travelBizMonitor.com

G8 Summit 2013 provides boost to Ireland tourism

County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland was the host for the 39th G8 Summit, held yesterday and today. The event provided Tourism Ireland an opportunity to showcase Northern Ireland to potential holidaymakers around the world and to convince them to visit in 2013 and beyond, a release stated. The board had put up a programme to maximise the tourism potential of the two─day event.

Tourism Ireland promoted 'The Gathering' at the Summit this year, inviting people to the country. "It's about asking anyone who has Irish blood, a link to Ireland, or even just a love of the country to join in for a series of amazing and diverse events throughout 2013," the board stated in the release.

At the Summit, eight world leaders and their entourages comprising 7,500 international dignitaries, along with more than 2,000 journalists were present.

Hertz Corporation partners with Waterkeeper Alliance for travel planning tools

The Hertz Corporation and Navigation Solutions, a wholly─owned subsidiary of Hertz, has announced innovations to the Hertz NeverLost travel planning tools, providing an easier way for users to plan trips and explore cities in the US and Canada. Among the enhancements, Hertz has partnered with Waterkeeper Alliance to offer Waterkeeper Swim Guide, accessible via the in─car Hertz NeverLost GPS unit, a release stated. The Guide gives information like the locations of beaches, whether they are safe for swimming, local city tours, local neighborhoods, and events.

Hertz has also expanded its NeverLost My Explore mobile application (app) to include five city guides for Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, Detroit and Napa. The app is available to download.

“These innovations allow us to continue delivering the cutting─edge technology and custom content, both in and out of the car. As we kick off summer travel,

Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel gears up for 2nd 'Global Day of Discovery' tomorrow

Renaissance Hotels will celebrate, across 35 destinations worldwide, 'Global Day of Discovery' on June 19, 2013 as a part of the company's brand initiative. The second edition of the annual event will see around 100 Renaissance Hotels' brands celebrating and offering both guests and locals the opportunity to discover something new by hosting exclusive in─house RLife Live events as well as unique off─property local excursions designed by the hotel to showcase the unique personality of each destination.

Speaking to TravelBiz Monitor, Saied Heideri, General Manager, Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel, said, "Based on the philosophy of providing guests an exceptional opportunity to discover something distinctly new and indigenous, 'Global Day of Discovery' is a unique initiative by a renowned hospitality brand on an international level. In India, Renaissance Mumbai will join this initiative by offering guests a special

Integrated Tourism Circuit key to put North India on global map: CII

The development of an Integrated Tourism Circuit (ITC) is the key to put the Northern region of India on the global tourism map, since no city has ever progressed in isolation on the tourism front. This was the view echoed by Rahul Pandit, Chairman, Hospitality Core Group, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Tourism Fest 2013 and President & Executive Director, The Lemon Tree Hotel Company while addressing a roadshow on CII Tourism Fest organised in New Delhi today. “There is a need to club together and showcase to the world, a complete package which includes unique strengths and attractions of various Northern states like Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir to upscale tourist inflow in the region, both domestic and international,” said Pandit.

“Tourism contributes 5.6 per cent to India's GDP presently and there is potential to double this figure in the next ten years, considering our great heritage, beautiful locations and cheaper medical facilities. What is needed is effective and

Turkish Airlines to deploy B777─300ER on Mumbai─Istanbul route from July 1, 2013

Turkish Airlines, the flag carrier of Turkey and a member of Star Alliance Services GmbH, which currently operates daily flights from Mumbai and New Delhi to Istanbul, is set to deploy B777─300ER aircraft on the Mumbai─Istanbul route with effect from July 1, 2013. Currently, the airline operates A330─300 aircraft on this route, which has 289 seats (28 Business Class and 261 Economy Class) whereas the new B777─300 ER will have 312 seats (38 Business Class and 274 Economy Class). This information was revealed by Mehmet Akay, General Manager, Western & Southern India, Turkish Airlines. "We observed an increase in demand on Mumbai─Istanbul route and hence decided to deploy a bigger aircraft for a trial period of three months. Depending upon the performance, we will decide on whether to continue the same or no," said Akay.

