Today marks the commencement of SpiceJets Haj operations, with the inaugural flights departing from Srinagar to Jeddah, signaling the start of this years holy pilgrimage. These special flights were conducted using two wide-body A340 aircraft, each accommodating up to 324 passengers. Expanding beyond Srinagar, SpiceJet will also facilitate special Haj flights from Guwahati, Gaya,...

Hong Kong has officially been selected as the host city for Routes World 2025. Set to unfold from September 24th to 26th, 2025, the event will be held at AsiaWorld-Expo, under the auspices of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) with support from the Hong Kong Tourism Board. Routes World serves as a pivotal gathering,...

Teodora Marinska, COO, and Head of Public Affairs, European Travel Commission, emphasised the pivotal role of digitalisation in facilitating travel to Europe during a session at the Arabian Travel Market. She hailed the introduction of a new bill aimed at fully digitising the Schengen visa application process as a positive step forward, anticipating that...

Capitalising on Chinas projected tourism growth was a key topic at yesterdays Market Insights Summit at Arabian Travel Market (ATM). The summit, which took place on the Global Stage at the Middle Easts leading travel and tourism exhibition, explored the potential of the developing markets such as China. During the dedicated session, a panel of...

JetBlue (B6), headquartered in New York City (NYC), and Etihad Airways (EY), based in Abu Dhabi (AUH), have jointly declared the integration of loyalty program benefits into their existing codeshare agreement. This enhancement, marking another milestone in their enduring partnership, was unveiled at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai on May 7th. Effective from...

Discover a pinnacle of hospitality at VITS Select Kharadi Pune, nestled just behind EON IT Park in Pune. This hotel redefines luxury and service excellence, catering to both business and leisure travellers alike. Conveniently situated only a 15-minute drive from Viman Nagar and Pune Railway Station, VITS Select Kharadi Pune ensures easy access for...

Saudia Group, the flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has stated operating Hajj Season 2024, flights, encompassing both inbound and outbound services. Saudia Group has proactively formed specialised teams distributed among performance monitoring, terminal operations, follow-up, and coordination with other sectors. Additionally, operational resources have been allocated across the lounges of King Abdulaziz...

The levy on scheduled flights being operated within India to fund the Regional Air Connectivity Fund has been increased to INR 6,500 per departure of an eligible flight from the existing rate of Rs 6,000, starting May 1, reports Business Today. The decision was taken after a joint review by the Ministry of Civil Aviation...

ACI World has appointed Justin Erbacci as Director General and CEO, slated to join the organisation in September 2024. Erbacci brings a wealth of experience to ACI World, having previously served as the CEO of NEOM Airports and of Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA). At LAWA, before assuming the CEO position from 2020 to 2023,...

The total number of tourists visiting Egypt during the first four months of 2024 increased by 27 per cent, supported by inbound tourism from Arab countries, which witnessed a 54 per cent growth compared to the same period in 2023, according to Ghada Shalaby, Vice Minister for Tourism of Egypt. In statements to the Emirates...

As passenger numbers in the Middle East (ME) are predicted to reach 429 million this year, representing a 5.4% increase on 2019 figures, a panel of aviation experts convened at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) yesterday to discuss how the market is changing, outlining their predictions for the future of air travel. The session, Looking Skyward...

The initial public offering (IPO) of TBO Tek Limited was fully subscribed yesterday. The IPO received an overall subscription of 1.17 times. The retail category saw a subscription of 3.23 times, while the Qualified Institutional Buyer (QIB) category was subscribed only 0.01 times, and the Non-Institutional Investor (NII) category was subscribed 2.09 times as of...

Fortune Hotels, part of the ITC hotel group, has proudly unveiled its plans for a second establishment in Siliguri, West Bengal. Set to grace the landscape as Fortune Park, this eagerly anticipated addition is slated for a grand opening in March 2025. Spanning 1.47 acres of prime land, this brownfield project promises to deliver...

The 13th edition of The Great Indian Travel Bazaar (GITB) concluded in Jaipur, Rajasthan with an ambitious pitch of India as a worlds wedding destination under Wed in India initiative. Along with host state Rajasthan, Indias premier tourism event saw as many as 9 state tourism boards, including Odisha (theme state), Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Uttar...

Over 80 international and domestic flights of Air India Express were cancelled after the senior crew members of the airline went on mass sick leave. The development came after several cabin crew members started reporting sick since Monday evening and as there are not enough cabin crew members, scores of flights have been cancelled at...

South African Tourism is set to host its annual Africas Travel INDABA, set to take place in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. This year, the event will host over 40 Indian trade partners. In a significant, strategic shift in South African Tourisms play in the Indian market, nearly 95% of the contingent will consist of buyers...

