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France to focus more on experience tourism, slow travel to newer region

With growing interest of Indian travellers in mountains, shopping and gastronomy, Franc looking to attract slow travellers, who are keen to explore newer regions. “India is within t top 15 source markets for France. The arrival figures for the first half of the year (mid June at an approximate of 4,99,000,” said Sheetal Munshaw, Director, Atout France India. The French tourism agency in India recently organised the 5th edition of its offsite B2B showc Explore France, in Kochi. France continues to draw a strong growth in visitor arrivals from India, with the latter ranking at 15th in terms of visitor arrivals to the European nation. Set to catch up with pre-pandemic numbers of 704,230 visitors from India in 2019, 4,99,180 Indians travelled to France between January to June of 2023. This is as against 4,30,180 visitors in 2022 (with no travel in the first quarter because of Omicron). According to Oxford Economic, Indian visitors to France spent USD 0.47 billion USD in the first half of 2023 as against USD 0.29 billion in 2022. In October, a delegation of 33 French companies travelled to India to interact with the key representatives of the Indian tourism industry and promote their product over 2 days of scheduled meetings.The event, organised by Atout France-France Tourism Development Agency in Kochi (Kerala), is the 5th edition of its flagship B2B event, that is aimed at building successful synergies between French tourism partners and the travel trade fraternity pan India. Last year, it was held in Udaipur, Rajasthan.“We have had a very satisfying turnout for this edition of our showcase. Both our partners and agents displayed strong levels of motivation and a keen interest in the showcase of destination France to the discerning Indian traveller,” said Munshaw. And now, with the Olympic and Paralympic Games slated to take place in Paris next year, she opined that the interactions between the partners and agents would play a key role in establishing France’s strategic positioning as a preferred tourist destination for this year and the next.This year also marks 20 years of Atout France’s presence in IndiaAn approximate of 1,500 scheduled meetings took place between buyers and exhibitors over the two days of interactive exchanges, reinforcing India’s potential as a source market for destination France. The French delegation represented the diversity of France’s touristic offering and included tourism boards – both from regions and individual cities, sightseeing operators, hoteliers and transport companies. It was a blend of partners who have maintained a steadfast presence on the market and those interested in venturing into the market. In fact, one of the participating partners, Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann, is all set to make its India foray in Mumbai and open its gates to the public in 2024. “The next and the 16th edition of the Rendez-vous en France trade show will take place in Toulouse, in the Occitanie region. So we are really excited to have them here,” said Munshaw. “Though skiing is very niche in India, but Indians love the mountains and we are really looking forward to having more tourists travel to the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region,” she added. Added Barbara Breheret on behalf of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Tourisme, “Apart from mountains, we would like to tap the Indians’ interest in French gastronomy. Our new product is aimed to promote gastronomy in three regions – Burgundy, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Provence. We are looking to attract repeat travellers who seek experiences around wine and food.”

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Kolkata airport sees a record 1L+ domestic flyers this weekend

The Kolkata airport experienced a record number of domestic passengers over the weeke with over 1 lakh people traveling. This increase in traffic was attributed to a variety of reas including the Chhath festival, the World Cup final, and individuals returning to work after Diwali and Bhai Phonta. The airport reported a higher number of outbound travelers compared to incoming passengers, making it the best performing weekend of the year. T surge in air travel was seen as a positive sign for the aviation industry in India.A record 1 lakh+ domestic passengers travelled through the Kolkata airport this weekend - some coming home for Chhath, some flying out to watch the World Cup final and a large number returning to their workplaces post Diwali and Bhai Phonta. On Saturday, the NSCBI airport clocked 53,221 footfalls, which increased to 54,170 on Sunday. On both days, outbound flyers overshot the number of incoming passengers. "This has been the best performing weekend for our airport this year. The number of domestic traffic we received is even more than what we had received during the Durga Puja weekend. These are positive signs for the aviation industry in the country," a senior airport official.TOI had reported on November 20 that the World Cup final had given a big boost to air traffic in the country with Saturday witnessing almost 4.6 lakh domestic flyers, the highest ever for a single day. It turns out Kolkata airport contributed around 12% of that The city had experienced a similar rush over the November 4-5 weekend when thousands flew in for the India - South Africa World Cup match at Eden Gardens and many more came home for Kali Puja and Diwali.Travel and tourism ind-ustry experts said packed advance booking of AC trains led more people to choose flights, even if that meant coughing up hefty amounts. "This weekend's footfall was a combined crowd of Diwali returnees, Chhath devotees and cricket fans. Departures were timed over the weekend so that people could resume offices and schools from Monday after a long break," said Debjit Dutta, chairman of Bengal chapter of Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO). Flyer count: Slump on Diwali weekend Since the start of the festive season, the city airport had been registering an average footfall of more than 50,000 domestic passengers per day. There was, however, a brief period of slump on the Kali Puja-Diwali weekend (November 11-12). In fact, November 12 saw only 16,000-odd people flying out of Kolkata, making it the year's lowest departure data for a single day at the airport. Officials had said it was possibly due to a majority of people staying back for Diwali and Bhai Phonta festivities. "I did not get leave during Durga Puja and to compensate this, I took two weeks of leave during Kali Puja and Diwali, during which I also watched a couple of matches at Eden Gardens. I took a flight back to Bengaluru on Sunday evening and resumed office from Monday," said Amrita Roy, who works for a private firm in Bengaluru

