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  • The Taj Group launches its 100th hotel in India

    The Taj Group, India’s largest hospitality group, today announced the launch of its 100th hotel in India with Vivanta by Taj within the Millennium City of Gurgaon. The crowd now has 117 hotels globally, with 26 within the Vivanta by Taj – Hotels & Resorts portfolio.
     
    An homage to Gurgaon’s ‘bustling’ lifestyle, the hot Taj is a metropolitan marvel of avante garde design. Iconic features include the Thai Pavilion offering the appropriate of Siam cuisine, the expansive Latitude and the Tease bar. The hotel also offers stylized accommodations with business amenities, a piece and play ‘Rhythm’ lounge, banquet spaces, a Jiva Spa and unique Vivanta motifs. 19 miles south of latest Delhi, Vivanta by Taj – Gurgaon, is on the brink of the business district and visitor hotspots – Kingdom of Dreams, DLF Golf Course and Gurgaon’s ubiquitous malls.
     
    “With the launch of Vivanta by Taj – Gurgaon, NCR, not just have we expanded the footprint of the logo into the business district, but in addition accomplished a vital milestone within the group’s journey, by becoming the 100th hotel in India in our portfolio,” said Mr. Raymond N Bickson, managing director and chief executive officer at Indian Hotels Company Limited, on the launch. “It further reinforces our commitment to expand our service offerings to newer destinations within the country. It also supports the company’s objective of accomplishing growth through domestic dominance. Vivanta by Taj is a testament to the dynamism and innovation that the Taj is renowned for.”
     
    Ms Deepa Misra Harris, senior vp, sales & marketing at Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces also mentioned, “The occasion marks a special celebration for the crowd and inspires us to gain even greater milestones. Reaching our 100th hotel milestone in India and a complete of 117 globally reinforces our faith in our guests across geographies, who’ve amplified their preference for our brands across all locations we’re found in. Designed to deliver vibrant experiences to its guests, Vivanta by Taj Hotels & Resorts is a brand with a recent, energetic and vivacious twist.”
     
    Singapore-based architecture firm Warner Wong Design | WOW Architects is answerable for the design and architecture of the hotel. a mixture of glass and stone creates the impression of a pointy, yet beautifully robust structure that’s avant-garde by design. The innovative concept and fine detailing extends in the course of the 189 guest rooms with city and pool views, 18 suites in addition to a presidential suite with an executive lounge at the 10th floor. Every room comes equipped with innovative technology like video conferencing facilities, continuous, undisturbed internet access and over 10,000 square feet of meeting spaces.
     
    “The Vivanta brand is growing at a rapid pace. With its strategic location and the Vivanta brand features, Gurgaon is better poised to service the traveler in the hunt for a novel and contemporary experience,” said Mr. Veer Vijay Singh, chief operating officer, Vivanta by Taj Hotels & Resorts.
     
    Latitude, the all-day diner at Vivanta by Taj – Gurgaon, offers a global food theater, showcasing the dramatic play of spices and flavors from six different cuisines. The enduring Thai Pavilion – the country’s first signature Thai cuisine restaurant opens its door for the food connoisseurs visiting Gurgaon. Jam-packed with high-octane energy, Tease, the bar is designed to raise the spirits and opens onto a huge alfresco dining space that keeps the vibe alive. For the globetrotting, party hard traveler, Taj provides its signature Jiva Spa.

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  • News: Britain climbs Word Economic Forum tourism ladder

    Britain has moved up two places in a survey of tourism competitiveness performed by the Word Economic Forum.

    The result means VisitBritain has achieved the ambitious target set by government within the latest tourism policy.

    With very fine margins separating the head five places, competition on the top of the table is fierce (0.01 difference between second and fifth position occupied by Britain).

    The biennial study, published under the title, Reducing Barriers to Economic Growth and Job Creation, sees positive movement for Britain within the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index’s top 10 countries.

    Britain’s close European competitors witnessed considerable movement with France falling four places from third in 2011 to seventh, while Spain climbed to fourth from eighth.

    But through VisitBritain’s extensive global GREAT marketing and a global profile never before seen on this country, Britain’s perceived ability to compete on an international scale shifted two places to fifth from seventh.

    Britain is inside the top ten for a couple of other measures, including:

    • Cultural resources: Britain ranks third for cultural resources. It’s in accordance with Britain’s World Heritage cultural sites, large selection of international fairs and powerful creative industries, which all rank inside the top ten (largely caused by the Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee).
    • Air transport infrastructure: Britain ranks 5th
    • Environmental sustainability: Britain ranks 7th.
    • Policy rules and regulation: Britain ranks 8th (includes transparency of policy making and visa requirements but extends to more business-related indicators comparable to prevalence of foreign ownership, property rights, business start-up costs etc).
    • Internet use for business to consumer transactions: Britain ranks 1st.

    Britain’s global marketing and effectiveness to draw tourists via marketing campaigns has moved up a gargantuan 22 places from 43 in 2011 to 21 in 2013.

    Chairman of VisitBritain, Christopher Rodrigues said: “Tourism is an industry during which Britain is world class and competes internationally.

