The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has partnered with content creator Prajakta Koli to launch an exclusive, influencer-curated itinerary designed to offer Indian travellers an overview of the emirate’s award-winning attractions and inspiring experiences. Unveiled at an event in Mumbai attended by the media and trade partners, the collaboration seeks to raise awareness of Abu Dhabi’s diverse offering – including new experiences such as teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi and Surf Abu Dhabi – empowering travel professionals to optimise their packages. Prajakta Koli is one of India’s most influential content creators, celebrated for her relatable and humorous storytelling that resonates with over 17 million followers across platforms. Known by her online persona ‘MostlySane’, she has gained widespread acclaim for creating engaging content spanning comedy, lifestyle and travel. Koli’s itineraries highlight Abu Dhabi’s versatility as a destination for short breaks, luxurious retreats, family vacations, and culturally immersive holidays alike. By putting the spotlight on the emirate’s appeal as both a standalone holiday destination and an ideal stopover, supported by Koli’s unique perspective as a content creator, the campaign targets various traveller segments such as families, couples, luxury seekers, millennial adventurers, and culture enthusiasts. During the event, travel agents were introduced to Abu Dhabi’s latest offerings, providing fresh opportunities to craft updated itineraries spanning three to five nights. The engagement also served as a platform for knowledge sharing, enabling industry stakeholders to deepen their understanding of Abu Dhabi as a destination for culture, heritage, entertainment, adventure, nature and more. India remains one of Abu Dhabi’s key source markets, and the latest initiative underscores DCT Abu Dhabi’s commitment to maintaining close ties with the valued Indian travel trade. …

With summer holidays just around the corner, the cruise industry is witnessing a sharp rise in bookings as travellers seek immersive, all-inclusive experiences at sea. Whether it is luxury ocean liners or intimate river cruises, the privilege of exploring multiple destinations in a single journey has fuelled demand across demographics. However, as more travellers set sail, industry experts highlight the importance of comprehensive travel protection. From medical assistance onboard and onshore to missed departure benefits, the right protection ensures that disruptions do not translate into financial or logistical setbacks. As customer expectations with regard to their trips are evolving by the day, Asego’s Cruise Cover offers a comprehensive safety net, including cabin confinement cover, cruise interruption coverage to reimburse costs for missed excursions, emergency medical expenses cover and evacuation benefits for onboard and onshore emergencies, and trip delay and baggage protection to cover unforeseen expenses.  

Exploring the beautiful scenery of Thailand with Vietjet Thailand’s ‘Pay Day Hot Deals’ promotion, with fares starting from IDR 8,900 (inclusive of taxes and fees) on daily direct flights between Mumbai (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport) – Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi), domestic connecting flights to Thailand’s popular destinations—Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Krabi (via Bangkok, with check-through baggage service)—and the airline’s connecting international routes—Da Nang, Phu Quoc (Vietnam), and Taipei (via Bangkok, with a convenient stopover and check-through baggage service). Book from 25 – 28 February, 2025, for travel between 1 April – 25 October, 2025 (excluding public holidays; terms and conditions apply) at www.vietjetair.com. The special promotional tickets are applied to Vietjet Thailand’s daily direct flight services between Mumbai (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport) and Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi). Additionally, passengers can conveniently book domestic connecting flights from Mumbai to Thailand’s popular destinations—Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Krabi—via Bangkok with a seamless check-through baggage service. The airline also offers international connecting flights from Mumbai to Da Nang, Phu Quoc (Vietnam), and Taipei via Bangkok, ensuring a smooth stopover with check-through baggage service. The promotional fares are also available on all other distribution channels, including www.vietjetair.com, mobile app ‘Vietjet Air,’ via Facebook at www.facebook.com/VietJetThailand by clicking the ‘Booking’ tab, as well as travel agencies and booking offices. Payment can be easily made with international debit/ credit cards. Bangkok, the vibrant capital of Thailand, offers a captivating mix of tradition and modernity. Visitors can marvel at iconic landmarks like the Grand Palace and Wat Arun while immersing themselves in the lively atmosphere of markets such as Chatuchak, night markets, and floating markets. Renowned for its world-class street food, including Pad Thai and mango sticky rice, the city …

During Singapore Tourism Board’s (STB) India roadshow in Mumbai, Markus Tan, Regional Director, STB (India, Middle East, South Asia, and Africa), said, “In 2024, Singapore saw over 1 mn Indian visitors, making India its 3rd largest source market. We have big plans for 2025 as it marks 60 years of India-Singapore relations.”

