Etihad voted best first class airline
Etihad Airways has been voted 'airline with best first class service in the world' by the readers of the monthly consumer magazine, Business Traveller USA. The magazine's 'best in business travel awards' are based upon a comprehensive survey of readers and their views of airlines, hotels, cruise lines, car rental firms, destinations and other travel service providers. Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways Executive Vice President, said: "This award from our customers in the US illustrates the impact Etihad is having in the fiercely competitive North American market and across the world. "In addition to the first class service and comfort in the air, Etihad's premium customers also receive a limousine chauffeur service to and from Abu Dhabi and New York's JFK airports which has been hugely popular in the UAE and the US." The award follows Etihad's success at the World Travel Awards earlier in 2007 when it received the awards for being 'the Middle East's leading airline' and 'the Middle East's leading first class airline'. Baumgartner added: "We will not be resting on our laurels and our customers can look forward to new in-flight innovations and services in 2008.”

India Tourism office to open in Beijing
An India Tourism Office will be opened in Beijing in early 2008 to attract more visitors from China which accounted for a mere 50,000 out of 4.43 million tourists to India in 2006. This is part of a series of ongoing activities as the year 2007 was celebrated as the India-China Year of Friendship through Tourism, India's Ambassador to China Nirupama Rao said at an 'Incredible India' event in Beijing. The China Tourism office has already been opened in New Delhi. She said with growing prosperity, both nations had become An India Tourism Office will be opened in Beijing in early 2008 to attract more visitors from China which accounted for a mere 50,000 out of 4.43 million tourists to India in 2006.

This is part of a series of ongoing activities as the year 2007 was celebrated as the India-China Year of Friendship through Tourism, India's Ambassador to China Nirupama Rao said at an 'Incredible India' event in Beijing. The China Tourism office has already been opened in New Delhi. She said with growing prosperity, both nations had become important sources of outbound tourism not only for business but also for pleasure. Both countries had most easily recognizable symbols of travel and tourism the world over like the Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China. Yet not many from the two countries had seen both. India received 4.43 million visitors in 2006 but only about 50,000 of them were Chinese. Similarly, China received 25 million foreign visitors in 2006, but only 400,000 were Indians.

IATA launches www.iatatravelcentre.com

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched the IATA Travel Centre at www.iatatravelcentre.com to provide passport, visa and health information necessary for air travellers.

"This responds to the consumer demand for self-service by giving travellers easy access to helpful and accurate information about the essentials of travel—from what documents are required to what taxes must be paid," said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's director general and CEO.  The service is offered free of charge to individual travellers. Travellers are responsible for having correct documentation with them. Whilst most documentation problems are discovered at check-in, every year an estimated 35,000 travellers are turned back at destination or transfer points by immigration authorities due to improper documentation.

The average fine for every passenger arriving or transiting without proper documentation is US$5000. When combined with associated manpower costs, the annual expense to the industry is over US$200 million. "The Travel Centre is the first of a number of initiatives IATA is driving to help the industry to improve service while reducing these costs," said Bisignani.

Vietnam receives the world’s best “undiscovered golf destination” award.
The International Association of Golf Travel Operators (IAGTO) has named Vietnam the winner of its "Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year" award in 2007, consolidating the country as an emerging destination of choice for international golfers. Vietnam surpassed five other final international golf destination - Abu Dhabi, Costa Rica, Italian Lakes, Kenya and Oregon to win the annual sought-after award. Golfers said the award was a crowning moment in a pivotal golf year for Vietnam.

The IAGTO announces the "Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year" award each year as part of the International Golf Travel Market, the golf travel
industry's annual trade show. The award itself is voted upon by 85 members of the International Golf Travel Writers Association (IGTWA). These journalists are charged with identifying the world's one golf  destination they consider to be the foremost "undiscovered gem" based on the destination, quality, attractiveness, accessibility, standard of accommodation, friendliness of the staff, value for the money, and speed of play. Vietnam now has 15 operational golf courses, while more than 30 projects will be up and running in the coming years.

A room in Singapore with a Formula One view- for US$20,000
A hotel room at the Pan Pacific Hotel with a view of Singapore's first Formula One Grand Prix race fetched a top bid of $S30000 (US$ 20800) in a charity auction. The unidentified bidder will be able to stay at the Pan Pacific Hotel September 26-28 during this year's night-time F1 street race. The government will slap trackside hotels with a 30 percent levy during the event and not everyone is happy about skyrocketing hotel rates during F1. A $400 room is estimated to be at $1200 during the Grand Prix as the government plans a 30 percent levy on the room rate during the F1 event.

