ADVERTORIAL

MARCH, 2018 1

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(DELHI I MUMBAI) (ALL EDITIONS)

INTERVIEW I RAYOMAND CHOKSI INTERVIEW I WERNEER LUOND, Sales & INTERVIEW I STEFAN PFISTER, Regional Sales Director, Titlis Cableways and Hotels Marketing Director, Lake Navigation Company Head of International Sales, Zentralbahn You can’t miss out on Mt Titlis Indians are most welcome An Alpine journey to cherish The Zentralbahn is part of ture upgrades? We see that Mt Titlis is the during winter? The Naviga- in the past few years. In 2017 the regular rail net- Through the “Zentralbahn most popular mountain The Indian season has devel- tion Company has alone, we saw 25% growth work.What makes it so Live Guide” App Indian excursion in all of oped a very strong shoulder been active in the In- in . I see no special? travellers will learn a Switzerland. What season. So we have early dian market for a reason why it shouldn't Yes, we belong to the great deal about the makes it so special? arrivals in February and few years now. continue to be so in the Swiss National rail net- most interesting sights I guess this calls for an the end season arrivals till How did this story next couple of years. work. But our two lines, this area has to offer and elaborate answer be- the Diwali holidays. We start? Unfortunately, we Luzern- and using the built-in map cause the reasons are do have some clients in The story started in haven't had the same Lucerne-, are dif- can find out at any given many.Firstly,our USP is the winter too, a few leisure 2015,with the introduc- success,particularly from ferent. Every day business moment where they are on location,right in the heart of groups, some MICE groups tion of a new product, es- Europe, in the recent past people, leisure Swiss travellers their journey and where to ex- Switzerland, with ease of ac- and a decent number of FITs in- pecially created for the In- due to currency reasons.The and international tourists travel on pect the next highlights. cessibility.Then, of course, is the cluding honeymooners. dian market. It was the Indian Swiss franc and the Euro have de- our trains.This route has the highest den- “Zentralbahn Bistro Order”App: From guaranteed ice and snow 365 days of the Winter is very strong with skiers and Dinner Cruise,which we are offering for viated too much. But other Asian mar- sity of mixed clients traveling for work or on every single seat in our train you can order year.With these two huge natural benefits we snowboarders but we have conceptualised a the fourth year this season.We felt that we kets, especially China, have shown very vacation. We carry our passengers from drinks and food with our new “Bistro Order” have developed the excursion giving an op- special experience for our winter visitors.Be- have a lot of Indian guests in the Lake healthy growth too. downtown Lucerne directly to the most im- App. Our Bistro staff will serve the order di- portunity to visitors in summer and winter to sides the above attractions, which are of- Lucerne area,but we had no product which portant travel destinations in the Swiss rectly at the passenger’s seat. have an experience which shall forever be fered all year round, in winter one can try fitted their needs exactly,especially when it How have your product offerings .Our train journey is definitely more of a We are working on some more part of their memories.Just the way up,with the “My First SnowXperience”in which you came to the food aspect.Last year,we were been enhanced over the years? unique panoramic experience compared innovations for 2019 which will be an- the revolving Rotair,is so unique that it makes get to wear skis and gently slide down a really happy to have around 70 guests on We started the Indian Dinner Cruise with with a normal commuter railway connec- nounced soon. for a great start to what lies ahead. small slope, try out the electric SnowXbikes board each Indian Dinner Cruise.With the just two departures a week.Because of the tion between two cities. and finally visit our igloo hotel. This is launch of the Indian Dinner Cruise, we high demand, we offer now in May and Is there something special that you Besides the unique way up that you around the frozen lake of Truebsee which is started investing our efforts and time in June a cruise nearly every evening.And it’s Congratulations on becoming the are planning for Indians? What have mention, what else can one do in the halfway up the mountain. what Indian travellers truly want. the same with the 1-hour cruise on our 5th official panoramic route of you done on this front in the past? Indian summer? panoramic yacht Saphir. In the past, we Switzerland – what’s so special