Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

The Ministry of Tourism is set to organise ‘Bharat Parv’ at the Red Fort, Delhi from January 26-31, 2018 as part of Republic Day 2018 celebrations to promote India’s rich cultural diversity and ensure wider participation of the public. The highlights of the event include display of Republic Day parade tableaux, performances by the Armed Forces Bands, a multi-cuisine food court, craft mela, cultural performances from different regions of the country and photo exhibition by the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP). The cultural performances include choreographed tribal dances and music as well as performances by cultural troupes from different states. The food court will showcase street food from different regions while the craft mela with 50 stalls will display diverse handicrafts of the country. A live ‘Cookery Demonstration Area’ is being set up in the food court to promote cuisines of different states. The Bharat Parv event will be inaugurated at 5.00 pm on January, 26 and would be open for public till 10.00 pm. The event is open for public and entry is free with a valid identity proof.

MSC Cruises has announced the opening of sales of its second world cruise, setting sail in 2020. With a halt in Mumbai, the 2020 MSC World Cruise has a new itinerary that includes exotic destinations with 43 destinations and 23 countries on board MSC Magnifica. Other destinations include Ushuaia in Argentina, Rapa Nui in Easter Island, Darwin in Australia, Valparaiso in Chile and Salalah in Oman. Gianni Onorato, Chief Executive Officer, MSC Cruises, says, “Following on from the successful launch of our first MSC World Cruise last year due to set sail in January 2019, we are now delighted to open sales for a new world cruise for 2020 developed to offer unforgettable experiences and destinations to guests. In addition, the experience onboard MSC Magnifica been designed to reflect the cultures and cuisines of the countries that the ship visits, giving guests the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in a true around-the-world voyage of discovery both on board and on shore.” Guests embarking from Civitavecchia/Rome, Genoa, Marseille and Barcelona on January 4-7, 2020 respectively will cross five continents on a three-month voyage of discovery to some of the world’s most talked-about destinations.

In line with major airlines reducing agents’ commission to 0 per cent on airline ticket bookings, Etihad Airways too has followed suit. According to a statement released by the airline, from February 1, 2018, Etihad Airways will withdraw its commission applicable to any/all tickets issued in India and move to 0 per cent commission given to IATA agents. All tickets issued prior to February 1, 2018 will be eligible to 1 per cent commission.

India ranks in top five list of highest number of visitors to Thailand after China, Malaysia, Korea and Laos. In 2017, over 1.4 million Indians travelled to Thailand which is over 18 per cent increase as compared to last year. Thailand welcomed over 35.3 million international visitors in 2017 and earned 1.82 trillion baht in tourism revenue. The precise number of overseas tourists visiting Thailand in 2017 was 35,381,210; showing an increase of 8.77 per cent over 2016. Soraya Homchuen, Director, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Mumbai said, “TAT is initiating many unique activities and projects this year with a focus on promoting women, family and first-time traveller segments for the Indian market.” Santi Chudintra, Deputy Governor for International Marketing (Asia and the South Pacific) said, “Our new campaign ‘Open to the New Shades of Thailand’ aims to give more attention to unique local experiences and inclusive tourism, reflecting Thainess and Thai people’s warmth in welcoming visitors. The new campaign ‘Amazing Thailand Tourism Year 2018’ has been launched to support the government’s national tourism development plan, ensuring that Thailand remains a preferred destination.”  

Following Phase-II of its promotional campaign, Department of Tourism, Kerala has planned to target Europe with a budget of Rs 7.5 crore. Kerala Tourism has planned to showcase diversified products across the European terrain to entice travellers and has been promoting the state as a preferred tourist destination across the globe. Highlighting the significance of the campaign, Kadakampally Surendran, Minister for Tourism, Cooperation and Devaswoms, Government of Kerala said, “Considering Europe’s top position in the list of high-potential markets for overall tourism growth, Kerala Tourism has activated a rigorous promotional campaign involving diverse products that have the capability to attract travellers from the European countries to Kerala.” Highlighting the growth of state tourism, Rani George, IAS, Secretary, Tourism & Culture, Government of Kerala stated, “Through this promotional and marketing campaign, Kerala Tourism aims to double the foreign tourist arrivals and increase domestic tourist arrivals by 50 per cent, by 2021.” Under the promotional campaign in Europe 2017-18, Kerala Tourism has planned to utilise all forms of promotional tools under various categories, including television campaigns (Rs 3.5 crore), Out of Home (OOH) campaign (Rs 2.5 crore), Consumer Travel Mart (Rs 1 crore) and Kerala Blog Express (Rs 50 Lakhs).  