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World HeritageWeek: Entry fee exempted at Taj Mahal and ASI protected monuments

The entry fees have been waived for tourists visiting the Taj Mahal and all Archaeological Survey of India-protected monuments as of November 19. However, the fees for the main mausoleum of the Taj Mahal were not exempted. The decision to offer free entry has bee met with immense enthusiasm from tourists, who eagerly flocked to the Taj Mahal and o iconic monuments to experience their grandeurThe Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) exempted entry fees at the Taj Mahal in Agra Mandal and other protected monuments on the commencement ofWorld Heritage Week. World Heritage Week is being celebrated from November 19 to November 25. The entry fees have been waived for tourists visiting the Taj Mahal and all Archaeological Survey of India-protected monuments as of November 19. However, the fees for the main mausoleum of the Taj Mahal were not exempted. A large number of people were seen visiting Agra Fort today. The decision to offer free entry has been met with immense enthusiasm fromA tourist in Agra, Manan Saini, said, "Today we came from Jaipur. We came with family. Though the main mausoleum of the Taj Mahal was not exempt from the entry fee, we enjoyed its grandeur. Chanchal Saini from Jaipur said, "We are happy that today we were exempted from the entry fee." Sahil from Pune said, "On the occasion ofWorld Heritage Week, the decision of ASI is a welcome step. I am happy after visiting the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort." A visitor from Poland said, "It is fascinating to visit Agra Fort for free. It is very incredible and exciting." "I am thrilled that I got the opportunity to visit the Taj Mahal," said Satyam, a visitor from Morena, Madhya Pradesh. The Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of India's most recognisable landmarks, witnessed a surge of visitors eager to witness its captivating beauty. The free entry has made this architectural marvel more accessible to a wider audience, fostering a deeper appreciation for its historical significance. World Heritage Week is celebrated every year from November 19 to November 25. The Member States of UNESCO adopted the World Heritage Convention in 1972.

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Shillong’s International Tourism Mart to be hosted as a ‘Green Event'

