This will be VietJet Air’s 4th online city in India after DEL, BOM and AMD. VietJet Air will be operating four flights per week to COK on the day Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat with Airbus 320 connecting Kochi to Vietnam, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Seoul, Narita, Bali and many more destination.

Lake 360, the only elevated deck restaurant of Delhi NCR is organizingthe Turkish Fest from 12th May 2023 to bring the vibrancy of Turkish culture, soulful music and traditional Turkish food under a single roof. With a mesmerizing lake view and under a starry night and bright sunshine, the guests are invited to spend their time with their loved ones and groove in a Turkish vibe. For this blissful and special occasion, the Lake 360 team has decked up in Turkish clothes and welcoming the guests in an authentic Turkish style. The rhythmic and melodious Turkish music will sync with the cultural vibe of the Fest. Contemporary artists have been called for LIVE performances of various Turkish vocal styles like Turkish Pop and Kurdish music. With the mesmerizing lake view surrounded by lush wavy trees, the restaurant has been festooned with nature’s bounty. As the guests walk the trail of the restaurant, savoury Turkishcuisines await them. Scrumptious bites like Tavuk Sis is a fusion of Greek yogurt and marinated grilled chicken and Izmir Kofte served with spiced lamb cutlets, fragrant tomato sauce and fresh mint will be served hot and fresh by our skilled chefs. Don’t miss out on Baklava and Revani, the traditional and authentic Turkish desserts. “The Turkish Fest is finally here and we are delighted to bring the unique cultural experience to our guests at Lake 360 as we are the only restaurant that curates such experiences for them. The guests can immerse themselves in groovy Turkish music and savour authentic Turkish delicacies. To celebrate the fest, our team has dressed up in Turkish attire. The night experience would beworth witnessing under the canopy of stars, rippling …

RARE India will host the sixth edition of its annual signature event ‘The RARE Showcase’ at The Imperial New Delhi on 9th and 10th June 2023. Building bridges towards travel innovation since 2003, RARE India partners with some of the finest conscious and experiential owner-run hotels, retreats, lodges and camps spread across the Indian subcontinent, many of them off the usual tourist circuits. 35 such individual and stand-alone hotel brands from India, Nepal and Bhutan you will meet at The RARE Showcase 2023 to share authentic destination and people stories. Travel designers and tour operators from over 100 inbound and domestic travel companies from across India are expected to attend the event.  Regarding the line-up of hotels for the upcoming event, RARE India’s Founder Shoba Mohan said, “We renew our focus towards small owner-led brands vetted for authenticity and experience, from unknown wilderness to forgotten heritage conserved as combined efforts of pioneers who turned to travel and hospitality to celebrate the destination. We forged a map of the subcontinent, away from the known cliches to craft itineraries worthy of explorers. Constant inputs and iterations that we have received from our travel agent fraternity, industry peers, media as well as travelers have helped us create itineraries where none existed. Our Showcase dedicates itself to help inspire new product lines and reimagine novel routes. The RARE Showcase 2023 is set to inspire the fraternity to leave their comfort zones behind, to learn and explore further.” According to Rasmi Poduval, Founder, Cranganor History Café & Riverside Château, who will be participating in the RARE Showcase 2023, “Cranganor is a tiny resort tucked away in a sleepy village on the banks of the river Periyar in verdant Kerala. We intend to showcase …

A stylish hotel for modern and millennial travelers who want to escape from the chaos but still close to the bustle. Our Cross Vibe Bangkok Sukhumvit stands in the heart of #Bangkok, a perfect location where you can joyfully create your adventure. The shopping malls, supermarkets, bars, restaurants, and cafes are right on our doorstep. Whether you are looking for a place to relax and free your mind, or a place where great adventures await, we have them all for you. Located in the On Nut district of the Thai capital, close to fashionable Thong Lor and the central business district, Cross Vibe Bangkok Sukhumvit Hotel is a smart and stylish urban property that delivers excellent connectivity and exceptional amenities to business and young leisure travellers. The hotel is situated close to Bangkok’s BTS skytrain network, and a complimentary shuttle service between the hotel and On Nut station puts the entire city within easy reach. All units come equipped with a range of facilities such as Wi-Fi, TVs with cable and satellite channels and electronic safes, while each residence features a kitchenette, microwave oven and dining area. The guests can enjoy a modern mix of Thai and international cuisine at 4K Café, a chic designer cafe with stylish decoration, grab a coffee or cold drink at 4K Bar, relax at the poolside Vibar, take a refreshing dip in the sea-salt pool, or unwind in the on-site spa, which includes a unique Japanese onsen where hotel guests and Bangkok residents can come together in an atmosphere of social well-being. Alternatively, they can work out at the fitness centre, a state-of-the-art Fitness Club which is fast becoming a favorite not only among …

