Since September 11, the world has been in a tailspin with the economy of most countries facing a slowdown of one kind or another. One of the industries that has suffered a major setback is tourism, and with it airlines. The image of aircraft being used as missiles rather than a means of transportation has put the fear of flying in millions across the world. The flipside is that faced with massive cancellations, the travel trade is taking desperate measures to attract customers. India has become a major focus of this travel bonanza. There are discounts of close to 30 per cent on flights, accommodation and tours.

Logo of the new interactive website of India Today

Our cover story casts an eye on the sheer luxury of choices available to the Indian customer today. The great travel bazaar has forced a business determined by planning to change into one that tries to attract the impulse spender. Maybe it will help us all pack away our blues and pack our bags instead.

This week we also launch India Today's new, revamped website, with the purpose of redefining interactivity between the magazine and our readers. We have long believed
that our magazine is like a friend that drops into a reader's home every week with a world of information. Our new website, www.indiatoday.com, will not only include our latest issue online, but take the information in it a step further. Subscribers will be able to be part of a discussion board, the best letters on the site will find their way into the Letters to the
Editor column every week and our Make A Difference section will open up our stories to the reader, who when moved or impassioned by them, can volunteer help, advice or even a suggestion which will be taken on board by our editors. In addition, a reader can quiz experts on the hot topic of the week by posting them questions on the site. Through our website, we would like to reach out even more to our readers. We also hope they will take the opportunity to reach in.

(Aroon Purie)