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IndiGo expands to Central Asia, new flights to Tashkent & Almaty from September

Effective September 22, IndiGo will connect Delhi and Tashkent in Uzbekistan with four weekly direct flights. The city becomes the airline's 31st international and 110th overall. the very next day, IndiGo will commence new connection between Delhi and Almaty, effective September 23. The city will become IndiGo's 32nd international destination w three times weekly direct flights. After launching new flights in various cities last week, India's largest airline IndiGo has announced its expansion into Central Asia with new flights to Tashkent and Almaty from the second half of September. Effective September 22, IndiGo will connect Delhi and Tashkent in Uzbekistan with four times weekly direct flights. The city becomes the airline's 31st international and 110th overall. From the very next day, IndiGo will commence new connection between Delhi and Almaty, effective September 23. The introduction of this new route aims to improve India's connectivity to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Commenting on the development, Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales, IndiGo, said, “We are thrilled to announce the magnificent addition of Tashkent, the capital & the largest city of Uzbekistan, as the 31st international destination in our 6E network. As a cherished cultural hub and a storied city along the Great Silk Trade-Route, Tashkent beckons travellers with a tapestry of timeless wonders to explore at the heart of Central Asia. Located in northeastern Uzbekistan, near the border with Kazakhstan, this opens a gateway for the Indian travelers to experience the enchanting charm of Uzbekistan, fostering enriching ties of commerce and culture between our two nations.” Boeing front-runner in wide-body jet talks with IndiGo -sources So far, IndiGo has been an exclusive buyer of Airbus narrow-body jets and a deal for wide-body planes would be a departure from that… “We are excited to introduce new direct connectivity between Delhi and Almaty, Kazakhstan, opening access to one of the world's ten largest countries. This addition holds great promise for leisure travellers, who can now explore Kazakhstan's impressive architectural landmarks and vibrant city atmosphere. Almaty is Kazakhstan's largest metropolis, remains their major commercial, financial, and cultural centre. This connectivity will further foster trade and commerce, given Kazakhstan's status as the wealthiest country in Central Asia. We firmly believe that this expansion will also lead to a substantial increase in tourism," Malhotra said in a statement on Almaty flights. Earlier this year, the airline had announced its plans to launch six new routes and international flights in 2023. Direct flights to Georgia, Indonesia, Kenya and Baku, Azerbaijan have already been commenced, the upcoming launch will add 174 new weekly international flights between June and September 2023 on IndiGo's network.

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Is Varanasi's booming tourism clashing with accommodation shortages?

Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a magnet for both foreign and domestic tourists, countries to 20 per cent of the total tourism in India. However, the surge presents challenges in cities like Varanasi which crossed the 10-crore mark, being plagued with acute room shortage Tourism Director, Prakhar Mishra, told us about what strategies have been chalked out cater to the tourism tsunami in Varanasi. Uttar Pradesh has now emerged as a magnet for both foreign and domestic tourists, contributing to nearly 20 per cent of the total tourist visits in India during the year 2022. Notably, the city of Varanasi has spearheaded this surge, accounting for five per cent share on its own, with over 10 crore visiting the city this year. However, this deluge of visitors has thrown open an issue to the forefront: the city's inability to accommodate the swelling numbers, as also highlighted by a former senior tourism official. As Varanasi grapples with an acute room shortage, local authorities, including its tourism arm, are in a race against time to salvage the situation and prevent it from dampening the city's growing tourism. Varanasi's recent answer to this accommodation conundrum has been the emergence of a tent city, a swift response to the pressing challenge, according to Prakhar Mishra, Director of Uttar Pradesh Tourism. “We recognise the need for solutions on two fronts and we are keen to balance both progress and prosperity of the region,” he added. Mishra said that in this context, the already introduced UP tourism policy 2023 is tailored to combat this predicament head-on. This strategy offers a 25 per cent capital subsidy for hotel ventures, accompanied by various incentives. Notably, this initiative extends a substantial seven per cent waiver on upfront stamp duties and realigns water tax rates to industrial benchmarks. Mishra said that this step is a nod to acknowledging the tourism sector as an industry, while looking at gradual growth. Also, according to the local hoteliers, the demand for rooms has spiked dramatically after the redevelopment of Kashi Vishwanath Corridor and this has gradually led to a shortage of speedy supply and prices have hit a new high. To meet the escalating demand, Mishra said that UP Tourism has also been collaborating effectively with private sector entities and has set up models of Public-Private Partnerships. “We've established successful PPP models, as seen with the Marriott Hotel in Gorakhpur and the ongoing development of a hotel and business facilitation center in Ayodhya,” said Mishra, adding that these models will ensure that investors find it lucrative to engage in the hospitality sector. Another approach that Mishra spoke about included converting land in close proximity to key tourist destinations into land banks designated for hotel development. These lands, he informed, are then leased through a build-operate-transfer (BoT) arrangement, guaranteeing optimal land utilisation. “Likewise, we maintain active communication with IRCTC, observing their pursuit of land acquisition and hotel development. When there's a viable business proposition for constructing a hotel, entrepreneurs will naturally seize the opportunity. Our primary objective is to streamline processes, eliminate obstacles, and enhance transparency,” he said. Comparative analysis conducted by independent surveys and the very recent by ICICI Direct, have placed Varanasi in the limelight, showcasing an eight-fold increase in tourist numbers when compared Varanasi experienced a massive influx of 7.2 crore tourists in 2022, surpassing Goa's count of 85 lakh visitors. The survey also disclosed that Varanasi's tourism-driven revenue witnessed a growth ranging between 20 per cent to 65 per cent, and concurrently, the employment within the sector registered a significant 34.2 per cent surge. Ganga Vilas raised river tourism prospects for India; bookings jump for other cruises: Govt Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, hailed MV Ganga Vilas' transformative journey during a Rajya Sabha… According to the tourism stakeholders, the upswing in tourist activity witnessed in Varanasi in recent years can be attributed to two factors: the inauguration of the revamped Kashi Viswanath corridor and the renewed emphasis by the central government on promoting religious tourism. Lauding the potential of Varanasi and recalling the MoU count at UP Global Investors Summit, Mishra said that initially, the state govt projected about INR 40,000 crores worth of agreements but the response exceeded expectations, resulting in agreements totaling around INR 1,30,000 crores. “Notably, this trend, supported by improved law and order situations and infrastructural advancements, is poised to lead to a surge in hotel establishments across UP within the next two to three years,” he added. Mishra emphasised that these concerted measures are geared towards addressing the growing demand for accommodations not just in Varanasi but across Uttar Pradesh. Mishra reiterated that the tourism department’s focus remains on creating an environment where market dynamics can flourish independently. “Our role is that of facilitators, continuously enhancing our tourism offerings in tandem with visitor demand.” Overall, the year 2022, was a major relief for UP’s overall tourism sector as it observed a footfall of over 318 million tourists, as revealed by recent statistics. This marks a significant leap from the 2019 figures, which stood at 540.6 million. Followed by Varanasi, Mathura and Agra accounted for the most number of visitors, according to the recen.

