Category Archives: Agents

Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu, said that India’s aviation sector is rapidly growing to become the third-largest market globally. “Domestic numbers grew from 1.8 lakh per day in 2014 to an average of 4.6 lakh today — nearly three times higher. The goal is to sustain this momentum and achieve a growth rate of 10% to 12%,” he said, adding that the government is working not only to maintain growth but also to enhance passenger services and transform the sector with future technologies.

SriLankan Airlines’ Airport and Ground Services, the sole ground services provider at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), is rolling out its self-check-in service for passengers of customer airlines ahead of the winter travel high season, which is expected to bring over 300,000 tourists to the island in December alone. The initiative, made possible by the airline’s IT team, follows the installation of 20 new self-check-in kiosks at the departure terminal last month, bringing the total to 28 and boosting airport efficiency and the overall passenger experience in line with Sri Lanka’s tourism development efforts. Since its launch in 2023, the self-check-in kiosk facility has seen a strong uptake, with an increasing number of travellers opting for self-service over traditional counters. Currently, 15% of SriLankan’s passengers flying out of BIA use the kiosks, helping ease congestion at the departure terminal. The facility enables passengers to bypass queues and complete their check-in independently by selecting seats, printing boarding passes and generating bag tags in just a few simple steps. Deepal Pallegangoda, Head of Airport and Ground Services of SriLankan Airlines, stated, “We are thrilled to offer the self-check-in option to our customer airlines, whose passengers account for around 60% of all passengers we handle. Our aim is to create a seamless travel experience for all passengers checking out of Colombo, which averages over 300,000 each month. Our enhanced self-check-in facilities will further support the airport’s capacity enhancement efforts, while reaffirming SriLankan Airlines’ prominent position in advancing digital airport solutions in the region. Singapore Airlines is set to be the first foreign carrier to adopt the self-check-in kiosk facility for their passengers flying from Colombo, and we hope to see more airlines come onboard …

DreamSetGo, a Dream Sports company and premium bespoke sports travel and experiences platform, and Salford City FC have announced that David Beckham and Gary Neville, part of Manchester United’s legendary Class of ’92, will visit India this month.  This is Salford City FC’s first-ever expansion into the Asian market – with fan engagement in India a core part of the Club’s growth strategy –  and builds on the strategic investment made earlier this year by Dream Sports. Gary Neville and David Beckham, co-owners, Salford City FC said: “Global partners play a vital role in helping us grow Salford City Football Club and connect with new audiences. This collaboration brings together two ambitious organisations united by a vision to elevate global sporting experiences. We’re excited for this opportunity with DreamSetGo to continue building Salford City’s international presence in the years ahead.” Monish Shah, Co-Founder and CEO, DreamSetGo, added, “We’re proud to partner with Salford City FC and for Gary and David to join us in India. The Class of ’92 are more than legendary athletes, they’re global icons whose impact transcends the sport itself. Bringing them to India is a dream come true for football fans in the country. At DreamSetGo, we’re dedicated to creating extraordinary sports experiences, and this partnership will allow us to deliver something truly unforgettable.” This visit marks David and Gary’s first time together in India for DSG and Salford City Football Club, where they will meet with DSG corporate partners to mark the beginning of this exciting new chapter for the two organisations.  

In a strategic move set to strengthen its presence across key outbound markets, OA GLOBE has officially acquired Tripper, the travel company founded and led by industry veteran Tejinder Sachdev. With over 25 years of leadership in the travel and hospitality sector, Sachdev built Tripper into a respected name within the B2B, MICE, and corporate travel segments. Known for its strong contracting capabilities, curated travel products, and operational presence in the CIS region and beyond, Tripper quickly earned a reputation for reliability, regional expertise, and service excellence. This acquisition allows OA GLOBE to expand its footprint and strengthen its destination management capabilities across CIS COUNTRIES. where Tripper already has a robust operational presence. “It has been an incredible journey building Tripper, and I am proud of what we have achieved,” said Sachdev, Founder of Tripper. “OA GLOBE DMC shares our commitment to excellence and innovation, and I am confident that the brand will continue to flourish under their leadership.” The acquisition aligns with OA GLOBE’s vision of becoming a truly global DMC with a deeply localized approach. By integrating Tripper’s resources and expertise, the group aims to enhance service delivery, strengthen partnerships, and provide even more customized travel solutions to its growing network of partners worldwide. The transition is expected to be seamless for all existing clients, partners, and vendors. Rahim Aslam, Founder of OA GLOBE DMC, shared his thoughts on the acquisition: “We are thrilled to welcome Tripper into the OA family. Mr. Tejinder Sachdev has built a respected and agile company with a deep understanding of the CIS markets—regions that are strategically important to our global growth vision. This acquisition strengthens our on-ground presence, adds strong operational capabilities, and …

Dheeraj Ranjan Kumarr, Founder, Balitrip Wisata, said, “We are excited to announce the launch of our Philippines DMC today. We will be introducing it aggressively to our partner network across India. After the successful launch of Sri Lanka, this marks our second major destination expansion.” Kumarr added, “As a pioneer in Bali operations, we are now extending the same expertise, reliability, and innovation that define us into the Philippines. Our goal is to give Indian agents a trusted regional partner for Southeast Asia with curated experiences and strong on-ground support.”