Mr. C. V. Prasad appointed as President of UFTAA
At the 41st UFTAA World Congress and AGM held in Casablanca, Morocco, Mr. C V Prasad, was elected as the President of the United Federation of Travel Agents’Association (UFTAA) for the year 2007-08 thus becoming the third Indian and the first in 23 years to head UFTAA. Mr. Prasad is also the President, TAAI (Travel Agents Association of India). UFTAA is a world body representing the travel agency and tourism industry. UFTAA effectively represents Travel Agents and Tour Operators views on both Inbound and Outbound travel by continuous dialogue and consultation with other international organisations such as International Air Transport Association (IATA), the International Hotel and Restaurant Association (IH&RA) the International Union of Railways (IUR), the International Road Union (IRU), and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and many more. UFTAA is an affiliate member of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) UFTAA represents the travel agents’ activities before various world-wide bodies, governmental authorities and suppliers Mr. C.Venkateshwara Prasad is the Managing Director of Travel Express Limited, Hyderabad and has more than 20 years travel industry experience.

Finger scans required for all UK visa applicants from tomorrow
With effect from 12th December, biometric data collection has been introduced as an integral part of the UK visa application process in India. This means applicants will need to attend a VFS Visa Application Centre where trained staff will take finger scans and a digital photograph. With effect from 12th December, biometric data collection has been introduced as an integral part of the UK visa application process in India. This means applicants will need to attend a VFS Visa Application Centre where trained staff will take finger scans and a digital photograph.

Creon Butler, British Deputy High Commissioner, said: “the UK’s visa operation in India is very important and the largest in the world. We are pleased to introduce biometrics in India as part of the UK Government’s longstanding policy. Biometric data are unique and allow us to fix a person’s identity. It provides a number of advantages for customers and our visa operation: it makes it easier for UKvisas to identify its valued customers, it better protects UKvisas’ customers from identity fraud and it strengthens the UK’s borders. We regret that we cannot introduce our preferred biometrics system to India, because Indian legislation places restrictions on the transfer of encrypted data. This will result in processing times of around 4 days. The Indian government fully supports the biometrics process and we are working with them to reach a solution.”

Chris Dix, Regional Director UKvisas, said “Ukvisas works continuously to improve the quality of what we do. VFS, our only official partner, plays an important role in providing an efficient service to our customers. All the information our customers need is available through VFS. There is no need for expensive agents, and customers should be cautious when dealing with any agent who guarantees the outcome of an application.”

For further information about biometrics including FAQs, and the location of the 12 Visa Application Centres, log on to www.ukinindia.com; www.ukvisas.gov.uk or www.vfs-uk.co.in

Kenya- an ideal destination for Pleasure and Business - by R. A. Goenka, Hon. Consul of Kenya
Kenya, originally a British Colony, gained freedom in 1963 and has enjoyed political stability ever since. Kenya with a population of over 45 millions and total area of 582650 sq.km has English as its official language although the national Kiswahili is widely spoken by Kenyans. It enjoys a warm climate all year round and the topography of the region which comprises of flat bush-covered plain, pristine beaches, scenic highlands makes it an ideal tourist destination. Whether it is Mount Kenya, the regions around Lake Victoria and the great Rift Valley, Kenya is truly a land of great contrasts.

From the business perspective there are major investment opportunities in various sectors like Agriculture, Horticulture, Agro Processing, Poultry Products, Fisheries, Leather & Leather Goods, Electrical Equipment and Electronics and several more areas. It is worth noting that many Kenyan businesses are managed by people of Indian origin as there is deep rooted 300 years old link between the Indian and the Gujarati community. India is also one of the leading exporters to Kenya exporting all types of chemicals, engineering goods, transport equipment, textiles, sugar, cement, agricultural machinery and pharmaceuticals. On the other hand, India offers higher education opportunity to students from Kenya especially in areas of technology, law and education. There are over 4000 Kenyan students pursuing higher studies in India. We offer excellent cost effective medical treatment through our world class hospitals and doctors to Kenyans.

When one thinks of Kenya, the first thought that comes to our mind is the famous Kenyan Safari. Although Safari is still the major highlight, be it wildlife, cultural, beach or adventure safari, Kenya also offers a range of outdoor activities as well and to make your stay memorable you have a wide choice of Indian cuisine as there are several Indian restaurants spread all over the country.

A single entry visa for Kenya can be obtained from the office of the Kenya High Commission in New Delhi and costs Rs 2200. The Consulate Office in Mumbai too is a collection centre for the visas. Indian passport holders can obtain visas on paying US$50 on arrival as well. So when you plan a holiday in 2008, Kenya must be in your list of preferred destinations to visit this year.

TIROL State Tourist Board appoints New Marketing and Sales Manager for India
Ms Theresa Haid is the new Marketing & Sales manager for India at the Tirol State Tourist Board. Before she started to work with the Tirol State Tourist Board in October 2007, she already gained experience with the Indian Market at the marketing department of Munich International Airport. Ms Haid will make her first trip to India in February 2008 to attend the India workshop organised by the Austrian Tourist Board in India. For more information on Tirol, visit www.imperialalps.com

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