Archive for January, 2004
Minister Confident Of Volkswagen Deal
Minister confident of Volkswagen deal
By Our Special Correspondent
HYDERABAD,
JAN.16.
The Major Industries Minister, K. Vidyadher Rao, has expressed confidence that the German auto major, Volkswagen, would finally zero in on Andhra Pradesh for setting up its manufacturing unit in India.
Asked by reporters about the outcome of the discussions the representatives of the company had with the Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, on Wednesday, he quipped “you will soon hear some good news” and declined to elaborate further.
Replying to another question, he said that Formula One, the international racing event, would be coming to Hyderabad.
Hindu On Net
Honda Cuts Prices
Honda cuts prices
Our Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI,
JAN. 10.
As a result of customs and excise duty cuts announced in the government’s mini-budget, Honda Siel Cars India (HSCIL) today announced 2-3 per cent cut in prices of all its car models. Thefirst automobile company to announce a price cut, it says the new prices will be effective from tomorrow.
According to a company release, the Honda City 1.5 EXi would now cost Rs. 6.47 lakhs compared with the earlier price of Rs. 6.67 lakhs and Honda City GXi Rs. 6.97 lakhs against the earlier Rs. 7.07 lakhs. The CVT would now be available for Rs. 7.57 lakhs as compared to the earlier price of Rs. 7.67 lakhs.
These prices are all ex-showroom in New Delhi.
Hindu On Net
EASTWARD HO!
EASTWARD HO!
That’s where Chennai-ites are headed during this holiday season, say PRASSANA SRINIVASAN and SHALINI UMACHANDRAN
GONDOLIERS WITH their wide brimmed hats and the seemingly endless Venetian canals may be enchanting but floating past Singapore’s financial district in a river taxi trying to fit the entire family into the digicam’s frame is what Chennai’s high-fliers are doing this season. Holidays are no longer about going where the sun shines brightly and where the sea is blue. Nor is it about taking a week off from work to do a quick round of the nearest temples. Thanks to the marketing buzz around the Far East, the well-heeled traveller now prefers to sip cocktails on a beach in Bali rather than freeze with the pigeons in Trafalgar Square.
“The demand for travel to South east Asia over Christmas-New Year is greater this year due to pent-up travel as a result of global conditions this summer,” says Frederick Divecha, senior vice president, SOTC World Famous Tours. “Promotional offers from the Southeast Asian governments have also increased tourist traffic,” says K. V. Ramanan, director - operations, Diana World Travel. Throw in pleasant climate, fairly similar food habits and cultures and getting a glimpse of West close to home and you have top tourist destinations in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. Ramanan adds that language is not a problem either, hotels are affordable compared to European countries and travel time is shorter.
If there’s a limit to the budget but the customer still wants the travelled-abroad-this-season tag, Sri Lanka is just right. Four to seven-day packages are available for well under Rs. 30,000. Australia and New Zealand are also catching on as holiday hotspots, especially since it’s summer Down Under and travellers get to celebrate Christmas in the sunshine. Many tour operators add on a cruise to make the trip more memorable and relaxing. “Star Cruises are popular because being on a luxury liner is like being in a floating country,” says Arun Prakash, assistant manager, Cox and Kings. The luxury and opulence of the liners — swimming pools, golf courses, tennis courts, basketball arenas, gyms, ballrooms, events, speciality restaurants, games, dance floors, massage parlours — attract people. Frederick Divecha of SOTC explains that there has been a sharp increase in cruising as a holiday option as Indians are recognising it as a value-for-money product as well as an enjoyable experience.
China is catching on as a winter holiday hotspot but people are still diffident about heading there because of the unusual food habits. Mauritius and the Maldives with their white sands and transparent waters might sound the perfect destination, but travellers would rather spend their time gazing at a soaring skyline than sit by a beach sipping tender coconut water, say the tour operators.
Though the recommended destinations for first-time travellers abroad are Thailand and Singapore, there are many who go back to do a second trip. However, it’s the malls, clubs and parks that attract holidaymakers. A family of four travelling in to South East Asia on a 10-day trip spends an average of $800 to $1,000 on artefacts, souvenirs, local handicrafts, curios and of course branded items that are not available back home.
Adventure trips and travel to the lesser-known parts of a country is still not happening, says Arun Prakash. But Frederick Divecha of SOTC says more people are travelling to watch sporting events — to Dubai for the Golf Dubai Desert Classic, to Monza for the Grand Prix, to Spain for the Spanish La Liga.
Chennai-ites prefer to travel in groups and the travel agencies often bring together groups from the same cultural background. “The advantage of travelling in a group is the sense of security the group provides. We recommend group tours especially for first time travellers because it also overcomes the language barrier,” adds Arun Prakash.
Another good reason to travel in groups is the cost — a plan-your-own-itinerary trip to Thailand and Singapore costs 10 to 15 per cent more than a group tour. The advantage of individual trips is the absence of a time frame. Since there is no fixed schedule one can prattle with the parrots for as long as one wants to at Jurong Park in Singapore or enjoy the panorama from Petronas Towers in Malaysia for the entire day. Tour operators have many attractive options tailoring their packages to suit the pockets and interests of their customers. The costs are inclusive of airfare, taxes, visa charges, accommodation, extensive sightseeing, delicious Indian cuisine and a smiling professional tour manager. The travel agency even takes care of visa and insurance formalities. All the globe-trotter-to-be has to do is sign on the dotted line, including the one on the cheque.
What they look for…
Leisure travellers: The world is their playground as long as they get a mix of extensive sightseeing, shopping and a dose of adventure.
Business travellers: London, Zurich, Paris and New York, Singapore, South Africa and now China as these are headquarters for various corporate houses.
Corporate incentive travellers: Trips given away to employees who have performed exceptionally — destinations depend on their position in the company.
Sports travellers: Malaysia for the Malaysian Grand Prix, U.K. for Wimbledon and the Grand Prix at Silverstone, Spain for Spanish La Liga, Dubai for Golf Dubai Dessert Classic, Monza for the Italian Grand Prix.
Student/youth travellers: They’re looking to make the world their classroom for subjects such as history, geography, geology, architecture, fashion and jewellery design, performing arts, sports and culinary arts.
Hindu On Net