Monthly Archives: October 2024

Vietjet Becomes First Airline to Operate Flights with Sustainable Aviation Fuel, Partnering with Petrolimex Aviation

 

VietJet, Vietnam’s new-age carrier, has become the first airline in the country to operate flights using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through its partnership with Petrolimex Aviation. The airline successfully completed two SAF-powered flights, one to Melbourne, Australia, and the other to Seoul, South Korea. These inaugural flights mark a significant achievement for both VietJet and the Vietnamese aviation industry in their efforts to embrace environmentally sustainable practices.

Sustainable aviation fuel, produced from renewable feedstocks such as used cooking oil, agricultural byproducts, and municipal waste, can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional fossil fuels. SAF meets stringent international aviation standards and is safely used in commercial flight operations. This milestone underscores VietJet’s leadership in promoting eco-friendly air travel and fostering sustainable growth within the aviation sector.

Dinh Viet Phuong, CEO, VietJet, emphasised the importance of these SAF-powered flights, calling them a symbol of green, eco-conscious air travel. He highlighted the airline’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and ensuring a more sustainable future for aviation. The airline has partnered with international organisations to further develop and supply SAF, in line with Vietnam’s pledge at COP26 to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

This achievement is part of VietJet’s broader sustainability strategy, which began over a decade ago. The airline has taken several initiatives to reduce its environmental impact, including switching to electronic tickets, using recyclable materials onboard, and implementing fuel-saving programs. VietJet remains committed to environmental protection, as evidenced by its comprehensive ESG sustainability report and its ongoing efforts to contribute to Vietnam’s green growth strategy and emission reduction targets.

Visa, Tripadvisor unveil ‘International Travelers’ Pick 2024’ for hotels & restaurants in India

Visa announced the International Travelers’ Pick 2024 in association with Tripadvisor at the 54th Annual Convention of the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI).

The curated list showcases and commemorates the top-rated hotel and restaurants for and by travellers visiting India.

In the presence of Dr. Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Government of India, unveiled Visa and Tripadvisor’s International Travelers’ Pick 2024.

Commenting on the initiative, Shekhawat said, “Pleased to launch the Visa-Tripadvisor “International Traveller’s Pick 2024” sticker at the FHRAI 54th Annual Convention in Goa yesterday. This curated list that showcases the best of hotels & restaurants for and by travelers visiting India is a commendable effort to highlight the appeal of our hospitality industry to tourists from across the world.”

Sandeep Ghosh, Group Country Manager, Visa India and South Asia shared, “Exceptional service standards of our hospitality sector are propelling India as a premier travel destination. Visa, with our partner Tripadvisor, is proud to celebrate these establishments of excellence that are creating memorable experiences for travelers and elevating India’s profile as a diverse tourist destination, reflective of our rich, eclectic culture. In our endeavour to position India as a preferred destination for global travelers, we continue to partner with the ecosystem to nurture a thriving tourism sector.”

Scott Wegener, Director Enterprise Sales APAC, Tripadvisor said, “India’s hospitality industry has long been celebrated globally for its unique fusion of tradition and modernity. The hotel properties and restaurants featured in this year’s list exemplify the finest offerings of India. As the world’s leading travel guidance platform, we are thrilled to partner with Visa to spotlight these gems.”

The International Travelers’ Pick 2024 is based on consumer travel insights from Visa and millions of reviews on Tripadvisor from international visitors. It celebrates hotels and restaurants in popular cities – New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Jaipur and Chennai – for their unmatched quality of offerings and services, cultural richness, and memorable hospitality. The list allows visitors to choose from the best experiences India has to offer, thereby boosting tourism for the local region.

Featured in The International Travelers’ Pick 2024:
• The list highlights a wide array of experiences for potential travelers based on real experiences and insights, ranging from luxurious hotels offering breathtaking views of iconic landmarks to even charming, family-run restaurants that plate up authentic Indian delicacies giving customers a genuine taste of India’s rich and varied culture.
• On the culinary front, restaurants from Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai have been recognised for their culinary excellence and diverse experimental cuisines.
As India’s tourism sector continues to evolve, these top hotels and restaurants are set to play a crucial role in shaping travelers’ experiences, ensuring they leave with lasting memories of the warmth and excellence of Indian hospitality.
You can see the full list of International Travelers’ Pick 2024, presented by Visa and Tripadvisor
leave with lasting memories of the warmth and excellence of Indian hospitality.

India may expand visa-on-arrival program

 

Tourism Minister Shekhawat announced that the ministry is working with the External Affairs Ministry to position India as a leading global travel destination by engaging with key international markets. As part of these efforts, India is exploring visa-on-arrival for top destinations and recently issued one lakh free visas on World Tourism Day to boost inbound travel.

While domestic tourism has surged post-pandemic, international arrivals remain sluggish. The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) has called on the government to increase advertising and overseas promotional campaigns to attract foreign tourists. Despite some recovery, inbound tourism is still lagging behind pre-pandemic levels.

According to a report by hospitality consulting firm Hotelivate, India welcomed 9.2 million foreign tourists in 2023, a decrease from over 10 million in 2018 and 2019. The IATO attributes this decline to insufficient budgetary support for international marketing, particularly in key markets like the UK, Canada, and the US, which are crucial for driving foreign arrivals.

Pradeep Shetty, President of the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), highlighted that around 80% of the hospitality sector remains unorganised. He projected that 50,000 to 60,000 new hotel rooms will be added in the next five years, with 88,706 branded rooms expected to be part of the pipeline by March 2024, indicating potential growth in the organised segment.

