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Visit Maldives names Katrina Kaif as Global Brand Ambassador

Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/ Visit Maldives) has appointed Katrina Kaif, lifestyle icon, as the Global Brand Ambassador for the Maldives. This collaboration comes on the heels of Visit Maldives’ special Summer Sale Campaign, designed to entice more travellers to discover the breathtaking natural beauty, vibrant marine life, and exclusive luxurious experiences that the Maldives offers. Katrina Kaif is a globally recognised icon, a distinguished performer, and an award-winning entrepreneur whose influence spans industries and continents. With an acclaimed portfolio of blockbuster films and many prestigious awards, her contributions to Indian cinema are prolific. Beyond her on-screen success, she has demonstrated exceptional entrepreneurial acumen—redefining the role of women in business. As a recipient of the prestigious Forbes Icon of Excellence honour, Katrina has firmly established herself as a leading voice at the intersection of business and entertainment. Speaking about her new role as the Sunny Side of Life’s Global Brand Ambassador, Katrina said, “The Maldives represents the pinnacle of luxury and natural beauty, a place where elegance meets tranquillity. I’m honoured to be chosen as the face of the Sunny Side of Life. This collaboration is about bringing the finest travel experiences to global audiences, and I’m excited to help people around the world discover the unique charm and world-class offerings of this extraordinary destination.” Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO & MD of Visit Maldives, commented on the appointment, “We are thrilled to welcome Katrina as our Global Brand Ambassador. Her vibrant personality and strong connection with audiences worldwide make her a perfect representative for the Sunny Side of Life, the World’s Leading Destination for the past 5 consecutive years, especially as we start our Summer Sale push in key markets around the world.” The Summer Sale Campaign features exclusive offers and value-packed deals across luxury resorts, boutique guesthouses, and family-friendly accommodations throughout the Maldives, currently live across key global markets including the UK, Russia & CIS, the DACH region, Italy, Poland, Spain, and India. Collectively, these diverse and well-timed initiatives, tailored for travellers seeking unforgettable summer escapes, underscores Visit Maldives’ commitment to strengthening global destination presence and driving bookings for Summer 2025 and beyond.

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Indian tourists can now visit the Philippines without a visa

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Philippines has announced that Indian nationals will be granted visa-free entry for tourism purposes starting June 8, 2025. This policy aims to boost tourism arrivals from India, aligning with the Philippine Government’s efforts to expand tourism engagement with Indian travellers. According to the DFA, Indian nationals may now enter the Philippines without a visa for a non-extendible and non-convertible period of 14 days, provided they present a passport valid for at least six months beyond their intended stay, confirmed hotel accommodation or booking, proof of financial capacity, and a return or onward ticket to another destination. Furthermore, Indian nationals who hold valid and current visas or residence permits from the United States, Japan, Australia, Canada, Schengen Area, Singapore, or the United Kingdom (AJACSSUK) will be allowed to enter the Philippines visa-free for a non-extendible period of 30 days for tourism purposes. These travellers must also present a passport valid for at least six months beyond their planned stay and a return or onward ticket to their next destination. The DFA emphasised that these visa-free privileges are strictly for tourism and must be availed of at any Philippine port of entry. They are not convertible to other visa-based stays or admission status categories. Additionally, Indian nationals must not have any derogatory record with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to qualify for visa-free entry. Indian travellers who wish to transit through the Philippines or stay for longer periods, as well as those traveling for non-tourism activities, are still required to apply for an appropriate visa at a Philippine Embassy or Consulate in their home country, country of legal residence, or any country that requires entry visas for Indian nationals. For eligible travellers, the DFA also noted that Indian nationals can apply for e-Visas through the official Philippine e-Visa website (evisa.gov.ph). However, e-Visas cannot be extended or converted to other visa-based stays or admission status categories.

