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 COVER STORY

Tourism and hospitality industry sidelined in Union Budget 2009-10
The Union Budget 2009-10 is a mixed bag for the travel, tourism and hospitality industry. While the industry will benefit with the abolition of FBT, CTT and infrastructural development through IIFCL; the industry is disappointed with the no infrastructure status for the hotel industry and tax exemptions requested by the associations reports TravelBiz Monitor
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 IN FOCUS

Aviation Outlook India 2009 focuses on infrastructural development
The Indian aviation industry may be reeling under the effect of the global economic slowdown, but from a long term perspective, the industry has huge potential for growth. Aviation Outlook India 2009 brought industry experts on a common platform to discuss the opportunities in the market, TravelBiz Monitor reports.
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 IN FOCUS

ATE 2009: Brings out the essence of ‘Real Australia’
Recently concluded Tourism Australia's annual trade show - Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) 2009 at Melbourne Convention Centre brought in some new and niche products for the Eastern hemisphere markets of Australia. TravelBiz Monitor highlights the various aspects of the event and interacts with various regional tourism authorities to know their view on the Indian market.
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DEALZ CLUB

In today’s business environment where slowdown and recession pose major challenges to growth, controlling costs is an imperative. However, at the same time, one has to reach out to a larger target audience for maintaining the revenue levels, thereby putting pressure on advertising and marketing budgets. In light of the above obstacles to your business’ growth, we offer you an unmatched value for money solution to reach your B2B target audience — DEALZ CLUB.
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This Week's Top Headlines
Increased budget allocation for National Highways development to benefit Road Tourism
  The allocation during the current year to National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for the National Highways Development Programme (NHDP) is being stepped up by 23 per cent over 2008-09. This move will benefit ...read more>>
FBT abolishment cheers hoteliers
 

The Union Budget for FY 2009-10 presented by Finance Minister, Pranab Mukherjee has once again garnered lukewarm responses from the hospitality and tourism sectors. While the budget remains focussed ...read more>>

Tourism and hospitality industry upset over neglect in Union Budget 2009-10
  The travel and tourism industry did not find required mention in the budget speech presented by Union Finance Minister, Pranab Mukherjee in the Parliament today. The tourism industry, like other industries, ...read more>>
Union Budget 2009-10 offers increased outlays for rail, civil aviation and tourism industry
  The significant increase in the outlay for Railways from Rs 10,800 crore during the Interim Budget to Rs 15,800 crore in the Union Budget 2009-2010 presented today by Finance Minister, Pranab Mukherjee brought ...read more>>
Scrapping of FBT evokes mixed response from travel industry
  The Union Budget 2009-10 presented today by Pranab Mukherjee, Finance Minister of India was disappointing for the stock market, but provided a little bit of cheer for the 'Aam Aadmi' (common man). While the budget ....read more>>
Red Apple Travel to introduce coach tours for Far East destinations
  Malaysia-based Red Apple Travel Group of Companies, a destination management company, which works closely with the Indian travel trade, is looking at introducing coach tours for Far East destinations ...read more>>
GCCI wants tax sops for Goa tourism industry
 

The Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has said that the Goa tourism industry should be granted tax sops in the budget to be presented by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today, ...read more>>

Point-to-point trains not a threat to LCCs: Industry experts
  Union Railway Minister, Mamata Banerjee's plan to start 12 new point-to-point trains is not expected to be a threat to Low Cost Carriers (LCCs), state industry experts. While the new trains are expected to ...read more>>
Worldwide healthcare travel revenue to hit USD 100 billion by 2012
  Rising healthcare standards together with the growing demand for more affordable treatment will keep the Asian market for Medical Tourism buoyant, according to experts speaking at the recently concluded ...read more>>
Global Industry Analysts Inc’s report looks into future of air travel
  Global Industry Analysts, Inc. has released an invaluable insight into the future of air travel entitled ‘Air Travel: A Global Strategic Business Report’. The comprehensive report provides an in-depth review of the ...read more>>
France Rail offers new fares exclusive to Rail Europe accredited agents and direct websites
  Rail Europe has announced that it has exclusive selling rights to France Rail’s ‘Easy Access’ Passholder product, which allows the owner to access a seat on a train as long as there are still seats available. ...read more>>
Tourism Australia’s Aussie Specialist Programme to be launched as new website next month
  After winning various awards for 'Best training programme' in Asia, United Kingdom and United States of America, Tourism Australia’s global online training programme- the Aussie Specialist Programme ...read more>>
TAAI appoints Vijay Mohanraj as Chairman of TAAI-AP Chapter
  Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) has appointed Vijay Mohanraj as the Chairman of Andhra Pradesh Chapter. Mohanraj, 52, is the Director of ‘Sameera Travels’ which came into existence in 1988. ...read more>>
   
Tourism in North East to benefit substantially through enhanced rail connectivity
  The announcement in the Rail Budget 2009-2010 of ten different rail projects in the North East as National Projects, connectivity to the region is set to be enhanced, allowing the tourism sector to promote the region ...read more>>
   
Indian Railways to make Tatkal Scheme more user-friendly
  The period of advance booking under the Tatkal Scheme is being reduced from the current five days to two days. Tatkal tickets will be made available destination-wise instead of from end to end thereby reducing the...read more>>
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