In 2018, visitor exports are expected to grow by 8.8 per cent, and India is expected to attract 18,655,000 international tourist arrivals, according to a report by WTTC. Visitor exports are a key component of the direct contribution of Travel and Tourism. In 2017, India generated Rs 1,777.1 billion in visitor exports. By 2028, international tourist arrivals are forecast to total 30,469,000, generating expenditure of Rs 3,316.4 bn, an increase of 5.5 per annum, the report said.

According to a report by WTTC,  domestic travel spending is expected to grow by 7.3 per cent in 2018 to Rs 12,999.5 billion, and rise by 7.4 per cent per annum to Rs 26,427.8 billion in 2028. The domestic travel spending has generated 87.2 per cent of direct Travel and Tourism GDP in 2017 compared with 12.8 per cent for visitor exports (ie foreign visitor spending or international tourism receipts), the report said. Visitor exports are expected to grow by 8.8 per cent in 2018 to Rs 1,934.1 billion, and rise by 5.5 per cent per annum to Rs 3,316.4 billion in 2028.

MiCE continues to be important for revenue generation at various platforms, said Chander Mansharamani, Vice Chairman, India Convention Promotion Bureau (ICPB) at the 11th Conventions India Conclave (CIC) underway in Kolkata. Welcoming delegates at the inaugural session, he further said, “We, at ICPB, play a major role not only in creating better awareness of the benefits of the congress and the conventions but also support congress planners, organisations, associations and other trade related bodies. According to World Travel Market, there will be 10 million international travellers by 2020 and estimated business travel will account for appoximately 14 per cent. Keeping in view the economic impact, we need to figure out what we need to do next and how ICPB can play a proactive role in this.” Some 300 participants are expected to attend the Conclave including 150 domestic and 40 international potential buyers. The focus of the event will be on India’s potential as a MiCE destination, through interactive sessions, exhibitions and B2B meetings.

Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT) conducted a roadshow in Delhi to enhance commercial ties with the Indian travel trade fraternity. The 20-member delegation comprising destination management companies (DMCs) from Israel interacted with over 200 key travel and tour operators, MiCE providers, upmarket leisure operators and media personnel. Interactive B2B sessions, education programmes and workshops were held to aid trade members in planning itineraries and responding to customer queries. Hassan Madah, Director, Israel Ministry of Tourism – India & Philippines said, “Tourism is on the rise in Israel and inbound arrivals from India has appreciably increased in the last few years. More than 44,000 Indian tourists have already visited the country from January to July, 2018. The introduction of Air India’s direct flight connectivity from Delhi to Tel Aviv received an overwhelming response resulting in the national carrier to increase their frequency to four flights a week.” In March this year, Air India launched its historic direct flight operations from New Delhi to Tel Aviv. Madah added, “We have positively introduced various initiatives to ease the visa procedure for Indians. Along with relaxation of documents for persons who have availed visas of Schengen countries, US, Canada, Australia or Israel and have completed their travel to these countries, Fast Track visa processing for Israel was also incorporated earlier this year. Additionally, reduction in visa fee to Rs 1,100 will encourage more people to choose Israel as a holiday destination boosting inbound numbers from India.”

In its 67th AGM held today at The Umrao, New Delhi, the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Northern India (HRANI) has elected SK Jaiswal as the President for the term 2018-20. He is also the President of Uttar Pradesh Hotel & Restaurant Association (UPHRA) and Hony Secretary, FHRAI. Other elected office bearers include Vice Presidents Ravinder Nath Kukreja and Rakesh Roy; Hony Secretary Amarvir Singh; Treasurer Garish Oberoi, and Hony Joint Secretaries Ankit Gupta and  Rattandeep Anand. Jaiswal completed his Senior Cambridge from St Francis College & Intermediate from Christ Church College, Lucknow. He has done B Sc and LLB from Lucknow University and Hotel Management from Food Craft Institute, Lucknow. He is the Managing Director of Deep Group of Hotels at Lucknow namely Hotel Deep Palace, Hotel Deep Avadh, Deep Hotel, including Hotel Deep Mayur, Kanpur. The group is also introducing with a five-star deluxe property Ramada Plaza and a budget hotel Ramada Encore with an international-level convention centre at Kanpur Road, Lucknow.

Continuing its focus on growing its domestic presence, Jet Airways is set to introduce 28 new flights in the coming month. Jet Airways’ new services – including industry firsts as well as a mix of non-stop and one-stop flights – will strengthen the airline’s footprint, enabling it to meet the rising demand for domestic and international air travel in emerging cities. The new services will also help connect guests with other cities including metros as well as the airline’s global network via its hubs in Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru. In a series of industry-firsts, Jet Airways will introduce daily flights from Indore, connecting the ‘largest city in Madhya Pradesh’ to Jodhpur as well as to Vadodara. In other notable firsts, Jet Airways is also set to commence flight operations between Chandigarh and Lucknow, Ahmedabad and Jodhpur as well as Vadodara and Jaipur. Jet Airways will be the only airline in the country operating these routes which will improve connectivity between north India and central as well as western India. Raj Sivakumar, Senior Vice President – Worldwide Sales & Distribution, Jet Airways, said, “As air travel gains prominence in emerging cities across India such as Indore, Jodhpur, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam and Vadodara, there is an increasing need to introduce connectivity solution for these cities. New flights, additional frequencies, greater capacity across more sectors are meant to offer our discerning guests additional choice, convenience, connectivity and superior comfort.”

