Category Archives: Agents

The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB), in collaboration with the Centre County Commissioners, has announced the allocation of over USD 1.1 million in tourism grant funding for the fiscal year 2025–26. This marks the highest grant distribution in the program’s history, supporting a total of 81 projects and initiatives aimed at enhancing travel experiences and encouraging visitation to Happy Valley, Pennsylvania. “Topping the one-million-dollar mark is a tremendous milestone for the Tourism Grant Program,” said Fritz Smith, President and CEO of HVAB. “It’s a visible example of how a strong tourism economy, particularly through overnight stays, benefits our entire community.” The announcement took place at Rolling Rails Lodge in Port Matilda under the theme “Tourism in Bloom.” The initiative underscores HVAB’s commitment to nurturing local attractions, cultural events, and hospitality-focused development across the region. Out of the 81 projects funded, 11 come from first-time applicants, including the Happy Valley Latin Festival, which celebrates its fifth anniversary this year. “We’re thrilled to receive this Tourism Marketing Grant,” said Ady Martinez, Festival Director. “Thanks to this support, we’ll be able to reach a wider audience for our bilingual, inclusive celebration of Latinx and Hispanic culture, taking place on September 20 during Hispanic Heritage Month.” The Centre County Commissioner Chair, Mark Higgins, emphasized the scale of the region’s tourism growth. “It is exciting to see total tourism revenue for Centre County exceed $1 billion and the Tourism Grant pool cross $1 million. These grants directly enhance visitor experiences and enrich local life,” he stated. Other beneficiaries include the Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society, which received dual grants to market its heritage train rides, especially the Christmas rides that draw significant local participation. “These funds are vital for attracting visitors from …

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) India successfully hosted the Korea MICE Roadshow 2025 on June 5 in Mumbai. The event aimed to spotlight Korea’s growing appeal as a destination for MICE travel, and to strengthen connections with India’s travel trade and corporates. The roadshow highlighted key offerings, including Korea’s incentive support program, MICE group visa facilitation, and robust convention infrastructure. KTO also emphasized the comprehensive support extended to Indian MICE groups traveling to Korea—such as the Korea MICE Group Visa, which includes visa fee waivers, express processing, and simplified documentation for eligible groups. Additionally, KTO showcased details of its MICE Support Program, which ranges from souvenirs and destination experience fees to customized support for gala dinners, performances, charter buses, K-pop booths, K-food trucks, and video highlights of the trip. Support is tiered based on group size and requirements, with optional inclusions like team-building activities, welcome receptions, and cultural experiences. Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director, India & SAARC Countries, KTO, remarked, “It was a pleasure to see such strong participation in Mumbai, with over 150 attendees including MICE travel agents, corporates, and media. This level of interest reflects the growing curiosity about Korea as a compelling new destination for business and incentive travel. With our dedicated support programs, we are confident Korea will become a preferred choice for the Indian market.” A key highlight of the event was the felicitation of Indian actress and Honorary Ambassador of Korea Tourism, Hina Khan, who was officially appointed by KTO on May 9, 2025, at a ceremony held at the KTO Seoul Center (HiKr Ground). She recently returned from a KTO-hosted FAM trip across Seoul, Gangwon State, and Incheon. The event concluded with a KTO …

Virgin Atlantic has introduced a first-of-its-kind rewards programme exclusively for Indian travel agents. Exclusive Virgin-style Rewards and Benefits including epic experiences and exclusive event invitations. A first-of-its-kind for Virgin Atlantic in India, Sky High Club is more than a loyalty programme – it is a celebration of the passion, hustle and heart that define the Indian travel industry. With every booking, agents will now have the chance to earn points and unlock a world of extraordinary rewards and unforgettable experiences

