Category Archives: Agents

Disney Cruise Line today revealed its highly anticipated culinary lineup for the Disney Adventure, where bold flavors and immersive dining experiences await guests. An impressive food and beverage collection comprising over 20 dining and lounge venues will be available for guests to enjoy onboard. The Disney Adventure will offer a variety of world-class cuisines and beverages inspired by international flavors and Disney classics, while also presenting a range of dining offerings thoughtfully curated for guests in Asia, to honor the region and its diverse cuisines. Many of the Disney Adventure’s culinary experiences can be enjoyed as part of the cruise fare, providing value, convenience, and choices for guests.

Expedia Group’s VP of Social Impact and Sustainability, Aditi Mohapatra, believes that nature is the product we are offering travellers. “Beaches, coral reefs, rainforests… connecting and protecting them is essential” Governments and businesses must recognise that biodiversity and nature-based solutions are critical not only for climate resilience, but also for thriving local economies,” she says.

ClickMyCruise has launched a new cruise booking portal designed to help travel agents in India and beyond book cruises faster and more easily. With cruise demand rising in India, the platform offers a one-stop solution for agents to access real-time ship details, check commissions instantly, convert currencies hassle-free, and register quickly. “Launching this portal is a game-changer for the Indian cruise industry. We feel this platform sets industry standards for cruise bookings, making the process faster, smarter, and far more accessible than ever before. We’re proud to be at the forefront, opening doors and creating opportunities that others haven’t even imagined yet,” said Vistasp Major, Director at ClickMyCruise. Adding to this, Vasundhara Gupta, Director at ClickMyCruise, shared, “In today’s travel industry, you need the right tech to stay ahead. Our portal gives agents everything they need from info to booking all in one spot. It’s a big boost for anyone looking to grow their cruise business.” Backed by direct partnerships with top cruise lines like MSC and Costa, ClickMyCruise’s new portal provides transparent pricing and instant booking, helping agents scale their sales efficiently. Agents interested in expanding their cruise offerings can register now at www.clickmycruise.com

Emphasising the importance of partnerships and relationships in India’s travel market, Tekla Maira, Founder, And The Story Continues, urged global stakeholders to prioritise accessibility, education, segmentation and regular engagement with Indian travel agents, especially for weddings and MICE.

The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), representing the hospitality industry across the country, has requested Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Hon’ble Union Finance Minister and Chairperson of the GST Council, for the rationalisation of GST in the tourism and hospitality sector. The appeal seeks to position Indian tourism as a driver of economic growth while enhancing its global competitiveness in alignment with India’s Vision 2047. FHRAI welcomed the landmark GST reforms announced by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on August 15, 2025, describing them as a reflection of the Government’s commitment to strengthening India’s tax regime, simplifying compliance, and paving the way for sustained growth. Tourism has long been one of India’s most strategic growth pillars, contributing nearly five per cent to the nation’s GDP, with the potential to double this contribution if supported by conducive policy measures. It remains one of the largest employment generators, offering extensive opportunities for youth and women, and is recognised for its high multiplier effect, where every rupee invested in hospitality generates a return of 3.5 rupees in output, while one direct job in the sector creates an additional 3.2 indirect jobs. Despite this strong potential, India’s current GST structure makes the tourism sector less competitive compared to its Asian peers. Countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Malaysia operate under lower tax regimes, ranging between 6 and 10 per cent, which helps them attract significantly larger tourist inflows. In contrast, India’s higher GST structure reduces affordability and weakens its appeal for international travellers. FHRAI has therefore emphasised the need for uniformity and simplicity in GST to make tourism services more accessible and globally competitive. It has recommended the introduction …

Speaking about India’s progress in terms of offering sustainable travel, Amitabh Kant, India’s G20 Sherpa, Former CEO of NITI Aayog, says, “In the last 15 years, railway electrification in India has jumped from 30% to a remarkable 99%. Now India stands second in the world, ahead of Japan, US, and Germany.”

The Finland–India Tourism Workshop 2025 concluded in New Delhi and Mumbai, bringing together 16 Finnish and Indian partners with India’s leading travel stakeholders. Sara Sodhi Juneja, Founder & CEO of Sara Consulting Services, said, “Indian travellers are looking beyond the ordinary, and Finland delivers on every front — pristine nature, authentic culture and unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime moments.”

Sharing an official statement amidst news reports around South African Tourism Board, Darryl Erasmus, Chief Operations Officer, South African Tourism, stated, “We note the recent reports regarding the ‘dissolution of the SA Tourism Board’ and understand the confusion this may have caused. To clarify, South African Tourism as an organisation/entity continues to operate as usual. The dissolution applies only to ‘the board’. While we await a resolution, our focus remains firmly on ensuring continuity across all tourism initiatives, projects, and partnerships, with no disruption to ongoing work.”  

The 2nd edition of the Tamil Nadu Travel Expo (TTE) will be held from 26–28 September in Madurai to redefine the tourism landscape of the event. The event aims to connect global buyers with around 400 state stakeholders, driving tourism growth and boosting Tamil Nadu’s international visibility.

Speaking at the Oman roadshow ‘Focus Oman’ in Jaipur, Yousuf Khalaf Al Mujaizi, Assistant Director, Business Development Department, Ministry of Heritage & Tourism, Oman, said, “India is a vital source market for us. In 2024, we welcomed 623,623 arrivals from India and look forward to building this momentum. We are investing in multi-channel campaigns targeting luxury travel, weddings, MICE and adventure tourism.”