The Secretary for Tourism and Floriculture, Jammu and Kashmir, Farooq A. Shah along with the ICPB India convention promotion bureau (a body working under the aegis of Ministry of Tourism GOI for promoting MICE Tourism), have decided to enable a platform for the state of Jammu and Kashmir to showcase itself as a suited MICE destination. The office bearers of the ICPB assured the Secretary that the state will be promoted as one of the priority venues for conferences and events of national and international standard. Shah showcased the international standard MICE tourism potential of the state particularly in Kashmir like SKICC, Pahalgam club, and places like Gulmarg and Jammu as well. The secretary agreed to organise an intractable evening session specifically for promoting the MICE potential of the state in which leading prominent MICE tourism promoting organisations will be invited to know about the international standard convention and post-convention avenues available in the state. Shah also uprised that Kashmir’s summer is the best in the country to experience leisure activities in the form of shopping, cuisine, sightseeing, rafting among others.

Air India (AI) has announced that the Indian national carrier will commence flights between India and Israel by May this year. The airline is planning to open the New Delhi-Tel Aviv route with three weekly flights. Commenting on the commencement of the new flight, Ashwani Lohani, Chairman and Managing Director, Air India, reportedly said, “Air India is looking forward to the opening of the direct route to Israel in a few months’ time. I believe that this will have a positive effect on the tourism traffic between our two countries.” Yariv Levin, Minister of Tourism-Israel, reportedly said, “Air India Chairman Lohani was deeply impressed with his visit to Israel and, in his own words, is convinced that the many Indian tourists who will visit Israel will find it an exceptional tourism destination. There is no doubt that the opening of the route, combined with our marketing efforts in India, will generate a significant increase in incoming tourism from India.”

Singapore Airlines (SIA) and regional subsidiary SilkAir have signed an agreement to codeshare on Indian domestic flights operated by Vistara, with effect from March 14, 2017. Under the agreement, SIA will add its ‘SQ’ designator code to Vistara-operated flights beyond Mumbai and New Delhi to 10 destinations within India. SilkAir will add its ‘MI’ designator code to Vistara-operated flights beyond Bengaluru and Kolkata to six destinations within India. The codeshare agreement is Vistara’s first with another airline group, as well as SIA’s and SilkAir’s first with an India-based domestic carrier. As a result of the agreement, four new destinations will be added to the SIA Group’s India network, namely Bhubaneswar, Goa, Guwahati and Port Blair. SIA Group airlines currently serve 15 destinations in India from Singapore. Members of SIA’s and Vistara’s frequent flyer programmes, KrisFlyer and Club Vistara, will also enjoy additional tier benefits as a result of the new codeshare partnership. PPS Club and KrisFlyer Elite Gold members will enjoy lounge access, increased baggage allowance, and priority baggage handling, check-in and boarding when travelling on Vistara-operated flights. Likewise, Club Vistara Platinum and Gold members will enjoy the same benefits when travelling on SIA- operated flights. PPS Club and KrisFlyer members will also earn Elite miles when travelling on SIA codeshare flights operated by Vistara. “We are very pleased with our first codeshare agreement with Vistara, which represents a strengthening of our already strong partnership,” said SIA Senior Vice President Marketing Planning, Tan Kai Ping. “Through the new codeshare agreement, both SIA and SilkAir are able to expand our network reach in the important India market, providing our customers even more travel options and enhanced KrisFlyer benefits.” “We are delighted …

Carlson Rezidor announced the opening of its new hotel-Radisson Blu Atria Bengaluru, featuring 167 guest rooms and suites with modern amenities. The hotel is located 45 minutes away from the Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) and 10 minutes from the City Railway Station. The hotel has four F&B outlets for guests. The hotel has over 1,250 square meters of flexible room configurations with its six meeting spaces and two boardrooms, capable of accommodating large wedding receptions or intimate team meetings complemented with state-of-the-art presentation and audiovisual tools. Other facilities available at the hotel include the Business Class Lounge, business center, swimming pool, spa and fully-equipped fitness center. Raj Rana, Chief Executive Officer, South Asia, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, said, “Bengaluru is a progressive market and continues to thrive on high economic activity, an international focal point of India’s growth momentum. The opening of Radisson Blu Atria Bengaluru is a testament of our footprint in the region and a reflection of the unique brand identity that we bring to the city. We are proud to be in partnership with A.S.K. Brothers Ltd. to launch this upper-upscale hotel.” The new hotel is set to introduce the brand’s internationally renowned, Yes, I Can!SM service philosophy with sophisticated design and premier accommodation. Commenting on the opening, Sunder Raju, Executive Director, A.S.K. Brothers Ltd, said, “Radisson Blu, a new addition to Bengaluru’s hospitality landscape, brings fresh vibrancy to the marketplace. The brand stands out in creating experiences that constantly reflect the modern traveler’s needs, desires and aspirations. We are pleased to collaborate with Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group and look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship in delivering hospitality services and enhancing the brand in Bengaluru.”

Jammu & Kashmir Bank branches will be now promoting Jammu & Kashmir’s tourism potential across the country in its respective cities, states and towns, this was agreed in a meeting between Secretary-Tourism and Floriculture, Farooq A. Shah with the Chairman J&K Bank,  Parvez Ahmad Nengroo at the official head quarters of J&K Bank in Srinagar. The two officers agreed to sign an MoU in this regard in which J&K bank will promote the state of Jammu and Kashmir in all its branches by providing publicity materials and other information to its clients and customers similarly the J&K Bank website will also display information about the state tourism product and services. JKTDC packages will also be promoted in the said respective branches. The tourism trade bodies unanimously have appreciated this step and have hoped good results and benefits out of it .

