Tag Archives: launches

Goa launches LetsGoa portal to revolutionise tourism with seamless digital experience

 

In a significant step towards transforming Goa’s tourism landscape, Chief Minister, Dr. Pramod Sawant and Minister for Tourism, Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Printing & Stationery, Rohan A. Khaunte launched LetsGoa, an innovative digital platform designed to provide seamless travel experiences for tourists and locals.

The launch ceremony, held at Mantralaya, Porvorim, was attended by key dignitaries, including Chief Secretary, Dr. V Candavelou, IAS, Director of Tourism, Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, Milind Sakhardande, Joint Director for IT, and other senior officials.
LetsGoa, Tourism Experience Platform (TEP) is a transformative platform for tourists, locals, and the tourism sector, including hoteliers, travel agencies, service providers, and activity operators. It allows businesses to showcase their products and services, enabling tourists to explore and book them easily.

During the launch, Dr. Sawant emphasized, “Goa is renowned as a premier tourist destination, and the launch of LetsGoa marks a significant step in providing seamless, technology-driven services. This platform will help showcase Goa’s rich heritage and natural beauty while ensuring convenience for tourists and locals alike.”

Minister for Tourism, Khaunte said, “The LetsGoa tourism experience platform serves as a comprehensive guide to Goa’s services, integrating tourism, technology, and local businesses. With LetsGoa, we aim to empower tourists with a reliable, single-point resource for all their travel needs in Goa. This initiative will benefit local businesses by connecting them with a wider audience.”
LetsGoa provides a one-stop solution for tourists, offering bookings for accommodations, adventure activities, cultural experiences, and more. Key features include secure online bookings for activities like paragliding, jungle safaris, and kayaking, along with a Digital Tourism Card (e-Card) that unlocks exclusive discounts, rewards, and redeemable travel points. The platform also offers real-time updates on events, attractions, and festivals.

Anchipaka IAS, Director, Department of Tourism highlighted ,“LetsGoa represents a major transformation for Goa’s tourism sector, connecting local service providers, tourists, and officials. “With over 100 hotels, 50+ activity providers, and GTDC residencies involved, the platform simplifies bookings and promotes Goa’s rich heritage, wellness, adventure, and hinterland tourism.”

The ceremony also saw the launch of 75 Free Public WiFi Hotspots for seamless digital connectivity, 11 4G BSNL towers to enhance mobile network coverage, and the One Map Goa GIS portal to support efficient spatial planning and infrastructure development.

LetsGoa also serves as a tool to showcase Goa’s cultural heritage. Tourists can explore historic landmarks, attend festivals, and indulge in Goan cuisine through curated recommendations, boosting the local economy while preserving Goa’s authentic charm. With its user-friendly interface, easy payment gateways, and focus on providing unforgettable experiences, LetsGoa is set to become every traveller’s gateway to the soul of Goa.

EaseMyTrip Expands Retail Presence, Launches New Franchise Store in Srikalahasti, Andhra Pradesh

EaseMyTrip.com, one of India’s leading online travel tech platforms, announced the launch of its newest franchise store in Srikalahasti, Andhra Pradesh. This is the company’s 23rd franchise store. This strategic expansion continues the company’s successful franchise program, bringing comprehensive travel services closer to customers in the culturally rich Tirupati region.

The new EaseMyTrip franchise store, located at Door Number-5/138, MG Street, Gangamma temple, Srikalahasti, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, 517644, offers a complete range of travel solutions. Customers can access domestic and international flight bookings, premium hotel accommodations, customized holiday packages, and seamless bus and railway reservations. The store also provides specialized services including luxury cruise bookings and end-to-end visa assistance.

Speaking on this, Rikant Pittie, Co-Founder of EaseMyTrip, said, “Our Srikalahasti store represents another significant milestone in our retail expansion strategy. The Tirupati region, known for its spiritual tourism and growing economic potential, is a key market for EaseMyTrip. This new franchise underscores our commitment to providing personalized travel solutions across India.”
The Srikalahasti store is part of EaseMyTrip’s ambitious franchise program, which aims to establish 100 retail stores by FY25.

