Archive for July, 2010

The current scenario

The Indian economic bubble has managed to achieve a commendable feat of growing bigger and bigger without bursting. The consequences are there for all to see. The Bull Run in the Indian stock markets has been unstoppable and the much ridiculed spending power of the average Indian has touched new highs. Above all, the Indian economy is showing no signs of slowing down, and promises to grow at an incredible rate. This scenario has been particularly favourable for the hotel and hospitality industry. The Incredible India! Campaign, cheaper airfares, and eased security concerns because of improved relations with Pakistan, have together added more fuel to the already booming tourism industry.

Lack of hotels in India

But unfortunately, the hotel and hospitality industry here has yet to catch up with this growth. The introduction of the bed and breakfast scheme – which offers tourist accommodation at houses that have rooms to spare – is ample proof of the scarcity of hotel rooms in India. The demand for rooms is pitched at 90,000 rooms, which can hardly be met by the supply of 61,000 rooms. To add to this, the demand-supply difference is expected to rise, taking into account the growth in the tourism industry. Today, the tourism industry is in the want of 2,00,000 more rooms.

The requirement of hotels

We are in the process of unveiling the power of India to the world. Be it in culture tourism, business tourism, or medical tourism, India has already gained place on the world map. And we definitely do not afford to lose our position because of the lack of availability of hotels for tourists to stay in. Though the current growth rate of the hotel industry on the whole is a stupendous 40 per cent per annum – with Bangalore experiencing the highest rate of growth – we are in dire need of hotels in various categories, including luxury five star hotels, business class hotels, and reasonable accommodation catering to the domestic traffic.

The causes for increased demand

The rise in the disposable incomes of the increasingly affluent middle class of India has been one of the causes of the increased demand for hotel accommodation, apart from the easy visa rules, public freedom, and copious low fare airlines on the platter. The new corporate culture with travel incentives and the mushrooming of blue chip companies in India have all contributed their own bit in the increased demand for hotel accommodation in the country.

Government measures to meet the demand

The government has increased the foreign direct investment (FDI) in the industry to 100 per cent, in May 2001. Considering the numerous opportunities for hotel owners here, the sector is seen at the top slot among sectors vying for FDI. Though this has surely paved the way for foreign hotel giants to set shop in India, the lack of infrastructural facilities, red-tapism and anarchic land laws are a deterrent to many. The government, while focusing on reviving tourism, must also take care to provide the necessary groundwork that is required for the gestation of new hotels. The hotel taxes in India are more than in most of the other Asian countries. This needs to be addressed urgently.

Why is India the next big destination

The domestic tourism

What can be better news than the hotel industry stalwarts from the world over waiting to set shop in India to experience a piece of action of its booming economy, and in turn fulfilling the demand of accommodation for tourists? Consider this – The Indian domestic market is one third of the total international arrivals at all the global markets taken together. Religious tourism and the destination campaign of the Incredible India initiative also account for the growing domestic tourism industry.

The International tourism market in India

The number of international visitors in India has been steadily increasing over the last decade due to a number of reasons. With multinationals converging upon India to set up business operations, there has been an upsurge in the business travelers from diverse parts of the globe. The Indian culture has played an important role in attracting leisure tourists to the holy land, while the splendid beauty of our virgin countryside and the unparalleled monuments make for an interesting trip. Religious tourism too is catching up, with induced circuits in Buddhist travel attracting Japanese tourists in hordes. The fillip that medical tourism has seen in recent years can be attributed to the low cost medical treatments at the hands of some of the most intelligent brains of the world.

The challenges ahead of us 

Experts are not completely wrong in painting a rosy picture of our hotel industry in the years to come. But they are not completely right either. We can assist brands in setting up hotels here only when we improve upon some of our drawbacks. Our deteriorating infrastructure needs to be fixed up before we expect the trickle of foreign visitors to turn into a deluge. The dilapidated roads, never-on-time railways, and not-getting-any-younger airports are some of the first hurdles in receiving international traffic. The esoteric business practices and the corruption, too might shoo away foreign investors.

