The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) hosted a roadshow in Delhi to introduce new initiatives and enhanced support programs aimed at strengthening collaboration with Indian travel trade. As part of its efforts to boost travel from India, KTO has introduced a $30 per passenger incentive for Korea-bound travellers booked through KPTC members, applicable for travel between April and December 2025. To qualify, packages must include a minimum one-night stay in Korea, a package cost of at least $250 (excluding airfare), accommodation in a four-star or higher category hotel, and submission of required supporting documents. With these initiatives, KTO aims to make Korea a more accessible and attractive destination for Indian travellers. Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director for India and SAARC countries, KTO, said, “With your support, we aim to further enhance travel opportunities, streamline processes, and ensure a seamless experience for Indian visitors to Korea.” KPTC is a specialised certification programme by KTO for travel agents.

Thomas Cook (India) has announced a 24-month strategic partnership with the Moscow Project Office for tourism promotion. The partnership will focus on strengthening cooperation through the exchange of knowledge, best practices and curation of unique-innovative products designed specifically for Indian travellers, towards fostering long-term growth in tourism and business MICE segments between India and Moscow. This strategic partnership aims at capitalising on Thomas Cook and SOTC Travel’s viable leisure and corporate MICE segments in a multi-pronged initiative that focuses on deepening product development, destination knowledge & training, marcom and consumer promotions – to create top of mind visibility and drive visitations from the India market to Moscow and beyond. The partnership will showcase Moscow’s distinctive and diverse appeal as a vibrant destination for India’s leisure, business/MICE and b-leisure sectors. The collaboration intends to maximise on the diversity of consumer segments of India’s leading omnichannel travel service providers, Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel – across India’s major metros, mini-metros, and emerging tier 2 and 3 source markets. Rajeev Kale – President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa – Thomas Cook (India) said, “The new age Indian traveller is displaying strong and growing appetite for unique destinations and enriching experiences. Moscow represents a delightful diversity of architecture, art, culture, gastronomy and vibrant nightlife…hidden gems waiting to be explored!  And so, on behalf of the Thomas Cook India Group, I am delighted to announce our strategic long term and multi-pronged partnership with Moscow Project Office for Tourism & Hospitality Development that extends across our range of segments – including MICE and leisure.” “With a vibrant heritage of over 143 years in India, this ground breaking MOU reiterates our leadership position in the …

Resorts World Cruises is pleased to update that its third cruise ship, Star Scorpio, which is set to join the fleet and commence deployment from 26 March 2025 onwards will be renamed as the Star Voyager. Aptly named as the Star Voyager, she will start her journey by exploring more of Southeast Asia until 21 July 2025 with Singapore as her main homeport, together with Jakarta, Melaka, Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh city as her dual homeport. Passengers will have the convenience to embark the Star Voyager from any of these homeport cities at selected dates, including during the local school holiday periods with the option to sail between cities, as well as to more popular destinations like Medan, Pulau Redang and Ko Samui.

EaseMyTrip.com has entered into a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) with Sabah Tourism Board (STB) to strengthen Sabah’s appeal among Indian travellers. The signing ceremony took place on 3rd February 2025 at the EaseMyTrip office in New Delhi, with STB Chief Executive Officer Julinus Jeffery Jimit and EaseMyTrip Chief Operating Officer Nutan Gupta formalising the collaboration. The event was attended by key representatives from both organisations, including Mr. Sanchit Chopra (Senior Vice President – Marketing & Alliances, EaseMyTrip), Mr. Saurabh Shukla (Assistant General Manager – Marketing & Alliances, EaseMyTrip), Mr. Humphrey Ginibun(Senior Marketing Manager, STB), and Ms. Poonam Nautiyal (Marketing Manager, Tourism Malaysia New Delhi). This partnership marks a significant milestone in expanding Sabah’s presence in the Indian travel market, leveraging EaseMyTrip’s industry expertise, digital reach, and extensive customer base. Under this strategic alliance, both organisations will collaborate on a series of targeted initiatives to increase inbound tourism and enhance travel experiences for Indian visitors. As part of the agreement, EaseMyTrip will create a dedicated Sabah page under its Malaysia microsite, providing comprehensive travel itineraries, must-visit attractions, and essential travel information for prospective travellers. The platform will also develop a series of destination-specific blogs, immersive video content, and social media campaigns to showcase Sabah’s cultural heritage, pristine landscapes, adventure tourism, and luxury offerings. To maximiseoutreach, EaseMyTrip and STB will jointly co-fund digital marketing campaigns, ensuring wider visibility and engagement across Indian markets. Furthermore, the collaboration extends beyond leisure tourism, with a strong emphasis on niche experiences such as MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) for business travellers, corporate retreats, and international conferences. Specialised travel packages will also be curated for destination weddings, offering couples an opportunity to celebrate their special day in Sabah’s picturesque locations. Additionally, EaseMyTrip will promote wellness tourism through …

