Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

The much-awaited IATO election will be held on 10 May at The Ashok Hotel in New Delhi for the posts of President, Senior VP, VP, Secretary, Treasurer, Joint Secretary, five EC members (Active) and three EC members (Allied). Ravi Gosain, Director, Erco Travels and Amaresh Tiwari, MD, AT Seasons & Vacations Travel, are contesting for the post of the next President, replacing Rajiv Mehra, the current President.

Understand how your clients can enjoy their summer at Resorts World Sentosa Singapore during this hour-long webinar on 11 April that will focus on new attractions, luxury accommodations. For more information or to register, contact Jasmeet Singh at jasmeet.singh@buzztravelmarketing.com or call +919953432363.

Special Director General of Police Varun Kapoor conducted a workshop on cyber crime and cyber security for the Travel Agents of Association of India at the Jal Auditorium on 8 April. The workshop was attended by the TAAI team as well as travel agents and stakeholders of the city. TAAI MP CG Chairman Hemendra Singh Jadon, Munish Kumar from Air India, Arvind Rathore from Indigo Airlines Travel Agents and trade partners were present in the workshop. Addressing the workshops, Dr. Kapoor said that the use of computers, smart phones has increased a lot and most of our time is spent on social networking sites, online games, shopping. The use of computers, smart phones, internet has become a part of our life. With their increasing use, the number of cyber crimes has increased. Children and women are most at risk from this. Cyber ​​criminals make their victims using email, chat rooms, social networking sites, fake websites and software. Due to this, incidents of digital arrests have also increased, for which awareness campaigns are being run across the country. It must be kept in mind that do not accept friend requests from unknown persons on social media. Do not share your personal information such as date of birth, address, phone number, bank account information, credit/debit card information, password and OTP, etc. Keep changing your passwords from time to time. If someone on the phone, claiming to be a bank employee, asks you for information about your bank account, credit card/debit card etc., do not give it. Do not like, comment and forward every post on social media unnecessarily and without investigation. Do not click on unknown links. Do not install software, apps, …

The Global Rep, a pioneer in travel management and distribution, proudly announces the launch of ZOTRAV (www.zotrav.com), an innovative B2B platform designed to transform the way travel agents access and book curated global tour packages. With the global travel industry projected to surpass $9.5 trillion by 2028, the demand for seamless and efficient booking solutions has never been higher. ZOTRAV provides a one-stop marketplace where travel professionals can browse, compare, and secure exclusive deals across 20+ sought-after destinations. By integrating technology-driven solutions, the platform enhances operational efficiency, simplifies business processes, and maximizes revenue potential for travel partners. “ZOTRAV is not just another booking platform—it’s a transformative step forward for the travel industry,” said Sandeep Khetarpal, Founder of The Global Rep. “Our vision is to empower travel professionals with a seamless, cost-efficient solution that enhances their service capabilities while delivering extraordinary experiences to their clients. By connecting travel agents with a world of curated tour products, ZOTRAV simplifies access and booking like never before. The global online travel booking market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.3% from 2024 to 2030, fueled by rising digital adoption and demand for personalized travel solutions. ZOTRAV aligns with this trend by offering a user-friendly, intuitive platform that ensures seamless access to high-quality tour packages, enabling travel agents to meet evolving consumer expectations. Key Features of ZOTRAV: – Curated Global Tour Packages – Access handpicked tours from reputable suppliers across multiple destinations. – Exclusive B2B Pricing – Secure competitive rates and exclusive deals designed for travel agents. – Seamless Booking Process – Simplify reservations with an easy-to-use digital interface. – Tailored Solutions – Customize packages to match client preferences and special requirements. – …

