Tag Archives: leisure

Frankfurt Tourism targets leisure, family and group travel from Indian market

During a recent visit to Mumbai, Leona Flach, Manager of Tourism and Marketing at Frankfurt Tourism Board, highlighted India’s growing significance as a key market for their initiatives. Flach acknowledged the increasing number of Indian tourists visiting Germany, specifically Frankfurt, attributing it to the city’s central location in Germany and Europe “Because Frankfurt is located in the middle of Germany and Europe and there exists a very good flight connections. Hence, reaching Frankfurt from all across the globe (including India) is easy. There is a big traffic from India to Frankfurt and vice versa,” she said.

While Frankfurt is traditionally known for conferences, Flach expressed a shift in focus towards attracting tourists in the leisure, family, and group travel segments. The goal is to dispel the perception that Frankfurt is solely a business destination and showcase its diverse attractions.

“Frankfurt boasts an impressive array of distinguished museums dedicated to art, science, and history. The city is charming to explore on foot, as many of these museums and attractions are conveniently located within a short walking distance from the downtown core,” Flach added. The New Old Town is another attraction of Frankfurt, which was reconstructed from 2012 – 2018 as part of a major urban development project. “This Old Town is nicely reconstructed which was bombed during the second world war. It’s a historical city,” said Flach.

The city is set to host five Euro-Cup 2024 matches in June-July, promising a significant event for the soccer fans around the world. In order to engage with the travel trade, Frankfurt Tourism plans to organise a Sales Mission in Mumbai in April, along with a seminar in August or September. Key cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai remain their target markets. The first two quarters of 2023 had witnessed a 120% increase in the number of visitors that flocked the city of Frankfurt from India.

Acknowledging visa-related challenges, Flach expressed optimism, mentioning ongoing communication with the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) to address these issues. She hopes for positive developments in resolving visa concerns to enhance the overall travel experience for Indian visitors to Frankfurt.

Signum Hotels and Resorts expands in Gujarat with the launch of Signum Cityscapes in Rajkot

Signum Hotels, an emerging hospitality management firm in India, launched Signum Cityscapes Rajkot, a 40-room hotel situated along the Rajkot-Morbi Highway. Marking the company’s second establishment in Gujarat, this new addition to the Signum family boasts a multi-cuisine restaurant and provides complimentary Wi-Fi, catering to guests’ convenience.

Strategically positioned to cater to both business and leisure travellers, Signum Cityscapes Rajkot offers a blend of modern amenities and warm hospitality. The hotel’s prime location ensures easy accessibility for guests.

Mehul Sharma, Founder & CEO, Signum Hotels and Resorts said, “We are pleased to introduce Signum Cityscapes to the vibrant city of Rajkot. This establishment reflects our commitment to providing exceptional hospitality and creating memorable experiences for our guests. With its strategic location, modern amenities, and personalized service, Signum Cityscapes is poised to become a preferred choice for travellers seeking a perfect blend of comfort and warm hospitality.”

Rajkot, a dynamic city in Gujarat, serves as both a compelling tourist and business destination. For business travellers, Rajkot’s strategic location and modern amenities make it an ideal hub. With vibrant markets, diverse cuisine, and a welcoming atmosphere, Rajkot seamlessly caters to both leisure and business interests, making it a versatile and alluring destination.

Saudi Arabia sees record 142% surge in inbound with 14.6mn tourists during first half of 2023

The Saudi Ministry of Tourism has released the preliminary data for the first half of 2023 statistics, building upon achievements of 2022’s growth in the sector, in addition to informing local and international investors on the sector’s latest updates.

For first half of 2023, with total number of tourists (overnight visitors for all purposes) reaching (53.6 million), including (39.0 million) domestic tourists and (14.6 million) inbound tourists. The total tourism spending reached (SAR150 billion), of which (SAR 63.1 billion) came from domestic tourism and (SAR 86.9 billion) from Inbound tourism, that indicates a new historical record for Saudi tourism.

This is a result of the Ministry of Tourism and its partners’ efforts in attracting visitors by enhancing the tourism products and quality of services, in addition to improving visa structures.

Inbound tourism achieved historical record numbers in the first half of 2023, recording an increase of (142%) in number of tourists and (132%) in total tourism spending vs. the first half of 2022. With the continuous development of the tourism sector, there has been an increase in the number of tourists for all purposes with leisure tourists showing the highest growth (347%) vs. the first half of 2022.

Domestic tourism in the first half of 2023 recorded a growth of (16%) in tourism spending, due to the average length of stay increasing from (4.6) nights in the first half of 2022 to (6.3) nights in the first half of 2023. Leisure was the top purpose in number of visitors, achieving an increase of (18%) compared to the first half 2022, with (16.6M) tourists accounting for (43%) of all domestic tourists’ trips.

Outbound tourism in the first half of 2023 recorded an increase in number of tourists by (37%), with spending also increasing by (74%) compared the first half of 2022. The increase is attributed to the lifting global of travel restrictions. In addition to having the start of the summer season and school break in June. Outbound Non-Saudis residents represented (45%) of all outbound tourists in the first half of 2023, increasing by (24%) compared to the first half of 2022, while their spending accounted for (66%) of all outbound spending. Visiting friends and relatives was the top purpose of visits representing (67%) of all non-Saudi outbound tourist trips, with the average length of stay increasing from (19.3) nights in the first half of 2022 to (45.5) nights in the first half of 2023 resulting in an increase of (109%) for non-Saudi outbound spend for all purposes.

