Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

Cape Town Helicopters, the largest scenic helicopter operator in Cape Town has today announced a strategic partnership with Outbound Konnections as its Global Sales Agent (GSA) in India. The appointment of Outbound Konnections is part of Cape Town Helicopters’ strategic direction in ensuring they have footprints across all major markets globally. The group has already signed up global sales agents in Germany, France, Russia, United States of America (USA) and China. Speaking after the announcement Herman Geldenhuys, Cape Town Helicopters General manager, noted that the growth in international arrivals from South Africa’s key source markets since the government embarked on a tourism revival programme in 2019, informed the company’s targeted campaign in these markets. “International arrivals have been on a steady growth since 2010 with the Soccer World Cup Finals being South Africa, and the Indian market has been one of the fastest growing source markets. Our partnership with Outbound Konnections gives us a better standing in the industry in tapping into this market.” According to figures released by the Ministry of Tourism on the state of South African tourism in 2019, international arrivals hit 1.2 million in 2018/2019, up 1.5% from the previous year. The Indian market contributed to 8% of these arrivals, as the third largest source market; behind the United States of America, United Kingdom. Anjum Lokhandwala, Founder & Director, Outbound Konnections, on her part said, “We are happy to be appointed as the India office for Cape Town Helicopters. Cape Town Helicopters has been a well-known brand in terms of luxury, innovation and the quality of services it has to offer for all travel segments be it leisure, MICE or incentive groups, and we are very …

GB Srithar, Regional Director (India, Middle East & South Asia), Singapore Tourism Board, has said that the STB Virtual Tradeshow would allow them to reconnect with the travel trade in India. “It is in line with our ‘United we stand’ messaging for the travel trade in this crisis time. We would like to show our solidarity with the travel trade fraternity in terms of  communication and messages. We want to tell them that we are getting prepared, and as and when the restart happens, we hope to welcome Indian travellers to Singapore through the help and cooperation of our travel trade partner friends,” he said. The STB India Virtual Tradeshow is scheduled on Jan 12, 15, 19 and 21 for South, North, West and East India respectively. Register on: www.stbindiatradeshow2021.com, email: Jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com, or call +919650196532.

GB Srithar, Regional Director, India, Middle East & South Asia, Singapore Tourism Board, has revealed that the theme of the STB India Virtual Tradeshow 2021 will be ‘Charting Our Pathways to Tourism Recovery’ which, according to him, will heighten or hasten the pace for increased partnerships and alliances among NTOs and their partner friends.

Singapore Tourism Board (STB) in its communication with travel trade at the STB India Virtual Tradeshow would focus on the preparations that have taken place in Singapore, as they gear up for a travel restart sometime next year, revealed GB Srithar, Regional Director, India, Middle East & South Asia- Singapore Tourism Board.

Singapore Tourism Board (STB)’s upcoming Virtual Tradeshow (to be held on 12th, 15th, 19th and 21st January for South, North, West and East India, respectively) aims to have profound interactions with the travel industry from each region. GB Srithar, Regional Director, India, ME & South Asia, STB, says, “With the intent to have deeper and focused dialogues, including pre-scheduled meetings, the roadshow will be held by region.”

Russia will be offering e-visa from 1st January 2021 to 52 countries, including India. The information was shared at the Discover Moscow Digital Roadshow. “Indians can file for electronic visa to enter Russia for tourist, business, humanitarian and guest visits. E-visa will be valid for 60 days from the date of receipt, for up to 16 days to travel to all regions of Russia. Tourists will not be required to provide an invitation, hotels reservations or any other documents to confirm the purpose of the trip. They have to pay a counsellor fee of about US$40, and it will be free for children under 6 years. The period of issuing the e-visa will not be longer than 4 calendar days the date of submission. The application can be submitted by a travel agent as well.

GB Srithar, Regional Director, India, Middle East & South Asia, Singapore Tourism Board, has revealed that they are expecting 40+ Singapore tourism stakeholders (comprising attractions, DMCs and hotels) to network and re-engage with the travel trade in India at the Singapore Virtual Tradeshow. The virtual event is scheduled on January, 12th, 15th, 19th and 21st for South, North, West and East India respectively. “Themed “Charting Our Pathways to Tourism Recovery”, we will present latest developments in Singapore and share information on some of the product enhancements by the stakeholders with safe management measures in place,” he said.

‘Unlocking Nepal: Understanding Tourism Opportunities’ webinar is all set to take place today at 10:45am. Sharing information aboit Nepal at the virtual event will be Dr. Dhananjay Regmi, CEO, Nepal Tourism Board, along with Laxman Gautam, Officiating Director, Tourism Marketing and Promotion Department, Nepal. To register, email Jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com, or call +919650196532.

A Travel Safe microsite has been prepared and commissioned that will provide daily updated information, both on entry requirements to Spain, and on the measures adopted by Spanish Autonomous Regions. The Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Reyes Maroto, and the Director General of TURESPAÑA, Miguel Sanz, presented a new communication strategy with the claim “Travel Safe” which mainly focusses on two objectives: firstly, to inform about the requirements and conditions for safe travel and secondly, to inspire and influence the purchase intention of travellers, encouraging them to take safe trips. Minister Reyes Maroto presented ´Travel Safe´ campaign, the new Turespaña campaign to restore traveler confidence, she said ¨ With this campaign we wish to position Spain’s Tourism Brand as a reference of travel safety. The Minister emphasized that with this campaign, Turespaña also aims to position Spain as a reference for safe travels and at the same time supply an official and updated information service to help restore travelers’ confidence and security. Travel Safe is a 360º communication strategy based on informative content on safety and protection measures, which will be developed through a microsite with information for tourists integrated into the official Spanish tourism website. The microsite will be an informative and interactive one with maps that will be display daily updated information and will cover all aspects of safety, hygiene and entry requirements. This will allow travellers to easily check all the information about local/regional closings, mobility restrictions, capacity of restaurants and other tourist services. Link to the Travel Safe microsite which is now live and running: https://travelsafe.spain.info/en/

STB India Roadshow 2021, a 4-day roadshow will see tourism stakeholders from Singapore engage with travel agents and tour operators from India from different regions on different days. GB Srithar, Regional Director, India, Middle East & South Asia- Singapore Tourism Board, calls out to the travel trade saying, “The theme of the roadshow is – Charting our Pathways to Tourism Recovery’. The dates are spread out so that we can engage by region and we can have a deeper and more engaged conversations. It is going to be our way of reconnecting with Indian travel trade early in the year.” On 12th January, 2021, the roadshow will be for South India; on 15th January, 2021 for North India; on 19th January for West India and for East India on 21st January.