Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

The Enterprising Travel Agents Association (ETAA) successfully hosted its inaugural roadshow in Mumbai on 20th August 2024 at the IMC, Churchgate. The event brought together 25 exhibitors from various sectors of the travel and tourism industry, with over 100 Travel Agents and Tour Operators participating and benefiting from this vibrant gathering. The exhibitor lineup showcased a diverse range of participants, including Domestic and International DMCs, Tourism Boards, Visa Experts, Hotels, Loan Advisors, Insurance Partners, and Airlines. The Mumbai Board Team, consisting of Mr. Jagat Mehta, National Director; Mr. Abhijit Khadilkar, National Director & Membership Head; Mrs. Dipti Pradhan Thakoor, National Director & Event Head; and Mr. Dharmesh Advani, National Director, spearheaded the event with strong support from ETAA Coordinators and the ETAA Mumbai Committee. The roadshow marked a significant first for the team, receiving an overwhelmingly positive response from both exhibitors and travel agents. Sponsored presentations by M/s AVNI MICE and RupeeBoss Financial Services Pvt Ltd. added value to the event, while India Tourism made a notable appearance. Tourism Malaysia and Qatar Tourism offered complimentary hotel packages, and Oman Air and Indigo sponsored hampers for the lucky draw. Exciting lucky draws were held every 30 minutes, sponsored by various Exhibitors, with participants walking away with a variety of delightful prizes. The ETAA Business Partners Meet 2024 set a new benchmark for industry collaboration, energizing the travel community with fresh connections, exciting opportunities, and a shared vision for the future of travel.

India has emerged as the global leader in the low-cost carrier market. Data from OAG revealed that LCCs, primarily IndiGo, account for 71% of India’s total airline seat capacity, surpassing the global average of 34%. In contrast, aviation giants like China rely on full-service carriers.

Sara Sodhi Juneja, Country Manager – India & Gulf, Visit Finland, said, “Lapland has experienced a remarkable 100% growth in overnight stays in 2023, and from January to June this year, the destination has seen 75% growth. Overall, Finland has received a growth of 25%.”

To cater to shifting demand and in line with global consumer trends, Oman Air has announced its new Business Studio. The new cabin, which will replace the airline’s First Class product, will retain its spacious cabin layout, classic lie-flat seats, and Wi-Fi connectivity, but with more affordable fares and a redefined service approach that is tailored to theneeds of modern travellers. Featuring predominantly on its London and Bangkok services, the new higher-tier Business experience offers all the features of premium flying along with Oman Air’s award-winning service and hospitality, giving guests the room to work, connect and rest like never before, whether traveling for business or premium leisure. “Inspired by valuable guest feedback and to adapt and evolve in line with global market trends, we have strategically refined our premium offering to deliver greater value and appeal. The traditional First Class experience has seen diminished demand, and after careful analysis and  benchmarking against industry standards, we decided to retire the product. This decision allows us to focus on delivering an exceptional Business Class experience that better meets modern traveller expectations and is more closely aligned with the demographics targeted by the national tourism objectives, such as such as wellness, adventure and MICE. Moreover, we’re offering it all at a more competitive price point,” said Con Korfiatis, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air. Oman Air’s new Business Studio offers the best Business Class available anywhere in the region with one of the world’s most generous pitches at 82”, privacy walls for every seat, 23-inch personal screen, free Wi-Fi connectivity, and à la carte dining to stay nourished on-the-go. Guests will be able to book Business Studio from 9 September 2024.

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Tourism, GoI, held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Azzan Qassim Mohamed Al Busaidi, Under Secretary, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Oman, in Delhi. The meeting aimed to boost tourism between the two countries, fostering cultural ties.

Booking.com in its travel trends report revealed that 85% of Indian Gen Z travellers seek to travel solo while 69% are likely to travel with family members and 61% with their parents this year. They are budget-conscious with 71% opting to travel outside peak season to save money.

Switzerland Tourism invites the Indian outbound travel trade to attend an exclusive webinar to explore unique and exciting attractions of Zurich. Attend all webinars for a chance to win a trip to Switzerland in 2025! For more info, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddpal.com or 9650196532

Jay Bhatia, Director, Tulsidas Khimji Holidays, said that luxury travel is evolving. With increasing disposable incomes, travellers from both metro and tier II and III cities are seeking luxurious holidays. In fact, many senior citizens and retired individuals are also wanting to travel in luxury and explore new destinations. 

ExpoInn Suites & Convention plans to expand by adding two new hotels, increasing its total number of keys to 308. Barun Gupta, General Manager, ExpoInn Suites & Convention, said, “One of these new hotels will be positioned in the luxury segment, while the other will cater to the upper mid-scale market.” 

A new GBTA study reveals that 75% of travel buyers are interested in adopting an AI-powered travel program chatbot to automatically answer questions specifically about their program. Additionally, 51% are interested in blockchain-based booking, while 49% favor blockchain-based payment solutions.