He added, "Last year, Turkish Airlines enjoyed a load factor of 83 per cent on the Indian routes whereas the overall average load factor for Turkish Airlines across the globe was 78 per cent. With India registering a rising growth, we have

Tourism Flanders & Brussels conducts 3─city educational seminar in India

In its effort to promote the region in the Indian market, Tourism Flanders & Brussels conducted educational seminar titled 'Fabulous Flanders' for the travel trade in Ahmedabad, Chandigarh and Kolkata recently, as per a release. These seminars were organised to update the travel trade about the latest destination developments and product offers in Brussels and Flanders. Tourism Flanders also gave a presentation to the local business leaders on the sidelines of the seminars in Chandigarh and Ahmedabad.

Pierre Vaesen, Ambassador of Belgium, Tourism Flanders participated in a seminar titled 'Doing Business in Belgium – Your Gateway to Europe' in collaboration with the PHD Chambers of Commerce and Industries (PHDCCI) in Chandigarh. Another presentation was made during the launch of the Gujarat─chapter of Indo─Belgian─Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce & Industry in Ahmedabad.

Sarovar Hotels enters Agra, Ajmer & Bekal

Sarovar Hotels & Resorts has entered Agra (Uttar Pradesh), Ajmer (Rajasthan) and Bekal (Kerala) with the signing of one hotel in each city. The five─star Crystal Sarovar Premiere in Agra will be a luxury property with 140 keys. To be operational by 2014, it will be promoted by Shree Sharanam Real Estate Pvt. Ltd., and located on Fatehabad Road. Facilities at the upcoming hotel will include restaurants, lounge, meeting rooms, swimming pool, and a fitness centre, a release stated.
Sarovar Portico, Ajmer will feature 60 rooms, restaurants, lounge, meeting rooms, and a swimming pool. The three─star property will be promoted by Poonam Madhani, and start functioning by 2015.

Lastly, the 48─key Sarovar Portico, Bekal will be the group's second hotel in Kerala after Vasundhara Sarovar Premiere.

Groupon India to focus on wellness, travel segments for growth

Deals company Groupon India will focus on wellness, F&B and travel segments to grow its business in the Indian market. The company's contribution to its parent company Groupon International is small at present, but it expects it to grow significantly going forward, PTI reported.

"We are one of the youngest countries in Groupon's portfolio. But it is treated as extremely strategic market. Groupon as a concept is sitting on a potential of USD 2─2.5 billion," Ankur Warikoo, CEO, Groupon India, said. Groupon India sold five lakh deals in 2012─13.

"Wellness, food and beverages and travel garner dominant share of our total sales and it will continue to grow. We are positioning deal buying into a smart buying. We want to continue building deals category," Warikoo added.

Air Costa to start regional flights in South India next month

Air Costa, an Andhra Pradesh─based regional airline, will launch services from next month, as per a Business Standard report. The company will focus on its operations in South India and is planning to operate six flights in the first phase, it said yesterday. Air Costa is in the process of getting final approvals from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the sectoral regulator.

“Air Costa has chosen the state─of─the─art fly─by─wire Embraer E─Jets for their efficiency and reliability. Our plan is to link the under─served markets in India with more direct flights,” K N Babu, CEO, Air Costa, said. The airline is promoted by Vijayawada─based Lingamaneni Estates and Projects Ltd, which has businesses in urban infrastructure, power, hospitality education and entertainment sectors.

The company proposes to launch the airline with a fleet of three E─Jets that are most suitable for the regional short─haul connectivity between Tier─II and Tier─III cities with major metros, the company said. It has acquired two 70─seater E─170s Jets leased from Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer, and they have already arrived at the Gannavaram airport in Vijayawada.

