Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

Day two of the Goa International Travel Mart 2024 witnessed an array of insightful discussions and engaging sessions, further solidifying Goa’s position as a premier tourism destination. The day kicked off with a riveting panel discussion and sessions by panelists G B Srithar, Head of Tourism Services, VFS Global, Carl Vaz, President, SKAL International India and Chairman & CEO, Charson Advisory Services Pvt Ltd, Jack Ajit Sukhija, President Elect, Travel & Tourism Association of Goa , and Ajay Prakash, President, Travel Agents Federation of India TBC Mr. Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, Director Tourism & Managing Director GTDC stated “GITM stands as a testament to our shared commitment to innovation, collaboration, and sustainable growth. With a notable attendance of buyers, visitors, and enthusiasts, the event has facilitated a vibrant exchange of ideas and fostered significant networking opportunities. It has been an honor to witness the forging of new partnerships between like-minded individuals and businesses alike, all united in their dedication to showcasing Goa’s unique charm to the world. As we bid farewell to another successful 4th edition, I am filled with optimism for the future of our tourism industry. The momentum and enthusiasm generated by GITM leave me confident that Goa’s potential as a premier destination for regenerative tourism will continue to flourish.” The first Panel Discussion Titled ‘New Vision: Strategy, Branding & Promotion’ by panelist Mr. Andrés O. Hayes, President and CEO of Airtifae Hospitality Consulting, Mr. Carl Vaz, CEO of Mumbai based Charson Advisory Services, Mr. GB Srithar, Head of VFS Global’s Tourism Services, Mr. Ajay Prakash, Chief Executive of Nomad Travels, Mumbai and the Founder President of IIPT-India (International Institute for Peace through Tourism – India): delved into innovative …

Manohar International Airport, developed and operated by GMR Goa International Airport Ltd. a subsidiary of GMR Airports Infrastructure Ltd , is proud to declare the implementation of Digi Yatra system for air travellers in Goa. Introduced by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Digi Yatra Foundation, Digi Yatra is the next step towards creating a digitally empowered society. It offers a Biometric Enabled Seamless Travel experience based on Facial Recognition System . FRS enables contactless identification of passengers at key check points like – Airport Entry, Security Check and Boarding Gate. Passenger’s face becomes the boarding pass, taking out the need of physical documents like ID proof, etc. which were checked manually by the security officials. This makes the flight boarding process significantly faster and seamless as each passenger only needs less than 3 seconds at every touchpoint. This technology is also integrated with the Airlines Departure Control System, so only authenticated passengers are allowed to enter the terminal. Mr. RV Sheshan, CEO of GGIAL, expressed his pleasure regarding the implementation of this new facility: “We are thrilled to announce the commencement of Digi-Yatra at Manohar International Airport. With this Manohar International Airport joins the elite group of selected few Airports across the nation equipped with this technology. We have three touch points for Digi Yatra, first is in the forecourt, second at Pre-Security Hold Area and third is at Boarding Gate number 10. Passengers can use this facility for all the airlines operating from our airport. Manohar International Airport remains dedicated to providing world-class facilities and services that transforms our passenger’s journey. We will continue to implement cutting-edge technologies that enhance airport operations and passenger satisfaction.” For further information …

FLY91, a pure play regional airline in India, is thrilled to announce the addition of Agatti and Jalgaon to its domestic network. The Goa based carrier will commence operations between Goa-Agatti-Goa, Goa-Jalgaon-Goa and Hyderabad-Jalgaon-Hyderabad, starting April 18, 2024. The new routes will establish direct connectivity between these vibrant destinations, offering travelers enhanced accessibility, increased flight options. With fares starting at Rs 4391, the Goa-Agatti flights will reinforce connectivity to and from the Lakshadweep Islands. The regional carrier will fly to Agatti on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. FLY91 will operate the Goa – Jalgaon – Goa and Hyderabad-Jalgaon-Hyderabad flights on Monday, Thursday and Saturday with fares starting at Rs 1991 onwards. Commenting on the addition of the airline’s fifth and sixth domestic destinations, Manoj Chacko, MD and CEO at FLY91 said “We are delighted to introduce Lakshadweep, India’s enchanting Union Territory, as FLY91’s newest domestic destination. The breathtaking natural landscapes, pristine sandy beaches, and rich biodiversity are certain to captivate travelers, inviting them to explore the untouched beauty of the island chain. The launch of these new flights underscores FLY91’s commitment to expanding air travel accessibility and promoting tourism. As a leading regional carrier, we are dedicated to delivering affordable and seamless travel experiences.” The addition of Agatti and Jalgaon as domestic sectors in FLY91’s network coincides with the domestic summer holiday season. Agatti Island, one of Lakshadweep’s most sought-after destinations, boasts a 6 km stretch of stunning land blessed with diverse marine life. Agatti attracts enthusiasts of deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, sailing, water skiing, and kayaking. Additionally, the island serves as an ideal starting point for exploring the tranquil isles of Bangaram, Pitti, Thinnakara, Parali-I, and Parali-II, Karavati islands …

