India Outbound Tourism Magazine - Atout France India 2012

INDIA

OUTBOUNDOUTBOUNDAtout France Special 2012 Vol.4 Number 3

France

2012FranceSpecialSpecial2012

OUTBOUNDINDIA

L14027 - 3- 200 INR -RD

116 bis avenue des Champs - Élysées 75 008 Paris - Tel. : +33 (0)1 40 76 56 49 - E-mail: [email protected]

DINNER & SHOW CHAMPAGNE & SHOW

THE FAMOUS CABARET

OF CHAMPS-ÉLYSÉES:

70 artistes on stage,

600 sumptuous costumes,

23 monumental sets...

Edito

rial

elcome to yet another issue of India Outbound French special issue printed on the occasion of the Atout France India Workshop. The economic turmoil around the world ought to have impacted tourism but this industry seems to be completely oblivious to troubles of any sort. Globally, the tourism industry is set to grow in 2012, while most other industries around the world are looking at declining revenues, just as in the previous years. While in the developed nations, tourism has seen a muted growth, this is just not the case with developing nations and especially China and India, along with Russia, South Africa and Brazil.

The Indians continue to travel, and even if they may have become ever so slightly more careful with their money, they continue to spend lavishly. The per capita expense related to travel is now at $1645, while it was $1600 two years ago. And more Indians are travelling further. Both these trends are good news for the long haul destinations like Europe as an increasing number of Indians travel to various EU destinations on their annual vacations.

The trend for France also has been healthy, although the sharp devaluation of rupee against the US Dollar and the Euro has seen the Indian tourists tighten their belts further. But the Indian travellers are increasingly arriving in France and very encouraging news for various French regions is that they are no longer focused only on Paris, but keen to discover other parts of the country as well. This is the outcome of the endless effort made by the dynamic Atout France team in India, led by its director, Catherine Oden, to promote the diversity of France in order to attract Indian tourists all over France.

This is a reason that many more French partners and not just the standard landmarks have come to India to participate in this year’s Workshop. In our issue, also, we try to take you a bit away from Paris and other landmarks. We take you the discovery of the region of Burgundy, around Dijon, which is renowned all over the world for its wine heritage. Travel with Alexandre Seviran as he goes on a unique journey, enjoying the architectural heritage of Burgundy as much as its wide variety of fantastic wines!

We also present to you the region of Normandy in northern France, with a focus on Mont St Michel, an ancient monastic-town which has today become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy the breath-taking glimpses of this unique destination in France. From here, we take you again to the east, rather to the Swiss border to visit the small village of Yvoire, which attracted Sandeep Silas all the way from Geneva for a discovery and a detour that he certainly believes he was fortunate enough to undertake.

Our effort here at India Outbound would be to regularly bring you such gems and jewels, hidden all over a beautiful country such as France. We hope you have a good workshop and also enjoy this journey with us. Au revoir till the next time!

W

ContentInterview

Catherine Oden ..................................P6

Dossier

India Outbound Report................... P12

Profi le

Partner Profi le....................................P16

Mercury..............................................P40

Cox & Kings.......................................P44

Tour Montparnasse...........................P48

Wine feature

Burgundy: The French art de vivre...P60

European Destination

Marseille.............................................P54

Mont St Michel..................................P70

Yovoire...............................................P74

Brief

Business Brief.....................................P78

India Outbound Atout France Special Sept - Oct 20124

6 40

4844

54

60

Inte

rvie

w


Catherine, let’s start with the workshop for this year. What will it look like? You have new partners, you also have repeaters from the past, can you give us an overview?

The addition of new partners in this year’s workshop is extremely encouraging. This is a very good sign for India. Of course, we are very pleased to welcome partners who have been part of our earlier workshops as well. This is very reassuring for the market. Amongst the new partners, we are pleased to have with us the region of Normandy, the Champagne region, Provence - Alpes - Cote d’Azur, Pau & Saint Jean de Luz and

hotels such as Radisson Blu. We will also have the western region La Baule. It is motivating for us to see different part-ners express an interest in this market. I am really happy with this progress and we are constantly working very hard to moti-vate our French partners for future investments in this market.

And the fact that new regions are coming in to explore the Indian market, what does this indicate? What’s happening on the ground in France?

Since the last 10 years, we have been working very hard to

Catherine OdenDirector, Atout France

With over 27 years of experience of promoting France as a tourism destination, and 18 of them in Asia, Catherine Oden surely knows what it takes to attract the Indian tourists to France. In her second term in India (she was here in 2002 as well), Oden has initiated a number of innovative measures to ensure that France remains right at the top of the heap when Indian tourists look for overseas visits. In an interview, she outlines the development of the market and gives a sneak peek into her plans for 2013.

Our Message to India: Be There! Do That!

“Since last 10 years, we have been working very hard to present the true potential of the Indian market to our French partners and motivating new partners to consider India as a market of the future.

“

present the true potential of the Indian market to our French partners and motivating new partners to consider India as a market of the future. With the advent of new partners, we are happy that this hard work has paid off. Is there a major theme for this year’s workshop?

The workshop is the perfect launching pad for our 2013 campaign, “Be There! Do That!’’. We would want this strong slogan to leave an impact on the minds of the Indians visiting France. This proactive campaign will aim to project France in a different light and put forth for discovery, new and unknown facets of our destination. This campaign is in perfect synchronization with my belief, ‘’You name it, we have it’’. We are hoping that many of our French partners will join us in this campaign and that the Indian traveler will be motivated to discover France differently.

In terms of themes that you are going to present in Indian market in 2013? Could you give a bit of information on new regions, new types of tourism that you want to encourage in France?

We want the Indian traveler to continue going to Paris, but at the same time, we want to encourage him to travel beyond…to explore France’s regions. This holds true for groups, FITs or even small family groups. Families are an important target audience for us and we want to motivate them to visit France and its re-gions, indulge in activities that can be enjoyed by the entire family, etc. For the comfort of our Indian guests, some of our partners

have identifi ed restaurants that serve vegetarian or Indian food in their regions. We try our best to foresee solutions for possiblediffi culties that may be faced on tour.

On the other hand, it is extremely encouraging to know that the Indian traveler is looking to try something new while on tour. A plethora of activities is in the offi ng for such tourists, ranging from sports and adventure tourism, to cooking classes, wellness and of course wine tourism. Oenotourism is certainly a strong motivator to plan a holiday to the wine regions of France.

So in terms of thematic travel, the off the beaten path travel, what do you think are the strongest French assets there? You mentioned wine…

Wine is defi nitely a strong reason of course. The drink has found favour with many Indians and there are quite a few who are very passionate about this subject. We believe visits to France’s wine cellars would surely hold some appeal for such tourists. In addition, there are many different activities that one can enjoy, centered around wine. Stays at “Bed and Breakfast” with wine growers can be organized as well as visits to wine cellars. There are also schools that offer short courses on wine discovery.

Wine cellars are fi nding innovative ways of attracting people to visit, and one such medium is art. One can fi nd beautiful art inside wine and champagne cellars, or for example in the Bordeaux vineyards. It is the inclusion of these elements that sets our destination apart and makes it more attractive. What is important for us is to eventually convey this message to the interested visitor.

India Outbound Atout France Special Sept - Oct 2012 7

Interview


Besides wine, which other segment you think could attract Indians?

We are also promoting the concept of wellness in France. There is one spa which is associated with wine, in the Bordeaux area called “Les Sources de Caudalie”. Nestled amongst lush green vineyards, the spa offers vinotherapy treatments – based on the use of grapes. Located in the countryside, this wellness retreat offers recreational options for the entire family. There are activities for the children, golfi ng options for men as well as soothing treatments for women, creating a perfect retreat for an ideal family vacation.

And in terms of adventure, like, water sports, diving etc. France offers many thrills for adventure seekers. My personal

favourite adventure activity is hot air ballooning which I have done in Burgundy and the Loire Valley. However, the same is also possible in other regions such as the Champagne region, Rhone Alpes etc.

For water sports enthusiasts, the Riviera is a hot bed of activities. There is of course yachting, which is possible in St. Tropez, Cannes, Monaco, Nice etc. There are a lot of other activities possible ranging from diving in the Mediterranean and river based water sports as well. Kayaking is possible in Provence and Rhone Alpes as well. Rafting is another activity that can be enjoyed with friends, family or like minded individuals.

There is a growing interest in skiing as well. Ski resorts in France are also open during summer. One can ski on the slopes; take in breath taking views of alpine landscapes during the winter. During summer months, a host of other activities are possible in these resorts; ranging from golfi ng, trekking to even shopping! For the not so adventurous, even short walks are

possible. A plethora of options awaits the adventure tourist in the French Alps and the Pyrenees - a mountain range in South West France, close to the Spanish border. Here, the peaks are not as high as the French Alps, but provide an equally enjoyable experience. It is a good option for those who want to explore new destinations or go off the beaten track.

Give us some kind of data to what percentage of Indians aredoing things that you mentioned just now, you know, wine, sports, adventure...

For the moment, it is diffi cult to give an actual count. These visitors form part of an emerging, growing clientele. We do receive frequent request for such activities which encourages us to continue promoting these options.

And the travel professionals have integrated all these in their programs?

We do understand that it is slightly challenging for tour operators to include it as part of a tour; however it is possible to weave it in a tailor made itinerary for the FIT client, particularly families or younger couples wanting to enjoy adventure activities in France.

Let’s look back at 2012. How has the year been?We did have a reasonably good season. I do believe the

economic scenario did have an effect on outbound travel. But overall, the outcome was not too disappointing. The current economic situation largely impacted group travel, but the FIT client sort of compensated for this decline. It was heartening to see many visitors increase their overnights in France. We are always seeking to welcome Indian travelers who would like to spend

Inte

rvie

w

European Food

8

Atout France Workshop

Interview


more time in France at leisure and take time out to discover our destination.

OK. So do you have any fi gures now for the summer..? Is there a growth?

We expect a 5-10% growth. The market has been growing quite fast in past years, but this year should be 5-10% growth.

Was it also impacted by the rupee devaluation?Yes, travel was impacted because the Rupee did not fare well

against the Euro.

Let’s talk of 2012. Your activities in India, if you could give us a lower perspective…

In 2011, we launched our campaign, “France Celebrates India’’ which was a promotion of various India centric art exhibitions in France. Our targets were mainly NRIs who had an interest in discovering Indian art. The slogan was extremely powerful and created a good will feeling. We decided to use this slogan again as part of a commercial campaign targeted to the Indian traveler. ‘’France Celebrates India’’ was a compilation of special travel offers proposed by hoteliers, transporters, travel agen-cies and tourist boards, all especially created for the Indian market.

The slogan got suffi cient recognition and became the mainstay of all our marketing campaigns including ones we did with Air France and a few tour operators. It was well presented in dailies,

magazines and created an immediate brand recall. Of course, this would not have been possible without the support of our partners.

So this will continue in 2013?Yes, it will continue in 2013 as well. In terms of other activities,

we have recently prepared a supplement on the region of Cham-pagne in collaboration with the EMM Group and their magazines - Millionaire, Boating and Asia Spa. In the fall, we shall also be collaborating with Verve on different projects and a supplement.

So you are focusing on Champagne region?Champagne is one of the regions we are focusing on and we also

launched a campaign with Cox & Kings on region of Aquitaine and Bordeaux region. So we had quite a few inserts in magazines and in newspapers and we also had a brochure on the Aquitaine regionwhich was inserted with Lonely Planet’s March edition.

In the second half of the year, besides the media activities that you talked about what are the other activities that you are planning?

Besides media activities and our annual workshop, we shall also have an event with the Indo - French Chamber of Commerce, involving 300 people. We shall also be most likely welcoming St Tropez who shall be visiting Delhi and Mumbai towards the end of the year.

Any other activities that you would like to talk about in 2013, your focus areas?

“BE THERE! DO THAT!” will be our major focus and my colleague, Pusha Kothi happened to fi nd this slogan. We all are extremely excited about it and we’ll try to work very hard for this to be a success.

9

France Celebration Event

Atout France Award Ceremony

You had mentioned that you are also targeting NRIs. So how do you reach out to them?

As part of creating an awareness amongst the NRIs, for the fi rst phase of ‘’France Celebrates India’’, we embarked upon a mailing campaign. I personally sent emails to our press contacts in various countries such as US, Canada and UK which has a large diaspora of Indians. We were helped by Air France and our own offi ces as well. The information was also disseminated to embassies and the press offi ces of the Indian embassies and High Commissions.

And what’s the target? Like this year it was 5-10% growth, for 2013 summer…?

A lot depends on the economy. However, we will adjust and adapt as per needs and requirements. We will do our utmost to present a France that is affordable. Palace hotels, luxury accommodation share a harmonious co existence with charming hotels that are not too heavy on the pocket and are willing to welcome our Indian guests. France presents plenty of options for everyone. A lot can be offered in France, and can be tailor made to suit every budget.

Let’s look at two other segments now - MICE & Business travelers. What is the plan for this year and what can be done to increase them?

The recent years have seen a good growth of MICE movements to France. Of course, we do have the visa challenge to face. However, we do our best to work with consulates and have the groups actually travelling. In light of this challenge, we prefer to encourage smaller groups travelling to France. We have seen a

good rise in incentive movements and we would like to encourage this. Our keen interest in the MICE sector was validated by the two MICE centric supplements we created – one with FORBES magazine and the other with Gill India’s Outbound Mice Directory.

And what about business travel to France?

We work in close cooperation on projects with other French companies such as the Indo- French Chamber of Commerce, UbiFrance, Invest in France, the Economic Division at the French Embassy. We are trying to create a communication channel with CEOs and other associated heads of major corporates in India. We do expect to work on mutual projects in the future. Participating in business related events gives me an opportunity to meet and network with business travelers. The business traveler is also a leisure traveler. At the end of the business trip, there is often a possibility that family or friends would join him in France and explore the destination. This is something we would certainly like to encourage.

Do you see growth in MICE? Do you have fi gures for that?Unfortunately we don’t have fi gures, but we have frequent

requests and we are always there to help those companies who are ready to consider France as a MICE destination.

Anything else that you may have missed? It is always a great pleasure to welcome our Indian guests to

France. On my last trip to France, I was extremely pleased to see more and more of Indian visitors, particularly in Paris. We do however want to see them discovering other regions of France as well and experience the French art de vivre or its way of life.