We always urge them to enjoy the Indian From end of April to early July we have a Engelberg seems to have almost all its What are your future plans for the started the season in April and it ended in about this route? cuisine on Mount Titlis.We give them the lot of Indian visitors who can be divided hotel capacity occupied by Indians. Indian market? October. Now, we provide this popular 1- On this almost two-hour superlative ride,our most friendly welcome in English language into leisure and MICE groups and FITs. In What makes the village so special? India will be a key market for Lake Lucerne h-cruise the whole year. Last year, we guests get to see five crystal-clear lakes, and make sure they feel comfortable. In the this season we offer the Ice-Flyer, an open There may be no better place in Switzerland to Navigation Company in the future. No launched a new boat: MS Diamond. The Switzerland’s snow-capped mountains and past we have organised a free Indian wel- chair lift which is a 3 minute ride over the enjoy an overnight stay in a typical Swiss questions about that. We will focus more cruiser’s modern interior provides the magnificent waterfalls. come tea at Engelberg station for our Indian glacier crevasses to the Glacier Park.There mountain village than Engelberg. Here you and more on FITs (free individual travellers) “wow” factor and the restaurant area has Travellers also cross the Brünig Pass guests (Luzern-Engelberg Express) which we have various snow sliding equipment stay amongst alpine meadows with little as we feel a steady increase in demand banquet seating for more than 400 diners. while relaxing in the comfort of our mod- was surely a very pleasant surprise to them. which one can use for as long as one streams running through, the sound of cow from that segment.We are thinking about These aspects combined make the new ern trains and enjoying the fantastic Alpine wants because all these activities are free bells, the fantastic mountain views with another new product; maybe with some boat an ideal venue for large events in a panorama.The uniqueness of the Lucerne- How do plan to make your product of cost.Then you have the opportunity to snow-capped peaks and most importantly traditional Swiss folklore show on an one-of-a-kind location as well as an inter- Interlaken route is that it is the only official more popular in the Indian market? walk 100 heartstopping metres on Eu- the invigorating fresh air.The hoteliers are evening cruise. One big advantage is that esting and comfortable vessel on regular Panoramic Train Route which operates on We do work together with different Swiss rope’s highest suspension bridge, the Ti- very welcoming to Indian visitors and under- our company is part of the Swiss Travel Sys- timetable cruises. an hourly basis and for which no prior partners such as Titlis Cableways, Switzer- tlis Cliff Walk. A journey through a 120- stand their needs.For example, the Terrace tem. That means that all our scheduled And we will be launching a new boat, a reservations are needed for FITs, only for land Tourism and the Swiss Travel System. metre-long tunnel of ice in the Glacier Hotel, besides the Indian dinner, offer a wel- cruises are free with a Swiss Travel Pass, catamaran, at the end of May 2018.With groups. So you are not time-bound with This allows us to increase the brand aware- Cave will surely excite you. come Indian tea and a Bollywood disco 4 365 days a year.The Swiss Travel Pass is this boat, we will connect the city of fixed reservations and are free to explore ness.Together with the Swiss Travel Sys- And one can round it off with a sumptu- times a week.We have in Engelberg a hotel your all-in-one ticket to travel by rail, road Lucerne with the new Bürgenstock Re- the highlights on both sides of the route to tem, we specially promote the Swiss Travel ous Indian lunch that we offer along with with Indian chefs which lets out its banquet and waterway in the whole of Switzerland. sort by boat and funicular in half an hour, your heart’s content. Pass in the Indian market. And of course local specialities. area even to groups staying in other hotels. with hourly departures from Lucerne.The the different travel agencies and tour op- An Indian restaurant with a pick-up service How does India perform vis-à-vis Bürgenstock, a mountain on the shore- What product enhancements have erators are very important for us.They talk Is the Indian season very strong only the other international markets? you put in place over the last 3 Continued on Page 2 ®®® Continued on Page 2 ®®® Continued on Page 2 ®®® in these months? What can one do We are seeing a constant growth from India years and what is your plan for fu-

