How to: Say “Happy New Year” in 40 languages

A-E

Language	Spelling	Pronunciation
Afrikaans	Gelukkige Nuwejaar	gha-likkikga-neeva-yaarr (“gh” is a throat scraping guttural sound)
Albanian	Gëzuar Vitin e Ri	gu-zoo-ar vi-tin e ri
Arabic	سنة سعيدة	sana sa’eedah
Azerbaijani	Yeni iliniz mübarək	ye-ni i-li-niz myu-ba-rack
Bahasa melayu	Selamat tahun baru	selamat tahun baru
Basque	Urte berri on	err-te berr-rri on
Bosnian	sretna nova godina	sr-et-na no-va go-din-a
Bulgarian	Щастлива Нова година	sh-tast-liva No-va go-din-a
Catalan	Feliç any nou	fe-LEES A-nee n-Ou
Cebuano (Philippines)	Mabungahong Bag-ong Tuig kaninyong tanan	ma-boon-ga-hong bag-ong too-eeg kan-een-yong tan-an
Czech	šťastný nový rok	SHTU-stnee NO-vee rrr-ok
Dutch	Fijne oudejaarsavond (Fine New Year’s Eve) / Gelukkig Nieuwjaar (Happy New Year)	fei-nee ow-de-yaarr-sa-vont / ghu-lukkikgh-neew-yaarr
Estonian	Head uut aastat	hed oot ah-staht

Tbilisi, Photo: Vladimer Shioshvili

F-L

Language	Spelling	Pronunciation
Farsi	سال نو مبارک	sale nou mobarak
Filipino	Manigong Bagong Taon	mah-nee-gong bag-gong ta-on
French	Bonne Année	bon a-nay
Gaelic (Scotland)	Bliadhna mhath ur	bleenah vahth oohr
German	Frohes Neues Jahr / Gutes Neues Jahr	frohes neuyis yar / gutes neu-yis yar
Greek	Καλή χρονιά	kali chronya
Gujarati	સાલ મુબારક	saal mubarak (happy year)
Hebrew	שָׁנָה טוֹבָה	shana tova
Hindi	नये साल की हार्दिक शुभकामनायें	nayye saal ki haardik shubh-kaam-nayen
Hungarian	Boldog Új Évet / Buék	bawl-dawg-uuy-aevet / boo-ayk
Irish	Athbhliain faoi mhaise dhuit / Bhliain nua sásta	awh-tvleen fwee mm-hay-sheh gutch
Italian	Buon anno / Felice anno nuovo	boo-on ah-nno / fae-lee-chae ah-nno noo-o-vo
Japanese	あけましておめでとうございます	akemashite omedeto gozaimasu
Korean	새해 복 많이 받으세요	seh heh bok mahn ee bahd euh sae yo

Singapore, Photo: Eustaquio Santimano

M-Z

Language	Spelling	Pronunciation
Maltese	Is Sena it -Tajba	iz sena it taybah
Mandarin Chinese	新年快乐	xīn nián kuài lè
Maori	Kia hari te tau hou	kia hari tay tau ho
Polish	Szczęśliwego Nowego Roku	shch-eng-shlee-vego novego roku
Portuguese	Feliz Ano Novo	feh-liz an-oh noh-voh
Quechua	Allin wata kachun qanpaq (singular) / Allin wata kachun qanqunapaq (plural)	all-yin wa-ta ka-chun kan-pak / all-yin wa-ta ka-chun kan-koon-a-pak
Romanian	La Mulți Ani	laa mooltsi ani
Russian	С Новым Годом	s novim godom
Spanish	Feliz Año Nuevo	feh-liz an-yoh n-way-vo
Thai	สวัสดีปีใหม่	saa-wat-dii pi-mai
Turkish	Mutlu yıllar (happy year) / Yeni yılınız kutlu olsun (May your new year be celebrated)	moot-loo yill-lar / yen-ee yill-uh-niz coot-loo ohl-son
Urdu	نايا سال مبارک	nayya saal mubarak
Welsh	blwyddyn newydd dda	BLOOdhin NEHwidh dha

Please share if you know HAPPY NEW YEAR in any other language in comment section!!!

Crosswoods holidays 2011

Role of Corbett National Park in Indian Tourism Industry

India is a nation with dissimilar environmental surroundings. The unique diversity of India attracts millions of tourists from every nook and corner of the world. Nature lovers find solace and tranquility in the wide variety of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries that are found in India. These parks and sanctuaries are well protected in India and no human intervention is permitted. These spots not only protect the affluent flora and fauna of the nation but at the same time they attract lot of tourists round the year.

Jim Corbett National Park of India is one of the oldest sheltered regions in the country. This park was discovered in the year 1936 by the Governor of United Province (Uttarakhand in British era). Presently this park is situated in the foothills of Himalayas in the currently established Uttarakhand state. The park is declared as a reserve for the Bengal tigers.

Several tourists come to Corbett each year to feel the picturesque beauty and attractiveness of nature which has given a major boost to the tourism of India. Every year the number of tourists is augmenting but Jim Corbett never appears crowded and is successful in offering desired isolation and peace for which it is known.

In a short span of time, Corbett has adorned itself as the center of tourism in the country. The stirring victory of ecotourism in Jim Corbett has lent a hand in creating it as a major tourist center. Jim Corbett has positively contributed in changing the old picture of tourism in India. Corbett National Park is the primary choice with majority of the wildlife visitors coming from different countries all over the world and has earned an approximate profit of Rs 310 lakh for the tourism department of Uttarakhand, which is perhaps 90% of the total tourism revenue earned by the state.

These days the wildlife sightseeing at Corbett National park provides grand opportunity for seeing different wild animals in their natural environment. Going for a vacation to the Corbett National Park will be a wonderful experience for people of all ages and one can discover the best that Indian Forests have to offer. It goes without saying that ever since Uttarakhand emerged as a state on the map of India; the amazing Corbett National park has contributed significantly in increasing the wildlife tourism. It has grown by leaps and bounds in the last decade and given a major boost to the tourist industry of India.

Source: xpertravels.blogspot.com

Crosswoods holidays 2011

World's top 25 hotels

Courtesy of Little Palm Island Resort & Spa

Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, Little Torch Key, Fla.

By Sarah Spagnolo, Travel+Leisure

Miles of hiking trails in Big Sky Country? Check. Outdoor spa treatments? Check! Montana may be the Wild West, but it stakes a claim to one of the world’s finest hotels. At Triple Creek Ranch, rated No. 6, the log cabins are rustic-chic, the cellar stores 2,000 wine bottles, and soaking in a hot tub is the perfect antidote to a day out snowshoeing.


Slideshow: World's top hotels


Every year T+L readers vote on thousands of hotels based on rooms, location, service, food, and value. In 2012, the 10th anniversary of the T+L 500, the winners are a mix of remote escapes and city hotels — and a record 133 have rates that start as low as $250 a night. The highest-ranking hotel for value is Four Seasons Carmelo, Uruguay, whose suites and bungalows are strung along the beach between a eucalyptus forest and the Rio de la Plata. It’s an easy trip from Buenos Aires, a city with four T+L 500 winners.
The number of high-scoring hotels in Africa also increased this year, with nine hotels in the top 25 and 45 properties overall. Singita Grumeti Reserves, on a spectacular wide plateau in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, ranked No. 1, thanks partially to the recent launch of a mobile safari experience in the 340,000-acre concession.


