Category Archives: MOT

In order to make India’s tourism offerings more attractive and accessible throughout the year, Manisha Saxena, DG, MOT, GoI, highlighted the ‘Coolcation,’ campaign, aimed at showcasing country’s cooler regions and diversifying the tourist experience beyond the conventional peak seasons,  while challenging misconceptions about India’s climate.

Indian Ministry of Tourism showcases its strength at ATM 2024 with a strong delegation led by Gyan Bhushan, Senior Economic Advisor, MOT and Arun Srivastava, Joint Director, General, MOT. It also launched a campaign to promote India as a holistic destination. More than 55 participants from India including State Tourism, IRCTC, tour operators, hotels, airlines etc are participating in the show.

NS Rathor, Chairman, IATO Western Region, says, “We are facing a lot of problems with the cruise guide rates. We have a lot of international cruise liners coming into Mumbai. For cruise passengers we have to negotiate rates locally with Tourist Guides Association (TOGA). They are asking us to pay 15-20% more than the current rate negotiated with TGFI! We have not yet agreed on that. We have offered them 10%. We will discuss this issue with our members and offer TOGA this rate. We hope they will agree with this.”

Dr Sagnik Chowdhury, Deputy Director General & Regional Director (West & Central), Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India, along with his team made a detailed presentation to members of TAAI Western India in Mumbai on the merits of being an MoT-accredited travel agent and the approval process. Underlining some tweaks in the categories, his team also fielded some questions and challenges from the members. He said, “We also highlighted our certification programme which will go a long way in empowering their staff towards a more solid career in tourism.”

Suman Billa returns to Ministry of Tourism as Additional Secretary in place of Rakesh Verma, who has been appointed as Additional Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development u& Ganga Rejuvenation. Billa was the Joint Secretary, Tourism, from 2014 to 2019, after which he joined UNWTO as Director, Technical Cooperation and Silk Road. After this, he was appointed as Principal Secretary, Industries and NORKA, Government of Kerala until the recent move.

With age no barrier, Chinese women are spreading their wings and spending big on travel. They are now taking the driver’s seat in making travel decisions and seeking personalised experiences. We look at some of their travel behaviours and the segments that are taking a lead on this.   Women overtake men According to a 2024 Women’s Travel Consumer Insight Report released by the online travel agency Trip.com Group, average annual per capita travel expenditure for women exceeded that of men by nearly 8% in the past year. The report was based on the analysis of data recorded between Feb 20, 2023 and Feb 20, 2024. The spending power of Chinese women for travel is evident, with significant growth momentum seen in lower-tier markets.   Travelling for festivals Many women are booking flights to celebrate festivals in various parts of the world for that immersive cultural experience and to soak in the local folk customs and festival atmosphere. For example, they are travelling to Nepal for Holi festival, also known as the festival of colors, and Chiangmai in Thailand to join a lantern celebration. This new wave of Chinese women travellers are now travelling to a dozen destinations at home and abroad every year on an average.   Non-business travel They also travel for non-business reasons. The report said that middle-aged women born in the 1970s and 1980s accounted for 62.2% of the female travelers and were by far the main force when it comes to consumption, the report showed. Young women born in the 1990s and 2000s accounted for 28.5% of tourism spending, indicating their emerging potential as consumers. While the older generation born in the 1950s and 1960s …

The 4th edition of Goa International Travel Mart is all set to commence from 3-4 April at Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Goa. It will also be held virtually from 3-9 April. Suneel Anchipaka, Director Tourism, Goa said, “GITM 2024 aims to redefine Goa’s tourism landscape by focusing on regenerative, spiritual, and hinterland tourism, setting new standards for sustainability and inclusivity. Over 250 national and int’l buyers are expected to participate in the event.”

MoT recently conducted a roadshow in Moscow and St Petersburg – its first international roadshow since 2019 and engaging Russian outbound tour operators.

In a landmark move set to redefine the luxury dining and lifestyle landscape in Oman, Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group) has announced a strategic partnership with the renowned “The Smokery”, represented by SIRCO Group. This collaboration was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed at the prestigious ITB Berlin 2024, marking a significant milestone in Oman’s tourism and hospitality sector. The partnership aims to explore potential collaboration opportunities that will bring unique dining experiences to Oman and contribute significantly to the tourism sector’s growth. This aligns with OMRAN Group’s vision to enhance Oman’s position as a premier travel destination while fostering economic development and cultural exchange. Under this new partnership, OMRAN Group and The Smokery will focus on establishing a state-of-the-art salmon smoking factory, the first of its kind in Oman. This initiative is not just a venture into luxury dining, but also a step towards self-sufficiency in providing high-quality, smoked salmon products locally. Additionally, the collaboration will see the launch of upscale fine dining establishments under “The Smokery” brand, renowned for its exquisite culinary offerings and exceptional service standards. OMRAN Group’s CEO, Hashil Al Mahrouqi, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “Our partnership with SIRCO Group represents a significant leap forward in Oman’s F&B sector. It reinforces our commitment to innovation, quality, and excellence in hospitality, enhancing Oman’s appeal as a luxury travel destination.” Eng. Karim Henein, Chairman of SIRCO Group, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the potential impact of this collaboration on the local and regional culinary scene. “We are thrilled to partner with OMRAN Group to bring our expertise in luxury dining to Oman. This collaboration with The Smokery is a testament to our shared vision …

At ITB Berlin 2024, Oman Tourism Development Group (OMRAN Group), in partnership with Oman Sail and Visit Oman Sea and Beach Projects, announced the Oman DownWinder, an unprecedented adventure experience set to take place from 1st to 8th July 2024. This invitational event marks the beginning of an annual series aimed at promoting Oman as a premier destination for wind and sea sports. The Oman DownWinder offers a unique journey along the country’s stunning coastline, from Duqm to the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Resort. Over seven days, participants will traverse approximately 500 kilometres using non-motorised sailing crafts like kitesurfing, wingfoils, and windsurfing. This venture highlights the Sultanate of Oman’s exceptional wind conditions, particularly during the Khareef season, positioning the nation as an ideal setting for such thrilling sports. The 2024 edition of the Oman DownWinder is designed as an invitational event, welcoming professional kiteboarders, media representatives, and major tour operators from Europe to experience and document this extraordinary journey. The initiative not only aims to generate promotional content but also to foster storytelling that highlights Oman’s appeal in various sales channels. Key Event Details: Dates: 1st to 8th July 2024 Route: From Duqm to Ras Al Jinz Turtle Resort, covering scenic landmarks and cultural sites along Oman’s coast. Participants: A select group of 20, including professional athletes, media, and representatives from the local kitesurfing community. Hashil Al Mahrouqi, CEO of OMRAN Group, stated, “The Oman DownWinder represents a significant milestone in our mission to unveil the untapped potential of Oman’s natural landscapes and cultural heritage. This event aligns perfectly with our strategic objectives of fostering sustainable tourism and highlighting Oman’s world-class capabilities in hosting international sporting events. We are proud …