Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, joined prominent tourism voices to discuss transition in travel. She said, “I see travel and tourism as the Guardians of Nature. I see us as being able to protect the environment and reduce greenhouse gasses.” The forum continues to collaborate with key industry representatives to drive sustainable action in the tourism space.  

Global business travel spending is expected to make a full recovery in 2024–ending the year on pace with the 2019 pre-pandemic spend of US$1.4 trillion, and a year sooner than previously forecast, says Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). It adds that Recovery will continue into 2023, with global spending rising 23% year-over-year as even more international and group travel comes back online.  

Poised for exponential growth after a pause, these two segments of travel are evolving like never before, with new expectations from ever-discerning customers. Listen to industry leaders from across the travel and tourism industry in both India and Singapore about what the industry needs to be equipped with in pursuit of travellers of tomorrow, at this exciting conclave organised by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), to be held in Mumbai on March 10, 2023.   WTTC President Julia Simpson famously announced last year that “the recovery of global tourism is going to be so stellar that it’s going to recover really powerfully”. According to forum, the global travel and tourism sectors are projected to return to pre-pandemic levels in 2023. It is expected to post an annual average growth rate of 5.8% from 2022 to 2032 versus the 2.7% increase in global GDP.  Focus on cruise and MICE segments Businesses in the MICE travel sector have also pinned their hopes on 2023 as the year it truly bounces back. According to a GBTA survey, over three-fourths of global travel managers expect the number of business trips taken by employees to be higher, with 85% of travel suppliers expecting their corporate client bookings to be higher this year. Some travel industry experts from India say that it could account for well over a third of the total outbound travel from India. Singapore has been one of the earliest beneficiaries of the outbound revival in the region; India has been a very important MICE source market for Singapore, especially in the M&I space. Requirements of MICE travellers are also evolving, and they are looking for new ways to conduct their meetings, and …

The recent decision by Saudi Arabia and Oman to allow Israeli civilian overflights is a significant regional development that is already having a positive impact on the Israeli airline industry. Flights from Israel to the Far East will be much shorter as a result of the new air corridor, allowing airlines to offer more direct and efficient routes. El Al’s decision to fly over Saudi Arabia and Oman en route to Thailand is a historic moment for the Israeli national carrier, cutting the flight time from Tel Aviv to Bangkok from about ten and a half hours to just eight. This is expected to open up new opportunities for the airline in the region. El Al is expected to re-launch its route to India, which was closed during the pandemic. Arkia also announced plans to re-launch its routes to Goa and Cochin, which were closed in 2019, and is considering expanding its service to India and Sri Lanka. Israir has also announced its interest in opening a route of just five hours flight time to India. Overall, the new air corridor over Saudi Arabia and Oman is a boon to the Israeli airline industry, and it is expected to spur growth and innovation in the region’s aviation sector. The two-and-a-half-hour reduction in flight times from Israel to the Far East will also shorten flights on Israeli carriers to India, Sri Lanka, and Australia, among other destinations. This will almost certainly increase tourism and business travel to and from Israel. According to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, “Israel has, in effect, become the main transit point between Asia and Europe. Israel is opening up to the East on an unprecedented scale.” Commenting …

Inspiring Vacations is organizing an exclusive webinar with destination experts on 3 March at 11am. The online event would allow travel trade to learn more about Europe Summer offers 2023. To register contact jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com, +919650196532 or go to https://event.webinarjam.com/register/511/3v7k1i17

The two-day upcoming Global Investors Summit beginning in Visakhapatnam on March 3 will witness the signing of MoUs worth ₹20,000 crore and more in tourism sector alone. Top brands in hotels, resorts, temple tourism, adventure sports, water sports, cruises and ropeways are expected to come up in different parts of the state to make Andhra Pradesh a major destination in south India. Several US brands too are looking at Andhra Pradesh for big investments in hotels and resorts.

Jitul Mehta, Chairman, Western India Chapter, TAFI, says, “TAFI is focusing a lot on domestic and Inbound tourist, as it is a good way to generate revenue for our members. There are lot of new domestic destinations and products training sessions in the pipeline. We recently showcased the National Museum of Indian Cinema in Mumbai to our members where they took a tour and learnt about the history of cinema.”  

