Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, in his address at 12th Edition of the International Tourism Mart (ITM), in Kaziranga in Assam, underscored the Northeast’s legacy, cultural diversity, and natural wealth emphasizing its rich cuisine, crafts and biodiversity. This ITM is a remarkable opportunity for Northeast India to showcase its rich culture and diversity to the world and also offers a platform for people from across the globe to witness the extraordinary heritage of this region, he said. He further highlighted the significance of hosting the ITM in Kaziranga, stating that it reflects the increasing importance of the Northeast on the national stage. Mentioning the event in Kaziranga as special, the minister said that over the past decade, development in the region has accelerated.

With an eye to reinforce Taiwan’s post-pandemic tourism profile, Taiwan Tourism Administration (TTA) has announced the launch of new global brand positioning campaign, and logo, Version 3.0 titled ‘Taiwan – Waves of Wonder.’ It also launched a new series of  animated short films and Taiwan tourism promotional song to accompany the new logo. Inviting visitors to ‘engage now’ to experience Taiwan in all its colours and across four-seasons, the new campaign aims to drive demand, accelerate inbound tourism growth, fully revitalise country’s tourism sector. The campaign also aims to drive 10 million international tourist arrivals this year, eyeing a significant growth over last year’s 6.48 million tourist arrivals. The new version of the brand integrates images of Taiwan’s mountains, oceans, highways and railways, presenting a wave-like design to convey the seasonal highlights of the destination showing that Taiwan is diverse and beautiful, while emphasizing its year-round hospitality towards visitors. The logo adopts the orange tones of sunrise and morning light to not only align with the ‘warmth and vitality of the previous brand’, but also to symbolise the future development of Taiwan’s tourism industry. The campaign showcases Taiwan in all its hues, from modern tourism infrastructure and landmarks, great outdoors and activities, pristine nature, architectural and cultural heritage, to exotic cuisines and immersive culinary experiences, vibrant nightlife, shopping, music, entertainment and its vibrant festivals, among others, to position Taiwan as round-the-year destination.

The Australian national carrier Qantas has today announced a new model for travel agents to access Qantas fares, as the airline continues to invest in its new distribution capabilities to better serve the evolving needs of agents and customers. Launching mid-next year, the new model reflects a global drive towards adoption of NDC technology, which has significant benefits for travel agents and their customers. From 1 July 2025, agents will be able to access Qantas content a number of ways, with surcharge free options as well as varying ticket surcharges, including: • Traditional indirect booking systems (also known as EDIFACT) • Standard NDC • Premium NDC

Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) is pleased to announce the launch of IndiGo’s direct flight from Chennai to Penang, with the inaugural flight scheduled for the 21st of December 2024. This marks a significant step in strengthening the relationship between Penang and India. The new route further cements PCEB’s ongoing efforts to enhance connectivity and foster closer ties between the two regions.

Join an exclusive webinar of Impiana Private Villas, Seminyak, Bali on 28 November at 3 pm and get insights about its authentic Indian restaurant Frangipaani and Impiana Private Pool Villas, presented by a three-member team. For more information, contact Jaspreet Kaur at +91 9650196532 or jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com.

VFS Global has crossed the 300 million applications milestone globally. It is notable that the last 100 million applications have been achieved in the past 5 years despite the pandemic-driven travel slow-down of 2020-2022. In 2023 alone, the company processed 24.1 million applications, 35% more than 2022, and between January to May 2024, it has processed approximately 100,000 applications a day. Zubin Karkaria, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, VFS Global Group, said, “We are very pleased and honoured with the achievement of this milestone, which is a testament to the trust 69 governments have in VFS Global, and a testament to the reliable, secure and innovative services we provide across 153 countries. We are also deeply grateful to all visa applicants using our services. Over the past year we are honoured to have won several important contracts, including becoming the exclusive overseas visa outsourcing partner for UK Visas and DHA Australia, and contracts with Germany, Finland, Portugal and Japan who have renewed their trust in us. We remain deeply committed to continuing investments in technology and human capital development to ensure continuous enhancement of our services.”

