In an official statement dated, May 2, 2019, The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced that the Royal Thai Government has approved the extension of the visa-on-arrival fee waiver for citizens of 20 countries for another six months, until 31 October. The decision was announced in the Royal Thai Government Gazette on 30 April, reasoning it as a measure to stimulate and promote tourism as well as to enhance the kingdom’s attractiveness among foreign visitors. Citizens of Andora, Bulgaria, Bhutan, China including Taiwan, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, India, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Papua New Guinea, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan will be exempted from the 2,000 Baht visa-on-arrival fee for the purpose of touring in Thailand for not more than 15 days. The government first approved the visa-on-arrival fee waiver from 15 November, 2018, to 14 January, 2019, and further extended the measure to 30 April.

South African Tourism is hosting the annual tourism marketing event, Africa’s Travel Indaba, at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre in Durban, South Africa, from May 2-4, 2019. The event serves as one of the largest platforms for Africa’s tourism industry to showcase the extensiveness of its products to an international market. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Derek Hanekom, Minister, Tourism, Government of South Africa, said, “Africa’s Travel Indaba has become synonymous with storytelling. This continent is teeming with stories and folklore which are woven into all the products and experiences that are showcased here. In 2018, Africa reached 67 million international tourist arrivals, a growth of 7% over 2017. This represents 5% of all global international arrivals, up nearly 14 mn from the low of 2015. On the African continent, we have grown at an average of 8% for three years in a row.” The Minister also shared that UNWTO predicts that 1.8 billion people will be travelling globally by 2030, and that Africa will increase its share from the current 5% to 7% of all global arrivals. While buyers at Indaba include tour operators, online booking companies and DMCs from across the world, the exhibitor profile includes provincial authorities, tour operators, game lodges, luxury products, etc., from as many as 20 African nations. The India market continues to be a significant contributor to Africa’s, particularly South Africa’s, international tourist arrival numbers, and Indaba is seen as one of the most significant events to help strengthen this relationship even further. Over 1,000 exhibitors are said to be participating in the continent’s annual tourism showcase. Last year, the event received delegates from 80 countries and participant numbers crossed the 7,000 …

Tourism Malaysia Mumbai in association with Akbar Holidays has announced a five-city product briefing seminar. It is scheduled to be held in Bhubaneshwar on May 14, Raipur on May 16, Bhopal on October 15, Nagpur on October 17 and Kochi on November 6, 2019. The seminars aim to highlight Malaysia as a value-for-money destination and showcase its product offerings and attractive packages. Its tourism offerings range from million-year-old rainforests, islands and beaches to shopping and luxury holidays. Product partners of Tourism Malaysia i.e Resorts World Genting, Legoland and Lexis Resort, Swiss Hotels, Air Asia and Penang Convention and Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) will be present to showcase their products. Mohd Hafiz Hashim, Director Tourism Malaysia Mumbai said, “We are happy to announce our five-city seminar in Bhubaneshwar, Raipur, Bhopal, Nagpur and Kochi. We look forward to a fruitful association with Akbar Holidays to boost Indian tourist to visit Malaysia and this will help us to promote our Visit Malaysia 2020 vision. Malaysia is a bio-diverse country with rich traditions and culture. Our natural environment surrounded with rich flora and fauna, pristine beaches, theme parks, adventure activities, nightlife are very appealing to Indian tourists. They can enjoy luxury at an affordable price in Malaysia.” India tourist arrivals recorded an increase of 8.6 per cent with 600,311 in 2018 as compared to 552,739 in 2017.

US carrier Delta Airlines has announced non-stop direct daily flights between Mumbai and New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport from December 22, becoming the second carrier and only U.S. carrier to offer the JFK-Mumbai route. At present, only Air India provides direct daily service on this route. The US-based carrier is restarting services on this route after a decade. The airline previously offered service between the U.S. and Mumbai from 2006 to 2009. The JFK-Mumbai route will operate year-round on a newly renovated Boeing 777-200LR, leaving from JFK at 9:15 p.m. and arriving at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai at 10:50 p.m. the next day — a roughly 16-hour flight. The return flight to the U.S. will leave Mumbai at 12:50 a.m. and arrive at JFK at 6:35 a.m — just over 15 hours.   “Delta’s nonstop service between New York and Mumbai is the latest example of our international growth as we strive to connect the world better than any other airline,” said Ed Bastian, Delta’s Chief Executive Officer. “This route would not be possible without the administration’s ongoing efforts to enforce fair competition in international travel, ensuring that consumers enjoy a wide range of choices as they travel the globe.”   The airline did not announce when travelers could begin booking the flights nor how frequently they would operate.   The aircraft features the Delta One Suite — an all-suite business class cabin — as well as the premium economy offering Delta Premium Select have seatback entertainment. The flight will also offer WiFi connectivity and free mobile messaging. The new service will become Delta’s second-longest flight.

