Tag Archives: shopping

Taiwan has been actively engaging the Indian market, including a Mumbai office opened earlier this year.

Taiwan unveils new brand campaign Version 3.0 ‘Taiwan – Waves of Wonder’

With an eye to reinforce Taiwan’s post-pandemic tourism profile, Taiwan Tourism Administration (TTA) has announced the launch of new global brand positioning campaign, and logo, Version 3.0 titled ‘Taiwan – Waves of Wonder.’ It also launched a new series of animated short films and Taiwan tourism promotional song to accompany the new logo.

Inviting visitors to ‘engage now’ to experience Taiwan in all its colours and across four-seasons, the new campaign aims to drive demand, accelerate inbound tourism growth, fully revitalise country’s tourism sector. The campaign also aims to drive 10 million international tourist arrivals this year, eyeing a significant growth over last year’s 6.48 million tourist arrivals.

The new version of the brand integrates images of Taiwan’s mountains, oceans, highways and railways, presenting a wave-like design to convey the seasonal highlights of the destination showing that Taiwan is diverse and beautiful, while emphasizing its year-round hospitality towards visitors. The logo adopts the orange tones of sunrise and morning light to not only align with the ‘warmth and vitality of the previous brand’, but also to symbolise the future development of Taiwan’s tourism industry.

The campaign showcases Taiwan in all its hues, from modern tourism infrastructure and landmarks, great outdoors and activities, pristine nature, architectural and cultural heritage, to exotic cuisines and immersive culinary experiences, vibrant nightlife, shopping, music, entertainment and its vibrant festivals, among others, to position Taiwan as round-the-year destination.

TTA plans to fully broadcast its new brand campaign in all its global destination marketing campaigns and through leading international travel exhibitions that it participates across the various tourism source markets that it is eyeing to develop. It will integrate its marketing plans for each market with the new brand campaign and undertake the publicity operation strategy through the five-way approach, namely, travel exhibitions, promotion meetings, outdoor advertising, TV media, and social media.

The campaign will be unleashed targeting enhanced destination awareness and shape perceptions while positioning Taiwan with messages like ‘Taiwan is a high-quality tourism destination’ and that ‘all four seasons are tourist seasons.’

 

Outletcity Metzingen – A Journey to Europe’s largest Shopping Outlet

Enzian Höfe

Outletcity Metzingen is the perfect blend of fashion, lifestyle, cuisine, culture, and a diverse range of events. The city invites guests from all over the world to experience outlet shopping on a new level.

With designer pieces from trendy brands such as Aigner, Bally, Boss, Coach, Ferragamo, Lululemon, Michael Kors, Tommy Hilfiger, Porsche Design, and many more, all with year-round discounts of up to 70%, the Outletcity is a true paradise for shopping enthusiasts. Located in Southern Germany, next to Stuttgart, the town where the car was invented, and just a two-hour drive from Munich and Frankfurt, a world of over 170 premium and luxury brands opens up, making every shopper’s heart beat faster. With a city-within-a-city concept, award-winning architecture, and an outstanding product selection, a trip to the Outletcity is like a deluxe vacation day.
But the Outletcity offers more than that:

Christmas Lights On Event: On November 8th, Outletcity Metzingen shone in festive splendor at the Christmas Lights On event, marking the official start of the Christmas season. Guests enjoyed impressive lighting throughout the Outletcity, a spectacular light show, musical entertainment, and, of course, Christmas delicacies. It was an event that brought a very special magic and made both young and old eyes sparkle.

Gerber

Even More Discounts With the start of the pre-Christmas season, the “Black Weeks” begin on November 18th. Until December 2nd, guests can enjoy exclusive offers with even more attractive discounts of up to 80%. The ideal time to get a head start on Christmas shopping for loved ones and save money at the same time.

Cuisine: After an extensive shopping experience, a culinary break is well-deserved. Whether in stylish chalet-chic at the Almresi, with delicious sushi at Champa, or in internationally renowned restaurants and cafes such as Starbucks, Marché Mövenpick, L’Osteria, or the exclusive Boss Café – there’s something for everyone. The Bollicine&Co. Champagne Bar provides sparkling moments of enjoyment with a select range of sparkling wines and Italian delicacies.

Culture Meets Fashion: Discover Metzingen’s Story at “The Museum”. Those who have done enough shopping and want to expand their knowledge about fashion and the fashion history of Metzingen can visit “The Museum”. This new attraction is dedicated to the history of the local textile industry and the connection with Hugo Boss. Therefore, “The Museum” is located in the birthplace of
“Boss” right within the center of the Outletcity.

