Ronan Kelly
Retired 2020
Ro's notes: Bangalore is the capital of Karnataka. Karnataka has 69 confirmed fatalities and around 800 confirmed cases, mostly in Bangalore.
2 Lakh (200,000) Bangaloreans Getting Away This Weekend
Mini Joseph Tejaswi, TNN 17 September 2009, 02:18am IST
BANGALORE: It is time to get, set and go for travel buffs. Over a couple of lakh techies and other professionals in Bangalore alone are expected to
pack their bags for getaways to domestic and overseas locations this weekend.
According to industry sources, the down-and-out is over. A sudden turnaround is visible in the tour/travel space, as individuals and families have started easing on their recession-bound travel restrictions. The market was dull and down till the end of August, however, things are looking up this month, says K S N Raju, who runs Blue Valley Jungle Resorts in Masinagudi and Water Edge in Kabini.
M Venkatesh, director, Cafe Coffee Day Hotels & Resorts, says, "There are signs of a sudden recovery and recession is slowly disappearing. This gives the industry some relief, which is greatly reflected in the number of domestic bookings we see this time.'' CCD Hospitality operates a plantation resort, Serai, in Chikmagalur, and wildlife resort Cicada, in Bandipur and Kabini.
Interestingly, no other city has the kind of enthusiasm Bangalore does, when it comes to leisure/learn travel. "Bangalore has a very refined cosmopolitan population that loves to travel and explore. The traditional mindset of Indians about travel has changed. Recession has, indeed, cut into the enthusiasm of Indian travellers, however, bookings are slowly coming back indicating a clear recovery,'' observes Kjell George Sanvik, CEO, Travel & Learn, an Oslo-based travel company that organizes holidays in India, South Asia and Europe.
In addition to domestic hot destinations, including Karnataka, Kerala, Himachal, Rajasthan and Goa, neighbouring Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Male too are much sought after by Indians.
A new segment has also emerged. "Rotary Clubs, Lions' Club, Ladies' Circle International, Bengali Association, Malayalee Association, Gujarati Association and other independent clubs are active in organizing domestic and overseas leisure trips. This is a great relief to the recession hit tour/travel sector,'' says Mathew Joseph, director, Montedale Hotels & Resorts, a company that owns and operates various properties in Karnataka, Goa and Kerala.
Northern tourism is also picking up. Many South Indians have not visited northern states, so there is an increased demand for destinations like Kashmir from Bangalore and Chennai, say tour organizers.
In order to cash in on holidayers, many private transport operators will ply additional buses to Alleppey, Kochi, Kovalam, Goa, Ooty, Kodaikanal, Pondichery, Karwar etc. Many airlines have also cut fares, which will help boost tour/travel space.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...ing-Away-This-Weekend/articleshow/5020147.cms
2 Lakh (200,000) Bangaloreans Getting Away This Weekend
Mini Joseph Tejaswi, TNN 17 September 2009, 02:18am IST
BANGALORE: It is time to get, set and go for travel buffs. Over a couple of lakh techies and other professionals in Bangalore alone are expected to
pack their bags for getaways to domestic and overseas locations this weekend.
According to industry sources, the down-and-out is over. A sudden turnaround is visible in the tour/travel space, as individuals and families have started easing on their recession-bound travel restrictions. The market was dull and down till the end of August, however, things are looking up this month, says K S N Raju, who runs Blue Valley Jungle Resorts in Masinagudi and Water Edge in Kabini.
M Venkatesh, director, Cafe Coffee Day Hotels & Resorts, says, "There are signs of a sudden recovery and recession is slowly disappearing. This gives the industry some relief, which is greatly reflected in the number of domestic bookings we see this time.'' CCD Hospitality operates a plantation resort, Serai, in Chikmagalur, and wildlife resort Cicada, in Bandipur and Kabini.
Interestingly, no other city has the kind of enthusiasm Bangalore does, when it comes to leisure/learn travel. "Bangalore has a very refined cosmopolitan population that loves to travel and explore. The traditional mindset of Indians about travel has changed. Recession has, indeed, cut into the enthusiasm of Indian travellers, however, bookings are slowly coming back indicating a clear recovery,'' observes Kjell George Sanvik, CEO, Travel & Learn, an Oslo-based travel company that organizes holidays in India, South Asia and Europe.
In addition to domestic hot destinations, including Karnataka, Kerala, Himachal, Rajasthan and Goa, neighbouring Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Male too are much sought after by Indians.
A new segment has also emerged. "Rotary Clubs, Lions' Club, Ladies' Circle International, Bengali Association, Malayalee Association, Gujarati Association and other independent clubs are active in organizing domestic and overseas leisure trips. This is a great relief to the recession hit tour/travel sector,'' says Mathew Joseph, director, Montedale Hotels & Resorts, a company that owns and operates various properties in Karnataka, Goa and Kerala.
Northern tourism is also picking up. Many South Indians have not visited northern states, so there is an increased demand for destinations like Kashmir from Bangalore and Chennai, say tour organizers.
In order to cash in on holidayers, many private transport operators will ply additional buses to Alleppey, Kochi, Kovalam, Goa, Ooty, Kodaikanal, Pondichery, Karwar etc. Many airlines have also cut fares, which will help boost tour/travel space.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...ing-Away-This-Weekend/articleshow/5020147.cms