INTERVIEW I ANDRE KUETTEL Marketing & Sales, Swiss Museum of Transport A rich array of attractions Switzerland and museums or guided tour at the museum is do not sound synonymous. an excellent combination and a Please elaborate what the great experience for groups. Swiss Museum of Transport is all about So what would the 1100 museums in strategy be for Switzerland re- marketing and Travel by Train! port 20 million selling this visits a year. product? The Swiss We have Museum of opted for a Transport in multi-channel Lucerne is strategy. Our the most-vis- promoters and ited museum of sales partners Switzerland and are Swiss Tourism, known worldwide. representatives, tour Visitors experience road, rail, operators and travel compa- water and air mobility,and, even nies.We are also present at vari- space travel. Many interactive ous international trade and entertaining attractions and travel fairs and this enlarges indoors and outdoors are open our network. for discovery. Switzerland’s largest cinema The Swiss Travel Pass in- screen in the Filmtheater pre- cludes a lot of museums. Is sents documentary films in XXL there any reason why the format. Meanwhile, the coun- Swiss Museum of Transport try’s largest, most modern Plan- is not? Any special offers? etarium offers 360-degree The Swiss Museum of Transport flights to the edge of the uni- is just not a pure museum. We Luzern–Interlaken Express (a section of the GoldenPass Linie). verse.The Media World is where offer interactive experiences you’ll unearth new communica- and hence we could almost Come aboard for an unforgettable scenic travel tion trends and on a ride at the qualify as a theme park. Holders Swiss Chocolate Adventure visi- of a Swiss Travel Pass get a 50 experience on the 5th premium panoramic train tors learn about Swiss choco- percent discount on the mu- of Switzerland! late making. seum ticket. For groups we offer special prices. www.zentralbahn.ch/en/panorama What made you decide that India would be a potential As yours is a unique experi- market for the museum? ence, what special arrange- Lucerne and the Mount Titlis are ments have you made for well known destinations for In- the MICE segment? dian tourists. But many of them Our customised experiences are do not know the Swiss Museum manifold. Start your event at the of Transport yet.We would like to Filmtheater, dine in the aviation Bistro Bistro Order App Live Guide App attract more groups and individ- hall and watch a show at the ual travellers for a one day or half Planetarium afterwards.Our con- day visit. The ride at the Swiss Continued on Page 2 ®®® Chocolate Adventure and a visit

