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Air India Expands Network Through Bangkok Airways’ Interline Deal

Air India has entered into an interline partnership with Bangkok Airways that will allow the Tata Group-owned airline’s passengers connections to 10 Southeast Asian destinations beyond the Thai capital. They can take convenient connections via Air India’s Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Singapore gateways to and from 10 destinations in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia on Bangkok Airways’ route network. An interline arrangement refers to a pact to issue and accept tickets for flights that are operated by the partner airline. When selling an interline ticket, the operating airlines’ own flight numbers are used. Air India guests taking connecting flights on Bangkok Airways will also receive complimentary access to Bangkok Airways’ boutique lounges and courtesy corners at available airports, irrespective of the class of travel, Air India said in a statement. Other Deals: The two carriers have also entered a special prorate agreement, which allows them to file ‘through fares’ on routes covering each other’s networks. This arrangement means that a passenger can have a single fare for a single ticket covering all destinations in an itinerary. Connections: Air India passengers can connect to the following points in Thailand through Bangkok Airways — Chiang Mai, Lampang, Sukhothai, Trat, Koh Samui, Phuket, and Krabi. The points outside of Thailand include Luang Prabang in Laos; and Phnom Penh, Siem Reap in Cambodia. The airline’s passengers can also choose to fly to Koh Samui via Singapore and Hong Kong. Current Operations to Southeast Asia: Air India operates daily flights to Bangkok from Delhi and Mumbai, to Singapore from Delhi (twice daily), Mumbai, and Chennai, and three times a week to Hong Kong from Delhi. Indian Hotels Company Opens a ‘WOW Crest by SeleQtions’ Hotel in Indore Tata Group-owned Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) has opened WOW Crest, an IHCL SeleQtions hotel in Indore in the central state of Madhya Pradesh. Number of Rooms: The property features 125 rooms. Location: The hotel is located a short driving distance away from the Indore airport, the city’s industrial hubs and prominent landmarks. Portfolio: With this addition, IHCL has nine hotels across Taj, SeleQtions, Vivanta and Ginger brands in Madhya Pradesh including one under development. New Openings: Additionally, IHCL’s homestay portfolio Amã Stays & Trails has opened its 75th bungalow at Anjanagiri Estate in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Launched in 2019, Amã Stays & Trails is present in 12 states at 31 destinations across the country. Expansion Plans: With a current portfolio of 270 hotels, the company remains well poised to achieve its vision of over 325 hotels by 2025. This fiscal, the hotel will be stepping into Gangtok in Sikkim, Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, and Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. South African Tourism to Conduct Travel Trade Training Program Across 6 Cities South African Tourism will organize a training session ‘Learn South Africa 2023’ across six Indian cities to educate the travel trade on newer destination offerings and help equip them with tools to package and sell the destination effectively. Where and When? The session will commence in Delhi on September 12, followed by Pune on October 5, Kochi on October 12, Indore on October 18, Surat on October 26, and Jaipur on November 1. Focus of the Program: ‘Learn SA 2023’ highlights the lesser visited provinces of South Africa. Besides the popular cities of Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, the tourism board aims to promote newer geographies in the provinces of Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, Limpopo and North West. “2023 has been translating into another successful year for South African Tourism as we are witnessing double digit growth numbers from India. This year’s Learn SA will have a special focus on tier 1 and tier 2 cities of India,” said Neliswa Nkani, hub head of Middle East, India and Southeast Asia at South African Tourism. Airbus Inks Deal With Gati Shakti Vishawavidyalaya to Develop Skilled Workforce in India Airbus and Indian Railways’ Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya have signed a memorandum of understanding, aimed at fortifying the Indian aviation sector. What Does the Partnership Entail? The industry-academic partnership will collaborate in the fields of research, teaching, and training of students to deepen their understanding of the scientific, technological, and management topics pertaining to the aerospace sector. Both entities will work together to support the development of the academic curriculum as well as the executive programmes relevant to the sector. Additionally, they will explore potential synergies for joint research, partnerships with international institutes and internship and placement opportunities for the students. “A core element of the aerospace ecosystem is talent development. Under this partnership with the GSV, we will bring in our global expertise to develop the best diverse talents in India and build a strong pipeline of skilled workforce for the sector,” said Rémi Maillard, president and managing director of Airbus India and South Asia. Yatra to Launch IPO on September 15 Online travel agency Yatra Online plans to launch its initial public offering (IPO) on September 15. The company, which is listed on the Nasdaq since 2016, had filed a draft red herring prospectus on March 25 last year with the Indian regulatory body Securities and Exchange Board of India with a goal of raising up to INR 7.5 billion. Current IPO: Yatra’s current IPO comprises a fresh issue of shares worth INR 6.1 billion, lower than the earlier amount of INR 7.5 billion. However, the company has also secured a pre-IPO placement of around INR 620 million to one of its promoters THCL. Earmarking of Funds: A significant portion of the fresh issue proceeds, INR 1.5 billion, has been earmarked for strategic investments, acquisitions, and fostering inorganic growth. Additionally, the company has allocated an estimated INR 4 billion towards customer acquisition and retention, technology advancement, and various other organic growth initiatives. The remaining funds would be designated for general corporate purposes. Thomas Cook India, National Payments Corporation of India Launch RuPay Forex Card for Travelers to UAE Thomas Cook has partnered with the National Payments Corporation of India to launch a RuPay prepaid forex card for Indians traveling to the UAE as a pilot destination, followed by a phase-wise global rollout, the company said in a statement. Benefits of the Card: Thomas Cook travel vouchers worth $168 Lounge access at international airports in India Free ATM withdrawal Free replacement on loss of card Complimentary insurance cover Embracing Travel Rewards: More Indian consumers are willing to use their payment cards for travel expenses and everyday costs when travel-related rewards are offered, according to a Collinson research report. Recent Collaborations: Digital payments company Visa collaborated with Indian conglomerate Adani Group to introduce branded cards for travelers. IDFC First Bank, Club Vistara and Mastercard joined hands to launch a travel credit card to meet the ever-changing demands of new-age travelers. Cleartrip partnered with Axis Bank to introduce travel benefits to all the existing and new Axis Bank credit cardholders while booking through the online travel agency’s platform. Akasa Air Partners With TripAdmit to Offer Curated Tours and Activities India’s newest airline Akasa Air has partnered with TripAdmit — which provides online sales and distribution solutions for tour and activity operators — to offer tailored tours and activities across the country to its customers, reducing the hassle of research and coordination while planning their vacations. How This Works: Customers can book their preferred experiences along with their flights on the airline’s website or app. The service uses TripAdmit’s advanced booking software and AI technology for personalized segmentation. International Expansion Plans: Akasa Air is looking to cover South Asian and Middle East countries. It recently added a 20th aircraft to its fleet — making it eligible to fly internationally — with the addition of Boeing 737-8-200. The airline plans to fly international later this year with a fleet of 72 Boeing 737 Max aircraft, with intentions to expand to 100 aircraft by 2025.

