Travel Trade Journal - TTJ September 2024

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Dear Reader,
As the festive season approaches and the spirit of travel ignites, we are delighted to guide you through the latest inspirations for your clients' next remarkable journey.
Welcome to TTJ’s Cruise Special. In this issue, we embark on an exploration of outbound cruise tourism, showcasing some of the world’s most captivating destinations. From the awe-inspiring fjords of Norway and the uncharted icy landscapes of Antarctica to the enchanting rivers of Europe, we have carefully curated features that are sure to ignite curiosity and inspire visions of exceptional adventures at sea.
Beyond our focus on cruises, this issue offers a wealth of content, covering hotels, airlines, and events, as well as insightful familiarisation trip reports to further expand your knowledge. Additionally, we highlight the rich cultural significance of Uttar Pradesh’s Kumbh Mela, an unparalleled experience that is both spiritually and culturally transformative.
Thank you for your continuous support. We hope this season fills your business with new opportunities, and your journeys with new stories to tell.

Here’s to a season of exploration, celebration, and discovery!

Distribution networks and consolidators shaping India's cruise industry

Cruising, as a vacation option, continues to be one of the fastest-growing and most resilient sectors in global tourism. As cruise tourism surges to new heights, we seek to understand the latest trends emerging in the Indian cruise market. TTJ spoke to some key B2B players in the Indian cruise space to delve into the evolving demand, needs, challenges, and new developments.

3 mins

'The future of cruising looks optimistic but demands strategic adaptation'

With his extensive knowledge and expertise, Nishith Saxena, Founder and Director, Cruise Professionals, provides valuable insights into various aspects of cruising. With us, he shares his perspectives on the evolving demands of Indian travellers, the dynamics of luxury cruising, and the strategic responses to industry challenges, offering a broader view of the cruise landscape.

3 mins

Cruising the Heart of Europe with VIVA

The Indian traveller's romance with Europe is an enduring affair, whether exploring by land on coach tours, sailing on sea cruises, or uncovering the wonders of Northern Europe, Western Europe, and the Mediterranean. Indians have been visiting Europe for long and returning year after year to discover more. TTJ met with Rony Broun, Regional Vice President Sales and Marketing, VIVA Cruises, on his visit to India to learn more about river cruising.

2 mins

Uniworld connects Indian travellers to a world of luxury and eco-conscious river cruising

Uniworld Boutique Cruises is enhancing its offerings with a focus on luxury, unique experiences, and sustainability. Henry Yu, Managing Director, Asia, Uniworld Boutique Cruises, discusses how the company is tailoring its services to emerging markets like India, unveiling new itineraries, and introducing innovative ships. He also highlights Uniworld's pioneering sustainability efforts, including waste reduction and ambitious carbon-neutral goals.

3 mins

Carnival demonstrates a proactive approach to customer satisfaction and market expansion

Dipti Adhia, Director at Discover the World - India and representative of Carnival Cruise Line in the country, provides insights into the cruise line's remarkable growth and innovation. Carnival is expanding its fleet, enhancing global offerings, and introducing exclusive destinations, all while catering to the diverse needs and preferences of travellers.

3 mins

MSC sees rising demand from India's fly-cruise market for short and long-haul voyages

MSC Cruises is expanding its reach and enhancing its offerings with a strong focus on sustainability and luxury. Leena Brahme, Business Head, Sharaf Travel, GSA-MSC Cruises, provides insights into MSC's growth in emerging markets like India, emphasising the company's commitment to Italian hospitality and innovative cruising experiences.

3 mins

HMA represents three innovative cruise lines that shell out extraordinary travel experiences

Holiday Moods Adventures (HMA) is a distributor for three international cruise companies in India, namely Havila Voyages, Swan Hellenic, and Viking Line. Tejbir Singh Anand and Arshdeep Anand, Directors of Holiday Moods Adventures, emphasise that each of these brands offers a unique approach to discovering new horizons, blending luxury, comfort, and exceptional experiences to cater to the varied tastes of the Indian audience.

