Category Archives: Agents

Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection, Dubai’s quintessential luxury hospitality landmark, recently hosted an exclusive evening to appreciate the esteemed Indian travel trade partners for their continued collaboration and promotion efforts. The elegant networking event was held at Tamasha, Worli in Mumbai on 11th July 2025. The event offered an engaging atmosphere marked by curated hospitality, meaningful networking, and forward-looking conversations. The immersive experience presented incomparable service provided by the Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection. The evening also provided the attending guests to discuss future opportunities with key members of the hotel collection’s senior leadership team, including Vishesh Amerkar, Complex Director of Sales – MICE, and Tulay Kilic, Complex Director of Marketing. Speaking about the event, Tulay Kilic, Complex Director of Marketing, Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection said, “India remains one of our strongest and most consistent source markets, and this event is our way of expressing gratitude to our valued partners for their continued support year after year. It has provided a great platform to strengthen existing relationships and explore new opportunities, as we remain committed to delivering exclusive, luxury experiences in the iconic travel destination of Dubai” The Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection features Al Habtoor Palace Dubai, part of the Legend Collection by Preferred Hotels & Resorts, V Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection by Hilton, and Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City. Each property offers its own distinctive style of luxury and personalized hospitality, while providing seamless access to Dubai’s most sought-after attractions.

Cross Hotels & Resorts invites Indian MICE travel agents to its special webinar on 15 July at 3pm IST to explore dynamic MICE opportunities at brand’s properties across Thailand. Get insights on enriching itineraries for your corporate clients. Register and win exciting prizes. For further info, contact sandeep.raghav@crosshotelsandresorts.in or 9599076699.

 From 9–13 June, New York City Tourism + Conventions successfully held its first-ever India Business Expo, bringing together 14 key Indian travel trade professionals for three impactful days of business development, destination discovery, and cultural exchange. Over 30 member businesses across all five boroughs took part in the mission, representing a mix of iconic attractions and new experiences. Leading hospitality players also participated, highlighting the city’s robust offering for Indian outbound travellers. The itinerary featured one-on-one meetings, a Broadway show, Five Borough Marketplace buyers meet, and visits to top cultural and lifestyle attractions—giving Indian buyers a deeper understanding of New York City’s tourism appeal. Highlights included a private screening of “Encounters in the Milky Way” at the American Museum of Natural History, an exclusive Broadway Night featuring Q&As with cast members from Aladdin and The Lion King, and a behind-the-scenes “Wild Encounter” at the Bronx Zoo with a sloth and armadillo—memorable moments that brought NYC’s vibrancy and storytelling to life. Reflecting on the success of the market’s inaugural Business Expo, Makiko Matsuda Healy, Senior Vice President, Tourism Market Development, said, “India continues to be one of New York City’s most promising and engaged visitor markets. The 2025 India Business Expo was a resounding success – not only did it strengthen relationships with our key trade partners, but it also gave us the opportunity to showcase the depth and diversity of experiences across the five boroughs. We’re excited about the continued growth from India and remain committed to fostering long-term collaboration with this market.” New York City is home to the world’s busiest airport system and remains the number one port of entry for U.S. international travelers. The city welcomed 64.5 …

The Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group and Mandai Wildlife Group have launched a three-year strategic partnership aimed at enhancing Singapore’s appeal as a top travel destination, co-creating customer experiences through exclusive privileges, and spotlighting the interesting yet crucial work of wildlife conservation for the planet. The collaboration champions Singapore’s vision of being a City in Nature with the Mandai Wildlife Reserve as a unique window to the wild. As part of efforts to boost inbound travel from key international markets, SIA customers will gain access to curated wildlife experiences, exclusive co-branded retail collections, and benefits for visits to the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, home to Singapore’s iconic wildlife parks which actively contribute to regional conservation efforts. As part of the partnership, the SIA Group and Mandai Wildlife Group will also collaborate on wildlife conservation efforts, with SIA providing air travel sponsorships and other forms of logistical support.  This may include assistance in transferring animals between Singapore’s wildlife parks and other accredited zoos around the world, as well as the repatriation of wildlife to their native habitats. Vinod Kannan, Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing, Singapore Airlines, said: “This partnership strengthens our ability to offer our customers enhanced benefits, while supporting wildlife initiatives in Singapore and around the world. Combining the Singapore Airlines Group’s global reach with Mandai’s world-class wildlife attractions helps to enhance Singapore’s appeal as a leading global tourist destination.” Belina Lee, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Transformation and Growth, Mandai Wildlife Group, added: “Two iconic Singapore brands have joined forces to create world class experiences for global travellers, that also champion conservation. Every visit supports conservation in our wildlife parks, across Singapore and the region. Together with Singapore Airlines, we are …

IRIS Reps announces its newest partnership with Barceló Hotels & Resorts, adding yet another prestigious name to its growing global portfolio. This exciting collaboration will place special focus on promoting Barceló’s stunning resorts in the Maldives and Thailand to the Indian travel trade. With a legacy of excellence, Barceló Hotels & Resorts is known for delivering exceptional guest experiences across its premium resort destinations. The group’s properties in Maldives and Thailand stand out for their blend of contemporary comfort, unmatched locations, and thoughtful service – ideal for Indian FITs, small groups, MICE, and celebratory travel. Alefiya Singh, Founder of IRIS Reps, shared her enthusiasm about the new partnership: “Barceló is a remarkable brand that perfectly aligns with our vision to bring high-quality international hospitality experiences to Indian travelers. We are particularly excited to promote their properties in the Maldives and Thailand – destinations that continue to be in high demand across various Indian segments. With our strong B2B network and local insights, we aim to create meaningful traction for Barceló in the Indian market.” Thibaut Biguet, Commercial Director at Barceló Hotels & Resorts, added: “India is a key growth market for us, and partnering with IRIS Reps gives us the right platform to reach and engage with the Indian travel trade. With their in-depth market knowledge and strong distribution channels, we are confident this collaboration will elevate Barceló’s presence in India – especially for our resort offerings in the Maldives and Thailand.” This partnership marks a strategic move for both organizations as they work together to enhance brand awareness, drive bookings, and create tailored experiences for the evolving Indian traveler.

