Category Archives: Agents

A survey by Marriott Bonvoy has found that a majority of Gen Zs and Millennials in Asia Pacific excluding China (APEC) prefer the simplicity of belonging to one comprehensive loyalty travel programme. While 60% of them are actively subscribed to loyalty programs, the challenge of juggling several loyalty programs has led most (57%) to seek out one program that meets all their travel needs.

Palladium Hotel Group is strengthening its international presence with its arrival in the Middle East. The project announced will be carried out in conjunction with Al Marjan and Almal Real Estate Development, an award-winning ultra-luxury developer based in the region. The ambitious project, which attracts more than $100 million in investment, will consist of 442 hotel rooms and residential units. It represents the first international opening for the iconic Ibiza-born brand, which is now to be known as Ushuaïa Unexpected Hotels & Residences, integrating the concept of branded residences with the existing hotel proposition. The hotel and residential facility will be located on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, one of the region’s premier tourist and investment destinations, and will comprise a sophisticated beach club, exquisite restaurant and captivating infinity pool, all situated adjacent to the Wynn Resort Island and overlooking the picturesque Arabian Gulf. Jesús Sobrino, CEO of Palladium Hotel Group, said: “This is a triple milestone for the company, as we announce our arrival in the Middle East and the growth of an emblematic brand for Palladium Hotel Group, as well as the group’s first foray into the branded residences segment. We are proud to be able to carry out this project hand in hand with two partners with whom we are aligned on the concepts of service and entertainment, and therefore we thank Almal Development and Al Marjan for their trust.” Dmytro Starovoitov, Co-Founder, Almal Development, said: “Our new development embodies Almal’s commitment to delivering unmatched luxury and sophistication in the realm of hospitality and entertainment. As a full-service investment and development company, we are excited to bring the brand Ushuaïa Unexpected Hotels & Residences to …

IHCL announced the opening of a Vivanta hotel in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. Located in the heart of the city, the hotel is a seamless blend of contemporary elegance and local tribal heritage. Speaking on the occasion, Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IHCL said, “We are delighted to unveil Vivanta in Jamshedpur, India’s first planned industrial city. Founded by Jamsetji Tata and named after him, Jamshedpur is also known as Tatanagar due to the presence of multiple Tata companies. This opening will mark the debut of the Vivanta brand and will be IHCL’s second hotel in the city.” With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have two hotels across Vivanta and Ginger brands in Jharkhand.

As part of the ongoing, continuous endeavor to enhance the customer journey through digitization, IndiGo will trial new entertainment content. Available to its customers inflight, using the IndiGo app, the trial will be conducted for customers travelling between the Delhi-Goa sector from 1st May 2024, for a period of three months.  Committed to enhancing its app to become a valuable tool for its customers, as well as improving the in-flight experience, the airline has upgraded its app to provide options to watch popular blockbuster movies, TV shows, access moving maps, games, as well as tune into a wide range of music genres, while cruising at 30,000ft.

Dr Sagnik Chowdhury, Deputy Director General & Regional Director (West & Central), Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India, along with his team made a detailed presentation to members of TAAI Western India in Mumbai on the merits of being an MoT-accredited travel agent and the approval process. Underlining some tweaks in the categories, his team also fielded some questions and challenges from the members. He said, “We also highlighted our certification programme which will go a long way in empowering their staff towards a more solid career in tourism.”

Based on the travel reaches of its over 10 crore active users, MakeMyTrip in its ‘India Travel Trends Report’ revealed 25% increase in the number of people taking more than three trips a year. International bookings are once again being made well in advance instead of sudden travels during the tumultuous 2020 and 2021, the report added.

Teleport – India’s Most Trusted Visa Platform, invites Indian travel agents to attend a B2B webinar today at 3 PM IST. Participants will learn tips for easy visa appointments; tricks to avoid visa rejections, and all of it at the lowest rates. To register contact jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com, or call 9650196532.

Teleport –  India’s Most Trusted Visa Platform, invites Indian travel agents to attend a B2B webinar on 23 April at 3 PM. Participants will learn tips for easy visa appointments; tricks to avoid visa rejections, & all of it at the lowest rates. Contact: jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com, 9650196532.

Naveen Kundu, MD, EbixCash Travel, said, “The size of the MICE market is about 30 million today, including domestic and international. Therefore, there is a huge potential for the organised M!CE industry to come together, collaborate, innovate, and then handle the entire mammoth business that is coming our way.”

Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Delhi Office has announced AllKnown Marketers as their designated representative for the Indian market. AllKnown Marketers along with JNTO is mandated to execute Travel Trade and PR initiatives in key target markets, marking a significant milestone in Japan’s endeavors to expand Tourism from India to Japan. Japan, a land where tradition seamlessly intertwines with modernity, beckons travelers to embark on an extraordinary journey of discovery. Within its borders lie treasures both ancient and contemporary, waiting to be explored by those who seek adventure and enlightenment. Hidden among the landscapes are historic castles steeped in legend and rural villages frozen in time, offering a glimpse into Japan’s storied past. Delve into the depths of traditional arts like calligraphy and ikebana, where every brushstroke and arrangement holds profound significance. Japan’s fusion of old-world charm and cutting-edge innovation creates a dynamic tableau of experiences, inviting travelers to wander through bustling city streets or find solace in tranquil temple gardens. Prepare to be enchanted as you discover the captivating allure of Japan—a destination where tradition and modernity converge to create an unforgettable tapestry of culture and beauty. Ryo Bunno, Executive Director, JNTO Delhi Office, stated, “India is one of our primary markets, and we certainly have high expectations owing to its performance trajectory in the recent past. AllKnown Marketers team will serve as our extended arm in the market to orchestrate strategic marketing and communications outreach that drives a consistent flow of Indian arrivals. We are excited to appoint a team of market leaders who will navigate us to introduce our diverse offerings and position Japan as the most coveted getaway for Indian experiential travelers.” Acknowledging the latest addition …