Inte

rvie

wAtout France Workshop


Despite global economic worries and their impact on India, the outbound travel from India continued to grow at a robust pace in 2011 and the fi rst half of the current year. The total number of

travellers from India in 2011 stood at over 12.5 million, as against a bare 3.7 million in 1997, registering a 338 percent growth in under 15 years.Most studies say that though China as a market is defi nitely far bigger than India, the mood in India is better than in China and hence India will continue to grow faster than China. A recent survey by AC

Neilsen says that the consumer confi dence in India has managed to stay relatively high, despite the continuing slow down of the global and Indian economies. The Indian GDP growth in the current fi scal is expected to be one of the slowest in nearly seven years, struggling to reach the 6 percent mark. By contrast the Chinese economy is expected to grow by well over 7 percent. Yet the consmer confi dence in India at 126 is way above that in China, where the confi dence is at 105.The current distribution of source markets in India is heavily

Global economic gloom not withstanding, India’s outbound tourism continues its impressive growth run. Manjeet Singh analyses the dynamics of the market in 2012 and the trends for 2013

India Outbound Tourism 2012

Growth continues despite economic troubles

Paris City Shot

Do

ssier


loaded in favour of the four metros, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. But in the last fi ve years, a number of mini-metros and Tier II cities have also begun to produce volumes for the outbound travel market. Today, besides the four metros, a fair bit of traffi c comes from Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Ludhiana & Chandigarh.A major change in the Indian outbound market is the shifting

demographic profi le of the travellers. In 2008, 50 percentof the travellers were middle aged and married with chidren, while the single and young travellers accounted for only 30 percent of this market. In two years, only, by 2010, the percentage of middle aged travellers had fallen to 38 percent and the young and single

category grew to 36 percent while 18 percent of all the travellers in 2010 married but without children, making this segment, with the highest disposable income, over 55 percent. The share of this segment is expected to cross 60 percent of the total Indian travellers in 2012.

Another major change is that while the travellers in 2008 were largely well to do corporate executives, today the travel-lers include a fair share of small businessmen from around the country. These travellers are also greatly infl uenced in the choice of destination due to the presence of their friends or relatives.

A major change in the market dynamics in India is the increasing diversity of destinations as well as a good growth in the long haul destination market. In 2008, four markets – Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Dubai – accounted for 66 percent of the total outbound travel. In 2010, this share had come down to 55 percent, while emerging destinations like South Africa, Macau, Mauritius, Turkey etc re-coded a healthy growth. The fast growth of low-cost airlines has played a strong role in helping to develop travel within Asia in recent years. Three large carriers (Air Asia, Jetstar and Tiger Airways) have emerged, and budget airlines now fl y to more than 150 destinations across the continent, Florence pointed out. At the same time, Gulf-based carriers are opening up new routes to Asia, and more Asian airlines have joined one of the global airline alli-

5.4 6.2 7.2 8.3 9.8 10.9 11.1 12.5

50

2029 31 34

4146 47

57

100

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2020

India China

Source: 2003-2010 fi gures: Indian Tourism Ministry. China National Tourism,2020 Projection: UNWTO

Outbound Traveler Numbers (mn people)

ances, thus creating new connections. Intra-Asian air travel already became the largest regional market in the world in 2009.

In contrast, Europe commands an estimated market-share of about 20% of all Indian outbound departures. The Indian travel trade estimates that the market for Europe is growing at a steady pace of 5-7% per annum and that the pace of growth for Europe can be accelerated with greater focus by European tourism boards on the Indian market. Only fi ve European countries - United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany and Switzerland – account for a majority share of the Indians travelling to Europe.So far, the Indian travel to Europe had been very heavily dominated by groups. However, in the last two years, the fastest growing segment of Indian tourists is the customised traveller, whose share increased from 10 percent in 2008 to 15 percent in 2010, even as group travel fell by 33 percent to 31 percent.

The key travel motivation of potential fi rst-time visitors to Europe is a culture/sightseeing holiday. The key travel motivations among repeat visitors are culture/sightseeing holiday, touring/driving holi-day, snow/ski holiday and holiday in the mountains. Majority of the potential visitors are likely to undertake a multi-country vacation in Europe. The booming Indian economy has defi nitely enabled the travellers to loosen up their purse strings overseas. In 2007, an average Indian spent $1200 for a visit, this fi gure stood at $1645 in 2010, a growth of over 35 percent in three years. This is good

news for the overseas destinations, as shopping is an increasingly important activity for the Indian tourists today, accounting for 23 percent of the total travel expense.International tourism expenditure by Indians has grown from US$ 1.3 billion in 1997 to US$ 8.2 billion in 2007 to US 14 Billion in 2010. This fi gure is set to increase to $28 bn by 2020, when over 50 mn Indians would be travelling overseas.

The surprising bit is that travellers from the small two-tier Indian cities are bigger spenders than those from fi rst-tier cities. This of course reinforces the belief that the Tier II cities are crucial to sustain the growth of Indian outbound tourism and that there is adequate disposable income in these cities and villages.Increased Internet access throughout India has facilitated strong growth in online bookings. While 60 million Indians had Internet access in 2007, the number is close to 150 million and the number of mobile phone users stands at over 800 million.

As a result, there is a rapid growth in the online travel agents, with pureplay online companies like Make My Trip, Yatra, Expedia, Ezeego1 registering impressive growth fi gures each year, and almost all brick and mortar travel companies seriously ramping up their online presence.According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, India will remain the third fastest generator of Travel and Tourism upto the year 2019, with an annual growth exceeding 8 percent. In business travel, India will be the second fastest large nation, behind only China.

Ludhiana

Delhi

Lucknow

Kolkata

Nagpur

Top

Tier IIHyderabad

Chennai

The Demographic Profi le of Indian travellers

Pune

Mumbai

Ahmedabad

Bangalore

Do

ssie

r


2008Carefree

Spending Years

Responsible Years

Se led Years

2011Carefree

Spending Years

Responsible Years

Se led Years

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

1204IndianMarketAd.pdf 26/04/2012 09:10:59

Partn

er P

rofil

e


Partner ProfileAtout France 2012

Nord- Pas- de- Calais

Picardie

Ile - de - France

Haute- Normandie

Champagne - Ardenne

Lorraine Alsace

Franche - ComtéBourgogne

Rhône - AlpesAuvergne

Limousin

Centre - Val- de- Loire

Poitou - Charentes

Aquitaine

Languedoc - Roussillon

Midi - Pyrénées

Basse - Normandie

Bretagne

Pays de la Loire

Corse

Provence - Alpes - Côte d’ Azur

Atout France 2012Partner ProfilePartner Profile

Partne

r Profile


Partner Profile

Air France

Rail Europe

Accor

Disneyland, Paris

Montparnasse Tower, Paris

La Baule

Normandy Tourist Board

Lisieux- Tourism & Spirituality

Champagne

Dijon Tourist Board

Rhone Alpes

Chamonix Mont Blanc

Provence- Alpes- Cote d’Azur

Riviera of Your Dreams: Cannes & St Tropez

Nice

Radisson Blu Hotel, Nice

Aquitaine Regional Tourist Board Biarritz Tourism

Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce and Industry & Bordeaux Executive Travel - DMC

South West of France : Pau & St-Jean-de-Luz

South West of France: Lourdes & Carcassonne

Cite Hotels, Carcassonne

Tahiti Travel Specialists

Pa

rtne

r Pro

file


Air France has been operating fl ights to India for over sixty years and offers 18 weekly direct fl ights from India to Paris, operating from 3 metros: Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru to the world through a single airport: the powerful hub of Paris-Charles de Gaulle. .2012, is the year of transformation of the Air France homebase, Paris – Charles de Gaulle.Air France and Aéroports de Paris, are working on “HUB 2012” a project designed to transform, improve and simplify passenger experience at CDG.One of the key highlights is the refurbished terminal 2E at CDG .All Air France fl ights to and from India operate from here. 2E is also dedicated to the operations of all international non Schegen fl ights.There are three boarding concourses in 2E (K,L and M) connected with an automatic train, which reduces the travel time within the terminal to four minutes .The new terminal also houses a shopping area with all iconic French brands, restaurants,bars and thenew business lounge , which is the largest on the Air France network.Located at concourse “M”, the lounge spans over 3, 000 sq m. and can seat approximately 600 people. Acomplete contrast with the airport environment, the lounge takes inspiration from nature and its elements.By November 2012 , Terminal 2F will be reconfi gured to accommodate fl ights to the Schengen region with a dedicated walkway between 2E and 2F which will reduce the overall connecting time signifi cantly.The concept of " Single Security Checkpoint" will apply and passengers coming into CDG from Europe will not require any additional security checks in CDG.To be launched in early 2013 is a “Service area” for passengers in transit offering many options for relaxation and well-being and an airside hotel located before the immigration area.

Air France

ContactFahmi MAHJOUB – Commercial DirectorEmail: [email protected]

Partne

r Profile


Rail Europe 4A is the world wide leader in European Rail distribution. Our head quarters are in Paris, France. The company is a joint venture between the French National Railways (SNCF) and the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB). We also have offi ces in Japan, South Korea, India, South America, UAE, Hong Kong, Thailand and Australia. We sell to General Sales Agents and through our websites. We promote, distribute and sell a wide range of rail products in more than 45 countries in Asia, Australia & New Zealand, Africa/The Middle East and South America.In 2011 Rail Europe once again confi rmed the dynamism and leadership of the company as the number 1 distributor of train tickets and rail passes in the world. Following an outstanding performance in 2010, Rail Europe's 2011 sales have increased by 28%. More than 2 million people have chosen to travel with Rail Europe in 2011.

ContactBela SHAH, Manager Sales & MarketingEmail: [email protected]

Rail Europe

Partn

er P

rofil

e


AccorAccor is the world’s leading hotel operator with over 4, 400 hotels and almost 530,000 rooms in 90 countries. With 145,000 employees worldwide, the Group offers to its clients and partners nearly 45 years of know-how and expertise. ACCOR'S MAJOR BRANDS…Sofi tel is one of the world’s premier luxury hotel brands. Situated in key business and resort locations, the Sofi tel network of hotels offers the highest level of facilities and services and a personal, refi ned atmosphere.

Pullman hotels are designed principally for corporates and meetings sector. Tailored, round-the-clock services provide the ultimate in conviviality, connectivity and calmness. Located primarily in urban centres and some popular resort areas.

MGallery is a collection of distinctive boutique hotels that have developed a highly individual character through their vision, design, history and/or exceptional setting.

Grand Mercure is an upscale brand present in major cities, regional and resort locations, as well as prime city locations.

Novotel is the leader in the 4-star market targeting the business and MICE sectors, as well as having a large focus on leisure and family travel with its ‘Family & Novotel’ initiative.

Mercure hotels Mercure is one of the world’s premier mid-market brands, contemporary in style and offering great value for money and services that refl ect the area’s local character, culture and personality.

All seasons (ibis styles) has developed a network of affordable hotels in major business and resort destinations. The brand is growing rapidly in Europe.

ibis hotels are renowned for their quality, simplic-ity, and value for money. Properties are conveniently located in central business districts and major regional and suburban areas.

Formule 1 (ibis budget) hotels are located in city and regional areas, close to transport, food outlets and ancillary services. An innovative hotel brand that provides motel-style accommodation at budget rates.

ContactA PALANISAMY,Director of Global SalesEmail: [email protected]

Partne

r Profile


Disneyland Paris Close to Paris’s heart … and yours! Pixie dust blew into the heart of Europe 20 years ago and oh, how the Disney magic has grown! Disneyland® Paris is the most visited tourist destination in Europe. The resort’s 2 theme parks offer more than 60 attractions and shows: Disneyland® Park captures the wonder and fantasy of classic Disney while Walt Disney Studios® Park features the magic of movie-making.-2 theme parks-More than 60 attractions and shows suitable for all: Big thrill seekers, family adventures and fun for kids.-7 Disney themed hotels and 7 partner hotels.-Europe’s leading tourist destination-230 million visits since opening in 1992-Open 365 days a year-2012: 20th Anniversary Celebration-Special rate tickets available for individuals and leisure groups35 min. direct access from Paris by public transport (by regional train) or 10 min. direct access from Paris international Airport (by high speed train). Two hours direct access from London (by high speed train). Combo tickets with transfer also available from Paris city center with the Disneyland Paris Express and Cityrama Shuttles.

ContactLata RASTOGI Sales Representative Email: [email protected]

SPECIFIC OFFERS FOR INDIAEnglish-speaking staff, veg meals in restaurants, maps, shows and menu in English, on-line training program for tour operators and travel agents, special ticket rates for Indian market

Partn

er P

rofil

e


Amongst the 10 most visited monuments in Paris with close to 1 million visitors (2012 fi gures) Montparnasse Tower offers tourists a moment of pleasure, a moment of escape, the unique experience of discovering a town, its history, its development & its wonders from a single view point.Montparnasse Tower operates on the 56th & the ultimate fl oor of the tallest building in Paris.In just 38 seconds, Europe’s fastest elevator will take you to a height of 196 meters where the most beautiful view of Paris stretches out before you from a modern, relaxed and very comfortable setting. From here you can locate more than 70 monuments all over Paris, including the Eiffel Tower. Each year, new activities and new tools are developed to allow visitors to learn about the mysteries of the capital in fun, interactive ways. In addition to a permanent exhibition of 185 archival photos of Paris, the site regularly redevelops the viewing area on the 56th fl oor to offer a truly interactive tour. An interactive treasure hunt with 10 multimedia kiosks allowing visitors to learn more about Parisian topics of interest in the form of an interactive quiz. More recently, new interactive, hands-on displays were installed It is also home to “Le 360 Café”, the highest cafeteria in Paris. Just a few steps further up the visitor can admire the same view from the 59th fl oor, the highest rooftop of Paris, with its vertiginous 210 meters of height the open-air terrace on the very top of the tower. As Montparnasse 56 is open every day of the year from early to late, the panorama can be viewed in daylight or by night.

Montparnasse Tower

ContactMohit Chopra, Sales and Marketing ManagerEmail: [email protected]

Partne

r Profile


Contact

La Baule: A new destination, a jewel of France

Damien DEJOIEDirector - La Baule Tourist Offi ce Email: [email protected]

This seaside resort invites you to share its art of living. Whether you’re on a family holiday or on a romantic weekend, plan a visit to La Baule. The numerous activities offered will defi nitely attract your attention. Starting with accommodation, with three luxury fi ve star hotels (330 rooms)and a long tradition in catering to upscale visitors, you are sure to fi nd the perfect accommodation for your stay. Its Casino, which opened in 1904, is one of the resort’s top spots. To get rid of all those daily pressures, indulge in Thalassotherapy. A pioneer in this fi eld - Thalassotherapy has been practiced here since the 19th century - La Baule has two famous centres, over looking the sea. A perfect setting for you to indulge in marine spa therapies and beauty treatments!

