Hayleys Travels, Sri Lanka’s foremost Destination Management Company (DMC) recently completed its 40th anniversary of curating unforgettable journeys across the island destination. Founded in 1984, the fully-owned subsidiary of the century-old Hayleys Group, Hayleys Travels has delivered unique, exhilarating travel experiences through Sri Lanka. It is well known among the global travellers’ community for its dedication to sustainable tourism, eco-adventures, and culturally immersive itineraries. The DMC has attracted international travellers to showcase Sri Lanka’s heritage-rich vistas, wildlife, and vibrant regional communities. With its expertise in inbound tourism, Hayleys Travels has played a pivotal role in showcasing the country’s breathtaking natural landscapes, cultural heritage, and vibrant communities to international travellers. On the other hand, the company’s outbound travel solutions cater to Sri Lankans exploring destinations worldwide, offering tailored international tours, leisure travel, MICE events, and luxury experiences. Over the past four decades, Hayleys Travels has grown to become Sri Lanka’s foremost comprehensive travel solutions provider. The company, accredited by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), offers an array of services that include destination weddings, MICE events, wildlife tours, and tailored luxury tours for individual and group travellers. Hayleys Travels showcases the rich diversity and culture of Sri Lanka with a wide range of offerings – rainforest tours, wildlife safaris, local village experiences, and also hands-on cooking trails that allow travellers to connect with local cuisine. The company’s services also extend to cruise excursions, where the patrons can experience dolphin and whale watching. Hayleys Travels also hosts traditional market explorations and visits to local bakeries. Through its diverse network of hospitality partners, Hayleys Travels offers an array of accommodations including eco-lodges, wellness retreats, luxurious resorts, etc., tailored to align with the preferences …

Four kilometres from Khasab along the coastal road to Bukha, turn left at the small village of Qida. A short drive to the village of Tawi at the far end of the wadi brings visitors to easily accessible petroglyphs (rock carvings) dating back to prehistoric times. Likely to be pre-Islamic as they include characters, the unprotected petroglyphs are cut into rocks which have fallen from a cliff face on the left-hand side of the road. Images include horsemen, boats and camels; you may need to ask a villager to point out their location on the boulders.  

Curtain Raiser Event for ATOAI’s 16th Annual Convention Concludes Successfully Co Hosted by the Department of Tourism Govt of Arunachal Pradesh. The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) hosted an inspiring Curtain Raiser for its 16th Annual Convention at The Park Hotel, New Delhi, setting the stage for an extraordinary event scheduled to take place in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, from 3 to 8 December, 2024. This evening’s event highlighted Arunachal Pradesh’s vast potential as a global adventure tourism hub while emphasising ATOAI’s commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism practices. The event began with an engaging address by Ajeet Bajaj, President, ATOAI, who emphasised the transformative potential of sustainable adventure tourism. “Arunachal Pradesh is India’s Last Shangri-La and our next big adventure destination. This convention will set the stage for responsible adventure tourism and showcase how sustainability is the future of our industry. This convention promises to be a milestone event, further positioning Arunachal Pradesh and North East India at the forefront of adventure tourism in India and the world,” he remarked. This sentiment was echoed by Oken Tayeng, MLA and Convention Chairperson, who called Arunachal “a playground of possibilities” and underlined the need for a sustainable roadmap to unlock its adventure tourism potential. Adding to the evening’s momentum, Arun Srivastava, Joint Director General, Ministry of Tourism, highlighted the importance of collaboration in developing adventure tourism in India. He noted, “India’s natural assets make it a top contender for global adventure tourism and Arunachal is a shining gem of the country.” Ranphoa Ngowa, Secretary of Tourism, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, further emphasised the state’s readiness to host global adventure seekers, pointing out its unique combination of untouched rivers, dense forests …

Peter Semone, Chair, PATA said, “To boost IVAs in Asia Pacific, we need to prioritise India & China as source markets as these markets offer greater potential than traditional Western sources. He identified South East Asia as a key emerging market. Meanwhile, PATA Travel Mart 2025 will be held from 26-28 August in Bangkok, Thailand.

