Category Archives: Agents

Element has announced a partnership with travel technology company Zenmer to provide its latest advanced booking tool to Travel Management Companies (TMCs) and corporates across the globe. Headquartered in India, Zenmer builds innovative booking solutions for TMCs using the most advanced technologies that connect with all GDSs, NDC, direct airline connects and hotel consolidators and aggregators. This latest product has been developed for corporate travellers that want a leisure experience when using an enterprise corporate booking tool (CBT). Element, which provides cutting-edge travel technology, consultation and support to TMCs across the globe will be adding this CBT to its extensive portfolio. Gavin Smith, Director at Element, says, “We are extremely proud to bring Zenmer out of their home region and make this CBT available to our clients across the world. The team at Zenmer have developed and built a great platform that gives TMCs the CBT they have been looking for” Through its TMC clients Zenmer drives business travel for more than 200 corporates. This flexible platform allows TMCs to self-manage the commercials, suppliers, back-office, and management information while corporates are able to configure the travel policies, approvals, and reporting. Nikunj Agrawal, CEO Zenmer, explains, “There’s a huge synergy between Zenmer and Element in the thoughts, vision and strategy going forward. Gavin and Lizzie Dakin, Element’s director of technology, have the experience needed for this partnership to be successful and we are proud to be associated with their passion. This agreement provides opportunities for both parties, from sales to marketing and technology. We are looking forward to working together to develop time and cost saving technology focused products with the new traveller in mind.” Smith further explains,“Nikunj and his team …

It is famous for its tapas, flamenco, fiestas and endless beaches. But Spain is so much more. To participate, please contact Jaspreet Kaur at jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call 9650196532. A country with four official languages, home to 15 UNESCO World Heritage cities, and diverse gastronomy and landscapes, Spain is also home to the most extraordinary architecture and a perfect wedding destination. Its cities are as diverse as the landscapes, but one thing that never changes is the Spanish lifestyle. But all this can wait. #SpainWillWait until the global crisis of COVID-19 is over. For now, the Tourism Office of Spain invites the travel trade to learn more about the destination through its webinar titled ‘The Spanish Travel Experience’ today at 1500 hrs (3 pm)

Opening the second session titled ‘Where is the money? Selling domestic luxury’ in the second series of the Digital Conclave spearheaded by TravTalk, was Arjun Sharma, Chairman, Select Group, who believes that the industry will go through a deep and prominent transformation in these coming months. “It is just a matter of realising the importance of domestic tourism. Our domestic market is the biggest catchment area after the Chinese domestic market. In fact, all our neighbouring countries have survived on this – be it Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, or Dubai. They have all existed because of the Indian outbound market. I think this is the first time that the Indian travel industry can reposition itself dynamically to create the paradigm that is necessary for that domestic traveller to look at India as their next luxury holiday destination,” he says

In a bid to analyse the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on staff salaries across the industry, TravTalk has initiated the ‘Travel and Tourism Salary Survey 2020’. The 2-minute survey is anonymous can be taken by clicking on https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3WP3JHM. Share your inputs without having to reveal your name or email. The survey would gauge how every sector is dealing with the crisis and possibly trigger discussions on best employment practices in the industry.

Sandeep Dwivedi, COO, ITQ, during the 2nd TravTalk Digital Conclave said that the working class and millennials sector will drive good growth in fueling tourism in the country.  He said, “Resilient and ‘bouncing back’ nature of the travel industry will secure the medium and long-term future of the industry. The working-class population will be crucial for that. Instant travel demand will be created by different demographics of the Indian population post COVID-19 crisis. India has grown considerably from the intra-country demand in recent times, which has helped more cash flow and the economy as well. No doubt that domestic tourism will be crucial in the short-term recovery plan.”

KD Singh, Founder & President, TravelBullz during the 2nd TravTalk Digital Conclave said that the way travel agents do business in the industry will change post the coronavirus pandemic is over. “2020 is a halt and not stop. No country can survive without tourism. According to me, we will start to see the first set of bookings starting from August-September and people might start travelling overseas from November-December if it is safe to travel. How travel agents do business will definitely change. According to me, by April 2021, we will be back on track and start growing again,” he said.

New Zealand is the home of adventure tourism. If your clients enjoy adventure sports or extreme activities, they’ll love New Zealand. Whether they want heart-pounding excitement or to simply achieve something memorable. From canyoning, rafting and zip-lining, to bungee-jumps and skydiving, New Zealand has it all. Take their breath away with exhilarating experiences amidst spectacular scenery. Thrills and excitement can be found at every turn. For more inspiration on how to include adventure activities in your itineraries, sign up for the webinar today at 1430 hrs (2:30 pm). To participate, contact Jaspreet Kaur at jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call 9650196532.

Showing the way forward, speaking at the 2nd session of the second Digital Conclave held by TravTalk, Arjun Sharma, Chairman, Select Group, said, “My suggestion to travel agents is to focus on packaging experiences, experiential travel can also be a luxury. Travel agents need to first build their database and then identify the potential clients and then create packages for them.” He also added that travel will not stop, but it will just take some time for it to build up again.

Continuing its legacy to take knowledge sharing to a new level, TravTalk India has announced the second edition of its Digital Conclave which is scheduled to take place on, Tuesday, 21st April from 10 am to 1:30 pm. The first-of-its-kind virtual tourism conclave will have eminent speakers from the industry. This time, three different sessions will cover topic such as Domestic Tourism: The way forward, Where is the money: Selling domestic luxury and India: The new global source market? For more details, contact Jaspreet Kaur on 9650196532 and jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com. The speakers include Ashwini Lohani, APTDC; PP Khanna, ADTOI; Kerrie Hannaford, Accor; Arjun Sharma, Select Group; Ankur Bhatia, Bird Group; Sanjay Kumar, IndiGo; Vinay Malhotra, VFS Global; Sandeep Dwivedi, ITQ and KD Singh, TravelBullz.  

Promoting tourism awareness and social history, the Ministry of Tourism has launched its ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ webinar series to provide information on the many destinations of the country and share the sheer depth and expanse of the culture and heritage of our Incredible India. The first webinar, which was part of a series that shall unfold, touched upon the long history of Delhi as it has unfolded as 8 cities, each unique in its character and leaving behind traces which makes Delhi the magnificent city that it is today. The seminar was titled ” City of Cities- Delhi’s Personal Diary’. The next webinar is on the 16th of April from 11 am to 12 noon and based on the amazing city of Kolkata. The core of the session-based itself on tourism awareness and social history. Laced with interesting anecdotes the session which was conducted by the India city walks for Ministry of Tourism, had enthusiastic participation with 5546 persons registering and many interesting questions were raised which depict the interest of the participants. The webinar shall be available in public domain soon and so if you missed it then do see it on the official links of the Ministry’s social media handles- IncredibleIndia on Instagram and Facebook. Rupinder Brar, ADG, MOT mentioned that the series of webinars shall be an on-going feature and the Ministry would work towards showcasing Incredible India. She requested that stakeholders should work with MOT to build positive messaging for the promotion of domestic tourism so that people are encouraged to travel as soon as the country has COVID 19 behind it.