Air India, India’s leading global airline, and Merlin Entertainments, a global leader in location-based, family entertainment, have entered a global partnership for Air India’s Flying Returns (FR) loyalty programme. Effective 08 May 2024, Flying Returns members will earn Reward Points when they buy tickets to Merlin Entertainments’ Madame Tussauds across nine locations around the world. Two more Madame Tussauds locations will be added for the offering in the coming weeks, thus covering all worldwide locations of the popular tourist attraction. The partnership is powered by GlobalTix, Asia’s leading travel technology company, which enables the booking transactions. Air India’s Flying Returns members can earn up to 16 FR points per INR 100/USD 1.2 spent across participating Madame Tussauds locations. As part of an exclusive launch offer valid on bookings made until 25 June 2024 and visits completed until 30 June 2024, Flying Returns members can earn double Reward Points at five Madame Tussauds locations, namely Singapore, Bangkok, Dubai, London and New York. During the limited period, Flying Returns members will also get a complimentary entry for one child (2-11 years) accompanied by two adults at select Madame Tussauds locations. Air India and Merlin Entertainments signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at a ceremonial event held at the iconic Madame Tussauds Dubai during the on-going Arabian Travel Market 2024. Flying Returns members can earn FR Reward Points on tickets to the participating Madame Tussauds locations by purchasing their tickets here: https://airindia.tickete.co/partner/madame-tussauds-flying-returns-air-india/ Dominique Sidley, Global Trade Strategy Director, Merlin Entertainments, stated: “We at Merlin Entertainments are excited about this partnership with India’s leading airline, Air India, and to welcoming the ‘Flying Returns’ members to our incredible attractions across the globe. India is a …

Goa Tourism proudly commenced its journey in the esteemed Arabian Travel Market (ATM) Dubai 2024, one of the world’s premier travel and tourism events. With the kickstarting of ATM Dubai, Goa Tourism’s pavilion has become a hub of activity, attracting buyers from around the globe. This presents a remarkable opportunity for all our co-exhibitors to showcase their offerings and forge valuable partnerships. Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, Director Tourism, Govt. of Goa and Managing Director of Goa Tourism Development Corporation, expressed his delight at the successful launch of the event’s first day, stating, “The ongoing ATM Dubai event has ignited an exciting journey for Goa Tourism. It’s invigorating to see such enthusiastic engagement from visitors and buyers, setting a promising tone for the remaining days. With anticipation high, we look forward to even greater levels of interaction and collaboration over the next few days of the event.” As anticipation builds for increased engagement over the coming days at ATM Dubai, Goa Tourism is eager to spotlight its distinctive approach to Regenerative Tourism through pavilion number AS7259 at Hall 7. With a focus on sustainability and immersion, visitors can expect a glimpse into the state’s rich tapestry of travel experiences. From the tranquil depths of spiritual tourism to the vibrant ensemble of Goa beyond its famed beaches, including its lush hinterland, the showcase promises to unveil the multifaceted essence of this coastal gem. Through innovative initiatives and strategic partnerships, the team is committed to demonstrating how Goa’s brand of Regenerative Tourism has the power to redefine the travel landscape, offering both visitors and locals alike a deeper, more meaningful connection to this beloved destination. As ATM Dubai 2024 unfolds, Goa Tourism eagerly anticipates …

Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency announces its partnership with the Outbound Tour Operators Association of India to organise a mega familiarisation (FAM) trip for its members from 30 June to 6 July. The initiative is dedicated to highlighting the myriad attractions of Türkiye to Indian travel agents. A total of 40 OTOAI members from across India will be participating in this exciting endeavour, representing diverse regions and tourism interests.

Speaking on the sidelines of the 2-day Fiji Tourism Exchange, Brent Hill, CEO, Tourism Fiji, said, “Indian tourists visiting Australia or New Zealand can be a great source market for Fiji, which is visa-free for Indian nationals, and we plan to tap that.” Over 80 suppliers are showcasing their products to 125+ buyers from key markets including three travel agents namely Kesari Tours, PickYourTrail, and Thomas Cook India from India.

Manish Sharma, Chairman, Gujarat Tourism Corporation Society, said, “Indian electoral process has been increasingly in demand during assembly elections. UP, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka have been highlighted as “tourism-friendly states”, and visitors can be “easily facilitated to experience the process” here. If government takes the initiative of promoting election tourism, 5-7 lakh tourists can be brought to India for elections alone.”

Indian Ministry of Tourism showcases its strength at ATM 2024 with a strong delegation led by Gyan Bhushan, Senior Economic Advisor, MOT and Arun Srivastava, Joint Director, General, MOT. It also launched a campaign to promote India as a holistic destination. More than 55 participants from India including State Tourism, IRCTC, tour operators, hotels, airlines etc are participating in the show.

In today’s fast-paced world of travel, unexpected disruptions can quickly turn a dream trip into a nightmare. While travel insurance is a common safeguard, its true value lies in adapting to the unique needs of modern adventurers. Enter the latest offering from TATA AIG’s- TRAVEL GUARD PLUS, redefining travel insurance with significant tech improvements and innovative features tailored to enhance every aspect of the journey. Enhanced Travel Experience: Beyond Coverage TATA AIG’s latest product transcends conventional travel insurance. It offers the unique perk of upgrading to business class in case of flight disruptions. Picture the seamless transition, ensuring uninterrupted journeys amidst unexpected hiccups. It has also introduced smaller trip bands ranging from 0-4 days. With this plan, TATA AIG also introduced upgraded medical insurance plans with higher coverage options: a High Medical Sum Insured plan offering USD 750,000 and USD 1,000,000, a Senior Plus plan with up to $100,000 coverage, and a Super Senior plan with up to $50,000 coverage. Enhanced benefits include expanded pre-existing condition coverage up to $20,000, with premiums linked to the chosen medical Sum Insured (2-6%), now exclusively covering life-threatening conditions. Instant Gratification: Redefining Flight Disruptions Flight delays or cancellations often lead to frustration. However, with TATA AIG’s enhanced travel insurance, travellers gain instant gratification through real-time and immediate compensation. This ground-breaking feature sets a new standard in the insurance industry, which not only eases financial burdens but also transforms delays into opportunities for enhanced travel experiences. For example, in the event of a flight delay, our proactive system tracks the flight’s status. As soon as the delay exceeds the chosen deductible time, compensation is promptly credited to the insured party. Personalized Support: Every Step of …

At the inauguration of ITC Ratnadipa in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sanjiv Puri, Chairman and Managing Director, ITC, said, “ITC Hotels plans to open more hotels in neighbouring countries. The brand which opened 22 new properties in the last 24 months, plans to add another 70 hotels in the next five years in India as part of expansion plans in the hospitality sector.:

Ankit Hakhu, Director, CRISIL Ratings, said, “Taking off from the strong base of last fiscal, passenger traffic growth will continue its momentum in fiscal 2025 and rise more than 10% to over 415 million. Continuing economic growth, opening of more airports and improving regional connectivity are providing the tailwinds necessary for domestic traffic growth.”

Highlighting India’s growing importance in the global travel market, Bernstein in its report said, “India is on its way to emerge to 5th place in outbound travel spending by 2027, reaching $89 billion compared to its current 10th position at $38 billion in 2019. The country is also expected to become the 3rd largest domestic travel market by 2027, with expenditures reaching $174 billion, up from $127 billion in 2029 when it held the 5th position.”