Following close on the heels of national travel trade associations, the Maharashtra Tour Organisers Association (MTOA) recently conducted a seminar on the impending GST for its members in Mumbai. It was conducted on June 5, 2017, by noted Service Tax expert Manish Gadia, Partner, GMJ & Co, who conducted similar sessions for TAAI as well as IATO. Sudhir Patil, President, MTOA, says, “We welcome the new GST regime though there is a lot of fear factor attached to it. Complications are expected. But I hope that more seminars will help us make this a smooth transition.” The association also launched its website (www.mtoa.co.in) on the same day.

Jet Airways and Aeromexico, the flag carrier airline of Mexico, have signed a MoU that outlines cooperation in the areas of enabling codeshare flights and frequent flyer programs. As part of the arrangement, both carriers will code on each other’s services between India and Mexico via common gates in Europe (London Heathrow, Paris Charles De Gaulle and Amsterdam). To begin with, Jet Airways will place its marketing code ‘9W’ on Aeromexico flights from London Heathrow to Mexico City. In turn, Aeromexico will place its marketing code on Jet Airways’ direct services from London Heathrow to Mumbai and Delhi. The MoU was signed by Jet Airways Chairman Naresh Goyal and Aeromexico’s CEO Andrés Conesa, on the sidelines of the IATA’s AGM in Cancun, Mexico. Goyal said, “We are confident that this new codeshare partnership will stimulate the demand for business and tourist travel between India and Mexico. This comprehensive MoU signed between the two carriers, also includes cooperation in the area of reciprocal Frequent Flyer benefits for members.” Conesa added, “This will build new bridges and connect Mexico to India more easily. This achievement is a manifest of our will to continuously offer new flight destinations to our passengers. Also, by connecting with an important country as India, Aeromexico creates new cultural bonds and tourism exchange between both nations.” The initial codeshare flights via London Heathrow will open for sale as well as travel later this year, subject to government approvals. Flight tickets under the codeshare agreement can be purchased via preferred travel agents or through the two airlines’ sales offices, websites and call centers.

Australian hotel management company, StayWell Hospitality Group has extended its international footprint with the opening of its fifth property in Rajasthan, the Leisure Inn Shrey in Jodhpur. Rohit Vig, Managing Director for StayWell Hospitality Group in India, said that the opening of the new property solidifies the brand’s presence in the region. “We have signed 12 hotels under the Park Regis and Leisure Inn Brands, which will result in the opening of properties in Hyderabad, Goa, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Gurgaon–Sohna Road and Greater Noida,” he said. The opening of Leisure Inn Shrey in partnership with Hukam Constructions & Hotels Pvt. Ltd will deliver a roof-top restaurant and conference facilities along with well-appointed rooms and international service standards that the Leisure Inn brand is famous for. Additionally, the hotel will house the famous vegetarian restaurant ‘Grand Chanakya’ which has a sister restaurant under the same name in Jaipur at the Leisure Inn Grand Chanakya. Shranik Jain, Owner of Hukam Constructions & Hotels Pvt., said that the partnership with StayWell Hospitality Group was about aligning with the best possible global partner to enter the hospitality sector for the first time. “Our partnership will deliver premium hospitality expertise and a world-class experience to not only our guests but to the region, it’s an alignment we are extremely proud of as we feel we are in the best possible position for future success,” he said.

Air India is all set to start new flights not only under government’s Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme, but non-UDAN flights as well to strengthen its domestic network. Ashwani Lohani, CMD, Air India, informs, “We will be starting flights under UDAN to Pathankot and Ludhiana. There will be non UDAN flights as well, and we will be starting new flights from Lucknow from June 25 on Lucknow-Jaipur, Lucknow-Dehradun and Lucknow-Bhopal routes. In South India, we will be putting an airplane in Bengaluru this month, which would be flying to Coimbatore, Chennai and Madurai.”

Universal Federation of Travel Agents Association (UFTAA) has expressed concern over the impact on tourism of Gulf crisis due to Saudi–led grouping of Bahrain, Egypt and the UAE, Yemen and Maldives, cutting diplomatic ties with Qatar. Sunil Kumar, President, UFTAA, said, “UFTAA appeals to the involved countries to not involve Tourism at large and Aviation in specific for political purposes. Tourism is a vehicle for peace and understanding between nationals even if the politicians think otherwise. The right for free movement of people is very basic.” He was speaking on the sidelines of IATA’s Annual General Meeting at Cancun, Mexico.

