His Excellency Josel F Ignacio, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to India, speaking after the resumption of direct flights between New Delhi and Manila, said that the country has been trying to recover its pre-pandemic tourism numbers. “With visa-free entry for Indian tourists and Air India reviving this route, we are confident of surpassing pre-COVID arrivals and welcoming more Indian friends to our shores.” In 2019, the Philippines welcomed 130,000 Indian tourists annually, a number that was steadily rising before the pandemic. “We were optimistic that the number would double in the coming years, but COVID happened. From 57,000 arrivals two years ago, we grew to about 78,000 last year, showing significant recovery,” he noted. His Excellency Ignacio expressed optimism about faster growth ahead. “Now we feel the increase will not just be incremental. We will reach the pre-COVID number sooner because of two enabling factors. First, the Philippines grant of 14-day visa-free entry to Indian tourists. And secondly, thanks to Air India for reviving the New Delhi–Manila route. With these two elements, we are confident we will be welcoming more Indian friends to our shores.”

Air India inaugurated India’s first non-stop flight to the Philippines. The inaugural flight to Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, departed from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport per schedule. H.E. Josel F. Ignacio, Ambassador of the Philippines to India, and Maria Cynthia P. Pelayo, Minister and Consul General, Embassy of the Philippines in India, joined P. Balaji, Group Head – Government, Risk, Compliance & Corporate Affairs, Air India, and other senior officials from the Embassy and Air India at Delhi airport for the inauguration of Air India’s new services to Manila. With the launch of services to Manila, Air India further strengthens its presence in Southeast Asia, now operating to eight destinations across seven countries in the region. In addition to providing non-stop connectivity to an increasing number of travellers between India and the Philippines, the new flights also open new connections for Filipino travellers to access Air India’s robust network across Europe and North America via Delhi. Air India’s flights between Delhi and Manila are operated by the airline’s Airbus A321LR aircraft, featuring a three-class cabin configuration to offer a choice of Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class to travellers. Air India is one of the few airlines in Southeast Asia to offer fully flat beds in Business Class in the single-aisle A321 aircraft. Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, said: “The launch of non-stop flights to Manila unlocks the immense potential for tourism to the Philippines, as Indian travellers, with their growing appetite for leisure travel and increasing spending power, seek new and exciting destinations. These new services will help showcase the Philippines’ vibrant culture and stunning landscapes to many Indian travellers, while …

IndiGo announced the launch of direct flights between Kolkata and Siem Reap, Cambodia from 13 November 2025. IndiGo will operate these flights three times a week using its Airbus A320neo aircraft. This makes IndiGo the first Indian carrier to offer direct connectivity between the two countries, as the airline further enhances its network in Southeast Asia.  Bookings are now open across authorised travel partners. Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo, said, “In line with our commitment to connecting India to key global destinations, we are delighted to be the first Indian carrier to offer direct flights to Cambodia. This service not only enhances international connectivity from Kolkata but also provides convenient connection from the rest of India to Cambodia via Kolkata, leveraging IndiGo’s extensive domestic network. With Kolkata’s strategic location, and Siem Reap as our 7th international destination from the city, the route is a natural fit for our expanding network. With rising travel demand between the two countries fuelled by convenient Visa rules and growing trade, we are confident that these flights will not only boost tourism but also open new avenues for cultural exchange and economic cooperation.”

Maldivian, the national airline of the Maldives, has appointed AVIAREPS India as its official GSA for South India, reinforcing its commitment to the Indian market and strengthening trade partnerships in a region that serves as a major gateway to the Maldives. Until August 2025, the Maldives welcomed 85,306 Indian visitors, a 4.7% increase year-on-year. India now ranks 6th among source markets with a 5.7% share of total arrivals, reaffirming its strategic significance. With projections indicating a further 20% growth in 2025, Maldivian is poised to capture a larger share of the outbound segment, particularly from South India where proximity and connectivity make the Maldives one of the most convenient international getaways. According to the airline’s 2025 schedule, Maldivian has been operating: Kochi–Malé (COK–MLE): 4 weekly services on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Trivandrum–Malé (TRV–MLE): 4 weekly services on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays With this schedule, Maldivian ensures convenient departures and arrivals for Indian travellers, while also offering seamless domestic inter-island connections—the largest in the Maldives—allowing visitors to access luxury resorts, adventure hubs, cultural experiences, and wellness retreats across the archipelago. “We are greatly encouraged by the growing interest from the Indian market, and the event in South India further reaffirmed the importance of this region for us,” said Ibrahim Iyas, Managing Director of Maldivian. “With the support of AVIAREPS, we look forward to building stronger trade partnerships and welcoming even more Indian travellers to experience the Maldives and its diverse offerings.” Marcelo Kaiser, COO Aviation at AVIAREPS: “We are proud to partner with Maldivian as their General Sales Agent in South India, one of the fastest-growing outbound travel markets in the region. India is not only a key source market for the …

Accepting the coveted India Travel Award 2025 for ‘Most Trusted B2B Travel Brand’, Gaurav Khandelwal, Director – Sales, GRNconnect.com, says, “I am overwhelmed to receive this award; it is a great honour to win the India Travel Award. This award recognises excellence in delivering better results year after year. It is a responsibility that everyone must carry forward.”

