While receiving the Airline Professional of the Year award, Sunil V A, Regional Vice President, ISC & FE, Oman Air, said, “After COVID, things have really changed. Initially, we were operating to a lot of cities across India, and currently, we operate to 10 cities. So, it has been a great rebound for us.”

As per Motilal Oswal report, the hospitality sector will witness growth in Q2 FY25. The key players will see RevPAR growth of  9-11 per cent YoY in Q2 FY25, which will be driven by pent-up demand, improved traction within convention centers, and stronger wedding season.

Speaking at the 39th IATO Convention, Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary,  Culture and Tourism, Madhya Pradesh, said that the state will develop 50 offbeat destinations to boost tourism along with training over 40,000 women in tourism-related jobs to boost employment.

The public transport in Switzerland is the best way to enjoy its unparalleled beauty. The webinar will give insight on the Swiss Travel System and its various offerings. Attend the webinar to win a trip to Switzerland in 2025! For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

All-inclusive airfare starting at INR 37,839/- for Ethiopian Airlines flights from Mumbai/Delhi/Bengaluru/Chennai to Cape Town/Johannesburg In its endeavour to make the Rainbow Nation more accessible to Indian travellers, South African Tourism has partnered with Ethiopian Airlines to launch its #ExploreMore&MoreForLess campaign. Aiming to alleviate the burden of air travel costs while visiting international destinations, the campaign offers lowest ever fares for visiting South Africa from India at just INR 37,839/-. The airfare is applicable to Ethiopian Airlines’ routes from Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai to Cape Town and Johannesburg and is up for grabs through the campaign period starting 1 September to 30 September 2024. Available exclusively through the Ethiopian Airlines’ website and mobile application, customers can choose to travel anytime between 01st October – 31 December 2024 while making their bookings during the offer period. As per the offer terms, travellers can further avail an additional discount of 10% on the base fare. Announced at the onset of festive season, the offer enables Indian travellers to effectively plan their long-haul journey keeping in mind two significant occasions – Diwali and Christmas. When travelling internationally, airfares are often a major deciding factor for families and individuals alike and play a vital role in selecting experiences one can choose to indulge in during their trip. South African Tourism, in its partnership with Ethiopian Airlines’ aims to empower travellers to curate their itinerary more freely and cherish their time away whole-heartedly. An extension to South African Tourism’s wildly popular More&More campaign, #ExploreMore&MoreForLess empowers Indian travellers to embark on as many quests from the 3,000 adventure activities, majestic wildlife and varied culinary experiences available in South Africa. Expressing his enthusiasm on the campaign launch, …

A350 will offer a new cabin product with full-flat beds in Business, a new Premium Economy experience along with comfortable, spacious seats in Economy Guests on this flight will experience Air India’s new soft product – Vista Verve Air India will also be introducing on board Wi-Fi soon, starting with the A350 on the Delhi-London Heathrow route Air India, India’s leading global airline, has introduced its brand-new Airbus A350-900 aircraft on the Delhi-London Heathrow route. This twice-daily service is the first deployment of the ‘new Air India’ experience on long-haul flights and represents a significant milestone in the airline’s transformation program. The Air India A350 cabin product includes a fresh three-class configuration offering full-flat beds in Business, a new Premium Economy experience and the latest generation seats in Economy.  All guests enjoy the latest-generation inflight entertainment system offering more than 3000 hours of entertainment content, which will shortly be complemented by on board Wi-Fi. Guests in Business and Premium Economy will also enjoy updated amenity kits exclusively designed by Ferragamo and TUMI, as well as Air India’s new soft product – Vista Verve – with new chinaware, tableware, glassware and bedding. Completing the experience, flight and cabin crew will don, for the first time, their new Manish Malhotra-designed uniforms. Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer, Managing Director, Air India, said: “The deployment of the flagship A350s on the Delhi-London Heathrow route marks a significant milestone for Air India. It demonstrates Air India’s commitment to elevating the travel experience of our guests to truly world-class standards and to going beyond just meeting customer expectations as we continue to grow and renew our fleet.” Air India’s A350 aircraft feature 28 private suites with …

In a strategic move to expand their international footprints, Dusit Hotels and Resorts have formed a partnership with Generator and Freehand Hotels. By combining their respective strengths, the companies aim to break new ground and enter untapped markets, solidifying their positions as leading hospitality brands. One of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, Dusit Hotels and Resorts has formed a partnership with award-winning hospitality developer Generator and Freehand Hotels. This collaboration aims to maximise the strengths of both companies to synergise their development resources and pursue sustainable international growth for their respective brands. Generator and Freehand Hotels, renowned for their experiential hostels and boutique hotels in Europe and the USA, will contribute their expertise and network in developing lifestyle hybrid accommodation models in the affordable lifestyle segment. Dusit Hotels and Resorts, a leading Thai hospitality brand, will bring its deep-rooted heritage and commitment to service excellence to the partnership. Together, the partners will explore opportunities to introduce Dusit Hotels and Resorts to major European cities like London, Paris, and Rome, as well as popular U.S. destinations such as New York, Miami, and Los Angeles. By combining Dusit’s strong brand recognition with Generator and Freehand’s innovative approach, the partnership seeks to redefine the hospitality landscape and offer travellers unique, memorable experiences. Additionally, Dusit will utilise its existing presence in Asia and the Middle East to introduce Generator and Freehand’s award-winning boutique hotel-hostel hybrid model to prime city destinations like Bangkok, Manila, Kyoto, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi. This expansion will extend the reach of Generator and Freehand’s unique brand of hospitality to new markets, offering travellers in these regions exciting and innovative accommodation options. Siradej Donavanik, VP, Global Development, Dusit International, …