* ( READ. ENGAGE. DELIVER.) IS THE MARKETING SOLUTIONS TEAM OF THE INDIAN EXPRESS GROUP ADVERTORIAL

MARCH, 2018 1

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(DELHI I MUMBAI) (ALL EDITIONS) A rich array of attractions Indians are most welcome An Alpine journey to cherish ference facilities located next to the lake in this will have an impact on a growing num- to the end consumer. What is your feeling about growth in a beautiful surrounding have a capacity of ber of Indian tourists travelling to Switzer- line of Lake Lucerne and in front of All in all, we have extended the the Indian market? up to 600 people.There is even the possibility land.We are ready to welcome them at the Lucerne, has three luxury hotels, a timetable of the scheduled cruises to winter. Are there any expansion plans for the In our trains we see every day warm-hearted of bringing your own Indian food caterer for museum and show them the world of mo- Healthy Living Centre, Residence Suites We now have several departures every Zentralbahn network? If so, please and happy Indian people! these groups. bility. Ranveer had a great time and so shall with hotel service, business facilities, the hour from Lucerne also in the low season. elaborate. The Indian market is very important for our all the Indians who visit us. Bürgenstock Alpine Spa as well as nu- We do plan to buy some new rolling stock in company.We do very much like the stable Looking at the glass bowl, how do you merous restaurants and bars, all set in a Last year at the same time out- the next few years.The goal is to have more growth in the number of Indian travellers in the future of tourist arrivals, espe- Anything else you would like to add? breath-taking mountain landscape. bound tourism was supposedly in a capacity for our travellers and more co-ordi- the last years, especially as they fit very well cially from India, to this attraction? A visit to the Swiss Museum of Transport is a crisis with the demonetisation and nated schedules. with our other passengers. Swiss Tourism is actually campaigning with must if you visit beautiful Switzerland.Put it on What are the long term goals of service tax issues.That passed with a Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh. I am sure your bucket list. your company in India? very good year for outbound travel. ABOUT LUZERN-INTERLAKEN EXPRESS I think that the Indian business will have Seeing no such uncertainty this year PART OF THE GRAND TRAIN TOUR OF continuous growth in the next few years what is your forecast for the Indian ABOUT SWISS MUSEUM OF TRANSPORT SWITZERLAND: This is a great experience and more clients can be expected in the business? for train aficionados of any age, offering trav- Lake Lucerne region.We want to be a part I’m looking forward to another good year. ellers varied excitement. Anyone interested pressive starry sky on the of this growth. So, we have already ex- The signs we are getting from the market in experiencing our Alpine nation in one go is dome of our planetarium. tended the timetable for our one-hour are quite positive. With our various prod- in for an unforgettable ride. Where else than You also get to experience on the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland can an unforgettable space walk cruise to winter and we provide a whole- ucts,the new catamaran,which would con- you enjoy 1280 kilometres of Switzerland’s from the comfort of your year experience with this cruise.We are nect Lucerne with the Bürgenstock Resort most beautiful panoramic views in a single armchair. also seeing more and more requests for and the event boat MS Diamond, we are comprehensive package? This exciting jour- FILMTHEATER: Nature, an- charter cruises and hope to get more ready for the higher demand we expect ney will take you across towns both large and imals, adventure: explore bookings in the future. from the Indian market. small, over mountains and along glaciers, extraordinary landscapes lakes and rivers as well as through areas and study wildlife ABOUT LAKE LUCERNE NAVIGATION COMPANY Serving you since 1888, we elegantly carry where two languages are spoken. on Switzerland’s largest tourists from downtown Lucerne directly to FROM CITY CENTER TO CITY CENTER: screen. SWISS CUISINE ON BOARD: Enjoy the the most important travel destinations in Here’s where it all starts: in the heart of the SWISS CHOCOLATE AD- highlights of Swiss cuisine and let the dedi- the Swiss Alps. Indian guests are guaranteed famous historic Lucerne. Boarding our trains, VENTURE: The Swiss Mu- cated team from our board caterer “Gas- an unforgettable train journey right through the guests are carried directly to the top des- seum of Transport has tronomie Vierwaldstättersee” treat you to the heart of Switzerland. tinations of Interlaken/Jungfrau and Engel- gained a further attraction. culinary delights. Both sweet and salty