Dubai Airports welcomed 8.5 million Indian passengers during January-September, 2016. The total number of Indian passengers who travelled to Dubai (including transit passengers) in 2015 was 10.5 million. Lorne Riley, Director Corporate Communications, Communications and Business Development, Dubai Airports, says, “India is the largest source market for Dubai. Traffic from India till September has been recorded at 8.5 million but we will surpass the total traffic from last year by the end of 2016 and the total growth rate right now is 10 per cent between Dubai and India.” On an average 79 daily flights or 550 flights per week are operated between India and Dubai, informed Riley. He added, “Despite the capacity constraints, Indian airlines as a group are the fastest growing airlines that we have operating into Dubai International. Over the past 12 months, (November 2015 to November 2016) we have seen a 35 per cent increase in seats and 29 per cent increase in number of flights between India and Dubai.” Riley believes that by the end of 2020 Dubai International Airport will not only be the number one airport for international passenger traffic but also for total number of passenger traffic.

Golden Tulip Hospitality group, South Asia, has announced the opening of Royal Tulip Kufri-Shimla. This will be the group’s first luxury property in the Himalayas. Located at 8,600 ft above sea level in Kufri, Royal Tulip Kufri offers views of the Himalayas spread over acres of Cedar forest range, Royal Tulip Kufri is a luxury resort that embodies the charm of a small hill station, overlooking the valley. Royal Tulip Kufri is a family holiday destination and also has a Club Kufri, a hub for children with various fun activities such as – billiards, games center etc. Royal Tulip offers banquet venues that can accommodate over 800 guests, ideal for destination weddings, events, corporate off sites and get togethers. There is also a spa and an indoor pool area. Those who are more adventurous can enjoy several outdoor and indoor recreational activities such as trekking, golf at Naldhera and skiing during season.

A new free entry transit visa effective from November 1, 2016, was announced by Qatar Airways and Qatar Tourism Authority for travellers to explore the destination within 96 hours. This scheme allows passengers with layovers of five hours or more in Hamad International Airport to request a complimentary transit visa. The new system will allow transiting passengers of all nationalities to enter Qatar for up to 96 hours in between flights. All visas are granted at the sole discretion of the Qatari Ministry of Interior. Passengers can apply for their free transit visa through any of Qatar Airways’ offices, or online. To be eligible for the transit visa, passengers must have a confirmed ticket for a journey into Qatar, with a confirmed onward journey out of Qatar on a Qatar Airways-operated flight. Terms and conditions apply, which can be found at qatarairways.com/transitvisa

In a bid to share the festive spirit with Indian travellers, Singapore Tourism Board and Singapore Airlines have launched its campaign, ‘3 Celebrations, 1 City – Singapore’. This campaign will run from till March 2017, spanning across three key festivals starting with Deepavali (October 29, 2016), Christmas (December 25, 2016), and then Chinese New Year (January 28-29, 2017). The campaign aims at inviting Indian tourists to celebrate the festivities in Singapore during the holiday seasons. Tourists who book flights to the Lion City on Singapore Airlines and SilkAir from October to December 2016, either on their website or mobile app, will gain exclusive access to the ‘Singapore 241 Passport’ smartphone app. This app is packed with value-for-money 2-for-1 deals and offers worth up to S$1,000 (Rs. 48,000 ) across 24 participating outlets in Singapore, including popular restaurants and spas. The ‘Singapore 241 Passport’ application is compatible with both Android and iOS smartphones. STB Regional Director, SAMEA, GB Srithar said, “Singapore is a great place for celebrating holidays, with three back-to-back festivals taking place this time of the year. Indian travellers will find reasons aplenty to enjoy and bond together with their family and loved ones. Eligible visitors from India transiting on flights through Singapore, may utilise the Visa Free Transit Facility to explore and experience Singapore’s many festive and tourism offerings for 96 hours without a visa.” Singapore Airlines’ General Manager India, David Lim said, “Singapore Airlines and SilkAir are delighted to partner with Singapore Tourism Board to bring together a complete, travel experience. Our endeavour is to provide our customers a holistic package, allowing them to make the most of their festive holidays. Travellers not only experience inflight comforts …

Making a foray into the money transfer business in India, Cox & Kings Ltd has partnered with UAE Exchange India, to provide inward remittance and domestic money transfer services in the country. This strategic venture will enable Indians living abroad to conveniently remit funds to their families in India, and also benefit foreign tourists visiting India. This association will expand the current network of collection centres and reach out to a broad category of consumers across the country. Cox & Kings has identified select locations within India, from where the customers can avail this service. There are no charges applicable to the recipient in India. Besides foreign inward money, domestic money transfer services will also be available at the designated Cox & Kings’ outlets through this process. Ravi Menon, Head—Foreign Exchange, Cox & Kings Ltd. said, “The strategic partnership will help us enter the money transfer business in India which is the largest recipient of remittance in the world. People who are expecting money from their relatives or friends abroad can now use our wide network of branches across India.” The facility of inward remittance will provide a convenient and quick mechanism for Indians working abroad to send money to their families in India and also benefit foreign tourists visiting India. The money will be received in minutes and all that the recipient has to do is visit one of the designated locations to collect their money.