Bottomline

The fact that there is a huge demand for hotels in India being true, we are at a junction where leaping ahead is a matter of coping up with the challenges associated. If we can do that successfully, we will reap its benefits; if not, we are losing on one of the biggest opportunities facing us. 

For the uninitiated, Vietnam is filled with motorcyclists and bicycles as it is the preferred transportation for wheeling through the towns and cities. It is also one of the fun activities adventure seekers can partake. There are many motorcycle tours that are currently available for tourists. Some tours can get up to ten days in length and it is definitely a different type of experience, road-tasting Vietnam and seeing the country.

Some of the tours start off at Hanoi, the northwest part of Vietnam and the trail sets off for 10 days. The tour includes escapades and stopovers in various northwest regions from Muong Lay to Sapa to Vu Linh before heading back to the starting point in Hanoi. There are also the northeast trails and the central trails to follow and customized and scenic tours are also available for those who want an easy ride. Scenic motorbike tours take you to Ha Giang where beautiful mountains and lakes await on a beautiful day. It is part of the adventure to include bad weather but usually a little waiting out gets the plan back on track for the tour.

For those who are interested in having a one day adventure on the motorbike, your local tour guides are more than happy to arrange a group for you. Note that most biking tours starts in Hanoi; as such it is a great place to shop for a tour while in Hanoi and make your way out to see Vietnam from the city.

For more information on motorbike hire and trips in Vietnam, check out lotussia travel.  With offices in Hanoi and Danang

Of late you have been toying with the idea to head to the most cosmopolitan city of the world, London for your next holiday. But limited budget is preventing you from implementing your plan. If you think visiting the expensive London is beyond your means, then you need to reconsider your thinking.Time and again the city of London has been drawing multitude of tourist from all over the world. Keeping in tune with this, London offers London budget hotels for budget conscious travelers. Areas like Bayswater and Victoria are the best places to locate budget hotels in London. These London budget hotels are ideal accommodation for all kinds of discerning travelers. By staying in London budget hotels you can save extra money on accommodation, thus giving you more chance to enjoy your stay. If your London budget hotels are near transport links, then you need not spend much on transportation charges. For adventurous travelers, walking on foot to explore local attractions will be exciting. You will not regret staying in London budget hotels as they are provided with facilities and amenities such as direct-dial telephone, color TV, hairdryer, tea / coffee making facilities, ironing facilities, laundry facilities, internet access, wake-up service and many more. In fact, choosing to stay in London budget hotels is wiser way to enjoy your trip in the expensive city.Your selection of hotels in London will depend upon purpose of visit and budget. For example, West End location will be ideal for travelers who like theatre. Have a great time in West End which is very famous for sound of music and dirty dancing. Fashion lovers and shopaholics may prefer London budget hotels Knightsbridge district for their short or long term stay. Visitors can enjoy shopping in the well known shopping department stores like Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Bond Street. However, Dockland is perfect location for sight-seeing because of its nearness to world famous landmarks like St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.Though London budget hotels are the best thing to happen to budget travelers, there are certain things that should be kept in mind. It is advisable to check travel certificate before selecting your London budget hotels. One should also check linens and carpet on the floor which represent the cleanliness of hotel. It is recommended to book London budget hotels near good restaurants which serve delectable cuisines as visitors should not depend upon the food service as there may not be specified criteria about quantity and quality of food items in budget hotels.Stay in London budget hotels and get value for money!!source:Save Money on Your London Visit with London Budget Hotels

Great car will give the best impression toward the owner of the car. Therefore, some people ready to use their money to buy some great features and materials to make their car looks great. As the owner of the car, we should consider about the conditions of our car. For the interior, we should consider about the Air Conditioner system. This is an important part that will make us more comfortable while riding the car. If the AC is not good, this will also give a bad performance to the engine. So, be careful on that. Not only that, we can also put great sound system, carpet, and also decorations for the dash board.

For the exterior, we can choose the best paint to give our car more protection from UV and rain. Not only that, we can also choose the best wheel with chrome to make it more catchy and cool.

