Esna Holidays, one of the most competitive Destination Management Companies, was established to promote the paradise islands of Sri Lanka, designate Intrepid Marketing and Communications to promote the destination across significant regional source markets and enable an increase in sales through developing strategic plans and sustained efforts. A noteworthy trajectory of strong foothold in the industry, Esna Holidays’ expertise is driven by passion and knowledge of island-life, which ensured delivery of qualitative experience as well as pricing. India continues to be one of the key markets for Esna Holidays and to multiply conversions, the team is committed towards providing personalized travel experiences that cater to the unique preferences of Indian travellers. With smart pricing, value-for-money travel experiences, unmatched service standards and a team to support the clients 24×7, Esna Holidays aims to become the #1 DMC for all Indian Travellers to Sri Lanka. Although Sri Lanka is a well-established destination, Esna Holidays curates a range of unique experiences to cater to the appetite of varied set of travellers. Historic tours that cover ancient cities such as Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, as well as iconic landmarks like Sigiriya rock fortress along with thrilling activities such as white-water rafting, hiking, and camping in national parks are some of the most promoted itineraries in addition to luxury resorts and beach escapades. Even for religious travelers and mythological enthusiasts, designed Ramayana Tours are available for exploring. Senaka Weerasinghe, Head of Operations, Esna Holidays, said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Intrepid Marketing and Communications to promote Sri Lanka in the Northern, Eastern and Western belts of India. The team’s counsel based on comprehensive understanding and decades long experience of the destination will be pivotal for …

USA Grand Tours, a leading Destination management Company a provider of luxury travel experiences in the United States, is proud to announce its partnership with ARK Reps as their official representatives in India for sales and marketing. ARK Reps, a renowned name in the Indian travel industry, will be responsible for promoting and selling USA Grand Tours’ exclusive range of travel products, including tailor-made tour packages, private journeys, Coach tours, Exotic Cruises, Group tours and more to Indian travelers. “India is a key market for USA Grand Tours, and we are delighted to partner with ARK Reps to promote our luxury travel experiences to Indian travelers. With their extensive experience and knowledge of the Indian travel industry, we are confident that this partnership will further strengthen our presence in India,” said Mr. Aditya Gajjar & Manan Patel, Owner & Partners of USA Grand Tours. Commenting on the partnership, Anjum Lokhandwala – Director of ARK Reps, said, “We are excited to represent USA Grand Tours in India. We believe that their exceptional travel products will resonate with the discerning Indian traveler who seeks unique and luxurious experiences. We look forward to a fruitful partnership.” USA Grand Tours is committed to offering unforgettable travel experiences that combine luxury, adventure, and culture, while ARK Reps is known for their innovative marketing strategies and extensive network of travel partners in India.

New research by KAYAK based on a survey of 1,217 Indians in urban areas in India, found that over half (56%) intend to travel for leisure this summer. It adds that domestic flight searches have increased by about 208%, and long-haul international flight searches are also up by around 158% this summer compared to last year.

Around 2.82 lakh passport verification applications were cleared and only 805 rejected in the past three years, Jammu and Kashmir Police said as it defended “deep vetting” of activities of several sections, including politicians and scribes, noting it was needed to curb “anti-India propaganda machinery”.

Defying the global downturn trend and ongoing layoffs, Indians are now spending a lot more online on purchasing flight and movie tickets and dining out with families, according to the report by payments and banking platform Razorpay. It said the consumer spending on flight tickets soared by 83% and expenses on hotel accommodations nearly doubled in value in the fiscal year 2023.

The Ministry of Tourism has decided to transfer all matters of registration, recognition and complaints of tour operators and other tourism service providers from the Travel Trade (TT) division to Quality & Standard (Q&S) Division of the Ministry of Tourism. Accordingly, henceforth all the queries/complaints in respect of recognition, approval, etc. may be directly taken up with the Q&S Division of the Ministry of Tourism.