In La Baule,sport is the king and sports facilities are fi t for royalty! Golf lovers are spoilt here, with a total of 45 holes in magnifi cent surroundings, a superb clubhouse, a swing training centre within easy reach of the sea. The Golf de La Baule course is one of the fi nest in Europe. At the heart of the resort, the immense beach is the stage for all sporting exploits, starting from improvised foot ball or beach volleyball matches,trampolining, and clubs for young visitors. At quieter moments of the day, the beach plays host to sand-sailers, horseriders or polo players. The well-sheltered bay means that people can enjoy marine activities in complete safety; many regattas are held here. And if tennis is your game, you can choose from 120 perfectly maintained red clay courts. Specially for our Indian travelers, La Baule resort is working with the Indo-French team of French Travel Organization (FTO), a world class inbound travel agency, specialist of exclusive and unique tailor made luxury holidays in France.

Partn

er P

rofil

e


Edouard VALERE - Deputy Marketing ManagerNormandy Regional Tourist Board14 rue Charles Corbeau 27000 Evreux – FRANCETel: +33 (0)232 33 07 07 Fax: +33 (0) 232 31 19 04

NormandieWithin an hour’s drive from Paris and its international airports, Normandie offers a delightful mixtureof some of France’s best countryside, heritage, culture, food and entertainment. Situated in Northern France, it is easily accessible from Paris either for a day trip or for a full stay in the region. It offers a perfect blend of coastal and inland and is an ideal holiday destination for group travel organisers. With picturesque ports and beaches galore, Normandie, offers unparalleled choices. The Mont-Saint-Michel, the Wonder of the Western World remains a must see for all visitors. But for those who prefer the lure of the city, you are spoilt for choice between the historic delights of Caen, the medieval streets of Rouen, the harbour and marina of Cherbourg and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Le Havre, famous for its post-war architecture. Bayeux, home to world renowned tapestry and magnifi cent cathedral, is well worth a visit. Fans of shopping will not be disappointed either. Outstanding accommodation and restaurants are on offer.

It’s all happening in Normandie, home of Impressionism: 2013• Normandie Impressionist Festival, second edition• Armada in Rouen (international gathering of tall ships) 2014• D-Day70th anniversary• Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

CONTACTEdouard VALERE, Deputy Marketing Manager, Normandy Regional Tourist Board Email: [email protected]

Partne

r Profile


Lisieux:The Tourism and Spirituality Working Group at Atout France brings together French tourism professionals who have a connection with spirituality.

The city of Lisieux, in Normandy(2 hours from Paris) is member of this working group. A pilgrimage town where you can discover the history of Ste Teresa. A town of history where the architectural richness combines with the beauty of the countryside. A town of taste, where cheese, cider and calvados express all the fl avour of the area. Two religious houses and more than 400 hotel rooms welcome individuals and groups.

Combining tourism with spirituality

Paris

ContactLisieux Tourist Offi ceSandrine PAPINIEmail: [email protected]

Atout France ParisFlorence LeRolland Email: fl [email protected]

Partn

er P

rofil

e


Champagne Ardenne: Champagne or Champagne !

Romain TILLY,Promotions ManagerChampagne Tourist BoardEmail: [email protected]

Contact

Well-known for its champagne and gastronomy, and less than one hour from Paris and the airport, the Champagne region offers you customers a sparkling stay.We invite your clients to discover our world-famous wine by visiting champagne cellars and having tastings in the most prestigious champagne houses! The Champagne Tourist Route invites you to meet winegrowers who will share with you some of the secrets of the wine of the kings, discovered in this region by Dom Perignon in the village of Hautvillers. In Epernay, underneath the “Avenue of Champagne” (the “Champs-Elysées” of Champagne !), over 100 km of wine cellars are dug out of the chalk. Come and explore this underground world and taste some of champagne’s greatest brands. Here, the “art of living” and gastronomy go hand in hand. Whether local cuisine and refi ned gourmet dishes, a delectable experience is in the offi ng for your tastebuds. For all the shopholics, make the most of exceptional prices and discounts on well-known brands at the shopping centres of Troyes.

Champagne is also a land of culture offering a rich heritage and a diversity of remarkable sites which should not be missed: the cathedral of Reims, a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site, the picturesque medieval alleys of Troyes, the studio of Renoir in Essoyes and many more. See you soon in Champagne!

Partne

r Profile


The capital of a powerful and prestigious duchy during the Middle-Ages, Dijon has inherited a unique cultural and architectural heritage within one of the greatest conserved areas in France. An emblematic city of haute cuisine and lifestyle, Dijon is also the gateway to one of the most prestigious vineyards of France: the Côte de Nuits and its world-class wines. Arriving here on the road from Troyes, King François I exclaimed at the sight of Dijon: “What a beautiful town, it is the town of a hundred bell towers.“ Dijon may have lost many of its belfries since then, but it has preserved its true magnifi cence. Let yourself be captivated by the capital of Burgundy, and enjoy the beauty and wealth of its heritage and gastronomic delights.

Wine & Gastronomy Famous for mustard and gingerbread, Dijon is also the gateway to the most prestigious Burgundy vineyards. Indeed, the reputation of the route of the ‘Grands Crus’ has earned it the epithet the ‘Champs Elysées of Burgundy.’ Discover the magnifi cent landscapes with vines as far as the eye can see and even a château right at the heart of the Côte de Nuits vineyard.Taste the famous traditional products such as mustard, gingerbread, ‘crème de cassis’, Kir (traditional local aperitif), Burgundy wine ... here, the cuisine is known all around the world. A permanent feast awaits visitors in Dijon.

Dijon:Capital of the Dukes of Burgundy

ContactValerie OLIVIER,Sales Manager, Dijon Tourist Offi ceEmail:[email protected]

Partn

er P

rofil

e


Rhône Alpes, the 2nd largest region in France, as big as the whole of Switzerland, is composed 70 % of mountains, and besides that, some of the largest lakes of Europe, vineyards in Beaujolais and Rhône Valley, lavender fi elds and sunfl owers in the south. The access is easy, with two international airports (the fancily designed Lyon airport and Geneva), and the TGV network : 2 hours from Paris, 1 and a half hour from Marseille, with 30 departures a day.Tourism is the fi rst income in the region but the variety of landscapes makes the region a leading destination for fi lm shooting. Various stars such as Aamir Khan and Sameera Reddy have written about the destinations after several visits (Chamonix, Lyon) and the latest visitor is Preity Zinta with Ishqk in Paris. Lyon the Regional Capital City is a UNESCO Heritage classifi ed city, original place of the French Revolution in 1789, and more recently the birthplace of the cinema reel by the Lumiere Brothers.

One of the fi rst fi lms was screened in Mumbai in 1896. Capital of silk (the famous scarf Carré Hermès entirely made in Lyon) and gastronomy with with chefs of international repute such as Paul Bocuse. One hour drive from Lyon, you reach the best of the Alps, villages or resorts with a lovely- French touch and their own charm : one is ideal as a romantic destination and the other a favourite with families and kids the next one for “People”. If Ski is the major attraction in the winter season, most popular resorts offer more then 40 extra-ski activities, linked with mountains or snow, adapted to all kind of clien-tele. Lake cities (Evian, Annecy) : have your Evian water on tap, lovely romantic lake sides, scenic golf courses and fantastic spas. Ideal destinations for honeymooners and photographers !!!

CONTACTBarbara BREHERET, Sales Manager India Rhône Alpes TourismeEmail: [email protected]

Rhône Alpes

Partne

r Profile


Located at the foothills of the majestic Mont Blanc range, Chamonix is a quintessentially French destination with a truly European character. At the crossroads of France, Switzerland and Italy, Chamonix Mont Blanc is home to the Aiguille du Midi, the highest summit in Europe accessible by cable car. At an altitude of 3842 metres, one is engulfed with a 360 degree panoramic view of the Mont Blanc range across three frontiers.

Its glacier, the Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice) is among the largest glaciers in Europe. Visitors can enjoy a scenic ride aboard the vintage-train Montenvers that dates back to 1908.

Chamonix is a Mecca for international visitors offering myriad tourism opportunities and is constantly reinventing itself to delight the traveller. Its newest attractions include an upcoming SKYWALK at the Aiguille du Midi and a mountaineering museum, a Glaciorium at the mer de Glace,that is a discovery of the formation, history and future of the glacier.

Chamonix Mont Blanc

Sheetal MUNSHAW, Representative for Chamonix Mont Blanc, IndiaEmail: [email protected]

Contact

Partn

er P

rofil

e


The Mediterranean Sea, synonymous with sunshine, sweet fragrances and age old culture is omnipresent in the region and comes in every shape, form and mood: wild in Camargue, authentic in the “Calanques” fjords, untouched on the islands of Lérins, Port Cros and Porquerolles, trendy in Côte d’Azur’s coastal resorts, or a hub of port activity in the main towns! Even the inland countryside bathes in this Mediterranean culture that makes our destination so special and seduces every visitor.What better way to start your trip than with a tour of our emblematic towns, each with its own, totally unique personality.

Marseille – France’s oldest town - is a lively, cosmopolitan and typically Mediterra-nean city. From the Old Port to Château d’If, and the ancient Panier quarter to the magnifi cent Corniche coast road, Marseille offers all the right ingredients for a colourful travel experience! Aix-en-Provence, lined with charming, Renaissance mansion houses, is a great place for casual strolling in the footsteps of Cézanne, who was born in the town and gleaned his inspiration from it.This is a graceful, cultured city. The Roman city of Arles has a fi ery spirit all of its own, largely inspired by nearby Camargue! Its Roman heritage is absolutely remarkable (included in the UNESCO World Heritage list). Formerly referred to as “Little Rome”, Arles has inspired illustrious artists such as Van Gogh, Picasso and Gauguin! Avignon – the City of the Popes – is instilled with the genteel lifestyle of Provence. Its Popes Palace is the venue for the famous Avignon Theatre Festival held every year!

PROVENCE-ALPES-COTE D'AZUR

Contact

Blessed by the gods, packed with a wealth of natural riches and heritage attractions

Magali DEVOUGE,Promotions & MarketingRegional Tourist Offi ce Provence - Alpes - Cote d'AzurEmail: [email protected]

Partne

r Profile


Riviera of your Dreams:Cannes & St Tropez Cannes is yours,a destination,a brandCannes is a leading international destination.Situated 25 minutes from the airport of Nice, it is the city of festivals and big congresses, and a sea resort endowed with exceptional infrastructural facilities.Its exceptional plethora of accommodation is suitable for all occasions. High fashion and famous ready-to-wear clothing, jewellers, tanning shops, perfume shops, beauty parlors, decoration stores and art galleries can be found between Rue d'Antibes and the Croisette. The most famous French and international brands are represented the city. Cannes owes the main part of its fame to the Film Festival as well as some other events, shows and professional markets, Cannes proposes a matchless choice of spaces dedicated to entertainment.

ST-TROPEZ: Made in France

Aliki HEINRICH,Sales Director Palais des Festivals et des CongresEmail: [email protected]

Claude ManiscalcoDirector, St Tropez TourismeEmail: [email protected]

Contact Contact

Saint Tropez is known for its art de vivre, its prestigious hotels that offer accommodation options for both vacations and seminars. Its climate and the ambience of its private beaches are world renowned. The village is renowned for its gastronomy and wine, with a choice of 5 Indian restaurants offering vegetarian or vegetalian food. Saint Tropez is a sublime location with more than 600 brands being represented and numerous art galleries. Known for the events that take place all year round, Saint Tropez is also famous for its festive nights, where you can party or dance the whole night away. A combination of the above reasons explains why the village is the place to choose for lovers of the sea and art and history buffs. In 2012, Saint Tropez celebrates the Year of India. Events and programmes organised as part of this will touch part of the 5 million international visitors to the village.

Partn

er P

rofil

e


Nice

ContactRia KOLEMBUSOVA ,Leisure Development ManagerNice Tourist Offi ceEmail: [email protected]

A seaside city in the centre of Europe, Nice has been enjoying, in recent years, a genuine economic, cultural, artistic and architectural revolution. Creative, dynamic, cosmopolitan, young, Nice is bubbling with innovative realizations worthy of Europe’s greatest capitals. Nice - elegant and trendy, cheerful and bustling, proud of its past and independence - you will be surprised by its personality, dynamism and passion for arts and culture. Nice has countless surprises in store for visitors…monuments, churches, gardens, footpaths linking the surrounding hills to the city centre, but also museums, artists, local arts and crafts, international gastronomy with the savour of garlic, olive oil and basil, folk traditions

It will also delight you with its beautiful neighbourhoods, unique light and mild climate. Like in all major international cities, the heart of Nice offers shopping sprees with many boutiques displaying elegant creations. At the foot of the Castle Hill, Promenade des Anglais becomes Quai des États-Unis along the old town, then Rauba Capeu, which offers one of the fi nest vistas on the Mediterranean Sea and the beautiful blue and ochre nuances along Promenade des Anglais.

FRENCH RIVIERA PASSAn all-inclusive card to enjoy free access to the major sites of the French Riviera and to make the most of exclusive advantages at recommended addresses :restaurants, boutiques, leisure facilities, artists studios.

Partne

r Profile


Standing proudly on the famous Promenade des Anglais, looking straight out to sea, the Radisson Blu Hotel Nice fi ts in perfectly with its modern and dynamic surroundings.With easy access from Nice Côte d’Azur International Airport (fi ve minutes transfer) and the national motorway network, as well as into the city and old town, this contemporary ‘Urban Resort’ effortlessly blends luxury, elegance and well-being, guaranteeing an unforgettable stay.The centerpiece is a magnifi cent 700 sq m roof-top terrace, with a 150 sq m swimming pool and an unrivalled panorama over the Bay of Nice. Moments of total relaxation await you around the pool. Make the most of the hammam and the sauna on the 7th fl oor. The centre, overlooking the sea, can arrange relaxing massages on demand. Directly opposite the hotel, our exclusive and private beach can be available for completely private functions, hosting up to 400 people. An exceptionally pleasant climate and the city’s superb location between the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea. The 331 rooms and Suites feature the best in refi ned contemporary design, focusing on three distinctive themes: Urban, characterized by precise clean lines; Chili, in vibrant and spicy tones; Ocean, refreshing and almost minimalist. 188 rooms have a private balcony and a fantastic view over the Bay of Nice.Whether you are here for business or taking a vacation, the state-of-the-art equipment in your room, combined with our impeccable and attentive service, guarantees a unique and satisfying stay.

Radisson Blu Nice

ContactEric TALOUSales and Marketing DirectorEmail: [email protected]

Partn

er P

rofil

e


Biarritz The destination for leisure & business tourism in the southern part of Aquitaine

A major destination indelibly marked by Napoleon III and just 1h30 from Paris by plane

A perfect destination for honeymoons with its Palace hotel and 4 and 5 Starred hotels.

A land of contrasts, between the town and its surrounding countryside, offering activities geared to the sea and the mountains, sport (golf, surf, basque pelota), gastronomy and well-being.

AquitaineHas so much to offer!

Numerous prehistoric sites (Lascaux cave in Dordogne) or medieval castles and charming villages in the Basque country

An outstanding view from Pau over the Pyrenees mountains, or from the Pilat highest sand dune over the Bay of Arcachon.

