Washington, DC’s $10.2 billion tourism industry is poised for continued growth, driven by major international events and notable openings, according to Destination DC (DDC), the official marketing organization for the capital. At its annual Marketing Outlook Meeting held at the Washington Hilton, DDC outlined strategies to build on the success of its “Only One DC” campaign and capitalize on upcoming events, such as the presidential inauguration and WorldPride 2025. “India continues to be a market of top importance to Washington, DC, welcoming 165,100 Indian visitors in 2023,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, President and CEO of DDC. “The market is…
Author: Prasenjit Chakraborty
Turkiye has launched a new tech visa program to attract foreign entrepreneurs, aiming to enhance its economy and innovation sector. Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacir announced the initiative, which offers expedited work permits for up to three years for foreign nationals starting businesses in the country. The program provides tax benefits, mentoring, healthcare coverage, and access to innovation centers, according to Xinhua news agency. Officials aim to strengthen local workforce capabilities and diversify the innovation ecosystem. This initiative also addresses concerns over brain drain, as many highly educated Turks, particularly doctors and engineers, have sought opportunities in Europe…
Goa Tourism celebrated a significant achievement at the India Travel Mart (ITM) Amritsar 2024 by winning the Best Pavilion Award. Ajay Gupta, Chairman & Managing Director of India Travel Mart, presented the award to Deepak Narvekar, Deputy General Manager of Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), and Rodlin Mascarenhas, Assistant Director of the Department of Tourism, Goa. Goa’s pavilion stood out with an engaging display of the state’s rich cultural heritage, regenerative tourism initiatives, and diverse travel experiences. Its vibrant representation and commitment to sustainable tourism captivated visitors and industry leaders alike. Speaking on the occasion, Suneel Anchipaka, Director of Tourism,…
The Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT) held a virtual meeting recently to update travel agents, tour operators, media professionals, and the broader travel community in India about the current situation in Israel. Led by Hassan Madah, Director of North America Marketing and Administration, and Amruta Bangera, Director of Marketing for IMOT India, the meeting focused on traveller safety. IMOT assured participants that most of Israel is open to tourism, despite heightened attention in certain border regions. The discussion also clarified practical travel concerns, including the visa process, travel insurance options, and multiple-entry visa requirements. Attendees learned about Israel’s diverse offerings,…
Hosts three-city roadshow across Mumbai, Delhi & Hyderabad The Iran Tourism Board recently made its first foray in India with its roadshows in Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad which attracted a healthy crowd. The main objective was to enhance tourism relations between India and Iran. By interacting with Indian travel agents and tourism professionals, the board sought to forge strong business ties and promote Iran as a premier travel destination. The delegation was headed by Aliasghar Shalbafian Hosseinabadi, the Deputy of Tourism at the Iran Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Ministry. Speaking exclusively to TravelBiz Monitor on the sidelines of the…
The Iran Tourism Board has successfully wrapped up its three-city roadshow in India, designed to highlight Iran’s rich cultural heritage and diverse travel opportunities. The tour kicked off in Mumbai on September 10th, moved to Hyderabad on September 12th, and concluded today in New Delhi. The roadshow featured prominent Iranian dignitaries, including Aliasghar Shalbafian Hosseinabadi, Deputy of Tourism at the Iran Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Ministry; Moslem Shojaee, Director General for International Tourism Promotion; H.E. Mofidifar, Acting Consul General of Iran in Mumbai; and Rahul Narwekar, Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. The primary goal was to strengthen tourism…
Sharjah, one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is quickly becoming a top tourism hotspot. To attract more visitors from India, the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) recently hosted a roadshow in Mumbai, which saw strong participation from the city’s travel trade sector. At the event, Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA, highlighted Sharjah’s progress and its expanding range of attractions. “We are making significant advances, particularly in adventure tourism and eco-tourism, which is increasingly popular globally,” Midfa remarked. One of Sharjah’s latest highlights is the Hanging Garden, featuring expansive green areas, flower-adorned…
The Government of Zimbabwe and private sector players are keen to promote the country’s tourism destinations in India. In this effort, the Zimbabwe Tourism Industry, in association with BRANDit, organised a roadshow in Mumbai. The initiative was driven by Zimbabwe’s private sector players, highlighting India’s growing importance as a key source market. Seventeen exhibitors from hotels, destination management companies (DMCs), luxury tour operators, helicopter operators, and other sectors participated in the event. Later, speaking to the media on the sidelines of the event, Tongai M. Mnangagwa, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Government of Zimbabwe, expressed encouragement with the…
The Enterprising Travel Agents Association (ETAA) recently held its inaugural roadshow in Mumbai. The event featured 25 exhibitors from various sectors of the travel and tourism industry. Jagat Mehta, National Director, ETAA, shared with TravelBiz Monitor that while the event was modest in scale, it provided a more personalised experience for exhibitors and buyers. “We will assess the success of this event, and consider organising similar shows in other cities. If all goes well, we plan to continue this initiative after Diwali,” Mehta said. Dipti Pradhan Thakur, National Director & Event Head, ETAA, noted that ETAA has a history of…
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan instructed top officials to prioritise safety and hygiene at tourism centers and promote homestay tourism. Following a review of the state’s tourism sector, Vijayan urged homestay operators to obtain GST registration and local licenses before starting their businesses. He directed officials to maintain cleanliness and proper facilities in public toilets, showrooms, cloakrooms, and dormitories at tourist sites. The Tourism department is tasked with expanding its clean destination campaign to ensure beaches, holiday spots, and hill resorts remain litter-free, employing sanitation workers for timely and effective waste management. Vijayan also called for stringent measures against houses and…