Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

Moscow City Tourism Committee hosted a prestigious gala dinner, brought together more than 170 key partners including prominent associations like TIA, OTOAI, NIMA, MICE agencies, TO and TA, government officials and media, along with delegates from Moscow, to celebrate the strengthening bond between India and the Russian capital. The event highlighted the growing collaboration in tourism and business sectors, underscoring Moscow’s commitment to enhancing ties with India’s outbound tourism market. This initiative aligns with Moscow’s strategic focus on the MICE sector, aiming to position the city as a premier destination for Indian business and leisure travellers. The evening welcomed guests with the unique traditional “Moscow Tea Time” followed by captivating performances from the renowned ‘Rusy’ dance troupe, blending Russian folk songs with modern choreography to showcase Moscow’s rich cultural heritage. It was an unforgettable spread of elaborate cuisines and extraordinary lucky draw prizes generously offered by the Moscow travel and MICE industry. Distinguished delegates included Ivan Fetisov, Consul General of the Russian Federation in Mumbai; Dr. Elena Remizova, Head of Rossotrudnichestvo in India and Director of the Russian House in New Delhi; and Evgeny Kozlov, First Deputy Head of the Office of the Mayor and the Government of Moscow, and Chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee, addressed the audience, emphasizing India’s significance as a top focus market and highlighting the growing popularity of the hassle-free e-visa among Indian travellers, noting a 1.4-fold increase in 2024 compared to 2023 with over 61,000 visits in the first nine months. Their speeches emphasized strengthening of unparalleled business opportunities and new attractions for the Indian travellers. Speaking on the occasion Evgeny Kozlov, First Deputy Head of the Office of the Mayor and the …

Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) Delhi Office announces a remarkable milestone: 233,000 Indians visited Japan from January to December 2024, representing a significant 40% increase in tourism from India compared to 166,394 visitors in 2023. Last year also saw the introduction of MICE movement to new regions, with some incentive tours extending their itineraries to Kansai and Hiroshima, whereas Tokyo had previously been the sole MICE destination.

The Moscow City Tourism Committee is ramping up efforts to deepen collaboration with India’s Outbound Tourism with special focus on the MICE sector. Moscow is reinforcing its status as a premier destination for both leisure and business tourism, with India emerging as a key strategic partner. Evgeny Kozlov, First Deputy Head of the Office of the Mayor and the Government of Moscow, Chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee, says, “While most tourists visit Moscow for cultural, educational, and entertainment purposes, the city has also been focusing on expanding business tourism, which is now a significant contributor to the local economy.”

A delegation from Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board, led by Rofia Larsson – Vice President of Global Trade Development from the Los Angeles Office, met with key travel agents in India. They highlighted the city’s rich cultural and entertainment diversity while emphasizing exciting new developments that are set to further elevate Los Angeles as a must-visit destination for Indian travellers. Los Angeles is currently in the midst of a dynamic transformation, with major events and infrastructure projects reshaping the city’s future. Seema Kadam, Regional Director India Office, shares, “Los Angeles is experiencing an incredible decade of sports and culture. With world-class events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup, NBA All-Star Games, Super Bowl XVI, and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the city is ready to welcome the world in ways we’ve never seen before. And that’s not all – we’re also undergoing a multi-billion-dollar upgrade to Los Angeles International Airport, which will redefine the travel experience for international visitors.” In addition to its major events, Los Angeles is embracing cultural and artistic evolution. New attractions include a variety of museum openings, the unveiling of Destination Crenshaw – a $100 million outdoor art and culture initiative, the introduction of the Intuit Dome and more. “India is the number one emerging market for LA, and we are thrilled to engage with our trade partners in India to showcase diverse experiences, from world-class museums, dining to iconic sporting events and immersive entertainment” adds  Kadam

Anil Kalsi, Vice President, TAFI has shared that the TAFI Convention had vibrant business sessions focusing on burning issues of NDC, travel scenario in the Artificial Intelligence and discussions on new avenues for revenue generation. The members also learnt about innovative and historical venues in Ninh Binh for meetings and conferences.

According to Philippines Tourism Secretary, Christina Frasco, the country welcomed nearly 80,000 Indian visitors in 2024, an over 12% growth compared to the previous year. She said, “While this number is smaller relative to our ASEAN neighbours, it represents significant growth. We see tremendous potential in India’s outbound tourism market, and we are committed to making the Philippines a top destination for them.” Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs began introducing electronic visas for Indian nationals in the past year.

VFS Global has launched its new user-friendly and efficient online platform to make Indonesia’s Electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VoA) application process seamless for travellers, promote inbound tourism, and enhance overall customer experience. The platform is in line with Indonesian government’s ongoing efforts to enhance its tourism infrastructure and services to welcome 14 million visitors in 2025. VFS Global’s new e-VoA platform, is available for nationals of 97 countries, including India. Travellers can now enjoy a quicker and smoother visa application journey through VFS Global by completing the entire process online and receiving a pre-approved e-VoA before departure. Jiten Vyas, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Business Development, VFS Global, said, “As a company, we are constantly working towards innovations which provide a seamless visa application submission experience to our customers. The launch of this innovative, secure, and user-friendly digital e-Visa on Arrival platform for Indonesia will undoubtedly streamline the visa application process, making it faster, easier, and more convenient. With Indonesia being a globally sought-after destination, we are honoured to assist visitors from 97 countries by facilitating their entry into this incredible country through this platform.”  

