The Foreign Office of the United Kingdom (UK) has issued travel advice to its citizens travelling to India warning them against multiple issues. The advice, that was updated on August 25, 2016, alerting UK travellers about safety and security (scams operating at airports and trains stations), local customs (there are strict guidelines regarding the import and export of goods) and entry requirements (beware of fake websites offering eTV service). The Foreign Office website also warns women to use caution when travelling in India, dedicating a lot of space for advice to women travellers: ‘Reported cases of sexual assault against women and young girls are increasing; recent sexual attacks against female visitors in tourist areas and cities show that foreign women are also at risk.’

Garuda Indonesia, the national carrier for Indonesia, has partnered with Sabre AirCentre Enterprise Operations portfolio, making Sabre Corporation its primary airline operations technology provider. Sabre technology will power connect airline operations, improving airline profitability and customer experience as Garuda pushes international expansion. Sabre Airline Solutions’ Operations and Crew Technology Platform will enhance Garuda’s aircraft tracking, disruption control and prevention, and crew management operations. “Southeast Asia’s airlines operate in an environment of resource-constrained infrastructure and volatile weather conditions. We are working with carriers in the region to create a more connected airline that can optimise operations regardless of these regional challenges. Using more flexible, reliable and scalable technology, Garuda will improve crew and fleet utilisation and safety, drive operational efficiencies and introduce quicker schedule recovery –ensuring a better and more consistent traveller experience,” says Dasha Kuksenko, Vice President and Regional General Manager, Sabre Airline Solutions, Asia Pacific. Garuda recorded a 13.4 percent increase in available seat kilometers (ASK) in first quarter of 2016. Benny Butarbutar, Vice President-Corporate Communications, Garuda Indonesia, added that Sabre’s technology will support the airlines’ growth plans. “Sabre’s enterprise operations solutions will give us a far more sophisticated approach to managing our operations, crew and the impact of disruptions. This in turn will help us improve profitability and drive customer loyalty. As we pursue further international network growth, which is critical to our long-term strategy, the platform will also help us streamline operations across multiple geographies,” said Benny.

Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Africa Travel Association (ATA), a division of the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), to strengthen the tourism links between Africa and the Asia Pacific region. Both the organisations have agreed to cooperate in a number of areas including market intelligence and proprietary research; conferences and events; advocacy themes and grass-roots development through Chapter networks. ATA will also contribute content for the PATA monthly Visitor Economy Bulletin and for the dedicated PATA website on sustainability. PATA will be seeking to use the good offices of the ATA to strengthen further its presence throughout the continent. The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority recently became the first government member from Africa to join the PATA. Dr. Mario Hardy, CEO, PATA said, “I am very pleased that there is shared determination within our organisations to forge this new MoU into a worthwhile partnership that produces tangible and mutually beneficial benefits for ATA, PATA and all our members. The demand from source markets across the Asia Pacific to visit tourist destinations in Africa is unprecedented. We look forward to helping ATA and the nations of Africa as they bid to maintain a balanced and sustainable approach to managing even greater numbers of visitors to some of the world’s most famous attractions and landmarks.” Stephen Hayes, President & CEO, CCA, said, “We believe an active MoU with PATA is important to strengthen tourism to Africa. The potential for tourism in Africa is enormous and it offers very significant opportunities for business as well as environmental awareness. We couldn’t ask for a better partner.”

A new civilian terminal is expected to come up at the Kheria Air Force Station in Agra to provide international facilities to passengers visiting the Taj city, revealed Mahesh Sharma, Tourism Minister, Government of India. The Kheria airport is currently under the control of Indian Air Force which allows one of its air strips to be used for civilian flights. Post discussions with the district officials, Sharma informed, Rs. 100 crore has already been sanctioned for upgrading the Kheria airport and construction of the civilian terminal, for which about 50 acres of land has already been acquired. Sharma further informed that the proposed Jewar International Airport in Gautam Buddha Nagar is expected to cater to the aviation needs of the national capital region (NCR), while the Agra airport will primarily cater to the tourists visiting the Taj Mahal. (Source: Business Standard)  

Looking at the increased number of Indian tourists to Australia, Tourism Australia is planning to increase direct flights to the country from major Indian cities as part of their marketing campaign in metro cities. Indian arrivals to Australia continued to reflect the positive trend with 21 per cent growth in year ending June 2016 as compared to June 2015, making India the ninth largest inbound market for Australia in terms of tourist arrivals. Australia witnessed the maximum number of tourists from Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. John O’Sullivan, Managing Director, Tourism Australia, said, “Australia will lobby for more flights connecting India. The promotion with regard to India will be focused on three points – lobbying for more flights, designing tourism products that will give more value for the tourists and to integrate content of promotion by adding local flavor.” Scoot Airlines, which offers competitive fares and quick connection from Singapore, has eased the travel woes a bit. This has also increased the volume of tourists in recent months. However, there is very little scope to increase flights via Singapore, because Singapore Airlines has almost exhausted their quota of flights into India. Source: Times of India

