Book flights to Mumbai 'and see the real city'

Tourists who arrive on flights to Mumbai may be interested in getting under the skin of the city and its culture. For those who are particularly interested in how the locals live, a new tour of the slums could be a good way to gain an insight into their society.

The India Travel Centre has teamed up with Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts to offer holidaymakers a new way to experience the city.

Rajeev Olickel, director of operations at the India Travel Centre, explained: "We have designed a tour that showcases Mumbai in its true essence, giving travellers a complete mix of real Mumbai experiences and an insight into the real lives of the people."

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Travellers 'want deeper experiences'

Tourists jetting off on their summer breaks are seeking more from the travelling experience.

This is according to Alexander Lyons, PR executive for responsibletravel.com, who explained that travellers want "more authentic, richer, deeper experiences". He noted that people are increasingly turning to responsible holidays in order to find this kind of trip.

"They want better holidays for their money and responsible tourism offers them that sense of place and that story behind the destination," Mr Lyons added. As well as selecting sustainable accommodation and destinations, travellers are being urged to take the environment into consideration wherever they visit.

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Malaysian Airlines introduces iPad self-service terminals

Anyone who has booked flights to Thailand or other south-east Asian destinations with Malaysian Airlines could find that they get to experience the latest innovation in the carrier's check in process.

The company has introduced new self-service kiosks that utilise Apple iPads on a trial at Kuala Lumpur airport. Passengers will now be able to perform a range of ticketing transactions at the new terminals, such as booking and paying for flights, checking in and looking up flight schedules.

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Australia expects visitor numbers to rise

More travellers are expected to book flights to Australia over the next 12 months, according to one organisation in the country.

The latest figures issued by the Tourism Forecasting Committee (TFC) predict that inbound arrivals will rise by 5.5 per cent by the end of 2010, with a further increase of 4.9 per cent expected in 2011. Between 2009 and 2014, the TFC anticipates that the number of Brits booking flights to Australia will rise by 1.9 per cent.

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Travellers offered tips to make money go further

Avoiding buying currency at airports and withdrawing money on your card while away are just two of the tips offered by one national newspaper.

The Daily Mail has provided tourists jetting off on cheap flights to Thailand and other destinations closer to home with some advice about how to make their money go further.

At the top of the list is buying currency online, rather than getting it from the airport where you "will get a poor exchange rate" and "pay steep commission charges".

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In your opinion, who contributed more to Singapore’s progress, explain your answer?

In my opinion, Dr Goh Keng Swee contributed more to Singapore’s progress. Without him, Jurong would not have become an industrial estate and there will be mass unemployment, starvation and riots just like what Foreign Minister S.Rajaratnam said in 1968.But now it offers incentives to local and foreign business to locate there and jobs for people. If he had not make National Service compulsory, Singapore then would not be able to defend itself and may not survive untill now. If he had not pushed for the forming of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra , there would be no orchestra in Singapore. He also greatly influenced the development of Singapore's education system and introduced streaming in schools. If he had not set up Singapore Zooological Garden, the Jurong Bird Park, an 18-hole golf course in Jurong and Sentosa Golf Course, we would not have a sanctuary for us to unwind and relax and increase the number of tourists that come to Singapore. If he had not warned the Singapore Manufacturers’ Association that the “unthinking and unenlightened employer who pushes his labour force around” would be dealt with severly by the government and initiated a movement that improved workers’ lives -cooperatives- during a seminar in 1969. Formed NTUC Income, a cooperative insurance society, formed in 1970. After that came Comfort, a cooperative to organise the rag-tag band of taxi drivers, strikes would have taken place and this would then hamper Singapore’s march to progress and prosperity. If had not initiated the setting up of the Economic Development Board which was established in August 1961, foreign multinational corporations would not have been attracted to invest in Singapore and Singapore would be still a 3rd world country and not a 1st world country today. All of these things that he had done for Singapore make me feel thathe contributed more to Singapore than Mr S.Rajaratnam. However, i feel that both of them contributed a lot and led Singapore to what it is today.

What he did for Singapore?

2nd Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore: In office: 1 March 1973 – 3 December 1984

Minister for Education: In office: 12 February 1979 – 31 May 1980,1 June 1981 – 3 December 1984
3rd Minister for Defence: In office: 11 August 1970 – 11 February 1979
3rd Minister for Finance: In office: 17 August 1967 – 10 August 1970
1st Minister for the Interior and Defence: In office: 9 August 1965 – 16 August 1967
1st Minister for Finance: In office: 5 June 1959 – 8 August 1965

•Singapore’s finances were in a mess when Dr Goh took over as Finance Minister. He instituted reforms to strengthen Singapore’s financial position and cut the pay of civil servants, including parliamentary secretaries and ministers.
Coupled with stringent economy in government spending, he was able to announce by September that instead of a budget deficit of $14million, Singapore had a surplus of $1million.

