Tourists 'should check insurance cover thoroughly'

People booking cheap flights to India or other exotic destinations this summer should make sure that they have the most appropriate level of travel insurance cover, an expert has advised.

Sean Tipton, spokesperson for ABTA - The Travel Association, explained that opting for the cheapest policy is not always the best way to go.

"You should not necessarily look for the cheapest option as this will provide you, in most cases, with the lowest level of cover," he stated. Talking to a travel agent or insurance company before signing up to a policy is also essential if anyone travelling has a pre-existing medical condition, Mr Tipton added.

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Parents 'can get travel deals in school holidays'

It is not always necessary to take children out of school to make sure that you get the best holiday deals, one travel expert has asserted.

Victoria Sanders, managing director of Teletext Holidays, explained that although prices at peak times can become very expensive, there are still deals to be found for those that shop around and book early.

"It is about planning ahead and shopping around. If people decided not to go away this summer, there are loads of offers available for next summer," she said.

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Travellers 'should try local food'

When travelling abroad, holidaymakers should always make sure that they choose local food if they want to get under the skin of the country they are visiting.

Travel writer Courtney Scott told BootsnAll Travel: "You can learn so much about a society through its eating habits and cuisine."

She also pointed out that it is a shame to travel a great distance only to "sell yourself short on the food". Those booking flights to India may agree with Ms Scott's sentiment and be inspired to seek out the best local places to eat during their trip.

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Skytrax awards honour Qatar Airways

People who have booked flights to Dubai with Qatar Airways may be interested to learn that the carrier has been named as one of the top three international airlines at the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2010.

The company also received the title of best airline in the Middle East for the fifth consecutive year.

For those who want to splash out on their flights to Dubai, it could be worth upgrading to business class, after Qatar Airways also received the award for providing the world's best service in this category.

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Culture and luxury top honeymoon trends

Newlyweds are becoming more adventurous when it comes to their choice of honeymoon, it has been revealed. Darren Noel, commercial director at hitched.co.uk, explained that many couples are opting for breaks other than the traditional beach holiday.

He noted that more people could be interested in booking flights to Dubai for a city break that offers plenty of culture. "Culture combined with luxury accommodation and excellent food can make for a very exciting and unforgettable honeymoon," Mr Noel stated.

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'Travel in style' on holidays to India

People who are booking flights to India may be wondering about the best way in which to travel across the country and see some of its most famous sights.

One travel journalist has recommended booking a place on the Maharaja Express, which runs between Bombay and Delhi.

When you join the train, "you'll be transported into a world of red carpets, high teas with maharajas and elephant polo," Michael Kerr wrote in the Daily Telegraph.

The train visited places such as Udaipur, Bikaner and Jaipur along the way, in a week that Mr Kerr described as "a round of forts and palaces, learning of the style of those who lived in them".

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Travellers offered tips for eating out

Holidaymakers who would like to sample the gastronomic delights of their destination and seek out some authentic flavours while abroad may wish to take note of the advice of one travel expert.

Nick Trend, writing for the Daily Telegraph, states that in order to get a real taste of a country's cuisine, travellers should ditch the typical tourist restaurants.

For this reason he says it is wise to avoid the recommendations of hotel staff and holiday reps, as while not always the case, they can sometimes misunderstand what people really want from their dining experience.

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Honeymoon destinations 'becoming more adventurous'

Brides and grooms-to-be may wish to book flights to India and experience a very different type of honeymoon, after a travel expert has revealed that couples are opting for increasingly adventurous post-wedding holidays.

Jane Anderson, editor of 101honeymoons.co.uk, says the traditional two weeks on a beach honeymoon is being abandoned in favour of more unusual trips. "Gone are the days when couples would simply jet off for a fortnight of sun on a beach. Today's newlyweds are increasingly travel savvy and want an added wow factor," she advises.

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World's best beach villas revealed

People who want to jet off to an exotic beachside destination may be interested in a list of the 25 best beach villas in the world, which includes destinations such as Goa and Phuket.

It has been compiled by Conde Nast Traveller, which selected great places to stay, all right next to the sea. The Coco Shambhala in Goa is a complex of four villas, each sleeping four people. Boasting its own pool and located a ten-minute walk from Coco Beach, it could be an ideal choice for anyone booking flights to India.

