Turkey, a tourism powerhouse in the world, has proposed to the Indian Ministry of Tourism […]
Year: 2016
Ethiopian Airline doubles flights from Delhi; fastest connect to S. America on the cards
As the Ethiopian Airlines unveils additional flight from Delhi on a daily basis, India and […]
The power of branding and the Marriott advantage across all brands
On the opening day, on the sidelines of the HOSI Summit, TourismFirst caught up with […]
Hyatt Hotels stay steady, on course, not chasing numbers and delivering quality
TourismFirst interviewed Peter Fulton, Group President, EAME & SW Asia, Hyatt Hotels and Arun Saraf, […]
“MakeMyTrip is aggressively tapping into the hotel booking segment”
Indian online major MakeMyTrip’s recently launched television campaign is being viewed by many as company’s […]
Air Mauritius brings extra flights from Delhi/Mumbai; will fly from Chennai and Bengaluru from 2017
Talking to TF on the sidelines of Mauritius tourism promotion event, Vinit G, Manager – […]
Rationalize taxes, synchronise efforts for MICE to flourish in India, say industry stakeholders
As ASSOCHAM and ICPB came together to hold a seminar on MICE tourism in India, […]
Farooq Shah back as Secretary Tourism; reiterates commitment to developing tourism in J&K
Farooq Shah – who has previously served as the MD, JKTDC; MD, J&K Cable Car […]
Hotels muscle up their online presence to counter aggregators’ onslaught
Driven by stronger online presence, loyalty programs and mediums like apps, to offer personalisation of […]
Indian hospitality to be a major focus area of a transforming TripAdvisor
Here is a hypothetical calculation which well underlines the strength of the world’s leading travel […]
Macau has all the ingredients to make it a family and cultural destination; incentives helping drive MICE
‘The Vegas of East’ has many facets that are yet to find traction in the […]
“We are a positive disruptive force,” says OYO
When you engage OYO’s founder Ritesh Agarwal in a candid conversation, barring his youthful exuberance, […]
Hospitality leaders vote for India, confident of growth momentum in the coming years
With the economic fortune of the developed markets continuing to stay in a sluggish mode […]
Jordan keen to augment wedding segment; sets sight on new markets to enhance footfalls
Jordan is a nation with plenty of tourist attractions. A concoction of ancient ruins and […]
Hotel industry should keep an eye on air infrastructure development: Kapil Kaul
Lack of airport infrastructure momentum at some of the major destinations in the country could […]
Holiday Inn brands to drive IHG’s expansion in India, not averse to more JVs
At a time when developed markets are struggling to shrug off the saturation growth trends […]
Involving local community a must in creating experiences for visitors: Akhil Behl
Akhil Behl – CEO, Ayana Hospitality believes that Indian hospitality sector has started taking small […]
Industry settling down with better rates ahead, 2016 poised for growth
Owing to the end of supply pressures and robust demand, primarily from the leisure domestic […]
Indian Hospitality: In the midst of a tectonic technological shift
Hospitality is clearly the next big frontier for players in the online booking space with […]
Booking.com set to grow its Indian inventory; domestic bookings in the driving seat
Priceline Group CEO Darren Huston had recently commented: “India seems to have unending potential for […]
Delhi and Mumbai may soon have direct flights to Male: Maldivian envoy
Maldives and India have been close partners for many years. The diplomatic ties between the […]
Branded budget hotel chains driving online bookings, says Google travel trends report
Buoyed by the growth in online bookings, existing and new hotels are going to add […]
Turkey keen to form joint working group to promote tourism
Turkey, a tourism powerhouse in the world, has proposed to the Indian Ministry of Tourism […]
AAP government’s second budget paves way for pushing ‘Brand Delhi’
About a month back, Delhi tourism minister Kapil Mishra had promised that the AAP government’s second […]
Phillip Island showcases the power of conservation in creating a unique product
Not many places in the world can boast of activities where tourists can hand-feed Koala […]
Ethiopian Airline doubles frequency from Delhi; strengthens fastest connect to S. America and African continent
In a clear sign of growing bilateral connect between India and Ethiopia, Ethiopian Airline has […]
Stakeholders moot comprehensive roadmap for sustainable wildlife tourism
As TOFT brought together top resort and hotel owners who have strived to inculcate best […]
Jet moves its European hub to Schiphol; promises convenient connectivity to over 40 global destinations
In a significant strategic move, India’s premier airline Jet Airways has announced shifting its European […]
RDG, Rs.2500 fare likely to stay in new policy; regional connectivity to be the main thrust
At a recently held summit in Delhi, the top government functionaries subtly indicated the possible […]
India’s market big enough to accommodate OTAs and industry’s growth
Given that a miniscule percentage of the total bookings are happening online – which ranges […]
Alliance Air to speed up regional connectivity; Washington next overseas, after Vienna
For the national carrier Air India, the forthcoming summer season would be the period to […]
Ibis will continue its strong supply growth with a mix of debt and equity: J B Singh
With over 700 rooms in the pipeline, in the next few months, IBIS will somewhat […]
