The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) organized a MICE roadshow in Mumbai, India, showcasing the diverse and dynamic offerings for business events and corporate travel in Korea. The event brought together key players in the tourism and hospitality industry, featuring participation from 7 DMCs, 2 Airlines, 1 Regional Tourism Organization (RTO), and 1 Shopping representative. The MICE roadshow served as a platform for fostering strong ties between Korean tourism stakeholders and the vibrant business and tourism community in Mumbai, highlighting the unique opportunities and facilities available for hosting successful MICE events in Korea. Attendees had the chance to engage with representatives from various sectors, gaining insights into the country’s capabilities as a premier MICE destination. Participating DMCs brought forth their expertise in curating immersive experiences, showcasing the cultural richness, modern infrastructure, and diverse landscapes that Korea has to offer. The 2 Airlines in attendance emphasized the connectivity and convenience of travel to and within Korea, making it an accessible and attractive destination for international events. Ulsan Culture &Tourism Foundation, the RTO provided valuable information on regional attractions and collaborative opportunities, encouraging attendees to explore beyond the convention halls. Additionally, Lotte Duty-Free highlighted the country’s unique retail landscape, showcasing a distinctive blend of unparalleled shopping experiences. Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director India & SAARC Countries at the Korea Tourism Organization, expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, “We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to bring Korea’s MICE offerings to Mumbai. The roadshow allowed us to connect with key stakeholders and demonstrate why Korea is an ideal destination for hosting memorable and successful business events.” As the global landscape for MICE tourism evolves, Korea continues to position itself as a leading …

In a novel initiative aimed at making Assam’s vibrant tourism industry more inclusive, the Tour Operators Association of Assam (TOAA) and Shishu Sarothi, a leading non-profit organization working for the empowerment of persons with disabilities, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote accessible tourism in Assam. The MoU was signed in the presence of Shri Jayanta Malla Baruah, Hon’ble Minister, Tourism and Shri Rituparna Baruah, Chairman, Assam Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. (ATDCL) on the occasion of the World Tourism Day celebrations of the Govt. of Assam on 27th September with a marathon “Run for heritage” in Sivasagar. This collaboration reflects the commitment of both organizations to create an environment where everyone, including persons with disabilities, can enjoy the natural beauty, cultural heritage, and diverse experiences that Assam has to offer. Under the MoU, TOAA and Shishu Sarothi will work closely together to develop and implement strategies that enhance accessibility and inclusivity in the tourism sector. Key components of this partnership include sensitization and awareness trainings for tourism professionals to raise awareness about the needs and preferences of travelers with disabilities, ensuring a welcoming and accommodating environment; promotion and providing support for the development of accessible infrastructure and amenities at various tourist destinations across Assam; promotion of employment opportunities of persons with disabilities in the tourism sector; and undertaking collaborative activities to highlight Assam as an inclusive and accessible tourist destination, attracting a wider range of visitors. Debajit Borah, President of TOAA expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We believe that Accessible tourism is an integral part of the broader themes of tourism and green investment due to its alignment with inclusivity, sustainability, economic benefits, environmental considerations, legal compliance, positive …

Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board is organizing two new mega festivals in the coming two months for the tourists of the country and the state.  Principal Secretary Tourism and Culture and Managing Director Tourism Board Shri Sheo Shekhar Shukla said that Kuno Forest Festival is being organized for the first time from December 1 to celebrate the rich culture and diverse wildlife of the state.  Before this, the second edition of Gandhi Sagar Floating Festival will be organized from 27th October.  There will be cultural programs and an unmatched experience of exciting activities in the festivals being organized by the Tourism Department and Forest Department in collaboration with Lalluji & Sons.  The tent city has been developed to provide a luxury glamping experience, along with various activities to promote local art and culture.  On this occasion, Chief Wildlife Warden Aseem Shrivastava said that the message of wildlife conservation will be spread through these festivals.  The message of wildlife conservation will make more and more people aware through a chain reaction.  Through these festivals, people will get to know the wildlife closely and understand their important role in the eco system of nature.

The Oman government has resumed operations of Oman Air between Lucknow and Muscat by replacing its low-cost airline, Salam Air, that had been operating since the pandemic between the two cities. It flies Boeing 737 aircraft with capacity of 162 pax non-stop between Lucknow and Muscat and will also have business class seats.

Rajasthan’s tourism is steadily advancing which is evident in the increasing influx of both national and international visitors, surpassing 10 crore by September this year. The state’s ranking has gone from 11th to 7th position on the national and international tourism scale this year.