California, a perennial favorite, has the largest percentage of T+L 500 hotels in the U.S., with 37 winners. But one romantic escape in Florida ranked higher than the Sunshine State’s best properties: Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, a secluded private island retreat on Little Torch Key. It wins over guests with special touches like the Sandbar Session concerts and private picnics on nearby deserted islands.
What else is new this year? We’re sharing insider tips and advice on which specific hotel rooms to book. At No. 5–ranked Oberoi Udaivilas, in India, for instance, nine lakeside rooms face the nature conservancy, treating in-the-know guests to views of peacocks, deer, and wild boar.


Source : http://todaytravel.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/22/9638915-worlds-top-25-hotels

Crosswoods holidays 2011

Tourism ministry launches campaign

NEW DELHI: India has tourist spots galore but they all need a wash before they can draw the kind of tourist flows they have the potential to attract. Feeling that a thorough scrubbing is in order, ministry of tourism launched Campaign Clean India.

In addition to the Atithi Devo Bhawah campaign, which has already raised hygiene issues, this one seeks to bring together stakeholders in the tourism industry and encourage a more active participation in promoting cleanliness in general and at tourist spots in particular.

The launch also brought together stakeholders for a national-level workshop on the campaign. Along with government officials, students and teachers, NGOs, media professionals, tour operators and representatives from corporations discussed within their groups and came up with recommendations.

Tourism minister Subodh Kant Sahay said the campaign is crucial for achieving the targeted growth rate of 12% in in-bound and domestic tourist arrivals during the 12th Plan. Currently India accounts for 0.6% of the world market in in-bound tourism.

A 2009 survey covering five major tourist destinations conducted by the ministry to identify major gaps that existed in terms of infrastructure and service delivery showed that both foreign and domestic tourists found the state of hygiene and sanitation in and around the destinations and absence of hygienically-maintained public amenities like toilets unsatisfactory.

"We are starting with tourist destinations but are planning for the nation," he said. Once set rolling, the changes could create 3 crore new jobs.

Former president APJ Abdul Kalam launched the campaign and suggested that places of worship could make ideal spots for sensitizing the public. He suggested that "display boards with vows be place in a way that the pilgrim can read them while approaching the shrine."

He emphasized on efficient waste management, energy conversion, recycling and mapping of neighbourhoods for better understanding of prevailing conditions. "Recycle what you can and reduce the consumption of what is limited," said chief minister, Shiela Dikshit, "We have to teach our children to keep clean and to conserve - we don't have unlimited resources." "We have to start from our homes," she continued, "We have to change our own cultural ethos. There were quite are few NGOs working in the area and they threw up their hands in a couple of months. What it cost them to clean up, people will not pay."

Sahay said that his Ministry will finalize and plan the campaign strategy, incorporating the workshop recommendations, by March 31, 2012. The implementation will start from April 1, 2012.

Crosswoods holidays 2011

Now, Govt gears up for ‘Clean India Campaign’ - The Pioneer

With poor hygiene, cleanliness, and inadequate infrastructure at tourists hotspots and monuments taking its toll on its “Incredible India” image, the Tourism Industry has woken up from its slumber to launch a “Clean India Campaign”.


“The need to initiate such a campaign had been consistently felt as the major domestic social awareness media campaign “Atithi Devo Bhavah” under various themes such as “campaign against defacement of monuments” and “hygiene, sanitation and solid waste management” has not yielded desired results. This despite that film star Aamir Khan is the Brand Ambassador since 2008,” a senior official from the Tourism Ministry said.


Hence, “Clean India Campaign” has been proposed  to put in a comprehensive strategy, in consultation and partnership with the key stakeholders..


To begin with, the Ministry is organizing an all India workshop on Tuesday in New Delhi to hold wider consultations on the campaign with other stakeholders including state Governments, industry and corporate.


“The idea is to secure the support and commitment of the regulatory agencies to the campaign, such as the police and municipalities to develop implementable program of action and to give the campaign the desired visibility and momentum by taking the media on board,” the official added.


He said that the “Clean India campaign” follows a study conducted by the Ministry in 2009 which identified major gaps such as hygiene and sanitation conditions in and around the monuments/ destinations, solid waste management around the monuments/destinations, and absence of hygienically maintained public amenities like toilets.


With tourism being recognized as one of the key drivers of growth and employment generation in the country, the Tourism Ministry is leaving no step to tap this potential. Its contribution (both direct and indirect) to the GDP is estimated at about 6% and it generates over 9% of total employment in the country.


However, despite these encouraging trends, the tourism potential of the country, especially in a global context, remains far from realized.  This is evident from the fact that the country attracts only 0.6 per cent of the global tourist arrivals.


Crosswoods holidays 2011

India Inc to help Sri Lanka set up major projects- THE HINDU

Enthused by the good response received from the Sri Lankan government, captains of Indian industry have agreed to do their bit to balance the bilateral trade that is loaded heavily in favour of India, promote cultural exchange between the two countries and make huge investments in energy and tourism sectors. A 13-member business delegation, representing the Confederation of Indian Industry Southern Region (CII-SR), landed in Colombo on Sunday as part of three-day trip and had a series of discussions with their counterparts. It included a meeting with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, on Monday and business-to-business meeting with Sri Lankan businessmen.

Talking to The Hindu, CII-SR Chairman T.T. Ashok said that they have agreed to build capacities of people in Sri Lanka in various fields including information technology, construction, automotive components and pharma to develop domestic market; train the trainers by allowing them to gain first hand experience at various CII Centres of Excellence in India. Leader of the delegation, CII vice president S. Gopalakrishnan, has agreed to provide training in the information technology sector at his own cost. During the interactions, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce representatives urged India to review the limits imposed on tea and apparels and expressed concern about non tariff barriers. “We are proceeding in the right way with the Sri Lankan delegation taking part in the CII Partnership Summit at Hyderabad in January followed by a high level delegation visit to Chennai in February,” he said.

Crosswoods holidays 2011

Tourism industry defends IFFI- TOI

PANAJI: The big question is whether the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) has succeeded in raking in the tourism moolah, even as the tourism industry has defended the state exchequer spending huge amounts on the festival which it claims, serves as a high-profile marketing tool.


Official figures now reveal that Goa spent seven times more than the revenue it earned from IFFI over the last seven editions, and questions arise over whether the tourism industry-a key economy-actually benefits from the presence of the mega event being hosted annually by the state.

Information furnished to Rajya Sabha member Shantaram Naik by the Union information and broadcasting ministry in Parliament stated that Goa spent approximately 80 crore as against 10 crore it received during the seven editions of IFFI.


Social activist Roland Martins says that IFFI  has isolated a large section of stakeholders. "Is it held to benefit only certain hotels? Are all stakeholders benefitting or only a coterie of hotels?" he asked.


Asked if he felt if IFFI was benefiting trade establishments, Martins said, "The answer that the benefits are not coming in can be seen through the fact that the shopping festival has not happened this year. The organizers claimed 6,000 delegates registered this year. Media reports cite poor turnouts for movie screenings. Where were the delegates?" he asked.


