Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs’ ground-breaking digital platform for the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) has gone live. This platform will drive increased tourism from the major source markets of India and China by enabling vetted and approved tour operators to submit group applications for large tour groups from these two countries. This addresses a long-standing obstacle to tourism growth, whereby long queues, red tape and the inability to process group applications timeously led to inefficiency in the issuing of visas for tourists from these countries. To illustrate the scale of the change: before TTOS was created, there were only two South African missions in China, and only two missions in India, to serve the 2.8 billion people living in those two countries who wanted to come as tourists to South Africa. But under the new TTOS digital-first system, tourists from India and China who use approved tour operators will no longer have to visit a mission, will no longer fill in a single form, will not need to stand in a single queue, and will receive their visas digitally within three days. In 2023, South Africa only received 37 000 tourists from China and only 79 000 from India. By enhancing visa efficiency and security through TTOS, Home Affairs looks forward to enabling much faster tourism growth from these two burgeoning source markets. The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, said: “The fact that Home Affairs took the TTOS from conceptualisation to implementation in less than six months demonstrates our commitment to embracing digital transformation and to playing our role as an economic enabler to create jobs. Research has shown that for every twelve new tourists attracted by TTOS, we …

Indian tourism to South Korea has witnessed remarkable growth with 176,668 Indian visitors in 2024—a 44% increase from 2023. To push these numbers further, KTO launched its latest trade-focused initiatives, including the Korea Premium Travel Consultant (KPTC) program, K-Incentive Scheme 3.0, and MICE support programs. Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director – India & SAARC Countries, KTO, says, “Our target for 2025 is to welcome 18.5 million global visitors, including 250,000 from India through these initiatives.”

Türkiye has reinforced its position as a leading global tourism destination in 2024, achieving unprecedented growth across key markets and setting new benchmarks in visitor numbers and revenue generation. The country hosted 62.2 million visitors in 2024, marking a 9.8% year-on-year growth and an impressive 20.3% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. This remarkable performance demonstrates Türkiye’s successful strategy in diversifying its tourism offerings and expanding its global appeal. Tourism revenue reached a historic high of 61.1 billion USD in 2024, representing an 8.3% increase from the previous year. This growth was accompanied by a strong average visitor spend of USD 972, reflecting the country’s successful positioning in the premium travel segment. The extended average stay duration of 10.7 days further demonstrates Türkiye’s ability to engage visitors with its diverse attractions and experiences. The Indian market has emerged as a particularly strong growth driver, with visitor numbers increasing by 20.7% compared to 2023. This surge can be attributed to enhanced air connectivity between major Indian cities and Turkish destinations, growing popularity among Indian wedding planners and MICE organisers, and the introduction of specialised Turkish experiences catering to Indian preferences. Strategic marketing initiatives in the Indian market have also played a crucial role in positioning Türkiye as a preferred destination for Indian travellers. While Russia, Germany, and the United Kingdom remained Türkiye’s top three source markets, other emerging markets demonstrated notable growth alongside India. The USA saw an 8.1% rise in visitors, while China recorded a substantial 65.1% growth. This diversification of source markets underscores Türkiye’s growing appeal to global travelers and its success in attracting visitors from various regions. Beyond traditional leisure tourism, Türkiye has seen substantial growth in …

With the extension of visa exemptions, easy access, direct connectivity and diverse offerings, including gastronomy, culture, heritage, shopping and nightlife — Malaysia presents an unrivalled combination of attributes making it an attractive destination for India’s MICE segment. In a focused endeavor to inspire its top corporates, Thomas Cook (India) partnered with Tourism Malaysia to host a high-impact MICE event in Mumbai. The engagement witnessed strong participation of over 30 CXOs and senior executives from leading multinational corporations and Indian corporate houses across sectors that included BFSI, pharma, electronics, trade etc. along with representatives from Tourism Malaysia and Thomas Cook. These attendees were carefully handpicked by Thomas Cook to attend the exclusive, high-impact event Inaugurated by Mr. Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director General of Tourism Malaysia, the event highlighted Malaysia’s unwavering commitment to expanding its MICE offerings and enhancing its accessibility for Indian corporates. Organized in coordination with Nuwal Fadhillah Ku Azmi (Director International Promotion, Asia & Africa), Azura Zainol Abidin (President, Malaysia Sports Tourism), Noriah Jaafar (Director, Tourism Malaysia Mumbai) and T.Ediwanto T.Eddie (Dy Director of Tourism Malaysia), the unique format of the event allowed for a productive blend of business and networking, packed with insightful presentations, engaging discussions and invaluable one-on-one sessions that allowed participants to explore Malaysia’s vast MICE offerings in depth. The intent was not only to showcase Malaysia opportunity but also to inspire significant MICE groups for 2025-26.

