VFS Global, the world’s largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions, proudly announces its remarkable achievement of securing a rating of 4.01 on a scale of 5 for 2023 on Glassdoor, a leading platform for employee feedback and company reviews. This significant achievement reflects VFS Global’s unwavering commitment to excellence in every aspect of its people management and human capital development. With an employee value proposition of developing a ‘fellowship of winners’, VFS Global is deeply committed to best-in-class HR practices and to developing every team member to her/his full potential.  The company has continuously invested in training and development and in building an organisation where people come first, and in creating meaningful work opportunities and building successful careers, in a diverse and inclusive workplace. The six parameters on which Glassdoor assesses companies is based on Excelling in Culture & Values, Work/Life Balance, Senior Management, Compensation & Benefits, Career Opportunities, and Diversity & Inclusion. VFS Global has elevated its standing on all of them. VFS Global has set a benchmark in creating an exemplary work culture that resonates with employee satisfaction and empowerment. This recognition not only celebrates the company’s achievements but also solidifies its reputation as an employer of choice in the global marketplace. This rating is even more satisfying as this reaffirms the company’s employee centric policies and its sharp focus on nurturing the potential of its employees as it has always focussed on Learning and Development programmes which is highly appreciated by its workforce. Over the years, the company has also won recognition by winning the Golden Peacock National Training Award four times since 2017 in recognition for its exemplary learning and development …

Rwanda Renaissance has announced plans to promote religious and MICE tourism into Rwanda to mark its 15th Anniversary on 7 April, 2024. Clarence Fernandes, Chairman, Rwanda Renaissance remarked ” Over the last fifteen years,  we have taken very many religious tourists and MICE groups to  Visit Rwanda . Our single largest group consisted of 57 delegates out of which as many as 46 delegates were traveling exclusively to the Holy Land of Kibeho, which is the only Vatican approved Apparition site in the whole of Africa “ ” We work closely with RwandAir, which provides the fastest and the most efficient way to travel to Kigali. It is noteworthy that Rwanda Renaissance was the only organization to book a group of passengers on RwandAir’s inaugural flight from Mumbai to Kigali in April 2017 ” Fernandes added. Fernandes concluded by saying that  “Rwanda is an extremely visitor friendly country and with the offer of Visa on Arrival , it makes travel to the spotlessly clean capital city of Kigali and beyond, a great pleasure.”

Asia-Pacific’s foremost hospitality management group, Cross Hotels & Resorts, renowned for its array of stylish properties spanning boutique retreats to opulent resorts, proudly announces the signing of a momentous double agreement with PT Sunset Studio One, a subsidiary of PT Bhuwanatala Indah Permai Tbk (BIP Group), to launch the chic Cross Vibe brand in Indonesia. Set to redefine current hospitality standards, Cross Hotels & Resorts secures its footing in Indonesia with the launch of the vibrant and trendy Cross Vibe brand. The highly anticipated debut of Cross Vibe Paasha Atelier Bali Kuta marks a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to delivering unparalleled guest experiences across diverse travel segments. The 175-key Cross Vibe Paasha Atelier Bali Kuta is an exquisite contemporary hotel located on Jalan Raya Kuta and just a brief 10-minute drive from Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport. Within walking distance of the iconic Kuta beach, guests can relax on pristine beaches, explore bustling shopping hubs and captivating local attractions by day and then enjoy the vibrant nightlife and an array of dining experiences that define the dynamic essence of Kuta. Accommodation options at Cross Vibe Paasha Atelier Bali Kuta include Superior, Superior Pool View, Duplex, Junior Suite, Deluxe Pool, and Deluxe Pool Suites with each guest room featuring modern furnishings and the latest amenities. The low-rise property also features an extensive range of facilities such all-day international dining, a stunning tropical swimming pool, a day spa, and a modern gym. “Cross Hotels & Resorts takes great pride in commemorating this notable milestone by introducing the Cross Vibe brand to Indonesia. This occasion signifies our second partnership with PT Sunset Studio One, following our triumphant Cross Paasha Bali Seminyak …

Shraddha Joshi Sharma, Managing Director, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), said, “MTDC has resorts in various locations of Maharashtra which showcases the strength of the state. This is being promoted with the help of local stakeholders like tour operators and travel agents from across India. MTDC will also be launching a convention centre in Nashik soon to be called Grape Park Resort Convention centre.” 

