Curtain Raiser Event for ATOAI’s 16th Annual Convention Concludes Successfully Co Hosted by the Department of Tourism Govt of Arunachal Pradesh. The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) hosted an inspiring Curtain Raiser for its 16th Annual Convention at The Park Hotel, New Delhi, setting the stage for an extraordinary event scheduled to take place in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, from 3 to 8 December, 2024. This evening’s event highlighted Arunachal Pradesh’s vast potential as a global adventure tourism hub while emphasising ATOAI’s commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism practices. The event began with an engaging address by Ajeet Bajaj, President, ATOAI, who emphasised the transformative potential of sustainable adventure tourism. “Arunachal Pradesh is India’s Last Shangri-La and our next big adventure destination. This convention will set the stage for responsible adventure tourism and showcase how sustainability is the future of our industry. This convention promises to be a milestone event, further positioning Arunachal Pradesh and North East India at the forefront of adventure tourism in India and the world,” he remarked. This sentiment was echoed by Oken Tayeng, MLA and Convention Chairperson, who called Arunachal “a playground of possibilities” and underlined the need for a sustainable roadmap to unlock its adventure tourism potential. Adding to the evening’s momentum, Arun Srivastava, Joint Director General, Ministry of Tourism, highlighted the importance of collaboration in developing adventure tourism in India. He noted, “India’s natural assets make it a top contender for global adventure tourism and Arunachal is a shining gem of the country.” Ranphoa Ngowa, Secretary of Tourism, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, further emphasised the state’s readiness to host global adventure seekers, pointing out its unique combination of untouched rivers, dense forests …

Peter Semone, Chair, PATA said, “To boost IVAs in Asia Pacific, we need to prioritise India & China as source markets as these markets offer greater potential than traditional Western sources. He identified South East Asia as a key emerging market. Meanwhile, PATA Travel Mart 2025 will be held from 26-28 August in Bangkok, Thailand.

Aeroprime Group won the ‘Leading Passenger GSA of the year’ award at the India Travel Awards. Upon receiving the award, Nash Dias, Sales Manager, Aeroprime, exclaimed, “The award validates our confidence and pushes us to work harder.” Aeroprime Group is the leading aviation and travel services group based in India.

Join an exciting webinar at 12 pm tomorrow and delve into the wonders of Selangor, one of Malaysia’s hidden gems. Discover unique attractions, cultural landmarks, and leisure destinations that make Selangor a must-visit destination. For more details, contact Jaspreet Kaur at jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or +91 9650196532.

During FHRAI’s HR Summit, KB Kachru, President, HAI, highlighted that India sends 30 mn outbound tourists but receives only 10 mn inbound which is a mix of NRIs and Bangladeshi, three times lesser than other countries. “To make India inevitable, we should aim for much higher inbound numbers in coming years,” he said.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) will become the world’s only airline to serve the iconic Cristal 2015 champagne, following an exclusive agreement with leading French champagne house Louis Roederer. Cristal 2015, which is celebrated for its exceptional quality and refined taste, will be served in SIA’s Airbus A380 Suites and Boeing 777-300ER First Class cabins from 1 December, 2024. Initially available on flights between Singapore and Delhi, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Paris, Shanghai, Sydney, and Tokyo, the offering will rotate to other Suites and First-Class routes on a three-month rotational basis. Crafted by cellar master Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, Cristal 2015 blends 40 per cent Chardonnay and 60 per cent Pinot Noir, sourced from 45 vineyard plots across Louis Roederer’s seven Grands Crus. It exemplifies meticulous attention to detail, from a bespoke, sustainable viticulture approach of Louis Roederer’s exceptional Grand Cru vineyards to the artful blending and extended cellar ageing that gives the wine its depth and elegance. Yeoh Phee Teik, Senior Vice President Customer Experience, Singapore Airlines, said: “This partnership between two world-class brands demonstrates Singapore Airlines’ commitment to elevating the travel experience for our discerning customers. Exclusively offering a premium champagne like Cristal 2015 will delight our Suites and First-Class customers, and ensures that they continue to enjoy an unparalleled, luxurious journey with us.” Frédéric Rouzaud, Chief Executive Officer, Champagne Louis Roederer, said: “Cristal 2015 delivers intense and delicious aromas with superb energy and an ethereal vibration. This is a timeless champagne of supreme balance and measure, resonating with the chalkiness of its soils, bursting forth in a bracing, vertical effervescence, with an insistent, precise, and finely honed freshness. We are really delighted that our iconic Cristal champagne has been chosen …

