The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) partnership with the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) has deepened ties between Saudi and India, helping to harness the extraordinary potential of sport and tourism to bring people together and enrich lives. Saudi is set to welcome two million visitors from India this year and India is expected to become its largest tourism source market by 2030.  Saudi support for India’s sports sector is a strong example of market collaboration delivering results. Cricket is the most popular sport in India and the IPL has an immense global audience, third to only the English Premier League and the National Football League. STA is tapping into this fanbase to boost awareness of Saudi as an exciting new year-round destination for Indian travelers, especially young people. The strategic partnership is broadening how India and Saudi are engaging with similarly overwhelmingly young demographics – with more than half of both populations below the age of 30.  Alongside the IPL partnership, Saudi is easing access for millions of visitors across India, inspiring Indian travelers to explore the authentic home of Arabia. Saudi has opened nine VFS Tasheel offices in different locations across India such as Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, Ahmedabad, and Bangalore providing practical support to Indian travelers interested in a trip to Saudi. Indian visitors are eligible for the new Stopover Visa, introduced earlier this year, which will allow passengers traveling to a final destination on SAUDIA or Flynas to visit Saudi for up to 96 hours, which includes a complimentary hotel night for Saudia passengers.  These developments follow the rapid advancements in air connectivity between India and the Kingdom with seven direct carriers in operation – SAUDIA, Flynas, Air …

The Global Tourism Film Festival concluded four days of worldwide destination discovery through enigmatic cinema screenings and in-depth seminars, facilitating destination film appreciation, in–depth tourism insight and professional development. GTFF 2023 hosted by the city of North Bay, Ontario had been produced to engage proactive filmgoers, travel consumers, and travel and film industry professionals. GTFF 2023 held this year in Canada, shone a spotlight on the country with‘Cinema Canada’; a segment of Canadian produced film promoting the destination’s heritage. Highlights of GTFF 2023 included presentations from domestic and international Tourism Boards, professional development workshops, film production by Film Boards, and special event programming on indigenous culture, including an indigenous medicine bag workshop. The event was enhanced with unique elements including an opening gala featuring gastronomy of countries presented at the festival. Professionals attending received firsthand introductions to North Bay touristic landmarks such as the Heritage Railway and Carousel Company, featured in numerous films; the Canadian Forces Museum of Aerospace, showcasing Canada’s air defense history from the First World War to modern day operations, and the Dionne Quints Museum that tells the story of the famous quintuplets that brought global attention to Canada and Ontario in the 1930’s. Included in the program was a tour of the North Bay Museum which allows for the discovery of the people and places of the city that is regarded as the Gateway to the North.The program also included tours of the Canadore College’s postproductionfacilities, local film studio visits, and a North Bay animation production seminar, that touts the city as an emerging film production hub of Canada.   GTFF saw the world premiere of ‘Closer to Heaven’ by director Zara Janjua, attending with cast members, that went …

Findings from the Agoda Travel Trend Survey revealed that travellers are more inclined to spend consciously while on vacation this year. The respondents, predominantly selected an annual spending range of INR 16,000 – INR 41,500, when considering travel budgets.

Arshdeep Anand, Co-founder and CEO, Holiday Moods Adventures said that manpower shortages at embassies and limited appointment slots at visa processing centers like VFS have dampened the outbound travel boom. Countries that offer visa-free entry, e-visas, or visa-on-arrival facilities are attracting more Indian travellers.

Arvind Singh, Secretary Tourism, stated that convention centers in India were previously limited to big cities, but now they are emerging in various major centers across the country. With G20 meetings happening in 59 locations, it shows India’s capability to host excellent conferences, showcasing India’s potential as a M!CE destination.

The association for Arab Tour Operators (AATO) was promoting destination India at Riyadh Travel Fair. The show had an India pavilion and showcased the country’s varied products including hotels and tour operators from various states.

Spree Hospitality, part of EaseMyTrip and leading hospitality company known for its commitment for providing exceptional experiences to guests isthrilled to unveil its latest addition to the hotel portfolio, Zip by Spree Hotels Bhopal. Spree Hospitality currently operates 30 plus properties across India in the hotel, club and guesthouse industry and more than 7 hotels will be launched this quarter. The hotel, strategically located at Surendra Landmark, Main Hoshangabad Road, Bhopal, offers a perfect blend of convenience, comfort and contemporary design for both business and leisure travellers. Scheduled to commence operations on August 1, 2023, Zip by Spree Hotels Bhopal is conveniently situated just a few minutes’ drive away from the bustling Mandideep Industrial Area. With its prime location, the hotel provides the ideal accommodation for business travelers, ensuring seamless connectivity to major commercial centres and industrial zones. “We are delighted to introduce Zip by Spree Hotels Bhopal to the vibrant city of Bhopal”, said Mr. Sagar Khurana, Vice President of Spree Hospitality. “With its contemporary design, exceptional facilities and convenient location, we are confident that our guests will appreciate the thoughtfully crafted experience we have created. Whether traveling for business or leisure, Zip by Spree Hotels Bhopal promises a seamless stay that combines comfort, convenience and personalized service.” Zip by Spree Hotels Bhopal boasts 84 spacious and well – appointed rooms, offering a welcoming and relaxing environment for guests. Each room has been thoughtfully designed with modern amenities and contemporary décor, ensuring a comfortable and memorable stay. The hotel’s commitment to providing exceptional service is evident in every detail, promising a truly delightful experience for its guests. To cater to the discerning palates of its guests, the hotel features …