The Indian Association of Amusement Parks and Industries (IAAPI) has elected a new national president in Sohansinh Jadeja for the term 2019-2020. Jadeja is Director of Gujarat Amusement & Funworld which owns and operates S. Cube Water Park and Gujarat Funworld Amusement Park in Vadodara. He joined IAAPI as Director in the 2005 and over the years has worked as Regional Chairman of Western Region and Chairman of Membership Committee. IAAPI will now be gearing up for its 20th IAAPI Amusement Expo 2020 that will be held from February, 26-28, 2020 at Bombay Exhibition Centre, in Mumbai. Jadeja is a civil engineer by profession and has over 28 years of experience in amusement and water park industry. He joined ‘Saya Group of Companies in 1992 as Director which pioneered in the field of manufacturing rides, water slides and also owned and operate amusement parks and water parks in Gujarat. As the Director of Marketing, he has represented many international companies and set-up many amusement parks, water parks (from concept to commissioning) in India.

AirAsia Group has reported that it has plans to add 13 new aircraft to its fleet during 2019 in India. Adding more to its fleet, Indonesia will get five, Philippines will get three and Malaysia, Japan and Thailand will get one aircraft each. India is a strategic market for AirAsia and the airline will soon start its Ahmedabad-Bangkok direct flight from May 31. AirAsia Thailand has recorded a positive load factor of up to 87 percent on its India routes, with guests travelling between Bangkok and existing destinations in India increasing 7% on-year, translating into economic benefits for both countries. (Source: CAPA)

The Rajasthan government will soon come up with a new tourism policy, informed Sreya Guha, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Arts and Culture Department, Government of Rajasthan. Elaborating on the policy, she said, “In order to tap new avenues of growth in the tourism industry, we are starting up on the new tourism policy. At present the policy is at the draft stage and we will soon share details with all our stakeholders. The thrust areas are to develop new destinations, develop rural destinations and try and generate as much employment in rural area.” On the other hand, Rajasthan’s luxury train, Palace on Wheels has bagged the first bulk booking of the season with a deal worth Rs. 5.2 crores during the GITB 2019 on account of 20 per cent advance bookings for the next two seasons of 2019-2020 and 2020-2021. “It’s our best selling product, we are also looking to revamp the train. With constant feedbacks, we are working to make it more better and convinient for our travellers,” Guha said. The first draft of Rs 4 crores was presented by Arun Kundu, Director- Incoming, The Rail Journeys, Mercury Travels to the Principal Secretary. The total business from Ebix Group will be Rs. 20 crores in the season. While the second draft worth Rs. 1.5 crore was presented by Manish Saini, CEO, Worldwide Rail Journeys on account of 20 % advance booking for next two seasons. The next two upcoming seasons of the heritage train already have a total advance booking of 80 per cent

After a bumper 2018, more hotel mergers and acquisitions are expected this year. The focus is shifting towards more private deals with smaller platforms. The top hospitality brands only account for around a third of hotel rooms around the world, making more acquisitions in 2019 likely. Tony Ryan, Managing Director of Global Mergers & Acquisitions in JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group says, “Most of the larger platform deals have already been done, so the big operators are now seeking out unique concepts and locations to complement existing product offerings – particularly as consumer demand changes. Those transactions will occur primarily in Europe and Asia, where there is greater opportunity for consolidation.” On the revenue side, having a global reach enables hotel groups to provide customers with the type of accommodations they want, where they want it. The purchasing power of a bigger operation can also mean significant cost savings, says Ryan. “Bigger players have more buying power than a standalone hotel, and so are able to pay lower commissions to distributors such as Expedia or Booking.com.”   With aggregation among the industry’s big guns more or less complete, the major global brands are turning their attention to smaller, niche players that can help them build out a full presence in every part of the accommodation market both geographically and by sector – in particular luxury, wellness, lifestyle, and entertainment. All the major brands are seeking to enhance their luxury offering, says Ryan. “That has a halo effect on the rest of the company. Given the room rates that luxury properties achieve, it can also be highly lucrative.” Examples include AccorHotel’s acquisition of FRHI Holdings (parent of the Fairmont, Raffles and …

Sarovar Hotels has announced the signing of a new hotel in Poovar, marking the group’s further foray into Kerala. One of the fastest growing hotel chains in India with over 80 operational hotels across 50 destinations in India and Africa, this will be Sarovar’s fifth hotel in  Kerala ,adding to its impressive presence in Vayalar, Thekaddy, Kochi and Thiruvanthipuram. Pooovar is a well-known tourist destination due to its unsurpassed natural beauty, unspoilt beaches and beautiful rivers. It is an ideal destination for relaxing and cherishing the exotic beauty of beaches. A trip to God’s Own Country will not be complete without a visit to the famous Padmanabhaswamy Temple. The hotel to be operated in mid-2019 will offer 90 beautiful rooms with a nature view, spa to rejuvenate oneself, bar, restaurant, Swimming pool and banquet facility for the social together and meetings.  Situated 35 km from Trivandrum Airport, this unique hotel can be accessed both by road and boat.   Commenting on the development, Anil Madhok, Executive Chairman, Sarovar Hotels & Resorts, said” We are delighted to expand our presence in the state, adding one more leisure destination in our portfolio. We look forward to further growth and remain committed to further expansion in key markets of South India.”

IndiGo delays its 2nd daily Delhi-Istanbul flight to July 1, instead of May 1. Right now, there is one daily service between the two cities with one hour layover in Doha.  The closure of Pakistan airspace has affected hundreds of flight operations worldwide. Most of the restrictions implemented in February remain in place. IndiGo now holds the maximum share in the Indian aviation sector (44%) and is trying to fill in the empty slots by Jet Airways, which recently has suspended its international and domestic operations until further notice.