Category Archives: Agents

Agoda has revealed its list of the most budget-friendly summer destinations in Asia for June to August 2025. Surabaya, Indonesia, leads the list with an average room rate of just INR 3037 per night*, making it a top choice for those eager to embrace culture and adventure this summer. Surabaya is followed closely by Tirupati, with average room rates of ₹3211 per night.

Enterprising Travel Agents Association (ETAA) South Chapter has announced its newly elected committee for 2025–2026. Chairman and Regional Director is Joyson, Vice Chairperson is Princy K.D, Secretary is Dinesh, and Treasurer is Vimalesh. The new chairman plans to host an event in Bengaluru every alternate month and take ETAA events to tier 2 cities as well.

The next decade promises some significant and exciting developments in airport infrastructure. Plans are underway at various locations around the world to expand passenger facilities, enabling some of the world’s largest airports to handle over 100 million passengers annually.

A bold new ocean experience is surfacing on 23 July! Find out what your next student group can explore at the new Singapore Oceanarium at this webinar on 11 July at 3pm hosted by Resorts World Sentosa. It is slated to open in Q3 2025 and will have immersive exhibits, digital storytelling, and a focus on marine research, redefining how we experience the ocean. For more information, contact jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call ‪+91 96501 96532.

General Travel New Zealand has successfully concluded its 5-city India roadshow from 30th June to 4th July 2025, covering Jaipur, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bangalore. The roadshow received an enthusiastic response from the Indian travel trade community and served as a key platform for promoting New Zealand as a premier long-haul destination for Indian travelers. This year’s edition marked a significant milestone, featuring the largest Kiwi delegation to date, with 16 leading tourism companies from New Zealand participating. The delegation showcased a wide array of travel experiences — from seat-in-coach adventures and cultural immersions to luxury stays and soft adventure — all tied together with General Travel’s Kiwiway Vacations FIT packages. The group has been promoting tailored programs to suit the preferences of the Indian outbound market. Participating companies included prominent tourism and hospitality brands such as Skyline Enterprises, Southern Discoveries, Entrada Group, Hobbiton Movie Set Tours, RealNZ, Transport World Invercargill, Polynesian Spa, Te Puia, Totally Tourism (Helicopter Line), BLACK, The Helicopter Line, Sudima Hotels, Millennium Hotels, Distinction Hotels, Scenic Hotel Group, RotoruaNZ, West Coast Tourism, and Air New Zealand. Together, they presented a comprehensive and inspiring view of New Zealand’s offerings, catering to various segments including FITs, families, honeymooners, and luxury travelers. Speaking about the roadshow’s success, Anna Black, Executive Director of General Travel New Zealand, said: “India continues to be a key and growing market for New Zealand. The enthusiasm and genuine interest shown by Indian travel agents across all five cities has been truly encouraging. This roadshow was a fantastic opportunity for our partners to build meaningful connections and better understand the preferences of the Indian traveler. We’re excited about the future potential and look forward to …

IndiGo commenced direct flights between Mumbai and Adampur (Jalandhar). This new route is part of IndiGo’s strategy to enhance connectivity between key regional hubs and tier-2 cities. Punjab plays a vital role in India’s economic and cultural landscape, and connecting it with India’s financial capital, Mumbai, unlocks the potential of the state’s growing industrial and agricultural sectors with greater access to commercial ports. It will also benefit tourism by encouraging greater exposure to the rich cultural heritage of Punjab. With Adampur as its 92nd domestic destination, IndiGo continues to expand the network, delivering on its promise of on-time travel experience that is affordable, courteous & hassle-free. Adampur (Jalandhar) is a town located in the Jalandhar district of Punjab. Known for its strategic location on the Jalandhar-Hoshiarpur road, it houses the Adampur Air Force Station, one of the oldest airbases in the country. Adampur also has a rich cultural heritage, with a mix of traditional Punjabi lifestyle and growing urban influence. Adampur offers access to several nearby attractions. Rangla Punjab Haveli showcases traditional Punjabi culture, while Devi Talab Mandir in Jalandhar is a popular spiritual site. Pushpa Gujral Science City provides fun, educational experiences, and Wonderland Theme Park is perfect for family outings. These spots make Adampur a great base to explore Punjab’s culture and entertainment.

