Kerala Tourism will roll out aggressive promotional campaigns across the country, targeting diverse segments. The campaigns will be based on various themes and will be bolstered by a series of travel trade networking activities, including participation in trade fairs, and B2B roadshows. Dr. Venu V, Addl. Chief Secretary (Tourism), said, “The theme-based projects have been made after meticulous planning. Some of the new projects, like the biodiversity circuit, and Caravan Holidays, in particular, will take the travellers to Kerala’s unexplored areas while observing all the pandemic protocols, thus helping the state go beyond established destinations.”

With Maharashtra opening up for tourists, its tourism department has started rigorously promoting various tourism segments. Maharashtra tourism department has organised 20 mini festivals all through February and March. It will also conduct FAM tours for tour operators in March from various cities like Delhi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, and Bengaluru.

Europe’s travelling activity will be on the rise despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the aerospace company Airbus has said. According to the CEO of Airbus, Guillaume Faury, the 27-nation-bloc will witness a surge in travel this summer as the conflict on the Eastern part of the continent won’t impact the internal European markets.

Two weeks after he was appointed Air India chief executive officer, Ilker Ayci has declined the offer to join the Tata Group-owned airline. Ayci, former chairman of Turkish Airlines, had earlier served as advisor to Turkey president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board has decided to include cruise ride, water and adventure activities at 20 tourist destinations in the state. Scuba diving, water rafting, speed boats and banana boats among other activities are expected to begin soon as a regular sport for tourists at 20 water bodies of the state. It has invited expression of interest (EOI) from investors for organising cruises. Umakant Choudhary, deputy director of adventure and water tourism at MPTB, said, “We have 22 notified water bodies. Recently we have issued expression of interest for cruise operations. Other water sports such as scuba diving, water rafting, speed boats and banana boats will also be introduced at selected locations.”

Abu Dhabi has updated its Covid-19 travel protocol as on March 1, 2022 and has removed the requirement for PCR test to travel to the country for fully-vaccinated Indian travellers. Key changes include no rapid test required under six hours at the airport and no RT PCR test required under 48 hours. Children under 16 are exempted.

Discover quintessential Dutch elegance in an intricate maze of 25 connecting Golden Age canal houses. After a full renovation, completed in August 2016, this hidden neighbourhood now features: 225 guest rooms & suites, tranquil inner gardens, meeting & event spaces, a garden café, a hotel bar and a restaurant that serves simple yet beautifully crafted dishes. The Pulitzer is a unique blend of up-market, traditional and modern Dutch craftsmanship hidden amongst the city’s iconic canals. The buildings dating from the 17th and 18th centuries have been carefully restored to combine original, historic canal house components with modern and luxurious aspects. From leading merchants to flamboyant Dutch aristocrats, the former residents of these canal houses lend Pulitzer Amsterdam the opportunity to inspire guests and visitors with its rich character and history. Guests can choose from four distinctive room types and three suite categories, as well as the beautiful romantic Pulitzer Suite. The four exceptional Collector’s Suites with private entrance on the Keizersgracht and breathtaking views over the canals are inspired by the stories of intriguing characters who may have inhabited the canal houses over the years; from a determined art admirer to an eccentric book lover; a music composer and an antique collector. No two rooms are the same; each combines Amsterdam’s rich past with the modern present in an eclectic mix of designs and elements that complement the charm of each individual room. Speaking on this partnership, the Commercial Director, Gladys Camphuijsen, says, “For years we have seen the Indian market as such a great opportunity for the Pulitzer Amsterdam, however we didn’t have the right tools to enter this market. With commencing the relationship with One Rep Global, we feel like we have found the perfect way to …

Westin Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 hotel brands, continues to propel its footprint in India with the opening of The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake. The hotel features 600 guestrooms with views of the Hiranandani skyline. “We are excited to bring the second Westin property to Mumbai. There is an increasing demand for wellness travel and The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake is set to expand the brand’s signature wellbeing offering to locals and global travellers,” said Neeraj Govil, Senior Vice President Operations, Asia Pacific excluding China. “The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake is set to be a part of Marriott International’s portfolio of 127 hotels in India and further compliments our commitment to growth in the region, bringing a diversified portfolio for different types of travellers.”   

The country’s largest airport operator Adani Group has reported a profit (before interest and taxes) of ₹22.96 crore for its airport businesses during the quarter ending on 31 December, compared to a ₹48.95 crore loss during the same period of the previous year, on the back of a recovery in air passenger traffic in the quarter. Adani Group operates seven airports, which includes airports at Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Mangalore, Jaipur, Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram. The upcoming airport at Navi Mumbai will also be operated by the conglomerate.

Sharing a broad strategy for the new airline, Ilker Ayci, the newly-appointed CEO and MD of Air India said, “Working closely with my colleagues at Air India and the leadership of the Tata Group, we will utilise the strong heritage of Air India to make it one of the best airlines in the world with a uniquely superior flying experience that reflects the Indian warmth and hospitality.” He takes over from 1 April, 2022.