We are pleased to announce the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with the St. Petersburg Convention Bureau. This is a step forward after we had a similar agreement with the Moscow City Tourism Corporation, where we agreed to promote Russia as a MICE-friendly destination for all of the movement coming from India. This is a bilateral movement because this understanding will promote MICE both within and outside of India. And Russia is looking for increased participation from Indian stakeholders because, given the current geopolitical situation in the world, India is Russia’s preferred source market. Similarly, as inbound tourists to our country, Russians have always been preferred. 

South Asia’s Travel & Tourism Exchange (SATTE) held at the India Expo Mart, Greater Noida, Delhi National Capital from February 9 to 11. St. Petersburg, the northern capital of Russia, has not only for the first time participated as an exhibitor but also presented their destination to further create more awareness around the potential of St Petersburg as a tourist destination for Indian market. Committee for tourism development of Saint Petersburg and Saint Petersburg Convention Bureau, organize the stand at the international tourism exhibition “South Asia’s Travel & Tourism Exchange” (SATTE). The booth of St. Petersburg has demonstrated impressive views of the city. The use of audiovisual and 3-D effects will help to show change of day and night, as well as the change of seasons in the city. An unusual addition to the exposition will be an art object in the form of a Ferris wheel, with the sights of the St. Petersburg depicted instead of cabins. On the first day of the exhibition, guests enjoyed a media event. Julia Kuzenskaya, Deputy Chairman of Committee for tourism development of Saint Petersburg, and Sergey Azarenkov, General Director of the St. Petersburg Convention Bureau, made a welcoming speech from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. During the event, Russian and foreign experts spoke about travel opportunities in Russia, tour operators for the hosting of foreign guests in St. Petersburg, as well as the Russian hotel booking system. The speakers presented the St. Petersburg unique tourist opportunities for Indian travelers. Mr. Submit Dahiya told the visitors about Tripholiday Tours and Travels, an Indian company for planning tours. Nika Strizhak, an Ambassador of St. Petersburg, reviewed the tourist potential of the Northern capital of …

“Amazing Thailand Golf Paradise Networking” organized by Tourism Authority of Thailand and Pattaya City on 10th February 2023 at Delhi Golf Club. 30 Travel Agents & event organizers from India participated the networking golf followed by presentation and lunch. Mr. Tanes Petsuwan, Deputy Governor for International Marketing Asia and South Pacific gave welcome remarks followed by Destination Update which highlights golf destinations in Thailand (Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Khao Yai, Phuket) Ms. Titipun Pettrakul, Deputy Mayor – Pattaya City update latest Pattaya attractions and activity for Indians travellers. Mr. Kullatorn Mesommonta, President of EGA Thailand introducing Golf Courses around Pattaya and East Region of Thailand Representatives from Thailand: – East Region of Thailand (Association) – Royong Green Valley Co., Ltd. – Royal Hills Golf Resort & Spa. – Kabin Buri Sport Club. – Treasure Hill Golf Club. – Bangpra International Golf Club. – Underwater World Pattaya. Thailand also has Amazing Golf facilities. Ideally located more than 250 golf courses throughout the country, Golf courses by the sea, by the mountains, by the lakes, inside the cities even besides the airports. Top quality courses, reasonable green fees, friendly caddies. From the beach resorts in the south such as Phuket to the mountainous surroundings in the Chiang Mai, north of Thailand or the bustling cities of Bangkok and Pattaya, there are golf courses to suit every preference. When it comes to hospitality no country comes closer to perfection than Thailand, offering something for everyone of diverse interest, every age and every budget. From pristine sandy beaches to lush jungles, bustling busy cities to traditional villages, Micheline star menus to roadside noodle stalls, historic Buddhist temples to 21st century sky scrapers, Thailand has …

Arvind Singh, Secretary Tourism, said that the two side events of the first Tourism Working Group Meeting of G-20 will be focusing on rural tourism and promotion of archaeological tourism. He said, “Rural tourism has a high potential to stimulate local economic growth, social change, and inclusive community development.”  

