Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

During its AGM held in Thiruvananthapuram, the members of the IATA Agents Association of India (IAAI) unanimously decided to withdraw their support to Emirates Airlines. Speaking about this move, Biji Eapen, National President, IAAI, says, “In case of non-adherence to regulatory requirements, we have decided not to sell or promote Emirates or any of its ancillary services  from April 1, 2017 onwards.” The association had earlier written a letter to Emirates requesting it to withhold its proposed reduction of commission from April 1, 2017 and retain the present level of commission  at three per cent gross or more till the Kerala High Court verdict. Eapen adds, “Our case WP25752/2013 and WA1136/2015 in the Hon High Court of Kerala for implementation, execution, and enforcement of DGCA Order March 5, 2010 is now scheduled for division bench hearing on May 25, 2017.”

As many as 201,333 foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) in India on Medical Visa were recorded in 2016, while there were 1,34,344 FTAs in 2015 and 75,688 FTAs in 2014. This information was given by Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Tourism and Culture (Independent Charge) in a written reply in Rajya Sabha. In order to simplify and speed up the procedure of obtaining Visa for tourists coming to India for medical purposes, the Government of India has extended the facility of e-Medical Visa. Other measures taken by the Government to facilitate the tourists coming through e- Medical Visa are: Extension of duration of stay for upto 6 months may be granted on case to case basis on merits of each case by the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO)/Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) concerned. Triple entry will be permitted as against single entry earlier. In case of emergency, if Medical Visa is recommended by an accredited hospital in India, Indian Missions/Posts abroad should decide on such request within 48 hours of getting the application.

Airbnb has officially launched its new platform Trips in New Delhi, adding 15 bookable local experiences to the thousands of homes available to stay in. Trips is a way to experience a different side of the city, immersing themselves in communities through the eyes of locals. For cities, it can help to diversify tourism away from busy city centers. It also allows local people to participate and benefit from tourism by sharing their interests and passions, while enabling them to make a little extra money. Brian Chesky, Co-Founder, CEO and Head of Community of Airbnb, said, “Trips is the most significant development in the history of Airbnb. We’re moving beyond just the home, bringing together where you stay, what you do and the people you meet all in one place.  I’m excited to launch India Trips as we’ve handpicked unique experiences, designed and led by locals, to reflect the diversity and variety of the city.” Launched in November 2016, Airbnb Trips currently has over 800 active Experiences available, with bookers from over 73 different countries giving 91 per cent of Experience bookings a 5-star rating.

Destination Canada’s year-end data highlights that there has been a remarkable growth in the number of Indian tourists who visited Canada in the year 2016. More than 215,664 Indian tourists sojourned in the country from January-December, 2016, registering a remarkable growth of 13.2 per cent as compared to 2015. SanJeet, India Representative – Destination Canada, said, “This huge rise in arrivals from India proves that Indians are exploring Canada for the kind of diversities it offers. In 2016, Canada has been promoted extensively with the travel trade as well as consumers and we are hopeful to maintain steady growth this year as well, which is a special for all of us as Canada turns 150.” Last year, Destination Canada India office conducted a series of extensive market reach programmes including agent training sessions across India, consumer activations, digital campaigns, social media campaigns, familiarisation trips, networking sessions, among other activities. If reports came from the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) are to go by, Canada welcomed a total of 20 million visitors in 2016, a 14 year high. In 2015 the Tourism Industry Association of Canada set a 5 year industry goal to bring 20 million visitors to the country by 2020.

The Cathay Dragon website will soon be merged into the Cathay Pacific website. The merger, which will be in effect from March 29, 2017, means that customers will enjoy the convenience of being able to book flights from all departure points across the airlines’ combined network through a single website. Other functions – including booking management and online check-in services – in addition to a wealth of travel-related information, including flight timetables, flight status, baggage information and inflight entertainment options for both airlines will also be available through the enhanced website. Furthermore, four new country sites for Cathay Dragon customers in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Myanmar and Nepal will be made available through cathaypacific.com. The website merger is the latest development in Cathay Dragon’s rebranding process, which officially commenced in November 2016 in order to bring the airline closer to Cathay Pacific.

Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism in Canada, was in New Delhi on March 28, 2017 to meet the representatives from the tourism industry of India. Destination Canada along with H.E. Nadir Patel, High Commissioner for Canada to India organised a round table meeting with the minister for the travel trade dignitaries as well as the media. She discussed about the growth opportunities between the two countries as well as easing of Visa issuance for Indians travelling to Canada. “This year is Canada’s 150th birthday and we want the world and especially people from India to visit Canada, as we really see tourism as an economic driver. We have Destination Canada as our marketing agency, which is looking at markets outside Canada, including India, so that people can get to know the signature experiences that we have in Canada. It is the only country in the world where you can hear languages from around the world, see the diversity and eat food from all corners of the world.” The discussion was followed by cocktails and dinner hosted at the High Commissioner’s official residence.

