100 Commonwealth Games kiosks by August

About 100 tourist information kiosks will be set up by August in the city ahead of the Commonwealth Games in October.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will set run them on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis.

'These information kiosks, numbering at least 100, will be put up at every Games venue and tourist spots like Red Fort, India Gate and Qutub Minar,' said a senior official of MCD.

MCD has decided to sell from these kiosks items like chocolate replicas of the Qutub Minar, Old Delhi's famous jalebi-shaped earrings and T-shirts with messages like 'Welcome to Delhi', 'Commonwealth Games 2010', 'Delhi-Dil Se' and 'I love My Delhi' and T-shirts with pictures of city monuments.

'Apart from this, the kiosks will also have stone replicas of various monuments for sale,' the official said.

The stalls will also have handicraft and handloom items popular in various parts of the country. 'The civic body is in talks with the Handicrafts and Handlooms Exports Corporation of India ,' the official said.

Pamphlets and other information material about the city, historical spots and information on tourist spots like Agra and Jaipur will also be available, he said.

The MCD also plans to use these kiosks for currency exchange, but the civic body is still awaiting a clearance from the central government. The kiosks will also help visitors with taxi and autorickshaw booking.

Each kiosk will be 10 feet by 10 feet in size and its front will be made of glass. It will also have a solar panel on top to generate electricity.

The side panel of the kiosk will carry information about tourist spots. The kiosks will be in place by the first week of August and will be removed soon after the Commonwealth Games.

1400 multi-lingual guides for Delhi

With the Games expected to draw tourists from countries beyond the Commonwealth, the Ministry of Tourism is hoping to break some language barriers.

The ministry has already asked the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM), Gwalior, to train 1,400 tour guides who can speak Chinese, Russian, Korean, German, Japanese, French, Spanish, Italian, Thai or Portuguese. While the Commonwealth mostly includes countries where English is popular, the ministry wanted to ensure a more comfortable experience for visitors from non-English speaking countries who are likely to visit Delhi for the Games.

The new guides will need to have speaking and writing skills in at least one of the 10 foreign languages. The IITTM will then teach them about the history, society and important monuments of Delhi and nearby areas. Dr Sandeep Kulshreshtha, who is Head of Academics at the institute in Gwalior, said that apart from working in Delhi, the guides would also accompany tourists if they want to visit other parts of the country. “Hence, during the training, knowledge on important tourist spots in other parts of the country will also be provided,” he said.

Trinidad and Tobago to bid for 2018 CWG

Trinidad and Tobago has expressed interest in bidding for the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Trinidad and Tobago joins Gold Coast city, Australia as potential bidder for the games. The announcement was made by chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Commonwealth 2010 in Delhi, India’s Suresh Kalmadi, at closed door Sports Breakfast meeting during the recently held Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Trinidad in November.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning in his speech said he would like to host the Commonwealth Games in 2018. When asked what were the main criteria for hosting the games, Kalmadi said a country needs a strong financial backing. “Finance for one. That’s the main thing, and then your determination and will to create international class to the world,” he said.

Asked if T&T would be able to prepare for an event of this magnitude, he said, “It depends on your government. If they are ready to come forward or not.”

The 2010 games, to be held in Delhi, India next October, have already cost India’s government US $2 billion. The event is expected to create 2.5 million jobs and will see more than 100,000 tourists gracing India’s shores.

The host of the 2018 Games will be announced at the General Assembly in Basseterre, St. Kitts in November 2011.

Indian tourism to grow by 10% in 2010

With many travel writers marking Delhi as one of the top 10 hottest destinations for year 2010, the industry is hoping to achieve a 10 per cent growth next year.

Last 5 quarters have been very difficult for the industry with things starting to look better at the beginning of 3rd quarter this year.

In order to stimulate inbound traffic for 2010, Indian Tourism Minister Kumari Selja said at the World Travel Market that a number of initiatives and events have been put in place to reach this goal, including special packages for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, which is expected to attract up to 100,000 international tourists in October next year.

