With Saudi Arabia’s growing interest in the Asia-Pacific market, PATA signalled readiness to support the kingdom with market intelligence and regional insights. While acknowledging Saudi’s robust in-house expertise, PATA highlighted its value as a connector offering knowledge from decades of Asia-focused tourism development. The collaboration could involve joint projects, knowledge sharing, and practical guidance to help Saudi adapt its tourism products for Asian travellers.

Peter Semone, Chair, PATA, used the platform of the PATA Annual Summit 2025 in Istanbul to call for a radical industry reset. Destination management must now take priority over destination marketing, he suggested. Noting decades of marketing-first approaches, he emphasised the risks of unchecked tourism growth. “If we do not manage tourism better, we risk eroding the very places we promote,” he added, pointing to global pressures on ecosystems and communities.

Celebrating 30 years of excellence, Kuoni Tumlare India marks a new chapter with the relocation to a state-of-the-art office in Connaught Place, New Delhi. Strengthening our commitment to collaborate with outbound travel agents, focusing on leisure and MICE groups in a rapidly expanding global outbound tourism market. Our esteemed global DMC, Kuoni Tumlare, boasts dedicated destination experts in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. Led by Gaurav Mathur, our team commenced the office inauguration with a traditional Indian Puja Day, followed by an engaging open house party, embracing our loyal clients and valued suppliers. Gratitude fills our hearts for the unwavering support received from our clients and local staff throughout these remarkable 30 years. Upholding our core objectives, we aim to continue sharing our expertise and knowledge with the Indian outbound travel industry for years to come.

2025 is a special year for Singapore as they celebrate SG60, making it the perfect time to visit and experience the city. To make exploring Singapore even more seamless and enjoyable, SimplyGo shared new updates on the Singapore Tourist Pass, the go-to public transportation card for all visitors. New online sales channels Visitors can now conveniently purchase the Singapore Tourist Pass in advance through international online travel platforms such as Expedia, Pelago, Traveloka and Trip.com as well as various local online travel platforms. Using the QR code provided upon purchase, they can easily redeem their pass at SimplyGo Ticket Offices or Singapore Tourist Pass kiosks. This new option complements the more than 50 physical retail points and self-help kiosks across Singapore. Key locations include Changi Airport, SimplyGo Ticket Offices at selected MRT stations and popular tourist hotspots such as Bugis, Chinatown, Harbourfront and Orchard Road. New Sentosa Express Bundle The Singapore Tourist Pass + Sentosa Express Bundle is now available at just S$31. This bundle provides three days of unlimited public transport rides along with one standard admission to the Sentosa Express, allowing visitors to effortlessly explore the island and enjoy its vibrant attractions: Price: S$31 Inclusions: three days of unlimited bus and train rides + 1 Sentosa Express admission for 1 person Availability: Changi Airport MRT Station Terminal 2 Ticketing Service Centre and Harbourfront MRT Station Ticket Office Stay tuned for more bundles coming your way in 2025! NEW! More Day Pass Type Options In addition to the existing 1-, 2- and 3-day passes, the Singapore Tourist Pass has expanded its offerings to include 4- and 5-day passes, providing greater flexibility for visitors planning longer stays in Singapore. Explore …

Peter Semone, Chair, PATA, announced that the 2026 PATA Annual Summit will be held in Gyeongju and Andong, South Korea, for the first time across two cities. This special edition marks PATA’s 75th anniversary, with a focus on heritage, innovation, and resilience. The event will unveil the new PATA Index, designed to measure the visible and invisible impacts of tourism, moving beyond outdated metrics like arrivals and spend.

FHRAI will host its 55th Annual Convention in Bengaluru from 12–14 September 2025, bringing together over 1,200 hospitality leaders. FHRAI President K. Syama Raju said, “The Convention is an opportunity to build a roadmap for resilient, inclusive and eco-conscious hospitality growth in India,” highlighting Bengaluru’s global appeal and focus on innovation.

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has launched a new vision and mission to redefine its role in shaping the region’s tourism landscape. The refreshed vision, “A meaningful Pacific Asia tourism economy”, emphasises purpose-driven growth. PATA’s mission focuses on sharing knowledge, enabling networking and protecting tourism assets through innovation, collaboration and adaptability. With this strategic shift, PATA aims to equip the travel trade with tools to thrive in a rapidly evolving global environment, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability, resilience and industry unity across Asia and the Pacific.

As part of the Three Hundred Seventy Ninth Report on Demands for Grants (2025–26) of the Ministry of Tourism, a Parliamentary Standing Committee has recommended forming a Fund Utilisation Task Force. Comprising financial and project management experts, the task force will conduct monthly reviews to track fund usage and identify bottlenecks, aiming to enhance transparency and efficiency in tourism projects.

Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Oman, invites travel partners to an exclusive webinar on 23 April 2025 at 3pm. Learn how to sell this captivating destination more effectively and stand a chance to win exciting prizes! Gain insights from Oman Air, Kempinski Hotels Muscat and Magic Travels. Enhance your destination knowledge, gather insider tips and elevate your client offerings. For more information, contact jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call +91 96501 96532.

When we envisioned Caravan, the goal was clear: to create a platform where global travel brands could directly connect with India’s fastest-growing travel markets. Chandigarh, Pune, and Hyderabad — three cities with immense tourism potential — played host to our vision. And what unfolded across these cities was nothing short of transformative. Three Cities. One Vision. Countless Connections. Caravan was designed as a melting pot of collaboration and inspiration. Over three action-packed days, we brought together more than 30 destination partners, including tourism boards and brands from the Maldives, Mauritius, Bali, Thailand, and Dubai. These weren’t just showcases; they were conversations, collaborations, and opportunities waiting to be unlocked. Adding a Layer of Innovation: Our AI Sessions In each city, we hosted a dedicated 10-minute AI session that gave agents a glimpse into the future. From creating quick, on-the-go itineraries using ChatGPT to generating ready-to-send quotes through TravClan’s AI-powered WhatsApp solution in under two minutes—we didn’t just talk about the future. We showed how it’s already here. Because Business Shouldn’t Be Boring We know that long events can be exhausting. So, we built spaces to unwind: interactive games, quirky photo booths, and engagement activities that allowed travel agents to relax, recharge, and build meaningful connections without the pressure. What Made Caravan Different? It wasn’t just another industry event. It was an experience. It was a space where travel agents didn’t just network, they felt seen. Where brands didn’t just exhibit, they built relationships. Where technology wasn’t just discussed, it was put into agents’ hands to use. Why It Matters Caravan stands as a new benchmark in B2B travel networking. The turnout, the conversations, and the energy across all three cities told …