In a strong message to the world at the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee, Narendra Modi, Prime Minister, India, said, “It is India’s clarion call to the world to come together to promote each other’s heritage and amplify the spirit of human welfare, encourage tourism and create more job opportunities. There was a time when heritage was ignored in the pursuit of development, but today, India’s vision is development as well as heritage – ‘Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi’.”

Switzerland Tourism invites the Indian outbound travel trade to attend an exclusive webinar on Schilthorn, a mountain which offers stunning views of the surrounding Alpine landscape, including the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. 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.

Espire Hospitality Group, one of the fastest-growing hospitality groups in India, is excited to announce the signing of an iconic hotel in the historic city of Ayodhya. Set to open in Q4, 2024, this wide-spread property will feature 150 keys, with a mixed inventory of 50 keys offering the distinctive experience of the luxury boutique resort brand ZANA Luxury Resorts and the remaining 100 keys offering a premium experience of the mid-segment Country Inn Hotels and Resorts brand. This strategically located hotel will offer characterful stay experience in an expansive property that showcases the mood of the sacred destination. The hotel also provides easy access to notable landmarks such as Ram Janmabhoomi, Hanuman Garhi Temple, and Kanak Bhawan. Guests will have a choice of a delectable buffet or à la carte dining at the multi-cuisine restaurant, ensuring a delightful culinary experience for all. For a holistic experience, the hotel will feature a range of facilities designed for both relaxation and entertainment. These include a kid’s play area ‘Toddle Wobble’, a Gaming Arena, and a versatile event space spanning 3,000 sq. ft., perfect for hosting various events and gatherings. With a mix of two different hotel brands, guests can expect distinctive luxury, inspiring experiences, and personalized service at ZANA. On the other hand, the guests looking for a more economical choice can expect a delightful Country Inn experience, renowned for offering comfort, family-friendly stays and heartfelt hospitality. Akhil Arora, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Espire Hospitality Group said, “We are thrilled to bring our two brands, ‘ZANA Luxury Resorts’ and ‘Country Inn Hotels and Resorts’, to the city of epic Ramyana, Ayodhya.” This signing marks a significant milestone for us …

Neeraj Malhotra has been re-elected as the Chairman of the TAAI Northern Region for the next term 2024-2026 at TAAI’s Annual Meeting. The other office bearers who were reinstated includes: Anurag Agrawal as Hon. Secretary and Neeraj Kumar Sarna as Hon. Treasurer. They were elected unanimously for the next term indicating the support and trust shown by members.  

Aiming to attract ₹100,000 crore in investment and generate 1.8 million jobs over the next decade, the Maharashtra government has unveiled a comprehensive tourism policy for 2024, embracing the concept of ‘workcation’ alongside the promotion of rural life, films, caravans, and medical tourism. The policy identifies key areas to boost tourism’s contribution to Maharashtra’s goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2028.

Ahead of the Union Budget, Pankaj Nagpal, MD, Travstarz Global Group said, “It’s disappointing to see small countries like Singapore attracting13 million passengers whereas India which has so much to offer in terms of tourism is attracting 9 million passengers arrivals every year. GoI needs to understand the kind of scope and tourism potential India has, it should be getting over 100 million passengers every year.”

Addressing the 2nd “Healthcare Summit” of the American Chamber of India, Jitendra Singh, MoS, Science & Technology, said, “Gone are the days when people used to visit other developed nations to access medical facilities, India has become the most sought-after destination for medical tourism and is among the frontline nations in preventive healthcare.” 

Rohan Khaunte, Tourism Minister, Goa, said, “The state is looking forward to tap new and emerging markets by participating in global trade fairs. During Covid-19, the international footfall in Goa was only 33,000, which has now increased to 4.5 lakh this year.” In the last four years, Goa has spent ₹63 crore to promote the state within the country.

As an IT and telecommunication service provider to the air transport industry globally, SITA Aero in a recently held round table in New Delhi shed light on its ongoing collaborations with airlines and airports across India, detailing SITA’s projects and service offerings to their partner. The company also opened a new command centre in Gurugram to expand its portfolio in India. Keen to play a pivotal role in the growth journey of India’s aviation industry, SITA to drive state-of-the-art Airport Operational Database (AODB) and Flight Information Display System (FIDS) solutions, along with SITA Operations Manager services to Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) through advanced solutions. Together, these solutions revolutionise airport management by introducing new functionalities and providing superior operational control, promising significant benefits for CIAL. Responding to the question on Digi Yatra, David Lavorel, CEO, SITA Aero, said, “With the debut of Digi Yatra in June 2017 by the Civil Aviation Ministry of India, it has become a model for the world when it comes to using technology to facilitate hassle-free travel. It uses facial recognition technology to confirm passengers’ identities at various checkpoints, including security, boarding gates, and check-in, giving passengers a paperless and seamless experience.” Marking a significant milestone, SITA in a groundbreaking collaboration implemented the SITA Smart Path solution at Bangalore International Airport this month, which is aligned fully with the Digi Yatra program. The partnership sets a new standard for seamless, biometric-enabled travel experience in India. In this pioneering collaboration, BIAL is utilising SITA’s cutting-edge products and solutions, including SITA Smart Path, Passenger Flow Management (PFM) solution, and Face Pods. These technologies will enable biometric-enabled passenger processing at all touchpoints across the airport, ensuring a seamless …

Mayur Patel, Head of Asia, OAG Aviation, said, “India has made remarkable progress in its aviation industry, positioning itself as the third largest domestic aviation market in the world. India has witnessed substantial growth in its domestic aviation sector, showcasing the country’s expanding middle class and their rising disposable income.”