One Rep Global has been appointed the India Sales & Marketing representation office for Broadwick Soho London. Slated for launch in late 2022, Broadwick Soho is a 57 room luxurious boutique hotel, home to a Sicilian inspired restaurant and terrace, rooftop lounge, intimate dining room and speakeasy bar. On this occasion, Hemant Mediratta, Founder One Rep Global said, “As part of our commitment to bring the best of the best to Indian consumers, we are excited on this latest addition to our portfolio. The residential style guest rooms, including one Penthouse and nine suites, are all individually designed, with many rooms offering private balconies and all featuring the finest appointments and amenities. Designed by Martin Brudnizki, the refreshingly original property will offer impeccable personalised service in opulent yet cosy surroundings, inspired by the spirit of Soho. Hailed for his style blending modernity and authenticity, Brudnizki’s approach is a perfect match for the neighbourhood, where the creative, eclectic and exhilarating atmosphere is as emblematic as a warm welcome.

Naveen Kundu, Managing Director, Ebixcash- Travel & Holidays, has said that he has huge expectations from this budget and his request to the Finance Minister is to declare tourism sector as a priority sector for the next two years and offer it industry status. Also, he requested for tax refunds to domestic travellers who spend large amount of their vacation budgets in India. Other recommendations included budget for loans with rates of interests as offered to industry, with flexibility of re-structuring the loans at least twice due to the frequent lean cycles. “The government shall offer tariffs which are at par with the industry if not lower. Provide tax concession to hotels and resorts in India to boost demand for domestic tourism and inbound tourism. Provide tax subsidy to travel agents who promote inbound tourism (FOREX earning agencies) and offer them incentives on earning FOREX as exports sector. Create a budget to appoint several large PR companies globally to promote ‘Product India’ with all its diversity and hospitality. Offer a financial tax support to corporates / associations who conduct their meetings & events in India. Offer direct financial support of up to Rs. 1000 crores for all global companies/ associations and world bodies who conduct their events, conferences and exhibitions in India. Announce a state-of-the-art skill development institute on the lines of IIM, which will be India’s first tourism university offering various courses. Reduce haulage on luxury trains and offer tax subsidy on operating more luxury and Bharat Gaurav trains in India,” he said.

While inaugurating the 31st district of the state – Vijayanagar – Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai also launched heli tourism, lounge and other amenities, which have seen investments to the tune of Rs 10 crore. The CM announced that heli-tourism will be promoted in the district and visitors could visit the district in helicopters. He also laid the foundation for 56 developmental projects worth Rs 337 crore in the new district.

Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi has released a comprehensive guide for vaccinated and unvaccinated visitors to ensure streamlined and stress-free travel into the UAE capital. When planning a trip to Abu Dhabi, all inbound tourists are reminded first to check DCT Abu Dhabi’s destination website for latest travel guidelines, which reiterates that a booster (third) vaccination dose is not necessary to enter the emirate. Also, for those entering Abu Dhabi via the Dubai/Abu Dhabi Road entry point, DCT Abu Dhabi has assigned the far-right lane (Lane 1) as a dedicated tourist lane.  Fully vaccinated tourists must present vaccination  proof and a negative 48-hour PCR test obtained from their home country.

India’s leading luxury travel company ATD Journeys Pvt Ltd today announces its new visual identity today, establishing a synergy between the three brands, A Travel Duet, A Travel Circle and A Travel Quest, the new visual identity encapsulates the evolution of luxury travel, adapting to consumers distinct travel needs, taking personalization and service to the forefront, while gearing up for our 10-year anniversary in 2023. The brand’s pastel tones reflect the warmth the company exudes, and its elements are inspired by world design, silhouettes, contemporary art piece, urban and scenic textures, geometric shapes, and tiled patterns. Founder & CEO, Mr Pritish Shah adds “We started back in 2013 and have believed in a slow and steady approach to building our luxury travel brands. Having achieved many milestones over the years we feel the brand is well poised to scale up now. The new brand identities re-enforce our commitment to delivering world class experiences to our guests.” The brand implementation will come live over the coming months with new websites in the pipeline.

Ministry of Tourism is planning a virtual event of about two hours on National Tourism Day on 25th January. Rupinder Brar, ADG, Tourism, shared, “G Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Tourism, Culture and DoNER will be the Chief Guest and Arvind Singh, Secretary, Tourism, will also be speaking in this online event. We have also invited Secretary, Culture; Secretary, Ministry of Textiles; Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change as well. The celebrations are a little low-key owing to Omicron spread across the country.”

Jai Ram Thakur, Chief Minister, Himachal Chief Minister has unveiled the Dharamsala Skyway (Dharamsala ropeway) constructed at a cost of Rs 207 crores, which would connect Dharamsala with McLeodganj. It has the hourly capacity of carrying 1,000 persons and would reach Dharamsala to McLeodganj in five minutes instead of usual 20-25 minutes taken by car. The length of the ropeway is 1.8 km. The ropeway has 10 towers and 2 stations at Dharamsala and McLeodganj. One way tariff for travelling in ropeway from Dharamsala to McLeodganj is Rs 300 per person and two way tariff is Rs 500 per person.

Ahmedabad airport will partially remain closed for around 9 hours till May 31 owing to runway re-carpeting work. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport has started scheduled runway re-carpeting work from 17th January  to 31st May, 2022, except on public holidays and Sundays. The work will be carried out from 9am to 6pm.

Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO has thanked Puneet Chhatwal, MD & CEO and the entire team at The Indian Hotels Company Ltd. for rolling out the Taj Hotels Promo Code Special Rates for IATO Members. In a statement, he has revealed that each member has been given a Unique Agency Code and booking can be done on line without any hindrances.  Promo Code Special Rates are exclusively for inbound business only and not valid for domestic leisure and are only for FITs.

VisitBritain has launched the ‘GetReadyForBirmingham’ campaign with TravTalk to promote West Midlands, England region, using the upcoming Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games as a hook. Log on to www.GetReadyForBirmingham.com and get clicked at the virtual photo booth offering the most scenic backgrounds in West Midlands, which is playing host to the games.