McArthurGlen has recently made an addition to its portfolio with Designer Outlet Paris-Giverny. The centre offers its guests the opportunity to experience the very best of French savoir vivre with a perfect combination of fashion, art and gastronomy from nearby Normandy, shares Matthias Sinner, Head of Tourism, McArthurGlen Group. Could you tell us more about the new MAG centre in Paris? Designer Outlet Paris-Giverny is McArthurGlen’s new luxury and premium shopping destination, located just to the west of Paris. The centre offers its guests the opportunity to experience the very best of French savoir vivre with a perfect combination of fashion, art and gastronomy from nearby Normandy. Spanning over 20,000 square metres, the centre boasts a thoughtfully curated brand mix of international fashion favourites including Missoni, Stella McCartney, Moncler, Philipp Plein, Vivienne Westwood, BOSS, Furla, Karl Lagerfeld, Tommy Hilfiger, Maje, Angelo Vintage, New Balance, Adidas, Claudie Pierlot, L’Oréal and Roberto Cavalli at a minimum of 30 per cent off. It also plays host to an exceptional line up of food and beverage options, including the globally recognised luxury Parisian establishments Ladurée and Angelina, famous for their delicate macarons and iconic hot chocolate respectively. For guests looking to treat themselves further, French gelato brand Amorino and an elegant champagne bar offer the perfect places to pause and relax while shopping, and the popular American burger chain Five Guys caters to customers craving a quick bite between visiting their favourite stores. How is this different to other centres? Not only does Designer Outlet Paris-Giverny have the McArthurGlen DNA, delighting visitors and providing them with an extraordinary day-out experience, it is also home to an exclusive Maison des Métiers d’Art, GVRNY, newly launched …

 Today, the Italian National Day, marks the launch of the new ITA Airways Washington Dulles – Rome Fiumicino direct flight. The inaugural flight, which departed today at 4:20 p.m. from Dulles International airport, was operated with the new Airbus A330neo, the first aircraft completely built according to ITA Airways’ new cabin design. To celebrate the launch of the new intercontinental route and the entry into service of the new aircraft, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the departure gate in the presence of Pierfrancesco Carino, Vice President International Sales ITA Airways, Chryssa Westerlund, Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer, Washington Metropolitan Airports Authority, and Min. Plen. Alessandro Gonzales, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Italy in Washington.   To further underline the importance of the new connection between North America and Italy, ITA Airways was partner of the Italian National Day celebrations held yesterday at the Italian Embassy in Washington. On the occasion, the Ambassador of Italy in Washington, Mariangela Zappia, said: “ITA Airways’ new connection and plans to expand its network in the United States are important, long-awaited steps that bring America even closer to Italy and allow us to strengthen not only tourist flows but also the political, economic and cultural relations between our two countries”.   The Washington destination inaugurates the expansion of ITA Airways’ intercontinental network for the 2023 summer season and is enhanced by the introduction of the new Airbus A330neo, which made its first commercial flight today. The Airbus A330neo is the benchmark in terms of technology, digitization, innovation, efficiency, design, and ultimate expression of Made in Italy, reflecting the fundamental pillars of ITA Airways. The new Airbus, A330neo dedicated to the marathon …

A delegation from PATA visited New Delhi recently to do a recce for the PATA Travel Mart 2023, which is scheduled from 4-6 October at Pragati Maidan. The delegation, along with the office bearers of PATA India Chapter, met with Rakesh Verma, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism.

Arvind Singh, Secretary, Tourism, has said that during G-20 Presidency, MOT has planned a number of events, engaging not only government stakeholders, but also travel trade and hospitality sector. “We plan to promote green tourism, open 50 new tourism destinations and soon launch a publicity campaign in overseas markets during our presidency,” he informed.

Concerned over rising incidences of online hotel rooms booking frauds and instances of targeted smear campaigns on social media against hospitality brands, HRAWI will take up the issue with the concerned Government authorities and law enforcement agencies.

Air India has launched a non-stop flights between Delhi and Amsterdam. It will operate from June 11, 2023 with a two-class Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner four times a week, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. This is Air India’s eighth continental European city to be served. The addition of Amsterdam brings the total number of non-stop flights between India and Europe to 77 per week. Campbell Wilson, CEO and MD, Air India, said, “With the launch of this new non-stop flight to Amsterdam, Air India adds further breadth to our long-haul network and more options for our customers. Together with the three other European routes started in recent months, and others to come, it supports our objective of establishing Delhi as a significant international hub.”

In 2022, Indian outbound travel recorded a y-o-y rise of 190%, significantly higher than the average global increase of 90 per cent. This was the first time India generated Asia’s highest outbound travel volume, with foreign trips exceeding those of China, South Korea and Japan.

Inbound tourism to India is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 12 per cent from 2022 to 2027, driven by rising disposable incomes, growth of the middle class, and increasing awareness of India as a tourist destination, revealed a report by Nangia Andersen in association with FICCI.

CAPA India has said that India should urgently introduce mechanisms to institutionalise consumer protection, providing full refunds in the event of airline closure, along the lines of @ATOLprotected in the UK, which is run by the @UK_CAA). CAPA India has been recommending this since 2011: CAPA India

Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa, India said, “Digital transformation will be a very critical driver of growth. In 2047 India will be the youngest country in the world. We will be a provider of almost 25% of the workforce in the world.”