All you cricket fans out there, indulge yourself in sumptuous food at Earth Plate Hotel Sahara Star and watch your favorite team battle it out in the T20 World Cup this season. Enjoy the cricket mania with LIVE screening of the matches on giant screens and that too uninterrupted.
You can now enjoy the flavour of T-20 cricket in a grand fashion at Earth Plate. Catch the excitement of World Cup action and enjoy the special promotions at Hotel Sahara Star with fellow cricket fans and lip smacking food. The entire restaurant will turn into a battleground with flags of the competing teams adorning the walls and T20 themed décor to add to the excitement.
Tickle your taste buds and enjoy beer for just Rs. 2250 at Earth Plate with unlimited foods and an array of international starters, innovative sandwiches, pastas and pizzas. So go ahead and tickle your taste buds while engaging in some serious cricket frenzy. Date: March 16, 2014 onwards. Price: Rs 2,250 plus taxes for buffet with unlimited Kingfisher beer/ Coke products, Rs 1,800 plus taxes for veg / non-veg starters with unlimited Kingfisher beer/ Coke products for matches during hi-tea. *Regular rates will be applicable for customers who do not choose the packages, ten percent discount will be extended to all Star gourmet members and 15 percent Aamby Valley EC’s on the above package. For Reservations please call : 022 39807444 or email us on info@saharastar.com. Venue: Sahara Star, Opp. Domestic Airport, Vile Parle (East), Mumbai.
Sahara Star, the flagship hotel of Sahara India Pariwar, is poised to be one of India’s most sought-after 5 star hotel near Mumbai domestic airport. It has well-appointed 223 attractive rooms including 13 luxurious suites which are complimented by “9 specialty” restaurants which add to the beauty of the hotel. Sahara Star is a luxury class hotel with its picturesque tropical lagoon that looks up to the world’s largest pillar less clear-to-sky dome and the three compound-curved, custom-designed glass elevators with panoramic views. True entertainment infused with rich Indian Hospitality.
Be it seminars, workshops, conferences or grand celebrations, Sahara Star’s banquet is an ideal choice. At Hotel Sahara Star, it aims to host the finest meetings and banquets with magnificent venues for your events and celebrations. The hotel offer you a choice of numerous meeting rooms, state-of-the-art audio-visual facility and much more. The hotel also offers three levels of parking that can easily accommodate over 750 cars add to the convenience of the visitors. The hotel has serene ambience for both business and leisure travelers offering the pure luxury of enjoying the beauty of the India’s largest marine aquarium providing home to many wonders of marine life.
Hospitality Talk India
Escobar Bandra offers a complementary glass of Sangria/Kamikaze on Women’s Day on March 8, 2014
Escobar, Bandra’s trendiest party destination invites all women this Saturday to indulge in a complementary glass of Sangria/ Kamikaze Shot while they dance the night away.
Be sure to pamper yourselves this Women’s Day with delectable food, drinks and fun only at Escobar. Address: 199 – VN Sphere Mall, fourth floor, Linking Road, Bandra W, Mumbai – 400 050. Timing: 7:30 pm onwards. Contact Number: 022 4276 0000.
Octaga Green launches ‘Invisible Vodka’ in India for a price of Rs 750
Octaga Green Power & Sugar Company Ltd, launched ‘Invincible Vodka’, of real substance that honours the roots of Russian spirit-making tradition, according to a media statement. Made from the finest grains grown in the rich fields of the Himalayas, this distinct, crisp and intricately distilled vodka is what you deserve on your precious night outs or night ins’ for that matter.
Micro-oxygenated like fine wine, this liquid goodness has been produced in an 8 column Distillation process, through activated carbon and triple Russian filtration (silver, gold and platinum). The already rich flavor needs no help from artificial ingredients or added sugar and carbohydrates.
