Informing about the goals for the India tourism sector for 2024, Arvind Singh, Union Tourism Secretary has said, “We will strive to recover to pre-pandemic level by mid-2024. The country is estimated to achieve US$ 50 billion GDP contribution from tourism, US$30 billion in Foreign Exchange Earnings and 15 million foreign tourist arrivals by 2024.”

Located on the banks of Lake Lucerne and surrounded by a gorgeous Alpine landscape, Lucerne is a gateway to many popular mountain excursions and offers exciting activities and shopping experiences. This webinar will highlight the unique offerings in and around Lucerne. Attend all webinars for a chance to win a trip to Switzerland in 2023. For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

Delegates of FHRAI attended a pre-budget meeting chaired by the FM where it put forth requests with special emphasis on granting infrastructure status to the hospitality industry. FHRAI has also requested for continuation of the Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme (EPCGS) for another 10 years and extension on the repayment period under the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) of 10 years or based on the loan repayment period of the principal loan. FHRAI will submit a detailed representation to the FM shortly.

Sharing its perspective on the merger of Air India and Vistara, CAPA India said in a report that it expects to see the emergence of Air India as a global network carrier in terms of size, scale and service standards. The combined entity is in line with India’s aspirations to be a USD 5 trillion economy. The combination of Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines will provide Air India with the requisite strategic expertise, industry capabilities, access to capital and determination to create an airline that India will be proud of.

Vikram Doraiswami, High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom, has just confirmed that the e-visa facility will again be available for UK nationals travelling to India. He said, “The big news today is we are rolling out e-visas once again. This servie will be made available to you forthwith. System upgrade is underway and the visa website will soon be ready to receive applications from friends in the UK.”  

GO FIRST has announced that it has signed an exclusive General Sales Agreement with EaseMyTrip to sell, promote and market passenger tickets and other services to passengers in Saudi Arabia effective from this month. To establish a fruitful commercial relationship and expansive grip within one of the biggest travel markets in Western Asia, EaseMyTrip will be extending operations of GO FIRST by opening an independent branded office and representing the airlines in Dammam and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and other locations. The three-year exclusive partnership deal provides an opportune time for both brands to expand and bolster their service range in Saudi Arabia. EaseMyTrip and its sweeping reach, comprehensive marketing interventions, and knowledge of the locals would help GO FIRST provide suitable schemes for Saudi tourists and locals, enhancing their experience. Furthermore, this association would necessitate all the other travel agents within the vicinity to create a purchase circuit from EaseMyTrip when they will be buying GO FIRST tickets from Saudi Arabia. Articulately summing up the agreement, Rikant Pittie, Co-Founder said, “At EaseMyTrip, we understand that Saudi Arabia attracts millions of tourists every year, and the locals love to travel as well. It is a significantly crowded travel market that is yearning for a better travel experience. With our successful endeavours in most associations and businesses around the world, we want to enter the market here in Saudi Arabia and serve the tourists with utmost dedication. We are overjoyed to begin our journey as a GSA partner with GO FIRST, one of the most popular and affordable airline services in multiple international destinations.”

ITA Airways’ first flight from New Delhi to Rome Fiumicino departed on Dec 4 at 03:50 am local time. The new connection marks a step forward in the expansion of the Company’s network towards the Asian market, while confirming its commitment to attracting connecting customers. The ribbon-cutting ceremony at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport was attended by Pierfrancesco Carino, Vice President International Sales ITA Airways and Fabio Bigotti, Country Manager India ITA Airways. “We are happy to inaugurate today the ITA Airways’ Rome Fiumicino – New Delhi connections, the only direct flights between these two capitals” – said Emiliana Limosani – Chief Commercial Officer ITA Airways and CEO Volare. “With the opening of this new route for the transport of passengers and cargo between Italy and India, ITA Airways is further contributing to the cultural integration and development of the economic relationship between the two countries, which have developed a solid political and commercial collaboration in recent years, with the presence of more than 600 Italian companies in India and a bilateral interchange that in 2021 reached a record value of more than 10 billion euros. We have thus taken an important step forward in the project of expanding our intercontinental network towards a fascinating destination and a market full of opportunities. In addition, thanks to the flight departing from New Delhi to Rome, our Indian customers will be able to visit not only Italy but all of Europe thanks to convenient connections offered from our Rome Fiumicino hub” concluded the Chief Commercial Officer. This is the first time ITA Airways operates in the Indian market and, more importantly, the Company is the only airline to operate a direct …

Indian travellers in 2023 will continue to prioritise travel but will be more mindful over how to make the most of their travel budget and what takes precedence. As per Booking.com, 69% of Indian travellers will invest in a vacation as it remains a top priority for them, but being budget conscious is key, with nearly 75% Indians continuing to spotlight travel while seeking more value for their spend.

Tourism Principal Secretary KS Srinivas said the state’s tourism and hospitality industry has already regained the pre-pandemic robustness. “This is evident from the fact that Kerala recorded a staggering 196% spike in domestic tourist arrivals during the first three quarters of the current year as compared to the corresponding period a year earlier,” he says. Kerala recorded a total of 1,33,80,000 domestic tourists in the nine months till this September, registering a 1.49 per cent increase as compared to the same period of pre-COVID 2019.

The risk with defining new-age travellers, says Abraham Alapatt, President & Group Head – Marketing, Service Quality, Value Added Services & Innovation, Thomas Cook (India) and SOTC Travel, is that it is often mistaken with the age of the traveller. “According to me, being a millennial traveller is not about age at all, it is about a mindset. They travel for local experiences that the destination has to offer, rather than to see a place. It needs to be authentic, and to that, it can be about people, culture, art, food, dance, anything. To my mind, this is a major element that separates the new-age traveller,” he says.