CNN International unveils tourism advertorials to promote India

CNN International unveils tourism advertorials to promote India

MUMBAI: More vacationers are likely to choose to wile away their holidays in India rather than other popular tourist countries. CNN International, in an initiative to promote India all around the world in association with the India's ministry of tourism (MOT), has produced a series of six 60/45/30-seconds advertorials.

CNNI had commissioned Bang Productions Singapore Pte Ltd to produce the series for MOT. The six films, which was unveiled at overseas marketing meet organised by MOT in the Delhi earlier. The vignettes are now being aired on CNN International on a world-wide basis, which kicked off on 22 September and will run uptill March 2007.

India’s travel and tourism market has been valued at US$42 billion in 2005. The vignettes are based on six pillars that include health, modern Art, Golfing Holidays, Hip Hotels, Fashion & Shopping and Heritage in India. The current promotion has more clearly defined these pillars which are in keeping with the viewing audience of CNN International. 

The objective of the campaign is to increase the flow of tourists into India from September till end February-early March. The produced advertorials will be running alongside the Incredible India commercial, produced by Bharat Bala Production, according to an official release.

Turner South Asia advertising sales VP Monica Tata said, “India has a lot to offer to the world and through these brilliantly shot six vignettes, we hoped to capture the true essence of a 'new age India’. We believe that these series of vignettes focus on India as a modern, upmarket, contemporary and unique place. CNN International believes in partnering with clients to offer them the solutions they need across the world.”

“This is in response to the long standing relationship that CNN enjoys with the Ministry of Tourism in India. The ministry has been using CNN to promote Indian tourism globally. The six advertorials are a reflection of the different facets of Indian tourism,” Tata further added.

All the segments have been shot on film and not on Digi-beta or video. The vignettes are based on six pillars and they include:

Health: This segment is hosted by Deepak Chopra MD, acknowledged as one of the world's greatest leaders in the field of mind body medicine. Deepak Chopra carries the film beautifully from the prayers being offered at the Ghats (shore) of Rishikesh to the Oberoi Wildflower Hall spa (one of the world’s best) ayurveda, meditation and yoga resorts. India is whole – it is holy and it is healing. The vignette depicts the spiritual side of Incredible India.

Modern Art: This segment has been hosted by the international photographer, Frederic Lagrange from New York. The film was shot at various locations in Delhi, including the National Gallery of Modern Art, Garhi Artists Studio and Jantar Mantar. The film also has shots of famous Indian artist, Anjolie Ela Menon. Frederic talks about art and how it is omnipresent in India, on the streets, through movie hoardings, in galleries, through canvases of famous Indian artistes etc.

Golfing Holidays: This vignette has been hosted by India’s top professional golfer, Jeev Milka Singh – the current winner of the China Open Golf Championship, and was filmed at Delhi Golf Club, the DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurgaon to promote 'Golf Tourism' in India. It has some beautiful shots of the monuments at the Delhi Golf course, one of the only golf courses in Asia meandering through ancient monuments.

Hip Hotels: This advertorial was shot at the Lake Palace Hotel and Devigarh Fort Palace in Udaipur, and it was hosted by renowned investment guru and author - Dr Mark Mobius from Franklin Templeton Investments. Both hotels have earned a reputation to be one of the world’s best.

Fashion & Shopping: This advertorial was hosted by the US supermodel and actress, Saira Mohan. The segment was shot in Delhi during the India Fashion week, showcasing Indian designers like Tarun Tahiliani, the depth and vision of Indian fashion, jewellery & handicrafts and other fashion/shopping locations around Delhi.

Heritage: This segment was hosted by the renowned Indian Sufi singer, Zila Khan, daughter of late Ustad Vilayat Khan. The film was shot at Taj Mahal in Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, a city made by emperor, Akbar in the late 15th and early 16th century and Agra Fort.