The Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI) successfully concluded its elections on 5th December 2024, marking the end of the 2022-2024 term. The association introduced its new team for the term 2024-2026. Working committee members President: Himanshu Kesari Patil, Kesari Tours and Travels Vice President: Shravan Bhalla, High Flyer General Secretary: Sidharth Khanna, Khanna Enterprises (Regd.) Joint Secretary: Monia Kapoor, Travel O Holidays Treasurer: Gurdeep Singh Gujral, Gujral Tours and Travels The new leadership team is well-positioned to guide OTOAI with vision, dynamism, and a commitment to propelling growth in the outbound tourism sector. The election process was managed by Sanjay Datta, Managing Director, Airborne Holiday, who served as the Election Officer for the OTOAI elections. Executive Committee Members To strengthen the governance structure, the Executive Committee (EC) comprises both retained and nominated members. The EC members for the term 2024-2026 include: Riaz Munshi, N. Chirag Travels Adl Abdul Karim, Flycreative Online Ankush Nijhawan, Travel Boutique A Unit of Lap Travels Rohit Shorey, Destination Travel Services Vineet Gopal, Engee Holidays Vinayak Laud, Vinaayak Holidays The new team will officially commence their duties on 6 December, 2024. With a focus on innovation, collaboration, and member engagement, the 2024-2026 team is dedicated to advancing OTOAI’s goals and promoting outbound tourism both domestically and internationally. OTOAI extended gratitude to the outgoing OTOAI team for their remarkable contributions, which included hosting impactful events, forming strategic collaborations, and signing numerous MOUs that enhanced the association’s footprint.  

As from the start of the 2025 season, the Hahnair logo will feature on the VCARB-02 mirrors Visa Cash App RB announces that from next year, it will enjoy a multiyear agreement with Hahnair, a leading executive charter airline, that joins the team as its Official Private Aviation Partner. With another 24 Grands Prix calendar on the way in 2025, all of it squeezed into just nine months, time saved travelling across continents is an important component of a team’s state of readiness to race. With a commitment to quality and attention to detail, Hahnair will play a critical role in optimising the team’s logistics throughout the season. Hahnair is renowned for its tailored charter flights that cater to the unique needs of its passengers, running a modern fleet, with the very latest technology ensuring maximum energy efficiency. As from 2025 it will use SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) to further reduce its environmental footprint, aligning with Formula 1’s own investment in SAF as part of the sport’s commitment to reach Net Zero by 2030. “We are excited to partner with Hahnair as we navigate through this extensive racing calendar,” said Laurent Mekies, Team Principal, VCARB. “Their specialised services will greatly support our logistical capabilities, ensuring that our team operates at peak efficiency throughout the season.” Peter Bayer, CEO, VCARB further adds “The partnership will enable the Team to efficiently manage travel logistics, not only between races but also addressing the challenges posed by the distance between our aero engineers based in the UK and our factory in Italy.” “As we embark on this partnership with the VCARB Team, we look forward to providing exceptional travel solutions that meet their unique logistical demands,” said Daniel …

As per ‘India Accommodation Barometer 2024’ report by Booking.com, online travel platforms are a crucial tool for Indian hoteliers, with 77 per cent leveraging them to increase visibility and attract international visitors. Indian hoteliers see the use of online platforms as an opportunity to increase visibility to a global audience.

Kinjal Shah, Senior Vice President, Co-Group Head, ICRA has estimated a rise in domestic air passenger traffic to 164-170 million in FY2025, reflecting year-on-year growth of 7-10 per cent, while the international passenger traffic for Indian carriers will reach 34-36 million for the full year, representing a YoY growth of 15-20 per cent.

Officials from the Ministry of Tourism informed that Indians recommending a visit to India to their non-Indian friends will be rewarded if the trip gets materialised. Such Indians on their return may be received at the airport by the ministry representatives. Now, Indians abroad can register and claim rewards at ‘Chalo India’ portal.

Speaking at UP Tourism’s ‘Mahakumbh 2025 Prelude’ event, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Tourism Minister, GoI, said, “We see the Mahakumbh as an opportunity for cultural exchange.” He invited global tourists to experience world’s largest spiritual gathering, scheduled to be held from 14 January-26 February 2025 in Prayagraj.

Under the budget announcement’s special assistance programme for states, the Centre has approved 40 projects totalling ₹3,295 crore to turn tourist destinations into iconic hubs, with the primary aim being the decongestion of known and traditional tourist destinations. The focus of the exercise is to tap the future potential of these sites.

PA Mohamed Riyas, Tourism Minister, Kerala, said, “The govt plans to introduce a new policy to enhance the tourism sector by making it more women-friendly & safest global destination.” An audit report has been prepared on the prevaling women-friendly environment & is being presented at the Global Women Conference.

Department of Culture and Tourism-Abu Dhabi won the ‘Fastest Growing Leisure Destination’ award at the ITA. On behalf of NTO, Nikhil Jeet, Manager, Country (India), DCT Abu Dhabi, said, “With a team of dynamic professionals, we have ensured that Abu Dhabi’s wide range of tourism offerings reaches every travelling Indian.”

A select group was invited to experience the exceptional dining offerings at both Atlantis The Palm and Atlantis The Royal. The carefully curated itinerary showcased Atlantis as an exceptional culinary centre in Dubai, offering a diverse range of world-class dining experiences. Guests had the opportunity to explore the resort’s renowned culinary scene, with highlights including Ariana’s Persian Kitchen by Ariana Bundy, La Mar by Gastón Acurio, Nobu, and many other distinguished restaurants, each presenting unique flavours and unforgettable experiences. Atlantis, Dubai stands out as a global gastronomic hub, home to 35 extraordinary restaurants, including Michelin-starred venues like Ossiano, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, and Hakkasan, as well as celebrity chef-led dining experiences such as Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen, Estiatorio Milos by Chef Costas Spiliadis, and Jaleo by José Andrés. These renowned restaurants cater to every taste, from cutting-edge culinary concepts to iconic international chefs, offering an unparalleled dining experience in Dubai. The familiarisation trip was a resounding success, introducing guests to a deeper understanding of the resort’s culinary excellence and reinforcing its position as a top-tier destination for food lovers from around the world. Since its pre-opening, Indiva Marketing has built a strong partnership with Atlantis, Dubai focusing on PR, marketing, and sales in the Indian market. The collaboration has contributed to the resort’s growing presence and success in attracting Indian visitors, and it has continued to go from strength to strength.