The LCCs are expected to post a strong double-digit growth of 25-30% in fiscal in domestic passenger traffic, led by robust expansion of domestic capacity by SpiceJet and Indigo. However, non-revival of Jet Airways would curb growth at the industry level.  Firmer fares and strong passenger-traffic growth are estimated to propel the earnings before Interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and lease rentals (EBITDAR) margin of India’s low-cost carriers (LCCs) to 24-25% this fiscal, compared with 15-16% in the last. Fares are expected to rise because of limited capacity additions in the industry since Jet Airways ran aground. With the improvement in EBITDAR margin, the LCCs’ operating cash flows are expected to touch a decadal high of Rs 4,700-5,200 crore this fiscal.

Singapore welcomed a record 160,000 cruise passengers from India in 2018 (a 27% increase over 2017), establishing India as the top source market for cruise visitors, revealed GB Srithar, Regional Director, India, Middle East & South Asia, International Group, Singapore Tourism Board. He added, “This was possible only with the strong and relentless support from partner-friends like you, making Singapore a must-visit cruise holiday destination and hub.” Talking about the Cruise Tourism Performance in 2018, Srithar said, “2018 was a good year for Singapore’s tourism sector. Singapore welcomed 1.44 million visitors from India to Singapore in 2018 (a 13% increase over 2017’s visitor-ship). Specifically, for cruise, total passenger throughput was at a high of 1.87 million (a 35% increase from 2017). The higher passenger throughput was due to the year-round deployment of Genting Dream and extended sailings from Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas.”

As Cosmos prepares for the launch of its 2020 vacations, the value-centric brand has unveiled a fresh look and feel including a new tagline, ‘Adventure is Knocking’. With effect from September 15, 2019, Cosmos will start its rebranding with the launch of a new logo and a new look to the way Cosmos is presented.  Varesh Chopra, Regional Director – South Asia and Middle East for the Globus family of brands, says, “With our new branding, we’re celebrating the unparalleled and attainable access a Cosmos tour provides to the world’s ‘wow’ moments. On a Cosmos vacation, we make possible ‘never thought I would’ or ‘never imagined I could’ moments by making travel easy and affordable. The idea that ‘Adventure is Knocking’ captures the excitement that travel brings.” Agents can celebrate Cosmos re-branding with the introduction of new brochures, complimentary marketing material and a new video, inviting their clients to discover adventures in the world around them. With its new look and feel, Cosmos provides travellers with value-centric vacations in 67 countries on six continents. “With our vacations priced from just US$ 79 a day, we’re helping travellers turn ‘what if’ moments into ‘I did’ realisations so they can expand their horizons, clear their heads, and open their hearts to the world around them,” says Chopra.

On 14 September 2019, STIC turns into a 46-year old company. The company has maintained its presence in the trade because of its people and their dedication towards work. The journey started in 1973, inaugurated by Karan Singh, then Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister, with handful of people. Over the years, STIC has evolved into one of the most renowned organisations, covering nine international airlines, largest hotel chains , cruises, car rental , luxury services etc. STIC moves ahead, to bigger, brighter and bolder strides… forty six … and getting younger.

At an appreciation dinner organised in New Delhi, the Singapore Tourism Board thanked cruise lines and cruise travel intermediaries for promoting cruising from Singapore. GB Srithar, Regional Director – India, Middle East & South Asia (IMESA), Singapore Tourism Board, presented ‘Valued Tourism Partner’ awards to representatives from key cruise lines operating out of Singapore and travel trade partners selling cruise holidays. Representatives of cruise lines were, Nalini Gupta, Managing Director, Lotus Aero Enterprises (Costa Cruise India); Nishith Saxena, Founder & Director, Cruise Professionals Ltd. (Princess Cruises), Naresh Rawal, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Genting Cruise Lines and Ratna Chadda, CEO, Tirun Travel Marketing (Royal Caribbean International). Four travel agents nominated by Costa Cruises, Genting Cruises and RCI were also felicitated at the ceremony.

Travel Luxury Show has kick-started in Jaipur. More than 1800 meetings are expected over two days (14-15 September) at the sixth edition of the show. Over 60 buyers and thirty exhibitors will be part of the event. The show will offer participants an opportunity to have one-to-one meetings with exhibitors from luxury hotels, destinations promoting luxury holidays and other products targeting high-end travellers from the country. The two-day event will also witness panel discussion with keynote speakers who will give an in-depth update of the industry.

Tamil Nadu Travel Mart Society, supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and Department of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu is organising the 2nd edition of Tamil Nadu Travel Mart to showcase the potential of Tamil Nadu’s tourism on a global platform from 19-22 September in Chennai.  TTM will also have a parallel event- Tamil Nadu Medical Travel Mart, in association with Health Department Government of Tamil Nadu

The 35th annual convention of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) was inaugurated at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre in Kolkata. The association is organising the convention in Kolkata after 17 years with the theme, ‘Is Tourism Thriving? Challenges and Opportunities’. The Day 2 of the convention will mark the opening of India Tourism Fair 2019. The convention was graced by Goutam Deb, Tourism Minister, West Bengal, Indranil Sen, Minister of State, Dept. of Information & Culture Affairs and Tourism, Government of West Bengal, Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi, Minister for Tourism, Odia Language, Literature and Culture and Atri Bhattacharya, Principal Secretary Tourism, Government of West Bengal apart from many stalwart of the travel trade were present during the glittering opening ceremony. Apart from highlighting the host state, West Bengal, who was seen promoting Durga Puja, as the part of theme, IATO Convention will play host to 13 other states and Union Territories, who will showcase their tourism products and offerings. On the theme of Durga Puja, there will also be a live demonstration of idol-making. The IATO Hall of Fame Award for 2019 was given to Patu Keswani, CMD, Lemon Tree Hotels. IATO Run for responsible Tourism will be organised on the last day of the convention on September 14.

LOT Polish Airlines, a member of Star Alliance has launched its 8-hour long flight to Warsaw, Poland. The airline will operate this route five times per week on Boeing 787 Dreamliner. This will provide more connectivity from India not only to Poland but also give an option of seamless travel to Central, Western and Eastern Europe. New Delhi is now LOTs sixth destination. “LOT provides not only the shortest and most convenient way of travel to Warsaw but also a perfect gateway to all passengers travelling from Delhi catchment area to Europe. LOT is the leading legacy carrier in Central and Eastern Europe, the fastest growing region of  the continent. There is a huge potential for air travel, almost 9.5 million passengers travelled between India and Europe and  3.3 million between Delhi and Europe during the last 12 months. Our convenient schedule, including an overnight eastbound flight, a comfortable on-board product and seamless connectivity via Warsaw will certainly increase the flow of business and leisure travelers coming to and from India” , says Rafał Milczarski, CEO of LOT Polish Airlines

The Singapore Cruise Forum, held at The Le Meridien, New Delhi, saw major players from the travel trade coming under one roof to discuss and explore the cruise market in India and trends around the same. GB Srithar, Regional Director, India, Middle East & South Asia, International Group, Singapore Tourism Board, addresses the gathering and mentions the key highlights related to this industry. He says, “The Cruise Forum today sets out to achieve two objectives. First, for the cruise and travel trade partners here to gain insights from the thought-leadership presentations, and secondly, to exchange views during the panel discussions and engage in meaningful conversations and networking with like-minded individuals for us to grow cruise holiday-makers in India and continue entrenching Singapore as a major cruise destination and hub.”