•He initiated the setting up of the Economic Development Board which was established in August 1961 to attract foreign multinational corporations to invest in Singapore.

•It was the work of Dr Goh and his team that led to the creation of Jurong, an industrial estate literally hacked out of swamp and jungle. About 8600 acres of land were drained, levelled and developed over 10 years. Foreign Minister S.Rajaratnam said in 1968 that “if there were no Jurong today we might have instead mass unemployment, starvation and riots”. It now offers incentives to local and foreign business to locate there.

•Both Singapore Zooological Garden and the Jurong Bird Park was set up by Dr Goh to attract tourists and as a sanctuary for people to unwind and relax.

•He also setting up an 18-hole golf course in Jurong and Sentosa Golf Course to draw tourists.

•He was also the man who pushed for the forming of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, and introduced National Service and streaming in schools.

•He was instrumental in creating Singapore’s army. He was Minister for Defence since the time Singapore left Malaysia in 1965. He created a modern army, set up the People’s Defence Force of civilian volunteers and started the compulsory National Service.

•As early as 1968, he announced an exercise to take the education system in a new direction. The 1979 Dr Goh Report led to a major overhaul of primary and secondary schooling in Singapore, and introduced streaming.

•In 1969 , he warned the Singapore Manufacturers’ Association that the “unthinking and unenlightened employer who pushes his labour force around” would be dealt with severly by the government.

•He also initiated a movement that improved workers’ lives -cooperatives- during a seminar in 1969. NTUC Income, a cooperative insurance society, was formed in 1970. After that came Comfort, a cooperative to organise the rag-tag band of taxi drivers.

•This would prevent strikes from taking place which would then hamper Singapore’s march to progress and prosperity.

•He provided jobs for people, encourage capitalism and private enterprise.

Airline passengers 'would pay more for better experience'

More than half of British holidaymakers have stated that they would pay extra for flights to India or other destinations if it meant they had a better in-flight experience.

Research carried out by HolidayExtras.com revealed that 58 per cent of those surveyed would part with more cash if it meant they received free food and drink while in the air, had access to better in-flight entertainment and were more comfortable. In the 18 to 24 age group, four out of ten respondents claimed they would pay out up to ten per cent more to receive these benefits.

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Dr Goh Keng Swee

Dr Goh Keng Swee (6 October 1918 – 14 May 2010) was borned in Malacca into a middle-income Peranakan family, the fifth of six children.
He studied in Anglo-Chinese Primary School and later the Anglo-Chinese Secondary School between 1927 and 1936 where he was second in his class in the Senior Cambridge Examinations, he then went on to graduate from Raffles College in 1939 with a Class II Diploma in Arts with a special distinction in economics.



•He married Alice Woon(1st wife from 1942–1986 then later Dr. Phua Swee Liang from1991) a secretary who was a colleague, in 1942 and they had their only child, Goh Kian Chee, two years later. In 1945 he relocated his young family to Malacca, but they returned to Singapore the following year after the Japanese occupation ended. That year, he joined the Department of Social Welfare, and was active in post-war administration. He became supervisor of the Department's Research Section six months later.
•He won a scholarship which enabled him to further his studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). During his time in London, He met fellow students seeking independence for British Malaya, including Abdul Razak (later Malaysia's second Prime Minister), Maurice Baker (subsequently Singapore's High Commissioner to Malaysia), Lee Kuan Yew and Toh Chin Chye. A student discussion group, the Malayan Forum, was organized in 1948 with him as the founding chairman. He graduated with first class honours in economics in 1951, and won the William Farr Prize for achieving the highest marks in statistics. Upon his return to the Department of Social Welfare, he was appointed assistant secretary of its Research Section. In 1952, together with fellow civil servant Kenneth M. Byrne, he formed the Council of Joint Action to lobby against salary and promotion policies that favoured Caucasians over Asians.
•In 1954, he was able to return to LSE for doctoral studies with the help of a University of London scholarship. He completed his Ph.D. in Economics in 1956, and returned to the Department of Social Welfare, where he served as Assistant Director and then Director. In 1958 he was made Director of the Social and Economic Research Division in the Chief Minister's Office. He resigned from the civil service in August that year to work full-time for the People's Action Party (PAP).

