Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

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.

Sharing details about increase in air connectivity between India and Israel, Sammy Yahia, Consul, Tourism Affairs, Israel Ministry of Tourism, India & Philippines, says, “We are aiming to cross the 1,00,000 mark this year in terms of visitor arrivals from India. We will have two carriers flying directly from BOM-TLV which will be EL AL Airlines and Air India. it will be approx. a five-hour direct flight, three times a week. Moreover, Air India will be flying from BLR as well from October 2023. Arkia will also be resuming operations via Goa and Kochi directly to TLV and Israir announced they want to start operations in India too. With this increase in air connectivity, tourism from India is expected to multiply.”

Changi Airport Group (CAG), Singapore Airlines (SIA), and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) re-launched the Free Singapore Tour today after a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19. Three of the existing tours available since pre-Covid-19 – the City Sights Tour, Heritage Tour, and Jewel Tour – have been refreshed to include new points of interest. A brand-new Changi Precinct Tour will introduce travellers to the interesting sights and sounds of the eastern region surrounding Singapore Changi Airport. Each tour lasts 2.5 hours and will be available daily, with plans to progressively increase to nine tours a day. With transit and transfer passengers accounting for about 30% of passenger traffic at Changi Airport pre-pandemic, the tour was first introduced in 1987 to enhance the airport’s attractiveness as a transfer hub and to entice transit and transfer passengers to visit Singapore as a holiday destination. In 2019, over 80,000 passengers went on the Free Singapore Tour. The top markets were India, Australia, and Indonesia, with Indian and Australian travellers making up more than one third of the total participants. New Changi Precinct Tour to showcase eastern Singapore The Changi Precinct Tour is a new itinerary that will bring participants to the eastern part of Singapore to visit local community spaces such as the Tampines heartland, and to admire the rustic charms of Changi Village and Changi Beach. It offers a glimpse of how local residents live, and tells the tale of Singapore’s history on this part of the island, away from the usual hustle and bustle of Singapore’s city centre.   Refreshed itineraries to offer travellers new experiences At the Jewel Tour, in addition to visiting popular attractions like the Shiseido Forest Valley …

Disney Cruise Line and Singapore Tourism Board today announced magical cruise vacations to Southeast Asia for the first time, revealed by Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro and Singapore’s Minister for Transport and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, S. Iswaran. Under a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding, Disney Cruise Line and Singapore Tourism Board agreed to collaborate to homeport a brand-new Disney cruise ship exclusively in Singapore for at least five years beginning in 2025. More details about the maiden voyage, itineraries and onboard experiences will be announced later. “This is a very exciting year for The Walt Disney Company — 2023 marks our 100th anniversary,” D’Amaro said. “As part of this, Disney Cruise Line is currently undergoing an ambitious expansion with new ships and new destinations around the world. We are incredibly excited to make Singapore the home port to our seventh-launched ship, which will sail from here year-round starting in 2025.” “We look forward to welcoming the magic of Disney Cruise Line to Singapore in 2025,” said Keith Tan, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board (STB). “This is an important milestone for STB and reflects Disney Cruise Line’s strong confidence in Singapore and Southeast Asia. The new Disney cruise ship will be an attraction itself and is expected to boost the tourism sector in Singapore for many years to come.” Singapore’s strategic location, world-class air connectivity and port infrastructure make it a thriving cruise hub in Southeast Asia, a diverse region that is home to over 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The addition of a Disney Cruise Line ship in Singapore has the potential to add millions of local and foreign cruise passengers across the five-year period, including fly-cruise passengers who …