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As holidays start, Kochiites catching the travel bug

KOCHI: Whether it is a getaway in Europe or a holiday in the Gulf, more Kochiites are taking a break from routine and going out for vacation this Onam. China, which fully opened its borders and allowed tourists after three years of the pandemic, is also turning out to be a favorite destination for Kochiites eager to explore new places. Trips to domestic and international destinations have seen a 200% increase compared to last year with travel operators suggesting that now they are unable to meet last-moment requests . The most-popular destinations continue to be Europe, Far East countries, and Gulf countries. Bali and Mauritius are getting popular among young couples and those who already visited Far East countries and want a short, not too-expensive vacation. For those who can't afford a trip abroad, Jammu and Kashmir, and are the most preferred destinations within the country. For most domestic travellers, the average length of travel is five to seven days while for international travellers, it is seven to 10 days. "All the Onam trips have been sold out in advance. It is almost impossible to plan last-minute air travel as we Himachal Pradesh won't get any flight seats. The situation is such that now we plan one year in advance," said MK Soman, managing director, Somans Tours and Travels. Since 2000, there has been an exponential rise in the number of Indian nationals traveling outside the country and India has emerged as the largest source market for outbound travelers in Asia in 2022. The country accounted for around 10 million foreign trips, making it the leading Asian source market for outbound travel. By 2024, Indians are expected to spend more than $42 billion per year on outbound travel. Malayalis are no exception, bitten by the bitten by bug to discover new and as well as well-known destinations. "People are eager to travel and create memories. But these trips need to be planned well in advance to get a flight ticket at a reasonable rate. To most destinations, in India and abroad, last-minute airfares are very high. Malayalis are now increasingly planning Onam holidays well in advance," said Praveen Shetty from New Prime India Cochin Tours and Travels. Even solo women trips are getting popular in Kerala during the festival season, and this is true for women of all age groups. "Women prefer to take trips of longer duration during the festive time and most of them travel with their children or mothers. Few travel solo too," said Geethu Mohandas, founder of Let's Go for a Camp, a travel company

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Big News! Travel time from Faridabad to Noida Airport reduced to 15 min instead of 1 hour