However, we should not be confused with all of that stuff. We can visit CARiD.com to get some information of all of those kinds of things. We can also get some mufflers that will be fit with our car. We should realize that exhaust fan system will also important to make the best performance to our car. So, do not be confused, just visiting CARiD.com and we will get the best solutions for our car.

Las Vegas has more than 100,000 hotel rooms to choose from. There is something for every budget, and enough entertainment within walking distance to keep anyone occupied for months, never mind the usual weekend stay or honeymoon. There are few cities which have as many luxury hotels as Las Vegas.

For travellers searching for top of the line accommodation, try the Four Seasons Las Vegas. It offers an oasis of tranquil elegance, comfort, luxury, and seclusion. Though it has no in-house casino, it is adjacent to Mandalay Bay Casino. Four Seasons Las Vegas is a tranquil retreat from the bustling city. This hotel offers 424 rooms are located on floors 35-39, and the views from the floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the famous Las Vegas Strip. The Business Center and Concierge service at this hotel have an extremely good reputation for meeting special needs of guests, such as arranging limousine on a moment’s notice.

The Bellagio, a Las Vegas landmark, is a five-star hotel located on the 122-acre site of the legendary Dunes Hotel and Golf Course at the corner of Flamingo and Las Vegas Blvds. It contains one of the most attractive casinos in Las Vegas as well as numerous shops and restaurants. Bellagio’s world-famous fountains combine opera, classical and whimsical music with a breathtaking water and light show. The Conservatory & Botanical Gardens holds rows of exotic plants and flowers with unique displays for every season and holiday. It’s an inviting location for a honeymoon photo opportunity.

Caesars Palace is the long-standing epitome of Las Vegas luxury hotels. It holds the famous Forum Shops, Spago, an Imax theater, and a new shopping wing and tower. For those guests who want to relax and be pampered, this hotel offers the Spa at Caesars, Venus the Salon, and the Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis.

Caesars also offers guests access to the exclusive Cascata Golf Club. It features mountain scenery, beautiful waterfalls and rivers, and panoramic views combined with challenging holes and velvety greens to produce a golfing experience unparalleled anywhere else in the world. No expense has been spared, from the opulent clubhouse and pro shop to the personal and attentive service personel. Cascata was named listed as #56 by Golfweek Magazine in its article “2004 America’s Best Top 100 Modern Courses”. Golfweek also listed Cascata as #2 in Nevada in their list of “America’s Best State-by-State Public Access Courses”. In addition to be being named in Golfweeks America’s Best Modern Courses, Gary Galyean at Golf Magazine named Cascata #19 in the “Top 45 Courses Since 1959″.

Luxor is a Nile-theme hotel which features a sphinx and a large pyramid which has become a Las Vegas landmark. The Pyramid has 2,256 rooms with 236 Spa suites, two in each corner of every floor. The rooms are reached by inclinating elevators which travel sideways at a 39-degree angle up 30 stories. The Luxor features a wide variety of restaurants and entertainment.

Mandalay Bay is a tropical-theme new resort offering visitors the chance to walk inside a plexiglass tunnel through the Shark Reef Aquarium, which holds sharks and rays. The hotel has a 30,000 square foot world-class Spa Mandalay and the 11 acre Mandalay Beach pool complex. The House of Blues music theatre has a seating capacity of approximately 1,800, and plays host to an eclectic mix of live music.

The Mirage Hotel is has an exploding volcano and a 20,000 gallon aquarium the greet guests as they enter this luxury hotel. The large pool complex has a quarter mile of shoreline along two large pools and smaller lagoons, and features a grotto and waterslides. The 2.5-million-gallon Dolphin Habitat is home to a family of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins.

The Mirage Hotel Tiger Habitat is the open-air home of Siegfried & Roy’s Royal White Tigers, available for viewing by the public during the day and evening. The tigers’ environment features a swimming pool with fountains and simulated mountain terrain. Unlike conventional tigers, which have black and gold markings, white tigers are white with black stripes, pink paws and ice-blue eyes.