'India is recognised as one of the key Asian markets driving growth' ─ Nishant Kashikar, Country Manager India, Tourism Australia

Nishant Kashikar
Country Manager India,
Tourism Australia

AirAsia India appoints Subramanian Ramadorai as Non─Executive Chairman

AirAsia India yesterday said that the company has appointed Subramanian Ramadorai as Non─Executive Chairman, as per a release. This comes after Tony Fernandes, Group CEO of AirAsia Berhad announced that Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus ─ Tata Sons Ltd was appointed as the Chief Advisor to the new airline.

Currently, Ramadorai is the Vice Chairman at Tata Consultancy Services, where he was CEO from 1996 until 2009. He is an advisor to the Prime Minister in the National Council on Skill Development. "I would like to confirm Ramadorai as chairman of AirAsia India, a giant of Indian industry, and man from South," Fernandes said on social networking site, Twitter. "That completes our team. Advisor, Chairman, CEO and the Board. Quite a heavyweight team for super exciting AirAsia India," Fernandes added.

Ramadorai is the fourth person from Tata Sons Ltd to hold a position in the airline joint venture after Tata and R Venkataraman (former executive assistant to Ratan Tata) and Bharat Vasani (Chief Legal Counsel, Tata Sons Ltd), who

G8 Summit 2013 provides boost to Ireland tourism

Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel gears up for 2nd 'Global Day of Discovery' tomorrow

Turkish Airlines to deploy B777─300ER on Mumbai─Istanbul route from July 1, 2013

India Market Profile

India Market Profile

Subramanian Ramadorai, Non─Executive Chairman, AirAsia India

Subramanian Ramadorai
Chairman
AirAsia India

There's Nothing like Australia: Food and Wine to take centre stage

There's Nothing like Australia: Food and Wine to take centre stage

Air Costa to start regional flights in South India next month

Mallikarjun Kharge sworn in as Railway Minister

At the Cabinet reshuffle yesterday, Mallikarjun Kharge, 70, who held the Labour and Employment portfolio, was sworn in as the Minister for Railways, Government of India at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. He replaces C P Joshi, who served office for 35 days after the resignation of P K Bansal. Kharge is the sixth Railway Minister in four years, reported the PTI.

“I will give priority to filling up vacancies in Railway Board as soon as possible," Kharge told reporters. He said, "Whatever time is available now, I will try to do my best."

IATA calls for unified efforts between airlines and airports to address challenges

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called for a unified agenda between airlines and airports to address the mutual challenges of growth and sustainability. “Airports are airlines' closest partners. Neither of us could exist without the other,” said Tony Tyler, Director General and CEO, IATA while speaking at the Airports Council International (ACI) Europe / World Annual Congress and Exhibition in Istanbul recently.

Tyler noted that major investments in infrastructure will be needed to meet the global demand for air connectivity which is growing at about five per cent annually, stated a release. Meeting these requirements, efficiently, will require close cooperation. Over the long─term, airline profit margins have been insufficient to cover their cost of capital and this also has been the case for some airports, IATA said. “Neither partner can afford poorly─thought out and overly expensive infrastructure development. To avoid this, we must work together in a collaborative process based upon the basic principles laid down by the International Civil Aviation Organization,

International Focus: ALGARVE: Simply Stunning ─ Portugal Odyssey Part II

International Focus: ALGARVE: Simply Stunning ─ Portugal Odyssey Part II

Thomas Cook India: Forging ahead with Product Innovation & Niche Segments

When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. In a global volatile market, only those who convert challenges into opportunities can survive. Product innovations, effective marketing and clarity in terms of target customers, are formulas that ensure the survival of brands. Thomas Cook India has done exactly that to entice and garner the chunk of niche markets. They prepared and rolled out products and itineraries for niche segments like youth, school/university students, women, etc., in the middle of 2012, analysing the market situation. They gave quirky, and sometimes funny names for their itineraries to catch the imagination of consumers, as well as opened Thomas Cook franchisee shops—Gold Circle Partners—in Tier─II and III cities to make these products accessible for target customers.

“We had launched our brand campaign, 'Thomas Cook the Holiday Walla', to target customers in Tier─II and III cities, which is proving to be a powerhouse when it comes to our volume holiday business. This campaign drew the attention of customers in these markets.