Europamundo Vacaciones, the Spanish tour operator, is again at the forefront of the market by launching its new tour brochure full of new features and with thousands of travel options to choose from. Among these features, it is worth highlighting its duration in order to continue with the company’s commitment to the environment but also to guarantee the departures of the tours on the same days of the week throughout the season. Another great change that the company incorporates is the “From…” rates, a very positive and innovative point in this new reality that we live of dynamic prices. The rates can always be verified updated on the Europamundo Vacaciones website or, as always, by the travel agent. In addition, you can check the Offers and Super Offers that the company launches through the web and app. Lastly, we need to mention two considerable characteristics that make this brochure unique: Modernity and Interactivity. On each page of the brochure, you will find a QR code that you can scan to access a new interactive PDF for each brochure trip, and thus, have extensive information about each of the tours: itineraries, travel tips, photo and video gallery, quotation… New destinations include: New routes through Morocco never seen in the market that allow you to visit beautiful and rarely visited areas. Follow with Europamundo the unique Atlantic coast from Tangier to Agadir. Our great destination of 2023: exciting routes through Saudi Arabia. A destination that has been closed to tourism, opens now to offer us incredible contrasts that unite modernity and tradition. Visit it now with Europamundo: a unique, more authentic, less crowded destination. In addition, with Europamundo, there’s the opportunity to …

SOTC Travel inaugurated its new retail store in Anand. The new store will serve as a hub for nearby areas of Nadiad, Dakor and Khambhat as well, thus reiterating the Company’s strategic focus to expand its footprint in the state. Gujarat features as an important source market for SOTC Travel and offers the company a range of valuable segments like Gen Z/new age travellers, millennials/young professionals, families, couples and business owners/traders. The Company’s internal survey highlights insightful travel trends from Gujarat. A significant 70% of Gujaratis are keen to take a holiday and to cater this high potential market, SOTC Travel has introduced an array of offers like special Gujarati tours Gurjar Vishwadarshan, Early Bird discounts, complimentary cruise experience on Europe Holidays, ready to book and customized holidays. Customers are also displaying growing interest for experiential holidays, adventure holidays, domestic tours and cruises.  Daniel D’souza President & Country Head – Holidays, SOTC Travel said, “Gujarat has been a strong source market for us at SOTC, and we continue to witness high uptick in demand. We are delighted to open our new franchise store in Anand that also caters to nearby locations of Nadiad, Dakor and Khambhat. The store is centrally located thus allowing us to target valuable segments like Gen Z/new age travellers, millennials/young professionals, families, couples and business owners/traders. Our expanded portfolio of holidays have something for everyone – from customized holidays to luxury and premium holidays, also group escorted tours.”

Connaissance De Ceylan, Travel Design by CDC and Thema Collection, two highly respected destination management companies in the travel industry and a leading hospitality brand in Sri Lanka, are delighted to announce their collaboration with Ark Travels Group and the appointment of Ms.Anjum Lokhandwala as their representative in India. The signing of the agreement took place at the recently concluded SATTE event in Delhi, India. This strategic partnership aims to increase the visibility and appeal of Sri Lanka as a preferred tourist destination in India. Anjum Lokhandwala, Director of Ark Travels Group, has been tasked with marketing the products and services of Connaissance De Ceylan , Travel Design by CDC and Thema Collection in India. She brings with her a wealth of experience and expertise in the travel and tourism industry and is excited about the new partnership. “Ark Travels Group is extremely elated with their association with such a prestigious brand and looks forward to servicing them and making it a success story for both companies” , said Ms.Anjum, Director of Ark Reps. “We are confident that this collaboration will help us to promote and better serve the booming Indian market and further strengthen our position as leading destination management companies/hospitality brand in Sri Lanka,” said Mr. Wickramasinghe, Chairman of Connaissance De Ceylan, Travel Design by CDC and Thema Collection The partnership with Ark Travel Group and the appointment of Anjum Lokhandwala is a significant step for Connaissance De Ceylan, Travel Design by CDC and Thema Collection in expanding their reach and tapping into the growing Indian tourism market. The companies are optimistic that this collaboration will bring mutual benefits and look forward to a successful partnership.