Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

Talking about the lack of direct flight connectivity from Kolkata to European countries, Manoj Saraf, Managing Director, Gainwell Travel & Leisure, said, “TAAI and TAFI along with the State Govt are trying to get direct flights into Europe and UK. There is some hope that Air India may start Kolkata-London nonstop flights later this year.”

Around 3,000 meetings took place during GITM 2024 in Goa, where over 500 buyers and 300 sellers engaged in fruitful discussions and negotiations. Discussions were held on how Goa can contribute as a high-yield destination. From leveraging its natural beauty to capitalizing on emerging travel trends, the session provided valuable insights into positioning Goa as a top choice for travellers seeking unforgettable experiences.  

World Travel & Tourism Council is projecting a record-breaking year for Travel & Tourism in 2024, with the sector’s global economic contribution set to reach an all-time high of $11.1 trillion. According to the global tourism body’s 2024 Economic Impact Research, Travel & Tourism will contribute an additional $770 billion over its previous record, stamping its authority as a global economic powerhouse, generating one in every 10 dollars worldwide with an increase of more than 13.6 million jobs expected in the sector.

Scheduled for the third quarter of 2024, Accor’s Novotel brand will see its footprint expand to three key cities with the openings of Novotel Goa Panjim, Novotel New Delhi City Centre, and Novotel Bhubaneshwar. This year, the company plans to further diversify its portfolio with six new hotels in three segments.

Travel agents can benefit from a variety of apps to streamline their workflow, enhance customer service, and stay organised. Here are some helpful apps that can help travel agents streamline their operations, improve customer service, and provide a seamless booking experience for clients. By leveraging the right tools, travel agents can enhance their productivity and deliver exceptional service to their clients.     Sabre Red Mobile Workspace The Sabre Red Mobile Workspace app allows agents to access the Sabre GDS system from their mobile devices, enabling them to book flights, hotels, car rentals, and other travel services on the go. Agents can access real-time information regarding flights, accommodations, car rentals, and other travel-related services. allows agents to manage their clients’ itineraries efficiently. They can make changes, updates, or additions to the itinerary in real-time.   TripIt for Teams While TripIt for Teams is primarily designed for businesses and organizations to manage their travel plans internally, travel agents can also leverage its features to serve their clients better. It is a collaborative itinerary management tool that can allow travel agents to create and share detailed itineraries with their clients, track bookings, and provide real-time updates on travel plans. Travel agents can utilize TripIt’s real-time updates and alerts feature to stay informed about any changes or disruptions to their clients’ travel plans.   CheckMyTrip Amadeus’ CheckMyTrip app allows agents to access their clients’ travel itineraries, check flight statuses, and receive real-time notifications about any changes or disruptions to their travel plans. It is available across multiple platforms, including web, mobile, and tablet devices. It integrates seamlessly with booking systems and travel providers, allowing agents to import and manage bookings easily.   Expensify …

The ‘Hotels & Hospitality Overview,’ a report by HVS Anarock states that the hotel occupancy rate in India is nearing pre-pandemic levels, with key markets like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai reporting occupancy rates of more than 80% in February. The average hotel rates grew by 17-18% in Delhi and Hyderabad, in February 2024.

Recently, Nishant Kashikar, Country Manager – India & Gulf, Tourism Australia, shared, “We have 3 times more direct aviation capacity on India-Australia route as compared to pre-COVID. So, from 8 flights per week from 2019 we have almost 28 flights per week between India and Australia with Qantas, Air India and Singapore Airlines.”

Goa partners with Yoska Event Solutions LLP to position the state as a premier destination for sports tourism. On this occasion, Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, Director Tourism and Managing Director, GTDC, stated, “Yoska Event Solutions brings valuable resources to the table, enabling Goa to promote sporting events.

Switzerland Tourism invites the Indian outbound travel trade to attend an exclusive webinar on the hub of adventure – Interlaken, Chaplin’s World – a journey into the life and work of Charlie Chaplin, and Geneva – the home of watchmaking, today at 3pm. Attend all webinars for a chance to win a trip to Switzerland in 2025! For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

Crowne Plaza New Delhi Mayur Vihar proudly delcare the promotion of Mr. Pankaj Gupta to the esteemed role of Area General Manager within IHG Hotels & Resorts -South West Asia. In his new capacity, Mr. Gupta will responsible 8 operating and 2 pre opening hotels including the General Manager role at Crowne Plaza New Delhi Mayur Vihar. With over two decades of hospitality experience, Mr. Gupta has consistently exemplified leadership and operational excellence. Previously, as the General Manager of Crowne Plaza Mayur Vihar, he spearheaded revenue growth, operational efficiency, and guest satisfaction initiatives, setting new industry benchmarks. Mr. Gupta expressed, “Assuming the role of Area General Manager is both an honour and a responsibility. I am deeply grateful to the IHG leadership team for entrusting me with this pivotal role. My vision is to leverage the unique strengths of each market, capitalize on emerging trends, and create synergies across properties to drive sales & marketing strategies, operational excellence, and, above all, unparalleled guest experiences. Together, we will strengthen IHG’s position as a leader in the hospitality sector and foster unique collaborations with industry partners.” Mr. Gupta’s exceptional leadership has garnered widespread recognition, including the number 1 position in Guest Love within the South West Asia region in 2023, the GM of the Year 2023 award at the BW Hotelier Awards, and the Best Business Hotel 2023 accolade at the HVS ANAROCK Showcase Hospitality and Travel Awards. Additionally, he was honoured with the prestigious IMEA GM Conference Innovation Impact Award in 2023 and the GM Par Excellence Award by HT City in the same year.