"We are already in the initial stages of planning extended holidays into India for those travelers who are flying down to attend the Commonwealth Games," Shakir Kantawala, General Manager of Jet Airways, Dubai and Northern Emirates, told Emirates Business. "We are positive it will turn out to be a huge draw for tourists."

Karkaria said: "Our team has already started working on creating special packages for the Commonwealth Games, which will be rolled out to international travel agencies by January 2010."

India's tourism woes began in Q3 last year, when the full impact of the global recession reared its ugly head. Adding to that was the terrorist attack on Mumbai's iconic hotels, Taj and Trident, along with Leopold Café - a popular hangout with foreign tourists.

Statistics revealed a sharp fall in foreign tourists in the immediate aftermath of the attacks, which persisted well into this year. In Dec 2009, arrivals fell 12.5 per cent on the previous year.

The latest available figures by the country's tourism board indicate that 2.4 million foreigners visited India in the Jan-Sep period - down 3.3 per cent on the same period in 2008. However, independent studies reveal a grimmer picture of nearly an eight per cent decline in tourism.

Room Occupancy rates were at 60.9 per cent in 2008-2009, down 18.4 per cent on the previous year.

Nationally, tourism contributed 6.1 per cent to India's GDP - down 0.7 per cent on 2007-08.

To make the matters worse, the second quarter of 2009 the H1N1 pandemic had spread its tentacles into India, providing yet another setback for the tourism industry.

"The Swine flu scare was even more lethal than the attacks on Mumbai," said Al Rais' Rahmany. "Almost 30 to 40 per cent of our business comes through the summer travel. But this year's panic brought that percentage down by nearly 10 points."

Rahmany, however, believes the worst for India's tourism sector is finally behind us. "Christmas and New Year travel to India is gaining momentum, with flights to the metros almost booked out, along with airfares increasing with high demand," he said.

Next year's 10 per cent growth in tourism is definitely achievable with the government even developing 150 rural sites to generate more revenue.

London idea: Double decker buses before Commonwealth Games

The commonwealth games, to be held next year has become boon for the national capital, as various departments and pumping funds for infrastructural development.

Delhi can expect to have its own hop-on-hop-off heritage tourist bus service modeled on the lines of the London counterpart. Delhi government has proposed to introduce specially designed double-decker buses, which will be run on tailor-made routes taking tourists not just to monuments but also museums, shopping venues, theater and even typical Indian weddings for the foreign clientele.

The buses will be luxury coaches with large window panes to enable a clear view of the city from every seat. To make them attractive, they will be painted in bright colors and the exteriors will be designed by professionals to reflect the character of the tours on offer. Every bus will have a guide on board to keep the visitors updated on the sites as they pass by.

In a joint collaboration between Delhi Tourism and Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), the government is eager to introduce these buses before the Commonwealth Games kick off in October. But the service is not just aimed at the foreign tourists expected in Delhi during the Games. The government is also targeting the average Delhiite who can take a hop-on hop-off tour in place of going to a cinema or a restaurant, which officials said will also take away the burden of parking and planning. The routes are being chalked out by Indian National Trust For Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach) and Shahjahanabad Development Corporation, and Intach will also provide trained guides and printed literature to be available on board.

The concept of hop-on-hop-off popular in European countries, has buses running on predefined routes at regular intervals. Tourists can choose a route and board any bus. They will have the option of getting off at a place of their interest on the way and have the choice of taking any of the later buses on the same route. The ticket will have day-long validity. ‘‘The idea came from a meeting on heritage sites and walks. Intach had suggested we should have these kind of buses specifically for tourists so that they can walk around sites and cover a larger number of heritage areas and other places of interest,’’ said chief secretary Rakesh Mehta.

