,000.

“While clients can currently book through the Kairali Aviation office, very soon we will launch a booking website for the service. We plan to work closely with the travel trade and are in touch with numerous travel agents and tour operators, both in India and abroad. We plan to add another aircraft (Dornier 228 with seating capacity of nine passengers) after the monsoon season and plan to have a fleet of three aircraft by year end,” stated Col. (Retd) Sasikumar.

Kerala Tourism Infrastructure Ltd. (KTIL) was assigned to coordinate the project and was appointed as the nodal agency. According to KTIL, The state government has provided the necessary infrastructure by setting up waterdromes with facilities like a floating jetty, passenger frisking, etc., to operate seaplane services, based on an open sky policy. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) was prepared by Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited, which is a Government of India undertaking. Security of the waterdromes is ensured by a specially-formed Airport Security Group (ASG), trained and certified by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) of India, under the Kerala Police. Seaplane operations are limited to daytime and the project aims to connect 25 tourist destinations.

Riaz Ahmed, President, Kerala Travel Mart Society (KTMS) and Managing Director, Abad Group of Hotels, said, “Seaplanes are quite new in the Kerala tourism industry. The product gives value for money. It will definitely give a boost to tourism, and will help connect destinations such as Alleppey, and Kumarakom that houses the Vembanad Lake.”

Austin Varghese, Chairman Kerala Chapter, TAAI and Chief Executive, Austin International Travels, said, “It is good that seaplanes are being launched in Kerala. There are plans to offer pick-up services from Calicut, Thiruvananthapuram and Cochin airports to backwater destinations. The approximate cost will be Rs 6,000 per hour, which is not affordable by all classes of tourists. Thus, they should curtail the flying fees and make it economically viable for tourists. No special packages have been launched as yet for the travel trade."

E M Najeeb, Chairman Kerala Chapter, IATO and Chairman and Managing Director, Air Travel Enterprises (ATE) Group of Companies, said, “The seaplane is a new product in India itself. Kerala as a tourist destination is lucky to get all the required permission from authorities to unveil it. I would like to congratulate the state for taking this initiative and we will offer all the support. This will help tourists travel form one point to another quickly and offer last-mile connectivity to destinations. This will be a new experience for tourists."

Johny Abraham George, Chairman Kerala Chapter, ADTOI and Chairman & Managing Director, Intersight Tours and Travels Pvt Ltd, said, “This is a new product. The outcome is yet to be experienced. Though, it should save tourists time. For example, a tourist on an eight-day holiday in Kerala spends lot of time travelling. Seaplane services will help them save travel time. This is mainly suitable for high-end clients."

Jose Dominic, Joint Honorary Secretary, Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) and Managing Director & CEO, CGH Earth, said, “This is a new product in the Indian tourism industry. It will help tourists reach far-flung areas of Kerala such as Munnar or Mattupetty, which is at a six-to-seven-hour distance from Cochin Airport. This kind of product is good for all states in India."

Paulose K Mathew, Chairman, TAFI Kerala Chapter and Managing Director, Coraz Travel & Trade Links Pvt Ltd, said, “With tranquil beaches, beautiful backwaters, lake sides, lush green forests, hill stations, exotic wildlife sanctuaries, mountains, and hill stations, Kerala is a very beautiful tourist destination. Seaplane services will help tourists explore every nook and corner of the state, especially backwater destinations like Alappuzha. In addition, it is a new product and will give a different experience to tourists. Seaplane services will definitely be successful in Kerala."

KTDC plans to attract tourists from Middle East, Russia with Age Halt Ayurveda programme

Buoyed by the growing popularity of its Age Halt programme that provides Ayurveda treatment on the go, Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) is planning to woo tourists from the Middle East and Russia during the monsoon season this year. “Our Age Halt programme, launched last year, has sparked huge interest among tourists in India and abroad. It is a unique product that seamlessly combines Ayurvedic treatment and travel,” said N Prashant, Managing Director, KTDC.


The Age Halt programme provides Ayurveda packages through KTDC properties such as Samudra (Kovalam), Bolgatty Palace, Bolgatty Island Resort and Marina House (Kochi), Tea County (Munnar), Lake Palace and Aranya Nivas (Thekkady), and Periyar House, inside the Periyar Sanctuary, a release stated.