Culinary Culture and The Leela Palace New Delhi to host Osteria Francescana’s pop-up once again in the capital, after its first successful culinary showcase, with two special dinners on 19th and 20th April 2024 Culinary enthusiasts and connoisseurs are in for a treat as the world’s greatest chef, Massimo Bottura, gears up to bring Osteria Francescana, twice rated as The World’s Best Restaurant by The World’s 50 Best to New Delhi for a second consecutive year in a row and after its first successful culinary showcase, last year. The Leela Palace New Delhi, Culinary Culture, and the culinary mastermind himself have come together to create an unparalleled partnership whereby on April 19 and 20, 2024, Chef Bottura will reproduce the magic of his Three Michelin Star restaurant from Modena, Italy, at The Leela Palace New Delhi. Massimo Bottura, the culinary maestro and passionate philanthropist, has received international praise for his dedication to social and environmental problems. Bottura, a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and founder of the non-profit group ‘Food for Soul,’ pushes for sustainability and food waste reduction, mirroring The Leela’s eco-conscious approach and shared passion. Under Chef Massimo Bottura’s guidance, Osteria Francescana, has captured worldwide palates with its unique approach to Italian food, consistently being featured amongst the world’s best restaurant. Bottura’s culinary expertise offers a sensory voyage unlike any other, with iconic dishes such as ‘Oops I Dropped the Lemon Tart,’ ‘The Crunchy Part of the Lasagne,’ and ‘Psychedelic Cod Not Flame Grilled’ which will be present on the special menus offered. Bottura will also host an invite-only interactive session in advance of the dinners, in which he will speak with Vir Sanghvi, …

The Sankalp Patra of the ruling BJP for 2024 promises to roll out various programs in the tourism sector to help generate employment. One among them is to showcase the richness of Indian weddings and highlight cultural exchanges through the ‘Wed in India’ campaign which will promote select destinations across India as preferred venues.

According to RBI, “40 scheduled banks have cumulatively doubled their lending to the aviation sector in January at ₹45,076 crore, as against ₹23,407 crore three years ago. Investments from other sources stood at ₹27,824 crore in January 2023, up 62% year-on-year, and continued to rise gradually during FY24. Industry analysts attribute this surge in investments to the following factors, among others.”

Tour Fox invites the Indian outbound travel trade to attend an interesting webinar about their exclusive offers for this year today at 3 pm. Those who attend this webinar stand a chance to win a ticket to Switzerland! For more information and to register, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call 9650196532. https://event.webinarjam.com/register/586/oywq3bw2g

Rajnish Kaistha, Sr. Vice President, IATO said, “With the blessings of the government and the CM, the 39th IATO Annual Convention is scheduled to be held in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhopal from 30 August to 2 September 2024. The idea is to bring better connectivity to Bhopal and put it onto the global tourist map.”

Ruhani Duggal, Director, Vilasa Luxury Travel, said, “Minar is now venturing into the US market. We have been present in Latin America for 7-8 years. Hence, we have expanded our footprint in the US with an office in New York and one more in the Middle East. We have also opened an office in the Middle East. This year, we are going to focus more on development and are excited to explore Northeast and Ayodhya as part of our itineraries.”

Talking about the growth of hospitality in India, Mark Hoplamazian, CEO, Hyatt, said, “India today is better poised for growth in the hospitality sector than the rest of the world, and that is because of the tremendous warmth and engagement of its people. The experience people get in India when they disembark from the plane and start exploring the country is what sets the country apart.”