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 …

Tamil Nadu tourism is all set to offer helicopter services for tourists. HarSahayMeena, Commissioner of Tourism & Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC), said, “Hopefully, we will be coming up with adventure tourism products like helicopter services. Right now we are planning these services between Madurai- Rameshwaram, Madurai – Kanyakumari and Madurai- Kodaikanal. The plan is already in the pipeline and once a few issues are cleared, we will launch it. We also want to focus on rural tourism, especially Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Madurai, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam, which are less visited areas as compared to other parts of the state.” He also revealed that the state is also trying to develop beach tourism and have many projects underway.

Munich Airport’s new satellite terminal was launched on April 26, 2016. The new facility will give Munich Airport 27 new gate positions where passengers can board aircraft directly without bus transportation. With the new satellite facility, the capacity of Terminal 2, which is used by Lufthansa and its Star Alliance partners, will be increased by 11 million to 36 million passengers per year.Germany’s first midfield terminal – Europe’s only five-star airport is again setting new standards for excellent service, expertise and sustainability. The satellite terminal is also a continuation of the joint venture between Munich Airport and Lufthansa. As in Terminal 2, the partners have joined forces to design, build and finance the new passenger handling facilityon a 60:40 basis. The Munich architectural firm Koch + Partner was selected for the design and general planning. 1,900 guests in attendance at official opening of the Munich Airport satellite terminal. As one of the world’s most advanced passenger facilities, the satellite terminal will offer passengers pleasant surroundings, a wide range of shopping and dining options, and outstanding travel convenience in attractive and spacious areas flooded with natural light. Passengers will also have five new Lufthansa lounges to choose from.

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAK TDA) conducted its first ever travel trade roadshow in India on April 6 in Mumbai and held the second one in New Delhi on April 7. The educational sessions familiarised the travel trade community in Mumbai with Ras Al Khaimah and will build a strong relationship with them.

GoAir will become the first airline to offer non-stop daily flights connecting Mumbai – Leh effective April 13, 2016. As per its latest Summer Schedule 2016, the GoAir flight G8-386 will take off from Mumbai at 4:00hrs and arrive in Leh at 6:40hrs while the return flights will take off from Leh at 7:10hrs and arrive at Mumbai at 8:30hrs via Srinagar. Additionally, it has further strengthened its domestic network in the Summer Schedule 2016 with the addition of frequencies on the Mumbai – Patna and Mumbai – Lucknow routes effective April 17, 2016 to cater the holiday rush.

In a bid to boost regional connectivity, Alliance Air, a wholly owned subsidiary of Air India, has introduced new flights on sectors Delhi-Jammu, Bengaluru-Vijayawada and Kolkata-Agartala. The flights on the Bengaluru –Vijayawada and Kolkata- Agartala sectors will start operating from April 1, 2016. More flights will be added to its existing Delhi – Jammu route starting April 07, 2016, fares starting Rs 6,545 (super value economy). The flights on the Bengaluru-Vijayawada- Bengaluru and Kolkata-Agartala-Kolkata routes will operate with ATR 42-320 aircraft. The flight AI9507/9508 will operate five days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) departing from Bengaluru at 1600 hrs and will arrive Vijayawada at 1730 hrs, fares starting Rs 6000. On the return, AI-9508 will depart from Vijayawada at 1750 hrs and reach Bengaluru at 1920 hrs. The evening frequency from Kolkata to Agartala will operate five days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday). AI9715 from Kolkata will depart at 1710 hrs and will reach Agartala at 1815 hrs. The return flight AI9716 will depart from Agartala at 1835 hrs and will reach Kolkata at 1940 hrs. From April 07, 2016, Air India will be operating additional frequency three days a week (Monday, Thursday and Sunday) on its existing route of Delhi-Jammu-Delhi. Operating with Bombardier jet aircraft, the flight AI9613 will depart from Delhi at 0745 hrs and will reach Jammu at 0900 hrs. The return flight from Jammu, AI9614 will depart at 0930 hrs and will touchdown at Delhi at 1045 hrs.

Dubai has introduced a tax on travellers to help finance expansion. The AED35 ($9.50) fee will apply to all passengers, including those transiting in Dubai, on all flights from June 30, according to a statement carried by WAM state news agency. It is the first time Dubai has announced a passenger tax, which is imposed in many airports worldwide. More than 78 million passengers passed through Dubai International in 2015, keeping its place as the world’s busiest for international passengers since overtaking London Heathrow in 2014. Last month, Dubai Airports increased the capacity of its main airport to 90 million passengers with the opening of concourse D, at a cost of $1.2 billion. Dubai has a smaller second airport, Al-Maktoum International, which opened in 2013 and will receive 120 million passengers a year once completed. The receipts of the new tax will be channeled into funding the expansion of Dubai airports, the statement said. Situated on transcontinental air routes, Dubai is one of several Gulf-based airports to experience prodigious growth in recent years. Around 100 airlines fly to more than 240 destinations from the international hub, which is also home to carrier Emirates.