Visitors can find French-themed shopping and dining at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel. It has a replica of the Arc De Triomphe and a half-scale Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower Experience allows guests to ride 460 feet to the top to see a stunning, panoramic view of the valley.

Paris is not the only European city recreated in miniature. The Venetian, renowned for its spacious and luxurious rooms, has gondolas in the midst of Las Vegas, as well as the Grand Canal Shoppes, a 500,000 square foot shopping plaza complete with cobblestone streets and beautiful traditional venetian style storefronts. The Grand Canal Shoppes host Streetmosphere, a cast of Carnivale street performers and opera singers.

For bargain hunters, the Rio hotel is not the newest or most elaborate building in town, but this all-suite Las Vegas hotel just off the Strip was rated No. 1 in value by CondГ© Nast Traveler.

The Rio was voted to have the best slot club according to Casino Player 2004. The Rio has more than 100,000 square feet of casino floor, hosting around 1,200 state-of-the-art slot and video poker machines, more than 80 table games including blackjack, craps, baccarat, roulette, Let It Ride, Caribbean Stud Poker and Mini-Baccarat as well as a Keno Lounge and full-service Race and Sports Book.

The Rio offers a great variety of entertainment all under one roof, from afternoon programs to risque late-night adult revues and interactive theater such as Tina and Tony’s Wedding.

The Rio has opened a new restaurant, the Mah Jong Chinese Noodle Bar, which offers authentic Cantonese and Chinese dishes such as Beef Brisket Noodle Soup, Preserved Egg and Pork Congee as well as seafood entrees like Salt & Pepper Seabass and Scallops with Asparagus. Asian inspired decor and a fluent Chinese staff make this restaurant a memorable place to dine.

This list is just a small sample of the luxurious theme available in Las Vegas. This city has something unique for every taste and budget.

Planning your budget vacation is no more impossible and can be done in a few minutes. Thanks to Travel Guru, it is very easy to get information about Indian budget hotels that provide with cheap hotel accommodation for your stay. You can learn about different hotel deals offered by different hotels and can book them within moments.

Travel Guru is now quite popular with all the tourists as it provides them with cheap hotel accommodation and provides with updated information about Indian budget hotels. At Travel Guru, tourists can search for different hotels and get great deals for their hotel accommodation. It is affordable to plan your vacation with Travel Guru and travel to any part of the country within your budget. You don’t have to contact travel agent to get you information about Indian budget hotels and can simply contact Travel Guru at any time to learn about the same.

In order to book your hotel accommodation with Travel Guru, you can contact them at travelguru-hotels.com. The website can help you to know about the cheap and affordable Indian budget hotels and make their bookings for the same. The hotel deals offered by different hotels are listed with the site and therefore you can compare them all easily and book the one that offers the cheapest hotel accommodation.

At Travel Guru, the tourists can also get the hotel images and learn about the facilities that are offered by the same. They can see the reviews given by the other travellers and can also see the videos and images for some of the Indian budget hotels. Travel Guru not helps you get hotel accommodation for major cities but can help you get cheap hotel rooms for the smaller cities.

If you need to plan everything for you vacation then also Travel Guru can assist you with the same. You can contact them to get cheap air tickets, hotel accommodation and can also get budget hotel packages and cruises that can make your vacation more interesting. It is affordable to plan your family vacation with Travel Guru and get the best hotel deals for your stay

