New Delhi: The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Sultanate of Oman, proudly announces the successful culmination of its three-city sales mission across India. Commencing on 15 April 2024 from Delhi, the mission continued its journey to Ahmedabad (19 April) and concluded successfully in Lucknow (23 April). The sales mission, aimed at strengthening the bond with Indian market, witnessed active participation of esteemed delegates from Oman, including Ms. Saada Abdullah Saif Al Harthi, Director for Business Development Department, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, and Ms. Zainab Suliman Al Shaml ..read more

Kolkata is yet to see a direct international flight to Europe. It’s high time the government and aviation stakeholders devise a plan to bring the City of Joy on the international aviation map. Surbhi Sharma Kolkata, the northeastern city of India known for its history, cuisine and Durga Puja celebrations, continues to long for better air connectivity. The ‘City of Joy’, recognised by UNESCO for its heritage wealth, is yet to see a direct international flight to Europe from its state-of-the-art Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. Highlighting the issue, Manoj Saraf, Managing Dir ..read more

The Visa Section of the Italian Embassy in Mumbai seems to have taken a step in the right direction. TRAVTALK speaks to a few agents in Mumbai and Delhi to find out the ground situation. TT Bureau Many a time, agents are forced to suggest a different European destination to a client that wants to holiday in Italy because there are issues with getting visa appointments for Italy. As a result, clients are forced to add-on another destination because they cannot do Italy exclusively. However, there seems to be some good news for Mumbai agents. Sampat Damani, Partner, Disha Travel and Head, Dipl ..read more

Robert Thompson, Executive Director of Regions, Tourism Fiji, says they want to put more focus on the India market, as Indians become one of the top subscribers of their Matai Specialist programme, aiming to boost tourist football. Hazel Jain Represented in India by Global Destinations, Tourism Fiji brings into sharper focus arrival numbers from India. This long-haul visa-free destination has appeared in the Indian travellers’ wishlist not just as a standalone destination, but also as a great stop before their Australia and/ or New Zealand holiday. Robert Thompson, Executive Director of Regi ..read more

India’s share in Malaysia’s M!CE business is 48%, says Mohammad Isa Abdul Halim, Director, Meeting and Support Incentives, Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau, underscoring the importance of India market for them. Janice Alyosius Mohammad Isa Abdul Halim, Director, Meeting and Support Incentives, Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), sheds light on the remarkable growth trajectory of Malaysia’s business events industry. He underlines the strategic importance of India in Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to expand its footprint in the global M!CE sector. “The number of busines ..read more

Amid evolving consumer preferences and digitalisation, it has become imperative for travel service providers to adopt strategies that not only attract customers but also drive revenue growth. Cross-selling, which involves offering complementary products or services to travellers, comes as one such strategy gaining popularity these days. In the competitive travel landscape, maximising profits and enhancing customer satisfaction are paramount goals for any entrepreneur. With evolving consumer preferences and increasing digitalisation, it has become imperative for travel service providers to ad ..read more

About 8 per cent of travellers say gastronomy is a key element in defining the brand and image of a destination. It is considered that the weight of gastronomy in tourism revenue can be as high as 30 per cent. In-dia, with its diverse cuisines, can build strategies around its cuisine culture and promote tourism in the country. Inder Raj Ahluwalia When Confucius, the Chinese philosopher, said, ‘Food is the first love’, he knew what he was talking about. Today, not only is the cuisine industry among the biggest globally, it forms the hub of tourism and plays a pivotal role in enhancing visitor ..read more

The Airline Symposium, organised by the TAAI Eastern Region in Kolkata recently, served as a platform for insightful discussions, and exploring new horizons in the evolving aviation landscape. TT Bureau In the dynamic world of aviation, staying updated with the latest trends, technologies, and strategies is crucial for success. Recognising this need, the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) Eastern Region recently organised an Airline Symposium aimed at bringing together key stakeholders in the airline industry. This symposium served as a platform for insightful discussions, networking ..read more

A new narrative of regenerative tourism takes root in Goa, led by an initiative to diversify the state’s tourism offerings, tapping into verticals such as wellness, weddings, and adventure. Arumita Gupta Goa, long revered for its picturesque coastline and vibrant beach culture, is undergoing a transformation and embracing this evolution is crucial not only for altering perceptions but also for driving sustainable economic growth. Talking about the transformation, Rohan Khaunte, Minister for Tourism, Government of Goa, says, “Being a preferred destination, people come to Goa specifically for ..read more

Deepak Narula, Founder, GRNconnect.com, provides insights into the company’s expansion strategy and emphasises on their focus on transforming the B2B hotel booking landscape. Janice Alyosius As GRNconnect.com gears up for its next phase of growth and innovation, Deepak Narula, Founder, GRNconnect.com, underscores the company’s commitment to revolutionising the B2B hotel booking landscape. With a blend of global expansion, technological advancements, and customer-centric initiatives, the company continues to redefine industry standards and set new benchmarks for excellence. The company recent ..read more