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Fiji eyes inclusive tourism growth and stronger ties with India

Fiji’s tourism sector stands as a pillar of its economy, contributing nearly 40 per cent to the national GDP. In an exclusive conversation with Travel Trade Journal (TTJ) during the Fiji Tourism Exchange 2025, Hon Viliame Gavoka, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Fiji, offered a comprehensive perspective on Fiji’s growth trajectory. Expanding the Footprint Tourism plays a vital role in Fiji’s economy, currently contributing nearly 40 per cent of our GDP. Hon. Gavoka emphasised, “However, much of this activity is centred in just two provinces: Nadroga-Navosa and Ba. With Fiji consisting of 14 provinces, our goal is to extend the benefits of tourism more equitably across the entire nation.” The roadmap to achieving this inclusivity lies in the Sustainable Tourism Framework launched last year. “By 2027, we are forecasting around 1.25 million visitors and an economic contribution of FJ$4 billion. For a population of under a million, this is significant, and we still have room to grow without facing the risks of overtourism,” he added. Using Denarau Island as a case in point, a region that transformed over 50 years into one of Fiji’s most developed integrated resorts, the minister expressed confidence that similar long-term growth stories are possible in less-developed provinces. From Sun and Sand to Cultural Immersion While Fiji remains synonymous with pristine beaches and azure waters, the tourism narrative is steadily evolving. “Sun, sand, and sea are still central, but today’s traveller seeks more. ‘Experiential travel’ is the new frontier,” Gavoka noted. Fiji is diversifying its offerings from tourism retreats designed for rest and recovery to immersive community experiences. Govoka also mentioned, “Authenticity is our strength. Guests often ask, ‘What else can we do here?’ We are responding with meaningful experiences that immerse them in our way of life.” The India Opportunity With India poised to become the world’s fifth-largest outbound travel market, Fiji is making strategic moves to deepen ties with this emerging powerhouse. “Currently, 45 per cent of our tourists come from Australia and 25 per cent from New Zealand. To drive new growth, we must look toward long-haul markets, and India is a natural fit,” Govoka affirmed. Having visited India multiple times since 2005, Govoka acknowledged the transformative rise in Indian outbound travel and emphasised that Fiji is well-positioned to attract Indian tourists across multiple segments. “We are targeting niche areas like weddings, honeymoons, and even film shoots. Indian wedding planners have found local Fijian operators who understand the scale and specificity of Indian celebrations,” he shared. “Our six and seven-star resorts offer the privacy and luxury that discerning Indian honeymooners and celebrities seek. Many of them come here incognito,” he added. Building Market Presence Fiji’s concerted marketing efforts are beginning to bear fruit in India. Campaigns like the Loloma Hour, which emphasise the warmth and emotional resonance of the destination, and the Fiji Matai Specialist Program, which trains Indian travel agents to become destination experts, have received encouraging feedback. “Matai means ‘expert’ in Fijian. We want Indian agents to be experts on Fiji. We target key operators, train them, and equip them with the tools to sell the destination authentically,” said Govoka. Fiji has allocated a dedicated annual marketing budget for the Indian market, and the budget will increase in tandem with increased air capacity. Govoka explained, “Everything we do is closely aligned with our national airline, Fiji Airways, which plays a critical role in supporting our marketing activities.” Currently, Fiji Airways operates flights to all major cities in Australia: Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, and Adelaide, each of which sees growing Indian inbound traffic. “Indian travellers arriving in these cities can easily connect onward to Fiji, making us an increasingly accessible long-haul destination,” Govaka added. Sustaining Culture Through Tourism A core pillar of Fiji’s tourism philosophy is the preservation and celebration of indigenous culture. “The future of tourism globally lies with indigenous communities. Much of the world remains unexplored in this sense,” Gavoka noted. The minister shared an example of how tourism in Fiji is playing a vital role in preserving intangible cultural heritage. Recalling a recent visit to a village launching a new tourism project centred around a waterfall, he recounted a moving cultural moment. “As part of the opening, they held a traditional welcome ceremony for me, as the visiting dignitary. What made it extraordinary was that the ritual they performed hadn’t been seen or practiced in over 50 years. Fortunately, there was an elder in the village who still remembered the exact customs and sequence. He was able to guide the younger generation in reviving it,” Govoka shared. He further emphasised, “Tourism does not just boost the economy, it helps preserve our traditions, keeps stories alive, and allows communities to take pride in their heritage.” This is especially relevant as visitors increasingly seek immersive, community-led experiences. Fiji is fortunate; its culture is not confined to museums. It is how they live, how they welcome, and how they share. Come, Be Spoiled in Fiji Reflecting on his visits to India, Govaka shared, “When I visit India, I am always spoiled by the warmth of your people. In return, we hope to spoil Indian visitors in Fiji with the same love.” Extending a warm invitation to Indian travellers, he added, “Fiji is a small nation in the vast Pacific, but it is big on heart. Come visit, and you will understand why so many return.”