Prominent heritage train, Palace on Wheels (POW) will acquire a significantly different appearance during the coming tourist season. The original Palace on Wheels, in existence since 1982, will be discontinued since it has completed its life-cycle. Royal Rajasthan on Wheels (RROW) will now be rechristened as Palace on Wheels (POW). N.C. Goel, ACS (Tourism) and Chairman, RTDC, arrived at this decision following intimation from the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) about the current POW having completed 35 years of operation. The rake requires replacement after 25 years on account of corrosion-related problems and codal life basis. The corporation, instead of investing in new rakes, has decided to use the old rakes of Royal Rajasthan on Wheels from the coming season. “Over the last 35 years of operation, POW has established itself as a prime tourism product and acquired a phenomenal image branding in the world travel trade. We want to retain its name and continue its operation as a flagship project of the RTDC and Indian Railways. With only one train, we would like to build on the POW product. There is a meeting with the railway board on Monday, where they will take a call on our proposal,” stated Goel. “Travel trade stakeholders are confident that this would get us more business,” he added. RROW, in existence since 2008, is recognized as India’s most luxurious train with an accommodation capacity of 82 passengers. “The rechristened train will run on the present itinerary, tariff and revenue sharing pattern (56:44) under the existing agreement of Palace on Wheels between the Indian Railways and RTDC. With this, the operation of RROW will stand discontinued from the ensuing season. We already have advance bookings …

The launch of Sandal Suites, operated by Lemon Tree Hotels, marked the opening of Noida’s first upscale serviced suites. Sandal Suites features 195 suites, extensive banqueting facilities, numerous dining options, and an array of recreational facilities, in a contemporary setting. These serviced apartments, situated just off the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway, are located within Assotech Business Cresterra, the LEED Gold Certified office complex in the IT hub of Sector 135, Noida. Speaking at the launch, Rattan Keswani, Deputy Managing Director, Lemon Tree Hotels and Director, Carnation Hotels Pvt. Ltd., said, “This occasion marks a few ‘firsts’ for Lemon Tree Hotels – it is the first property Lemon Tree Hotels (through our management arm, Carnation Hotels) will be operating in Noida, and our first foray into the upscale serviced suites space. This is also our first partnership with Sandal Suites Pvt. Ltd., one that we hope to see grow in strength in the coming years. “The launch of Sandal Suites is in response to the growing demand for comfortable and convenient extended stay accommodation options for business and IT professionals in our vicinity. It is the only upscale accommodation available within an 8 km catchment and is the perfect address for those looking for a “home away from home” – be it business travellers, project teams or relocating families,” he added.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that Goh Choon Phong, CEO, Singapore Airlines, has assumed his duties as Chairman of the IATA Board of Governors (BoG) for a one-year term, effective from the conclusion of the 73rd IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Cancun, Mexico. Goh is the 76th Chair of the IATA BoG, and the third CEO of Singapore Airlines to hold this position. Goh succeeds Willie Walsh, CEO of International Airlines Group. Walsh will continue to serve on the BoG and the Chair Committee. “It is an honor to serve as IATA’s Chairman for the coming year. While the industry’s global profitability may be strengthening, there is more work to be done as it is not evenly spread. Security is at the top of the agenda. We must improve our partnership with governments to meet the many emerging threats. Additionally, I will be paying special attention to progressing preparations for the Carbon Offset and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), driving the modernization of cargo processes, and increasing transaction volumes with the New Distribution Capability. We have a busy year ahead.  I look forward to working with Alexandre and his team to represent, lead and serve the airline industry,” said Goh. Goh joined Singapore Airlines in 1990 and held senior management roles in Singapore and overseas before being appointed CEO in 2011. He was President of the 68th IATA AGM which was held in Singapore in 2011 and has served on the IATA BoG since then. IATA also announced the BoG agreed to appoint Akbar Al Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways, to serve for a one-year term as Chairman of the IATA BoG from June 2018, following …

Aware of the hurdles that its Inner Line Permits creates, not just for foreign tourists but even domestic, Arunachal Pradesh’s Department of Tourism has said that it is working towards easing it further. Voicing this concern is P.D. Sona, Honorary Parliamentary Secretary, Arunachal Pradesh Tourism, who says, “We are aware of the problems that Indian passport holders face when entering and travelling within Arunachal Pradesh. We have therefore planned a review meeting of all issues that tourists face. This includes the multiple Inner Line Permits that Indians need to apply for to access different districts in the state. We want to make it into a single permit that will have a time limit.”

Preferred Hotels & Resorts has entered into a strategic partnership with Singapore-based luxury hotel management company General Hotel Management (GHM) to represent The Chedi Mumbai as the newest experience available within the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Lifestyle Collection. Scheduled to open in the Fall of 2017, The Chedi Mumbai will be GHM’s first hotel in India and marks the 30-hotel milestone for Preferred Hotels & Resorts in India, making it the largest independent hotel brand in the country. The property will feature 312 guestrooms and suites, an exclusive Club Lounge, seven dining and entertainment options, meeting facilities with state-of-the-art equipment and technology, and a holistic spa and wellness facility. When the hotel opens its reservations in Fall 2017, travelers will be able to book their stay at The Chedi Mumbai online or via the new iPrefer mobile app, available to members of the iPrefer hotel rewards program. “Continuing on our roadmap to further build a resounding presence for Preferred Hotels & Resorts in the region, we are delighted to embark on our first alliance with GHM and celebrate having 30 distinct independent member hotels in India. A prime addition to our brand portfolio, The Chedi Mumbai will provide discerning urban travelers with an exciting new experience in this vibrant city. We look forward to working closely with the GHM team as the opening approaches and to paving a road for more collaboration opportunities in the future,” said Saurabh Rai, Executive Vice President, Preferred Hotels & Resorts. “The Chedi Mumbai is set to become a destination in and of itself: we are creating a buzz in an exciting location in the city and redefining the concept of luxury lifestyle and quality …