Tag Archives: tour operators

A Platform to Showcase Karnataka’s Hidden Gems The Karnataka Tourism Society (KTS) successfully hosted the second edition of its Destination Showcase Event in Bengaluru on 1st October 2024, focusing on the attractions of North and Coastal Karnataka. Following the success of the inaugural showcase on Chikmagalur and Sakleshpur in March, this event received an overwhelming response from industry stakeholders. The event was inaugurated by Srinivasulu, (IFS), Commissioner, Department of AYUSH, Government of Karnataka. Key dignitaries present included K Syamaraju, President, KTS and newly elected President, Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), along with other KTS executive committee members. Dr. K.V Rajendra, (IAS), Director, Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka, visited the event and engaged with stakeholders, discussing marketing efforts and the effectiveness of the showcase. The showcase was supported by several government bodies, including the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka, Department of AYUSH, Government of Karnataka, Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation, Jungle Lodges & Resorts and Mysore Sales International. This initiative highlighted the unique tourist destinations of North and Coastal Karnataka, emphasising its rich cultural heritage, tranquil beaches, and vibrant local arts. K Syamaraju, President, Karnataka Tourism Society, said “This initiative, a collaboration between KTS and various tourism bodies, provides a unique opportunity for travel agents, tour operators, and hospitality professionals to discover the hidden gems of North and Coastal Karnataka. By bringing together industry leaders and showcasing the region’s unique attractions, this event aims to unlock the full potential of these areas and foster sustainable growth.” The event featured over 150 participants, including travel agents and industry professionals, who engaged in networking and business-to-business (B2B) meetings. The showcase brought …

Under its Tourism Policy 2022-2032, UP government will provide 50 per cent reimbursement of certification fees established for tour operators for obtaining GSTC certification to promote sustainable tourism. Tour operators can benefit from this initiative and will have up to ₹5 lakh reimbursed. 

Europamundo, a leading tour operator, has announced the launch of its highly acclaimed summer pre-sale campaign. This campaign offers an extensive range of over 2700 trips with more than 99000 guaranteed departures. One of the key benefits of this pre-sale is the price freeze, guaranteeing rates until 15 January, 2025.

Alejandro de la Osa, CEO, Europamundo Vacaciones, announced their presale and product launch to the trade recently. “These are for the coming season and tours will be available till March 2026. This is the largest brochured product with guaranteed departures available,” he said.

Melange 2024 has received overwhelming support from the travel trade community. They confirmed that the exhibition space is booked to capacity with an impressive lineup of quality exhibitors. At Melange, the emphasis is always on the quality and diversity of the exhibitors. Melange is proud to host a variety of booths that reflect the rich segment variety of the travel industry. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet top-quality exhibitors, including hotels, DMCs, airlines, representation companies, and more, many of which have never been seen together under one roof. These representation companies bring global partnerships to the event, further enhancing its scope and reach. In addition to the outstanding exhibitor participation, Melange reported that visitor registration is strong, with a substantial number of buyers confirmed to attend from various cities across India. This diverse group of buyers will have the opportunity to engage with exhibitors and explore the wide range of offerings available at the event. Melange 2024 is truly on the map, and are confident that they will set new benchmarks in the industry. They extend their heartfelt gratitude to all exhibitors, visitors, and partners for their unwavering support and look forward to welcoming everyone to what promises to be an exceptional event.

Speaking on the impact of AI & ChatGPT on travel industry at the PATA India Chapter’s webinar, Matt Gibson, CEO, UPTHINK said, “AI is no replacement for travel professionals, as it cannot offer the personalisation that tour operators/ travel agents can give.”    

The matter regarding extending the validity of the approval/ recognition of the existing stakeholders (tour operators/ travel agents/tourist transport operators) given by the Ministry of Tourism and grant of provisional recognition for the new agencies in view of crisis caused due to the Covid-19 pandemic has been considered in the Ministry. It has been decided to give extension to the existing validity of the tour operators, travel agents and tourist transport operators upto 30.06.2022.

The IATO wrote to PM seeking respite in travel norms and financial aid to overcome the crisis that, has worsened after international flights were postponed. Rajiv Mehra, President IATO, with 1,700 members, want the 7 day quarantine to be waived for vaccinated travellers with a negative RT-PCR report and urged the Centre for financial support to small and medium tour operators, to help save lakhs of jobs.

Tour operators from Kashmir Tourism Trade Bodies Joint Forum (KTTBJF) have demanded some measures that need to be taken by the Government for the revival of the tourism industry in J&K. They demanded that tour and travel operators have gained popularity and need to be recognised as a tourism unit and all the industrial benefits must be given to the tour operators as are given to the hoteliers. They also urged that the tourism incentive scheme should be extended for the next 15 years and travel agents and tour operators should be included, and all the pending cases should be cleared at the earliest. They also demanded a waiver on the GST and claimed that the Government should first let the tourism sector breathe first. They also pointed out that the adventure tour operators are going through many problems and for the last 3 years they have not been able to pay the bank EMIs of the loans they have taken for increasing the infrastructure for adventure tourism.

Tour operators from Maharashtra have started the ‘Unlock Kashmir Tourism Campaign’ with support from the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department, for which a 70-member delegation of travel operators from Mumbai visited Kashmir. Since the tourism industry in J&K took was shaken post COVID, tourism department of J&K supported this initiative and invited the trade and media to promote tourism sector in the valley.