Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

70 per cent of Indians travelling overseas choose nearby destinations, with one-third choosing destinations in the Middle East, as per booking.com and McKinsey report. The UAE is the top choice in the Middle East for outbound visits, followed by Saudi Arabia. Around 1.9 million Indians visited Dubai in first 10 months of 2023.

To accelerate wedding tourism in Rajasthan, the state tourism department has announced to provide the luxury train, Palace on Wheels, for destination weddings. It will be available for pre and post-wedding shoots. This will increase revenue for the train and will create new opportunities in the tourism sector.

Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO, PATA highlights India’s unparalleled aircraft acquisition spree, with the country poised to witness the delivery of nearly three new aircraft per week over the next four years. This surge, coupled with initiatives like Air India’s restructuring, will enhance India’s competitiveness in the region.

MOT has launched ‘Meet in India’, a distinct sub-brand under ‘Incredible India’ to position the country as a M!CE destination. This was shared during India’s participation at AIME 2024. It will highlight exclusive features: excellent connectivity, world-class infrastructure, a knowledge hub, and unique tourist attractions.

Indulge in a delectable voyage to Indonesia as JW Marriott New Delhi, in collaboration with the Embassy of Indonesia in New Delhi, presents the Indonesian Culinary Journey Food Festival. Held from February 23rd to March 3rd, 2024, at our award winning restaurant K3- New Delhi’s Food Theatre, this exquisite festival promises to tantalize your taste buds and immerse you in the vibrant culture and history of this archipelagic nation. Unveiling the Secrets of Spice: Embark on a sensory adventure guided by the use of aromatic spices and herbs, the hallmark of Indonesian cuisine. Each dish, from the modern flavors of Jakarta to the traditional zest of Sumatra, tells a unique story, transporting you to its origin and reflecting the fascinating influences of Eurasian gastronomy. Masterful Creations: Under the expert guidance of Indonesian Master Chef Hendra Cipta and his team, explore the vibrant and multi-layered facets of Indonesia through their authentic, savored recipes. A Culinary Journey: Warm your palate with soothing Wedang Jahe accompanied by crispy Aneka Gorengan. Relish the island nation’s lip-smacking appetizers, including Pisang Goreng, Ubi Rebus, Misro, Pastel, and more. Indulge in flavorful main courses like Nasi Goring Jawa, Tumis Sayuran, Ikan Asan Manis, Pepes Tahu, Lontong Sayur, Opor Ayam, and many more. Conclude your culinary adventure with delightful Aneka Jajanan Pasar desserts. Authenticity & Sustainability: All dishes are prepared using traditional techniques and authentic Indonesian spices and herbs. Embracing sustainable practices, the festival incorporates locally sourced ingredients, aligning with JW Marriott’s commitment to supporting local farmers. Celebrate & Explore: This festival is not just about food; it’s a celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Indonesia. Immerse yourself in the rich cultural tapestry …

In a significant development for AlUla’s travel landscape, three major airlines Gulf Air, Royal Jordanian, and Saudia have announced new flight options, providing enhanced connectivity and accessibility to the luxury boutique heritage destination. Unlocking access for travellers seeking a unique blend of history, culture, and adventure, Gulf Air, the national carrier for the Kingdom of Bahrain, is expanding its footprint in Saudi Arabia with direct flights to AlUla. Starting 3rd February, Gulf Air will operate twice-weekly flights between Bahrain and AlUla. These seasonal flights will continue till 6th March and resume from 10th to 27th April. Royal Jordanian Airlines is set to launch direct flights between Amman to AlUla, with the inaugural flight scheduled for 16th February. Operating twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays, this service will be available until 22nd December. Saudia has made AlUla even more accessible to Europe, with the relaunch of its seasonal flights from Paris. The first seasonal flight took off on 28th January, and the service will continue until 28th April. Flights will operate once a week, every Sunday, offering a convenient and direct link between the enchanting city of Paris and the historical wonders of the Saudi destination. Rami AlMoallim, Vice President of Destination Management and Marketing at the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) said: “The introduction of new flight options connecting AlUla to Bahrain, Amman, and Paris comes as we experience a period of exciting growth and witness demand from global travellers wanting to visit this historic location. These new flight routes not only enhance the connectivity but also opening a gateway for travellers worldwide to experience the captivating charm of AlUla. We believe these new routes will play a pivotal …

“To maximize the benefit, TAT divides the allotted incentive budget for the MICE group into tier II and tier III cities along with tier I cities,” Siriges-A-Nong Trirattanasongpol, Director, Tourism Authority of Thailand, responded when asked about the initiatives Thailand is taking to attract MICE groups to the country.

As per ICRA, Indian hotel industry is expected to witness a 7-9 per cent revenue growth by the year 2025. The domestic leisure travel, demand from meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (M!CE), including weddings and business travel are likely to drive demand for occupancy.

Manisha Saxena, DG, Tourism, said that under the MICE Tourism Policy, the Ministry of Tourism is working to develop city-level bureaus to promote venues internationally and for events of every size to be hosted in India. This initiative is expected to escalate inbound tourism in India and will attract more M!CE events.

Björn Bender, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman, Rail Europe, highlighted during his visit to India, stating, “In 2023, India has become our second largest source market after the US. We saw a 65 per cent recovery from India in 2022, and currently, the company is growing at 75 per cent of pre-2019 levels.”