The Airbus A321XLR has proven a popular choice with airlines says Gavin Eccles, Managing Partner, GE Consulting & Advisory. “It can fly up to 10 hours, similar to an A330, the difference being we can fly with such distances with 160 people rather than 360 people. This means that tourist boards can start fishing in markets that they have not been to before because the traditional widebody was either too big for most airports or had too many seats that would mean less yield for the airline, resulting in a reluctance to serve certain destinations. But that will now soon change,” he says.

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) hosted a roadshow in Delhi to introduce new initiatives and enhanced support programs aimed at strengthening collaboration with Indian travel trade. As part of its efforts to boost travel from India, KTO has introduced a $30 per passenger incentive for Korea-bound travellers booked through KPTC members, applicable for travel between April and December 2025. To qualify, packages must include a minimum one-night stay in Korea, a package cost of at least $250 (excluding airfare), accommodation in a four-star or higher category hotel, and submission of required supporting documents. With these initiatives, KTO aims to make Korea a more accessible and attractive destination for Indian travellers. Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director for India and SAARC countries, KTO, said, “With your support, we aim to further enhance travel opportunities, streamline processes, and ensure a seamless experience for Indian visitors to Korea.” KPTC is a specialised certification programme by KTO for travel agents.

Thomas Cook (India) has announced a 24-month strategic partnership with the Moscow Project Office for tourism promotion. The partnership will focus on strengthening cooperation through the exchange of knowledge, best practices and curation of unique-innovative products designed specifically for Indian travellers, towards fostering long-term growth in tourism and business MICE segments between India and Moscow. This strategic partnership aims at capitalising on Thomas Cook and SOTC Travel’s viable leisure and corporate MICE segments in a multi-pronged initiative that focuses on deepening product development, destination knowledge & training, marcom and consumer promotions – to create top of mind visibility and drive visitations from the India market to Moscow and beyond. The partnership will showcase Moscow’s distinctive and diverse appeal as a vibrant destination for India’s leisure, business/MICE and b-leisure sectors. The collaboration intends to maximise on the diversity of consumer segments of India’s leading omnichannel travel service providers, Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel – across India’s major metros, mini-metros, and emerging tier 2 and 3 source markets. Rajeev Kale – President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa – Thomas Cook (India) said, “The new age Indian traveller is displaying strong and growing appetite for unique destinations and enriching experiences. Moscow represents a delightful diversity of architecture, art, culture, gastronomy and vibrant nightlife…hidden gems waiting to be explored!  And so, on behalf of the Thomas Cook India Group, I am delighted to announce our strategic long term and multi-pronged partnership with Moscow Project Office for Tourism & Hospitality Development that extends across our range of segments – including MICE and leisure.” “With a vibrant heritage of over 143 years in India, this ground breaking MOU reiterates our leadership position in the …

