Category Archives: Agents

Bhutan Tourism has revealed that Indian tourists were the largest group to arrive into the country with 94,280 visitors in 2024. Of this, 55,000 Indians entered via the Phuentsholing land border, and 10,000 enter by air through Paro Airport. India continues to be the dominant source market, and with 65,393 visitors in the first half of 2025, they have already reached nearly 70% of their total 2024 visitor numbers.

Akoya Hotel & Spa, a luxurious and award-winning 5-star property nestled on the pristine shores of Réunion Island, has announced the appointment of Global Destinations as its official sales and marketing representative in India. This partnership represents a major milestone in Akoya’s global expansion strategy, with a strong emphasis on the rapidly growing Indian outbound travel market. Leveraging their extensive industry expertise and well-established network within the Indian travel trade, Global Destinations will lead efforts to position Akoya Hotel & Spa as a top choice for Indian luxury travelers, honeymooners, families, and bespoke MICE groups. Nestled in the heart of the Indian Ocean, Akoya Hotel & Spa seamlessly blends French sophistication with the serene charm of island life. The property features 104 elegantly designed rooms and suites, each offering private balconies or terraces with sweeping views of the ocean or lush tropical gardens. Guests are invited to indulge in a luxurious yet intimate experience — from sunrise breakfasts by the pool to romantic dinners under the stars, every moment at Akoya is thoughtfully curated to inspire relaxation and refined indulgence. “India is a key market for us, with a growing demand for immersive, long-haul luxury experiences,” said Joel Narayanin, CEO of Akoya Hotel & Spa. “With Global Destinations as our trusted partner In India, we are confident in reaching the right audiences and inspiring Indian travelers to explore the magic of Réunion through Akoya”.  Pranav Kapadia, Founder of Global Destinations, added: “Akoya Hotel & Spa is the kind of property Indian travelers dream about—stunning, serene, and rich in experiences. With its French heritage, immersive wellness offerings, and tropical allure, it’s the perfect blend of familiarity and discovery. We’re excited to …

ITA Airways is Official Airline Carrier of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival – La Biennale di Venezia, one of the most important cinematographic events internationally, which will take place from August 27th to September 6th in Venice Lido. ITA Airways participation to the Biennale Cinema 2025 reaffirms the Company’s role not only as ambassador of our country’s excellence and cultural heritage in the world but also as reference Italian carrier. Furthermore, supporting national cinema, art, and culture represents a choice that is consistent and strictly integrated with ITA Airways’ corporate identity. Thanks to this partnership, the Company establishes itself as Official Airline Carrier of the International Exhibition of Cinematographic Arts – La Biennale di Venezia for three consecutive years, until 2027. “Being Official Airline Carrier of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival – La Biennale di Venezia is much more than a simple partnership for us, it is an honor and a true homage to one of the most iconic events in the world in a city – Venice – that includes all key elements our country is known for – history, excellence, creativity, and style. – affirmed Joerg Eberhart, ITA Airways’ CEO and General Manager – Supporting such a prestigious event confirms ITA Airways’ central role not only as reference carrier connecting Italy with the rest of the world but as Made in Italy ambassador as well. The Venice International Film Festival of La Biennale di Venezia, art and culture’s global showcase, reflects innovation, style, and culture – core values of our country which ITA Airways continuously strives to enhance”.

