Incredible India!
by John Hawks

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That’s why OSSN is proud to offer its spring 2007 conference in India!

OSSN’s India Conference: The Basics

On this special trip (May 2-9), OSSN will introduce you to the wonders of India and give you a true insider’s look at how to package and sell this popular exotic destination.

You will arrive in India on May 2 for a stay at the Taj Palace, a lovely five-star Taj property in New Delhi. The next morning, OSSN’s guides will take you on a tour of Old and New Delhi, with dinner that evening on your own.

On May 4, executives from India Tourism will meet the OSSN delegates and conduct a half-day training seminar on the many opportunities to promote “Incredible India!” to your clients. That afternoon, you will board coaches for the drive to Agra and a stay at the Trident Hilton Agra, with dinner and a Kathak dance performance in the evening.

The next day, you will visit the Taj Mahal -- one of the Seven Wonders of the World, built in 1653. In the afternoon, you’ll head to Jaipur, India’s “Pink City.”

On May 6, you’ll tour the Amber Fort, with the afternoon free for shopping and roaming the streets of Jaipur.

The next day, you’ll see more of Jaipur with a visit to the City Palace (boasting urns that are the world’s largest silver objects) and the Royal Observatory. In the evening, OSSN has organized a special treat: an elephant polo match, followed by dinner.

On May 8, you’ll return to New Delhi after breakfast for a free day, with the farewell dinner that evening and early flights on May 9.

You can also add on a post-conference excursion to Udaipur. “For anyone to travel this far and not experience Udaipur is a mistake,” OSSN President Gary M. Fee advises. “It was one of the best highlights of my [site inspection].”

Is India Right For You?

Gary says agents who’ve never traveled outside the United States may not be ready for the India conference. “You may want to first work your way up the travel experience ladder before you tackle India,” he notes. “I may be wrong in stating this, but after 30-some years in the travel business, my experience tells me that I am probably correct.”

Women will definitely feel comfortable on this trip, says Anita Pagliasso (OSSN’s Western Regional Manager). “India is a very conservative country with regard to dress, customs, and social manners,” she says. “It was very interesting to me that, when we went to go to the Taj Mahal, our guide told me that I would go through a separate security line than the men. I was puzzled by this, until I saw the curtained-off booth for women where the search was done very discreetly. In all honesty, I really appreciated this after being humiliated at many of the U.S. airports!”

This trip is definitely not designed for armchair travelers. “You’ll take a ride on an elephant in Amber Fort in Jaipur,” Gary says, “which to me was a thrill a second! But, you do have to hold on, as riding upon the back of an elephant on a two-seat cushion was somewhat of a balancing act for me and the elephant.” Another active highlight of the trip will be the sunset polo match outside Jaipur. “We’ll be greeted by elephants and camels carrying torches to lead the way to the polo grounds. We know you’ll work up a big appetite during this event, so be prepared for a fantastic barbecue with bonfires and torches to add to your travel memoirs!”

Anita helped arrange another surprise for OSSN agents on this trip. “I was awestruck at the gorgeous colorful saris that even the poorest women in the rural areas would wear,” she says. “We would drive by a field and see these beautiful bursts of color from the women tending the crops or livestock. We were fortunate to visit a sari shop which had some of the most beautiful fabrics for formal or wedding saris. While speaking to us, the shop owner agreed to bring some of his stock of fabrics to our conference in May and will perform sari demonstrations for our agents. This will be perfect right before our Indian dress-up event in Jaipur!”

If you haven’t already signed up, don’t miss the OSSN conference to Incredible India!

OSSN’s India Conference: The Details

OSSN has reserved special group rates with Air India for this trip (set for March 2-9, 2007). Departing U.S. gateways are New York/Kennedy (strictly limited to the first 45 registrants), Los Angeles, and Chicago/O’Hare. The discounted air price will be $599 per person. (These fares do not include international taxes, which should run about $320 per person at the time of departure.)

For the land portion of the conference, OSSN members may register at the members-only rate of $649 ppdo. Non-members and companions will pay an additional $50.

Seats on this trip will sell very quickly, so please reserve your space as soon as you’re ready to go! This is strictly a first-come, first-serve conference.

Visit the OSSN India 2007 Conference and FAM page on OSSN’s Web site for more details (including the complete itinerary, airfare conditions, and the reservations form).

OSSN thanks Eastbound Tours, Air India, and India Tourism for making this wonderful trip possible!

(Photo credits: OSSN/Anita Pagliasso/Gary Fee)