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PATA to hold summit 2024 in Macao; joins hand with ICCA to build on business travel

The partnership with the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) was formalised through the signing of MoU during the 62nd ICCA Congress held in Bangkok. The next PATA Summit is scheduled to take place from May 15 to 17, 2024, at the Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau. The summit will bring together international thought leaders, industry influencers, and decision-makers engaged in driving tourism within the Asia Pacific region. The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has recently solidified its partnership with the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement was formalised during the 62nd ICCA Congress held in Bangkok, hosted by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB). The collaboration, emphasising responsible and sustainable growth in the travel and tourism sector, aims to create meaningful connections between the two organisations on a global scale. Under the terms of the MoU, PATA and ICCA plan to develop joint program content focused on nurturing the 'Business Travel' sector in the Asia Pacific region. Emphasis will be placed on sustainability in future activities and events, and both organisations will engage in crossparticipation in flagship events. "This partnership holds great promise for the expansion of business opportunities in the region as there is important synergy between the travel and tourism industry and business events, as both relate to travel and economic impact for destination and industry players. We eagerly look forward to sharing valuable insights and best practices with them," said PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid. "ICCA is proud to sign this important MoU agreement with PATA which reinforces how closely linked our organisations are. We both share values around sustainability, education, legacy, and advocating for the global significance of international collaboration and partnership. Asia Pacific is an amazing place, culturally diverse and endlessly fascinating. It offers so much to the world in terms of travel and business. Yet it is the people here that are key to developing new opportunities, and ICCA salutes the collective energy, efficiency, and boundless desire to create unique event experiences for all," said ICCA CEO Senthil Gopinath. The MoU was signed by Gopinath on November 12, witnessed by officials from TCEB, PATA, and ICCA during the ICCA Congress in Bangkok. This is the second time Thailand played host to the ICCA Congress, with the first time in 2007 in Pattaya.

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Bharat Gaurav train to run for tourists from Mumbai's CSMT from November 17

Indian Railways will run Bharat Gaurav train for tourists on November 17, starting from CS covering Mumbai-Pune-Solapur-Guntakal-Renigunta-Rameshwaram-Madurai-Kanyakum Kochuveli. The train will return to CSMT on November 25. The halts for boarding / deboard include Thane, Kalyan, Karjat, Lonavala, Pune, Daund, Kurduwadi, Solapur, Kalaburagi, Renigunta (to Rameshwaram, Madurai via Melpakkam to Kudalnagar), Kanyakumari, Kochuveli, an official said. Indian Railway will run Bharat Gaurav train for tourists on November 17, starting from CSMT covering Mumbai-Pune-Solapur-GuntakalRenigunta-Rameshwaram-Madurai-Kanyakumari- Kochuveli. The train will return to CSMT on November 25. The Bharat Gaurav train run by IRCTC, will leave CSMT at 4.50 am on November 17 and return at 4.15 pm on November 25 after travelling on a circular route. The halts for boarding / deboarding include Thane, Kalyan, Karjat, Lonavala, Pune, Daund, Kurduwadi, Solapur, Kalaburagi, Renigunta (to Rameshwaram, Madurai via Melpakkam to Kudalnagar), Kanyakumari, Kochuveli, an official said. "These theme-based trains have been conceptualised to showcase the rich cultural and religious heritage of Bharat to the domestic tourists as well as to the international tourists," said Central Railway's chief spokesperson Shivraj Manaspure. "This IRCTC tourist train will be an all-inclusive tour package offering 3 options-Economy, Comfort and Deluxe and includes train fare, meals, stay and transport," he added.

