Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

In a bid to strengthen its international network, IndiGo has launched non-stop daily flight on Kolkata – Hong Kong route, which would be effective from August 20, 2019. Bookings for the flight are open and the one-way fare would be Rs 10,999. The aircraft on the route would be an Airbus 320, with a capacity of 180 seats. William Boulter, Chief Commercial Officer, IndiGo said, “As part of our international expansion plans, we are happy to announce the launch of a daily direct flight on the Kolkata – Hong Kong route. We are committed to strengthen and grow our international network, in line with our overall growth strategy to meet the requirement of both business and leisure travellers. It is our constant endeavour to provide flexibility of choice to our customers as IndiGo continues to offer on-time, affordable, courteous and hassle-free flying experience consistently.” Departure                                              Arrival                                           Capacity Kolkata                22:40                     Hong Kong          04:55                     180 seats Hong Kong          05:50                     Kolkata                 07:40

Visitor arrivals to Mauritius from India went down -24.3% in May. Speaking to Tourism Breaking News, Vivek Anand, Country Manager- India, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), says, “The reason tourist arrivals from India has declined is because of the decrease in the number of flights flying from the various Indian cities to Mauritius. Earlier, there were 32 flights flying out, now there are only 22.” The total number of Indian visitors to Mauritius in the month of May were 10,463 compared to last year’s  13,815.

The secretary general of ICAO, Fang Liu, and the Director General and CEO of IATA, Alexandre de Juniac, have officially launched new ICAO legal guidance on the management of unruly and disruptive passengers. “Unruly and disruptive passenger conduct can pose distinct threats to the safety and security of aircraft, flight crew and passengers,” said Liu. “It can also generate costly disruptions to airlines and passengers alike in situations when aircraft must be diverted to manage these incidents.” “Enhancing safety is the shared goal for governments and airlines, and deterring unruly and disruptive behaviour on flights is key to this,” said de Juniac. “IATA welcomes today’s new ICAO guidance, which is intended to help governments address unruly passengers under their own national law. It covers many practical measures for consideration by policymakers, including ‘on the spot’ fines to boost enforcement action.” The new ICAO manual on the legal aspects of unruly and disruptive passengers is a key result emerging from the adoption of the protocol to amend the convention on offences and certain other acts committed on board aircraft. Its chief aim is to assist national governments in legislating appropriate and better harmonized legal measures to prevent and deal with unruly and disruptive passenger incidents on international flights.

To promote Mauritius as a golfing destination, MTPA organised Mauritius Tourism Invitational Golf Tournaments in collaboration with IGTA , MGTA & Air Mauritius in three metro cities of India, namely: Bangalore, Mumbai & NCR Delhi.  The events in all three cities were well attended by players, corporates, businessmen, senior persons from the travel industry and golf enthusiasts.  The tournament had prizes in two handicap categories and one for the Best Gross Player. In addition to the nine main prize winners, there were lucky draw winners who walked away with half board couple stay vouchers by The LUX Collective,  Heritage Resorts, Beachcomber Hotels and Sun Resorts. MTPA India hosted the top three winners from each city for the finals in Mauritius at Heritage Golf Club on 31st May. The winner of Mauritius-India Golf Cup 2019 was Mr Arjun Mallik and he was felicitated and awarded at the World Travel Award held in Mauritius on 1st June 2019. While speaking to the media, Mr Vivek Anand, Country Manager, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority was overwhelmed at the success of the initiative and said, “Mauritius, besides being an ideal round the year destination for the entire family, also boasts ten 18 hole golf courses, each offering a unique golfing experience. He added, “MTPA plans to do more such events to attract more Indian golfers to the island.”

Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo will be warmly welcoming guests back from Wednesday 12 June 2019 onwards. The Shangri-La Group is grateful to the local authorities and the global community for their outpouring of support and messages of commendations received these past seven weeks. We remain deeply appreciative of the selfless service and courageous spirit demonstrated by our colleagues and the Sri Lankan community in the face of such adversity.   Our heartfelt sympathies and support continue to be with those who have suffered injuries and lost loved ones on 21 April 2019. They will always be remembered.   Shangri-La stands united as one with the Sri Lankan community. With everyone’s support, we will come back stronger.   Our team’s passion for service remains undiminished and we look forward to welcoming the public back to Shangri-La Colombo.  

