MAI will commence direct non-stop flights from Yangon to Chennai every Saturday from May 6, 2023 enhancing the connectivity between the two countries further after Delhi (Mon, Wed, Fri) and Kolkata (Thu, Sun) and Gaya. This will boost the leisure, MICE, VFR, Corporate, labour and medical travelers with comfortable connections to Yangon and beyond to other international and domestic network of MAI. MAI is offering a special one way Economy fare starting as low as Rs.22,907 and one way Business class fare starting at Rs.47,840. MAI offers 30 Kgs free registered baggage allowance to all Economy class passengers and 40 Kgs free registered baggage allowance to all Business Class passengers in addition to 7 Kgs hand luggage. MAI will be operating on this route with A319/A320 or Embraer 190 aircraft once a week on every Saturday. The flight 8M 630 will depart Yangon at 0800 Hours and arrive Chennai at 1015 Hours. The flight 8M 631 will depart Chennai at 1115 Hours and arrive Yangon at 1515 Hours. MAI is a full service carrier and offers 3% commission on basic fare to all IATA agents. MAI currently operates to 27 International destinations and 18 domestic destinations and has seamless interline arrangements with 34 carriers. MAI also offers special benefits to various categories of passengers. For Pilgrims like Monks and Nuns there is an extra 5% discount on international fares , for Corporate traveler MAI offers 10 Kgs extra free baggage allowance and one time free date change. For Diplomats there is a 5% discount on international fares along with priority check in and priority boarding and for medical travelers MAI offers additional 5 Kgs free baggage allowance and one time …

Speaking at the side event of the 2nd TWG meeting in Siliguri, Arvind Singh, Secretary, MOT, said that the event is a great occasion to discuss, ideate possibilities to achieve the SDG’s. “The deliberations reiterate the notion that Adventure tourism can be a positive cause for achieving the 2030 sustainable development goals,” he said.

The Goa Tourism Department, in partnership with Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) India Chapter, is organising its first-ever Roadshow across Europe. The roadshow will start on 18 April from Frankfurt, 20 April Zurich, Vienna on 24 April, and will end in Paris on 26 April.

UNWTO shared global best practices for developing Tourism Investment Strategy (TIS) at the Chintan Shivir by MOT. The session highlighted the structured approach for developing a comprehensive investment strategy,

KB Kachru, Vice President, HAI and Chairman Emeritus & Principal Advisor, South Asia Radisson Hotel Group, speaking at a recent interaction chaired by Minister of Tourism and Secretary, Tourism, said, “Given the local pull factor & ability of our domestic market combined with recent government policies, we can showcase our diversity to attract foreign investment.”

G Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Tourism, lays out three major pillars for developing tourism in mission mode to make India the major travel destination—Active participation-to encourage competitive federalism among States and their participation in creating national strategies and models. Convergence of government programmes and Public-Private Partnership

Travel Professionals attending GTFF 2023 may register for a free Familiarization tour of North Bay, Ontario. The full day program that will include lunch, will provide an opportunity to discover the charms of the city and get a taste of Ontario’s magnificent Northern region. Featured in the itinerary are museum visits, including the North Bay Museum, Canadian Forces Museum of Aerospace which provides understanding and connection to Canada’s historical and current contributions to air defence, and a visit of the Heritage Railway and Carousel Company; to experience the magic of a restored Heritage Carousel and nostalgic Heritage Railway. Participants will continue the day with a tour of the city and tour a local North Ontario Brewery with a delicious selection of local craft beers; enjoying a flight or pint. Participants may also have the opportunity to visit a Maple Syrup Farm (subject to time availability), to indulge in savouring Canada’s iconic sweet delicacies from a region well known for maple syrup production.

Syed Abid Rashid Shah (IAS), is the new Secretary, Tourism & Culture, Jammu & Kashmir. He has served as DC Kulgam, DC Anantnag, DC Pulwama and DC Srinagar and has contributed immensely with his capacities of head and heart for the overall development of the UT of J&K. He was CEO ERA and smart city project as well.

Anticipating the surge of foreign tourists coming into the Philippines in summer season and following President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s directive for the implementation of electronic visa systems, the Department of Tourism (DOT) initiated a high-level convergence meeting with the heads and representatives from the DFA, DICT, DOJ and B to discuss visa reforms to ease entry for country’s tourist source markets.

Atlys, India’s leading visa application platform, is organizing a webinar today at 3:30pm IST. Become a distributor for Atlys, which automates and simplifies the visa application process and helps agents apply for visa in few mins. Register on +91 9650196532, jaspreet@ddppl.com.