Tag Archives: travel agents

Every edition of the Kumbh Mela draws millions of pilgrims, spiritual seekers, and tourists from across the world, creating an unparalleled surge in travel, hospitality, and local commerce. Dev Karvat, Founder & CEO, ASEGO said, “From airlines and railways witnessing record bookings to hotels, dharamshalas, and homestays operating at full capacity, the economic impact is undeniable. The event also drives infrastructural development, with improved roads, sanitation, and digital connectivity, benefiting local communities long after the Mela concludes.” For travel agents, Kumbh Mela not only presents a significant business opportunity but also a responsibility—to ensure travellers, especially senior citizens and domestic pilgrims, are well-protected. The sheer scale of the event increases the chances of medical emergencies and travel disruptions. Karvat shared, “ASEGO partners can offer their customers seamless travel protection with ASEGO’s Anywhere-to-Anywhere product covering NRIs, foreign nationals and inbound travellers while Indian citizens can enjoy a holistic domestic travel cover. Travellers who often undertake this journey as a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage, need specialised coverage with 24/7 assistance, ensuring help is available when they need it the most. As lakhs of devotees gather in one place, travel protection is not just an add-on—it is a necessity.”

Hailing Union Budget 2025, Hussain Patel, Director, TripJack, said, “The Union Budget 2025 reaffirms the government’s strategic vision to position India as a world-class tourism destination while driving employment-led growth. The initiative to develop 50 top tourist destinations in partnership with states, backed by improved infrastructure and inclusion of hotels in the infrastructure HML framework, will significantly enhance the country’s hospitality ecosystem. The emphasis on skill development through Institutes of Hospitality Management, easier access to MUDRA loans for homestays, and enhanced connectivity to tourist sites will empower local communities and entrepreneurs, creating sustainable employment opportunities.” He added, “Performance-linked incentives for states to strengthen destination management—covering aspects such as tourist amenities, cleanliness, and marketing—will ensure a superior travel experience for visitors. The continued focus on spiritual and religious tourism, particularly destinations associated with Lord Buddha’s life and legacy, aligns with India’s rich cultural and heritage-driven tourism potential. Simplified e-visa procedures and visa-fee waivers for select tourist groups will also make India more accessible to global travellers, reinforcing its position as a vibrant and diverse tourism hub.”

Alejandro Del La OSA, CEO, Europamundo Vacaciones, shares, “Our special offer for the travel agents ends on 16 January, 2025 that allows them to sell tours for the next season till March 2026 at 2024 rates. It gives them an opportunity to sell FITs and groups at better prices and save on the increase in prices of next season.”

Guests can now book 3-night and 4-night voyages via the Disney Cruise Line website, contact centre, or preferred travel agents The much-awaited Disney Adventure is now open for guests across India and the world to book. Sailing from Singapore in 2025, the one-of-a-kind Disney Adventure will offer families throughout the region the ultimate holiday at sea. The first Disney Cruise Line ship to homeport in Asia will be a “destination” itself where guests will be taken on a journey filled with immersive storytelling and captivating entertainment which draws on over 100 years of storytelling from Disney, Marvel and Pixar. On the Disney Adventure, the magic will come alive through seven uniquely themed areas: Disney Imagination Garden, Toy Story Place, San Fransokyo Street, Town Square, Wayfinder Bay, Disney Discovery Reef, and Marvel Landing. Here’s How to Book: Guests can book directly from the Disney Cruise Line website; contact centre; or through preferred travel agents. Sailing Dates and Duration Maiden Voyage: 15 December, 2025 Sail Dates: Dates available through March 2026 Cruise Length Options: ○ 3-night cruises (Mon-Thu) ○ 4-night cruises (Thu-Mon) Departure and Return: All cruises will depart from and return to the Marina Bay Cruise Centre, Singapore. Stateroom Options Choose from a variety of staterooms, including Inside, Oceanview, Verandah, and Concierge options, designed to cater to every budget and preference. The cruise fare covers accommodation, world-class dining, incredible entertainment, character meet-and-greets, and more. The Disney Adventure will also go on to introduce numerous “firsts” in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, along with experiences thoughtfully designed to delight guests in Asia, including: Enthralling Entertainment Disney Cruise Line’s unique approach to ship design—where every space and venue brings stories to life—sets the …

DCT-Abu Dhabi will host the first-of-its-kind APAC Travel Marketplace in Al Ain on 15 and 16 October, connecting over 200 travel agents from the APAC region with 60 Abu Dhabi-based stakeholders. The B2B event is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen relationships with the APAC travel trade.

