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.    

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, …