News

UAE: Inaugural Hatta Festival continues to captivate crowds with exciting lineup of community events and activities

Celebrations are in full swing at the inaugural edition of the Hatta Festival with plenty more in store, as community events and sports activities bring together residents and visitors by the thousands to partake in the rich experiences of Dubai's picturesque mountain region. The festival, a vibrant celebration of culture, sports and family entertainment in the heart of Dubai's scenic town, serves as the centrepiece of the third edition of the Dubai Destinations winter campaign. Running until December 31, the event is being organised by Brand Dubai in partnership with the Supreme Committee Overseeing Hatta Development. Amina Taher, Member of the Hatta Festival's Organising Committee Representing Brand Dubai, said, "Against the breathtaking backdrop of Hatta's majestic mountains and amid the beautiful winter weather, visitors are being treated to an array of interactive and entertainment experiences at the inaugural Hatta Festival. A showcase of the area's unique heritage, the festival provides a platform for residents and visitors alike to immerse themselves in the diverse traditions, flavours and artistic expressions that define this enchanting part of the city. We are extremely happy with the huge turnout and the enthusiastic response to the festival, which captures the essence of Hatta's cultural identity and contributes to further strengthening Dubai's position as one of the world's best winter destinations." She added, "A stunning lineup of activities awaits visitors, catering to all age groups and interests. We extend a warm invitation to everyone to explore Hatta's natural wonders and participate in the event's diverse programmes and activities." For enthusiasts of hiking and adventure, the festival presents a golden opportunity to indulge in their passion and relish the breathtaking natural beauty of Hatta. An exhilarating mountain trek spanning a distance of 7 km will offer participants a unique journey amid the area's historical landmarks. The two-hour hike, organised by HAT Hatta, a Hatta-born business that arranges hiking adventures in the area, is scheduled to commence on Saturday, 23rd December, promising an unforgettable experience for both adults and children. Sports enthusiasts can embark on a fitness adventure like no other with StormCycling, a thrilling collaboration with the boutique indoor cycling studio, Storm, at the heart of the Hatta Festival. On 23rd December, participants can gear up for a dynamic spinning session at 10:00, set against the mesmerising vistas of Hatta. The session promises an unparalleled fusion of fitness and scenic beauty, offering a unique opportunity for fitness enthusiasts. The festival unfolds with a dedicated bicycle parade on December 24, from 8:00 to 10:00. Against the stunning backdrop of Hatta's scenic landscapes, a group of 20 cycling enthusiasts from the Alkhawaneej Cycling Club will embark on a thrilling journey. The route will wind down from Hatta, culminating at the picturesque Leem Lake--a three-hectare oasis that stands as the heartbeat of the festival, promising an adventure that merges cycling, nature and festive vibes in perfect harmony. Adding a dynamic and thrilling element to the festival, a motorcycle procession is set to kick off on December 29. A convoy of 30 avid riders from the Dubai Rider motorcycle club will rev their engines in Dubai and embark on an exciting journey to Hatta, converging at the festival site. This motorcycle march not only showcases the passion for biking but also contributes to the high-energy atmosphere of the first edition of the festival. In another exciting event, December 30 will witness a spectacular parade featuring classic cars embarking from Dubai at 7:00 to reach the festival site in Hatta. This classic car procession, led by vintage car enthusiasts under the Flat12 banner, will feature several classic models that are only showcased on rare occasions. The event is sure to add vintage charm to the festivities, promising a visually captivating spectacle for attendees. In essence, Hatta Festival goes beyond traditional festivities by catering to a diverse range of interests, ensuring that everyone, from hikers and adventurers to classic car enthusiasts, motorcycle riders and cyclists, finds a space to celebrate their passion amidst the natural wonders of Hatta. The latest Dubai Destinations campaign encourages residents and visitors to discover Dubai's diverse leisure, dining, adventure and family-friendly activities that make the city a distinctive winter destination. The campaign is being rolled out over digital, broadcast, print and outdoor media to ensure it reaches large sections of local and international audiences. Brand Dubai is implementing the Dubai Destinations campaign in cooperation with various stakeholders and the creative media community. Dubai was named one of the world's top winter sun destinations, according to Travelbag's best winter sun destination rankings for 2023. In 2022, the city was also ranked as the world's best winter-sun destination, with the most Google searches and the most things to do in a city during winter, according to The Winter Sun Index issued by travel package provider ParkSleepFly. Dubai has been tagged on Instagram more than 111 million times and has the most winter-related 'things to do' Google searches in the world, reaching 55,000.