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

Biz travel to surpass pre-pandemic levels to reach a record USD1.5 trillion in 2024: WTTC

A new report from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has revealed that business travel is set to surpass pre-pandemic levels this year, faster than previously predicted, to reach a record USD1.5 trillon.

The rise of remote working during the pandemic had a disproportionate effect on corporate travel, compared to leisure travel, with virtual platforms replacing face-to-face meetings.

Last year, leisure travel was just 2.9% behind the 2019 peak, whilst business travel continued to struggle, remaining 5.4% behind.
But as business leaders re-emphasised the importance of face-to-face interaction, business travel is now back and is set to exceed 2019 levels by an impressive 6.2% to reach the new US$1.5TN record.

U.S. and China Back in Business
According to WTTC’s “2024 Economic Impact Trends Report”, business travel spending in the U.S., which accounted for 30% of the global total in 2019, is expected to reach USD 472 billion this year – 13.4% above the country’s 2019 record.

In China, the world’s second largest market for business travel, spending is forecast to grow 13.1% above 2019 to reach almost USD 211BN.

Business travel spend in Germany, the third largest, is set to reach USD87.5BN, just under 1% above the 2019 peak, while business travel in the UK and France is expected to inject a record-breaking USD84.1BN and USD42.1BN into their respective economies.

At the global tourism body’s 24th Global Summit in Perth, Western Australia, last week, Julia Simpson, President & CEO, WTTC, said, “After a challenging few years, business travel is not only back on track, but it is recovering much faster than expected, highlighting the importance of international travel for businesses around the world.

“Many business powerhouses such as the U.S., China and Germany are expected to reach record numbers this year. While virtual meetings played a crucial role during the pandemic, keeping people and businesses connected, today’s report shows that business is better face to face.”

Paul Abbott, American Express Global Business CEO, said, “Companies around the world value travel and in-person connections more than ever, since people movement was restricted during the pandemic.

“We always said travel was a force for good, driving economic and societal progress. But when travel stopped, GDP plummeted, unemployment soared, mental health issues escalated, and the world became a less tolerant place. The benefits of travel are now no longer in doubt. Companies around the world – many for the first time – are investing in managed business travel to grow their businesses and create winning cultures.”

According to the report, other factors have also contributed to the resurgence of business travel.

As economies around the world have rebounded since the pandemic, with Travel & Tourism’s global GDP contribution reaching record levels, businesses have been able to reallocate more funds towards corporate travel once again.

The growth of blended travel, whereby travellers combine business trips with personal holidays, has also enhanced the appeal of corporate travel.

The meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) industry has also made a strong comeback, resuming in-person events after a long period of cancellations and postponements.

Global T&T deal activity down by 11% YoY during Q1-Q3 2024: GlobalData

A total of 519 deals (comprising mergers and acquisitions (M&A), private equity, and venture financing deals) were announced in the travel and tourism sector globally during January to September (Q1-Q3) 2024, which was a year-on-year (YoY) decline of 11% over 583 deals announced during the same period in the previous year, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

An analysis of GlobalData’s Deals Database also revealed that the volume of M&A deals decreased by 6.8% during Q1-Q3 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, while the number of venture financing deals was down by 25.2% YoY. Meanwhile, private equity deals volume remained unchanged.

Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, said, “The decline in global travel and tourism deal activity was mostly driven by a significant fall in deals volume in some regions and countries, while deal activity remained relatively better for some other regions and countries. In fact, some regions and countries even showcased double-digit growth in deal volume, which seems to be an indication of improving deal-making sentiments.”

North America, Asia-Pacific, and South and Central American regions experienced decline in deal volume by 36%, 7.7%, and 20% during Q1-Q3 2024 compared to Q1-Q3 2023. In contrast, Europe registered 10.3% YoY improvement in deal activity. Meanwhile, deal volume for the Middle East and African region mostly remained at the same level.

Similarly, the trend across different countries also remained a mixed bag. The US, China, and France witnessed YoY decline in deal volume by 36.3%, 38.5%, and 42.9%, respectively, during Q1-Q3 2024, whereas India and Japan experienced respective deal volume improve by 24.3% and 38.1% YoY. Meanwhile, deal volume for the UK, South Korea, and Australia mostly remained at the same level.

Bengaluru Airport, Sarla Aviation launch eVTOL

 

Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) and Sarla Aviation have entered into a groundbreaking partnership to revolutionise urban air mobility in Bengaluru. The collaboration aims to introduce electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, significantly reducing travel time to the airport. Sarla Aviation has announced that the typical 1.5-hour journey to Kempegowda International Airport could soon be completed in just five minutes, thanks to its seven-seater electric-powered eVTOL aircraft.

The eVTOL, designed for short urban flights, represents a sustainable and efficient alternative to traditional ground transportation. Equipped with advanced technology, including four double-isolated battery packs powering seven electric motors, the aircraft can reach speeds of up to 250 km/h. It is capable of making multiple trips of up to 40 kilometers with just 15 minutes of charging in between, offering a rapid, eco-friendly solution to Bengaluru’s notorious traffic congestion.

Adrian Schmidt, CEO, Sarla Aviation highlighted the significance of this partnership, noting that the collaboration with BIAL will make Bengaluru India’s first eVTOL-friendly airport. This initiative not only addresses urban traffic challenges but also represents a leap towards cleaner and more efficient air mobility. Schmidt expressed excitement over the airport’s leadership in driving sustainability and innovation in aviation.

In addition to this partnership, Sarla Aviation is engaging with India’s aviation authorities, including the Civil Aviation Ministry and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), to advance the nation’s leadership in Urban Air Mobility. The company is working towards the creation of a Bharat-centric eVTOL policy, aiming to ensure smooth regulatory pathways for introducing advanced air mobility solutions across India.