What he did for Singapore?

•In 1954, S.Rajaratnam cofounded the People's Action Party together with Lee Kuan Yew, Goh Keng Swee and others. He thought of a multiracial Singapore and envisioned her to be a 'global city'. He was also actively involved in organising major political campaigns against Singaporean groups on the far left. During his years in parliament, he served as Minister for Culture (1959), Minister for Foreign Affairs (1965-1980), Minister for Labour (1968-1971), and Second Deputy Prime Minister (1980-1985) and was later appointed as Senior Minister until his retirement in 1988. Rajaratnam is remembered for writing the Singapore National Pledge in 1966.
•He was Singapore's first foreign minister, following its abrupt independence in 1965. During his tenure as foreign minister, he helped Singapore gain entry into the United Nations and later the Non-Aligned Movement in 1970. He built up the Foreign Service and helped to establish diplomatic links with other countries and secure international recognition of the new nation's sovereignty. He carried out the foreign policy of international self-assertion to establish Singapore's independence during the period when the country faced significant challenges including the Konfrontasi conflict in the 1960s and the withdrawal of British troops in the early 1970s.
•During his term as Minister of Labour, he implemented tough labour laws to attempt to restore stability in the Singaporean economy and attracted multinational corporations to invest in Singapore. This important appointment emphasised the trust that the government had in him in overcoming the challenges Singapore faced.
•Throughout his political career, he played a key role in the successive pragmatic and technocratic People's Action Party governments that radically improved Singapore's economic situation, alongside huge developments in social development on the island with massive expansion of healthcare programmes, pensions, state housing and extremely low unemployment.

S. Rajaratnam

S. Rajaratnam(25 February 1915 – 22 February 2006) was born in Vattukottai, Jaffna, Sri Lanka for auspicious reasons after the premature death of his older brother. He was then brought back to Malaya and raised in Seremban and Selangor.He studied in Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus, St Paul's boys' school, Victoria Institution in Kuala Lumpur, and later in Raffles Institution in Singapore. In 1937, he went to King's College London to pursue a law degree.
Due to World War II, he was unable to receive funding from his family to continue his studies. So,he turned to journalism to earn a living. He met his wife Piroska Feher, a Hungarian teacher while in London. He returned to Singapore in 1948 when he joined the Malayan Tribune. In 1954, he joined The Straits Times as a journalist.

Air India launches flights to Australia

Air India has announced that it will now offer flights to Australia from Delhi.

The carrier revealed that it will make Melbourne its base in the country and intends to operate a daily service between the two cities. John Brumby, state premier of Victoria, explained that India has much in common with the Australian state.

"Victoria and India share common interests in cricket, international education, film and trade," he asserted. The announcement could be of interest to people boarding flights to India with the intention of travelling on to other parts of Asia and Australasia.

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Travel cafe opens in Delhi

Anyone who is jetting off on cheap flights to Delhi may find that the city's latest travel cafe could be the place to go when they arrive in the destination. Kunzum Cafe offers travellers a place to meet and swap stories, pick up tips and to plan their next adventure, Asian Lite reported.

People who pay a visit to the establishment in Hauz Khas Village are encouraged to post details of their most recent and forthcoming trips on a notice board in the cafe. Owner Ajay Jain, a travel writer and photographer, explained that he has an unusual business model for his coffee shop.

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More flights to India through Jet Airways codeshare

People booking flights to India with Jet Airways could now find that they have more options when it comes to onward connections from the country.

This is because the Indian carrier has entered into a codeshare agreement with United Airlines, allowing passengers to board connections in London for destinations in the US.

Among the cities that the new arrangement will serve are Chicago, San Francisco, Washington and Denver. People booking flights to Mumbai and Delhi from London will also be able to make use of the route offered by United Airlines.

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Find the world's best beaches in Goa, India

Goa has the best beaches in the world. The nature beauty and beaches of Goa attracts thousands of visitors every year. Brits, American and other global holiday makers book flights to Goa in advance for travelling with their friends, family, lovers and professional purposes. Plan to explore Goa this year if you never been there.

Visit the doctor before travelling, holidaymakers advised

People booking cheap flights to Thailand or other exotic destinations such as India should ensure that they make an appointment to see their healthcare professional in advance of their trip.

This is according to Dr Pixie McKenna, who explained that many people are misinformed when it comes to travel health. She urged holidaymakers to speak to their doctor or other healthcare professional six to eight weeks before they travel to make sure that they have taken all the necessary precautions.