JCB Cardmembers are now able to access Romes public transportation system easily and quickly, without the need to purchase a ticket in advance. Boarding public transport and pay the fare by simply tapping with a contactless payment card on turnstiles or authorised readers: Rome is the first city in Europe to offer this contactless payment...

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts has appointed Palak Shah as the Vice President of Sales. He brings 24 years of unparalleled hospitality experience, especially in India and Southwest Asia. In his new role at Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Palak will lead its strategic sales initiatives, particularly focusing on accelerating growth in key source markets and India....

SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka and Air Seychelles, the national airline of the Republic of Seychelles, have embarked on a codeshare partnership, ushering in seamless travel to multiple new destinations throughout Asia, Africa and Australia for their passengers flying between Colombo and Mah. Flights under the codeshare agreement are available to book...

Etihad Airways will begin operating flights to Jaipur and Bali, as well as summer destinations, Al Qassim, Antalya, Malaga, Nice, and the Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini. Javier Alija, Vice President Sales and Distribution, Etihad Airways, said, Were looking forward to a great week ahead at the Arabian Travel Market, where we have the...

The Union Ministry of Tourism is participating at the ongoing Arabian Travel Mart 2024, being held in Dubai. The event marks a significant step in strengthening Indias presence in the Middle East tourism market. The Incredible India pavilion was Inaugurated by Satish Kumar Sivan, Counsul General of India to Dubai. The pavilion has made a...

Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA), has commenced revenue flights with its new Embraer E190-E2 fleet, yesterday. The first aircraft, named Explorer 3.0, departed Singapores Changi Airport, bound for Krabi, Thailand. We would like to congratulate Scoot on this momentous occasion, said Martyn Holmes, Chief Commercial Officer of Embraer Commercial Aviation. We are...

A unified e-visa system will be unveiled by the end of this year by the regional countries in the GCC region, said Khalid Jasim Al Midfa of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Authority (SCTDA), while talking at the ongoing Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai. By the end of this year, the whole system will be...

Ahead of its IPO that opens today, B2B travel portal Travel Boutique Online i.e. TBO Tek has raised INR 696.5 crore from 47 anchor investors. The start-up has allocated 45.7 Lakh shares to its anchor investors. The IPO committee of the Board of Directors has finalised allocation of 7,570,807 equity shares to anchor investors at...

Travel & tourism experts from across the industry convened at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024 Future Stage to discuss the complexities of navigating the transformation of hospitality. Slow travel, a movement that encompasses sustainable travel, mindful travel, and low-impact travel, sustainable practices and the use of AI and data to enhance the travel experience...

In a major boost for the tourism sector in Jammu and Kashmir, Raja Yaqoub, Director Tourism Kashmir has said that nearly 1 million tourists have visited the Valley in just the first four months of this year. Addressing the stakeholders meeting organised by the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) at the...

With the number of Indian tourists visiting the Maldives dwindling amidst strained bilateral ties, the archipelago nations Tourism Minister on Monday urged Indians to contribute to the countrys economy which is dependent on tourism. In an interview with PTI Videos, Maldivian Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal emphasised on the historical relations between his country and India....

The share of Indian airlines in international passenger traffic originating from, terminating in, or transitioning through India is expected to surge 50 per cent by fiscal 2028 from 43 per cent in 2024, according to Crisil Ratings. The business profiles of Indian carriers will strengthen as a result of their rising share in international traffic,...

Thomas Cook (India) Limited has inaugurated two franchise outlets in Goregaon and Panvel to leverage the high growth market of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The additional outlets will serve to expand Thomas Cook Indias network to 7 locations in the city. In a focussed strategy to increase access and convenience, the companys outlets will...

Fareportal, a global travel technology company, employing 2,100 people at two major centres in Gurugram and Pune, has partnered with the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) for their Namami Gange Programme, a project that underscores Fareportals long-term commitment and support for initiatives aimed at environmental conservation and community welfare. Namami Gange Programme is an...

SBI Card has launched three variants of its first travel-focused core credit card, SBI Card MILES, in Mumbai. The card is aimed at bringing holistic travel benefits to travellers of all kinds. SBI Card MILES offers compelling features that include conversion of Travel Credits to Air Miles and Hotel Points, accelerated rewards on every travel...

Turkish Airlines hosts its Annual Bowling Tournament, a cherished tradition fostering camaraderie and partnerships across the globe. Semi-final rounds have recently concluded at Turkish Airlines international hubs, including two vibrant cities in India, uniting bowling enthusiasts and local business partners alike. In New Delhi, the semi-final event unfolded on April 19th, 2024, at Smaaash,...

Tourism Malaysia and Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) have formalised a significant three-year partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today. This agreement underscores their joint commitment to bolster Malaysias position as a key entry point to Asia and beyond while elevating Malaysia as a premier global tourist destination. The MoU signing ceremony, held...

