To support Unique Tourism Projects under Maharashtra Tourism Policy 2016, DoT signed an MoU with Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) with a desire to light up (sound and light show) the Gateway of India, thus making it a destination to further attract tourists. The IOCL will finance the project through the CSR funds and facilitate the operation of sound & light show through its technical expertise. Similarly, another MoU was signed with Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) to begin the concept of Mining Tourism in Maharashtra to explore the state’s mineral treasure. Tourists will get to experience mine tourism at Saoner (UG) and Adasa (OC) in Nagpur Area, Niljai (OC) Wani Area and Bhatadi (OC) in Chandrapur Area.

The 61st Annual General Meeting of the Hotel & Restaurant Association of Eastern India, the strongest forum of the hospitality industry of the region, with 12 member states and one union territory, was held on September 21, 2022 in The Park Hotel, Kolkata. Sudesh Poddar was re-elected as the President of HRAEI for the year 2022-2023. The team led by Poddar has stalwarts like T.S. Walia, Past President FHRAI, Md. Azhar as Senior-Vice president, Aneel Goenka as Vice-President, Pranav Singh as Honorary Secretary, Amit Ruia as Honorary Treasurer, Sandeep Sehgal as Joint Honorary Secretary and H.S. Bagga as Joint Honorary Treasurer.

Discover all that this Peninsular Gulf country has to offer during the exclusive webinar titled ‘Curated in Qatar’ on Wednesday, Sept 28 at 3pm IST. For more information, please write to Jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or +91-9650196532.

Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO, addressed the National Conference of State Tourism Ministers in Dharamshala recently where he said that the need of the hour is to organise physical roadshows in foreign countries under the leadership of Ministry of Tourism. “This needs to be done on an urgent basis. The state governments are already participating in major travel marts overseas.”

Deepening engagement with key stakeholders in Chennai, South African Tourism visited the city recently. In 2021, Chennai was the third largest Indian feeder market to South Africa with 7.5% Indian arrivals from the city. The city is also projected to be South African Tourism’s highest growth market by 2025, with 30% CAGR. Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head – Middle East, India & SE Asia, South African Tourism, said, “Being one of our top 3 source markets from India and the highest projected growth market, we see immense potential in the city.”  

To fuel the rise in demand for both domestic and international travel, Global Panorama Showcase announces its 9th edition for 2022-23 across 10 cities. Global Panorama Showcase (GPS) is an initiative to unleash the tourism potential that lies in tier 2 and tier 3 cities of India. GPS provides an opportunity for the travel trade to meet, network, educate and conduct business with tourism providers, hotels, DMCs, technology providers, airlines, cruise companies, tourism board, etc.  

As Thailand gears up for its first full tourism high-season since 2020, Cross Hotels & Resorts continues to enhance its presence in Bangkok with the signing of a new hotel management agreement (HMA) for a stunning riverfront property with Kene Hotel Bangkok, that is sure to reignite the desire for authentic, community-based travel experiences. The opening of Away Bangkok Riverside Kene, a beautiful 169-key lifestyle property located just steps from the Chao Phraya River, bodes well for the Thai capital as it looks to welcome guests back after a hiatus. A key gateway city for Cross Hotels & Resorts, Bangkok has been consistently ranked among the world’s most popular cities. Colloquially known as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, it was voted the leading capital in the Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index attracting more than 22 million visitors. “I am thrilled to partner with Kene Hotel Bangkok, as Away Bangkok Riverside Kene is without a doubt a strong addition to Cross’ growing and diverse portfolio. By empowering a new generation of travellers, our promise to ‘Transform Hospitality for All’ extends not only to our owners, our business and our people, but also to Alpha Gen adventurers who are seeking stylish hotel choices that perfectly encapsulate Bangkok’s happening riverside communities. Furthermore, our chic and functional meeting spaces are an added attraction for businesspeople and MICE organizers planning their next event,” said Harry Thaliwal, CEO of Cross Hotels & Resorts. One of Asia’s 21st century mega-cities, Bangkok was founded in 1782 as the Thonburi Kingdom and today tourists can still see much of the city’s traditional architecture as well as experience deep-rooted ways of life on the waterfront as they zip along canals aboard …

Spree Hospitality is pleased to announce the signing of new hotel in Ranjangaon. It will be the fifth Spree Hotel in Maharashtra. Spree Hospitality portfolio has more than 20 operating hotels with seven hotels in the pipeline. Commenting on the signing, Sagar Khurana, Vice President of Spree Hospitality, said, “It is a proud moment for us. This is our fifth property in Maharashtra. With the signing of this property, we have strengthened our presence in Maharashtra. We are delighted to partner with Mr. Patil for this hotel.” Spree Hospitality is targeting to commence operations of this hotel from March 2023. A short drive, the newly opened property is conveniently located 45 km from Pune airport, a 5-star Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) Industrial area and a shrine to Mahaganapati which is one of the Ashtavinayaka. The hotel will feature 27 rooms, an all-day restaurant and banquet hall. Ranjangaon MIDC is a premium industrial destination near Pune and home to leading global and national companies. This location is known for its industrial and social ecosystem, superior infrastructure, and talent pool.

Discover all that this Peninsular Gulf country has to offer during the exclusive webinar titled ‘Curated in Qatar’ on Wednesday, Sept 28 at 3pm IST. For more information, please write to Jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or +91-9650196532.

Arvind Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism shared that the World Tourism Day will be celebrated in full fervour today, with National Tourism Awards to be held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Also, the iconic week for tourism will also start today under the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations with World Tourism Day celebrations and will end in Mumbai with a Paryatan Parv to be inaugurated by the Hon. Union Minister of Tourism.