The Travel & Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) team led by President Nilesh Shah met the new Tourism Minister of Goa Rohan Khaunte, to request him for his support to the tourism industry. Shah said, “He is a dynamic leaders and has experience in the hospitality industry. We want a tourism minister to execute the vision outlined in the tourism masterplan. We hope under his leadership our industry benefits.”

As per the American Express Travel: Global Travel Trends Report, the motivation to travel for 48% Indians is for discovering new experiences, 46% for relaxing and 45% for exploring new destinations. The report also shows that Indians are also traveling to see the people and places they love, celebrate important life events, embark on wish list trips, experience in-person events, and seek greater wellness and self-care. Highest amongst all the other surveyed countries, 91% surveyed Indians agree they will book a dream vacation in 2022 which they normally would not have considered before the pandemic while 87% want to book a once-in-a-lifetime vacation in 2022.

Sharing new developments at Asego, Dev Karvat, Founder & CEO, Asego, revealed, “We are about to launch our all-new tech platform which will allow our partners to issue policies on-the-go in just 3 clicks. Furthermore, we have moved to a multiple underwriter model which will provide our partners more flexibility and freedom to customize products and services as per their customers’ needs.”

India’s travel industry is projected to account for 29 million outbound trips per year by 2025, according to analysis from GlobalData. Moreover, survey conducted by ResearchandMarkets.com predicts that India’s outbound tourism market will surpass $42 billion by the end of 2024. India’s tourism sector will therefore be a key focus for exhibitors at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2022, which will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre from May 9-12.

Flying Konkan Devgad Zipline is the first of its kind adventure sport activity along the coastal region of India, was launched and thrown open to public earlier this year. Co-founded by  IT engineers turned entrepreneurs, siblings Vaishnavi Joil & Srikant Joil  introduces coastal ziplining to the Indian population as a unique adventure activity along the coast, offering breathtaking views of the pristine coast, and thrilling break from the niche ‘water sports’ category. Over the past decade, the popularity of adventure sports tourism has seen an upward trend among tourists of all age groups and backgrounds. Among them all, ziplining is one of the most popular, safe and adventurous activity so far, for those seeking an adrenaline rush but in a comparatively safer set-up, while taking in the natural beauty of the destination.  And while India currently has several ziplining options, including popular locations in Rishikesh and some in Rajasthan, Goa and even in Maharashtra, the Indian coast has so far remained isolated to ziplining. But Flying Konkan Zipline is changing all of that! A true labor of love, the Flying Konkan Zipline was conceptualized as a curious idea in 2016, and finally took shape and materialized in January 2021, after years of meticulous research, planning, permissions, paper work and several trials. However, the pandemic and the lockdown in 2020, was a pivotal point in the way the venture would shape out eventually. Speaking about the journey and the vision, Vaishnavi Joil, Co-Founder, Flying Konkan Devgad ZIpline, said, “Devgad has been our family native and we have spent several summer vacations as children, relishing in the mangoes and exploring the beach. However, during the lockdown when we moved here to work …

The Tourism Department, Mizoram organized a B2B ‘Mystical Mizoram’ roadshow in Kolkata on 4 April 2022 at The Park Hotel.  Speaking at the function, Vantawl Lalengmawia, Director, Mizoram Tourism spoke about the need to capture Bengali tourists as Bengalis are avid travellers and are the most widely travelled people in India for they are looking for a new destination. He also spoke about easy accessibility of Aizawl from West Bengal which can be reached within 45 minutes from Kolkata, much lesser time taken for reaching Durgapur from Kolkata which takes around 3 hours. He invited tour operators in Bengal to experience the nature and culture of Mizoram before sending their clients to Mizoram and the need to bridge between West Bengal and Mizoram through tourism Industry. He also spoke about Mizoram Responsible Tourism Policy where the aim is focussing and developing services that promote tourism in a sustainable and responsible manner with diversification of tourism products and creation of employment opportunities for the people so that benefits of tourism should directly go the people. He said that the State’s tourism policy is a policy for the pro poor with a human face. He wanted the people of Bengal to explore Mizoram markets, to explore what its offer. He wanted to connect people, to open a new chapter of tourism between West Bengal and Mizoram that will boost economy of both States. Vantawl Lalengmawia, Director, Mizoram Tourism also conveyed the message of Mizoram Tourism Minister Robert Romawia Royte, that Familiarization Tour for the Tour Operators in Kolkata would be conducted in the near future. Anil Punjabi, President, Travel Agent Federation of India, Kolkata Chapter also spoke about the need to experience Mizo culture …