As per the Ministry of Tourism data, 16 projects have been sanctioned in the North East st under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme costing INR 1309 crore. A total of 15 tourist destinati are also being taken up in the region for development under the Swadesh Darshan Sche 2.0 with an objective to develop sustainable and responsible destinations with a tourist a destination-centric approach.The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India’s 11th International Tourism Mart is all set to open. To be held from November 21 to 23, 2023, this edition is set against the picturesque backdrop of Shillong, Meghalaya and marks a significant shift as it unfolds as a 'Green Event,' in line with the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change’s Mission LiFE. Central to this endeavour, said the ministry, is a commitment to sustainability. The Mart will take a stance against Single-Use Plastics (SUP) and is adopting digital and paperless strategies, besides focusing on a tree plantation drive.Further, in order to take forward the Travel for LiFE, a sectoral programme initiated by the Ministry of Tourism, under the aegis of Mission LiFE, the Ministry is working with all the tourism stakeholders including the State Governments, Industry, destinations and tourists. The Travel for LiFE Program is envisaged to position India as a leader in promoting sustainable and responsible tourism and using tourism as a vehicle for achieving Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The International Tourism Mart is an annual event held by the Ministry in one of the North Eastern States on rotation basis, with an objective to provide a bigger platform to the North Eastern stakeholders to interact with their counterparts from both within the country and overseas markets as well as to create awareness about the tourism potential of North East Region (NER).The event is scheduled to be inaugurated by Union Minister of Tourism, Culture and DoNER, G. Kishan Reddy and will be attended by NorthEastern Tourism Ministers, Seniors Officials of North-Eastern States, State Governments and heads of the Tourism & Hospitality Associations. The earlier editions of this Mart have been held in Guwahati, Tawang, Shillong, Gangtok, Agartala, Imphal, Kohima and Aizwal. Shillong will be hosting this event for the second time, since its inception. An approximate number of 100 delegates including domestic and international, would be participating in the event. The event will include a session dedicated to business meetings between local North Eastern stakeholders and domestic and international buyers. The eight North Eastern States would present the updates on their new destinations as well as new opportunities in their states. Knowledge sessions and panel discussions including both the Government and private sectors would deliberate on the advances and development of connectivity in the region. The three vistadome trains operating in North East region have also majorly contributed to not only connectivity but also in enhancing its tourism appeal. Development of tourism infrastructure and promotion in NER One of the priorities of the Ministry of Tourism has also been the development of tourism infrastructure and tourism promotion activities in the North East Region. As per the MoT data, sixteen projects have been sanctioned in the North East States under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme for a total amount of INR 1309 crore.the integrated development of identified pilgrimage destinations in the North East states. The Ministry of Tourism has also sanctioned the development of 22 viewpoints at the cost of INR 44.44 crore to provide world-class infrastructure and related services for the highway network viz, commercial spaces, logistic parks, traveler facilities such as wayside amenities (WSA) in the North East Region. Many of the projects sanctioned under SD 1.0 and PRASHAD Schemes have already been completed and dedicated to the nation, the data mentioned.

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10 must-see film locations in Goa

Every November, filmmakers, actors, cineastes troop down to Goa for the annual International Film Festival of India (IFFI). Goa and films have had a long-standing relationship with the state being the setting for several memorable films. Gumnaam (1965) was one of the earliest films shot in independent Goa, followed by Amitabh Bachchan’s debut film Saat Hindustani (1969) and the unforgettable road comedy Bombay to Goa (1972), among countless others including Goa Goa Gone, Dum Maaro Dum, Honeymoon Travels, Khamoshi.As Goa gets ready for the 54th IFFI, here is a quick look at some of the popular films and the Goa locations where they were shot .1. Chapora Fort (Dil Chahta Hai): “Oh! You mean the Dil Chahta Hai fort!” Do not drop a jaw if a tour guide or a local says so every time you mention the Chapora Fort made of sturdy, irregularly shaped laterite walls, with just a hint of secret tunnels. Not many now talk of the historic battles fought here, it is the 2001-film reference narrating the friendship of Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Akshaye Khanna that takes over the Chapora conversation. 2. Palolem Beach (The Bourne Supremacy): Remember, the opening scenes in The Bourne Supremacy (second of the Jason Bourne universe) where two years after the events in the first movie (The Bourne Identity), Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) and his girlfriend (Franka Potente) have vanished from everyone’s eyes and are lying low in Goa. That’s the Palolem Beach where Bourne walks around the sun-kissed beaches, bustling markets, and labyrinthine streets. 3. Mormugao Harbour (The Sea Wolves): Based on a real-life incident during World War II, the 1980 film The Sea Wolves starring Gregory Peck, Roger Moore and David Niven was shot in the Mormugao Harbour and its fort that was once equipped with 53 guns and a garrison with four officers. The historical incident involved Operation Creek, the Calcutta Light Horse's covert attack on March 9, 1943, against a German merchant ship, which had been transmitting information to U-boats from Mormugão Harbour in neutral Portugal's territory of Goa. The Sea Wolves was perhaps the first Hollywood film shot in Goa and it premiered in Panaji, the state capital , in aid of the Goa Cancer Society. 4. Old GMC Complex (Golmaal Series): A heritage complex on the banks of the Mandovi river, Old GMC Complex was the setting for Rohit Shetty’s comedy series Golmaal. The film also featured the beautiful Maquinez Palace that was built in 1702 and later occupied by the Portuguese to house a medical institution. Today, the Maquinez Palace houses the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) that hosts the International Film Festival of India (IFFI). 5. Dudhsagar Waterfall (Chennai Express): A four-tiered waterfall that literally means Sea of Milk, Dudhsagar Waterfall that lies one the Goa-Karnataka border was featured in Shah Rukh Khan & Deepika Padukone starrer Chennai Express. It is the spot where SRK gets down from the train with Deepika, right in front of a majestic waterfall. 6. St Augustine Ruins (Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa): One of Shah Rukh Khan's most memorable movies directed by Kundan Shah, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa was filmed at Colva beach, Fort Aguada and the ruins of St Augustine. Ol’ timers will also remember the hit 1965 suspense film Gumnaam (Mehmood, Nanda & Helen) which was shot in Goa and among other locations also featured the ruins of St Augustine, which was originally built in 1602 and is now part of World Heritage Site. 7. Aguada Fort & Beach (Dhoom): A well-preserved seventeenth-century Portuguese fort, along with a lighthouse, standing by Candolim’s Sinquerim Beach, Fort Aguada was featured in films Dhoom, Dil Chahta Hai and Rangeela. 8. Dona Paula Jetty (Singham): Remember that iconic fight sequence in Ajay Devgn-starrer Singham? It was shot in Dona Paula jetty that was also featured in Kamal Hassan and Rati Agnihotri’s blockbuster Ek Duje Ke Liye. Some say that the tragic love story was inspired by the real-life love story of Dona and Paula, star-crossed lovers who lend their names to the area. 9. Parra Road (Dear Zindagi): Flanked by tall palm tress, Parra Road connects the villages of Parra and Guirim and shot to fame when Shah Rukh Khan and Ali Bhatt rode their cycles in a sequence of the film Dear Zindagi. 10. Divar Island (Finding Fanny): Directed by Homi Adajania, Finding Fanny was shot in Goa as part of Goa’s Department of Tourism brand activation campaign that intended to promote Goa as a ‘land of contrasts’. Shot extensively in Divar Island, Finding Fanny was also shot in the state’s other locations including Lisbon House in Assagao village, Siolim bridge, Three King's Church, and St Jacinto Bridge. Amitabh Bachchan’s first film was about Goa’s liberation: Saat Hindustani (1969) was Amitabh Bachchan’s debut film that told the story of Goa’s liberation from Portuguese rule. Directed by Khwaja Ahmed Abbas, this black and white film is about 7 Indians on a mission to host seven flags at seven prominent police stations or monuments in Goa. Amitabh Bachchan won the National Award for Best Newcomer for his performance in this film.

