KR Naidu, MoCA, GoI, said, “India’s aviation sector will grow as the government intends to add 50 new airports in next five years. Currently, India has 159 operational airports, and by 2030, government plans to have 209 airports. “The government aims to drive India’s aviation sector to new heights,” he added.

Turtle Down Under, with Tourism Whitsundays and Brisbane Economic Development Agency, will conduct webinar on Romantic Australia: The Honeymoon Guide on 28 Feb, 2025 at 3 PM IST. Join and receive Amazon vouchers for top questions in Q&A session. Write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

RezLive.com made waves at SATTE 2025, captivating travel agents, tour operators, hoteliers, and tech innovators with a bold display of cutting-edge products and forward-thinking collaborations. Reimagining Travel Experiences At the heart of the event was the debut of our innovative Car Rental Services and an intuitive Mobile App—both designed to streamline and elevate travel experiences. Adding to the excitement, we launched luxurious Cruise Offerings and introduced our exclusive VIP Desk featuring personalised Concierge Services, all aimed at delivering seamless, hassle-free journeys. Celebrating Innovation and Partnership Kicking off the event with a vibrant beer party at our stand, the first two days were all about connection and celebration. This exclusive gathering offered our travel partners a relaxed environment to network, exchange insights, and toast to the future of travel. Jaal Shah, Group Managing Director, Travel Designer Group, shared his enthusiasm. “At RezLive.com, we are redefining travel. Our new Car Rental Solutions and Mobile App are not just innovations—they are a revolution in how our partners engage with us and offer something new to their end clients.” Empowering Travel Agents Our dynamic ‘Get More’ initiative—featuring RezRewards and the RezVault bonus—won rave reviews. These programmes are crafted to boost profits and add genuine value, rewarding our partners for their active engagement and commitment. Milestone Event SATTE 2025 proved to be a landmark for RezLive.com, sparking meaningful discussions, forging strategic alliances, and affirming our role as a trusted leader in global travel solutions.

Thomas Cook (India) and SOTC Travel, have signed a strategic 24-month partnership with Korea Tourism Organization – a collaboration that focuses on Special Projects towards increasing visibility for the destination in the high-potential India market. The MOU was signed by Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa – Thomas Cook (India), SD Nandakumar, President & Country Head – Holidays & Corporate Tours – SOTC Travel and Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director – India & SAARC Countries, Korea Tourism Organization. Korea Tourism Organization’s exclusive partnership with Thomas Cook and SOTC Travel leverages on Special Projects to drive year-round awareness and inspiration for Korea. The collaboration extends across exchange of knowledge, best practices and development of unique-innovative products designed specifically for Indian travellers, fostering long-term growth in leisure, business and MICE segments for Korea. Korea offers a vibrant and enriching experience for Indian travellers, blending luxury, culture, wellness and exceptional cuisine. The global Hallyu wave has elevated Korea’s cultural influence, with the rise of the K-beauty industry, K-pop and K-drama experiences captivating audiences worldwide. Korean cuisine, or Hansik, known for its bold flavours and healthy ingredients, adds another layer to the country’s appeal, offering a delightful culinary journey. Expanding beyond Seoul and Busan, regions like Jeju Island, Gangwon Province and Jeollanam-do offer untapped potential for immersive travel experiences focused on wellness and relaxation, with state-of-the-art spas and wellness centres. This diverse offering positions Korea as a prime destination for India’s affluent and wellness-conscious market, driving sustained growth in tourism. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa – Thomas Cook (India) said, “With new destinations and exciting experiential travel driving demand, South Korea is perfectly positioned to inspire the …

As Cruise Professionals continues to grow India as a source market for select experiential, premium & luxury cruise line, they announced Crystal Cruises as their newest client in the luxury space. Team Cruise Professionals shared, “It gives us immense pleasure to share that Cruise Professionals has been appointed by Crystal Cruises as their preferred sales agency in India. Crystal has been the watchword for exceptional cruises for three decades. In 2022, world-leading travel company A&K Travel Group acquired the Crystal brand and refurbished and relaunched the flagships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony. Now that Crystal has set a new standard at sea, we look forward to welcoming your guests to the exceptional world of Crystal. With the addition of Crystal in the portfolio, we continue to remain the most diversified Cruise Representation Company in India and we hope to continue to receive your support in 2025 and beyond.” Agents can browse & book Crystal voyages for guests on www.cruiseprofessionals.in  or call at 1800-103 0306 or email at helpdesk@cruiseprofessionals.in for assistance.  

VisitBritain along with the British High Commission in Mumbai celebrated King’s birthday party. The event hosted 500 stakeholders and travel trade from VisitBritain, who experienced the best of the UK. The event highlighted themes of innovation, featuring visual assets from new ‘Starring Great Britain’ campaign.

As per ICRA, domestic air passenger traffic has shown strong growth. In January 2025, passenger traffic grew by 14.5 per cent YOY and was 17.9 per cent higher than pre-Covid levels. However, the industry is expected to incur net loss of ₹2,000-3,000 cr in FY25 and FY26 due to high ATF prices and borrowing costs.

