During the IATO Interactive Luncheon Meeting in Delhi, President Rajiv Mehra announced that the association has achieved a substantial increase in its membership, with a rise of over 300 new members. He attributed this growth to one of the reasons: the special rates for hotels that IATO provides to its members.

Commenting on the new MoU that HRAWI has signed with Ingram Micro India, Pradeep Shetty, President, HRAWI, said, “It reflects our commitment to harness new-age tech solutions and expertise for the betterment of our members. We aim to co-create and lead tech seminars that will empower our members with the latest advancements in the sector. It also aligns with our commitment to creating a global circular economy through responsible disposal and reverse logistics. It’s about shaping the future of the hospitality sector through innovation and sustainability.”  

The Navi Mumbai International Airport, an ambitious greenfield project underway in Ulwe is officially scheduled to commence operations on March 31, 2025. However, Union Minister for Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia said on January 13 that he is pushing to start commercial operations by December 2024. After a recent assessment, Scindia spoke about the five phases in which the airport is expected to be opened. With 60% of the project already completed, commercial operations of the airport are on track to begin on March 31, 2025.

Applauding the Atal Setu project, Pradeep Shetty, President, FHRAI, says, “As the longest sea bridge in the country, it not only enhances Mumbai’s connectivity but also symbolizes the nation’s commitment to pushing boundaries in engineering excellence. It is poised to transform not only Mumbai’s landscape but also provide an unprecedented boost to tourism in Maharashtra. With improved connectivity, we foresee a significant surge in tourist footfall to Mumbai’s neighbouring tourism destinations like Lonavala, Matheran, Alibaug, Mahabaleshwar and other scenic locales across the state.”

According to latest analysis from WTTC and ForwardKeys, the leading travel data and analytics company, international arrivals in France for the first half of 2024 are at 93% of the same period in 2019, with France cementing its position as the world’s most popular destination. Olivier Ponti, Vice President Insights at ForwardKeys, added: “With flight bookings on the rise and air carriers set to introduce a record number of seats, France enters 2024 in a strong position. “Capitalising on the successful hosting of the Rugby World Cup 2023 and on the growing exposure provided by the upcoming Olympic Games, the country is set to be one of most thought-after destinations this year for both regional and long-haul markets.”

Mahendra Vakharia, Executive Committee Member, Immediate Past President – OTOAI, & MD, Pathfinders Holidays, says that understanding the WHY before a client’s holiday is key to creating a more meaningful and wholesome luxury experience. “Many times we as luxury advisors have to inform the client that what looks good or luxury on social media is not necessarily what will suit you or you may not fit in well in that luxury getup because of the cultural difference, living lifestyle, food habit etc. Luxury should not force you to change just so that you fit into a particular situation,” he explains.

Darshana Seth recently launched her own passion project called ‘Polaris Tourism’ that caters to the high-end (luxury) tourism brands from a representation, sales and marketing perspective. She has partnered with the following ITO/DMCs for the given destinations to help curate aspirational luxury offerings to elite Indian consumers.   CHR Travel: UK + Europe: Adhoc groups/MICE groups etc  CHR Travel has an enthusiastic team with a combined experience of over 40 years, focusing primarily on handling specialised group tours across UK and Europe. CHR provides services catering to leisure groups, Meetings & Incentives groups, Special Interest groups & European Van tours and much more. https://chr-travel.com/   Take Me 2 The World, New Zealand: High End Luxury customers Take Me 2 The World designs itineraries for the free independent traveller (FIT), upto 30 pax high-end family & friends’ groups. TM2TW provide services catering to honeymooners, family travellers & education & sports tours. With their association with Massey University Sports & Rugby Institute and well-known New Zealand sportsman Jacob Oram, TM2TW can organize tours for sports clubs and academies, with a focus on training in different conditions and playing against New Zealand local teams. https://dmc.takeme2theworld.com/   Take Me 2 The World, Wholesalers for Latin America: FIT+ Luxury Covering South and Central America plus Mexico (Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador & Galapagos, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua and Mexico). https://takeme2theworld.com/  

Intrepid Marketing & Communications acquires the mandate to represent Amora Hotels & Resorts and Nora Beach Club Phuket. This strategic alliance is poised to enhance the presence of these luxurious hospitality brands in the dynamic and burgeoning Indian market. After successfully establishing itself, the Amora Group is now championing independent hotel groups by increasing hotel investments in Thailand and Australia. The Amora Beach Resort Phuket, which first opened in 1999, is focusing on the significant potential of the Indian market, especially in the luxury segment, considering the statistics of Indian visitors to Phuket. Amora Hotels & Resorts is well-known for its luxury offerings. Additionally, the property caters exceptionally well to the MICE, events, and wedding requirements of the Indian market. As the exclusive representative, Intrepid Marketing & Communications will be responsible for shaping and executing comprehensive sales, marketing, and PR strategies tailored to the unique preferences and expectations of the Indian audience. Nora Beach Club is the newest addition to Phuket’s world-class beach club scene. Being the only one of its kind, Nora Beach Club stands out as the ultimate beach club destination in Phuket, offering exceptional food, drinks, and entertainment for beach enthusiasts, sunset chasers, and culinary explorers. Narej Farik, Group Director of Commercial and Business Development, Amora Hotels & Resorts, comments, “India holds immense potential as a key market for Amora Hotels & Resorts, in particular Amora Phuket and Nora Beach Club. Amora’s focus is on a personalized guest experience and, as a family-owned and operated group, draws inspiration from the hospitality that is the hallmark of Asian family values. These core values I believe will resonate with our Indian guests, irrespective of whether they are business travellers …

Sharing insights on why India holds the key to Oman’s tourism success, Arjun Chadha, Country Manager-India, Oman Tourism, says that Indian tourists visiting Oman have surpassed the remarkable milestone of half a million, and the count continues to rise. As of November 2023, the official figures reveal a staggering 5,42,397 Indian arrivals, setting an unprecedented record as the highest to date.

Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa – Thomas Cook (India), predicts that event-based travel will emerge as a significant trend in 2024, 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.