Top row: Vikas Abbott, Managing Director, Vasco Travel; dancers; Akhilesh Mishra, Consul General of India – Toronto with wife Reeti Mishra; choreographer and dancers; Anil Oraw, Director, India Tourism – Toronto
Bottom row: AJ Tandon, CEO, Canadian Travel Services and Air Canada's Keith Delgado
Decor for the 'India...Come Fall In Love' event
Musician and his sitar
Dancers showcasing Bollywood inspired choreography
India and I have been on and off for a while but after experiencing the presentation, dinner and Bollywood dancing put on by Incredible India and Vasco Travel at the Novotel last week, we are totally back on again.
The India… Come Fall In Love event was the pre-party to Valentine’s Day. Delegates from the destination shared their love and attachment to the country over an authentic Indian meal and music.
“As an Indian diplomat, it is my duty to love India,” professed Akhilesh Mishra, Consul General of India – Toronto. “But I also have appreciation for India because it gave me the person I love most – my wife.” So romantic!
As for what the destination has to offer, Anil Oraw, Director, India Tourism – Toronto, made a few points that were surprising to me. “People go to India for the culture; no one goes there for golf. But, India actually has the 2nd oldest golf course in the world,” Oraw said, stating that the experience is as good, if not better, than the best golf courses in the U.S. I had no idea.
“India is 365,” he continued. “I’m not going to sell snow to Canadians, but the Himalayas are something that needs to be experienced. What sets them apart from the popular Rocky Mountains is that they’re over 20,000 feet high” - the Rocky Mountains are just over a measly 14,000 feet.
“Furthermore, people don’t think of the country for its beaches, but, it has 4,000 to 5,000 miles of coastline,” he said. “All of this means that the destination is good for travel all year round.”
Travelling to India will become easier for Canadians come November. Air Canada is launching non-stop direct service from Toronto to Delhi onboard the 787 Dreamliner. Air Canada Vacations will also begin designing vacation packages to the destination.
Let the affair continue.