Read more

Govt plans to attract both desi and international couples to make India the global wedding destination

According to a report by KPMG, the Indian wedding market was estimated to generate R lakh crore annually a few years ago, and the current figures are believed to be even higher considerable portion of this spending occurs during lavish destination weddings held ab The govt plans to launch a campaign to woo desi and global couples to wed in India. After Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for a "wed in India" movement, the Union Tourism Ministry is gearing up to launch a new campaign, "India says I do", on a large scale for not only encouraging affluent Indian families to host weddings within the country but also to draw foreign couples to tie the knot on Indian soil, a TOI report stated. According to a report by KPMG, the Indian wedding market was estimated to generate Rs 3-4 lakh crore annually a few years ago, and the current figures are believed to be even higher. A considerable portion of this spending occurs during lavish destination weddings held abroad. Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) had predicted a staggering expenditure of Rs 4.7 lakh crore on 38 lakh weddings during the period from November 23 to December 15, marking a 25 per cent increase from the previous year. This includes expenses on various wedding essentials such as jewelry, attire, venues, gifts, and catering. The "India says I do" campaign is being planned by the Ministry of Tourism, emphasizing the vast infrastructure and diverse venues available across the country. These range from enchanting palaces, forts, and havelis to banquet halls catering to different budget brackets. The objective is not only to position India as a premier wedding destination for its citizens but also to attract a global clientele. An anonymous senior government official affirmed the impending launch of the campaign, stating, "The ministry is finalizing contours of 'India says I do' which will showcase the massive infrastructure and available venues ranging from dreamy palaces, forts and havelis to banquet halls in all price brackets. The aim is to showcase India as a wedding destination for not just the desis but foreigners too." Indian families have been known to splurge on weddings abroad, reserving entire five-star hotels in European capitals for their celebrations. With neighboring international destinations actively courting rich Indian families, the local tourism industry has also recognized weddings as a significant draw for Indian travelers. Prime Minister Modi's push for "wed in India" has already influenced some affluent families. An aircraft charter operator, speaking anonymously, disclosed receiving cancellations for wedding charters from South India to the Gulf. These cancellations came from business families unwilling to take any chances, indicating a shift in preferences due to Modi's initiative. The surge in wedding charters from India, witnessed post-COVID, has declined as affluent families now seek to break away for 3-4 days within the country.

Read more

Govt spending INR 1.5 lakh cr to improve connectivity to tourist, religious places: Gadkari

In Andaman & Nicobar Islands, 2 projects worth INR 540 crore are underway, while Andhra Pradesh has 5 projects covering INR 2,588 crore. Arunachal Pradesh sees 7 projects totali INR 7,648 crore rupees, while Assam has 9 projects for INR 1,861 crore. Other states/ UTs include Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Jharkhand and more. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has taken up 321 NHs projects in a length of about 8,544 km and amounting to INR 1,49,758 crore for improvement of important tourist / religious connectivity. Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari said that the Ministry is primarily responsible for development and maintenance of National Highways (NHs). The development of NHs is carried out after network planning on PM Gati Shakti principle with the whole of the government approach. While planning the development, important economic, tourist and religious connections are invariably taken up with special focus on Way Side Amenities (WSAs), adequate signages and road side / median beautifications and more. Thus, there is no requirement of dedicated funding / scheme for development of tourist / religious destinations, the minister stated during his Lok Sabha session. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has undertaken several projects across various states and union territories aimed at enhancing connectivity to important tourist and religious destinations. In Andaman & Nicobar Islands, 2 projects worth 540 cr are underway, while Andhra Pradesh has 5 projects covering INR 2,588 crore. Arunachal Pradesh sees 7 projects totaling INR 7,648 crore rupees, while Assam has 9 projects for INR 1,861 crore. Ladakh has 8 projects aiming for INR 2,368 crore. Other states include Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand and more.

