Category Archives: Agents

Bird Group is set to make significant strides in the Quick Service and Casual Dining sectors. With an ambitious plan to launch 20 outlets by the end of 2024, 35 by the end of 2025 and 50 by the end of 2026, Bird Foods, a dedicated business vertical of Bird Group, is poised to redefine the dining experience across India. These outlets will be strategically located in popular locations across tier 1, tier 2 and tier 3 cities, including Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Chennai, Dehradun, and Bhubaneswar. At present, Bird Foods boasts a promising retail presence with four QSR brands: Spice Nama at Omaxe Mall, Chandni Chowk; The Indian Stories at Pebble Downtown Mall, Faridabad and the Mall of Dehradun, Uttarakhand; KaChing at Mega Mall, Gurugram; and Eat.co at various locations, including Lucknow Airport Metro Station, Tughlakabad Metro Station and Old Delhi Railway Station (IRCTC Food Plaza). All these and future outlets will boast of proprietary technological initiatives redefining customer experience. “We are diligently executing strategic initiatives across all our business verticals, ensuring we not only meet but potentially exceed these targets. By staying true to our core values of quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, we are confident in our ability to achieve these significant milestones and continue driving growth for our company,” said Rahul Sehgal, Business Head, Bird Foods. Bird Group has always been at the forefront of innovation in the Indian business landscape. Their foray into the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) sector is a natural progression, rooted in their belief that good food, good value and excellent service have the power to bring people together, create memories, and elevate everyday moments. This new venture has quickly grown into a dedicated business vertical, offering a diverse range of …

Viacation Tourism announces the opening of its first retail store in Rajasthan, strategically located in City Pearl, Jaipur. This new addition marks Viacation’s entry into the Pink City, a place celebrated as the cultural heartbeat of India. Looking ahead, the company plans to expand further in the coming months to key cities like Chandigarh, Bengaluru, Siliguri, and Guwahati, bringing the Viacation experience to an even wider audience across India. Spanning 355 square feet, the Jaipur store was officially inaugurated on 2nd September. The store offers a wide array of travel services, including air ticketing, escorted group tours to Europe and other international destinations, domestic holiday packages, and MICE services. “We are excited to open our first retail outlet in Jaipur, a city that perfectly captures vibrancy and rich cultural heritage. This store is a significant milestone for Viacation as we continue to make our top-notch travel services more accessible to our customers. Our goal is to simplify and enhance the travel planning experience,” said Jatinder Paul Singh, CEO & Co-Founder of Viacation Tourism. Positioned on a bustling high street, this B2C-focused store emphasizes Viacation’s dedication to offering a premium shopping experience with personalized service for a diverse clientele. As part of its strategic growth plan, Viacation is set to expand to 25 locations by December 2025, further establishing itself as a trusted travel partner across India. The Jaipur store is designed to be a comprehensive travel hub, providing everything from flight and hotel bookings to organizing group tours and corporate travel. This new outlet reinforces Viacation’s reputation as a reliable travel partner in India, catering to the increasing demand for personalized travel solutions. Since April 2023, Viacation’s corporate headquarters have been based in …

In a strategic move to tap into the expansive Indian market, Bintan Resorts has partnered with VFS Global, world’s leading outsourcing and technology service specialist, to promote Bintan Resorts in Bintan Island of the Riau Islands Province of Indonesia as a premier travel destination. This partnership was officially cemented with the signing of an agreement on 29 August 2024 at the Grand Lagoi Hotel in Bintan Resorts. The collaboration aims to enhance the visibility and appeal of Bintan Island, positioning it as a top choice for Indian travellers and welcome them to enjoy the island’s plethora of offerings. Leveraging VFS Global’s extensive network across India in all major and secondary cities, along with its strong connections with businesses, media, and corporate entities, the partnership is expected to boost tourism from India to Bintan Island. Bintan Resorts is committed to showcasing the island’s rich tourism potential, from its captivating culinary offerings to its high-quality services and warm hospitality focused on comfort. These elements are anticipated to make Bintan Island an irresistible destination for Indian travellers. “We are excited to partner with VFS Global to introduce the beauty and charm of Bintan Island to the Indian market,” said Abdul Wahab, Chief Operating Officer of Bintan Resorts. “This collaboration will elevate Bintan’s status as a must-visit destination for Indian tourists. We eagerly look forward to welcoming more visitors from India and offering them the exceptional experiences that only Bintan Island can provide,” added Wahab. The partnership will launch a targeted marketing campaign in major Indian cities, aiming to position Bintan as a prime travel destination, alongside Singapore. It will feature an innovative dual-destination strategy, with a captivating tagline highlighting Bintan’s unique attractions from …

