Sharing his perspective on the significant shift in airline strategy worldwide, Gavin Eccles, Managing Partner, GE Consulting & Advisory, said, “Pre-Covid, airlines’ strategic vision was managing costs. Now, it is all about personalisation. It is clear, the industry has become very much commoditized, or, as marketers might say, the industry suffers from parity – no real differences. Well of course, if you spent most of the time between 2015 and 2019, reducing costs, by default, you are taking out the difference.”

Tour Fox invites the Indian outbound travel trade to attend a webinar about their exclusive offers on April 16th at 3 pm. Attend the webinar to stand a chance to win a ticket to Switzerland! For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532. To sign up for the webinar, click here.

IHG has added yet another Holiday Inn Express hotel to it Karnataka portfolio with the opening of Holiday Inn Express Bengaluru Bommasandra. The hotel is located along the national highway with easy access to major corporate hubs, Electronic City – Jigani – Bommasandra Industrial Area. Being the only international branded hotel in the vicinity, Holiday Inn Express Bengaluru Bommasandra will drive increased footfalls from corporate segments. Top Companies such as Infosys, TCS, Wipro, Tech Mahindra, HP, Siemens Biocon, SKF, HCL and many more are located within 7 Km radius. The hotel is 25kms from the city center and is 20kms away from the bustling MG Road. Designed to deliver memorable experiences through its warm and welcoming service, and contemporary design, Holiday Inn Express Bengaluru Bommasandra is the perfect destination for guests with diverse needs to enjoy a world-class hospitality experience that the brand is known for. The hotel is actively committed to responsible tourism and deploys the use of the IHG Green Engage System, an innovative online platform that provides means to measure and manage impact on the environment.

Travel agents can benefit from a variety of apps to streamline their workflow, enhance customer service, and stay organised. Here are some helpful apps that can help travel agents streamline their operations, improve customer service, and provide a seamless booking experience for clients. By leveraging the right tools, travel agents can enhance their productivity and deliver exceptional service to their clients.     Sabre Red Mobile Workspace The Sabre Red Mobile Workspace app allows agents to access the Sabre GDS system from their mobile devices, enabling them to book flights, hotels, car rentals, and other travel services on the go. Agents can access real-time information regarding flights, accommodations, car rentals, and other travel-related services. allows agents to manage their clients’ itineraries efficiently. They can make changes, updates, or additions to the itinerary in real-time.   TripIt for Teams While TripIt for Teams is primarily designed for businesses and organizations to manage their travel plans internally, travel agents can also leverage its features to serve their clients better. It is a collaborative itinerary management tool that can allow travel agents to create and share detailed itineraries with their clients, track bookings, and provide real-time updates on travel plans. Travel agents can utilize TripIt’s real-time updates and alerts feature to stay informed about any changes or disruptions to their clients’ travel plans.   CheckMyTrip Amadeus’ CheckMyTrip app allows agents to access their clients’ travel itineraries, check flight statuses, and receive real-time notifications about any changes or disruptions to their travel plans. It is available across multiple platforms, including web, mobile, and tablet devices. It integrates seamlessly with booking systems and travel providers, allowing agents to import and manage bookings easily.   Expensify …

With FY2024 closing, CAPA India has released preliminary figures for actual full-year traffic. Domestic traffic reached an estimated 153.4mn pax, compared with our projection of 160mn at the start of the year, and 155mn in our mid-year update. International traffic reached an estimated 69.7mn pax, compared with our projection of 72-74mn at the start of the year, and 70mn in our mid-year update. Both domestic and international traffic volumes exceeded their pre-COVID highs (which were actually set in FY2019) for the first time.

Incentive trips are making a comeback, according to FCM Meetings & Events India, which sees more than a 30% increase in requests for incentive trips. Manpreet Bindra, FCM Meetings & Events Leader, Asia, says, “The most popular destinations in Asia are Bangkok and Pattaya in tandem, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh, Kuala Lumpur, and Colombo although Hong Kong and Macau are starting to gain traction again due to the increased air seat capacity as well as tourism marketing initiatives.”

