Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Nashik, has opened the doors to guests. Nestled at the foothills of the two-millennia old Pandav Caves, just off Nashik Mumbai highway, this idyllic hotel is conveniently accessible through air, rail and road from Mumbai and Pune and is the apt choice for business and leisure travellers alike. The hotel is spread over 42,000 sqm and boasts over 5,000 sqm of event space to host large-scale meetings and events. “We are delighted to introduce our flagship brand to Nashik. Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Nashik’s unparalleled location and state-of-the-art MICE facilities make it a key asset in our portfolio. The opening further strengthens the Group’s presence in high-visibility leisure destinations that complements our overarching strategic growth plans for West India,” said Zubin Saxena, Managing Director and Vice President Operations, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group.

In a new research commissioned by Airbnb, it has emerged that around 79% of Indian travellers want to travel in ways that positively benefit local communities both economically and socially. It was also found that 68 percent of respondents are prepared to forego comforts and luxuries on a holiday if their actions can support a sustainable tourism outcome. More than 60 percent of people in India are conscious that communities need economic recovery and will factor this into where they travel and how they spend their money. Almost two-thirds of Indians place importance on using travel to meaningfully connect with communities and culture, with 60 percent believing it important that they immerse themselves in local communities. Over 50 percent of Indian travelers say that technology-driven solutions can make the tourism industry more inclusive, by enabling a wider range of local stakeholders to benefit economically

According to the third Tourism Satellite Account, tourism sector contributes around 15% in total employment of the country as per 3rd Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) for the years 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20. This will be around 228 million jobs (both direct and indirect) due to tourism. This information was given by Minister of Tourism Shri G. Kishan Reddy in reply to a question in Lok Sabha.

G Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Tourism, Culture and DoNER, has said that MOT started the destination-based skill development training programme at 7 iconic sites in FY 2019-20 to train, upgrade and sensitise the local people residing near the tourism sites and destinations. This programme continued in Financial Year (FY) 2020-21 and upscaled to more than 150 new destinations. However, due to COVID-19 pandemic, this programme took place at 44 destinations. This programme is continued during the current FY 2021-22 and has taken place at 24 destinations.v

Department of Culture & Tourism (DCT) Abu Dhabi is organising Reunite #INABUDHABI- Luxury webinar today at 11:30am IST. Particpants will get a chance to learn more about upscale experiences, luxurious stay options, world-class dining and entertainment options. To join the webinar, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call +91 9650196532.

As more destinations ease restrictions and vaccination rates continue to improve, WTTC’s latest predictions show strong growth in foreign spending for 2022 and beyond, with overseas spending projected to surpass domestic spending. The report focuses on consumer booking trends, considerations, and profiles. It also includes examples of markets whose endurance has served as a platform for the Travel & Tourism sector’s revival.

The airline has stated that it is committed to increasing flights to destinations that have been temporarily halted owing to the pandemic, as well as facilitating for Indians to visit those destinations. Sri Lanka was one of the first countries to open its borders and welcome fully vaccinated Indian visitors, including those who had received the covaxin vaccine.

Delhi govt’s ban on the entry of petrol and diesel transport vehicles into Delhi till December 3, is not applicable to EVs and CNG vehicles. Even tourist vehicles are allowed into the state, said Amrit Mann (Hon. Secretary), ITTA, “Authorities should not make transport the scape goat, As per the resarch, vehicles contribute to less than 20 per cent of the pollution.”

One of the ardent advocates of non-saya dates for weddings, Rajeev Jain, MD, Rashi Entertainment, believes that the Indian wedding industry will witness a significant rise as the pandemic eases. “I believe that international weddings are opening up very fast and by 2022 we will witness many international weddings. The client will spend more on entertainment as new concepts arise. The expenditure on food and clothes will also go up as the number of functions will increase due to being held within India,” he says.  

New research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) reveals the recovery of the Asia Pacific Travel & Tourism sector has soared ahead of many regions in the world with a year on year growth of more than 36%. Before the pandemic struck, Asia Pacific’s Travel & Tourism sector’s contribution to GDP represented more than US$ 3 trillion (9.9% of the region’s economy).