News

Etihad Guest Launches 20M-Mile Reward Challenge

Etihad Guest, the loyalty program of Etihad Airways, has unveiled the second phase of its highly popular competition, The Extraordinary Challenge, offering participants a grand total of over 20 million Etihad Guest Miles in prizes. The expansion of the competition follows the massive success of the initial phase, which saw participants eagerly racing to visit the airline’s new destinations. With 12.5 million extra miles now added to the prize pool, The Extraordinary Challenge is providing even more chances for members to win incredible rewards. In its first phase, Etihad Guest launched the challenge with an exciting proposition: the first person to visit 15 of the airline’s newly launched destinations would win five million Etihad Guest Miles. The second-place winner would take home three million miles, while the third-place winner would be awarded one million miles. However, the overwhelming response and enthusiasm from participants prompted Etihad to enhance the competition, with the total prize fund now swelling to more than 20 million miles.

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Rome to Host WTTC Global Summit This Year

Italy globally renowned for its cultural heritage, history, and tourism potential, has been selected to host the elite World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit of 2025 in Rome. This historical summit is to take place from April 1-3 and promises to be an unprecedented gathering of world leaders and tourism stakeholders from all corners of the globe. It will be organised at the world renowned La Nuvola Convention Centre, underscoring the prime status of Rome as the epicentre of global debate surrounding tourism. Selecting Rome as the venue for the 2025 WTTC Global Summit carries profound strategic implications. As a city steeped in millennia of history and culture, Rome symbolizes the essence of tourism itself—exploration, discovery, and shared human experience. With its enduring appeal among international travelers, Rome offers a meaningful backdrop for discussions focused on reshaping tourism’s future, especially in a post-pandemic world navigating rapid recovery and transformation.

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Greece Promotes Kimolos as Hidden Island Gem

Greece proudly introduces Kimolos, a stunning yet relatively undiscovered island destination, now being spotlighted for possessing the world’s clearest waters. This enchanting Aegean island, long treasured by locals but relatively unknown internationally, is rapidly gaining recognition as Greece’s new hidden gem, promising exceptional travel experiences amidst pristine natural beauty. Kimolos has recently captured global attention for its extraordinary crystal-clear waters, recognized among the clearest worldwide. Visitors are enchanted by its tranquil beaches such as Prassa, Mavrospilia, and Aliki, where turquoise waters meet white sands, offering idyllic swimming, snorkeling, and relaxation experiences. The island’s pristine marine environment, teeming with vibrant marine life and captivating underwater landscapes, is a paradise for snorkelers, divers, and nature enthusiasts alike.

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Tourism Soars: Ethiopia Hits Record Foreign Arrivals

Ethiopia has made a historic achievement by recording its highest foreign tourist arrivals ever, as recently reported by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. This is a remarkable feat that highlights Ethiopia’s increasing status as a “must-see” global tourism destination due to diverse cultural attractions, natural landmarks, and extensive infrastructural development. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed highlighted this landmark achievement, emphasizing Ethiopia’s robust growth in international tourist numbers, which marks a historic moment for the nation’s tourism industry. The surge in tourist arrivals reflects Ethiopia’s strategic promotional efforts, improved travel infrastructure, and strong appeal as an emerging global travel destination. Ethiopia’s unique appeal stems from its rich cultural heritage and historical significance, featuring UNESCO World Heritage sites like Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches, the ancient city of Aksum, and the historic fortified town of Harar. The country’s vibrant festivals, traditional crafts, and renowned cuisine further enhance its attractiveness, drawing travelers seeking immersive cultural experiences.

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Govt Lets Uber, Ola, Rapido Charge 2x During Peak Hours

The government has revised guidelines for ride-hailing platforms, allowing aggregators such as Uber, Ola, Rapido, and inDrive to charge up to twice the base fare during peak hours, up from the previous cap of 1.5 times. Non-peak hour fares must remain at least 50 per cent of the base fare, as per the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on Tuesday, according to a TOI report. State governments have been advised to adopt the revised guidelines within three months. The ministry said the intention is to balance affordability for commuters during high-demand periods while preventing predatory discounting practices by the aggregators.

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Taiwan Tourism Launches Mumbai DOOH to Target MICE

The Taiwan Tourism Administration (TTA) has announced a strategic Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) campaign in Mumbai aimed at strengthening its presence in the Indian MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) segment. The campaign will run for four weeks across major corporate hubs in Mumbai, including Technopolis Knowledge Park, 349 Business Point, Platina Business Tower, and Trade Centre BKC. This move follows Taiwan’s re-entry into the Indian market in January 2024, which has already seen over 38,000 Indian visitors in a year—registering a 20.81% growth compared to the overall 8.5% rise in Indian outbound travel. The campaign is designed to spotlight Taiwan’s appeal as both a leisure and business destination, showcasing its diverse cultural and natural offerings through vibrant digital creatives. “Taiwan Tourism entered into the Indian market after the pandemic with full thrust to entice the Indian MICE industry and large events,” said Paul Shih, Director - Singapore Office, TTA. “With the DOOH campaign in Mumbai, we aim to captivate Indian corporates and leisure travellers by showcasing the richness of our landscapes, the warmth of our people, and our potential to host MICE movements.” Taiwan has already hosted major Indian incentive groups, including one by Asian Paints, and plans to continue focusing on high-end and corporate travel segments. TTA’s integrated approach has involved PR engagements, trade partnerships, influencer trips, and participation in Indian travel shows, contributing to the country’s accelerated visibility and growth in India’s outbound travel landscape.

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