Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

IATA reported a 10% year-on-year rise in global traffic for January 2025, marking a return to double-digit growth after seven months. Capacity increased 7.1%, while load factor hit a record 82.1%. IATA director general Willie Walsh stated, “We’ve seen a notable acceleration in demand this January, with a particularly strong performance by carriers based in the Asia-Pacific region.”

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has partnered with content creator Prajakta Koli to launch an exclusive, influencer-curated itinerary designed to offer Indian travellers an overview of the emirate’s award-winning attractions and inspiring experiences. Unveiled at an event in Mumbai attended by the media and trade partners, the collaboration seeks to raise awareness of Abu Dhabi’s diverse offering – including new experiences such as teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi and Surf Abu Dhabi – empowering travel professionals to optimise their packages. Prajakta Koli is one of India’s most influential content creators, celebrated for her relatable and humorous storytelling that resonates with over 17 million followers across platforms. Known by her online persona ‘MostlySane’, she has gained widespread acclaim for creating engaging content spanning comedy, lifestyle and travel. Koli’s itineraries highlight Abu Dhabi’s versatility as a destination for short breaks, luxurious retreats, family vacations, and culturally immersive holidays alike. By putting the spotlight on the emirate’s appeal as both a standalone holiday destination and an ideal stopover, supported by Koli’s unique perspective as a content creator, the campaign targets various traveller segments such as families, couples, luxury seekers, millennial adventurers, and culture enthusiasts. During the event, travel agents were introduced to Abu Dhabi’s latest offerings, providing fresh opportunities to craft updated itineraries spanning three to five nights. The engagement also served as a platform for knowledge sharing, enabling industry stakeholders to deepen their understanding of Abu Dhabi as a destination for culture, heritage, entertainment, adventure, nature and more. India remains one of Abu Dhabi’s key source markets, and the latest initiative underscores DCT Abu Dhabi’s commitment to maintaining close ties with the valued Indian travel trade. …

Israel Tourism Ministry invites the Indian outbound travel trade to attend an exclusive webinar on 4 March at 12 pm to gain insights and updates on the destination. From the ancient streets of Jerusalem to the serene shores of the Dead Sea, experience the country’s exciting offerings. For more information or to register, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

In a significant step toward transforming travel marketing, ETrav proudly introduced GHOOMER, an innovative platform designed specifically for travel agents, at the prestigious SATTE 2025 (South Asia Travel & Tourism Exchange) exhibition. The event, held at Yashobhoomi, Delhi, from February 19th to 21st, 2025, saw GHOOMER become one of the most talked-about launches of the expo. Launched under the tagline “Journeys Amplified,” GHOOMER is here to simplify the way travel agents create and share marketing materials. Recognizing the everyday creative hurdles agents face, ETrav developed GHOOMER to make it effortless to produce professional, branded content. Whether it’s crafting eye-catching flyers, curating dynamic holiday itineraries, or generating hotel vouchers, agents can now do it all in just minutes—without the need for design expertise or complicated software. What sets GHOOMER apart is its incredible efficiency. Tasks that once took hours can now be completed in seconds, giving agents more time to focus on what truly matters—serving their clients and growing their businesses. Heniel Rupaarelia, Managing Director of ETrav, shared his excitement about the launch: “GHOOMER received an incredible response at SATTE 2025, quickly becoming one of the highlights of the event. It’s clear that travel professionals have been searching for a solution that makes marketing easier and more effective—and GHOOMER delivers exactly that.” The platform offers three flexible subscription plans, starting at just ₹1,999/- per month. Each plan is packed with features such as customizable promotional templates, easy-to-use itinerary design tools, and a dedicated mobile app—so travel agents can create on the go. With GHOOMER, ETrav isn’t just offering a tool—it’s providing travel agents with the power to elevate their brand, engage clients more effectively, and market their services like never before.

The UK Government has launched the ‘Visa Fraud Ton Bacho’ campaign to help protect Indian citizens from the physical, financial, and emotional risks of visa fraud and irregular migration. The campaign encourages those travelling to the UK to check facts and stay safe. Visa application guidance is freely available on gov.uk, and via a new WhatsApp support line.

Highlighting the state’s potential as a leading hub for adventure sports, Pravati Parida, Deputy Chief Minister, Odisha revealed that the state government is laying the groundwork for the state’s tourism industry, aiming to make it a premier destination for adventure and exploration over the next 50 years. “We are committed to developing these sites, not just for today, but for future generations,” she said.

Inaugurating the second edition of Karnataka International Travel Expo 2025 in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister, Karnataka unveiled the Tourism Policy 2025-2029 and said, “With a budget of ₹1,350 crore, the state tourism policy will help in attracting around ₹8,000 crore as direct investment and generate employment opportunities to 1.5 lakh people in next four years.”

Turtle Down Under, in collaboration with Tourism Whitsundays and the Brisbane Economic Development Agency, is conducting a webinar today at 3 pm IST on ‘Romantic Australia: The Honeymoon Guide’ to unveil top-selling honeymoon destinations and give away Amazon vouchers for the top questions in their QnA session. Write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

Sabi Sabi Collection is pleased to announce the appointment of Ace Connect, led by Alpa Jani, to represent us in the Indian market. This partnership reinforces Sabi Sabi’s commitment to expanding its presence in a dynamic and rapidly growing luxury travel market. “We have always considered India of vital importance in our global strategy”, said Jacques Smit, Marketing Director of Sabi Sabi Collection. “With the appointment of Ace Connect, we aim to strengthen our relationships and enhance our brand in this exciting country. India has immense potential for exponential growth and this collaboration aligns perfectly with our future vision”. Ace Connect, a specialist consulting firm catering to niche luxury travel and hospitality brands, brings extensive expertise and a well-established network across the Indian travel and media industry. The aim is to build extensive relationships that are mutually beneficial ensuring a long standing presence in this key market. Sabi Sabi Collection is a highly respected luxury safari brand with over 45 years of expertise. We look forward to sharing our world and immersive experiences through Alpa’s indepth knowledge of the Indian market.

The Global Investors Summit (GIS) in Bhopal is set to open new avenues for tourism investment in Madhya Pradesh. The state’s new Tourism and Film Tourism Policies provide substantial incentives to investors. A streamlined “single-window system” ensures quick, transparent approvals for film shooting. The policy also includes grants for regional films in dialects like Malvi and Bundelkhandi, along with special incentives for children’s cinema and women-centric films. Additional grants are available for films based on the state’s cultural and historical legacy, as well as independent short films.