BTFL Travel announced its partnership with Trails of Travel, an exclusive B2B Destination Management Company (DMC) specialising in personalised European travel experiences. Headquartered in Rennes, France, and co-founded by industry expert Sreejith Govindankutty, Trails of Travel is committed to providing tailored solutions to Indian travel agents. With services including Fixed-Date Departures and FIT packages, Trails of Travel offers curated experiences across Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Eastern Europe, the UK, Scandinavia, the Baltics, and Slovenia. The company stands out with its unique offerings, such as infant care services, senior assistance, and experiential travel programmes for students and teenagers. “Our partnership with Trails of Travel allows us to provide Indian travel agents with timely and personalised European travel solutions, ensuring they can easily cater to the evolving preferences of their clientele,” said Shubhangi Chitre, Director, BTFL Travel.      

BTFL Travel announced its partnership with Travcare Holidays, a premier Destination Management & Hospitality Company specialising in bespoke luxury experiences in South Africa. With over 22 years of industry experience, Travcare Holidays is renowned for curating tailor-made experiences for HNIs, CEOs, celebrities, and top business executives. Through this strategic alliance, BTFL Travel aims to introduce Travcare’s unique offerings to Indian travel agents, providing access to high-end travel experiences such as luxury safaris, golfing breaks, and specialised events including weddings and honeymoons. Travcare Holidays’ exclusive fleet of luxury vehicles and authentic Indian specialty restaurants further enhance the premium travel experience for Indian travellers. “We are thrilled to bring Travcare Holidays into our portfolio, offering Indian travel agents an exceptional opportunity to cater to their high-end clients with unparalleled South African experiences,” said Shubhangi Chitre, Director, BTFL Travel.

As per Indranil Sen, Minister of Tourism, West Bengal, the state has received investment proposals worth ₹5,600 crore in the tourism sector. Apart from these, 70 tourism-related projects will be taken up in the FY2025-26 out of which 38 are in South Bengal. These projects will entail a cost of ₹71 crore.

As per OAG, the Asia-Pacific region is on track to solidify its position in the global aviation market. Its aviation market in 2025 has surpassed 2019’s total capacity by 0.5 per cent in 2024. As APAC’s domestic market outperforms 2019 up 4.7 per cent in 2019; India’s domestic capacity reached 13 per cent ahead of pre-pandemic levels.

Presenting the state budget for 2025-26, Charan Majhi, Chief Minister, Odisha allocated ₹820 crore for tourism, up from ₹800 crore allocated in FY2024-25. The budget focuses on infra development and sustainable tourism practices. Additionally, ₹30 crore has been allocated for Shree Jagannath Darshan Yojana.

UAE expanded visa-on-arrival programme for Indians by including travellers with valid visas, residence permits, or Green Cards from 6 more countries including Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand & Canada. The move permits more Indian passport holders to access the facility at UAE entry points.

The Engineering team of SriLankan Airlines wrapped up base heavy maintenance on an A321neo aircraft for long-term repeat customer, Salam Air, ahead of the scheduled completion date. The work involved replacing a right-hand main landing gear seal on the aircraft. SriLankan Engineering has been forging a path as a reliable provider of base maintenance services in the region for third parties, with a steady stream of both repeat and new customers.

Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), in collaboration with OTOAI, hosted the Korea Tourism Roadshow in Mumbai on 14 February, 2025, reinforcing its commitment to the Indian travel trade and presenting programmes aimed at further boosting Indian tourist arrivals to South Korea. Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director, India & SAARC Countries, KTO, said, “South Korea’s growing popularity among Indian travellers is a testament to the strong partnership we share with the Indian travel trade. With evolving traveller preferences and increasing demand for unique experiences, we are committed to providing our partners with tailored support, from exclusive training programmes to performance-based incentives.” Talking about the Roadshow in Mumbai, Himanshu Patil, President, OTOAI, said, “This partnership between OTOAI and KTO has the potential to significantly boost outbound tourism from India to Korea, unlocking opportunities for both travel operators and tourists. With the rising popularity of Korean entertainment in India and the increasing awareness of the country’s rich cultural heritage and unique culinary experiences, Indian tourists are showing greater interest in visiting Korea. Additionally, the growing popularity of Korean beauty products in the Indian market has led to an increase in enquiries for tours that include beauty experiences, further highlighting the diverse interests of Indian travellers. This roadshow was a great opportunity for our members to gain in-depth knowledge of Korea and enhancing their ability to create seamless travel experiences for their clients.” In addition to the MICE Support and Korea Premium Travel Consultant (KPTC) Programme, KTO has unveiled the Designated Travel Agency Programme, a strategic initiative under the K-Incentive Scheme 3.0, designed to recognise and support travel agencies actively promoting South Korea. Under this programme, participating agencies will develop Korea-specific travel packages incorporating at …

This reflects Saudia’s ongoing efforts to enhance global connectivity and meet growing international travel demand. Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has announced a significant expansion of its global flight network, adding more than ten new destinations for 2025. This strategic growth, fuelled by a 16 per cent increase in international guest numbers last year, reflects the airline’s commitment to connecting the world and meeting increasing global travel demand. The new destinations offer a diverse range of options, spanning Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The additions to Saudia’s network include Vienna (Austria), Venice (Italy), Larnaca (Cyprus), Athens and Heraklion (Greece), Nice (France), Malaga (Spain), Bali (Indonesia), Antalya (Turkey), El Alamein (Egypt), and Salalah (Oman). These destinations join Saudia’s existing network of over 100 destinations across four continents. H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, said, “Following last year’s operational success, we have implemented a strategic plan for 2025 to ensure continued excellence and meet rising international travel demand. Our destination selection is based on comprehensive feasibility studies and guest preferences. We are committed to providing our international guests with exceptional travel experiences that combine comfort, efficiency, and authentic Saudi hospitality.” This expansion is facilitated by Saudia’s modern fleet of 147 Boeing and Airbus aircraft, known for their safety and efficiency. The airline’s commitment to high standards of onboard service, including comfortable seating, advanced in-flight entertainment systems, and authentic Saudi hospitality, complements the diverse destinations offered. Saudia’s planned delivery of 118 new aircraft during the upcoming years will further enhance its operational capacity. With daily operations exceeding 530 flights, Saudia’s ongoing international development plan aims to increase its global market share and strengthen connectivity between the …

WelcomHeritage announced the appointment of Ashutosh Chhibba as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). With over 30 years of exemplary experience in the hospitality industry, Chhibba is poised to lead WelcomHeritage into an exciting new era of growth, innovation, and operational excellence. An alumnus of the Institute of Hotel Management, Kolkata, and a graduate of the Welcomgroup Management Institute, Chhibba began his distinguished career with ITC Hotels in 1992. Over the decades, he has held key leadership roles, driving success at iconic properties such as the erstwhile Welcomgroup Chola Sheraton, ITC Kakatiya, ITC Maurya, and ITC Mughal. His international experience includes overseeing the launch and operations of the legendary restaurant Dumpukht in Riyadh and Saudi Arabia, where he demonstrated his ability to adapt and deliver excellence in diverse global markets. Chhibba’s career has encompassed both leisure and business hospitality segments, with a strong focus on managing owned properties across multiple locations, including Riyadh, Aurangabad, and Hyderabad. In addition to his vast operational expertise, Chhibba is deeply committed to continuous learning, having completed the Revenue Management Programme at Cornell University, USA, and the Sales & Marketing Exposure Programme at IIM Bangalore. These advanced programmes have equipped him with cutting-edge skills in revenue optimisation, sales strategies, and marketing innovations, ensuring a strategic approach to delivering exceptional guest experiences. Commenting on his appointment, Ashutosh Chhibba said, “I am honoured to lead WelcomHeritage, a brand synonymous with India’s cultural richness and heritage. I look forward to leveraging my experience to further enhance our offerings, strengthen our brand presence, and deliver unparalleled guest satisfaction while preserving the legacy of WelcomHeritage.”