Skal Bombay 144 has elected its Managing Committee for the term 2025 – 27 durig the AGM held at IMC in Mumbai recently. Burjis Mehta continues as the President, Muffazzal Hafiji is Vice President 1 and Deepan Shah is Vice President 2. Satyaprakash Gupta has been elected as * Secretary and Nishant Mehta is the new Treasurer.

Cross Hotels & Resorts is pleased to announce the opening of Away Bangkok Sukhumvit, strategically positioned as an ideal choice for business and leisure travellers seeking accommodation solutions in Bangkok’s bustling Central Business District. Conveniently situated in the vibrant Sukhumvit area, Away Bangkok Sukhumvit offers unparalleled access to Bangkok’s key transportation links, including BTS Asok, BTS Phrom Phong, and MRT Sukhumvit stations. The hotel is easily accessible from both Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang International Airport (DMK), ensuring seamless connectivity for international travellers. Guests will appreciate the hotel’s proximity to significant business and leisure landmarks, including the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC), Benjakitti Park, Benjasiri Park, Terminal 21, and The EM District, comprising Emporium, EmQuartier, and the new Emsphere. This location provides guests the advantage of exploring business hubs, shopping destinations, restaurants, and entertainment venues with ease. Away Bangkok Sukhumvit, introducing itself as an “Urban Sanctuary,” features 75 well-appointed guestrooms catering to various preferences. Guests can enjoy diverse culinary experiences at Twenty / 22 Bar & Restaurant. Known for its relaxed atmosphere, the restaurant offers an array of Thai and international options, from classic Pad Thai to juicy burgers and refreshing drinks. Additional facilities include a rooftop outdoor swimming pool and a modern gym, providing guests with leisure activities that complement the hotel’s ethos of “Escape Everyday Life.” Opportunity for Travel Agents Away Bangkok Sukhumvit presents travel agents with a compelling proposition: a lifestyle hotel offering a blend of strategic location, varied room categories, and comprehensive amenities that meet both business and leisure expectations. It is crafted to deliver an elevated guest experience in a prime Bangkok setting.

SriLankan Airlines completes another journey around the sun on 1 September 2025, celebrating its 46th Anniversary by giving its valued customers more reasons to explore the world with special anniversary offers. A pioneer in the region, SriLankan Airlines has long been a true ambassador for Sri Lankan hospitality on the global stage. Local in spirit, global in operations and renowned for its award-winning service, the airline looks ahead to many more years of seamlessly connecting people, cultures and trade. Spreading the cheer, customers can enjoy 20% off Business Class and 15% off Economy Class return fares to all online destinations when booked via the SriLankan Airlines website between 1 – 5 September ’25. Members of the airline’s loyalty programme, FlySmiLes, who book within the first two weeks of September will also earn 46% bonus miles, symbolising 46 years in the skies. No anniversary celebration is complete without recognising the airline’s own internal customers – its dedicated employees. Throughout September, SriLankan Airlines will host a series of special programmes for staff, including religious services to invoke blessings on the airline. Over the years, SriLankan Airlines has proven its versatility in an ever changing and challenging aviation landscape. Today, it remains one of the major international airlines from South Asia, having achieved numerous milestones and accolades along the way. In 2025 alone, SriLankan Airlines has garnered several prestigious awards including, Best People’s Airline of the Year at the Hybiz TV Business Excellence Awards; Outstanding Food Service by a Carrier – South Asia at the PAX Readership Awards; Most Loved Brand in Aviation in LMD’s Most Loved Brands; Silver in the Best Regional Airline category at the ShareTrip–Monitor Airline of the Year; and …

Hahnair, a leading provider of airline distribution services, has appointed Travesla as its official service partner in India. The new collaboration will strengthen support for travel agencies in the region, providing guidance on Hahnair’s suite of ticketing services, including access to over 350 partner airlines. Travesla, led by aviation veteran Salil Nath, is a representation company and GSA combining global expertise with a partner-first approach. With deep knowledge of the Indian market and decades of leadership experience at airlines and travel management companies, the team at Travesla is uniquely positioned to support agencies with local insight and global opportunities. Kimberley Long, Vice President of Agency Distribution at Hahnair, said: “We are very happy to collaborate with Travesla. Their service and deep understanding of the Indian market will be invaluable in strengthening our support to travel agencies across the region.” In their role as the general point of contact, Travesla will provide dedicated support to travel agents for any inquiries related to Hahnair services. This includes information about ticketing services, conducting informative presentations and training sessions, and facilitating ticketing authority requests to Hahnair’s partner airlines. Moreover, Hahnair’s Service Desk remains at the disposal of agents for any questions regarding issuing tickets on Hahnair (HR) stock at serviceindia@hahnair.com. Bharat Kapoor, Regional Vice President, will also be available to provide additional support, further reinforcing Hahnair’s commitment to its partners in the region. “We trust Travesla to be an extension of Hahnair in India. Their market expertise, commitment to service, and close relationships with the travel trade make them the ideal partner for representing us locally”, added Kapoor. Looking ahead, Salil Nath, Founder & CEO of Travesla, emphasised the benefits for travel agencies: “We are …

