International Travel and Tourism Expo opens today

The 14th edition of the international travel and tourism exhibition, India Travel Mart, opens today at Himachal Bhawan in the city.

Addressing the media Mr Ajay Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director of India Travel Mart informed that Tourism Malaysia is the partner country in this expo besides Gujarat and Rajasthan Tourism as partner states.  Bihar, Maharashtra, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Himachal, Madhya Pradesh and Goa tourism departments are the co-partner states
Some of the top tourism destinations and major international tourism boards and state tourism departments are participating from 21st till 23rd of February, he added.
There are 58 organisations being represented in this unique expo to provide the travelers to get in touch directly with various service providers and take advantage of the packaged offers by international tourism boards, special packages for honeymooners, corporate houses, and adventure tourists, he said.
Malaysia Tourism is launching new airline from Delhi with a packaged offer of travel cum 3-
nights/4-days stay, besides numerous other offers by state tourism boards including Goa.
The visitors to the India Travel Mart would be treated to cultural bonanza by Gujarat with their dandiya performances while the children accompanying their parents can participate in travel quizzes, on-the-spot painting competitions with lots of prizes and goodies to be won.
Participating organizations include Tourism Malaysia, Gujarat Tourism, Rajasthan Tourism,  Bihar Tourism, Maharashtra Tourism, Kerala Tourism, Uttarakhand Tourism, Himachal Tourism, Madhya Pradesh Tourism, Goa Tourism, Indian Railway Catering Tourism and Corporation (IRCTC), Make My Trip, Welcome Heritage, Country Inn, East Bourne Resorts, Surya Vilas, Pride Group, Institute of Tourism & Future Management Trends (ITFT), North India Management Association (NIMA) and many more. The participants will display and provide information about their destinations, attractive Holiday Travel, Tour Packages and other related services.
ITM had been engaged in promoting tourism in the country by showcasing the wide variety of choices ranging from luxurious to budget travelers, and giving opportunities to travel and tourism organizations to interact directly with the people.
The entry to expo is free which will be open from 11am till 7pm

First Ginger Hotel opens in Chandigarh

Everyone in the city knows about Hind Motors in Industrial Area, the dealers for Tata Motors and many other auto brands.  It has now diversified into hospitality segment with the opening of its first venture, Ginger Chandigarh.

The hotel was inaugurated by Ashish Gupta, Hind Inns and Hotels Ltd, and Mr. P.K. Mohankumar, Managing Director and CEO of Roots Corporation Ltd, which is a subsidiary of the Indian Hotels Company Ltd.
The 102-room Ginger Hotel will be catering to industrial and commercial sector and is based on the concept of SMART BASICS which promises chic services at an affordable cost.
The hotel is equipped with special features like a Smart space, Safe zone, self-check-in kiosk and gymnasium. The hotel also offers conference facility for 35 pax. The hotel features in-house multi-cuisine restaurant and bar Red Salt.
Ginger Chandigarh
Plot no: 15,
Industrial Area, Phase-1, Next to Hind Motors,
Chandigarh - 160001
Phone No: 0172-6673336
reservations.chandigarh@gingerhotels.com

Where's my favourite place?

Check out your favourite restaurant, shop, or even the home of your friend...even without being there physically.
WoNoBo.com has come up with a cool app on the lines of Google Earth, which provides 360 degree view of the streets of Chandigarh. Though the photographs are probably two years old, much has changed in the city since then. Still it makes an interesting journey to walk through the streets, virtually, and explore the city.
Though some of the pages take time to open yet it is worth waiting and having a tour much before you arrive here. Have a great times.
Try it out on www.wonobo.com/explore/chandigarh

Take Home some Le Corbusier's Souvenirs

Roaming around in the city, fresh air, magnificent architecture and beautiful places all around make you fall in love with this city and a wish rises to take something back home that can keep the memories of this city beautiful, alive and fresh.

How about a souvenir? Perfect idea! So, the search for an ideal place begins.

Around six decades ago the swiss-french architect of this well-planned city, Le Corbusier used a Sector 19-based office for conceptualization which has now been converted to  'Le Corbusier Centre'. It includes nine rooms with a corridor and a verandah. All the rooms display information and wide collection of documents and photographs. The corridor doubles as a photo gallery. This makes the place appealing and attracts a huge number of visitors.

The main aim of this centre is preservation, interpretation, research and display of the works and legacy of Le Corbusier. This Centre includes a souvenir shop with another two similar shops at the Sukhna Lake and Rock Garden. These shops are set up by STEPS (Society for Tourism and Entertainment Promotions) housing variety of souvenirs-inscribing various city-based heritage buildings and monuments and reproductions of master architect Le Corbusier's drawings, paintings and photographs.

These souvenirs and memorabilia are also in the form of coffee mugs, cushion cover with cushion, table lamp, T-shirts, fridge magnet, colour reproductions of work of art of Le Corbusier with moulded frames, translit, animal handle mug, glass mug, beer mug, piggy bank, cup plate, key chain, plate, coaster PVC, toughen glass plate, round paper weight, open hand (Acrylic), pen stand, frame (Acrylic), man hole (metal), open hand, table clock (metal), puzzle games, mouse pads, children's fancy pencil boxes and other associated school accessories, greeting cards, post cards, batches and crystals.

So, it is a wide range to choose from. With this long list of souvenirs it becomes pretty sure that choosing out of these is an exciting task. It definitely gives a satisfactory experience of shopping.

-Mehak Chauhan