Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

STB India recently chose a golf platform in India called 4moles to connect with its C-suite corporate clients who have been organising premium MICE events overseas, at two networking MICE events held in Delhi and Bangalore, reaching key decision-makers. To stay competitive, especially in an environment where the common perception is that Singapore is expensive, STB believes it is vital to target corporates with an interest in hosting premium MICE events in Singapore.

Experiences surpass ownership and this is evident in India’s growing sports fandom, says Monish Shah, Founder & CEO, DreamSetGo. “Demand for immersive experiences is at an all-time high. We’re proud to play a pivotal role in bridging the access gap between Indian sports enthusiasts and the world’s biggest sporting events. As we gear up for iconic events like the Olympics and the T20 World Cup, we’re committed to enabling once in a lifetime experience for all those who will be traveling to support our Indian squads,” he says.

The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) has initiated legal action to seek appropriate remedies for hotel members affected by adverse provisions from the Delhi High Court for the hospitality sector from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade’s (DGFT). These conditions have posed challenges for the industry, particularly in light of adverse economic circumstances exacerbated by events such as the global recession, terrorist attacks, and the COVID-19 pandemic. FHRAI has advocated for relief for the hospitality sector through persistent representations to the Ministry of Tourism and DGFT since 2017. Despite sustained efforts, the sector still needs to receive the necessary relaxations, prompting FHRAI to seek legal intervention. DGFT, in the year 2007-08 in the new EXIM policy, introduced an additional condition which not only meant that over and above the primary condition, the industry need to comply with a secondary condition of maintaining 3 years average past performance continuously over & above the Specific EO and the Average has to be maintained for the entire block of 8/6 years till the redemption of license. Unfortunately post the introduction of the secondary condition, the hospitality industry suffered a huge decline and thereby reduction in the FOREX due to which the industry has not been in a position to fulfil the secondary condition of maintaining the 3 years average past performance. The hospitality industry had brought this issue of decline in foreign contribution to the notice of DGFT way back in February 2017 itself and that coincided with completion of 1st block of the 8 years when the license expired post the introduction of the secondary condition in the year 2007-08. Since then, the industry has been continuously requesting …

At ‘Tourism Beyond G-20 Revealing J& K’s Tourism Treasures’ organised by the J&K Committee of ICC, Jyoti Mayal, President, TAAI, said, “The significance of environment-friendly travel to Kashmir, is to guarantee the prosperity of the state, the necessity of preserving the environment and creating more equitable tourist initiatives.”

“Malaysia will host Visit Malaysia Year in 2026 with a target of 35.6 million foreign tourist and RM147.1 billion in expenditures,” revealed Manoharan Periasamy, Director General, Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, during the announcement of the expansion of strategic destination marketing collaboration between Travelport and Tourism Malaysia.

Addressing TAFI members in Mumbai, Fernando Heredia Noguer, Consul General of Spain in Mumbai, said, “We have increased our visa processing capacity by 30 per cent in 2023 compared to 2022 and increased 40 per cent compared to the average of the four years before the pandemic! In 2023, we managed to issue almost 52K visas versus 40,000 visa applications in 2022.”

The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism of the Sultanate of Oman kicked off its 3-city India sales mission in Delhi with key trade partners. The next cities are Ahmedabad and Lucknow. The India sales mission will help the trade to gain insights into the new offerings of Oman, enabling them to better promote the destination.

Strengthening its presence in the eastern part of the country, Royal Orchid Hotels Ltd marked its entry in Odisha with the opening of Regenta Central in the coastal city of Puri. ROHLs maiden property in the state, and the 4th in East India, Regenta Central in Puri is poised to become the preferred abode for tourists visiting the city for spiritual, wellness or cultural tourism from across the country. The newest addition to ROHL’s portfolio is located a proximity of 50meters from the Golden Beach and provides the perfect setting for guests to immerse themselves in the rich heritage of Odisha. Chander K Baljee, Chairman & Managing Director, ROHL said, “The launch of Regenta Central in Odisha marks a significant milestone as we set ourselves on an aggressive expansion mode for this fiscal with new hotel openings and signings; we have already announced hotels in Kasauli, Surat and Mumbai in the last 10-15 days and many more are expected soon.” Mr. Baljee “Puri added, renowned for its rich history and economic reliance on tourism and the religious significance of landmarks like the ancient 12th-century Jagannath Temple, adds to the emerging tourist hub of the state, further strengthening our portfolio in the Eastern part of India”. The hotel features 55 elegantly designed rooms across four distinct categories, each with balconies or sit-outs offering a pleasant sea view. The hotel is conveniently located 5 kilometers from Puri Railway Station and the renowned Lord Jagannatha Temple, locally known as Srikhetram which stands as a symbol of spirituality in Puri, there by offering a true holistic experience to our guests visiting the city. Arjun Baljee, President, ROHL said, “We are happy to announce the …

Café Akasa, the onboard meal service of Akasa Air has launched the second edition of its Eid special meal with an all-new traditional menu to celebrate the holy festival. The meal features festive delicacies including Lucknowi style Patti Samosa and Chicken Shami Kebab served with Khajoori Chutney, accompanied with Zafrani Double ka Meetha & a choice of beverage. The offering is available throughout April 2024, across the Akasa Air network and can be conveniently prebooked on Akasa Air’s website or mobile app. Eid-ul-fitr celebrates the completion of Ramadan, and the festival is associated with expansive and rich culinary spreads. This offering, which is one of a kind in the Indian skies, takes inspiration from festive delicacies from across the country and is prepared with cultural and hearty ingredients to ensure that guests savour the richness of the traditional meal. Since the launch of operations in August 2022, Akasa Air has introduced specially curated monthly meal options that are inspired by regional specialities associated with celebrations during popular festivals and special occasions like Makar Sankranti, Valentine’s Day, Holi, Mother’s Day, International Yoga Day, Monsoon season, Onam, Ganesh Chaturthi, Dussehra, Diwali and Christmas, among others. The airline also offers a pre-selection of cakes on its regular menu for flyers who want to celebrate the birthdays of their loved ones in the skies. As a part of Café Akasa’s refreshed menu, customers can expect an expansive choice of over 50+ meal options including healthy, fusion, festive and gourmet meals that cater to a wide array of diets and palettes. For more information visit www.akasaair.com

The Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Just Udo Aviation Private Limited, aimed at revolutionizing Goa’s tourism sector. This Memorandum of Understanding  signifies our shared commitment to positioning Goa as a year-round holistic travel destination, going beyond its renowned beaches to showcase its diverse cultural, historical, and natural attractions. Mr. Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, Director Tourism & Managing Director GTDC stated “As part of our ongoing efforts to attract tourists from around the globe, the Department of Tourism is dedicated to developing world-class infrastructure and promoting Goa as a destination for immersive travel experiences. Through this partnership with Just Udo Aviation Private Limited, we aim to leverage their expertise and resources to enhance tourism promotion efforts in the region.” Mr. Manoj Chacko, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, FLY91 stated “FLY91 is committed to promoting tourism in Goa through various initiatives that highlight the state’s unique identity. This MoU sets out broad areas of future cooperation and partnership between the Department of Tourism and FLY91 and we are delighted to be working closely with the state government.” This MoU outlines the broad areas of cooperation and partnership between the Department of Tourism and Just Udo Aviation Private Limited, focusing on developing and promoting tourism in the region. Through innovative initiatives and strategic collaborations, the aim is to transform Goa into a top-tier travel destination that appeals to tourists seeking authentic, immersive, and diverse experiences. This partnership exemplifies the shared vision of unlocking Goa’s full tourism potential and fostering sustainable growth in the region.