spe- PREMIUM PANORAMIC JOURNEY:Five berg/Titlis. An easy, comfortable journey is The multimedia theme cialties are available and will satisfy any ap- crystal clear lakes, Switzerland’s snow- guaranteed. Hourly direct service between RAIL TRANSPORT: You lators will take you to spec- world, the Swiss Chocolate petite,large or small. capped mountains and magnificent water- Lucerne und Interlaken will find an interesting and tacular new heights. Adventure, has been devel- NEW MOTORBOAT DIAMOND: Our ultra falls — On this almost two-hour superlative BISTRO — GREAT IF YOU’RE HUNGRY: comprehensive collection Space travel inside the oped in conjunction with modern,state-of-the-art event ship redefines ride (a section of the GoldenPass Line), the In- At our à-la-carte restaurant on wheels we on the theme of Swiss rail “Space Transformer”: up the Lindt Chocolate Compe- passenger navigation in Switzerland and is an dian guests will cross Brünig Pass while re- serve our passengers what their heart desires transport. Expanded to in- and down are relative. In tence Foundation. Visitors IN THE HEART OF SWITZERLAND: Take event ship par excellence.The innovation and laxing in the comfort of our modern trains – a delicious breakfast in the morning, for ex- clude the legendary Got- the walk-in cube that ro- will experience the choco- advantage of our fantastic location in the ge- ingenuity behind its design are unmatched, and enjoying the fantastic Alpine panorama. ample, or a variety of regularly changing thard railway model, histor- tates, the ceiling becomes a late adventure on an excit- ographical centre of Switzerland. In Lucerne, as is the capacity with 400 banquet seats. SECTION OF THE GOLDENPASS LINE themed specials throughout the day. ical documents, films and wall and the wall turns into ing journey. our boat piers are conveniently located right EXCLUSIVE INDIAN DINNER CRUISE: (MONTREUX–GSTAAD–INTERLAKEN–LU FREE DIGITAL TOUR GUIDE: Using our interactive info stations. a floor. MEDIA WORLD:The new outside the railway station. Combine a cruise on Lake Lucerne with an In- CERNE): This extraordinary line featuring digital tour guide, you can derive even more And last but not least, the SWISSARENA:Admire the interactive exposition pre- ALL YEAR ROUND CONNECTIVITY: Enjoy dian Dinner and enjoy the unique landscape.A three different trains has it all: a panoramic thrills (and information) from your journey impressive fleet of original world’s biggest walk-on sents the multifaceted the combined beauty of Lake Lucerne and the sumptuous buffet by the finest Indian Restau- view of Switzerland’s most beautiful land- between Lucerne and Interlaken.The guests vehicles in Rail Transport aerial photo of a country. world of the media: mountains around the lake like Mount Bür- rant Kanchi awaits you and no culinary wish scapes, and a spectacular journey across will learn a great deal about the most inter- Halls 1-3. Put on slippers and en- amongst other things, visi- genstock,Rigi and .Several departures will remain unfulfilled. three mountain passes and along famous esting sights this area has to offer and, using AVIATION: Mankind has counter Switzerland’s tors can produce their own from Lucerne by boat every day to these beau- HIRE YOUR OWN BOAT: Charter your 12,000-foot peaks, and eight lakes as well as the built-in map, where its next highlights always dreamt of being able mountains and lakes. content in a professional TV tiful destinations. own boat for an exclusive experience on Lake various waterfalls and rivers. will be. to fly like a bird. In this hall, PLANETARIUM: Travel studio, practise their direct- DIVERSE, LARGE FLEET: As the largest Lucerne.Combine your cruise with a meal pre- The Luzern-Interlaken Express is a section The fastest and most beautiful way to more than 30 historic air- with us through the realm of ing skills, test the editing shipping company in Switzerland, we have pared by our exquisite caterer Tavolago “Gas- of the famous GoldenPass Line connecting travel from Lucerne to Engelberg/Titlis. Using craft and flying machines, the stars. No matter what suite, and discover the op- the most diverse fleet. How about trying out tronomie Vierwaldstättersee”. Lucerne and Montreux, which in turn also Zentralbahn, the guests will reach Engelberg together with over 300 orig- the outside weather, with portunities that up-to-the- one of our loved paddle steamers or the ul- Our fleet is available 365 days a year with forms a part of the Grand Train Tour of from downtown Lucerne in mere 43 minutes inal artefacts, models, diora- state-of-the-art technology minute media technologies tra-modern Panorama-Yacht with its aqua ter- every season offering its own charms to Switzerland. – and very comfortably, too. mas, experiments and simu- we will conjure up an im- have to offer. race and convertible upper deck roof? the traveller.