M/s N V Hospitality, a respected hospitality firm based in Bhuj, proudly announces its partnership with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchising company by number of properties, to develop a new hotel under the Ramada Encore by Wyndham brand in the heart of Gujarat’s Kutch region. The upcoming Ramada Encore by Wyndham Bhuj will be a greenfield development featuring 50 guest rooms, an all-day dining restaurant, meeting facilities, spa, swimming pool, and a range of modern amenities tailored to today’s leisure and business travelers. The project is currently in the planning phase and is expected to open in 2028. Bhuj, a culturally rich and historic city in Gujarat’s Kutch district, is renowned for its vibrant handicrafts, desert landscapes, and architectural heritage. As the gateway to the Rann of Kutch, Bhuj attracts a growing number of tourists, particularly during the celebrated Rann Utsav festival. The city is well-connected by air, with direct flights to Mumbai and Delhi, and is easily accessible by road from Ahmedabad, Rajkot, and Gandhidham. Niraj Prakash Vazirani, Partner, M/s N V Hospitality, said: “Bringing the Ramada Encore brand to Bhuj is a meaningful step in our journey to enhance the hospitality offerings of the region. This partnership with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts enables us to combine international standards with local culture, and we’re proud to contribute to Bhuj’s continued growth as a tourism and commercial destination.” Rahool Macarius, Market Managing Director, Eurasia, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, added: “Bhuj represents a significant addition to our network of emerging destinations across Eurasia. It’s a city that blends tradition, art, and resilience—and we’re excited to contribute to its evolution with a hotel that offers both contemporary comfort and …

India’s rising influence in global tourism was spotlighted at the 54th Skal Asia Congress, held in Colombo, Sri Lanka recently, as Padmashri Dr. Mukesh Batra, President of Skal International South Mumbai, was honoured with two prestigious Asian Awards. The recognition celebrates the chapter’s outstanding contributions to tourism leadership, sustainability, and collaborative growth, reinforcing India’s expanding footprint on the world tourism map. Themed around “Unity, Leadership, and Transformational Tourism,” the Congress brought together over 275 delegates from 19 countries, including dignitaries such as Skål International President Denise Scrafton, Skål Asia President – Keethi Jayaweera, Skål Colombo President -Ahintha Amarasinghe, Congress Chairperson – Sharmili Vaz, and Skål India National President – Sanjeev Mehra. Skål International Mumbai South received: • 1st Runner-Up for Highest Growth in Numbers • 2nd Runner-Up for Highest Percentage Growth These awards honour the Mumbai chapter’s dynamic expansion and increasing member engagement over the past year. Receiving the award, Dr. Batra said, “It was an honour to accept two Asian Awards on behalf of the Skal Club. This recognition comes at a critical time when tourism is evolving toward sustainability, community engagement, and ethical growth. This is a collective recogniton, and I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all our members who have worked tirelessly to make this possible.” He also took the opportunity to invite delegates from across the globe to visit Mumbai at the Skål India National Congress 2025 in Mumbai to be hosted by Skal Mumbai South. India had a strong presence at the Congress with over 120 delegates representing 13 clubs, demonstrating Skal India’s growing influence. Other Indian clubs were also recognised at the Congress, but Skål Mumbai South received two awards, underscoring its performance and …

Destination DC has announced the relaunch of its Washington, DC Special Agent Academy, complete with an exciting new incentive for travel professionals in India. This interactive, online training program empowers agents with the knowledge and resources they need to expertly sell Washington, DC as a premier U.S. travel destination. As part of this relaunch, Indian travel professionals who complete the Special Agent Academy by 31st July 2025 will be eligible to win Amazon gift vouchers worth Rs. 3000. Participants must successfully complete the academy’s three engaging ‘Core Missions’ to earn the coveted title of Washington, DC Special Agent: Mission Information: Essential details about Washington, DC. Mission 3M’s: Monuments, Memorials, and Museums—exploring DC’s most iconic attractions. Mission There’s Only 1 DC: Understanding what makes Washington, DC truly unique. Why Enroll?By becoming a certified Washington, DC Special Agent, travel professionals will: Enhance their expertise in the U.S. capital, becoming trusted advisors for clients planning American holidays. Unlock access to exclusive discounts and rewards for themselves and their clients. Stand a chance to win Amazon gift vouchers worth up to Rs. 3000. Travel professionals can register for the Washington, DC Special Agent Academy today by visiting washington.org/traveltrade/special-agent-academy. Complete all three missions by 31st July 2025 to qualify for this limited-time incentive

Agoda has revealed its list of the most budget-friendly summer destinations in Asia for June to August 2025. Surabaya, Indonesia, leads the list with an average room rate of just INR 3037 per night*, making it a top choice for those eager to embrace culture and adventure this summer. Surabaya is followed closely by Tirupati, with average room rates of ₹3211 per night.

Enterprising Travel Agents Association (ETAA) South Chapter has announced its newly elected committee for 2025–2026. Chairman and Regional Director is Joyson, Vice Chairperson is Princy K.D, Secretary is Dinesh, and Treasurer is Vimalesh. The new chairman plans to host an event in Bengaluru every alternate month and take ETAA events to tier 2 cities as well.