Category Archives: Agents

Sharing the idea behind organizing a virtual roadshow dedicated to MICE, Anil Srinivasan, Executive Director at JTB India, says, “The feedback we received from our corporate customers is that their channel partners were not very happy about doing more virtual meetings and events. They are keen to do offline events now and resume physical travel. We had been waiting for an apt time to launch our virtual roadshow – MICE Engage 2021 – where we could bring the buyers to meet exhibitors from the travel domain such as NTOs, hotels, airlines, etc.”

Essar Bulk Terminal Ltd (EBTL), part of ports business of Essar, today said that it a new cruise route from Hazira to Diu was launched from its passenger ferry terminal at Hazira Port, thus revolutionizing coastal transportation across the western coast of India and giving a boost to coastal tourism for the people of Gujarat. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ports, Shipping and Waterways & Minister of State for Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India flagged off the Ferry service at passenger terminal in Hazira through virtual presence. Under the Maritime Vision 2030, we are aiming for more than 350 cruise ships, 3000 plus cruise calls per annum, more than 3 cruise training academies and 5 million cruise passengers by 2030.  We are taking all-round steps to create perfect ecosystem for cruise industry.  The passenger ferry service has seen a giant leap with the development Hazira as a cruise tourism hub. This will also open up many opportunities for the tourism sector of Gujarat.” Jai Sofia, a cruise cum passenger ferry vessel with a capacity of 300 passengers will now sail in the inaugural route from Hazira to Diu. The vessel has all the facilities on board and provides a bouquet of services on board. The ferry services are being operated by SSR Marine Services Private Ltd Rajiv Agarwal, Managing Director – Essar Ports said, “This is a big milestone for us.  The Ferry Terminal was commissioned in record time and the ferry services through it are a significant addition to air, road, and rail-based connectivity along Indian coastline. It is part of our strategic plan to reduce congestion on roads, cut fuel consumption and limit air pollution. …

Wildlife conservationist Julian Matthews, Chairman of TOFTigers, underlines the need for sustainable tribal community based tourism and says, “We encourage tour operators to work with local people on the ground who really know what they are doing. They must do some research, make sure what they are offering is good and fair to village communities. The reality is that there are very few people who are doing this tribal format well. If we can do that, we will have an immersive and more sustainable travel itineraries, with local communities being the direct beneficiaries. Tribal cultures is a very underrated part of India’s present travel offerings. It is not done very well, and we need to get much better at it as a travel trade community.”

After a year-long hiatus, the Indian travel industry which was one of the hardest-hit sectors due to the pandemic is preparing for a big comeback as it takes the ‘Blue Route’. Cordelia Cruises by Waterways Leisure Tourism, a Dream Hotel Group venture will begin its cruise operations in India from May 2021. Cordelia Cruises will be India’s premium cruise liner cruising along the west and east coast of India to domestic destinations like Goa, Diu, and Lakshadweep and international destinations like Colombo, Galle, Trincomalee, Jaffna, and the Maldives. The group plans to invest approx. USD 300 million in the next 3 to 5 years for the development of the cruise sector in India. Waterways Leisure Tourism has forayed into the Indian cruise industry under the maiden brand, Cordelia Cruises, and is affiliated with the Dream Hotel Group which is a hotel and brand management company with more than 30 years of experience in managing properties around the world.  Asserting his belief in the potential of the Indian cruise market, Founder and Chairman of the Dream Hotel Group, Padma Bhushan Shri Sant Singh Chatwal, says, “Success through innovation has been the foundation for all our brands over the last three decades. We have seen the growth and evolution of cruise tourism around the world. With 7500 km of coastline and recent initiatives by the Indian government for coastal development, India is ready for cruising. There’s tremendous potential in the cruise market and we are confident that Cordelia Cruises will lead this new era of travel through experience and innovation. Incredible India will soon be an Incredible cruise destination as well for travellers around the world.”  

The Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited (TCGL) will offer 15% commission to Andhra Pradesh-based travel agents and agencies for promoting the ‘Statue of Unity’ at Kevadia in Gujarat. TCGL Tourism Officer (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu) Ajit Kumar Sharma, said, “Our state government is welcoming travel agents from Andhra Pradesh to be registered with the TCGL to give a fillip to the tourism at the Statue of Unity. Post COVID-19, we will offer a maximum of 15% commission to the agents from Andhra Pradesh.”

The sixth edition of the Bengal Travel Mart (BTM) will be held from 10th April, 2021 to 12th April 2021 at Mayfair Tea Resort, Siliguri – the gateway to the North Eastern part of India. Bengal Travel Mart is an initiative of the Eastern Himalaya Travel & Tour Operators Association (EHTTOA), West Bengal Tourism and the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India to showcase tourism in Siliguri, West Bengal.

Kamala Vardhan Rao, IAS, CMD of ITDC, has stressed on the need to encourage responsible tourism and how the state of Kerala can referred as a case study for the same. He said this while addressing government officials and tourism experts at an event recently. Rao also spoke about the success that can be achieved via expansion of hotels, better connectivity and availability of skilled human resources while keeping sustainability as a focus. He also shared insights on the strategy and work required to develop India as a tourism destination.

Sundance Mountain Resort has announced that construction will begin in the coming months for changes that will be in place for the 2021-2022 ski season. The new additions are: two new ski lifts and the retirement of the Rays lift, upgrades to snowmaking, more parking, renovations to the Creekside building. Resort leaders said one of the new lifts will be a seven-minute, high-speed quad to Mandan Summit at the resort. The lift will provide access to slopes for experienced and intermediate skiers, as well as mid-station unloading for routes easier for beginners. An additional fixed-grip lift will also be constructed to provide better access to the backside of the summit. The resort stated this lift will be used to provide more access to that area in the summertime. The resort is open during the non-snow season months with multiple outdoor activities available, including ziplining, mountain biking and hiking. The resort announced it will also build a ‘snowmaking reservoir’ which will help collect water for snow guns. The tools are used to create snow so a resort can open sooner if needed. The resort will also add 125 to 150 new parking spots to help address busier ski days. “We are excited for what these improvements mean for the future of Sundance Mountain Resort,” said Chad Linebaugh, the resort’s president and general manager. Of course, the biggest change in Sundance’s 52-year-old history is new ownership. Robert Redford had owned the facility since founding the resort in 1969 but sold it to Broadreach Capital Partners and Cedar Capital Partners late last year. The legendary actor said that he selected the new owners because they shared his values and promised to maintain the resort’s …

The Globus family of brands has launched a new touring style called ‘Choice Touring by Globus’ which offers travellers 13 new itineraries in Europe and North America. Sharing more details on this is Varesh Chopra, Regional Director – India, Middle East & South Asia for the Globus family of brands, who says, “Our streak of innovation continues. We just introduced 6 domestic vacations for travel within India under the brand of Monograms India Discoveries. And now we are gearing anew with yet another innovation. With the introduction of Choice Touring by Globus, we’re giving travelers a whole new way to cure their curiosities. On these new, special itineraries, they can choose from a menu of memories while still enjoying everything they love about a perfectly planned tour.” In addition to providing guided sightseeing at the must-see sights, Choice Touring by Globus presents YourChoice Excursions: A selection of curated experiences in key and off-the-beaten-path destinations – included in the package price – so travellers can tailor their tours.

ForwardKeys’ air ticketing data has revealed that domestic air travel in the first week of March 2021 has bounced back to 84% of 2019 levels. “Although the path to recovery has been bumpy but the air traffic levels have increased in a calibrated approach. Back in the lowest month of April 2020, domestic passengers were at 14% of 2019 levels but approching April 2021, situation is certainly improving.”