And river cruising’s the perfect way to do it!
To inspire further growth of travel to India, almost all attendees at the Australia India Travel and Tourism Council (AITTC) organised Round Table Conference, held last month, recommended initiatives to increase destination knowledge and make the market aware of products beyond the traditional offerings. Responding to this, AITTC in partnership with India Tourism and Taj Hotels relaunced their highly successful “Know India Better” program on 25 September introducing River Cruising in India.
“India is a large and diverse country with unlimited choices for travellers. This collaboration with AITTC is one of many initiatives of India tourism Sydney office, with the objective to provide more and more information on Indian destinations to Australia,” said Kanchan K Kukreja, Head of india Tourism in Australia.
Over 60 guests comprising of tour operators travel agents, airlines, hoteliers, media and industry personalities dominating the India-Australia tourism attended the evening event at the waterfront Indian restaurant, Manjits @ The Wharf.
In recent times, cruising along mighty rivers has emerged as a popular style of holidaying. While in Europe voyaging along the Danube or Rhine is well known for quite some time, journeying along other key rivers of the world from the Nile and Amazon to Yangtze, Irrawaddy and the Mekong are also gaining momentum. In India, river cruise holidays are relatively new. Entrepreneurs have started offering lengths of the holy Ganges and backwaters of Kerala in luxury boats. “But drawing global attention is the one along the legendary Brahmaputra River in North-East India, aboard luxury vessel MV Mahabaahu,” said Sandip Hor Chairman of AITTC in his opening remarks. “While this voyage can match up with any European river cruise in terms of accommodation and onboard facilities, the great Indian hospitality comes in as a lucrative bonus,” he added.
Describing MV Mahabaahu, which is India’s first luxury river boat cruising the mighty Brahmaputra since 2012, as a great way to be introduced to the history, culture and cuisine of Assam, Sanjay Basu, Chairman of Far Horizons group of companies, said the journey was the perfect way to see the lush green state. Owned and operated by Adventure Resorts & Cruises, one of Far Horizon’s subsidiary company this vessel has 23 centrally air-conditioned staterooms, its elegant décor and hospitality bequeathing guests flavours of North East India.
Earlier Chandru Appar Deputy Consul General, Indian Consulate in Sydney and Kanchan Kukreja spoke about India’s current standing as a tourist destination from Australia and Thushara Liyanarachchi, Director Global Sales—Australia & New Zealand Taj Hotels Palaces Resorts Safaris about premium accommodation choices, while travel writer Roderick Eime and Maria Visconti shared their wonderful travel experiences in India. MC of the evening, Phillip Boniface, Co Chairman & Trasurer AITTC, presented the vote of thanks.
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