Category Archives: Agents

Sunny Sodhi, Managing Director of FCM Travel India suggestion to the corporate travel managers out there is to focus on content and user experience. “We are heavily investing in these two areas to ensure we have quality data and can use these insights to craft relevant business travel policies and programmes,” he says, adding, “With regards to corporate travel, we see a lot of inclination around consolidating the travel spends through use of technology where everything is available on a single platform.”

Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board and Universal Studios Hollywood interacted with key trade agents in Mumbai to share product updates. Andrea Blackman, International Sales Manager at Universal Studios Hollywood and Ms. Seema Kadam, Regional Director, Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board interacted with key trade partners and travel trade media in Mumbai. The event was designed to share key updates of Los Angeles as a destination and the crucial partnership with Universal Studios. The event highlighted new and upcoming developments in Los Angeles.  The biggest event of 2024 is IPW – The travel industry’s premier market place which will be taking place in LA. Universal Studios Hollywood has a major role and will be hosting the closing night.  2024 also marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Studio Tour Los Angeles is the epicentre of entertainment, sports and art. LA is proud to be hosting the opening Men’s National team FIFA match in LA. Alongside, the city is gearing up for the Olympic and Paralympic games in 2028. Major art events like PST art, opening of Destination Crenshaw make it an exciting time to visit Los Angeles. “This year is truly special for LA as we gear up to welcome guests for IPW 2024. The city has so much to showcase with new museums, the opening of Destination Crenshaw – a $100mn outdoor art and culture experience and various sporting events in the pipeline including FIFA in 2026 and the Olympic and Paralympic games in 2028. Our partnership with Universal Studios is timeless as it offers an array of adventure, nostalgia and the true essence of cinema with one of  the oldest working studios!” says, Seema Kadam, Regional Director, …

To mark International Women’s Day, VFS Global Academy at Deoghar inaugurates its all-women batch for the Travel and Hospitality Certification Programme. This milestone event was launched by Dr. Nishikant Dubey, Honourable Member of Parliament from Godda, setting a new standard in empowering women through specialised education and career opportunities in the travel and hospitality sector. The opening batch was selected from among the students of the Rama Devi Bajla Mahila Mahavidyalaya in Deoghar. The three-month certificate programme comprises industry-aligned modules on basics of tourism, introduction to hospitality business, event management and communication skills. The initiative aims to increase employment opportunities for women in the travel and hospitality sector and encourage social inclusion. The programme will be offered at no cost to the students. “VFS Global has made a significant step in supporting women’s empowerment by starting an all-women batch. This move will surely motivate young women towards independence. Congratulations to VFS Global Academy for focusing on skilling the youth in Deoghar, especially for creating tailored programmes that empower young women”, said Dr Dubey “We are launching an all-women batch to encourage women to pursue careers in the hospitality industry, responding to their growing interest in this field. This initiative supports the Indian government’s ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign and aligns with the International Women’s Day 2024 theme of #InspireInclusion,” said Prabuddha Sen, Chief Operating Officer, South Asia, VFS Global. Opened in August 2023 on the Software Technology Park of India campus in Deoghar, VFS Global has become a beacon of hope and opportunity for the community. VFS Global Academy, a part of VFS Global, the world’s leading outsourcing and technology service specialist for governments and diplomatic missions, was established with …

Switzerland Tourism invites the Indian outbound travel trade to attend an exclusive webinar on Lucerne, on March 7 at 3 pm. Sited on Lake Lucerne and surrounded by gorgeous mountains, Lucerne provides travellers access to numerous excursions, activities and experiences. It is also the perfect gateway to exploring Central Switzerland. Attend all webinars for a chance to win a trip to Switzerland! For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.  

Underlining strong airline connectivity between India and the UK, including to regional destinations, Vishal Bhatia, Country Manager – India, VisitBritain, says, “Airline seat capacity from India to the UK is also showing strong recovery and growth. Looking at September 2023, seat capacity was up 53% compared to the same month in 2019. India is forecast to be a £1 billion inbound visitor market by the end of 2024, making it one of the UK’s fastest growing major tourism markets.”

