Sopa Lodges – Kenya & Tanzania is keen to tap into the Indian market, having appointed Global Destinations as its representative in January this year. As a first step, they participated in the recently concluded Outbound Travel Market (OTM) in Mumbai. Sharing her thoughts, Rosemary Muthoni, Director of Sales at Sopa Lodges, said, ‘India is a key source market for us, and we have seen encouraging outbound growth from India to East Africa. Overall, we grew 25% in revenue in 2024 compared to 2023, with a 10% contribution from India. Therefore, despite our local DMCs being present here, it was…
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M2M Ferries, known for its Ro-Ro (roll-on, roll-off) service between Mumbai and Mandwa, is gearing up to launch a Mumbai-Goa RoPAX ferry service that will carry both passengers and vehicles. M2M Ferries has acquired a 15-year-old RoPAX vessel from Italy, currently undergoing maintenance in Mumbai. Once ready, the ferry is expected to complete the Mumbai-Goa journey in just six and a half hours. The company has applied for the necessary approvals from the Director General of Shipping and other authorities to kick-start operations. The new RoPAX vessel can accommodate 620 passengers and 60 cars. While the fare structure is yet…
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for January 2025 global passenger demand with the following highlights: Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 10.0% compared to January 2024. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 7.1% year-on-year. The January load factor was 82.1% (+2.2 ppt compared to January 2024), an all-time high for January. International demand rose 12.4% compared to January 2024. Capacity was up 8.7% year-on-year, and the load factor was 82.6% (+2.7 ppt compared to January 2024), an all-time high for January. Domestic demand rose 6.1% compared to January 2024.…
Akasa Air has added Darbhanga as the 28th city destination to its network with direct connectivity to and from Delhi, starting April 04, 2025. The airline will operate daily through flights between Hyderabad and Darbhanga via Delhi (with no change of aircraft required at Delhi) enhancing connectivity between the tourist hub and two major metros. This launch marks the airline’s entry into the state of Bihar, reinforcing its commitment to strengthening operations across the country. Travellers can book flights on Akasa Air’s website, www.akasaair.com, Android and iOS app or through multiple leading travel agents. Commenting on the announcement, Praveen Iyer,…
The island destination of Crete, the largest of the islands forming part of modern Greece, has forayed into the Indian market to tap the burgeoning outbound travel segment. While destinations like Athens, Santorini and Mykonos in Greece are popular choices among Indian travellers, Crete is keen to welcome them for its variety landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture. Nikos Alexakis, Head of the Tourism Directorate for the Region of Crete, spoke to TravelBiz Monitor at OTM in Mumbai. He said, “We are keen to get tourists from India, whether it is for leisure, MICE or weddings. However, absence of direct…
Deep Kalra, Founder and Chairman of MakeMyTrip, was awarded the prestigious Industry Leader of the Year title at the HVS ANAROCK HOPE 2025 Conference, which commenced today at Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon. The award was presented by Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and CEO of Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), in the presence of Mandeep S. Lamba, President and CEO of HVS ANAROCK. The conference, which gathers industry leaders and experts, celebrates innovation, leadership, and excellence within the hospitality and travel sectors. Kalra’s recognition highlights his significant contributions to the travel and tourism industry.
The island nation of Fiji has seen a steady surge in visitors from India, and the country is hopeful of a double-digit growth in numbers this year. Talking to TravelBiz Monitor during his recent visit to India, Brent Hill, CEO Tourism Fiji, said, “India is a growing tourism source market for Fiji. Starting 2025 and onwards from here, it has the opportunity to grow as the biggest market for us. We are starting to invest and undertake more activities here having seen value from this market.” In 2024, 10,000 visitors originating from India visited Fiji. This is besides the Indian…
Sabi Sabi Collection has appointed Ace Connect, led by Alpa Jani, to represent them in the Indian market. This partnership reinforces Sabi Sabi’s commitment to expanding its presence in one of the world’s most dynamic and rapidly growing luxury travel markets. “We have always considered India of vital importance in our global strategy”, said Jacques Smit, Marketing Director, Sabi Sabi Collection. “With the appointment of Ace Connect, we aim to strengthen our relationships and enhance our brand in this exciting country. India has immense potential for exponential growth and this collaboration aligns perfectly with our future vision”. Ace Connect, a…
Sabre Corporation has signed its 100th Network Planning & Optimization deal, with Air India Express becoming its milestone customer. Air India Express, a Tata Enterprise and a subsidiary of Air India, will be using Schedule Manager and Slot Manager from Sabre’s Network Planning & Optimization suite to streamline flight schedules and optimise slot utilisation to create plans that maximise revenue and passenger demand. “A smart network planning strategy is vital for any airline no matter where they are in the world. But it’s especially critical in India right now where record plane orders, new carriers, new airports, and huge infrastructure…
A small group of foreign tourists has visited North Korea in the past week, making them the first international travellers to enter the country in five years except for a group of Russian tourists who went to the North last year. The latest trip indicates North Korea may be gearing up for a full resumption of its international tourism to bring in much-needed foreign currency to revive its struggling economy, experts say. The Beijing-based travel company Koryo Tours said it arranged a five-day trip from February 20 to February 24 for 13 international tourists to the northeastern North Korean border…