A total of 621 deals* were announced in the travel and tourism sector globally during January-October 2023, which was a decline of 31.8% compared to the announcement of 911 deals during the same period in the previous year, finds GlobalData, a data and analytics company. An analysis of GlobalData’s Financial Deals Database also revealed that all the deal types under coverage witnessed a decline in volume during January-October 2023 compared to January-October 2022. For instance, the volume of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deals declined by 34.2% during January-October 2023 compared to January-October 2022. Meanwhile, the number of private equity deals…
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In a major boost for Australian travellers, Singapore Airlines has announced it will be offering a permanent fifth daily return service from Sydney Airport. Starting on October 27, 2024, Singapore Airlines will add a new daily flight departing at 6:45 AM local time from Sydney to Singapore. This addition is set to extend across the six-month Northern Winter season and is subject to regulatory approvals. With this new service, Sydney Airport will become the largest port for Singapore Airlines’ network from Changi Airport. This means more than 12,000 seats will be available for passengers each week, offering travelers greater access…
Air India has become the world’s first airline to have successfully deployed a Generative AI virtual agent, called ‘Maharaja’, powered by Azure OpenAI service. It has successfully answered over half a million customer queries since its pilot launch in March 2023, and it today manages over 6,000 queries a day in four languages. Air India’s Maharaja AI Agent manages an extensive spectrum of customer queries across 1,300 areas related to flight status, baggage allowances, packing restrictions, check-in, frequent flyer awards, airport lounge access, flight changes, refunds and more. To meet the needs of guests around the world, Maharaja speaks four…
The Malaysian state of Kelantan has long been seen as a bulwark of Malay tradition, with centuries of history. In order to educate the travel trade in the Indian market, Tourism Malaysia in association with TravelBiz Monitor has launched the Malaysia Master Specialist e-learning programme, and Kelantan is one of the featured states. Q.What does Kelantan offer for tourism to the Indian market? Kelantan provides a rich cultural experience for the Indian market through traditional Malay festivals, arts, and crafts, giving Indian travellers a unique peek into the authentic Malay’s past. The state’s numerous gastronomic pleasures, ranging from nasi dagang…
CAPA India has released a report on ‘India Outbound Travel in FY2030’ based on extensive market consultation and data analysis, building upon and updating its ground-breaking research originally conducted prior to the pandemic. For this study and forecasts, CAPA India conducted in-depth research with 250 respondents, supported by 100 detailed, qualitative discussions, and rigorous analysis of tourism and traffic data. The summary of key findings and forecasts include: • The number of international outbound departures by Indian residents is expected to grow from 17.4 million in 2019 to over 50 million in 2030. • As outbound leisure travel grows from…
Travel Boutique Online, or TBO Tek Ltd, has filed its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with the markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The company’s initial public offering will comprise a fresh issue of shares up to INR 400 Cr and an offer-for-sale (OFS) component of 1.56 Cr equity shares. As per the company’s draft filing, promoters Gaurav Bhatnagar, Manish Dhingra and LAP Travel, along with investors TBO Korea and Augusta TBO, will be selling their stakes via the OFS. TBO aims to utilise the net proceeds from the fresh issue towards growing and strengthening its platform…
Air India has entered an intermodal interline agreement with WorldTicket, the exclusive distributor for Europe’s largest railway operator, Deutsche Bahn. The collaboration enables Air India guests to travel on a single intermodal ticket beyond Frankfurt with convenient train connections to or from other cities and towns across Germany, including those without airports, on Deutsche Bahn. This lets travellers to connect to and from over 5,600 train stations in Germany on the Deutsche Bahn network. Travellers can also take train connections on Deutsche Bahn to and from Amsterdam, Brussels, and Zurich via Air India’s Frankfurt gateway. WorldTicket is an IATA travel…
Oman Air has announced the return of its Global Sale, offering travelers up to 20% off fares in Business and Economy Class. With a range of must-visit destinations across the airline’s network, including Europe, the Far East and Indian Subcontinent, this sale offers opportunity to explore the world at unbeatable prices. The campaign is running until November 15, and the promotion is valid for travel until March 31, 2024 and includes one-way and return flights. The domestic sector, interline sector, codeshare partners, Jeddah and London are not included. Other terms and conditions apply. Bookings can be made through Oman Air’s…
Skal International Mumbai 144 celebrated its pre-Diwali gathering on November 3, 2023, hosted at Sofitel Mumbai BKC. The event was marked by a notable attendance, including members, their spouses, and distinguished industry guests. President Sk. Burjis Mehta, Skal International Mumbai, took pride in emphasizing that the day marked a significant achievement for Skal 144, with its members consistently earning well-deserved acclaim from Skal International. It is important to mention here that Sk. Sunil VA and Sk. Partha Chatterjee (posthumously) was honoured with the prestigious title of Membre d’Honneur.at the recently concluded Skål International World Congress 2023 and General Assembly in…
Red Sea Global (RSG), the multi-project developer behind the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism destinations, The Red Sea and Amaala, has announced it will operate its own luxury hotel brand at The Red Sea destination, named Shebara. Revealed at the World Travel Market in London, Shebara will open in summer 2024 and is the first resort to be owned and operated by RSG at The Red Sea destination. Located on Sheybarah Island in the thriving Al Wajh Lagoon, the resort is home to iconic stainless steel orbs, and is now actively recruiting a world-class operational team ahead of opening. “It…
