The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has launched a new vision and mission to redefine its role in shaping the region’s tourism landscape. The refreshed vision, “A meaningful Pacific Asia tourism economy”, emphasises purpose-driven growth. PATA’s mission focuses on sharing knowledge, enabling networking and protecting tourism assets through innovation, collaboration and adaptability. With this strategic shift, PATA aims to equip the travel trade with tools to thrive in a rapidly evolving global environment, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability, resilience and industry unity across Asia and the Pacific.

As part of the Three Hundred Seventy Ninth Report on Demands for Grants (2025–26) of the Ministry of Tourism, a Parliamentary Standing Committee has recommended forming a Fund Utilisation Task Force. Comprising financial and project management experts, the task force will conduct monthly reviews to track fund usage and identify bottlenecks, aiming to enhance transparency and efficiency in tourism projects.

Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Oman, invites travel partners to an exclusive webinar on 23 April 2025 at 3pm. Learn how to sell this captivating destination more effectively and stand a chance to win exciting prizes! Gain insights from Oman Air, Kempinski Hotels Muscat and Magic Travels. Enhance your destination knowledge, gather insider tips and elevate your client offerings. For more information, contact jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call +91 96501 96532.

When we envisioned Caravan, the goal was clear: to create a platform where global travel brands could directly connect with India’s fastest-growing travel markets. Chandigarh, Pune, and Hyderabad — three cities with immense tourism potential — played host to our vision. And what unfolded across these cities was nothing short of transformative. Three Cities. One Vision. Countless Connections. Caravan was designed as a melting pot of collaboration and inspiration. Over three action-packed days, we brought together more than 30 destination partners, including tourism boards and brands from the Maldives, Mauritius, Bali, Thailand, and Dubai. These weren’t just showcases; they were conversations, collaborations, and opportunities waiting to be unlocked. Adding a Layer of Innovation: Our AI Sessions In each city, we hosted a dedicated 10-minute AI session that gave agents a glimpse into the future. From creating quick, on-the-go itineraries using ChatGPT to generating ready-to-send quotes through TravClan’s AI-powered WhatsApp solution in under two minutes—we didn’t just talk about the future. We showed how it’s already here. Because Business Shouldn’t Be Boring We know that long events can be exhausting. So, we built spaces to unwind: interactive games, quirky photo booths, and engagement activities that allowed travel agents to relax, recharge, and build meaningful connections without the pressure. What Made Caravan Different? It wasn’t just another industry event. It was an experience. It was a space where travel agents didn’t just network, they felt seen. Where brands didn’t just exhibit, they built relationships. Where technology wasn’t just discussed, it was put into agents’ hands to use. Why It Matters Caravan stands as a new benchmark in B2B travel networking. The turnout, the conversations, and the energy across all three cities told …

Asego unveiled its Summer Travel Special Plans, offering customised Global Assistance & Insurance at best-in-class prices for Indian travellers heading to some of the most-loved holiday hotspots in Southeast Asia. This summer-exclusive offering covers popular international destinations like Singapore, Bali, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka, where a rising number of Indian tourists are expected to travel in the upcoming months. Key Highlights: 24/7 emergency medical assistance & evacuation services for international travellers Pre-existing disease coverage in the event of a life-threatening emergency Asego TrackMate: Real-time baggage tracking tool with built-in compensation if luggage is not located within four days Adventure sports cover and Flight delay & missed connection cover With a deep understanding of evolving travel behaviours, Asego’s Summer Travel Special Plans have been designed to balance comprehensive coverage with destination-specific benefits and prices. These plans are ideal for families, solo explorers, and group travellers alike. Travellers can connect with Asego’s travel agent partners or Asego representatives to learn more and select a plan tailored to their destination and travel style. Speaking about the launch, Dev Karvat, Founder & CEO, Asego, said, “Summer travel is a time of joy and exploration, and we believe that it should also be a time of peace of mind. With our new Summer Special Plans, travellers can focus on creating memories, while we handle the unexpected.”

Los Angeles Tourism concluded a successful webinar series exclusively for the Indian travel trade. The webinars delivered crucial updates of LA’s dynamic tourism landscape, including its attractions and experiences. LA Tourism recognised the four attendees who attended all three webinars, Kanwal Jit Singh from Chandigarh, Nancy Castelino from Mumbai, Mriganka Shekar Chakraborty from Guwahati, and Deepak Mv. They will be rewarded with special goodie bags and Amazon vouchers as a token of appreciation. Warmest congratulations to the prize winners from LA Tourism team.                