Read more

Airlines and NDC: Pioneering the next era of travel

NDC enables more personalised traveller experiences and generates significant increment revenue for airlines (over USD 60 billion was projected for 2022 as per a report by IdealWo Kumar feels that it is no surprise that airlines seek to accelerate NDC adoption by travel agencies and, in particular, the lucrative corporate market. The discussion of today’s airline landscape and traveller experience would be incomplete without addressing the significance of New Distribution Capability (NDC). NDC represents a new and more sophisticated “distribution pipe” that enables airlines to deliver more robust and differentiated offers to travellers purchasing through online travel agencies (OTAs), travel agencies, and corporate booking tools. From extra-legroom seats to priority boarding and dynamically-priced offers, NDC is essential to endeavours to modernise airline retailing and distribution, with the ultimate goal of creating superior, more personalised experiences for travel sellers, corporations and their NDC enables more personalised traveller experiences and generates significant incremental revenue for airlines (over USD 60 billion was projected for 2022 as per a report by IdealWorks. It is, therefore, no surprise that airlines seek to accelerate NDC adoption by travel agencies and, in particular, the lucrative corporate market. Some airlines are taking a proactive stance by removing their fares and packages from traditional corporate travel channels, aiming to gain more control over pricing and service distribution. A recent notable example is American Airlines, which announced its decision to limit access to over 40 per cent of its fares for travel management companies not using NDC-enabled technology. This shift in content availability in corporate booking tools has farreaching implications for business travellers and travel managers alike. It can lead to confusion among travellers who suddenly find certain flights or fares unavailable through their usual booking tools or apps. For travel managers, this underscores the growing importance of collaborating with NDC-enabled technology platforms for online booking. Through customer satisfaction and loyalty. For Online Travel Agencies (OTAs), embracing NDC translates to improved access to airline content, empowering them to offer travellers a broader range of options and more personalized experiences. This advancement in travel e-commerce creates a mutually beneficial scenario for both airlines and OTAs, fostering improved customer service and increased revenue opportunities.Here post-booking automation also steps in that enhances the traveller's experience by providing comprehensive information on fare rules, specifically explaining CAT 16 fare rules, and ensuring smooth execution of changes and cancellations. Refund and exchange procedures are seamlessly automated for each Travel Order, allowing supported NDC offers a number of benefits for both airlines and travellers, including: Greater flexibility and control for airlines: NDC gives airlines more control over how they sell and distribute their products and services. This allows them to offer more personalized and tailored experiences to their customers. Improved customer experience: NDC can help to improve the customer experience by making it easier for travellers to book and manage their flights. For example, NDC-enabled bookings can be made on a variety of different channels, including airline websites, travel agent websites, and mobile apps. Increased efficiency and reduced costs: NDC can help to streamline the booking process for both airlines and travel sellers. This can lead to increased efficiency and reduced costs. Unlocking a New Era in Airline Retailing in 2024 The future of airline distribution is shaped by emerging trends in New Distribution Capability (NDC). Central to this evolution is personalization, as NDC empowers airlines to seamlessly integrate individual preferences, while Artificial Intelligence (AI) utilizes customer experience. Virtual Reality (VR) transforms how customers engage with travel offerings by offering immersive glimpses into travel experiences. To navigate this evolving landscape, airlines are encouraged to stay informed through industry engagement, embrace innovation, maintain agility, and cultivate collaborative partnerships with stakeholders. By staying attuned to trends and harnessing the power of NDC, airlines can confidently shape the future of distribution with innovation and adaptability.