The 5/20 saga continues: warring sides take pot shots, await the final word
Possibly, this is the one loose end that is holding back the announcement of the […]
IndiGo receives its first A320 neo aircraft; 22 percent increase in fleet projected in 2016-17
In December last year, Airbus had informed its global customers that that there would be […]
Video content is the new growth tool for HolidayIQ; to bring in Asian destinations
Bengaluru-based HolidayIQ, India’s largest online travel community platform, is moving to the next stage of […]
Italy bets on its areas of expertise to boost bilateral trade and tourism
Bilateral trade has long been the most reliable barometer of engagement between nations. Going by […]
Wyndham looks at minimum 60 flags in India by 2018 end
After making a relatively slow start in India in 2000, the mid-segment global hospitality major […]
India continues to be Bhutan’s top source market; Buddhist tourism continues to power footfalls
Bhutan’s uniqueness not only lies in its plethora of sites and temples that make it […]
Oman’s niche offerings, robust marketing could create a pull for the outbound
Given that Oman’s reputation as a wedding destination has risen in the last few years, […]
JetSetGo to raise $4.5 million in the first quarter from HNIs
India’s only marketplace platform to book private air charters is likely to raise fresh funds […]
Rs.20,000 cr commitment for Maharastra tourism at ‘Make in India’ summit
The investment MoUs signed by Maharastra Tourism at the recently held “Make in India” summit […]
2016-17 will witness transformation of Delhi tourism: Kapil Mishra
According to Delhi Tourism Minister, the forthcoming state budget will mark the beginning of a […]
‘Distress’ an over used word in hospitality, notes Ajay Bakaya
Ajay Bakaya contends that hoteliers wanting to sell off their properties must be realistic in […]
India invests in Maldives hotels; Minister Moosa Zameer assures more flights
Maldives has a similar culture and cuisine which binds both the nations, feels Maldives Tourism […]
Lavasa demonstrates the power of new cities, says CEO Rajiv Duggal
Lavasa’s ascent as a tourist destination underlines the power of creating new infrastructure and is […]
Budget emphasizes thrust on regional connectivity
Prima facie, the budget 2016-17 of the NDA government presents a mixed picture when it […]
70% allocation hike for tourism infrastructure development
Even as Arun Jaitely’s third budget does not seem to have gone down well with […]
“Inbound tourism should be a key concern of aviation policy”
The Director General of Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (a formidable trade body representing 16 […]
High-altitude lakes may emerge as the next big draw for J&K tourism
J&K’s tourism product has been growing steadily for some time now. It is centered around […]
Augment port infra to compete, says Monarch Cruise CEO
As Monarch Cruise unveiled a never before concoction of Bollywood and cricket to luxury cruising […]
Hong Kong’s Harbour City mall exhibits the power of shopping in boosting footfalls
Shopping is a major tourist draw and destinations can leverage it to boost their tourism […]
The Pride Hotels may explore IPO route in 2-3 years, reveals S P Jain
The Pride Hotels will keep expanding but without over-burdening themselves with debt, says the MD. […]
Indian outbound travel remains robust, amidst currency fluctuations
Given the fluctuation in the rupee, vis-à-vis the dollar and other currencies, some interesting outbound […]
Our wish list for tourism in this budget
On the concluding day of this rarest February (all seven days of the week have […]
Cirrus Aircraft sets shop in India, banking on improvement in regional and remote connectivity
US-based Cirrus Aircraft, globally known for its five-seven seater planes, is eyeing India as a […]
MoCA likely to retain Rs 2500 price cap for regional connectivity
Even as the civil aviation ministry mandarins are keeping their cards close to their chest […]
The Park plans big-ticket push for Zone brand; targets 20 units by 2020
For The Park’s mid-segment baby (Zone brand) which had taken its first step in Coimbatore […]
J&K set to intensify tourism through monthly festivals, informs Secretary Shah
As J&K launched a road show, in the capital recently, Secretary Farooq Shah said that […]
We will focus on IT, pharma, F&B and equestrian sector to boost bilateral connect: Irish envoy
Sister Nivedita, Annie Besant, James Cousins and W B Yeats are some of the important […]
Kurukshetra to be brought on world tourism map, assures Haryana CM
Haryana is pinning its hope in Krishna Circuit to revive its tourism fortune. It is […]
Nevada keen on enhanced student exchange and ‘sister cities’, says Lt. Governor
Nevada needs no introduction. With the iconic Las Vegas by its side, its tourism pull […]
Kuoni Group valued at Rupees 9,800 crores; Zubin to continue as CEO of both Kuoni Group and VFS Global
EQT, one of Europe’s leading private equity houses founded by Investor AB, Scandinavia’s largest industrial […]
Jet Airways’ turnaround plan is on course, claims outgoing CEO; codeshare agreements result in 26 percent additional traffic
With buoyancy returning back to Indian aviation business since late 2014 with a significant decline […]
Enhanced economic exchange key to stronger tourism connect, notes Mongolian Ambassador
As Mongolia and India celebrate sixty years of diplomatic ties, it is time to re-look […]
SIA’s another affiliate scooting into India; will connect three destinations before May end
