Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

Destinations looking to harness the full potential of the growing Indian market could consider tailoring their value propositions in alignment with one or more of the 5 key points that influence where travellers choose to go, as per the latest McKinsey report on India market. They must determine factors such as the attractiveness of the destination, visas, connectivity, affordability, and the overall travel experience.

Speaking at ITM 2023 in Shillong, Conrad K Sangma, CM of Meghalaya, stated, “The kind of economic growth that we’re witnessing in the northeast is unprecedented. There is a strong and special focus to ensure that the northeastern states progress in unison with the rest of the country and to ensure economic development reaches this region. In a small state like ours, with a population of 3.8 million people, roughly about 80,000 youths join the workforce every year. Therefore, the government must strategise to create job opportunities for these youths. These numbers will continue to increase in the future. Hence, all governments in the northeast and across the country face a tremendous challenge in generating job opportunities for our young population. Tourism is one sector that can create these opportunities for our youth. Therefore, as a state government, tourism has been one of the main pillars of our economic policies and programs.”

After Sri Lanka and Thailand, Vietnam may be the next destination to allow entry of Indian travellers without the need for a visa. Vietnam’s Minister of Culture, Sports & Tourism, Nguyen Van Hung has called for short-term visa waivers for major markets like India to drive tourism recovery. In the first ten months of this year, Vietnam received nearly 10 million international visitors, marking a 4.6-fold rise compared to the corresponding period in 2022 and surpassing the targeted goal for 2023.

Business Events Australia’s signature incentive showcase, Dreamtime, kicked off in Adelaide, which saw around 10 Indian  business events planners in attendance. This is the first Dreamtime to be held since 2019. Phillipa Harrison, Managing Director, Tourism Australia, said, “Over the next two days 80 international buyers will meet with almost 90 Australian industry sellers at the Adelaide Convention Centre and events across the city, and we hope the relationships formed will drive real business outcomes for the industry right around Australia.”

The Sri Lankan Cabinet has approved a proposal to grant free visas to travellers from seven countries – India, China, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan and Indonesia – with immediate effect as part of a pilot project till 31 March. Tourists from these countries are now entitled to free visa.  

Booking.com has released its first ‘How India Travels’ report which provides insights into the evolving nature of Indian travellers. The report reveals an intriguing trait of Indian travellers – with an average window of just 29 days, they showcase remarkable spontaneity in their trip planning followed by Japan (57 days) and USA (63 days). It adds that food is now a priority and there is a surge in demand for alternative accommodation options. The 2020s: A Decade Owned by Indian Travellers, Ready to Explore Again Pre COVID-19, Indian travellers spent a total of USD 150 billion on travel marking India as the sixth largest global spender. With a strong economy, a growing middle class and travel-loving youth driving more tourism revenue in India than ever before, it is anticipated that by 2030, total expenditure made by Indian travellers will soar to an impressive USD 410 billion making India the fourth largest global spender and registering the quickest COVID recovery globally across key regions. Due to prolonged travel restrictions, especially in China, Japan and South-East Asia, tourism in Asia remained muted through 2022. India led the way on tourism expenditure recovery in 2022 by reaching 78% of 2019 levels, vis-à-vis 52% for Asia. The number of aggregate trips is expected to increase from 2.3 billion in 2019 to a staggering 5 billion in 2030.

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) organized a MICE roadshow in Mumbai, India, showcasing the diverse and dynamic offerings for business events and corporate travel in Korea. The event brought together key players in the tourism and hospitality industry, featuring participation from 7 DMCs, 2 Airlines, 1 Regional Tourism Organization (RTO), and 1 Shopping representative. The MICE roadshow served as a platform for fostering strong ties between Korean tourism stakeholders and the vibrant business and tourism community in Mumbai, highlighting the unique opportunities and facilities available for hosting successful MICE events in Korea. Attendees had the chance to engage with representatives from various sectors, gaining insights into the country’s capabilities as a premier MICE destination. Participating DMCs brought forth their expertise in curating immersive experiences, showcasing the cultural richness, modern infrastructure, and diverse landscapes that Korea has to offer. The 2 Airlines in attendance emphasized the connectivity and convenience of travel to and within Korea, making it an accessible and attractive destination for international events. Ulsan Culture &Tourism Foundation, the RTO provided valuable information on regional attractions and collaborative opportunities, encouraging attendees to explore beyond the convention halls. Additionally, Lotte Duty-Free highlighted the country’s unique retail landscape, showcasing a distinctive blend of unparalleled shopping experiences. Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director India & SAARC Countries at the Korea Tourism Organization, expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, “We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to bring Korea’s MICE offerings to Mumbai. The roadshow allowed us to connect with key stakeholders and demonstrate why Korea is an ideal destination for hosting memorable and successful business events.” As the global landscape for MICE tourism evolves, Korea continues to position itself as a leading …

Switzerland Tourism invites the trade to attend a webinar that will highlight SWISS, BLS Interlaken, Swissminatur, and FoxTown on October 12 at 3pm. Attend all webinars for a chance to win a trip to Switzerland in 2024! For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532, or click here to register. The ‘Swiss’ experience for travellers begins as soon as they board their flight, especially if they are flying directly from India to Switzerland! Once they land, they are greeted with a variety of amazing activities and experiences. This webinar will showcase multiple products and include Swiss International Air Lines, the scenic cruise on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz by BLS Interlaken, Swissminiatur which is a popular park in Ticino housing miniature replicas of popular Swiss attractions, and FoxTown – Ticini’s shopping paradise.  

Peter Semone, Chairman, PATA, has said that PTM 2023 has attracted over 1000 delegates from 46 global destinations, which includes 159 sellers from 92 organisations and 15 destinations, along with 196 buyers from 191 organisations and 38 source markets.

Switzerland Tourism invites the travel trade to attend an exclusive webinar highlighting the city of Lucerne today at 3pm. Sited on Lake Lucerne and surrounded by a gorgeous alpine landscape, Lucerne is a perfect gateway Into Central Switzerland. Attend all webinars for a chance to win a trip to Switzerland in 2024! For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532. for registrations, click here.