The maiden edition of Très RARE recorded over 100 Indian destination management companies and 30 foreign tour operators from the UK, US, France, Germany and Italy. Instituted by RARE India, the event was a showcase of the finest boutique hotels, lodges, hideaways, camps and retreats in India, Nepal, and Bhutan that aimed to engage with the bespoke tour operators and media from India and overseas, alongside an eclectic mix of world travellers. Conducted over two days, the event focused on intensive one-on-one engagement, knowledge building and innovations. The close interactions with hotel owners and hosts were followed by 11 hosted familiarisation trips across India. The event also hosted speakers on hospitality and related topics to add value to the concept of experiential travel in the sub-continent. Sowmya R Vijaymohan, Partner at RARE India said, “This is probably the first green event where no plastic has been used, thus following the green document. It is a tribute to all the bespoke boutique hotels. These boutique hotels inspired us at RARE to break away from the traditional and create an intimate showcase that focuses on the niche rather than the mass and mainstream.” Some of the hotels which participated at Tres Rare were RAAS Jodhpur in Rajasthan, Bhainsrorgarh Fort, Rajasthan, Hotel Druk, Bhutan, Pepper Trail, Kerela, Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge, Nepal, Deccan Odyssey, etc.

Thomas Cook (India) has strengthened its presence in Mumbai with the opening of a new franchise ‘Gold Circle Partner’ outlet at Opera House. This brings Thomas Cook India’s total number of outlets to 21 consumer access centres with nine owned branches, 12 Gold Circle Partner (franchise) outlets in Mumbai, 38 consumer access centres with 15 owned branches and 23 Gold Circle Partner (franchise) outlets in Maharashtra. Thomas Cook India’s internal data has highlighted that Mumbai continues to feature as a top and growing source market for its holiday business. Hence, in an initiative to harness this opportunity, the company identified Opera House, Mumbai as a high potential location to set up its new Gold Circle Partner franchise outlets. The Thomas Cook Gold Circle Partner programme is an exclusive franchise partner initiative that increases the brand’s presence reach across the country, giving consumers access to the company’s products and services in metros/mini-metros and emerging Tier-II and III markets. A Gold Circle Partner is equipped with sales and marketing support. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Leisure Travel & MiCE, Thomas Cook (India) said, “Mumbai has been identified as a prime growth driver and continues to deliver strong growth of 30% YoY for our leisure travel business. Thomas Cook’s data has highlighted South Mumbai as a high potential source market for its holiday business.”

Singapore-based cruise companies are reporting strong growth in footfall of Indian tourists, with some 127,000 of them having sailed on luxury liners last year, up 25 per cent from 2016. Industry players have also noted a jump in fly-cruise tourists from India. A spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings said the company believes the Indian market “has potential to grow at double-digit rates”. “We are seeing an increasing number of Indian tourists booking fly-cruise packages to Singapore as the island is a regional hub and port… From Singapore, the tourists are able to visit a number of other countries depending on the cruise package they have booked,” the spokesperson said. A Royal Caribbean spokesperson said the number of Indian guests taking its cruises has increased by 10 per cent to 20 per cent yearly, especially after the arrival of its Voyager Class ships to South-east Asia in 2013. Indian tourists like the convenience of packing for one trip but being able to travel to several countries at one time, the spokesperson added. In 2017, international visitor arrivals in Singapore increased by 6.2 per cent to 17.4 million, with those from India posting the highest growth rate of 16 per cent, according to Singapore Tourism Board.

Ginger Hotels has opened its second hotel in Goa with the launch of Ginger Goa, Dona Paula. The move is in line with Indian Hotels Company Limited’s (IHCL) focus on increasing its footprint across segments to meet the consumer demand at various price points. The hotel offers 24 rooms with a choice of a private terrace or a balcony. Rahul Pandit, Former MD & CEO, Roots Corporation says, “We are delighted to expand brand Ginger in Goa with the opening of Ginger Goa, Dona Paula – our second hotel in Goa and the 17th in the western region. This move will only add momentum to the city’s thriving tourism and is in line with IHCL’s commitment to Goa.” Ginger Goa, Dona Paula enjoys a prime location and is situated between the Dona Paula beach and Vainguinim beach. The hotel is within a 40-minute drive from the airport and is near Panjim city centre as well as the Karmali railway station (Old Goa). It features a multi-cuisine restaurant, fitness centre, swimming pool, meeting facilities and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Cox & Kings-owned Meininger Hotels and investor LGIM Real Assets have signed an agreement for a hotel in Glasgow, scheduled to open in 2020. It will be located on West George Street opposite Queen Street Train Station and will offer 160 rooms and 590 beds. This will be Meininger Group’s second hotel in the UK. It already operates a hotel in London since 2006. Hannes Spanring, CEO, Meininger Hotels, says, “Great Britain is a very important market for us and Glasgow as Scotland’s largest city is the perfect location for another Meininger hotel in the UK. The Glasgow hotel is an excellent addition to our portfolio, due to its prime location in the heart of the city centre.” The room types will range from classic double rooms through private multi-bed rooms to beds in a dorm room. The public areas include reception, lobby, lounge, breakfast room and bar as well as a guest kitchen and game zone. At basement, ground and mezzanine levels, the scheme will also create around 1400 sqm of new retail space. Due to its proximity to the train station, the hotel is well connected to both local and long-distance destinations, with trains running to the north of Scotland and to Edinburgh, which can easily be reached within 40 minutes. The nearest underground station is also just 160 meters from the hotel.  

