Willie Walsh, Director General, International Air Transport Association (IATA) expressed confidence that India would ease bilateral flying rights, especially as Indian carriers like Air India and IndiGo broadened their fleets with wide-body aircraft. He underlined the benefits of such agreements, highlighting that an increase in the rights will enable Indian airlines to offer more direct international connections.

Goa tourism is bouncing back, with over 71 lakh visitors recorded till September, marking a strong recovery from the pandemic. The state tourism department said efforts have been made to boost tourism through initiatives like enhanced infrastructure, improved connectivity, and active promotion in global markets, ensuring that “Goa remains a sought-after destination for travellers from across the world.

Highlighting the efforts being made to make tourism an integral part of building a ‘Viksit Bharat’, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Tourism, Govt of India, said a total of 76.17 million jobs have been created in the tourism sector along with launching programs like Paryatan Mitra and Paryatan Didi. Foreign exchange earnings are estimated to be $28.07 billion, marking a 42.53% increase compared to 2014.

Hotelogix’ latest white paper revealed that India’s home-grown mid-segment hotel brands account for about 60% of the country’s total branded rooms, demonstrating resilience and innovation within the competitive Indian hotel industry. According to the insights, domestic mid-market brands with limited inventory are poised for significant growth in tier II, III, and IV cities.

The SriLankan Airlines’ Mumbai team, in collaboration with the airline’s Maldives team and Canareef Resort, recently hosted a successful agents’ educational tour to the stunning Gan Island in the Maldives. Famed as a diver’s hotspot, Gan is rapidly transforming into a popular family holiday destination in the Maldives, celebrated for its eclectic mix of natural beauty, rich history, heritage and vibrant marine life – not to mention a lower departure tax than in the Male international airport. The tour welcomed tour operators from Mumbai and Pune, offering them an unforgettable stay in Canareef’s luxurious Premium Beach Villas. The itinerary included snorkelling in vibrant coral reefs, dolphin-spotting excursions, sunset cruises, rejuvenating spa treatments featuring traditional Balinese massages, yoga amidst lush greenery and the delightful flavours of Maldivian cuisine. This initiative is part of SriLankan Airlines’ strategy to boost tourism along the Mumbai–Gan Island route via Colombo. The tour’s success is expected to inspire renewed interest among Indian travellers in visiting the Maldives by choosing SriLankan Airlines’ seamless connections through Colombo. SriLankan conveniently connects Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kochi, Trivandrum, Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram to Colombo with 90 weekly flights, offering immediate connections to the Maldives.  

ITQ, the official partner of Travelport in India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Bhutan hosted a customer meeting in Pullman Hotel, New Delhi, to showcase new capabilities offered by ITQ and Travelport. The event discussed the growing Indian market and business opportunities for travel partners in India and gave valuable insights into automation, NDC implementation and Travelport+. From the India perspective, Anil Parashar, Executive Director, ITQ, said, “In the last few years, we have more than 20 airlines who have implemented NDC and many are on their way to join. We are committed to working together with our partners to make a better, more tech-friendly and modern world.” John Elieson, COO, Travelport thanked the customers and partners for their valued partnership and support in making Travelport successful. He said, “The growth for ITQ and Travelport has been fabulous as we will touch over 32 million this year. We continue to invest in the Indian market to continue to lead and be first.”

Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality (FAITH) has announced the result of its unopposed election for the post of Office Bearers for the term 2024-2026 in New Delhi. Puneet Chhatwal, MD and CEO, has been re-elected as Chairman, Ajeet Bajaj, ATOAI and Ajay Prakash, TAFI are the new Vice Chairmen. In contrast, Rajiv Mehra, IATO and Kanwarjeet Singh Sawhney have been declared the General Secretary and Treasurer, respectively. FAITH is the Policy Federation of 10 National Associations in India representing the entire Tourism and Hospitality Industry of the country which includes ADTOI, ATOAI, FHRAI, HAI, IATO, ICPB, IHHA, ITTA, TAAI, TAFI) and Cause Partner – AIRDA.

The tourism sector in Fiji continues to surpass expectations, with the country on track for another record-breaking year, marking a 6.5% increase over 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic levels and further cementing Fiji’s reputation as a must-visit destination in the South Pacific. This success is fueled by the impact of Tourism Fiji’s global brand platform, Where Happiness Comes Naturally, and a surge in demand for immersive, culturally rich travel experiences. The momentum continues into 2024, with Fiji on track for another record-breaking year. To accommodate growing demand, several new hotel and resort openings are underway, including The Crowne Plaza Nadi, Sofitel Vatu Talei Denarau, Radisson Blu Mirage Resort, Hilton Garden Inn Suva, and more. These developments will further enhance Fiji’s appeal as a leading travel destination. In addition, Fiji Airways continues to win global awards and grow capacity, including the new Dallas – Nadi non-stop route opening December 2024. Tourism Fiji recently launched Chapter 2 of its brand platform, Where Happiness Comes Naturally. In Chapter 1, it celebrated the genuine happiness rooted in authentic Fijian culture and shared it with the world. Now, in Chapter 2, it is going further—inviting global audiences not just to witness but to experience the joy that defines Fiji through the new campaign, Happy Passports. The campaign takes a light-hearted approach to the universal frustration of passport photos. It features two engaging characters: Ana, a customs officer at Fiji’s international airport, and Viliame, a local passport photographer. Both have observed a curious phenomenon: it’s nearly impossible to keep a serious face in a place as vibrant and full of joy as Fiji. Through their playful interactions with locals and visitors alike, the campaign shows just how hard …

Red Carpet Tours won the ‘Best Business Tour Operator’ award at the India Travel Awards. Upon receiving the award, Narayan Kabra, Director Business Development, Red Carpet Tours, exclaimed, “The award inspires us to continue our excellent work.” Red Carpet Tours specialises in MICE and FIT travel. The company offers tailored solutions for international trade fairs and corporate incentives, primarily in Europe and China.

Highlighting the crucial role of the private sector in India and globally as a driving force for tourism growth, MP Bezbaruah, Secretary General, HAI, urged the government to frame suitable structures for effective PPP. He said HAI’s two main demands—providing industry benefits and allowing infrastructure status—would bring in more revenue to the government, create millions of direct and indirect jobs, and promote inclusive growth.