Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

According to the latest World Tourism Barometer by UN Tourism, the global tourism sector is poised for a full recovery by the end of 2024. In the first 9 months of the year, 1.1 billion international tourists travelled globally, marking a 98% return to pre-pandemic levels. Many regions have already exceeded 2019 arrival numbers, with international tourism receipts showing double-digit growth.

The TAAI Northern Region team celebrated its 73rd year of establishment in Delhi, marking a significant milestone for the travel industry. Gracing the occasion were RK Suman, Regional Director North, Ministry of Tourism, and Neeraj Malhotra, Chairman, TAAI-Northern Region. The event brought together TAAI members, travel agents, and key industry stakeholders, fostering dialogue on pressing issues and collaborative opportunities. Members leveraged the event to discuss the challenges being faced by them in diverse areas and activities to be conducted in the future. A presentation on how to use the NIDHI portal has also been held to guide members on registering as travel agents. NIDHI ID (NID) is a unique national identifier for relevant stakeholders in the tourism, which improves delivery of services. One can avail of the benefits and incentives through it. Apart from this, registered entities can apply for relevant Certification/Classification/Recognition on this portal. Emphasising his commitment to educate members and provide support to them, Neeraj Malhotra, said, “My priority is to empower our members through knowledge-sharing events like these. I am dedicated to resolving their issues, be it with IATA, VFS, hotels, or airlines”. Aligning with TAAI’s national leadership vision of ‘members first,’ he informed us he is taking multiple initiatives to resolve members’ concerns including staff insurance policies and regular feedback forums. He also revealed that the launch of the association’s new logo will be held in January, 2025. Looking ahead, Malhotra expressed excitement about future milestones. “January 2025 will see the launch of TAAI’s new logo, to be unveiled in Delhi and Mumbai, as we gear up for TAAI’s 75th year in 2026—our golden jubilee,” he shared. Highlighting a major concern, he called out the inefficiencies …

Minds On Marketing (MOM) is thrilled to announce its exciting new partnership with Brian’s Holidays, a prominent Sri Lankan Destination Management Company (DMC). This collaboration comes at a pivotal moment as Sri Lanka is rapidly emerging as one of the most sought-after destinations for Indian travellers. Brians Holidays, a dynamic and innovative company, headed by Mr. Jerom Nesiah, is proud of his energetic team that understands the fast-paced and competitive nature of the Indian market. While the company has predominantly handled B2B referral business in the past, this strategic alliance with MOM marks a significant shift toward increasing their business transactions and expanding their reach within India. With this collaboration, the founders of MOM, Ms. Sashi Sherpa and Mr. Ashish Rohra, assure to provide exceptional travel experiences, capitalizing on Sri Lanka’s rising popularity among Indian tourists. Stay tuned for more exciting development as this partnership sets the stage for a promising future in the travel industry.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister conferred the award at the ATOAI convention in Tawang. Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board participated at the national convention of Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board’s continuous efforts to establish the state as an adventure tourism hub have been yielding consistent results. The MP Tourism Board was honoured with the award for the ‘Best Adventure Tourism State’ at the national convention of the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) held in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Shri Pema Khandu presented the award to the Joint Director Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, Dr. S.K. Shrivastava. The Best Adventure State award is given to states that have excelled in promoting adventure tourism through infrastructure, diverse activities, and innovations. Principal Secretary Tourism and Culture Department and Managing Director Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board Shri Sheo Shekhar Shukla said “Under the guidance of Tourism, Culture and Religious Trusts and Endowments Minister Shri Dharmendra Bhav Singh Lodhi, efforts are being made at various levels to establish the state as an adventure tourism hub. This award is not only a recognition of our state’s unique natural resources and diverse tourism experiences but also a result of the state government’s continuous efforts and innovations in the field of adventure tourism.” He added “places like Satpura, Pachmarhi, Amarkantak, and the Narmada Valley have played a significant role in promoting adventure activities. The operation of activities like skydiving, trekking, river rafting, paragliding, and jungle safari in the state has attracted youth and adventure tourists.”

