Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

Speaking at the Thailand Travel Mart Plus, Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications, TAT, said that India is now at number five in terms of international source market for Thailand with 583,319 arrivals from Jan to May 2023.

According to Schengen Visa Statistics 2022, Indian travellers have one of the highest rejection rates in the world when it comes to Schengen visa. It states that Indians filed over 6 lakh Schengen visa applications in 2022, which happens to be the third highest in the world, but also faced a steep rejection rate of 18 per cent.

Opened this week, TRENZ, the most significant international business-to-business travel trade event for New Zealand’s tourism sector welcomed a strong Indian delegate for the event.  Over three days of appointments, activities and networking functions, New Zealand tourism industry leaders and representatives gathered to showcase their products and services to high-quality international and New Zealand Buyers and influential international and New Zealand travel trade. More than 1500 international travel delegates and the country’s leading tourism operators will experience Ōtautahi during TRENZ, a trade event designed to build relationships, broker business opportunities and explore new tourism experiences from the country’s visitation sector. In 2019, prior to COVID, the tourism industry was valued at over $39 billion to the New Zealand economy, with $1 billion spent in the Christchurch economy while still in recovery post-earthquake.

Encouraging the travel trade to sell more sustainable tours to their clients, Misha Gambetta, Director India, Switzerland Tourism, says, “Visitors looking for sustainable offers are often lost in the vast landscape of labels. The travel trade can guide them towards booking sustainable experiences in Switzerland by informing them about the ‘Swisstainable’ emblem that they can find on hotels, restaurants and other establishments that provide tourism services. They can also continue encouraging travellers to buy the Swiss Travel Pass and explore the country via public transport over private cars to reduce pollution.”

The Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) will return to Melbourne next year for the first time since 2015, with Australia’s largest annual tourism trade event to be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from Sunday, 19 May 2024 to Thursday, 23 May 2024. Tourism Australia Managing Director, Phillipa Harrison, announced Melbourne as the next host of the event on the trade floor of ATE23 on the Gold Coast. “After a couple of years of hybrid events it has been great this year to have ATE back to its traditional format on the Gold Coast and we can’t wait to work with Visit Victoria to deliver another amazing ATE in 2024,” Harrison said. “Melbourne has proudly hosted our premier travel trade event on eight occasions in the past and we look forward to taking ATE, and more than 2,000 delegates, back to Melbourne to drive future tourism business across Australia.” “ATE brings together tourism businesses, tourism wholesalers and retailers from around the world for four days of appointments, as well as networking events, which are more important than ever before as competition grows for the tourism dollar.” ATE24 will be the ninth time ATE has been staged in Melbourne, which first hosted the event in 1991 and then again in 1992, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2004, 2009 and 2015. Melbourne had been due to host the 2020, but the event did not go ahead due to the global pandemic. ATE provides tourism operators around the country with the opportunity to meet and do business with international buyers from around the world. ATE24 will run from 19 May 2024 to 23 May 2024, with delegates from 30 countries expected to attend. ATE24 will …

Experience Abu Dhabi has announced Indian superstar Ranveer Singh, as an official ambassador, inspiring visitors to discover the diverse range of experiences that can be enjoyed on a trip to Abu Dhabi. During the two-year partnership, Ranveer will share his holiday highlights, inviting Indian travelers to find their pace in Abu Dhabi and enjoy everything that the destination has to offer, from an action-packed calendar of events including IIFA, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the Abu Dhabi NBA Games, to the variety of adventures and cultural experiences that can inspire, excite and restore. Ranveer commences his exciting role by starring in Abu Dhabi’s new summer campaign film, ‘One Summer Isn’t Enough’. In the film, audiences will witness Ranveer explore some of Abu Dhabi’s hotspots, from soaking up the sun in the chilled pools of Saadiyat Beach Club to taking in the wonder at Louvre Abu Dhabi and racing around the famous Yas Marina Circuit, before enjoying retail therapy at one of the city’s incredible malls. A true showman, Ranveer could not leave Abu Dhabi without perfecting the iconic Al Ayyala dance – deeply rooted in UAE culture, it involves performers using thin bamboo canes to move to the steady beat of drums. Ranveer’s infectious enthusiasm and passion for Abu Dhabi is sure to inspire every traveler to add Abu Dhabi to their summer bucket list. With so many things to do, summer is an ideal time to visit the UAE capital. Just like Ranveer, Indian travellers can be inspired by Abu Dhabi’s rich culture and heritage scene across 23 locations, including Qasr Al Hosn and the presidential palace of Qasr Al Watan. Alternatively, those looking for adventure can reach new …

