Category Archives: Agents

Perfectly located amidst nature and mountains, Zurich is Switzerland’s largest city. Its touristic offerings include multiple excursion options, shopping, gastronomic experiences 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.

Foreign tourist arrivals in India soared by a whopping 124% in 2023 at 1.92 crore informed Union Minister for Tourism & Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal were some of the key states where foreign tourist footfalls were high.

Addressing the HRAWI conclave in Nashik recently, Dr Sagnik Chowdhury, Regional Director, India Tourism, Mumbai, Ministry of Tourism, said, “The hospitality industry stands at a transformative crossroads, driven by rapid technological advancements, evolving consumer expectations, and a renewed focus on sustainability. Collaborative efforts between industry stakeholders and policymakers will be crucial in shaping a globally competitive hospitality sector. This conclave serves as a vital platform to exchange ideas, drive innovation and collectively work towards strengthening India’s position as a leading tourism destination.”

Rajnish Kumar, Group Co-CEO, ixigo, says, “This holi, we are seeing an average 45-50% YoY increase in flight bookings, driven by a mix of homebound travel, leisure getaways, and spiritual tourism. Cultural hotspots are witnessing a surge in demand this Holi. Flight bookings to Ayodhya have skyrocketed by 50% YoY for Holi, while Varanasi and Amritsar have seen a 20-30% YoY increase. Tier-2 and 3 cities are also witnessing a surge in flight bookings for the holi weekend.”

India’s outbound travel saw a record in overseas travel spending of $17 billion in FY24, marking a 25% increase y-o-y (accounting for 54% of all international spending)1 and is projected to reach $55.4 billion by 20342. Additionally, the strong emergence of travellers from India’s tier 2 & 3 cities, creates a growing need for a seamless, secure and convenient forex solutions. Recognizing this opportunity, Thomas Cook (India) Limited – India’s leading omnichannel foreign exchange services provider, has launched the Borderless Travel Card – designed to empower leisure travellers with smooth and secure international travel transactions – with multi-currency support, worldwide acceptance and exclusive travel benefits. This initiative reiterates Thomas Cook’s position as India ka Forex Specialist – highlighting the Company’s sustained focus on innovation and elevated customer experience. Thomas Cook Borderless Travel Card benefits: Supports 12 global currencies for seamless international transactions and access to over 70 million Mastercard and Visa merchant establishments in over 200 countries Free emergency cash assistance and card replacement (for lost/stolen cards) Complimentary International global SIM card Security with embedded chip & pin Complimentary Airport meet & greet, free lounge access and porter services at select international airports in India* Exclusive 25% off discount on select attractions and unique experiences* Earn 1,000 Thomas Cook Edge Reward Points on loading USD 1,000 (or equivalent) and up to 500 points on card spend, redeemable for holidays, flights and hotels from Thomas Cook India  

A franchise agreement has been signed between hospitality entrepreneur Atul Sisodiya and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts to introduce the Ramada Encore by Wyndham brand in the spiritual city of Vrindavan. This partnership reflects the growing demand for high-quality, branded accommodations in the area, offering an enhanced hospitality experience for visitors at an ideal location in the heart of the city. Atul Sisodiya, Proprietor, commented, “Partnering with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts to bring the Ramada Encore by Wyndham brand to Vrindavan is an exciting milestone. As Vrindavan continues to grow as a major spiritual destination, this collaboration will provide visitors with exceptional hospitality that complements the city’s evolving landscape and its increasing appeal.” The Ramada Encore by Wyndham hotel will be located in Rukmani Vihar, Vrindavan, and will feature 50 rooms, All-Day Dining, a Banquet Hall, Fitness Centre, Swimming Pool, and more. The brownfield property is expected to open by the end of 2026 and will be ideally situated near the city’s most significant cultural and religious attractions. Vrindavan is home to more than 5,500 temples, most notably dedicated to the worship of Radhakrishna, and is an essential part of India’s growing “Krishna Pilgrimage Circuit,” currently under development by the Ministry of Tourism. The hotel site is just 4 km from the Shri Radha Madan Mohan Ji Temple, one of Vrindavan’s oldest and most revered temples. “We are pleased to partner with Mr. Atul Sisodiya to bring the Ramada Encore brand to Vrindavan, a city with increasing demand for quality accommodation. This second signing in the city further strengthens our presence and aligns with the Ramada Encore brand’s promise of delivering a seamless and refreshing stay experience for travelers,” said Rahool …

Rail Europe invites the Indian outbound travel trade to attend an exclusive webinar on the benefits of Eurail passes, how to use them and how to book passholder fares on agent.raileurope.com today at 3 pm. Participate in the quiz for a chance to win Amazon vouchers! For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

Rail Europe invites the Indian outbound travel trade to attend an exclusive webinar on the benefits of Eurail passes, how to use them and how to book passholder fares on agent.raileurope.com on 11th March at 3pm. Participate in the Quiz for a chance to win Amazon vouchers! For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia hosted a high-impact networking event, bringing together leading travel agents and trade media to discuss India’s growing outbound travel trends. The event highlighted India as Indonesia’s largest market in South & Central Asia and the 6th biggest source of visitors, with 710,688 Indian arrivals in 2024, surpassing the target by a significant margin. For 2025, the Ministry is expecting 918.480 Indian visitors. Indonesia is set to enhance its engagement with Indian travellers in 2025 through travel exhibitions, sales missions, collaborations, and exclusive familiarization trips. The country is actively promoting its top destinations, including Bali, renowned for its natural beauty and cultural heritage; Jakarta, a vibrant cosmopolitan hub; Lake Toba, the largest volcanic lake in the world; Borobudur, a UNESCO-listed Buddhist marvel; Mandalika, Lombok, a rising luxury resort destination; and Labuan Bajo, home to the iconic Komodo Dragon. With a well-structured tourism strategy, Indonesia is poised to welcome more Indian travellers in the coming year. Her Excellency Ina Krishnamurthy, Ambassador Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, was glad at the enthusiastic response from the travel industry. Speaking to the media, she emphasized her ongoing commitment to attracting more Indian tourists to the archipelago, highlighting its diverse and enriching experiences that cater to Indian travellers. She also noted that with direct flights now available through Air India and IndiGo, traveling to Indonesia has become more convenient than ever, and she is expecting more Indians to select not only Bali but also beyond Bali as Indonesia is an archipelago consisting of over 17,000 islands. She added that Indonesia’s advanced digital platform for the Electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VoA) has also streamlined the visa application process for …

Israel Tourism Ministry invites the Indian outbound travel trade to attend an exclusive webinar today at 12 pm to gain insights and updates on the destination. From the ancient streets of Jerusalem to the serene shores of the Dead Sea, experience Israel’s exciting offerings. For more information, or to register, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.