The Indian railways serve as the lifeline of the nation, connecting its vast and diverse landscape. In an effort to elevate every travel experience with the Indian railways, MakeMyTrip has launched a host of tech-driven features designed to enhance every railway journey and address common consumer pain points. The company revolutionized the traveller’s booking journey, dividing it into clear phases and leveraging technology for solutions. Securing confirmed train tickets has long been a challenge, often leaving travellers with waitlisted tickets due to high demand. MakeMyTrip Trains introduced a groundbreaking Seat Lock feature, allowing travellers to secure a confirmed ticket by…
Author: Prasenjit Chakraborty
Tourism Malaysia embarked on a sales mission to Oman and Qatar from 12 to 15 May in its robust efforts to foster closer tourism ties and showcase its latest offerings to the West Asian market after successfully participating in the recent Arabian Travel Market (ATM). Tourism Malaysia with 23 Malaysian delegations consisted of twelve travel agents, eight hoteliers, two product owners and a representative from the State government. The delegation showcased Malaysia’s latest tourism products which were truly enchanting, entertaining, inspiring, alluring, relaxing and exhilarating. The mission facilitated targeted business-to-business (B2B) sessions and networking dinners in Muscat and Doha, enabling…
In April 2024, the domestic air travel industry experienced a mixed scenario, transporting 1.32 crore passengers, marking a modest year-on-year increase of 2.4 percent. However, this figure fell slightly short of March’s count of 1.33 crore, hinting at a potential seasonal decline. Remarkably, compared to April 2019’s 1.09 crore passengers, there was a notable resurgence, indicating a significant recovery from pre-pandemic levels. For the second consecutive month, Akasa Air maintained its position as the most punctual airline, boasting an 89.2 percent on-time performance across four major airports: Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. This achievement places it ahead of established competitors…
The hotel industry of India saw strong demand at both business and leisure destinations during the Jan.- March period leading to an 11 per cent annual rise in revenue per available room, according to JLL. In a statement , real estate consultant JLL India said that the hospitality sector saw an increase in average daily rate (ADR) of 8.5 per cent year-on-year, resulting in a revenue per available room (RevPAR) growth of 11.4 per cent. Chennai recorded the strongest growth in RevPAR at 21.7 per cent in Jan.-March. “Major factors contributing to this growth included an increase in corporate travel,…
Sabre Corporation (NASDAQ: SABR), a leading software and technology company powering the travel industry, has introduced SabreMosaicTM, a new intelligent, modular and open technology platform – built to transform the way airlines retail. By moving away from the limitations of today’s PNR-driven world to a modern Offer and Order approach, SabreMosaic empowers airlines to deliver a more personalized and dynamic retailing experience, while creating new revenue opportunities. “Defining and building the next generation of airline retailing solutions has been a significant investment and strategic priority for Sabre, and we are well down this path,” said Kurt Ekert, President & CEO…
Palladium Hotel Group will strengthen its efforts and dedication to the Indian market in the upcoming months. The company is dedicated to fostering this market in tandem with its Global Destinations team. Each endeavour it pursues within this market will be closely coordinated with them (Global Destinations), says Sandra Polo Canudas, Commercial Director, Asia & MEA in an exclusive interview with Prasenjit Chakraborty. Q.What sets Palladium Hotel Group properties apart from other hotels, and what unique selling points (USPs) do they offer guests? As you aware, Palladium Hotel Group is a renowned Spanish hotel chain boasting over 40 establishments worldwide…
Discusses issues regarding tour guides & upcoming annual Convention The Maharashtra Chapter of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) convened its General Meeting in Mumbai recently. The primary agenda of the meeting was to deliberate on their upcoming annual convention scheduled to take place in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, from August 30 to September 2, as well as address the challenges confronting them regarding tour guides. Speaking to TravelBiz Monitor on the sidelines of the meeting, Jitendra Kejriwal, Chairman, Maharashtra and Dadra, Nagar Haveli & Daman Chapter, IATO, said, “We organised the meeting to raise awareness among our members about…
In 2022, Topgolf, the renowned golf-themed entertainment brand from the US, unveiled its inaugural venue in Southeast Asia, situated near Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. This marks the latest addition to its global network of 80-plus locations. Topgolf offers an all-encompassing experience, combining play, food, and entertainment in one dynamic destination. It features 102 golf hitting bays. Tim Boda, MD, TopGolf Thailand, recently visited India with the intent of engaging with their representation company and primarily connecting with key players in the MICE sector, as expressed during his conversation with TravelBiz Monitor. While talking about their USP, Boda remarked, “Topgolf stands out…
The burgeoning “younger” affluent travellers’ segment is certainly keeping us occupied. The integration of artificial intelligence and its evolving role in this realm promises exciting prospects for the future, says Christine Galle-Luczak, Founder & Managing Director, Heavens Portfolio in an interaction with Prasenjit Chakraborty. Q.1.What inspired you to establish Heavens Portfolio, and how has your vision evolved since its inception? Heavens Portfolio is a labour of love and passion inspired by the need to discover new territories and travel experiences. A dream that I continue to carefully grow and goals we continue to achieve year on year. Having spent more…
Recent studies from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Microsoft underscore the significant impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its influence on the evolution of Travel & Tourism. The final two reports of a series on Artificial Intelligence from WTTC entitled “Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI): Overview of AI Risks, Safety & Governance” and “Artificial Intelligence (AI): Global Strategies, Policies & Regulations,” underscore a commitment to a digital future that prioritises safety, ethical considerations, and responsible AI adoption. Launched during the global tourism body’s participation at the UN General Assembly in New York, these reports mark significant milestones in…
