Tag Archives: MICE

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism appoints BRANDit as India Representative

 

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) has strengthened its position in the Indian market by appointing BRANDit as its official PR agency. This collaboration is aimed at enhancing Ras Al Khaimah’s appeal among Indian travellers and establishing the emirate as a leading travel destination. The partnership will focus on attracting Indian visitors seeking unique and diverse travel experiences in the Middle East.

BRANDit, leveraging its expertise in travel and tourism PR, will spearhead campaigns to showcase Ras Al Khaimah’s offerings, including its pristine beaches, awe-inspiring mountains, luxurious resorts, and rich cultural heritage. The agency will work closely with media and travel trade stakeholders to create a robust presence for the destination in India, ensuring greater visibility and reach for Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism initiatives.

Ras Al Khaimah is gaining popularity among Indian families, couples, adventure seekers, and those interested in MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) and wedding tourism. With its proximity and seamless connectivity, the emirate offers a wide range of experiences, from relaxation at luxurious resorts to thrilling outdoor adventures and cultural exploration. Its growing reputation as a destination for weddings and corporate events further enhances its appeal.

Through impactful storytelling, media engagement, influencer partnerships, and familiarisation trips, BRANDit will highlight Ras Al Khaimah’s unique appeal. The agency’s work will focus on increasing awareness among Indian travellers and capitalising on the rising demand for destination weddings, MICE events, and other milestone celebrations in the emirate.

Sarovar Hotels, The Massif Hotel collaborate to launch Royal Tulip Kathmandu

Sarovar Hotels and The Massif Hotel collaborate to launch Royal Tulip Kathmandu

Sarovar Hotels, in collaboration with The Massif Hotel, has announced the signing of Royal Tulip Kathmandu, poised to be Nepal’s largest hotel and leading MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) destination. Operated under the Louvre Hotels’ Royal Tulip brand, the property will feature 304 luxury rooms and is strategically located on Ring Road, just 3.5 km from Tribhuvan International Airport.

The highlight of Royal Tulip Kathmandu is its expansive convention center, the largest in the city. With 22,000 sq. ft. of versatile event space, including two grand halls of 11,000 sq. ft. each, the hotel is set to host international conferences, corporate meetings, and high-profile weddings.

Ajay K. Bakaya, Chairman, Sarovar Hotels and Director of Louvre Hotels India, expressed excitement about the venture, highlighting its role in addressing the increasing demand for luxury accommodations and world-class event spaces in Kathmandu. Rajendra Shakya, Chairman of The Massif Hotel, shared that the collaboration aspires to redefine standards in Nepal’s luxury hospitality and event services.

The launch of Royal Tulip Kathmandu aligns with Sarovar Hotels’ ambitious expansion plans for 2025, including the addition of 15 new properties, reinforcing its regional leadership.

AHOY THERE!

It’s that time of the year when most of the Indian travel trade bodies are headed to their annual
conventions. Early in October, the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) concluded their 39th Annual Convention in Bhopal. And only last week, the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) were headed to Tawang for their Convention that was scheduled from December 3 – 8, a long six-day affair, and now, Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) is headed to Vietnam next month for the same.

Trade body annual conventions are a great platform to get a good peek into where their respective representative sectors stand, discuss issues at hand, draw up a strategy for the sector to chart a better future, and for the association itself to remain relevant in the ever-evolving market place and to the needs and requirements of their members.

These annual gatherings are also occasions where the associations should look at creating an efficient, well-oiled and thoroughly synergised path forward for their sectors in close co-ordination with the government policies, policy-makers and their aspirations or target from the sector. This is particularly true for trade bodies such as IATO and ATOAI, among others, for the very fact that for tourism, particularly inbound and sub- sectors like Adventure, MICE, etc., to thrive, there needs to be very active co-ordination mechanism between the public and private sectors.

Tourism is a pretty much private sector-led enterprise, but cannot do much on its own if not supported by the political and bureaucratic will. The sooner it is understood, especially by the policy-makers, the better it is. Conventions will go a long way in charting the right course for the sector’s successful role for the ambitious Amrit-kaa ltourism target that seeks Adventure Tourism to contribute USD 800 billion or the targeted USD 3 trillion tourism economy by 2047.

IATO’s, ATOAI’s, or ADTOI’s, such Conventions’ success or failure greatly hinge on the fact that how successful have they been in driving these messages home with real tangible results on the ground, and not merely the bureaucratic or political lip services that these events get.

Shayan Mallick
shayan.mallick02@gmail.com

Malaysia has earmarked India as an important tourism source market.

Malaysia records 1mn Indian tourists in 11 months with 71.7% surge yoy

Malaysia has achieved its target to welcome 1 million Indian tourists between January to November 2024. A total of 1,009,114 Indian visitors were recorded, representing a remarkable 47% growth compared to the same period is 2019, prior to the pandemic.

This also marks an impressive 71.7% increase compared to 2023, reaffirming Malaysia’s appeal as a preferred destination for Indian tourists.