    “These results clearly display what the industry and government can achieve once we interact, but more need to be done.

    “Last year was Britain’s year to be showcased all over, and we now have used that to drive tourism growth with record spend last year.

    “Our ambition is to construct in this to continue to deliver growth and jobs for Britain with an ambitious target of 40 million visits a year by the top of 2020 with the intention to support 200,000 additional jobs.”

  • News: Montego Bay Convention Centre to welcome JAPEX

    The Montego Bay Convention Centre in Jamaica will host the 23rd annual Jamaica Product Exchange from April 28th-30th 2013, the leading business forum for tour operators, wholesalers and travel agents.

    The three-day event is recognised as Jamaica’s premier travel trade extravaganza and gives the perfect opportunity for leading Jamaican suppliers of the island’s tourism product to fulfill with travel wholesalers, tour operators and travel agents from Europe and the Americas.

    Hosted by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), the trade event also includes networking sessions, evening events, destination familiarisation tours and team-building activities.

    Last year, JAPEX featured greater than 116 representatives from approximately 76 buyer companies, together with greater than 222 participants from 92 supplier companies.

    “JAPEX is the best opportunity for qualified international buyers, travel wholesalers and tour operators to debate the island’s tourism product with our finest suppliers,” said John Lynch, JTB director of tourism.

    “It’s a useful opportunity for our local tourism partners, particularly the smaller companies, to have direct interaction with the trade industry and update them on what’s new and upcoming in our marketplace.”

    The Montego Bay Convention Centre is found only 15 minutes’ drive from Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport, which supports one or more direct flights from London Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester Airports.

    It is within five minutes of 5 major hotels and is surrounded by luxury shopping and championship golf courses.

  • Rising incomes and internet boost booming Chinese travel market

    The variety of outbound trips made by Chinese travellers is seeing double-digit growth, due to rising disposable incomes and web bookings, reveals exclusive research unveiled today (8 April) on the WTM Vision Conference – Beijing.

    Forecasts by Euromonitor International reveal that outbound trips from China are expected to record a ‘sharp’ 15% rise in CAGR (compound annual growth rate) from 2012-2017.

    Hong Kong and Macau are the most well liked destinations but non-Asian countries are rising in importance, delegates have heard today.

    Meanwhile, inbound tourism flows to China are forecast to grow at a 2.3% CAGR over an identical period, reveals the Forecast Revisit for the worldwide Travel and Tourism Industry report.

    Hong Kong is the most important source of arrivals, accounting for 27m, but Western European and US markets are expected to grow, Ray Li Senior Research Analyst at Euromonitor International states.

    He can even reveal how rising disposable incomes are resulting in a ‘sharp’ rise in sales of discretionary goods and services, with travel – in addition to cars and fashion – especially favoured.

    Also, the changing role of ladies is driving demand for clothing, cosmetics and travel, in line with Euromonitor international.

    Another significant factor within the Chinese travel market is the intensifying competition between China’s online travel agencies, including Ctrip, Qunar and eLong.

    China is the area leader for choice of internet users and smartphones sold, and web giants similar to Tencent and Baidu are making inroads inside the online travel market, delegates on the WTM Vision Conference – Beijing heard.

    Chinese hotels are performing strongly, and although China’s hotel industry is dominated by budget properties, the posh segment is anticipated to reach strongest growth between 2012 and 2017.

    Reed Travel Exhibition Director World Travel Market Simon Press, who opened the conference today, said: “WTM is delighted to be returning to China for its second Vision conference within the country, following the success of last year’s inaugural event which befell in Shangai.

    “China’s influence at the global travel and tourism continues to grow. WTM has first-hand experience of this with increasingly more exhibitors and visitors attending the development from China, alongside increasingly buyers targeting Chinese exhibitors.”

    The conference is in association with China Business Network was held in Beijing Marriott Hotel City Wall.

    As well because the report from Euromonitor International, the development will feature high-calibre speakers sharing expert analysis, statistical assessment and interpretations with the industry’s senior leaders.

    Delegates will receive the Euromonitor International report via email for free after the conference.

  • Travel Essentials

    If you want to go travelling with not much more than just a backpack, than we’re providing you with a few travel essentials.

    • A smartphone – Why not a normal phone, why a smartphone. Well lit may be more likely to be stolen, but it can be your camera, organiser, alarm, flashlight. It’s pretty much a multi-functioning device that’s superb for travelling.
    • ATM and credit cards are fundamental. You may be short of cash on your debit card, and whilst it is a warning sign to think about returning home, a credit card can bail you out for a bit longer.
    • Cash is fundemtal for emergencies, and you should always make sure you have some cash on you at all times. It should be kept in a really safe place.
    • Bug repellent- This can be a spray or a cream and it can stop you ending up looking like you have chicken pox.
    • 1st aid kit – Any cuts scrapes or health issues should be dealt with as you can, and a first aid kit can be relative helpful if you have a common injury or issue.
    • A notepad and a pen can be great. People can draw out maps for you if you require them. You can take down important numbers, addresses, or even any ideas that come to your head that you want to revise later. Just make sure you remember to take a pen.