Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

“Indian Civil Aviation Ministry is monitoring airfares daily as the festive season approaches”, said Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Minister Civil Aviation, Govt of India. He said that the government has been in contact with airport operators, asking them to keep airfares reasonable and not exploit the increase in demand during the season, adding that no unreasonable fare surges have been observed yet, and the ministry will take appropriate actions if necessary.

Taiwan Tourism made a grand return to the Indian capital, hosting its first post-pandemic roadshow at Le Meridien, New Delhi. The event saw a buzzing turnout of 110+ travel agents and 12+ renowned travel trade media, all excited to rediscover what makes Taiwan the next big destination for Indian travellers. With Air India and EVA Air as airline partners, the spotlight was firmly on promoting seamless travel routes connecting India and Taiwan. The roadshow aimed to reignite interest in Taiwan as a premier leisure and MICE destination and saw enthusiastic participation from the travel industry. Attendees were kept engaged with a variety of incentives, including lucky draws, a fun-filled on-site social media challenge, and a lively Q&A session where quick thinkers bagged enticing prizes. Adding to the buzz, a lucky winner from Ice Group India walked away with a show stopping prize package which included a return airport transfer, a city tour, and Taipei 101 entry tickets for two, all topped off with round-trip EVA Air tickets from Singapore to Taipei. Speaking about the roadshow’s success, Noel Saxena, Representative of Taiwan Tourism in India, shared, “We are on a mission to take Taiwan tourism to new heights, and we’re thrilled to see travel numbers bouncing back post-pandemic. India’s MICE segment holds great potential, and events like these help us tap into that market and spread the word. We recently hosted a networking and education seminar with Thai Airways in Mumbai and have a roadshow planned for Mumbai at the end of September. Additionally, we are organizing a leisure FAM trip to Taiwan for leading travel partners from India to experience Taiwan firsthand.” Air India and EVA Air showcased robust routes …

Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu has said that the ongoing Ministerial conference will address the immediate challenges and long-term growth prospects for the aviation industry in Asia Pacific region, which is home to some of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world. He informed, “By 2035, the region is expected to account for over 40% of global air traffic, with nearly 3.5 billion passengers traveling annually.”

India’s travel industry is experiencing a remarkable rebound, with over 2 billion travel-related searches on Google platforms annually. This figure highlights a significant recovery from the 70% dip in travel interest during the COVID-19 pandemic. Encouragingly, travel demand continues to grow, with a 12% increase year-over-year into the first half of 2024. The resurgence is further supported by a notable rise in app downloads, with travel-related apps witnessing a 40 million average monthly active usage, reflecting an increasing consumer appetite for travel planning and bookings.

More than ever, cultural exploration will be a priority for travellers in 2024. Skyscanner is seeing a broad spectrum of cultural curiosity in travel, from gig trippers, jetting off to see their favourite artists, to budget bougie foodies seeking the very best food experience. The cost of living, though, remains top of mind. Travellers also want to enhance their holidays in a cost-effective way too with ‘luxe-for-less’ holiday experiences trending. There’s a continued willingness from travellers globally to upgrade their holiday experience on everything from better quality food on board flights (29%) to upgrading to business or first class (20%).

Sandipan Bose, General Manager, Mementos by ITC Hotels, Ekayaa, Udaipur, expressed his gratitude and pride while accepting two awards at the India Travel Awards 2024. He said, “We received two awards, and they represent the immense hard work and dedication we put into our work. The acknowledgement and your appreciation mean a great deal to us, and it has been a motivating factor for us.”

Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO, expressed his appreciation for the outstanding culinary experience at the IATO Convention at Taj Lakefront, Bhopal. “The feedback we’ve received from attendees is that they have had the best food they’ve ever tasted,” Mehra said. Mehra also said that the variety and quality of the meals, from breakfast and lunch to dinner and snacks, received praise from attendees. “My hats off to the chef and his team for making this happen,” he added, highlighting the overwhelming positive response from all corners of the event.

Crowne Plaza Today New Delhi Okhla is thrilled to announce the launch of “Pind Di Rasoi,” a Dhaba Food Promotion at Edesia, running from 7th to 15th September 2024, from 7 PM to 11 PM. This unique culinary event promises to bring the authentic flavors and rustic charm of traditional North Indian roadside eateries to the heart of New Delhi. Guests are invited to immerse themselves in a vibrant Dhaba-themed ambiance that transforms Edesia into a lively food haven. The festival will feature a variety of traditional North Indian dishes, showcasing the hearty, spiced, and rich flavors characteristic of Dhaba food. Highlights include: • Authentic Dishes: A diverse menu featuring iconic Dhaba delicacies. • Rustic Ambience: Décor and seating arrangements that replicate the charm of roadside eateries. • Live Cooking Stations: Witness culinary artistry at live counters such as Amritsari fried fish counter, Sardar Ji Ke Kebabs Corner, Gama Pahalwan Tawa Counter, Dara Singh Dhaba, Punjab Di Hatti, and Shankar Mithai Ki    Dukaan. • Street Food Stalls: Enjoy regional variations and street food favorites, including specialties from Gurdaas Ram Jalebi Wala and many more. Event Details: • Dates: 7th – 15th September 2024 • Time: 7 PM – 11 PM • Price: ₹2999 plus taxes Shuvendu Banerjee, General Manager of Crowne Plaza New Delhi Okhla, “This festival is a tribute to the rich culinary heritage of North Indian Dhaba culture. We are excited to offer our guests an authentic and immersive dining experience, complete with the flavors and spirit of traditional roadside eateries.” For reservations and inquiries, please contact +91 95829 44897.

Neil Patil, Founder & Director, Veena World, bagged the ‘Face of the Future’ Award at the India Travel Awards for being a multi-talented podcast host, inspiring a new generation of explorers! “Travel industry is still at a nascent stage in India and there is a lot to explore and a lot more to achieve for companies such as ours and the new entrants in this field,” he said at the awards.

“IHCL will invest ₹20 crore over the next three years to support international travel trade events and promote inbound tourism. This includes hosting events such as cocktail evenings at major international exhibitions to attract global visitors to India,” said Puneet Chhatwal,  CEO, IHCL”