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Uttarakhand’s new tourism offering Tehri Acro Festival

Billed as India's first and premier International Aerial Acrobatic Show, the festival is set to feature over 150 paragliders, including 35 international athletes and will take place from November 24 to 28. With the tourist arrivals to the region almost doubled up, Tehri is mov towards becoming the leading paragliding and acrobatics capital of the world with this festival. 26 countries have confirmed participation.In a bid to catapult Tehri onto the global tourism stage, the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) announced the maiden edition of Tehri Acro Festival, slated from November 24 to 28, 2023. Billed as India's premier International Aerial Acrobatic Show, the festival is set to feature over 150 paragliders, including 35 international athletes. “The primary aim with the Tehri Acro Festival is twofold,” the UTDB official emphasised. “We aim to propel Tehri as a leading paragliding and acrobatics capital of the world while simultaneously captivating the attention of international tourists,” he said.During a recent interaction with ETTravelWorld, Col Ashvini Pundir, Additional Chief Executive Officer (Adventure), Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board stressed that the key focus lies in the comprehensive destination development, aligning with the government's Swadesh Darshan Scheme. “Tehri, although burgeoning, requires more upliftment in tourism aspects. Through this festival, we aim to position it not just for sightseeing but as a hub for watersports, parasailing, and high-octane acrobatic flying experiences,” he shared. Addressing the recent surge in tourist footfalls, specifically to Tehri, Pundir attributed the spike to improved road connectivity and Tehri's diverse range of attractions beyond traditional sightseeing spots including watersports and parasailing. “Post-pandemic, we've witnessed almost doubling of tourist arrivals to the region,” he told ETTravelWorld. “Few years back, we presented Tehri as one of our booming tourism destinations to the Asian Development Bank (ADB). As part of the Swadesh Darshan scheme, we constructed 22 floating huts in Tehri, while the ADB supported the building of 8 wooden huts alongside a hotel. Following this, the focus shifted to introducing water and adventure sports,” Pundir continued, adding that a 10-room boat hut for accommodation is nearing its launch in the upcoming months. These infrastructural advancements are part of the broader strategy to boost tourism and address the demand for better facilities, he said.Pundir further revealed that a substantial investment of USD 117 million by ADB, the Government of India, and the Uttarakhand Government has been designated towards the Tehri Acro Festival which also aligns with meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the region. “Tehri attracting this kind of an investment is a testimony that the destination is already at a development phase and has potential. Also, through the Acro festival, our aim isn't just restricted to drawing foreign tourists; it's about addressing regional issues like unemployment and migration,” he explainedEven though around 20,000 visitors are expected to attend and participate in the festival, Pundir stressed that UTDB’s goal extends beyond numbers. “We're striving for niche tourism development with stringent regulations, safety measures, and a focus on eco-tourism. This involves creating new destinations, managing capacities, andchampioning sustainable practices,” he said. “While our objective involves attracting substantial inbound numbers through this festival, our focus remains on first crafting an exceptional product tailored for foreign tourists, rather than fixating on specific numerical targets,” he added. The upcoming festival is set to unveil an array of aerial acrobatics alongside three competitive events, marking Tehri's induction into the realm of paragliding. Positioned at a towering height of approximately 1400 meters, the take-off points at Pratap Nagar stand as the world's second-highest, rivaling only Turkey's OluDeniz. Participants from over 26 countries have confirmed their presence, including India, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Lebanon, Turkey, Spain, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Iran, Russia, South Korea, Malaysia, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Mongolia, Taiwan, United States, Colombia, France, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Britain and Nepal. In anticipation of this event, the UTDB has also inked an agreement with Paragliding Mantra, experts in paragliding, to provide comprehensive training to local youth. This initiative encompasses various courses, including P1, P2, P3, and SIV, offered free of cost. “Paragliding not only promotes adventure sports but also opens doors to new opportunities for employment. Our aim is to train more than 100 pilots by the end of 2023,” said Tourism Secretary Sachin Kurve, in an official statement.Speaking during the pre-launch conference, Tana ji Takve, Chief Flying Instructor and Founder of Paragliding Mantra said, “Through Tehri Acro Festival, we aim to exhibit to the global audience that this specific region and Uttarakhand at large offer acrobatic flying experiences at an international caliber, akin to those found in Turkey and Italy. Moreover, India stands out for offering these adventure sports at relatively cheaper rates, coupled with excellent connectivity to Uttarakhand, making it an advantageous choice.” He said that Indian pilots frequently venture abroad, notably in countries like Turkey, to immerse themselves in water-centric activities and flight experiences. “While it may be perceived as a safety-oriented course, the true essence lies in the thrill of acrobatic flying. In Tehri, our aspiration is to replicate this very exhilaration. Notably, we've extended invitations to 30-40 European pilots, who are esteemed world champions in this field,” said Takve. Featuring an exhilarating lineup including Solo Syncro Acro flights, Wingsuit Jumps, D-bag shows, Free flights, and Acro & SIV cups, the Tehri Acro Festival stands poised as a key platform spotlighting paragliding to the global community. UTDB believes that this event will solidify the region's stature on the worldwide paragliding stage, beckoning increased foreign tourist arrivals in near future as well as during the event.