Basab Paul, promoter of Octagagreen said: “Invincible Vodka is a trendsetter. We wanted to express a new vision for Vodka, something unbelievably pure. Invincible Vodka is crafted from superior eight column distillation process through activated carbon and triple Russian Filtration (silver, gold and platinum) which makes it character pure and elegant. Natural ingredients are what we use to create our special spirit, as it is our commitment to serve you with nothing but the best.
The far superior distillation process of Invincible vodka results in exceptionally smooth vodka, distinct in flavor, different in style. The exquisite flavor of the finest grains plays with all your senses, from enticing your nose to dancing on your taste buds and finally giving a delightful aftertaste which won’t make you go running for those breath mints. The palate is clean, pure and energising, with a silky texture, a long-lasting smooth finish, and a subtle kick”.
The delicious taste needs no added support of sugar as its clear, fresh citrus induced aroma will be contaminated with added artificial ingredients. The purity itself reminds one of the cool Himalayas and the fine grains of which it is made. Even if mixed with another ingredient, the vodka itself leaves a lasting impression on your taste buds, due to its heady mixture of floral and citrus aromas. The eight column distillation process Invincible goes through makes the drink smooth, without leaving a bad after taste associated usually with vodka.
‘Invincible Vodka’ is encased in an eye-catching hour-glass shaped bottle with a polished aluminum ABS push cap. The delectable combination of the handpicked grains from the flourishing Himalayan fields and the purest spring water is what makes “Invincible” the smoothest vodka your lips will ever touch. Potent enough to make you dance , adaptable enough to be mixed in your favorite cocktail and fun enough to make you forget all your worries. With “Invincible” you are guaranteed an epic night.
Alcoholic Strength:
• 42.8% v/v
Sizes Available:
• 90ml x 100 bottles
• 180ml X 48 bottles
• 750ml X 12 bottles
For more information on Octagagreen, visit octagagreen.com/index.html. To know more about Invincible Vodka, visit invinciblevodka.com.
Valentine’s Day Gifting Option
Searching for the perfect Valentine gift has never been easy — especially if you know each other very well. You can’t get away with giving kisses and even a simple, meaningful card and silverware/gold ware won’t do. If you know what type of girl you’re gifting, you need to gift that lifts up their Valentine spirit.
Nothing spells romance more than a bottle of vodka. If you don’t want to spend exorbitantly much but you know she loves spending the evening together over drinks and an intimate dinner, help her get started with Invincible Vodka,a great collection of different flavored Vodka. The premium vodka is made from the finest grains grown in the rich fields of the Himalayas .If you want to spend a little extra, there’s nothing better than the Invincible Purete Wasabi Flavour. A bottle of Invincible Vodka is priced at Rs 750.
Emirates offer complimentary stay at JW Marriott Marquis Hotel and 36 hour UAE visa for Indian business class passengers
Emirates, a global connector of people and places, is offering its First Class and Business Class passengers, flying from India to select destinations via Dubai, a complimentary one-night stay at the JW Marriott Marquis hotel and a 36-hour UAE visa.
With this special offer, Emirates premium passengers travelling from Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Bengaluru to select destinations in Europe, North America including London, US, Germany and France will get to experience the luxury of staying in one of Dubai’s leading five-star hotels.
Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, Emirates Vice President India and Nepal said: “We are always looking for ways to enhance and add value to our offerings for our premium customers. With this offer, not only do our passengers experience Emirates’ award-winning First Class and Business Class products, but they also stay in style and comfort. Dubai is a constantly evolving destination; no visit is the same and this stopover package provides us with an opportunity to showcase this vibrant city and reward our loyal passengers”.
Eligible adult passengers must complete their journey entirely in either Emirates First Class or Emirates Business Class, between now and 31 March, 2014 and book before 28 February 2014. First Class passengers will receive a complimentary one-night stay in an Executive room, and Business class passengers will obtain a one-night stay in a Deluxe Room both including breakfast. The offer cannot be combined with any inclusive tour packages. More information can be found on: emirates.com/in
Emirates was founded as an airline in 1985. It now flies to 141 destinations in 80 countries across six continents, providing air services that enable trade and travel to its home base in Dubai and beyond. A multinational and multicultural employer with over 160 nationalities working together, Emirates is committed to connecting people around the globe, and helping them to discover, enjoy and share new experiences together. This commitment is reflected in its wide portfolio of international sports and cultural sponsorships.
