A delegation from the Wakayama Prefectural Government led by Hiroshi Shimo, Hon. Vice Governor of Wakayama Prefectural Government, is on a Maharashtra visit (Mumbai–Aurangabad) from May 17 to 23, 2016 with the key agenda of facilitating familiarisation tours bilaterally of Maharashtra and Wakayama. The tours will cover key places in Maharashtra from the Mumbai-Aurangabad circuit and Mumbai-Nagpur circuit (including Tadoba) along with seven travel trade professionals. As part of the MoU between Maharashtra and Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is funding the Ajanta-Ellora Development Phase 3 and showcasing their full support towards development of tourism in Maharashtra. Shimo said, “We have successfully implemented various projects in the field of tourism through our MoU. The Maharashtra Corner developed at Wakayama Prefectural Government is instrumental in giving out knowledge about Maharashtra and its offerings to concern authorities in Japan. We are thankful to Hon. CM Shri Devendra Fadnavis for providing us an office space in Aurangabad office which provides us with a similar opportunity to promote Japan tourism in Maharashtra. Our Omotenashi Project has given us a chance to host the MTDC officials in our country and give them an experience of the Japanese hospitality through a seven day programme. We are keen to renew our MoU which has proved mutually beneficial to both countries.” Paraag Jaiin Nainuttia IAS, Managing Director, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, commented, “The renewal of the MoU term will help increase tourism inflow in Maharashtra and Wakayama through the agreement. It will further help maintain mutual cooperation between both states for expansion of tourism ties to enhance economic growth and job creation. We thank Hon. Vice Governor of Wakayama, Mr. Hiroshi Shimo for providing …

The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) is in dialogues with a few destinations for its annual convention that is likely to be held between August-September 2016. Sunil Kumar, President, TAAI, who was in Mumbai recently, said, “Convention is also one of the reasons why the four Office Bearers met at the TAAI Secretariat. We are having a few meetings and hopefully by May end we should have confirmed the destination and the venue. The window for our convention is between August 15 – September end. If required, we may get on to October. We already have details from a few bidders.” Lokesh Bettaiah, TAAI’s Secretary General, said, “Many destinations have shown their interest in hosting our convention and among them are Egypt, South Africa and Singapore. Four of the Office Bearers had also visited Egypt recently for a recce on the Ministry’s invitation.”

Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia along with Cambodia Airports is organising a three-city roadshow, starting from Bengaluru on May 23, Hyderabad on May 25 and concluding in Mumbai on May 27, 2016. A delegation of around 15 representatives from tourism and aviation stakeholders such as members of Cambodian Association of Travel Agents, PATA Cambodia Chapter members, members of Cambodia Hotels Association and Hotel Operators and Cambodian Airlines will be traveling to India for this. The last roadshow was held in New Delhi in 2014.  

The latest addition to WelcomHeritage portfolio – WelcomHeritage Mani Mansion – is a 94-year-old heritage property that was once home to the Dalal family. The property reopened on May 9 after it had shut for renovation last year. The hotel room rates start from rs 6000. Built by the legendary social worker and acclaimed businessman, Manibhai Dalal in 1923 and the property was formerly known as “Corporate Suites – The Heritage Home Stay.” Located on Ashram road in Ahmedabad, the property aims to preserve the rich cultural heritage associated to the ancestral home. From an ancestral mansion, it has been suitably modified as one of the city’s finest heritage hotels. WH Mani Mansion is a boutique heritage hotel with 21 suites providing an experience of ancient era in Ahmedabad. WH Mani Mansion has also received heritage property stature from the Government of Gujarat. The hotel offers a multi cuisine Restaurant serving variety of cuisines including authentic Gujarati cuisine prepared by chefs who have been associated with the family since past 2 generations thus giving a taste of true Gujarati culinary prowess. While staying at WelcomHeritage Mani Mansion, one can explore the attractions of Ahmedabad that involves Kalupur Temple, Calico Museum of Textiles, Gandhi Ashram, Adalaj, Hatheesing Jain Temple, Sarkhej Roza, and Vishala Vessel Museum. Also one can take a day trip to Champaner, Pavagadh Temple Trek, Raja Ravi Verma Collection, Modhera (Sun Temple), Rani Ki Vav (Patan) (World Heritage Site), White Rann of Kutch, Palitana Temple, Gir Forest, Lothal. One can also visit Ambaji Temple, Mount Abu, Udaipur & many more places within comfortable and drivable distance from Ahmedabad.

The Executive Committee of Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) has decided to waive off the Rs. 5000/- registration fee for new members from North East India till March 31, 2017. Lally Matthews, Honorary Secretary, IATO, said, “IATO is looking at adding more members now. We would like to increase membership from the North East and have thus waived off the registration fee of Rs. 5000/- for interested tour operators from the region.”

