The global business travel market is estimated to be USD 706.14 bn in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 1324.21 bn by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 13.4%, reveals ResearchAndMarkets.com in a fresh report, which features American Express, BCD Travel, and Expedia among others. 

Ajay Prakash, President, TAFI said that they have written to the major European consulates asking them to resolve the visa issues on priority since it has become a damper in the revival of travel. They have asked them to add any additional staff if required without any delay so that the tourism can get back. 

Gaurav Dogra, Hon. Secretary, TAAI-Northern region, has stepped down from his position to focus on his company Plan Your Holiday. Dogra has been in this position since 2017 and was the Treasurer of the chapter before that. Currently, the TAAI-NR team is headed by Neeraj Malhotra, who revealed that the term for the team will be over in 2 months and elections are due for the new team.  

Mike Barrera, VP, Product Management, Low-Cost Carrier Segment, Sabre said that LCCs need to prioritize choosing a technology partner which offers security and reliability; ensuring their chosen technology is easy to use and train, especially given staff shortages and high turnover rates in the current travel industry; and selecting best-of-breed technology that has scalability and modularity so offer management systems can interact seamlessly with order systems. 

PATA CEO Liz Ortiguera, said “Safety, wellness and smooth travel experiences are top of mind as needs for post-pandemic travellers.  It’s important to provide clarity in processes and deliver good customer support in the face of ever-changing circumstances. Recognition should go to all the travel and tourism staff that are enabling efficient and great travel service delivery and experiences in the face of all these challenges. We need to respect and applaud their efforts as the backbone of the industry through these challenging times.” 

Air India recently started permitting Indian travel agents to issue tickets on their Canada route. Ajay Prakash, President, TAFI said “It was an unfair decision earlier and I think they have finally realised that agents are an intergral part of the airline booking process and I’m glad that Air India has finally woken up to this. Let’s hope that Air India will continue to be proactive and will keep the agents’ fraternity involved and engaged as they go forward embarking on trying to revive Air India.”

Continuing with its series of webinars to help the travel trade discover Spain, the Tourism Office of Spain – Mumbai, along with Barcelona Tourism, will conduct an exclusive webinar titled ‘Know Barcelona’ today at 3pm IST. Sign up today for the Spain Specialist Program (SSP) and register now to attend the webinar. The webinar will conclude with an exciting quiz on the destination and the winner will leave with a 5-day free trip to Barcelona in October 2022. For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

Liz Ortiquera, Chief Executive Officer, PATA said, “Around 4.500 travellers in the Asia-Pacific region were surveyed. Among them, 97 percent of Indians considered conscious tourism important.”

Alejandro De La Osa, Director Commercial, Europamundo Vacaciones, feels that Indian travellers post covid have more interest in travel and are ambitious to travel again. The Indian market is stronger than ever and would be their top market globally in near future. 

Malaysia has announced Visa on Arrival (VOA) to Indian Travellers. However, this opportunity can be availed only if the traveller is arriving from selected entryways like Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, or Indonesia.