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airBaltic on buying spree, to have 10 Airbus A220-300s by 2030

The Latvian national airline, airBaltic, recently sealed a major deal with Airbus, to acquire Airbus A220-300 aircraft. Additionally, the airline secured the rights to potentially purchas more of the same model in the future. In terms of passenger experience, the Airbus A220 has features such as wider seats, expansive windows, increased cabin hand luggage spac upgraded lavatories, and other amenitiesThe Latvian national airline, airBaltic, has sealed a major deal with Airbus, to acquire 30 Airbus A220-300 aircraft. Additionally, the airline secured the rights to potentially purchase 20 more of the same model in the future. According to the airline, this move underscores airBaltic's ambitious plans to expand its fleet substantially, aiming to reach a remarkable milestone of operating 100 A220-300s by the year 2030. As a result, airBaltic is aiming to claim the title of the largest A220 customer across Europe, solidifying its position as the foremost operator of A220-300s globally.“This day marks a significant milestone in the history of airBaltic – our plans for the first time ever to operate a fleet of 100 aircraft by 2030. For almost seven years already, the Airbus A220-300 has been the backbone of our operations and has played an integral role in the international success story of airBaltic. Being the global launch customer of the Airbus A220-300, we continue to be a proud ambassador of it. We are grateful to our partners at Airbus for the incredible support, trust, and collaboration over these years,” said Martin Gauss, President and CEO of airBaltic. “The A220 has been the instrument for airBaltic in its success and growth thus far and we are particularly proud to be extending this partnership well into the future with this latest order”, said Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International.In late 2016, airBaltic became the global launch operator of the A220- 300 and since May 2020 operates all its flights with a single-type fleet of this aircraft type. Since then, the airline has carried more than 13 441 000 passengers on the Airbus A220-300 aircraft. The airBaltic A220- 300s have completed over 150 000 flights and flown 328 000 block hours.In passenger experience, the Airbus A220-300 crafts an exceptional journey for travellers with features such as wider seats, expansive windows, increased cabin hand luggage space, upgraded lavatories, and other amenities. In addition, the aircraft is also considerably quieter – with a twice smaller noise footprint when compared to the previous generation aircraft. Additionally, at the moment, it is the most efficient commercial aircraft in the world with a transparent declaration of the life-cycle environmental impact, helping to reduce CO2 and NOX emissions by 25 per cent and 50 per cent respectively in comparison to the previous generation aircraft and industry standards. airBaltic, a prominent airline in the Baltic region, boasts a robust network of over 100 routes originating from its key hubs in Riga (Latvia), Tallinn (Estonia), Vilnius (Lithuania), and Tampere (Finland). This network connects passengers to diverse destinations across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and the Caucasus region. Presently, airBaltic's fleet comprises a lineup of 44 Airbus A220-300

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China extends visa-free transit policy to 54 countries

