To display this email in a browser, please click here
 IN FOCUS

Poor Infrastructure & Connectivity cited as biggest challenges at the MP Tourism Conclave
DThe two-day Madhya Pradesh Tourism Conclave and B2B meet organized jointly by MP Tourism and FICCI in Khajuraho earlier this month facilitated an open interaction between the government and the travel trade. While the travel trade raised issues related with infrastructure and connectivity, the government put across their genuine intention to improve tourism infrastructure in the state by involving the private sector proactively. TravelBiz Monitor reports on the deliberations
...read more>>
 IN CONVERSATION
‘There is a future for m-commerce as the market evolves’ - Anil Porter, Chief Technology Officer, Interglobe Technology Quotient (ITQ)
The ever evolving travel consumer has forced travel companies to constantly re-invent themselves in the way they reach out, promote and sell travel products. Anil Porter, Chief Technology Officer, Interglobe Technology Quotient (ITQ), in a one-on-one with TravelBiz Monitor, speaks about various trends on the travel technology side
...read more>>
 DESTINATION INSIGHT

International Focus: SuperStar Virgo: A Soujourn on the High Seas
Star Cruises’ recently refurbished SuperStar Virgo offers passengers a veritable cornucopia of delights in terms of entertainment and dining options. TravelBiz Monitor shares her experiences of the luxurious array of facilities and activities available onboard this magnificent ship
...read more>>
 ROUND UP

Gulf Air celebrates 40 years of operations to India and many more pictures...
...read more>>
This Week's Top Headlines
TFCI to draft Tourism Master Plan for Chhattisgarh
  The Chhattisgarh Tourism Board (CTB) has awarded Tourism Finance Corporation of India (TFCI) the mandate to draft a Tourism Master Plan, which is expected to be ready by 2013. ...read more>>
‘Involve to Evolve: A New Beginning,’ is the theme for TAAI Convention 2012
  The Diamond Jubilee India Travel Congress, TAAI’s 60th Convention and Exhibition, to be held in Istanbul from March 11-14, 2012, will have ‘Involve to Evolve: A New Beginning’, as its theme. ...read more>>
Austrian National Tourist Office to re-launch Austrian Certified Travel Specialist programme in India
  ANTO will re-launch its online training programme, ‘Austrian Certified Travel Specialist' (ACTS) for travel trade in India this month. Currently, ACTS has 2110 specialist registered under this programme. ...read more>>
India to host WTA Grand Final 2012 on December 12, 2012
  India will play host to the World Travel Awards (WTA) Grand Final 2012 on December 12, 2012. The ceremony will be held at The Oberoi, Gurgaon. WTA 2012 awards will include regional legs in Dubai, the Algarve, South Africa, ...read more>>
Air India planning to trim frequencies on long-haul routes
  With the promise of fund infusion into cash-strapped Air India remaining on paper and not translating into any real money, the national carrier is planning to prune six long-haul international flights apart from taking a re-look ...read more>>
Charson Advisory Services launches annual event ‘Travel Outbound Workshop'
  Charson Advisory Services Pvt. Ltd. has introduced an annual B2B event, ‘Travel Outbound Workshop' (TOW), which focuses on creating a platform for representatives of niche tourism products and ...read more>>
FTCCI aims to make Nagpur tiger capital of the world
  The Friends of Tiger Country Central India (FTCCI) was launched with a big bang recently during the Vidarbha Economic Development (VED) council and Cenin Travels organized Wagh Utsav 2012 to promote the region ...read more>>
GNTO plans to launch online training programme for Indian travel trade this year
  In order to create greater awareness and to equip the Indian travel trade to sell Germany more effectively as a tourism destination, the German National Tourist Office (GNTO) plans to launch an online training programme ...read more>>
Egypt hopes for strong tourism recovery in 2012
  Egypt hopes to witness a strong recovery in its tourism sector in 2012 by improving services and infrastructure while attracting visitors from more diverse parts of the globe, Fakhry Abdel-Nour, Tourism Minister of Egypt ...read more>>
BCIHMCT – New Delhi hosts international conference on ‘Technology Trends and Innovations’
  India International Hotel, Travel and Tourism Research Conference (IIHTTRC) on ‘Technology Trends and Innovations’ hosted by Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, New Delhi, ...read more>>
Thomas Cook Group starts sale process for its 77.1% stake in India arm
  British tour operator Thomas Cook Group (TCG) has started the formal sale process for its 77.1 per cent stake in its Indian arm, Thomas Cook India Ltd (TCIL). “Following a number of unsolicited, ...read more>>
JourneyMart.com unveils new travel search tool
  Online travel portal, JourneyMart.com, recently unveiled a travel search tool which allows travellers to choose their destination depending on their preferences. Searches display relevant and comprehensive results, ...read more>>
Singapore Airlines to increase Mumbai-Singapore operations to 19 weekly flights from March 25, 2012
  Singapore Airlines will be increasing their flight frequency on the Mumbai-Singapore route from 17 to 19 weekly flights from 25 March, 2012. The airline is also offering introductory all-inclusive fares to Singapore till February 29 ...read more>>
Baron Luxury and Lifestyle to launch ‘Baron Women' next month
  Baron Luxury Holidays, a division of Mumbai-based air charter and yacht service provider, Baron Luxury and Lifestyle Private Limited, will launch a product dedicated for female travellers early next month. ...read more>>
India among top five source markets for Singapore in 2011
  The number of Indian tourists flocking to Singapore has gone up steadily, making India one of the five top tourism generating nations for the city state. Of the total 13.2 million international tourists ...read more>>
Best Western unveils its first hotel in Saudi Arabia
  Best Western International has launched its first ever hotel in Saudi Arabia. Located in Al Khobar, the Best Western Plus Sand Rose Suite Hotel features 48 rooms and suites. ...read more>>
NTCA asks states to create core inviolate areas for tigers, shift tourism to buffer zones
  Several resorts in and around tiger reserves may cease to exist as the Centre has asked state governments to acquire 800 to 1,000 square kilometers of land to provide core inviolate (empty) areas for tigers, and ...read more>>
TajGVK to expand in Tier-II, Tier-III cities in Andhra Pradesh
  Hyderabad-based TajGVK Hotels and Resorts Limited (THRL), an alliance between GVK Group and Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), is looking at opening hotels in Tier-II and Tier-III cities in Andhra Pradesh. ...read more>>