Hazel Jain

ANA and TV Asahi come together to promote Shin chan: The Spicy Kasukabe Dancers in India

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 …

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Riya Travel partners with Amadeus Marketplace to bring greater innovation and choice

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.

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SOTC Travel inaugurates first store in Kozhikode

SOTC Travel has inaugurated its franchise outlet in Kozhikode, Kerala, expanding its network to 4th strategically located outlets. This expansion underscores SOTC’s strong commitment to South India, highlighting Kerala’s position as a key growth market and the company’s focus on catering to the evolving needs of travellers from the region. Located at Centrio on Ram Mohan Road, Kozhikode, the new SOTC outlet serves both leisure and business travellers, strengthening the company’s presence in North Kerala’s key urban hub. The outlet offers a comprehensive range of travel solutions, including domestic and international holidays such as Group Tours, Personalised Holidays and Cruises, along with value-added services like travel insurance, ensuring convenient, end-to-end experiences for today’s diverse travellers. Kerala Travel Trends: Top destinations o   Domestic & Indian Subcontinent: Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andaman, Bhutan & Sri Lanka o   International: Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Bali, Japan, South Africa, Egypt Unique preferences: high demand for experiential travel such as luxury cruises, Northern Lights in Scandinavia, self-drive holidays, island stays (Maldives, Mauritius), and adventure travel to Ladakh and the North-East Top customer segments: multi-generational families, honeymooners, working professionals, millennials and GenZ travellers Average holiday duration: 4–6 days for domestic/short haul; 10–12 days for long haul Rakesh Bawa, Senior Vice President & Head – Holidays, SOTC Travel, said, “Kerala is an important source market for us, with travellers seeking diverse and evolving experiences. The launch of our Kozhikode outlet enables us to strategically deepen our presence in North Kerala, catering to both business and leisure segments while delivering both group and customized holiday solutions. This expansion reflects our commitment to leveraging high-potential markets in South India for sustainable growth and enhanced traveller satisfaction. My team …

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Cross Paasha Bali Seminyak joins Negroni Week 2025

Cross Paasha Bali Seminyak is proud to take part in the global celebration of Negroni Week, honoring one of the world’s most iconic cocktails while supporting Slow Food’s mission for a more sustainable future. It will start on 20th September 2025 – 30th September 2025. Guests are invited to enjoy specially crafted Negroni serves in two unique venues within the hotel: • Aero Street Bar – The perfect spot to sip and socialize, available daily from 3 PM to 11 PM. • Kuuki Rooftop Dining – A stylish all-day dining destination where guests can enjoy Negroni creations anytime during operating hours. Negroni Week Menu • Bergamot Negroni – Gin, Campari, Milk Washed Earl Grey Cordial, and a drop of saline solution. • Classic Negroni – Gin, Sweet Vermouth, Campari, and syrup. Both cocktails are priced at IDR 130,000. With every sip, guests not only indulge in timeless flavors but also contribute to protecting Slow Food Biodiversity. Whether at the vibrant Aero Street Bar or the chic Kuuki Rooftop, Cross Paasha Bali Seminyak offers the perfect setting to celebrate Negroni Week in style.

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DCT Abu Dhabi hosts ‘Experience Abu Dhabi’ show in Delhi, Bangalore, and Mumbai

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has hosted the Experience Abu Dhabi Roadshow across New Delhi, Bangalore, and Mumbai from 8-12 September 2025. These events, part of a series of roadshow events hosted by DCT Abu Dhabi, provided local travel trade partners with a comprehensive overview of Abu Dhabi’s dynamic tourism offerings, upcoming attractions, and strategic partnerships. The three-city roadshow showcased the growth opportunities Abu Dhabi presents to Indian travellers, while facilitating meetings between representatives from Abu Dhabi’s hotels, attractions, airlines, Destination Management Companies (DMCs), and India’s top travel agencies and tour operators. India is Abu Dhabi’s top source market for inbound tourism. In 2024, the emirate welcomed over 360,000 Indian hotel guests, a 43% increase from the previous year, and is projected to welcome over 400,000 visitors in 2025. Indian travellers have shown strong interest in Abu Dhabi as a destination, with the growth in visitors being driven by an extensive calendar of live events, cultural experiences, increased flight connectivity from major Indian cities, and a diverse range of travel products that appeal to Indian families, luxury seekers, MICE travellers, and trade partners. This represents an exciting opportunity for India’s travel industry professionals to engage with a growing market. Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “The roadshows in India marked a significant step forward in our collaborative work with our valued partners to create memorable experiences for visitors travelling from India to Abu Dhabi. It also allowed India’s travel trade representatives to explore the innovative ideas and shared value that DCT Abu Dhabi has strived to create within the industry, a value that we believe benefits everyone and …

