Booking.com unveiled how Indian travellers plan their trips in Travel Trends for 2024. According to the report, 61% of travellers book flights and 37% book event tickets well in advance. Car rentals, restaurant reservations, and even taxis are either booked along with the accommodation or left until closer to the trip date.   

Dato’ Muzafar Shah Mustafa, High Commissioner of Malaysia in India, said, “We hope that the visa-free program we’re offering to India will be reciprocated by the Indian government, granting visa-free access for Malaysians. There’s significant interest among Malaysians to explore India, and such reciprocity would be greatly appreciated.” 

The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Sultanate of Oman, proudly announces the successful culmination of its three-city sales mission across India. Commencing on 15 April 2024 from Delhi, the mission continued its journey to Ahmedabad (19 April) and concluded successfully in Lucknow (23 April). The sales mission, aimed at strengthening the bond with Indian market, witnessed active participation of esteemed delegates from Oman, including Ms. Saada Abdullah Saif Al Harthi, Director for Business Development Department, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, and Ms. Zainab Suliman Al Shamli, Marketing Specialist. The mission programme, devised with a strategic objective to enhance joint marketing promotions in the Indian market, was tailored to engage key trade partners from each city, ensuring a focused and interactive platform. The primary focus of the mission was to promote Oman as an ideal destination for luxury travellers from India, capitalising on the cultural synergies shared between the two nations. Oman has witnessed a surge in interest from the Indian market due to its rich cultural tapestry and diverse experiences. With its breathtaking landscapes, historic treasures, and world-class hospitality, the destination stands as an oasis of luxury for discerning travellers seeking bespoke experiences. The day’s programme unfolded with a captivating introduction by Ms. Saada, followed by illuminating presentations from Oman’s national carriers – Oman Air and Salam Air, offering seamless connectivity and superior travel experiences. Oman Tourism presented a detailed showcase of the Sultanate’s myriad attractions, captivating the audience with its enchanting beauty and unparalleled hospitality. A lively Q&A session, interspersed with exciting giveaways, added an interactive dimension to the event, fostering deeper connections. The day concluded with a networking lunch, providing attendees with the opportunity for one-on-one interactions with …

In the heart of Seminyak, a new era of hospitality blooms with the unveiling of Cross Paasha Bali Seminyak, the latest masterpiece by Cross Hotels & Resorts. Cross Paasha Bali Seminyak emerges as a beacon of contemporary luxury, weaving together stylish design and Balinese tradition in a cocoon of lavishness that caters to those with an appreciation for upscale living. An Abode of Elegance and Serenity Cross Paasha Bali Seminyak redefines luxury with its 99 impeccably designed rooms, each a haven of style and comfort. From the grandeur of its penthouses to the chic allure of its suites, every space is crafted to captivate. In each room, modern styling mingles with Balinese craftsmanship, setting a scene of casual sophistication. Imagine waking up to the soothing sight of a lush vertical garden or being mesmerized by the stunning panoramas of Seminyak’s skyline—this is the daily reality at Cross Paasha Bali Seminyak. Guests revel in top-notch comforts, with the indulgent Sensatia Botanicals bath essentials and the deep, flavourful brew of coffee from Cross Paasha Bali Seminyak’s very own First Crack Coffee enriching every second with opulence and ease. Every room interweaves lush tropical flora, not just boosting the room’s beauty but also instilling a serene vibe that echoes nature’s embrace. “We are dedicated to infusing this iconic property with our unique hospitality, aiming to create memorable experiences for our guests. With our outstanding team, we’re poised to redefine luxury in Seminyak, eagerly anticipating the joy and transformation it will bring to our visitors.” – Evan Burns, Country Manager for Cross Hotels & Resorts Indonesia. A Culinary Journey and Vibrant Social Scene The resort is a playground for epicureans and social butterflies alike, …

Skyscanner’s report finds that nearly 3 in 4 Gen Z travellers meticulously plan their first international trips, with 76% arranging itineraries and 73% booking return tickets in advance. Over half (51%) prioritize budget-friendly flights and accommodations, for their first overseas trip, indicating a strong emphasis on financial planning among this generation. 

