Tag Archives: Bhutan

Travomint renews agreement with ITQ

Travomint has renewed its agreement with ITQ-Travelport’s distributor for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bhutan.

This reinforced partnership will enable Travomint to leverage Travelport’s advanced travel technology solutions to further solidify its presence as a leading travel-tech company in the OTA market.

Travelport, working in collaboration with its distributor ITQ, will provide Travomint access to its extensive travel content and technology solutions. This includes real-time access to hundreds of airlines, featuring the merchandised content of over half of these carriers along with multiple automation tools.

With this partnership, Travomint will be able to offer a broader selection of flights and other travel services. As the exclusive distributor of Travelport in India, ITQ provides unparalleled access to a wide range of travel inventories, making the travel booking and agency management process more efficient and seamless.

Alok K Singh, Co-founder and CEO, Travomint, said, “We are excited to join hands with ITQ, a pioneer in travel technology. This partnership aligns with our goal to provide our customers with top-tier travel experiences that are both convenient and reliable. By integrating ITQ’s cutting-edge solutions into our platform, we are confident that Travomint will continue to lead the industry in innovation and customer satisfaction.”

Anoop Tewari, Chief Commercial Officer at ITQ, added, “We are delighted to strengthen our collaboration with Travomint, a forward-thinking leader in travel market. Through this renewed partnership, we are committed to delivering innovative travel technology solutions that empower Travomint to provide a seamless and enriched booking experience for their customers, ensuring they stay at the forefront of the industry and meet the evolving needs of today’s travelers. Together, we are committed to enhancing the global travel ecosystem by delivering innovation and excellence.”

Bagdogra can now host international flights without MoCA approval

The inclusion of Bagdogra Airport in the list of India’s “point-of-call” (PoC) airports marks a significant milestone for international connectivity in North Bengal.

This designation allows Bagdogra to host international flights without requiring prior approval from the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), making it easier for airlines to operate directly from the airport.

This development is particularly important because Bagdogra, located just 14 km from Siliguri, serves as a key gateway to the region. With around 60 daily flight movements and approximately 8,000 passengers passing through the airport each day, the addition of more international connections could significantly boost tourism and business in the area.

Currently, Druk Airways is the only international airline operating at Bagdogra, with a route connecting Paro and Bangkok, which includes a stopover at Bagdogra. With the airport’s new status, more international airlines could be attracted to operate flights, enhancing the region’s connectivity to the rest of the world.

The announcement of Bagdogra’s elevation as a PoC airport was made by Murlidhar Mohol, the Minister of State for Civil Aviation, in the Rajya Sabha.

Mohol also emphasised the need for infrastructure expansion at the airport and suggested that the Bengal government reconsider its decision to impose a 12.5% VAT on air turbine fuel (ATF) at Bagdogra, which could impact the cost and availability of flights.

Bhutan’s Pemako Hotels partners with BRANDit for expanding India presence

Pemako, a Bhutanese luxury hotel brand, has partnered with BRANDit to strengthen its presence in the Indian market by introducing its unique and transformative experiences to discerning Indian travellers through tailored sales and PR strategies.

Pemako’s two properties in Bhutan the flagship Punakha property and one in Thimphu—offer profound experiences where individuality, space, and time converge in retreats that promise renewal, rejuvenation, and awe. BRANDit, in partnership with Pemako, will help cultivate existing relationships with the travel trade and media to showcase the rich experiences of Pemako to the Indian market.
This partnership will broaden Pemako’s presence in the Indian market, leveraging BRANDit’s expertise in the region to implement targeted sales and PR strategies that maximize Pemako’s potential in India.

Vishal Pradhan, Operations & Marketing Manager of Pemako, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, “We are thrilled to collaborate with BRANDit, a renowned tourism marketing expert in India, who possesses an in-depth understanding of the country’s travel industry dynamics, surpassing most others. Their exceptional relationships with trade and media partners will be instrumental in driving growth across various traveller segments. As outbound travel continues to surge, our partnership with BRANDit will significantly enhance our presence in the Indian market.”

Lubaina Sheerazi, CEO & Co-founder of BRANDit, commented, “We are delighted to partner with Pemako, a brand that beautifully embodies the essence of Bhutanese culture, and offers transformative experiences that showcase the country’s rich heritage. Leveraging our extensive expertise and profound understanding of the Indian outbound market, we are confident in driving impactful strategies that will captivate the sophisticated Indian traveller, aligning perfectly with Pemako’s unique value proposition.”

