PhonePe has announced a partnership with LankaPay wherein it will allow its users to make payments using UPI across Sri Lanka. During an event to mark the collaboration, PhonePe said that its app users travelling to Sri Lanka can now make payments using UPI across LankaPay QR merchants. As mentioned by PhonePe, the transactions will...

The Travel and tourism sector witnessed the announcement of 217 deals (mergers and acquisitions (M&A), private equity and venture financing deals) during January-April 2024 compared to the announcement of 251 deals during the same period in previous year. This represents a year-on-year (yoy) decline of 13.5% in deals volume during January-April 2024, according to GlobalData,...

On May 13, 2024, SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka, inaugurated its new office in Trivandrum, marking the beginning of a strategic partnership with Translanka Air Travels Pvt. Ltd. as the appointed General Sales Agent (GSA) for South Kerala. This milestone underscores the airlines dedication to strengthening its presence in Southern Kerala...

Resorts World Cruises is excited to announce its expansion into the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman with Resorts World One, marking a 6-month homeport deployment in Dubai, UAE, starting October 18, 2024. This initiative opens up a thrilling cruise adventure for travellers from India, who can now embark from Dubai to explore popular...

Collinson has announced the expansion of its partnership with Singapore Airlines (SIA). This collaboration will grant businesses participating in SIAs HighFlyer programme access to LoungeKey Pass, a digital voucher facilitating visits to airport lounges or indulgence in travel experiences without the hassle of registration, physical cards, or membership. SIAs HighFlyer programme enables businesses to...

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) together with IC Bellagio and Members of the private Travel & Tourism sector, has launched a new consumer focussed initiative helping travellers understand how they can discover the world sustainably. WTTC has joined forces with IC Bellagio on the new campaign, Community Conscious Travel, and aims to raise...

Travelport, a global technology company that powers travel bookings for hundreds of thousands of travel suppliers worldwide, and WestJet, a carrier based in Calgary, AB Canada, have signed a new long-term content distribution deal. This renewed partnership between Travelport and WestJet will pave the way for WestJet to improve its retailing capabilities, as both companies...

Royal Orchid Hotels Ltd has proudly launched The World, Gujarats largest All-Suite 5-star hotel, following the signing of a management agreement with Hindva Hospitality, LLP in March 2024. Situated in Surat, this debut hotel by ROHL offers opulent suites accommodating up to 6 people, strategically located near the Surat Diamond Bourse and the upcoming...

Fortune Hotels introduces Fortune Statue of Unity Ekta Nagar, a radiant new establishment poised to deliver unparalleled comfort and hospitality in proximity to Gujarats latest gem, the Statue of Unity, amidst the picturesque backdrop of the Narmada River. Nestled just moments away from the Ekta Nagar railway station, this 144-room all-vegetarian sanctuary promises an...

The Fern Hotels & Resorts announces the addition of five new hotels in the Kashmir Valley. With these new additions, The Fern Hotels & Resorts embraces the essence of Kashmiri hospitality, aiming to provide guests with a seamless blend of luxury and serenity in this popular tourist destination, which welcomed over 20 million visitors...

In a collaborative effort supported by The Ministry of Tourism (MOT), Government of India, the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) and VFS Global successfully hosted a B2B Incredible India Evening Fostering Partnerships and Connections last week at Taj Dubai. This exclusive event brought together key industry professionals to foster partnerships and connections within...

In the wake of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir opening, Hunch Mobility has experienced a notable uptick in charter services catering to spiritual travel. Hunch Mobility, a provider of personalised charter services in India, has been operating a diverse fleet of helicopters, and aircraft across India for the past four years. While initially, charters were primarily...

Leveraging the immense power of AI alongside its extensive flight search capabilities, global travel app Skyscanner introduces its exclusive Savvy Search tool. With access to over 18 million unique flight routes and a daily search volume exceeding 80 billion prices, Skyscanners app now empowers travellers to effortlessly articulate their travel desires, prompting the tool...

Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA) and Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) have taken a significant move towards transforming tourism and transportation in the Emirate by signing a future-forward Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Skyports Infrastructure (Skyports), the company leading the development of vertiport infrastructure for electric air taxi services. Marking the beginning...

Qantas, the national carrier of Australia, will be adding flights from Bengaluru to Sydney to cater for strong demand over the peak holiday season. Between mid-December 2024 and late March 2025, the airline will increase flights from five per week to daily, adding over 12,000 seats between the two cities over the four-month period (subject...

With over a decade of diverse experience spanning E-commerce, Debt Syndication, Trade & Investment, and Tourism, Ghosh brings in a wealth of expertise in customer-facing roles with Sales, Marketing, and Strategy at the core of his career. Ghoshs professional journey includes notable contributions to fostering international relationships and promoting tourism initiatives. During his tenure with...

The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on Monday deferred its hearing in Go Firsts insolvency case to July 11, leaving the lessors stranded. The NCLT indicated that it needed more time to study the Delhi High Courts order asking the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to deregister all its 54 aircraft by May 3,...

Emirates has witnessed record annual profit of AED 17.2 billion (USD 4.7 billion) for the 2023-2024 fiscal, up 63% from the year ago. The latest figures from the airline were the best in its history, and were driven by the voracious appetite for travel across customer segments, the Emirates Group said in a statement. Emirates...

An online booking system for Mount Fujis most popular trail was announced on Monday by Japanese authorities trying to fight overtourism on the active volcano. Japans highest mountain has become increasingly crowded during the summer hiking season, raising concerns over safety and environmental damage. To ease congestion on the Yoshida Trail, the preferred route for...

Akasa Air will start flights to Jeddah from July 15, making the Saudi Arabian city the airlines second international destination. The less-than-two-year-old airline commenced flights to Qatars capital Doha on March 28. Starting July 15, 2024, Akasa Air will operate daily direct flights connecting Jeddah with Mumbai and will further enhance this connectivity to operate...

On Friday, May 10, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) unveiled plans for the Bharat Gaurav Special Tourist Train, set to embark on an enriching journey through the scenic locales of North India, commencing from New Jalpaiguri (NJP) railway station on May 18th. An NFR spokesperson highlighted that the Bharat Gaurav holds significance as the...

In the latest news, a team of ten Nepali climbers has achieved an extraordinary feat by reaching the summit of Mount Everest via its southern approach. This monumental accomplishment not only marks the seasons first summit but also opens the path for numerous other climbers aspiring to conquer the worlds tallest peak. Traditionally, the...

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Emirates have signed a strategic partnership outlining joint initiatives to intensify international efforts and bolster Dubais mindshare as a hub for trade, tourism, and investment. Building on both entities long-standing partnership and success in tourism promotion, this latest development underlines their commitment to achieving the goals...

Air India is scheduled to operate non-stop flight on the Delhi Coimbatore Delhi sector from June 2. The flight AI 547 from Delhi will depart at 3 p.m. and reach Coimbatore at 6 p.m. The return flight AI 548 from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu will depart at 6.45 p.m. and reach T-3 terminal in...

SpiceJet will commence daily non-stop flights connecting Delhi and Phuket, starting May 31, 2024. Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet, said We are incredibly excited to launch our first-ever service to Phuket, a world-renowned destination. We are confident that our new daily non-stop flights will be a popular choice for both leisure and business...

The proposed plan of the Assam government to construct a Greenfield Airport at Doloo in Silchar using part of a tea garden has been halted after the Supreme Court of India issued its order setting aside the National Green Tribunals (NGT) clearance. The top court while hearing a civil appeal on May 6 noted that...

Etihad Airways has unveiled Abu Dhabi Stopover programme, providing a free hotel stay to travellers who have a layover in Abu Dhabi. This offer is available to all passengers who book their flights through Etihad and choose to transit via Zayed International Airport. Under this programme, travelers can enjoy a one or two-night stay at...

