Some of Mahansar’s best frescoes are on the ceilings of Sona Ki Dukan with gold-leaf paintings depicting scenes from the Ramayana.

For accommodation, the Narayan Nivas Castle has a great reputation for authenticity - they are not our member. But we look forward to inviting them to join us soon.

In the meantime, you can find out more here

The sacred river Ganga flows through Rishikesh. Sometimes nicknamed “the world-capital of Yoga”, the town has numerous yoga centres. It is also a popular spot for white water rafting enthusiasts, both from India and abroad, as it offers medium to rough rapids in the course of river Ganga.

rishikesh_lakshman_jhula (photo credit: wikicommons)

terrace_fields_amidst_himalayan_ranges_near_rishikesh (photo credit: wikicommons)

This replaces the creaky, cramped old terminal which gave most visitors (especially foriegners) a few flutters.

Find out all about the new terminal here.

This is primarily aimed at the large number of foriegners expected during the Commonwealth Games; but we hope they will stay on.

[Picture courtesy: wikipedia commons]

Chettinad comprises Karaikudi and 74 other adjoining villages. The Chettiars are basically businessmen/ banking community who ventured far and wide and set up their businesses all over the country and abroad.

~ SOME IMPORTANT SIGHTS ~

• Pillaiyarpatti Temple - 12 km from Karaikudi on the Madurai main road. It is a rock cut temple, built after hewing a hillock, by the early Pandya kings. The images of Karpaga Vinayaka and ‘Sivalinga’ were carved out of stone. This temple is believed to be 1600 old.
• Festivals - The festivals of Ganesh chathurthi and ‘ Karthika’ are celebrated here in a grand manner. Devotees from all over the country visit the temple during this festival.
• Chettinad Museum - Chettinad Museum is located , next door to Raja’s palace This museum contains everything- from kitchen tools to masala dabbas, choppers, rice bins to ladle sets. There is traditional jewellery and clothing, huge copper water vats and grain bins. A visit to the museum will reveal the life styles of  Chettiyars.
• Tirumayam Fort - This fort is located on the way to Karaikudi,on  Rameswaram- Trichy Highway. It is set in40 acres and is considered historically important. During World war 11, the fort was used as an armoury by the British Army. Inside the fort, there are two famous rock cut shrines-one of SIVA the other of VISHNU.

~ THINGS TO DO ~

• Visit a special tile factory - Athangudi Tiles: These are hand made terra cotta tiles, specially patterned and sun dried.
• Try out fiery Chettinad dishes
• Go shopping for antiques - Large number of antique shops sell quaint pewter jars, oil and cans mugs and bowls in lovely blues and greens, most of them imported from various countries.
• Go shopping for Gopurakari Saris - Karaikudi is famous for this type of saris, with the borders designed like ‘ gopuram’ (towers) with attractive contrast colours.

The ‘School of Tourism and Hospitality Service Sectoral Management,’ will offer Bachelors, Masters, MPhil and PhD degrees. The learners will be taught and trained through a mix of online, face-to-face and open distance learning mode, said the officials.

I think this is a great move - we need all the manpower and more. My only concern is hat they will not be industry ready when they finish unless the university also comes up with a plan for  some kind of mandatory industry training as part of the course.

]]> http://homelikehotels.com/blog/2008/10/03/is-ignou-on-the-right-track-with-its-tourism-school/feed/ http://homelikehotels.com/blog/2008/10/02/the-hodka-village-the-magic-of-kachchh/ http://homelikehotels.com/blog/2008/10/02/the-hodka-village-the-magic-of-kachchh/#comments Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:41:24 +0000 Vineeth Purushothaman http://homelikehotels.com/blog/?p=62

This time when you make travel plans, why not try something different? How about visiting an authentic and charming village retreat in the Rann of Kachchh?

Here are some insights into a very different way of life.

Mud, or, to be more colloquial, Maati, is the essential material to which every Kachchhi in Banni relates to. Centuries of experience have given the people of Banni mastery over maati and their Bhunga (circular hut) demonstrates a deep understanding of the ecological, social and aesthetic features of architecture.

The thick maati walls, which keep the interior cool during the hot Kachchhi summers and warm in the cold desert winters, terminate in conical roofs made of thatch. The roof protects the walls which are adorned beautifully with colourful geometric and floral patterns also created from hand shaped maati.

Women use earth colours to paint the different motifs and create mud-mirror work designs (Lippan Kaam) to decorate the exterior and interior walls of the Bhunga.

The traditional Bhunga is an engineering wonder. This sturdy structure has been known to withstand severe winds and seismic activity because of its circular design and tough mud plaster.

Now you can visit and experience ethnic life at the Hodka village - The Hodka Endogenous Tourism Project seeks to promote local culture and craft based tourism for sustainable livelihoods and integrated rural development. Its aim is to improve the local people’s quality of life, by creating more livelihood options, while preserving and allowing the community to develop their unique culture and share it with you, the visitor.

Hodka is part of a national project which includes other 36 Indian villages.

Text courtesy: Hodka endogenous tourism project

It says that World Travel & Tourism is expected to generate close to US$8 trillion in 2008, rising to approximately US$15 trillion over the next ten years.

According to the WTTC President Jean-Claude Baumgarten, it is the continued strong expansion in emerging countries - both as tourism destinations and as an increasing source of international visitors which keep the prospects bright.

The study says that “Regionally Africa, Asia Pacific and the Middle East are experiencing higher growth rates than the world average, at 5.9%, 5.7% and 5.2% respectively, while the mature markets, most notably the Americas and Europe, are falling below the world average with a growth at 2.1% and 2.3 % respectively”

So who will win in this new emerging scenario? According to Alex Christou, Managing Partner of Accenture’s Transportation & Travel Services (Accenture partnered with WTTC in this research) said “High performance companies will differentiate themselves by being highly focused on their individual customers. The winners will be companies that take a balanced view, driving customer intimacy and product innovation while driving non-value added costs out of their operations.”

176 countries were covered in this WTTC research.