World Travel Awards arrives in Rwanda

World Travel Awards (WTA) has touched down in Rwanda ahead of its Africa Gala Ceremony 2017.

The prestigious event will take place in the country’s thriving capital, Kigali, on 10th October, with hundreds of leaders from across the hospitality industry expected to attend the glittering red carpet ceremony.

Local stars, George Ndirangu and Makeda Mahadeo – both hugely experienced as hosts and presenters – will compere the event which will take place at the five star Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre, alongside the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) and AviaDev Africa (10th-12th October).

The leading hotel investment conference that connects business leaders from the international and local markets, driving investment into tourism projects, infrastructure and hotel development across Africa, AHIF is attended by the highest calibre international hotel investors of any conference in Africa.

Meanwhile AviaDev Africa is a unique event bringing together airports, airlines, governments, industry suppliers and tourism authorities to determine the future air connectivity and infrastructure development of Africa. The event provides an opportunity for the aviation and hotel development communities to share intelligence on their future plans, catalysing tourism development on the continent.

Speaking ahead of the event, WTA President and Founder Graham E. Cooke said: “It is an honour for World Travel Awards to be here in Rwanda, for the very first time.

"The heart of Africa, Rwanda has become rightfully known for its spectacular scenery – think thundering waterfalls, towering mountains and virgin rainforests – and rare wildlife.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for Rwanda to claim its rightful place as Africa’s rising star and I can’t wait to welcome all our nominees next Tuesday, as we recognise the leaders among them."

A full list of nominees can be viewed on the World Travel Awards website.

World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.

Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.

Each year, World Travel Awards covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective success within each key geographical region.

World Travel Awards Gala Ceremonies are widely regarded as the best networking opportunities in the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries and international print and broadcast media.

source - worldtravelawards.com

SIA And Lufthansa Group Joint Venture Partnership To Launch On 1 October

28 September 2017 (Joint Release with Lufthansa Group) - Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Lufthansa Group have confirmed 1 October 2017 as the launch date for their joint venture co-operation covering flights between Singapore, Australia and Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Belgium.

Customers can choose from a wider range of travel itineraries and fare products that will be progressively offered by the airlines under the joint venture agreement.

Since November 2015, when both airline groups signed the joint venture agreement, they have expanded capacity between Singapore and both Germany and Switzerland. This includes the introduction of new SIA-operated flights between Singapore and Dusseldorf in July 2016. In March 2017, SWISS deployed its new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on daily flights between Singapore and Zurich. Lufthansa has also announced plans to re-introduce services between Singapore and Munich from March 2018.

These benefits will further enhance existing Star Alliance arrangements that customers enjoy on SIA, Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian Airlines. On the same date, flights operated by SIA, Lufthansa and SWISS between Singapore and Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich and Zurich will be included in a revenue-sharing agreement between the two airline groups.

The two airline groups have also significantly increased codeshare ties, with over 130 city pairs now offered between key markets in Europe, Southeast Asia and Southwest Pacific.

“We are pleased to launch our joint venture with Lufthansa Group, which has provided a strong foundation for us to work together to enable more flight frequency and enhanced travel options for customers of both airline groups. This joint venture demonstrates what we can achieve with the right partner, and we look forward to working even closer with Lufthansa Group,” said Mr Tan Kai Ping, Singapore Airlines Senior Vice President Marketing Planning.

Mr Dieter Vranckx, Lufthansa Group Airlines Vice President Sales Asia Pacific said, “This is a remarkable milestone for both Lufthansa Group and Singapore Airlines. With the launch of this joint venture, the two premium airline groups are jointly able to optimise the product offerings and high-quality services in a very competitive market throughout Europe, Southeast Asia and Southwest Pacific. We are very proud to team up with Singapore Airlines, a reputable and reliable high-end partner, giving our customers greater choices.”

Source : SIA

India's first bullet train project: 350 km/hr top speed, 7 km tunnel under sea, Rs 1.08 lakh crore cost

The high-speed bullet train in India is expected to bring a paradigm shift in how the world views transport system in India. The bullet trains, besides running at unbelievable speeds, are also known for their punctuality and safety features.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe today laid the foundation stone for the much-hyped Ahmedabad-Mumbai high-speed bullet train project.

"If technology is used to empower the poor, we can win the fight against poverty," said Narendra Modi.

The Prime Minister and Shinzo Abe inspected a model of the project as well before taking to the dais to inaugurate the billion dollar bullet train project.

Newly appointed Railways Minister Piyush Goyal pitched bullet train as the train for the future and said that "many people criticised the introduction of Rajdhani but now it is the train everyone wants to travel in".

"With laying foundation of the bullet train, we are also laying foundation of a New India," said Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the inauguration ceremony in Ahmedabad.

HERE IS ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE HIGH-SPEED BULLET TRAIN PROJECT:

HOW MUCH DOES THE BULLET TRAIN PROJECT COST?

The ambitious Ahmedabad-Mumbai high-speed bullet train project will cost an estimated Rs 1.08 lakh crore or USD 17 billion. The project is expected to be completed by 2022.