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UAE Golden Visa: What is it? How to apply? Details here

UAE Golden Visa is quite the buzzword in the traveler and expat community from across the world. If you have been wondering what is UAE Golden Visa, what are the benefits of having one, how to apply for a Golden Visa and what are the requirements, we are breaking it down to details for your easy complete guide to the UAE Golden Visa. What is UAE Golden Visa? UAE Golden Visa was launched to allow foreigners to work, live, conduct business and study in the United Arab Emirates. It is intended to ease the process for those aiming for a long stay in the UAE and is also the new process for long-term visa holders in the Emirates. It is a long-term renewable residence visa that is valid for 5 or 10 years. Benefits of UAE Golden Visa There are multiple benefits of holding a Golden Visa for the UAE, the most important being: 1. Holding a UAE Golden Visa grants applicants full ownership of their businesses 2. You do not need a sponsor to qualify for a Golden Visa. 3. In addition to serving as a six-month entry visa, it provides the flexibility of multiple entries and the issuance of residency permits. 4. It also empowers residents to sponsor family members, encompassing spouses and children of all age groups. It also includes sponsoring of an unlimited number of domestic helps. 5. In case the primary visa holder passes away before the end of visa duration, their family members can stay in the UAE till the end of the permit. Requirements and eligibility for UAE Golden Visa There are a number of requirements for UAE Golden Visa based on the type of residence and whether the applicant is an investor, entrepreneur, talent etc. Here is a breakdown of specific requirements: Investors in public investments Applicants might be granted a Golden Visa for a period of 10 years without a sponsor if they are investing in an investment fund. The following conditions have to be taken in account for the same. 1. Provide a letter from a UAE-accredited investment fund confirming an AED two million deposit by the investor or, 2. Providing a valid commercial or industrial license along with a memorandum of association indicating an investor capital of at least AED two million. 3. Provide a letter from the Federal Tax Authority confirming an annual payment of no less than AED 250,000 to the government. Furthermore, it is essential that the invested capital is owned outright and not obtained through a loan. Additionally, furnishing evidence of medical insurance coverage for both the investor and their family, if applicable, is required. 4. Furthermore, it is essential that the invested capital is owned outright and not obtained through a loan. Outstanding special talent A number of professions and skills fall under this category and are eligible to apply for a Golden Visa, including doctors, scientists, creative people of culture and art, inventors, executive directors, athletes, doctoral degree holders etc. It also includes those related to fields of engineering and science, including artificial intelligence, big data, computer/electronic/software/electrical engineering, genetics and biotech engineering etc. It also includes COVID frontline heroes. The eligibility criteria for each of these require certain approvals, documents and more; details of these can be sought from the competent authorities. Application process for UAE Golden Visa Those seeking a Golden Visa can apply for either the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship — ICA (the eChannel for residency and citizenship) or the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). While ICA can be applied for online only, GDRFA can be applied for both online as well as offline. Online applications must be submitted only through authorized, official website and applicants are advised to be cautious of the same.

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Japan tourism sees monthly tourist numbers return to pre-Covid level

Inbound tourism has been one of the few bright spots in Japan’s patchy economic recovery while the yen’s slide this year boosts tourists' purchasing power. More tourists came to Japan in October than in the same month in 2019 before the pandemic, a development that will offer support for the economy after it shrank over the summer. The number of visitors was about 2.52 million, compared with roughly 2.50 million in October 2019, Japan’s National Tourism Organization reported Wednesday. Inbound tourism has been one of the few bright spots in Japan’s patchy economic recovery. Spending by foreign visitors to Japan already exceeded pre-pandemic levels in the quarter through September as the yen’s slide this year boosted their purchasing power. The uptick in tourism is an example of how the weak yen has benefited the economy. On the flipside, currency weakness has pushed up import costs for domestic shoppers and companies, fueling inflation. Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said the government aims to maximize the positive effects of the soft yen and ease the negative ones through its latest economic stimulus measures. So far this year, the yen has weakened around 13% against the dollar, and around 14% against the euro, pushing up overseas tourists’ spending capacity. The yen has also dropped against the yuan and the Korean won. Japan’s economy shrank more than expected in the third quarter, contracting 2.1% on an annualized basis, largely on the back of reduced business spending, lackluster consumption and a drag from net exports. A further jump in tourism this quarter could help the country avoid falling into a technical recession. The number of visitors from South Korea in October was 631,100, more than three times the pre-pandemic tally. Visitors from Taiwan, Singapore and the US also beat their respective levels in October 2019. The number of Chinese visitors, who were the biggest group before the pandemic, fell by 21% to about 256,300 from the previous month. That was also down two-thirds from October four years ago. Their return has slowed despite the end of China’s ban on tour groups to Japan in August. Tension between the two countries continues to simmer over Japan’s release of treated wastewater into the sea from the site of the Fukushima nuclear accident. With domestic demand still sluggish, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has put together a stimulus package worth more than ¥17 trillion ($113 billion), with a focus on income tax cuts and handouts to low-income households to help them deal with higher prices caused partly by the weak yen.