3 mins

Griffon offers exclusive British cruise experiences for Indian travellers with Cunard

Griffon Cruises, based in Mumbai, specialises in European cruise destinations including the Baltics, the Mediterranean, the Aegean Sea, and the Red Sea. The company now focuses on promoting Cunard Line, the renowned British cruise line. Vivek Jain, Managing Director, Griffon Cruises, is enthusiastic about this new addition and shares more about the exciting opportunities it brings.

2 mins

Stirring Disney Magic into Asian Waters

The burgeoning Asian cruise market has drawn the attention of Disney Cruise Line, which is now set for its Asia debut with the launch of Disney Adventure, from Singapore in 2025. In a recent interview with TTJ, Sarah Fox, Vice President and Regional General Manager for Asia, and Lloyd Machado, Director of Hotel, New Build, and Dry Dock Operations, at Disney Cruise Line, shared insights into the enchanting new ship that promises to captivate cruise lovers and family vacationers alike.

4 mins

Antarctica21 charting enchanting adventures in the world's most remote destination

Juan Cristobal Del Pedregal Bravo, Senior Commercial Director, Antarctica21, details how their cruise company pioneered the air-cruise model to Antarctica, overcoming initial challenges to become a global leader in the white continent exploration. He also highlights their tailored approach for Indian travellers, emphasising the comfort, efficiency, and sustainability aspects of their cruises. Their strategy aligns seamlessly with India's growing interest in exclusive, high-end travel experiences.

5 mins

NCL breaking new ground in cruise offerings

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is committed to providing immersive and flexible travel experiences, aiming to meet their global clientele's evolving diverse needs and preferences. With TTJ, Manoj Singh, Country Head, Norwegian Cruise Line, highlights the cruise line's strategic focus on expanding its appeal to Indian travellers with new itineraries and innovative ships. While emphasising various aspects of NCL's offerings, he also discusses efforts to foster partnerships with the travel trade to address challenges, ensuring a seamless journey for all guests that goes beyond just the cruise.

5 mins

Avalon Waterways strengthens ties with Indian market to boost presence and appeal

Avalon Waterways remains steadfast in its commitment to excellence, continually expanding its global reach. Varesh Chopra, Managing Director, Avalon Waterways, South Asia and the Middle East, offers key insights into what distinguishes Avalon in the river cruising industry. His perspectives highlight Avalon's unique approach to river cruising and its strategic focus on strengthening its presence in the dynamic Indian market and beyond.

4 mins

From Southeast Asia to the Middle East

Resorts World Cruises, a pioneer in innovative hospitality at sea, continues to expand its offerings, including the highly anticipated Resorts World One homeporting in Dubai. Naresh Rawal, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Resorts World Cruises (South Asia and the Middle East), oversees the strategic leadership and operational management in both regions and is dedicated to enhancing fly-cruise experiences and overcoming operational challenges in the growing Indian market.

4 mins

Singapore reinforces its role as a premier hub for exceptional cruising in Asia

With a focus on enhancing infrastructure, expanding offerings, and catering to Indian travellers, Markus Tan, Regional Director for India, Middle East, South Asia, and Africa (IMESA), Singapore Tourism Board (STB), showcases Singapore's evolving role in global cruise tourism.

2 mins

TÜRKIYE - At the Crossroads of Two Continents

Spanning both Europe and Asia, Türkiye is a remarkable blend of ancient Greco-Roman heritage, the Byzantine Empire, and the legacy of the Ottoman Sultans. This convergence creates a progressive Türkiye that proudly celebrates its modern achievements while seamlessly co-existing with its rich historic past. An ancient empire that presented the tulip to the modern world, where the motifs of the carnation, tulip, and pomegranate still inspire its artists and weavers to create pieces of art that adorn many a living room mantle worldwide. A recent trip to Türkiye took us to Istanbul and beyond to discover more.