With Indian outbound travel market getting ready to reopen and travel around the world again, KTO New Delhi, Shinhan Bank and Utazzo Travel have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote a one of its kind savings cum deposit plan called “Let’s Go Korea” for Indian travellers to plan their dream holiday to South Korea. The plan allows travellers to invest for their future trip to Korea and receive exclusive offers on their Korea travel bookings from Utazzo Travel. The customers can invest in monthly instalments ranging between INR 2,000 to INR 100,000 with Shinhan Bank for a duration of up to 1 year. The Shinhan bank offers an attractive rate of interest of 5.75% * per annum that can be availed at the end of the deposit period. The buyers of this monthly saving cum recurring deposit plan are entitled for exclusive discounts and money back offers provided by Utazzo travel. As the exclusive travel agency partner, Utazzo Travel will curate multiple packages at attractive rates, valid till December 31, 2023. The buyers will be provided with a special 10% discount and 5% cash back on the South Korea package cost & a voucher worth INR 25,000 for other future bookings. Not just this the package buyers will receive an exclusive photo shoot in South Korea. The customers need to enroll for the Let’s Go Korea plan with Shinhan bank and fill a Google form to avail these exclusive offers. One lucky winner from the package Korea package buyers will also receive a free stay for two at a 5 star hotel in India. The list does not end here, Korea Tourism Organization will also be providing a special …

Outrigger Hospitality Group announced 31 March that it has acquired the newly renovated five-star Maafushivaru Resort in the Maldives – adding another premier beach property to its expanding global portfolio. The luxury resort has been renamed Outrigger Maldives Maafushivaru Resort and is located on a private island in the pristine South Ari Atoll region, a 25-minute seaplane flight from Malé – offering convenient access and breathtaking views for arriving guests. The resort is comprised of a collection of 81 luxury villa styles including beach, pool and duplex accommodations, as well as coveted overwater bungalows and more. “There are few destinations that evoke higher levels of relaxation, elegance and seclusion than the Maldives. This resort is the perfect addition to our array of global beachfront properties,” said Jeff Wagoner, President and CEO of Outrigger Hospitality Group. “With travel on the rise, we look forward to welcoming our global guests to the Maldives and curating unforgettable Outrigger Signature Experiences that allow visitors to appreciate Maldivian culture in an iconic beachfront setting.” Located in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is classified by many world travellers as the ultimate luxury beach destination. Known for its uninterrupted views of white sandy beaches and a seemingly endless turquoise lagoon, the Maafushivaru Resort has recently undergone an extensive modernisation and is poised to be among the Maldives’ most sought-after vacation destinations. Outrigger will leverage the knowledge of General Manager, John Allanson, who has served the brand previously and has three decades of hospitality leadership experience. In his new role, Allanson will spearhead the transition of this property utilising The Outrigger Way philosophy. This ethos has allowed the brand to expand across the globe without compromising its values …

In its Indian Tourism and Hospitality performance report 2021, Noesis states that the year 2021 saw 110 properties that have opened in various parts of the country while there were 161 hotels signed in the same year. The ARR was in the range of Rs 4,300-4,600, while the ARR in the fourth quarter was in the range of Rs 5,300-5,500, reaching almost 90% of the pre-COVID level. India’s top leisure and business destinations saw a surge in room rates during the third and fourth quarters of 2021.

According to the latest HVS Anarock latest report ‘India Hospitality Industry Overview 2021’ The sector ended the year with an India-wide occupancy of 42-45%, up 10-13 percentage points over the previous year. Driven by the strong recovery in demand, average rates also began to improve after the second wave, progressively approaching pre-COVID levels. The robust growth in occupancy and average room rates (ARR) resulted in a 24-27% increase in RevPAR to ₹1,800 – ₹2,100 in 2021.