Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) hosted a roadshow in Delhi to introduce new initiatives and enhanced support programs aimed at strengthening collaboration with Indian travel trade. As part of its efforts to boost travel from India, KTO has introduced a $30 per passenger incentive for Korea-bound travellers booked through KPTC members, applicable for travel between April and December 2025. To qualify, packages must include a minimum one-night stay in Korea, a package cost of at least $250 (excluding airfare), accommodation in a four-star or higher category hotel, and submission of required supporting documents. With these initiatives, KTO aims to make Korea a more accessible and attractive destination for Indian travellers. Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director for India and SAARC countries, KTO, said, “With your support, we aim to further enhance travel opportunities, streamline processes, and ensure a seamless experience for Indian visitors to Korea.” KPTC is a specialised certification programme by KTO for travel agents.

Thomas Cook (India) has announced a 24-month strategic partnership with the Moscow Project Office for tourism promotion. The partnership will focus on strengthening cooperation through the exchange of knowledge, best practices and curation of unique-innovative products designed specifically for Indian travellers, towards fostering long-term growth in tourism and business MICE segments between India and Moscow. This strategic partnership aims at capitalising on Thomas Cook and SOTC Travel’s viable leisure and corporate MICE segments in a multi-pronged initiative that focuses on deepening product development, destination knowledge & training, marcom and consumer promotions – to create top of mind visibility and drive visitations from the India market to Moscow and beyond. The partnership will showcase Moscow’s distinctive and diverse appeal as a vibrant destination for India’s leisure, business/MICE and b-leisure sectors. The collaboration intends to maximise on the diversity of consumer segments of India’s leading omnichannel travel service providers, Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel – across India’s major metros, mini-metros, and emerging tier 2 and 3 source markets. Rajeev Kale – President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa – Thomas Cook (India) said, “The new age Indian traveller is displaying strong and growing appetite for unique destinations and enriching experiences. Moscow represents a delightful diversity of architecture, art, culture, gastronomy and vibrant nightlife…hidden gems waiting to be explored!  And so, on behalf of the Thomas Cook India Group, I am delighted to announce our strategic long term and multi-pronged partnership with Moscow Project Office for Tourism & Hospitality Development that extends across our range of segments – including MICE and leisure.” “With a vibrant heritage of over 143 years in India, this ground breaking MOU reiterates our leadership position in the …

Resorts World Cruises is pleased to update that its third cruise ship, Star Scorpio, which is set to join the fleet and commence deployment from 26 March 2025 onwards will be renamed as the Star Voyager. Aptly named as the Star Voyager, she will start her journey by exploring more of Southeast Asia until 21 July 2025 with Singapore as her main homeport, together with Jakarta, Melaka, Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh city as her dual homeport. Passengers will have the convenience to embark the Star Voyager from any of these homeport cities at selected dates, including during the local school holiday periods with the option to sail between cities, as well as to more popular destinations like Medan, Pulau Redang and Ko Samui.

EaseMyTrip.com has entered into a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) with Sabah Tourism Board (STB) to strengthen Sabah’s appeal among Indian travellers. The signing ceremony took place on 3rd February 2025 at the EaseMyTrip office in New Delhi, with STB Chief Executive Officer Julinus Jeffery Jimit and EaseMyTrip Chief Operating Officer Nutan Gupta formalising the collaboration. The event was attended by key representatives from both organisations, including Mr. Sanchit Chopra (Senior Vice President – Marketing & Alliances, EaseMyTrip), Mr. Saurabh Shukla (Assistant General Manager – Marketing & Alliances, EaseMyTrip), Mr. Humphrey Ginibun(Senior Marketing Manager, STB), and Ms. Poonam Nautiyal (Marketing Manager, Tourism Malaysia New Delhi). This partnership marks a significant milestone in expanding Sabah’s presence in the Indian travel market, leveraging EaseMyTrip’s industry expertise, digital reach, and extensive customer base. Under this strategic alliance, both organisations will collaborate on a series of targeted initiatives to increase inbound tourism and enhance travel experiences for Indian visitors. As part of the agreement, EaseMyTrip will create a dedicated Sabah page under its Malaysia microsite, providing comprehensive travel itineraries, must-visit attractions, and essential travel information for prospective travellers. The platform will also develop a series of destination-specific blogs, immersive video content, and social media campaigns to showcase Sabah’s cultural heritage, pristine landscapes, adventure tourism, and luxury offerings. To maximiseoutreach, EaseMyTrip and STB will jointly co-fund digital marketing campaigns, ensuring wider visibility and engagement across Indian markets. Furthermore, the collaboration extends beyond leisure tourism, with a strong emphasis on niche experiences such as MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) for business travellers, corporate retreats, and international conferences. Specialised travel packages will also be curated for destination weddings, offering couples an opportunity to celebrate their special day in Sabah’s picturesque locations. Additionally, EaseMyTrip will promote wellness tourism through …

