Thomas Cook (India) has expanded its footprint in Gujarat with the launch of a new Gold Circle Partner franchise outlet in Surat. This expansion augments Thomas Cook India’s distribution and reach in Gujarat to 10 consumer access centres: 5 owned branches and 5 Gold Circle Partner (franchise) outlets across Gujarat state. In this new age of travel (Covid-era), customers are understandably seeking the guidance and reassurance of holiday experts to navigate through the complexities and changes in travel and health protocols. To guide and support its customers with their travel plans and requirements, Thomas Cook India has set up a new Gold Circle Partner franchise outlet at Surat. Additionally, to build consumer confidence in travel, Thomas Cook India has launched TravShield – comprehensive Safety Commitment & Assured Safe Travel Program in association with Apollo Clinics that covers every aspect of physical safety as well as mental and financial security to give the customer complete peace of mind. Over the past 18 months there has been a strong pent-up demand and with the easing of restrictions and re-opening of borders, Gujarat’s consumers are displaying a strong travel desire for travel to international favourites like Maldives, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Switzerland, France, Austria, Turkey, Egypt and Russia; also domestic locales like Goa, Andamans, Kashmir, Leh-Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, etc. Key segments driving growth from Gujarat include families/extended families, couples, group of friends, millennials/young professionals, businesses and b-leisure. Thomas Cook’s Gold Circle Partner outlet in Surat offers consumers end-to-end travel solutions with a bouquet of travel and travel related services, including: International & Domestic Holidays (Group tours, Personalised Holidays, Cruises, etc.), Value Added Services like Travel Insurance; Visa Services, etc.

Sharing an encouraging note on the latest development involving the disinvestment of Air India, Madhavan Menon, Managing Director – Thomas Cook India Group, says, “The 100% disinvestment of Air India along with Air India Express (AIXL) and Air India SATS Airport Services (AISATS) by the Government of India is a significant move that reiterates its commitment towards disinvestment and certainly one that we welcome wholeheartedly. Across our companies at Thomas Cook, SOTC, TCI and our global Destination Management Specialists, we  couldn’t have hoped for a better buyer than the Tata Group who had created a world class airline in 1932, with the Maharaja ruling global skies till it was nationalised in 1953. This move will certainly be a long term play for the Tatas and with noteworthy aviation brands in their portfolio, several strategic options that are available to the team at Bombay House. We look forward to supporting the Tata Group and a re-emergence of the tourism sector with a powerful Indian aviation brand – leading from the front.”  

A new resort that has opened in the Maldives on October 1, 2021 has appointed Black Turtle as its official India representative. The representative company is led by Karishma Kazi. A premium all-inclusive resort, Cora Cora Maldives is the first resort in the Maldives that celebrates and embraces the culture and heritage of the destination. Located in the Raa Atoll, Cora Cora Maldives is 45 minutes by seaplane from Velana International Airport or 30 minutes by domestic flight, followed by a 20-minute speedboat journey. Comprising of 100 villas and suites, each one has been curated to reflect the spirit of the Maldives and is prevalent in all of the nine accommodation categories. Accommodation sizes range from the Beach Villas at 68 sqm to the two-bedroom Lagoon Pool Villa with slide inject an element of fun into the traditional over-water villas which the Maldives is famed for. Each villa is created with comfort in mind and set between the tropical vegetation and sparkling waters of the Indian Ocean. The Beach Villas are positioned on a sugar-soft, white, sand beach offering a mesmerizing view and the Overwater Villas offer a romantic experience. Cora Cora Maldives will be the first resort in the Maldives to showcase a licensed art gallery and museum, showcasing the cultural heritage of the island. With over 400 incredible local artefacts in the collection, guests can explore the rich history of the Maldives in breath-taking natural surroundings. Cora Cora Maldives will also host guest artists from around the world, curating exclusive exhibitions for guests. Cora Cora Maldives will offer its guests a one-of-a-kind immersive Maldivian cultural, experiential and culinary experience. Comprising of 100 villas, five restaurants, two bars, an …

