ITA Airways announced that connections between Tel Aviv Ben Gurion and Rome Fiumicino will be resumed starting 5 September, 2024.   The airline will initially operate a daily daytime service, with the following schedule: AZ807 Tel Aviv-Rome Fiumicino, departing from Tel Aviv at 2:30 p.m. (local time) and arriving in Rome at 5:15 p.m. (local time). AZ806 Rome Fiumicino-Tel Aviv, departing from Rome at 9:10 a.m. (local time) and arriving in Tel Aviv at 1:30 p.m. (local time). In addition, ITA Airways will resume nighttime flights from 1 October, 2024 (AZ809 from Tel Aviv to Rome and AZ810 from Rome to Tel Aviv), which will remain suspended until 30 September, 2024. The airline will continue to closely monitor geopolitical developments in the Middle East and evaluate their potential impact on operations.

Jazeera Airways has announced an exclusive Early Bird Offer for its customers on its booking. Starting now, passengers can save up to 30 per cent on all Jazeera Airways destinations by booking their flights 45 to 120 days in advance. This offer applies to travel across our extensive network, including destinations in the Middle East, Central and South Asia, Africa, and Europe. This offer is valid for travel until 20 March 2025.

Aims to Enhance Passenger’s Travel Experience JPOD Hotels, India’s first-of-its-kind Pod Hotel, today announced the launch of its new Pod Hotel at GMR’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad. The Pod Hotel is located near the City Side Check-In facility at the car park level. As a part of RGIA’s continuous efforts to enhance passenger travel experience, the facility introduces a modern airport accommodation solution, setting a new benchmark in convenience and comfort for passengers travelling from Hyderabad Airport. Key Highlights of JPOD: Convenience and Comfort: JPOD offers a private space for travellers to rest, work, or enjoy ‘Me Time,’ significantly enhancing their overall travel experience. Affordability: JPOD provides high-quality, comfortable accommodations at an affordable price, making it accessible to a wide range of travellers, from business executives to leisure tourists. It is a cost-effective alternative to traditional airport lounges and hotels. Enhanced Amenities: Each Pod has secure storage, entertainment options, and privacy, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay. Safety and Hygiene: JPOD maintains safety and high hygiene standards to guarantee a safe and clean environment for all users, ensuring peace of mind. Efficient Use of Space: JPOD’s compact design enables optimal use of airport space, offering a practical solution for comfortably accommodating passengers. Bookings can be made on the spot or through JPOD’s website (https://thejpod.com) and by calling +91 906-342-7737. The Pod offers various packages with dynamic price tarrifs, making it affordable for all the travellers. On this occasion, Jagrut Thakkar, Founder, JPOD Hotels, commented, “We are excited to partner with RGIA in Hyderabad. JPOD’s global standards in design and functionality position us to offer effective accommodation solutions across other airports in India.” Hiren Gandhi, Director, JPOD Hotels, added, “While JPOD is tailored to …

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and the Tourism Seasonality Summit (TSS) have joined forces to tackle the seasonality challenges in tourism destinations across the Asia Pacific region. The strategic partnership, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), aims to develop innovative solutions to distribute tourism more evenly throughout the year and mitigate the negative impacts of over-tourism. The MOU was officially signed by World Tourism Seasonality Summit CEO Ged Brown and PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid during the PATA Knowledge Forum on 27 August, 2024 which was part of the PATA Travel Mart 2024 programme. “This collaboration aligns with the Association’s mission to bring together private and public sector members to enhance the value, quality, and sustainable growth of travel and tourism. By working together, we aim to develop strategies that will effectively manage and alleviate the impact of tourism seasonality,” remarked Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO, PATA. Ged Brown, CEO, World Tourism Seasonality Summit, remarked, “The Tourism Seasonality Summit is the only travel and tourism event which is focused completely on resolving the seasonality issues facing tourism destinations, airports and airlines.” This agreement signifies a joint commitment to addressing the challenges of peak season tourism, which often contributes to over-tourism. Both organisations are dedicated to safeguarding, preserving, and enriching tourism experiences for both future generations of travellers and host communities. The collaboration will also provide mutual advantages, such as heightened brand recognition and speaking opportunities at the organisations’ respective events, to name a few.

Melange 2024 has received overwhelming support from the travel trade community. They confirmed that the exhibition space is booked to capacity with an impressive lineup of quality exhibitors. At Melange, the emphasis is always on the quality and diversity of the exhibitors. Melange is proud to host a variety of booths that reflect the rich segment variety of the travel industry. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet top-quality exhibitors, including hotels, DMCs, airlines, representation companies, and more, many of which have never been seen together under one roof. These representation companies bring global partnerships to the event, further enhancing its scope and reach. In addition to the outstanding exhibitor participation, Melange reported that visitor registration is strong, with a substantial number of buyers confirmed to attend from various cities across India. This diverse group of buyers will have the opportunity to engage with exhibitors and explore the wide range of offerings available at the event. Melange 2024 is truly on the map, and are confident that they will set new benchmarks in the industry. They extend their heartfelt gratitude to all exhibitors, visitors, and partners for their unwavering support and look forward to welcoming everyone to what promises to be an exceptional event.