A wide range of deluxe room in a medieval castle, boutique hotels in the city or in the middle of the vineyard, palace by the beach and comfortable residences.

ContactOlivier LEPINEGeneral Manager, Biarritz TourismeEmail: [email protected]

ContactPerrine ARMANDRY Press Marketing ,Aquitaine Regional Tourist Board Email: [email protected]

Pierre Antoine BATAIL,Designer Manager Email: [email protected]

Bordeaux Executive TravelBordeaux Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Nelly RENAUD,Tourism Project Manager Email: [email protected]

Contact Contact

Bordeaux, the capital of Aquitaine is worth a visit due to:

Its unique 18th-century architecture, listed as World Heritage by UNESCO,

A wine tasting from the famous Saint Emilion, Médoc or Sauternes appellations…or an initia-tion to grape picking during harvest time!

Its very high-quality gastronomy(canelé cakes from Bordeaux) enjoyed during a cooking class.

Our DMC aims to serve evolved customers with tailor-made luxury sojourns.To this end, our team of travel designers has the ability to create dedicated programs for our guests while accompanying them during their visit. Our experts have a 5 year experience in managing to the high end services for our visitors.

They attach great importance to fulfi ll client expectations and even surprise them, by using their unique contacts to offer a privileged access to some of the well-kept secrets of our region.

Partne

r Profile



South West of France: Pau and Saint-Jean-de-Luz Pau is a historical and lively cosmopolitan place highlighted by the castle of the King Henry. In Pau, you can stroll on the Boulevard des Pyrénées, a natural balcony on the mountains and the vineyards inspired by la Promenade des Anglais in Nice. You can also experience the fi rst golf course of the European continent or attend races at the Hippodrome or the in-town car races.Ever since the marriage of Louis XIV took place in the city in 1660, Saint-Jean-de-Luz has been known as a “royal” city. Once a centre for whaling, cod fi shing, buccaneers and corsairs, the town is the leading port for the sardine and tuna industry in France. A family seaside resort, very close to the Spanish border, Saint-Jean-de-Luz is lively throughout the year, with its thalassotherapy centres, shopping streets, busy pavement cafés.

CONTACTRegine BERDUCQCommunications and Tourism Manager Chamber of Commerce, PauEmail: [email protected]

Steve SPONEMCommunication Manager,Pau Pyrenees Tourism BoardEmail: [email protected]

Partn

er P

rofil

e


Lourdes:

A rewarding spiritual experience

Contact

For more than 150 years, Lourdes has been a haven of spiritual peace. Each year, it wel-comes 6 million people from all over the world visiting the Sanctuaries of Our Lady of Lourdes. A cosmopolitan city, it boasts over 180 hotels and restaurants including 2 Indian restaurants. Easily accessible by 2 international airports (Lourdes & Pau) and effi cient TGV network, Lourdes is ideallylocated for discovering the r markable treasures of the National Park of the Pyrenees.

Corine LAUSSUPromotion Manager Lourdes Tourist Offi ce Email:[email protected]

Franc DELAHAYE, DirectorTourist Offi ce of Carcassonne Email: [email protected]

Contact

The City of Carcassonne (3rd – 13th centuries) is the largest medieval site in Europe on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Built over the ruins of a roman fortress, “La Cité” of Carcassonne has become one of the most famous touristic places in France. Nowadays, behind the walls composed by a double ring of ramparts and 52 towers and barbicans, the castle throne majestically. The old City features to visitors an intricate network of narrow streets with small terraces, nice cafés, restaurants and hotels.

Carcassonne: UNESCO World Heritage Site

Partne

r Profile



Cité Hotels Group Carcassonne: A family affair Ever since its creation in 1963, the Cité Hotels Group has been managed by the Pujol family.The family business has developed from one generation to the next, making it a leading player today in the hospitality industry in Carcassonne, a historic town in Southern France.

The hotels Cité Hotels – the company’s name reveals its allegiance: A profound attachment to the remarkable architectural entity that makes up one of Europe’s largest ancient citadels, “La Cité de Carcassonne”, as the magnifi cent medieval Citadel of Carcassonne is known in French. Centred in and around this citadel, the Cité Hotels Group owns 4 hotels, 5 restaurants (among which, the Michelin-starred La Barbacane, located in Hôtel de la Cité) and a wine-bar specializing in regional wines. Situated in the heart of the Citadel, between the imposing Count’s Castle and the St. Nazaire Basilica, the centennial Hôtel de la Cité offers each guest a unique stay .

Just a little way down the cobbled main street from Hôtel de la Cité is its sister hotel, the 4-star Best Western Hotel Le Donjon. Three medieval-style buildings make up the hotel - the Donjon, the Remparts and the Comte Roger. The hotel has 61 elegant guest rooms and 2 function rooms. Outside the ramparts, at the foot of the Citadel, stands the Hotel Mercure Porte de la Cité. This 4-star hotel, situated in a building the style of an old Languedoc country house and surrounded by greenery, has attractive views of the Citadel and the distant hills.

CONTACTChristine PUJOL, Managing DirectorEmail: [email protected]

Partn

er P

rofil

e


Bora Bora, Tahiti and her islands symbolize the dream, seducing honeymooners looking for an exclusive romantic holiday. French Polynesia abounds in wonderful and unique treasures:everlasting turquoise waters, a deep Polynesian culture, a diversity of its landscapes and above all kind and gentle inhabitants.

Bora Bora, the Pearl of the Pacifi c, a must for Bollywood starsBora Bora has attracted for years worldwide honeymooners making her one of the most romantic island ever. From the dramatic scenery to the privacy and amenities of the high end resorts, everything in Bora Bora is just perfect to make lovers’ dream come true. In 2009, even Bollywood stars Hrithik Roshan and Suzanne Khan have stayed - in Bora Bora. “Experience” is the fi rst word that comes to mind when traveling to Bora Bora: a traditional wedding ceremony, a romantic dinner on the beach, a sunset cruise, a relaxing massage or a short escapade to the island of Tupai, the Island Heart, to immortalize your love.Tahiti’s Hidden Paradises…French Polynesia will also amaze you by the natural beauty of its hidden paradises: scuba diving with dolphins in Rangiroa or Tikehau, hiking and visiting vanilla plantations in Tahaa and Huahine. You will be surprised by the unique assets of our islands. Tahiti Travel Specialists are your local inbound travel agency. Based in Tahiti, our travel experts, will share their passion and their knowledge of the destination and will customize your authentic holidays in Tahiti and her islands at the best value. Simply share your dream holiday with us and we will make your dream come true.

CONTACTTeanatea TETOE, Director of Sales and Marketing Email: [email protected]

Tahiti Travel Specialists:An Exclusive Honeymoon in an Exclusive Paradise

Partne

r Profile


For how long has your company been promoting France? Since we started with the outbound division in 2007.

What kind of volumes you do currently? What kind of growth rates have you seen since the beginning? Have the growth rates been increasing in the last 8-10 years?

While we do not comment on competitors sensitive information like volumes, we wish to highlight that the growth rates towards France have been substantial and in the last 5 years

we have never seen less than double digit year on year growth. The numbers have been steadily increasing because of growing customer interest as also because of the efforts put by Atout France in proposing newer and diversed destinations in France.

Which were the initial destinations and circuits that you had launched? How have these evolved?

Initially the circuits were the ones that were known and popular out of India : Paris / Chamonix / Nice , over the years

Inte

rvie

w


Ashwini Kakkar: Executive Vice Chairman, Mercury Travels

He is multifaceted to say the least. Ashwini Kakkar has a law degree, done an MBA from INSEAD and another from IIM Kolkata. After a stint at companies like GE, Kakkar found his calling in the tourism industry, where he was the managing director of Thomas Cook India for six years, before taking over as Vice Chairman of Mercury Travels. Fluent in French and even in love with France, Kakkar knows France like few other travel specialists in India. In an interview with India Outbound, he shares his views on the importance of the Indian market and what pulls Indians to France.

“Over the years the products have evolved and matured to such an extent that we have clients asking for pretty much every nook and cranny of France and we are so happy making suggestions and bookings for them there. Some of the popular circuits that have evolved are : , Champagne, Rhone Alps, Provence, Strasbourg, Carcassonne etc.

“


the products have evolved and matured to such an extent that we have clients asking for pretty much every nook and cranny of France and we are so happy making suggestions and book-ings for them there. Some of the popular circuits that have evolved are : , Champagne, Rhone Alps, Provence, Strasbourg, Carcassonne etc.

What is the difference between the Indian tourists to France earlier and those of today?

Earlier the tourists were happy covering the places they had heard of and were far less experimental, whereas today there is so much more exposure, they are so much more confi dent and are willing to go and experience things and places that are off the beatentrack completely. In earlier days, there was a customer tendency to go on group tours and visit around 10 cities during the 14 days

tour to Europe whereas these days the same customers have evolved into FITs and focus on spending their holiday in one or two cities of a single country like France.

What are the principal factors behind this evolution?Exposure in terms of the media, internet and higher

disposable income that allows them to travel more and get more confi dent. The market has also evolved in terms of segmentation and customers are now looking at France not only as a family leisure destination but also as MICE destination, honeymoon destination etc.

How proactive is your company in promoting novelties in the itineraries?

Extremely proactive, because that’s what we stand for. We were the fi rst company to give birth to some completely innovative programmes to France as well as introducing some fantastic hotels and chateaux to our clients.

How do you evaluate the work of the French tourism authorities and the private sector players in the Indian market?

The French Tourism Authority led by Miss Catherene Oden have worked very hard over the past many years to showcase the country and the various regions within it. The dramatic growth of the passenger numbers is testimony to their focus and their efforts.

What more could be done by them?Because of budgetry constrains of France and the increasing

spends by their competitors the share of voice of France issteadily coming down in this important market.

The Loire river offers a great boating experience

Cours Saleya in Nice, France

Cyclist and pedestrians at the Place de la Victoire, Bordeaux

© A

TO

UT

FR

AN

CE

/Fra

nck

Cha

rel

The introduction of Bio metrics for the French Visa is also affecting travel towards France especially since competing Eurpoean destinations do not insist on bio metrics for the issue of Schengen Visas.


Inte

rvie

w

Mercury Travels has been a forerunner in travel related services for over 60 years and enjoys an excellent reputation for providing reliable, personalized and professional services. The company has stood the test of time by constantly reinventing itself to meet changing customer needs and expectations. Set up in 1948 as a subsidiary of the East Indian Hotels Ltd (EIH Ltd), which owns or manages the Oberoi Hotels & Resorts and Trident Hotels, Mercury Travels is currently a joint venture between EIH Ltd and Mr. Ashwini Kakkar, a leading travel industry professional. Mr Kakkar’s contribution in promoting Indo-French relations was recognised by the French Government who bestowed him with the ‘’Ordre National du Mérite’’ award in 2007. Mercury Travels reinvented itself as an end-to-end travel services company in 2007 by launching the outbound leisure travel business, Meetings Incentives Conference Events (MICE) business, foreign exchange business and travel insurance services, while consolidating the inbound travel and corporate the travel businesses. The company also repositioned itself into a fresh, contemporary and premium brand through a logo and identity change. Since then the company has undertaken numerous initiatives to remain at the cutting edge of products and service delivery for customers. “Holidays are a time for bonding. Our holiday offers are crafted to provide extraordinary, magical and life changing experiences for our customers” says Ashwini Kakkar, Executive Vice Chairman when speaking of Mercury Travels’ Outbound Leisure Holidays programme with fl exible itineraries that are promoted through its network of 30 offi ces that span 16 Indian cities and through is chain of preferred travel agents.France is of course the most visited country in the world and has been a successful destination for Mercury Travels. France has something for everyone – for honeymooners taking a romantic stroll hand in hand along a cobble-stoned boulevard; for families with kids enjoying at theme parks like Parc Asterix and Disneyland Paris; for connoisseurs indulging in a wine tour; or shoppers engaged in retail therapy at shopping malls like the Printemps or the Galleries Lafayette or the many other haute couture shopping places in Paris. Holiday travel to France has shown double digit year on year growth in the last fi ve years. The growing customer interest in France as a holiday destination combined with the immense efforts put in by Atout France in proposing newer and diverse destinations within France have led to sustained interest in the destination. Some of the popular circuits that have evolved are: Aquitaine and Bordeaux, Champagne, Rhone Alps, Provence, Strasbourg and Carcassonne.Led by Ms. Catherine Oden, Atout France continues to work very hard to showcase the country and the various regions within it. The dramatic growth of the passenger numbers is testimony to their focus and their efforts. Mercury Travels works closely with Atout France to launch innovative programmes and to introduce some fantastic hotels and chateaux that add to the customers’ experiences. Mercury Travels is committed to promoting holiday travel to France and to making France the destination of choice when planning a holiday to Europe

© A

TO

UT

FR

AN

CE

/Dan

iel P

hilip

pe

Loire Valley Chateaux

Ponts Couverts in Strasbourg

For how long has your company been promoting France?Cox & Kings Ltd’s India offi ce has been promoting France for

more than 20 years quite successfully. France as a destination has both mass appeal and niche demand. All our European itineraries for our popular Group Tours have France included in it and this speaks volumes of how popular France is as a destination amongst Indians.

What kind of volumes you do currently? What kind of growth rates have you seen since the beginning? Have the growth rates been increasing in the last 8-10 years?

On an average we have grown by more than 25 per cent per year and this at a compounded rate. The iconic Eiffel Tower, Louvre, shopping in Champs Elysees - one of the most fashion-


Karan AnandHead Relationship, Cox and Kings

Karan Anand, is Head–Relationships and Supplier Management, Cox & Kings Ltd. A graduate in Economics from the University of Mumbai, Karan joined Cox & Kings in January 1994 as a Consultant for Product and Contracting-Inbound. Karan successfully went on to head all Contracting - Inbound. With the beginning of the boom in Outbound travel, he added to his profi le, contracting for outbound travel as well, making him the Head–Contracting-Inbound & Outbound. Karan’s rise in the company is in sync with the growth of the company. In 2003, Karan was made Director–Contracting. 2005 saw Karan head Products Worldwide, in charge of Cox & Kings’ key relationships. Karan has over 19 years of experience in the travel industry. His rich under-standing of the business of travel enables him to ...An avid reader, Karan is also passionate about music, sports – swimming in particular.

“We had an exclusive tie-up with Grevin Wax Museum and followed it up with introducing Parc Asterix. All these innovations have truly made us a market leader in the Indian market.

“

Inte

rvie

w


able streets in the world, the Napoleanic Arc de Triomphe and the Hotel des Invalides are amongst places that are very popular amongst Indian tourists. We believe that France will continue to grow amongst Indian tourists and we believe that people will start moving from the regular tourist spots to more exclusive destinations in France.

Which were the initial destinations and circuits that you had launched? How have these evolved?