Sarovar Hotels has launched Singhania Sarovar Portico, Raipur, an upscale hotel strategically located in the hub of the city near AIIMS Hospital. The hotel was inaugurated by Gaurishankar Agrawal, Assembly Speaker, Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly, in the presence of Ajay K. Bakaya, Managing Director, Sarovar Hotels; Rajesh Ranjan, Director of Development, Sarovar Hotels & Resorts and Kevin Wilkins, General Manager, Singhania Sarovar Portico, Raipur. Singhania Sarovar Portico, Raipur, has 60 beautifully crafted, spacious and well-appointed rooms offering modern amenities and personalised service. The hotel offers state-of-the-art business and conferencing facilities, fitness centre, an all-day dining multi-cuisine restaurant, in-room dining and a meeting room. Speaking on the occasion, Agrawal said, “Raipur is an evolving city and the gateway to tourist destinations in Chhattisgarh. I believe this hotel will be immensely beneficial to people travelling to this city, business as well as leisure and to the locals here with their excellent F&B and banquet services on offer.” Commenting on the launch, Bakaya said, “We are glad to be setting our footprints in this emerging state of Chhattisgarh. With our immense focus on providing quality accommodation and services at the best rates, we hope to ensure a pleasant stay for all our guests travelling to this region.”  

FCM Travel Solutions, Indian arm of Australia-headquartered Flight Centre Travel Group, is looking to achieve a turnover of Rs 4,000 crore during the current fiscal year. The company, which follows a July-to-June fiscal year, had clocked a revenue of Rs 2,700 crore in the country in the financial year 2016-17. “At FCM Travel Solutions, we are aiming at achieving around 50 per cent growth this fiscal year. Our target this fiscal year is to reach a turnover of Rs 4,000 crore,” said Rakshit Desai, Managing Director India, FCM Travel Solutions. The company operates an extensive portfolio of businesses across leisure, corporate travel and forex, he added. “55 per cent of our existing business is from corporate travel including SMEs and the remaining 45 per cent business is from leisure travel and forex,” Desai added. The travel firm is also looking to re-brand its travel retail and holiday brand – Flight Shop to Travel Tours. Travel Tours has strong brand equity and heritage that will benefit the company when it expands its presence across the nation, he added. The company had acquired the business interests of Travel Tours Group (TTG), in a cash and stock deal in October 2016, Desai said. Source: PTI

In an effort to enhance its visa service, the United Kingdom Visa & Immigration (UKVI) has extended the Registered Traveller Service to Indian nationals – an optional membership scheme which provides expedited crossing through the UK border. Registered Travellers are entitled to use the EEA entry lanes, or if they hold an electronic passport, the ePassport gates, and won’t need to routinely fill in a landing card. There are more UK Visa Application Centres in India than any other country. UKVI will also be improving the application process during 2018, with new online forms and upgraded technology to make the experience smoother and customer-friendly. Tricia Warwick, Interim Director for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, VisitBritain, said, “We want the UK to be a ‘must-go-now’ destination for visitors from India. Making it easy to travel here is an important part of our tourism offer. With our hotels, attractions and shops, all offering great value for Indian visitors right now, it is a great time to come to Britain.” Source: ANI

Cruise Club has been appointed as the representative in India for Dubai Business Events, a division of Dubai Tourism and the city’s official convention bureau. Based out of Mumbai, Cruise Club’s role is to increase Dubai’s market share from incentive groups and corporate meetings. The team has already begun its delegate boosting activity, promoting upcoming events such as the Lions Clubs International ISAAME Forum, set tot take place in December at Dubai World Trade Centre. Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM) said, “India remains a top priority for us, now consistently being the largest source market for tourists to Dubai. This is a feat achieved through years of establishing and building strong trade ties in the market, in addition to the execution of a segment-specific approach across India. Charson Advisory has played a great role in realising this feat, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their consistently professional approach, enduring commitment and dependable work.”

Renaissance Hotels, part of Marriott International, announces the opening of the Renaissance Ahmedabad Hotel in Ahmedabad. This becomes the brand’s third property in India, with two others in Mumbai and Lucknow. Neeraj Govil, Area Vice President, South Asia, Marriott International, said, “The debut of the Renaissance brand in Ahmedabad will further strengthen our presence in India. With Ahmedabad being hailed as an emerging global business destination, we expect a huge influx of business and leisure travellers to the city.” Located at S G Highway, Renaissance Ahmedabad Hotel features a contemporary design and has 155 rooms with six suites, 62 twin rooms, 87 king rooms and 24 inter-connecting rooms. The hotel offers extensive facilities for social events and meetings spread over 29,220 sq ft, of versatile indoor and outdoor spaces. “Apart from being a fast-growing business city, Ahmedabad is also the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage City, making it not only economically but also culturally significant. With our vibrant, new F&B options, extensive leisure facilities and insights into the city, we are confident the hotel will be a favourite for travellers and Ahmedabad residents alike,” said Vishvapreet Singh Cheema, General Manager, Renaissance Ahmedabad Hotel.