 

Uber Shikara Launches in Srinagar; Pre-Book Dal Lake Rides via Uber App

Staying true to its commitment to enhancing mobility for all, Uber has launched Uber Shikara, offering tourists the option to pre-book boat rides on Dal Lake through the Uber app. This limited-time offering allows visitors to plan their Shikara rides in advance, ensuring they can fully enjoy the scenic beauty of Srinagar’s Dal Lake during the busy holiday season.

As part of this initiative to boost tourism in the picturesque region, Uber will not charge any fees for Shikara rides booked through its app. All proceeds will go directly to the Shikara drivers, providing additional economic opportunities for grassroots tourism workers in Jammu and Kashmir. Each Uber Shikara ride is available for a 1-hour duration, accommodating up to 4 passengers. Rides can be booked up to 12 hours in advance, with reservations available for up to 15 days.

Commenting on the launch, Prabhjeet Singh, President, Uber India & South Asia said, “At Uber, we are always looking to make mobility magical and effortless. Uber Shikara is our humble attempt to blend technology and tradition to give a seamless experience to travellers for their Shikara ride. We are proud to create this iconic experience enhancing accessibility and uplifting tourism in the breathtaking landscape of Kashmir.”

Uber Shikara introduces the convenience of pre-booking through Uber Reserve, allowing travellers to plan their rides in advance. This feature is aimed at helping travellers enjoy the beauty of Jammu & Kashmir to its fullest without worrying about last-minute arrangements.

How to book an Uber Shikara ride:

● Open the latest version of the Uber app (check for updates on App Store/Play Store)

● Select start and end points as ‘Shikara Ghat No 16’ from the ‘Where to’ bar

● Select Uber Shikara

● Select time and date (available only during 10 am to 5 pm)

● Select Uber Shikara

● Confirm pick up location (Ghat 16)

● Click “Book” and you’re set to enjoy the Uber Shikara experience at the Dal Lake

 

Royal Caribbean Launches Limited-Time Offers for 2024-2025 Cruises from Singapore & Beyond

Royal Caribbean launches a limited-time promotion from July 16 to August 20, 2024, offering up to SGD 950 off for 2024-2025 cruise bookings departing from Singapore. Travellers can save significantly on their next Royal Caribbean vacation with this exclusive offer.

Guests booking cruises to global destinations (excluding Singapore departures) can also enjoy up to USD 500 in on-board credits. These credits can be used for spa services, dining, attractions, shopping, and more, enhancing their cruise experience.

Themed ‘Every Moment Needs an Encore’, this promotion invites cruise enthusiasts—whether families, couples, or friends—to embark on extraordinary adventures and explore exotic destinations with Royal Caribbean’s renowned hospitality.

From 3-night getaways to 10-night escapades, guests can choose from a wide range of itineraries across Asia and the rest of the world to explore their bucket list destinations globally.

According to the company release, “Onboard Anthem of the Seas, which is set to arrive in Singapore in November 2024, travellers can choose to immerse in the allure of Southeast Asia with 3 to 10-night itineraries exploring Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam. This cruise is packed with thrilling adventures such as indoor skydiving with Ripcord by iFLY, FlowRider surf simulator, unrivalled 360-degree views in the North Star observation capsule 300-feet above sea level, and more.”

Beyond the onboard experiences, travellers can also enjoy the beaches of Phuket and Bali, walk the volcanic foothills in Lombok, and indulge in the street food culture of Penang. Adventurers can explore Bangkok’s mix of heritage and modern architecture, traverse Vietnam’s captivating landscapes and immerse themselves in the rich history and cuisine at the ports of Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, and Chan May.

In October 2025, Singapore’s beloved Ovation of the Seas is also arriving with new travel itineraries featuring 3-8-night holidays to Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Hong Kong.