Initially we had done the regular Paris trip where customers would visit the Eiffel Tower, cruise on River Seine etc. visit the Louvre amongst others. These have then evolved to visit to the Lido where we pioneered the concept of Indian dinner during the show, which was ably supported by our partners in France.

We at Cox & Kings realized that the Indian traveler was ready

to experiment and in 2006 introduced the Rhone Alps Region to the Indian traveler. We introduced Charmonix in all our group tours and we were the fi rst to introduce a new French product in the Indian market. Mont Blanc as it is popularly known amongst Indians, we provided the facility of providing Indian vegetarian food to our travelers.

Later, we had an exclusive tie-up with Grevin Wax Museum and followed it up with introducing Parc Asterix. All these innovations have truly made us a market leader in the Indian market.

We have always strived to give the Indian traveler a slice of France that they have never seen before and our travelers have appreciated our efforts. We have been ably supported by the vari-ous tourism boards in France and also Atout France. They have recognized our efforts and appreciated us for introducing new regions to the evolved Indian traveler.

What is the difference between the Indian tourists to France earlier and those of today?

The Indian traveler has evolved over the years. Earlier, Indians primarily travelled in groups and we catered to this market and understood that their apprehension was due to two factors. One, the availability of Indian vegetarian food—due to socio religious factors and second lack of awareness about the destination, though they knew that they had to visit France to see

Champs Elysees

Chorales du Faucigny in Chamonix & Mont blanc

Rhone Alpes

© A

TO

UT

FR

AN

CE

/Fab

ian

Cha

raffi

the Eiffel Tower and other important landmarks around France. Over the years, as the Group Traveller opted for customized FIT packages, service providers also changed their offering. We now have many Indian restaurants that dot Paris and other cities. Indians now were even more confi dent about travelling on their own. Atout France has also played the role of the catalyst to the hilt. They conducted workshops for travel agents, partnered with them and also took journalists and agents on FAM trips. This led to a better understanding of France as a destination. Today, the number of Indians travelling to France has gone up quite signifi cantly.

What are the principal factors behind this evolution?Ability of tour operators like Cox & Kings to introduce new

destinations like Chamonix, Grevin Wax Museum and Parc Asterix. This is in keeping with our motto of serving the customer with new product offerings to delight him when he is on a holiday.

How do you evaluate the work of the French tourism authorities and the private sector players in the Indian market?

Atout France has done a remarkable job in playing the role of facilitator in the promotion of France as a destination.


Inte

rvie

wNapoleanic Arc de Triomphe

Grevin Wax Museum

The Aiguille du Midi in Mont Blanc

© A

TO

UT

FR

AN

CE

/Her

vé L

e G

ac

Mahatma Gandhi jiRestaurantRestaurant

AddressAddressGandhi Ji's :-12 rue la Fayette, 75009 Paris,Tel : 01 45 23 21 52,

Chaussée- d'Antin – La Fayette. Ouv 12h – 14h30, 19h-23h 30. Fermé 1 mai et 25 déc.

Formules déj 13,50 euro – 16,50 euro ; le soir , menus21-32 euro. Digestif maison( le soir) offert surpré- sentation de ce guide.

erChaussée- d'Antin – La Fayette. Ouv 12h – 14h30, 19h-23h 30. Fermé 1 mai et 25 déc.

Formules déj 13,50 euro – 16,50 euro ; le soir , menus21-32 euro. Digestif maison( le soir) offert surpré- sentation de ce guide.

er

AhirArvnd est un ambassadeur de la cuisine indienne. Dans sonrestaurant, vous pourrez apprécier tout ce qui fait le piment et lasaveur de la cuisine de l'ouest de l'Inde. Ses mets sont divinementépicés et pimentés selon votre degré de tolérance. Régalez-vousavec sa caille tandoori ou son agneau Madras, accompagnés tousdeux d'un naan.Métro : Chaussée-d'Antin-La FayetteHoraires d'ouvertureOuvert après 23hOuvert le dimanche

Mahatma Gandhi jiMahatma Gandhi ji

Euro

pe

on

De

stin

atio

n


In April 2010 Montparnasse Tower, the most exclusive Observation Deck of Paris, offering beautiful views of Paris by day and night, became the fi rst French tourism monument to set up an Indian operation, highlight-ing the growing importance that India has for the French tourism indus-try. With an year gone by, Mr. Jean Marc Champrobert, Sales Director – Montparnasse Tower, Paris, shares his experience of Indian market & the upcoming renovation plan, which will make Montparnasse Tower, a must visit at-traction of Paris.

MONTPARNASSE TOWER : A Brand New Tower for tourists to experience the magic of Paris Day or Night,

The best way to fall in love with Paris

Europ

eo

n De

stinatio

n


After the gap of almost an year, during which it went through the most extensive reno-vation in its history, the 56th fl oor and the terrace of the Montparnasse Tower

reopened their doors to visitors, with a completely new offer, with greater comfort and modern facilities to leave the visitors totally breathless.

After seven months of extensive works, the 56th fl oor is entirely renovated. As both the fl oors have reopened for business, Montparnasse 56 proposes a unique discovery of Paris, through an original and high technology route, before getting to admire the most

beautiful and stunning view of Paris from the height of the panoramic terrace of the 59th fl oor, which had undergone renovation in 2011.

The 360° Café on the 56th fl oor is also wearing a new look with the change of decor and is an ideal place to share a moment of relaxation and repos, between the heaven and the earth. And before you leave, you can take with you a nice souvenir about this unforgettable visit to the Montparnasse Tower.

The Espace 56, the highest reception area in all of Europe, has also unveiled its new look. For Public events or private evenings, Espace 56 offers a magical and stunning

setting for sharing moments that are rich in emotions. This space, which is part of the Panoramic visit can be privatized all along the year.

With an extensive area of 1200 sqm open to public, in an ambience set high above the ground, a sleek design and with a warm, scenic tour you can admire the most beautiful monuments and neighborhoods that constitute the charm of Paris: the Eiffel Tower, the Invalides, the Pantheon, Notre Dame, Montmartre, the Sacred Heart, the Luxembourg Gardens, the Centre Pompidou ... more than 70 monuments!

From top of one of the highest skyscapers of Europe, this 360° panoramic view lets you see Paris as you may have never seen elsewhere.

A unique perspective from above the rooftops of the city to discover the richness, heritage and characteristics of Paris, the “City of Light”. There is also a brief public show on the architecture of the city, with orientation tables allowing the visitors to better understand the city, its dynamism, vitality and different aspects.

From the main arterial roads of Paris to its narrowest lanes and by-lanes, from the completely residential neighborhoods to the most vibrant areas of urban Paris to the romantic vegetation of the Jardin du Luxembourg. To be here is to discover the face of the capital in another fashion!

It’s much more than a visit, it’s an experience !

A high-tech interactive and fun method for discover-ing Paris. Completely redesigned, the scenic tour is en-riched by various animations to offer the visitors an origi-nal and fun trip to the heart of Paris. Program: a place of experimentation and digital discovery!

A total of 10 tablets with increasing reality are spread

all over the 56th fl oor. They allow you to discover, in a single click, the neighborhoods of Paris and their interests. Kiosks and treasure hunts are also available to the public throughout the visit to identify the innumerable treasures of Paris. For lovers of authentic images, a photo exhibition retraces the history of Paris. This permanent exhibition includes more than 185 unique and ancient photographs of Paris.

And for those who do not suffer from vertigo and dont develop cold feet on heights, they should try the new animated Montparnasse 56 “Vertical Experience,” a vir-tual leap from the 56th fl oor that is guaranteed to leave you dizzy!

A panoramic terrace to take your breath away

Arriving at the 59th fl oor: with a spectacular view from the height of 210 meters, the roof-top terrace offers an exceptional showcase of the Parisian panorama. Modern and warmly welcoming, the highest open air observato-ry of Paris offers a designer and well equipped space for visitors to promenade that offers breathtaking views and and also a true observatory in the Parisian sky.

Situated high above the Parisian roof-tops and with glass windows lit up along curved lines. The panoramic terrace integrates spaces conceived for taking the best photographs of Paris. Since the month of March 2012,


View from the top of the Tower

The 56th fl oor : Archive photos exhibition of Paris

each evening at dusk, the Montparnasse Tower moves to the rhythm of a light show. The luminous pulses seize the edges of the terrace and create a unique colourful night show that is not to be missed by any lover of the City of Lights. As the tower is built on a hill that is 65 m high, the total altitude above the mean sea level at the terrace on the 59th fl oor is over 275 m. An area to relax and enjoy light bites :The 360 ° Café and Souvenir Shop

The 360 ° Café: This space offers a relaxing snack service, ideal place to take a break and admire the view. The opportunity to bask in the highest salon of Paris: a Café facing the famous Montmartre or a drink a tea, eye to eye with the Pantheon, for a romantic date or a family break. The refi ned and designer atmosphere makes this Parisian mecca a dream stopover for visitors.

To complete this unprecedented visit to the heart of Paris, a stop at the souvenir shop is a must ... to take with you a piece of this extraordinary journey, the store has a variety of souvenirs appealing to all tastes and choices.

L’Espace 56 : An ideal reception Salon The panoramic Salon living up to the expectations of

your guests and your eventsEspace 56 is the highest exhibition and reception salon

of Europe, located about 200m from the ground. After several months of work, it now reveals its new visage. The hushed atmosphere and spectacular views make this area a great place to organize public events or private parties:MICE Tourism: Ideal place to conduct seminars, product presentations, showrooms, conferences and meetings ;

Events: Television sets, radio studios, concerts, press events, theme nights ; Individuals: Cocktails, dance-cum-dinners, marriages, rallies etc

Upon renting the Espace 56 you also have unlimited access to the terrace during the opening hours of the visit. The terrace is accessible to all visitors, it is nevertheless available for privatisation, at least partially, besides the Espace 56. These areas are guaranteed to generate an ideal setting for your events so that your guests leave with a lot of emotion.

The “City of Lights” from the sky!With breathtaking views of the Eiffel Tower and its

surroundings, Espace 56 offers a magical and stunning setting for you to share the moments of pleasure, happiness and full of emotions. This space integrated with the panoramic visit and which gives access to the terrace of the 59th fl oor is available for privatisation round the year. Indoors as well as outdoors, for a full day or just the evening, enjoy a breathtaking view of the most beautiful sights of the best monuments of Paris.

A vibrant nightlife ambience that makes Espace 56 as one of the top 10 reception areas of Paris.

350 m² of rental space Capacity : 300 personnes (cock-tail) / 170 (dinner) Hall with a panoramic view and access to the panoramic terrace

Europ

eo

n De

stinatio

n


The 56th fl oor : Souvenir shop

Espace56 : function room

Panoramic terrace of the 59th roof


How has the year 2012 been for TM so far? What has been your India strategy?

The year 2012 will very certainly be an exceptional year for Montparnasse 56. Our forecast for 2012 till mid-August shows over 1.1 mn visitors, representing a growth of over 25 percent over the preceding year. There are various explanations for this growth :

1. The impact of our renovation works. Just to remind you, the Panoramic Terrace had been entirely renovated since July 2011 and fi nished the complete renovation of the 56th fl oor at the beginning of June 2012. All these novelties make the Panoramic Visit much more attractive.

2. Right at the beginning of the touristic season the Eiffel Tower faced a very serious problem with one of its elevators. Faced with these issues, they were obliged to modify the conditions of receiving the visitors, especially those in groups. As a result, we benefi tted from some of their traffi c . Now that the things are back in order, our principal objective is to gain the loyalty of most

of the tour operators, who tried the Panoramic Visit due to the problems in Eiffel Tower.

3. This incredible growth is mainly due to some of the long-haul markets and that too mainly due to the groups, which have seen an impressive growth this year. I am talking of markets like the Chinese, Russian, Indonesian and of course the Indian markets.

How will the renovation impact the Indian market?

It seems to me that one of the characteristics of the Indian market is its constant search for novelties, something new. Knowing that Paris as a historic city is not in perpetual movement, any novelty offered by the tourist sites are always welcome. The Montparnasse Tower now proposes the two-level visit completely renovated and modernised with new supports and tools such as the orientation tables at increased reality which not only allow our visitors to better understand the view but also provide them more information on the principal monuments of Paris visible from the Tower.

Over the next few months, we are looking forward to receiving a number of familiarisation tours or fam tours by the Indian tourism professionals in order that they can test

Jean-Marc ChamprobertSales Director, Montparnasse Tower, Paris

56th fl oor : The 360° Café


directly these novelties and also experience the Panoramic Visit themselves.

How key is India as a market for you? And what is the potential of this market ?

The Indian market is certainly an essential market for us and i twill certainly become one of the Top 5 markets for Paris in under 10 years. Today, if the fi gures of arrivals from India are already sizeable, they will be much larger in the years ahead. That is the reason we have been present in this market for nearly three years, with a local sales force dedicated only to this market. It is now that we have to work to prepare for the future and to anticipate the future growth of this market.

Paris will always remain a must-visit destination for the Indian tourists. All of them dream of Paris, it is a historic and romantic city for them and it evokes varied emotions in them. Now we have to develop three aspects in order to welcome new clients – the capacity in hotels, the airlines’ capacities and to simplify the process of getting visas.

Are you designing any special offers for the Indian clients?

The Indian market is a very specifi c and special market with its own requirements and needs. We have to adapt ourselves and propose those products that fulfi ll the needs of our clients. The fi rst thing to do is to have some Indian workers in our team, to welcome the tourists at the Tower in Paris as well as having someone in our commercial team in India who can develop the commercial relationship with the leading tour operators.

As we have been present in the market in India for nearly three years with a team, we have interacted with our clients, the tour operators, and introduced a number of innovations in the offer to suit the Indian clients. We will continue to work with our partners in India to ensure that the Tower always responds and corresponds to the demand of the market. Montparnasse Tower

Tour

ism


Tourism


Jewel of the MediterraneanMarseille

Marseille

The oldest living city in France,on the famed Mediterranean coast, Marseille is a jewel that remains to be fully explored by the Indian tourists. Ranvir Nayar travelled through the largest city in southern France and found countless gems, all worth a good look and a feel.


Though Marseille is well connected by air, the best way to arrive into the city is by the TGV from Paris. First, it is really rapid. Three hours to cover the 1000-odd kilometres that separate the French capital from this captivating city.

That the city is historic and beautiful becomes evident even as your train approaches the main rail station of Marseille, Gare St Charles. From the windows you can spot a city with immense diversity, in terms of people, constructions et al. The city is not unlike many ancient Indian cities, which have been constructed and reconstructed over centuries.

This is also very true of Marseille which has been a city of migrants as various peoples over the last 2600 years, arriving through the large and very old port, brought with them their cultures, their achitectures, their languages and their own traits. Fortunately, much of this is well preserved and hence the city tour is defi nitely one of the richest that France or perhaps may other European countries can offer.

