Booking.com’s latest report ‘How India Travels 2024 – The Inbound Edit’ highlights the growing appeal of India as a global destination, with a surge in FTAs. This is reflected in India’s 39th rank on the World Economic Forum’s 2024 Travel & Tourism Development Index, up from 54th in 2021.

The Aviation and Tourism Committee of Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) welcomed the Hon’ble H.E. Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, President, Republic of Maldives and his delegation on their historical visit to India. Dr. Subhash Goyal, Chairman, Expert Committee on Aviation & Tourism and STIC Travel Group, said that, “This visit should iron out the differences and misunderstandings that may have existed.” He also said, “India’s outbound travel market is about 25 million and Indian tourists prefer destinations where they are welcomed and where there are no visa restrictions.” Dr. Goyal further added, “the acceptance of Indian Rupees will help Indian tourists to visit Maldives in large numbers. I had the pleasure of meeting and interacting with the Hon’ble President, the Hon’ble Finance Minister and the accompanied business delegation during the reception organised in their honour by the Indian industry yesterday at ITC Maurya, New Delhi. I found a lot of warmth and a keen desire to do business with India and I am confident that this visit will be a grand success.”

ITA Airways has been honoured with the prestigious title of “Best Business Class” in the ‘Air Transport’ category at the 2024 European Mission Awards (EMA). The awards ceremony was held at Villa Necchi Campiglio in Milan, where Pierfrancesco Carino, VP, International Sales, ITA Airways, received the recognition on behalf of the Company. This year in its third edition, the European Mission Awards is a hallmark event in international business travel and celebrates excellence across various sectors of the industry. Categories and their respective criteria are established by a panel of industry experts, including representatives from leading European travel companies. This annual event brings together top companies in the sector, recognising their outstanding achievements in seven distinct categories and shining a spotlight on the seven best brands for 2024. “We are truly honoured to receive this coveted recognition from the Business Travel community,” said Emiliana Limosani, Chief Commercial Officer, ITA Airways and CEO, Volare. “Winning the ‘Best Business Class’ award underscores our commitment to expanding ITA Airways’ international presence and delivering an ever-improving travel experience for our business travellers. This award reaffirms our dedication to meeting the evolving needs of our passengers, trade and corporate partners, and motivates us to continue investing in this strategic segment.” ITA Airways’ Business Class embodies the best of Italian excellence, combining comfort, elegance, and simplicity to offer a unique Italian experience throughout the journey. The airline’s high-quality services are complemented by Italian hospitality and a refined culinary experience inspired by the finest Italian cuisine, crafted by renowned Michelin-starred chefs. This dedication to excellence is at the core of ITA Airways’ mission to elevate the passenger experience and create a welcoming, immersive atmosphere for all travellers. …

Leading hospitality chain Royal Orchid Hotels Limited (ROHL) announced its 5th property in Jaipur and 10th in Rajasthan while debuting its reimagined midscale brand – Regenta Place. Donning a fresh identity and design language, Regenta Place Jaipur aims to disrupt the value-driven mid-market space through a dynamic combination of vivacious social spaces, cutting-edge technology, and quirky décor. Arjun Baljee, President, ROHL said, “We are delighted to create a distinct visual identity for “Regenta Place.” This will help us further create a clear distinction in our portfolio of properties, both for our owners and for our guests. By focussing on a modern aesthetic to local design, we hope to create a brand that is relevant to the micro-market it operates in. Over a period of time, we hope to roll this out across the platform of Regenta Places, so that they are consistent with the broader vision of providing fresh and vibrant spaces to young and modern travellers.” “The new property serves as a testament to our ongoing dedication to consistently innovating and remaining relevant in the industry. In the near future, the travel and hospitality industry will be significantly influenced by the increasing emphasis on experience-driven travel by Gen Z and Millennials. However, the moderate-tier segment of the Indian hospitality industry is distinguished by a visible service gap. The rebranding of Regenta Place is a step in the direction of creating a niche brand that can align the aspirations and budget considerations of young Indian travellers without compromising on the quality of their stays,” Baljee added. Accommodation at the 40-key hotel is thoughtfully furnished with functional amenities and decorated to reflect a contemporary yet quirky look. To meet the discerning …