EaseMyTrip.com has entered into a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) with Sabah Tourism Board (STB) to strengthen Sabah’s appeal among Indian travellers. The signing ceremony took place on 3rd February 2025 at the EaseMyTrip office in New Delhi, with STB Chief Executive Officer Julinus Jeffery Jimit and EaseMyTrip Chief Operating Officer Nutan Gupta formalising the collaboration. The event was attended by key representatives from both organisations, including Mr. Sanchit Chopra (Senior Vice President – Marketing & Alliances, EaseMyTrip), Mr. Saurabh Shukla (Assistant General Manager – Marketing & Alliances, EaseMyTrip), Mr. Humphrey Ginibun(Senior Marketing Manager, STB), and Ms. Poonam Nautiyal (Marketing Manager, Tourism Malaysia New Delhi). This partnership marks a significant milestone in expanding Sabah’s presence in the Indian travel market, leveraging EaseMyTrip’s industry expertise, digital reach, and extensive customer base. Under this strategic alliance, both organisations will collaborate on a series of targeted initiatives to increase inbound tourism and enhance travel experiences for Indian visitors. As part of the agreement, EaseMyTrip will create a dedicated Sabah page under its Malaysia microsite, providing comprehensive travel itineraries, must-visit attractions, and essential travel information for prospective travellers. The platform will also develop a series of destination-specific blogs, immersive video content, and social media campaigns to showcase Sabah’s cultural heritage, pristine landscapes, adventure tourism, and luxury offerings. To maximiseoutreach, EaseMyTrip and STB will jointly co-fund digital marketing campaigns, ensuring wider visibility and engagement across Indian markets. Furthermore, the collaboration extends beyond leisure tourism, with a strong emphasis on niche experiences such as MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) for business travellers, corporate retreats, and international conferences. Specialised travel packages will also be curated for destination weddings, offering couples an opportunity to celebrate their special day in Sabah’s picturesque locations. Additionally, EaseMyTrip will promote wellness tourism through …

The Moroccan National Tourism Office (MNTO) has successfully wrapped up its showcase of Morocco at OTM 2025, with a special focus on the keen interest of the Indian traveller. Held at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, the MNTO stand, received immense interest from Indian travel professionals, and industry stakeholders. The booth highlighted Morocco’s dynamic travel experiences, from immersive cultural journeys and historical landmarks to adventure tourism and luxury getaways. Visitors explored Morocco’s variety as a destination for families, couples, solo explorers, and thrill-seekers alike. The vibrant display and interactive sessions allowed attendees to gain deeper insights into Morocco’s tourism potential. During the event, MNTO also hosted a networking evening where key trade operators and media partners were invited. A presentation was conducted to inform guests about the destination, The vibrant display and interactive sessions allowed attendees to gain deeper insights into Morocco’s tourism potential. Recognizing India as a key growth market, MNTO aims to leverage the impressive 43% rise in Indian outbound travel from India. Strengthening collaborations with travel partners remains a priority to promote Morocco’s stunning landscapes, vibrant traditions, and unique travel experiences. With enhanced marketing initiatives and tailor-made travel packages, MNTO seeks to position Morocco as a preferred destination among Indian travelers. Jamal Kilito, Country Manager, MNTO India, expressed his excitement about engaging with the Indian market, stating, “OTM 2025 provided an exceptional opportunity to showcase Morocco’s unique appeal to Indian travelers. Our goal is to enhance our presence in India by curating experiences that cater to local preferences. With 10 Moroccan tourism companies participating, we aimed to strengthen business collaborations and highlight the country’s diverse offerings, seamlessly blending history, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality to create …

The capital of Russia has signed an MoU with Thomas Cook India Group in Mumbai. The agreement marks the beginning of active co-operation with the Indian side in the field of tourism. The document is aimed at promoting Moscow as a key destination for leisure and business tourism in the Indian market, which the authorities of the Russian capital consider a priority market. Under the agreement, the parties plan to strengthen cooperation through the exchange of knowledge and best practices. They will also work on increasing awareness about Moscow’s tourism and MICE potential, and developing new travel products that are tailored to Indian travellers. “The Indian tour operator expressed interest in bringing its clients to Moscow this spring as part of a familiarization trip. The MoU was signed at the trade show, after we had agreed to organize a special presentation of Moscow as a tourist destination for Thomas Cook India Group and its clients, particularly in the MICE segment,” – said Evgeny Kozlov, First Deputy Head of the Office of the Mayor and the Government of Moscow, Chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee. According to him, Thomas Cook India Group representatives expressed their interest in promoting Moscow in the Indian market at the Meet Global MICE Congress: BRICS Edition, which took place in Moscow in December 2024. “The Thomas Cook India Group team are big fans of Moscow, and are considered trendsetters in the Indian tourism industry,” Kozlov explained.