JourneyMart.com: Evolvement of a Travel Information Portal

JourneyMart.com started its operations as a 'Market Place for Travel' in 2001, when the travel business was controlled and dictated by intermediaries – travel agents and tour operators. Principals were selling their products through intermediaries, and commissions were healthy. Travel agents and tour operators were the point of contact for consumers for any kind of transaction. “It was too early for our times when we introduced the concept of 'Market Place for Travel'. Our model was connecting the principals directly to the customer. However, we knew that we have to move beyond and create provide unique services so that customers come back again and again. So our focus and investment from the beginning has been on creating well researched content,” said Varun Chadha, COO, JourneyMart.com.

The online travel industry has grown by leaps and bounds and travel is one of the significant components of the e─commerce pie today in India. JourneyMart.com as one of the pioneers in the online travel information space has also grown through iterations with the evolvement of the Internet.

The Expat Travel Market in India

The Expat Travel Market in India By Donna Lethborg

Round Up

Cathay Pacific and Dragonair host cocktail evening to honour passenger and cargo agents across India

Film Tourism missing in 'action'

Last month was eventful for Indian cinema and the film fraternity on the whole, not for the alleged connection with bookies in the docks for spot fixing at IPL, but for the spotlight at the Cannes Film Festival. Cannes International Film Festival gave an appropriate red─carpet treatment for Indian cinema, which is celebrating its centenary year. Along with Indian cinema, the famed destination branding campaign, Incredible India, was also in the limelight at the event. It was not just Indian cinema's heart─throbs, but also the film─star─turned Tourism Minister, Dr K Chiranjeevi, who made an impact on the red carpet at Cannes. The objective was, on a serious note, to showcase and present India as a versatile and ideal location for shoots to international film─makers.

Singapore Airlines, SilkAir offer special fares to China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore from 11 Indian cities

Singapore Airlines, SilkAir offer special fares to China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore from 11 Indian cities

GTM highlights Germany's focus areas from 2013─19

GTM highlights Germany's focus areas from 2013─19

ATM 2012 Attendance Statistics

ATM 2012 Attendance Statistics

SRM Institute of�Hotel Management, Chennai wins 'National Awards for Excellence in Hospitality Education'

SRM Institute of Hotel Management, Chennai won the 'National Awards for Excellence in Hospitality Education' for the fourth consecutive year. Students Sudhakar Trivedi and Sattwik Mohanty received Gold and Silver medals respectively from Dr Chiranjeevi, Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge), Government of India at a recently held function organised by Ministry of Tourism (MoT) in New Delhi. Trivedi also received an overall Gold medal for the academic excellence for the batch 2009─2012.

Every year National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT) and MoT give these Awards to recognise student's outstanding performance in hospitality education. This year Trivedi and Mohanty, topped and won medals in All India Examination (academic session 2011─2012) conducted by NCHMCT, Noida.

India─Middle East: Tourism exchange takes centrestage

India─Middle East: Tourism exchange takes centrestage

Travellers Safety: The Debate Continues and How!

Travellers Safety: The Debate Continues and How!
By Anurag Yadav

Berlin's Perceptive Gates

Hugh and Colleen Gantzer
Berlin's Perceptive Gates

TAT launches 'Weddings and Celebrations in Thailand' book at 3─city road show in India

The Tourism Authority of Thailand recently concluded its three─city road show in Coimbatore, Mangalore and Pune, with the launch of the second edition of 'Weddings and Celebrations in Thailand' book by Sethaphan Buddhani, Director, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Mumbai. With a mandate of tapping Tier─II cities in South and West India, TAT, Mumbai began the year with a three─city road show engaging with tour operators.

Talking about the book, Buddhani said, “There was no better way for us to end the road show but by means of launching this book in the Indian market. Thailand saw over 100 couples from India tie the holy knot in Thailand in 2012.

Three─star hotels drive online hotel bookings in India: Goibibo report

Travel site Goibibo.com has released its monthly travel report derived from live buyer data. The report covers insights on hotel bookings on the internet in India. Based on observations, it has been found that three─star hotels drive 50 per cent bookings online in India within the tariff slab of Rs 1,500─3,500. The affordable average price point and online availability are the key reasons for travellers opting for this category of hotels.