Visitors to the IFFI street, set up on the Corniche during the festival, pointed out that not a single food stall served Goan snacks.


"If IFFI is supposed to showcase Goa to the world, why was not a single stall selling Goan snacks to the delegates and tourists? If you noticed, there was not even a single Goan working at the food stalls. The question arises over who and how many Goans actually benefit from the 80 crore spent from the tax payers' money," said Teresa D'Souza, a teacher from Socorro-Bardez.


Ralph de Sousa, chairman of CII, Goa council, says that IFFI and tourism complement each other. "A lot of people come to Goa during the 10 days and it results in incremental revenue (for establishments around Panaji)," he said.


But de Sousa felt that more than the revenue, the real benefit lies in the exposure that the state receives due to the festival.
"Goa is highlighted every day before, during and after the festival through (news and other) reports in glossy magazines the world over. Also, with the film festival, Goa has a slot in the international film festival calendar and rubs shoulders with other international film festivals such as Cannes and Lausanne. This gives Goa free publicity worth crores in the film and fashion industry," de Sousa said, adding that it is not just some hotels, but also event managers who earn a buck. But more than the revenue, it is the brand publicity that the festival brings, he added.


Edward Jorge, city councillor and restaurant owner in Panaji, said he witnessed an increase in customers during IFFI. "Around 30 delegates would come in every day," he said, adding that the delegate passes some customers wore made it easier to distinguish festival delegates from the other customers. IFFI did manage to also draw the curious tourist already holidaying in Goa.


Steven Reid, a tourist from Scotland, said he travelled from his hotel in South Goa along with his wife to watch the football film screening.

Manuel Cardoz, president, The Goan Traditional Shack Owners Association, said not many IFFI delegates patronized the shacks on the Calangute-Baga stretch. "Our customers continue to be charter tourists. We did not have any IFFI delegates coming to the shacks here. I feel that IFFI only benefits those with their businesses in Panaji. It does not help the state," he said.


But Randhir Verma, an IFFI official from Delhi, felt many of those involved in the tourism-related businesses were trying to make a fast buck. Narrating his experience, Verma said, "I had gone to a shack in Baga with my friends. We wanted to have some fish but the only fish available (pomfret) cost between 1,200 and 1,800. The waiter told us there was no cheaper fish available, but I think he was fooling us. And the rates of the costly fish available were only told to us verbally, not displayed on the menu."


Verma alleged the coastal eateries were exploiting tourists. "They (shack owners) know tourists who come to the shack, especially at night, will eat seafood and hence try to loot them," he said.


Barnabe Sapeco, a Panaji-based restaurateur, hotelier and member of the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry's tourism committee said that IFFI delegates either put themselves up in starred hotels or dormitories. "Most of the younger delegates arrived in large groups and checked into low-budget dormitories," he said.


ESG officials say around 160-odd delegates, most of them student delegates, stayed in tents at the IFFI village. "I feel that while there was no impact on tourism during IFFI, the festival serves as a marketing tool to send the message out that Goa is an international destination," Sapeco said.


Although the crowd at this year's festival looked thinner as compared to previous years, ESG officials claim 10,000-odd delegates registered for IFFI 2011. Of these, 2,807 were Goan delegates and 348 were Goa cinephile members.


Courtesy : http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-12-11/goa/30504307_1_iffi-tourism-industry-international-film-festival

Crosswoods holidays 2011

Go places with tourism degree- TOI

Travel and Tourism, one of the world's largest foreign exchange earners among industries, directly provides employment to millions of people worldwide and indirectly through many associated industries. The tourism industry has achieved a fast growth rate to emerge as the major driving force of the global economy. India has been ranked second based on the growth rate, with Montenegro and China at the first and third positions, respectively.

Over the next 10 years, India is all set to gain an annual growth rate of 8.8% in the travel sales sector. This immense growth in travel and tourism industry has created plenty of job opportunities for hospitality and travel sales. Since the relative cost of air travel falls, and more and more people are taking to the skies for both business and pleasure, the sale of airline tickets and holiday packages have become a rapidly expanding business. New travel companies are springing up in towns and cities all over the world and big tour operators are teaming up with major airlines to offer ever better deals to an ever wider range of destinations.

A career in this industry is worth taking up because opportunities abound after successful completion of these courses in travel and tourism. One can be recruited in diverse job profiles related to this field in travel agencies, airlines and government organizations dealing with tourism. After gaining relevant knowledge and expertise as a travel professional, one can also choose to get self employed.

Vidya Vikas Education Trust is offering a three-year bachelor of tourism and hospitality course since 1998. Special care and concern is taken to run the course efficiently under the able guidance of prominent experts in the hospitality and tourism industry. Admission to this course is made on the basis of selection in order of merit of written test, group discussion and personal interview.

A variety of learning tools ensure smooth experiential acquisition of knowledge and skills. Case studies, projects, assignments, quizzes, seminars, industry visits are some of the methods used. Students are encouraged to develop analytical judgments and presentation skills and theoretical competency. Students will undergo 18-week summer training at one of the leading hotels across the country at the end of the IV semester and will undertake a project of direct relevance to the concerned organization. They will undertake a project as a part of their training during the VI semester. Each student is required to submit a detailed and a professional report at the end of the VI semester. A presentation on the same has to be made before the panel of experts.

"The demand for the course is increasing every year, once students complete the course they will be in great demand in the market" added Mohammed Zulfikar, principal, Vidya Vikas Hotel Management. 


Courtesy : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/Go-places-with-tourism-degree/articleshow/11028772.cms


Crosswoods holidays 2011

India: Unofficially ready for gay travelers- CNN GO

“Because one bad word from a gay traveler on an Internet forum can do immense damage,” says Abhinav Goel, founder, Out Journeys, a gay and lesbian tour operator in India.

Are gay and lesbian travelers different from straight ones? Yes and no.

They are inquisitive about the same destinations (for example Goa, Kerala, Rajasthan in India) but are more sensitive to local culture, food and even religious practices.

Besides, based on mere finances, LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) tourism is a US$65 billion industry in the United States alone. Surveys there suggest that gays and lesbians are more affluent and travel more, as much as two or three times a year.

To tap into this lucrative and expanding market, the 1st Asian Symposium on Gay and Lesbian Tourism was held at the Le Méridien Hotel, New Delhi on November 28.

Organized by Community Marketing, a U.S.-based LGBT market research company, this business-to-business event brought together about 75 tour and hotel operators. Indian activists Ashok Row Kavi, founder of Humsafar Trust, and Manavendra Singh Gohil, chairperson of the Lakshya Trust, were the symposium's keynote speakers.

'India is ready for gay travelers'

The choice of destination for the event surprised many. In Asia, Thailand is considered the friendliest LGBT country. China, Singapore and Japan all form the top rung. India, meanwhile, is almost invisible on the gay travel map right now.

“We wanted to make a statement saying that India is ready for gay travelers,” says Thomas Roth, president, Community Marketing. This after the Delhi High Court struck down provisions of Section 377 and decriminalized homosexuality in India in July 2009.

“The idea is also to create a platform for tour operators to send out a message to the worldwide community that we are gay-friendly,” adds Abhinav Goel, founder, Out Journeys, a gay and lesbian tour operator in India and one of the sponsors of the symposium.