Ecole Ducasse is preparing to celebrate Easter with a one-of-a-kind collection. Highlighting the olive tree—an emblem of peace, hope, and resilience—this initiative is both a gourmet delight and a bearer of profound symbolism. This sensory and cultural journey invites chocolate lovers and connoisseurs of exceptional craftsmanship to discover creations that transcend borders. A Collection that Travels the World For Easter 2025, École Ducasse pays tribute to the olive tree, a universal symbol carrying a positive message across the globe. This year, its Easter creations invite people of all ages on an extraordinary journey where local traditions and universal symbols converge. From Paris to Bangkok, Abu Dhabi to Yssingeaux, each school within the group embraces this powerful theme, delivering a message of unity across continents—through chocolate recipes, artistic creations, and both sweet and savory delicacies. To mark this occasion, the experts at École Ducasse have designed a collection that blends exceptional craftsmanship with timeless values. The olive tree serves as the central theme of these creations—a powerful and inspiring symbol that bridges cultures in celebration of life and renewal. A Unique Artistic Piece and Gourmet Creations Inspired by the Olive Tree At the heart of this exclusive collection is a singular artistic masterpiece, which will be unveiled at the ENSP campus in Yssingeaux. This exceptional chocolate egg, a true work of art, poetically represents the olive tree. The experts at École Ducasse have meticulously sculpted a majestic olive tree sheltering a refined egg, adorned with delicate leaves from the same tree. Crafted with precision by the institution’s chefs, this creation combines elegance, technical mastery, and a tribute to the virtues of this iconic tree. In addition to this unique piece, École …

The Moroccan National Tourism Office (MNTO) has successfully wrapped up its showcase of Morocco at OTM 2025, with a special focus on the keen interest of the Indian traveller. Held at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, the MNTO stand, received immense interest from Indian travel professionals, and industry stakeholders. The booth highlighted Morocco’s dynamic travel experiences, from immersive cultural journeys and historical landmarks to adventure tourism and luxury getaways. Visitors explored Morocco’s variety as a destination for families, couples, solo explorers, and thrill-seekers alike. The vibrant display and interactive sessions allowed attendees to gain deeper insights into Morocco’s tourism potential. During the event, MNTO also hosted a networking evening where key trade operators and media partners were invited. A presentation was conducted to inform guests about the destination, The vibrant display and interactive sessions allowed attendees to gain deeper insights into Morocco’s tourism potential. Recognizing India as a key growth market, MNTO aims to leverage the impressive 43% rise in Indian outbound travel from India. Strengthening collaborations with travel partners remains a priority to promote Morocco’s stunning landscapes, vibrant traditions, and unique travel experiences. With enhanced marketing initiatives and tailor-made travel packages, MNTO seeks to position Morocco as a preferred destination among Indian travelers. Jamal Kilito, Country Manager, MNTO India, expressed his excitement about engaging with the Indian market, stating, “OTM 2025 provided an exceptional opportunity to showcase Morocco’s unique appeal to Indian travelers. Our goal is to enhance our presence in India by curating experiences that cater to local preferences. With 10 Moroccan tourism companies participating, we aimed to strengthen business collaborations and highlight the country’s diverse offerings, seamlessly blending history, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality to create …

Dr. Subhash Goyal, Chairman Aviation & Tourism Committee of Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is also a veteran in the tourism industry thanked the Hon’ble Finance Minister for acknowledging the tourism sector’s significant contribution to the nation’s economic growth and job creation. He also thanked the Minister for the initiative to develop 50 tourist destinations in collaboration with state governments, with the focus on enhancing India’s global image as a premier travel destination. The effort will be on improving the infrastructure development and accessibility to the monuments and sites to attract more tourist visitors. At the same time, Dr. Goyal also expressed his disappointment on the Budget passed by the Hon’ble Finance Minister as the allocation of only Rs. 3 crores given to the Ministry of Tourism is shocking. Earlier the allocation was Rs.400 Crore when we had a very successful Incredible India campaign, which was drastically reduced to Rs.33 crores and now to Rs.3 crore is absolutely meaningless. By this publicity to the global consumer for tourism has come to an end and the little efforts will be made on a B2B level through trade fairs will also be further curtailed apart from the fact that the consumer’s demand for India has gone down. The image of India will take a hit when we will not be able to participate in any international trade fairs; and small countries like Srilanka, Maldives, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam will have huge pavilions to attract international tourists. Dr. Goyal said, the greatest need of this country is employment generation and poverty eradication. With the coming of AI (Artificial Intelligence) lot of jobs will be drastically cut and reduced, not only in the manufacturing …

