Category Archives: Agents

Accepting the award, Sandhiyaa VM, Vice President and HR Manager, GT Holidays, says, “We are thrilled to win this award. As travel agents, we prioritise our clients, planning every detail to ensure unforgettable, relaxing experiences. Their trust and loyalty drive us, and delivering exceptional service remains our key focus and passion.”

Tourists from India are among the biggest spenders on luxury goods in Singapore, helping the city-state’s high-end product retailers defy a global downtrend in spending on premium products. As per Singapore Tourism Board statistics, Indian tourists spent SGD 812.17 million in Singapore in the first half of 2025, a rise of 4.4% over the same period last year. According to a report by Orchard Road Business Association, Indian travellers continue to be one of the island’s most commercially significant markets, and they are among the tourists helping to lift luxury spending in Singapore.

Underlining one of the major developments of his association in 2025, Sunil Kumar, National President, TAAI, says, “We have re-started our major initiative of the Industry Connect Program. The first phase is to get our large membership network active and transact. This initiative will see bigger results in 2026. Our Industry Connect Program also witnessed TAAI organising its Women of Wonder Awards programme for the 75 distinguished women leaders in 2025 across India.”

Experience Abu Dhabi is organising an exclusive webinar spotlighting the upcoming Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi and the Zayed National Museum. Scheduled for 17 December 2025 at 3 pm IST, the session will offer insights into the museums’ vision, exhibits, and visitor experiences. Trade partners can register now to learn more about these landmark cultural attractions. For more info, write to DDevaraj@dctabudhabi.ae or 9535805401.

After the remarkable response to its showcase in New Delhi, Sun Siyam, the proudly Maldivian hospitality group celebrated for its award-winning portfolio of private island resorts in the Maldives and Sri Lanka, brought its 35th anniversary festivities to Mumbai. The exclusive evening marked the second chapter of the brand journey in India and continued the unveiling of a culture led brand transformation and the refreshed identity, The Home of the Maldivian Spirit. The event offered guests an authentic taste of Maldivian warmth and creativity while strengthening the group’s long standing relationship with the Indian market. The event once again gathered India’s leading media, further strengthening Sun Siyam’s relationship with one of its most valued markets. Building on the momentum from Delhi, the Mumbai showcase deepened engagement with the travel community, spotlighting the group’s renewed brand architecture, its curated House of Siyam portfolio, and the philosophy of experience-driven island luxury. Guests were taken on an immersive journey through Sun Siyam’s world, discovering its three defining collections: Luxury, Lifestyle, and Privé, and the distinctive Signature Experiences that express the brand’s vibrant personality. From Maldivian Roots and The Insta Villa to The Sun Siyam Beach Club, every concept reflects the brand’s passion for authenticity, creativity, and connection. Guided by the vision of Hon. Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, Founder, Owner and Managing Director, the brand’s ongoing evolution celebrates 35 years of pioneering hospitality rooted in Maldivian authenticity. With its redefined brand structure and distinctive experiences, Sun Siyam continues to set new benchmarks for island getaways — where every stay is a story and every guest feels at home. The evening in Mumbai echoed the same spirit of celebration and connection, offering guests a taste of …

This year reaffirmed the strength of India’s outbound travel market, says Pranav Kapadia, Founder and Director, Global Destinations. He adds, “While travellers were naturally a little more mindful given the global environment — from geopolitical tensions to pockets of economic uncertainty — the desire to explore remained strong and resilient. What we observed was a shift towards purposeful, experience-led travel. Indians planned more intentionally, choosing destinations that offered safety, seamless connectivity, and a variety of curated experiences. Families opted for wildlife and nature-led journeys, young professionals gravitated towards immersive and adventure-driven itineraries, and premium travellers continued to invest in personalized luxury and exclusive access.” Despite a more considered approach, outbound spending from India remained healthy. “Travellers prioritized value, authenticity, and itineraries that felt enriching rather than rushed — a trend that is likely to continue into 2026. Across all partner clients, the common success factor was authentic narratives, strong B2B engagement, on-ground training, and consistent visibility, which together strengthened conversion and confidence within the Indian travel trade,” Kapadia shares.  Sopa Lodges, Kenya & Tanzania: Sopa Lodges continued to build exceptional traction among families, wildlife enthusiasts, FITs, and increasingly, the MICE segment. The lodges’ personalized services and unique experiences — including astronomy tourism, cultural immersion with Maasai communities, and expansive landscapes — strongly resonated with Indian travellers. The diversity across properties allowed agents to cater to varied preferences while maintaining brand consistency. Fiji: Fiji continued to see steady, sustained growth in the Indian market this year. Its blend of warm hospitality, vibrant culture, pristine beaches, and the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation kept it firmly positioned as a preferred long-haul island destination. Ongoing trade engagement — through webinars, trainings, and strengthened partnerships — further …