Royal Orchid Hotels  (ROHL) has announced the grand launch of Regenta Resort Tropical Villages in Mysore – a first-of-its-kind experiential resort that blends cultural immersion with mindful hospitality. With this launch, ROHL now operates a total of five hotels in Mysore, reinforcing its commitment to the city’s tourism and hospitality growth. Nestled in a serene, natural setting, the property marks a significant addition to ROHL’s expanding portfolio of experiential resorts and aligns with its asset-light growth strategy. Regenta Resort Tropical Villages offers an immersive experience designed around global villages themes, celebrating the richness of cultures and lifestyles from across the seven continents. The resort features 35 uniquely themed cottages, each inspired by distinct architectural and cultural elements from different parts of the world. Additionally, the special accommodation block, Mangala Kutira, houses 12 rooms inspired by India’s Pancha Bhootas and Pancha Tattva, offering guests a deep dive into the country’s ancient heritage and elemental philosophy. Commenting on the launch, Chander K. Baljee, Chairman & Managing Director, Royal Orchid Hotels Ltd., said, “We are thrilled to launch Regenta Resort Tropical Villages in Mysore, a city that has always held a special place for us. With this launch, we are bringing to life a truly distinctive resort experience that goes beyond leisure and hospitality, it’s a celebration of cultural diversity, wellness, and sustainability. The resort embodies our brand’s commitment to offering enriching and mindful travel experiences, and we’re confident that it will redefine the experiential stay category in India.”

This MoU marks the first adoption of OpenAI’s technology by a national tourism organisation in Asia. Through this, STB aims to accelerate the adoption of Advanced AI to enhance visitor experiences, improve productivity, and unlock new opportunities for innovation. STB will also explore potential use cases for advanced AI tools and robotics in real-world tourism settings.

Speaking about the new AI tools, Hari Ganapathy, Co-Founder, PickYourTrail, says, “The UI of OTAs hasn’t changed in 20 years. With the rise of agentic browsers like Comet, and tools like ChatGPT Agent that can plug into your Gmail, Drive, Calendar — that layer is evaporating and fast. If you build one more travel AI solution, best of luck! The true moat of travel is in pricing + customer experience at scale.”

India will begin issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals from today – July 24, 2025, marking the end of a five-year suspension. In a statement, the Embassy of India in China said that Chinese citizens can apply for a tourist visa after completing an online application, scheduling an appointment and personally submitting their passport and other documents to the Indian Visa Application Centers in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Travel agencies are facing growing pressure from fragmented content systems that are increasing operational costs. A new global study commissioned by Sabre reveals that more than 91% of agencies operate with four or more booking systems, and over half are managing seven or more – a sprawl that is impacting productivity, profitability, and agent satisfaction.

ITC Hotels announced the launch of Welcomhotel Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh further expanding its presence across North India. Aligned with the company’s asset-right strategy, the property will be operated under a management contract. Nestled in one of the most ancient and illustrious cities of the world, Welcomhotel Prayagraj epitomises a harmonious convergence of timeless heritage and contemporary elegance, meticulously curated to serve both discerning business connoisseurs and leisure explorers. With the launch of Welcomhotel Prayagraj, ITC Hotels Ltd. now has a presence of 7 properties in the state with 6 more hotels in the pipeline in Uttar Pradesh. Architecturally, a symphony of traditional charm and modern sophistication, Welcomhotel Prayagraj features 60 spaciously appointed rooms & suites- a sanctuary of comfort with sweeping vistas of the city’s storied landscape. The hotel is poised to become the premier venue for destination weddings, intimate gatherings and corporate conclaves with its versatile indoor and outdoor banqueting spaces. Strategically located near the confluence of the revered Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers- an apex of sacred sanctity, the city of Prayagraj stands as a venerable testament to India’s enduring spiritual and intellectual lineage. This locale, offers an ambiance imbued with deep historical resonance and divine tranquillity in India’s culturally rich heartland. Reflecting upon this momentous occasion, Anil Chadha, Managing Director, ITC Hotels Ltd said, “It is with great pride that we unveil Welcomhotel Prayagraj, in a city of profound cultural and spiritual eminence. This expansion not only fortifies our footprint in Uttar Pradesh but also underscores our dedication to crafting immersive hospitality experiences-celebrating the region’s culture while upholding the highest standards of service excellence. Prayagraj, with its eternal allure and spiritual magnetism, stands as a luminous …

Sited on Lake Lucerne and surrounded by gorgeous mountains, Lucerne is a modern-meets-medieval city offering numerous excursions, exciting attractions, gourmet cuisine, fantastic shopping, and a vibrant nightlife. Attend all webinars for a chance to win a trip to Switzerland in 2026! For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.