Thomas Cook India’s arm Quess Corp has acquired 64 per cent stake in Singapore-based technology service provider Comtel Solutions Pte Ltd for an undisclosed sum. “Quess Corp Ltd, a subsidiary of Thomas Cook (India) Ltd, has completed acquisition of 64 per cent equity in Comtel Solutions Pte. Ltd., Singapore on February 14, 2017,” the company said in a filing to BSE. Thomas Cook India, however, did not provide any financial details on the stake acquisition. Quess Corp is a business services provider operating in four broad segments: Global Technology Solutions, People and Services, Integrated Facilities Management and Industrial Asset Management. Comtel Solutions Pte Ltd has been in business for over a decade and has expanded across Asia Pacific and several industry verticals. Its divisions work across various sectors and the solutions developed by it cover areas such as banking, high-tech manufacturing, telecommunication, logistics and healthcare industries. (Source: The Economic Times)

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan opened Cochin International Airport Limited’s new integrated international passenger terminal for commercial operation. The Chief Minister lauded the CIAL, the country’s first airport built under PPP model, which has scripted a new chapter in aviation history by becoming the first in the world that completely operates on solar power. The Chief Minister received passengers and crew who arrived at the new airport Terminal 3 via a Jet Airways flight from Muscat to Kochi in the evening. The first flight which arrived at the new terminal was received by ‘water salute’ as per tradition. The foundation stone for the project was laid in Februrary 2014 by then Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in view of growth in passenger traffic through CIAL.  The terminal, having a built up area of 15 lakh sq ft, was inaugurated in February last year. It is having a peak hour capacity of 4000 passengers, according to a CIAL release. Vijayan also inaugurated the the 4.3 km long four-lane road connecting the airport and National Highway at Athani near Aluva and also the expansion of the CIAL’s solar power capacity from 15.5 MW to 21.5 MW. (Source: PTI)

TIRUN, the exclusive India representative for Royal Caribbean International announces the news of the global cruise line’s newest addition, Symphony of the Seas, the world largest cruise ship. PortMiami’s Terminal A, will herald the arrival of what will be the most astounding cruise ship in size and luxury that the world has ever seen. She and Oasis-class sister ship Allure of the Seas, each with a bold and unexpected lineup of thrilling experiences that have revolutionised the cruise industry, will unite in November 2018 to offer island-hopping adventures through the Caribbean from the Magic City and add Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis to other marquee Oasis-class ports of call. Symphony’s inaugural year of Europe and Caribbean itineraries are now available to book; Allure of the Seas’ 2018-2019 itineraries will open for sale later in the month. Ratna Chadha, Chief Executive, TIRUN Travel Marketing said, “We are delighted and absolutely thrilled to share the news about Symphony of the Seas with Indian cruise enthusiasts, the fourth in the widely-celebrated category of Oasis-class cruise ships led by Royal Caribbean. Symphony of the Seas will claim the title of the world’s largest and most adventure-filled cruise ship, offering more and latest amenities, innovations and thrilling experiences even than her newest sister ship Harmony of the Seas. It’s the absolute, unparalleled best that the line has to offer and no other ship in the world comes close. With best-in-line services, impeccable amenities on board and sheer grandeur for visual appeal, Symphony will really make for the ultimate holiday experience as far as discerning Indian guests are concerned and will enhance their propensity to opt for cruise vacations like never before.” The 26th ship in …

Ezeego1 has introduced a new alliance program calling out entrepreneurs for franchise partnerships across India. Ezeego1’s unique franchise/ business partnership program aims to give entrepreneurs an opportunity to own and operate a franchise successfully, leveraging the brand’s knowledge and expertise. Commenting on this new program, Neelu Singh, CEO & Director, Ezeego1 said, “We continue to build on our success of introducing innovation in our franchise network programs. Our new franchise partnership program is a great opportunity for qualified individuals to own a business and be involved in the core of the activities while taking benefits from Ezeego1’s collective market expertise. Ezeego1’s management experience, training and support lay a solid foundation, upon which a franchise owner can build and sustain a successful business, at low costs.” Ezeego1‘s growing franchise network is dedicated to the success of all its franchises and partners, and provides them with the right tools to make it big in the business of travel. Ezeego1 has many benefits to offer such as authority to use the Ezeego1 brand, guidance and support for helping make the business successful, marketing programs for helping drive traffic to stores, training programs for staff, good margins, and end to end travel solution products.

Jet Airways will increase its daily flights to 650 from 600 starting end of March. The airline informed that it will launch new, direct services to Madurai and Bagdogra from Mumbai from March 26. Jet will also connect Jaipur with Chandigarh; Dehradun with Srinagar, and Bengaluru with Kozhikode with non-stop flights apart from its services linking Bengaluru with Lucknow via New Delhi and Mumbai with Srinagar via Dehradun. The carrier will also add 12 additional frequencies on its existing routes across its network which include a 7th daily flight between Mumbai and Goa as well as Delhi and Lucknow. Apart from this a fourth frequency between Chennai–Tiruchirappalli and a second frequency between Delhi and Bhopal is also expected to begin operations soon. The airline will also introduce two additional services on the New Delhi–Patna route. “Our planned network enhancements this summer will offer our guests much more by way of choice, connectivity and convenience. We look forward to welcoming all our guests to experience the joy of flying to brand new city pairs like Mumbai and Madurai,” said Jayaraj Shanmugam, Chief Commercial Officer, Jet Airways.