Sharing updates on visas at Explore France 2024 workshop in Goa, Sami Boukaze, Deputy Consul – Consulate General of France in Mumbai, said, “The approval rate of visa applications is almost 85-90% of the total applications received in Mum- bai.” The workshop was attended by travel agents as well.

A Platform to Showcase Karnataka’s Hidden Gems The Karnataka Tourism Society (KTS) successfully hosted the second edition of its Destination Showcase Event in Bengaluru on 1st October 2024, focusing on the attractions of North and Coastal Karnataka. Following the success of the inaugural showcase on Chikmagalur and Sakleshpur in March, this event received an overwhelming response from industry stakeholders. The event was inaugurated by Srinivasulu, (IFS), Commissioner, Department of AYUSH, Government of Karnataka. Key dignitaries present included K Syamaraju, President, KTS and newly elected President, Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), along with other KTS executive committee members. Dr. K.V Rajendra, (IAS), Director, Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka, visited the event and engaged with stakeholders, discussing marketing efforts and the effectiveness of the showcase. The showcase was supported by several government bodies, including the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka, Department of AYUSH, Government of Karnataka, Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation, Jungle Lodges & Resorts and Mysore Sales International. This initiative highlighted the unique tourist destinations of North and Coastal Karnataka, emphasising its rich cultural heritage, tranquil beaches, and vibrant local arts. K Syamaraju, President, Karnataka Tourism Society, said “This initiative, a collaboration between KTS and various tourism bodies, provides a unique opportunity for travel agents, tour operators, and hospitality professionals to discover the hidden gems of North and Coastal Karnataka. By bringing together industry leaders and showcasing the region’s unique attractions, this event aims to unlock the full potential of these areas and foster sustainable growth.” The event featured over 150 participants, including travel agents and industry professionals, who engaged in networking and business-to-business (B2B) meetings. The showcase brought …

Turtle Down Under won the ‘Best ‘Inbound Tour Operator-Australia’ Award at the India Travel Awards. Its National Sales Manager, Kunal Ramchandani, said, “It feels great when our travel partners support us. We will continue to strive for excellence and provide our travel agents with the best possible services.”

More than 20 travel industry specialists travelled down to Goa onboard FLY91 and were hosted at IHCL’s Goa Resorts during the familiarisation trip.  The familiarisation trip is aimed at promoting Goa, which is focused on sustainable and regenerative tourism, as an immersive leisure tourism destination with diverse potential to host destination weddings and MICE events.  During the familiarisation trip to Goa onboard FLY91, travel operators were acquainted with the airline’s customisable travel arrangements for large travel groups, including weddings and MICE events  In a move aimed at enhancing the Goa experience beyond the state’s beaches, India’s pure-play regional airline, FLY91, has partnered with Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) to offer an enriched and multi-faceted travel experience to the coastal state.    To showcase this vision, FLY91 and IHCL recently organised a familiarisation trip for a delegation of leading travel agents and event planners from Hyderabad, that is designed to provide firsthand experience of Goa’s hospitality and regional connectivity, already reckoned as a leading destination for weddings, leisure, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions).  As part of the familiarisation trip, the delegation of travel industry stakeholders who flew down to Goa onboard FLY91 were hosted at IHCL’s multiple properties, namely Taj Fort Aguada Resort and Spa and Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon. During the trip the team visited Taj Holiday Village Resort and Spa, Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage and the Taj Exotica Resort and Spa.  This collaboration is a key step in building a sustainable tourism model that combines luxury accommodation with seamless travel options, ensuring Goa remains a sought-after destination. It aims to enhance the visitor experience by showcasing that Goa offers much more than just its beaches and …

The Swiss experience starts onboard Swiss International Air Lines where travellers can enjoy their holiday booked by their travel agent via TourFox. Attend all webinars for a chance to win a trip to Switzerland in 2025! For more info, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.