Management Consultant & Professor for aviation and tourism industries, Gavin Eccles, says India needs a more integrated vision between air services and tourism. “I have been saying this for the last few years. It is really time for India to look at an inbound aviation strategy. UDAN scheme has been great but what about an India Air Connectivity Programme? I have made many pitches to both the Central Government and the Indian states. Is 2024 the year that India can develop a strong inbound air services programme?”

Italy’s government has passed the budget law for next year. In the package, the government has decided to lower the minimum threshold of tax-free shopping from 154 euros to 70 euros (74.8 dollars) for all non-European tourists visiting the country. This was welcomed by McArthurGlen Group that has its largest shopping outlet in Serravalle.

Speaking about his expectations from 2024, Nishant Kashikar, Country Manager – India & Gulf, Tourism Australia, says, “As we stride into 2024, the India opportunity is immense – a projected 50 million outbound travellers by FY 2030 and one that is ascending the global list of spends on travel. Shorter planning windows but longer stays, a desire for immersive local experiences, and individuals increasingly exploring travel opportunities tied to specific events also define a compelling narrative for the future of outbound travel from India.”

Sharing his views on trends for 2024, Rajeev Kale – President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa – Thomas Cook (India), says, “Event-based travel is emerging as a significant trend, driven by the enthusiasm of Young India’s millennials, young professionals, and Gen Z. Their keen interest in the thrill of live concerts, events, and cultural immersion is poised to be a driving force for travel in the upcoming year. This demographic seeks immersive experiences that go beyond traditional tourism, reflecting a desire for dynamic and culturally rich journeys.”

The guidance for overall airline industry financials remains unchanged as per CAPA India’s latest report. However, full-service carriers are expected to see a relative deterioration in performance compared with earlier results. Softer yields are expected to result in higher losses for the FSCs.

Nearly eight out of ten surveyed passengers have faced one or more issues while flying with Indian carriers over the past two years, a survey by LocalCircles reveals. Major challenges identified include issues with in-flight services, boarding, check-in, baggage procedures, and poor aircraft interiors, including seats.

The Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has awarded VFS Global the global tender to provide visa and residence permit services in 52 countries across the globe. Under this new agreement, VFS Global will continue to operate on behalf of the Government of Norway in all regions worldwide – Americas, Australasia, China & Hong Kong, Europe & CIS, Middle East & North Africa, Russia, Belarus & Armenia, and South Asia, including India. VFS Global has worked with the Government of Norway since 2014 and has successfully handled nearly 1.5 million applications on their behalf. The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “We look forward to a continued smooth and professional cooperation with VFS Global on provision of visa and residence permit services. The cooperation we have developed has proven to be effective and fruitful, with both our organizations working well together in performing their respective responsibilities and tasks.” Chris Dix, Head of Business Development, VFS Global, said: “VFS Global is delighted that we will continue to serve the Government of Norway as their sole service provider. We have enjoyed a strong partnership and welcome the opportunity to renew our services in the existing locations where we operate. We look forward to offering best-in-class visa solutions, and a seamless application process across all regions globally with an annual estimated customer count of 220,000. This is the eighth global contract win this year and is a testament to our dedicated efforts to provide all our client governments with top quality services.”

In order to provide impetus to the development of adventure tourism in the country, MOT has set up a National Board for Adventure Tourism under Secretary (Tourism) and comprising Central Ministries, states and industry stakeholders to provide guidance for the development of the sector. Seven strategic pillars have been identified for development of sustainable tourism, adventure tourism and ecotourism. These include state assessment, skills, marketing, strengthening safety framework, national and state level rescue grid, destination and product development, and governance and institutional framework.

India’s Delhi International Airport is likely to emerge as the second largest airport in the world after Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Intl Airport, with an estimated passenger capacity of 109 million passengers by 2024, according to MoCA Jyotiraditya Scindia. He added that efforts are being undertaken to make Indian airports emerge as international hubs for commercial aviation, with the Delhi Airport being the first candidate to become an international hub.

Skyscanner’s Travel Trends and Destination Expert, Mohit Joshi, says, “The value of experiences and cultural exploration will be key considerations, with price no longer solely ruling decision-making for Indian travellers. We expect this momentum to only grow next year as the 2024 report also highlights that 86% of Indian travellers plan to take the same number, if not more, trips abroad in 2024 compared to 2023. We also predict Nice in France to be a great-value destination for Indian travellers in 2024, with airfares having dropped by over a third over the past 12 months. 2024 will also see Indian travellers heading abroad to see their favourite artists play, with a third of fans saying they would travel to short-haul destinations to hear their favourite artists live, while 20% would fly long-haul.”