Somya Deep

5 must-do African safaris

An African safari is a bucket-list adventure offering unforgettable memories. The continent offers a diverse range of safari experiences, from classic game drives in renowned national parks to more specialised adventures like walking safaris and gorilla trekking. See these can’t-miss ones, each offering unique wildlife encounters and landscape. Serengeti National Park Chances are that you have dreamt of Africa, and when you did, you probably dreamt of the Serengeti. This is home to the Great Migration and may well be one of the last true natural wonders. This World Heritage Site is teeming with wildlife: over 2 million ungulates, 4,000 lions, 1,000 leopard, 550 cheetahs and some 500 bird species inhabit an area close to 15,000 square kms. Gaze upon the Great Migration in awe or see everything from a bird’s-eye view at sunrise on a hot air balloon safari. Rickshaw Travel Group offers a range of customised packages. Masai Mara National Reserve Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, East Africa is a scenic expanse of gently rolling African savannah bordering the Serengeti to the south. Masai Mara is a unique wildlife conservation haven famous for its spectacular natural diversity of wildlife. Large numbers of lions, cheetah, elephant, rhino, African buffalo, wildebeest, giraffe, zebra and many more are found in the park. The reserve has been voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Located on the slopes of Oloolaimutia Hills within the reserve is the Masai Mara Sopa Lodge offering 50 beautiful cottages. Kruger National Park This park in South Africa is one of the most visited parks for a safari because of it is easy to access from Johannesburg and has numerous accommodation options and price …

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TAFI North India elects office bearers for 2025-2027 term

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Northern India Chapter of Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) was organised on 14th July 2025 at The Park, New Delhi under the guidance of Khushvinder Sarna, Chapter Chairman. In the AGM, Chapter Elections for the term 2025-2027 were held, wherein the following candidates were declared elected: Dinesh Kumar, Inter Airwings as Chairman; Rajiv Aggarwal, Hindustan Air Travels as Secretary; and Naveen Kumar Gupta, Travelco (India) as Treasurer. Charu Arora, YTS Travel Services and Niti Batra, Joy Travels were elected as Committee Members. Anil Kalsi, National Vice President, and Rai Achal Krishna, Joint Treasurer, TAFI and several members of Northern India Chapter attended the AGM. All of them greeted the new team with flower bouquets and wished them a successful tenure and also assured their full cooperation. The new elected TAFI NI Team expressed their gratitude to all the members and assured that the new team will work for the betterment and welfare of the travel fraternity and will try to meet all the stakeholders in this regard and will also make the request for a tourism policy by Govt. of India, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, Govt. of Haryana, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh, Govt. of Uttarakhand, Govt. of Punjab & Govt. of Rajasthan.

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FLY91 and Sarovar Hotels join hands to elevate regional travel with guest benefits

FLY91 and Sarovar Hotels announced a strategic partnership to offer travellers compelling benefits that enhance both their journeys and stays. This collaboration aims to promote regional tourism and create a seamless, value-driven experience for guests. Under the partnership, FLY91 passengers will receive an exclusive 20% discount on room bookings and F&B at Sarovar Hotels located in Goa, Sindhudurg, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Solapur. The offer can be redeemed via direct bookings through the Sarovar website or call centre using the code SAROVARFLY91, and will be validated upon presenting a FLY91 boarding pass. In return, Sarovar guests will enjoy a 10% discount on FLY91 base fares for flights operating across all sectors where FLY91 operates from. The offer will be accessible on the FLY91 and Sarovar websites. “This collaboration reflects our shared vision of delivering greater value and convenience to today’s traveller,” said Akshay Thusoo, Senior Vice President, Commercial, Sarovar Hotels. “By combining hospitality and regional aviation, we are not only enhancing guest experiences but also contributing to the growth of tourism in India’s emerging destinations.” “FLY91 is committed to bridging last mile connectivity and making air travel in India accessible, safe and reliable. We aim to be part of India’s ongoing economic transformation by creating robust regional connectivity. This collaboration reflects our common shared goal” said Manoj Chacko, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, FLY91. Together, Sarovar Hotels and FLY91 will also launch co-branded marketing initiatives, including digital promotions and joint content, to raise awareness and drive uptake of the exclusive offers. This partnership marks a significant step toward strengthening regional connectivity and providing modern travellers with integrated, meaningful travel experiences.

