What is the role of tourism in promoting peace and international understanding? Shoba Rudra, Founder, Rare India, said, “I’m always reminded of “Imagine all the people, sharing all the world” by John Lenon. What better way to share our cultures, our beliefs and beauty than travel. But before that we need to understand and be aware of what is happening to the world around us, understand our role in global warming, believe that we can make a difference and choose differently so that we may be a part of the solution!”

The Dhofar Governorate in the Sultanate of Oman is currently experiencing a significant boom in tourism, with visitor numbers surpassing one million during the ongoing Khareef season, a notable 9% increase from the previous year. As part of this surge, Dhofar is gearing up to host the World Theatre Festival in October, an event that will elevate the region’s cultural standing as the largest theatre festival in the Arab world and the fifth-largest globally. Additionally, the ‘Marhaba Dhofar’ initiative is set to further strengthen tourism ties between Dhofar and Saudi Arabia. This cultural and tourism boom comes as Dhofar’s scenic landscapes and cooler Khareef weather continue to attract tourists from Oman, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and beyond. The region’s natural beauty and cultural offerings are positioning it as a premier destination for both leisure and cultural tourism, creating long-term benefits for Oman’s travel and tourism industry. Record-breaking tourist influx during Khareef season According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), Dhofar had already welcomed 1,006,635 tourists by the end of August 2024, marking a 9% rise compared to the same period in 2023. Omani nationals made up the majority of visitors, accounting for 713,105 of the total, followed by tourists from GCC countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, who numbered 171,762. The World Theatre Festival: A cultural milestone Dhofar’s upcoming World Theatre Festival, set to take place in October, is a landmark event for the region. According to Dr. Ahmed bin Mohsen al Ghassani, Chairman, Dhofar Municipality, the festival will significantly boost Dhofar’s cultural profile by bringing participants from several countries. As the largest theatre festival in the Arab world and the fifth-largest globally, it offers an unprecedented platform …

Join Chef Nu as he takes you on a journey from bartender to chef, blending Thai and Western techniques to craft sustainable, delicious dishes. Discover his passion for selecting the freshest local seafood and seasonal produce, ensuring every dish is a celebration of flavor and sustainability. “From Bartender to Chef.” unique approach to sustainable cooking. Learn how his culinary philosophy intertwines local sourcing, freshness, and innovation in every dish. “Traditional Fishing Village at Bang Saray. Where the finest local fish and seafood are.” Follow Chef Nu to Bang Saray, a traditional fishing village, where he handpicks the finest local fish and seafood. Discover how he supports the community by sourcing ingredients from small local boats, ensuring sustainability and high-quality dishes. Dive into the vibrant atmosphere of Bang Saray Pier Market with Chef Nu as he selects fresh shrimp, fish, and other seafood. Watch him transform these ingredients using marinating and grilling techniques that enhance flavor while maintaining a commitment to sustainable practices. Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to discover the art of sustainable cooking with Chef Nu. Stay tuned for Episode 3 of “Taste the World of Cross” and join us on this flavorful journey toward sustainability and culinary excellence.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) hosted its ‘Experience Abu Dhabi’ roadshow in India across the three major cities of Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore, engaging more than 45 travel trade stakeholders from major airlines, cruise lines, hotels, attractions, and DMCs. The roadshow aimed to increase Indian travellers’ interest in the array of exciting, inspiring and restorative attractions and experiences Abu Dhabi offers, while also expanding possibilities for long-term relationships in the industry. Commencing in Delhi on 9 September, and then heading to Mumbai and Bangalore on 11th and 13th September respectively, the roadshow served as an opportunity for key travel, trade, and tourism stakeholders to learn more about Abu Dhabi as a top premium global destination and witness DCT Abu Dhabi’s commitment to the growth and expansion of Indian travel trade in the emirate. The successful events featured a series of briefings, presentations, and demonstrations of Emirati cultural heritage elements, showcasing the emirate as a top travel destination for leisure, business, and incentive travel. These were followed by special networking dinners attended by key industry experts and investors. Abdulla Mohammad, International Operations Director for DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “It is always a pleasure to meet with our valued trade partners in India to discuss the business developments and growth opportunities that Abu Dhabi has in store.  India is among the top focus markets for tourism in the emirate and holds immense potential in the years to come. The roadshow is aimed to empower Indian travelers and operators, increasing awareness of the destination and enabling engagement with targeted corporates and leading travel agencies. By fostering strong partnerships, we are committed to delivering exceptional experiences for Indian visitors, whether they …

ETrav won the ‘Fastest Growing B2B Travel Portal’ award at the India Travel Awards. The platform offers diverse services, including flights, holiday packages, and hotel bookings, with a robust network across the Gulf, Southeast Asia, and America. “The award goes to our agents who have significantly contributed to our growth,” said, Heniel Rupaarelia, MD, ETrav Tech. 