For travellers seeking to venture beyond Asia, Royal Caribbean offers exciting and exotic itineraries – from enjoying the ultimate weekend celebration at Perfect Day at CocoCay, the brand’s award-winning private island, to discovering the timeless wonders of Europe and exploring the majesty of the Alaskan glaciers. No matter the destination, Royal Caribbean promises an unforgettable adventure.

Air India Express launches direct flights from Mumbai to Mangaluru and Kuwait

Air India Express showcased its rapid growth by launching operations on two new routes, from Mumbai to Mangaluru and Kuwait. This expansion significantly broadens its domestic and international network. With these additions, Air India Express now operates more than 112 weekly flights departing from Mumbai.

Air India Express now connects Mumbai to 14 destinations, including Abu Dhabi, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Kochi, Dammam, Delhi, Goa, Jaipur, Kuwait, Lucknow, Mangaluru, Muscat, Ranchi, and Sharjah. Additionally, the airline offers convenient one-stop connectivity to 16 other domestic and international destinations such as Ayodhya, Bahrain, Bagdogra, Chennai, Dubai, Guwahati, Gwalior, Hyderabad, Indore, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Ras Al Khaimah, Srinagar, Thiruvananthapuram, Varanasi, and Visakhapatnam.

With this expansion, Air India Express now provides direct flights to Kuwait from 7 destinations: Kozhikode, Kannur, Kochi, Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Mangaluru, and Mumbai. The airline has 24 weekly departures from Kuwait. The airline also offers 12 one-stop itineraries connecting Kuwait to destinations such as Bengaluru, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, and Jaipur, among others.

Scheduled from 16 July, 2024
Departure Arrival Departure Time Arrival Time Frequency
Mumbai Mangaluru 12:30 14:05 Daily
Mangaluru Mumbai 14:45 16:25 Daily
Mumbai Kuwait 17:30 19:15 Daily
Kuwait Mumbai 20:15 02:55 Daily

Strengthening Mangaluru Connections

Air India Express now connects Mangaluru directly to 12 domestic and international destinations, including Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Bengaluru, Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Kuwait, Kozhikode, Mumbai, Muscat, and Tiruchirappalli. The airline also provides access to 23 one-stop destinations from Mangaluru, including Bagdogra, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, and Kolkata, among others.

 

India’s UPI Launches at Galeries Lafayette, Aims for Paris Olympics Boost

India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has expanded its footprint to the heart of Paris, with the flagship store of Galeries Lafayette on Haussmann Boulevard now accepting UPI payments.
This landmark move is a step further in realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of globalising UPI, which is an Indian instant payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) in 2016.

“On July 3, 2024, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) became live at the flagship store of the world-renowned Galeries Lafayette in Haussmann, Paris. This expands the acceptance of UPI in Paris after a successful launch at the iconic Eiffel Tower,” read a press release by Indian Embassy in France.

Ambassador of India to France and Principality of Monaco Jawed Ashraf launched UPI by live use at the store in the presence of Nicolas Houze, CEO of Galeries Lafayette, and Alain Lacour, Chairman of Lyra Group.

Recalling the success of the UPI launch at the Eiffel Tower in January 2024 and the meeting hosted for potential merchants with NPCI International in February 2024, the Ambassador welcomed the quick conclusion of the agreement and arrangement between Lyra and NPCI for the launch of UPI at the world-famous Galeries Lafayette ahead of the Paris Olympics starting July 26, 2024, which is expected to draw large number of Indian visitors.

“Ambassador recalled the first international launch of UPI in Singapore in 2018 by Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and expressed satisfaction at the international journey of UPI,” the release also said.

He hoped that, in addition to quick, safe and efficient means of cross-border digital payments, UPI will grow as a medium of cross-border remittances and eventually become the digital payment system in countries across the world, it added.
As Paris gears up for the 2024 Olympics, this initiative aims to facilitate seamless transactions for a growing number of Indian visitors and underscores UPI’s evolving role as a global digital payment solution. (Source: ANI)