InterGlobe Foundation, the philanthropic arm of InterGlobe Enterprises, and IndiGoReach, the CSR arm of IndiGo, in collaboration with Sahapedia, organised an enriching and immersive Heritage Walk in Lucknow under the ‘My City My Heritage’ campaign. This specially curated walk was designed to celebrate and promote the rich cultural heritage of Lucknow, showcasing the city’s deep history and expansive architecture. The ‘My City My Heritage’ campaign raises awareness about India’s cultural and historical legacy. It creates awareness and encourages dialogue and collaboration to preserve and protect the city’s tangible and intangible heritage, thus empowering local residents to rediscover the history and culture that surrounds their city. This initiative has already organised similar heritage walks in several cities, including Prayagraj, Bhubaneswar, Shillong, Nashik, Hyderabad, and most recently, Kozhikode. The walk titled ‘Awadhi Begum, Nawab aur British’ showcased Lucknow’s exciting history and explored the dynamic fusion of Mughal and Awadhi traditions that define its cultural heritage. The walk commenced at Begum Hazrat Mahal Park and concluded at Amir-ud-Daulah Park, passing through landmarks such as Sher Darwaza, Saadat Ali Khan Maqbara, Sapper’s Tomb, Butler Park, and more. The route explored the city’s cultural blend, as evident in its architecture, music, and cuisine. Led by conservation architect Nishant Upadhyay, the event was attended by members of the local community, government officials, media, and senior leadership of InterGlobe Foundation and IndiGo. Speaking on the occasion, Rohini Bhatia, Chairperson, InterGlobe Foundation, said, “We are delighted to bring the Heritage Walk experience to the radiant city of Lucknow, where tradition blends perfectly with contemporary India. By exploring the historical landmarks and hidden gems of Lucknow, we hope to connect people with the city’s vibrant past and inspire them …

Jaiveer Singh, Tourism Minister welcomes Japanese delegation, highlights development of Buddhist circuit and economic opportunities A high-level Japanese delegation, led by Ko Osada, Deputy Governor of Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, visited Uttar Pradesh to explore avenues for tourism collaboration, with a special focus on the Buddhist Circuit. The delegation was warmly welcomed by Jaiveer Singh, Tourism and Culture Minister, who highlighted the state’s deep-rooted Buddhist heritage and its significance as a global pilgrimage destination. During a meeting at Hotel Taj Mahal, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, senior officials from Uttar Pradesh Tourism presented a comprehensive overview of the state’s tourism potential. The presentation included insights into the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Land Lease Policy 2024, which aims to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) by offering a 90-year land lease to investors. Discussions cantered on enhancing tourism infrastructure, particularly across the Buddhist Circuit, where 179.77 acres of land have been earmarked for development to improve pilgrim facilities. Deputy Governor Ko Osada expressed admiration for Uttar Pradesh’s historical significance, stating that Japan views tourism as ‘spreading the light of knowledge.’ He reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to strengthening ties with the state and announced that a larger Japanese delegation would soon visit to further explore tourism opportunities. Adding to the discourse, Neerendra Upadhyay, Advisor, Yamanashi Prefecture Government, emphasised the deep historical and spiritual connections between Japan and Uttar Pradesh. He stressed the potential for enhancing bilateral tourism, investment, and academic exchanges, reinforcing Yamanashi’s enthusiasm in working closely with Uttar Pradesh to foster tourism-driven economic growth. Singh emphasised Uttar Pradesh’s pivotal role in Buddhist history, being home to sacred sites that attract millions of devotees annually. He underscored the long-standing spiritual, cultural, and economic ties between Uttar Pradesh and …

RateGain Travel Technologies (RateGain), a global provider of AI-powered SaaS solutions for the travel and hospitality industry, announced that Nok Air, a leading budget carrier in Thailand, has selected AirGain, RateGain’s advanced pricing intelligence platform, to gain real-time competitive insights. This strategic collaboration highlights Nok Air’s commitment to delivering affordable and seamless travel experiences across its expanding network in Thailand and Asia. Nok Air, a well-known budget carrier in Thailand, operates a broad domestic network and international routes in India and China, connecting key cities and tourist destinations. Known for its distinctive branding and customer-first approach, the airline has earned a strong reputation among budget and value-conscious travellers. By addressing challenges such as rising competition, fluctuating demand, and shifting customer preferences, Nok Air continues to strengthen its presence in the region. With AirGain, Nok Air will access real-time competitive pricing data from over 300 airlines and 50+ OTAs. This enables the airline to refine its pricing strategies, optimise promotions, and maintain leadership in the aviation market. By leveraging dynamic pricing and market trends, Nok Air aims to deliver exceptional value to its customers while ensuring sustainable growth. Ranon Viputsiri, Chief Commercial Officer, Nok Air, said, “Staying competitive in today’s fast-paced aviation industry requires innovative solutions and actionable insights. With AirGain’s cutting-edge platform, Nok Air can optimise our pricing and promotions to better serve our passengers while achieving sustainable growth. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in our mission to make travel more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.” Vinay Varma, Senior Vice President and General Manager, AirGain, commented, “Partnering with Nok Air, a trailblazer in Thailand’s aviation market, is an exciting opportunity for us. AirGain’s AI-powered pricing intelligence will enable …