A landmark five-star hotel in Dubai which became one of the region’s most desirable destinations, offering a spectrum of business facilities and 14 diverse dining options for the most discerning of travellers. Elevated above Dubai’s business district, on Sheikh Zayed Road, JW Marriot Marquis’s height makes it the world’s tallest accommodation. Spread across two iconic towers, the spectacular hotel features exceptional event settings for celebrations of all kinds, an enticing array of relaxing recreational activities, and the sublime SARAY Spa and Health Club. For more information on the hotel, please visit: marriott.com/hotels/travel/dxbjw-jw-marriott-marquis-hotel-dubai.
Premier Inn, UK’s biggest hotel chain launches new property at Khaadi in Pune
Premier Inn, UK’s biggest hotel chain, announced the launch of its new property at Kharadi, Pune.
This is Premier Inn’s third property in India after New Delhi and Bangalore, according to a company statement. This edition marks the debut of Premier Inn hotels in western India catering to the vibrant city’s mid-market segment.
Speaking on the occasion, Aly Shariff, Managing Director, Premier Inn India said: “The launch of Premier Inn, Pune is a very proud moment for us and is essential to the brand’s growth strategy of catering to the demands of the new age smart traveller. There is immense growth and development potential in a burgeoning market like Pune. We look forward to welcoming guests to the Premier Inn experience”.
“Premier Inn, Pune presents a refreshingly new face of hospitality to the evolving metropolis, Pune. Located in the heart of the IT corridor, the propertyhas been designed to our global Premier Inn standards, offering consistent, world class service to both leisure and business travelers seeking hassle-free and contemporary experiences. As with our other properties, our product and services have been appropriately adapted to the Indian and local market tastes. Our mission is to be trusted for a good night’s sleep and great value food and drink to transform the hotel market by uniquely combining high quality with total commitment to guest satisfaction, at an affordable price” .
Shwetank Singh, Regional Vice President, Premier Inn, South Asia said: “Premier Inn, Pune, Kharadi will cater to its guests with 109 rooms including 4 serviced apartments. The hotel offers an array of services including LINX, our all-day dining restaurant, 87, our lounge bar and Tangles, our vibrant and tantalizing Noodle/Asian eatery. We are also ‘Proud to Serve’Costa Coffee in all our outlets. Additionally, the hotel boasts amenities which include flexible meetings and conferencing facilities, free Wi-Fi access, the famous Hypnos branded beds, tea and coffee making facilities, mini-bar, flat screen TV’s and much more.With highly competitive rates, and international brand standards, the hotel offers outstanding value for money and quality”.
The relative underdevelopment of budget hotel sector in India coupled with the pace of economic growth has created an opportunity for Premier Inn India Pvt Ltd. to create a pan-Indian business, which has ambitious plans for setting up hotels under the Premier Inn brand. We opened our first Premier Inn hotel in Whitefield Bangalore, India in 2009 and within a few months of operations; the hotel won the HVS HICSA Award for ‘The Best New Budget Hotel 2009/10’. A second Premier Inn of 143 keys is situated in Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi and opened in June 2011.
Premier Inn is the UK’s biggest hotel chain with more than 650 hotels and 52,000 rooms across UK, Ireland, UK, Ireland, South Asia, Arabian Gulf and Asia Pacific.In the financial year which ended Feb 2013, Premier Inn UK sales rose 13.1 percent on the previous year and ended at £ 853.8 million. The Revenue per available room (REVPAR) performance grew by 3.1 percent on like for like basis.