Raja Yaqoob, the Director of Tourism in Kashmir, emphasised the crucial need for promoting Kashmir as an alluring tourist destination. He highlighted the importance of raising awareness and investment opportunities, urging tourists to explore the regions abundant heritage, culture, and culinary delights. Kashmir is already renowned as an attractive destination, but we must amplify...

The inaugural interactive session between the Indian Embassy in China and Indian students impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic unfolded on May 4. Chinas visa restrictions resulted in prolonged academic disruptions for these students. Dubbed the welcome and interaction ceremony, the event was spearheaded by Indian Ambassador to China Pradeep Kumar Rawat and Counsellor Nitinjeet...

The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka refuted local media reports alleging that an Indian private company was unlawfully issuing visas at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo. In a statement, the High Commission clarified that no Indian companies were involved in providing visa-on-arrival services at the airport. Addressing the issue on social media, the...

EaseMyTrip.com have opened their newest franchise store in Amritsar, Punjab, furthering their mission to merge online convenience with offline accessibility. Nestled in SCO 5 C Block Market, Ranjit Avenue, this marks the 15th addition to their expanding network and the first in Amritsar. Strategically located at the heart of the city, the Amritsar store...

As summer vacations begin, families are eager to make lasting memories through travel. In response, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has partnered with Singapore Airlines Group, Sentosa Development Corporation, and Mandai Wildlife Group to introduce the Family Playdates. Made In Singapore campaign. This initiative offers special deals to encourage families to rediscover the magic of...

Trkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) has partnered with the Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI) to organise a mega familiarisation (FAM) trip for its members. Taking place from June 30 to July 6 2024, this initiative is dedicated to highlighting the myriad attractions of Trkiye to Indian travel agents. A total of...

The Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar Islands has started night operations following significant upgrades and advancements. On April 18, a private airline was the first to land using the ILS at VSI Airport, reports ANI. The aviation infrastructure at INS Utkrosh in Port Blair has undergone significant advancements, with...

Benchmark Travel Representations Pvt. Ltd has been appointed as the Indian Representative of Speke Holidays-Uganda & Rwanda. Founded in 2008, Speke Holidays is one of Ugandas premier destination management companies and the first to foray into the Indian market offering high-quality, full-service travel & safari arrangements across Uganda & Rwanda. Partnering with companies renowned for...

Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) and former Revenue Minister has voiced serious concerns over the escalating airfares to Kashmir, reports Rising Kashmir. Its not just tourists who are affected, Yaseen said in a statement. Students studying in and outside Kashmir valley, as well as those requiring urgent medical attention outside...

Air India Express has launched a direct flight Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh to Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE. Ras Al Khaimah is the ninth international destination from Lucknows Chaudhary Charan Singh International (CCSI) Airport. The flight leaves Lucknow at 8:35 am to arrive inRas Al-Khaimah at 10:55 am IST. These flights will be operated...

With a common goal of achieving 35.6 million tourists and generate RM147.1 billion, Tourism Malaysia has announced a strategic roadmap for Visit Malaysia 2026. The VM 2026 roadmap is built on three core strategies creating demand, increasing traffic, and prioritising target markets. Key initiatives include branding and marketing blitz, strategic partnerships for joint promotions/tactical...

DuVerify LLC-FZ, a subsidiary of DuDigital Global Ltd, has signed a contract with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to India. This agreement marks a significant milestone for DuVerify LLC-FZ, reinforcing its position as a trusted provider of document verification services. DuDigital Global Ltd is a provider of specialised services for administrative tasks related...

Air India is actively expanding its global network in line with its business strategy of direct connectivity from India to key international destinations. Instead of routing Indian travellers through intermediate stops in Europe and the USA, the airline is enhancing its offerings with direct flights. Recent additions to Air Indias route map include services...

RITES Limited in collaboration with ItalCertifier SPA, a company within the Italian State Railways Group, has secured a contract for the Independent Safety Assessment (ISA) of the Vande Bharat sleeper trains. This contract, granted by Integral Coach Factory (ICF)-Chennai, a production unit under the Ministry of Railways, tasks the consortium with various responsibilities including...

Sabre Hospitality, a segment of Sabre Corporation, has announced a multi-year extension of its partnership with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. This renewal follows the successful integration of SynXis Property Hub, Sabre Hospitalitys property management system (PMS), by Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. SynXis Property Hub seamlessly integrates with SynXis Central Reservation System, serving as a...

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) website as of May 3, the forthcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport has been designated with the three-letter location code NMI. Upon conducting a search on the IATA platform, it was revealed that NMI serves as the IATA code for Navi Mumbais DB Patil International Airport, while...

The Madras High Court has instructed the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to conduct a thorough assessment of the shares and assets of DBS Bank India and Lakshmi Vilas Bank (LVB) prior to their amalgamation in November 2020. This evaluation aims to shed light on how the merger impacted stakeholders. Once this fresh valuation...