From 1 May to 30 September 2023, visitors to Mount Faber Peak, Harbourfront and Sentosa will catch a glimpse of a rare sight – an eye-catching line of 67 Poké Ball cabins soaring 100 metres above sea level. The exteriors of cable car cabins on the Mount Faber Line will be wrapped in the recognisable red and white colours of Poké Balls. Much like the inspiration behind their outward appearance, inside each cabin awaits a surprise — five different interior designs, each themed around first-generation Pokémon like Pikachu and Eevee, as well as Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly from the latest Pokémon video games. Families and fans of Pokémon will experience something new each time they ride on the Singapore Cable Car, marvelling at a vibrant assemblage of newly-installed beautiful, multicoloured lights at Mount Faber Station, Harbourfront Station and Sentosa Station. Mr Buhdy Bok, Managing Director, Mount Faber Leisure Group (MFLG), said, “Even as we look back on our past with immense pride and reminisce the many beautiful memories that led us to this historic milestone of the Singapore Cable Car’s Golden Jubilee, we must look to the future. Beyond celebrating the momentous birthday of a national icon, we are also welcoming a time when the global appetite for travel is stronger than ever. Through our exciting year-long line-up of activities, we hope guests will rediscover the Singapore Cable Car while recreating newer and even more beautiful memories that they can cherish for many years to come.” Atop the verdant hilltop destination of Mount Faber Peak, visitors will also be able to snap pictures at various photo points – including vintage cable car cabins – with a variety of Pokémon like …

Switzerland Tourism invites the trade to attend a webinar highlighting Switzerland’s public transport network today at 3pm. Attend all webinars for a chance to win a trip to Switzerland! Write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

The fastest, most convenient and comfortable way to navigate your way in and around Switzerland is through the country’s efficient public transport system. The system’s Swiss Travel Pass (STP) is a single ticket that enables visitors to explore Switzerland from end-to-end seamlessly by train, bus or boat. From April 15, 2023 – May 14, 2023, travellers can avail a special offer that will enable them to stay longer and discover more of Switzerland! The two most popular Swiss Travel Pass categories are now on sale. With the purchase of a 4-day Swiss Travel Pass, get one extra day free and for the price of an 8-day Swiss Travel Pass, travellers can get up to 2 extra travel days and can spend a full ten days exploring Switzerland in a hassle-free manner. Valid across all modes of transportation in Switzerland’s dense and interconnected public transport network, travellers can be assured of a hassle free and seamless travel experience with a Swiss Travel Pass. Most routes don’t need a reservation and you can hop on and hop off as you wish. Trains, boats and buses all connect with each other, and timetables are created in such a way that there are no long wait times between connections. With ease of travel and increased connectivity central to the purpose of the Swiss Travel Pass, one can also download the Swiss Travel Guide app which provides on the go information for your next bus, boat or train trip with real time updates to the timetables and schedules. With unlimited travel by train, bus or boat to more than 90 cities and towns and free admission to more than 500 museums, the Swiss Travel Pass …

Switzerland Tourism invites the travel trade to attend an exclusive webinar highlighting Switzerland’s public transport network – the Swiss Travel System, and the current ongoing Free Travel Days promo offer – on April 18 at 3pm. Attend all webinars for a chance to win a trip to Switzerland in 2024! For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.