Continuing its commitment to sustainable tourism, Tourism Fiji has launched the “Bin it or Bag it” campaign to advocate a litter-free Fiji. The initiative, borne from the 2023 Fiji Tourism Convention, marks a small but critical step towards enhancing sustainability efforts, in partnership with leading private sector companies and local collaborators. At the 2023 Fiji Tourism Convention, stakeholders highlighted litter reduction as a crucial sustainability goal, prompting a coalition of dedicated private sector entities led by the Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, Grand Pacific Hotel, The Holiday Inn, Rosie Holidays and Ahura Resorts. To date, almost 15 partners across the country have contributed over FJ$100k, media space, and creative skills to bring the campaign to life, showcasing a united industry commitment to environmental conservation. The “Bin it or Bag it” campaign encourages all Fijians and visitors alike to responsibly dispose of waste by either depositing it in bins or, when bins are not immediately available, to store it in a bag and dispose of it appropriately later. This simple yet impactful initiative aims to preserve Fiji’s natural beauty and start an important dialogue and community movement to be litter-free. Collaborating with local talents such as musician Kuki and creative designer Studio Lily Kate, alongside Tourism Fiji creative agency Havas, the integrated campaign features a catchy jingle and uniquely Fijian illustrations. A key element of the campaign is the introduction of ‘Kasikasi,’ a character featured in the campaign’s illustrations, poised to become a familiar face promoting responsible waste management The campaign extends beyond messaging with specially designed reusable bags bearing the campaign slogan, available at various outlets throughout Fiji. “We are thrilled to launch the ‘Bin it or Bag it’ …

GRNconnect, a global B2B travel service provider, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ASITA (Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies) Indonesia. This strategic partnership marks a significant milestone for both organisations, as GRNconnect will serve as the official technology partner for ASITA’s vast network of members. The MoU was signed by Shivali Khosla, Executive Director, GRNconnect, and Budiardiansjah, Secretary General, DPP ASITA. The event was attended by the Chairman of the DKI Jakarta DPD and several member representatives from DIY Jogja, Bali and other cities, as well as members of the Travel Association from Europe and the USA. Through this collaboration, GRNconnect will provide its innovative and robust travel technology solutions to over 7,000 members of ASITA, enhancing the efficiency of travel businesses across Indonesia. This partnership will facilitate access to GRNconnect’s comprehensive platform, offering hotel bookings, transfers, sightseeing, and other travel-related services. Deepak Narula, Managing Director, GRNconnect said: “We are thrilled to partner with ASITA Indonesia and provide their members with cutting-edge technology solutions. This collaboration will empower local travel agencies with the tools and resources they need to thrive in today’s competitive market. At GRNconnect, we are committed to enhancing travel services worldwide, and our partnership with ASITA is a testament to that vision,” Dr. Nunung Rusmiati, M.Si , President, ASITA added: “Partnering with GRNconnect is a significant step forward for ASITA and its members. By leveraging GRNconnect’s advanced technology solutions, we aim to streamline travel operations for our members, enhance customer service, and strengthen Indonesia’s travel industry as a whole”.

Gautam Chhabra, Director, Sales & Marketing, Jaipur Marriott Hotel and winner of the ‘Best Business Hotel’ award at the India Travel Awards, said, “We are committed to continuing our tradition of excellence and making the stays even more memorable.” He thanked the audience for its support.

Asia Pacific Airlines transported a total of 32.3 mn international passengers in August, representing a 21.7% increase compared to the same month last year. This sustained growth pushed traffic volumes to 96.1% of pre-pandemic levels, according to the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines.

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India’s domestic air passenger traffic is projected to touch 300 mn by 2030 & about $11 bn are being spent to develop airports, said KR Naidu, Civil Aviation Minister, GoI. India is one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world, as airlines are expanding their fleets to meet the rising demand.