The Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI) will organise its fifth convention in Turkey from March 15-18, 2020, informed Riaz Munshi, President, OTOAI. He added that the pre-convention tour will be organised from March 12-15, 2020, while post-convention tours will be from March 18-21, 2020. “Preparations are going on in full swing for the convention in Turkey. Apart from the pre and post tours, we are finalising flight travel arrangements and sessions of the convention. Very soon, we will organise an event at the Turkish Embassy with the Ambassador to share more details,” he said. The last OTOAI Convention was held in South Africa in 2018.

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has signed an MoU with Hotel and Restaurant Association of Northern India (HRANI), under which HRANI hotel members would be able to list their room rate and inventory on IRCTC booking engine portal. The aim of this MoU is to promote domestic tourism and reduce the customer acquisition cost. The MoU signing saw in presence MP Mall, CMD, IRCTC; Surendra Kumar Jaiswal, President, HRANI & Vice President, FHRAI; Amarvir Singh, Hony. Secretary; Garish Oberoi, Treasurer and Renu Thapliyal, Secretary General, HRANI. Under the partnership IRCTC has allowed to offer 10% commission from its Member Unit of HRANI. HRANI member will also get 50% discount on one-time integration charge of Rs 20,000/- plus tax. Individual members need to pay an amount of Rs 10,000/- plus tax to IRCTC for integration on the booking portal of IRCTC.

South African Tourism is all set to start the 17th edition of its roadshow, which will travel to three Indian cities of Bengaluru, Pune and Mumbai on 13th, 14th and 15th January 2020 respectively. There will be a 48-member South African trade delegation for the latest edition of roadshows, which will educate and enable Indian trade partners to sell the destination better. In addition to experiences, representatives from accommodation establishments, destination management companies, airlines, tourism associations will display their products and engage Indian travel and trade associates. Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head – MEISEA, South African Tourism says, “Our 17th Annual Roadshow is yet another testament of our firm commitment to the India market, which offers tremendous potential when it comes to outbound long-haul travel. The Roadshow offers us and our in-destination partners a chance to showcase the best of South Africa, and bring it alive for the Indian travel trade – our biggest endorsers in the market. This year’s edition is slated to be even more special and exciting with the attendance of numerous South African SMMEs. We are confident that the 17th edition will be outstanding and more impactful than ever before in terms of business conversions.”

Lords Hotels & Resorts has added a new property in Guwahati, Assam, named Lords Eco Inn, which will be launched under the ‘Eco Inn’ brand. The hotel will start operations after implementation of brand standards and refurbishment. It will feature well-appointed rooms, a multi-cuisine restaurant and a banquet hall. The property is at a distance of 22 km from Guwahati Railway Station and walking distance from Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport. Pushpendra Bansal – Chief Operating Officer, Lords Hotels and Resorts said “Guwahati is a gateway to seven sisters in North East and increasingly emerging as a commercial and tourism hub. We see immense potential for business and leisure tourism in Guwahati and are proud to introduce Lords Eco Inn in this region”. Bhuban Pradhan, Mrs. Rinchin Droma promoters of Lords Eco Inn, Guwahati further added “It is indeed a pleasure for us to partner with Lords Hotels and Resorts to introduce the first Lords Hotel in North East Region of India. We are proud of the team that has been put together and are confident that our guests are going to be delighted every time they step into this property”.

As a sign of further commitment to the India market, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board has become the first US destination to open a tourism office in India in Mumbai. The newly opened office will focus on driving travel aspiration and motivate Indian visitors to increase length of stay and spend in Los Angeles. Seema Kadam serves as Los Angeles Tourism’s first Regional Director for India. Los Angeles Tourism President and CEO Ernest Wooden Jr. officially opened the new office alongside international delegates while in the presence of India’s tourism industry. The office will work with the travel trade to develop customised and tailored product itineraries in line with consumer and travel trade interests.   As the fourth-highest international growth market for Los Angeles, the office will develop a cohesive strategy with the travel trade to sustain growth in 2020 and beyond. The office will also develop and support existing and any new air service to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Encouraged by growth indicators in India – especially the market’s vast, growing outbound travel segment – Los Angeles Tourism’s latest visitation forecast projects a year-over-year growth of 4.4 per cent in 2019 with 135,000 Indian visitors. Indian visitation to Los Angeles is expected to grow by a year-over-year average of five per cent over the next five years with nearly 165,000 Indian travelers estimated to visit by 2023.   Commenting on plans for the India market, Ernest Wooden Jr. said, “Los Angeles Tourism’s journey towards this milestone that we celebrate today began nearly three years ago when we set off on a high-octane, strategic and long-term marketing programme. Targeted trade and consumer efforts have helped establish a distinct …