Joined by Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett, Hollywood actor Andrew Garfield, Stranger Things’ Natalia Dyer, DC Comics Grant Gustin and spiritual leader Sadhguru Featuring music composed and performed by renowned Italian pianist, Ludovico Einaudi, and a dramatic display of 6,000 synchronised drones and pyrotechnics Saadiyat Cultural District lit up with a constellation of global stars gathered for the exclusive VIP opening of teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, the emirate’s newest cultural landmark where art, technology and imagination meet in extraordinary ways. VIP guests were treated to a live performance by world-renowned Italian composer and pianist Ludovico Einaudi, whose captivating melodies set the tone for an evening of wonder. The celebration was made even more sensational with a striking display of 6,000 synchronised drones and pyrotechnics – acting as a prelude for what was to come: a night filled with colour, excitement and thrill. Among the guests of honour were Hollywood celebrities Cate Blanchett, Brendan Fraser and Andrew Garfield, Marvel star Pom Klementieff and DC Comics Grant Gustin, Stranger Things’ Natalia Dyer, music icon Swizz Beatz, spiritual leader Sadhguru and experimental music producer Flying Lotus. The renowned personalities joined creatives, leaders and visionaries from around the world to mark the launch of teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi. Visitors are invited to discover the ever-changing, immersive artworks that respond to their movement and presence, inviting them to explore, connect and create while ensuring that no two visits are the same. Located in the Saadiyat Cultural District, home to Louvre Abu Dhabi and other world-class institutions, the opening of teamLab phenomena Abu Dhabi further strengthens Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading destination for arts and culture.  

Malaysia Aviation Group (‘MAG’ or ‘the Group’) reports a positive Net Profit After Interest and Tax (NIAT) of RM54 million for the year 2024, marking a third consecutive year of positive operating profit at RM113million. This performance is further underscored by a robust Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) of RM788 million, achieved despite operational headwinds, including proactive network cuts in Q4 2024, which reduced capacity by 18 per cent. The Group maintained a strong cash balance of RM3.0 billion as of 31 December 2024, without any capital injections from its main shareholder, Khazanah Nasional Berhad, since October 2021. The capacity cuts, driven by supply chain disruptions which extended maintenance times and delays in new aircraft delivery, were implemented during a traditionally strong quarter, impacting the Group’s full-year revenue, which stood at RM13,679mil – a marginal 1 per cent decrease year-on-year on the back of a 6 per cent increase in Available Seat Kilometre (ASK). However, passenger traffic remained robust in the premium segment with stronger load factors for both passenger and cargo segments. The Group also expanded its international network through new routes and deep partnership collaborations. The Group’s positive NIAT was further supported by a reversal of impairment on Rights of Use Assets, Aircraft, Property, Plant and Equipment and Intangible Assets amounting to RM426 million. These impairments, initially recognised during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, were reversed due to improved capacity, revenue, seat factor, and yield experienced in the financial years 2023 and 2024. Operational Highlights: Airlines and Non-Airlines Business Segments Airline Business Segment Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) posted an operating profit of RM139 million, an 87 per cent decline from RM1.09 billion in 2023 due …

LA Tourism hosted a webinar exclusively for the Indian travel trade on 8 April, 2025. The online event aimed to provide key updates and insights into the vibrant tourism offerings of Los Angeles. A highlight of the webinar was an informative quiz, offering attendees the exciting opportunity to win rewards. LA Tourism announced the 5 lucky winners of the quiz: Bhushan Narayan Redkar, Kesari Tours, Pan India Neha Nagrani, Bourbon Holidays, Pune, Maharashtra Praveena K, Viswathi Tours And Travels, Chennai Soubhagya Nayak, Adapt Holidays, Rourkela Dr Venkateswaran Raman, Vibes Air Services Private Limited, Bengaluru Congratulations to the five participants who aced the webinar quiz!            

With a vision to position itself as India’s final frontier for transformative travel experiences, Arunachal Pradesh has unveiled a sweeping new tourism policy and brand identity. TravTalk explores the key takeaways that the travel trade must take note of to leverage the state’s evolving tourism landscape. With a clear vision, investor support, skilled workforce development, and a renewed brand identity, Arunachal Pradesh is ready to emerge as a world-class destination. Experiential Tourism Arunachal Pradesh’s new tourism policy places a strong emphasis on experiential travel, moving beyond traditional sightseeing. The government has identified key focus areas such as Farm Tourism, Wine Tourism, Wellness and Spiritual Tourism, Adventure Tourism, Film Tourism, Ecotourism, Tribal Tourism, MICE Tourism, and Border Tourism. These segments offer travel businesses new ways to craft authentic and immersive itineraries for both domestic and international markets. Skilled Workforce To ensure quality service and empower local communities, the state will prioritise capacity building through skill development programmes. Training will be provided to small businesses and local guides, and partnerships with premier institutes like IITTM and IHM will help formalise education in tourism and hospitality. The introduction of tourism management courses in state institutions will further professionalise the sector. Land Access The new policy is designed to attract investments by streamlining processes and offering infrastructure support. Land banks will be set up at the district level for tourism-related projects, accessible via the state tourism website. A dedicated facilitation cell will be launched to guide investors and resolve queries. Additionally, Arunachal Pradesh will collaborate with Invest India to proactively engage with potential investors in the sector. Bold Branding With a refreshed brand identity and a striking new logo, Arunachal Pradesh is set to …