Aviation observers are somewhat perplexed with Scoot. A subsidiary of global aviation major Singapore Airlines […]
Pressure on yields may impact profitability in 2016-17, says CAPA
While the latest outlook on the business environment in the aviation sector in 2016-17 released […]
Air India Express to enhance capacity by 40% in 2016-17; connect New Delhi
For the international low-cost subsidiary of Air India, 2016-17 is going to be a critical […]
“City pairing is a major opportunity in Asian countries”
Peter Harbison, Executive Chairman, CAPA made an extensive presentation at agency’s annual summit pointing out […]
Telangana all set to initiate Tollywood tourism, expecting to add a major attraction for the visitors
In its bid to offer defining niche products to shore up tourists footfall, the youngest […]
Culinary tourism needs innovation and marketing to succeed
In what could give a serious booster shot to projecting India’s culinary diversity and depth, […]
MP tourism to invite bids for two land parcels near Indirasagar before February end
MP tourism which is seeking aggressive private sector participation in developing new tourism products in […]
Indonesia to target tier-2 and 3 cities; direct flights may commence after Garuda Airline’s fleet expansion
Indonesia is aiming to widen its presence in India by focusing on secondary and tertiary […]
Looking beyond Russia; diversifying through adventure activities, says Nikhil Desai
As the Russian influx sees a major drop in volume, Goa is eyeing newer markets […]
Literary festivals can transform destinations, says Sonjoy Roy of JLF
Literary festivals are becoming more than just a pursuit for brainstorming and displaying literary genius. […]
OYO aspires to bring every under-utilized real-estate online, says Ritesh Agarwal
Speaking at the third Global Hospitality Conclave, Ritesh Agarwal shared his vision of transforming nation’s […]
Hotels.com sees e-commerce providers lean back on ‘personalisation’ trend
Spurt in users of online bookings is swiftly creating a new trend – rise in […]
Optiontown keen to enhance its presence in India; to tie-up with more airlines
The global air travel platform which tends to provide high-end value added service going beyond […]
Rail Yatri to offer hotel booking in a month’s time; targeting religious destinations in the first spell
Noida headquartered Rail Yatri, the technology start-up which is graduating from being an information provider […]
India SA’s biggest market in Asia; will continue to invest more here than in China, says Hanneli Slabber
Hoping to regain the lost steam because of the visa mismanagement issue, Hanneli Slabber, Country […]
Big Data Power- How can Indian hospitality make the most of it?
Deciphering individual behaviour pattern by using big data analytics is believed to be subtly ushering […]
Inland Waterways expansion also includes connecting religious sites Eight locations identified along Brahamputra and Ganga
The National Inland Waterways Bill, 2015 is slated to get the final clearance during the […]
Lowering prices will affect exclusivity of a luxury train; exploring avenues to make business viable, reasons CMD, IRCTC
Brushing aside concerns of low occupancy in luxury trains, A K Manocha CMD, IRCTC called […]
Policies for tourism and civil aviation need synergy
What does travel and tourism look like in the year ahead? The Indian economy will […]
More connectivity will boost numbers; explore cinema and theatre, suggests Korean envoy
In an exclusive with TF, Korean envoy Cho Hyun shared that with a palpable sense […]
India second biggest Asian market for Sweden Massive investment in tourism to boost online outreach
As Sweden embarks on an ambitious undertaking, infusing over 70 million SEK in the tourism […]
Sarovar group to open six new properties in 2016; eyeing opportunity in the Middle-East
The expansion drive of domestic hospitality mid-segment major, Sarovar Group, is all set to roll […]
Leela to unveil a comprehensive future roadmap; Agra, Jaipur projects to commence before May
2016 is going to be a critical year for the domestic hospitality major Leela Hotels […]
“Kaun Banega Brand Ambassador”
Even as an official announcement is still awaited from government quarters, the guessing game is […]
Golden Tulip targets to double its size in India by 2017 end; toying with inorganic options
Golden Tulip’s journey in India since 2007 has been of slow and steady nature. But […]
Neemrana’s heritage excellence finds a new expression; Tijara Fort property gets ready for commissioning
Neemrana’s passion for heritage property restoration and management will now have a new signpost – […]
“More than anything else, we need to fix the foundation first”, says Rakesh Sarna
He was most informally attired, as his flight from Male to Mumbai was diverted through […]
Niche segments take off in Madhya Pradesh with launch of Jal Mahotsav
The state has unveiled an annual festival which aims to promote water based tourism, besides […]
Tailwinds for the aviation sector in 2016 as oil prices bring about a sea change
The ripple effect was all to see and feel! Starting with the decline in oil […]
National carrier to embark on a major capacity addition; eyeing for more non-stop international options
With a possible addition of nearly 30 new aircrafts in its fleet by 2016-17 fiscal […]
Staunch supporter for tourism passes away: in Mufti, we had a close friend of the industry
Ever since he took over the mantle of the state once again, from day one, […]