The month of June marks as Bryce Canyon National Park’s 100th anniversary of being a protected national treasure. To celebrate its centennial of welcoming travelers from all over the world, the park is all geared up to host a series of astronomy, geology, and wildlife festivals andevents throughout the month of June. On June 08, Bryce Canyon will celebrate its 100th anniversary by reflecting on the changes that have taken place over the last century, “the rim of the Bryce Amphitheater has retreated an average of 22 inches, 18,000 freeze, and thaw cycles have shaped and toppled countless hoodoos, the sun has risen 36,889 times over Thor’s Hammer.” The park will also host a special centennial ceremony and a canyon rim performance by The Piano Guys, a beloved Utah music group. The following week, June 14-17, is the annual Bryce Canyon Astronomy Festival. The event, which coincides with June’s new moon, includes constellation tours and ranger-led evening programs to showcase the dark, star-filled skies Bryce Canyon National Park – Utah’s fourth national park, and 13th location altogether, to receive dark sky certification from the International Dark-Sky Association. Attendees will enjoy a variety of astronomy-themed activities and programs offered both day and night.

Air Seychelles and SriLankan Airlines Collaborate to Enhance Travel Connectivity Air Seychelles, the national airline of the Republic of Seychelles, is pleased to announce the signing of a significant interline agreement with SriLankan Airlines, expanding travel opportunities for passengers from southern India and Delhi to Seychelles. The strategic collaboration between Air Seychelles and SriLankan Airlines aims to enhance connectivity and provide seamless travel experiences for customers seeking to explore the breath-taking beauty of Seychelles and beyond. Under this interline agreement, passengers traveling from Chennai, Bengaluru, Tiruchirappalli, Hyderabad, Cochin, Thiruvananthapuram, Madurai, and Delhi will now have the convenience of connecting flights to Seychelles, Johannesburg, and Mauritius. By joining forces, Air Seychelles and SriLankan Airlines are committed to facilitating travel for both leisure and business travelers alike. With this agreement, passengers can expect a hassle-free and efficient journey, as they enjoy a smooth transfer process from their origin to their final destination. Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Sandy Benoiton, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Air Seychelles, said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with SriLankan Airlines and provide enhanced travel options for passengers traveling to Seychelles from southern India and Delhi. This agreement further strengthens our commitment to expanding our network and offering seamless connectivity to our valued customers.” The interline agreement will not only improve travel connections but also promote tourism and trade between Seychelles and India. With its pristine beaches, diverse marine life, and lush landscapes, Seychelles has emerged as a sought-after destination for Indian travelers. This partnership will undoubtedly make it easier for visitors from India to experience the unique charm of Seychelles. Air Seychelles and SriLankan Airlines are devoted to providing a safe and enjoyable travel experience for their …

Represented by The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, the Sultanate of Oman celebrated the International Museum Day on 18 May 2023. This year, the celebration commenced under the theme ‘Museums, Sustainability and Well-being’. The International Council of Museums announced the theme to highlight the potential of museums across the world. The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism is striving to activate the role of museums in promoting knowledge and sciences among researchers and visitors that contribute to achieve many of the strategic programs of the Tenth Development Plan and the Oman Vision 2040. She said, “This year, it has been decided to focus on the following goals. The first goal is to strengthen the global health and well-being, ensure a healthy life and promote well-being for people of all ages. The second goal is to take steps to combat climate change and its affects and adopt low-carbon practices in the northern region countries and adopt mitigation strategies in the southern region countries.  The third goal is to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and raise the voices of indigenous leaders and biodiversity loss.” Riya bint Mohammed Al Kindi, Director General, Museums, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism said, “The celebration of this day was approved by the International Council of Museums in 1977 for strengthening awareness that museums are important institutions for cultural exchange, enriching cultures, and developing mutual understanding.” She said, “The museums, which are attracting several visitors, preserve cultural heritage, ensure its sustainability in creating direct and indirect job opportunities, promote local content, and dedicate its role as one of the tourist destinations. According to the official statistics issued in 2021, 115,255 thousand visitors visited the government …