The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, is researching to identify unique niche experiences India can offer. Pastoral tourism has been identified as an emerging trend, especially in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh. A Camel Product Processing Utilisation centre was recently inaugurated in Bikaner.

Switzerland Tourism invites the trade to attend a webinar that will highlight SWISS, BLS Interlaken, Swissminatur, and FoxTown on October 12 at 3pm. Attend all webinars for a chance to win a trip to Switzerland in 2024! For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532, or click here to register. The ‘Swiss’ experience for travellers begins as soon as they board their flight, especially if they are flying directly from India to Switzerland! Once they land, they are greeted with a variety of amazing activities and experiences. This webinar will showcase multiple products and include Swiss International Air Lines, the scenic cruise on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz by BLS Interlaken, Swissminiatur which is a popular park in Ticino housing miniature replicas of popular Swiss attractions, and FoxTown – Ticini’s shopping paradise.  

LOT Polish Airlines, a member of Star Alliance, is focusing on growth and has now presented the cornerstones of the company’s strategy until 2028. The most significant innovations include the fleet enhancement, the enlargement of the route network and a major cabin upgrade of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner long-haul fleet. In the short term, the airline offers additional options to the United States due to a new codeshare agreement with Jetblue Airways, effective end of October 2023. Until 2028, Poland’s national carrier is planning to increase its fleet size by around 50 percent (110 in 2028 vs. 75 currently). Along with that, the number of passengers is set to grow by around 70 percent (16.9 million in 2028 vs. 10.3 million estimated for 2023). The LOT Polish Airlines scheduled flight network will see nearly 20 new destinations, both medium and long-haul. In addition, there will be investments at airports for an enhanced passenger experience: the LOT Polonez Business Lounge at the airline’s global hub in Warsaw will be remodelled and refreshed, and a new LOT Polish Airlines lounge will be opened at Terminal 5 at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Major investments into the Dreamliner fleet: new seats and enhanced entertainment options On long-haul flights, LOT Polish Airlines exclusively deploys Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircrafts. The airline will completely retrofit those in all cabins. The colours of the future interiors are inspired by Polish landscapes. The new design as a whole is intended to feature modernity while reflecting Polish hospitality and appreciating the company’s almost 95 years of history. There will be new seats in LOT Business Class, LOT Premium Economy Class and LOT Economy Class aboard the Dreamliner fleet, all from …

Trip to Mexico appoints Global Destinations as the sales and marketing representative in India market. Trip to Mexico is a tour operator in Mexico, specialising in unique trips. It has high-level transportation, direct contracts with hotels and special rates, reliable partners, highly trained personnel, and personalised attention for each client. Ksenia Tarasova (Vice Director) and Ramon Delgado (Director) have over 20 years of experience in the luxury and VIP agency markets of Russia, Ukraine, the United States, and Europe. Trip to Mexico is a proudly family-owned business committed to providing VIP-level care to our agency partners. Their proficiency extends to crafting exceptional experiences in Cuba. Ksenia Tarasova and Ramón Delgado – Spokespersons for Trip to Mexico commented on the partnership. “Understanding the importance of the Indian outbound market, we are excited to appoint Global Destinations as our representation company.” Pranav Kapadia, Founder, of Global Destinations comments “With our expertise in Latin America, re-entering Mexico was a key priority for us. We are indeed very excited to partner with Trip2Mexico and once again open our doors to Mexico.”

With the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup – one of the world’s most notable cricket tournaments – around the corner, the excitement amongst fans is palpable as sports tourism soars. Booking.com, the Official Accommodation Partner for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, launched its integrated campaign ‘Howzat for your perfect stay’, integrating the world of travel, cricket and its passionate fans that make it happen. A press event was hosted in Mumbai with former Indian cricketer Zaheer Khan, Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan and Santosh Kumar, Country Manager, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia at Booking.com Unlocking the potential of sports tourism Sports and travel go hand in hand. Mega sporting events such as the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 attract travellers to the host destination, which can have a positive impact on domestic and international travel. According to the most-recent Booking.com APAC Travel Confidence Index, 56% of Indians are looking forward to attending a live or major event, including sports tournaments, this year. Search data from Booking.com also reveals a surge in inbound travel with fans across the globe heading to India for the tournament between October 5 to November 19, 2023 with travellers from the UK, USA, UAE, Germany and Australia topping the chart for inbound searches. “The impact of major sporting events on travel desire and demand is a phenomenon we are observing globally and in India as well. As the Official Accommodation Partner for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, we help fans make their cricket-inspired travel as seamless as possible by offering them flights, rental cars, taxi, attractions and of course all kinds of unique places to stay. We are delighted to …