Virgin Atlantic is taking its partnership with India’s travel trade community to new heights with the launch of Sky High Club – an exclusive new rewards programme created especially for travel agents across the country. A first-of-its-kind for Virgin Atlantic in India, Sky High Club is more than a loyalty programme – it is a celebration of the passion, hustle and heart that define the Indian travel industry. With every booking, agents will now have the chance to earn points and unlock a world of extraordinary rewards and unforgettable experiences. Shivani Singh Deo, India Country Manager, Virgin Atlantic commented, “At Virgin Atlantic, we have always believed in the power of partnerships and Sky High Club is our way of recognising the travel agents who make incredible journeys possible every single day – and we are here to champion, celebrate and reward them like never before.” As agents progress through the programme, the benefits grow even more rewarding – a reflection of Virgin Atlantic’s ongoing commitment to recognising and celebrating those who consistently go the extra mile. India’s travel agents have always been more than just supporters of the journey – they are an integral part of it. With the launch of the Sky High Club, Virgin Atlantic reaffirms its dedication to the travel trade community as we soar to new heights, together. The Sky High Club is now officially cleared for take-off. Welcome aboard.

Thomas Cook (India) has announced a strategic partnership with Muthoot Forex, the foreign exchange division of the Muthoot Group, one of India’s largest financial services conglomerates, to expand the reach of its Borderless Travel and Study Buddy Cards. Through this collaboration, both prepaid forex cards will now be available across Muthoot’s extensive network of 7,000+ branches, including 43 full-fledged forex branches – across India’s metros, mini-metros and Tier 2-4 source markets. Deepesh Varma, Executive Vice President – Foreign Exchange, Thomas Cook (India), said, “At Thomas Cook India, we are committed to making our forex card solutions smooth, seamless and rewarding for our customers. Our alliance with The Muthoot Group leverages our powerful synergies—combining our expertise in travel and foreign exchange with Muthoot’s extensive network across India’s tier 1-4 source markets. Through this partnership, we aim to bring our Borderless Travel and Study Buddy cards closer to consumers across India’s metros and regional markets, making international travel and study abroad even more convenient  and accessible.” Product USPs: 1)   Borderless Travel: Thomas Cook’s pre-paid Borderless Travel Card is a smart, secure, and convenient solution for India’s outbound leisure travellers: Supports12 global currencies for seamless international transactions and access to over 70 million Mastercard and Visa merchant establishments in over 200 countries Free emergency cash assistance and card replacement (for lost/stolen cards) Complimentary International global SIM card Secure with embedded chip & pin security; complimentary insurance cover up to ₹7.5 lakh* Complimentary Airport meet & greet, free lounge access and porter services at select international airports in India* Exclusive 25% discount on select attractions and unique experiences* Earn 1,000 Thomas Cook Edge Reward Points on loading USD 1,000 (or equivalent) and up to 500 points on …

IndiGo, Delta Air Lines, Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic announced plans to build an industry-leading partnership connecting India with Europe and North America, with ambitions to grow to a global scale. India, one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, is at the heart of this collaboration. By linking IndiGo’s extensive domestic network with Delta’s strength in North America and the transatlantic, the extensive reach of Air France-KLM in Europe and North America, and the U.K. and transatlantic presence of Virgin Atlantic, the partnership is poised to offer travelers broader access, smoother journeys, and a more consistent experience across continents. Linking dozens of cities in the United States, Canada, Europe and India, the airlines aim to meet rising demand for international travel while setting new standards for connectivity and cooperation in global aviation. Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo said: “IndiGo has embarked on an ambitious journey to become a global airline by 2030. This partnership represents another important milestone to pursue commercial synergies, operational excellence and innovation. This announcement not only expands our relationship with Air France–KLM and Virgin Atlantic but also marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter as we welcome Delta Airlines as a valued partner. We are particularly excited to start our long-haul expansion from this Summer and connect with our partners’ networks to provide greater access to Europe and North America. This strategic partnership enables a compelling combined customer proposition in the form comprehensive intercontinental connectivity, seamless experience and great loyalty value. It also lays the groundwork for us to exchange best practices in areas of technology, operational excellence and service delivery.”