The tourism department has started work on identifying themes for the tours and so far identified Mughal, Colonial, Independent India and Mehrauli area. Said Reena Ray, MD, Delhi Tourism: ‘‘DTC will provide the buses and we will take care of the tourist and culture part. Each tour will be a full day package with its share of monuments, shopping, and places of interest like Dilli Haat and then culminate with a theatre performance in the evening. There is even a suggestion to introduce a typical Indian wedding in the schedule for foreigners but the main focus will be heritage.

DTC, meanwhile, is scouting for the perfect double-decker bus for the service. Currently all the double-decker buses run on diesel, but Delhi is interested in a CNG variant. There are issues regarding where the cylinders will be accommodated in the bus design. Also, the model needs to suit Delhi's climatic conditions and dust in the city.

Delhi: City of flyovers

Promising world class road infrastructure in the national capital during next year's Commonwealth Games, chief minister Sheila Dikshit today said visitors of the showpiece event will remember Delhi as a city of flyovers.

Addressing a function after formally dedicating two new flyovers at South Delhi, Dikshit said she was confident of completing all the road infrastructure projects well in time which will provide uninterrupted connectivity in the city.

"There would be a signal-free road from Nehru Place to IGI Airport by November this year as a third flyover on Outer Ring Road will be commissioned next month," Dikshit said.

She dedicated two flyovers to Delhiites -- one at the Africa Avenue and Aruna Asaf Ali Marg intersection and the other one at the Rao Tula Ram Marg and Benito Juarez Marg intersection.

"We are confident that the visitors during the Games would be able to carry a good impression about the city," she said adding that they will remember Delhi as city of flyovers.

Noting that hosting such a prestigious international sports event has provided an excellent opportunity to the city to undertake a large number of developmental works, she said her government was gearing up to offer the best facilities to its visitors.

Dikshit also said Delhi would become the first city in the world to have highest number of CNG low-floor buses during the Games as the fleet strength of these buses will be 3,500 by March 2010.

The city government has undertaken a comprehensive exercise to install modern street lights, improve roads and enhance greening, including giving the underneath of flyovers an attractive look, she said.

The flyovers have unique feature such as noise barriers, concrete pavement over its entire length for maintenance free and enhanced service life.

Metro to extend hours & service during 2010 Games

Delhi Metro could run past midnight during the 2010 Commonwealth Games for the convenience of visitors. As of now, most of the lines run last services around 11 p.m deadline.

"We are in discussions with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and have recommended they keep their services running past midnight," Delhi Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta said.

The move, Mehta said, was in tune with the decision to extend timings for markets and malls in the national capital, which mostly close by 9 or 10 p.m.

The Delhi Metro, which is rapidly becoming the lifeline of the capital, is set to expand from 75 km to 200 km by opening six new lines on its Phase II by October 2010.

Sportspersons as well as spectators will also find the going easy - since 10 of the 11 Games venues will have easy Metro connectivity.

The Metro is already well connected to the various tourist attractions like India Gate, the Connaught Place market from the British era, and the buzzing markets in the old city at Chawri Bazaar. With the new lines many open markets like Lajpat Nagar and malls in the national capital will also be on the network.

"The smart card can be used for travelling in both the Metro and buses. The buses will have automated ticketing machines and fare will be deducted by punching of the smart card," he said.

With the completion of Phase II, the Metro ridership is expected to go up to 2.5 million daily from the 950,000 average now.

By next year, passengers can use the high speed Metro Airport Express Line. Travellers will be able to get their boarding passes for their flights at the NH-8, Indira Gandhi International Airport, Dwarka sector 21 and the Dhaula Kuan Metro stations. Metro trains on this line will run at a speed of 135 kmph and cover the 21-km distance from New Delhi to the airport in 18 minutes.

Spurcing up Delhi's Heritage

What happens when one of the most arcaeologically rich cities hosts a sporting event second only to the Olympics? Tourists get twice the fun for the price of one. While attending Commonwealth Games 2010, they can slip out any time to visit any of the 1,200 heritage monuments this city has to offer.