Dusit Hotels and Resorts under Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, is set to expand its global and domestic footprint by opening three hotels within the next 30 days – including two new properties in Bangkok and its first hotel in Japan.    Hot on the heels of opening its first hotel in Europe, in Greece, and returning to Nairobi, Kenya, in March, with the opening of Dusit Suites Athens and Dusit Princess Hotel Residences Nairobi, respectively, Dusit is now gearing up to welcome its first dusitD2 branded hotel in Bangkok – dusitD2 Samyan Bangkok – which will soft open on 12 May 2023.  Located on Si Phraya Road, a vibrant street parallel to Silom and Sathorn roads in Bangkok’s central business district, the new hotel comprises 179 well-appointed guest rooms and boasts a sleek, modern design that reflects Thai culture and embodies the upscale nature of the dusitD2 brand.  The hotel’s wide range of facilities includes a stylish lobby, a fully equipped fitness centre, a versatile meeting space with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment, an outdoor swimming pool with a panoramic city view, and a multi-level food and beverage concept featuring a grab-and-go gourmet outlet, an all-day dining restaurant with an open kitchen, and a Miami-inspired rooftop bar called Mimi serving burgers, shakes, craft beers, and cocktails.    Up next, on 15 May 2023, Dusit will mark the official expansion of its distinctive lifestyle brand, ASAI Hotels, by opening ASAI Bangkok Sathorn on Sathorn Soi 12 near Bangkok’s central business district, just a five-minute walk from Saint Louis BTS (Skytrain) Station.    Building on the success of ASAI Bangkok Chinatown, one of the top–rated hotels in Bangkok on TripAdvisor, the …

Zhiwa Ling Heritage in Paro, which is one of Bhutan’s few Bhutanese-owned luxury hotels, has joined the RARE Community, which consists of some of the finest conscious luxury owner-run hotels, retreats, lodges and camps in the Indian subcontinent. Set on a 10-acres estate in the beautiful Paro Valley, Zhiwa Ling, meaning ‘Place of Peace’, is the first fully Bhutanese-owned 5-star hotel in Bhutan. Famed for its spectacular Bhutanese architecture, authentic experiences and sustainability endeavours, Zhiwa Ling Heritage blends traditional Bhutanese architecture with modern design. From its traditional Bhutanese architecture to its elegant temple made with 450-year-old timbers to its Swedish under-floor heating, Zhiwa Ling Heritage seamlessly combines past and present in all areas of operation. Over sixty local artisans worked on Zhiwa Ling’s interiors and design, featuring ornate wooden carvings, cornices, hand-knotted rugs, intricate stonework, local art and crafts. Regarding their association with RARE India, Zhiwa Ling Heritage’s Managing Director Mr Kezang Dorji said, “We are excited to announce our partnership with RARE India. As a hotel committed to authenticity and mindfulness, we believe that RARE’s focus on conscious travel and unique solutions aligns perfectly with our values. Through this partnership, we will have access to their specialized expertise, increase our efficiency and productivity, save costs, and reach out to new markets. We look forward to working together and offering our guests an even more exceptional experience.” RARE India is a sales & marketing, communications and PR company that focuses on telling compelling stories and building value along the chain – from stakeholders of the destinations to tour operators, curators and designers right down to the travellers – about stand alone, owner powered, authentic brands in the Indian subcontinent. The RARE Community hotels offer transformational experiences that create value for the …

GCC-based travel conglomerate Kanoo Travel and premium destination management company Desert Adventures Tourism have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a joint venture in Saudi Arabia at Arabian Travel Market 2023. The collaboration brings together two of the largest and most reputable travel trade organisations in the Middle East, aiming to create the most comprehensive destination services company in the region. The joint venture marks a significant milestone in both companies’ history as they combine their expertise, resources, and capabilities to provide travellers with unparalleled travel experiences in Saudi Arabia. Desert Adventures Tourism, managed by Thomas Cook India Group and wholly owned by Fairfax Financial Holdings Canada, has been a leading company and partner of choice for many worldwide tour operators with 25 years of experience in destination management in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Oman. Thecompany has developed a reputation for providing stability, consistency, and quality of service that its partners have come to trust.  Kanoo Travel, an esteemed travel company with a legacy spanning over eightdecades, offers the most comprehensive and reliable travel solutions. With a focus on corporate travel, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events (MICE), leisure and holiday travel, airline representation, and marine travel, Kanoo Travel has established itself as a leader in the travel industry. The company’s commitment to delivering exceptional solutions and services has been consistently acknowledged, resulting in numerous regional industry awards. Peter Payet, CEO of Desert Adventures, expressed excitement about the new venture, saying, “We are delighted to partner with Kanoo Travel to provide the most comprehensive destination services in Saudi Arabia. With their extensive local knowledge and resources and our international expertise, we are confident that this joint venture …

