Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

India’s love affair with Switzerland just got more intense as more Indian tourists begin to explore the beautiful Alpine country not just during the summer months, but through seasons like autumn and winter too. With a  rapidly changing profile, Indian tourists are now exploring off beat destinations, off peak seasons, more adventure, more luxury as well as local culture which is exactly in line with Switzerland Tourism’s long term strategy for long haul destinations. At a recently held meet organised by Switzerland Tourism, at Martin Maier, Consulate General’s Residence in Mumbai, CEO, Switzerland Tourism, Martin Nydegger; Christian Schoch, Director India, Switzerland Tourism, and Ritu Sharma, Deputy Director and Marketing Head – India, Switzerland Tourism threw light on the diversity of the country across seasons. Traditionally, Indian tourists have preferred summer as their go-to season, especially amongst families, due to school holidays. Most Indian travellers usually travel to Switzerland in the May-June period to also escape the heat in India. However, over the past few years, there has been a change in preferences as well as the profile of the typical tourist, who is now travelling to Switzerland throughout the year. Moreover, a second peak is being seen in the autumn and early winter seasons. The profile of the Indian tourist has evolved with couples, friends and solo travellers also growing along with the more typical family traveller. These travellers are now open to travelling to Switzerland in Autumn to see the changing colours of Fall, and also during their winter holidays, to especially enjoy local Christmas markets and other winter experiences (not necessarily skiing but sledging, snow-shoeing, etc.)

Bintan Resorts and VFS Global recently orchestrated an engaging familiarisation trip for the Indian travel trade media fraternity to experience the allure of Bintan, an Indonesian island 60 minutes’ ferry ride away from the shores of Singapore. Six travel journalists were immersed in the destination’s opulence and adventure, from its diverse accommodations to its thrilling activities. The aim was for them to experience and then share stories of their escapades with their readers. In promoting the ‘Fly, Stay, Ferry’ concept, VFS Global is positioning Bintan as a premier extension of a Singapore visit. Travelers can enjoy a vibrant city break in Singapore and then unwind with a peaceful island escape in Bintan. With convenient visa-on-arrival facilities for Indians at Bandar Bentan Telani (BBT) Ferry Terminal, Bintan is poised to welcome families, young Indian travelers, MICE groups, weddings, and celebrations, offering warm hospitality and memorable experiences

Booking.com’s latest study on the evolving travel trends among Indian travellers reveals a fascinating connection between popular movies, TV shows and social media with travel inspirations. 44% of Indians turn to their favourite films and series for travel ideas. Whether it’s indulging in a dish featured in a popular show or visiting iconic landmarks made famous on screen, the influence is undeniable. With the significant role of social media in shaping travel choices, 66% of Indian travellers are using platforms like Instagram and Facebook to find their next adventure. The journey from inspiration to reality is becoming more seamless and personalised.

VisitBritain aims to support tourism businesses that are focused on sustainable technologies and innovation in the travel industry between the UK and India. Some great initiatives already available for visitors travelling to the UK are smart accommodations that streamline the entire accommodation experience, virtual tours (through VR and AR) of UK destinations, hotel rooms, walk through of historical sites and iconic attractions, locally sourced seasonal F&B, AI powered travel assistants, and accessible public transport through British Rail network. Accepting the award was Vishal Bhatia, Country Manager India of VisitBritain, said, “I am absolutely thrilled to receive the award for the Best Tourism Board for Experiential Travel at the India Travel Awards in Mumbai! A big thank you to our trade partners for their continuous support. Special shoutout to our incredible India team for the support and guidance.”

Join an exclusive festivals #InAbuDhabi webinar today at 3 PM IST. Explore the vibrant festivals and cultural events happening in Abu Dhabi, offering insights into the region’s rich traditions. For more details, contact Jaspreet Kaur at +91 9650196532 or jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com.

Lisha Krishnan, Travel Trade, Tourism Office, Spain won the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Cultural Tourism’ award at the India Travel Awards. Upon receiving the award, she said, “The NTO’s collaborations aim to create a bridge between Spain and India ultimately allowing the Indian travellers to truly explore and experience the Spanish culture.”

Collinson International’s 2024 Travel Benefits & Engagement report reveals that millennials in India are spending as high as USD 6,031 per annum on travel – the highest when compared to other generations. Travel is one of the highest credit card spend categories for survey respondents in India, accounting for almost a third (27%) of annual expenditure.

With a strategic intent to capitalise on the strong and growing demand from Kolkata, Thomas Cook (India) with its own store in the city. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India), said, “Kolkata is an important source market for us. The top traveller segments include multi-generational families, couples, millennials and GenZ, as well as GenS (seniors).”

The German National Tourist Office (GNTO), India, in collaboration with Visit Berlin, hosted an exclusive press event at AER, one of Mumbai’s most stylish and vibrant locations. The evening showcased Germany as a premier travel destination, highlighting Berlin’s cultural and vibrant attractions for Indian travellers. Guests indulged in traditional German cuisine, sampling local flavours. Attended by leading media personalities, influential influencers, social media engagers, and content creators from Mumbai and beyond, the event witnessed remarkable participation. Key representatives from Visit Berlin, Burkhard Kieker, CEO and Ralf Ostendorf, Director, Market & Media Relations presented encouraging statistics, revealing a significant growth in Indian visitors with 59.800 overnights until July 2024 with a growth of +25% compared to the year 2023. The evening highlighted Berlin’s upcoming festivals, Festival of Lights 2024 from October 4th to 13th. The 20th anniversary is illuminating the theme ‘Celebrating Freedom’. 35 years later, Berlin will commemorate the fall of the Wall, official ceremonies are planned for 9 November 2024. “Germany has a wealth of experiences awaiting Indian travellers,” stated Romit Theophilus, Director, German National Tourist Office, India. “From vibrant cities to stunning landscapes, Germany as a travel destination offers an unparalleled blend of culture, history, and entertainment.” In 2023, Indian travellers undertook 15.25 million outbound trips, with 2.8 million heading to Europe, including 311,000 to Germany which ranked as the 3rd most popular European destination. Tour holidays and city breaks are the top choices for Indian travellers but Germany’s scenic landscapes also make it a dream destination for Indian honeymoon trips, capturing the magic of Bollywood-inspired love stories. The numbers show 440.577 overnight stays from January to June 2024, a significant improvement from the 6.9% decline in June …

India’s travel industry is experiencing a remarkable rebound, with over 2 billion travel-related searches on Google platforms annually. This figure highlights a significant recovery from the 70% dip in travel interest during the COVID-19 pandemic. Encouragingly, travel demand continues to grow, with a 12% increase year-over-year into the first half of 2024. The resurgence is further supported by a notable rise in app downloads, with travel-related apps witnessing a 40 million average monthly active usage, reflecting an increasing consumer appetite for travel planning and bookings.