Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), the National Tourism Organization of Nepal, is pleased to inform you all that peace, stability, and normalcy have been fully restored across the country following recent political developments. With the formation of Interim Government under the premiership of the first female Prime Minister of Nepal Rt. Hon’ble Sushila Karki, daily life has resumed smoothly, businesses and offices are open, and citizens are returning to their livelihoods with renewed optimism after partially imposed curfews and restrictions on travel. A spirit of hope—particularly among youth—reflects growing confidence in good governance and socio-economic prosperity. Interim Government has assured timely elections, further strengthening public trust and stability. For travelers, these changes bring positive assurance. Public transportation, domestic and international flights, and all major tourist destinations are operating normally. Hotels, restaurants, and travel services are open and welcoming guests in safe and comfortable environment. Tourism in Nepal has a remarkable history of resilience. Despite past crises, including natural disasters and political challenges, Nepal’s tourism industry has consistently bounced back, showcasing the enduring spirit of its people, support of international tourism fraternity, and the timeless allure of its landscapes and heritage. Globally, destinations that have faced similar political upheavals have demonstrated tourism’s ability to recover swiftly, and Nepal is no exception. NTB is confident that tourism sector will once again rebound, stronger than ever, as visitors return to experience the unparalleled beauty of the Himalaya, vibrant cultural traditions, and sacred sites. Nepal is now safe, peaceful, and ready to host visitors from around the world. For the latest travel updates and advisories, please visit NTB’s official website at www.nfb.gov.np or contact our offices directly.

The Enterprising Travel Agents Association (ETAA) Mumbai Chapter, in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia, successfully kicked off its first Knowledge Session at the Tourism Malaysia office in Mumbai. The session saw the participation of ETAA members, who gained valuable insights into Malaysia’s latest attractions, destinations, and unique travel experiences. ETAA has announced that the next Knowledge Session will be held on 7th October 2025. ETAA Members are encouraged to participate and benefit from these exclusive learning and networking opportunities. Members also had the opportunity to interact directly with the Tourism Malaysia leadership team: Noriah Jaafar – Director, Tourism Malaysia T. Ediwanto Eddie – Deputy Director, Tourism Malaysia Jane D’Cruz – Marketing Manager Speaking about the initiative, ETAA highlighted that such knowledge sessions are designed to keep members updated with evolving tourism offerings, while also strengthening industry relationships. The program was hosted and organized by Tourism Malaysia, with coordination support from the ETAA Mumbai BOD team – Mr Jagat Mehta – National Board Member, Mr Abhijit Khadilkar – National Board Member & Membership head, Mrs Dipti Pradhan Thakoor- National Board Member & Event head, Mr Dharmesh Advani – National Board Member Sivadas, CEO, Sivadas Travel “This is the best training program about Malayasia conducted by ETAA committee and Malaysian Tourism. Very informative. Well done” Ajinkya Dhumma, CEO, Classis Travel and Tours “The session was highly informative and provided valuable insights into Malaysia’s diverse tourism offerings luxurious properties at the island-hopping destination i.e. Sabah and Sarawak.”

Destination DC welcomed 13 top Indian travel trade partners for their first-ever Reverse India Sales Mission, held in Washington, DC from August 23 to August 28. Over six days, the Indian trade professionals engaged in programs that created opportunities for business development and cultural immersion. Seventeen local partners, including hotels, museums, restaurants, city tours and experiences, participated in one-on-one meetings and roundtable discussions with the trade. The agents also explored some of DC’s best offerings, including the tour of the iconic National Mall with Capitol Express Tours, Smithsonian museums, The People’s House: A White House Experience, and more. The group was in town just in time for the DC Jazz Festival and enjoyed a private jazz dinner with live music at the rooftop of the Kimpton Banneker Hotel. The greatest highlight of this trip was the Destination DC’s Marketing Outlook Meeting held at Capital Turnaround—a unique meeting space inside Navy Yard’s historic streetcar barn. The DDC team announced the latest visitation data, industry updates and travel forecasts for 2026 in this annual meeting. The attendees enjoyed breakfast and networking with 500+ industry leaders and professionals, followed by a presentation by Destination DC’s President & CEO, Elliott L. Ferguson, II, Didio Pequeno, Director of Hospitality Market Analytics at CoStar Group; and Adam Sacks, President of Tourism Economics. Reflecting on the success of the mission, Ferguson said, “It was a pleasure hosting the Indian travel trade in Washington, DC, where they were able to experience the District’s unique and diverse cultural and culinary offerings. The growth of visitation numbers from India has been exciting for us, and the market has been, and continues to be, a top focus globally.”

