Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2020 i Travel + Leisure India & South Asia

COVID-19 HAS DISRUPTED PLANS. It has disrupted lives. Nobody in the world has remained untouched by it. Amid this pandemic and the consequent pause on travel, which is now slowly fading away, a realisation has dawned on most of us. While the fast life suited our ambitions, it didn’t get along with nature’s ways. And the lockdown was a rude, but necessary, shock to make us rethink, recalibrate, and rejig our lives, including the ways in which we travel. It’s now more important than ever to be mindful of all your travel decisions. Conscious travel is the need of the hour—support local communities, choose eco-friendly destinations, and seek sustainable stays. Our 14th Anniversary Special is dedicated to green travel and the imperativeness to understand the words of author Daniel Goleman,…

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM has been the buzzword for a few years now, and evident geoclimatic changes have shown us repeatedly why it’s more than just a trend. The COVID-19 pandemic has not only put our priorities in perspective, but also shown us that the Earth can actually heal—if we start treading lightly. It’s important that when we start exploring again, we are aware of the impact our travel choices have on the planet. But too many people use the terms ‘responsible travel’ and ‘ecotourism’ loosely. In order to set the record straight and filter facts from hashtags, we spoke to field experts for tips on acting responsibly on different terrains. MOUNTAIN ESCAPES MANDIP SINGH SOIN, a mountaineer, founder of Ibex Expeditions (ibexexpeditions.com), and founder of Ecotourism Society of India (now RTSOI,…

SOME OF INDIA’S UPSCALE safari properties are among the global leaders in the glamping and nature tourism segments. But a consensus has emerged among owners that their scope of responsibility goes beyond the walls of their individual properties. “As plush as a lodge might be, it cannot exist if the surrounding area is not up to the mark or is showing signs of deterioration,” says Shoba Mohan, founder of RARE India (rareindia.com), a curated consortium of boutique hotels. REVERSING THE TREND Admittedly, there have been cases of tokenism where PR activities and hollow CSR initiatives have been loosely translated into conservation efforts, but there are a few significant players in the market for whom conservation runs in the blood. The team at Jehan Numa Wilderness (jehannuma.com), for instance, has worked…

INDIA’S 7,500-KILOMETRE coastline is a world unto itself. While it’s the meeting point of land and sea and enables livelihoods, it is also home to diverse wildlife that you have probably never stopped to witness. Coastal areas have a special safari option that few travellers know about: the intertidal zone. It’s the stretch of land that’s above water level only at low tide. Usually we experience the beauty of beaches at high tide, when waves swell, rise, and crash against the shore. But when the tide retreats, it uncovers the coastline’s hidden treasures. As the water rushes back into the sea, a secret ecosystem of marine life reveals itself. Octopuses, jellyfish, corals, sea anemones, crabs, and many more creatures—feeding, hunting, mating, or just resting—grant us a sneak peek into their…

ONE EVENING LAST SPRING, a group of visitors to Kenya was parked by a dry riverbed on the Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy, drinking gin and tonics on the roof of a converted Land Cruiser while watching the sun set. Suddenly, monkeys could be heard crying in alarm—the pulse-quickening sound that typically signifies a predator’s approach. Fifteen minutes passed, during which the travellers listened intently. Finally, the sound of wooden cowbells announced the reason for the simian commotion. An eight-year-old boy, singing to himself, was driving a group of 40 camels out of the bush, determined to get the flock home before nightfall. Encounters like this reveal the fragile balance between the indigenous people, the precarious populations of wildlife, and the dramatic landscapes of East Africa. Kili McGowan, the chair of the…