The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), the third largest hospitality association in the world, in collaboration with the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT) and the Hotel & Restaurant Association of Northern India (HRANI), successfully hosted the HR Summit on Education and Career in Hospitality on 14th November, 2024 at Hotel Le Meridien, New Delhi. The event was inaugurated by Gyan Bhushan, IES, CEO, NCHMCT, and brought together over 200 industry leaders, educators, and government representatives to discuss the future of hospitality education and career opportunities in India. FHRAI hosted the HR Summit with over 200 industry leaders, educators, and government representatives. The summit focused on major challenges in hospitality, such as the shortage of skilled workers, low student enrolment, and high employee turnover. FHRAI shared a report on the key challenges facing India’s hospitality sector. Discussions emphasised the need for collaboration between industry, educational institutions, and the government to close the skills gap and build a stronger workforce. The summit had three important sessions on career opportunities, improving enrolment and retention, and managing human resources in hospitality. FHRAI, NCHMCT, and HRANI discussed the importance of skill development, as the hospitality sector is expected to create millions of new jobs in the future. The summit focused on key challenges including the shortage of skilled workers, low enrolment in hospitality courses, and high employee attrition rates. Stakeholders discussed strategies to address these issues, including improving the quality of hospitality education, bridging the skills gap, and creating more sustainable career pathways for aspiring professionals. Gyan Bhushan, IES, CEO, NCHMCT & Senior EA(T), Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, said, “I believe today marks a truly …

A transformative new force in travel tech has launched TripXL, a unique holiday marketplace designed to revolutionise travel planning. This innovative platform, which offers expertly curated packages across 50+ domestic and international destinations, is quickly establishing itself as the go-to destination for travellers seeking a seamless and enriching journey. TripXL offers more than a booking service; it is a complete travel solution. By connecting travellers with trusted, expert agents, the platform simplifies every aspect of planning a trip, making it easy, personalised, and stress-free. With user-friendly navigation and round-the-clock assistance, TripXL’s platform bridges the gap between travellers and agents, empowering them both. Agents gain access to tools that streamline their work, while travellers receive a single platform to address all their travel needs. Based in Siliguri, West Bengal, TripXL is putting the city on the map as an emerging hub of travel tech innovation in India. Through a blend of advanced technology and expert guidance, the platform connects travellers with unique, immersive experiences across the world, helping them uncover hidden gems and enjoy authentic travel experiences. TripXL is reshaping travel through several unique features. It offers stress-free planning, handling everything from flights to personalised itineraries. With a range of customisable packages to suit every budget, it ensures each journey is tailored to individual preferences. Additionally, TripXL partners with local agents to create meaningful travel experiences that showcase the true essence of each destination. With its comprehensive support for both travellers and agents, TripXL is poised to redefine the industry, making travel more accessible, personalised, and rewarding. Book your next journey with TripXL and experience travel redefined.

On 14 November 2024, the Consulate General of Italy in Bengaluru and VFS Global inaugurated the new VFS Global Visa Application Centre in Bengaluru, exclusively dedicated to Italy. The new Centre is centrally located in the Vasanth Nagar area, close to the Government seat of Vidhana Soudha and easily accessible from the city international airport. The event was attended by representatives from the public sector and other Consulates, and by selected professionals from the travel and tourism industry. Alfonso Tagliaferri, Consul General of Italy in Bengaluru, said in his welcome remarks: “We are very satisfied to inaugurate the new Bengaluru Visa Application Centre, dedicated exclusively to Italy. The new Centre will allow us to significantly increase the quality of the service provided to the public, which will enjoy a less-crowded experience, tailored for their Italian trip. At the same time, through this new application centre we will be able to better meet the ever-increasing demand for Italy as expressed by Indian citizens. A demand that will grow even further, with the implementation of the Mobility and Migration Partnership Agreement recently signed by Italy and India. The Bengaluru Consulate has been opened since only a year, serving the population of four large Southern States like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The new VFS centre, together with a more pleasant experience for the public, will allow us to better streamline our procedures, in order to process more visas, faster.” Yummi Talwar, Chief Operating Officer, South Asia, VFS Global, said, “VFS Global shares a long-standing relationship with the Government of Italy since 2004 and we are excited to expand our partnership further. We currently operate 11 Italy Visa Application Centres in …

Global Destinations, a leading destination marketing company, announced a strategic collaboration with Sapporo City to promote Sapporo City, Hokkaido as a top travel destination for Indian tourists along with All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest airline.  This collaboration comes at a time when Japan is witnessing a surge in demand among Indian travellers, with Sapporo being positioned as a must-visit locale. Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido, located in the north of Japan, which is renowned for its pristine natural beauty, vibrant culture, and world-class powder snow. The collaboration aims to introduce more Indian travellers to the unique experiences the city offers, including its famous snow festivals, gourmet cuisine, and scenic landscapes. Tomonori Aoyama, Director General, Tourism & MICE Promotion Department, Sapporo City, also welcomed the collaboration, noting, “Sapporo is proud to collaborate with All Nippon Airways and Global Destinations to showcase the beauty and culture of our city to the Indian market. We look forward to sharing Sapporo’s magnificent nature, beautiful four colourful seasons, and delicious food and unique cultures with Indian travellers. This partnership is an important step in building a strong relationship between our city and the growing number of Indian tourists visiting Japan.” Speaking on this exciting partnership, Shigeru Ishimoto, General Manager, ANA Mumbai, said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Sapporo City, Global Destinations to promote Sapporo as a premier travel destination for Indian tourists. Japan is seeing tremendous growth in interest from India, and we believe Sapporo, with its natural beauty and cultural richness, will resonate strongly with Indian travellers. ANA is committed to providing exceptional service and seamless connections between India and Japan, ensuring that travellers experience Japanese hospitality from the moment they …