The Moscow City Tourism Committee is excited to announce the launch of a new training program aimed at boosting business travel from India. This initiative is a part of Moscow MICE Ambassadors online certification project to strengthen ties between Moscow and India and to promote the Russian capital as a premier host city for MICE events. Scheduled to unfold from June 3 to November 1, 2024, this online project promises to be a transformative experience for all participants. Representatives from India’s MICE industry can register for the program via the RUSSPASS portal. The Moscow MICE Ambassadors pilot course, initiated last year in partnership with the Indian MICE Agents Association (NIMA), saw 50 members receiving the inaugural certificates. Building on this success, the program is poised to bestow certification upon 200 professionals from India’s MICE industry this year. Commenting on the results, Mr. Evgeny Kozlov, Chairman of The Moscow City Tourism said: “The Moscow MICE Ambassadors program is focused on India as it is our priority region. Our objective extends beyond simply boosting the influx of business travelers from India to Moscow; we aim to elevate the standard of services we provide and effectively exhibit our capabilities. To achieve this, we acquaint Indian MICE experts with the nuances of organizing corporate events in Moscow and offer support in customizing business agendas to suit the Indian market”. Mr. Kozlov added, “Our training modules are designed with a long-term perspective in mind. I am confident that all MICE specialists who will receive certificates this year and, in the years, to come, will be able to create business programs in Moscow that meet the needs of even the most demanding of clients” . This …

Café Akasa, the onboard meal service of Akasa Air has launched the second edition of its Yoga Day special meal to celebrate the spirit of good health. The meal features a healthy Veggie Salad with quinoa, avocado, sprouts, marinated peppers, and asparagus, accompanied by Tandoori Phalon ka Chaat and a choice of beverage. The offering is available throughout June 2024, across the Akasa Air network and can be conveniently prebooked on Akasa Air’s website or mobile app. International Yoga Day amplifies awareness about the importance of overall well-being and incorporating a balanced meal. In line with the principles of wellness and mindfulness that yoga embodies, the special meal by Café Akasa has high nutritional value with superfoods and has been carefully curated by culinary experts, to celebrate the spirit of good health on the occasion of International Yoga Day. This meal is an exclusive addition to Café Akasa’s healthy offerings and is a perfect choice for those who are looking for light meal options while travelling. Since the launch of operations in August 2022, Akasa Air has introduced specially curated monthly meal options that are inspired by regional specialities associated with celebrations during popular festivals and special occasions like Makar Sankranti, Valentine’s Day, Holi, Eid, Mother’s Day, International Yoga Day, Monsoon season, Onam, Ganesh Chaturthi, Dussehra, Diwali and Christmas, among others. The airline also offers a pre-selection of cakes on its regular menu for flyers who want to celebrate the birthdays of their loved ones in the skies. As a part of Café Akasa’s refreshed menu, customers can expect an expansive choice of over 45+ meal options including healthy, fusion, festive and gourmet meals that cater to a wide array of diets and palettes.

Sandhya Nair, Corporate Head – Marketing & Communications – A Passionate Marcomm Professional with 15 years of rich and dynamic experience in heading the Marketing and Communications for the some of the finest brands. Apart from hotels, explored a great and challenging role at ISKCON & Akshayapatra as Regional Head, Communications and Sr. Consultant, PR at PRHUB Integrated Marketing Pvt. Ltd. Strong communication skills, media planning, budget management, corporate communication, brand building, energetic, people management. Strong communication skills, excellent rapport with Print, Electronic, Online Media, distributing promotional material, responding to customer queries through social media and networking during marketing events and a self-motivated human with a go-getter attitude.

SalamAir, Oman’s fastest-growing value-for-money airline, has announced the launch of its latest destination in India – Delhi . Starting July 2, 2024, SalamAir will operate two weekly flights on Tuesdays and Thursdays to the Indian capital. The introduction of flights to Delhi marks a significant milestone for SalamAir as the airline continues to expand its network to meet the growing demand for affordable and convenient travel options to the Sultanate. This new route is expected to enhance connections between Oman and India, providing more travel options for the expat community, leisure travelers, and business professionals, as well as supporting cultural exchange and fostering economic collaboration. We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new direct flights from Delhi to Muscat,” said Mr. Mazin Al Salmani, Director of Sales at SalamAir. “This new route underscores our commitment to expanding our network and offering our passengers more convenient and affordable travel options. We look forward to welcoming travelers aboard and providing them with our exceptional service and hospitality.” Mr. Abhishek Goyal, Executive Director of Aeroprime Group GSA, SalamAir, said, ‘’We are proud to support SalamAir in launching their upcoming new route to New Delhi. This expansion strengthens the bond between Oman and India and enhances travel options for travelers. We are committed to ensuring that passengers enjoy seamless and affordable travel experiences with SalamAir.’’ For more info on flight schedules and bookings, visit SalamAir at www.salamair.com or contact our reservations team at 0114323 2222 or res.del@salamair.com

