AccorHotels and Brigade Group, Bangalore announced the opening of Grand MercureMysuru in South India’s Mysuru. The hotel has 146 spacious rooms and suites and is located within close proximity of all major tourist attractions as well as the central business district. The Grand MercureMysuru is situated on the legendary new SayajiRao Road. The sixth floor of the hotel features a viewing gallery overlooking the Dasara procession. To celebrate the opening, the hotel is offering a Deluxe rooms stay with breakfast for two inclusive of any one main meal from Rs 7,250 per night. This offer is valid from now until 30th June, 2016. The rate for a Standard Room is from Rs 6,000.

HNA Tourism Group, a division of HNA Group Co, a Fortune Global 500 company with operations across aviation, tourism, hospitality, finance, and online services among other sectors, and Carlson Hospitality Group has announced that they have entered an agreement for the acquisition of Carlson Hotels. The combination of HNA Tourism Group and Carlson Hotels will have increased ability to accelerate growth through investments in areas such as digital, owned assets in major gateway cities, building of Radisson RED and other new brands. The Transaction is subject to receipt of regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, and is expected to close in the second half of (calendar) 2016. Under terms of the Agreement, which were unanimously approved by the Carlson Board of Directors, HNA Tourism Group will acquire all of Carlson Hotels, including its approximately 51.3 percent majority stake in Rezidor Hotel Group.

Jetsmart.in, a real-time e-commerce platform, has got investments from Travel Capitalist Ventures to make private air charter affordable in India. The Bengaluru-based private air travel company is looking at expanding their present charter and non-scheduled operations through innovations such as selling empty seats or ferry flights on a real-time basis. JetSmart.in has got an investment from Travel Capitalist Ventures, one of the leading multi-stage investment firms globally that focuses on travel private equity and venture capital investments and No Border Investments, a Doha-based investment firm, which has secure a key stake in the company. Speaking at the launch Abrar Ahmad, Partner, Travel Capialist Ventures, said, “The Jetsmart offering allows corporate to service the needs of their key executives, provide discreet offerings to celebrities and HNW individuals to airports closer than legacy offerings all while saving valuable time and money.” ErfanHaque, CEO, JetSmart.in, said, “India is on the cusp of being an aviation super-power—we intend to be there on the stage when it happens.”

The 40th annual Rendez-vous Canada (RVC), Canada’s premier tourism marketplace, took place from April 24-27, 2016, in Montreal, Québec. During the conference, international tourism buyers met with Canadian sellers at a record-breaking 26,000 face-to-face business appointments. Hosted by Tourism Québec and Tourism Montreal, and taking place in the iconic Palais des congrès de Montreal, this year’s sold-out event features 536 buyers from 28 countries and 582 Canadian sellers from coast to coast —boasting the best seller-to-buyer ratio ever with one seller for every one buyer. “With a record attendance of 1,680 delegates at this year’s RVC, buyers and sellers are working to captivate and drive more people to visit Canada,” says David Goldstein, President and CEO of Destination Canada. “With the incredible range of diverse, fun and authentic Canadian experiences showcased at RVC, we are demonstrating to the world that we’re not cold, we’re cool.” There is no better time to #ExploreCanada and that will be made evident by the quality of experiences and products showcased for buyers. With every province, territory and sector of the tourism industry represented, the ripple effect of the connections made at RVC are sure to be monumental.

