Underlining strong airline connectivity between India and the UK, including to regional destinations, Vishal Bhatia, Country Manager – India, VisitBritain, says, “Airline seat capacity from India to the UK is also showing strong recovery and growth. Looking at September 2023, seat capacity was up 53% compared to the same month in 2019. India is forecast to be a £1 billion inbound visitor market by the end of 2024, making it one of the UK’s fastest growing major tourism markets.”

Sharing his opinion on best ways to measure hotel room amenities performance, Rajdev Bhattacharya, Global Head Travel and Hospitality, & Global Travel Services, Wipro, says, “Three points comes to my mind straight away: guest feedback through surveys and reviews, mystery shopping to evaluate amenities based on authentic experiences, and of course service audits.”

HRAWI has appealed to CM Shinde and Tourism Minister Mahajan to reassess recent regulatory measures in Pune. Terming the order u/s 144 as “draconian”, Pradeep Shetty HRAWI President said the order mandates establishments to manage guest behaviour, including prohibiting dancing in specific areas and driving after drinking.

Kenya Tourism Board has launched strategic marketing campaign that will provide incentives to travel agents to promote Kenya as their preferred destination. The campaign which will enhance awareness and drive conversions in the Indian market will involve engagement of both trade partners and consumers simultaneously. Kenya Tourism Board Ag CEO John Chirchir, stated that the board was looking forward to embark on the campaign and recognized the importance of the Indian market to Kenya’s tourism “India stands as a pivotal market for Kenya in the realm of travel and tourism, and we believe that this initiative will significantly contribute to strengthening our foothold in this dynamic landscape. With high expectations riding on this campaign, we aim to forge a robust bond with the travel trade and cultivate lasting relationships. We are confident that through this concerted effort, we will not only meet but exceed expectations, propelling Kenya to the forefront of travelers’ minds in India.” Said Chirchir While commenting on this, Director of Intrepid Marketing and Communications Neeti Sharma said that KTB would reap the benefits of partnering with a well-known platform in the Indian market that would help in showcasing the Kenya to potential Indian visitors. “We are thrilled to partner with Network 18 and our travel partners in this market to showcase the wonders of Kenya to the Indian audience,” she said “By engaging both trade partners and consumers, we aim to create a powerful synergy that will drive demand and position Kenya as the ultimate travel destination in Africa. We are confident that this campaign will not only drive conversions but also strengthen the bond between the travel trade in India and Kenya”. This campaign aims to create …

Sharing his views on some of the key drivers that is facilitating business travel in India, he said, “There are multiple factors that are contributing to this. Corporate growth in terms of revenue and EBIDTA margins are growing and by this FY end we will see India grow 18℅. FDI into India is at record levels. Moreover, the aviation boom in India with 700-odd aircraft in Indian skies right now is pushing business travel. It is a super exciting time in India. “

FHRAI jointly with the Hotel Association of India (HAI) is organising “Travel for LiFE – Tourism Sustainability Summit 2024” on 8th of March 2024, at Hotel Le-Meridien, New Delhi. This initiative is also supported by the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (UK), Niti Aayog, Invest India and KPMG as Knowledge Partner. It will be attended by G. Kishan Reddy and Amitabh Kant and will explore sustainable tourism practices and global initiatives.

Sharing his targets for this year, Nalin Perera, MD, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, said, “Last year, we achieved almost 1.5 million tourist arrivals. This year, we have set an ambitious target of 2.3 million, which would be a record-breaking figure in the history of Sri Lankan tourism. I urge those who haven’t visited Sri Lanka to do so, and for those who have, I encourage you to return for more.”

Switzerland Tourism invites the Indian outbound travel trade to attend an exclusive webinar on Lucerne, on March 7 at 3 pm. Sited on Lake Lucerne and surrounded by gorgeous mountains, Lucerne provides travellers access to numerous excursions, activities and experiences. It is also the perfect gateway to exploring Central Switzerland. Attend all webinars for a chance to win a trip to Switzerland! For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

In a significant development for AlUla’s travel landscape, three major airlines Gulf Air, Royal Jordanian, and Saudia have announced new flight options, providing enhanced connectivity and accessibility to the luxury boutique heritage destination. Unlocking access for travellers seeking a unique blend of history, culture, and adventure, Gulf Air, the national carrier for the Kingdom of Bahrain, is expanding its footprint in Saudi Arabia with direct flights to AlUla. Starting 3rd February, Gulf Air will operate twice-weekly flights between Bahrain and AlUla. These seasonal flights will continue till 6th March and resume from 10th to 27th April. Royal Jordanian Airlines is set to launch direct flights between Amman to AlUla, with the inaugural flight scheduled for 16th February. Operating twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays, this service will be available until 22nd December. Saudia has made AlUla even more accessible to Europe, with the relaunch of its seasonal flights from Paris. The first seasonal flight took off on 28th January, and the service will continue until 28th April. Flights will operate once a week, every Sunday, offering a convenient and direct link between the enchanting city of Paris and the historical wonders of the Saudi destination. Rami AlMoallim, Vice President of Destination Management and Marketing at the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) said: “The introduction of new flight options connecting AlUla to Bahrain, Amman, and Paris comes as we experience a period of exciting growth and witness demand from global travellers wanting to visit this historic location. These new flight routes not only enhance the connectivity but also opening a gateway for travellers worldwide to experience the captivating charm of AlUla. We believe these new routes will play a pivotal …

The Indian market Is likely to double in the next five years, said Noor Ahmed Hamid, CEO of PATA, while speaking at a PATA India event in New Delhi. He said, “However, it will not reach the size of China and will remain the third-largest in the world. India is growing on the domestic front with its population propelling business of tourism in India.”