Princess Cruises is going big in Europe for 2026. The company line announced that its 2026 European cruise and cruisetour season will be its biggest ever, with five Princess cruise ships sailing the region, including the new Sun Princess. Set to sail on a record-breaking 222 cruises, guests will have unparalleled opportunities to explore the...

The number of tourists visiting Antarctica has been steadily increasing each year as the continent grapples with climate change. The problem is that tourism in Antarctica is not properly regulated. So this year, there is a discussion on its regulation, said M Ravichandran, Secretary at the Ministry of Earth Sciences, which will host both conferences....

Nestled within verdant forests, eco-tourism havens, and a hospitality scene boasting charming homestays, Uttarakhand stands tall among Indias premier tourist destinations. Adding a celestial dimension to its allure, the Secretary of Tourism for the Government of Uttarakhand has unveiled a visionary plan to position the region as a leading hub for astronomy aficionados. Teaming...

Southern Thailand experienced a significant development as Pling Island was closed on Thursday due to extensive coral bleaching, according to an announcement by the national parks office. Despite it being the peak tourist season, the closure has been in effect since May 9, aiming to allow the natural environment ample time to recover from...

The railways have announced the operation of additional super-fast special trains between Pune and Bhubaneswar to accommodate the increased number of passengers. The Bhubaneswar-Pune Superfast Special Train, numbered 01048, will depart from Bhubaneswar at 21:25 on May 12, 2024, and is expected to arrive in Pune at 05:30 on the third day of the...

Luxury travel experts convened at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024 in Dubai to delve into strategies for standing out in the Middle Easts bustling luxury travel sector. As the event drew to a close at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), panelists at the luxury summit emphasised the importance of authenticity, personalisation, and elevating...

InterLnkd emerged victorious amidst fierce competition on the final day of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024, securing the top spot in the third ATM Start-up Pitch Battle, organised in collaboration with Intelak. Originating from the UK, InterLnkd specialises in leveraging specific data points and an intelligent matching engine to forge connections between the...

Intrepid Travels India office has unveiled tailor-made adventure packages for the North Eastern States and Central India, aiming to immerse travellers in the vibrant culture, rich heritage, and stunning wildlife of the region. The packages, dubbed Premium India Safari and India Expedition: Sikkim, Assam, and Nagaland, are designed to draw approximately 12,000 adventure enthusiasts...

More than 46,000 industry professionals from over 160 countries including 33,500 visitors attended the 31st edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which concluded yesterday in Dubai, UAE. This represents a 15% year-on-year increase in attendees compared to ATMs landmark 30th edition, setting a new record for the show and demonstrating the strength,...

Online travel agency Travomint has entered into a strategic partnership with Expedia. This marks a significant milestone in enhancing the travel booking experience for millions of customers across the globe. Through this partnership with Expedia, Travomint aims to streamline the booking process. Be it a spontaneous weekend getaway or international adventure, customers can expect an...

Atlys, a travel technology startup, has appointed Ajit Alexander as Head of B2G (Business-to-Government). With over 20 years of experience in business development and strategic partnerships, Alexander brings a wealth of expertise to Atlys, further solidifying its position as a key player in the government-focused business vertical. Alexander is a seasoned professional with a proven...

India is rapidly emerging as a crucial source market for global tourism, driven by significant economic growth, demographic shifts, and infrastructural improvements, as highlighted on the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024 Future Stage, as the Middle Easts leading travel and tourism event returned to the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) for its 31st year. During...

Jumeirah has unveiled its new brand identity marking a key milestone in its growth strategy to double the size of the portfolio by 2030. The new visual identity is the first stage in a journey of brand evolution designed to inspire a new perspective of luxury for discerning travellers. Building on its origins and reputation...

Dubai recorded an 11 per cent increase in tourist numbers in the first quarter of the year. The emirate hosted 5.18 million international overnight visitors from January to March 2024, compared with 4.67 million tourist arrivals during the same period a year earlier, according to data published by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism...

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,...