Travel and holiday information portal HolidayIQ signed a Memorandum of Association (MoU) with The Indian National Trust for Arts and Culture Heritage (INTACH), to jointly identify ‘Next Big Heritage Destination’ in India for 2017. Through this strategic association, the two partners aim to identify at least one lesser-known Indian Heritage Destination (living, built, or natural), with significant potential for tourism. The destination will be selected through a nationwide contest on HolidayIQ portal, where Indian travelers will be asked to identify heritage destinations and share their views via reviews, images and videos. The campaign to identify the ‘Next Heritage Destination’ will be spread over a period of three months, starting September 2016. The Winning Heritage Destination will be selected by a joint jury of INTACH and HolidayIQ and this is culminate with an award ceremony to honor the winner in December 2016. Speaking about the MoU, Dr. (Mrs.) C.T. Misra, Member Secretary, INTACH said, “INTACH has been a pioneer in conserving and protecting India’s natural and cultural heritage. It is our aim to initiate innovative ideas in not only preserving but also promoting the cultural heritage of the country. Our MoU with HolidayIQ therefore seeks to reiterate our commitment by seeking to identify a heritage destination through the views of the Indian traveler and then offer support to the site from INTACH through next year in 2017.” On the signing of the MOU with INTACH, Hari Nair, CEO and Founder, HolidayIQ said, “Promoting domestic tourism amongst Indian travelers has always been the key vision for us, especially amongst the youth. As a leading travel information site, it is our endeavor to ensure that we promote the Indian culture and heritage. This …

Vistara has announced the launch of a suite of ancillary products and services including electronic coupon books, class upgrades, lounge pass, excess baggage. All of these products and services can be purchased online during the booking process, or added post-booking through the ‘Manage My Booking’ function. Customers who provide their email addresses or mobile phone numbers at the time of booking will also receive an email or SMS with a ‘hot link’ prior to their flight to enable them to directly access their booking and purchase the ancillary products of their choice. Commenting on the launch, Sanjiv Kapoor, Chief Strategy and Commercial Officer, Vistara, said “We are pleased to launch this suite of ancillary products and services that are designed to offer customers more choices at attractive rates, and that can be purchased with the click of a button. This is the first wave of several more ancillary products and services that are in the pipeline, to be launched in the coming weeks to offer customers even more options to enhance their experience as they Fly the New Feeling.”

PATA India Chapter in cooperation with Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, is conducting its business development roadshows in six European cities from October 17-27, 2016. The roadshow will begin in Helsinki (Finland) on October 17, and move on to Stockholm (Sweden) on October 18, Copenhagen (Denmark) on October 20, Vienna (Austria) on October 24, Prague (Czech Republic) on October 26, and conclude in Warsaw (Poland) on October 27. PATA India Chapter’s Executive Director, Runeep Sangha, said, “PATA looks forward to carrying 15-20 sellers from India including airlines, hotels, special interest groups, and destination management companies.” The meetings aim to promote inbound tourism from these important and emerging source markets for India.

Ministry of Tourism, Government of India (International Cooperation Division) is organising the BRICS Convention on Tourism from September 01-02, 2016, in  Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. Delegation from the BRICS nations including Tourism Minister of South Africa is expected to participate in the Convention, which is being held as a precursor to the BRICS Summit to be held in Goa on October 15-16, 2016. The two day event will comprise of inter-governmental exchange of views and ideas, panel discussions on technology, innovation in tourism, and cooperation between the BRICS countries for promoting intra-regional tourism. B2B meetings between the India Travel Trade and their counterparts from the BRICS countries will also be organised. Elements of culture, handicrafts and cuisine from different regions of India will be showcased during the convention. The inaugural ceremony and proceedings on September 1, 2016, is being organised at the Convention Centre of Ramada Hotel, Khajuraho. Madhya Pradesh Tourism is sponsoring a gala cultural evening and dinner at Clark’s Hotel Khajuraho on September 01, 2016, for the delegates attending the BRICS convention. On September 02, 2016, panel discussions on the topics, “Cooperation among the BRICS countries for promotion of Tourism” and “Technology, Innovation in Tourism: Adapting to change” has been organised. Post-convention familiarisation tours are also organised for the BRICS delegates from September 03-06, 2016. The itineraries for the familiarisation tour would cover important tourist destinations in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, which include Varanasi-Bodhgaya, Orchha/Agra, and Bhopal-Sanchi-Bhimbetka. The familiarisation tours will be hosted by the respective state governments.

The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has announced the launch of Ganesh Darshan Tours for devotees in Mumbai. The Ganesh Darshan Tour will spin across the six of the most popular Ganesh pandals in Mumbai which includes Lalbaugcha Raja, Siddhivinayak temple, Andhericha Raja, Girgaoncha Raja Mumbaicha Raja and G.S.B. Sioncha Raja. The tour will commence from Dadar wherein 45 tourists in each AC bus will be accommodated. It will start from September 6-8, 2016 from 8am to 5pm at Rs 2,001 (inclusive of breakfast and lunch). Jaykumar Rawal, Tourism Minister, Government of Maharashtra on this initiative commented, “When it comes to Ganesh Chaturthi, the entire Mumbai soaks in its spirit, taking a break from the daily routine. The festival brings along with it a lot of excitement and enthusiasm amongst devotees. The initiative of the Ganesh Darshan Tours will not only increase tourism activities in the state, but also give an opportunity to tourists from outside the state to be a part of the festivities.”