Premier Inn’s mission is to be trusted for great value and a good night’s sleep wherever its guests want to be; to transform the hotel market by uniquely combining high quality bedrooms with total commitment to guest satisfaction at an affordable price and to continue to be the UK’s number one hotel network, whilst growing into attractive international markets.
Premier Inn stands for business of scale, convenience and quality. More than 75 percent of the UK population lives within five miles of a Premier Inn with at least one hotel within five minutes of every UK airport. Guests benefit from everything they want for a good night’s sleep. The hotels are well maintained thanks to a rolling refurbishment programme that sees every room refurbished at least once every eighteen months.
Kingdom of Dreams provide a memorable evening to salute India on 65th Republic Day
Kingdom of Dreams, the ultimate leisure and entertainment destination celebrated the nation’s 65th Republic Day with pomp and grandeur. Exciting dance performances on folk music by cultural groups from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Leh Ladakh and musical acts by famous fusion band Pratigya and rock band Fuzz Culture marked the celebrations, according to a media statement.
To add to the enjoyment, the evening also witnessed entertaining performances on popular bollywood songs and contemporary fusion music. DJ Manish turned the festive mood on by spinning the disk at IIFA Buzz Café at Culture Gully.
In addition to dance and music a variety of India’s exotic desserts from different regions and states added a truly incredible Indian experience to the evening. Quaint food carts served dishes, freshly rustled up for the ultimate gastronomic experience.
It was a remarkable end to the Republic Day celebrations with friends and family at Kingdom of Dreams with all the special offerings under one roof.
Kingdom of Dreams is a unique initiative by Great India Nautanki Company, a joint venture between Wizcraft International Entertainment, India’s foremost Entertainment and Communication Company and Apra Group of Companies. This ambitious concept offers theme-based entertainment experiences of exceptional standards and promotes Indian culture to Indians and visitors from across the globe.
Spread across acres of land, Kingdom of Dreams has three distinct entertainment zones – Culture Gully, Nautanki Mahal, and Showshaa Theatre- each offering a unique proposition.
· Culture Gully, a unique Indian boulevard of exotic food, art and culture
· Nautanki Mahal, India’s first dynamic state of the art 4D theatre designed and conceptualized to offer breath-taking & magical experiences.
· Showshaa Theatre will present a kaleidoscope of fabulous colorful drama marquee spotlighting ancient Indian Epics and Mythology, mock wedding shows and the great Indian talent circus. Entertainment has never been quite the same since Kingdom of Dreams has thrown open its gates to a magical and mystical arena.
Here are some exquite images of the celebration.
Fish Bazaar annual seafood festival at Above Sea Level, The Raintree in Chennai from January 24 to February 2, 2014
The ‘Fish Bazaar’, an annual seafood festival of The Raintree, St.Mary’s Road is back again with a fresh catch at Above Sea Level, the 14th level rooftop resto-bar. Guests can wind up their day for dinner by feasting upon a variety of seafood starting from January 34 to February 2, 2014.
The breathtaking view of the City’s skyline offered by Above Sea Level will be coupled with an assortment of seafood from both fresh and seawater. To set the perfect ambience of the festival, the fresh catch of the day will be displayed on a catamaran, where diners have the privilege to choose their favorite type, pay for it pro rata at prices indicated and have it cooked as per their preference, says a company statement
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As the name suggests, the display houses more than 50 varieties of unique fish and seafood ranging from Pearl Spot to Parrotfish, Rock Lobsters to Octopus, Live Mud Crabs to King Prawns, highlighting the diversity of local delicacies of the city of Chennai. The diners are at their liberty to choose their favorite seafood from the display and marry it with a selection of marinade and cooking method -Grilled, fried, steamed or Tandoor cooked, and served with a choice of accompaniments like Olive Grilled Vegetables, Spicy Potato Wedges or Garlic Mash Potatoes.
