The year 2020 and thereafter was overtaken by the Covid pandemic and the hardest hit was the tourism industry, not only in India, but travel across the world came to a grinding halt. The new normal in 2021 brought massive changes and altered the tourism landscape, everyone related to the industry had to shift gears and think anew. Fortunately, domestic travel grew, as people resumed travel and looked for safer options, shorter driving holidays and discovering new places. Syed Junaid Altaf, Managing Director, Empyrean Skyview Projects Private Ltd, promoters of Skyview by Empyrean, a new lifestyle and adventure destination spoke to the Financial Express Online about how they have been ahead of the curve as they had just launched their mountain tourism project at Sanget Valley in Patnitop to attract new age travellers while setting a benchmark Excerpts: What is green mobility? How did It is about promoting the concept of moving people and not vehicles and encourages modes of transportation that are not dependent on fossil fuel for operation. Green mobility is also about reducing the environmental footprint of the current mobility system i.e. GHG emissions, noise, and air pollution. Empyrean Skyview Projects Pvt Ltd. (ESPPL) came by the opportunity to build an international class gondola [Skyview Gondola] in Patnitop as a hallmark project under PPP model with Patnitop Development Authority. We started building in 2017 and the project was completed in a record time of 2 years and 4 months at an initial investment of Rs 175 crores. This flagship project is the largest Indo-French collaboration in mountain infrastructure development, and also the biggest tourism project in UT JK. The Skyview Gondola was our first step towards setting a benchmark for responsible tourism and green mobility as it eliminated a 30-45 minutes road journey to Patnitop from the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Tunnel (formerly the Chenani-Nashri Tunnel) by way of a breathtaking and picturesque gondola ride of over 2.8kms of inclined destination to just 10-12 minutes. In fact, not a single tree was felled whilst constructing the project, along the 2.8kms inclined distance on the gondola line. The gondola is actually ESPPL The infrastructure, including the 8 towers, ropes, and spacious 18 cabins, all has been imported from France through technology partner POMA You say you are pioneers in mountain adventure tourism, what are your future plans? Yes, in fact, with Skyview by Empyrean at Sanget Valley-Patnitop, ESPPL has set a benchmark in developing lifestyle and adventure destinations with world-class infrastructure adhering to global standards of safety and service, offering a plethora of thrilling and exciting experiences, all available in one destination. We see an unprecedented opportunity in terms of footfalls at Skyview, due to its proximity to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. However, that is not the only thing that we are planning to build the destination on. We are also working on building a holistic hospitality brand with differentiated offerings, global partnerships and a unique experience for every customer. In addition to luxury accommodation on Skyview World, we plan to add more activities and expand our footprint in other destinations. In addition, by creating such destinations, we, along with our partners, hope to raise the bar, generate employment and ensure that the region, where the project is located, also benefits from overall economic development. As a matter of fact, we have also signed up for the Dehradun-Mussoorie gondola project, along similar lines. This should be operational in the next couple of years. You have combined lifestyle and adventure tourism at Sanget valley Patnitop, what are the various activities and infrastructure that you have introduced here which are unique? Skyview by Empyrean is indeed a unique lifestyle and adventure destination offering a range of best-in-class experiences in one integrated destination. We have many firsts to our credit – India Our outdoor location in the Himalayas, just a two-hour drive from Jammu, is perfect for holidays\/short breaks for families, small groups or even solo travellers who are driving down from Jammu, Katra or Punjab It is also ideal for Also on offer are culinary delights at several restaurants One can have an immersive experience of local art and culture and also shop for the finest honey, handicraft items, condiments, spices and dry fruits from JK at the expanded offering at the Hands of Gold retail outlet. We believe that Skyview by Empyrean has transformed Patnitop into a new tourist hill station with its state-of-art gondola that connects Sanget valley, an idyllic hamlet where Skyview World is situated to welcome visitors, to Skyview Terrace in Patnitop, by way of a picturesque gondola ride of over 2.8 kms of inclined destination in just 10-12 minutes. Today, we are all geared to attract the new age traveller. Through our vertical Skyview Adventure Valley, we have introduced very attractive packages available at different price points which include accommodation, camping, We offer a range of dining options, organise large scale events such as a winter carnival, Music concerts and soon we shall also be offering luxury accommodation at Skyview World. For your gondola you partnered with POMA. Any specific reason for that? The