Intrepid Travel, a global leader in adventure travel, has announced the hiring of 15 female tour leaders in India this year, bringing its female representation in the country to 40%, with 32 women leaders. This initiative aligns with Intrepid India’s mission to promote workforce diversity, empower women in the travel industry, and advance gender equality. Female tour leaders provide unique perspectives and enrich cultural exchanges between travellers and local communities. Headquartered in Australia, Intrepid Travel offers sustainable, immersive experiences across all seven continents. With India’s adventure tourism market projected to surpass $2 billion by 2028, the country is emerging as…
Author: Prasenjit Chakraborty
Switzerland-based Schilthorn Cableway Ltd, which operates Schilthorn Piz Gloria, is very optimistic about the Indian market, as India is experiencing a rising middle class and an increase in disposable income. “India has become a very important market for us,” said Alan Ramsay, Head of Markets at Schilthorn Cableway Ltd, during a recent visit to Mumbai while speaking with TravelBiz Monitor. Schilthorn Piz Gloria is a stunning mountain peak in the Bernese Alps of Switzerland, renowned for its breathtaking panoramic views and its iconic revolving restaurant. Located in the Bernese Oberland, it stands approximately 2,970 meters (9,740 feet) above sea level.…
VFS Global has partnered with Bintan Resorts to boost its presence in the Indian market. Located less than an hour by ferry from Singapore, the Indonesian island of Bintan has the potential to become a sought-after destination for Indian travellers seeking for a peaceful escape from overtourism. Prasenjit Chakraborty/Indonesia Incredible, Impressive, and Inconceivable are three words that aptly describe Bintan Resorts. Although situated in the Riau Archipelago of Indonesia, it is just a 55-minute ferry ride from Singapore. This proximity makes Singapore a favoured getaway for Indian travellers wishing to visit Bintan Resorts. To attract more tourists from the Indian…
At the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) national elections held today in Mumbai at ITC Maratha, Sunil Kumar has been elected as President for the 2024-26 term, with Lokesh Bettaiah joining him as Vice President. Kumar secured 306 votes to win the elections. Shreeram Patel will now be the Honorary Secretary, and Paras Lakhia has been named as Honorary Treasurer. The other two contenders for the President’s post were former President, Jyoti Mayal (177 votes) and Harmandeep Singh Anand (286 votes). The newly-elected Managing Committee members are P Lalith Kumar Jain, Hema RV Chander, Sameer Karnani, Rajan Sehgal, Manav…
Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) 2024 marked a significant milestone in the state’s resilient tourism sector, concluding with a strong showcase of its diverse destinations known for their year-round appeal. The four-day event, organized by the KTM Society, emphasized wedding and cruise tourism, attracting over 2,800 buyers and featuring 347 stalls, making this the busiest edition in the mart’s history. In a bid to promote sustainability, the event adopted a paperless approach using a dedicated software app, further enhancing Kerala’s international reputation as a top tourist destination. The final day drew a large crowd, with many members of the public flocking…
The Thai Consulate in Mumbai and the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT) organised an event “Promoting Peace Through Tourism” on September 21 in Mumbai. The event witnessed the presence of consuls general and eminent personalities from the travel trade. It highlighted how tourism can be a harbinger of peace in the world. Additionally, it showcased Thai cuisine and offered many fun activities, including a lucky draw for a round-trip ticket to Thailand. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) also played an important role to make the occasion a grand success. Speaking on the occasion, Donnawit Poolsawat, Consul General…
Bintan Resorts and VFS Global recently hosted an engaging familiarization trip for Indian travel media, showcasing the charm of Bintan, an Indonesian island just a 60-minute ferry ride from Singapore. Six travel journalists explored the destination’s luxury and adventure, experiencing its diverse accommodations and thrilling activities firsthand, with the aim of sharing their stories with readers. The journey began with a smooth arrival at Singapore’s Changi Airport, where the group enjoyed its state-of-the-art facilities. A comfortable, air-conditioned ferry ride transported them to Bintan, followed by a short drive to Natra Bintan, a Tribute Portfolio Resort by Marriott. This unique resort…
During the pandemic, Jyoti Mayal, President, TAAI, emerged as a powerful advocate, tirelessly working for refunds and the resumption of flights. She collaborated closely with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and international airlines to facilitate the reopening of flights and borders, all while ensuring essential health protocols were implemented. Additionally, she played a crucial role in reintegrating airlines into the Global Distribution System (GDS), enhancing accessibility and affordability for both travel agents and customers. Beyond her efforts to restore industry operations, Mayal is a dedicated champion of gender-sensitive tourism, prioritizing the safety and comfort of female travellers. Her advocacy has…
TAAI President Jyoti Mayal’s priority moving forward is to simplify the business processes for travel agents and stakeholders, particularly at the grassroots level, where smaller agents are the backbone of the industry. “I’m optimistic about the potential of technology to empower these agents, giving them access to the tools they need to thrive in a competitive market. Protecting our smaller agents would be my priority in this term and I’m looking forward to ensuring the ease of doing business when it comes to this vector,” said Mayal. Mayal is also working closely with the central government, and also pushing for…
The Intrepid Foundation, the non-profit arm of Intrepid Travel—the world’s largest adventure tourism provider—has launched Holy City Rickshaws to promote sustainable travel in Varanasi. This initiative features ten e-rickshaws operated by female drivers in partnership with ACCESS Development, a not-for-profit organization. Holy City Rickshaw represents a significant step in Intrepid’s commitment to sustainable tourism and community empowerment, offering employment opportunities to women from low-income households. The flag-off ceremony took place at IUCTE, Sundar Bagia, Naria-BLW Road, Varanasi, attended by notable figures including Rajendra Kumar Rawat, Deputy Director of the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department, and Prof. Prem Narayan Singh, Director of…