Travel Trade Journal - April 2023

In this issue

With the onset of summer vacations, Indians are planning overseas trips with renewed vigour. While interest in traditionally popular destinations remains high, Indian travellers are now expanding their travel horizons and looking to explore new exotic locales abroad.

In this context, India’s fast-growing outbound business is being wooed by many and today, NTOs, DMCs, cruises, airlines and hotels around the globe are eyeing and enticing the Indian traveller. Last month, we received a great deal of interest from the outbound players in line with the upcoming summer season, and our TTJ April 2023 issue reflects their sentiments. Besides a great deal of outbound travel, the issue features a few destination reports, interviews, a feature on TCS, and a lot of advertisers with tempting offers to keep you occupied.

To conclude, it is encouraging to see Indian travellers exploring different destinations both within India and abroad with a more positive outlook towards travel.

Happy Reading!

TCS Tightening the Noose

In a post-GST and COVID environment, the government bowled a bouncer with the introduction of a 5 per cent TCS on outbound travel. For an industry that was and is still gasping for a fresh lease of life, it was a hit below the belt. Immediate appeals and representations followed hoping for review and redressal but barely had the industry put its pen down to take a breather, the \"Death Knell\" struck! or at least that is how it is widely perceived. TCS rates are now hiked to 20 per cent and with the passing of the finance bill in the parliament is now a law. The industry stands shellshocked, still trying to find the rationale behind this move. TTJ spoke to the captains of the industry to understand the implication, impact, and fallout of this move.

5 mins

Tourism New Zealand's Success Story in Attracting Indian Visitors

Despite the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, New Zealand's tourism industry has maintained its steady growth in Indian visitors. According to Angela Blair, GM International, Tourism New Zealand, the growth trend is expected to continue. New Zealand offers a variety of travel experiences for families, couples, and adventure seekers from India. Simultaneously, the board works closely with Indian travel agents and tour operators to promote the country as a travel destination. The country has also implemented safety measures to ensure a safe and healthy travel experience for Indian tourists.

3 mins

Western Australia eyes direct flight from India to Perth to tap into VFR market

With India being one of Western Australia's largest markets that remains unserved by a direct airline service, Hon Roger Cook, Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism, Western Australia, recently attended the CAPA India Aviation Summit in New Delhi to discuss establishing a direct flight from India to Perth. This move follows the state's tourism body meeting with top airlines in July 2022 to develop direct aviation connections between the two destinations. Western Australia's Deputy Premier highlighted various travel destinations within the state, promoting adventure, wildlife, and unique culinary experiences to attract Indian visitors.

3 mins

Travel industry is bouncing back Is your business keeping pace?

The travel industry is soaring to newer heights. With bookings and inquiries skyrocketing, we finally see the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel. According to UNWTO, a notable increase in international tourism receipts has been recorded across most destinations, in several cases higher than their growth in arrivals. As destinations worldwide reopen and welcome back travellers with open arms, the question remains, is your business ready?

3 mins

US witnesses good rebound and strong growth in Indian arrivals

Special screenings of Brand USA's bigscreen movie, 'Into Nature's Wild' in Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Bengaluru showcase the stunning natural beauty of the United States.

3 mins

Miami City: A Year-Round Destination with Something for Everyone

Beaches, nightlife, shopping, food, music, sports, art and culture... Miami is a year-round destination that has something for everyone. Joe Docal, the Director, Travel Industry Sales at the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, was recently in India for Brand USA's multi-city roadshow. A travel industry veteran, Joe started his career in the car rental industry, then moved onto the cruise industry where he worked at Cunard Line, Seabourn Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line and Costa Crociere before joining the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau in 2016. At the Greater Miami CVB, he has been responsible for working with the team of global representatives for the GMCVB, tour operators and travel advisors in key domestic and international markets. Joe is currently responsible for overseeing Europe and Emerging Markets.

