In a recent survey conducted by Zoomcar Holdings, Inc., India’s leading car-sharing marketplace, reported a remarkable 43% year-on-year growth in bookings for November, driven primarily by a surge in demand during the wedding season. This year’s wedding season in India has been the strongest in recent years, emerging as one of the biggest contributors to this growth. With the assumption of a similar growth trend as the upcoming holiday season approaches, Zoomcar recognizes the importance of broadening and diversifying its booking channels to capture greater market potential and has revamped its website booking experience to provide a seamless and user-friendly…
Author: Prasenjit Chakraborty
EaseMyTrip.com, one of India’s leading online travel tech platforms, announced the launch of its newest franchise store in Srikalahasti, Andhra Pradesh. This is the company’s 23rd franchise store. This strategic expansion continues the company’s successful franchise program, bringing comprehensive travel services closer to customers in the culturally rich Tirupati region. The new EaseMyTrip franchise store, located at Door Number-5/138, MG Street, Gangamma temple, Srikalahasti, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, 517644, offers a complete range of travel solutions. Customers can access domestic and international flight bookings, premium hotel accommodations, customized holiday packages, and seamless bus and railway reservations. The store also provides specialized…
IndiGo is exploring the early introduction of wide-body planes to meet growing international travel demand. Industry sources say the airline is in talks with Norse Atlantic Airways to wet-lease six B787 aircraft. Under a wet-lease, the lessor provides the plane, crew, and maintenance. IndiGo had previously ordered 30 A350 wide-body planes in April, with deliveries set for 2027. Meanwhile, competitor Air India has expanded its use of wide-body planes for both domestic and long-range international routes. IndiGo, with a fleet of 427 planes, already operates two B777 wide-body aircraft leased from Turkish Airlines on India-Istanbul routes. The airline, which began…
Indian airlines carried 1.42 crore passengers on domestic routes in November, marking an increase of nearly 12% compared to the same month last year, driven by rising air traffic demand. IndiGo led the market with a 63.6% share, followed by Air India at 24.4%, Akasa Air with 4.7%, and SpiceJet at 3.1%. While all these carriers saw their market shares grow, Alliance Air’s share remained steady at 0.7% in November, according to the latest data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The DGCA reported that from January to November 2024, domestic airlines carried 1,464.02 lakh passengers, up from…
The Union Tourism Ministry announced that 76 projects, totaling INR 5,287.9 crore, have been approved under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, with 75 projects now physically complete. Launched by the Centre in 2014-15, the Swadesh Darshan Scheme focuses on the integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits. It has since been revamped as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 to promote the creation of sustainable and responsible destinations, with 34 projects worth INR 793.2 crore already sanctioned under this new framework. Additionally, the Ministry has introduced guidelines for a “challenge-based destination development” sub-scheme within Swadesh Darshan 2.0. This initiative invites proposals in categories like spiritual…
Kerala Tourism is set to highlight Malabar’s rich tourism potential with a Business-to-Business (B2B) meet on December 27 in Kozhikode. The event, titled ‘Gateway to Malabar: A Tourism B2B Meet’, aims to connect key players from India’s travel and tourism industry and foster meaningful collaborations. Organized by Kerala Tourism in partnership with Metro Expedition and the Beypore International Water Fest, the event will showcase Malabar’s unique attractions, including its adventure offerings, culinary delights, vibrant arts, captivating folklore, and rich heritage. The meet will take place at The Raviz Kadavu, Kozhikode, from 10 am to 8 pm. “Designed to position Malabar…
Indonesia’s breathtaking destinations took centre stage during the Bali and Beyond Mega FAM Series, held from November 9-16, 2024. Travel professionals from South and Central Asia explored key locations, including Jakarta, Bandung, Bintan, Yogyakarta, and Labuan Bajo, experiencing the country’s rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and diverse activities. Bintan Island, in particular, captivated participants with its stunning landscapes and cultural treasures, making it a standout destination. The event included visits to Bintan Resorts, where attendees explored the island’s cultural and natural attractions, such as the 500 Lohan Temple, Kwan Yin Temple, Sand Dunes & Blue Lake, and the Bintan Mangrove…
Radisson Hotel Group has launched Park Inn & Suites by Radisson Thrissur East Fort, marking the brand’s debut. The hotel features 66 rooms, including 58 executive rooms and 8 suites, along with 2 banquet halls and a conference room. Guests can enjoy amenities like high-speed internet, smart LED TVs, a swimming pool, an all-day dining restaurant, and a fitness center. Located just 2.5 km from Thrissur Railway Station and 49 km from Cochin International Airport, the hotel offers convenient access. Thrissur, known for its cultural heritage and growing commercial activity, provides a vibrant setting for this new addition. “We are…
The company generated a gross revenue of around INR 198 crore in the foreign exchange sector Eraaya Lifespace recently announced that its newly acquired EbixCash Limited, a subsidiary of Ebix, Inc., has reported strong growth in its payment solutions vertical, with notable progress in foreign exchange, inward remittance, and payments businesses. Commenting on this, T.C. Guruprasad, CEO and Managing Director, EbixCash Payment Solutions, stated, “In the foreign exchange business, the past quarter has been nothing short of extraordinary. We are pleased to announce that we have achieved an estimated gross revenue of INR 198 Cr for quarter 2 of the…
The central government has sanctioned INR 3,295 crore to boost tourism infrastructure across the country under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme for Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism Infrastructure Development (SASCI). A total of 40 projects across 23 states and union territories have been selected under the challenge mode to receive capital assistance as part of this initiative. The scheme aims to provide long-term interest-free loans for 50 years to state governments, enabling the comprehensive development of iconic tourist destinations. These funds will be utilized to enhance branding, marketing, and infrastructure at a global scale while promoting local economic growth and sustainable employment…