BWH”” Hotels is proud to unveil its latest addition to the Amritsar hospitality scene—Best Western AH1 Amritsar, located on Airport Road. This modern hotel, marks the sixth property in the city offering a perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and contemporary amenities for both business and leisure travelers. Nestled in the heart of Amritsar, Best Western AH1 Amritsar offers an ideal location just off the highway and a mere 5-minute drive from the airport. It’s the perfect base for discovering the city’s most celebrated attractions. The Golden Temple is only a short drive away, while Jallianwala Bagh, Durgiana Temple, and the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum are all within easy reach. For those seeking an authentic experience, the nearby markets and shopping areas showcase the bustling energy and cultural richness of Amritsar. making it an excellent choice for travelers looking to soak in the city’s dynamic atmosphere. Experience unparalleled luxury at Best Western AH1 Amritsar, offering 80 meticulously designed rooms and suites that combine elegance with comfort. Each room blends style and functionality, with spacious layouts and state-of-the-art amenities designed to cater to your every need. Guests can choose from a variety of accommodations, including Superior Rooms, Deluxe Rooms, Premium Rooms, Suites, and Executive Suites, ensuring a personalized stay that perfectly matches their preferences. For dining, savor a nourishing breakfast to start your day, followed by a relaxed experience at Skyline – Resto Bar, where you can enjoy fine wines, cigars, and light bites. Alternatively, enjoy the comfort of In-Room Dining with a selection of delectable dishes delivered directly to your door. With exceptional guest services, including high-speed Wi-Fi, 24-hour room service, and event spaces for all occasions, your stay promises to …

Speaking at the 16th ATOAI Annual Convention, Pema Khandu, Chief Minister, Arunachal Pradesh, revealed that two major trekking routes are being planned by the central government. The third initiative, the Trans-Himalayan Trekking Trail, will be launched as well for adventure enthusiasts. He said, “These initiatives will provide opportunities for the local communities to showcase their culture and hospitality.”

After the success of the pilot phase of its e-visa system in India, the Philippines announced that it is ready to fully implement its new e-visa system in India. Considering that India has been one of the important outbound source markets, the Philippines has been trying to implement a fully automated e-visa process to attract Indians.

Himanshu Patil, Director, Kesari Tours Kesari Tours Private Limited , takes the charge as new OTOAI President. Speaking about the first steps in his new role, he shared, “The aim is to change the perception and to grow the association pan-India, especially in the Western region and the Southern side. The way OTOAI is working, we will do well in both these areas.”

The Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI) successfully concluded its elections on 5th December 2024, marking the end of the 2022-2024 term. The association introduced its new team for the term 2024-2026. Working committee members President: Himanshu Kesari Patil, Kesari Tours and Travels Vice President: Shravan Bhalla, High Flyer General Secretary: Sidharth Khanna, Khanna Enterprises (Regd.) Joint Secretary: Monia Kapoor, Travel O Holidays Treasurer: Gurdeep Singh Gujral, Gujral Tours and Travels The new leadership team is well-positioned to guide OTOAI with vision, dynamism, and a commitment to propelling growth in the outbound tourism sector. The election process was managed by Sanjay Datta, Managing Director, Airborne Holiday, who served as the Election Officer for the OTOAI elections. Executive Committee Members To strengthen the governance structure, the Executive Committee (EC) comprises both retained and nominated members. The EC members for the term 2024-2026 include: Riaz Munshi, N. Chirag Travels Adl Abdul Karim, Flycreative Online Ankush Nijhawan, Travel Boutique A Unit of Lap Travels Rohit Shorey, Destination Travel Services Vineet Gopal, Engee Holidays Vinayak Laud, Vinaayak Holidays The new team will officially commence their duties on 6 December, 2024. With a focus on innovation, collaboration, and member engagement, the 2024-2026 team is dedicated to advancing OTOAI’s goals and promoting outbound tourism both domestically and internationally. OTOAI extended gratitude to the outgoing OTOAI team for their remarkable contributions, which included hosting impactful events, forming strategic collaborations, and signing numerous MOUs that enhanced the association’s footprint.  

In a significant move to strengthen tourism ties with India, South Africa has come up with a newly gazetted Trusted Tourist Tour Operator System Scheme which will take effect on 20 January 2025. Aimed specifically at the Indian and Chinese markets, it will allow for bulk visa processing for group travellers. 23 Indian tour operators applied in the first phase.