SpiceJet and IndiGo would shift their flight operations to T3 terminal from September 5 due to expansion works at T2. Where SpiceJet has moved its entire operations to T3 from T2, IndiGo's flight numbers from 6E 5000 to 6E 5999 will operate from Terminal 3. Post completion of infrastructure enhancement at T2, the terminal will be able to handle 18 million passengers yearly, up from current 15 million, the DIAL said. GoAir will continue its domestic operations from T2 terminal.

Hahn Air, unveiled its new NDC platform and is extending its suite of products for partner airlines and travel agencies with a solution powered by IATA’s New Distribution Capability (NDC) standard. To mark the occasion, the German airline and ticketing expert welcomed the first passengers holding NDC-enabled Hahn Air tickets on one of its scheduled flights from Luxembourg to Dusseldorf on 16th August 2019. “As Hahn Air today supports travel agencies in 190 markets and airlines of any size and business model, we carefully developed a scalable solution that meets the needs of all our current and future partners in a changing airline industry”, says Christopher Allison, Head of NDC at Hahn Air. “We are leveraging on the expertise we have acquired during our 20 years of being the leader in airline distribution solutions, as well as our involvement in the IATA activities driving and developing the NDC standard from the very beginning. We have been actively participating in several IATA committees and are currently holding the chair position of the NDC Orders Group, as well as a seat on the Shop-Order Board and the Architecture and Technology Strategy Board.” Hahn Air’s NDC platform will bring the following benefits to partner airlines: Airlines, irrespective if they are already NDC capable or not, can add an additional distribution channel and thereby extend their global customer base. In addition, airlines can join the world of NDC by using Hahn Air’s NDC platform without having to develop their own solution. Thereby they save time, money and resources and don’t have to deal with the complexity of the new standard.   Travel agents will benefit as follows: All travel agents, regardless of which system …

On the sidelines of the ADTOI convention, Aashima Mehrotra, Director, Ministry of Tourism (MOT), Govt. of India, stated “Gujarat remains a great destination for tourism as it offers everything including textiles, architecture, industry and entrepreneurship of people. We have chosen Somnath and Dhaulavera as the iconic sites from Gujarat for holistic development and under ‘Adopt A Heritage: Apni Dharohar Apni Pehchan’ project where different sites of Gujarat have been chosen for development of tourism amenities.” 

IGI Airport, Delhi has rolled out ‘Express security check-in’ facility at Terminal 2 for all the domestic passengers with handbags as luggage. This facility will enable them to head towards a separate express lane with X-Ray machines for their luggage and CISF security personnel. The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), in a statement said, “This facility will significantly reduce the load on the main security check-in area by diverting passengers carrying only hand baggage towards express lane. It will ensure fast and seamless flow of the domestic passengers travelling without any check-in baggage.” The Delhi airport has introduced the facility in collaboration with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). Terminal 2 handles about 45,000 domestic passengers daily of which, more than 13,000 passengers (30 per cent) travel without any check-in baggage. The service is soon expected to be extended to Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 as well. (Inputs from PTI)

On the concluding day of the convention, PP Khanna, President ADTOI and Convention Chairman said, “The convention is a success, we were expecting around 400 delegates, but have been impressed by over 500 registrations, including some of the local travel agents. Sessions were quite interactive, and people enjoyed the same. It’s very necessary to focus on what the different states are doing to promote domestic tourism. Subsidies the states are providing top private entrepreneurs, investment plans and success stories of PPP were deliberated upon in the sessions. Full halls themselves indicate the popularity of the sessions.” Elaborating on trends in domestic tourism he said, “An important trend is to work with the state to promote domestic tourism in the state. For developing tourism, the requirement is of better infrastructure in the state, cleanliness, safety and security, availability of amenities, among others. Essentially education and  skill development is required in the states  to promote domestic tourism. State specialists programmes are also required so that the travel agents and tour operators can be imparted more knowledge about the destination and they become specialists to promote their states. Each and every state in India has so much to offer. Travel agent need to connect with their counter parts more, as knowledge excellence goes till the last point. Gujarati tour operators can fabricate the packages for pan India tour operators.