China expanded its visa-free transit policy on Friday to include citizens from Norway for a 72/144-hour stay, bringing the total number of applicable countries to 54. Currently, a 72- visa-free transit policy is applied in the cities of Changsha, Guilin and Harbin, while international travellers are allowed to transit in 20 cities, including Beijing, Tianjin and Shijiazhuang, up to 144 hours visa-free.Citizens from the 54 countries are exempted from visa requirements during transit for 72 or 144 hours when heading for a third nation, according to the National Immigration Administration (NIA). They are allowed to engage in short-term activities such as travel and business visits during the visa-free stay, Xinhua news agency quoted the NIA as saying. Currently, a 72-hour visa-free transit policy is applied in the cities of Changsha, Guilin and Harbin, while international travellers are allowed to transit in 20 cities, including Beijing, Tianjin and Shijiazhuang, up to 144 hours visa-free. The move aims to serve high-standard opening up, facilitate the mobility of Chinese and foreign nationals and promote international exchanges, according to the NIA.Since its inception in January 2013, more than 500,000 foreigners travelled through China under the visa-free policy

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Bharat Gaurav train to start operation from today

The Indian Railways is all set to run the Bharat Gaurav train on November 17, which will offer travellers a unique and comprehensive travel experience. Operated by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), the train will embark on a circular route, commencing from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and covering key destinations like Mumbai, Pune, Guntakal, Solapur, Rameshwaram, Renigunta, Madurai, Kanyakumari, and Kochuveli. As per the reports, the return journey is scheduled for November 25.The train will depart from CSMT at 4.50 AM, and will navigate the circular route, providing passengers with the opportunity to explore diverse cultural and religious heritage sites. The train will have designated halts at Thane, Kalyan, Karjat, Lonavala, Pune, Daund, Kurduwadi, Solapur, Kalaburagi, Renigunta (serving Rameshwaram and Madurai via Melpakkam to Kudalnagar), Kanyakumari, and Kochuveli.Referring to this, Chief Spokesperson of Central Railway Shivraj Manaspure highlighted that the train's theme-based design has been aimed at showcasing the country’s rich cultural and religious heritage to both domestic and international tourists. If reports are to go by, this move comes in the wake of promoting tourism and providing an immersive experience to passengers.The Bharat Gaurav train will come with an all-inclusive tour package, offering three options—Economy, Comfort, and Deluxe. This comprehensive package will be covering train fare, meals, accommodation, and transportation, ensuring that passengers enjoy a hassle-free and a memorable journey.With a focus on convenience and cultural exploration, this thematic train promises to be a unique and enriching travel experience for those eager to discover the diverse facets of the country.

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Air Asia committed to serve Indian market as network growth gets momentum

The airline boasts 104 weekly flights through its short-haul airlines AirAsia Malaysia (flight code AK) and AirAsia Thailand (flight code FD). Additionally, the medium-haul affiliate air AirAsia X Malaysia (flight code D7), provides two direct routes from New Delhi and Amrits Kuala Lumpur with 08 flights weekly. This expansive growth ensures a comprehensive an seamless travel experience for AirAsia's guests across India.The airline connects millions of Indian travellers to a vast network of 130 destinations across Asia and the Asia Pacific. With a steadfast commitment to linking India to the world, AirAsia operates a strong network with 10 direct routes from India to Malaysia and Thailand. The airline boasts 104 weekly flights through its short-haul airlines AirAsia Malaysia (flight code AK) and AirAsia Thailand (flight code FD). Additionally, the medium-haul affiliate airline, AirAsia X Malaysia (flight code D7), provides two direct routes from New Delhi and Amritsar to Kuala Lumpur with 08 flights weekly. This expansive growth ensures a comprehensive and seamless travel experience for AirAsia's guests across India.AirAsia's Fly-Thru connectivity enhances the travel experience by allowing guests to fly seamlessly from India to Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and other destinations with a single booking. This approach transforms international travel, making it more accessible and affordable for Indian travellers.From January to November this year, we have flown a remarkable 1,601,601 guests from India, showcasing the enduring strength of our great value fares and connectivity. As we strengthen our presence in India, we are excited to announce our expansion plans, including the soon-to-belaunched route to Thiruvananthapuram. Our goal is to make "AirAsia remains deeply committed to India, and our guests should rest assured that India remains at the core of our operations. Over the years, we have witnessed tremendous growth, connecting countless cities and regions in India to the world. AirAsia now serves 11 destinations in India, operating 104 weekly flights, making us a vital and reliable link between India and the globe. We look forward to serving the Indian market with the commitment to enhancing connectivity and accessibility."