Making up for the lost time, Taiwan Tourism Administration has enthusiastically started developing the India market. To what started with OTM earlier this year followed by B2B trade networking events in Delhi and Mumbai, the tourism board has now recently concluded its multi-city road show with the final leg concluding in India’s very own Silicon Valley, Bengaluru, on April 19, 2024. The roadshow in Bengaluru followed another well-attended roadshow in another IT hub, Hyderabad, the previous day. The roadshows were particularly aimed at showcasing Taiwan’s MICE attractiveness and were well attended in all the cities amidst renewed interest and enthusiasm from travel fraternities as well as corporates and event organisers. Speaking of the event, Joseph Cheng, Director of Taiwan Tourism Administration – Singapore Office, said, “Taiwan is a small country yet packs a huge punch as a destination for every segment of travellers, and particularly the MICE groups. An advanced economy and a developed Asian country, it’s an immensely powerful destination when it comes to mixing business with leisure and pleasure. Not only there are some great urban landmarks to host your events to the best of your satisfaction, but Taiwan also boasts great outdoor activities amidst its lush green mountain ranges, coastline and beaches, mountain lakes, exciting wellness offerings, it’s cultural treasures and heritage, and so much more.” “Furthermore, it’s a very welcoming and competitive destination and adds great value to corporate events, conferences and conventions, and incentives tours,” he further added The roadshow in Hyderabad, organized at the landmark Radisson Hotel in Banjara Hills on April 18, was attended by around 80 leading MICE and leisure companies. The Bangalore road show, the next day, was also attended by …

The International Air Transport Association announced that Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, has assumed his duties as Chair of the IATA Board of Governors . His one-year term began at the conclusion of the 80th IATA Annual General Meeting in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on 3 June. Elbers is the 82nd Chair of the IATA Board of Governors . He served earlier on the Board of Governors between 2016 and 2022 as KLM’s President and CEO and was reappointed to the Board in 2022 shortly after he became IndiGo’s CEO. He succeeds RwandAir CEO Yvonne Manzi Makolo who will continue to serve on the Board of Governors. “It is indeed an honor to assume this role at a time when India is emerging as one of the world’s largest and fastest growing civil aviation markets and evolving into a formidable force in the airline industry. Adhering to IATA’s legacy of aviation as a force for good, we will continue in our focus of highlighting the benefits of aviation in building connections, augmenting trade, tourism and mobility—benefits also so visible in India. At the same time, it is imperative that we persist in our commitment towards a more diverse, equitable and inclusive and also more sustainable aviation industry, creating positive change for generations to come. IATA plays a pivotal role in establishing global standards; I am eager to continue collaborating with global industry leaders, regulators, and stakeholders towards our collective goals,” said Elbers. Elbers has over 30 years of broad experience in the aviation industry. He has been CEO of IndiGo since September 2022 and has taken IndiGo on a journey of expansion and internationalization since. Prior to joining IndiGo, he …

Aeroprime Group, India’s new-age GSA, is proud to announce its appointment as the exclusive Cargo General Sales and Service Agent (GSSA) for Cambodia Angkor Air, the flag carrier of Cambodia, effective June 1, 2024. Currently, the airline boasts a fleet comprising A320, A321, and ATR aircrafts, serving over 11 destinations across Cambodia, China, Laos, Singapore, and Vietnam. Starting 16th June 2024, Cambodia Angkor Airlines will operate four weekly flights from Delhi to Phnom Penh utilizing A320 aircraft, offering the only direct connectivity between India and Cambodia which will help increase the trade between the countries and open up more business opportunities for cargo. With plans for further expansion across multiple Indian cities in the near future, Aeroprime Group will oversee the comprehensive sales service of the cargo space on these flights, ensuring efficient and seamless logistics solutions for the airline and expanding its network to meet the growing demand for reliable cargo solutions. Commenting on the announcement, Abhishek Goyal, Executive Director of Aeroprime Group, said, “At Aeroprime, we are keen to grow our business and maintain our market leadership position in the air cargo sector. This partnership with Cambodia Angkor Air is a significant step towards our strategic vision of offering a diverse and comprehensive product offering service to our partners and clients. We are committed to supporting Cambodia Angkor Air in their growth journey by aiding their expansion plans and enhancing sales within the Indian market.” This new appointment marks a significant milestone for Aeroprime Group, reinforcing its position as a leading Cargo GSSA in the Indian aviation industry. Further, it exemplifies Aeroprime’s dedication to providing top-tier sales and service solutions to global airlines, enhancing its esteemed portfolio and solidifying …

