Nepal will increase the permit fees for climbing Mount Everest by 36%, making the world’s tallest peak more expensive for mountaineers for the first time in nearly a decade, officials have said. Income from permit fees and other spending by foreign climbers is a key source of revenue and employment for the poor country, which is home to eight of the world’s 14 highest mountains. A permit to climb 8,849-metre (29,032ft) Everest would cost USD 15,000, said Narayan Prasad Regmi, Director General of the Department of Tourism, announcing the rise in the USD 11,000 fee that has been in place…
Author: Disha Ghosh
Brand USA concluded its 11th India Sales and Media Mission from January 20- 22, 2025, at The Taj Krishna in Hyderabad. This year’s mission was led by Fred Dixon, President and CEO of Brand USA, who was accompanied by six other CEOs representing U.S. destinations and a luxury receptive agency. Simon Brooks, President of Bonotel, John Percy, President & CEO of Destination Niagara USA, Doug Bourgeois, Assistant Secretary of Tourism, Louisiana Office of Tourism, Martha Sheridan, President & CEO of Meet Boston, Todd Davidson, Chief Executive Officer, Travel Oregon, and Liz Bittner, President & CEO, Travel South USA were present…
Viacation Tourism Private Limited is set to expand its presence across India and the world this year. In 2024, Viacation expanded its reach by opening three new retail stores in Benglauru, Mumbai, and Jaipur, helping the company connect with a broader customer base. Additionally, the company enhanced its customer service capabilities by expanding its call center operations with a new facility in Gurgaon. Looking ahead to 2025, Viacation is on track to expand across Tier-II and II cities, using both company-owned stores and franchise models to strengthen its national footprint. As part of its expansion strategy, Viacation intends to broaden…
EaseMyTrip.com, one of India’s leading travel tech platforms, through its spiritual tourism initiative EasyDarshan, has partnered with the Ayodhya Development Authority (ADA) to inaugurate the Theerth Yatri Sewa Booth at Lata Mangeshkar Chowk. This landmark initiative aims to enhance the pilgrimage experience in Ayodhya by offering comprehensive services to visitors and creating employment opportunities for local youth. The Theerth Yatri Sewa Booth is strategically set up to guide and assist pilgrims visiting the Ram Lalla temple and other significant religious sites in Ayodhya. EasyDarshan, as EaseMyTrip dedicated spiritual tourism vertical, is bringing its expertise to ensure that pilgrims receive seamless…
Cox & Kings has appointed Suresh Victor as Senior Vice President, heading its Technology vertical. He comes with a vast experience in product development and digital transformation. Victor is set to lead the charge in advancing the company’s technological initiatives and enhancing its global travel solutions. Under Victor’s leadership, Cox & Kings aims to further enhance its digital ecosystem, focusing on personalised customer experiences, operational efficiency, and scalability. His expertise in leveraging artificial intelligence, big data, and advanced analytics.
The Government of Mizoram is planning construction of a ropeway and installing cable-car facilities between Aizawl and Lengpui for tourism development and improving connectivity, an official statement said yesterday. Chief Minister Lalduhoma chaired a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the feasibility of the proposed project, which will also link Sairang railway station, it said. The Aizawl-Sairang railway station-Lengpui ropeway project was proposed for tourism development and to enhance the public transport system or connectivity between the state capital and Lengpui, where the state’s lone airport is located, it said. During the meeting, it was discussed the possibility of the proposed…
A record number of visitors flocked to Japan in 2024, owing to increased post-pandemic worldwide tourism movement and a weakening yen. Foreign travellers increased by 47% to a record 36.9 million last year, driven by tourists from South Korea, Taiwan, and China, according to data issued by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) on Wednesday. The previous high was 31.9 million tourists in 2019, just before Covid-19 halted foreign travel. According to the most recent data, the country is well on track to surpass 60 million foreign tourists by 2030. This is owing, in part, to Japan’s reputation as a…
Sabre Corporation has signed a new long-term agreement with Hainan Airlines. The carrier, which is one of the largest in China, will use Sabre’s Fares Manager and Contract Manager to efficiently manage and optimize international fares, helping to ensure competitiveness in the global market. As a prominent Chinese airline, which has been awarded the SKYTRAX 5-Star Airline for 13 consecutive years since 2011, Hainan Airlines is expanding its international footprint. Sabre’s advanced technology will play a pivotal role in supporting these growth plans by enhancing the airline’s ability to monitor and adjust fares dynamically to maximize revenue opportunities. “As we…
Spain expects even more tourists to flock to the country in 2025 after an estimated record 94 million foreigners visited last year, 10% more than in 2023, Tourism Minister Jordi Hereu said on Wednesday, helping to drive economic growth amid a wider European slowdown, reports Retuers. Foreign tourists spent some EUR 126 billion during their stays in 2024, up 16% from the previous year, the Minister said. He predicted they would spend EUR 36 billion in the first four months of 2025, also 16% higher than in the same period of 2024, while visitor numbers should rise by 9%. The…
Air India will start daily flights between Delhi and Bhuj, starting February 1, 2025. Air India will operate the route with its A320 aircraft, complementing its daily flights between Mumbai and Bhuj. The new service also enables travellers from Bhuj to take seamless one-stop connections via Delhi to other parts of India as well as to points in North America, UK, Southeast Asia, and vice versa. Air India will operate the route with its A320 aircraft, bringing the only full-service flying option to customers travelling to and from Bhuj. The flights are available for booking through all channels, including Air…