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India Extended Air India One Offer To Canada Amid PM Trudeau's Travel Woes Post G20 Meet

New Delhi offered the services of Air India One, the Indian PM's official air craft for Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, but Ottawa turned down the request.In a gesture of goodwill, the Government of India extended an offer to send Air India One, the official aircraft of the Indian Prime Minister, to Canada, allowing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his delegation to return promptly. However, as the story unfolded, Canada ultimately opted to await the resolution of their plane's technical issues. The offer to send Air India One to Canada was made a full 24 hours before Canada PM Justin Trudeau's eventual departure, sources said. Yet, Canada later expressed its regret and chose to wait for its aircraft. Canada PM Justin Trudeau and his delegation finally departed from India on Tuesday after a technical issue with their plane was resolved. Earlier, there were reports of the flight en route to India for Trudeau's return being diverted for unspecified reasons. The snag in Trudeau's aircraft forced an extended stay in India, lasting over 40 hours following the conclusion of the G20 Summit in New Delhi. Canada's Government had earlier indicated that the earliest possible departure for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his delegation from Delhi would be late afternoon on Tuesday. The delay prompted efforts by the country's armed forces to bring the delegation home. At the recently concluded G20 Summit in New Delhi, Trudeau emphasised the significance of India's economy and its partnership with Canada in various sectors, particularly in addressing climate change and fostering economic growth. He made these remarks following discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.

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October travel likely to surge despite Diwali in November