You can’t miss out on Mt Titlis caters to FITs who crave for the occasional home food.The Titlis Resort is a collection of buildings with studio to 4-bedroom apartments to rent and this Resort has become very popular with Indians. ONE MOUNTAIN ALL SEASONS

Finally,how was 2017? And what is your forecast for 2018? Breathtaking Cruises on Lake Lucerne Imagine a bright blue sky and the touch of sparklin fresh-fallen snow. Explore Much against our forecast made early in the year,and thankfully,2017 the world of eternal ice. Feel like an eagle and hover over stunning glacier cre- ended on a very positive note and turned out to be our best year ever.We vasses. Enjoy snow tubing at the Glacier Park. Mount TITLIS is a spot not to miss! are looking positively at 2018 and hope this strong urge of people to travel continues and we are able to grow our already fantastic numbers.

ABOUT TITLIS GLACIER MOUNTAIN

N INDIA WITH WOOD BOLLY :9HOUR ROUNDTRIP MUSIC Snowmobile WITH PANORAMA9YACHT 8SAPHIR7 INDIAN DINNER CRUISE Experience Lucerne Bay aboard Combine a cruise on Lake Lucerne our panoramic motor yacht. with an Indian dinner and enjoy GUARANTEED SNOW: One of a Views as far as the Italian The vessel sports an amazing the unique landscape of Central handful of accessible mountains dolomites will amaze you. sliding roof that can be opened Switzerland. Pass by beautiful TITLIS Cliff Walk where you are guaranteed ice and GLACIER CAVE: 20 metres be- and closed according to the castles and and get inspired by the snow throughout the year,even in low the surface of the snow is the the hottest of summers. surreal world of the glacier cave weather. As for the main deck, breathtaking view of the nearby ROTAIR:The world’s first revolv- with a year round temperature of it features a unique lake-level mountains. A sumptuous buffet by ing cable car which ascends on -1.5° centigrade. water terrace. the finest Indian Restaurant Kanchi the last stage offers a truly NOSTALGIC PHOTO STUDIO: Schedule awaits you and no wish remains unique experience as you see the Dress like the traditional Swiss of Operates daily all year round unfulfilled. verdant valleys & blue lakes be- yesteryear and take home a pre- Snow Tubing low and as you gently spin cious memory. O – H tours per day, depending on Schedule around the Titlis mountain glac- FUN AT TRUEBSEE: In summer the season. SV April – VN June SNRO ier closing in on you. try the bag jump, a game of curl- Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday ICE-FLYER: Soar like a bird over ing or just gently stroll to the Lake the glacier crevasses on a 3 of Truebsee for some boating. In Free audio-guide! I July – OF July JFIH minute ride each way on a chair winter you can visit the igloo vil- Enjoy the benefit of a free Every Monday and Thursday lift adapted specially for non- lage and try the SnowXbikes. Or audio guide available in Hindi! skiers.The view which stretches why not try some “ski-tasting” as far as Germany is truly stun- —an experience which shows Timetable ning! As this Ice-Flyer is not mo- you how to gently slide down a dep. K.OF p.m./arr. G.FF p.m. in Lucerne tored you will experience the small slope with skis. sound of silence. TERRACE HOTEL:With over 170 Operates daily for pre-booked groups of LN+ GLACIER PARK: A fun area with rooms it is the most requested ho- ear-marked courses where people tel for Indian groups.The view of all ages can experience the vari- from the rooms is stupendous and ous fun toys in the snow for free you can also expect some lip- MS Diamant - the newest large motor vessel on the lake! and unlimited use.This brings out smacking Indian food. the kid in you as you have a rollick- THE TITLIS RESORT:Very popular TITLIS CABLEWAYS, HOTELS & RESTAURANTS ing time. fully furnished alpine style apart- | 6391 ENGELBERG | SWITZERLAND TITLIS CLIFF WALK:Walk on Eu- ments for rent.We have everything Lake Lucerne Navigation Company PHONE +41 (0)41 639 50 50 | TITLIS6TITLIS.CH | WWW.TITLIS.CH Phone +PR PR VQT QT QT | [email protected] | www.lakelucerne.ch rope’s highest suspension bridge from studios to a 4-bedroom which is 100 metres long and has a apartment which fits up to 10 peo- TITLIS GLACIER MOUNTAIN WELCOME TO THE HEART OF SWITZERLAND 450 metre vertical below your feet. ple.A feather in our cap!

* ( READ. ENGAGE. DELIVER.) IS THE MARKETING SOLUTIONS TEAM OF THE INDIAN EXPRESS GROUP