GRT Hotels & Resorts has been awarded the “Best Emerging Hotel Chain – India” at the prestigious PATWA International Travel Awards 2025 held at ITB Berlin. This recognition highlights the brand’s exceptional growth, innovative offerings, and unwavering commitment to hospitality excellence across South India. In addition to this esteemed accolade, Mr. Vikram Cotah, CEO of GRT Hotels & Resorts, was honored with the “Best Professional Hospitality Growth – India” award. This award acknowledges his visionary leadership and remarkable contributions to the Indian hospitality industry, which have significantly propelled the brand’s expansion and success. Mr. T. Nataraajan, Deputy Managing Director of GRT Hotels & Resorts, remarked, “It is truly an honor to receive these awards on a global platform like ITB Berlin. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and passion of our entire team at GRT Hotels & Resorts. We remain committed to delivering unparalleled experiences that reflect our brand’s promise of Excellence, Innovation and ‘The Promise of More’.” Expressing his gratitude, Mr. Vikram Cotah, CEO, GRT Hotels & Resorts said, “Our journey to ITB Berlin was driven by a vision—to showcase the essence of GRT Hotels & Resorts on a global platform. As we stepped into this prestigious event, we carried with us a legacy of blending tradition with innovation, sustainability with luxury, and hospitality with heart. Amidst the world’s most influential voices in travel and tourism, it was a moment of pride and inspiration to be recognized on this platform. This achievement is not just ours alone—it belongs to every member of the GRT family, every guest who has trusted us, and every partner who has supported our journey.” With a diverse portfolio of 22 properties …

The Singapore Airlines Group will commemorate Singapore’s 60th year of independence with a series of SG60-themed initiatives from April to December 2025, as part of its Celebrating with Singapore campaign. Customers can enjoy special SG60 fare deals for Singapore Airlines and Scoot flights, bonus miles accrual on Scoot flights, and additional discounts during KrisFlyer’s upcoming Spontaneous Escapes promotions. There will also be SG60 exclusives on Kris+, KrisShop, and Pelago. KrisWorld, SIA’s in-flight entertainment system, will feature content highlighting Singapore’s history, arts, and culture in its Celebrating Singapore category. The Airline will also showcase the country’s famous cuisine on selected flights and SilverKris lounges. The SIA Group also aims to raise $1.3 million in a SG60 fundraising campaign by rallying partners and staff to do good together. The Group will match the amount raised dollar-for-dollar, donating a total of $2.6 million to AWWA and Rainbow Centre, two Singapore-based agencies that support children and youth with disabilities and developmental needs. In addition, SIA will also host a special two-day edition of its SIA Cares Open House in July, welcoming more than 600 beneficiaries, including individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, youth at risk, and the differently abled, from various Singapore-based social service agencies for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of SIA’s training centre. Details of the community initiatives and promotions can be found in Annexe A. Mr. Goh Choon Phong, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Airlines, said: “As we celebrate Singapore’s 60-year nation-building journey, the SIA Group is deeply grateful for the unwavering support of our customers and the Singapore public. Our story is intertwined with Singapore’s growth and progress as a country, and the Celebrating with Singapore campaign is our way of expressing gratitude, giving back to the community, and marking SG60 …

According to MMGY, Indian outbound travellers still rely heavily on traditional planning methods, especially for complex international trips. Despite increased digital savviness, travel agents remain crucial for curated, multi-destination itineraries and group tours

Accor and InterGlobe have strengthened their partnership to create India’s fastest-growing hospitality enterprise. The collaboration targets 300 hotels under Accor brands by 2030. They will jointly invest in Treebo, becoming its largest shareholder, and lead the development of Ibis and Mercure brands in India through a master license agreement. 

Signalling good times ahead for hospitality students, the hospitality placements at IHM Pusa Road have jumped from 20% to 49% this year. Principal Pant said, “Over the past four to five years, it was disheartening to observe that only about 20% of our students were entering core hospitality roles — in hotels, quick-service restaurants, and related sectors — while nearly 75% of the rest were moving towards retail, e-commerce, consulting, and other industries. This year, however, marks a turning point. Thanks to the industry’s commitment and the attractive opportunities being extended— 49% of our students are now stepping directly into core hospitality careers.”

Foreign exchange inflows from tourism in India hit a record $10.1 billion in Q3 2024-25, according to RBI. This marks a strong rebound from the pandemic slump, surpassing the pre-Covid high of $8.6 billion in Q3 2019-20. The rising trend highlights India’s growing appeal as a global travel destination and the sector’s contribution to the economy.