Category Archives: Agents

From hidden gems to world-famous landmarks, destinations everywhere are using creators to connect with travellers in ways ads alone never can. Join an exclusive webinar on 7 October at 3 pm (IST) with influencer marketing platform, atlaseek, where you will learn how to partner with travel creators who bring destinations to life, harness influencer marketing to boost visibility and footfall, and transform your destination into the next must-visit spot. For more information, please contact: jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com, +91 9650196532.

As Avant Garde Consulting proudly steps into its 15th year, it is delighted to announce its affiliation with the coveted Serandipians network by Traveller Made® as a preferred representation company partner. This milestone marks not only a celebration of its journey so far but also an expansion of Avant Garde’s vision. “Over the last decade and a half, our journey has been enriched with experiences, learnings, and trusted partnerships. Each collaboration has strengthened our raison d’être, which is to champion meaningful representation, cross positioning India as a worthy source market globally as well as the perception of the brands we represent in India, and consistently creating exceptional opportunities for our partners”. — Pooja Wadhwa & Kunal Munshaw, Founders, Avant Garde Consulting. She adds, “Joining hands with Serandipians opens doors to stronger global connections, closer collaborations with leaders in luxury travel, and innovative ways to create value for the brands and communities we represent.” “We are pleased to expand our Preferred Representation partnerships in India by welcoming Avant Garde Consulting to our community. India is an important source market for us, and we have a great selection of local Member Agencies , both Serandipians and Takumians, who will benefit from this new partnership. All Representation Companies we partner with work on behalf of our luxury Hospitality and DMC partners, who will thus receive an even better service, with increased visibility and local support.” — Diana Nuber, the network’s Commercial Director

For the first time Shin chan will hit Indian theatres with an exciting Indianthemed adventure. Shin chan: The Spicy Kasukabe Dancers in India. Directed by Masakazu Hashimoto and produced by Shin-Ei Animation, TV Asahi, ADK Emotions and Futabasha bring Shin chan and his friends to India. Shigeru Ishimoto, General Manager – Mumbai, ANA says, “We are excited to collaborate with TV Asahi in promoting Shin chan. This is more than just a movie release — it represents a cultural bridge between India and Japan, built through art, laughter, and shared experiences. Ms. Maiko Sumida, Head of Animation Sales & Development – Tokyo, TV Asahi, says, “We are delighted to partner with ANA, a leading Japanese airline on the India–Japan route, to bring Shin chan to India and share the charm of Japanese entertainment with Indian audiences.” ANA’s PAN India joint promotion activities kicked off with Cos Con at Shillong on Aug 30, 2025. The event was received very enthusiastically by Shin chan fans. Following the on ground event, on Sep 05, 2025 ANA’s Hello Blue Sale featuring Shin chan characters went live. The joint Hello Blue Sale campaign will run between Sep – Nov 2025. On Sep 20, 2025 the premiere was opened to an exclusive audience comprising media and others by invitation only at a local suburban multiplex. ANA, on this day, at the same venue interacted with Shin chan fans at their on ground booth and enticed potential ANA customers through Gara Gara Pon (Lucky draw). Winners of the Gara Gara Pon were announced in multiple tiers and won exciting ANA & Shin chan prizes. From September 26, ANA’s logo will be displayed with other promotion partners on …

Riya Travel has announced its partnership with Amadeus South Asia for Travel Marketplace, the global platform connecting travel sellers and providers through a single, collaborative ecosystem. With over four decades of experience in the travel industry and a widespread network of offices in India and abroad, Riya Travel has built a strong reputation for reliability, service excellence, and scale. By joining Travel Marketplace, Riya will now bring cutting-edge travel technology solutions, apps, and content closer to its diverse customer base — ranging from individual travellers to large corporates and travel partners. GMJ Thampy, Founder and CMD Riya Group Enterprise said: “At Riya Travel, our strength lies in our reach, scale, and the trust we have earned over the years. Partnering with Amadeus South Asia for Travel Marketplace allows us to complement these strengths with world-class technology, giving our customers and partners access to faster, smarter, and more seamless solutions. This is an important step in our digital journey to further enhance the travel experience across all segments we serve.” Commenting on the partnership  Sandeep Dwivedi, Managing Director, Travel Sellers, India Sub Continent, Amadeus, added: “We are delighted to welcome Riya Travel to sign up for the Travel Marketplace. Riya’s unmatched scale and presence across multiple segments makes them a powerful force in South Asia’s travel industry. Together, we aim to accelerate digital adoption and empower more travel businesses to innovate, collaborate, and thrive.” This partnership underscores Riya’s focus on driving digital innovation, while supporting Amadeus’ vision to build a smarter, more connected, and technology-enabled travel ecosystem across South Asia.

