Tag Archives: MoU

Nepal signs MoU with Andhra Pradesh Tourism

 

The Embassy of Nepal, led by Nepal’s Ambassador to India, Surendra Thapa, alongside Taranath Adhikari, Minister, signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Andhra Pradesh Tourism.

Representing Andhra Pradesh were Nukasani Balaji, Chairman of APTDC, and K. Vijay Mohan, President of the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Forum and the Tours and Travels Association. This agreement marks the first MoU signed by the Nepal government with any Indian state.

The MoU aims to strengthen tourism ties between Nepal and Andhra Pradesh, with a focus on promoting and developing tourism, fostering cooperation, and sharing resources, expertise, and knowledge.

Vijay Mohan, speaking on the occasion, emphasised the vision of this partnership, highlighting its potential to enhance tourism, facilitate cultural exchanges, and drive mutual growth.

This agreement is a significant step in the relationship between Nepal and Andhra Pradesh, paving the way for collaboration in travel, tourism, and hospitality while leveraging the rich cultural and natural heritage of both regions.

Singapore has seen a surge in Indian visitors in the past decade

Singapore records 12% growth in Indian arrivals; crosses one-million mark

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has said that visitor arrivals from India have surged past the one-million-mark, two months earlier than in 2023. This milestone was achieved when Singapore Airlines flight SQ-421 from Mumbai touched down at Changi Airport on October 3, bringing in Singapore’s millionth Indian visitor for 2024.

With a 12% increase in Indian visitors from January to October 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, India is Singapore’s third-largest source market for tourism.

Markus Tan, Regional Director of STB for India, Middle East, South Asia, and Africa, commented on this significant milestone “Welcoming our one millionth Indian visitor two months earlier than in 2023 demonstrates Singapore’s enduring appeal as a premier short-haul destination for Indian travellers. This milestone not only reflects our strong tourism recovery but also highlights the continued importance of the metros as source markets. Beyond the metros, STB is also expanding our reach and appeal of Singapore across diverse regions of India, using targeted marketing efforts and initiatives with the travel trade. We remain steadfast in our commitment to offering novel and engaging experiences that resonate with the aspirations of our Indian guests, ensuring that Singapore continues to be a destination of choice for years to come.”

Singapore’s appeal to Indian travellers has been bolstered by strong connectivity and its diverse range of experiences catering to different visitor segments. In India, STB has partnered with popular Indian brands and launched various marketing initiatives to elevate Singapore’s appeal.

Commenting on the occasion, Sy Yen Chen, General Manager India, Singapore Airlines shared, “Singapore Airlines is thrilled to have flown the millionth passenger from India to Singapore this year, an exciting milestone in connecting Indian travellers to our home country. India remains a key market for Singapore Airlines, and we’re proud that our world-class service continues to make us one of the preferred airlines for Indian travellers. Together with our longstanding partner, the Singapore Tourism Board, we’re excited to continue offering fresh, exciting experiences for both new and returning travellers, and to building even stronger ties between India and Singapore in the years ahead.”

Chew Tiong Heng, Divisional Director, Business & Experience Development, Sentosa Development Corporation shared “India has consistently been Sentosa’s leading source market, and we take great pride in remaining as a compelling and attractive destination for Indian travellers. We are especially delighted by the notable increase in Indian travellers in October 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, which reaffirms Sentosa and Singapore’s enduring appeal. The recent launch of Sensoryscape, our multi-sensorial playground, marked the start of a series of transformations that Sentosa is undergoing. Visitors can expect to see more world-class attractions and leisure offerings moving forward, including the upcoming Singapore Oceanarium, as well as innovative collaborations with industry partners, exemplified by our recent MOU with STIC Travel Group, to enhance Sentosa’s standing in the Indian market across traveller demographics”.

