FCM Travel Solutions and KPMG’s recent whitepaper titled ‘Redefining Corporate Travel Management’ forecasts that the Indian business travel market is highly fragmented, with 70 per cent of corporates spending less than Rs 10 million. IT companies have the highest share amongst those spending more than Rs 10 million followed by engineering and pharmaceutical companies. IT, BPO/ITeS and pharmaceutical industries have higher travel spends as a percentage of their revenue. The cost incurred while travelling for business is the second highest operational cost for most organisations. Business travel is central to both maintaining business as well as expanding it and due to rising cost of travel, it is becoming imperative for corporates to drive higher levels of efficiency in their managed travel programme.

Rohit Chopra, Regional Director of Sales, Accor – India & South Asia believes that India offers great opportunities in the luxury segment. “Accor is exploring opportunities for the extended stay segment with discussions for developments under the Novotel Suites under way in Gurgaon and Bengaluru. We believe that India has tremendous scope in the luxury segment, given the increasing demand and spends in the country. We are also looking at introducing the Mövenpick and Ansagna brands in the country and plan to develop resorts in Rajasthan, Goa, Kerala, the hills and the north east of the country and Coorg.”

Through the 8th edition of the Indian Golf and Turf Expo (IGE) 2019, The Golf Industry Assocation is targeting to generate revenues of Rs 100 crore in next five years through Golf tourism. South Asia’s largest Golf Industry Trade Show is scheduled to be held at New Delhi’s Thyagraj stadium on April 26-27, 2019. Speaking at the formal launch of the event, Suman Billa, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, said, “The Ministry of Tourism has long identified golf as a potential tourism booster and has taken several measures including developing more public courses to grow and promote the sport in the country. In a welcome addition, this year’s IGE has also involved turf experts and professionals in a big way. This is so important to ensure that the best of infrastructure is available in the country, not only to boost the prospects of Golf, but also other sports like Football, Cricket, Polo and others where quality turf plays a critical role in boosting the standards of the athletes game. I thank all partners in making IGE a success over the years and look forward to the 2019 edition.” Deepali Shah Gandhi, President, Golf Industry Association (GIA), promoters of IGE, was also present on the occasion and said, “On behalf of the GIA, I would like to thank Suman Billa and through him the Ministry of Tourism for their continued encouragement and support to IGE, which has now become a must-attend for the entire Golf ecosystem in the country. The IGE brings together all key partners and contributors to the sport, whose tireless efforts have enabled stars like Anirban Lahiri, Gaganjeet Bhullar and Shubhankar Sharma to name a …

After deciding to ground the Boeing 737-MAX 8 planes operated by Indian airlines, DGCA has now decided to ban overflying of the aircraft which will also restrict take off and landing of the 737 MAX 8 planes in the Indian territory. “No B737 Max aircraft will be allowed to enter or transit the Indian airspace effective 1600hrs Indian time or 1030 UTC (Universal Coordinated Time). The timeline is to cater to situations where aircraft can be positioned at maintenance facilities and international flights can reach their destinations,” the civil aviation ministry said in a post on Twitter. Amid global backlash following the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines flight last week, US and major European nations, including Britain, Germany and France, have also suspended operations of the aircraft. Meanwhile, SpiceJet has decided not to take further deliveries of the plane till the safety concerns are sorted out. The airline has as many as 205 B737 MAX on order.

In a significant move to connect South India to Tokyo, Japan Airlines (JAL) has announced the commencement of non-stop daily flight between Tokyo (Narita) and Bengaluru from 2020. There are no direct flight to Tokyo from any south Indian city currently. The new flight will leave Tokyo at 6:25 pm and reach Bengaluru at 12:05 am (next day). The return flight will leave at 2:45 am from Bengaluru and reach Tokyo at 2:55 pm. “The IT industry is thriving in Bengaluru and is known as the Silicon Valley of India, where global corporations focusing in telecommunications, biotechnology, and automobiles are strategically based in this unique city. As direct flights are currently not in service from Japan, the launch of this route will provide customers from North America a new option when travelling to the southern region of India,” reports the Times of India citing statement from the airline. Welcoming the move, Takayuki Kitagawa, Consul-General, Japan in Bengaluru, in a statement, said, “Launch of non-stop flights from Bengaluru to Tokyo (Narita) will herald a new era of more strengthened economic relation between Karnataka and Japan. With this development not only will tourism flourish in Karnataka and Japan but also many new businesses will be established; thereby creating lots of new opportunities,” he said. Earlier this year, All Nippon Airways (ANA) also announced its plans to launch direct daily flight from Tokyo to Chennai from October 2019.

