VFS Global, the world’s leading outsourcing and technology service specialist for governments and diplomatic mission worldwide was appointed to manage submission and collection for Algeria visa applications in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Commencing on September 1, 2024, VFS Global will begin accepting visa applications for Algeria across categories at its application centers located in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Kathmandu, and Colombo. This development is set to significantly simplify the process for applicants in India who, until now, only had the option to submit applications through the Algeria Embassy in Delhi. Applicants benefit from a variety of submission centres and the convenience of walk-in service to turn in their applications, cover the visa costs, and receive their visa within 6 business days. The visa types available encompass Business Visa, Tourist Visa, Work Visa, Temporary Work Visa, Family Visa, Cultural Visa, and accommodating a wide range of travel purposes. “It’s both a pleasure and a privilege to earn the confidence and acknowledgment from the Embassy of the People s Democratic Republic of Algeria, with this mandate. Algeria is a promising nation, and we are dedicated to delivering unparalleled customer service by implementing cutting-edge, seamless, secure, and dependable solutions,” stated Yummi Talwar, Chief Operating Officer for South Asia at VFS Global.

Thomas Cook (India) has announced a new AI-powered platform to help customers plan customised holidays, check availability and book – in minutes. The platform has been deployed with sellers initially. Over the next few months, end customers will have direct access to the platform via the company websites and apps. Leveraging a combination of Deep Learning & AI algorithms, intelligent recommendations intuitively tailor travel itineraries by analysing unique customer preferences.

Sarovar Hotels, in partnership with Om Royale Group announced the launch of Golden Tulip Agra. The opening marks Sarovar Hotels’ growing leisure market portfolio and strong presence in Uttar Pradesh, marking it as its 14th hotel in the state. Currently, both the groups jointly operate a successful hotel, Royale Sarovar Portico in Agra, that debuted last year. Ajay Bakaya, Managing Director, Sarovar Hotels and Director, Louvre Hotels India, expressed his excitement at the launch of the hotel, stated, “We are thrilled to introduce our renowned brand, Golden Tulip, from our international portfolio in partnership with Om Royale Group. This marks our second hotel with the group testifying our trust as business partners and our shared values of delivering exceptional service and hospitality to the most visited heritage city in India. We are confident that our guests will be enchanted by the stunning views, exquisite dining options, and unparalleled comfort that Golden Tulip Agra provides.” Ridhav Arora, Director, Om Royale Group, added, “The launch of Golden Tulip Agra is a significant milestone for Om Royale Group. We have designed this hotel to reflect both the beauty of Agra and the highest standards of modern luxury. Our aim is to offer an extraordinary experience that merges elegance with convenience and we eagerly anticipate welcoming travellers from around the world to experience everything Golden Tulip Agra has to offer.”

Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said, “As tourism is a state subject, we have asked all state governments to develop new tourist destinations. The Centre will provide all possible help in the holistic infrastructure development of these places. Whether it is connectivity for commutation or connectivity for communication, we will work on it.” The minister also expressed his desire to collaborate with tourist guides to enhance tourism efforts across the nation.

A key highlight of the TAFI Western India AGM was the discussion on one of the most pressing challenges facing the industry: the severe shortage of trained staff. Jay Kantawala, its Chapter Chairman, says, “The need to build a robust pool of new employees has never been more urgent. Members shared suggestions on how we can address this challenge like collaborating with tourism institutions and colleges that specialise in tourism programmes.”

Switzerland Tourism invites the Indian outbound travel trade to attend an exclusive webinar highlighting the unique experiences of BLS Interlaken’s lake cruises, Aletsch Arena, Swissminiatur and Foxtown factory stores. Attend all webinars for a chance to win a trip to Switzerland in 2025! For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

The Ministry of Tourism has formulated guidelines for ‘Challenge Based Destination Development’ as a sub scheme of Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme to enhance tourist experience and to transform tourist destinations as sustainable and responsible destinations. It has selected 42 destinations under four categories: Spiritual Tourism, Culture & Heritage, Vibrant Village Program, Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites for development under the above scheme.

Addressing hoteliers, Dr. Sagnik Chowdhury, DDG & Regional Director (Western & Central), MOT, said, “Guests from all parts of the world visit India, and the hospitality sector is essentially a melting pot of cultural exchanges. Enhancing guest experiences is our core offering; we are more than just venues to stay. I emphasize on the need for the hospitality industry to focus on sustainability and community ties and implored the industry to dovetail its trade with the tangible heritage and intangible cultural heritage which are India’s core strengths.

Collinson International, in its latest global research report, explored spending habits of sports and music event travellers. Over two-thirds of event travellers from India (69%) participate in customer engagement and loyalty programmes. Many have joined programmes that offer points/miles (39%) or discounts on flights (52%), tickets (45%), and accommodation (39%). Over a third (39%) of event travellers from India have also expressed that they would choose a payment card that offered exclusive travel benefits such as an event package (that includes flights, accommodation, transfers and tickets), travel insurance (40%) and airport lounge access (43%).

The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB), the official destination marketing organization for Centre County, Pennsylvania, announced that visitation to the destination has already reached the 5 million visitor mark, an ambitious goal set for 2024. This milestone reflects a significant achievement for the region, showcasing its growing appeal as a prime destination for travelers. Surrounding The Pennsylvania State University, commonly known as Penn State, this picturesque county is just a 3.5-hour drive from New York City and Washington DC. With a focus on being a four-season destination with an array of recreational, cultural and entertainment offerings, Happy Valley hosted 3.2 million day-trippers and 1.8 million overnight visitors. With an average spend of USD $200 per visitor, the total tourism expenditure has exceeded USD $1 billion. Happy Valley is an affordable destination catering to a variety of interests and budgets. Visitors will find diverse lodging options and wide range of dining experiences, including exceptional field-to-fork cuisine for all palates. “I am optimistic about the future of Happy Valley tourism,” said Fritz Smith, CEO of The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, who noted that visitation is a crucial economic driver for Centre County, significantly impacting employment opportunities and job creation. “We have ambitious plans to elevate tourism in Happy Valley to the next level, including the development of new hotels within the region. These efforts are grounded in a county- and organization-wide commitment t tourism, and strengthened by ongoing collaboration with the community and university.” Along with the recent launch of a comprehensive, visitor-focused website – happyvalley.com — another significant milestone in Happy Valle, PA tourism is the allocation of nearly USD $1 million to 77 tourism projects for the 2024-25 fiscal year. These initiatives are expected …