The Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBIA) of Guwahati has said that it has achieved international recognition for customer experience from Airports Council International (ACI). The LGBIA has become the first such facility in the North-Eastern region to achieve this recognition, the airport said in a statement. The LGBIA has achieved Level 2 of the ACI’s Airport Customer Experience Accreditation. This recognition from ACI is the outcome of teams and stakeholders coming together. LGBIA is committed to continuous improvement in the manner in which passengers experience the airport, with the implementation of digital and technological interventions that make for a…
Author: Disha Ghosh
Air India Express, the budget-carrier arm of Air India, is embarking on a significant expansion by increasing its fleet size and introducing new routes, as passenger growth remains robust. The airline, however, has deferred plans to launch direct flights between Kolkata and Dhaka, citing the ongoing political crisis in Bangladesh. “You would recall we had announced our operational plan for Dhaka, which is a new and significant market for us. But because of the situation there, we have deferred those plans,” Aloke Singh, Managing Director, Air India Express, said. “As soon as the conditions are right, we will resume those…
At the India-Japan Forum Inaugural Session Conversation, EAM (External Affairs Minister) S Jaishankar said, “We’ve never had problems between India and Japan but not having problems doesn’t mean everything works well… I would say how do you take good sentiment and make it into a practical plan.” He further mentioned the growing trend of Indian tourists, stating, “When I look today at the kind of spike in Indian tourists… our passport issuer is going up actually at the rate of almost 10 to 15 per cent a year. We are issuing between about 13 million to 15 million passports every…
Wipro Limited, a leading technology services and consulting company, has collaborated with SIAM.AI, a member of the NVIDIA Cloud Partner programme in Thailand. The companies will leverage NVIDIA accelerated computing and software to develop an AI-powered digital assistant for the Tourism Authority of Thailand. This collaboration will utilise infrastructure, data and networks within the country, advancing Thailand’s sovereign AI objectives. The AI-powered virtual assistant, ‘Sukjai’—powered by the NVIDIA AI Enterprise software platform, SIAM.AI and Wipro’s Enterprise Generative AI (WeGA) Studio—will provide domestic and international travelers with personalized, up-to-date, and timely information to deliver highly tailored experiences, while enabling the Tourism…
Following the recent announcement of their collaboration to enhance digital travel credentials and biometric solutions in border management, SITA and IDEMIA Public Security, a provider in computer vision & digital technologies, biometrics, and security, are expanding their partnership to tackle key challenges in baggage handling and airport operations. Leveraging IDEMIA’s expertise in computer vision, combined with SITA’s expertise in baggage processing, improves operational efficiency and provides a smoother experience for both travelers and airlines. With global air travel recovering strongly – passenger numbers soared to 5.2 billion in 2023, surpassing 2019 levels according to the SITA Baggage IT Insights 2024…
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has officially launched its e-Visa system for India, enabling Indian nationals to apply for visas online. This marks a significant step in enhancing accessibility and convenience for travelers to the Philippines. Online Application Now Available Indian applicants can visit evisa.gov.ph to apply for e-Visas remotely. Payments can be made securely via direct bank transfer, eliminating the need for in-person visits to consulates. Successful Launch and Implementation The full implementation, announced in a DFA advisory dated November 29, follows the system’s successful soft launch and beta testing in August 2023. Operations officially commenced on…
In a landmark move to enhance its global appeal, Kerala’s Tourism Department has launched a revamped, multilingual website featuring advanced technology and interactive tools. Now accessible in over 20 languages, the platform aims to establish Kerala as a leading international tourism destination by providing seamless access to information, certified accommodations, and personalised travel planning. State Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas highlighted the user-friendly design and interactive features of the portal, emphasizing its role as a comprehensive digital guide for travelers. The website offers improved navigation, multimedia content, and tools like travel planners and e-newsletters, showcasing Kerala’s unique cultural and…
Airbnb, in continued collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, is has launched India’s first ever Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy in the state. Present at the launch were Rohan Khaunte, Minister for Tourism, Government of Goa, and Amanpreet Bajaj, General Manager, Airbnb India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. This landmark initiative was launched as a part of the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Airbnb and Goa Tourism, to promote homestay tourism and build capacity among hospitality entrepreneurs across urban and rural areas in the state. The Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy aims to promote inclusivity by introducing individuals from…
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has revealed robust global passenger traffic data for October 2024, highlighting significant growth in Asia and India. Asia-Pacific Region: Passenger demand surged by 17.5% compared to October 2023, outperforming all other regions. Capacity increased by 17.2%, with a load facAtor reaching 82.9%. This rapid growth underscores the region’s recovery and dominance in global aviation. India’s Domestic Market: Despite a 6.1% increase in demand, India’s domestic load factor dipped by 2.7 percentage points to 81.7%. This suggests rising capacity but highlights the need for efficient optimization to sustain profitability. China’s Expansion: Driven by the introduction…
Disney Cruise Line has opened bookings for Disney Adventure, its first ship to home port in Asia. Disney Adventure will set sail from Singapore on her maiden voyage on December 15, 2025. Guests will be able to book directly from the Disney Cruise Line website, through contact centre, or with their preferred travel agents on December 10, 2024, from 8.00am Singapore time for sail dates through March 2026. Sailing on primarily three- and four-night voyages designed with only dedicated days at sea, guests will be immersed in experiences that bring to life the fantastical worlds and beloved characters at the…
