Rail Europe is proud to announce the launch of its latest offer: travel professionals and the whole industry willing to buy seat reservations for their customers holding a Eurail or Interrail pass are now able to do so via Rail Europe’s API and B2B website. Rail Europe is thrilled to provide this exclusive feature: The seat reservation that goes with a pass is a valuable asset to its range of products and functionalities, as it offers travel professionals the necessary information to book tickets for their customers holding train passes with ease. With this feature, agencies can quickly determine whether an additional seat reservation purchase is required for specific routes (such as TGV, Lyria, Eurostar, Frecciarossa, among others), and if so, the associated cost. This new offer further enhances Rail Europe’s commitment to providing the best possible travel experience and options for its customers. “The possibility of selling seat reservations for passes greatly contributes to the expansion of Rail Europe and to our mission to make train travel easy. We are now able to provide information about the required reservation type for nearly every train trip within Europe, which extends well beyond train tickets. We are thrilled to offer this fantastic and almost unique feature and can’t wait for our partners and customers to make the most out of it.”, says Björn Bender, President & CEO of Rail Europe. The seat reservation in addition to a pass holder fare is available for a range of train services across Rail Europe’s network. API partners and agencies willing to book seats with Trenitalia or SNCF for their customers using Interrail or Eurail passes can now do it with more flexibility and convenience …

Stotrak Hospitality, an eco-friendly boutique hotel chain with a diversified portfolio of properties across Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan, has unveiled their latest property ‘ Takhat Villa Kumbhalgarh, by Stotrak ’ in Kumbalgarh, a charming town in Rajasthan renowned for its splendid fort, architecture and vibrant cultural heritage. ‘Takhat Villa Kumbhalgarh, by Stotrak’ is the third venture of the eco-friendly boutique hotel chain in Rajasthan and nine overall. Stotrak Hospitality has already established its presence in Rajasthan with the Earth Resort & Spa in Ranthambore and Sam Dunes in Jaisalmer. Tthe Takhat Villa Kumbhalgarh by Stotrak consists of seven rooms constructed using local Kota stone. Manish Goyal, Founder of Stotrak Hospitality, commented “Kumbhalgarh, a charming town in Rajasthan, is renowned for its picturesque Kumbhalgarh Fort. This magnificent fortress, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, holds t historical and architectural significance. At Stotrak Hospitality are endeavour has always been to capture the essence of the town’s rich history as well as its vibrant culture. Our private luxury villas embody traditional architecture, designed with local Kota stone and adorned with antique furnishings, creating a warm and cosy atmosphere. Furthermore, the prime location offers leisure travellers a modern and contemporary space to unwind and recharge.”

Sharing his views on the immediate repercussions of Go First bankruptcy, Ajay Prakash, President, TAFI, says, “Aviation is a business fraught with uncertainties. With capacity being pulled out after the Go First airline development, airfares will increase further, especially since we are in the peak holiday season.”

Opened this week, TRENZ, the most significant international business-to-business travel trade event for New Zealand’s tourism sector welcomed a strong Indian delegate for the event.  Over three days of appointments, activities and networking functions, New Zealand tourism industry leaders and representatives gathered to showcase their products and services to high-quality international and New Zealand Buyers and influential international and New Zealand travel trade. More than 1500 international travel delegates and the country’s leading tourism operators will experience Ōtautahi during TRENZ, a trade event designed to build relationships, broker business opportunities and explore new tourism experiences from the country’s visitation sector. In 2019, prior to COVID, the tourism industry was valued at over $39 billion to the New Zealand economy, with $1 billion spent in the Christchurch economy while still in recovery post-earthquake.

Encouraging the travel trade to sell more sustainable tours to their clients, Misha Gambetta, Director India, Switzerland Tourism, says, “Visitors looking for sustainable offers are often lost in the vast landscape of labels. The travel trade can guide them towards booking sustainable experiences in Switzerland by informing them about the ‘Swisstainable’ emblem that they can find on hotels, restaurants and other establishments that provide tourism services. They can also continue encouraging travellers to buy the Swiss Travel Pass and explore the country via public transport over private cars to reduce pollution.”

Sarovar Hotels & Resorts is pleased to announce its alliance with Singapore Airlines Group’s global rewards program KrisFlyer, the most favoured frequent flyer program, designed to reward everyone who loves to travel with the airline and its partners. The alliance is aimed to bring a large network of Sarovar hotels into the fold of Singapore KrisFlyer’s exclusive benefits. As a part of the alliance, the KrisFlyer members will be able to avail of 20 % markdown on accommodation and food & beverage outlets across Sarovar group’s wide network of hotels in India. The KrisFlyer members can avail the benefits through a simple process of booking a hotel through the Singapore Airlines website or through the KrisFlyer application. A mid-market leader with an indomitable presence across leisure and business destinations, Sarovar group offers a collection of brands & hotels from budget to premium categories. Present in destinations that include cosmopolitan cities, exotic beach destinations, eminent pilgrimage cities and unsung destinations qualified  the group to become the preferred choice for partnership that aims to extend travellers a wide choice of cities and hallmark services of the Sarovar brand. Speaking on the partnership, Ajay K Bakaya, Managing Director, Sarovar Hotels & Resorts said, “We are delighted to extend the hospitality of Sarovar group to patrons of Singapore Airlines. It is a mutually rewarding association to deliver a high level of services to a large audience of travellers who enjoy superior quality travels & stays and unwilling to compromise on seamless experience. We hope our wide network of hotels across most visited to unexplored destinations will allow travellers added choice and assurance that there is always a Sarovar branded hotel that celebrates India and Indian hospitality like none …

