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FCM India Sees Surge In Air & Hotel Bookings For ICC World Cup

With the upcoming ICC World Cup and uptick in bleisure, FCM India has seen a surge in corporate hotel bookings and air tickets. “Given the immense popularity of cricket in the Indian subcontinent, it is no surprise that FCM India has seen an average of 31 per cent price surge in corporate hotel bookings during the ICC World Cup 2023 versus the same period in 2022 as Bleisure is here to stay. This is also a 19 per cent price increase as compared to 2019,” said Gaurav Luthra, Managing Director, FCM India. FCM India compared 10 cities in India hosting the cricket World Cup matches and saw the most significant price increase was of 472 per cent in Lucknow, followed by 82 per cent increase in Pune, 77 per cent increase in Hyderabad, 47 per cent increase in Mumbai, and 20 per cent increase in Ahmedabad. Despite the increase in price, FCM India has seen an increase of 58 per cent in the number of nights booked within 10 cities* versus 2022. (*Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi/NCR, Dharamsala, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Pune). 38% Increase in Domestic Air Tickets Booked The average number of domestic air tickets booked has increased by 38 per cent compared to the same period in 2022. Kolkata saw the highest uptick of 104 per cent, Lucknow 97 per cent, Delhi 49 per cent and Bangalore 46 per cent. “Lately, due to the increase in air seat capacity, domestic airfares in India have started to dip in prices. The average increase in prices is just 7 per cent as compared to 2022. With airlines planning to expand their capacity to meet the heightened demand during cricket matches, there is optimism that airfares may not see a spike as drastic as hotels.” “Host cities such as Ahmedabad hosting the most sought-after India versus Pakistan match experienced just a surge of 17 per cent when it comes to corporate travel bookings which are generally made less than 7 days in advance.” “For September, India’s domestic seat capacity is at 105 per cent and is almost as strong as its international seat capacity at 103 per cent. October shows both domestic and international capacity at 102 per cent. Cricket enthusiasts welcome this additional seat capacity, and we expect that flights will be filled up quickly,” concluded Luthra.

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Oman Air re-launches Lucknow and Thiruvananthapuram routes, offering seamless connectivity to Muscat and beyond

Oman Air today announced the return of two of its popular Indian routes, Lucknow and Thiruvananthapuram. From October 1, 2023, the carrier will be operating nine flights from Lucknow to Muscat (increasing to ten from December) and five flights a week from Thiruvananthapuram to Muscat (increasing to six from December). The two routes bring Oman Air’s Indian destinations up to 10, with 113 weekly flights between India and Muscat in operation currently, rising to 123 per week from December 2023. Meanwhile, other updates to the airline’s winter schedule include increased frequencies to Hyderabad, Bangalore and Goa, and its new wide-body service on its Mumbai and Delhi routes, offering maximum comfort and convenience. Connecting the Indian Subcontinent’s major cities to Muscat and beyond, Oman Air ensures a seamless travel experience that is enhanced by award-winning on-board amenities, including in-flight entertainment, quality meal service and comfort touches, all designed to make every journey more refreshing.

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New Jersey to unveil world’s largest temple, Akshardham Temple, on October 8!

The grand inauguration of the world's largest Hindu temple constructed outside of India in the modern era is scheduled to take place on October 8 in New Jersey. Located about 60 miles south of Times Square in New York or 180 miles north of Washington DC, the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in the little Robbinsville Township of New Jersey was constructed by over 12,500 volunteers from across the US over 12 years from 2011 to 2023. The Akshardham Temple, known for its massive size, measuring 255 ft x 345 ft x 191 ft and spanning across 183 acres, is currently drawing thousands of visitors daily. These visitors include Hindus and people of various faiths from all over the country, gathering ahead of its official inauguration. Designed in accordance with ancient Hindu scriptures and featuring design elements rooted in India's rich cultural heritage, the temple boasts a stunning array of 10,000 statues and statuettes as well as intricate carvings depicting Indian musical instruments and dance forms. In terms of size, the temple is possibly the second largest globally, following Cambodia's Angkor Wat. The Angkor Wat Temple Complex, dating back to the 12th century, stands as the world's largest Hindu temple, sprawling across 500 acres and earning recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site. In contrast, the Akshardham Temple in New Delhi, opened to the public in November 2005, occupies a more modest 100-acre expanse. According to the reports, the majestic Mahamandir, a grand temple, is a tribute to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, a respected 19th-century Hindu spiritual leader. Its construction was inspired by the 5th spiritual successor, the revered saint Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Construction on this Mahamandir commenced in 2015, while its official inauguration is scheduled for October 8, 2023, with Mahant Swami Maharaj and esteemed dignitaries presiding over the event. Spanning 185 acres in Robbinsville, the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham has been brought to life through the expertise and dedication of over 12,500 volunteers from across North America. This collaborative effort has given rise to an enduring landmark set to leave its mark for well over a millennium, as reported. Inside the temple, there are complex stone sculptures and figurines skillfully depict the timeless legacy of Indian music, dance, and the performing arts. Furthermore, they pay tribute to the revered sages, saints, and spiritual leaders who have made profound contributions to India and Hinduism. The one located in New Delhi, India, the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham presently holds the Guinness World Record as the largest comprehensive Hindu temple, nestled within an expansive 100-acre complex. The Akshardham Temple in the United States will likely surpass its own prior accomplishments. The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha has erected around 1,400 temples across diverse regions, encompassing India, the UK, US, Canada, Kenya, South Africa, and Australia.