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Saudia Group ranks 1st globally in on-time performance for June 2025

Saudia and flyadeal achieve top performance during peak Hajj, summer, and Eid Al-Adha seasons According to the June 2025 report by Cirium, a leading global aviation analytics provider, Saudia ranked first worldwide in both departure and arrival on-time performance. The airline operated over 16,700 flights during the month, achieving a 91.33% on-time arrival rate and a 90.69% on-time departure rate. flyadeal, Saudia Group’s low-cost carrier, also ranked first in the Middle East and Africa for on-time arrival performance, achieving a rate of 91.77% across more than 5,900 flights. This marks the second time in 2025 that Saudia has led global rankings in both arrival and departure on-time performance, with a previous achievement recorded in March. The accomplishment reflects Saudia and flyadeal’s unwavering focus in operational efficiency and excellence, achieved during the high-demand period of Hajj, summer travel, and Eid Al-Adha holidays. H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General, Saudia Group, stated, “Achieving exceptional on-time performance and maintaining operational excellence requires seamless coordination across all sectors and subsidiaries of the Group. This accomplishment underscores our direct contribution to the objectives of the National Aviation Strategy, particularly in enhancing the overall guest travel experience.” Saudia’s continued success is driven by the skill and professionalism of its national workforce, who manage flight operations with a strong commitment to time efficiency as a key pillar of the guest experience. Saudia also leverages cutting-edge digital systems powered by artificial intelligence to optimise flight planning, supported by predictive alerts and analytics that enable rapid response to operational challenges. As part of Saudia Group’s ambitious plan to expand its fleet in the coming years, 188 new aircraft will be added to its current fleet of 187. The airline’s …

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Oman Air celebrates 30 years of Muscat-Mumbai flight, reinforces commitment to Indian market

Oman Air marks 3 decades of operations on the Muscat-Mumbai route, reinforcing its strong ties with India. Sunil VA, Regional VP for Indian Subcontinent, Oman Air, highlighted India as a vital market, with Mumbai playing a key role. The airline is committed to offering world-class travel experiences & exceptional offering to Indians.

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Asego unveils ‘Bolt’; innovative product to elevate modern travel experience for international flyers

To elevate the modern travel experience, Asego has come up with a new offering ‘Bolt.’ Dev Karvat, Founder & CEO, Asego, said, “With Asego Bolt, travellers can now enjoy greater peace of mind and comfort. This latest offering strengthens our position as a frontrunner in innovative travel assistance solutions for global flyers.”

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Switzerland Tourism invites travel trade to join webinar on 24 July & explore Lucerne offerings

Switzerland Tourism invites travel trade for a webinar on 24 July at 3 pm highlighting Lucerne, a modern-meets-medieval city offering exciting attractions, shopping experience and a vibrant nightlife. Attend all webinars for a chance to win a trip to Switzerland in 2026! For more info, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

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Oman Air celebrates 30 years of service to Mumbai

Oman Air marked 30 years of operations between Muscat and Mumbai. The second Indian destination to be introduced after Thiruvananthapuram in 1993, Mumbai has since grown into a cornerstone of the airline’s network with 12 flights per week. Over the last three decades Oman Air has significantly expanded its footprint across India, strengthening air links that support business, tourism, and community ties between the two countries. Currently, the airline operates 168 flights per week between Muscat and 10 cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Lucknow, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Calicut and Goa Speaking on the occasion, Sunil VA, Regional Vice President, Indian Subcontinent, Oman Air, said, “This anniversary is more than a celebration of flights, it is a celebration of friendship and trust. India has been one of our most important markets, and Mumbai holds a special place in our network. As we continue to evolve as a premium global carrier and a proud oneworld member, we remain committed to elevating our relationship with India and offering exceptional, world-class travel experiences to our guests.” The milestone comes at an exciting time for Oman Air with its recent entry into the oneworld® alliance. With access to a network of over 900 destinations worldwide, the airline is now better positioned than ever to offer its Indian guests greater global connectivity, streamlined travel benefits, and enhanced service. Meanwhile, Oman Air, which recently won Best Food & Beverage and Best Cabin Service in the Middle East at the Apex 2025 Awards, continues to deliver a guest-centric journey that blends authentic Omani hospitality with world-class service standards.  

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Asego launches ‘Bolt,’ a travel assistance combo for modern flyer

As global travel rebounds and flyers demand more seamless experiences, Asego steps up once again with Bolt — a powerful new bundle that merges its top-rated TrackMate and WaitMate into one dynamic offering. From premium lounge access across 100+ countries during flight delays to real-time baggage tracking with guaranteed compensation of ₹66,000 per bag, Bolt redefines what it means to travel smart and stress-free. Commenting on the launch, Dev Karvat, Founder & CEO, Asego, said, “Bolt is not just a product — it is a promise to travellers that no matter where they fly, we have got their back.” With Asego Bolt, the future of travel just got safer and smarter  

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