The report also shares insights on average price points of various star─rated hotels; breakdown of leisure versus business hotels booked online; and customer segments and top destinations for business hotel bookings. While leisure hotels are found to comprise 56.41 per cent bookings, business hotels fall slightly back at 43.59 per cent. Bangalore is found to be the busiest business travel destination due to more online visibility of hotels, followed by Mumbai and Hyderabad. SMEs and individuals outrival corporate entities in terms of driving these bookings.

Preservation of environment necessary for tourism development: J&K CM

Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister (CM), Government of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), recently said that there was need to preserve the natural beauty of the state while developing tourism infrastructure. Chairing a meeting of the tourism department in Jammu, Abdullah said, "In no way should the development of tourist infrastructure interfere in the serenity and environment of tourist resorts."

The CM said revival of the tourism industry would "generate wide─ranging economic activities for people and help in the growth of economy". However, he added that while planning tourist facilities, maintenance and conservation of environment and ecology should be of top priority,

Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur, Chairman and MD, HRH Group of Hotels

Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur
Chairman and MD,
HRH Group of Hotels

Amadeus launches Amadeus E─commerce Seminars

Amadeus, technology partner and transaction processor for the global travel and tourism industry, today launches a new initiative to help traditional 'brick and mortar' travel agencies move their business online and leverage growing traveller demand called Amadeus E─commerce Seminars. The Amadeus E─commerce Seminars will educate travel agencies on the opportunities attached to online business and explain how to leverage this platform to drive revenue and expand their own businesses. The seminars will demonstrate Amadeus solutions such as Amadeus Agency Internet Engine (AAIE), Amadeus Mobile Traveller and Amadeus e─Power, which remove the complexity around making travel arrangements online, and while on the move, as per a release.

David Brett, President, Amadeus Asia Pacific said that the Asia Pacific travel industry is on the cusp of realising the potential offered by E─commerce platforms.

Mumbai airport seeks 660% hike in tariffs

The GVK Infrastructure and Power Ltd─controlled Mumbai International Airport Pvt. Ltd has sought permission from the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) to increase tariffs by 660 per cent per cent and has also sought an introduction of a User Development Fee (UDF) to be imposed on passengers since the airport modernisation project cost has nearly doubled to Rs 12,300 crore since it was privatised, according to two government officials. AERA will publish a consultation paper in the next fortnight to discuss the demand for tariff hikes by the Mumbai airport. The operator declined to comment on the development. Aeronautical tariffs include parking, landing and navigation fees for airlines, besides passenger levies on fares, as per a Live Mint report by Tarun Shukla.

Concur report highlights need for automated travel expense management processes in India

Organisations are realising the need to move to an automated travel expense management process that is efficient, transparent and free of human errors, reveals a recent study on travel expense management practices. The report ─ Understanding Corporate Travel Expense Management Practices in India – has been commissioned by Concur and conducted by Nielsen India. The research report, put together from a sample of 507 companies across major Indian cities like Delhi/NCR, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Pune, throws light on the time spent by companies in expense management, errors involved in using traditional expense management procedures, and the need for evolved and integrated travel expense management solutions.

UK visa application centre opens in Bengaluru

The United Kingdom, in association with consular facilitation company VFS Global, recently opened a new UK visa application centre in Bengaluru. Ian Felton, British Deputy High Commissioner; Thomas Greig, Regional Director, UK Border Agency, and Murali Raghavan, COO ─ South Asia and CIS, VFS Global, formally launched the new centre.

The centre features a new premium lounge which provides customers with the option of submitting their applications in a separate lounge with dedicated staff and additional facilities. The centre also has internet facilities. Operational from May 28, 2012, these are the first internet facilities to be introduced to the UK visa application centres, and will be rolled out to others in due course.

The normal hours for submission of applications and collection of documents at the centre are being extended by two hours. With immediate effect, the opening hours are 08.00 to 16.00 hours.

