Accepting the coveted India Travel Award 2025 for ‘Most Trusted B2B Travel Brand’, Gaurav Khandelwal, Director – Sales, GRNconnect.com, says, “I am overwhelmed to receive this award; it is a great honour to win the India Travel Award. This award recognises excellence in delivering better results year after year. It is a responsibility that everyone must carry forward.”

Aloke Singh, Managing Director, Air India Express, said, “As an airline, we see ourselves as cultural ambassadors. Over the next 5–7 years, our priority is sustained growth, expanding connectivity between metros, tier II and III cities, and to the regional short-haul international markets while delivering affordable, world-class products for all travellers.”

From hidden gems to world-famous landmarks, destinations everywhere are using creators to connect with travellers in ways ads alone never can. Join an exclusive webinar on 7 October at 3 pm (IST) with influencer marketing platform, atlaseek, where you will learn how to partner with travel creators who bring destinations to life, harness influencer marketing to boost visibility and footfall, and transform your destination into the next must-visit spot. For more information, please contact: jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com, +91 9650196532.

As Avant Garde Consulting proudly steps into its 15th year, it is delighted to announce its affiliation with the coveted Serandipians network by Traveller Made® as a preferred representation company partner. This milestone marks not only a celebration of its journey so far but also an expansion of Avant Garde’s vision. “Over the last decade and a half, our journey has been enriched with experiences, learnings, and trusted partnerships. Each collaboration has strengthened our raison d’être, which is to champion meaningful representation, cross positioning India as a worthy source market globally as well as the perception of the brands we represent in India, and consistently creating exceptional opportunities for our partners”. — Pooja Wadhwa & Kunal Munshaw, Founders, Avant Garde Consulting. She adds, “Joining hands with Serandipians opens doors to stronger global connections, closer collaborations with leaders in luxury travel, and innovative ways to create value for the brands and communities we represent.” “We are pleased to expand our Preferred Representation partnerships in India by welcoming Avant Garde Consulting to our community. India is an important source market for us, and we have a great selection of local Member Agencies , both Serandipians and Takumians, who will benefit from this new partnership. All Representation Companies we partner with work on behalf of our luxury Hospitality and DMC partners, who will thus receive an even better service, with increased visibility and local support.” — Diana Nuber, the network’s Commercial Director

For the first time Shin chan will hit Indian theatres with an exciting Indianthemed adventure. Shin chan: The Spicy Kasukabe Dancers in India. Directed by Masakazu Hashimoto and produced by Shin-Ei Animation, TV Asahi, ADK Emotions and Futabasha bring Shin chan and his friends to India. Shigeru Ishimoto, General Manager – Mumbai, ANA says, “We are excited to collaborate with TV Asahi in promoting Shin chan. This is more than just a movie release — it represents a cultural bridge between India and Japan, built through art, laughter, and shared experiences. Ms. Maiko Sumida, Head of Animation Sales & Development – Tokyo, TV Asahi, says, “We are delighted to partner with ANA, a leading Japanese airline on the India–Japan route, to bring Shin chan to India and share the charm of Japanese entertainment with Indian audiences.” ANA’s PAN India joint promotion activities kicked off with Cos Con at Shillong on Aug 30, 2025. The event was received very enthusiastically by Shin chan fans. Following the on ground event, on Sep 05, 2025 ANA’s Hello Blue Sale featuring Shin chan characters went live. The joint Hello Blue Sale campaign will run between Sep – Nov 2025. On Sep 20, 2025 the premiere was opened to an exclusive audience comprising media and others by invitation only at a local suburban multiplex. ANA, on this day, at the same venue interacted with Shin chan fans at their on ground booth and enticed potential ANA customers through Gara Gara Pon (Lucky draw). Winners of the Gara Gara Pon were announced in multiple tiers and won exciting ANA & Shin chan prizes. From September 26, ANA’s logo will be displayed with other promotion partners on …

Riya Travel has announced its partnership with Amadeus South Asia for Travel Marketplace, the global platform connecting travel sellers and providers through a single, collaborative ecosystem. With over four decades of experience in the travel industry and a widespread network of offices in India and abroad, Riya Travel has built a strong reputation for reliability, service excellence, and scale. By joining Travel Marketplace, Riya will now bring cutting-edge travel technology solutions, apps, and content closer to its diverse customer base — ranging from individual travellers to large corporates and travel partners. GMJ Thampy, Founder and CMD Riya Group Enterprise said: “At Riya Travel, our strength lies in our reach, scale, and the trust we have earned over the years. Partnering with Amadeus South Asia for Travel Marketplace allows us to complement these strengths with world-class technology, giving our customers and partners access to faster, smarter, and more seamless solutions. This is an important step in our digital journey to further enhance the travel experience across all segments we serve.” Commenting on the partnership  Sandeep Dwivedi, Managing Director, Travel Sellers, India Sub Continent, Amadeus, added: “We are delighted to welcome Riya Travel to sign up for the Travel Marketplace. Riya’s unmatched scale and presence across multiple segments makes them a powerful force in South Asia’s travel industry. Together, we aim to accelerate digital adoption and empower more travel businesses to innovate, collaborate, and thrive.” This partnership underscores Riya’s focus on driving digital innovation, while supporting Amadeus’ vision to build a smarter, more connected, and technology-enabled travel ecosystem across South Asia.