This ten-day seasonal seafood festival is available for dinner between 7.00 pm to 11:30 pm and is priced at Rs 1500 on an average per person. To tantalise your taste buds guest can choose from Tandoori items like Tikka, Malai, Achari, Hariyali, marinating options like garlic herb, Chermoula, Harissa, Lemon Dill and curries like Malabar fish curry, Jhinga dum Sunher , Chennai Meen Kozhambu.
Furthermore, during the festivity a brief A la carte menu will also be available with a selection of Above Sea Level’s classics. For reservations and more information, contact: +91 44 2430405. The Raintree serves sumptuous dishes that come alive with South Indian, Indian, Chinese and Continental and Chinese flavors. Rooftop restaurants, bars and lounges inspired by the local cuisine provide a trendy ambiance with a touch of international flair.
Ruchira Karnik talks about Work Better and how it works better
Ruchira Karnik helped in establishing Work Better as one of the leading companies in the Executive training space. She has been instrumental in bringing the firm where it stands now. Back in 2008, Ruchira and her husband Swapnil Kamat establised Work Better, after having been on the receiving side of several boring, theoretical and irrelevant training programmes in their respective corporate jobs. Before taking the entrepreneurial plunge, Ruchira worked as the Advertising Manager for Ogaan Publications.
A perfectionist by nature, Ruchira has bird’s eye on little big things necessary to run the business. She also loves travelling with her husband and is an ardent Cricket fan. She is currently the Head of Business Development at Work Better. She graduated from Goa university with an honours in Bio – Technology in 2002. Prior to Work Better, she founded a Travel Portal called Trip2Goa.com and built it to a sizeable scale before exiting the venture.
Achievements
Ruchira has developed a highly prestigious list of clientele with some of the biggest corporates counting Work Better as long term partners in training. She has been instrumental in driving innovative practical training solutions which has helped give Work Better a definitive edge over its competitors.
Lasting relationship
Ruchira has managed to build strong relationships with clients and partners associated with Work Better with her unbeatable focus and dedication and she has even built an extremely competent team at Work Better Training as well a solid pool of trainers PAN India. Ruchira has set up strong internal processes leading Work Better of reputation of one one of the most reliable organisations with flawless execution skills. She has been featured on the Economic Times, the Times of India and various other national media as a successful entrepreneur and businesswoman.
Perfectionist
Ruchira is a perfectionist by nature and has eye on little big things necessary to run the business. She also loves travelling with her husband and is an ardent Cricket fan, especially of Sachin Tendulkar.
In an informal chat, Ruchira speaks to Jayashankar Menon more about Work Better and how it works better. Excerpts:
JM: Can you talk about Work Better and how it works better?
RK: Work Better Training is one of India’s fastest growing Executive Education and Training firm. We provide customised training solutions in the soft skills, behaviour and management domain. Since it’s inception half a decade ago, we have partnered with some of the biggest organisations on our people development initiatives and trained in excess of 75,000 executives across the country.
JM: What made to start Work Better?
RK: The question that If learning is such an integral part of a professional’s development and an organisation’s progress, why can’t it be done better? led us to do our research, our study and launch Work Better Training. We started Work Better to fundamentally change the way executive training was delivered in India and help professionals Work Better.
JM: How do you define Work Better programme?
RK: Practical, Real and Implementable are the three words that define a Work Better programme. We have created a huge impact through our holistic approach to training which involved doing extensive groundwork, creating customised content, conducting training on Adult Learning principles and engaging participants through post programme tools.
What is more, a dedicated content team invests time and effort in researching, creating various techniques and analysing what module will work best in which format. Besides that, we also provide some of the world’s best tools to engage and involve participants up to six months after the classroom workshop through our various initiatives like online and mobile learning.
JM: What is the kind of growth you predict?
RK: With a solid client base, a full time team of ten people and an empaneled network of over 50 trainers across the country, Work Better is poised to grow by 40 percent year on year in terms of revenue in this financial year.
JM: What verticals Work Better had specialised?
RK: Work Better specialises in six verticals such as leadership development programmes, customer service excellence, business communication and presentation skills, sales and negotiation skills training, personal effectiveness training and innovation. Learning
JM: Can you reveal few major clients?
