SriLankan Airlines has once again been recognized as the Leading International Airline in South Asia under the Visitors’ Choice Awards category at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2024, marking its second consecutive win in this prestigious category.  This accolade reinforces the airline’s status as a powerhouse in the aviation industry of South Asia, with an unmatched legacy of service and hospitality, and a comprehensive flight schedule serving 85% of the South Asian region. SATA, an annual event, celebrates the best of South Asia’s hospitality and travel industries and is widely regarded as one of the region’s most eminent travel awards, endorsed by over 18 regional tourism organisations. Winners are determined based on votes from both industry professionals and passengers, making the award a reflection of industry excellence and customer satisfaction. Commenting on the award, Fawzan Fareid, Regional Manager India, Bangladesh & Nepal, SriLankan Airlines, said, “We are honoured to be recognized as a leader in the region by our valued customers. South Asia is integral to our network, and SriLankan Airlines spares no effort in providing seamless connections between the region and the world, while delivering our renowned Sri Lankan hospitality onboard, along with meals and entertainment thoughtfully tailored to suit localised preferences. I would like to dedicate this award to all the teams overseeing South Asia for their unwavering commitment to serve our customers.” SriLankan Airlines’ vision is to provide passengers with an authentically Sri Lankan experience, characterized by the warmth and hospitality that is so distinct to the country. This vision is reflected in every award the airline has scored for service, including the continuous Four-Star Rating in the Major Airline category at the Airline Passenger Experience …

Lisha Krishnan, Travel Trade, Tourism Office, Spain won the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Cultural Tourism’ award at the India Travel Awards. Upon receiving the award, she said, “The NTO’s collaborations aim to create a bridge between Spain and India ultimately allowing the Indian travellers to truly explore and experience the Spanish culture.”

Two-day Mélange 2024, organised by Team MTF, concluded successfully in Mumbai. Thanking participants, Pradeep Saboo, Co-organiser, Mélange, said, “Your faith and confidence in Mélange have been the key to our achievements.” Mélange 2025 will be held on 20 to 21 September, he said.

Outward remittances by Indians rose to their highest level in 10 months to nearly $2.8 billion in July 2024, stated an RBI report. The increase is the result of a spike in overseas travel spending, the share of which also jumped to 60% from 51% a year ago. Indians spent $1.6 billion in overseas travel in July as against $1.3 billion in June and an average of $1.2 billion in the first quarter, it added.

H.E. Issa Saleh Al Shaibani, Oman’s Ambassador to India, announced that Oman has officially launched its latest tourism initiative, the ‘Journey into the Heart of Oman’ campaign, scheduled to commence in January 2025. The campaign will attract participation from various business organisations from India and other countries, aiming to showcase Oman’s rich tourism potential and diverse offerings.

Ananta Udaipur won the ‘Best Destination Wedding Resort’ award at the India Travel Awards. “We have onboarded eight properties, each operating under a different model and are committed to maintaining standards across diverse locations,” said Ashutosh Goyal, Director, Ananta Hotels & Resorts, upon receiving the award.

P.A. Mohamed Riyas, Tourism & PWD Minister, Kerala, said, “The tourism department will organise a ‘tribal cultural festival’ this year to promote tourism in Wayanad by highlighting the cultural and ethnic heritage of the place, adding that Wayanad had a special place on the tourism map owing to its immense possibilities for adventure tourism and balmy weather.”

The number of operational airports in the country has increased from 74 in 2014 to 157 in 2024, said the Ministry of Civil Aviation, with plans to expand this number to 350-400 by 2047. Meanwhile, the domestic air passengers have more than doubled, making India the third-largest domestic aviation market. The Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN) launched in 2016 has significantly contributed to this growth.

Three-day Tamil Nadu Travel Expo (TTE) is scheduled to kick off at the IDA Scudder Auditorium in Madurai from today. The event aims to boost the state’s tourism profile and attract a larger number of visitors both from within India and neighbouring countries to the state.

The German National Tourist Office (GNTO), India, in collaboration with Visit Berlin, hosted an exclusive press event at AER, one of Mumbai’s most stylish and vibrant locations. The evening showcased Germany as a premier travel destination, highlighting Berlin’s cultural and vibrant attractions for Indian travellers. Guests indulged in traditional German cuisine, sampling local flavours. Attended by leading media personalities, influential influencers, social media engagers, and content creators from Mumbai and beyond, the event witnessed remarkable participation. Key representatives from Visit Berlin, Burkhard Kieker, CEO and Ralf Ostendorf, Director Market & Media Relations presented encouraging statistics, revealing a significant growth in Indian visitors with 59.800 overnights until July 2024 with a growth of +25% compared to the year 2023. The evening highlighted Berlin’s upcoming festivals: Festival of Lights 2024 from October 4th to 13th. The 20th anniversary is illuminating the theme ‘Celebrating Freedom. 35 years later, Berlin will commemorate the fall of the Wall, official ceremonies are planned for 9 November 2024. In 2023, Indian travellers undertook 15.25 million outbound trips, with 2.8 million heading to Europe, including 311,000 to Germany which ranked as the 3rd most popular European destination. Tour holidays and city breaks are the top choices for Indian travellers, but Germany’s scenic landscapes also make it a dream destination for Indian honeymoon trips, capturing the magic of Bollywood-inspired love stories. The numbers show 440.577 overnight stays from January to June 2024, a significant improvement from the 6.9% decline in June 2023. This upward trend indicates a strong interest in Germany as a travel destination among Indian tourists, and we are excited to see this growth continue. The successful event sets the stage for GNTO India’s 4-city roadshow in …