Royal Gulf Tourism, a pioneer in the UAE’s inbound tourism industry, announced its strategic partnership with Linkin Reps, a leading Tourism and Hospitality Representation company in India. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Royal Gulf Tourism’s commitment to expanding its footprint in key regions of North and East India, enabling it to bring world-class travel services to a broader audience. Royal Gulf Tourism: 25+ Years of Excellence in Destination Management Founded in 1996, Royal Gulf Tourism has been at the forefront of UAE tourism for over 25 years. As one of the first Destination Management Companies (DMC) in the UAE, Royal Gulf has served more than 1.5 million tourists, translating to over five million tourist days. The company is affiliated with over 500 hotels, offering an extensive range of services, including hotel bookings, excursions, professional guides, transfers, and visa processing. Royal Gulf Tourism began its journey as a specialist in inbound tourism from the Czech Republic and Slovakia and has since expanded its presence to Central and Eastern Europe, India, the Philippines, Malaysia, South Africa, Greece, and the USA. Its unwavering dedication to delivering flawless and memorable travel experiences has earned the company a reputation as the UAE’s premium and most reliable Destination Management Company. A Partnership Rooted in Growth and Innovation Through its partnership with Linkin Reps, Royal Gulf Tourism aims to solidify its position in the Indian market. Under the leadership of Komal Seth, Director and Founder, Linkin Reps, the collaboration will focus on enhancing Royal Gulf’s visibility and fostering relationships with travel trade partners in North and East India. The partnership promises to unlock new opportunities, delivering exceptional ground-handling and destination services tailored to the needs …

The 45th edition reflects the positive outlook of the industry and reaffirms FITUR’s leadership as the world’s premier trade fair by participants and attendees. Brazil participates as Partner Country in an edition that continues to grow: 9,500 participating companies from 156 countries, and 884 main exhibitors. Organised by IFEMA MADRID, the International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR) brings together the global tourism market in its 45th edition, showcasing from 22 to 26 January the outstanding performance of the tourism industry in 2024 and the promising expectations for 2025. In this context of strength, the industry gathered around FITUR seeks to emphasise its pride in belonging to the sector, its transformative role, and its steadfast commitment to sustainability and innovation, aspects present not only in its themed sections but also in the offerings from destinations and companies. FITUR once again opens the international tourism trade fair calendar, reaffirming its leadership as the number one event in terms of participants and attendees, with the support of all public and private stakeholders in the sector’s value chain. This is evidenced by the figures presented during today’s press conference at IFEMA MADRID, attended by a broad institutional and sectoral representation: 9,500 participating companies, 156 countries, and 884 main exhibitors showcasing their offerings across nine pavilions, including 101 countries with official representation. The strong response from the sector at FITUR 2025 is expected to be reflected in attendance figures, with an estimated 150,000 professionals attending from Wednesday to Friday and around 100,000 general public visitors over the weekend. This significant turnout is projected to generate an economic impact of €445 million for Madrid, positively influencing sectors such as transportation, hospitality, catering, culture, and entertainment. FITUR: A …

Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister, Jammu & Kashmir said the 6.4km Z-Morh Tunnel will boost tourism at Sonamarg. The tunnel is expected to ease travelling to Kargil and Leh by road. It is anticipated that the tunnel can help develop the town into a premier winter destination, similar to Gulmarg.

Alejandro Del La OSA, CEO, Europamundo Vacaciones, shares, “Our special offer for the travel agents ends on 16 January, 2025 that allows them to sell tours for the next season till March 2026 at 2024 rates. It gives them an opportunity to sell FITs and groups at better prices and save on the increase in prices of next season.”

India’s rapidly expanding digital infrastructure is elevating travellers’ expectations, says Zubin Saxena, Senior VP, Hilton. “Customised itineraries and smooth, hassle-free online booking experience are becoming the norm, further driving domestic tourism growth,” he said while lauding use of technology in hospitality.

Marking 60th anniversary of India-Singapore cultural relations, Markus Tan, Regional Director, IMESA, STB, said, “In Jan, STB plans special offers and experiential trips alongside events like Singapore Art Week to commemorate this milestone. The destination is offering an exciting array of new attractions this year.”

MOT is set to make Maha Kumbh this year a landmark event not only for spiritual gatherings, but also for global tourism with luxury tents, cultural pavilions and flights. To ensure seamless travel for tourists, it has partnered with Alliance Air to enhance air connectivity to Prayagraj from multiple cities across India.