The Moroccan National Tourism Office (MNTO) has successfully wrapped up its showcase of Morocco at OTM 2025, with a special focus on the keen interest of the Indian traveller. Held at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, the MNTO stand, received immense interest from Indian travel professionals, and industry stakeholders. The booth highlighted Morocco’s dynamic travel experiences, from immersive cultural journeys and historical landmarks to adventure tourism and luxury getaways. Visitors explored Morocco’s variety as a destination for families, couples, solo explorers, and thrill-seekers alike. The vibrant display and interactive sessions allowed attendees to gain deeper insights into Morocco’s tourism potential. During the event, MNTO also hosted a networking evening where key trade operators and media partners were invited. A presentation was conducted to inform guests about the destination, The vibrant display and interactive sessions allowed attendees to gain deeper insights into Morocco’s tourism potential. Recognizing India as a key growth market, MNTO aims to leverage the impressive 43% rise in Indian outbound travel from India. Strengthening collaborations with travel partners remains a priority to promote Morocco’s stunning landscapes, vibrant traditions, and unique travel experiences. With enhanced marketing initiatives and tailor-made travel packages, MNTO seeks to position Morocco as a preferred destination among Indian travelers. Jamal Kilito, Country Manager, MNTO India, expressed his excitement about engaging with the Indian market, stating, “OTM 2025 provided an exceptional opportunity to showcase Morocco’s unique appeal to Indian travelers. Our goal is to enhance our presence in India by curating experiences that cater to local preferences. With 10 Moroccan tourism companies participating, we aimed to strengthen business collaborations and highlight the country’s diverse offerings, seamlessly blending history, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality to create …

SOTC Travel announces its first franchise outlet in Bhubaneshwar, marking a significant milestone for the Company’s East India expansion. The outlet was inaugurated by Himanshu Sampat – Vice President Sales SOTC Travel. Odisha is emerging as a strong travel market and is witnessing a strong demand led by Bhubaneswar and surrounding catchments. SOTC’s new franchise strategically situated in the city center, to serve both leisure and business segments. SOTC Travel’s new outlet offers end-to-end travel solutions with an array of services, including: International & Domestic Holidays (Group tours, Personalised Holidays, Cruises, etc.), Value Added Services like Travel Insurance; Visa Services, etc.

The capital of Russia has signed an MoU with Thomas Cook India Group in Mumbai. The agreement marks the beginning of active co-operation with the Indian side in the field of tourism. The document is aimed at promoting Moscow as a key destination for leisure and business tourism in the Indian market, which the authorities of the Russian capital consider a priority market. Under the agreement, the parties plan to strengthen cooperation through the exchange of knowledge and best practices. They will also work on increasing awareness about Moscow’s tourism and MICE potential, and developing new travel products that are tailored to Indian travellers. “The Indian tour operator expressed interest in bringing its clients to Moscow this spring as part of a familiarization trip. The MoU was signed at the trade show, after we had agreed to organize a special presentation of Moscow as a tourist destination for Thomas Cook India Group and its clients, particularly in the MICE segment,” – said Evgeny Kozlov, First Deputy Head of the Office of the Mayor and the Government of Moscow, Chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee. According to him, Thomas Cook India Group representatives expressed their interest in promoting Moscow in the Indian market at the Meet Global MICE Congress: BRICS Edition, which took place in Moscow in December 2024. “The Thomas Cook India Group team are big fans of Moscow, and are considered trendsetters in the Indian tourism industry,” Kozlov explained.

Moscow City Tourism Committee hosted a prestigious gala dinner, brought together more than 170 key partners including prominent associations like TIA, OTOAI, NIMA, MICE agencies, TO and TA, government officials and media, along with delegates from Moscow, to celebrate the strengthening bond between India and the Russian capital. The event highlighted the growing collaboration in tourism and business sectors, underscoring Moscow’s commitment to enhancing ties with India’s outbound tourism market. This initiative aligns with Moscow’s strategic focus on the MICE sector, aiming to position the city as a premier destination for Indian business and leisure travellers. The evening welcomed guests with the unique traditional “Moscow Tea Time” followed by captivating performances from the renowned ‘Rusy’ dance troupe, blending Russian folk songs with modern choreography to showcase Moscow’s rich cultural heritage. It was an unforgettable spread of elaborate cuisines and extraordinary lucky draw prizes generously offered by the Moscow travel and MICE industry. Distinguished delegates included Ivan Fetisov, Consul General of the Russian Federation in Mumbai; Dr. Elena Remizova, Head of Rossotrudnichestvo in India and Director of the Russian House in New Delhi; and Evgeny Kozlov, First Deputy Head of the Office of the Mayor and the Government of Moscow, and Chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee, addressed the audience, emphasizing India’s significance as a top focus market and highlighting the growing popularity of the hassle-free e-visa among Indian travellers, noting a 1.4-fold increase in 2024 compared to 2023 with over 61,000 visits in the first nine months. Their speeches emphasized strengthening of unparalleled business opportunities and new attractions for the Indian travellers. Speaking on the occasion Evgeny Kozlov, First Deputy Head of the Office of the Mayor and the …

Every hotel room added to the ecosystem creates two direct jobs and approximately eight indirect ones, significantly contributing to tourism infrastructure, said KB Kachru, President, Hotel Association of India, Chairman, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group. “Yet, despite its transformative impact, the sector remains under-recognized in policy priorities. HAI calls for the Budget 2025-2026 to announce imperative policy interventions that empower the hospitality industry,” he says.

Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) Delhi Office announces a remarkable milestone: 233,000 Indians visited Japan from January to December 2024, representing a significant 40% increase in tourism from India compared to 166,394 visitors in 2023. Last year also saw the introduction of MICE movement to new regions, with some incentive tours extending their itineraries to Kansai and Hiroshima, whereas Tokyo had previously been the sole MICE destination.