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ABTA offers advice following volcano disruption

Anyone considering booking cheap flights and jetting off to warmer climes for their holidays may want to take heed of the advice issued by ABTA, the Travel Association.

Following the substantial disruption to air travel caused by the eruption of the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull, the organisation has advised travellers to book their holidays through ABTA members. In an advertising released by the association, it explains that tourists who book with ABTA members can relax and enjoy their holiday because these companies offer "expert advice and unrivalled help in times of trouble".

The organisation added: "ABTA members helped thousands of customers get home during last month's travel chaos. It wasn't easy, but we did it together."

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Indian spa among the best in the world

Those who have booked flights to India and are hoping to catch up on some much-needed relaxation while on holiday may wish to visit a spa that has been described as one of the best in the world.

The Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur is one of the largest residences in the world and is the last remaining great palace of India. On visiting the spa, travellers can expect to sample a taste of royalty, staying in rooms that were once only reserved for kings and queens.

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Avoid school holidays to find cheap flights, expert advises

People who are looking for cheap flights and bargain breaks this summer should do their best to avoid travelling during the school holidays, one travel expert has stated. Nick Trend, editorial director at Simonseeks.com, explained that booking late can also be a way of cutting costs.

"Leave it late to book for the best package deals - tour operators reduce prices close to departure dates," he pointed out. Although Mr Trend strongly recommended avoiding the peak travel times around the school holidays, he commented that the May half-term will be a cheaper time to travel than July and August.

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Travellers 'can help community projects'

Travellers who have booked flights to Thailand may wish to get involved with a new scheme, which could benefit people living in the country.

Broadcaster and travel writer Kate Humble has set up the Stuff Your Rucksack scheme so that when people visit a particular place – such as a small school – they can leave messages on a website to let other travellers know if people in the area need anything.

Those panning a trip to the same destination can then bring these items with them and donate them to the school, project or organisation upon arrival.

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Virgin Atlantic launches new iPhone apps

Virgin Atlantic has launched two new iPhone and iPod Touch applications - or apps - which could be of use to those travelling with the airline. The first of its new innovations is the Jet Lag Fighter, which offers holidaymakers helpful tips for beating jet lag.

World-renowned jet lag and sleep expert Dr Chris Idzikowski teamed up with the carrier to design the app, which includes a personalised daily calendar which offers advice about the best activities to undertake to help reduce the effects of jet lag.

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Mobile site launched by Jet Airways

People who have booked flights to India with Jet Airways could find that the company's new mobile site is a useful tool during their travels.

The airline revealed that its passengers will now be able to access information about their flights, check for cheap tickets and find contact details through their mobile phones.

Anyone who wants to find cheap flights to India will also be able to use the search function, which will check prices from Jet Airways and all its codeshare partners. There is also an option to connect to the call centre, where the journey can be booked.

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Kerala destination 'honoured by travellers'

Officials from Kerala Tourism have stated that they are "thrilled and humbled" that Munnar was voted as the second best Asian destination in a recent poll.

Speaking to Asian Lite, the director of the organisation M Sivasankar commented: "We are delighted and thrilled to learn that Munnar has been rated so well." The news provider explained that the hill station in Kerala has been attracting tourists with a taste for adventure.

Activities available in Munnar include trekking, paragliding and rock climbing - all with the backdrop of beautiful mountains, valleys and tea plantations.

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The pre-holiday 'a new travel trend'

A rising number of people are booking time off work before traditional holidays such as Christmas in order to get rested ahead of the festive season, according to travel industry professionals.

Marie Claire magazine reported that many women are booking week-long escapes such as yoga retreats or boot camps in the autumn months, with one advocate calling it a "sensible solution".

She told the publication: "Christmas and New Year might mean time off work, but with all the parties, not to mention cooking for friends and family, it doesn't really feel like a holiday."

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Tourism 'important for protecting wild tigers'

Travellers who book flights to India and undertake a tiger safari during their stay could be helping to conserve the endangered animals, one wildlife expert has claimed.

A spokesperson for Born Free explained that the presence of tourists in tiger reserves can help deter poachers and also discourage destruction of the forest. She added that although tiger tourism is often badly regulated, the risks to tiger conservation "could - and should - be far outweighed by the potential benefits". Her comments come following reports earlier this month which suggested that tiger tourism is to be banned in India.