Raj Rishi Singh, Chief Marketing Officer & Chief Business Officer – Corporate, MakeMyTrip said, “Singapore continues to captivate Indian travellers, ranking as the 4th most searched destination on our platform. Searches for Singapore have grown by 11% year-on-year, highlighting a strong affinity for this dynamic destination. Reaching the 1 million visitor milestone is a remarkable achievement, and we’re proud to play a role in this journey. At MakeMyTrip, we remain committed to delivering enriching travel experiences for Indians and look forward to deepening our collaboration with the Singapore Tourism Board to drive further growth.”

Li Hongyi, Associate General Manager Market Development, Changi Airport Group, said, “India is Changi Airport’s sixth largest market in terms of passenger traffic and a large part of this is Indian tourists visiting Singapore. Today, there are over 290 weekly flights to 17 Indian cities from Changi, with opportunities for further growth. Changi Airport Group will continue to work closely with the Singapore Tourism Board, airlines, and the travel trade to deepen connectivity to new cities like Surat and Jaipur to spur travel demand between India and Singapore.”

As Singapore approaches 2025, it reaffirms its commitment to providing fresh and exciting experiences for both new and returning visitors. Upcoming attractions include “Harry Potter: Visions of Magic” opening on 22 November 2024, Singapore Art Week in early 2025, the launch of Minion Land at Sentosa, and the inaugural sailing of Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Adventure in December 2025.

 

Dubai and Hilton partner to elevate tourism

 

In a significant move to elevate Dubai’s global tourism appeal, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Hilton have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), focusing on enhancing visibility and refining service excellence in the city’s hospitality sector. This partnership aligns with Dubai’s Economic Agenda, D33, aimed at positioning Dubai as a top destination for both leisure and business, and further exemplifies DET and Hilton’s commitment to creating premium experiences for international visitors.

The MoU establishes a foundation for joint marketing initiatives, emphasising Dubai’s unique offerings through global advertising campaigns and social media. By incorporating seasonal travel packages, the partnership will showcase Dubai’s signature attractions while offering Hilton Honors loyalty program members exclusive Dubai experiences. Hilton, with over 195 million Honors members worldwide, will leverage DET’s resources, particularly in team training offered through Dubai College of Tourism. This will ensure Hilton staff are skilled in cultural awareness and customer service, elevating the standard of guest experiences throughout Dubai.

His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), highlighted the role of Hilton in Dubai’s tourism evolution, emphasising that this MoU will bolster Dubai’s presence on the world stage while enhancing service quality within the city. This collaboration exemplifies Dubai’s culture of public-private partnership and strengthens the city’s tourism ecosystem. Through this partnership, more global travellers are expected to discover Dubai’s offerings, fostering advocacy and encouraging repeat visits.

Hilton, a global hospitality leader with 24 properties across nine brands in Dubai, will bring its extensive industry expertise to this strategic partnership. Guy Hutchinson, Hilton’s President for the Middle East and Africa, commended Dubai’s leadership in tourism innovation and Hilton’s commitment to supporting Dubai’s vision for unmatched hospitality. Hilton looks forward to participating in DET’s training programs to cultivate the next generation of hospitality professionals.

Dubai’s tourism sector has shown impressive growth, with the city recording a 7.5% increase in international visitors from January to August 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, when a record 17.15 million overnight visitors were welcomed. The hotel industry has achieved an average occupancy rate of 76.2% this year, reflecting Dubai’s sustained popularity as a premier travel destination. The DET-Hilton partnership is poised to enhance Dubai’s hospitality standards, supporting Dubai’s position as a global tourism leader.

Yeida hires Hudco for Noida Airport funding and development

 

The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (Yeida) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (Hudco) to serve as a consultant and assist in securing financing for land acquisition. Hudco, a central government PSU, will advise Yeida on development projects and aid in the rapid urbanisation around Noida Greenfield International Airport along the Yamuna Expressway. This collaboration aims to support Yeida’s plan to develop an industrial area near the airport, which is expected to be operational by the end of 2024.

As part of the MoU, Yeida and Hudco have agreed to develop a 25-acre habitat centre and a 15-acre convention centre near the airport, in partnership with NBCC India. These projects will be executed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. Hudco has also committed to providing a loan at a competitive interest rate to support land acquisition for the next five years, in line with Yeida’s development plans.

