Thursday, 28 January 2016

Maldives Anantara presents luxurious wellness holiday

While being in a world away from home, put yourself on a path of wellness. Anantara Resorts in the Maldives is inviting guests to promote health and holistic wellbeing with a collection of resort events and activities.

Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas is a luxury hospitality brand for modern travelers. Anantara invites guests to embrace health and wellness as an integral element of their luxury holiday with its 2016 Balance series of resort-based events and activities in the Maldives. Anantara’s innovative wellness concept, ‘Balance’, offers total flexibility along with the freedom to relax and indulge to suit each guest’s personal preferences and time, complemented by Anantara Spa’s award-winning expertise.

‘Balance’ will enable you to start the year with a wellness boost that transforms into long-term lifestyle changes, as per the Healthy New You 2016 resolution. Guests can book private consultations and treatments with visiting practitioners, throughout the year. Besides this they can indulge in healthy cooking classes and incorporate juicing into their diet.  Also with Anantara’s complimentary gym kit service there is no excuse for idleness.

De-stress yourself with Carina Lindstrom


Here is a chance to de-stress and prepare yourself to be more mindful for the year ahead. Embark on the journey with Intuitive Healer, Carina Lindstrom as she takes residency at Anantara Dhigu Resort and Anantara Kihavah Villas offering subtle energy healing modalities, both ancient and modern.

Carla’s signature treatments methods which include Deep Relax Body & Mind, Slow brain wave movements and a combination of energy and intuitive healing will leave you relaxed and rejuvenated. Deep Relax Body & Mind is a powerful but light touch technique that allows the mind to settle into a deep relaxed Theta state. Whereas slow brain wave movements and a combination of energy and intuitive healing lead to improved clarity of mind and mind-body connection that can empower you to see your life differently and create a healthier view of your life, body and changes you can make.

Carina Lindstrom will be at Anantara Dhigu Resort from January 22 to February 23, and Anantara Kihavah Villas from February 23 to March 22.

Revitalize your body with Toby Maguire


A wealth of powerful natural benefits through ancient Eastern practices awaits you. Corporate Wellness Trainer and Natural Health Consultant, Toby Maguire will treat you with Eastern healing arts to create a healthier lifestyle and more positive way of thinking, to revitalize your energy levels or to let go of stress.

Toby Maguire has been treating clients with Eastern healing arts for nearly 20 years and has spent 13 years living and studying holistic modalities in South East Asia. He has worked with Olympic and Paralympic gold medalists, premier league football players and members of the England rugby team.

Toby uses a combination of acupuncture, massage, hypnotherapy, meditation, nutritional advice or life coaching to bring the body and mind back into balance.
Toby Maguire will be at Anantara Dhigu Resort, Maldives from March 16 to April 13, and Anantara Kihavah Villas from April 13 to April 28.

Lifestyle Health Retreats


Deepen your yoga and fitness regimes with the daily activities on Anantara Dhigu and Anantara Veli’s pristine sands and turquoise waters with Yoga Retreats from April 15 to April 22and Fitness & Weight Loss Retreats from May 20 to May 27.

Based in Thailand, the Lifestyle Health Retreat’s innovative programs combine three key, proven elements: diet and nutrition, fitness and yoga, massage and relaxation. Revitalize your body, empower your mind and uplift your spirit. Take part in the fitness program and return home looking and feeling better than ever.

Everyday Balance Wellness & Nutrition


Anantara is encouraging guests to make the most of their health-related facilities and initiatives by providing them complimentary work-out clothes and a daily laundry service. Pick up your Kit Concierge work-out clothes from the resort spa at Anantara Dhigu and Anantara Veli.

These are your possessions for the duration of your stay so that you can take advantage of the fully-equipped Fitness Centers and Anantara’s comprehensive program of activities. Under Balance Wellness take pleasure in a wide range of activities including morning Yoga, afternoon meditation, evening work-outs or simply power walking the beaches circumnavigating the island. So what are you waiting for pack your work-out shoes and leave for Anantara. Alternatively, at Anantara Kihavah Villas, pack only your fitness clothes and hire your running shoes at the gym.

Food delicacies


Choose any Anantara resort in the Maldives and start the day with healthy breakfast choices and a host of nutritious Balance Wellness juices. Anantara’s Spice Spoons cooking classes is especially dedicated to healthy food fanatics who can learn a range of Japanese detox recipes and healthy cooking techniques from our expert Chefs sharing their practical and delicious ways to eat clean.


