Season’s gree�ngs to all of you! With the blossoming of the flowers at the onset of spring, I hope the season is also blooming for all of us. Now it’s our responsibility to carry it on successfully by delivering quality services to all our guests travelling with us and ensuring a complete value for money to them. Some exci�ng news over the past few days has created a wave of enthusiasm in the travel industry. There have been a couple of reasons for it. Firstly, Air India has started a new route connec�ng New Delhi to Vienna. Effec�ve from 6th April, 2016, Air India has started flying non-stop thrice a week on the Delhi – Vienna – Delhi route. This new route is sure to boost the outbound tourism from India to Europe and also inbound tourism into India from Europe. This connec�on to Austria, which is at the heart of Europe will also help India further connect to various other des�na�ons and ci�es across Europe. This new endeavour is also well received by the Austrian government in Vienna. It was my honour that I was invited for the grand inaugura�on ceremony of this flight at the Indira Gandhi Interna�onal Airport in New Delhi and we also flew to Vienna on the very first flight. I congratulate Air India for this yet another feather in their cap. Our na�onal carrier will also have more flights joining in their fleet

soon. This is sure to boost the inventory of the airline. I extend my best wishes to Mr. Ashwani Lohani, Chairman and Managing Director, Air India for all the future endeavours.The na�onal carrier of the United Arab Emirates has introduced the latest new route to it’s Airbus A380 network, Abu Dhabi – Mumbai – Abu Dhabi. The flight in itself is a great a�rac�on being the largest passenger aircra� in the world and also housing ‘The Residence’ – world’s first three-room suite on a commercial airliner. The first flight took off from Abu Dhabi on 1st May. It was indeed a moment of pride and happiness that a few of our groups flew on this very first flight at

the onset of it’s inaugura�on. I am sure this associa�on of ours with E�had will go a long way. Connec�ng Abu Dhabi with Mumbai on E�had’s A380 has not only made way for a luxury flying experience on this route but it has also boosted the inventory by the increased capacity of air-seats. Coming back to the season, in India des�na�ons like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, U�arakhand and Sikkim Darjeeling are really doing well. Off-beat des�na�ons like Leh Ladakh and Bhutan are also becoming popular amongst the travellers’ community. Interna�onally, Europe, USA and South East Asia con�nue to rule the chart. I am sure all of us are working hard and leaving no stone unrolled to fulfil the travel dreams of our traveller guests. With the increasing rise in the interna�onal travel, there is a tremendous rush for the Visas. A clear dialogue with the guests regarding the Visa applica�on process, the necessary documenta�on, etc. is extremely important. We should see to it that our traveller guests are comple�ng their Visa process in �me so that there is no eleventh hour haste and anxiety. I wish you all the very best for the season. May we all together make this season very successful!

Sudhir Pa�l, President, MTOA

Maharashtra Tour Organisers' Association

…President’s Desk

Valsa Nair Singh, Principal Secretary, Tourism & Culture, Government of Maharashtra, says the state government intends to reposi�on and promote Mumbai as a tourist des�na�on. “We have recognised niche areas in tourism in which we want to promote Mumbai. We want to make the city the event capital in Maharashtra. Asia’s biggest conven�on centre is coming in Mumbai next year followed by two more conven�on centres. We are also working towards crea�ng adventure tourism, medical tourism and Bollywood tourism here,” Singh says. She was speaking at a round-

table organised by the Indian Merchant’s Chamber’s Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Commi�ee in Mumbai, where she was the Chief Guest. The event was a�ended by a few tour operators as well as the hospitality trade to discuss and deliberate on policy framework and to promote tourism in Mumbai and Maharashtra. Paraag Jaiin Nainu�a, IAS, MD, MTDC, shared details of the recent ini�a�ves MTDC has taken like the helicopter Mumbai Darshan, and facilita�ng commercialisa�on of yacht facili�es on Mumbai’s coast through a possible �e-up with private companies. According to Singh, 2.5 lakh Mumbai tourists enter Mumbai for medical tourism. The government is therefore working on e-medical visa and medical reimbursement, and tying up with insurance companies overseas to facilitate reimbursement of medical expenses incurred by tourists. She added that the new state tourism policy will be out in the public domain soon. It focuses on three aspects: product development, skilling, and investment and promo�on.

Maharashtra to promote Mumbai as niche tourism hub

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MTOA NewsletterMay 2016Only for private circulation among members of MTOAExtracts from various reputed publications in Travel Industrywww.mtoa.co.in

Air India has launched non-stop direct flight to the heart of Europe

– Vienna! Air India is now flying thrice a week to the Austrian

capital on the B787 Dreamliner Aircra�. The first flight took off on

6th April with a grand launching ceremony at the Indira Gandhi

Interna�onal Airport, New Delhi where the Air India Maharaja was

swinging to the musical tunes. It definitely reminded of the eternal

masterpieces of Mozart, Beethoven,

Schubert and Strauss!!