Though part of France for over 500 years now, Marseille is not a very typical French city, say Lyons, Paris or Strasboug. Its people are very proud of their cutural and social differences with France and they want to preserve their distinct identity.

The history of Marseille begins with a love story, between a Greek sailor Protis, who travelled from the other extreme of the Mediterranean Sea, and Gyptis, the daugher of King Nann of Liguria, the territory connecting south-eastern France with Italy. Protis and his crew arrived in Liguria the day that the King was holding the wedding of his daughter. She chose Protis, who got the much envied territory called Massalia.

As the city had already become the most important trading port in the Mediterranean, it decided to have a bigger port, able to handle larger ships and hence a new port was constructed near the ‘old’ port, even today referred to as Vieux Port. Over time, the city kingdom developed a strong army and conquered territories in Corsica, Spain, Antibes and Languedoc regions of France. It also became a wealthy city as it was the principal port in the ex-tremely rich trade between eastern and western Mediterranean and the Levant region of the Middle East. Traces of the prosperity of the city can still be found as in the archaeological sites, coins minted from the period can still be discovered.

Tour

ism

Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-Majeure de Marseille

Vieux Port-Marseille

© A

TO

UT

FR

AN

CE

/Mic

hel A

ngot

© A

TO

UT

FR

AN

CE

/A. D

upon

t

Tourism


The wealth and prosperity attracted several raiders and for several centuries the city became a hunting ground for various armies from all over the region, which, along with repeated plague outbursts ruined the city, fi nancially, from which it began to re-cover only in the 12th century AD. The most signifi cant period in the medieval history of Marseille was the 16th century when the emperor Francois 1 constructed a fort to protect Marseille from raiders. This was the Tour St Jean. Soon enough Louis XIV decided to over run the resistance of Marseille as an independent kingdom. He fortifi ed the city further, building Forts St Jean and St Nicholas, encircling the port, with a view to protect Marseille but also ensure his control over this rebellious city. But the city did not last long and in the beginning of the 18th century it was again hit by a severe plague, which killed over 35 percent of its 90,000 inhabitants.

The city, however, bounced back and began rebuilding the city centre, with the development of a new business district, the

Canebière. This was followed by the promenade of the Cor-niche and the rue Imperiale. The Gare St Charles was also built in this period, around 1845.

In the late 19th and 20th century, Marseille became a havre for all the immigrants, be it workers from other parts of Europe or the Armenians, fl eeing persecution in their homeland. After the second world war, the city saw a massive infl ux of migrants from North African countries – Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco as well as from French-speaking sub-Sahara African countries, making it a true melting pot of cultures and religions. Little wonder then that the city has been chosen as the European Cultural Capital for the year 2013.

Though the city was attacked heavily during the second world war, it was reconstructed and today has numerous places of inter-est for tourists.One of the oldest monasteries is the Abbaye Saint Victor, founded way back in the 5th century, where Saint Victor had been massacred by the Romans in 302 AD. The monastery has ben very infl uential and powerful in the Christian world as one of its heads in the 14th century became the Pope Urban V of Avignon.

Another place defi nitely worth a visit is the Sainte Marie Majeure, near the Vieux Port. Built by Prince Louis Napoleon Bonarpte, in an attempt to placate the Church. The Cathedral is close to other major landmarks such as the Gare Saint Charles, the Bourse (Stock Exchange), the Longchamp Palais, the Palais du Pharo and the Notre Dame de la Garde, another very important cathedral of the city. Incidentally, all of these monuments were built in a space of two decades from 1845 to 1864.

The Sainte Marie Majeure has a mix of various styles – Roman, Gothic and Byzantine. It is huge, running about 140 m in length and a cupola 70 m high. The Cathedral is site of a major festival, L’Ascension or the Assumption Day on August 15 each year. The day sees a huge procession with a golden statue of the Virgin Mary carried through out the old city.

Another major monument is the Notre Dame de la Garde, a mix of Roman and Byzantine styles, built in the 1860s. The cathedral has been built at the highest point of Marseille and has a stunning 9-metre statue of Virgin Mary, perched on top of the bell tower. The bell, at over 8.3 tonnes, is also worth a look. Another important site is the Saint Ferreol les Augustins, a bright white church, not too different from the churches of

57

Sainte Marie Majeure

Golden statue of the Virgin Mary © A

TO

UT

FR

AN

CE

/Mic

hel A

ngot

Goa. Though the church was fi rst built in the 15th century, it has undergone several changes. The church was home to the mortal remains of St Louis d’Anjou but the Spaniards claimed them and took them away in 1423.

Some of Marseille’s monuments also fi gure in literature, for instance, Château d’If fi gures in the famous ‘The Count of Monte Christo’ by Alexandre Dumas. Set on the island of If, this château was also used as a prison, most notably for Mirabeau, the hero of the French Revolution. There are regular ferries to the island throughout the day.

In the Panier district is the Centre de la Vielle Charité, which was earlier a hospice but now houses the Archaeological Museum as well as the African, Oceanic, Amerindian Arts Museum.

Cuisine : As the city is a vibrant mix of cosmopolitan cultures, it is also very diverse and rich in its culinary heritage. The Provençal cuisine is acclaimed to be one of the best in Europe,if not the world, and puts to good use the rich marine products from the Mediterranean. Marseille has invented several unique products such as the Bouillabaisse, the fi sh soup, with saffron, garlic and croutons. While you can have it for about 20 in most restaurants, the real gourmands can head to Chez Madie les Gallienettes, where a Michelin 3 star chef, Gérald Passédat, has created his own version for 160.

Marseille is also a great place to sample a very imaginative and diverse sea-food menu based on fi sh, oysters, crabs, mussels etc. The best place to taste the sea food is in the Vieux Port area, which is lined with several good restaurants.

Of course, you can also sample North African, Italian and other cuisines, including Indian. If looking for budget restaurants, head to the Panier area. To accompany your meals,

you can try Pastis, the Marseille drink or several very good wines from the near by vineyards.

Shopping: As the biggest trading port on the Mediterranean and one with a long history of doing business with traders from all over the world, you would expect the shopping in Marseille to be a unique experience. However, besides a few areas, the shopping is not the strongest point of this city.

It does not mean that you go back home empty handed. Dont forget to take the Savon de Marseille (the Marseille soap), a unique olive oil soap which has been made here for over 600 years. Over years, a large variety of soaps has been developed and a good place to choose the soap is La Licorne, where you can not only buy the soap but also see how it is made.


Tour

ism

Marseille City

© A

TO

UT

FR

AN

CE

/Fra

nck

Cha

rel

© A

TO

UT

FR

AN

CE

/Fra

nçoi

s-X

avie

r P

révo

t

1882 - 2012

130 years130 years130 yearsLe Petit Prince / Droits d’adaptation : LPP612 - Société Pour l’oeuvre et la Mémoire d’Antoine de Saint-Exupéry - 2008 © 2011 - LPPTV - Method Animation - Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (France) - LP Animation - Fabrique d’Images - DQ Entertainment Limited - ARD. En association avec France Télévisions, WDR, RAI Fiction, TSR et TV5 Monde. Une série adaptée pour la télévision de l’œuvre “Le Petit Prince” d’Antoine de Saint-Exupéry par Matthieu Delaporte, Alexandre de la Patellière et Bertrand Gatignol. Réalisée par Pierre-Alain Chartier.Titeuf : TITEUF par Zep © France Animation / Editions Glénat / France 3 / Canal J / Smec.

eur

op

eo

n d

est

ina

tion


The French art de vivreBurgundy

There are places that the perpetual noise of mainstream literature, culture and references hides from the sparkling reality of modern living: Burgundy in central France, is certainly one of those. To give the Dukes the memory they deserve, to put Côte d’Or its due place on the tourists’ maps and to enjoy and rejuvenate in its simple splendor, Alexandre Seviran travels extensively in Burgundy from the vineyards to the streets of Dijon to tell you more about this best kept secret of France.

Wineyard in Dijon, Burgundy

Wine

Tourism

Burgundy, a mysterious place for your eyes my Indian friends. From France, you only know Paris, this royal and majestic tree that shadows from the height of its pride the forest of whole

a country. Maybe, sometimes, the Riviera and its seaside stations distract your attention by the magic of a movie festival that attracts lights once a year or by the glitter of typical and picturesque stations that 2 centuries of artists have illuminated and made a haven of peace for stars and an heritage for humanity. For the best experts of our country and the fi nest gourmets of yours, Bordeaux and its neighborhood may occupy a special place in their hearts as it represents the delicate alliance of soil, stone and vine that constitutes one international reference for the amateurs of this drink we hope the world to envy us. But Burgundy?

Burgundy is one of those lands that, as Michel Houellebec, the best known contemporary French writer, expressed it in his last book “the map and the territory”, is worth being known more for its “terroir” and its profound nature than for the margin values of its contribution to the national economical and statistical contemporary activities of its country, even if they are not completely negligible in the high tech sector. Its capital city, Dijon, sits only at the 20th rank of French agglomerations for population; and if innovation is set as a priority, tradition is a must. Burgundy may never appear on your TV set for its latest news.. There is little chance it makes the headline of your paper or magazine.

Burgundy has known all sorts of infl uences in its history. On the one hand, the rule of the Valois dynasty from the neighbouring Switzerland lent it political and economic might and on the other it also learnt the Christian beatitude through the Benedictine and Cistercine orders that occupied the land. It then


Burgundy

saw a return to the French royalty at the end of the Hundred Year War, followed by a harsh ‘dechristianization’ following the French Revolution. All these events have left their distinctive mark on Burgundy, making it a very unique place in France, where people are courageous, hard working, a bit reserved with foreigners, yet no less warm, welcoming or bon vivants than their compatriots. The proof lies in the magnifi cent diversity of the architecture of Dijon city centre, making it look like a miniature Paris. This is the land where the locals work their land hard which rewards them with its heavenly wines and the famous art-de-vivre that goes so well with its prodigal gastronomy.

Hear me and follow me. Honour me with your presence and attention in this greedy and fl avoured journey; because if there are lands blessed by God and sprinkled by His generosity, Burgundy must be their Chief Mistress.

More than a territory, some “terroirs”First a bit about its geographical layout. Burgundy is

surrounded by three great rivers, the Seine, the Loire and the Rhône. Its plains and plateaus are wide and fertile. Together with Haute-Saone, it has one of the highest European forest density. The Morvan hills and its wet and green foothills are the delight of the local vineyard farmers. And its backbone carries prodigiously its name and make the country’s chalice: “Côte d’Or” (“gold hill”). This 60 km ridge between Dijon and Santenay through Beaune is the essence of the best this land carries: the vineyards and its climates.

This climate is at the heart of the Burgundian soul. On very different kinds of soil, from the alluvium plains to the limestone hillside, man has been working this land for more than 2 millennium to harvest its grapes, the quintessential ingredient for the production of wine, its gold. Each of its plots of land is today defi ned by an offi cial scientifi c classifi cation, following a long historic work of characterization of its soil and meteorological conditions. In this ranking, it carries a single and unique identity : its “climate”. Burgundy has its very own defi nition of “climate”: the aggregation between a natural data (soil, relief, temperatures, rain, lightening...) that gives to grape its biology and to wine its character, and a human factor (viticulturist, his know-how, his wine production infrastructure as press, cellar or barrels) that gives its quality.


Win

e T

our

ism

Dijon, Château de Brochon

Wine

Tourism


This systematic work, the continuity of efforts, this balance between personalization and devotion,Burgundy owes it to the construction work of the Cluny and Citeaux Abbeys. Monks from those orders (that used to celebrate their Christian god and the sacrifi ce of its son Jesus Christ for the redemption of humanity by the Eucharisty, ie. the consumption of the bread and wine symbolizing his sacrifi ce, the one of his body and blood) rivalled in their devotion and attention to produce a wine that reached the same heights as the One that inspired them. They had been working intensively, with no brake and for centuries, to recover from their land and work its best, going this far into perfection that they used to taste their soil to determine its kind. They innovated, radically transforming the knowledge and way the work was done: they made, for instance, from their poorest soil (limestone hillside) their jewel box for their fi nest vine and wine. Their work led to the prosperity of Burgundy in the late middle-ages and their legacy for their modern followers, a mosaic of passionate and enthusiastic wine producers.

The “terroirs” or “climates” of Burgundy, reognised as UNESCO world heritage sites, are today open to travelers from the whole world. An oenotouristic channel has been constituted to present this inestimable wealth, honor and pride of local inhabitants. The great vineyards of “Côte de nuit”, “Côte de Beaune” and “Côte Chalonnaise”- the ensemble forming the “Côtes d’Or”have been endowed with touristic tours, called “wine roads”, mixing discovery of the lands, walk or bike ride on hillside

paths lined with typical stone walls between villages and vineyards for example, visits of winery and their “terroirs”, including the Roman Clos Vougeot castle today property of the Tastevin fellowship, or the mythical 1ha piece of land of the Romanée Conti vineyard, god’s nectar because only covering this world greats’ tables, and taste in the cellar of some of the best wines in each “appellation”.. Yearly, an auction of wine bottles is organized in Beaune at the famous (“Hospices de Beaune”, to collect funds for the upkeep of the monument. More than illustrating a recognition of the ancients’ heritage or an historic continuity in the apprehension of the land, this November sale is also a privileged moment for amateurs from the world togather for a tasting session. An appropriate time for visiting and enjoying the region, even more when you know that in the same time in Dijon, the city organizes a gastronomic fair!

Understanding a Burgundy wine labelFirst key element is the “cepages” that is the kind

of grapes used to make the wine. If it is “aligoté” or “chardonnay”, it is used to make white wines, if it is gamay or pinot noir, it is for red wine.

Besides the grape, the label has three distinct elements.First the appellation which is function of the “terroir” or

“climate”. It is of four types:• “Burgundy” appellation for wines with the regional appellation. It is reserved for blend of grapes not eligible for the “village” appellation•“Village” appellation which is applied to wines made with a blend of grapes coming from

63

Wine Barrels stored in a Cave

Wine stock room


a single village plots of land. Therefore, the bottle will carrythe name of the village• “Premier cru” and “grand cru” appellations that are reserved to wine coming from a unique plot of land from a village. Those wines are the most sought after by the connoisseurs, and are usually sold from 50 Euros to hundreds of thousands of Euros

The tag also mentions the producer’s name. It may be a cooperative or an independent producer or domain. The fi nal element is the type of soil that defi nes the appellation and the producer its identity, the third great actor in the production of an exceptional wine is the time that will confer its character.Last important thing to know, according to the various appellations, you can guess the ideal time to keep in a cellar a wine: up to 3 years for a “Burgundy” appellation, up to 5 years for a “village” appellation, up to 7 years for a “premier cru” appellation and 10 years and more for a “grand cru” appellation.