Air Canada is all set to start non-stop flights from Vancouver to Delhi, India starting October 20, 2016, in time for Diwali festivities. It is the first airline to offer a non-stop service between the two hubs. The seasonal, three-times weekly flights complement Air Canada’s Toronto-Delhi non-stop service launched last fall. To promote the new Vancouver-Delhi route, Air Canada is offering special introductory fares starting as low as $999 round trip, all-inclusive. The tickets can be booked on aircanada.com and through travel agents. Flights will operate three-times-weekly October 20, 2016 to April 8, 2017 with Air Canada’s state-of-the-art Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft featuring 30 International Business Class lie-flat pod suites, 21 Premium Economy and 247 Economy Class seats with upgraded in-flight entertainment at every seat throughout the aircraft. “Customer response to our Toronto-Delhi service has been extremely positive, and with this new seasonal Vancouver route, we are strategically increasing our presence in the important Asia-Pacific market in time for Diwali festival celebrations. Our non-stop Dreamliner flights from our Vancouver hub will also offer the shortest elapsed flying time from Calgary, Edmonton, Seattle, Portland and Los Angeles to Delhi,” said Benjamin Smith, President, Passenger Airlines at Air Canada. “The operating economics of the Dreamliner together with the efforts of the Vancouver Airport Authority who have maintained airport operating costs at levels among the lowest in Canada, have enabled us to grow our Vancouver hub. Together with our extensive western Canada domestic and western US transborder network combined with the seamless connection experience through YVR’s US in-transit pre-clearance facilities, position YVR to be the preferred gateway hub for trans-Pacific travel to and from North America,” he added.

This summer Dubai Visa Processing Centre (DVPC) introduces a new offer of Rs. 4999 only for a 30 days single entry visa to Dubai. Emirates Airline passengers travelling from India can avail this new offer and enjoy the shopping, sightseeing and adventure the United Arab Emirates (UAE) offers.Over the last decade Dubai has seen tremendous growth of travellers from India, owing to the region’s wide range of attractions on offer, which caters to the varied tastes of every kind of holiday-seeker. EssaSulaiman Ahmad, Vice President – India and Nepal, Emirates Airline, said, “Emirates has always been committed to improving the convenience of its passengers by providing best-in-class services both on ground and on board. Summer in Dubai is a particularly good time to visit the city, with many activities to enjoy such as the Dubai Summer Surprises, in addition to all the many other attractions which our home and hub is renowned for. With DVPC’s offer, we aim to make the travel process even more cost effective for our passengers in India. We are very happy to partner with DVPC to offer yet another unique service that I am optimistic will assist our many Indian customers to visit Dubai with increased ease.” Adding to this, VinayMalhotra, COO – South Asia and DVPC, VFS Global said, “DVPC, in partnership with Emirates Airline, always seeks to bring its customers utmost convenience, ease and unparalleled service quality when planning their trips to Dubai. This new offering of Rs.4999 for a 30 days single-entry visa will be beneficial to all our Indian travellers, especially with the holiday season being around the corner.” All Emirates Airline passengers can avail this offer by either booking their …

Ras Al Khaimah has signed an agreement with leading Indian tour operator, Cox & Kings, to strengthen its relationship and expand its presence in the Indian market, which is one of the fastest outbound markets in the region. This agreement will focus on promoting the various aspects of Ras Al Khaimah and popularize it in the Indian market. The agreement, which was signed today at Arabian Travel Market (ATM), is aimed at increasing tourism arrivals to Ras Al Khaimah from India. The partnership, which will take effect from May 1st 2016, will also introduce Ras Al Khaimah to the Indian market through specially created itineraries, creation of stand alone tourism products for the emirate and market the destination via a series of campaigns and training programmes for Cox & Kings staff. India has already cemented its position as one of the emirate’s leading source markets with an 80 percent increase in visitors year-on-year (2014-2015). Haitham Mattar, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority said: “Following our revised strategies and Vision to reach one million visitors by the end of 2018, we will be announcing a number of partnerships such as this. Air India Express has already launched new routes to the emirate and our agreement with Cox & Kings will ensure we’re making the destination as accessible as ever. We are proud to begin a long relationship with such an established travel company within one of our top source markets. India offers an important contribution towards our overall visitor figures and we keen to progress this opportunity to target Indian travellers even further.” Ashutosh Mehere, Sr. Vice President, Alliances & Special Projects, Cox & Kings Ltd., said: “Ras Al …

