FTAs during the period January-May, 2016, were 36.36 lakh with a growth of 9.1% as compared to the FTAs of 33.32 lakh with a growth of 4.0% in January- May, 2015 over January- May, 2014. 3.7% growth has been recorded in Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in May 2016 over the same period in 2015, according to data released by Ministry of Tourism. Bangladesh accounts for highest share of tourist arrivals followed by USA and UK in April 2016. Rs.10, 285 crores Foreign Exchange earned through tourism in May 2016. FTAs during the Month of May, 2016 were 5.29 lakh as compared to FTAs of 5.1 lakh during the month of May, 2015 and 4.65 lakh in May, 2014. Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) during the month of May, 2016 were Rs.10,285 crore as compared to Rs.9,505 crore in May, 2015 and Rs. 7,936 crore in May, 2014. FEEs from tourism in rupee terms during January- May 2016 were Rs. 62,333 crore with a growth of 14.4% as compared to the FEE of Rs. 54,471 crore with a growth of 7.3% during January- May, 2015 over January- May, 2014.

In response to competition in the global aviation market, Korean Air has announced some network realignment. Commencing December 2016, Korean Air will introduce direct flights from Seoul to New Delhi. The capital is a commercial hub for many Korean and global companies. In addition to corporate travel, New Delhi is currently in high demand as a tourism destination.

After examining the nominations that were received by the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) Secretariat in Mumbai, a list of names have been announced of those who have been elected unopposed and those who will be contesting the elections on June 30 at Hyatt Regency in Ahmedabad. These are: A. Basheer Ahmed, Rajat Bagaria, Urvashi Dogra, A Satheesh Hegde, Bharat Shah, Darshan Shah, and Jyoti Singh. The Secretariat has received seven applications for five posts for the Managing Committee Member. Pradip Lulla, the newly-elected Vice President, TAFI, said, “Since we have received more applications for the Managing Committee Members than the posts, we will have elections as planned unless there are withdrawals. We will know this only on June 20 which is the last date for withdrawal and decide whether we will need to have elections or not.”

Jayesh Tharani of Hopco Travels has been elected unopposed as Treasurer of TAFI. His nomination was proposed by Shoiz International Travel Services and seconded by Tulsidas Khimji Holidays. After examining the nominations that were received by the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) Secretariat in Mumbai, a list of names have been announced of those who have been elected unopposed and those who will be contesting the elections on June 30 at Hyatt Regency in Ahmedabad. All four Office Bearers for the national team have been nominated unopposed, including Jayesh Tharani as TAFI’s new Treasurer.

Aditi Bhende of Aarohan Tours & Travels is the new National General Secretary of TAFI. Her nomination was proposed by Ashok Travel World and seconded by Kass Travels. She was elected unopposed to the post. She earlier held the post of TAFI Treasurer. After examining the nominations that were received by the TAFI Secretariat in Mumbai, a list of names have been announced of those who have been elected unopposed and those who will be contesting the elections on June 30 at Hyatt Regency in Ahmedabad.

Pradip Lulla of Cupid Travel & Tours has been elected unopposed as the Vice President of Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI). His nomination was proposed by Trust Travel & Tours and seconded by Shrishti Tours & Travels. He earlier held the post of General Secretary, TAFI. The last date for receiving nominations for TAFI national elections for 2016 was 1700 hours on June 15, 2016. After examining the nominations that were received by the TAFI Secretariat in Mumbai, a list of names have been announced of those who have been elected unopposed and those who will be contesting the elections on June 30 at Hyatt Regency in Ahmedabad.

Praveen Chugh of Business Travels has been elected unopposed to the post of President of Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI). His nomination was proposed by Sheraton Travels and seconded by Golden Phoenix Travel. The last date for receiving nominations for this year’s TAFI national elections, held biennially,  was 1700 hours on June 15, 2016. He previously held the post of Vice President, TAFI. After examining the nominations that were received by the TAFI Secretariat in Mumbai, a list of names have been announced of those who have been elected unopposed and those who will be contesting the elections on June 30 at Hyatt Regency in Ahmedabad. Rajat Bagaria, previous Member of TAFI National Managing Committee, said, “Zakkir Ahmed will now be the Immediate Past President of TAFI. He has been our President for two continuous terms that is four years and will continue to be part of the MC meetings.”

Keys Hotels has announced its expansion plan with asset-light strategy and has already launched three new hotels – Keys Hotels in Vishakhapatnam, Keys Hotels Malabar Gate in Calicut and Keys Lite Om Niwas in Jaipur. While Vishakhapatnam is an owned hotel the other two are franchisee hotels. The company also plans to open 8-10 new management contract hotels in the next 12-18 months by adopting assest light strategy. Speaking about the expansion strategy, Anshu Sarin, CEO, Berggruen Hotels Pvt. Ltd. said, “Keys Hotels is committed to expand its footprint across smart cities and we will adopt assest light strategy to support this growth.  We are pleased to launch three new hotels as a part of this expansion plan. Calicut, Vizag and Jaipur are very important markets for us as all three cities attracting a large volume of tourists and business travelers. Apart from these cities we are looking to be present in major smart cities and we have aligned our growth plans accordingly.” While the Keys Hotel Malabar Gate, Calicut is ideal for nature lovers as it is situated 2kms away from the Calicut beach and 52 kms away from Thushagiri waterfalls, Keys Hotel Vishakhapatnam is best suited for history lovers as it is located at an optimal distance from the Visakha Museum, Submarine Museum and the Kailasa Giri. Keys Lite Om Niwas in Jaipur is best suited for people who are fond of architecture as it is strategically located near the iconic Pink City, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar and Amber Fort.

GoAir claims to be the first airline to offer late evening/night operations to Srinagar. Effective June 15, 2016, the GoAir flight G8-228 and G8-229 took off from Srinagar at 18:40 pm to Mumbai and Delhi, respectively. One-way fare for this journey costs Rs 9000 + taxes. The carrier flagged off the first flight of this schedule at the Srinagar International Airport in the presence of Mehbooba Mufti, Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir and GoAir CEO, Wolfgang Prock-Schauer. The newly introduced evening flights from the carrier were announced soon after the IAF, AAI, and DGCA gave their nod to evening and night flights from private airlines at the Srinagar International Airport. The offering will help keep up with the demand from tourists, and the increase in flights will aid in keeping the prices competitive and ensure that Srinagar remains accessible to both business and leisure travellers.

The Ministry of Tourism (MOT) is celebrating the 2nd International Day of Yoga on June 21, 2016, by hosting a FAM tour for a group of 50 foreign delegates consisting of Tour Operators/Travel Agents/Media Persons/Opinion Makers/Scholars from 20 countries which are source markets and the markets that matter for promotion of Yoga and Wellness. This group of 50 delegates will split into two group, which will participate in Delhi and Chandigarh on 21st June, 2016, separately. Both the groups will then follow a tour program including visit to the wellness & spiritual centres in Haridwar, Rishikesh, Trivandrum, Cochin, Neyyar (Kerala), Pondicherry & Chennai.