To select your Anantara Maldives resort of choice and book your Balance Wellness activities while staying in the resort, visit their website www.anantara.com

Wednesday, 27 January 2016

Madhvani Group to invest INR 560 crore in India


According to a report in the Business Standard, Madhvani Group, one of the largest diversified private-sector groups in East Africa, plans to invest around INR 560 crore to open seven hotels targeting religious tourism in India. Going forward, it will also look at listing its hotel business in India. 


Each property will have about 100-120 keys and will attract an investment of around INR 75-80 crore, said Roni Madhvani, Director, Madhvani Group. Recently Madhvani Group, had inaugurated a new property, which will be managed by Sarovar Hotels & Resorts, at the temple town of Tirupati. The Group is also looking at destinations which include Rishikesh, Shirdi, Purvi, Varanasi, Uttarakhand and others.


Dubai hosting mega yoga festival




Dubai is reportedly expecting over 10,000 people from various parts of the world to participate in mass yoga sessions in a two-day all-inclusive XYoga Dubai Festival on February 19 and 20.
Powered by XDubai and Dubai Tourism and dubbed as festival of the body and the mind, this open to the public free event, claimed to be the first lifestyle event and largest yoga event of its kind in the region, will be held at the Burj Park Downtown Dubai in the shadow of the Burj Khalifa, reports suggest.
According to reports, it will offer series of yoga sessions, workshops, meditation and talks from sunrise to sunset for people of all ages and abilities and shall be lead by globally-recognized yogis and will be an annual feature. Aim of this festival, which is anticipated as the largest mind-body festival in the region, is described as positioning Dubai as the leading destination for yoga in the region. XYoga Dubai also plans to hold other yoga events year round.
According to US National Institutes of Health, yoga may help one to feel more relaxed, be more flexible, improve posture, breathe deeply, and get rid of stress. According to an estimate, about 21 million Americans, including many celebrities, now practice yoga. Yoga is the repository of something basic in the human soul and psyche.

Sikkim declared as the first organic state of India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Chief Minister of Sikkim, Pawan Kumar Chamling visiting an organic products' exhibition in Gangtok

Sikkim was declared as the first organic state by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. He made this declaration while inaugurating a National Conference on Sustainable Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare in Gangtok, Sikkim. The Prime Minister handed over to the Chief Minister of Sikkim two commendations for its journey towards total organic farming. He also handed over commendations for two districts of Sikkim for achieving 100 percent coverage of soil health cards. 

The Prime Minister described Sikkim as an example of resolve despite difficulties and struggle, towards organic agriculture. The whole world had recognised this effort of the farmers of Sikkim, he said. He said the winds of this organic effort would now spread across the country.
 

During the conference, a report on ‘Indian Organic Sector Vision 2025’ was presented by Association of Indian Organic Industry (AIOI), the apex body for organic food producers in India. Raj Seelam, Founder, 24 Mantra Organic, India’s leading organic food brand, in his capacity as the Chairman of the AIOI was instrumental in shaping the report .
 

24 Mantra today helps cultivate more than 1.5 lakh acres across the country through organic methods. The company also helps the farmers further achieve organic certifications and consistent quality for their produce and empowers the farmers to take advantage of the market linkages created by the company.

24 Mantra Organic has played a significant role to propagate the philosophy of sustainable farming to the remotest corners and is also working with the Governments of Sikkim and Andhra Pradesh to spur the growth of the industry.


Rajasthan unveils new tourism promotion campaign; aims to Double FTAs by 2020


Hawa Mahal

The Government of Rajasthan launched Rajasthan Tourism 3.0 campaign, a multi-year, multi-modal, multi-narrative and multi-crore global campaign, to galvanise tourism in the state with a view to raise the annual tourist arrivals past the 50 million mark by 2020. The campaign aims of doubling the annual footfall of international tourists from 1.5 million to 3.0 million by the year 2020. In the same period, the Government also focuses to increase the domestic tourist traffic from the present 33 million to 50 million tourists annually. 

Unveiling the campaign before a gathering of eminent stakeholders, including leaders from across the tourism sector, Vasundhara Raje, CM, Rajasthan said, “Tourism is the world's biggest industry and Rajasthan with its rich heritage is poised to fully exploit the opportunities the state offers. Our plan for tourism is nested within the broader Rajasthan model of development, which has three pillars – job creation, social justice and effective governance.” 

