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.  

The recent event to launch the Barcelo Maldives product, organized by ONE Above Global, marked an extraordinary success! With the presence of over 70 esteemed trade partners, One Above hosted an evening to commemorate its enduring collaborations with valued travel partners. During this event, we unveiled Barcelo Whale Lagoon Maldives as its newest addition to the lineup of hotel partners in the Maldives. Barceló Whale Lagoon Maldives, located in the South Ari atoll, is an exclusive 5-star resort offering tranquility and comfort in a chic beach setting. With turquoise waters, white sand, and coral gardens, it’s ideal for romantic getaways and family adventures. The resort boasts 100 well-equipped villas, including 63 Beach Villas, 30 Water Villas, and 7 Beach Suites with plunge pools, ensuring privacy and tranquility. Enjoy a variety of water sports and the chance to spot whale sharks and manta rays. Rahim Aslam, Co-Founder of One Above DMC, expressed his deep appreciation, stating, “We hold our partnerships with each of you in high regard. Our dedicated team strives tirelessly to deliver top-notch services to your clients. With every new partnership, we grow closer, evolving into a closely-knit family. Here’s to a future filled with more celebrations, achievements, and milestones as we continue our journey this year.

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.

Addressing the audience virtually at the ongoing Global Maritime India Summit in Mumbai, PM Modi said, “We have taken many initiatives to develop maritime tourism in India. We started the world’s longest river cruise service. We are also working on various projects related to cruise tourism across ports like Mumbai’s new international cruise terminal, as well as the new and modern cruise terminals in Vizag and Chennai. We are taking major steps towards making India a major cruise hub.”

Goa Tourism Minister, Rohan Khaunte has revealed that a new homestay and caravan policy will be launched within a month. The move will position Goa as a year-round destination that can be explored beyond its beaches and nightlife. He also shared that the vision of ‘Goa Tourism 2.0’ emphasises on ‘quality over quantity’ and responsible and sustainable practices that respect nature and are in consonance with local culture.

The Vitskamats Group is all set to be at 30-plus hotels by the year-end, expanding its footprint across India with the opening of VITS Hotels & Resorts. The group will also set up Kamats Hospitality Academy of Skill in Maharashtra. Founder and Chairman, Vikram Kamat, said the primary reason for entering this market is to offer expertise that the sector needs and ensure students get placed well.

The Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group, which commenced operations to Hyderabad on 29 October 2003, will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its services to the city this year. To mark this occasion, SIA is pleased to announce that starting 29 October 2023 and subject to regulatory approvals, it will increase its Hyderabad-Singapore services from seven-times weekly to 12-times weekly, as it takes over Scoot’s daily services between the cities. The new five-times weekly morning services will offer more connectivity options for passengers travelling from Hyderabad to and beyond Singapore. This service will be operated by SIA’s Boeing 737-8s, which are fitted with 154 seats – 10 in Business Class and 144 in Economy Class. The daily night services will be operated by SIA’s Airbus A350s, which are fitted with 303 seats – 40 in Business Class and 263 in Economy. As a result, Hyderabad will be entirely served by SIA’s full-service product. Sy Yen Chen, General Manager India for Singapore Airlines, said, “As we celebrate 20 years of serving the Hyderabad market, we are delighted to announce an increase in our weekly operations to the city. The strategic restructuring of our Hyderabad network is a testament to our commitment to continuously evolve and meet the changing needs of our valued customers. This milestone reaffirms our dedication to the local market, and we are excited to provide even greater connectivity and exceptional full-service travel experiences as we forge ahead into the future.” The increase in A350 operations on the Hyderabad-Singapore route also opens up a wider range of opportunities for SIA Cargo. The aircraft’s wider body will allow for uplift of large cargo consignments that need to be loaded on skids. Additionally, the …

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 …

In a novel initiative aimed at making Assam’s vibrant tourism industry more inclusive, the Tour Operators Association of Assam (TOAA) and Shishu Sarothi, a leading non-profit organization working for the empowerment of persons with disabilities, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote accessible tourism in Assam. The MoU was signed in the presence of Shri Jayanta Malla Baruah, Hon’ble Minister, Tourism and Shri Rituparna Baruah, Chairman, Assam Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. (ATDCL) on the occasion of the World Tourism Day celebrations of the Govt. of Assam on 27th September with a marathon “Run for heritage” in Sivasagar. This collaboration reflects the commitment of both organizations to create an environment where everyone, including persons with disabilities, can enjoy the natural beauty, cultural heritage, and diverse experiences that Assam has to offer. Under the MoU, TOAA and Shishu Sarothi will work closely together to develop and implement strategies that enhance accessibility and inclusivity in the tourism sector. Key components of this partnership include sensitization and awareness trainings for tourism professionals to raise awareness about the needs and preferences of travelers with disabilities, ensuring a welcoming and accommodating environment; promotion and providing support for the development of accessible infrastructure and amenities at various tourist destinations across Assam; promotion of employment opportunities of persons with disabilities in the tourism sector; and undertaking collaborative activities to highlight Assam as an inclusive and accessible tourist destination, attracting a wider range of visitors. Debajit Borah, President of TOAA expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We believe that Accessible tourism is an integral part of the broader themes of tourism and green investment due to its alignment with inclusivity, sustainability, economic benefits, environmental considerations, legal compliance, positive …

Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board is organizing two new mega festivals in the coming two months for the tourists of the country and the state.  Principal Secretary Tourism and Culture and Managing Director Tourism Board Shri Sheo Shekhar Shukla said that Kuno Forest Festival is being organized for the first time from December 1 to celebrate the rich culture and diverse wildlife of the state.  Before this, the second edition of Gandhi Sagar Floating Festival will be organized from 27th October.  There will be cultural programs and an unmatched experience of exciting activities in the festivals being organized by the Tourism Department and Forest Department in collaboration with Lalluji & Sons.  The tent city has been developed to provide a luxury glamping experience, along with various activities to promote local art and culture.  On this occasion, Chief Wildlife Warden Aseem Shrivastava said that the message of wildlife conservation will be spread through these festivals.  The message of wildlife conservation will make more and more people aware through a chain reaction.  Through these festivals, people will get to know the wildlife closely and understand their important role in the eco system of nature.