ITC’s Hotel Group announced the signing of its first Storii property in Kolkata, West Bengal. With the addition of this hotel, the Group will have 9 properties in West Bengal, including 4 under development.  A total of three Storii properties are already in operation across India; Storii Shanti Morada & Storii Moira Riviera in Goa and Storii Amoha Retreat in Dharamshala.  Storii Kolkata is expected to open in early 2024 and will offer spacious well-appointed rooms and suites with an all-day dining restaurant & bar and banquet spaces.  The major attraction of this leisure destination will be the signature K by Kaya Kalp spa. Surrounded by water bodies, the spa will reflect the grandeur of ancient Bengal where water pools were an integral element of the design and architecture. The spa is being developed as an oasis of tranquillity that leverages the best from India’s ancient traditions of health and wellness as well as modern rejuvenation programs. The sprawling spa sanctuary brings together all of nature’s elements to lighten the mood. From the sun sights to a vast aqua ambience surrounded by fresh open air. The spa will encourage the pursuit of holistic well-being by offering a conducive relaxation environment with large treatment rooms offering various therapies including Ayurveda, a dedicated ‘yogshala’, a meditation room, a swimming pool, fitness center and other recreational facilities.  Anil Chadha, Divisional Chief Executive, ITC Hotels said, “ITC Hotels already has a strong presence in Kolkata. Storii by ITC Hotels, Kolkata will bring a boutique resort offering, away from the hustle and bustle of the metro life. The addition of this property represents our commitment to enrich the tourism landscape of Eastern India with each …

Aeroflot to resume direct regular flights to Indian state Goa from Moscow and Ekaterinburg. The services will be operated to international airport Dabolim (IATA: GOI). Tickets are available.  In line with bilateral agreement between India and Russia from September 30 three weekly flights from Sheremetyevo airport will be operated on wide-body Airbus A330 on Tuesdays, Fridays and   Saturdays. From October 3 three weekly flights from Ekaterinburg will be operated on Boeing 737- 800 on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.   In addition to Goa, Aeroflot operates direct flights from Moscow to Delhi all year round. Traditionally the south of India is a favorite place for beach holidays of Russians in fall and winter. The flights are expected to be in high demand. Tourists will be able to get to the Indian Ocean coast in comfort and without transfers. The up-to-date schedule is available on Aeroflot’s website. “Goa flights to Moscow will boast tourism from Russia as well as India, as Russia has simplified the process for visa issuance for Indians, now Indians can apply for Russian visas online, except this cargo sector from western India will be in demand as trade between countries is increasing from last few months” said Dr. Naveen Rao Director of Delmos Aviation Pvt. Ltd.   

Speaking about some of the long-term side effects of the pandemic, Harmandeep Singh Anand, MD, Jagsons Travels, says, “The number of travel agents in Nagpur and the surrounding tiered cities has reduced as they have left the industry, leading to a huge shortage of trained staff. And it will take some time for this gap to be filled.”

Learn more Costa Serena and its sailings ex–Mumbai & Cochin in November and December 2023 at this exclusive webinar today at 3pm. It will highlight specially curated itineraries for a truly international experience with an Indian touch. For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532. 

Learn more Costa Serena and its sailings ex–Mumbai & Cochin in November and December 2023 at this exclusive webinar today at 3pm. It will highlight specially curated itineraries for a truly international experience with an Indian touch. For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

Atmosphere Core reveals ambitious expansion plan in India with proposed launch of 25 properties in India by 2025, with the inauguration of 8 hotels and resorts within 2 brands.

ITA Airways was awarded the prestigious title of “Best travel inclusion initiative of the year” in the Business Travel category during the awards ceremony of the EMA – European Mission Awards. This year in its second edition, the event took place at the Teatro della Pergola in Florence. Carla Catuogno, Regional Manager Europe, and Gianluca Della Torre, Head of Business Sales Italy, from the ITA Airways Commercial team, led by Emiliana Limosani, ITA Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer and CEO Volare, received the award at the ceremony. We are very proud to receive this European recognition from the Business Travel community. This is a further confirmation of our teams’ commitment at the international level. This award encourages us to continue investing in business travel, a strategic segment for ITA Airways”. Receiving this important award confirms that we are moving in the right direction. It is a further incentive to continue to improve, investing knowledge and skills in first class services and initiatives aimed at increasingly enhancing and simplifying the experience on board our aircrafts – said Giovanna Di Vito Chief Program Office, ESG & Customer Operations – ITA Airways was born with the aim of guaranteeing its customers a unique travel experience, paying attention to the needs of each and every one. We strongly believe in the value of inclusion and work to develop universal access to air travel.”  

Hotelivate’s current report titled ‘The 2023 Indian Hospitality Trends & Opportunities Report’ claims that in 2023-24, nationwide occupancy is anticipated to range between 68-70% with the nationwide rates likely crossing ₹7,500.  

The market for India’s outbound tourism is on upward trajectory and shows an impressive rise. Gajesh Girdhar, Chairman, NIMA, mentioned, “The market is set to reach $15 bn in 2023, with anticipated 11.4% CAGR by 2032. The growth is driven by Indians especially millennial”.   

Praveen Chander Kumar, Exec VP, Sales and marketing, said, “IHCL will inaugurate Taj Guras KutirResort & Spa, and Ginger Hotel in Gangtok, in October this year, as part of expanding our hotel presence in the Northeast of India.