The campaign also includes a new website and an advertisement Print, TV and Outdoor spots which are aimed at attracting both the seasoned traveller and the youth to explore Rajasthan in a whole new way. Ogilvy & Mather would be the creative partner for the Rajasthan Tourism 3.0 campaign.
Rajasthan Tourism aim to implement an integrated plan that revolves around experience, infrastructure, cleanliness, security and marketing. The campaign also focuses on highlighting Rajasthan as a favoured tourism destination not just during peak periods but throughout the year. This campaign will also spread awareness about the lesser known destinations that the state has to offer. In the least two years the Government of Rajasthan has focused on strengthening the tourism infrastructure – not only through upgrading existing circuits but also by developing new circuits.

Ahead of the Resurgent Rajasthan Partnership Summit held in Jaipur on November 19-20, 2015, Raje had launched a tourism unit policy which attempts to remove difficulties in setting up hospitality units, especially in rural areas. The state also inked 139 MoUs with an estimated investment of INR 6277 crores in the hospitality sector alone. These projects are expected to provide employment to about 20,000 youth. 

“The scope for expansion of the tourism industry in India and specially Rajasthan is significant. Rajasthan with its rich heritage has enormous potential to attract travelers from across the globe and also create value for investors in the state.”  Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Hon’ble Union Minister of State (IC) for Tourism & Culture, said

The launch of a new tourism campaign is in line with the state’s efforts to provide a further boost to the sector and attract more tourists to the state. To achieve this, the state reinvigorated our world famous festivals through PPP model. These include the Pushkar Fair, Desert Festival and Kumbalgarh Festival. New events like the Bhakti Music Festival, Coke Studio, International Photo Fest and International Music Festival have also been added to the annual calendar. 

“Global trends indicate that Asia Pacific’s share in global tourist traffic will rise from 22% to 30% in the next 10-15 years. Through our campaign, we aim to attract these travellers to India and especially to Rajasthan. Even a small rise in this traffic to the State will create tremendous opportunities for our state and its tourism industry.”  Shailendra Agrawal, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Art & Culture, Archeology & Museums, Government of Rajasthan said.





Georgia’s “No entry” to tourists with long beard

Tourists are miffed with Georgian officials after they were denied entry to the country. Though the Georgian embassy has not given any clarification to the tourist, the annoyed tourists are of the opinion that they had to face this injustice because of their beard and nationality.

Recently a banker family from Dubai was denied entry to Georgia. Faizan Hassan, a Pakistani HR manager at a UAE bank in Dubai, said he, his wife and two sons (aged six months and five years), flew from Dubai to the Georgian capital Tbilisi on December 18 for a winter holiday on a Fly Dubai flight. Upon arrival the family was treated rudely by officials in Tbilisi and was refused entry without an explanation.

However, an official at the Georgian embassy in Kuwait, which is accredited to the UAE, denied the claims and told a UAE newspaper by phone that “an explanation is provided to those denied entry”. “All persons traveling to Georgia may or may not be allowed entry, as per the Ministry of Internal Affairs,” he added.

Hassan, who said he was born and brought up in the UAE, added that there were three other families of Pakistani and Syrian nationality who experienced the same. Hassan emailed a complaint to the Georgian embassy in Kuwait on December 19 but has not received a response yet.

However an official from the Georgian National Tourism Administration (GNTA) has replied to his email to GNTA, apologizing that their trip “was ruined”.

This is not the first time that such an incident has been reported. Earlier in October, an Indian chartered accountant who lives in Ajman, Jainulabedin Hakimji, said that he was denied entry without an explanation. He believes the reason for his baring was because of his long beard, as his clean-shaven friend who was with him was allowed in.

Asia‘s largest Visa Application Center opens in New Delhi

New Delhi has a new accomplishment in its kitty to be proud of. The VFS Global on Dec 2 opened its largest Visa Application Center in Asia, at Connaught Place which is in the heart of the city.

With more than 12,000 applications to handle a day, the center has 153 counters and is spread over 67,000 sq feet at the Shivaji Stadium Metro Station. The new center is sure to improve the travel experience by creating a hassle-free environment. Taking into consideration the easiness of the travelers the center has also included a kids-area and a cafeteria.


VFS Global caters to 35 countries in India, of which 31 will be served by the new center, whereas the other four will be served from other locations. The opening of the new center was attended by diplomats from the 31 client governments served by the VFS Global, which is pioneer in the field of such visa application centers.