Category Archives: Agents

The leading international travel marketing alliance, Travel Consul reveals that while lockdowns and movement restrictions had brought business to a standstill, tourism stakeholders (46%) kept clients engaged through live chats – the most preferred mode of communication amongst all the technology available today. These virtual face-to-face interactions were followed closely by a mix of telephone calls, emails and social media participation.

Malaysia Airlines has introduced an enhanced Economy Class flexible fare options across its entire network for all passengers to enjoy, offering unparalleled safety, security, flexibility and a completely hassle-free, premium experience based on the needs of each customer. Earlier limited to domestic, ASEAN and South Asian destinations, passengers will now have access to three unique fare options (Lite, Basic, Flex), to all destinations except Malaysia to Japan and Japan to Malaysia, Jeddah and Madinah, beginning 22 June 2020. Malaysia Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer Captain Izham Ismail said, “With the world slowly recovering from the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic, and as our passengers begin to travel again, Malaysia Airlines seeks to take them to the skies without the burden of worry, with a truly hassle-free experience. Putting their needs as priority, we took the time to listen and gain invaluable insight to our passengers through extensive feedback, and from there we redesigned, redefined and are proud to introduce our enhanced fare family, providing our dear customers with a comprehensive product that caters to their every need, no matter the nature of travels. As the first airline in the Asia Pacific region to fully introduce flexible fare options across our network, these fares will allow greater personalization for our passengers, balancing a simple and intuitive booking experience, alongside unforgettable Malaysian Hospitality onboard and on the ground, creating a stress-free and seamless travel experience. This reaffirms our commitment to putting our passengers first, especially in these uncertain times where passengers may be apprehensive to travel. With this we hope to instill a sense of confidence and trust in them to Fly Malaysia once again.” Regardless of your travel needs, all passengers …

A recent survey by Travel Consul, the leading international travel marketing alliance, reveals that to ensure their survival amid the COVID-19 pandemic, most travel trade stakeholders in India (43%) have had to adjust their business model to changing times by focusing more on training programmes (40%) and investing in technology for enhancing both product and customer service (35%). Stakeholders have resorted to improving their current products, designing new products, examining new destinations as well as audiences, and strengthened customer service while even improving the supply base.

When asked what it is that destination management organisations can do to facilitate business growth for their partner travel agents and tour operators, most respondents (83%) cited introduction of a health and safety certification as the most important criteria. The survey was conducted by Travel Consul, a leading international travel marketing alliance.

In the financial results announced for the year ending March 31, 2020, Thomas Cook (India) has revealed that despite witnessing the growing impact of COVID-19 across its global network as early as January 2020, its consolidated revenue from operations grew three per cent from Rs66 billion to Rs68.3 billion. The tour operator has now implemented a comprehensive ‘Reimagine Program’ across businesses and processes to adapt to the COVID-19 era of travel. The group witnessed the growing impact of COVID-19 in January 2020 for the Hong Kong business, February for Thomas Cook and SOTC, and in March for the inbound business in TCI.

Amidst the ongoing tensions between China and India, Travstarz has initiated talks with Rezb2b, a CTRIP Subsidiary which holds a minority stake in Travstarz to buy back 100 per cent of its shares. Pankaj Nagpal, Managing Director, Travstarz Global Group shared this update and said, “Travstarz shall soon be a 100% Indian Company once again and all shares will be held by us and my son, Raghuv Nagpal, too shall be joining the Board post the transaction which will be finalized soon.”

NITI Aayog’ CEO Amitabh Kant has said that systematic tourism promotion campaigns will be important in the near future for the growth of Indian tourism industry. He also said that a domestic-focused Incredible India 2.0 campaign that showcases what the nation offers to Indians could be the post-pandemic plan for the tourism sector.

The Jim Corbett National Park based in Uttarakhand has reopened for eco tourism with strict guidelines in place after a duration of 2 and half months when it was closed during nationwide lockdown. Tourists can visit the Dhela, Jhirna, Bijrani and Pakhro zone for now.

The Supreme Court has asked airlines to find a way out to refund the air fare of passengers whose flights were cancelled during the lockdown, along with the ministry of civil aviation withhin 3 weeks. The apex court said that the credit facility must be for at least two years and passengers should be allowed to avail it across all sectors.

Thomas Cook (India), along with its Group Company SOTC Travel Ltd., jointly launched ‘Assured’ – a comprehensive program to safe travel in the COVID-19 era, and the companies have partnered with Apollo Clinics for the same. Thomas Cook India and SOTC took customer opinion to understand their concerns and priorities when it comes to travel in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic. A significant 75% of the respondents of the Thomas Cook India & SOTC Holiday Readiness Survey stated that health & safety was their overriding concern. To build confidence that it is safe to travel again, the companies have worked jointly with partners across the travel eco-system to create the Thomas Cook & SOTC Assured program, that ensures meticulous health and safety protocols – at every stage of the customer journey – from the various contactless booking processes, safe physical outlets & processes at the sales/servicing pre tour stage, as well as the on-tour stage. Madhavan Menon, Chairman and Managing Director, Thomas Cook India said, “Across Thomas Cook India & SOTC, our customers have been clear that health, hygiene and safety is their prime concern when it comes to travel in the COVID-19 era. Hence, our teams have spent a significant time at the drawing board and worked jointly with key travel partners/stakeholders to create this very comprehensive initiative. I am proud today to launch of The Thomas Cook & SOTC Assured Safe Travel Program, in association with Apollo Clinics – the most respected brand in the healthcare sector, to jointly set a benchmark for customer safety in this new normal for travel.”