WHAT WILL BE THE TICKET FARE FOR BULLET TRAIN?

According to Railway officials, the bullet trains would have two categories of seats, executive and economy, and the ticket fares will be comparable to that of AC-2 tier fare for Rajdhani Express.

with thanks : Yahoo News : LINK : for more details

MANA - the last Indian village nearing China border !

Mana is the Last Indian village nearing the China Border. Its a beautiful spot and has a great tourist attraction. It is situated at 10,248 Ft above the sea level. It is said that Pandavas while going to heaven, used the route via Mana. A must visit spot if you love the beauty of the nature in its true form.

The thrilling Hexa Experience at Hyderabad and Gurugram

Tata Motors have to launch their new Tata Hexa in the coming month and to promote the new car they had arranged a Hexa Experience centre at Gurugram. I got the opportunity to visit the show, to experience the new Hexa.

Earlier, I had also gone to Hyderabad where we got the opportunity to Drive, ON ROAD, the new Tata Hexa from Novotel hotel near Hyderabad Airport to Vikarabad that was almost 85 KM one way. We had the option to try the Auto as well as the Manual versions on one side each, to & from Hyderabad. While moving from Hyderabad to Vikarabad we tried our hands on the Auto version and while coming back we tried the Manual version. The vehicle is really very strong and we can compare it with a Powerful beast.

While in Hyderabad, we also got the opportunity to have the Real Time ROUGH ROAD Experience. It was great indeed. Just watch my video which has already got almost 30 K views. It was a great time for us. We felt the real power of the Hill Ascending as well Hill Descending modes without applying brakes. It was a real thrill. The location was a small hilly area and the person who drove us was a real expert.

After the real thrill at Hyderabad, I again got the opportunity to have the second level of the Hexa Experience. This time it was at the Gurugram formerly known as Gurgaon. I was offered on the road as well as the off road experience. I preferred the Off Road as I like to face the real and thrilling challenges and that too in a power-packed, feature loaded and adrenaline pumped Tata Hexa on a specially created artificial off-road track to feel the real power of the vehicle.

It was again the chance that we had the same person driving for the OFF ROAD EXPERIENCE, who had driven us in Hyderabad for the ROUGH ROAD EXPERIENCE. The person is a real expert. He drove the car and in the mid way, while driving, explained many features of the car.

The OFF ROAD experience was also very thrilling. There were many hurdles, artificial heights, Inclines, mud pools as well the slopes and the Tata Hexa was moving like a strong and powerful beast and I felt very comfortable even in those thrilling moments, inside the Tata Hexa. I again tried my best to record the entire real time OFF ROAD experience and the video is being embedded below. Just view it and feel the same thrill that I felt at Hyderabad as well as at Gurugram.

One thing is sure the HEXA is really powerful and very strong and if you want to enjoy its real power, you must buy it. If you want to have the Hexa experience, just wait for their next Hexa Experience Centers in Hyderabad, Bangaluru, Chennai as well Mumbai in the coming days. Just keep an eye on their Advertisement, register for it, have the real time experience of this Luxury vehicle both On Road as well Off Road and decide. I am sure you will buy this beautiful & powerful but very comfortable vehicle, on the very first day of its launch.

In the meantime, just view both the videos embedded above to feel the real thrill. I am really thankful to Tata Motors for the thrilling experience at Hyderabad as well as at Gurugram.

#JetScreen – Don’t get bored, On – board @vohrabs

A journey by aeroplane is really very exciting for the first time flyers, but those who are the regular ones, feel bored as your most important companion i.e. your smart phone is to remain on the Flight mode. You can’t use many of its features such as Facebook, WhatsApp and so on, to pass your time.

Jet Airways has now introduced a new feature i.e. ‘#JetScreen’ on their flights. Now you can use your own smart phone as your very own screen in your hands and your earphones to get entertained while on board, without feeling bored.

All you have to do is to download the Airtime player, on your smart phone, before boarding a plane, and while on board, you have to get connected with the wi-fi in the flight, on the Flight mode, and a whole lot of entertainment will be available for you while moving from one place to another in the Jet Airways.

Once connected, you get various options such as  TV shorts, Movies, Games and Music. You can select any of the options available and once clicked, you will get a sub menu with lots and lots of options to view. You can simply scroll down to view various options listed in the submenu.

If you have clicked Movies, you will get a list of various movies available on board. You can select the one you prefer and can view it without any interruption, to pass your time, to get entertained, while on board, without getting bored.

Similarly, you can watch various trailers and TV shorts, can play various games out of a vast list, remembering your childhood days and you can also enjoy music. You have to just click the option and start your entertainment, on your own smart phone, with your own earphones and you can also keep on changing the options at your own will.

Truly, it’s a great feeling when instead of getting bored, you can relax and feel pleasure by watching the movie that you could not earlier, due to the busy schedule, along with the complimentary hot and delicious meals and a warm cup of Tea or Coffee provided by the Jet Airways.

