Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

Indian nationals were the largest group to receive UK visas for Visit, Study and Work categories in the year ending June 2024, said HE Lindy Cameron CB OBE, British High Commissioner to India at the inauguration of the new state-of-art UK visa application facility operated by VFS Global in Delhi on 12 November 2024. UK visa customers from India will now enjoy a smoother process. At VFS Global UK Visa Application Centres (VACs), biometrics will be enrolled first, followed by document scanning for non-digital customers. This change reduces wait times and enhances service under the global UK visa services contract secured by VFS Global in December 2023. Many VACs have also relocated or upgraded to state-of-the-art facilities across India. Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India said: “The UK-India partnership is built on millions of personal connections, shared dreams, and collective aspirations. I’m delighted to launch the refurbished VFS Visa Application Centre for UK visa and passport applications in Delhi. We’re introducing significant improvements in our visa services across India, further strengthening our already excellent visa offering for Indian nationals. The vast majority of Visit, Work and Study visa applications we receive are processed within 3 weeks and there are no caps on visa appointments.” Matt Heath, Visits & ETA Network Deputy Director, UK Visas and Immigration, remarked, “I am delighted to be here, in Delhi, to inaugurate this visa application centre, we extend our sincere thanks to VFS for their outstanding support in facilitating close to a million visa applications for Indian nationals in the recent year ending June 2024. For the last two years, UKVI has consistently met our customer service standards, making visa decisions for visit, work …

VFS Global has worked with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland since 2010 and under the new agreement will continue to provide Schengen short terms visa services and Residence permit services including biometric enrolment in 32 countries (including India) across 10 regions. Since 2010, VFS Global has handled more than 8.5 million visa applications on behalf of the Government of Finland. Present were several esteemed dignitaries including Jussi Tanner, Director General Consular Services, Ari Uusikartano, Senior Ministerial Adviser and Director of Information and Documentation at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and Zubin Karkaria, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, VFS Global Group. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland said: “We anticipate a seamless and professional collaboration with VFS Global. In our tender, we especially highlighted the global coverage of the outsourced services, quality of biometrics and technical capacity, quality control, risk management and customer service. The external service provider receives applications, collects biometric data and application fees and forwards them to the missions. It does not make visa decisions. Visa decisions continue to be the responsibility of Foreign Ministry officials.” Jiten Vyas, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Business Development, VFS Global, said: “VFS Global is delighted that we will continue to serve the Government of Finland as their trusted service provider. We have enjoyed a strong partnership with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and welcome the opportunity to renew our services. We look forward to offering visa applicants best-in-class visa solutions, and a seamless application process across 10 regions globally.”

Speaking about the significance of research and data in the tourism industry, Suman Billa, IAS, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism said, “Being in the sector which is vast and multifaceted, it is essential to have accurate and comprehensive data to inform our decisions. While government data provides a solid foundation, it often captures only one facet of the entire landscape. To truly understand the dynamics of the tourism and hospitality sectors, we must triangulate this data with insights from industry bodies, international organisations like the WTO, and other reliable sources.”

Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) and STIC Travel Group (STIC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today to enhance Sentosa’s standing as a sustainable destination in the Indian market. This one-year partnership will seek to create innovative educational experiences targeted at students in India, highlighting Sentosa’s sustainable practices and diverse ecosystems. The MoU signifies a joint effort to design immersive learning experiences that utilise Sentosa’s unique environment as a living classroom to foster a deeper understanding of the importance of sustainability. These programmes will emphasise key concepts such as the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, carbon footprint reduction and biodiversity conservation. This partnership builds upon STIC’s broader efforts to boost educational tourism in Singapore by offering Indian students an opportunity to explore Singapore’s heritage, sustainable development initiatives and interactive learning experiences.

Skyscanner’s 2025 travel trend report reveals that the upcoming year will be about collective travel experiences. From stargazing beneath the night skies to exploring immersive art galleries, Indians are increasingly drawn to adventures that offer a sense of community. Moreover, with 66% of Indians planning to travel more in 2025, global exploration is a top priority as they seek out destinations that offer enriching experiences. The report further offers insights into the pulse of Indian travellers in the coming year, their evolving travel preferences, and the top 10 trending and best-value destinations.

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.