South Africa will be hosting the T20 World Cup in 2027 and expected to welcome a huge number of Indian cricket enthusiasts. For this, they will set up a dedicated team that can process visa applications for cricket fans. In terms of cultural events, the country will share its calendar of sports and culture events for 2025 with India so that both countries can work together.

Giving credit to the India Travel Award, Gagan Chadha, Owner, Travel2agent Oneworld, commented, “I would like to thank ITA for recognising our efforts in being customer-centric through this ‘Customer Service Excellence for Outbound Tourism’ award.” Since its inception in 2002 as a DMC catering to far eastern destinations, Travel2Agent.com has transformed into a provider of personalised tours for outbound with in-depth destination knowledge.”

Ambiance Holidays Mauritius is pleased to announce the appointment of SSR Travel Solutions as its official representative in India, effective 1st December 2024. This strategic collaboration is designed to strengthen Ambiance Holidays’ presence in the rapidly growing Indian market and enhance its sales, marketing, and business development efforts across the region. SSR Travel Solutions, known for its deep industry expertise and extensive network within India’s travel sector, will work to elevate the visibility of Ambiance Holidays Mauritius. The partnership will connect Indian travellers with the enchanting allure of Mauritius, offering access to its pristine beaches, luxury resorts, and rich cultural experiences. Speaking about the partnership, Nayaz Toolun, Owner & Executive Director, stated, “We are thrilled to partner with SSR Travel Solutions to tap into the growing Indian outbound travel market. Together, we aim to deliver customized travel solutions that capture the essence of Mauritius’ vibrant hospitality, diverse culture, and natural beauty.” SSR Travel Solutions, recognised for its successful track record in promoting global travel brands, will focus on amplifying Ambiance Holidays’ market presence in India through targeted marketing campaigns, collaborations with travel trade professionals, and exclusive travel packages tailored to the Indian market. Sidhant Sapneal Rao, Chief Marketing Officer at SSR Travel Solutions, commented, “It’s an honour to represent Ambiance Holidays Mauritius in India. Mauritius is a dream destination for Indian travellers, and we’re excited to work together to deliver exceptional, bespoke travel experiences to this growing market.” This partnership marks an exciting chapter for both Ambiance Holidays Mauritius and SSR Travel Solutions, as they aim to unlock new growth opportunities and meet the evolving demands of Indian travellers.

In a significant move to strengthen tourism ties with India, South Africa has come up with a newly gazetted Trusted Tourist Tour Operator System Scheme which will take effect on 20 January 2025. Aimed specifically at the Indian and Chinese markets, it will allow for bulk visa processing for group travellers. 23 Indian tour operators applied in the first phase.

To stay ahead of emerging trends, travel agents are seeking new tools, technologies, and resources to meet clients’ needs. Robin Lawther, Vice President, Expedia TAAP, says, “They prioritise platforms that offer seamless, all-in-one functionalities. The ability to plan, book, and manage trips within a single portal is crucial, with 18% of agents citing this and ease of use as primary factors.1 These preferences underscore an industry-wide demand for efficiency, where streamlined workflows are critical to a travel agent’s success.”

Jungle Camps has set the stage for IPO, aims to raise ₹29.42 crores fund to be utilised for strategic expansion plans and upcoming four properties across India, namely Sanjay Dubri National Park, Sheopur Fort, Kukru Jungle Camp near Melghat Tiger Reserve, and 4-star hotel in Mathura. They are going to offer special schemes to travel agents bringing around 1000 room nights to the upcoming properties, while their current offerings include US$130-US$200 rates depending on rooms per night to inbound travel agents for their existing properties.

At its 16th annual convention, ATOAI launched the Roadmap & Toolkit for Arunachal Pradesh, positioning it as a model for sustainable adventure tourism. Aimed at enhancing its identity as the “Last Shangri-La,” the initiative integrates ecological, cultural, and technological advancements, promising a balanced approach to promote pristine experiences while preserving local heritage.

In January 2025, VisitBritain will launch a major marketing campaign aimed at showcasing the UK’s cultural richness through the lens of popular films and TV shows. “Our Starring Great Britain campaign is all about bringing the magic of British films and TV to life. Whether you’re walking the streets of Bath like in Bridgerton or visiting locations from Peaky Blinders in Birmingham, we want visitors to feel like they’re part of these cinematic landscapes,” said Patricia Yates, CEO, VisitBritain.

Accepting the India Travel Awards for ‘Best Tour Operator – West India’, Ashish Shah, Founder, Dewberry Holidays, said, “Receiving this award motivates us to work even harder and I am truly grateful to the organisers for this.” Based in Mumbai, the company was established in 2017 with the idea to create a world of affordable tourism and to explore as well as innovate new avenues in the travel industry.

Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, in his address at 12th Edition of the International Tourism Mart (ITM), in Kaziranga in Assam, underscored the Northeast’s legacy, cultural diversity, and natural wealth emphasizing its rich cuisine, crafts and biodiversity. This ITM is a remarkable opportunity for Northeast India to showcase its rich culture and diversity to the world and also offers a platform for people from across the globe to witness the extraordinary heritage of this region, he said. He further highlighted the significance of hosting the ITM in Kaziranga, stating that it reflects the increasing importance of the Northeast on the national stage. Mentioning the event in Kaziranga as special, the minister said that over the past decade, development in the region has accelerated.