The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, has postponed some of the Incredible India roadshows in Europe, South and Central America. However, a few roadshows will take place as scheduled earlier. This includes roadshows in Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, South Korea, The Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Portugal. In an information sent to overseas offices of India Tourism, state governments and all the travel and hospitality associations,  the Overseas marketing department of MOT said that roadshows in France, Italy & Austria scheduled from September 16-19, in South America & Central America scheduled from October 14-18, in Eastern Europe & Greece scheduled from October 21-24 have been postponed to a later date. The statement said that fresh dates for these roadshows will be finalised in consultation with the stakeholders and conveyed to all concerned.

The government of Gujarat has plans in place to set up a world-class zoo, spread across 1300 acres, near the Statue of Unity, the 597 ft statue situated over 100 kilometres away from Vadodara. Set to be complete by October 2020, the zoo will have seven levels and a variety of animals including lions, tigers, giraffes, rhinos, and other exotic animals. The Central Zoo Authority is said to have given an in-principle approval to the plan. The zoo, as well as river-rafting facilities, are part of a plan to make Kevadiya, where the statue is situated, a major tourist attraction. The plan is also in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to develop the region as a major tourism hub. (Source: PTI)

Appreciating the theme of the 9th ADTOI Convention which recently took place in Ahmedabad, SJ Haider, IAS, Principal Secretary, Tourism,  Govt. of Gujarat said, “There are countless destinations to see in India as well as Gujarat and ‘Explore India – Experience India’ seems apt theme for this convention.  It is important to be aware of our culture and heritage. Our Chief Minister, Vijay Rupani  has also started the initiative of border tourism. Tourism has a huge socio-economic impact on society. In destinations where economic activity is not possible, tourism can help develop economic activities. A shining example of the same is the Rann Utsav, where there is no other viable economic activity happening and we have been able to develop the same. This has given employment to the local people and improved their financial situations. Even ‘Kite festival’ has been able to generate man days of employment for the local populace. This helps instill a feeling of pride among the people for the border security forces, also instill patriotism.”

Currently the Executive Chairman of roomsXML Solutions, a company he founded in 2010, Prakash Bang has penned down his globe-trotting experiences in the form of e-books. Today, he has a total of 40 e-books that are dedicated to destinations across six continents and two poles. The idea came to him while travelling for work that takes him around the world giving him an opportunity to see the world through his camera. His efforts have featured him in The Limca Book of Records for a ‘travelogue of the longest duration’ – a record that remains unbeaten since its inception in 2014. Bang speaks of his endeavour and says, “I am now away from day to day affairs of my company. Both my sons, Ruchir and Anuj are in charge and are doing a good job. With time on hand, it was possible to write about my travels. Essentially, each of these books are my personal experiences. The pictures are shot by me, as I saw them. Travellers as well as the travel trade will find the information pretty useful. Each book can be downloaded for only Rs 100 – because giving it free will undermine its value.” His e-books not only include international destinations such as Bhutan, Seoul, and Copenhagen but also Indian destinations like Varansai, Ladakh and Hampi.   

The 9th annual convention of Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI), supported by Gujarat Tourism as host state, was inaugurated at Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad. Speaking at the ceremony, Vasan Aahir, Minister of State for Tourism, Gujarat, said, “We are very glad that ADTOI has brought their annual convention to Gujarat. Rann of Kutch is the ideal example where tourism has been a means for developing an undeveloped destination, while giving employment to many people. We are developing many destinations in a similar manner in Gujarat.” ADTOI also unveiled its new logo at the inauguration ceremony. PP Khanna, President, ADTOI, welcomed the delegates at the convention and felicitated the dignitaries, which included Pradipsinh Jadeja, Minister of State- Home, Energy, Parliamentary Affairs, Law, Justice (Minister of State), Police housing, Border security, Civil defense, Gram Rakshak Dal, Jail, Prohibition and Excise, Coordination between voluntary organization, Non Resident Gujarati Department, Protocol (all independent charge), Government of Gujarat; Aashima Mehrotra, Director, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India; S.J. Haider, Principal Secretary, Gujarat Tourism; Jenu Devan, Managing Director, Gujarat Tourism; and Ashwani Lohani; CMD, Air India.