Tag Archives: Clinches

Goa Tourism Clinches ‘Destination of the Year’ at PATWA Travel Award, ITB Berlin 2024

Goa Tourism has made a mark on the international stage at ITB Berlin 2024, clinching the “Destination of the Year” award for its captivating cultural heritage and hospitality. This recognition at the PATWA Travel Award Ceremony underscores Goa’s allure to global travellers.

Rohan A. Khaunte, Goa’s Tourism Minister, also received the “Tourism Minister of the Year” award, celebrating his efforts in fostering sustainable tourism and contributing to Goa’s development.

Sanjeev Ahuja, IAS, Secretary Tourism of Goa, received the awards in Berlin, expressing appreciation for the global recognition and reaffirming Goa’s dedication to sustainable and regenerative tourism. This approach includes pioneering initiatives in Regenerative and Spiritual Tourism, aimed at enriching Goa’s natural and cultural offerings for a holistic visitor experience.

The Department of Tourism is committed to enhancing Goa’s appeal as a top global destination through sustainable practices, ensuring a memorable experience for visitors.

Vistara Clinches Coveted ‘Ch-Aviation World’s 4th Youngest Aircraft Fleet Award 2024’

Also receives ‘ch-aviation Asia’s 2nd Youngest Aircraft Fleet Award 2024’

Vistara, the full-service carrier in India and a collaborative venture between the Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, has achieved two prestigious awards at the ‘ch-aviation Youngest Aircraft Fleet Awards 2024.’ These awards include the “ch-aviation World’s 4th Youngest Aircraft Fleet Award 2024” and the “ch-aviation Asia’s 2nd Youngest Aircraft Fleet Award 2024.”

It is noteworthy that Vistara has consistently earned recognition for possessing the third youngest aircraft fleet in Asia over the past two years. The awards are determined by ch-aviation, a Switzerland-based airline intelligence provider and research company, renowned for maintaining extensive databases of aircraft, their operators, and owners globally.

Vinod Kannan, Chief Executive Officer, Vistara, said, “We are delighted to receive these accolades at the ch-aviation Youngest Aircraft Fleet Awards 2024 – securing a position in the World’s Top Five for the first time and advancing to the second position in Asia. They are an acknowledgement of our continued investment in maintaining a young and modern fleet with the objective of keeping our CO2 emissions at their lowest. We thank ch-aviation for recognizing our efforts.

Thomas Jaeger, CEO, ch-aviation, said “ch-aviation established the Youngest Aircraft Fleet Award to revere airlines worldwide who understand the value and necessity of investing in their fleets, introducing new-generation aircraft that considerably reduce CO2 emissions in the aviation industry and improve fuel economy. Sustainability represents a significant challenge and will continue to require giant leaps forward for the aviation industry. Hence, ch-aviation has decided to honour them with this award that celebrates their effort. It is essential to say that this Award is entirely based on non-manipulable fleet data. There is no jury or any other subjective parameter involved.”

Vistara’s current fleet, with an average age of 2.94 years, consists of A320NEO, A321NEO, and B787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, all powered by cutting-edge technologies and advanced systems that result in reduction in engine noise as well as nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide emissions.

In March 2023, Vistara achieved an important milestone of operating a wide-body aircraft for a long-haul international flight using a 30% SAF blend, reducing 150,000 pounds of CO2 emissions. Extending this success, Vistara also operated a commercial domestic flight on a wide-body aircraft using SAF, another industry-first initiative. This flight, utilizing a blend of 17% SAF and 83% conventional jet fuel, resulted in a reduction of approximately 10,000 pounds of CO₂ emissions. Vistara also became the first airline in India to implement Aerowash, an automated aircraft exterior washing and cleaning solution. Furthermore, Vistara deployed SITA eWAS and SITA OptiClimb® solutions for optimising flight planning and operations, aiming for a yearly reduction of 15,000 tons of carbon emissions.