Tag Archives: Italy

Germany to roll out Digital Schengen visas for Indians

At a time, when visitations from India to its shores are at a record-high, Germany will be rolling out Digital Schengen visas for Indian nationals by the second quarter of 2025, said its Chennai-based Consul General Michaela Küchler.

In 2023, German diplomatic missions in India issued more than 1.8 lakh (180,000) Schengen Visas to Indians, and for 2024 the number is expected to surpass the 2 lakh (200,000) mark, as per a Wion report by Siddharth MP.

She added that the total time for obtaining a Schengen Visa (including appointment wait time and processing time) from a German mission takes less than four weeks for applicants from Southern India.

Schengen region refers to Europe’s passport-free zone covering most European countries. The largest free travel area in the world, it spans 29 countries that have abolished their internal borders to allow the unrestricted movement of people. Schengen visas allow the holder to travel freely in the Schengen region for a maximum of 90 days in any 180 days. The visas are not purpose-bound, but they do not grant the right to work.

The 29 Schengen countries are Austria, Bulgaria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
(Source: Wion)

WTTC and VFS Global have been collaborating on many destination focused studies on travel and tourism impact.

WTTC Global Summit moves to Rome, Italy for 2025 edition

The World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) has announced the Italian capital of Rome as the host city for the 2025 WTTC Global Summit.

The 2025 Global Summit marks the first time the event will be held in the historic heart of Italy, the seat of ancient empires and cultural heritage.

One of the world’s most popular destinations, the Global Summit in Italy will see business leaders and government delegations from around the world, converge in the city to discuss the latest challenges facing the sector, as well as the solutions of tomorrow.

Scheduled for late 2025, the 25th Global Summit will be staged in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Tourism and marks a significant return to Europe after six years.

The 2019 WTTC Global Summit took place in Seville, Spain, with 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, addressing delegates.

The 2024 Summit in Perth, Western Australia concluded with nearly 800 delegates from more than 50 countries, and over 100 journalists from around the world.

The global tourism body’s summit featured insights from leading figures such as John Kerry, the 68th Secretary of State of the United States, and Robert Irwin, one of Australia’s foremost conservationists, reflecting on pressing global environmental challenges and the role of tourism in addressing them.

Julia Simpson, President & CEO, WTTC, stated “The success of our 2024 Global Summit is a testament to the enduring appeal and innovation within the Travel & Tourism sector. I want to extend my thanks to the team at Tourism Western Australia for all their work, in making this Summit a reality.

“History shows that all roads lead to Rome, and in 2025 that’s certainly true as we head to a global city steeped in history, yet vibrantly forward-looking.”

Daniela Santanchè, Minister of Tourism, Italy, emphasized, “I am proud, as the Minister of Tourism of Italy, to announce that our nation will host the WTTC Global Summit in October 2025.

“This event is recognised as the most important setting for dialogue between governments and the private sector, where leaders shape the future of global Travel & Tourism. We look forward to welcoming our guests and Members of WTTC to Rome, a city rich in history and innovation.”

The 25th WTTC Global Summit will serve as a prime opportunity to showcase Italy’s rich cultural heritage and contemporary tourist offerings to the world’s leading travel executives.

The Summit also addressed key issues and growth strategies globally and shone a spotlight on the Oceania Travel & Tourism sector, setting the stage for continued discussion and innovation in Rome.

Lufthansa eyeing stake in TAP Air Portugal as next acquisition

The Lufthansa Group is reportedly considering acquiring a stake in TAP Air Portugal, following its successful bid for Italy’s ITA Airways.
The German airline company is currently in discussions to acquire a 19.9% stake in TAP Air Portugal, engaging with the Portuguese government as Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr prepares for talks in Portugal, according to reports from the Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera.

The proposed deal would involve Lufthansa taking a non-controlling stake in TAP Air Portugal to circumvent potential European Union scrutiny over the acquisition, sources suggest. Despite not being a controlling stake, this move would further expand Lufthansa’s influence in the European aviation market.

If negotiations between Portugal and Lufthansa progress positively, a formal offer is expected to be made in the first quarter of 2025. The potential deal could be valued between €180 million and €200 million, based on TAP Air Portugal’s estimated market value.
TAP Air Portugal, the national carrier of Portugal, has fluctuated between private and public ownership over the years. Most recently, it was renationalised in February 2016 after the Portuguese government repurchased a 50% stake from Atlantic Gateway.

NCL expands European Cruisetours collection

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has expanded its collection of European Cruisetours. Available in 11 ports through to November 2025, these pre-cruise programmes combine select sailings with a multi-day immersive land exploration to provide a more seamless cruise holiday experience.

Lisbon, Portugal has just been added to the collection of NCL’s pre-cruise land programmes, which are also available in iconic cities including Athens, Greece; Barcelona, Spain; Copenhagen, Denmark; Istanbul, Turkey; London, United Kingdom; Paris, France; Reykjavik, Iceland; Rome and Venice, Italy and Tromso; Norway.

NCL’s Cruisetours enable guests to further immerse themselves in a destination either before or after a sailing, providing the convenience of a fully planned holiday that includes their cruise, transfers, hotels and tours exploring their chosen city.