Of course, making a mere statement would be rather pointless.
One of the biggest areas that the symposium addressed was training hotel and tour personnel to be more accepting and less discriminatory. For instance, the word queer is acceptable in India but shunned in many other countries. And you don’t call a same-sex couple "friends". You call them "partners".

Gay travelers to India also often find themselves in an awkward quandary when men or women partners are given a room with separate twin beds instead of one double one. Since they don't feel as safe here, they’re hesitant to request for changes.

Besides the general attitude that needs to change over time, these are small things that can make a traveler happy. “Because one bad word from a gay traveler on an Internet forum can do immense damage,” explains Goel.

Indian officials give it a miss

Attendees at the 1st Asian Symposium on Gay and Lesbian Tourism in New Delhi. The way forward is going to be tricky. Concise forums and presentations aren’t enough. Organizers say that countries like Brazil, Thailand and Spain are extremely popular among LGBT travelers because their governments have created a welcoming environment.

But the Indian government seems to have a long way to go. Three Indian officials had registered to attend the symposium but didn’t turn up. Thailand sent four people and even paid for their trip.

“It’s an incredible effort on the part of the local travel agents to do this on their own despite not getting support from the tourism ministry, which I think is an opportunity squandered,” says Sylvia Tan, editor of gay news and media site Fridae.asia, who traveled from Singapore to attend the symposium.

India now has about seven tour operators dedicated to the LGBT market. And established players like Cox & Kings have expressed interest in this segment.

“The audience also heard from Amit Prasad, chief operating officer of Go India Journeys, who has recently set up a team of three staff members out of a staff strength of 65 to research and meet the needs of LGBT travellers,” writes Tan in her report on the conference.

Himmat Anand, founder of Tree of Life resort, Jaipur, also participated and was one of the speakers. But the way forward is to bring larger hotel chains like Taj and Oberoi into the fold.
And of course, those elusive ministry officials. Plans are, in fact, already being drawn for the second edition. Jaipur and Mumbai are both being considered, though Thailand makes a very strong case.

Read more: India: Unofficially ready for gay travelers | CNNGo.com http://www.cnngo.com/mumbai/life/india-ready-gay-travelers-086621#ixzz1fv5ETai0

Crosswoods holidays 2011

SriLankan Airlines to introduce direct flights to Madurai from January 15 next year- TBM

The Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry has secured an assurance from SriLankan Airlines that it would introduce direct flight from Sri Lanka to Madurai, most probably from January 15, 2012. The assurance was given by Nishantha Wickramasinghe, Chairman, SriLankan Airlines.

According to a report in The Hindu Business Line, recounting the efforts taken persistently through the past year to make Madurai an international airport since the inauguration of world-class new terminal building at the airport, the Chamber in a statement said that on hearing about the presence of the Chairman of SriLankan Airlines at Tiruchi, a delegation from the Chamber met the Chairman and through a power-point presentation elaborated on the potential of passengers and cargo traffic from the southern districts of Tamil Nadu to Sri Lanka and transfers thereon to all parts of the world, since Sri Lanka had good connectivity internationally.

The statement also mentioned that Wickramasinghe had agreed to introduce a direct flight from Sri Lanka to Madurai since the airport bilaterial agreement between India and Sri Lanka has included Madurai Airport and Srilankan Airlines have sufficient rights to introduce more flights to Indian destinations.

A request was made to him to introduce the direct flight from January 15, as Pongal gift to the people of Tamil Nadu, particularly southern Tamil Nadu and he assured that he would confirm the inaugural date within two days, the statement added.

Crosswoods holidays 2011

Sip a mug of kaapi before take-off at BIA

BANGALORE: 'Kaapi Trail', a 10-day coffee festival, kicked off at Bangalore International Airport (BIA) on Monday. It is a first for an Indian airport, where different facets of South Indian coffee is being showcased.

Organized in collaboration with The Coffee Board of India and the Karnataka tourism department, the coffee fest will serve special coffee from the nine regions of Araku Valley, Bababudangiri, BR Hills, Chikmagalur, Coorg, Nilgiris, Shevaroy Hills, Travancore, Nelliyampathy and Pulneys. Coffee from all these regions has been carefully extracted and blended to extract their original flavour. The highlight of this festival is the interaction passengers can have with coffee experts, engaged in live coffee making demonstrations.

The objective of the festival is to contribute to the development of coffee and improve its potential in promoting and developing the territory's tourism. 

"We are showcasing the coffee growing destinations of South India. Efforts such as these will establish Bangalore as a gateway to the southern region, alongside bringing in economic prosperity. By the end of the festival, we hope to get involved with over 2 lakh passengers and make them coffee experts," said Sanjay Reddy, managing director, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL).

K Viswanatha Reddy, director of the department of tourism, said 'Kaapi Trail' is the first-ever such festival hosted by an airport in India, and is an important step in promoting tourism. The coffee regions offer not only the best flavours but are also the most scenic tourist destinations of Karnataka.

"This coffee festival will enhance Karnataka's tourism and ensure there is sustained interest among our target groups. The tourism industry in Karnataka, too, stands to benefit by targeting travellers passing through Bangalore," said Reddy.

"This festival will provide a great venue for coffee experts to meet a broad cross-section of coffee consumers," said Jawaid Akhtar, chairman of the Coffee Board.

Crosswoods holidays 2011

Le Meridien unveils its 100th hotel in Coimbatore

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide recently opened it's 100th Le Meridien hotel globally, Le Meridien Coimbatore, India. Owned by Appu Hotels Limited, Le Meridien Coimbatore is the first internationally branded five-star hotel in the city.

“Le Meridien has undergone a comprehensive brand transformation in the past six years since it was acquired by Starwood. In this new era for Le Meridien, after a comprehensive brand re-launch and portfolio consolidation, we are proud to celebrate Le Meridien brand's best portfolio ever with today's grand opening of our 100th hotel worldwide, Le Meridien Coimbatore,” said Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader, Le Meridien and W Hotels Worldwide.

Le Meridien Coimbatore features 254 guest rooms and suites including a Presidential Suite aside from conference facilities. In the Food and Beverage section, the hotel has Latest Recipe, Peacock, Ponzu and Favola. Besides, it has Illy Cafe and bar Latitude 11 degree. The hotel will soon open an international standard spa, health club and a night club.

“We visualise great potential for Coimbatore to emerge as an ideal MICE destination. The city's salubrious climate and proximity to well known hill stations in the Nilgiris like Ooty, Kodaikanal, Munnar and wildlife sanctuaries make it an attractive destination for leisure travellers while its growth as a medicare, engineering and textile centre, provide opportunities for it to become a strong industrial hub,” said Dr Palani G Periasamy Chairman, Appu Hotels Ltd and PGP Group of Companies.

“Le Meridien Coimbatore is a significant addition to our portfolio in the South Asia region and we believe the opening of this hotel will reinforce the strength of the brand and continue to generate renewed interest,” said Dilip Puri MD India and Regional Vice President South Asia, Starwood Asia Pacific Hotels & Resorts.

