Sharing some of the pain points that he seeks clarity and consideration on from the FM , in the upcoming budget, Mahendra Vakharia, Executive Committee Member / Immediate Past President – OTOAI & MD, Pathfinders Holidays, shares the below: Make the GST application and adjustment of Credit rule simpler for services rendered to client based in different state, service purchased from different state and invoiced from different state…. Allow adjustment of input credit of GST for International Holidays Reduce the percentage of TCS and Simplify the application of TCS on Foreign tour packages if you are unable to completely abolish TCS on International Packages – especially when booked from a tour operator / travel agent as it is not creating a level playing field for the Travel Agent charging TCS against  a Foreign registered online portal which is allowed to process bookings without charging TCS. This is totally and completely demoralising in defeating the rule of “Make in India” and favouring the foreign operators instead of the local travel agents. Interpretation of TCS rule is also very complicated and should be made very simple – both for the client and the travel agent thereby reducing the liability of the Travel Agent for non compliance due to ambiguity of the law and its implementation In fact from the day one when TCS was introduced the request from Industry was to abolish this TCS rule for International Tour Packages. This rule is not giving the local travel agent who is generating employment, paying income tax, paying GST,  a level playing field in comparision to the online Foreign Travel Portal who is not paying income tax, not generating employment, not paying GST and taking …

Türkiye, a premier destination for travellers worldwide, continues to see a remarkable surge in tourism from India. In the first 5 months of 2024, the number of Indian visitors reached an impressive 1,26,000, representing a 34% increase compared to the same period in 2023. This surge is notable against the backdrop of 2023, wherein Türkiye welcomed a total of 2,74,000 Indian tourists for the entire year. This significant growth highlights Türkiye’s ongoing appeal and its strategic efforts to attract more Indian tourists. Indian tourists have shown a strong preference for a variety of tourism experiences in Türkiye. Many Indian visitors are exploring Türkiye’s rich cultural heritage, shopping, and dining experiences at their own pace as Free Independent Travellers (FITs). Several regions and cities in Türkiye have seen a notable increase in Indian tourists. Istanbul, renowned for its historical landmarks, vibrant culture and unique gastronomic experiences, remains a top destination. Cappadocia, famous for its unique landscapes and hot air balloon rides, has also attracted many Indian visitors. Coastal areas such as Antalya and Bodrum, which are known for their stunning beaches and luxury resorts, are also popular for unique wedding ceremonies, honeymoons, luxurious celebrations, and events. Other destinations like Pamukkale, İzmir, and Alaçatı are known for their natural beauty and historical sites, drawing significant numbers of tourists. This impressive growth is attributed to active promotion and PR activities in India, as well as successful collaborations with Indian stakeholders, including travel agents, corporates, and wedding planners. Earlier this year, Türkiye Tourism concluded a successful six-city India Roadshow in collaboration with the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI). This initiative aimed to strengthen ties between the Indian travel trade and Turkish tourism, fostering …

Oman Air has been named Best Airline Staff is the Middle East at the Skytrax 2024 World Airline Award. The prestigious accolade was accepted by Con Korfiatis, the airline’s Chief Executive Officer, during the award’s 25th anniversary in Windsor, UK. It’s the seventh time Oman Air has claimed the title. “Oman Air’s consistent success in this category underscores our unwavering, dedication to fostering a service-oriented culture that is deeply rooted in the rich traditions of Omani hospitality. I am extremely proud of the Oman Air family, both onboard and on the ground for providing time and again their dedication to service excellence and commitment to deliver an unmatched quality experience at every touchpoint,” said Korfiatis. The Skytrax World Airline Awards are considered one of the most prestigious in the industry, with travellers across the globe taking part each year in the world’s largest airline passenger satisfaction survey.

UN Tourism Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili, stressed the need to embrace innovation and grow and direct investment into the sector in order to drive its positive transformation. “With tourism having bounced back from the biggest crisis in its history, now is the time to channel our energy into building greater resilience against any future shocks,” he said. “At the same time, we must ensure tourism’s growth benefits people everywhere, above all by expanding access to education and job opportunities and harnessing the power of new technology.”

