Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

SpiceJet has announced plans to launch seaplane operations in 2025, connecting some of India’s most remote and picturesque locations. The announcement was made today by SpiceJet’s Chairman and Managing Director, Ajay Singh, on the occasion of a demonstration seaplane flight from Prakasam Barrage in Vijayawada to Srisailam Dam, attended by Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Sh. N. Chandrababu Naidu and Hon’ble Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Sh. K. Rammohan Naidu. SpiceJet has partnered in seaplane trials across multiple locations, providing crucial engineering, technical, and logistical support to De Havilland. With rights to operate seaplane services on 20 routes, including Lakshadweep, Hyderabad, Guwahati, and Shillong, the airline is preparing to roll out connectivity across key routes as the infrastructure becomes ready. Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet, said, “Seaplanes have the potential to transform India’s regional connectivity, opening up access to some of the most stunning, yet remote, parts of the country. SpiceJet has always dared to dream big and with the support of visionary leaders like Chief Minister Sh. Chandrababu Naidu and Union Minister Sh. K. Rammohan Naidu, we are taking concrete steps to bring seaplane operations to life in India once again. We are excited to help drive this initiative forward, partnering closely with the government and civil aviation authorities to ensure these services become a reality and a success.” Avani Singh, CEO Spice Shuttle, said, “Our journey in regional connectivity has been a purposeful one, rooted in the belief that everyone, no matter how remote, deserves access to affordable and efficient air travel, and today, we are excited to be at the forefront of seaplane operations in India.”

Singapore Tourism Board (STB) announced today that visitor arrivals from India have surged past the one million mark, two months earlier than in 2023. This milestone was achieved when Singapore Airlines flight SQ-421 from Mumbai touched down at Changi Airport on 31 October, bringing in Singapore’s millionth Indian visitor for 2024. With a 12% increase in Indian visitors from January to October 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, India is Singapore’s third-largest source market for tourism. Markus Tan, Regional Director of STB for India, Middle East, South Asia, and Africa, commented on this significant milestone “Welcoming our one millionth Indian visitor two months earlier than in 2023 demonstrates Singapore’s enduring appeal as a premier short-haul destination for Indian travellers. This milestone not only reflects our strong tourism recovery but also highlights the continued importance of the metros as source markets. Beyond the metros, STB is also expanding our reach and appeal of Singapore across diverse regions of India, using targeted marketing efforts and initiatives with the travel trade. We remain steadfast in our commitment to offering novel and engaging experiences that resonate with the aspirations of our Indian guests, ensuring that Singapore continues to be a destination of choice for years to come.” Singapore’s appeal to Indian travellers has been bolstered by strong connectivity and its diverse range of experiences catering to different visitor segments. In India, STB has partnered with popular Indian brands and launched various marketing initiatives to elevate Singapore’s appeal. Earlier this year, STB signed a two-year MOU with PhonePe for seamless UPI transactions and a strategic partnership with MakeMyTrip to tailor unique travel packages. An exclusive Vlog travel series featuring actress Ananya Panday was also …

InterGlobe’s new lifestyle hotel brand in Europe, Miiro, continues its expansion with the addition of The Mansard, Gstaad, to its growing portfolio. This marks the brand’s entry into Switzerland and positions it as a key player in the European hospitality landscape. The Mansard will join existing Miiro hotels in Paris and Barcelona, along with new properties opening soon in London and Vienna in 2025. Launched in June 2024, Miiro is a characterful collection of individually designed hotels in the heart of Europe’s most vibrant cities. The 29-room hotel is ideally positioned in the centre of Gstaad, an idyllic ski destination nestled in the Swiss Alps. Overlooking Gstaad’s famed promenade, The Mansard offers a vibrant atmosphere where charming boutiques, luxury shopping, and gourmet dining are just a stroll away. The Hotel’s rooftop bar offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, while the restaurant showcases the finest local ingredients from the Bernese Oberland. The property, which is open year-round, also features a sauna, Miiro’s signature Refresh Room, as well as ski storage facilities. Travellers from India are always on the lookout for unique experiences and The Mansard, Gstaad, provides the perfect charming and romantic escape, offering a blend of alpine luxury along with modern comforts. With its stunning views and exceptional hospitality, The Mansard promises to be an ideal destination for discerning Indian travellers seeking an unforgettable experience in one of Switzerland’s most picturesque settings. Neena Gupta, CEO at Miiro and Executive Director-Group Strategy and International Hospitality for InterGlobe Enterprises, comments: “We are thrilled to be welcoming The Mansard into the Miiro collection this winter, as we continue to explore new opportunities to grow the brand in interesting neighbourhoods across Europe. …