“As the leader in Europe for contemporary cruising, we are continually looking to create innovative and meaningful experiences for our guests. Our expanded Cruisetour land programs provide even more opportunities for our guests to explore, with the flexibility and choice to travel their own way,” said Ben Angell, Vice President and Managing Director, NCL APAC. “We continue to see demand for cruising in Europe go from strength to strength, not only because of the incredible value and convenience we offer but also the extensive choice of immersive itineraries, departure ports and ships.”

 

GITB in Rajasthan from May 5-7 to highlight ‘Wed in India’ theme

The Great Indian Travel Bazaar (GITB) 2024, scheduled to be held in Jaipur from May 5 to 7 will feature the “Wed in India” theme. It is noteworthy that Rajasthan is the most popular destination for destination weddings in the country and around the world. During the GITB, panel discussions will be organised with international and national-level wedding planners to discuss the Wed in India concept.

According to officials from the Tourism Department, Rajasthan’s destination weddings are quite popular among both domestic and foreign tourists. Therefore, organising the Wed in India Expo during GITB will prove to be quite instrumental in establishing Rajasthan as a premier destination for destination weddings.

During GITB, 11 international-level wedding planners and 30 national-level wedding planners have been specially invited to materialise the Wed in India concept, and highlight Rajasthan’s significant role in it.

It is noteworthy that Rajasthan is home to 75% of the country’s heritage forts and havelis, and what’s more, nearly a 100 of these heritage sites are being utilised for destination weddings.

Countries Participating in GITB:
Countries such as Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Sri Lanka, England, the USA, and more than 50 other nations will be represented by over 250 delegates during GITB, covering various sectors of tourism.

Schedule Highlights:
On May 5th, the Wed in India Expo will be held at the Maharani Mahal Rambagh Palace from 9:45 am to 4:30 pm. The official inauguration ceremony of GITB will take place at Jay Mahal Palace at 6:30 pm. On May 6th and 7th, an exhibition will be held at the JEC Hall in Sitapura from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm, along with B2B meetings with foreign tour operators to promote tourism in the state. On May 8th, foreign tour operators will also be taken on a tour of Rajasthan.

Participation from Other States:
Apart from Rajasthan, other states including Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha will also participate in GITB. Organizations such as FICCI, Indian Heritage Hotels Association, Rajasthan Association of Tour Operators, and Hotels and Restaurant Association of Rajasthan will also play significant roles in GITB.

Goa International Travel Market throws the spotlight on regenerative tourism

The first day of the Goa International Travel Mart (GITM) 2024 commenced at Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium with an air of excitement and anticipation as industry leaders, government officials, and tourism enthusiasts gathered to witness the unveiling of a new era in Goa’s tourism landscape.

A notable focus of this year’s GITM was on regenerative tourism, a paradigm shift towards sustainable practices that prioritise the restoration and revitalisation of local ecosystems and communities.

The day kicked off with the grand inauguration of the Goa Tourism stall, a symbol of the state’s commitment to showcasing its rich cultural heritage and diverse tourism offerings. The stall was inaugurated by Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, Director Tourism & Managing Director GTDC, Parag Rangnekar, Member of the Goa Tourism Board, Jack Sukheeja, President-elect of TTAG, Ralph Desouza, Chairman of Desouza Group of Hotels, Mark Mendes, Member of the Goa Tourism Board, Carlos Desouza, Convenor of CII, Deepak Narvekar, and Deputy General Manager of GTDC, alongside other esteemed dignitaries.

Following the inauguration, attendees were treated to a thought-provoking knowledge-sharing session by Travel Trends with a focus on Regenerative Tourism, exploring the evolving landscape of tourism in Goa. This session provided valuable insights into emerging trends and strategies for driving Goa’s tourism industry forward.

The highlight of the day was the keynote address by Anchipaka, shedding light on the topic of Regenerative Tourism. With a focus on sustainability and responsible travel practices, he outlined Goa’s vision for a tourism sector that not only thrives but also preserves the state’s natural and cultural heritage for future generations.

“With a steadfast focus on sustainability and responsible travel practices, we envision a tourism sector that is not just economically prosperous but also environmentally and socially conscious. Our commitment to Regenerative Tourism goes beyond mere preservation; it encompasses a holistic approach that seeks to regenerate and rejuvenate our ecosystems, communities, and cultural traditions. Our vision for Goa’s tourism sector is one that harmonizes with nature, respects local cultures, and fosters meaningful connections between visitors and our communities. By embracing Regenerative Tourism, we not only enhance the visitor experience but also ensure the long-term sustainability of our tourism industry.”

With a robust turnout of 65 international buyers and 80 domestic buyers, GITM 2024 has attracted a diverse array of participants from around the globe, including delegates from different parts of India, Germany, United Arab Emirates, Italy, Norway, Thailand, Czech Republic, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Zimbabwe, Finland, Nepal, Kuwait, South Africa, Spain, France, Turkey, Slovakia, Netherlands, Belgium, Russian Federation, Vietnam, Kenya, Oman, Bahrain, Hungary, Australia, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Singapore, and more.

As the curtains close on the first day of GITM 2024, anticipation mounts for the 2nd day ahead, filled with more enriching sessions, productive engagements, and exciting opportunities to shape the future of tourism in Goa and beyond.