6 mins

Maldives' Tourism Renaissance

As bilateral relations between the two nations continue on the path to improvement, the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) is amongst the organisations leading efforts to revitalise tourism from the Indian market. In an exclusive interview, Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO and Managing Director, MMPRC, provided a comprehensive overview of the strategies and initiatives designed to reverse the recent decline in Indian tourist arrivals.

2 mins

Asego addresses both traditional and new-age travel risks

Asego is leading the way in travel insurance with innovative products that meet the needs of modern globetrotters, offering comprehensive global coverage. Dev Karvat, Founder and CEO, Asego, highlights the company's strategic alignment with both inbound and domestic travel trends, providing tailored travel insurance solutions for today's travellers. Asego's commitment to diverse travel experiences and its emphasis on trust and reliability in the travel trade ensure its prominence in the dynamic travel landscape.

2 mins

WelcomHeritage Bringing Luxury to Offbeat Destinations

In a world where travel preferences constantly evolve, WelcomHeritage stands as a symbol of timeless luxury and heritage preservation. Since its modest beginnings in 1997, the brand has grown into a collection of 35 distinct properties that offer more than just a stay; they provide a journey through India's royal history, natural beauty, and cultural richness. As travel trends shift toward authenticity and responsibility, Abinash Manghani, CEO, WelcomHeritage, shares how the brand is redefining luxury travel for the modern adventurer.

2 mins

Etrav continues to elevate its B2B strategies with advanced technology solutions

Henil Ruparelia, Managing Director, Etrav Tech Limited, highlights the company's impressive growth and strategic advancements. Headquartered in Surat with operations in Mumbai, Etrav has expanded globally, embracing innovative technologies and enhancing B2B offerings, thereby solidifying its position in the travel industry.

3 mins

SMALL LUXURY HOTELS OF THE WORLD

Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), founded in 1991 and headquartered in the UK, is renowned for its luxury boutique hotels across the globe that offer personalised experiences with local flair. Mark Wong, Senior Vice President - Asia Pacific, SLH, who drives the brand's growth and visibility in the region, recently visited India. TTJ interacted with Wong about the exciting hotel brand and its foray into the Indian market.

4 mins

With a forward-looking strategy, IndiGo is well-positioned to lead the aviation industry in India

As IndiGo marks 18 years of soaring success, Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales, IndiGo, unveils the airline's dynamic vision for the future. From ambitious fleet expansions to innovative customer experiences, the airline is set to redefine travel in India and beyond. With a robust strategy aligning with India's growing aviation sector, IndiGo aims to connect more destinations and elevate passenger comfort on its journey towards 2030.

4 mins

EGYPTAIR celebrates a year of connectivity and growth on the New Delhi-Cairo Route

In August 2023, EGYPTAIR launched its second Indian route with four weekly flights from New Delhi. One year into operations, TTJ spoke with Amr Ali, Country Manager, EGYPTAIR, about the journey and current offerings.

1 min

A Divine Confluence of Faith and Culture

Every 12 years, the city of Prayagraj transforms into a focal point of one of the most significant spiritual gatherings in the world—the Maha Kumbh Mela. Rooted in ancient Hindu tradition, this grand festival commemorates the mythological churning of the ocean by the gods and demons, seeking the nectar of immortality. As millions of devotees and pilgrims converge in the sacred city, they are drawn by the promise of spiritual renewal through a ritual bath in the holy waters of the Triveni Sangam, where the rivers Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati meet.

3 mins

Uttar Pradesh advances Responsible Tourism initiatives with key stakeholders

The Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable tourism with a workshop that brought together key industry stakeholders and global experts to discuss responsible tourism.

2 mins

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Travel Trade Journal Magazine Description:

Sampan Media's monthly publication 'Travel Trade Journal ' is devoted to strategic and policy issues in the travel and tourism sector covering all news and views related to agents, national & international tourism boards, hotel industry, transportation, government policies and civil aviation sector in the country.