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'Airport Village' to be set up in Mangaluru, opening up the space to the public

The Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) has undertaken an innovative initiative known the 'Airport Village' project in its front yard, aimed at offering a comprehensive range of fo and beverage options, as well as retail and gaming opportunities for both passengers an visitors. This forward-thinking project marks a departure from the convention of restrictin such facilities to passengers and those with terminal access. The Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) has embarked on a futuristic project in its front yard, dubbed as 'Airport Village', to provide diverse food and beverage options and retail and gaming opportunities for passengers and visitors. The facilities at the airport were till now available only for passengers and those with access to the terminal. The Airport Village will throw open the experience to all who frequent the airport, including city dwellers, a release from the MIA here said. The Airport Village, in the space earmarked for it in the forecourt on the lower ground floor, will transform it into a fun space like malls that city dwellers frequent"The Airport Village will cater to the needs of not just the thousands of travellers who use the airport daily, but also their friends and family who come to receive and see them off," it said. The airport village will offer versatile spaces according to requirementfor businesses looking to setting up shops here."The whole focus of the master plan will be on creating a unique curated experience which will not only elevate the travel experience, but also give others the opportunity to soak in the vibrant atmosphere that airports globally strive to provide," the release said.

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The impact of travel meta search engines on travel industry

For the travel industry, meta search engines have presented opportunities for growth. Smaller hotels and airlines can reach a global audience without the need for an extensive marketing and distribution network. OTAs have allowed them to compete effectively wit larger players, leveling the playing field and driving competition. However, it's not all smo sailing.Since the widespread use of the internet, the emergence of online travel agencies (OTAs) and travel meta search engines has significantly changed the landscape of the travel industry. The India online travel market brought in USD 15.60 billion in revenue in the current year and is anticipated to grow by 10.49% over the course of the forecast year (2023- 2028), as per Mordor Intelligence. This growth can be attributed to the convenience and accessibility offered by such engines, which allow travelers to compare prices, read reviews, and book their trips with just a few clicks. With the increasing penetration of smartphones and internet connectivity, more and more people are turning to meta search platforms for their travel needs, making it a highly competitive market with immense potential for further growthConvenience and customisation Online travel agencies, like other internet retailers, provide the ease of booking travel plans at any time and from any location, allowing you to compare costs, read reviews, and make informed decisions. Furthermore, from selecting precise seats on a flight to choosing the exact room in a hotel, you can personalise your vacations to ensure your preferences are honored. Breadth of choice Travel marketplaces provide you with a wide selection of experiences and pricing points if you are searching for something specific, just as ecommerce does for customer research and price comparison. As a result, by using meta search engines you can considerably expand the number of possibilities available to you. Furthermore, you can access a large choice of alternatives for flights, hotels and alternative accommodation from hundreds of providers all around the world with only a few clicks. You can also compare costs, read reviews, and make educated decisions depending on your interests and budget. experience our travels. They aggregate vast amounts of information and provide you with the tools to find the best deals. This democratisation of travel planning has expanded the horizons of millions of people, making it easier for us to explore the world. For the travel industry, meta search engines have presented opportunities for growth. Smaller hotels and airlines can reach a global audience without the need for an extensive marketing and distribution network. OTAs have allowed them to compete effectively with larger players, leveling the playing field and driving competition. However, it's not all smooth sailing. Towards the end According to Research and Market, the global market for online travel booking platforms, which was valued at USD 1.1 trillion in 2022, is anticipated to increase at a CAGR of 14.4% between 2022 and 2030 to reach USD 2 trillion. Due to the growth in traction, many businesses in the travel industry are spending more on marketing and advertising to differentiate themselves from the competition and attract customers. Additionally, OTAs have transformed the travel booking process by enabling smaller hotels and airlines to access a worldwide audience and successfully compete with more established firms.

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