The Maldives, long celebrated as a leisure and honeymoon destination, is fast carving a new identity as a hub for MICE. At the forefront of this transformation is Barceló Nasandhura Malé, the city’s first 5-star property and a landmark++ redefining the capital city as a stage for corporate gatherings, weddings, and milestone celebrations. Located just ten minutes from Velana International Airport, Barceló Nasandhura Malé offers seamless connectivity and an ideal setting for both business and leisure travelers. With 136 rooms and 116 serviced apartments, five dining outlets, a luxury spa, the city’s first oceanfront pool, and wellness facilities, the property is designed to balance productivity with relaxation. What sets it apart is its 1,034 sqm of dynamic event space, including flexible meeting rooms, banquet areas, and two ballrooms that can be tailored for events of all sizes—from boardroom discussions to 600-guest dinners. Its location, infrastructure, and service standards make it a strong contender for the growing Indian outbound MICE market. Speaking about the opportunity for India, Alefiya Singh, Founder of IRIS Reps, shared: “Barceló Nasandhura Malé fills an important gap for the Indian market. While the Maldives has always been top-of-mind for leisure, corporates are now exploring it as an exciting destination for conferences and offsites. With its proximity to the airport, versatile event spaces, and excellent connectivity, this property offers exactly what Indian planners are looking for. At IRIS Reps, we are actively reaching out to agents and corporates across India to showcase this potential.” As the exclusive representative of Barceló Hotels in India, IRIS Reps is spearheading awareness campaigns through trade outreach, training sessions, and marketing initiatives. The goal is to establish Barceló Nasandhura Malé as the go-to …

VFS Global has signed a co-branding agreement with the Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia to strengthen and expand brand awareness of Indonesian tourism under the Wonderful Indonesia campaign for increasing international arrivals and encouraging investments into the country. As part of the agreement, VFS Global will help in increasing the brand awareness of the Wonderful Indonesia campaign and improving the quality and quantity of tourism marketing through brand partnerships. The agreement was signed between Ni Made Ayu Marthini, Deputy Minister for Marketing, Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia, and Mr. Kaushik Ghosh, Head – Australasia, VFS Global, on 13 August 2025 in Jakarta. Ni Made Ayu Marthini, Deputy Minister for Marketing, Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia, said, “We are excited to join forces with VFS Global in strengthening the Wonderful Indonesia campaign on the global stage. Through this co-branding agreement, we will amplify our tourism message and leverage VFS Global’s extensive presence in over 160 countries, combined with innovative outreach, to inspire more travellers to experience the beauty and diversity of Indonesia.” Since 2024, VFS Global is also an official partner of the Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration. As part of the partnership, VFS Global has launched a new e-VoA platform for nationals of all the 97 countries eligible for e-VoA, to provide them a quicker and smoother visa application journey online. Kaushik Ghosh, Head – Australasia, VFS Global, said, “We are honoured to collaborate with the Ministry of Tourism to strengthen global awareness of the country’s vibrant tourism offerings. With over 16 years of experience in tourism-related services, VFS Global brings proven expertise in promoting destinations to a global audience. Through the promotion of the e-Visa …

Disney Cruise Line today revealed its highly anticipated culinary lineup for the Disney Adventure, where bold flavors and immersive dining experiences await guests. An impressive food and beverage collection comprising over 20 dining and lounge venues will be available for guests to enjoy onboard. The Disney Adventure will offer a variety of world-class cuisines and beverages inspired by international flavors and Disney classics, while also presenting a range of dining offerings thoughtfully curated for guests in Asia, to honor the region and its diverse cuisines. Many of the Disney Adventure’s culinary experiences can be enjoyed as part of the cruise fare, providing value, convenience, and choices for guests.

Expedia Group’s VP of Social Impact and Sustainability, Aditi Mohapatra, believes that nature is the product we are offering travellers. “Beaches, coral reefs, rainforests… connecting and protecting them is essential” Governments and businesses must recognise that biodiversity and nature-based solutions are critical not only for climate resilience, but also for thriving local economies,” she says.

ClickMyCruise has launched a new cruise booking portal designed to help travel agents in India and beyond book cruises faster and more easily. With cruise demand rising in India, the platform offers a one-stop solution for agents to access real-time ship details, check commissions instantly, convert currencies hassle-free, and register quickly. “Launching this portal is a game-changer for the Indian cruise industry. We feel this platform sets industry standards for cruise bookings, making the process faster, smarter, and far more accessible than ever before. We’re proud to be at the forefront, opening doors and creating opportunities that others haven’t even imagined yet,” said Vistasp Major, Director at ClickMyCruise. Adding to this, Vasundhara Gupta, Director at ClickMyCruise, shared, “In today’s travel industry, you need the right tech to stay ahead. Our portal gives agents everything they need from info to booking all in one spot. It’s a big boost for anyone looking to grow their cruise business.” Backed by direct partnerships with top cruise lines like MSC and Costa, ClickMyCruise’s new portal provides transparent pricing and instant booking, helping agents scale their sales efficiently. Agents interested in expanding their cruise offerings can register now at www.clickmycruise.com

Emphasising the importance of partnerships and relationships in India’s travel market, Tekla Maira, Founder, And The Story Continues, urged global stakeholders to prioritise accessibility, education, segmentation and regular engagement with Indian travel agents, especially for weddings and MICE.