SOTC Travel has inaugurated its franchise outlet in Kozhikode, Kerala, expanding its network to 4th strategically located outlets. This expansion underscores SOTC’s strong commitment to South India, highlighting Kerala’s position as a key growth market and the company’s focus on catering to the evolving needs of travellers from the region. Located at Centrio on Ram Mohan Road, Kozhikode, the new SOTC outlet serves both leisure and business travellers, strengthening the company’s presence in North Kerala’s key urban hub. The outlet offers a comprehensive range of travel solutions, including domestic and international holidays such as Group Tours, Personalised Holidays and Cruises, along with value-added services like travel insurance, ensuring convenient, end-to-end experiences for today’s diverse travellers. Kerala Travel Trends: Top destinations o   Domestic & Indian Subcontinent: Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andaman, Bhutan & Sri Lanka o   International: Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Bali, Japan, South Africa, Egypt Unique preferences: high demand for experiential travel such as luxury cruises, Northern Lights in Scandinavia, self-drive holidays, island stays (Maldives, Mauritius), and adventure travel to Ladakh and the North-East Top customer segments: multi-generational families, honeymooners, working professionals, millennials and GenZ travellers Average holiday duration: 4–6 days for domestic/short haul; 10–12 days for long haul Rakesh Bawa, Senior Vice President & Head – Holidays, SOTC Travel, said, “Kerala is an important source market for us, with travellers seeking diverse and evolving experiences. The launch of our Kozhikode outlet enables us to strategically deepen our presence in North Kerala, catering to both business and leisure segments while delivering both group and customized holiday solutions. This expansion reflects our commitment to leveraging high-potential markets in South India for sustainable growth and enhanced traveller satisfaction. My team …

Cross Paasha Bali Seminyak is proud to take part in the global celebration of Negroni Week, honoring one of the world’s most iconic cocktails while supporting Slow Food’s mission for a more sustainable future. It will start on 20th September 2025 – 30th September 2025. Guests are invited to enjoy specially crafted Negroni serves in two unique venues within the hotel: • Aero Street Bar – The perfect spot to sip and socialize, available daily from 3 PM to 11 PM. • Kuuki Rooftop Dining – A stylish all-day dining destination where guests can enjoy Negroni creations anytime during operating hours. Negroni Week Menu • Bergamot Negroni – Gin, Campari, Milk Washed Earl Grey Cordial, and a drop of saline solution. • Classic Negroni – Gin, Sweet Vermouth, Campari, and syrup. Both cocktails are priced at IDR 130,000. With every sip, guests not only indulge in timeless flavors but also contribute to protecting Slow Food Biodiversity. Whether at the vibrant Aero Street Bar or the chic Kuuki Rooftop, Cross Paasha Bali Seminyak offers the perfect setting to celebrate Negroni Week in style.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has hosted the Experience Abu Dhabi Roadshow across New Delhi, Bangalore, and Mumbai from 8-12 September 2025. These events, part of a series of roadshow events hosted by DCT Abu Dhabi, provided local travel trade partners with a comprehensive overview of Abu Dhabi’s dynamic tourism offerings, upcoming attractions, and strategic partnerships. The three-city roadshow showcased the growth opportunities Abu Dhabi presents to Indian travellers, while facilitating meetings between representatives from Abu Dhabi’s hotels, attractions, airlines, Destination Management Companies (DMCs), and India’s top travel agencies and tour operators. India is Abu Dhabi’s top source market for inbound tourism. In 2024, the emirate welcomed over 360,000 Indian hotel guests, a 43% increase from the previous year, and is projected to welcome over 400,000 visitors in 2025. Indian travellers have shown strong interest in Abu Dhabi as a destination, with the growth in visitors being driven by an extensive calendar of live events, cultural experiences, increased flight connectivity from major Indian cities, and a diverse range of travel products that appeal to Indian families, luxury seekers, MICE travellers, and trade partners. This represents an exciting opportunity for India’s travel industry professionals to engage with a growing market. Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “The roadshows in India marked a significant step forward in our collaborative work with our valued partners to create memorable experiences for visitors travelling from India to Abu Dhabi. It also allowed India’s travel trade representatives to explore the innovative ideas and shared value that DCT Abu Dhabi has strived to create within the industry, a value that we believe benefits everyone and …

Udaan, a visa concierge and travel services firm with over three decades of expertise in visa concierge, has signed an MoU with Common Service Centres Special Purpose Vehicle (CSC SPV) to collaborate on CSC Safar, a travel services programme by CSC E-Governance Services India. The MoU was signed by Sanjay Kumar Rakesh, MD & CEO, CSC SPV, from CSC and Rajan Dua, MD & Founder, Udaan in the presence of senior officials. Under this partnership, Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) will be empowered to assist applicants with their visa requirements. To ensure a seamless experience, CSC Safar provides VLEs with a dedicated mobile application and web interface. With a strong presence in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across India, VLEs will enable customers to access visa services alongside other travel-related needs at convenient, local locations. According to Sanjay Kumar Rakesh, MD & CEO, CSC SPV, “this partnership with Udaan Travel to provide visa services on the CSC Safar portal will make the application process simpler and more accessible, empowering VLEs to serve travellers with ease and efficiency.” According to Rajan Dua, Founder and MD, Udaan. “We are proud to collaborate with CSC to simplify international travel for Indian travellers, thereby increasing our reach to a wider base of travellers.  At Udaan India, our longstanding commitment has been to make visa Concierge seamless and stress-free. This partnership enables us to extend our trusted expertise to CSC customers, ensuring they are fully prepared for travel with confidence and ease.” The MoU encompasses all aspects of visa Concierge services for Rural India, including application support, documentation guidance, appointment scheduling, and customer service.