According to Naveen Kundu, Managing Director of Ebixcash Travel Services, the allocation of a mere Rs 3 crores for overseas promotion raises concerns. He questions, “Are we doing justice to tourism by only allocating 3 crores for overseas promotion, especially at a time when we are urging every Indian to encourage five tourists to visit India? If we aim to promote cultural, spiritual, and heritage tourism, the budget should be at least in the range of 5 to 7 million dollars. A mediocre tour operator offering tourism products to foreign operators often spends more than this.” 

Pradeep Shetty, President, FHRAI said, “The room rates in India right now are not the problem, it is the high GST levied. This price will not be available anywhere else given the quality of service and amenities India offers. We need reforms in the GST regime to make it affordable. The 18% bracket must be done away and bring everybody into 12%.”   

Aligning with the strategic roadmap for the Indian market, South African Tourism is delighted to announce the 2024 edition of its annual India roadshow. Serving as an essential tool in promoting travel and tourism for the Rainbow Nation, the roadshow for the first time ever will enter the pink city of Jaipur. Scheduled from 12th – 16th February 2024, the event will further move to other significant Indian cities, namely – Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, and Mumbai in the respective order. The 20th annual roadshow schedule marks a vital milestone in South African Tourism’s efforts in the Indian market. It will witness the unveiling of the tourism board’s year-long plan to engage with Indian consumers. The novel insights leading to redefined approach will enable the trade partners to tap into India’s growing outbound travel market. Commencing in Jaipur the inaugural roadshow will be complemented by a panel discussion on 11th February 2024 and a gala for more than 150 key delegates and trade partners bringing on ground the sights, sounds, culture, and cuisine of South Africa. India is currently one of the top three focus markets for South African Tourism across the globe and holds a position of strategic importance. Led by Ms. Neliswa Nkani – Hub Head – Middle East, India and Southeast Asia, South African Tourism the roadshow remains an integral tool in attracting ‘more & more’ consumers to the Rainbow Nation. For years, India has been one of the largest source markets to many destinations across the globe. Owing to the recent uptick in its appetite for outbound tourism, the country is impossible to overlook for any tourism board. Commenting on the occasion Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head – …

Representatives from 42 nations gathered at the expansive 27-acre construction site of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, following an invitation from the Indian Embassy in the UAE. The visit aimed to foster intercultural understanding. The BAPS Hindu Temple is the second largest in the world and it is expected to attract over 3 million visitors in the first year to the UAE, positioning itself as the next significant wedding and MICE destination in Abu Dhabi.   

One of the fastest-growing segments in the tourism sector is the cruise industry, gaining immense popularity among travellers. During FITUR 2024, experts and leaders in the cruise sector discussed the industry’s prospects. Projections for 2024 suggest a promising year, with forecasts indicating that over 36 million people will opt for cruise travel. 

Shraddha Joshi Sharma, Managing Director, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), said, “MTDC has resorts in various locations of Maharashtra which showcases the strength of the state. This is being promoted with the help of local stakeholders like tour operators and travel agents from across India. MTDC will also be launching a convention centre in Nashik soon to be called Grape Park Resort Convention centre.” 

Ajay Prakash, President, TAFI said, “The more people can move freely, the better it is for the industry. I wish the Indian government would take a leaf out of their books and look at creating a visa on arrival for as many nationalities as possible. Even waiving it for some, if we want to attract inbound tourists. Inbound tourism to India has been slow in recovery; we are nowhere near our pre-COVID levels.” 

Post-COVID, the Average Room Rate (ARRs) have skyrocketed even for budget properties across the country. Pratima Badhwar, Head of Commercial – India & South, Asia, Accor said, “India was the most under sold market. With the kind of products that we have, the service we deliver, one cannot get hotels in $80-100 anywhere. I think a good takeaway of COVID is that we are getting the rates corrected for the country.” 

Pradeep Shetty, President, Hotel And Restaurant Association (Western India) – HRAWI & Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), said, “At present, Lakshadweep operates only one or two flights weekly with limited seat capacity using ATRs. There’s an urgent need to augment flight frequency and upgrade airport facilities, including larger runways for accommodating bigger aircraft. Simultaneously, augmenting room inventory is crucial.” 

Air Arabia in partnership with Kazin DMC announced a 9-city roadshow to promote Kazakhstan. The roadshow will start from 8th January 2024 till 25th January 2024 and will cover Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Surat, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Coimbatore, Cochin & Thiruvananthapuram. Air Arabia’s seamless flight connection along with Kazakhstan’s gaining popularity as a fast and upcoming tourist destination in the short haul market is a key motive for this roadshow to encourage and educate key travel partners to promote the destination using Air Arabia’s flights.