A new DMC – One Above – that offers Destination Marketing Services, opened its new office in Mumbai recently. Located in Andheri East, it is headed by BA Rahim, Director, along with co-directors Vishal Somaiya and Irshad Dadan. It already has 15 DMCs in its kitty in countries including Maldives, South Africa, Dubai, Russia, USA, Baku, Cambodia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and Mauritius.

Vistara, the joint venture between Tata and Singapore Airlines, has got the approval to fly on international routes, making it the fifth Indian carrier to ply on international routes. Vistara reportedly was granted permission after a committee of ministers gave a go ahead for the same, and the decision was conveyed to the airline on March 8. Post the approval, Vistara has sought permission to start operating on Delhi and Colombo route seven days a week. It is believed that Vistara has sought bilateral rights to Sri Lanka and slots from Delhi Airport for the same. The aircraft used for the Delhi-Colombo route would be Airbus A320.

Becoming an emerging destination among Indian travellers, Indian footfall to the Czech Republic has grown by 12.5 per cent in 2018. The Central European destination welcomed 96,325 Indian visitors through the year and recorded a total number of 2, 36,145 nights spent by Indians last year, with the average length of stay being 3 .5 nights per visit. While Prague and its attractions remain popular among travellers, an increased interest has been recorded in newer experiences such as beer spa, glass–blowing and wine tasting, bringing Indian footfall to the newer parts, including the South Moravian region. Arzan Khambatta, – Head of Czech Tourist Authority, CzechTourism India said, “The theme of the Land of Stories this year is the happening cities of the Czech Republic like Prague and Brno, and cultural experiences of castles and chateaux where families can rejuvenate and relax amidst the nature.” Apart from targeting families, experiential travellers, business visitors, honeymooners and leisure travellers, one of the main focuses this year would be the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) segment. The Czech Republic has state-of-the-art infrastructure in place, with the capacity to host large corporate groups and events.

DGCA has decided to ground the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft after the Ethiopian Airline crash, which killed 157 people, including four Indians. According to an announcement by Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), the planes will stay grounded till appropriate modifications and safety measures are undertaken to ensure their safe operations. MoCA on Twitter announced, “As always, passenger safety remains our top priority. We continue to consult closely with regulators around the world, airlines, and aircraft manufacturers to ensure passenger safety.” The decision by Indian Government came after a number of countries grounded the new model of the US aircraft manufacturer’s best-selling 737. SpiceJet has 13 jets of the model 8 variant in its 75-strong fleet while Jet Airways has five of these aircraft, and after the DGCA directive, both the airlines have suspended the operation of their 737 MAX 8 jets.

Tourism industry veteran and founder of Pacific Leisure Group (PLG) Alwin Zecha passed away after suffering a cardic arrest on March 12 in Bangkok. Born in Sukabumi West Java, Indonesia on April 4, 1936, Zecha contributed enormously to the ASEAN travel & tourism industry through his close involvement with PATA, and helping to bring numerous PATA events such as the PATA Travel Mart and Annual Conference to Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand. In his career spanning over 50 years, Zecha founded PLG in 1961 and bulit up network offices across the globe and quickly gained a reputation as one of the leading DMCs worldwide. Extending his tribute, Eckard Kremer, Group Managing Director. PLG said, “We lost a friend, mentor and our PLG father today. His legacy will live on.” Al Merschen, Managing Director, Myriad Travel Marketing said, “To a man with zest of life, and a life well lived. Rest in peace my fellow AL.” San Jeet, Honorary Vice Chairman, PATA India Chapter said, “A big loss for me personally and all of us here in India. The travel industry has lost an eminent statesman who guided us and more importantly held us all together. He will be missed, but his legacy of great work will stay in our hearts forever.” Vikram Madhok, Honorary Treasurer, PATA India Chapter commented, “Sorry to see a true industry leader go. Alwin was an inspiration to many of us and I have lost a friend of more than 20 years since I became involved with PATA. When he spoke, people stopped to listen, such was his charm and persona.” Narzalina Lim, Former Secretary, Department of Tourism (DoT) Philippines, said, “Alwin gave us …