The Perfume Pagoda is 70 kilometers out of Hanoi on Huong Son Mountain perched on limestone rocks. The temple is set in mystical and beautiful surroundings that are bound to make you stop and stare. The only way to reach the Perfum Pagoda is by a rowed boat that takes you 45 minutes to reach the temple through a poetic stream. The stream is edged by grass, small paths, rice paddy and a sprinkling of temples. The Perfume Pagoda is open to tourists and is considered a pilgrimage or a place of worship to locals. A traditional pilgrimage to the temple would last for 3 days, as you pray at each of the shrines and temples along the way. The first stop on the series of temples along the way is the Den Trinh which means The Shrine for First Presenting. At this shrine pilgrims would burn incense stick to seek acknowledgement of their presence from the deities while praying for prosperous year ahead and a good trip. The focal point of this trail of shrines and temples is the main grotto of Huong Tich. Reaching the grotto is an uphill climb which can take you an hour on average to reach. The road to the top is paved with flat and sometimes slipper stones that have been laid thousands of years ago. The climb to the top will give an eyeful of panorama along with the added bonus of a heart pumping trek. Rub shoulders with the local farmers as they skitter past you balancing their produce of fruit and herbs, while you precociously climb each step. At the apex of the mountain is the Perfume Pagoda which is highly decorative. Legend has it that the grotto is considered a miracle and brings good luck. Stay in Hanoi and take a 2 hour drive to reach the Perfume Pagoda. Find the right Hanoi serviced accommodation that provides with all the comforts and amenities to make your holiday or business visit an enjoyable one. Somerset Grand Hanoi is a commendable hotel that offers the comforts and spaciousness of a supreme Hanoi serviced apartment.

Miami Beach, FL, September 13, 2007 – Epoque & Avantgarde Hotels continues to excel in establishing itself as the most coveted collection of trend-setting and luxury-classic boutique hotels. In mid July 2007 the American hotel Representation Company reaches 300 properties in the top worldwide destinations, adding thirty more to its portfolio from the beginning of the year.

Several of the most recent acquisitions are also located in new attractive sites. For example, the Sugar Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa, is the second property in the African continent together with the Murano Oriental in Marrakech, which opened last February. The Dream Bangkok, sister Hotel of the Dream Hotel in New York, is also an addition to Epoque & Avantgarde Hotels’ interest in the Asian market. The Hotel 27 in Copenhagen, with its newly opened Absolut Ice Bar, is instead the confirmation of the company’s appreciation of the Scandinavian appeal.

Other properties consolidate its portfolio in destinations in which the company is already well established, such as France with the 9 Hotel and the Hotel Pulitzer Opera, both in Paris, and Spain with the Hospes Madrid and the Hospes Palacio del Bailio in Cordoba. Worth pointing out is also the growing collection of exotic South and Central American boutique hotels that now include dreamy and unusual resorts such as the Xaloc Resort in Isla Holbox, Mexico or the Elan Hotel in Calafate, on the Patagonian glaciers.

“We are very pleased of this great achievement,” says David Maranzana, president of Epoque Hotels, “Both the Avantgarde and the Epoque lines have evenly increased in number of affiliates. Of course our objective is to keep acquiring properties, especially in newer destinations, but our further goal is to increase brand awareness in Europe and open an office in Spain,” concludes Maranzana.

Who doesn’t like going on holidays? Holidays to exotic locations around the world allow one to relax and unwind oneself and recharge one’s body and soul to take up the challenges of life. However, if you are unable to go to your favorite holiday destination due to lack of adequate funds, here is a wonderful solution to all your concerns about the budget. Stay in an international budget hotel and experience a fun-filled holiday without worrying about money. International budget hotels are hotels that cater to the accommodation needs of those with modest budgets. The tariffs of budget hotels are way less compared to luxury hotels and motels. But, they are equipped with all sorts of amenities to let the holiday makers experience a comfortable stay at a lower cost. Though the facilities of international budget hotels vary from one another, some of the common facilities include a warm and comfortable room with basic amenities like TV, fax, telephone, internet, CD/DVD player, air conditioning, well-fitted bathroom, mini room bar, iron, and room safe. Swimming pool, gym, restaurants, bar, café, Spa, Jacuzzi, and private golf are facilities offered by some of the international budget hotels. You may choose the international budget hotel that best meets your holiday accommodation needs and requirements. But, you must know that the cost of staying in international budget hotel increases with the amenities offered by it. The more you want, the more you would have to pay. Though, the cost would be less than the luxury international hotels.To find the best international hotel, you may search online. The Internet offers a list of budget hotels across the world. You can find international budget hotels in the USA, the UK, Europe, Middle East, or any other country of your choice. Further, you can find 3 star budget hotel and 4 star budget hotel in a real quick and convenient manner. Visit the website of the major budget hotels, find out the services offered by it, read reviews posted about it, and make bookings if it meets your requirements. For the best, yet affordable holiday experience, you may also visit .hotel-lacontea.com the website belongs to a renowned 3 star budget hotel that offers host of facilities and amenities at competitive prices to let the holiday makers have a fun-filled and memorable holiday experience without worrying about money at all.

