Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

Ministry of Tourism has ramped up efforts to boost tourism across southern states, with a mega conference of South Indian tourism ministers set to take place in Vizag today. Notably, the Ministry has already approved various projects, including ₹30.02 crore plan for Mamallapuram.

Evoke Experiences is proud to introduce “White Rann, The Tent City” in Dholavira, offering travellers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore the breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage of Kutch. Located in the heart of this ancient land, Dholavira is not only a gateway to the stunning White Rann but also home to some of India’s most captivating historical sites. The White Desert, with its vast salt flats, shines under the moonlight, creating a magical glow that amazes visitors. At sunrise and sunset, the desert changes colours, with shades of pink and orange spreading across the sky, offering a picture-perfect view. The White Desert is also famous for the Rann Utsav. This yearly festival celebrates the local culture, arts, and food, giving travellers the chance to experience the vibrant traditions of Kutch against the breathtaking white salt plains. Nestled amid the surreal beauty of the Great Rann of Kutch, “White Rann, The Tent City” promises an immersive experience that blends luxury with adventure. The journey to this extraordinary destination is as remarkable as the stay, thanks to the newly opened “Road to Heaven.” This 30-kilometre scenic route connects Khavda to Dholavira. It takes travellers through the endless white salt desert of the Great Rann, where the horizon seems to merge with the sky, creating a surreal and almost otherworldly experience. As one traverses the ethereal “Road to Heaven,” the landscape not only enchants with its endless white salt flats but also comes alive with the vibrant presence of flamingos. With their striking pink hues, these graceful birds create a beautiful contrast against the stark white backdrop of the Great Rann of Kutch. During certain times of the year, the Rann becomes a haven for these magnificent creatures as they …

Rajiv Kapoor, GM, Fairmont Mumbai, won the Dynamic Leadership in Brand Expansion award at the India Travel Awards. “We are thrilled to be recognised for our efforts. This esteemed recognition motivates us to strive for even greater achievements,” he said after receiving the award.

Alejandro de la Osa, CEO, Europamundo Vacaciones, announced their presale and product launch to the trade recently. “These are for the coming season and tours will be available till March 2026. This is the largest brochured product with guaranteed departures available,” he said.

KR Naidu, Civil Aviation Minister, GoI said, “India is strongly moving towards building its own plane in the coming few years with the help of industry stakeholders. Major global aerospace players are showing willingness to join hands with India in developing the aircraft.”

The Swiss experience starts onboard Swiss International Air Lines where travellers can enjoy their holiday booked by their travel agent via TourFox. Attend all webinars for a chance to win a trip to Switzerland in 2025! For more info, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.  

Himalayan Yatra is pleased to announce the successful completion of its highly anticipated Mansarovar Yatra by Flight. This unique pilgrimage experience, which operated from Nepalgunj, offered devotees a rare opportunity to witness the sacred Mount Kailash from the skies. The one-hour charter flight, which also provided breathtaking views of other major peaks such as Mount API and Mount Saipal, was a resounding success. The 70-seater flight was fully booked, reflecting the strong demand for this once-in-a-lifetime spiritual journey. During the flight, an onboard  priest conducted a special puja, while devotees engaged in the chanting of the Shiv Chalisa, enhancing the spiritual ambiance of the journey. This in-flight ritual allowed passengers to connect deeply with the divine as they beheld the majestic sight of Mount Kailash. It is important to note that this “Door Darshan Yatra” is currently the only available means for Indian devotees to view Mount Kailash, making it a vital spiritual lifeline for many. Mr. Aditya Bothra, Director of Himalayan Yatra said, “Our Mansarovar Yatra by flight offers a unique and deeply spiritual experience, allowing devotees to connect with the divine in an unforgettable way. Witnessing Mount Kailash from the skies is truly a once-in-a-lifetime moment. We’re excited to announce that the next edition of this Yatra will launch on 18th October.”

Philip Dickinson has announced that, after four years, he has left his role of Vice President of International Markets, MICE Sports & E-Sports for Qatar Tourism, to pursue new opportunities. Dickinson said: “When I joined Qatar Tourism in 2020, the world was a very different place. The pandemic had put global travel on hold, so it was a particularly challenging starting point from which to build on the country’s ambitious tourism growth targets. However, since then, the country has flourished, not least thanks to the hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022tm, which brought an influx of new visitors to experience Qatar’s excellent hospitality and attractions. “I’m very proud of the work my team and I have achieved at Qatar Tourism over the past four years, putting Qatar on the tourism map and delivering remarkable tourism growth from 2.1M international visitors in pre-pandemic 2019 to 4.05M in 2023. Also continuing that momentum in 2024 with 2.6M international visitors in H1 a 28% increase on the same period in 2023. I would also like to personally thank all the travel trade partners in India and from around the world for their great support with this tremendous growth. “I wish the whole team at Qatar Tourism all the best and very much look forward to working with my friends and trade partners again soon in my next role”.

Hotel investments in the first half, January to June of 2024, reached USD 93 million, with forecasted volumes of USD 413 million for the full year, a 22% increase from 2023, according to JLL’s Hotel Investment Trends – India H1 2024. Of the transaction volume, approximately 72% were related to operational hotels, 23% involved under construction hotels, and the remaining involved land leases. During the first six months of 2024, six hotel transactions were concluded, ranging from operational assets in Tier I and leisure markets to land leases in airport district for greenfield development. JLL anticipates that the remainder of 2024 will continue to benefit from the favorable trends observed in its first half. The second half of 2024 has already started positively, with two transactions facilitated by JLL in key hospitality markets, totaling USD 70 million. Tier I markets remain robust, accounting for 78% of the projected transaction volumes, while Tier II and III markets make up the remaining 22%. Listed hotel companies led the hotel transactions in the first half of 2024, with the upscale segment claiming the highest share of the total transaction volume (44%), followed by mid-scale (31%), luxury (23%), and economy (3%) segments. In the first half of 2024, a total of 19,442 keys were signed, with 83% of them located in Tier II and III cities. Management contracts accounted for the majority of signings (89%), followed by franchises (8%), and lease and revenue share agreements (3%). The number of greenfield projects in the first half of 2024 (around 13,700 keys) surpassed the count for the entire year of 2023 (~13,600 keys), demonstrating the enduring confidence of hotel developers in the sector’s long-term growth. Tier I …

Embark on a journey beyond tradition as the Tamilnadu Travel Expo invites the trade to delve deeper into the tapestry of this state. This annual event, held on Sept 20-22 in Madurai, goes beyond themes, showcasing the state’s hospitality, wellness retreats and wedding destinations. To register, write to info@tamilnadutravelexpo.com or call 8939997767