Vistara, India’s finest full-service carrier and a joint venture of the Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, has elevated its inflight dining experience by adding popular regional flavours to its onboard menu. The additions celebrate India’s diverse culinary heritage, offering an exquisite gourmet dining experience to customers onboard Vistara flights. From the royal kitchens of Awadh to the bustling streets of Mumbai, Vistara has included a repertoire of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes in its menu, that capture the essence of culinary experiences from across the country. Customers departing from Delhi and Mumbai to international routes can now savor epicurean treats like laal maas, anjeer kofta and apple badam kheer. Also, on domestic routes from Mumbai, the airline offers the option of signature dishes from the regions of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa including chicken koliwada, pav bhaji, methi thepla with sev tamatri, Parsi cutlet or the aromatic Goan fish curry. On flights from Kolkata, a delectable spread of Bengali specialties is offered, which includes Gondhoraj chicken tikka, narkel diye cholar dal, mochar chop and the authentic Kolkata chicken biryani. Furthermore, customers travelling from Chennai and Bangalore can treat themselves to delicious South Indian fare with options such as, chicken Chettinad pie, Hyderabadi chicken biryani, paneer nilgiri korma and meen moilee, among others. Additionally, Vistara has enhanced the in-flight meals for its business class customers on long-haul flights. The first course of lunch and dinner services will now include a choice of appetizers (both vegetarian and non-vegetarian) and soup with garlic bread. Customers can also enjoy a curated selection of cheeses as part of post-meal service in addition to sumptuous desserts and fruits. Furthermore, Vistara has revamped its amenity kits onboard for customers flying …

Stefano Pelle, an accomplished author, teacher and travel enthusiast, unveiled his book ‘Going Places’, today at the India International Centre in New Delhi. The book is the ideal combination of an enjoyable read with a dash of thrilling travel stories written by top business leaders across the world. The book was released in the presence of the prominent author, Member of Parliament and former diplomat Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Yashovardhan Azad, Chairman of DeepStrat and former Central Information Commissioner, and Secretary-Security, Special Director of IB and Anshuman Magazine, Chairman and CEO of CBRE for India, South-East Asia, the Middle East and Africa. A panel discussion about the book featuring interesting travel experiences and insights from the authors kicked off the evening. Adding a unique perspective to the book is a chapter penned by Indian business leader Anshuman Magazine, who was present for the launch. His chapter offers readers a rare glimpse into his travel experience in Cuba, a narrative filled with captivating travel tales. Beyond the entertainment, his stories provide insightful accounts of his travels, shedding light on both the challenges and joys he encountered. In the book, “Going Places,” editors Stefano Pelle and Gerhard Apfelthaler present an expansive tapestry of perspectives from top-notch business leaders across the world. Every story, whether from an Indian business leader and socialite or an American corporate lawyer, offers unique and unexpected insights, filled with interesting and thought-provoking anecdotes. Within the book’s narratives, one will discover firsthand accounts from authors accomplished business owners and seasoned managers who have travelled to parts of the world for work. While some concentrate on lighthearted, commonplace events, others share their thoughts on handling business circumstances across countries during the past …

Dubai – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that it will establish the SAF Registry (Registry) to accelerate the uptake of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) by authoritatively accounting and reporting emissions reductions from SAF. Seventeen airlines, one airline group, six national authorities, three Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and one fuel producer are already supporting the effort to develop the Registry. The Registry is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2025. SAF is expected to account for up to 65% of the total carbon mitigation needed to achieve net zero carbon emissions in air transportation by 2050. “SAF is key to aviation’s decarbonization. Airlines want more SAF and stand ready to use every drop of it. The SAF Registry will help meet the critical needs of all stakeholders as part of the global effort to ramp-up SAF production. Governments need a trusted system to track the quality and quantities of SAF used. SAF producers need to accurately account for what has been delivered and effectively decarbonized. Corporate customers must be able to transparently account for their Scope 3 emissions. And airlines must have certainty that they can claim the environmental benefits of the SAF they purchased. The Registry will meet all these needs. In doing so, the Registry will help create a global SAF market by ensuring that airlines have access to SAF wherever it is produced, and that SAF producers have access to airlines regardless of their location,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. Capabilities Wide Geographic Scope: The Registry will allow airlines to purchase SAF regardless of where it is produced. Each batch’s certified environmental attributes can be tracked and assigned to the purchasing airline. By ensuring …