Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has reported significant growth in its operational performance for the third quarter of 2024, according to its latest performance report. The airline transported over nine million guests, marking a 10% increase compared to the same period in 2023. This achievement was supported by more than 49,500 flights, reflecting a 9% increase in flight operations. Additionally, Saudia logged 146,700 flight hours, representing an 11% increase over last year, with an impressive on-time performance rate of 87.8%. Internationally, Saudia carried over five million guests, reflecting a 9% growth, and on more than 21,900 flights, a 5% increase compared to last year. The airline’s international fleet logged over 102,400 flight hours. On the domestic front, Saudia served over four million guests, demonstrating a 12% increase, with more than 27,500 flights operated, marking a 13% increase. Domestic flight hours surpassed 44,200, with a commendable on-time performance rate of 91.5%. H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General, Saudia Group, stated: “The aviation industry is uniquely defined by its skilled workforce and cutting-edge systems that ensure sustained operational excellence. We remain committed to delivering innovative services that enhance the travel experience for our valued guests, and our new strategy meticulously addresses every aspect of air travel—from security and safety to expanding seating capacity to meet growing demand.” From January to September 2024, Saudia successfully transported over 25.3 million guests across 143,800 flights. Looking ahead, the addition of 131 new aircraft to Saudia’s fleet will significantly expand flight offerings and seating capacity across its network of over 100 destinations spanning four continents. This growth will also introduce new international routes, aligning with the airline’s strategy to connect the world to …

Cygnett Hotels & Resorts partners with SeaHorse Hospitality Consulting to sign a premium 45-room hotel in Gurugram, reinforcing their presence in India’s hospitality sector SeaHorse Hospitality Consulting is proud to announce its successful facilitation of a key strategic partnership between Cygnett Hotels & Resorts and a premium property in the bustling city of Gurugram. The newly signed Cygnett Collection Gurugram will bring 45 meticulously designed rooms, an All-Day Dining Restaurant, a vibrant bar, modern social spaces, and a rejuvenating spa to one of India’s fastest-growing cities. This partnership signifies the commitment of both SeaHorse Consulting and Cygnett to delivering high-quality hospitality experiences in prime urban locations. The hotel is strategically located in Mall Fifty-one in Gurugram, the Millennium City of India. This location, home to some of the nation’s top corporations and business hubs, positions the new property to cater to business and leisure travellers. According to industry reports, India’s hotel industry has seen a 12% increase in occupancy rates in metro cities in 2023, further highlighting the potential for growth in this space. SeaHorse Consulting’s role in aligning the project with Cygnett Hotels underscores the firm’s expertise in brand hotel partnerships and hotel advisory services across India. Sandeep Roy, Founder and CEO of SeaHorse Hospitality Consulting said, “This partnership is a testament to our mission of connecting high-potential properties with leading brands,” “We believe that Cygnett’s commitment to quality and innovation aligns perfectly with the property’s potential, and we are excited to see this collaboration flourish.” The Cygnett Collection is known for its focus on authenticity and uniqueness, with properties located in prestigious cities and extraordinary leisure destinations. The upcoming Gurugram hotel will bring Cygnett’s signature style and comfort …

Chef Eabin Mathew, Principal, BGS Institute of Hotel Management, Bengaluru while receiving the ‘Most Promising Hotel Management College’ award at the India Travel Awards 2024, said, “The award will be instrumental in helping us advance our ideas and secure a place in the industry”.

Skyscanner’s new ‘Travel Trends Report’ unveiled Shillong as the most popular destination for Indian travellers in 2025. The report, which offers insights into the pulse of Indian travellers in the coming year, also revealed that 66% of Indians plan to “travel more” in the coming year.

Pradeep Shetty, President, Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), revealed that India’s hospitality industry contributes 12-13% to the GDP and employs over 12% of the workforce. These figures place the industry ahead of both the automobile and IT sectors in terms of economic contribution.

Focusing on sustainable travel and tourism trends at ITB Asia 2024, Liz Ortiguera, Managing Director for Asia Pacific, WTTC, said, “76% of travellers now seek sustainable travel options, with that figure climbing to 99% in some Asia Pacific markets while emphasising sustainability, community engagement, and Asia Pacific’s pivotal role in the sector’s future.”

The union tourism ministry has instructed online travel agents and industry bodies to create transparent refund policies and standard operating procedures to handle air ticket cancellation refunds, following numerous complaints from travellers. The ministry has written to companies such as MakeMyTrip, Yatra, EaseMyTrip, Thomas Cook and Cleartrip and industry bodies including Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) and Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), stating there is an “urgent need” to bring in transparency in the cancellation refund process.

Sharing details of the new products, Valentina Cesani is the Chief Customer Officer, CCO at Rail Europe, says, “RegioJet trains are now available in Eastern Europe, and we added Iryo, a new competitor to Renfe and Ouigo Spain, which opens up more possibilities for travellers. We’ve also launched new routes with partners like ÖBB and DB, enhancing connections to Denmark, Croatia, and other parts of Eastern Europe—not just the Czech Republic but also Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. Plus, we’ve expanded connections to Portugal through Renfe.”

Accepting the ‘Leading Hotel Chain for Business Travellers’ award on behalf of the hotel group, Sudhir Jena, Vice President, Corporate, Lords Hotels and Resorts, says, “I believe that the industry’s future is characterised by its evolution through technology, personalised services, and offbeat locations. The industry is headed in the right direction, and I foresee a bright future for Indian tourism.”    

Giving a big boost to its globally-acclaimed Responsible Tourism (RT) initiative, the Kerala Government has approved a raft of projects worth Rs 6.64 crore for implementing various initiatives in different destinations in the state. The projects are aimed at bolstering and diversifying the offerings under the Responsible Tourism initiative during 2024-25, with emphasis on sustainability and inclusiveness. As per the Government Orders (GOs) issued in this regard, the total amount of Rs 66,499,621 approved by the government for these initiatives include Responsible/ Resilient Tourism project of RT Mission, besides enhancing the facilities and services in the destinations concerned as the main thrust. This includes the government’s earlier approval of Rs 89,81,240 lakh for materializing first phase of RT Mission Society projects in 2024 – 25. The destinations benefiting from the initiative include RT Mission Society Training Centre at Kumarakom and Beypore Integrated RT Development Project. Of the amount, the Responsible/ Resilient Tourism project of RT Mission will get Rs 1,81,09,000 while approval has been given for Rs 1,15,00,000 for implementing Beypore Integrated RT Development Project. “The RT initiative is going to be the driver of Kerala Tourism in the future. In 2023, Kanthalloor village in Idukki was recognised by the Govt. of India for its sustainable and inclusive STREET tourism project with the Gold Award for Best Rural Tourism Project. This year, RT projects in Kadalundi and Kumarakom won the National Awards for best Rural Tourism and best Agri-Tourism villages respectively,” Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas said.