Hanoi – Halong Bay – Hanoi    One of the great natural wonders of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Halong Bay covers an area of 1,500 km over which are scattered thousands of limestone islands and grottoes rising from the clear, emerald waters of the Gulf of Bac Bo. Thousands of limestone islands jut out of the sea, sculpted into awe inspiring shapes and surrounded by colourful floating villages; Halong Bay is a truly one of the natural wonders of the world.The perfect way to see this UNESCO World Heritage Site is to spend a night aboard the Emeraude, a replica of one of the grand steamers of the colonial era. The mystical beauty of the bay and its islands is only fully appreciated while cruising among the islands, fjords and inlets. Eat, drink and take romantic walks while cruising amongst the islands. After a night on board wake up to see daylight filtering through the early morning mist and the towering rock formations, leaving a dream-like memory of your visit to Halong Bay.Travel east from Hanoi through the Red River Delta out to the waters of the Gulf of Tonkin where you will board The Emeraude for your overnight cruise. The Emeraude is a luxurious replica of the 1910 paddle steamer of the same name which was offering unforgettable cruises for visitors to what was then French Indochina. Today, the service and ambience reflect the glory of that era as the cabins are meticulously designed to evoke the nostalgic charm of colonial Indochina.  With luxurious air-conditioned cabins, a divine restaurant, two bars and a sundeck this is the ultimate Halong Bay experience. Day 1 – Hanoi – Halong Bay (L,D)      Depart Hanoi for Halong by road through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and the scenery of rice fields, water buffalos and everyday Vietnamese village life. Board The Emeraude and sip on a welcome drink before you begin your cruise through the bay. Feast on a delicious lunch as you cruise among hundreds of islets to discover unspoilt pockets of Halong Bay and visit Sung Sot cave, one of the most imposing grottos of the Bay.  Swim or kayak in the turquoise waters or enjoy a Vietnamese cooking demonstration on board the boat.  After the sun sets, enjoy a scrumptious international and Vietnamese buffet dinner. The Award Winning film Indochine will be screened on the sundeck should you desire to watch a movie before retiring to your cabin for a good nights sleep.  Overnight aboard the Emeraude, Halong Bay.  Day 2 – Halong Bay – Hanoi (B)    For early risers complimentary tea and coffee are served on the sundeck followed by a Tai Chi class. As you return to Halong City, enjoy a wholesome brunch as your boat weaves through strange-shaped limestone rock formations.?  Arrive back at Emeraude’s exclusive private pier for disembarkation where your driver waits to take you back to your Hanoi.As an optional extra, and according to your flight schedule, your drive back to Hanoi can include various stops in the Red River Delta. Visit one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam ‘But Thap’, the Bat Trang Pottery village, or a small village where you can watch a traditional water puppet performance. Contact us for further info. Tour Duration: 2 Days / 1 NightTour Operates:  Year Round / On DemandTour Price: On request  For an accurate quotation please send an  Email us      Our services include as follows: Private air conditioned vehicle for return transfersHanoi – Halong City. Entrance fees where mentioned Non private boat cruise on Halong Bay from 1200 onday 1 to 1000 on day 2 01 nights’ accommodation on the deluxe Emeraude. Vietnamese buffet lunch and dinner on day 1 & fullAmerican breakfast on day 2. Our services do not include as follows: Drinks, tips and extras. Any service not clearly mentioned in the program. Guide    Creating Unique Touring ExperiencesAll the touring itineraries on this website have been carefully crafted by our in-country management teams and represent a series of experiences we can certainly recommend. However, we understand that every travel experience should be as unique and individual as each traveller. Our consultants are waiting to hear from you so that we can tailor or custom design a tour to your individual specifications.

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