Air India has led the way towards increasing agents livelihood and recognising their distribution channel. Subsequent to an in-depth interaction with the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) and its suggestions made to the national carrier, the airline has announced a new assured incentive/PLB Scheme for the FY 2017-18. Air India will file additional commission of two per cent with BSP and the same will be deducted by agent as cut and pay as per BSP cycle. This will be apart from the normal IATA commission of one per cent. Jyoti Mayal, TAAI member Managing Committee & Chairperson (Airline Council), says, “We really appreciate Air India’s move to recognise and support each and every IATA agent. After a long time, I feel that our industry is regaining its glory. Under the leadership of CMD Ashwani Lohani, we have seen them work very closely with the travel fraternity – first by bringing in credit cards then web parity and now with a level playing field where every agent gets incentivised on selling each and every ticket on Air India. I would now urge all IATA members to support our national carrier to make it a leading carrier in Indian skies. As an Airline Council Chairperson, I would love to see our national airline regaining its glory and profitability. We at TAAI took this initiative with the airline to set standards in the industry and promote all agents.” The incentives shall be calculated on basic fare for domestic and for international it will be calculated on Basic Fare +YQ. There is no target for the scheme and will be valid for all tickets sold within the territory of India by IATA agents …

Mizoram, one of the seven sister states received a total of 770 foreign tourists arrivals during the nine month period from April 2016 to January 2017. This was informed by John Rotluangliana, Tourism Minister, Government of Mizoram. Rotluangliana added that efforts are underway to concentrate on eco tourism, adventure tourism and rural tourism to attract more tourists. The state is focusing on both domestic and international tourists to boost its economy. He further said that Integrated Development of New Ecotourism under Swadesh Darshan – North East Circuit was being undertaken at Thenzawl and South Zote villages in Serchhip district and Reiek village in Mamit district. Also, implementation of Rural Home Stay Scheme was being taken up in six villages in Champai district on Myanmar border with fund from the New Economic Development Policy (NEDP) of the state government. Source: The Statesman

Four-day Jammu Mahotsav will be held from April 13-16 which will showcase the cultural heritage and multi-cuisine of the land of Dogras. According to Priya Sethi, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Floriculture and Parks, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, this festival will mark the beginning for Jammu in taking its spot in the national and international tourist circuit as an independent and attractive tourist destination. “Jammu Mahotsav is a step to elevate Jammu beyond its existing identity primarily as a religious tourism destination and make it a hub for multi-faceted tourist activities. This event will also be made an annual feature for the city,” she said. Special packages will also be introduced in association with Jammu Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC) during the festival to facilitate and divert the tourist movement to nearby tourist destinations in the region. The main events of the festival will be held at Bagh-e-Bahu. “Local cultural extravaganza and cultural carnival are planned on April 11 and 12, live performance by Lakhwinder Wadali and laser show on April 13, live performance by Abhay Sopori on April 14, and live performance by Jassi Gill and Babbal Rai on April 16. Folk dances and cultural programs, multi-cuisine stalls and cultural modelling show are some of the other programmes for the event,” said Sethi. She further added that in Jammu and Kashmir a self-sustained tourism model was being implemented in all three regions of the state for inclusive socio-economic development besides ensuring emergence of each region as exclusive independent tourist destination. (Source: PTI)

Cox & Kings launched Trip 360º as a one-stop-shop for all adventure travel in India. The company is offering adventure seekers a mix of 200 itineraries which include Diving with Sharks in Maldives to Skiing to the South Pole, Cycling trips in the Northeast India to some of the most remote corners of Laos, Cruising parts of Galapagos Islands and other parts of Central America to trekking the Vinson Massif in Antarctica and Sahyadri Ranges in Maharashtra. It will also launch new routes and trips to offbeat destinations like Myanmar, Papua New Guinea and sections that remain untouched by other tour operators. Rohan Prakash, Business Head, Trip 360º said, “Trip 360º is the first adventure specialist which will operate as both, an aggregator and tour operator. Our selected partners are locals from the area or specialists in their respective fields with an in-depth knowledge of the region and the local environment. We aim to consolidate their expertise with ours and create a platform for travellers to live and achieve their outdoor dream in a safe and healthy environment.” The company would offer tailored itineraries which will vary from soft, medium and hard adventures and would cater to all levels of adventure travellers. “We have handpicked and trained expert guides, leaders and suppliers to offer different adventures of international standards. We will be introducing activities like scuba diving, cycling, diving, biking and trekking and more exciting experiences within and outside India,” adds Prakash. Speaking at the launch, Karan Anand, Head-Relationships, Cox & Kings, said, “With increasing number of travellers shifting focus to experience-oriented vacations, there is an increase in the demand for the adventure travel services. The adventure travel business is …