Qatar Airways wins two awards at Skytrax 2012 World Airport Awards

Qatar Airways has won two accolades at the annual Skytrax 2012 World Airport Awards held in Vienna recently. For the second year in a row, Qatar Airways' Premium Terminal at Doha International Airport (DIA) has been named the 'World's Best Premium Service Airport'. While Qatar Airways─owned Oryx Rotana, a five─star hotel at Doha International Airport, has won the 'Best Airport Hotel in the Middle East' award it has also been ranked as the tenth best airport hotel in the world.

According to a release from the airline, the Premium Terminal which opened in 2006 is is for exclusive use of Qatar Airways' First and Business Class passengers and offers facilities like fine dining, spa, business centre etc. DIA emerged as a winner in face of stiff competition that included Frankfurt Airport's Lufthansa First Class Lounge and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport's Thai Airways First Class check─in and lounge facilities. The 400─room Oryx Rotana, a business hotel in the capital of Qatar features six signature dining options, high─tech business facilities, limousine car rental, multi─lingual staff and wireless Internet connection in all its guest rooms.

Indian MICE market expected to grow by 10─15 per cent in 2012

Undeterred by the global slowdown, Indian corporates are spending on corporate travel, pushing up the outbound market for MICE. The Indian outbound MICE market is estimated to be around USD 550─600 million and is expected to increase by 10─15 per cent in 2012. Forecasting a strong growth, Heena Akhtar, COO, Travelport said, "The slowdown meant that regular companies cut down on their corporate travel last year. But this year, we are expecting a revival in incentivised travel and meetings by corporates,'' she said.

About 1.5─1.8 million passengers travelled outbound for Meetings and Conventions. Pharmaceuticals, cement FMCG, IT and financial services are the major industries contributing to the sector.

According to a study on India's MICE market by Synovate Business Consulting, the most popular destinations in Europe in the last two years included Germany with 73 per cent opting for the destination followed by UK (52 per cent), France (51 per cent) and Switzerland (45 per cent).

Cards & Payments Asia 2012 to be held in Singapore in April 2012

The 17th edition of the Cards & Payments Asia 2012, a smart technology exhibition, will showcase new technologies in Near Field Communication (NFC) and contactless payment together with ta spectrum of smart technology initiatives. The event will be held in Singapore from April 25─27, 2012 at the Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre. Richard Ireland, Chief Executive, Terrapinn Asia Pacific said, “This year's Cards & Payments Asia not only allows attendees to gain valuable insights on how to capitalise on the exponential growth of e─commerce and mobile commerce, but leverage on cutting─edge knowledge of multi─channel strategies for effective customer engagement, making it a must-attend event for all stakeholders seeking an edge over their competitions.”

TAT strengthens branding via new Amazing Thailand campaign

Considering the appeal the 'Amazing Thailand, Always Amazes You' marketing campaign has evoked globally, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would be wise to stick to the same campaign in the coming years. Following its success, the agency will try to exploit modern communication channels to enhance the campaign's visibility in future. TAT will also sponsor events to reach target segments in key markets, globally.

Speaking about their targets for 2012, Suraphon Svetasreni, Governor, TAT, said, “Responding to constant and incessant change is now our biggest challenge. TAT has set a target of 19.5 million international tourist arrivals in 2012 to generate an estimated revenue of 760 billion Baht (USD 24.85 billion) – a growth of around nine per cent over 2011. The target for domestic tourism is 93 million trips with an expected revenue accrual of 453 billion Baht (USD 14.70 billion).” This year, greater focus will be on Domestic Tourism, with stress on boosting the image of domestic travel, organising activities to promote it, publicising new value for money products and services, and using domestic travel as a means for building national identity.

ADTOI plans to organise road shows in Guwahati and Shillong in July 2011

The Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI), in partnership with Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDONER) and North East Industrial Development Finance Corporation (NEDFi), has decided to organise road shows in Guwahati (Assam) and Shillong (Meghalaya) in July 2011. The road show in Guwahati will be held on July 7 & 8, while the on in Shillong will be held on July 9. As per the plan, the two day road show in Guwahati will also include Business to Business (B2B) meetings.