Tasting and enjoying a wineThe corner stone of oenology, science of the wine,

is tasting. Through the senseual identifi cation, the oenologist can trace the whole journey of a wine from its “terroir”, to the conditions of its production, and even the exact year it was made. To do so, he associates to a technical detail a special tint, smell, or taste.

To taste a wine, tradition imposes a three step methodfrom eyes to mouth in order to solicit the three senses:

view, smell, taste Of course, this introduction to Burgundy doesn’t aim to enumerate the whole panel of possibilities which is the subject of a whole litterature and that leads to an infi nite number of combinations. It is of your responsibility to build your own taste, my friend. Don’t count on me to get drunk for you. Time to educate yourself !

Towns that make the Kings look paleIf Burgundy’s land is generous, the Burgundy man has

exploited every part of it with his genius while preserving its sovereign nature. Culture of the wood for buildings or barrels, culture of the soil for vine or other agricultural products, quarries for the making limestone bricks the highlightof the region architecture. This stone marks the whole land with its extensive use, like the short limestone brick walls that separates each vineyard or in cities as Dijon, it shows the successive passing of centuries with the strength it gave to each of their buildings: Roman abbeys and churches, Gothic middle-age buildings of the Valois Dukes, majestic touch of the French classical style and its fl ower bed of private hotels or industrial modernity with the addition of “Hausmanian” and “Art-Deco” style. In general, it gives to people of every situation a stylish home, whether half timbered or full-stone, all gathered in tiny precious villages.

The two major towns of Burgundy “Cote d’Or”, Beaune and Dijon, rival for brilliance. The fi rst one is already

Grapes being harvested in a vineyard

A well-stocked Wine Cave

Wine

Tourism


referenced as a world heritage by UNESCO for its marvelous “Hospices” and especially its gold roof with red, purple and green colored diamond shape patterns. The second is fi lled with the Dukes’ prestige and its political and economical preeminence; it applies for.

Dijon, the main town of the region, is a city with a royal past. This noble line made it architecturally comparable with Paris with its 100 belfries, counting St Phillibert Roman church, Notre Dame Church, an untypical Gothic church with its lines of Greece inspired columns, its friezes and its 51 gargoyles, or St Begnigne and its 3 concentric line of 48 columns crypt, only comparable to the one settled under the Vatican, and its numerous private hotels called “parliamentary hotels” because they were home to the regional dignitaries practically the same number as the buildings of this kind in the Marais, a Parisian district. In the XIXth and XXth century, pushed by the industrial revolution, the city transformed. Unusually for a city to be without a river, it had been, thanks to engineer D’Arcy, the fi rst French city to equip in 1840 with an underground mechanical water and sewage sytem, supplying a network of fountains of an exceptional density for that time with no inhabitant living more than 50m from a fountain, including a typical Louis XV fountain, homage to the great man who lent his name to the main town square. A traders’ city, Dijon has a wonderful market with four covered pavilions, designed by a pupil of the internationally-renowned architect, Gustave Eiffel. Hence, the Place de

la Liberation, formerly Place Royale, is a good example to study the accumulation of style strata in Dijon. Around the Dukes’ Palace built on a medieval fortress, some classical additions have been done to transform it into the local parliament, called House of the Parliament or “Palais des Etats”. The great architect of the king Louis XIV, Hardouin-Mansart subsequently built a hemispheric place, on the lines of the one built in Versailles. To this, rather recently were added, the paving of the streets, some fl oor fountains and cafés and restaurants, in order to create a vibrant city centre.

65

Notre Dame Church in Dijon FranceNotre Dame Church in Dijon

Place de la Libération, Dijon

Palace of the Dukes in Dijon


A simple and authentic refinementAn emblematic character of the Dukes’ town, the

Cannon Kir personifi es the spirit of Burgundy. The city will always have fond memories of this very peculiar person, religious but propagator of one of the most popular drinks of France, the last deputy in a cassock in one of the most irreligious countries in the world. Kir was a prankster and a great notable, never miserly in good words for his fellow citizens and well known for frequently directing the traffi c in front of the city hall.

It is impossible to ignore the great gastronomic sense of Burgundy that makes this region second in France only to Lyon, for the quality of its food. Walking through the

paved and pedestrian city centre of Dijon is a very strong provocation to your hunger and a permanent call to your greed. The city is full of gastronomic restaurants ranked in all the best guides such as the Michelin. Their chefs, both respective of the local tradition and creative with their own personality, revisit skills of the ancient masters, for instance, restaurants as the “DZ’envies” or “Les Oenophiles” that gathered the classical Burgundy snails or meurette eggs and some more original and contemporary creations based on the impressive list of local products. Furthermore, for a foreigner, streets may sometimes look loaded with food as shops with spectacular and appealing windows succeeded one another: wines, cheese, mustard, spiced breads, sweets and so on are languorously offerred to walkers’ concupiscent eyes.

But Dijon is also an exceptional heritage that you may discover street by street by pacing up and down freely thanks to the signposted “Owl Path”, Parcours de la chouette in French that divides the visit of the historic pedestrian town in 30 stages. Moreover, its genuine trademark is not exactly architecture but sculpture that made unique the ornaments embellishing its

Musée des Beaux Arts, Dijon

Pavement cafés, Place de la Libération.

Win

e T

our

ism

Partne

r Profile


numerous buildings and monuments. The city displays some of medieval sculpture masterpieces as The Moses’ Well or “Puit de Moise” in front of the tourism offi ce and starting point of the Owl Path or “The Weepers” at the tomb of the Burgundy Dukes’, a series of 50 cm high statues representing the monks crying over the loss of their duke in their very personal way, the quality of the reproduc-tion of the drapery on the stone had made those a world heritage. Besides these marvels, Dijon has seven museums including the Dijon “Beaux-Arts” museum, one of the oldest and richest. It exposes, besides “The Weepers”, more than 2500 pieces of art. The museums offer free visits for their permanent collections, a rare gesture in France. It proves that Burgundian culture is far from disappearing; an invitation to the younger generations and the curious from around the world to come and drench themselves in the secret of the pious excellency that distills its great achievements.

A Burgundian tale: The KirThis drink owes its name to its greater promoter, the

Cannon Kir. It is said that this great religious leader, upon being elected to the national parliament, he went to the Deputies’ Bar for the fi rst time, he ordered his local favourite drink. But he could not have it as the waiter did not know about it. Then, he took the barman’s place

67


for a demonstration. He blended the Burgundy white “aligoté” wine and the black currant cream and had everyone taste it. The verdict was unanimously positive. His colleagues then decided that such an ambrosia should carry the name of its inventor. The Kir was heavily promoted subsequently all over France. Today, it is the mostconsumed aperitif drink in France, along with the Pastis,an defi nitely the women’s favorite!

We should precise that black currant cream is more than

married to Burgundian wines, it owes them its existence. As in the XIXth century the phylloxera crisis devastated a great amount of vineyards, forever infecting the soil, viticulturists had no other choice than using those lands for other cultures as black currant. Economic intelligence and the sense of taste that Burgundians had, did the rest as these berries are today used in many preparations such as cakes, desserts, sweets etc., all carrying the mark of the local know-how.

Burgundy, Dijon “Côte d’Or”: Essential InformationsGoing to Dijon:• By road from Lyon (2h) and from Paris (3h)• By high speed train from Paris, Charles de Gaulle airport, Nantes, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Lyon, Nice but also Frankfurt in Germany or London in the UK• By Air, using Eastern Airways, from Bordeaux, Toulouse and Nantes

To get information about Dijon and its region Offi ce de Tourisme de Dijon

11 rue des Forges, Cours de la gare et Puit de moise – 21100 Dijon+33 892 700 558www.visitdijon.com

Some nice places to stay (Dijon has 68 hotels in all categories)

Please note that these hotels have been cited because they also propose an excellent cuisine with their restaurants ranked in best guides.A Grand hotel in Dijon

Hôtel La Cloche (*****)+33 380 301 232email: [email protected]

An ‘Hotel de Charme’ Hôtel Philippe le Bon (***)+33 380 307 352www.hotelphilippelebon.com

Discovering Burgundy/Côtes de Nuit wine roadWines and voyages+33 806 110 515www.wineandvoyage.com

We would like to thank the Offi ce de Tourisme, Dijon and their partners for organising this trip

Place Darcy, Dijon

Euro

pe

an

De

stin

atio

n


Mont Saint-Michel

The Wonder of FranceMont St Michel©

ATOU

T FRA

NCE/Jérôm

e Berquez

Europ

ea

n De

stinatio

n


About one hour away from Paris, just off the north-western coast of France, stands Mont Saint Michel, a unique church dating back to the early 8th century. Constructed by Archbishop of Avranche, Aubert, in 709, ‘on the demand of Michel, the archangel. In 966, on the demand of the Duke of Normandy, a community of the Benedictines settled on the rock. Over the next eight centuries, this community continuously built and expanded the Abby to such an extent that right from the 13th century, the place was being called a wonder. The monastery today allows the modern human to meditate and admire the majesty of the Roman art and architecture. And, along with Rome and Saint Jacques de Compostelle, Mont St Michel became one of the most important places of pilgrimage in the Western world. For over a thousand years, men, women and children have been visiting it, hoping to gain eternity on the Judgement Day.


Used as a prison during the French Revolution, the monu-ment had to undergo major restoration work at the end of the 19th century. Over the centuries, a village also developed near the monastery and the defences of the monastery have been strengthened regularly. The island has been invaded and attacked over 100 times in its history and each time the defendants won the battle and since the 15th century it has become the haven for resistance and the order of the Chevaliers de Saint Michel became the fi rst military order in France. Though traditionally, it has attracted Chritian pilgrims, in the recentyears, it has also emerged as a major tourism destination for the non-Christians, with nearly four million visitors a year.

At the entrance of the town is the old Burghers’ Guardroom, now used as the tourist offi ce. After going through the Boulevard Gate and the King’s Gate, one reaches the main street or the Grande Rue, which is home to museums, shops and homes that date back to the 15th and the 16th centuries. Finally, the visitors reach the Grande Degre of a majestic staircase. The view of the island and the seafrom the Abbey is also a unique and extremely beautiful view.

There are also numerous museums that display the weapons, paintings, watches etc from the centuries. One can also visit the prisons and dungeons and a periscope that is over200 years old and gives a great view of the bay. The island has about 15 hotels of various categories, with a total of 500 rooms.

A birds eye view of Mont St Michel

The steeple of the Church of Saint - Michel and the roofs of the town of Nantuna © ATOUT FRANCE/Franck Charel

© ATO

UT FR

AN

CE/R-Cast

Euro

pe

an

De

stin

atio

n


The Church & the Street

Yvoire

Basking in idyllicFrench villageThough France has several large towns and cities that attract tourists, the country is also full of several small villages, each of them with a special appeal for tourists. Sandeep Silas visited Yvoire and found himself pleasantly lost in the fl owers and lazy sunny afternoons.

Yvoire, Rhône- Alps

Europ

ea

n De

stinatio

n


Give me a choice to choose a place to live the rest of my life. An idyll by the lake, amidst fl owers livening up my window; stone houses those seem to have traveled back in time; thin

pedestrian lanes without any machine monster emitting black smoke; spires surprising you at the end of a street; a vil-lage market that comes up informally in the square; laced window panes; lazy boats in the lake; and great food. Yes, I am talking of Yvoire, a village in France, bordering Geneva.

I have a problem. I cannot stay still. I have to explore. So a weekend in Geneva was heaven sent. I learned of a beautiful French village located near the Swiss border. The name wasYvoire and the route was via Evian following the A 40 Autoroute. Off I sped some 45 minutes to Yvoire and was happy to leave the car at the arched stone gateway to the village. The gate did not have a complete look, some portion of it ravaged by time. The village of Yvoire stared straight at me from the medieval ages and seemed to have preserved its character proudly.

Creeper roses, not paper roses, welcomed me at the entrance. The moment the street forked, it was diffi cult to decide which one to take. Half of me one street, and half on another! No, couldn’t do that for I had to live the full experience. I realized later that should you do it in a circular fashion, you could see the whole small place as you take a walk. Flowers seem to be the passion of every inhabitant. Each window was like a beautiful vase distinctive in color and vibrance of presentation. Incidentally, it needs to be mentioned here that Yvoire is a member of the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages of France. Ranked in France as one of the “Four Flowers”, Yvoire is full of fl owers—Lilies, Gourdon, Iris, Roses, Daffodils, Gerberas, Poinsettia, Wisteria vines and the Rosemary bush.

Yvoire is located in the Rhone-Alps region of France under the department of Haute-Savoie. Surprisingly the small vil-lage is as small as 3.2 sq km with a population of 810 only. It has access to two faces of Lake Geneva, as it separates the “petit lac”

75

The Village Square Market


from the “grand lac”. The village just celebrated its 700 years of existence in 2006. Set in the 14th Century, as usually done then with fortifi cations, a castle, ramparts, mansions, and stone houses, the village continues to look the same. The St. Pancras Church that dominates the village heights dates to the 11th Century but has been rebuilt and attended many times. Its slender green-onion like dome is representative of Savoyard and Piemontese religious architecture of later centuries. Walk-ing faster to discover more in a short time or slower to let the aroma sink into the psyche was a challenge.Homes were not homes,they were more! Some had portions running asboutiques selling designer garments, locally madesouvenirs, cheese and cakes, and a lot doubled up as restaurants. Surviv-al had placed the village between the horns of“character” and “commerce”. It obviously gets a lot of tourists who come to dip their souls into the sponge of delight for a day. Places and people get richer, should you take from them, not poorer, for they have you!

From the square, under the church steeple, you can buy things you may not need, but would like to take back. The shopkeeper women are delightful and some as bright as the soft toys they sell. Though each window here was very beautifully done, one particularly caught my attention from the square. A vivacious green Boston Ivy creeper half encircled it, with purple, pink, and red gerberas raising their sprightly heads from the pot placed on the window-sill. Each leaf of the creeper had three tongue like lobes, one each to taste the sweet, sour and salty breeze, I thought. Behind the glass window-panes was a beautiful lace curtain. Only a face, like

that of Helen of Troy was missing. A perfect window for a Romeo and Juliet conversation!

The turrets of Savoy Castle still hold intrigue within their bosoms. Tiny windows, more for watch and ward and breeze rather than views characterize the castle. Jardin des Cinq sans is now a leisure garden with the 5-senses theme—fruit and vegetables for taste,

fl owers for sight, herbs for smell, and aviary for hearing. A village surviving since 1306 AD in the same time

warp is an amazing spectacle to visit and see. In its earlier years it was on the trade map through

the Alps and along the Lake Geneva. In the 16th Century fi shing became a primary

occupation for the residents. Now, in the 21st Century it is heritage that makes the place important. Actually, I felt that the place has been blessed because its importance over the centuries never diminished dspite chaning times and trade preferences.

