Releasing the Caravan Tourism policy in Goa, State Minister for Tourism, Rohan Khaunte said, “Caravan tourism is another step towards diversifying tourism by inviting tourists to our hinterlands. It is in tune with our initiatives to offer the rustic experience of Goa to that niche segment which seeks solitude as well as thrills beyond the beaches. Goa Tourism aims at bridging the gap between urban and rural tourism while achieving Sustainable Development Goals in the tourism sector.”

Accor has launched its 24th Novotel property in India, with Novotel Jaipur Convention Centre, located close to the Jaipur Exhibition & Convention Centre. The 226-rooms hotel and exhibition centre is spread over 42 acres. It has 13 breakout meeting rooms, a VIP Lounge, 2 Green Rooms and a ballroom with 740 retractable auditorium-style seats, and 70,000 sq. ft. lawn.

The Tourism India Alliance (TIA) held its member induction and industry outreach program in Jaipur on 31st October 2023 wherein prominent tourism stakeholders from the city deliberated and discussed the way forward for the betterment of the industry. All participants welcomed TIA’s initiative and assured full cooperation for its future activities in the region and also allover the country.

Despite visa challenges, Europe continues to lead preferences of Indian travellers, and this is reiterated in Thomas Cook and SOTC’s data – with over 55% of its customers indicating keen interest to travel to Europe for Summer 2024. Hence, aimed at catalysing demand and accelerating bookings, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, India’s leading omnichannel travel services company, and its Group Company, SOTC Travel, have launched their European Holidays 2024, exclusive group-escorted tours – with multiple departures from key metros and customised holidays, commencing March 2024. This first mover initiative by Thomas Cook and SOTC will benefit early bookers by enabling them apply well in advance for their visas.

The DGCA has finalised the new winter schedule for domestic flights effective October 29, 2023 for Indian airlines. It is 3% more than this summer and almost 8% more than last winter flights. Among the big airlines, the maximum increase in flights is by IndiGo and Air India. There are 23,732 departures per week to/from 118 airports as compared to 22,907 from 110 airports in summer schedule 2023.

Experience Kissimmee is organising an exclusive virtual tour of the sunny destination in Florida for the travel trade on Nov 1 at 11am. Through this webinar, attendees can understand myriad ways in which their clients’ trip can be made memorable. For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has approved a unified tourist visa, much like the Schegen Zone, that will allow visitors to travel freely between all 6 GCC countries of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE. This is expected to be rolled out in 2024 – 2025. Specific regulations and legislation are to be prepared, with a projected implementation between 2024 and 2025, depending on the readiness of each GCC country’s internal systems. This initiative is an integral part of the GCC 2030 tourism strategy.  

The Ministry of Tourism recently attended the BRICS Tourism Ministers Meeting held in Cape Town, South Africa. The joint communique signed on the occasion highlighted mainstreaming sustainable policies and practices, developing more sustainable tourism business models and reconsidering perceptions of tourism success to achieve a resilient, sustainable and inclusive tourism sector.

Qatar Airways Group confirms that after 27 years of remarkable service, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive – His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, will be stepping down from his current position effective 5 November 2023, and will be succeeded by Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer as Group Chief Executive for Qatar Airways.

The Sri Lankan Cabinet has approved a proposal to grant free visas to travellers from seven countries – India, China, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan and Indonesia – with immediate effect as part of a pilot project till 31 March. Tourists from these countries are now entitled to free visa.