Overnight Stay: Wake up with a view of the who’s who of the best-known brands? No problem! At the Moxy Outletcity Metzingen Hotel, nothing stands in the way of shopping dreams. In the trendy fashion and lifestyle hotel, style and comfort meet warm hospitality in an urban atmosphere.

Want to stay a little longer? If you have extra time, the region around Metzingen is full of attractions. From historic castles to the natural wonders of the Swabian Alps to a plethora of picturesque villages, each celebrating the winter season with their own Christmas Markets, there are many places to discover for young and old.

‘We are committed to providing a welcoming environment for Indian visitors’

As a leading shopping destination for international visitors, including organized travel groups, what sets Outletcity Metzingen apart from other factory outlet centres in Europe? How has it maintained its appeal as a top choice for travellers seeking a unique shopping experience?
Outletcity Metzingen distinguishes itself through its unique blend of luxury brands, attractive discounts, and a captivating shopping experience. Our carefully curated brand portfolio, stunning blend of historic and modern architecture, and exceptional customer service make us a premier shopping destination. The convenient location in Southern Germany, just a 2-hour drive from major cities like Munich, Frankfurt and Zurich, makes us an ideal destination for international travelers, including organized travel groups.

Angela Rieger, Senior International Partnership Manager at Outletcity Metzingen

With the festive season approaching, what special promotions, events, or Christmas-themed activities can visitors expect at Outletcity Metzingen this year, and how can travel agents leverage these to attract group bookings?
In November, Outletcity Metzingen will become enchanted with a festive flair as magical lights illuminate the storefronts with Christmas fairy tales. Additionally, from November 18th to December 2nd the Black Weeks provide exceptional discounts and are the perfect way to start your Christmas Shopping. During the month of December, a small Christmas market with traditional delicacies awaits visitors on our main square. These events and promotions can be a major draw for both group and FIT travelers, offering a unique and memorable shopping experience. Additionally, Metzingen is the perfect base to explore the numerous historic Christmas Markets in the region such as Stuttgart, Tübingen, Esslingen and Ludwigsburg.

In addition to its extensive shopping options, Outletcity Metzingen provides a range of hospitality services. Could you share how the hotels, restaurants, and other amenities on offer enhance the overall visitor experience, particularly for group travellers?
The city of Metzingen offers a variety of accommodation options, from holiday apartments to boutique hotels and of course the stylish Moxy Outletcity Metzingen hotel, providing a convenient and comfortable stay. With 203 rooms, the Moxy Outletcity Metzingen is particularly suitable for groups but will also offer a stylish stay for every fashionista. Our diverse range of restaurants and cafes includes not only the world’s only BOSS Café but also a choice from European to Asian cuisine and caters to various dietary preferences. For our Indian guests we can also recommend the Indian restaurant that is located in the historic town center of Metzingen and just a 5-minute-walk from the Outletcity. Furthermore, our Customer Service in the Welcome Center is glad to help with any request visitors may have. For individual guests our new VIP Lounge is an additional attraction that offers a luxurious shopping break and can be booked by travel agents in advance.

For travel agents organising first-time group visits during the Christmas season, what are the top attractions or events at Outletcity Metzingen that they should highlight in their itineraries?
For first-time group visits during the upcoming season we would recommend to highlight the special offers of the upcoming Black Weeks and include some of the regional Christmas markets in the itinerary. At Outletcity Metzingen we have also created special packages for groups that can be requested via our website.

Given the growing interest from Indian travellers, what strategies does Outletcity Metzingen have in place to engage with this market? Are there any incentives, commissions, or exclusive offers for travel agents and tour operators who plan group visits from India?
We are committed to providing a welcoming environment for Indian visitors with dedicated services targeted to their needs. We are also exploring additional incentives and exclusive offers for travel agents and tour operators who plan group visits from India. For any details on such incentives we look forward to hearing from interested agencies.

Amadeus’ enhanced deal with United to include NDC & EDIFACT content

Amadeus has signed an enhanced distribution agreement with United Airlines. As part of the agreement, the Chicago-based carrier will offer a wide range of content through the Amadeus Travel Platform.

The partnership includes both New Distribution Capability (NDC) and EDIFACT content, providing travel sellers the broadest selection of flights and fares in the United States and around the world, helping them to create the personalised trips travellers increasingly expect through NDC.

“Amadeus has been a vital distribution partner in the deployment of NDC, and we are delighted to accelerate that journey today,” said Kurt Van Meir, Managing Director, Distribution, United Airlines. At United Airlines, we look forward to deepening our collaboration with Amadeus as we work together to create an enhanced shopping experience for travellers across every channel.”