Indian nationals were the largest group to receive UK visas for Visit, Study and Work categories in the year ending June 2024, said HE Lindy Cameron CB OBE, British High Commissioner to India at the inauguration of the new state-of-art UK visa application facility operated by VFS Global in Delhi on 12 November 2024. UK visa customers from India will now enjoy a smoother process. At VFS Global UK Visa Application Centres (VACs), biometrics will be enrolled first, followed by document scanning for non-digital customers. This change reduces wait times and enhances service under the global UK visa services contract secured by VFS Global in December 2023. Many VACs have also relocated or upgraded to state-of-the-art facilities across India. Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India said: “The UK-India partnership is built on millions of personal connections, shared dreams, and collective aspirations. I’m delighted to launch the refurbished VFS Visa Application Centre for UK visa and passport applications in Delhi. We’re introducing significant improvements in our visa services across India, further strengthening our already excellent visa offering for Indian nationals. The vast majority of Visit, Work and Study visa applications we receive are processed within 3 weeks and there are no caps on visa appointments.” Matt Heath, Visits & ETA Network Deputy Director, UK Visas and Immigration, remarked, “I am delighted to be here, in Delhi, to inaugurate this visa application centre, we extend our sincere thanks to VFS for their outstanding support in facilitating close to a million visa applications for Indian nationals in the recent year ending June 2024. For the last two years, UKVI has consistently met our customer service standards, making visa decisions for visit, work …

Experience the world’s first mega-musical on Shri Krishna, ‘Rajadhiraj: Love, Life, Leela’, a grand theatrical performance featuring over 180 artists. Conceptualised and produced by Dhanraj Nathwani, penned by Padma Shri Awardee Prasoon Joshi, and directed by Shruti Sharma, the show brings to life Shri Krishna’s journey from Vraj to Dwarka. With 20 original songs by Sachin-Jigar, stunning production design by Omung Kumar, enthralling choreography by Berwtin D’souza and Shampa Gopikrishna, and bespoke costumes by Neeta Lulla, this epic musical offers a blend of Western symphony, Indian classical music, and mesmerizing dance choreography. Executive Producer Bhoomi Nathwani promises a never-before-experience to the audience. A must-see for theatre enthusiasts! Dates: November 29th to December 8th Location: JLN Stadium, New Delhi To book tickets: https://in.bookmyshow.com/plays/rajadhiraaj-love-life-leela/ET00415345 

Balitrip Wisata has received recognition from the head of the regency, BLT Bhupati, and Pak Kadis, the Head of Tourism Authority for Karangasem in East Bali, for its efforts to promote tourism activities in East Bali targeting the Indian market. We engaged in discussions regarding potential future collaborations with government authorities to enhance Balitrip’s marketing initiatives in India.

Fly24hrs was awarded the ‘Best Business Travel Platform’ award at the India Travel Awards. Expressing his gratitude, Vaseem Parvez, Vice President (Sales & Operations) at Fly24hrs, said, “I dedicate this award to all my travel partners and my team. Their hard work and commitment to excellence have paid off, and this award is a testament to their success. We have been operating this B2B platform for the last four years.” 

Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister, Jammu and Kashmir, calls for a more sustainable and visitor-focused approach in the UT’s tourism sector. He highlights the importance of shifting tourism efforts from high volume to high value, emphasising quality over quantity. “There is a need to treat tourism as a structured, long-term endeavour, rather than an ad-hoc activity, by adopting a tourist-centric perspective. We need to enhance the tourist experience, so visitors are more likely to revisit and recommend J&K as a destination,” he said

Aloke Singh, Managing Director of Air India Express, shared that the airline’s growth will focus on connecting tier II and III cities, as they are the growth engines of the market. He highlighted that the largest share of the market lies in metro-to-non-metro routes, adding that the airline’s future international network will largely link smaller cities to destinations in the Gulf, Middle East, Southeast Asia, and eventually South Asia, with potential plans to extend to the Far East over the next few years. 

Explore Abu Dhabi like never before through an exclusive webinar on 15 November at 3pm, highlighting its luxury experiences, culinary adventures, and exceptional hospitality standards. The webinar promises to be a gateway to creating unforgettable memories in Abu Dhabi. For additional details, please contact Jaspreet Kaur on +91 9650196532 or at jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com.