Skyscanner’s report finds that nearly 3 in 4 Gen Z travellers meticulously plan their first international trips, with 76% arranging itineraries and 73% booking return tickets in advance. Over half (51%) prioritize budget-friendly flights and accommodations, for their first overseas trip, indicating a strong emphasis on financial planning among this generation. 

The European Union (EU) has adopted a new visa system called the “cascade” regime specifically for Indian nationals. Indian citizens can now be issued long-term, multi-entry Schengen visas valid for two years. This is a significant improvement compared to potentially shorter-validity visas offered previously. To qualify for the two-year visa, applicants must have obtained and lawfully used two Schengen visas within the previous three years. 

Naveen Kundu, MD, Ebixcash Travel has said that the travel corporate tax paid by corporations in India has grown by 160% over the last 10 years. Net direct tax collection has surged by 160% to ₹16,63,686 crores, indicating increased profitability among corporations. With the corporate tax rate slashed to 25% from the previous range of 30-35% announced in 2015, business houses now have an additional 10% from their theoretical revenues to allocate towards employee expenditures.  

Malaysia plans to build Southeast Asia’s largest integrated circuit design park and will offer incentives including tax breaks, subsidies and visa exemption fees to attract global tech companies and investors, the government said. Malaysia is aiming to turn Kuala Lumpur into a regional digital hub, with the goal of being among the top 20 countries in the global startup ecosystem index by 2030.  

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, a leading hospitality name in the Sri Lankan hospitality industry that is committed to excellence, is proud to announce the appointment of Palak Shah as the Vice President of Sales for Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts. Palak brings 24 years of unparalleled hospitality experience, especially in India and Southwest Asia. In his new role at Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Palak will lead its strategic sales initiatives, particularly focusing on accelerating growth in key source markets and India. He will also oversee the Global Sales Office initiatives and efforts set up in these markets. As the former Regional Director Sales – Southwest Asia at Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) – Global Sales Office in Mumbai, Palak is a recognised dynamic sales and marketing professional, having been honoured as the GSO Person of The Year in 2023 and awarded the Salesperson of The Year at the AMEA award in 2013. His leadership, astute market insights and execution of sales strategies that transcend conventional boundaries saw him achieve unprecedented milestones, surpassing revenue targets and elevating IHG’s stature in the fiercely competitive Indian market. Commenting on this appointment, the Chief Commercial Officer of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Radhey Tawar, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Palak to the Cinnamon family. His appointment underscores our commitment to enhancing our sales culture and driving strategic growth within the organisation. Palak will be key in aligning our efforts towards driving commercial success for Sri Lanka’s first and South Asia’s largest integrated resort – Cinnamon Life, set top open later this year. His focus on accelerating business growth in our key source markets, particularly India will further strengthen our position as a hospitality leader. Additionally, Palak will …

Redefine Omani hospitality with a modern stay experience with MAANI MUSCAT HOTEL AND SUITES. Seek the old and new in Seeb and beyond in Oman’s capital city. The 4 star property is a stylish state of the art hotel with world class facilities ; 3 dining outlets, a swimming pool, jacuzzi, spa, gym, a conference hall and various meeting spaces to cater for large and small events. Having 161 Hotel Rooms & 45 Luxury Apartments, located 10 minutes by car from Seeb Park, Oman Aquarium and Muscat international Airport is 25 kms away the property offers multiple options for family events, celebrations & weekend packages as well. GlobalIndiaReps is a representative/consulting/marketing platform having the collective experience of almost 20 years in representing, launching, promoting and creating a network for business from India – with deep connections in Europe, Asia, Central Asia & as far as Canada. Upon signing the agreement, Mr. Ismail Al Tobi, General Manager, MAANI MUSCAT HOTEL & SUITES said “I am delighted that through our newly appointed In market Exclusive Representative, GlobalIndiaReps we can introduce MAANI MUSCAT HOTEL & SUITES award winning facilities, custom services to the Indian market. Outbound Travel from India presents a significant opportunity given the huge demand for this region and we wish to offer and serve the outbound travel market for 2024.” “With their unique experience, strong trade relationships, proven track record of success launching new international products from India, we are confident that GlobalIndiaReps, headed by Mr. Ashish Saran will springboard and accelerate our entry into the Indian outbound market from Asia”, Ismail added. Mr. Ashish Saran, Business Head, GlobalIndiaReps added “there is a major chunk of agents, looking at newer …

KB Kachru, the newly elected President of HAI puts the perspective clearly, “The time has come for India” he says, “to achieve its truedevelopment potential and to become the third largest country in the world by GDP. It is now recognized globally that tourism and hospitality canplay a very pivotal role in driving such growth. The Vision 2047 report by HAI indicates that contribution of hospitality sector could reach US$1trillion by 2047”. Mr. Kachru further stated that India’s population dividend can go awry if employment opportunities are not created. Tourism and hospitalityas the largest employer, fill that role. It has been indicated, he said, that properly nurtured, this sector could generate 50million jobs. “We wouldbe happy if all the stakeholders recognize the great employment and growth potential of tourism and hospitality and make it a part of theircommitment”, Kachru said.

Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO said, “Currently, we are very far from our goal, with only 65 to 70 percent recovery, whereas we had expected it to be 90 percent. If things return to normal, I believe we might reach the 90 percent mark by March 31, 2025, but we still won’t be at 100 percent of our 2019 levels.” 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to host a delegation of over 8,000 incentive visitors from India, which contributes to the goal of attracting at least 2 million Indian tourists by 2024. On April 18, 2024, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) welcomed a substantial number of Indian tourists, who arrived as part of an incentive group organised by Brilvoice International. Led by Miss Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the Governor of TAT, Mr Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, the Deputy Governor for International Marketing (Asia and South Pacific), Mr. Phuriphan Bunnag, the Senior Vice President of The Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), and Police Major General Phongsayam Meekhanthong, the Deputy Commissioner of The Tourist Police Bureau, were honoured to attend and welcome the group at the Challenger Building, IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Centre, Muang Thong Thani. According to Miss Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the Governor of TAT, Indian incentive tourists are a highly significant potential group that TAT must actively support and promote in order to increase the number of tourists to reach the target of 2 million people by the end of 2024. Thailand is well-prepared with products, services, and facilities to cater to this group of tourists, offering them unique travel experiences. A globally renowned celebration such as Songkran that would create a memorable experience for travellers. Brilvoice Ltd., a prominent Indian travel management business, is responsible for organising incentivise training programs globally. “Aiming to attract a substantial number of Indian visitors, we have organised a Product Training & Sale Motivational Programme activity in Bangkok from 18-23 April 2024”. This event involved the participation of over 8,000 Indian tourists from 25 different nations. Additionally, certain participants have intentions to explore popular …

Aloke Bajpai, Chairman, Managing Director, and Group CEO of ixigo, reported a noticeable 20-25% increase in travel bookings. “There is a high demand for match destinations like Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Chennai. The majority of the bookings are happening between 0-3 days before the match, indicating fans are booking tickets at the last minute despite higher airfares,” he said.