The public transport in Switzerland is the best way to enjoy its unparalleled beauty. The webinar will give insight on the Swiss Travel System and its various offerings. Attend the webinar to win a trip to Switzerland in 2025! For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism of the Sultanate of Oman successfully concluded its four-city India Roadshow in Bengaluru recently, reinforcing Oman’s position as a top-tier destination for Indian travellers seeking luxury, culture, and adventure. The roadshow commenced with a strategic press conference in New Delhi, followed by a grand promotional tour across key Indian cities, including Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru. This vibrant event showcased Oman’s unparalleled offerings, featuring 18 prominent players from the private sector, including leading luxury hotels and airlines, all eager to introduce their finest offerings to the discerning Indian market. The atmosphere was charged with energy as Indian travel trade professionals engaged in meaningful dialogues with Oman Tourism officials. The message was clear: Oman is not just a destination; it is a luxurious haven of natural beauty, rich heritage, and extraordinary experiences that promise to leave a lasting impression. Luxury stays in Oman: Where elegance meets tradition At the heart of Oman’s appeal is its array of world-class luxury accommodations. From the opulent palaces of Muscat to serene beachfront resorts and boutique desert camps, Oman offers Indian travellers an exquisite range of lodging options. The newly opened St. Regis Muscat adds a touch of modern elegance to this portfolio, offering unparalleled service and amenities that blend luxury with local charm. Some properties are known for their regal splendour, while others showcase a minimalist design influenced by traditional Omani architecture—highlighted as must-visit sanctuaries for those seeking the pinnacle of comfort and elegance. Oman: A vital market for Indian travellers His Excellency (H.E.) Azzan Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of Tourism, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Sultanate of Oman, underscored the importance of the Indian market, noting that India ranks …

Tourism Authority of Thailand recently hosted the Amazing Thailand Roadshow to India in Lucknow on 21 August, 2024 and Chandigarh on 23 August, 2024 to promote the country’s diverse offerings for the Indian travellers. The events started with a B2B session providing a platform for Indian travel agents to connect with Thai tourism representatives, including hoteliers, attraction operators, destination management companies and airlines. Deputy Executive Director highlighted Thailand’s latest tourism developments Phimpha Ratanapruk, Deputy Executive Director, ASEAN, South Asia, South Pacific Department, Tourism Authority of Thailand, in her opening remarks welcomed the travel trade in both cities. She highlighted the Amazing Thailand Product with latest developments in Thai tourism, including new destinations, products, and experiences, with a special focus on the country’s Wellness Tourism offerings. India’s growing importance as a Thailand tourism market Siriges-a-nong Trirattanasongpol, Director, Tourism Authority of Thailand, New Delhi, dwelled upon the significance of Indian visitors to Thailand and expressed gratitude for the continued support of the Indian travel trade in making Thailand the preferred holiday destination for Indians.  Presently, India holds the third position among Thailand’s inbound tourist markets. The Director also expressed her gratitude in visiting Lucknow and Chandigarh, where she met with travel agents, wedding planners, and media representatives. She stated the rapid growth in Thai tourism from Tier 2 cities in India is commendable and emphasised on its potential for international travel. The Amazing Thailand Roadshow to India served as a valuable opportunity for Indian tourism professionals to learn about the latest advances in Thai tourism and explore new possibilities for their clients. With its diverse attractions, vibrant culture, and growing wellness offerings, Thailand continues to be a popular destination for Indian travellers …

Underlining the challenges in attracting more FTAs, Suman Billa, Additional Secretary, MOT, says, “We need to understand how we can ramp up air connectivity and ease the visa process for foreign tourists. We also need to work on the cost of reaching India as it is also one of the entry barriers for inbound tourists.”

On a visit to India to promote the destination, H.E. Azzan Qassim Mohamed Al Busaidi, Under Secretary, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Sultanate of Oman, revealed, “Last year we saw an increase of 70% in visitors from India and we are expecting this growth to continue. In fact, the first five months have already seen a healthy growth with 260,000 visitors from India. Our campaign is targeting different cities in India.”

According to the global authority on the economic and social contribution of travel and tourism – WTTC, taxes provide an opportunity to help fund necessary changes in travel and tourism infrastructure. However, any taxes levied should be used to stimulate and promote economic growth and job creation in the sector. It says that well-designed tourism taxes can be both practical and meaningful tools in the sustainable management of a destination’s resources and the development of tourism infrastructure.

Building momentum on its digital-first strategy, Thomas Cook (India) and its Group Company, SOTC Travel, have launched a Customer Self-Service (CSS) holiday app. Available for both iOS and Android users, the app offers customers a seamless end-to-end post-booking experience. Traditionally, the post booking process was time-consuming and stressful for customers – involving coordinating for various elements including visas (getting details on documents required, visa forms, processing time and tracking), flights, hotel vouchers, itinerary, attractions, invoices and receipts. Hence, Thomas Cook and SOTC’s innovative CSS app will now serve to empower customers with a convenient, easy-to-access interface – making their post-booking experience simple and intuitive. Having piloted the CSS app in April 2024, the app has seen significant enhancements and currently enjoys a strong customer adoption of 50%.