I felt the same while I was watching a movie on board and the time passed so quickly that there was not a single second to feel bored. I just boarded the plane and got access to the Jet screen and started watching a beautiful movie. I also tried my hands on a few games, watched a few movie trailers and also enjoyed music.

Moreover, the smiling faces of the Jet Airways crew were always there to help and guide you in every possible manner. They looked very polite and very cooperative and were serving the passengers with a real smile.

Please view the video embedded above that certainly proves that you can enjoy the in-flight entertainment, on your own device, while on-board, without getting bored. Thanks to Jet Airways for offering #JetScreen to the flyers. Please log on to the LINK for more details.

Pics with thanks to #JetScreen Jet Airways

The Venice Grand - A Dream Destination !

Pics : B S Vohra at The Venice Grand - A Dream Destination !

Anandpur Sahib = Travel Destination in India !

#travel #destination #Anandpursahib #Punjab #India #Religion #Faith #Sikh #Sikhism #SikhsIndia : Must visit Gurdwara Anandpur Sahib - Punjab - India

Gurdwara Bangla Sahib - New Delhi - Travel Destination in India

#travel #destination #Delhi #NewDelhi #India #Religion #Faith #Sikh #Sikhism #SikhsIndia : Must visit - Gurdwara Bangla Sahib - Delhi - New Delhi - India

Golden Temple - Amritsar - Travel destination in India !

#travel #destination #Amritsar #Punjab #India #Religion #Faith #Sikh #Sikhism #SikhsIndia : Must visit Golden Temple - Amritsar - India

CHANDIGARH – THE CITY BEAUTIFUL

Chandigarh is a beautiful city, well planned, absolutely green, with wider roads, beautiful lake, rose garden, rock garden and a rocking sector 17’s big market. Though after my birth our family shifted to Delhi & since than we are settled in Delhi but whenever we get the opportunity to visit the City Beautiful, it gives me a real proud feeling as it’s my Birth place too.

The City Beautiful is quite different from any other city. It has been designed in such a way that all the houses in a locality have similar patterns. It gives a beautiful view to a newcomer to the city. Almost every house has a small or big garden with many fruit trees.

The roads are really wider and you rarely find the kind of traffic jam that we regularly face at Delhi. Though for the local residents, the roads have become a bit narrower due to increase in vehicles, but ask a Delhi wala and he will find the roads a real fun to Drive. The traffic police there is very strict. You will find them alert at almost every corner, ready to catch any offender, with the Challan books.

The housing pattern is so designed that all the house numbers are in a pattern. If you are a new comer, after reaching the desired locality, you can just keep on driving slowly to reach your destination. The people are connected with each other in a very friendly manner. They celebrate all the festivals together with true spirits. It is very cold there in winters, though summers are not that hot as we face at Delhi. The weather is really nice.

The city was planned by the French architect Le Corbusier at the instance of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru. It is located at the foothills of Shivalik. It has derived the word CHANDI from the Chandi Mandir, a temple of the goddess of power and the word GARH was derived from a fort nearby. So it was named CHANDIGARH i.e. the fort of goddess of power. It’s alternatively been called and known as the CITY BEAUTIFUL.

Even though the city has Industrial areas, but these are strictly reserved for the non polluting & light industries and therefore the city remains almost pollution free always. The population of the city is not even 1 / 20^th of our Delhi and therefore waste management works perfectly smoother with no garbage at any corner.

If you want to see the perfect example of a well designed & a planned city in an urban area, with modern architecture, you must visit the City Beautiful at least once, for a real time experience and I am sure that you would like to have your own dwelling home in this CITY BEAUTIFUL.

Please log on to : http://madeofgreat.tatamotors.com/ 

Amchi Mumbai - Gate Way of India !

We were in Mumbai for three days. Visited all the places that included Juhu, Chaupati, Bandara Markets, Andheri, Gate way of India, Marine Drive, Nariman point, Church gate etc. etc. After the Juhu Chaupati, our next destination was Bandra Market. There were many shops selling clothes and all sort of things. We did some shopping for our kids, though it was a difficult task as it was hot summer there and we required clothes suitable for the upcoming winters in Delhi.

Once free from shopping for our kids, we moved towards the Gate Way of India. It was again a great view. Though visited this place many a time, still it always gives a fresh look with warmth. We took a boat towards the sea trip as to go to the Elephanta caves was of no use, as it was Monday.

Amchi Mumbai - Juhu Chaupati !

We were in Mumbai for three days. Visited all the places that included Juhu, Chaupati, Bandara Markets, Andheri, Gate way of India, Marine Drive, Nariman point, Church gate etc. etc.

It was real fun at Juhu Chaupati. We were there at around 8 pm. It was the day of Karwa Chauth and with no moon in view any where and it had resulted into the sea gone far away from the shore i.e. deep inside. We walked over a km inside the sea bed to touch the waves. Once out, we visited the Chaupati eateries and tasted almost everything that included Pav bhaji, Bhel puri, Kala Khatta, Gol Gappa, Wada pav as well the hot cup of tea.