Join an exclusive Festivals #InAbuDhabi webinar on Thursday, 26 September 2024 at 3 PM IST. Explore the vibrant festivals and cultural events happening in Abu Dhabi, offering insights into the region’s rich traditions. For more details, contact Jaspreet Kaur at +91 9650196532 or jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com. 

The Phocuswright Global Travel Market Report 2024 highlights the increasing dominance of online travel, which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.8% between 2023 and 2026. By 2026, online bookings are forecasted to account for 65% of all travel bookings globally, up from 61% in 2023. 

During his visit to India, Martin Nydegger, CEO, Switzerland Tourism, stated, “While traveling less is not possible, our strategy is to aim for travel better. This is our strategy for long-haul markets like India. We aim to keep the market growing by steering the traction towards longer stays, extension of seasons, and sustainable travel.” 

The Intrepid Foundation, a non-profit arm of Intrepid Travel- the world’s largest adventure tourism experience provider announced the launch and flag-off of Holy City Rickshaws to promote sustainable travel and tourism in Varanasi. The initiative will have ten e-rickshaws in partnership with ACCESS Development, a not-for-profit organization that female drivers in Varanasi will drive. The Holy City Rickshaw company in Varanasi marks a significant milestone in Intrepid’s commitment to sustainable tourism and empowering the local community. This initiative, a collaboration between The Intrepid Foundation and ACCESS Development Services, aims to provide aspirational employment opportunities to women from low-income households in Varanasi. Intrepid is promoting eco-friendly transportation and supporting cultural preservation in one of India’s most sacred cities through this initiative. Holy City Rickshaw Program will train women to drive and maintain e-rickshaws for city tours and support them with financial and business literacy. The female-led tours will be incorporated into several of Intrepid’s India trip itineraries, providing a greener mode of transport for travellers to explore local neighbourhoods and interact with the community. The Flag-off ceremony was held at IUCTE, Sundar Bagia, Naria-BLW Road, Varanasi in the presence of eminent personalities including Rajendra Kumar Rawat, Deputy Director, Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department and Prof. Prem Narayan Singh – Director, IUCTE, BHU, Varanasi and others. Also, Biheng Zhang – General Manager, The Intrepid Foundation and Rama Mahendru- Country General Manager- India, Intrepid Travel were present at the occasion. The Intrepid Foundation, Intrepid Travel’s non-profit, was created in 2002 to empower travellers to give back. Connecting people and communities around the world, The Intrepid Foundation allows travellers to support impact partners in the places they’ve visited. With Intrepid operating in more than 100 …

The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy/Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (MoTCE) of the Republic of Indonesia in collaboration with Badung Regency Government of Bali and Indonesia tourism industry holds a Tourism Sales Mission in the South Asia region on 9-18 September 2024. The tourism roadshow will be held in 4 cities in India, Bangalore, Chennai, New Delhi and Jaipur, and completed in the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu.   The event is an active collaboration between the MoTCE with Badung Regency Government of Bali and Indonesia tourism industry to maintain Indonesia’s existence as a top of mind destination for the South Asia travel market, particularly India and Nepal. The selected cities were chosen through careful consideration, New Delhi and Bangalore were chosen because of the availability of direct flights to Bali. Meanwhile, Chennai, Jaipur and Kathmandu (Nepal) were chosen because they have shown a positive trend of outbound tourists visiting Indonesia.   As of July 2024, there were 417,703 Indian outbound tourists visiting Indonesia, contributing 62.64% from the 671,136 Indian outbound targets of the MoTCE in 2024. Indian outbound are in fifth place of international tourists visiting Indonesia and second place of international tourists visiting Bali as the most popular Indonesia tourist destination.   Aside from targeting the Indian outbound market, the sales mission will also be held in Kathmandu, Nepal, considering the significant positive growth of Nepal outbound tourists visiting Indonesia. In 2023, tourist visits from Nepal had increased by 186% compared to the previous year. As of June 2024, visits by Nepali tourists had reached 3,993, an increase of 65.5% from the same period in 2023. Nepal as a geographically landlocked country, is one of the potential …