Tag Archives: Mumbai

The Iconic Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai goes 100% Green

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) announced that its landmark hotel, The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai is now 100% green. In its drive to minimise its environmental impact, the hotel in addition to using renewable energy, has also implemented water conservation, and waste reduction measures.

Speaking on the occasion, Gaurav Pokhariyal, Executive Vice President – Human Resources, IHCL, said, “In line with the vision of IHCL’s ESG+ framework of Paathya, we are committed to energy conservation and long-term goal of deriving 50 percent of energy across all hotels from renewable sources by 2030. Reducing its carbon footprint, The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai has yet again set a benchmark of being 100% powered by renewable energy. This achievement advances our transition to a more sustainable and low-carbon future and provides an example for others to follow”

Having successfully implemented sustainability measures to minimize carbon footprint, the hotel is also accelerating its efforts towards water conservation and waste reduction by efficiently treating and using water, reducing waste generation, and promoting recycling and reuse. Towards its commitment of phasing out single-use plastic, the hotel had introduced a bottling plant. Other sustainable measures include EV charging stations, use of low flow aerators for taps and showers, using treated water for horticulture and flushing and the use of LED light energy-efficient motors and time control lighting systems.

IHCL has announced its sustainability commitments for the year 2030 under Paathya and will continue to pursue sustainable practices in its pursuit towards excellence and creating benchmarks.

Government alone cannot take tourism industry ahead, unless private investors come forward: G. Kishan Reddy

The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India organise a roadshow in Mumbai with the aim of raising awareness among stakeholders in the Travel and Tourism Industry about the upcoming first Global Tourism Investors’ Summit. The roadshow was chaired by G. Kishan Reddy, Minister for Tourism, Culture and DoNER, along with Rakesh Kumar Verma, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism.

Addressing the gathering, Reddy said, “Considering the plethora of experiences the Indian tourism industry offers, such as wellness tourism, adventure tourism, eco-tourism, rural tourism, spiritual tourism and several others, both the State and Central Governments recognise the role that tourism can play in driving economic growth. Therefore, private investment, particularly in hotels and other tourism-related infrastructure, is critical.” GoI will work together with the states and private sector for the flourishment of tourism sector, he said. In this context, Reddy stated that a draft of comprehensive National Tourism Policy has been worked out and is pending cabinet’s approval. While drafting the policy, the Union Government has consulted the states and union territories and different ministries also, with a ‘whole of government’ approach, he added. He further stated that it has been decided to keep the ASI footfall monuments open for tourists till 9 PM.

Speaking on the North Eastern region of the country, Reddy said that the region has immense potential on the tourism front. “The region can compete with many reputed destinations in the world. The GOI is doing everything possible in this direction,” he said.
Reddy also highlighted the Vibrant Villages scheme in his speech. He said that more than INR 4000 crore is being spent to develop infrastructrure for adventure tourism in border villages.

The tourism minister also made it very clear that the Government alone cannot take tourism industry ahead, unless private investors come forward.

The roadshow had a wide representation from the Ministry of Tourism as it attracted the participation of eminent industry leaders from the world of travel, tourism, and hospitality. Prominent industry leaders including Vishal Kamat, Co-Chair, CII WR Sub Committee on Tourism and Hospitality, Anuraag Bhatnagar, CEO, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, Cdr Nevil Malao, VSM (Retd), Vice President Head – Cruise & Navy Cell, J. M. Baxi & Co., Dhimant Bakshi, CEO, Imagica, Santhosh Kutty, CEO – Hotels, Mahindra Hotels and Resorts graced the event with their presence.

Dignitaries from the ministry including Saurabh Vijay, Principal Secretary, Maharashtra, Hareet Shukla, Secretary Tourism, Gujarat, Vivek Shrotriya, Add. Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh, Pawan Jain, Joint Director, Rajasthan also attended and expressed their views during the event.

IndiGo to start direct flight between Mumbai-Dhaka route from March 26

IndiGo has announced new direct flight between Mumbai-Dhaka from March 26, 2023. This new route has been introduced to cater to the rising demand for travel from Mumbai. The airline has also announced resumption of operations between Mumbai and Singapore effective March 26, 2023.

Speaking on the occasion, Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales, IndiGo, said, “We are pleased to connect the commercial centre of India to the commercial centre of Bangladesh, to serve business as well as leisure customers. As Maharashtra government is planning to invest more in the tourism sector and generate more jobs in the sector, Mumbai has a great potential to be a tourist hub. Introducing more flights on this route will not only enhance connectivity but also improve accessibility. We will strive to stay true to our promise of affordable fares, on-time performance, courteous and hassle-free service across our unparalleled network.”

The beautiful city of Dhaka is home to many outstanding individuals who succeed in the fields of art, development, and culture. The city has evolved immensely over the years, becoming one of Bangladesh’s most extensively developed areas. The city also has a plethora of Mughal-style architectural structures that are worth exploring. Mumbai is not only known for its food, culture, and glamour but also for its iconic architecture and art and history.