Ajay Prakash, President, TAFI said, “The more people can move freely, the better it is for the industry. I wish the Indian government would take a leaf out of their books and look at creating a visa on arrival for as many nationalities as possible. Even waiving it for some, if we want to attract inbound tourists. Inbound tourism to India has been slow in recovery; we are nowhere near our pre-COVID levels.” 

Post-COVID, the Average Room Rate (ARRs) have skyrocketed even for budget properties across the country. Pratima Badhwar, Head of Commercial – India & South, Asia, Accor said, “India was the most under sold market. With the kind of products that we have, the service we deliver, one cannot get hotels in $80-100 anywhere. I think a good takeaway of COVID is that we are getting the rates corrected for the country.” 

Pradeep Shetty, President, Hotel And Restaurant Association (Western India) – HRAWI & Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), said, “At present, Lakshadweep operates only one or two flights weekly with limited seat capacity using ATRs. There’s an urgent need to augment flight frequency and upgrade airport facilities, including larger runways for accommodating bigger aircraft. Simultaneously, augmenting room inventory is crucial.” 

Onora Hospitality’s boutique luxury wellbeing hospitality venture Bookmark Resorts, which was launched in May 2023 with its first resort in Manali, has recently opened its second property. The Bookmark Jogi Mahal Resort in Ranthambore is a newly constructed boutique luxury resort spread across a 3.74-acre area. Regarding this development, Onora Hospitality’s Founder & CEO Mr Ashish Vohra said, “Our endeavour through the Bookmark Resorts brand is to offer transformative getaways so that people can move away from the hustle bustle of city life and immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of nature. Our new property in Ranthambore fits this description perfectly. While it is a cosy, luxury base for wildlife enthusiasts who want to explore the National Park, it also offers a holistic wellbeing getaway experience that will make the guests feel good inside out.” There are 40 rooms at Bookmark Jogi Mahal Resort: 19 Luxury Rooms with a heated plunge pool and 21 Deluxe Rooms without the plunge pool. The rooms, with plush furnishing in soothing earthy tones and soft lighting, offer guests a world of tranquillity and understated luxury. Each room has a private balcony, a sprawling bathroom with an indoor as well as an outdoor open-air shower area and all state-of-the-art amenities. There is also a twin-bedded disabled-friendly room at the Resort. According to Mr Vohra, “The entire Resort gives you a sense of opulence and space, right from the massive lobby to the wide corridors to the spacious rooms and bathrooms to the spectacular banquet hall and restaurant as well as the central lawn around which the rooms are located.” The Resort has a multi-cuisine restaurant, which can seat 80 guests indoor and 40 al fresco. There is …

Air Arabia in partnership with Kazin DMC announced a 9-city roadshow to promote Kazakhstan. The roadshow will start from 8th January 2024 till 25th January 2024 and will cover Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Surat, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Coimbatore, Cochin & Thiruvananthapuram. Air Arabia’s seamless flight connection along with Kazakhstan’s gaining popularity as a fast and upcoming tourist destination in the short haul market is a key motive for this roadshow to encourage and educate key travel partners to promote the destination using Air Arabia’s flights.

The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has partnered with Sabco Sports to increase the reach of the event and promote Oman’s potential to become the next great sports and adventure tourism destination. Scheduled on 26-27 of January, the event has grown to become Oman’s biggest run and now aims to capture a growing global audience seeking exciting tourism experiences. Haitham bin Mohammed Al-Ghasani, the Director General of Tourism Promotion at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, affirmed, “The tourism sector experienced remarkable growth in 2023, and we foresee the continuation of this positive trend. Sports tourism events constitute a fundamental strategic pillar embraced by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism to enhance inbound tourist traffic to the Sultanate of Oman. The Al Mouj Muscat Marathon holds a prominent position in the ministry’s tourism calendar for 2024, serving as a catalyst for attracting international participants, alongside the active participation of local runners from across the Sultanate. Our enduring objective is to showcase Oman’s culture, beauty, and unique experiences, emphasizing its capacity to host a diverse array of tourism events to appeal to various types of travelers. This event significantly contributes to promotional, economic, and social gains, leading to the diversification of the economy through sports tourism activities.” “We are very proud to partner with the Ministry of Heritage of Tourism and excited to introduce Oman to new audiences and encourage more people to visit this amazing country using the mass appeal of sport. With awe-inspiring nature, authentic charm and world class facilities, Oman continues to develop a reputation for being a vibrant destination for local and international tourists and can play a role in developing a thriving tourism sector in the …