As the world prepares for the yuletide season, the Philippines takes its unique place in the spotlight with its heartwarming traditions and festive events. Here are some of the most wonderful things to do during the holiday season in this tropical paradise. 1. Join Simbang Gabi Kickstart your Filipino Christmas experience by participating in Simbang Gabi, a series of nine early morning from 16th to 24th December. Families and communities gather before sunrise to attend these special Masses, often held in beautifully decorated churches and chapels, to honor the Virgin Mary and prepare for the birth of Jesus.  2. Take a stroll through bustling Night Markets As the cool December evenings arrive, these markets come alive with colorful stalls, twinkling lights, and the tantalizing aroma of Filipino street food. It’s a place where locals and visitors alike can shop for unique gifts. Plan ahead, stay tuned for updates on these markets and get ready to experience value for money with your Christmas shopping: • Greenhills Night Market • Night bazaars of Metro Manila • along the famous stretch of Harrison Road in Baguio City • Davao’s Pasko de Fiesta • Cebu’s Christmas Night Market in Fuente Osmeña Circle • Paskwa sa Kapitolyo in Bacolod City • Christmas Night Market in San Fernando, La Union • Subic Bay’s Christmas Market at Harbor Point 3. Hear the sounds of Christmas Once the “Ber” months (September to December)  start, be sure to hear a symphony of joyful melodies – from the lively and harmonious voices of children caroling, to enchanting notes of traditional Christmas songs playing in malls and homes. The sweet strains of local carols like “Pasko Na Sinta Ko”, “Ang Pasko …

New York City Tourism + Conventions, Destination DC along with Experience Kissimmee and Carnival Cruises in partnership with Discover Destinations successfully organized an event in Bangalore for travel trade on 10th October followed by New Delhi on 13th October at the American Center in partnership with the U.S. Commercial Service. These gatherings attracted considerable attention, as 50 agents from the travel industry in Bangalore and 30 agents in New Delhi, including senior agents and company leaders, were in attendance. Their esteemed presence underscored the significance of this collaborative endeavour. The campaign incorporated various strategic components to actively engage the travel trade community.  New York City Tourism + Conventions updated the travel agents about the recent airport, hotel and sightseeing developments along with key events including the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon, Sail GP in 2024 and the FIFA World Cup coming to New York and New Jersey in 2026. Additionally, New York City Tourism + Conventions also announced the relaunch of Travel Trade Academy, an educational trade resource, with Hindi subtitles. Destination DC’s presentation guided the agents on how to increase overnight stays in Washington, DC by adding activities in neighborhoods including The Wharf, Georgetown, and Capitol Hill in an effort to educate what’s “beyond the National Mall’s monuments, memorials and museums. These activities will help the agents to spruce up the existing itineraries. Experience Kissimmee, Florida showcased how Kissimmee is a fun family destination for all age groups by highlighting the popular Theme Parks like Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld as well as a plethora of indoor and outdoor adventure activities like airboat rides, ziplining, kayaking, and much more. Additionally, Experience Kissimmee also emphasized how beneficial …

R Arjun, Managing Director, West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation (WBTDC) said, “COVID had led to lot of disruption and one among them was the celebration of Durga Puja. This year, we are free from any hassles. We have developed 65 tour packages, which cover the main and important tourist destinations in all the 23 districts of West Bengal.”

Sumeet Gosain, Vice President, Head -International Sales at TATA Air India said, “Unfortunately, both the Boeing and Airbus both are struggling with the deliveries of the aircraft. Having said that, we will get our first A350 before the end of the year. The more aircraft which will be coming in we will be expanding, and we are already looking at newer destinations. So, depending on the delivery of these aircraft we will build it up from there.”

Ravi Gosain, Vice President, IATO said, “We are actively working to select a venue for next year’s convention. We are in discussions with Goa and Madhya Pradesh, and we are optimistic about a favourable outcome from Madhya Pradesh.”

José María Ridao, Ambassador, Embassy of Spain, New Delhi said, “To facilitate visa, we are trying to open a new consulate general in Bangalore and we are waiting for a green light from the Indian ministry. Through the new consulate in Bangalore, the pressure in Mumbai and Delhi would be less.”

The Commission for the Promotion of Peruvian Exports and Tourism (PROMPERU), the official tourism promotion board of Peru, is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking initiative – the inaugural roadshow bringing 15 esteemed Peruvian companies to India. To bolster tourism promotion endeavors in the vibrant Indian market, PROMPERU is organizing a compelling roadshow across two major outbound cities – New Delhi and Mumbai. The event will take place on October 13 and 16 in New Delhi and Mumbai respectively. This exclusive roadshow signifies a significant step forward in fostering business relations between Peru and India. The event will have the presence of the Honorable H.E. Mr. Javier Paulinich Velarde, Ambassador of Peru to India. With a focus on promoting cultural exchange, business collaborations, and tourism contracting, the event will host 14 prominent Peruvian companies and aim to interact with a minimum of 50+ potential Indian Travel companies in each city. Attendees can look forward to engaging in workshops, to foster meaningful partnerships, enhance lead generation, facilitate the exchange of products and ideas, and enlighten Indian travelers about the incredible opportunities awaiting them in Peru. Luis Cabello, Commercial Counsellor of PROMPERÚ in India, expressed excitement about this endeavor, stating, “We are delighted to bring the essence of Peru to India through this unique roadshow. Our goal is to create a platform where the Indian and Peruvian tourism sectors can thrive together. This event offers a structured format for fruitful discussions,exploring meaningful possibilities, and establish partnerships. We are committed to empowering Indian travelers with the knowledge they need to make Peru their next dream destination.” Luis Cabello added, “India’s vibrant spirit and diverse culture make it an ideal canvas for showcasing Peru’s rich …

