Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

Shiladitya Mukherjee, Associate Vice President – Gujarat Region, shared that after signing agreements for hotels in the North and East, the focus now shifts towards further expansion in the eastern and Northeastern regions. Additionally, the chain aspires to establish a presence in international destinations, planning hotels in Africa, Dubai, and the United States.   

Rajeev Jain, Director, Rashi Entertainment, said, “Just as we are invited by various governments, we urge our government to bring wedding planners from abroad to India and showcase our country to them, illustrating how and where they can organize weddings.  

Dusit International has signed HMA and RMA agreements with Ziogreen Private Limited to manage four properties in Karnataka. Slated to open in mid-2026, all four properties will have a ‘holistic wellness’ focus and will operate under Dusit Princess and Dusit Princess Residences.   

During the WTM Global Travel Report response, Patricia Page-Champion, Hilton’s Senior Vice President and Global Commercial Director said, “Currently, 85% of business travel originates from small to medium businesses. And one in four individuals now incorporate leisure with work trips.” 

According to a recent report by Trevolution Group, 37 per cent growth reported in travel sales across the Indian market during the first three quarters of 2023. The Trevolution Group paints a promising picture and future for the Indian Outbound Travel market.

Jassim Al Budaiwi, General Secretary, GCC, reveals that the GCC states have approved the launch of a unified tourism visa system in 2024-25 in order to make travel across Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE more convenient.

According to Euromonitor’s recent survey Voice of the Consumer: Travel Survey, 79% of both Eco-Adventurers and Cultural Explorers are willing to pay up to 10 per cent more for sustainable travel features, with an aim to convince travellers to spend on sustainability options.

VFS Global, the world’s largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions appointed Jose Manuel Aisa Mancho as its Chief Financial Officer effective 01 November 2023. He reports to Zubin Karkaria, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, and is based in Dubai, the organisation’s global headquarters. Jose joins VFS Global from Cellnex Telecom. He has over two decades of experience across the suite of finance sub-functions, including mergers & acquisitions, financial planning, investor relations, management control, treasury, and tax. He has previously worked in organisations that include Abertis Infrastructures, CriteriaCaixa and Cellnex. He was also a Non-Executive Officer in infrastructure companies such as Hispasat, Sanef or TBI Limited. Jose will be responsible for the overall Finance function at VFS Global, and will also be responsible for Legal, Data Privacy and Corporate Risk functions. Jose will leverage his rich experience in strengthening VFS Global’s finance function and developing strategies to support further growth and development of the company. As a member of the company’s Executive Board, he will also play a pivotal role in the overall strategic decision-making at VFS Global.

M/s ASV Hotels & Properties Developers, a real estate & hotel development company in Lucknow, today declare the signing of a franchise agreement with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts for a new hotel development under the upper midscale Wyndham Garden brand in Lucknow. Lucknow is the capital and the largest city of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is located roughly in the center of the state on the Gomati River about 45 miles northeast of Kanpur. Lucknow has always been a multicultural city that flourished as a North Indian cultural and artistic hub, and the seat of power of Nawabs in the 18th and 19th centuries. It continues to be an important centre of governance, administration, education, commerce, aerospace, finance, pharmaceuticals, technology, design, culture, tourism, music and poetry. Expected to open in 2025, Wyndham Garden Lucknow City Center will have a modern design 85 contemporary rooms and a host of amenities including a lobby lounge, an all-day dining restaurant & bar, health club, spa, a roof top swimming pool, as well as larger banquet halls, meeting rooms and a business center. Mr. Saurabh Sharma, Partner, ASV Hotels & Properties Developers Said, “We are pleased to partner with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, which is the world largest hotel franchise company in the world and introduce the Wyndham Garden brand in the city of Lucknow. We are working closely with team Wyndham to build the hotel to high international standards and look forward to welcoming guests to our hotel in 2025.” Nikhil Sharma, Market Managing Director Eurasia, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Said, “We are happy to announce the signing of Wyndham Garden as our 4th hotel in Lucknow. This signing reaffirms our commitment to our continued growth in the upper mid-market segment …

Etihad Airways has experienced substantial growth over the years. Starting with 1,761 employees in 2004, the workforce has since expanded to over 9,250 as of September 2023. The loyalty programme, Etihad Guest, has seen significant development, growing from 65,000 members in 2006 to an impressive figure of over 9 million in 2023. The aircraft fleet has undergone substantial expansion, increasing from just two in its early stages to an impressive total of 79. Etihad’s global presence has flourished, serving more than 70 destinations, a significant leap from the 4 destinations served in 2003. In terms of operations, the airline now offers 1,350 weekly departures, a substantial increase from the 128 departures provided in 2004. The longest flight in the network connects Abu Dhabi to Sydney, spanning a distance of 12,060km. Commenting on Etihad Airways 20th anniversary, His Excellency Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa Al Hammadi, Chairman of Etihad Airways, said: “Two decades ago, the visionary leaders of the UAE, along with Etihad’s founder, embarked on a journey with a profound vision for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the UAE. This vision required a key player, an international airline that would serve as a bridge for trade, investment, and tourism. It was to foster international relationships and place Abu Dhabi firmly on the global map. The birth of Etihad Airways marked the realisation of that wise vision. “Etihad Airways represents much more than an airline, it embodies a symbol of our nation’s shared aspirations, unity, and limitless ambitions. Over the course of two decades, Etihad has played a pivotal role in shaping the economic landscape of Abu Dhabi and the UAE. Its steadfast growth has been a driving force behind the …