Read more

VFS Global renews visa & resident permit services contract for Norway globally including India

Under the renewed agreement, VFS Global will continue to serve as the sole service provide for the Government of Norway, operating in various regions worldwide, such as the America Australasia, China & Hong Kong, Europe & CIS, Middle East & North Africa, Russia, Belarus Armenia, and South Asia including India. VFS Global, a leading provider of visa and passport processing services, has secured the renewal of its contract to deliver visa and residence permit services for Norway globally. The Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs awarded the global tender to VFS Global, covering operations in 52 countries, including India. This marks the eighth global success for VFS Global in 2023. Under the renewed agreement, VFS Global will continue to serve as the sole service provider for the Government of Norway, operating in various regions worldwide, such as the Americas, Australasia, China & Hong Kong, Europe & CIS, Middle East & North Africa, Russia, Belarus & Armenia, and South Asia. Having collaborated with the Norwegian government since 2014, VFS Global said it has demonstrated its expertise by successfully managing nearly 1.5 million applications on their behalf. Expressing their satisfaction, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "We look forward to a continued smooth and professional cooperation with VFS Global on the provision of visa and residence permit services. The cooperation we have developed has proven to be effective and fruitful, with both our organizations working well together in performing their respective responsibilities and tasks." Chris Dix, Head of Business Development, VFS Global, commented, "VFS Global is delighted that we will continue to serve the Government of Norway as their sole service provider. We have enjoyed a strong partnership and welcome the opportunity to renew our services in the existing locations where we operate. We look forward to offering bestin-class visa solutions and a seamless application process across all regions globally, with an annual estimated customer count of 220,000. This is the eighth global contract win this year and is a testament to our dedicated efforts to provide all our client governments with top-quality services." This announcement follows VFS Global's recent exclusive appointment to manage the UK Government visa and passport services across 142 countries and its successful renewal of the global visa service contract with Sweden.

Read more

UNESCO: Bengaluru Airport’s T2 named among ‘world’s most beautiful airports’

In a recent announcement from UNESCO's Prix Versailles 2023, Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) Terminal 2 (T2) managed to stand out, and has been recognized as one of the 'world's most beautiful airports.' The world judges panel, chaired by renowned fashion designer Elie Saab, bestowed this honour, and honoured T2 with the recognition, making it the sole Indian airport to receive such esteemed recognition. The airport was honoured with the prestigious 'Special Prize for an Interior' in recognition of its outstanding design. This global acknowledgment highlights the airport's commitment to exceptional design and architectural brilliance on an international level. Referring to this, Hari Marar, MD & CEO of Bengaluru International Airport Ltd, expressed his joy, and added that the nomination of Terminal 2 for the 2023 Prix Versailles Award is a moment of immense pride. He highlighted the unique combination of art and technology within T2, presenting it as a distinctive gateway that manages to leave a lasting impression on global travellers while showcasing the rich offerings of the state and the country. Terminal 2's acclaim extends beyond this recent recognition; it had previously earned the prestigious IGBC platinum certification from the Indian Green Building Council. Designed to accommodate 25 million passengers annually in phase 1, T2 aligns with its vision of blending functionality with aesthetic appeal. The terminal guarantees passengers a visually delightful experience by integrating meticulously selected art and decor elements as part of its recently introduced art program, ensuring a memorable journey throughout the terminal. The sustainable design of Terminal 2, which also happens to be the world's largest terminal pre-certified with a platinum LEED rating by the US Green Building Council before operational commencement, reflects the airport's commitment to environmental responsibility. Additionally, it has received the prestigious platinum certification under the IGBC Green New Building Rating System, reinforcing its dedication to sustainability. This accomplishment firmly establishes Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport among the leading airports globally, setting a high standard for design, sustainability, and passenger experience on the world stage. As reported earlier, Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport Terminal 2 (T2) announced the commencement of a trial run for the Computer Tomography X-ray (CTX) machine in the coming weeks. This will let passengers enjoy the convenience of not having to remove personal electronic devices, such as mobile phones and laptops, from their handbags during pre-embarkation security checks. If reports are to go by, this system is expected to apply exclusively to domestic passengers.

Read more