Category Archives: Agents

Mumbai-based KKR World has been appointed as the India representative for BLS Interlaken Cruises. KKR World is a business venture of Kunal Kothari, former Head of Rail Europe India, and represents products like Rhaetian Railways (Glacier Express, Bernina Express) and Railtour Suisse, since 2019. Sharing this news is Niklaus Hotz, Sales Manager for BLS Interlaken Cruises who says, “We were looking for an experienced new partner to consolidate our market presence in India despite the challenging circumstances. KKR World represents already a supplier portfolio that fits perfectly with our product. Like this we can bundle knowledge and improve the quality in the consultation process for our customers. BLS Interlaken Lake Cruises wants to be ready to welcoming international guests as soon as borders reopen again. Therefore, we think it is very essential to keep in touch with relevant accounts in our key markets even in difficult times. Our ] objective is to increase the number of Indian visitors enjoying a cruise with BLS on Lakes Thun and Brienz during their visit to Interlaken.” BLS Interlaken Lake Cruises, operational since 1913, on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz in the Bernese Oberland, operating hourly scheduled cruises from spring to autumn. During the winter season, BLS operate individual cruises on Lake Thun, such as the popular winter steamboat excursion on the paddle steamer Blümlisalp, welcoming around 1 million boat passengers and are therefore one of the biggest tourism operators in the Bernese Oberland. It not only operates scheduled cruises but also organises special culinary cruises, such as the Fondue Chinoise Cruise and the Lake Thun Brunch Cruise.

IATO President, Rajiv Mehra has said that WhatsApp groups for efficient communication with all members are getting ready and he is hopeful that the first group will be functional in next 72 hours. “It takes time since manual feeding of all numbers has to be done to add members in the group. The data work is being done at the moment and it should be done very soon,” he said. The WhatsApp group for efficient communication with members was one of promise made by the new IATO President.

TravelBullz has signed up Bangalore Classic Tours and Travels as GSA for South Indian market for enhancing reach and expansion across South India. The move will allow travel partners to increase their product portfolio and earn more revenue with the advanced B2B booking engine provided by TravelBullz. Bangalore Classic founded by Amarnath N is serving the industry since 1983.  

Sharing details of the recent group tour that her company conducted successfully, Benazir Nazar, CEO, Akbar Holidays, says, “Our commitment to the client to operate a group of such size was a tough decision during these times. Our operational team in India made sure that visas and COVID tests were done on time, and we even managed permissions to operate charters.”

Travel Consul’s global survey with travel advisors shows that the length of stay for international trips has more than doubled between October 2020 and February 2021. While in October last year, the length of stay was anywhere between 1 to 7 days, this year in February, the same ranged between 8 to 14 days.

Swiss Travel System launches a new e-learning platform called the ‘Swiss Travel System Excellence Program’ for travel agents where they can learn everything about Swiss public transport. Gain knowledge and win attractive prizes with Heidi and Peter as they take the travel trade on a learning journey through the new Swiss Travel System Excellence Program. Sign up by 31 March, 2021 and four lucky winners will win Bucherer watches worth €400 each. Register at https://elearning.mystsnet.com/?utm_source=traveltrendstoday&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=stsexcellence2021

TOFTigers will launch the world’s best-known global Travelife Certification for travel operators and DMCs in the Indian market on April 7. The programme helps travel businesses evaluate, set targets, prove and communicate their sustainable mission and achievements. The tools are free with TOFTigers membership. To know more, contact Ritu Makhija at ritu.makhija@toftindia.org.

Sanjay Arya, CEO, KFT Holidays, started watching cricket in England in 1983, the year India won the World Cup. “However, I came back before the final since we weren’t too hopeful about the Indian team. But whenever I visit England and India is playing, I go watch a few matches. The last match I saw there was India v/s Pakistan in Manchester in 2019 World Cup, courtesy VisitBritain. It was electrifying! I even made my team in the VisitBritain Cricket Carnival and played the last game. Although I didn’t win, I will change my strategy for the next game.” Register on http://bit.ly/VisitBritainCricketCarnival or contact Vartik Sethi on vartik.sethi@ddppl.com or +91 83684 28139.  

Sunil VA, Regional Vice President, ISC and APAC, Oman Air, has shared that it’s the perfect time to have this kind of an event and it’s a great start since there are many cricket enthusiasts in the trade who have gone through a lot in the last 7-8 months. Register on http://bit.ly/VisitBritainCricketCarnival or contact Vartik Sethi on vartik.sethi@ddppl.com or +91 83684 28139.

Speaking at The Art of Travel roadshow in Delhi, Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visas, Thomas Cook India, said, “Corporates have realised the importance of physical MICE events. MICE is an art and this art is going to be experienced by travelling. There is no alternative to a physical MICE event. It will bounce back heavily and we need to be prepared for it.”