wonderful history of ropeways began with POMA in 1936 in the Alps, on the snow-capped peaks of Alpe-d This invention paved the way for the rapid development of recreational skiing in the ski resorts of Europe and the United States, where the surface lift is still called The company POMA, then called POMAGALSKI, was officially founded in 1946.Since then, POMA has not stopped innovating and contributing its expertise to ropeway transport. From the mountains to the city, new mobility challenges are driving POMA to invent economically reasonable transport solutions, respectful of people and their environment. There are more than 8,000 POMA installations around the globe, used as urban transport means, tourist attractions or for transporting industrial materials. From mountain peaks to major cities, the Groups expertise and its ropeway transport systems are recognised worldwide. What about safety standards, how do you ensure that they are adhered to? Ever since we opened in October 2019, we have ensured that safety is a priority and that all activities adhere to and are operated under international safety standards. The entire gondola adheres to CEN (European) standard certification making it the safest gondola in the world. Additionally, we have 200 daily tests for the gondola. Rescue operation drills are done every month. COVID-19 PROTOCOL: During the first lockdown due to the pandemic, Skyview by Empyrean was comprehensively audited for Covid preparedness by SGS – world A Covid-ready compliance certificate of safety has been issued by them just before the reopening making Skyview by Empyrean a safe destination for all visitors. All associates follow stringent SOP Skyview by Empyrean advocates Sustainable Tourism, what are the steps However, the gondola that you see in Patnitop is not only a reflection of sustainable tourism but it is our dedication to being responsible in tourism. In fact, responsible sustainable tourism has the larger theme and the gondola built in Patnitop is the first gondola in Asia without any trees being cut. It is truly a combination of man, infrastructure, perseverance with its underlying commitment to responsible tourism. Reiterating our commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism, we are Grand Patron of Responsible Tourism Society of India (RTSOI)as well as a member of ESPPL is also deeply committed to the development of tourism and especially mountain tourism, and towards this it is a signatory to Future of Tourism, as well as a member\/affiliate of the following tourism associations and bodies: ATOAI, TAAI, ADTOI, IATO and For ESPPL, it has become a mission to promote sustainable tourism through green urban mobility by creating and developing infrastructure to a new and undiscovered destination called Sanget valley and to promote the exquisite Skyview World, uncrowded attractions nearby whilst continuing to promote and empower the forgotten hill-station, Patnitop. What can modern tourism developers and travellers do to contribute to the ecosystem? To practice the seven principles of LEAVE NO TRACE. Plan ahead and prepare. Travel and camp on durable surfaces. Dispose of waste properly. Leave what you find. Minimise campfire impacts. Respect wildlife. Be considerate of other visitors. What are the big challenges Since March 2020, Covid-19 further dented tourism. Besides, the infrastructure that supports tourism is still evolving in the UT. There are challenges, but we as entrepreneurs have signed up for it being in the tourism industry in Jammu Kashmir. I hope that there is policy support to the tourism industry at the administration level in times to come. I look at these challenges more like opportunities. Patnitop is a major tourist attraction, however it doesnt still have a 5 star hotel, do you see this as a challenge? If so, At the same time, we too are looking to expand our own product and we are building luxury cottages. The idea for us is to have an integrated mountain resort offering true mobility to our customers, including food and beverage luxury accommodation, adventure on and off property. We at ESPPL are in the process of filling the gap of luxury accommodation by building cottages at our own Skyview World to cater to that clientele which is looking for international standard quality. This will be launched by the end of the year, and we will add more rooms in the coming year. We believe that we should act like catalysts to Patnitop that is growing and has multi-faceted opportunities for tourism. How has the global pandemic Everyone related to the industry had to shift gears and think anew. Already, travel and tourism within India is gaining momentum and we are confident that Skyview by Empyrean will continue to offer a destination for short breaks that is safe for travellers, is environmentally conscious and responsible, and one that gives back to the community We have also introduced a variety of packages with our partner hotels at Patnitop which include a ride on the gondola and a range of adventure activities at Skyview World in Sanget valley. The product is designed to attract all visitors – ranging from budget to high-end. And off Skyview World activities include guided mountain biking, hiking, camping, birding and much more. It is expected that this type of sustainable, adventure tourism will see growth in the post-COVID landscape.
Recent Comments