Jewar/Greater Noida: In a significant move, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has sanctioned Rs 50 crore to build Green Field Expressway which will improve the connectivity of Noida International Airport to Faridabad. The Green Field Expressway will be connecting the Noida international Airport with Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. According to a senior official privy to the development, with this development, obstacles on the Uttar Pradesh government side have been effectively cleared, and the project is expected to be completed at an accelerated pace. The construction work for the expressway has commenced from the Ballamgarh side in Faridabad. The proposed Six Lane Expressway will extend from Sector-65 in Faridabad to the Noida International Airport. This strategic expressway will not only connect the airport to the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway but also integrate with the Delhi-Mumbai Link Road via the KGP Expressway and Yamuna Expressway. The project encompasses 12 villages in Faridabad, with the required land already acquired for the purpose. The expressway’s length from Ballabhgarh to the Jewar Airport will be 31.4 kilometers, comprising six lanes. The expressway’s length from Ballabhgarh to the Jewar Airport will be 31.4 kilometers, comprising six lanes. Notably, approximately 7 kilometers of this stretch will fall within Uttar Pradesh, while the remaining 24 kilometers will be in Haryana. Villages impacted by the Green Field Expressway: The villages impacted by the project include Dayanatpur, Vallabhnagar, Karauli Bangar, Farida Bangar, Amarpur, and Jhuppa in Gautam Buddha Nagar in Uttar Pradesh. In Haryana, the villages affected encompass Jhuppa, Fallaida Khadar, Bahpur, Kalan, Chhaysa, Mohiyapur, Mohana, Hirapur, Mehmadpur, Narhawali, Panhera Khurd, Fafunda, Bahbhalpur, Sotai, Chanawali, and Shahupura. Distance of Faridabad to Noida International Airport reduced to 31 Km from 90 Km Currently, residents of Faridabad and Ballabhgarh have to cover a distance of approximately 90 kilometers to reach Jewar. However, once the green expressway is operational, the travel distance will be drastically reduced to just 31 kilometers, allowing a 15-minute car ride from Ballamgarh to the Jewar Airport.

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IndiGo Starts Delhi-Baku Non-Stop Flights

IndiGo has started new flights between Delhi and Baku. The capital city of Azerbaijan was connected to Delhi four times a week, from August 11, 2023. With this, Baku became the 30th international destination and 108th overall destination in the 6E network. This new route will not only provide enriching experiences to business travellers but also mesmerize leisure travellers seeking culturally immersive journeys. With the inauguration of this flight, IndiGo proudly stands as the sole Indian carrier to operate direct flights between the two destinations. Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales at IndiGo, said, “We are delighted to introduce our new direct flights connecting Delhi and Baku, the capital and commercial hub of Azerbaijan. This is the 30th International destination in the 108 cities in the IndiGo network and has been driven by the increasing demand for travel from India. Moreover, as a popular destination known for its thrilling F1 city track and modernity, Baku promises to offer a captivating experience, while also serving as a gateway for travellers from Azerbaijan to explore India’s rich culture & heritage. IndiGo continues its commitment to providing affordable, on-time, courteous, and hassle-free travel experiences across an extensive network for our valued passengers.” India and Azerbaijan share a special bond characterized by growing bilateral relations. The introduction of IndiGo’s new flights between Delhi and Baku further strengthens this connection, fostering economic ties and promoting closer diplomatic relations. The exchange of trade, expertise, and technology between the two nations, particularly in the oil sector, holds immense potential for mutual growth. As India diversifies its energy sources, the improved connectivity to Azerbaijan becomes even more significant. This partnership extends beyond commerce, as it paves the way for vibrant cultural exchanges and enhanced people-to-people interactions. The deepening ties between India and Azerbaijan create a solid foundation for collaboration, progress, and shared prosperity. Customers who wish to plan their travel can book tickets via our official website, www.goIndiGo.in. The introduction of these flights will further bolster the airline’s international connectivity. Flight No. Origin Destination Frequency Effective Departure Arrival 6E 1803 Delhi Baku Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun Aug 11, 2023 20:20 23:50 6E 1804 Baku Delhi Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat Aug 12, 2023 01:40 07:10

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Australia Witnesses Significant Rise In Corporate Travel From India

According to a report by The Hindu, corporate travel from India to Australia has significantly rebounded with industry segments including cement, paint, pharma, automobile, insurance, infrastructure, logistics etc. actively contributing to the uptick, said Nishant Kashikar, Country Manager, Tourism Australia, the tourism promotion arm of the Australian government. “India is the first international market to bounce back to the pre-covid level while other geographies are still taking time to recover. Most corporate segments in India are contributing to this recovery,” said Kashikar. Between June 2022 and May 2023, Australia received 3,75,000 Indian visitors, breaching the previous year’s 3,67,000 visitations, he said. According to Kashikar, Bengaluru-based Herbalife recently sent 2,500 of its associates on a holiday to Australia. ICICI Prudential, Maxlife Insurance, Reliance Nippon Life Insurance, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, UltraTech Cement, JSW Cement, Ambuja Cement, Mangalam Cement, Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai Motor, Mahindra & Mahindra, Berger Paints and Asian Paints were some of the other enterprises that triggered a quick recovery. In the 12-month period mentioned above, Kashikar further said, Indian tourists contributed INR 11,000 crore to the Australian economy, 16% higher than the previous year’s revenues. With this, India was slotted at fifth position in Australia’s spend ranking, up from sixth a year earlier. Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru were the lead markets for Australia, followed by Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata.

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