The 40th IATO Annual Convention scheduled to take place in 2025, will be hosted in Puri. Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO said, “The convention will take place at the new Swosti Hotel.” He revealed the availability of high-quality stays for the event, including Taj Puri and Mayfair hotels.

Ministry of Tourism has ramped up efforts to boost tourism across southern states, with a mega conference of South Indian tourism ministers set to take place in Vizag today. Notably, the Ministry has already approved various projects, including ₹30.02 crore plan for Mamallapuram.

Rashi Entertainment commemorated its 25th anniversary with a magnificent royal wedding ceremony, VIVAH UTSAV, where 28 underprivileged girls were married. This special event took place on Ganesh Chaturthi, 7 September, 2024, at Nevaeh, Delhi (NH 8), where 28 brides exchanged garlands with their life partners amidst over 1,000 guests. Amidst heavy rain, 28 grooms arrived with their wedding processions. The arrival of all the baraatis, greeted by the resonating sound of conches and the chanting of mantras by the acharyas, was truly a breath-taking sight. The grooms arrived in a mass baraat procession, accompanied by one of the best bands in town, Sohan Lal & Band, to meet their brides at Nevaeh, one of Delhi’s premium venues, which is a dream location for any family. The weddings were conducted with full traditional rituals, with each couple having a dedicated Pandit to ensure everything was performed according to the Shastras with the background Musical Pheras by Ankit Batra. In addition, each couple received over 50 essential items like, bed, admiral, fan, cloths, diner sets, ornaments, blankets, water coolers, and many more to start their new married life with new hope. The mic-dropping moment was when 28 couples exchanged varmalas in a choreographed manner by Laadi. The scene was a treat for the eyes of every guest. Rajeev Jain, Director, Rashi Entertainment, expressed his joy, stating, “I do not have a daughter, but with God’s grace and Rashi’s success, while celebrating its 25th Anniversary with this noble initiative, we are honored to perform Kanyadan today. This is a gesture that my family and I will never forget throughout our lives. Thanks to Mahaveer Bhagwan for blessing me with the opportunity to perform …

Uzbekistan Airways has officially announced the commencement of direct flights from Tashkent to Goa, set to operate twice a week from 27 October 2024. The new route, serviced by the advanced Airbus A320 Neo, will connect Tashkent to the Manohar International Airport (Mopa), opening up new avenues for tourism and cultural exchange between Uzbekistan and Goa. The introduction of these flights comes after consistent follow-ups with the Uzbekistan Embassy and tour operators and with crucial support from the Indian Embassy in Tashkent. The concerted efforts of the Goa Department of Tourism have played a critical role in making this connection a reality. In line with these efforts to expand Goa’s global reach, Goa Tourism will also be participating in the upcoming Tashkent International Tourism Fair (TITF). Rohan A. Khaunte, Minister for Tourism welcomed this initiative, stating, “The introduction of direct flights from Tashkent to Goa marks a significant milestone in enhancing Goa’s connectivity with Central Asia. This new connection will not only boost tourism but also strengthen our cultural ties with Uzbekistan. We are committed to developing Goa as a well-connected and accessible destination for travellers worldwide.” Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, Director Tourism, Managing Director, GTDC, echoed the Minister’s sentiments, saying, “Uzbekistan Airways’ decision to commence flights to Goa underscores the growing global interest in our state as a prime tourism destination. This direct connectivity will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for visitors from Uzbekistan, making Goa more accessible and inviting.” This new route aligns with the state’s broader strategy to diversify the tourist base and promote Goa as a year-round destination. The Department of Tourism looks forward to welcoming an influx of tourists from Uzbekistan and showcasing Goa’s unique blend …

Europamundo, a leading tour operator, has announced the launch of its highly acclaimed summer pre-sale campaign. This campaign offers an extensive range of over 2700 trips with more than 99000 guaranteed departures. One of the key benefits of this pre-sale is the price freeze, guaranteeing rates until 15 January, 2025.

Rajiv Kapoor, GM, Fairmont Mumbai, won the Dynamic Leadership in Brand Expansion award at the India Travel Awards. “We are thrilled to be recognised for our efforts. This esteemed recognition motivates us to strive for even greater achievements,” he said after receiving the award.

Alejandro de la Osa, CEO, Europamundo Vacaciones, announced their presale and product launch to the trade recently. “These are for the coming season and tours will be available till March 2026. This is the largest brochured product with guaranteed departures available,” he said.

KR Naidu, Civil Aviation Minister, GoI said, “India is strongly moving towards building its own plane in the coming few years with the help of industry stakeholders. Major global aerospace players are showing willingness to join hands with India in developing the aircraft.”

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.  

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.