With as many as three world heritage sites — the Qutab Minar complex, Humayun’s Tomb complex and Red Fort complex — to boast of, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is getting ready to showcase the legacy of the Capital during the Games.

Of the 175 ASI-protected monuments, work has begun on sprucing up 46 of them.

"These monuments are mostly important ones like the world heritage sites and also those on the routes of Games venues. The list also includes a few lesser known monuments,” said KN Shrivastava, ASI director-general.

Conservation and/or repair work will be carried out at most monuments. For instance, the Tughlaqabad Fort wall and the Siri Fort wall are being restored to their original glory.

The ASI is carrying out chemical treatment at a few monuments that need cleaning up. “The residents and regular visitors to the Hauz Khas area are witness to how the black colour on most of the monuments due to moss has given way to a clean sandstone yellow (or the original colour of the monuments) after chemical treatment,” said an ASI official.

“The landscape around helps build its ambience. So we are focusing on environmental development like lawns and other horticulture interventions,” said an official from the horticulture branch.

Tourists can also enjoy ‘Delhi at Night’. India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) has identified more than 20 monuments and these are being lighted up by ITDC.

While the world heritage sites have basic public utilities like toilets and drinking water, they aren’t available at all 46 monuments. Plans are afoot to provide these facilities at all of them. Uniform brown stone signage would also come up at all sites.

“The additional facilities would include publication counters that will have brochures telling the history of the place, audio guides, cafeterias and the like as available at the three world heritage sites,” said another ASI official.

Source: Topnews.in

Hosting Games and healing Souls

Ayurvedic and Medical Tourism industries will benefit from 2010 Commonwealth Games as the industry is expected to fetch Rs. 800 crore of revenue during the glaring event, according to The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).

According to Chamber, domestic ayurvedic industry market which is currently estimated at Rs. 3000 crore will go up to over Rs. 5000 crore in next 2 years in view of rising demand for ayurvedic therapy and products. This is due to the fact that major hospital chains in Delhi, NCR and Northern Region as also ayurvedic/spa centres are gearing up to attract large number of visitors and generate maximum revenue.

States like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and even UP, ayurveda/spa and medical tourism centres will also contribute in its growth, which is currently dominated by Kerala and Karnataka, feels the Chamber.

In a Paper brought out by the ASSOCHAM on 'Opportunity for Ayurvedic & Medical Tourism during CWG', it has been predicted that ayurvedic industry would alone earn a business of Rs. 500 crore and revenues prospects for medical tourism are predicted for estimated amount of Rs. 300 crore.

The job opportunities that would arise for professionals of these two promising industries are projected for 40,000 people, said Mr. D S Rawat, ASSOCHAM Secretary General while releasing the estimates. Mr. Rawat pointed out that the ASSOCHAM estimates are based on the assumption that over 1800 athlete participation would be bare minimum for 2010 commonwealth games in variety of sporting disciplines and tourist arrivals for the people is projected for 6-7 lakh overseas visitors. The countries of which maximum outflow of tourists would emerge include UK, Canada, Australia, Malaysia, South Africa, Singapore, Sri Lanka etc. and over 4 lakh domestic tourists from.

The Chamber paper hoped that keeping in view of India’s ancient tradition of ayurveda and its low-cost medical tourism facilities, apart form UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka a large number of outside visitors from aforesaid countries would like to take advantages of domestic ayurvedic and medical tourism facilities/resorts.

The Chamber estimates reveal that each foreigner visiting India during Commonwealth games is likely to spend Rs.10,000 to Rs. 35,000/- in availing ayurvedic expertise in various spa and herbal centers.

While, the medical tourism spending will be higher between Rs. 40,000-Rs.1,20,000 in view of cardiac surgery, bone marrow transplant, etc., bulk of tourists will spend in ayurveda and related treatments, said Mr. Rawat.