"Le Meridien Coimbatore reiterates Starwood's belief in the possibilities that lie in Tier-II markets for upper upscale hotels and strengthens our resolve to continue to explore opportunities for expansion of our brands in these markets," he added.

Courtesy http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/le-meridien-unveils-its-100th-hotel-in-coimbatore-india-15043
Crosswoods holidays 2011

Manipur - a slice of Switzerland in India- TOI

If you have long been planning a trip to the Northeast but undecided about where to go, Manipur may be the kind of destination you are looking for. From serene landscapes, exotic wildlife, floating islands to the warmhearted locals, there is no way you'll not fall in love with this place.

Known as the 'Switzerland of India', Manipur lies in the deep corner of the northeast part of India. This beautiful land is surrounded by Nagaland in the north, Mizoram in the south and Assam in the west, and shares a common international border with Burma in the east.

Places to Visit
Imphal - The capital city
Surrounded by seven hill ranges, the capital city of Manipur is the hub for culture and commercial activity.

Khwairamband bazaar: You get a glimpse into the matriarchal set up of Manipur at this bazaar. Known as 'Ema Keithel', it is the only and the largest market run by women in the country. From here you can pick up traditional Manipuri handlooms such as shawls, baskets, bags, clothes, household tools, and many more. Tourists popularly buy cane and bamboo handicraft from here.

War cemetery: The cemetery commemorates the British and Indian soldiers who died during the Second World War. It looks tranquil and is well maintained with stone markers and bronze plaques recording brief accounts of the soldiers.

Shri Govindajee Temple: Adjacent to the palace of the former rulers of Manipur, this temple is a sacred center for Vaisnavites. The temple has a simple structure comprising twin domes, a paved courtyard and a large raised congregation hall.

Gambhir Singh shopping complex: Wondering where to find those shoes and shirts worn by rock stars? Well, this is the right place to buy them from. The place is flooded with latest foreign fashion accessories. Also look out for tattoo shops; the tattoo artists here are quite creative.

Loktak Lake & Sendra Island
This place is a must see for the tourists. About 48 kilometers from Imphal, Sendra island is more of an elevated hill in the center of Loktak Lake, the largest fresh water lake in the northeastern, and opens up a wonderful panorama of small islands of floating weed dotting the glittering blue waters, aquatic flora and the locals going about their daily life. Loktak is like a miniature inland sea with a beautiful stretch of water, and is a good place to enjoy boating, canoeing and other water sports.

Keibul Lamjao National Park
The park is home to the rare and endemic brow-antlered deer called 'Sangai'. About 53 kilometers from Imphal, on the fringes of Loktak Lake, this is the last natural habitat of the endangered Sangai deer. The unique characteristic of this park is it floats on water.

Moreh (Indo-Myanmar border)
Experience a little bit of Myanmar here in this place. Approx. 110 kilometers from Imphal, this border town is located on the lands of Tamu. It is an important commercial hub in Northeast. Enjoy the advantages of rupee at the Myanmar Shopping Complex. Here you get a cheap bargain on an assortment of Thai, Chinese and Burmese electronic gadgets, clothes, carpets and home decor range.

Must do in Moreh- Go for a short tour of Myanmar's town like Kalimiew and Mandlay. Also enjoy a chariot ride near the border.

An honest piece of advice, avoid hooking up with Burmese prostitutes for the fear of STDs.

Other places to visit
Paona Bazar
Ukhrul
Singda
Manipur Zoological Garden
Moirang
Manipur state museum

Other things to do
- For those into music, must catch up a local rock concert in case it is on. Rock concerts are a common feature on the cultural calender of Manipur.

- Don't hestitate taking a sip of the locally brewn rice beer and wine at local bars. They are as authentic as can get. The locals enjoy their drink with a platter of pakoras, momos, fish, singju and even dog meat.

- Watch Ras Leela dance at theatres. Ras Leelas are based on the eternal and celestial love of Radha and Krishna and tell a love story in the form of dance movements and musical compositions.

- Watch Manipuri films, which are totally inspired by Bollywood! The Manipur film industry is one of the fastest growing industries in Manipur. Kaiku, Kamala, Maya Choudhary, Sadananda are some of the famous actors.

- Don't miss out to watch Polo sport ( Sagol Kangjei) at Polo Ground. Polo is believed to have been initiated in Manipur.

- Smoke Manipuri ganja. You'll find the purest form of ganja in Manipur, and it is in great demand in other Indian cities.

Where to stay
Classic Hotel, a new 3 star hotel in the city is highly recommended. Hotel Imphal, Anand Continental Hotel, Excellency Hotel, and Tampha Hotel are among the best hotels in Imphal.

How to get there 

By air- Manipur is well connected to all the major cities in India by air.

By rail- There is no railway station in Manipur. But the nearest rail head is in Dimapur, 215 kilometer from Imphal.

By road- The roads here are in very good, motorable condition. The National Highway 39 connects the state with all the important neighbouring cities like Guwahati, Agartala, Dimapur, Shillong, and Kohima.

Local transport - Most of the hotels in Imphal provide transport facilities to tourists. The best way to travel inside the state is by unmetered taxi and private vehicles. For travelling around the city, autorickshaw or cycle-rickshaw is the best option.

Best time to visit - November to April 


Courtesy : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/travel/Manipur--a-slice-of-Switzerland-in-India/articleshow/8391185.cms


Crosswoods holidays 2011

Tourism Minister eyes 25 mn new jobs in 12th plan- Sourabh Gupta, SME times

Union Minister for Tourism, Subodh Kant Sahai Wednesday asked industry to help the government in achieving the set target of about 25 million new jobs in the sector during the 12th Plan period.

Speaking at 'India Heritage Tourism Conclave 2011' organised by PHD Chamber in New Delhi, the minister said, "Tourism sector has the maximum potential to generate employment opportunity. We hope to generate 25 million jobs in the sector during the 12th Plan period. But the government can not succeed in its mission without help from the industry."

"The industry should sensitize the states about the potentiality of the sector and approach them with investment proposals to give shape to the government's vision," Sahai added.

As per the Planning Commission estimate, an investment of Rs 10 lakh in tourism sector can create almost 80,000 employment. The industry should approach state governments with road-maps to tap the immense potential of the tourism sector, Sahai said.

Urging the industry for public-private participation in creating jobs, the Minister said employing local people in the hospitality industry around heritage sites will not only address the acute shortage of manpower in the industry, but also give those people a sense of belonging and prevent massive migration to cities.

Reiterating the Ministry's slogan of Atithi Devo Bhava (Guests are akin to Gods), Sahai said, "Creating a friendly and hygienic atmosphere for tourists is of utmost importance. Otherwise, it will bring bad publicity to the country." He stressed on the need of community participation to create a great tourist-friendly atmosphere.

"The tourism sector can provide a great fillip for maintaining 8-10 percent growth of the economy. There have been efforts at the individual level to attain this. What we need now is a concerted effort from all the stakeholders, including the government, industry and public to increase the momentum," said Salil Bhandari, President, PHD Chamber.

Navneet Dhawan, Co-Chairman of PHD Chamber’s tourism committee, stressed on the importance of public-private participation in preserving India’s heritage structures.

"Parents should sensitize and encourage their children in the preservation efforts since they will be the future brand ambassadors of our heritage," he said.