“Our approach to delivering airline content combines technology, innovation and traveller centric solutions to enable travel sellers to offer the right journeys to meet each traveler’s specific needs, all with a seamless shopping, booking and servicing experience. Of course, NDC content and capabilities play a vital role in making this possible,” said Kamal Singhee, Senior Vice President, Airlines, North America at Amadeus. “Building upon our longstanding relationship with United Airlines will enable travel sellers to provide the full benefits of NDC content and technology to travellers in the United States and around the world.”

India sees major drop in tourists from Bangladesh amid political turmoil

The recent unrest in Bangladesh has caused a significant drop in outbound travel.

The situation worsened about two weeks ago when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and left the country in response to escalating student protests. This led to temporary flight disruptions and a suspension of all visas except those for medical reasons.

Although flights have now resumed, an official from a budget airline operating flights to Dhaka noted that the passenger load for these flights has decreased by over 50 per cent.

The political turmoil has led to almost 90% outbound travel from Bangladesh, an Economic Times report quoted officials from the Travel Operators Association of Bangladesh quoted as saying.

Md Taslim Amin Shovon, Director of the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh, said that travel to India constitutes to be a significant segment of Bangladesh’s outbound travel market.

“India is a key destination for Bangladeshi travellers, who account for 40-45 per cent of outbound trips. The majority visit for medical treatment (over 80 per cent), with shopping (15 per cent) and leisure (5 per cent) as secondary reasons. Kolkata is a favoured shopping hub, particularly before festivals, while Sikkim, Northeast India, and Kashmir also attract visitors?” Shovan said, as quoted by the report.

Although tourist arrivals in India surged by 43.5 per cent in 2023, the figures are still 15.5 per cent below pre-pandemic levels. The country saw 9.23 million visitors last year, bringing in Rs 24,707 crore in foreign exchange. Among these tourists, those from Bangladesh constituted more than 22.5 per cent, representing the largest percentage from any single nationality, the report said.

Debjit Dutta, Chairman, Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) West Bengal Chapter, noted that travel between Bangladesh and India has almost come to a halt since the onset of the recent crisis.

The report quoted him as saying, “The government has stopped issuing visas, and only those with genuine medical reasons are granted visas. Travel operators, hotels, and guest houses near hospitals in West Bengal have experienced a near 90 per cent drop in business.”

In 2023, medical tourism from Bangladesh to India experienced a significant increase of 48 per cent, with the number of patients rising to 449,570 from 304,067 the previous year.

The report quoted Samit Bez, Chief Executive and Founder of Kolkata-based medical tourism company Indiatreatments.com, as saying that his company previously managed around 150 Bangladeshi patients each month. However, he has observed a drastic decline, with the current number of patients falling to just five or 6 per month, as many appointments have been cancelled.

Destination DC registers record visitation, India emerges as 2nd largest inbound market

Destination DC (DDC), the official destination marketing organization for the nation’s capital, announced that Washington, DC experienced its highest-ever influx of visitors in 2023. The city welcomed a total of 25.95 million visitors, marking a notable 17 percent increase from the previous year and surpassing the pre-pandemic record set in 2019. This surge in visitors resulted in a record-breaking $10.2 billion in visitor spending and supported an unprecedented 102,366 local jobs.

Additionally, Washington, DC has emerged as a favoured destination for Indian travellers, with India ranking as the second-largest inbound market according to Destination DC. In 2023, a total of 165,100 Indian visitors travelled to Washington, DC, contributing to a significant spending of $287,400,000.

“India continues to be an important market for Washington, DC tourism, coming in as our #2 overseas market for visitation in 2023. More importantly, India was DC’s top overseas market for 2023 visitor spending. Research shows that the India market prioritizes DC for its arts, culture, luxury amenities and shopping, and we have plans to invest to further expand our market share in 2024 and beyond.” Said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, President and CEO, Destination DC.

Of the record 25.95 million total visitors, 24 million travelled domestically. That means domestic visitation has fully rebounded to 105 percent of 2019 figures. International visitation continues to trend towards pre-pandemic levels. The 1.95 million international visitors indicate an 85 percent return, but a 40 percent increase year-over-year. International travellers typically stay longer and spend twice as much as their domestic counterparts. Ferguson further added, “This is a major milestone for Washington, DC. Put simply, we are seeing the results of our increased marketing and sales efforts thanks to the tourism recovery district legislation, and the city is benefiting from increased tourism. There is still work to do, however, since international travel hasn’t fully recovered. The additional funding allows us to continue to entice international visitors who stay longer and spend more.”