As a sign of further commitment to the India market, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board has become the first US destination to open a tourism office in India in Mumbai. The newly opened office will focus on driving travel aspiration and motivate Indian visitors to increase length of stay and spend in Los Angeles. Seema Kadam serves as Los Angeles Tourism’s first Regional Director for India. Los Angeles Tourism President and CEO Ernest Wooden Jr. officially opened the new office alongside international delegates while in the presence of India’s tourism industry. The office will work with the travel trade to develop customised and tailored product itineraries in line with consumer and travel trade interests. As the fourth-highest international growth market for Los Angeles, the office will develop a cohesive strategy with the travel trade to sustain growth in 2020 and beyond. The office will also develop and support existing and any new air service to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Encouraged by growth indicators in India – especially the market’s vast, growing outbound travel segment – Los Angeles Tourism’s latest visitation forecast projects a year-over-year growth of 4.4 per cent in 2019 with 135,000 Indian visitors. Indian visitation to Los Angeles is expected to grow by a year-over-year average of five per cent over the next five years with nearly 165,000 Indian travelers estimated to visit by 2023. Commenting on plans for the India market, Ernest Wooden Jr. said, “Los Angeles Tourism’s journey towards this milestone that we celebrate today began nearly three years ago when we set off on a high-octane, strategic and long-term marketing programme. Targeted trade and consumer efforts have helped establish a distinct and relatable …

The U.S. State Department has elevated its travel advisory for certain parts of Mexico due to what it describes as widespread violent crime in certain areas. The level two advisory urges visitors to exercise increased caution when traveling to Mexico. The potential for murders, kidnapping, carjacking and robberies exists and “the U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services…” in certain places. The state department warnings said do not travel to Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas.

The Victoria Falls, located on the Zambezi river, is suffering due to Southern Africa’s drought situation. These falls have drawn millions of travellers to Zimbabwe and Zambia for their magnificent views. Locals from the tourism industry say that potential guests are less attracted to see Victoria Falls and is impacting the number of tourists visiting the region. The drought is even causing incessant power cuts in the region that depends on hydroelectric power. Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu had tweeted pictures of the fall in October, saying, “These are stark reminder of what climate change is doing to our environment and our livelihood.”

Lufthansa has announced that it will not be able to provide its regular variety of beverages and meals presumably on Saturday, December 21 due to a strike called by the Verdi trade union at the Lufthansa Group catering company LSG Skychefs. The strike will affect catering loading at the Frankfurt and Munich hubs. This means that no meals and beverages will be offered on domestic and European flights to and from Frankfurt and Munich. Reduced catering will also be available on long-haul flights from Frankfurt and Munich. All long-haul flights to Frankfurt and Munich include the normal selection of meals and beverages. Additionally, Lufthansa will reimburse costs (up to a reasonable level and upon presenting a receipt) if customers purchase meals or beverages for themselves. Beverages should only be purchased after passing the security check. “Lufthansa regrets the inconvenience for its passengers. Customers transiting in Frankfurt and Munich or commencing their journey at these airports have access to catering stations in the transit and departure area. These catering stations will offer customers free snacks and beverages,” the airline said. For customers wishing to travel in a lower class, Lufthansa offers free rebooking to the next lower class if there is seat availability. Lufthansa will refund the difference. In exceptional cases, flights may be cancelled. Lufthansa passengers are requested to check the status of their flight on www.lufthansa.com prior to departure.

Dubai’s Emirates airline has asked all passengers travelling during the New Year to arrive at the airport well in advance. The airline has joined hands with several authorities in the emirate to make travelling during New Year a hassle-free experience. Advisory is for both Terminal 3 and Terminal 1. The carrier recommended that passengers travelling during this period check-in online prior to arriving at the airport and make use of the quick baggage drop counters at the terminal. Passengers should arrive at the airport at least 3-4 hours prior to their flight. The peak holiday travel period will run from December 19 to January 6, with over 5 million passengers passing through Dubai International Airport.