RK: Essar, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, IndusInd Bank, IDBI Bank, National Stock Exchange, ING Life Insurance, Boston Consulting Group, Deloitte, Ingram Micro, Mahindra & Mahindra, Schneider Electric, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson, Trident Hotels and more.
India Non Fiction Festival Mumbai 2014 to kick-start on January 24 in Mumbai
This year will see an impressive, line up of books launched at the 2nd Edition Of the three-day India Non Fiction Festival.
After successfully hosting the inaugural edition of the India Non Fiction Festival, Mumbai once again gears up to welcome the audience at the 2nd edition of this unique festival.
The festival will be packed with interesting and stimulating sessions from established authors and eminent personalities in their respective genres. The festival will register the presence of host of other renowned speakers, specialised in the wide range of genres. Among all the sessions at the event such as panel discussions, keynotes, there are some interesting book launch session; wherein numerous non fiction book will be launched.
Books galore
Books that will be launched include:
Excuse Me, Can We Have Our Country Back? by author Suraj Eskay Sriram
Every day, the common man in India struggles against the ills of corruption, poor governance and much more. With tongue-in-cheek cartoons and illustrations, this book highlights the plight of the citizens of this country. With just the right touch of humour, Suraj ‘Eskay’ Sriram presents his take on the present and his vision of the future.
Indian Youth and Electoral Politics by Sanjay Kumar: An Emerging Engagement
The book looks at the level of awareness of the youth about political issues and analyses youth interest and participation in electoral politics. It also points out that a large percentage of Indian youth would be willing to take up politics as their career choice. However there are differences in level of youth interest and electoral participation along gender, locality, and various such social variables.
Rules of the Game by Sumit D Chowdhury: Sumit’s first book is Rules of the Game. It brings together insights from successful CEOs and business executives to define what it takes to create successful careers.
Acting Smart: Your Ticket to Showbiz by Tisca Chopra
Acting Smart is the book you’ve been waiting for. Packed with nuts-and-bolts ideas, hilarious anecdotes as well as sharp advice from some of the biggest names in cinema – actors, agents, film-makers and casting directors – this is a not just a handbook on how to take on the challenges of the mercurial quicksand of show business, but also a look into the working of the creative maelstrom called the film industry.
Magic Mantras: For Young Adults to Achieve Success in Life by Laxmi Dhaul
This book is your own personal guide—simply talking straight to you, the way a friend would help you to enjoy the roller coaster ride of life, especially when you are young!
Idli, Orchid and WillPower by Dr Vithal Kamath
The Story of an entrepreneur who moved from a single, family style restaurant, to create a chain known across the nation. But his passion for hospitality did not stop there. Vithal Kamat had a dream. He wanted a five star hotel. He went on to make THE ORCHID , a five star ecotel, which won numerous awards for being the world’s best environmentally sensitive hotel. The Orchid’s multiplied and today stand as icons of hospitality. This is the story of what went into the making of this empire .This is an inspiring story of a man willing to face any odds of his dream, armed with determination ,dedication and discipline. This true life story shows that all it takes to make it ,the belief in your dreams and the conviction to see them through.
The New Clash of Civilization by Minhaz Merchant
The New Clash of Civilizations offers deep and stimulating insights into how the contest between four major civilizational forces—the United States, China, India and Islam will shape our century. The historic shift in the economic and geopolitical balance of power from the West to the East, Merchant writes, will determine the ideas and principles that govern this unfolding century. Divided into six distinct sections—History, Nation, World, Leaders, Science and Society and Vintage—the book provides an original perspective on a dynamic nation coming to terms with itself and the world.