Saudi outbound tourists recorded an increase of (49%) mostly to neighbouring countries, whereas the outbound spending increased by (32%) compared to the first half of 2022. Notably, the average spend per night for Saudis has decreased from (599 SAR) in the first half of 2022, to (332 SAR) in the first half of 2023.

Markus Tan to take charge as Singapore Tourism Regional Director for India on Jan 1

Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has appointed Markus Tan as the Regional Director for India, Middle East, South Asia, and Africa (IMESA), effective January 1, 2024.Tan will be taking over from the current Regional Director, GB Srithar.
In his new role, based in Mumbai,. Tan will spearhead STB’s initiatives in promoting Leisure and Business Travel & Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (BTMICE) in the IMESA region. His responsibilities will include overseeing travel promotions, public relations, and marketing, and driving developmental efforts to enhance Singapore’s position as a premier travel and business destination.

Tan has been with STB for 18 years in various pivotal roles. Prior to this appointment, he served as the Director for World Expo and led the whole-of-government efforts to conceptualise, develop, and operate the Singapore Pavilion at Osaka World Expo 2025. From 2015 to 2022, he was based in Tokyo, Japan, as the Regional Director for North Asia, overseeing STB operations in Japan and the Republic of Korea.

Speaking on this development, Srithar said, “I am thrilled to pass on the baton to Markus to lead Singapore’s tourism business across the IMESA region. Over the course of my tenure in this role, we have witnessed India’s steady growth into a true global powerhouse, with an outbound tourism market that is brimming with opportunities. With his robust expertise in the industry and building on the strong affinity that Indian travellers have for Singapore, I am confident that he is in good stead to steer the organisation through this new era of travel and tourism.”

Commenting on this appointment, Tan said, “I am excited to take on the role of STB’s Regional Director in IMESA. India is a nation of rich culture, diversity, and, particularly in this historic moment of its explosive global growth, incredible business opportunities. As STB strives to showcase the best of what Singapore has to offer, we remain committed to nurturing our existing relationships and cultivating new ones with the Indian travel industry. With the support of my team, I look forward to embarking on this journey with our partners and friends across India and together encouraging Indians to build even deeper connections with Singapore.”

 

Niraamaya Wellness Retreats Expands to Munnar, Kerala

Niraamaya Lifestyle Resorts has made its entry into Munnar by signing a management agreement with INKURE Real Estate Investment Company. This addition brings Niraamaya’s wellness retreat count in Kerala to a total of 6. The property offers an array of amenities including an all-day restaurant and bar, fitness center, swimming pool, and comprehensive spa facilities and conveniently located near Kochi airport.

Speaking on this, Allen Machado,CEO, Niraamaya Business Group, said, “Niraamaya has consistently pioneered identifying destinations with tremendous tourism potential and positioning them globally. With our steadfast dedication to offering locally immersive design and authentic experiences, we’re thrilled to unveil our newest luxury retreat in Munnar. This ideal sanctuary renowned for its natural allure and seamless accessibility, offers a canvas to curate distinctive experiences for leisure and wellness escapes.”

Justin Mary Raphael, Group Chairman of INKURE Real Estate Investment and Hospitality Management Group, said, “We are thrilled to be teaming up with Niraamaya, a renowned luxury brand, to bring their celebrated opulence to Kanthalloor in Munnar, which is currently lacking high-end hotels. This exciting venture aims to unlock the true potential of this stunning yet undiscovered region, creating the perfect destination for discerning travellers. This partnership will bring significant positive changes that will benefit both Munnar and its surrounding areas.”

‘India is undeniably among the top priorities for RwandAir’

The newly-appointed Country Manager in India for RwandAir, Vennah Mukumburwa spoke to Disha Shah Ghosh about the value of the Indian market for the airline, route network and the passenger profile.

Q. Tell us about the existing flight connectivity of RwandAir for India network.
At present, we operate two weekly flights to/from India. Departing from our hub in Kigali, travellers can effortlessly connect to over 25 destinations within our expansive network, all while benefiting from our commendable on-time performance.

Q. What kind of load factor have you witnessed on the India routes?
The load factor is good, particularly for the outbound sectors. While seasonal variations do influence these figures, the overall numbers are indeed positive.

Q. Do you have any existing code-share or interline agreements with any Indian carrier or plans for a new agreement?
Yes, we have interline agreements with several carriers, including Air India and Vistara, to name a few.

Q. Where does India rank in priority for Rwand Air?
India is undeniably among the top priorities for RwandAir. We deeply value the robust Indian community in Rwanda, and across many of our service destinations. Our network witnesses a significant flow of individuals traveling between the regions for a myriad of reasons, from business, trade to medical tourism and education.

Q. What is your strategy for Indian market?
Our strategy will emphasise on a superior customer experience and offering a broad spectrum of flight options. We’re actively looking to enhance our route network and ensure adaptability to cater to the evolving needs of the Indian traveller.

Q. Tell us about the composition of passengers from India.
R. A significant portion of our passengers consists of business travellers. We also see a notable number of those visiting friends and relatives (VFR), tourists & leisure travellers.