October is likely to witness a surprising surge in travel demand, even though Diwali usually falls in November. Online travel agents (OTAs) report a significant increase in October travel searches, alongside elevated airfares. This phenomenon raises questions about the factors driving this unexpected October travel boom. Cleartrip data reveals that travel demand in October 2023 is lower than October 2022 due to Diwali’s shift to November this year. Seats booked are down by 12 per cent, with fares 4 per cent lower compared to the same period in 2022 when bookings made by August 31 in both years are considered. In 2022, Dussehra and Diwali in October led to slightly higher fares. However, Aloke Bajpai, Co-founder and Group CEO of Ixigo , anticipates a surge in travel demand for October and November this year. He believes, “Keeping in line with the trend of growth in the previous months, we anticipate a surge in travel demand for October and November this year.” He points to a sequence of events and festivals, including Gandhi Jayanti, Navratri, ICC World Cup 2023, and Diwali, driving this surge. Bharatt Malik, Senior VP – Flights and Hotel Business at Yatra Online, notes booking searches for October have surged by 10 per cent to 15 per cent. He says, “We anticipate a big increase in October travel reservations by the end of September.” Airfares on the rise Airfares from cities like Mumbai and Delhi to popular holiday destinations are surging by 30-60 per cent in October, according to travel industry data. Rajeev Kale, President and Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa at Thomas Cook (India) Limited, reports strong demand of over 100 per cent in October due to the festive season and cricket bonanza. This demand isn’t just from families but also from young professionals, millennials, and couples. Indians are increasingly taking multiple short-duration holidays to destinations like Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Dubai-Abu Dhabi, Mauritius, Maldives, Europe, Australia, and South Africa. In October, domestic destinations include Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Leh, Kerala, Goa, and the Andaman Islands. Cruises are also high in demand for the festive season. Travel searches for October 2023 are already up by 26 per cent year-over-year, despite Diwali falling in November. This trend is also because of two long weekends as well as Durga Pooja,v players explained.

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Want An International Getaway From India Without A Layover? Check Out These Direct Flights

Finding a direct flight from India to international destinations can sometimes get tough, especially from cities other than Delhi and Mumbai. However, these new and renewed routes are making travelling easier and will take you to various picturesque locations without a layover. New and renewed direct flights from India for your next international vacation Hyderabad to Male (Maldives) Starting October 31, IndiGo is resuming its direct flight from Hyderabad to Male. The flight will be operational thrice a week and will take off from Hyderabad at 10:20 am (IST) every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. It will reach the destination at 12:25 pm (local time). From Male, the flight will leave at 1:25 pm (local time) on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and land in Hyderabad at 4:25 pm (IST). Goa to Abu Dhabi (the UAE) Another IndiGo route that began on September 2 connects the country’s party capital to Abu Dhabi. The direct flight from India will take off from Goa’s Manohar International Airport (MOPA) every Monday, Thursday and Saturday at 12:25 am (IST) and reach Abu Dhabi at 2:15 am (local time). From Abu Dhabi, the flight will depart at 3:15 am (local time) and reach MOPA at 8:10 am (IST). Delhi to Tashkent (Uzbekistan) Starting September 22, IndiGo is launching a new route to Tashkent. This will be the airline’s 31st international destination, according to a release, and will fly four times a week. The aircraft will depart from Delhi on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 8:50 pm (IST) and reach Tashkent at 11:25 pm (local time). On its return journey, the aircraft will fly at 1:05 am (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday) and reach Delhi at 5:10 am (IST). Delhi to Almaty (Kazakhstan) From September 23, IndiGo will fly to Almaty thrice a week, increasing the number of direct flights from India to international destinations. The flight will leave Delhi at 8:50 pm (IST) every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and arrive at 1:05 am (local time). From Central Asia’s financial hub, the aircraft will depart at 2:05 am (local time) every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, and land in Delhi at 5:10 am (IST). Bengaluru to Munich (Germany) Expanding its services in India, Lufthansa is launching a new route to Bengaluru on November 3. The flight will depart on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday at 12:10 pm (local time) from Munich. It will leave from India at 2:50 am (IST) on Monday, Thursday and Saturday. Delhi to Cairo (Egypt) On August 4, EGYPTAIR launched a new direct flight from Cairo to Delhi, expanding its network in India. According to India.com, EGYPTAIR operates four flights a week on this route, on Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The plane is equipped with 16 business class and 126 economy class seats. The departure time varies across days, so it’s better to look up online before booking. Additionally, the airline already operates a daily flight between Cairo and Mumbai. Amritsar to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) AirAsia X resumed its Kuala Lumpur-Amritsar route after three years on September 3, offering an affordable alternative to existing direct flights like Malindo Air. The flight operates four times a week, on Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Additionally, Malaysia Airlines is also launching its Amritsar-Kuala Lumpur direct route on November 8, and the flight will ply twice a week. Thiruvananthapuram to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) Malaysia Airlines is strengthening its foothold in India by launching a new route to Thiruvananthapuram. The flight will run twice a week and will be launched on November 9. Ahmedabad to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) Yet another route to be launched between Kuala Lumpur and India is the one from Ahmedabad. The flight will begin services on December 1, and will fly four times a week.