Sandeep Dwivedi, COO at ITQ, this year has witnessed an inclusive union budget release catering nearly all aspects of travel fraternity needs, giving impetus on infrastructure improvement to capital investment and not just economic but green growth. Initiatives such as pushing tourism to border villages, 50 additional airports, 2.40 lakh crores for railway sector -9 times higher compared to FY 13-14, will foster regional connectivity in the country. A 33% hike for last 3 years in capital investment of 10 lakh crores this year on infrastructure improvement, tourist guides information, high standards food streets and security of tourists is all we expected and included in the current budget announcement. However, there is no relief provided from any rationalism to exemption on foreign exchange earnings, rather 4 times increment in TCS on outbound travel from 5% to 20% is going to affect market growth. Strategic schemes like ‘Dekho Apna Desh’, ‘One district-One product’, and ‘Panchamrit’ are not limited to domestic upliftment. In my opinion, these schemes will create greater impact at the global level having vision in the direction of clean fuel clean environment leading to zero carbon emission by 2070. Dekho Apna Desh shall promote tourism to every corner in India targeting Indian citizens and foreign tourists. In fact, sanction of additional airports and investment in infrastructure is a step towards India’s long been dream of becoming a global aviation hub. Moreover, the vision of ‘Amrit Kaal’ is a hugely welcome step towards significant growth and development of India’s technology driven and knowledge based economy.

As travel continues to make its return in most parts of the world, Booking.com announces the recipients of its eleventh annual Traveller Review Awards, including 2023’s Most Welcoming Places on Earth and in India.  Based on a pool of over 240 million verified customer reviews on Booking.com, the Traveller Review Awards recognizes travel providers from across 220 countries and territories, including India, for their commitment to providing consistently excellent service and hospitality over the course of the year. 2023’s Most Welcoming Regions and Cities in India  For 2023, Booking.com has also revealed the Most Welcoming Regions and Cities in India for travellers to experience the best in hospitality and friendliness for a truly memorable travel experience.  Top 5 Most Welcoming Regions in India in 2023 Puducherry Kerala Rajasthan Goa Himachal Pradesh Top 10 Most Welcoming Cities in India in 2023 Palolem (Goa) Agonda (Goa) Mararikulam (Kerala) Hampi (Karnataka) Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh) Thekkady (Kerala) Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) Bir (Himachal Pradesh) Munnar (Kerala) Varkala (Kerala) Most Welcoming Accommodation Types in India Hotels continue to take the top spot as the most-awarded property type in India, with 3888 partners being recognized for their efforts. Homestays claim the second spot with 1509 properties being bestowed, followed by guest houses, resorts and apartments. Globally, apartments take the top spot for the sixth year in a row as the most-awarded property type, with a grand total of 629,421 partners being recognized for their efforts followed by holiday homes, hotels, guest houses and bed and breakfast rounding out the top five. Amazing staff is the secret to a happy traveller  When it comes to the different aspects of the stay that Indian travellers valued the most across the …

Ministry of Tourism will organize its first Tourism Working Group meeting from 7-9 February 2023 in Rann of Kutch, Gujarat. Secretary of Tourism, Arvind Singh said that in G20, there are 5 interrelated priority areas for tourism. Accordingly, the thrust will be on these five priority areas i.e. greening of the tourism sector, harnessing the power of digitisation, empowering youth with skills, nurturing tourism MSMEs/ startups, and rethinking the strategic management of destinations. 

Arvind Singh, Secretary Tourism, has informed that they are doing an Adventure Tourism summit during G20 as a side event. “The idea behind this summit will be to bring the focus of all international operators to India and show them the products in adventure. We are planning to bring 100 overseas operators for the same and ATOAI is working on the details for the same,” he said. 

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath launched a new global gateway for the state with the inauguration of the first VFS Global Joint Visa Application Centre (JVAC) and the VFS Global Academy in Lucknow. This spacious and comfortable facility equipped with modern amenities and services will have the capacity of processing approximately 1.2 lakh applications a year and will be of immense benefit to the citizens of Uttar Pradesh, who till now had to travel to other cities like New Delhi to submit their visa applications. 

Riaz Munshi, President, OTOAI, has said that the TCS being increased to 20% will hamper our business and at the same time there is going to be a huge deficiency in government revenue as people would prefer to either book through foreign tour operators or foreign OTAs to save GST and TCS both. “At present as well, outbound tour operators and government of India is losing revenue on the same grounds,” he added.