Looking back at 2025, one thing stands out for Alefiya Singh, Founder of IRIS Reps, is that Indian travellers have become far more mindful about how they travel. “They’re not in a hurry anymore. Instead of ticking off five cities in one trip, they want to slow down, soak in a place, and really feel connected to it. This shift has been wonderful for our partners—Tour Managers Fiji, Pacific Pearl Holidays in Australia & New Zealand, Rickshaw Travels for East Africa, Authentic Asia Vietnam, and of course our beautiful resort partners like Beachcomber Mauritius, NOOE Maldives, Barceló Maldives & Phuket, Makunudu Maldives, and Seacliff Tanzania. Travellers are choosing experiences with heart, not just itineraries. Another big change I’ve noticed is the rise in responsible and wellness-led travel. People are asking deeper questions, planning well in advance, and are happy to spend a little more if it means the experience is meaningful, personalised, and rooted in the local culture,” she says. Inbound travel has also grown stronger this year—especially for wildlife, heritage, and wellness journeys. “It’s a lovely reminder that India continues to inspire the world with its richness and diversity. When I think of our wins this year, two stand out. Barceló Nasuandhura Maldives has been a truly special journey. The Maldives is usually seen as a honeymoon or pure leisure market, but we took a bold step in repositioning it for MICE. And to see corporates actually choose an island for meetings and incentives—it felt like we broke a long-standing mindset. That shift didn’t happen overnight; it came from genuine belief in the product and a lot of storytelling with the right partners,” Singh shares. Barceló Coconut Island in Phuket was another proud …

Speaking about how 2025 for Sarova Hotels & Resorts, Mita Vohra, Board Director, Sarova Hotels & Resorts, says that it was an unusual yet defining year for the chain, as it operated without a Revenue Manager for the entire year. “Despite this, our teams came together with remarkable unity and resilience, delivering one of the best years in our history. We are especially grateful for the growing support from the Indian market, with four major MICE groups contributing significantly to our success. Strong occupancies, healthy ADR growth, and a clear shift towards experiential, nature-led stays played a pivotal role in shaping our performance this year,” Vohra says. Sarova has always been ahead of the curve in technology, she adds, led by its award-winning CIO, who has been recognised for excellence two years in a row. “We are transforming how we operate—strengthening our digital backbone, enhancing guest-facing systems, and building a more dynamic and meaningful loyalty programme. Sustainability continues to be at the heart of everything we do. Our initiatives are widely respected, and one of our most cherished ambassadors is our Chief Gardener, who champions sustainable farming practices and shares this knowledge with surrounding communities. Our deep commitment to the environment, our people, and our guests remains one of the strongest foundations of our success,” Vohra says. Vision for 2026 Sarova Shaba Lodge—one of the most soulful properties in their portfolio—will be a major focus for them. Set against dramatic landscapes, rich cultural heritage, natural spring waters, stargazing vistas, and the breathtaking Shaba Gorge, this property embodies the spirit of authentic Kenya. “We are currently undertaking extensive renovations to reimagine and elevate every aspect of the lodge. From refreshed accommodations to …

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has announced an increase in its Hyderabad–Amsterdam operations for the ongoing winter season. From January to March 2026, KLM will operate four weekly flights from Hyderabad to Amsterdam, up from the current three weekly services. This seasonal enhancement reflects positive travel demand from the region and highlights Hyderabad’s growing importance within the Air France-KLM India network. Hyderabad became KLM’s fourth gateway in India in September 2025, complementing its services from Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai.

Accepting the ‘Best DMC & MICE Operator for UK, Europe, USA, Australia & Bali’ trophy at the India Travel Award 2025, Pradeep Agrawal, General Manager, Worldwide DMC, said, “Winning this award motivates us to excel. This prestigious recognition boosts our business, validating our team’s hard work and dedication, driving us to innovate and deliver exceptional travel experiences.”