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IndiGo expands Central Asian network with new direct flights to Almaty, Tashkent, and Tbilisi

IndiGo is set to enhance its international capacity to Central Asia with the launch of direct flights to three key destinations: Almaty, Tashkent, and Tbilisi. Starting July 1, 2025, IndiGo will commence operations from Mumbai to Almaty, followed by flights to Tashkent from August 01, 2025, and to Tbilisi from August 02, 2025. The airline will operate four weekly flights to both Tashkent and Almaty, and three weekly flights to Tbilisi, significantly enhancing connectivity between India and the growing markets of Central Asia. The new routes are set to boost tourism, trade, and people-to-people ties, while offering customers more travel options across the region. IndiGo had launched flights to these cities from Delhi in 2023, and this move marks another step in the airline’s commitment to expanding its international footprint and meeting the rising demand for international travel. Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales at IndiGo, said, “Building on the success of our Delhi – Central Asia routes, we are extremely pleased to announce direct flights to Almaty, Tashkent and Tbilisi from Mumbai, reinforcing our commitment to connecting India to the world. These routes will further enhance accessibility to these culturally rich destinations, fostering global connections and enriching tourism. At IndiGo, we anticipate the ever-evolving passenger needs and strive to offer seamless, direct, and reliable travel options.”

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Air India extends self check-in and baggage drop facilities to destinations in Europe, UK and Canada

Air India has rolled out an integrated self-check-in and baggage-drop service for its passengers flying from India to all destinations operated by the airline in Europe, the UK, and Canada. Air India was the first airline to introduce this service from India to international destinations in the US and Australia, in addition to airports in the domestic network. Air India is now extending the facility to 19 airports; London (Heathrow and Gatwick), Birmingham, Paris, Vienna, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Milan, Zurich, Toronto, Vancouver, and to all five destinations in the US (New York, Newark, Chicago, Washington and San Francisco) and two in Australia (Sydney and Melbourne), from airports in India. The initiative reaffirms Air India’s commitment to leveraging technology to elevate customer experience and deliver world-class service across every touchpoint. The integrated self-check-in and baggage-drop service offers a smooth and faster check-in process at the airport, significantly enhancing the passenger experience. With this facility, Air India passengers can enjoy a seamless digital process to print boarding passes and baggage tags and drop bags on their own, eliminating the need to queue up for check-in at counters. The kiosks allow travellers to customise their trips by selecting and even paying for their preferred seats or updating their frequent flyer number and contact details. This initiative cuts down on the time spent queuing up at the counters and helps passengers breeze through the airport to reach their boarding gates in time. Over the last one year, Air India has introduced several customer initiatives including the Premium Lobby that offers exclusive check-in for first, business, and premium economy passengers, the dedicated Family Assistance counters at Delhi airport offering support to passengers travelling with family, city-side check-in counters at Delhi and Hyderabad helping passengers skip queues at airport counters and Self Check-in and Baggage-drop service. These initiatives are further elevating Air India’s customer experience to global standards that are now reflected in our NPS (customer satisfaction) scores.

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Korea Tourism Organization organises MICE Roadshow in Mumbai

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) India successfully hosted the Korea MICE Roadshow 2025 on June 5, 2025, in Mumbai. The event aimed to spotlight Korea’s growing appeal as a destination for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) travel, and to strengthen connections with India’s travel trade, corporates, and media. 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.

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