MTF invites the travel trade industry to Melangé, an exclusive industry partnership event designed to create new friendships and business collaborations. This unique, focused, and dynamic two-day event to be held on 19 & 20!Sept 2024 is tailored for exhibitors and buyers of diverse travel products. Special offers are available for early birds who register before 31st May. MTF Style Event at one of the most premier venues in India –  Jio Convention Centre BKC. Pradeep Saboo, Organiser, MTF, says, “We understand the power of meaningful connections and innovative collaborations. Our event offers a carefully curated environment where your products and services will be showcased to an audience of discerning buyers ready to explore new opportunities. Melangé is your platform to engage with industry leaders, present cutting-edge travel solutions, and foster impactful business relationships. Join us at Melangé, elevate your brand, connect with key decision-makers, and be part of an event that prioritizes quality interactions over quantity. Seize this opportunity to network, inspire, and be inspired. Let’s create a vibrant mosaic of collaborations and drive the travel industry forward together. Your participation at Melangé is not just an exhibition; it’s an investment in the future of travel.” A special offer is available for exhibiting partners is available. Registrations done before 31 May, 2024 will lead to : A) 50% discount on the published price B) With Category D, a Gold Sponsorship will be offered gratis C) With Category E, a Platinum Sponsorship will be offered gratis Register as an exhibitor here:  https://mtf.events/melange-exhibitors-registration/    

In his role, Abraham John will focus on marketing Rida International Travel & Tourism LLC and help in enhancing the visibility of Rida International in India with emphasis on Luxury Travel, Upmarket Groups and MICE business. Abraham John brings along an experience of 50 years in the Travel & Tourism industry starting his career with Travel Corporation India (TCI) in 1974 followed by a 28 years journey in Bahrain where he managed Sunshine Tours.  Abraham was also responsible for successfully launching and executing the first International Travel & Tourism exhibition in Bahrain (BITE) which was widely accepted as an international travel and tourism exhibition. On his return to India, Abraham joined Fairfest Media Limited as Advisor who are the organisers of the largest travel show in India (OTM). Abraham was responsible for introducing many international tourism boards to OTM including UAE, Rwanda, Greece, Cyprus and many more. Abraham also runs a successful event management company – Inspiration Unlimited. He has successfully promoted many international destinations through roadshows and other marketing activities. “We are delighted to welcome Abraham to The Rida family and to have someone of his calibre, repute and experience advise us on strengthening our roots in India. We are confident that with his understanding of luxury travel, he will add tremendous value as the world begins to travel again” said Rafic Rida, Founder & Chairman – Rida International Travel & Tourism. “I am excited to launch Rida International Travel & Tourism LLC in India. Rida is expanding leaps & bounds in some of the key tourism destinations of the world which is widely accepted by the Indian community. Further I would like to extend my gratitude and thanks to Rafic Rida for entrusting me with such …

Benchmark Travel Representations is proud to announce its appointment as the Indian Representative of Speke Holidays-Uganda & Rwanda. Founded in 2008, Speke Holidays is one of Uganda’s premier destination management companies and the first to foray into the Indian market offering high-quality, full-service travel & safari arrangements across Uganda & Rwanda. Speke Holidays is committed to sustainability and environmentally responsible practices and does everything they can to reduce, reuse and recycle wherever they operate. Speke Holidays also employs an extensive team of safari guides to ensure every safari is spectacular. “Partnering with companies renowned for their innovation, commitment, and personalized approach is crucial to our global strategy. Our collaboration with Benchmark, bolstered by their network as well as their sales and marketing prowess, is poised to drive our long-term growth in the Indian outbound market,” affirmed Tony Mulinde, Founder and Managing Director of Speke Holidays. Benchmark Travel Representation will oversee business development for the brand across the key source markets of India. Commenting on the recent partnership, Savio Pereira, Managing Director, Benchmark Travel Representations stated, “As a travel representation company we are delighted to associate with Speke Holidays. Leveraging our industry expertise, we are poised to unlock new business opportunities, provide sales & marketing support to Speke Holidays and enhance ROI nationwide.”

As reported in Skyscanner’s Travel Trends 2024, globally, 44% of travellers are using AI to help them plan and research travel, but its use varies a lot depending on the market. 45% of Indian travellers, for example, are already using AI on their phones compared to just 8% in the UK. The next logical step is to use the AI technologies now available to us to help these travellers in the discovery phase of their travel planning journey.

To increase the number of visitors from India to South Africa and address the visa challenge, Patricia de Lille, Minister of Tourism of South Africa, said that the tourism ministry is in talks with the president about a visa waiver of up to 90 days for Indian travellers. The ministry must collate a joint report with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of State Security regarding this matter. She has recommended that India should also enjoy the BRICS visa waiver of 90 days, as is done for Brazil and Russia.

IHG is proud to announce the signing of a management agreement with Mansarovar Amusement Park & Resort to develop Crowne Plaza Resort Nepalgunj, Nepal. Scheduled to open in early 2028, the resort will feature over 100 keys and will further strengthen IHG’s growing portfolio in the SWA region. Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts is one of the world’s largest premium hotel brands, with more than 520 open or in pipeline properties in major global cities and resort locations. Rooted in a deep understanding of the needs of today’s business traveler, Crowne Plaza’s “Work/Life Blend” features multi-functional spaces where guests can switch effortlessly between work and socialization. Located in the sub-metropolitan city of Banke District, Nepalgunj is a vibrant and diverse city that serves as a major transport hub for many of the western regions of Nepal. It is a convenient stopover for travellers between Nepal and India, due to its location near the southern border with Bahraich district in Uttar Pradesh. The city is famous for its treks to the Dolpo Plateau and Jumla region, and offers a strategic stopover spot on the pathway to the Himalayas, offering a unique blend of culture, adventure, and nature. The new resort will be easily accessible from the Nepalgunj Airport and the India-Nepal border, catering to the needs of travellers seeking leisure and blended travel. Commenting on the announcement, Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said, “We are delighted to announce the signing of Crowne Plaza Resort Nepalgunj, further expanding IHG’s presence in Nepal. The strategic location of the hotel will provide us with a great opportunity to offer world-class premium hospitality and cater to the demands of …

Travelport and Canadian carrier WestJet have signed a new long-term content distribution deal. This partnership will allow WestJet to improve its retailing capabilities, as both companies start to collaborate on the future delivery of NDC content and servicing.

Tourism Malaysia, along with Sarawak Tourism Board, invites the Indian outbound travel trade to attend an exclusive webinar on discovering Sarawak – the Gateway to Borneo and the Land of the Hornbills – on May 21, 2024 at 3pm. Participate in the quiz and win exciting prizes! For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

Demand for travel is strong, says Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, adding, “That means making urgent progress to resolve supply chain issues and for airports and air traffic management to be fully staffed and operating at maximum efficiency. While airlines are prepared for customer care and assistance when operational issues arise, they are fed-up of bearing the cost when delays and cancellations are the result of poor preparation in other parts of the value chain.”

On 1 May, German taxes on flying increased by 19% to between EUR 15.53 and EUR 70.83 per passenger, depending on the route. The tax will make Germany less competitive in key economic areas such as exports, tourism, and jobs. It will further affect Germany’s air transport recovery from the pandemic, which is one of the slowest in the EU. Germany’s international passenger numbers, for example, are still 20% below pre-pandemic levels.