“A tourist may be confined to one location for 10-15 days while the Ayurvedic treatment is on, forcing him/her to forego the recreational aspect of travel. Age Halt is a combination of both recreation and treatment. A tourist who opts for a rejuvenation package at one place can move to other properties of KTDC without any interruption under continuous medical supervision,” Prashant said.

KTDC has tied up with Santhigiri Ashram at some of its properties for providing Ayurvedic therapy. The duration of the packages is up to 21 days and the tariff varies from Rs 1,900 to Rs 192,500. 

Currently, tourists majorly from Germany, Britain, Russia and France opt for the Age Halt programme, but KTDC is keen to enter the Gulf countries in a substantial manner. “We had organised special roadshows in the Gulf last year, and the Arabs are now coming to Kerala for the treatment of lifestyle diseases. They (Arabs) are tempted by the sight of rainfall. If we combine it with the Ayurvedic therapy, it will be a big opportunity for Kerala to leverage its traditional medicine system as a strong wellness quotient during the monsoon,” Prashant noted.

Rani George, Tourism Director, Kerala, said that Ayurveda, as a tourism product, has great prospects in the Middle East, Australia and Russia, besides the traditional markets in Germany. Kerala Tourism has already started a campaign, ‘Kerala - The Home of Ayurveda’, in the domestic as well as international markets.

Kerala is also pinning hopes on domestic tourists to sustain its Monsoon Tourism. “We can’t afford to ignore domestic tourists. Monsoons are a vacation time in the Northern states, and Kerala gives a relatively cheaper option to people from these states to avail of Ayurveda therapy while on the move,” said Prasanth, adding that KTDC would soon launch a monsoon package, including Ayurveda and indoor games. He also revealed that KTDC is setting up a drive-in beach resort at Muzhappilangad beach in Kannur district, which will be the largest in Asia.

Kerala recorded 7.9 lakh international tourist arrivals and one crore domestic tourist arrivals last year.

Tourism Authority of Thailand to promote motorbike tours in India

In a bid to tap this growing adventure segment in India, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is looking at promoting guided motorbike tours in the country. The bikes with over 1,000 cc, like Harley-Davidson, Ducati, and BMW, are apt for such tours. TAT had invited eight journalists from various sports magazines and bike tour operators for a Familiarisation (FAM) trip to Thailand, covering Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Khao Sok, Cheow Lan Lake, and Pattaya. Sethaphan Buddhani, Director, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Mumbai, said that motorbike tours are conducted for five to seven days, and a group of 12-15 people can easily be accommodated. Buddhani was speaking on the sidelines of the event organised by TAT on reaching one million tourist arrivals from the Indian market.

TAT, in association with Lonely Planet Magazine India, had organised 'A Million Thanks Evening', a grand event at Shangri-La Hotel in Mumbai, to thank the trade, media and corporate partners. The dignitaries present at the event were Suraphon Svetasreni, Governor, TAT; His Excellency Nat Pinyowattanacheep, Thai Consul General; Runjuan Tongrut, Director, North & East India, Bangladesh, Bhutan & Nepal, TAT; Pichest Laeietpiboon, General Manager - Mumbai, Thai Airways; Lubaina Sheerazi, Head, Blue Square Consultants (West, South India Representative of TAT), and the who's who of the travel trade.

Svetasreni said, “We have reached the one-million mark of Indian arrivals to Thailand. Four years ago, India was not even in the top ten, but now the country is one of the top six source markets for Thailand, with China being the number one source market for Thailand, followed by Malaysia, Japan, Korea and Russia. we thank the travel trade for their support. Ever since we set up our offices in India (Delhi and Mumbai), the numbers from this market have been increasing. We have witnessed a double-digit growth from the Indian market in most of the years. Also, at the time of crisis, India never reported any significant drop and was the first country to bounce back. Such support strengthens and reaffirms our belief in the Indian market.”

Thailand received 1,100,561 Indian arrivals in 2012, which is an 11 per cent increase from the same period in 2011. “This year we are expecting ten per cent growth from the Indian market. Over 60 per cent of Indian travellers to Thailand are repeat travellers. Thailand hosted over 100 Indian weddings last year. We welcomed Bollywood celebrities, and had television series, music videos, advertisement and films shot in Thailand. The first six months of 2012 witnessed 158 films, mostly from South India, being shot in Thailand," added Buddhani.

