To display this email in a browser, please click here

 COVERSTORY

Terrorism ruins tourism in India
In the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks many foreign countries have issued travel advisories against travel to Mumbai and India. The attacks are expected to dent the image of 'Incredible India' and make it difficult for the 'brand' to achieve its goal of doubling tourist arrivals from last year's five million to ten million by 2010. TravelBiz Monitor talks about the repercussions faced and measures taken to help the tourism sector bounce back.
....read more>>
 
 GUEST COLUMN
“It’s time to work out a strategy to keep the industry afloat”
Wow, what a week. I was sitting in a hotel room watching the horror unfold. Watching in disbelief, watching in silence. Watching with tears.
...read more>>
 
 DESTINATION INSIGHT

Ireland: A kaleidoscope of beauty, tradition and whiskey
It is very easy to fall in love with Ireland, a country that abounds in natural beauty, warmth and community feeling. TravelBiz Monitor unravels a few interesting facets of the country, which can become an exciting destination for Indians
...read more>>
 
 HR & TRAINING

Sustaining a Customer Service Initiative: The Need for Long-Term Commitment’
Most customer service improvement init iatives fail to produce sustained results. After investing significant amount of time, effort, and money in service improvement initiatives, most organisations do not attain the sustained results they were hoping for. Failure is usually not due to a lack of creativity or resources.
...read more>>
 
 VIEW POINT
Dreams die first
The end of history is the beginning of cynicism
....read more>>
This Week's Top Headlines
Jet Airways agrees to give three per cent commission to agents on gross fare
  Jet Airways has agreed to pay three per cent commission to agents on the gross fare of international and domestic tickets. The move to pay three per cent commission does not include its low cost subsidiary, JetLite. The decision was taken after a closed door meeting held yesterday in Mumbai ...read more>>
   
Kingfisher Airlines yet to take decision on three per cent agency commission
  Kingfisher Airlines, which was supposed to announce its decision on paying three per cent commission to travel agents yesterday, has not yet taken any decision regarding the same. As reported by TravelBiz Monitor yesterday, Kingfisher Airlines could not take their decision day before yesterday as the airline...read more>>
   
HDIL Leisure to foray into hospitality industry
  HDIL Leisure, a subsidiary of Housing Development Limited (HDIL) plans to foray into the hospitality industry with the launch of five-star luxury and business hotels. HDIL Leisure has acquired land in areas including Andheri-Kurla Road, Juhu and Bandra-Kurla Complex for developing three hotels. ...read more>>
   
Nepal government to start flights to more than 18 Indian cities
  The government of Nepali will soon start regional flights linking more than 18 cities across India. According to a report in the Himalayan Times yesterday, the announcement was made by Hisila Yami, Minister, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Nepal, while speaking on the occasion of International ....read more>>
MTDC provides protection for foreign tourists
  According to the Midday, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) will now extend security services to foreign tourist groups, who wish to avail of an armed police guard while visiting Mumbai. This facility, which will be provided for the next six months, is to assure foreign visitors of safety....read more>>
   
Industry expects 25% dip in inbound business due to Mumbai terror attacks
  The Indian tourism industry, by and large, has been impacted by the global recession and *eight incidents of terror strikes. It was known that the global financial crunch resulted in a drop of about 30 to 40 per cent in...read more>>
   
Inbound tourism hit hard in Goa, Kerala & Rajasthan by Mumbai terror attacks
  Post Mumbai terror attacks, TravelBiz Monitor tracked down the impact on the top three inbound tourist destinations of the country- Goa, Kerala and Rajasthan and the preventive measures taken by them to revive inbound tourism. ...read more>>
   
Trident, Mumbai to resume operations from December 21, 2008
  After more than three weeks of trying to recover from the terrorist attack, The Trident Hotel in Mumbai will be open for the guests from December 21, 2008. The hotel didn't face major collateral damage during the course of the attack....read more>>
   
2009 the year of consolidation and value: FCm Travel Solutions
  Travel consolidation, more effective company policies and opportunities for greater savings and value will be key trends dominating India's corporate travel sector during 2009, according to FCm Travel Solutions. Based on recent...read more>>
   
JetLite, Kingfisher, Indigo Airlines reduce fuel surcharge on all domestic routes effective today
  JetLite, Kingfisher and IndiGo Airlines have announced a reduction of Rs 400 in passenger fuel surcharges on all domestic routes effective today. This decision came after Praful Patel, Minister, Civil Aviation appealed to all ...read more>>
   
FHRAI to come up with advisory document on crisis management
  In the wake of the recent Mumbai terror attacks, the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) has decided to formulate an advisory document on crisis management for hotels in India. ....read more>>
   
TOFT to promote Responsible Tourism in national parks in India
  Travel Operators for Tigers (TOFT), a campaign set up in 2004, run by travel professionals is aimed at those within the Wildlife Tourism segment and all visitors to India’s wildlife parks to advocate, endorse and support more ...read more>>
This e-newsletter has been sent since you are part of Travel Biz Monitor Magazine's subscriber list. If you wish to unsubscribe,
please send UNSUBSCRIBE as a reply to this e-mail.