2 mins

KISSIMMEE The Vacation Heart of Florida

On the Northwest shore of Lake Tohopekaliga, in the heart of Sunny Florida, just a 20-minute taxi ride from the Orlando International Airport, and in close proximity to all the major attractions like Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, Legoland, and the Kennedy Space Centre lies a town that goes by the synonym 'Vacation Home Capital of the World, Kissimmee.' TTJ interacted with Yinglu Tian, Director, International and Domestic Sales, Experience Kissimmee, who recently visited India to share with the Indian travel fraternity, the latest developments and offerings that the region offers across the various travel segments.

3 mins

Destination DC keen on investing to encourage more visitations from India.17

Capitol Building Elliott L Ferguson II serves as President and CEO of Destination DC (DDC), the official destination marketing organization for Washington, DC. In this exclusive interaction with Elliott, we get to know more about the destination which has quietly grown from a political and historical city into a serious arts, culture and gastronomical destination, this shows that the city isn't relying just on its history to attract visitors.

4 mins

From Back Office to Boardroom The Evolution of Priyanka Nijhawan and Nijhawan Representations

Priyanka Nijhawan, Director, Nijhawan Group, in an exclusive interview with Travel Trade Journal, shared her journey from a maths and computer science student to becoming an integral part of Nijhawan Group's representation vertical. Her journey began in 2005 when she started handling the backoffice accounts. After taking a sabbatical to focus on her family, she jumped back in and grew the representation vertical from just two accounts to multiple accounts and established various verticals, including PR and marketing, over the years. Today, Nijhawan Group offers end-toend solutions for B2B travel, account management, influencer campaigns, and joint marketing activities.

6 mins

Soneva Unveils Next Phase of Wellness Development Soneva Soul

The latest in cuttingedge wellness technology added to Soneva Soul's transformative treatment offering in the Maldives.

4 mins

Aitken Spence Hotels Ready to cater to Indian Travellers in the Maldives

Aitken Spence Hotels, operating 18 hotels and resorts across Maldives, Sri Lanka, India and Oman, is eyeing further expansion in the Maldives. Darell De Crusz, VP and Head, Sales and Marketing, Aitken Spence Hotels, credits the Maldives' success in handling the pandemic while keeping tourism afloat to India's efficient vaccination drive and crisis management. Aitken Spence Hotels is well-prepared to cater to the Indian traveller, with a range of Indian cuisine available at its properties. The hotel group also focuses on sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint while providing a luxury experience to its guests.

3 mins

Singapore's Bird Paradise and Mandai Wildlife West opening soon, set to thrill visitors

Visitors will soon be able to walk through Singapore's new bird park and get a glimpse of how the birds and their caretakers are settling into their new home at Bird Paradise, which softlaunches on May 8, 2023. Next to the new park, enjoy the many dining and retail options as well as playgrounds at Mandai Wildlife West, the new ungated public node which serves as the gateway to Bird Paradise and the upcoming Rainforest Wild.

2 mins

QATAR Where Blooms the Desert Rose

First mentioned in the writings of the Roman statesman, 'Pliny the Elder', around the mid-first century AD, who coined the word \"Catharrei,\" referring to the inhabitants of this region. Qatar has since come a long way today, from once being the source of some of the best pearls in the world that its pearl divers harvested, to being the poster child of the world oil economy. Today the Doha skyline boasts magnificent superstructures by leading names in architecture, malls, hotels, stadiums, and marinas that reflect the spending and buying power of a country that boasts the fourth-highest per capita income in the world. Host to the 2022 FIFA world cup, Qatar is now working to welcome the fruits of the global tourism economy as the world moves toward alternative energy sources.

4 mins

MOKSHA Luxury in the tranquil foothills of the Himalayas

Moksha Himalaya Spa Resort near Chandigarh offers a serene getaway with wellness amenities, nestled in the tranquil Himalayan foothills. This idyllic retreat offers a multi-sensory experience that pampers the mind, body, and soul. Immerse yourself in a world of natural beauty and peacefulness, where only the sounds of birds and rustling bamboo interrupt the calm.

3 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.