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Stay with royalty on holidays to India

People arriving on flights to India could find that staying in grand surroundings is quite an easy thing to do in the country.

Writing for the Daily Mail, Alex Finer explained that many of India's former maharajas have opened sections of their palaces as hotels to accommodate foreign tourists.

During a recent visit to the country, Mr Finer stayed at the House of Mewar in Rajasthan. He recommended exploring the nearby cities of Udaipur and Jodhpur, which each boast their own attractions. He noted that the Jagdish Temple in Udaipur is particularly spectacular due to its carvings of Vishnu, while the Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur is worth visiting.

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Snow makes Himachal hill stations 'picture-perfect'

Anyone who is looking for some snow rather than sunshine should head to the Indian Himalayas following recent snowfall across some of the hill stations.

General manager of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation Yogesh Behl has been advising tourists to travel to the region, according to Asian Lite.

The news provider quoted an interview with IANS, in which Mr Behl commented: "We are advising tourists to come and enjoy the cool climes of the hill station and refresh their minds by watching snow-clad peaks."

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Southall Travel Bags “Favourite Tour Operator to India” Award

The UK-based Southall Travel does not show any signs of letting up on its marathon award winning spree. The company bagged the prestigious Incredible India Award at the 13th Eastern Eye Annual Asian Business Awards event held in London on 26th March 2010. The accolade which the agency received for being the ‘Favourite Tour Operator to India’ was jointly presented by Rt. Hon. Sadiq Khan (Member Parliament) Minster of State for Transport & Mr. Ramniklal Solanki – CBE, Editor in chief Eastern Eye. The event was attended by over a 700 strong audience.

Eastern Eye, part of Britain’s largest Asian publishing house has been an iconic brand for more than 20 years and provides an extensive coverage on British - Asian business affairs through an admired weekly newspaper in the UK and a highly popular website. The Conservative Party chief executive, Mr Andrew Feldman, was among the numerous dignitaries adorning this star studded event. Mr Feldman also delivered the grace prior to a lavish four course dinner that absolutely befitted this occasion. This award ceremony saw Southall Travel rubbing shoulders with some of the top Asian business initiatives in the United Kingdom. Perceived to be experts in flights, hotels and packages, this UK travel agent has emerged as a piping hot shopping choice especially for people seeking flights to India.

The award holds further significance in the light of the fact that Southall Travel becomes one of those elite Asian businesses that have shown tremendous potential in the face of a depressed economy. Upon receiving the award, Mr. Shuban Kotwal, General Manager – Tour Operations expressed his high appreciation for strong faith that traveller’s repose in the company. “This award is a remarkable achievement and Southall Travel would like to thank all those who trusted us with their travel needs and our company will remain committed to consistently providing the superior quality travel services”, observed Mr. Kotwal.

On a daily basis, Southall Travel aids approximately 1000 people with their travel itineraries. The website of the company, http://www.southalltravel.co.uk is flooded with travel related information, cheap flights offers for holidays to India and rest of Asia, package deals to some of the most sought after Asian destinations.

New Goa airport given the green light

Those taking cheap flights to Goa will soon have a choice of airports at which to land after plans to construct a second international hub were approved.

According to Travelbizmonitor.com, the state government has acquired land to build the new airport, which should be in full operation by 2014.

As well as plans to construct the hub, a proposal has been passed which will see the existing airport in Dabolim expanded to accommodate the growing number of people taking cheap flights to Goa.

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Holidaymaker numbers to India on the rise

More people are taking holidays to India compared with last year, according to a new report.

The latest World Tourism Barometer from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNTWO) shows that tourist arrivals in India registered a double-digit increase in the first two months of 2010 over the same time last year.

Asia and Pacific destinations in general saw the highest growth compared with other global regions during this timeframe.

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Lufthansa first-class makeover 'to be ready ahead of World Cup'

Lufthansa is the latest airline to upgrade its first class cabins in advance of the World Cup, media reports have suggested.

Bloomberg reported that a new first class package will be on offer next month to coincide with Lufthansa's first A380 flight to Johannesburg, which will carry the German World Cup athletes.

The move follows similar announcements made by British Airways and Air France. According to aircraft interior design expert Michael Oakley, the new-look cabin will feature brown and beige leathers and high-gloss wood.

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