The new route would be serviced by

the 256-seater Dreamliner Boeing

787-800 aircra� with 18 business class

seats and the rest economy.

"Air India has taken a conscious

decision to grow further in the

European market and operate as a

dominant player on the (new) route,"

Mr. Pankaj Srivastava, Commercial

Director, Air India, said while announcing

the new flight in the presence of Air

India Chairman and Managing Director Mr. Ashwani Lohani.

The government-run airline currently operates 58 flights from

Delhi and Mumbai to seven major European des�na�ons, of which

51 flights take off from the na�onal capital. Both Air India and

Austrian Airlines, a subsidiary of German avia�on major Lu�hansa,

are members of the global airlines' club Star Alliance. "We are also

in talks with Austrian Airlines for

opera�ng code share flights as we aim

to offer seamless connec�ons to our

passengers from New Delhi to 25

European ci�es beyond Vienna,"

Srivastava said.

We congratulate Air India for this yet

another feather in their hat. We will

proudly par�cipate in every new

endeavor of our na�onal carrier. Once

again wishing Air India all the very best

for this new and exci�ng route!!Jitesh Ghag

Maharashtra Tour Organisers' Association

Air India inaugurates non-stop direct flight to Vienna

Malaysia is now offering e-visa to Indian tourists travelling to the

country. It will be a single-entry with 3 months validity, 30-day e-

visa, with 24 to 48 working hour processing �me.The e-visa system

was commissioned on April 15, 2016. There will be a processing

fee of $25 (approximately Rs 1,660) + Visa fee Rs 1000 +

transac�on fee of Rs 50 online (Total es�mated cost Rs 2,710) and

payment has to be done online only.

The Ministry of Tourism (MOT) has iden�fied 189 lighthouses

which will be further developed for a�rac�ng domes�c and

interna�onal tourists. This was announced by Dr. Mahesh

Sharma, Union Minister of State for Tourism, Government of

India, on the second day of the Mari�me India Summit 2016 in

Mumbai. In order to reap the economic opportuni�es available in

cruise and riverine shipping, the ministry has proposed to develop

exis�ng ports which could match global standards. During the

summit, representa�ves of Carnival UK, Royal Caribbean

Interna�onal and Royal Museums Greenwich suggested ways

which can help India become popular interna�onal tourist

des�na�on.Sharma also shared government’s determina�on towards

improving cleanliness, safety and hospitality in tourism industry.

He said, “In order to a�ract foreign tourists, government is

aggressively driving the cleanliness movement and is working

towards safety and hospitality.” For safety of foreign tourists, the

ministry had recently launched the toll free mul�-lingual helpline

– 1363 in 12 interna�onal languages.

Malaysia offers e-visa to Indians

A 10-member delega�on from the

southern African country of Zambia,

led by Zambia Tourism Agency,

travelled to India to conduct

roadshows in the ci�es of Mumbai

and New Delhi. Felix Chaila, CEO,

Zambia Tourism Agency, said, “We

met around 100 outbound tour operators in Mumbai. This is the

first �me that Zambia has created such a dedicated marke�ng

pla�orm to ac�vate our des�na�on in this market. We have been

coming to India for about three years now. India not only has a

huge middle class but also more HNIs than most other countries.

Our number one source market is the US followed by the UK and

this shows that Zambia is an extremely safe country.” He expects to

meet the same number of buyers in New Delhi as well on May

4. “This will not be the end. A�er the roadshows, we will invite

some members of the Indian outbound trade to a�end the Zambia

Travel Expo in early June,” Chaila said adding that Zambia is adding

3,00,000-500,000 Indians coming to Zambia within three to four

years for leisure and incen�ve segments

Zambia tourism taps Mumbai and Delhi Markets

MOT identifies 189 lighthouses for tourism

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MTOA NewsletterMay 2016Only for private circulation among members of MTOAExtracts from various reputed publications in Travel Industrywww.mtoa.co.in

Maharashtra Tour Organisers' Association

Maharashtra Tourism Development Corpora�on (MTDC) has

recently announced eight offers to a�ract domes�c tourists to

explore and experience Unlimited Maharashtra. The state

tourism board is offering series of special discounts with offers like

Senior Ci�zen offer, Students’ Concession, Concession for the

Brihan Maharashtra Mandal members, discounts for the ex-

servicemen and also for the Maharashtra Government

employees, states a release.

MTDC is also offering discounts to the NRI guests. Tourists in the

physically challenged category are also taken care of by providing

tourist accommoda�on discounts. There are also discounts for

bulk bookings at the resorts.

These a�rac�ve and exci�ng offers are being aggressively

promoted by the MTDC on various pla�orms. They aim at

increasing the tourist flow into the state during the upcoming

tourist season. MTDC owns and operates 19 resorts at unique

loca�ons and picturesque surroundings such as Ganpa�pule,

Mahabaleshwar, Matheran, Harihareshwar, Tarkarli, Tadoba,

Velneshwar, Ajanta, Bhandardara, Malshej Ghat, Chikaldara,

Panshet, Shirdi, Karla, Nagpur, Titwala and Tuljapur.