The resumption of flights between Mumbai and Singapore will help promote tourism as both cities have many tourist attractions. According to Singapore Tourism Board, India accounted for over 686,000 of the overall 6.3 million global visitor arrivals in 2022, emerging as Singapore’s second largest source market after Indonesia (1.1 million visitors). Singapore has famous attractions such as Universal Studios Singapore, Singapore Flyer, Gardens by The Bay, S.E.A. Aquarium, Sentosa Island, Sentosa Merlion Tower, Trick Eye Museum. These flights will not only promote tourism but also make travel hassle-free to these destinations through direct connections and additional capacity.

These flights are designed to cater to business and leisure travellers who are constantly on the lookout for new and affordable flying options to access destinations which help in building businesses and are known for their tourist attractions. Customers who wish to plan their travel can book tickets via our official website www.goIndiGo.in The introduction of these flights will further bolster the airline’s international connectivity.

Air India resumes its non-stop service between Mumbai and New York

Air India, India’s leading airline and a Star Alliance member, resumed its non-stop service between Mumbai and JFK airport in New York from February 14, 2023.

Resuming a service that was suspended in early 2019, the new flight is the third non-stop Air India service from Mumbai to the USA, joining flights to Newark (EWR) and San Francisco (SFO). The resumption is in line with the airline’s concerted endeavour to develop Mumbai as a significant hub, second only to Delhi, providing maximum international connectivity between India and the rest of the world.

The flight will operate daily with the newly inducted Boeing 777-200LR aircraft and take Air India’s India-US frequency to 47 non-stop flights per week. Presently, Air India operates non-stop flights from Mumbai to San Francisco and Newark, from Delhi to New York, Newark, Washington DC, San Francisco and Chicago, and from Bengaluru to San Francisco.

The first flight AI 119 from Mumbai to New York is set to depart Mumbai at 00:55 hrs and arrive in New York at 06:55 hrs (local time) on the same day. The return flight AI 116 will depart New York at 10:55 hrs (local time) to arrive in Mumbai at 11:35 hrs+1 day.

Campbell Wilson, CEO & MD, Air India, said, “A key element of Air India’s Vihaan. AI transformation is considerably improving connectivity between India’s major cities and major global destinations. Adding this new service from Mumbai to New York JFK, following December’s launch of non-stop flights from Mumbai to San Francisco, affirms our commitment to develop a major international hub in India’s commercial capital. With the opening of this route, Air India will offer 47 nonstop flights available each week between India and the United States, with a further 14 serving Canada every week.”

Vistara to operate Mumbai-Indore flights for Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas for 15 days

Vistara has introduced a Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas (PBD) special flight from Mumbai to Indore for 15 days starting yesterday.

TK Jose, Chairman of MP Chapter of the Federation of Travel Agents’ Federation of India (TAFI) informed that the airline will operate a special flight in view of the PBD Conference and Global Investors Summit (GIS-2023) to be held in Indore from January 8 to 12. Presently the airline is operating only one flight each in the morning and evening from the city to New Delhi.

Jose said that the booking of the tickets for this special flight has already started on December 17. As per the schedule, the flight will depart from Mumbai at 1.50 pm and land at the city’s Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport at 3.05 pm. The return flight will depart from the city at 3.45 pm and reach Mumbai at 4.55 pm.

The airline is starting the flight from the point of view of convenience of passengers coming to the city to participate in the two major events. Jose said that if the airline gets a good response during this time, then it can consider continuing the flight further.

 

 

 

Akasa Air to add Goa to its route network from January 11

 

Akasa Air is set to add Goa to its route network, the 12th destination to join the airline’s fast-growing network, from January 1, 20233. Offering two daily flights from Goa to Bengaluru, increasing to three daily flights from February 1, 2023, and two daily flights from Goa to Mumbai, this enhanced connectivity between the commercial cities and one of the country’s most popular tourism hubs, will help boost economic growth and also help increase the tourist footprint.

Commenting on the new destination announcement, Praveen Iyer, Co-Founder, and Chief Commercial Officer, Akasa Air, said, “We are pleased to announce our 12th destination, Goa with flights from New Goa Manohar International Airport (Mopa), one of the newest airports that was inaugurated by our Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi-ji on December 11, 2022. We are really excited to connect Goa with two of our strong metro cities in the South and West, Bengaluru & Mumbai. We launch Goa with five daily departures connecting to Bengaluru and Mumbai. The city of beaches, Goa, has played a significant role in putting Indian tourism on the global map and is one of the most popular tourist destinations within India, all year round. It has also emerged as a manufacturing base for several leading companies, that constantly require greater connectivity to metro cities. The commencement of this route will enable us to enhance connectivity between these cities while offering our signature warm and efficient service to our passengers. Our operations from the city will cater to business and leisure travellers who are on the lookout for convenient and affordable flying options.”