Courtesy: http://smetimes.tradeindia.com/smetimes/news/top-stories/2011/Nov/24/tourism-minister-eyes-25-mn-new-jobs-in-12th-plan626363.html
Crosswoods holidays 2011

Travel packages go expensive as rupee plunges to new lows; Indians give foreign trips a break-Economic times

Foreign travel bookings out of India for this winter have gone down considerably, with international holidays becoming expensive - thanks to the rupee plunging to new lows.

Delhi-based D.Paul's, which was clocking a growth of 70-80% growth year-onyear till October, said the business slowed down 20%. "Winter packages are nearly 17-18% more expensive compared to summer season," R Singh, director of D.Paul's said. Add to that rupee devaluation and other factors, like airport development fee, the total travel package cost increased 30-35%.

He said that even if a consumer has booked his holiday package in advance, he needs to pay the differential amount, based on the rupee-dollar exchange rate. A travel company usually puts such conditions in their agreements with outbound tourists.

Travel operators said that floods in Thailand, which is the most popular destination among Indians, also contributed to the slowdown. Indian families usually travel to short-haul destinations in south east Asia during the winter season, and Thailand contributes 20-30% of the overall travel footfalls going abroad. Other destinations like Australia and New Zealand are also popular during winter season.

"Even as some islands of Thailand are unaffected, consumers are being cautious. Singapore on its own is very expensive which leaves travellers with no option but to visit Malaysia, where prices have shot up due to high demand," a travel company executive who did not want to be named said. "If we were expecting to grow by 30% during the winter months, we have grown only by 10%," he added.

The winter season is the second largest holiday season for Indians after the summer months and the Diwali breaks when schools announce vacations. In addition, traditional wedding season leads to a large number of honeymooners opting for holidays around this time of the year.

But high prices for international holiday packages have put the Indian families at the backfoot as they are being more cautious booking at the last minute as well as looking for shorter trips this winter.

"In the past few weeks, bookings for airline tickets for leisure destinations are down by 7-8% from a year ago," said Ankur Bhatia, executive director Bird Group, a travel solutions company.

Tour operators are also noticing late bookings by Indian families. Travel companies usually sell nearly half of their inventories by October-end. This time around, bookings for Christmas and New Year packages are expected to happen as late as the first week of December. Some travellers are also postponing their holidays to the January-March quarter hoping for the market to stabilise. 

Rajeev Duggal, managing director of Kuoni India, one of the biggest travel firms, said that companies are closely watching the situation with uncertainty in economic conditions as well as currency value fluctuations. "Growth for bookings has slowed down during the third quarter as consumers are opting for shorter breaks and are being cautious about international holidays.

Some are even postponing it to the fourth quarter," he said, adding, "that going by advance bookings, the January-March quarter could see higher growth in volumes than the October-December quarter".

Courtesy: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/services/travel/Travel-packages-go-expensive-as-rupee-plunges-to-new-lows-Indians-give-foreign-trips-a-break/articleshow/10835038.cms
Crosswoods holidays 2011

Unveiling the tourist attractions with Rajasthan Tours

Rajasthan a land of colors draws travelers for from all across the world. There are numerous citadels and bastions which grasp the histories of assorted Rajput kings. One can sketch the family ancestry escalating in the modern times too.

Rajasthan is astray an intrinsic and crucial part of India. It is perchance the most fascinating and delightful state of India. This state is well-known for its affluent civilization, legacy, custom and shrines. Rajasthan has also enhanced itself with its environment for instance national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Since past it has magnetized gigantic number of traveler together from India and other parts of the world constantly. During your Rajasthan Tour you can get an outstanding merge of momentous customary civilization as well comfortable holidays experience. There are numerous stunning cities and places in Rajasthan and if you are assuming of tripping all of them then you surely do it right now. The shipping facility in Rajasthan is very well urbanized. You can achieve Rajasthan by any signify. It can be from the road, air or train. Jaipur have an airport and a large railway station.

Jaipur is the state capital city of Rajasthan. It is too recognized as the “pink city” of India. Jaipur is frequently evaluated with the city of Paris, France. Rajasthan is acknowledged internationally for its courage, imperial lifestyle. Tourists around the earth trips Rajasthan, the land of majestic’s to cherish the flavor of monarchs and lavishness. The typical Heritage hotels of Rajasthan can assist you to experience the glance of imperial lifestyles of Raja (Kings), Maharaja Verdict in modern India during your Rajasthan Tour. You can too get an opportunity to grasp the affluent cultural custom of Rajasthan but choosing a Jaipur Hotels. Jaipur is flooded with all the momentous places, which are enormous lure to the voyagers. Rambagh Palace Hotel, Jai Mahal Palace, The Raj Palace Hotel, Samode Palace, Raj Mahal Palace, Narain Niwas Palace, Alsisar Haveli, Bissau Palace, Lal Mahal Palace, Saba Haveli, Bharat Mahal Palace, Ratan Haveli, Khandwa Haveli, Hari Mahal Palace etc are some Heritage Hotels of Jaipur. So don’t ever disregard to comprise Jaipur Hotels in your Trip to Rajasthan as these astonishing places have made the city a magnificent place to visit.          

Articles Source:http://travel.ezinemark.com/unveiling-the-tourist-attractions-with-rajasthan-tours-7d31ef5bdbb8.html
           

Crosswoods holidays 2011

Kerala voted India's top travel-tourism destination

After conducting a poll by the Outlook Traveler magazine in which Kerala famously known as the ‘God’s own country’ has preferably been voted as the top destination of tourism in India. It has been truly justifying that people have voted it because the charms found in beaches, forest covered hills, pleasant hill stations and backwaters of Kerala are not available in other parts of the country. This coastal state in fact, has been beautifully endowed the wonderful landscape and many attractions.

The outcome of the poll showed that the award of the ‘favorite Indian State in travel and tourism’ 2010 had been conferred to none other than the famous God’s own country. The award was handed over to the Kerala’s Tourism Secretary Dr Venu by the chief minister Sheila Dikshit at the scintillating ceremony organized at Claridges Hotel attended by top officials from travel and tourism industry.

“More than 4,000 readers took part in the survey and responded to an eight-page questionnaire to decide which the best destination is,” as remarked by the editor in chief of Outlook Group.

As per the National Geographic Traveler this state had been considered as the one of the top ten paradises of the world.

There are different types of tour packages available in the market like the family tour packages, wildlife tour packages, adventurous tour packages, religious tour packages etc. that are the major component of Kerala tourism. For wildlife tour packages the famous wildlife of Periyar is the perfect destination where they can see the animal wonders. You have the option to choose any of the available safaris like the elephant, tiger, horse etc. You can see your dream getting into reality once you are right at the back of elephant or horse riding all through the forests and meadows.

For families and couples the astonishing hill stations are right there to provide the much needed respite from the boredom of city’s life even for a while. The major hill stations are Munnar, Idukki, Vagamon, Rajmala and Ponmudi. These hill stations provide the pleasant ambience and the coming up of many hill resorts it has only pulled tourists. Today, thousands of tourists normally visit to these hill stations every year.

The backwaters and beaches have also been playing the vital role in determining the increase of tourist inflows which is resulting to the over all development of tourism.