Discussing the plans ahead, Himanshu Patil, Director, Kesari Tours, said, “We are gearing up for 2026 and plan to open four offices pan-India.”

APS Destinations bagged the Most Innovative Travel Planners award at the India Travel Award 2025. Receiving the trophy, Pratik Shah, Founder, APS Destinations, said, “This award is not about numbers or tickets, but about the trust and credibility built with clients. It means a lot to me.” Advising young professionals, he said that travel is beyond bookings, think out of the box and explore global opportunities.

On the occasion of World Tourism Day, the Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library (PMML) in New Delhi hosted a roundtable discussion to position the state-of-the-art facility as the capital’s premier cultural and tourist destination. The event was attended by Suman Billa, Additional Secretary & DG Tourism, GoI, along with key stakeholders from the travel and tourism industry. Ashwani Lohani, Director, PMML, highlighted that such initiatives reflect the institution’s sustained commitment to showcasing this establishment of national importance while delivering tremendous value to visitors. The discussion emphasised strengthening cultural tourism and enhancing visitor engagement, further establishing PMML as a must-visit landmark in Delhi.

The Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library (PMML), a unique national institution dedicated to preserving and showcasing the legacy of India’s Prime Ministers since Independence, celebrated World Tourism Day 2025 with special initiatives to strengthen its position as Delhi’s premier cultural and tourist destination. PMML is one of its kind globally, housing a vast library of books, microfilms, extensive archives, a Centre for Contemporary Studies, and the Nehru Planetarium, which includes a dedicated gallery on astronomy and space. The Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya within PMML brings to life the journeys, vision, and contributions of India’s Prime Ministers. With daily Light & Sound Shows and a gallery on the Indian Constitution, it stands as a true “Temple of Democracy”, offering immense value for visitors of all ages. To mark the occasion, PMML hosted a roundtable discussion on “Positioning Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya as a Must-Visit Tourist Destination of Delhi,” in collaboration with the Director General of Tourism, Government of India, along with leaders of national tourist associations and tour operators. The session focused on collaborative strategies to boost cultural tourism and visitor engagement. Additionally, the inauguration of a state-of-the-art Terrace Café at the Nehru Planetarium added a new dimension to the visitor experience, blending culture, cuisine, and comfort in a serene setting. Ashwani Lohani, Director, PMML, emphasised that these initiatives reflect the institution’s sustained commitment to showcasing its national importance and delivering exceptional value to its visitors.

Over 600 delegates from India’s travel trade community joined the 68th Annual Convention of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), supported by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). The convention took place from 17–19 September in Abu Dhabi and was themed “Business with Goodness,” bringing together leading travel agents, tour operators, airlines, and hospitality partners. The successful convention further deepened tourism ties between India and the UAE, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for culture, leisure, and business travel.

SOTC Travel has inaugurated its franchise outlet in Kozhikode, Kerala, expanding its network to 4th strategically located outlets. This expansion underscores SOTC’s strong commitment to South India, highlighting Kerala’s position as a key growth market and the company’s focus on catering to the evolving needs of travellers from the region. Located at Centrio on Ram Mohan Road, Kozhikode, the new SOTC outlet serves both leisure and business travellers, strengthening the company’s presence in North Kerala’s key urban hub. The outlet offers a comprehensive range of travel solutions, including domestic and international holidays such as Group Tours, Personalised Holidays and Cruises, along with value-added services like travel insurance, ensuring convenient, end-to-end experiences for today’s diverse travellers. Kerala Travel Trends: Top destinations o   Domestic & Indian Subcontinent: Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andaman, Bhutan & Sri Lanka o   International: Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Bali, Japan, South Africa, Egypt Unique preferences: high demand for experiential travel such as luxury cruises, Northern Lights in Scandinavia, self-drive holidays, island stays (Maldives, Mauritius), and adventure travel to Ladakh and the North-East Top customer segments: multi-generational families, honeymooners, working professionals, millennials and GenZ travellers Average holiday duration: 4–6 days for domestic/short haul; 10–12 days for long haul Rakesh Bawa, Senior Vice President & Head – Holidays, SOTC Travel, said, “Kerala is an important source market for us, with travellers seeking diverse and evolving experiences. The launch of our Kozhikode outlet enables us to strategically deepen our presence in North Kerala, catering to both business and leisure segments while delivering both group and customized holiday solutions. This expansion reflects our commitment to leveraging high-potential markets in South India for sustainable growth and enhanced traveller satisfaction. My team …