Egencia releases 2011 Corporate Travel Forecast and Hotel Negotiability Index

Egencia, an Expedia, Inc. company, has unveiled its 2011 Corporate Travel Forecast and Hotel Negotiability Index, finding that Average Ticket Prices (ATPs) for top corporate travel destinations will remain relatively flat to slightly up and Average Daily Rates (ADRs) will be slightly up overall in North America, Europe and Asia─Pacific. New to this year's forecast is an Advance Purchase Advisory that identifies ideal advance booking windows and potential savings for flight purchase in nearly 40 markets around the world. After a year of significant flexibility, Egencia's Hotel Negotiability Index suggests that corporations will face a more challenging negotiating environment in
2011.

To arrive at these findings, the study evaluates global industry trends, macroeconomic factors, in─depth research of supplier markets and capacity across air, hotel and car rental channels in both domestic and international destinations, along with booking window analysis tailored for business travellers.

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Round Up

Dubai Calling

ItzCash Card Ltd. ties up with Cox & Kings to facilitate online air ticket booking

Cash cards have emerged as the preferred mode of payment in the rapidly growing online travel booking market. According to the 90Di Survey, in India, 54 per cent of air ticket booking is done online, with cash cards cornering a 28.8 per cent share of the total online ticket booking. ItzCash Card Ltd., one of India's leading cash card companies, to further consolidate its market share in this segment has tied up with Cox & Kings to facilitate online air ticket booking. With this tie─up, all Cox & Kings customers can now avail the benefits of booking their tickets online by using ItzCash card.

This tie─up is a part of ItzCash's plans to expand its market reach in the travel segment where it has tie─ups with prominent travel portals and travel agencies like Yatra.com, Cleartrip.com, Makemytrip.com, Thomas Cook and many more to provide better travelling experience to travellers. ItzCash, in a short span of five years has expanded its reach to service millions of customers in the travel segment.

Asian tourism organisations launch sellasianow.com, an exclusive website for travel agents

Eight Asian tourism organizations i.e. Hong Kong Tourism Board, India Tourism, Japan National Tourism Organisation, Korea Tourism Organisation, Macau Government Tourist Office, Philippine Department of Tourism, Singapore Tourism Board and Tourism Authority of Thailand in collaboration with leading tour operators and airlines operating to Asia have designed a website exclusively for travel agents─ www.sellasianow.com.

With Sell Asia Now, agents can access deals on packages and flights to Asia, exclusive booking incentives offered by Asia Now partner tour operators and airlines and become eligible to win cash rewards. According to a report in travelagentcentral.com, the top three agents to book the most packages and/or flights to Asia available on the website will win up to USD1, 500. Additional incentives can be found on the site, including a 12 per cent commission on Asia Classic Tours booked by this month end and USD 100 commission on all exclusive Sell Asia Now packages with Asia Luxe Holidays.

Delhi International Airport tightens security after firing scare

According to a PTI report, the security at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in New Delhi was put on high alert in the wee hours today following the reported hearing of gunshots. The scare followed a passenger claiming to have heard sound of two gunshots firing at around 1.15 am near gate no 4, but there was no eyewitness, Udayan Banerjee, Commissioner of Security for Airports (COSA) told PTI.

However, the airport was already on a high alert following intelligence warning that there could be a terror attack or a hijack ahead of the Babri Masjid demolition anniversary tomorrow. The Quick Reaction Team (QRT) of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) swung into action along with Delhi Police immediately after the reported incident.

”We received a call that some passengers heard a sound similar to two gunshots, but there were no eyewitnesses. No evidence has so far come up to suggest that it was a firing and we cannot confirm it as a gunshot. After the sound, the CISF and Delhi Police swung into action and intensified the checking at the airport,” Banerjee said.