An Eco-Travel Blogger Decodes the Future of Conscious Travel Ananya Ghosh, founder of Feet Run Wild, recounts her journey and offers tips on responsible living, undertourism, and solo trips. travelandleisureindia.in/ ananya-ghosh-feet-run-wild Ishita Khanna Defines the Ethos of Sensible Travelling The founder of Spiti Ecosphere, a social enterprise committed to developing the region and its resources, reveals a mindset that could change the way you holiday. travelandleisureindia.in/ ishita-khanna-spiti-ecosphere Conscious Travel Projects that You Can Take Up in the Himalayas These eco-friendly projects let you go beyond discovering the Himalayas, and make your trips more immersive and helpful to the destination. travelandleisureindia.in/ conscious-travel-projectshimalayas SPOTTED Meet Roberto D’Andrea, a former Melbourne tram conductor who helped save Kolkata’s tram legacy. travelandleisureindia.in/ melbourne-based-tramconductor-tramjatra-project DISCOVER Four new eco-inspired projects are set to make Sharjah even more…

IT WAS NEARLY 10 YEARS AGO when Sarai at Toria (saraiattoria.com), a small retreat on the banks of River Ken, first vocalised its no-bottled-water policy. I remember the look of disbelief on the travel consultant’s face. We have come a long way since then, and the conversation around single-use plastic and other issues on the responsible tourism front has gained momentum. Now, the pandemic has given us an opportunity to reboot, to encompass all aspects of sustainable travel into a robust strategy, which puts the onus on everyone—from the government to the traveller. The endeavour for responsible tourism has always been at odds with state tourism boards and the Ministry of Tourism. Few states can show a forceful strategy to work on a thorough policy for sustainability. The Ministry of…

1. ECO-DRIVE ONE CITIZEN Made of Super Titanium™ and protected by a sapphire crystal, this watch is hypoallergenic and resistant to rust, scratches, and water. It measures 36.5 mm in diameter with a thickness of 3.53 mm. With a 1 mm-thick movement and a 2.98 mm case, Eco-Drive One is the world’s thinnest light-powered watch. The sapphire dial allows light to pass through to the solar receptors; this is converted into electrical energy by a solar cell. Eco-Drive One can charge in dim light as well as sunlight. Running time is over six months on a single full charge. ₹5,75,000 2. L.U.C FLYING T TWIN CHOPARD This watch boasts an artistic finish, ultra-thin engineering, and a COSC-certified chronometer. The case is made from ‘Fairmined’ rose gold, which is ethically sourced…

SUSTAINABILITY MIGHT BE THE buzzword today, but when Jose Dominic set off on the path in 1988, few understood him. Back then, the Rajiv Gandhi-led administration wanted to privatise the government-managed facility on Bangaram Island in Lakshadweep. At the time, Dominic’s empire was limited to just one property called Casino Hotel in Willingdon, Kochi. “It was probably because the port connection to Lakshadweep was through Cochin (now Kochi) that we received an invitation, along with all the ‘big boys’ of hospitality,” recalls Dominic, who hopped onboard only for the chopper flight to the virgin islands. While the ‘big boys’ dropped figures like ₹50 crores for the tender, Dominic quoted a few lakhs and three months’ time to “do what an islander would do.” On December 18, 1988, he opened the…

Tell us about the various wellness therapies offered at RAAS Devigarh. We offer personalised support to teach our guests ways to improve their health. The more you learn how to manage your health, the higher your chances of avoiding illness. Therefore, the retreats include one-on-one consultations, mindful practices, and therapies. Yogic cleansing techniques and Ayurveda-based nutrition guidance and treatments are also part of the programmes. We also offer Bach flower consultation to those who require emotional wellness. How does the ancient science of Ayurveda converge with contemporary practices? The timelessness of Ayurveda’s philosophy allows it to be versatile, hence it can easily blend with modern practices. It constitutes simple habits like following a healthy routine, mindful interactions, and making smart lifestyle choices. What are the practices one can embrace to…

Copenhagen is not a city of superlatives. It isn’t looking to draw tourists with the world’s largest ferris wheel, tallest observation deck, or largest mall. Instead, it’s looking to grow sustainably and get tourists to move away from the crowded centre of the city (after they’ve taken that selfie at the colourful Nyhavn waterfront) and explore the other offerings of the Danish capital. But at its unique waste-to-energy plant, CopenHill, you will find the world’s tallest climbing wall, which rises up the facade of the world’s first waste burning plant to be capped with a U-shaped ski slope. On a tour, the plant’s communication consultant, Sune Scheibye, said, “We wanted to make something that was the cleanest, most energy-efficient plant in the world.” When I visited in August 2019, there…

