Tag Archives: Managing Director

Naveen Kundu, Managing Director, Ebixcash Travel Services, has said that they are currently in the process of building our global MICE platform, following on from our achievements last year.

Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG, has said, “In Q2, 2022, our total revenue in India exceeded 2019 levels where occupancy levels jumped from 60% in Q1 to close to 75% in Q2 of 2022, demonstrating a 26% jump YoY for H1 of 2022, which was 2% ahead of 2019 levels.”

Naveen Kundu, Managing Director, Ebixcash Travel Group, has revealed that the Ebixcash travel and foreign exchange revenues have increased by 145% in Q3. “The strong growth comes from the travel and foreign exchange business of Ebixcash in India,” he added.a

Nikhil Desai, Managing Director, Goa Tourism Development Corporation, has revealed that the upcoming MOPA international airport in Goa is likely to attract 4.67 million tourists in the first year of its operations. “It will connect about 31 domestic destinations and more than 14 international destinations.

Souvagya Mohapatra, Managing Director, Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts for India, Nepal, Bhutan & Sri Lanka operation, has said, “In next 3 to 4 years, we aim at acquiring 10 to 12 hotels. Hence, we will have a strong marketing and PR presence in India very soon. Our focus is to explore across the country and wait for the right opportunities.”

Consolidating the business post the pandemic, Kishan Biyani, Managing Director of the erstwhile Ark Travels announces a complete rehaul and rebranding of the company. Sharing details, he says, “We have rebranded ourselves. The new company is called Ark Travel Group and will expand its focus from not just cruising but also tour packages and representation. So we have four main arms: Ark Journeys, Ark Representation, Ark Tech and Ark Cruises that will be led by different people from the company.”

Nikhil Desai, Managing Director, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), has said that a new convention centre is being opened by the end of year to boost MICE Tourism in the state of Goa. MICE will be one of the products that will be in focus of their strategy, he revealed. He said that they are working towards repositioning Goa apart from sun, sand and sea. “While Goa is synonymous with sun, sand and sea, we are trying to attract the attention of tourists to various other offerings in Goa including wildlife, nature, MICE, etc.” he added. He also informed that they are seeing a huge rise in social events in the last one year at a number of properties across Goa.

Naveen Kundu, Managing Director, Ebixcash- Travel & Holidays, has said that he has huge expectations from this budget and his request to the Finance Minister is to declare tourism sector as a priority sector for the next two years and offer it industry status. Also, he requested for tax refunds to domestic travellers who spend large amount of their vacation budgets in India. Other recommendations included budget for loans with rates of interests as offered to industry, with flexibility of re-structuring the loans at least twice due to the frequent lean cycles. “The government shall offer tariffs which are at par with the industry if not lower. Provide tax concession to hotels and resorts in India to boost demand for domestic tourism and inbound tourism. Provide tax subsidy to travel agents who promote inbound tourism (FOREX earning agencies) and offer them incentives on earning FOREX as exports sector. Create a budget to appoint several large PR companies globally to promote ‘Product India’ with all its diversity and hospitality. Offer a financial tax support to corporates / associations who conduct their meetings & events in India. Offer direct financial support of up to Rs. 1000 crores for all global companies/ associations and world bodies who conduct their events, conferences and exhibitions in India. Announce a state-of-the-art skill development institute on the lines of IIM, which will be India’s first tourism university offering various courses. Reduce haulage on luxury trains and offer tax subsidy on operating more luxury and Bharat Gaurav trains in India,” he said.

IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a management agreement with Dinesh Kumar Choudhary (HUF) for a new hotel – Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jaipur Karoli Bagh located at Gopalpura Byepass, in the capital of Rajasthan. The brownfield hotel featuring 141 rooms is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2023. Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said, “We are thrilled to announce the signing of a new Holiday Inn Express & Suites hotel in Jaipur and solidify our presence in the state of Rajasthan. With a rich culture, history and cuisine, Jaipur is one of the most popular tourist destinations of India. With diverse guest profiles visiting the city, there is an increasing need for mainstream accommodation, and we are confident that Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jaipur Karoli Bagh will be a great choice for travellers looking for a simple and engaging hotel stay experience.

Naveen Kundu, Managing Director, EBIXCASH Travel Services, has said that in the last one and a half years, he has seen a surge in private stays and private flying, with people preferring resort stays, exclusive pool and water villas over city hotels and increasingly opting for chartered flights like never before. He also added that as soon as borders open, Indians would be travelling everywhere.