Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

Tourists from India are among the biggest spenders on luxury goods in Singapore, helping the city-state’s high-end product retailers defy a global downtrend in spending on premium products. As per Singapore Tourism Board statistics, Indian tourists spent SGD 812.17 million in Singapore in the first half of 2025, a rise of 4.4% over the same period last year. According to a report by Orchard Road Business Association, Indian travellers continue to be one of the island’s most commercially significant markets, and they are among the tourists helping to lift luxury spending in Singapore.

Experience Abu Dhabi is organising an exclusive webinar spotlighting the upcoming Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi and the Zayed National Museum. Scheduled for 17 December 2025 at 3 pm IST, the session will offer insights into the museums’ vision, exhibits, and visitor experiences. Trade partners can register now to learn more about these landmark cultural attractions. For more info, write to DDevaraj@dctabudhabi.ae or 9535805401.

This year reaffirmed the strength of India’s outbound travel market, says Pranav Kapadia, Founder and Director, Global Destinations. He adds, “While travellers were naturally a little more mindful given the global environment — from geopolitical tensions to pockets of economic uncertainty — the desire to explore remained strong and resilient. What we observed was a shift towards purposeful, experience-led travel. Indians planned more intentionally, choosing destinations that offered safety, seamless connectivity, and a variety of curated experiences. Families opted for wildlife and nature-led journeys, young professionals gravitated towards immersive and adventure-driven itineraries, and premium travellers continued to invest in personalized luxury and exclusive access.” Despite a more considered approach, outbound spending from India remained healthy. “Travellers prioritized value, authenticity, and itineraries that felt enriching rather than rushed — a trend that is likely to continue into 2026. Across all partner clients, the common success factor was authentic narratives, strong B2B engagement, on-ground training, and consistent visibility, which together strengthened conversion and confidence within the Indian travel trade,” Kapadia shares.  Sopa Lodges, Kenya & Tanzania: Sopa Lodges continued to build exceptional traction among families, wildlife enthusiasts, FITs, and increasingly, the MICE segment. The lodges’ personalized services and unique experiences — including astronomy tourism, cultural immersion with Maasai communities, and expansive landscapes — strongly resonated with Indian travellers. The diversity across properties allowed agents to cater to varied preferences while maintaining brand consistency. Fiji: Fiji continued to see steady, sustained growth in the Indian market this year. Its blend of warm hospitality, vibrant culture, pristine beaches, and the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation kept it firmly positioned as a preferred long-haul island destination. Ongoing trade engagement — through webinars, trainings, and strengthened partnerships — further …

The Tourism Office of Spain (Turespaña) in Mumbai organised an engaging evening of conversation, culture, and connection, with its program “Women Travelers to Spain: A Passport to Yourself”. Thoughtfully designed as a celebration of women and the transformational experience of travel, the evening brought together women professionals, creators and enthusiasts to experience Spain through a very personal lens. The event commenced with a welcome address from Elena Orland, Director of the Tourism Office of Spain in India. She set the tone with a powerful remark, “Beyond the best-known destinations, Spain is a wonderful country that truly welcomes women travellers to enjoy unique and authentic experiences that will make your travel to Spain – and to yourself – memorable. “In this way, her remarks framed the spirit of the evening – Spain as a destination, where women feel safe, inspired and free to engage in both discovery and self-discovery. The three panelists spoke about their first impressions of Spain, noting the country’s colour, vibrancy and youthful energy. They emphasized that Spain consistently met—and often exceeded—their expectations, offering everything from coastal beauty to cultural depth. The panellists shared personal stories about their own experiences related to Spain’s food, festivals, sustainable ways of exploring the destination, and the ease and comfort traveling women often experience. A key point of discussion was Spain’s safety and comfort for solo women travellers. The panelists shared that Spanish society is warm, non-judgmental and extremely hospitable. Even without knowing Spanish, travellers can navigate easily, thanks to helpful locals and an organised urban layout. They also highlighted cultural similarities between India and Spain—particularly around family values, food, festivity and community dining—making Indian travellers feel instantly at home. The panel …

India has moved firmly into the priority lane for the UK. “India is one of the most important priority markets for Britain,” says Ritu Varma, Country Head – India, VisitBritain, adding that the focus today is on value, not just volume. “Indian spending capacity is far higher, and we are seeing a strong rise in high-value segments.” One of the biggest shifts is how Indians travel across the UK. The classic short break is fading. “Earlier people did three nights in London. Now a 12-night itinerary covering wider Britain is becoming the average,” she explains. This longer stay pattern is widening demand for regions, experiences and boutique stays.

Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO, Saudi Tourism Authority and Vice Chair of TOURISE, mentioned a bold new initiative that will allow Indian travellers to obtain Saudi tourist visas through their credit cards. Speaking at TOURISE in Riyadh, Hamidaddin revealed that the Kingdom is introducing a simplified, technology-driven visa process in partnership with financial institutions and major payment networks such as Mastercard and Visa. Under the new system, eligible Indian travellers will be able to apply for a Saudi visa directly using recognised credit cards, removing the need for embassy visits, fingerprinting, or bank statements. “This is one of our boldest steps yet,” Hamidaddin said. “If you have a recognised credit card, you can get a visa by Visa. Our goal is to make access effortless.” The initiative underscores Saudi Arabia’s growing focus on India as a key tourism source market and reflects its wider vision to make travel more accessible through innovation and technology.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Expedia Group, one of the world’s leading online travel agencies, have announced a significant expansion of their strategic partnership, formalised at World Travel Market (WTM) 2025. This multi-year agreement, signed by HE Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General of Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi and Jennifer Andre, VP of Business Development, Expedia Group Advertising, will  implement targeted consumer advertising campaigns and initiatives across 15 key source markets across Expedia Group brand sites and apps, including Expedia, Vrbo and Hotels.com. The partnership aims to significantly boost awareness and inspire global traveller interest in Abu Dhabi’s diverse and unique tourism offerings. Building on the success of the Sunshine Pass campaign launched by DCT Abu Dhabi and Expedia earlier this year at Arabian Travel Market, this expanded collaboration will intensify promotional efforts, and further position Abu Dhabi as a premier year-round destination, encouraging deeper exploration of its rich cultural heritage, activities, and attractions. HE Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General of Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Strategic partnerships with global travel leaders like Expedia Group are fundamental to our long-term vision for sustained tourism growth across diverse markets. This expanded collaboration will significantly strengthen Abu Dhabi’s global promotion, highlighting our unique cultural and tourism attractions. We are committed to showcasing Abu Dhabi’s appeal as a year-round destination, creating lasting value for our tourism sector and welcoming every type of visitor.” By ensuring prominent visibility across Expedia Group’s expansive network of brands, this partnership will maximise Abu Dhabi’s appeal as a vibrant, world-class destination for holidaymakers. Planned initiatives will strategically target visitors for the upcoming winter sun holiday period and …

South Africa revealed its most exquisite stories through a journey unlike any other — an Ultra-Luxury Familiarisation Trip curated by Chalo Southern Africa, powered by Albatros Travel Africa. Designed exclusively for top Indian travel trade professionals, this 10-day odyssey under The Privileged Concierge program redefined how luxury can educate, inspire, and connect. The itinerary was nothing short of cinematic. It began at Jumeirah Thanda Safari Lodge, nestled within the 16,500-hectare Zululand reserve, where Zulu heritage met modern luxury. Each villa came with a private butler, plunge pool, and panoramic savannah views. Game drives revealed the Big Five, while evenings were spent under starry skies, indulging in Jumeirah’s unmatched hospitality. From the wilderness, the group moved to Johannesburg, where history awaited at Sanctuary Mandela, the original residence of Nelson Mandela, now a refined nine-room boutique hotel by the Motsamayi Group. Each suite tells a powerful story — of struggle, forgiveness, and leadership. For the participants, it wasn’t just a stay, it was a moment of reflection. During their stay, Chalo Southern Africa and Albatros Travel Africa hosted a special sit-down dinner at the property, attended by Mr. Gcobani “GodsWill” Mancotywa, Regional General Manager – Asia, Australasia & Middle East, South African Tourism. The evening unfolded into a warm, insightful conversation about the growing significance of the Indian market for South Africa’s tourism future — highlighting a shared ambition for deeper trade and cultural ties. The group was also treated to a surprise stay at Honeyguide Conservation Lodge, a newly launched property by Albatros Travel Africa within the spectacular Entabeni Private Game Reserve. The experience combined nature, comfort, and conservation — with tailor-made cuisine, genuine hospitality, and stunning views of the Waterberg mountains. It …

Receiving the ‘Luxury Destination of the Year’ award for VisitBritain at the India Travel Awards 2025, Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India, said, “It’s amazing because Indian tourists spent over 800 million pounds in 2024, setting a new record. We are incredibly proud of the scale of Indian tourism to the UK, and we are honoured to receive this award tonight on behalf of VisitBritain.”

In Mumbai to meet the new Country Manager for India, Ritu Verma, and interact with the trade, Gary Robson, Director (Europe, Middle East & India), VisitBritain, says, “Indian visitors will spend nearly £1 billion while visiting the UK this year. The India-UK connectivity is strong and growing with 166 direct flights a week without including the recent Indigo’s Delhi-Manchester route.”