Kerala is perfectly placed at the right place as there is a huge accessibility through different modes like air, land and water. For any destination to be developed the first thing that plays an important role is accessibility. Kerala tours is famous because people willingly can travel at any time through any means.

Tourists seeking to travel the wonders of Kerala can have the lifetime happiness which they can cherish forever.

Article Source: http://travel.ezinemark.com/kerala-voted-indias-top-travel-tourism-destination-7d31da90c6ed.html

Crosswoods holidays 2011

1-day advance tatkal plan from today

MUMBAI: From 8 on Monday morning , the railways will start a new tatkal scheme under which tickets for any long-distance train can be booked only a day before journey, instead of the usual two days in advance.

The special plan has been launched to cater to urgent travel requirements of passengers who plan their journeies at a short notice. "Under the new tatkal scheme , one person can buy tickets for a maximum of four passengers at a go ," said Central Railway public relationsofficer V Chandrasekar.

Travellers can avail of the immediate reservation facility to buy ticketson a sleeper class , an air-conditioned chair class and AC three- as well as two-tier coachesin almost all mail /express trains , including special trains.

But they will have to produce one of theeight prescribed proofsof identity , including a voter's ID card , PAN card and passport.

With the new booking system , comes a new cancellation policy . Western Railway chief public relationsofficer Sharat Chandrayan said if any confirmed tatkal ticket-booked on Monday and onwards-was cancelled , no refund would be granted , except in cases of possible contingencies .

The existing rule of paying back 25% of the price of a tatkal ticket, cancelled 24 hours before the train's departure , is applicable only for tickets that have been booked before Monday .

Rules For Booking Tickets

A self-attested photocopy of the proof of identity of any one passenger should be attached to the requisition slip. The person's identity details will be updated in the system and printed on reserved tickets as well the reservation chart.

It won't be mandatory for a passenger to be present at a booking counter but the ID proof will have to be attached During the journey, the passenger, whose ID card number is printed on the ticket, will have to produce the original ID proof, which was shown to reserve a seat.

If not, even the others booked on the same number will be treated as travelling without a ticket and penalized If the person whose ID card number is printed on the ticket is not on the train, all the others booked under the same number will be treated as travelling without ticket.

For bookings done for more than one passenger, others can also give their ID-card numbers Agents will not be allowed to buy tatkal tickets at counters between 8 am and 10 am on the opening day of tatkal advance booking period.

(c) 2011 Economic times http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/railways/1-day-advance-tatkal-plan-from-today/articleshow/10813377.cms
Crosswoods holidays 2011

Mice tourism to boost hospitality sector- Vikram sharma, Newdelhi

The Meeting Incentive Conference and Exhibition segment, better known as MICE, seems to be an attractive proposition for the hospitality sector in Chandigarh. MICE tourism is always considered lucrative by hoteliers considering revenue generated by this segment is 4-8 times more than leisure travelers.
Members from hospitality sector in Chandigarh believe the MICE tourism definitely holds better potential for them.

Now with the opening of JW Marriott at Chandigarh , part of Marriott International, few months back, definitely the MICE segment in Chandigarh seems heading for growth.
Deepak Manocha, GM, JW Marriott Chandigarh, says “we are here to play our role to add to the existing MICE tourism in Chandigarh.”

Marriott, being a global brand definitely holds more potential to woo MICE travelers across different regions into Chandigarh. Even as, Marriot has started operations in Chandigarh recently, Manocha believes they see a huge potential in Chandigarh, emerging as great business destination in North India.

Commenting on the contribution towards MICE tourism, Manocha adds strengthening the MICE segment in Chandigarh would also have incidental impact on tourism in Chandigarh which is bound to grow with MICE travelers.

Chandigarh often is believed to be a transit-tourist destination and a gateway for Punjab , Himachal , Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand.

Hoteliers believe MICE segment would help Chandigarh emerge as a ‘tourist destination’.
Commenting on the business coming from MICE travelers Anil Madhok, Managing Director, Sarovar Hotels & Resorts, maintain ,MICE segment is driving the growth and the curve has already gone-up by 30 per cent. “We are already experiencing a revival in demand with rise in bookings and queries for the ongoing season. November and December are the peak seasons for MICE as well as for corporate travel.” Hotels in Bengaluru, Delhi—NCR and tier-II cities like Chandigarh and Ludhiana, are doing brisk business with an 8-10 per cent increase in domestic tourism.


(c) http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/mice-tourism-to-boost-hospitality-sector/455950/
Crosswoods holidays 2011

US airlines sue US Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank over Air India deal- Economic Times

WASHINGTON: In a bid to prevent Air India from receiving a $3.4 billion loan for the acquisition of 30 new aircraft, a trade body for leading US airlines has sued the US Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank. 

The loan comes at entirely too high a price and "puts us at a competitive disadvantage", the Air Transport Association of America (ATA) President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio remarked. 

The ATA filed a suit with US District Court here, asking the court to deem the Ex-Im Bank's loan-guarantee unlawful. 

According to ATA officials, the Ex-Im Bank has already approved a $1.3 billion loan for Air India, with an additional $2.1 million pending consideration; the loans would support the carrier's acquisition of 30 aircraft, including 27 Boeing 787s for delivery between 2011-2015. 

The lawsuit follows an ATA letter to the Ex-Im Bank earlier this month, which said that loan guarantees to Air India and other foreign carriers fail to comply with specific statutory mandates and US taxpayers could be left to foot the bill for any default by a foreign carrier on its loans. 

With this lawsuit, ATA officials hope to prevent foreign carriers from receiving drastically lower - up to 50 percent - financing rates than US airlines. After all, an ATA spokesman said, the discounts afforded to these carriers have certainly added up. 

"Having received more than $52 billion in US taxpayer-funded loan guarantees over the last 10 years, foreign carriers have added capacity and gained market share," he remarked. In fact, such Ex-Im Bank guarantees have enabled these airlines to increase their capacity on US routes by 12 percent, he said. 

The overcapacity has also forced some American carriers to reduce their flight schedules and cut jobs, two actions Calio hopes to prevent with this injunction. 

"ATA has no choice but to seek judicial intervention in order to prevent our members from suffering irreparable injury," he said in a statement. "While we support the goal of expanding US exports, it cannot come at [this] expense." 

"Commercial aviation in the United States drives $1.2 trillion per year in economic activity and more than 10 million jobs; we cannot do that if we continue to face a harsh and punitive tax and regulatory environment that, along with this proposed action, puts us at a competitive disadvantage," Calio said. "It's time to level the playing field."

courtesy: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/us-airlines-sue-us-export-import-ex-im-bank-over-air-india-deal/articleshow/10778381.cms
Crosswoods holidays 2011

India's 13 most popular tourist destinations- Rediff Travels

Metro cities continue to capture top spots among the 10 most popular cities for travelers, according to the latest Hotels.com's Hotel Price Index. Tourism in India is the largest service industry, with a contribution of 6.23 per cent to the national GDP and 8.78 per cent of the total employment in India.

India's history of more than 5,000 years, its length, breadth and the variety of geographic features make its tourism basket large and varied. It presents heritage and cultural tourism along with medical, business and sports tourism.