Noida International Airport is prepared to take off promising a significant boost to tourism in the region. The upcoming launch of the airport marks a major milestone for Indian aviation, enhancing connectivity and passenger comfort. Noida International Airport (NIA) continues to make significant strides towards its operational launch, with construction activities proceeding at a rapid pace. The airport, slated to commence commercial operations by the end of April 2025, is set to play an inflectional role in the growth of Indian aviation. Constructions Headway Passenger Terminal: The passenger terminal is taking shape, with work on facades and roof well underway. The installation of the baggage handling system is nearing completion, while MEP and finishing works are progressing steadily. Runway: The asphalt works on the runway have been successfully completed. Focus is now on runway markings, approach lights, and airfield ground lighting. Air Traffic Control: MEP works and finishing works are in progress at the ATC Tower. Navigational aids like DVOR have been calibrated, and preparations for Instrument Landing System (ILS) calibration are underway. Partnerships and Operations Take Flight Airlines Onboard: IndiGo and Akasa Air have signed MoUs with NIA, and discussions on network planning and operational requirements are ongoing. Strong interest from other domestic and international carriers is evident. Concessions Awarded: Key aero concessions, including into-plane fuelling services, ground handling, and cargo, have been awarded. Non-aero concessions for retail, dining, lounge, duty-free, and hotel have also been signed. Seamless Passenger Journey: Factory acceptance tests for key airport systems are complete, and equipment has started arriving on site. Check-in kiosks, self-service bag drops, and e-gates are being tested. Operational Readiness: Agreements for crucial operational and maintenance services, including airfield lighting, passenger …

Aviation Regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Thursday, has placed low-cost carrier SpiceJet under enhanced surveillance due to safety deficiencies uncovered during a recent audit of August 2024. This is the third time SpiceJet has faced strict supervision from the regulator, following safety incidents in 2022 and weak finances in 2023. The airline’s monetary troubles have resurfaced, as evidenced by recent incidents like the Dubai Airport halting boarding of SpiceJet flights due to unpaid dues and flights being unable to fly over Pakistan due to unpaid overflying charges. The DGCA’s decision to place SpiceJet under enhanced surveillance underlines ongoing safety concerns with the airline’s operations. The repeated regulatory scrutiny of SpiceJet can damage the reputation of India’s aviation industry and raise questions about safety standards. “Due to concerns about SpiceJet’s recent flight cancellations and financial difficulties, the DGCA conducted a special audit of the airline’s engineering facilities on 7 and 8 August, 2024. This audit uncovered certain deficiencies,” the DGCA announced on Thursday. The DGCA will conduct more spot checks and night surveillance to ensure safety of SpiceJet’s operations. The airline faces significant financial challenges, including unpaid dues to aircraft lessors, vendors, and suppliers. SpiceJet’s market share in India’s aviation sector has been declining, further impacting its financial stability. While most Indian airlines rebounded significantly from the COVID-19 pandemic, SpiceJet faced ongoing financial challenges. SpiceJet’s repeated regulatory interventions and ongoing financial struggles pose a serious challenge to the airline’s future. The DGCA’s decision to place the airline under enhanced surveillance underscores the need for immediate action to address safety concerns and ensure the well-being of passengers.

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) successfully concluded its 47th annual PATA Travel Mart (PTM) in Bangkok, Thailand. Held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC), the event served as a crucial platform for high-caliber buyers and sellers from across the Asia Pacific region and beyond.   Key Insights Over 900 delegates participated, including 266 exhibitors and 191 buyers representing 45 destinations and 31 source markets. The event emphasised sustainable tourism development, innovative marketing strategies, and strategic partnerships within the Asia Pacific tourism industry. PTM 2024 reaffirmed Thailand’s position as a leading MICE destination and travel hub. The PATA Knowledge Forum offered valuable insights on navigating the evolving tourism landscape, covering topics like responsible tourism, digital transformation, and emerging consumer trends. A new initiative, the PATA Youth Symposium and Career Fair, connected aspiring tourism professionals with industry leaders. The PATA Gold Awards recognised excellence in destination marketing, sustainable tourism practices, and innovative tourism products. What This Means for You? PTM 2024 underscores the resurgence of Asia Pacific tourism and the growing demand for authentic travel experiences. The event provided a platform for building valuable business connections and exploring new market opportunities. Insights from the Knowledge Forum can help you adapt and thrive in the changing tourism landscape by implementing sustainable practices, leveraging digital technology, and understanding consumer preferences. New talent entering the industry offers a positive outlook for the future of tourism in the region.