Royal Orchid Hotels Regenta & Royal Orchid Hotels recently opened three new hotels- Regenta Central Cassia in Zirakpur (Chandigarh), Regenta Central RS OMR in Chennai and Regenta Inn Blossoms, Kullu-Manali. Chander K. Baljee, Managing Director, Regenta & Royal Orchid Hotels said, “We’re extremely elated to announce that we now operate 50+ hotels in India. Our Vision for 2022 is to operate 100+ profitable and responsible hotels where guests love to stay, dine and celebrate. We wish to create hotels which have a soul, a reflection of our distinctly warm Indian hospitality.” The Regenta Central Cassia is strategically located near the international airport, offering a convenient location for those travelling for business or for leisure. The newest hotel in Zirakpur, the Regenta Central Cassia is a business hotel with 50 well-appointed rooms, a resto-bar and well-equipped banquets cum board room facilities. Expert chefs at the hotel specialize in authentic local as well as international cuisine.   The Regenta Central RS is strategically located on the Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), and is the first ‘in-mall’ hotel project on OMR, providing ‘within-the-complex’ access to the Marina Mall for its guests. The Regenta Central RS is a luxurious business hotel with 120 rooms including 24 impeccably designed suites, a lively multi-cuisine restaurant, Sky Lounge which is a roof-top pan Asian restaurant, well-equipped banquet and board room facilities, a full-service bar, and an infinity pool.   The Regenta Inn Blossoms, Kullu-Manali is strategically located on NH21, leading to Manali. An ideal starting point for exploring the charming hilly destination, the hotel features comfortable rooms with a view of the Beas river, an in-house multi-cuisine restaurant, and offers several adventure activities to its guests.  

Alexandre de Juniac, Director General and Chief Executive Officer, IATA, said that the rising ATF prices and weakening rupee is pulling down the aviation sector, impacting the profitability of airlines. Noting that cost environment is not very favourable for airlines in India, de Juniac said prospects for the airlines’ industry are less positive than six months ago. Global airline industry is expected to rake in a profit of $28 billion this year, much lower than the earlier forecast of $35.5 billion as rising fuel prices and weakening world trade are adversely impacting the business environment, IATA said earlier this month. (Source: PTI)

After successful trial runs of the new turnstile gates at the Taj Mahal, the three-hour ticket validity rule for visiting the monument has been enforced from 9 June. The move has been confirmed by the superintending Archeologist, ASI (Agra circle), Vasant Swarankar. Visitors will now get three hours to finish their sightseeing, from the time of entry to exit. Now, Taj Mahal has 14 entry gates, seven each on its eastern and western sides, as well as 10 gates, five each for exit, have been installed. Furthermore, if tourists exceed their time limit of three hours, they will have to pay an extra amount, equivalent to the value of the ticket, at the exit gate. Entry time will also be enforced, and visitors not arriving on time, will have to buy a new ticket to visit the monument.  

Singapore-based The Residence by Cenizaro Hotels & Resorts has announced that its new 173 only-villa resort – The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah – is now open. The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah in the Gaafu Alifu Atoll is connected to its other property – The Residence Maldives at Falhumaafushi – via a bridge and is at a walking distance. Wendy Mok, Director, Marketing for Asia Pacific, The Residence Maldives & The Residence Bintan, says, “The new property has 173 villas with a private pool in every villa. It is a very exclusive property. We always tell our agent partners to suggest their clients to come for three or four or five nights. And we even see the market going beyond five nights sometimes from India. We are looking at attracting honeymooners, families, and corporates of small groups like 10-20 people. We aren’t equipped for big weddings but it will be a perfect destination for family events like anniversaries, birthdays, etc.”   The Residence is promoted by Outbound Konnections in India. The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah is an all-inclusive resort meaning guests have access to all six restaurants and six bars across both Dhigurah and Falhumaafushi, creating a two-island inclusive experience. Paddle boarding, Kayaking, windsurfing and other non-motorised sports are also included, as well as access to the spa, fitness centre and Turtle Kids Club.  

Aiming to foster closer ties between Thailand and India, ‘Namaste Thailand Online Quiz’ asked questions about Thailand covering various aspects from cuisine, culture, way of life, history, geography, to modern politics. The quiz is the longest running and most successful social media campaign by an embassy in India. After its success, seven other embassies in New Delhi have followed suit and organized similar projects. This year’s quiz was held under the theme ‘Thailand and the World’ which highlighted Thailand’s role at the international stage, today and in the past. The Award Ceremony was attended by esteemed dignitaries including H.E Chutintorn Gongsakdi, Ambassador of Thailand to India, Thirapath Mongkolnavin, Minister, Royal Thai Embassy, Thamanoon Kuprasert, General Manager, Thai Airways International, India, Aso Lori, Marketing Officer, Tourism Authority of Thailand, New Delhi Office, Embassy Diplomats, Quizcraft team and the contest’s Grand Prize Winner and amazing participants along with their families. The award ceremony commenced with a presentation of report of the Namaste Thailand Online Quiz 2019, then H.E. Chutintorn Gongsakdi, Ambassador of Thailand to India, congratulated the winners and conveyed his appreciation for the interest Indians have in knowing Thailand and ASEAN. He talked about how social media, being a powerful medium, helps promote closer ties between the peoples. He hoped that from the Quiz, the participants have learned more about Thailand and realize the similarities and linkages between Thailand and India, and hoped that the students will continue to be active supporters of Thai-Indian friendship, as the people-to-people relation is an important foundation of the bilateral relations. The winners and participants were felicitated with certificates along with gifts from the Royal Thai Embassy, Tourism Authority of Thailand, and Thai Airways. Sai …