Speaking to stakeholders recently, Mohamed Farouk, Regional Director (Western Region), India Tourism Mumbai, says “As India charts its course on the global tourism map, I urge the industry to focus on inclusive growth, accessible tourism, technological innovation and sustainability. These are not just aspirations but imperatives for future-ready hospitality. The Tourism Ministry is committed to partnering with the industry through initiatives like NIDHI Plus, Hunar Se Rozgar Tak and Sustainable Tourism Criteria for India.”

Collinson International released its new Asia Pacific (APAC) research titled “2025 Asia Pacific Consumer Happiness Report: How to Generate Lifetime Customer Value in a Transformation Economy”. Surveying over 4,000 respondents across eight markets in Asia Pacific and conducted in partnership with renowned behavioural psychologist Dr. William von Hippel, the report explores the role of brands in driving consumer happiness in today’s transformation economy where the pursuit of happiness is becoming a defining priority. Findings reveal that brands have an opportunity to become powerful drivers of happiness, with customers increasingly turning to loyalty rewards and benefits to access unique, transformative experiences. “Consumers’ expectations for how they find satisfaction from brands have evolved. In today’s transformation economy, consumers are drawn to experiences that enrich their lives far beyond basic consumption – experiences that nurture connection, inspire personal growth and help bridge the gap between the world they live in and their aspirations,” said Rohan Bhalla, Vice President of Business Solutions for Asia Pacific at Collinson International. “This transcends rational rewards or simple engagement, delivering true meaningful moments – whether it is travelling to see their favourite band perform live or attending a global sports tournament.” This shift is well under way in India, where 92% of consumers rely on brand rewards for unique and exclusive experiences, compared to 81% across APAC. Younger millennials (98%) and Gen Z (93%) respondents in India resonate strongly, and both demonstrate a clear preference for experiential activities in recent years. Compared to 66% of APAC respondents, 80% of respondents in India reported being satisfied with the rewards and benefits they receive from brands. Amongst the respondents in India, Millennials (84%) indicated the highest levels of happiness, followed …

Building on the successful rollout of its Premium Economy product in Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad, Emirates has now announced the introduction of its Premium Economy class on flights to and from Kolkata, effective 18 July 2025. The move marks the continued expansion of Emirates’ award-winning offering across key Indian cities, with the aim of providing customers more choice when making travel plans. Passengers traveling on the Dubai-Kolkata route can now book Premium Economy seats on flight EK573, which will operate four times weekly (Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays), departing Kolkata at 20:45 hrs and arriving in Dubai at 00:05 hrs. Flights to Kolkata, on EK572, depart Dubai at 13:05 hrs and arrive in Kolkata at 19:15 hrs. All times are local. Tickets can be booked for travel starting from 18 July. Mohammad Sarhan, Emirates’ VP – India and Nepal said: “We are delighted to introduce our highly-acclaimed Premium Economy experience to Kolkata, marking another significant milestone in our commitment to the Indian market. The response to our Premium Economy product in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are confident that travellers in Kolkata will appreciate the blend of comfort, value, and thoughtful touches that make Emirates’ Premium Economy stand out. We remain dedicated to elevating the travel experience for our customers and offering them more choice and flexibility.” The Premium Economy cabin is thoughtfully-designed to offer an enhanced experience, combining comfort and aesthetically-pleasing features, including wider cream leather seats, increased legroom, adjustable headrests, deeper seat recline and raised cushioned leg rests.  For those seeking additional comfort and privacy during their journeys, the understated luxury cabins offer a refined upgrade from Economy Class.

A bold new ocean experience is surfacing on 23 July! Find out what your next student group can explore at the new Singapore Oceanarium at this webinar on 11 July at 3pm hosted by Resorts World Sentosa. It is slated to open in Q3 2025 and will have immersive exhibits, digital storytelling, and a focus on marine research, redefining how we experience the ocean. For more information, contact jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call ‪+91 96501 96532.