Voicing concern at the increase of 5 per cent in VAT on liquor, HRAWI has urged the govt. to reconsider the decision in light of the concerns including the impact on tourism and the State’s revenues, loss of business to hospitality establishments and the possibility of bootlegging, among others.

The MTF Cricket League returns for a 2nd season bringing with it some new players from the trade. The player auction will be held on Oct 29 in Mumbai and the matches will be held on January 14, 2024. The organisers believe that this event is not just a cricketing extravaganza but a celebration of sportsmanship, camaraderie and excellence in the travel industry.

Hotel investments in Asia-Pacific will total up to US$ 10.1 billion for 2023 for a variety of external factors, representing a year-on-year decline of 14 per cent. According to JLL’s recent report, a decline in both transactions and investment volumes versus 2022 is largely attributable to the combined headwinds of interest rate increases, cost inflation, and macroeconomic uncertainty.

Mamaka by Ovolo is hosting an exclusive webinar for its Indian travel trade to give highlight their key offerings. The webinar is scheduled for October 31, from 3-4 pm (IST). Additionally, Mamaka is introducing special promotional offers for their trade partners. For more details, contact Jaspreet Kaur at jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

Digital Travel platform Agoda reveals that the top 5 countries for inbound Indian tourism during the Diwali season are the US, UK, Singapore, Australia, and the Netherlands. These countries have the highest number of tourists travelling to visit India during the festive season.

VisitBritain launches their new website visitbritain.org for related news, insights, and resources for tourism and business events professionals. The website is a re-branding to help promote Britain’s tourist destinations and various attractions for the travel trade industry.

Air Astana, Kazakhstan national carrier, Kazakhstan Tourism Board & Kazin Dmc, join hands to launch a highly subsidised FAM trip to Almaty. The initiative is targeted towards agents from India who have not visited Kazakhstan in the past, providing them with tools to promote the destination to Indian clients. The fam trip is scheduled from 6-9 December 2023 and is priced at 29999/- per person, encompassing the award winning hospitality of Air Astana and the mesmerizing sights of Almaty.

The 5th OTOAI Convention 2023 is set to take place from 24-27 November in Nairobi, Kenya. Speaking about the significance of this convention, Riaz Munshi, President, OTOAI, emphasised that members will gain experience and valuable opportunities during and after their visit. This will help promote it in an improved way and be able to generate better revenue.

Digital travel platform Agoda has found a preference amongst Indians to head West and South to celebrate Diwali this year with Goa, Ooty, Pondicherry, Mumbai and Bangalore emerging as the top five destinations to revel in the festivities. These locations have replaced the previous year’s Northern hotspots – New Delhi and NCR, Jaipur, and Udaipur. Agoda insights also reveal a 13% increase in searches for travel around Diwali compared to 2022. Each of the Indian locales provides a unique canvas to honor the Festival of Lights – Goa and Pondicherry boast of beautiful beaches, Ooty is renowned for its pleasant climate and picturesque landscapes, and Mumbai and Bangalore embrace a cosmopolitan culture, offering a plethora of diverse experiences. Krishna Rathi, Country Director India, Sri Lanka, and Maldives at Agoda: “It’s great to see the increase in domestic travel for this Diwali season. Travellers choosing Agoda can see the world for less with our great deals for travel to India’s beautiful coastlines and bustling cities, or internationally to the world beyond. The long weekend means more people are taking advantage to travel with family and friends to enjoy the festivities together.” When it comes to international preferences, the five most popular international destinations are Bangkok, Dubai, Singapore, Pattaya, and Kuala Lumpur respectively. The Southeast Asian destinations offer rich cultural experiences, culinary adventures, and a mix of landscapes, while Dubai entices with its vibrant nightlife, luxurious lifestyle, and modern marvels. During this Diwali season, Agoda has also observed an increase of tourists coming to India, with the highest number of visitors arriving from the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Australia, and the Netherlands.

The Kayon Hotels & Resorts, Indonesia, are premium properties located in the lap of nature at Ubud, Bali. The brand specialises in offering romantic getaways for honeymooners and couples, and doesn’t allow children below the age of fifteen in their properties for an uninterrupted experience. Recently on 29 September, the Kayon held a roadshow in Delhi at The Lalit Hotel, Barakhamba. Talking about their brand, Wayan Sucitra, CEO, Kayon Hotels & Resorts, said, “We have been waiting since a long time to visit India. The main reason behind it is that for Kayon’s three properties, the Indian market is amongst the top seven. Which is why we want to thank our partners here, and highlight our offerings to even more people. We see a lot of opportunity in the future for outbound Indian guests to our properties, especially because the USP of our properties is really unique.” The three beautiful properties— The Kayon Ubud Resort, The Kayon Jungle Resort, and The Kayon Valley Resort, are all located amongst the lush greens of Ubud, Bali. Ubud is popular for wellness and nature retreats, and the brand offers a tropical indulgence for intimate experiences.  “Our properties are exclusively for honeymooners and couples. We offer gorgeous intimate experiences like romantic dinners, movie under the stars, customised poolside dinners, spa, cinema room, etc. Wedding ceremonies can be also officiated in our Pushpaka Wedding Chapel for very intimate weddings. We also have a number of activities around our spa, like yoga, and other rituals related to Balinese culture. To further ease the experience, guests who visit the Kayon Ubud Resort and the Kayon Valley Resort, and want to visit the Kayon Jungle Resort, we treat …