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Tourist taxes: All of the countries you will have to pay to enter in 2023 or 2024

From the Algarve to Thailand, these are all the places bringing in new fees to combat overtourism. Travel has well and truly bounced back since the pandemic, buoying tourist destinations that were crippled by restrictions and closures. But some popular destinations are once again reeling under the strain of overtourism. As a result, some resorted to implementing a 'tourist tax' last year and others have followed suit in 2023. Many places already have tourist taxes in place and if you've travelled abroad, you've likely paid one before. You may have never noticed it - as it’s sometimes worked into airline tickets or the taxes you pay at your hotel. We’ve done all the research for you: here is everything you need to know about the countries you have to pay to enter. Barcelona is increasing its tourist tax in 2023 Barcelona’s tourist tax will be increased over the next two years, city authorities have announced. Since 2012, visitors to the Catalan capital have had to pay both the regional tourist tax and an extra city-wide surcharge. On 1 April, city authorities increased the municipal fee to €2.75. A second increase will happen next year on 1 April 2024, when the fee will rise to €3.25. The tax applies to visitors staying in official tourist accommodation. The council said the proceeds would be used to fund the city’s infrastructure, including improvements to roads, bus services and escalators. Valencia will impose a tourist tax in 2024 Valencia has announced it will introduce a tourist tax for travellers staying in all types of accommodation in the region, including hotels, hostels, apartments and campsites. It will come into effect at the end of 2023 or early 2024. Visitors will have to pay between 50 cents and €2 per night depending on their chosen accommodation, for up to seven nights. Authorities say the fee will go towards the sustainable development of the region’s tourism sector. Proceeds will also be used to provide more affordable housing for locals in tourism hotspots. Olhão, Portugal, introduced a tourist tax in 2023 Olhão, a Portuguese fishing town popular with tourists, has started charging visitors €2 a night between April and October. The tax will be reduced to €1 between November and March. It will not apply to children under the age of 16 and it will be capped at five nights - so a maximum of €10 - per trip. The fee is being used to minimise the impact of tourism in the Algarve town, including improving cleanliness and security, according to local authorities. Two of the Algarve's 16 municipalities already charged a tourist tax: Faro (€1.5 per night up to seven nights between March and October) and Vila Real de Santo António (€1 per day up to seven days). Thailand is introducing a tourist fee in 2023 Thailand is introducing a tourist fee of 300 Baht (€8). It was initially expected to come into force at the end of 2022 but a lack of clarity on how it would be implemented has led to delays. It now looks to have been delayed from June to September 2023, after airlines flagged further concerns. The governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand told Reuters last year that part of the fee will “be used to take care of tourists” as there have been times when health insurance didn’t cover them. It will also help finance further developments of tourist attractions, such as the Grand Palace in Bangkok. Venice will introduce a tourist fee in 2024 Venice will begin charging tourists who visit for the day from 2024. The fee has been delayed multiple times, but a 30-day trial finally looks set to happen over spring and summer weekends next year. Exact dates are yet to be confirmed. The imminent tourist tax is “not a tool for making cash," the city said in a statement. Proceeds from the entry fees will go towards services that help the residents of the city, including through maintenance, cleaning and reducing living costs.

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In A First, Indian Travellers Can Travel To Bhutan Via Railway: All The Details

The 57.5-kilometer railway line will connect Kokrajhar in Assam to Gelephu in Sarpang, Bhutan, and is fully funded by the Indian government. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2026. The Indian government has set aside 120 billion rupees for the extensive expansion of railway infrastructure in India's north-eastern region. According to Bhutan Live, this move will facilitate the long-awaited first-ever Bhutan-India railway link. The Indian government has fully funded a 57.5-kilometer railway line that will connect Kokrajhar in Assam to Gelephu in Sarpang, Bhutan. The project is expected to be finished by 2026. S Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister, hinted at ongoing discussions between India and Bhutan about this transformative railway connection just a month ago. "We are currently in negotiations for a railway link between Bhutan and Assam. Bhutan is keen to open more avenues for tourism, and this endeavour promises to benefit Assam significantly. The proposed railway link between Gelephu and Kokrajhar, situated on the Assam border, could be a game-changer, promoting both trade and tourism," Jaishankar was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. The project holds the promise of being a groundbreaking development, facilitating the export of goods, fostering cultural exchange, and strengthening bilateral ties between India and Bhutan. The foundation for this transformative railway vision was laid during the first visit of the Bhutanese Prime Minister to India in 2018. The commencement of the Gelephu-Kokrajhar rail link construction is expected to pave the way for additional railway projects in the southern and eastern regions of both nations, encompassing areas like Samtse, Phuentsholing, Nganglam, and Samdrupjongkhar. Notably, Bhutan and India formally committed to this shared vision in 2005 when they signed a Memorandum of Understanding, solidifying their aspiration to connect the bordering towns of the two nations through a comprehensive railway network. The Bhutan-India railway link is getting closer to becoming a historic reality, ushering in a new era of connectivity and cooperation. Bhutan shares a 605-kilometer (376-mile) border with India, which is the country's largest trading partner, accounting for 98 percent of its exports and 90 percent of its imports.

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