Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

Switzerland Tourism invites the trade to attend a webinar that will highlight SWISS, BLS Interlaken, Swissminatur, and FoxTown on October 12 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, or click here to register. The ‘Swiss’ experience for travellers begins as soon as they board their flight, especially if they are flying directly from India to Switzerland! Once they land, they are greeted with a variety of amazing activities and experiences. This webinar will showcase multiple products and include Swiss International Air Lines, the scenic cruise on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz by BLS Interlaken, Swissminiatur which is a popular park in Ticino housing miniature replicas of popular Swiss attractions, and FoxTown – Ticini’s shopping paradise.  

Peter Semone, Chairman, PATA, has said that PTM 2023 has attracted over 1000 delegates from 46 global destinations, which includes 159 sellers from 92 organisations and 15 destinations, along with 196 buyers from 191 organisations and 38 source markets.

Switzerland Tourism invites the travel trade to attend an exclusive webinar highlighting the city of Lucerne today at 3pm. Sited on Lake Lucerne and surrounded by a gorgeous alpine landscape, Lucerne is a perfect gateway Into Central Switzerland. 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. for registrations, click here.

Switzerland Tourism cordially invites the travel trade to attend an exclusive webinar highlighting Zurich today at 3pm. A melting pot of cultures, Zurich provides multiple versatile experiences, and is the ideal hub for exploring Switzerland. Attend all webinars for a chance to win a trip to Switzerland in 2024! Write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

Join the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Sultanate of Oman, on September 20, 2023, at 11:30 am for an exclusive webinar. Discover Oman’s enchanting blend of beach, hiking, culture, and nature. Dive into their captivating attractions and stand a chance to win a free trip. Contact jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com, 9650196532 for details. To participate, please register on this link: https://event.webinarjam.com/register/544/rymlob5o

Announcing the 9th edition of its travel trade training session ‘Learn South Africa 2023’, Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head – Middle East, India & South-East Asia, South African Tourism, says, “We recognise the immense potential that lies within the Indian market. This year’s Learn SA will have a special focus on tier 1 and tier 2 cities of India.”    

Sharing an interesting update about a possible improvement in air connectivity between India and the Philippines, Shahlimar Hofer Tamano, Undersecretary, DOT, said, “The DOT secretary, Esperanza Christina Garcia Frasco, is more focussed on developing routes. Our President has just signed the Airlines Services Agreement between Philippines and India. Both the governments will now discuss better air services between the two countries which will lead to direct flights soon.”

Tourists to the UAE who stay beyond the validity of their visa will now pay a reduced fine of Dh50 per day instead of Dh100. The new system unified the amount of overstay fines to Dh50 per day for any type of visa violator. The overstay fine payment can be paid either by visiting happiness centres or online through the authority website and smart application.

Voicing his disappointment over delayed visas, Naveen Kundu, MD (India, South East Asia & Middle East), EbixCash Travel Group, says, “It is time we stood up to the outrageous behaviour of Embassies and High Commissions. Are we beggars? Are the corporates who spend millions of dollars in their countries fools to be doing M!CE there?” He urged national travel trade bodies to take immediate action.

Speaking about the importance of India market for Oman, Asma Al Hajry, Deputy DG of Tourism Promotions, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Sultanate of Oman, said, “The country recorded a 126% growth in Indian arrivals in April 2023 as compared to the same month last year. With Indian arrivals already surpassing 2,34,000 in the first five months this year, Oman has already seen a 114% growth in arrivals from India compared to last year.”