GRT Hotels & Resorts is delighted to unveil its exclusive summer meeting offers across four of its distinguished Radisson properties—Radisson Blu Hotel & Suites GRT Chennai, Radisson Blu Resort Temple Bay Mamallapuram, Radisson Resort Pondicherry Bay, and Radisson Bengaluru City Centre. These offers are designed to provide meeting planners with seamless event experiences at some of the most sought-after destinations in South India. With a mix of urban city-center hotels and scenic beach resorts, these properties offer versatile meeting spaces, state-of-the-art facilities, and curated dining experiences that cater to corporate events, conferences, and incentive groups. Each venue provides a unique blend of business-friendly amenities and leisure opportunities, ensuring an inspiring environment for productive gatherings. Exciting Benefits for Meeting Planners: All-inclusive meeting packages tailored for corporate gatherings World-class cuisine with customizable menus and themed dining options Unique venues, from boardrooms and banquet halls to beachfront lawns and poolside settings Radisson Rewards benefits for meeting planners and corporate bookers Seamless planning support from our dedicated events team Jit Bose, Vice President – Commercial, GRT Hotels & Resorts, emphasized the significance of these offers: “We are thrilled to launch these exclusive meeting offers, strategically designed to provide corporate planners with diverse venue options, outstanding hospitality, and exceptional value. By introducing these packages well in advance, we aim to give businesses and event organizers ample time to plan and customize their events with us.” With its signature blend of luxury, hospitality, and world-class service, GRT Hotels continues to be a trusted choice for corporate events and MICE in South India. For inquiries and bookings, reach out to our team today and let us help you craft the perfect meeting experience. 08062210101.

Moscow continues to reinforce its status as a premier travel destination, experiencing a substantial rise in international tourist arrivals. In the first nine months of 2024 alone, the Russian capital welcomed 19.7 million visitors, including 1.9 million foreign tourists — a 19% increase compared to the previous year. India has emerged as one of Moscow’s top two non-CIS inbound tourism markets, with over 61,000 Indian travelers visiting the city during this period. Building on this momentum, Moscow made a strong impression at OTM 2025, held in Mumbai from January 30 to February 1, by captivating the Indian travel trade industry with its rich cultural heritage and diverse tourism offerings. The Moscow City Tourism Committee presented an engaging showcase of the city’s cultural, leisure, and business tourism opportunities, emphasizing its partiality towards the Indian market. “India remains a key market for Moscow’s tourism strategy, and we are pleased to see a steady increase in Indian visitors to our city. Through strategic partnerships, customized travel experiences, and immersive initiatives, we look forward to welcoming more Indian tourists and providing them with an unforgettable experience in our vibrant and historically rich city,” stated Evgeny Kozlov, First Deputy Head of the Office of the Mayor and the Government of Moscow, Chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee. On the sidelines of the exhibition, the Moscow City Tourism Committee finalized two significant agreements aimed at bolstering tourism cooperation with Indian partners. A landmark cooperation agreement was signed with the State of Maharashtra, India’s second most populous and third-largest state. This strategic partnership is designed to foster mutual growth and promote tourism between Moscow and Maharashtra, with a special emphasis on enhancing travel links between the …

SOTC Travel announces its first franchise outlet in Bhubaneshwar, marking a significant milestone for the Company’s East India expansion. The outlet was inaugurated by Himanshu Sampat – Vice President Sales SOTC Travel. Odisha is emerging as a strong travel market and is witnessing a strong demand led by Bhubaneswar and surrounding catchments. SOTC’s new franchise strategically situated in the city center, to serve both leisure and business segments. SOTC Travel’s new outlet offers end-to-end travel solutions with an array of services, including: International & Domestic Holidays (Group tours, Personalised Holidays, Cruises, etc.), Value Added Services like Travel Insurance; Visa Services, etc.