GETTING THERE  Kenya Airways (kenya-airways.com) runs nonstop flights from Mumbai to Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta Airport. The airline also offers connections to Kilimanjaro Airport in Tanzania. Each lodge can arrange transfers by car or charter plane. THE LODGES  The six treetop suites at Sarara Treehouses (from ₹69,597 per person, all-inclusive; sarara.co) are part of the larger Sarara Camp on Kenya’s Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy. Lewa Wilderness (from ₹63,086 per person, all-inclusive; lewawilderness.com) is a classic Kenyan lodge with cottages. Sanctuary Olonana (from ₹40,037 per person, all-inclusive, Geoffrey Kent Suite from ₹4,52,756 per night; sanctuary retreats.com) is set along a river that runs through Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve. Chem Chem (from ₹71,842 per person, all-inclusive; chemchemsafari. com), in Tanzania, has a variety of accommodations, from tents to more luxurious cottages. TRAVEL…

FOOTWEAR WALK THE TALK What better way to reduce your carbon footprint than to walk in sustainable shoes that are made by brands doing their bit for the environment and society. 1. ALLBIRDS A New Zealand-based brand, Allbirds uses natural, renewable materials to make the “world’s most comfortable shoe,” with shoelaces made from recycled water bottles and SweetFoam™ cushioned soles made from sugarcane. The shoes’ upper is made out of certified superfine Merino wool or TENCEL™ Lyocel, a tree fiber that helps reduce its carbon footprint. allbirds.com 2. TOMS For every pair of shoes bought, TOMS donates a pair to underprivileged kids. It also provides clean drinking water, eye care services, and safe birth kits around the globe. Its popular slip-ons are made from vegan and sustainable materials like natural…

Dhuna censers from Good Earth celebrate the ancient tradition of purifying spaces through fragrant incense smoke. What made you start Good Earth? I launched Good Earth (goodearth. in ) almost 25 years ago in 1996, to celebrate the heritage of the Indian subcontinent through design and crafts. As a studio potter at the time, I wanted to bridge the gap between India’s village potters and urban consumers. Today, the brand has diversified into dining, apparel, decor, textile, and spa products. Sustainable luxury is one of your key traits. How does the brand advocate it? Our brand philosophy of sustainable luxury is expressed through three guiding principles: sustaining traditions, livelihoods, and the planet. Cultural traditions keep us rooted and preserve local wisdom through the ages. For example, our signature dhuna censers…

“Id ’ love to chat with Taapsee," I told the editor of this magazine, who was to feature the actor of Pink and Thappad on Travel + Leisure India & South Asia’s September cover. A few days prior, Kangana Ranaut had lashed out at other young female actors who now successfully do what was once expected from her: essay strong roles for women, call out misogyny, and make equal room for other female leads. In response to Ranaut’s accusations, Pannu responded much like the characters she has portrayed: reasonable, bright, restrained yet clear. She wasn’t putting up with pressure tactics from either men or women. As a stellar A-grade actor, Pannu is a textbook study in elegance. “That’s why I want to speak with Taapsee. She’s a fine actor, and…

I HAVE OFTEN FAILED TO understand why forts and other war monuments of the past evoke romanticism today. These are significant sites of heritage, indeed. But what about the cannons and the breached gates and the tombs of royal families is not morbid? The fact that these are all remnants of bloody battles cannot be separated from their existence, so you have to be completely objective to admire their beauty, which lies in their long-lost architecture styles and historic significance. And yet, I consider the historical city of Mandu in Madhya Pradesh to be truly romantic. So much so, that I wonder if the kings and queens who once ruled it walk out of their graves at nightfall just to relive their glory days in the palaces they built. This…