Yeida requires INR 14,000 crore to acquire 6,000 hectares of land from 40 villages over the next five years and has already secured INR 3,300 crore in interest-free loans from various government entities. As a condition for receiving further funding, Yeida must match these funds for land acquisition and has requested additional loans from Hudco to meet the cost. Hudco is one of the few financial institutions that offer loans for land acquisition, making it a crucial partner for Yeida’s ambitious plans.

Yeida plans to invest approximately INR 63,500 crore in infrastructure development, including roads, sewerage, parks, and power, to support the future urban centre. The authority aims to acquire land from farmers willing to sell, ensuring timely progress on the project. Additionally, Hudco has agreed to manage the issuance of infrastructure and municipal bonds on behalf of Yeida, further facilitating the development process.

India to introduce UPI in Maldives to boost tourism

India and Maldives have signed an agreement to introduce the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in the archipelago nation, which will have a “very positive” impact on its tourism sector, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said.

The MoU was signed during Jaishankar’s three-day official visit to the Maldives.

“Witnessed signing of MoU between (the) National Payments Corporation of India and (the) Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Maldives on (the) introduction of (a) digital payment system in the Maldives,” he said in a post on X.

Developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), Unified Payment Interface (UPI) is an instant real-time payment system to facilitate inter-bank transactions through mobile phones.

Addressing a press conference with his Maldivian counterpart Moosa Zameer after their “productive discussions”, Jaishankar said that India, through its UPI, has “revolutionised digital transactions”.

Stressing that it has taken financial inclusion in India to new levels, he said “Today 40 per cent of the world’s real-time digital payments take place in our country.” “We see this revolution, every day in our lives. I am pleased to note that with the signing of the MoU today, we have taken the first step towards bringing this digital innovation to Maldives,” he said.

“I wish the very best to stakeholders on both sides and hope that we will soon see the first UPI transaction here. I should mention that it will have a very positive impact on tourism,” he added.

Tourism is the main source of economic activity for the Maldives, contributing nearly 30 per cent of the GDP and generating more than 60 per cent of foreign exchange.

Jaishankar’s visit aims to reset the bilateral relationship with the Maldives and is the first high-level trip from India after the archipelago nation’s pro-China president, Mohamed Muizzu, assumed office last year.

“India’s partnership with the Maldives is based on our deep desire to work together for each other’s welfare and interests. It is a partnership that has enabled us to always swiftly and effectively respond to challenges, as witnessed in the past,” Jaishankar said.

“It is a partnership that has enabled us to deliver results and bring tangible benefits to our people in accordance with their wishes, aspirations and priorities,” he said.

 

Maldives and India to boost tourism cooperation amid diplomatic tensions

In a bid to strengthen tourism ties, Maldives’ Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal is visiting India this week, aiming to attract more Indian tourists to the island nation. This visit comes despite recent diplomatic tensions between the two countries. Faisal, accompanied by officials from the Maldivian Tourism Board and the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), met with Indian Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat for discussions on enhancing tourism cooperation.

During the meeting, both sides expressed a desire to explore new avenues in tourism, including education, film, and sports tourism. Faisal highlighted the importance of maintaining strong relationships with neighboring countries, noting that India has been a key ally for the Maldives. The two ministers discussed the potential for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise these cooperative efforts.

One key focus is promoting film tourism, with the Maldives hoping to attract Indian filmmakers and Bollywood celebrities to the archipelago for their shoots. This initiative is part of the broader “Welcome India” campaign, designed to re-establish the Maldives as a top destination for Indian travelers.

The Maldivian tourism sector, which heavily relies on visitors, particularly from India, saw a decline in Indian tourist numbers following a diplomatic incident earlier this year. The controversy arose after Maldivian officials made remarks about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep, leading to a backlash on social media and calls for a boycott of the Maldives.

Despite the drop in Indian tourists, who were the largest group visiting the Maldives in 2023, Faisal’s visit aims to rebuild the relationship and boost tourism numbers. He is also set to hold tourism roadshows in Mumbai and Bengaluru as part of the promotional efforts.