THE northwestern state of Rajasthan is set for stronger tourism growth, as international hotel brands are launching in succession while a tourism campaign has raised its profile at major tradeshows around the world.

Speaking at the fifth edition of the Great Indian Travel Bazaar (GITB), Bina Kak, Rajasthan tourism minister, said: “We are embarking on a large-scale promotion of Rajasthan as a tourism destination. We have invited buyers to post-event tours to familiarise (themselves) with our diverse product (offerings), and we are enabling villages with US$100,000 each to develop rural tourism.”

Guldeep Singh Sahni, managing director, Weldon Tours, is optimistic of the state’s tourism potential. He said: “Rajasthan is developing new tourism attractions and packaging them very well. Heritage attractions are being repositioned for both the FIT and MICE markets. Air connectivity could be improved but the infrastructure is good. We hope to get substantially more inbound tourists this year.”

Many erstwhile palaces and royal residences in Rajasthan have been converted into heritage hotels. Hotel brands including Relais & Chateaux, Starwood, Oberoi, Taj and Leela have expanded here, and several more hotels are in the pipeline. Rajasthan’s branding as the Incredible State of India has been well received in both the local and overseas markets.

Held at the new BM Birla Convention Centre in Jaipur from April 15-17, GITB was attended by 264 buyers from 55 countries, including emerging destinations like Chile, Argentina, Cambodia and Lithuania, as well as 500 sellers.

CRUISE tourism is set to grow in India as more luxury ships, including Seabourn Cruise Line and P&O Cruises, are calling at local ports such as Mumbai. Inbound tour operators are excited by the emerging cruise sector, which is typically dominated by well-heeled travellers.

Subhash Goyal, president, Indian Association of Tour Operators, said: “It will be a boon for Indian tourism, but we have to gear up our sea port facilities to accommodate big liners.”

Reuven Sagi, president of Mexico-based RAS International Tours, was inspired by the prospect of adding India to its programmes. He said: “Mexicans cruise at least once every year and now we can offer exotic Indian vacations with cruising in Asia.”

Lynden James, product manager of Sydney-based Cruise Holiday Specialists, said that the company is interested in developing 10- and 14-night itineraries in India for clients sailing from Mumbai to Dubai, Singapore or Hong Kong. These three routes will begin sailing during the European low season of October through March. According to James, his clients would spend A$10,000 (US$10,333) per person on a cruise that includes land excursions in India.

Meanwhile, P & O Cruises is offering a three-week Mumbai-Southampton cruise that calls on destinations such as Dubai, Muscat, Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Italy and Portugal. It is priced at 2,500 pounds (US$3,980) to 3,800 pounds per person, excluding land excursions.

India’s growing cruise sector is likely to benefit outbound travel too. Seema Ahmed, general manager, Gainwell Travel & Leisure, said: “Indian cruise tourists can now visit Singapore for three or four nights to avail of the Star Cruises itineraries in the South China Sea and Andaman Sea.”

A DELAY in payment of airport charges by Kingfisher Airlines and Air India, coupled with accumulated losses and interest payments, may force Delhi International Airport (DIAL) to further increase fees at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi.

DIAL has requested a 774 per cent hike in airport charges to stem the bleeding, but India’s Airport Economic Regulatory Authority has so far only approved a 334 per cent increase from April 2012, which has yet to be implemented.

In addition, DIAL has proposed introducing a user development fee, to be levied on all airlines using New Delhi airport. An international passenger is likely to pay US$28; a domestic traveller, US$12; and a transit passenger, US$16.

Several airlines have protested against the move and have warned that they may be forced to establish alternative hubs in the region.

Kamal Hingorani, senior vice president, SpiceJet said: “Any increase at this stage could be hugely detrimental, as any levy will be passed on to the customer and would make flight costs untenable. Most airlines would have to stop flying to or through Delhi, and that would reduce footfalls at Delhi airport.”

Air India’s arrears are US$90 million, while Kingfisher Airlines owes US$15 million to DIAL.

ACCOR unveiled its first combo property in India with the opening of Novotel Bengaluru Techpark and ibis Bengaluru Techpark. Both properties are co-located.

“The hotel is a fine example of the new generation of Novotel, and together with the attached Ibis is a symbol of Accor’s progress in India. It is a cost-effective model as all back-up resources like stores, supplies, kitchen, etc are shared,” said Denis Hennequin, chairman & CEO, Accor.

New Delhi-based Arrivals Air Services director, Rajan Sehgal, said: “The combo properties will provide good options to our corporate clients, as they can now accommodate their higher management in a upper mid-scale hotel brand like Novotel and lower management in a economical brand like Ibis, while ensuring that everyone stays at the same place.”

The chain is developing two more combos at Old Mahabalipuram Road in Chennai, which will also see the integration of Novotel and Ibis brands.

Elsewhere, the hotel chain is also planning to develop three properties in a single site at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, with a combination of Pullman, Novotel and Ibis brands.

Reporting by Divya Kaul

TRAVELPORT has launched in Asia-Pacific Journey Reporter, a new web-based reporting solution that allows TMCs to keep tabs on travellers.

Operating in real time via a secure login, Journey Reporter helps Travelport-connected travel consultants to track and monitor the location of business travellers around the world. Reports are run instantly from the GDS, and the tool can capture flight, hotel and car hire information regardless of the ticketing status. It is also able to identify multiple travellers booked on the same journey.

Linda Kelly-Smith, head of solutions and support, Asia-Pacific, Travelport, said: “Companies have peace of mind knowing they have traveller information at their fingertips, whilst also enhancing their service offering by presenting a value-add to their customers.”

The tool has been introduced in Europe and the Middle East.

TOURISM Malaysia and the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) have signed an MoU to attract one million Japanese tourists to Malaysia by 2014, a move that may help to reverse the trend of dwindling numbers from the market.

The destination development strategy is currently in its initial stage, according to JATA deputy chairman Takashi Sasaki. “We will place our efforts on expanding tourism exchange programmes, encouraging mutual understanding and improving relations between Japan and Malaysia,” he said.

“This is our first programme to attract one million Japanese tourists to Malaysia. If successful, it will be a big milestone for the Malaysian tourism industry,” said Chong Yoke Har, deputy director general (marketing) of Tourism Malaysia.

Sasaki described the targeted figure as achievable, although this was met with caution by the trade. With 386,974 Japanese arrivals to Malaysia in 2011 – a seven per cent decrease from 2010 – the target reflects a 158 per cent increase in arrivals in three years, or about a 50 per cent year-on-year rise in arrivals from this year.

Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel assistant manager Asian market, Hoong Keat, said: “This will be a very challenging target.

“Our interaction with travel experts in Tokyo shows that interest among Japanese in Malaysia is declining. Currently, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong and China are the preferred destinations.”

Reporting by N. Nithiyananthan