India Outbound - May - June 2023

In this issue

Greetings from Team 𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙖 𝙊𝙪𝙩𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙.

The May-June 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 issue of 𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙖 𝙊𝙪𝙩𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 is out. If there was one common, underlying theme that has grabbed the travel and tourism world’s attention, it is sustainability. One of the world’s largest industries, in terms of its geographic and demographic reach, travel and tourism industry can play a bi grole in promoting sustainability, which will anyway benefit this industry like none other. It is also timely that the central theme of the 30th Arabian Travel Market 2023, that begins in Dubai on May 1, is sustainability. Across the breadth and depth of the industry, from airlines and airports, to other modes of transport, from hotels and attractions to tour operators and DMCs, everyone has a role to play and we present to you a snapshot on the leaders and laggards in this initiative.

In this issue, we also bring you an update on how Sri Lanka has already begun reaping the benefits of hosting its first ever in-person MICE Expo, as the country sees an uptick in enquiries from MICE and corporate players in India and other parts of the world.

Other Highlights of this issue are:

Experience: Berliner Fernsehturm

Astrotourism : New Zealand’s Dark Sky Project

City-Break : San Francisco

Culture : Immersive Bhutan through sketches

Interview : Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director, Arabian Travel Market on sustainability in the GCC nations

The issue also features several other interviews with destination leaders and airlines about their ambitions and strategies in India.

LET THE DESERTS BLOOM

As sustainable tourism becomes a household word, many destinations and tourism players move to give a green tinge to their products and services. Nowhere is the move towards sustainable tourism as clearly visible as in Gulf Cooperation Council nations which have taken huge strides and invested billions of dollars in attempts to make the Arabian desert the global capital of sustainable tourism.

8 mins

Airlines' ambitions & actions need to gain altitude

Like their peers elsewhere in the world, notably in the West, Middle East carriers have begun to move towards sustainability. However, global aviation industry needs to urgently scale up their ambitions and actions in going green.

7 mins

GCC Leads Sustainable Hospitality Race

With a huge pipeline of new hotel rooms being added over the next few years, the GCC is investing heavily in sustainability, gaining a crucial edge in the race to become global leader in sustainable hospitality.

4 mins

Sustainability is a long-term strategy, not one event theme: Danielle Curtis

Sustainability is the central theme of the 30th edition of Arabian Travel Market that will open in Dubai on May 1. But Danielle Curtis, Exhibitions Director, tells India Outbound that sustainability is a long-term strategy that has to become the norm of the industry, rather than just one event theme.

3 mins

Momentum set to grow in Indian market: Brand USA

After a gap of over three years, Brand USA conducted its first roadshow in India recently. Jackie Ennis, Vice President, Global Markets, Brand USA, who led the roadshow, tells India Outbound that India is already the fourth largest source market and that the momentum is set to grow with rising flight connectivity.

3 mins

Red Sea Global Sets Green Benchmarks

Red Sea Global, the Saudi Arabian firm that is currently developing two of the largest tourism development projects in the world, is also amongst the most ambitious in integrating sustainability in its every aspect. As it prepares to open doors to visitors later this year, it could also set ecological benchmarks for other tourism development projects, not just in the GCC, but around the world.

5 mins

Urban Sustainable Tourism: European Cities at Forefront

As travellers seek to minimise their carbon footprint due to tourism, many cities have taken initiatives to reduce carbon emissions in transport, energy and other sectors, which cater to tourists as much as the residents. India Outbound lists cities that are at the forefront of sustainability, with numerous European cities in the lead.

6 mins

Western Australia: A unique experience in a unique environment

With a strong recovery in Indian outbound tourism, Western Australia is looking to build the momentum with several key initiatives planned for the market, says Roger Cook, Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism, Western Australia.

3 mins

Dark Sky: Where The World Ends And Sky Begins

New Zealand's Southern Lights' symphony of psychedelic colours have long entranced aurora hunters. To further boost astrotourism, New Zealand has launched the Dark Sky Project that is attracting stargazers and photographers alike.

6 mins

India to be Saudi Arabia's largest source market

In its bid to increase tourist arrivals to 100 million by 2030, Saudi Arabia has zeroed into India as the go-to market to get there. Alhasan Aldabbagh, President of APAC Markets at Saudi Tourism Authority, tells India Outbound that he is targetting to increase Indian arrivals from 1 million in 2022 to 2 million this year and 12 million by 2030, making India its biggest source market.

3 mins

San Francisco: Vintage yet Vibrant

A vibrant and unique city on the West Coast of United States, San Francisco is a delight, not just for the first-time tourists, but also for the repeat visitors.

5 mins

Berliner Fernsehturm: Bird's eye view of Berlin's past and future

Berliner Fernsehturm or Berlin TV Tower is an iconic landmark of the German capital and a must-see for any tourist for its unique experiences.

3 mins

Exploring marine biodiversity with Lisbon Ocean Experience

In a unique initiative, Oceanário de Lisboa has launched a cruise to allow visitors to explore marine biodiversity, in its natural habitat.

3 mins

Breaking barriers at the Great Barrier Reef

Though it is one of the top attractions in Australia, going diving or snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef required me to break many of my internal barriers.

5 mins

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India Outbound Magazine Description:

India Outbound is a magazine promoting Foreign Destinations in India. India is one of the fastest growing tourism markets not only in France but all over Europe. In 2010, over 12 million Indians travelled overseas as against 5.5 million visitors to India...