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This 700-year-old Ganesha statue sits on the edge of a volcano!

You must have visited many Ganesha temples in the country, but did you know there is an idol of Lord Ganesha that sits at the mouth of a volcano? Yes, there is a region in Indonesia, where there is a 700 years old idol of Lord Ganesha in Mount Bromo in Indonesia. People here believe that Lord Ganesha protests them from the volcano eruptions. As per the latest records, of the 141 volcanoes in Indonesia, 130 are still active, whereas one of them is Mount Bromo. Located in Bromo Tengger Semeru national park in East Java Province, there is a statue of Ganapati on Mount Bromo, Indonesia’s active volcano. As per the locals here, this statue has been there for 700 years. Well, the word ‘Bromo’ has been derived from Javanese pronunciation of Brahma, the Hindu deity of creation. As per the records till 2012, the entire region of Indonesia had 127 active volcanoes, whereas around 5 million people are suspected to live within the danger zones. The Ganesha idol that can be found on the Mount Bromo volcano carries a great significance. Local people believe that Lord Ganesha protects them from this active volcano. The legends of Tengger massif tribe firmly believe that the Ganesha idol was installed here by their ancestors around 700 years ago, because of which they also make numerous offerings to the Ganesha. It’s important to note that the worship of Ganapati never stops here, even if there is an explosion! It’s a tradition that is followed here, regardless of anything. Apart from worshiping Lord Ganesha, flowers and fruits are offered here as offerings. It is believed that if this is not done, the volcano will erupt and consume the people here!

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Luxury train Deccan Odyssey set to make a comeback after a gap of 4 years

The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has reintroduced the luxurious Deccan Odyssey train after nearly four years of hiatus. The inaugural run of the train, was flagged off by Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar, which chugged between CSMT in south Mumbai and Panvel. The train is hailed as one of India’s most luxurious trains. Also present at the event were the State Tourism Minister Girish Mahajan, Principal Secretary (tourism) Radhika Rastogi, and MTDC Managing Director Shraddha Joshi. Shraddha Joshi announced that the train's first journey would take passengers from Mumbai to Delhi on a seven-night, eight-day trip, with stops at Vadodara, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Agra, Udaipur, and Sawai Madhopur. She further added that 20 seats had already been reserved for this commercial run. The MTDC outlined six planned itineraries for the Deccan Odyssey: Indian Sojourn, Maharashtra Splendor, Indian Odyssey, Heritage Odyssey, Maharashtra Wild Trail, and Cultural Odyssey. Officials in the know-how added that to enjoy this experience, one will need to shell out INR 6.5 lakh per person, whereas for a couple (two seats), it will be around INR 9 lakh. A press release was issued after the event, wherein the MTDC highlighted that the train has undergone significant refurbishment and is now ready to operate in its new form. The release detailed several improvements, such as the installation of fire extinguishers in each coach, the replacement of LPG gas with induction in pantry cars, modifications to the gangways for easier coach-to-coach movement, and new air suspension trolley for a more comfortable ride. Additionally, all coach toilets have been equipped with bio tanks, a feature which was absent in the earlier version of the train. The Deccan Odyssey also features intercom and Wi-Fi facilities, luxurious furnishings, a music system, beds, and an efficient air conditioning system, thereby providing tourists with a regal experience, added the MTDC. The train consists of 21 coaches, with 10 coaches featuring four deluxe cabins each, and two coaches housing presidential suites. The Deccan Odyssey was originally built in 2003 at the Integral Coach Factory, and was inaugurated by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2004. As per the MTDC, the train received a tremendous response from tourists between 2004 and 2020, but had to be halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-21. MTDC officials mentioned that an operator has been appointed for the Deccan Odyssey on a turnkey basis. The operator will be required to conduct 40 tours in Maharashtra initially and then extend the service to cover other premium tourist destinations across India.

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Creek cruise is coming soon to Digha | All you need to know

The popular beach town of Digha in the Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal, is soon going to have creek cruises for tourists. This is expected to come around Durga Puja, which means, the already popular beach town will have something more for you to enjoy. For those curious, these creek cruises will be like the ones we have in the Sundarbans. As per reports, the creek off the Bay of Bengal is perfect for this as it is away from the rough waters of the sea. The creek cruise will be for about an hour, and will start from Nayakali Temple and will proceed towards the inland. Nayakali Temple is located just 4 km away from Old Digha. There will be two cruise trips per day to begin with. This new creek tourism is expected to bring more tourism to Digha, especially during the festive season of Durga Puja. The cruise vessel will be able to accommodate around 80 passengers, and will set out from the jetty point near the Nayakali Temple. Digha is known for its beautiful beaches and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in West Bengal. It is located on the shores of Bay of Bengal so there are beaches that are some of the top tourist attractions here. The beach town is also a very popular weekend getaway from Kolkata and Odisha. The town is well-connected with Kolkata and other cities in West Bengal by road and railways. Digha may be a very popular destination but compared to other beach towns, this one’s pretty tranquil. The coastal ambiance of Digha will win the hearts of travellers who are always looking for quiet places to holiday. Now, with the creek cruises, there will be more to do and explore in Digha. The mangroves here don’t usually see tourist footfalls, but now, with creek cruises, one will be able to explore the mangroves and discover the natural wonders of Digha.

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