On 14 November 2024, the Consulate General of Italy in Bengaluru and VFS Global inaugurated the new VFS Global Visa Application Centre in Bengaluru, exclusively dedicated to Italy. The new Centre is centrally located in the Vasanth Nagar area, close to the Government seat of Vidhana Soudha and easily accessible from the city international airport. The event was attended by representatives from the public sector and other Consulates, and by selected professionals from the travel and tourism industry. Alfonso Tagliaferri, Consul General of Italy in Bengaluru, said in his welcome remarks: “We are very satisfied to inaugurate the new Bengaluru Visa Application Centre, dedicated exclusively to Italy. The new Centre will allow us to significantly increase the quality of the service provided to the public, which will enjoy a less-crowded experience, tailored for their Italian trip. At the same time, through this new application centre we will be able to better meet the ever-increasing demand for Italy as expressed by Indian citizens. A demand that will grow even further, with the implementation of the Mobility and Migration Partnership Agreement recently signed by Italy and India. The Bengaluru Consulate has been opened since only a year, serving the population of four large Southern States like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The new VFS centre, together with a more pleasant experience for the public, will allow us to better streamline our procedures, in order to process more visas, faster.” Yummi Talwar, Chief Operating Officer, South Asia, VFS Global, said, “VFS Global shares a long-standing relationship with the Government of Italy since 2004 and we are excited to expand our partnership further. We currently operate 11 Italy Visa Application Centres in …

Global Destinations, a leading destination marketing company, announced a strategic collaboration with Sapporo City to promote Sapporo City, Hokkaido as a top travel destination for Indian tourists along with All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest airline.  This collaboration comes at a time when Japan is witnessing a surge in demand among Indian travellers, with Sapporo being positioned as a must-visit locale. Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido, located in the north of Japan, which is renowned for its pristine natural beauty, vibrant culture, and world-class powder snow. The collaboration aims to introduce more Indian travellers to the unique experiences the city offers, including its famous snow festivals, gourmet cuisine, and scenic landscapes. Tomonori Aoyama, Director General, Tourism & MICE Promotion Department, Sapporo City, also welcomed the collaboration, noting, “Sapporo is proud to collaborate with All Nippon Airways and Global Destinations to showcase the beauty and culture of our city to the Indian market. We look forward to sharing Sapporo’s magnificent nature, beautiful four colourful seasons, and delicious food and unique cultures with Indian travellers. This partnership is an important step in building a strong relationship between our city and the growing number of Indian tourists visiting Japan.” Speaking on this exciting partnership, Shigeru Ishimoto, General Manager, ANA Mumbai, said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Sapporo City, Global Destinations to promote Sapporo as a premier travel destination for Indian tourists. Japan is seeing tremendous growth in interest from India, and we believe Sapporo, with its natural beauty and cultural richness, will resonate strongly with Indian travellers. ANA is committed to providing exceptional service and seamless connections between India and Japan, ensuring that travellers experience Japanese hospitality from the moment they …

Dakhiliyah, the heart of Oman, bridges Muscat and the coast with breathtaking wonders. Towering peaks, hidden caves, and legendary forts await, alongside ancient ruins and timeless towns. Home to Jebel Shams, Jebel Akhdar, and Wadi Ghul—Oman’s own Grand Canyon—this region should be high on any traveller’s must-see list. Here, Nizwa Fort towers over the city, echoing its past as Oman’s political and cultural heart. Explore Falaj Daris in this region, one of five aflaj (canals) irrigation systems in the country designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Carved over two million years ago, Al Hoota Cave lies beneath Jebel Shams, Oman’s highest peak. This 4.5km subterranean wonder boasts shimmering lakes, dramatic stalactites, and a hidden world of rare fauna. While aptly named the ‘Mountain of the Sun,’ Jebel Shams, Oman’s highest point at 3,009 m is a truly amazing sight at all times of the day, year-round. With spectacular mountain scenery at every turn packed with gorges, ravines and precipitous heights, you will want to stay a day exploring this location.