Aloke Singh, Managing Director, Air India Express, said, “As an airline, we see ourselves as cultural ambassadors. Over the next 5–7 years, our priority is sustained growth, expanding connectivity between metros, tier II and III cities, and to the regional short-haul international markets while delivering affordable, world-class products for all travellers.”

From hidden gems to world-famous landmarks, destinations everywhere are using creators to connect with travellers in ways ads alone never can. Join an exclusive webinar on 7 October at 3 pm (IST) with influencer marketing platform, atlaseek, where you will learn how to partner with travel creators who bring destinations to life, harness influencer marketing to boost visibility and footfall, and transform your destination into the next must-visit spot. For more information, please contact: jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com, +91 9650196532.

As Avant Garde Consulting proudly steps into its 15th year, it is delighted to announce its affiliation with the coveted Serandipians network by Traveller Made® as a preferred representation company partner. This milestone marks not only a celebration of its journey so far but also an expansion of Avant Garde’s vision. “Over the last decade and a half, our journey has been enriched with experiences, learnings, and trusted partnerships. Each collaboration has strengthened our raison d’être, which is to champion meaningful representation, cross positioning India as a worthy source market globally as well as the perception of the brands we represent in India, and consistently creating exceptional opportunities for our partners”. — Pooja Wadhwa & Kunal Munshaw, Founders, Avant Garde Consulting. She adds, “Joining hands with Serandipians opens doors to stronger global connections, closer collaborations with leaders in luxury travel, and innovative ways to create value for the brands and communities we represent.” “We are pleased to expand our Preferred Representation partnerships in India by welcoming Avant Garde Consulting to our community. India is an important source market for us, and we have a great selection of local Member Agencies , both Serandipians and Takumians, who will benefit from this new partnership. All Representation Companies we partner with work on behalf of our luxury Hospitality and DMC partners, who will thus receive an even better service, with increased visibility and local support.” — Diana Nuber, the network’s Commercial Director

For the first time Shin chan will hit Indian theatres with an exciting Indianthemed adventure. Shin chan: The Spicy Kasukabe Dancers in India. Directed by Masakazu Hashimoto and produced by Shin-Ei Animation, TV Asahi, ADK Emotions and Futabasha bring Shin chan and his friends to India. Shigeru Ishimoto, General Manager – Mumbai, ANA says, “We are excited to collaborate with TV Asahi in promoting Shin chan. This is more than just a movie release — it represents a cultural bridge between India and Japan, built through art, laughter, and shared experiences. Ms. Maiko Sumida, Head of Animation Sales & Development – Tokyo, TV Asahi, says, “We are delighted to partner with ANA, a leading Japanese airline on the India–Japan route, to bring Shin chan to India and share the charm of Japanese entertainment with Indian audiences.” ANA’s PAN India joint promotion activities kicked off with Cos Con at Shillong on Aug 30, 2025. The event was received very enthusiastically by Shin chan fans. Following the on ground event, on Sep 05, 2025 ANA’s Hello Blue Sale featuring Shin chan characters went live. The joint Hello Blue Sale campaign will run between Sep – Nov 2025. On Sep 20, 2025 the premiere was opened to an exclusive audience comprising media and others by invitation only at a local suburban multiplex. ANA, on this day, at the same venue interacted with Shin chan fans at their on ground booth and enticed potential ANA customers through Gara Gara Pon (Lucky draw). Winners of the Gara Gara Pon were announced in multiple tiers and won exciting ANA & Shin chan prizes. From September 26, ANA’s logo will be displayed with other promotion partners on …

Riya Travel has announced its partnership with Amadeus South Asia for Travel Marketplace, the global platform connecting travel sellers and providers through a single, collaborative ecosystem. With over four decades of experience in the travel industry and a widespread network of offices in India and abroad, Riya Travel has built a strong reputation for reliability, service excellence, and scale. By joining Travel Marketplace, Riya will now bring cutting-edge travel technology solutions, apps, and content closer to its diverse customer base — ranging from individual travellers to large corporates and travel partners. GMJ Thampy, Founder and CMD Riya Group Enterprise said: “At Riya Travel, our strength lies in our reach, scale, and the trust we have earned over the years. Partnering with Amadeus South Asia for Travel Marketplace allows us to complement these strengths with world-class technology, giving our customers and partners access to faster, smarter, and more seamless solutions. This is an important step in our digital journey to further enhance the travel experience across all segments we serve.” Commenting on the partnership  Sandeep Dwivedi, Managing Director, Travel Sellers, India Sub Continent, Amadeus, added: “We are delighted to welcome Riya Travel to sign up for the Travel Marketplace. Riya’s unmatched scale and presence across multiple segments makes them a powerful force in South Asia’s travel industry. Together, we aim to accelerate digital adoption and empower more travel businesses to innovate, collaborate, and thrive.” This partnership underscores Riya’s focus on driving digital innovation, while supporting Amadeus’ vision to build a smarter, more connected, and technology-enabled travel ecosystem across South Asia.