Deutsche Hospitality is very ambitious about the brand’s growth in the India market. In a recent interview, Puneet Chhatwal, CEO, Steigenberger Hotels AG, says, “We are very ambitious concerning our growth in the Indian market. In fact, we are already present there as partner in the joint venture ‘MBD Steigenberger,’ which is currently in process of being registered under Indian company law. Together with our Indian partner MBD group, India’s largest education and leading hospitality company, we are planning to open at least 20 hotels in India over the next 15 years. The first hotel will be in Bangalore.”

World Travel Market London 2016 has launched its new mobile app; WTM London. The app is now available in the Apple App Store and the Android Market. The app makes it easier for exhibitors, visitors and media to manage their time effectively and make the most of their attendance at the leading global event for the travel industry. Plan your visit, connect with other attendees, participate in conversations and seminars, and be inspired to discover something new all within the app. The features will include: ‘Discover’ that will help discover the very best of WTM London and keep the user informed of latest activities and what to do next. ‘WTM Live’ feature will allow user to see what other attendees are doing and saying, and be sure to join the conversation. ‘Around Me’ will enable user to view the profile of people around them and take advantage of relevant networking opportunities. ‘Attendee Match’ connects exhibitors and visitors whose profile and preferences are similar. ‘Interactive 3D floorplan’ is an interactive 3D map to facilitate finding the quickest route to and from stands as well as event features, such as the WTM International Press Centre, conference theatres such as the WTM Inspire Theatre and the WTM Global Stage. ‘Slido’ connects speakers and audience during the seminars, with audience polls and the ability to ask the panellists questions. World Travel Market London, Senior Director Simon Press, said: “We are delighted to introduce the WTM London App. The app adds another level to the ability to networking, meet new contacts and sign business deals. It also further enhances the audience engagement for our industry leading events programme.” WTM London is the event where the …

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has announced that Bangkok’s Grand Palace is reopening its doors to tourists and visitors from November 1, 2016. Thailand is officially on a mourning period from October 14, 2016 to November 14, 2016, in remembrance of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. However, it has announced that it will be business as usual and the mourning period will have no impact on travel plans of visitors. Nevertheless, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has recommended travel agents and visitors to Thailand to check their bookings as well as monitor the local media and government announcements for updates before travelling. Soraya Homchuen, Director, TAT Mumbai said, “There will be some restrictions to tourist movements near the Grand Palace which is the official residence of the King as the Thai people will be gathering there to offer condolences to the king. The Ministry of Tourism & Sports (MoTS) along with the TAT has assured that most cultural, traditional and MICE events will still go on as per schedule with some minor adjustments. MoTS has ensured that all events and festivals, including sports tournaments and cultural traditions will go ahead as scheduled though tourists will have to maintain a sense of respect and appropriateness. Indians have become tremendously savvy with checking on the on-ground situation in Thailand rather than falling for the odd sensationalist report that might crop up. We look forward to celebrating 1.1 million arrivals by the end of the year.” For tourists, the Grand Palace is open every day from 08.30 to 15.30 hrs. Tourists and visitors are advised to enter and exit at the Wiset Chaisri Gate only.

Sarovar Hotels has signed an agreement for a 60-room hotel, Presidium Sarovar Portico, in Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh and it is expected to be operational by the end of 2018. Presidium Sarovar Portico Dalhousie is Sarovar Groups’s third hotel in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The other two hotels are located in Mashobra and Palampur. The hotel will offer all modern facilities including an all-day dining restaurant, bar, gym, swimming pool, spa and banquet facilities. Commenting on the development, Ajay K. Bakaya, Executive Director, Sarovar Hotels, said, “We are happy to open a Sarovar Portico hotel in this charming town of Himachal Pradesh. With its unparalleled scenic beauty, Dalhousie is an important tourism destination with rising number of visitors from across the country. It is an important location for us and a significant addition to our portfolio. This hotel equipped with all amenities required by a modern day traveller is set to be the finest in the region.” The property is owned by Vikram Seth of Holy Heart Presidency School Amritsar.

P.P. Khanna, President, Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI) and Rajat Sawhney, VP, ADTOI, recently met with Valsa Nair Singh, Principal Secretary (Tourism & Culture) Govt. of Maharashtra, to discuss about the possibilities of organising ADTOI convention in the state. This was revealed during the ADTOI General House Meeting held in New Delhi. Both sides are listing out the deliverables to take the proposal forward, said Khanna. ADTOI also announced the formation of its various committees and the names of members who will be part of those committees. Khanna also revealed that state governments like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab and Chhattisgarh to organize ‘State Specialist Programme’ for the benefit of members and their frontline staff. Chetan Gupta, General Secretary, ADTOI also informed the members about the study tour organised by Haryana Tourism to Kurukshetra.