MTDC is offering 20% discount to school students between the age

group of 6 to 16 years. The special discounts will be applicable on

tours organized by the various educa�onal ins�tutes in

Maharashtra and can be availed from Monday to Friday. Students in

the group of four will be accommodated in each available room at

the MTDC Resorts.

With an aim to provide a comfortable and economic holiday

experience to the senior ci�zens post-re�rement, MTDC has

introduced a discount of 20% on bookings at all 19 Resorts across

the state for senior ci�zens above 65 years of age. The offer can be

availed from Monday to Thursday in a week.

NRI tourists can avail a benefit discount of 10% at any MTDC Resort

in Maharashtra by submi�ng their legit passport copy as a proof.

MTDC has introduced special Bulk Discounted Bookings offer

benefi�ng larger tourist groups. With booking of a minimum of 20

rooms at Big Holiday Resorts like Tarkarli, Malshej Ghat, Matheran,

Ganpa�pule, Mahabaleshwar, Ajanta Tourist Resort, Karla, Panshet,

Bhandardara, Shirdi, Tadoba and TRC Nagpur in Maharashtra, one

can avail a discount of 20% on the accommoda�on.

An addi�onal special discount can be availed for bookings of more

than 20 rooms at these resorts. Tourists can also u�lize this offer

with 20% discount at Small Holiday Resort which includes

proper�es at Velneshwar, Harihareshwar, Ajanta T Junc�on,

Tuljapur, Chikaldara and Mozari Point. The Maharashtra

Government employees can avail a 10% discount during the regular

tourist season and a 20% discount during the off-season.

Jitesh Ghag

MTDC announces offers at its various resortsacross the state

Chimanbhai Meghji Mota, the joint secretary of Maharashtra Tour Organizers’ Associa�on, is a renowned name in the Tourism Industry. He is a dynamic and a very down to earth personality. A successful businessman, Chimabhai has been in the travel industry for around 33 years. Tourism business development, sales and marke�ng, hospitality and client rela�onship management are his forte. He is the founder and proprietor of ‘TanMan Tours and Travels’, which was established around 28 years ago. Chimanbhai Mota is also the owner of the hotel ‘Shikarji Con�nental’ located in Shikarji, Jharkhand. It’s the only hotel in Shikarji with 3 star facili�es. TanMan Tours and Travels operate escorted group tours and also offer customized holidays. In�ally TanMan Tours and Travels started their opera�ons with pilgrimage tours to Jain religious sites. Over the period of �me they have diversified into various segments of leisure travel too. Pilgrim tours although con�nue to be their forte. The dura�on of the group tours range from 6 days to 14 days on an average. A package for only Shikarji, a prominent Jain pilgrim centre in Jharkhand can also be customized for 3 days/

2nights. TanMan Tours and Travels also operate their tours on trains and for a group comprising of as many as 1700 travellers, an en�re train of 24 coaches is booked. Apart from being a renowned name in the tourism industry, Chimanbhai is also an ac�ve member of many organiza�ons and has many accolades and achievements to his credit.

CHIMAN MEGHJI MOTA, TanMan Tours and Travels A will to prepare for winning

New ac�ve Members

Infinity Holidays - Kandivali Classic Travels & Tour - Byculla

3

MTOA NewsletterMay 2016Only for private circulation among members of MTOAExtracts from various reputed publications in Travel Industrywww.mtoa.co.in

Maharashtra Tour Organisers' Association

MTOA Newsle�er has been published by MTOA at its Office Veena World, Mahalaxmi Estate, L. J. Cross Road No. 1, Mahim (W) Mumbai – 400016.

President – Shri. Sudhir Pa�lGen. Secretary – Shri. Atul MohileChief Editor – Shri. Amol A. Hendre

MTOA Newsle�er - 11th Edi�on – May 2016Only for private circula�on among members of MTOA Extracts from various reputed publica�ons in Travel Industry www.mtoa.co.in

Proud moment for MTOA… Mr. Sudhir Pa�l, a part of delega�on to fly by first ever non-stop Air India flight from Delhi to Vienna.

Benvenuto in Italia. Italy welcomes guests of Kesari Tours.

Beau�ful beginning of Married Life… Honeymoon at Mauri�us with Veena World

Wai�ng for Sherkhan in Bandhavgarh Na�onal Park….by Eventures

Mr. Prabhubhai Joshi, MTOA Vice President performing Puja at Kumbh Mela in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.

Pilgrimage tour of Vibrant Gujrat. At Sudhama Temple, Porbandar.. Organised by Himashree Treks and Tours.

Kashmir tour by Maharaja tour Pune Singles’ Special Tour to Manali

MTOA NewsletterMay 2016Only for private circulation among members of MTOAExtracts from various reputed publications in Travel Industrywww.mtoa.co.in