With a rise in people seeking out deeper, more meaningful experiences on vacation, solo travel presents the perfect solution. Travelling solo means individuals can go where they want, when they want, and experience life-enhancing “you-time.” As experts in deep and meaningful moments, Four Seasons Resorts Maldives specializes in putting solo travellers in touch with mesmerizing outer – and inner – landscapes. Travellers might be alone, but they can rest assured they’ll never feel lonely. Here are four reasons why solo travel to the Maldives with Four Seasons is highly recommended: Invest In Wellbeing There’s no better reason to solo travel than to immerse in a world of personalized wellbeing. Four Seasons Resort Landaa Giraavaru is home to the pioneering wellness haven AyurMa. In this healing three-acre haven, guests can start their journey with PraMā – a comprehensive evidence-based health screening system – before the onsite team of experts crafts a personalized program shaped by AyurMa’s four pillars of Ayurveda, Yoga Therapy, Wellness, and Planetary Wellbeing. Alternatively, private Yoga Therapy courses can be booked to provide tailored yoga prescriptions of asanas for individual health needs. At Four Seasons Resort Kuda Huraa, guests can book into The Island Spa’s sacred Healing Tent for a holistic blend of Reiki, sound healing, guided breathwork, and ice bath therapy. They can also challenge themselves with yoga on a stand-up paddleboard (guaranteed giggles!) or achieve serenity with gravity-defying AntiGravity Yoga. Whatever their wellness aspirations, heartfelt therapists are on hand to help realize them on their terms. Tick Off Bucket List Dreams Solo travel provides the freedom to indulge in dreams and goals without worrying about anyone else’s preferences. Guests can snorkel with the world's largest known …

Clarks Collection proudly announces the opening of its latest boutique property in Ajmer, Rajasthan, offering a premium experience to luxury travelers, religious pilgrims, corporate clients, and guests seeking bespoke, intimate events. This addition strengthens the brand’s nationwide presence while tapping into Ajmer’s unique appeal as a spiritual destination for both Hindu and Muslim devotees. Strategically located in the heart of the city with excellent connectivity, the property features 28 elegantly designed rooms across various categories. Each room is thoughtfully equipped with modern amenities, to cater guest needs. The property also boasts a spacious banquet hall that accommodates up to 150 guests, making it ideal for events and corporate gatherings. Recognizing the evolving lifestyle preferences in Ajmer, Clarks Collection introduces an in-house pub to cater to the city’s emerging nightlife culture. Additionally, the on-site rooftop restaurant offers a diverse culinary experience with North Indian, Continental, and authentic Rajasthani dishes, reflecting Rajasthan’s rich heritage and renowned gastronomy. Speaking on the launch, Mr. Prakash Bedi, Vice President of Clarks Collection, remarked, “Rajasthan has always been a key market for us, and Ajmer is a significant addition to our portfolio. Along with serving the religious tourism segment, we aim to appeal to younger travelers seeking nightlife and unique experiences. With personalized itineraries and investments in advanced technology, including AI-driven tools, we aim to elevate our guest engagement and expand our reach. The property emphasizes sustainability and community development as part of its commitment to responsible tourism. Clarks Collection plans to achieve certifications from international quality bodies, implement a zero-plastic policy, and utilize locally sourced construction materials. Furthermore, the brand is dedicated to hiring from the local workforce, contributing to the region’s economic growth. The …

TAAI, celebrating its journey from 1951 to 2026, will launch the ‘TAAI 75 Years’ initiative in early 2025. Sunil Kumar, President, said, “We’re starting early to ensure the initiative grows and transitions into a significant industry event. The celebrations will honour our legacy, foster partnerships, and highlight the evolution of India’s travel industry.”

The contribution of the tourism sector to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for 2022-23 stood at five per cent, the government informed Parliament. In a written response in the Lok Sabha, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Tourism Minister, stated that the total foreign tourist arrivals in 2023 stood at 9.52 million.