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Some Interesting offers on India flights from UK

Thousands of travellers are taking flights to India from UK on daily basis. Even almost all the airlines are revising the airfares for India to compete the industry fluctuations. The cheapest fares are starting from £277 RT as per latest update by Southall Travel website. Find more about discounted flights and special holiday packages of India like Golden Triangle Tour, Highlights of Kerela etc. here.

Parents 'prepared to take kids out of school to get cheap flights'

With the summer holidays approaching, a new poll has found that 44 per cent of travellers believe that it is unfair that prices increase dramatically during the school holidays.

These respondents also stated that they "would not hesitate" to book a trip during the school year, potentially allowing them to take advantage of the cheap flights to Egypt and other foreign destinations.

Researchers for HolidayExtras.com noted that just 28 per cent of parents said that they would never take their children out of school during term time.

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Jet Airways sees passenger revenues grow

The Indian airline Jet Airways has seen a sharp increase in its passenger load factors. Last month, its international passenger traffic saw a rise of 36.5 per cent, a figure the firm described as "robust".

The company said that it has enjoyed eight months in a row of continual growth and that this has set a new record. More demand has been made for the Premiere service and the Konnect Select service has also seen growth.

Nikos Kardassis, chief executive officer of Jet Airways, credited "effective network planning and strategic marketing initiatives" for the airline's success. Last month, Jet Airways planted 25 sapling trees to mark its 17th year of existence.

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More travel insurance policies on the market

There are more travel insurance policies on the market now than there were a year ago, new research has found. According to independent financial research company Defaqto, there are 9.5 per cent more travel insurance policies available to UK holidaymakers now than there were in 2009.

The survey found that there are now 1,018 different options for cover, compared with 930 last year. However, the firm noted that there are only 44 separate organisations or partnerships that underwrite the policies.

Defaqto also carried out research into travel insurance for families which found that more than one quarter of policies do not cover children that do not usually live with the main policy holder.

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Many Brits 'missing out on haggling on holiday'

Anyone who has found cheap flights to Thailand clearly knows how to seek out a bargain but when it comes to haggling for goods, a new survey has found that half of Brits fall short.

In research carried out by sunshine.co.uk, 54 per cent of respondents claimed that they were too embarrassed to haggle while on holiday. Just 26 per cent of those polled said that they had managed to barter for the price of goods, with 86 per cent of those who have tried their hand at haggling claiming to "really enjoy it".

Chris Brown, co-founder of sunshine.co.uk, urged travellers to have a go at negotiating prices during their holidays. "Tourists should take advantage of the bargains available by learning the art of haggling," he stated.

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Development of Satyajit Ray movie trail announced

People who have booked flights to Kolkata may find that they are able to follow a trail dedicated to the work of Satyajit Ray, one of India's most famous directors.

Asian Lite reported that the West Bengal government has prioritised the project, which will pay homage to the iconic director and composer who is known throughout the film industry.

The news provider revealed that Ray's son Sandip and one of his former crew members are helping to identify the locations used in some of his movies.

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Get Around Europe with Professional Hands

Life can be cherished in so many ways. Then, why not devoting your eyes and feet to some exotic destinations of this evergreen world? Travel and Tourism are always featured as mainline attractions during holiday vacations, festive and so on. So, why staying back at your drawing room and see the pinch of this wonderful world through a box shaped electronic box?


Have a fun. Wish you were in Europe. Once you visit the favourite hotspots there and celebrate the beautiful, unusual and interesting differences, you can easily perceive what a perfect holiday vacation means in ground reality. You won’t believe how adventurous the countries like Ireland, England, France, and Netherlands are in summer.


But, before you plan to give it an honest try in your next vacation, look for some Europe Guide websites. Get the ideas on how to plan Europe vacation and what are the affordable ways to make maximum fun. Next necessity is to decide the travel route and medium, by train or airplane. If want to get the lowest prices for your travel schedule, choose a few handpicked reliable Europe Travel Agencies. With online bookings you may earn some exciting packages discounts or additional trip services also.


While fixing up the reservation deal, ask as many questions you can, pertaining to lodging, travel accessories, room facilities, location coverage, additional entry fees, tax payment everything to your trip planner.

Finally prepare the travel kits with your family members well in advance. Include photography arrangements in your priority list too.

Get up close with tigers on holidays to India

Holidaymakers who have booked flights to India may wish to get up close and personal with tigers in the Satpura National Park.

Brian Jackman, writing for the Daily Telegraph, advised the area is India’s “best-kept secret” and offers animal lovers the opportunity to track wild tigers on foot.