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) has announced the signing of a Vivanta branded hotel in New Gurugram, Haryana. The Brownfield project will be a part of a mixed-use development. Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President – Real Estate & Development, IHCL, said, “With the signing of this hotel, IHCL steps into New Gurugram a satellite town with seamless connectivity to New Delhi and other important commercial hubs. It is situated in close proximity to large industrial areas and is witnessing major infrastructural development. We are delighted to partner with KPDK Buildtech.” The 160-keys hotel is situated in Sector 95A, New Gurugram, a comfortable drive from Delhi International Airport. In addition to the rooms, the hotel will have Mynt, Vivanta’s signature all day diner, a bar and recreational facilities including a swimming pool and fitness centre. There will be over 650 square metres of meeting space featuring a large ballroom and meeting rooms. Mahender Kumar Gupta, Chairman, KPDK Buildtech Pvt Ltd said, “We are excited to partner with IHCL, India’s leading hospitality company for this hotel. Vivanta, the stylishly spirited brand is the right fit for New Gurugram which is growing rapidly.” With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have 16 hotels across Taj, Vivanta, SeleQtions and Ginger brands across National Capital Region including four under development.

ITC Hotels continue to expand and strengthen its presence across India with the signing of three more properties under brand Storii in Goa, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Speaking on Brand Storii’s expansion in India, Anil Chadha, Divisional Chief Executive, ITC Hotels said, “We are happy to announce the addition of three new properties under Storii by ITC Hotels at some of the most sought-after destinations in the country. The new properties at Goa, Manali, and Prayagraj highlight our focus on growth and expansion in the boutique hotel space. Storii by ITC Hotels is fast becoming a preferred brand in the experiential segment, welcoming travelers seeking local experiences. Every property under this brand tells its own unique Storii.” Soon to open, Storii Moira Riviera, is located in Moira, a pretty village in North Goa known for its beautiful rivulet views, winding lanes and serene sunsets. This 15 keys boutique property follows the Mediterranean style design & architecture. Most rooms offer a plunge pool, fascinating scenic sights and various recreational facilities including the K by Kayakalp spa. Adding to their strength in Himachal Pradesh, ITC Hotels has signed the 23 keys Urvashi’s Retreat, Manali for brand Storii. Enhancing the boutique experience, every aspect of the property will be further personalized to offer a unique blend of local rusticity and splendor. With around one thousand square feet-large playroom, Urvashi’s Retreat is popular with kids. Located in the heart of the city, Storii Prayagraj is rooted in heritage and just 10 km away from the popular pilgrim spot – Triveni Sangam. Built in traditional architecture with sprawling lawns, the property will be extensively refurbished to accommodate a new wing even as the current heritage …

KKR World, led by Kunal Kothari, has been awarded the mandate to represent Schilthorn Cableway in India market. Schilthorn Cableway is again dependent on expert support directly from the market. Kothari is representing the company in the Indian market since the beginning of April. The tourism expert from Mumbai has extensive and long-standing know-how in the European rail travel business. An estimated 1.42 billion people live on the Indian subcontinent; the potential of inhabitants willing to travel is therefore huge. The Schilthorn Cableway Ltd. has been active in the market for years, until 2016 this was always with the support of a representative directly on site. Now it is time to rely more intensively on additional support again: Since the beginning of April, Kunal Kothari from India is the new right-hand man of Alan Ramsay, Head of Markets at Schilthornbahn, on a 40-percent basis in all matters relating to the Indian market. “It is a great honour for us to have been able to engage Kunal Kothari for the Schilthorn Cableway,” Ramsay is pleased to say, “he brings with him a great deal of experience and knowledge in all aspects of rail travel.” Indeed, the Indian’s wealth of experience is immense: the 46-year-old from Mumbai completed a university degree in Travel & Tourism Industry Management at the end of the 1990s, worked for several years for the major tour operator Thomas Cook in Dubai before returning to Mumbai to work for over seven years as Regional Manager Sales & Marketing for Rail Europe India, the largest B2B distributor of train travel in Europe. In 2018, he founded his own company, KKR World, which specializes in consulting and representing select Swiss …

The Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) will return to Melbourne next year for the first time since 2015, with Australia’s largest annual tourism trade event to be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from Sunday, 19 May 2024 to Thursday, 23 May 2024. Tourism Australia Managing Director, Phillipa Harrison, announced Melbourne as the next host of the event on the trade floor of ATE23 on the Gold Coast. “After a couple of years of hybrid events it has been great this year to have ATE back to its traditional format on the Gold Coast and we can’t wait to work with Visit Victoria to deliver another amazing ATE in 2024,” Harrison said. “Melbourne has proudly hosted our premier travel trade event on eight occasions in the past and we look forward to taking ATE, and more than 2,000 delegates, back to Melbourne to drive future tourism business across Australia.” “ATE brings together tourism businesses, tourism wholesalers and retailers from around the world for four days of appointments, as well as networking events, which are more important than ever before as competition grows for the tourism dollar.” ATE24 will be the ninth time ATE has been staged in Melbourne, which first hosted the event in 1991 and then again in 1992, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2004, 2009 and 2015. Melbourne had been due to host the 2020, but the event did not go ahead due to the global pandemic. ATE provides tourism operators around the country with the opportunity to meet and do business with international buyers from around the world. ATE24 will run from 19 May 2024 to 23 May 2024, with delegates from 30 countries expected to attend. ATE24 will …