To showcase the tourism potential of the Northeast to the world, Sikkim is set to host the 13th International Tourism Mart (ITM) from November 13 to 16 at Gangtok. The event will be inaugurated by Prem Singh Tamang, Chief Minister, Sikkim, in the presence of Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Tourism & Culture and Pema Khandu, Chief Minister, Arunachal Pradesh, along with Tourism Ministers from all North Eastern States and senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism and State Governments. The annual flagship event aims to showcase the tourism potential of the North Eastern Region to domestic and international stakeholders. The Mart provides a platform to promote the Northeast’s rich natural beauty, vibrant cultural heritage, and adventure tourism opportunities while encouraging sustainable and inclusive growth in tourism. Aligned with the Ministry of Tourism’s “Travel for Life” initiative, the 13th ITM 2025 in Gangtok will highlight eco-tourism, wellness, culture, and adventure as its core themes, underscoring Sikkim’s role as a torchbearer for sustainable tourism practices in India. This year’s ITM will welcome representatives from 19 countries, including Spain, Thailand, France, Russia, Germany, and Vietnam. The event will feature 39 international tour operators, 5 international influencers, 50 domestic buyers, 20 domestic influencers, and 91 domestic sellers, fostering meaningful B2B interactions and global partnerships. A series of technical sessions, panel discussions, and product presentations will explore emerging opportunities in cinematic tourism, homestays, youth entrepreneurship, digital innovation, sustainability, and adventure tourism. The event aims to strengthen networks among domestic and international stakeholders, encouraging investment and cooperation in the Northeast’s tourism sector. It serves as a testament to the government’s commitment to transforming the Northeast into a global tourism hub.

Accepting the award for ‘Upcoming Luxury and Experiential Travel Company’ at the India Travel Awards 2025 held in New Delhi, Tanushka Kaur Chadha, Co-founder, Jastans Bespoke Luxury Vacations, said, “Winning this award as a young entrepreneur is a true honour. It reflects our commitment to creating exceptional, immersive travel experiences. We look forward to crafting unforgettable bespoke luxury vacations with greater passion and purpose.” She was accompanied by her Co-Founder, Jaskaran Chadha.

Sabina Piacenti, International Market Manager, McArthurGlen Group, said, “2025 has been a landmark year for McArthurGlen in India. Despite global challenges — including geopolitical tensions and visa issuance delays — Indian travellers demonstrated remarkable resilience. Tax-Free Sales (TFS) from India grew by 7% year-on-year, aligning with our budget expectations. We also observed a 66% increase in group travel, both leisure and MICE, underscoring the strength of our trade partnerships and marketing efforts.” Piacenti added, “Our travel trade familiarisation trips have been instrumental in raising awareness of our outlets and surrounding regions. Many partners are now keen to include a shopping stop in their itineraries, having experienced the excitement and rewards of luxury shopping firsthand. A notable trend is the shift from transactional shopping to experience-led luxury travel. Indian guests are spending more time in our villages, engaging with dining, architecture, and seasonal events. Curated experiences — such as hands-free shopping, VIP lounges, and private transfers — are increasingly in demand.”

Speaking about AI as a business tool, Dhruv Shringi, CEO, Yatra, said, “I’ve never seen AI as just another add-on. For us at Yatra, it’s become the nervous system that holds everything together. It honestly keeps the day-to-day moving for us, be it with the cancellations that don’t drag, expenses that get processed without the back-and-forth, support that feels a little less like a queue and a little more like a conversation. Getting these fundamentals right matters, because that is what lets everything else work smoothly.”

Speaking about ITDC strengthening its market presence with its Q2 financial results, Mugdha Sinha, IAS, Managing Director, ITDC, said, “Our Q2 outcomes demonstrate the continued success of our efforts to add value to our bouquet of services while preserving the rich legacy and trust associated with ITDC. We are expanding tech and data-enabled transformation, improving customer experiences and building long-term travel-tourism-hospitality solutions that support India’s growth story.” She added, “Our objective remains clear — to deliver consistent value and strive to enhance ITDC’s contribution to India’s Tourism landscape.” During Q2 2025, ITDC achieved a turnover of ₹124.17 crore, with Profit Before Tax (PBT) at ₹24 crore.