A delegation from PATA visited New Delhi recently to do a recce for the PATA Travel Mart 2023, which is scheduled from 4-6 October at Pragati Maidan. The delegation, along with the office bearers of PATA India Chapter, met with Rakesh Verma, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism.

Arvind Singh, Secretary, Tourism, has said that during G-20 Presidency, MOT has planned a number of events, engaging not only government stakeholders, but also travel trade and hospitality sector. “We plan to promote green tourism, open 50 new tourism destinations and soon launch a publicity campaign in overseas markets during our presidency,” he informed.

Concerned over rising incidences of online hotel rooms booking frauds and instances of targeted smear campaigns on social media against hospitality brands, HRAWI will take up the issue with the concerned Government authorities and law enforcement agencies.

Air India has launched a non-stop flights between Delhi and Amsterdam. It will operate from June 11, 2023 with a two-class Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner four times a week, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. This is Air India’s eighth continental European city to be served. The addition of Amsterdam brings the total number of non-stop flights between India and Europe to 77 per week. Campbell Wilson, CEO and MD, Air India, said, “With the launch of this new non-stop flight to Amsterdam, Air India adds further breadth to our long-haul network and more options for our customers. Together with the three other European routes started in recent months, and others to come, it supports our objective of establishing Delhi as a significant international hub.”

In 2022, Indian outbound travel recorded a y-o-y rise of 190%, significantly higher than the average global increase of 90 per cent. This was the first time India generated Asia’s highest outbound travel volume, with foreign trips exceeding those of China, South Korea and Japan.

Inbound tourism to India is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 12 per cent from 2022 to 2027, driven by rising disposable incomes, growth of the middle class, and increasing awareness of India as a tourist destination, revealed a report by Nangia Andersen in association with FICCI.

CAPA India has said that India should urgently introduce mechanisms to institutionalise consumer protection, providing full refunds in the event of airline closure, along the lines of @ATOLprotected in the UK, which is run by the @UK_CAA). CAPA India has been recommending this since 2011: CAPA India

Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa, India said, “Digital transformation will be a very critical driver of growth. In 2047 India will be the youngest country in the world. We will be a provider of almost 25% of the workforce in the world.” 

Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways have signed an MoU to expand their interline agreement and provide travellers additional itinerary options when visiting the UAE. This first of its kind agreement between the two UAE carriers aims to capitalise on opportunities to boost tourism to the UAE from key source markets by enabling visitors to experience more than one destination in a single itinerary. This summer, customers of each airline will be able to purchase a single ticket to fly into either Dubai or Abu Dhabi, with a seamless return via the other airport. The new agreement also provides travellers planning to explore the UAE with the flexibility of one-stop ticketing for their full journey and convenient baggage check-in.

Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023 has opened today in Dubai. A huge Indian delegation is there, comprising senior officials from MOT, states and stakeholders. TravTalk has launched its first Carbon Neutral Edition while pledging to make its operations carbon neutral.