Air India and Air Mauritius have expanded their existing codeshare partnership to offer travelers improved connectivity across the Indian Subcontinent and the African region. The two airlines signed the expanded codeshare agreement on the sidelines of the 81st IATA AGM in New Delhi, in the presence of Campbell Wilson, CEO & Managing Director, Air India, and Kishore Beegoo, Chairman, Air Mauritius. As part of the strengthened bilateral codeshare agreement, Air India and Air Mauritius will place their designator codes on a total of 17 routes between India, Mauritius, Réunion, South Africa, and Madagascar. With the enhanced codeshare partnership, Air India will place its ‘AI’ designator code on Air Mauritius flights to and from Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa, and Antananarivo in Madagascar, for Air India guests to seamlessly travel to these cities via Mauritius on a single ticket and baggage checked through to their final destination. Air India already codeshares on Air Mauritius flights between Mauritius and Mumbai, Delhi, and Réunion. Air Mauritius currently places its ‘MK’ designator code on Air India flights between Mumbai and Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Goa, Delhi and Bengaluru, Chennai. As part of the enhanced codeshare, Air Mauritius will place its ‘MK’ designator code on Air India flights between Mauritius and Mumbai. Thus, all flights operated by Air India and Air Mauritius between the two countries will have each other’s designator codes, thereby multiplying flight options for customers of either carrier. Campbell Wilson, CEO & Managing Director, Air India, said: “India is one of the largest tourism source markets for destinations in Southern Africa, including Mauritius and South Africa, as well as a strong trade partner to the region.This expanded codeshare partnership …

As per trends observed by IATO and discussion with every other FTA (Foreign Tourist Arrival) stakeholder, it is assessed by the body that FTA in India has not still not touched the 2019 level in the last financial year . While the importance of Inbound Tourism as a precious Foreign Exchange earner and Soft Diplomacy Tool cannot be over emphasised, India as a destination with such raw and natural beauty is performing way below its potential. To step up, IATO has written to PM where it has urged immediate budgetary allocation of Rs 1000 crore under Incredible India Campaign and formation of “India Tourism Board” under the PM’s leadership with the specific objective of increasing FTA’s. These measures are required as the coming season is a few months away and can help boost inbound tourism in this financial year. Ravi Gosain, President, IATO, says, “When global trade is facing unprecedented disruptions due to tariff wars and geopolitical shifts, tourism exports remain unaffected by such constraints. Unlike goods, India’s tourism export (i.e. foreign tourists spending in India), which is non-tariff based, brings direct foreign exchange earnings into the country. This positions inbound tourism as a stable, sustainable, and immediate contributor to India’s current account with valuable foreign exchange, employment generation and balances forex trade deficit. Yet , regretfully the country is lagging in its effort to attract foreign tourists”. Considering every foreign visitor to India becomes an ambassador of Indian culture, heritage, values and the immense multiplier impact it has in terms of employment generator and net revenue it earns, we still have not valued it as much as we should have. This sector alone has the potential to contribute 1-2 …

Air Cambodia, the national carrier of Cambodia, has appointed Aeroprime Group as its exclusive Passenger GSA in India, effective 1st July 2025. Abhishek Goyal, Executive Director & CEO, Aeroprime Group, says, “Managing both passenger and cargo operations for Air Cambodia allows us to offer integrated solutions and further strengthen the bridge between India and Cambodia. With Aeroprime’s commitment to exceptional customer service, an expansive sales network, and focused efforts on building brand awareness, we aim to boost visibility and demand for the airline in the Indian market. We look forward to making it even more accessible and appealing to Indian travellers.”

Speaking at the IATA AGM in New Delhi, Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa, India, said that Indian Airlines such as IndiGo and Air India, with their wide-body aircraft, can compete with global airlines like Emirates and Qatar Airways in today’s market space. He adds, “After getting the 1700 planes, which was already been ordered, India will be ready to compete with the best airlines in the world and boost tourism through the airport infrastructure that is being developed in India.”