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts announced the signing of a new property in Agra, the city of the Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set to open by 2025, the hotel will offer 205 rooms, including 44 suites. Guests can look forward to a luxurious experience that seamlessly blends world-class hospitality with the enchanting beauty of one of India’s most legendary destinations. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has partnered with Shekhar Resorts , introducing the first Fairmont in the city of Agra.  “We are delighted to partner with Fairmont, an iconic luxury brand within the Accor Group. Given Accor’s expertise in luxury hospitality management and knowledge of the markets they operate in, we found Fairmont and Accor as the most adept partners to manage the upcoming Fairmont Agra. We believe that the property will stand out and elevate the luxury hospitality experience in Agra and northern India. We are excited to start our first partnership with Fairmont and Accor and to bring the most unique and memorable experiences to our guests,” says Anuj Jain, Director of Shekhar Resorts , Agra. Fairmont Agra’s strategic location is approximately two kilometres from the Taj Mahal, offering guests easy access to this renowned architectural achievement. Situated on the banks of the Yamuna River in the populous city of Agra, located in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, the hotel is just a two-hour drive from the bustling capital city of New Delhi. “This is a great addition to our brand portfolio,” says Mark Willis, CEO of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. “Fairmont Agra will be situated in one of the most awe-inspiring destinations in the world, and …

Thomas Cook (India) inaugurated a new Gold Circle Partner (franchise) outlet in Edappally, Kochi to capitalise on the strong and growing travel opportunity from the region. The outlet was inaugurated by P  Rajiv, Minister for Industries, Law and Coir, Government of Kerala. Kerala has witnessed a 35% uptick in travel demand compared to pre pandemic levels and this expansion augments Thomas Cook India’s distribution and reach in Kerala, to 13 consumer access centres: 11 owned branches and 2 Gold Circle Partner (franchise) outlets. In addition to serving the financial hub of Edappally, the outlet will also serve as a hub for nearby residential and business areas of Aluva, Angamaly, Vyttila, Perumbavoor and Palarivattom. In the new age of travel, customers are understandably seeking the guidance and reassurance of holiday experts and Thomas Cook India’s internal survey reiterates the same, with a significant 77% of respondents stating that they require guidance from a holiday expert. To help customers with their travel plans and requirements, Thomas Cook India has opened a Gold Circle Partner (franchise) outlet in Edappally, Kochi. Thomas Cook’s strategic omnichannel model offers extensive touchpoints to customers: India’s largest retail holiday network of 135 outlets and B2B distribution (across its owned stores, Partner franchise outlets and Preferred Sales Agents) coupled with the Company’s website, call centres and Holiday app. With the upcoming summer holidays, consumers from Kerala are displaying a strong travel desire for both domestic and international destinations. Favourite Indian locales include Kashmir, Leh Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and the North East. Spiritual tourism has been witnessing an uptick and favourites include Char Dham and Amarnath Yatra. Closer to home international destinations like Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Maldives and Mauritius are driving …

Global Destinations is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. The company has grown to be one among India’s largest and most reputed destination representation companies. They have for a decade and a half been facilitating both their partners – international stakeholders and clients – the Indian travel fraternity to further develop and establish business growth in the international tourism arena. Global Destinations is the brainchild of Pranav Kapadia, who brings with him over 30 years of sales and marketing experience in the travel industry. Established in the year 2008, the Head Office is in Mumbai, followed by a competitive pan India presence. In 2022, Global Destinations expanded further by announcing the launch of their luxury representation vertical, ‘Wanderlust – Bespoke by Global Destinations’, with a keen focus on luxurious and captivating travel brands and experiences. “Fifteen years ago, the idea of representing a tourism product in India was a concept only a few knew of and even fewer had heard of. It was back then the travel agents were faced with many obstacles and wished for an easier way out – an intermediary that would be a one-stop solution, tending to all their queries and needs regarding a specific destination. In order to bridge the gap and cater to the arisen industry requirements, Global Destinations was brought to life” highlighted Pranav Kapadia, Founder and Director Global Destinations. As a highly experienced and very energetic tourism solution provider, Global Destinations prides itself on offering top-quality service to an ever-growing, very discerning customer base. They aim to bring newer global tourism products to an Indian audience and at the same time, be of the best assistance to the Indian Travel Trade. The …

India wants to be a $1 trillion tourism economy with 100 million international visitors by 2047, the centenary year of its Independence. In order to achieve this, the focus is on various government-led initiatives under PPP mode, Union Tourism Minister G. Kishan Reddy said. “The vision of the second G-20 TWG meeting was to project domestic tourism in a mission mode. It will also make India maximise its potential in the tourism sector. In order to give impetus to the tourism sector this year, the government is observing ‘Vision India-2023’, a programme which invites the world to explore India,” he said.