Customised Packages v/s Dynamic Packages

Customised holiday packages are designed according to a traveller's requirements, preferences and budget. Customised packages are fast picking up among discerning travellers who have discovered relevant information about the destination from the Internet or have read books on the destination. The traveller has some idea with regards to what he wants to do on his holiday and which are the places he would like to visit. ─── Vishal Suri, Chief Operating Officer, Leisure ─ Outbound, Thomas Cook India Ltd

Dynamic packaging is a mechanism used in package holiday bookings, enabling consumers to build their own packages of flights, accommodation and car hire on the Internet instead of booking a pre─designed package from a travel agent. Dynamic packaging can be defined as the combination of different travel components, clubbed and priced in real time, in response to the requests of the consumer or booking agent. ─── Yogesh Rathi, CEO, Etours CRS

Airlines overhaul IT systems to adapt to changing travel industry

The aviation industry hit turbulent times when Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices went soaring high, leading to unimaginable losses. And delivering another crushing blow was the global economic crisis and liquidity crunch which has created a downturn in passenger movement across the globe, including India. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Indian carriers are expected to suffer cumulative operational losses of USD 1.5 billion (close to Rs 6,800 crore) in 2008 while the global aviation industry losses are expected to be around USD 4.1 billion. As a matter of fact, the tourism industry which recorded a steady growth of 15 to 20 per cent in the past few years might also face a slowdown in the coming year due to the fall─out effect of the financial crisis. With almost all airlines, global as well as Indian, moving to implement effective cost cutting measures, it is time that carriers use technology to their benefit by adopting the right practices. In this regard, Amadeus, the world's leading provider of travel distribution and IT solutions

Jewel Classic Hotels to set up second property in Karnal

Karnal─based Jewel Classic Hotels will set up its second hotel property at Karnal, Haryana, by end─2009. The property, which is under construction at a prime location on National Highway 1, will be the first five─star property of the Group. The hotel will come up on eight acres of land and will consist of 140 rooms.

Manbeer Chaudhary, Managing Director, Jewel Classic Hotels Pvt. Ltd. said, “The hotel will have a 2.50 lakh square feet area with a commercial space of 32,000 square feet. In Haryana, we are free to use 15 per cent of our total FAR for commercial purposes.” About the hotel having a spa, convention facilities and multi─cuisine restaurants, Chaudhary said, “We want to take the advantage of our proximity to New Delhi. Therefore, we will promote the hotel by offering special weekend packages.” The Group is in talks with international brands like Hilton, Sheraton, and Carlson for franchise agreements for the upcoming hotel. Jewel Classic Hotels currently has a four─star property in Karnal with around 45 deluxe executive class rooms and ten suites.

Omkar Properties to launch their first resort by Dec '08

Mumbai─based Omkar Properties Pvt. Ltd. will launch their first property, a resort 'Blue Ocean Resort & Spa' at Ratnagiri in Maharashtra. The resort, to be operational by December 2008, will have villa style and five─star facilities. The resort will have around 15,000 sq ft area dedicated to a spa. The Group has acquired 40 acres of land near Ganpatipule in Ratnagiri and has developed around nine acres of that land. They will initially start up with 25 villas and two restaurants by December 2008 and will come up with a total number of 100 villas and six restaurants in the next two to three years. The Group recently acquired 25 acres of land at Ratnagiri for developing private villas. Construction work on the villas will begin in October, 2008. The Group is also considering the resort for franchise agreement.

Travel agents are here to stay...

Anil Punjabi
Chairman (Eastern India Chapter)
Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI)

Kerala launches home stay classification scheme

In keeping with the emerging trend of tourism based on home stays, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, the Minister for Tourism, Kerala, recently launched the home stay classification scheme in the State.

Banerjee appointed as new Secretary Tourism

Sheelbhadra Banerjee, took over as the new Secretary Tourism at Ministry of Tourism, Transport Bhawan, New Delhi. A 1971 I.A.S. (A.P.)

Andhra Pradesh to get another airport

Brahmani Industries Limited (BIL) is planning to develop an airport in Cuddapah district, near the location of its proposed two million tonnes per annum (tpa) integrated steel project