The first flight between Tripoli and Rome Fiumicino was launched on 12 Jan 2025 ITA Airways launched its first nonstop flight between Tripoli Mitiga and Rome Fiumicino. To mark the occasion, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at Terminal 3 of Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino, attended by Pietro Caldaroni, Chief Communication & Institutional Relations Officer of ITA Airways; Marco Troncone, CEO of Aeroporti di Roma; Ivan Bassato, Chief Aviation Officer of Aeroporti di Roma; Pietro Sferra Carini, Deputy Diplomatic Advisor to the Prime Minister; Pierluigi Di Palma, Chairman of ENAC; Fabio Nicolai, Acting Director General of ENAC; Muhanad Saeid Younus, Ambassador of Libya to Italy; Nicola Orlando, European Union Ambassador to Libya; Raffaello Biselli, Councilor for Commerce and Markets, Productive Activities, and Suap of Fiumicino and Nicola Colicchi, President of the Italian-Libyan Chamber of Commerce. ITA Airways’ flight schedule between Italy and Libya includes two weekly frequencies, on Thursdays and Sundays, at the following times: Departure from Tripoli Mitiga at 1:05 p.m. (local time) and arrival in Rome Fiumicino at 2:10 p.m. (local time). Departure from Rome Fiumicino at 9:15 a.m. (local time) and arrival in Tripoli Mitiga at 12:10 p.m. (local time). “We are proud to inaugurate today our first direct commercial flight between Tripoli and Rome Fiumicino, strengthening commercial and cultural ties between Libya and Italy in support of the bilateral relations between the two Countries,” said Andrea Benassi, General Manager, ITA Airways. “This new flight is yet another demonstration of the Company’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality connectivity for Italy while proudly supporting the progress, growth and development of the Nation and the business communities operating in Libya. The opening of this direct connection between Tripoli …

Sofitel Mumbai BKC, which was the first hotel in India to have been awarded Green Key Certification in 2024, has passed the annual audit which enables the property to renew its certification, which will now be valid through December 2025. Awarded by the National Jury Green Key India and the Center for Environment Education (CEE), this prestigious certification is the leading standard for excellence in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism industry. A renewal of the certification indicates Sofitel Mumbai BKC’s commitment to continuing to adhere to the strict criteria set by the Foundation for Environmental Education and highlights the establishments’ efforts to develop a sustainable and responsible business. Green Key certifications are valid for one year and must be renewed annually. For an establishment to maintain certification, it must show that it has improved its green performance each year. This includes reduced utilities consumption; increasing awareness campaigns; and upgrading facilities. Manish Dayya, General Manager said, “This certification has inspired us to adopt smarter resource management, minimise waste and integrate sustainable choices into every aspect of our operations. It is more than an accolade; it is our way of ensuring a greener future while delivering the exceptional service and elegance that Sofitel as a brand is known for. For our guests, it is a promise of a stay that aligns with their values, while offering luxury with a lighter footprint. Together, we’re making every visit a step towards a more sustainable world.”

Currently operates 54 weekly flights connecting Sri Lanka with Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Mumbai IndiGo, India’s preferred airline, proudly stands as the largest foreign carrier out of Sri Lanka. IndiGo currently operates 54 weekly flights to two cities in Sri Lanka-Colombo and Jaffna from four cities in India-Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. These direct flights between India and Sri Lanka are integral to IndiGo’s long-term growth strategy, underlining its commitment to expanding its global presence. Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales, IndiGo, said, “As the leading international carrier operating from Sri Lanka, with connections to four Indian cities, we are proud to mark this milestone, which underscores our commitment to strengthening India-Sri Lanka bilateral relations. By enhancing air connectivity, we aim to stimulate tourism and foster economic growth. Our direct flights provide increased travel options and enhanced flexibility and convenience for our customers. We remain dedicated to delivering punctual, cost-effective, and seamless travel experiences across our extensive network.” The Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, said, “I warmly congratulate IndiGo on becoming the largest foreign carrier out of Sri Lanka, a remarkable milestone that reflects its commitment to enhancing connectivity and strengthening ties between our nations. IndiGo’s increased frequency, including its operations to Jaffna, highlights its dedication to the development of the Northern Province, fostering economic growth, tourism, and cultural exchange. I also commend Acorn Aviation, IndiGo’s GSA partner in Sri Lanka, for its over 30 years of active contribution to promoting tourism and aviation in the Sri Lankan market, playing a vital role in driving progress in these industries.” The enhancement of connectivity between India and Sri Lanka is set to yield significant benefits for both nations. For …