TOFTigers will launch the world’s best-known global Travelife Certification for travel operators and DMCs in the Indian market on April 7. The programme helps travel businesses evaluate, set targets, prove and communicate their sustainable mission and achievements. The tools are free with TOFTigers membership. To know more, contact Ritu Makhija at ritu.makhija@toftindia.org.

Travel Designer Group has entered into a direct dynamic distribution agreement with Hilton to distribute Hilton’s global hotel inventory on its B2B hotel reservation platform Rezlive.com. The agreement will allow Rezlive.com to access real-time availability and prices of Hilton’s hotel inventories.

Indiatourism Port Blair, in collaboration with Association of Andaman Tour Operators (AATO), has launched ‘India@75’, an industry-led movement which brings together different stakeholders of society to create a morally, economically and technologically advanced country. The programme, called ‘Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav’ will commence 75 weeks prior to August 15, 2022 – the day independent India turns 75 – and end on August 15, 2023. The programme will also promote 2022 as ‘Visit India Year’ through various promotional campaigns highlighting India’s strengths like heritage, culture, art, wellness and yoga.

Speaking exclusively to TravTalk on the sidelines of the annual five-day global trade event ExploreGB, Sally Balcombe, CEO of VisitBritain, said, “We expect 2022 to be a stellar year. The event will see around 30 buyers from India this year and we are expecting huge numbers from India when international travel resumes. India is one of the fastest growing markets for us.”

HVS ANAROCK’s monthly report titled ‘Hotels & Hospitality Overview’ reveals that in the month of January 2021, Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Goa witnessed the highest increase in occupancy compared to the previous month. In fact, for the Indian hotel sector, occupancy remained between 46-48% on average, almost a 2% growth over December 2020.

In a discussion hosted by Indiatourism Guwahati on World NGO Day, panellists concurred that active participation of NGOs in the tourism sector has been a successful phenomenon in the First World, and that their role in the Northeast is evolving. ‘Such associations for the sustainable development of tourism industry has now gradually started in India,’ the MOT also Tweeted.

Rani George, Principal Secretary – Tourism, Government of Kerala, has said that the new tourism campaigns by the state government are helping Kerala resume tourism and that Ayurveda can be an added attraction for tourists arriving in the state. “We are also seeking suggestions from tourism stakeholders on how we can further promote domestic tourism in Kerala,” she added.

About 700 participants are expected at the SingapoReimagine MICE Virtual Show, an event organised by Singapore Tourism Board for local and international MICE players to connect and showcase their offerings. This is its first such collaboration with local MICE players. The two-day event will be held from 3 to 4 March 2021 and is part of Singapore’s efforts to catalyse the MICE industry’s recovery and generate business opportunities for its partners. The event will see up to 40 suppliers like hotels, convention centres and tour operators. Exhibitors include Gardens by the Bay, Singapore Airlines and Sentosa Development Corporation. The top 5 voted buyers will each win a hosted trip to Singapore on Singapore Airlines, inclusive of a hosted stay and exclusive experiences.

Zuheb Hasan MZ, Founder, Travel Bee, has won the VisitBritain Cricket Carnival Season-1 for the third Test Match. Sharing his excitement, he says, “I participated in a contest after a long time. This is a great initiative, and can be extended beyond sports with travel quizzes as well. I used to play cricket at the state level, but had to discontinue. However, I know the game and hence, I chose players I thought would perform better. I am excited about the grand prize and participating in all the games.”

In order to showcase this new destination to the India market, the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) will be organising its first-ever roadshow for the India market virtually from March 2-3, 2021 between 8am – 8pm IST. The event titled ‘Journeys in Arabia’ will showcase the best of what Saudi has to offer and will give the trade an opportunity to meet senior representatives from up to 30 destinations, experiences and hospitality brands one-on-one. To register, visit https://www.journeysinarabia.com/india-roadshow-request/