Tourism Malaysia’s efforts to publicize its comprehensive promotional activities continues to the Middle Eastern region. The Malaysian delegation is led by the The Honourable Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture Malaysia, to participate once again in the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai from 1st to 4th May 2023 at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). The four-day ATM offers Malaysia as an excellent platform to market and promote the latestattractions and destinations for shopping, family fun, eco-adventure, honeymoon, luxury holidays, as well as safe travel destination. ATM 2023 also marks the 29th anniversary of Malaysia’s participation in this prestigious event, which is a strong testimony to the country’s support to the event and its commitment in attracting more Middle Eastern tourists to Malaysia.   As in previous years, this prestigious annual event sees the participation of a strong Malaysian delegation from 76 organizations comprising hotels and resorts, travel agents, tourism products owners, representatives from various state governments, including Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), Penang Global Tourism, Sabah Tourism Board, Sarawak Tourism Board, Tourism Melaka, Tourism Pahang, and Tourism Johor. The mission aims to reinstate and enhance the commitment to establishing good tourism cooperation, engaging in future collaborations, and cooperation with the travel and tourism industry in the region. Honourable Khairul Firdaus said during the launch, “In line with the Visit Malaysia in 2025, Tourism Malaysia will strive to attract more tourists from the Middle East to Malaysia. We are confident that we will be able to achieve our target to put Malaysia as the top destination for Muslim travelers,”. Throughout the event, the Malaysian delegation is scheduled to meet up with the top management of a few …

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) andenvironmental, social and governance (ESG) activities are attracting the highest levels of investment in travel technology at present, according to innovation specialist, Plug and Play. Experts from the Silicon Valley-headquartered firm shared a range of insights into the latest investment trends on the Travel Tech Stage at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023, which will conclude today at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). Speaking on the third day of the show, innovation specialists explored how travel startups are being affected by macroeconomic headwinds and fears of a global recession as part of the ‘Investment Trends Leading Travel Tech’ session. Kristie Choi, Early Stage Tech Investor at Plug and Play, noted that venture capital (VC) investment witnessed a “dramatic pullback” in the second half of 2022, a trend that continued into Q1 2023. “While this looks pretty scary, there are still billions of dollars of dry powder out there to be gained,” she told attendees. “Travel tech round dynamics tend to follow similar patterns as the wider tech market, and we are seeing an increased focus on profitability and cash efficiency in this segment.” Choi said that the travel sector was leading the curve in terms of generative AI investment and adoption. This technology is being leveraged to enhance the customer experience by facilitating trip planning, automating refunds and back-office processes, and supporting content creation. ESG is also a major focus for the travel technology sector, she explained, with sustained investments in transparent data reporting and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) serving to bolster the growth of responsible tourism. The influencer economy, meanwhile, is “driving business away” from online travel agencies (OTAs), according to Choi, as companies look to …

The ITIC Middle East Tourism Investment Session has presented their annual ATM Investment Summit meeting at ATM 2023.Exploring the economic outlook for regional tourism, the session also delved into the relationship between sustainability and investment in the sector as well as the growing opportunities for women in the Middle East, focusing on Oman as a case study. Hosted by Gerald Lawless, Director ITIC Ltd, Invest Tourism Ltd and Ambassador WTTC, the summit opened with Nicolas Mayer, Global Tourism Leader PWC and Nicholas Maclean, Chairman and Managing Director CBRE Middle East. Sharing an optimistic view on the market Maclean said: “One of the key asset classes which is attracting special interest, particularly in the GCC is the opportunity for investors to capitalise on the hospitality industry. The profile of investors in the GCC is much more long term than in other markets around the world.” Saudi Arabia is a particular growth area for the GCC region with the Kingdom recording 93.5 million tourists in 2022. Commenting on the investment situation in Saudi, Mayer said: “In Saudi Arabia there is an acceleration of not just hotels and rooms, but the creation of entire destinations which entails a number of different asset classes, be it in entertainment, human capacity building or experiences. The tourism industry is seen as a transformational sector when it comes to meeting sustainability goals and the sustainability aspect is now front and centre when it comes to investment in the Kingdom.” The sustainability segment of the ITIC session was moderated by BBC Anchor Sameer Hashmi and the speakers for this session included: Amr El Kady, CEO, Egyptian Tourism Promotion Board; Dr. Abed Al Razzaq Arabiyat, Managing Director of Jordan …