Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB), the official destination marketing organization for Centre County, Pennsylvania, USA, appointed Indiva Marketing to drive leisure visitation, awareness and visibility in India. Indiva Marketing will be responsible for sales and marketing activities, communications, and media relations, to position and develop business and media exposure for what is known as Happy Valley, Pennsylvania. This region, located in the middle of Pennsylvania, is home to Penn State University’s main campus. The population center of the county – the Centre Region – includes State College Borough and the townships of College, Harris, Patton, and Ferguson. Additional communities include historic Bellefonte and Boalsburg, and the charming towns of Millheim, Aaronsburg, Centre Hall and Philipsburg. Happy Valley’s central location provides convenient access to major cities like New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. “We are delighted to announce Indiva Marketing as our representative in India to position and promote tourism to Happy Valley,” said Fritz Smith, President and CEO of The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. “We look forward to welcoming travellers from India to discover our scenic valleys and agricultural corridors, and abundant outdoor recreation in our six state parks and forests, as well as to savour our authentic farm-to-table cuisine. Additionally, we parents of prospective college students seeking a first-class education in the United States to visit Penn State University while on their university tour. “Penn State University’s new Palmer Museum of Art, which is located next to the beautiful Penn State Arboretum, houses an extensive collection spanning ancient ceramics to 20th-century American art,” Smith continued. “Nearby Beaver Stadium – the second largest stadium in the nation – stands as the spirited home to the Penn State Nittany …

Girisons Airways India, the Direct Selling Agent of Cyprus Airways, along with Cyprus Airways announces special flight-hotel packages for Indian travellers. Cyprus Airways is the national carrier of Cyprus operates flights to all major cities of Europe & Dubai from Larnaca. Indian travellers can now visit Cyprus on their European holidays. To facilitate this, we have now introduced “Flight + Hotel” packages. This package includes return flight from Rome/Milan/Zurich/Paris/Brussels to Larnaca (Cyprus) plus three nights hotel accommodation on all inclusive basis. Shreyder Elena of Cyprus Airways and Vivek Jain of Girisons Airways, are very excited about this package and wish to introduce Cyprus as a holiday destination to Indian travellers. These packages can now be booked in India through Girisons Airways located in Colaba, Mumbai via +91 9820060421

As reported in Skyscanner’s Travel Trends 2024, globally, 44% of travellers are using AI to help them plan and research travel, but its use varies a lot depending on the market. 45% of Indian travellers, for example, are already using AI on their phones compared to just 8% in the UK. The next logical step is to use the AI technologies now available to us to help these travellers in the discovery phase of their travel planning journey.

To increase the number of visitors from India to South Africa and address the visa challenge, Patricia de Lille, Minister of Tourism of South Africa, said that the tourism ministry is in talks with the president about a visa waiver of up to 90 days for Indian travellers. The ministry must collate a joint report with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of State Security regarding this matter. She has recommended that India should also enjoy the BRICS visa waiver of 90 days, as is done for Brazil and Russia.

Tourism Malaysia, along with Sarawak Tourism Board, invites the Indian outbound travel trade to attend an exclusive webinar on discovering Sarawak – the Gateway to Borneo and the Land of the Hornbills – on May 21, 2024 at 3pm. Participate in the quiz and win exciting prizes! For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Delhi Office has announced AllKnown Marketers as their designated representative for the Indian market. AllKnown Marketers along with JNTO is mandated to execute Travel Trade and PR initiatives in key target markets, marking a significant milestone in Japan’s endeavors to expand Tourism from India to Japan. Japan, a land where tradition seamlessly intertwines with modernity, beckons travelers to embark on an extraordinary journey of discovery. Within its borders lie treasures both ancient and contemporary, waiting to be explored by those who seek adventure and enlightenment. Hidden among the landscapes are historic castles steeped in legend and rural villages frozen in time, offering a glimpse into Japan’s storied past. Delve into the depths of traditional arts like calligraphy and ikebana, where every brushstroke and arrangement holds profound significance. Japan’s fusion of old-world charm and cutting-edge innovation creates a dynamic tableau of experiences, inviting travelers to wander through bustling city streets or find solace in tranquil temple gardens. Prepare to be enchanted as you discover the captivating allure of Japan—a destination where tradition and modernity converge to create an unforgettable tapestry of culture and beauty. Ryo Bunno, Executive Director, JNTO Delhi Office, stated, “India is one of our primary markets, and we certainly have high expectations owing to its performance trajectory in the recent past. AllKnown Marketers team will serve as our extended arm in the market to orchestrate strategic marketing and communications outreach that drives a consistent flow of Indian arrivals. We are excited to appoint a team of market leaders who will navigate us to introduce our diverse offerings and position Japan as the most coveted getaway for Indian experiential travelers.” Acknowledging the latest addition …

All arrangements have been made to commence the implementation of new visa methodology and new online methodology of the Department of Immigration and Emigration with effect from 17 April, 2024. Arrangements have been made together with GBS Technology Service & IVS Global Institute to implement the E-Visa system – the online methodology to be introduced in lieu of the ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) methodology implemented at present at www.srilankaevisa.lk.

India, the world’s fifth-largest economy, is at a major inflection point, says Melissa Ow, CEO, Singapore Tourism Board. “We announced two major initiatives – Partnering with MakeMyTrip and with PhonePe. As Singapore’s 5th largest market, with more than a million visitors in 2023, the Singapore Tourism Board is optimistic about India’s growth potential,” she said citing a McKinsey report that said Indians made 13 million outbound trips in 2022, which could rise to 40 million in 2030, and 80 million in 2040.

Tourism New Zealand will conduct an exclusive training sessions for the travel trade on visitor visas led by Immigration New Zealand live on Thursday, April 4 from 10am – 11am. Attendees can gain valuable insights and updates on visa procedures and regulations for the destination. For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532 to register.

Over the past decade, tourism has embraced sustainability as a strategic pillar. A WTTC report shows that 42% of leading tourism companies globally have set a climate target – either interim, long-term, or both. As sustainable business practices gain traction around the world, companies must increasingly consider the concerns of stakeholders – travellers seeking eco-friendly destinations, and communities concerned about their future.   Tour operators Emissions from tour operators vary across the sector, depending on how asset-light or asset-heavy they are. Some operators express concerns about limitations they encountered regarding infrastructure at destinations, while others are investing in sustainability initiatives. But the current infrastructure and technology at some destinations are not developed enough for those investments to yield results in the short term. For example, some tour operators want to invest in electric buses, but current EV coach battery life is inadequate for longer tours. Travel agencies and OTAs Travel agents — both brick-and-mortar and online — interact with a variety of industry players, from suppliers to destinations, and influence consumer choices. They are well-placed to help the industry achieve its sustainability goals, though these efforts are complicated by the new reporting frameworks. OTAs and travel tech companies more broadly are not easily classified, as they often fall in the software sector rather than tourism. As such, they also lack specific guidance on how to tackle sustainability issues relating to their travel operations. They will likely have to consult sector-based guides, such as for car rental and leasing, hotel and lodging, and airlines. Accommodation One complicating factor for hotel chains is the industry’s range of business models and ownership structures. Many operate under franchise agreements with multiple levels of control, …