Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

Sarovar Hotels and Resorts has signed a new hotel in Birgunj, Nepal. Upon completion in 2022, the 50-room property – Sarovar Portico, Birgunj – will offer an elegant ambience and amenities to guests. The signing helps Sarovar, which already manages a diverse portfolio in India and Africa, further expand its footprint in Nepal.

Ankush Nijhawan, MD, Nijhawan Group, an avid cricketer himself, reveals that he had a great experience when in 2019 he got to witness India play Australia at the Oval and India play Pakistan at Old Trafford. “I think it’s a must for everybody to watch cricket in the UK. The VisitBritain Cricket Carnival is exciting, especially because people can play it on an App, and technology is something everybody is used to today.” To play, register on http://bit.ly/VisitBritainCricketCarnival or contact vartik.sethi@ddppl.com or +91 83684 28139.

Vandana Aggarwal, Sr. Economic Adviser, MoCA, has said that the industry needs to have regulations in place to ensure seamless working of the sector. She also deliberated on the growth blue print for the MRO & OEM industry, and mentioned that we need to have our own systems and be less dependent on other countries.

Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has proposed 392 routes under UDAN 4.1 bidding process, and is focused on connecting smaller airports, along with special helicopter and seaplane routes. Usha Padhee, Joint Secretary, MoCA, says, “This round invites bids for priority routes which have not been covered under UDAN so far.”

Swiss Travel System launches a new e-learning platform called the ‘Swiss Travel System Excellence Program’ for travel agents where they can learn everything about Swiss public transport. Gain knowledge and win attractive prizes with Heidi and Peter as they take the travel trade on a learning journey through the new Swiss Travel System Excellence Program. Sign up by 31 March, 2021 and four lucky winners will win Bucherer watches worth €400 each. Register at https://elearning.mystsnet.com/?utm_source=traveltrendstoday&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=stsexcellence2021

TOFTigers will launch the world’s best-known global Travelife Certification for travel operators and DMCs in the Indian market on April 7. The programme helps travel businesses evaluate, set targets, prove and communicate their sustainable mission and achievements. The tools are free with TOFTigers membership. To know more, contact Ritu Makhija at ritu.makhija@toftindia.org.

Travel Designer Group has entered into a direct dynamic distribution agreement with Hilton to distribute Hilton’s global hotel inventory on its B2B hotel reservation platform Rezlive.com. The agreement will allow Rezlive.com to access real-time availability and prices of Hilton’s hotel inventories.

Indiatourism Port Blair, in collaboration with Association of Andaman Tour Operators (AATO), has launched ‘India@75’, an industry-led movement which brings together different stakeholders of society to create a morally, economically and technologically advanced country. The programme, called ‘Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav’ will commence 75 weeks prior to August 15, 2022 – the day independent India turns 75 – and end on August 15, 2023. The programme will also promote 2022 as ‘Visit India Year’ through various promotional campaigns highlighting India’s strengths like heritage, culture, art, wellness and yoga.

A parliamentary committee on transport, tourism and culture has revealed that they are concerned over slashing of budget estimates of MOT, when the travel and tourism industry is reeling from huge losses, owing to COVID-19 pandemic. The panel led by BJP leader T G Venkatesh highlighted that the budgetary allocation of Rs 2,026.77 crore for 2021-22 for the MOT would not be sufficient for the ministry to even run activities related to the Swadesh Darshan scheme, the PRASHAD scheme and others to realise the vision of increasing tourism sector’s contribution to India’s GDP to Rs 8.50 lakh crore, the panel led by noted.

Nandan Nilekani, Co-Founder, Infosys, has said that in Asia recovery of sectors like travel, tourism and hospitality will start seeing a quick recovery in the coming months, provided the pace of vaccination is increased so the region arrives at a herd immunity. Speaking at a virtual session at the World Government Summit Dialogues (WGS Dialogues), he said, “Many of the industries that were laid low by the pandemic, like travel, tourism and hospitality will start seeing a quick recovery in the coming months. If we can distribute vaccines throughout Asia as quickly as possible, we will be able to achieve community immunity that precedes any new mutations in the virus. This step will enable everyone to return to normal life and revitalize travel and tourism. The recovery will come from the consumers. I see a burst of consumption across the region, and that’s very good news in terms of creating economic opportunities and boosting consumer confidence,” he said.