Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

Austrian National Tourist Office (ANTO) is organising a webinar titled ‘Tirol-Your dream destination 2022’ for the travel trade on Friday 25th February, 2022 at 3pm IST. Attendees would be able to explore the various offerings of Tirol through the online show. Register on https://event.webinarjam.com/register/366/rymlobq7 or contact jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call +91 9650196532.

Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao, Tourism Minister, urged that tourism officers look into other strategies to entice traders and organise traders’ meets, stating that it could provide a platform to engage with traders from various segments and give the tourism sector a boost. Since, last year’s investors’ meet in Vizag drew a positive response. He said that the government’s new tourist strategy was also investor-friendly.

The country’s largest airport operator Adani Group has reported a profit (before interest and taxes) of ₹22.96 crore for its airport businesses during the quarter ending on 31 December, compared to a ₹48.95 crore loss during the same period of the previous year, on the back of a recovery in air passenger traffic in the quarter. Adani Group operates seven airports, which includes airports at Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Mangalore, Jaipur, Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram. The upcoming airport at Navi Mumbai will also be operated by the conglomerate.

Sharing a broad strategy for the new airline, Ilker Ayci, the newly-appointed CEO and MD of Air India said, “Working closely with my colleagues at Air India and the leadership of the Tata Group, we will utilise the strong heritage of Air India to make it one of the best airlines in the world with a uniquely superior flying experience that reflects the Indian warmth and hospitality.” He takes over from 1 April, 2022.

M. Vinod, President, Andaman Association of Tour Operators (AATO) has expressed concern on Andaman & Nicobar shutting down the only civil airport of the islands for four days every week starting from March to May 2022. The reason being the re-carpeting work of the runway. He said, “The decision will prove to be catastrophic for the Andaman Islands’ economy, people’s welfare, lives and livelihoods.” He has written to the Home Minister, Defence Minister and Civil Aviation Minster, highlighting that tourism in Andamans runs exclusively on the airport.

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has resumed cooked meals on all trains from February 14 after the service was stopped last year owing to Covid-19 restrictions. As of January, cooked food services was restored in 80% of trains. As of January, cooked food services was restored in 80% of trains. Ready-to-eat meals, however, will also continue to be served on demand. Due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent unprecedented lockdown, e-catering services were suspended on March 22, 2020.

G Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Tourism, Culture and DoNER, has inaugurated the two day ‘Reimagining Museums In India – A Global Summit’ at Hyderabad. In his address, he said, “The summit will promote cultural exchange and international cooperation.” He also announced that Government of India will open 10 tribal freedom fighter museums across India, one of which will be in Telangana and one more in Andhra Pradesh.

Reigniting its travel recovery efforts in India, South African Tourism launched its ‘More & More’ campaign today. Localized for Indian audiences, this campaign aims to highlight the variety and diversity of experiences that South Africa has to offer, ranging from 3000+ adventure activities to exciting culinary experiences and more, across its 9 provinces. The campaign – that will be live until 31st March 2022 – is slated to have multiple roll-out legs to it, starting with OOH advertising in Mumbai and Delhi. This will be complimented by digital activations across Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, as well as on-ground physical consumer and corporate activations in Mumbai and Delhi. The campaign is crafted to speak to every type of traveller including millennials, families, solo explorers, active lifestyle seekers and couples. More & More builds on the emotion and spirit of adventure, which is a sentiment unique to every individual. For some, adventure may mean jumping off the highest commercial bungee in the world at Bloukrans Bridge or going shark-cage diving in KwaZulu-Natal, whereas for another it could be the thrill of scenic road trip across the stunning Garden Route or a night of stargazing in beautiful Knysna. To still some, it could be about discovering the origin of humans by exploring the Cradle of Mankind, interacting with indigenous tribes like the Zulus and learning about their culture or retracing Nelson Mandela’s life journey. Well-timed with the easing of international travel restrictions in India, the More & More campaign is expected to increase summer outbound traffic to South Africa and contribute to the recovery of the tourism sectors in both countries. South Africa, which remains open to Indian travellers, is also processing tourist visas …

World’s First Parallel Airline Company ‘WINAIR’ has just been formed in India. A parallel airline is a new concept that means utilising an existing operator who has equipment (Aircraft, NOC, NSOP) and an operating permit. In short, the aircraft are leased utilising their license and viable routes are planned. In other words, it is just like utilising the idle hours of the existing airlines. This is the first time in the world that such a module is being framed by an Indian. Samuel Timothy, Chairman & Managing Director, Winair Aviation, says, “The term ‘WINAIR’ means We Indian Nationals. The Indian aviation story is all set to undergo a huge change in the coming year and the markets are going to grow faster than they were ever before. The growing number of airports, the increasing per capita income, and the fierce competition resulting in one of the lowest ticket prices globally has boosted the number of people traveling by air.”

Nilesh Shah, President, Travel & Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG), reveals that international charters – the main artery for travel business in Goa – restarted from December 2021 from Russia and Ukraine. “From Moscow we are welcoming almost 500 passengers every ten days and we expect this to increase. However, the charters from Ukraine have paused for the time being due to the third wave and the civil unrest there. Moreover, TUI was to send four flights per week from the UK – two from Manchester and two from Gatwick. This unfortunately got cancelled because of the third wave. They were to start from January 20, 2022. But we remain hopeful and with the new private airport in Mopa which will be operational by the next season, I think the charter movement will see a boom as there will be no restrictions,” he shares.