A collection of Europe’s leading premier luxury family resorts, Martinhal Family Hotels & Resorts has appointed Intrepid Marketing and Communications as its official representative in the Indian market. This strategic partnership aims to accentuate its hospitality and diverse offerings for children and parents, thereby increasing brand visibility and attracting a discerning Indian clientele. Chitra Stern, Owner & Founder, Martinhal Family Hotels & Resorts, commented on the collaboration: “Martinhal Family Hotels & Resorts are expertly designed to cater to the Indian market’s deep-rooted family values and increasing preference for family-oriented vacations. Our properties offer a holistic experience that surpasses mere accommodations;…
Author: Disha Ghosh
The Government of Sri Lanka has announced visa-free access to citizens from 35 countries, including India, the UK and the US to the island nation for six months starting October 1, media reports said on Wednesday. The Cabinet made the decision which will be in effect from October 1, 2024, the Daily Mirror newspaper reported quoting Adviser to the Ministry of Tourism, Harin Fernando. The policy is in force for six months, Fernando said. Countries on the list include India, the UK, China, the US, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Australia, Denmark, Poland, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Nepal, Indonesia,…
Sabre Corporation has finalised a multi-year renewal of its distribution agreement with Delta Air Lines. The long-term agreement enables Sabre-connected travel agents to access both traditional EDIFACT and New Distribution Capability (NDC) content, enhancing their ability to provide comprehensive travel offers to their customers. Earlier this year, Delta announced details of its selling and servicing transformation, which includes NDC. Sabre and the airline will collaborate on the integration of NDC content into Sabre’s travel marketplace to support this strategy. The renewed agreement underscores a shared commitment to the third-party distribution ecosystem and collaborative retail innovation. Regardless of technology, Sabre-connected agencies…
Air India will temporarily operate additional flights to Kolkata from four Indian cities to meet greater travel demand to the city during the upcoming Durga Puja festivities. Starting September 20, 2024, Air India will operate daily, non-stop flights to Kolkata from Bengaluru and Hyderabad for nearly a month. The airline has also increased frequency to Kolkata from Delhi effective 15 August 2024, and from Mumbai effective 25 September 2024. With these additions, Air India will increase frequency on the Delhi-Kolkata route from 28x weekly to 35x weekly flights, and on the Mumbai-Kolkata route from 21x weekly to 28x weekly. The…
Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) reported 1.62 million visitors from South Asia in the first half of 2024, largely due to targeted efforts in Tier-II and III Indian markets. By implementing strategic initiatives such as roadshows, trade workshops, and mega familiarisation trips, DET is reinforcing Dubai’s position as a premier destination for Indian travellers. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to tap into emerging markets and cater to the growing demand for diverse travel experiences among Indian tourists. Dubai’s Strategic Expansion in South Asia Dubai has long been a favoured destination for Indian travellers, and the…
Bus commuters in India’s most populated city, Mumbai, are increasingly going online for booking their tickets. A recent survey conducted by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) in collaboration with Grant Thornton has revealed that nearly 47% of bus commuters in Mumbai now use city travel apps to book their trips, highlighting a growing shift towards digital convenience. The survey contained in an insight paper titled ‘Connected Commutes 2024’ highlights the critical role of online platforms in transforming urban mobility in Mumbai, showcasing how the growing use of bus travel apps contributes to sustainable urban development and efficient,…
Qatar Airways Group has acquired a 25 per cent stake in Southern Africa’s (SA) independent regional carrier, Airlink. The announcement is a continuation of the airline’s ambition to further develop its operations across the African continent. The investment in Airlink – which flies to more than 45 destinations in 15 African countries – will enhance a code-sharing partnership between the two airlines. The deal will bolster Qatar Airways’ Africa growth strategy and cement its role as a key driver to the continent’s economic success. On the announcement, Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, Group CEO, Qatar Airways, said, “Our investment in Airlink further…
Global transfers operator, talixo, has signed of a worldwide partnership to provide pre-booked ground transfers for Flight Centre Travel Group’s flagship corporate travel businesses. The agreement expands on talixo’s existing relationship with the global Brisbane-based travel agency group, which encompasses pre-booked transfers for their leisure travel division and UK corporate travel branches. Now, consultants worldwide working for Flight Centre Travel Group’s business travel brands, including FCM Travel and Corporate Traveller, will be able to offer competitive, reliable airport transfers and point-to-point rides in 1,100+ cities and 130+ countries globally, pre-bookable via their GDS. Despite providing essential connectivity, transfers remain an…
Travel tech startup, Atlys, has launched in the UAE, advancing its mission to streamline and enhance the visa application process for the region’s sizable expatriate community. With the UAE’s expatriate population comprising 92% of the total, many face complexities and challenges with their visa applications. This makes the UAE an ideal market for Atlys’s cutting-edge solution, which aims to alleviate the general stress and hassle of visa processing. Atlys has set up shop in western Dubai to facilitate visa services. Mohak Nahta, CEO and Founder, Atlys, said, “Navigating visa applications can be one of the most daunting aspects of international…
Air India has launched its wireless inflight entertainment (IFE) service, Vista, across the existing wide-body fleet to provide customers with uninterrupted entertainment until the retrofit. Following this, Vista will also be available on narrow-body aircraft. Powered by Bluebox, an award-winning digital services provider, Vista is being deployed on Bluebox’s Blueview digital services platform and delivered to customers via the Bluebox Wow wireless network system. Vista enables customers to seamlessly stream content on their personal electronic devices. From Bollywood blockbusters to Hollywood premieres, global music icons to captivating documentaries, the world’s best content will now be at the fingertips of Air…