Ahmad Johanif Mohd Ali, Director, Tourism Malaysia, New Delhi Office said, “With Visit Malaysia Year 2026 campaign, we are focused on increasing arrivals from the Indian market. With the visa-free initiative, improved connectivity, and a strong focus on sustainable tourism, we aim to welcome more Indians.”

KR Naidu, MoCA, GoI, said, “India’s aviation sector will grow as the government intends to add 50 new airports in next five years. Currently, India has 159 operational airports, and by 2030, government plans to have 209 airports. “The government aims to drive India’s aviation sector to new heights,” he added.

Turtle Down Under, with Tourism Whitsundays and Brisbane Economic Development Agency, will conduct webinar on Romantic Australia: The Honeymoon Guide on 28 Feb, 2025 at 3 PM IST. Join and receive Amazon vouchers for top questions in Q&A session. Write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

RezLive.com made waves at SATTE 2025, captivating travel agents, tour operators, hoteliers, and tech innovators with a bold display of cutting-edge products and forward-thinking collaborations. Reimagining Travel Experiences At the heart of the event was the debut of our innovative Car Rental Services and an intuitive Mobile App—both designed to streamline and elevate travel experiences. Adding to the excitement, we launched luxurious Cruise Offerings and introduced our exclusive VIP Desk featuring personalised Concierge Services, all aimed at delivering seamless, hassle-free journeys. Celebrating Innovation and Partnership Kicking off the event with a vibrant beer party at our stand, the first two days were all about connection and celebration. This exclusive gathering offered our travel partners a relaxed environment to network, exchange insights, and toast to the future of travel. Jaal Shah, Group Managing Director, Travel Designer Group, shared his enthusiasm. “At RezLive.com, we are redefining travel. Our new Car Rental Solutions and Mobile App are not just innovations—they are a revolution in how our partners engage with us and offer something new to their end clients.” Empowering Travel Agents Our dynamic ‘Get More’ initiative—featuring RezRewards and the RezVault bonus—won rave reviews. These programmes are crafted to boost profits and add genuine value, rewarding our partners for their active engagement and commitment. Milestone Event SATTE 2025 proved to be a landmark for RezLive.com, sparking meaningful discussions, forging strategic alliances, and affirming our role as a trusted leader in global travel solutions.

Thomas Cook (India) and SOTC Travel, have signed a strategic 24-month partnership with Korea Tourism Organization – a collaboration that focuses on Special Projects towards increasing visibility for the destination in the high-potential India market. The MOU was signed by Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa – Thomas Cook (India), SD Nandakumar, President & Country Head – Holidays & Corporate Tours – SOTC Travel and Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director – India & SAARC Countries, Korea Tourism Organization. Korea Tourism Organization’s exclusive partnership with Thomas Cook and SOTC Travel leverages on Special Projects to drive year-round awareness and inspiration for Korea. The collaboration extends across exchange of knowledge, best practices and development of unique-innovative products designed specifically for Indian travellers, fostering long-term growth in leisure, business and MICE segments for Korea. Korea offers a vibrant and enriching experience for Indian travellers, blending luxury, culture, wellness and exceptional cuisine. The global Hallyu wave has elevated Korea’s cultural influence, with the rise of the K-beauty industry, K-pop and K-drama experiences captivating audiences worldwide. Korean cuisine, or Hansik, known for its bold flavours and healthy ingredients, adds another layer to the country’s appeal, offering a delightful culinary journey. Expanding beyond Seoul and Busan, regions like Jeju Island, Gangwon Province and Jeollanam-do offer untapped potential for immersive travel experiences focused on wellness and relaxation, with state-of-the-art spas and wellness centres. This diverse offering positions Korea as a prime destination for India’s affluent and wellness-conscious market, driving sustained growth in tourism. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa – Thomas Cook (India) said, “With new destinations and exciting experiential travel driving demand, South Korea is perfectly positioned to inspire the …

As Cruise Professionals continues to grow India as a source market for select experiential, premium & luxury cruise line, they announced Crystal Cruises as their newest client in the luxury space. Team Cruise Professionals shared, “It gives us immense pleasure to share that Cruise Professionals has been appointed by Crystal Cruises as their preferred sales agency in India. Crystal has been the watchword for exceptional cruises for three decades. In 2022, world-leading travel company A&K Travel Group acquired the Crystal brand and refurbished and relaunched the flagships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony. Now that Crystal has set a new standard at sea, we look forward to welcoming your guests to the exceptional world of Crystal. With the addition of Crystal in the portfolio, we continue to remain the most diversified Cruise Representation Company in India and we hope to continue to receive your support in 2025 and beyond.” Agents can browse & book Crystal voyages for guests on www.cruiseprofessionals.in  or call at 1800-103 0306 or email at helpdesk@cruiseprofessionals.in for assistance.