The New Zealand travel and tourism industry is facing a storm as the government’s recent decisions on visa fees and the International Visitor Levy (IVL) threaten to derail its recovery efforts. The double whammy has significantly increased the cost of visiting the country, making it less attractive to international travellers. According to Dr. Xie Xingquan, Regional Vice President, IATA, North Asia and Asia-Pacific, the combined impact of these changes could delay the return of visitor numbers to pre-pandemic levels well beyond 2026. This is a major setback for the industry, which is a crucial contributor to the New Zealand economy. IATA had strongly opposed the increase in the IVL during the public consultation process for the IVL, arguing that it would harm the country’s competitiveness as a tourist destination. Unfortunately, the government ignored these concerns and applied the levy in the 2024 budget despite ongoing discussions. Dr. Xie also expressed concern about the lack of transparency regarding the allocation of funds collected through the IVL. He urged the government to consider investing these resources in initiatives that support the decarbonisation of the aviation sector. As the industry struggles with these challenges, it is clear that the government’s approach to tourism policy needs to be reassessed. By fostering a more welcoming environment for international travellers, New Zealand can position itself as a leading destination and drive economic growth.

Unfolds new products ahead of festivals & holiday season Riding on a high-growth trajectory, Kerala Tourism has unfolded a range of fresh products and packages to whip up new interest among travellers from both inside the country and outside in the upcoming festive and winter holiday seasons. Alongside the new projects, the state’s core assets like beaches, hill stations, houseboats and backwater segment will continue to have a mesmeric charm for the visitors. Kerala’s unique touristy appeal lies in providing a diverse range of experiences for tourists like houseboats, caravan stays, plantation visits, jungle lodges, homestays, Ayurveda-based wellness solutions, adventure activities, countryside walks, and trekking to verdant hills. Kerala’s resilience in putting its pandemic-hit tourism industry back on the rail is evident from an appreciable surge in domestic arrivals. In pre-COVID times, it was the year 2019 when the state registered the highest growth rate in domestic and total tourist arrivals in 24 years with their number pegged at 1,95,74,004, comprising 1,83,84,233 domestic tourists and 11,89,771 visitors from abroad. In 2023, it witnessed a record surge in the number of domestic tourists with as many as 21,871,641 people visiting the state. The number of international tourists was pegged at 6,49,057. As for the first quarter (January-March) of 2024, Kerala attracted 50,37,307 domestic tourists compared to 49,36,274 visitors in the corresponding period a year earlier, registering a 2.05 per cent increase, in a rousing endorsement of its touristy appeal. Equally assuring for Kerala is the uptick in international tourist arrivals, which are expected to reach the pre-COVID levels by 2025. Tourism Minister Shri PA Mohamed Riyas says the focus will no longer be confined to beaches, backwaters and hill stations. “We …

Hyderabad: The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport debuted a luxurious new terminal exclusively for private aircraft and chartered flights. This state-of-the-art terminal, designed with Indo-Saracenic-Indo-Gothic interiors, offers a seamless and upscale experience for business and leisure travellers. With its private entrance, dedicated car park, and chauffeur services, passengers can enjoy hassle-free travel in and out of Hyderabad. The terminal also provides a range of amenities, including multiple lounges, separate arrival and departure corridors, and all the standard airport services.

Giving tourism and trade a major upswing, the Indian government has approved a new railway line connecting Mumbai and Indore. This 309 km route will be the shortest rail link between the two commercial hubs, reducing travel time significantly. The project, estimated to cost Rs. 18,036 crores, is expected to be completed by 2028-29. This new rail connection will not only enhance connectivity but also promote tourism in the region, especially to the popular religious sites of Ujjain and Indore.

Switzerland Tourism is pleased to announce Christian Schoch as the new Director India for Switzerland Tourism. Schoch is from Eastern Switzerland and began this role effective April this year. After starting his career in the financial sector, Christian Schoch was quickly drawn to tourism, where he worked in the aviation industry and obtained a degree as a tourism expert. He went on to work in tourism marketing, followed by several positions as marketing manager and project manager in marketing agencies. His appointment marks a significant step in strengthening Switzerland’s presence in the Indian market, a key growing region for the country’s tourism industry. In his new role, Schoch will be responsible for driving tourism strategies, building partnerships, and implementing marketing initiatives to attract Indian tourists to Switzerland. “I am honoured to take on this role and look forward to contributing to the existing growth of Switzerland’s tourism sector in India. I am eager to leverage my experience and collaborate with our partners to highlight the unique attractions, initiatives like Swisstainable, and experiences that Switzerland offers,” said Schoch.