The European Union (EU) has adopted a new visa system called the “cascade” regime specifically for Indian nationals. Indian citizens can now be issued long-term, multi-entry Schengen visas valid for two years. This is a significant improvement compared to potentially shorter-validity visas offered previously. To qualify for the two-year visa, applicants must have obtained and lawfully used two Schengen visas within the previous three years. 

Naveen Kundu, MD, Ebixcash Travel has said that the travel corporate tax paid by corporations in India has grown by 160% over the last 10 years. Net direct tax collection has surged by 160% to ₹16,63,686 crores, indicating increased profitability among corporations. With the corporate tax rate slashed to 25% from the previous range of 30-35% announced in 2015, business houses now have an additional 10% from their theoretical revenues to allocate towards employee expenditures.  

Malaysia plans to build Southeast Asia’s largest integrated circuit design park and will offer incentives including tax breaks, subsidies and visa exemption fees to attract global tech companies and investors, the government said. Malaysia is aiming to turn Kuala Lumpur into a regional digital hub, with the goal of being among the top 20 countries in the global startup ecosystem index by 2030.  

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, a leading hospitality name in the Sri Lankan hospitality industry that is committed to excellence, is proud to announce the appointment of Palak Shah as the Vice President of Sales for Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts. Palak brings 24 years of unparalleled hospitality experience, especially in India and Southwest Asia. In his new role at Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Palak will lead its strategic sales initiatives, particularly focusing on accelerating growth in key source markets and India. He will also oversee the Global Sales Office initiatives and efforts set up in these markets. As the former Regional Director Sales – Southwest Asia at Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) – Global Sales Office in Mumbai, Palak is a recognised dynamic sales and marketing professional, having been honoured as the GSO Person of The Year in 2023 and awarded the Salesperson of The Year at the AMEA award in 2013. His leadership, astute market insights and execution of sales strategies that transcend conventional boundaries saw him achieve unprecedented milestones, surpassing revenue targets and elevating IHG’s stature in the fiercely competitive Indian market. Commenting on this appointment, the Chief Commercial Officer of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Radhey Tawar, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Palak to the Cinnamon family. His appointment underscores our commitment to enhancing our sales culture and driving strategic growth within the organisation. Palak will be key in aligning our efforts towards driving commercial success for Sri Lanka’s first and South Asia’s largest integrated resort – Cinnamon Life, set top open later this year. His focus on accelerating business growth in our key source markets, particularly India will further strengthen our position as a hospitality leader. Additionally, Palak will …

Redefine Omani hospitality with a modern stay experience with MAANI MUSCAT HOTEL AND SUITES. Seek the old and new in Seeb and beyond in Oman’s capital city. The 4 star property is a stylish state of the art hotel with world class facilities ; 3 dining outlets, a swimming pool, jacuzzi, spa, gym, a conference hall and various meeting spaces to cater for large and small events. Having 161 Hotel Rooms & 45 Luxury Apartments, located 10 minutes by car from Seeb Park, Oman Aquarium and Muscat international Airport is 25 kms away the property offers multiple options for family events, celebrations & weekend packages as well. GlobalIndiaReps is a representative/consulting/marketing platform having the collective experience of almost 20 years in representing, launching, promoting and creating a network for business from India – with deep connections in Europe, Asia, Central Asia & as far as Canada. Upon signing the agreement, Mr. Ismail Al Tobi, General Manager, MAANI MUSCAT HOTEL & SUITES said “I am delighted that through our newly appointed In market Exclusive Representative, GlobalIndiaReps we can introduce MAANI MUSCAT HOTEL & SUITES award winning facilities, custom services to the Indian market. Outbound Travel from India presents a significant opportunity given the huge demand for this region and we wish to offer and serve the outbound travel market for 2024.” “With their unique experience, strong trade relationships, proven track record of success launching new international products from India, we are confident that GlobalIndiaReps, headed by Mr. Ashish Saran will springboard and accelerate our entry into the Indian outbound market from Asia”, Ismail added. Mr. Ashish Saran, Business Head, GlobalIndiaReps added “there is a major chunk of agents, looking at newer …