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Udaan signs MoU with CSC Safar to enable seamless visa processing in India

Udaan, a visa concierge and travel services firm with over three decades of expertise in visa concierge, has signed an MoU with Common Service Centres Special Purpose Vehicle (CSC SPV) to collaborate on CSC Safar, a travel services programme by CSC E-Governance Services India. The MoU was signed by Sanjay Kumar Rakesh, MD & CEO, CSC SPV, from CSC and Rajan Dua, MD & Founder, Udaan in the presence of senior officials. Under this partnership, Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) will be empowered to assist applicants with their visa requirements. To ensure a seamless experience, CSC Safar provides VLEs with a dedicated mobile application and web interface. With a strong presence in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across India, VLEs will enable customers to access visa services alongside other travel-related needs at convenient, local locations. According to Sanjay Kumar Rakesh, MD & CEO, CSC SPV, “this partnership with Udaan Travel to provide visa services on the CSC Safar portal will make the application process simpler and more accessible, empowering VLEs to serve travellers with ease and efficiency.” According to Rajan Dua, Founder and MD, Udaan. “We are proud to collaborate with CSC to simplify international travel for Indian travellers, thereby increasing our reach to a wider base of travellers.  At Udaan India, our longstanding commitment has been to make visa Concierge seamless and stress-free. This partnership enables us to extend our trusted expertise to CSC customers, ensuring they are fully prepared for travel with confidence and ease.” The MoU encompasses all aspects of visa Concierge services for Rural India, including application support, documentation guidance, appointment scheduling, and customer service.

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Melbourne number one in APAC region in global sustainability rankings

Melbourne has achieved number one ranking in Australia and in the Asia Pacific in the prestigious Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index rankings for 2025. The city also earned first position in the Metropolis and Mega Cities category. The GDS Index is the world’s leading sustainability benchmarking and performance improvement program for tourism and events destinations, evaluating cities across four key pillars: environmental strategy and performance, social sustainability, destination management, and supplier engagement. Melbourne rose to 11th place worldwide, from 24th place in 2024, cementing its place as a global leader in sustainability and its commitment to continuous improvement across the visitor economy. The city’s index score improved from 76.6 per cent in 2024 to 83 per cent in 2025, the most significant improvement in the past seven years. A key element in Melbourne’s success was the strong performance of suppliers across the city who play a critical role in delivering environmentally and socially responsible events. Organisations, including hotels and event venues, demonstrated a commitment to sustainable practices that elevated Melbourne’s ability to host world-class events with minimal environmental impact. The strength of Team Melbourne and the city’s collaborative approach to event delivery also played a crucial role in the result. Melbourne Convention Bureau’s strong partnerships with the City of Melbourne and the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), as well as the support of the Victorian government, allow us to embed sustainability into the way we attract, plan and deliver business events, creating world-class events that leave a positive legacy. The City of Melbourne collaborated closely with MCB on our submission, ensuring our efforts in being considered a sustainable event destination were recognised on the world stage. The City of Melbourne …

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Tamilnadu Travel Expo 2025 set to charm Indian travel industry from 26–28 Sept in Madurai

Tamilnadu Travel Expo 2025 will be held from 26–28 September at IDA Scudder Auditorium, Madurai. The event, designed to bring together diverse stakeholders of the travel industry from across the country, invites them to explore Tamil Nadu’s offerings in hospitality, wellness retreats, and wedding destinations, and not just its heritage.

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India generates over 12 billion travel-related searches every year, reveals Google data

Google data reveals that India generates over 12 billion travel-related searches every year. This sheer volume confirms India’s position as one of the largest travel interest markets globally. The searches cover categories such as flights, hotels, destinations, visas, cruises, road trips, and more. The figure reflects how Indians are increasingly relying on digital platforms for inspiration, research, planning, and booking. The number underscores both the scale of India’s appetite for travel and the central role of digital channels in shaping decisions.

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