Air India Express will start flights to Bangkok from Surat and Pune from December 20, making Thailand’s capital its 15th international destination. Besides, the Tata Group carrier will commence services to Dimapur (Nagaland) and Patna (Bihar). With these new cities, the airline will be connecting a total of 51 cities across India, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. “Operations to Bangkok will commence on 20th December 2024, with direct flights connecting Surat and Pune to the vibrant capital of Thailand. Additionally, the airline strengthens its domestic network with the launch of services to Dimapur and Patna, offering daily direct connectivity…
Author: Disha Ghosh
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi has announced the Indian Army’s achievements in transforming Jammu & Kashmir from a terrorism hotspot to a thriving tourism destination. Addressing an audience at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) on the theme “Role and Contribution of Indian Army in Securing India’s Growth Story”, he highlighted the Army’s multifaceted role in national development and strategic growth. The Army has introduced battlefield tourism, opening iconic locations such as Kargil and Galwan to visitors. This initiative allows civilians to experience these historic sites and pay homage to the soldiers who laid down their lives…
RCI has appointed Lucas Ramos as Senior Director, Travel & Membership – Asia, Pacific & India, effective immediately. Based in Australia, Ramos will oversee operations and drive strategic growth initiatives across the region for RCI. In his new role, Ramos will leverage his expertise to enhance operational efficiency, financial performance, and strategic development for RCI and its affiliated brands, including 7Across and @Work International, all part of the Travel + Leisure Co. portfolio. Known for his strong foundation in finance and analytics, Ramos excels in data-driven decision-making, enabling sustained business growth and delivering exceptional value to members and affiliates. With…
BRANDit has been appointed as the integrated sales, marketing, and PR agency in India for Kenya Tourism Board (KTB). Marking a milestone in Kenya-India tourism relations, BRANDit will be responsible for establishing Kenya, the East African nation as a leading outbound destination in India. India has consistently ranked among the top five source markets for Kenya, contributing significantly to its tourism growth. Recognising this potential, KTB brought BRANDit on board to navigate this dynamic market and spearhead trade and marketing initiatives for MagicalKenya brand. Commenting on the appointment, June Chepkemei, CEO, KTB, said, “India continues to be vital for Kenya.…
With an eye to reinforce Taiwan’s post-pandemic tourism profile, Taiwan Tourism Administration (TTA) has announced the launch of new global brand positioning campaign, and logo, Version 3.0 titled ‘Taiwan – Waves of Wonder.’ It also launched a new series of animated short films and Taiwan tourism promotional song to accompany the new logo. Inviting visitors to ‘engage now’ to experience Taiwan in all its colours and across four-seasons, the new campaign aims to drive demand, accelerate inbound tourism growth, fully revitalise country’s tourism sector. The campaign also aims to drive 10 million international tourist arrivals this year, eyeing a significant…
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday approved three projects of the Ministry of Railways entailing an investment of INR 7,927 crore. The projects are: Manmad 4th line (160 km), Bhusawal – Khandwa 3rd & 4th line (131 km) and Prayagraj (Iradatganj) – Manikpur 3rd Line (84 km), according to an official statement issued after the CCEA meeting. The proposed multi-tracking projects will ease operations and reduce congestion, providing the much-required infrastructural development on the busiest sections between Mumbai and Prayagraj, the statement mentioned. “The projects are in line with PM Modi’s…
The Telangana government is expediting plans for a new airport in Kothagudem, Bhadradri-Kothagudem district, following its revival efforts for the Mamnoor Airport in Warangal. Approximately 950 acres have been identified for the project, and the Airport Authority of India (AAI) has been approached to conduct a pre-feasibility study. Details such as location specifics and a decade of weather data have been submitted to the central government. However, the site includes some forest land, necessitating clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests. Previously proposed sites were deemed unsuitable by the AAI, leading to the identification of land in Kothagudem mandal…
VFS Global has crossed the 300 million applications milestone. It is notable that the last 100 million applications have been achieved in the past 5 years despite the pandemic-driven travel slow-down of 2020-2022. In 2023 alone, the company processed 24.1 million applications, 35% more than 2022. (Source: ISR 2023), and between January to May 2024, it has processed approximately 100,000 applications a day. Zubin Karkaria, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, VFS Global Group, said, “We are very pleased and honoured with the achievement of this milestone, which is a testament to the trust 69 governments have in VFS Global, and…
Miray Cruises Greece & Miray Cruises International has appointed GRIFFON as their agent in India for all their sailings. Andreas Genthe, Head of Sales, Greece, said, “We are confident that this marks the beginning of a strong and mutually beneficial partnership, and we look forward to collaborating with GRIFFON to achieve great success in the years to come.” Vivek Jain, Managing Director, GRIFFON added, “We share the same enthusiasm and are equally excited about the opportunities ahead.” Miray Cruises offers unique experiences and specialised services in Greece and Turkey. Griffon has its office in Mumbai and has launched special rates…
Starting December 1, Canada will introduce higher application and processing fees for various temporary resident applications, impacting visitors, students, and workers seeking to enter or extend their stay in the country. This change will also affect applications for restoring temporary resident status, authorisation to return to Canada, criminal rehabilitation for serious criminality, and Temporary Resident Permits (TRPs). While Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has yet to disclose the revised fee amounts, applicants are advised to prepare for the increase and ensure they pay the correct fee when submitting their applications. When submitting an application online, the payment is processed…
