Author: Prasenjit Chakraborty - Mumbai
Global Destinations has partnered with Sapporo City and All Nippon Airways (ANA) to promote Sapporo, Hokkaido, as a top choice for Indian tourists. This comes amid rising interest in Japan among Indian travellers. Renowned for its natural beauty, culture, and snow, Sapporo offers attractions like snow festivals, gourmet cuisine, and scenic landscapes. The collaboration aims to showcase the city’s unique experiences to Indian visitors. In this direction, Global Destinations recently hosted an event in Mumbai, attended by prominent travel agents, to promote Sapporo City. Speaking to TravelBiz Monitor on the sidelines of the event, Aoyama Tomonori, Director General for Tourism…
The Travel Agents Federation (TAFI) has selected Vietnam as the host destination for its 2025 Convention. The Ninh Binh Province will see congregation of Indian travel trade for this showcase. Brimming with excitement, TAFI President Ajay Prakash is happy to offer the association members an opportunity to explore a newer Asian destination from January 17 to 20. Talking to TravelBiz Monitor, Prakash stated that the convention will be a three-night event (January 17–19) with the theme Tourism for Tomorrow: Protecting the Planet. He mentioned that Vietnam is one of the countries that appear to be serious about sustainable tourism. “The…
Intrepid Travel, a global leader in adventure travel, has announced the hiring of 15 female tour leaders in India this year, bringing its female representation in the country to 40%, with 32 women leaders. This initiative aligns with Intrepid India’s mission to promote workforce diversity, empower women in the travel industry, and advance gender equality. Female tour leaders provide unique perspectives and enrich cultural exchanges between travellers and local communities. Headquartered in Australia, Intrepid Travel offers sustainable, immersive experiences across all seven continents. With India’s adventure tourism market projected to surpass $2 billion by 2028, the country is emerging as…
Switzerland-based Schilthorn Cableway Ltd, which operates Schilthorn Piz Gloria, is very optimistic about the Indian market, as India is experiencing a rising middle class and an increase in disposable income. “India has become a very important market for us,” said Alan Ramsay, Head of Markets at Schilthorn Cableway Ltd, during a recent visit to Mumbai while speaking with TravelBiz Monitor. Schilthorn Piz Gloria is a stunning mountain peak in the Bernese Alps of Switzerland, renowned for its breathtaking panoramic views and its iconic revolving restaurant. Located in the Bernese Oberland, it stands approximately 2,970 meters (9,740 feet) above sea level.…
VFS Global has partnered with Bintan Resorts to boost its presence in the Indian market. Located less than an hour by ferry from Singapore, the Indonesian island of Bintan has the potential to become a sought-after destination for Indian travellers seeking for a peaceful escape from overtourism. Prasenjit Chakraborty/Indonesia Incredible, Impressive, and Inconceivable are three words that aptly describe Bintan Resorts. Although situated in the Riau Archipelago of Indonesia, it is just a 55-minute ferry ride from Singapore. This proximity makes Singapore a favoured getaway for Indian travellers wishing to visit Bintan Resorts. To attract more tourists from the Indian…
At the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) national elections held today in Mumbai at ITC Maratha, Sunil Kumar has been elected as President for the 2024-26 term, with Lokesh Bettaiah joining him as Vice President. Kumar secured 306 votes to win the elections. Shreeram Patel will now be the Honorary Secretary, and Paras Lakhia has been named as Honorary Treasurer. The other two contenders for the President’s post were former President, Jyoti Mayal (177 votes) and Harmandeep Singh Anand (286 votes). The newly-elected Managing Committee members are P Lalith Kumar Jain, Hema RV Chander, Sameer Karnani, Rajan Sehgal, Manav…
The Thai Consulate in Mumbai and the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT) organised an event “Promoting Peace Through Tourism” on September 21 in Mumbai. The event witnessed the presence of consuls general and eminent personalities from the travel trade. It highlighted how tourism can be a harbinger of peace in the world. Additionally, it showcased Thai cuisine and offered many fun activities, including a lucky draw for a round-trip ticket to Thailand. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) also played an important role to make the occasion a grand success. Speaking on the occasion, Donnawit Poolsawat, Consul General…
During the pandemic, Jyoti Mayal, President, TAAI, emerged as a powerful advocate, tirelessly working for refunds and the resumption of flights. She collaborated closely with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and international airlines to facilitate the reopening of flights and borders, all while ensuring essential health protocols were implemented. Additionally, she played a crucial role in reintegrating airlines into the Global Distribution System (GDS), enhancing accessibility and affordability for both travel agents and customers. Beyond her efforts to restore industry operations, Mayal is a dedicated champion of gender-sensitive tourism, prioritizing the safety and comfort of female travellers. Her advocacy has…
Hosts three-city roadshow across Mumbai, Delhi & Hyderabad The Iran Tourism Board recently made its first foray in India with its roadshows in Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad which attracted a healthy crowd. The main objective was to enhance tourism relations between India and Iran. By interacting with Indian travel agents and tourism professionals, the board sought to forge strong business ties and promote Iran as a premier travel destination. The delegation was headed by Aliasghar Shalbafian Hosseinabadi, the Deputy of Tourism at the Iran Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Ministry. Speaking exclusively to TravelBiz Monitor on the sidelines of the…
Sharjah, one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is quickly becoming a top tourism hotspot. To attract more visitors from India, the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) recently hosted a roadshow in Mumbai, which saw strong participation from the city’s travel trade sector. At the event, Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA, highlighted Sharjah’s progress and its expanding range of attractions. “We are making significant advances, particularly in adventure tourism and eco-tourism, which is increasingly popular globally,” Midfa remarked. One of Sharjah’s latest highlights is the Hanging Garden, featuring expansive green areas, flower-adorned…
