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 …

In response to Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt and Bahrain breaking diplomatic ties with Qatar over alleged terror links, Qatar Airlines has suspended all flights to these nations until further notice. All customers booked on affected flights will be provided with alternative options, including the option of a full refund on any unused tickets and free rebooking to the nearest alternative Qatar Airways network destination. An official document from Qatar Airways addressed most of the concerns that travellers might be having currently. The document mentioned that in case passengers have booked tickets from Qatar on any other airline, the respective airline would rebook the tickets for these passengers. On the other hand, passengers holding confirmed and ticketed Qatar Airways tickets will be re-accommodated according to availability on other carriers at the time of re-issuance as per the IATA Regulations. However, there is not disruption in flights to Europe and US, and passengers on transit from Qatar also remain unaffected.

The Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala in association with Association of Tourism Trade Organisations (ATTOI) will host the International Conference on Tourism Technology (ICTT) in Kochi. The three-day long event that will begin on June 8 will be formally inaugurated by Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran on June 9, and it will address the challenges related with technology faced by Indian tourism and hospitality industry. The inaugural function will see a string of high-profile attendees, including Hibi Eden MLA, Dr Venu V, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Tourism, and P Bala Kiran, IAS, Director, Department of Tourism. Dr. Venu will launch the twitter campaign #Kerala #IndiaForBeginners and Shri Bala Kiran will launch the Facebook campaign during the inaugural ceremony. “Kerala Tourism has always been a pioneer in taking significant steps to promote state tourism and support the growth of the tourism industry. This conference on tourism technology is yet another initiative undertaken in association with ATTOI. Keeping pace with the technological advancements also helps in reaching out to international tourists by being easily accessible through social media platforms,” said Minister for Tourism, Kadakampally Surendran. “Kerala Tourism, with its new tourism policy, is preparing for a big leap in promoting responsible tourism that benefits the visitor as well as local communities. The government is confident that the progress of the state through tourism is unfinished without the idea of inclusion in terms of increased participation of the community in general,” he added.

ILTM Asia will become ILTM Asia Pacific and move to Singapore in 2018, taking place from May 21–24 at the Marina Bay Sands hotel. A new event, ILTM China will remain in Shanghai in October 2018, to be re-focused for buyers and planners of outbound luxury travel from China. The changes were announced at the ILTM Asia 2017 Opening Forum in Shanghai last night by ILTM Portfolio Director Alison Gilmore. She commented, “Research amongst our clients shows that the luxury outbound market is growing so fast that many companies are now separating their current and future business plans and marketing strategies to focus on China and Asia as two independent opportunities. ILTM has listened and is responding with two dynamic events dedicated to their own audiences.” ILTM Asia Pacific will be re-positioned to represent the whole of Asia, bringing more international buyers, similar in context to ILTM in Cannes. “We will create the show to be as international as Cannes, with the same ambiance, story and stature but set in the dynamic heart of Asia – Singapore – considered to be both the region’s gateway and its hub,” continued Gilmore.

Destination Canada has registered a growth of 33 per cent in Indian arrivals for the month of March, 2017. Destination Canada is aiming to make 2017 a roaring year for tourism. It is engaged with the trade on consistent and sustained basis through activities, workshops and networking sessions so that the travel trade stays updated about Canada and become storytellers to create required enthusiasm and excitement amongst potential travellers. Pooja Sabharwal, Account Director, Destination Canada – India, said, “This manifold rise in arrivals figures shows that all the diverse offerings of Canada are being extensively explored by Indian travellers. There has been a sharp increase in the leisure trips to Canada from India owing to the increased disposable income amongst middle and affluent class travellers. Destination Canada’s effort in showcasing the voyagers what’s hidden inside the country is a major contributor to Canada’s dynamic growth. We are hopeful that the country will be gifted with doubled visitor arrivals on its 150th birthday.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, represented by Embassy of Georgia in New Delhi launched its visa facilitation centre in the capital city in collaboration with VFS Global, which will be operational from June 23. Four other centres in Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai will begin operations by the end of this month. The key features of the centre include extended operating hours to enable visitors to submit applications at their time of convenience, dedicated website for easy access to information including visa categories, requirements, checklist, application fees and visa status update; premium lounges for personalised service, etc. The new centre in New Delhi was inaugurated by Giorgi Tabatadze, Director of Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia and His Excellency Archil Dzuliashvili, Ambassador of Georgia to India. Dzuliashvili informed that in 2016 Georgia recorded 350,000 Indian visitors but is now looking at ways to increase the two-way traffic given the long standing history that the countries have shared. “I am happy to note that after several months of intensive consultations, we have successfully accomplished negotiation process with VFS Global and finally signed the contract which allows us to facilitate and offer more accessible services to the Indian travellers through the several VFS Visa Application Centres in India,” said Dzuliashvili. He further added that Georgia is emerging as a very popular destination amongst Indians and the country will try to reduce the turn over time for granting visas to Indian nationals for tourism, business and education. The destination is promoting tourism from Georgia to India as well. Vinay Malhotra, Chief Operation Officer-Middle East and South Asia, VFS Global commented, “We are honoured to enter into this partnership with …

From the morning of 5 June 2017, Etihad Airways has suspended all flights to and from Doha until further notice. The last flight from Abu Dhabi to Doha departed as EY399 at 02:45 (local time) on June 5. The last flight from Doha to Abu Dhabi will depart as EY390 at 04:00 (local time) on June 5. Refund is permitted free of charge whether the ticket is wholly unutilized or partially utilized as long as there are travel segments on/after 5 June, which are impacted by this cancellation. Refund on partially utilized ticket must be calculated based upon pro-rata mileage flown Guests may contact their travel agent through whom the original ticket was purchased or any Etihad office to process the refund.