Royal Jordanian Airlines is delighted to announce the launch of new non-stop routes connecting Amman with Mumbai and New Delhi. The Mumbai route will operate with four weekly flights starting on April 17, 2025, and the New Delhi route will commence with four weekly flights starting on September 17, 2025. These new routes align with Royal Jordanian’s growth and expansion strategy, focusing on positioning Jordan as a premier tourism destination for the Indian market and enhancing connectivity to over 45 global destinations. In line with the “Explore Jordan” program, the launch of these routes highlights Royal Jordanian’s commitment to showcasing Jordan as a unique tourist destination for Indian travelers. Jordan offers a rich array of experiences, blending ancient wonders like Petra and the Dead Sea with the modern vibrancy of Amman, creating an authentic and contemporary Arabian journey just five-hours away. Through these routes, Royal Jordanian aims to introduce Indian travelers to Jordan’s charm and diversity while positioning itself as a boutique airline that delivers exceptional service, connects cultures, and brings this remarkable destination closer than ever. Amman, the hub of Royal Jordanian Airlines, will serve as a gateway for Indian travelers to Europe, North America, and the Middle East, providing seamless connections to a wide range of destinations. As part of its expansion plan, Royal Jordanian will introduce 19 brand-new A320neo and Boeing 787 aircraft in 2025/26. The new routes to Mumbai and New Delhi will be served by the A320neos, featuring dual-class configurations (Economy and Business), advanced in-flight entertainment, and WiFi services to enhance the passenger experience. These state-of-the-art aircraft ensure travelers enjoy exceptional comfort, efficiency, and a seamless journey. Flights from Mumbai and New Delhi will launch …

World`s steepest cableway is open! The world’s steepest cable car has started operating from Saturday, 14th December 2024. The new direct connection between Stechelberg and Mürren was officially opened the day before as part of a VIP opening ceremony. At the same time, the first section of the cable car between Mürren and Birg will go into operation. It marks the completion of the first major construction phase of the SCHILTHORNBAHN 20XX project: the opening of the new direct connection between Stechelberg and Mürren. It is the steepest cable car in the world with a gradient of 159.4 per cent. The classic aerial cableway connects the valley floor with the car-free mountain village in just four minutes via the vertical walls of the Mürrenfluh. It covers a height of 775 metres on a journey of almost 1194 metres. The two cable cars from Carvatech in Oberwies, Austria, have space for 85 people or 6.8 tonnes of cargo. 800 people per hour can be transported at full capacity. A striking feature is the very long suspension arm of 11 metres, which was essential due to the extreme gradient. The AURO system (Autonomous Ropeway Operation) aerial cableway with constant monitoring by cameras and sensors enables autonomous operation without personnel inside the cable cars and stations. A fully automated loading robot takes care of freight logistics. Transportation of luggage and cargo are synchronised with the passengers in a container attached underneath the cable car. Grand opening On Friday, 13th December 2024, the cable car was officially opened in the presence of over 600 guests. The lively celebration, hosted by Monika Erb, took place in the new Stechelberg valley station. In addition to the …

South African Tourism on Friday concluded the third leg of its 10th edition of the ‘Learn South Africa’ workshop in Kochi, following successful events in Chandigarh and Nagpur. This initiative aimed to engage key travel trade partners across India, particularly focusing on the growing interest from tier-2 and tier-3 cities. Over 100 travel trade partners from Kochi participated in the event, offering beyond its well-known destinations like Cape Town and Johannesburg and helping them to gain insights into South Africa’s hidden gems such as Eastern Cape, Free State, and KwaZulu-Natal India remains one of the largest source markets for South Africa, with increasing interest from smaller cities like Kochi. Indian travellers are on the lookout for diverse experiences that range from thrilling adventures to rich cultural explorations. In response to this demand, the workshop equipped travel partners with the necessary knowledge and tools to create customized itineraries tailored for travellers in India. The objective of South African Tourism is to position the Rainbow Nation as a premier choice for leisure and MICE travel. Commenting on the event in Kochi, Gcobani Mancotywa, Regional General Manager for Asia, Australasia, and the Middle East at South African Tourism, stated: “We have witnessed notable trends among Kochi travellers, such as a growing preference for experiential travel, wellness tourism, and adventure activities. Further, travellers from this region are rapidly emerging as a significant market for South African tourism, we have seen a notable increase in inquiries from local travellers seeking unique and offbeat experiences in H1 2024. Our collaboration with local trade partners has been exceptionally positive, reinforcing our belief that this will drive more Indian travellers to explore the lesser-known regions of South Africa. …