Accor is proud to announce the signing of a partnership agreement with EBU Estate Developers Private Limited for the development of a Sofitel hotel in India, the Sofitel Jaipur Jawahar Circle. This new-build luxury hotel is scheduled to open its doors in 2028 and promises to redefine hospitality in the vibrant city of Jaipur. Strategically located at Jaipur’s Jawahar Circle, the hotel will feature 275 exquisitely designed and spacious rooms, each offering the utmost comfort for guests. Joining Sofitel, the only French luxury hotel brand with a truly international footprint, the hotel will be a great addition to support Jaipur’s tourism expansion, bringing French joie de vivre and gastronomy, with four distinct restaurants and bars. Furthermore, the hotel will offer over 5,000 square meters of state-of-the-art meeting and banquet venues, providing the perfect setting for exquisite weddings, grand events and outstanding gatherings. Jaipur, known as the Pink City, is a jewel in India’s tourism crown, attracting domestic and international tourists alike. As part of the renowned Golden Triangle tourist itinerary, which also includes the cities of Agra and Delhi, Jaipur offers a rich tapestry of culture, history, and architectural wonders. “We are delighted to partner with EBU Estate Developers Private Limited to bring the Sofitel brand to Jaipur and to celebrate a new chapter in our journey in India. Accor’s offering is uniquely positioned to harness the power of Indian travelers and this new signing is a great illustration of our commitment to bring meaningful experiences, today with the well-known Sofitel’s French art de vivre. With our unparalleled portfolio of brands, Accor plans to open30 new properties in the country in the next 3 to 5 years and will continue …

With an aim to promote local sellers, the 4th edition of Goa International Travel Mart is all set to commence on 3-4 April at Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Goa. It will also be held virtually from 3-9 April. Suneel Anchipaka, Director Tourism, Goa said, “GITM 2024 aims to redefine Goa’s tourism landscape by focusing on regenerative, spiritual, and hinterland tourism, setting new standards for sustainability and inclusivity. Over 250 national and int’l buyers are part of this year’s event.”

Tourism New Zealand will conduct an exclusive training sessions for the travel trade on visitor visas led by Immigration New Zealand live on Thursday, April 4 from 10am – 11am. Attendees can gain valuable insights and updates on visa procedures and regulations for the destination. For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532 to register.

Over the past decade, tourism has embraced sustainability as a strategic pillar. A WTTC report shows that 42% of leading tourism companies globally have set a climate target – either interim, long-term, or both. As sustainable business practices gain traction around the world, companies must increasingly consider the concerns of stakeholders – travellers seeking eco-friendly destinations, and communities concerned about their future.   Tour operators Emissions from tour operators vary across the sector, depending on how asset-light or asset-heavy they are. Some operators express concerns about limitations they encountered regarding infrastructure at destinations, while others are investing in sustainability initiatives. But the current infrastructure and technology at some destinations are not developed enough for those investments to yield results in the short term. For example, some tour operators want to invest in electric buses, but current EV coach battery life is inadequate for longer tours. Travel agencies and OTAs Travel agents — both brick-and-mortar and online — interact with a variety of industry players, from suppliers to destinations, and influence consumer choices. They are well-placed to help the industry achieve its sustainability goals, though these efforts are complicated by the new reporting frameworks. OTAs and travel tech companies more broadly are not easily classified, as they often fall in the software sector rather than tourism. As such, they also lack specific guidance on how to tackle sustainability issues relating to their travel operations. They will likely have to consult sector-based guides, such as for car rental and leasing, hotel and lodging, and airlines. Accommodation One complicating factor for hotel chains is the industry’s range of business models and ownership structures. Many operate under franchise agreements with multiple levels of control, …