Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

A pioneer in global cruise travel with a 55-year history of breaking boundaries, Norwegian Cruise Line has launched Norwegian Central Asia, an online trade portal to help travel partners in India and Asia discover and market NCL holidays easily and seamlessly. Logging in to Norwegian Central gives partners direct access to NCL’s award-winning travel agent training platform, NCL University (NCLU). Through the reduced rate learning incentive program, travel partners can also earn discounts up to 30% off their own NCL cruise as a reward for completing different levels of NCLU courses. 

Speaking on the theme of National Tourism Day— Rural and Community Centric Tourism— Arvind Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, said that rural communities are custodians of indigenous, natural, and cultural heritage as well as have an inherent ability to coexist with natural ecosystems. “It is important at this juncture, that rural communities and landscapes are leveraged to develop and promote sustainable tourism development models,” he shared in his address. 

This year’s International Tourism Fair, FITUR 2022 exceeded all expectations, with 111,193 attendees – 81,193 professionals from 127 countries during its first three trade-only days and 30,000 on its two days open to the public. The number of exhibitors and participants almost equaled pre-pandemic levels at the FITUR 2022. Among the 6,933 participants at the event were 600 exhibitors from 107 countries, including seventy countries represented by official delegations. 

Thomas Cook (India) and its Group Company, SOTC Travel, have introduced a slew of over 50 Mauritius holidays. Customers can opt for air-inclusive or land-only products starting at an unbeatable price of Rs 20,550.00. An island nation away from crowds, yet at a convenient short haul flight duration, Mauritius offers a kaleidoscope of cultures, eclectic gastronomy, vibrant local markets, a host of pristine beaches and clear blue waters, catamaran/speed boat/ yachting and water sports, spa-wellness experiences. Sightseeing options include the La Vallee des Couleurs Nature Park (valley of colours with 23-coloured earth), Black River Gorges National Park, Le Morne Brabant – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Grand Bassin, L’Aventure du Sucre, waterfalls and trekking/hiking amidst volcanic landscapes. Thomas Cook India and SOTC’s holiday range includes budget, value to luxury itineraries, with options designed to appeal couples, multigenerational families, young professionals/millennials, adventure seekers and solo travellers. For India’s newlyweds, the Companies’ Honeymoon Specials include options like: complimentary couple’s spa/ special discount on select therapies, in-room breakfast, candlelight dinner/ sundowners, bottle of sparkling wine/champagne, etc. Thomas Cook and SOTC have included both ready-to-book air-inclusive and land-only holidays; also customised itineraries, co-curated with holiday experts. Customers opting for air-inclusive holidays can choose a direct flight on Air Mauritius (twice weekly ex-Mumbai), or a unique combination of Mauritius with Dubai via Emirates. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) said, “Indians are displaying strong pent up demand and to accelerate demand, we have launched our extensive Mauritius product line. Mauritius’ hassle free visa-on-arrival and simple health protocols, coupled with our attractive Mauritius holiday range, offer the best of beach holidays and unique experiences to appeal to every Indian traveller …

Naveen Kundu, Managing Director, Ebixcash- Travel & Holidays, has said that he has huge expectations from this budget and his request to the Finance Minister is to declare tourism sector as a priority sector for the next two years and offer it industry status. Also, he requested for tax refunds to domestic travellers who spend large amount of their vacation budgets in India. Other recommendations included budget for loans with rates of interests as offered to industry, with flexibility of re-structuring the loans at least twice due to the frequent lean cycles. “The government shall offer tariffs which are at par with the industry if not lower. Provide tax concession to hotels and resorts in India to boost demand for domestic tourism and inbound tourism. Provide tax subsidy to travel agents who promote inbound tourism (FOREX earning agencies) and offer them incentives on earning FOREX as exports sector. Create a budget to appoint several large PR companies globally to promote ‘Product India’ with all its diversity and hospitality. Offer a financial tax support to corporates / associations who conduct their meetings & events in India. Offer direct financial support of up to Rs. 1000 crores for all global companies/ associations and world bodies who conduct their events, conferences and exhibitions in India. Announce a state-of-the-art skill development institute on the lines of IIM, which will be India’s first tourism university offering various courses. Reduce haulage on luxury trains and offer tax subsidy on operating more luxury and Bharat Gaurav trains in India,” he said.

While inaugurating the 31st district of the state – Vijayanagar – Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai also launched heli tourism, lounge and other amenities, which have seen investments to the tune of Rs 10 crore. The CM announced that heli-tourism will be promoted in the district and visitors could visit the district in helicopters. He also laid the foundation for 56 developmental projects worth Rs 337 crore in the new district.

Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi has released a comprehensive guide for vaccinated and unvaccinated visitors to ensure streamlined and stress-free travel into the UAE capital. When planning a trip to Abu Dhabi, all inbound tourists are reminded first to check DCT Abu Dhabi’s destination website for latest travel guidelines, which reiterates that a booster (third) vaccination dose is not necessary to enter the emirate. Also, for those entering Abu Dhabi via the Dubai/Abu Dhabi Road entry point, DCT Abu Dhabi has assigned the far-right lane (Lane 1) as a dedicated tourist lane.  Fully vaccinated tourists must present vaccination  proof and a negative 48-hour PCR test obtained from their home country.

India’s leading luxury travel company ATD Journeys Pvt Ltd today announces its new visual identity today, establishing a synergy between the three brands, A Travel Duet, A Travel Circle and A Travel Quest, the new visual identity encapsulates the evolution of luxury travel, adapting to consumers distinct travel needs, taking personalization and service to the forefront, while gearing up for our 10-year anniversary in 2023. The brand’s pastel tones reflect the warmth the company exudes, and its elements are inspired by world design, silhouettes, contemporary art piece, urban and scenic textures, geometric shapes, and tiled patterns. Founder & CEO, Mr Pritish Shah adds “We started back in 2013 and have believed in a slow and steady approach to building our luxury travel brands. Having achieved many milestones over the years we feel the brand is well poised to scale up now. The new brand identities re-enforce our commitment to delivering world class experiences to our guests.” The brand implementation will come live over the coming months with new websites in the pipeline.

Ministry of Tourism is planning a virtual event of about two hours on National Tourism Day on 25th January. Rupinder Brar, ADG, Tourism, shared, “G Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Tourism, Culture and DoNER will be the Chief Guest and Arvind Singh, Secretary, Tourism, will also be speaking in this online event. We have also invited Secretary, Culture; Secretary, Ministry of Textiles; Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change as well. The celebrations are a little low-key owing to Omicron spread across the country.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a new circuit house near Gujarat’s famous Somnath Temple. In his remarks, Modi emphasised that the country is taking a holistic approach to tourism. “Today, the 4S—Swachhta (cleanliness), Suvidha (convenient), Samay (time), and Soch—are required to boost tourism” (thinking). Our tourist attractions and holy pilgrimage sites were previously unhygienic. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has changed that picture today.