Join Switzerland Tourism for an exclusive webinar on the various touristic products and services of Travel Switzerland and Rail Europe. Learn about the upcoming first-class Swiss Travel Pass promo for travellers visiting Switzerland Oct 2025 – Mar 2026, through which they can enjoy complimentary first-class travel days. For more info, write tojaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call 9650196532.

VFS Global has signed a co-branding agreement with the Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia to strengthen and expand brand awareness of Indonesian tourism under the Wonderful Indonesia campaign for increasing international arrivals and encouraging investments into the country. As part of the agreement, VFS Global will help in increasing the brand awareness of the Wonderful Indonesia campaign and improving the quality and quantity of tourism marketing through brand partnerships. The agreement was signed between Ni Made Ayu Marthini, Deputy Minister for Marketing, Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia, and Mr. Kaushik Ghosh, Head – Australasia, VFS Global, on 13 August 2025 in Jakarta. Ni Made Ayu Marthini, Deputy Minister for Marketing, Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia, said, “We are excited to join forces with VFS Global in strengthening the Wonderful Indonesia campaign on the global stage. Through this co-branding agreement, we will amplify our tourism message and leverage VFS Global’s extensive presence in over 160 countries, combined with innovative outreach, to inspire more travellers to experience the beauty and diversity of Indonesia.” Since 2024, VFS Global is also an official partner of the Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration. As part of the partnership, VFS Global has launched a new e-VoA platform for nationals of all the 97 countries eligible for e-VoA, to provide them a quicker and smoother visa application journey online. Kaushik Ghosh, Head – Australasia, VFS Global, said, “We are honoured to collaborate with the Ministry of Tourism to strengthen global awareness of the country’s vibrant tourism offerings. With over 16 years of experience in tourism-related services, VFS Global brings proven expertise in promoting destinations to a global audience. Through the promotion of the e-Visa …

The Finland–India Tourism Workshop 2025 concluded in New Delhi and Mumbai, bringing together 16 Finnish and Indian partners with India’s leading travel stakeholders. Sara Sodhi Juneja, Founder & CEO of Sara Consulting Services, said, “Indian travellers are looking beyond the ordinary, and Finland delivers on every front — pristine nature, authentic culture and unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime moments.”

Sharing an official statement amidst news reports around South African Tourism Board, Darryl Erasmus, Chief Operations Officer, South African Tourism, stated, “We note the recent reports regarding the ‘dissolution of the SA Tourism Board’ and understand the confusion this may have caused. To clarify, South African Tourism as an organisation/entity continues to operate as usual. The dissolution applies only to ‘the board’. While we await a resolution, our focus remains firmly on ensuring continuity across all tourism initiatives, projects, and partnerships, with no disruption to ongoing work.”  

This MoU marks the first adoption of OpenAI’s technology by a national tourism organisation in Asia. Through this, STB aims to accelerate the adoption of Advanced AI to enhance visitor experiences, improve productivity, and unlock new opportunities for innovation. STB will also explore potential use cases for advanced AI tools and robotics in real-world tourism settings.

Sited on Lake Lucerne and surrounded by gorgeous mountains, Lucerne is a modern-meets-medieval city offering numerous excursions, exciting attractions, gourmet cuisine, fantastic shopping, and a vibrant nightlife. Attend all webinars for a chance to win a trip to Switzerland in 2026! For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

 From 9–13 June, New York City Tourism + Conventions successfully held its first-ever India Business Expo, bringing together 14 key Indian travel trade professionals for three impactful days of business development, destination discovery, and cultural exchange. Over 30 member businesses across all five boroughs took part in the mission, representing a mix of iconic attractions and new experiences. Leading hospitality players also participated, highlighting the city’s robust offering for Indian outbound travellers. The itinerary featured one-on-one meetings, a Broadway show, Five Borough Marketplace buyers meet, and visits to top cultural and lifestyle attractions—giving Indian buyers a deeper understanding of New York City’s tourism appeal. Highlights included a private screening of “Encounters in the Milky Way” at the American Museum of Natural History, an exclusive Broadway Night featuring Q&As with cast members from Aladdin and The Lion King, and a behind-the-scenes “Wild Encounter” at the Bronx Zoo with a sloth and armadillo—memorable moments that brought NYC’s vibrancy and storytelling to life. Reflecting on the success of the market’s inaugural Business Expo, Makiko Matsuda Healy, Senior Vice President, Tourism Market Development, said, “India continues to be one of New York City’s most promising and engaged visitor markets. The 2025 India Business Expo was a resounding success – not only did it strengthen relationships with our key trade partners, but it also gave us the opportunity to showcase the depth and diversity of experiences across the five boroughs. We’re excited about the continued growth from India and remain committed to fostering long-term collaboration with this market.” New York City is home to the world’s busiest airport system and remains the number one port of entry for U.S. international travelers. The city welcomed 64.5 …