Welcoming visitors from around the globe, His Excellency Sultan bin Rashid Al Khater, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, inaugurated the Qatar Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai on October 1st. The opening was attended by General Commissioners from GCC participating countries as well as a number of dignitaries, officials and partners. Following the inauguration, His Excellency toured the Qatar Pavilion which highlights the country’s achievements across various fields, showcases the most pioneering projects that are being developed in accordance with the National Vision 2030, and spotlights Qatar as the upcoming host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He also visited the pavilions of participating GCC countries, where each country’s most prominent achievements were showcased. The Qatar Pavilion was designed by internationally-renowned architect, Santiago Calatrava, who represented a modern interpretation of the four elements presented in the Coat of Arms of Qatar. Its architectural composition draws inspiration from the two crossed and curved swords, encompassing a Dhow and island with two palm trees, that are at the core of the national emblem of the state of Qatar. Santiago Calatrava said, “We are honoured to have been chosen for the design of the Qatar Pavilion at Expo 2020. Our relationship with the State of Qatar and its people lies very close to our heart. The Qatar Pavilion’s design draws inspiration from the four elements represented on the Coat of Arms of Qatar and pays tribute to the nation’s cultural heritage.” The coinciding pair of buildings of the Qatar Pavilion consist of two main galleries of exhibition spaces. Gallery 1 serves as an introductory space and invites visitors to explore the past, present, and future of Qatar through visual arts, sound …

Etihad Airways is giving all its guests travelling into or via Abu Dhabi a complimentary ticket to Expo 2020 Dubai that will take place between 1 October, 2021 and 31, March 2022. Visitors can enjoy a visit to Expo and also explore the attractions in Abu Dhabi. The special promotion under the ‘Exponential Abu Dhabi’ campaign will run until 31 March 2022. Expo 2020 is just a 45-minute drive from Abu Dhabi. The city now welcomes fully vaccinated travellers without the need to quarantine.

According to the results of the SAP Concur study, Indian business travellers (99%) want to resume work travel within the next 12 months. Nearly 78% of business professionals surveyed in India were eager to start a journey, and according to the study, the percentage was much higher than the global average. About 84% of Indian business professionals felt that their inability to extend travel would hurt them both professionally and personally. Respondents from India said that most business activities such as new deal sign ups, (47%), customer additions (41%) and contract renewals (43%) would be adversely affected if their organizations did not increase business travel.

According to the sector’s hiring data unveiled by job site Indeed, job postings and clicks were down by 14% in August 2021 as compared to August 2020. Further, when compared to a pre-pandemic August 2019, hiring activity has witnessed a sharp 62% decline, while job seekers’ interest also plummeted as clicks for these jobs saw a de-growth of 36%. While hiring activity in the sector spiked between November 2020 and January 2021, it immediately began to fall from February 2021, as international and domestic travel was severely impacted due to the second wave of the pandemic. Though clicks seemed to have witnessed a gradual recovery after July, they still witnessed a 48% decline between February 2021 and August 2021. Job postings also witnessed a continuous decline, registering 30% degrowth between February 2021 and August 2021. A city-wise analysis found that Delhi NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru led sectoral hiring, while the maximum number of travel and tourism job aspirants emerged from Delhi NCR, Chandigarh, and Kolkata.

The base camp of Siachen glacier, the world’s highest and coldest battlefield, was opened on Monday for domestic tourists on the occasion of World Tourism Day. The step has been taken to boost tourism in Ladakh and give people a window to appreciate the tough work done by army jawans and engineers in extreme weather and inhospitable terrains. Secretary Tourism, Ladakh, Mehboob Ali Khan, flagged-off a cleanliness drive from the tourist reception centre. The department of tourism, Leh, also organised a cleanliness drive along with various stakeholders of the tourism industry such as All Ladakh Tour Operators Association (ALTOA), All Ladakh Hotels and Guest Houses Association (ALHGHA), Ladakh Mountain Guide Association (LMGA) and others.

Switzerland Tourism will conduct a webinar on Thursday, 30th September, 2021 with Interlaken Tourism. Interlaken is an extremely popular and sought after holiday destination, as well as a hub for adventure activities. The webinar will give attendees an insight into the various tourism offerings available in and around Interlaken for Indian guests across the year. To register, contact jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

Arvind Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism (MOT), announced that the MOT has launched the Responsible Traveller Campaign on the occasion of World Tourism Day. “The campaign will be activated throughout the country, with some part of it already active on social media. It is important that the development through tourism is sustainable, responsible and inclusive. This crisis is an opportunity to rethink about the sector and its contribution to the people and planet,” he said.