Kenya Tourism Board has launched strategic marketing campaign that will provide incentives to travel agents to promote Kenya as their preferred destination. The campaign which will enhance awareness and drive conversions in the Indian market will involve engagement of both trade partners and consumers simultaneously. Kenya Tourism Board Ag CEO John Chirchir, stated that the board was looking forward to embark on the campaign and recognized the importance of the Indian market to Kenya’s tourism “India stands as a pivotal market for Kenya in the realm of travel and tourism, and we believe that this initiative will significantly contribute to strengthening our foothold in this dynamic landscape. With high expectations riding on this campaign, we aim to forge a robust bond with the travel trade and cultivate lasting relationships. We are confident that through this concerted effort, we will not only meet but exceed expectations, propelling Kenya to the forefront of travelers’ minds in India.” Said Chirchir While commenting on this, Director of Intrepid Marketing and Communications Neeti Sharma said that KTB would reap the benefits of partnering with a well-known platform in the Indian market that would help in showcasing the Kenya to potential Indian visitors. “We are thrilled to partner with Network 18 and our travel partners in this market to showcase the wonders of Kenya to the Indian audience,” she said “By engaging both trade partners and consumers, we aim to create a powerful synergy that will drive demand and position Kenya as the ultimate travel destination in Africa. We are confident that this campaign will not only drive conversions but also strengthen the bond between the travel trade in India and Kenya”. This campaign aims to create …

Sharing his views on some of the key drivers that is facilitating business travel in India, he said, “There are multiple factors that are contributing to this. Corporate growth in terms of revenue and EBIDTA margins are growing and by this FY end we will see India grow 18℅. FDI into India is at record levels. Moreover, the aviation boom in India with 700-odd aircraft in Indian skies right now is pushing business travel. It is a super exciting time in India. “

Switzerland Tourism invites the Indian outbound travel trade to attend an exclusive webinar on Lucerne, on March 7 at 3 pm. Sited on Lake Lucerne and surrounded by gorgeous mountains, Lucerne provides travellers access to numerous excursions, activities and experiences. It is also the perfect gateway to exploring Central Switzerland. Attend all webinars for a chance to win a trip to Switzerland! For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

In a significant development for AlUla’s travel landscape, three major airlines Gulf Air, Royal Jordanian, and Saudia have announced new flight options, providing enhanced connectivity and accessibility to the luxury boutique heritage destination. Unlocking access for travellers seeking a unique blend of history, culture, and adventure, Gulf Air, the national carrier for the Kingdom of Bahrain, is expanding its footprint in Saudi Arabia with direct flights to AlUla. Starting 3rd February, Gulf Air will operate twice-weekly flights between Bahrain and AlUla. These seasonal flights will continue till 6th March and resume from 10th to 27th April. Royal Jordanian Airlines is set to launch direct flights between Amman to AlUla, with the inaugural flight scheduled for 16th February. Operating twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays, this service will be available until 22nd December. Saudia has made AlUla even more accessible to Europe, with the relaunch of its seasonal flights from Paris. The first seasonal flight took off on 28th January, and the service will continue until 28th April. Flights will operate once a week, every Sunday, offering a convenient and direct link between the enchanting city of Paris and the historical wonders of the Saudi destination. Rami AlMoallim, Vice President of Destination Management and Marketing at the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) said: “The introduction of new flight options connecting AlUla to Bahrain, Amman, and Paris comes as we experience a period of exciting growth and witness demand from global travellers wanting to visit this historic location. These new flight routes not only enhance the connectivity but also opening a gateway for travellers worldwide to experience the captivating charm of AlUla. We believe these new routes will play a pivotal …

The Indian market Is likely to double in the next five years, said Noor Ahmed Hamid, CEO of PATA, while speaking at a PATA India event in New Delhi. He said, “However, it will not reach the size of China and will remain the third-largest in the world. India is growing on the domestic front with its population propelling business of tourism in India.”