Sarawak Tourism Board is thrilled to unveil the highly anticipated Rainforest World Music Festival 2024, set to be a transformative celebration under the theme ‘Evolution’. In its 27th edition, the RWMF promises an immersive experience that transcends music, incorporating responsible tourism, cultural celebration, and environmental stewardship. The festival lineup is nothing short of extraordinary, featuring a diversity that showcases 20 acts in total, made up of 68 international musicians from 14 countries across 6 continents together with 63 Malaysian artists. This exciting amalgamation of sounds and cultures promises to create a musical fusion like never before, showcasing the richness of global musical traditions right here in the heart of Sarawak. All the acts combined command a massive global fanbase of 12 million, comprising followers from Spotify and various social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, Twitter (X), and Facebook. Among the festival’s headlining acts is the Grammy and Golden Globe award winner Kitaro, a Japanese recording artist renowned for his groundbreaking electronic-instrumental music. Kitaro Live World Tour will be coming to the Rainforest World Music Festival for the first time to enchant and captivate audiences with his ethereal compositions and transport them on a musical journey like no other. Kitaro won his Grammy in 2001 at the 43rd Grammy Awards for Best Album in the New Age category. Alongside Kitaro, headlining at the RWMF this year from West Malaysia is none other than Dato’ Zainalabidin, known for his hit song ‘Hijau’ which has been around for over three decades. It was one of the first few songs in the country to be categorized under the genre of ‘World Music’ when the concept was still relatively new in Malaysia. Zainalabidin is …

Türkiye offers visitors a variety of holiday options in every season. One of the country’s most enduring attractions is its renowned Turkish bath and spa tradition, which has been integral to this geography since antiquity. Enjoying this bathing culture in Pamukkale, one of the world’s most stunning landscapes, is an unforgettable experience that can only be found in this remarkable destination… Pamukkale, located in western Türkiye, about 20 kilometres from Denizli, is a true natural wonder with gorgeous snow-white travertines and terraced pools that resemble frozen waterfalls.  Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the travertines appear as a field of clouds dotted with warm, aquamarine-coloured pools. Immerse yourself in these healing mineral waters and discover the captivating beauty of Pamukkale up close. An Enchanting Natural Wonder Considered a bucket list destination for many, Pamukkale is known for its beautiful snow-white travertines, formed by the interaction of oxygen and thermal waters. A perfect blend of history and nature, the Pamukkale travertines, with their mineral waters, are also believed to offer healing properties. Every year, people worldwide flock to this mesmerising destination, enchanted by the breathtaking landscapes and the potential for rejuvenation. It is important to note that most travertines are protected due to their delicate structure. Still, visitors can freely walk in some regions of the travertines containing small terrace-shaped pools. To preserve the travertines, guests must remove their shoes and socks before entering. The Ancient Healing Waters Adjacent to the Pamukkale travertines is the awe-inspiring Hierapolis Ancient City, also part of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Around 2,500 years ago, King Eumenes II of Pergamon, enthralled by the splendour of the travertines, built a city near the site. Honouring Hiera, the wife of …

• Flights to Oradea, a precious hidden gem for city trippers, commence on 3 June • Athens returns to the network of LOT Polish Airlines LOT Polish Airlines, a member of Star Alliance and a leading airline in Central and Eastern Europe, continues its strategy of sustainable growth and adds two more European destinations to its global network. Flights to Oradea in Romania start on 3 June, while LOT Polish Airlines has now celebrated its comeback in Athens. Oradea is a Romanian city near the border to Hungary which can be described as a hidden gem for city trippers. It is steeped in history with roots reaching back to the ancient Romans and with fantastic architecture from the epochs of baroque and Art Nouveau. LOT Polish Airlines operates four times per week from its global hub in Warsaw to Oradea effective 3 June 2024. This service will be operated by Embraer E170 and E175 aircraft. From Delhi to Oradea in less than 12 hours  Travellers from India, who want to explore an amazing destination, which has not yet been discovered by many tourists, and therefore plan to include Oradea in their European itinerary, can even start their adventure there – thanks to the convenient flight service from LOT Polish Airlines from Delhi via Warsaw: Every Monday and Saturday, departure from Delhi at 8:00h, arrival in Oradea at 17:00h local time the same day; 11:30 hours total travel time including 100 minutes stopover in Warsaw Daily service between Warsaw and Athens A destination not be missed on a roundtrip through Europe is Athens and LOT Polish Airlines has now returned to the Greek capital. The Polish carrier is flying daily between …