The Registry Collection, the world’s largest luxury exchange programme, announced its affiliation with two new properties, Ramada Kumbhalgarh in Rajasthan and 1 Khandala Valley in Maharashtra. Both these resorts make for a perfect weekend getaway for travellers. Ramada Kumbhalgarh is located in the westerly range of the Aravali Hills of the Rajasthan district, about 82 km from Udaipur. The latter is nested on the Western Ghats and is a private, secure, gated community that sprawls over 37 acres. Commenting on the affiliation, Sabina Chopra, Managing Director, RCI India said, “Ramada Kumbhalgarh and 1 Khandala Valley are great additions to our growing affiliate network. Our affiliation with Ramada and Khandala Valley will add to our members’ choices of high-quality properties in premium holiday destinations, allowing us to provide amazing vacation experiences to our members and create memories that will last a lifetime.” The Registry Collection, part of  RCI, is an exclusive programme with 200 affiliated properties in more than 40 countries and approximately 50,000 members. It provides members with access to an elite global network of the finest vacation properties at some of the world’s premier destinations.

The 14th Annual Convention of Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) is set to be held in Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh from October 25-28, 2018. Keeping the tradition of holding the convention in an adventure destination every year, ATOAI has selected the Araku Valley this year as a venue for its annual convention. ATOAI is expecting over 250 participants mostly the leading adventure tour operators, hotels, DMCs, State Tourism Boards, travel trade from Andhra Pradesh as well as the neighbouring states in South India, officials from the Ministry of Tourism, bloggers and media to interact and network during the convention days. “The idea is to bring small operators from far-flung areas of the state and connect them with the adventure tourism experts, introducing a day of adventure activities to strengthen the fraternity,” said Capt Swadesh Kumar, President, ATOAI. The convention will offer structured opportunities for the travel trade and tourism boards to network for business development. These include networking sessions and a buyer-seller expo where companies may take up table space to promote their products and services. ATOAI has appointed Shekhar Babu (recipient of Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award in year 2009 as well as Adventurer of the Year Award by ATOAI in 2017) as Co-chairman of the convention from South India. Delegates will also get an opportunity to go on pre or post-convention Fam tours hosted by Andhra Pradesh Tourism and state industry players.

GoAir is all set to commence its international flight operations by offering India’s first-ever direct service to Phuket, Thailand effective October 11, 2018 from Delhi and Mumbai. This will be followed by its second international service connecting Mumbai and Delhi with Male, Maldives effective October 14, 2018. These destinations will also be connected from Bengaluru in the near future. GoAir will continue to operate its A320 aircraft in all operations and on both these international routes. The airline will operate three direct flight services per week between Mumbai – Phuket – Mumbai at a return fare starting from Rs 18,999 (all inclusive); two direct flight services per week between Delhi – Phuket – Delhi at a return fare starting from Rs 18,999 (all inclusive). Similarly the airline will operate three direct flight services per week between Mumbai – Male – Mumbai at a return fare starting from Rs 17,999 (all inclusive); 2 direct flight services per week between Delhi – Male – Delhi at a return fare starting from Rs 18,999 (all inclusive). Commenting on the launch of their international operations, Cornelis Vrieswijk, CEO, GoAir said, “Phuket and Male are key tourist destination and hold a lot of promise. As an LCC, we have always strived to offer the best value for money to our customers and now we extend this proposition to the international traveller as well. The international schedules have been planned to allow quick and convenient connections for customers and is a reflection of our continued journey towards excellence.”    

Essel Group, a multi-faceted business conglomerate, has announced the appointment of industry veteran Jurgen Bailom as President and CEO of the Group’s upcoming cruise line business, Zen Cruises. With his appointment, Essel Group heralds the announcement of India’s premium cruise line with the purchase of its first ship, the Pacific Jewel – a 70,285-ton, 2000 passenger ship from P&O Australia. He will be based in Mumbai. With a career spanning over 30 years in the cruise and hospitality industry, Bailom was President & CEO of Grupo Vidanta Cruises prior to Essel Group. He has also held senior Corporate Director positions within several of Royal Caribbean’s brands such as Sky Seas, TUI and Celebrity Cruises, Island Cruises and most recent as the Chief Operating Officer & Vice President of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Pullmantur. He has also been Vice-President of The Maho Group, Sonesta Collection Resorts, Casinos, Spa & Real Estate, to name a few. Commenting on his appointment, Bailom said, “I’m thrilled to be a part of the Essel Group which has done pioneering work across sectors. India has a 6,632 km long coastline along nine states and two union territories which presents tremendous potential to promote and grow cruise tourism in India. We intend to take the cruise liner experience to a new level for people in India.”