Based on enquiries received by the ASSOCHAM through its various workshops and seminars, various players in the hospitality industry based on Delhi, NCR, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand are proposing to set up over 200 ayuveda, spa and herbal centres to provide possible comforts to tourists and athletes that gathered during the period.

The export potential of ayurveda is currently pegged at Rs 12,500 crore and approx. 20,000 units are involved in this field and the main players include Dabur, Himalayas, Zandu, Baidyanath. In India, there are approx. 380,000 registered medical practitioners of the ayurvedic system as compared to about 700,000 modern medical system.

The reputed private hospitals in Delhi and NCR like Fortis, Moolchand, Sir Ganga Ram, Apollo, Noida Medicare, Metro, Dharmshila, Max etc. can tap the large inflow of medical tourism. Better connectivity from the games villages and hotels in Delhi will also pave the way for these hospitals to contribute the medical tourism sector. For the last several years, Apollo and Escorts have treated over 1 lakh foreign patients.

Currently, the medical tourism market in India is estimated to be worth over US $ 300 million with approx. 170,000 foreign patients coming in every year and expected to grow into a US $ 2 billion business by 2012 with advantages of low-cost medical and surgery treatment compared to US and EU.

Coming up: Hot air ballooning in NCR

In a bid to cash-in on upcoming Commonwealth Games and promote adventure tourism, Haryana government is working to introduce facilities for hot air ballooning at Suraj Kund, Damdama and Badkhal lakes. State tourism ministry has already floated tenders in this regard.

Currently, there is no permanent venue for hot air ballooning in the NCR and this move will boost tourism in the region. Also, the operators will be able to break even quickly because of huge rush of tourists expected next year. The spots shortlisted are favorite picnic spots and have excellent connectivity with Delhi. Government has zeroed on two licensed players who have experience in commercial hot ballooning. The arrangements will be on on public-private partnership (PPP) basis. Meanwhile, State tourism department has also prepared a plan to set up temporary tents for tourists at the three sites in Faridabad during Commonwealth Games.

Tourism and Infra to get a boost

The Commonwealth Games scheduled to be held in the first two weeks of October 2010, are set to change the face of Delhi and NCR. With approximately a million tourists expected to land in India to watch the grand spectacle, the push will be great for the Indian tourism industry.

Delhi has hosted the Asian Games in 1951 and 1982. This is the first time Delhi is playing host to the commonwealth games. Infact, this is only the second time that the games are being held in Asia.

Read article, Delhi: City of flyovers

Not only are the Games going to benefit the Indian tourism industry in a big way, these are also going to boost various job opportunities in sectors like hospitality, travel, aviation, services, who are going to hire more employees in order to handle the large influx of tourists.

There are various challenges in front of Commonwealth games organizing committee like ensuring accommodation requirements. For this the government is considering innovative options like registering Bead and Breakfast service providers, and even considering camping options in NCR to augment the current hotel development projects.

Delhi government is also serious about providing comfortable commute to the visitors. 10 of the 11 Commonwealth Games venue will be linked by Metro in time for the games. City will also have a dedicated Metro line from the airport to Cannaught Place.

A four-lane, 2.2 km underground stretch from Ring Road to Lodhi will link the Games Village to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, reducing traveling time for athletes. The new eight-lane expressway from Gurgaon to Delhi is already functional. Government is in the process of procuring another 1,100 new low floor, high-capacity air-conditioned buses to ease commuting.

Infact, all the efforts being put in by Delhi government are beginning to show results. Today, Delhi has a world class Metro transportation. More than 100 flyovers have come up in last 8 years. Movement at all focal points of Delhi like Dhaula Kuan, AIIMS, and connectivity to NOIDA has been smoothened out. The pollution levels in Delhi are much less than what they were 10 years ago. The city has new GREEN LOOK because of millions of trees planted along the roads. Infact, Green and Pink are the new colours chosen by the government for the city.

All in all, the tourism and infrastructure are set to get a huge boost because of the Games.