Author Archives: TBM Staff - Mumbai

ATOAI recognises excellence in adventure tourism

The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) hosted the ATOAI Awards 2024, a premier event recognising top achievements in adventure tourism, at its ongoing Convention in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh.

These awards highlight leaders who are setting benchmarks and fostering sustainable practices in the sector in categories like Excellence in Adventure Tourism Practices, Pathfinder, Champion of Sustainability, and Trailblazer.

Special recognition was also given to women entrepreneurs in adventure tourism and those promoting responsible practices, emphasising the industry’s commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship.

The ATOAI Awards aim to celebrate the contributions of visionaries and pioneers who propel adventure tourism forward. Each category applauds dedication to sustainability, unique approaches, and transformative advancements that are shaping the future of Indian adventure tourism.

Award Winners List

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ATOAI Convention advocates Sustainable Tourism development in India’s border areas

The 16th ATOAI (Adventure Tour Operators Association of India) Convention commenced today in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, focusing on the theme of sustainable tourism development in India’s border regions.

Ajeet Bajaj, President, ATOAI; Lt Gen Rakesh Kapoor, Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (DCOAS) for Information Systems and Coordination (IS & C) of the Indian Army; Pema Khandu, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh; Pasang Dorjee Sona, Tourism Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, and Capt. Swadesh Kumar, Founding President, ATOAI, addressed the gathering.

Senior delegates at the convention emphasized the need for responsible tourism practices that safeguard the ecological integrity of these sensitive areas while fostering economic growth and job creation.

Among the notable speakers, Lt. Gen. Rakesh Kapoor highlighted the dual importance of showcasing the pristine beauty of border areas to the world and empowering local communities through infrastructure and employment opportunities. However, he cautioned that development must avoid the pitfalls of overtourism and adhere to eco-conscious practices.

Keynote speaker Rohit Kapur, MD of Arthur D Little, shared his insights on “Adventure Tourism, The Broader Footprint,” addressing the potential and challenges of adventure tourism in India.

The convention underscores the growing recognition of sustainable tourism as a critical component of development in border regions, with a balanced focus on ecological preservation and community upliftment.

Jumeirah unveils 2 hotels in Africa

 

Jumeirah has unveiled its first ventures in Africa with two luxurious destinations: Jumeirah Thanda Island in Tanzania and Jumeirah Thanda Safari in South Africa. Situated in the pristine Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve, Jumeirah Thanda Island epitomises exclusive-use luxury with its private villa, Swahili Bandas, and unforgettable experiences like swimming with whale sharks and sailing on traditional Dhows. Meanwhile, Jumeirah Thanda Safari promises adventure in one of South Africa’s most exclusive Big Five private reserves, blending opulent accommodations with untamed wilderness.

The island retreat combines barefoot luxury with environmental stewardship, featuring coral reef restoration projects and endangered sea turtle protection. Its culinary offerings reflect a commitment to local ingredients and bespoke dining experiences. At Jumeirah Thanda Safari, conservation efforts like Project Rhino KZN and cultural immersion programs highlight Jumeirah’s dedication to preserving local heritage while offering guests intimate connections with the African wilderness.

Both destinations showcase Jumeirah’s ethos of sustainability and meaningful travel. From Zulu-inspired cultural programs to advanced marine conservation efforts, Jumeirah’s African expansion blends opulence with purpose. Guests can expect breathtaking landscapes, rich wildlife encounters, and tailored experiences that redefine luxury.

With bookings opening December 2024, Jumeirah invites travellers to explore these African paradises, where nature, culture, and luxury coexist seamlessly.

Pickyourtrail unveils ‘FLUID’ corporate travel solution

 

India’s leading international holiday brand has introduced FLUID, a groundbreaking digital solution designed to transform corporate travel. FLUID addresses key pain points like digitising travel expenses, expediting approvals, and focusing on the growing b-leisure trend. Powered by proprietary Gen-AI technology, the platform streamlines bookings to just 2.5 minutes, cutting down traditional processes that could take up to 72 hours. FLUID supports both employee and guest bookings, reducing approval times by 95% and ensuring strict compliance with corporate travel policies and budgets.

The corporate travel landscape is evolving, with India witnessing an 18.3% growth projection for 2024, according to the Global Business Travel Association. FLUID is positioned to tackle complexities heightened by b-leisure, remote work, and team-building trends. Hari Ganapathy, Co-Founder of Pickyourtrail, highlights, “FLUID simplifies travel management, saving costs and enabling corporations to focus on their core business while fostering team connections.”

FLUID’s robust automation ensures 96% of bookings are processed seamlessly and achieves 100% GST compliance, making invoicing hassle-free. Trusted by over 30 corporates in sectors like SaaS, manufacturing, and pharma, the platform delivers cost savings of up to 27%, empowering businesses to optimise travel budgets efficiently.

With 50,000 successful trips to date, FLUID is setting a new standard in business travel management, streamlining processes while addressing the changing needs of modern corporations.

The airline industry has been witnessing mergers since margins are wafer thin.

Korean Air set to finalise Asiana Airlines acquisition next week

Korean Air is preparing to complete its long-awaited acquisition of a controlling stake in Asiana Airlines next week, finalising a merger between South Korea’s two leading carriers that has been under negotiation for four years.

The airline will invest approximately 1.5 trillion won (USD 1.07 billion) through a third-party share issuance by Asiana Airlines. This move will secure Korean Air a 63.9% stake, amounting to 131.57 million new shares, effectively making Asiana its subsidiary.

The merger was initially announced in November 2020 and has since received approvals from 13 of 14 international competition authorities. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is the only pending review. If the DOJ does not file objections by December 11, the merger will automatically gain approval under U.S. law.

Korean Air has collaborated extensively with regulators, including those from the European Union and the U.S., to address antitrust concerns. This merger is expected to strengthen the competitiveness of South Korea’s aviation sector in the global market.

Vietjet Thailand to launch new Mumbai–Bangkok flights from Dec 23

Expanding its presence in India, Vietjet Thailand is set to commence flights on the Mumbai – Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) route from December 23, 2024.

In the early stage, the service between Mumbai and Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) will be operated with a daily flight; flight VZ761 will depart Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) at 00:45 AM and arrive in Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi: BKK) at 06:25 AM. The return flight VZ760 will depart Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) at 08:45 PM and land in Mumbai at 11:50 PM (all in local time).

Passengers can book the flight tickets with variety of add-on services such as delicious hot meals, premium seats, etc. as well as study ticket terms and conditions online at www.vietjetair.com.