Travelport and Air France-KLM have signed an agreement for the distribution of content through Travelport’s platform. Air France-KLM and HOP! content on Travelport’s platform will include Travelport’s rich content, branded fares, fare families and multiple ancillaries. Travelport customers will continue to benefit from Travelport’s tools beyond booking capability that enable workflow automation, change management processes, multiple content integration, robotics for fulfilment and other vital services. This agreement also enables customers selected by Air France HOP! and KLM to access a private channel via Travelport through which they will receive content without the additional distribution surcharge levied by Air France-KLM starting April 1, 2018. Derek Sharp, Senior Vice President and Managing Director – Air Commerce, Travelport, says, “This agreement is an extension of a long-term relationship which has delivered greater choice to Air France KLM’s customers. We look forward to a continuing productive partnership as we deploy new technology with the airline.” Emmanuelle Gailland, Vice President – Distribution, Air France-KLM, says, “Travelport has been a great partner throughout our private channel engagement as a transition towards NDC. Both Air France KLM and Travelport will work together to bring NDC content of new fares, products, services and rich media in the marketplace.”

Vacations exchange platform and part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands, RCI added 11 newly-affiliated resorts to its exchange network in India in 2017. These additions include destinations that have been experiencing heavy tourist inflow in the past few years. They include Ananta Spa (Udaipur), Sterling La Vida (Goa), Palm Greens Club (Ahmedabad), Global family homes (Ladakh), Hawthorn Suites by Pacifica (Dwarka), Neon Lifestyle & Recreation Club (Nadiad), Valencia Group (Mount Abu), Sterling Kanha (Kanha), Sterling Wayanad (Wayanad), Krishna Bhumi Holydays (Vrindavan ) and Shivpuri Resort (Madhya Pradesh). “Vacationers today are looking for quality time with their families. At RCI, we believe in offering a complete experience be it luxury, adventure sports or just an invigorating experience. Through these associations, we are looking forward to reaching out to more travellers and leverage our strong network of affiliated resorts not just in India but internationally as well. Over the past year, we’ve added some exceptional properties to the RCI exchange network,” said Gordon Gurnik, President, RCI. “Through strategic partnerships with both new and existing affiliates, our 3.8 million subscribing members have thousands of options to choose from in sought-after destinations around the world when planning their next vacation,” says Sabina Chopra, Managing Director, RCI India.

Bahrain Tourism has partnered with six travel agents each in seven Indian cities along with including the Grand Prix package on their website for The Formula 1 2018 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix to be held from April 6 to 8, 2018 at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC). Bahrain Tourism is doing a 360-degree promotional campaign for the same as it is one of the biggest sporting events in Bahrain. Sunil Mathapati, India representative, Bahrain Tourism, says, “We have not specifically conducted a familiarisation trip to showcase BIC but have organised an educational trip for the event to promote it to consumers. We have been constantly promoting the event on social media platforms and doing print, radio and digital campaigns as well.” He says that it is important for destinations to promote exclusive events, specially sporting events such as this to showcase the destination and rake in the numbers. “Each sport has its enthusiasts. India also has its fair share of F1 fans. It becomes extremely important for a destination to promote the same. It also gives a boost in numbers as nowdays people are looking for multiple things to do when they travel,” Mathapati adds.  

Jukaso Journeys has acquired five properties in Udaipur, Corbett, Manali, Bhimtal and Dharamshala over the last three months. These are Jukaso Sai Palace Udaipur, Jukaso Jim Corbett, Jukaso Seven Heaven Bhimtal, Jukaso Mrikula Cottage Manali and Jukaso Palace Dharamshala. Jukaso Journeys is planning to expand and hence aims to open 15 properties by the end of 2018. Yajush Khanna, CEO, Jukaso Journeys, says, “We are excited about expanding our footprint in Tier-II cities in India with these properties. It is a great opportunity to enter the new market as we are trying to mark our presence in major tourist destinations. We intend to strengthen our upscale brand in the country.” The Jukaso group runs hotels in Delhi, Gurgaon, Pune, Vizag, Varanasi, Dharamsala, Corbett, Mahabaleshwar and Switzerland.

Vivek Nair, Chairman and Managing Director, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts has felicitated Suresh Prabhu, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, who has also assumed the additional charge of Minister of Civil Aviation in a special ceremony organised recently at The Leela Palace New Delhi. Nair commented, “Civil aviation and tourism have to go hand in hand and only then can the industry grow. Now we have a new minister, who is known for his dynamism and we invite him to boost the synergies between the two sectors.” The ceremony saw in attendance the who’s who of the hospitality, tourism and services industry. The stakeholders of the industry put forth their views and suggestions to the minister for his consideration. Prabhu commented, “Today it is a trillion dollar economy knocking at our doors. We have to understand that one has to create concrete plans based upon the larger impact it will have on the common people. With one tourist in India, 15 jobs both direct and indirect can be created.”