~Set across Chandigarh, Nagpur & Kochi, the initiative will educate over 600 travel partners on new destination offerings~ Aiming to attract 100,000 inbound travellers from India by end of the year, South African Tourism has returned with its 2024 edition of ‘Learn South Africa’ initiative. Entering the tier-2 and tier-3 outbound tourism markets of India, the flagship travel trade training workshop will enlighten the tourism board’s travel partners with renewed strategy and equip them with tools to market the Rainbow Nation effectively. In the recent years, there has been a strong uptick in the number of arrivals from India to South Africa. Capitalising on this momentum and in efforts to target emerging markets from the country, South African Tourism’s 3-city destination workshop is set to commence in Chandigarh on 27th September followed by Nagpur on 8th November and Kochi on 13th December. The workshop not only enables the tourism board to share its learnings with the travel trade fraternity but also support its partners in overcoming any obstacles they experience while promoting the destination. Cognizant of India’s outbound tourism potential and its role in achieving South Africa’s long term tourism goals, India is amongst the top 3 focus markets for South African Tourism. With a strong foothold across key metro cities and observing a trend of rising discretionary spendings from tier-2 and tier-3 cities of India, it is vital for the tourism board to continually target newer markets to uphold the increased inclination towards international travel. Programs such as ‘Learn SA’ are instrumental in projecting the Rainbow Nation as a premier leisure and MICE destination. Commenting on ‘Learn South Africa’ 2024 edition, Gcobani Mancotywa, Regional General Manager, Asia, Australasia, Middle …
Read More »VFS Global to re-introduce Bintan Resorts to India market, promote its exciting offerings & boost tourism from India
Bintan Resorts in Indonesia has partnered with VFS Global to promote its exciting offerings in the Indian market. The collaboration aims to enhance the visibility and appeal of Bintan Island, positioning it as a top choice for Indian travellers while making it a 2-3 night destination along with Singapore.
Read More »Germany’s culinary scene soars to new heights, come and indulge in the country’s gastronomic delights!
German National Tourist Office India (GNTO India) is delighted to announce that Germany’s culinary landscape has reached unprecedented heights, boasting an impressive 340 Michelin-starred restaurants. This milestone solidifies Germany’s position as a gastronomic haven, offering a diverse and authentic culinary experience for Indian travellers. Food is a significant travel motivation for Indians, and besides indulging in their native cuisine, they also have a penchant for authentic German and international flavors. Germany’s vast culinary options cater to this demand, showcasing traditional dishes, modern twists, and innovative fusions. Out of these 340 prestigious restaurants, 50 hold two stars, and 280 have one star. Ten restaurants are allowed to carry the highest Michelin award in 2024 and adorn themselves with three stars. With a total of 12 Michelin stars, Saarland, a small state in the southwest of Germany, is one of the most popular regions for gourmets due to the high number of top-rated eateries, especially in relation to its population. Reinforcing its reputation as a culinary gem, Baiersbronn, a small town in the Black Forest region, was recently named the gourmet capital of Germany. Additionally, 199 restaurants in Germany have been awarded a Bib Gourmand, a recognition for meticulously prepared dishes with a top price-quality ratio, and 77 establishments have received a Green Star for the commitment to sustainability. The MICHELIN Green Star is a newer concept that was introduced in 2020 as an increasing number of restaurant owners are working towards conserving resources and treating food respectfully by using seasonal and local products, as well as meat from animals raised in their natural environment, for example. “Germany’s culinary scene is a reflection of our rich cultural heritage and traditions. From the …
Read More »Indians travel to 1,000 cities across 68 countries in 2023, likely to surpass previous records this year: Uber app data
Sharing the travel data of India-registered users that give a peek into the global travel trends of Indians, Uber’s data reflects a sharp increase in the number of Indians using the ride-sharing app abroad during 2023. Indians are expected to surpass records set in previous years as they have travelled close to 1,000 cities across 68 countries overseas.
Read More »Jet Ski Safaris partners with India’s Auxilia network to expand its reach & enhance offerings for Indian visitors
Indian tourism consultancy firm Auxilia Networks announces their latest client acquisition – Jet Ski Safaris, Gold Coast, Queensland (Australia). Jet Ski Safaris is Australia’s premier provider of water-based soft adventure activities and owns Australia’s largest jet ski fleet. Voted No.1 of 209 things to do on the Gold Coast by TripAdvisor, they also offer a wide range of watersports activities along with jet skiing, like jet-boating and parasailing. A statement released by Jet Ski Safaris said, “We are excited to announce a significant partnership with Auxilia Networks, India. This collaboration marks a pivotal moment for us as we aim to expand our reach and enhance our offerings for visitors from India. The Indian market is of immense importance to us. With a growing number of Indian travellers seeking unique and adventurous experiences, our thrilling jet ski tours on the Gold Coast offer an unparalleled way to explore this beautiful region’s stunning coastline and pristine waterways, providing an unforgettable experience for our guests. Our decision to partner with Auxilia Networks was driven by their deep understanding of the Indian market and their exceptional ability to connect international brands with Indian consumers. Their expertise in this field will enable us to develop targeted marketing strategies that resonate with Indian travellers, ensuring they are aware of and excited about our unique adventures.” “This partnership underscores our commitment to diversifying our customer base and tailoring our services to meet the specific needs and preferences of Indian visitors. We are confident that, with Auxilia’s support, we will be able to create memorable experiences for Indian tourists and strengthen our presence in this dynamic market. We look forward to welcoming more visitors from India and providing …
Read More »Indian tourists hit new overseas spending peak, spent $31.7 billion under Liberalised Remittance Scheme overseas in FY 24
Breaking Boundaries, Indian travellers have reached a new peak in overseas spending. According to data from India’s central bank, Indians spent $31.7 billion overseas under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme, in fiscal 2024. More than half of that- 54% was on international travel $17 billion, a 25% increase from the previous year.
Read More »65% of young Indian globetrotters opt value for money travel, 31% willing to stretch travel expenditure: FINN Report
Based on a survey on Indian travellers, FINN’s Future of Travel report revealed that 65% of young Indian travellers manage their finances carefully by balancing travel with other financial responsibilities indicating a market for value-for-money travel options that do not compromise on quality while 31% are willing to stretch their budget for travel.
Read More »Shopping prominent feature in itineraries of 43% Indian travellers: Country Manager, Booking.com
Santosh Kumar, Country Manager, India, Booking.com, said, “Indian travellers are increasingly seeking unique experiences while travelling. One such experience is shopping, which is more than just an activity, but a gateway to the destination’s heritage and culture enabling travellers to make authentic connections with the places they visit and bring those memories back home. According to the company’s Travel Trends data for 2024, 43 per cent of Indian travellers stated that shopping had an impact on their destination decisions.”
Read More »59% Indians prefer short weekend trips, 79% prefer domestic over global destinations: VIDEC’s Report
VIDEC’s 2023 Indian Traveller Behaviour & Insights Report says 59% of Indian travellers prefer short weekend trips, and 79% choose domestic over international destinations. Of the international travellers, 84% were first-time travellers, with Thailand, the UAE and Singapore as the top destinations, chosen for their proximity, climate and cultural appeal.
Read More »Diverse experiences and easy visa will attract Indians to Saudi Arabia: Alhasan Aldabbagh, President, APAC
Speaking at a special session titled ‘Attracting the Indian Travellers into the GCC’, Alhasan Aldabbagh, President, Asia Pacific (APAC), Saudi Tourism Authority, said, “The diverse experiences that Saudi Arabia is offering will attract Indians to the destination. We have eased out the visa and offering free transit visas for Indians for 5-8 hours.”
Read More »