Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

Tourism New Zealand will conduct an exciting webinar highlighting their latest campaign If You Seek and related trade tools and assets on Tuesday, Nov 29 at 11am. For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532 to register.

Indian travellers in 2023 will continue to prioritise travel but will be more mindful over how to make the most of their travel budget and what takes precedence. As per Booking.com, 69% of Indian travellers will invest in a vacation as it remains a top priority for them, but being budget conscious is key, with nearly 75% Indians continuing to spotlight travel while seeking more value for their spend.

Tourism Principal Secretary KS Srinivas said the state’s tourism and hospitality industry has already regained the pre-pandemic robustness. “This is evident from the fact that Kerala recorded a staggering 196% spike in domestic tourist arrivals during the first three quarters of the current year as compared to the corresponding period a year earlier,” he says. Kerala recorded a total of 1,33,80,000 domestic tourists in the nine months till this September, registering a 1.49 per cent increase as compared to the same period of pre-COVID 2019.

The risk with defining new-age travellers, says Abraham Alapatt, President & Group Head – Marketing, Service Quality, Value Added Services & Innovation, Thomas Cook (India) and SOTC Travel, is that it is often mistaken with the age of the traveller. “According to me, being a millennial traveller is not about age at all, it is about a mindset. They travel for local experiences that the destination has to offer, rather than to see a place. It needs to be authentic, and to that, it can be about people, culture, art, food, dance, anything. To my mind, this is a major element that separates the new-age traveller,” he says.

Europamundo Vacations collaborates with the Tourism Board of Spain to launch their products for 2023-24 season. Join their webinar on Wednesday, Nov 30, 2022 to find out more about these products and stand a chance to win Europamundo trip to Spain. For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

J&K Pilgrim & Leisure Tour Operators Forum (PILTOF), the premier Tourism body of J&K having iconic members with more than 40 years’ experience in travel trade held the season’s first interactive session with top 140 Travel Agents of Thailand & members of Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA). In his welcome address, the Chairman Showkat Pakhtoon while welcoming the guests emphasized the need for marketing India and Kashmir aggressively since all the travel trade fraternity has suffered due to the pandemic and it is our responsibility that PAN India destinations are to be sold in THAI market aggressively. Dharmendra Singh, First Secretary (Economic & Commerce) and Head of Chancery, Embassy of India in Thailand who was the Chief Guest assured Thai agents all support from Embassy for facilitation to visit India. The Indian Embassy Official present Bhaskar Kalra also gave a presentation on Incredible India. The TTAA was represented by its Vice Presidents Shivek Sachdev and Sittichai Odomkitthanakul, Asstt Secretary NINA, besides other Office Bearers. PILTOF was represented by Chairman, Showkat Pakhtoon, Vice Chairman, Noor Shangloo, Event Head Nasir Shah and senior members Mohammad Akram Siah, Mir Anwar and Ather Yameen.

The sustainable trends of green airlines, eco hospitality, sustainable attractions, locally sourced produce and forward-thinking government initiatives will represent key focuses at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023, which will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 1-4 May next year. In line with its theme of ‘Working Towards Net Zero’, the 30th edition of ATM will see public and private sector experts from around the world gather in the UAE to explore the decarbonised future of global travel. The upcoming edition of the event will capitalise on the Middle East’s status as a world leader in green innovation, providing a forum in which travel, tourism and hospitality professionals can showcase sustainable advancements while sharing knowledge and examples of best practice from across the sector. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “The 30th edition of ATM will not only drive home the importance of working towards net zero within the Middle East’s tourism sector, but also showcase the practical steps that are being taken across our industry to achieve regional and global sustainability goals. “ATM has officially commenced its journey to net zero and its upcoming edition will shine a spotlight on challenges and opportunities connected with responsible tourism across our region and beyond,” Curtis added. “From aviation and attractions to resorts and dining, we look forward to exploring the role that the Middle East is playing – and will continue to play – in shaping a decarbonised global travel sector.” According to Sustainable Travel International, tourism-related activities account for approximately 8% of worldwide carbon emissions. In preparation for ATM 2023, the event’s organisers have highlighted five sustainable trends that have already gained significant momentum in …

Tourism Australia and Qantas have joined forces to extend a warm and welcoming invitation to Indian travellers as part of the recently launched Come and Say G’day campaign from the national tourism organisation. The multi-market partnership, will include a range of joint activities including a series of new co-created TVCs run on premium OTT platform Disney+Hotstar, YouTube and Meta – all designed to inspire travellers to plan and book an Australian adventure. The new co-created TVC sees Tourism Australia’s Brand Ambassador, Ruby, a souvenir kangaroo who is brought to life with CGI animation, onboard a Qantas aircraft enjoying the warm Australian hospitality offered by Qantas. Qantas Group Chief Marketing Officer Petra Perry said the partnership showcases how to plan and book trips to Australia with Qantas and encourages international visitors to discover regional centres as well as its major gateway cities. “Qantas is proud to be the airline partner for Tourism Australia’s Come and Say G’day campaign. In addition to driving inbound visitation, the campaign is building awareness that international tourists can easily travel directly to Australia and explore over 65 destinations across the country when they choose to fly with Qantas.” Tourism Australia’s South and Southeast Asia Regional General Manager, Brent Anderson, added, “Tourism Australia is proud to be partnering with Australia’s national carrier, Qantas. The partnership is designed to inspire and encourage travellers to come and say G’day and have a trip of a lifetime Down Under.” “Indian travellers have been critical to Australia’s recovery this year and with the tripling of aviation capacity on the India – Australia route, we expect continued growth in visitor numbers from India. When they travel with Qantas, they will not only receive a …

Deccan Odyssey, which was launched to promote Maharashtra tourism will start ferrying tourists again next year. The luxury train, was halted for around 2.5 years because of the pandemic. MTDC is reviving the train service and has appointed Ebix Travel to operate the train.

Rakesh Verma, Additional Secretary, Tourism, has shared that they are looking at over ₹1000 crore to be given to the board for implementing the marketing and promotional campaigns. “It will cover different channels and the focus will be on country specific strategies and on digital platform,” he added.