Besides motorbike tours, TAT is focusing on tapping high-end travellers, bird watchers, photography and gastronomy enthusiasts. TAT is looking at expanding its marketing arms to Tier-II and III cities like Coimbatore, Ahmedabad, Nagpur and Ooty.

Odisha Tourism wins PATWA award in Historical Heritage Monument category at ITB Berlin 2013

Odisha Tourism has received the PATWA (Pacific Area Travel Writers Association) award in the Best Historical Heritage Monument category at ITB Berlin 2013, as per a release. The award was received by Ashok Kumar Tripathy - Principal Secretary, Tourism and Culture, Odisha along with the Odisha Tourism team from the Executive Director of United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The award function was held at the International Congress Centre (ICC), Berlin.

Odisha boasts of temples, stupas, shrines, built over several centuries. This heritage bears testimony to the architectural and historical excellence from the past covering almost 2,000 years.

Odisha Tourism has been receiving PATWA International Awards for the last three years at the leading travel trade show, ITB Berlin. It has been participating in ITB Berlin for last few years for promotion of its tourism potential. A large number of tour operators and travel agents visited the Odisha Tourism stall at ITB Berlin 2013 and had fruitful interaction with delegates from Odisha Tourism.

Goa Tourism wins PATWA award for Best Beach Destination at ITB Berlin 2013

Goa Tourism won the PATWA award in the Best Beach Destination category on the second day of the ongoing five-day ITB Berlin 2013, which commenced on March 6. The award was given by Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) and was received by Dilip Paruleker, Minister for Tourism, Government of Goa. The award function was held at the International Congress Centre (ICC), Berlin.

The award has been given in recognition of the positive steps being undertaken by the Goa government for improving the image of the state as a safe and attractive tourism destination by implementing the concept of tourist police, proper regulation of beach shacks and watersports, improvement of infrastructure on all beaches, formulation of a tourism master plan and a new tourism policy, innovative marketing and promotions.

Paruleker expressed satisfaction and said that the award would cement Goa's position as one of the best beach destinations in the world. He further said that the state government would rapidly ensure completion of all tourism infrastructure works and see to it that Goa becomes a safe and a year-round destination. He felt that the award would boost international tourist arrivals to the state.

First Westin hotel opens in Chennai

Travelers eager to head to Southern India are in luck. As soon as they touch down from Air India flights to Chennai they can make their way to the city's newest hotel, which should help to usher in a new era of luxury travel. If you are in the midst of planning your next adventure, look no further than the bustling city of Chennai, which has recently welcomed the new accommodation.
Located just a 20-minute drive away from the airport for travelers who use a Chennai car rental, the Westin Chennai Velachery hotel is set to revitalize experiences in the southern portion of the country. With more than 200 rooms and suites to choose from, all with stunning views of the city or the landscaped grounds and top-notch amenities, guests will be able to find comfortable accommodations in this growing metropolis. The Financial reports that the hotel is something of a modern-day oasis for weary travelers, offering natural decor throughout the property and even a 10-meter waterfall in the lobby.
Nestled in Chennai's business district, the hotel is ideal for business travelers or jet-setters who want to be in the center of the action. It's the sixth Westin hotel in India and just one of seven expected to open in the Asia-Pacific region in 2013, making it easy for globetrotters going to any corner of the region to find a great place to stay, Business Traveller reports.
"The Westin Chennai Velachery is a significant addition to our strong Westin portfolio in India," said Brian Povinelli, brand leader for Westin. "... The prime location of The Westin Chennai Velachery and the draw of the signature Westin experience, designed to provide our guests a bit of well-being in the center of the vibrant city of Chennai, make us confident that this new landmark hotel will soon become a preferred destination for both business and leisure travelers."
Guests who are ready to dine on some local fare can take advantage of the three restaurants now open on the property. The eateries range from a poolside grill and Willows, a cricket-themed lounge to an all-day establishment called Seasonal Tastes. Of course, travelers are not limited to just the hotel's offerings, no matter how convenient and delicious they may be. Places like The Raintree, which is widely considered to be one of the can't-miss spots in Chennai,  serves up authentic Indian cuisine in a wonderful laid-back atmosphere.