STIC Travel Group has been appointed as the General Sales Agent for Celestyal Cruises in India. Effective immediately, STIC Travel Group will market, distribute, fulfill, and represent both dynamic and preformed travel packages for Celestyal, in addition to providing cruise-only services across India. Celestyal decided to cooperate with STIC Travel Group because the India region is an important market with great potential.Celestyal is convinced that with the newcooperation it will be able to accelerate furthergrowth in this region and at the same time offer new touring products to a wider audience leveraging STIC Travel Group robust distribution and technology platforms. STIC Travel Group has great experience in bringing together both cruise and tour whilst offering a comprehensive service, such as sales and marketing activities, service centres in the local language and much more. Isha Goyal, Executive Director & CEO of STIC Travel Group said, “We are very much looking forward to the cooperation with Celestyal and will support the cruise operator with our broad network in the tourism industry, most accurate market knowledge and profound marketing and sales know-how with all our strength”. Marios Polydorou, Vice President Business Development of Celestyal Cruises, said, “STIC Travel Group has decades of outstanding expertise in the cruise segment, making it an ideal partner for us.

Sarovar Hotels has launched the “Call of Majestic Mountains” campaign, promising exclusive discounts on their hill hotels across India. This initiative indicates travelers to indulge in the breathtaking beauty of Bhimtal, Dalhousie, Lonavala, Manali, Mussoorie, Palampur, Shimla, and Srinagar, with unbeatable deals on accommodation and dining. Under this banner, guests can enjoy a generous 25% discount on their stay with complimentary breakfast & complimentary meals for children below 6 yrs.  Additionally, they can avail a tempting 15% discount on food and beverages by using the exclusive coupon code “YHYW24”. This enticing offer is valid until 30th June 2024.        

Strengthening its presence in the eastern part of the country, Royal Orchid Hotels Ltd marked its entry in Odisha with the opening of Regenta Central in the coastal city of Puri. ROHLs maiden property in the state, and the 4th in East India, Regenta Central in Puri is poised to become the preferred abode for tourists visiting the city for spiritual, wellness or cultural tourism from across the country. The newest addition to ROHL’s portfolio is located a proximity of 50meters from the Golden Beach and provides the perfect setting for guests to immerse themselves in the rich heritage of Odisha. Chander K Baljee, Chairman & Managing Director, ROHL said, “The launch of Regenta Central in Odisha marks a significant milestone as we set ourselves on an aggressive expansion mode for this fiscal with new hotel openings and signings; we have already announced hotels in Kasauli, Surat and Mumbai in the last 10-15 days and many more are expected soon.” Mr. Baljee “Puri added, renowned for its rich history and economic reliance on tourism and the religious significance of landmarks like the ancient 12th-century Jagannath Temple, adds to the emerging tourist hub of the state, further strengthening our portfolio in the Eastern part of India”. The hotel features 55 elegantly designed rooms across four distinct categories, each with balconies or sit-outs offering a pleasant sea view. The hotel is conveniently located 5 kilometers from Puri Railway Station and the renowned Lord Jagannatha Temple, locally known as Srikhetram which stands as a symbol of spirituality in Puri, there by offering a true holistic experience to our guests visiting the city. Arjun Baljee, President, ROHL said, “We are happy to announce the …

Café Akasa, the onboard meal service of Akasa Air has launched the second edition of its Eid special meal with an all-new traditional menu to celebrate the holy festival. The meal features festive delicacies including Lucknowi style Patti Samosa and Chicken Shami Kebab served with Khajoori Chutney, accompanied with Zafrani Double ka Meetha & a choice of beverage. The offering is available throughout April 2024, across the Akasa Air network and can be conveniently prebooked on Akasa Air’s website or mobile app. Eid-ul-fitr celebrates the completion of Ramadan, and the festival is associated with expansive and rich culinary spreads. This offering, which is one of a kind in the Indian skies, takes inspiration from festive delicacies from across the country and is prepared with cultural and hearty ingredients to ensure that guests savour the richness of the traditional meal. 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, 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 50+ meal options including healthy, fusion, festive and gourmet meals that cater to a wide array of diets and palettes. For more information visit www.akasaair.com

The Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Just Udo Aviation Private Limited, aimed at revolutionizing Goa’s tourism sector. This Memorandum of Understanding  signifies our shared commitment to positioning Goa as a year-round holistic travel destination, going beyond its renowned beaches to showcase its diverse cultural, historical, and natural attractions. Mr. Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, Director Tourism & Managing Director GTDC stated “As part of our ongoing efforts to attract tourists from around the globe, the Department of Tourism is dedicated to developing world-class infrastructure and promoting Goa as a destination for immersive travel experiences. Through this partnership with Just Udo Aviation Private Limited, we aim to leverage their expertise and resources to enhance tourism promotion efforts in the region.” Mr. Manoj Chacko, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, FLY91 stated “FLY91 is committed to promoting tourism in Goa through various initiatives that highlight the state’s unique identity. This MoU sets out broad areas of future cooperation and partnership between the Department of Tourism and FLY91 and we are delighted to be working closely with the state government.” This MoU outlines the broad areas of cooperation and partnership between the Department of Tourism and Just Udo Aviation Private Limited, focusing on developing and promoting tourism in the region. Through innovative initiatives and strategic collaborations, the aim is to transform Goa into a top-tier travel destination that appeals to tourists seeking authentic, immersive, and diverse experiences. This partnership exemplifies the shared vision of unlocking Goa’s full tourism potential and fostering sustainable growth in the region.

Day two of the Goa International Travel Mart 2024 witnessed an array of insightful discussions and engaging sessions, further solidifying Goa’s position as a premier tourism destination. The day kicked off with a riveting panel discussion and sessions by panelists G B Srithar, Head of Tourism Services, VFS Global, Carl Vaz, President, SKAL International India and Chairman & CEO, Charson Advisory Services Pvt Ltd, Jack Ajit Sukhija, President Elect, Travel & Tourism Association of Goa , and Ajay Prakash, President, Travel Agents Federation of India TBC Mr. Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, Director Tourism & Managing Director GTDC stated “GITM stands as a testament to our shared commitment to innovation, collaboration, and sustainable growth. With a notable attendance of buyers, visitors, and enthusiasts, the event has facilitated a vibrant exchange of ideas and fostered significant networking opportunities. It has been an honor to witness the forging of new partnerships between like-minded individuals and businesses alike, all united in their dedication to showcasing Goa’s unique charm to the world. As we bid farewell to another successful 4th edition, I am filled with optimism for the future of our tourism industry. The momentum and enthusiasm generated by GITM leave me confident that Goa’s potential as a premier destination for regenerative tourism will continue to flourish.” The first Panel Discussion Titled ‘New Vision: Strategy, Branding & Promotion’ by panelist Mr. Andrés O. Hayes, President and CEO of Airtifae Hospitality Consulting, Mr. Carl Vaz, CEO of Mumbai based Charson Advisory Services, Mr. GB Srithar, Head of VFS Global’s Tourism Services, Mr. Ajay Prakash, Chief Executive of Nomad Travels, Mumbai and the Founder President of IIPT-India (International Institute for Peace through Tourism – India): delved into innovative …

Manohar International Airport, developed and operated by GMR Goa International Airport Ltd. a subsidiary of GMR Airports Infrastructure Ltd , is proud to declare the implementation of Digi Yatra system for air travellers in Goa. Introduced by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Digi Yatra Foundation, Digi Yatra is the next step towards creating a digitally empowered society. It offers a Biometric Enabled Seamless Travel experience based on Facial Recognition System . FRS enables contactless identification of passengers at key check points like – Airport Entry, Security Check and Boarding Gate. Passenger’s face becomes the boarding pass, taking out the need of physical documents like ID proof, etc. which were checked manually by the security officials. This makes the flight boarding process significantly faster and seamless as each passenger only needs less than 3 seconds at every touchpoint. This technology is also integrated with the Airlines Departure Control System, so only authenticated passengers are allowed to enter the terminal. Mr. RV Sheshan, CEO of GGIAL, expressed his pleasure regarding the implementation of this new facility: “We are thrilled to announce the commencement of Digi-Yatra at Manohar International Airport. With this Manohar International Airport joins the elite group of selected few Airports across the nation equipped with this technology. We have three touch points for Digi Yatra, first is in the forecourt, second at Pre-Security Hold Area and third is at Boarding Gate number 10. Passengers can use this facility for all the airlines operating from our airport. Manohar International Airport remains dedicated to providing world-class facilities and services that transforms our passenger’s journey. We will continue to implement cutting-edge technologies that enhance airport operations and passenger satisfaction.” For further information …