This alliance also marks a significant step in establishing BRANDit’s expertise in managing portfolios in the hospitality segment. “It is an exciting time for us as we foster a new alliance with Pemako, a brand that embodies the essence of the Himalayan sanctuary. With our strategic insights and marketing acumen, we aim to create a lasting impact in the Indian market,” added Sheerazi.

Postcard Travel Club partners with RARE India to enhance luxury travel experience

Postcard Travel Club, an inclusive community of conscious luxury travellers, travel designers, storytellers, and boutique properties that collectively advance responsible tourism, has formed a strategic alliance with RARE India, a collection of boutique hotels, wildlife lodges, and retreats across India, Bhutan, and Nepal.

This partnership unites two pioneers advancing responsible tourism, and is further enhancing their commitment to environmental sustainability and community engagement through more conscious travel practices.

Commenting on the collaboration, Amit Jaipura, Founder and CEO at Postcard Travel Club, said, “Postcard Travel Club is delighted to announce a new alliance with RARE India as we look to advance our purpose of bringing together all stakeholders advancing conscious luxury travel. This collaboration has proved to be a major milestone for the forward journey of Postcard and has enabled us to reach one step closer to our goal of on boarding 500+ partners in 50+ countries by the end of 2024.”

“RARE and the community is about authentic destination stories, always believing that tourism at its best should build the destination and benefit the community. With this collaboration, we further aim to spread awareness and belief in responsible tourism,” added Shoba Rudra, Founder Partner at RARE India.

Together, Postcard Travel Club and RARE India aim to redefine conscious luxury travel by promoting boutique properties that prioritise the planet and its people, ensuring that every journey leaves a positive impact. This partnership allows Postcard members to experience the transformative power of conscious luxury travel that is being promoted by the properties represented by RARE India.

Publishing the property profiles and the unique experiences on the Postcard platform as part of the collaboration, the brand has on boarded over 90 properties spanning 19 Indian states under the RARE India collective. Every RARE property actively contributes to planet-sensitive endeavours, embracing practices such as reducing single-use plastic, ensuring responsible garbage disposal, conserving water and energy, and safeguarding the intricate tapestry of nature and biological diversity.

Postcard Travel Club also launched “Postcard Search Engine”, a unique interests-based search engine last month that helps conscious luxury travellers find immersive experiences and boutique properties that match their personal interests and values.

 

Bhutan lifts requirement for travel insurance

Bhutan has recently made a significant change in its tourism policy by lifting the mandatory requirement of travel insurance for tourists. This requirement, initially introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to address unforeseen emergencies, including medical expenses related to the pandemic, has been removed.

The Department of Tourism Bhutan announced this decision in a notification dated April 23, 2024. The move aims to streamline travel procedures for tourists visiting the country.

While the mandatory requirement of travel insurance is no longer in place for visa processing, tourists are still encouraged to possess travel insurance as a precautionary measure in case of any unexpected emergencies associated with international travel. This recommendation underscores the importance of being prepared for unforeseen circumstances despite the policy change.

MakeMyTrip introduces charter services from Mumbai to Bhutan

MakeMyTrip has unveiled exclusive charter service connecting Mumbai to Bhutan as part of its holiday packages offering.

Bhutan, renowned for its rich cultural heritage and awe-inspiring landscapes, consistently ranks among the top international destinations for Indian travellers. In fact, it is one of the five most searched emerging destinations on the MakeMyTrip platform, witnessing an impressive 200%+ year-on-year growth.

With its latest offering, MakeMyTrip bridges the connectivity gap and ensures seamless travel from the outset. Travelers can embark on spiritual excursions, brewery tours, and explorations of hidden gems, all while experiencing Bhutanese traditions in their purest form.

Jasmeet Singh, Senior Vice President, Holidays & Experience, MakeMyTrip, said, “The appeal of Bhutan continues to captivate travellers from across India. Our unwavering commitment to unique and immersive experiences strengthens our decade-long association with the country. We collaborate closely with key stakeholders in ground transportation, hospitality, and tourism to curate offerings as we continue to deepen our ties with the land of happiness.”

With over a decade’s experience in curating charter trips, this latest offering in part of about ten such curations by the company. The Bhutan exclusive charter will depart once a week and the package includes direct return charter flights to Paro (4 Hours Flight from Mumbai on Druk Air, accommodation at iconic properties, airport transfers, Must Do Sight-seeing, Curated Bhutanese Experiences, Meals (Breakfast & Dinner) travel insurance, local SIM cards, 24/7 guest service support from Bhutan & India office, and much more. The 7N/8D exclusive charter package is available April 27th onwards with prices starting from INR 59,990 per person.