Around 32 Foreign Tour Operators from 12 countries, and 10 corporates attended the first edition of Global MICE Travel Mart (GMTM). In all, 42 buyers and 27 sellers were in attendance. The next edition of GMTM will be held in July 2017, announced Dr. Jyotsna Suri, Immediate Past President, FICCI, and Chairperson, FICCI Tourism Committee at the inauguration of the 1st edition of Global MICE Travel Mart. Organised by FICCI in association with the Ministry of Tourism (MOT) and India Convention Promotion Bureau (ICPB), the mart is being held from May 19-21 2016 at The Lalit, New Delhi. Dr Suri said that the conference is a step towards promoting India as a MICE destination and will be held annually here onwards. The FICCI-MRSS report on ‘India Inbound MICE Tourism – Trends and Opportunities’ was released during inaugural session where Dr A Didar Singh, Secretary General, FICCI, Chander Mansharami, Vice Chairman – ICPB, Suman Billa, Joint Secretary, MOT and Rahul Chakravarty, Director & Head – Tourism, FICCI, spoke about MICE tourism in India. A panel discussion on ‘Furthering MICE Tourism into India – Rejuvenating the Roadmap’ with several well-known industry professionals followed after.

Four members of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) Managing Committee met in Mumbai yesterday to review  applications received by the association from its members for the Joint Bank Guarantee (JBG) Scheme. Sunil Kumar, President, TAAI, said, “We have received over 130 applications from members who are keen to join the guarantee.” Among the Office Bearers present were Marzban Antia, TAAI’s Vice President; Lokesh Bettaiah, TAAI’s Secretary General; and Imtiaz Qureshi, TAAI’s MC member who looks after Legal. Bettaiah added, “We are scrutinising each and every application received from 20 regions and chapters across India and the TAAI auditors will come out with a final list by May 20. After that, we will send them to IATA who will conduct their own verifications. We do multi-level checks and follow stringent procedures, which take a lot of time. It’s a huge responsibility on us to pick the right members. We will need to submit these applications to IATA by July 1, 2016. There has been a good response for it this year. TAAI has been successful in managing this scheme earlier as well and lot of members have benefitted from this scheme monetarily as well as for smoother day-to-day business as far as capping issues are concerned. If anyone else is interested to join, they can do so the following year.”

New Zealand’s biggest annual international tourism showcase, TRENZ, will return to Auckland in 2017, Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) announced. “After two highly successful years in Rotorua, we look forward to taking TRENZ back to New Zealand’s biggest city and international gateway,” says Chris Roberts, Chief Executive, TIA. The announcement was made on the final day of TRENZ 2016, which has brought more than 350 influential international travel buyers and media to meet about 300 leading New Zealand tourism operators at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre this week. TRENZ 2017 will take place on the Auckland waterfront, 9-12 May 2017 and will be hosted by Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED).

Pune Marriott Suites offers 199 fully furnished, serviced apartments providing the comforts of a home in a luxurious hotel-like setting. Located on a private road in Koregaon Park, the property is only 5 kms from Pune airport and 3 kms from Pune Railway Station. Being the only pet friendly hotel in Pune, this luxury accommodation is ideal for discerning business and leisure travellers looking for respite from hustle bustle of the city. Guests can enjoy access to upscale leisure facilities, which include a fully-equipped fitness centre, outdoor pool and wellness centre. Regular rates for a one Bedroom Suite is Rs 8,650/night, 2 Bedroom Suite is Rs 13,750/night and 3 Bedroom Suite is Rs 15,250/night.

Jet Airways will launch additional daily services to Dammam from Mumbai and Delhi, further boosting its operations to the key Saudi Arabian port city. The airline will introduce the new services, one each from Delhi and Mumbai, starting July 1, 2016, adding to the single daily flights it already operates on those routes and from Kochi. The fares for flights from New Delhi (DEL) to Dammam (DMM) start from Rs 19,224. The additional service from Mumbai to Dammam, Jet Airways flight 9W 506, will depart Mumbai at 0045 hrs and arrive into Dammam at 0205. The return flight to Mumbai, 9W 505, will depart Dammam at 0305 hrs and arrive in Mumbai at 0920 hrs. The service from Delhi to Dammam, Jet Airways flight 9W 518, will depart Delhi at 2230 hrs and arrive Dammam at 0010 hrs. The return flight, 9W 517, will depart Dammam at 0110 hrs and arrive in Delhi at 0730 hrs. All times listed are local. Jet Airways currently operates flights from 12 cities across India to 10 in the Gulf.