Past paper boats hanging in the air I moved to the lakeside. Walking downa

stone paved path beside yellow lilies was invigorating. Once beside the water I sat

down to look at the mountains Across the Lake Geneva (Lake Léman) are visible the Jura

Mountains. A pair of ducks frolicking in the water accentuated my loneliness. Couples sat, walked and

boated enjoying every moment of togetherness. I resumed my walk and halted at a letter-box made in cast iron, fi xed on the outside wall of a home. It had a rider on his horse, embossed on the front face. Its letters—“LETTRE”, and its stylization immediately transported me back to the medieval ages when horses served as car, train and plane. Another wooden door to a godown carried a pasted poster appeal carrying instructions, with this slogan at the end of the page—“Vive La France! Vive L’ Empereur!”

Lake Leman at Yviore

Euro

pe

an

De

stin

atio

n

This was how offi cial orders/notifi cations were communicated to the public in those days.Lunch was freshly caught fi sh from Lake Léman, what else!The faces I recall from this trip were unusually charming a woman with two spaniels under a signboard, the boy

at the cake shop, the woman who entered the boutique hurriedly, the man making a straw hat, and the girl who served us food in the restaurant. The names, those people gave to describe their homes and themselves—Les Murailles, La Maison Fleurie, La Maison d’ Historie, La Gangière, La Bentellière and Coup d’ Coeur, continue to stay in my memory. Especially Coup d’ Coeur, as between the suspended fl ower baskets from the balcony, at the entrance, were hung many red coloured hearts made of round pieces of wood glued together. I left my heart amidst the wooden ones in France, beating for someone.


Castle

Europ

ea

n De

stinatio

n

Biz

Brie

fs


Hotel overnights in Europe set to increase

A recent survey has found that travellers from Germany are more modest in their choice of hotel than their counterparts from the UK or Russia and prefer middle-class accommodation. The proportion of Germans who stay in luxury hotels has even declined and currently stands at 13 per cent.

These are the results of a special evaluation of the World Travel Monitoron the European travellers’ preferred types of accommodation conducted by IPK Internationa and com-missioned by ITB Berlin At 57 per cent, overnights represent Europeans’ preferred type of accommodation. Around 234 out of 413 million trips abroad are spent staying at hotels, with currently more European travellers choosing a hotel bed than fi ve years ago. In 2007 this type of accommodation accounted for 52 per cent. 58 per cent of German travellers currently favour hotels. The leaders are Britons (60 percent) and Russians (66 per cent). AmongPolish and Dutch travellers hotel overnights are less popular (44 and 45 per cent respectively).Around Europe the choices of hotel category als vary. Among Europeans the proportion of over-

nights in standard accommodation (midd class and budget hotels has stagnated,whereas overnights in four and fi ve-star hotels have risen by four and two per cent respectively. According to the survey by IPK International Russian holiday makers in particular prefer luxury accommodation, with 26 per cent opting for the comforts of a fi ve-star hotel whenever they travel abroad. Just over a fi fth or 22 per cent of Britons choose fi ve-star accommodation, which puts them alongside the main nations preferring luxury hotels. Over the last fi ve years the percentage of Russians and Britons favouring luxury accommodation has risen by two and four per cent respectively, whereas the percentage of Germans preferring this segment stands at only 13 per cent.

Malaysia Airlines’ day fl ights from IndiaMalaysia Airlines, will introduce new daytime frequencies between Malaysia and India from September 1.With this, Malaysia Airlines’ current daily evening frequencies between Kuala Lumpur and the Indian cities of Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore will be

complemented by daytime fl ights, providing improved connectiity to destinations in the airline’s network. Malaysia Airlines’ zRegional Senior Vice President for Malaysia and ASEAN, Encik Muzammil Mohamad said, “These are eciting times for those who reglarly patron-ize our fl ights to Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai. As part of our Business Plan strategy to win more customers, we have identifi ed the vast growth potential in the Indian routes and are now set to increasing our services offering more fl ight choices. With new aircraft, authentic Indian infl ight cuisine and Malaysian Hospitality delivered by our award winning

crew as well as competitive pricing, we invite customers to take advantage of this winning proposition and cherish theirtravel experi-ences with us.” Jet to launch Mubai-Sharjah dailyFrom October 18, Jet Airways will enhance its connectivity to the Gulf with the launch of its new Mumbai-Sharjah service, the airline’s sixth daily fl ight to the UAE from Mumbai, in addition to the resumption of its services to Kuwait and Bahrain from Kochi. Indigo launches Kochi-Dubai dailyIndia’s biggest low cost carrier Indigo has introduced a daily service from Kochi to Dubai. The service operates from Kochi every evening, the airline said. The airline has also begun daily services on the Hy-derabad-Dubai and Chennai-Dubai sectors. Indigo has also started daily services on the Delhi-Dubai and Delhi-Bangkok routes.Indigo received permsion from the Ministry of Civil Aviation to enter the international aviation sector last year, and has been operating services since September 2011.

Outbound tour operators’ inaugural meet The Outbound Tour Operators Associa-

Biz Brief


tion of India (OTOAI) held its 1st members meet on July 6at the Sheraton Hotel, in New Delhi. The participants, numbering over 250, included members and special invitees; dignitaries from diplomatic missions, guests from various tour-ism boards and national tourism offi ces, airlines, hotels and media partners. At the meeting, OTOAI took approval from the house to take up the important issue of ser-vice tax. They will form a panel of lawyers and experts to deal with this matter.Vineet Gopal, Joint Secretary introduced Team OTOAI to the gathering: Guldeep Singh Sahni–President, Riaz Munshi–Vice President, Shravan Bhalla–General Secretary, Rajeev Sabharwal– Treasurer, Gurdeep Gujral–Chapter Head, Siddharth Khanna–Head IT, Sumanth Kapoor, Vasundha Sondhi, Aarif Patel, Jayesh Ashar, Surinder K. Dewan, Raman Taneja, Khun Runjuan Tongrut and SanJeet.

Druk to fl y to MumbaiDrukair - Royal Bhutan Airlines will introduce direct fl ights from Paro to Bombay in Septem-ber 2012. The fl ights will operate twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday and the airline will use a leased A319 aircraft on the route.Drukair currently fl ies to Delhi, Kolkata, Bag-dogra, Guwahati and Gaya in India. AI deliveries of Dreamliner okayedThe Indian government has approved the proposal of Ministry of Civil Avia-tion that Air India be allowed to take the delivery of 27 numbers of B-787 aircraft after signing the Delay Compensation Settlement Agreement.The issue relat-ing to compensation for failure to meet performance guarantees has been de-linked from the Delay Compensation Settlement Agreement, which shall be

negotiated after actual evaluation of the performance of the delivered/in-ducted B-787 aircraft.Air India is

planning to induct 27 Dreamliners aircraft in its fl eet as part of the contracted deliveries of the aircraft from Boeing. The aircraft were scheduled to be delivered from September 2008 to October 2011. However, due to certain design / production issues this was delayed and are now scheduled to be deliv-ered between now and March, 2016.

Sahara to buy Plaza Hotel, NYSahara Group, a diversifi ed conglomerate, has decided to buy a controlling stake in New York’s landmark Plaza Hotel for $570 million. The 105-year-old luxury hotel overlooking New York’s Central Park, is jointly owned by Elad Properties, an Israeli-owned real estate company, and Saudi-based Kingdom Holdings.Elad, controlled by Israeli businessman Yitzhak Tshuva, said it would receive 1.6 billion shekels for its 60% stake, while Kingdom Holdings will receive the rest.Kingdom Holdings, the investment vehicle of Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, will hold a 25% stake once the deal is completed.Elad said Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, which has managed the hotel since 1999 and which is owned by the Saudi prince, will continue to operate the property.Tshuva bought the hotel eight years ago for $675 million. Elad had sold luxury apartments in the renovated hotel for $1.5 billion. The sale of the apartments alone netted Elad Group $500 million in profi t.

Dragonair to launch Kolkata serviceDragonair announced that it will launch a new four-times-weekly service to Kolkata from November 2, thereby offering more

travel choices and greater convenience for passengers travelling between Hong Kong and Eastern India. The new service will be operated by Airbus A320 aircraft. Kolkata is Dragonair’s second passenger destination in India, adding to the current daily service be-tween Hong Kong and Bangalore.

AI resumes services to Tokyo, Hong Kong & ShanghaiAir India has resumed fl ights to Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tokyo. The airline, which was forced to scale down its international operations massively following the recent two-month strike by a section of pilots, has resumed most of its international operations.The airline has also resumed its fl ights from Kochi and Kozhikode in Kerala to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.

Lama Flight to Dubai set for mid August 2012Lama Tours has announced an innovative concept of promoting its fi rst

Lama Flight to Dubai on 11th August 2012 to bring larger number of Indian travelers to Dubai from the northern region of India.Agents and tour operators that work closely with Lama will be provided with an oppor-tunity to visit the region’s capital for tourism and have a fi rsthand experience of heritage, culture and attractions that make Dubai a world class destination during the Ramadan festivities.Mr. Kulwant Singh, Managing Director Lama Group of Companies said “With the grate-ful support of their joint promotional part-ners i.e. Indigo Airlines and the Hyatt hotels along with Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, they will, through this unique activity, give Indian travelers more value for money through competitive air fare, world class accommodation and


professional ground services, that will make their holiday a life time experience.”Lama Tours is a total holiday solution provider with services that include holiday packages, organizing and executing conventions, weddings and corporate missions. The company has invested in developing quality infrastructure and stringent high level of service standards for their travelers and trade partners.

Bangkok Receives World’s Best City Award 2012.Bangkok has for the third time in as many years, been named the World’s Best City 2012, by the globally renowned travel magazine, Travel & Leisure. Based on the Travel & Leisure’s annual survey con-ducted on its readers’ opinions regarding the best travel destinations in the world, Bangkok’s Governor Mr Sukhumbhand Paribatra announced that the Thai capital of Bangkok was ranked fi rst on the list and

was granted the World’s Best Award 2012. This is the third year in a row that Bang-kok has received the prestigious award.The Governor traveled to New York to receive the award on behalf of Bangkok on July 19th. According to him, the award is the pride of Bangkokians. He added that, besides beautiful scenery, the capital has its unique features such as lifestyle, culture, tradition and various choices of food.Mr Sukhumbhand further elaborated that the award shows that Thais have been good hosts for foreigners, adding that Thai hospitality, honesty, and friendly gestures with the tourists also help claim the award for the third consecutive year.Conclave on Furthering Quality Capacity Building in Tourism-2012 The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and Fed-eration of Indian Chambers of Commerce

successfully organized the fi rst ever Conclave on furthering Quality Capacity Building in Tourism on June 27, 2012 at FICCI, New Delhi.The fi rst ever Conclave on furthering Quality Capacity Building in Tourism- 2012 was well appreciated by members of Tour-ism Fraternity as well as the media.The Inaugural session had the Ministry of Tourism give a very informative presentation on the initiatives already taken up by them in Capacity Building. The Plenary Session had very active discussions between the panelists from the Government, the private sector which also included representatives from IATO, ITTA, ADTOI, IHM, GATGA and the audience.

A lot of positive feedback was received from the respondents. Many felt that though this conference was a good start, there should be more similar meetings held where the discussions could be more detailed and specifi c in nature.

The Great Domestic Tourism Bazaar

The fi rst ever Domestic Tourism Conclave was successfully held on August 10, 2011 at New Delhi. The Conclave was inaugu-rated by Shri Subodh Kant Sahai, Hon’ble Union Minister for Tourism. Shri Digambar Kamat, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa was the Guest of Honour. The conclave was well

attended by around 400 tour operators, travel agents, hoteliers, airlines, other members of the Tourism fraternity of India as well as representatives from the State Governments. Around 560 pre-scheduled and on-the-spot B2B meetings were successfully held between the sellers and buyers during the B2B session. The Domestic Tourism Conclave upgrades itself to The Great Domestic Tourism Bazaar.The USP of The Great Domestic Tour-ism Bazaar, besides the power packed inaugural turned out to be planned discussions on innovation in business, pre-scheduled B2B meetings and on the spot B2C meetings besides inviting direct consumers in large numbers for B2C meeting with the sellers. In addition, high-potential domestic tourism products including cruise tourism, MICE and adventure tourism would also be discussed.

India International Travel Mart 2012India International Travel Mart, Indias premier travel and tourism Exhibition brand established in 1998 by Sphere Travelmedia & Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd.,’ and is held at the countrys major markets of Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai Hyderabad Pune and Cochin.Event that showcased travel, tour-ism, hospitality, leisure and other related industries was held in Chennai (20-22 July 2012) followed by Bangalore (27-29 July 2012). It is aimed at bringing the Industry face-to-face with the travel trade, Corpo-rate Buyers and the end-customers with the requisite purchasing power. All this took place in a comfortable and festive ambience that helped forge a mutually benefi cial busi-ness relationship.Exhibitors included Na-tional and International Tourist Organiza-tions, State Tourism Promotion Boards, Trade Associations, Passenger Transporters, Tour Operators, Travel Agents, Aero and, AquaS-port organisers, etc.

Biz

Brie

fs

Dhole‛s DenDhole‛s Den

Located in the wildlife reserve of Bandipur, Dhole's Den is an eco-friendly natural resort, with its own windmill, water recycling and waste treatment. Most of the electricity is generated by a wind turbine and solar cells. The kitchen waste isturned into bio gas and waste water is used for the vegetable garden. Here, the wild animals of the park are close enoughto be even heard. Be it the sloth bear with its cubs at night or elephants and the wild boar, the roar of the tiger or the growlof a leopard, none is ever too far away.Dhole's Den,Kaniyinapura Village, Bandipur National Park, GundlupetTaluk, Chamarajnagar District, 571126 Karnataka, INDIATel.: 0091 - 8229 - 236062, 236061, Mobile: 0091 –94444 68376, Email: [email protected], Web: www.dholesden.com

partner profile gandhi_Tourism.qxd 3/2/2012 6:12 PM Page 33

DésirsDirected by Philippe Decouflé

Artistic direction by Ali Mahdavi

Femininity, creativity, audacity …Crazy Horse Paris is the most avant-garde cabaret in Paris !

12 avenue George V - 75008 Paris - www.lecrazyhorseparis.com

Book now ! +33 1 47 23 32 32

MO

NTP

AR

NA

SS

E TO

WER

Par

is a

t 3

60

°Pa

nora

mic

Vis

it E

very

day

From

09.

30 to

23.

00

ww

w.t

ourm

ontp

arnas

se5

6.c

om

+33

1 4

5 3

8 5

2 5

6

RC Nanterre 333 707 727

4x3 OK:Mise en page 1 25/05/09 11:13 Page 1

Documents

India Outbound Tourism Magazine - Atout France India 2012