Karma Kurry for the Mind, Body, Heart & Soul by Jeroninio Almeida
It is inspiring stories about Anu Aga, Geeta Chandran, Rohini Nilekani, Chewang Norphel, Gul Panag, Anita Pratap, Gregory Roberts and others, these stories have that power to inspire people to rise and act, to make a difference. Nelson Mandela compilation of soul-stirring and heart-warming tales, Karma Kurry for the Mind, Body, Heart & Soul celebrates the journey and triumph of the human spirit. Every human being has a hero within, a dynamic and compassionate being who has the power to influence and mould the world. The powerful narratives in this book are the stories of just such heroes, who have radically changed society for the better.
Kon Jo-The Fighting Spirit by Sandeep Goyal
A rip-roaring account of a career in the ad world by a renowned ad-man. A few weeks before Sandeep Goyal turned forty, he resigned from Zee. And his world came crashing down. He lost his so-called friends, his Merc, his memberships of the Chambers and the Belvedere, his secretaries and his retinue of hangers-on. Reality took a while to sink in and he realized he was all alone with only his wife to support him. He introspected, did a reality check and decided to look forward instead of brooding on the past. After relentless work he achieved an improbable dream. He signed a joint venture with Dentsu, the Japanese ad giant. To success he needed, as they say in Japanese, Kon Jo or ‘fighting spirit’ – a combination of will power, guts, perseverance and a dogged tenacity in the face of hardship.
Fanatics of Non-fiction are welcome to the festival. The festival will be free and on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Registration Details: IndiaNonFictionFestival.com
• Location: Nehru Centre, Dr. Annie Besant Road, Worli, Mumbai- 400 018
• Date: January 24-26, 2014
• Time: 12.00 pm – 7.00 pm
Goa attracts 31.21 lakh tourists registering an increased growth of 12 percent
Goa has started off the year 2014 on a positive note. According to statistical data maintained Tourism Department, the State has witnessed a considerable increase in number of tourists by 12 percent in 2013 in comparison with the year ago period.
The figures indicate that domestic tourist arrivals have climbed up by 12.47 percent in 2013 and international tourist arrivals have gone up by 9.27 percent.
The overall tourist growth has been pegged at around 12 percent, which is a record high for the state. This increase in tourist inflow is in sync with the expectations of Goa Tourism as the state is all geared up to build world-class tourist infrastructure and also begin operations in the new airport terminal this year, all of which they hope will only further fuel this growth.
A stringent beach cleaning programme will be implemented over the next six months and the Tourism Department is hopeful that the shores of Goa will soon be listed as one of the cleanest beaches in South East Asia.
Goa Tourism has carried out aggressive marketing and PR campaigns supported by regular participation in domestic and international road shows to increase trade outreach is one of the key factors that has lead to this rise in the number of tourists visiting Goa. The promotion of safety and cleanliness in the state, attractive offers during monsoon and spreading the word about Goa as a destination with multiple holiday options has also worked in the state’s favour.
Dilip Parulekar, Minister for Tourism, Government of Goa, said: “This is a great way to begin the New Year for us. We are more than thrilled to announce these figures and this only proves that Goa continues to be the destination of choice for people from all across the world. At the same time, these numbers also serve as a reminder for us to constantly strive and keep the infrastructure and other developments in the state on par with international standards so that Goa can turn into the number one destination of choice for travelers. Goa Tourism has planned several campaigns and programmes to ensure safety of tourists, a clean state, introduce women taxi drivers that are in tune with our vision. We will also focus on improving the quality and profile of visitors visiting the state. Apart from these we also aim to celebrate various festivals and events in a manner that reflects the true spirit of Goa. One of these is the upcoming Carnival 2014 in March”.
Nilesh Cabral Goa Tourism Development Corporation added: “These numbers also indicated the tremendous potential for growth that Goa has as a tourist destination. While we are happy to note the increase in tourist arrivals in our state, we are also aware of the fact that this means that we have set high standards that we should strive to better every time. Goa Tourism has listed 34 infrastructural projects to be completed over the span of the next two to three years. We are also exploring the possibility of tie-ups with private hotel chains to take GTDC properties to world class standards”.
The News Hour India by Kenath Jayashankar Menon 