Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

After postponement of the KTM Virtual Travel Mart last year, Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) Society is all set to host the first edition of KTM Virtual Mart 2021 from March 1-5, 2021. The mart aims to rebuild the tourism sector by initiating the marketing strategies of Kerala’s tourism products, to showcase them to the world, and to get in touch with travel trade members from all over the world.

IATO, in association with TravTalk University, is hosting a webinar titled ‘Website Secrets Revealed’ today at 11:30 am. During the session, Digital Marketing Specialist Gaurav Gurbaxani will educate attendees on the most common mistakes to avoid in developing a website. To register, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call +91-9650196532.

Vistara has announced special, non-stop flights between Delhi and Frankfurt, starting 18th February 2020. The twice a week flight will be on Thursdays and Saturdays, as part of the ‘transport bubble’ formed between India and Germany and the aircraft will be Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

Himanshu Talwar, Assistant Secretary General, FHRAI, has been given the additional responsibility as the Additional Director at FHRAI Institute of Hospitality Management (FIHM), Greater Noida. Management of FHRAI has bestowed the new responsibility on Talwar, where he will be working under the guidance of the Secretary General, FHRAI.

Kashmir Travel trade has opened their residential homes for tourists stuck up due to closure of national highway and the air connectivity, after consistent snowfall in the valley. In a statement issued to press, Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK) issued a helpline to reach out to the stranded tourists who need any help for accommodation, medical assistance, food, and other services. Farooq Kuthoo, President, TAAK, said, “Many travellers are stranded here in Kashmir due to cancellation of the flights and closure of national highway. Keeping up with the legacy of hospitality that Kashmiris are known for through centuries we would not see our guests’ sufferings.” They have assured the stranded tourists through social media, newspapers and radio not to worry and contact on the helpline numbers displayed for any assistance. He also appreciated the department of Tourism for establishing a helpline for the stranded tourists and offering them free accommodation in department owned hotels.

TAAI has recently concluded its AGM virtually, which saw its national team, heads and ECs state and region chapters, as well as members in presence, revealed Jyoti Mayal, President, TAAI. “We completed first year of our 2019-21 tenure. Our team was appreciated for its hard work. Now, we are working on our way forward. We had also invited Aashish Gupta, Consulting CEO, FAITH and we had a detailed dialogue with the office bearers and the Management Committee, and regional chapter teams, who gave their inputs on how they want TAAI to be a futuristic organisation,” she said.

Nandini Chakraborty, Tourism Secretary, West Bengal, has revealed that the current occupancy at around 30 operational properties of West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation (WBTDCL) is 100%. “We have done extensive promotion on social and other media about our properties as well as the state, and the response has been phenomenal,” she commented. Hotels and guest houses at popular tourist destinations Bengal are seeing over 80% occupancy in the last 2-3 months, which is more than the average occupancy of 60-70% which these properties have recorded in the last 2-3 years. Source: TOI

To promote inbound tourism, the Ministry of Tourism (MOT) has released the revised guidelines for the Marketing Development Assistance (MDA) for overseas promotions by tourism service providers. Under the new guidelines, the service providers will be entitled to more financial benefits and simple claim process. The guidelines will be effective from 1st January 2021.

LIM Si Ting, Area Director, India & South Asia (Mumbai), International Group, STB has said that the STB India Virtual Tradeshow will be a great opportunity for the trade to establish new business prospects and strengthen existing connections with 45 confirmed stakeholders from Singapore, comprising airlines, hotels, DMCs, attractions and cruise lines. “Let’s prepare ourselves for tourism restart.” Register Register now at www stbindiatradeshow2021.com, email: Jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com, call: +919650196532.    

SpiceJet has announced the launch of 21 new domestic and international flights including the introduction of two weekly flights from Mumbai to Ras Al-Khaimah from 15th January. It will also increase frequency on the Delhi- Ras Al-Khaimah sector to 4 flights a week. SpiceJet will be the first airline to connect Jharsuguda with direct flights to Mumbai & Bengaluru.