Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

The Thai Government has lifted the 30-day restriction on public entertainment and festivities, informs the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB). Now entertainment venues, musical, theatrical and festive celebrations will resume operations as normal. This allows all business events and festival events to proceed as usual. However, business travellers are invited to respect the traditions of mourning and to act and dress appropriately during this time. Accordingly TCEB has advised all business travellers to Thailand to continue with their travel plans as normal, and to recheck programmes in case of changes.

Switzerland Tourism has named actor Ranveer Singh as the first Indian ambassador for Switzerland Tourism. Claudio Zemp, Director – India, Switzerland Tourism said, “Being a versatile energetic and adventurous personality, Ranveer explored and enjoyed all that Switzerland has to offer. His passion and excitement for the country is what compelled us to request him if he would take on the mantle of Brand Ambassador to which he enthusiastically agreed. Switzerland has always made for a picturesque and mesmerising holiday experience with its terrific natural beauty. With Ranveer on board we would like to showcase the multifaceted holiday experience that is Switzerland.” The actor indulged in a variety of experiences on his recent trip to Switzerland and will now be in charge of promoting Switzerland Tourism’s campaign for 2017 – Nature wants you back! Ritu Sharma, Deputy Director, Switzerland Tourism India, said, “Switzerland is a perfect place for a complete holiday experience that will leave you spellbound for days. Tourists look for a blend of sightseeing, relaxation and adventure together with easily available accommodation and good food and welcoming hosts.  And that is exactly what Switzerland offers with its, snow covered mountains, crystal clear lakes, various nature excursions, it’s superb public transport system, it’s boutique cities and culinary indulgences. This is already well known to the Indian tourist but what Ranveer discovered is the other more active side of Switzerland with its many heart thumping experiences like sky diving, heli-skiing, kitesurfing, river rafting, canyoning etc.”

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Mumbai has set its targets at 11 lakh tourists (1.1 million) for Indian arrivals by this year end. Soraya Homchuen, Director, TAT Mumbai, said, “Arrivals from India had already crossed 8,00,000 by the end of August 2016 and we are positive that India will achieve its arrivals target of 1.1 million by the end of the year. Indians have become tremendously savvy with checking on the on-ground situation in Thailand rather than falling for the odd sensationalist report that might crop up.” The Ministry of Culture is also giving free access to national museums and historical parks until 31 January, 2017 despite the mourning period. Moreover, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, in collaboration with the public and private tourism sectors and TAT, is offering tourists as well as locals free bus service covering four routes from the National Stadium, Victory Monument, Wongwian Yai BTS Station, and the Bangkok Bus Terminal in Talingchan, to Sanam Luang. There were over 500 buses taking part in the initiative which will be open until 13 November, 2016.

A new free entry transit visa effective from November 1, 2016, was announced by Qatar Airways and Qatar Tourism Authority for travellers to explore the destination within 96 hours. This scheme allows passengers with layovers of five hours or more in Hamad International Airport to request a complimentary transit visa. The new system will allow transiting passengers of all nationalities to enter Qatar for up to 96 hours in between flights. All visas are granted at the sole discretion of the Qatari Ministry of Interior. Passengers can apply for their free transit visa through any of Qatar Airways’ offices, or online. To be eligible for the transit visa, passengers must have a confirmed ticket for a journey into Qatar, with a confirmed onward journey out of Qatar on a Qatar Airways-operated flight. Terms and conditions apply, which can be found at qatarairways.com/transitvisa

In a bid to share the festive spirit with Indian travellers, Singapore Tourism Board and Singapore Airlines have launched its campaign, ‘3 Celebrations, 1 City – Singapore’. This campaign will run from till March 2017, spanning across three key festivals starting with Deepavali (October 29, 2016), Christmas (December 25, 2016), and then Chinese New Year (January 28-29, 2017). The campaign aims at inviting Indian tourists to celebrate the festivities in Singapore during the holiday seasons. Tourists who book flights to the Lion City on Singapore Airlines and SilkAir from October to December 2016, either on their website or mobile app, will gain exclusive access to the ‘Singapore 241 Passport’ smartphone app. This app is packed with value-for-money 2-for-1 deals and offers worth up to S$1,000 (Rs. 48,000 ) across 24 participating outlets in Singapore, including popular restaurants and spas. The ‘Singapore 241 Passport’ application is compatible with both Android and iOS smartphones. STB Regional Director, SAMEA, GB Srithar said, “Singapore is a great place for celebrating holidays, with three back-to-back festivals taking place this time of the year. Indian travellers will find reasons aplenty to enjoy and bond together with their family and loved ones. Eligible visitors from India transiting on flights through Singapore, may utilise the Visa Free Transit Facility to explore and experience Singapore’s many festive and tourism offerings for 96 hours without a visa.” Singapore Airlines’ General Manager India, David Lim said, “Singapore Airlines and SilkAir are delighted to partner with Singapore Tourism Board to bring together a complete, travel experience. Our endeavour is to provide our customers a holistic package, allowing them to make the most of their festive holidays. Travellers not only experience inflight comforts …

