Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

Sharing the NTO’s plans for the India market, Amruta Bangera, Director of Marketing, Israel Ministry of Tourism, says, “India remains one of our most promising and priority markets for us. While 2024 saw a slower pace in inbound tourism with 9,600 arrivals, we are seeing early signs of recovery in 2025, with 3,600 Indian tourist entries recorded between January and April. Over the next two years, we aim to cross 100,000 Indian tourist arrivals, driven by improved connectivity, simplified visa, and curated experiences for families, luxury travellers, and film tourism.”

Speaking about handling cancellations to Turkiye and Azerbaijan, Amit Thadani, Director of NiknAmiTravels, says, “We are working closely with airlines to secure full refunds where applicable and offering clients alternative travel options, ensuring minimal disruption to their plans. While our DMC partners on the ground have been extremely cooperative and supportive, challenges remain—particularly with some hotels not offering refunds for non-refundable bookings. We are addressing these complexities with our clients proactively and empathetically.”

PATA Nepal Chapter and Nepal Tourism Board, in collaboration with Nepal Airlines, are all set to host the 5th edition of Nepal’s premier international travel and tourism trade show—the Himalayan Travel Mart (HTM)—scheduled to take place from 3 to 5 June, 2025, at The Soaltee, Kathmandu, Nepal. This year’s edition of HTM holds special significance as it coincides with the Golden Jubilee year of the PATA Nepal Chapter, celebrating 50 years of impactful contributions to Nepal’s tourism development and global connectivity. Additionally, the inauguration day marks a historic milestone—the 75th Anniversary of the first ascent of Mount Annapurna by the legendary French mountaineer Maurice Herzog, whose family is visiting Nepal to honour this legacy. Held annually in June in Kathmandu, HTM is Nepal’s flagship international tourism trade show, fostering unparalleled networking, business opportunities, and valuable industry insights among global tourism and hospitality organisations, professionals, and individuals engaged in diverse sectors of the industry. Now in its 5th edition, HTM 2025 will bring together a remarkable gathering of global buyers, diverse sellers, travel bloggers, influencers, thought leaders, high-profile speakers, national and international media, travel professionals, and delegates from around the world. Narendra Deo Bhatta, Convener, HTM 2025 Organising Committee and General Secretary, PATA Nepal Chapter said, “We are expecting over 700 delegates from 30+ countries, including more than 100 international guests, and a large representation from Nepal’s public and private tourism sectors.” With the overarching theme and vision of positioning ‘Nepal: Gateway to the Himalayas,’ HTM aims to establish Nepal as a premier, year-round travel destination while creating value for all stakeholders through a dynamic platform for promotion, dialogue, and partnership. This year, our focus is on enhancing insightful conference sessions, …

Madame Tussauds Singapore, operated by Merlin Entertainments, proudly unveils the world’s first wax figure of Indian cinema megastar Ram Charan, immortalised in a first-ever dual celebrity and pet figures —alongside his beloved pet Rhyme. The multi-talented actor came face-to-face with his figure for the first time at Madame Tussauds London, joined by his family and his father, legendary actor Mr. Chiranjeevi. The figure will then make its way to its permanent home at Madame Tussauds Singapore from 20th May 2025 onwards. Ram Charan shared, “When I saw the figure for the first time, I was absolutely stunned. The likeness is unbelievable—from the expression to the stance to the exact detail of Rhyme by my side. It’s like looking in a mirror, and I’m so thrilled that fans around the world will get to experience me up close.” The creation of Ram Charan’s wax figure was a feat of precision and artistry, with many months went into bringing both Ram Charan and Rhyme to life with astonishing detail. Every feature—from the subtle tilt of his head to the lifelike posture of Rhyme—was crafted with care to reflect the actor’s unique personality and calm confidence. Jim Kempton, Principal Sculptor at Merlin Magic Making, commented, “What made this project so special was the chance to capture not just a global film icon, but the deep connection he shares with his dog, Rhyme. We worked closely with Ram to ensure every detail—from his posture and smile to Rhyme’s alert gaze—was perfect. This figure is a celebration of both his star power and his warmth as a person.” Ram Charan is styled in a custom black velvet bandhgala, which he wore at the 2023 Oscars. …

With the upcoming India and Spain Dual Year 2026 collaborating in culture, tourism and AI, H.E. Juan Antonio March Pujol, Ambassador of Spain, announced that India will be in the spotlight at FITUR 2026. “It will be the moment to strengthen our links. We are going to devote a special place for India at the show. As the embassy we are putting efforts in 3 things: direct connectivity, streamline tourist visas, and boost film and tourism cooperation.”