The World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR) reveals a significant recovery of India’s Travel & Tourism sector, with domestic tourism playing a pivotal role. The data shows that whilst domestic tourism is driving the recovery of the sector in India,  international travel spend remains below pre-pandemic levels. According to the global tourism body’s latest research, the sector’s contribution to India’s GDP reached just over INR 19.13TN in 2023 – almost 10% ahead of 2019 levels. Employment in Travel & Tourism grew by 10% to reach just under 43MN, 8% more than in 2019. Domestic visitor spending was 15% ahead of 2019, reaching INR 14.64TN however international visitor spending remained more than 14% behind 2019 last year – INR 0.4TN less being spent by international visitors last year than in 2019. Such strong growth in domestic visitor spending is evidence that domestic visitors have led the sector’s path toward post-pandemic recovery. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said; “India’s Travel & Tourism sector is bouncing back with remarkable vigour, driven by a surge in domestic tourism.

Riaz Munshi, President, OTOAI said, “Today’s travellers are increasingly mature and discerning; they prioritize meaningful experiences. We’ve observed a substantial 20-30% rise in luxury and experiential travel, underscoring a robust demand for high-quality, personalised travel experiences.”

During ‘Explore Maldives’ Roadshow organised by Manta Air in Bengaluru, Ahmed Maumoon, Deputy CEO, Manta Air, highlighted the initiative airline is taking to entice Indian traveller. He said, “Manta Air is promoting Bengaluru – Dhaalu route with exclusive fare between US$ 350-400 until September, which saves almost US$ 500-700 of an Indian traveller. Along with that, we are partnering with resorts in Maldives to provide a tailored package wherein customers receive 2-3 night stay with our resort partners in addition to air ticket at affordable rates. This strategy promotes the destination along with the airline. We are currently focusing on strengthening on our current route and will continue to monitor the Indian market. If the passenger load continues to be stable, we may start new route from Chennai and other cities in South India.”

The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Sultanate of Oman, along with Kempinski Hotel Muscat, Zahara Tours, and SalamAir, invites the Indian travel trade to attend a webinar on the destination and the product offerings. Get valuable insights and updates for your clients today at 3pm IST. Join the webinar and stand a chance to win exciting prizes! For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is set to organise a multi-city B2B roadshow in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad this July. Titled ‘Singapore Tourism Board Roadshow 2024. Holidays Made in Singapore’, the event features 50 exhibitors representing hotels, attractions, airline, cruise lines and destination management companies. Notably, seven of these exhibitors are participating for the first time, including the city’s famed family-friendly attraction Museum of Ice Cream, and Disney Cruise Line, which has made Singapore its exclusive Southeast Asian homeport for five years starting next year. India is a major tourism source market for Singapore, with direct flights from 17 cities within a 4 to 6-hour range. Since the resumption of international travel in 2022, Indian tourists have been drawn to Singapore’s evolving range of offerings. In 2023, many new hotels, attractions, and lifestyle experiences have emerged, offering more activities and venues for India’s travel agents and planners to consider when crafting holiday itineraries, MICE programmes, and wedding celebrations. STB’s global campaign, “Made In Singapore”, showcases the city as a destination of unique and unexpected experiences. In line with this, the 2024 multi-city roadshow is themed “Holidays. Made In Singapore” to equip the Indian travel trade community to promote Singapore as a differentiated destination for various consumer segments. As part of the B2B roadshow, STB is also hosting two curated business matching platforms between Singapore wedding suppliers and Indian planners in Ahmedabad and Kolkata, important source markets for Indian wedding celebrations. Featuring eight venues, hotels, aviation and cruise partners, and DMCs, these networking events build on STB’s continuing efforts in India to spotlight Singapore’s unique selection of wedding venues and experiences, including a partnership with celebrated couturier Rahul Mishra, and the …

Sailing from Singapore in 2025, the one-of-a-kind Disney Adventure will offer families throughout the region the ultimate holiday at sea. The first Disney Cruise Line ship to homeport in Asia will be a destination itself, sailing on three- and four-night voyages designed with magical days at sea and filled with immersive storytelling and captivating entertainment like only Disney can do. “We’re bringing the magic of Disney Cruise Line to Asia for the first time ever, and we want to give our guests the cruise relaxation and Disney fun they can only experience aboard one of our ships,” said Sharon Siskie, senior vice president and general manager, Disney Cruise Line. “When they set sail on the Disney Adventure, guests will find incredible, immersive areas that bring the worlds of Disney, Pixar and Marvel to life in ways like never before – and these uniquely Disney experiences will inspire families to reconnect, recharge and make unforgettable memories that they’ll cherish forever.”