Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO said, “Currently, we are very far from our goal, with only 65 to 70 percent recovery, whereas we had expected it to be 90 percent. If things return to normal, I believe we might reach the 90 percent mark by March 31, 2025, but we still won’t be at 100 percent of our 2019 levels.” 

KB Kachru, the newly elected President of HAI puts the perspective clearly, “The time has come for India” he says, “to achieve its truedevelopment potential and to become the third largest country in the world by GDP. It is now recognized globally that tourism and hospitality canplay a very pivotal role in driving such growth. The Vision 2047 report by HAI indicates that contribution of hospitality sector could reach US$1trillion by 2047”. Mr. Kachru further stated that India’s population dividend can go awry if employment opportunities are not created. Tourism and hospitalityas the largest employer, fill that role. It has been indicated, he said, that properly nurtured, this sector could generate 50million jobs. “We wouldbe happy if all the stakeholders recognize the great employment and growth potential of tourism and hospitality and make it a part of theircommitment”, Kachru said.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to host a delegation of over 8,000 incentive visitors from India, which contributes to the goal of attracting at least 2 million Indian tourists by 2024. On April 18, 2024, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) welcomed a substantial number of Indian tourists, who arrived as part of an incentive group organised by Brilvoice International. Led by Miss Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the Governor of TAT, Mr Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, the Deputy Governor for International Marketing (Asia and South Pacific), Mr. Phuriphan Bunnag, the Senior Vice President of The Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), and Police Major General Phongsayam Meekhanthong, the Deputy Commissioner of The Tourist Police Bureau, were honoured to attend and welcome the group at the Challenger Building, IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Centre, Muang Thong Thani. According to Miss Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the Governor of TAT, Indian incentive tourists are a highly significant potential group that TAT must actively support and promote in order to increase the number of tourists to reach the target of 2 million people by the end of 2024. Thailand is well-prepared with products, services, and facilities to cater to this group of tourists, offering them unique travel experiences. A globally renowned celebration such as Songkran that would create a memorable experience for travellers. Brilvoice Ltd., a prominent Indian travel management business, is responsible for organising incentivise training programs globally. “Aiming to attract a substantial number of Indian visitors, we have organised a Product Training & Sale Motivational Programme activity in Bangkok from 18-23 April 2024”. This event involved the participation of over 8,000 Indian tourists from 25 different nations. Additionally, certain participants have intentions to explore popular …

Aloke Bajpai, Chairman, Managing Director, and Group CEO of ixigo, reported a noticeable 20-25% increase in travel bookings. “There is a high demand for match destinations like Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Chennai. The majority of the bookings are happening between 0-3 days before the match, indicating fans are booking tickets at the last minute despite higher airfares,” he said. 

The Thai government’s target of 3.5 trillion Baht in tourism revenue this year, with the aim of earning even more in the coming years, will be achieved through five strategies. The Minister of Tourism and Sports, Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, stated that these strategies align with the government’s policy to transform Thailand into a global aviation hub, capable of handling more than 150 million air travellers annually by 2030. 

Catherine Logan, Regional Senior Vice President, EMEA & APAC – GBTA, said, “Business travel spends coming from India is around USD 33 billion per year. This is set to grow by 12% in 2024. We see a rise in blended travel with 79% of business travellers from India extending their work trips for leisure. This figure is much higher than that for APAC, but they are similar to global figures.” 

Ravi Gosain, Vice President, IATO said, “Last-minute cancellations are causing problems for the clients. Around 20-25% passengers are facing issues with last-minute flight cancellations and increased airfares of alternative flights due to last-minute bookings. Although Vistara is refunding or offering adjustments to other flights, the itineraries of our passengers are being disrupted. Vistara should inform passengers at least 10 days in advance of flight cancellations. We are not currently recommending Vistara for booking to any of our passengers.”

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi is set to deliver Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to attract over 39 million visitors by 2030 and contribute AED 90 billion to the UAE GDP. This comprehensive strategy will also create 178,000 new jobs, increase hotel room supply to 52,000, and boost international overnight visitors to over 7 million. 

Today ITA Airways opened its new Chicago O’Hare – Rome Fiumicino nonstop connection. The inaugural flight, which departed at 3:00 p.m. (local time) from the American city, was operated with the new Airbus A330neo, the cutting edge of ITA Airways’ fleet and the ultimate reference in technology, digitalization, innovation, efficiency and “Made in Italy” design. To celebrate the launch of the new intercontinental route, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held today at the departure gate of Chicago O’Hare International Airport in the presence of Emiliana Limosani, ITA Airways Chief Commercial Officer and CEO Volare, Thomas Botzios, Consul General of Italy in Chicago, and Amber Ritter, Managing Deputy Commissioner and Chief Commercial Officer for the Chicago Department of Aviation. “We are proud to be here today and launch the new nonstop flight between Chicago and Rome.” said Emiliana Limosani Chief Commercial Officer ITA Airways and CEO Volare “This new destination, the seventh in North America, further enriches the intercontinental network of ITA Airways and consolidates our expansion towards the United States, which is the first international market for our Company. The multiple services from Rome Fiumicino connecting to New York, Boston, Washington, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and the newly opened Chicago enhance our efforts to be the reference carrier from the United States to Italy and via Rome to Europe and the Mediterranean for the Italian community, the international business communities in North America as well as the major communities in the Mediterranean region”. “As Consul General of Italy in Chicago, I am very happy and grateful to ITA Airways for this new ChicagoRome connection, which contributes to bringing Italy even closer to the heart of the United States, ensuring an …

Dusit Hotels and Resorts kicks off its India Showcase 2024 with a three-city roadshow in Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai, aimed at presenting its offerings to the Indian travel trade. Nine hotels are participating in the roadshow, focusing on attracting more Indians, especially from the MICE and wedding segments.