India's 13 most popular tourist destinations

New Delhi


Delhi is said to be one of the oldest existing cities in the world, along with Jerusalem and Varanasi.
Legend estimates it to be over 5,000 years old. Indira Gandhi International Airport, located in the west of the city, is the arrival point for many visitors into Delhi.

Trains arrive at one of four main stations: Delhi Junction, also called Old Delhi or Purani Dilli; the second at New Delhi which lies in Central Delhi; Hazrat Nizamuddin a few kilometers to the south; and the upcoming Anand Vihar station to the east. The fast-growing Delhi Metro network provides a cheap, quick, hassle-free and air-conditioned way of zipping around the city.

The Red Fort (Lal Qila) is one of Delhi's top tourist sights. Among the others are - Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar, Gandhi Smriti, India Gate, Lodhi Garden, Lotus Temple, Jama Masjid, Akshardham Temple, Jawaharlal Nehru University, the Parliament House, etc.

Mumbai
Mumbai was originally a conglomeration of seven islands on the Konkan coastline which over time were joined to form the island city of Bombay. Famous monuments in Mumbai are the Gateway of India, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Victoria Terminus) building, the Municipal Corporation and Police Headquarters and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Vastu Sanghralaya (formerly, the Prince Of Wales museum).

The famous Taj Mahal hotel is located just opposite the Gateway of India. The Mumbai University buildings and the High Court are also excellent examples of colonial architecture in the city. Mumbai has quite a few beaches - Girgaon Chowpaty in South Mumbai, Juhu beach in the western suburbs and Aksa Beach in Malad.

Other attractions include the city zoo (Veermata Jijabai Udyan), the Hanging Gardens, Haji Ali Dargah, Siddhivinayak and Mahalaxmi temples.

Bengaluru

Once called the 'Garden City of India' and the 'Pensioner's Paradise', Bengaluru, is now popularly known as the Silicon Valley of India. Landmarks in Bengaluru include - Vidhana Soudha, Bangalore Palace, Tipu Sultan's Palace, the Bull Temple, Lord Shiva Temple, Holy Trinity Church, Ulsoor Lake, among others.

Chennai

Located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal, Chennai accounts for 30 per cent of the country's automotive exports and 40 per cent of the auto components, which leads it to be called as 'The Detroit of
Asia' Important tourist spots include, the Marina Beach, Basilica of the National Shrine of St.Thomas, St. Mary's Church, Wallajah Mosque, Kapaleeswarar Temple, Valluvar Kottam, Guindy National Park among many others.

Goa

Renowned for its beaches, places of worship and world heritage architecture, Goa is visited by large numbers of international and domestic tourists each year. It also has rich flora and fauna, owing to its location on the Western Ghats range, which is classified as a biodiversity hotspot. Goa has two World Heritage Sites: the Bom Jesus Basilica and churches and convents of Old Goa.

The Velhas Conquistas regions are known for its Goa-Portuguese style architecture. There are many forts in Goa such as Tiracol, Chapora, Corjuem, Aguada, Gaspar Dias and Cabo de Rama.

Jaipur
Jaipur is a very famous tourist and education destination in India. People flock to Jaipur to view the various forts and monuments, which reflect its glorious past. Tourism contributes a significant amount to Jaipur's income.

Famous forts and monuments include Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort, Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh Fort, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Jal Mahal, Rambagh Palace, Central Museum. The landscape of Jaipur is dotted with numerous temples and religious places.

Some of the famous temples in Jaipur include Govind Dev Ji Temple, Garh Ganesh Temple, Shila Devi Temple in Amber, Tadkeshwara Mahadev, etc.

The city is also dotted by beautiful gardens and parks. Prominent among them are Ram Niwas Garden, Sisodia Rani Garden and Palace, Vidyadhar Garden, Kanak Vrindavan, Central Park, Jawahar Circle Garden, Technology Park in Mansarover, Vidyadhar ka Bagh in Goner. Other places of interest include Chand Baori (stepwell), Chokhi Dhani (a village resort), and Kathputhli slum.

Manali

Manali is well connected by road to Delhi through NH-21 and NH 1, which goes on to Leh and is claimed to be world's highest motorable road. Manali is not easily approachable by rail. The nearest broad gauge railheads are at Chandigarh, Pathankot and Kalka. The nearest airport is at Bhuntar, which is about 50 km (31 mi) from Manali. Places of interest include Hadimba Temple, Vashisht Temple, rope way cum ski centre at Solang valley, and Rohtang Pass.

Baga
It an extension of Calangute Village in the state of Goa. Baga with is brown sands and creek is visited by thousands of tourists annually. Baga Beach is also famous for its water sports and Dolphin cruises.

Ooty

Today Ooty's economy is based on tourism and agriculture, with manufacturing of medicines and photographic film also present. The town is connected to the rest of India by road and rail, and its historic sites and natural beauty attract tourists. Notable tourist spots in Ooty are - Doddabetta Peak, pine forest, Wenlock Downs, Kamaraj Sagar Dam, Mudumalai National Park, Parsons Valley Reservoir, Emerald Lake, Avalanche Lake, Porthimund Lake, and Upper Bhavaniamong many others.

Agra
It achieved fame as the capital of the Mughal emperors from 1526 to 1658 and remains a major tourist destination because of its many splendid Mughal-era buildings, most notably the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, all three of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Other attractions include Diwan-i-Khas, Tomb of Akbar, Mankameshwar Temple, Guru ka Tal, Ram Bagh, Keetham Lake, Mughal Heritage Walk, etc.

Cochin
This lovely seaside city is flanked by the Western Ghats on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west.
Its proximity to the equator, the sea and the mountains provide a rich experience of a moderate equatorial climate.

Landmarks on Cochin include Fort Kochi beach, Hill Palace Museum, St. Francis Church, Museum of Kerala History and Art Gallery, Thrikkakara Temple, Jain Mandir, Malayattoor Mount, Kanjiramattam Mosque, Cherai Beach, and Kodanadu Elephant Training College.

Kolkata
Kolkata is the main business, commercial and financial hub of East India and the northeastern states.
It has many buildings adorned with Gothic, Baroque, Roman, Oriental and Indo-Islamic (including Mughal) motifs. Several major buildings of the Colonial period are well maintained and have been declared 'heritage structures'.

The Indian Museum is the oldest museum in Asia. Besides there are the Victoria Memorial, the National Library, Royal Calcutta Golf Club, Dakshineshwar temple, Kalighat temple, St Pauls's Cathedral, Pareshnath Jain temple, Race Course, Birla Planetarium, Tagore House, at  Jorasanko, Horticultural Garden, Calcutta Zoo, and the Marble Palace. In Salt Lake there is Nicco Park, Science City etc.

Hyderabad
If you are traveling to Hyderabad on business it is easy to miss the 400-year-old Hyderabad.
The city that immediately hits the eye is a sprawling metropolis of shopping malls and office buildings with glass facades.

The 'old city' that was once the seat of the Nizam can be seen only if you take the time out to see them.
Main attractions are Charminar, Mecca Masjid, Falaknuma Palace, Golconda Fort, Salar Jung Museum, the Birla Mandir, Hussain Sagar Lake, Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad Golf Club, Snow World, Lumbini Park, Chilkur Wildlife Park among others.

Crosswoods holidays 2011