Category Archives: Agents

Sharing his views on the current startup landscape, Nishant Pitti, CEO & Co-Founder, EaseMyTrip says, “Over the years, we’ve seen a startling paradox. Loss-making companies often receive astronomical valuations, while bootstrapped, profitable ventures garner relatively modest market caps. In a world enamored with valuations, profitability often doesn’t get the spotlight it deserves.”

According to the latest McKinsey & Company report, prior to the pandemic, India’s outbound market was among the fastest growing markets in Asia. It has already recovered 61% of its pre-pandemic market, with 13 million outbound tourists in 2022. This represents a much quicker recovery than most Asian countries.

Ovolo Hotels Hong Kong is organising an exclusive webinar for the travel trade. Join the webinar to explore the offerings of the property on Friday, 24 November 2023 at 3pm (IST). Get ready for a blast! Kindly register to attend the webinar. Contact jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532 for more info.

Rikant Pittie, Co-Founder, EaseMyTrip.com, has revealed that in the months to come, the company plans to add new travel-related business verticals inorganically which are asset-light, tech-based and synergistic. It’s Q2-FY24 results shows highest-ever quarterly PAT of 47.2 Cr (YoY growth of 67.2%) with Profit Before Tax of INR 64.7 Cr.

The ninth edition of the annual Travel M!CE and Corporate Show organised by DDP will be held in January 20-21, 2024 at Novotel Jaipur Convention Centre. The two-day show will offer exhibitors and attendees a chance to network with experts, forge business connections and be a part of the niche fraternity. For more information, contact ritul.malhotra@ddppl.com or 9810191852.    

Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Oman invites the travel trade for an exclusive webinar focusing on the latest offerings of Oman. Gain valuable insights to help create enriched itineraries for your clients, showcasing the best of what Oman has to offer. For more information, or to register, please contact Jaspreet Kaur at jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

VFS Global, the world’s largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions appointed Jose Manuel Aisa Mancho as its Chief Financial Officer effective 01 November 2023. He reports to Zubin Karkaria, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, and is based in Dubai, the organisation’s global headquarters. Jose joins VFS Global from Cellnex Telecom. He has over two decades of experience across the suite of finance sub-functions, including mergers & acquisitions, financial planning, investor relations, management control, treasury, and tax. He has previously worked in organisations that include Abertis Infrastructures, CriteriaCaixa and Cellnex. He was also a Non-Executive Officer in infrastructure companies such as Hispasat, Sanef or TBI Limited. Jose will be responsible for the overall Finance function at VFS Global, and will also be responsible for Legal, Data Privacy and Corporate Risk functions. Jose will leverage his rich experience in strengthening VFS Global’s finance function and developing strategies to support further growth and development of the company. As a member of the company’s Executive Board, he will also play a pivotal role in the overall strategic decision-making at VFS Global.

Etihad Airways has experienced substantial growth over the years. Starting with 1,761 employees in 2004, the workforce has since expanded to over 9,250 as of September 2023. The loyalty programme, Etihad Guest, has seen significant development, growing from 65,000 members in 2006 to an impressive figure of over 9 million in 2023. The aircraft fleet has undergone substantial expansion, increasing from just two in its early stages to an impressive total of 79. Etihad’s global presence has flourished, serving more than 70 destinations, a significant leap from the 4 destinations served in 2003. In terms of operations, the airline now offers 1,350 weekly departures, a substantial increase from the 128 departures provided in 2004. The longest flight in the network connects Abu Dhabi to Sydney, spanning a distance of 12,060km. Commenting on Etihad Airways 20th anniversary, His Excellency Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa Al Hammadi, Chairman of Etihad Airways, said: “Two decades ago, the visionary leaders of the UAE, along with Etihad’s founder, embarked on a journey with a profound vision for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the UAE. This vision required a key player, an international airline that would serve as a bridge for trade, investment, and tourism. It was to foster international relationships and place Abu Dhabi firmly on the global map. The birth of Etihad Airways marked the realisation of that wise vision. “Etihad Airways represents much more than an airline, it embodies a symbol of our nation’s shared aspirations, unity, and limitless ambitions. Over the course of two decades, Etihad has played a pivotal role in shaping the economic landscape of Abu Dhabi and the UAE. Its steadfast growth has been a driving force behind the …

Oman Air has announced the return of its highly anticipated Global Sale, offering travelers up to 20% off fares in Business and Economy Class. With a range of must-visit destinations across the airline’s network, including Europe, the Far East and Indian Subcontinent, it’s an extraordinary opportunity to explore the world at unbeatable prices. The campaign, which is running until 15 November 2023, is part of Oman Air’s commitment to providing exceptional travel experiences that combine maximum convenience, unmatched comfort, and world-class service. Whether it’s a relaxing beach escape, a cultural adventure, or a business trip, now is the perfect time to book a flight and turn travel dreams into reality. The promotion is valid for travel until 31 March 2024 and includes one-way and return flights. The domestic sector, interline sector, codeshare partners, Jeddah and London are not included. Other terms and conditions apply. Bookings can be made through Oman Air’s website (omanair.com), mobile app, the call centre, any Oman Air sales office, and Oman Air appointed travel agents.

BLS International Services, a trusted global tech-enabled services partner for governments and citizens, announced its unaudited consolidated financial results for the quarter and six-month period ended September 30, 2023. Amongst several others, the company processes visa applications for Spain, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Thailand, Hungary, Morocco, India, Vietnam, Malaysia and Slovakia. Shikhar Aggarwal, Joint Managing Director, BLS International Services, said, “We have continued our growth momentum into the second quarter of this fiscal. The Company’s performance has been in line with the expectations. Despite revenue growth of 14.3% year-on-year in the quarter, our EBITDA and PAT witnessed robust growth of 52.7% and 60.8% year-on-year, respectively. Favourable business mix resulted in the expansion of EBITDA margins, which sustained above the 20% mark this quarter. As key markets are opening up, we expect an increase in the number of visa applications. During the quarter, we signed up with the Government of Slovakia to offer outsourced visa services. Slovakia is becoming a hot spot for tourists, and we expect good volumes from the region. In addition, we rolled out Visa outsourcing centers for Hungary and Italy in various countries. On the Digital Services front, we tied up with Kotak Mahindra Bank to offer banking correspondence services, in line with our strategy to grow this line of business. Overall, we aim to continue focusing on spreading our reach far and wide with prudent emphasis on organic as well as inorganic growth while striving to maintain our internal rate of return threshold”. The company continues to witness strong operating results. For the quarter ended September 30, 2023, company’s consolidated revenue rose 14.3% YoY to Rs. 407.7 Cr, while operating EBITDA witnessed a growth of 52.7% to …