Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority (BTEA) has assigned Intrepid Marketing & Communications to undertake all its trade, marketing, and communication initiatives across the country to establish Bahrain as Indian travellers’ go-to short-haul destination. Addressing the appointment, Dr. Ali Hasan Follad, Acting Director of Marketing and Tourism Promotions, BTEA, said, “We are thrilled to commence our partnership with Intrepid and are confident that they will be instrumental in navigating Bahrain through the current challenges affecting international travel. We’ve worked with Intrepid’s management and they’ve been instrumental in positioning Bahrain as a notable short-haul destination for the Indian families, couples and adventurers. We are certain that this partnership will enhance our existing relations with the travel fraternity in India. Also, Intrepid will be building new bonds with the online travel communities.” Sunil Mathapati, Director, Intrepid Marketing and Communications, said, “The team is elated to work with BTEA and explore the ‘new normal’ of international travel. As travel restrictions are changed and lessened, we are working on expanding Bahrain’s presence, stirring conversations around experiential travel and ‘dream itineraries’ around Bahrain. The Indian travel market remains promising as always; we want to engage with the consumers directly and position Bahrain as one of the most hype-worthy travel destinations.” As on October 2020, Bahrain’s COVID-19 cases are under control, said Dr. Ali Follad. “The National Medical Task Force, a part of ‘Team Bahrain’ led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy  Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, is doing a tremendous job in fighting Covid-19,” he added. Assuring the safety of Bahraini citizens and residents alongside international travellers, he said Bahrain is prepared and ready to …

Tourism New Zealand invites the travel trade to participate in its virtual road trip along with operators from the West Coast region today at 1100hrs. This stunning region of the South Island is an untamed natural wilderness of rainforests, glaciers and geological treasures. Your clients can walk amongst the trees up high in the rainforest, helicopter over the glistening Franz Josef and Fox glaciers, carve their own piece of pounamu (jade or greenstone), or explore the coast’s rich gold mining history. To participate, contact Jaspreet Kaur at jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call 9650196532.

Tourism New Zealand invites the travel trade to participate in its virtual road trip along with operators from the West Coast region on October 27 at 1100hrs. This stunning region of the South Island is an untamed natural wilderness of rainforests, glaciers and geological treasures. Your clients can walk amongst the trees up high in the rainforest, helicopter over the glistening Franz Josef and Fox glaciers, carve their own piece of pounamu (jade or greenstone), or explore the coast’s rich gold mining history. To participate, contact Jaspreet Kaur at jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call 9650196532.

Visit Utah will conduct it’s first-ever presentation for the Indian travel trade today at 11am. Rachel Bremer, its Tourism Global Markets Director, will highlight the state’s must-visit spots and its appeal to the Indian clientele. To sign up, contact Jaspreet Kaur on 9650196532 or jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com.    

Taking cue from the work from home trend during COVID, Dubai has launched a new programme, under which overseas remote working professionals can stay in Dubai and continue to work for their companies in their home country. This move would allow remote workers – and their families – the opportunity to re-locate, on an annual basis, to the emirate and take advantage of emirate’s strong digital infrastructure, robust connectivity, safe and high-quality lifestyle, global networking opportunities and zero income tax for individuals.

Visit Utah will conduct its first-ever presentation for the Indian travel trade on October 21, 2020 at 11 am. Rachel Bremer, its Tourism Global Markets Director, will highlight the state’s must-visit spots and its appeal to the Indian clientele. To sign up, contact Jaspreet Kaur on 9650196532 or jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com.

With an objective to re-establish its connection with the travel trade in India and further entice Indians to visit Greece, the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) has prioritised certain focus points for this market. Its aim is to touch base with the disruptive and ever-growing Indian travel trade associations and together explore opportunities. It will also share safety measures and travel guidelines that are being undertaken by Greece to ensure health and safety of all its visitors. Dimitrios Fragakis, Secretary General, remarked “Health first has been our imperative since the onset of the COVID-19 crisis. And I am proud to say that we have been successful. The Greek government designed detailed health protocols, in consultation with the leading experts. The protection measures have been implemented professionally, consistently and credibly by the businesses and the Greek state, since the reopening of borders in July of 2020. My clear message as the Secretary-General of the Greek National Tourism Organisation is that this summer Greece managed to keep its visitors safe, by implementing all health protocols in tourism. The South Asian market, and in particular the Indian market, is a new dynamic and exciting field for the Greek Ministry of Tourism and the Greek National Tourist Organisation. We are looking forward to enhancing our collaboration with the Indian market.” GNTO is working towards finding more lucrative opportunities to strengthen and expand their network in India and directly involve with travel communities to boost travel activities and position Greece on top of every Indian traveller’s bucket lists. Harris Theoharis, Minister of Tourism commented, “India is one of the emerging markets of high quality and importance on international level and it is one of the …

Saudi Arabia will be extending its e-visa facilities for Indian tourists soon, revealed Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO, Saudi Tourism Authority (STA). Hamidaddin said that Saudi is home for nearly 5 million Indians, and the proposed e-visa facility will help in unlocking the huge potential that exists for Visit Friends & Relatives (VFR) from India to Saudi Arabia. “You can expect the good news soon,” he said. The STA CEO has said that the eVisa has proved to be quite successful for Saudi Arabia and around 5 lakh travellers have used the facility since its introduction to visit the country.

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) will conduct a destination presentation today at 11am that will have a special focus on Busan. Along with KTO, the webinar will also have representatives from Busan Tourism Organization and a DMC joining in from Korea for product updates. Young Geul Choi, Deputy Director, Korea Tourism Organization, New Delhi office, says, “Each region of South Korea has its own unique feature and characteristic. To bring a better understanding of each special region, we decided to conduct a destination presentation with a special focus on Busan – South Korea’s second-most populous city. The local charm paired with attractions and shops are what draw people back to Busan. It is the perfect destination for slow travel, filled with hidden attractions in its side streets. It is also a food haven with its streets lined with restaurants and food vendors. The city is home to landmark attractions like the Oryukdo Skywalk, Haeundae Beach and the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple among others. With this webinar, travel agents can add more value to their South Korea itineraries and recommend it as the first choice once travel between India and South Korea resumes.” To sign up, contact Jaspreet Kaur on 9650196532 or jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com.  

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) will conduct a destination presentation on Friday, September 25 at 11am that will have a special focus on Busan. Along with KTO, the webinar will also have representatives from Busan Tourism Organization and a DMC joining in from Korea for product updates. Young Geul Choi, Deputy Director, Korea Tourism Organization, New Delhi office, says, “Each region of South Korea has its own unique feature and characteristic. To bring a better understanding of each special region, we decided to conduct a destination presentation with a special focus on Busan – South Korea’s second-most populous city. The local charm paired with attractions and shops are what draw people back to Busan. It is the perfect destination for slow travel, filled with hidden attractions in its side streets. It is also a food haven with its streets lined with restaurants and food vendors. The city is home to landmark attractions like the Yongdusan Park escalator and the popular Busan Tower among others. With this webinar, travel agents can add more value to their South Korea itineraries and recommend it as the first choice once travel between India and South Korea resumes.” To sign up, contact Jaspreet Kaur on 9650196532 or jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com.