VisitBritain has relaunched industry website http://VisitBritain.org aimed at destinations, businesses, travel trade, business events, media and more. They are passionate about raising Britain’s profile, increasing the volume and value of tourism exports, and developing England’s visitor economy by working with organisations of all sizes and specialities. To know more, visit the link https://lnkd.in/eedfW44D  

Abhishek Sonthalia, MD, Turtle Down Under, mentions that in the month of August 2023 there were 7,195 visitors coming to New Zealand from India. It is 191.3% return of arrivals as compared to August 2019 in an exclusive interview.

Discussing the LGBTQ+ tourism sector, ForwardKeys highlights reports from Out Now Consulting which states that the sector could potentially contribute up to 218 billion dollars in revenue annually, accounting for 10% of global travellers as reported by World Tourism Organization.

’How India Travels’ report by Booking.com claims that projections show travel expenditure among Indians to go up from $150 bn in 2019 to $410 bn by 2030. The report also mentions that Indian travellers to complete aggregate of 5 bn trips annually.

Tejashwi Yadav, Deputy CM, Bihar mentioned, “In 2019, total number of tourists in Bihar was 3.5 crores but with continuous efforts to boost tourism, we have reached 5.75 cr till Sept.” This shows great scope in Bihar so we are launching tourism policy very soon, he added.

An Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, (MPTB) and The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) in Bhopal today to strengthen, promote and develop cooperation in research, promotion and tourism development in Madhya Pradesh. MPTB and IATO agreed to assist each other to promote tourism to the state by organizing travel visits to destination of Madhya Pradesh; Organizing familiarization trips of Madhya Pradesh; Marketing & Awareness through all possible means; Exchange of publication, reports and other academic materials; Co-organize Travel and Tourism trade events/exhibitions; and Promoting Tourism Destinations through Media and PR. MPTB shall provide Madhya Pradesh Tourism specific brochures and publicity materials to IATO which IATO will share with its large membership base and foreign tour operators through its members in order to promote tourism destinations in Madhya Pradesh and rural tourism destinations. IATO will also  share the information with potential investors in IATO membership for Capital Investment subsidy for creation of Tourism infrastructure and to establish Tourism Projects etc. by way of investment and interest subsidy with an intention to promote investment in Madhya Pradesh. IATO will also share the information with the foreign tour operators through its members regarding Madhya Pradesh Film Tourism Policy and motivate foreign filmmakers through FTOs to shoot films in location of Madhya Pradesh and get all the available benefits. The MoU was signed by Mr. Sheo Shekhar Shukla, IAS, Managing Director – Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) and Mr. Rajiv Mehra Mehra, President – Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO).  Shri Vivek Shrotriya, IAS, Additional Managing Director- MPTB, Mr. Yuvraj Padole, Deputy Director- MPTB, Mr. Ravi Gosain, Vice President – IATO and Mr. Mahendra Pratap Singh, Chairman – …

Meena Bhatia, Vice President & General Manager Le Meridien New Delhi, said, “Delhi is becoming one of the most sought-after international global destinations for MICE, especially after the launch of Bharat Mandapam and the upcoming Dwarka Convention Center, along with the existing Noida Convention Center. With these convention centers, it is set to become a tri-city convention hub in the near future.”

Rakesh Verma, Additional Secretary, MOT, said, “Accommodation is one of the essential features for the development and growth of a destination. We are working with the tourism and hospitality industry on investment promotions and encouraging investments in destinations with enormous potential.”

Sheetal Munshaw, Director – Atout France India, reveals that India is within the top 15 source markets for France. According to Oxford Economics, an estimated 4,96,000 Indian visitors are expected to visit France in 2023. With the Rugby World Cup will further help in positioning France as a preferred destination.

Lt.Colonel Dr. Ghalib Abdullah Hassan Al Majed Al Marri, Director of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence reiterated, “The new visa issuance application which process all the entry permits through AI solutions within 3 to 10 minutes with this new system. Travel agents apply through the smart portal, the main AI system  is comparison of pictures which is a new solution which expedite the process.