The Indian tourism sector is expected to double in size to USD 523 billion in the next 10 years, according to World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) President and CEO Julia Simpson. WTTC works with governments on issues of the travel and tourism industry, and is the global authority on the economic and social contribution of the sector. “The travel and tourism sector employs 45 million people in India, and is going to double in its value. In 10 years, the sector is going to be worth USD 523 billion in India, more than double the present size of USD…
Author: Disha Ghosh
Airlines are price takers as they do not have an influence on the prices they pay, IATA Chief Economist Marie Owens Thomsen has said and highlighted that carriers’ need to diversify their revenues is complicated by slim profit margins as well as weak balance sheets. In a fast-growing aviation market like India where the air traffic demand is on the rise, there are persistent concerns about airfare trajectory and suggestions from various quarters to make air tickets more affordable. Discussing overall airfares and the costs of airlines, Thomsen said airlines do not have any influence on the prices they pay.…
In alignment with the Government of India’s Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) – UDAN, Star Air, the aviation arm of the Sanjay Ghodawat Group, has announced new flight services connecting Jharsuguda (JRG) in Odisha with Hyderabad, Raipur, and Lucknow. Starting January 1, 2025, Jharsuguda will have daily flights to Hyderabad. From February 1, 2025, this connectivity will expand to include Raipur (RPR) and Lucknow (LKO), marking a significant milestone in Star Air’s mission to enhance regional air travel. With this addition, Star Air now connects 24 destinations across India. Known as the “Powerhouse of Odisha,” Jharsuguda is an industrial and cultural…
Uttar Pradesh is taking significant strides to promote experiential heritage tourism, drawing inspiration from Rajasthan’s successful model. At the ‘Heritage Conclave’ held on Saturday, Prateek Hira, Chairman of FICCI UP, highlighted how Rajasthan has effectively transformed its forts, havelis, and palaces into self-sustaining tourism hubs, leveraging the adaptive reuse of heritage structures. “The desert state has created a self-sustained economy through the reuse of heritage buildings. Similarly, heritage tourism has the potential to transform U.P.’s economy and identity,” Hira stated. Organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, the…
In a significant boost to international connectivity, Air India Express has announced the launch of direct flights between Mangaluru and Singapore starting January 21. This marks Singapore as the first international destination outside the West Asia region to be directly connected to Mangaluru. Flight IX 862 will depart Mangaluru at 5:55 AM IST on Tuesdays and Fridays, arriving in Singapore at 1:25 PM local time. The return flight, IX 861, will depart Singapore at 2:25 PM local time on the same days, landing in Mangaluru at 4:55 PM IST. In addition, the airline is expanding its domestic network with new…
ITQ Technologies Pvt. Ltd., the exclusive distributor of Travelport in India, organised an insightful presentation on New Distribution Capability (NDC) and its role in modern airline retailing. The event took place at Sofitel BKC, Mumbai, last evening and was attended by leading travel agencies and industry stakeholders. The session highlighted how NDC is transforming the airline retail landscape by enabling personalised and dynamic offerings for travellers. Through the Travelport platform, ITQ demonstrated the potential of NDC to enhance operational efficiency and improve customer experiences for travel agencies. Talking about this, Anil Parashar, Executive Director, ITQ, said, “We have been working…
In a significant step towards enhancing the experience of devotees visiting the revered Sabarimala temple, Kerala Tourism has launched a dedicated microsite. Designed to serve as a comprehensive digital guide, the platform aims to simplify the pilgrimage process for millions of visitors while promoting eco-friendly practices and safety measures. Key Features of the Microsite Digital Pilgrimage Guide Detailed information about the Sabarimala Temple, its rituals, and pilgrimage schedules. Instructions for mandatory virtual queue registration, ensuring better crowd management. Travel Resources Route maps and travel assistance for reaching Sabarimala via road, rail, and air. Live updates on weather and traffic conditions…
The Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi has announced the introduction of Thailand’s Electronic Visa (E-Visa) facilities for Indian citizens, effective January 1, 2025. The update was shared via the Embassy’s official account on X (formerly Twitter), along with details on the offline payment option for the visa fee. Key details of the E-Visa rollout include: E-Visa Implementation The E-Visa system will allow Indian applicants to submit their visa applications online through Thailand’s official visa website: www.thaievisa.go.th. Applicants can choose offline payment options, with payment details provided by the respective Embassy or Consulate-General. Visa Exemption for Indian Passport Holders Indian…
The Embassy of India in Kathmandu, in association with the Nepal Tourism Board organised the 1st India-Nepal Tourism meet focusing on promotion of Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The event organised with an aim to create B2B connections to foster implementation of circuit tourism between India and Nepal was attended by Minister of State for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Government of Nepal Arun Kumar Chaudhary as Chief Guest. Deputy Chief of Mission from the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu- Prasanna Shrivastava, along with Deepak Raj Joshi, CEO, Nepal Tourism Board inaugurated the session on Tuesday, a release from Indian…
Union Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday announced new road projects worth INR 30,000 crore and appealed to the state government to give 40 per cent of the developed land near the proposed north Jaipur bypass to farmers. Speaking at the Rising Rajasthan summit, Gadkari said that road infrastructure is crucial for Rajasthan tourism. The Minister said that the 110-km northern Jaipur Ring Road entailing an investment of INR 6,500 crore has been approved. “The land price increased five times after the construction of roads. I requested you (Rajasthan government) earlier. You make a new Jaipur with…