Category Archives: Agents

Sharing his audacious vision for IHCL, its CEO & MD, Puneet Chhatwal, says, “With the highest GDP growth and a rapidly expanding middle-income segment, the road ahead for Indian hospitality looks exceptionally promising. Over the past seven years of my tenure—including the challenging pandemic years—IHCL has evolved into a robust brand with a portfolio of over 380 hotels. On average, we have opened 15 hotels annually and we are committed to maintaining this momentum. We aim to double our revenue and portfolio to 700 hotels by 2030. When you have willingness to do, you find ways to do it.”

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) will have its refurbished ship Norwegian Sky dock at the Mumbai port on April 7 as part of its 14-night port-intensive Asia itinerary. Norwegian Sky is sailing from Singapore with stops in Port Klang (Malaysia), Phuket (Thailand), Galle (Sri Lanka), Kochi (April 4), New Mangalore (April 5), Mormugao (April 6), Mumbai (April 7), Dubai and Abu Dhabi before concluding its journey in Doha, Qatar. At the Mumbai stopover, guests will have the opportunity to explore the city’s rich heritage, whether its iconic landmarks like the Gateway of India and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus or its bustling markets and historic neighbourhoods. This visit reflected NCL’s commitment to curating more immersive local experiences that connect the brand’s international guests with the destinations they visit. “Asia remains a key focus for NCL, both as a source market and a sought-after destination for global travellers. The arrival of Norwegian Sky in Mumbai highlights our dedication to offering diverse and immersive itineraries across the region.” said Manoj Singh, Country Head- India, Norwegian Cruise Line.  “Following her visit to India, Norwegian Sky will explore Europe’s most captivating destinations in 2025 and 2026 providing Indian travellers the opportunity to experience more to see, more to do and more to enjoy on a range of 7–15-day immersive itineraries that will visit a new destination each day while enjoying world-class dining, entertainment and relaxation onboard”. Spanning 846 feet (258 meters) in length with a gross tonnage of 77,104, Norwegian Sky accommodates 1944 guests and 899 crew members, offering a well-appointed cruising experience Originally launched in 1999 and refurbished in 2024, the ship features a variety of dining venues, entertainment spaces and recreational facilities providing guests with a comfortable …

Gary Robson, who will now look after VisitBritain teams and activity in the Middle East and India as well as Europe, shares his excitement and says, “These are exciting markets with massive growth potential. Tourism from India is forecast to contribute £1.4 billion and GCC £4.5 BN to the UK economy by 2030. I’m learning so much on a daily basis and enjoying working with our talented teams in market.”

Understand how your clients can enjoy their summer at Resorts World Sentosa Singapore during this hour-long webinar on 11 April that will focus on new attractions, luxury accommodations. For more information or to register, please contact Jasmeet Singh at jasmeet.singh@buzztravelmarketing.com or call +919953432363.

VFS Global is pleased to announce that it has been appointed as the destination representation partner for CzechTourism in India to showcase Czechia’s diverse travel experiences and unique attractions. Leveraging its extensive reach and expertise, VFS Global will represent CzechTourism to drive marketing, public relations and trade engagement efforts to boost visitor numbers and enhance overall awareness of Czechia as a premier destination. Travelers from India can experience Czechia’s exciting outdoor activities and rich cultural heritage—featuring majestic castles, chateaux, seventeen UNESCO monuments, historic cities and Czech cuisine in traditional and modern form with a glass of premium Czech beer or local wine. With this strategic collaboration, CzechTourism and VFS Global are poised to elevate Czechia’s presence on the global tourism map, inspiring more travellers to explore the country’s extraordinary beauty and cultural richness. Jana Štumpová Konicarová, Marketing Director and Director of Foreign offices at CzechTourism, expressed, “We are excited to continue our long-standing partnership with VFS Global to promote Czechia’s rich cultural and natural attractions to travellers from India. In 2024, Czechia welcomed over eighty thousand Indian visitors, reflecting a growing interest in our vibrant cities, historic landmarks and serene countryside. Through this partnership, we aim to inspire even more travellers to explore and create lasting memories in one of Europe’s most captivating destinations.” Barbara Andelová, International Marketing Manager – New Markets at CzechTourism, added, “Partnering with VFS Global presents a tremendous opportunity to amplify Czechia’s presence in India. With a strategic focus on PR and marketing initiatives, our goal is to showcase Czechia’s deep-rooted heritage, diverse landscapes and unique travel experiences to a broader audience. Through this collaboration, we look forward to building stronger connections with the travel trade …

Los Angeles Tourism invites you to the third and final webinar in its exclusive travel trade series today at 3 PM IST. Stay updated with the latest insights on the city’s vibrant attractions, experiences, and travel offerings. Those attending all three webinars will qualify for a special prize! For more info or to register, contact at jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

VFS Global successfully concluded its six-city roadshow, attracting an overwhelming response from the travel trade community. More than 750 travel agents participated in the events held across Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Chandigarh, and New Delhi. Organised ahead of the peak travel season, the roadshow aimed to strengthen VFS Global’s engagement with travel agents – key partners in supporting visa applicants. The initiative was supported by leading travel trade associations such as the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), and the Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI), whose leadership echoed the importance of collaboration between industry stakeholders. “The response to our roadshows across cities has been truly heartening, and the positive feedback from the travel trade means a great deal to us,” said Yummi Talwar, Chief Operating Officer – South Asia, VFS Global. “Travel agents are an essential part of India’s travel ecosystem, often being the first point of contact for visa-related guidance. It’s important for us to remain connected with them, understand their concerns, and do all we can within our remit to support both them and the travellers. These roadshows reflect our continued commitment to working closely with travel trade.” During the roadshows, VFS Global introduced a dedicated referral programme for travel agents, designed to encourage closer collaboration and improve the overall visa application experience for its customers. Travel agents were also encouraged to advise customers to apply early for visas to avoid peak season delays. VFS Global reminded attendees that most countries accept visa applications up to 90 days in advance, with Schengen countries accepting applications as early as six months prior to travel. UK visa applications can be submitted …

Los Angeles Tourism invites you to the third and final webinar in its exclusive travel trade series on 8 April at 3 PM IST. Stay updated with the latest insights from the partners on the city’s vibrant attractions, experiences, and travel offerings. Attend all three webinars and qualify for a special prize! For more info or to register, please contact Jaspreet Kaur at jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

Speaking at a hospitality event, Naveen Kundu, MD, Ebixcash Travel Services, said, “To attract Indian travellers, the global hospitality industry must get its hotels ‘India ready’.” He suggested focus should be on food and beverage including other amenities and services and there should be an India manager for India market. India is never going to disappoint you, he added.

DreamSetGo has been appointed as the first-ever Official Hospitality Sales Agent from India for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. The stunning Italian Alps will serve as the backdrop for this year’s Winter Olympics, offering an unparalleled setting for the world’s most exhilarating winter sports. In this exciting partnership with On Location, the Official Hospitality Provider for the Olympic Games, DreamSetGo is bringing Indian fans closer to the action. This collaboration promises a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, combining exclusive access to the sporting events with bespoke travel and luxury hospitality experiences.