Acknowledging India as one of the top key markets, Neil Shah, Account Director – International Leisure Sales, Atlantis Dubai, was in India recently to meet with trade partners in multiple cities to intensify knowledge about Atlantis, The Royal. Neil briefed the partners in Delhi, Ahmedabad and Mumbai on the resort’s luxurious accommodations and extensive array of amenities and offerings. “Based on our research, we noticed that behaviour of Indian travellers is changing, they look for more experience-based and memorable holidays than simple itineraries. Keeping this in mind we are investing a lot of time in educating the trade partners on how they can maximize from the offerings available at Atlantis. We have received encouraging response from our recent visit to the three cities which is indicative of the travellers’ high interest in visiting Atlantis. “says Neil Shah. The event’s focus revolved around the comprehensive product presentation of Atlantis The Royal, followed by one-on-one meetings with trade partners and stakeholders. Opened to guests in February 2023, the 43-storeyed ultra-luxury resort offers a collection of 795 elegant Rooms, Suites, and Signature Penthouses with stunning views of the Dubai skyline and the Arabian Sea. Atlantis The Royal offers all its guests’ complimentary access to Aquaventure, the world’s largest waterpark, for the duration of their stay at the resort. For the leisure seeking guests, AWAKEN Wellness provides a serene oasis with a blend of indoor and outdoor facilities, encompassing 15 therapy suites, VIP suites, and two specialty suites. Furthermore, AWAKEN Fitness offers a diverse range of indoor and outdoor options, including group exercise classes, a versatile movement studio, a 25-meter lap pool tailored for aquatic training, and invigorating beach-camp HIIT sessions along the resort’s …

Travel is often a high-touch emotional experience, be it a holiday they have been saving up for months or a business trip with meetings and deadlines adding to the stress. Losing luggage or delays in travel can make the experience extremely unpleasant for travellers, which is why travel businesses that focus on delivering great customer experiences — both physical and digital — stand to gain big. A recent PwC study revealed that 73% of travellers say that customer experience is the most important factor in their spending decisions and they are willing to pay 16% more if the travel experience is “great”. And for many travellers in India, the journey begins online, making CX a pivotal aspect that can make or break businesses. For those keen on moving past the challenges the industry currently faces, delivering great customer experiences is key to success. Headwinds the travel industry in India faces The current macroeconomic conditions have given rise to many challenges impeding travel businesses from focusing on CX. The primary reasons for this are labour shortage, rising costs and digital transformation. In India, the travel industry had to lay off 21.5 million people between 2020 and 2022 to cope with the effects of the pandemic, making it hard to cater to the surge with the return of travel. In 2023, this translated to short-staffed businesses with tight budgets seeking ways to deliver memorable travel experiences, or risk revenue loss. Adopting the right technologies to ease the process is the logical next step. With the absence of a complete rip-and-replace approach across existing IT infrastructures, travel businesses are trying to figure out how to modernise their services while maintaining some level of …

The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Sultanate of Oman, recently organized a highly successful familiarization (FAM) trip for wedding planners from India. This tour encompassed visits to cities such as Muscat, Jabal Akhdar, and Salalah, with the aim of showcasing Oman as an ideal wedding destination and highlighting its diverse offerings. The FAM tour was graciously hosted by esteemed hotels, including Kempinski Muscat, DusitD2 Naseem Resort, Anantara, and Alila Salalah. The wedding planners thoroughly enjoyed their stays at these properties. They also had the opportunity to explore various venues within the hotels that were well-suited for wedding ceremonies and pre-wedding events. Furthermore, renowned properties such as Crown Plaza Muscat, W Muscat, Jumeirah, Al Bustan Palace, Shangri-La, Sheraton, Alila, and Anantara Jabal Akhdar showcased their respective venues suitable for weddings. Anantara Al Baleed Resort Salalah went above and beyond by arranging a picturesque wedding dinner setup on the beach for the wedding planners, leaving them pleasantly surprised and thoroughly delighted with the beachside dining experience. These experiences led the wedding planners to perceive Oman as an ideal destination for Indian weddings, owing to its luxurious offerings, hassle-free visa procedures, and excellent accessibility. In addition to hotel site inspections, the wedding planners embarked on sightseeing excursions in cities such as Muscat, Jabal Akhdar, and Salalah. They also enjoyed shopping for dates at Jabal Akhdar and exploring the vibrant Nizwa Souq. The culinary experiences at all the properties were greatly appreciated by them. Notably, Oman readily accommodated vegetarian dietary preferences, and special food requests for significant events could be easily arranged. This remarkable tour was organized by the Ministry in collaboration with Sama Travels, known for its top-notch services. Additionally, Oman Air provided …