News

Dubai to host 5 mln tourists during Christmas, New Year

DUBAI, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Dubai is expected to host some five million tourists during the peak period of the Christmas and New Year, the official WAM news agency reported Sunday. Dubai is ranked among the top ten favorite international destinations in 2020 on the annual list of Lonely Planet, a leading international travel and tourism guide. The city will host Expo 2020, an international event ready to attract people from all over the world. Expo 2020 Dubai is the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East. Dubai, rich in tourism and entertainment options, receives millions of tourists annually.

Read more

American Airlines and Royal Air Maroc set date for new partnership.

American Airlines and Royal Air Maroc have a Boxing Day present for travelers, launching their new codeshare partnership ahead of the U.S. carrier’s first foray into Africa. The carriers will begin codesharing on certain routes across each others networks on Dec. 26, American said Friday. Routes covered include Royal Air Maroc’s between the U.S. and Casablanca (CMN) as well as onward service to Marrakech (RAK) in Morocco, and select American routes in the U.S. The codeshare will expand to additional routes in 2020, including Royal Air Maroc service to Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire (ABJ), Lagos, Nigeria (LOS), and Luanda, Angola (LAD). A codeshare allows one airline, American for example, to sell flights operated by another carrier, Royal Air Maroc let’s say, under its own flight number. This facilitates connections and allows airlines to artificially expand their route maps without adding new service. The partnership is expected to grow further when American begins flights between Philadelphia (PHL) and Casablanca in June. The route will be American Airlines’ first ever to Africa. Royal Air Maroc is also on track to join Oneworld with American in 2020. The airline will be the alliance’s first in Africa.

Read more

Kerala, Rajasthan, Goa, Bhutan, Indonesia among top picks for this X’mas vacation.

The vacation season is around the corner and travel portals are witnessing an uptick in demand for both domestic and international destinations. But, interestingly, it is the domestic destinations that are seeing higher growth. “There is a growth of 20 per cent in the demand for domestic destinations as compared to the same period last year," said Kapil Goswamy, MD, Bigbreaks.com. Travellers generally look for short-haul destinations during this time; the unrest in Hong Kong and better air connectivity to popular spots in the country could be the reasons for the surge in opting for domestic destinations, he added. According to industry experts, Kerala, Rajasthan, Goa, Andaman and Nicobar and Himachal Pradesh are among the places seeing greater demand this year. Bhutan, Indonesia, Thailand and Dubai are emerging as top picks for international travel. While working professionals are actively seeking travel options to consume their pending annual leave during this period, millennial travellers are showing an increased appetite for travel, added Kale. SOTC Travel has come up with a Christmas package, ‘Santaland’, that allows customers to experience the season in international destinations. The prices start from around 2.50 lakh.

Read more

Singapore’s One Faber Group appoints ISA Tourism as India representative.

Eyeing growing number of Indian tourists visiting Singapore, One Faber Group (1FG), Singapore’s leading leisure and tourism services provider, has appointed ISA Tourism its India market representative to expand its business. ISA Tourism Pvt Ltd, a boutique sales and marketing representation company for the hospitality and tourism industries, will focus on building 1FG’s brand awareness among Indian travellers, particularly new evolving tourists like young professionals, solo travellers and female travel groups. “As one of Singapore’s leading operators of leisure and lifestyle services, One Faber Group continually strives to enhance the experience and create memories for its local as well as international guests. India continues to be one of our priority markets and the appointment of ISA Tourism as market representative will allow more Indian tourists to discover our variety of memorable lifestyle experiences and embark on a delightful escapade with us,” said One Faber Group Managing Director, Buhdy Bok. Highlighting that India continues to be one of the top three markets for Singapore tourism industry, Manas Sinha, Director of ISA Tourism said: “We are very proud to be associated with One Faber Group and to be given the opportunity to promote their global footprint. This also reflects 1FG ‘s growing enthusiasm and interest in the Indian Market. We look forward to introducing more Indian guests to the One Faber Group brand and their amazing products and services.”

Read more

Tripura rising on India’s tourism map.

The Tripura government is all set to unveil a new tourism policy with a focus on public- private partnership (PPP) model to boost footfall of tourists, officials said on Thursday. The state has witnessed an upward trend in tourist arrival during the past three years and increased the scope in creating job opportunities, they said. Tripura, which has tremendous potential in tourism segment is yet to flourish due to poor infrastructure facilities, lack of accommodation facility, connectivity and shortage of professional manpower. Unakoti, an archeological site, Tripureswari Temple, Chhabimura, Jampui Hills, Dumbur Lake, Sephajala Zoo and Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary could be major tourism attraction in the state. The department has already rope in a Shillong-based hotelier to set up star category hostel to provide better accommodation facilities to the tourists. Besides, Sagar Mahal, a state government-run tourist lodge situated near Neermahal has been handed over to the group. The official said the forest department which has so many tourism spots has agreed to allow tourists visiting two eco tourism spots- Barmura and Tepania and Sepahijala Zoo. The government has already made a policy decision to establish a helipad at Narikel Kunja, one of the most attractive tourism places surrounded by water bodies near Dumbur lake.

Read more

Serbia to offer visa-free travel for Indian citizens.

Given the number of Indian tourists visiting the country, the Government of the Republic of Serbia has announced visa-free travel to Indian travellers and tourists. It was recently decided by the country’s administration that visa will be exempted for Indian nationals along with Iranianas with ordinary passports. With this, Indian nationals now won’t require a visa to explore the gorgeous southeastern European country. They can stay in the country without a visa for 30 days only from the date of entry (within a period of one year). According to a government official, “Undisturbed arrival of tourists from these countries, as well as potential investors, in order to create a more favourable business environment and bring bilateral relations with these countries to a higher level”. As per reports, the annual transaction between Belgrade and New Delhi amounts to $150 million, which is huge. In the same report, the trade between Iran and Serbia was mentioned between $20 million. Serbia with its rugged terrains, ancient architecture, and great mountains is known for its natural beauty. The country is also among one of the least explored destinations and makes a perfect holiday escape for those who believe in taking roads less travelled.

Read more