Author Archives: TBM Staff - Mumbai

Manoharan Periasamy takes over as Director General of Malaysia Tourism

 

Former India Director of Tourism Malaysia, Manoharan Periasamy has taken over as Director General of the tourism promotion agency, effective today.

In his immediate past role, he served as Senior Director for International Promotion (Asia & Africa) at Tourism Malaysia.

He is the first Malaysian-Indian to be appointed as the DG for Tourism Malaysia. He has served three consecutive terms as Director of Tourism Malaysia for India, and was instrumental in setting up the first NTO office in Mumbai way back in 2001.

Malaysia’s tourism landscape is set to embrace a new chapter with Periasamy taking over as Director General of Tourism Malaysia. He carries with him a wealth of experience and a proven track record in tourism promotion to amplify Malaysia’s appeal as a global travel destination.

With a focus on showcasing Malaysia’s unique offerings and leveraging international partnerships, Periasamy’s leadership is expected to catalyse a significant uptick in tourism performance, contributing substantially to the nation’s economy.

Periasamy’s vision for Tourism Malaysia encompasses not just a revival of the sector but a robust transformation aimed at sustainable growth. A notable strategy already under his belt is the emphasis on airline route development and partnerships.

PM Modi Inaugurates India’s Longest Cable-Stayed Bridge in Gujarat

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the ‘Sudarshan Setu’ today, which stands as India’s longest cable-stayed bridge, spanning 2.32 km to connect Okha and Beyt in Dwarka, Gujarat. This significant infrastructure project, costing INR 978 crore, holds great importance for residents and pilgrims alike, offering improved access to the revered Dwarkadhish temple.

Accompanied by Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the bridge’s inauguration as a pivotal moment for Gujarat’s development. The Sudarshan Setu not only enhances connectivity between Okha mainland and Beyt Dwarka but also showcases innovative features like solar panels on its footpath generating one megawatt of electricity.

Initiated by Prime Minister Modi in October 2017, the Sudarshan Setu symbolises a blend of tradition and modernity, with verses from the Bhagavad Gita and images of Lord Krishna adorning its footpath.

Prior to its construction, pilgrims had to rely on boat transport to reach the Dwarkadhish Temple in Beyt, Dwarka, making this bridge a transformative addition that not only facilitates travel but also serves as a cultural and architectural landmark for tourists.

Scoot, Embraer Partner on Collaborative Inventory Planning Solution

 

Embraer will offer support for its upcoming fleet of E190-E2 jets. The airline is scheduled to receive nine of these aircraft from Embraer following an order placed in May 2023 and has now included the Brazilian manufacturer’s management services in their partnership.

The Embraer Collaborative Inventory Planning service is a customized expendable spare parts management program that optimises inventory levels for customers, aiming to reduce operational costs.

Ng Chee Keon, CFO of Scoot, stated, “Our ongoing collaboration with Embraer underscores our dedication to achieving peak performance with the new E190-E2 fleet. As we look forward to the arrival of our first Embraer jet in the near future, this strategic arrangement will help ensure operational efficiency.”

Pratt & Whitney to source USD 150 million annually from India by 2030

 

Pratt & Whitney intends to significantly increase its sourcing from India, targeting approximately USD 150 million worth of products per annum by 2030. Over the past ten years, the company has already procured around USD 55 million in goods from India. Since the early 2000s, Pratt & Whitney has invested heavily in India, having sourced over USD 500 million in engineering services within the same timeframe.

Ashmita Sethi, President and Country Head of Pratt & Whitney India, explained that the expansion of sourcing in India would enable them to better address their stringent safety, quality, scheduling, and cost requirements. Currently, Pratt & Whitney’s engines and auxiliary power units (APUs) equip more than 400 civilian aircraft and almost 90 military planes in India.

To facilitate this growth, Pratt & Whitney has established numerous training, engineering, and digital facilities in India. They have invested over USD 40 million in engineering and supply chain operations centers alone during the previous two years. Recently, Pratt & Whitney India inaugurated its ‘Digital Capability Center’ (IDCC) in Bengaluru, which is anticipated to boost innovation and drive digital and business transformation for Pratt & Whitney facilities worldwide.

Regarding the potential establishment of an aircraft engine Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India, Sethi expressed openness to considering the idea if there is a solid business case, favorable labor conditions, and ease of importing required components.

Pratt & Whitney is currently addressing issues related to its Geared Turbo Fan (GTF) engines, which led to IndiGo grounding nearly 35 aircraft and Go First entering bankruptcy protection. To mitigate the effects on customer fleets and operations, Pratt & Whitney is increasing its investment to add more maintenance, repair, and overhaul sites globally, with three additional locations coming online by 2025.

Globally, Pratt & Whitney remains dedicated to supporting its customers by enhancing capacity and bringing more shops online to accommodate increased demand.

Amadeus Joins Forces with IGLTA to Champion Inclusive Travel

 

Amadeus has joined forces with the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) to further its commitment to inclusivity and support for the LGBTQ+ community.

IGLTA warmly welcomes Amadeus, recognising their dedication to creating seamless and welcoming travel experiences for everyone. “Their global influence is invaluable to our community, and we’re excited to explore collaborative opportunities that advance LGBTQ+ tourism on a global scale,” said John Tanzella, IGLTA President/CEO.

Amadeus boasts a strong track record of inclusivity, including endorsing the UN Standards of Conduct for Business and supporting organisations like REDI, Spain’s first LGBTQ+ equality network.

Shalini Nair Kumar, Head of People and Culture, APAC at Amadeus, emphasises the company’s commitment to fostering a diverse and welcoming environment. “We go beyond internal initiatives like employee resource groups and skilling programs,” she adds, “by developing technologies and services that cater to the diverse needs of all travelers, including the LGBTQ+ community.”

Amadeus’ membership in IGLTA opens doors to collaboration and further innovation in inclusive travel solutions. This aligns with their continuous efforts to make travel accessible and enjoyable for everyone, as Till Streichert, CFO and executive sponsor of Amadeus Proud, states: “For years, supporting the LGBTQ+ community has been a priority for Amadeus. Joining IGLTA strengthens our commitment to creating a more inclusive world where everyone feels welcome.”

VITS Hotels Launches ‘VITS Passport’ Loyalty Program for Guests

 

VITS Hotels has recently launched its loyalty program, VITS Passport, which sets a new standard as the first loyalty program introduced by a 3/4-star hotel chain, offering exclusive benefits to its esteemed members.

VITS Passport is designed to enhance the guest experience, providing exclusive privileges and rewards to loyal patrons. Members can enjoy a range of advantages, including special room rates, complimentary upgrades, priority check-in/check-out, and access to members-only discounts. This innovative loyalty program aims to strengthen the connection between VITS Hotels and Resorts and its valued guests, recognising and rewarding their loyalty in a unique way.

Vikram Kamat, Founder and CMD of Vitskamats Group, said that VITS has always been committed to redefining hospitality, and the introduction of VITS Passport is a testament to their dedication to providing exceptional experiences to guests. VITS is thrilled to be the pioneers in the 3/4 star hotel segment to offer a loyalty program of this caliber. VITS Passport reflects their gratitude to patrons and their commitment to making their stay truly memorable.

VITS Passport’s tiered structure adds an extra layer of excitement, enabling members to unlock progressively more benefits as they ascend through various membership levels.

Additionally, a first-of-its-kind membership program is exclusively available for members, where they earn 100% cashback in their wallet by pre-buying fixed nights through two membership plans: Prime and Select. This cashback money can be utilised for purchasing further offers, rewards, and privileges.