The India Convention Promotion Bureau (ICPB) announced the election of its new office bearers for the 2024-26 term. The new leadership team was appointed unopposed at the Annual General Meeting held on 29 October, 2024, in New Delhi, marking a significant step toward advancing India’s standing as a world-class destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE). The new office bearers include Chander Mansharamani as Vice-Chairperson, Sudeep Sarcar as Honorary Secretary, and Amit Saroj continues as Honorary Treasurer. With their combined industry expertise, the team is poised to drive the ICPB’s mission to position India at the forefront of the global MICE market, amplifying its unique advantages and extensive infrastructure to attract large-scale international conventions. Chander Mansharamani, Vice-Chairperson, ICPB, shared his vision for restructuring the bureau’s operations to align more closely with international standards. He highlighted that in many countries, similar bureaus receive substantial government support for both operational expenses and financial backing for conference organisers, particularly when bidding for international conferences. He emphasised the need for a more aggressive strategy to promote India as a top MICE destination. This involves close collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, to enhance ICPB’s presence at international trade fairs, secure financial support for roadshows within India and abroad, and allocate a separate advertising budget focused specifically on the MICE sector. “Our goal is to transform ICPB into a truly pan-India organisation that reaches every region of the country, engaging more regional players in the MICE industry,” he stated. “By expanding our membership base nationwide, we are paving the way for a stronger, unified approach. This strategy will ensure that ICPB’s initiatives are inclusive and reflect the diversity and energy of …

The India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), a key player in India’s hospitality sector under the Ministry of Tourism, observed ‘Vigilance Awareness Week,’ themed “Culture of Integrity for Nation’s Prosperity,” from October 28th to 3rd November, 2024. The campaign emphasised the importance of integrity in our society. During this week, hotel units and divisions of ITDC organised various activities to raise awareness about corruption and how various stakeholders can work together to combat it. The organisation’s Director Finance and Chief Vigilance Officer led the integrity pledge, taken at ITDC Headquarters in Delhi. ITDC also hosted an important session on ‘Cyber Hygiene & Security’ at the Ashok Institute of Hospitality and Tourism Management (AIHTM) at Hotel Samrat, New Delhi. This session brought together AIHTM students and ITDC employees to highlight the importance of staying safe online. Additionally, ITDC organised a “POSH Session” for its officials to promote awareness and adherence to the organisation’s rules and regulations. A training session on “Preventive Vigilance” was also held at ITDC Headquarters, aimed at educating employees about integrity in their work. A highlight of the week was a walkathon involving AIHTM students and ITDC employees. The students also performed a powerful street play “Say No to Corruption.” Lokesh Kumar Aggarwal, Director Finance and CFO, ITDC, said, “Promoting a culture of integrity is vital for both our organisation and the nation. By raising awareness about corruption and its impact, we empower people to contribute to a more transparent society.” To engage AIHTM students, ITDC held fun activities such as poster making, slogan writing, essay contests, and debates, all focused on the theme of fighting corruption. The week concluded with a ‘Vendors Interaction Meet,’ where ITDC officials, including …

Regal Hotels International has launched its ‘Green Meetings’ initiative globally on 29 October, introducing sustainable meeting solutions to minimise environmental impact. Powered by the Institute of Sustainability and Technology, Regal Hotels provides clients with detailed carbon accounting reports to measure event emissions, following their carbon accounting methodology. Clients also have the opportunity to manage their environmental impact through carbon credits, each representing the removal or avoidance of one ton of carbon dioxide or its equivalent in greenhouse gases. Represented by IRIS Reps in India, Regal Hotels offers eco-friendly practices such as sustainable catering, waste management, and low-carbon options, benefiting companies seeking Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, enhanced brand reputation, and community engagement. The campaign is specifically targeted at Travel Management Companies (TMCs) and corporate clients in India, aligning with the growing demand for sustainable event practices.

CA Krishnan R, Director & CEO, Unimoni Financial Services, said that the award meant a lot to the company. He said, “Our dedicated staff includes destination specialists certified by global tourism boards. Our user-friendly travel portal facilitates easy bookings for flights, hotels, and holiday packages.”

The Goa Tourism Department has said that the state is increasingly attracting global travellers from many countries. As per media release, new charter flights have been introduced from key markets, including Russian cities Moscow and Ekaterinburg, London, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan to support visitors.

UP government is providing skilled smart service providers to navigate tourists during Maha Kumbh 2025. Aparajit Singh, Regional Tourism Officer, Prayagraj, mentioned that a training campaign has been launched for all service providers. This includes training for boatmen, tour guides, street vendors, and others.

As per Mabrian’s, ‘India Market Insights: Outbound & Inbound’ report, launched during WTM 2024, several destinations are rising in Europe for Indian arrivals. Spain saw a 3.8% surge in demand, alongside Austria (+9.8%) and Greece (+18.3%), which witnessed highest growth in the past 12 months.