Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

Partnered with Vietjet Air and Bali Trip, Cross Hotels & Resorts is set to organise an exclusive webinar for the travel trade today at 3:00 pm IST. Gain valuable insights and be there to win exciting prizes. For more information, connect with Jaspreet Kaur at jaspreetkaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

In a conference on channelling retired defence officers in tourism, Subhash Goyal, Chairman, STIC Travel Group, said, “In development-related ventures, armed forces are highly well- trained in India, and could be an asset that is not being fully utilised. Their potential in the service industry is remarkable.”

As per CRISIL’s report, India’s inbound is still healing from the pandemic, with FTA at 90 per cent of 2019 levels in H1 2024. Though, forex eamings have surged by 23 per cent, indicating higher spending per tourist. India must simplify visa process to attract inbound in comparison to global numbers.

The Union Ministry of Tourism is going to celebrate World Tourism Day today. The event will be graced by Jagdeep Dhankar, Vice President, India, as the chief guest. The event will also be attended by Union Ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Ashwini Vaishnaw & Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu.

Etrav Tech Ltd. recently organised a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative following the Ganesh Pooja celebrations. In collaboration with the BBC – Biker Brotherhood Club, their team organized a beach clean-up drive to address the litter left after the immersion festivities and to honour the true spirit of the festival. The Ganesh Puja transcends mere dance, food, and rhythmic festivities; it also serves as a reminder of our connection with nature and the importance of preserving our environment. Lord Ganesha, revered as the remover of obstacles and the deity of wisdom, symbolizes harmony with nature. As a company committed to sustainability and community well-being, Etrav believes that its responsibilities extend beyond the festivities. The beach clean-up event, held on 22nd September, 2024, brought together members of the BBC, employees of Etrav, and local volunteers who worked tirelessly to collect waste and restore the beach’s natural beauty. With over 100 participants, they removed significant amounts of litter, fostering a sense of community and environmental awareness among all involved. Mr. Heniel Rupaarelia, Managing Director of Etrav Tech Ltd said, “We wanted to send a strong message that the celebration of Ganesh Pooja should not be just limited to celebrations but also include a commitment to protecting our environment,”  “Partnering with the BBC allowed us to amplify our impact and inspire even more people to respect and care for our natural surroundings.” As a Leading player in the B2B travel sector in India, Etrav Tech Ltd. is committed to implementing initiatives that promote sustainability and community welfare.

Maintaining its trusted partnership with the Thai government, VFS Global, the leading outsourcing and technology services provider for governments and diplomatic missions globally, has once again secured the contract to handle visa applications for Thailand from India. The company will cater to travellers from India across visa categories through visa application centres and drop off centres as per the jurisdiction of the Royal Thai Embassy in Delhi and Royal Thai Consulate General in Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai. VFS Global has been working with the Government of Thailand for nearly two decades and has handled over 2.1 million Thai visa applications since 2005. Applications are accepted at VFS Global visa application centres in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cochin, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai and Pune from Monday to Friday. More details are available on the website – https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/tha/attend-centre VFS Global also offers drop box services to tier 2 cities such as Agra, Amritsar, Dehradun, Jaipur, Ludhiana, Guwahati, Patna, Bhubaneswar, Jamshedpur and Siliguri. “The renewal of the Thai visa contract highlights VFS Global’s business excellence, dedication to enhancing customer experience, and the strong trust from the 69 governments we partner with, including Thailand,” said Yummi Talwar, COO – South Asia, VFS Global.

India’s love affair with Switzerland just got more intense as more Indian tourists begin to explore the beautiful Alpine country not just during the summer months, but through seasons like autumn and winter too. With a  rapidly changing profile, Indian tourists are now exploring off beat destinations, off peak seasons, more adventure, more luxury as well as local culture which is exactly in line with Switzerland Tourism’s long term strategy for long haul destinations. At a recently held meet organised by Switzerland Tourism, at Martin Maier, Consulate General’s Residence in Mumbai, CEO, Switzerland Tourism, Martin Nydegger; Christian Schoch, Director India, Switzerland Tourism, and Ritu Sharma, Deputy Director and Marketing Head – India, Switzerland Tourism threw light on the diversity of the country across seasons. Traditionally, Indian tourists have preferred summer as their go-to season, especially amongst families, due to school holidays. Most Indian travellers usually travel to Switzerland in the May-June period to also escape the heat in India. However, over the past few years, there has been a change in preferences as well as the profile of the typical tourist, who is now travelling to Switzerland throughout the year. Moreover, a second peak is being seen in the autumn and early winter seasons. The profile of the Indian tourist has evolved with couples, friends and solo travellers also growing along with the more typical family traveller. These travellers are now open to travelling to Switzerland in Autumn to see the changing colours of Fall, and also during their winter holidays, to especially enjoy local Christmas markets and other winter experiences (not necessarily skiing but sledging, snow-shoeing, etc.)

Bintan Resorts and VFS Global recently orchestrated an engaging familiarisation trip for the Indian travel trade media fraternity to experience the allure of Bintan, an Indonesian island 60 minutes’ ferry ride away from the shores of Singapore. Six travel journalists were immersed in the destination’s opulence and adventure, from its diverse accommodations to its thrilling activities. The aim was for them to experience and then share stories of their escapades with their readers. In promoting the ‘Fly, Stay, Ferry’ concept, VFS Global is positioning Bintan as a premier extension of a Singapore visit. Travelers can enjoy a vibrant city break in Singapore and then unwind with a peaceful island escape in Bintan. With convenient visa-on-arrival facilities for Indians at Bandar Bentan Telani (BBT) Ferry Terminal, Bintan is poised to welcome families, young Indian travelers, MICE groups, weddings, and celebrations, offering warm hospitality and memorable experiences

Union Minister of Tourism & Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, speaking at the G20 Ministerial meet in Brazil, emphasized the role of tourism and culture in sustainable socio-economic development and nature positive tourism. He stressed on the need for tourism policies to focus on inclusion and resilience, in line with India’s theme: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.

Booking.com’s latest study on the evolving travel trends among Indian travellers reveals a fascinating connection between popular movies, TV shows and social media with travel inspirations. 44% of Indians turn to their favourite films and series for travel ideas. Whether it’s indulging in a dish featured in a popular show or visiting iconic landmarks made famous on screen, the influence is undeniable. With the significant role of social media in shaping travel choices, 66% of Indian travellers are using platforms like Instagram and Facebook to find their next adventure. The journey from inspiration to reality is becoming more seamless and personalised.