“The introduction of free visa entry in December 2023 has proven to be a transformative initiative, driving a significant increase in the number of Indian tourists visiting Malaysia. This policy has opened up new opportunities for travel and played a key role in this remarkable growth. In response to the surge, 2024 saw the launch of numerous new routes from India, inkling Indigo Airlines which introduced direct flights daily to Penang and Langkawi starting December 2024 alongside their existing routes to Kuala Lumpur. The increased connectivity from India helps to further strengthen Malaysia as a choice destination especially in the lead up to the Visit Malaysia Year 2026,” said Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Malaysia.

Tourism Malaysia’s promotional activities in India, conducted in collaboration with leading tour operators and online travel agencies (OTAs) have played a crucial role in achieving positive outcomes. Joint promotions and innovative marketing campaigns have effectively highlighted Malaysia’s rich culture and world-class attractions to Indian audiences. Furthermore, extensive advertising campaigns across digital platforms have generated enthusiasm and increased awareness of Malaysia as a vibrant and welcoming destination.

Malaysia recognition as the Best MICE Destination 2024 in the Indian market has further solidified its reputation, making it a preferred choice for Indian corporations to host Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE). This seamless integration of business and leisure tourism enhances Malaysia’s overall appeal. Additionally, MICE activities play a significant role in attracting a large number of Indian tourists, driving substantial spending that bolsters the local economy.

Looking ahead to 2025, Malaysia is poised to build on this year’s successes by enhancing connectivity, developing tailored tourism products, and deepening collaborations with industry partners. As the nation prepares for Visit Malaysia Year 2026, it remains dedicated to providing Indian tourists with unforgettable experiences and solidifying its status as their preferred travel destination.

The new IndiGo flights bring the total number of direct flights from India to Malaysia to an impressive 246, marking a significant step in bolstering tourist arrivals for Visit Malaysia Year 2026. These expansions have further enhanced connectivity and supported the growing demand for travel between India and Malaysia.

 

 

Bintan Resorts Stands Out at Indonesia’s Bali and Beyond Mega FAM Series

Indonesia’s breathtaking destinations took centre stage during the Bali and Beyond Mega FAM Series, held from November 9-16, 2024. Travel professionals from South and Central Asia explored key locations, including Jakarta, Bandung, Bintan, Yogyakarta, and Labuan Bajo, experiencing the country’s rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and diverse activities. Bintan Island, in particular, captivated participants with its stunning landscapes and cultural treasures, making it a standout destination.

The event included visits to Bintan Resorts, where attendees explored the island’s cultural and natural attractions, such as the 500 Lohan Temple, Kwan Yin Temple, Sand Dunes & Blue Lake, and the Bintan Mangrove Discovery Tour. Thrilling water sports at Lagoi Bay Beach, like jet skiing, stand-up paddleboarding, and kayaking, showcased Bintan as the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure.

The FAM trip also featured site inspections of luxurious resorts on the island, emphasizing Bintan’s appeal to travellers seeking both elegance and comfort. From beachfront properties to luxury villas, Bintan Resorts demonstrated its wide range of offerings for all types of visitors.

The series concluded with a networking event in Bali, fostering connections between travel professionals and Indonesian tourism providers. The event highlighted Indonesia’s potential in global markets, with India represented by three top travel agents, underscoring the growing interest in Indonesia, especially Bintan, for MICE, weddings, and unique travel experiences.

“We are thrilled to partner with VFS Global to introduce the beauty and charm of Bintan Island to the Indian market,” said Abdul Wahab, Chief Operating Officer of Bintan Resorts. “This collaboration will elevate Bintan’s status as a must-visit destination for Indian tourists. We eagerly look forward to welcoming more visitors from India and providing them with the extraordinary experiences that only Bintan Island can offer.”

 

South Africa in talks with India for direct air connections to aid tourism

South Africa is in talks with the Indian government as well as three airlines to introduce direct flights to India to boost tourism, South Africa Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille said on Tuesday.

Currently, India and South Africa are connected by layover flights by Emirates, Kenya Airways, Air Mauritius, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Air Seychelles, RwandAir and Qatar Airways.

“We are here to promote South Africa as a tourist destination for Indian travellers and resolve any issues and boost tourism. There is an issue on direct flights between South Africa and India. I will be engaging with three Indian airlines Air India, IndiGo and Spice (SpiceJet) to persuade them on the benefits of direct flights between both the countries,” Lille told PTI over a telephonic conversation.

The Minister is on a week-long visit to New Delhi and Mumbai till December 6, to strengthen bilateral ties.

South Africa Tourism will illustrate the benefits that these airlines can derive not only from tourists point of view but also from trade and business perspective with these direct flights, she said.

Talking about visas, she said, the South African government has resolved the issue of lengthy process with electronic visa facilities for Indian travellers.

“With e-visa, it’s much easier for an Indian traveller now to come to South Africa,” she added.

Lille further said India is among the top source markets for South Africa and they hope to reach close to the pre-Covid level by the end of this year.”In 2019, we welcomed 95,000 Indian travellers and in 2023, that is down to 79,000. This year from January-September, 59,000 Indians have already visited South Africa and we hope to be close to the pre-Covid level this year,” she added.

Asked about the focus segment for South Africa, she said, “We’re going to go the full spectrum. We’re also focusing on young people. And we want to design packages for young people. We’re also focusing on MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and events). It’s all the sectors that we are focusing on, including leisure, adventure tourism and sports tourism.” (Source: PTI)