We’re showcasing our Starring GREATBritain screen tourism campaign in India at a series of events in Mumbai and Delhi with top travel trade and industry leaders, reveals Shuja Bin Mehdi, Senior Manager Industry Engagement – India, VisitBritain. “We want to inspire visitors from India to choose Britain for their next trip and explore more of our destinations when they come, driving growth. India is an incredibly important visitor market for the UK and we’re forecasting strong growth in visits and spend.”

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has signed a series of strategic partnerships targeted to drive tourism growth and enhance visitor experiences across key international markets. The new initiatives span collaborations with leading travel operators, hotel groups, and destination management companies, and will focus on attracting visitors from Europe, Saudi Arabia, India, and other key markets, while showcasing Abu Dhabi’s diverse offerings and year-round appeal. DCT Abu Dhabi and Expedia have launched the Sunshine Pass campaign – the latest initiative in their ongoing strategic collaboration. This year-round campaign aims to showcase Abu Dhabi as a destination for all seasons, highlighting its culture, adventure, and wellness offerings to international leisure travellers. Through a multi-channel marketing strategy, the campaign will ensure maximum visibility in key outbound markets, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a vibrant and appealing destination throughout the year. Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi said: “The strategic partnerships signed at Arabian Travel Market 2025 represent a significant step forward in our efforts to position Abu Dhabi as a world-class tourism destination. Targeted collaborations across Europe, Saudi Arabia, India, and other key markets, enable us to enhance Abu Dhabi’s international profile and reinforcing its appeal as a dynamic, year-round destination. Globally and locally, these partnerships underline our commitment to sustainable growth, offering unique, tailored experiences that resonate with diverse global audiences, while ensuring the long-term resilience and innovation of the sector.”

H.E. Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, said, “Our strategic approach to elevating Abu Dhabi as a cultural and tourism destination is delivering tangible results. Sustained investment into data-led destination marketing, diversified programming, a culture-first ethos and ever-improving visitor experience touchpoints have driven robust growth in Q1 2025, building on a strong 2024. As we showcase the offerings of our emirate, we are focused on strengthening our key partnerships, expanding our global reach, and accelerating progress towards our long-term tourism goals—all while ensuring that Abu Dhabi’s unique cultural identity remains at the heart of everything we offer.”

Gary Robson, who will now look after VisitBritain teams and activity in the Middle East and India as well as Europe, shares his excitement and says, “These are exciting markets with massive growth potential. Tourism from India is forecast to contribute £1.4 billion and GCC £4.5 BN to the UK economy by 2030. I’m learning so much on a daily basis and enjoying working with our talented teams in market.”

VFS Global is pleased to announce that it has been appointed as the destination representation partner for CzechTourism in India to showcase Czechia’s diverse travel experiences and unique attractions. Leveraging its extensive reach and expertise, VFS Global will represent CzechTourism to drive marketing, public relations and trade engagement efforts to boost visitor numbers and enhance overall awareness of Czechia as a premier destination. Travelers from India can experience Czechia’s exciting outdoor activities and rich cultural heritage—featuring majestic castles, chateaux, seventeen UNESCO monuments, historic cities and Czech cuisine in traditional and modern form with a glass of premium Czech beer or local wine. With this strategic collaboration, CzechTourism and VFS Global are poised to elevate Czechia’s presence on the global tourism map, inspiring more travellers to explore the country’s extraordinary beauty and cultural richness. Jana Štumpová Konicarová, Marketing Director and Director of Foreign offices at CzechTourism, expressed, “We are excited to continue our long-standing partnership with VFS Global to promote Czechia’s rich cultural and natural attractions to travellers from India. In 2024, Czechia welcomed over eighty thousand Indian visitors, reflecting a growing interest in our vibrant cities, historic landmarks and serene countryside. Through this partnership, we aim to inspire even more travellers to explore and create lasting memories in one of Europe’s most captivating destinations.” Barbara Andelová, International Marketing Manager – New Markets at CzechTourism, added, “Partnering with VFS Global presents a tremendous opportunity to amplify Czechia’s presence in India. With a strategic focus on PR and marketing initiatives, our goal is to showcase Czechia’s deep-rooted heritage, diverse landscapes and unique travel experiences to a broader audience. Through this collaboration, we look forward to building stronger connections with the travel trade …