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IndiGo soars to new heights, achieve milestone of 2000+ daily flights

This significant achievement not only makes IndiGo the first airline in the country to reac this operational pinnacle but also positions it among the top 10 airlines globally in both frequency and seat capacity, according to the latest OAG Data for October 2023. This milestone underscores the airline's unwavering growth on both domestic and internation fronts.This significant achievement not only makes IndiGo the first airline in the country to reach this operational pinnacle but also positions it among the top 10 airlines globally in both frequency and seat capacity, according to the latest OAG Data for October 2023. This milestone underscores the airline's unwavering growth on both domestic and international fronts. IndiGo's daily schedule now boasts 2000+ flights, encompassing cargo operations, as well as charters for the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and the Army. Achieving this milestone within a mere 17 years since its inception in 2006 showcases IndiGo's commitment to operational efficiency, reliability, and customer-centricity.Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo, commented on this remarkable achievement, stating, "As we celebrate surpassing the milestone of 2000 scheduled daily flights, we reflect on IndiGo's journey of reshaping the Indian aviation landscape. This accomplishment is more than a numerical feat; it signifies a strategic leap that positions us for enhanced connectivity and a redefined passenger experience. Our commitment to giving wings to the nation is palpable in our mission to connect people and aspirations across India. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our valued customers and partners for their continuous support as we look forward to soaring to new heights together.” In the past six months, IndiGo strategically expanded its operations by adding over 20 new international routes, solidifying its commitment to broadening global connectivity. With a comprehensive network covering 85 domestic destinations and 32 international destinations, the airline aims to redefine the passenger experience and facilitate connections across India. Guided by its 'Reassure, Develop, and Create' growth strategy, IndiGo harbors ambitious plans for the future. With an industry-leading order book of nearly 1000 aircraft, the airline aims to double its size by the end of the decade, continuing to expand its network both domestically and internationally. The achievement of the 2000+ daily flights milestone stands as a testament to IndiGo's resilience and determination to set new benchmarks in the aviation industry

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