Aeroprime Group won the ‘Leading Passenger GSA of the year’ award at the India Travel Awards. Upon receiving the award, Nash Dias, Sales Manager, Aeroprime, exclaimed, “The award validates our confidence and pushes us to work harder.” Aeroprime Group is the leading aviation and travel services group based in India.

Join an exciting webinar at 12 pm tomorrow and delve into the wonders of Selangor, one of Malaysia’s hidden gems. Discover unique attractions, cultural landmarks, and leisure destinations that make Selangor a must-visit destination. For more details, contact Jaspreet Kaur at jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or +91 9650196532.

During FHRAI’s HR Summit, KB Kachru, President, HAI, highlighted that India sends 30 mn outbound tourists but receives only 10 mn inbound which is a mix of NRIs and Bangladeshi, three times lesser than other countries. “To make India inevitable, we should aim for much higher inbound numbers in coming years,” he said.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) will become the world’s only airline to serve the iconic Cristal 2015 champagne, following an exclusive agreement with leading French champagne house Louis Roederer. Cristal 2015, which is celebrated for its exceptional quality and refined taste, will be served in SIA’s Airbus A380 Suites and Boeing 777-300ER First Class cabins from 1 December, 2024. Initially available on flights between Singapore and Delhi, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Paris, Shanghai, Sydney, and Tokyo, the offering will rotate to other Suites and First-Class routes on a three-month rotational basis. Crafted by cellar master Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, Cristal 2015 blends 40 per cent Chardonnay and 60 per cent Pinot Noir, sourced from 45 vineyard plots across Louis Roederer’s seven Grands Crus. It exemplifies meticulous attention to detail, from a bespoke, sustainable viticulture approach of Louis Roederer’s exceptional Grand Cru vineyards to the artful blending and extended cellar ageing that gives the wine its depth and elegance. Yeoh Phee Teik, Senior Vice President Customer Experience, Singapore Airlines, said: “This partnership between two world-class brands demonstrates Singapore Airlines’ commitment to elevating the travel experience for our discerning customers. Exclusively offering a premium champagne like Cristal 2015 will delight our Suites and First-Class customers, and ensures that they continue to enjoy an unparalleled, luxurious journey with us.” Frédéric Rouzaud, Chief Executive Officer, Champagne Louis Roederer, said: “Cristal 2015 delivers intense and delicious aromas with superb energy and an ethereal vibration. This is a timeless champagne of supreme balance and measure, resonating with the chalkiness of its soils, bursting forth in a bracing, vertical effervescence, with an insistent, precise, and finely honed freshness. We are really delighted that our iconic Cristal champagne has been chosen …

The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), the third largest hospitality association in the world, in collaboration with the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT) and the Hotel & Restaurant Association of Northern India (HRANI), successfully hosted the HR Summit on Education and Career in Hospitality on 14th November, 2024 at Hotel Le Meridien, New Delhi. The event was inaugurated by Gyan Bhushan, IES, CEO, NCHMCT, and brought together over 200 industry leaders, educators, and government representatives to discuss the future of hospitality education and career opportunities in India. FHRAI hosted the HR Summit with over 200 industry leaders, educators, and government representatives. The summit focused on major challenges in hospitality, such as the shortage of skilled workers, low student enrolment, and high employee turnover. FHRAI shared a report on the key challenges facing India’s hospitality sector. Discussions emphasised the need for collaboration between industry, educational institutions, and the government to close the skills gap and build a stronger workforce. The summit had three important sessions on career opportunities, improving enrolment and retention, and managing human resources in hospitality. FHRAI, NCHMCT, and HRANI discussed the importance of skill development, as the hospitality sector is expected to create millions of new jobs in the future. The summit focused on key challenges including the shortage of skilled workers, low enrolment in hospitality courses, and high employee attrition rates. Stakeholders discussed strategies to address these issues, including improving the quality of hospitality education, bridging the skills gap, and creating more sustainable career pathways for aspiring professionals. Gyan Bhushan, IES, CEO, NCHMCT & Senior EA(T), Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, said, “I believe today marks a truly …

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