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has announced that Bangkok’s Grand Palace is reopening its doors to tourists and visitors from November 1, 2016. Thailand is officially on a mourning period from October 14, 2016 to November 14, 2016, in remembrance of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. However, it has announced that it will be business as usual and the mourning period will have no impact on travel plans of visitors. Nevertheless, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has recommended travel agents and visitors to Thailand to check their bookings as well as monitor the local media and government announcements for updates before travelling. Soraya Homchuen, Director, TAT Mumbai said, “There will be some restrictions to tourist movements near the Grand Palace which is the official residence of the King as the Thai people will be gathering there to offer condolences to the king. The Ministry of Tourism & Sports (MoTS) along with the TAT has assured that most cultural, traditional and MICE events will still go on as per schedule with some minor adjustments. MoTS has ensured that all events and festivals, including sports tournaments and cultural traditions will go ahead as scheduled though tourists will have to maintain a sense of respect and appropriateness. Indians have become tremendously savvy with checking on the on-ground situation in Thailand rather than falling for the odd sensationalist report that might crop up. We look forward to celebrating 1.1 million arrivals by the end of the year.” For tourists, the Grand Palace is open every day from 08.30 to 15.30 hrs. Tourists and visitors are advised to enter and exit at the Wiset Chaisri Gate only.

Tourism New Zealand recorded double digit growth in tourism from India, and have seen a total of 23 per cent more holiday arrivals as compared to last year from India, revealed Steven Dixon, Regional Manager-South and South East Asia, Tourism New Zealand. He was speaking at an event organized in New Delhi to welcome John Key, Prime Minister of New Zealand by the team of Tourism New Zealand and its brand ambassador in India—Sidharth Malhotra. The event also had in attendance Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Union Minister of Tourism and Culture (I/C); former Blackcaps captain and cricketer Brendon McCullum; the New Zealand High Commissioner to India, H.E. Grahame Morton; David Craig, General Manager, Asia, Tourism New Zealand and Steven Dixon, Regional Manager, South and South East Asia, Tourism New Zealand. PM Key is also New Zealand’s Minister of Tourism followed by him addressing the media at the event. “India is a priority emerging market for New Zealand and we have witnessed significant year on year growth in visitor arrivals. While this growth is really exciting to see, we think the Indian market has even greater potential. We are investing to maximise the opportunity, which includes growing the Tourism New Zealand team here in India,” said Dixon.

Argentina has seen an encouraging growth in Indian travellers of 18.3% in 2015 and 22% in the first months in 2016. INPROTUR (National Institute of Tourism Promotion in Argentina) recently conducted a multi-city roadshow to promote Argentina in India. The roadshow was held in the three major Indian cities which include Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. The roadshow, entitled ‘Has it all’ did bring the Argentine suppliers and India’s travel buyers closer to each other. It offered a platform for the suppliers to provide information and interact directly with India’s leading tour operators, key decisions-makers from the industry, airline representatives and travel agents. Also present at the event were H.E. Maria Cristina Ueltschi – Ambassador of Argentina, Georgina Fernández Destéfano-Deputy Chief of Mission-Embassy of Argentina at the Delhi roadshow and H.E. Alejandro Zothner Meyer –Acting Consul General of Argentina, Andrea Alba Gonzalez – Deputy Consul – Argentina at the Mumbai roadshow. The top ten cities of Argentina have been showcased along with over two hundred unique experiences have been developed to tempt, motivate and cater to needs of the Indian traveller.

Destination Canada in partnership with Air Canada has branded 350 radio taxis in New Delhi. The promotional campaign was inaugurated at the High Commission of Canada in New Delhi by Rupert Peters, Regional Managing Director, Europe, Australia and India; Jess Dutton, Acting High Commissioner of Canada to India, and Margaret Skinner, Director, Sales -EMEAI, Air Canada.

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (TDA) recorded a 22 per cent rise in Indian hotel guests between January and September 2016 compared to the same period in 2015. During September, visitors from India increased by 61 per cent against the same month last year. With India ranked as the emirate’s fourth largest international source market, Ras Al Khaimah TDA has overseen extensive trade and promotional activities to ensure continued growth from the Sub-continent. “Ras Al Khaimah is perfectly positioned to attract more visitors from India, and is only 45 minutes from Dubai International Airport. The destination boasts unique natural landscapes including 64km pristine beaches, desert, mountains, and adventure, together with world class hotels in a safe environment – we have everything that the outbound Indian market looks for in a destination,” said Haitham Mattar, CEO of RAKTDA. As part of its strategy to seize new opportunities and further nuture Indian arrivals, RAKTDA hosted pre- and post- familiarisation trips to coincide with the Travel Agents Association of India’s (TAAI) 63rd Annual Convention & Exhibition held in Abu Dhabi, where Mattar participated on a panel focusing on key travel trends affecting the Indian outbound market. A total of 72 of India’s leading travel agents, ranging from first-timers to repeat visitors, were hosted on a bespoke itinerary designed to highlight the range of luxurious properties such as Marjan Island Resort & Spa, Rixos Bab Al Bahr, Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Resort and Spa Marjan Island, and Hilton Al Hamra Beach and Golf Resort. Conceived to provide agents with first-hand experience of the emirate and develop knowledge of the destination’s diverse tourism products, the itinerary included a luxurious …