Neil Patil, Founder & Director, Veena World, bagged the ‘Face of the Future’ Award at the India Travel Awards for being a multi-talented podcast host, inspiring a new generation of explorers! “Travel industry is still at a nascent stage in India and there is a lot to explore and a lot more to achieve for companies such as ours and the new entrants in this field,” he said at the awards.

“IHCL will invest ₹20 crore over the next three years to support international travel trade events and promote inbound tourism. This includes hosting events such as cocktail evenings at major international exhibitions to attract global visitors to India,” said Puneet Chhatwal,  CEO, IHCL”

Ministry of Tourism is aiming to create a tourism assets bank, a new initiative that maps India’s tangible and intangible attractions. From Hyderabad’s biryani to the beaches of Goa, the project will categorise what makes each destination special. V Vidyavathi, Secretary, MOT, said, “The aim is to develop tourism products that resonate deeply with travellers, offering them more personalised and experiential journeys.”

The Swiss experience starts onboard Swiss International Air Lines where travellers can enjoy their holiday booked by their travel agent via TourFox. Attend all webinars for a chance to win a trip to Switzerland in 2025! For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

SriLankan Airlines and flydubai, the Dubai-based carrier, have announced today an interline agreement commencing from 09 September 2024, introducing more travel opportunities between Sri Lanka, the UAE and beyond on select routes on the carriers’ networks. This interline agreement will enable passengers travelling with SriLankan Airlines to seamlessly connect via Dubai’s aviation hub to more than 30 destinations that flydubai operates to in Africa, Central Asia, Central and Southeast Europe as well as the Middle East. This includes unique holiday destinations such as Bucharest, Istanbul, Krakow, Mombasa, Naples, Sofia, Tashkent and Zanzibar. In addition, the interline will offer flydubai passengers’ access to 16 destinations on SriLankan’s robust network spanning Southern and East Asia, the Middle East and Australia – including Melbourne, Seoul, Singapore and Tokyo. “We are excited to partner with flydubai to provide our passengers seamless connections and greater convenience. This partnership reinforces our strategy to broaden our network and global reach, presenting customers with more travel choices and flexibility. We look forward to collaborating with flydubai and welcoming their passengers aboard our flights to experience an authentic SriLankan journey,” said Richard Nuttall, Chief Executive Officer of SriLankan Airlines. SriLankan Airlines and flydubai are committed to delivering convenient and reliable travel options for their valued customers. Passengers can expect the signature hospitality and onboard services that both airlines are renowned for when travelling with SriLankan and flydubai. Commenting on the interline agreement, Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said, “we’re excited about our new interline agreement with SriLankan Airlines that will further strengthen trade and tourism relations between the UAE and Sri Lanka. Since the start of operations to Sri Lanka in 2010, we have seen consistent …

Evoke Experiences is proud to introduce “White Rann, The Tent City” in Dholavira, offering travellers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore the breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage of Kutch. Located in the heart of this ancient land, Dholavira is not only a gateway to the stunning White Rann but also home to some of India’s most captivating historical sites. The White Desert, with its vast salt flats, shines under the moonlight, creating a magical glow that amazes visitors. At sunrise and sunset, the desert changes colours, with shades of pink and orange spreading across the sky, offering a picture-perfect view. The White Desert is also famous for the Rann Utsav. This yearly festival celebrates the local culture, arts, and food, giving travellers the chance to experience the vibrant traditions of Kutch against the breathtaking white salt plains. Nestled amid the surreal beauty of the Great Rann of Kutch, “White Rann, The Tent City” promises an immersive experience that blends luxury with adventure. The journey to this extraordinary destination is as remarkable as the stay, thanks to the newly opened “Road to Heaven.” This 30-kilometre scenic route connects Khavda to Dholavira. It takes travellers through the endless white salt desert of the Great Rann, where the horizon seems to merge with the sky, creating a surreal and almost otherworldly experience. As one traverses the ethereal “Road to Heaven,” the landscape not only enchants with its endless white salt flats but also comes alive with the vibrant presence of flamingos. With their striking pink hues, these graceful birds create a beautiful contrast against the stark white backdrop of the Great Rann of Kutch. During certain times of the year, the Rann becomes …

The Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC), in collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), proudly announces the Indian team for the upcoming WorldSkills Competition 2024, scheduled to take place in Lyon, France, from 10 to 15 September. THSC conducted extensive competitions across the country, leading to the selection of 102 top competitors in the hospitality skill categories of Bakery, Cookery, Restaurant Services, Patisserie and Confectionery, and Hotel Reception. Competitors from various regions demonstrated exceptional skills through multiple selection rounds to earn their place in the IndiaSkills National Competition. To represent India at the WorldSkills Competition, these candidates underwent a rigorous selection process, including 16 hours of hands-on competitions. The finalists were chosen during the IndiaSkills 2024 – National Competition for Hospitality Skills in Delhi. The primary goal of these competitions was to identify and nurture the right talent. Each finalist is being trained and mentored by a dedicated expert from the skill management team, providing specialized training to ensure the competitors are well-prepared to represent India on the global stage. “Our aim is to offer a platform for young professionals to showcase their talents and skills, contributing to the growth of the hospitality industry. By competing on a global stage like WorldSkills, these individuals not only bring pride to our nation but also set a benchmark for excellence in hospitality. We are committed to providing them with the best training and mentorship to ensure they are fully prepared to meet the high standards of this prestigious competition. Their success will inspire future generations and reinforce India’s position as a leader in skill development,” said Rajan Bahadur, CEO, THSC. The Indian contingent for WorldSkills 2024 includes: Bakery: Sasmita Bardhan …

The vibrant travel industry is abuzz today as TripJack, one of India’s fastest-growing B2B travel platforms, celebrates its travel partners in a grand event in Lalit Hotel, New Delhi to empower them to achieve their financial freedom. The team celebrated the success of their travel partners and recognised their hard work and dedication through their ‘Rewards & Recognition’ event. Hotel Bonanza is a Target vs. achievement rewards program designed to inspire and engage travel agents to exceed their goals by incentivising them to meet specific booking targets, unlocking rewards such as gadgets, vouchers, and TripJack Cash. Under the program, travel agents who have excelled in this campaign were felicitated with rewards like iPhones, gold coins, smart TVs and a lot more. This occasion is a testament to the company’s dedication to its travel agent community, offering rewards, incentives, and unmatched support. This event marks the culmination of the Hotel Bonanza Scheme, launched during the peak travel season in June and July. In a conversation with TravTalk, Vishal Lagad, Vice President, Sales & Strategy and Abdul Thingna, Vice President, Hotels & Holidays, TripJack, said, “We believe in empowering our travel agents and providing them with seamless tools and opportunities. This event is about honouring their hard work and celebrating their success.”

Pradeep Shetty, President, HRAWI & FHRAI won the DDP Trailblazer award at the India Travel Awards. Upon receiving the award, he said, “Awards like these play a vital role in boosting the morale of the younger generation and inspiring them to consider careers in hospitality. This recognises the efforts made by the hospitality industry at large, by the owners and associations, all of whom are behind me and supporting me. It also inspires us to do much more.”

Addressing the inaugural session of the 39th IATO Annual Convention that witnessed around 1,200 delegates, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Tourism, GoI, said, “We need to understand the changing needs of tourists and need to develop products and new destinations from the perspective of the people. With growing opportunities, India is going to become the largest market for tourism in the world.”