Even if a tiger is not spotted, this is sure to be an interesting experience for adventurous holidaymakers, as trekkers can see the fresh tracks of tigers and traces of the animals throughout the park. Ranger Hashim Tyabji said: “I truly believe that walking enables you to get to know and understand the jungle in a way that is simply impossible by Jeep.”

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Holidaymakers 'seeking cheap flights this summer'

Most Britons hope to save money on their travel plans for a summer holiday, according to a poll. In a street survey in Sheffield, 70 per cent of people said that they would be looking to shave at least 25 per cent off the cost of their annual break.

A majority said that they would not shy away from looking for the best deal for more than three days. Looking for cheap flights could help the 30 per cent who are aiming to spend less for their 2010 summer holiday than they did for last year's.

Comparison and voucher discount sites are two ways in which people will be looking to save money.

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Travellers 'should seek locals' advice'

Anyone who has booked their summer holidays to a country that they have never visited before should ask locals for advice about the best places to visit.

Simon Calder, travel editor at the Independent, explained that people should avoid relying solely on the internet for advice about a destination. "People should be far more focused on seeking locals' advice. [...] The first rule of any traveller is to ask and if you do that people are generally very happy to help you," he stated.

His comments could be particularly useful for anyone who is preparing to board flights to South Africa ahead of the World Cup.

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India 'cheapest long-haul destination for cost of living'

People who are jetting off on cheap flights to India this year will find that their holiday money will go a long way in the country.

According to a new cost of living survey released by Thomas Cook, India is the cheapest long-haul destination to visit, with total daily expenses coming in at £17.10.

It is more than £7 cheaper than the number two location, Cuba, where total daily costs are estimated at £24.23. India was also named as the best-value destination overall, with the travel operator pointing out that a beer in the country costs just 68 pence.

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Jet Airways and Regus To Enter Into A Strategic Pact

Jet Airways, one of the leading international air carriers and Regus the world’s largest provider of workplace solutions have announced an exclusive arrangement that offers all members of JetPrivilege frequent flyer programme, complimentary membership to the Regus Businessworld Gold programme at special rates.

The Regus Businessworld Gold Card offers its patrons easy access to office facilities in more than 1,000 business centres in 450 cities worldwide. Regus has more than 150 centres in the Asia-Pacific Region with nearly 22 business centres in India alone at places like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai.

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Emirates launches mobile site

People who travel frequently may find that the new mobile service from Emirates Airline could be useful.

Tourists can now search for and book flights to Dubai, for example, through their mobile phone. Emirates has developed a mobile version of Emirates.com, which has been optimised to allow passengers to navigate around the website and find all the information they need on the move.

Russell Sheldon, Emirates senior vice-president of network sales and passenger development, commented that "the move to allow passengers to quickly and conveniently book their tickets through their mobile phone was a natural one".

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Expect More Flights to Sri Lanka as US Lifts Warning

The Sri Lankan Government says all is well in Colombo now and that tourists can safely visit Colombo this summer. Colombo has always been able to attract sunbathers from the west and a major chunk of the visitors constitute the tourists from the UK. Every year, in the summer, the holidaymakers seek flights to Colombo to experience some of the best sun sand and surf.

Given the occasional violence erupting now and then between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil minority, lives had been at risk for both the Sri Lankans and its visitors as well. The US Government had earlier advised its citizens against travel to Sri Lanka on the grounds of security. After the Sri Lankan Government’s victory over the separatist Tamil militants, the Sri Lankan Government has asked the US Government not to dissuade its citizens from visiting Colombo.

It has been one year that Sri Lanka has had no US tourists and now on the request of the Sri Lankan Government the US Government has lifted its warning. Sri Lanka’s hospitality and delicious cuisine have always pleased its visitors and have remained a major attraction for the UK and the US tourists.

Western tourists have always enjoyed the Sri Lankan summer by sipping on freshly tapped palm wine (palm toddy) or Ceylon tea. If you are looking for some great sunshine and salubrious weather then book cheap flights to Colombo at the earliest before the cost of the tickets spiral up.

Book your favorite flight to India with the winner of favorite tour operator award by Asian Business

Southall Travel have always been the most recommended and preferred tour operator to India. They added another achievement recently by winning the Favorite Tour Operator award from the Asian Business community.

Three major awards in a consecutive period shows that you will surely get another best deal in the Industry on flights to India, USA, Australia, South Africa and other destinations worldwide. Call or Visit online at Southalltravel.co.uk.