After opening offices in China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) has now opened two new sales offices in India in Mumbai and Delhi which will act as business development offices for the Indian market. Speaking on the sidelines of its India launch onboard the Seven Seas Voyager of Regent Seven Seas Cruises that was berthed at Port Ballard Pier in Mumbai yesterday (April 26), Steve Odell, Senior VP & MD (Asia Pacific), NCLH said, “These two new offices will have dedicated sales staff to support the travel industry here in India. Opening of the offices will help us to strengthen our reach in the Asian cruise market and also connect to the agents. Being face to face is critical when working with the travel agents as it helps them understand the product better. We will also be doing training programs, fam trips etc.” He added that the company will also offer high base commissions to travel agents and incentives for different products as well. NCLH also revealed that it will be investing US$ 525 million to upgrade their existing fleet to provide better service and experience to its passengers. It currently operates 22 ships which comprise more than 45,000 lower berths and visits 510 destinations across the globe.

The Oberoi Al Zorahis all set to open in 2016 as one of three new luxury properties for The Oberoi Group this year. The other two properties include The Oberoi Marrakech, Morocco and The OberoiSukhvilas, Chandigarh. The Oberoi Al Zorah is a luxury eco-destination resort, only 30 minutes from Dubai International Airport. The property is nestled amidst the natural surroundings of Al Zorah which boasts a beautiful long beachfront, azure lagoons, lush mangroves and 247 acres of natural forest with exceptional biodiversity. All three of The Oberoi Group’s luxury hotel openings this year will be located in stunning natural environments and offer the impeccable standards of luxury and service associated with the group’s worldwide portfolio. The Oberoi, Al Zorah is nestled alongside a beautiful untouched coastline, perfectly framed by natural mangroves and boasts an ultra-modern layout that harmonises with the natural environment. Each of the 113 villas, suites and penthouse are elegant and modern with an abundance of natural light and breathtaking sea views. The spacious and luxuriously appointed rooms and suites all have private balconies, while the villas offer terraces and temperature-controlled private pools. The Oberoi, Al Zorah in Ajman offers al–fresco, beachside and indoor dining venues all serving the finest cuisine. Synonymous for offering some of the world’s finest spa and wellness experiences, the spa at Oberoi offers signature therapies as well as a traditional hammam, a 80–metre pool, a fully equipped gymnasium, and daycare facilities for families. Earlier this year, the Group announced two new properties in Qatar – a 250 key luxury hotel in the West Bay area of Doha, and a 148 key luxury serviced apartment located in Lusail, Doha.

Sarovar Hotels & Resorts’ has announced the signing of two new hotels in north India. The group has signed an 81 room Sarovar Portico at Kapashera New Delhi and a 43 room Sarovar Portico at Palampur in Kangra Valley, HP. These developments represent the group’s focus on both the business and leisure segments. Focusing on expanding to newer markets this year, further openings are expected in Dehradun, Amritsar, Raipur, Jaisalmer, Ajmer, Bhavnagar, Jalandhar, Greater Noida and Bekal. Commenting on the development, Ajay K. Bakaya, Executive Director, Sarovar Hotels & Resorts, said, “We are focusing on our expansion plans and the signing of these two properties boost the company’s strategic efforts to expand our brands even further across the region. With business as well as leisure travel continuing to rise in this region, we aim to grow our presence to meet the demand over the coming years in different markets including Dehradun, Raipur, and Amritsar. Through our distinctively recognized brands, we aim to offer value for money accommodation and superior hospitality to today’s travellers.” Owned by Palm Land Hotels & Resorts LLP, the hotel in Kapashera will be named The Muse Sarovar Portico, New Delhi Kapashera. The hotel is strategically located close to the Delhi airport and in proximity to the Delhi-Haryana border and will offer all modern facilities including an all-day dining restaurant, bar, gym, meeting rooms, swimming pool, banquet and conference facilities. The resort in Palampur which is owned by R. S. Belvedere offers a virtual bonanza for nature lovers, unearthing the most exciting views of the divine Dhauladhar mountain range, which forms the backdrop of this beautiful town. Located in an important town in the Kangra Valley, also …