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Udman Hotels expanding beyond Delhi-NCR, 50 upscale properties in the pipeline

From opening a single flower shop in 1994 to owning a Unicorn that has occupied space wedding venues, online gifting, media, funeral services and much more, Ferns N Petals' Udman Hotels now wants to offer the luxury of staying with them. Presently focusing on Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Goa, the company envisions add ten hotels annually in the next five years.In a strategic move to enhance its presence in more Indian cities, Udman Hotels, the hospitality arm of Ferns & Petals (FNP), has unveiled a new property in Haridwar and further plans to open hotels in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Goa. In conversation with ETTravelWorld, Dhruv Sharma, Vice-president - Weddings and events at Ferns N Petals, shares insights into Udman Hotels' expansion plans and the unique aspects that set them apart. With five operational hotels and a recent addition in Haridwar, Udman Hotels sets a new benchmark in the hospitality industry in the Haridwar Udman Hotels expanding beyond Delhi-NCR, 50 upscale properties in the pipeline, ET TravelWorld https://travel.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/hospitality/udman-hotels-expanding-beyond-delhi-ncr-50-upscale-properties-in-the-pipeline/10525… 3/14 & Rishikesh region. Offering 46 spacious rooms across four categories, superior dining at 'The U Kitchen,' and versatile event spaces, Udman Hotels promises an enchanting stay for every discerning traveller.It is just a 10-minute walk from the Ganges and the holy ghat, Har Ki Pauri. It is an ideal hotel for any traveller, whether they are on a pilgrimage, corporate trip, or family vacation. With a professional staff, good facilities, great comfort, and the ability to remain cost-effective while raising the bar higher for the hospitality industry, Udman offers it all. To put it simply, the Udman Hotel near the Ganges offers a blissful getaway from the monotony of the usual stay. Catering Beyond Borders Addressing the diversified ventures of Udman Hotels, Sharma highlights their in-house catering services, "The U Kitchen: managed by a team of top chefs. He emphasises Udman's commitment to extending catering services within their own properties and external events. This move aligns with Udman's goal to cater individually to a diverse clientele, offering a seamless and comprehensive solution for various occasionsExpansion plans Sharma further sheds light on Udman Hotels' remarkable growth, unveiling seven operational properties with six more in the pipeline. The latest addition, located by the river, stands out as one of their most beautiful properties. While setting their sights on covering all of India, Sharma reveals the initial focus on North India, particularly Delhi and Haryana. The Vice-President at FNP affirms Udman's commitment to establishing a diverse portfolio, targeting not only wedding hotels but also smaller properties for corporate and leisure travellers. "The vision includes providing a one-stop solution for everyone, catering to a broad spectrum of travellers," he said.Personalised experience for guests Discussing Udman's approach to hospitality, Sharma underlines their commitment to delivering personalised services that go beyond standard operating procedures (SOPs). He emphasizes going the extra mile to make guests feel special, offering a tailor-made experience for each individual. The company's success story, according to him, revolves around this dedication to personalised service. "From opening a single flower shop in 1994 to owning a Unicorn that has occupied space in wedding venues, online gifting, media, funeral services and much more, Ferns N Petals now wants to offer the luxury of staying with them. As FNP is expanding Udman beyond the Delhi NCR, we will seek larger inventory properties. Presently focusing on Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Goa, the company envisions adding ten hotels annually in the next five years," he mentioned. When asked about challenges, Sharma points out the acute shortage of skilled manpower in the industry. "The post-Covid scenario witnessed significant job losses, and attracting skilled professionals back to the hospitality sector remains a formidable challenge." He stresses the importance of investing in training and development to address this issue. In conclusion, Sharma shared Udman's vision of becoming a prominent player in the global hospitality industry. While recognizing the industry's growth potential, he reaffirms Udman's focus on quality and personalised service as the key drivers of their success.

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